Another post from my lunch-break at work. As it is early January, nothing of any interest is happening. I therefore have nothing remotely interesting to blog about. The mornings are dark and grim. The bus journey to my workplace in the seventh circle of hell is unremittingly dank. As it is the start of a new year, the tasks I have to perform are uninspiring and rather sparse on the ground – it will presumably revive towards the end of the month. Continue reading Tempted
Right behind Centraal Station in Amsterdam – at the north of the station – lies Het IJ. This is a body of water than makes up Amsterdam’s waterfront. Because of the centuries old Dutch tradition of reclaiming land and manipulating water supply I am not sure whether Het IJ is a lake or a river. Or whether in fact these days it can be regarded as an artificial body of water. It separates the north of the city from the south. One manner of getting between the two sides of the city is via a free ferry crossing. Continue reading Crossing
I was talking to someone over the holidays, who mentioned that he sometimes read my blog, and that he found it funny. While I kelp a straight face, on the inside I involuntarily preened. Tell me more. Continue reading A cultural Monday
I’m not one for new year’s resolutions. They seem like a recipe for failure. If you want to get fit, or lose weight or quit smoking then an arbitrary date – January 1st – isn’t going to inspire you to be successful. Especially not in the cold heart of winter. If you’re going to pick a random date on which to change your life, then summertime may be a wiser option. Wouldn’t a July 17th resolution be more tolerable. Continue reading New year’s day walk with Celine Dion
I watch the concert schedules to be aware of upcoming gigs. Not for the massive concerts that are advertised all over the press, and get mentioned on the news, when the dates are announced. More to keep an eye on the gigs in the smaller venues. You get to see a lot of fantastic acts this way. Amsterdam was great for these kind of shows- acts which are huge in Ireland or Britain tend to get famous later in Holland, thus their early live performances tend to be in a more intimate venue than they might play at home- the most obvious example being when I saw Coldplay in the Melkweg way back in the mists of time – it’s a theatre with less than one thousand seats.
Continue reading 1 of me, with 2 of The 4 of Us
The approach of 2017 is inexorable. In three short days we’ll at the start of a brand new year. Being in the northern hemisphere means that I’ll be welcoming the new cycle of the earth around the sun, at the darkest and coldest time. That’s an accident of geography though- no point in splitting hairs about that . Continue reading RIP 2016
It’s Christmastime; there’s no need to be afraid. At Christmastime, we let in light and we banish shade. And in our world of plenty, we can spread a smile of joy.
And have an evening out in Limerick.
Continue reading Tuesday night in Limerick
CHRISTMAS DAY 2016
And just like that he was gone.
I wrote the piece in the link below, a fortnight ago, about my evening at the George Michael impersonator’s cabaret. Very sad to read the news that he died on Christmas Day. He represented my childhood to me – Wham was the first pop group of whom I was a massive fan. I liked them both, but I always preferred George to Andrew. And the crush I had on him, was probably the first major crush of my life. And still one of the greatest. Little Murphy from Limerick, swooning over the Ladies’ Man from Wham!
An innocent time.
RIP George. You have been loved.
Source: A tribute to George Michael
After my railway trek to Limerick, with the boneless turkey (whose name is Bob) I arrived home, where I started eating chocolate biscuits. These are delicacies which I do not partake of during normal time. However as I was home, and hungry, it was justifiable. Continue reading Hollywood – Limerick style
It’s all very jolly at work today. There’s a party atmosphere. Nobody seems to be too motivated to actually do anything.
Continue reading Laden down with meat
