1-0 (for the second time this week).....

Last night was the first Belfast Giants home game of the new season. An excellent night, sending the Newcastle Vipers packing with a 1-0 victory thanks to a third perid goal by Curtis Huppe.

The most popular quote of the night was:

"that's the second time this week we've sent an english team home after beating them 1-0"

Ok, its maybe not as big a deal as Northern Ireland beating England in the footie, but this is the first time the Giants have ever won their first home game of the season, and in front of a crowd of moe than 5,000 fans. (The spell is broken).

We had a little rumble too between Giant Mark Levers and former Giant Mel Anglestad, then later Giant Sean Skiehar and Viper Andre Payette. Love fisticuffs.

Here is a picture of the later fighters squaring up:



It was also great to have former Giants MC Paul (its nicer to neuter) McClean picking up the gauntlet again and running with it, bringing back that much needed atmosphere boost.



Afterwards Jo, Raj, Sarah and I headed out for Pizza and beer!

Didn't wake up till lunch!

Current music: "I predict a riot" - Kaiser cheifs

what star wars character am i?

If I were a Star Wars character, I would be: Anakin Skywalker. Take the " Which Star Wars Character Am I?" Quiz by Always Two There Are

CHECK-DA-MONEY......

ever check da money?

i did:



£1

Can' believe it, but i got spam comments!

Am I popular now??

Um, hold on.....

At age 25, i've suddenly realised, i'm loosing my tiny mind....



WHERE THE HELL DID I PARK?

what (pre 1985) video game character am I?

I am an Asteroid. I am a drifter. I go where life leads, which makes me usually a very calm and content sort of person. That or thoroughly apathetic. Usually I keep on doing whatever I'm doing, and it takes something special to make me change my mind. What Video Game Character Are You?

On the tiles..

Today's Track: "Fighting for my love" - Nil Lara

The rock and roll lifestyle i lead finds me out on the tiles once in a while.

Today I decided to stay home and have a morning on the tiles with my dad.





We've been having some repairs done at our house cuse, well, it was falling down. At this point it is handy to know a structural engineer or two.

Mum and dad both work at a structural and civil engineering firm in Belfast. After looking at how there are cracks running all the way up the side of the house we were hastilly advised to get the lintles above our doors and windows replaced, they'd almost rusted away.





This all happened at a reasonably good time, being that we have a guy moved in next door who has a builder friend. He needed his side of the house done too so i think we got an ok price for it.

That's pretty much all that's happened in the last while. Me and jo had gone to the zoo too, but the pictures i took were a little crappy, so you donn't get to see!

I am currently building my aunty Dot a computer, i went to get all the bits today but Mplex had run out of the neccesary. A greasy haired teenager told me that "i've no idea why we don't have any, i don't know when we'll be getting them in again"

Aw well, maybe when the adult staff return.

Little Allen

Today's track: "Bartender" Dave Matthews Band

So the allens are expecting, and good golly, look at the likeness!

i've been busy

Today's song: "Nobody's Fault But Mine" - Martin simpson

So, no posts for a while.

I'm terribly sorry for those of you who actually read this nonsense, but i've been busy, i'm sorry, I promise i'll try harder, we can make it work.

A the weekend I was at portrush with Nixx supporters club. It was a fantastic day:



Me, Jo, Raj and Shiny Sarah went on the trip




We were having a good time on the beach. We decided to invent a game called "bum fort arse castle". The idea, as illustrated below is that you sit yourself down, dig a trench and make a wall, with turretts. Outside of those walls you build further protective walls. The idea is that you have to knock down the turretts of the main wall with a bouncy ball (which we won at an arcade).



While the ball is being thrown around the others you can fix your walls. No mercy is granted to those in mid fix when throwing the ball.

I will of course post the other's bum forts and arse castles in due course.

The game is named after the arse print left in the sand, and that indeed you are building a caastle.

Genius.

This month i'll be mostly listening to....

(you have to make a mix cd now that tapes are unavailable:)

1. The Island - PAUL BRADY

Paul Brady is a singer songwriter from Strabane, Northern Ireland. This is actually the first song of his i've heard, i heard the end of it on a show on BBC radio 2 and had to track it down.

The song is half observation about the violence in Northern Ireland and beyond, and the other half, a love song. The mix between the two made me smile. I can imagine the guy going off on a rant about the state of things, then catching himself on:

"but hey don't listen to me,
cuse this wasnt meant to be no sad song,
we've heard too much of that before,
right now i only want to be here with you,
till the morning dew comes falling."

After the main verses being quite heavy in content the chorus lifts the mood away from the subject matter at hand.

They're raising banners over by the markets,
Whitewashing slogans on the shipyard walls,
Witchdoctors praying for a mighty showdown,
No way our holy flag is gonna fall,
Up here we sacrifice our children,
To feed the worn-out dreams of yesterday,
And teach them dying will lead us into glory...

But Hey! Don't listen to me!
This wasn't meant to be no sad song
We've heard too much of that before
Right now I only want to be here with you
Till the morning dew comes falling

I want to take you to the island
And trace your footprints in the sand
And in the evening when the sun goes down
We'll make love to the sound of the ocean

I'll be off to find his album then...!

2. Good hearted man - TIFT MERRIT

Sounding, in my opinion a little like Norah Jones, Tift Merrit has an easy feel to her music. "Good hearted man" is taken from her album "Tambourine" Which has had a lot of play on Radio 2, especially Bob Harris's friday night / saturday night shows, where she is a regular.

3. One Voice - THE WAILIN' JENNYS

Wonderful harmonies and minimal guitar make this track really appeal to me. The song starts off with, well, one voice:

this is the sound of one voice,
one sprit one voice,
the sound of one who makes a choice,
this is the sound of one voice...

The next verse brings in another voice, the next verse another and so on. The song builds.

this is the sound of voices two,
the sound of me singing with you
helping each other to make it through
this is the sound of voices two

this is the sound of voices three
singing together in harmony
surrendering to the mystery
this is the sound of voices three

this is the sound of all of us
singing with love and the will to trust
leave the rest behind, it will turn to dust
this is the sound of all of us

When all the harmonies are in the sound is beautiful. This song has been in my mind a lot recently with the G8 summit, live 8, the bombings in London, even the thought of friends of mine who are starting to build a church in Newtownards. There is a need now more than ever for us to work together in harmony, trust and love. This song, to me, is a great dipiction of what can happen when we work together, bring all our individual strengths together.

this is the sound of one voice
one people one voice
a song for everyone of us
this is the sound of one voice

4. Glory of true love - JOHN PRINE

My friend raj recently introduced me to John Prine. He is an ageing singer songwriter that mixes simple, straightforward, uncomplicated music and lyrics that range from deep and meaningfull to plainly ridiculous.

This song is a bouncy, foot tappin' declaration of how good love fells. Taken from his new album "Fair and Square" his first offering for about 20 years? He hasn't lost any of his 3 chord, country charm.

5. Heyday - MIC CHRISTOPHER

You might know this song from a Guinness ad that has been on for a while now, the one where a guy jumps off the cliffs of Moore and swims to New York just to say sorry to his brother.... then eyes up his bird! I found myself humming this once it had been on and decided to dig around for it.

Mic Christopher was a dublin based singer songwriter who, unfortunately, passed in 2001. He was born in the Bronx, New York in 1969 and moved to dublin with his parents in 1972. He started a band called the "MaryJanes" in the 90's after being a busker, released a few albums then went solo in 1999. He recorded a solo album "Skylarkin" that i think must have been released after his death, and got Best Album at the 2003 Meteor Awards. "Heyday" was released as a single in 2004.

The song is a bit rough around the edges, but, for me that just adds to its charm. I'm going to track down the album if it is still on release.

And this is our heyday baby
and we're not gonna be afraid to shout
cuse we can make our heyday last forever
and ain't that what its all about
Oh living, in our own terrible way..

6. Superman - LAZLO BANE

The theme tune to the medical comedy "Scrubs". A cheery little number that they have speeded up to use on the show. The original track is great, got a little banjo plinking away in the background.

"I can't do this all on my own, no,
I know, I'm no superman"

7. Carry me home - HEM

Hem realax me. full stop.

8. Run - SNOW PATROL

I've liked these boys for a while now, but this track stands out above all the rest. A little depressing, but bizzarrely that cheers me up.

9. Somewhere over the rainbow / what a wonderful world - ISRAEL KAMAKAWIWO'OLE

The dude is a giant. He's about 7 times the size of me, and now unfortunately dead. For being a huge huge hawian his voice is angelic and soft.

Lovely 'sitting on the back porch drinking rum strumming a mondolin' music.

10. Not so far to go - KELLY JOE PHELPS

I can't make out a word this guy says, and i can't find the lyrics online, so i'm destined to just like his music and the sound of his voice mumbling along.

The only line i can make out: (probably)

"long sleeves outdoor to keep the kids from crying,

its not so far to go to find trouble"

WHaaaaaaa?

11. Fix you - COLDPLAY (site does not work on apple macs)

I did buy their album, but the first time i heard this song properly - and took notice - was at live 8. I'm a bit of a sucker for coldplay, even though they are a bit trendy.

Chris Martin does overuse the old falseto and as a result sounds like a young choirboy, but i don't mind.

Their website doesn't work with apple macs, which is odd, isn't chris martin's daughter named apple? Doen't he care?

Photo foolin'

Flamin' Longhairs

I discovered these photos a while ago. I thought, cuse i've no shame, i'll share them with the world.

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE, LOVE, LOVE...

A week or two ago Joanne and I were driving to my house for tea, passing all the folks lighting bonfires and re-enforcing what I like to call the “super prod” stereotype. On the way through some of the estates between here and there I had to brake hard to avoid knocking down several 5 - 10 year olds clad in red white and blue clutching larger tins, staggering over the public highway.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure there was a time in my childhood when my mum, dad, bro and I took a drive around and watched the bonfires and it was a festive occasion. Now though, it seems this is an excuse to just “get the boys together” play loud dance music and have the local unofficial neighbourhood watch out to display a “show of strength”, shooting their illegal firearms into the air triumphantly. Way to go boys, I know I’m proud. (…he says sarcastically, just in case you don’t get the tone of my rant)

Looking down from any vantage point on the North side of Belfast Lough it looked like we were under attack, smoke rising from the centre of most built up areas in sight.

When things get out of hand the natives decide to take any reason, like not being allowed to march this season down any given road, to trash their streets. I never understood this, why trash your own area in disgust? The only saving grace is that they aren’t hurting folks in other areas. That’s the best I have for an upside, that’s all I got.

This week the IRA have announced a formal end to all violent measures to achieve their political goals. This happens amid feuds and dissention among the unionist groups. The cynic in me immediately reacted internally thinking “yeah right, as if their word means a damn thing”. The very last thought in my head was that maybe this is a chance for a peace of any kind and maybe things could really happen as a result.

I was humbled to read a friends blog, who has been a Christian for less time than me, talking of how this is an excellent opportunity, how we should pray that God will use this situation to his advantage. This should have been my first thought too.

The easiest thing in the world to do is to lay doubt, discouragement and cynicism on this situation, but as Christians shouldn’t we welcome such a move, regardless of what we feel about the people involved.

Growing up I’ve met people who’s lives have been affected terribly by the troubles. Loved ones have been lost, quality of life destroyed, faith shaken.

How must we proceed, how do we continue.

My aim is to glorify God in every way I can in my day to day life, to spread the love he has given me to others that they may see him through me and come to know him too. That, for me, is the meaning of life.

While talking to a bunch of friends in tech around about 1996, the topic cropped up: “how will we (in northern Ireland) ever bring about peace”. I blurted an answer that was misunderstood. I said “you know, if we were all Christians, this would not be an issue”. (I was 16). One guy snapped back at me, “oh yeah, religion solves everything doesn’t it.. that’s what got us all here in the first place.”

He’s right, RELIGION did get us here, mixed with hatred and hurt. I wasn’t suggesting religion. Religion never helped anyone.

What I was suggesting, though not putting across well, was that if everyone knew the love of Christ, and if we treated each other as we have been commanded in the bible, then this would not be an issue.

The misunderstanding lay in confusing religion with a personal relationship with Christ. The two are not the same.

If we were all able to live by the following 2 commandments:

Matthew 22:37-39 (The Message Version)

Jesus said, ""Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: "Love others as well as you love yourself.'

If we loved God with all our energy and then loved others with the enthusiasm that we love ourselves would we not be in a better place? I think so, there should be no room left for hatred, we would genuinely do all we can to help others. Imagine that.

It all comes down to love. Love is what is important.

Lets love each other, that is how we will change things.

“I know its already been sung,
can’t be said enough,
love is all you need,
all you need is love, love, love”

“Love boat captain” – Pearl Jam – Riot Act

Hararya?

Fergoodnessake?

I've been busier than a big old hive,
and if I forgot to call let me apologuise,
its not really that i'm neglecting you at all.

Don't go thinking that i just don't care,
haven't had time to change my underwear,
might not see me, but can smell me down the hall.

(updates to follow, if i have neglected you then write to: matt.mcivor@gmail.com)

Current music: Bright eyes "take it easy (love nothing)"

wedding photos

incase ya didn't see um:

click here

All photos by Joanne Ham / Blue ice media

What scrubs character am I.....?

This was awkward, there was no link so i copied the source from the page....

Which Scrubs Character are you?

You are...J.D. A.K.A. "The Dork" Hello? Yoo-hoo! Hi! Say, have you been tested for Attention Deficit Disorder? You've got your head in the clouds, my friend, but it helps make you a more interesting person. Your friends may think you're a bit of a dork, and you may make the wrong decisions on occasion, but you're a sweet, happy person who's on the right track in life. You may want to hire a bodyguard, though...you're the type to attract stalkers.

Great video player....

Ok, i admit, i have an apple mac powerbook G4. I'm proud of it. It works every time, first time, at everything.

Except, that is, when you want to look at video files with various codecs. Quicktime does not always cut it for AVI and DivX formats. Dang. A snag.

Fear not, i found an excellent player that can play all types of files, and can que them up in play lists: VLC.

Here is a link to the site, it works for both Mac and PC.

No more having to make excuses, my mac now rules at everything, its thinkin' Land Rover baby!

MUHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!

Damn heat!

Today the office is about 30 degrees C.

The windows and doors are open, the constand threat of wasp attack looms.

Though i'm nervous, i know its worth it to not be boiling my sox off. Actually, hold on, i'm still boiling my sox off!

Anyone for water?......... or margaritas? Where is my brother's excellent drink preparing skills when i need them!?

Among the expressions i've heard today the best is: (while getting out of my car a random passer by said:)

"Here.... big lad, bet you're paar boyled in lur... ( I'll bet you are power boiled in there)"

Hiks. Honestly.


Here are some images of me trying on my mother-in-law-to-be's old sunglasses that they found during a clearout, just for fun:

YAY Meelan!

Meelers passed her driving test yesterday (friday 8th), and had a BBQ to celebrate.

I'm not sure if i was happier about the test or the BBQ.

It was really nice to have some time, not rushing about, eating some chow with my family and young Brian Rainey (as good as family).

Meelan made some beef curry/chilli mix that i was slightly scared of at first, and tried out of politeness, which turned out to be blinking marvellous. Being the glutton that I am, i added this mix to pretty much everything I ate last night!



Dad was doing the honours, a BBQ veteran, and as yet, no reports of food poisoning!

To celebrate, we got meelan a slinky (a spring type thing that walks down steps), cuse she hadn't had one before. Every kid should have one!

Congratulations meelan!

AOL SUCK!!!!!!

Live 8, the most monumental media event ever.

I have been sitting in my dressing gown all day, putting off getting ready to go out, i showered during UB40's set. I've been waiting to see Dave Matthews Band live in Phillidelphia all day. I've always wanted to witness a live Dave matthews band gig, its an almost 10 year ambition. This is probably as close as i'm going to get.

(AOL were the only people you could watch the concerts with, i started streaming from them before the start of the show at about 1pm today in anticipation.) AOL's player started to malfunction just before the start of his set and insisted that i watched Snoop dog, as well as whatever else i wanted to see. The Dave matthews section of the concert was played every other frame, and the sound of both concerts mixed. Good job i'm not epileptic.

AAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHH!

DAMN YOU AOL! WHY WAS YOUR FOOTAGE OF THE BLACK EYED PEAS PERFECT? SURELY YOU COULD HAVE USED THE BANDWITH OF THESE TALENTLESS MORONS FOR ANYTHING ELSE!!!!

AAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHH!

I HATED YOU BEFORE, NOW I"M FREAKIN FURIOUS!!!!

Live 8

So there i was 20 years ago in a cravan just outside York, in England. We had a small black and white tv and i'm told, (cuse i can't really remember), dad, mum andy and I watched live aid.

I remember a few things about that trip. We went into York Minster, a fantastic old church building, and I remember my neck being sore looking up at all the artwork in the celing. Dad stopped, double parked outside a music shop and bought Dire straits's album "Alchemy"



A few things have changed. I'm now sitting in my living room watching a much larger tv, with cable attached, looking at Travis performing live in hide park. At the same over broadband connection Phillidelphia, i'm now watching an ageingJohn Bon Jovi.

Technology is scary, they say over 85% of the world is watching, billions. The biggest event ever to occur. WOW.

Shame they let miss dynamite perform, that was just a waste of time. Still, anything in aid of a good cause.

Was anyone else slightly freaked out by Bill gates appearing live in the UK? Just me then?

On an up note, the fellowes brothers appear to have arrived in the US, and got through customs! I got a text message from paul asking me to call his parents and tell them he's ok, i did then told him to buy a phone card.

Continue to pray for them!

M