Speeding

Yesterday I mentioned that I was given a monster truck instead of the car I ordered by Hertz. Well, wonder of all wonders tonight I think I got caught for speeding by one of the roadside cameras. I was doing 38-39 in a 35 zone. The reason I know this is because they have one of those odometers at the side of the road that I was busy looking at while braking when the camera took a candid shot of me. I'd be interested to hear if anyone ever got done for speeding in a Hertz rental in Silicon Valley and what if anything the reprecussions were? I hear crazy stories of fines of up to a couple of hundred dollars? Bear in mind I'm leaving the country in the next day or two. Also, I will have to return to the country with work and the last thing I need is a warrant out for my arrest!!! Any suggestions?

Tags: DaBerries Speeding

Body Clock

I'm officially knackered! A week of traveling in and out of different time zones is not good for the body. I'm back in the CA this week following my visits to L.A., Chicago and and a quick two day stop in South Bend IN. This week see's me in the Bay Area until Thursday. At least I get to stay in the same hotel room for more than two nights though, which can only be a bonus. It's official, United Airlines are the worst airline in the wrold when it comes to being on time. I spent three hours yesterday sitting on the runway in Chicago waiting while the pilot gave us a running commentary on how the brakes were being replaced. Now don't get me wrong, I'm glad they spotted the problem before we tried to land, but why have everyone board for a 3.30 flight when it's not going anywhere until 6.30? They make Ryanair look like a professional outfit!! Then to cap it all off, when I arrived into San Jose, United Airlines managed to lose my luggage. Not a happy bunny!! "We can deliver it to your hotel sir for a $25 fee", says your man at the desk as if he was doing me a favour!!! I then went to Hertz to pick up my car to find that the car I booked last week was not available and all they had was a truck. I know people that live in smaller houses than this thing.

I will be glad to get home on Friday, even if it is to face a two day pre-marriage course.

Tags: DaBerries Travel United Airlines

The Windy City

In Chicago for St. Patricks Day. Went out last night and ripped it up big-style with one of my suppliers. Couldn't eat until about 2 o'clock today. I can just barely type. I need to learn how to drink again, although I'm putting the extent of my hangover down to being Jet lagged following two horrendous days of travel that saw me fly into LA from London and back to Chicago in 48 hours. I'm sitting in my hotel room (Did I mention it's a suite!!) contemplating going down to the bar for a coke to try and moisten up my mouth. It feels like I've been chewing Gandhi's sandal for a few hours.

Tags : DaBerries

4 Victor

Gavin is looking to raise funds for his cousin Victor who sustained a serious spinal injury whilst playing rugby with Longford RFC in October of 2005. Having played rugby for most of my life, I can appreciate the seriousness of such an injury. I remember whilst still quite young being carted off to hospital in a neck brace on a backboard following an injury sustained at the bottom of a scrum. Luckily I only sustained some muscular injury and strains as opposed to any serious injuries. However, all the way to the hospital the thought that I may have done irreparable damage to myself was a sobering one. Gavin's cousin however, was not so lucky. Do what you can to help out. If your up in Landsdowne this weekend give generously to the bucket collection.

Tags: 4Victor DaBerries

Six House Millionaire

From time to time I get what my family calls "The Latest Get Rich Quick" idea into my head. I become obsessed with the idea until it eventually goes out of mind or until I prove to myself that it can't be done. So my latest one is that you can make yourself a millionaire by building just six houses. Something similar to the £1 million property experiment. The difference here though is I think you can do it without building anything bigger than a 4 bedroomed dormer bungalow. Now when I say a millionaire, I don't mean on paper. I think you can make yourself €1 million in cash by building these houses. Now all I need is six sites with planning permission and someone to bankroll me. Any takers???

tags : DaBerries Property

Busy Boy

Looking at March I'm going to be a very busy boy. My schedule at work is choca-block. March 14th I'm in L.A. Following day, leave L.A. and head to Chicago where I manage to stay until March 20th. Then I leave for South Bend IN for a day. From there it's back west to San Francisco for three days before heading back to Ireland and a two day pre-marriage course in Cork. Okay so the course at the end doesn't sound right with the jet-set schedule that preceeds it, but it's what I'll be doing.

On the upside, I'll be spending St. Patricks Day in Chicago even if I will be at work.

Books Like

I've recently started reading the Ross O'Carroll-Kelly series of books by Paul Howard. Hilarious!! Having attended a school on the Southside of Dublin that was part of the whole Leinster Schools Senior Cup gig, I got such a kick out of these books. They're so close to the truth that it's uncanny. Guy's or should I say "Goys" I went to school with actually carried on like this and if I'm to be honest I probably did myself in ways. Effectively, the books are a throwback to my own school days. If you need a good laugh, read these.

Tags : DaBerries