After a long and slightly torturous journey (Dublin’s rush hour traffic isn’t fun) here I am in Killkenny getting ready for WordCamp Ireland.
Due to the traffic I arrived at the speakers dinner just in time for coffee which was a bit shit, but after some quick introductions I was dragged off to take part in Chaos Thaoghaire, which is one part story telling, one part pub quiz, and a whole lot of deviousness and fun. Or as they describe themselves: “Dedicated to the earnest pursuit of ludicrous things”.
Unfortunately ten hours of travel had left my brain feeling like a wrung-out mop so I couldn’t bring my “A Game” (as they like to call it) and pretty much vegged in the corner nursing a pint of Guinness. Apologies to the Chaosettes, I was having a good time even though it may not have looked like it. The story about the scavenger hunt and the potato carved in the shape of a penis was a definite highlight.
There’s a wedding in the hotel tonight which, as with most weddings, is playing some horrendously cheesy music very loudly. Thank god for headphones. So here I am, raiding the mini-bar and desperately trying to finesse my talk ready for Sunday, full of excitement and terror all at the same time. As much as I get a kick out of public speaking, it still scares the crap out of me. Nerves are healthy though.
Oh, and apropos of nothing, this hotel room is bloody huge!