Recently some people have expressed disappointment in the lack of updates on this page. It's nice to know you're reading but once a month will have to do for the moment, I'm afraid. I just can't be bothered with any more and there's only so many wry and witty observations that one person can make (unless that person is called Oscar Wilde)

 

Band Stuff

 

The new band, The Great Egress, is all consuming at the moment too, sapping large parts of my creative juices and making me a stranger in my own home at times. We played our first gig with 10 hours notice the other day. It went as well as could be expected. A few cock ups but nothing too serious. It could have gone spectacularly badly near the start the show due to beer spillage on the equipment. Guitarist Mick had chastised me earlier for placing a beer glass on top of my amp. (I won't tell you my Ozzy Osborne inspired response in case this page is visited by the swear police or my parents.) As the fates would have it, the beer that ended up all over the floor, cables and Mick's shoes wasn't mine. Mick had placed his full pint on top of the 'oh so much safer' flight case, then inadvertently wrapped a guitar lead round the whole lot. Luckily, the drinks were on the house that night.

 

So, first gig safely negotiated and at least two more confirmed for the next couple of months. We're in the process of recording a demo and at some stage you'll be able to hear it on the net. I'll keep you posted.

 

Cork 2005

 

The city of culture has finally got off its arse now that summer is here. Anyone moaning now about lack of events is just not paying attention or has some weird notion of what culture is. We've got large scale outdoor theatre, a marquee showcasing international acts like Brian Wilson, Al Green and Nick Cave as well as homegrown monsters of rock Brian McFadden and Ronan Keating!! If you have no idea who Brian McFadden is, consider yourself blessed. There's a Spiegeltent- some kind of Moulin Rouge style temporary edifice built of wood, mirrors, canvas, leaded glass and detailed velvet and brocade, hosting more local acts like John Spillane (cheers Susan). Plus Andrea Boccelli, loads of theatre, opera, art exhibitions a knitting map (don't ask) and lots more. Not to mention gigs by The Great Egress at various venues. Hell, even Opus II's got a fresh coat of paint. This weekend marks the 10th anniversary of the death of one of the city's most beloved sons, Rory Gallagher so there's lots going on for that. We sat and ate lunch yesterday while listening to a tribute band playing outside the Taste café on the other side of the river. Very pleasant.

 

Place Names

 

Sapphira visited us last week. So sorry everyone else, the tin whistle has gone - fortunately to someone with some talent and a 'devil may care' attitude to playing within earshot of flatmates. She was particularly taken with some of the place names around here, especially Ballylickey. So here's a beginner's guide to Irish place names.

Most places in Ireland are Anglicised versions of the original Gaelic so I imagine the conversation went something like:

Englishman: 'This looks like a nice town. What do you call it?'

Irishman: 'Corcaigh'

E: 'Pardon?'

I: 'Corcaigh'

E: 'How do you spell that?'

I: Sighs. 'C.O.R.C.A.I.G.H'

E: 'But that spells Corkayeg. How about we just call it Cork and be done with it? It's so much easier, you know.'

I: You Langer!

(Cork Slang 101: Langer roughly translates as wanker, though the literal translation is in fact Penis.)

 

So over a period of time, English settlers turned the Gaelic names into the quaint Oirish sounding names we know today: Dingle, Mayo, Letterfinish, Kilkenny (a favourite with South Park fans) and a whole host of Ballys including my favourite- Ballyconnelly.

Only in Ireland

 

Overheard on the radio the other day 'This commercial free bank holiday weekend was brought to you by Bulmers Original Cider.'

The same radio station went on to repeat this announcement through the afternoon while counting down the top albums of all time according to someone with too much time on their hands and a dodgy loyalty towards Britpop, concept albums, The Streets and U2. Yes, the Joshua Tree is a fine album, but better than Nevermind, OK Computer, London Calling and anything the Beatles did? Like I say, only in Ireland. Sadly, my beloved Manics album The Holy Bible didn't get a look in.

Still, next year it's bound to be 'The Great Egress, Live at some dodgy student pub in Cork'

 

Beach Hurling

 

We went to the beach today because it's summer over here and sometimes in summer you can go to the beach and not freeze. It was lovely. There was a strip of hard sand that would be perfect for beach cricket which we both commented on as we passed it. By the time we got back it had been taken over by people of assorted ages and genders with hurleys (think short scary hockey sticks) bashing balls to each other with gay abandon. Hitting the ball looks pretty straight forward. Picking it up without bending down would require some practice and where better to practise than on the beach on a lovely summer's day in Cork. Yay for summer.

Note to Americans(particularly ones called Paul): see what I did with practice/ practise? That's proper English. Here endeth the lesson.