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This is a fine book. Read it. Now.

Just pretending...

Lots.

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Plea for reverence

Dear Mass-going people,

I don't think I'm asking for much. When entering a church, attending Mass or otherwise, please turn off your mobile phone. I was at half-seven Mass this evening and I heard two phones with incoming calls with two silly ring tones.

If I have my phone with me, before I go into the church, I put it on "silent" and then I turn it off. I put it on silent just in case I've any alarms that could sound even if the phone is off.

I hope you agree that a certain amount of reverence is to be shown in a church, before the tabernacle. As it is a place of worship I wouldn't want to disturb others by having my phone start ringing. So, again, I ask, please turn off your phone before entering a church.

Yours sincerely,
Liam.

The Cock Tavern

The licenced premises at the address of 31, Main Street Swords, Co. Dublin, has became the regular local for us, to a certain extent. We used to go a little more when Dave wasn't as bogged down having to go to Rathmines and Chatham Row most days of the week.

But, we were there on Thursdays night after the St. Finian's annual awards night. Mr. O'Shea was given Student of the Year, the school's highest and most prestigious award. Apart from a stupid bit of paper for being a prefect and for being involved in the production of the yearbook, I, along with Mr. G. Scott and MS. Y. Rahman were awarded with "Positive Contribution" award. So, whatever, at least they recognised that we're deadly! Ha. A €10 voucher for the Pavillions S.C. came with it, so, fair play.

Anyway, we went Cock afterwards. 'Twas myself, Dave, Lee-Anne and Maria. So, good times, just having a laugh and all. Unfortunately, the two girls live in Donabate and had to catch the bus home early. I'm not by any means saying that it's unfortunate that they live in Donabate, there's nothing wrong with the area at all, in fact, it's lovely. I mean to say that it was unfortunate that they had to go. I just want to have that clear, in case someone would get offended.

So, the girls head off and we had asked Clark to come down, so we stuck around. A while before Clark arrived, a woman asked could she sit at the table where myself and Dave were. Ah yeah, sure. So, as things happen, we started yapping away and soon the fella arrives too from the bar. They hadn't been let into Wright's and had come down to the Cock. I can't remember their names, but she was from Raheny and he was from Blackrock. They're now living in Lusk with their little baby, Suzanna, or something like that. They were very nice and all that. Yer man bought a round of drinks for us, so fair dues and fair play is due to him. This grand couple seemed, to me, to be in their late 20s maybe, which leads nicely into the next paragraph.

Some folk don't appreciate the Cock. A certain Mr. X, upon the mention of the Cock, referred to its clientele as middle-aged men watching the football. Mr. Y commented that he only ever saw scumbags coming out of it and also passed comment on the elder customers. I don't care who else is in a pub when I'm there with mates. I'm there to my friends, not the other people, regardless of what age they are. I suppose I can understand if you want to go out on the pull, but if you're just out with friends, it doesn't matter.

The grub in the Cock is great too. There's deadly combo plates with chips and chicken wings/chicken goujons and there's some other choice too. The steaks are good too. Good and filling. You'll get a good pint more importantly.

The ways of referring to The Cock Tavern are numerous. So, ya pullin' a Cock? Cockin' up your beaver? Stallin' it Cock? That's only a few that have come to mind, but you can imagine what come out with, ya know, being smart people.

So, fair play to the Cock.

Identity & Belonging

At this particular point in history, I'm almost finished the module named "Identity & Belonging." Awh. On this very night, I finished the assessment, which I outlined quickly in my post College Things Going On.

I worked with Claire for the first part, picking a topic and writing the questionnaire. We had some good discussions. All respect to her, Claire wrote the questionnaire. I then forgot about it for a while. I wrote up the report of working as a team with some posh words scattered in it. I'm happy enough with that, as far as one can be. Again, I conveniently forgot about it for another while. I was beginning to feel bogged down on Saturday last (through all the fault of my own) with the interview and essay left. On Sunday afternoon, I sussed out my interviewee and planned to meet that evening. So, I got that out of the way. I then spent an hour transcribing half of the interview. I did the other half the following night, Monday. It's been said that a start, even a shit start, is a start and it's important to just get something down and get into the writing frame of mind. I gave the essay a good bash that night too, with that in mind. I indeed got started and did about half, however rubbish it seemed.

Tuesday came with little desire to stir from bed. But, I had class at 10am in HG03. Vera showed us a video about Amish kids and the choice they have to make, to join the church or not. Anyway (that was relevant because it was I&B class), afterwards, I went to the library and got a computer downstairs immediately. Fantastic. I did a little more of the essay, using Moodle and lecture slides and other things. I thought I'd try to do essay for CM107, but I concentrated on HSS100. I had intended to, at least, start reading for CM107, but the lads went off to the cafeteria for grub and how can one resist a break from back-breaking labour?

After the last lecture of the day, I ventured back to the library to do the intended reading. I wanted to stay an hour. I met Greg and Kerrie just inside the gate. So, I wasn't going to be rude and not stop to say hello and unintentionally talk for about half an hour. I did get upstairs and I did read about four pages of "A Sociology of Ireland." I had to bring it back then (I had it out on a 24 hour loan since Monday evening) and thankfully I found another copy. I took the other copy out tonight, not that I've used it, but I will tomorrow morning (if my planned early rise works) and after LC150 class in the afternoon.

That last paragraph was a deviant one with nothing to do with I&B. Later yesterday evening (for it is now Wednesday) I began working, slaving on the essay at hand. I changed some things around, adding stuff, taking stuff away. So, it's in a finished state at this time. but, I may delete a particular paragraph, of no more than forty words. It's a little skimpy. I added in headings as a last minute edit. I'm sure if I'll keep them; I think I will. Now, all that's to be done is to print the cover page thing and all my work and present it to Dr. Sheridan on Thursday, during class I presume.

Thursday will be the last HSS100 class ever. I've enjoyed the module. It was the core module and it worth ten credits, where everything else is worth five. Its broad range of issues and the many disciplines used to look at them has made it deadly. The guest lecturers and their lectures (on immigration, trade unionism and multicultural Spain) also gave a little variety and their studies were relevant and interesting. So, fair play to HSS100 and so say all of us, probably.

High aspirations

Ya know, I'd love to have something to type about right now...

Tendancy to get "mad ouv it"

What is it about us here in Ireland, in Britain too, and our love of the bottle? We're globally reknowned for the amount of alcohol we consume. I think we're forth in Europe for the amount we drink per head, or something like that.

A night out for the inhabitants of this island means getting sloshed, shit-faced, pissed, intoxicated, jarred, drunk, mad ouv it, inebriated, plastered, legless or wasted, depending on personal preference and/or dialect. I like sloshed, personally.

It's a concern. I was talking to a college colleage today about a possible night out for the class. The first thing I thought of was being drunk and how I'd get home, or in some shape or form, find a bed. I said something like, "just can't get too wasted, which is hard to do."

There's a humanities school Christmas party on in Temple Bar somewhere on Tuesday. It would be a miracle if there was one person there not sloshed with all the cheap drinks promotions going on. Now, I'm sure it'll be a great night if I get going, but I'm just making the point.

Is it inherent in us here to be drawn to the drink? Is it the culture? Is it to fit in? Or is it simply for the fun? I don't know. Just thinking around this subject. Good luck anyway.

Musical Musings

My title sounds very smart doesn't it? I like it. I have no proper musical knowledge, but I surely love it, and although I have a personal attitude to music (I'm not sure what I mean there, or, rather, I don't know how to phrase it, I know how I feel), I just want to babble on about CDs by various artists that I want to purchase.

Mundy is great. Recently I bought "Raining Down Arrows," and I really like it. It takes a second listen, but the true-to-life lyrics will hit you. His voice is easy to listen to too. I must say, I'd name "Carpound" and "By Her Side" as the album's highlights. So, I must get some more Mundy, and I know he was in TempleBar in September, but, maybe get to a gig.

Rory. One word describes what I indulge in daily. A quick "Fuel to the Fire" here and a "Let Me In" there. "Lost At Sea" and "At the Bottom," both from "Against the Grain," are beautifully melancholy and get a lot of air time in my room. It's Rory's darker songs that I like more. For example, "Lonesome Highway" and "A Million Miles Away" (although, I'd imagine, any Rory fan adores my latter example). I'm going to pick up "Defender" next. Released in 1987 (I think), he returns to the Blues apparently.

Sarah Jane Morris is an artist I had never heard of before I met Simone Lisino. He stayed here with us for a few days not too many years ago, maybe two or three, I can't remember, it's late. Well, anyway, he had a celebrated selection of CDs that he brought away with him. I burned the music from these gold-mine CDs onto the pc. I left most of them alone for quite a while, but thankfully, I've listened to most of them. Stevie Ray Vaughan (how I first heard him and Double Trouble) was among them, as was Sarah Jane Morris. So, maybe I'll try to pick up some more SJM too. This is beginning to sound like a shopping spree list.

Finally, I'll end finish with Harry. Unfortunately, most of Nilsson's records were commercial flops and are difficult to get in high street record shops, HMV and the like. I might go to Rhythm Records, or easier yet, amazon.co.uk.

So, I'll stop here and end my wishful thinking. It'll probably be a few years until I get around to actually buying these things, but that's ok too. Aspirations to widen one's tastes and all that.

College things going on

Things come hard and fast these days. Well, in reality, they've been moving reasonably slowly for ages, but now near end of semester, they speed up.

I had a presentation on globalisation last week for CM107, Intro to Social Studies. So that's 30% dealt with. Oh no, wait, I still have to do the report, and post it up on Moodle. Ooops. Must get on to Amy again. The main body of marks for CM107 is for the 3,000 word essay to be done in a group of three. I'm with Andy and Neil (sorry Claire!) so, that's the organisation done. I'm going to have to choose a topic and get back to the lads. Gulp.

For LC110, Language, Culture and International Communication, it's much the same format. A presentation is due in two weeks for 30%, and then an essay, that one does by oneself, is also due to gain that last 70pc. This will be considerably more difficult.

HSS1oo, Identity and Belonging, is almost half done, with thanks due to Claire. A topic relating to identity, a questionnaire on the topic, a report on working with the other person, an interview based on questionnaire, a transcription of interview and finally, an essay linking ideas given in interview to theory learned in lectures and reading. Phew, sin é, at last. I have the first and second parts covered, with part three started this very evening. But then I fecked off to Eddie Rockets with Clark.

LC150, Intro to the Study of Language, is nice, I think. We got an assignment few weeks ago, which went well. Another one came last week, due for this Thursday. It wasn't as bad as I thought at first. But that question six is a bitch. I think I cracked half of it though. Hopefully it'll go nicely too. Morphology was nice enough, or what we did was ok, syntax was more difficult, but bearable up to a point, when it got difficult. Then came a mix of syntax and semantics, which was bit tricky, an introduction to real semantics, that seemed interesting at first, but is just hard-ish.

LG116, Intro to Politics, is the module that I'm not particularly happy with. The lecture is long, can be boring, I was frequently lost during early lectures (and still am) and I haven't a clue what the essay titles will be. All this collective action stuff isn't registering with me, "or what have you." But, I'm reading through some of the chapters of that big expensive book that we had to buy, "Power & Choice." I was reading on the bus last week, in and out from campus.

HSS102, Information and Study Skills, is going well... I've only missed one of these classes, so I'm moderately proud. They are on of a Friday evening at three. Bad scheduling. I've been keeping my reflective journal, making entries reasonably regularly. I wrote in it yesterday about all of last week. The library test in week four was good, and I have done some ECDL parts, not much mind you, but three sections of module one shows that I'm interested, in my opinion.

So, that's the low-down on CCS1 assignments for me to this day. I should be shitting it big time, but I'm not, thankfully. Or maybe not. It's late at this stage, so goodnight, God bless.

The Story of Eddie Rockets

I started this in June of this year. I now presume, that at the time, I only meant it to be a little thing. Five months and 1,500+ words later, here it is. A memoir of the Eddie Rockets days.


Eddie Rockets (a.k.a. Eddie's & to a lesser extent Edwardo's; Dave called it that.) in general is cool. But in particular, I have a certain connection with the Swords outlet. Several things contribute to this feeling of closeness to the establishment.

I think I was first in Eddie's about four years ago. Either Dave Fitzgerald or Anna O'Sullivan brought me in for a shake and chicken wings. Can't quite remember. But I thought it was cool anyway. We (not sure who the other person was, more likely to be Anna) had a milkshake drinking race. It's a difficult thing. One has to drink fast enough to win but slow enough not to torture oneself with brain freeze. So, it was a tactical thing. Eat, take a sup, munch on chicken wing, take sup etc. You get the idea. After the three or four visits in a reasonably short amount of time with Mr. Fitzgerald and Ms. O'Sullivan, I didn't venture back until...

The Night of the Junior Certificate Results 2005

Yes, this gets a heading! This was the night, the night that started off lots and lots of other night in the same fashion, but with little differences. I'm not sure (about anything these days) how we came to the decision that we'd go to Eddie's. But somebody must have thought of it. Let's just say it was either myself or Bailey or Dave. But we went there anyway. It was pretty legend. Lotsa people came with us. From memory now, (which you know isn't great) Ross Clooney, Cian Bailey, Graham Scott, Finn, Dave O'Shea, Yombo Rahman, Dan Burke and me, Liam Maloney. 'Twas grand craic, we had a good laugh so we did altogether. We were all in two booths, or whatever they call them, in on the left as you go in the door. I can't remember what time we arrived, or I can't remember what time we left. But I do remember that we saw Ms. O'Gorman walking by the window. We waved and she came in and...well, I can't remember what she was saying, but it was something nice anyway.

So, that was the first time Eddie's was used as a gathering point. Over the coming year and a half it was to be used frequently (weekly) for three young lads, although occasionally, they were accompanied by a scattering of others.

As far as I remember, there was a brief period before the Eddie's period, when the three young lads started going to Pizza Hut in the Omni Shopping Centre on Friday evenings. Others were invited along and the origins of the idea were generally unknown by the invited ones, and called into question. They got it wrong, so the founding members discarded the whole thing. Out of this need for a meeting place, of an honourable degree, the three decided on Eddie Rockets as the new sacred place of assembly. I suppose, it was a hell of a lot closer too. That was probably the main reason. Also, not having a get a bus was also a factor. Anyway, the first part is more dramatic and can be made sound cool.

So, Eddie's became the new place that myself, Finn and Dave (I mean, the three gallant fellows) went on a Friday night. Again, I can't remember when we started going there, but the main thing is that we did. It was some stage in early fifth year though, I suppose. At one stage, we went there every Friday night, for God knows how long! 'Twas great. We'd go at about half nine at night, so that we could go down through Highfields. Then, we'd leave about half eleven or twelve, and walk up the Forrest Road. Good times, good times.

One of the great things about Eddie's was the doorman. Well, there are many doormen, but one guy in particular stood out as being "the sound doorman." He got to know us to see, well, we did go in every Friday for three or four consecutive weeks. So, at the start, we'd nod to him on the way in. But as the weeks and months went on, we'd give him an enthusiastic greeting or even a wave of sorts. Or even that little salute thing that I do all the time. Eventually, we got onto such good terms with him, that he started giving me handshakes and high-fives. Strangely enough, it was just me, to the best of my knowledge. Maybe it was just that I was the first one in the door most of the time, or maybe he just thought that I was cool and that the others were a bit shit. That's to be debated. After a certain time, we stopped going to Eddie's. It was a good while afterwards that we went back for a once-off thing. But, there he was, at the door, with his Bluetooth ear yolk in. He gave us a big smile, and said that he hadn't seen us for a while! Obviously he was just talking to me, because of one of the reasons mentioned above. Then on the way out, I had a real friendly handshake. So, all I can say is fair play to The Sound Doorman.

If there was one slightly eerie thing to be connected with Eddie's, it was the traffic lights. It started one night when just Dave and myself went down. Therefore, nobody else really got it. We never really explained it, so there's the real reason. So, now is the time. During the night, any time Dave looked out across the road, the traffic lights at the Lord Mayors were orange!! Or amber or whatever they are. So, this kept happening, he would just look up and the orange would catch his eye, he'd point outside, and, it'd be orange. So there you are folks, that's the story.

Finn's gone to Russia. Grammatically speaking, there's nothing wrong with this sentence. But, of course, Finn has never been to Russia. Well, I don't know what sort of dreams he has, but not physically. We were in Eddie's one evening, just myself and Dave. Finn was in the Millbank Theatre in Rush. One the waiters came over to take our order. He recognised us for obvious reasons. He's the guy who bleached his hair once, not to our approval, but that's none of our business, really. So, he noticed that there was only the two of us. He asked where my brother was, Finn as he thought. First we set him straight about the mistaken fraternal bond and then informed him that he was in Rush. "He's in Russia?" says he. I know it's not very funny, but it was an Eddie's moment and I'm sticking by it.

"Under-the-table-banging" somehow became a frequently preformed (and frequently sore) action in Eddie's. It's not that we banged under the table. It simply meant that we hit our knee off the underside table to create a thud. I have no idea where it started, or why, for that matter. Although I may have a little idea. It was funny and regularly executed for comic effect when speaking of certain matters.

Two sayings that originated inside the premises of Mr. Rockets are "you made my laugh" and "you whacked me off." The first was a mess-up of Mr. O'Shea, obviously meaning, you're making me laugh. The second is more complex, and I'll have to think back to the evening in question. I remember Mr. Cian Bailey was present among others, if memory serves me right. We were messing on the seats and I think I was slowly nudging Finn off the side and he came in contact with the side of the table or the edge of the seat (that occasionally had screws sticking out). So he starts, "you whacked me off...". The sentence hung there, unfinished. Then, Mr. Bailey begins the sniggering and we cop on. These phrases have no meaning, but are repeated every now and again, for the laugh.

Ronan (arrange the fadas how you wish, I'm not sure), a mate of Cian, joined us a few times. Good laugh, no doubts. One of us had fries (small, shit, expensive chips) and as customers of Eddie's know, there's a pepper sort of thing on the "fries." Ronan didn't quite understand what this strange substance was, and gave it name, "sprinkly stuff," accordingly. Ya know, de sprinkly stuff! Although we know what he meant, Finn turns to him and says, in a nice demeaning tone, "eh, salt." Only the guys will know what I mean on that one!

Eddie's has bred some great characters. One such character is the Protective Father. On a raunchy evening, we were sitting about, talking about bold things, with "penis" and such words flying around repeatedly. In the next set of seats sat a father with his two children, presumably. The poor chap was trying desperately to block out our foul talk with equally frequent loud questions to his kids such as "ARE YEZ ENJOYIN' THE CHIPS, KIDS??"

To conclude, I'd like to quote the Eddie's song.

We're goin' out tonight and you know we're gonna have some fun. Eddie Rockets!

Them and those were the days of the Leaving Cert Friday nights of Eddie's. They were surely fun. All we really ever consumed were malts, the occasional Fanta, and as for Dave, well, that's another story. He had veggie burgers every now and then, and even ordered those doritos yokes, even though he hated them and complained about the price. In fairness, prices are high, but not when all you're having is a malt of a Friday evening. So, fairwell to the days of folly in Eddie's, they will forever represent youth and stupidity to a certain extent. But they were good times. Nice one. This article is long over-due and hopefully it's accurate (lads, feel free to correct me on anything). Oíche mhaith dóibh.

Oh, my first published article!

I'm ever so proud! My article! Oh! Put in the Parish 25th anniversary book! I'm, I'm going to cry! Apparently it almost made someone tearful. It was, in a way, thrown together, on the date on the deadline. But, I think I pulled it off, whatever it is.


I have lived in Rivervalley my entire life, and I recognise nowhere else as home. I’ve gone to school here, I’ve made my friends here, I’ve played sports on the pitches and hall in Rivervalley and I’ve gotten on a countless number of buses coming through this area.

I remember the stage at which I wasn’t allowed to come home from school, Holy Family, by myself. I’d wait for one of my parents somewhere between the school gate and the church. I thought that was far. But that was my world, from school and back. As I’ve grown up I’ve watched new development after new development spring up around Rivervalley, and around Swords. Our community has spread at the speed of a virus, you could say.

We’ve heard that Swords is the fastest growing town in Western Europe , with an ever-growing population of approx 40,000. Yet, recently, I’ve read that Swords has fewer facilities than Waterford , a town of equal inhabitants.

Somehow, we’ve managed not to collapse as a community here. But we can see cracks, seemingly evident in education. Our schools are good schools, but demand is high and supply can’t cope. The queue across from the community centre every year proves this. I’d like to see an end to education troubles in our town and country.

St. Finian’s parish is 25 years old this year. The church there is, in my humble opinion, the nicest I’ve ever set foot in, and as long as I live, I hope it remains there for me to visit.
I’ve seen much change within the last few years in Rivervalley. The redevelopment of the Millennium (it’s lovely, so I hear), the appearance of Tesco and apartments in Ridgewood and the opening of the road through Boroimhe have all changed the area. Of course, there is much more going on that has enhanced Rivervalley, such as the planned soccer pitches near Rathingle.
All I can hope is that Rivervalley continues its development in a safe manner, with the right resources being given to its residents.

Update anyone? (talking about college, words, Rory & Incubus)

Just what it says on the tin, updates of goings-on. Compound plural there, to the best of my knowledge, fair play. Spot the mistake: "BEST MENS WEAR." Anyway, what's been going on, ey?

It's now week four, coming to the end of week four in college. Things are surely happening around the place. I got my first assignment today from CM105, intro to study of language, a.k.a. linguistics. It's a whole 25% of overall marks. It's on morphology and things of the like. One part is an extract from "A Clockwork Orange," which I recognised as the opening paragraph because of my many half contemplations of buying the book. I still haven't bought it and probably never will. The film will do me fine. Anyway, all the makey-uppy words in it have to be put into its proper category or part of speech, with a reason why. Sounds weird, yeah. This is a that because that is preceeded by a thing. That's the sort of answer that 's needed. Should be ok.

While I was reading the morphology chapter of the textbook earlier this evening, I came across something of (mild) interest. The word "unlockable" has two meanings.

Take the root of the word, the verb, "lock." Add the suffice -able, to form adjective, lockable (able to be locked). Add prefix un- to form adjective unlockable (not able to be locked).

Take the root, the verb, "lock." Add prefix un- to form verb unlock. Add the suffix -able, to form the adjective unlockable (able to be unlocked).

Isn't this amazing? Depending on what way you structure the morphemes in the word, the word takes on two meanings. Fantastic.

I'm sitting here listening to Rory Gallagher. I had a Rory evening earlier before I started reading, and now I return. I bought two Rory CDs recently. I bought "Against The Grain" and his debut solo album, "Rory Gallagher." Not too long ago, I also picked up "Wheels Within Wheels" too. So, having a real Rory stage at the moment, justifiably.

I've been entering thoughts into my reflective journal. What a notion! For HSS102, information and study skills, we have to keep a reflective journal of our learning across our whole programme. I thought it's be rightly shit, but I've gotten used to just writing about the lectures and seminars I go to and whether they're interesting, or what have you, as Alex would say. Vera says "visit" it twice a week. This evening I made my third entry for this week. I think I'm doing well. I better fuckin' pass that module (even though there's no credits for it!).

Oh yeah, it was a while ago, but Incubus were here in fair Dublin on the fifth of this month in the National Stadium. Lorna and I went out (all by ourselves) on the 16 and found it, independent of any grown-up, well, apart from the fella on the bus that we asked. But the concert was legend altogether. Good mixture of songs from many albums. We got "Favo(u)ite Things" from "SCIENCE," "Drive" from "Make Yourself," "Circles" from "Morning View," "Sick Sad Little World" from "A Crow Left of the Murder" and "Anna Molly" from "Light Grenades." There was obviously more songs on the set list than these few, but you see the point I'm making. Good night overall, had pint or two in ringside bar. Good buzz around stadium, with everyone's voice being absorbed into the coalescent voice of the crowd.

Nice one, I think that'll do for now. I'll do this again...soon...when I feel like it, righ'?! Yeah.

This is where I am, politically, apparently.

You are a Social Liberal (60% permissive) and an... Economic Liberal (28% permissive) You are best described as a: Democrat (28e/60s) Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid Also: The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

Give it a go yourself.

Isn't DCU bleedin' deadly!?

I'm there, what, four days, and I'll liking it, surely. The college that has it all, the campus with all your need, under the tree at Spar, yes, there's a Spar on campus.

Although at this present moment, I don't know my timetable yet, it's all good and that is because DCU is deadly. I'll have to check my student portal page for it tomorrow. It's an Electronic University shall we say? They advise students to check their DCU e-mail at least daily! How more frequently do they want, hourly? Oh well, it's all part of student life! Ha.

DCU is full of deadly places to go. The Nu-bar is pretty cool, I was in it last night for the "Dis-Orientation Ball." It got real packed after a while. Unfortunately the bar had no Guinness. If you know me, you'll know that I drink Guinness. The bastards. There was two taps, but no sweet Guinness! This is the second time this has happened to me in a week, a bar with no Guinness! What's the world coming to!? Anyway, I had a pint o' Smithwick's first, then some Heineken. Smithwick's is Ireland best selling ale, apparently. It's got a rich taste, maybe a bit too rich for me. Heineken is nicer after the Killkenny ale, but in the end, it's still Heino.

Sorry, this is meant to be about Dublin City University, not about different booze. I haven't been in yet, but the Inter-Faith Centre sounds cool too. You can go in and make yourself some tea/coffee and relax or chat to anybody. There's a piano there too if you want to lay down some tinkling jazz, or whatever, ya know the way. Good meeting place so they say.

There's about 40million clubs and societies in DCU too. Or maybe there only 90, but that's enough, I think. Every student will be shot at from every angle with flyers and people trying ot recruit new members for their respective club/soc next week or some time in week two of semester. I'll probably join a few societies. There's a Home & Away club, not that I like it, just thought it's interesting to note. I think everyone how has talked to us has said to join something. So, it seems that it's mildly important to do so. They STRONGLY advise it. Good way to meet folks and make mates and the like.

So, roll on week one and another as being a student. I might even get one of those hoodies with DCU on them.

The Second Contract

During the moment of magic, half the pint , at least, must be consumed by the undersigned.

Liam ÓMhaoldomhnaigh

Clark Griffin

8/9/'07

Glendalough

Long Dubai Weekend

Running Jokes
-The Safety Deposit
-Tom & Margaret (puke)

Misc. Stuff

-Vulgarity
-Guinness Glasses
-Clark's Bed
-Soon Fatt (Bray)
-Michelle's Favourite Graveyard
-Dublinese X-Men
-English Stain
-Harry Nilsson
-Cow Pissing
-Sheep
-Biscuits
-The Moment(s) of Magic
-Gar Drinking the Fly
-Clark Drinking the Dregs
-Senakot
-Photos
-Headless Joe
-Fat Bottomed Woman
-Throwing Stones At Flowers
-The Lads Falling Down the Mountain
-Nice Soup
-Clarkey Boy's Cooking
-Euh, Don't Rub My Back!
-Clark Falling in the River
-The Contract
-Stained Beds
-Gar switching beds
-Sleeping During the Day
-"Angel" the Waitress
-Kicking the Walls
-Powerwanking
-Gar & Clark walking 28km
-Cheese&Onion VS. Salt&Vinegar
-Hostel staff woman-scowl
-Going Graveyard Late
-The Bus
-Walking in the Dark
-The Bar

Decree of Goodliness

We, the undersigned, declare that Glendalough is legend. The craic was had by all.
L. Maloney D. O' Shea
Lorna Christie Garreth Quinn
Clark Griffin

The Contract

LEGAL CONTRACT
If one of the undersigned pukes, the other(s) must also puke.
L. Maloney Clark Griffin
D. O'Shea Garreth Quinn
Lorna Christie III

"...So fuck you!"

I've recently uncovered a remarkable artist. Unfortunately, I was a bit late, since he's been dead since 1995. But, he left a wealth of recording behind him for me to enjoy. He went by the name of Harry Nilsson. The first time a heard Nilsson was in an old friend's house. His Da had the "Resevoir Dogs" soundtrack. As you may know, his song "Coconut," a novelty calypso, is played during the end credits. It's a funny song and I liked it.

Years later, I purchased that same sountrack and had the song myself. I thought nothing of it for another few years. But a few weeks, Lorna and I were talking and she reminded me of the song and I played it. That night I had a look on YouTube to see if I could find a video for the song and possibly more Harry. I found what I was looking for, and more. There's a video for "Coconut" and when I first watched a solo acoustic BBC performance of "1941," I knew I had to look for more Harry.


~

"Well the years were passing quickly
But not fast enough for him
So he close his eyes through '55
And he opened them up again."

Unfortunately, HMV only had one Harry CD "The best of Harry Nilsson." But, it doesn't have "1941," so, when buying R. Wainwright CDs for a certain person, I got "Nilsson Greatest Hits" for myself.

Asked the name their favo(u)rite American musician at a Beatles press conference, John Lennon and Paul McCartney answered "Nilsson." It is easy to see why they were so impressed. Nilsson's three-and-a-half octave voice, catchy melodies, witty lyrics, and baroque arrangements, branded him as one of the most exciting new talents of the late 60s. Nilsson was equally well-versed as a songwriter and a sensitive interpreter of the other people's material.

That's the blurb on the back of "Nilsson Greatest Hits." Sounds great doesn't it? Surely promising anyway. To my delight, "1941" was the first track. It's the studio version with string arrangments and the like. It's also faster paced than the solo version I heard first, but it's still absolutely wonderful. Pianist/guitarist and talented singer, Harry's music spans over as many genres as you care to think of. As far as I know, most is put under general pop. But, "Jump Into the Fire" dived among rock anthems, for example. Another song, "Joy," sounds very country. The vocals are quite J. Cash, and the slide guitar finishes the yee-hah sort of tone.

The people that knew and loved him describe Harry as "reclusive," "gregarious," "shy and diffident," "wild," "endlessly fun," "innocent," "a complete lunatic," and "a pussycat."

At first, I could kinda divide the songs on the greatest hits album into two categories. One being depressing ("1941," "Without Her," "One," "Without You," "Don't Forget Me") and the other being not depressing sounding, but still depressing ("Cuddly Toy," "The Puppy Song," "Good Old Desk").

Two Nilsson songs played a big part in our recent trip to Glendalough, and also featured in another night down the Cock Tavern. These song are "The Puppy Song" and "You're Breakin' My Heart." The latter is the best example of Nilsson's tendancy to use scatological lyrics in the most genius places.

"You're breakin' my heart, you're tearing it apart, so fuck you!"

"The Puppy Song," which fits into the not depressing sounding, but still depressing category, displays the singers wish to have a puppy as a companion. Sounds harmless enough.

"Dreams are nothing more than wishes,
And a wish is just a dream, you wish to come true"

But the above line makes you realise that the desire is really for a friend and not just for a cuddly dog. "Good Old Desk" has the same connotations. His best friend, his favourite guest, his desk, seems to be his only riend. Harry once answered that the acronym GOD showed the true meaning of the song. But, he later declared that he was bullshitting. But just going on the words, it seems a recluse has lost sight of reality and has found comfort in seemingly happy words and cheerfully-toned music, and of course, the reliability of his "Good Old Desk."

The blurb talks about Nilsson's "catchy melodies." I must say that this is true. Examples of this: "Daybreak," "Spaceman," "1941," "The Puppy Song," (explains why we sang it so much) "You're Breakin' My Heart" etc. etc.

Harry was good friends with the Beatles, and as I've already said, they liked his music. It is possible that he was better friends with John Lennon because of their lost weekend of shananigans. Lennon also produced Nilsson's album "Pussy Cats." But Ringo Starr was also a mate, and together, they starred in a 1974 musical comedy, "Son of Dracula."



So, if you wish you could call this my review of Mr. H. Nilsson. I have surely enjoyed listening to all the songs that I have at present. I'm not sure if I have a favourite song yet. Could be "Good Old Desk." I love all his yadda-di-di yadda-da-da-dum stuff, especially in "Good Old Desk" and "1941." If you'd like to hear some good music, pick up a Nilsson CD. Smile now! CLICK. There y'are now. Enjoy.

The Cats Turn Out Trumps Again At Croke Park

The first Sunday of September, the day hurling fans and two panels of hurlers wait for, came today. The venue was Croke Park and the weather was dismal, misty, then sunny, and then rainy. All the excitement of All-Ireland day and all the weather of all the seasons.

So, I'm sure you know at this stage, the Liam McCarthy cup is going back to Killkenny for the thirtieth time and for the second year running. I was recently in Killkenny town and I am now imagining those narrow streets absolutley exploding with people wanting to catch a glimpse of Henry Shefflin or Eddie Brennan.

The Cats overcame the poor Shannonsiders. Awh! What can a Dub like me do? Well, we can wait and watch the football.

Time does tend to roll on doesn't it?

The so-called Summer is officially over and it's now Autumn. Next thing you'll see is red and yellow leaves. Maybe some rain too, but that's no suprise at this stage. Was it 50+ days of consistent rain at one stage? I think so. As the papers liked to point out, Noah and Co. had less precipitation than that.

And now the news. I have a nice new phone! The Nokia 5300. It's nifty and cool, if I may say so. Got the radio, mp3 and camera sorta stuff (as standard) and other things I'll never use, like, the internet.

I had a crazy outa-da-blue rash thing from Thursday through the weekend, bank holiday weekend may I add. It was either a late reaction to Italian mosquito bites, new insect bites from the area around polluted Jacko or Guinness. Now, you can imagine what I don't want to blame. But it was scary anyway. But, don't fret, I'm no longer infected. Phew sez you.

I'm still an employee of SDCU somehow. They're a nice bunch and haven't (yet) come to the conclusion that I'm too shit to work for them. I've been behind the counter dealing directly with the good members. It's been nightmarish at times and rarely nice. But I'm alive and still employed. I'm off for a few days now, thanks be to God.

Now, some truths that don't take people long to learn as we grow up.
1. Women are harder workers than men. (And are probably better, just in general)
2. Having cool gadgets isn't all that important.
3. There are seven days in a week for a good reason.
4.Things are too expensive.
5. If you drink too much, you'll puke.
That is all.

I'm now off to get the bus. I've also got a paper to read. So, now that you've poked around my brain, I must leave, immediately. You are the weakest link...goodbye.