The Welch Squelch

First thing first: naturally, this blogger cannot contain his glee at Fiorentina’s marvellous 2-0 win over Liverpoo-el in their home Champions League encounter last week; witnessing the precocious talent of young Montenegro forward Stevan Jovetic come alive in front of Europe has put many, myself included, in mind of that young Viola star of two decades ago, Roberto […]

ICTU-three-four, ICTU-three-four…

Oxymoron alert – there are astonishing signs of progress in the trade union movement, according to this week’s thrilling edition of Industrial Relations News (a.k.a. Workshy Whingers’ & Malingerers’ Time-Wasting Pamphlet). In a story about a brainstorming session ahead of the next ICTU-led wave of protest campaigns, under the headline ‘Away day’ session as Congress unions plan next move, […]

Cartoon Cobblers

I’ve often wondered what sort of person, in 2009, goes into Dublin city centre to buy a pair of shoes based on a drawing they’ve seen on the back page of The Irish Times. You all know the shop, I’m sure. It’s an impossibly quaint method of advertising, from a time way before such mod cons as […]

Lor’ luv a duck! Chas & Dave are Hovis, mate…

The news that celebrated ‘rockney’ duo Chas & Dave have split up will come as a massive shock to the millions of people who had absolutely no idea they were still together. I have to admit, I was in that category myself, but not entirely due to ignorance.

For Whom The Annabell Tolls

Like many parents, I’m often concerned about the effect TV advertising has on my children. Now, this isn’t simply me being tightfisted and worrying about the ‘pester factor’ when trying to do a supermarket shop (“Daddy, can we have a Barbie? Can we have a water cannon? Can we have a Black & Decker chainsaw?”), […]

Pret A Mangy

Like my friend Rebekah, I do enjoy happening across English errors, whether inadvertent or straightforwardly remedial. I’ll reserve judgment about which category the above (which stopped me in my tracks in Dun Laoghaire) falls into, purely because it’s not clear whether:

090909, 09:09am…

…good a time as any to come back, BACK, BAACK to the blog… apologies for my extended holiday, it’s nice to return.

My Life Story In 50 Gigs

Good old Facebook. Without it, I really wouldn’t have a life. OK, I’ll qualify that: without it, I wouldn’t consolidate what makes up my life in such a structured fashion. I’m not “into” autobiography (I found writing my own “about” section for this blog and for a State featured writer blurb hugely difficult) but the […]

The Pap and The Poop

This is a blog about a log. Sorry about this; I’m writing from Scotland, where the locals (including most members of my family) are utterly charmed by tales of excretion. Lots of non-Scots may think this is entirely to do with Billy Connolly and his jolly old japes about jobbies, but all he did was […]

Dead Whingers Society

Originally published on SoundsXP, 4th May, 2005 Scene 13 – The Rector’s Office, St Xenolith the Pure, Boarding School of Music THE RECTOR IS SEATED IN A LEATHER CHAIR BEHIND A GIANT MAHOGANY DESK. ENTER THE DEPUTY, A TROUBLED LOOK UPON HIS FACE. THE RECTOR PEERS OVER HIS SPECTACLES AT HIM, AS THE DEPUTY ADVANCES […]