Bloomsday may not be a major event on the holiday or event calendars for most people, but it’s an absolutely genius and deeply Irish day. I can’t think of a better idea than to take a date – in this case June 16th – and to turn it into a day long celebration, for a character from a work of fiction. Continue reading Blooming marvelous
Bloomsday: James Joyce Day, June 16th
I have a gig on Friday with a band. The fact that I am unable to play a musical instrument, and possess a singing voice that sounds like a bag of cats in a blender (a metaphorical blender – I love cats and would never knowingly cause a moment of distress to one of those classy creatures) is entirely irrelevant. My services were requested, so I graciously accepted. I have been asked to perform to honour the works of Mr. James Joyce. Continue reading Bloomsday: James Joyce Day, June 16th
Irrational rage caused by an identifiable reason
While I am well aware of this fact, it might be news to some naïve readers of this blog but I can be a deeply cynical person. Continue reading Irrational rage caused by an identifiable reason
Cult film time: ‘Heathers’
Looking back Looking back with longing for seemingly better times is a waste of time. Remembering the past with fondness is a positive thing, but the yearning to return to some mythical bygone time seems to be a pointless exercise. Hindsight has that awkward little habit of providing 20/20 vision. Continue reading Cult film time: ‘Heathers’
‘Suddenly last summer’ Elizabeth Taylor realised she was being used for EVIL!
Yesterday evening I went to the Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield. It is currently running a Katharine Hepburn film season, and is screening various highlights from her illustrious career. ‘Suddenly last summer’ from 1959 was last night’s film. Continue reading ‘Suddenly last summer’ Elizabeth Taylor realised she was being used for EVIL!
Vote early, vote often
To no-one’s surprise it is the general election in Britain today. There is some great disparity in the various pre-vote polls. Some place the Conservative Party up to ten percentage points ahead of Labour. YouGov on the other hand put the Tories a mere one point ahead of Labour. The Liberal Democrats and the Openly Racist Party (also known as UKIP) have seemingly vanished from existence. Continue reading Vote early, vote often
The twilight zone in the industrial wastelands
Slouched in my seat at work, with my shoulders hunched, my tongue lolling slightly from the side of my mouth, my eyes glazed with disinterest, I stared at my computer screen. Continue reading The twilight zone in the industrial wastelands
Weekend in Limerick
As I sat in the waiting area of Heuston Station for my train to Limerick, I heard a deep sigh to my right. Well, well, well. What was this? A visually appealing gentleman in his late twenties, with his arms crossed, huffing and puffing. I looked away. I’m not good with small talk. Especially when someone looks anxious. Continue reading Weekend in Limerick
A weekend planned in advance – chips from Donkey Ford’s
Later this afternoon I will travel to the homeland. To Limerick. Home place to Terry Wogan; Richard Harris; The Cranberries; Ruth Negga and Donkey Ford’s fish and chip shop. Incomprehensibly I have never partook of the deep fried goodness on offer in the latter location. Donkey Ford’s is a Limerick legend. A fast food emporium that has won national awards for its greasy goodness. Continue reading A weekend planned in advance – chips from Donkey Ford’s
Bookworm: ‘The thing about December’
Some months ago I started reading the book ‘The thing about December’ by Donal Ryan. I put it to one side after a few days. On my recent weekend in Lisbon it accompanied me. Continue reading Bookworm: ‘The thing about December’
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