Sunday, March 28, 2004
went to vill/ charlton on sat. really really great game. villa look like contenders for that last champions league spot, and with rumours of a take over at the club, we might at last begin to compete with the big boys GO ON THE VILLA!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, March 27, 2004
Distance
Now that the space race is over, I can't help but feel that we've all grown up too soon.
Billy Bragg
The longer I live in London, the more I am dreading returning to Ireland/Dublin. I love my country immensely, as I do my city but the distance between my life there and here is affecting how my return will be. Dublin is a changing city. Not for the better I hasten to add. On Dublin, an Irish - American friend of mine said that the no smoking ban would only serve to invigorate the stench of West Coast US culture seeping through the people of the city. It would seem that Dubliners have emptied themselves of the very virtues that made them the great people that they were. There’s a fake ness underneath the people now. A shallowness aided by a shift in high moral values. I felt at Christmas that the laid back atmosphere of the Capital was been infiltrated by a stuffy vibe. people have lost something....or maybe thats my circle....or maybe its me………………but things change. London in that regard is no different. It’s just that it’s perhaps less vocal. Then again Dublin is a split city. The North of the Liffey is more honest then it’s neighbour.
But distance impacts itself in many ways. It amazes me. It seems the closer you are to something or someone, the greater the damage inflicted by distance. I’ve seen it before of course. Most of my school friends I spent 24 hours with over a 5 year period. Now, with exceptions, many of them are awkward moments in the pub. That feeling of not knowing what to say and then spending the rest of the night refraining from glancing their eyes. You both realise that you don’t really know each other anymore. You were too close that you never prepared for the impact of distance.
With those that you are used to meeting occasionally you will find that distance has little or no impact. Many of my University friends, or newspaper friends, I am used to meeting occasionally, having a laugh and then not contacting till we meet again. Nothing can destroy that relationship, that friendship because both parties are comfortable with distance. Both are used to it. Any change is easily understood. Perhaps that’s why we have such great times together
With those closer though the whirlwind of change, which is inevitable with time, is harder to deal with. I think, with distance, you never again know those you were close too. That person you knew is gone. Evaporated with time. It’s like a long term relationship. After the break-up, you can never go back. It won’t be the same no matter what is said or done. It will always be that bit uncomfortable and the shoes won’t fit as they once did. It’s nobody’s fault and it’s certainly not there’s. They still remain the great, fantastic, unbelievable person they always were and will continue to be. It’s just that both parties have moved in a way that the pieces don’t fit anymore. It’s natural, it’s understandable.
So what’s the trick? What do you have to do? It’s simple. You got to make a decision. Do you want to return to your old life, ignore the time passing? Water under the bridge and just get on with things gradually moving…moving…moving away emotionally. Placing your thrust and your soul to another single partner, to blood relations. By-passing the people you once confided in but externally carrying on as normal.
Or
You conclude things before the mess. You don’t go back, and if you do, you remove yourself. You begin the cycle again. Just as you effectively waved goodbye to your school friends, that part of your life, you too do so with this bunch. Sure you’ll drop in now and again and enjoy the company, catch up on all the shit that doesn’t really matter, and have a “nice time”. Play happy families or happy old friends in this case.
In fact I think you do both unconsciously.
I guess it’s time to move the goalposts. The photographs are all that’s left of everything we’ve done. Goodbye past.
Now that the space race is over, I can't help but feel that we've all grown up too soon.
Billy Bragg
The longer I live in London, the more I am dreading returning to Ireland/Dublin. I love my country immensely, as I do my city but the distance between my life there and here is affecting how my return will be. Dublin is a changing city. Not for the better I hasten to add. On Dublin, an Irish - American friend of mine said that the no smoking ban would only serve to invigorate the stench of West Coast US culture seeping through the people of the city. It would seem that Dubliners have emptied themselves of the very virtues that made them the great people that they were. There’s a fake ness underneath the people now. A shallowness aided by a shift in high moral values. I felt at Christmas that the laid back atmosphere of the Capital was been infiltrated by a stuffy vibe. people have lost something....or maybe thats my circle....or maybe its me………………but things change. London in that regard is no different. It’s just that it’s perhaps less vocal. Then again Dublin is a split city. The North of the Liffey is more honest then it’s neighbour.
But distance impacts itself in many ways. It amazes me. It seems the closer you are to something or someone, the greater the damage inflicted by distance. I’ve seen it before of course. Most of my school friends I spent 24 hours with over a 5 year period. Now, with exceptions, many of them are awkward moments in the pub. That feeling of not knowing what to say and then spending the rest of the night refraining from glancing their eyes. You both realise that you don’t really know each other anymore. You were too close that you never prepared for the impact of distance.
With those that you are used to meeting occasionally you will find that distance has little or no impact. Many of my University friends, or newspaper friends, I am used to meeting occasionally, having a laugh and then not contacting till we meet again. Nothing can destroy that relationship, that friendship because both parties are comfortable with distance. Both are used to it. Any change is easily understood. Perhaps that’s why we have such great times together
With those closer though the whirlwind of change, which is inevitable with time, is harder to deal with. I think, with distance, you never again know those you were close too. That person you knew is gone. Evaporated with time. It’s like a long term relationship. After the break-up, you can never go back. It won’t be the same no matter what is said or done. It will always be that bit uncomfortable and the shoes won’t fit as they once did. It’s nobody’s fault and it’s certainly not there’s. They still remain the great, fantastic, unbelievable person they always were and will continue to be. It’s just that both parties have moved in a way that the pieces don’t fit anymore. It’s natural, it’s understandable.
So what’s the trick? What do you have to do? It’s simple. You got to make a decision. Do you want to return to your old life, ignore the time passing? Water under the bridge and just get on with things gradually moving…moving…moving away emotionally. Placing your thrust and your soul to another single partner, to blood relations. By-passing the people you once confided in but externally carrying on as normal.
Or
You conclude things before the mess. You don’t go back, and if you do, you remove yourself. You begin the cycle again. Just as you effectively waved goodbye to your school friends, that part of your life, you too do so with this bunch. Sure you’ll drop in now and again and enjoy the company, catch up on all the shit that doesn’t really matter, and have a “nice time”. Play happy families or happy old friends in this case.
In fact I think you do both unconsciously.
I guess it’s time to move the goalposts. The photographs are all that’s left of everything we’ve done. Goodbye past.
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
after madrid i'm gettin freaked out. theres a real air of tension in london at the moment. a terrorist attack seems inevitable really and its scary. scary in how easily it could happen. once the thought manifists in your head the fear runs and runs. today in the cinema three guys walked in to the watch the film. It was 'mona lisa smile' and i thought it weird that 3 guys of there own free will would decide to pick that film. sure Kirsten dunst and maggie gyellenhall are hot hot hot but really, 'mona lisa smile'!
anyhow after 20 minutes they got up and left and the fear took hold. did they leave a bag? was it hooked by a mobile fu? am i crazy? am i going mad? i dunno.
but seriously it's scary. it really is. it's not like northern ireland. I say that with the exception of Omagh. But its different to unexpected terror. If and when something disasterous happens it will come as no surprise to the rest of the world. it's expected and the worst thing is the waiting. These days the tube for me is a no no. silly, stupid, giving in to the terrorists. I'm all that. Most of all though, I'm scared
anyhow after 20 minutes they got up and left and the fear took hold. did they leave a bag? was it hooked by a mobile fu? am i crazy? am i going mad? i dunno.
but seriously it's scary. it really is. it's not like northern ireland. I say that with the exception of Omagh. But its different to unexpected terror. If and when something disasterous happens it will come as no surprise to the rest of the world. it's expected and the worst thing is the waiting. These days the tube for me is a no no. silly, stupid, giving in to the terrorists. I'm all that. Most of all though, I'm scared
Monday, March 15, 2004
so week 2. Here we go again. But b4 we go there, Oralaghs mum, bro and sis came over at the weekend and we had a brilliant time. really great. the best times here are when we have visitors. We went to see phantom of the opera which was great. Brill weekend.
but now back to Uni work. we finish effectivly on thursday. next week will be easy enough and then I'm off
but now back to Uni work. we finish effectivly on thursday. next week will be easy enough and then I'm off
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
I'm drained. Mentally exhausted. I don't even know if I spelt that right. I don't care. Got some good stories today, wrote some sport and developed a feature idea. Today more then ever it hit me again, like it did during those exhausting production weekends in the Observer, especially on a thursday and friday when things were manic and everyone was running around like a blue arsed fly. This is what its all about! This is why I'm sitting through lectures, writing bits and bobs and reading reams and reams of paper.
Its all for this process, even though its but a taster for the real world. I love it, but its fuckin exhausting!!
Its all for this process, even though its but a taster for the real world. I love it, but its fuckin exhausting!!
so i've been so fuckin busy lately. lot of tension in newsroom at moment. certin folk ain't pulling there weight. I though am remaining one of the good guys - but well busy
thats how it is in the real world though. got some good stories. fuck it, I'm going to bed...
au revoir fuckers!!
thats how it is in the real world though. got some good stories. fuck it, I'm going to bed...
au revoir fuckers!!
Monday, March 08, 2004
Late night writing. Production forthnight begins tomorrow and on top of that I've to give a fuckin presentation. All go..No sleep. Great day yesterday. Found a great Irish pub with Mick up on Holloway road and went on the piss for the day. The rugby was fantastic. What a display. I'm now becoming a rugby fan. NEVER thought it would happen. I hate rugby heads. maybe I'll bring about a sea of change!!
Saturday, March 06, 2004
So last night I spoke to Amy and Frank on the phone which was without doubt the highlight of a pretty stressful week. Stressful no doubt for them too. they moved in to their new house, which is theirs - ownership and all. It has to be damn exciting. a great moment and couple of days which will stick with them forever. Am lookin forward to seeing it, gives me furthur boost to get home and catch up with all. I spent last night after the call designing my own house in my head. The excitement is infectious.
so next week I enter production fortnight. two weeks of college whereby we've got to bring out two newspapers - 1 a week. I've done something like this before but I feel this is gonna be a much bigger challenge even though it doesn't seem so on paper. I expect it'll be tough working with people I haven't worked with before in a situation like this and week one will be sussing out peoples strengths. Should be fun though. I'm sports editor, a title I didn't really want. I would much prefer to just be a reporter and have the freedom to file whatever i wanted, or was asked, rather then have the responsibility. Still though it's all part of a learning process I suppose.
On the gig front I went to see Jet and snow patrol last week. it was a free gig, part of a new TV show being filmed for channel 4 called The New Kings Of Rock and Roll. It was a free gig and free booze all night so can't argue with that!! Jet didn't really impress me. Snow patrol were quite good, though I think they sound better on record.
Well gotta run. On top of the paper work I've got to give presentation on Monday so gotta lace into that, and have essays on the horizon which I've gotta get none. Next week-end is wiped out. Orlaghs family come over so will be busy. Gonna watch some footie.
I will do my best to get back to updating my blog on a daily basis so stay tuned. Keep checking for news!!!
Later guys
Over and out
Steve
so next week I enter production fortnight. two weeks of college whereby we've got to bring out two newspapers - 1 a week. I've done something like this before but I feel this is gonna be a much bigger challenge even though it doesn't seem so on paper. I expect it'll be tough working with people I haven't worked with before in a situation like this and week one will be sussing out peoples strengths. Should be fun though. I'm sports editor, a title I didn't really want. I would much prefer to just be a reporter and have the freedom to file whatever i wanted, or was asked, rather then have the responsibility. Still though it's all part of a learning process I suppose.
On the gig front I went to see Jet and snow patrol last week. it was a free gig, part of a new TV show being filmed for channel 4 called The New Kings Of Rock and Roll. It was a free gig and free booze all night so can't argue with that!! Jet didn't really impress me. Snow patrol were quite good, though I think they sound better on record.
Well gotta run. On top of the paper work I've got to give presentation on Monday so gotta lace into that, and have essays on the horizon which I've gotta get none. Next week-end is wiped out. Orlaghs family come over so will be busy. Gonna watch some footie.
I will do my best to get back to updating my blog on a daily basis so stay tuned. Keep checking for news!!!
Later guys
Over and out
Steve
Monday, March 01, 2004
so I haven't blogged in quite a while. Basicly I've been very busy lately. Had visitors over a few weekends back and had a fantastic time with them. really great to show friends back home the life I'm leading in London and the city I now call home. great stuff. also went to my first derby which was amazing..great atmosphere, passion and an amazing experience. just approaching Villa Park and hearing the chanting prior to the game sends a shiver down my neck. Really exciting. Not the result we wanted but it made for nail biting stuff.
In Uni we're doing alot of stuff at the mo. Putting together 2 papers over the next two weeks which, on top of our normal course work, is keeping me quite busy. I'm also off the beer for lent although I may take a day off the pledge on paddys day and get destroyed...has to be done.
other then that not too much else. Orlaghs mam, bro and sis come over on the 12th and myself and her bro might go see Spurs v Newcastle although it's well fuckin expensive - 50 a ticket compared to 20 at Charlton
We'll see.
later
In Uni we're doing alot of stuff at the mo. Putting together 2 papers over the next two weeks which, on top of our normal course work, is keeping me quite busy. I'm also off the beer for lent although I may take a day off the pledge on paddys day and get destroyed...has to be done.
other then that not too much else. Orlaghs mam, bro and sis come over on the 12th and myself and her bro might go see Spurs v Newcastle although it's well fuckin expensive - 50 a ticket compared to 20 at Charlton
We'll see.
later
excuse my lateness in reporting the brum result. It has been brought to my attention by one Matt Rice that I should have said:
hello........Villa were destroyed by an excellent Everton side........they
were truely excellent and much better than us...........that Rooney guy
is unbelievbable, he was so good I wet my pants..............later folks
Let them have their moment. It is, afterall the toffees first (and last) win of 2004 and they probably won't meet villa in the top flight for many more years.
hello........Villa were destroyed by an excellent Everton side........they
were truely excellent and much better than us...........that Rooney guy
is unbelievbable, he was so good I wet my pants..............later folks
Let them have their moment. It is, afterall the toffees first (and last) win of 2004 and they probably won't meet villa in the top flight for many more years.
