My dad was a Committeeman for years, and he really didn't like some of it, but he loved a lot of it. The gladhanding and bullshitting, the "once a year cowboys".....Nope, but that was part of his job as a banker, had to keep 'em entertained. His favorite thing was dealing/talking with the kids who were there to show their show steer/pig/sheep/whatever... It was a "yall ever need anything, let me know?" kind of deal That and Ag Mechanics. Those kids are pretty amazing.
For @MadMax my trip is coming to an end soon and sorry didn’t make It to Cobh to see your ancestral village. I am drinking Beamish in Dublin which apparently not a good thing to do. For anyone planning on coming to Ireland recommend the town of Athlone which is halfway between Galway and Dublin. It’s not as touristy but has a mostly extant castle, is on the River Shannon, a cathedral and (claimed) the oldest bar in the World. Sean’s Bar they say was founded in 900. Most of the people at Sean’s and other pubs there are locals so you get a better sense of real Ireland. Temple Bar in Dublin is fun but it’s the most expensive area of Ireland and everyone I met there is British. It’s almost become like Vegas for them a place to go for a day or two to party. Galway is also becoming a bit like that too.
My family didn't actually live in Cobh...it's where they left from. Of course back then it was called Queenstown because of course it was (roll eyes emoji).
Given to me because there was some kid in some random ass local band my brother and sister liked who had the name.
My mom just said she picked it out of a book because it needed few syllables since my last name has several.
My younger son is a history major and he had his first day of British history class today. Texted me to say “also remind me to tell you about how much I hate Oliver Cromwell.” oh I know, son. I know. His middle name is Patrick
First essay exam in my freshman Plan II British Civ class was about Oliver Cromwell. The more I prepped, the more I read, the more I really did not like that guy. It's been so long that I don't really remember the exact "why's" of my dislike, I just remember the dislike.
You’re a gentleman and a scholar. My son said last night, “that guy was such an ******* the English decided they wanted a King back!”
OTOH…William Wilberforce…Sting,,The Police…Tears for Fears…Christopher Nolan..London…Shakespeare…The Pet Shop Boys…David Gray…Hugh Grant…MY WIFE!!! …About A Boy…the Battle of Britain…my EPL team Everton…James ****ing Bond…Duran Duran…John Locke..spitfires..Churchill’s speeches…RAF logo tshirt I wear regularly …Tom Hardy…****in up Nazis….my second cousin who lives in Manchester I just discovered and communicated with thanks to 23&Me (he’s adopted and Irish but still I’m giving benefit of the doubt here!)…David Bowie..William Wilberforce again…how the **** did it take me this long to say my favorite author, Charles Dickens!!??….The 1975… the English are capable of some great **** but Sláinte Edit: I’m gonna keep adding to that list
Another fun one to read (for your kids) is Michael Crichton's "Eaters of the Dead" She made us read that over the summer (not a history book) because it's a great representative of Nordic transient life, in and around the coasts.
