Monday, February 26, 2007

A moving country

Activities: TV-Rugby, Pubs: 2, Unit of Alcohols: 2

So that's it "God Save the Queen" has been played in Croke Park, and the world is still turning... After all the talks, sport win, people gather together around a simple game, as J.Reilly said in the Sunday Independant: "This was a great occasion and those bigots who tried to drive a political wedge between Irish and English rugby fans got the answer they deserved - complete and utter indifference.".
Actually I would probably be more worried with a soccer game than a rugby game. But all the previous week, all medias have been all over the place, talking about protest, booing, arguing about an Ireland who never forget her history, and an England who never learned, and finally ... and nothing. The only things which remains is a splendid victory by the Irish squad, on a fantastic week-end of Rugby.

So splendid, that Ireland is now dreaming of a rugby world cup. Like France, which is ramping up steadily for the end of year event.

Ireland is changing, and even more change are to come, last week the Dáil discussed about gay marriage in front of a very shocked polish president:
"During a debate at the Forum on Europe in Dublin, Mr Kaczynski said 'homosexual culture' should not be promoted as an alternative.
Meanwhile, the Dáil has been debating a private members' bill which would give full legal recognition to same sex unions.
" (source RTE)
. The emblematic Gay Byrne called for a legalization on drugs, or at least be looked at. In a country were it's estimated that less than 10% of the drugs coming in are seized.
On the property side, more and more house are seized by banks due to people unable to pay their mortgage, and at the same time, farmer who became wealthy by selling land to property developers, are now investing in farms in Cornwal.


Yes Ireland is changing, let's hope it's for the best.

Songs:
-Satisfaction cover by Cat Power (album: The Covers Record )
-Ruby by Cerys Matthews (album: Never Said Goodbye)
-A forest by 08001 (album: VORÁGINE published April 2007)

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Nothing new ... really ...

Nothing new really, finally finished the project at work and send all that to the fab... just wait and see from now on, how the product will come back from the fabrication step. Or more realistically until the next project really start ... uh next week.

Last week-end, i did not spend at work since i step back in Ireland. I even did not go to the wicked chicken not Costello or Nancy.... I have watched tv ( probably a bit too much ) too, seen the new episode of the Lost series ( quite catchy ) and few Star-Trek/Stargate SG1.... It seems that you could summarize sky one by Star-Trek and Stargate with some Friends ....
Unfortunately i miss OCC and Myth-Busters ( Jesus ... it's been ages since I watch it ....). And off course I've been thrilled by the French victory other Ireland in Croke Park !!!


Summary ( last 10 days ):
Pub: 1 ( in Ennis), Salsa dance: 0, Alcohol Units: 0, Activities: Cleaning the house, tiding it up.
Books read: Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman


Last week, i discovered a lovely pub in Ennis ( on Thursday )with traditional musicians, there was 5 young violoncellists ( two beautiful blonds ), one fantastic drummer ( actually a Bodhrán player ), one concertina player ( sort of accordion ), one flutist and one mandolin ( or maybe it was irish bouzouki, i am not sure how to tell the difference). No pictures .....
I was in Ennnis, for a paint exposition in the Irish Music Center: Glor... interesting.

In Glor ( http://www.glor.ie/ ), there is loads of animations, all year round. I really need to learn how to play tis fecking guitar this year.....


Just to think about it:
It is a small world. You do not have to live in it particularly long to learn that for yourself. There is a theory that, in the whole world, there are only 500 real people (the cast, as it were; all the rest of the people in the world, the theory suggests, are extras) and what is more, they all know each other. And it’s true, or true as far as it goes. In reality the world is made of thousands upon thousands of groups of about 500 people, all of whom will spend their lives bumping into each other, and discovering each other in the same unlikely teashops in Vancouver. There is an unvoidability to this process. It’s not even coincidence. It’s just the way the world works, with no regard for individuals or for propriety.


From Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman

I love that idea, that each of us is only evolving in a small sphere containing 500 people.... And what if you leave the sphere, by changing country for example... Is it easy to integrate, create a new world-sphere of 500 people ?

This saturday, there will be a French Party in limerick ( more a gathering ) in the well-known Nancy Blake around 9pm.... good occasion to test the 500 theory.


Music:
- Heartbeat cover by Joze Gonzales [Youtube Link]
- Heartbeats by the Knife [Youtube Link]
- Herculean / Kingdom of Doom by The Good, the Bad and the Queen.
- Weekend without Makeup by The Long Blonde [YouTube link]

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Switching2 Mac

That's it after years of indecision, i've finally switched to mac...... works perfectly, thought i am a bit lost in some of the function ( where is the cut function ? where is the right button on the mouse ? ), I still got to transfer all my files, install a couple of software ( openoffice ) and i'll be ready.

On other matters:
Belltable, friday seen this fantastic movie by Alejandro Jodorowsy : "Santa Sangre", incredibly rich and symbolic. The first time, i saw this movie ( almost ten years ago ) I've been very impressed, and till today still got some pictures of the movie in my head ... and even thought, i realized i've forgotten so many things ( the death of the elephant and its funeral, the end ...).

This saturday: The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be displayed in the Belltable.

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Economics.... how strange

Interesting number in the new york times about the cost of the war in Iraq ( What $1.2 Trillion Can Buy - New York Times ). The numbers are staggering or exasperating...
The war in Iraq cost roughly 200$ billion annually to USA. On the other hand, half of it would be the cost for an Universal Health Care for all Americans without Health care . The 9/11 commissions recommendations would only cost $10 billion a year.

It's such a wonderful world....

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Sattelite of love

Back in Ireland and Limerick.... Get back to the lovely place (Wicked Chicken, Costello's Tavern), work again..... starting a new year... After almost 15 days back in France...

IMG_1732

It's been a long time, since I've spend so much time in the lovely forest of Auvergne.

More later

Irish Roads

 Irish roads .... on the west west still the west stop and pray