Made. In. America.

Had to head back to St. J's Tower, NYC, before I left USA, to get a photo with the great man Mr. F

Wanted to have this written about a week ago but I've been on the beer since I got home and generally being a waste of space so production in any aspect of my life has been very minimal. Normal service resumed then really. I'd just like to begin by stating the joy felt at the reaction to the previous blog post. Jesus, when I actually write these things, I believe it to be just for my own amusement and a bit of fun to pass time, you don't expect anyone to read them, let alone actually enjoy them. So that's excellent, thanks mates!

And yes. I did steal the title of this latest one from the final episode of The Sopranos.

PART I - Upstate New York

Myself & Lindsay at some biker bar in the middle of nowhere

After I arrived back in NYC, from Scranton, on October 1st, I waited four hours at Port Authority station before boarding my next bus, with a load of characters, to upstate New York. Up that direction, I know six very fine people in the form of Lindsay Mion, Amy and Patty Freeman, Alexandra O'Borsky, Laura Ward and Megan Bohn, all through meeting them at NUIM, and I couldn't wait to party it up again with them around their neck of the woods.

Amy, Paul, Patty @ Niagara Falls - not that you can really tell

Upstate NY is a whole other world to NYC, you'd think they were completely different states, at least. The first stop was Binghamton, where Lindsay's house is, about three hours from Manhattan, and there is literally nothing in between them, nothing! I spent two pleasant, drunken nights there before Amy drove me up to her and Patty's home, a couple of hours further north in Hilton. The following day, the two lovely sisters took me to Niagara Falls. It was wonderful, the town is ridiculously touristy but the Falls themselves are magnificent, totally worth the worrying that occurred when we went on to the Canadian side and I was unsure if I'd be allowed back into the US, due to uncertainties over my visa. Basically those clowns at CIEE, the company who sponsor us, had been giving me grief all September, over me not responding to their emails, and threatened to terminate my program. All was okay though, just a little warning from the border patrol guy, as we were re-entering US land, to make sure I was out by the end of the month. Naturally, an impolite douche.

Megan and a hammed (but jolly) PK

So that was Thursday. Friday, Patty dropped me to Megan's house, which is about 15 minutes away, in the town of Brockport, where herself and Laura go to college. Amy also happens to attend school there. Meg, Laura, Laura's friend and I Power Hour'ed it up and then ventured to Alli's place at Nazareth College for her continuing birthday celebrations. We did two Power Hours in a row at Megan's so I was pretty intoxicated (as you can kind of tell from the pic to the left) going to Alli's. Unlike the two girls, and most people who attempt such a drinking game, I actually drank every minute of the two hours (I'm a fuckin' hero, I know). So that was a divine night, I had an equally sloshed night on Saturday when Megan hosted a party at hers, which Amy and Patty came to, as well as Laura and Alli, where a very competitive game of 'Chandelier' ensued. Annnnd that's all we'll say about that night, no need to go any further. Apart from I was retarded drunk.

Alli in the middle (Apologies but I've no idea who the other girl is)

Paul, Laura & her friend Pat

PART II - Chicago

I took the bus from Rochester back to the City Sunday night. Must have been 6 and a 1/2 hours at least, the total journey. But that was nothing compared to the next voyage I was to embark on. Monday I decided to take the train from Penn Station all the way to Chicago, hoping to save a few quid on airfare. Bloody hell, it took about 19 hours in the end. I was lucky enough I had a double seat to myself for most of the ride. Not at the beginning though, some big European, middle aged dude sat down beside me once we boarded and, to my dismay, I could immediately tell he was itching for the chat. Now, I like to think I'm a friendly character, but when on bus/train/plane rides I just want to put my music on and have myself left to my own thoughts and dreams, especially if I'm never going to see the seat-mate again. This fella was raring to talk! Told me straight away he was from Czech Republic. Everything he said I replied in rather blunt fashion, but in the politest way possible of course. Eventually I think he got the message. Felt bad 'cause he seemed a decent enough chap. Jesus, when my table board got stuck and I couldn't get it down from the seat in front, he offered his help and nearly ripped the fuckin' thing off it's hinges for me. Finally, about a third of the way, at one stop he got up and switched to another seat that had been vacated. Looked at me and all as if to say "I'm off. You boring little prick!". I don't know, maybe if it was a 21 year old babe instead, I may have been more in the mood to talk.

I'll briefly sum up my time in Chicago which lasted from the 9th - 23rd. In between, there were two trips to South Bend and three nights spent in Arizona but the period where I was based in the 'Second City' was top drawer. Bar from one night at Hanna's home in Barrington, I stayed at Elizabeth's new apartment in the in the glorious Lincoln Park area. Liz (Happy birthday, Elizabeth!) and Hanna probably know by now how much I love their company and friendship so I don't really need to say much but they provided me with an awesome time as expected. We had a few fun nights out together, particularly one where we were boozin' with Hanna's aunt and grandmother (possibly the coolest woman I've ever met) at her fine apartment. Shout-out to Jessica Orlando, whom I thoroughly enjoyed seeing again. If I remember correctly, myself and Jess bonded exceptionally for the ten days I had known her during her spell in Maynooth. That was nearly three years ago though and we hadn't exactly stayed in touch much since. However, thankfully, that didn't seem remotely the case as we got on great once partying with each other again, albeit with the help of alcohol I guess, but what a cool lass! 

PHOTO BOOTH! - Liz and I with Courtney (her very pleasant roommate)

PART III - South Bend

Swiftly onto the antics at South Bend, Indiana. God, I love the place. Well, not particularly the town of South Bend itself, but the two amazing colleges based in it, side by side, St. Mary's and Notre Dame (home of the famous Fighting Irish American Football team). I went to an ND game two years ago and was totally blown away by the whole occasion. College football and The Fighting Irish is like religion there and the atmosphere generated around the campus' on game days is just extraordinary. It's very different to match day at Old Trafford or any football ground in England but just as lively, intense and beer-fuelled. And for the first time in a while, the team is doing really well so spirits are high around campus and among ND fans nationwide.

None of my friends from two years ago are still students there but, thanks again to NUIM and my international student-friendly social abilities, I had amassed a lot more buddies at St. Mary's. Took the train there from Chicago for the weekend of the Stanford game. Again, I'll cut it short but sweet, it was a happy time seeing and partying once more with (alphabetical order) Alex, Angela, Erica, Erin, Jarusha, Kat, those who, realistically, I'm probably closest to, but also anyone else I know, that I ran into. Sean Henno was visiting for the week so it nice seeing him Stateside again. As well as that, Friday night, I got to meet up with the super Catherine Swanson, who came for the game, and we had a few beverages at one of the bars.

My good mate, Kate Hennessy, delightfully, made her way to South Bend that weekend too for a reunion. Unfortunately, by the time we really got to drink together Saturday night, I was in shreds. She's coming back to the Eire soon though, I believe, so hard session then Kate, I promise!

The final call ruling after ND stopped Stanford on the line. Place went absolutely mental. The video I found on Youtube. I, of course, missed all of this action 'cause I was passed out in a bed by 5pm after too much hooch intake at tailgate that morning.

Had to wake then up at six bells Sunday morning to go back to Chicago with Jarusha to do the 'Color Run' with her friends and sisters. It was a proper blast. Though I practically crawled over the 5K finish line (embarrassing stuff from once the finest athlete in Ard Scoil Chiarain). The legs were in bits for about a week afterwards too, sure it was the only physical activity I'd engaged in for about 6 months before that. And since, I might add.

PART IV - Arizona & The Grand Canyon

Monday, came the trip to Arizona, in bid to cross The Grand Canyon off the list. It was quite spontaneous on my behalf really, I actually booked a flight, more or less, in the blink of an eye after seeing a Facebook friend with a photo taken at the Canyon. I said to myself "I gotta get me one of those". It was a shame I had to no one to come with or don't have any friends down near AZ this time of year. Having to fork out cash for three nights in a hotel (in Tempe, just outside downtown Phoenix) was a right pain in the tits. I've realized, as an aspiring traveler, and recognized chancer, I can't be paying that kind of moolah on accommodation for all the places I want to visit. The hotel was probably only 3 star, but way more than what I needed. Jesus, I had a pool, internet, television, big double bed, breakfast served each morning, sure I thought it was fucking luxury at it's very finest! Similar to my longer stints at Jenn's and Elizabeth's. Phoenix was pretty cool though, especially flying into it, the combination of the lights, sand, palm trees with the setting sun made for pleasant viewing from the airplane window. I didn't get to see much of downtown though, which was a pity, just briefly driving passed it.

The Canyon was what I thought it would be, quality! Even if it took six hours to get there which wasn't ideal. It's bang in the middle of the desert though. Also when I booked the tour, I was thinking the bus would be something like this….

You know, big bus, where we could sit back, relax, maybe listen to a few tunes on the iPod to ease the frustration at the journey length… But, instead, this was our tour bus…..

And of course, I was stuck up at the front with this absolute yapster of a tour guide. He was relentless with his assault on my ears of every single piece of information about the state of Arizona. It was wretched, I was in no humour to care and didn't take in a single word of what he was saying. Being up so early had me very sleepy so at one point I took one out of Homer's book and put my dark shades on so he wouldn't notice my closed eyes. He probably had an idea I wasn't listening when I began swaying back and forth on the seat.

This was me on the bus.

On the way home from the big GC, I bagged myself a back seat to try sneak a sleep in, but I could still hear him yapping away about stuff he must have missed, or forgot about, on the way there. I suppose he was just doing his job and, when he dropped me back at the hotel, I gave him seven dollars for his efforts. Not sure if that was regarded as a good tip or not but it was all I had and seven dollars more than the other nine people on our tour gave him. Sound man was Robin the tour guide.

Our crew, consisting of couples and old women, then myself and Mohammed, a middle-aged Egyptian and my mate for the day!

PART V - South Bend again & return to NYC

I returned to Notre Dame that weekend for the BYU game. I actually only had the intention of tailgating that morning and heading back to Chicago in the evening. Jarusha, along with her nice room mate Ellie, took me to my first ever ice-hockey game Friday night, the Irish were playing Minnesota in a pre-season encounter and won comfortably. Like American Football and Basketball, there's way too many stoppages in play for my liking but the Yanks do know how to put on a show so there's always music and fun at each of the 10,000 breaks. Either the students are just really into supporting their team or most of them were on the piss all day, fuck me the place was rocking. Tailgating, for the football game, this time was a little better, mainly due to the much improved weather conditions and there were a few more pals around, such as Shannon D and Lauren Bruner, along with meeting new guys and gals. I was quick to offer up Noel and Pauline's house as a place to crash to people I just met, who told me they were visiting Ireland in the near future. Sorry, parents, I was locked!

FINALLY NEARING THE END OF THIS. Fair play to you if you stuck with it to this point. I returned to NYC via railway on the 25th and hung out with Jenn for the last couple of nights, finishing off where it all began. We went to Clarke's pub on McLean Ave one night for a few drinks. It was grand because I got to see Rob Kelly, who was working, again before I left, top man is Rob. Had a few one time many though and tried looking for the shift off good old Jenn. Unlike me to want a shift when I'm out having drinks with an attractive girl… She was clever though and wasn't having any of it. Going to miss that chick. Along with everybody else. It sucks not knowing when or how often I'm going to see them all from here but hope they know I'd fondly welcome a message from them on the book anytime and they've always got someone this side of the Atlantic to come visit!

There's the conclusion of this blog anyway, I enjoyed it. There were a few people, in NYC and the mid west, that I regret not being able to get to meet up with but, for the most part, I wouldn't change a thing. And after three summers in New York City, that book is finally closed. But I made it in America.

Don't know what's next for PK, I'm fucking broke, still phoneless and obviously Noel and Pauline are on my back to get a job somewhere, after a heavy first week back in Clara on the beer. I'm currently a complete loser but if I've changed in any way over my travels, it's that I've become much more ambitious and confident that I can ultimately achieve good things. I just have to focus and actually put my mind to it.

For this week though I'm just going to head back to Maynooth and drink. We'll work out life afterwards.

What an amazing yet very upsetting shot of NYC after the storm!
Can't believe I almost forgot to mention this. Was absolutely gutted to see the damage done by Sandy the very weekend I left New York. Keeping updated with the news, I was honestly nearly in tears looking at the City and area, that I've become so attached to, getting uncontrollably destroyed and my thoughts were with all friends being affected by it throughout the east coast, hope everything is well now or en route back to normal!

Rock on,

Love

PK

On The Streets Of New York

My home for September

It hasn't been so bad, a few days after this was taken, the garbage bag got replaced with an actual sleeping bag that one of the lads gave me!

This entry is being brought to you from McDonald's restaurant, where I've spent at least two hours almost every single night this dark month of September. Don't be alarmed, I haven't been eating the food here that frequently. I usually just walk in, buy a coffee, sit down and take advantage of their free Wifi service, all the while ignoring their "No loitering" sign.

And for those who don't know the story, thankfully I haven't been sleeping on the streets of this big bad city. I have, however, been wandering them nightly, going nowhere in particular, killing time and just occupying myself until my boss goes to bed so I can head back to St. James' Tower, blow up my air mattress and get a few hours sleep in the basement before the next day begins at 6am. I've also been returning to Queens regularly to do my laundry at a cheap laundromat or hit my gym in Astoria, mainly just to take a shower.

More on that towards the end, I'll kick this off with happier times.

The Westmeath lassies with myself, my housemate Ruairi and Screwy

At the end of August (seems like a very long time ago) came the eagerly anticipated weekend in Chicago and the much dreaded moving out of Sunnyside. The Chicago trip took place in between meeting up with two close mates of mine in New York, Paul Lewis and Kate Hennessy. Paul landed in NYC to round off his J1 summer in the bright lights and came to my place for a few/a lot of beers on the 29th. Entertaining all the housemates and guests with his tales of San Francisco, he became an instant hit, as he tends to do. Honestly, the stories he has about his US summer experience make mine seem tame. We then stumbled out to NYC's classiest spot, The Mean Fiddler, myself being heavily intoxicated and the rest is history (I don't want to talk about it!). But very glad I got to see the guy this side of the pond.

Up early supporting the Irish at O'Malley's

I loved every second of the few days in Chicago. The city itself is wonderful, but it was mainly because of the people I was getting together with, the ever pleasant former St. Mary's chicks, Elizabeth, Hanna and Alli - who came from Minnesota, with a cameo appearance by the good dude John Reynolds. I was obviously disappointed that I couldn't make it over while my mates Keith Fal or Luke Dev were there, but labour day weekend was actually the first opportunity I had to go anywhere! After a night on the beer with John the day of arrival, the three girls and I woke up at 8am the following morning to go to a bar and watch the Notre Dame vs Navy game, being played in my beloved Ireland - explaining the early start! The bar was packed full of ND supporters and every time the Irish scored a touchdown, there was free shots for everybody in the joint. The Irish went touchdown crazy in the second half and we were finding ourselves absolutely sloshed by 10am, great times! JR came and picked us up then, bringing us out to one of his friend's house where Beer Olympics was scheduled to commence that afternoon. I withdrew early after the very first round of the very first event (F The Dealer) as I was incapable of handling any more alcohol (weak, I know!). I crashed on the couch for a couple of hours before the four of us said thanks and goodbye-for-now to John and got a taxi back to Elizabeth's where I called it a night. Sunday, we just took a jolly stroll around the city, had a few drinks that night with game of Scattergories, that Alli dominated, to end a much-too-short but utterly enjoyable vacation.

PK, Liz and John at Uncle Fatty's

Kate and myself at Times Sq.

Arrived back in NYC then on Monday September 3rd and finally after over a week of her being in the jungle, Kate decided to hang out with me. Due to our work commitments, we couldn't spend that long together unfortunately, so we just went for pizza, briefly chatted about our ever so interesting lives and I'm sure there was some reminiscing about Maynooth in there somewhere too!

Then the fun began.
I spent a week crashing with friends again before I practically moved into St. James' Tower, 415 East 54th street, basement level! Work at St. James' began to get tedious this last month. With none of the full time guys on vacation anymore, I was pretty much surplus to requirements but because my boss, Mr. John Faldetta, is such a top man, he had me in there forty hours a week regardless, the only reason I stuck around the city with no place to live. Sure, getting the hours was grand, but I felt about as useful there as a chocolate fire guard. Finding something to do was hard work in itself. But then Sammie, one of the handymen, assigned me the task of painting floors 24 down to 16 on one of the staircases. Basically I just had to throw a few coats of white over the walls and then paint the steps blue, a job which should have been completed in a couple of days maximum but took me the bulk of two weeks. What happened was, because I'd only get to sleep for at most five hours each night, I'd capitalise on being alone and totally forgotten about on a staircase, which nobody uses, and nap for an hour or two. I'd lie on the landing of one of the floors, turn off my radio/walkie-talkie and shut the eyelids. I was absolutely exhausted at the beginning of each shift so more sleep time was greatly needed and appreciated. I was caught one day though, when some dipstick ignored my "wet paint" sign hanging on the exit door of his floor and came down the stairs. Had I actually been doing my job the resident would have destroyed himself in paint, don't know what was going through his head! Fairly embarrassing being caught sleeping on a stairs but he didn't rat me out, thankfully.

It was funny; Sammie would ask me how I was doing and I'd reply "Yeah going good, almost on the 18th floor". I could sense he'd be a little suspicious but didn't say anything about the snail-like progress being made. Then a couple of days later, John would ask me the same thing and I'd be like "Yeah going great boss, flying through it, almost on the 18th floor!". "Good job" he'd say. He didn't know nor care what I was doing or how I was doing it as long as I was kept busy. And he certainly didn't understand that me saying I was on the 18th floor meant it's taken me a week to paint 6 short flights of stairs. He had more important things to worry about than a staircase that nobody uses. Well almost nobody, apart from obviously that one dingbat. I don't think I'd even finished it by the time I left on Friday.

What I definitely didn't want to do was sleep in the building the nights where I had the following days off work. At least I had the excuse that I was working early the next morning five days of the week. And because I wasn't on any proper schedule, John was kind enough to let me make my own, essentially just show up whenever I felt like it. So I planned three two-day trips for each of the final three weeks.

I got through the second week of September and, that weekend, took, what was to become my new best friend, the Megabus to the University of Rhode Island to visit our buddy from NUIM, Brooke. Next, the following week I hit Boston, stayed with my new buddy Andrea at Framingham State and partied with top man Mike at Boston College. And then just this past weekend I went to Pennsylvania, partied in Scranton with Amber and Katie at Marywood University and headed with them to Amber's hometown for some more alcohol-filled festivities.

After seeing this I did always want to party in Scranton!

I'd love to have time to talk about how great each of these trips were, how I realized what awesome, cool people I know throughout the east coast and how delightful it was seeing them, meeting and partying with their friends. But I think the photos I post on Facebook can convey that enough!

I've had it relatively easy the past 22 years. But I don't exaggerate when I say that, with the exception of the trips I ventured on, September was one of, if not the toughest month of my life, and spirits were dampened even more when I found out my family home in Clara was broken into one evening, with a lot of stuff swiped. Here in NYC I was incredibly bored, lonely, tired, miserable etc. more so than I ever want to be again. And it was compounded with seriously missing the old country. I'll admit, one night there was even tear or two shed, however any time my parents called to check how everything was, I told them all was absolutely dandy. I had to be extensively durable, enough to withstand the shame felt finding myself in the situation I was in but knew that if I struggled through it, possibly the best month of my life would follow. I've had my fair share of bad luck this J1 summer but would I change one thing of how it's worked out to this point? No chance! (NO)

When I look at it from the more positive hand, this is what happened. A change in management meant the job I was supposed to have coming over fell through and, therefore, I couldn't afford a place to move into right away. Luckily I had a friend, Jenn Slesinski, who was kind enough to let me crash at hers for 5 - 6 weeks until I got sorted. Mates from Clara, Rob Kelly and Ciarain Beefy O'Keefe, also in put me up for a couple of weeks and I'm grateful to them just as much. Not having the part time work meant that I had to find myself another job and hold out for a house to move into. Surprisingly quickly, I found another building willing to hire poor PK. With that, I had a full time schedule and made more money than I ever expected to. I also encountered John Faldetta, whom I referred to earlier as a top man. Well he's more than that. He's a very great man and meeting him was one of my favourite moments of this past five months, not just for the way he helped me out but it was a pleasure to witness his composed manner and the relationship he had with his family and staff.
This pretty much sums the guy up. I obviously kept it from him that I was sleeping in the building each night because, aside from being too embarrassed, it was forbidden due to insurance issues. I delayed going to sleep until I was sure he wasn't coming downstairs again and got up before him each morning. My final night I didn't care and arrived back at the building at 10.30pm, about an hour and a half before normal. The boss, for some reason, was still walking around downstairs and strolled past me, as I was at my locker, saying "You're back earlier than usual tonight, Paul", smiled and walked on......................... All I could do was laugh. Until, of course, it dawned on me that I didn't have to stay out until midnight every fucking night the last three weeks!
On top of all that, holding out on accommodation for so long led me to finding 5020 46th street in good old Sunnyside, Queens where I also met some nice, pleasant Irish students like myself.

More than anything, I thrive on my life being interesting, if even just a little bit.

So I really don't want to sound like I'm moaning too much. In life you just got to take the bad with the good, maintain a level head and you'll be a lot happier, trust me, as I'm sure everything will pick up more often than not. The only advantage I had in this case was I knew things would get better. It was far from ideal, and I wouldn't wish it on any mate of mine, but there's MILLIONS of people in far worse conditions than I was or, I think it's safe to say, will ever find myself in.
Actually, if one were to view the last month this way, there's few better places to ramble about aimlessly and I was actually living rent-free in Midtown, Manhattan, New York City so, I guess, how can anybody complain about that?!

Keep calm and rock on!

PK

High On Life

Kind of enjoy going by this on the train every day!
PK..... KID!

Jaaaysus where do I begin? It's been about five weeks since I last got a chance to write a single word on this! Time is of the essence so will have to fly through things.

I eventually forked out rent. Spending the final week of July on the couch of Rob Kelly and Keir Manno's place in Yonkers, I managed to get in touch with a girl, from Donegal, who had room for one more in her place down in Sunnyside, Queens. On the phone, she told me that they had a fine establishment, already plenty of housemates but were looking to bring the rent down that one step more. She gave me the price it would be for the month and my mind was made up in a second!

So at the beginning of August I moved in with the few housemates that were already here, Lisa Marie, Lauren, Phyliss, Niamh, Ruairi, Liam, Helen, Shona, Carol, Kelly, Eilis and Caroline. Don't think I forgot anyone there. Represented are Donegal, Tyrone, Cork, Westmeath, Laois, Dublin, Galway, Mayo and CLARA, CO. OFFALY! The amount of people didn't really bother me, I was happy to finally have a proper place after two months of couch surfing, even if it's a little congested, with mattresses and bodies everywhere. By now, I'm friends with most of them on the Facebook so I'd have to be careful with what I write here but there wouldn't be anything overly negative to say about any of the housemates anyway, they're all quite pleasant. Four of this group have fallen and headed back to Ireland so we're down to nine. Telling you though, it's tougher than I anticipated living with so many girls. For when I go to bed, I could do with buying tighter boxer shorts. I'll say no more.
Have to find another fucking place to crash come August 30th as that's when everyone leaves here, pain in the bollocks! Annoying too because I love this area in Queens, the month has flown by and I really don't want to leave!

I look like a bit of a pillock but it beats garbage!

At St. James' Tower, I got "promoted" to doorman for August. Filling in for Rachid, who went back to his home country of Morocco for four weeks, I couldn't wait to get away from dealing with garbage and the vacuuming, or the efforts to actually look busy each day. It does be a long eight hours standing in the one spot but the work is pretty much non-existent and that's fine with me! The array of stuff that does go through my head in a single day is ridiculous.

I had made a challenge for myself at the start of this doorman project; Get chatting/friendly with the INSANELY hot girl in the building; long blonde hair, tanned skin and an ass that just will not fucking quit! She left to go back to college Sunday so I can confirm that, after three weeks, the project FAILED!.... And Jesus it failed so bad. I mean, at the beginning, I did try. As amazing looking and fit as she is though, she seems to let herself down by not being particularly friendly. Of course, if I looked like she did and had the money like she did I probably wouldn't make much effort with the loser building doorman in the photo to the left, who has a head on him the very same as Master Splinter, either. She was always polite and said "Hi" or "Thank you" when I'd open the door for her but never had time to stop and chat poor PK. A couple of my initial, and dismal, attempts went as folows;

The day I asked her what her name was. She smiled and said "Natalie" and I replied "Pretty name. I'm Paul". I do genuinely think it's a nice name. I'm not sure if she actually heard mine though, she had already started walking away as I was saying it. Still, I didn't crumble, not yet!

The day it was lashing rain. This effort truly was pathetic and I seriously needed a good long look at myself in the mirror afterwards. The rain was pouring down and she came running in the door soaking wet, even with her umbrella above her head. Ahhhh she looked even better drenched I must state. She was laughing about how wet she'd gotten so I felt I'd say something and not just stand there like an idiot drooling all over the place. "I hope you stayed relatively dry" I says. AHHHHHHH *Multiple slaps to the forehead*. What a moronic thing to say! 1. Because she was clearly saturated 2. I fucked up the word "relatively", out of nervousness I guess, so it sounded more like "I hope you stayed relshjscjkmd dry". Why couldn't I just have said something simple like "Good thing you brought an umbrella" or something not quite as lame?! She pretty much ignored it anyway, so not so bad!

The night she was going out. This was actually the best I got from her. It was about 10 bells PM and she was looking stunning about to hit the town. "Ask her where she's going, you bell-end!" my brain yelled at me. "Going out?". "Yeah" she replies. "Ah cool you'll have to show me where the hot spots are". "What?" she asks having not heard me. "You'll have to TELL me where the hot spots are". Good thing she didn't hear me the first time, she probably would have thought to herself "Is this creep asking me out?". She simply responded, with a delightful smile, that the best spots are downtown and I wished her a good night and that was that.

So there was my dire effort to chat a solid 9/10 summed up really, what a fucking waste of time! Anyway, the guys at work tell me she's nuts, and not in no adorable way either, so no harm not knowing her I suppose.

Moving quickly on, I crossed something off my Bucket List. Always a pleasure to do so. I bought myself and Jenn tickets to see the Jets against the Giants at Metlife Stadium. It was only a pre-season game but I figured it'd be fun as I support Gang Green and she likes Big Blue and just in case I didn't get the chance to attend one again.

I didn't expect to have such a good time at the game, they're actually so much better to watch live at the stadium as opposed to on TV, even if you occasionally don't have a notion what's going on. Jets are bloody woeful though, I mean fuck me they are chronic! Tebow came on and briefly inspired before being quickly tamed by the Giants reserve defence. The final score was 26-3 to the G-Men. I've been to Old Trafford and seen United score more goals in one game than the Jets scored points in this one. A dandy Saturday night it was nonetheless.

"Nevada Smith's - Where football is religion"

Speaking of United, myself and Caomhan got out of the feathers very early the following Saturday morning to head into the city and watch the match against Fulham in the famous Nevada Smith's football bar. The place is actually being renovated at the moment, we learned upon arriving, so they've temporarily moved location around the corner down on Third Avenue and 11th. It was a decent atmosphere for a game on so early this side of the pond. RVP's goal was sumptuous and nice to see Kagawa score but the second half was rather painful to watch so it was a good thing I had beer in my hand throughout! Caomh and I haven't had many opportunities to hang out since himself and Giller arrived in NYC so it was nice to be able to spend the day with the man.

I'm going to Chicago this week and I can't wait! What else should be super about this coming week is two other really good mates of mine Paul Lewis and Kate Hennessy are in the jungle so I'll definitely be hoping to meet with them for a couple of brewskis. I received a pleasant surprise last week when the Freeman sisters, Amy and Patty came down to visit me from upstate for a couple of nights. It was a joy seeing them and I was pretty sad that they had to leave so soon, but will be heading up their way in a month or so, in a bid to cross Niagara Falls off my list!

A few nights ago, on my way home from work, I stopped at the 99c pizza place (99c a slice of very acceptable pizza, you can't beat that!). I was so high on life, as I normally am when I finish work up each night, music in my ears, not a single care in the world. There was a homeless guy waiting in line ahead of me, kind of hunch-backed and shockingly thin, his spine coming out his back was so visible, it wasn't pleasant. He laid all his change on the counter, having enough for just the one slice. When he received it, in a flash, he put it in a bag and then left to probably find some corner of the street to eat it on.

I'll be honest, seeing him nearly had me in tears. Like, I don't know this guy. And it's possible he's made a few bad/wrong decisions in his life but it's so upsetting that there are millions of people who have to live this way in the world, and not just in NYC. It makes me so appreciative and grateful for everything, the friends, the family and the health that I'm so fortunate enough to have. Sure, I'm low sometimes but truth is I could not be happier, especially with life as it currently is. This has been said many times before, and perhaps at times by people who didn't quite mean it, but after 21 years, I finally, truly recognise the value of life. There's fuck all that I care about or that I deem to be a big deal anymore, when I know there's millions of people in far worse situations than I'll ever be. I have no idea what my purpose on this earth is yet, I'm a bit of a waster right now, but I have this Bucket List, and all I'm concerned about is completing it and enjoying myself while I'm able to.

Peace out, rock on.

PK

The Fun Has Begun

PK, Beefy, Lisa Brack and Mud

I had quite a weekend last week. Friday the 13th was the wedding day of Clara's own Danny Price. Despite it being a pretty expensive trek to get to, eventually having to take a day off work rather than swapping it for another one and knowing that my bank balance was going to take a significant hit, I was really looking forward to it.

I got out to Long Island via train (LIRR) and took a taxi to the church, arriving at seven minutes past the hour. The ceremony was already underway, I took a seat at the back by myself and spent the duration of it trying to spot people out here from Clara that I knew. When the mass was (finally) over, myself, Rob Kell, Keir Manno and Morany (Brendan) went across the road to what looked like an old biker bar. Manno joked as we walked in "I hope you're able to fight, Kell". We were joined shortly after by more Clara natives and we drank until it was time to go to the reception, about two hours later. I'll be honest, I get on well with everyone that was there but when I'm not with any of my close friends I have a tendency to be a tad bit shy and quiet. This was actually a concern of mine prior to the event. But, thankfully, it wasn't long before the beer was kicking in and from there on, the night was clear sailing.

It was wonderful seeing so many people from Clara. I did my best to chat as many as possible throughout the evening, I didn't even realise I knew half of them. Over the last few years, in a way, I had kind of abandoned Clara and really don't have as many good mates there as I should but I do love the little town and so many of it's residents, old and current.
I couldn't tell you a single word I said to anyone though, I was in the absolute minyaz! I was literally up at the bar every fifteen minutes trying something different, and with the exception of tips to the bartenders, it was all free of course. When the reception ended, those who hadn't enough partying for one night went on to this bar in Rockville Centre called The Blackthorn. Can't even remember who was I there with, all I can recall was Trev Kelly being there because he was in our taxi. And the only reason I know that is because he had to get in the boot for the journey. I like Trev, and Rob too. Good guys and even better characters. I hope to see them, along with others, a lot more before I leave New York.

So in the bar I somehow got chatting this fairly hot woman for a while, who just happened to be out for a quiet few drinks with friends. She was in for nothing of the sort because the poor girl was going to run into a drunk and obnoxious Paul Kelly and, for a few hours, he was going to bug the ears off her, left and right. Can't recall her name but she lived in Baldwin, LI. I believe I asked her where she was from about five times. I also believe she was a lot older than myself, had three kids and was in the middle of a divorce from her husband. Not ideal circumstances but I was too drunk to care, I was just looking for fun, baby. I ultimately failed and, instead, finished up the session having a decent chat with Phyliss (mother of the groom) on a bench outside the bar, before somehow getting back to the hotel where everyone was staying.

That's where my memory takes a bit of a timeout. I hadn't even booked a room but I woke up at about 9am on the floor of one with Manno and Rob both above me in the beds. I went straight for the bathroom to throw up and stayed there for a couple of hours until the lads woke. Jesus, I was in a bad, bad way. Feeling absolutely dreadful, I left Long Island at around 2pm in an attempt to get back for work in the city at 3.30. My poor condition and frequent trips to several restrooms to continue throwing up, kept me from making it to work until 5 o'clock. I bumped into the boss and he wasn't impressed with the state I was in, so he sent me home, a decision I was secretly delighted about it. Fortunately he didn't get too upset over it and I'm back in work now, after going astray. I like my boss. I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of him too often but he enjoy the odd laugh and chat. And I think he likes me too, thankfully.

And since I last wrote anything, I've told my parents that I failed my exams and won't be returning to NUIM in September or coming home for repeats. It could turn out to be the best thing that could happen, as I have a year or two to seriously get my act together and think about what I actually want to do in life. All before I return to Maynooth to AGAIN start a new degree, of course. Noel didn't actually take it too badly, he just told me I was a fucking clown. I agreed. Pauline was a little more upset but she'll get over it I'm sure.

I've been holding off on the sessions, and generally being a cheapskate, apart from last weekend where I drank and spent quite a fair amount, trying to improve my bank account so I can do a lot of cool stuff before I do head back to Ireland in October, all in moderation obviously. But there always seems to be an extra expense that frustratingly puts a dent in it. I'm in the middle of planning trips to Boston, Chicago and Niagara Falls, with ventures to upstate NY, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island also in the works, so the fun has well and truly begun!

Until next time, friends!

PK

Diary Of A Working (And Homeless) Man

"Yes, but doesn't the bible also say "Thou shall not take... moochers into thy... hut?"
- Homer Simpson

Day 42. Unfortunately, still not really anything exciting to share, I've just been working a lot. I haven't taken one worthy photograph since I've been back here and did nothing even for the 4th of July yesterday, apart from paint stairs. All in a bid to gather a decent amount of money together so I can begin living the dream.

For about ten days I had been crashing at Beefy's house. Didn't see much of the man, who is certainly one living the dream, while I was there to be honest. The most I probably talked to him during the stay was in the early hours one night when he came home twisted and barged into the room I was in looking for the 4am chat. The O'Keefe family is visiting NY though so I had to make way. Temporarily back in Jenn's place now (I can tell how deeeeelighted she is to have me back mooching on her couch).

I was off work one day last week so I thought I'd indulge myself with a trip to the cinema in Times Square. I watched Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World, starring Steve Carell and Keira Knightley, which had strongly appealed to me through its previews. I could have done with seeking a friend who'd go see it with me because I was lone wolf on this one. Every time I'm about to watch something with Steve Carell in it, I have to remember not to expect Michael Scott. I do forget Carell's actually a decent and versatile actor. The movie wasn't bad,  it makes you think a lot I guess, about how our lives could end at any point so it's best to not have regrets, you know the deal! I'm not a fan of Knightley though, despite it being the perfect type of role for her for me to become one. I don't even find her that attractive... but maybe I'm just gay. Cinema is expensive here I tell you, couldn't even buy myself popcorn to get through the loneliness, or I would have been living on bread for the week. Not that I'm living on much more than that.

Work is coming along smoothly thankfully. Some days are fine, you do some moderate labour and it passes the time. Other days, however, are so boring it's actually hard work to even look busy. But, as always, I don't want to complain too much.
What I love about the place is my fellow workers. Each job I've had here in America I've been lucky enough to meet some unique characters. And this one is no different. Just a little description of the pick of the bunch......

Rocky - Probably my favourite guy in there. He does the door but mostly the porter work with me. Albanian, who lived in Italy before moving here with his family. He actually hates this country and you can just tell he's counting down the days until he makes enough money to move back to Europe. He totally doesn't give a fuck either but has my back and hates to see me working too hard, even when I'm really only doing the bare minimum. There's a gym in the basement and Rocky does tell me if ever I want to kill a half hour while looking productive, go in there with spray and a cloth and clean down all the machines and mirrors. One day I did just that, with about as much passion and interest as Justin Bieber has when he attends Lakers' games. Rocky walked by, stuck his head in the door, saw what I was doing and gave me a wink of the eye, nod of the head and thumbs up all at the same time, as if to say "good job". And every time I finish one duty and ask him what to do next, he always responds with "take a break". "Alright Rocky, I've finished break what will I do now?" "Take rest now". I don't know whether to love or hate it because sometimes I want to make myself useful in there. Good guy though.

Sammie - A handyman so he's kind of in charge when the boss isn't around. You actually have to look busy in front of him but he can be a total comic also. He's from Guyana in South America so speaks with a funny Caribbean/West Indies accent. He has such a foul mouth, it's hilarious. In his late 40s/early 50s I'd say but I've never met a man who talks more about the pussy. Young pussy, fat pussy, tight pussy, fuck this, fuck that, motherfuckers, the vulgarity goes on and on, it's very amusing I must say. He can be good for the stories too. One day he was telling me that Guyana had quite a decent football team about 25 years ago and went to play USA in the States. He said that the whole team boarded the plane over and just never returned after the game. They were never found or heard of again. Essentially they just all got entry into the United States and decided to stay here rather than return to Guyana, the players, the manager, the whole staff. I don't even want to look the story up because I'm just going to believe it's true as I laughed about it for that whole day.

Larry - My description couldn't really do him justice but he's one of those people I'm glad to have met. He's the big old guy with the mostly bald head and grey mustache. Very quick witted, bright and humorous and says "sir" at the end of every sentence, even when talking to me. Again, likes the occasional profanity but a good good man. He has great stories about the old days.

Then there's a few other dudes like Rachid the Moroccan, Nick the Italian-American old timer, Horatio from Argentina, Ray born and raised in Hell's Kitchen, Stephen the big guy from Yonkers etc. All a lot older than me but assembling a good friendship with each. There's another temporary Irish student named Mike, he's not a bad skin either. The boss, John, or Mr. Faldetta, seems like a nice man too. I never really see him though. He's been gone on golfing trips, quite a bit, with his 17 year old daughter, who's potentially a future star, at least in his eyes.

There's this really hot blonde girl around my age that lives in one of the two-storey apartments. She came downstairs one night to the front desk and was talking to Larry. I was there and Jesus I couldn't take my eyes off her but she gave me a brisk look which kind of said "Who are you? And why are you staring at me?". I asked Stephen about her the next day and he told me to forget about it she only likes attractive guys with a lot of cash. I didn't really fancy my chances Steve, I was just curious! But thanks for the confidence boost. He's right though. For starters she's very good looking which normally doesn't help my case. Then there's the small matter of her being a "Jewish American Princess", which is how Larry described her to me, and I'm vacuuming her floors and taking out her garbage. Yeah, don't think I'm going to get far there. I might find the balls to try talk to her sometime though, we'll see.

I met Anne Hathaway's parents last weekend. They live in the building and I brought their luggage up to their apartment for them upon their return from LA, where they attended the premiere of The Dark Knight Rises, which Anne stars in as Catwoman. They seem like nice people and her father gave me a very welcomed tip for my efforts. Jesus I nearly took his hand off when I saw the moolah! I wish I could have had something nice to say to them about one their daughter's previous films. I think the only one I've seen is Love And Other Drugs and it might have been awkward enough bringing that one up, considering Anne is more or less naked and having the S-E-X the entire movie. So I kept quiet and pretended I didn't know who they actually were.

In other non eventful news I got stung into joining the staff lottery crew. Rachid and Nick practically dragged me into it thinking I'd bring the "Luck of the Irish". Which I definitely won't. The guys do the lottery every week and if one actually wins they split the money. They've been doing it for like 15 years and haven't won a cent yet. It's nine dollars a month, nine dollars which I was reluctant to hand over as that could have bought me two sandwiches for lunch! But I gave in. I could only imagine if we won. All the guys said they would quit straight away, which would be funny because the boss would have to find an entire new group of doormen, handymen and porters. Rachid and Sammie were complaining about how the pay isn't great there and that they would have no hesitancy handing in their resignation if they won millions. Sammie's own grievances were summed up in this sentence - "I can't even buy my wife the Victoria Secret panties man, I have to buy her the cheap fucking panties". Honestly I would love to be able to write down everything he says!

I don't know what I'd do if I won the lottery. I'd give a fair percentage of it to my family, then with the rest travel around the world or take ten of my closest friends with me on a trip somewhere. I'm not materialistic at all anymore so I wouldn't buy much with it to be honest, just spend it on adventures and stuff. But no point even dreaming about it really.

Anyway that's it for now. Hopefully next entry I'll have some exciting tales and a proper place to live before Jennifer strangles me!

PK

In This Country....

 Scarface - Tony Montana

I'm happy! Well actually I wouldn't say happy, not quite yet. When I've plenty of the green to splash, then I'll be happy. Right now I'm content. Content because I start work today properly, over three weeks after arriving back in New Yawk City.

Monday morning, I called up the superintendent of an East 54th st. apartment building, without any kind of optimism I might add, to see if he had space available to hire a poor Irish kid. I had received his number a couple of weeks ago from the Irish Community Center here on McLean Avenue but had to patiently wait to speak with him until he got back from vacation. He asked me to come in the following morning at 8.30am and that, thankfully, was step 1 completed.
I set my alarm, managed to eventually get my head out of the feathers, dress sharp and make it in there just ten minutes late. The 'interview' wasn't much of one to be honest. The boss, John is his name, pretty much just raved on about golf for the duration of it. I did my best to contribute to the conversation and pretend I knew a lot about golf... but I know as much about golf as I do about women... and I know sweet fuck all about women! I didn't care though as long as he wasn't asking me any questions or requiring me to make up and list some decent qualities that I possess.

So the conversation (not entirely about golf) lasted about 15 minutes. Then he asked me if I wanted to start working that day. I politely declined that offer. Instead I start today at 3.30pm. Perfect time for me to be going to work really because I don't have to wake up early, something I genuinely despise doing!

I'm now employed at St. James' Tower on E 54th as well as The Coliseum on W 58th. Though I haven't got many hours from The Coliseum since my return to NYC, to show my gratitude for how well they treated me the last two years, I'd like to be available to work for them whenever they needed somebody, if they ever are stuck.

So no more spending the bulk of afternoons camped on the couch watching back to back episodes of Games of Thrones. Time to start making those dollar bills. In this scorching heat! Hope the first day goes smoothly and I survive without any problems.

As Tony Montana said...........

"In this country... When you get the money (or the sugar), you get the power. Then when you get the power, then you get the women."

Chapter Number Three

I should think about changing the title of this blog from "How To Make It In America" to something else, because the way this summer has begun, this, my friends, is not how a man makes it in America. It's day 21 and I haven't worked a second, seen almost nothing new, barely partied and met fuck all people. I rarely leave my temporary residence for fear of spending cash foolishly and unnecessarily and if it wasn't for Euro 2012 and the NBA Finals happening right now, I think I'd have already lost the plot. The days so far have tended to be long, frustrating and boring ones.

However, it hasn't been all doom and gloom. I'm currently crashing on my friend Jenn's couch in her slick Yonkers apartment, which was initially meant to be for just a few days. Unfortunate circumstances have meant she's had to put up with my waste-of-space self a little longer. Honestly, if I didn't have her I'd be totally screwed right now! I met Jenn during a semester she spent at NUIM and it's been great getting to hang out with her again. Because she's so terrible at keeping in touch through Facebook I forgot what a fun girl she is and how well we get on. The first weekend I arrived she took me to her lovely home upstate where I met her very cool family - a nice experience, and one of the highlights of this summer so far (along with meeting up with the Clara lads for a few beers and buying a new toothbrush). Incidentally, that weekend, we went to see Sacha Baron Cohen's latest movie The Dictator. Sadly, it was closer to the low level of Ali G Indahouse than the heights of Borat and Bruno. It had some funny moments but, being honest, overall it was pretty fucking rubbish.

I did manage to get out and about and go training for the New York Offaly GAA team though. There was about 13 lads there, which was apparently a fantastic turnout, and the majority not from The Faithful County at all. I didn't have boots with me so I borrowed a pair, from one of the other players, that looked as though they'd been around since the 1960's. Don't get me wrong I was grateful to have them, I just felt like having my feet amputated afterwards. They were in bits! I may find a new pair before next time or I'll have to declare myself injured and unable to play.

I'm keeping calm and sane with the hope of getting together with good friends soon and that I'll finally be commencing work next week. I seriously need to start making the green if my plans are to work out as I would like them to. My Macbook is currently refusing to work so I'll have to fork out $300 to get that fixed first of all. Then there's the customary nights out, people to see and places to be etc. (depending on how long I'm out here there's a lot of traveling to be done).

Disappointingly that's I got all for now, hopefully the next entry will be a happier, more interesting read, and I might actually have some advice on how to make it in this terrifying, unforgiving New York City, as I've kind of forgotten from the past two summers.

PK