Just A Moment

“It’s great to record things now because in 20 to 30 years it could all be gone,” my friend’s dad and photographer, Eric Luke, answered to the audience at Moments in Time, a live podcast interview we were attending 2 weeks ago. These words really stood out to me. I immediately wrote them down as countless iconic photos shown behind him on screen. Photos like a rough and weathered old man listening to a handheld radio with a coat hanger antenna, the controversial former Taoiseach Charlie Haughey wielding a shotgun to start the Dingle Regatta, Bob Marley during his only concert in Dublin, the funeral of Mother Theresa, and the death bed of Francis Stuart. These were not only moments in time but phases of human life with interesting and elaborate stories behind them that Eric spoke about in glorious detail.

These are the moments in time that we need to embrace but that we often pass without batting an eyelid. These are the moments in time that we need to relish and learn from. I began to think of the monumental moments throughout my life that I captured either on film, on paper, or through memory. They remain ingrained in my mind for one reason or another and I wanted to share just a few.

One of my earliest memories I have were mornings in my family home on the Northside of Chicago. I think I was around 5 years old and I remember waking up each morning and immediately running into my parent’s room searching for my mom who was on her morning walk. I believe I knew where she was but it didn’t stop me from sprinting into my older sister’s room to wake her up and ask, “Where’s mom!?” She reassured me, like she did every morning, that mom was walking and would be home soon. My anxiety levels would lessen and I would go to my room to grab my blanket, drag it back to my sister’s room, and proceed to drift back to sleep on the floor until mom’s return. Although uneventful to others, these are the times that defined my adolescence that I was so lucky to have. I had a home, a mother who was gone but I knew would return, and a loving family that surrounded me.

I’ve brought this up many times before but I had the chance to study in Rome, Italy during the beginning of 2009. I think that semester was the most transformative time of my life to date. I started to really stop, take in, and appreciate all that I was seeing and experiencing. I had preconceived notions of people and places that were crushed during those 6 months and I am truly a better person for it. Love was a resounding theme of my time spent in Rome and throughout my travels those 6 months. I was young, only 21 years old, and opened myself up to all the feels that I could handle, which seemed endless at the time. I wrote in my journal almost every day and took pictures on the digital camera my sister bought for me just so I would never forget those moments because I knew that many years later I would desperate to relive them. I find myself flipping back to journal excerpts like this one from time to time:

10/2/09

…The world is so different yet you can find so many similarities. Also, through this experience, I have learned how to accept all people no matter how different they are from myself. I am still searching for a lot of answers and I am having a great time doing it. I should find a way to make myself feel like this the rest of my life…

I go on to talk about love interests and life but that is a post in and of itself that I’ll save for a rainy day.

My dad died 6 years ago this April and the memories of his life, his suffering, and his death will stay with me the rest of my life. I remember when I was working at 111 East Wacker taking the Purple Line from the Loop to Evanston Hospital daily to visit him when he was moved into palliative care. Reality hit for me at that time because I knew that the end was in sight. I would take that silent journey watching the L empty as we got further and further away from the city. Thoughts would race through my mind and my eyes would often well up with tears as I would try to preoccupy my racing mind watching the familiar scenes passing by through the train window. This was my alone time between the stresses of work and the harsh reality that awaited me. It was time that I cherished even though the memories are sombre.

It is so important to capture these moments in our lives any way we can and share them with the world because even if one person relates or learns from it, you’ve made a connection. It’s reassuring hearing that others have been through the same highs and lows as me and have come out the other end wiser. It builds confidence. Time is fleeting so we must do our best to get the most out of this life and all it throws at us. We must appreciate and learn from the good as well as the bad so that we can teach and comfort those who have yet to experience the same things we have. Don’t let these moments pass you by.

Saturday Rant - 25/1/20

I’ve realized that when some people have seen the same thing for a long time and have kept themselves away or have been kept away from outside ideas they think that everything is how it is, how it should be. But when you come in and point out the things that are wrong or the things that can be improved they are apprehensive because they haven’t seen it any different. We must expose people to every way of thought to make the most efficient and open-minded society.

Theoretical example: A faucet is leaking and has been for years. You come in and point it out to a person who has been living with it for all that time. They might say, ‘it’s broken, that’s how it is, it can’t be fixed.’ You, having some knowledge in plumbing, fix it right away. They save on money, their faucet lasts longer, the pressure is better, etc. They come to the realization or you prod them to come to the realization that if that can be fixed then what else have they been overlooking. Can they improve other things in their life? Not just tangible goods? Maybe their mental state, relationships, thought processes, etc.

Some people are very apprehensive or scared of change and don’t see the value of stepping out of their own little bubble. They might be happy and comfortable the rest of their lives continuing on with the way things are but at the expense of everyone else around them. Now, what that expense is could be minute or it could massive. It depends on how you look at it. Then, there are people that do not give a fuck about anyone else but themselves. I think it is important to ourselves and to others to step out of our comfort zone and learn about a belief different than our own. Then to pass this knowledge on to someone else is invaluable. The main takeaway being spreading positivity and the greater good for the whole. I think that if we just do one thing every day that doesn’t directly benefit ourselves and will make someone else’s moment, day, year, life better. Then everyone wins. Maybe it makes that difference or maybe it doesn’t but you and they are no worse off for having tried.

Working it Out - Part 2

My connecting flight from Keflavik, Iceland to Dublin was cancelled yesterday morning and I was put up in a hotel in the town of Keflavik by Iceland Air. I’ve been through the Keflavik airport about 6 times before but now was able to venture outside to explore a small section of this beautiful country. I thought of it as a nice little added bonus instead of a setback in order to explore and reflect. It also helped that I didn’t have any prior responsibilities the next day…

This time of reflection brought me to begin writing Part 2 of “Working it Out.” I want to dive into the unique, wonderful, and laborious roles I picked up beginning with my first semester of real life. So, all of you potential employers out there, take everything you read with a grain of salt and an open mind. The fact that I have tried my hand at many things allows me to offer a fresh and unique perspective on the professional world. Here it goes:

Windshield Repair Technician/Salesman

Yes, you read that correctly. After graduating from college in 2010 with a degree in Business I was repairing chipped windshields. This is a good story so let me go into some detail. The US economy was in recession during the summer of 2010 and the job market was tough for recent graduates. I would scour job boards and Craigslist in search of anything I thought might fit my “expertise” when one such Craigslist post stuck out. It read, ‘Field Salespeople wanted, exciting opportunity…,’ or something along those lines. I applied and was soon asked to go in for an interview. The position was far out in the West ‘burbs but I had to entertain anything I could at that point. I was hired on the day of the interview which was a little sketchy but happy I now had a job. I was told to show up in black pants and a black polo shirt the next day. Again, a little weird.

I showed up the next morning excited but slightly concerned. Upon entering the group meeting room I was welcomed with tenacious clapping and shouting from all of my new coworkers getting pumped up by their managers to have a successful day of sales (Think of that ‘We will rock you’ Walmart Youtube video). I really didn’t know what was going on at that point but just went with it. I was introduced as the new hire and then quickly lead into my new manager’s rusted ‘95 Chevy Malibu with 3 other teammates on our way to our first site, a local Mobil gas station.

The shtick was to introduce yourself to people coming through to fill up their tanks. Then we had to explain to them that it was Customer Appreciation Day (lie) and we would be giving them a free windshield wipe where we would then discretely look for chips in their windshield. Upon discovering a chip we would say, ‘Sir/Madam, did you realize you have a chip in your windshield?’ The usual answer was no, where we would then reply, ‘Well, that chip usually turns into a crack that spreads and you will eventually need to replace your windshield. At virtually no cost to you, we can fix that chip today and prevent the crack from ever forming, does that interest you?’ Upon receiving a ‘yes’ answer we would collect insurance information, patch the chip, and close the sale.

I felt like the biggest sleaze ball making a claim to their insurance and then making a half-ass attempt to fix a nondescript chip in their windshield. I received a ride back to my car that afternoon and was told that I was a shoo-in for the position and to get ready for an eventful summer. Needless to say, I didn’t go back after that day and collected one day’s wages. The semester was off to a rough start.

Life lessons: Trying something out is worth the story alone. Anyone can be sold to. Be humble.

Project Coordinator

I ended up landing a gig back at the brand consultancy company I previously interned with, now as a Project Coordinator. The economy was still in a recession and about a year earlier the company had made a series of layoffs. Lucky for me, or so I thought, I had come in as they were recovering. I saw some old faces but sadly some didn’t remain. I don’t think I was ready for the role put in front of me as I only lasted about 4 months before I too was let go. The reasoning was that they did not have the amount of work coming in as they had previously staffed for and therefore: last one in, first one out. I took it as it came with good spirits and left on great terms.

Life lessons: Don’t burn bridges. Always keep your head up.

Restaurant Server

I had a dry spell following my Project Coordinator role until a few months later when my girlfriend at the time got me a job working at her uncle’s new restaurant on the Southside of Chicago as a server. It was a great job to hold me over while interviewing and ended up being a pretty wild summer. I knew the pizza chef through some friends from high school and ended up making good friends with the two sous chefs and bartender. My aunt would occasionally come in for a meal since she worked in the area so the atmosphere was really very homely.

After every shift, it was the responsibility of the sous chefs and me to clean the kitchen. We would turn on the radio and discreetly fill a pitcher with the cooking wine, usually Franzia, and chill it in the freezer while we worked. Taking swigs every few minutes until we were nice and tipsy making the end of the night a little more enjoyable. Occasionally, we would visit some of the bars on Western Avenue or drink over at one of the cook’s apartments. The age range between us all hanging out varied quite a bit but no one seemed to mind. We got along swimmingly.

Life lessons: How to serve. Time management.

Advertising Account Executive

While still working as a server I received the call one fateful day that I got a job at a pharmaceutical advertising firm in the Loop. My prayers were answered and I finally felt as if I was on the way to realizing my professional dreams. Man, advertising life was both fun and stressful. My best friend was also working in a creative advertising agency a few buildings down and we would hit up agency happy hours, Halloween and Christmas parties, and block parties any chance we could get. As a post-college 23-year-old, they were some of the best working memories I have, besides the 60-hour workweeks with no overtime pay… Not much of a care in the world and the feeling we could do anything. My advertising career was progressing with 2 promotions but, not in the way that I was hoping.

Life lessons: The client is almost always wrong. Be creative, Always. Speak up. Learn from your mistakes.

Media Sales Representative

After almost 2.5 years of working in pharma advertising, the long working hours and unwarranted stress really got to me. I remember one night getting out of a cab at 10 pm 5 blocks from my apartment just because I needed to walk and clear my head. I had made up my mind that I was going to quit the next day. I called my dad, as I usually did when I wanted the reassurance of a tough life decision. When he heard what I was going to do he immediately put me in my place. He sternly reminded me of the hardships the people who came before me, including himself and my mom, went through. He explained that he and my mom at points both worked 2 jobs when we were kids to ensure my siblings and I had the opportunities that we did. He talked of being unhappy and working more hours than I could imagine just to see smiles on our faces. I immediately wiped away my now regretful tears as I came to a profound realization about what defines hardship. Then gently he told me that if I genuinely wanted to do something else he would help me find my next job and to not quit before I found something else. Though an old-school way of thinking, it was smart nonetheless.

He introduced me to a friend of his in the media sales industry who put me in touch with a connection of his at a cable television network where after a few rounds of interviews I got the job. I started work in a smaller office in the Loop with some amazing people that became an extended family for the next 3 years. I had the chance to learn new skills, meet amazing mentors, and have invaluable experiences.

Life lessons: Good things come to those who wait. Company culture and work/life balance make the job.

Background Dater

Towards the end of my time as a Media Sales Rep in Chicago, I began missing my time studying and living in Italy and the ease and freedom to travel around Europe. There were a few life events that were pushing me out of Chicago at the time so I applied internally for a role with a syndicate company of ours in London. It was a slow process but after a few rounds of phone interviews, the prospect seemed hopeful. That was until one fateful Thursday night in a Lincoln Park bar after my 16-inch softball game. I was ordering another round of beers when I looked up to a TV and noticed that the vote for the UK to leave the EU had just been passed. Brexit was happening. I knew this could not have favorable consequences for my new job prospect.

I called the London hiring manager the next morning and she confirmed my suspicions that they would be putting a hold on all hiring for the foreseeable future. So, I did what any level-headed 20 something year old would do and moved to Dublin, Ireland instead with no place to live and no job lined up. It was time for some adventure.

While beginning my job search I came across an application to be a “Background Dater” on a popular Irish dating show. I really had nothing to lose at the time and a few weeks later I found myself walking into a restaurant to meet my blind date amid the main daters surrounded by loads of tiny hidden cameras. It definitely wasn’t love at first sight but I did make out with a few quid and free drinks before I hit the town. It now makes for a great ice breaker.

Life Lessons: Take chances. Do what you think is right. Make the best of shitty situations.

Movie Extra

Now that my acting career was in full swing I needed to get back into the limelight. While applying and interviewing for jobs I joined a movie extra casting app and waited for my big break. It came soon enough and I was cast as a late 1800s waiter in a ballroom scene for Mel Gibson’s “The Professor and the Madman.” I showed up early one morning to the Trinity College gymnasium where I put on my server’s tuxedo, received my haircut, and had facial hair glued to my face. We waited all day until we received word that the shoot would be cancelled. I was paid for my day’s waiting but wasn’t called back after that. My once-promising acting career came to an abrupt end.

Life lessons: Sometimes the story is worth the effort.

Sales Account Executive

Just as I was starting to get down on myself I received a call from a Dublin startup to come in and interview. The office was in a small space above a pub in the Ballsbridge neighborhood of Dublin. I pulled out all of the stops for this interview and a few days later I received the good news that I would be joining the sales team. I found out later that their Christmas party was the night before I came in so the entire office was hanging that morning. But, I’m sure everyone was still focusing on the fact that I would be a great fit for the company.

During my 6 months there I learned a lot about selling to the Irish and English markets, my phone skills got better, and I made some best friends for life. The culture was the best part about going to work there every day. But, not every placement works out. I felt the need to travel and therefore handed in my resignation in order to do a little more soul searching. I remember walking out of there a few weeks later and it felt as if a large weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. I had a lot of work anxiety and didn’t feel as if I was being led in the right direction towards the end of my time there. Leaving was the best decision for me at that time and I definitely learned all that I could from the opportunity.

Life lessons: Selling to the Irish and UK markets. Standing up for what you believe in.

Admin Role for a Depression Awareness Organization

I began traveling and writing more and more after that and felt a need to begin the search for what it was I was passionate about. While on that never-ending search I needed some work to pay the rent and keep me going. That’s when I started working with a temp. agency to find me anything in the short-term. I really enjoyed what followed even if some of the roles were repetitive or mind-numbing. I was able to walk in someone else’s shoes for a little while and see the world from their eyes.

My first assignment was to cover an administration role for a depression awareness organization. I learned about the inner workings of a non-profit organization and that many people volunteer their time to support a cause they believe is inherently good for the whole.

Life lessons: No matter how bad things are there is always someone who cares. Charities don’t always get a lot of love.

Data Observer

Once the admin role ended I worked as a data observer for a real estate service company. The job was to walk around an office building with a tablet using a blueprint for guidance. We then had to observe each workspace and input if there was a person working, if they were on the phone, if there was a mobile device, etc. We were told the data was being taken to improve workspace functionality but I think there were other objectives at play. It was pretty mindless but I met new people and again it gave me a new look at the unknown. I think too often people brush off the things or people they think are beneath them but I’ve grown to understand that everyone has a voice and often times they need someone to listen to them. Why not be that person, it only takes a few minutes out of your entire life and you could learn something that will benefit you down the road.

Life lessons: Corporations like to keep order and control. All people are important.

Recruitment Assistant

The data observer assignment ended and I wanted more work before heading home for Christmas. A role for a recruitment assistant came up at a home care company. Basically, I was handed a pile of CVs and asked to call and assess people to see if they fit the bill to come in and interview as a carer for the sick and elderly. The people in the office were extremely nice and it was a pleasure to work there for a week or two. But, again, this was only temporary to hold me over until I found what I was really looking for.

Life lessons: Someone loves the job you hate. Be grateful for what you have.

Travel Blog Contributor

While doing temp. work and interviewing I wanted to keep my creative juices flowing so I did some pro bono writing for a travel website. I figured I would take my love of writing and use it to make a small impact and promote my website. I learned quickly that I did not like to be micro-managed when writing. My true love lies in creative writing with prompts and constructive feedback and criticism. I’m not into regimented no-frills content churning. When it comes to something like travel I think all people want the stories and adventure prospects, not just the facts. Why else would one venture out of the safety of the familiar?

Life lessons: Start something even if it scares you. March to the beat of your own drum.

Reception for an AI Company

Before starting my next assignment I received word after a few rounds of interviews that I got the role I was hoping for with a job search company. I would start in the new year but wanted to work up to the Christmas break in order to hold me over until then. No rest for the wicked.

I remember that I only worked 2 days in that office in reception. It was a large corporate office but mostly everyone was already off on holiday so I took the occasional call, package, and gave the odd direction. I felt excited to have something solid and what I wanted for the new year. In a few days, I was going to be back home in Chicago enjoying my time with the family relaxing and then it would be on to a new opportunity in the new year.

Life lessons: It’s always calm before the storm. Everyone is happy around Christmas.

Sales Account Executive

New year, new me. Although cliche, that’s how I felt when I started my new job in January 2019. I was hot off of a week of dry January and starting sales training with my new company. Life was good, new, and interesting. I was smack in the middle of the work honeymoon phase and everyone around me gave me the “enjoy it while it lasts” speech.

It was an absolutely great company to work for but a demanding position filled with anxiety. This was partly due to me trying to be the best and overthinking every step I took. But, I pursued and came out on top. Persistence is sometimes a bitch but it almost always pays off. The training I received with this job was spectacular and I think I learned more about sales in my almost year and a half there than I did in my entire sales career up to that point.

I started talking to a career counsellor there who really opened my eyes to the real meaning of work/life balance. He basically stated that the work you do should be a means to an end. You should use all of the education, tools, and professional experience in your job to make yourself better both monetarily and mentally. If you strip everything away we are human and inherently seek out happiness. If you are not truly happy in your job then you won’t succeed at anything else in life.

I wanted to take a sabbatical in order to ponder these words as well as much much more. I left on great terms and I think it was understood what I needed to do. The next 6 months traveling through Eastern Europe, Russia, Asia, and Australia were magical, to say the least. But, those stories are for a future post.

Life lessons: Work to live. Be the best at what you do, no matter what it is. Take chances.

Landscaping

After almost 6 months of traveling, I returned to Chicago warn out, tired, and broke, but happy. I hadn’t seen my family and friends in almost a year so I spent the next two months making up for the lost time. At that same time I needed to make enough money to live and get back to Dublin. Luckily, a family friend who owns a landscaping business gave me work. That’s a great characteristic of Chicago; if you want work you can probably find it through family or friends. Everybody knows ‘a guy…’

The next two months I was packing a lunch, pulling weeds, and saving up. Although the work was laborious there was something soothing about the repetitive tasks and being outside. It was almost a meditation. Until the heavy living would start…

Life lessons: Be humble. Be respectful. Be thankful.

Admin Assistant

Upon arriving back to Dublin I immediately got onto the previous temp. agency I used in order to make some money while I was figuring it all out. I told them I would take anything and everything to hold me over while I got my shit together. An admin assistant role came up on the Northside of Dublin so I took it. It was great to be thrown back onto the phones and loaded with responsibility. I didn’t think I would ever miss that side of my previous jobs but I find it very empowering and it brought back confidence. I worked a few weeks and built meaningful relationships the short time I was there and then it was on to the next one.

Life lessons: Everything is a learning experience. Practice makes perfect.

Facilities Assistant

A month before Christmas I was notified that there would be an assignment at a well established global company with all of the perks. It was a cushy role that paid well right before I was heading home. I did everything that was asked of me and took the remaining time to figure out where I wanted to continue my career in the new year. Working in a job search company I’ve learned that most companies close the recruitment chapter of their books leading up to Christmas so I vowed to be adamant about the search immediately in the new year. 2019 was such an unbelievable year I wanted to make 2020 even better.

Life lessons: Everyone has a story. Looks can be deceiving.

Although I fit the last 15 or so years of work experience on just a few pages I know I could fill whole volumes if I really wanted to. There’s only so much I can say and portray to you, the reader. You need to understand that there are many life events, learning experiences, and achievements and failures that can fill those blank spaces. Some people wander through life aimlessly or with a specific regiment not really caring about anything outside their little bubble. I like to think that I take advantage of every conversation, opportunity, and experience that prevents itself. I am genuinely hungry to learn from every aspect of the world that surrounds me. I’m excited to find out what I will learn next.

Working it Out - Part 1

As I was lying in bed last night I couldn’t stop my mind racing with thoughts of what I was going to be doing for work in the new year. Money and time have been getting tight these last 2 months and my professional future is definitely on my mind. I am currently home in Chicago for 2 weeks but have been doing temp. work in Dublin since the beginning of October. I am, once again, holding out to find something I am truly passionate about. But, I’ve been telling myself this for years now and I always seem to settle on a job that will make me good money for the time being so that I can go travel and enjoy a bit of adventure. For some inspiration and deep-level understanding, I started to write down all of the jobs that I have done over the years and it turned out to be a pretty eclectic list. I’ve dipped my hands into many professional areas and have worn many hats. Here’s a list of every job I’ve ever done prior to graduating college:

Church Rectory Worker

My first “real” job with a paycheck was with the Archdiocese of Chicago working in my parish rectory. I started when I was 14 years old and followed in the footsteps of my older brother and sister who worked there previously throughout grade school and high school. I would wash the dishes, make coffee, and set up and serve dinner to the priests. It was a great place to work surrounded by extremely nice and caring people. I was able to do my homework and drink as much pop and eat as many leftovers as I wanted which for me at that time was heaven.

Life lessons: How to set a table for dinner. How to make espresso con panna. The benefits of being kind.

Diner Waiter

Soon after I left the rectory I wanted some experience outside of the safe hands of the church and thought working in a diner would be fun. This job was short-lived as I hadn’t anticipated the fast-paced note-taking that comes along with taking multiple breakfast orders. I only lasted about 3 shifts before I called it quits. I’ve realized since then, that at a young age, everything is intimidating and frustrating. If I just learned early on to step back, relax, and take everything as it comes I might have kept that job longer than 3 shifts and learned a little more.

Life lessons: How to take an order. How to make Green River from scratch.

Tool Delivery Boy/Shop Rat

Throughout the college summers and winters, I worked in Franklin Park, Illinois at an electrical contracting company doing shop maintenance and delivering tools all around the Chicagoland area. There was a small group of us college-age non-union shop rats made to do anything and everything that no one else wanted to do. I worked in many warehouses and yards around Chicago and learned many tricks of the trade that I still use today. I remember one day we drove on every major highway in the Chicagoland area going as far North as the Wisconsin border, East as the Jardine Water Purification Plant, South as Blue Island, and West as Rockford.

Life lessons: How to spot-weld. How to get anywhere in Chicago without a map. How to discreetly steal and sell scrap metal.

Brand Consultant Intern

During the summer of 2007, I had an internship at a hip brand consultancy company on the Westside of Chicago in the Garfield Park neighborhood. I helped wherever needed as my role was basically as a gopher. I mainly worked in the model shop, the mock-up department, the printing department, and did data entry. I also went on sandwich and coffee runs which fit the intern stereotype quite well. This company was filled with the nicest people who really made me feel part of the family. When the summer came to end I was given an amazing send-off party at a bar down the street where I used my fake ID to attend.

Life lessons: Work can be meaningful and fun. 3D printing was the future. Never burn bridges.

Furniture Moving

A friend of mine would call me up to do a few cash-in-hand moving jobs randomly with him when I was home from college. I remember one job we did for some guy we picked up about 50 filing cabinets from a storage container and were asked to empty all of the contents into bags. After loading the box truck we had to ride in back with the gate down in the dark to the dump. Once there we were notified that the dump would not take the large amount of sheet metal and we would have to figure something else out. After riding for another 35 minutes in the back of the dark truck, the gate was lifted once more and we were greeted to a large parking lot somewhere on the Northside of Chicago. We proceeded to dump the filing cabinets in a back corner as quickly as possible and then we were on our way once again no questions asked…

I also used to help move furniture for my dad. But, this was a gesture of love, not abandonment like the other moves I had done. He started a little charity where we would pick up good furniture that people needed to get rid of or wanted to donate to the poor and we would deliver it directly to families we knew in need. At the time I didn’t realize how special this time with my dad was and how amazing he was for putting something like this together. I was often awakened by him at around 6:30 am on Saturdays after having been out until 4 am on a bender to go lift heavy loads for the next 8 hours. I hated those days as a young man but look back now with fond memories.

Life lessons: The importance of charity. Cherish every moment you have with the ones you love. How to get rid of 50 filing cabinets fast.

Barback at a Big Ten Bar

I stayed one summer at the University of Iowa to take and pass Financial Accounting so I didn’t have to mix it with all of my other business classes during the school year. Well, it was a pretty wild summer and I failed Financial Accounting… But, I did work as a barback at a local bar during that summer and met a bunch of fun and interesting Iowa locals who took me under their wing for a few months. I was staying in our college house that slept 7 so it made for a very lonely summer with none of the roommates around. I worked a few shifts a week and every time I got cut for the night I would stay at the bar and drink all of my money away. I would then sleep through or go late to my class the next day. If I could I would definitely do that summer all over again and just tweak a few things so I could pass that class.

Life lessons: Take advantage of the slow times, you can get a lot done if you really want to. Reflect.

Communications Intern

During the winter before I graduated I worked for a small marketing and PR firm in Ravenswood in Chicago for a month. Hiring me to help out was a favor owed to my dad from his friend. It was a short and cushy job that didn’t require a whole lot of thinking. I did, however, have to visit local businesses in Chicago’s Boystown neighborhood to discuss the local business alliance to business owners. That’s how I discovered that on Halsted Avenue there was a shop called Gay Mart that served the local community for around 20 years. I am an avid people watcher and that is one of the best areas for it.

Life Lessons: Importance of solid client relationships. Hardships of owning your own business.

I went into college with an undecided major, declared Business, and then switched it again so I could study in Rome, Italy my junior year and graduate “on time.” My above professional track record follows a similar path of indecision. I was, and I still am, a person who likes to try it all at least once. As they say, “variety is the spice of life.”

In Part 2 I begin with my first year out of college or as I remember it, “the first semester of real life.”

The Gods Must Be Crazy

I am deeply in love with science fiction and I recently started a book called “The Star Diaries” by Stanislaw Lem. The story follows the main character, Ijon Tichy, who is an intergalactic space traveller on his journeys throughout, well, the galaxy. The second journey in the book really got me thinking about my life’s journey these last 32 years and my plans moving forward. To set a little context, Ijon is sitting in front of a galactic federation awaiting acceptance of Earth and all its people into this same prestigious federation when an official tells him the real story of the origin of man. Here’s the paragraph in question:

‘Now here we are approached by creatures that have no inkling of the true odiousness of their existence, nor any knowledge of its cause! Now here they come knocking at the venerable door of this Worthy Assembly, and what then, pray, are we to tell them, all these abominoids, howlmouths, freaksnouts, clenchpoops, corpselovers, mothereaters and addlepates, wringing their alleged hands and falling to their alleged knees when they learn that in reality they belong to the subphylum “Artefacta,” and that their supreme and perfect creator was some ship’s cook, who once poured out upon the rocks of a dead planet - a bucket of fermented slops, for his own amusement imparting to that wretched source of life properties which later would make it the laughing-stock of an entire Galaxy! And how, pray, will these poor devils defend themselves when some future Cato throws up to them the shameful levorotarory configuration, yes the left-handedness, of their amino acids!!’ (The hall was all aboil, in vain did the machine repeatedly swing its mallet, they were howling on every side: ‘For shame! Down with - ! Quarantine ‘em! Who is he talking about? Look at the Earthling dissolve, the Meemy is leaking all over!!’)

It’s very interesting to think that what if all of life’s existence was really just a 'happy accident.’ I believe that that this belief can be taken by any individual in two different ways. Either you embrace the ‘happy accident’ and go on with living a life filled with guilt-free adventure and endless trials or take the absurdist route that human beings exist in a purposeless, chaotic universe and that right and wrong have no meaning so, fuck it! I chose a long time ago to take the former route. I’ve always been the one to question everything and I try not to take each authority figure’s word at face value. The never-ending search for the meaning of life or love or pleasure is exactly what makes a life, for me, worth living. The philosopher Albert Camus said that individuals should embrace the absurd condition while also defiantly continuing to explore and search for meaning. This is where I find myself currently and why the above passage in this book has drummed up all of these past emotions.

I am going to continue my not-so-aimless wander through life exploring anything and everything at every chance I get. It’s fun and interesting and will hopefully lead to more fun and interesting times in my life. I might sometimes struggle and I might sometimes be sad but these are the challenging times that make the care-free and emotionally uplifting times that much better. As the profound Charles Bukowski once put it, “Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must lead.”

The Prodigal Son Has Returned

I just returned to the states a few weeks ago from a 5-month trip through Europe, Asia, and Australia and I don’t know how to feel. Just within these last 3 weeks, I’ve witnessed family, marriage, hardship, and isolation. There’s been an overload of emotion both productive and futile. When I want to zone out I do one of two things; work out or watch Netflix. The latter being where I want to start my story.

I’ve been binging episodes of Cheers for the last week or so, putting me back on that ever chugging procrastination train. But, it seems like through my procrastination I get some of my good ideas. It then just takes me a while to write them down… I’ve noticed that the characters in Cheers remind me a lot of my friends, my family, and me. You’ve got the playboy, the know-it-all, the functioning alcoholic, the recovering alcoholic, etc. It’s making me dwell on who I really want to be as a person and where I want to go. Though, I do feel as if I am a broken record at this point because I pose this question to myself on a daily basis.

I’ve just about completely slipped back into my old self while being back home and again I find it kind of depressing. It makes me wonder what exactly I have accomplished these past three years. I’ve definitely seen the world and have grown as a person but I believe it means nothing when I feel as if I am back to where I started. I have that always nagging thought way in the back of my head of ‘settling.’ That’s what you do when you get to a certain age, right? Well, I hate that word. It makes me think of giving up. I don’t want to give up and I will always be in constant search of new ideas, creativity, and the unknown.

But, watching the characters of Cheers I get a bit of FOMO seeing a group of friends in a cosy bar setting, more or less, getting along night after night. They each come to the bar with their new stories of the day while at the same time keeping their predictable natures about themselves. It’s a fun give and take that makes me jealous of the simple pleasures they seem to receive from their playful banter. I can see this in my friends, my family, and me sometimes. I want the new with the old and I don’t know how to get it. I want to be everywhere all at once. I am headed back to Dublin at the end of October and I am planning to stay for two months before coming back to Chicago for good, I think… Here’s to never ‘settling’ because if I did then the rest of my life would be really boring.

Procrastination

I just started reading the book ‘The War of Art’ by Steven Pressfield, which my friend Billy recommended. I have only reached page 39 but this line in the book just struck a chord with me:

‘Never forget: This very moment we can change our lives. There never was a moment, and never will be, when we are without the power to alter our destiny. This second we can turn the tables on Resistance.

 This second, we can sit down and do our work.’

This was literally a slap in the face for me because, as I have mentioned before, I find it hard to sit down and keep up with this blog. I write in my journal more often but I still catch myself going weeks creating excuses for myself to put it off until I bite the bullet and write a few pages to catch myself up on what’s new in my own life. I am sure I will learn in the next few chapters on how to fight resistance and beat procrastination and I think this blog post could be the first step.

There is so much new ‘content’ surrounding my life right now that I could (and probably will) eventually write a book. This past 2 months has been filled with new experiences, new places, realizations, and creative spikes in thought. I am excited and scared, mostly excited, at what the future holds for me. About 6 months ago before the start of this big journey I read another book, ‘The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck’ by Mark Manson, which I think was the catalyst for this trip at this point in my life. The book basically reiterated what I already knew was the right thing to do but I continued to hold myself back from doing it. This was to stop doing the things that were making me unhappy and to follow through with the things that I am passionate about and inherently know would bring me happiness.

I was on a plane to London one month later with a tentative plan to travel throughout Europe, Asia, and Australia for the next 5 months. Here I am at month 5 on a bus from Cambodia to Thailand, thoughts racing through my head. I know to say ‘I found myself’ is very cliché and I don’t believe that happened at all. Though, I have come to another realization during these travels.

I’ve recognized that I am nowhere near the only person on an extended trip like this. I’d like to think that there are tens of thousands of people possibly doing a similar journey but for completely different reasons. I inherently know that I am unique but to the outside world I am just another backpacker wandering aimlessly in foreign countries and may or may not give a fuck about everything around me.

It’s disheartening and frustrating meeting those people traveling solely for ‘the party’ or with a lost and almost glazed look in their eyes. I almost want to give them a shake and say ‘wake up! Look around and try to make sense of all of this. Try to learn from this!’ But alas, some people are stuck in their own bubble wandering day to day with not a care in the world leaving a shit-stained trail behind them. They are coasting with metaphorical blinders up and may never see the havoc and destruction that they leave behind. This doesn’t just happen while traveling. Many people, if not most, go their whole lives with these blinders up and this wake of life-depleting destruction following them.

Ok, rant over. I wanted to end this post by letting you know it took me over a week to complete this post. This was partly due to laziness and the other part was that I got the flu pretty bad for about 5 days. In the end these are excuses. I could have finished this post the day I started it but then maybe I wouldn’t have been able to end it how I did. I will continue working on resistance and procrastination and hopefully this blog picks up.

Rain, Rain, Stay for a Little While

I find it so humbling to walk through a city where you do not speak the local language. It’s an adventure finding a random spot in a market that you happened upon to eat a huge plate of beef and noodles for the equivalent of 3 euros. Then to walk through the street market below and haggle for a new microfibre bath towel because you left the last one behind 3 countries ago. And just then it starts to rain but, it doesn’t matter because you don’t need to look good for anyone and this rain is cooling you off after walking in the sticky humid heat all day. To then find the local bus to take you home because the heavy stuff just started coming down. All this whilst listening to your old Spotify playlist with songs representing moods and periods of your life spanning across high school, college, and the post-college years.

This world is so much bigger than me. There is so much to appreciate and learn from that I should never be bored or lack creativity. This is what I have realized in the past and have quickly forgotten. I thought if I wrote it down here it will act as a reminder every time I am procrastinating or stuck on something. I will start that business plan, pick up the blog posts and fiction writing, and use all the tools around me in the process.

10 Years Away From Rome

It has been a little over 10 years since I stepped off the plane in the Fiumicino airport in Rome, Italy to spend the following 5 months ‘studying’ abroad. To date this has been the greatest adventure of my life. Hopefully, until now. The time I spent in Rome, the surrounding European countries, and Cairo, Egypt were filled with new beginnings, love, loss, and letting go. I learned more about myself in that semester than all of my time spent in college.

That is why I have decided to travel extensively again. The monotony of work has been getting to me and I decided a long time ago I would stick around only to save enough money to go on another great adventure. Here I am in my eighteenth day on the road, or on the rails, as I am inter-railing around Europe before heading off to Russia on May 2nd. I stopped in Venice for a few days and all the great memories from my time spent in Italy flooded back.

In the second semester of my Junior year of college 2019 I was accepted into the Loyola University John Felice Rome Center not knowing a single person that would be studying that semester. When I arrived in Rome and met my roommate we immediately hit it off. He was an adventurous and positive person who had already been studying there for the first semester and I was a goofy adventure seeker ready for anything. A few weeks later we planned a road trip from Rome to Venice with his girlfriend and a friend of hers. He was the only person under the age of 28 with an international drivers license and therefore could rent a car. We printed off MapQuest directions (no smart phones and GPS was too expensive) and headed to the rental car place in town.

There she was our tiny little Fiat. We packed in and headed off to our final destination, Venice with a pitstop in the small European country of San Marino along the way. We were lost within the first 30 minutes and going off MapQuest directions and a fold up map proved pretty difficult. We weren’t phased though because we were 20 and 21 year old care-free college students with no set agenda. We took that time to tell stories of our live’s before Rome and discuss our ambitions moving forward. Ah, a time when apps and social media didn’t run your life or bring forth nonexistent anxiety. If only we could revert back to that time, we would all be better off.

We resorted to pulling over and asking for directions a few times in the Italian countryside and were always greeted with the same instructions no matter where we were: ‘A sinistra, a destra, e sempre dritto.’ Translated into English that’s ‘Left, right, and always straight.’ From what I understand Italian men like to be confident even if they are unsure so the most common response for directions is ‘always straight…’ We found that out the hard way but it was a lesson learned and brought us through some unforgettable landscapes before getting back on track to San Marino. We eventually started winding our way up the slopes of Monte Titano before reaching Guaita, an old fortress on the top of the tiny country of San Marino. We had what I consider the best views of the Italian countryside on a beautiful sunny day. I will never forget sitting there and staring off into the distance taking it all in. Fully content. We couldn’t stay all day so got back on the road for another 4+ hours before we would reach our final destination.

We arrived in Venice late in the evening and Carnevale was in full swing. We dropped everything in our room and headed to the nearest piazza where everyone was wearing masks, drinking, dancing, and setting off fireworks. We joined in immediately just happy to be out of the car with the first of many drinks in our hands. As we bobbed through narrow passageways and bridges across the canal I stopped to talk to anyone and everyone who was willing to chat. At a small tavern I got to talking with an older Italian man who was eager to pick my brain. I told him I was an American college student studying for a semester in Rome and some of my plans on where I was to travel. He stopped me and told me he only had one piece of advice for a young foreigner coming into his country and that was: ‘Don’t fuck Italy, make love to it!’ This statement really hit me and stuck with me the rest of my trip and still stays with me today. It’s important to experience everything with an open mind and at the same time respecting local beliefs and cultures. I have learned to enjoy every moment no matter what is happening around me.

I will continue to keep this advice close to heart everywhere I go because it’s easy to stay comfortable and keep old habits but once you learn to take pleasure out of every new landscape, person, language, and experience then you truly open yourself up to adventure and more positive outcomes.

The Bike Ride

An excerpt from my journal dated September 9, 2010:

I put my gym shoes on, filled my backpack, and pumped up the tires on my bike. Bye Dad. I jumped on my bike, headed down Kilbourn, through the underpass, down Granville. How far was I going to go? How far did I want to go? Men walking down the streets with large top hats, long beards with squiggly sideburns, and tassels hanging from their belt loops. Boys with circular caps atop their heads running around playing. The women and girls seemed very reserved wearing long jean skirts and sleeved shirts. It must be some sort of Jewish ceremony. They all seemed very happy, smiles on their faces. I peddle further toward Lincoln. I cut through the alleyway behind the Chinese restaurant. Smells of Kung Pao Beef and Orange Chicken. I love Chinese food. I ride with traffic on Lincoln back to Granville. This street is very bumpy, bad for my bike. A mixed group of darker skinned people around here. Indian, Pakistani, Muslim, and Mexican. Coming up to California I see only a woman’s eyes driving a car. She is wearing a burqa. A Mexican woman at a corner stand selling the orange pinwheel snacks that taste like styrofoam. Hot sauce and chihuahua cheese make it better. Stopped at Western. Three Muslim men in a cab. Probably all friends hanging out, no fares at this time of day. Picking up speed. Where should I go? Albion Beach past Loyola. Down Broadway, all of the college kids walking to and from class. No real care in the world. Happy to be there. Happy to be young. Girl and boy hand in hand talking about anything. Just happy to be talking to each other. Albion, take a right. Why is it so refreshing to be here? The water, the sand? The lack of people on such a cold September day. I am alone, jobless, unknowing. Where do I go from here? Ride back? Back to where I came from?

The Comeback Kid

It has been close to a year since my last blog post. A lot has happened since then and I wish I kept this blog up to date. But, no use in in dwelling on the past because I've got a lot of fun plans for the future. The main question on my mind lately is, 'what's next?' I find that about every two years I need something new and exciting to happen. For the past two months or so I have been focusing my energy on a few different projects that make me happy.

In June I started an online TEFL course so I could start teaching English online while traveling. A friend of mine who returned from South Korea after a year of teaching talked me into it. I am still at that point where I know what I am doing right now is not making me happy. I thought a lot about the freedom I would have to travel and make money becoming an online TEFL teacher. So, here I am 11 weeks later on my way to realizing that freedom. That being said I still have to finish 20 hours of practicum and then find employment. It's all in the works and I am just happy that I have something else to focus on.

Another thing I have been focusing in on as a hobby is making homemade Chicago-style giardiniera. As you may have guessed by the name, giardiniera originated in Italy and was then given that perfect Chicago twist when it came to America. It's a mix of jalapeños, serranos, cauliflower, carrots, celery, garlic, oregano, and chili flakes all preserved in an oil and vinegar bath. You can put it on anything but it is especially good on pizza, hot beef sandwiches, burgers, and eggs. Since this is unavailable outside of Chicago, for the most part, I have reverted to making it myself in Ireland. Every few weeks I make a new batch and give some out to friends and strangers. The feedback and compliments I have received have been amazing. Everyone asks where they can get some but I assure them it's only in my kitchen. Therefore, recently I have been writing up a business plan to see where I can take this endeavor. I would like to prove to myself that I can do it. It would be amazing to see someone enjoy something that I created and then make a little profit from it...

As you may have guessed it, writing is one of those things that is inherently part of my life and that I love to do. I found that I have been procrastinating a lot (almost a year…) when it comes to writing. My goal is to update my website every week with the endless amount of ideas, inventions, imagination, and random thoughts pouring out of my skull. It seems like such a chore at first thinking about it but as soon as the words appear on screen or on paper I feel that I am really accomplishing something. I need somewhere to organize all of this chaos. I want to see this evolve into something prolific that I am proud of and will ultimately lead to me fulfilling my dreams; whatever they might be. So it’s onward and upward. I will find my stride once again and hopefully bring you engaging content as right now this feels like a public journal. I need to connect what I like to what you like so this thing becomes mutually beneficial.

North To The Future

I just got back to Dublin from a 2 week trip home to Chicago. It was pouring rain when I left and had been for about a day earlier. Surprisingly my WOW Air flight was only delayed about 20 minutes. So it was onto the plane after a short delay and on to my first experience flying with the infamous discount transatlantic airline. We rolled away from the bridge towards the runway before stopping...and waiting...for an hour. By that time there was a full blown thunderstorm outside and I was getting a little nervous as the jet engines began to roar and I could feel my body being pressed against my seat. 

The plane lifted off and we made our usual rocky start. As we kept climbing I began to notice a little more turbulence than normal. I was sitting in the aisle seat (it's my preferred seat on all flights) so I leaned over to look out the window. All I could see was rain, clouds, and flashes of lightning followed by thunder. I didn't panic until we made our first drop. I quickly made the instinctual sign of the cross and couldn't help but imagine us descending into the Northwest side Chicago neighborhoods below. The turbulence kept on coming with continuous dips and I could read the other passengers' concerned faces around me. After about 30 minutes it finally came to an end as we reached our cruising altitude. It was definitely nothing to be concerned about but when all was set and done I couldn't help being reminded of my trip to Juneau, Alaska seven years earlier, almost to the day.

This is a story that I am glad I could look back at an old journal entry to remember some finite details. It all began when I went to visit my girlfriend at the time in Juneau, Alaska. It was a typical fall day in Chicago, a little chilly but sun shining and clear skies. I was to catch a morning flight from Chicago to Seattle and then on to Ketchikan, Sitka, and my final destination Juneau. I made my first connection which had a layover of four and a half hours. By the time we were to board the aircraft the weather had turned bringing rain with intermittent thunder and lightning. The flight was delayed by thirty minutes. I was getting anxious and just wanted to reach my final destination as soon as possible. Well, a half hour turned into an hour, and then two.

Alaska Airlines finally gave the go-ahead. They gave us the option to fly and said it's possible that the flight would not make it to Juneau but instead would be grounded in Ketchikan or Sitka if the weather got worse. The other option was that they would put you up in a hotel near the Seattle airport and fly you out sometime the next morning. I talked with some people who took this flight regularly and they said they often fly out in worse weather and it's worth it. If the flight is grounded then you can jump on that same flight the next day. I took the locals advice and about 15 of us boarded the plane to our first stop in Ketchikan.

There was constant turbulence during the two hour flight and I gripped the seat with white knuckles the whole time. We landed in the tiny Ketchikan airport and were immediately informed that we would be delayed to Sitka. I exited the aircraft and headed straight to the bar. The tiny airport consisted of 2 terminals, one concession area, and a dive bar. It would be another hour of waiting. The day kept getting longer and longer. I bellied up to the small bar and ordered an Alaskan Ale and made small talk with the locals. After all, the airport bar was "the" place to be in this tiny Alaskan town. CNN was on the TV and breaking news came in that the Chilean miners were being rescued from the collapsed mine. I remember thinking to myself that I will always remember where I was when those miners were rescued. Sure enough it is still fresh in my mind. A few more beers and some small talk later I was being called to the gate. They gave me the same option: I could continue on or stay in Ketchikan. I decided to continue on and a few more people dropped out. There were five of us rearing on to Sitka.

It was another bumpy one hour flight and as soon as we touched down we were informed that the flight to Juneau was cancelled. We would have to find our own accommodation. I planned to sleep in the airport but one of the hostesses informed me that the airport would close and I had to find elsewhere to sleep. This was mind boggling to me. I figured all airports were 24 hours but I rolled with the punches and continued on my way. By that point I was semi-drunk and had been traveling for around 14 hours. There was a shuttle parked outside the airport picking up people for one of the only lodges in town. I asked the driver if there was anyway I would be able to sleep somewhere for free as I didn't have much money and was headed back to the airport in the morning. He quietly explained that I could take the shuttle to the lodge, ask the reception to hold my bag, and hang out in the reception area until I fell asleep. He said people did it all the time. I was sorted.

I arrived at the Westmark Hotel and everything was going as planned. I dropped my bag at reception and plopped down on the reception couch and watched the big TV over the fireplace. This would be a great place spend the night. I quickly got bored and noticed a bar/restaurant connected to the hotel. I bellied up once again and started talking with a regular who was the local high school's football and basketball coach as well as the town sheriff. We went drink for drink until the bar closed. That's when he invited me to check out all the local bars and to meet his friends. By this point I was well drunk and ready for an adventure. All the while not thinking about my 7am flight to Juneau in the morning.

Our first stop was Ernie's. The definition of a dive bar, filled with local character's smoking Newport 100's and drinking well whiskey. I received the VIP treatment and was paraded around the bar to be introduced to each individual. I remember getting in a lengthy conversation about Carlos Boozer, a once Sitka native, then playing for the Chicago Bulls in the NBA. It was most definitely the town's claim to fame and I was honored to share in that pride. All the while I was given free shots and told to stick around the next day. I explained that it was impossible as I grabbed a soft pack of Parliament Lights from the cigarette machine in the corner. My new friend signaled to meet that we should continue on. With slightly slurred speech I left with a promise that I would be back again one day.

Photo Credit: https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g60966-d8457757-i141786096-Ernie_s_Old_Time_Saloon-Sitka_Alaska.html

Out of the bar we turned the corner and walked a bit until we reached Pioneer Bar. When we walked in I found the age range very interesting. It was probably something like 15 to 60 years old. I guess that's how it is when you have a small population and limited watering holes. It was packed out and everyone was having a time. Photos of boats, caught fish, families, and regulars took up every inch of the walls. I walked around staring at each one imagining the life these people lived in this small town. Something I couldn't really wrap my head around at the time. I was just happy to be there. That's when i noticed a lot of people staring at me probably thinking 'who's the new guy?' I was paired up with a couple who were also in town visiting from somewhere in the lower 48 and we were surrounded with people asking questions and trying to prove their worth. I felt very important. Before long I was on the verge of a brown out and searching around for my friend. It seemed he pulled the old Irish goodbye on me. It was around 4am and I decided now was the best time to head back to the hotel to sleep.

Photo Credit: https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g60966-d523119-Reviews-The_Pioneer_Bar-Sitka_Alaska.html

I wandered aimlessly through the now cold and rainy roads of Sitka until I reached Westmark. the doors were locked. I panicked until I saw the sign to ring the bell, which I did. A woman answered the door promptly and asked me to show my key. I explained that I didn't have one, that my bag was in the back, and I was just going to stay in the lobby for the rest of the night. She looked puzzled and explained that I couldn't do that if I wasn't staying at the hotel. I pleaded but she said she legally couldn't allow it and apologized while closing the door. I sat there against the wall wet, cold, and verbally condemning myself for going out on the town. I faded into sleep but quickly woke because I was shivering. I needed warmth and sleep and I was determined to get it.

I popped up and walked around the building looking for a back entrance. I quickly found a side glass door that lie in between the bar/restaurant and hotel. Of course it was locked and could only be open with a key card. That's when I spotted my hero; the cleaning lady vacuuming the hallway. I motioned over to her to come to the door. When she opened I stated apologetically that I forgot my key card (stupid me...). She was more than willing to help me out. That's when I caught site of the woman at the front desk through a window in the lobby. I ducked down as the cleaning lady went back to her business. Thinking quickly I decided to army crawl across the carpeted floor into the lobby near the couch I was sitting on earlier. If I raised my head I would be busted. Thinking quickly again, which was surprising because I was very drunk, I pulled out the couch and proceeded to army crawl behind it. I wedged myself between the wall and the back of the couch. I waited to see if there was any movement but all was calm. I set my alarm to get up in the next few hours so I could make the free shuttle to the airport in the morning.

The time soon arrived and I was awakened by my phone alarm going off right next to my ear. I put it there to ensure I made this flight or else all of this struggle was for nothing. I slowly unwedged myself from behind the couch and cautiously raised my head to see if anyone was sitting on it or hanging around in the lobby. The coast was clear. Then I raised my head a little higher to peer over at reception to see if they seemed  suspicious. All clear. People were collecting their bags to get on the shuttle and I was just in time to get in line. Luckily the woman working the reception that morning was not the same as the woman from a few hours earlier, there was no question as to where I slept...

I touched down in Juneau just over an hour later; I bought a toothbrush from the convenient store and brushed my teeth in the airport bathroom. I was finally ready to take on the last frontier, hungover and extremely tired.

The Pharaoh of Egypt

It was the second semester of my Junior year of college and I was studying abroad in Rome. Well, I only had classes on Tuesday's and Thursday's so it was more like an extended holiday. At the beginning of that trip I made a promise to myself that I was going to step out of my comfort zone and really take in everything the world had to offer. 

A friend that I made at my school had the same sense of adventure as me and approached me one day to see if I wanted to travel to Cairo, Egypt with him. I first asked how much but in the back of my head it didn't matter, I wanted to go to Africa (funny note: as I am writing this Toto's Africa came on). By chance he had found an EgyptAir flight for 80 euro round trip, but we had to act fast.  It was definitely on and we rounded up a few others who were looking for a thrill. A friend of mine from grade school studying in a different university in Rome joined as well as 2 other girls from our program. The trip was set for 2 weeks from then.

For the next 2 weeks I left most of the planning up to my friend. After all I was just going with the flow. I did know for sure that I wanted to see the Great Pyramids, The Sphinx, and the Nile. All of the Cairo go-tos and places I only dreamed of visiting after making it through the Egypt unit of Ms. O'Shea's 6th grade history class. On the day all 5 of us met at Termini train station a little nervous but very excited. We headed to Fiumicino Airport where we boarded our EgyptAir flight without any delay. I remember the flight was only 3 hours and they played one of the High School Musical's during the flight. 

We arrived in Cairo International Airport that night and immediately it was a culture shock. It was amazing to think that only 3 hours by plane from Italy you can find yourself in a different country on a different continent filled with an entirely different culture and set of beliefs. I was ready to take it all in. We had a car from our hostel waiting for us at the airport and a man with a sign greeted us after we paid for our visas and made our way through security. He spoke very little English but we could tell was very friendly and happy that we were there. My friend was so proud that he was able to find a hostel for 6 USD per night and pick up and drop off to the airport. I can say I was proud too because this trip definitely would not break the bank.

Gazing out of the window like a little kid as we drove through city was like being transported into a different world. The only lighting came from the shops that lined the streets and barbecue grills down every alleyway. People and dogs were everywhere cutting in and out of traffic heading who knows where. Our driver turned down a quiet street off the main road an there we were in front of the Sara Inn Hostel, our home for the next 7 days. 

The hostel was interesting to say the least and would have to suit for the next week. We made our way to the 7th floor in one of those old birdcage elevators that ran up the middle of a staircase that wound up the inside of the building. 3 very nice Egyptian lads met us at reception, insisted that they take our bags, and showed us to our room. It was a decent sized room with 2 king sized beds and an ensuite bathroom. The 2 of us lads decided to take turns sleeping on the floor because we were true gentleman. We settled in and decided to walk around the immediate area and then take it easy so we would all be well rested for the next day.

We quickly realized that since Egypt was predominantly a Muslim country there weren't really any bars or places to find alcohol. This was something we didn't previously think about but would only be a small setback on our trip; or so we thought. It was getting late so we headed back to the hostel. That's where we ran into Deanna in the lobby and where our local adventure began. She was a white woman from upstate New York currently living with her husband in Jordan. She and her husband were both reporters and the day before they were inside the Gaza strip covering the hardships that the people faced just to survive. They both had to get smuggled back out and Deanna and her husband were separated. They hadn't been in contact since. She explained that whenever something like that would happen they set their meeting place for the Sara Inn Hostel in Cairo. So that's the situation she was currently in. If you could imagine I was enthralled by her story, calm attitude, and thirsting for more information. She had to get some sleep but offered to show us around the next night. I couldn't wait.

The next day we hired a driver and tour guide from the hostel to take us to all those Cairo go-tos. It was so cheap, around 20 USD a person, to take us around for the rest of the trip. I felt a little guilty but the driver and tour guide ensured me that they were grateful for the money and to show us their city. I will be sure to build upon that amazing experience in a later post. Just think spice markets, kusherie, and a traditional Egyptian wedding.

We arrived back to the hostel that evening where Deanna was waiting to take us on an adventure. The girls were tired from the day and a little suspicious of the whole situation so decided to stay back. As we walked into the night Deanna explained that she was going to take us to the only liquor store in Cairo to get beer and liquor. It was owned and operated by local Coptic Christians who could be identified by a black cross tattooed on the inside of their wrists, given to them as children. We arrived at a busy intersection in front of the liquor store on the corner. As we stepped in we were surrounded by shelves of knock-off American and European liquor. We loaded up on Stella Lager Beer and a bottle of good ole Johnny Walkins whiskey. As we stepped outside Deanna told us to wait there as she had to run a quick errand. She told us to be aware and keep our heads on a swivel but that we would be safe. Two white guys holding bags of cans in a predominantly Muslim country in front of a Christian liquor store; I wasn't worried.

Deanna returned about 15 minutes later and we started the walk back. She told us she had a surprise for us when we returned to the hostel. We were a little puzzled but really thought nothing of it and were focusing on taking in everything around us. Upon arriving back at the hostel we were greeted by some of the workers and we were led up to the rooftop. This wasn't open to guests but since we were with Deanna we were receiving some special treatment. They turned on the lights to the kitchen and I watched all the roaches scatter back into darkness. I kept my cringing to a minimum and followed everyone through a small door at the back wall, which I thought was a broom closet at first. One by one we climbed up a small metal ladder until we reached moonlight. We were met with a breathtaking view of the bustling city and the wide winding Nile River. I walked over to the furthest ledge and just stared in awe, thanking God for the situation I was in. 

Deanna introduced me to two of the hostel workers that she had gotten to know throughout the years and told us she had another Egyptian friend that would be joining shortly. In the meantime she asked me if I knew how to roll, reached into her satchel, and pulled out a sack of tobacco and a brick of hash that was forearm length. She explained that this was her surprise. I was very surprised. So there we were, the five of us, rolling spliffs on the rooftop of a hostel in Cairo, Egypt overlooking the Nile River. I never put it past myself that I might've ended up in a situation like that.

Soon the girls joined us on the rooftop to have a beer and to take in the spectacular view. My friend from grade school reminded me that we had a mutual friend in military school that was currently stationed outside of Cairo studying and training. We went downstairs to use the computer and Skype chatted him. After a few minutes he responded and said he would be able to sneak off base and join us in about an hour. It was finally all coming together.  

An hour later my friend successfully pulled off a jailbreak and joined us on the roof. Deanna's other Egyptian friend showed up and the party continued. I asked his name and he said that I could call him the Pharaoh of Egypt. He was wearing a head wrap around his head and had a big grin on his face so I didn't question it. We were all passing around spliff after spliff, drinking Stellas and Johnny Walkins, and laughing about the different quirks of our cultures. That's when Deanna told us to teach The Pharaoh of Egypt one of the most popular college-aged American things to do at the time; shot-gunning a beer. He looked puzzled and didn't understand the concept or the purpose of such a thing but really wanted to learn anyways. I cracked a hole in his can with my keys and told him to put it to his lips and when I said so to pop the lid and drink. I gave the go ahead and it was down the hatch. As soon as he was finished I told him to throw his can down which made him puzzled again. He did it anyways and another huge smile came across his face. I impeded some not so needed American practices on an Egyptian man that night. But we were all the better for it.

The night wore on, the girls went to bed, the hostel workers retreated, and my friend stumbled back to his base. Deanna, The Pharaoh of Egypt, my friend, and I stayed up to watch the sunset over The Nile River. At that moment I was 100% content and anxiety free. I was ready for the rest of the trip and whatever Cairo had to throw my way.

The 'Ole Goan Gem Scam Part 2

Loads of different scenarios were playing out through my head. My other thought was that my backpack with my passport was back at this kid's house with his cousins. At least I was far away from the head hancho. These younger guys just seemed to do the dirty work. I tried not to show my worry and walked back to my 'friend'.

I grabbed a Kingfisher from the beach bar and watched another beautiful sunset disappear over the Arabian Sea. We walked through the beachside markets and witnessed a fight between some local kids and shop merchants. I tried to still enjoy the time I had in a new unfamiliar area before figuring out my plan.

I then decided I would go back, grab my bag, and explain that I was going to stay at a guest house on the beach that night. Upon returning I was greeted with lots of kindness and the hippy asked if I would like to smoke a joint which I couldn't turn down, it would be impolite. Even given the newly discovered information I received via the internet I still had a sense of trust with these guys. They were genuinely interested in the Western world and wanted to know everything I thought about India.

After some deep talks in the common area they asked if I wanted to stay for dinner. I told them that I should get going and they insisted I stay as their guest and at least have a bite to eat before leaving. I truly did want to stay and enjoy an authentic home-cooked India meal so I finally agreed. Their next question was whether I wanted veg or chicken, to which I replied chicken. Everywhere in India you go you are always given the opportunity to choose veg or non-veg.

They told to me that they were Muslim so we would have to eat Halal. I had eaten Halal before but had no idea what actually makes a meal Halal. They explained that we had to go purchase a live chicken, one of them would slaughter it while uttering a prayer, and then prepare it in their own kitchen. I was highly intrigued and asked if I could go with to see this all go down. 

I hopped back on the moto up the road and then down a sketchy alleyway. There it was in all its blood and feather laden glory, the local butcher shop. It was run by an older man and who I assumed was his about 10 year old son. The lads I was with seemed to be telling the man that we wanted a chicken but they would have to sever the neck. I got my phone out and recorded the whole situation. I didn't want to forget that moment. I was surprised at how slow the whole operation went down. It seemed more inhumane then the fast cut of the neck which I saw him do for another customer. For the squeamish I will skip further details. But for those who want to see it, you can watch here. Viewer discretion is advised:

I offered to pay for the bird, about 150 rupees (~2 euro), and after everything was bagged up I grabbed the warm package and it was back to the house to prepare the meal. I stayed in the living room and watched the Indian film, PK on their shared laptop. The film had no subtitles so your man was trying to explain to me what was happening the whole time. It was actually a good lesson in Hindi and Indian culture. A pretty weird movie as well which I appreciated.

We watched the whole movie before dinner was served. We had a spicy chicken curry with veg, lentils, rice, and chapati bread. It was absolutely delicious. We all sat there cross-legged devouring and not having much conversation. After the meal we all lit up Indian cigarettes called Bidi and talked about how good the meal was. I told them I was grateful for the hospitality and the meal but that I had to go look for a place to stay. When I looked at my phone it was about 11:30pm. They explained that it might be too late to find accommodation at that time and that I was welcome to stay with them. Your man said he wanted to learn as much from me and teach me as much as he could about India before I had to leave. I hesitantly agreed and we all stayed up for another hour smoking and talking about our lives and pop culture.

They had 2 bedrooms but didn't like to sleep in them because of the heat. They put down 5 cloth mats and a pillow for each of us so we could all sleep together in the living room with all of the windows and doors open and the fan on full blast overhead. It reminded me of the sleepovers I used to have in grade school. It felt very comforting and protective that we were all together.

The next morning I woke a little anxious. I was so happy of the experiences I had hanging out with my new friends and the hospitality that they showed me but also wanted some time to myself. I asked your man if he could take me back to Anjuna so I could catch a cab to Panjim. It would be a far trek for him to take me all the way. He asked if I still wanted to do business with his cousin to which I said I didn't think so but agreed to speak with him one last time. I gave all of my new friends a hug and it was off to Anjuna. 

Upon my arrival at the house it looked as though some other foreigners were leaving. I wanted to warn these people but didn't want to make a commotion and set anything off. I walked into the house sat down with the geologist and told him that I wasn't interested. He told me that I was letting him and his people down. I explained to him that I was sorry but this just wasn't the right decision for me at that time and walked out. I said goodbye to my friend and walked to the market to find a cab to Panjim. The sooner I was to get away from this the better.

I found a cab a short while later, agreed to a price, and finally a wave of calm came over me. I stared out the window overlooking the coast playing the last 36 hours back in my head as we made our way into the capitol city. What a ride.

The 'Ole Goan Gem Scam Part 1

This past April I flew from Dublin to Bombay to join three of my friends from Chicago on an auto-rickshaw race across India. The plan was to travel with them via auto-rickshaw for four days on their journey from Bombay to Goa and then part ways so they could continue to Kochi to finish the race. Little did I know I was about to walk into a scam that plagued many a foreigner's bank accounts before me and probably still.

I would like to preface that my time spent in Bombay, all the small towns we passed through, and then Goa were nothing short of a dream come true. I will be expanding on the intricacies of the overall journey in a later blog post. The focus of this story is to show you how I turned a potential bank account draining scam into a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

My buddies woke me after a night of partying to say goodbye. I gave them hugs and wished them the best of luck on the rest of their drive as I knew they would need it. Driving through India, especially in an auto-rickshaw, is absolutely insane. Just think organized chaos and selfies. I slept a few more hours in our absolutely beautiful guest house near Baga Beach in Goa. I got my things together and had no other plans on what to do other than pay a visit to the Anjuna Flea Market that ran every Wednesday.

I hopped in a cab to the flea market and quickly realized it was filled with a lot of touristy items but still wanted to wander around to kill some time. I was getting hungry too. I was quickly greeted by a young Indian boy, probably about 18, who asked me where I was from. As a white person it was pretty common to have anyone and everyone come up to you to talk or ask for a selfie. I made small talk and he kept following telling me he wanted to improve his English. I found no harm in it and kept the conversation going as I browsed the spices and scarves. I made a purchase after much haggling and told him I was going to grab something to eat. He said he was hungry too and wanted to join me for a quick bite. There was a stall just up the road were I ordered a delicious mango lassi.

This kid kept going on asking me questions about my life and telling me about his. He claimed he was from Bombay and worked in Goa during the summers with his brother and a few of his cousins. He asked me were I was going to which I didn't have a definite answer to. I said maybe Panjim, the capital city, which he informed me that there wasn't much to do there, it was just a city... He then invited me to his cousin's house and for some reason I agreed. I was in kind of in a 'fuck it' mood.

I hopped on the back of his moto, which was a pretty common practice on the trip, and we headed off. I was greeted by his well dressed 'cousin' who asked me if I wanted Chai and an omelette which I accepted. He called a young girl over who was sweeping the floor, probably about 13 years old, who quickly ran to the kitchen to get to work. This young man told me about growing up in Bombay and then continuing his education in England where he graduated with some sort of geological degree. The reason he was in Goa was that he was helping a company build a resort on the coast of Goa. He continued that he also had a side business excavating and selling gems and thought that I might be able to help him in return for some monetary compensation. This is how it would all go down:

He would give me an assortment of gems that I would purchase with his money worth an approximate 10,000 euro. He would then provide me with a receipt as well as foreign purchase documents that had my passport details. I would package all of the items myself, address the package to my local post office in Dublin, and take it to the local Goan post office and ship it. Once I returned to Dublin a few days later I would visit my local post office, collect the package, and deliver it to one of his colleagues who would in return give me 5,000 euro. He explained that as a foreigner on a tourist visa I could spend up to 10,000 euro on souvenirs tax-free.

Believe me, I was extremely suspicious of this plan and everything that was being offered to me. Immediately I was thinking back to the show Locked Up Abroad and it kind of gave me a thrill. My first questions was, 'Isn't this tax fraud?' Which he never gave me an absolute yes to. He just exclaimed that the government in his country was corrupt and that I would be helping out his people, the less fortunate. I told him that I didn't think I was interested and he said that I should sleep on it and that his cousin would take me anywhere I needed to go for the night. I agreed just as a way out of the situation and left again with his cousin.

The boy asked me where I wanted to go and offered that I come to his house to hang out for the day. He really seemed harmless enough and I agreed because I had no other plans and all the time in the world. I decided that I would hang out for the day, visit the beach, and find a guest house before nightfall. We were off again, this time up the coast to where I found out later was a tiny town called Arambol. We arrived in a dingy area, no tourists in site to a two-story house on the side of the road. He was staying on the second floor. There I met his three cousins. Two I remember seeing at the geologist's house and one hippie-like guy that I hadn't met. I said a quick hello, dropped my bag, and then sped off to the beach. I was a little apprehensive about leaving my bag with my passport but had a relaxed feeling about everything.

So it was on to the beach to watch the sunset. I was finally collected with a beer in hand. The only thing I hadn't had since the flea market was wifi. I told your man that I was going to take a walk and came upon a beachside bar where I asked for wifi and the password. Once connected I typed into chrome 'Goa gem scam' which apparently was a thing. I read a long first hand story about how a women in the exact same scenario I was in at that moment got her bank account drained from the so called geologist. Here's a summary of how she explained they did it:

Once she handed over her passport and the package was sent she relaxed at a guest house paid for by the geologist. Sometime during the night she received a phone call from her new business partners exclaiming that the local authorities were aware of the situation and faulty receipts for the merchandise and required a receipt with an actual credit card transaction. Freaking out that she would be imprisoned by authorities in a foreign country she agreed to paying an absurd amount of money with the promise from her business partners that they would pay her back for that as well as the original agreed amount upon her return to her home country. When she returned home there was no package, the numbers she had no longer went through, and the individuals had moved on from the address she had.

My heart was beating a little faster and I was thinking about how I was going to escape this whole situation.

To Be Continued...

Unexpected Love and Drugs

I stepped off that last train into Berlin extremely hungover and exhausted. I was already on a three day bender. It was around noon and I needed to get to my hostel so I could sleep it off for a few hours; at least before doing it all again... I remembered that another girl I had met in the Canary islands said that if I were ever in Berlin to give her a ring. I sent her a Facebook message because I didn't have any of her contact info. I arrived at the hostel, went through the usual walkthrough, and hit the pillow hard. I woke around 4:30pm with a message from your one saying, 'hey its nice to hear from you. i don't have messanger, so you better write me message' and gave her number.

Luckily she remembered me and we agreed to meet at the Berlin Frankfurter Allee train stop near my hostel at 6:30pm. I love traveling by myself but it's so nice to at least know one other person from that city who can give you a very immersive experience. So we met for the first time in 6 months and she was even prettier than I remembered. She had straight brown hair, blue eyes, and a perfect slim figure. She was originally from Kazakhstan, moved to the Czech Republic as a child, and now lived in Berlin. 

She wanted to take me to somewhere called 'Party Mile' and I excitedly told her I was up for anything. It ended up being a long strip of clubs, bars, and drugs surrounded by warehouses and food stalls. She grabbed some weed off an African guy and we sat at some steps to roll a spliff. I was enthralled by it all. The public drinking, the lax take on drug consumption, and club music happening all around created such a free environment. There was no room for judgement in Berlin because no one really cared.

We found ourselves a reggae type bar and sat outside sipping delicious German beer and discussing whatever popped into our heads. I forgot how easy she was to talk to. I told her I was very tired and explained my recent travel adventures. I then asked if there was anything I could grab to give me a little boost of energy. A call to an acquaintance and a short walk to a gang of street punks on the Oberbaumbrücke and I quickly had the energy back that I was missing. She and I stayed up until 7:30am outside of that bar talking about the universe, religion, and anything else that came to mind. I think it partly had to do with the party favors but mostly to the great connection we had. I then faded quickly and we both took cabs home to our respective dwellings.

I woke the next afternoon around 3pm with an unexpected smile on my face. In this case my mind was fighting my hangover with happiness. It's amazing what your mindset can do to your body, both good and bad. Your one texted me again to see if i wanted to meet and show me the city. Of course I agreed and we spent the afternoon grabbing beers from the spätis, going neighborhood to neighborhood. She knew a lot about her city which made the experience a whole lot better. We ended the night sitting at the bar Klunkerkranich located on the top floor of a supermarket parking lot. The view of Berlin as the sun went down was absolutely beautiful. We continued our unstructured conversations about everything and nothing. Just happy to be alive. Unfortunately, it was a Sunday and she had to go home early because she had work the next day. She walked me to the train and again we parted ways. 

I spent that Monday on my own. I tried a kebab at the infamous Mustafa's Gemüse Kebap. It took about 25 minutes in line and the kebab was very good, not the best. I was adventurous and grabbed an Ayran, a Turkish salted yogurt drink. I figured I'd like it because I was a HUGE fan of Lassi on my trip to India. The Ayran definitely didn't do it for me. I took the train to the Brandenburg Gate where I met for a free SANDEMANs tour. I always look up free walking tours whenever I visit a city I would like to learn more about. It's also a good way to get some insider tips for food, nightlife, etc. from the tour guide. I liked the walking tour and my tour guide so much I booked a paid tour to Sachsenhausen concentration camp the next day. That ended up being a truly unforgettable experience that I will be sure to write about at another time. I took the rest of that day to chill in the hostel and have a few nightcaps before bed.

After going on the very emotional tour to the concentration camp the next morning I came back and met your one in the early afternoon because her workday had ended early. I was very excited to see her and I was starting to feel that she wasn't just being accommodating. I am terrible at realizing these things so somewhat shrugged it off. I met her near a section of the Berlin wall and we went for a stroll admiring all of the murals to commemorate it's fall in 1989. Again we grabbed street beers and continued onto neighborhoods I hadn't already seen. We then decided to stop for dinner at a tapas joint. It was just another perfect carefree afternoon. I told her I wanted to go back to Klunkerkranich to watch the sunset. She agreed and told me there was live jazz that night. Sold.

We both found ourselves a nice little nook overlooking another glorious sunset over the city. I was explaining something, we both caught each other's gaze and I just went in for it. In the back of my mind i'd been wanting to kiss her but only then just realized it. We both had ear to ear grins and she asked me why I didn't do that sooner. Talk about crossed signals...

I spent an absolutely amazing night at her flat completing the connection we knew we had early on. A chance encounter at a hostel 6 months earlier on an island in the Canary's to now... I love how this world works. I had to wake up early the next morning to go check out of my hostel and get ready to fly back to Dublin. She was free for lunch so we would meet one last time before I left. I had the biggest smile on the train ride back to my hostel, dopamine still flooding my brain. 

We ate lunch together followed by many high schoolesque make out sessions up until the minute I had to hop on the train to the airport. I was so sad to leave but also the thought that I wouldn't have that feeling for a while made me respect it even more. I'm not sure if that makes sense to everyone. I arrived at the airport and right before I entered I remembered the party favors! A frantic search through my back pocket, backpack, and hidden crevices resulted in nothing. I thought I remembered tossing it out the night before but couldn't be sure. I tore through my bag a few more times and came to the consensus that I did throw it out. Case closed.

I was still sweating walking through security. They seemed to be checking each bag thoroughly. I got to the conveyor belt, took out all of my liquids, and proceeded through the body scanner. On the other side I waited nervously as I watched the belt go backward and then forward and the TSAs eyes squint at the images that appeared on her computer. Then I saw it; my blue bag was coming toward me through the rubber curtains. All was well in the world. I grabbed all of my belongings, thanked TSA, and headed to my gate. Many emotions were going through my head. I just wanted to get home.

3 hours later I was headed back to my gaf on a Dublin bus. As soon as I reached my room I took all of my clothes out of my backpack to throw in the wash. I grabbed a pair of pants and made sure nothing was in the pockets that would go though the wash when low and behold, there they were, the party favors made the journey with me back to Dublin. 

Semi-Retirement

After I left my job I went to London for a long weekend to have a reunion with some friends I met in Tenerife in the Canary Islands this past December. It was really my first dose of freedom and reality hit when I didn't have to go to work on Monday. I found myself wandering through Camden market, eating deep-fried halloumi cheese, soaking it all in.

I had a previous trip home planned a few months earlier. I went back to Chicago to stand up in my best friend's wedding. I want to point out that I was the best man and absolutely killed my speech. I was very humbled by the amount of people that complemented me after talking for 10 and a half minutes. It really gave me a boost of confidence. Not to toot my own horn or anything...

It was great to be home for a while but I soon had the urge to get back on that plane. Less than a week back in Dublin I hopped on another plane to Munich. I ended up staying one night with a girl I met in a hostel during my first 2 weeks in Dublin. It was interesting to say the least and I found myself itching to get on a train to Berlin. I ended up taking a midnight train that would take 10 hours. It went from Munich to Frankfurt to Hannover to Berlin. Well, I ended up getting drunk before getting on the train and the ride started out a little rocky. I bought a few beers and met a drinking buddy on the train. We would hop out at every stop to take a puff or two of our cigs and hop back on before the doors closed. I had a few close calls where I almost sent my bag on a solo trip. I made the first connection and ended up sleeping through my second connection so spent an impromptu two hours in Hamburg. I had nothing but time so it didn't make a difference to me as long as I didn't have to pay extra for my mistake.

I ended up talking the ticket lady into letting me on the next train to Berlin free of charge. To be honest a little charm, a touch of innocence, and being respectful can take you far in life. So it was off to Berlin where the beginning of a love story would unfold and a potential situation with customs was avoided. But i'll get to that in my next post.

I Quit

I quit my job here in Dublin at the beginning of May because I realized after 7 and a half years that office life just isn't for me. I think that was always in the back of my head but throughout my work life my dad always told me that a good solid job that pays well is good for you and your future. There was never any talk about work/life balance or personal happiness. Therefore I always felt that I owed it to him to keep that way of thinking; until now.

Being in a different country away from family and friends and any outside influence, other than the occasional FaceTime, I took a risk. It wasn't a well calculated risk and 2 months later I find myself still unemployed and writing this blog. I am now in need of a supplemental income. I know I do not want to do what I have been doing for the past 7 and a half years which was software sales, media sales, and account management. I feel I have been wasting away sitting in an office staring at a computer and the only enjoyment I have is interacting with people, my commute to and from work, and lunch. I want to do something that truly makes me happy and that I am passionate about. The problem is I have no idea what that 'perfect' job is.

I soon started looking into remote roles with travel and adventure companies in sales and customer support on sites like LinkedIn, We Work Remotely, and remote.com. All of which proved to be slow going. I feel that for me it is hard to get noticed in these positions that are very niche and don't require much technical skill. I am sure I would have a lot better luck if I were a developer or programmer but I know I wouldn't enjoy that. So the focus since then has been to relax and travel.

Let's Start From Here

I've been keeping a journal for the past 13 years and I finally want to share some of my stories with the rest of the world. I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois but have been living in Dublin, Ireland for the past 9 months. Ever since I first traveled outside of the United States in 2005 I knew I was destined to continue to travel the world.

I want to use this blog to share my experiences with all of you and also give some travel tips that will allow you to trek lightly and inexpensively. I will take you through some excerpts from my journal as well as other memorable stories that have stuck with me after all these years. It might not be in chronological order but in the end the story will reveal itself. Along with the truth I want to share my passion for fiction writing. You can find the leakings of my subconscious, my dreams, and my everyday unique way of thinking through my compositions in the 'Short Stories' section.

I'd like to use this space as a creative outlet for myself, a guide for travelers, and eventually for a million dollar book deal so I can continue to live a life of continuous adventure.