Tim Horton's In Ireland! (and Ireland trip)....

Currently listening to: "Trouble" Ray LaMontagne


Last Saturday Joanne, Shiny, Raj and I wen't on a "lets get lost in Ireland" adventure, which ended up in Westport. As the name may suggest, its a port on the West of Ireland.

We were having this day out to jointly celebrate Sarah's 18th birthday and also spend some time with her before she headed off to OZ.

The day was a wild amount of fun and frolicking, we did get extensively lost in Co.Sligo thanks to Microsoft "so called" route finder, (if that is your real name), but we stopped and asked directions off and englishman, who was only too pleased and amused at being able to direct us back to the right path.

He didn't however give us good directions, so we headed for sligo and then on down the N4/N5 to the port.

Here is a map of the journey, as is should have been:

I got overly excited to find canadian coffee store Tim Horton's had appeared in a Shell/Spar filling station on the main road to Westport.

The thing is that Canadian coffee is not that strong, and can be a little bland, but that isn't the point, it has attached memories of going to Canada with Dave Allen and Elia Montgomery.. . . also they do great pastries / donuts / timbits.

Aparently Tim horton's are planning to populate Irish Shell/Spar filling stations with branches, and there is a proper fully functioning coffee shop already open at Dublin Zoo.

The Canadians are on the attack. Bring it on.

Also, when we got to Westport we went into a pub and watched the England world cup dreams being dashed. There was no finer place to do that than an Irish Pub!

Go Oilers!

I'm currently (at time of posting) watching the Ice Hockey "Stanley Cup". Edminton Oilers v Carolina Hurricanes.

Its the 2nd period, Carolina 2 Oilers 3.

I hope the oilers can keep it up. (too many random penalties)

=====
addition (later on):

3-3 its overtime!

=====

Ok so they lost. Dang.

Currently listening to:
"The Hockey Song"
Stompin' Tom Connors
Boot Records

The mighty bumblewasp.....

He's half man, half biscuit, half wasp. He has a cane, a hat, a moustache and a face on him like a battenburg.

We're in the Urban Dictionary!

See here.

Currently listening to:
"Come Back"
Pearl jam
Pearl Jam

Hararya James Donnelly....and you're cake

BOB brought some cake into work today.

The occasion was his son James being Christened at the weekend.

SEE PICS

Its that time of the summer again....

This is as dark as it's gonna get for a while.


(pic taken after midnight on a phone camera, the sky was/is actually much brighter, but you get the idea :)

Currently listening to:
"Here Comes the Sun"
The Beatles

The days are just packed......

What else is there to do on an incredibly hot day?

Let the Fellowes' brothers demonstrate:

Whaterboutyou?

Currently listening to:
"Father and daughter"
Paul Simon
Surprise

Its been a while, again since my last post. This is due to not having much to say.

So, recently I've had at least 2 dreams where I have been sentenced to death. Both times I've been a bit blase about the situation until I reached the business end of a noose or ak47 respectively.

In the first dream I was to be hung. Can't really remember what the crime was, don't think it was anything that sinister, but I just agreed to go along with the proceedings. There were two large rooms. One was an auditorium which looked like it sat several thousand, the other room (next door) was a party. I was in the party room, having a few drinks and snacks with all my friends and family.

Several characters, like Elia Montgomery, were coming over and saying things like "don't you think you should at least try to escape? Do you really not think this is all a bit unfair?" I just laughed and carried on.

Slowly everyone filed into the next room, and took their seats. This was the room where the execution was to take place.

Finally the police left the party room to get ready for the main event, my hanging, when I suddenly realized. O holy crap, they're gonna hang me! And for what?

I took a good look around, no one was left in the room so I legged it. (and then woke up).

The next dream was just bizarre. We found out that my grandad, who died in the late 80's was actually alive, or at least he had just died. He had run off to the air force to become a pilot, and had been serving in Iraq.

My brother Andy, who tends to travel a lot, had got himself into trouble with some terrorists and my grandad had found out. He had been monitoring us constantly since his untimely departure. Grandad had gone awol with a fighterjet to save the day.

unfortunately Grandad had been shot down and killed by our own airforce for desertion, over the desert.

Andy had been released by his captors, he was on his way home, and everyone was round our's paying their respect to my war-hero-but-got-shot-down-for-desertion granda.

Here's where the story really starts. I was being put on trial for granda's war crimes. Apparently shooting him down wasn't good enough for the UN. One of his descendants had to stand trial for their satisfaction.

The ceremony was very short. I was pretty much sentenced to be shot by firing squad right away. The catch is that I was lined up with lots of proper criminals against a wall out in the desert. Between me and the firing squad, who were all blindfolded, were several large pillars of natural rock formation.

The system was as follows. The firing squad shot at the general direction of us nasty criminal types, but because they can't see and are therefore not aiming, it was a case of God's will who gets a bullet. This made perfect sense to the UN who sanctioned this type of selective execution.

I was ushered to the left hand side of the wall by the civil servant arranging the crooks. He whispered in my ear "You'll be ok over here, we know this is all a bit silly and you aren't really guilty of anything, just duck a little!"

Sure enough the firing squad were given the order and shot. I looked to my right and heard the "zip-zip-zip-zip" of bullets entering flesh.

I seemed to be the only one not bleeding so I was freed.

I haven't had an execution dream in over a week now. I'm bored now.

BBC to sell radio 1 and 2....!?

Currently listening to: "We Shall Overcome" - Bruce springsteen (We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions)

Aparently BBC radio 1 and 2 are too popular and should be sold off to become commercial radio stations to give local commercial radio a chance.

Read all about it here.

I was so annoyed i went to the have your say section of BBC news and joined countless numbers of people expressing their dismay.

I wrote (and yeah, i know it might not be all good grammar, but hey!)

I cannot find a word to stress the extreme sadness that I would feel if BBC radio 2 were to stop being what it has become.

Radio 2 is the source of such rich music, stimulating documentaries and wonderful live events. DJ's like Bob Harris, unashamedly playing good music regardless of genre. Surely a privatised station would not hold these things to be so relivant?

There is a reason commercial radio is in the state it is, bland pop music, magazine style journalism and no substance.

Radio 2, for me and many others, is the independant thinking solution to an otherwise bland world of local radio.

Matt McIvor, Belfast

"Dog" the oldest mullet man in town....

Now, I like a mullet as much as the next man, but this guy takes the biscuit.

He's a bounty hunter called "Dog". His show is on bravo every once in a while.

If you are feeling down, look for his programme, I laughed all the way through.

He is a solid rocker. He takes himself extremely seriously. He may be powered exclusively by hard rock and an American idiot standard issue, honest to God sense of doing the right thing.

In short, he's livin the dream of having long bleach blonde hair (covering his bald spot), packing a peice, wearing a pair of dodgy sunglasses and upholding "truth, justice and the american way!"

RAWK!

Currently listening to: "Jacob's Ladder" - Bruce springsteen (We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions)

Karting

Currently listening to: "Unemployable" by Pearl Jam - album: "Pearl Jam"

Steria had its annual Karting challenge last week. It was a tough old grand prix.

It took all 9 years of driving like an idiot, and 9 penalty points, but it was not all in vain.

I kicked ass. Click here for the pictures.

(i look pregnant! - i'm not actually that fat, its just the 3 layers i was wearin' !)

New Music

Currently listening to "Marker In The Sand" - Pearl Jam (album: "Pearl Jam")

I recently bought Pearl Jam's album "Pearl Jam", I haven't received the disc yet, but they let me download it from the site, which was nice of them.

When i've listened more i'll try reviewing it, a thing i'm scared to do cuse I know i'm no Ross Thompson.

Humor test

the Wit (61% dark, 34% spontaneous, 10% vulgar)

your humor style: CLEAN | COMPLEX | DARK You like things edgy, subtle, and smart. I guess that means you're probably an intellectual, but don't take that to mean pretentious. You realize 'dumb' can be witty--after all isn't that the Simpsons' philosophy?--but rudeness for its own sake, 'gross-out' humor and most other things found in a fraternity leave you totally flat. I guess you just have a more cerebral approach than most. You have the perfect mindset for a joke writer or staff writer. Your sense of humor takes the most thought to appreciate, but it's also the best, in my opinion. You probably loved the Office. If you don't know what I'm talking about, check it out here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/theoffice/. PEOPLE LIKE YOU: Jon Stewart - Woody Allen - Ricky Gervais The 3-Variable Funny Test! - it rules - If you're interested, try my best friend's best test: The Genghis Khan Genetic Fitness Masterpiece

My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 72% on darkness You scored higher than 21% on spontaneity You scored higher than 1% on vulgarity

Link: The 3 Variable Funny Test written by jason_bateman on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

playoff fever...

Currently listening to: Xavier Rudd - Messages

The other weekend we joined about 10,500 people at the National Ice Centre in Nottingham for the elite league's playoff final weekend.

Jo, Raj and I headed over on Friday so that we'd not miss any of the games, the first one was 3pm on Saturday and the hotel rooms are never ready for us to check into on time.

We checked out the shops on Friday, and didn't do much but drink coffee and eat burgers!

Later on shiny Sarah, Bill, Lu and the rest arrived. We had some very nice pizza from Amigos, a few drinks in the Pit and Pendulum laced with Nigel's legendary Berry juice and then we were off to bed.
"The Pit" is a fantastically gothic little establishment near the city centre of Nottingham. They had an interesting addition to their washrooms this year, a singing guy dispensing soap and singing songs that he made up like "freshen up, freshen up" and "hygiene is top banana". It was true class, you just slip him a quid or so and he sprays your hands with some spray soap then offers you some kitchen roll followed by a choice of aftershave. The guy sang some more explicit songs, but I ain't posting them for all to see!

Saturday we got up and went to get our usual feed in Squares, (a nice sports bar in the city centre). Shiny Sarah had no ID and so we couldn’t get in to buy lunch. Thing was we were a clear hour and a bit early to buy alcohol so I don’t see what the problem was. We headed off down to the Hard Rock Cafe instead, then off to the arena.

Sheffied Steelers were playing the Cardiff Devils. It was a draw, but Sheffield won on penalties. You can see the last one go in below:

(for the video, click this link)

The Belfast Giants played the Newcastle Vipers later that day. It was nastly. Nuff said.

We all went out after defeat for more pizza, and off to bed after discussing neighbours and many other things.
The Giants were out of the playoffs, we found ourselves in a quandary: who do we support for the final?

Traditionally speaking we would have supported the Cardiff Devils. Their fans were always of good humor and supported us in previous playoff finals. The Steelers were being coached, just for the playoffs, by our former coach Dave Whistle and their fans seemed to have had a personality transplant (for the better).

We ended up supporting the Steelers. It felt dirty and wrong, but we were doing it for coach Whis and not for the sake of their scummy general manager who takes digs at our guys on a regular basis in the press.

Long and the short of it was that the Steelers lost in the final, Newcastle Vipers clinched it.

I was a little underimpressed to watch the final as an event. The hockey was ok, but the atmosphere was not really there, there was no "big show" feel to the event like there was in the old days when Dave allen or Elia Montgomery and I were involved. Don't get me wrong, I don't know if I could have done better, but it felt to me like there was no real build up. The games started all weekend without any real pizaz. (if that is even a word).

The music was inappropriate at times. (they played 'Danny boy' as our national anthem!) The support wasn't really there even though there were lots of bums on seats. There was no carnival atmosphere, probably due to the lack of "playoff village" that has been there in years past. (That was just was just a collection of stalls and good natured hockey folk trying to make you part with money for their dodgy merchandise.)

The one thing that didn't fail to impress me though was the Giants support. Even though we were given an early bath the Giants folks partied hard. We took defeat graciously, we supported an old arch-enemy, we stuck with them even as they lost. We all went to the pub and made Nottingham a more exciting place for a while. (I hear one of them even streaked through the lobby of the hotel we were in!)
On Monday we all had the playoff blues. We missed shiny and Lu going off early for their flight, dragged ourselves through the day and were kept alive with coffee and cake.

We nearly missed the flight home as the 10-or-so-seater taxi turned up very late. We did make it home eventually though, and now the long hockey-less summer begins.

Time to start rumors again. lets see: Jimmi (the owner) told me in the strictest confidence that he will employ dancing girls for the locker rooms next year. (honest, no really).

Eesh, that will be the most sensible thing i'll make up. Cue random hockey people coming to me and saying, as if it were gospel, that something totally unbelievable will happen like, i don't know, an NHL allstar will be signing for us next year. I guess stranger things have happened!

(time taken to post - about 2 weeks)

Crazy weekend....

2 Weekends ago Jo and I stayed at Dorothy and Alans and looked after about 30 Cats. The we went to edinburgh to watch the Giants play.

I must give you a bio of all the cats at some point, what they all look like and where they needed to be fed, its all very complicated.

But for now; Jo decided to take some pictures of me in her hallway, they looked very good, especially cuse i'm exceptionally hard to take a good photo of. Check um out, i look like a proper guitarist!



Check out more on Jo's Blog

Currently listening to: "mouthfull of cavities" - Blind Melon (cuse that's what i was playin')

Smooth as a baby's arse...

I decided to have a trim, as i was starting to look a little too ragged.

From this:


To this:



I aught to get my 12 o'clock shadow back by about april.

WEEEEEEEE ARE THE CHAMPIONS..........

Currently listening to: "Times Like These" - Foo fighters

The daily show with jon stewart

The daily show is a Comedy Central satirical look at politics in the US. Its done in the style of a CNN style broadcast.

click here for their website

click here to watch their take on the vice president shooting his friend in the face!

currently listening to: "Weather with you" - Crowded House

Nice sky

Never fail to be amazed...

by the idiots who live on this tiny troubled island....

Today the loyalists decided to "have a wee march" in Dublin. Needless to say, there was a riot.

Click here for full story.

I saw the report on UTV, where everyone involved on both sides claimed that they were not to blame.

Shocker.

I believe there is probably a riot commitee. People from both sides up here get together and figure out where they'd like to raise hell. At this meeting "little Jaunty" from the shankill or the falls spoke up and said.. "hear mate, wadda-ya-sai we go down-a dublin, ged-a few pints and hava-a bid-ov-a-riat?" Everybody, at the meeting, having drunk way too much white lightening or buckfast thinks this is a capital idea, nod their burbury baseball cap clad heads, and get about organising who is getting hit with the first half brick.

I really don't care for either sides' point of view, i do however envy those who have moved off this rock to less silly places. Maybe i'll join them one of these days.

(/rant)

a little iTunes clearout....

So I started the day with an obscene amount of tracks in iTunes and decided a spring clean was in order.

We kicked off with over 40gb of music, over 10,000 tracks. We're now down to:

Phew!

Its amazing the sheer amount of crap you accumulate over the years.

I'm off to bed now, as i'm exhausted....

Currently listening to: "Home" by Dan Fenner (he's a friend of a friend in Leeds, i got his 2 track ep around 1998, its still fantastic, hope he does well)

National Chip Week

currently listening to: "Immortality" - Pearl Jam (Vitology)

Yup aparently its national chip week.

I went to the chippie after the gym tonight to undo all the work good i'd done, you know how i'm getting to love that belly of mine.

Once more the gym music was ridiculous, and i drowned it out with Pearl Jam's "Vitology" album.

Every track, apart from the last one "STUPID MOP" or "Hey foxysexymophandlemomma, that's me" (depending on when you bought the album) is a winner. I haven't listened to that track in years, it freaks me out a little, and so as far as I'm concerned the album ends with the somber but perfectly crafted "immortality" which is said to be about Kurt Cobain, but hey, i've got no proof.

Every time I rediscover Vitology its like meeting an old friend and going over old times. I have such vivid memories of the time I first heard it, I was 15, and therefore in school. I dismissed it at first as being not what i'd come to appreciate as a Pearl Jam standard sound, with tracks like "Spin the black circle" verging on punk and "Betterman" then "Nothingman" being the absolute opposite. After a couple of plays trough the album it grew on me and i've come to know all of it word for word.

I found as I changed and started to grow up through my later teens that the sound that Pearl jam were producing was growing up too, from the angry raw sound of "Ten" and "Verses" to something new and more textured through "Vitology" to my favorite "No Code".

I've enjoyed everything they have produced since, with varying enthusiasm. "Yeild" sneaked up on me and I only started to enjoy it in its entirety recently, "Binural" is the one i've listened to least, and i figured they were winding up to finish. "Riot act" became the soundtrack to my early 20's, through job changes, moving out into Belfast.

I could talk these guys all day but, well, i should be asleep. I only came on to talk about national chip week. The long and the short of it is, if you like early Pearl Jam, but never gave the later albums a listen hoak them out, they are well worth it.

Post 101 of hararya

(i did the geek test, i got a score of about 12%, which means i'm reasonably normal)

Happy HARARYA birthday to me!

That's right, this site is a year old today.

I started this as a diary, a way to keep crap that i wanted to show people online and a tool for keeping in touch with those i see less of these days.

Its not been a bad year. I've now been in a PROPER computer related job for over a year (many thanks Steria for hiring me, Meelan for reccomending me, Ken Morrow for encouraging me and of course Robert Donnelly for getting the job that we both interviewed for first!). I'm starting to pay off my debts (slowly) and i'm starting to forget what it was like to be working in the Spar, wondering what the hell was happening to my life. That was a pretty dark time.

But listen, listen, never mind me what about you?

Much of the ol' manly love,

Matt

Your Sexy Brazilian Name is:

Djavan Fernandes

What's Your Sexy Brazilian Name?

Update on gym crappy remix music...

Dave Allen said...

I have an Idea, lets all try and think of the worst possible (or most ridiculous) song they could do this to.

Im thinking "What a Wonderful World" - Louis Armstrong.

What do you think??
11:14 PM

Jo said...

are you kidding? they've done that one already! =/

====

Just to update, tonight they had the following songs:

Every breath you take - Sting
(which is interesting from the whole people stalking people in the gym)

Maria (you gotta see her) - Blonde

Right here waiting for you - Richard marx

====

I think the most ridiculous song that could be used would probably be "Dance of the sugarplum fairy" (from the Nutcracker) - Thaikovsky

What do y'all think?

...and now a random fact about Jack Bauer:

Every time the cops get an APB to arrest Jack Bauer, half the department mysteriously calls out sick. The fire department too, just in case.

What kind of villan am I?

What Type of Villain are You?

mutedfaith.com.

(incidently, if you are reading this, dave ashe, that's probably you too!)

So I've been in a gym for a while now...

...and the problems with going are as follows:

1. I'm a pretty skinny ginger 11 stone weakling with terrible dress sense.

2. They play industrial dance / euphoria nonsense music way too loud.

I am hoping to overcome the first problem, but it will take time, maybe years.

The second problem is a little more tricky, but thanks to my trusty Ipod, (being turned up to 11), I can blast rock and or good pop into my ears at a frightening volume canceling out the effect of the mind numbing dispicableness.

The tunes they are playing are largely badly adapted 80's or 90's songs. The standard formula is to slow/speed the melody down to about half of the speed and play a euphoric 'twice the speed a drummer could ever manage' beat over the top. ALL of the songs are the same. The same beat, the same formula.

Starts off with the slowed/sped up sample by itself and slowly the beat raises in volume until it is overpowering. Then, and here is the clever bit, everything stops. The beat then resumes without the sample. The sample joins in after 20 - 30 seconds and gaines in volume. Eventually it all stops again. The song then starts over again with the sample by itself, then the beat builds up to a euphoric ending.

Sometimes at the end of the song they slow the sample down (but don't lower the pitch) so slow that it sounds all distorted and scary. Then maybe stop one more time and bring the beat in again.

I've heard all sorts of abominations, but there are some that border on comedy. Among the most ridiculous are remixes of:

*Sitting on the dock of the bay
*When a man loves a woman
*My heart will go on
*Friends in low places

All of the above have caused me to burst out loud laughing and completely ruin my concentration.

I've resolved the situation by blasting my Ipod really really loud and drowning them out.

I find Metallica works best.

CURRENTLY LISTENING TO: "Through the never" - Metallica

10 randomly made up, but humourous things...

Ten Top Trivia Tips about Matt mcivor!

1. If you blow out all the candles on matt mcivor with one breath, your wish will come true.
2. Birds do not sleep in matt mcivor, though they may rest in him from time to time.
3. In the 1600s, tobacco was frequently prescribed to treat headaches, bad breath and matt mcivor.
4. The International Space Station weighs about 500 tons and is the same size as matt mcivor.
5. The eye of an ostrich is bigger than matt mcivor!
6. If a snake is born with two heads, the heads will fight over who gets matt mcivor.
7. A matt mcivorometer is used to measure matt mcivor.
8. More than one million stray dogs and half a million stray cats live in matt mcivor.
9. It's bad luck for a flag to touch matt mcivor.
10. The opposite sides of matt mcivor always add up to seven.

I am interested in - do tell me aboutherhimitthem

Haraya Caleb John Allen?

Welcome to the world dude.

God Bless.

Is it Rod Jane or Freddy?

Auto resolution generator....

In the year 2006 I resolve to: Get a mullet. Get your resolution here

This post is dermo's fault, i copied the idea from his blog...

Currently listening to: "Late for the sky" - Jackson Browne

Some things you didn't know / kinda knew, explained a little....

i largely dont eat vegtables. I will eat: potatoes in any form, and tomatoes in the form of a paste or heinz tomato soup. But that is pretty much it.

I don't largely eat fruit. I will eat pineapple. And i've come round to orange juice and cranberry juice, but i'd freak out to eat an orange or a cranberry. I hate the taste of apple juice. I love apple tart. If i don't look at it i can eat the processed apple, if it is warm and is hidden by, lets say, pastery and some kind of cream.

I'm scared of meat. I can eat chicken sometimes. Maybe beef mince in spagetti or chilli. I'm nearly sick if i accidently eat a piece of fat. (one my friends mums - who was a psychologist - served me up a big peace of fatty pork at their table one sunday when i was a kid - knowing full well of my fears. I tried my best - got a big bit of fat, freaked out and then ran out the back to be sick.)

I don't like fish. but i love the taste of prawn cocktail crisps.

All dairy products are great. I love milk.

I like spicey things and almost every type of sauce. I've discovered indian food which i like pretty well, which is basically nice sauces with chicken, and i can pick out the veg.

Most of the things i have come to like i have sampled on a pizza first.

(its pretty much a fear of un-processed food. Yup. I'm a freak. Many thanks to Elia Montgomery for actually putting it into a phrase for me - the fear part, not the freak, i already knew about that.)

I love coffee in almost all forms. Clements esspresso coffee is the best. I buy it and take it home to make. I make coffee and try to force it on people. (sorry work buddies.)

Its finally happened....

If I'm walking I can call myself a "Podestrian".

I've joined the revolution.

The revolution will not be televised.

(It might be podcast though)

Merry Christmas

If i haven't seen you / called you / bought you anything, then let me apologise.

May you all get the things you need today.

Remember folks, Jesus is the reason for the season and so may he bless you, weather you believe in him or not. Hey, he's that kind of deity.

Much manly love,

M

That fight in Edinburgh....

Clipshack ROCKS!

Currently listening to: Dire Straits "Telegraph Road" - Alchemy (live)"

Mark Knopfler ROCKS too!

Been a hell of a week or so....

So, there has been a lot happening recently, so much in fact, that I haven't even been able to update my blog.

Lets get the formalities out of the way then:

Farewell to Sam Ham (Joanne's oldest chihuahua)

Sam passed away on Thursday night (8th), and was one of two dogs the Ham's got about 17 years ago. The other one, Floyd, had gone a few years ago. Now only Tyson remains, also a chihuahua, and about a year old.

Farewell to Joe Hill (my aunt Dorothy's oldest cat, and last surviving descendant of my grandad's cat).

Joe passed on Saturday evening and was about 18 years old. Me and my big bro Andy found Joe and his brother Harry under a rhubarb plant in my grandad's back garden just after they had been born.

Its been a bit of a rough week with those two, and still looking for Sylvester, Joannne's cat, who got away from us on Friday night a week or so ago while we were trying to get him to the vet's on the Lisburn Road in Belfast.

Also, that big explosion in England was quite close to the UK head office of the company I work for. There seems to be a fair bit of damage there. That is nothing compared to the company friends of mine (wrighty and Stewarty) work for, whose office was pretty much destroyed.

Everyone is tired, and there isn't really that much Christmas cheer to be had. There have been some sightings of the cat and some nasty calls from people winding us up, but the search goes on, we will party when she gets home.

Please pray, if you are that way inclined, for any of the above you feel moved about. All help is much appreciated.

Much manly love,

M

Bouncy ball advert

Currently listening to "Space travel is boring" - Sun Kill Moon

This rocks.

The track used is "Heartbeats" - Jose González, which is pretty damn good.

Thanks to everyone for you Lovely prezzies yesterday.

M

The wrong side of 25...

Currently listening to: "Heartbeats" - Jose González

Thats right, i'm getting old.

I was getting into bed after a lovely night at shiny sarah's house. I started to contemplate being 26.

26. I remember when i thought that was old.

Nevertheless I was just getting snuggly when I got a call from my big bro Andy. He'd neglected to put diesel in Mee-lan's car and was sitting at a local motorway's central reservation.

I jumped up, got dressed and headed down, but the AA were already on the way so I parked up and let them wait in the heat for the short while till the breakdown truck arrived.

The guy sorted the car with fuel, and it started after a little bit. Hoorah!

Just before i left them I said "anytime you wanna say happy birthday is fine with me." Immediatley i got a nice chorus of "Happy birthday to you", the first of my 26th year, in the freezing cold on the M2!

T'was oddly nice.

Now as I drift off, I spare a thought for Dave Allen in Medicine Hat Canada. He's 25 and gonna be a daddy anytime now. I thought I had trouble!

Much manly love to y'all.

M

Flip me its foggy.

When i was driving in this morning I found that because the fog was so thick, you could look directly at the sun! (and not get blinded).

This is a bad shot i took on the way with my phone camera, if i had been 10 seconds earlier it would have been perfect, but here the sun is starting to break through.

Oh well.

Current music: "Oh well" - Fleetwood Mac

A hell of a week. (and a ripping yarn)

This week, I've been mostly on Microsoft's "2273a Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Server 2003 Environment" Many thanks to the kindly folks at Steria who sent me, and of course, paid for the whole she-bang.

Now perhaps I'll be able to hold down a conversation about server-ie thing-ies. (at least, that's the plan).

There were only 5 of us; Declan, Davy, Pete and the trainer Marek. Which meant that I got lots of help when I inevitably screwed things up. We learned a lot. We also had a good lunch at a different Belfast pub every day. (I must recommend Whites Tavern - the oldest tavern in Belfast, which I never noticed before. It is located off the side street beside Dixons at donegall arcade).

Here is a picture of us working hard on friday afternoon!

On the Tuesday I had an induction to attend at the gym (valley leisure centre, cuse its cheap!) to make sure I'd not die on any of their machines. I was in a little bit of a hurry to get there, so as soon as class was finished I ran to the parking spot I had in the multi-story carpark next door.

The payment machine took forever, and I ended up forgetting my card and only realizing when I'd reached the 4th floor! I ran back down and the attendant made a "you silly plonker" face at me. I ran back up the stairs.

When I got to my car I realized that the front left tyre was flat. I swore a little and got on with changing it asap. The car I currently drive is a rental, It gets changed every few months, so I'm never that sure where things like spare tyres are, as makes vary.

I got the spare out of the boot, undid the complicated alloy wheel lock nut thingies and started wrestling the tyre into position. Then a snag. There was a loud rip sound from the back of my jeans.

As I got the flat tyre back into the boot, the 37th person to walk past and see me in strife offered me help, just as it was too late to do anything. I thanked him kindly anyway.

I got down the levels as soon as I could, but not soon enough to avoid my ticket having expired. I was holding up the traffic behind me who were getting irate and beeping their horns. I got out of the car and was met by the same parking attendant who still showed the "you silly plonker" face. After the brief explanation of events and examining the hole in my trousers her agreed to let me go without paying. The "you silly plonker" expression changed to one of "you poor kid" mixed with merriment.

Traffic was a nightmare. I reached the Gym about 6 to 10 mins late. The person doing my induction refused to see me as "punctuality is key". I once again explained my predicament and she seemed to think my excuses were valid, especially having a 6 inch hole in my trousers. (I still didn't get my induction though - bloody typical). Nevertheless I filled in a form to say I wasn't dying, wouldn't die from exercise, and if I did - it wasn't their fault. I did the workout of my life to relieve the anger I had accumulated and had a soak in the jacuzzi.

I put my torn jeans back on and wandered around Tesco getting some stuff for tea and headed over to Jo's house.

And Sleep.

The biggest Theo fans ever! (and other stuff..)

Currently listening to: JOHN PRINE "Standing By Peaceful Waters"

So, there I was, over at Shiny Sarah's house, waiting on Jo to finish her hair so she and Raj could head out to her formal lookin mighty fine. While making smalltalk with the adults they said they were talking to a couple of folks that had come over to Belfast 'specially to see Theoren McFleury play a game for the Giants.

Lance and Christie are from Seattle. Christie has been traveling around Europe and Lance had just joined her when they realized Theo was playing in Belfast. The hopped on a plane to see their hero play.

Tom and Joyce had got chatting to them, as they were at the game against Cardiff on Thursday night. They were so excited that Joyce asked if there was anything we could do for them, since they'd made effort to come see us and all. I asked the Giants folks and it was set.

I met with them and told them they could come meet Theo after the game. Lance was apparently speechless for about 30 mins.

At the end of the game I went to get them from the crowd. Nigel, Raj's dad, kindly lent us his digital SLR and so we headed down to the changing room waiting areas. We had to wait a little while for Theo to finish up showering, and he's apparently the quick one!

Theo was a true gent and chatted to them for a while, which I understand was some kind of life ambition for Lance! He's been watching him play hockey since he was a kid. When Theo realized the effort these guys had gone to to be at the games he said, "oh, hey sorry it was such a stinker tonight". (It was a little bit of a slow game, even if we did win).

Its always good to meet hockey folks from another country, 'specially when they are just so nice, and easy to get on with.

Me and Jo said our goodbyes and we headed to Four star to get some dinner. Incidently FOUR STAR pizza are opening up in newtownabbey, at fernagh. WHOOOHOO!

Lots of stuff has happened since my last post, I really should say more, and will soon. I did go see the excellent John Prine in concert at the Waterfront Hall and I will write something about that soon.

Also, I'm on a windows 2003 server course this week instead of being in work. I'm really looking forward to that. I might actually be able to pretend that I know what I'm talking about by the end of the week!

Caption competition

Your suggestions please.

Crazy frog - "Child Killer"

Today in a belfast shopping centre, the Crazy frog, (a once much loved, but ever so annoying cartoon novelty), showed his nasty side. Seen in this picture taken by a quick thinking passer-by, "Crazy" tries to push an oversized pupkin on top of the helpless child.

Onlookers could hardly believe their eyes. "I used to think the crazy frog was nothing more than a once much loved, but ever so annoying cartoon novelty" said one outraged shopping center customer, "but now its clear that he's a child killing crazed lunatic novelty maniac!"

When being led away the frog was asked to explain his actions. In his defense he said "a-ring-ding-dinga-ding-ding-ding.....ding-ding-dinga-ding-ding-ding..."

Jamster, resposible for the troublesome reptile have refused to comment.

what's my 1920's gentleman name?

Your 1920's Name is:

Hilliard Royce

What's Your 1920's Name?

A bounder I am!

We be burnin'

Currently listening to: "A hazy shade of winter" - Simon and Garfunkle

On Saturday Fellowes and I were drving into town to have breakfast. We dropped off Joanne to get her hair cut and made our way to Stranmillis direction to try to find fried food.

On our way we noticed a little smoke. There was a fire at the Odyssey Complex. I was a little concerned, mainly as there was going to be a Game that night, and there were several fire engines and many worried looking doom-sayers in the carpark.

It all worked out ok though. The fire had started in a boiler room in W5, (i thought someone had just left a bunsen burner on), the fire was out in no time, the complex was open by late afternoon.

W5 was the only thing on fire, the Giants were not really smoking... well, if they were it wasn't cuse they were on fire!

Eesh, is it me? Or are the darkening nights knocking you all out too?

Havin' a retro day

Currently listening to: "The Freshmen" - The verve Pipe

I got a card last night, from my old english teacher. There is a story to this one.

About 5 years ago I thought I'd take the time to write to my english teacher to express my gratitude for the work he put into teaching a class of disruptive uninterested kids from Monkstown. In the face of such opposition, other teachers had lost the will to get a lesson across, letting the whole experience of school become largely a waste of time for all involved.

Mr Marshall is a Canadian, from what I remember he's had lots of interesting jobs, is into good music and is a keen photographer.

I appreciated the accent, because it led to a greater understanding of those fun Belfast Giants folk when they arrived. The interesting jobs provided lots of interesting stories. The good taste in music was a novelty in a class full of dance music fans, and gave me someone to talk to about it. The photography came in handy when my band did a concert on the last day of school, I still have a set of prints that he kindly provided me with.

I sent the aforementioned letter to the school, but never got a reply. Until yesterday that is!

It was great to finally get that reply and an update on what he's up to now (still teaching, at the same school). I'm glad that he got the letter and, even if a bit late, took the time to write back.

The whole thing got me thinking about those interesting days, nearly a good 10 years ago, when I left school. Its been an interesting trip.

I stumbled upon some of the music I was listening around that time and through to tech before going on to drop out.

My brother had been to America on a youth camp programme and had brought back a load of good music. I can attribute hearing bands like "Dave Matthews Band", "Matchbox 20", "Toad the Wet Sprocket", "K's Choice" and most importantly (for today's flashback purposes) a band called "The Verve Pipe".

"The Verve Pipe" should not be confused with "The Verve" of "The drugs don't work" and "Bitter Sweet Symphony" fame. "The Verve Pipe" are a North American band. I liked it immediately because it was all a bit moody and teenager-orientated. This was about the time I was listening to "Counting Crows' - August and everything after" and the like.

The song that hit the spot at the time, and seemed pretty darn good as of about 5 minutes ago is called "The Freshmen". I strongly suggest you give it a little listen, find it on download somewhere.

My favorite line is:

"for the life of me, I cannot remember, what made us think that we were wise and we'd never compromise"

That's one to think on while looking back on the things you got up to when you were 16 alright!

I strongly remember being a little worse for wear and singing that song to anyone that would listen at a particular part once. Hmmm. Classy.

M

The most entertaininng hockey game i've ever seen!

Good grief!

The Odyssey Arena packed in over 4,600 people last night, and they all brought their hockey energy with them.

Like a pure shot of adrenalin to the arm (no intended substance references) Theo "McFlurry" Fleury, charged his Belfast Giant team mates to an 11 - 2 victory over the Edinburgh Capitals.

Scoring a hat trick, assisting on most of the goals and getting into 2 fights, Fleury brought an energy with him to the Odyssey that has not been there since the sell out crowds of the first season rocked the place.

To listen to the report of the game, courtesy of the Giants folks, click here.

There is also some photos on Joannes Blog.

Holy Mackrel, it was a good one, lets hope it keeps going that way.

I'm growing my playoff beard already:













Currently listening to: "History of lovers" - Iron and Wine (many thanks to crazy Gav for the cd)

Eric T

Last week I went to see Eric Taylor and Gina Villalobos.
(organised by the Real Music Club)

The poster for Gina Villalobos had a quote from Bob Harris "A contender for album of the year". Bob is usually right on the money, and we weren't let down.

It took me a song or two to get into the set. To be honest I think the same could be said for Gina, as she and Ben Pringle(2nd guitar and vocal harmony) had apparently slept through the time that they should have been doing soundcheck.

Maybe it was the pint of cider, or maybe the company, but after a while Gina's scratchy vocals started to sound pretty good, so good in fact, I bought her new album. (haven't really listened to it yet, I'll review it later!)

I actually tried to buy her first album, but she insisted the new one was better. I tried to reason saying I'd never really heard a lot of her stuff and I'd like to start at the start. She just said "this one's the current one that's getting the radio play. Hey, would I steer you wrong?" We'll see. Her first album was cheaper than the second.

Eric Taylor started with little introduction. I was actually busy arguing to buy the aforementioned Villalobos album when he began. I was immediately completely mesmorised by his husky voice and metal finger picking. Hope Gina was not offended that the focus had well and truly shifted from buying her second album to not really listening to what she was saying.

I didn't even wait to have the album signed, I handed over my money and told her to keep the change. She looked a little taken aback that I wasn't interested in getting the album personalised.

I don't feel bad. When Eric Taylor starts to play the room falls silent and you pay him your full attention weather you like it or not.

I sat down and probably didn't blink for the rest of the set. I was engrossed in the stories and the intimate performance that followed. I did actually really really need to use the toilet for most of the evening and held on as long as I could. (till almost the end).

The highpoint for me was the song "Hemmingway's shotgun". A pretty dark song about, well, I'm sure lots of things including his native Texas. I'm not going to explain it, find it and take a listen.

"Beautiful danger wears two faces best,
like the beaded lizard of the west,
Hemmingway's Shotgun finally told the truth,
but he never said a word about you"

Much ta to Raj Nigel and James for a great evening's craic.

Currently listening to: Blind melon "Walk"

And its goodnight from him.....

Farewell Ronnie Barker.