prolific.org

Only an hour delay on the way back. Good weekend, shopping, meeting friends, great gig. Sunny days, Sunday felt like Spring. Back at work now, most of the snow has melted but it’s still cold.More about Declan O’Rourke’s outstanding gig later. Some pics at Flickr, but I didn’t put a whole lot of effort into them. Remind me not to take my migraine meds in the daytime – they make me very sleepy.

I worship at the shrine of Marks & Spencer, the only shop in the world where I can grab three pairs of jeans / trousers off the racks and know that they’ll fit, perfectly, without having to try them on. I think most of their clothing is a bit, um, too old for me, eventhough I AM of that age, but trouser-wise M&ampS is da bomb. And it’s even better now that I’ve found out that even their ‘medium’ length is short enough for a leprechaun like myself. Currently wearing brown rib cords for the first time since the 70’s.

Other good shtuff in Dublin:

* The fruit smoothies at Stephen’s Green shopping centre and at the airport (forgotten name of franchise)
* Room #25 at Kelly’s Hotel (view, cleanliness), not to mention the unexpected price drop of (another) 10 Euro. Fifty Euro a night in the city centre is unheard of.
* Burgers and malts at Eddie Rockets. For junk food, they are top notch.
* John Kelly, who is one of the few gents in the business.

Bad shtuff:

* “Service” at the Octagon bar in the Clarence Hotel. Dear U2, please hire people who speak English and don’t fight among each other. And when I ask for brown sauce, I don’t want garlic sauce.
* Bad service just about everywhere. Ireland was my REFUGE from that, man, what the fuck?
* Ridiculous internet access pricing.
* Mr F. (The F. stands for Fucking unreliable cunt.)
* Iskander’s. Formerly best kebab place in the world. Now inedible.
* Getting ripped off by taxi driver. 28 Euro for the airport – city centre drive. I remember when it was 8 pounds.

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Baton-time again. Yes, yet another meme. Thanks, Mr Hamster. This time it’s musical questions:

1. What’s the total size of music files on your computer:

38.4 Gigabyte

2. What is the last CD you bought?

Finally got Coil’s Horse Rotorvator on CD. (Stevo, pay them what you owe them!)

3. What is the last song you listened to before you read this post?

Morrissey – Spring-heeled Jim

4. Name four songs that you listen to a lot or that mean a lot to you.

Only four?

Massive Attack – Unfinished Sympathy
Roberta Flack – Killing me softly
Declan O’Rourke – No place to hide
Frank Sinatra – Night and day

5. Which three people are you passing the baton on to and why?

I am going to pass on the baton to the first three people that ASK for it in the comments, because I’m embarrassed to approach anyone with this.

… and that would be:

1. Chris
2. Herb
3. …

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Some of you may have wondered ‘Who the hell is Declan O’Rourke’ since he was featured so prominently in my Best of list. Or perhaps you skipped the post, I wouldn’t blame you.

I’ve now written a little more about this album and the song that first woke me up and then took my breath away on a bus journey from Dingle to Dublin:

U2log.com editors recommend // Declan O’Rourke – Since Kyabram

This album’s seriously making me consider buying an (any) MP3 player because I don’t want to be without it while I commute.

Best of my 2004
(records I played the most, no rationale involved)

* Declan O’Rourke – Since Kyabram
* U2 – How to dismantle an atomic bomb
* The Killers – Hot Fuss
* Robi Draco Rosa – Mad Love

Best of 2004
(records I should play more)

* Nick Cave – Abattoir Blues/Lyre of Orpheus
* Morrissey – You are the quarry
* 90 day men – Panda Park
* Nancy Sinatra – Nancy Sinatra
* Leonard Cohen – Dear Heather
* The Dears – No Cities Left
* Ben Christophers – Spaces in Between
* Tim Booth – Bone
* Scissor Sisters – Scissor Sisters
* Interpol – Antics

Best re-release / compilation

* Japan – back catalogue
* Kylie Minogue – Ultimate Kylie
* Virgin Prunes – back catalogue

Disappointments
(records I wanted to play, but didn’t live up to expectation)

* George Michael – Patience
* Marianne Faithful – Before the poison

I don’t get it
(records other people recommended)

* Arcade Fire – Funeral

Eclipsed
(records that didn’t survive the hype)

* Franz Ferdinand – Franz Ferdinand

Aer Lingus is offering 6 Euro flights to Dublin if you book before Thursday and fly before March 16. Return plus taxes it ends up 65 Euro.

Someone gimme a reason.

Update: Got one. Declan O’Rourke plays the Olympia on March 6. Booked. Wish me luck. Got two tickets and… well. Yeah.

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