The District of Columbia

Sorry bout the delay Paul Cunnigham, I know you've been waiting. By the way I put no effort into this whatsoever, but it is entertaining and informative, so do read on. Oh you might be better off right clicking the links and opening them in a new tab!! Shout out to the bigmen!

So thus far we have been to Davenport, Naples, Statesboro, Jascksonville, Orlando, Charlotte, Savannagh and covered 4 states - Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.

Now we move on to DC. As I mentioned before, I arrived to DC by train, and It was pretty Epic!
Once I got in I was picked up at the airport by the guy who got me the two jobs and he brought me straight to a place where he had organized for me to stay, aaaand had already payed the rent for me. Sound!!!
He told me he had an interview for me in a restaurant the next day and as an intern two days later. Wow
this was a huge change from the lazing around I did before!!

So I get the two jobs no bother. The Job in the bar was as a host. I basically greeted and seated people.
And the second job is an Internship with a small IT firm. The next day I get word that I have both jobs and that I'll be working monday to friday in DC and Friday Saturday and Sunday in Virginia. So as the beatles would say Click here. So both jobs started off great I was on time most days and quite productive, but after working 35 days straight I started to tire and question what I was doing. Low and behold I was shafted by the Cork owner of the Bar and told it wasnt working out. Happy days. I now had my weekends back. A few things happened in those 6 weeks like seeing my first ever superbowl ring and going to baseball games with the staff plus plentiful nights out in DC with the company!! Sure my second day on the job I was given the task of attending the buildings rooftop party and having as much free drink as I could. This is the life, I said to myself after about 10 beers. But the morning after was tough. I was in the beets and had to travel 50 mins to get into work. 1 walk + 1 Bus = 1 Train. Not good. And I had to move out of the place I was in because it was reserved for someone like me by the guy that got me the job. Next in line as the say in Germany. So I find this place that I have to meet the owner between jobs to get the keys and I end up being late for work so he gives me a ride to work in his red mustang!! I arrived in Style that day. So I'd moved in with another IT guy and a handyman. Both of whom were nice but I wouldnt go for drinks with them to save me life. SO most of the time I'd be going out with the CEO of the IT company or the servers in the bar. Always good craic. The CEO would bring us to the exclusive places in DC like rooftop bars overlooking the whitehouse See here, or VIP sections in the big clubs and secluded bars where you might see one or two celebs depending on whats going on.

Anyway, after I focused full time on the IT job things were going well. I was doing great in work and partying it up all the time. The only thing was I lived 40 mins away so I was paying $200 just to commute to work, not to mention late night taxis. I sometimes stayed over in a friends house or a girls house which is so much better than going home then coming straight back in for work the next day. Something had to give. So I told my landlord that I had to move out and I commenced my search for a place in the city. After looking for a whole month I had nothing, i'd been to view places and got nowhere. But then I found this place in Columbia Heights, loads of people applied and the had to choose from a lot of people. I'll let you know who they chose next time cause I'm getting a little ahead of myself.

I'd watched the Heineken Cup final in an Irish Pub called fado in Chinatown. What a game. But we all know that. There was loads of Mary's lads there so it was good craic watching the rugby with the lads!
I met a girl at a networking event and we went to the rooftop of the tallest building in DC there was nothing up there but a bench and an amazing view The photo is here. I almost didnt need to use the charm. She was also so kind as to bring me to the Air and space museum and plan a trip to the Zoo which I had to bail on. (Sorry) I know that she's reading this btw. Hi! I'm too tired to talk about New York or the White water rafting or even the road trip. Guess I'll have to write about them some other time.

Anyway Peace out.

Post Jacksonville!

Justin was late to pick me up....what a surprise!! He was there within a few minutes tho so I wasnt waiting for long. He pulled up in a car with Heath and I jumped in and off we went towards Statesboro, or so we thought, until we ended up on the South Carolina Border..... A quick U-turn, or Yuille-Turn according to Papi, and we were headed in the right direction. So we arrive in the Campus Club apartment to a few familiar faces that I hadn't seen since November, so it was nice to see Alex and Joedi. I quickly settled in to the place and made my bed on the couch. I believe we had a few drinks that night.........

Being in the sitting room I was always last to sleep and first up, but I didnt mind that, I could always convince someone for a latenight ass whooping at Fifa. The Few games of footie we had on the college pitches were class, along with the gym and the cross campus jogs, we sorta got into a routine for about a week, then the drinking kicked in. We'd had a few nights out but not like the first big one where we downed the four loko's and then got the 2 dollar cocktails in Rum's what a night!! I ended up in another house just cause everyone was going there!! Next morning was interesting!!! 

I dont think I mentioned the last time I was there. Tailgaiting before the playoff games and 9 hour drives and Getting drunk with Pedro!! It was pretty much the same this time without pedro and the football. I met some really cool people this time, from getting locked out of Justo's and sleeping on the lads couch across the hall to meeting people at the pool and on the field. I think we drank too many four loko's this time around. We went to late night hookah bars, flavoured tobacco hookahs not the ones your thinking about and daytime drinking in Buffalo's watching the footie!!

Then John decided he's heading home so I'm left wondering how to get my stuff I left in Jacksonville before I move to DC. Long story short we rented a car and embarked on yet another road trip. After seeing everyone in Jacksonville again for the last time and playing Table tennis and drinking we left for

our return to campus club! A few beats later and we were home ready for bed! My birthday was great in Statesboro, we went to a mexican restaurant/bar where all the spanish girls organised the staff to embarrass the shit out of me with a sombrero and a song and  birthday shot!! And me and the lads went to a cool hibachi restaurant up the road!! Anything that happened in Rudy's after that is a mystery!! Fun times on April fools Day!! 

But then a day or two later, sadly, it was time for me to leave the college town and embark on my journey up north. All credit to Jaine who gave me a ride back into Savannagh to catch the Amtrak to DC. That was one of the best journeys I've ever been on. I saw parts of America that they dont show you on TV, unless you watch shows about the parts of america that they dont show you on tv. I passed by one horse towns with old run down buildings that once thrived as local community shops and closed down production factories that build the backbone of the states during the industrial revolution and scattered, empty, derelict houses built around what used to be the busiest parts of the industrial age. And the old bridges that were state of the art when they were first commissioned over 75 years ago. The wildlife surrounding the rivers and lakes that these bridges crossed, and the feeling of community in the small towns that survived and the people that 'stayed behind'. It truly was an inspiring journey. They end of the train ride was arriving into DC by sunset, which is by far the best way to enter any city anywhere in the world. 

And so concluded that leg of the journey.

WAIT wait wait.......Did I leave out the part of Spring break?

I guess I should fill you in on Savannah and our attempt at Panama City.

So Paddy's Eve 2011, what a night. We arrive in Savannah around 8 or so and start drinking in the girls house that we were staying in and decide we need more drink after a few rounds of Kings. We all walked to the supermarket and walk in with our drinks. Its the first time I've ever drank in a supermarket, come to think of it, it the first time I've ever heard of it being done. So we spent the whole time worrying about the security guard so i wasnt worth it at all. We went out anyway later that night to a bar of some sort and we were dancing on the stage with the DJ I think... Then we rambled on to the next place and drank some more. Got in a fight with a Marine and ended up back at the first place somehow, sittin on curbs having some words. Next thing I know its 9am and I washing the taste of puke out of my mouth with a warm can of coors! Happy Paddy's Day!!!!!! So As you can tell paddy's day started out well, warm beers and warm vodka and sprite on the streets while watching the parade and generally being loved by everyone, and this was all before noon. After the parade we ourselves paraded around the streets and were drinking by the water chatting up some dancers and watchin the free live music on show! I left for the bathroom and returned 45 mins later after a great game of hackey sack. We got some food and saw the biggest ever container ship know to man pass us by on the river. I believe these events are well documented in the form of pictures HERE Sorry for shouting! After the food we went to a daytime disco and it was weird, I dont think any of us danced...I found a guitar along the way and played, and also having the bants with the ladies! We queued up for aged to this bar for a drink, we got a drink paid for it and the queue kept going and the next think we know were on the street again, drink in hand!! And so onto the next place.

I honestly couldnt tell you how many different places we were in that day, but it was definitely more than 12! I then dragged everybody into a lift and we had no idea where we were going, walking aimlessly around a hotel, until I found the balcony bar that over looks the street we were on, the same bar we were looking at all day wondering how to get up there. That was a great bit of craic, with free Jello Shots!! Every single place on River Street Savannah was selling beer, nail spas grocery stores, bars etc. So there was no shortage of drink. The rest of the night was a bit blurry, we lost justo, Cole had his ID taken so I asked for 3 beers at a drinks stand and the barman said its one per person, so I told him it was one each for me and Jon and we were going to split the 3rd, basically cole got a drink! After that we went for food with some girls and I had a lightsaber somehow...later that night we broke into the girls house cause we knew where the key was and locked them out...passed out and met justo in a Waffle house!! We made like trees and got the flock outta there!!!

Here this is going on too long, see ya's next time!

It continues.

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So where were we? Oh yeah I had just got rid of Marky and myself and John were sorting ourselves out in Jacksonville Beach, FL. I had to oust one of my roommates to ensure John had somewhere to stay but it wasnt too hard! So I've been working 3 weeks at this stage, given I took a week and a half off while mark was over and had made a few friends from work and every couple of days after work some of the lads would come back to mine and chill in the back patio and drink and have fun. Here's one incident inspired by The Time Outs >> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU4o6-ugrLY! Classic Stuff!

Jacksonville Beach was kinda like the Bray lifestyle, Live on the beach and go drinking in a bar on the beach!! Apart from one night when myself and another person were on the pier at 3am when we saw a light approach from the beach and come all the way down the pier!! The Police had started accusing us of breaking and entering, trespassing, robbery and vandalism. I was absolutely sh*tting it! But after a few minutes of my Irish charm we were all having a good laugh strolling back down the pier! Nice folks those cops. Unlike Hawaii when they sent 3 cop cars down to 8 of us on the beach to tell us to move up 20 feet where it was ok to drink on the beach.

I never got the hang of paragraphs, maybe I should have paid more attention in English class! So we're out with all the gang that live down the beach, new friends, non-work related having some shteamed oysters at the oyster shack on the beach when a few drinks in I get a phone call. My Boss, who was meant to be looking after my job had been looking for a new job and was leaving the company for it. Oh
and my departments being closed down. Bugga!! So I do what any self respecting man would do and I hit the bottle!! Just the one and went home! So now I'm jobless with not a lot of opportunities in Florida.
John had been looking for a job on the same Visa for a month now with no avail. So Push came to shove and I made a phone call that I probably knew I would eventually have to make!

I called a contact that I acquired through the interweb in Washington DC. He said he could help me and John out, find us a couple of jobs and somewhere to stay! I was ready to leap in feet first when John made me realize that this is something to be played rather carefully and be smart about it! John didnt want to go to DC, he was going to stick it out in Jacksonville at first and might follow me up. Then after I gained a bit of relationship with my contact, john swayed towards the idea of going to DC! So then I made plans, I would arrive in DC on the 1st of April and take it from there. Left some of my stuff in
Jacksonville Beach and Jumped on a Bus to Statesboro Georgia.

The bus journey was fun! As were the trains, planes, bikes and rental cars I'd had since I arrived. I was chatting to one of the Paddy's day parade organizers on the way up! He was delighted to see me going to Savannah for "St. Patty's Day" stupid americans!! But nevertheless I made it to Savannah despite the bus driver falling asleep and waking up in the hard shoulder TWICE, he then pulled over for a quick break and on we went. I was out of the Station with two big bags looking around, and who do i see waiting there to greet me?.......................no one, the little bollix was late!!!

And so concludes Jacksonville's part of the journey!! Stay tuned!!

I suppose I'll have to wait till next week to speak of Spring Break......

Lots of Love
Ferg.

Settling in

So I think I'm in the States about six and a half months now and nothing has really changed, except for my job status, my location ( several times ), my bank account and me! After spending a few months in solidarity in Naples, FL, where I'd only get out on occasion, with a visit ( and dodgy road trip ) from Justin, who's just graduated! (Congraduations) and Papi, who graced the shores of Ireland not too long ago I met my family in Orlando for Christmas. Spending Christmas with the family is key to me because you need to be surrounded by loved ones at a time of giving (presents). We went to Disneyland with the two little lads and I reckon I had as much fun as they did, while my godson Zach got to drive the disney car we were in and his brother Ben the did the same in his dad's car. Had a great time doing the fun things in orlando with the parents and Brother and sister and the kids, wish I could do it every month. But alas after 2 good weeks and a christmas gut they all retreated back to the homeland. Enter stage left, Mr Fitzpatrick. So after I move to Jacksonville and get a job selling energy efficient windows and doors, Mark arrives in Orlando and I drive down to collect him. I think I got to the airport on his 5th beer after he landed...Oops. So we missed the Two Door Cinema Club Gig down the road, which was sold out anyway and we headed for food and drink after dropping our stuff of at the hotel. We order a taxi, cause I know I'm having a few drinks, from the hotel lobby, and after having 2 beers in the hotel waiting, a big jeep pulls up from a limo service!! Ok cheers, so we eat in TGI's and Drink a few and decide to go to the Irish bar we were told about. haha what a dive! Old men singing Karaoke out of tune with a total crowd of 7 including us and the staff! Roll on the next day! Universal Studios, the Original! That was class, twister and Roller-coaster listening to Limp biskit from you seat!! Disaster Movie, Men In Black!!
Then the piano bar that ensued and the company we had there!! Fun Times. Next Day was Islands of adventure! Harry Potter 6 times on the front!! Couldn't bate that with a shtick! The Hulk twice on the front! Chillin with spiderman!! Oh the fun times! Then, John F. Kennedy landed in Jacksonville, so we all decided to drive up to North Carolina to visit the one and only Chavo!!! Fair play to Aoife Kavanagh for putting 3 drunkards up for 2 night in her plooosh apt and showing us the town and looking after us! What a woman!! The craic that was had in Charlotte was mighty!! Pub crawls, lashin rain pissin on the floor! ( not me ) all made for a great trip! Que marky's flight being cancelled, then rescheduled, then cancelled then rescheduled!! Poor chap! But sure thanks Aer lingus for the free nights in Orlando and food that we got out of it! Especially that Planet Hollywood!! But unfortunately all good things must come to an end, Mark eventually got a flight out of Orlando, had to see him off! It was tough, but men dont let that show so I punched him in the face an said get out of here ya prick!  Then we went back to Jacksonville to take over the bar scene at the beach to teach them how to play table tennis and cosmic (drunken) bowling!! Thanks a mill to Ian Mahon : http://ianmahon.blogspot.com/2011/05/observation-deck.html for it was he who got me into this! More to come! (insert catchy phrase here to keep readers interested) Lots of Love, Ferg.