Has anyone watched QI? That show on the ABC hosted by Stephen Fry? Tuesday nights at 9.35pm. It really is Quite Interesting (pun fully intended).
I wouldn't say I'm an addict, but (aside from Glee and Top Gear) it's one of the few shows I regularly try and watch.
Stephen Fry is jovial, entertaining and oh-so-earnest, but its his guests who provide the most amusement. Alan Davies, aka the fluffy haired, magical genius Jonathan Creek, is one regular who comes out with some absolute corkers. He'd make a great dinner guest.
This week, the QI group were discussing the Latin name for a giant turtle and as usual the conversation descended into utter madness with Alan and fellow panellist David Mitchell trading dirty jokes faster than Stephen Fry could shout 'stop'. The conversation then paused long enough for Stephen Fry to inform everyone that the giant turtle pictured on the screen was actually an amazing 255 years old; so had been around during the eras of Mozart, Napoleon and countless other historical figures of note. Which is pretty amazing when you think of it. Even if it is a turtle who had no knowledge or care of what humans have ever done as long as they left him alone.
It was at that point Alan Davies brought it all crashing back with a wry smile and the blandly delivered comment:
"And you could list his achievements on the back of a postage stamp"
I think I snorted into my soup at that point.
Hilarious.
But really, poor turtle. I'm sure in the turtle world, he's achieved mighty, mighty things. They just haven't been as measurable as, say, Mozart's achievements. We won't bring Napoleon into the equation. That would be another blog post altogether.
And it got me thinking about my achievements. How many postage stamps would it take to list all of my achievements? A lot, I hope.
But I'm not sure.
So I think I might have to start listing them and see. Just for my own psychological benefit since I'm in a period of doubting my abilities.
And because I'd really, really hate for my epitaph to read "Here lies magical_m... you could list her achievements on the back of a postage stamp".
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Smile
Just a few of the things which made me smile this morning:
How's your Wednesday been so far?
- Waking up knowing I didn't have to go to the PR job ever again. I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
- Starting my morning pages again. I'm revisiting The Artist's Way, which was first introduced to me nearly 10 years ago by one of my tutors at drama school - I can never thank her enough.
- Taking Kitty Lucy for a ride down to Williamstown Beach and back. It was such a gorgeous, still, sunny morning and I felt like I had the world to myself.
- Being overtaken on the above ride by an elderly couple zooming along on their mountain bikes - go the grey brigade!
- Deliberately riding through puddles just to hear the squelchy sound my big, fat, white-walled tyres make when they hit the water.
- The road workers who deliberately stopped all traffic just so I could cross the road under the West Gate where they were in the process of setting up a crane (they'd blocked the bike path on my side). Thanks guys!
- Stopping off in the village on the way home and filling my bike basket with fresh veggies, crusty bread, leg ham sliced fresh at the butcher's and a new essential oil.
- Paying all my bills, working out how I'm going to survive with less money coming in and realising I won't have to be as strict with my budget as I thought.
- Hearing that my friend Priscilla's baby arrived earlier this week. Welcome sweet baby James!
- Knowing I'm away from the negativity. That's a big one. I've pretty much had a smile on my face all day knowing I don't ever have to see this woman again if I don't want to.
How's your Wednesday been so far?
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Into the Universe
Well the weather has finally turned here in Melbourne and it's a grey, rainy day.
With the turning of the weather comes another turn of sorts - I think I lost my PR job today. I say "think" because it wasn't a "you're fired" as such, more of a "there's no work for the next couple of months, so I'll be in touch when there is, k-thanks-bye", which is quite blatantly a "you're fired", but spoken by someone who doesn't have the guts or heart to be honest and tell it like it is.
Which is ok, because my ego would probably not cope with a blatant "you're not very good at your job so I'm letting you go". Deep down I know I haven't been very good at this job. Actually, not even deep down. I was quite open about the fact I wasn't made for the PR world. After all, it's basically sales and I am utterly, utterly, useless at cold calling people to convince them they want something they don't need or want. It makes my stomach churn. Never mind the fact that as a single, childless girl, I found it very hard to get enthused about prams or potty training devices.
Not my cup of tea at all.
But, it has come to an end and I am feeling a trifle miffed at the shoddy way in which it was told to me, but am determined not to let it get me down.
Instead, I am going to focus on what I can do as an alternative. Something I actually enjoy doing. Something I'm a bit good at.
Bestie P, who knows me far too well, has suggested I make a little sideline business out of my pedantry for the English language and utilise my skills in copy editing, proofreading and writing. Her suggestion is that there are loads of small businesses out there who might need help writing the copy for their newsletters, brochures or marketing material, but aren't able to afford the services of a big agency. Or agencies who need someone to proofread material before it goes for the final print. I'm thinking there might even be some uni students out there who need a hand with fine-tuning their essays.
So, I've decided I am going to give it a go. I have most of tomorrow and all day Thursday free, so the plan is to have some documentation out there by the end of the week.
In the meantime, if any of you have any contacts who might be interested in the services of an English Pedant, please let me know.
I figure if I put it out all ways into the Universe, it will come back to me. Hopefully tenfold.
Happy Tuesday all!
x
With the turning of the weather comes another turn of sorts - I think I lost my PR job today. I say "think" because it wasn't a "you're fired" as such, more of a "there's no work for the next couple of months, so I'll be in touch when there is, k-thanks-bye", which is quite blatantly a "you're fired", but spoken by someone who doesn't have the guts or heart to be honest and tell it like it is.
Which is ok, because my ego would probably not cope with a blatant "you're not very good at your job so I'm letting you go". Deep down I know I haven't been very good at this job. Actually, not even deep down. I was quite open about the fact I wasn't made for the PR world. After all, it's basically sales and I am utterly, utterly, useless at cold calling people to convince them they want something they don't need or want. It makes my stomach churn. Never mind the fact that as a single, childless girl, I found it very hard to get enthused about prams or potty training devices.
Not my cup of tea at all.
But, it has come to an end and I am feeling a trifle miffed at the shoddy way in which it was told to me, but am determined not to let it get me down.
Instead, I am going to focus on what I can do as an alternative. Something I actually enjoy doing. Something I'm a bit good at.
Bestie P, who knows me far too well, has suggested I make a little sideline business out of my pedantry for the English language and utilise my skills in copy editing, proofreading and writing. Her suggestion is that there are loads of small businesses out there who might need help writing the copy for their newsletters, brochures or marketing material, but aren't able to afford the services of a big agency. Or agencies who need someone to proofread material before it goes for the final print. I'm thinking there might even be some uni students out there who need a hand with fine-tuning their essays.
So, I've decided I am going to give it a go. I have most of tomorrow and all day Thursday free, so the plan is to have some documentation out there by the end of the week.
In the meantime, if any of you have any contacts who might be interested in the services of an English Pedant, please let me know.
I figure if I put it out all ways into the Universe, it will come back to me. Hopefully tenfold.
Happy Tuesday all!
x
Monday, May 24, 2010
Not So Slocomb
Snippet of an actual conversation overheard whilst walking along Spring Street on Friday night:
Guy: "You think that because you have a pussy, I should respect you"
Girl: "Did you just say that 'I think because I have a pussy, you should respect me?' Are you serious? Did you just say that? How f***ing drunk are you?"
This delightful banter continued back and forth for a brief while longer before the guy scarpered across the road with an over-the-shoulder "f*** you bitch".
My lovely friend who was with me at the time, muttered something along the lines of "cut your losses and run sweetheart".
I certainly hope this girl heard that and has taken the advice.
As for us, we continued along Spring Street, picked up some yummy cheese to have with our delicious bottle of Les Tulieries Pinot ($22 - best value red in Melbourne right now I reckon) and headed home, alternately giggling and exclaiming in horror at the attitude of the man in question.
If that's an example of what's out there, is it any wonder I'm choosing to remain single?
Guy: "You think that because you have a pussy, I should respect you"
Girl: "Did you just say that 'I think because I have a pussy, you should respect me?' Are you serious? Did you just say that? How f***ing drunk are you?"
This delightful banter continued back and forth for a brief while longer before the guy scarpered across the road with an over-the-shoulder "f*** you bitch".
My lovely friend who was with me at the time, muttered something along the lines of "cut your losses and run sweetheart".
I certainly hope this girl heard that and has taken the advice.
As for us, we continued along Spring Street, picked up some yummy cheese to have with our delicious bottle of Les Tulieries Pinot ($22 - best value red in Melbourne right now I reckon) and headed home, alternately giggling and exclaiming in horror at the attitude of the man in question.
If that's an example of what's out there, is it any wonder I'm choosing to remain single?
Saturday, May 22, 2010
I've Got A Bike...
I've got a bike
You can ride it if you like
It's got a basket
A bell that rings
And things to make it look good
I'd give it to you if I could
But I borrowed it
Anyone remember that song? Very early Pink Floyd. I was first introduced to it when I was about 12 by my Claytons Cousin* Peter. He introduced me to a lot of cool music... The Police, Queen, Ian Dury. But that song in particular took my fancy like no other. One of the other verses talked about a mouse named Gerald who hasn't got a house. It was a very strange song.
Anyhooooo...
I took Kitty Lucy out for a leisurely spin today. There's a bike path that goes from directly outside my house (footpath all the way), under the West Gate Bridge and winds its way along Hobson's Bay to Williamstown beach. It's not far - only about 8kms each way but enough to give the legs a bit of a workout. In the glorious, albeit chilly, sunshine of the afternoon Kitty Lucy and I passed loads of other cyclists, walkers, puppy dogs and prams as we wound our way down to my favourite gelato bar. Yummmmmy.
I had my iPod in, which was probably a little bit naughty, but I didn't have it up loud and could still hear everything around me... it was just like having a little underscore to my own little film of a moment in time.
That song was one of many which came up on shuffle... but it was certainly the most appropriate! Apart from the "but I borrowed it" part.
Cos Kitty Lucy is all mine.
And we had a lovely afternoon adventure together. I'm sure there will be many, many more.
* Claytons Cousin. The cousin you have when you're not having a cousin (taken from "Claytons - the drink you have when you're not having a drink"). Peter is actually no blood relation, but the son of my father's oldest friend, whom I have always called Uncle. So my brother and I and Peter and his sisters always referred to ourselves as "Claytons Cousins"
You can ride it if you like
It's got a basket
A bell that rings
And things to make it look good
I'd give it to you if I could
But I borrowed it
Anyone remember that song? Very early Pink Floyd. I was first introduced to it when I was about 12 by my Claytons Cousin* Peter. He introduced me to a lot of cool music... The Police, Queen, Ian Dury. But that song in particular took my fancy like no other. One of the other verses talked about a mouse named Gerald who hasn't got a house. It was a very strange song.
Anyhooooo...
I took Kitty Lucy out for a leisurely spin today. There's a bike path that goes from directly outside my house (footpath all the way), under the West Gate Bridge and winds its way along Hobson's Bay to Williamstown beach. It's not far - only about 8kms each way but enough to give the legs a bit of a workout. In the glorious, albeit chilly, sunshine of the afternoon Kitty Lucy and I passed loads of other cyclists, walkers, puppy dogs and prams as we wound our way down to my favourite gelato bar. Yummmmmy.
I had my iPod in, which was probably a little bit naughty, but I didn't have it up loud and could still hear everything around me... it was just like having a little underscore to my own little film of a moment in time.
That song was one of many which came up on shuffle... but it was certainly the most appropriate! Apart from the "but I borrowed it" part.
Cos Kitty Lucy is all mine.
And we had a lovely afternoon adventure together. I'm sure there will be many, many more.
* Claytons Cousin. The cousin you have when you're not having a cousin (taken from "Claytons - the drink you have when you're not having a drink"). Peter is actually no blood relation, but the son of my father's oldest friend, whom I have always called Uncle. So my brother and I and Peter and his sisters always referred to ourselves as "Claytons Cousins"
Monday, May 17, 2010
Words of Wisdom
Happy the man, and happy he alone,
he who can call today his own:
he who, secure within, can say,
Tomorrow do thy worst, for I have lived today.
Be fair or foul, or rain or shine
the joys I have possessed, in spite of fate, are mine.
Not Heaven itself, upon the past has power,
but what has been, has been, and I have had my hour
~ Horace ~
he who can call today his own:
he who, secure within, can say,
Tomorrow do thy worst, for I have lived today.
Be fair or foul, or rain or shine
the joys I have possessed, in spite of fate, are mine.
Not Heaven itself, upon the past has power,
but what has been, has been, and I have had my hour
~ Horace ~
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Observations of the Day
Two things I observed today which made me wonder/smile/giggle:
1. Upon leaving the retirement home of my mum's cousin (around lunch time), we walked past the dining room and nearly tripped over a whole line of walkers parked outside. Was like a taxi rank for the over 70s... classic! And three of the ladies were tucking into rather large glasses of wine with their lunch. Now THAT'S the kind of retirement home I want to go into when I'm old and grey!!
2. Attending Kathleen's funeral, I noticed a young boy (maybe 5 or 6) go up to the altar with his family for communion. As his mother and siblings remained kneeling, he stepped back up and took a walk around the coffin - just observing. The expression on his face was priceless... I was half expecting him to ask "so... is she in there?" Brought a smile to an otherwise sad situation.
1. Upon leaving the retirement home of my mum's cousin (around lunch time), we walked past the dining room and nearly tripped over a whole line of walkers parked outside. Was like a taxi rank for the over 70s... classic! And three of the ladies were tucking into rather large glasses of wine with their lunch. Now THAT'S the kind of retirement home I want to go into when I'm old and grey!!
2. Attending Kathleen's funeral, I noticed a young boy (maybe 5 or 6) go up to the altar with his family for communion. As his mother and siblings remained kneeling, he stepped back up and took a walk around the coffin - just observing. The expression on his face was priceless... I was half expecting him to ask "so... is she in there?" Brought a smile to an otherwise sad situation.
Eerie...
As most of you will know, I'm a bit of a believer in horoscopes. Or at least an avid reader of them.
I think it might be a typical Gemini thing.
Anyway, today (being Thursday at 1.20am... I've stayed up to watch the episode of Glee I started downloading at midnight*), I am going the the funeral of my dad's cousin. Kathleen. Lovely lady. I hadn't seen her in some years, despite residing in the same city as her for almost 18 months. My bad. My big bad.
Anyway. I just checked my horoscope (as I do), before turning off the laptop and going to sleep. This is today's horoscope:
"Family members will bring joy or happiness into your life. You may discover you have spiritual interests in common that bring you closer together. There may, in some cases, be financial opportunities with family members, or gifts of value coming from family members."
"Gifts of value coming from family members."
Eerie.
Why?
Because Kathleen, having never married or having children of her own, has left my brother and I some items of antique furniture (from our paternal grandmother's side of the family) in her will. Some rather valuable items.
Sometimes, a horoscope is just right on the money. Figuratively and literally.
Yep. Eerie.
* Glee tonight. Loved it. Covers of Mellencamp (well, when he was John Cougar), Rick Springfield, Sammy Davis Jnr and Ethel Merman. How could you not love it?!
I think it might be a typical Gemini thing.
Anyway, today (being Thursday at 1.20am... I've stayed up to watch the episode of Glee I started downloading at midnight*), I am going the the funeral of my dad's cousin. Kathleen. Lovely lady. I hadn't seen her in some years, despite residing in the same city as her for almost 18 months. My bad. My big bad.
Anyway. I just checked my horoscope (as I do), before turning off the laptop and going to sleep. This is today's horoscope:
"Family members will bring joy or happiness into your life. You may discover you have spiritual interests in common that bring you closer together. There may, in some cases, be financial opportunities with family members, or gifts of value coming from family members."
"Gifts of value coming from family members."
Eerie.
Why?
Because Kathleen, having never married or having children of her own, has left my brother and I some items of antique furniture (from our paternal grandmother's side of the family) in her will. Some rather valuable items.
Sometimes, a horoscope is just right on the money. Figuratively and literally.
Yep. Eerie.
* Glee tonight. Loved it. Covers of Mellencamp (well, when he was John Cougar), Rick Springfield, Sammy Davis Jnr and Ethel Merman. How could you not love it?!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Word of the Day Challenge
My word of the day today:
SUBTERFUGE
subterfuge. /ˈsʌb tər fyudʒ/
SUBTERFUGE
subterfuge. /ˈsʌb tər fyudʒ/
(noun) an artifice or expedient used to evade a rule, escape a consequence, hide something, etc. Origin: 1565–75; (class="ital-inline") subterfugium, equiv. to L subterfug(ere) to evade (subter below + fugere to flee) + -ium
Synonyms: deception, scheme, trick, dodge, ruse.
I heard this word used in a song recently and for some reason it has really stuck with me. It's such a great word and I think, quite frankly, not used nearly enough in everyday language.
So my challenge for you all (all what, three of you who still read this blog?) is to try and work it into a conversation today.
The only caveat is that you don't use it in the context of "I was reading a blog and the writer challenged her readers to work the word 'subterfuge' into a conversation today".
Synonyms: deception, scheme, trick, dodge, ruse.
I heard this word used in a song recently and for some reason it has really stuck with me. It's such a great word and I think, quite frankly, not used nearly enough in everyday language.
So my challenge for you all (all what, three of you who still read this blog?) is to try and work it into a conversation today.
The only caveat is that you don't use it in the context of "I was reading a blog and the writer challenged her readers to work the word 'subterfuge' into a conversation today".
Saturday, May 08, 2010
Clip Clop, You Don't Stop
There hasn't been much work in the life of m_m of late, so I've been trying to fill my days with productive, yet inexpensive pursuits.
The other day a friend and I (who is also in a bit of a quiet patch on the work front) decided we'd meet at Flinders St Station and then go for a walk along the Yarra River and around the Botanic Gardens. Maybe even go all out and treat ourselves to a coffee somewhere. It was a gorgeous day, so perfect walking weather. Melbourne really does have some lovely walks.
As we crossed back over St Kilda Road, we decided we'd stop in at the National Gallery of Victoria for a cuppa and a poke around their gift shop (lovely selection of books in there btw).
So we headed up to the The Tea Room on Level 1. I can highly recommend it as a lovely spot to enjoy afternoon tea. Their tea selection is ace... lots of interesting blends to choose from and they make crustless chicken & mayo (and smoked salmon, and egg) sandwiches which are über cute.
After an amazing cup of tea which was what looked like a sea urchin dropped into hot water which miraculously opened to show three little carnations, my friend decided to head home as she hadn't been feeling well, and I decided to wander around the European Collection for a gander.
For the most part, since it was: (a) Monday; and (b) about 12pm, I had the gallery to myself. Lovely. Took a really good look around at some lovely artworks.
And then SHE arrived.
SHE being the woman who though it would be a fine, fine idea to wear clippity cloppity heels to the gallery and follow me around the rooms like an elephant.
I can't find the words to tell you how utterly annoying this was. My quiet appreciation and observation of these works of art was hindered by a woman who never seemed to stop but just kept strutting around in noisy shoes.
Am I being silly when I suggest that there should be a rule in galleries that people will only be allowed entry if they are wearing rubber soled shoes?
I'm sure I'm not the only person who thinks so.
The other day a friend and I (who is also in a bit of a quiet patch on the work front) decided we'd meet at Flinders St Station and then go for a walk along the Yarra River and around the Botanic Gardens. Maybe even go all out and treat ourselves to a coffee somewhere. It was a gorgeous day, so perfect walking weather. Melbourne really does have some lovely walks.
As we crossed back over St Kilda Road, we decided we'd stop in at the National Gallery of Victoria for a cuppa and a poke around their gift shop (lovely selection of books in there btw).
So we headed up to the The Tea Room on Level 1. I can highly recommend it as a lovely spot to enjoy afternoon tea. Their tea selection is ace... lots of interesting blends to choose from and they make crustless chicken & mayo (and smoked salmon, and egg) sandwiches which are über cute.
After an amazing cup of tea which was what looked like a sea urchin dropped into hot water which miraculously opened to show three little carnations, my friend decided to head home as she hadn't been feeling well, and I decided to wander around the European Collection for a gander.
For the most part, since it was: (a) Monday; and (b) about 12pm, I had the gallery to myself. Lovely. Took a really good look around at some lovely artworks.
And then SHE arrived.
SHE being the woman who though it would be a fine, fine idea to wear clippity cloppity heels to the gallery and follow me around the rooms like an elephant.
I can't find the words to tell you how utterly annoying this was. My quiet appreciation and observation of these works of art was hindered by a woman who never seemed to stop but just kept strutting around in noisy shoes.
Am I being silly when I suggest that there should be a rule in galleries that people will only be allowed entry if they are wearing rubber soled shoes?
I'm sure I'm not the only person who thinks so.
Friday, May 07, 2010
Hello Pretty Lady
Well, she's arrived. I picked her up today.
Who's she?
Her!
Don't you remember?
Betsy Lucy. Prettiest bike in the world. Well, MY world anyway.
Although I am wavering on her name.
But only because we had a loss in our family today too... my dad's cousin Kathleen - a lovely, lovely lady, who was more like a sister to him than his own sorry-excuse-for-a-human-being sister - had a massive stroke on Thursday night and passed away.
She never married or had children of her own but she was a dedicated teacher and always took a big interest in my life. So I'm considering making the bike Betsy Kathleen. Or Kitty Lucy. And I do that with the highest regard for my lovely cousin and in complete respect. And because really, I might never be able to name a child after her... who knows whether it will happen for me or not?
So anyway. Welcome to my world Betsy. And farewell Kathleen. Say hello to my dad for me.
xox
Who's she?
Her!
Don't you remember?
Betsy Lucy. Prettiest bike in the world. Well, MY world anyway.
Although I am wavering on her name.
But only because we had a loss in our family today too... my dad's cousin Kathleen - a lovely, lovely lady, who was more like a sister to him than his own sorry-excuse-for-a-human-being sister - had a massive stroke on Thursday night and passed away.
She never married or had children of her own but she was a dedicated teacher and always took a big interest in my life. So I'm considering making the bike Betsy Kathleen. Or Kitty Lucy. And I do that with the highest regard for my lovely cousin and in complete respect. And because really, I might never be able to name a child after her... who knows whether it will happen for me or not?
So anyway. Welcome to my world Betsy. And farewell Kathleen. Say hello to my dad for me.
xox
Thursday, May 06, 2010
(Bank Holiday) Monday 6th May, 1996 (Dublin, Ireland)
At the airport waiting for our flight back to London and realised that its been nearly a month since I've written in this thing! I'll deal with this trip first, then add on all the extras later.
Well, last Monday I decided that if I spent another weekend in London I'd go absolutely mad! So I got cheap tickets for Paula and I (Paula is the Kiwi girl from CSFB) - £69 each. Paula organised a B&B for us and we were due to fly out of London Stanstead at 21:55 on Friday night.
Well.
After work on Friday, Anna (from my dept) and I went to the pub downstairs for a drink or two, while waiting for Paula to finish work. Well, Paula got to the Corney & Barrow*, we had a few drinks and then left (with Anna) to get the DLR** to connect with a tube to Liverpool Street, from where there's an express train to Stanstead.
OK, mishap #1! DLR stops near Shadwell, we're waiting for ages, then they kick us off because the train has broken or something. Saw two guys from the Scandinavian desk at CSFB and jumped in the cab they'd hailed. IT was then I realised I'd left one of my bags, with our tickets and all my clothes, on the DLR.
Mishap #2. So Paula and I leapt out of the cab, ran back to Shadwell, found a conductor who searched the train and the train front, found my bag and returned it to me. Whew! Then we had to find a cab. Got one to Liverpool Street but soon realised that as it was 1/4 to 8 and the journey takes an hour or more to Stanstead, we were running way late. Asked the cab driver to go to Stanstead but he declined as he was about to knock off. So ran through Liverpool St Station to get another cab and then £62 later arrived at Stanstead, just as our plane (last flight of the night!) took off!!
We got on standby for 7am the next morning, but as we were: (a) broke; (b) tired; and (c) would've had to have left almost as soon as we'd arrived home, we decided to sleep at the airport! Hmmmmm. Not an experience I'm anxious to repeat in a hurry! We couldn't even get blankets so had to sleep stretched out on seats with our jackets over us!
Anyway, woke, or got woken up I should say, at quarter to 5 by some horrible Northerners who sat down next to me and started talking in that awful "ow's it goin' luv" accent.***
Anyhow, we managed to get on the 7am flight to Dublin via Prestwick. Didn't know Prestwick was in Scotland!!**** Got a few 'Burns' postcards and things in the transit lounge. Left Prestwick at 9:15 and arrived in Dublin around 30 mins later. Got to our B&B, had a shower and brekkie and headed out for some sightseeing.
OK, let me say this right now. I LOVE Dublin and I want to live there. How on earth I'll get a work permit I don't know, and the pay is shit, but I love Dublin. We did all the Maeve Binchy stuff***** - visited Grafton & O'Connell Streets, St Stephen's Green, UCD, Trinity College, The Four Courts, Temple Bar, the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin Castle, etc, etc. I bought a Laura Ashley dress which was half price at Grafton Street. Looks gorgeous and gives me a summer dress for work.
Saturday night we went to Planet Web and I sent some emails to people and surfed the net (CMD has changed their name to SA) while Paula ate cake and coffee, then we went to a cool Mexican restaurant where we met Josef (a Kiwi) and Mark (from Sydney) who were in Dublin on business (they work for Phillips). Had dinner with them then went to a pub near the restaurant, then on to Break for the Border. They brought us drinks all night which was cool, so it was quite cheap for us!
Sunday got up around 9-ish (BTW we stayed in Rathmines which is south of the city, near Donnybrook) and went to Dun Laoghaire, where Hugh lives. Didn't get to see him though, I think he must have gone away for the weekend. Dun Laoghaire (pronounced Leery) is just stunning and is where I'd really like to live in Ireland - it's only 15 mins from the city by train and is the perfect Irish seaside village. We walked along the pier, then along the beach front to James Joyce's tower, then back to the pier for fish and chips before heading back to Dublin. The weather was gorgeous - bright and sunny but still cool enough to warrant a coat.
Headed back to Dublin and wandered through St Stephen's Green where we saw some Irish dancers in their bright costumes. They were great - they dance so well. After that we went to the Shelbourne Hotel for a very posh afternoon tea - sandwiches, tea, scones and cakes for £8.50 each. There was a pianist who played old show tunes and it was wonderful!
After that we walked through to St Patrick's Cathedral. Unfortunately it was shut, but we got to look around the gardens which was nice and I got some some photos. Then we walked back along the River Liffey to the Grattan Street Bridge, where there's a clock IN the river counting down the seconds left until the millennium. You could get postcards for 20p which had the number of seconds printed on them!
Then last night we had burgers and chips in a café near Rathmines before crashing and getting up at 6:30am this morning!!
A very busy weekend but a great one - I'm so glad to have finally been to all the places Maeve Binchy describes. Well, we're about to land in London so I'll have to pack up. More on the train I guess!
******
* otherwise referred to as the Horny & Shallow by those of us who frequented it
** Docklands Light Railway... otherwise known as the Legoland train
*** Clearly I was cranky, because I actually love the Northern accent. Makes me giggle.
**** I know I was only 24, but really. That's embarrassing. I'm ashamed that I had no clue where Prestwick was.
***** I used to read a lot of Maeve Binchy back in the mid-90s. I blame an ex-boyfriend's mum... she'd always give them to me for birthday and Christmas presents.
****** There was no "more from the train". In fact that was the last entry in that particular diary.
Well, last Monday I decided that if I spent another weekend in London I'd go absolutely mad! So I got cheap tickets for Paula and I (Paula is the Kiwi girl from CSFB) - £69 each. Paula organised a B&B for us and we were due to fly out of London Stanstead at 21:55 on Friday night.
Well.
After work on Friday, Anna (from my dept) and I went to the pub downstairs for a drink or two, while waiting for Paula to finish work. Well, Paula got to the Corney & Barrow*, we had a few drinks and then left (with Anna) to get the DLR** to connect with a tube to Liverpool Street, from where there's an express train to Stanstead.
OK, mishap #1! DLR stops near Shadwell, we're waiting for ages, then they kick us off because the train has broken or something. Saw two guys from the Scandinavian desk at CSFB and jumped in the cab they'd hailed. IT was then I realised I'd left one of my bags, with our tickets and all my clothes, on the DLR.
Mishap #2. So Paula and I leapt out of the cab, ran back to Shadwell, found a conductor who searched the train and the train front, found my bag and returned it to me. Whew! Then we had to find a cab. Got one to Liverpool Street but soon realised that as it was 1/4 to 8 and the journey takes an hour or more to Stanstead, we were running way late. Asked the cab driver to go to Stanstead but he declined as he was about to knock off. So ran through Liverpool St Station to get another cab and then £62 later arrived at Stanstead, just as our plane (last flight of the night!) took off!!
We got on standby for 7am the next morning, but as we were: (a) broke; (b) tired; and (c) would've had to have left almost as soon as we'd arrived home, we decided to sleep at the airport! Hmmmmm. Not an experience I'm anxious to repeat in a hurry! We couldn't even get blankets so had to sleep stretched out on seats with our jackets over us!
Anyway, woke, or got woken up I should say, at quarter to 5 by some horrible Northerners who sat down next to me and started talking in that awful "ow's it goin' luv" accent.***
Anyhow, we managed to get on the 7am flight to Dublin via Prestwick. Didn't know Prestwick was in Scotland!!**** Got a few 'Burns' postcards and things in the transit lounge. Left Prestwick at 9:15 and arrived in Dublin around 30 mins later. Got to our B&B, had a shower and brekkie and headed out for some sightseeing.
OK, let me say this right now. I LOVE Dublin and I want to live there. How on earth I'll get a work permit I don't know, and the pay is shit, but I love Dublin. We did all the Maeve Binchy stuff***** - visited Grafton & O'Connell Streets, St Stephen's Green, UCD, Trinity College, The Four Courts, Temple Bar, the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin Castle, etc, etc. I bought a Laura Ashley dress which was half price at Grafton Street. Looks gorgeous and gives me a summer dress for work.
Saturday night we went to Planet Web and I sent some emails to people and surfed the net (CMD has changed their name to SA) while Paula ate cake and coffee, then we went to a cool Mexican restaurant where we met Josef (a Kiwi) and Mark (from Sydney) who were in Dublin on business (they work for Phillips). Had dinner with them then went to a pub near the restaurant, then on to Break for the Border. They brought us drinks all night which was cool, so it was quite cheap for us!
Sunday got up around 9-ish (BTW we stayed in Rathmines which is south of the city, near Donnybrook) and went to Dun Laoghaire, where Hugh lives. Didn't get to see him though, I think he must have gone away for the weekend. Dun Laoghaire (pronounced Leery) is just stunning and is where I'd really like to live in Ireland - it's only 15 mins from the city by train and is the perfect Irish seaside village. We walked along the pier, then along the beach front to James Joyce's tower, then back to the pier for fish and chips before heading back to Dublin. The weather was gorgeous - bright and sunny but still cool enough to warrant a coat.
Headed back to Dublin and wandered through St Stephen's Green where we saw some Irish dancers in their bright costumes. They were great - they dance so well. After that we went to the Shelbourne Hotel for a very posh afternoon tea - sandwiches, tea, scones and cakes for £8.50 each. There was a pianist who played old show tunes and it was wonderful!
After that we walked through to St Patrick's Cathedral. Unfortunately it was shut, but we got to look around the gardens which was nice and I got some some photos. Then we walked back along the River Liffey to the Grattan Street Bridge, where there's a clock IN the river counting down the seconds left until the millennium. You could get postcards for 20p which had the number of seconds printed on them!
Then last night we had burgers and chips in a café near Rathmines before crashing and getting up at 6:30am this morning!!
A very busy weekend but a great one - I'm so glad to have finally been to all the places Maeve Binchy describes. Well, we're about to land in London so I'll have to pack up. More on the train I guess!
******
* otherwise referred to as the Horny & Shallow by those of us who frequented it
** Docklands Light Railway... otherwise known as the Legoland train
*** Clearly I was cranky, because I actually love the Northern accent. Makes me giggle.
**** I know I was only 24, but really. That's embarrassing. I'm ashamed that I had no clue where Prestwick was.
***** I used to read a lot of Maeve Binchy back in the mid-90s. I blame an ex-boyfriend's mum... she'd always give them to me for birthday and Christmas presents.
****** There was no "more from the train". In fact that was the last entry in that particular diary.
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Discuss
I discovered this quote today... I found it quite interesting.
"When artists today are asked to Twitter their every thought, their every action, to record on video their every breath, their every performance, I believe they're diluting their creative powers, their creative potency and the durability of their work. And in the long run I believe they're also diluting the magical power and the magnetic attraction that they can or will ever have over their audience."
What made it more interesting was then discovering who said it.
Here's a few clues:
1. He shares a birthday with me.
2. He's a bit of a lad.
3. He played bass in one of the most successful British bands of the 80s.
4. He's dabbled in a bit of acting.
5. He also said the following, far less profound quote:
"Of course we slept with the models in our videos. So did the managers, so did the director. Everybody sleeps with everybody in this game."
Oh dear. Down a point in my admiration there, spunky-bass-boy.
So have you worked it out?
?
No, he's not Martin Kemp.
[Although it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if Martin Kemp had slept with the models in their videos. The Spandau boys were well known for their party antics. Hell, Steve Norman apparently even had to be stretchered out of a bar the night before Band Aid was recorded because he was rat-arsed from trying to drink our subject and his band-mates under the bar.]
So who is he?
Well, he's this man.
As we know, he's been a favourite of mine for years. I didn't realise he was so wise, however. I think he's made a very valid point. Have today's artists lost the ability to create magic and mystery with the over-saturation of intimate details of their not-so-private lives? Are we missing out because we soak it all up like a sponge so we feel like we're privy to a lifestyle we'll never have?
Or are spunky-bass-boy and I just a bit old and jaded and hankering for the days when artists were actually just that. Artists. Creators. Innovators. Trend-setters. Artists who were all about the work and not about tweeting how they just ate two-minute noodles for dinner and doesn't-that-make-them-just-like-you. Artists you could actually admire and aspire to be like (apart from the drinking-yourself-stretchered antics... silly boy Steve).
Aside from Lady Gaga, I can not think of a single performer of the current generation who would fall into any of those categories.
But I'm happy to be corrected. Anyone got any suggestions?
Jay-Z was the only other one I could think of. But a lot of his stuff is sampled from earlier artists.
So anyway, as the title of the blog directs...
DISCUSS.
"When artists today are asked to Twitter their every thought, their every action, to record on video their every breath, their every performance, I believe they're diluting their creative powers, their creative potency and the durability of their work. And in the long run I believe they're also diluting the magical power and the magnetic attraction that they can or will ever have over their audience."
What made it more interesting was then discovering who said it.
Here's a few clues:
1. He shares a birthday with me.
2. He's a bit of a lad.
3. He played bass in one of the most successful British bands of the 80s.
4. He's dabbled in a bit of acting.
5. He also said the following, far less profound quote:
"Of course we slept with the models in our videos. So did the managers, so did the director. Everybody sleeps with everybody in this game."
Oh dear. Down a point in my admiration there, spunky-bass-boy.
So have you worked it out?
?
No, he's not Martin Kemp.
[Although it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if Martin Kemp had slept with the models in their videos. The Spandau boys were well known for their party antics. Hell, Steve Norman apparently even had to be stretchered out of a bar the night before Band Aid was recorded because he was rat-arsed from trying to drink our subject and his band-mates under the bar.]
So who is he?
Well, he's this man.
As we know, he's been a favourite of mine for years. I didn't realise he was so wise, however. I think he's made a very valid point. Have today's artists lost the ability to create magic and mystery with the over-saturation of intimate details of their not-so-private lives? Are we missing out because we soak it all up like a sponge so we feel like we're privy to a lifestyle we'll never have?
Or are spunky-bass-boy and I just a bit old and jaded and hankering for the days when artists were actually just that. Artists. Creators. Innovators. Trend-setters. Artists who were all about the work and not about tweeting how they just ate two-minute noodles for dinner and doesn't-that-make-them-just-like-you. Artists you could actually admire and aspire to be like (apart from the drinking-yourself-stretchered antics... silly boy Steve).
Aside from Lady Gaga, I can not think of a single performer of the current generation who would fall into any of those categories.
But I'm happy to be corrected. Anyone got any suggestions?
Jay-Z was the only other one I could think of. But a lot of his stuff is sampled from earlier artists.
So anyway, as the title of the blog directs...
DISCUSS.
There's a Topic For You...
My flattie and I are being a bit geeky, sitting here in the living room watching TV and tapping away on our laptops. Hey, it's raining. We're both a bit broke. No desire to go out.
Anyway, I just asked Kate for a topic to blog on.
At the same time, the new Magnum ad came on the TV. (Have you seen it? Its a bit of a Mission Impossible/Mr & Mrs Smith/James Bond type thing.)
So this new Magnum ad stars Benicio Del Toro.
And following the initial moment of "is that... nooo... is it?", Kate turned to me and said:
"THERE'S a topic for you. What are we, Japan? Getting celebs to do stupid product endorsement?"
So I thought, yep. I'll do a post on that.
Until I googled it to make sure it actually was Benicio.
And discovered this article, which is far better than what I could ever write.
Oh well.
It's Top Gear time anyway.
Anyway, I just asked Kate for a topic to blog on.
At the same time, the new Magnum ad came on the TV. (Have you seen it? Its a bit of a Mission Impossible/Mr & Mrs Smith/James Bond type thing.)
So this new Magnum ad stars Benicio Del Toro.
And following the initial moment of "is that... nooo... is it?", Kate turned to me and said:
"THERE'S a topic for you. What are we, Japan? Getting celebs to do stupid product endorsement?"
So I thought, yep. I'll do a post on that.
Until I googled it to make sure it actually was Benicio.
And discovered this article, which is far better than what I could ever write.
Oh well.
It's Top Gear time anyway.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)