The Auld Town

Happy Christmas!

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Hope everyone out there has a good one!

Winter Fun

We are back on the East Coast, for Christmas, at my in-laws. To the kids delight there is snow on the ground, although a few days old and a little icy, but good enough for these Californian kids unused to such delights. Shane has to be dragged back into the house for meals, every waking moment is spent sledding down a small slope outside.

Limerick Bicycle

A Limerick Christmas Tale

Scene:

The men's toilet in the Highway Bar, possibly the world's worst suburban bar. I am there because it's too wet and windy to go into town, and the only other neighborhood bar has an incredibly loud band.They have a drum machine that appears to be the lead instrument. They think Nine Inch Nails covers are conducive to a relaxing Friday night. My brother and I don't.

There is a restaurant adjoining the bar, and inside, a Christmas party is underway. I am in the bathroom, washing my hands. The following scene unfolds across the men's room from the sink, and is reflected in the large mirror on front of me.

There is an older man relieving himself, when a younger (but not young), overweight grey bearded man walks in. He has a rouge crepe paper Santa Claus hat on his head. He appears mildly drunk.

Bearded gentleman in a thick Limerick accent:

Howya Ger?... I betcha didn't recognise me with my hat on.

Guffaws loudly.

Other older man, still pissing, without missing a beat, or looking up, in an even heavier Limerick accent dead pans:

Santy, you fuckin' cunt, where's that bike I asked you for forty years ago?

Limericks Eco-Christmas Tree

I wasn't long back before I had heard about Limerick's eco-Christmas tree. It sits slap bang in the middle of O'Connell St, Limericks main street. Thomond Park, Limericks hallowed rugby ground is undergoing some major construction to increase the amount of seating and amenities available, and the tree was constructed from scrap metal left over after demolishing the old seating. As you can see the LED lighting is powered by wind, (not in short supply this time of the year, you could barely stand straight last Saturday night).

I applaud the effort, and it is nice to see my home town leading by example. People seem rightfully proud of the idea. That said it's not the prettiest "tree". It's kinda unceremoniously plonked on the street, and I think some variation in the colour of the lighting would make it look better. But, like all good ideas it always takes a few iterations before the ideal is attained.

Michael Stipe

The Sundance TV channel has a program called Iconoclasts, where by their own description they pair visionaries and innovators, and have them discuss their motivations and methods.

I took this photo of the TV during the episode that paired Stipe and the chef Mario Batali (whom I had never heard of before). Personally I found Stipe the more interesting. He is genuinely quirky and odd ball, but likable, thoughtful and confident. However it was a bit jarring that this defender of the environment is seen driving around Manhatten in a Cadillac Escalade, and jetting off to a U2 concert in a private jet.

Web

I never got to see the spider, itwas hiding somewhere under the deck. Given the size of the web, I wasn't terribly keen on meeting it.