Jon Lord - Exclusive!

Money is tight - pennies on the floor.

Sept 24th, 2009

Broken Down Nissan Skyline

Oh dear.

The Changeling

It's only taken a year, but I've finally gotten around to putting up a review of the Mike Oldfield biography, The Changeling.

In one word, I suppose you could call label it as disappointing, for a number or reasons.

Firstly, without even reading a page of the book, it's clear that we wouldn't be getting a major exposé on his relationship with Richard Branson, as the book is published by Virgin Books. By dealing with Branson, he effectively gagged himself from discussing his long and highly publicised dispute with Virgin. If you read between the lines though, it's clear that the animosity between Oldfield and Branson has not been completely forgotten.

Another disappointment was the writing style that Oldfield engages in. Too often, when Oldfield is describing events of his past; they end up as rambling, stream of consciousness-type meanderings that often fall short in detailing the event itself. It's obviously not fair to expect him to compare with James Joyce, but I do think he could have done more research in backing up his sources.

While his childhood is covered reasonably well and his Tubular Bells piece is quite well done; everything after that feels rushed, fuzzy and written as an afterthought. It struck me that Oldfield had lost a bit of interest himself in the story at this stage, but was obliged to complete it for finality.

Overall, it's an interesting read for Oldfield fans; but completely avoidable otherwise.

Interesting fact I never knew: The name of his album Ommadown, is actually a bastardization of the Irish word for idiot, amadán.

ISEQ Stock Market Crash - Again

It's at a time like this that I'm reminded of our great statesman, Patrick Bartholomew Ahern. He imparted this bit of wisdom on us last year.

"Bank of Ireland shares are €3.80 today. Now if I meet you here next year, or the year after, do you seriously think Bank of Ireland shares will be €3.80? I'd go out and buy Bank of Ireland shares . . . that's what I'd do,"

Bank of Ireland share price today - 40 cent.

I suppose he was half right.

Willie O' Dea at Dell HQ in Texas

Willie O' Dea, snapped in Texas while trying to persuade Michael Dell to keep Dell jobs in Limerick.

Christmas Grinch Refuses Tickets for Late, Late Toy Show

Budget Reaction

Zeig Heil Motherfuckers!!

"Clap for Trap"

So, Ireland are playing Cyprus at home tonight in what's an eagerly anticipated clash. I noticed that the FAI have initiated a campaign for supporters to get behind the new manager.

"The Football Association of Ireland today (Sunday) announced that EA Sports will give out 33,000 inflatable giant hands to Irish fans at Wednesday evening’s World Cup qualifier in Croke Park (7.45om). The hands call on fans to ‘Clap for Trap’ and will be distributed before the game.
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni said: “The game against Cyprus is our first World Cup qualifier at home. It will be very important for all of our fans to get behind us on Wednesday night. Irish fans really will be our twelfth man and I hope everyone makes their voice heard on Wednesday night”. Tickets for the World Cup qualifier match are still available through www.ticketmaster.ie and from ticket booths at Dalymount Park (opening hours Mon & Tue 12.00 – 20.00, Wed 10.00 – 17.00)."

I personally wouldn't wish "The Clap" on my worst enemy.

Government Guaranteeing Irish Deposits

Imagine a man walks into a VHI health insurance office. The man looks pale. almost sickly you'd say. His back is bent and he walks to the desk with a stoop. He then tells the clerk at the desk, he'd like to sign up for some health insurance and with that, he lets out a loud, rattling cough. The clerk at the desk asks him, "Ok, before we approve you, we need to know if you have any prior health conditions". The sickly looking man tells the clerk everything is fine, infact things couldn't be better. The clerk then happily rubber-stamps the application form and the man is now covered.

It sounds ridiculous, but this is exactly what the Irish government has done by acting as insurer for the Irish banks. Without even looking at the loan books of the banks, we have given an assurance that we will cover any potential liabilities that may arise from them.

Cork City Dole Queue