A Canadian in Ireland

I always knew my family's ability to grow facial hair would come in useful one day.

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Tipperary Institute were hosting Games Fleadh 2008 on Thursday. It a series of computer game programming competitions designed to get students interested in software development, programming, and computer game design.

I wasn't competing, my hand put me out of action at just the wrong time. But I was there helping out on the day. If you watch closely, you might just spot a familiar back.



Events like this are important because fewer Irish students are choosing ICT as a career. If the computer companies lose their workforce, they're going to start pulling out of the country.

It never rains but it pours. Three birthdays in a row this week.

Sunday would have been Dad's, and of course Mam's was on Tuesday. And then when the brother rang to give his wishes we found out that his girlfriend had her birthday on Monday

Ah well, I fired off a quick e-card - better late than never - and I made sure that it's in the diary for next year.

Speaking of it pouring, the plan was to go to a beach this weekend and have a picnic to celebrate. Looks like the weather is not going to co-operate.

In other news:

Still working on the Vancouver photos. I have them in Picasa and sorted into albums. Still have to do some editing and get them uploaded.

The comedy festival was huge fun. Even though the weather wasn't great for it either. The previous two years really spoiled us. I wasn't on the Flying Squad in the end, but I was made a floating volunteer. Basically, instead of working just one venue I got sent wherever the needed an extra body. A bit more work, but I got to see way more shows this way.

So many great comics I can't list them all here. But some highlights were (in alphabetical order):

Carl Barron
Des Bishop
Lewis Black
Jason Byrne
Stewart Francis
Craig Hill
Reginald D. Hunter
Steve Hughes
Lee Mack
David O'Doherty
Ardal O'Hanlon
Owen O'Neill
Karl Spain
Tommy Tiernan
Mike Wilmot

I didn't get to see Glenn Wool perform, but he spotted me in my Canucks shirt and we chatted for a bit. Turns out he lived in Saskatchewan for a while too.

But my Comedy Hero has to be Ed Byrne Not only a really nice guy and very funny, but he found my wallet when I lost it backstage at one of his shows.

Nothing else to report really, so mind how you go.

What a week, and it's only half over.

I was only just starting to recover from the weekend volunteering, when we get the local Pattern Day. So I was helping Mam get the family graves ready, then singing in the choir, then helping with the tea in the hall afterwards. It was a interesting evening, but unfortunately the weather didn't let us have the mass in the graveyard.

I've also had three exams in the last two days, dealt with some red tape that I won't bore you with, and my writer's group is doing a reading tomorrow for the arts festival.

I'm mitching off classes for a hour, don't tell anyone.

On top of that I'm sorting out a PC problem for a friend.

Anywho, I'm afraid that's the reason I've been neglecting the community Sorry, as soon as I catch my breath I'll be back properly.

Forgot to mention the volunteers' meeting for the Comedy Festival. Didn't really learn anything new - after 4 years I should know the drill - but it's good to catch up with the rest of the crew.

I was hoping to work as a driver this year, unfortunately I left it to late. Still, I managed to corner one of the festival staff and offer my services for next year.

I'm hoping I'll be able to do it. It's a big commitment, you have to be available for several days before and at least a day after the festival proper, and there are early mornings and late nights involved. I sitll think it would be a great opportunity. Plus I'd get a rental car to use, which would be interesting.

Now I just have to keep my nose, and more importantly my license, clean for the next year. Fingers crossed.