Get your Irish on...or f*** fear!

Sooo, that favored time of year is just past. You know what I am talking about, the time, at least in America, that for one day everyone pretends to be descended from a little island in the North Atlantic.

And I do mean everyone.

March 17th.

St. Patrick's Day.

(And don't bitch about the Star Wars/Star Trek memes, this is a multi-fandom blog, remember?)

Green beer day.

Or whiskey. You know. I'm not picky. (Actually I AM;  Guinness, Harp or Jameson's, please.)

The Kiss Me, I'm Irish Day.

(Or the ever popular, 'Hey, girl, do you have any Irish in you?" "Well, would you like some? *eyeroll* No, boys, if you're wondering, that doesn't work...)

The day of bad fake accents and that damnable word, 'begorra'. What's a begorra, anyway?

Now, I really am Irish. Not a lot, just a 'wee' bit. Great-great grandfather on my mother's side. I am far more Scottish than Irish, though. And that's okay, I love Scotland, too, and I was very torn about trying to get there as well, but in the end, when I realized I may only have one shot at this trip to Europe, that I was going for Ireland. Scotland & Sam Heughan be damned.

(Just kidding, Sam...seriously...kidding. If I ever get rich and famous, it'll be my VERY next stop,  I promise.)

Besides my paranormal romance series, Celtic Elementals is set in Ireland. And there is the fact that I really DO need to do research for the last book in the series, Lightning In Sea. LIS isn't even going to be set in Ireland, at least not mostly. Mostly it will be set in the Isle of Man, so I am going there, too. *sqee*

(No, I don't know why they have three legs on their flag...I prefer not to speculate about possible connotations... but I intend to ask. Preferrably after a pint or two...)

I'm also bebopping over to London for a couple days because....hello, LONDON. Or 'allo, as the case may be. After all,  this might show up...

(Hey, it COULD happen!)

Or this man could...

Or this one...

Or...well, you get the picture. Honestly, I may not come home at all...hey, a woman needs to see all the pretty things in life, right?

I am loving the idea of this trip, as you maybe can tell, but I am awful nervous as well. When I was younger, I didn't have the slightest bit of social anxiety, now sometimes I have it TERRIBLY bad. That's freaky when you are thinking about going a few thousand miles away from home.

All ALONE.

What will I do if I have a panic attack in the middle of London?

After all, I'll have to like, TALK to people and maybe I won't always understand the accent and so I'll be like a dweeb going, uh what did you say again? Maybe again...and one more time, please?

And while I am in Ireland I'll have to drive on the wrong side of the road and try to to navigate Irish roadways, which I have been told multiple times are narrow as hell...and in the West, sometimes blocked by actual sheep...plus Irish drivers don't really have the best reputation...

....and I have not one or two connections and flights to make, but like SIX, in 4 different airports, in 3 different countries...(4 actually, but the Isle of Man is the UK so technically I can't count it seperately.

Oh and then there is euros in Ireland....except when I am in the north, then it's pounds. Then euros again in Dublin. Then pounds again on the Isle and in London.

And then there is the fact I hear Irish people show affection by insulting each other and expect you to do the same...well, actually I am probably good with that. At least after some Guinness. :)

I know I joke and I make light, but it really is a HUGE, unfunny thing, but you know what?

Because if I let my fears and recurring nightmares (like missing one of my flights, losing all my luggage and having to wear goddamn jeans to St. Paul's...) dictate my life, I'd never do anything. I'd be stuck in shadows forever.

And that is NOT me.

So fuck fear.

And hello trip of a lifetime.

Oh YES.

YOLO. :D