Category: Uncategorized
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Openers, closers and in-betweeners
We had our latest gig in The Great Institution the other night. It went really well. We appear to have found a nice formula. The man who goes by the name of Joey Magic got everyone in the mood with a few bluegrass / clap-along numbers. There followed a lovely variety of songs and tunes…
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Musical update
‘Music, alcohol and a tiny bit of food’. This has often been my response in recent times whenever I am asked as to how I am doing. And to a large degree it is the truth. Throw in sleep, guided meditation, radio, tv, audiobooks, meeting up with friends and that is about it. It’s a…
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The ultimate accolade
So there I was last Saturday week, doing my bit for Guinness pensioners everywhere, propping up the bar of The Great Institution on my favourite stool. By all accounts it seemed like quite a standard Saturday. That was until the barman who is sometimes known as ‘King of the Quips’ gave me the momentous news.…
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Anniversary approaching
It’s coming up on a year since Mam moved on. It’s a rare day that I don’t think of her in some way. Anytime I get a reading from my talking weighing scales I make a little comment to Mam. Mostly the remark is that I have some work to do. Very occasionally I would…
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A musical life
To a large degree, music is my life. Throw in a few drops of the good stuff, the occasional bit of grub, a wee bit of meditation and that’s about the size of it these days. Our merry little band of musicians got back on stage in The Great Institution of Chatham Street the other…
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Simply the best
As fate would have it, in the year that Mam moved on, I found myself going it alone to the Westbury Hotel yesterday. Various family members were invited to join me but none accepted and I have to say I am very grateful to them all because I had the best Christmas Day ever. The…
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The uncertainty of sight loss
I was wandering along O’Connell Street late yesterday afternoon, making my way to the pedestrian crossing at the corner of Abbe Street, outside Permanent TSB. It took me a little longer than normal to put myself in the correct position in order to cross O’ Connell Street towards Easons. After crossing over I made my…
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I must be doing something right
I turned 58 yesterday. The day kicked off with a very melodious voice message from my good friend The Letterkenny Babe. As I listened to it I was reminded of the time that Marilyn Monroe sang Happy Birthday to JFK. My afternoon was taken up by a very pleasant liquid lunch with The Godmother and…
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Chartwell
Something that has become a regular part of my trips to Staines has been an educational day out to a National Trust establishment, custodians of many historic UK properties. This year the King of Staines suggested a trip to a place by the name of ‘Chartwell’, home for over 40 years to Winston Churchill and…
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Good to catch up
And so another visit to the principality of Staines has come and gone. Happily the entire royal family were in residence, along with the Princess of Ukraine, although it was something of a cameo appearance from the Princess of Staines as she was making tracks to Sardinia. The ‘Barbie’ movie was on the agenda for…
Blind light 