SPC:Contrast and 5 Things: Post-Ireland
It's taken me forever, but I'm finally putting my post up on my trip to Ireland. I put up two previous posts, here and here.
So, this is only kind of fits the September self portrait challenge of contrast. They are both self portraits from Ireland. One in Carrickmacross, where is was sunny and warm; one in Monaghan, where it was raining.
So, here are five things about my trip to Ireland:
1. International Mixer
The company that set up this trip for me, Combilift, invited over 100 other media people, as well as distributors and customers, from around the world. So, even though I was in Ireland, I ended up meeting people from many other countries, too. During the celebration dinners, I ended up talking to some gentlemen from Poland (cheers in Polish is Nastrovya) and Finland (I learned the Finnish version, too, but don't know how to spell it. Kipice?). Anyway, it was very interesting, because the nature of the event cause me to spend time with people from other countries as much as I spent time with the Irish.
2. Mixed drinks? No!
Yeah, they don't really mix drinks in Ireland. We (me and some other media friends I made)figured that out when we ordered an Irish Carbomb (and yes, we did notice that that is a really inappropriate name for a drink; we had a discussion about it). We had to describe it to him (half pint of Guinesse, a shot with half whiskey, half Baileys, drop the shot in the pint glass and chug). He looked at us like we were crazy (we were, and well on our way to being drunk, too). Anyway, we talked him into having one with us, and he said it wasn't bad. He ended up having four more carbombs with us that night. We were all definitely piss drunk by 2 am, which is about when we went to bed. Touring through town and museums the next day was very interesting.
3. "There are no exits in Ireland"
It was recommended that we drive out to Castle Leslie (the castle where Paul McCartney got married to his most recent ex), so G asked innocently asked which exit he was supposed to get off at to get there.
People laughed and then said, "You've been spending too much time in the States. There are no exits in Ireland."
Well, actually there are, but they are only on the main expressways. In the area between us and the Castle, there wouldn't be, so I guess that's what he meant. Instead, there are many, many roundabouts. I have never seen so many roundabouts in my entire life. I don't know that I'm totally sold on the roundabout concept. I guess it works in Ireland, but it seems like a prime opportunity for accidents to me.
4. Helicopters
I got the chance to ride in a helicopter. It felt kind of like being on a roller coater ride. It was all bouncy and sometimes we would be flying sideways, and sometimes the pilot would dip up down and I would squeal like a girl. It was good fun. Anyway, I posted a video of it on youtube (oh, and if any of you have youtube channels, let me know so I can check it out). It's not great, but there it is.
5. One Regret
Okay, other than the fact that the trip was far too short, I have one regret. I had an opportunity to meet with C.E. Murphy, the writer of Urban Shaman and the rest of the books in The Walker Papers series. She lives in Ireland (obviously). We connected through facebook, and she made the offer to meet for lunch. I was very excited about the opportunity, but with delays connecting through the internet and uncertainties about my plans, I ended up not being able to meet with her. Who knows when I'll be able to get back to Ireland again?
So, this is only kind of fits the September self portrait challenge of contrast. They are both self portraits from Ireland. One in Carrickmacross, where is was sunny and warm; one in Monaghan, where it was raining.
So, here are five things about my trip to Ireland:
1. International Mixer
The company that set up this trip for me, Combilift, invited over 100 other media people, as well as distributors and customers, from around the world. So, even though I was in Ireland, I ended up meeting people from many other countries, too. During the celebration dinners, I ended up talking to some gentlemen from Poland (cheers in Polish is Nastrovya) and Finland (I learned the Finnish version, too, but don't know how to spell it. Kipice?). Anyway, it was very interesting, because the nature of the event cause me to spend time with people from other countries as much as I spent time with the Irish.
2. Mixed drinks? No!
Yeah, they don't really mix drinks in Ireland. We (me and some other media friends I made)figured that out when we ordered an Irish Carbomb (and yes, we did notice that that is a really inappropriate name for a drink; we had a discussion about it). We had to describe it to him (half pint of Guinesse, a shot with half whiskey, half Baileys, drop the shot in the pint glass and chug). He looked at us like we were crazy (we were, and well on our way to being drunk, too). Anyway, we talked him into having one with us, and he said it wasn't bad. He ended up having four more carbombs with us that night. We were all definitely piss drunk by 2 am, which is about when we went to bed. Touring through town and museums the next day was very interesting.
3. "There are no exits in Ireland"
It was recommended that we drive out to Castle Leslie (the castle where Paul McCartney got married to his most recent ex), so G asked innocently asked which exit he was supposed to get off at to get there.
People laughed and then said, "You've been spending too much time in the States. There are no exits in Ireland."
Well, actually there are, but they are only on the main expressways. In the area between us and the Castle, there wouldn't be, so I guess that's what he meant. Instead, there are many, many roundabouts. I have never seen so many roundabouts in my entire life. I don't know that I'm totally sold on the roundabout concept. I guess it works in Ireland, but it seems like a prime opportunity for accidents to me.
4. Helicopters
I got the chance to ride in a helicopter. It felt kind of like being on a roller coater ride. It was all bouncy and sometimes we would be flying sideways, and sometimes the pilot would dip up down and I would squeal like a girl. It was good fun. Anyway, I posted a video of it on youtube (oh, and if any of you have youtube channels, let me know so I can check it out). It's not great, but there it is.
Click to view5. One Regret
Okay, other than the fact that the trip was far too short, I have one regret. I had an opportunity to meet with C.E. Murphy, the writer of Urban Shaman and the rest of the books in The Walker Papers series. She lives in Ireland (obviously). We connected through facebook, and she made the offer to meet for lunch. I was very excited about the opportunity, but with delays connecting through the internet and uncertainties about my plans, I ended up not being able to meet with her. Who knows when I'll be able to get back to Ireland again?