Just back from a two hour night time tour of down town Shanghai. A very impressive city to say the least. Tonight, I stood at the edge of the river and across the way I saw the old city. There from one end of the river to the other stood the classic old buildings of the late 1800s and early 1900s. It was the sight that often greets the eye in period movies such as Empire of the Sun. To my back, as I viewed across the river to the old city, was the new city built upon virgin green fields no more than fifteen years ago - it's now a city several times the size of Dublin and on a par with Hong Kong when it comes to a strking skyline of 100 story buildings. In all this I'm treated with the utmost hospitality and respect in every encounter. The Chinese are on the up and up, make no mistake about it folks. This is my third time in China, and though I've only visited four cities - Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Hangzhou and now Shanghai, I leave each with the impression that this is a vibrant, youthful, competitive and exiting country. More later....
Mission 101
Playa Del Carmen 2008
- These photograph were taken in May of 2008 in Playa Del Carmen. This was Shay and Adri's first non-Irish, non-Mexico City vacation with their two boys since the birth of the two lads. The last time Shay and Adri got away on their own vacation was to Hawaii back in October of 2002. All of the photos were taken either in Playa Del Carmen on the Mexican mainland or in Cozumel, an island off the coast or on the ferry en route to Cozumel. Hope you enjoy! Shay
My Trivia
My Books
Michael Walker: Laurel Canyon: The Inside Story of Rock-and-Roll's Legendary Neighborhood
A Christmas Gift from Tim R. The first chapter was a struggle given the subject matter jump from what I had been reading. Now I'm in that world, and it's compelling. If you're a music history buff, this is a 'must-read'. Thanks Tim! (****)Jack Welch: Jack: Straight from the Gut
If you've any interest in how to improve any organization, I would recommend this. Also it's a great view of how big business deals are arranged. (****)Stephen R. Covey: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
I consider this compulsory reading for anyone wanting to improve in any way shape or form - a classic that's stood the test of time. (*****)Malcolm Gladwell: Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
A harmless read that at times is compelling and at times a bit unnecessarily wordy. Overall, I would recommend it. It articulates what I've always intuitively held, that ones intuition can be a powerful tool in making sense of the world. (****)David McCullough: John Adams
Not only Americans should read this stuff. We all owe alot to these guys who showed us a new way over two hundred years ago. (*****)Jerry Lewis: Dean and Me : (A Love Story)
I thought it so good, I read it in three days over the Christmas holidays in Mexico. If you've ever seen their movies, or listened to their songs, you gotta read this. It's a great glimpse into the America of the 1950s (*****)David McCullough: 1776
Brilliant - a compelling read from start to finish. I'll never look at New York or Boston the same again. (*****)Tom Barry: Guerilla Days in Ireland
This is my second time reading this. Recommended to anyone who wants to know what it was like in Cork during the War of Independence. (*****)Alexander Hamilton: The Federalist Papers (Penguin Classics)
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My Music Today
- Pixies: Doolittle
This takes me back to my early college days and driving around the dark roads of West Cork in the early hours of the morning with my buddy Bill 'The Bold Bull' Heywood. Both of us whittling away the hours simply trying to stay sane and make sense of the world.... (****)
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