Contentment : 11 / 25
Excitement : 0.5 / 10
Memorability : 0 / 15
Overall Score : 23% (14th out of 15)
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Day 15 - Saturday, January 15th, 2011
Today was earmarked to be a day of recuperation and relaxation after a fairly hectic social week, and it didn't disappoint. A marathon of watching football (Arsenal beat West Ham 3-0), horse-racing (Kauto Star just came 3rd in the King George), rugby (Leinster thrashed Saracens) and American Football (Pittsburgh beat Baltimore in a thriller), was only briefly interrupted by a brief sashay to Centra downstairs, and the making of an utterly exotic dinner of fish, beans and mashed spuds. I even subjected myself to some of The Devil Wears Prada, which was on Channel 4, mainly because Anne Hathaway was very easy on the eye.
Look at that effing lazy couch-potato slob!
Contentment : 11 / 25
Excitement : 0.5 / 10
Memorability : 0 / 15
Overall Score : 23% (14th out of 15)
Contentment : 11 / 25
Excitement : 0.5 / 10
Memorability : 0 / 15
Overall Score : 23% (14th out of 15)
Day 14 - Friday, January 14th, 2011
After ever-pleasant work, 'twas off to nearby Casa del Conquer, armed with a newly-purchased quartet of Foster's lager (costing merely €5), to engage in incessant banter and listen to a constant stream of Armin van Buuren and Tiesto choonage. Gift! Flat-mate Brian arrived back and I grabbed the opportunity to seize his camera memory card so I can add his many photos from our pre-Christmas Las Vegas/San Diego trip to my personal collection.
The quartet of Foster's expunged (together with a couple of donated cans), a beeline was made to Doyle's late-night boozer, which is all of 70 yards away. As I was taking my seat, I felt compelled to come to the aid of a nearby sextet of young English ladies who were poring over their tourist map with much puzzlement. Having asked what they wanted to do and see, I guided them to The Quays pub in Temple Bar (for they wanted to experience a traditional Irish pub with music) and to Copper Face Jacks on Saturday night (for they wanted to experience a traditional Irish meat market).
With the grateful young ladies regrettably departed, an impromptu table quiz was held with the help of Wikipedia on the iPhone, where Conquer impressively rattled off the winners of golf's majors for the past 30 years, as well as the names of all Thunderbirds episodes in chronological order. Phenomenal! I contributed by naming the capital cities of the world's countries, eliciting gasps from a nearby table.
Back to Casa del Conquer to enjoy several episodes of Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and a sensational Goodfella's pizza - rock 'n roll!
The quartet of Foster's expunged (together with a couple of donated cans), a beeline was made to Doyle's late-night boozer, which is all of 70 yards away. As I was taking my seat, I felt compelled to come to the aid of a nearby sextet of young English ladies who were poring over their tourist map with much puzzlement. Having asked what they wanted to do and see, I guided them to The Quays pub in Temple Bar (for they wanted to experience a traditional Irish pub with music) and to Copper Face Jacks on Saturday night (for they wanted to experience a traditional Irish meat market).
With the grateful young ladies regrettably departed, an impromptu table quiz was held with the help of Wikipedia on the iPhone, where Conquer impressively rattled off the winners of golf's majors for the past 30 years, as well as the names of all Thunderbirds episodes in chronological order. Phenomenal! I contributed by naming the capital cities of the world's countries, eliciting gasps from a nearby table.
Back to Casa del Conquer to enjoy several episodes of Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and a sensational Goodfella's pizza - rock 'n roll!
Resting from a hectic schedule of can-drinking and TV watching
Contentment : 15 / 25
Excitement : 2 / 10
Memorability : 4 / 15
Overall Score : 42% (5th out of 14)
Friday, January 14, 2011
Day 13 - Thursday, January 13th, 2011
Another day, another €0.81726, and I must confess that my heart was simply overjoyed to see my good friend Sealey (named after the Coventry City goalkeeper Les Sealey), and brother of popstar Seal, young one Neil and interior decorator Ceiling, lazing in a carefree manner atop the base of the IFSC pedestrian bridge, for when he does, I have decided in a superstitious fashion that the days ahead simply must be filled with absolute joy and fortune.
No, that's not a large slug, it's Sealey, the outlandishly social seal!
Again, work passed splendidly by, with not an eye gouged nor a tongue disgorged - great success! After a sweaty day's travail, I made a beeline to Cineworld, to watch 127 Hours, the story of a free-spirited dude who went out into the canyon-filled desert, and got his arm lodged between a rock and a hard place. Alas, he was so possessed with free spirit that no-one knew where he was, and his self-imposed social exclusion ultimately meant that he had to cut his own arm off - howl!, wail!, moan! It's a true story, what's more, but regardless, I awarded it a 7.5 out of 10.
I emerged from the cinema at 7.45pm, and my finest Drinking Lieutenant Conquer O'Keeffe was upon hand to join me in embarcation upon a magical visitation of Inner City Dublin Alehouses. First to enjoy our patronage was the Dame Tavern where we had the utter fortune to be accosted by an hilarious chappie whose "friend" had just ditched him there and he requested that he have the pleasure of joining our company. Naturally we acquiesced, and delighted in hearing his Tale Of Life, encompassing the fact that he was a student psycho-therapist, yet ironically seemed to be someone in intensive need of psycho-therapeutic treatment! Our crucial 3rd pints consumed, Conquer and I simultaneously made our excuses, and headed to Peadar Kearney's tavern on Dame Street, which had been ear-marked as the venue for next week's Thursday Night Darts Club. Alas, the establishment turned out to be a kip of the utmost order, whose dartboard was a good foot below regulation height, and was positioned at the foot of the stairs, which would ultimately cause much mental fatigue upon the athlete at the oche. An executive decision was made not to award it the TNDC franchise , and we ambled along to The Foggy Dew - an endearing hostelry that seems to attract all-sorts, from the most dapper of business suit types, to the crustiest of nose-ringed gadabouts. A triumvirate of ales there consumed, 'twas onwards for a solitary night-cap in Busker's, where a Live Band Karaoke was in session, but alas, my name was not called before departure.
Note the foggy dew appearing atop the pints in The Foggy Dew
Contentment : 13 / 25
Excitement : 3 / 10
Memorability : 4 / 15
Overall Score : 40% (Rank 5th out of 13)
Again, work passed splendidly by, with not an eye gouged nor a tongue disgorged - great success! After a sweaty day's travail, I made a beeline to Cineworld, to watch 127 Hours, the story of a free-spirited dude who went out into the canyon-filled desert, and got his arm lodged between a rock and a hard place. Alas, he was so possessed with free spirit that no-one knew where he was, and his self-imposed social exclusion ultimately meant that he had to cut his own arm off - howl!, wail!, moan! It's a true story, what's more, but regardless, I awarded it a 7.5 out of 10.
I emerged from the cinema at 7.45pm, and my finest Drinking Lieutenant Conquer O'Keeffe was upon hand to join me in embarcation upon a magical visitation of Inner City Dublin Alehouses. First to enjoy our patronage was the Dame Tavern where we had the utter fortune to be accosted by an hilarious chappie whose "friend" had just ditched him there and he requested that he have the pleasure of joining our company. Naturally we acquiesced, and delighted in hearing his Tale Of Life, encompassing the fact that he was a student psycho-therapist, yet ironically seemed to be someone in intensive need of psycho-therapeutic treatment! Our crucial 3rd pints consumed, Conquer and I simultaneously made our excuses, and headed to Peadar Kearney's tavern on Dame Street, which had been ear-marked as the venue for next week's Thursday Night Darts Club. Alas, the establishment turned out to be a kip of the utmost order, whose dartboard was a good foot below regulation height, and was positioned at the foot of the stairs, which would ultimately cause much mental fatigue upon the athlete at the oche. An executive decision was made not to award it the TNDC franchise , and we ambled along to The Foggy Dew - an endearing hostelry that seems to attract all-sorts, from the most dapper of business suit types, to the crustiest of nose-ringed gadabouts. A triumvirate of ales there consumed, 'twas onwards for a solitary night-cap in Busker's, where a Live Band Karaoke was in session, but alas, my name was not called before departure.
Contentment : 13 / 25
Excitement : 3 / 10
Memorability : 4 / 15
Overall Score : 40% (Rank 5th out of 13)
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Day 12 - Wednesday, January 12th, 2011
Work continued to be magnificent in that no-one was fired, no-one went postal and no bridges of any description were burnt - huzzah for mundanity!
Much like the craziness of Tuesday Night Golf Club occurring on Monday this week, Thursday Night Darts Club occurred today, Wednesday - outlandish! Despite the day-change, no less than 13 athletes from 4 countries (Ireland, UK, Italy and Sweden) turned up to lay claim to the title of 68th TNDC champion. For a Wednesday, the mood was utterly boisterous, buoyed perhaps by the Wolfe Tones CD that blared over the tannoy for the first hour of proceedings, although they eventually surrendered to Rihanna and Kesha, disappointingly.
Normal order was restored when John "The Equaliser" Delaney, the guy who normally almost always wins, won. A victorious picture of him would certainly have been taken, but he needed to leave to catch the last DART before the tournament had concluded - rock 'n roll! Fear not, Darts Champions fans - he promises to stay to the death and beyond at TNDC 69 (fnar, fnar!), next Friday week. I achieved a personal triumph by coming in 3rd place overall, and hitting the highest finish of the night - a rather splendid 106.
The esteemed TNDC athletes point to their respective overall scores
Damo is clearly ecstatic at his magnificent 3rd placing at TNGC 68
The National Convention Centre seen through the eye of the Sean O'Casey bridge, on the way home
Contentment : 15 / 25
Excitement : 4 / 10
Memorability : 5 / 15
Overall Score : 48% (4th out of 12)
Much like the craziness of Tuesday Night Golf Club occurring on Monday this week, Thursday Night Darts Club occurred today, Wednesday - outlandish! Despite the day-change, no less than 13 athletes from 4 countries (Ireland, UK, Italy and Sweden) turned up to lay claim to the title of 68th TNDC champion. For a Wednesday, the mood was utterly boisterous, buoyed perhaps by the Wolfe Tones CD that blared over the tannoy for the first hour of proceedings, although they eventually surrendered to Rihanna and Kesha, disappointingly.
Normal order was restored when John "The Equaliser" Delaney, the guy who normally almost always wins, won. A victorious picture of him would certainly have been taken, but he needed to leave to catch the last DART before the tournament had concluded - rock 'n roll! Fear not, Darts Champions fans - he promises to stay to the death and beyond at TNDC 69 (fnar, fnar!), next Friday week. I achieved a personal triumph by coming in 3rd place overall, and hitting the highest finish of the night - a rather splendid 106.
Contentment : 15 / 25
Excitement : 4 / 10
Memorability : 5 / 15
Overall Score : 48% (4th out of 12)
Day 11 - Tuesday January 11th 2011
Today was marked by the most absolutely magical celebration in work, when we all lit sparklers upon the second of 11:01:11:11:01:11 (11.01 am and 11 seconds on the 11th of January 2011) and went utterly apeshit with sheer joy and frenzy. Except we didn't. Work was fine, but was banal as ever.
Apres work, I ventured to Cineworld to enjoy my 3rd film of the year, and decided to go a little left-field, choosing the Hindi/Bollywood production of No-one Killed Jessica - a film based on a true story where an influential politician's son (boo!) murdered an innocent socalite and got away with it for 6 years but the power of the media (yay!) and the people it assembled (whoop whoop!) overturned the verdict. It was all a little tacky, but the direction was stylish at times, the soundtrack was excellent and there were some great acting performances, so I awarded it 5 out of 10.
Taking pointless pictures of myself each day is getting more than a little tedious, but I'm still continuing with it. For how long, we'll see!
Awesome Eastern Dublin
Grotty Western Dublin ( lol )
Contentment : 10 / 25
Excitement : 1 / 10
Memorability : 1.5 / 25
Overall Score : 25% (11th out of 11)
Apres work, I ventured to Cineworld to enjoy my 3rd film of the year, and decided to go a little left-field, choosing the Hindi/Bollywood production of No-one Killed Jessica - a film based on a true story where an influential politician's son (boo!) murdered an innocent socalite and got away with it for 6 years but the power of the media (yay!) and the people it assembled (whoop whoop!) overturned the verdict. It was all a little tacky, but the direction was stylish at times, the soundtrack was excellent and there were some great acting performances, so I awarded it 5 out of 10.
Taking pointless pictures of myself each day is getting more than a little tedious, but I'm still continuing with it. For how long, we'll see!
Contentment : 10 / 25
Excitement : 1 / 10
Memorability : 1.5 / 25
Overall Score : 25% (11th out of 11)
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Day 10 - Monday, January 10th, 2011
Work passed largely uneventfully, broken merely by a speedy dash to SuperValu for their award-winning €3 Hot Spicy Chicken Baguette 'n Can of Coke combo which was then wolfed at my desk. After work, it was time for the first Tuesday Night Golf Club event of the year, which was taking place on Monday, oddly enough, due to all the golf bays being fully booked tomorrow.
TNGC takes place at Metro Golf Centre in Ringsend, and each time we drink beer and play a different golf course on one of their state-of-the-art simulators. St. Andrew's, Pebble Beach, Torrey Pines, Sawgrass, Valderama - all have been played already! This evening's course was Pelican Hill, near Daytona Beach, and proved to be testing for the 5 athletes that attended. Danny The Swede emerged victorious with 34 points, and not for the first time, as he combines golfing prowess with a hearty desire to make sure his handicap (currently 12) doesn't go as low as it should. I have no such worries, with a handicap of 27 that is probably too low, but the yearning to get to 18 and below is strong. Having gone in a hazard 6 times, I was pleased with my 28 points and joint 3rd showing with Conor, with Neil 2nd on 32 and Richie 5th on 18, but with the longest drive of 293 yards.
Today's photo captures the moment when I realise that I forgot to take pictures of the golf, but fear not!, I wil do so next time it takes place, on January 25th.
Contentment : 13 / 25
Excitement : 3 / 10
Memorability : 2 / 15
Overall Score : 36% (5th out of 10)
TNGC takes place at Metro Golf Centre in Ringsend, and each time we drink beer and play a different golf course on one of their state-of-the-art simulators. St. Andrew's, Pebble Beach, Torrey Pines, Sawgrass, Valderama - all have been played already! This evening's course was Pelican Hill, near Daytona Beach, and proved to be testing for the 5 athletes that attended. Danny The Swede emerged victorious with 34 points, and not for the first time, as he combines golfing prowess with a hearty desire to make sure his handicap (currently 12) doesn't go as low as it should. I have no such worries, with a handicap of 27 that is probably too low, but the yearning to get to 18 and below is strong. Having gone in a hazard 6 times, I was pleased with my 28 points and joint 3rd showing with Conor, with Neil 2nd on 32 and Richie 5th on 18, but with the longest drive of 293 yards.
Today's photo captures the moment when I realise that I forgot to take pictures of the golf, but fear not!, I wil do so next time it takes place, on January 25th.
Contentment : 13 / 25
Excitement : 3 / 10
Memorability : 2 / 15
Overall Score : 36% (5th out of 10)
Monday, January 10, 2011
Day 9 - Sunday, January 9th, 2011
A lazy Sunday morning did exactly what it said on the tin, also merging with ease into early afternoon, when the disappointingly poor FA Cup match betwixt ManUre and Liverpoor was viewed. (ManUre won 1-0 after a faultless non-aquatic dive from Mr. D. Berbatov of Bulgaria was rewarded with a converted penalty by Mr. R. Giggs of Wales.)
Onwards via another duet of Shank's mare and LUAS to Stoneybatter, where my sister Olivia and her partner Joan were hosting a soiree for both of their families, which in a fitting tribute to the modern Irish psyche didn't feature the slightest morsel of awkwardness, and the chatter flowed as freely as the mojitos, wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages on offer. A sizeable buffet of niblets had also been laid on, featuring cheeses, olives, chips 'n dips, cupcakes, cake and chocolate - a calorific dream (or nightmare, depending on your dietary outlook). Joan's niece brought a lemon drizzle cake which seemingly needed a little more cookage, so it was placed in the oven for a further 30 minutes, and lasted all of 90 seconds upon its emergence, such was its deliciousness.
The evening concluded with most of the throng gathering around the television to watch the final of the BDO World Championships, and much discussion took place regarding how sexy darts now is. On the way back to the LUAS, I captured the urban beauty of Smithfield Market as it looks now - hurrah for urban regeneration!
Sis-in-law Joan, me, brother Shane and sister Olivia
Contentment : 16 / 25
Excitement : 4 / 10
Memorability : 6 / 15
Overall Score : 52% (2nd out of 9)
Onwards via another duet of Shank's mare and LUAS to Stoneybatter, where my sister Olivia and her partner Joan were hosting a soiree for both of their families, which in a fitting tribute to the modern Irish psyche didn't feature the slightest morsel of awkwardness, and the chatter flowed as freely as the mojitos, wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages on offer. A sizeable buffet of niblets had also been laid on, featuring cheeses, olives, chips 'n dips, cupcakes, cake and chocolate - a calorific dream (or nightmare, depending on your dietary outlook). Joan's niece brought a lemon drizzle cake which seemingly needed a little more cookage, so it was placed in the oven for a further 30 minutes, and lasted all of 90 seconds upon its emergence, such was its deliciousness.
The evening concluded with most of the throng gathering around the television to watch the final of the BDO World Championships, and much discussion took place regarding how sexy darts now is. On the way back to the LUAS, I captured the urban beauty of Smithfield Market as it looks now - hurrah for urban regeneration!
Smithfield Plaza by night
Contentment : 16 / 25
Excitement : 4 / 10
Memorability : 6 / 15
Overall Score : 52% (2nd out of 9)
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