Friday, November 25, 2005
On the way home from work I usually pop into Keogh’s Café on Trinity Street for a coffee or a cup of tea or some such ingestion and such was the case yesterday. I like Keogh’s, it’s a well run, friendly clean and efficient shop. Well, I sat around for twenty minuets yesterday then got up and left. I had a bus to catch. I was walking down Dame Street, thinking of home and heat, then I saw it.
I glanced to the far side of the road and what did I spy with my little eye? A newly opened shop with the moniker Starbucks Coffee. Yes Ladies and gentlemen Starbucks has landed in the city centre. I crossed over and decided to engage in further investigation.
“Newly opened” proclaimed a sign sellotaped to the main window. All seats were taken and there was a queue out the door waiting to be served. The novelty effect I suppose. Starbucks; the McDonalds of coffee shops. Eclectic, ersatz character is in the town. Now I know that Starbucks are in the IFSC, but that is a self contained entity. But honestly I was amazed and for some reason saddened to see a Starbucks store in a very prominent street in the city centre.
See you in Keogh’s sometime.
I glanced to the far side of the road and what did I spy with my little eye? A newly opened shop with the moniker Starbucks Coffee. Yes Ladies and gentlemen Starbucks has landed in the city centre. I crossed over and decided to engage in further investigation.
“Newly opened” proclaimed a sign sellotaped to the main window. All seats were taken and there was a queue out the door waiting to be served. The novelty effect I suppose. Starbucks; the McDonalds of coffee shops. Eclectic, ersatz character is in the town. Now I know that Starbucks are in the IFSC, but that is a self contained entity. But honestly I was amazed and for some reason saddened to see a Starbucks store in a very prominent street in the city centre.
See you in Keogh’s sometime.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Lost fish
Dark woods
Night falls
Frail thoughts.
Ghosts walk
Unknown sounds
Blood pounds.
Owls sing
Blows flung
Wild hair
Mad cats
No stop
Hot air
Quit roaming.
Said I
Now
Day dawns
All good
Swim back
Happy song
Got it?
Dark woods
Night falls
Frail thoughts.
Ghosts walk
Unknown sounds
Blood pounds.
Owls sing
Blows flung
Wild hair
Mad cats
No stop
Hot air
Quit roaming.
Said I
Now
Day dawns
All good
Swim back
Happy song
Got it?
It’s freezing cold in Dublin this morning. I’m all wrapped up but somehow the cold insidiously seeps through. Oh well I’ll resort to the old Irish cliché in these times. At least it’s not raining.
I was in Richmond Park last Friday night, last game of the season for St. Pats, who were up against Longford Town. Other than pride both sides had little to play for. The Saints were bad and I mean really really bad. 2-0 down at half time they were eventually beaten 3-1. A lot of work needs to be done for next season, which to be honest, looks ominous.
I was in Richmond Park last Friday night, last game of the season for St. Pats, who were up against Longford Town. Other than pride both sides had little to play for. The Saints were bad and I mean really really bad. 2-0 down at half time they were eventually beaten 3-1. A lot of work needs to be done for next season, which to be honest, looks ominous.
Monday, November 21, 2005
If you want to treat yourself to a taut noire thriller you’d be well advised to see “The Beat That My Heart Skipped” currently showing in the Irish Film Institute. Directed by Jacques Audiard and starring Romain Duris, TBTMHS is a tale of an enforcer in a suspect real estate company. Duris steals the show in his performance as moody hard man who thanks to a chance meeting with his mother’s impresario is given an audition. Duris hasn’t practised in ten years and so he enlists the help of a visiting Chinese piano teacher.
We observe Duris’s pain full progression with his piano lessons against which there is the duplicity both personal and professional in the lives of those whom Duris interacts with. He is enlisted to clean up the mess other people find difficult to deal with and we can see his growing revulsion with this state of affairs.
Throughout Duris’s wish to escape the world of lies, deceit and intimidation through the medium of music bubbles to the surface.
Don’t dare miss this excellent film.
We observe Duris’s pain full progression with his piano lessons against which there is the duplicity both personal and professional in the lives of those whom Duris interacts with. He is enlisted to clean up the mess other people find difficult to deal with and we can see his growing revulsion with this state of affairs.
Throughout Duris’s wish to escape the world of lies, deceit and intimidation through the medium of music bubbles to the surface.
Don’t dare miss this excellent film.
Friday, November 18, 2005
JUST READ, CURRENTLY READING, INTENDING TO READ
Thursday, November 17, 2005
The denizens of the city, at least those of us who avail of public transport, are currently experiencing an upgrade. It is with much heartache we encountered first hand this morning the new super deluxe bus shelter currently being unveiled throughout the city. “Were we seeing things?” we asked ourselves. Had we imbibed too much alcoholic libation the night previous? Where was our old familiar?
Well our tried and trusted friend in whom we had sheltered on innumerable occasions throughout the years is now retired. He or she has reached the age of superannuation. In place of our tried and trusted companion we now encounter a spanking young upstart. All brass and boldness, which of course are de rigueur in the era of the celtic tiger. Spotlessly clean and ready serve the city by the Liffey.
To our old companion, our comforter and confident, we bid a fond adieu. Wishing you all the best in the great retirement home for bus shelters.
We are only left to ponder the question. Will the upgrading of the city’s transport system ensure a bus timetable which runs on schedule?
Well our tried and trusted friend in whom we had sheltered on innumerable occasions throughout the years is now retired. He or she has reached the age of superannuation. In place of our tried and trusted companion we now encounter a spanking young upstart. All brass and boldness, which of course are de rigueur in the era of the celtic tiger. Spotlessly clean and ready serve the city by the Liffey.
To our old companion, our comforter and confident, we bid a fond adieu. Wishing you all the best in the great retirement home for bus shelters.
We are only left to ponder the question. Will the upgrading of the city’s transport system ensure a bus timetable which runs on schedule?
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Rant, rage, fume. One thing that really annoys me is when I’m in a bookshop and someone walks in ipod, discman or walkman turned to full volume. There’s a time and a place for everything.
