Amusing West And The Vodka

Student no longer

2010-10-10T16:50:00.004+01:00

I hate Griffith College and all its spawn. With the exception of a select few who would take pleasure in burying it in the ground too. You heard it here first... To the people of the future. I am buried with 5 toasters and a George Foreman. And it was I, and me alone, who burned down the god awful college.

Electric Picnic 2010 on MUZU.TV

2010-09-07T19:43:00.000+01:00

Electric Picnic 2010 on MUZU.TV

Don't wait for me to start blowing up estate agents!

2010-08-19T16:33:00.001+01:00

“Oh sorry you’re students?!”
“Yeah but I can assure you we have numerous flawless references and…”
BEEEEP
And so ends another call in the now desperate search for accommodation for next year. I really don’t know what is so wrong about being in higher education but apparently -“Students Kill Apartments!”
I mean I like to party and well, let’s face it, get drunk but I have never even so much as smashed a window anywhere I’ve lived… Let alone caused the massive structural damage landlords seem to anticipate when they are considering renting to that unholy bunch of libertines… Students.

In fact, I think I can safely say that most accommodation remains fairly much intact and at least habitably clean during term so surely this should go some way to reassuring landlords that students don’t, you know, spontaneously explode, destroying everything in sight.

The situation is getting worse every year and we may have reached crisis point. The average rent is now €100, to share a room on campus in Dublin and that often means quite a standard place with bills, cable and the absolutely necessary broadband as extras, this is madness for students on budgets that may already be artificially stretched. on-campus accommodation is expanding but not fast enough to keep pace with the growing student body.

The hunt itself is now as painful as the financial considerations with obnoxious and arrogant landlords trying to rent out disgusting holes to desperate students for what I consider criminally exaggerated amounts. It really is enough to make you think of just commuting from home. This is not fair on students or good for young people as your ability to live independently from your parents is stunted, or if you, like me, would have to commute from Sligo?! Not to mention the fun of college living which you would miss out on.

I think everyone will agree that these over-glorified landlords need to be smacked back into place. Somebody needs to put its purse where its mouth has been for years and actually support higher education by funding the construction of new campus accommodation across the country and pass a law forbidding discrimination against students of higher education now.

I’m going into my fourth year in Griffith College. In the past 3 weeks I’ve lied to four potential daft landlords. The lie - “We’re final year Masters students” - seems to work all the time, which is a bit odd considering I’m the same year for Masters, without actually doing my Masters. Had I said anything else, I would be kindly told to fuck off.

Nobody cares

2010-08-19T16:27:00.001+01:00

Seriously, I don't even care. I don't know why I bother.

The Black Keyes, my friend, sound like someone's having sex in your ear.

2010-08-19T16:04:00.004+01:00

If you're interested, they're playing Tripod, Dublin on October 27 :)

Imaginative fiction

2010-08-19T15:45:00.002+01:00

Disjointed instalments that build up to formulate the story of one relationship, where love is not reciprocated, nor unconditional; a representation of an ultimate power, over another being.
Think impetuous and unconcerned lust versus tangible, all-consuming love.

It’s like falling. Steadily watching the surface speed closer, noticing the intricacies of bright stones that will shatter your bones and imbed in your skin. Knowing you’re going to break, but feeling that euphoric rush of cold air streaming through tangled black hair and billowing your skirts and not caring. Laughing all the way down. It’s love; it’s the effect, the power she has over me.

When I was 18, there she was. Other lovers were forgotten memories, dust swirling in an abandoned cellar, a part of my life left behind a door I had locked myself. And, as if stepping from the wings, the indifferent girl who had lived next door and only regarded me to fix her dodgy water hose became my first real love.

We were the toast of the town, parties only starting when we descended the stairs surrounded in sparkling clouds of anticipation and frenzied men and women. She, the cool, arrogant, cut-glass princess and I, her wild and filthy partner; together we reeled them in, digested and discarded. It felt like living.

The link between us… Unbreakable.

***

With him, it was about endurance. I used sex with him to connect with the bigger picture, gritting my teeth and bearing his fumblings for something higher, tangibly electric in its intensity. I felt closer to him than I could ever be physically, as if I was buried deep in his mind, intoxicated. But afterwards, I would lie in a stupor, filled with knowledge that would leave me as the heat wore off.

***

The stream wound ahead like a thin silver ribbon, colours of the trees reflected on its broken-glass surface, small coloured stones shining on its bed like buried treasure. The leafy branches above stretched across to meet each other, creating a soft, whispering roof. Sunlight shone through chinks in the leaves, patterning our skin and throwing diamonds on the water. It felt like we’d found our own private kingdom.

We’d been walking for hours, walking with no direction though baking fields and cool green woods. I kept asking her what she was trying to find, and she kept replying she didn’t know yet. She was lying. I knew that we would stop when we reached the stream running through the little forest I had come to know so well. It was secret, private, hidden from the world. A place to leave inhibitions behind, become a raw, stripped-down version of yourself. When we got there, I feigned surprise at finding such a secluded spot.

We stood at the bank, watched the butterflies dance through bars of light, listened to the flutes of birdsong flowing from the trees. The air felt fresh and damp, like a cold shower on a boiling day. I was suddenly aware of my feet slithering inside spongy trainers. I felt dirty and untidy, out of place in this magical world where everything was pure. I glanced over at her, and knew he was thinking the same thing.

***

I turned to him, that daring look in my eyes that I knew always made him want to do back flips.

I will if you will, I said, nodding my head towards the water and grinning, small pink tongue pointed from between neat pearly teeth. All according to plan, my sweet.

Normally he would have given me a shove and called me crazy, but something about the bright lights and damp air and surrounding green wall of forest made us both feel cut off from the world. Something inside him seemed to have finally broken free, we could do anything we liked and it would stay here, a secret absorbed in the trees.

In one fluid movement I was peeling off my dress, wriggling free of the damp cotton and throwing it defiantly into the wood, where it hooked onto a branch. He laughed and followed my lead, flinging his T-shirt after it. He pulled his shorts away, and we both kicked out of our sweating trainers. I curled my toes over the chilled, dark rocks, feeling the heat sizzle away like steam and a delicious relief spread all over my body.

***

We stood by the water, holding hands. I felt a tingling sensation crackle through my veins, as if touching her hand plugged me into an electricity socket. The moist, pale air bit our skin, prickled our pores. I’d never been this close to her before.

We’ll go on three, I said quietly. She nodded. One… Two… Three.

***

Water streamed off our bodies and twinkled in the sunlight, our skins encrusted in crystal. I heard the trill of the birds and hum of the honeybees mingling with the slapping of the water on the rocks. I felt the squidgy soft mud between my toes and began to laugh.

***

The light changed as the sun sank. Low flares of red and orange cut through the branches and a breeze picked up that sent chill ripples through the water. We lay naked and pure on the bank, our bodies shining. Damp feathers of hair stuck to my cheek and jewels clung to my eyelashes. Her hand moved and closed over mine, oddly warm and ingrained with soft mud. I felt like part of the kingdom now, an extension of the rocks and water and swirling leaves.

Time to go. We stood and faced each other, like Adam and Eve forced to leave paradise. Put our clothes on slowly and painfully, as if donning protection suits for the outside world. On the way out, through the trees, I kept my eyes shut. I didn’t want to come back and spoil the memory. I could preserve it forever, pick through the forest trail to where the bright lights shone and the leaves quivered, relive it in my mind.

***

I watched her after that. I came to know her moods, her relationships, the scent of cold mornings and silver she left in her wake. I began to think of her as my own and marvelled at the lust for power she displayed in everything she did. I plotted our future.

***

I would visit him and the stream in my dreams, when I would sleep for a few meaningless hours. Wandering through my teenage idylls of purity and freedom was a relieving diversion, though I attributed nothing more to it. I was not trying to recapture a lost past. There was amusement and subterfuge to be found etched in those dreams. I would embrace them and clutch at them under the cover of sleep.

***

She tricked me. After years of decisive action, I have been disabled by a woman. But, of course, she is different from all other women. The only one who could deceive me, or rival me, or captivate me. The only person I ever specifically wanted power over, set apart from the nameless blur of other faces. Only she could disappoint me in her dull submission, or fill me with such a cocktail of rage and admiration that she was able to leave me.

Once upon a time, I felt her hand on my cheek. I lay still, the motion of her delicate fingers evoking a new stirring inside me. She had achieved the ultimate power over me.

I followed her, followed her lies, for too long. I spent half my life believing that all that mattered was chasing her, grabbing at glory for somebody else, never living a day for myself. Yes, it brought me pleasure.

I let my body, my soul, slip away to validate her unworthy scheme.

Photography

2010-08-19T15:15:00.008+01:00

A little of this, a little of that...

2010-03-05T00:06:00.002Z

Album Review: Yeasayer - Odd Blood

2010-02-27T14:47:00.003Z

Yeasayer
Odd Blood

Brooklyn-based rock act Yeasayer gained acclaim with its 2007 debut, All Hour Cymbals, and for its sophomore effort, Odd Blood, Yeasayer have maintained those standards. Boasting impressive experimental noise and disciplined pop-rock, the group have turned to synthesizers, like many of their indie-rock, art-pop contemporaries. Odd Blood is hipster-80s-inspired experimental pop-rock.

Taking in references from Fuck Buttons and Phoenix, to TV on the Radio to Animal Collective, Yeasayer's second album is both odd and pretty damn marvelous. Among the folds of intricate sounds on Odd Blood, Anand Wilder and Chris Keating boast expressive vocal harmonies.

The opening track, "The Children", slowly builds up using Animal Collective style synths and hazy drone-vocals, with a Phoenix style melody. A few seconds later, Odd Blood really kicks in.

Tracks like the single "Ambling Alp", "I Remember", and "Rome" break away as truly great cuts. "Ambling Alp," the album’s second cut, is on the fast track to being one of the top songs of 2010. It is a killer lead single, kicking off with strange percussive sounds that give way to dynamic-electro rhythms, recalling moments of Animal Collective's intoxicating dreamy style.

Chris Keating confidently explodes an infectious lead line:

"And if anyone should cheat you, take advantage of, or beat you Raise your head and wear your wounds with pride"

"I Remember" has all the melodic flourish and vocal loveliness of an early 80s love long. Once again Yeasayer have found a killer hook in the chorus of "You’re stuck in my mind all the time."

"Rome" is a steadily building strut with drum and vocal effects, featuring various types of developed beats, a hazy and flexible bass line while Keating’s vocals weave in and out of each other.

With such a huge range of sounds, forms and melodies – Odd Blood is a genuinely eclectic album. It's modern, multicultural, weirdo pop music at its best.

Album Review: Mumford and Sons - Sigh No More

2010-02-27T14:44:00.003Z

Mumford & Sons
Sigh No More

Melodies that wind prettily, beautiful harmonies; acoustic guitar and banjo strummed like you’re marching into battle; songs sung with a brusque yet sensitive style; it’s the kind of music that should be played outside, preferably on summer nights. In a sub-genre of folk we’ve got bands like Fleet Foxes, The Avett Brothers and Bon Iver; Mumford & Sons are the newcomers to the folk party.

If you want to be impressed, listen to this band: not only is their debut album lovely to listen to, it is also a real work of art. Here they have created their own style, distinct from, and they have certainly proven their ability to write good music.

Sigh No More is beautiful, a very listenable record and goes great with whiskey. It blends traditional-sounding introductions with roaring climaxes, awesome acoustics and the ever-present banjo. The cutting lyrics work at odds with the often bright and bouncy music.

Sigh No More is edgy and refreshing. It is brimming with huge choruses and lengthy build-ups leading to colossal blowouts.

The first song and title track and it sets the tone perfectly - the first sound is a whispering acoustic guitar, and above it comes front man Marcus Mumford’s beautifully stony voice, while the others sing harmonies. And the next 11 tracks follow suit; guitar picks up, a banjo jerks in and striking husky vocals top it all off.

The album’s obvious centerpiece is "Little Lion Man", energetic, but sinister, thanks to a furious banjo and a pounding piano.

"It was not your fault but mine, It was your heart on the line. I really fucked it up this time, didn’t I, my dear?"

"Thistle and Weeds" is an epic piece, beginning with a calm gloom and building up to a blistering explosion, with a crazed Mumford shouting "I will hold on!"

Mumford & Sons are poets, and their next release is already highly anticipated. It’s because of this that I think they have great potential. "After The Storm", the last song, nicely binds this innovative album together and leaves you wanting more.

Album Review: Vampire Weekend - Contra

2010-02-27T14:40:00.003Z

Vampire Weekend
Contra

Since Vampire Weekend first appeared in 2006, they have received an endless stream of hype for their self-titled debut. When they first surfaced they rocked us with songs like "A-Punk" and "M79" and since then, they have pulled off the trick of making music that sounds intriguingly different and fresh.

Contra, one of 2010's most anticipated releases, can be judged as an overall success because it captures the elements that made their debut such a hit, whilst also evolving their sound. And most importantly, they've still got that knack of creating an infinitely catchy tune, as "Cousins" and "Holiday" prove.

If Ezra Koenig’s lilting vocals defined the debut, the muscle of this second album belongs to keyboard geek Rostam Batmanglij and his arsenal of instruments and skilled studio work.

On form, Koenig and co. sound terrific. The frenzied addictive ska-punk of "Cousins" could be one of their best records, as it subverts the formula of earlier hit "A-Punk" by adding a newfound fierceness we didn’t realise the band possessed. Two and a half minutes of jubilant pop, using rasping yelps, impatient guitar riffs and even church bells to an exhilarating effect. The festivals will be bouncing to this come the summer.

This follow-up is successful because the band move away from the indie-disco anthems into something more absorbing. They continue to pen a strain of hits by boasting their use of decorative synths and samples, such as those on "Horchata" as well as on the reggae-like "Diplomat’s Son".

With Contra, the band have evolved their style which promises even more excitement in releases to come and it is a fine follow-up to their successful debut.

Chill

2010-02-27T14:04:00.001Z

Head Shops: The War on Legal Highs

2010-02-27T13:35:00.000Z

‘Legal highs’ are nothing new. The generation of powerful mind-altering substances is growing in popularity across the world, and here at home, both the nation and the media have officially declared war on the head shops that sell them.

But are these ‘legal highs’ being over sensationalised by media coverage?

In the past month alone there has been an explosion of publicity on the issue, with weeks of controversial coverage on Joe Duffy’s Liveline; a Prime Time Special Report on the “Booming Trade in Legal Highs”; a Hot Press Special Report; and a highly topical conference held in Mullingar, the first of its scale organised to explore the social and health risks associated with the establishment of head shops.

The fallout from the recent media campaign against these so-called head shops has in turn resulted in a campaign of violence against them; and ironically, the products now on sale are not the reason the outlets have been hitting the headlines.

In January, Derry head shop owner Raymond Coyle was shot three times in the leg by a gunman who came into his shop. The attack came a month after the Derry Journal printed a statement from the Republican Action Against Drugs (RAAD) which warned shopkeepers in the city not to sell legal highs. RAAD, widely regarded as a cover for the Real IRA, has claimed responsibility for the shooting.

In February, a fire destroyed the Nirvana head shop on Capel Street in Dublin’s north inner city and almost €500,000 in cash was discovered in a safe, proving the scale of profitability in this unregulated market. And just over a week later, a second fire broke out, this time at the Happy Hippy head shop on North Frederick Street.

Deputy Aengus O’Snodaigh TD, author of Sinn Féin’s document on drugs “Empowering Communities”, represents an area of Dublin that has been the hardest hit by drugs in the past. He hopes that the media campaign has let to awareness by parents of the goods being sold and the exploitation of young people.

He says: “The find of €500,000 in the basement of the Caple Street shop shows exactly the scale of what’s involved – And that is only one shop! There is a huge profit to be made and there are people who are exploiting the market which they have created.”

Elsewhere in the country, protesters are demanding the closure of head shops in Cork, Castlebar and Roscommon, where parents claim the outlets are attracting teenagers from nearby schools.

Undoubtedly, heated media coverage has led to an increased awareness of ‘legal highs’. It’s a Catch-22 situation. Highlight the ‘dangers’ of head shops, and you open the door to people who are looking for the products such as those on sale. Now everyone knows where to find them.

So what do we know about head shops and their highs?

The proliferation of high street retailers, which Gardaí say are opening at a rate of one a week, suggest they are an increasingly lucrative business, one in which the reasons for their rising popularity are not hard to grasp.

Accurate figures are hard to come by and it is not known specifically how many head shops are operating across the country; however they are able to operate legally.

Not only are they legal, they work. Legal because they operate inside a grey area of the law, where the majority of the products being sold are labelled as ‘not suitable for human consumption’, allowing them to get around consumer protection legislation. Dubious perhaps, but nevertheless effective. And they work, because the majority of these drugs mimic the milder side effects of Class As and other illicit substances.

When the first head shop opened in Ireland, the majority of its income came from sales of pipes, grinders and other drug paraphernalia. This all changed when, thanks to the exploitation of a legal loophole, it became possible to sell fresh magic mushrooms. By the time the government closed the loophole, the damage had been done. The demand for legal highs had been established. With magic mushrooms and the stimulant drug BZP, the alternative to ecstasy which was banned last year, now prohibited under Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, an assortment of alternatives have assumed the mantle.

These include substances which could be on the brink of losing legal status come June, when the government is to introduce new measures that will place more products under the control of the Misuse of Drugs Act. The government also intends to make it mandatory for all head shops to display all ingredients on the substances sold.

Deputy O’Snodaigh says introducing legislation is one of the problems the state is grappling with because of the legitimate uses of many of the ingredients used.

He says: “There has to be a way found. Whether it is through banning each individual item for sale, which is a laborious task because of the names and varied amounts of these substances, or whether the EU blocks the entry of these products into the market.”

But how do people feel about regulation?

Some people believe that banning is the wrong approach; rather regulation is the right answer. Perhaps, by regulating a market that provides hard drug users with safe alternatives, we can eliminate the criminal element that claims lives and communities.

One can argue that slapping a ban on products will simply drive the trade back into the hand of drug dealers.

Deputy O’Snodaigh says “the drug dealers to date have had no problems employing their trade”, and that vulnerable and susceptible young people are those being targeted.

He says: “What is happening is young people who would never use illegal drugs or would be inclined not to use them, now have an avenue in which to sample drugs and once they develop a taste for it, they seem to go on then to illegal drugs.”

Others welcome a ban on legal highs. The argument is down to the lack of information about the short and long-term health effects of these substances, their potential for abuse and their addictiveness, especially on young people in particular. Although some head shops subscribe to a code of conduct, whereby they operate an over 18’s policy and refuse to serve those intoxicated, there are widespread concerns that this may not be enforced.

Deputy O’Snodaigh has seen the products and says: “They are definitely being marketed for young people, and with young people in mind. They are undoubtedly being sold to people under 18.”

Faced with an information vacuum, these controversial highs are a battlefield between those who see the use of psychoactive drugs as a human right, a way by which people can experiment safely and away from criminality; and those who think it is plain wrong: the risks are too great.

However, here is a sobering thought for our government – for every banned legal substance, there are plenty of alternatives widely available. Salvia and Kratom may be facing the chop, but others will take their place.

Substances likely to lose legal status in June:

Salvia Divinorum is the strongest natural hallucinogenic known to man, and can produce mild to extreme hallucinations depending on the dosage consumed.

Kratom, a psychoactive leaf grown in South East Asia creates an euphoric-like feeling, similar to the effects of heroin and opium.

Pills, energy pills designed to mimic the effects of speed and give an Ecstasy-like euphoria.

Herbal Smoke, smoked as a marijuana alternative and creates relaxed feelings and talkativeness.

Sorry

2010-02-27T13:17:00.001Z

I've been extremely busy!
That is all!

Trees

2010-01-25T19:14:00.000Z

Bending space and time is just like bending a branch. Bend it too far and it will break. You have to imagine the space/time continuum as a tree, every leaf is a year and the bark is all the matter in the universe. I'm not sure where I'm going with this, but I'll tell you one thing; if you ever see me atop a tree with no clothes on screaming "I've doomed us all", you'd best run.

Master of Sounds

2010-01-25T19:09:00.001Z

Give it up for Michael Winslow

Coachella, April 16-18

2010-01-25T01:05:00.006Z

If I had one wish for 2010... Take me here.

The Line-up, to name a few:

Them Crooked Vultures
Vampire Weekend
Julian Casablancas
Thom Yorke
LCD Soundsystem
Muse

deadmau5
Echo & the Bunnymen
Fever Ray
Grizzly Bear
Hockey
Iglu & Hartly
Jay-Z
Passion Pit
Ra Ra Riot
She & Him
The Specials
The Whitest Boy Alive
2 many DJ's
Coheed and Cambria
Dirty Projectors
Faith No More
Frightened Rabbit
GIRLS
Gossip
Hot Chip
MGMT
The Dead Weather
The Raveonettes
The Temper Trap
The xx
Delphic
Florence & The Machine
Gorillaz
Hadouken!
Little Boots
Spoon

Beat The Devil’s Tattoo, due out March 9th

2010-01-24T15:34:00.001Z

Click me - BRMC

Klaxons Sound Off on New Album: 'The Most Violent British Record to Date' - Spinner

2010-01-24T15:33:00.000Z

Klaxons Sound Off on New Album: 'The Most Violent British Record to Date' - Spinner

I won't be posting today.

2010-01-21T18:20:00.000Z

Nope, no blog posts today.

I'm off to have sex with Josh Homme. Later

2010-01-20T21:57:00.000Z

The Daily Mash

2010-01-20T14:25:00.002Z

Another day's mash for you, humble reader.

ARMY SNIPERS GET THANK-YOU LETTER FROM JESUS

And, my astrological week ahead...

Pisces
An overly-ambitious acquisition strategy undermined by reduced fiscal liquidity this quarter sees you searching the seat cushions in Wetherspoons for change to buy your next 99p pint. Again.

A.... something.

2010-01-19T22:02:00.003Z

Someone told me I should write about what I know, because I've been struggling to write sense lately, but I don't know much about anything to be honest. I can narrow it down marginally, where I could write about anything from pulling a pint to blowing up a car. But they won't print that kinda stuff. Either because it's been done or for legal reasons. I have a friend who was in the Israeli Army see... And there I go again, someone's been messing with my common sense. I can't really talk about shit like that.

Anyway, it comes down to knowledge and what you know. Some people say that knowledge is the greatest weapon, but they're the kind of people who find sticks with two bits pointing out of the end, which in effect, is perfect for poking people in the eyes. Only they haven't quite grasped that detail yet. See it's not about what you know, it's what you make of what you know.
Hell, most people who hear "stick" already fucking know they're gonna hurt you with it somehow. Cause people don't like you. And that's all I have to say about that.

It's just been one of those days..

2010-01-19T18:51:00.001Z

Let the truth be known...
And get stoned.

Making A Cross

2010-01-19T18:24:00.000Z

Desert Sessions; From Volume 8: Can You See Under My Thumb? There You Are.

Need a bong hit

2010-01-19T18:09:00.001Z

I've just been told that the government is planning to fight ageism by mating the youngest members of society with the oldest, in a bid to create a race of middle aged children, which should bring all three groups closer together. It's a flawed plan, but all the best plans are.

The Choice Music Prize 2010

2010-01-19T15:37:00.004Z

I'm late getting around to it.

The shortlist for Choice Music Prize - Irish Album of the Year 2009 is as follows:

And So I Watch You From Afar “And So I Watch You From Afar” (Smalltown America)
Bell X1 “Blue Lights On The Runway” (BellyUp)
Codes “Trees Dream in Algebra” (EMI)
Adrian Crowley “Season of the Sparks” (Chemikal Underground)
Dark Room Notes “We Love You Dark Matter” (Gonzo)
The Duckworth Lewis Method “The Duckworth Lewis Method” (1969/Divine Comedy Records)
Julie Feeney “Pages” (Mittens)
Valerie Francis “Slow Dynamo” (VF)
Laura Izibor “Let The Truth Be Told” (Atlantic)
The Swell Season “Strict Joy” (Plateau)

The live event will take place in Vicar Street, Dublin on Wednesday March 3 and will feature performances from as many of the acts who can play on the night as possible.
Tickets, priced €27 euro including booking fees, go on sale on Monday next.

The winning act will receive a cheque for €10,000 (courtesy of the Irish Recorded Music Association and the Irish Music Rights Organisation) and a smashing piece of glassware (courtesy of industry body Recorded Artists & Performers). Without those three industry bodies, there would not be a Choice Music Prize.

Paddy Power Odds
9/2 And So I Watch You From Afar – And So I Watch You From Afar
9/2 The Duckworth Lewis Method – The Duckworth Lewis Method
5/1 Valerie Francis – Slow Dynamo
11/2 Bell X1 – Blue Lights On The Runway
6/1 Dark Room Notes – We Love You Dark Matter
6/1 Adrian Crowley – Season of the Sparks
8/1 The Swell Season – Strict Joy
9/1 Codes – Trees Dream in Algebra
14/1 Laura Izibor – Let The Truth Be Told
14/1 Julie Feeney – Pages

By the way, money is on CODES or And So I Watch You From Afar.

The judges who came up with this shortlist and will have the final decision on the night are:

Martin Burns (News of the World)
Josh Clarke (i102-104, Galway)
Roisin Dwyer (Hot Press)
Tony Fenton (Today FM)
Cathal Funge (Phantom 105.2, Dublin)
Padraic Halpin (Ragged Words)
Sophie Gorman (Irish Independent)
John McMahon (2fm)
Rob O’Connor (Beat 102-103, Waterford)
Eva Staic (Spin 1038, Dublin)
Chris Wasser (Evening Herald)
Aoife Woodlock (Other Voices)

Worthy winners -
Jape: Winners of the Choice Music Prize, Irish album of the year 2008 for the album ‘Ritual’.

:)

2010-01-19T15:29:00.001Z

The Daily Mash - Everyone should read satire

2010-01-19T15:16:00.003Z

ARMY TO BE MADE UP OF MYTHICAL CREATURES BY 2016

Be sure to check out your astrological week ahead too!

If you're a Pisces like me and are too fucking lazy to open the above link, well then I'm doing you a favour now.

Pisces
In a world without rules, when humanity is on the brink of survival and all hope rests in the hands of one individual, I really, really hope to Christ it isn't you.

The mind is a fortress

2010-01-19T14:51:00.002Z

We've lost a calm, quiet confidence
because trapped in endless circulation
we have become scrapbook reflections
somehow greater than ourselves.

A generation of circumstance and consequence.

This is my battalion of truth,
drawn and slung into he pulp bosom
of your hordes of wrath.

We were drunk on daydreams
in some place we've never been.
Painting stories seldom told
of lives we'll never know.

The Internet CAN provide an education for YOU!

2010-01-18T23:26:00.004Z

Damn cool site--

Click ME

Look to the future- it's gonna be a year of science fiction and urban fantasy!

2010-01-18T22:15:00.006Z

Are you prepared for cinematic awesomeness? This year sees a number of movies I'm eager to watch, from Christopher Nolan's acid trip to a new Iron Man.

A couple weeks back I made this list: 2010 in Movies List

Here's two new additions:

Repo Men

What it's about: this was apparently filmed in 2008 and put on ice. It's a movie adaptation of a novel, Repossession Mambo, about a future where your artificial organs get yanked out if you don't keep up with your payments.
Why bother? The recently released trailer was fun, and it's got Jude Law ripping your organs out.
Eye candy: Jude Law

Inception

What it's about: Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight) brings us an original science-fiction story, in which cities melt and curl, shit looks crazy here!
Why bother?: It's Nolan, doing what looks like a riff on The Matrix. And I'm glad he's taking a break from Bat-movies to do something original and — hopefully — thought-provoking. This might be the film I'm most interested in discovering more about in 2010.
Eye candy: Leonardo DiCaprio

Training the eye

2010-01-18T19:42:00.002Z

The Rock Bible

2010-01-18T19:19:00.003Z

It’s hard to believe it, but it does exist - The Rock Bible: Unholy Scripture for Fans & Bands. That’s right, this tiny red book may look like a typical bible — despite the, you know, flames and Les Paul on the cover — but on the inside it contains a list of do's and don’ts that every aspiring rock star should read before embarking on a spiritual journey into the world of dirty clubs, crowded vans and rest stop bathrooms.
The Rock Bible truly is required reading for anyone who plays or loves rock music. if bible study was as fun as what’s listed below I'd want to go to church every day.

I. “Do not name your band after another current band’s song or album. Come to think of it, don’t name your band after any song or album. Nobody cares about your ‘good’ taste.”

II. “Turntables are not, nor have they ever been, a musical instrument.”

III. “Using your computer on stage means you’re as likely to be checking your e-mail as you are to be performing music.”

IV. “Never personally master your own recordings unless you really don’t want anyone to listen to them.”

V. “Everybody thinks they’re funny. Most people aren’t, especially soundmen.”

VI. “Few singers are allowed to drape scarves on microphone stands. You are not one of them.”

VII. “Rhythm guitar players should always look like they want to be somewhere else.”

VIII. “Those who figure they will play bass because it has two fewer strings than a guitar and is therefore easier to learn should probably just hold cases that hold guitars and basses.”

IX. “Singers who tell the audience to ‘Give it up for yourselves!’ should be attacked by hyenas.”

X. “Never spend more time on your hair than you would eating a modest-sized meal.”

And some more...

“If you’re exceedingly tall and the room’s packed, stand at the back of the room.”

“Never start a drum circle after a show in the camping area of a music festival.”

“Do not sing along with a band at a show unless you are absolutely sure of the words.”

“Never yell out for a band to play their most obscure song. It isn’t on the set list because they don’t like playing it.”

“Saying ‘you guys sounded tight’ or ‘you had great energy’ to a band after they’re done playing is a polite way of getting the point across that you think they are a lousy band.”

“Anyone who wishes to buy any Ramones-related merchandise must be able to name all members of the original lineup and a minimum of five of their songs.”

“A hot meal will win the hearts of a band on tour more than almost anything. Additionally, if you want said band to listen to your demo, consider baking it into something.”

“Showing up at a show three hours early to get a primo space in front of the stage is reaffirming to all those around you that you don’t have a life.”

“Stop filming the band with your cell phone while they’re on stage. The fidelity and picture will be utterly substandard. Trying enjoying the moment for once.”

“Shut up about the fact that you used to be in a band.”

The Rock Bible: Unholy Scripture For Fans & Bands is the brainchild of author/editor Henry Owings who is also the publisher of Chunklet. For more information visit: www.quirkbooks.com.

There's only this.

2010-01-18T18:43:00.002Z

I'm so done. And a big part of me thinks you've been done for a while now...
Thanks for the head's up.

Talking Heads - The 80's were the glory days of music. All genres included.

2010-01-18T18:39:00.002Z

Sad stuff

2010-01-17T20:46:00.005Z

Dexter star Michael C Hall diagnosed with cancer

Independent.ie - Michael C Hall diagnosed with cancer

Oh baby

2010-01-17T20:35:00.003Z

Back in the sixties I had a wonderful idea. It was my only idea of the decade, but it was a better idea than most people get in a lifetime. Moon funerals: funerals on the moon.

I am at peace now

2010-01-15T16:34:00.002Z

Focus on the VINYL kids

2010-01-15T15:51:00.002Z

Let’s face it, CDs have always been a terrible medium: They’re easily scratched, ugly and make album artwork so small that it’s difficult to see without a magnifying glass. Instead we believe that record labels should put their focus back on vinyl, a medium that’s been experiencing a notable resurgence while the CD is suffering through an agonizing death. In addition to sounding better than CDs or MP3s, LPs allow listeners to view the artwork in a way where you can actually see what’s going on and different pressings and colors also add a collectible aspect to purchasing music.

The Supergroups

2010-01-15T15:30:00.002Z

2009 turned out to be a banner year for supergroups – the rock and roll equivalent of the all-star team... From Tinted Windows to The Dead Weather. Although, it seems like anything Jack White touches is deemed a supergroup even if the rest of the members’ credentials don’t quite make the cut. Back up the line, there's Monsters of Folk and Them Crooked Vultures - something very special most will agree... it's been a hell of a ride.

On to CHICKENFOOT. I brushed pass them when I heard of them first, not a huge Van Halen fan and Hagar on vocals didn't make me jump to hear some of their hard - maybe a little dumb - rock songs. But I gave them the benefit of the doubt, thanks to Chad Smith from the Chili's on drums. It's different. But definitely a little too commercial or something. Anyway, I like this-

I'm Designer

2010-01-11T16:16:00.000Z

One more 'new year, new decade, happy 2010, merry new decade' image!

2010-01-11T15:55:00.006Z

Study much?

2010-01-11T15:27:00.003Z

Twas the night before exam week and all through the house, not a student was studying, as this was the norm. Kegs in the kitchen, jello shots in the hall, thanks to the liquor it was a late night for all. Passed out all around, the kids all slept tight. When they woke up the next day they thought, "Man what a night! We're too hungover to study," they shouted with cheer… "So to hell with exams, just bring on the beer!"

Oh look at that, it’s our favourite time of year once again. The joy of exams. When the study fries the brain cells and turns your frontal lobes into mush? We’re all very pleasant people to be around this time of year. We all find a new found enjoyment in using sarcasm. And people wonder why exam week causes an arsenal of discontentment among college students nationwide!!

Despite what you might hear, exams are punishment for everything bad that you have ever done in life. It’s my belief that exams are created to make us both hate and appreciate life. Following exams, you look at life in a different light and are thankful for your newly gained freedom. But this appreciative outlook usually fades quickly and that is why we are made to do it all over again the following year.

I can’t help but be selfish. That’s just what study does to you. Students could well live without the sweat beads of anxiety right now. I’m sitting here 5 minutes after opening my book of notes, or rather a couple of hand written scraps of paper and I feel like my head’s been draped with a wet tea cloth?

My two cents:

* Several weeks before exams, you cannot get what you are studying into your head because your brains are "saturated". You only gain your momentum when exam is one/two weeks away, and that is when you begin to study frantically. Stress builds up and multiple ulcers start developing in your mouth and the sweat beads begin to descend on your ever-growing beetroot red face.

* When exams are upon you, you no longer communicate. Instead, you whine, rant, vent, complain, and exude profanities... I recommend starting a blog, where you can do this all the time.

I'll be making my way back to Dublin at 6am. Exams officially began this morning, but with the country at a stand-still cause of the weather, today's exams were postponed. Thursday afternoon is my first exam of 2010. Joy.

Omegle Haha

2010-01-09T15:37:00.005Z

Just this afternoon, I stumbled upon a website called Omegle
Basically, it allows two random strangers to chat with one another.

Stranger: hi

You: somebody somewhere is working harder than you

Stranger: you?

You: not me
You have disconnected.
..........................................................................................

Stranger: hi

You: anybody else hate children

Stranger: you a parent?

You: no

Stranger: why do you hate kids?

You: insufferable, loud and dirty

Stranger: haha

Your conversational partner has disconnected.

...........................................................................................

Stranger: heyy

Stranger: asl please

You: god i need a life

Stranger: me too!!

Stranger: actually im going to the movies with my friends soon

Stranger: im just on here to pass time

You: yeah right

Stranger: nmo srsly

Stranger: no*

You: good work convincing yourself

Stranger: im seeing avatar!!

Stranger: i guess its not exactly soon... its at 130

You: so you're here till then

Stranger: no, just for a bit, i still have to get dressed and everything

You: jesus

Stranger: what?

You: omegle and you're not even dressed? do you crave chat with strangers so much that you won't allow yourself time to even clothe yourself

Stranger: im in my pjs. and i just felt like it.

You have disconnected.
.................................................................................................

Stranger: hey

You: battered sausages

Stranger: whattes?

Stranger: what is battered?

You: sausages which have been battered i.e. cooked in batter

Stranger: owkee

Stranger: what's with that?

You: battered sausages

You: what's not with it

Stranger: i don't know

Stranger: i like sausages

You: good for you

Stranger: yeah right

Stranger: idiot

Stranger: so.....

Stranger: wanna fuck?

You: yeah right now

Stranger: yeah why not?

Stranger: are you going to say anything or what?

Stranger: hey dick!

You: It never fails to amaze me how fucked up people actually are. Well. Yes it does. Actually. Even amongst the respected perverted community, you are a rising star!

Stranger: thanks

Stranger: i'm trying

Stranger: but i can't help it i'm talking al week about sex, so

You: go fuck yourself

Stranger: already done

Stranger: now wanna fuck somebody else
You have disconnected.

.................................................................................................

You: I have come here today to talk to you about GOD

Stranger: i love god

You: What do you think GOD has done for you

Stranger: God gave me life

You: GOD hates you

Stranger: God hates you too

Your conversational partner has disconnected.

................................................................................................

Stranger: if you're a pervert looking for a girl just disconnect cuz i'm a dude

You: fuck my life

Your conversational partner has disconnected.

It's a lot of fun. Ha. Try it out.

Weather updates (from RTE)

2010-01-09T14:43:00.004Z

GCD have announced that all examinations scheduled for Monday 11th January have been postponed. Exams from Tuesday onwards will proceed as planned at this time. The College will continually monitor the weather conditions throughout the weekend.

UCD has closed the campuses at Belfield and Blackrock until Tuesday 12 January. The campuses will be closed to vehicular access and external visitors from 2pm (Belfield) and 5pm (Blackrock), today.

The Dublin Institute of Technology has postponed all exams due to take place on Monday because of the bad weather.

NUI Maynooth have announced that exams scheduled for Monday 11 January have been moved to Friday 22 January.

Letterkenny Insititute of Technology has postponed exams due to be held at the LYIT on Monday 11 January.

All IT Tallaght exams schedule for Monday in the National Basketball Centre, the Institute and other centres have been postponed.

All flights into and out of Dublin Airport remain suspended. The Dublin Airport Authority says a snow warning is in place. The decision was taken shortly after 8.30am after two aircraft reported medium to poor braking action.

The army will move into Co Leitrim today to help the County Council deal with the consequences of the extreme weather conditions.

Two snow ploughs are currently in operation on the M50.

Gardaí have issued a travel alert. Heavy snow is now falling in the greater Dublin area which is making driving conditions very treacherous and dangerous for all road users. They have asked motorists to check for traffic updates on Radio News Bulletins throughout the weekend.

Dublin City Council says water production is at its peak, but demand is outstripping supply. It says water restrictions will have to be introduced.

130 pairs of wellies were purchased at BT's Grafton St store yesterday by those bravely navigating the icy footpaths of the capital.

If you must venture out today, be sure to wrap up warm just as RTÉ's Paul Cunningham.
We love Paul Cunnigham's winter hat!
(http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/We-love-Paul-Cunninghams-winter-hat/240592949010?ref=ts)

Yay - Rogue Wave's new album

2010-01-08T16:36:00.004Z

The cover came from a painting by Los Angeles artist Becca Mann.

The tracklist for 'Permalight' -

1. Solitary Gun
2. Good Morning
3. Sleepwalker
4. Stars and Stripes
5. Permalight
6. Fear Itself
7. Right With You
8. We Will Make A Song Destroy
9. I'll Never Leave You
10. Per Anger
11. You Have Boarded
12. All That Remains

The guy who invented the burger dies

2010-01-08T16:20:00.002Z

Apparently the frozen french fry was another contribution of his.

He was 81 years old.

http://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/05/inventor-of-mcdonalds-quarter-pounder-dies-at-81/

Happy Birthday David Bowie and Elvis Presley

2010-01-08T15:59:00.007Z

How awesome would it have been to celebrate Elvis's 75th birthday? Watching the King of Rock still walking this Earth, with a beer, sporting a velvet onsie or something, no? There are so many songs to choose from to toast to that soul...
"Thank you ... thank you vurry much!"

Thirty-three years after his shocking death, we love him because he was just like the rest of us, imperfect.

"Hearing him for the first time was like busting out of jail." - Bob Dylan

David Bowie, on the other hand is still standing, and standing tall at 63 years old, carrying with him that demon smile. So happy birthday, David Bowie, and please come back to mess with our minds on screen or online. Forty years ago, you appeared out of nowhere as a "Space Oddity" to reckon with. Now that you’re closing in on 150 million albums sold, it shouldn’t take much longer for you to shape-shift into a new persona... We’ll take whatever, or whoever, you’ve got next.

Long live Ziggy Stardust!

WTF (No I'm not talking in acronyms you fool)

2010-01-07T18:36:00.003Z

OK Go is the most-downloaded band ever. The group created an international phenomenon in 2005 with its A Million Ways video, which featured the four members dancing in a backyard, and followed it with the decade’s most-viewed music video, Here It Goes Again.
OK Go has cooked up a color-drenched video for lead single WTF? using the band’s trademark single-shot approach.

Go here to truly appreciate it in high quality, embedding is disabled.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12zJw9varYE

Thank you Mr Tarantino

2010-01-05T19:40:00.004Z

Quite literally walking on thin ice

2010-01-05T19:10:00.006Z

Forget striking public servants and extra long dole queues... Nothing can bring the country to a halt quite like the Irish weather. Snow fell about three weeks ago and since then life as we knew it changed simply overnight.

There was no more than about 5 inches of the stuff, yet planes were grounded, buses vanished, cars overturned and the traditional Christmas stampede to the shops and pubs never materialised.

The snow? Frozen to the fucking ground. The majority of the country is now resembling something of a glacier that veered a bit too far right in the Atlantic and caught hold of us.

Ireland remains in the grip of the worst cold snap in decades. We're calling it 'The Big Freeze' and hoping 'The Big Thaw' will get its skates on and hurry the fuck up.

FML - Fuck My Life. Stuff to laugh at when you think you're having a rough day.

2010-01-05T18:48:00.005Z

Today, I received my passport in the mail. They got my birthdate wrong. Then I picked up my birth certificate that I had sent in with the application. Turns out my parents have been celebrating my birthday on the wrong day for 16 years. FML #18551 (805)

Today, I wanted to have a good lunch with my wife before fasting for my surgery which I may not survive, she decided getting her hair cut was more important. I ate alone. FML #100088 (535)

Today, my girlfriend dumped me proclaiming she wanted someone more like her "Edward". I asked her who Edward was. She held up a copy her "Twilight" book. She was talking about a fictional vampire. FML #9321 (397)

Today, I saw an elderly man fall in a crosswalk, so I jumped off my bike to help. As I helped him across, the light turned green. At that point I noticed my phone had fallen out of my pocket in the street and was run over by several cars. I then watched across a 6 lane street as someone stole my bike. FML #86179 (330)

Today, my husband dropped me off at work. Ten minutes later I got a text saying "I just dropped the b*tch off I'll be there in a few baby, miss you". I asked him about it he said "I don't know what you're talking about Megan". My name isn't Megan. Not even close. FML #159600 (93)

Today, 3 days before my wedding day, I found out that my fiance is sleeping with one of my bridesmaids. I just cancelled a $200,000 wedding. I would go into more detail, but I have to help my family (who flew in from Poland, California, and Massachusetts) book flights back home. FML #146339 (414)

Today, the girl I've loved for the past two years finally expressed her innermost feelings for me. After a brief make out session, she asked me to "never leave her side". When I got home, my mom told me that my dad got a new job. I'm moving to the other side of the globe in two weeks. FML #594439 (406)

Today, I told my mom about my night terrors in which I am laying in a ditch with people shooting at me, and I have no ammunition to defend myself. She told me I should stop being such a whiny bitch, and to grow up and be a man. I am 20 and got back from Iraq 10 months ago. FML #693999 (650)

Today, my teenage stepdaughters, as a punishment for refusing to buy them iphones, told my wife they saw me in town kissing an attractive blonde and grabbing her ass (all invented). She believed it and i'm single. I've been faithful and feeding the whole family for 10 years. FML #549309 (607)

Today, I found out that I am being sued for losing a set of wedding photos that I took. I lost them by being mugged on the way home after the shoot and £10,000 worth of equipment was stolen from me. FML #46067 (119)

Today I noticed that my daughter was making funny noises which oddly ressembled the sounds my wife makes in bed. When I asked her what she was doing she said "I'm pretending to be mommy from last night." I was on a business trip last night. FML #465150 (160)

Today, my teacher demanded to talk to my dad because she thought he wasn't a good enough male role model because I'd misbehaved. I told her he had died of cancer in 2005. She said that my lie was rude, disgraceful, and that I should be ashamed, then gave me a detention. He actually did die. FML #587190 (380)

Today, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I called all my family members to invite them over this evening because I had some very important news for them that could not wait. They all declined the invite. When I asked why, they said they were going to my cousins to watch his new TV. FML #406352 (248)

http://www.fmylife.com/

White Christmas - Or, in our case, The Big Freeze

2010-01-04T16:52:00.006Z

Blogger won't allow me to upload the full sized images so I'm left with these, they've been resized but their missing a couple pixels to the right. You get the idea though. :)

Dawn of Time

2010-01-04T16:32:00.000Z

I was fed up with people going on about the Big Bang and the dawn of time. I just didn't get it. Boggled my mind. It must have been one of those "you had to be there" kind of things. So I dusted off the old flux capacitor and went and had a look. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but it was nothing special. It must have been pretty mindblowing at the time given the technology they had, but it was a bit like going to see Jason and the Argonauts right after watching The Matrix.

New Year- Fresh start

2010-01-04T16:00:00.004Z

That time of the year once again, time to make idle promises about quitting, doing better, trying harder, and achieving more. I hate to do it, but this year demands a few changes on my part and for once I'm willing to follow through.

A little list of... Not resolutions, but decisions for the new year-

- Don’t get distracted so easily
- Take more photographs
- Meet more people
- Improve my writing
- Watch more movies
- Write reviews
- Travel
- Check out new upcoming bands
- Get to more gigs
- Visit new places/pubs/venues/cities
- Exercise
- Develop more ideas
- Submit work for publications
- Get a job in media
- Do some crazy shit along the way

2010 in Movies

2010-01-03T18:51:00.010Z

Drum roll please...

Clash of the Titans

Plot: The mortal son of the god Zeus embarks on a perilous journey to stop the underworld and its minions from spreading their evil to Earth as well as the heavens.

Director: Louis Leterrier

Cast and Crew: Sam Worthington, Ralph Fiennes, Liam Neeson, Gemma Arterton, Alexa Davalos, Danny Huston, Nicholas Hoult, Izabella Miko, Mads Mikkelsen, Jason Flemyng

Arrested Development

Plot: No plot released

Director: Mitchell Hurwitz

Cast and Crew: Michael Cera, Jason Bateman, David Cross, Portia de Rossi, Jeffrey Tambor, Will Arnett

The Rum Diary

Plot outline: Self-destructive freelance journalist Paul Kemp tries to make sense of his life while writing for a run-down newspaper in 1950s Puerto Rico in this movie adaptation of the novel by Hunter S. Thompson.

Director: Bruce Robinson

Cast: Johnny Depp, Aaron Eckhart, Amber Heard, Richard Jenkins, Giovanni Ribisi

Iron Man 2

Plot outline: Tony Stark, with his buddy Jim Rhodes, squares off against Whiplash and the Black Widow while continuing discussions with Nick Fury about the Avengers Initiative.

Director: Jon Favreau

Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Mickey Rourke, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Samuel L. Jackson

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I

Plot outline: Harry, Ron, and Hermione go on the run from Death Eaters while trying to find the remaining Horcruxes.

Director: David Yates

Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Bonnie Wright, Evanna Lynch, Alan Rickman

The A-Team

Plot Outline: A group of Iraq War veterans looks to clear their name with the U.S. military, who suspect the four men of committing a crime for which they were framed.

Director: Joe Carnahan

Cast and Crew: Bradley Cooper, Bruce Willis, Common, Woody Harrelson

The Three Stooges

Plot outline: A brand new comedy based on the original exploits of Larry, Curly, and Moe, the Columbia Pictures comedy team from the 1930s and ’40s.

Director: Bobby and Peter Farrelly

Cast: Jim Carrey, Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro

Alice in Wonderland

Plot outline: Tim Burton and Johnny Depp (as the Mad Hatter) take on Lewis Carroll’s classic.

Director: Tim Burton

Cast: Johnny Depp, Mia Wasikowska, Michael Sheen, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Crispin Glover, Christopher Lee

Robin Hood

Plot outline: a re-telling of the Robin Hood legend from the Gladiator team of Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe.

Director: Ridley Scott

Cast: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Mark Strong, Kevin Durand, William Hurt, Vanessa Redgrave, Scott Grimes

The Book of Eli

Plot outline: A man fights his way across post-apocalyptic America in order to protect a book that holds the secret to saving humankind.

Director: Albert Hughes

Cast: Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, Mila Kunis, Michael Gambon, Tom Waits

A Day in the Life… Busker

2010-01-02T16:56:00.012Z

Stop and listen, it’s free! The advent of free music is just the indication of a glorious new era dawning, one in which nothing costs anything.

Busking: Watching the world go by, from a different perspective.

On The Streets: The way to reach people and have a constant audience, as brief as it may be.

There are three groups of people: Those who ignore a busker, those who stop to listen, and those who stop, listen, and are then kind enough to leave some money in the guitar case. He didn’t get rich, but he did alright.

The Wall of Fame: Every so often you might just come across a busker who is just too good for the street alone.

Moving on: It is possible to make some extra cash with a little talent. All you have to do is choose the right place…

“It was not a good thing … to let the hat fill up with money–the sight could discourage the patron; nor was it wise to empty it completely, which could also confuse him, giving him no hint as to where to drop his money. Placing a couple of pennies in the hat to start the thing going soon became an unvarying ritual; making sure, between tunes, to take off the cream, but always leaving two pennies behind.” – Laurie Lee.

Taking a moment to think: Can a busker gain positive exposure performing the original and unfamiliar work to the public, in an informal setting?
See things from a busker’s perspective and understand his dream.

A new day: The weather is dry and the acoustics are great.
His music: Is for everyone, not just those who pay for a concert ticket.
His goal: To de-stress, play his music to whoever was listening and maybe find enough tips for the cab-fare home.

Falling

2010-01-01T17:13:00.002Z

New Year's Eve is way overrated!

2010-01-01T16:27:00.004Z

Crowded bars and clubs are insufferable at the best of times; where the music is loud and you may as well be out on your own due to the time spent queuing for a drink. It can be near impossible to hold a conversation over the noise level of those I don’t know... There will be assholes around somewhere, and will likely during the course of the evening/night get in my space. The drinks are overpriced and watered down.

And....

+ pay double to triple the usual cover charge just to get into a place,
+ endure far greater numbers of people I don’t know to spend my evening with
+ suffer a greater ratio of cunts simply because the striking of 12 indicates the beginning of a new year.

As for the obsession with going out on the last night of the year, I just don’t get it. Similarily, those who clap when a plane lands- Seriously, what would you do if the pilot didn't land the place? Counting from 10 to 1 for the big hand to reach 12 on the clock... You can do that anytime. Why is it so goddamn fucking important? 10 seconds, that's all, just 10 seconds and that's it. No one cares anymore.

It's a different world, working behind a bar on New Year's Eve, watching the punters. The absolute ecstacy etched on their faces with 10 seconds to go then BOOM, midnight, they almost look around at their friends and mentally ask each other - "What now?"

Whatever you did, I hope you enjoyed yourself. But remember for next year what you would actually rather do instead of suffering one or all of the above. You don't have to follow the established societal norms.

Soundgarden Reunite

2010-01-01T16:14:00.002Z

Great news Chris Cornell fans, Soundgarden have gotten back together. So instead of awful Timbaland produced crap, we'll have more grunge rock from one of the finest bands of the early 90s.

Not much news is out there yet, but they're going back to the studio to record a new album.

More news when I hear it...

Remember these days?

Hello Twenty Ten, you sound nice

2010-01-01T15:55:00.004Z

It was an ok year.
I met new people, had many new experiences, learnt new things and had a few big changes. My outlook on life hasn't really changed that much although I feel I’m a little different, mentally I mean, than I did this time last year.

It was a good year! Hopefully Twenty-Ten will be even better, for all of us.
Happy new year to you all.

A little Joel

2009-12-30T03:42:00.000Z

Doopee doop ee doo

2009-12-30T03:25:00.003Z

My home town has turned into a goddamn glacier-- Should probably try and get our hands on global warming's calendar, just so we know for again. It's pretty unfortunate though, that it takes a fucking vacation when everybody else has nothing to do. Happy Hellidays!

Here's an ironic image I came across. I believe it's the work of the great Banksy.

Cool things

2009-12-30T03:13:00.000Z

Motorbikes

Crystal Meth

2009-12-29T17:23:00.003Z

It’s that time of year again... When I'm fed up of being home and miss the metropolitan lifestyle I have going on 4 days a week, but then, I love being home and dread the thought of spending money again on food, booze and drugs (as a precaution). I hate being told what to do, I hate being woken up and I hate having to blow off my mates for work because I need the money. All three things happened today and I'm not in a good place. In a mere two weeks I'll be sitting in a dingy classroom, doped up on Starbucks and Red Bull trying to cram for those fucking post-Christmas exams. The distractions will become more tempting than ever before and with that, an involuntary narcissistic rage. I will kill someone. You think I kid?

Without music, I'd be in an empty bitch of a shell, today above all other days.
But then, I'll be happy-go-lucky in a couple hours once I get my fix. Later.

Well I thought everyone knew?!

2009-12-29T01:14:00.003Z

A little colour on this dark eve..

2009-12-29T00:36:00.002Z

Audio-Fuck-Valium

2009-12-28T23:39:00.003Z

Human beings inherently like things that are bad. They will gladly sit through hours of a show called "100 worst songs EVER!", when they could easily be off listening to songs which aren't the worst.

Songs such as this...

iced words and coffee beans

2009-12-28T22:29:00.003Z

I've been browsing the internet sourly. Looking for some kind of inspiration to write a couple articles for what would/should kick start my career. Time's running out on my college life it seems, and although I intend to make it last for as long as possible, I need some kind of a creative foundation from which to build on and climb the media ladder. It's a competitive mind field. One I'm not sure I'm quite ready for, hence the procrastination and scary monologues.
It's almost January again, and with Christmas well and truly over for another year I have nothing to distract me from the upcoming exams and second semester in what should be my last year of college. Up until yesterday I was giving 8-11 year olds life advice, which I'm sure is illegal somewhere. Not because of their age, but because I had been drinking poteen through two straws for about 3 days and I'm pretty sure sobriety was a distant dot on the horizon at that point.

With all this in mind, I'll make my point snappish. I went looking for calm and came across this, which I'm sure most right-minded people will recognise it from Black Books. It makes me laugh... And calm, which I suppose was exactly what I was looking for in the first place.

Doctor: Well, it's bad news I'm afraid, Mr. Bianco. 'The Little Book of Calm' has become lodged between the small intestine and the pancreas. If it rotates a centimetre or two to the left, you'll be dead in seconds.
Manny: Oh my God!
Doctor: No no, hold on a moment, that's just the worst case scenario. The other possibility - and this is far more likely - is that 'The Little Book of Calm' will move to the right, where it will enter the renal canal. If this happens, you could live for anything up to, ooh, ten years, one year, who knows?
Manny: Oh my God!
Doctor: Because of the massive scarring caused by 'The Little Book of Calm', however, it is possible that you will be in a massive amount of pain...
Manny: [interrupting] Oh my God! Oh, sorry.
Doctor: ...during that time.
Manny: Oh my God!
[the Doctor's beeper goes]
Doctor: Sorry, I'm going to have to go. We'll operate tomorrow, see if there's anything we can do about it. There's a good chance you'll survive - a thirty percent chance, I'd say - so try not to worry about it. As the book itself says,
[holding the X-Ray up to the light]
Doctor: 'whenever you're in a tight spot, try to imagine yourself marooned on a beautiful desert island'.

"We" Won

2009-12-22T00:19:00.013Z

I'm a bit late getting around to it, but... Rage Against The Machine’s 'Killing in the Name' out-sold Simon Cowell’s latest "protégé", Joe McElderry, for the number one spot in the UK singles chart.

It’s certainly been a while since the race for the number one spot meant as much as it did in this case, and coming completely out of an online campaign. 500,000 sales of 'Killing in the Name' compared with 450,000 for 'The Climb'.

Via Twitter, Tom Morello, announced that the band would play a free gig in the UK if the single reached number one.... And so it has.

The Rage against the machine is not over.

It has to be said that Rage Against The Machine were possibly one of the most obvious bands to to be used for this "stunt". A band that blasted aggressive political protest songs and raging social activism, which suits the occasion; a protest against the bullshit being fed to the population under the label of "music" . Originally released in 1992, this was a win on so many levels.

For too long the "pop" music industry has been overrun by nobodies, who all share a desire for fame, in order to reap the desired monetary benefits. From start to finish, X-Factor is the epitome of manufactured music. Each week dictating to millions of viewers what they see as good performance, and how to be the "perfect" pop act.

Kasabian's Tom Meighan made some fine points last month:

"The X Factor is like something The Riddler would do in Batman. It sucks out everyone's brains. I can't believe how appallingly low we have gone as a nation for people to watch that pile of shit. It's appalling music. It's shocking."

Meighan also registered his disbelief at how The X Factor judges can be taken seriously as music critics, declaring:

"Simon Cowell must be laughing. For him, Louis Walsh, Cheryl Cole - who was once a contestant on 'Popstars: The Rivals' - and Dannii Minogue, who has had very few pop hits in her life, to sit there and judge people, it's incredible."

How many X-Factor past winners can really be classed as "successful" anyway, and how much of their success did they achieve by themselves, rather than by those in the public relations offices pulling all the strings. I haven’t listened to 'The Climb', and I don't intend do... But surely a song that was first released in earlier this year by Miley Cyrus does not warrant being recorded again!

This has been a stand against bullshit. I mean, Miley Cyrus, really? There's this cynical belief that whatever bullshit is put out there will get to the highest position in the charts anyway.

I think we can all learn something here, and goes a little something like this:

"Fuck you I won’t do what you tell me"

IT'S ALL GONE TO SHIT!

2009-12-21T23:10:00.004Z

So, there are more idiots living in this country than EVER before. That's right kids, you better believe it. You watch out for those parents who send their children to school with ropes for belts... That's where it begins. Then there'll be those people walking around with bags on their feet for shoes. Well, that's how stupid this thick looked to me -

"Don't you fucking lol at me!" she yelled.
"lol?" I said....
"Laugh out loud!"
Already I could see that this person was an idiot, she was talking in acronyms.

Goddamn IDIOTS!

Yes, we are all well and truly fucked now! The rise of the idiot.

Albums of 2009

2009-12-20T16:34:00.013Z

Here's the Hit-List then... My favourite albums of 2009.
IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER!

Them Crooked Vultures ( I know I said no particular order- but this is my #1 album of 2009; the rest are in no particluar order. Thanks. Goodnight)

Rarely are SUPERGROUPS actually super. So take the debut record from Them Crooked Vultures and what do you get? A top class album for a class A group. For this electrifying disc, Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age frontmen, Dave Grohl and Josh Homme teamed up with the legendary bassist of Led Zeppelin and out came these funky, trippy songs about bad love and weird sex. Dave Grohl is a demon behind the drums (his rightful place we all believe, yes?), but for me, of course it's Homme's charismatic, demented vocals that steal the show.

Kasabian
West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum

A multi-coloured return album. Two words - Lad rock. Or, maybe three words- Oasis Lad Rock. There's the phrases obligatory to all Kasabian reviews out of the way. Good. Now listen to the album 'cause it blew me away and if you had any sense, you would let it blow you away too.

Arctic Monkeys
Humbug

And out of the desert came their highly anticipated third album, proving Arctic Monkeys are able to progress their sound. Queens Of The Stone Age Josh Homme (Yes, yes I know- but he just rocks so much!) produced all but three of the tracks and his influence can definitely be heard throughout, with backing vocals thrown in there too. This is as heavy as the band has ever sounded and it's fair to say that they've definitely taken on a new direction, one for the better in my opinion.

Biffy Clyro
Only Revolutions

Biffy finally make that sprint-burst into the rock... on their fifth album they have traded in all the unfocused noise and fuzziness of their early work for stadium-ready, danceable rock 'n' roll with an extra sheen of radio-friendliness. They've waited long enough to break stardom, let them have it. They deserve it. It's another step in a fantastic band's hard-slogged evolution. Only Revolutions is just the kind of record to turn a cult following.

This river is particularly sinister
Close your eyes and take my hand

Modest Mouse
No One's First And You're Next

Veteran indie-rockers Modest Mouse have released 8 new tracks that sound more like the Modest Mouse of old. Nothing against their two most recent albums, but die-hard fans will enjoy this rough and rugged return to form.

The Dead Weather
Horehound

Apparently one side project wasn't enough for Jack White. After spending two albums with the Raconteurs, White collaborated with Kills vocalist Alison Mosshart for more grimy rock. Horehound, the debut album from the Dead Weather, is a sexy, scary affair.

Eels
Hombre Lobo

On their first studio album in four years, Eels return with sad songs written in the voice of a fictional narrator who's a lonely man trying to woo the object of his affection. It should be totally depressing, but Hombre Lobo's tender ballads are instead oddly life affirming and uplifting.

The Antlers
Hospice

Whispery vocals and delicate, gauzy melodies... a concept album about personal loss having the power to emotionally destroy listeners. Hospice, as its name implies, is not an easy album to take – the haunting songs' plainspoken prose tells of mental illness, abortion, cancer, and death - but in layers of ambient noise, its heartbreaking stories are easy to love.

Bon Iver
Blood Bank

Bon Iver's Justin Vernon has a knack for evocative storytelling, sprinkling his work with tiny, telling details. It's beautiful desolation, with a bizarre series of wheezes and yowls, like a cold, sustained wind.

The XX
XX

The most minimal of minimalist records, bass, drum, guitar and a pair of voices? It stands apart as the most refreshing and original record of 2009. AND it boasts one of the best tracks of the year in Crystalized.

Julian Casablancas
Phrazes For The Young

Somewhere along the way, my hopefulness turned to sadness/ Somewhere along the way, my sadness turned to bitterness…

While The Strokes have all been going left, right and centre: Fab Moretti and Nikolai Fraiture are both off working on their respective side-projects Little Joy and Nickel Eye, and Albert Hammond, Jr.’s solo albums too, taking some spotlight. Casablancas, on the other hand, seemed content in laying low. And then, somewhere along the way, Phrazes For The Young was born, unfortunately complicating a Strokes reunion.
It took me a while to take to the album but Julian Casablancas is pushing the boundaries here and doing it in the best possible manner.

Animal Collective
Merriweather Post Pavilion

A band that makes music for music lovers.
Having crafted some of the most intoxicating, genre-defying music of the past decade, Animal Collective’s greatness is finally cemented with the arrival of Merriweather Post Pavilion (MPP). Like other AC albums, MPP is experimental and pushes the general boundaries that mainstream music sets. Even the album art is awesome! Be warned, this is not an album that you can pick up, listen to the opening hook, and know if you’ll like. It’s a psychedelic beast of an album. The music is complex, interesting, and meticulously put together and I have no qualms in saying that it is one of the finest albums of 2009. This one is worth the hype.

Metric
Fantasies

Fantasies is a pretty fantastic record from beginning to end. Gimme Sympathy was one of my highlights from the summer of ‘09. This is a new Metric though- a band that consciously chose to dive headfirst into the pop arena. The album is upbeat, glossy and bubbly. Metric will undoubtedly lose some followers with this release, but they're guaranteed to gain 10 new fans for every one lost.

CODES
Trees Dream in Algebra

The faded photographs of winter
In the spaces in between, I find your letter
That’s when I begin to wonder, if all the hope in a new year could bring you back.

Beautiful; a testament to their brilliance. It's as glorious musically, as it is lyrically. It's a very powerful debut album. Every song is a standout. 'Memorial', 'Starry Eyed', 'Telos', everything is fantastic. This Irish foursome didn't disappoint with this one, and it's unlikely they will any time soon. Expect BIG things- I am.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs
It's Blitz!

A band on top of its game. Whatever Karen O, Nick Zinner, and Brian Chase touched turned to white-hot flame: the glistening new wave of the opening one-two punch of Zero and Heads Will Roll, and the tenderness of Skeletons, Hysteric, and Little Shadow.
It's Blitz! is the sound of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs ascending the throne of festival headlines and magazine covers.

Grizzly Bear
Veckatimest

Brooklyn-based Grizzly Bear's fourth studio album may be its finest yet. Veckatimest features complex arrangements and harmonies. The sound storm of “Southern Point” and the psychedelic stomp of “Two Weeks” is probably why I loved this album from first hearing it. Grizzly Bear’s warm sound was a welcome respite for me at the time.

Florence And The Machine
Lungs

Happiness hit her like a train on a track, coming towards her stuck still no turning back.

Love her or hate her, Florence Welch is a voice to be reckoned with. She tears through octaves and rips into full-throated shouts without ever drawing a breath.
Similarly with Animal Collective’s Merriweather Post Pavilion, this is a beast of an album! Each track is carefully constructed from top to bottom with pounding instruments, layered vocals, and fiery spirit and emotion. Magical, and anything but predictable.

The Phantom Band
Checkmate Savage

(A Karen Spellman recommendation)
Hailing from Scotland, The Phantom Band's first studio release, Checkmate Savage, displays some very capable song-writing. A band that will develop their sound over time I think, definitely one to keep an eye on.

Homme = My hero. And man is he high as hell!!

2009-12-18T18:25:00.001Z

Things annoying me, particularly today...

2009-12-18T17:59:00.004Z

People who eat or chew their food with their mouth open need to be knee-capped. End of story. I can't imagine anything more annoying than having to listen to some somebody gnawing on their food with their fucking mouths bouncing open. Smacking and crunching and the sound of saliva slashing around with their food. It all makes me want to do the fucking Riverdance on their face... Man it sends me into such a rage that you could actually fry a full Irish breakfast on my forehead.

Also, here's one for ye. Why do so many people love horses? All a horse ever does is take huge shits and stare at people. What fucking good is that? There's also something about the length of a horse's face that makes me want to punch it. I don't know why. It's just that feeling I get.

I'll stop there.

What's a dildo lads?

2009-12-18T17:47:00.000Z

Created by Oatmeal

Iron Man 2

2009-12-18T17:33:00.003Z

In the sequel, Mickey Rourke plays Whiplash while Sam Rockwell is Justin Hammer, a multi-billionaire businessman and a rival of industrialist Tony Stark. Iron Man 2 will also give more focus to War Machine, the alter ego of Col. James 'Rhodey' Rhodes (Don Cheadle).

CODES, The Clarence, Sligo- Friday December 18th

2009-12-18T16:59:00.011Z

Darragh Anderson, Eoin Stephens, Paul Reilly and Raymond Hogge (finally) take to the stage of Sligo's Clarence tonight - We thought it would never happen.
A dose of illness and a fire warden can be blamed for keeping CODES from playing for us in Sligo, seemingly third time is the charm.

The Irish/indie electronic quartet from Dublin (and Sligo) released their highly acclaimed debut album Trees Dream in Algebra in September of this year.

Some press snippets for Trees Dream In Algebra

"A benchmark for Irish rock"
8/10 - The Daily Star

"If you only buy one epic alt/rock record this year - make it this one."
4/5 - The Irish Times

"Startling, fantastic songs full of force, earnestness, melody and precision - Codes have everything."
4/5 - The Tribune

"A 13 track collection that straddles the art and commercial divide in a way that even the most battle hardened of bands would fail to do. Epic. "
4/5 - The Irish Independent

"A beautifully subtle yet powerful album that envelops the listener from beginning to end - truly stunning."
4/5 - Connected Magazine

"A flawless debut - Trees Dream In Algebra is simply breathtaking."
9.5/10 - Cluas.com

"A resounding victory for originality, control, intelligent songwriting and Irish music."
8/10 - Drop-d.ie

"One of the most accomplished debut record from an Irish band in recent times - big things lie ahead."
8.5/10 - Culch.ie

"Ireland has needed an album like this for so long, simply put, Trees Dream In Algebra is a masterpiece."
10/10 - Musicfansmic.com

There’s no such a thing as a "John Frusciante replacement"

2009-12-18T16:44:00.004Z

Red Hot Chili Peppers‘ guitarist John Frusciante has left the band.

He’s interested in doing his own thing, his own albums – and that's cool I think. Mentally he checked out of the Chili's a long time ago and anyone who says they didn't see his departure coming, well they're a damn liar.

I'll continue to listen and love the Chili's, but part of my heart will always be with Mr Frusciante. A Master Pepper. I tip my hat Sir, and look forward to hearing some stuff asap.

Rage Against the Machine Challenge 'X Factor' - Spinner

2009-12-13T15:44:00.000Z

Rage Against the Machine Challenge 'X Factor' - Spinner

I feel like sober me is a distant relative that I only see on Christmas...

2009-12-13T15:26:00.001Z

NOT THIS YEAR!!!

Forget Milk, he wants Scotch.

2009-12-12T16:23:00.006Z

Have you ever gotten

2009-12-12T16:05:00.000Z

so lazy that

I'm Fianna Fáil, and I'm sick of hearing you fuckheads take your anger out on them, and them alone.

2009-12-12T15:15:00.003Z

If you think that any of the other political parties are good enough to do a better job, well then you're clearly even more retarded than I had first thought. Enda Kenny? Fuck off and die. Eamon Gilmore? Go away and stop talking to me, you ignorant pig.

BASTARDS, FOOLS & BOLLOXES

The aftermath of the announcement of Budget 2010 (9/12/09) has seen rubbish rioting take center stage in the Chamber rather than discussion, discipline, order, obedience, and unquestioning allegiance to the people of this country. It's like watching half-formed mutated people trying to be civilized. The elephant in the room kind of scenario.

However, putting aside all of this nonsense, the reason I even mention the topic at all... Well it's more of personal grudge against the Opposition. If I ever have an opportunity again to get inside Leinster House Walls (which I will) I will be telling Eamon Gilmore to politely shut his cunt.
I'll politely tell him that he should be shot with his own shit, deported and then sold to Somali pirates where he will be forced to eat soap and menstruate.

Nobody disrespects my Father.

Here is part of the transcript from a Dáil debate yesterday, where the Parties bicker over the Social Welfare (it was passed in the end - Good Riddance).

Eamon Gilmore:
It is questionable whether the social welfare Bill is properly before the House. Yesterday, my colleague Deputy Shortall opposed the order proposed by the Minister for Social and Family Affairs. The Ceann Comhairle called a vote on it, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs overruled the Ceann Comhairle and no vote was taken on it. This raises the question of whether the social welfare Bill is properly before the House. Politically, the Government is attempting to get Deputies Healy-Rae, Lowry, Grealish, McDaid and the two strays from Sligo to vote to cut money from people who are blind, those providing care, the widowed and those in bad circumstances before Members get back to their constituents. This is a political order to get the social welfare Bill through before Deputies are exposed to constituents discussing it with them. The Labour Party will not agree to this order. This is the height of arrogance and it adds insult to the injury inflicted on these people last Wednesday.

The part I'm concerned with - "...the two strays from Sligo..."

GILMORE, you need to be lashed. Deported.

This is what Jackie Healy-Rae had to say in response:
I have a very simple message for Deputy Gilmore and Lady Shortall. If they were short of people like myself and Deputy Michael Lowry to make up the numbers in this House they would be damn glad to have us. The trouble is that they.... (where he is cut off)

Dead right Jackie, boy! Gimore's assumptions will only get him to the back of the Dole queue. Never fucking assume that anyone will vote with you on governmental matters, Gilmore! Your own Party have trouble voting with you.

The Opposition were ready for an election, and now they're just pissed.

So I'm off to work.

2009-12-11T17:57:00.003Z

My second last assignment is in the bag. One more before the Christmas and I'm free, at least for a little while. My head is screaming. My vision is blurred. This helps.

Them Crooked Vultures Take Flight in the UK - Spinner

2009-12-11T15:15:00.001Z

Fuck YEAH!

Them Crooked Vultures Take Flight in the UK - Spinner

Ah yes, the wait is finally over! Where the Wild Things Are - Out TODAY!

2009-12-11T14:55:00.005Z

Where the Wild Things Are (2009)

Starring Max Records and Catherine Keener.

Voiced by James Gandolfini, Catharine O’Hara, Paul Dano, Forest Whitaker, Chris Cooper and Lauren Ambrose.

Synopsis (From official website):
Innovative director Spike Jonze collaborates with celebrated author Maurice Sendak to bring one of the most beloved books of all time to the big screen.

The film tells the story of Max, a rambunctious and sensitive boy who feels misunderstood at home and escapes to where the Wild Things are. Max lands on an island where he meets mysterious and strange creatures whose emotions are as wild and unpredictable as their actions.

I'm away to bed, for a change. Goodnight crazy Internet world.

2009-12-11T01:48:00.002Z

We all do some pretty embarassing shit when we’re drunk... But it's not the end of the world!

2009-12-11T01:17:00.004Z

I like a drink. I’m happy to admit that. I beg you to forget those people who say “I don’t drink. Just a wee one at Christmas.” Or those bastards who say they don’t smoke, apart from one when they're out socialising. The next thing you know it's - “I don’t murder people, just a prostitute for my birthday.”

What is it with people? Condemning alcohol like it's Satan's fucking piss or something?

Before drunks, binge drinking (or the intelligent kind of drunk student), alcohol and drinking was a serious affair. Jesus, what would we be without that first man who put a traffic cone on his head, or the inventor of being sick in a pint glass?

Tell me, what's the fucking point in sitting in a pub for 3-4 hours or for four or five pints, not really listening to anyone, wondering if there's any point to your existence. I work in a rural town pub - I see this every weekend. I see people sit in corners, staring into space with questions dancing all over their faces... "Should I smash my glass on the table and cut my wrists open right here and now?"

Christ, have a spirit. Get drunk. It's not gonna kill you!

Billy Corgan Calls Smashing Pumpkins Split a 'Mistake'

2009-12-11T00:54:00.002Z

Billy Corgan Calls Smashing Pumpkins Split a 'Mistake'

No time like the present... Honesty woo.

2009-12-11T00:17:00.005Z

I am undoubtedly in absolute love with Joshua Michael Homme III, I just put that one out there. I have no shame whatsoever in admitting that to everyone I meet. The man is a genius and a fucking God.

Not sure what to think of the whole thing... But I like this. I like Billy Corgan at least.

2009-12-11T00:00:00.005Z

The very first song released for the Smashing Pumpkins' upcoming 44-song album, 'Teargarden By Kaleidyscope'.

Each song will be released online as it's completed as well as on 11 different 4-song EPs and ultimately, a full box set with all 44 songs once the project is completed.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 Sneak Peek

2009-12-10T21:24:00.001Z

Dh Preview One - The funniest videos clips are here

Vote for Cameron Stewart: - http://www.fitbusiness.ie/index.php/news/17-start-your-own-business-competition

2009-12-10T19:23:00.005Z

Cameron Stewart is a young entrepreneur from Belfast who believes that all you need to change the world is a good idea and a sprinkling of determination.
“My aim is to inspire people to love others and act on it,” he says.
“Giving an umbrella to someone, giving away flowers to strangers or even spare change for the bus ... This kind of thing builds bridges, tears down walls, and strengthens bonds. It really can make your day.”
Only nineteen years old, Stewart is the brain behind ARK° - Acts of Random Kindness Ltd (Ark) clothing range and the idea is to encourage people to commit to, “One Ark every time the clothing is worn.”

When did you start ARK clothing?
It started in my head in August 2007, I started officially working on the project in August 2008 and the clothing went on sale in December 2008.

What's it like owning a business at 19?
It's stressful. It requires a lot of sacrifice. The girlfriend doesn't like it, neither do my mates. It comes with a lot of sleepless nights but it’s definitely worth it. I'd recommend it to anyone with an idea and a vision behind it.

What sparked the idea? Was there a specific incident?
It all came together when I was on my Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition. We were bored walking 20k every day so we had nothing better to talk about than starting a business. Duke of Ed was simply what brought my thoughts together though. I was inspired by the mess of the world, I just want to make a difference. I was inspired by a song by Foy Vance called Indiscriminate Act of Kindness. I was inspired by the film 'Pay it Forward'. I was inspired by Jesus - a lot of people think he was all about rules and a boring life... he was the opposite. He was the most influential man in history and all he did was acts of kindness every day. Just imagine what could happen if thousands of people started doing the same?

What are some acts of random kindness ARK clothing has done since you launched?
Well there's the lifestyle of the individual and then there's the company. Personally, I just live it. I pay for people behind me as often as I can. Pay for petrol pumps. Buy Easter eggs in anticipation I'll see a random person I can give it too. Top-up friends phones. As a company... we've paid for hampers, we bought a load of Christmas presents for the homeless shelter in Belfast, we gave out chocolate, buns and coffee on the streets of Belfast... there's a load of reports on the website, check it out.

Who designs the clothing?
Initially, I designed the clothing for the first batch. It was simple and slick, just to get the message out. For the second batch, however, we're looking to get a team of young enthusiastic volunteer designers. Over this next month we'll be looking at the new range. We want new, fresh designs from the most creative minds in the country. We have a few people who are interested in helping us out but anyone who believes in our message is welcome to design for us. You never know... there may be a job waiting at the end of it.

If you hadn't launched ARK Clothing, what do you think you would be doing now?
Well I have offers to do an Accountancy degree in Queens University but I doubt I'd have taken it up. I probably would have started another kind of business. It's much more fun.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Five years... Ark will be a recognised globally as a symbol of hope. We'll be employing about 30 staff worldwide. We'll have entered the American and Australian market by then and we'll be selling in a chain of retail outlets. We'll have designed a whole range of clothing - t-shirts, polos, jeans, skirts, hoodies, underwear, suits? And more than anything, I want to introduce a new piece of clothing that's never been worn before. Don't know what it is yet but I want to make it 'the next big thing'. We'll hopefully have about 20 full time projects helping people in need running in every continent. I'll just be the crazy nutter behind it all.

Can you count how many acts of random kindness ARK clothing has been able to perform since you launched?
Yes. Exactly 7,273 acts of kindness have been performed since we started. Nah, only joking. Of course I couldn't count. An act of kindness is performed every time the Ark label is worn. How could I count? I have however received almost 2000 emails in the past 3 months, most of them were people telling me how inspired they were and how they were going to do an Ark. It’s not even about buying an Ark shirt. I’m promoting random kindness. And it's spreading...

If you could sit down and have a conversation with anyone, past or present, who would it be and why?
Jesus. I'm not religious, I just think his life was the most admirable of any life I've heard of. What would I ask him?
· Sound business advice on spreading the Ark message
· How he kept it up for so long
· How he passed it onto so many people
I guess if He is God I'd also ask him all those crazy questions about evolution and pre-destination... the questions only God can answer.

Did you always think you would have a career in the fashion world?
No. I always knew I'd have a career working for Cameron though. Fashion just seemed like a fun one to enter. A huge aim of mine is to give young designers a boost and a chance to enter the fashion scene. At the minute, the only way for them to do that is to start their own range which is expensive and time consuming. I'd love to take young talent on board and give them the freedom to design whatever range they like. I would then put their names on the ranges and hopefully get them known in the world of fashion as the Ark brand spreads so rapidly. Why not? Normally it's the young enthusiasts that have the great ideas, they just don't have the power to get there. Hopefully I can give them that.

What inspires you?
This'll sound weird but it's the shit things that inspire me. They inspire me to be different and make them not shit. Of course you have obvious things like homelessness. That inspires me to make a change and get them off the streets. But then there's simple things... Like shit television adverts or shit business cards. Like really, why is some advertising so normal and crap?! It is such a waste of money. So that inspires me to do it differently. One of Ark’s core business values is to 'uproot the status quo in every area possible'. That's what I try to do in everything... it's inspiring.

Was changing the world always your first priority?
At the time not at all,” he says. “The thought never really crossed my mind. It was initially about making profit and for many people my age, that’s the situation. Fortunately since then I've realised that it’s more fun to give money away.

Any celebrities would you love to see wearing an ARK shirt?
Only the ones who carry the message with it. Ideally, Obama. That'd be amazing. Give me 3 years and he'll be wearing one.

Any last words?
If you see yourself fitting in this vision give me a shout. We need designers, we need lawyers... there's nothing we don't need. Jump on board. It's going to be an amazing adventure.

Although the idea of single-handedly changing the world seems highly unlikely unless you happen to come by Planet Krypton, Stewart has already become a part of a grand tradition for change: from Martin Luther King to Make Poverty History. He himself wants to be different and join with people who share the same kind of thoughts. With his business in full bloom and a new website launched recently, Stewart is ecstatic to be doing what he is doing. He is an optimistic businessman who believes in doing something that inspires.

With the recession in full swing and so many suffering with unemployment, we should all try to do something for others no matter how small an act. “Love everyone... You'll see lives changed, including your own.” The smile one person can bring to someone’s face is worth it because it brings unexpected joy… and the world certainly needs more of that. “Change your world.”

http://www.ArkHQ.com

The random jib for the day

2009-12-10T18:16:00.000Z

Blah, blah, blah. That's the standard noise that comes out of people's mouths when they tell me what to do. Well I'm going to start telling people what to do from now on, so it's up to you if you want ignore me, but you'd be a scoundrel and a goddamn son of a bitch if you did.

Heineken Green Spheres: The Academy 9/12/09

2009-12-10T16:32:00.000Z

White Lies

The Kissaway Trail
Neon Indian

If YOU, like me, were lucky enough to get a free ticket ticket to the gig in the Academy then I commend you my friend. Because man, did it fucking rock!

I won't brag too much, I didn't catch Neon Indian 'cause I was late getting to the venue but hearing very good reports about them. They’ve been compared to New Order and Future Bible Heroes, providing a collection of bizarre synth sounds. The music orbits around themes of drug induced heartbreak and lost chances, and causes a bit of a racket, to be honest, with some grinding guitar thrown in there. Raging I missed their live set.

Their upcoming album Psychic Chasms, is set for release this summer.

Moving on to the second, and my first act of the night, The Kissaway Trail take stage. The five young guys hail from Odense, Denmark have set sail for new shores armed to the teeth with buckets of musical expression. Their album is loaded with catchy melodies, banjos and mandolins, and with that - two lead singers and two songwriters bring even more colour to their already diverse sound.
Since the recordings for The Kissaway Trail's debut album began in spring 2006, things have exploded around the band. The self-titled debut was released in the UK in April 2007 to rave reviews calling it “a savagely beautiful noise” (NME).
This band rocked the stage last night, clearly thrilled about sharing their music people. One song that stuck out for me in last night, was their performance of 61, a track featured on the 2009 FIFA Soundtrack.

White Lies are the glowering, moody, magnificent, blooming-with-darkness, stone cold future of Rock…

White Lies were fucking airborne last night. With their music blooming with darkness, maturity and density, they blew me away. A fan for about a year, I've been converted to die hard. They emerged, all in black to suit their blackened image and mood, and so began the rage of such devout intensity that some fans were literally driven to tears.
Writer of the band’s striking lyrics, Charles Cave is a fresh, slightly deviant new age storyteller entering a realm of Nick Cave and Shakespeare. Singer Harry McVeigh provides immaculate melodious vocals and brings the story to a new level.
Three words: Monstrous New Talent.
Debut Album – To Lose My Life Or Lose My Love

Looking for the answer to the question...

2009-12-06T18:13:00.000Z

You know, the big question, the meaning of life. I searched everywhere. I've checked the Internet, but it's not here.

There was the infamous chicken coop, where I spent some part of my early teens. It wasn't there.

So I checked the Internet again, just in case I missed it. Nope, nothing.

But then an idea hit me like a bullet to the throat. Maybe there is no answer, because the answer is a question....

I need human contact. I'm starting to scare myself. Talking so much bullshit and crap. But hey, at least I'm using the Goddamn blog!

Ok this is definitely my last blog post for the day - I told you my life was Pure Hollywood

2009-12-06T18:01:00.001Z

1. my roommate once: Stuck a sanitary towel to the wall above my bed. (Cheers Silvia – But I had to throw it away!)
2. never in my live have i: Had the desire to to join the mile high club.
3. the one person who can drive me nuts, but then can always manage to make me smile: Me.
4. high school was: A weird experience of what not to do when it’s over.
5. when i’m nervous: I bite my lip and shiver and don’t even realise it.
6. the last time i cried was: last Christmas
7. If i were to get married right now my bridesmaids would be: Actually, I might not have any. Maybe.
8. my hair: Longish and grows far too fast.
9. my parents: My mentors.
10. when i was 5: I would climb trees, get dirty and play with barbie.
11. last christmas: I slept, ate and drank more than my siblings combined.
12. when i turn my head left, I see: the exit sign.
13. i should be: Hallucinating.
14. When i look down I see: Today’s Irish Independent.
15. The craziest recent event was:Gah, ehm probably the Vengaboys in the Clarence in Sligo – Happy Birthday Rory!
16. if i were a character on Friends i’d be: a random person drinking coffee in Central Perk and making odd faces as the characters have crazy outbursts.
17. by this time next year: My liver will officially be a tea-bag. If not, I’ll be habitually temperate in the use of liquor. Scary.
18. my favorite aunt is: Aunty Kay. For the hugs.
19. I have a hard time understanding: persistent bad moods and silence.
20. one time at a family gathering: I realised how awesome my family is when they’re all drunk.
21. you know I like you if: a. I laugh like an idiot around you. b. Give you my honest opinion. c. Take the piss.
22. if i won an award, the first person (people) I’d thank is/are: Parents.
23. take my advice: Read books – well written ones.
24. my ideal breakfast is: Sweet tea in a bigger than big mug and toast with butter and strawberry jam.
25. if you visit my hometown: Turn 180 at the welcome sign. (The name of my town isn’t even spelt right on the bloody sign!)
26. where do you plan to visit anytime soon: The off-licence, or the pub.
27. if you spend the night at my house: “You’re sure of a big surprise.”
28. i’d stop my wedding if: The cheque didn’t balance.
29. the world could do without: Reality tv shows .
30. i’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: That of any fucking idiot that sexually harrasses another person.
31. most recent thing you’ve bought yourself: Vans.
32. most recent thing someone else bought for you: A naggen of vodka – Cheers Karen.
33. once, at a bar: I bought drinks for everyone except myself.

24 Days to Christmas and for the first time since I was a kid, I'm actually looking forward to it!

2009-12-06T17:58:00.000Z

Dear Santa,
Do you see us when we're sleeping, do you really know when we're awake, like in the
song? Also, I really really want an iPhone this year. Please please PLEASE.
Love, Lisa

Dear Lisa,
You are that gullible? Good luck in whatever you do. By the way that whiney begging crap may work with your folks, but that crap don't work up here baby. You're getting a sweater again. Actually I'm skipping your house...
Santa

... Fuck you Santa-Bitch!

I want; I need

2009-12-06T17:54:00.000Z

Give me Ray-Bans - Give me Ray-Ban Mirrored Aviators please...

Amusing West And The Vodka

Student no longer

Electric Picnic 2010 on MUZU.TV

Don't wait for me to start blowing up estate agents!

Nobody cares

The Black Keyes, my friend, sound like someone's having sex in your ear.

Imaginative fiction

Photography

Album Review: Yeasayer - Odd Blood

Album Review: Mumford and Sons - Sigh No More

Album Review: Vampire Weekend - Contra

Chill

Head Shops: The War on Legal Highs

Sorry

Trees

Master of Sounds

Coachella, April 16-18

Beat The Devil’s Tattoo, due out March 9th

Klaxons Sound Off on New Album: 'The Most Violent British Record to Date' - Spinner

I won't be posting today.

I'm off to have sex with Josh Homme. Later

The Daily Mash

A.... something.

It's just been one of those days..

Making A Cross

Need a bong hit

The Choice Music Prize 2010

:)

The Daily Mash - Everyone should read satire

The mind is a fortress

The Internet CAN provide an education for YOU!

Look to the future- it's gonna be a year of science fiction and urban fantasy!

Training the eye

The Rock Bible

There's only this.

Talking Heads - The 80's were the glory days of music. All genres included.

Sad stuff

Oh baby

I am at peace﻿ now

Focus on the VINYL kids

The Supergroups

I'm Designer

One more 'new year, new decade, happy 2010, merry new decade' image!

Study much?

Omegle Haha

Weather updates (from RTE)

Yay - Rogue Wave's new album

The guy who invented the burger dies

Happy Birthday David Bowie and Elvis Presley

WTF (No I'm not talking in acronyms you fool)

Thank you Mr Tarantino

Quite literally walking on thin ice

FML - Fuck My Life. Stuff to laugh at when you think you're having a rough day.

White Christmas - Or, in our case, The Big Freeze

Dawn of Time

New Year- Fresh start

2010 in Movies

A Day in the Life… Busker

Falling

New Year's Eve is way overrated!

Soundgarden Reunite

Hello Twenty Ten, you sound nice

A little Joel

Doopee doop ee doo

Cool things

Crystal Meth

Well I thought everyone knew?!

A little colour on this dark eve..

Audio-Fuck-Valium

iced words and coffee beans

"We" Won

IT'S ALL GONE TO SHIT!

Albums of 2009

Homme = My hero. And man is he high as hell!!

Things annoying me, particularly today...

What's a dildo lads?

Iron Man 2

CODES, The Clarence, Sligo- Friday December 18th

There’s no such a thing as a "John Frusciante replacement"

Rage Against the Machine Challenge 'X Factor' - Spinner

I am at peace now