Faith In Humanity: Up a Notch Since Yesterday

So, I'm scrolling around facebook on my break today and I get a notification. It's an invite from a friend of mine and she has organised an event called The Tiny Dancer Twitter Hour. The intentions behind this event are to have as many people as possible to include #TinyDancerNo1 and #SirEltonSaysYes in their tweets to raise awareness for the story of 4 year old Lily-Mae who was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma and is currently undergoing treatment. Neorublastoma is a rare form of cancer, usually found in children and infants.

When Lily-Mae's parents, two dance choreographers, spoke publicly about their situation, a huge host of Irish musicians got wind of it and a friend of the family in the national broadcaster, RTÉ, decided to pull together and cover the Sir Elton John hit, Tiny Dancer. The plan is to get the single to No.1 this Christmas and raise money so that, should the treatment be unsuccessful, there is a second option but the treatment is quite costly and only available in the United States. The family are hoping that such a measure isn't required and if Lily-Mae is successful in her treatment first time round, all funds raised from the single will go to Neuroblastom Research here in Ireland.

A lot of people, including my friend, really want to give this a big push so please please please tweet your hearts out tonight with #TinyDancerNo1 and #SirEltonSaysYes at the end of your tweets!!

The twitter hour will be from 20:00 to 21:00 GMT

Please help in any way you can. The single is now available to buy from iTunes, Amazon and HMV stores nationwide. Please push it as much as you all can, even if you dont have a twitter account push it on facebook, text people and let them know about it, or go old school and just spread the word!

The video of all the musicians involved is below, with a short appearance by the little lady herself

She is a true inspiration to be in such good spirits. Lily Mae did, however, have her questions about the lyric "Tiny Dancer in my hand" .....

Another blogger quite passionate about this subject, and the organiser of the Twitter Hour can be found HERE aaaaand HERE

A tip of the hat to you, L

2012 was all about House music... 2013 is a Rap Attack!

They said 2012 was going to be the last year for us all because the Mayan Calender predicted it so. In my opinion they just got bored writing it so they said in an Irish style "ah sure leave it, it'll be grand". Well its safe to say that it's not going to end lads, lasses, guys, dolls, dudes and dudettes because apparently a mathematical error was made and leap years weren't taken into account.... thrilling. Anyway!
My prediction is this, the world will not end in 2012, however, mine very well may in 2013 because if one more huge rapper confirms a date in Ireland I may just explode!! I already told y'all about Weezy hitting us with a bang, and if you didn't read that (bold readers!!) you can find it HERE!

Don't worry I'll wait.....

Yes, this is what I look like. And, no the proportions aren't wrong, this is your average size chair. I'm short and bald.

Okay, hope you enjoyed that. Now, we can move along! So, this morning I awoke to the ever-beautiful noise that is, my mother doing her annual (and by 'annual' I mean daily) big-clean (and by 'big-clean' I mean she's throwing stuff I love in the bin). So following my disgruntled shuffling in the bed, stomp of the feet on the floor and general 'ugh-ing' I stood up and checked my emails, only to find an email informing me of an update on the whole Slane Headline Act thing, and, who was mentioned?? Only Marshall 'Slim Shady' 'Slim' 'Eminem' Mathers!!! The level of screaming, and slightly more enthusiastic ugh-ing, was not normal, but nobody could hear me because mother had the hoover on the go!!*
I confirmed with rapireland.com and many other sites and it's true!! This is huge for me!!


My parents have always been great to me, I get on with them really well and they just get it, but having young parents has its draw backs...you can't get away with as much, so I kind of anticipated a negative attitude when I was younger towards the liking I took to rap music (Eminem was in his ' I wanna kill everyone but Hayley ' phase). What I didn't anticipate was my parents having no time for rap and so by the time they had realised what I liked I was already well into the obsession. I was crazy into Eminem and a friend of mine who also had young-ish parents gave me a lend of his Marshall Mathers LP, which I still have by the way.... sorry Dave.

I've had every album since - bar Relapse, Relapse was bad. Bad!

2005 was the year! I was in full rap mode by then and who announces they're playing Slane?? Yep, B Rabbit himself!! But then he cancelled. We won't go into that because I said things I shouldn't have.. but ironically, they were things I learned from him!

But I'm majorly excited for this gig, and I can only hope he addresses the fact that he cancelled on us and clears the air...then again I don't think I'll really mind once I get to see him perform, but it'd be nice.

Cannot wait! For those unaware, Slane Concert (Slane for short...I'm sure you got it but still, I want this blog to be kinda long) is a concert held most years since 1981 in the grounds of Slane Castle in County Meath. The concert is due to be held in mid-August, and I for one, am BUZZING!


*R.I.P to all loose change I stored on the floor everywhere in my house, you will be missed.

'Tis The Season

Well, we seldom see genuine acts of kindness anymore but Brendan O' Carroll has definitely out-done himself...erm..again!
For the second year running the comic and Mrs Browns Boys creator has donated a huge amount of vouchers to St. Vincent de Paul so that hundreds of families can have a free ham and turkey dinner this Christmas!!

This is a huge thing to do in my opinion and while many will choose to be sceptical of his motives and so on, I feel it is nothing more than a true gesture of good will! The Irish star grew up without many of the priviliges he or his kids now enjoy, and while most tend to forget their past, O'Carroll hasn't and has opted, not once but twice, to give back to the community of inner-city Dublin.

Brendan is a true testament to his mother who, although she didn't have much herself, always found ways to help out those in need when she could! So it isn't off a stone he licked it!

Andy Doogue, President of SVP said:

 “This year in particular we are receiving requests for food more than ever. Our volunteers will ensure that families who are most in need will benefit from Brendan O’Carroll’s generosity.”

**************************************************************************************

On a similar note, if you haven't already seen the video made by a group of sixth class students and their teachers about helping out the less fortunate this Christmas, you need to, and being the general all-round good guy that I am.. I brought it over here for your viewing pleasure.

- A word of warning first though, this may cause even the hardest of rock-like emotionless hardy-boys to shed a little tear! Truly inspirational!!

Not only is it emotional in it's concept, but the simple fact that a small group of 12 year olds can have such a vision toward helping those less fortunate is astounding!!

It makes me feel like such a selfish little so-and-so for moaning about getting out of my warm bed in the mornings and just wanting new stuff for Christmas!

 

These kids have genuinely instilled in me, the true meaning of Christmas!

 

With the way things are at the moment, financially speaking, a lot of people need our help and I would ask that you do so in whatever way you possibly can, like Brendan O'Carroll and these kids did.

 

Faith in humanity: Restored.



Scottish Church Castigates Same Sex Marriage!

 

In 2012 we live in a world where dogs can be married, but a man or woman cannot enter into the sacrament with a member of the same sex. That’d just destroy the whole concept wouldn't it? Perish the thought!

In Scotland it was decided in July this year to push forward the bill to legalise same-sex marriages in the country, which would make it the first of the British countries to do so. In answer to this, the Catholic Church have issued a letter of dispute to the Government explaining their feelings on the matter. The Church labelled August 26th National Marriage Sunday, and read statements during Sunday mass in all Catholic churches across the country, saying, ”we reaffirm before you all the common wisdom of humanity and the revealed faith of the church that marriage is a unique life-long union of a man and a woman.”

They then continued “Pray for our elected leaders, invoking the Holy Spirit on them, that they be moved to safeguard marriage as it has always been understood, for the good Scotland, and of our society.”

I am appalled at such attempts to manipulate the minds of so many who have put their faith in the hands of these people, only to be brainwashed into believing that the only “real-love” that can be celebrated by a life-long commitment is that of a man and woman.

The Scottish first minister Alex Salmond, who has been in talks with the Scottish Catholic Church leader, Cardinal O’ Brien, has said that they Government intends on pushing this bill forward nonetheless, and should any parishes object to the new definition of marriage, they need not perform the ceremony.

While I do look upon the minister’s decision not to buckle under the pressure of the Catholic Church with admiration for a State official finally telling the group to like it or lump it, I cannot help but wonder why the Church are so opposed? Where has this down right refusal to accept gay people come from? Surely if the Church can protest it to such an extent as they have in recent days by claiming that gay marriage destroys the integrity of the once ‘man and woman only’tradition as laid out by the bible, then surely incest should not be frowned upon by the church. In the bible it states Eve was created from the rib of Adam and while I’m not quite sure what this relationship constitutes as, the faith of humanity rested on them pro-creating. Adam and Eve did just this having 3 kids then “other sons and daughters”. We are then told that Adam lived for 930 years.

I put this to the church and you, as readers, if this is all there was on the earth, are we not all product of an act of incest? Or many acts, as it were, with the children of Adam and Eve all pro-creating amongst one another. Yet such a relationship is frowned upon in our society and by the Catholic church today? Adam living 930 years does not clear up this mess, in case anyone had jumped to this conclusion, because any woman he was to meet, if it wasn't Eve, it was a child, grandchild or great-grandchild of his. The only way, by following the bibles teachings, that no such incest occurred, is if Adam and Eve are still alive now and are the only ones having children.

My point is this, if the Catholic Church are so set on the teachings of the Bible shaping the world in which we live now and are in no way in favour of reform, then why do we detest incest of any sort and why is this a punishable sin, after all, it is how we were all created.

No person should be punished for loving a member of the same sex or opposite sex. Everyone is entitled to love someone.

LOVE

 

noun

1.

a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.

2.

a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend.

3.

sexual passion or desire.

4.

a person toward whom love is felt; beloved person; sweetheart.

5.

(used in direct address as a term of endearment, affection, or the like): Would you like to see a movie, love?

This is the definition most of us have of love. Is the entire point of marriage not to celebrate this emphatic feeling we have for another person, that goes beyond the connection of a family member - into an emotion of passion, depth, desire and respect?

I am, in these times, ashamed to say that I as a catholic, once accepted the Holy bread and that I confirmed my faith, because I see now that I have done nothing but pledge an allegiance to a group that intend on viewing nothing through the eyes of others, that will not admit that they are wrong, and will not allow others the right to believe what was thought to them, and celebrate the love they have for someone at the same time.

If you believe in fairness and equality for those who wish to do no more then solidify their commitment to each other, then stand for the cause and do not be manipulated!

#EqualLove

It's Weezy F Baby, and the F is For Finally in Dublin!!

  It's official!! Tunechi is hitting Dublin in March of 2013!! It was inevitable really that another European tour was on the cards for the New Orleans star with his last being in 2009, but after cancelling his Cork gig not too long ago it was widely felt Ireland would be bypassed but not by this Young Money fan!! With the gigantic crowd pulled out by both, Drake and Nicki Minaj respectively this year, there was a concrete reason for Dwayne Michael Carter J.r. to add us to his list!
A lot of rumours circulated regarding the cancellation of the gig in the Marquee in 2011 like he wasn't gonna sell out so he didn't want to play here, he'd never heard of Cork, the U.K banned his entry as a result of his convictions... Whatever the reason, he's going ahead with this one and we can be sure of one thing if anything, this will be an concert of epic proportions!!

Weezy is making Dublin the jump off point for his European tour as Drizzy did with his Club Paradise tour, and it is thought that his album I Am Not A Human Being 2 will be released before the tour and that it will feature heavily in the set list!! Personally as long as I see him perform I will be a happy man! I have waited for this for a long time (mainly since the release of The Carter III) and so you'll forgive my over-excitedness when I say that, next to seeing Calvin Harris live from the VIP area at a small gig in Dublin in 2011, this has the potential already to be a one of the best nights out I'll ever be on!!

Wayne may have a lot of haters in Ireland but I am certain that he will get an AMAZING reception as his Young Money colleagues did. I for one will be screaming every lyric straight back at him, while covered head to toe in YMCMB merchandise!!

Speaking about his tour, Wayne said:

"You can't compare any other artist out there to me.They are them, I am me. Nobody can do what I do. I am the best at what I do and that's everything".

Still modest as ever is the man with a tattoo that reads "I Am Music" above his right eye!

 Tickets are roughly €48.00 from ticketmaster and go on sale at 8am on Friday 7/12/2012 or 12/7/2012 for any readers across the pond in Weezy's home country!!

Budget day... Will They Cut Their Own Expenses for Next Year??

 

Ah Summer, the time of year that usually cheers everyone right up! Unless of course you’re Irish and live in Ireland in which case, you probably feel hard done by every summer watching preppy little Californians on TV, enjoying their sun and cocktails and thriving economy while the hail stones crash against your window, bringing on your new condition – Seasonal Associated Depression. In Ireland we get winter combined with a little Autumn, and the off chance of bit of Spring - all year, until December. Then it’s just winter. Along with this delightful climate, we have a sprinkle of debt, not that you’d know judging from some of the deputies’ Summer spendings!!!!

In just 3 months, 26 of them claimed over €5,000 EACH and only 2 out of 226 claimed nothing. A tip of the hat, a clap of the hands and a stomp of my bloggerboot to those two! However the rest didn’t follow suit, oh no, in fact they managed to rack up a whopping €750,000+ in expenses!!
This most definitely warranted a little investigation, so I did just that and here’s a few little nuggets of knowlegde for you all for the next time they come knocking for votes:

• Deputies can avail of two different expenses rates:
  1) Unvouched expenses – up to €15,000 with no questions asked
  2) Vouched expenses – up to €25,000 provided receipts can be presented if/when asked
• Depending on the distance of your home from the houses of the Oireachtas, the allowance granted for travel and accomodation ranges from €12,000 – €37,850 (which is paid MONTHLY!!!!!!)

By my rough calculations (aka I didn’t bother grabbing my abacus during my rage for fear i might snap it), depending on where you choose to reside, you could claim over €60,000 per/month before you’re salary is added!! Wow!!
What else are they wasting money on?

• Receptionists in State offices earn an extra €34 per week just to stamp outgoing mail. That’s €1,768 per receptionist, per year!
• €65 per civil servant, per year - for shoes!!!!
• Staff ar Chester Beatty Library are given a box making allowance – yeah I know – of up to €20 per box
• HSA receptionists get an additional €2,400 to ensure that phones are answered 9 – 5, monday – friday. I’m sorry but, that’s their job! Why are they rewarded extras from the tax payers money for doing what they were employed to do? Workers in McDonalds don’t get a cent extra for ensuring the burger is flipped, or for serving snot-nosed little children 50-100 times per day!!

All of this and they still want to make cuts to things like the health service, the education system, social welfare, child benefits, student grants and so much more!! These are things on which so many families depend. Yes, some have abused and manipulated the systems but I think I have proved that so too have those in charge of the country in using the tax payers’ money to pay for their holiday, their car, or their iPhone, or whatever else they claimed for!
Lead by example lads. A case of do as I say and not as I do, simply doesn’t suffice here. Buck up, or get out. Give the people back their money and their country!
Democracy? I think not. Collins and his men would be turning in their graves at the thought of the men and women running the country they died for.

Welcome To My New Blog

In short, I had a blog, wasn't too happy with it so I moved out and i live here now. I'm just settling in so i'll do my painting and decorating over the next few days and i'll get down to the furnishing once i know my way around the area.

I'm a communications student in NUI Galway at the mo, and my biggest passions are writing and TV and admittedly i have a soft spot for radio too! But keep that between us because I slated it in my first year of college and refused to admit i liked it in my second year, even though everyone knew i did!!
I'm in my third year of the course which is my intern year and i have to say its very very interesting! I'm learning a lot and my thesis folder is already growing for next year which gives me some peace of mind about my final year! I'm interning in the Broadcasting Policy Division of the Department of Communications! Its really interesting work and i'm working with a lot of things that my course is based upon but from a very different angle!

 Ever since i was a kid i've had a strange fascination with writing and have been doing it since i could string sentences together. I'm a sucker for imagery!! Create a picture with your words and you have me as a reader for as long as you're writing! Also a big love of mine in writing is controversy, can't beat a good debate and if you can spark that in people you'll always have those who love your work, and even those who just love to hate it.
Some writers I admire are Kevin Myers (Journalist - Irish Independent) Paul Williams (Crime Journalist, investigative journalist, writer - The Sun) John Keats (Poet 1795 - 1821), Paul Howard (Author - The Ross O'Corroll-Kelly saga, The Hostage, and my favourite book of all time, The Joy), and so so so many more writers!

I also have a great deal of respect for the work of the late Veronica Guerrin! (Discussion of her work and her all-too-short life will feature as part of this blog in the future)

Don't get too turned off though, i'm not always serious! In fact, a lot of my blog will include, short stories, reviews, rants and just comments on life - the good and bad.

I hope you all enjoy reading and dont be afraid to comment. Give out to me if you feel its warranted, laugh if you find me funny.. just have a say in it all! After all, i write to be read not JUST to satisfy my own boredom! I do get bored a lot though!
I know she's mostly watched by girls, but i'm aiming for my blog to be Jenna Marbles-esque, in writing, because i just do not have the cojones to get on camera for this stuff...YET!!

Enjoy, and above all else gimme feedback! I need it to live!!!