Sunday, July 31, 2005
Corto Maltese by Hugo PrattThursday, July 28, 2005
Now here's something that caught my eye concerning medical tourism in the Czech Republic. It comes via the Prague Post.
Photos courtesy of lil bro’s big trip to the midlands
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
The other morning I woke up at 6 o’clock, and glanced out the window. What did I see walking down the footpath in front of my house only a fox! Did I say walking?, more like partaking of a nonchalant stroll. Not a care in the world, master of all it surveys. It was the most wondrous thing in the city at that hour. It was a sight to behold. Long live our urban fox.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
I've taken Haloscan off my template and instated the comment box provided by Blogger. Too many of the comments on Haloscan kept vanishing.
Now wouldn’t this be heaven, to spend some time working in a bookshop on an island in the Mediterranean.
You see it every day on the Irish roads. Motorists with the steering wheel in one hand and a mobile phone in the other.
Under Irish law it is now illegal to use a mobile phone while driving unless it is a loudspeaking handsfree device. Motorists who use hand-held mobile phones face an €435 fine, three months' jail and a six-month driving ban. The ban also applies to truck and other heavy vehicle drivers.
Every day you can see plenty of examples of this law being flouted.
To be honest it’s a bit of a joke. What’s the use in having a law if it’s not going to be enforced?
Under Irish law it is now illegal to use a mobile phone while driving unless it is a loudspeaking handsfree device. Motorists who use hand-held mobile phones face an €435 fine, three months' jail and a six-month driving ban. The ban also applies to truck and other heavy vehicle drivers.
Every day you can see plenty of examples of this law being flouted.
To be honest it’s a bit of a joke. What’s the use in having a law if it’s not going to be enforced?
Monday, July 25, 2005
Another gig for yiz all in the Globe Cafe in Prague. Friday, July 29 8pm live music, "Orange Flame". Bren Farrell joins forces with Joe and Ladi from Fatty Lumpkin,the hottest band in Prague,to play original acoustic guitar songs,with Ladis ripping lead guitar and Joe"s super bass playing. ADMISSION FEE 50 Kc
Friday, July 22, 2005
"The Flop and the Flunky" by Garret Baker, will premiere in The Teachers Club, Parnell Square, Dublin August 15th-27th, 8.p.m. Tickets €12/10 Booking Ph. 086-3775318. The play is a fast paced, witty comedy about two friend's disastrous love lives and faltering careers. Presented by Pale Blue Productions. You can learn more about Pale Blue Productions here.Thursday, July 21, 2005
Is it just me or does everyone have problems with Haloscan? Comments on posts keep vanishing or take a while to appear. I'm really getting fed up of this so apologies if you've made a comment and it suddenly vanishes. I'm thinking of changing to the comment box that blogger provides. To say we are not amused is an understatement.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Liffeyside recommends that while wearing a pair of black cords do not under any circumstances, I repeat, under any circumstances stand in the vicinity of anyone spraying bleach.
I am now the proud owner of a pair of black Levi cords with three small but very noticable irregular orange stripes running through them.
I am now the proud owner of a pair of black Levi cords with three small but very noticable irregular orange stripes running through them.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Mr. Natural by Robert Crumb
Friday, July 15, 2005
I went to see “The Second Coming” by Patrick Walshe in the Andrews Lane Theatre last night. It’s a comedy about a daytime talk show with declining viewer numbers and the attempts to breath some life back into it. €15 for a ticket and the performance begins at 8.15. CMcF is the star of the show.
Dublin's latest edition The Sean O'Casey Bridge was officially opened on Wednesday and already the wags of the city have come up with a nickname for our latest architectural gem. Sean O'Casey Bridge has been renamed as the Bingo Bridge. Trixibel has posted a lovely photo of the Bridge on her blog, we advise you to go have a looksee.
On things literary Sigla's really going to town on Harry Potter, way to go people. Death to all bland literature!
Finally, hello to all Liffeyside's new found readership in the Czech Republic hope you are all enjoying the drive.
Dublin's latest edition The Sean O'Casey Bridge was officially opened on Wednesday and already the wags of the city have come up with a nickname for our latest architectural gem. Sean O'Casey Bridge has been renamed as the Bingo Bridge. Trixibel has posted a lovely photo of the Bridge on her blog, we advise you to go have a looksee.
On things literary Sigla's really going to town on Harry Potter, way to go people. Death to all bland literature!
Finally, hello to all Liffeyside's new found readership in the Czech Republic hope you are all enjoying the drive.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Yesterday the bodies of four of Dublin’s original inhabitants were unearthed by archaeolgisits working in a building site in the Golden Lane, Ship Street area of the city.
But just who were these four individuals with whom the city of Dublin has recently been reacquainted? Were they full blooded Celts fluent in Gaelic, with an ability to sing the sean nos? No. Could they dance the Walls of Limerick? I don’t think so. Could the sing the national anthem? Don’t ask.
The four bodies discovered yesterday belonging to the original Dubliners were in fact Vikings! Two came from the Hebrides, two came from Scandinavia.
Ladies and gentlemen from the cold north I say thank you, and may you rest in peace.
But just who were these four individuals with whom the city of Dublin has recently been reacquainted? Were they full blooded Celts fluent in Gaelic, with an ability to sing the sean nos? No. Could they dance the Walls of Limerick? I don’t think so. Could the sing the national anthem? Don’t ask.
The four bodies discovered yesterday belonging to the original Dubliners were in fact Vikings! Two came from the Hebrides, two came from Scandinavia.
Ladies and gentlemen from the cold north I say thank you, and may you rest in peace.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
The weather's really losing the tun of itself over the past three days, as the country finds itself swimming in a sea of sunshine.
WONDERFUL!
On another note, we have a gig announcement.
Our old friend Bren Farrell is gigging next Friday (July 15th) in the sunny Czech town of Litomerice. If you’re in the area why not head along.
WONDERFUL!
On another note, we have a gig announcement.
Our old friend Bren Farrell is gigging next Friday (July 15th) in the sunny Czech town of Litomerice. If you’re in the area why not head along.
Monday, July 11, 2005
On the 11th of July 1995, using an attack against a Serb village as a pretext, Bosnian Serb forces lead by General Ratko Maladic attacked and over ran their UN protected safe area of Srebrenica in Eastern Bosnia. In the days that followed up to 8,000 men and boys, innocent civilians were murdered.
Entering Srebrenica the Serb army separated the men from the women. Maladic informed the women captives that they were safe and that the would soon be reunited with their men folk. The women from Srebrenica, were placed in coaches and bussed back to Bosnian Government front lines. A far more gruesome fate awaited the men.
Under the terms of Srebrenica becoming a safe area, the town’s defenders were disarmed and a UN force sent to protect them. At the time of the attack on July 11th the UN force consisted of 110 lightly armed Dutch soldiers. These 110 soldiers were quickly out maneuvered and disarmed by superior Serb forces. With its saviors, the UN, nullified the local population of Srebrenica were easy pickings for a rampaging Serb army.
Those not captured initially were continually hunted by the Serb army. Many had to walk for days through the searing heat of the Bosnian summer in order to get to safety. In some cases the Serb army lured many out of hiding to their death by wearing UN uniforms captured from the Dutch peacekeepers. In some instances those civilians captured by the Serbs were forced to dig a trench then shot where they stood. In another reported instance a group of men was buried alive.
In total over 40,000 people were displaced in the region of Srebrenica.
Many of those who survived now suffer from what is called survivor syndrome. An all-pervading feeling of guilt that they survived while so many members of their family, friends and neighbors perished exists. Survivors also suffer from trauma and flashbacks resulting from their experiences in Srebrenica.
Dutch peacekeepers have also suffered after effects due to their impotency in Srebrenica. Former soldiers families have suffered an above average rate of marital breakdown and soldiers often complain of feelings of guilt and depression.
Convictions for those involved in the Srebrenica massacre have been few and far between, and only one big name has thus far received a conviction. On August 2nd 2001 General Radolav Krstic commander of the Drina Wolves Unit of the Bosnian Serb Army was sentenced by the UN War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague to 46 years in prison for his part in the murder of 8,00 men and boys in July 1995.
A report published by the Netherlands Institute for War Documentation in 2002 investigating the events in Srebrenica concluded that Dutch troops were naïve, ill prepared, under armed and assigned under a flawed pretext. As a result the entire Dutch government took responsibility for the massacre and resigned.
Ratko Maladic commander of the Bosnian Serb army wanted by the UN War Crimes Tribunal is currently in hiding in Serbia. Likewise the political leader of the Bosnian Serbs, Radovan Karazic, also wanted by The War Crimes Tribunal is also on the run.
The survivors who survived the massacre in Srebrenica and an organisation called the Mothers of Srebrenica continue their search for justice.
The massacre of 8,000 civilians in Srebrenica began 10 years ago today.
Entering Srebrenica the Serb army separated the men from the women. Maladic informed the women captives that they were safe and that the would soon be reunited with their men folk. The women from Srebrenica, were placed in coaches and bussed back to Bosnian Government front lines. A far more gruesome fate awaited the men.
Under the terms of Srebrenica becoming a safe area, the town’s defenders were disarmed and a UN force sent to protect them. At the time of the attack on July 11th the UN force consisted of 110 lightly armed Dutch soldiers. These 110 soldiers were quickly out maneuvered and disarmed by superior Serb forces. With its saviors, the UN, nullified the local population of Srebrenica were easy pickings for a rampaging Serb army.
Those not captured initially were continually hunted by the Serb army. Many had to walk for days through the searing heat of the Bosnian summer in order to get to safety. In some cases the Serb army lured many out of hiding to their death by wearing UN uniforms captured from the Dutch peacekeepers. In some instances those civilians captured by the Serbs were forced to dig a trench then shot where they stood. In another reported instance a group of men was buried alive.
In total over 40,000 people were displaced in the region of Srebrenica.
Many of those who survived now suffer from what is called survivor syndrome. An all-pervading feeling of guilt that they survived while so many members of their family, friends and neighbors perished exists. Survivors also suffer from trauma and flashbacks resulting from their experiences in Srebrenica.
Dutch peacekeepers have also suffered after effects due to their impotency in Srebrenica. Former soldiers families have suffered an above average rate of marital breakdown and soldiers often complain of feelings of guilt and depression.
Convictions for those involved in the Srebrenica massacre have been few and far between, and only one big name has thus far received a conviction. On August 2nd 2001 General Radolav Krstic commander of the Drina Wolves Unit of the Bosnian Serb Army was sentenced by the UN War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague to 46 years in prison for his part in the murder of 8,00 men and boys in July 1995.
A report published by the Netherlands Institute for War Documentation in 2002 investigating the events in Srebrenica concluded that Dutch troops were naïve, ill prepared, under armed and assigned under a flawed pretext. As a result the entire Dutch government took responsibility for the massacre and resigned.
Ratko Maladic commander of the Bosnian Serb army wanted by the UN War Crimes Tribunal is currently in hiding in Serbia. Likewise the political leader of the Bosnian Serbs, Radovan Karazic, also wanted by The War Crimes Tribunal is also on the run.
The survivors who survived the massacre in Srebrenica and an organisation called the Mothers of Srebrenica continue their search for justice.
The massacre of 8,000 civilians in Srebrenica began 10 years ago today.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Last Friday we were sitting in work wondering what to do the weekend. Liffeyside turned to one of his younger (21) work colleagues and mirthfully enquired “Well are you going to Edinburgh this weekend?”. We were greeted with a blank stare accompanied by an “Eh?”.
Now Liffeyside doesn’t like to show it’s age but can vividly recall the events of Tienamen Square, the fall of the Berlin Wall and as a young student marched with USI for an increase in rents.
My work colleagues “Eh?” was met with a certain amount of credulity on our part. So what did Liffeyside do? We engaged in a crash course in the mal effects of globalisation as well as illuminating the finer points of Bob Geldof and Live8.
Somewhere in the deeper recesses of our work colleague’s brain a 40 watt suddenly lighted and we received these words “Oh yes Live8. I heard about that”. At which stage Liffeyside gave up.
Now Liffeyside doesn’t like to show it’s age but can vividly recall the events of Tienamen Square, the fall of the Berlin Wall and as a young student marched with USI for an increase in rents.
My work colleagues “Eh?” was met with a certain amount of credulity on our part. So what did Liffeyside do? We engaged in a crash course in the mal effects of globalisation as well as illuminating the finer points of Bob Geldof and Live8.
Somewhere in the deeper recesses of our work colleague’s brain a 40 watt suddenly lighted and we received these words “Oh yes Live8. I heard about that”. At which stage Liffeyside gave up.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
From "Black Water Limb" by Senad Mavric contained in the collection "Mom, What Is War?".
