[thechat] surfacing

[Joel D Canfield]

> only large area I've no contacts in is China, and I think I 
> can find a few 
> first-degree contacts there.

I might could hook you up :) I know multiple Chinese engineers who all
have family back home. Might take them up on their offers to let me
visit. China - what a vacation *that* would be.

I've adjusted to this, but it's tough to 
> explain to people back home in rural Ireland 

speaking of which, we're hoping Fiona's younger sibling will be born in
rural Ireland in a couple years . . . 

that "a guy I 
> know who opened 
> a restaurant" is in India, and "a friend of mine who's moving 
> house" is in 
> Atlanta. A good few of the neighbours there have never been 
> to Dublin - 
> never been more than about forty miles from their homes.
> 
>    Drew.

sounds like Texas! Talked to folks who'd never been out of the *town*
they were born in. Six square miles is a teensy little world

joel