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

Outstanding Last Few Weeks

It's been well over a month since I last got to blog, moving to a house with no internet for the final couple of weeks in NYC, as well as being very busy since I've been home, had given me very limited opportunity to update this. But with pretty much nothing to do from now until the start of college I figure why not get back at it.

The last 15 days or so in America were very enjoyable. I'd been slightly frustrated with how the summer hadn't quite been as good as I'd hoped but I couldn't really have had much better a time than I did once August arrived. However, it was to be the beginning of the end of my healthy bank account. On Tuesday, August 2nd, myself, James and our housemate at the time, Roisin, a pleasant Donegal girl whom we had just met this summer, took the Megabus to Washington DC where I was to meet up with two of my friends from school, Clionnaidh and Vanessa, who were coming from Ocean City, where they had been staying for the summer. The weather was fantastic that day in DC and I had a great time seeing all the wonderful sites that I'd seen so often in movies and on TV. The only downer to the day was that the Pool of Memory was under renovation and the water was replaced with diggers and clay, which prevented the taking of a wonderful photograph in front of it. We said our 'see ya laters' and headed home that evening.

Wednesday night saw me sleeping at the airport, waiting for my early morning flight to Chicago. To help keep me entertained among the seven hour wait until boarding time, I bought the movie Swingers from iTunes, (starring Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn) and watched it on my iPad. I loved it, and it really changed the way I want to approach women, something that I hope to put into full motion once the college nights out begin once again.

I landed in Chicago at around 10.15am Thursday morning and was picked up at the airport by the lovely Hanna Heidkamp, accompanied by the gang of Alli O'Rourke, Elizabeth Mueller and Niall Colbert. I cannot emphasize enough how great it was to see them all again! From the second I stepped into the car, I knew I was going to have an awesome weekend in Chi-City but perhaps not as awesome as it would actually turn out to be. From the airport, we went to Hanna's house in Barrington, which is about an hour from the city. There, the five of us drank a little, played some Beer Pong and some board games before making our way into Chicago to meet Hanna's grandparents at their beautiful downtown apartment. They are the coolest grandparents I think I've ever met and we drank and chatted with them for a couple of hours. After that and once we got some food at a bar, we journeyed on to Evanston, (Hanna & Liz both driving) to the Hanna's friend Sara's house, where we would be staying for the weekend. Sara seems like such a chilled out, kind and fun girl and it was really nice meeting her, as well as the other girls that were there over the weekend, Kathleen, Stephanie and Christie. We drank, laughed and partied the night away before doing it all again the following day at Lollapalooza!

Friday, even though Liz went back to Milwaukee for work and we missed Foster The People - a new band I've become extremely fond of, was one of the funnest, craziest days I've ever had. We met up with the charismatic John Reynolds, and only ended up seeing three acts, Two Door, Tinie Tempah and Coldplay, but they were all fantastic. I was in flying form at Grant Park, chatting and getting photgraphs with lots of random people, who were amused by my outrageous attire, before, to my devastation, I broke my camera. We drank once again until we passed out back at Sara's house. Saturday, Niall, Alli or myself weren't attending Lollapalooza so we hung out in the City. I was disappointed to be missing Eminem headline Lolla that night but again, it was a very enjoyable day, as Niall and Alli are two people I think I could enjoy prison with, I love their company that much. We all met up back at the house that night and the drinking games continued. On Sunday, Alli and Niall went back to Minnesota, leaving the rest of us, Hanna, Sarah, Stephanie, Kathleen and I, to finish off the weekend at Lollapalooza's final day. We saw Flogging Molly rock the place, before Hanna and I got separated from the rest of the group, who unfortunately, were minding both our phones. It also started to pour rain for the rest of the night, but we enjoyed Arctic Monkeys and Foo Fighters in the torrential rain before getting a taxi home. Hanna dropped me to the airport the next morning, where I said goodbye to an amazing weekend and I was back in NYC Monday evening.

I was also arriving at a new home, in Sunnyside Queens, where I met our second set of housemates, who seemed to be a real good laugh, pity I didn't have that much time to get to know them more. My last few days in New York consisted of me heading to Long Island to meet Brendan, a friend I was lucky enough to meet my previous summer in New York, before staying with him in Miami around this time last year. I also met up with mates from Clara, who live in the Big Apple now, Danny and Kev and had one too many beverages with them on my last Saturday and Wednesday night respectively. I said goodbye to my cool boss, Jose, all my work buddies and all the friends I had met and I headed to JFK Thursday evening with a massive hangover. I'm home now, in Clara and despite an action packed first ten days home, I think I'm inevitably starting to miss The U S of A! I actually wish I could go into more detail on the closing days of my time Stateside but I'll leave it there.

All for now..........................................................................

Heat Crankin' Up

I can't exactly remember how long it's been since the last blog entry, I've gotten a bit lazy already. A lot of stuff has happened in that period but it's too boring to go into detail on. My situation, however, has changed and now I'll be leaving USA to go back to Ireland a few weeks sooner than initially planned, meaning I've just a month left here. My feelings towards this are surprisingly mixed.

I actually miss Ireland like crazy! Being away has certainly made me more appreciative and proud of my homeland and although I want to travel the world and see as many places as possible throughout the next 10/15/20 years, Ireland, I think, is always going to be the place I'll be coming back to. That's not something I thought would be the case not so long ago.

Back to New York (my second home now).
One reason I'm kind of happy my stay here is being cut a few weeks short is that I've become increasingly frustrated with lack of companions. Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of friends here, a lot of people I know and like but knowing people and knowing people willing are different things. I had so many plans prior to returning to NY but issues such as not finding anyone available or interested in making them happen with me has meant some of these plans are not going to work out, Niagara Falls being an example. No matter how much I love traveling, it's never that much fun on your own and a little part of me fears that I may have to deal with that situation over the years ahead as I look to tick all the boxes on my list.

Regardless, I've got Chicago and DC to look forward to, to end this summer, as well as more get togethers and nights on the beer with friends and I'm definitely gonna make the most of the last few weeks here. It's gonna be high octane stuff indeed!

I'm out!.... Paul