Albania x27

So where were you on this day in years gone past, I wonder? Without checking, clear that last year you would have been operating on little sleep in St. John’s and waiting for the negotiating tides to break. How lovely that matters have resolved themselves so early this year, and with 5,000,000,000 reasons to have a funded trip to celebrate over there a year later. Nice to get one more trip to the top of Signal Hill before the end of 2013, but sorry JG, it will not be post-midnight with champagne. Any thought of those days is gone and needs to be left there.
Was it just two years ago that you were awaiting the flight home from Ireland, a few days after the trip to Dublin and first drinks with BS – remember well the egging and the long rickshaw home. So much has happened in two years that it gives hope that similar changes are possible for the next two...

Recall as the 2010/2011 transition drew to a close, the applications for places as far afield as Samarkand and Groningen were being compiled and sent off into the ether. I think it was the first dip in the glacial waters of Blackrock beach as well, but was it a New Year spent alone? I need refreshing.

December 2009? Back from the 6 month odyssey, trying to figure out what to do next, pondering KBJ and crashing the random street party with Nasser, Yang, and the smoke-filled glass head, ending with a drive across to the North End. Though on reflection seems that was a more sober, Doctor Who themed night on Victoria Road, and it was actually the end of 2008, shortly after the arrival home in fits of maniacal laughter after another drunken Xmas party that actually led to the first efforts with LC. Wow how the years go by.

Tomorrow the last day in the hearing room for awhile, hoping that RZ does not make any misstatements in the end. He seems like a witness who will be strong enough, and at the end of the day, what impact a ridiculous comment on you?

At the end of the day – touching base, thought showers, holding the ring. Too funny. And to see and know the additional burdens on DM’s work schedule and his wholehearted commitment to each and everything, and his heartache in not actually being able to participate in this go-around. Alas, it would be nice to send AR a decision with some benefit, but losing has its own benefits, it would seem.

And further benefits of the DM non-involvement, the brief meal, the brain lightened by the Chilean CabSav, the conversation with RZ about potential work in foreign countries and participation in various bids in underdeveloped places to become the expert and cover the travel expenses. Let him think of the business development angle and tag along? If it is Africa or Laos or otherwise, sign me up. Someone with 27 trips to Albania under his belt seems like a possible outlet who can make wider work/travel dreams possible.

Two weeks until Christmas – in Oxford hopefully. Hard to believe, given the magnitude of what must be done before then to leave the plate clean before departure. Ah, more jargon. I think I have sobered up enough for the drive home and a scotch before bed. No need for a cleaning of the car or apartment straight away then. And hilariously I can see two girls passing through the hot tub on Saturday. Almost a challenge at this stage, to see if it can be done. Por que no? Might make the initial afternoon less awkward, as the tension needs to start building en route and not before. How funny Mom’s offer... she will not rest as she watches further episodes of Breaking Bad to its conclusion. And a night where Arsenal disappoints in a way that might make the league both easier to win and the trip to London easier to omit this time around.

Oh, 2014, you still hold such surprises yet. Just let us get those Nigerian FA tickets, no? Or are you going to have me head to Ireland in March for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration before Messi at Nou Camp in the second leg?  Or Zlatan in Paris even?  Almost too early to contemplate, but you know the flight prices will be checked whatever Friday throws up. Such an infinite of wonders to hope for.



Sing it with me, ready to start.