by shannonchance

Electric Storage Heat

The bricks in my electric storage heater.

Electricity costs a lot in Europe.  Years ago I’d heard the cost was generally six times as high as in the USA.  As a result, the Europeans are more careful about the way they use energy.  They try not to waste it.

Many Irish homes use electric storage heat.  The system mimics adobe construction of the southwestern United States.  It uses “thermal mass” (in the form of bricks) to soak up heat when it’s free (from the desert sun) or cheaper (at night when purchased from the utility company in Ireland).

The bricks hold the heat until the air on the outside gets colder than they are, and then they release the heat they are holding into the air to warm it.

I’ve posted photos of Keith, the maintenance guy for my apartment building, checking one of my electric storage heaters. They’re a bit difficult to get started at the beginning of the winter season.  Mine needed extra attention because a toddler who used to live in this apartment stuffed small plastic items into the heating units. Keith had to clean them out.

In any case, I hope this technology keeps getting used and improved, as it’s a system that makes a lot of sense environmentally.

Get heated at night (when electricity costs less) and absorb the heat energy to release it during the day.

by shannonchance

Thanksgivings Long, Long Ago

Here’s to memories of giving Thanks long, long ago.

In the photo below my dad, my younger/only sister Heather, and I were admiring the glory of a wise, old, wild turkey.  Heather couldn’t bear to eat fellows like him, and became vegetarian by the age of 15.  See the genuine respect she has for him?  Remarkable, really!

She posted this photo on Facebook last night — to celebrate Thanksgiving — and I thought I’d pass it along so you can see a fall day in Virginia in the late 70s with two young kids in awe of the natural world.

Shannon and Don and Heather Massie admiring a fine wild turkey.

by shannonchance

Upcoming Lectures

I’ve been asked to deliver two lectures at the DIT School of Architecture next week.

At 11 AM on Monday I will talk about How an Architect’s Material Palette Can Enhance Student Learning.

At 1:30 PM on Friday I’ll present What Can the LEED Green Building Rating System Do For You?

Both lectures will be held in DIT’s Linenhall. Please contact me via engineeringfulbright (at) dit.ie for information about how to attend.

Photo from Ireland, copyright Dave Chance Photography.

by shannonchance

Thankful

Today I am so thankful for so many different things.

Dave is one I am ever so thankful to have in my life.  He’s turning 40 this Saturday, and I’m sad to be missing it. Here’s a little tribute to the love of my life.

Dava and Shannon in Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia. Once upon a time.
Dave and “baby” David, November 2012.
Shannon, Dave and Heather, Christmas 2011.
Dave in Bayeux, France.
Dave documenting WWII sites in Normandy, France.
Dave at the Eiffel Tower.
Dave documenting doors.
Reflecting Shannon and Dave.
Dave with his French espresso.
Dave and Shannon on Lourmarin, France.
Dave and Shannon.
Dave in southern France, 2012.
by shannonchance

Weird Science

A cast of Jonathan Swift’s skull.

Sometimes you build a theory and it doesn’t quite reflect reality. There’s a lot to be said for trail and error, though.

I learned about this little research and documentation project when Esther and I visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin.  Since Jonathan Swift (the head of that church) had been such an exceptional guy, researchers decided to dig up his body and document the shape of his skull by making a plaster copy.

With the task completed, they laid his skeleton back to rest.

Esther visited me Halloween week and, coincidentally, we saw an unbelievable number of actual skeletons, mummies, petrified bodies and heads while she was here.  One curator even let us touch a mummy. Esther refused the offer but I couldn’t resist.

An explanation of exactly what they thought they’d gain.

 

by shannonchance

Alight on Henry Street

On Henry Street in Dublin, they’ve turned the evening lights on for the holiday season.

Happy Holidays on Henry Street.

by shannonchance

Face-to-Face with Dorian Gray

Face to face with Dorian Gray.

Dorian Gray really made me think.  The theatrical production of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray brought me into a deep dark world and beaconed me to chose the light.

I’d tried to see this play when Mom was here, but it sold out during the theater festival. Thankfully, the Abbey Theater extended its run. And I got a front-row seat for just 13 Euro!  All that money I save not buying cable — it goes straight into Dublin theater.  And that’s the way I like it.

I’ve got to hand it to my sister, NYC actor Heather Massie, for showing me the ropes of theater-going. I’m no longer intimidated by the whole theater scene.  In fact, tonight, I looked Dorian straight in the eye and walked away knowing that life is good and remembering that I am truly blessed.

Fabulous actor. Fascinating character.

There’s such great theater in Dublin!  I’ve gotten to see two of this season’s four shows. The first, The Plow and the Stars was beautifully executed, just like The Picture of Dorian Gray. (See how serious I looked after seeing Dorian Gray!?!)

by shannonchance

Finding Gavin Duffy

Gavin (left), his brother Aidan, and the Monday night musicians at Hughes Pub.

Finding Gavin Duffy has been a challenge lately.  This case is much different from finding Kevin Donleavy, but this story also ends in a pub.

November is notoriously hectic in the university world, and Gavin works so hard and teaches so many hours that he doesn’t have much time for lunch chatter these days.  In addition, he’s got his hands full at home with three growing kids and another (surprise!) on the way.  (Congrats are in order to Gavin and Carmel and their three very-happy-to-have-a-new-sibling kids!)

But I also want to do my job here, which is to help Gavin progress with his dissertation.  I want to make sure we’re ready to meet with his dissertation advisor Thursday.  We really need to have something new to say.  We need to show some progress — so as to use Rob’s (and our) time well.

In any case, I know I can track Gavin down in my own neighborhood once a week, when his group of musicians gathers to play at Hughes Pub.

We shared our research progress, quickly between songs last night, and had some fun in the meantime.

I’ve spent more than a little time at Hughes Pub this week.  Saturday night I went in at ten o’clock not knowing a soul.  I left at two in the morning with three new friends: Dubliners Kathleen, Sean, and Mick.

Paddy Woodward described the feel at Hughes as a fine suburban-style pub, if I remember correctly. I didn’t understand until I visited the back part last Saturday. I arrived with the tourist crowd…

…and left with the locals. Thanks for tons of laughs Kathleen, Sean, and Mick!