But Seriously Forks...

A non partisan message

2008-09-15T10:19:00.002+01:00

The whole catastrophe is that Sarah Palin has been getting me down lately, but thank God for Tina Fey and Amy Pohler, they always make me smile...

"Shut the hell up!"

2008-05-15T13:50:00.001+01:00

Keith Olbermann, angry man.

"It is not, Mr. Bush, about your golf game! And, sir, if you have any hopes that next Jan. 20 will not be celebrated as a day of soul-wrenching, heart-felt thanksgiving, because your faithless stewardship of this presidency will have finally come to a merciful end, this last piece of advice:

When somebody asks you, sir, about Democrats who must now pull this country back from the abyss you have placed us at ...

When somebody asks you, sir, about the cooked books and faked threats you foisted on a sincere and frightened nation ...

When somebody asks you, sir, about your gallant, noble, self-abdicating sacrifice of your golf game so as to soothe the families of the war dead.

This advice, Mr. Bush: Shut the hell up!"

Well hello there!

2008-03-03T15:20:00.007Z

This is my brand new goddaughter Caitlin. I think it's safe to say that she is the most beautiful little thing ever. This is just a close-up, in real life she is extremely teensy. She was born last Tuesday, weighing in at 6 pounds 2 ounces, and finally giving her mama a break after six hours in labour. I just get to do all the fun stuff like play with her and buy her snuggly things and the like!

Do you think she looks like her big brother, way back when?

New doggie!

2008-02-26T14:51:00.002Z

This is Kaiser, he is 14 weeks old. He lives down on the ranch with the parentals and Sib 2, and he is the cutest thing ever! Yes he is! Yes yes yes!

(I'm like this all the time when I'm with him. One brother says I'm making a baby of the puppy, the other says I'm making him gay.)

Isn't he lovely though?!

I...see...cold...people...

2008-02-01T12:10:00.000Z

Spring starts with hypothermia in the office, the heating has been broken for the past few days, and I’m looking at my breath and wiping the frost off my keyboard and not exaggerating one little bit, no, not at all.

* * *
Recent haircut misunderstanding results in complete scalping. Conversations about the current job hunt now all include jokes about joining the Marine Corps. People are FUNNY. You never appreciate the insulating properties of a head of hair until it’s gone, and then suddenly snow is forecast…

* * *

“If you could change one thing about yourself, what would that be?”

My readiness to answer such a dumb question. January is tough enough without voluntarily throwing your life into chaos! (yeah yeah, I know I could lose a bit of weight…)

A clean sweep

2008-01-07T15:36:00.000Z

Jo returned from LA over Christmas, and called in to the office last week, so we scooted around the corner to the pub. It was great to see her again, and we were joined by a few of the other kids that have moved on to new jobs since. I was all smiley and full of praise for impromptu midweek pints when I went to the loo and spied this brush convention at the bottom of the stairs...

So! I will make no promises for 2008, because that always blows up in my face. I will just wish you all a Happy New Year, and if you're in the mood, give you a big squishy hug too.

Baby Cheeses

2007-12-14T16:43:00.000Z

I made this little fella last week for Steve's Party for the Baby Jesus. Can't take credit really, I'm ripping off Kath and Kim!

Ain't Christmas prep a stinker? I'm all stressed! Sometimes you really have to take a step back and remember what this time of year is really all about...

(first person to say "cheese" goes straight to hell)

Something bright in the November gloom

2007-11-21T15:11:00.000Z

This sign is at the end of the street that I work on. It's nice to see as I'm walking home...

The beginning of the end

2007-11-16T14:51:00.000Z

Last night we had the work Christmas party, as is now a mid-November tradition. Today we say goodbye to half of the people in the office. The heads here are a combination of sad faces at leaving, and pretty bad hangovers. I took it very easy, because of a small soirée on Wednesday night that turned into a full-blown session (don’t even pretend to register surprise at that, it’s ok, we all knew it would happen), yesterday I was in bad shape, and very tired. This eve we will have a bye-bye tipple, and then I head to the sticks for a bit of detox.

We’ve been so spoiled…it’s only when I read people’s farewell emails that I realise how we took it all for granted. How often can you say that the people you work with are also some of your best friends? I don’t think I’ve dreaded even one day here, and the bit of bad crap that came along was a tiny percentage compared to the ton of happy memories I have of the job and the people.

I finish up work on 31st January. I’m only just beginning to deal with that fact, and trying not to get too blue about it. I’m not good with endings…

30

2007-10-15T14:35:00.000+01:00

I'm 30 today.

But it's ok, because I have the best friends in the world.

Love you all...

Get Rufus

2007-10-12T11:02:00.000+01:00

Another week of concerts. I got a last minute ticket for Ani Difranco in Tripod, and she was great. But the event of the month (and one of the best of the year) was Rufus Wainwright in Vicar Street. My fourth time seeing him, this time was the best, I think. He did every song from the new album, plenty of the old ones that I love, a John McCormack cover (in the authentic, microphone-less style), and a few Judy Garland ones too! His version of ‘Get Happy’ in the encore was just inspired, he should wear tights and heels more often…

Mild Aussie Mate Violence

2007-10-08T11:23:00.000+01:00

So Young Dan has been a busy bee of late, getting all his cool videos together in one place for our viewing pleasure. check them ooot...

http://mildanimatedviolence.blogspot.com/

And this is the last week of my twenties. But who's counting?

(Steve, stop counting!)

So many great Canadians to love

2007-09-26T14:37:00.000+01:00

Went to see Feist last night in Tripod... and remembered my camera!

She was great, her voice is as good (if not better) live as it is on record. Great band too.

So, yay for Feist!

I could do that...

2007-09-14T16:24:00.000+01:00

Went to see La Clique (with la Snowflake) as part of the Fringe Festival this week. It was...amazing! Part circus, part cabaret, elastic fantastic burlesque fun! I intend to get absolutely everyone I know to go see it. Yes I do.

This is Captain Frodo, the stretchiest human I've ever seen...

Also, a flamenco dancer on roller skates?! Why has nobody thought of it before?!

Again, what the F?!

2007-09-10T14:00:00.001+01:00

I posted the original here back in March, this is part two, and they are still damn funny!

Cheez-its! Cheez-its! Cheez-its! Cheez-its!

The Greatest Love of All

2007-08-27T17:00:00.000+01:00

Sunday morning, back on the ranch. Having a cuppa and watching Pride and Prejudice on the box. Sib 2 finally emerges from his slumber, plods up the hall, falls onto the couch, and changes the channel. I roar at him to change it back. He watchs the film for a few minutes, and then starts whining about it…

Him: Why, why do you want to watch this? It’s boring and crap.

Me: It’s Jane Austen, it’s one of the greatest love stories of all time!

Him: No, me and my hair is the greatest love story of all time.

Couldn’t argue with that…

Concerts and movies and sushi - oh my!

2007-08-09T11:44:00.000+01:00

My weekend of culture began on Friday night with a visit to the National Concert Hall (avec Sib 2) to see the RTE Concert Orchestra perform ‘Music to be Murdered By’, an evening of Bernard Hermann (and other) scores. It was… perfect. It started off with the overture from North by Northwest, which always makes me smile (and want to run around!), there was also music from Laura, Anna Karenina, Marnie, Taxi Driver (Patch was delighted) and the Suite from Vertigo…my favourite…

Just after the interval, they played the Psycho Suite for Strings Prelude, and when it came to the ‘stabbing violins’ bit (you know, the shower scene!) all the lights went out! There were a few laughs, but then I think everyone felt a bit unnerved! The lights slowly came back on, in red, on the stage… very cool…

Must remember to wear less black in the NCH though…when I went to the loo, an old lady asked me if I was in the orchestra…

The rest of the weekend was spent in the IFI, keeping out of the rain thanks to the GAZE film festival. Saw, I dunno, loads of movies, but I think the highlight was one called Follow My Voice: With the Music of Hedwig. It's a documentary about a tribute album made in aid of the Harvey Milk School, and featured...everyone I love! Rufus Wainwright, Sleater-Kinney, The Breeders, Yo La Tengo, Frank Black, The Polyphonic Spree... And Yoko Ono. Well, I don't love her, but she was pretty funny.

And I got another chance to check oooot the fabulous Iseult and the Goods in Bleu Note on Sunday night (clickit!) Another great gig, some new tunes, and a packed house! Not too shabby!

Between all that and enough food to feed an army (sushi in the Hop House - nyom!), it wasn't a bad weekend at all really...

Slow update

2007-08-02T10:49:00.000+01:00

Oh, I forgot! We found out a while ago exactly how long we have jobs for, and for me, D-Day is 31st January 2008. So that’s not so bad really, considering back at the start of the year we thought we’d only have a few months, tops. So the plan is work ‘til then, have a look around for a job, maybe do a little bit of travelling first…

Ok, so that’s not really a plan at all. But you know me, right?! Disorganised! Unorganised?! Not organised!

Simpsons Movie rocked. Rocked rocked rocked. Will see it many times. With doughnuts…

The doughnut cometh...

2007-07-25T10:42:00.000+01:00

Just two more days...

Maybe it's sad, but this is going to be one of the highlights of the summer for me! Well, consider the fact that it's been raining almost every day for nearly two months now - we need cheering up!

The tickets are booked, I'll be incommunicado for at least two hours this Friday evening...

Still proud

2007-07-02T12:21:00.001+01:00

Oh! And I got back from Canada just in time for the Pride Parade! Would you believe, it rained again?! I know! In Ireland! I was baffled too!

Can’t remember much due to jetlag and going out instead of going asleep, but by the looks of my photos, it was a good weekend…

Le retour

2007-06-27T12:09:00.000+01:00

Back from Canada, back at work, back to... black? Nah, it’s not all that bad. Just post-holiday blues, and the cold weather here isn’t helping!

So, it was a good trip. Going on my own wasn’t so bad at all, probably because of all the peeps I had to hang out with on the other side. Had the best weekend with Amandolin, just the right balance of relaxing, sight-seeing and cruisin’ on the highway! We managed to pack in a winery tour, visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake, see Niagara Falls, go to the Canadian Superstore, get Taco Bell and go out on the razz in TO, all in one day! At least, I think it was a day, at that stage my body clock had given up the ghost and I was running on buzz. Got to meet A’s mama, who was very cool, and also her lovely fella Mike (never thought I’d get to chat to anyone about European football in Canada!) And of course Josie, wine adviser and gourmet oracle!

And just when I finally got that song 'Rehab' out of my head, I discover that Amy Winehouse has recently conquered Canada...

TO was great, as per. I’m more relaxed there than any other city, I think. It’s not just because I’ve been there a few times, it’s more than that. I need to ponder on it some more, and come back with a proper answer, because everyone is asking me what the big draw is. For now I’ll just say that I like the way people smile at me when they hear my accent!

And the honey crullers. Oh, sweet temptation…

Good to see everybody, but especially Jenny, who has been terribly neglected up to this point! We had a good lunch and a lovely talk, she’s looking well and doing great! And I’m doing what you ordered, J – writing!

Now Hear This

2007-06-12T15:49:00.000+01:00

Hello campies!

Without sounding too much like Paris Hilton (shudder), here is the definitive list of what is hot and what is not in the Land of Al this summer…

Hot – The weather
Not – Having to work in it

Hot – Going on holiday
Not – getting the timing all wrong. Doh!

Hot – Being in a band
Not – Breaking guitar strings in one’s face

Hot – My new t-shirt
Not – my old t-shirts (time for a clean out!)

Hot – Skin with a healthy glow
Not – My skin

Yes/no?!

She loves me!

2007-05-30T15:03:00.000+01:00

We all went out on Monday night to the Sugar Club for the roomie’s birthday. She had been hyping up a singer called Kate Walsh that none of us had ever heard of, but as of today, I’m in love. You think there are only so many singer-songwriter types that you can listen to, but add this one to the top of the pile, she’s wonderful. A beautifully sweet voice, lyrics that are simple but never trite, she had me at… A minor, I think it was. Check it. http://www.myspace.com/katewalsh

She signed my newly-acquired CD "Alice - Lots of Love, Kate". If that isn't a marriage proposal, I don't know what is...

Knee is slowly getting better, went to the phys on Saturday, she wiggled it around a bit, hooked it up to a machine, gave me some exercises to do and told me to come back in a week. Need to get it sorted ASAP cos I’ve decided to go on a little trip to the T dot O dot in a few weeks. I know I can’t afford it and I’ve been there before but it’s a good place to both relax and have fun in, and I’m staying with the cuz again so it’ll be ok. You know when sometimes you just have to get away? I guess Toronto is that place that’s familiar but just different enough to sort me out for a few days. That sounds like I’m dumping on the entire city… Oh well!

Slip Slidin' Away

2007-05-21T16:38:00.000+01:00

Words don’t really express how stupid I am, so here’s what happened to me on Friday night, in picture form.

Slipped in the kitchen, knee got screwed up, bum got bopped off the floor, head met the hoover in the hall. That old story. But I’m ok, just hopping around on a crutch.

So what have we learned? That housework is evil! Keep out of the kitchen!

Mountains of Fountains

2007-05-18T11:08:00.000+01:00

Went to see Fountains of Wayne last night with the concert buddy. Thanks to standing beside some big-ass speakers, we’re both pretty deaf today. You know the way Charlie Brown’s teacher used to talk, all muffled and tuba-like? That’s how everyone sounds to me today. But it’s all good, we got our fill of peppy power pop from New Jersey. You know them, you do!

I know the Stacey’s Mom video has Rachel Hunter, but this one has a boat! And Drew Carey! No contest…

Dan. A man.

2007-05-08T16:24:00.000+01:00

Our house-husband Dan has revisited! He’s in town for a few days before scooting off to the Eurovision in Helsinki. Don’t ask, don’t tell, is the policy re that, I think. The last time he was in town was during my godawful January, so he possibly didn’t get the very best impression of me! But this time we’ve been hanging out, having some drinkies and just chillin’, which is a good way to find me, I suppose.

And he lets me try on his fly sunnies. So we like Dan. If only they were prescription!

I can’t get enough of these bank holiday weekends. And Sunday is fast becoming my favourite day. How d'you do that?!

Turned up to 11

2007-04-30T10:01:00.000+01:00

Went home for the weekend (first thing my mother said – “oh, you got a haircut”). I knew I’d be at nothing down there, so I brought the guitar and spent a day getting back into it. I have a lovely big amp that was dying of neglect, so I brought it up to the living room, waited ‘til everyone was out of the house, and just cranked it. I think it might have been in shock for a few seconds because it started to buzz and make worrying sounds, but once it warmed up, it sounded as good as ever. My dad came in later and shouted that you could hear it all the way down in the fields. But he was smiling when he said it...

How to make a grumpy brother smile - play Sunshine of Your Love, 20th Century Boy and Whole Lotta Love in a row. All this time, I was wasting time trying to tickle him...

Rocking. Rolling. Sitting.

2007-04-23T17:03:00.000+01:00

Now that was a GOOD weekend!

Went to see Cansei de Ser Sexy on Saturday night, and God, were they good! It’s been a while since I was at a gig where there was so much energy, and you could tell that the band were really feeling it too. They came bouncing onto the stage throwing sweets out at the crowd, the set was brilliant (they included a cover of the L7 tune Pretend We’re Dead! Aaargh!) and we left absolutely buzzing. I went straight home to the waiting guitar and headphones! I LOVE when a concert blows my mind!

Also have to mention Tilly and The Wall, who were the support. Tap-dancing percussion is my new favourite thing!

Yesterday was the most wonderful lazy Sunday. Walking and chatting, bookshop browsing, a bit of dinner and music all evening. The simple things are the very best.

Circumspect in the City

2007-04-19T11:50:00.000+01:00

I’m hiding out in town for a while because Martha went nuts on my hair last weekend and I can’t go home until it grows back a little bit. Yes, my mother is still the haircut police. I know I shouldn’t give a shite, but I still have residual guilt about the time I dyed it blue and it made her cry.

The roomie is away in Cannes for the week, so I’m running around the house in the nip and playing loud music ‘til all hours and only doing the dishes when I damn well please! Actually, the place is pretty clean, it’s good weather for washing, and I only scooted around starkers the once, it’s still kinda cold in the shade… Middle age is a terrible thing.

Yay for nice fellas that only charge face value for tickets, even when the gig has long sold out, helping me keep a promise…

Elvis and the Apple

2007-04-10T16:44:00.000+01:00

Or Elvis Costello and Fiona Apple. Ah!

Amazing version of I Want You...

Back to the drawing board...

2007-04-04T12:39:00.000+01:00

My horoscope for today. The accuracy is uncanny...

Libra

You'll squander whatever small goodwill you've won in the world when you attempt to cash in on your self-proclaimed status as The Helen Keller of People with No Sense of Smell.

Thanks for the heads up, theonion.com!

What the F?

2007-03-28T10:18:00.001+01:00

La Snowflake sent me this last week was I was feeling blue. Funniest thing I’ve seen in ages…

“Stop putting shit on our bodies, David Blaine!”

Degeneracy!

2007-03-16T12:24:00.000Z

Drinking on company time… gotta love it…

Jo made Baileys coffees for everyone this morning, and I had my reservations, but they are indeed delish. And strong – no more reservations for me today! About anything! Just back from placing loads of bets on the horses too – it’s been a good Cheltenham for me so far. So, in summary, I’m drinking in the morning and gambling like a fiend. Yay for preserving stereotypes! And Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all!

She even made a lil shamrock on the top…

When blue, rock out

2007-03-13T16:21:00.000Z

Went to see Kristin Hersh last night in TBMC - was exactly what I needed. She had a band with her this time (when I saw her in 2001 she was on her tod) and she was in a rockin' mood, for sure.

She did a fair few tunes from the new album (Learn to Sing Like A Star) which sounded fantastic, and lots of oldies too. They even finished up with a 50 Foot Wave encore (the band was the two guys from 50FW along with the McCarricks) so my head was blown off in the very best way. She didn't do Spain, but she did do Your Ghost (sigh!) and a really hefty version of Your Dirty Answer (myself and the Sailorboy sang along merrily to that one). She just keeps getting better...

Been thinkin'

2007-03-12T14:08:00.000Z

I’ve been having one of those contemplative days. Which is strange, because it’s Monday, and usually all I try to do is get through the day. I suppose it’s because lately I’ve been taking stock of a lot of what’s going on in my life. I hate doing that. Anyone that knows me knows that I hate change, I hate disruption, and I hate having to face the not-so-nice things that come along every now and then. I’ve been thinking a lot about the year that’s just passed, it was this time 12 months ago that the health scare with Patch happened, and after that I found myself making a lot of changes in my life, mainly small, but some significant. It took something that big and potentially devastating for me to reassess and (I hope) improve.

Changes are coming again, not least with the job, and I’ve had my head in the sand about it for a while now. The news came in the middle of a really bad time for me, so I think part of my brain just filed it away so as not to become overwhelmed by all the shit that was happening right then. But I’ve since realised that you have to keep on keepin’ on even when crap is starting to pile up. It would be far too easy for me to sit down and mope about all my little mini disasters right now, and on bad days I almost fall into the mire, but mostly I’m able to stay if not upbeat, then on an even keel of coping. That feeling that I just need to get away from everything isn’t as predominant as before, but I’ve been having a lot of dreams lately about being far away, so I guess it’s still on my mind.

I want to go to Canada, I want to stay here, I want to go to Canada, I want to stay here…

But I keep coming back to this time last year. No matter what happens, it’s all really small potatoes compared to the possibility of losing someone you love. I bitch about my family sometimes, but know that I’m blessed with them. Sometimes my friends can wreck my head, but I always remember that I’m lucky to have so many, and I hope they know how much they mean to me. As much as the job is like a job, a really bad day is rare, and I find myself laughing with people around me all the time. And most importantly, I have somebody that I can talk to about anything, anytime, no matter what.

Everything will work out. It all happens for a reason. We’re going to be ok.

Happy Birthday Patch

2007-03-09T16:05:00.000Z

Happy Birthday little brother!

Yeah, I know you’re taller than me, but I can remember when you were born, so you’ll always be little to me!

(How frightening is it that I can remember 25 years ago?!)

Hopelessly devoted

2007-02-12T17:22:00.000Z

The latest offering from Hen and Bunny (check out the Rabbit blog!). It's long and loud, but funny as hell.

Hen and Bunny Theatre has always been an inspiration to me, as anyone who has had to sit through a bad idea production stuffed entertainment extravaganza will testify. And now we can all see why...

Getting my ducks in a row

2007-02-07T13:44:00.000Z

I got ducks, I got bubble bath, you can guess what happened next...

Don't it always seem to go...

2007-01-31T09:56:00.001Z

Finally! This godawful month is over! I swear, it’s been the worst in a long time. I won’t go into details (and before you say it, it’s not because I wasn’t drinking!) but let’s just be thankful and let’s be movin’ on!

Sometimes when you lose something for a little while, it gives you such a shock you immediately remember to be more grateful for all the good things in your life…

Shoes

2007-01-15T14:33:00.000Z

Makes me want to buy shoes. No, wait, it really doesn't...

Fitter, happier, more productive?

2007-01-15T10:23:00.000Z

I decided not to drink for the month of January. Just ‘cos New Year’s Eve was such an epic, and it took a while to recover, and I thought I might save some money while also being kinda healthy. But then all this terrible crap started happening to me! Coincidence?! Landlady wants to boost the rent! Job in doubt! Depression! And I’m only half way through the month!

Stay tuned for more tales of disaster and woe – I’ve still got 15 days!

Just to say...

2007-01-03T10:09:00.000Z

Happy New Year everyone.

What is ok: Wishing people "Happy New Year".

What is not: Wishing people "Happy double-o seven". I've heard it twice and I'm already sick of it. Also, it's not funny!

Yes, you've guessed it. 2007 is the Year of the Grump.

Greetles

2006-12-21T12:00:00.000Z

Christmas is a time for eating giant toasted ants...

Ok, I’m not done shopping or anything near it, but I haven’t really had time for Christmas panic this year. Maybe it’s because I’m getting so old, maybe because the call to hibernate has been too strong, maybe it’s because my credit card squeals with pain every time I use it… a combination of factors, I suppose you could say. Anyway, I head down to the sticks tomorrow afternoon and I set up camp there for Christmas. I will see friends and family, eat and drink too much, and sleep my head off, so it really is my favourite time of the year, despite all the grousing. If any of you find yourselves in Sunny Kildare over the break, give me a shout – I may or may not be dressed, but we still receive guests while flopping around in pyjamas and slippers, so it’s all good. If I don’t see you, have a wonderful Christmas (and Chanukah!) and a very Happy New Year. x

JAPW part two

2006-12-12T15:09:00.000Z

She came back! We didn’t scare her off after the last time! She brought the band along too. And I still love her…

In other news… CHRISTMAS PANIC! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

In better news, I was so very happy to hear of the arrival of baby Naomi Denise last Wednesday. 6 pounds and 13 ounces of beautiful little girl. Much love to Mom and Dad (Arwen and Uri) – keep those photos coming!

What ate my weekend

2006-11-30T15:37:00.000Z

Finally! After many years working in the entertainment industry, I finally get to make something, It might even be entertaining! We filmed out little short over the weekend, a spoof full of inside jokes and shockingly bad acting, and we are all very proud of ourselves. If I had my way, we’d just edit all the outtakes and present that, but no, we have to do it properly. I guess some of the actual scenes are funny too…

Sib 2 arrived back from Cape Town safe and sound, with a spiffy new accent too. S’funny what tin dais in Sauf Aifrikka can do…

Formidable!

2006-11-27T09:58:00.000Z

From the Catherine Tate Show on BBC, this is Lauren's French oral. The funniest yet!

(Cheers to Clicky for finding this on the interweb!)

'Tis the season?

2006-11-20T14:36:00.000Z

We had our work Christmas party last Thursday night. Yeah, I know, Thursday, 16th November. It wasn’t my idea! Anyway, much fun was had, or at least, as much as you can have on a school night. This photo kinda sums up the night (don’t worry, she wasn’t actually unconscious, just posing as a dead body. It was hilarious at the time…)

And now! No more talking about Christmas! At least until December!

Swing dancing humour

2006-11-06T17:06:00.000Z

I don’t get it!

But I did have a great night last Friday with all those hep cats. (I got that right, right? Hep cats, that’s what all the cool kids say now, right?!)

Spoooo.......ky

2006-10-31T16:18:00.000Z

Happy Halloween y’all.

As one who scares very (very) easily, I will be quite nervous tonight. Dublin has sounded like a war zone for the past month or so anyway, with bangers and fireworks going off (premature pranksters just can’t wait), but tonight I’ll be extra prepared. I’ll have my metal helmet (a.k.a. colander) atop my noggin, and some sort of sharp stick to prod any little punk kids with, in case they try to mess with me…

Mmm...more snooze...

2006-10-27T12:20:00.000+01:00

Ah, the bank holiday weekend! So many possibilities! So what am I going to do?! Sleep!

And! We get an extra hour’s sleep! Thank you, clocks going backwards!

Sib 2 found out yesterday that he’s getting laid off, just a few weeks before he is away on holiday. Timing, eh? Apparently the crowd he works for are about to go belly-up, so he probably won’t get holiday pay, or the expenses he’s owed, or anything like that. Mofos. He’s better off in the long run, they were quite the cowboy outfit, but it’s shite that he only has one week’s notice. So if anyone out there is looking for an ace electrician, he’s yer man. He has a van too. So if you don’t want an electrician but are thinking of maybe forming a crime fighting team that needs a van, he might also be your man.

Whatchoo talkin' 'bout, Manny?

2006-10-25T14:57:00.000+01:00

A friend for the birthday bear. This is Manny. He likes to say the things that are bugging me but I could never vocalise myself for fear of offending someone. He’s good like that. And if people get pissed off, I can say, "hey guy, talk to the gorilla! I’m not saying anything here!"

More pathetic fallacy – it won’t stop raining. Where’s the snow? I want to see some snow!

Or just one snowflake, even…

I am fifty million years old

2006-10-16T12:07:00.000+01:00

Turned 29 yesterday.

And that’s all we’ll say about that!

But look at this little fella! He was a gift! Now I have something constructive to do with my hands! :P

I'm back, eh

2006-10-03T11:57:00.000+01:00

Back from the trip to Canadia! This time not only got to see more of the T dot O dot, but also managed a brief visit to Ottawa (“it’s the nation’s capital, eh”) and Montréal. Québec unnerved me a little bit. It looks like Canada, but…they’re speaking French. It was just a bit weird, is all. But it’s a nice spot.

Got to see the cuz, his lady, Amandolin, her pals, all the gang at the Mothership, The Blue Jays, and Dave Cam! Got plenty o’ culture, including a visit to the McMichael gallery, the modern art museum in Montréal (including very cool music videos installation) and on my last day, a Warhol exhibit in the Art Gallery of Ontario. Was glad that a certain someone kicked my ass in gear (via email!) to go see that… ;)

Still sleepy… I think nature is telling me to listen to my bear tendancies and hibernate…

Ha ha Yum!

2006-09-11T16:00:00.000+01:00

Got to catch a bit of the Comedy Festival taking place in town at the moment, in the form of a show called Ha Ha Yum: Maeve Tells Jokes While Lilly Makes Cakes! It’s basically Maeve Higgins (of Naked Camera fame) doing the comedy thing, while her sister Lilly sits at a table making cakes. Doesn’t sound all that hilarious, but it was! And there were cakes for all at the end! An inspirational night, made me want to bake. And be funny.

"Since turning 25 I've tried to be a lot more nonchalant, and also nonplussed. I remember back to when I was 24, I was very chalant then. And quite plussed too..."

Avenue who? Avenue Q!

2006-08-28T14:57:00.000+01:00

Well Avenue Q was absolutely fantastic! Laughed?! We nearly fell down on the floor, soiled ourselves and cried. I recommend it to all, it’s completely worth the trip over to Lahndan. Getting to spend some qualidee time with Vicki is not included for all, I was just lucky!

Inspired by all things puppety (puppetish? Puppet-esque?), we brought Socky, the sock-like sock puppet along for the ride, with hilarious consequences! Well, hilarious for us anyway. Might have something to do with drinking doubles all night, who’s to know?

I can't hear you

2006-08-25T12:12:00.000+01:00

Well it’s been a musical week. Got to see the Raconteurs on Monday night with the Snowflake, we had a rockin’ time. Always forget what a great venue the Olympia is, we had a great view, the sound was terrific (still kinda deaf actually), and they did a cover of Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) which was amazing. I don’t care what people say about Jack White (just shuddit Clicky!) the man sure can play guitar.

And then away to Marlay Park yesterday eve to see Beck and Radiohead. Beck is currently touring with his own puppet show in tow, all little versions of him and his band, also playing along. The puppets are the stars of the screens, as you can see his this here clip .

Radiohead were great, as per. Thom Yorke was in fine form, after his brief (unknowing) encounter with Emma, Nell and Lin in the Centra on Wicklow Street yesterday. I wonder if he’ll ever know how close he came to danger…

Back from nowhere

2006-08-21T12:36:00.000+01:00

Been a bad blogger of late. It all started when I took a week off work to rest up and rendezvous with some people I hadn’t seen in ages. Yes, that’s right, it was the return of the travelling girlies! 11 months! And they haven’t changed a bit! Apart from having tans and weary bones and absolutely no money. So I was down in the sticks visiting them, then back in town going out on the razz all the time. I’ve been knackered ever since. Clever plan, wasn’t it?

Supposed to be going to Lahndan this weekend to visit young Vicki and go see Avenue Q (woo hoo!). If they let me into the country, that is. Recent developments mean Heathrow is no longer the magical wonderland of whimsy and amusement it once was. Will have full report next week. Hopefully!

JAPW

2006-07-27T13:41:00.000+01:00

Went to see Joan As Police Woman last night in Crawdaddy – great gig! It was just Joan solo (Joanonherown!), and she was fantastic! And we got to meet her afterwards… :)

www.joanaspolicewoman.com

El Scorchio

2006-07-19T12:18:00.000+01:00

It’s hot again. I believe I can say without any exaggeration whatsoever that it is the hottest it has ever been anywhere ever. Categorically. It got up to 30 degrees in some parts yesterday, which is about 29 degrees higher than the yearly average, give or take a few. Continue reading, this is all scientifically proven fact! Met Eireann were quoted as saying that today in particular would be hotter-n a mofo (their words), perfect weather for frying eggs on cars.

So instead of baking my ass here last weekend, I went to where it was even hotter - to sunny Wales, for the wedding of Mark and Rachel! The former lead guitarist of Vern’s Pest Control was in flying form, and his lovely bride was a vision to behold. Myself and Lar went over on Friday and partied hearty until Sunday. The happy couple are currently calming themselves down in the Maldives. It’s probably about the same temp there as it is in Cymru right now…

And no, I didn’t meet anyone called Myfanwy. I wasn’t even the only gay in the village…

Pride 2006 - Once more, with feeling

2006-06-28T11:48:00.000+01:00

Still recovering from Pride weekend 2006. You’d think that as the years passed and I got older, I would maybe get wiser. Not so much. After a lot of hand-wringing about whether or not I would go out at all, I ended up hitting the town in style, right after work. Gubu, Shelly’s, the airport (to pick up Karen), the airport bar, back to a pub in town, the girls night in Temple Bar Music Centre, then finally home close to feckin’ dawn. Was not in great shape the following morning, but dragged myself over to Shelly’s like a good spud. After a shaky (my hands, mainly) start, I had a great time at the parade, the party afterwards was cool, then we got grub and went back to Gubu. Stupid hair of the dog!

So, in summary, parade good, hangover bad; rainbows good, rain bad; beer good, 7.5% proof mixed fruit cider bad; Berocca good, Alka Seltzer bad; lazy Sunday good, Monday morning bad. Simple really…

(photo courtesy of cb)

I love the smell of plagiarism in the morning

2006-06-13T11:29:00.000+01:00

Ha! Just goes to show, I’m always right! Well, I didn’t exactly predict this, but the Chili Peppers are lazy feckers, and here’s the proof!

http://www.jared-morris.com/blog/petty.mp3

Thanks to Lar the Drummer for sending that on…

The stars command me...

2006-06-09T11:24:00.000+01:00

Got this horoscope sent to me by someone today. A sign from above! Or maybe from the devil?

Daily Horoscope: Libra
Friday June 9, 2006

You are feeling the shopping itch like never before -- so get out there and see if you can't raise a few eyebrows at your bank. You should be able to make up for any damage to your credit rating.

So, I don't think I have any choice, really...

All the sixes...

2006-06-06T15:06:00.000+01:00

15 seconds of exposure to the sun over the weekend have resulted in my super-sensitive baby skin getting burned. I am now a redneck. And I have some red arms too. This country is not equipped for such conditions! And by country, I mean me and all the other dumb lobsters.

So the date is 06/06/06. Should we be afraid? Apart from the fact that Hoppy came back from Vienna*, the milk is turning sour from the heat, and the sun is burning a hole in my head, I see no other signs of the apocalypse. Of course, I might be wrong, maybe we’re all living through a slow descent into hell. That would explain stuff like the Crazy Frog and Big Brother and Michael McDowell, I suppose. But I’m trying to stay positive…

(* Just messin’ Hops, so glad to have you back!)

Fire in the sky!

2006-06-01T14:26:00.000+01:00

Just back from an impromptu picnic in Merrion Square with some kids from work. Smashing!
As Homer J might say, I'm normally not a praying girl, but if you're up there, keep the sunshine coming, Superman! Half an hour catching some rays and I’m in a fabulous mood!

Now, nobody better cross me…

Gin Turtle

2006-05-26T12:36:00.000+01:00

To continue on the theme of booze (and why the hell not?!), La Snowflake was over in the gaff the other night, and we got to thinking about drinking some gin. So then we did. And you know, as the night progresses, people like to put stuff in their drinks, like crackers and chocolate-covered strawberries and whatnot? Well, somebody put a little jelly turtle into her drink, and then promptly forgot all about it. And so did I, until I was cleaning up the next day, and found a glass with a gin-soaked mutant turtle at the bottom of it. Here he is, compared to a normal (sober) specimen. Fascinating stuff, no?

This particular fella was packed off to a nearby AA meeting, but I think we might engineer a few more for the next soiree.

30 degrees, religion, and rum

2006-05-24T11:49:00.000+01:00

Some text messages received from Sib 2 over the past few days, he was on pilgrimage in Medj with the parentals, then they went to Croatia for a few days to shake off all the religion. He’s been looking for mojitos for the past while, but refused to go to any bar in Dublin that might serve them, for “fear of the gay homosexuals.” He finally managed to get one in Dubrovnik...

Him: Havin a mojito, fuckin’ lovely

Me: Just the one?!

Him: Well I’ve finished that one, quite delightful, so I might just have another

One day later…

Him: Had a few more mojitos today, started Ma and Da on them, ma wants you to get the recipe for them…

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

2006-05-18T16:57:00.000+01:00

Dublin’s weather today. Sunshine. No wait, here’s rain. No, the rain’s stopped, it’s sunny again. Now it’s cloudy, oh, I dunno, I think it might rain again. Yeah here’s the rain. And more rain. It’s starting to stop. No, wait, it’s still raining. Now it’s stopped. Go for your lunch. Ha ha, just messin’, here’s more rain! Aaaw, did you get very wet?!

Bastard.

I’m swearing all day. Don’t try and stop me, this week hasn’t stopped sucking ass yet. I’m either going to start screaming and throw my shoes at people’s heads, or just go on a bender. Maybe I’ll do both. Fucked if I know! But because you can now be fired for giving out about your job on a blog, I’m certainly not going to say anymore about that!

(insane laughter)

(photo courtesy of Mark - http://www.5thpercentile.com/archives/ViewUpRiver.jpg Thanking you!)

I done did it!

2006-05-02T11:42:00.000+01:00

I’ve just spent two weeks not drinking! For everyone that thought I couldn’t do it, in yisser collective faces! And for those that had faith, or those who didn’t care either way, I’d just like to say thanks. Mine’s a Budvar…

The travelling girlies have shipped off to South America, and thanks to that crazy international date line thing, they arrived there four hours before they left New Zealand! I was in Kildare for the weekend, but there was no time travel involved there, so I won’t talk much more about that.

Got my ticket for Canadia booked! I think! Waiting for the confirmation now. So, everyone in Canuckland, this is your warning!

Summer here kids?

2006-04-20T11:21:00.000+01:00

So, it’s almost like it could nearly be maybe heading towards the idea of summer here in Dublin. Those cherry blossoms that used to freak me out so much (cherry blossoms = exam time = near heart failure) are blowing around the place, I’m back wearing my inappropriate t-shirts in the office, I’ve a longing on me for some barbecue (ok, that happens all year). Something is afoot. I’ve been spending so much time going home and making sure everyone there is ok, I’ve reached overkill, I think, so this weekend I’m going to stay in town, hang out with some peeps that I haven’t seen in months (sorry everyone!), maybe get some pizza…

One of the spudders brought this to my attention last week, timely as it was with Easter and all that. For all your bakers out there, this will probably make you feel a bit sick, but for fans of the strange, it’s good eatin’!

http://shmivejournal.livejournal.com/125746.html

And conga-rats to Shano on the new job! Check out his blog over here to the right, he's our man in the Emerald City!

Talkin’ aboot the T dot O dot

2006-04-07T13:57:00.000+01:00

I’m just back from a very short trip to Toronto (the T dot O dot!), where I managed to fit in work, shopping, drinking and curling in three days. I also went up the CN Tower (above), caught a cold, met up with Amanda Hugankiss, and rrrolled up the rim to…lose. Heading back to Canadia in September with Hops, so it’ll be all of the above minus the work bit. Woo!

Lovely Girls Bum Touching

2006-03-16T12:44:00.000Z

It’s one of those two times every year when I throw caution to the wind and throw away my money on the horsies. So far the Cheltenham festival has not been kind to me, I got one winner on Tuesday, but at odds of 2/1, I’m not going to be buying that gold-plated Bentley any time soon. Yesterday was a complete bust, my first fella had a chance until his reins broke (sabotage, anyone?) and the other one came a close second. Not close enough! Anyway, bet on a few today, will of course bet on the big one tomorrow, and then I will be a good girl again. At least until Punchestown rolls around.

In other bad luck news, my crack squad of quiz kids failed to set the world alight last night, but we were glad all the same to support a very worthy cause in the form of the KAL Case (read all about it). We came out around mid-table in the end, but those questions were HARD! We also scooped up some lovely consolation prizes, courtesy of Herc’s quick thinking of an alternative explanation for the LGBT acronym (see title above). So, in conclusion, Yay Team!

For all who were asking, Sib 2 is doing well, still having tests, but we’re all relieved that it’s not what we feared it might be. That was probably the worst two weeks of my life, waiting for that news. So he’s quit smoking and is aiming for a full recovery, and a return to his acting career. He says hi to all wellwishers.

Ahoy Mateys!

2006-02-14T16:01:00.000Z

For any of you kids who were ever tempted to chance adventure on the high seas of music piracy, a caution from the good people at Modernhumorist.com...

This just in! NOTHING!

2006-02-07T12:33:00.000Z

Updates have been irregular, no? That’s because IT’S FEBRUARY AND NOTHING IS HAPPENING! At the moment, life is all work and not enough sleep, with some socialising in between, but probably not enough of that either. Apparently yesterday was National Sickie Day, for post-Christmas blues, burn-out and the seemingly distant summer all contribute to people needing a day off. Unfortunately I only found this out when I arrived at work and saw this on the internet. Doh.

The travelling girlies have settled in Christchurch, New Zealand, and report that even on the other side of the planet, there is also nothing going on. But that’s because their adventures are now taking a back seat to job-hunting (and knitting, apparently), I have no such excuse. They will be there for the next two months or so, then they go travelling through the rest of NZ, then on to South America. I’m still eaten up with jealousy, just to keep you updated.

In case anyone is wondering about recent developments re “that weird thing”, there have been none. You probably thought I’d have something interesting to report, but no…

COS IT’S FEBRUARY!!!

Now Hear This

2006-01-16T16:52:00.000Z

Went to see this band last Thursday night in Eamonn Doran’s. They surely did rock. Check ‘em.

www.audiofictionband.com

Yeah, I know, Eamonn Doran’s. I got plenty of flashbacks to the late ‘90’s… sadly the price of beer hasn’t stayed the same.

It's all Meme Me Me...

2006-01-04T10:55:00.000Z

As if I didn’t have enough to deal with, I got this from young Clicky sometime (I’ve lost of sense of time since I’ve spent days in bed and nights on the couch). So of course I have to put to one side the mountain of work that piled up over the holliers, and treat this with top priority. What is it then? Or to quote the Click Here-self, “what is the meme-ing of this?” (oh, very droll).

It appears to be the chain letter of the 21st century, except with blogs, and about 90% less annoyance. Here be the rules:

The first player of this game starts with the topic five weird habits of yourself, and people who get tagged need to write an entry about their five weird habits as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose the next five people to be tagged and link to their web journals. Don’t forget to leave a comment in their blog or journal that says You are tagged (assuming they take comments) and tell them to read yours.

Now, to find five faults with my perfect self, and five poor suckers to tag…

Weird-o

1. My shoes must be clean at all times. If I see any little scuff or bit of dirt, I must repair to the loo or someplace where soap, water and paper towels are plentiful, and get them fixed. Even if the rest of me looks like I’ve been living rough under a bridge or I’ve just run away from the circus, the footwear’s gotta be clean.

2. I hate writing with biros. Hate them hate them hate them. And then I break them.

3. I’ve set my mouse on my work PC to be a lefty, but the one at home to be a righty. Not sure what my brain was thinking, but that’s the way it’s gotta be.

4. “Comical” mispronunciation or elongation of certain words. I’m doing it more and more. “By the light of the silvery mooing”, “I’m not walking all the way home, I’ll catch a taxidermy instead”, “Hasta la pasta!” and so on. In my defence, this is all my father’s fault, and can therefore be excused for hereditary reasons.

5. It’s perfectly normal, but the common misconception is that a third of a regular-sized teaspoon of sugar is a weird amount to take in one’s tea. Also the precise nature of the amount is considered weird by many, and the way that I check that I have it just right (need to hold it up to eye level, aerial view is not accurate enough). This is not an admission of weirdness, just a nod to everyone who gets on my case about this. It’s noted, jerks.

And now the honour is passed on to Shano , D_C , Evenewra , Manas and Cadavre Exquis . Yes, you are all so very honoured…

Dear Santa. I’m great!

2005-12-19T15:16:00.000Z

Allie 1, Christmas Panic 0. Yes, that’s right, I have all my shopping done! With days to spare! And nobody forgotten! Hopefully! Now wait and see, everyone will open their presents and throw them back at my head in disgust. But I went out and spent money and scratched their ungrateful names off my scrunched up little list, and at the end of the day, isn’t that really what Christmas is all about?

In further developments of the hyper-organised and mucho-smug kind, I have asked a small gang of friends to call over to the casa tonight, that way I don’t have to run around meeting individuals for the rest of the week! And before you say “what a dickhead, who’d be friends with her?” let me just say that everyone thought this was a great idea! Except for the people who weren’t free, I have to catch up with their worthless asses later in the week. Cos it’s all about the festive cheer, see?

I’m outa work on Wednesday eve, and then it’s off I go to Sunny Kildare for the rest of Christmas. Might come back up to town if the family start to wreck my head or whatever, but officially it’s Christmas in the country. Chestnuts roasting and all that jazz…shuffling around the house in pyjamas for 10 days…aww yeah…

Happy Christmas Everyone!

December! Yow!

2005-12-01T12:21:00.000Z

Oh it’s been a while! Again! Excuse this time… actually, there is none. Work’s been busy, I’ve been home a lot, asleep a lot, full-time lazy ass. The weekend was spent recovering from the work Christmas party that we had last Friday night. Went to a Japanese karaoke restaurant (yes, that place on Exchequer Street), and despite everyone proclaiming that there was no way THEY would sing, we all filled ourselves with food and drink (booze was on the company dime – jugs of mojitos ahoy!) and bounced down the stairs to the karaoke booths. What ensued was… epic. Who knew we were so tuneful?! Let’s just say that a certain Canadian’s rendition of ‘U Can’t Touch This’ could be a definite contender for the Christmas #1 spot!

So this is a photo of my dessert. Yes, I was drunk, but sweet merciful Jesus it was good. Vanilla and raspberry crème brulée. Another Homer moment for me.

Tonight I’m going to see the latest Harry Potter feature with the Roomie, this weekend I have to go home again for the big Christmas dinner with the big extended family, and next week all the soirées and shindigs and get-togethers begin in earnest. I’m drinking my orange juice, knocking back the vitamins and supplements, and gearing up for festivities!

Ding Dong, the Sniffling's Gone!

2005-11-17T14:28:00.000Z

Recovered from the dose, but I seem to have passed it on to a few people at work, carrier monkey that I am. Oh well. I just pass on the same advice that my sympathetic brother gave me – Soak it up, Sicko!

The Too-Early-For-Christmas panic attacks only get worse now, and I’m not the only one who’s freaking out. While looking around the shops on Sunday afternoon, I was almost trampled on by a stampede of consumers, pushing at tills, grimacing like they’ve got hot coals in their undies, buying all around them. ‘Tis the Season to be awful, it would seem. I still regard this time of year as Autumn, in that if there isn’t frost on my nose when I wake up in the morning, then winter hasn’t really set in.

Mam called last night to pass on trouser size info (that’s what she told me to get Dad for Christmas), but only realised that she had failed to check the size after she had dialled my number. She threw the phone at Sib 2 so he could chat while she went to check out the trews. When she came back, my Dad had come into the hall, and stood beside her waiting to talk to me. She came back on the phone and in her best secret agent voice said “it’s 31 degrees in South Africa today, remember you asked me about that? 31.” I wasn’t exactly sure what she was talking about for a minute, but then finally copped on (I would be a pretty crappy agent). She left the phone to a very confused Dad, who probably now thinks someone’s bringing him to South Africa for Christmas.

Going to a cocktails and poker party tonight. Because I don’t have enough vices already.

Struck Down

2005-11-07T14:56:00.000Z

Sorry I haven’t written in a while, I was struck down (“in the primbe of libe!”) with a cold last week, so I was pretty busy moaning about that. Still not 100% better yet, but nobody cares, so I’ll quit complaining. Yeah right! My ears are blocked, so I can’t hear my whining, so I don’t care! Just back from Grafton St, where I’ve stocked up on decongestant, Vitamin C, Echinacea, and the rest, which will more than likely all cancel each other out. The vitamin and supplements shelves were almost empty, so either the nation is bracing itself for winter ills, or the nation will be giving (and receiving) nought but medicinal compounds in their stockings this Christmas.

Speaking of, all the gear for said season is starting to appear in the shops, although Brown Thomas have yet to reveal their big window display, crackers, port and plum pudding have been available in M&S for many weeks now. At the moment, I just find it faintly amusing, it’ll take a few more weeks before I become homicidal and filled with consumer rage.

In happier news, my iPod (now christened alPod) finally arrived last week. A little cushion to ease the pain of the last birthday. It’s lovely and shiny and thin and black, and as soon as I get my hearing back, I’ll be listening to all my favourite tunes. Rock on.

Wien

2005-10-28T15:00:00.000+01:00

MUMOK
Originally uploaded by Allie F.

Well I survived the trip to Vienna with the bro and parentals, just about. City breaks are almost never about relaxation, but I’m so completely wrecked after it, it’s unbelievable. We went on Friday, returned on Sunday, and walked our asses off in between. Highlights included the MUMOK (right), which is the modern art museum, and the Kunsthistoriches Museum, which is one of Europe’s major art museums. They had a special exhibit on while we visited, of tapestries by Goya, which was amazing, worth the admittance alone. Also Café Central, with 16 different types of coffee and a band playing non-stop waltzes, made us all feel very classy indeed.

Heading home this eve for the long weekend, and the long sleep. Tomorrow is the big day for the little man, it’s Baby Cathal’s christening. Got another visit from himself and his Ma on Monday afternoon, man he’s getting big. Like, really big for 3 months. He’s supposed to be having a couple of mush dinners and however many bottles he needs per day, but she can’t get enough of the mush into him, he loves it, knocks back five or six daily. I think he also eats bits of pummelled veg too, and I dunno what else, turducken maybe. The kid eats more than I do. Anyway, I got him a little winter coat, like pretty much every bit of baby apparel, it’s the cutest thing ever, and I will probably take a million more photographs of him. Bless.

South Park Me

2005-10-20T13:17:00.000+01:00

South Park Me
Originally uploaded by Allie F.

The kids at the Spud site found this, you can develop yourself into a South Park character. This is about the closest I could get, the specs probably need some work, but I'm happy enough! Check it out.

http://www.planearium2.de/flash/spstudio.html

Be thar or be squar

2005-10-18T15:21:00.000+01:00

Seeing as (once again) I won't be able to attend, I have pledged to spread the word about the above extravaganza, a great excuse to dress up, have fun, and of course, support a very worthy cause. So go!

Oy oy oy

2005-10-10T14:10:00.000+01:00

Ack, need to update this more often. The Autumn feeling about the place is making my brain think of hibernation, I reckon. Mmm, hibernation…. Wake me up for Christmas…

Sib 2 is recovering after being beaten up last Friday night, not too much damage done, thank God. A gash on the head, a fat lip, and a bruised ego, mainly. I’m not sure which is more disturbing, that this is happening pretty much every night on the streets of Dublin, or that a lot of the time, it happens for no reason at all. He wasn’t mugged, he didn’t provoke them, all they wanted to do was beat somebody up. Scumbags. And once again, my opinion of the Gardaí takes a plunge – two of them walked past him, saw the blood on his face, and turned away. Just add them to the list of cops that shrug their shoulders, steal evidence, intimidate people and take their number off their shoulder before they beat the crap out of someone in a holding cell. Modern Ireland, eh?

On a happier note, I turn one year older this week. Oh wait, that’s not happy, that’s more crap!

Look at this. Makes me think about each minute, instead of counting the years.

http://www.humanclock.com/clock.php

Update from our foreign correspondent

2005-09-28T15:18:00.000+01:00

Wish I was there...

Got photos from Emma this morning, confirming for everyone that Thailand is a breathtakingly beautiful country. Just looking at them gave me the itchy feet to go travelling again! I’m sure Ems won’t mind if I post one of them up here. Check out that blue sky! I’m looking out the window here in Dublin where the rain is pouring down, and I know where I’d rather be!

Hola Emilio!

2005-09-22T16:38:00.000+01:00

It's the 22nd of September! I almost forgot, but then I remembered, in time I hope (what time is it in Thailand now?!) A very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Miss Emma, hope you're having a wonderful day, that you're celebrating with the girlies, and that your rucksack isn't too heavy! Sending lots of love from here...

...to here! Somewhere!

Thailand

My new favourite way to waste time

2005-09-19T13:55:00.000+01:00

The Advertising Slogan Generator. Check it out.

http://www.thesurrealist.co.uk/slogan.cgi

Plop, Plop, Fizz Fizz, Oh, What an Allie it is!

Sky News in accurate reporting shocker!

2005-09-08T11:45:00.000+01:00

A Disaster

He sure is...

The highs and lows of this roller coaster we call life. Or whatever.

2005-09-05T15:28:00.000+01:00

Well, I'm back. Goddammit to mofo-ing hell, those two weeks sure did fly. I was down in Sunny Kildare for most of it, but ventured up now and again for the music. Pixies were completely amazing, but I knew that they would be. Scissor Sisters were pretty good, they didn't rock my socks off like before, but that's ok. Sleater-Kinney were SO GOOD, I was just blown away. For sure, the most fun you could have on a Tuesday night.

Other events included...

My cousin's daughter's 21st birthday. Since when am I so old?! And where are all these babies coming from?! Have you people no self control??!!

Maeve and Stephen's wedding last Friday, it all went off without a hitch, in that they actually did get hitched, and nobody bitched. Mr and Mrs Miley are currently honeymooning in Thailand, hopefully chillaxing after many months of wedding prep craziness. Huzzah!

Amanda (Mandolin!) finally got the hell out of here, Dublin being a bit of a nightmare for her. It couldn't have been the weather or the cost of living, so I'm going to take it very personally and assume it was US! Grrr!

Only messing, I think it was my dancing that made her run away in the end. And who could blame her?

The Three Miss-kateers (Emma, Nellie and Lin) head off around the world next Tuesday, so this week will be all about the sad farewells. They will be back in a year's time, which is far too long for me to wait, I will miss them tons. All I can say is, you kids better write! 'Cos if you don't...well...I'll come after you!

If any more people go away or make big life changes or just freak me out in general, I...well I...just don't know what I'll do. Complain, I suppose.

Counting down...

2005-08-18T09:58:00.000+01:00

Hot damn! Yee haw! Etc! Just one and a bit more days of work, and then it's sweet, sweet holiday time! Two weeks of chilin' out back home, down on Rancho Relaxo (as Kel calls it), and maybe a little bit of skipping around town. Over two weeks there will be three concerts (Pixies! Scissor Sisters! Sleater-Kinney!), a wedding, a 21st, and the christening of baby Cathal. And so much sleep, it's almost indecent! I love sleep! I know very few people that gain more pleasure from buying sheets and duvet covers and pillowcases than I. Mmm...pillow...

Yeah, it probably will be indecent.

Oh, and the soiree was a great success. In that nobody gatecrashed, nobody was injured, nobody was sick, but everybody got a little bit merry! And who knew that we could party until 4.30 am? Amazing! Even more astonishing was the fact that I wasn't absolutely dying the next day. Such an anomaly is most welcome!

Much ado about the do

2005-08-12T16:21:00.000+01:00

Do be do be do.

We're having a party in our place tonight. Well, technically a soiree. If it gets loud and fun, I suppose then it'll be a party. And maybe if the cops arrive, it'll become something else. And if we have gatecrashers, I get to knock some heads! So maybe I will have fun after all...

I've stocked up on the Nurofen and the Alka Seltzer and the paper towels. I'm such an aul wan. If I wasn't the one throwing this shindig, I probably wouldn't even be invited.

Happy, happy, happy...

2005-07-27T16:40:00.000+01:00

The parentals celebrated 30 years of wedded bliss yesterday (and yes, that's 30 years total!). Now traditionally, 30 years is marked as the Pearl Anniversary, so I was wondering, does their present have to be pearls, or pearl-related? So I hit the old in-tro-net, and discovered this heah. Traditional gift = pearls, Modern gift = DIAMONDS??!! Stupid modernity!

In the end we got them a barbecue (between the three of us). A gas one, not pearl-encrusted. Despite all their best hopes and ambitions, neither myself, Sib 1, nor Sib 2 are yet millionaires. But we sure do love that BBQ. The least we can do for our Traditional Irish Mammy is abstain from vegetarianism.

Buddy, can you spare a grand?

2005-07-22T11:18:00.000+01:00

There's too much month at the end of the money. So send me some!

Just messing. Unless you really want to. Then I support your decision 100%. Turns out that living in town is not the carefree financial jaunt I thought it would be, and as well as paying rent, there's food to buy, films to go see, gigs to attend, beer to drink, CDs to buy, and on and on. The list of necessities is mucho long-o. But I had no problem forking over the dollars to go see the film DiG! in the IFI last night. It's a documentary about the rivalry between two bands, The Dandy Warhols and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Lar the Drummer came along too, and he was impressed, so I tell all of thee, go see. And then form a band. And then start a fight with another band. Because there's nothing funnier than a rock n' roll bitchfest.

Advance Happy Birthday to Hoppy, who is away on her annual jaunt to Canadia tomorrow. Don’t come back without Twizzlers, Hops!

Ha ha, you think I’m just kidding? You should know better…

Holding Hands

2005-07-13T16:24:00.000+01:00

So small!

So baby Cathal came to visit me at home last Friday (his mom drove). I'll take it easy with all the baby talk and photos and whatnot, because I know it can be boring for some (??!!), so for the time being I'm just going to post this one, which I think kinda sums up the whole miracle of life thing without being too corny. Or have I just corned it all up?

Anyway, this is his itty bitty hand, holding on to mine. * sigh *

(normal ranting will resume soon)

New arrival

2005-07-05T10:31:00.000+01:00

Baby Cathal

Presenting Cathal James Nicholas Forde, my cousin Caithriona's newborn. He arrived last Friday, and should be heading home to sunny Kildare today. I have no other information about him yet, as I've yet to see him in person. All that Cate told me was that he was tiny but long, and very quiet, so she's not sure if he belongs to her (she's chatty!). I'll have more detail like weight, eye colour, etc, after I see him at the weekend. And probably about a million photos too.

Oh! Canada!

2005-07-01T10:10:00.000+01:00

Eh?!

Happy Canada Day! They're taking over!

But in a good way! Cam & cb just came back to the officina with a big box of Tim Horton's (Canadian) doughnuts, and man were they good. I had my private moment with a delish jam filled delight and a lovely cuppa cha. God bless Canada!

I see spots

2005-06-30T12:34:00.000+01:00

Ballooooooons

Thanks for the comment, D_C! You so craaazy!

Winding down...

2005-06-30T12:31:00.000+01:00

Well Pride 2005 was great! It hasn't actually taken me this long to recover (really), I've just been flat out at work. But I'm still buzzing after what was an absolutely amazing weekend. Observe!

Rainbow around Christchurch

As is tradition at this stage, I spent some time with F&E (bless 'em!) during the parade, and also the lovely Children of the Spud ("Queers have more fun, ILDO!!!"). Went to the Glória concert in the NCH on Saturday evening, which was wonderful, really inspirational. The only disappointment was the notable lack of Nyp this year, she was away fighting for justice with El Union. But I know that fuzzy blue tiara is resting up for next year's extravaganza!

Pride (in the name of Lurve)

2005-06-24T12:38:00.000+01:00

So this weekend approximately 0.07% of the population will attend the U2 gigs in Croke Park and, according to the vague statistics I work with, possibly up to one tenth of that same population of ours will be expressing their pride in some shape or form (with all shapes and forms) at Dublin Pride 2005, our

Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer COMMUNITY FESTIVAL!

I myself will be out and about with the best of them at the Parade, come rain (please don’t) or shine.

Photos to follow (recovery).

Happy Pride!

Lunding

2005-06-14T11:14:00.000+01:00

Circus

Well, London (or as Lar calls it, Lunding) was terrific! Hotel was about ten paces from Piccadilly Circus (above), so we were very central. We got to see loads of stuff, went to the Tate Modern on Saturday morn to check out the Frida Kahlo exhibition, it was amazing. Hit Oxford Street with a vengeance that afternoon, shopped all around us. Went to possibly the best Chinese restaurant ever, In Chinatown (of all places!) then met up with the wonderful Vicki and some other pals and went drinking in Soho for the rest of the night. Spent most of Sunday wobbling around the city, found a big Starbucks, got coffee, plonked ourselves down on those lovely big armchairs they have, and read the Sunday papers for a few hours like two grannies. It was great!

(Esca)Later!

2005-06-10T12:38:00.000+01:00

Heading on a little weekend away to London this eve, which will be my first holiday (sort of) in God knows how long. I'm not going to give out about the crummy exchange rate any more, not going to freak out about getting to the airport in time or worry about the Ryanair plane falling apart in the sky, or any of the usual nonsense. Just going to head over there, meet up with some peeps, have some beers (none of that feckin' bitter!), have some larfs, and maybe buy some shoes.

LONDON BABY!