Walking down the cobblestone pedestrian-only mainstreet, a light rain falling, dampening none of the spirit on the night street. Musicians playing in front of every third darkened shop stoop mingle with crowds overflowing from Tigh Coili's and Taaffe's, standing in the street, sipping their pints under the cheerful drizzle while still more music wafts out the doors behind the smokers and the early-to-bedders. A puppeteer is still performing at the fork where Shop St splits into Quay and High Streets.
Walking the neon-lit underground corridor on moving sidewalks between terminals in O'Hare airport, burdened by a load of bags as heavy as my heart to be ending this fantasy I've been living and wondering what I might have left behind. Walkway ending. Please watch your step. Waiting, possibly for hours, for loved ones to reach me, then facing a prolonged stretch of feeling anywhere but home in between two happier places.
Those are the two paths I could've been walking approximately an hour ago.
Whatever the reasons, whatever the results, I chose correctly.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Friday, June 29, 2007
Well. That was unexpected.
I'm afraid I lied. I'm still in Galway.
I shut down the computer after the previous post, and tossed it in the bag--the last thing to go, always. I loaded up my bags in a cab bound for the bus station that would shuttle me off to Shannon.
I had one last stop to make before getting on the bus. And there, just about 50 yards from the bus station, I changed my mind. I found another cab and came right back to the house.
There are a large number of reasons and circumstances why, but I'm not going to get into them all now.
Suffice to say the details for now are that I've rebooked my flight to return July 19th.
And for the moment, I couldn't be happier.
I shut down the computer after the previous post, and tossed it in the bag--the last thing to go, always. I loaded up my bags in a cab bound for the bus station that would shuttle me off to Shannon.
I had one last stop to make before getting on the bus. And there, just about 50 yards from the bus station, I changed my mind. I found another cab and came right back to the house.
There are a large number of reasons and circumstances why, but I'm not going to get into them all now.
Suffice to say the details for now are that I've rebooked my flight to return July 19th.
And for the moment, I couldn't be happier.
Farewell to Galway
Final post from what's been my home for the past 3 months.
Mood is very melancholy and apprehensive. I'll check in again when I get to Shannon and will have a few hours.
Mood is very melancholy and apprehensive. I'll check in again when I get to Shannon and will have a few hours.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Packing sucks
No matter which side of the ocean you're on or which way you're going, it's a universal truth.
I'm mostly over my emotional duldrums for now, but am just burning out. The good news is, it's currently looking like I should be able to fit everything into my bags. Now whether they'll be over the weight limit is another question...
I'm mostly over my emotional duldrums for now, but am just burning out. The good news is, it's currently looking like I should be able to fit everything into my bags. Now whether they'll be over the weight limit is another question...
A little too rough to post much right now
I'm trying to pack. I'm going on little sleep and the surge of emotions good and bad are just making an ugly mess. Galway is sending me out with her finest weather (grey, cold and horizontal rain that looks to continue for my remaining hours).
I thought I'd want to post a lot more right now, but I just gotta get through this and get home. Can't wait to see family and friends, but the end of what's been a most amazing chapter of my life is sitting very heavy right now.
I'll be in touch soon.
I thought I'd want to post a lot more right now, but I just gotta get through this and get home. Can't wait to see family and friends, but the end of what's been a most amazing chapter of my life is sitting very heavy right now.
I'll be in touch soon.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Pipers are a surly lot
This was an observation I started to make here some time ago and figured I'd come back to it eventually. It does seem that many of the uilleann pipers I've met have been, or have a reputation of being, a bit on the surly side.
I wondered whether there was something about the pipes that appealed to folks with a cranky disposition, or whether it was the pipes themselves that made the pipers so pissy.
I figure I'm a pretty happy, cheerful and friendly lot for the most part, so I was leaning towards the latter. Last night, I had them out while playing over at a friends' place, then took them along and abused the good folks at the Richardson's session at the end of the night with a few attempts at tunes.
Pictures were taken, and try as I might, I could not get anything approaching a smile while trying to wrestle with those damn things. So here's photographic evidence that its definitely the pipes that make the pipers poor company. And by the looks of this shot, its an area-effect weapon, spreading the doom and gloom to everyone in earshot. Hehheh...
I'm off now on my last mini-trip. I won't be back until Thursday afternoon, at which point it'll be time to pack everything up and be ready to leave. Normal road rules apply, though: I'll try and check in when I can.
I wondered whether there was something about the pipes that appealed to folks with a cranky disposition, or whether it was the pipes themselves that made the pipers so pissy.
I figure I'm a pretty happy, cheerful and friendly lot for the most part, so I was leaning towards the latter. Last night, I had them out while playing over at a friends' place, then took them along and abused the good folks at the Richardson's session at the end of the night with a few attempts at tunes.
Pictures were taken, and try as I might, I could not get anything approaching a smile while trying to wrestle with those damn things. So here's photographic evidence that its definitely the pipes that make the pipers poor company. And by the looks of this shot, its an area-effect weapon, spreading the doom and gloom to everyone in earshot. Hehheh...
I'm off now on my last mini-trip. I won't be back until Thursday afternoon, at which point it'll be time to pack everything up and be ready to leave. Normal road rules apply, though: I'll try and check in when I can.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Some late Irish observations
Walking back from town just now, I just noticed for the first time that one of my neighbors' mailbox has "NO JUNK MAIL" painted in neat, hand-painted letters above the slot. I wonder if that works. Is it really that simple over here?
Also, on a less light-hearted note, I've been meaning to post this up for a while...
It's a pretty shocking example of the different public mentality over here regarding censorship in the media. This is an actual commercial/PSA that's been running frequently on TV during prime time over here. WARNING... It is very graphic and disturbing:
Far more graphic than any anti-drunk-driving campaign you'd see on TV in the States, and it's just for speeding.
Also, on a less light-hearted note, I've been meaning to post this up for a while...
It's a pretty shocking example of the different public mentality over here regarding censorship in the media. This is an actual commercial/PSA that's been running frequently on TV during prime time over here. WARNING... It is very graphic and disturbing:
Far more graphic than any anti-drunk-driving campaign you'd see on TV in the States, and it's just for speeding.
Pressed for Time...
...happens to be the name of one of my favorite Flook tunes, but it's also a rather fitting description of how I'm feeling right now.
I fly home on Friday. Friday. THIS Friday!?
Where on earth have the past three months gone?
Well, I'll tell you where... Dunbeg, Ennis, Galway, Shannon Airport, Rome, Florence, the Austrian Alps, Munich, Ulm, Venice, Normandy, Dublin, Rosscahill, The Burren, Ennistimon, Kilfenora, Inis Meain, Connemara, Limerick, Dingle, Cork, Edinburgh, Grantown-on-Spey, Loch Ness, Isle of Skye, Stirling... It's gone to The Crane, Tigh Coili's, Richardson's, Tigh Neachtain's, the Roisin Dubh, The Quays, Taaffe's, The Front Door, Cooley's House, An Droichead Beag, The Hi-B. It's gone to McDonough's, Dunnes and the Farmer's Market. It's gone into bangers, rashers and black pudding, and pint after pint of Guinness. It's gone into music, and friendship, and craic, as well as personal reflection and much-needed relaxation.
And yet, its not quite done yet. My last 4 days in town just got cut down into about 1 and a half, as one last mini-trek has been thrown together. Tomorrow afternoon, my friend Kimberly and I are heading to Dublin to see Riverdance. "On the way" back to Galway, we're going to head up north to see the Giant's Causeway, which is the number one thing left on my list of sights left to be seen in Ireland (of course, it's not the last thing on the list, so there will always be a new number 1). The route will take us through the Mourne Mountains, Belfast, Derry, and the five remaining counties of Northern Ireland that I have not yet been to.
It's also going to leave me with only Thursday afternoon to clean out my room and pack to go home. But I have no doubt it will be worthwhile.
While I'm definitely starting to bemoan how little time I have left to this particular chapter of my life, there is a great sense of excitement and anticipation that I feel towards being "home" again so soon and reconnecting with friends and family there.
I fly home on Friday. Friday. THIS Friday!?
Where on earth have the past three months gone?
Well, I'll tell you where... Dunbeg, Ennis, Galway, Shannon Airport, Rome, Florence, the Austrian Alps, Munich, Ulm, Venice, Normandy, Dublin, Rosscahill, The Burren, Ennistimon, Kilfenora, Inis Meain, Connemara, Limerick, Dingle, Cork, Edinburgh, Grantown-on-Spey, Loch Ness, Isle of Skye, Stirling... It's gone to The Crane, Tigh Coili's, Richardson's, Tigh Neachtain's, the Roisin Dubh, The Quays, Taaffe's, The Front Door, Cooley's House, An Droichead Beag, The Hi-B. It's gone to McDonough's, Dunnes and the Farmer's Market. It's gone into bangers, rashers and black pudding, and pint after pint of Guinness. It's gone into music, and friendship, and craic, as well as personal reflection and much-needed relaxation.
And yet, its not quite done yet. My last 4 days in town just got cut down into about 1 and a half, as one last mini-trek has been thrown together. Tomorrow afternoon, my friend Kimberly and I are heading to Dublin to see Riverdance. "On the way" back to Galway, we're going to head up north to see the Giant's Causeway, which is the number one thing left on my list of sights left to be seen in Ireland (of course, it's not the last thing on the list, so there will always be a new number 1). The route will take us through the Mourne Mountains, Belfast, Derry, and the five remaining counties of Northern Ireland that I have not yet been to.
It's also going to leave me with only Thursday afternoon to clean out my room and pack to go home. But I have no doubt it will be worthwhile.
While I'm definitely starting to bemoan how little time I have left to this particular chapter of my life, there is a great sense of excitement and anticipation that I feel towards being "home" again so soon and reconnecting with friends and family there.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Back again
I think I'm going to wait to upload most of my Scotland pictures at this point. There's a ton and it really takes up some time to go through them, organize them and label them all. I'll toss a few up here and there under the 1000 Words, but the big load will probably come sometime late next week after I'm home. I've got too much else to soak up this week to spend too much time dealing with photos. Plus, once I'm back stateside, I'll get Justin's photos too, as he's got some I'll want to include as well.
I do want to tell one tale from the road though, of a particular favorite memory. On Thursday we explored the Isle of Skye, which was hands down my favorite part of the whole trip. Simply stunning scenery and a great, rustic cultural feel, very different from Strathspey and the eastern Highlands, and of course the cities of the Lowlands.
In the late afternoon, we decided to hike up to the Old Man of Storr, a crazy rock outcropping high up a hill overlooking the Sound and Isle of Raasay and back towards the western Highlands. It's a well-marked and well-travelled path, but still a bit of a climb.
Near the base, there's a final slope up to the rock pillar itself. I climbed about halfway up this slope, found a good spot to dig in, and enjoyed the view. There were some backpackers a bit below us, so I waited for them to round the bend and be out of site, then I pulled out my whistle and naturally, the Skye Boat Song came out. A few other tunes followed it. It only took a few more minutes for a few of the backpackers to come back from around the bend and be standing at the bottom of the small slope watching and listening. A few had climbed up to the path that was about parallel to where I was. After playing my few tunes, I started making my way back to meet back up with Justin and Nathan who'd been exploring the area around the base just below me.
When I came across the backpackers on the path, they practically begged me to play some more. Always enjoying an appreciative audience, I sat down and played a bit more. I was fighting off the wind and the midgies (small, biting gnat-like bugs), but it was fantastic. Justin and Nathan later said that it was just ringing off the high stone cliffs behind which really added an amazing, magical quality to the music, befitting the scenery around us.
This is the Old Man of Storr, as seen from about half-way up from the road. It was another 20 minutes or so of hiking from this point to reach the final slope at the base of the spire, which just sort of blends in with the rest of the hill from this angle. The clouds that were dancing with it cleared up by the time we reached it. Steep rock cliffs stand just behind it, which bounced my tunes around in the wind.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
A taste of Michigan in Edinburgh airport? Sorta.
I might've been confused had I not stumbled across an article on wikipedia a few months ago.
See, I had always grown up believing that pasty's were Michigan's one, true, original cuisine. Local lore has it that the miners in the Upper Penninsula concocted these tasty little pockets of hot meat, potato and veg wrapped in dough as a meal that could be taken along in the morning which would stay hot until lunch time.
But, those yooper miners, many of whom were Cornish immigrants, brought the dish from their native land.
So I was only mildly surprised and amused when I stumbled across the West Cornwall Pasty Co. in the terminal area of Edinburgh Airport. I mean, not that we're in Cornwall, but at least its on the right island.
I should add though, that this hardly looked like your typical, rustic yooper pasty shack. Rather, its a converted VW minibus, painted black with flames down the sides, and a couple of matching surfboards strapped to the top. Speakers mounted at the sides were blaring gritty Chicago style blues.
How could I not stop in and sample the fare?
So yeah... at an airport. Again. More waiting. What's more is I'll probably check in again from Shannon, as I'll have another long wait for the bus there tonight, and won't get back to Galway until probably around 2am. But it'll be nice to be back there.
The next week, however, is going to be insane. I'm going to have a lot of thought I'll want to get out in word here, but I already know I'll hardly have the time. I've got tons of pictures and stories from Scotland (not to mention Dingle and Cork) but I'll probably try and keep the commentary there to a minimum, as I don't want to lose "the now".
In addition to just enjoying enough of the same sessions and pints that have been my every day life for the past few months, tomorrow is the Salthill Airshow. On Tuesday night, I'm going to Dublin to see Riverdance. My friend Meg, who I've been corresponding with now for a few months, has just arrived in Galway on the beginning of a similar journey to the one I've been on, and I'm looking forward to meeting and hanging out with her. And I have many other friends and acquaintences to enjoy my last days with while I'm here as well.
That's not even getting into packing, or buying last-minute souvenirs.
Or trying to figure out where my life (and this space for that matter) will be going after Friday.
See, I had always grown up believing that pasty's were Michigan's one, true, original cuisine. Local lore has it that the miners in the Upper Penninsula concocted these tasty little pockets of hot meat, potato and veg wrapped in dough as a meal that could be taken along in the morning which would stay hot until lunch time.
But, those yooper miners, many of whom were Cornish immigrants, brought the dish from their native land.
So I was only mildly surprised and amused when I stumbled across the West Cornwall Pasty Co. in the terminal area of Edinburgh Airport. I mean, not that we're in Cornwall, but at least its on the right island.
I should add though, that this hardly looked like your typical, rustic yooper pasty shack. Rather, its a converted VW minibus, painted black with flames down the sides, and a couple of matching surfboards strapped to the top. Speakers mounted at the sides were blaring gritty Chicago style blues.
How could I not stop in and sample the fare?
So yeah... at an airport. Again. More waiting. What's more is I'll probably check in again from Shannon, as I'll have another long wait for the bus there tonight, and won't get back to Galway until probably around 2am. But it'll be nice to be back there.
The next week, however, is going to be insane. I'm going to have a lot of thought I'll want to get out in word here, but I already know I'll hardly have the time. I've got tons of pictures and stories from Scotland (not to mention Dingle and Cork) but I'll probably try and keep the commentary there to a minimum, as I don't want to lose "the now".
In addition to just enjoying enough of the same sessions and pints that have been my every day life for the past few months, tomorrow is the Salthill Airshow. On Tuesday night, I'm going to Dublin to see Riverdance. My friend Meg, who I've been corresponding with now for a few months, has just arrived in Galway on the beginning of a similar journey to the one I've been on, and I'm looking forward to meeting and hanging out with her. And I have many other friends and acquaintences to enjoy my last days with while I'm here as well.
That's not even getting into packing, or buying last-minute souvenirs.
Or trying to figure out where my life (and this space for that matter) will be going after Friday.
Friday, June 22, 2007
William Wallace territory
Tonight we're in Stirling, home of the William Wallace monument and sight of his historic victory over the British. It looks like a pretty cool town, but we just rolled in and it started pouring. We're at a hostel right next to Stirling Castle, and had a good dinner at a place owned by a guy who's apparently a big NHL fan, so we talked hockey for a bit. Go figure.
Gonna check out the castle and the monument and maybe a bit more of town in the morning before heading back to Edinburgh tomorrow, where Justin and Nathan will catch a train down to London while I fly back to Shannon.
The past day or so on the Isle of Skye were fantastic. Climbed around in some amazing scenery, and I even got to sit in on a Scottish trad session for a bit last night. Hope to fill in more details later, but running out of time for this connection period. Next post will probably be from back in Galway.
Gonna check out the castle and the monument and maybe a bit more of town in the morning before heading back to Edinburgh tomorrow, where Justin and Nathan will catch a train down to London while I fly back to Shannon.
The past day or so on the Isle of Skye were fantastic. Climbed around in some amazing scenery, and I even got to sit in on a Scottish trad session for a bit last night. Hope to fill in more details later, but running out of time for this connection period. Next post will probably be from back in Galway.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Still a small world, even in Scotland
Wandering around Kyleakin last night, we ran into a couple of young guys out trying to find a way to the small castle ruins. Got chatting with them for a bit and asked them where they were from.
Turns out they were both recent UM grads, one of which is now in grad school at the University of Chicago.
The other one was from Dryden, right down the road from Memphis.
btw... Justin and Nathan did make their way to the ruins. I turned back with the Michigan guys and headed back to town. It was nearly midnight, though there was still plenty of twilight glow in the sky.
Turns out they were both recent UM grads, one of which is now in grad school at the University of Chicago.
The other one was from Dryden, right down the road from Memphis.
btw... Justin and Nathan did make their way to the ruins. I turned back with the Michigan guys and headed back to town. It was nearly midnight, though there was still plenty of twilight glow in the sky.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Over the sea to Skye
Speed bonnie boat like a bird on the wing,
Onward the sailors cry,
Carry the lad that is born to be King,
Over the sea to Skye.
Loud the winds howl, loud the winds roar,
Thunderclaps rend the air,
baffled our foes,
stand on the shore,
follow they will not dare.
Though the waves leap
soft shall ye sleep,
Oceans a royal bed,
Rocked in the deep, flora will keep,
Watch by your weary head.
Manys the lad fought on the day,
Well the claymore did weild,
When the night came, silently lay,
Dead on Cullodens field
Burned are our homes, Exile and death,
Scatter the loyal men,
yet oer the sword, cool in the sheath,
Charlie will come again.
The western Highlands, and what we've seen of Skye (which is very little so far--we're staying tonight in Kyleakin, just across the bridge from the mainland) are absolutely stunning.
Getting back on topic for a moment, the Skye Boat Song has a bit of personal significance to me as well. Several years ago, while sailing on Lake Huron with my dad, we came into the town of Kincardine, Ontario, which has a very strong Scottish heritage. One of their several local traditions is a piper playing at sunset from the top of the lighthouse near the harbor entrance every evening in the summer.
That evening, he spotted us coming in to the harbor and held off until we'd made the final turn into the harbor, before piping us right into the marina to the slow, beautiful tune of the Skye Boat Song. It was just one of those moments that was "perfect".
I might also add that the other end of the story, the battle of Cullodens Moor, was also told in the song "Sound the Piobroch", performed by Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy in their live concert recording, yet another personal favorite.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
A quick 'Hi' from the 'Hi'-lands
We rolled into Grantown-on-Spey yesterday afternoon and were greeted with the best weather we've had so far since Justin and Nathan arrived.
Grantown is a pretty quiet, small town, though it's the capital of Strathspey. We had a nice walk around the town and in the vicinity of Castle Grant, though it is a private residence these days and we weren't able to get too close.
As Justin and Nathan are Grants, they are certainly enjoying seeing their roots, though they're having a bit of a Malkovich, MalkovichMalkovich-Malkovich-type experience as they're name is literally everywhere!
We came down to nearby Aviemore this morning, which is a bit more of a touristy destination, to do some laundry and hop online, though net cafe's are still far harder to come by here than in Ireland, somewhat suprisingly. We eventually found a hostel outside town that has a single terminal, though.
Anyways, time is running out on my connection here for now, so I'll update more later.
Grantown is a pretty quiet, small town, though it's the capital of Strathspey. We had a nice walk around the town and in the vicinity of Castle Grant, though it is a private residence these days and we weren't able to get too close.
As Justin and Nathan are Grants, they are certainly enjoying seeing their roots, though they're having a bit of a Malkovich, MalkovichMalkovich-Malkovich-type experience as they're name is literally everywhere!
We came down to nearby Aviemore this morning, which is a bit more of a touristy destination, to do some laundry and hop online, though net cafe's are still far harder to come by here than in Ireland, somewhat suprisingly. We eventually found a hostel outside town that has a single terminal, though.
Anyways, time is running out on my connection here for now, so I'll update more later.
Monday, June 18, 2007
The Scotsman Lounge: aka the Irish Embassy of Edinburgh
Just got back to the hostel, have a beer from the bar here and thought I'd sign in for a few happy-drunken rambles.
We went out on the town this evening (after spending most of the day exploring Edinburgh Castle--fantastic!), but there was a differing of opinions as to what constitutes a fun evening. Justin and his bro were looking for a good alternative rock bar, but as we walked past a place called "The Scotsman Lounge" which had a live group doing pub songs, I decided to part ways with them for the night. No point in dragging them along, any more than dragging myself along with them if someone was going to end up not having a good time.
Now, I want to point out, braggingly a bit, that one thing I've gotten out of being over here is a vastly-improved ability to quickly distinguish between the accents of other various English-speaking countries. The Scottish accent has been incredibly and obviously very different from the Irish, and I've had no problem very quickly identifying Irish accents when I hear them here in Edinburgh.
But I really didn't need such skills when I walked in the door of The Scotsman Lounge. While the group singing was obviously Scottish, a good quarter of the crowd were wearing GAA jerseys... Counties Cork, Dublin, Sligo, Laois, and Tyrone at the least were all well represented, as well as Leinster and Munster as provinces. Though I should mention that being able to identify those jersies does take a certain degree of Celtophilia as well, as in the GAA standard, county names on jerseys are exclusively in Irish. Corcaigh, Baile Átha Cliath (Dublin), Sligeach, Tír Eoghain... between the Irish names and the county colors, I was able to identify them all.
I was only a might bummed not to see any Maroon and White of my "own" Gallimh to share a quick 'Up Galway!' with, as I would give a 'Go Blue' to any maize-and-blue clad fan run across during travels.
Just as I knew the jerseys, I knew the songs... Though a few well-known Scottish tunes were mixed in, they were smartly playing to the mainly-Irish crowd with such pub favorites as Whiskey in the Jar, I'll Tell Me Mar, and of course, the namesake of this very blog, The Rattlin' Bog.
Sure, you might think it a bit silly to spend my time in Scotland in a pub that was effectively Irish , but its not like I couldn't hear any great alternative rock at home, or in the Roisin Dubh in Galway, either. I do hope to find a pub that has some good live traditional Scottish music, but I'm really not sure it is embraced here the way the tradition is embraced in Ireland.
I will say, however, that the town has been nearly littered with Highland pipers out busking for a few coins. One particular piper stationed himself on the Royal Mile just outside the gates to the castle this afternoon, and was absolutely fantastic. But as we stood on the defence platforms overlooking the city of Edinburgh, pipe music could be heard coming from at least 3 or 4 different locations in the city spanning below us.
That made me smile.
I also saw an exhibit on the Edinburgh Royal Military Tattoo which takes place for 21 days each August, and I must say I've added that to my list of things I must see and do before I die. A fantastic, dramatic display of music, dance, culture and military precision, set in the esplanade just outside the gates, with the castle in the dramatic background, it brings an international flare with countries from all over the world participating. The US Army's 'Pershing's Own' Band has performed, as well as the USMC jazz band, plus music and drill outfits from over 40 other countries. Jamaican military steel drum bands, Russian drill teams in mock sword fights, the Swedish Guard with their extremely precise drumline... and many more. It looks to be quite the spectacle!
While walking back to the hostel, I tried one last time to reach Dad to wish him a Happy Father's Day. I'd tried several times earlier in the day, but the calls were not going through. Apparently maybe I just needed to be drunk enough to randomly push the right buttons to over-ride whatever call routing thing was prohibiting the calls from going through earlier.
So, I managed to have Dad 'accompany' me back to the hostel along Prince St. underneath the misty-cloud obscured castle which looms over the city on Father's Day, apparently making both of our days.
As unworthy of any hyperbole these past 3 months have been, I am definitely looking forward to being home again with friends and family where I belong.
We went out on the town this evening (after spending most of the day exploring Edinburgh Castle--fantastic!), but there was a differing of opinions as to what constitutes a fun evening. Justin and his bro were looking for a good alternative rock bar, but as we walked past a place called "The Scotsman Lounge" which had a live group doing pub songs, I decided to part ways with them for the night. No point in dragging them along, any more than dragging myself along with them if someone was going to end up not having a good time.
Now, I want to point out, braggingly a bit, that one thing I've gotten out of being over here is a vastly-improved ability to quickly distinguish between the accents of other various English-speaking countries. The Scottish accent has been incredibly and obviously very different from the Irish, and I've had no problem very quickly identifying Irish accents when I hear them here in Edinburgh.
But I really didn't need such skills when I walked in the door of The Scotsman Lounge. While the group singing was obviously Scottish, a good quarter of the crowd were wearing GAA jerseys... Counties Cork, Dublin, Sligo, Laois, and Tyrone at the least were all well represented, as well as Leinster and Munster as provinces. Though I should mention that being able to identify those jersies does take a certain degree of Celtophilia as well, as in the GAA standard, county names on jerseys are exclusively in Irish. Corcaigh, Baile Átha Cliath (Dublin), Sligeach, Tír Eoghain... between the Irish names and the county colors, I was able to identify them all.
I was only a might bummed not to see any Maroon and White of my "own" Gallimh to share a quick 'Up Galway!' with, as I would give a 'Go Blue' to any maize-and-blue clad fan run across during travels.
Just as I knew the jerseys, I knew the songs... Though a few well-known Scottish tunes were mixed in, they were smartly playing to the mainly-Irish crowd with such pub favorites as Whiskey in the Jar, I'll Tell Me Mar, and of course, the namesake of this very blog, The Rattlin' Bog.
Sure, you might think it a bit silly to spend my time in Scotland in a pub that was effectively Irish , but its not like I couldn't hear any great alternative rock at home, or in the Roisin Dubh in Galway, either. I do hope to find a pub that has some good live traditional Scottish music, but I'm really not sure it is embraced here the way the tradition is embraced in Ireland.
I will say, however, that the town has been nearly littered with Highland pipers out busking for a few coins. One particular piper stationed himself on the Royal Mile just outside the gates to the castle this afternoon, and was absolutely fantastic. But as we stood on the defence platforms overlooking the city of Edinburgh, pipe music could be heard coming from at least 3 or 4 different locations in the city spanning below us.
That made me smile.
I also saw an exhibit on the Edinburgh Royal Military Tattoo which takes place for 21 days each August, and I must say I've added that to my list of things I must see and do before I die. A fantastic, dramatic display of music, dance, culture and military precision, set in the esplanade just outside the gates, with the castle in the dramatic background, it brings an international flare with countries from all over the world participating. The US Army's 'Pershing's Own' Band has performed, as well as the USMC jazz band, plus music and drill outfits from over 40 other countries. Jamaican military steel drum bands, Russian drill teams in mock sword fights, the Swedish Guard with their extremely precise drumline... and many more. It looks to be quite the spectacle!
While walking back to the hostel, I tried one last time to reach Dad to wish him a Happy Father's Day. I'd tried several times earlier in the day, but the calls were not going through. Apparently maybe I just needed to be drunk enough to randomly push the right buttons to over-ride whatever call routing thing was prohibiting the calls from going through earlier.
So, I managed to have Dad 'accompany' me back to the hostel along Prince St. underneath the misty-cloud obscured castle which looms over the city on Father's Day, apparently making both of our days.
As unworthy of any hyperbole these past 3 months have been, I am definitely looking forward to being home again with friends and family where I belong.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
From the home town of J.K. Rowling...
Safely in Edinburgh. In the early part of my second attempt at a hostel. Hopefully it works out better than the last time. So far, so good.
Yesterday, after knocking around Dingle, we headed to Cork. We found a B&B near city center and went out on the town, which was a different perspective on Cork than I've had on any of my previous stays in town. I made a point track down the Hi B, which was the favored haunt of David Monagan, author of Jaywalking with the Irish, an entertaining and insightful book about his experience as an American free-lance writer who up and moved his family to Cork a few years ago, which I read as part of my preparation and ramp-up for this trip. Its character was exactly as I expected (quirky and VERY local), though it seemed to defy any description.
After that, we headed to a pub called An Bodhran. To make a long story short, Nathan got separated from us and unbeknownst to us, was kicked out of the place for dress code violation. He wasn't back at the B&B when we finally made our way back there. He stumbled back in a few hours later after meeting up with some locals who took care of him for the evening, though, so all's well in the end. Sounds like he had a great, off-the-wall time in the meanwhile, and I'm hoping I might be able to write up something on his night for a bit of a guest spot here, but we'll see.
In the morning, we stopped in for a brief visit with Anne and Bernard, which was great. Unfortunately, none of their kids were around, but it was good to sit and chat with them for a while.
Leaving Cork, we headed up to Blarney. I decided that if I haven't the Gift of the Gab after kissing that damn stone twice in my life, a third time wasn't going to do it, so while Justin and Nathan explored the castle, I figured I'd try my hand at busking.
I put down my hat and sat just outside the gate playing tunes on my whistle for about an hour. Quite a few people tossed in some coins, and though they were mostly of the small variety, I managed about 6 euro!
At one point, a group of college-aged kids walked by, with several of them wearing Notre Dame paraphernalia. I thought about it for a second, then slyly sucked up my pride and burst into Rakes of Mallow, a tune popularised by the film The Quiet Man, which the ND Marching Band plays frequently during games. That got a definite rise out of the crowd which simultaneously made me chuckle and cringe as they came over and tossed a few coins into my hat. When I finished the tune, I looked over smiled and nodded a 'thanks', but couldn't resist holding up the hat they'd just tossed money into so that they could see the bold, maize block M on the front.
We opted out of the hurling match in Tralee or trying to track down the Magic Road in Waterford due to concerns after the traffic horror in Limerick on Thursday, but as hoped/expected, it was a non-issue on a Saturday afternoon, as we passed through town in about 15 minutes.
So, now here we are once again in Edinburgh. After settling in our room at the hostel, we set out to walk around in the misty rain a bit and find a bite to eat, and the first thing we see as we walk out the door is a fight in the making. Fantastic.
Edinburgh is far more lively and trendy than anything in Ireland, other than possibly Dublin. But we are right near the castle and the old part of the town, which is absolutely beautiful. Oh, and we did finally find a quick bite to eat at a local fast-foody chip shop. Not being brave enough to try the "Jumbo Haggis" just yet (though I will definitely try it before I leave), I opted for the white pudding and chips. The white pudding was more or less the same as the white pudding that's a standard to the Irish Full Breakfast...
but it was an entire length of it...
deepfried.
And, then smothered in brown sauce. Wonderfully horribly fantastically disgusting.
Well, that brings us pretty much right back to here and now, but to bring this back full circle with the title of this post, I did pick up one interesting souvenir in Dingle:
Harry Potter agus an Orchloch
Yesterday, after knocking around Dingle, we headed to Cork. We found a B&B near city center and went out on the town, which was a different perspective on Cork than I've had on any of my previous stays in town. I made a point track down the Hi B, which was the favored haunt of David Monagan, author of Jaywalking with the Irish, an entertaining and insightful book about his experience as an American free-lance writer who up and moved his family to Cork a few years ago, which I read as part of my preparation and ramp-up for this trip. Its character was exactly as I expected (quirky and VERY local), though it seemed to defy any description.
After that, we headed to a pub called An Bodhran. To make a long story short, Nathan got separated from us and unbeknownst to us, was kicked out of the place for dress code violation. He wasn't back at the B&B when we finally made our way back there. He stumbled back in a few hours later after meeting up with some locals who took care of him for the evening, though, so all's well in the end. Sounds like he had a great, off-the-wall time in the meanwhile, and I'm hoping I might be able to write up something on his night for a bit of a guest spot here, but we'll see.
In the morning, we stopped in for a brief visit with Anne and Bernard, which was great. Unfortunately, none of their kids were around, but it was good to sit and chat with them for a while.
Leaving Cork, we headed up to Blarney. I decided that if I haven't the Gift of the Gab after kissing that damn stone twice in my life, a third time wasn't going to do it, so while Justin and Nathan explored the castle, I figured I'd try my hand at busking.
I put down my hat and sat just outside the gate playing tunes on my whistle for about an hour. Quite a few people tossed in some coins, and though they were mostly of the small variety, I managed about 6 euro!
At one point, a group of college-aged kids walked by, with several of them wearing Notre Dame paraphernalia. I thought about it for a second, then slyly sucked up my pride and burst into Rakes of Mallow, a tune popularised by the film The Quiet Man, which the ND Marching Band plays frequently during games. That got a definite rise out of the crowd which simultaneously made me chuckle and cringe as they came over and tossed a few coins into my hat. When I finished the tune, I looked over smiled and nodded a 'thanks', but couldn't resist holding up the hat they'd just tossed money into so that they could see the bold, maize block M on the front.
We opted out of the hurling match in Tralee or trying to track down the Magic Road in Waterford due to concerns after the traffic horror in Limerick on Thursday, but as hoped/expected, it was a non-issue on a Saturday afternoon, as we passed through town in about 15 minutes.
So, now here we are once again in Edinburgh. After settling in our room at the hostel, we set out to walk around in the misty rain a bit and find a bite to eat, and the first thing we see as we walk out the door is a fight in the making. Fantastic.
Edinburgh is far more lively and trendy than anything in Ireland, other than possibly Dublin. But we are right near the castle and the old part of the town, which is absolutely beautiful. Oh, and we did finally find a quick bite to eat at a local fast-foody chip shop. Not being brave enough to try the "Jumbo Haggis" just yet (though I will definitely try it before I leave), I opted for the white pudding and chips. The white pudding was more or less the same as the white pudding that's a standard to the Irish Full Breakfast...
but it was an entire length of it...
deepfried.
And, then smothered in brown sauce. Wonderfully horribly fantastically disgusting.
Well, that brings us pretty much right back to here and now, but to bring this back full circle with the title of this post, I did pick up one interesting souvenir in Dingle:
Harry Potter agus an Orchloch
Friday, June 15, 2007
Dingle
Made it to Dingle yesterday. The 3 hour and 20 minute trip only took us 6 and a half hours. I now have a least favorite city in Ireland to counter my lengthy list of favorite cities: Limerick. And not because we got stabbed or robbed or anything of the sort that typically happens in Limerick. Rather, it just took us nearly 3 hours to get through the city due to traffic. I can honestly say it was the worst traffic I have ever driven through in my life.
But, all's well in the end. Dingle is fantastic, and we even got a few drops of sunlight yesterday afternoon, and the sky is threatening some more today, though we haven't seen it yet. Re-visited An Droichead Beag to see Eoin Duignan playing the pipes and low whistles last night.
And at a music shop just a bit ago, I got to try out a nice practice set of pipes. I figure if I can find a decent deal on a practice set that's better than mine, I might seriously think about upgrading. Unfortunately, this one was anything but a decent deal. I'm glad I waited to ask about price until after chatting it up with the shop owner and convincing him to let me try them out, though first. At least I got a sense of what difference a "real" practice set might make versus my Daye penny chanter. Not a huge one, but possibly enough to motivate me to up my practice regiment.
We're going to head out fairly shortly, take the scenic route back around the penninsula and back towards Cork, hopefully meeting up with Anne and Bernard and giving Justin and Nathan time to check out Blarney Castle, but at the rate we're moving... we'll see.
I'm also nervous about trying to fit in much on Saturday, due to the terror of how long it might take us to get back up through Limerick again. Being a Saturday (and not rush hour, therefore), I'm hoping it'd be much better, and therefore better than taking the more rural route up and crossing the Shannon River via the Tarbert ferry, but we'll see.
But, all's well in the end. Dingle is fantastic, and we even got a few drops of sunlight yesterday afternoon, and the sky is threatening some more today, though we haven't seen it yet. Re-visited An Droichead Beag to see Eoin Duignan playing the pipes and low whistles last night.
And at a music shop just a bit ago, I got to try out a nice practice set of pipes. I figure if I can find a decent deal on a practice set that's better than mine, I might seriously think about upgrading. Unfortunately, this one was anything but a decent deal. I'm glad I waited to ask about price until after chatting it up with the shop owner and convincing him to let me try them out, though first. At least I got a sense of what difference a "real" practice set might make versus my Daye penny chanter. Not a huge one, but possibly enough to motivate me to up my practice regiment.
We're going to head out fairly shortly, take the scenic route back around the penninsula and back towards Cork, hopefully meeting up with Anne and Bernard and giving Justin and Nathan time to check out Blarney Castle, but at the rate we're moving... we'll see.
I'm also nervous about trying to fit in much on Saturday, due to the terror of how long it might take us to get back up through Limerick again. Being a Saturday (and not rush hour, therefore), I'm hoping it'd be much better, and therefore better than taking the more rural route up and crossing the Shannon River via the Tarbert ferry, but we'll see.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Heading out shortly
Had a nice drive through Connemara yesterday, although it was rainy most of the time, really mucking with what should've been some amazing scenery.
Getting back into Galway we headed to McDonough's for Fish N Chips (I tried the sting ray for a change of pace!) then meandered around the town, meeting up with Emma and my friend Kimberly for a while. We ended up at the pub at the Spanish Arch Hotel, which had a group called "Alale" that was practically a Flook cover band, subbing a double bass for the second flute/accordion role, but their whistle player also busted out a set of Galician (Spanish-Celtic) pipes for a few tunes, which was a cool twist.
And any night that culminates with Emma once again cooking breakfast for the lot of us at 3am is a good time.
Looking ahead, we've made arrangements for our B&B in Dingle for tonight and am nearly set to move out. Looks like the rest of my pics and vids and such from yesterday will make it up with the big batch when I get back to Galway in a week and a half.
Otherwise, I'll check in a bit from the road when I can.
Getting back into Galway we headed to McDonough's for Fish N Chips (I tried the sting ray for a change of pace!) then meandered around the town, meeting up with Emma and my friend Kimberly for a while. We ended up at the pub at the Spanish Arch Hotel, which had a group called "Alale" that was practically a Flook cover band, subbing a double bass for the second flute/accordion role, but their whistle player also busted out a set of Galician (Spanish-Celtic) pipes for a few tunes, which was a cool twist.
And any night that culminates with Emma once again cooking breakfast for the lot of us at 3am is a good time.
Looking ahead, we've made arrangements for our B&B in Dingle for tonight and am nearly set to move out. Looks like the rest of my pics and vids and such from yesterday will make it up with the big batch when I get back to Galway in a week and a half.
Otherwise, I'll check in a bit from the road when I can.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Two more victims fall to the awe of stone fences and towering cliffs
Successfully met up with Justin and Nathan this morning. I took the bus down to Shannon to meet them after giving up any hope of being able to give them directions to navigate through Galway to my place. Besides, I figured if they got any sleep at all and would be up for a couple hours of sight-seeing, we could hit the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren on the way back up to Galway, saving some time later in the week.
First stop though, since we were roughly in the area, was Ennistimon, and I bought them their first round of Guinness at Cooley's House. The place was surprisingly busy for 11 in the morning.
Coming out of town, we missed a turn and ended up taking about a 30-40 minute detour down through Miltown Malbay "on our way" to Lahinch, but it gave them a good chance to see what passes for "roads" in northern County Clare were like, along with the rolling farmlands they crossed.
We eventually got back on track and stopped off at the Cliffs of Moher. I remember being surprised at how much more developed the cliffs were as a tourist destination two years ago, versus my first visit there in '94. Well, the development has continued since then, with a large car park (parking lot) across the road. Eight euros it costs now to park a car and wander, with a very nice, well-polished visitor center (an Atlantic Edge exhibit can be taken in for an additional 4 euro per head. We passed on that.) and a covey of little shops dug into the hillside leading up to the cliffs.
Passing a woman on the walkway doing a poor job of playing a concertina, it struck me that had I brought my whistle and wore something other than a U-M T-shirt, I could've sat there and played some tunes, and in the time that Justin and Nathan were exploring the cliffs, have made enough to have covered our parking fee. Hindsight.
Oh, one more thing of note from the Cliffs... I think I can cross one more thing off my list: seeing a puffin. Maybe. To be honest, I have no idea whether the tons of tiny black dots covering Goat Island at the base of the cliffs were puffins or not, but a sign there indicated that they could be seen there today, so I'm guessing they were. Not a very satisfying mark off the list, but a mark nonetheless.
After the cliffs, we headed to Doolin to grab an extremely overpriced lunch at Gus O'Connor's. Sadly, I think Conal's assessment of Doolin is pretty right on. What was once a tiny, quaint, quasi-town and wonderful hub of traditional music has become little more than a glorified tourist trap. Sad.
From Doolin, we made our way north again, through Lisdoonvarna, Kilfenora, and up across The Burren. We stopped off to walk up and take a close look at the Poulnabrone Dolmen, which while I had driven past and admired from the road several times, I'd never ventured up close to. It's yet another site that has been ridiculously over-developed since the first time I saw it, but at least they're not charging admission...yet.
On the road again and just past Kinvarra, we stopped again to have a quick look at Dunguaire Castle. Apparently, like at Bunratty Castle near Shannon, they hold a medieval feast. Had we known in advance, it might've been a fun thing to do, as it was nearing dinner time by the time we got there, and the doors were closed in preparation. We walked the grounds a bit though before getting back on the road and finally getting back into Galway.
It turned out to be a fairly full day for a first day in, as we got back to Galway around 6 o'clock. Justin's taking a nap right now, Nathan, "The Iron Man" just went for a run and is gonna hop in the shower. I'm going to run and pick up an air mattress that I'm borrowing from a friend so that we all have a place to sleep and then going to run to Dunnes to get stuff for breakfast in the morning.
After that, a little dinner, some drinks and a session at the Crane, and we'll call it a night whenever those guys are ready to crash.
Tomorrow will be a pretty full day of touring Connemara and knocking around Galway some more, plus at some point, I need to pack for Scotland.
So, updates may be somewhat sporadic from this point on, but I'll check in when I can.
Photos of Day 1 of Justin and Nathan's visit.
First stop though, since we were roughly in the area, was Ennistimon, and I bought them their first round of Guinness at Cooley's House. The place was surprisingly busy for 11 in the morning.
Coming out of town, we missed a turn and ended up taking about a 30-40 minute detour down through Miltown Malbay "on our way" to Lahinch, but it gave them a good chance to see what passes for "roads" in northern County Clare were like, along with the rolling farmlands they crossed.
We eventually got back on track and stopped off at the Cliffs of Moher. I remember being surprised at how much more developed the cliffs were as a tourist destination two years ago, versus my first visit there in '94. Well, the development has continued since then, with a large car park (parking lot) across the road. Eight euros it costs now to park a car and wander, with a very nice, well-polished visitor center (an Atlantic Edge exhibit can be taken in for an additional 4 euro per head. We passed on that.) and a covey of little shops dug into the hillside leading up to the cliffs.
Passing a woman on the walkway doing a poor job of playing a concertina, it struck me that had I brought my whistle and wore something other than a U-M T-shirt, I could've sat there and played some tunes, and in the time that Justin and Nathan were exploring the cliffs, have made enough to have covered our parking fee. Hindsight.
Oh, one more thing of note from the Cliffs... I think I can cross one more thing off my list: seeing a puffin. Maybe. To be honest, I have no idea whether the tons of tiny black dots covering Goat Island at the base of the cliffs were puffins or not, but a sign there indicated that they could be seen there today, so I'm guessing they were. Not a very satisfying mark off the list, but a mark nonetheless.
After the cliffs, we headed to Doolin to grab an extremely overpriced lunch at Gus O'Connor's. Sadly, I think Conal's assessment of Doolin is pretty right on. What was once a tiny, quaint, quasi-town and wonderful hub of traditional music has become little more than a glorified tourist trap. Sad.
From Doolin, we made our way north again, through Lisdoonvarna, Kilfenora, and up across The Burren. We stopped off to walk up and take a close look at the Poulnabrone Dolmen, which while I had driven past and admired from the road several times, I'd never ventured up close to. It's yet another site that has been ridiculously over-developed since the first time I saw it, but at least they're not charging admission...yet.
On the road again and just past Kinvarra, we stopped again to have a quick look at Dunguaire Castle. Apparently, like at Bunratty Castle near Shannon, they hold a medieval feast. Had we known in advance, it might've been a fun thing to do, as it was nearing dinner time by the time we got there, and the doors were closed in preparation. We walked the grounds a bit though before getting back on the road and finally getting back into Galway.
It turned out to be a fairly full day for a first day in, as we got back to Galway around 6 o'clock. Justin's taking a nap right now, Nathan, "The Iron Man" just went for a run and is gonna hop in the shower. I'm going to run and pick up an air mattress that I'm borrowing from a friend so that we all have a place to sleep and then going to run to Dunnes to get stuff for breakfast in the morning.
After that, a little dinner, some drinks and a session at the Crane, and we'll call it a night whenever those guys are ready to crash.
Tomorrow will be a pretty full day of touring Connemara and knocking around Galway some more, plus at some point, I need to pack for Scotland.
So, updates may be somewhat sporadic from this point on, but I'll check in when I can.
Photos of Day 1 of Justin and Nathan's visit.
We've got highlights
Not as many as I'd intended, but YouTube is being frumpy with me right now.
It was a mixed day for the Faithful County faithful at O'Moore Park in Portlaoise yesterday. In the Leinster Senior Football Championship match, Offaly defeated an overmatched Carlow side by a score of 2-19 to 3-7. In the semi-final round of the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship, however, Kilkenny outclassed Offaly in the second half to finish with a 1-27 to 1-13 victory.
Translation please?
In both Hurling and Gaelic Football, the pitch (field) has a goal at either end, similar to a soccer goal, but with upright poles extending on the sides making an H with the crossbar across the top of the goal. Getting the ball into the net beneath the crossbar is called a "goal" and is worth three points, while getting the ball between the uprights over the crossbar is simply called a "point". The winner is determined by the highest total of points (number of points plus 3x the number of goals) but the scores are always represented in terms of goals-points.
To put this into American terms, you might say that Michigan defeated Notre Dame last year by a score of 6(6)-2 to 3(3)-0.
In the football match, Offaly scored 2 goals and 19 points for a total of 25 to Carlow's 3 goals and 7 points (16). The match was not nearly that close though. Carlow scored first, but the rest of the game belonged to Offaly, save for a late flurry of goals and points that came too little too late for Carlow.
Carlow attacking, but the point attempt goes wide left
The Hurling match was the feature event of the day, with Kilkenny being consistently among the best hurlers in the nation (Cork has a fine hurling tradition themselves, so I'm now fortunate enough to have seen two of the very best hurling counties in action, as I saw a Cork-Antrim match when I was there in 2005.). Offaly hurling had some strong years in the 80's and 90's, but has fallen on hard times now. I sense that the rivalry with Kilkenny is still a fierce one nonetheless.
Kilkenny were really brilliant. They were deadly in notching points from all over the field and took advantage of nearly every open shot. They jumped to a quick lead with 3 points in the opening minutes, but Offaly fought back and tied it shortly therafter. Another point a few minutes later, though, and Kilkenny would lead the remainder of the match.
Just before the intermission, though, came the highlight of the day. Offaly brought the match back to a 1-point margin with the first goal of the match on a free (penalty shot) making the half-time score 0-14 to 1-10 in favor of Kilkenny. I have a great video of this, but its one of the ones YouTube is not allowing for some reason. Instead, though, here is a clip of a point Offaly scored on a penalty shot earlier in the half:
The second half belonged to Kilkenny, though, as Offaly was able to manage but 3 points in the side. to Kilkenny's 1-13 making for a fairly lopsided final.
The atmosphere was fun and festive. The matches were played back-to-back and tickets (20 euro for general admission in the "stand"--covered seating--and 15 for standing room only in the "terrace") covered both matches. We got their early and opted to pop the extra 5 euro to be able to sit in the shade, vs. standing in the sun, and easily found a couple of seats right in the front row, close to midfield.
The venue, O'Moore Park in Portlaoise, County Laois, was about as geographical neutral as you can get, being centrally located amongst the three counties that were participating. Offaly fans seemed to be by far the most well represented, probably owing mainly to the fact that they were playing in both matches. Kilkenny and Carlow had plenty of support as well, though, with their black and gold striped jersies for Kilkenny and the green gold and red of Carlow being sprinkled around the pitch.
The attendance, per official reports on the matches was 11,490, which seemed to be about 80% capacity.
It took about 2 hours to drive there, but coming back, with plenty of daylight left, we opted for a scenic detour home and drove through the Slieve Bloom mountains on the Laois/Offaly border, also stopping off briefly at Redwood Castle near Portumna, and grabbing dinner at an Indian Restaurant in Birr, which apparently is joked as Ireland's coldest town (rather than it's drunkest town, if the name were pronounced the other logical way that it might be.).
For more photos of the match, as well as the drive home, Flickr it!
It was a mixed day for the Faithful County faithful at O'Moore Park in Portlaoise yesterday. In the Leinster Senior Football Championship match, Offaly defeated an overmatched Carlow side by a score of 2-19 to 3-7. In the semi-final round of the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship, however, Kilkenny outclassed Offaly in the second half to finish with a 1-27 to 1-13 victory.
Translation please?
In both Hurling and Gaelic Football, the pitch (field) has a goal at either end, similar to a soccer goal, but with upright poles extending on the sides making an H with the crossbar across the top of the goal. Getting the ball into the net beneath the crossbar is called a "goal" and is worth three points, while getting the ball between the uprights over the crossbar is simply called a "point". The winner is determined by the highest total of points (number of points plus 3x the number of goals) but the scores are always represented in terms of goals-points.
To put this into American terms, you might say that Michigan defeated Notre Dame last year by a score of 6(6)-2 to 3(3)-0.
In the football match, Offaly scored 2 goals and 19 points for a total of 25 to Carlow's 3 goals and 7 points (16). The match was not nearly that close though. Carlow scored first, but the rest of the game belonged to Offaly, save for a late flurry of goals and points that came too little too late for Carlow.
The Hurling match was the feature event of the day, with Kilkenny being consistently among the best hurlers in the nation (Cork has a fine hurling tradition themselves, so I'm now fortunate enough to have seen two of the very best hurling counties in action, as I saw a Cork-Antrim match when I was there in 2005.). Offaly hurling had some strong years in the 80's and 90's, but has fallen on hard times now. I sense that the rivalry with Kilkenny is still a fierce one nonetheless.
Kilkenny were really brilliant. They were deadly in notching points from all over the field and took advantage of nearly every open shot. They jumped to a quick lead with 3 points in the opening minutes, but Offaly fought back and tied it shortly therafter. Another point a few minutes later, though, and Kilkenny would lead the remainder of the match.
Just before the intermission, though, came the highlight of the day. Offaly brought the match back to a 1-point margin with the first goal of the match on a free (penalty shot) making the half-time score 0-14 to 1-10 in favor of Kilkenny. I have a great video of this, but its one of the ones YouTube is not allowing for some reason. Instead, though, here is a clip of a point Offaly scored on a penalty shot earlier in the half:
The second half belonged to Kilkenny, though, as Offaly was able to manage but 3 points in the side. to Kilkenny's 1-13 making for a fairly lopsided final.
The atmosphere was fun and festive. The matches were played back-to-back and tickets (20 euro for general admission in the "stand"--covered seating--and 15 for standing room only in the "terrace") covered both matches. We got their early and opted to pop the extra 5 euro to be able to sit in the shade, vs. standing in the sun, and easily found a couple of seats right in the front row, close to midfield.
The venue, O'Moore Park in Portlaoise, County Laois, was about as geographical neutral as you can get, being centrally located amongst the three counties that were participating. Offaly fans seemed to be by far the most well represented, probably owing mainly to the fact that they were playing in both matches. Kilkenny and Carlow had plenty of support as well, though, with their black and gold striped jersies for Kilkenny and the green gold and red of Carlow being sprinkled around the pitch.
The attendance, per official reports on the matches was 11,490, which seemed to be about 80% capacity.
It took about 2 hours to drive there, but coming back, with plenty of daylight left, we opted for a scenic detour home and drove through the Slieve Bloom mountains on the Laois/Offaly border, also stopping off briefly at Redwood Castle near Portumna, and grabbing dinner at an Indian Restaurant in Birr, which apparently is joked as Ireland's coldest town (rather than it's drunkest town, if the name were pronounced the other logical way that it might be.).
For more photos of the match, as well as the drive home, Flickr it!
Monday, June 11, 2007
Odds n Ends
I have a report on the hurling and football matches coming up, but am once again waiting for the video clips I uploaded to YouTube to be available.
So in the meanwhile...
HOLYSMOKEMYTIMEHERE'SALMOSTATANEND!
My co-worker Justin and his brother Nathan arrive tomorrow morning. We're going to spend tomorrow and Wednesday knocking around Galway and doing a drive up through Connemara, hopefully to Westport if we have time. Thursday morning we're going to set out south for Kerry, probably staying in Dingle Thursday night and hopefully catching Eoin Duignan at An Droichead Beag. Stumbling across his regular Thursday night gig there was one of several highlights of my trip 2 years ago, and probably one of the biggest single influences in my crazy decision to try and learn the uilleann pipes.
From Dingle, I think we're going to head over to Cork and I'm going to hopefully meet up and visit with the O'Gormans for a bit while Justin and Nathan explore Blarney Castle and town. Friday night and Saturday are a bit unplanned right now, but might include another hurling match or heading over towards Waterford and Wexford, possibly stopping off to find The Magic Road in the Comeragh Mountains.
But by Saturday night, we need to be back at Shannon Airport for a hop over to Scotland for a week. We'll be spending a day or so in Edinburgh before venturing up to explore Granttown-on-Spey and the surrounding areas, plus Inverness, Loch Ness, Isle of Skye and whatever else we find time for along the way.
The following Saturday night I'll fly back to Shannon getting back here again in the wee hours of Sunday morning.
By that time, I'll be down to my last five days before I return home.
Wow. I can't really believe it. I'm excited to be home and really can not wait to see friends and family again, but I'd be lying if I said this stretch of time has not been one of, if not THE most amazing 3 months of my life, and the thought of closing the book on this particular chapter is really tough.
I need to start working out the details of Life After, but it appears that a house search in the Ann Arbor area is going to be my top priority, along with returning to work full-time (albeit remotely) for my company in Chicago. My leave of absence extends to mid-July, so I'll have a couple weeks to get acclimated and start to figure things out. I somehow doubt that'll be enough time to buy a house, close and move-in, though, so the remainder of the summer is looking to be rather interesting at this point.
So that covers the "Ends" portion of this post. For "Odds", how about a quick clip from Father Ted:
So in the meanwhile...
HOLYSMOKEMYTIMEHERE'SALMOSTATANEND!
My co-worker Justin and his brother Nathan arrive tomorrow morning. We're going to spend tomorrow and Wednesday knocking around Galway and doing a drive up through Connemara, hopefully to Westport if we have time. Thursday morning we're going to set out south for Kerry, probably staying in Dingle Thursday night and hopefully catching Eoin Duignan at An Droichead Beag. Stumbling across his regular Thursday night gig there was one of several highlights of my trip 2 years ago, and probably one of the biggest single influences in my crazy decision to try and learn the uilleann pipes.
From Dingle, I think we're going to head over to Cork and I'm going to hopefully meet up and visit with the O'Gormans for a bit while Justin and Nathan explore Blarney Castle and town. Friday night and Saturday are a bit unplanned right now, but might include another hurling match or heading over towards Waterford and Wexford, possibly stopping off to find The Magic Road in the Comeragh Mountains.
But by Saturday night, we need to be back at Shannon Airport for a hop over to Scotland for a week. We'll be spending a day or so in Edinburgh before venturing up to explore Granttown-on-Spey and the surrounding areas, plus Inverness, Loch Ness, Isle of Skye and whatever else we find time for along the way.
The following Saturday night I'll fly back to Shannon getting back here again in the wee hours of Sunday morning.
By that time, I'll be down to my last five days before I return home.
Wow. I can't really believe it. I'm excited to be home and really can not wait to see friends and family again, but I'd be lying if I said this stretch of time has not been one of, if not THE most amazing 3 months of my life, and the thought of closing the book on this particular chapter is really tough.
I need to start working out the details of Life After, but it appears that a house search in the Ann Arbor area is going to be my top priority, along with returning to work full-time (albeit remotely) for my company in Chicago. My leave of absence extends to mid-July, so I'll have a couple weeks to get acclimated and start to figure things out. I somehow doubt that'll be enough time to buy a house, close and move-in, though, so the remainder of the summer is looking to be rather interesting at this point.
So that covers the "Ends" portion of this post. For "Odds", how about a quick clip from Father Ted:
Sunday, June 10, 2007
GAA!
No, I'm not choking on something. Just expressing some excitement that tomorrow I'll be crossing off not one, but two things from my list of things-to-do-before-I-leave that I had more or less given up on: attending a Gaelic football match, and attending a hurling match. Both sports fall under the rule of the GAA, or Gaelic Athletic Association.
There weren't going to be any decent GAA matches in Galway for the rest of my time here by the looks of it, but I got looking at the fixtures (what they call "schedules" over here) tonight, and in my typical way of warping a sense of spontaneous reason, was intrigued by the fact that County Offaly is playing a football match against County Carlow at 2pm, followed by a hurling match against Kilkenny at 4, both at the same stadium in Portlaoise. (Yes, the matches really only last 90 minutes, and as both sports use the same field configuration, this is completely possible.)
I convinced my housemate Julia to go as well, (Emma is quite bummed that she has to work, otherwise she'd be game for it) so we're renting a car and driving "across the country" to Portlaoise for the two matches. Of course we don't have tickets, but it looks like they should be readily available for 15-20 euro for both matches. At least I hope that's the case. Trying to find this stuff out online at the last second is more difficult than it should be. I did come across one web site that even indicated that the hurling match was in fact being played at Croke Park in Dublin, not Portlaoise, but several other sites support the notion that both are in Portlaoise, so we'll see. (Have I mentioned my frustration with the fact that Irish web sites are not the reliable end-all-be-all of information that they should be?)
And here's a little post script of yet another way that rental car companies like to make my butt hurt: I quickly found a car online from Budget for tomorrow. Started booking it to pick it up from Galway City Center, but noticed that there was a 25 euro "location fee" for picking it up in city center! (The rental was only 33.) I changed it to pick it up at the small airport outside town after Emma said she could drive me out there to pick it up in the morning and went ahead and booked it. After finalizing the reservation, I noticed in small print on the page that a 25 euro "airport fee" would be added for picking it up at the airport.
Fer feck's sake. I just can't win with these guys.
There weren't going to be any decent GAA matches in Galway for the rest of my time here by the looks of it, but I got looking at the fixtures (what they call "schedules" over here) tonight, and in my typical way of warping a sense of spontaneous reason, was intrigued by the fact that County Offaly is playing a football match against County Carlow at 2pm, followed by a hurling match against Kilkenny at 4, both at the same stadium in Portlaoise. (Yes, the matches really only last 90 minutes, and as both sports use the same field configuration, this is completely possible.)
I convinced my housemate Julia to go as well, (Emma is quite bummed that she has to work, otherwise she'd be game for it) so we're renting a car and driving "across the country" to Portlaoise for the two matches. Of course we don't have tickets, but it looks like they should be readily available for 15-20 euro for both matches. At least I hope that's the case. Trying to find this stuff out online at the last second is more difficult than it should be. I did come across one web site that even indicated that the hurling match was in fact being played at Croke Park in Dublin, not Portlaoise, but several other sites support the notion that both are in Portlaoise, so we'll see. (Have I mentioned my frustration with the fact that Irish web sites are not the reliable end-all-be-all of information that they should be?)
And here's a little post script of yet another way that rental car companies like to make my butt hurt: I quickly found a car online from Budget for tomorrow. Started booking it to pick it up from Galway City Center, but noticed that there was a 25 euro "location fee" for picking it up in city center! (The rental was only 33.) I changed it to pick it up at the small airport outside town after Emma said she could drive me out there to pick it up in the morning and went ahead and booked it. After finalizing the reservation, I noticed in small print on the page that a 25 euro "airport fee" would be added for picking it up at the airport.
Fer feck's sake. I just can't win with these guys.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
The Aran Islands
The Aran Islands are a series of islands sitting off the coast of western Ireland. They stretch across the mouth of Galway Bay, with the Connemara region of western County Galway to the north, and the Burren region of northern County Clare to the east.
There are three main islands: Inis Mór (Inishmore), Inis Meáin (Inishmaan) and Inis Oírr (Inisheer). Inis is the Irish word for island. Mór is the Irish word for big, Oírr means east, and and Meáin means middle. To see how aptly named they all are, check them out in Google Maps.
The islands are a protected Gaeltacht, or region where Irish* is still the primary language of the residents. Many other aspects of daily life on the islands preserve the old ways as well. Thatched cottages can still be found, fishing and farming are the primary trades, and stone fences cover the islands.
There are many archaeological sites on the islands, including some fort ruins that have been dated to at least the 1st century AD, and are believed to possibly be as many as 4000 years old.
Despite being in the general area on both of my previous trips to Ireland, I had not made it over to the islands, so they were high on my list of Must-See things for this time, particularly since I was going to be so close. Ferries and flights to the islands leave from Rossaveal and Inveran, respectively, in County Galway, with additional ferry service available from Doolin in County Clare.
Talking with my housemate Aoife, she recommended Inis Meáin, as it is the one of the three that has been least trampled by tourism. It certainly was that. Though it is the middle island in terms of size, as well as location, it has the smallest population of the three: a mere 154 people per the 2006 census. As mentioned previously, there is only one pub. There is also very little in terms of sights to see. Two old forts, a beehive hut and the remains of a couple of old churches cover most of it. There is also a cottage where author/playwright J.M. Synge spent much of his time, and it was from his time on Inis Meáin that he drew the inspiration for the themes in Playboy of the Western World and other works.
Near the western edge of the island is a small stone enclosure that Synge apparently built called Cathaoir Synge, or Synge's Chair. Just big enough for one person to sit inside and be protected from the sides, it sits high atop the cliffs over looking the ocean and Inis Mór. It was Synge's favorite spot on the island, and apparently where he did a great deal of his writing. I found it to be a lovely place to sit, completely undisturbed, playing some tunes, both mornings that I was there. The video clip at sunset posted previously was shot near Synge's Chair, but a bit further up the hill.
In addition to the 150 or so year-round residents and numerous livestock, the other main "residents" of the island are students who go there for three-week spans to live with families on the island as part of a specialized program to improve their Irish language skills. I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting up with several of them in the pub Wednesday night, as a few of them had brought fiddles and pulled the bodhran down off the wall behind the bar for an impromptu session. Luckily, I'd brought my whistle down in the hopes that something just like that might pop up.
Apparently, I was pretty fortunate that it did, because weeknight sessions are not particularly common, and are never planned. It just sort of depends on who shows up and if they decide to bring some instruments down and play or not. It was also great fun as I got to spend a good chunk of time banging on the bodhran, in addition to contributing a few tunes on the whistle (and even one on the harmonica, too!).
As I alluded to, I opted to fly to the island rather than take the ferry. It was only 45 euro round trip, where the ferry would've been around 25. But if there's one thing I enjoy more than being out on a boat, it's being up in a plane, and small planes particularly! Plus, given the location, I figured a flight to the islands would give a fantastic, bird's-eye view of The Burren, the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara and Galway Bay. Unfortunately, while it was clear and sunny, it was also pretty hazy, so the views of the mountains in Connemara and The Burren were somewhat limited on the flights, but it was still very cool.
I already linked to the photo galleries from the island (see two posts below, "There's only one pub on the whole island"), but here are a few additional videos:
Landing on Inis Meáin
Waves crashing against the cliffs on the west end of the island
Returning to Connemara Regional Airport in Inveran
There are three main islands: Inis Mór (Inishmore), Inis Meáin (Inishmaan) and Inis Oírr (Inisheer). Inis is the Irish word for island. Mór is the Irish word for big, Oírr means east, and and Meáin means middle. To see how aptly named they all are, check them out in Google Maps.
The islands are a protected Gaeltacht, or region where Irish* is still the primary language of the residents. Many other aspects of daily life on the islands preserve the old ways as well. Thatched cottages can still be found, fishing and farming are the primary trades, and stone fences cover the islands.
There are many archaeological sites on the islands, including some fort ruins that have been dated to at least the 1st century AD, and are believed to possibly be as many as 4000 years old.
Despite being in the general area on both of my previous trips to Ireland, I had not made it over to the islands, so they were high on my list of Must-See things for this time, particularly since I was going to be so close. Ferries and flights to the islands leave from Rossaveal and Inveran, respectively, in County Galway, with additional ferry service available from Doolin in County Clare.
Talking with my housemate Aoife, she recommended Inis Meáin, as it is the one of the three that has been least trampled by tourism. It certainly was that. Though it is the middle island in terms of size, as well as location, it has the smallest population of the three: a mere 154 people per the 2006 census. As mentioned previously, there is only one pub. There is also very little in terms of sights to see. Two old forts, a beehive hut and the remains of a couple of old churches cover most of it. There is also a cottage where author/playwright J.M. Synge spent much of his time, and it was from his time on Inis Meáin that he drew the inspiration for the themes in Playboy of the Western World and other works.
Near the western edge of the island is a small stone enclosure that Synge apparently built called Cathaoir Synge, or Synge's Chair. Just big enough for one person to sit inside and be protected from the sides, it sits high atop the cliffs over looking the ocean and Inis Mór. It was Synge's favorite spot on the island, and apparently where he did a great deal of his writing. I found it to be a lovely place to sit, completely undisturbed, playing some tunes, both mornings that I was there. The video clip at sunset posted previously was shot near Synge's Chair, but a bit further up the hill.
In addition to the 150 or so year-round residents and numerous livestock, the other main "residents" of the island are students who go there for three-week spans to live with families on the island as part of a specialized program to improve their Irish language skills. I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting up with several of them in the pub Wednesday night, as a few of them had brought fiddles and pulled the bodhran down off the wall behind the bar for an impromptu session. Luckily, I'd brought my whistle down in the hopes that something just like that might pop up.
Apparently, I was pretty fortunate that it did, because weeknight sessions are not particularly common, and are never planned. It just sort of depends on who shows up and if they decide to bring some instruments down and play or not. It was also great fun as I got to spend a good chunk of time banging on the bodhran, in addition to contributing a few tunes on the whistle (and even one on the harmonica, too!).
As I alluded to, I opted to fly to the island rather than take the ferry. It was only 45 euro round trip, where the ferry would've been around 25. But if there's one thing I enjoy more than being out on a boat, it's being up in a plane, and small planes particularly! Plus, given the location, I figured a flight to the islands would give a fantastic, bird's-eye view of The Burren, the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara and Galway Bay. Unfortunately, while it was clear and sunny, it was also pretty hazy, so the views of the mountains in Connemara and The Burren were somewhat limited on the flights, but it was still very cool.
I already linked to the photo galleries from the island (see two posts below, "There's only one pub on the whole island"), but here are a few additional videos:
* People in most parts of the world would refer to the language as Gaelic, however the Irish are very particular about referring to their particular language as Irish. Gaelic, in fact, is a more general term for a family of languages that in addition to Irish, includes Manx and Scots Gaelic.
Multiple Choice
So if you were to know only that I was living in Ireland right now, and that one of my housemate's grandmother was visiting today, which of these would seem to be the most likely topic for the distinguished, elderly woman to bring up in a disapproving conversation in our kitchen this afternoon:
A) The Troubles in the North.
B) The "music" kids these days are listening to.
C) The proposed plan to build luxury boxes in Michigan Stadium.
The correct answer, of course would be: C).
To be fair though, she lives in Grosse Pointe and has been a huge Michigan football for much longer than I've been walking this earth.
Needless to say, I enjoyed meeting and talking with her.
(I also got a chuckle the other day when I was in the kitchen while she was on the phone with someone back home, and described Galway Bay as "like Saginaw Bay". heh. :) Laughs aside, though, it's actually a fairly decent comparison, at least size-wise. Galway Bay is a bit narrower at this end, but more triangular shaped and less enclosed at the mouth.)
A) The Troubles in the North.
B) The "music" kids these days are listening to.
C) The proposed plan to build luxury boxes in Michigan Stadium.
The correct answer, of course would be: C).
To be fair though, she lives in Grosse Pointe and has been a huge Michigan football for much longer than I've been walking this earth.
Needless to say, I enjoyed meeting and talking with her.
(I also got a chuckle the other day when I was in the kitchen while she was on the phone with someone back home, and described Galway Bay as "like Saginaw Bay". heh. :) Laughs aside, though, it's actually a fairly decent comparison, at least size-wise. Galway Bay is a bit narrower at this end, but more triangular shaped and less enclosed at the mouth.)
Friday, June 8, 2007
There's only one pub on the whole island
That should give you an idea of how small, quaint and old-fashioned Inis Meain is.
It was fantastic. I got a ton of pics uploaded to Flickr, but am too tired right now to parse through highlights, so you're on your own to peruse the galleries:
Inis Meain - Day 1
Inis Meain - Day 2
But I will leave you with this. The playing's not perfect, and unfortunately, it cuts off just before the last phrase of the tune, but this was how I got to enjoy sunset yesterday:
It was fantastic. I got a ton of pics uploaded to Flickr, but am too tired right now to parse through highlights, so you're on your own to peruse the galleries:
Inis Meain - Day 1
Inis Meain - Day 2
But I will leave you with this. The playing's not perfect, and unfortunately, it cuts off just before the last phrase of the tune, but this was how I got to enjoy sunset yesterday:
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Off to da Islands, mon!
Sorry, not much time for a long post. Just booked a last-second seat on the Aer Arann flight over to Inis Meain and the shuttle bus leaves for the airport leaves in less than an hour. Need to toss some clothes together and grab a quick shower and breakfast and get outta here.
I'll be back tomorrow afternoon with lots more pictures and stories!
I'll be back tomorrow afternoon with lots more pictures and stories!
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Super-Regional Bound!
Finally some good news from the sporting world back home!
The U-M baseball team upset overall #1 seeded Vanderbilt twice to claim the Regional Championship and advance to the Super-Regionals.
They will now play a best-of-three series against either Oregon State or Virginia, with the winner advancing to the College World Series. The CWS is a double-elimination round of 8 teams, so they've still got a ways to go to reach the top of the mountain, but the Super-Regionals are essentially baseball's "Sweet Sixteen".
This is Michigan's first Regional Championship since 1984--a good year for baseball in SE Michigan.
The U-M baseball team upset overall #1 seeded Vanderbilt twice to claim the Regional Championship and advance to the Super-Regionals.
They will now play a best-of-three series against either Oregon State or Virginia, with the winner advancing to the College World Series. The CWS is a double-elimination round of 8 teams, so they've still got a ways to go to reach the top of the mountain, but the Super-Regionals are essentially baseball's "Sweet Sixteen".
This is Michigan's first Regional Championship since 1984--a good year for baseball in SE Michigan.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Not much, just some more photos
I'm trying to get some short audio clips from around various sessions and street performers up to give you a taste of what Galway sounds like, but am having some tech difficulties. (If anyone happens to know of a good site that will host a small number or short .mp3s and allow remote linking to them for free, please let me know!)
In the meanwhile, here's a set of some more assorted shots I've taken around town over the last couple of days. I'm somewhat fascinated by the myriad of criss-crossing channels and canals that stretch across Galway and tried to capture that a bit here. I also spent some time yesterday walking around the campus of NUI Galway finally, and have a handful of pics from there, too:
"So do you like photos, man???"
In the meanwhile, here's a set of some more assorted shots I've taken around town over the last couple of days. I'm somewhat fascinated by the myriad of criss-crossing channels and canals that stretch across Galway and tried to capture that a bit here. I also spent some time yesterday walking around the campus of NUI Galway finally, and have a handful of pics from there, too:
"So do you like photos, man???"
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Well... that was different.
Went to Monroe's tonight, another place I hadn't checked out yet. Live music, but an amped up gig-type deal rather than a trad session. One guy with a button accordian, another with a guitar and a harmonica rig thingy.
Let's just say, you haven't heard true musical fusion until you've heard a country rendition of AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long" played into CCR's "Proud Mary" played into a set of traditional reels.
Or "Sweet Caroline" into a set of Irish polkas.
They also really REALLY like their Johnny Cash here. Whodathunk it'd make a great launch-pad into some jigs, though?
Crazy stuff, but good times.
Let's just say, you haven't heard true musical fusion until you've heard a country rendition of AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long" played into CCR's "Proud Mary" played into a set of traditional reels.
Or "Sweet Caroline" into a set of Irish polkas.
They also really REALLY like their Johnny Cash here. Whodathunk it'd make a great launch-pad into some jigs, though?
Crazy stuff, but good times.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Travel advice: If you ever go to the Phillipines, skip the karaoke bars...
...unless you're really REALLY confident in your singing voice:
Man shot dead for bad singing in Philippine karaoke bar
MANILA (AFP) - A jobless man was shot dead by a security guard for singing out of tune in a Philippine karaoke bar, police said Thursday.
Romy Baligula, 29, was halfway through his song on Tuesday night in a bar in San Mateo town, east of Manila, when 43-year-old security guard Robilito Ortega yelled that he was out of tune. As Baligula ignored his comments and continued singing, Ortega pulled out his revolver and shot him in the chest. Senior Superintendent Felipe Rojas said Baligula died instantly. The security guard was detained by an off-duty policeman shortly after the shooting.
Deaths and violence are not uncommon in Philippine karaoke bars. The popular Frank Sinatra song "My Way" has been taken off many karaoke bars in Manila after it was found to be the cause of fights and even deaths when patrons sang out of tune.
A slice of Blues on the Emerald Isle
Headed down to The Crane again last night, but this time for something a bit different: The Lazy Blues Band.
Quite the international ensemble, with an Italian drummer and a Polish harmonica player (who was fantastic, by the way), they put on a solid show that might have for a split second or two given me a tinge of homesickness for Chicago!
Friday, June 1, 2007
A dog with the name, if not heart, of a lion
I just got word that Mufasa, our family dog, had to be put down today, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He held out much longer than the 3-6 weeks he was given back in February, but his condition worsened this week, and it was time.
Originally belonging to my good friend Rachel when we were both in college, he needed to find a good home when Rach graduated and was moving off to California. Knowing that he'd be much loved and cared for, and would have plenty of open space to run around, Rachel asked if my mom would take him, and she did, much to the wonderful delight of everyone involved, including Moo. Despite his name, he was a bit of a scaredy cat at his core, and he always seemed perplexed by my on-again-off-again presence across his multiple homes, but he was nothing if not a total sweetheart and loyal friend.
Farewell, Moo. You will be sorely missed. Thank you for your time together and for always looking after Mom (even if it was from two steps behind her).
Originally belonging to my good friend Rachel when we were both in college, he needed to find a good home when Rach graduated and was moving off to California. Knowing that he'd be much loved and cared for, and would have plenty of open space to run around, Rachel asked if my mom would take him, and she did, much to the wonderful delight of everyone involved, including Moo. Despite his name, he was a bit of a scaredy cat at his core, and he always seemed perplexed by my on-again-off-again presence across his multiple homes, but he was nothing if not a total sweetheart and loyal friend.
Farewell, Moo. You will be sorely missed. Thank you for your time together and for always looking after Mom (even if it was from two steps behind her).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
