Happy New Year 2009

May 2009 be a happy and healthy year – roll on the New Year’s resolutions!

Quote of the Week

Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does the better.

Andre Gide
French critic, essayist, & novelist (1869 - 1951)

Happy Christmas

Wishing everyone a happy and peaceful Christmas – no food fights with the leftover turkey!

Quote of the Week

Falling in love consists merely in uncorking the imagination and bottling the common-sense.

Helen Rowland

Quote of the Week

Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't.

Eleanor Roosevelt
US diplomat & reformer (1884 - 1962)

Heading Off Soon

I’m heading off to New Zealand soon for my brother’s wedding and to do some travelling so Betty the Sheep will be quiet for about six weeks or so with the exception of ‘Quote of the Week’. I hope that you should still be able to pick up your weekly quote every Friday if I have got my scheduling right!

Quote of the Week

When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it - this is knowledge.

Confucius, The Confucian Analects
Chinese philosopher & reformer (551 BC - 479 BC)

Recent Films - Quantum of Solace, Ghost Town and W

I went to see the new Bond film, Quantum of Solace, the first night it was in the cinema and it was fairly packed. It’s mad to think that the Bond franchise is as popular as ever. I enjoyed this film but felt that it wasn’t as clever or entertaining as ‘Casino Royale’. I loved the banter in Casino Royale and thought that there was great chemistry between Daniel Craig and Eva Green. Quantum of Solace is all about the action and while the action is very good at times it is too fast. This much action comes at the expense of a decent and involving storyline and also lacks humour. The best bit of humour is when Bond, Mathis and Agent Fields are checking into a hotel in Bolivia (I think) and the hotel isn’t great so Bond takes them to a more expensive one. Agent Field protests that they are supposed to be teachers having a reunion or something and Bond checks in saying that they are teachers that have won the lotto. I also like the fact that Agent Fields is only referred to as Agent Fields in the film and you have to wait until the end to find out from the credits that her first name is Strawberry. It’s good to see that the tradition of interesting names for female characters is still being upheld in places. Daniel Craig and Judi Dench gave solid performances but overall the film was lacking, maybe if I saw the film a second time I might get more out of it or maybe not. I like the Bond song by Jack White and Alicia Keys.

Ghost town is an enjoyable film if you like Ricky Gervais. If you don’t like Ricky Gervais, and there are some people in the world that don’t, then I wouldn’t really recommend it. I found Ghost town funny in places but I didn’t think it was hilarious. If yon are looking for an easy going film that won’t traumatise you then this film is a pretty safe bet.




I wasn’t sure what to expect when I went to see ‘W’, Oliver Stone’s film about George W Bush. There are lots of familiar faces in the film and it is well acted by the cast. In particular Josh Brolin, as George W Bush, and Thandie Newton, as Condoleezza Rice, were great performances. I’ve lived through eight years with George W Bush as the American President and I’m aware of the way that he is portrayed. His quotes are legendary and have done the rounds on emails across the world several times over. It was interesting to get a view of his relationship with his father and his mother and the differences between him and his brother. I left the cinema feeling slightly sorry for George W as someone who has spent their life trying to get their father’s approval. It seems very extreme that you would have to become the President of the United States to get your father’s approval but on one level that’s what the film says about the Bush family!

BellX1 in Vicar Street

I went to see BellX1 play two of the three gigs that they did in Vicar Street in the middle of November. I’ve never done that before, i.e. see the same band play two nights in a row. It was really good especially since they are playing loads of new songs. The first night was a sit down gig and the second night was standing. Apparently Brian Crosby was in the audience on the first night and Paul dedicated one of the songs to him. It was weird not seeing him on stage but the new guy seemed to be doing a good job. Having said that there were one or two small technical hiccups, which is just typically Murphy’s Law on the guy’s first night on the job (or one of his first nights). I’m still loving the new BellX1 songs and waiting with bated breath for the album release date to be announced.

Christine is out of Strictly Come Dancing

Saturday night on Strictly was very exciting with the remaining five couples dancing two dances for the first time in one show. There were some great performances from all of the contestants. Tom finally got a ten from Len but this achievement was slightly overshadowed by the fact that Craig gave him a seven for the same dance! Rachel, Lisa and Austin did some great dances. Len seemed less than impressed with some of the Latin dances on the night. Austin almost got a perfect score for his passo doble except that Len didn’t like it at all and gave him an eight. At the end of the night Christine and Rachel were in the dance off and the judges saved Rachel as expected. Christine put up a brave fight but it wasn’t enough. On a different topic altogether, I was surprised to see that Matthew has a large tattoo on one of his upper arms. I didn’t think he was a tattoo kind of person! :-)

What Colour Hair Should You Have?

Who know brown hair could say such strong things about a person? :-) I think I’ll definitely be taking this one with large pinches of salt!

Your Hair Should Be Brown

You are an intelligent, well respected person. You are very confident. You take yourself seriously, and other people take you seriously too. You are a good leader, and you can be trusted with someone's life. You motivate people well, and you command respect easily. You are competent, successful, and organized. You can't stand chaos. Some people mistake you for being cold, calculating, or elitist.

What Colour Hair Should You Have?

Quote of the Week

Opera is when a guy gets stabbed in the back and, instead of bleeding, he sings.

Ed Gardner

Jodie and Ian Gone from Strictly

It was awful to see Jodie and Ian in the dance off with Lisa and Brendan. Jodie had a terrible week of training because she was pretty much choked up with the flu all week. They were doing the jive and while it looked like they were having a lot of fun the judges chose to save Lisa and Brendan. I’ll miss Jodie in the competition because I always thought she put in a good performance and she improved a lot from the start. During the dance off Lisa and Brendan danced first but when Jodie and Ian started their dance I thought Brendan was a good sport to clap for them. Jodie and Ian had a lovely exit dance and I think they got on really well during the competition. They had nothing but good things to say about each other on ‘It Takes Two’ with Claudia!

Quote of the Week

In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield.

Warren Buffett
US financier & investment businessman (1930 - )

‘Strictly Come Dancing’ Madness

It started on Saturday when the judges went mad and gave Rachel and Vincent three tens and a nine. Austin was in favour once again picking up two tens and two nines. I can’t understand why Tom hasn’t gotten a ten yet as he has given some excellent performances. The voting on Sunday was tense and I couldn’t believe it when it came down to Lisa and Cherie who are both good dancers. Before the dance off started I really thought that Lisa didn’t have much of a chance of staying but then Cherie’s dance seemed a bit flat. The judges went on to save Lisa and weirdly, Cherie who has been leading the way a lot during this series was out of the show. As if this wasn’t enough excitement for one week John Sergeant announced that he was leaving the show on Wednesday! Apparently it was due to the fact that the judges were giving out about his participation and he was afraid that he might actually win the competition. I wonder what is going to happen now, I thought that they might bring Cherie back into the competition but it just looks like there is only going to be two couples in the final. To add to the madness there was also some gossip about Lisa Snowdon kissing Brian Fortuna at Mark Fosters leaving party. Marks’ leaving party presumably happened weeks ago so why is this gossip only circulating now? I thought if she was going to hook up with anyone it would be Brendan but who knows how the mind of a celebrity works.

Quote of the Week

Competence, like truth, beauty and contact lenses, is in the eye of the beholder.

Laurence J. Peter, The Peter Principle (1969), chapter 1
US educator & writer (1919 - 1988)

Quote of the Week

Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired.

Jules Renard
(1864 - 1910)

BellX1 Acoustic Gig in Cork

BellX1 played an acoustic gig in the Pavilion in Cork on the 21st of October. I was very excited about the gig because I hadn’t seen them in over a year. I was also a little sad because this was the first time I was going to see them without Brian Crosby being there. They seemed a little shy and unsure of themselves when they first came out on stage. Maybe it was the fact that they were doing an acoustic gig or maybe it was that this was there first gig without Brian. They played loads of new songs as well as lots of old favourites. It was a really good relaxed gig and there was some banter between the band (mainly Paul) and the crowd. Now that I’ve heard their new songs I’m impatient for their new album to be released, hopefully it won’t be too long before it is out in the shops.

Quote of the Week

There are painters who transform the sun to a yellow spot, but there are others who with the help of their art and their intelligence transform a yellow spot into the sun.

Pablo Picasso
Spanish Cubist painter (1881 - 1973)

And then there were ten…

Strictly Come Dancing is down to ten couples after the Saturday and Sunday shows last weekend. Mark Foster has become the latest casualty and was knocked out in the Sunday dance off. Andrew Castle had a lucky escape as he was also in the bottom two. I think there was something up with Len Goodman on Saturday night he was quite mean to some of the contestants, particularly Tom. At times Craig seems almost cuddly compared to Len although he did give Christine three which seemed really awful.

Cork Film Festival 2008

I went to the Cork film festival recently and got to see some great films. ‘Brideshead Revisited’ was on in the Gate. This is a film version of the Evelyn Waugh book of the same name. It was a good film; I had only vague memories of the story from the television series years ago so it was very fresh for me. I also went to see ‘Choke’, which is an interesting story about sex addicts and mental patients which isn’t as mad as it seems but did have some good twists. The last film that I went to see was ‘Encounters at the End of the World’ which is a documentary film by Werner Herzog. The film is all about Antarctica and the fascinating and sometimes strange people that work there. Some of the diving footage was amazing and I’m still a bit upset about the little penguin that they showed heading off in the wrong direction who wouldn’t survive as a result. A bad sense of direction can be a dangerous thing!

Quote of the Week

Silence is the most perfect expression of scorn.

George Bernard Shaw, Back to Methuselah (1921) pt. 5
Irish dramatist & socialist (1856 - 1950)

Dictionary Corner #34

Recession – noun

A temporary economic decline during which trade and industrial activity are reduced.

DERIVATIVES – recessionary adjective.



Another definition and explanation of recession from investopedia:

A significant decline in activity across the economy, lasting longer than a few months. It is visible in industrial production, employment, real income and wholesale-retail trade. The technical indicator of a recession is two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth as measured by a country's gross domestic product (GDP).

Recession is a normal (albeit unpleasant) part of the business cycle; however, one-time crisis events can often trigger the onset of a recession. A recession generally lasts from six to 18 months. Interest rates usually fall in recessionary times to stimulate the economy by offering cheap rates at which to borrow money.

Mick Flannery in The Lodge

I went to see Mick Flannery play in the Lodge in Mallow recently. The Lodge is a great venue, not sure that the seating layout was the best on this occasion but other than that it’s a good place to go and see bands. Mick played a good selection of songs from his new album ‘White Lies’ and from his previous album ‘Evening Train’. I’m becoming quite addicted to his song ‘Safety Rope’ which is the first song on the new album. It’s great to hear his single ‘Tomorrow’s Paper’ being played regularly on the radio. I hope there will a couple of more single’s from this album too.

Quote of the Week

An economist is a man who states the obvious in terms of the incomprehensible.

Alfred A. Knopf

Dictionary Corner #33

People sometimes confuse the words ‘arrogant and ‘confident’ and they have very different meanings!

Arrogant – adjective
Having an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance or abilities.
DERIVATIVES - arrogance noun arrogantly adverb
ORIGIN – from Latin arrogare ‘claim for oneself’

Confident – adjective
1. Feeling confidence in oneself
2. Feeling certainty about something
DERIVATIVES – confidently adverb

What Kind of Wine Are You?

You Are Chardonnay

Fresh, spirited, and classic - you have many facets to your personality. You can be sweet and light. Or deep and complex. You have a little bit of something to offer everyone... no wonder you're so popular. Approachable and never smug, you are easy to get to know (and love!). Deep down you are: Dependable and modest Your partying style: Understated and polite Your company is enjoyed best with: Cold or wild meat

What Kind of Wine Are You?

Quote of the Week

Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us.

Bill Watterson, cartoonist, "Calvin and Hobbes"
US cartoonist (1958 - )

Gary, Strictly No Dancing!

I know this is kind of mean but I’m glad that Gary Rhodes has been knocked out of the Strictly Come Dancing competition. I couldn’t watch him dancing without hiding behind a cushion. His dancing has the power to induce a full on cringe fest. I know he is a good chef but I have never seen anyone look so awkward and uncomfortable on the dance floor. One small part of me would like to have seen him do a ballroom dance just to see if that suited him better but I guess that opportunity is lost to us now.

On the other hand I thought Austin Healy’s jive was absolutely fabulous - he can really move! Plus the whole showing off the guns thing was hilarious. I’m not really a fan of big muscles but I can objectively observe that his are pretty good. :-) Click here to check out Austin in action.

Brian Crosby is Leaving BellX1

I remember the first time that I saw BellX1 perform, it was in the Half Moon Club in Cork a few years ago. Brian Crosby wore a t-shirt that night with ‘Human beatbox’ written on the front of it and because we didn’t know his name he got referred to as human beatbox from then on. There is a nice message on the BellX1 website about Brian leaving and explaining that he is basically going to concentrate on more studio based work. Brian is quoted as saying

"It's been an extraordinary privilege to be in a band with your mates for more than 15 years. I'm really grateful for everything I got to do with Bell X1, for all the adventures we had and for the great support of our fans. It's been particularly wonderful to have connected with so many people and to have got to meet people all over the world doing what I love. I look forward to continue making those connections. At the same time I'll be applauding the boys continued success."

I don’t think BellX1 will be the same without Brian but I still look forward to their next album. Of course, I am a bit gutted that his last performance with the band will be on the 19th of October, exactly two days before I am due to go and see them in the Pav in Cork.

*This photograph was taken by the talented Donal from www.Donal.ie

Dictionary Corner #32

Recapitulate – verb

Summarise and state again the main points of a speech, argument, etc.

- ORIGIN Latin recapitulare ‘go through heading by heading’, from capitulum ‘chapter’

Quote of the Week

Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.

Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Anton and Gillian’s Early Exit

I can’t believe that Anton has gotten knocked out early again. Will he ever get to dance in December? I felt bad for Gillian because she was really nervous and I think she danced quite well. She kind of lost it for the dance off which is exactly the way I would be in the same situation!

The Autumn Test

Your Autumn Test Results

You are a dynamic, vibrant person. You aren't afraid to pursue your passions. When you are happiest, you are calm. You appreciate tradition and family. You enjoy feeling cozy. You tend to be afraid of change. You are never ready for things to be different. You find solitude to be the most comforting thing in the world. Being alone with your thoughts feels very peaceful. Your ideal day is active and full. You like to keep busy with your favorite things, and you appreciate a routine. You tend to live in the moment. You enjoy whatever is going on, and you don't obsess over the past or future.

The Autumn Test

RocknRolla

I went to see RocknRolla last weekend and I enjoyed it. It’s the most recent film by Guy Richie and if you liked his other two successful films ‘Snatch’ and ‘Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ then you’ll probably like this film. The story centres around a real estate scam in London. Lenny is an underworld figure in the thick of lots of dodgy dealings. He is played by Tom Wilkinson. Mark Strong was great as ‘Archie’, Lenny’s right hand man. The character of Johnny Quid played by Toby Kebbell was a mental character and quite possibly boasted the longest torso ever. I believe that there will be a sequel to this film known as ‘The Real RocknRolla’ which I’ll probably go to see it when it is released.

Strictly Come Dancing 2008

Yes, Strictly Come Dancing is back on BBC1 with sixteen celebrities dancing it out. Last week the eight guys danced with their professional partners and Phil Daniels was voted out. Most of the guys did a good job of their first dance. I did however cringe when I was watching Gary Rhodes dance with Karen and when Andrew Castle took to the floor with his partner Ola who was wearing the most awful catsuit I’ve ever seen. The fact that Andrew got through the dance at all with his partner wearing that outfit was a minor miracle. Tom Chambers was the first out on the floor and he looked great dancing with Camilla. It will be interesting to see how the ladies get on tonight. I hope they can match or better the standard set by the boys last week.

Quote of the Week

I would not know what the spirit of a philosopher might wish more to be than a good dancer.

Friedrich Nietzsche, The Gay Science, section 381
German philosopher (1844 - 1900)

Grey's Anatomy Series Finale

Phew, I’ve survived another series of Grey’s Anatomy relatively unscarred. Thankfully this series didn’t drive me as nuts as the last one although it had its moments. So McDreamy and Meredith have gotten together again, what a big surprise. I don’t believe for one moment that the script writers will let them be happy so I’m now worried that McDreamy will be in some awful car accident on his way to tell Rose that they are finished. I can just see it, weeks and weeks of Meredith being completely miserable before they actually kill McDreamy off. The other option is that McDreamy goes to break up with Rose and she tells him that she is pregnant from that one time they had sex. Then we will all have to endure lots of tortured soul searching from McDreamy and misery from Meredith. Bring on series 5!

What Your Socks Say About You ?

This one is kind of funny with lots of socks to choose from!!!

What Your Socks Say About You

You Are: - Quite mysterious - Known as beautiful - Always polite - Simply magnificent

The Socks Personality Test

Quote of the Week

If we value the pursuit of knowledge, we must be free to follow wherever that search may lead us. The free mind is not a barking dog, to be tethered on a ten-foot chain.

Adlai E. Stevenson Jr., speech at the University of Wisconsin , Madison , October 8, 1952
US diplomat & Democratic politician (1900 - 1965)

Colin McClean Latin Trio in the Roundy

The support for this gig was a guy from My Evil Ex who had a cool guitar and played a very eclectic mix of songs. He told the audience that a critic had once described him/his playing as adequate and for the rest of the time that he was on stage I couldn’t get that comment out of my head.

The Colin McClean Latin Trio is made up of Colin and Mick on guitars and Dave on double bass. They played some great music by Luis Villegas, Rodrigo y Gabriella and Oscar Lopez. There is good atmosphere in the Roundy for gigs like this although there isn’t much space for dancing. :-)

Dictionary Corner #31

Puttanesca – noun

A pasta sauce made with tomatoes, garlic, olives, anchovies, etc.

ORIGIN – Italian, from puttana ‘a prostitute’ (the sauce is said to have been devised by prostitutes as one which could be cooked quickly between clients’ visits)

Fred in the Pavilion

I hadn’t been to the Pavilion before but I really enjoyed the Fred gig there on the 6th of September. I’ve seen Fred play a few times in the Savoy, the Opera House and in De Barras and they always put on a good live show. It is virtually impossible not to enjoy one of their gigs unless you are a complete Grinch!

The lead singer was sporting a porno moustache at the gig. This seems to be a bit of a worrying trend at the moment as I also noticed a guy in the audience of the Aaron Dillon gig sporting a porno moustache. A porno moustache is NOT a good look, in my humble opinion, no matter how cute you might be under the hideous moustache.

Anyway enough about ill-advised facial hair and back to the gig… lots of good songs were performed and there was some great on stage antics. One of the guitar players jumped onto a large speaker (I think it was a speaker?) and gave it loads much to the delight of the screaming fans. There were also some great covers performed on the night like ‘Fame’ and ‘Eternal Flame’.

The night ended on a slightly sad note as it was Eibhilín’s last night with the band after ten years (1998-2008). There was a great slide show with lots of pictures of Eibhilín and the band which you can see if you head over to Fred’s website. Fred are getting great airplay at the moment, so long may that continue and hey maybe someday Eibhilín will be back?