New York State of Mind

Arctic bitter blast causes havoc in Ireland

SEE PHOTOS - Arctic weather hits Ireland

Read more: Ireland is hit with record cold blast

My only outing this past weekend reminded me of three things...
Ireland is incapable of dealing with snowfall.
Driving into the eye of the storm is never a good idea.
People can and will find the funny side of things.

Despite the the worst week since the foundation of the Irish state - some people will still be giving thanks

Despite the the worst week since the foundation of the Irish state - some people will still be giving thanks

It's Thursday morning in Ireland, Brian Cowen wakes up early, still in a hazy stupor from his restless nights sleep. He looks in the mirror and disappointed, he soon realizes, he wasn’t dreaming, it wasn’t a nightmare, his Government is in ruins and Ireland's future is being held together with rubber bands on loan from Europe.

Ireland's destiny held together by billions of rubber bands, anyone of which is liable to snap as a result of his Government's actions over the coming weeks.

Irish Government's acceptance of mass emigration appalling

Yesterday at lunchtime my Irish cell phone rang with an unknown number flashing on the screen.

I answered with a curious tone, as a familiar voice on the other end of the phone greeted me. It was one of my college friends, John, calling after he had finished a hard days work in Gurley, Australia.

Frustration grows as severe Irish budget looms

But for millions of Ireland's children, 2010 budget will have a much greater impact on their future, as their parents, neighbors and communities strive to keep going.

American sense of pride in voting is energizing

I have a bad habit. OK I have a lot of bad habits but like many, my biggest form of procrastination takes the form of hours spent social networking, in other words time wasting on Facebook when I should be proactive.

It was on one of my latest bouts of procrastination that I had the realization of another great thing about America.

It started a week ago when one of my friends made a frantic plea via Facebook:
“Does anyone in NY have an absentee ballot they are not going to use? If so, can I tell you who I am going to vote for and you fill it in?? I'm totally serious!! Thanks!”