kittydesade | (no subject)

Expressing intentions.
The preposition chun (towards) followed by the verbal noun expresses an intention:
Tá mé chun dul abhaile anois. I am going to go home now.
Tá mé chun fanacht anseo. I am going to stay here.
Tá mé chun bualadh le Deidre. I intend meeting Deirdre.

Notice the difference in word order here:
Tá mé chun scríobh chucu. I am going to write to them.
as opposed to:
Tá mé chun litir a scríobh. I am going to write a letter.
Tá mé chun é a scríobh síos. I am going to write it down.

In the second two examples the verbal noun has a direct object, and this must be placed before it. Here are some other examples:
Tá Bríd chun teach a cheannach. Bridget is going to buy a house.
Tá mé chun an leabhar sin a léamh. I am going to read that book.

This is the normal order of verbal noun clauses, which you have seen before. Compare:
Ní féidir liom post a fháil. I can't get a job.
Is maith liom peil a imirt. I like to play football.

The copula (basic form is) is used to bring an adjective to the beginning of the sentence for emphasis. Remember these examples from Unit 6.
lá breá, a fine day
Is breá an lá é. It is a fine day.
aimsir olc, bad weather
Is olc an aimsir í. It is bad weather.

The past form ba lenites, giving:
Ba bhreá an lá é.
B'olc an aimsir í.

Ba can also mean would be, according to context. Here is an example of how this works:
Cheannaigh mé bronntanas do Mháire. I bought a present for Mary.
Ba dheas a smaoineamh é sin. That was a nice idea.
Ceannóidh mé bronntanas dí. I'll buy her a present.
Ba dheas an smaoineamh é sin. That would be a nice idea.

Some further examples of ba+adjective:
Ba mhaith a smaoineamh é. It would be a good idea.
Ba mhór an chabhair é. It would be a great help.
Ba mhór an trua é. It would be a great pity.

The last example is a very common expression but the basic trua mór is not used by itself.

Well, Russian didn't happen on account of trying to get Gods and Monsters done and being late for everything because dentist. And getting distracted by another fic project. And okay, let's face it, writing new things is more fun than translating traumatic interviews.

I have a sleepy. I also have a final freaking out about oh my god house so dirty. ... that's about all there is to say to that, really.

So. Today I will have an Anna! And today most likely either we will either go to the blue bottle park and make dinner and hang out or she will pass out upon arrival, not sure which. I think at this point we're playing it by ear until we get to the weekend whereupon there will be spa things and good food and Pacific Rim. Because giant robots vs giant monsters. For which I am apparently getting into the mood by watching The Mummy Returns. Go figure.