Category: Uncategorized
-
Centring the marginalised
I believe in the concept of social equality. The idea that we are all the same. Of course we are not all the same and never will be. There will always be the haves and the have nots. Probably because we are all only human after all. And to be human means that we are…
-
The rules of language
‘You just can’t say that anymore’. This is a phrase which seems to be used quite often these days. I was reminded of it recently in a podcast that I listened to and it also features in a storyline for the Netflix American University series ‘The Chair’, where one of the lecturers loses his job…
-
Connecting
It seems to me that one of the great lessons of the pandemic has been the importance of human connection. The idea that no man is an island, that we all need each other. ‘It’s a wonderful life’ is my all time favourite movie. It tells the story of a certain George Bailey who is…
-
The art of doing nothing
I’ve been using a meditation app called ‘Waking Up’ for the past few weeks with a view to decluttering the space between my ears. It involves between 10 and 15 minutes of listening every morning and I find it beneficial. There is an offer available of a free month trial which can be passed on…
-
A little misunderstanding
So there I was, out in The Great Institution of Merrion Row with The Multi Instrumentalist and his four legged friend. We had just come to the end of a lovely evening of food, drink and chat. At one point we were joined by The Queen of Merrion Row herself, who proved to be charming…
-
Temperature check
It would appear that sitting on a stone bench playing guitar for an hour in the shade, in a temperature of 13 degrees celsius allows the cold to infiltrate the body. We all live and learn every day. Either that or we get a little less intelligent as time goes by. I’m sticking with the…
-
No apologies necessary
So there I was, up outside the Gaiety Theatre doing my six stringed thing, when I sensed a presence near me. I looked up and a very young man asked of me where should he place his donation. ‘Do I put this on the guitar case?’, ‘Yes’, I replied, and I thanked him. He apologised…
-
My poor beleaguered left knee
So there I was, happily making my way out of The Ranch, six stringed friend in hand, amp loaded up in the rucksack, en route to entertaining the good citizens of South King Street for an hour or so. As I strode bravely forth into the outside world I noticed that a small section of…
-
Nearing the summit
I began learning the music piece known as ‘Cavatina’ on guitar sometime in May 2019. I had already learned how to play it on piano, however getting the hang of it on the six stringed friend is a different kettle of tuna altogether. The notes and timing were sorted in a relatively short space of…
-
The final furlong
I like to think that I’ve had a good run with my eyesight. All going well, come the end of November I will be 56 years young. I can still read and in familiar surroundings I remain largely independent. However, more and more as days go by it is becoming increasingly clear to me, in…
Blind light 