Eh, that's what I shed a tear over...

We've a small world these days. You can be over the opposite side of the world within a day. We've internet and other means of communication.

I was told today not really to say goodbye. So I didn't. I shed a tear. Emigration was like death, but seeing as things are better still doesn't change the fact you can't visit a friend whenever. That's what I shed the tear over. Wisdom in ship loads and it won't be coming out as often anymore.

I've to get used to change and I'm dealing with it very well in my opinion. Hmmm... We'll see...

Eh, b'fheidir é

Figured a few things recently on my work here. This is like voyage of self discovery at times. Sometimes starting at 0800, sometimes ending at midnight, braitheann sé ar an lá...

I discovered

#I can cycle 50 kilometers in a day and have trouble walking stairs the next morning.

#In places like this you are either doing a langer load of work, or fuck all.

#There is fun in the most, or least, desired times.

#calling a boy a girl infront of his face with 15 of his friends means a good run/workout

#Spreading rumours can be entertaining for everyone, includin the people who are involed. But only good rumours, like two are going out with each other

#Going to bed on time has it's benefits of avoiding unforseen work!

#Don't tell a young teenage boy how to say, 'IT'S A BIT OF A BOLLUX' in irish. e may get in trouble for shouting it out within earshot of teacher.

#The slang word for testicles as gaeilge

#how to put spin on a pool ball, finally

#Deep fried Snickers are nicer than Deep fried Mars Bars

And all that in just about 4 days of a 21 day course. Roll on the rest

Eh, work

I'm heading off to my first paying job. Oh the excitement. This man has started earning!

I'll be able to glance into a section of a friend's life when I'm working, can't wait to mention it to her by saying I met Mac. Uí B and the likes!!! The man who was suppsed to get my regards a year and a half ago!!!

But I'm nervous about the future. The two people working in similar positions and f the same gender as me got a tough time. I've no Idea what to expect, but hopefully I'll not regret it...

College of Abuse are you ready for me? Doesn't matter what the answer is, I'm still coming...

And here's something humorous for the time being....

Eh, Kayak

For those of you who desire pure and utter brilliance in a certain form I've this to say.

Get yourselves a sea kayak

The reason being that;

the people who like physical geography will be delighted seeing the classroom material being brought to life.

the people who like excerise will get just that, plus fresh air.

the people who desire to see natures physical power will be in awe.

the people who meditation or need to chill out in pure peace will contact the heavens.

The people who want freedom will be immancipated

All in all getting out into the sea is a brilliant experience. THose are the few things I have seen and experienced. Not all of those things will appeal to everyone, but I've covered a big bit of people I hope...

Eh, a periodic table of elelmets song

This is for the Chemistry heads out there...

Eh, eventual partings

You meet people in school not thinking of what the end result will be. The eventual parting of people you've grown close to and others you will be happy to see the back of. But after school you realise you won't be seeing some of these people again. People are moving on and taking the next step in their journey. For some people that next step will be bigger than others. Some people move to other countries and others move into a trade and others go into college.

The Summer after the Leaving is probably the harder of the Summers one will face. One makes great friends in secondary school, people who you've shed a tear with over something. People who have shed a tear on your shoulder. The people who have unforgettable quotes and traits. The people you seemed to have grown close to. But now with everyone moving on, doing their own thing it's hard not to feel somewhat emotional when it comes to saying a goodbye for a probable forever. Some of the people who will be moving to another country and may not be back. The people who you have spent a great deal of time with. These are the goodbyes which are the hardest.

Maybe I'm sensationalizing the situation, or even exaggerating it. The world is a smaller place now than ever has been. Communication and technology has greatly developed over the last few years (as mentioned in the Death of the VCR post). Being in contact with your friends over MSN and Bebo and other social networking sites is nice, but it never ever beats a good old fashioned hug.

Eh, is a big venue for comedy as good as a smaller venue?

I grace the Marquee wit my presence last night with a trip to my favourite comedian, Des Bishop. I have seen two of his shows in he Opera House before and they were really good, and my third and most recent show was on last night. For those of you who have not been to the Marquee; it's HUGE compared to any other Venue in Cork that I can think of. 5,000 capacity, which is generally easily filled by Corkonians and supporters of the artist alike. I'd reckon you'd get three Opera House's worth of space into the tent erected on Leeside. And for those of you who have been to Alton Towers, the carpark and venue itself is a bit smaller than the size of the car park alone in Alton Towers. That's the size we are talking about!

With such a big venue for concerts it is definitely a plus for the Cork economy. A concert in the Marquee is an experience in itself, like Bob Dylan a few years ago. With regards to musical acts at The Marquee it is pretty much perfect, from what I know. Music reaches out to the people in the venue. There is no problem being 200 metres away from the performer, musicians and constant music, beats and singing. I found it was a completely different kettle of when it came to a comedy gig. The reason being is that to get the full effect of a comedy set it is far better when we, the audience, are connected with the comedian on stage, a bit of intamacy does no harm.

I'm not putting the support acts for Deasúin Mac an Easpaig, or an fear himself, down. I saw the same show in the Opera House a few months ago and the reactions of the crowd in the Opera House were far better than that of the crowds of the Marquee. Why? I reckon it was the distance we were from the comedian and pure huge size of the venue. At one stage a punchline was delivered, an applause started to rumble in the distance. I was going to clap, but I thought 'I think the crowd is still deciding whether or not they are clapping'. In the end I did clap and being a comedian, Bishop picked up on the delay. "I'm on a live link to Afghanistan, the delay is finally kicking in" or something to that affect. Made us laugh, but I saw how he felt about it.

It was hard enough for us to make the connection with the comedian, but it was damn near impossible when people were walking in 45 minutes late. They were talking to the stewards asking for directions and getting the poeple in the rows to stand up so they could get into their assigned seats. Now, who the hell decided it was a good idea to be late to an event. And secondly why were they let in? Distrupting a gig is the height of bad manners when everyone is sitting down. I know that people don't turn up to parties on time, and can wander into a club at any given moment, but punctuality is a must. It is curteous to not only the people they are disturbing, but also to the comedian on stage who has to deal with the late comers stupidity and to keep focus. It doesn't really happen in the CAT club, Opera House or Everyman Palace, that I have experienced. If someone is late, they either don't get in or are left in but told to stay at the back as not to disturb other veiwers who have the decency to be on time. Being on time also shows that you have the curteousy and respect to be on time for respective comedian.

Despite these things being bad, I thoroughly enjoyed the show. I loved the Irish section, from my love of irish and got jokes before people who don't speak Irish. I enjoyed the other sections which you'll have to go and see for yourself (or get the DVD when it's out). I did honestly enjoy the content of the gig and would go again. But those things written about really got on my nerves.

Well done to Lenny from RedFM on popping his stand-up comedy cherry. He pulled it off like a pro...

Eh, an Chúrsa Ghaeilge

Bheul, chuaigh mé trí an cúrsa ghaeilge don árdteist. Agus níl an chúrsa ródheacair má bhfuil suim agat i gaeilge agus beidh sé níos fearr má bhfuil bua na cainte agat freisin. Mar aon ábhair eile tá an obair ann á déanamh. Agus mar aon ábhair eile gheofaidh tú na marcanna nuair a obraíonn tú. Tá sé comh shimplí le sin...

Ach, i chúpla bliana seo chugainn aistreóidh an cúrsa chun níos mó béim a chuir ar an gaeilge labharta. Is maith an rud é gan amhras. Is teanga labharta í an ghaeilge, bhí sé de nós na seanchaí scéal a insint ón béal i rith na blianta. Ní raibh bua na scíbhneoireacha ag fómhór na Éirinnigh ag an am de bharr bochtanas, na Gaill agus Titithe na nÍarlaí.

Gach lá, labhraíonn daoine le chéile níos mó ná ag scríobh nó ag léamh. Bualann ghrúpaí gaeilge le chéile agus LABHRAÍONN siad gaeilge. Baintear úsáid as an idirlíon beagnach GACH lá, so is maith an rud é scríbhneoireach na ghaeilge sa lá atá ann innniú. Mar Shampla; an blog seo. Ó am go ham bím 'ag caint' le mo cairde ar MSN trí mhéan an ghaeilge. Agus b'in iad na ndaoine nach maith leo gaeilge ar scoil. Tuigim go ndéanann abhair scoile loit don caitheamh aimsire. Ach, tá siad tuilteanach gaeilge a úsáid liom. Tugann sé dóchas don gaeilge labharta go ginéarálta. Tá suil agam má spreagfadh an suim go bainfaidh muintir úsáid asti. Níl sé an-dheacair.

Faigh spéis na ghaeilge istigh na ghnáthduine agus fásann an gaeilge, spreagann siad agus tar éis taimllín téann an teanga ó neart go néart. Bainann craic agus gáire le labhairt na ghaeilge. Ach mo bhrón ní feictear an craic go han mhinic ar scoil de dheasca an slí a muiníodh an teanga. Tá bóthar fhada fós a thaistil againn sula tagann gaeilge chun chinn, ach fánaim dóchasach fós...

Eh, keep calm and carry on

During the Second World War, the British Government designed three posters to be sent out depending on how bad the situation had gotten, mainly if the Nazi's had taken over Britain. It's said about 2.5 million copies were made of this specific poster, but only a handful were actually distributed, mainly because the Nazis did not succeed in taking Britain.
The reason why I write about it is because it doesn't really have to be shown during a world war for the same message to get across. I found this poster half-way through the Leaving Cert, and it was in my mind every now and again. It was just that little bit of motivation present when needed. Have a little shit hemerage and think of that poster and everything comes back to a managable level.

It is also a striking poster to see. It has worked properly, the white lettering against the red background should stick in your memory to some extent. That, and the simple message are enough to shine through some of the fog we leaving certs are running through this Summer and keep us calm and to carry on with enjoying our holidays before we need to stress about other matters!!!