Tuesday, August 26, 2008

International Incident

I've been a little quiet lately about my plans and the excellent adventure that has come my way but it's time to let the cat out of the bag. I'm now on the Emerald Island of Ireland for the week and this is the first picture that I took! I'm here for the week for a work conference of all things (not a vacation) but I'll be sure to find time to enjoy myself.

I'm still a bit jet lagged and pressed for time right now but we had time to tour around the country and all the many narrow backroads. I've got a ton of pictures that I'd like to share but right now there's only time for a short post.
But the biggest news of all is that I got to meet Thomas and we even went for a nice run! Thomas took time off work and drove all the way up to Galway where I'm at so we could meet in person and have a Guinness together. We instantly got along and of course he recognized me in my 'famous' shorts. Our run was about an hour long as we cruised along the waterfront dodging all the tourists and traffic. Of course we never stopped talking the whole way, it was just like running with Andrew but without the jokes! After the run we went out to a nice restaurant and found a pub that served the properly poured Guinness. I hear they used to serve it to new mothers just after they gave birth (but no more). It was a great evening and a real pleasure to finally meet the famous Thomas.
That all I have time for now. Gotta go! Have a great week!




11 comments:

Andrew said...

Is that castle Thomas' house??

You wouldn't believe how hard it was to keep your secret! I only told 78 people but everyone promised not to tell.

Have a great time! That Thomas looks like a fine Irish fellow!

UMaine Cooperative Extension said...

Fantastic!

A run with Thomas, a properly poured Guinness, and a week on the Emerald Isle - life doesn't get much better.

Enjoy the week.

Jamie Anderson said...

How cool! Awesome. Have fun out there!

Thomas said...

I felt honoured that you brought out THE SHORTS for the occasion.

Sorry for waking you in the morning. I hope you managed to get back to sleep.

It was great meeting you, and I definitely hope we can follow up in Boston.

Grellan said...

Thomas didn't even reveal your secret when I met him on Sunday.

Enjoy the ceol agus craic - and the guinness of course.

Garry said...

Have a great week Mike! Looks like it has started off well, with a run, and a Guinness, and getting to meet a new / old friend.

Phil said...

Running with Thomas! Now how cool is that?

Thanks for the Guinness pic. I ripped it off for future reference. Have a great vacation.

Unknown said...

Very cool! Nice place for a conference.

Bruce said...

Good to see international relations between Canada and Ireland are as strong as ever!

Michael said...

I can't believe your luck, well done on the trip, the drink and the run with Thomas. Congratulations. I'll be thinking of you one island over. Perhaps we can share a pint after Boston?

gumushel said...

Was wondering where you were... have a blast in Ireland