Sticking around a bit and introduce myself

[Yelof]

Since I went to the bother of looking up my password, I think I'll try sticking around a bit.

I surfed into the cellar about 2 years ago following a google text add UT placed, I found I didn't have time to post but have been kept interested enough to keep lurking.

So I feel I know most of the major players on the site, but you don't know me, so I guess I better introduce myself.

I am a 30 year old Irish computer programmer living in Portugal, married to a Portuguese composer. We have two kids aged 5 and 2. I do most of my work contracting to a UK company and despite 4 years living in Portugal I am still not very integrated here, my Portuguese still quite weak, I have been trying to take time off to actually sit down and study it rather then learn by ear, but the problem is finding time to take a break from work- young kids etc..

At the Cellar I find myself mostly agreeing with Jaguar, tw, Sycamore. I think the standard of debate has improved since dave decided to leave. I have decided in returning to the cellar to try not to bring up the subjects of Israel, gun control or the death penalty as I think I hold more typically european views on these issues and it is rare progress can be made discussing them, however I think the subjects of Iraq, the coming US presidential elections, the environment and globalisation although polarising need discussing.

I find myself drawn back to the cellar because I find it important for me as a European to open dialog with Americans, I feel our viewpoints are drifting and we need better to try understand each other.

I like music (favourite artists Brian Eno, High Llamas, David Byrne, Tom Waits), reading (currently reading Guns, Germs and Steel essential reading for anyone who wants to figure out why the world is the way it is), I have a passion for history

Any questions?