27 Comments
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Karis Rogerson's avatar

Happy birthday! James Joyce is also popular in my hometown in Italy for having spent time there writing, so I always feel a connection to him + Dublin!

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Alicia Thompson's avatar

anywhere James Joyce has been or touched must be celebrated accordingly!! what a legacy lol

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Jane Mitchell's avatar

Happy birthday! You DESERVE to see little lambs running! <3

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Alicia Thompson's avatar

thank you!!! I want this cross-stitched somewhere with a little jumping lamb

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Jennie's avatar

Happy birthday!! Would read your grocery list!!!!!

Leap year is so great but also terrible! Good bad romcoms are so fun! Like Maid of Honor or What’s Your Number

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Alicia Thompson's avatar

ha both good examples!

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Julie Cassidy's avatar

I really enjoyed reading this! I happen to be reading your Ireland book right now, so I was imagining your characters getting into a similar situation with the St. Patrick’s Day parade and trying to make it to the train station, lol. It feels like something that would happen to them. I’ve always wanted to go to Ireland — it sounds lovely, and I picked the last name of my pen name as a nod to my own Irish heritage!

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Alicia Thompson's avatar

I feel like you would love Ireland!! the St. Patrick's Day parade situation did feel like something RIGHT out of a romcom

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Gina Banks's avatar

I'm not saying I married my husband because he's Irish, but also, I'm not NOT saying that. Six months into dating, we decided to go to Paris/Dublin, and he was like, "Why don't we swing by County Cork and see my family?"* I fell in love with the country on that trip and also him. (Related? Possibly!)

I hope you have the most amazing time and LOL forever at you getting trapped in a St. Patty's Day parade. They love that f'ing holiday so much.

*Please note that he has 10 aunts and uncles and a plethora of cousins. And yes, I met them all on that trip.

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Alicia Thompson's avatar

lol sounds epic!!!!

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Leigh Kramer's avatar

I've been to Ireland twice and it's my favorite country to visit. Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip!

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Alicia Thompson's avatar

it might also be my favorite!

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Julie Tieu's avatar

How fun! Hope you're having the best time!

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Alicia Thompson's avatar

Julie, it was the BEST

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Liesl's avatar

A trip to Ireland that accidentally fell on St. Patrick's Day? Sounds like you lucked into a memorable time and had a wonderful birthday! I'd love to go there someday.

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Alicia Thompson's avatar

I think you'd love it! I think everyone should go! I am a little high on Ireland right now you have to forgive me

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Tracy Owens's avatar

Happy birthday! You share one with my former mother-in-law, a triple Pisces :)

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Alicia Thompson's avatar

whoa triple Pisces!!! def a different birth time from me then with my Aries rising and Leo moon (which I'm still making sense of)

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Mara Williams's avatar

My brother-in-law played soccer for the Sligo Rovers! I haven’t heard of anyone visiting that particular city. Have a wonderful time—Ireland is so special.

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Alicia Thompson's avatar

That's so cool! I saw a little "supporter of the Sligo Rovers" sticker in one of the restaurants we ate at!

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Kerry Winfrey's avatar

I loved reading this. What a fun trip!! Happy birthday! Please let me know what you think about the Materialists trailer!!

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Alicia Thompson's avatar

I am beside myself excited for the Materialists! I want to know what YOU think!!!

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Cath's avatar

I read once that St. Patrick's Day is more of a religious holiday in Ireland (what with the saint and all) but also it was a paid holiday for my coworkers there, so I appreciate the on-the-ground reporting! Also very jealous; I'm a sucker for walkable cities and vegetation that isn't trying to hurt me.

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Alicia Thompson's avatar

It was very walkable and we had no trouble with the vegetation! It was a perfect trip.

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Andrew Knott's avatar

Was all set to make a Leap Year reference and would you look at that... there it is! (I'm the world's number one Leap Year fan). Also, glad to hear Riptide is still ever-present... I remember it being that way over a decade ago now.

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Alicia Thompson's avatar

I am DYING to know all your Leap Year thoughts as its number one fan! future newsletter for you?

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Andrew Knott's avatar

I need to do a rewatch for sure. I just remember when he walks out of the bar without saying a word and stares at the sea it was the most relatable moment in cinematic history.

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