The crash didn’t discriminate between new and old money. It blew away a simple Ireland where everybody felt rich, and left us with micro-classes of people struggling to come to terms with the new landscape.
Old Age Millionaires (OAMi)
You don’t need a million euro to be an OAMi. You just need a healthy stash, a bit of security and a grudge about the Celtic Tiger years.
Something monumental happened last Sunday in winter sunshine behind the sand dunes at Long Strand in West Cork. Myself and the wife had just finished a few ham rolls we’d put together on the boot of the car. I poured a cup of tea out of the flask, took one sup and said ‘this is the life’. There it was – I’d become my parents.
It’s time to talk to the future. What should we put in a time capsule to explain life in Ireland 2011 to alien visitors?
1: German Dictionary
Remember when Germany was over there, in the middle of Europe, making up for a dodgy past with Kraftwerk and not minding too much if you did a goosestep in front of them for a cheap laugh. It was popular with Irish visitors because our old 5 pence piece could work as 1 mark in their vending machines. That and the fact that their public transport operates on the honour system, which translates into Irish as Jesus lads, it’s free.
My love affair with coffee is nearly over. It was great while it lasted but I’m not sure how much more I can take of the giddy highs and dizzy lows that come with a life on the bean. The affair started twelve years when a couple of Italian friends bought me an espresso machine as a present. Up until then I would have the odd cup of Nescafe and wonder what all the fuss was about. But this was the good stuff.
I’m sitting here in trendy runners, skinny jeans from TK Maxx and an €11 hoodie I bought in Penneys. I’m 44 this month. 2011 will be the year when I get a new look.