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October 25, 2005
Rosa Parks R.I.P.
Rosa Parks, refusal to vacate her seat for a white man served as one of the catalysts to push the civil rights movement in the U.S. died yesterday aged 92. Rest in peace Rosa.
Wikipedia Article on Rosa Parks
Posted by dottie at 4:01 PM | Comments (0)
October 24, 2005
I don't live in the UK
I dont kno about you, but it really bothers me that I have to select the UK when visiting pan-global, mega corporation sites such as Canon, Epson etc.
British and US citizens seem to have no idea that anyone would have an issue with being included in the United Kingdom. Europeans generally dont seem to have a problem with national identity and are usually aware that blood was spilled to confirm a differing national identity.
Its easy for this line of thinking to veer off into Nationalistic pride and all that implies. I dont sit around singing rebel songs and talking of overthrowing the yoke of English oppression. I just like people to know that I am Irish and that I live in Ireland. I would even go so far as to accept living in the 'UK and Ireland' if necessary!
Eire abu!
The reason I write this is that I saw the following on my favourite blog BoingBoing:
You will see that the description says that it's a UK ad. The combination of the fact that I feel at home when reading BoingBoing coupled with the dropping of Ireland into the soup pot of the UK (possibly stands for Undetermined Kountries?) and the fact that Guinness is as Irish as Saint Patrick (yeah, I know he was from Wales - how Irish is Diageo?) prompted me to write a note to David Pescovitz explaining that Ireland was not in the UK.
I chuckled when I read the addition (seen in red on BoingBoing).
Elsewhere abu!
Posted by dottie at 6:23 PM | Comments (0)
October 23, 2005
365 Tomorrows
I've been following the writing appearing on the site 365 Tomorrows for a while now. The idea is that a group of writers have clubbed together to write a story a day between them over the next year. They are only vignettes really, short, pivotal moments in the characters lives or descriptive pieces, all with a specultive finction bent.
Some are just so-so, some are good and others scratch an itch in me like this one does - Will to Live.
I like it because the 'aha' moment reveals a huge backstory, not just to the character but to the world at large.
It suggests what in my internal monologues I like to call 'sensible facism' :) - akin to the reasoning behind Eugenics, moral positivism, communism (as applied, not in theory), democracy - actually probably the reality of all political ideologies rather than their theory.
In essence 'Sensible facism' is the application of deeply humanitarian ideals but with no choice and complete, crushing, rejection from society on deviation i.e. life is good as long as you play by our rules.
Let's have more 'irrational humanism' then!
Posted by dottie at 2:58 PM | Comments (0)
October 20, 2005
Little Blue Circles
Went to see David McWilliams interviewing Robert Fisk last night.
Fascinating stuff. Bob Fisk has a huge knowledge of the events leading up to the current situation in the Middle East and a great understanding of the different dynamics at work in the region today.
There was a lot to chew over. He (and the very well informed audience) highlighted things that I had either forgotten about (few) or never knew about (many).
This knowledge coupled with his great humanitarianism, bravery, intelligence and talent for reporting from the perspective of the people in the street rather than the more usual national (and ultimately skewed) perspective makes Robert Fisk's writing an essential read.
When pressed by David McWilliams as to what would be the best way to ensure peace and 'freedom' in the Middle East, Mr. Fisk said there were two things that needed to be done - enforcement of all aspects of Resolution 242 and second of all, and most importantly, get Western powers out of the Middle East.
I'll be ordering his books as soon as I start making a bit of money!
And the little blue circles? These were what was given to us instead of printed tickets to allow entry to the venue. They were U.N. blue - not sure why...
Posted by dottie at 4:56 PM | Comments (0)
God squad
I was in a shop today and I saw their inspirational, happy-clappy quote for the day was this:
If a parent only loves and prays for their child, God will more than make up for the rest
I would have thought clothes and food would be essential too?
Posted by dottie at 4:40 PM | Comments (0)
October 18, 2005
Suckerpunch
Lonely as I am, I was drawn in by the charms of a woman yet again. The fact that the woman is beautiful, and sexy only adds to the allure.
Played for an idiot, she only wanted someone (anyone) to kiss her and make her feel fulfilled, pay attention to her - god knows she has enough admirers anyway. I knew this and still fell for the line only for her to end up with someone else by the end of the night. I didnt even realise that it mattered to me until she was kissing someone else. Then I stormed off and fumed and all that shit that teenagers get up to.
What a fucking shmuck I am.
Just goes to show that age means nothing. Pre warning means nothing. When you convince yourself that you are on to a good thing you will ignore hints, allegations and god damn it you will ignore reality.
I am a fucking idiot and I have made myself a bigger idiot by not only falling for a line but getting upset by it, punching the sign from a taxi roof and sitting dejectedly in various back streets around Dublin until I could sort out my head.
Repeat after me - I am an eejit.
But then again, in my defence, I love good looking women....
Comments
Emmet
fuck'er
Posted by dottie at 4:23 AM | Comments (1)
October 8, 2005
Tall is crap (sometimes)
How shit is it to be tall?
crap basically.
Bang your head. Can't buy clothes. Butt of jokes. Centre of attention when you dont want it.
Pretty much not too good all round.
I'm not saying its a disaster but its not good.
Picture yourself not hearing or misunderstanding 80% of your conversations over a 10 year period.
Imagine banging your head off every so called 'normal' piece of street furniture and domestic building addition or even standard fittings.
Imagine ill fitting clothes, years of lack of coordination and poor social skills.
Imagine a bowl of chips flavoured with spicy barbeque sauce with a chicken burger on the side. Send me one.
Comments
Emmet
I hear what you’re saying Mark because I’ve stood by your side over the years to hear the same inane, boring, inconsiderate and often insensitive question spurt from countless people’s lips; “How tall are you�. Ah feck off ya bunch of half baked nut pullers.
I know the world was designed for people about 6� shorter - eh, less tall – than you and it’s incredible how an extra half foot can cause so many inconveniences, but I have to say that you grossly underestimate your social skills, and always have. I’m granting myself full authority to tell you that you are actually a highly evolved communicator, musically, verbally and artistically. I can assure you that you leave a wake a smiles and affection behind you and you’re as a good a friend that anyone could wish to have. The man inside is taller than even he thinks.
Posted by dottie at 11:06 AM | Comments (1)