Getting on the map

If you thought my time in Ireland was uninteresting, wait til you hear about the last few weeks. Had to do a 6k word take home test and then a 10k word final paper. Went straight-up nocturnal. Since Galway gets dark around 4, I went a stretch of four days without seeing sunlight. I felt pretty twilightish, given the Rob Pattinson features I developed and the inverted circadian rhythm. Talked to pretty much no one, but actually that's no different than usual. Was pretty happy to be finished but a night of emotional abuse from Allison Cudworthington brought me back down again. Just kidding, it was two nights. At least I got to chat with Melissa on video chat. She's really fun to talk to...

Anyway plenty to look forward to in the states. Hanging out with my cool high-octane 16-year-old cousin (above), going to the schools that have rejected me so far to start fires, throwing a BONEfire in san diego, and drinking with christi. About to watch Monday Night Football for the first time in about a year. berger. to be continued in january.

Blog Patrol

Holy shit this is a terrible blog. Anyway things have happened so I gotta keep it going.

Got LSAT scores back. I came up with a genius but really mean prank where I sent out a fake email with fake [extremely low] scores to a couple girls on the day everyone expected their scores back. Despite what Melissa Braganza might tell you, the prank was extremely realistic. I used an actual email that was used to inform previous test-takers of their score (changed dates and names obviously) and I changed my gmail email name to the name that the test committee uses. Both girls were fooled, although one nearly jumped off a roof but I told her it was fake just in time.

Went to the Cliffs of Moher with a friend from Kroc Center studying in France and her friend. The best part was that there was an upside waterfall which I've never seen before.

Had a visitor from Dublin (old ND friend from the ultimate team, pictured above with me) who came on the weekend of NUI Galway's first frisbee tournament, so we played and sucked big time. We lost all four games and cried a lot. One thing they do here in Ireland (its a "tradition" they said) is after each game we get in a circle with the other team so that each person beside you is from the other team, then we put our arms around each other really uncomfortably, and each captain makes a speech talking about how fun the game was and how much fun it would be to cuddle and some other really kinda pussy stuff. Then we do high fives with the other team. Kinda felt like 4th grade soccer games at YMCA.

Had several gmail conversations with Christi Cardoza which gradually led to hot skype sex most of the time. Had a few chats with Melissa but I declined the skype sex. Been gettin lazy with law school apps; my parents yelled at me, saying if I don't shape up I might end up at WashU. I found out I'm coming back to San Diego for winter break so pretty excited about that. I'm stopping in DC on the way back for three days, hoping to see some folks from ND.

Cudworthington the Third (Comments Edition)

It turns out another ND alum that I was friends with happens to be doing a master's in Dublin for a year, so kind of as a formality I went with her to Amsterdam last weekend. I even talked to her sometimes. I followed her to the Heineken brewery which was cool because they put you through this simulation where you actually become beer. Despite many dull moments during the trip, we spent about 4 hours one night in our hostel telling horror stories, and she had a really good repertoire of campfire haunting/ghost stories. I actually had trouble falling asleep that night they were so good.

So the third night we went over to Brussels and we got lost for a few hours, it was fun. I got to ask for directions in French a lot. Allison even complimented me once. I took her to a really touristy chocolate shop and restaurant and finished off with a Belgian beer at a local-ish bar. I tried to meet some new people but she got pretty jealous and clingy. We went back to her place in Dublin, ate Brie, drank wine, and I was forced to watch some Irish CSI with detectives in their 60s and terrible acting. Christi made some joke on facebook she must have thought was funny or something about Allison whacking me over the head, so I got whacked and abused often after that. The next day was the best day of the trip because I left.

I know I made the trip sound kind of lame, but actually it was awful. And by awful I mean good. Here are some comments I've received about my blog, to keep things balanced this edition includes some negative comments:

Romeu: "Monumental failure."

Matt I: "Why all the gay-bashing?"

Christi's Dad: "This should be illegal."

Jen: "I really like your use of words."

Durigan: "Worse than the Nam."

Gracie: "My life sucks derrr."

Irish Stories

Sorry in advance but this is kind of a filler post, mainly for my own good. If I let a long time go by without a post then I'm letting myself down. It might be over your head.

The theme for this post is Irish experiences. I'm gonna talk exclusively about Ireland-related things so when I look at this years from now I'll remember that I branched out and got cultured.

The first big story is US Law School test - the LSAT - in Ireland. I might have been the only person in Ireland taking this test - not many can say they did that. The US headquarters had one of my profs proctor the test. I felt bad cuz I told her to stop typing while I was taking it. Typing wasn't the only thing on my mind. I've had a long-time fantasy of hooking up with a teacher on campus, and the setting was good.

After the test my friends brought me out for some drinks. I had a budweiser and talked to some Americans. My friend got a black eye. When we got the munchies I took us to Quizno's. This Belgian girl and I have become obsessed with this club song We No Speak Americano and we text each other whenever we hear it somewhere. The next day I spent 10 hours watching Scrubs and then caught up with Always Sunny. I tracked football back in the states (football is big in Europe) and my fantasy team had a great day, although the Chargers really sucked. Went to frisbee practice again, I might have been to more frisbee practices here than at 4 years of ND.

I expect a pretty good post coming next time. It's gonna be another comments edition which I always like.

Melissa Braganza

Alright I'm really sorry it's been like two weeks since I last updated this. There's gotta be at least 2 people out there that have been pretty frustrated by it, but no more than 50. I'm doing a bunch of applications to do a few more years of school cuz I enjoy spending tons of money and never having a job. Coolberger.

Anyway, this post really has nothing to do with Melissa Braganza. That was an honest mistake, but I have a really strict policy about editing my blog titles. Zero tolerance policy. So I'm gonna stay with it.

If you've been anxiously awaiting this post then you're in for a treat. I've been going to classes and doing fantasy baseball. It's really something. I've had some good highlights as well, such as a really annoying conversation with Romeu about crickets and some judicial decisions in Hawaii legalizing mass killings and other stuff.

So when the trojans and I go out now we go to the Spanish Arch to drink and talk about Ireland. We meet a lot of Irish students every time we go, and they even tell us stories. Apparently there was some religious conflict in Ireland and some history but I'm not interested. There was this Irish holiday called "Arthur's Day" which celebrates Arthur Guinness, they just came up with this holiday like a year ago and it's huge now.

In a few weeks I could POTentially go to Amsterdam. I know I'm going, actually. Would like to plan some more trips but I have school and stuff. I should revisit Interlaken, the city in Switzerland famously known as my city.

UN and Stuff

Went to my first seminar and we learned about the UN, it's a baseball team or something. Luckily there's a couple Americans in the class. I finally met the first asian girl here. No it wasn't Cardozington. Actually she reminded me more of Braganza, not because of looks but she has three particular qualities that Melissa has.

Enough about girls. So Tuesday and Wed the trojans and I went out to meet some girls at the pubs, it was pretty fun. We take long walks to and from the pubs and we're getting really into beatboxing and freestyle rapping on the walks but it needs work. Also I went to the clubs and societies fairs to sign up for the Int'l Students Soc, Frisbee Club, and Surf Club. The ultimate guys invited me to a tournament this weekend but I have to pass...gotta study and fantasy playoffs.

Went to the first frisbee practice, met a guy from Miss. who's never heard of San Diego. I don't suck at disc. Don't waste your life.

Comments Edition

Nothing too exciting has happened lately other than another night of drinking in Galway. I didn't even put a picture from Galway up. This is my cousin trying on a shirt at the Gap. Although the drinking may have been a tad excessive, I sobered up pretty quickly toward the end when they played that terrible "I wanna be a billionaire" song in the pub. What also helped was seeing that the Padres lost their NL west lead and finding out that Pandora doesn't work outside the US. If anyone knows how to fool your computer into thinking it's in the US contact me, I'm sure there's a way.

Since there's not much to tell, I decided to gather all the comments I've received on my blog and post them here. Mostly positive:

Allison: "Cool blog."

Romeu: "I'm really gonna miss your blog after it's over."

Matt I: "'I rish' I could make a blog that cool."

Christi: "Your blog is so clover, I mean clever."

Braganza: "Creep"

Gay/Straight Confusion and School

Went out to a couple pubs, one of the trojans and I went with the story that we're from Juilliard and started an indie band. Somehow in conversation this girl thought I was implying I was gay and she became convinced. "You don't like girls, you're confused huh." Kinda thought that was funny, but the usc guy took me aside and scolded me. Anyway, I wouldn't want to disappoint Melissa Braganza, so I really am straight and interested in girls.

Met my Irish roommates finally, super thick Irish accents. I can't pronounce their names. Then I lost my key after I left the house for class. Was locked out of my bedroom for a few hours so now I'm gonna try and learn how to pick a lock for future situations. Got back in and discovered that Sweedish's songs are on Itunes and I rejoiced.

Went to the first lecture, which was 6 hours long. The professors are cool, except they're just like every other arrogant European professor I've had, poking fun at the best country in the world. Made fun of our "right to bear arms." It's over his head. Said something else I can't remember that pissed me off. I almost pulled my dick out. Anyway bottom line I have to write six 10,000-word essays for the year, so I guess no social life. 9,999 words/essay maybe, but 10,000 no way. I asked the professor about fantasy baseball and he said he'd think about it.

Central Park

Still up at 8am after sleeping virtually all day yesterday. Second night out in Galway - went to a club called Central Park with some USC kids. They give me a lot of shit for going to Notre Dame, I play along. More successful this time with meeting people, although seems like hotter girls all assume we're trying to hit on them and blow us off. I cry a little bit each time but move on. The DJ went heavy on Katy Perry, I was pleased. Bought kabobs afterward, very Londonish. Get followed home by some Irish guy who gives us a blessing and its all in gaelic so I didn't understand all of it. We find wifi on the way home and I see the padres are losing their 8th straight. I know at that point I have a long night of crying ahead of me.

Orientation for Int'ls

Walked by a ton of elementary school kids going to school as I headed to orientation. Got a few girls' numbers and moved on. Then I spotted Christi Cardoza. Actually I didn't. In fact, I haven't seen any Asians here yet. Pretty eventful orientation; made a few new friends and then went home and listened to more Sweedish. Tried to speak French with this French guy who didn't know much English but my French is weak. Too many Americans here, thought I could escape but looks like I'm gonna be in the American bubble. Supposed to go to some house tonight to pregame Bud lights with USC students then head to town. The plan is to get an American flag for the house and make it the American party house, I'm optimistic. The head guy at my apt complex looks and talks like that a-h*le in London (Rick?). So far he's nice. If he's as creepy as Rick he's tracking this blog. This was probably the best day I've had in Galway so far.

First day Galway

Spent a few days in Connecticut with cousin and grandparents. Saw Inception for the fourth time, walked into the movie theatre with my cousin without paying for tickets. Saw last 10 minutes of Eat Pray Love, looked awful.

Galway's nothing like high-octane Dublin, very easygoing - "if it doesn't get done today then do it tomorrow"-attitude according to the cab driver. Met a US study abroad student on the plane who said he turned down ND for USC. Also met a couple Germans in the apt complex who said something about drinking being popular in Ireland. Apparently I'm so close to the North Pole that in the winter we get like 8 hours of sunlight or something.

Time to binge on Hob-Nobs, think about Fantasy Baseball playoffs, listen to "Sweedish" on Myspace they're good, and think about Inception. Orientation week - good Irish stories to come.