Columns - Irish Examiner

Aida Austin

'He sleeps deeply while I lie in the valley of death'

Monday evening. We moved house this morning.

Sat, 23 Jan, 2016

For two decades, I’ve lived in a field. I’m not sure I want to die in one”

December 1, 11 pm and my husband and I are lying in bed. 

Sat, 16 Jan, 2016

Sustaining this column on my shortcomings would be hard

New year, and now that I’m entering my fifth year of writing this column, perhaps it’s time to acknowledge the people in my life who offer themselves up for ridicule each week — and make this column possible.

Sat, 09 Jan, 2016

Rummaging around in this idea of Gender Studies with my mother

Cornwall, my mother’s house – and I’ve just woken up. I need to arise gently this morning; I’ve just returned from a whistle–stop visit to my brother and his family in Geneva and would like to find my bearings quietly on the sofa for a while. 

Sat, 12 Dec, 2015

We have a deal, but, so you know, I’m never using that toilet’

November, Tuesday, 5pm, and I am racing home from work. I have chipped knuckles and a bursting bladder.

Sat, 05 Dec, 2015

I creep into the bathroom. My secret will be safe in there

Late last night, when my husband was out, my son told me a secret. My son wants to tell my husband this secret himself tonight, at 9pm, so until then I must keep it to myself.

Sat, 28 Nov, 2015

Silly to catastrophise that late-night call from your son

HOME alone, well past midnight.

Sat, 21 Nov, 2015

I failed to get internet access, but I did it single-handed

I’ve set myself the mind-sharpening challenge of establishing internet access in our cabin in the field, single-handed.

Sat, 14 Nov, 2015

Dongles, hotspots and tethering - challenging the technophobe stereotype isn't easy

TUESDAY, 1pm, Cork city. I am here to replace my laptop; I can cope with the foreplay no longer; all the selfish technological petting it has demanded of me ever since the day I got it. 

Sat, 07 Nov, 2015

‘I will be very proud if I achieve inner turmoil and outer calm’

Monday, 11 am, and I am in hospital, about to undergo a “routine” procedure which requires “conscious sedation”, a tiny camera on a long black cable for bodily insertion, and for me to “just relax”.

Sat, 31 Oct, 2015