Olympic Decorations at work

Here where I work, we’re totally into the Olympics. Since it’s an international community and an international workplace, we try to generally avoid conflict because of cultures and cultural influences and find ways to bridge these differences. When the olympics comes around, however, things change. The Olympics are a huge source of nationalism (via sporting events), team work, and joy as we can all celebrate the Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals with others of a particular nationality. All around the building, we constantly hear – Sure, my guy lost, but yours won – what a stunning finish/great match.. etc.!

In Honor of the Olympics, the events committee here at work has decided to challenge us on a floor by floor basis – to support charities, to decorate, and to show our cultural diversity while celebrating how well we can work together. On my floor, we have many varied nationalities – including French, Spanish, Portugese, Dutch, American, Irish, Italian, German, Polish, Indian, Canadian, Brazillian – and this is just the ones I know about!

The idea was were supposed to choose 1 color, but the floor decided to go for "ALL" the colors. I made paper chains for all the desks (I was up until 1:30 am) – and there were Olympic balloons for the end caps. There were also olympic balloon rings; and flags representing the countries of all our team mates on the floor.

We managed to get sports equipment & pictures of nearly every sport up on our columns, and then people participated in desk chair rowing, desk basketball, desk badminton, mini-football, and stick horse racing at the time of “judging”.

(Notice my subtle reference to the 1972 Munich Olympics being the 40th Anniversary of Massacre on the b-ball uniforms in the windows.)

There was also a podium for BOB the HR cutout guy and a few stuffed animals.

For all of our great efforts – We took 2nd (silver medal) for the building.

In other news, the Rowers / Cyclists / cupcake sale also raised money for charity. I’ve not got the totals yet, but they did a great job!

Cupcakes (in olympic colors) for charity

The good news is we also have more events coming next week – so it should be another fun week at work!

Tanks General Gigs

One of the best things about having friends in a band is that there’s always something going on – either in the city, or out of it. I’ve amassed quite the number of photos of Tanks General gigs over the last 6-8 months both of the band itself and others playing on the same night. Here’s a pretty interesting set.

Tanks General – first ever Gig @Fibbers on Ormond Quay- Dec. 2011:

Paddy & Declan, May 11, 2012 – Fibbers on Parnell St.

July 13, 2012 – @Fibbers Ormond Quay

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Shoot the Freak May 11, 2012 @ Fibber Magee’s:

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Raid May 11, 2012 @ Fibber Magee’s:

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TAIBHSE@Fibber Magee’s Friday July 13, 2012:

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The Last Tzar@Fibber Magee’s Friday July 13, 2012:

You can click on any of the band links above to go directly to their Facebook page, and find their respective music from there.

Summer Party 2012

Last weekend was the company’s summer party. The theme was Full Moon Party, and it was held at the Radisson Blue Hotel here in Dublin. Luckily, the weather was perfect – despite not being overly warm, the day was in the 70’s F, which meant for Ireland, it did feel like summer. It gave us an opportunity to get our summer clothes out, don some black light paint / makeup, eat some grilled meat and salads, and dance to the DJ. (I racked up 20,000 steps for the Everest Challenge!)

Here’s a few photos from the event which were taken by me and some by Colin and a few by others. Thanks to them for sharing, and to the company for the fab party!