Evening surfing

Evening surfing ( after work ) are the dream in Summer in Ireland... lovely time down there.



Left work at 5pm, headed straight to Lahinch with my surfboard, and straight into the water. I am managing very slow improvement in my surfing abilities, anyway that was an excellent way to spend the evening. :D

A tour of guinness

I went last saturday to Dublin to see a game of Rugby, and use the occasion to paya vist to the Guinness storehouse.

The tour is actually quite great, showing the whole brewing process of the stout, the old machinery, and the history of the brand, from his founder to the latest advertising campaigns.

Clear Water


Copper and barrels




Some advertising:


You end the tour with a delightful pint of guinness, at the top of the building, which overlooks all Dublin.


Then after the tour, we headed to the Aviva stadium, to see a good french performance ( not a fantastic one though but enough to secure a victory, before the world cup ).


And off course we ended the night in a pub ;)

Back in the surf....

Getting wet

Great weekend, half productive ( another series of boat repair for the diving club ), half sporty/active ( surf but mostly body-boarding in Spanish Point, Sunday with PJ ), and all that fun and entertaining, with the mandatory passage to the Wicked and Costello on Saturday night....
All good. :D



PJ trying to ride a wave:

PJ riding it

Additional blog

I've decided to start a new blog, which will concentrate my various movie experience ( and only the stuff related to movies ). I'll continue that one, on a more personal note.

The blog is : http://tofcinema.tumblr.com/

33 Years ago

Helping my grand father

pp_cg_travail, a photo by TOF2006 on Flickr.

Building the chicken house with my grandad. :(

Waterford Tall Ship 2011

I went Friday 1st of July to Waterford see the tall ship, and took some pictures, little did I know...

Tall Ship

hot air ballon, in Waterford sky

Russian Crew member

Russian crew

Masts

Night View

Brilliant occasion ( http://www.waterfordtallshipsrace.ie/ )

Here's a slideshow of the pictures I take:

Blue Monday

Monday sky was blue and sunny, so instead of heading back to the city and my flat, I took the opposite direction, straight to the west clare beach.

Ended up doing a short snorkel, the water temperature was actually better than the fresh wind.... defintely should have organized that damn barbecue.

me...

White Strand, Co Clare

Underwater Ireland over the years

Inishbofin Diving Week

I just got back from Inishbofin (Connemara) Saturday, after a great week of dives, great weather, good food ( thanks to the great cooks in the group), clear waters, a bit of mad trad session, and fantastic buddies. All organized by the Aughinish Diving Club.
What else could you ask for ?

Our base-camp, with the boat club:

Boat ready for departure

One of my underwater buddy, a keen photographer, probably looking for seal or dogfish:

Underwater

Decompression Time in the local pub:

above water

Dawn colors:

Sunset

Underwater shot:

Anemones

Dead man fingers

The Harbour, on the day we left.... :(



The ferry who brought us back:

Our ride back to land :(

More information on Inishbofin:
http://www.inishbofin.com/

Hermit Crab in White Strand

IMG_1205
Originally uploaded by TOF2006

Another weekend, only with one small shallow dive, hence the hermit crab in the picture.
A part that, this was also a busy weekend in limerick with the riverfest and the Munster game.

First octopussy

Last monday, I saw my first Octopus in Irish Water. Actually we saw two, in was at 27 meter deep near Scariff island in county Kerry. One of my buddy, Brian was lucky enough to capture it on photo before his battery died. See below Brian picture.

Eledone Cirrhosa

octopussy
Originally uploaded by upskill2008

Via Flickr:
Brian snapped this little guy just before he squirted ink and I ran out of batteries. Diving off Scariff Island, Derrynane.

Cinema de quartier

This last few months, I've rekindled my love for the cinema bis, by organizing viewing of some forgotten gems.
Last week, the theme of the night was Japanese Gore, starting with the cult "Tetsuo: The Iron Man" from Shinya Tsukamoto. To be honest I could not quite remember the movie, and though I understand its innovation, I was more impressed by Tsukamoto later work.

We quickly follow by the bizarre and perverse movie from 2008: "Tokyo Gore Police", quite extreme and at the same time very juvenile.


So far we had quite few nights around those alternative cinema, see below the list of movie we entertained:

• Captain Orgazmo
• Tromeo et Juliette
• Surfer Nazis must die
• The chinese Feast
• Zu, the warriors of the magic mountain
• Once upon a time in China
• Machete
• Clercks
• Robotrix
• Plan 9 from outer space
• Troops
• Godzilla vs. Megalon
• The God of cookery
• Monster X vs the G8

Officially back scuba-diving

That's it, after a couple of snorkels in the lake and in the sea, I am officially back diving with an impressive 30 minutes dive in Newfie, Kilkee down to 10 meters. Lovely day and lovely dive with great people indeed.

To illustrate this some picture of Kilkee with the ladies going to train for the Currach race.

Concert Bucket list

• Radiohead: Dublin 2006 and 2008
• The Who: Cork
• Jethro Tull: Dublin 2011
• Gorillaz: Dublin 2010
• Arcade Fire: Dublin 2010, and Marlay Park 2014
• Joseph Arthur
• Page & Plant Dublin 
• Robert Plant Dublin The Pint (3Arena) 2018
• P.J. Harvey  Dublin Olympia 2023
• Tryo: Grenoble
• Pink Floyd 
• Jeff Buckley: impossible
• Bjork Electric Picnic
• Lisa Hannigan: Limerick
• Mick Flannery (Dolans 2009)
• Noir Desir: no longer possible
• Rodrigo y Gabriela: (Limerick)
• Dyonisos
• Ham Sandwich Dolans, Whelans, 20 year 2023....
• Jerry Fish Circus Electric Picnic - checked

- updated 10 June 2016
- updated 30 May 2019 

- updated 22 October 2023

Self explanatory picture..

Yep wet and cold....

What would you do if your income was guaranteed ?

There is an interesting idea, coming from Germany:

Susanne Wiest petition for unconditionally basic salary ( In Germany any citizen can propose a law if it get 50000 signatures, actually this one got 120000, see the petition in german.

The proposition is, every single citizen would receive Euro 1.500.- per month as a basic right, without any constraint, attachment, commitment or compensation. Additionally people would be free to earn additional money.
This basic income, means, that whatever citizen decides to do ( work, watch tv all day,.. ) he would be secure in term of basic needs.
This independence ultimately would lead to a greater freedom, as you decide what you do, what you want to do and when you want to do it ?

I do have question about the whole feasibility of the thing, but that does lead to the interesting question of the title:
What would you do if you had no pressure to work for an income ?

Here's an excellent article (in french) about this question:.

Et vous, quel travail feriez-vous si votre revenu était assuré ? (Périphéries)

Favourite Pubs in Limerick

After 6 years, in Limerick city, it's about time I compile the list of my favorites pubs in town, though the order might vary from year to year, month to month, mood to mood...

• Mickey Martin: Funky and convivial, great music and amazing people.
  

• Costello tavern: The best fiver you can spend on a Saturday night in Limerick, relax and calm for intensive talk downstairs, or even some beer-pong ... after just follow the red carpet (the mythical sweaty carpet ! ), and your feet will be able to do some crazy dancing on the tune of the Smyths, Radiohead and other RATM...
  
• Bourkes: A new old place, which has been revived last year, very pleasant, with like in the country a good mix of different age group mixing happily.
• Tom Collins: relax and quiet, perfect for a French talk in front of a pint. Used to have good traditional band on Wednesday:
• Wicked Chicken: For many years my favorite in Limerick, small dark and wicked usually great DJ mix, ideal for a round of 2 of Jägermeister, I miss Phil the barman though ...
  
• Curragower: Good, perfectly place on the way home on a Friday night, on the way to the Thomond park for the weekends...
  
• Baker Place: The wicked chicken twin older brother ( sharing the same bathroom where naked men can slap their butt ), excellent to see young new band performing.
  
• Dolans: the place for concert in Limerick, also great for a breakfast on Munster game day. Checkout the Gig listing on their website.
• SinBin only on a salsa night ( as a replacement of Daffys): Well since Daffy's disappeared (RIP), we needed a place for the salsa party and the Clohessys nightclub turn to be a more than okay place.
• Nancy Blake: Well this is a non-controversial pub ( the least objectionable pub for anybody), the classic always reliable, i probably prefer the smallest warmer room than the outback.
  

Special mention: The White House, Flannery's ( the one ion catherine street), The WindMill Bar, Clohessy's ( for the 6 Nations), The Locke Bar, Glen Tavern

Reeling the years (2010)

Well I am continuing on the previous post from 2008 and 2009,
The idea is very simple and based on a simple question: Where was I 5 years ago, 10, 15 ...etc ?
So let's go back in time by 5 years leap...

2005
Location: Limerick, Ireland
My first year in Ireland, and I've already change company, moving from Analog Devices in Raheen, to Intel in Shannon, and with a slightly different job. Goodbye analog matching transistor, and welcome timing headaches.

2000
Location: Clermont-Ferrand, France
Final year at University almost, finishing with Physics and the joy of crystal growth, to plunge in the wonders of micro-electronic

1995
Location: Hauterive, France
Final year in Cusset and moving in september to Clermont Ferrand for the CPGE
First year in Clermont Ferrand

(By the way not me in this picture, but a fantastic afternoon at the top of Puy de Dôme )

1990
Location: Hauterive, France


1985
Location: Hauterive, France
I think this is the year we started go in the mountains (Alps) for ou summer holidays instead of the sea.


1980
Location: Hauterive, France
I think i've got a BigTrack that year at christmas... so sad it got thrown away ( after many mistreatment ), especially now that the toy is back in fashion.


Note this year no top 10 thing of the year, please see Times top Ten everything:
Time top ten

Three things about me ....

In 2010, I've definitely bad at blogging ( 8 post so far compared to the 87 i did four years, ago ) let's try to improve on this. This one came through FB, where you get tagged and have to write 3 things about you, so here it is:

Three names I go by:
1. Christophe
2. Tof ( only in France )
3. Christopher ( by most Irish who suppose there is final R in my name)

Three Jobs I have had in my life: ( by decreasing time length sentence )
1. Chip Design Engineer
2. Student
3. warehouse man / shop assistant

Three Places I have lived:
1. Grenoble France
2. Monza Italy
3. Clermont-Ferrand France

Three Favorite drinks:
1. Sparkling Mineral Water ( St Yorre / Chateldon )
2. Spiced Rhum ( Actually just finished filtering a 2 liters batch ready for consumption)
3. Tariquet Premieres Grives

Three TV Shows that I watch:
1. Try to reduce my TV consumption so...
2. Any documentary by the BBC ( Ian Hisllop Do gooders, Empire of the sea, The story of Kellogs cereals.... )
3. How I met your mother

Three places I have been:
1. Red Sea
2. Corsica
3. Belfast

Three favorite foods:
1. Andouillette
2. Potato Omelette (French style)
3. Pasta alla carbonara

Three friends that I think will respond:
1.NA
2.NA
3.NA

Three Things that I am looking forward to:
1. Christmas in Auvergne ( family and mountain biking in the snow )
2. Arcade Fire Concert in Dublin in 5 days
3. Getting back in the water ( scuba-diving, snorkeling ... )

Three Things that are always by my side:
1. Camera
2. Nokia cell phone
3. pen and paper

Gorillaz Concert Dublin 11 November 2010

I went to Dublin last week for the Gorillaz concert in the O2.



The concert was absolutely brilliant, though i thought at time the crowd was a bit asleep. I'd almost forgot De La Soul, and how brilliant and energizing they could be.

It was not a band performing, but more a full swinging orchestra, with guest coming on the front line, and what guests: Bobby Womack, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, and Daley (you can listen the new Gorillaz song featuring him here) incredible revelation for me, Little Dragon....

Thanks Mr Albarn:

Ended up to be a quite pleasant few days in Dublin.

Which time orientation ?

Interesting concept in that video.

I wonder what is my time orientation, i guess it varies, sometimes i am proned to past-oriented and other future

A week in TV Cartoon -

Monday: Starting with a French one...

"Les mysterieuse cités d'or" created by Jean Chalopin, a sequel cartoon has been annouced for 2011 along with a feature movie.

Tuesday: Dare Dare... or in english Danger Mouse


Wednesday: Day of the children, and the charismatic captain Harlock


Thursday: CowBoy Bebop


Friday:The enigmatic and weird of Captain Future


Saturday: Because John Goodman is voicing the lion



Sunday: Albert Kwak

Because my high school year having breakfast in front of it, actually great story telling, I was amazed by the themes dealt in this ( rising of fascism in a small country, resistance... )

Ipod medium May 2010

Ipod dear ipod, what's in store for me

Principle:
Playing with your shufle music player
Go to your music player of choice, and put it all on "shuffle." Say the following questions aloud, and after each one press play. Use the song title as the answer to the question.

• What do you think of me, random music player?

Here today - The Beach Boys
"It starts with just a little glance now
Right away you're thinkin' 'bout romance now
You know you ought to take it slower"

Not sure you understood the question dear Ipod, but somehow you're right on the spot :(

• Will I have a long and happy life?

Submarine - Bjork
"Do it now
Shake us out of the
heavy deep sleep"
Hum..... do you mean stop procrastinating, might be right....

• What do my friends really think of me?

Billy Jean - cover by DuoDithyrambe


"She was more like a beauty queen from a movie scene
I said don't mind, but what do you mean I am the one"

Somehow i doubt it ....

• What does my S/O think of me?

Krazy Krush - Mrs Dynamite

"Long time I been waitin' to get next to you,
Long time I been anticipatin' the things that I wanna do,
Long time I been feenin' just for one kiss,"
Ouch does not look good for me, Mr Ipod

• Do people secretly lust after me?

Someday - The Strokes

Someday, ... may be there's hope ;)

• How can I make myself happy?

One good man - Janis Joplin
"Honey, I love to go to parties
And I like to have a good time, "

Oh.... looks it's gonna be party time....

• What should I do with my life?

Digifucker - Fight Like Apes

And i thought i spend enough time in front of a computer...

• Why must life be so full of pain?

Searching - Erykha Badu
"I am searching ..."
Good one

• How can I maximize my pleasure during sex?

Yayabo - P18
Oh yeah !!!

• Will I ever have children?

Black Hearted Love - PJ Harvey

"I think i saw you in the shadow"
Not sure how i can interpret that

• Will I die happy?

Dazed and confused - Led Zeppelin
"Been dazed and confused for so long..."

Oh man, looks about right. Never contest what Robert says....

• Can you give me some advice?

Jack in the Green - Jethro Tull
"Have you seen Jack-In-The-Green?
With his long tail hanging down.
He sits quietly under every tree --"

May be i should spend more time in the forest :D

• What do you think happiness is?

I'am only sleeping - THe Beatles

"When I wake up early in the morning,
Lift my head, I'm still yawning
When I'm in the middle of a dream
Stay in bed, float up stream "

Not sure daydreaming sound right....

• Do you have any advice to give over the next few hours/days?

Hunting for witches - Block Party
"i'm sitting on the roof of my house
With a shotgun and a six pack of beer"

the 6 pack beer sounds a good idea, going with a shotgun in the street of Limerick not so much


Better than any medium, at least cheaper.

A Week in Music - ww14-2010

Monday:Dynamic start for the week
Franz Ferdinand - Aug Acsfe


Tuesday: Just after escaping a snow tempest on the Shannon-Limerick road.
P J Harvey - A place called home


Wednesday: I like to watch thing on TV ( especially Ms Dahl cooking and other BBC2 wonders)
Lou Reed - Sattelite of love


Thursday: I'm high as a kite, I just might, stop to check you out
Violent Femmes - Blister in the sun


Friday: Oh Baby let's go down tonight....
Ben Harper - Sexual Healing


Saturday: Two French groups (Dyonisos and Louise Attaque) covering a Blur song



Sunday: Reversing from yesterday, Anthrax covering a mythic French song "Antisocial"

Revoir Clermont....

Spend a week back in France, and use a day to go back to Clermont, walking back to memory lane.

Walking errantly through the small streets...

Discovering old sculptures on the wall...

Finding even poseidon...

Remembering what a proper cinema is, with an interesting choice...

In display that day: "A Serious Man" the ferocious latest Cohen, "A Single Man", ....

Passing in Vercingetorix shadow...

Seeing the cathedral.

And finally re-discovering the beauty of the Lecoq garden...

So me......

Procrastination from Johnny Kelly on Vimeo.

Lego Time Lapse Construction - 1

Lego Time Lapse Construction. from Christophe G on Vimeo.