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On the way

And off we go. Logan Express is the only way into Logan with 4 people and luggage for 10 days. Besides the cheap parking at the airport is way more than the bus.


We got here….

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GMan has landed

I picked up GMan from Logan tonight. He completed a bike ride from Eugene Oregon to San Francisco California….600 miles. It was a carry all supplies and they camped every night bar a few. 

His request for dinner was “really good pizza”. After 21 days of bagels and deli meat I approved of his choice.


Where else but the North End!


Yum.

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Permanent vacation 

It was a short journey at my now new/old position. Given the constant change and upheaval I took matters into my own hand and fould a new home for my Revit skills. 

My new position starts the second week in August, but prior to that its a short permanent vacation. I’m starting tonight with a glass of Arthur (that’s slang for Guinness BTW).

While on vacation we’ll be visiting family, touring around and having a real pint (or 3) in Murrays of Maghera and Sean’s Bar of Athlone. Go here for the skinny on both these fine drinking establishments.

https://m.facebook.com/murrays.maghera

https://www.facebook.com/Seans-Bar-Irelands-Oldest-Pub-149331454885/

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Tribe

It’s all about tribe. When I worked in Manchester NH my tribe was Fortitude. After I took a new job in Holder MA its eXcel fitness. Both gyms are great, clean, well-staffed with all manner of classes and equipment. But it’s the other members that make is worth going and keep going back. Don’t get me wrong the instructors play and very important part but the members make the club. There the glue that holds the whole thing together. Then encourage, promote, offer assistance, help new folks get set up, even pulling out and putting away equipment they did not use. But for me it’s the side bars conversations, that could be poking fun at each other, tossing out a challenge or in my case offering hand jesters to instructors when my body refuses to conform to the task at hand. You could be having the worst day at work but after 50 minutes at the gym you return a new. Nothing like kick boxing (at Fortitude) or eXcel (at eXcel) to put you back in focus and wipe the slate so getting though the afternoon is not as daunting as you once thought.
Unfortunately, I’m in search of a new tribe as today will be my last (official) day at eXcel, as tomorrow is my last day at my current position. To say I’m disappointed with the latter is an understatement but I think I will miss my tribe more. If anyone knows of a new tribe worth hanging out at in the Bedford Street area of Lexington MA do please let me know. 

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JMans day out

JMan wanted to check out Canobie Lake Park for his b-day. So yesterday we pick up one of his friends and headed north. With lots of free parking losing the car was a breeze and a short walk later we were in.

First up was Log Flume. Mind you trill rides are not my thing and this one is about my limit. We all screamed like little girls at a Miley Cyrus concert and only get marginally splashed. I’ll admit, it was fun, the ride that is….not the Miley concert.

Here’s Jess and I. My mouth was open but thankfully my better 1/2 is clearly astonished enough for both of us.


And here’s JMan and His friend. Yup, both equally impressed with the forces of gravity.


Next up was some target practice.


Which yielded a very attractive stuffed pig.


Then a snack…with our new stuffed friend.

I asked for a small! No, I didn’t finish it, but tried for 20 minutes or so.


Then more target practice, this time with paint ball guns.


We did a puzzle room in the middle here but failed miserably! 

Then the ferris wheel….again, this is more my speed.

In the midde the kids spent a few hours in the water park while the adults sat in shade.

Later the kids took a spin in some very angry tea cups…..definitely not my cup of tea!


We all did the dodgem cars. This is an all time favorite of mine. Many years ago when we visited relatives in Youghal County Cork we’d spend all our money at the local arcade which had dodgems. I can still remember the announcement “okay, here we go now….round to the left”, and the smell, I’m instantly transported to that time.

Later, after more snacking and some real food the gang decided to take a few runs on Boston Tea Party. It was dark so no photos and yes I sat that one out!

But here’s a great way of keeping the kids focused. I suspect this method of parenting would be frowned upon, but I can see the appeal.


Overall I’m very impressed with Canobie, it’s clean, well staffed, and fun. Like most amusement parks food and souvenirs are a little pricey, however, the food was very good and we won afew souvenirs. All in all it was a great day and everyone really enjoyed the park. 

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Family Tree – Part 2

Okay, so maybe I’m into this hobby a little more than I admitted. Today I had our tree printed on a large format plotter. It’s 5 sheets total or 3 feet by 13 feet. This one includes all 580 family members I have recorded to date.

Here it is layed out on our sunroom floor, as I don’t have 3’x13′ free wall space. Jess, the boys and myself are in the lower right hand corner.


When visiting home in a few days I hope to add a few more names. One such person is Aiden Mc Cabe. My mom meet him this week for the first time, he’s a cousin of my great grandmother Angela Quinn (Mc Cabe). At the young age of 93 he’s the oldest member on my side of the family that I know of.

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Counting change

Every three years or so we go to bank with our change. 

We use a gallon glass water fountain bottle to collect it. We all guessed at the amount and no one was even close! 6″ of change equals over $800!