Oh dear. There are only a few places left where we can still be free from the aural nuisance of banal ringtones and inane, one-sided chit chat. Soon, even when we're zipping high above the clouds we'll have to tolerate the sounds associated with mobile phone-use up there too.
Pop tunes, rock tunes, R & B (ahem) "classics", and Crazy Frog have gone hand in hand with mobiles for a few years now and they have become part and parcel of everyday life.We love our mobiles. They have become a fixture - along with keys and wallets - of things that people never leave the house without (or curse that we've forgotten if already out).When mobiles became commonplace, comedian Dom Joly made a career out of ridiculing annoying people with his: "Hello? Yeah, I'm on the tube/on the bus/in a library.." sketch.Obviously, mobiles are dead handy but they can be even more infuriating. Well, it's not so much the phones that are annoying as people who use them when you'd rather they didn't.Some people deem themselves so important that they can't go and watch a movie at the cinema without being uncontactable for a couple of hours. The darkness of the movie theatre is often pierced by a series of mini-screens lighting up and distracting film fans from the big screen. But at least they have enough cop-on to put their phones on silent.Even at Mass it isn't surprising to hear a phone go off. The echoey sound of a ringtone in church is usually followed by a panicky-looking lady fumbling frantically in a handbag for a few seconds - or what must feel like hours to her - before the phone is silenced. It's hard not to feel sorry for them.And now another, and perhaps the final, haven of previous tranquility will soon be invaded and opened up to the chattering masses.Aer Lingus has said it plans to permit the use of mobiles on its planes in the future. Ryanair has said it will test mobile phone technology in June on 20 of its planes.Peter Sherrard, head of communications with Ryanair, said: "By June this year, passengers will be able to use their own mobile phones and we'll be encouraging them to make calls to their hearts' content."P
assengers should bear in mind that Ryanair aircraft have never been quiet places. We are constantly selling food, drink, perfumes and scratchcards, and we will be encouraging people to talk, text and talk."InterfereCurrently, mobile phone use is prohibited because there is evidence that they interfere with onboard communication and navigation systems. New technology has been designed which will allow mobile phones to work safely and effectively 3,000metres above sea level. Thank God for progress, eh?Ah well, there will be little hope of closing your eyes for a wee on-board doze in future when sounds of vibrations, text alerts, and ring tones fill the jet.Ryanair and Aer Lingus are simply giving customers what they want, and you can't blame them for that, but I don't understand the customers who would want mobile-use permitted on planes.It just seems a tad unnecessary.
For the sake of an hour or two and some peace and quiet, surely we could all do without.Even in the case of emergencies, once you’re thousands of feet up in the air there’s bugger all you can do until the plane has landed.I like to close my eyes on planes - especially during the taking off and landing bit - as it means I’m less likely to freak out and imagine some horrible, hellish death. Last week, I was on a flight which had to be re-routed from its intended destination of Derry to Belfast due to extreme weather conditions.
It was a bumpy enough ride and the plane attempted to land in Derry but was forced back up above the clouds again due to high winds, hail and snow. After ten minutes spent circling Eglinton, passengers were informed that the plane would be travelling to Belfast to land.I closed my eyes, thought ‘happy thoughts’ and did a sterling job in completely ignoring what was going on. I don’t fancy my chances of doing that in future when some goon sitting beside me decides to phone his buddy and shout: “Hello? Yeah, I’m on the plane!! It’s REALLY bumpy. We tried to land but the pilot said it’s far too dangerous. Wait a second, the fella beside me has started crying. What a loser! Hold on, I’ll take a picture of him on my phone and text it to you.”But, honestly, the possibility of that happening isn’t the real reason I don’t want to see mobiles on-board. I just hate annoying ring tones, ok?
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
When ignorance isn't bliss. 4th April 2008
We have all seen the horrendous adverts from the comfort of the sofa and they have obviously had a huge impact. If you've seen them before, it may even be necessary to grab the remote as quickly as possible and hold your breath until you've found another station.
The graphic images that pop up every now and then of untimely deaths, paralysis, brain trauma etc mean that only complete morons still believe that being drunk behind the wheel is an OK thing to do.There are anti-binge drinking adverts which state: "You don't have to be drunk to be doing real damage" and that ethos carries over to drink driving too. There is a degree of naivety regarding what is safe to drink when you are planning to get behind the wheel and safety campaigners are now appealing to the '1 - 3 pint' drivers.The PSNI arrested 69 drink-drivers over the Easter weekend. That figure is down from last year's 85 arrestsDavid Lyle, of Lyle Bailie International - which makes anti-drink drive ads - said the arrests were evidence that "the message is getting through".He said: "There has been a complete culture change in Northern Ireland over the past few years. I am delighted that the police have caught 69 people and that they are going to be put through the courts. It is important that people understand that if they drink and drive they are going to be caught."Nine out of 10 people in Northern Ireland believe that drink-driving is extremely shaming - so one out of 10 people don't."There is still this minority of nutters and that is why the police have to keep going to catch them."Some people are still unaware of what can happen if you are caught drink driving. I was until I started attending court on as part of my job here at the 'Journal'. There is a belief, which has no grounding in reality, that people will get away with it as long as they don't kill or maim someone. They can convince themselves that 'the worst case scenario' of killing som
eone is so unlikely that it will never happen to them.We are brilliant at deceiving ourselves - "Sure, I'm only up the road. I can drive home in two minutes" or "I only had a couple of pints with my lunch, the cops aren't gonna breathalyse me at two o'clock in the afternoon!"There may be a sneaky, attraction in the minds of some drivers to the belief that they are "getting away" with something - that if their exploits go unpunished or un-noticed, they have gained a small victory. But it's a very dangerous game to play.The problem is, there is no failsafe guide as to how to stay under the legal alcohol limit or how much you can drink and still drive safely.It depends on your weight, sex, age, metabolism, stress levels, an empty stomach and the amount and type of alcohol.Even if you are sober, those two or three pints can have an enormously negative impact on your life.
You don’t even need to crash into anything to feel the effects in months and years to come!The convenience of taking the car pales into insignificance when the reality of a drink drive conviction hits home.If you are caught, breathalysed and found to be over the legal limit the maximum penalty is 6 months imprisonment, or a fine of £5,000 or both, and you will be banned from driving for at least 12 months.The silly little things that drivers take for granted will be out the window - picking up the kids from school, nipping to the shops at the last minute, and if your job requires you to drive...then you can start looking for new employment.Unless you’re financially very well-off, you can forget about driving for quite some time after your ban has been lifted. You’ll have to do your test all over again and your new insurance fees will look remarkably similar to the GDP of a small African nation. And you won’t even have had to hit anything. It’s a terrifying prospect, but that’s the best it gets.If your drink driving c
auses death or grievous bodily injury, the maximum penalty is 14 years imprisonment and you’ll be banned from driving for at least 2 years. Think about that - fourteen years. In prison - for fourteen years, for the sake of a couple of jars.That’s a horrifying prospect and doesn’t even factor in the emotional trauma that your actions will inflict on you, your family, and your victim’s family.The law is the same for drug driving - the driver is taking the same risks if he/she substitute those pints for a spliff or two. It’s a horrible thought to have to try and comprehend and I was blissfully unaware until recently. Ignorance, in this case, is definitely not bliss.
The graphic images that pop up every now and then of untimely deaths, paralysis, brain trauma etc mean that only complete morons still believe that being drunk behind the wheel is an OK thing to do.There are anti-binge drinking adverts which state: "You don't have to be drunk to be doing real damage" and that ethos carries over to drink driving too. There is a degree of naivety regarding what is safe to drink when you are planning to get behind the wheel and safety campaigners are now appealing to the '1 - 3 pint' drivers.The PSNI arrested 69 drink-drivers over the Easter weekend. That figure is down from last year's 85 arrestsDavid Lyle, of Lyle Bailie International - which makes anti-drink drive ads - said the arrests were evidence that "the message is getting through".He said: "There has been a complete culture change in Northern Ireland over the past few years. I am delighted that the police have caught 69 people and that they are going to be put through the courts. It is important that people understand that if they drink and drive they are going to be caught."Nine out of 10 people in Northern Ireland believe that drink-driving is extremely shaming - so one out of 10 people don't."There is still this minority of nutters and that is why the police have to keep going to catch them."Some people are still unaware of what can happen if you are caught drink driving. I was until I started attending court on as part of my job here at the 'Journal'. There is a belief, which has no grounding in reality, that people will get away with it as long as they don't kill or maim someone. They can convince themselves that 'the worst case scenario' of killing som
eone is so unlikely that it will never happen to them.We are brilliant at deceiving ourselves - "Sure, I'm only up the road. I can drive home in two minutes" or "I only had a couple of pints with my lunch, the cops aren't gonna breathalyse me at two o'clock in the afternoon!"There may be a sneaky, attraction in the minds of some drivers to the belief that they are "getting away" with something - that if their exploits go unpunished or un-noticed, they have gained a small victory. But it's a very dangerous game to play.The problem is, there is no failsafe guide as to how to stay under the legal alcohol limit or how much you can drink and still drive safely.It depends on your weight, sex, age, metabolism, stress levels, an empty stomach and the amount and type of alcohol.Even if you are sober, those two or three pints can have an enormously negative impact on your life.
You don’t even need to crash into anything to feel the effects in months and years to come!The convenience of taking the car pales into insignificance when the reality of a drink drive conviction hits home.If you are caught, breathalysed and found to be over the legal limit the maximum penalty is 6 months imprisonment, or a fine of £5,000 or both, and you will be banned from driving for at least 12 months.The silly little things that drivers take for granted will be out the window - picking up the kids from school, nipping to the shops at the last minute, and if your job requires you to drive...then you can start looking for new employment.Unless you’re financially very well-off, you can forget about driving for quite some time after your ban has been lifted. You’ll have to do your test all over again and your new insurance fees will look remarkably similar to the GDP of a small African nation. And you won’t even have had to hit anything. It’s a terrifying prospect, but that’s the best it gets.If your drink driving c
auses death or grievous bodily injury, the maximum penalty is 14 years imprisonment and you’ll be banned from driving for at least 2 years. Think about that - fourteen years. In prison - for fourteen years, for the sake of a couple of jars.That’s a horrifying prospect and doesn’t even factor in the emotional trauma that your actions will inflict on you, your family, and your victim’s family.The law is the same for drug driving - the driver is taking the same risks if he/she substitute those pints for a spliff or two. It’s a horrible thought to have to try and comprehend and I was blissfully unaware until recently. Ignorance, in this case, is definitely not bliss.
If the Beer's in... 28th March 2008
There is no such thing as bad publicity. It's a cliché which has been proved true, time and time again. Despite the phrase's fame, its message seems to have been lost on the members of Derry's Civic Alcohol Forum.
Once again, the CAF has JD Wetherspoon in its sights and, once again, the CAF has only succeeded in promoting the pub chain's two local establishments.Twice in the last month members of the CAF have had a go at 'Spoons' for, allegedly, encouraging binge drinking in Derry. And twice, in the last month, the forum has given the pubs a series of headlines. Headlines the pubs would never have garnered, had the CAF not launched their attacks.The first attack was in relation to the 'Respect the Shamrock, Respect Yourself' initiative in the build-up to St Patrick's Day. Wetherspoon's representatives were barred from attending the launch and the chair of Derry Vintners Association Les Doherty said: "Some of the big hitters from Wetherspoons had flown in and when they arrived they were told that they would be very welcome the second we got the sense that they are ready to be responsible retailers."That ill-advised comment made it easy for Wetherspoon's to take the moral high ground, and use adjectives such as "small minded" and "churlish" when describing the decision to bar them from entry.In Derry, Wetherspoon's no longer even needs to advertise - they can simply wait until the CAF has a go at them and then use their 'right to reply' to advertise whatever promotions or deals they want.The CAF are probably well-meaning but drinkers in Derry do not want, or need, them to act as our moral compass. We can make up our own minds 'where', 'when' and 'how much' we drink, thank you very much.Wetherspoon's latest venture in town is its plans for a 19-day beer festival at its pubs in the Diamond and the Strand Road.The festival will feature cask-conditioned ales from around the world for sale from £1.29 a pint and a company spokesman insisted the festival would not encourage binge drinking.When speaking to the 'Journal', he said: "This is an event for people to enjoy and will offer cask conditioned ales not normally available in Derry. We are not encouraging people to mix their drinks and we are definitely not encouraging people to drink more."'Exorbitant prices'The Wetherspoon's spokesman said the CAF should be questioning why the average price of a pint in the city is £2.60."We believe that £1.29 is a reasonable price for a pint", he added. "You have to wonder why the average price of a pint in Derry is £2.60."That seems an exorbitant price to charge a pensioner looking for a quiet pint. If they can get a decent beer for £1.29, then why should they not be allowed to?"It's a perfectly fine argument which hints that the other establishments are ripping off the punters in Derry by charging too much for drinks. It also makes Derry vintners appear unable to cope with the competition from the pub chain.Instead of attacking Wetherspoon's and - by association - its customers, it might have been a better move for Derry vintners to say: "Here, we are smaller than Wetherspoon's and need to charge a bit more for drinks. If you drink in our establishments you will be supporting your local community and helping local businesses. Otherwise, we may have to close our doors." People in Derry are a rational and reasonable bunch and would be more receptive to such an approach. We don't respond well to being told where, or where not, to go.The 'Beer Festival' has been described as "irresponsible" by CAF member Helen Quigley.Colr Quigley said: "Once again Wetherspoon's is flying in the face of what the city is trying to do in addressing the whole issue of over consumption of alcohol by people of all ages."By selling pints for as little
as £1.29, they are offering drinks greatly below the normal price of £2.60 a pint. I would also question the health effects of encouraging people to mix their drinks. No matter what way you dress it up, it is going to lead to people drinking more."Well, frankly, it's not going to lead to me drinking more. There is already a tendency for a minority of people to drink as much as they possibly can on a Saturday night before unconsciousness, sickness or the police intervene. I don't think the Beer Festival will affect that minority one way or another.I would be greatly surprised if police figures for alcohol-related crime changed significantly over the 19-day period.Darren Niven, manager of The Diamond pub, said the festival would allow people in the city to try beers not normally available. That's only if we want to. Punters will not have their minds made up for them by the CAF.
Once again, the CAF has JD Wetherspoon in its sights and, once again, the CAF has only succeeded in promoting the pub chain's two local establishments.Twice in the last month members of the CAF have had a go at 'Spoons' for, allegedly, encouraging binge drinking in Derry. And twice, in the last month, the forum has given the pubs a series of headlines. Headlines the pubs would never have garnered, had the CAF not launched their attacks.The first attack was in relation to the 'Respect the Shamrock, Respect Yourself' initiative in the build-up to St Patrick's Day. Wetherspoon's representatives were barred from attending the launch and the chair of Derry Vintners Association Les Doherty said: "Some of the big hitters from Wetherspoons had flown in and when they arrived they were told that they would be very welcome the second we got the sense that they are ready to be responsible retailers."That ill-advised comment made it easy for Wetherspoon's to take the moral high ground, and use adjectives such as "small minded" and "churlish" when describing the decision to bar them from entry.In Derry, Wetherspoon's no longer even needs to advertise - they can simply wait until the CAF has a go at them and then use their 'right to reply' to advertise whatever promotions or deals they want.The CAF are probably well-meaning but drinkers in Derry do not want, or need, them to act as our moral compass. We can make up our own minds 'where', 'when' and 'how much' we drink, thank you very much.Wetherspoon's latest venture in town is its plans for a 19-day beer festival at its pubs in the Diamond and the Strand Road.The festival will feature cask-conditioned ales from around the world for sale from £1.29 a pint and a company spokesman insisted the festival would not encourage binge drinking.When speaking to the 'Journal', he said: "This is an event for people to enjoy and will offer cask conditioned ales not normally available in Derry. We are not encouraging people to mix their drinks and we are definitely not encouraging people to drink more."'Exorbitant prices'The Wetherspoon's spokesman said the CAF should be questioning why the average price of a pint in the city is £2.60."We believe that £1.29 is a reasonable price for a pint", he added. "You have to wonder why the average price of a pint in Derry is £2.60."That seems an exorbitant price to charge a pensioner looking for a quiet pint. If they can get a decent beer for £1.29, then why should they not be allowed to?"It's a perfectly fine argument which hints that the other establishments are ripping off the punters in Derry by charging too much for drinks. It also makes Derry vintners appear unable to cope with the competition from the pub chain.Instead of attacking Wetherspoon's and - by association - its customers, it might have been a better move for Derry vintners to say: "Here, we are smaller than Wetherspoon's and need to charge a bit more for drinks. If you drink in our establishments you will be supporting your local community and helping local businesses. Otherwise, we may have to close our doors." People in Derry are a rational and reasonable bunch and would be more receptive to such an approach. We don't respond well to being told where, or where not, to go.The 'Beer Festival' has been described as "irresponsible" by CAF member Helen Quigley.Colr Quigley said: "Once again Wetherspoon's is flying in the face of what the city is trying to do in addressing the whole issue of over consumption of alcohol by people of all ages."By selling pints for as little
as £1.29, they are offering drinks greatly below the normal price of £2.60 a pint. I would also question the health effects of encouraging people to mix their drinks. No matter what way you dress it up, it is going to lead to people drinking more."Well, frankly, it's not going to lead to me drinking more. There is already a tendency for a minority of people to drink as much as they possibly can on a Saturday night before unconsciousness, sickness or the police intervene. I don't think the Beer Festival will affect that minority one way or another.I would be greatly surprised if police figures for alcohol-related crime changed significantly over the 19-day period.Darren Niven, manager of The Diamond pub, said the festival would allow people in the city to try beers not normally available. That's only if we want to. Punters will not have their minds made up for them by the CAF.
Try colours other than green white and orange?You're having a laugh. 21st March 2008
There must be some ancient, tribal law which states that Irish people are duty bound to be off work on March 17.
Buried deep in the Book of Kells or as a footnote in the constitution, our forefathers must have had the good sense to stick it in somewhere. Alas, it has yet to be discovered and so we were in the office on Monday afternoon as the celebrations began in earnest in the city centre.By all reports, the day itself passed off without major incident. From the photographs it appeared that a good time was had by all those who took to the streets.It was a glorious day weather-wise and Derry was awash with many colours including, of course, green white and orange.I said "of course" because those three colours - in that order - are synonymous throughout the world with Ireland and St Patrick's Day. Or so I thought.Despite images being beamed here from London, Sydney, Hong Kong and Mexico with people wrapped in those colours, celebrating the feast of our patron saint and drinking Guinness aplenty, apparently word hasn't reached Limavady yet.I had to chuckle when I read the remarks of DUP Alderman George Robinson on Tuesday. Apparently, the town witnessed a marked increase in the number of tricolours on show in the lead up to St. Patrick's Day and George was baffled.He said he received complaints from the public about "the flag of a foreign country being used during the celebrations for St. Patrick's Day, thereby politicising St. Patrick."These complaints reportedly came from "every part of the community". I find THAT claim baffling, but I digress.George continued: "It is a mystery to me what the connection is between the tricolour and St. Patrick, especially as the flag does not represent or have anything to do with him. Indeed, it is seen by many of those who contacted me as reprehensible to connect the two at all."So, the flag of Ireland in no way represents the patron saint of Ireland. Or vice versa. Got it.As strange as it may seem, George has a point. St Patrick was "n
either born nor reared" in Ireland. The generally held belief is that he was brought here as a slave before escaping back to his homeland. Years later, he returned to these shores and spread the Christian faith. St. Patrick was probably born in France and so to truly celebrate his feast day maybe we should hoist up the 'red, white and blue' of his home country. I bet George would love that.Union JackBut where would it end? Could we reasonably expect the British to ditch the Union Jack in favour of the 'black, red and yellow' of Germany - after all, that's where the Windsors hail from.If we are going to be pedantic and take the debate to its logical conclusion, then we should ditch the tricolour on 'The seventeenth' and fly it on 'The Twelfth' instead. At The Battle of the Boyne an English King was defeated in Drogheda - you can't have much more of a link to Ireland than that.
Surely it would make sense that the Irish flag would be flown in any celebratory commemorations?I recently discovered that William of Orange's elite force - the Dutch Blue Guards - had the papal banner with them on the day itself. Many of the soldiers fighting for King Billy were Dutch Catholics. Perhaps Orangemen should sport a similar banner when they march this Summer.If it all seems preposterous, that’s because it is. I had my tongue firmly in my cheek when suggesting that Orangemen should wave the tricolour and sport a papal banner. It is equally ridiculous to try and deny that the Irish flag is inherently linked with its patron s
aint.Alderman Robinson suggested that the tricolour is being used to politicise St Patrick. That would be hilarious if it wasn’t so tragic. People who celebrated St Patrick’s Day in Moscow, Madrid or Marrakech couldn’t give two hoots about politics here - everybody has their own problems to worry about.The linkIn the same way that ‘red, white and blue’ is inherently linked with the British monarchy, ‘green, white and orange’ is linked with Ireland, Irishness and St Patrick.Around the world, March 17 is an excuse to have a drink and a bit of a laugh. It doesn’t matter if those indulging in the craic are Irish, British or anything else for that matter. People dress up, wear silly hats and lark around. It’s a party - not politics. What’s disappointing is that Alderman Robinson can’t see that. If he did, he may even find it’s a lot of fun - assuming you have the day off work.
Buried deep in the Book of Kells or as a footnote in the constitution, our forefathers must have had the good sense to stick it in somewhere. Alas, it has yet to be discovered and so we were in the office on Monday afternoon as the celebrations began in earnest in the city centre.By all reports, the day itself passed off without major incident. From the photographs it appeared that a good time was had by all those who took to the streets.It was a glorious day weather-wise and Derry was awash with many colours including, of course, green white and orange.I said "of course" because those three colours - in that order - are synonymous throughout the world with Ireland and St Patrick's Day. Or so I thought.Despite images being beamed here from London, Sydney, Hong Kong and Mexico with people wrapped in those colours, celebrating the feast of our patron saint and drinking Guinness aplenty, apparently word hasn't reached Limavady yet.I had to chuckle when I read the remarks of DUP Alderman George Robinson on Tuesday. Apparently, the town witnessed a marked increase in the number of tricolours on show in the lead up to St. Patrick's Day and George was baffled.He said he received complaints from the public about "the flag of a foreign country being used during the celebrations for St. Patrick's Day, thereby politicising St. Patrick."These complaints reportedly came from "every part of the community". I find THAT claim baffling, but I digress.George continued: "It is a mystery to me what the connection is between the tricolour and St. Patrick, especially as the flag does not represent or have anything to do with him. Indeed, it is seen by many of those who contacted me as reprehensible to connect the two at all."So, the flag of Ireland in no way represents the patron saint of Ireland. Or vice versa. Got it.As strange as it may seem, George has a point. St Patrick was "n
either born nor reared" in Ireland. The generally held belief is that he was brought here as a slave before escaping back to his homeland. Years later, he returned to these shores and spread the Christian faith. St. Patrick was probably born in France and so to truly celebrate his feast day maybe we should hoist up the 'red, white and blue' of his home country. I bet George would love that.Union JackBut where would it end? Could we reasonably expect the British to ditch the Union Jack in favour of the 'black, red and yellow' of Germany - after all, that's where the Windsors hail from.If we are going to be pedantic and take the debate to its logical conclusion, then we should ditch the tricolour on 'The seventeenth' and fly it on 'The Twelfth' instead. At The Battle of the Boyne an English King was defeated in Drogheda - you can't have much more of a link to Ireland than that.
Surely it would make sense that the Irish flag would be flown in any celebratory commemorations?I recently discovered that William of Orange's elite force - the Dutch Blue Guards - had the papal banner with them on the day itself. Many of the soldiers fighting for King Billy were Dutch Catholics. Perhaps Orangemen should sport a similar banner when they march this Summer.If it all seems preposterous, that’s because it is. I had my tongue firmly in my cheek when suggesting that Orangemen should wave the tricolour and sport a papal banner. It is equally ridiculous to try and deny that the Irish flag is inherently linked with its patron s
aint.Alderman Robinson suggested that the tricolour is being used to politicise St Patrick. That would be hilarious if it wasn’t so tragic. People who celebrated St Patrick’s Day in Moscow, Madrid or Marrakech couldn’t give two hoots about politics here - everybody has their own problems to worry about.The linkIn the same way that ‘red, white and blue’ is inherently linked with the British monarchy, ‘green, white and orange’ is linked with Ireland, Irishness and St Patrick.Around the world, March 17 is an excuse to have a drink and a bit of a laugh. It doesn’t matter if those indulging in the craic are Irish, British or anything else for that matter. People dress up, wear silly hats and lark around. It’s a party - not politics. What’s disappointing is that Alderman Robinson can’t see that. If he did, he may even find it’s a lot of fun - assuming you have the day off work.
Touts Out! The Billy Connolly saga - 14th March 2008
It took little over three hours until fans walked away, hung up their phone or threw their PCs out the nearest window in abject despair.
Those fortunate enough to bag tickets for Billy Connolly's show at the Millennium Forum will be noticable around town for the air of smugness enveloping them.Those who didn't manage to get sorted for tickets on Monday morning were left frustrated, disappointed and, in many cases, angry.There were complaints that staff at the Millennium Forum let the phones ring off the hook or that they were constantly engaged. Others complained about the website operating ever so slowly and the inability of Connolly enthusiasts to get tickets online.I find it hard to believe that staff at the Forum would simply let phones ring off the hook and that the 'curse of the unanswered phone' was due to staff dealing with customers in person. At least, I hope that was the situation.It is also unfortunate that the Forum's computer system was unable to deal with the sheer volume of traffic during that three hour period. A collegaue of mine was exasperated at the sheer number of times the website froze at the crucial moment - at one stage he even got as far as picking which seats he most wanted, only to be let down again. He toiled all morning - as well as continuing on with his work it must be added - but it was the same story time and time again'Take your oil'None of the above, however, are what annoyed people the most. The people of Derry are well used to coping with, and getting over, disappointment quickly. That is why the phrase 'Take your oil' is so popular. What we deal less well with is being exploited or held to ransom by grubby, little chancers. We can't stick that at all.So, while it's fair to say that those who got up the earliest and queued the longest deserve their tickets, those who gobbled up tickets with the sole intention of selling them on for substantial profit should be strung up.If somebody bought six tickets for family and friends and then somebody drops out, it is fair enough for them to sell on the remaining ticket. Personally, I would sell it on at market price and then hope somebody would have the decency to chuck an
extra tenner in my direction for doing them a favour.If somebody buys twenty or thirty tickets - in full knowledge that they only need a few for family/friends - and then proceed to sell on the surplus 25 at two or three times the market value, then that is pretty despicable.Some might say it's 'fair game', that 'we live in a capitalist society' and, 'if you don't like it then bugger off to communist China'.I'm not anti-capitalism or an overly 'trendy lefty' as I heard it eloquently put once, but those people are simply taking advantage of others' misfortune. And that's really low.The touts aren't using any skill to make their profits - they have neither created anything, nor worked hard at anything but they could soon be rolling in the money.It's a difficult situation to stop because it is now a seller's market and people will want to get their hands on the tickets.
But it would be a wonderful glorious thing if the general public refused to play ball and simply said; “Hold on a second, Connolly hasn’t been particulary funny in years and I already have his ‘Best of’ DVDs. Screw the touts - I’m not going”.A great wit on the ‘Journal’ website left a comment suggesting that you’re better off not going to see the show.He suggests that the Big Yin himself can’t believe that there are still people out there willing to pay money to watch him “mince around in black and give it the bigun about shipyards”.Ah, it’d be fantastic if the little chancers who paid up to £800 in advance for twenty tickets were left with eighteen they couldn’t sell.It would make my year but, unfortunately, I can’t see it happening.
Those fortunate enough to bag tickets for Billy Connolly's show at the Millennium Forum will be noticable around town for the air of smugness enveloping them.Those who didn't manage to get sorted for tickets on Monday morning were left frustrated, disappointed and, in many cases, angry.There were complaints that staff at the Millennium Forum let the phones ring off the hook or that they were constantly engaged. Others complained about the website operating ever so slowly and the inability of Connolly enthusiasts to get tickets online.I find it hard to believe that staff at the Forum would simply let phones ring off the hook and that the 'curse of the unanswered phone' was due to staff dealing with customers in person. At least, I hope that was the situation.It is also unfortunate that the Forum's computer system was unable to deal with the sheer volume of traffic during that three hour period. A collegaue of mine was exasperated at the sheer number of times the website froze at the crucial moment - at one stage he even got as far as picking which seats he most wanted, only to be let down again. He toiled all morning - as well as continuing on with his work it must be added - but it was the same story time and time again'Take your oil'None of the above, however, are what annoyed people the most. The people of Derry are well used to coping with, and getting over, disappointment quickly. That is why the phrase 'Take your oil' is so popular. What we deal less well with is being exploited or held to ransom by grubby, little chancers. We can't stick that at all.So, while it's fair to say that those who got up the earliest and queued the longest deserve their tickets, those who gobbled up tickets with the sole intention of selling them on for substantial profit should be strung up.If somebody bought six tickets for family and friends and then somebody drops out, it is fair enough for them to sell on the remaining ticket. Personally, I would sell it on at market price and then hope somebody would have the decency to chuck an
extra tenner in my direction for doing them a favour.If somebody buys twenty or thirty tickets - in full knowledge that they only need a few for family/friends - and then proceed to sell on the surplus 25 at two or three times the market value, then that is pretty despicable.Some might say it's 'fair game', that 'we live in a capitalist society' and, 'if you don't like it then bugger off to communist China'.I'm not anti-capitalism or an overly 'trendy lefty' as I heard it eloquently put once, but those people are simply taking advantage of others' misfortune. And that's really low.The touts aren't using any skill to make their profits - they have neither created anything, nor worked hard at anything but they could soon be rolling in the money.It's a difficult situation to stop because it is now a seller's market and people will want to get their hands on the tickets.
But it would be a wonderful glorious thing if the general public refused to play ball and simply said; “Hold on a second, Connolly hasn’t been particulary funny in years and I already have his ‘Best of’ DVDs. Screw the touts - I’m not going”.A great wit on the ‘Journal’ website left a comment suggesting that you’re better off not going to see the show.He suggests that the Big Yin himself can’t believe that there are still people out there willing to pay money to watch him “mince around in black and give it the bigun about shipyards”.Ah, it’d be fantastic if the little chancers who paid up to £800 in advance for twenty tickets were left with eighteen they couldn’t sell.It would make my year but, unfortunately, I can’t see it happening.
'You're welcome - as long as you're Irish'. 7th March 2008
Question: What kind of thoughtless scumbag throws three paint bombs at a family's house, just because that family are "foreign"?
Answer: An ignorant, thoughtless scumbag.An ignorant, thoughtless scumbag with no idea, not only of how to behave, but of the hypocrisy of his actions.On Sunday evening, a Romanian family's home in the Nelson Drive estate was attacked by paint bombers. The family have three young toddlers and one of them suffered cuts to his foot when their living room window was smashed.The family also discovered paint smeared across the front door spelling the word 'OUT'. I'm surprised the cretins who carried out the stupefyingly pointless, and dangerous attack, managed to spell 'OUT' correctly. A child could have been killed.Malin Rostas, his wife Elena and their three children were all at home when the attackers struck on Sunday evening.Mr Rostas told the 'Foyle News': "I just saw two guys in black but I didn't see their faces. They broke the windows and the three children were sitting on the sofa by the window when it happened. You can imagine they were terrified. I came out and they ran away. We have had nothing like this happen before, we have just moved here."The Rostas family only arrived in Derry last month to start a new life. What a welcome!? Cead mile failte indeed.Mr Rostas says he will have to think about moving if they are targeted again, and nobody could blame him."I have a few friends round here and they are ok so that is why we came. I got a job here and brought my family over. Derry people seem to be ok but if this happens again we will have to think about leaving. "I just want to know why someone would do this. They know there are children in the house and they shouldn't do this," he said.The Irish people pride themselves on being a jovial, welcoming bunch in whatever part of the world you meet them. We had to be - because we travelled all over the world to find work and raise families. We had to endear ourselves to the people of America, Canada, Australia, Europe, Africa, and beyond because we landed on their shores looking to thrive and prosper. IntegrateWe needed
to integrate into their societies in order to survive and they way we did it was by being nice, charming and jocular. It became a stereotype which is still prevalent today: "Ah, to be sure, to be sure - the craic'll be mighty so it will" etc etc.It is a pleasure to travel to other parts of the world as an Irish man because, for the most part, we are treated with affection and kindness. The same cannot be said of the English because they have a history spiked with imperialism and colonialism.If the poisonous seed of racism is allowed to take root here then we could soon be heading down the same road and our good name will be destroyed.As the Irish economy has been flourishing in the last decade it is no wonder that more and more people want to come here to live.Our ancestors left these shores and headed West to the Americas where there were no taxes nor tithes to pay.
How can we blame others for following suit a century or two later?Irish Americans number over 44 million, making them the second largest ethnic group in the country after German Americans.You would be hard pushed to find any country in the world that doesn’t have at least one Irish pub. Scratch that, you’d be hard pushed to find any CITY in the world that doesn’t have a Wild Rover, Blarney Stone, or - most likely - an O’Neill’s stuck away in some corner.Local politicians and clergy are falling over themselves to condemn the Nelson Drive attack but that isn’t going to stop a similar attack happening again.Righ Rev Ken Good, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, said the actions of the attackers did not reflect what the majority of people think. He said: “Our
hearts go out to the Rostas family today. The citizens of this city want to assure this Romanian family that they are very welcome among us and that we deplore the attack on their home.”I hope he’s right, but I’m not entirely convinced. What we need is to educate children on ‘who they are’ and ‘where they came from’ - a society from which many had to leave, and go to a foreign country in order to survive.ActionWaterside Sinn Féin Councillor Lynn Fleming said: “The issue of hate crimes covering racism and sectarianism, is one of the major challenges facing our society today.” That’s all well and good but action is required - not political hyperbole.The most basic lesson of how to be a decent human being is all that needs to be remembered: treat others as you’d like them to treat you. It’s not rocket science and we, as Irish people, should never be allowed to forget it.
Answer: An ignorant, thoughtless scumbag.An ignorant, thoughtless scumbag with no idea, not only of how to behave, but of the hypocrisy of his actions.On Sunday evening, a Romanian family's home in the Nelson Drive estate was attacked by paint bombers. The family have three young toddlers and one of them suffered cuts to his foot when their living room window was smashed.The family also discovered paint smeared across the front door spelling the word 'OUT'. I'm surprised the cretins who carried out the stupefyingly pointless, and dangerous attack, managed to spell 'OUT' correctly. A child could have been killed.Malin Rostas, his wife Elena and their three children were all at home when the attackers struck on Sunday evening.Mr Rostas told the 'Foyle News': "I just saw two guys in black but I didn't see their faces. They broke the windows and the three children were sitting on the sofa by the window when it happened. You can imagine they were terrified. I came out and they ran away. We have had nothing like this happen before, we have just moved here."The Rostas family only arrived in Derry last month to start a new life. What a welcome!? Cead mile failte indeed.Mr Rostas says he will have to think about moving if they are targeted again, and nobody could blame him."I have a few friends round here and they are ok so that is why we came. I got a job here and brought my family over. Derry people seem to be ok but if this happens again we will have to think about leaving. "I just want to know why someone would do this. They know there are children in the house and they shouldn't do this," he said.The Irish people pride themselves on being a jovial, welcoming bunch in whatever part of the world you meet them. We had to be - because we travelled all over the world to find work and raise families. We had to endear ourselves to the people of America, Canada, Australia, Europe, Africa, and beyond because we landed on their shores looking to thrive and prosper. IntegrateWe needed
to integrate into their societies in order to survive and they way we did it was by being nice, charming and jocular. It became a stereotype which is still prevalent today: "Ah, to be sure, to be sure - the craic'll be mighty so it will" etc etc.It is a pleasure to travel to other parts of the world as an Irish man because, for the most part, we are treated with affection and kindness. The same cannot be said of the English because they have a history spiked with imperialism and colonialism.If the poisonous seed of racism is allowed to take root here then we could soon be heading down the same road and our good name will be destroyed.As the Irish economy has been flourishing in the last decade it is no wonder that more and more people want to come here to live.Our ancestors left these shores and headed West to the Americas where there were no taxes nor tithes to pay.
How can we blame others for following suit a century or two later?Irish Americans number over 44 million, making them the second largest ethnic group in the country after German Americans.You would be hard pushed to find any country in the world that doesn’t have at least one Irish pub. Scratch that, you’d be hard pushed to find any CITY in the world that doesn’t have a Wild Rover, Blarney Stone, or - most likely - an O’Neill’s stuck away in some corner.Local politicians and clergy are falling over themselves to condemn the Nelson Drive attack but that isn’t going to stop a similar attack happening again.Righ Rev Ken Good, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, said the actions of the attackers did not reflect what the majority of people think. He said: “Our
hearts go out to the Rostas family today. The citizens of this city want to assure this Romanian family that they are very welcome among us and that we deplore the attack on their home.”I hope he’s right, but I’m not entirely convinced. What we need is to educate children on ‘who they are’ and ‘where they came from’ - a society from which many had to leave, and go to a foreign country in order to survive.ActionWaterside Sinn Féin Councillor Lynn Fleming said: “The issue of hate crimes covering racism and sectarianism, is one of the major challenges facing our society today.” That’s all well and good but action is required - not political hyperbole.The most basic lesson of how to be a decent human being is all that needs to be remembered: treat others as you’d like them to treat you. It’s not rocket science and we, as Irish people, should never be allowed to forget it.
Derry brain drain in full flow. 29th February 2008
The floodgates have opened and the Derry brain-drain is in full flow.
More and more young, talented and bright folk are packing their bags for excitement and wonder, but less and less are coming back for good.This week, a number of my friends are preparing for life away from the banks of the Foyle. I thought the strange gravitational pull that seems to draw Derry-heads homeward would maintain its grip over us. Not so, it seems. For some, it's not a grip - more of a stranglehold that needs to be escaped from.It's normal for young men and women to seek adventure away from their home town - whether that's trekking in South America, studying abroad, teaching English as a foreign language, living in Australia for a year, or "doing" Thailand and other parts of South East Asia.The idea (for the boys) is to get drunk on foreign beers, meet exotic women, and party all-night in different timezones - stumbling onto a make-shift bed/finding a space on the floor at six o'clock in the morning and slurring the words: 'Everybody at home is at work 'cos it's half three on Monday afternoon back there - Ha! Losers!"That's the same for some of the girls; for others it's more of a spiritual awakening/finding yourself melarkey which I don't think anybody really understands.When that's done, dusted and out of your system the next step, I thought, was to come home, settle down and carry on as before.In my own direct circle of friends, I have found, sadly, that this isn't the case. Quite a number of our group went off to explore, discover and sample the delights of the far-flung corners of the earth.Unfortunately, many have found that the only things keeping them in Derry when they return home are friends and family. Limited prospects, career-opportunities, and chances of making serious money mean they are forced to move on again.Already, in the first couple of months of 2008, the times they are a changing. In our group alone, one has just landed a really decent career-type job in Belfast. Derry visits will be strictly limited to weekends. Another chap is following a girl to New Zealand for, at least, a year and another has just returned from three months in Australia to announce he's going back there 'to live' as soon as possible,One couple is upping sticks and moving to Manchester to start a new life in the next fortnight and another couple, currently residing in Australia, have postponed their comeback. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was postponed at least one more time in the near future.This week, Sinn Fein's Martina Anderson insisted that more must be done to give Derry's young people the opportunity to make a life for themselves in Derry. She said: "No-one can deny that the young people of this city have been failed by decades of neglect and under-investment. Now is the time to act. There is a massive amount of planned investment for Derry in the coming years and we must ensure that it is used to its maximum potential to transform this city into the kind of place where our young people can build a future and where investors will want to locate and create high-quality employment."It is already too late for my generation. The fact remains that, for real differences to happen, it will take at least ten or fifteen years. By that time we will have hit (or be extremely close to hitting) 40. Most will be in fulltime work with a couple of kids running around - whether or not that life is happening in Derry is less than certain. There will be a new generation of 20-somethings having to decide whether or not Derry is where they want to remain.But at least the right noises are being made and it sounds hopeful for the future. Something has to be done because the status quo is driv
ing people away.Derry musician 'Wile Man' articulated the frustrations felt by many of our age group when he spoke to the 'Journal' in recent months. He said: "We have the highest exam results in the North which is among the highest in Europe yet our young people can't stay here unless they want to work in call centres. In terms of employment, what is there in Derry for the smart Derry man? We constantly sell ourselves short. Our hard work only serves to improve towns like Liverpool, Manchester and London."That's both annoying and true. You can't blame people for wanting to go on to bigger and better things but it's a Catch-22 situation. The people who are leaving Derry are the very ones we need to stay to affect real change. It's crucial we find a way to convince the next generation that Derry is a place worth staying in, because the battle seems to have been lost this time round.
More and more young, talented and bright folk are packing their bags for excitement and wonder, but less and less are coming back for good.This week, a number of my friends are preparing for life away from the banks of the Foyle. I thought the strange gravitational pull that seems to draw Derry-heads homeward would maintain its grip over us. Not so, it seems. For some, it's not a grip - more of a stranglehold that needs to be escaped from.It's normal for young men and women to seek adventure away from their home town - whether that's trekking in South America, studying abroad, teaching English as a foreign language, living in Australia for a year, or "doing" Thailand and other parts of South East Asia.The idea (for the boys) is to get drunk on foreign beers, meet exotic women, and party all-night in different timezones - stumbling onto a make-shift bed/finding a space on the floor at six o'clock in the morning and slurring the words: 'Everybody at home is at work 'cos it's half three on Monday afternoon back there - Ha! Losers!"That's the same for some of the girls; for others it's more of a spiritual awakening/finding yourself melarkey which I don't think anybody really understands.When that's done, dusted and out of your system the next step, I thought, was to come home, settle down and carry on as before.In my own direct circle of friends, I have found, sadly, that this isn't the case. Quite a number of our group went off to explore, discover and sample the delights of the far-flung corners of the earth.Unfortunately, many have found that the only things keeping them in Derry when they return home are friends and family. Limited prospects, career-opportunities, and chances of making serious money mean they are forced to move on again.Already, in the first couple of months of 2008, the times they are a changing. In our group alone, one has just landed a really decent career-type job in Belfast. Derry visits will be strictly limited to weekends. Another chap is following a girl to New Zealand for, at least, a year and another has just returned from three months in Australia to announce he's going back there 'to live' as soon as possible,One couple is upping sticks and moving to Manchester to start a new life in the next fortnight and another couple, currently residing in Australia, have postponed their comeback. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was postponed at least one more time in the near future.This week, Sinn Fein's Martina Anderson insisted that more must be done to give Derry's young people the opportunity to make a life for themselves in Derry. She said: "No-one can deny that the young people of this city have been failed by decades of neglect and under-investment. Now is the time to act. There is a massive amount of planned investment for Derry in the coming years and we must ensure that it is used to its maximum potential to transform this city into the kind of place where our young people can build a future and where investors will want to locate and create high-quality employment."It is already too late for my generation. The fact remains that, for real differences to happen, it will take at least ten or fifteen years. By that time we will have hit (or be extremely close to hitting) 40. Most will be in fulltime work with a couple of kids running around - whether or not that life is happening in Derry is less than certain. There will be a new generation of 20-somethings having to decide whether or not Derry is where they want to remain.But at least the right noises are being made and it sounds hopeful for the future. Something has to be done because the status quo is driv
ing people away.Derry musician 'Wile Man' articulated the frustrations felt by many of our age group when he spoke to the 'Journal' in recent months. He said: "We have the highest exam results in the North which is among the highest in Europe yet our young people can't stay here unless they want to work in call centres. In terms of employment, what is there in Derry for the smart Derry man? We constantly sell ourselves short. Our hard work only serves to improve towns like Liverpool, Manchester and London."That's both annoying and true. You can't blame people for wanting to go on to bigger and better things but it's a Catch-22 situation. The people who are leaving Derry are the very ones we need to stay to affect real change. It's crucial we find a way to convince the next generation that Derry is a place worth staying in, because the battle seems to have been lost this time round.
A friend in Need... 22nd February 2008
'A friend in need is a friend indeed' is a slightly ambiguous phrase. It could mean that true friends will help you out when you need it. A slightly less favourable interpretation is that 'someone who needs your help will become firendly in order to obtain it'.
There was a shining example in Buncrana this week of what true friendship can mean - it can mean forgiving someone when nobody would blame you for hoping they rot in jail.Friends are the people who bail you out when you can’t, or won’t, go to your family for support. Friends share the highs and lows and often wind up in trouble together. We love them, yet they can infuriate and annoy us better than anyone else. Where would we be without them?As John Lennon remarked, people ‘get by’ with a little help from their friends.If you are short a tenner for a few pints on a Friday night - a friend will usually sub you.If you have been dumped on Valentine’s Day - a friend will usually tolerate your incessant and high pitched whining for a while at least (and then sub you a tenner so you can drown your sorrows with someone else and torture them instead).If you find yourself in front of a judge, and facing possible jail time, for punching and kicking one of your friends in the head outside a nigthclub - a friend (who also happens to be the victim) will, on your behalf, appeal to the judge for leniency. Aye, right!If any “buddy” of mine decided to show his affection by booting me in the head whilst I’m lying flat on my back, that friendship would pretty much be over there and then. Emphatically.But that was the remarkable chain of events when Martin Quinn did what he could to help out his friend. It was one of the most refreshing stories I have heard in ages.In case you missed it, here’s the story so far:Buncrana court was told that Cathal Doherty, 24, became abusive towards a bouncer outside a nightclub when his friend, Martin Quinn, intervened.So far, so typical of any weekend in any town. A fight then broke out and Doherty ended up kicking Quinn in the head as he
was lying on the ground. Charming.Quinn passed out and awoke with a sore neck and hip. He had suffered compression of a vertebrae resulting from the kick and had to attend nine months of physiotheraphy. Thankfully, he made a full recovery.I’d imagine that nine months of physiotherapy would be a long and frustrating time in which grudges could easily take root. It is a time spent trying to retrain your body to carry out actions and movements you had taken for granted, and painlessly, up until the trauma was inflicted.After detailing evidence of his injuries, Quinn asked the Judge to be as lenient as possible when sentencing Doherty. He said: “He’s come to my house with his Mum and apologised, I’m sure that he won’t do it again.“We went to the same school and played football together. I wouldn’t like to see him wasted. I would like to ask for the minimum sentence possible.
We’ve made up.”Judge Desmond Zaidan told Quinn: “It’s a credit to you that, having had to attend physio for nine months, you can forgive him and ask for leniency.‘Fine young man’“You are a very good person, a fine young man, for doing this.”According to news reports, at this point both Doherty and his mother were in tears. It sounds like the finale of a rather dodgy movie where everyone hugs and kisses and it’s all ok in the end... but this REALLY happened.The judge told Doherty: “You see what he is doing for you, what a good person we have here, and consider what you did to him.”The story hasn’t ended yet and Doherty could still face up to 12 months imprisonment when he is sentenced in May, but tha
t’s not the point. When we are constantly told that 17-25 are remorseless thugs who happily smash each other’s heads-in, it’s nice to see a story in which a drunken, brutal action is followed by genuine remorse and forgiveness.Every week the papers are filled with remorseless scumbags who kick, or stone, a father to death over something as trivial as a football. We see it on our own streets when louts, hammered on cheap cider, roam the city centre and attack anything or anybody that looks at them.It’s refreshing to see that not everyone is as selfish as the thugs who hand out random beatings.Things could have turned out much, much worse for Martin Quinn when he was kicked in the head. I’m sure he knows that himself, and Doherty must have thought about it at some stage, but, despite that, he has taken the decision of forgiveness. Fair play to him, he’s a better man than most.
There was a shining example in Buncrana this week of what true friendship can mean - it can mean forgiving someone when nobody would blame you for hoping they rot in jail.Friends are the people who bail you out when you can’t, or won’t, go to your family for support. Friends share the highs and lows and often wind up in trouble together. We love them, yet they can infuriate and annoy us better than anyone else. Where would we be without them?As John Lennon remarked, people ‘get by’ with a little help from their friends.If you are short a tenner for a few pints on a Friday night - a friend will usually sub you.If you have been dumped on Valentine’s Day - a friend will usually tolerate your incessant and high pitched whining for a while at least (and then sub you a tenner so you can drown your sorrows with someone else and torture them instead).If you find yourself in front of a judge, and facing possible jail time, for punching and kicking one of your friends in the head outside a nigthclub - a friend (who also happens to be the victim) will, on your behalf, appeal to the judge for leniency. Aye, right!If any “buddy” of mine decided to show his affection by booting me in the head whilst I’m lying flat on my back, that friendship would pretty much be over there and then. Emphatically.But that was the remarkable chain of events when Martin Quinn did what he could to help out his friend. It was one of the most refreshing stories I have heard in ages.In case you missed it, here’s the story so far:Buncrana court was told that Cathal Doherty, 24, became abusive towards a bouncer outside a nightclub when his friend, Martin Quinn, intervened.So far, so typical of any weekend in any town. A fight then broke out and Doherty ended up kicking Quinn in the head as he
was lying on the ground. Charming.Quinn passed out and awoke with a sore neck and hip. He had suffered compression of a vertebrae resulting from the kick and had to attend nine months of physiotheraphy. Thankfully, he made a full recovery.I’d imagine that nine months of physiotherapy would be a long and frustrating time in which grudges could easily take root. It is a time spent trying to retrain your body to carry out actions and movements you had taken for granted, and painlessly, up until the trauma was inflicted.After detailing evidence of his injuries, Quinn asked the Judge to be as lenient as possible when sentencing Doherty. He said: “He’s come to my house with his Mum and apologised, I’m sure that he won’t do it again.“We went to the same school and played football together. I wouldn’t like to see him wasted. I would like to ask for the minimum sentence possible.
We’ve made up.”Judge Desmond Zaidan told Quinn: “It’s a credit to you that, having had to attend physio for nine months, you can forgive him and ask for leniency.‘Fine young man’“You are a very good person, a fine young man, for doing this.”According to news reports, at this point both Doherty and his mother were in tears. It sounds like the finale of a rather dodgy movie where everyone hugs and kisses and it’s all ok in the end... but this REALLY happened.The judge told Doherty: “You see what he is doing for you, what a good person we have here, and consider what you did to him.”The story hasn’t ended yet and Doherty could still face up to 12 months imprisonment when he is sentenced in May, but tha
t’s not the point. When we are constantly told that 17-25 are remorseless thugs who happily smash each other’s heads-in, it’s nice to see a story in which a drunken, brutal action is followed by genuine remorse and forgiveness.Every week the papers are filled with remorseless scumbags who kick, or stone, a father to death over something as trivial as a football. We see it on our own streets when louts, hammered on cheap cider, roam the city centre and attack anything or anybody that looks at them.It’s refreshing to see that not everyone is as selfish as the thugs who hand out random beatings.Things could have turned out much, much worse for Martin Quinn when he was kicked in the head. I’m sure he knows that himself, and Doherty must have thought about it at some stage, but, despite that, he has taken the decision of forgiveness. Fair play to him, he’s a better man than most.
Valentine's Day Massacred. 15th February 2008
I hope yesterday wasn't too much of a disappointment. Even once a year is once too often for the abhorrent February 14th - Valentine's Day.
It's the day when usually rational people pull out all the stops to show their beloved how much of a sap they can be when they REALLY make an effort.Did she cook for you? Did you get crumbs all over the bed and spill scalding hot coffee on your pyjamas during a comical attempt at breakfast in bed? Did you spend loads of pounds on an 8ft-tall bunny rabbit and card so big that it barely fit in the boot of the car? Maybe you turned up at Exchange or Timber Quay at silly o'clock and queued like livestock in a bid to get a table two hours down the line. Or maybe you knew better than that.Back in the day, February 14th was all about would-be Romeos, and Juliets, sending anonymous cards to that special someone. The point? I'm unsure. It seems like an exercise in futility - if the person likes you back, how are you supposed to find out when they don't know who you are? Or worse, if it's a 'friend' you like - imagine the feeling in the pit of your stomach when they tell you they received a Valentine's card and how much they hope it's from Mr X or Miss Y, aka 'anybody except you'.The whole point of Valentine's Day was to encourage nervy, shy teenage folk to take the plunge and reveal their feelings to the object of their affections.Only the worst kind of sadist could dream that up and think it's a good idea.Nervy, shy teenagers suffer enough without having their hearts ripped from their chest when they realise the person they fancy is much more keen on one of their mates.A likeable bunchAwkward teenagers are a likeable bunch and shouldn't have to suffer the gut-churningly awful feeling of rejection year in, year out. They have enough on their plate with school and spots.They don't need the added strain, especially on Valentine's Day, when the feelings of hurt and embarrassment will be heightened to proportions not experienced since a full year beforehand.Normal people don't deserve that kind of punishment and shouldn't be forced into setting themselves up for a fall with aggressive advertising.Valentine's Day marketing is so aggressive and full-on that no one can claim it has passed them by. The first 'heart-shaped balloons' I saw where in a popular citycentre card shop before the middle of January.It has been estimated by the U.S. Greeting Card Association that approximately one billion Valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year behind Christmas. Whatever way you look at it, that's a lot of cash we are 'guilted' into spending.Type Valentine's day into Google - the fount of all knowledge - and the first thing that pops up is those romantic souls at GHD trying to get you to splash out £109 on a pair of straighteners for your loved one. Nice.As my colleague Erin Hutcheon so eloquently put it in Wednesday's Foyle News: "Valentine's Day is strictly for idiots".Faux-romanticismDespite ranting about the faux-romanticism of February 14th, I am not a complete cynic. Displays of affection are great but the more spontaneous the better. There are loads of opportunities to do it every day without building up to the inevitable anti-climax of Valentine's Day.If you want to get all soppy then, by all means, go for it. But there are far better ways to do it than by buying cheap flowers and extortionately priced cards.A hand made card in the middle of October telling your wife/girlfriend that you think she's class will go down far better than an expected monstrosity from Hallmark on Valentine's Day.Every dayThe opportunity exists every day to cook her a nice meal
, whip up breakfast in bed or run her a bath after a hard day at the office.Personally, I don't even understand why breakfast in bed is supposedly such a luxury. It's nothing but a 'pure handling' involving an uncomfortable twenty minutes eating cold toast and trying to drink orange juice at a ridiculous angle - with the majority of it spilling on your cheek. Tables were invented for a reason.If the stress of Valentine's Day led to an unmitigated disaster do it tonight when there's less pressure. Stay in, put the fire on and have a bottle of wine. Rent out Casablanca, Roman Holiday, Pretty Woman, An Affair to Remember or my housemates favourite - You've Got Mail. Basically anything revolving around a Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan axis is a safe bet.The easiest way to get into anyone's good books is to combine 'making an effort' with 'an element of surprise'. Valentines Shmalentines.
It's the day when usually rational people pull out all the stops to show their beloved how much of a sap they can be when they REALLY make an effort.Did she cook for you? Did you get crumbs all over the bed and spill scalding hot coffee on your pyjamas during a comical attempt at breakfast in bed? Did you spend loads of pounds on an 8ft-tall bunny rabbit and card so big that it barely fit in the boot of the car? Maybe you turned up at Exchange or Timber Quay at silly o'clock and queued like livestock in a bid to get a table two hours down the line. Or maybe you knew better than that.Back in the day, February 14th was all about would-be Romeos, and Juliets, sending anonymous cards to that special someone. The point? I'm unsure. It seems like an exercise in futility - if the person likes you back, how are you supposed to find out when they don't know who you are? Or worse, if it's a 'friend' you like - imagine the feeling in the pit of your stomach when they tell you they received a Valentine's card and how much they hope it's from Mr X or Miss Y, aka 'anybody except you'.The whole point of Valentine's Day was to encourage nervy, shy teenage folk to take the plunge and reveal their feelings to the object of their affections.Only the worst kind of sadist could dream that up and think it's a good idea.Nervy, shy teenagers suffer enough without having their hearts ripped from their chest when they realise the person they fancy is much more keen on one of their mates.A likeable bunchAwkward teenagers are a likeable bunch and shouldn't have to suffer the gut-churningly awful feeling of rejection year in, year out. They have enough on their plate with school and spots.They don't need the added strain, especially on Valentine's Day, when the feelings of hurt and embarrassment will be heightened to proportions not experienced since a full year beforehand.Normal people don't deserve that kind of punishment and shouldn't be forced into setting themselves up for a fall with aggressive advertising.Valentine's Day marketing is so aggressive and full-on that no one can claim it has passed them by. The first 'heart-shaped balloons' I saw where in a popular citycentre card shop before the middle of January.It has been estimated by the U.S. Greeting Card Association that approximately one billion Valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year behind Christmas. Whatever way you look at it, that's a lot of cash we are 'guilted' into spending.Type Valentine's day into Google - the fount of all knowledge - and the first thing that pops up is those romantic souls at GHD trying to get you to splash out £109 on a pair of straighteners for your loved one. Nice.As my colleague Erin Hutcheon so eloquently put it in Wednesday's Foyle News: "Valentine's Day is strictly for idiots".Faux-romanticismDespite ranting about the faux-romanticism of February 14th, I am not a complete cynic. Displays of affection are great but the more spontaneous the better. There are loads of opportunities to do it every day without building up to the inevitable anti-climax of Valentine's Day.If you want to get all soppy then, by all means, go for it. But there are far better ways to do it than by buying cheap flowers and extortionately priced cards.A hand made card in the middle of October telling your wife/girlfriend that you think she's class will go down far better than an expected monstrosity from Hallmark on Valentine's Day.Every dayThe opportunity exists every day to cook her a nice meal
, whip up breakfast in bed or run her a bath after a hard day at the office.Personally, I don't even understand why breakfast in bed is supposedly such a luxury. It's nothing but a 'pure handling' involving an uncomfortable twenty minutes eating cold toast and trying to drink orange juice at a ridiculous angle - with the majority of it spilling on your cheek. Tables were invented for a reason.If the stress of Valentine's Day led to an unmitigated disaster do it tonight when there's less pressure. Stay in, put the fire on and have a bottle of wine. Rent out Casablanca, Roman Holiday, Pretty Woman, An Affair to Remember or my housemates favourite - You've Got Mail. Basically anything revolving around a Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan axis is a safe bet.The easiest way to get into anyone's good books is to combine 'making an effort' with 'an element of surprise'. Valentines Shmalentines.
Who's your Daddy? 8th February 2008
Nepotism sounds cool. I am not referring to the definition of the word, just its sound. The word is similar in its make-up to 'Neptune' and stirs up images of a bearded Oceanic God complete with a massive trident.
'Nepotism' - It could be a ship in the starfleet.But, in reality, nepotism is neither as worthy nor as cool a word as 'enterprise' or 'voyager'.There is a reason why 'Starship Nepotism' couldn't work. If Captain Kirk or Captain Picard chose their Number 2 solely on the grounds of him/her being a relation - rather than being the best person for the job - there would be mutiny in the ranks. Other members of the crew would begin to feel isolated and it wouldn't be long until the sniping and back-stabbing started. The last thing you want on board a starship is an angry Mr Warf who feels he has been hard done by.Revelations that Conservative MP Derek Conway gave his sons Freddie and Henry jobs as researchers, and paid them £80,000 of tax payers' money, has sparked calls for complete transparency among our own MLAs. Conway was suspended from the House of Commons and thrown out of his parliamentary party.His son Henry, 25, earned £32,717.32 as his father's research assistant from 2001 to 2004. Henry's little brother Freddie, 22, earned just over £50,000 in the same role between 2004 and 2008. During that period, Freddie was doing a degree in Geography at Newcastle University. Little evidence exists of either Conway son doing any work whatsoever during their time of employment.I fully support parents giving their kids a sub as and when required - God knows I've benefitted myself on more than one occasion - but not if the money comes directly from my own wage packet.Sinn Fein MLA Raymond McCartney said: "The Conway case in England has highlighted the issue of politicians employing family members."Clearly, where politicians employ family members there will be public concern. Any suspicion of nepotism only serves to undermine public confidence and destroy trust. People should only be employed by politicians on the basis of merit."There is no place in politics for nepotism," he concluded.Focus has now fallen on political parties over here and some have issued lists containing names of those MLAs who employ relatives.Initially, the DUP wouldn't list any details of family members receiving wages. Instead, they stuck to a statement issued last Friday which said that they have to respect the confidentiality of their 100 plus staff in more than 40 offices.Some cynics suggested the DUP's reluctance to play ball was a sign that its members had something to hide.The DUP's decision to keep quiet, however, didn't last long.On Wednesday evening, Ian Paisley Junior confirmed he receives a salary from Westminster as a researcher for his daddy. It is one of three jobs that he has.Sir Alastair Graham, the former chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, described this as "very bizarre". He said: "It means he is being paid as an Assembly member, a junior minister and also by his father from his parliamentary allowances."Ian Jr's sister, Rhonda, could be forgiven for feeling a little hard done by. Up until 2004, she worked as her daddy's assistant while he was a member of the European Parliament. When he stood down, Rhonda was without a job and put herself forward for a position within the DUP. In 2005, she launched a legal action alleging gender discrimination against the DUP, after she failed in her application for a post in the policy and communications unit in the DUP.In an out of court settlment, the party accepted its recruitment procedures were deficient and apologised for any distress caused. In that particular case it would be almost imposs
ible to aim a charge of nepotism at big Ian if he wouldn't wangle his daughter a job.Employees should be employed on the basis of merit - a case of 'what you know' and not 'who your mammy's brother is'. If a family member is the best candidate for a role then, by all means, give it to them.It would be just as wrong to discriminate against someone because of their genes as it would be to hire them for the same reason.Local representatives have also come forward and made public their record on employing family members. Some of the relatives of our elected MLAs work as researchers, others as admin assistants and one prominent nationalist has even hired his wife as a part-time driverThe men of Derry will be freaking out in case that particular habit catches on - they'd be out a fortune if they had to fork out hard cash to the missus every time a lift home from the pub was needed.
'Nepotism' - It could be a ship in the starfleet.But, in reality, nepotism is neither as worthy nor as cool a word as 'enterprise' or 'voyager'.There is a reason why 'Starship Nepotism' couldn't work. If Captain Kirk or Captain Picard chose their Number 2 solely on the grounds of him/her being a relation - rather than being the best person for the job - there would be mutiny in the ranks. Other members of the crew would begin to feel isolated and it wouldn't be long until the sniping and back-stabbing started. The last thing you want on board a starship is an angry Mr Warf who feels he has been hard done by.Revelations that Conservative MP Derek Conway gave his sons Freddie and Henry jobs as researchers, and paid them £80,000 of tax payers' money, has sparked calls for complete transparency among our own MLAs. Conway was suspended from the House of Commons and thrown out of his parliamentary party.His son Henry, 25, earned £32,717.32 as his father's research assistant from 2001 to 2004. Henry's little brother Freddie, 22, earned just over £50,000 in the same role between 2004 and 2008. During that period, Freddie was doing a degree in Geography at Newcastle University. Little evidence exists of either Conway son doing any work whatsoever during their time of employment.I fully support parents giving their kids a sub as and when required - God knows I've benefitted myself on more than one occasion - but not if the money comes directly from my own wage packet.Sinn Fein MLA Raymond McCartney said: "The Conway case in England has highlighted the issue of politicians employing family members."Clearly, where politicians employ family members there will be public concern. Any suspicion of nepotism only serves to undermine public confidence and destroy trust. People should only be employed by politicians on the basis of merit."There is no place in politics for nepotism," he concluded.Focus has now fallen on political parties over here and some have issued lists containing names of those MLAs who employ relatives.Initially, the DUP wouldn't list any details of family members receiving wages. Instead, they stuck to a statement issued last Friday which said that they have to respect the confidentiality of their 100 plus staff in more than 40 offices.Some cynics suggested the DUP's reluctance to play ball was a sign that its members had something to hide.The DUP's decision to keep quiet, however, didn't last long.On Wednesday evening, Ian Paisley Junior confirmed he receives a salary from Westminster as a researcher for his daddy. It is one of three jobs that he has.Sir Alastair Graham, the former chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, described this as "very bizarre". He said: "It means he is being paid as an Assembly member, a junior minister and also by his father from his parliamentary allowances."Ian Jr's sister, Rhonda, could be forgiven for feeling a little hard done by. Up until 2004, she worked as her daddy's assistant while he was a member of the European Parliament. When he stood down, Rhonda was without a job and put herself forward for a position within the DUP. In 2005, she launched a legal action alleging gender discrimination against the DUP, after she failed in her application for a post in the policy and communications unit in the DUP.In an out of court settlment, the party accepted its recruitment procedures were deficient and apologised for any distress caused. In that particular case it would be almost imposs
ible to aim a charge of nepotism at big Ian if he wouldn't wangle his daughter a job.Employees should be employed on the basis of merit - a case of 'what you know' and not 'who your mammy's brother is'. If a family member is the best candidate for a role then, by all means, give it to them.It would be just as wrong to discriminate against someone because of their genes as it would be to hire them for the same reason.Local representatives have also come forward and made public their record on employing family members. Some of the relatives of our elected MLAs work as researchers, others as admin assistants and one prominent nationalist has even hired his wife as a part-time driverThe men of Derry will be freaking out in case that particular habit catches on - they'd be out a fortune if they had to fork out hard cash to the missus every time a lift home from the pub was needed.
Low on fares, but plenty of hassle. 1st February 2008
We should all give ourselves a pat on the back for managing to make it through what is officially the rubbish-est month of the year. January is the 31 days during which all Christmas-cheer fades, credit card bills roll in, New Year resolutions are dishearteningly abandoned and everybody heads back to work.
It’s enough to make you want to escape from it all and, to make that decision easier, Ryanair launched another sale. Whilst I have some ethics regarding carbon footprints and whatnot, I also love an excuse (any excuse!) to jump on a cheap flight for a weekend’s “pinting” with my buddies in York.A mate kindly volunteered to pick me up from the airport in East Midlands because it’s handy and cheap to fly there from Derry. Or so I thought...The adult fare from Derry to East Midlands is advertised as £0.01 on the Ryanair website. Happy Days! You can’t get much cheaper than that.The next-cheapest fare for any item/object/service in the world is just 1p less - and that doesn’t count as a fare because it’s free.So, a flight from Derry to East Midlands is LITERALLY the cheapest thing it is possible to buy in sterling.When I clicked on the next screen the Taxes, Fees and Charges were quoted as £9.99 and the total cost of the flight bounced up to £10. Ten pounds is one thousand times the price of 1p but, for a flight to England, it’s still great value.But then things started to get a little messy.‘Would you like to check-in at the airport and bring a bag?’ Well, it makes sense to bring a bag since I can’t carry any toileteries on-board that are bigger than a solitary squeeze of toothpaste. I plan on being away for more than an afternoon so a blast of deoderant and a splash of aftershave wouldn’t go amiss.If I want to check in a bag it means that I HAVE to check-in at the airport and so I clicked “yes”.All of a sudden, the seemingly obvious decision to bring a bag and check-in at the airport had cost me an extra nine quid.‘Would you like to be one of the first passengers to board the plane?’ Despite the risk of being stuck in a window seat with zero leg room I opted for “no”. The flight only takes an hour and I’m as hard as nails so
I figured I could stick it out for that length of time.But then I started thinking: what if the flight is delayed and the plane is left sitting on the runway all day? That would be a nightmare at the best of times, but with NO leg room!? To avert that potential disaster I decided to stump up the cash. It’s only an extra £3 and I get to have my choice of a lovely aisle seat and straighten my legs (well, one of them anyway).The website assumed that I wanted to buy travel insurance at an extra cost of £5.50. I disagreed.I am happy to take my chances so I clicked on ‘No travel insurance required‘.I took a little look at the travel insurance policy for nosiness sake. It only covers the loss or damage to single items up to £150 so laptops and fancy watches or iPODs won’t be covered. It is also necessary to have proof of purchase for such items and proof that they belong to you.
That means you can kiss goodbye to compensation for all Christmas and birthday presents unless you provide receipts and in-store CCTV footage of your friend or relative buying the goods.Sense of impending doomI entered my personal details and tried to move on to the next screen but was temporarily stopped in my tracks. Things appeared ominous: “You have not included travel insurance with your flight reservation. Ryanair strongly recommends that all passengers travelling purchase suitable travel insurance cover.”It sounded like they knew something I didn’t. Ryanair don’t just recommend travel insurance, they “strongly” recommend it. The sense of impending doom could only have been added to if they had finished the “strong” recommendation with a dreaded “...”I convinced myself that they were just bluffing and that I would be grand. I stayed strong and
again told them I wasn’t interested.After all that, I finally made it to the last screen and the reasonable price of 19 quid one way. Reasonable - but still 1,900 times more than they initially said it would cost.I was relieved that all that was left to do was to enter my payment details and then psyche myself up for the weekend. I clicked on card payment and...Bam! An extra three pounds was added for a ‘handling fee’. I was exasperated and knackered after all the mental trauma but could take no more and just paid up.Twenty two pounds is a good price for a trip to England but the way Ryanair squeeze every last pound out of their customers is infuriating. And I’m not convinced they are finished with me yet. In fact, It wouldn’t surprise me if I was landed with a surcharge at the airport for having stubble and the cheek to wear a coat! Still, at least it’s not January anymore.
It’s enough to make you want to escape from it all and, to make that decision easier, Ryanair launched another sale. Whilst I have some ethics regarding carbon footprints and whatnot, I also love an excuse (any excuse!) to jump on a cheap flight for a weekend’s “pinting” with my buddies in York.A mate kindly volunteered to pick me up from the airport in East Midlands because it’s handy and cheap to fly there from Derry. Or so I thought...The adult fare from Derry to East Midlands is advertised as £0.01 on the Ryanair website. Happy Days! You can’t get much cheaper than that.The next-cheapest fare for any item/object/service in the world is just 1p less - and that doesn’t count as a fare because it’s free.So, a flight from Derry to East Midlands is LITERALLY the cheapest thing it is possible to buy in sterling.When I clicked on the next screen the Taxes, Fees and Charges were quoted as £9.99 and the total cost of the flight bounced up to £10. Ten pounds is one thousand times the price of 1p but, for a flight to England, it’s still great value.But then things started to get a little messy.‘Would you like to check-in at the airport and bring a bag?’ Well, it makes sense to bring a bag since I can’t carry any toileteries on-board that are bigger than a solitary squeeze of toothpaste. I plan on being away for more than an afternoon so a blast of deoderant and a splash of aftershave wouldn’t go amiss.If I want to check in a bag it means that I HAVE to check-in at the airport and so I clicked “yes”.All of a sudden, the seemingly obvious decision to bring a bag and check-in at the airport had cost me an extra nine quid.‘Would you like to be one of the first passengers to board the plane?’ Despite the risk of being stuck in a window seat with zero leg room I opted for “no”. The flight only takes an hour and I’m as hard as nails so
I figured I could stick it out for that length of time.But then I started thinking: what if the flight is delayed and the plane is left sitting on the runway all day? That would be a nightmare at the best of times, but with NO leg room!? To avert that potential disaster I decided to stump up the cash. It’s only an extra £3 and I get to have my choice of a lovely aisle seat and straighten my legs (well, one of them anyway).The website assumed that I wanted to buy travel insurance at an extra cost of £5.50. I disagreed.I am happy to take my chances so I clicked on ‘No travel insurance required‘.I took a little look at the travel insurance policy for nosiness sake. It only covers the loss or damage to single items up to £150 so laptops and fancy watches or iPODs won’t be covered. It is also necessary to have proof of purchase for such items and proof that they belong to you.
That means you can kiss goodbye to compensation for all Christmas and birthday presents unless you provide receipts and in-store CCTV footage of your friend or relative buying the goods.Sense of impending doomI entered my personal details and tried to move on to the next screen but was temporarily stopped in my tracks. Things appeared ominous: “You have not included travel insurance with your flight reservation. Ryanair strongly recommends that all passengers travelling purchase suitable travel insurance cover.”It sounded like they knew something I didn’t. Ryanair don’t just recommend travel insurance, they “strongly” recommend it. The sense of impending doom could only have been added to if they had finished the “strong” recommendation with a dreaded “...”I convinced myself that they were just bluffing and that I would be grand. I stayed strong and
again told them I wasn’t interested.After all that, I finally made it to the last screen and the reasonable price of 19 quid one way. Reasonable - but still 1,900 times more than they initially said it would cost.I was relieved that all that was left to do was to enter my payment details and then psyche myself up for the weekend. I clicked on card payment and...Bam! An extra three pounds was added for a ‘handling fee’. I was exasperated and knackered after all the mental trauma but could take no more and just paid up.Twenty two pounds is a good price for a trip to England but the way Ryanair squeeze every last pound out of their customers is infuriating. And I’m not convinced they are finished with me yet. In fact, It wouldn’t surprise me if I was landed with a surcharge at the airport for having stubble and the cheek to wear a coat! Still, at least it’s not January anymore.
Heath Ledger - a stark reminder. 25th January 2008
Apparently, nothing can shock journalists. They have seen and heard it all before - same actions and outcomes year in, year out. History repeats itself and only the names and generations change.
Not so for me. I’m only starting out on this career path and maybe that is why the untimely death of Heath Ledger had such a profound effect on me this week.Heath Ledger wasn’t the first young movie star to die prematurely, but he is the first of my generation. He was only a couple of years older than I am.James Dean died in 1955 aged 24 and River Phoenix died in 1993 at just 23 years of age. Dean died in a tragic car smash and Phoenix suffered a heart attack following a massive drug binge on a night out.Heath Ledger was found alone in his room surrounded by bottles of prescription medication. He was neither driving recklessly nor partying in LA.It is unclear whether or not Heath Ledger took his own life, but he was obviously suffering terribly to get himself in such a state.Over the past few years in Derry, there seemed to have been something of an epidemic of young people taking their lives. At one stage, it felt that barely a week went by without some young person in the city succumbing to despair. Thankfully, we haven’t heard of a suicide in the city for some time but the dangers are always there.It is difficult for us to understand how some people, who have much so live for, take the decision to end their lives. Along with the heartbreak of loss, it must be painfully frustrating for their friends and family when their potential for future friendship, love and happiness is so glaringly obvious to all around.But therein lies the twisted, destructive power of an illness such as depression.While we who do not suffer from it are blissfully unaware of its nature, depression eats away at the mind of its victim.Let’s look at the facts relating to Heath Ledger. He was an extremely handsome, talented and successful man. When he was 26 he was Oscar nominated for his performance as a reluctantly gay cowboy in Brokeback Mountain. Rolling Stone magazine said: "Ledger's magnificent performance is an acting miracle. He seems to tear it from his insides."A friend of mine informed me that Michael Caine said he was so blown away by Ledger’s acting ability that when they were filming a scene together, Caine completely fluffed his lines.This summer he will appear as ‘The Joker’ in Christopher Nolan’s follow-up to ‘Batman Begins’ - ‘The Dark Knight’. That is a role that any young actor would give his right arm for. He was obviously an actor at the top of his game.‘Close-knit family’Ledger had a two year-old daughter, whom he doted on, and a close-knit family back in Australia. He spent Christmas 2007 in Perth with his family and said: “It's just been awesome. It's really enabled me to be a boy again from home and feel like I'd never left.
It's truly been an incredibly therapeutic and much-needed trip home.”He seemed to have it all but, sadly, those feelings of contentment lasted less than a month.Ledger was discovered in his bedroom in the Soho neighbourhood of Manhattan at half three on Tuesday afternoon by his housekeeper. He was found unconscious on the floor and the maid called emergency services when she couldn’t wake him.Paramedics attempted to resuscitate him by massaging his heart but it was too little too late.His heartbroken father, speaking from Perth, said: "He was found peacefully asleep in his New York apartment by his housekeeper. He was a down to earth, generous, kind hearted, life loving, unselfish individual, extremely inspirational to many."Ledger was in Aussie soap ‘Home and Away’ as a teenager but the movie ‘10 Things I Hate About You’ brought him to wider attention in 1999.My friend Jen and I spent a summer afternoon watching that movie and the best bit, by a mile, was when he did a hilarious rendition of “Can’t take my eyes of you”.He had more charisma and talent than a
million Orlando Blooms could ever hope for, but must have been tortured mentally.It just goes to show, depression is an illness which can strike anyone, at any stage in their life or career. People who seem to have everything going for them can still suffer the mental anguish no matter how rich, no matter how successful.There is a myth that people who suffer from depression simply need to ‘cheer up’. That’s because the term has been misused and overused in everyday speech - if you miss the last bus and it’s lashing it down, you are not depressed. That situation is frustrating and disappointing and may make you angry, but depression is something completely different.Heath Ledger’s death is a stark reminder that it is up to us to try and spot depression in our friends and family members and to encourage the sufferer to get help, before something terribly, terribly sad happens.
Not so for me. I’m only starting out on this career path and maybe that is why the untimely death of Heath Ledger had such a profound effect on me this week.Heath Ledger wasn’t the first young movie star to die prematurely, but he is the first of my generation. He was only a couple of years older than I am.James Dean died in 1955 aged 24 and River Phoenix died in 1993 at just 23 years of age. Dean died in a tragic car smash and Phoenix suffered a heart attack following a massive drug binge on a night out.Heath Ledger was found alone in his room surrounded by bottles of prescription medication. He was neither driving recklessly nor partying in LA.It is unclear whether or not Heath Ledger took his own life, but he was obviously suffering terribly to get himself in such a state.Over the past few years in Derry, there seemed to have been something of an epidemic of young people taking their lives. At one stage, it felt that barely a week went by without some young person in the city succumbing to despair. Thankfully, we haven’t heard of a suicide in the city for some time but the dangers are always there.It is difficult for us to understand how some people, who have much so live for, take the decision to end their lives. Along with the heartbreak of loss, it must be painfully frustrating for their friends and family when their potential for future friendship, love and happiness is so glaringly obvious to all around.But therein lies the twisted, destructive power of an illness such as depression.While we who do not suffer from it are blissfully unaware of its nature, depression eats away at the mind of its victim.Let’s look at the facts relating to Heath Ledger. He was an extremely handsome, talented and successful man. When he was 26 he was Oscar nominated for his performance as a reluctantly gay cowboy in Brokeback Mountain. Rolling Stone magazine said: "Ledger's magnificent performance is an acting miracle. He seems to tear it from his insides."A friend of mine informed me that Michael Caine said he was so blown away by Ledger’s acting ability that when they were filming a scene together, Caine completely fluffed his lines.This summer he will appear as ‘The Joker’ in Christopher Nolan’s follow-up to ‘Batman Begins’ - ‘The Dark Knight’. That is a role that any young actor would give his right arm for. He was obviously an actor at the top of his game.‘Close-knit family’Ledger had a two year-old daughter, whom he doted on, and a close-knit family back in Australia. He spent Christmas 2007 in Perth with his family and said: “It's just been awesome. It's really enabled me to be a boy again from home and feel like I'd never left.
It's truly been an incredibly therapeutic and much-needed trip home.”He seemed to have it all but, sadly, those feelings of contentment lasted less than a month.Ledger was discovered in his bedroom in the Soho neighbourhood of Manhattan at half three on Tuesday afternoon by his housekeeper. He was found unconscious on the floor and the maid called emergency services when she couldn’t wake him.Paramedics attempted to resuscitate him by massaging his heart but it was too little too late.His heartbroken father, speaking from Perth, said: "He was found peacefully asleep in his New York apartment by his housekeeper. He was a down to earth, generous, kind hearted, life loving, unselfish individual, extremely inspirational to many."Ledger was in Aussie soap ‘Home and Away’ as a teenager but the movie ‘10 Things I Hate About You’ brought him to wider attention in 1999.My friend Jen and I spent a summer afternoon watching that movie and the best bit, by a mile, was when he did a hilarious rendition of “Can’t take my eyes of you”.He had more charisma and talent than a
million Orlando Blooms could ever hope for, but must have been tortured mentally.It just goes to show, depression is an illness which can strike anyone, at any stage in their life or career. People who seem to have everything going for them can still suffer the mental anguish no matter how rich, no matter how successful.There is a myth that people who suffer from depression simply need to ‘cheer up’. That’s because the term has been misused and overused in everyday speech - if you miss the last bus and it’s lashing it down, you are not depressed. That situation is frustrating and disappointing and may make you angry, but depression is something completely different.Heath Ledger’s death is a stark reminder that it is up to us to try and spot depression in our friends and family members and to encourage the sufferer to get help, before something terribly, terribly sad happens.
The Waterside is winning! 18th January 2008
"St Columb's Park?? In the...in the WATERside!?" came the exasperated exclamation of a colleague when the venue for our weekly game of 'indoor' was announced.
With both Templemore and Brooke Park unavailable, St Columb’s Park was the obvious choice. Besides, it is not that much further from the Buncrana Road office than Rosemount is. However, the look of shock on his face would have made you think he lived in Israel’s Westbank (as opposed to Derry’s) and that I had suggested we take a dander to the Gaza strip for a kickabout.What is it with Derry’s Westbankers and their ridiculous unwillingness to venture across the bridges for any reason other than to catch a flight out of the country?The vast majority of Waterside folk have no problem visiting the Cityside as and when we need to, but a substantial minority of Citysiders are loathe to do the same. Maybe we are just a heartier breed - more individual, more daring, braver.Last week it was announced that the ‘out of hours’ GP service is to be switched from Great James Street to a destination about five minutes away (at night time) by car. Shock and dismay are rampant at the prospect of Citysiders being deprived of this important service but, seriously, it is not as if it’s being moved to Strabane (or further afield)! Then again, as a dyed-in-the-wool ‘Waterside-er’, I’m used to the whinging of those raised on the wrong side of the Foyle.As a boy, when I awoke in the middle of the night with a fever or bad cough I was shipped off across Craigavon Bridge to see the doctor in Great James Street - no bother, no fuss, no crying to politicians.A spokesman from the Western Health and Social Services Board explained the benefits of moving the service to Altnagelvin Hospital. These benefits include providing patients with a much wider range of services on one site and the easier transfer of patients between GP and A&E services when needed. GPs will also have greater access to a broader range of services su
ch as X-rays at Altnagelvin. Take your oil Citysiders, the move makes perfect sense.If someone takes ill during the night, it is hassle enough getting organised to make a trip to Great James Street. Whilst there, if it becomes clear that the next appropriate step is A&E or admission into hospital, a second onward journey will only increase stress levels for everybody concerned. Basing the out of hours service at Altnaglevin would save valuable, potentially life-saving, time.For too long the Eastbank-dwellers have had to tolerate the snipes and lofty attitudes of Cityside folk. I had to tolerate it all through my teenage years as ‘a college boy’.Once upon a time, all the best things Derry had to offer were based on the Cityside. Years ago I envied your easy access to the cinema, Foyleside, LazerQuest, the Bowling Alley, the Brandywell and, of course, swarms of Thornhill girls.
We had to content ourselves with Lisnagelvin Leisure Centre and Knockwellan football pitches.But we didn’t grumble, we just got on with it as best we could and hoped that, one day, we would be back on something approaching level terms.Now that the Waterside is finally making some progress, Cityside folk are finding it difficult to deal with.‘In your face!’And the Waterside IS making progress. For example, look at the shape of your Tesco’s compared to ours. Ours is open 24hrs for God’s sake - in your face!And for all the charm and history of Brooke Park, it falls into mediocrity when compared to the might and glamour of our new, shiny JJB gym.Those who dwell on the Westbank and never venture over to the Waterside really don’t know what they’re missing - the air is cleaner, the people are friendlier (and better looking), the roads are safer, and it never rains. Every morning I
awaken to golden sunlight streaming through my blinds and a lark’s birdsong means there is no need for an alarm clock. It’s magical!Citysiders should be thankful to us for not dismantling the bridges and casting them adrift into obscurity. With the ever expanding landmasses of Muff and Killea, the cityside (as we know it now) will eventually get swallowed up and become nothing but a footnote between those two; an unfortunate bit of land which people have to drive through to go visit their folks on the other side.Well, maybe not. For all its ills, the Cityside still has The Walls, the Craft Village, the Nerve Centre, Cool Discs, the Forte, Sandino’s, and the road to Fahan - all excellent advertisements and attractions for our great city as a whole.But, when all is said and done, at least we’re getting the ‘out of hours’ service. Ha!Ah well, sure we take what we can get...
With both Templemore and Brooke Park unavailable, St Columb’s Park was the obvious choice. Besides, it is not that much further from the Buncrana Road office than Rosemount is. However, the look of shock on his face would have made you think he lived in Israel’s Westbank (as opposed to Derry’s) and that I had suggested we take a dander to the Gaza strip for a kickabout.What is it with Derry’s Westbankers and their ridiculous unwillingness to venture across the bridges for any reason other than to catch a flight out of the country?The vast majority of Waterside folk have no problem visiting the Cityside as and when we need to, but a substantial minority of Citysiders are loathe to do the same. Maybe we are just a heartier breed - more individual, more daring, braver.Last week it was announced that the ‘out of hours’ GP service is to be switched from Great James Street to a destination about five minutes away (at night time) by car. Shock and dismay are rampant at the prospect of Citysiders being deprived of this important service but, seriously, it is not as if it’s being moved to Strabane (or further afield)! Then again, as a dyed-in-the-wool ‘Waterside-er’, I’m used to the whinging of those raised on the wrong side of the Foyle.As a boy, when I awoke in the middle of the night with a fever or bad cough I was shipped off across Craigavon Bridge to see the doctor in Great James Street - no bother, no fuss, no crying to politicians.A spokesman from the Western Health and Social Services Board explained the benefits of moving the service to Altnagelvin Hospital. These benefits include providing patients with a much wider range of services on one site and the easier transfer of patients between GP and A&E services when needed. GPs will also have greater access to a broader range of services su
ch as X-rays at Altnagelvin. Take your oil Citysiders, the move makes perfect sense.If someone takes ill during the night, it is hassle enough getting organised to make a trip to Great James Street. Whilst there, if it becomes clear that the next appropriate step is A&E or admission into hospital, a second onward journey will only increase stress levels for everybody concerned. Basing the out of hours service at Altnaglevin would save valuable, potentially life-saving, time.For too long the Eastbank-dwellers have had to tolerate the snipes and lofty attitudes of Cityside folk. I had to tolerate it all through my teenage years as ‘a college boy’.Once upon a time, all the best things Derry had to offer were based on the Cityside. Years ago I envied your easy access to the cinema, Foyleside, LazerQuest, the Bowling Alley, the Brandywell and, of course, swarms of Thornhill girls.
We had to content ourselves with Lisnagelvin Leisure Centre and Knockwellan football pitches.But we didn’t grumble, we just got on with it as best we could and hoped that, one day, we would be back on something approaching level terms.Now that the Waterside is finally making some progress, Cityside folk are finding it difficult to deal with.‘In your face!’And the Waterside IS making progress. For example, look at the shape of your Tesco’s compared to ours. Ours is open 24hrs for God’s sake - in your face!And for all the charm and history of Brooke Park, it falls into mediocrity when compared to the might and glamour of our new, shiny JJB gym.Those who dwell on the Westbank and never venture over to the Waterside really don’t know what they’re missing - the air is cleaner, the people are friendlier (and better looking), the roads are safer, and it never rains. Every morning I
awaken to golden sunlight streaming through my blinds and a lark’s birdsong means there is no need for an alarm clock. It’s magical!Citysiders should be thankful to us for not dismantling the bridges and casting them adrift into obscurity. With the ever expanding landmasses of Muff and Killea, the cityside (as we know it now) will eventually get swallowed up and become nothing but a footnote between those two; an unfortunate bit of land which people have to drive through to go visit their folks on the other side.Well, maybe not. For all its ills, the Cityside still has The Walls, the Craft Village, the Nerve Centre, Cool Discs, the Forte, Sandino’s, and the road to Fahan - all excellent advertisements and attractions for our great city as a whole.But, when all is said and done, at least we’re getting the ‘out of hours’ service. Ha!Ah well, sure we take what we can get...
'tis the party season to be cautious - 14th December 2007
A mixture of trepidation, excitment and indifference will have permeated the air of many of the city's workplaces over the last few week as employees have been gearing up for the annual Christmas Party. Many see it as the ideal opportunity to get a bit drunk, flirt with the boy/girl they have fancied for ages, and let their hair down. That combination, more often than not, is a recipe for disaster.
The Journal’s Christmas “do” is being held tonight. Most staff members are going, some have excused themselves and a few are, as yet, still undecided.It is no wonder that some people are a tad wary about attending Christmas parties. These annual events have a disheartening stigma attached to them. The ghost of Christmas Past-parties could regale you with tales of the party having horrific consequences for careers, reputations, and carpets.Christmas parties can go one of two ways for the individuals in attendance - ‘grand’ or ‘definitely NOT grand’. So, in this season of festive cheer and goodwill to all men (and women) I thought I would research a few pointers to ensure that yours is as ‘grand’ as possible.Most people are going to spend a small fortune this Christmas. No one wants to make such an eejit of themselves at a party that they find themselves seeking new employment just as the credit card bills start to roll in during January.The most common ‘Christmas party regrets’ usually involve drinking too much, getting caught gossiping, and getting involved with a colleague in a ‘less than professional’ manner.Drinking too much is the catalyst for most of the things that go wrong in Derry, so it is no surprise that the demon booze tops the list here too. Getting caught gossiping goes hand in hand with being a bit drunk. After a few Bacardis, a significant number of Derry girls can raise the volume of their voices to a level akin to the eruption of Krakatoa so it’s little surprise that the rest of Derry, never mind the office, will be well aware of they like/don’t like, and why.‘Cheeky snogs’ tend to happen once both parties are well and truly smashed. Therefore, it is extremely advisable to limit your alcohol intake on the night in question.It is a much better idea to arrive late and leave early - thus limiting your number of drinks - than to be the first to arrive and last to leave. If you turn out to be that unfortunate, it is unlikely you will have made many new friends on the night.At the part
y itself, it is usually advisable to avoid the topic of work as conversation. It is a party after all so make the to relax and have a laugh. However, don’t venture carelessly into unchartered discussion waters with people you don’t know very well. Opinions on politics, sex, religion, and race are likely to vary greatly and are best left well alone.Things to avoidTouchy subjects should be avoided. Outside of work, people still have strong feelings and opinions, and even though you might be watching your alcohol intake, others may not be. Badly approached topics on these subjects may result in heated debates and personality clashes which can lead to awful scenes...Remember, meeting up with colleagues is not the same as heading out with mates you have known for years. Mates usually know when you are just “havin’ a laugh” or “winding them up” because they have known you for ages.
It’s a different ball game at work.If things do not go completely to plan on the night, the first, and hardest, part of bouncing back is to apologise to the unfortunate soul you annoyed. That could be the boss you had a go at, the workmate you flirted with, or the hapless party-goer whose coat you soiled.It is best to get it out of the way as soon as possible because dragging things out make it worse for everyone involved.Accept that you were out of line and don’t try to laugh it off as: “Ahh, well, sure it was a party!! Lighten up and take your oil!” That’s unlikely to go down well...However, don't dwell on the incident for too long. Life goes on. You don't have to keep apologising to everyone you see. It's over, and tomorrow is a new day.Similarly, if a colleague makes a fool of themselves - be nice. Avoid the temptation to “take the hand out of them” too much. Be discreet and you'll be appreciated for it.Of course, if you want to skip the party altogether, and are employed at the ‘Journal’, you could claim that every Christmas party, miraculously, clashes with your child’s birthday...It’s worked before!
The Journal’s Christmas “do” is being held tonight. Most staff members are going, some have excused themselves and a few are, as yet, still undecided.It is no wonder that some people are a tad wary about attending Christmas parties. These annual events have a disheartening stigma attached to them. The ghost of Christmas Past-parties could regale you with tales of the party having horrific consequences for careers, reputations, and carpets.Christmas parties can go one of two ways for the individuals in attendance - ‘grand’ or ‘definitely NOT grand’. So, in this season of festive cheer and goodwill to all men (and women) I thought I would research a few pointers to ensure that yours is as ‘grand’ as possible.Most people are going to spend a small fortune this Christmas. No one wants to make such an eejit of themselves at a party that they find themselves seeking new employment just as the credit card bills start to roll in during January.The most common ‘Christmas party regrets’ usually involve drinking too much, getting caught gossiping, and getting involved with a colleague in a ‘less than professional’ manner.Drinking too much is the catalyst for most of the things that go wrong in Derry, so it is no surprise that the demon booze tops the list here too. Getting caught gossiping goes hand in hand with being a bit drunk. After a few Bacardis, a significant number of Derry girls can raise the volume of their voices to a level akin to the eruption of Krakatoa so it’s little surprise that the rest of Derry, never mind the office, will be well aware of they like/don’t like, and why.‘Cheeky snogs’ tend to happen once both parties are well and truly smashed. Therefore, it is extremely advisable to limit your alcohol intake on the night in question.It is a much better idea to arrive late and leave early - thus limiting your number of drinks - than to be the first to arrive and last to leave. If you turn out to be that unfortunate, it is unlikely you will have made many new friends on the night.At the part
y itself, it is usually advisable to avoid the topic of work as conversation. It is a party after all so make the to relax and have a laugh. However, don’t venture carelessly into unchartered discussion waters with people you don’t know very well. Opinions on politics, sex, religion, and race are likely to vary greatly and are best left well alone.Things to avoidTouchy subjects should be avoided. Outside of work, people still have strong feelings and opinions, and even though you might be watching your alcohol intake, others may not be. Badly approached topics on these subjects may result in heated debates and personality clashes which can lead to awful scenes...Remember, meeting up with colleagues is not the same as heading out with mates you have known for years. Mates usually know when you are just “havin’ a laugh” or “winding them up” because they have known you for ages.
It’s a different ball game at work.If things do not go completely to plan on the night, the first, and hardest, part of bouncing back is to apologise to the unfortunate soul you annoyed. That could be the boss you had a go at, the workmate you flirted with, or the hapless party-goer whose coat you soiled.It is best to get it out of the way as soon as possible because dragging things out make it worse for everyone involved.Accept that you were out of line and don’t try to laugh it off as: “Ahh, well, sure it was a party!! Lighten up and take your oil!” That’s unlikely to go down well...However, don't dwell on the incident for too long. Life goes on. You don't have to keep apologising to everyone you see. It's over, and tomorrow is a new day.Similarly, if a colleague makes a fool of themselves - be nice. Avoid the temptation to “take the hand out of them” too much. Be discreet and you'll be appreciated for it.Of course, if you want to skip the party altogether, and are employed at the ‘Journal’, you could claim that every Christmas party, miraculously, clashes with your child’s birthday...It’s worked before!
Dolce and Gabbana 1 Concerned Dad 0- 7th December 2007
There is an advert currently being screened for Dolce and Gabbana watches that has caused a mini furore in Derry over the last couple of weeks.
For those of you who haven’t seen the advert I‘ll give you a summary of the key events. A good looking man, who is wearing two watches on the same wrist, helpfully gives directions to a passing motorist. The motorist looks admirably at the two watches. She is then seen wearing two watches on the same wrist and the trend catches on. As the advert progresses, more and more beautiful and trendy people are seen wearing two watches on the same wrist whilst looking beautiful and dancing in trendy niteclubs.At the very end of the advert it cuts back to the ‘helpful directions man’. He is leaning against a car whilst another man is working at the engine. When he has finished footering with the engine he wipes his hands clean and asks his companion for his watch back. It turns out ‘helpful directions man’ was only wearing two watches because his friend didn’t want to get his dirty. The pair then share a kiss for less than a second and the advert ends.The audience is supposed to think: “Ahhh, aren’t beautiful and trendy people silly!? - they thought wearing two watches was an uber cool new fashion statement when, in fact, it is a practical way of keeping oil from damaging a fancy Dolce and Gabbana watch!”A concerned parent from Derry has said he will never return to the city's Omniplex cinema after this advert was screened before a PG rated film.The man, who did not wish to be named, said he took his children to see a film at the Strand Road cinema for a family outing, but it "turned into a horror" after the commercial was shown.IncandescentStrong language indeed, but the man was incandescent with rage that his children were subject to such images.He said: "I got up and walked out because it is against our family values. My children are seven and 11-years-old, I was taking them to see a family film and didn't ask for that to be shown in front of my children."I got my money back but I will never be back in the cinema. I
was outraged and don't think this should be pushed on us or on our children."The only thing Dolce and Gabbana is pushing on anyone is expensive, fancy watches. The company’s balance sheet won’t care, or have a specific column, to state whether or not its watches were bought by gay people or straight people or whatever.It is an age old advertising trick to throw something into an advert which the public don’t expect. Customers then remember the advert (even if it isn’t with much fondness) - think “Hi, I’m Barry Scott” shouting far too loudly in the Cillit Bang ads, or the woeful dubbing in Kinder chocolate adverts. In this instance, it happened to be two men sharing a kiss.The outraged dad continued:"It has infringed on my rights as a parent. I am trying to bring my children up the right way and protect them from the homosexual lifestyle. Children are like little gardens.
Sow a bad seed and you reap in return a bad habit."Legal actionThe man also said he is considering legal action over the Dolce and Gabbana advert because he believes it is "programming children's minds”. If he goes down that particular route, he is doomed to fail.A spokesperson for Carlton Screen Advertising said: "This commercial was approved in line with the British Codes of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing. Depictions of heterosexuality and homosexuality are treated on an equivalent basis in line with British law on sexual discrimination. This commercial was also given a U certificate (suitable for all) by the British Board of Film Classification."That’s that then, done and dusted - there is zero chance of a successful legal ch
allenge.I am not going to go on a rant about why the concerned dad’s views on “pushing homosexuality” have no place in today’s society.I have covered that ground before and don’t wish to repeat myself too often. Needless to say, ‘little gardens’ need to be exposed to all the elements if they are ever to grow and blossom fully.It is ironic though that his anti-gay views have increased the exposure for the Dolce and Gabbana brand. By going public with his concerns the man has proved the advertising campaign is working and he has actually promoted it. I was unaware of the advert before his letter arrived in the ‘Journal’ and then I watched it on YouTube to see what all the fuss was about. The watches look class and I’m seriously thinking about adding one to my Christmas wish list. But only one though, I’m nowhere near beautiful or trendy enough to wear two at the same time.
For those of you who haven’t seen the advert I‘ll give you a summary of the key events. A good looking man, who is wearing two watches on the same wrist, helpfully gives directions to a passing motorist. The motorist looks admirably at the two watches. She is then seen wearing two watches on the same wrist and the trend catches on. As the advert progresses, more and more beautiful and trendy people are seen wearing two watches on the same wrist whilst looking beautiful and dancing in trendy niteclubs.At the very end of the advert it cuts back to the ‘helpful directions man’. He is leaning against a car whilst another man is working at the engine. When he has finished footering with the engine he wipes his hands clean and asks his companion for his watch back. It turns out ‘helpful directions man’ was only wearing two watches because his friend didn’t want to get his dirty. The pair then share a kiss for less than a second and the advert ends.The audience is supposed to think: “Ahhh, aren’t beautiful and trendy people silly!? - they thought wearing two watches was an uber cool new fashion statement when, in fact, it is a practical way of keeping oil from damaging a fancy Dolce and Gabbana watch!”A concerned parent from Derry has said he will never return to the city's Omniplex cinema after this advert was screened before a PG rated film.The man, who did not wish to be named, said he took his children to see a film at the Strand Road cinema for a family outing, but it "turned into a horror" after the commercial was shown.IncandescentStrong language indeed, but the man was incandescent with rage that his children were subject to such images.He said: "I got up and walked out because it is against our family values. My children are seven and 11-years-old, I was taking them to see a family film and didn't ask for that to be shown in front of my children."I got my money back but I will never be back in the cinema. I
was outraged and don't think this should be pushed on us or on our children."The only thing Dolce and Gabbana is pushing on anyone is expensive, fancy watches. The company’s balance sheet won’t care, or have a specific column, to state whether or not its watches were bought by gay people or straight people or whatever.It is an age old advertising trick to throw something into an advert which the public don’t expect. Customers then remember the advert (even if it isn’t with much fondness) - think “Hi, I’m Barry Scott” shouting far too loudly in the Cillit Bang ads, or the woeful dubbing in Kinder chocolate adverts. In this instance, it happened to be two men sharing a kiss.The outraged dad continued:"It has infringed on my rights as a parent. I am trying to bring my children up the right way and protect them from the homosexual lifestyle. Children are like little gardens.
Sow a bad seed and you reap in return a bad habit."Legal actionThe man also said he is considering legal action over the Dolce and Gabbana advert because he believes it is "programming children's minds”. If he goes down that particular route, he is doomed to fail.A spokesperson for Carlton Screen Advertising said: "This commercial was approved in line with the British Codes of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing. Depictions of heterosexuality and homosexuality are treated on an equivalent basis in line with British law on sexual discrimination. This commercial was also given a U certificate (suitable for all) by the British Board of Film Classification."That’s that then, done and dusted - there is zero chance of a successful legal ch
allenge.I am not going to go on a rant about why the concerned dad’s views on “pushing homosexuality” have no place in today’s society.I have covered that ground before and don’t wish to repeat myself too often. Needless to say, ‘little gardens’ need to be exposed to all the elements if they are ever to grow and blossom fully.It is ironic though that his anti-gay views have increased the exposure for the Dolce and Gabbana brand. By going public with his concerns the man has proved the advertising campaign is working and he has actually promoted it. I was unaware of the advert before his letter arrived in the ‘Journal’ and then I watched it on YouTube to see what all the fuss was about. The watches look class and I’m seriously thinking about adding one to my Christmas wish list. But only one though, I’m nowhere near beautiful or trendy enough to wear two at the same time.
Nostalgia...not what it used to be! 30th November 2007
Ahh... do you remember the days when not everyone was completely obsessed with nostalgia? They were great times...
Nostalgia overload, and the ensuing cashing-in of faded popstars desperately grasping at the coat-tails of fame, has sucked all the joy out of those happy memories.In the early days - before ‘corporate nostalgia’ sunk its teeth in - just the mention of Magnum PI, Air Wolf and Thundercats was enough to get anyone born in the ‘80s smiling. That smile soon turned into a toothy grin at the thought of movie classics such as Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Beverley Hills Cop, Dirty Dancing and Top Gun.The 1980s were ridiculed for most of the 1990s - think Wham, Bros, preposterously coiffured haircuts and an obscene amount of denim. Then, out of the blue, it became ‘kitsch’ and, after all, coolness is but a small leap from ‘kitsch’.Nostalgia tends to work in 20 year cycles, which explains the arrival of ‘80s icon Mr. T in ads for Snickers; but this decade seems to have gone over the top. Not only are people fondly remembering and re-enacting fads from 20 years ago, but also from 10 years ago and less.It could be because so much has happened since the millenium and the birth of the 2000s. Perhaps people cannot cope with the rush of changes that have been forced upon them. Things have moved rapidly in the last eight years or so. Many terms and phrases, now commonplace, were unheard of in 1999 - Wi-fi, iPods, Al-Qaeda, hands-free, SatNav, hoodies, ASBOs and so on.Maybe that is why, in this decade, we have clung to nostalgia much more than in previous decades. I solemnly remember the return of DISCO for a brief period in the late ‘90s but it was tolerated because it was a fleeting gimmick. However, the gimmicks are coming thick and fast in the 2000s and show no signs of letting up.It appears to be a weekly event that a pop group, who split up five minutes ago, are reuniting for a comeback tour and the re-release of a re-packaged ‘Best Of’ compliation.Tickets go on sale this morning for Boyzone’s comeback gig
at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast. No doubt they will sell out in seconds as Irish women reflect on how, as impressionable children and teens, they swooned before the Dublin lads in the mid ‘90s.East 17 and 5ive both attempted comebacks, but neither of those two ensembles had much success.Ginger, Sporty, Posh, Baby, and Scary will all make millions from their upcoming ‘round the world’ tour, not to mention the ensuing endorsements. Last week, the new single from the ‘Spice Girls’ failed to break into the top ten, much to the annoyance of the grown women in the band. However, I am sure they won’t dwell on the disappointment for too long.At loggerheadsThe song, ‘Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)’, is awful and the public are wise to the ploy. The women have been at loggerheads for years and only got back together once all potential solo projects had been completely exhausted.
A more realistic title would have been ‘(We are desperate to make) Headlines - Friendship can be resurrected by a seriously fat cheque’.The reason the comeback single flopped so miserably - apart from its inherent rubbishness - is because their management do not fully understand the attraction of nostalgia. It is the memories people love. It is the process of looking back through rose-tinted glasses at the innocence of youth. For some people, this involves singing “I wanna zig-a-zig-ah!” into a hairbrush and, for others, adopting the name Maverick or IceMan while running round shooting make-believe Russians and flying imaginary jets.Only Take That have managed the ‘comeback’, plus the dreaded release of new material, with any shred of dignity. That is due to their combined humility, good humour (they always knew they were ‘kitsch’) and the fact that their new tunes are damn fine song
s.People enjoy nostalgia because it reminds them of the times, good times which have now been relegated to the dustbin of history. They were fun while they lasted and it is nice to think on them now and again, but we have all moved on. No one in their right mind would actually want to go through all those experiences again, especially the teenage ones.DownfallUnfortunately, our current infatuation with nostalgia could signal its eventual downfall. The 1980s will be remembered for Terminator, Indiana Jones, synthesiser music and awful hair. The 1990s will be remembered for Brit Pop, the Spice Girls and ‘New Labour’. Twenty years from now, will we be able to look back on the 2000s with such a warm and fuzzy feeling? I doubt that will be possible when our memories are filled with images of Terminator 3, Die Hard 4, Rocky 6 and, worst of all, the bloody ‘Spice Girls’...again!
Nostalgia overload, and the ensuing cashing-in of faded popstars desperately grasping at the coat-tails of fame, has sucked all the joy out of those happy memories.In the early days - before ‘corporate nostalgia’ sunk its teeth in - just the mention of Magnum PI, Air Wolf and Thundercats was enough to get anyone born in the ‘80s smiling. That smile soon turned into a toothy grin at the thought of movie classics such as Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Beverley Hills Cop, Dirty Dancing and Top Gun.The 1980s were ridiculed for most of the 1990s - think Wham, Bros, preposterously coiffured haircuts and an obscene amount of denim. Then, out of the blue, it became ‘kitsch’ and, after all, coolness is but a small leap from ‘kitsch’.Nostalgia tends to work in 20 year cycles, which explains the arrival of ‘80s icon Mr. T in ads for Snickers; but this decade seems to have gone over the top. Not only are people fondly remembering and re-enacting fads from 20 years ago, but also from 10 years ago and less.It could be because so much has happened since the millenium and the birth of the 2000s. Perhaps people cannot cope with the rush of changes that have been forced upon them. Things have moved rapidly in the last eight years or so. Many terms and phrases, now commonplace, were unheard of in 1999 - Wi-fi, iPods, Al-Qaeda, hands-free, SatNav, hoodies, ASBOs and so on.Maybe that is why, in this decade, we have clung to nostalgia much more than in previous decades. I solemnly remember the return of DISCO for a brief period in the late ‘90s but it was tolerated because it was a fleeting gimmick. However, the gimmicks are coming thick and fast in the 2000s and show no signs of letting up.It appears to be a weekly event that a pop group, who split up five minutes ago, are reuniting for a comeback tour and the re-release of a re-packaged ‘Best Of’ compliation.Tickets go on sale this morning for Boyzone’s comeback gig
at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast. No doubt they will sell out in seconds as Irish women reflect on how, as impressionable children and teens, they swooned before the Dublin lads in the mid ‘90s.East 17 and 5ive both attempted comebacks, but neither of those two ensembles had much success.Ginger, Sporty, Posh, Baby, and Scary will all make millions from their upcoming ‘round the world’ tour, not to mention the ensuing endorsements. Last week, the new single from the ‘Spice Girls’ failed to break into the top ten, much to the annoyance of the grown women in the band. However, I am sure they won’t dwell on the disappointment for too long.At loggerheadsThe song, ‘Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)’, is awful and the public are wise to the ploy. The women have been at loggerheads for years and only got back together once all potential solo projects had been completely exhausted.
A more realistic title would have been ‘(We are desperate to make) Headlines - Friendship can be resurrected by a seriously fat cheque’.The reason the comeback single flopped so miserably - apart from its inherent rubbishness - is because their management do not fully understand the attraction of nostalgia. It is the memories people love. It is the process of looking back through rose-tinted glasses at the innocence of youth. For some people, this involves singing “I wanna zig-a-zig-ah!” into a hairbrush and, for others, adopting the name Maverick or IceMan while running round shooting make-believe Russians and flying imaginary jets.Only Take That have managed the ‘comeback’, plus the dreaded release of new material, with any shred of dignity. That is due to their combined humility, good humour (they always knew they were ‘kitsch’) and the fact that their new tunes are damn fine song
s.People enjoy nostalgia because it reminds them of the times, good times which have now been relegated to the dustbin of history. They were fun while they lasted and it is nice to think on them now and again, but we have all moved on. No one in their right mind would actually want to go through all those experiences again, especially the teenage ones.DownfallUnfortunately, our current infatuation with nostalgia could signal its eventual downfall. The 1980s will be remembered for Terminator, Indiana Jones, synthesiser music and awful hair. The 1990s will be remembered for Brit Pop, the Spice Girls and ‘New Labour’. Twenty years from now, will we be able to look back on the 2000s with such a warm and fuzzy feeling? I doubt that will be possible when our memories are filled with images of Terminator 3, Die Hard 4, Rocky 6 and, worst of all, the bloody ‘Spice Girls’...again!
Sometimes, but only sometimes, it's fine to laugh at the expense of others. 22nd November 2007
You shouldn't really laugh at the misfortune of others. It probably isn't in keeping with the tenets of Anyti-Bullying week which has been going on for the past five days.
But, what if it's funny? I mean really, really funny. Comedy films have plunged the 'misfortune of others' route to get a few cheap laughs for decades - whether it's people falling down stairs; having anvils/pianos dropped on their heads; or getting their bits caught in their zipper.I've laughed along at the films but nothing comes close to the genuine hilarity of seeing those who truly deserve their comeuppance get it, and get it BIG time.If those on the receiving end are a bunch of obnoxious, shallow thugs, with a capacity for sensitivity and rational-thinking relative to that of a savage pitbull on a bad day; I say: 'laugh it up'.Is it ok to laugh at a bully? Probably not. Experts would tell us that laughing at a bully further alienates them, when what they really need is an arm around their shoulder, some understanding, and a gentle word in their ear about why bullying is such a lamentable pastime. Maybe that could still work in primary schools when some children can still be influenced.In the adult world, unfortunately, there are many bullies who would scoff at such girly attempts at reconciliation, whilst happily smashing a pint glass in your face. Some particularly vindictive bullies revel and thrive in the misery of others and actively seek it out. More than a few barrack, threaten, and harass their victims. All too often they will destroy the property of their victim(s) as well as inflicting actual bodily harm. They have zero respect for those who are different and take pride in their ability to dish out hammerings. And on Wednesday night, a lot of those particular bullies (I am, of course, referring to certain factions of England supporters) finally got their comeuppance in the best way imaginable.I laughed and laughedI love elements of England. I lived there for the best part of six years and thoroughly enjoyed it. I met loads of fantastic people and am still in contact with many of them. Despite that, I laughed and laughed on Wednesday night when the national side were dumped out of the European Championships. I'm not completely heartless, I had mixed feelings (for about a second) because I knew some great friends would be feeling extremely low after the match.For those not up to speed, I'll do a brief synopsis. English players, and their fans, assume they are among the best in the world. The players are paid an average of around £55,000.00 per WEEK. On Wednesday night they had to draw, at Wembley, against Croatia to progress to next summer's European Championships. They failed, miserably. My housemate and I chuckled heartily but not because of the primadonnas on the pitch - a few of them (Beckham, Crouch, Barry) seem like genuinely decent men when interviewed.I was happy England lost because of the thuggish contingent amongst their fans; the obnoxious, shallow thugs I referred to at the beginning of this article. The fans who booed Croatia's national anthem on Wednesday night. They didn't boo because of any ideological differences with the people of Croatia - they weren't booing because they sympathised with Serbia's position during the war, for example. They booed the Croatian anthem simply because it wasn't 'God Save The Queen'.The idiot England fans booed because they boo every team's national anthem. Croat, French, Andorran, German, Israeli, Irish - it doesn't matter what part of the world you come from; if you play football against England, a lot of their supporters will boo your national anthem. They may even throw in "a kicking" or two for good measure.It is that mindset, and maybe some of the same individuals, which caused the destruction and rioting in Landsowne Road when England came to play Ireland just over a decade ago.The same fans wreak havoc at international tournament after international tournament. Special police task forces have to be set up to combat English hooligans.That is why the way in which Croatia (who had already qualified and didn't NEED to either win or draw) dealt the hammer blow to the blown-up, fatuous aspirations of Englan
d fans had such superb comic timing. Croatia were 2-0 up at the end of the first half and England appeared dead and buried. Mid-way through the second half England had clawed it back to 2-2, and it looked like that would be enough. My laughter abated and it seemed likely that England would qualify. Then, with 13 minutes to go, Croatia struck again and silenced Wembley. All was well in the world once again. The bullies were quietened without their would-be victims raising so much as a single fist in anger, three goals sufficed.A bit sorryI feel a bit sorry for my English friends but they can take their oil (sure we didn't qualify either). At least now they will be spared the shame and disgrace of watching their compatriots smash and fight their way through Austria and Switzerland next summer whilst roaring the first few lines of 'God Save the Queen' as loud as they possibly can.
But, what if it's funny? I mean really, really funny. Comedy films have plunged the 'misfortune of others' route to get a few cheap laughs for decades - whether it's people falling down stairs; having anvils/pianos dropped on their heads; or getting their bits caught in their zipper.I've laughed along at the films but nothing comes close to the genuine hilarity of seeing those who truly deserve their comeuppance get it, and get it BIG time.If those on the receiving end are a bunch of obnoxious, shallow thugs, with a capacity for sensitivity and rational-thinking relative to that of a savage pitbull on a bad day; I say: 'laugh it up'.Is it ok to laugh at a bully? Probably not. Experts would tell us that laughing at a bully further alienates them, when what they really need is an arm around their shoulder, some understanding, and a gentle word in their ear about why bullying is such a lamentable pastime. Maybe that could still work in primary schools when some children can still be influenced.In the adult world, unfortunately, there are many bullies who would scoff at such girly attempts at reconciliation, whilst happily smashing a pint glass in your face. Some particularly vindictive bullies revel and thrive in the misery of others and actively seek it out. More than a few barrack, threaten, and harass their victims. All too often they will destroy the property of their victim(s) as well as inflicting actual bodily harm. They have zero respect for those who are different and take pride in their ability to dish out hammerings. And on Wednesday night, a lot of those particular bullies (I am, of course, referring to certain factions of England supporters) finally got their comeuppance in the best way imaginable.I laughed and laughedI love elements of England. I lived there for the best part of six years and thoroughly enjoyed it. I met loads of fantastic people and am still in contact with many of them. Despite that, I laughed and laughed on Wednesday night when the national side were dumped out of the European Championships. I'm not completely heartless, I had mixed feelings (for about a second) because I knew some great friends would be feeling extremely low after the match.For those not up to speed, I'll do a brief synopsis. English players, and their fans, assume they are among the best in the world. The players are paid an average of around £55,000.00 per WEEK. On Wednesday night they had to draw, at Wembley, against Croatia to progress to next summer's European Championships. They failed, miserably. My housemate and I chuckled heartily but not because of the primadonnas on the pitch - a few of them (Beckham, Crouch, Barry) seem like genuinely decent men when interviewed.I was happy England lost because of the thuggish contingent amongst their fans; the obnoxious, shallow thugs I referred to at the beginning of this article. The fans who booed Croatia's national anthem on Wednesday night. They didn't boo because of any ideological differences with the people of Croatia - they weren't booing because they sympathised with Serbia's position during the war, for example. They booed the Croatian anthem simply because it wasn't 'God Save The Queen'.The idiot England fans booed because they boo every team's national anthem. Croat, French, Andorran, German, Israeli, Irish - it doesn't matter what part of the world you come from; if you play football against England, a lot of their supporters will boo your national anthem. They may even throw in "a kicking" or two for good measure.It is that mindset, and maybe some of the same individuals, which caused the destruction and rioting in Landsowne Road when England came to play Ireland just over a decade ago.The same fans wreak havoc at international tournament after international tournament. Special police task forces have to be set up to combat English hooligans.That is why the way in which Croatia (who had already qualified and didn't NEED to either win or draw) dealt the hammer blow to the blown-up, fatuous aspirations of Englan
d fans had such superb comic timing. Croatia were 2-0 up at the end of the first half and England appeared dead and buried. Mid-way through the second half England had clawed it back to 2-2, and it looked like that would be enough. My laughter abated and it seemed likely that England would qualify. Then, with 13 minutes to go, Croatia struck again and silenced Wembley. All was well in the world once again. The bullies were quietened without their would-be victims raising so much as a single fist in anger, three goals sufficed.A bit sorryI feel a bit sorry for my English friends but they can take their oil (sure we didn't qualify either). At least now they will be spared the shame and disgrace of watching their compatriots smash and fight their way through Austria and Switzerland next summer whilst roaring the first few lines of 'God Save the Queen' as loud as they possibly can.
Not easy to stop the rot - 9th November 2007
"Something is rotten in the state of this place", wrote William Shakespeare (or words to that effect).
Just as we in the North appeared to turn the corner certain poisonous elements within our society have tried to reinstill a sense of terror in everyday life.It is sadly coinicidental that a few weeks ago I wrote about the sacrifices the people of Derry made in the fight against Nazism and Fascism. Derry men, Catholic and Protestant, fought and died side by side in the trenches. Within a fortnight of that particular column, armed men attempted to murder a Derry man as he left his kid to school at 8.30 in the morning. The actions of ruthless men attempting to impose their will on the majority through violence is not altogether unfamiliar...In broad daylight, in front of commuters and kids, these guys pulled a shotgun and blasted a loving father; a good Derry man. They claim that his life was only spared because a handgun failed to work properly.The Real IRA claimed responsibility and the group also claimed responsibility for the subsequent shooting of another man in Dungannon.It baffles me who these would-be murderers represent and their state of mind when they think these shootings can possibly further their cause.Who supports them? I don’t and nor do any of my family or friends that I know of. In fact, everyone I have spoken to regarding the incidents expressed feelings of resentment and disgust.These men don’t represent me or any other reasonable and humane nationalist in society. The fact is that, although they may not like it, the majority has spoken. I don’t just mean the majority of all people in the North, the majority of nationalists have spoken and we don’t want to go back to the days of fear and intimidation; days when there was rarley a morning news bulletin without the report of a politically-motivated murder.If the Real IRA had succeeded in taking the life of Jim Doherty they would only have succeeded in further alienating themselves from righ
t-thinking nationalists and republicans; the people they once claimed to be fighting for.It’s sorely disappointing that some people are still twisted with bitterness and hatred - so much so that they would murder a neighbour in the morning as he did the ‘school-run’.The legacy such a crime would leave is horrific. The impact on the child would be immeasurable. The loss of a father at any stage of life is hard enough to deal with. To have one unnecessarily, and violently, ripped from your life is something that would leave a permanent psychological and emotional scar. In time, the child may come to terms with the loss but would have been robbed of the fatherly love and support which we all need.In Sunday’s ‘Observer’ there was a guide to ‘space’. It’s something I know little about but I flicked through the book in a bid to increase my severely limited knowledge on the subject.
One particular piece of testimony stuck in my mind and seemed relevant to our current predicament.Dr Mike Foal, who has made six space flights and currently works at NASA training astronauts, was writing about his experiences. He wrote: “On my last flight, my biggest impression of the Earth was as the cradle of humanity. I’d look at Sudan and Iraq every day and I’d think: ‘Couldn’t we do this right?’ I’d look down at Asia and southern Russia and China and Afghanistan, and there’s no light at all. It’s like a barren planet there at night. Whereas all the coastlines are lit up - Europe, United States, Japan. The disparities on Earth geographically became a great focus of interest for me.”It made me think about recent events here in the North and the inability of some to look at things from any perspective other than their own.From space, Mike Foal could see all those countries warring, and in need, in different c
ontinents. Massive countries much bigger than the little island we inhabit. He could see countries which have not witnessed anywhere near the progress we have enjoyed; countries in which barbarism and genocide are daily occurences.When he admired the view of Earth from space - “it (the Earth) is bright blue, with the brown of the Sahara and the reds of Africa, or on the night side the black-blue that comes from the Earth reflecting moonlight” - I wonder if he could pick out the North of Ireland at all.If so, it must have been tiny. It is such a shame that the tiny speck which he may have seen mirrors the width of thinking of the narrow minded here; those who think only of their own cause and do not take the time to consider the impact their actions will have on others.Until they begin to view the impact of their actions from a greater perspective, the rot is unlikely to stop.
Just as we in the North appeared to turn the corner certain poisonous elements within our society have tried to reinstill a sense of terror in everyday life.It is sadly coinicidental that a few weeks ago I wrote about the sacrifices the people of Derry made in the fight against Nazism and Fascism. Derry men, Catholic and Protestant, fought and died side by side in the trenches. Within a fortnight of that particular column, armed men attempted to murder a Derry man as he left his kid to school at 8.30 in the morning. The actions of ruthless men attempting to impose their will on the majority through violence is not altogether unfamiliar...In broad daylight, in front of commuters and kids, these guys pulled a shotgun and blasted a loving father; a good Derry man. They claim that his life was only spared because a handgun failed to work properly.The Real IRA claimed responsibility and the group also claimed responsibility for the subsequent shooting of another man in Dungannon.It baffles me who these would-be murderers represent and their state of mind when they think these shootings can possibly further their cause.Who supports them? I don’t and nor do any of my family or friends that I know of. In fact, everyone I have spoken to regarding the incidents expressed feelings of resentment and disgust.These men don’t represent me or any other reasonable and humane nationalist in society. The fact is that, although they may not like it, the majority has spoken. I don’t just mean the majority of all people in the North, the majority of nationalists have spoken and we don’t want to go back to the days of fear and intimidation; days when there was rarley a morning news bulletin without the report of a politically-motivated murder.If the Real IRA had succeeded in taking the life of Jim Doherty they would only have succeeded in further alienating themselves from righ
t-thinking nationalists and republicans; the people they once claimed to be fighting for.It’s sorely disappointing that some people are still twisted with bitterness and hatred - so much so that they would murder a neighbour in the morning as he did the ‘school-run’.The legacy such a crime would leave is horrific. The impact on the child would be immeasurable. The loss of a father at any stage of life is hard enough to deal with. To have one unnecessarily, and violently, ripped from your life is something that would leave a permanent psychological and emotional scar. In time, the child may come to terms with the loss but would have been robbed of the fatherly love and support which we all need.In Sunday’s ‘Observer’ there was a guide to ‘space’. It’s something I know little about but I flicked through the book in a bid to increase my severely limited knowledge on the subject.
One particular piece of testimony stuck in my mind and seemed relevant to our current predicament.Dr Mike Foal, who has made six space flights and currently works at NASA training astronauts, was writing about his experiences. He wrote: “On my last flight, my biggest impression of the Earth was as the cradle of humanity. I’d look at Sudan and Iraq every day and I’d think: ‘Couldn’t we do this right?’ I’d look down at Asia and southern Russia and China and Afghanistan, and there’s no light at all. It’s like a barren planet there at night. Whereas all the coastlines are lit up - Europe, United States, Japan. The disparities on Earth geographically became a great focus of interest for me.”It made me think about recent events here in the North and the inability of some to look at things from any perspective other than their own.From space, Mike Foal could see all those countries warring, and in need, in different c
ontinents. Massive countries much bigger than the little island we inhabit. He could see countries which have not witnessed anywhere near the progress we have enjoyed; countries in which barbarism and genocide are daily occurences.When he admired the view of Earth from space - “it (the Earth) is bright blue, with the brown of the Sahara and the reds of Africa, or on the night side the black-blue that comes from the Earth reflecting moonlight” - I wonder if he could pick out the North of Ireland at all.If so, it must have been tiny. It is such a shame that the tiny speck which he may have seen mirrors the width of thinking of the narrow minded here; those who think only of their own cause and do not take the time to consider the impact their actions will have on others.Until they begin to view the impact of their actions from a greater perspective, the rot is unlikely to stop.
Hallowe'en in Derry 2nd November 2007
Peer pressure can be a terrible thing, but if you're a secretly willing participant then it's also a handy excuse.
Weeks ago I made up my mind NOT to venture into town on Hallowe’en night. There were myriad reasons not to go out: been there, done that; work the next day; and I’m off on a week’s holiday today. They all seemed like decent excuses to give it a miss.Besides, nothing could top last year’s Hallowe’en - the earlier hours were spent in The Brandywell. Around 90% of Derry fans were in fancy dress, City scored a bagfull and the pitch was invaded by a rather wobbly-looking Santa and Superman. There were amazing scenes, none more so than a buddy of mine who had dressed up as a bunch of grapes by sticking as many purple balloons as possible onto his person. Needless to say, the spectators whose views were blocked at the match took great pleasure in popping them with their fag ends.However, at lunch on Wednesday the decision was taken to get dolled up and head ‘over the town’ (a Waterside-ism). I could claim peer pressure was responsible for my change of heart but that wasn’t really the case. I decided to go out on a ‘professional’ basis. What kind of self-respecting journalist would miss the city’s biggest annual event!?Due to the last-minute nature of things, finding somewhere to go was proving a bit of a nightmare. The usual ‘haunts’ (sorry) were all sold out. Sandinos? No chance. Nerve Centre? Not a hope.There was no alternative but to play it by ear and so we ventured to The Gwee. I cobbled together a costume from bits and bobs in the house and pranced around the town like the rest of them.Every year the Hallowe’en Carnival receives a lot of flack and, I’m ashamed to say, I kind of bought into it this year.I had no interest in going into town only to be bottled by 11-years-old louts hammered on cheap cider, but I’m glad I went.I am sure horror stories will come out in the next few days about children having to have their stomachs pumped and wanton violence and destruction on the streets but, again, I’m glad I went.The above are terrible but nothing new. Wha
t may not receive as much publicity is the amount of sheer fun those revellers with the right intentions had. I dressed up as a ‘hick’ complete with ludicrously short hotpants, mullet and vest. My companion for the evening’s festivities was the worst-looking drag queen you could ever possibly see - (s)he was made up and decked out in a £3 dress from Tesco’s. We were joined by a gorgeous Dark Angel and a massive sheep.Buzzing city centreThere is something about dressing up in silly outifts that spawns good form and the craic was great as we posed for photos before we left the house.The city centre was buzzing when we arrived and the costumes were awesome. I saw three of my all-time movie heroes inside ten minutes: Termintaor, John Rambo, and Beetlejuice. The atmosphere on Waterloo Street was more than friendly as complete strangers complemented each other on their outfits.
We got chatting to a couple of girls from Newcastle (England, not Co. Down) who came to Derry solely for the Hallowe’en Carnival and I’m delighted to say they had a wonderful time. They were full of praise for the festival, the city and the craic and I was reminded of my pride in being a Derry-man. All too often the papers, and this colum, are lamenting the city centre because of the random beatings and pointless violence but on Wednesday night it was the only place to be.Unpleasant scenesUnfortunately, I did witness the germ of potentially unpleasant scenes in
Waterloo place at one stage but the overwhelming majority of revellers steered clear. Those responsible were dressed in army fatigues and aged somewhere between 10 and 15. It’s a familiar story and I won’t dwell on it.What should be championed is the amount of laughter that echoed around the city as people in costumes varying from the sublime to the ridiculous wandered around.A LOT of people had a great night’s craic and, hopefully, the visitors to the town were among them. If any of them had anywhere near as much fun as I had - in a professional capacity of course - then hopefully they will be back next year and the year after. The Hallowe’en Carnival has been condemned in some quarters as nothing more than a night of excess and debauchery but, thankfully, it’s much more than that. It’s an excuse for the majority to dress up and have a laugh, and there’s nothing wrong with that!
Weeks ago I made up my mind NOT to venture into town on Hallowe’en night. There were myriad reasons not to go out: been there, done that; work the next day; and I’m off on a week’s holiday today. They all seemed like decent excuses to give it a miss.Besides, nothing could top last year’s Hallowe’en - the earlier hours were spent in The Brandywell. Around 90% of Derry fans were in fancy dress, City scored a bagfull and the pitch was invaded by a rather wobbly-looking Santa and Superman. There were amazing scenes, none more so than a buddy of mine who had dressed up as a bunch of grapes by sticking as many purple balloons as possible onto his person. Needless to say, the spectators whose views were blocked at the match took great pleasure in popping them with their fag ends.However, at lunch on Wednesday the decision was taken to get dolled up and head ‘over the town’ (a Waterside-ism). I could claim peer pressure was responsible for my change of heart but that wasn’t really the case. I decided to go out on a ‘professional’ basis. What kind of self-respecting journalist would miss the city’s biggest annual event!?Due to the last-minute nature of things, finding somewhere to go was proving a bit of a nightmare. The usual ‘haunts’ (sorry) were all sold out. Sandinos? No chance. Nerve Centre? Not a hope.There was no alternative but to play it by ear and so we ventured to The Gwee. I cobbled together a costume from bits and bobs in the house and pranced around the town like the rest of them.Every year the Hallowe’en Carnival receives a lot of flack and, I’m ashamed to say, I kind of bought into it this year.I had no interest in going into town only to be bottled by 11-years-old louts hammered on cheap cider, but I’m glad I went.I am sure horror stories will come out in the next few days about children having to have their stomachs pumped and wanton violence and destruction on the streets but, again, I’m glad I went.The above are terrible but nothing new. Wha
t may not receive as much publicity is the amount of sheer fun those revellers with the right intentions had. I dressed up as a ‘hick’ complete with ludicrously short hotpants, mullet and vest. My companion for the evening’s festivities was the worst-looking drag queen you could ever possibly see - (s)he was made up and decked out in a £3 dress from Tesco’s. We were joined by a gorgeous Dark Angel and a massive sheep.Buzzing city centreThere is something about dressing up in silly outifts that spawns good form and the craic was great as we posed for photos before we left the house.The city centre was buzzing when we arrived and the costumes were awesome. I saw three of my all-time movie heroes inside ten minutes: Termintaor, John Rambo, and Beetlejuice. The atmosphere on Waterloo Street was more than friendly as complete strangers complemented each other on their outfits.
We got chatting to a couple of girls from Newcastle (England, not Co. Down) who came to Derry solely for the Hallowe’en Carnival and I’m delighted to say they had a wonderful time. They were full of praise for the festival, the city and the craic and I was reminded of my pride in being a Derry-man. All too often the papers, and this colum, are lamenting the city centre because of the random beatings and pointless violence but on Wednesday night it was the only place to be.Unpleasant scenesUnfortunately, I did witness the germ of potentially unpleasant scenes in
Waterloo place at one stage but the overwhelming majority of revellers steered clear. Those responsible were dressed in army fatigues and aged somewhere between 10 and 15. It’s a familiar story and I won’t dwell on it.What should be championed is the amount of laughter that echoed around the city as people in costumes varying from the sublime to the ridiculous wandered around.A LOT of people had a great night’s craic and, hopefully, the visitors to the town were among them. If any of them had anywhere near as much fun as I had - in a professional capacity of course - then hopefully they will be back next year and the year after. The Hallowe’en Carnival has been condemned in some quarters as nothing more than a night of excess and debauchery but, thankfully, it’s much more than that. It’s an excuse for the majority to dress up and have a laugh, and there’s nothing wrong with that!
It's OK to be an Irish nationalist and still support the remember the war dead 26th October 2007
The war memorial in the Diamond will be open to the public throughout the month of November. It's a site in Derry that I wouldn't usually give a second thought to. I have become so used to it that it doesn't even register when I walk past. It's merely a biggish roundabout, a mild inconvenience that I have to walk around if I'm heading from Bishop Street to Shipquay Street. But I think I'll stop and have a nosey at some point next month.
The decision to open the gates of the memorial has been taken by the Diamond War Memorial Project and it is hoped it will encourage people from both sides of the religious divide to go along, have a look, and view the names of the war dead.There are plans to make Derry people aware that of the 756 names on the memorial, nearly half belong to Catholic soldiers who died in World War I.Mary McElhinney, of the Diamond War Memorial Project, said: "People must realise that the Diamond war memorial belongs to all the people of the city and that we have a shared history."The majority of people who take the time to have a look around the plinth may struggle to remember any of the dead personally. After all, the First World War ended almost 90 years ago, and WWII ended more than 60 years ago but there will be the names of grandfathers and great uncles - names that may still be around today (Christian and surname) as the generations slip by.Many of the surnames will be familiar and I for one will take a dander round trying to spot a few McDaids, McNicholls or Brollys.The war memorial has often been the target for mindless vandals throwing paint bombs in the run up to November's war commemorations. Unfortunately, I’m sure it has also been the scene of a few other desecrations as late night revellers pour out of the pubs and clubs and seek somewhere to relieve themselves.But maybe now that it is open to the public, people will stop and think about what the memorial actually represents.We live in a society in which there is an ongoing “war on terror”; a battle for hearts and minds with the world seemingly divided into two camps. The people of Derry and the North have been involved in their own war over the past number of generations but not on the scale of the two wars in the first half of the 20th century. WWII was fought against the rise of Fascism and Nazism and both wars
shaped the world as it is now unlike any before.Some people view the war memorial with a mindset of: “Oh, I see - Britain, Poppies, British wars: “F*** the Brits!” That appears to be the sequence of events in the heads of some people I know. The memorial is a thorny and emotional issue especially given the role that the British Army has played on the streets of Derry in the past.But there is much more to it than that. Men and women of all religions and political leanings fought and died in the war against Hitler, Mussolini and their shared principles. Catholic people, Protestant people, atheists, republicans, nationalists and unionists all took up arms in the “war on terror” of their generation.The war memorial has little to do with the difficulties between certain Catholics and Protestants in today’s Derry. Those who desecrate it cannot be condoned in any way, shape or form.
They are not true nationalists, republican or Catholics.The war memorial has to do with thinking about the Catholics and Protestants in Derry 60 and 90 years ago who put aside their differences and sacrificed themselves, or were involved in the war effort, for the greater good. Men and women from Creggan, the Bog, and the Fountain.The First World War was a global military conflict which included the powers of USA, Britain, France and Italy against Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire. There were more than 40 million casualties and approximately 20 million military and civilian deaths as a result of the war. I’ll just mention that again for effect: approximately 20 million deaths. That figure is roughly four times the current populaton of Ireland - wiped out.WWI resulted in the independence of countries including Czechoslovakia, Finland and Poland. It destroyed the
German, Russian, Austro-Hungarian and Turkish Empires.World War II resulted in the deaths of more than 70 million people, making it the deadliest conflict in human history, and witnessed the demise of Adolf Hitler and his regime.They were massive events which changed the world and the people of Derry played their part. They were united against a common enemy and, as a result, their deeds must not be forgotten.Indeed, they should be remembered more often and with greater respect.For the month of November, the gates around the memorial will be open from Monday to Saturday, from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
The decision to open the gates of the memorial has been taken by the Diamond War Memorial Project and it is hoped it will encourage people from both sides of the religious divide to go along, have a look, and view the names of the war dead.There are plans to make Derry people aware that of the 756 names on the memorial, nearly half belong to Catholic soldiers who died in World War I.Mary McElhinney, of the Diamond War Memorial Project, said: "People must realise that the Diamond war memorial belongs to all the people of the city and that we have a shared history."The majority of people who take the time to have a look around the plinth may struggle to remember any of the dead personally. After all, the First World War ended almost 90 years ago, and WWII ended more than 60 years ago but there will be the names of grandfathers and great uncles - names that may still be around today (Christian and surname) as the generations slip by.Many of the surnames will be familiar and I for one will take a dander round trying to spot a few McDaids, McNicholls or Brollys.The war memorial has often been the target for mindless vandals throwing paint bombs in the run up to November's war commemorations. Unfortunately, I’m sure it has also been the scene of a few other desecrations as late night revellers pour out of the pubs and clubs and seek somewhere to relieve themselves.But maybe now that it is open to the public, people will stop and think about what the memorial actually represents.We live in a society in which there is an ongoing “war on terror”; a battle for hearts and minds with the world seemingly divided into two camps. The people of Derry and the North have been involved in their own war over the past number of generations but not on the scale of the two wars in the first half of the 20th century. WWII was fought against the rise of Fascism and Nazism and both wars
shaped the world as it is now unlike any before.Some people view the war memorial with a mindset of: “Oh, I see - Britain, Poppies, British wars: “F*** the Brits!” That appears to be the sequence of events in the heads of some people I know. The memorial is a thorny and emotional issue especially given the role that the British Army has played on the streets of Derry in the past.But there is much more to it than that. Men and women of all religions and political leanings fought and died in the war against Hitler, Mussolini and their shared principles. Catholic people, Protestant people, atheists, republicans, nationalists and unionists all took up arms in the “war on terror” of their generation.The war memorial has little to do with the difficulties between certain Catholics and Protestants in today’s Derry. Those who desecrate it cannot be condoned in any way, shape or form.
They are not true nationalists, republican or Catholics.The war memorial has to do with thinking about the Catholics and Protestants in Derry 60 and 90 years ago who put aside their differences and sacrificed themselves, or were involved in the war effort, for the greater good. Men and women from Creggan, the Bog, and the Fountain.The First World War was a global military conflict which included the powers of USA, Britain, France and Italy against Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire. There were more than 40 million casualties and approximately 20 million military and civilian deaths as a result of the war. I’ll just mention that again for effect: approximately 20 million deaths. That figure is roughly four times the current populaton of Ireland - wiped out.WWI resulted in the independence of countries including Czechoslovakia, Finland and Poland. It destroyed the
German, Russian, Austro-Hungarian and Turkish Empires.World War II resulted in the deaths of more than 70 million people, making it the deadliest conflict in human history, and witnessed the demise of Adolf Hitler and his regime.They were massive events which changed the world and the people of Derry played their part. They were united against a common enemy and, as a result, their deeds must not be forgotten.Indeed, they should be remembered more often and with greater respect.For the month of November, the gates around the memorial will be open from Monday to Saturday, from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
Get off your derriere and enjoy the Derry air 19th Oct 2007
"If changes aren't made, there is no doubt in my mind that this generation of children will not live as long as their parents," warned Dr Tom Black in Tuesday's 'Journal'.
It’s scary to think that mothers and fathers of 75 or 80 years of age would have to attend the funeral of their son or daughter due to anything other than tragic accidents or illness. To think that teenagers today could pass start dying off in their 40s and 50s because of a culture of take-aways and inactivity is a sobering thought.It’s a parents worst nightmare to bury a child but that appears to be increasingly likely given the (literal) shape of some children.Dr Black’s concern is a shocking conclusion to reach in a developed country. A significant fall in the average age of mortality is something one would think may happen in the poorest areas of the world. Areas in which there is no clean drinking water, a lack of information regarding health and hygiene, and a shortage of medicine; countries in which AIDs and malaria are rife.But here? In Derry?It’s not through a lack of education on the matter - it’s sheer laziness. We all know that we should eat 4-5 pieces of fruit and veg a day; take some exercise a few times a week and limit our amount of fry-ups, take aways, pizzas and beer. So, to say in 30 or 40 years - “We didn’t know, nobody told us”, will be a hollow and desperate call.A couple of generations ago people had to go to the well to
fetch water, they had to walk miles to school and there was no such thing as ‘ready-meals’ so all breakfasts, lunches and dinners were prepared from scratch. I’m not suggesting that I would have prepared to live back then, but at least people were kept busy.If I was born 50 or a hundred years earlier I would have had no problem getting the day in. Since then, everything has been created to save time - things happen a lot quicker, be that post (e-mail), walks to school (bus), preparing meals (phoning the takeaway).I’d guess we have saved 5 or 6 hours a day through invention and modernisation. I’m all for that, but it’s a shame that this ‘extra time’ - to go for walks, runs or swims; to play or read with children - is being spent with bums planted firmly on sofas.Watching television is literally the laziest thing you can do: "When adults watch TV they are virtually motionless.
Research has shown that your heart rate, blood pressure and metabolic rate decline, resulting in burning 20 to 30 calories less per hour," said Tom Farley, M.D., chair of the department of community health sciences at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in America.It’s a poor example to set the kids.Studies have shown that excessive TV watching is linked to difficulty in sleeping, behavioural problems and increased obesity in children.Research by Harvard university suggests a link between the amount children eat and the amount of television they watch.Jean Wiecha, one of the report's authors, says: "The perception is that children watching television only gain weight because they are sitting and snacking in front of the screen and doing less physical activity. However, when we compared the children's daily calorie intake at the end of the study with what they were consuming at the start, the majority of the increase in calories was explained by them eating more of the snack foods they had seen advertised."In short - kids sitting watching ads for sweets all day will want to eat those sweets while watching tv the next day.A useful idea would be to check the TV guide and figure out at the start of the week the things you simply HAVE to watch. I found, when I did that, that the ‘must-see’ TV was actually pret
ty limited.If in a slob-like state I’ll watch as many repeats of FRIENDs as are on - and could quite easily while away an hour watching Dr Quinn:Medicine Woman - would any of these fall into a must see category? It’s doubtful.Children in Britain and Ireland will average nearly 13years of their lives watching TV. That freaked me out a bit when I heard, what a waste of life!Dr Black has said that Derry is sitting on an obesity timebomb with soaring rates of diabetes, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, blood pressure and heart problems.He said: “We are seeing a number of teenagers aged between 16 and 18 who weigh in excess of 17stone. “It is ridiculous that people - teenagers - are ordering takeaways each evening. The simple fact is that if you don’t use up the calories you consume, you will become obese.”Well, it’s probably time to get of your arse and do something about it.
It’s scary to think that mothers and fathers of 75 or 80 years of age would have to attend the funeral of their son or daughter due to anything other than tragic accidents or illness. To think that teenagers today could pass start dying off in their 40s and 50s because of a culture of take-aways and inactivity is a sobering thought.It’s a parents worst nightmare to bury a child but that appears to be increasingly likely given the (literal) shape of some children.Dr Black’s concern is a shocking conclusion to reach in a developed country. A significant fall in the average age of mortality is something one would think may happen in the poorest areas of the world. Areas in which there is no clean drinking water, a lack of information regarding health and hygiene, and a shortage of medicine; countries in which AIDs and malaria are rife.But here? In Derry?It’s not through a lack of education on the matter - it’s sheer laziness. We all know that we should eat 4-5 pieces of fruit and veg a day; take some exercise a few times a week and limit our amount of fry-ups, take aways, pizzas and beer. So, to say in 30 or 40 years - “We didn’t know, nobody told us”, will be a hollow and desperate call.A couple of generations ago people had to go to the well to
fetch water, they had to walk miles to school and there was no such thing as ‘ready-meals’ so all breakfasts, lunches and dinners were prepared from scratch. I’m not suggesting that I would have prepared to live back then, but at least people were kept busy.If I was born 50 or a hundred years earlier I would have had no problem getting the day in. Since then, everything has been created to save time - things happen a lot quicker, be that post (e-mail), walks to school (bus), preparing meals (phoning the takeaway).I’d guess we have saved 5 or 6 hours a day through invention and modernisation. I’m all for that, but it’s a shame that this ‘extra time’ - to go for walks, runs or swims; to play or read with children - is being spent with bums planted firmly on sofas.Watching television is literally the laziest thing you can do: "When adults watch TV they are virtually motionless.
Research has shown that your heart rate, blood pressure and metabolic rate decline, resulting in burning 20 to 30 calories less per hour," said Tom Farley, M.D., chair of the department of community health sciences at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in America.It’s a poor example to set the kids.Studies have shown that excessive TV watching is linked to difficulty in sleeping, behavioural problems and increased obesity in children.Research by Harvard university suggests a link between the amount children eat and the amount of television they watch.Jean Wiecha, one of the report's authors, says: "The perception is that children watching television only gain weight because they are sitting and snacking in front of the screen and doing less physical activity. However, when we compared the children's daily calorie intake at the end of the study with what they were consuming at the start, the majority of the increase in calories was explained by them eating more of the snack foods they had seen advertised."In short - kids sitting watching ads for sweets all day will want to eat those sweets while watching tv the next day.A useful idea would be to check the TV guide and figure out at the start of the week the things you simply HAVE to watch. I found, when I did that, that the ‘must-see’ TV was actually pret
ty limited.If in a slob-like state I’ll watch as many repeats of FRIENDs as are on - and could quite easily while away an hour watching Dr Quinn:Medicine Woman - would any of these fall into a must see category? It’s doubtful.Children in Britain and Ireland will average nearly 13years of their lives watching TV. That freaked me out a bit when I heard, what a waste of life!Dr Black has said that Derry is sitting on an obesity timebomb with soaring rates of diabetes, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, blood pressure and heart problems.He said: “We are seeing a number of teenagers aged between 16 and 18 who weigh in excess of 17stone. “It is ridiculous that people - teenagers - are ordering takeaways each evening. The simple fact is that if you don’t use up the calories you consume, you will become obese.”Well, it’s probably time to get of your arse and do something about it.
Are you talkin' to me? 12th Oct 2007
Unionist Councillor Leslie Cubitt has said that plans for an Irish laguage school in Limavady is "a waste of good money". "I'm totally against this. I think it would be a waste of good money that would be better spent in the town and towards keeping rural schools open," he said.
A waste of good money? What price can you put on a child having the ability to speak more than one language? I don’t care if it’s Irish, Japanese, Hebrew, Spanish or Esperanto. The benefits to the child are plentiful and make it anything but a waste of money.Colr. Cubitt is quick to dismiss the notion that his objection has anything to do with a clash of ideologies.“I know people will say I don’t want it because it’s an Irish school, but it’s nothing to do with that, it’s because we need to bolster our rural schools and help address the issue of classroom overcrowding,” said Colr. Cubitt.Fair enough, maybe his objections have nothing to do with the language in question but to deny children the chance to develop their education in a new and exciting way seems crazy.Overcrowding is an issue in some primary schools but it’s up to the politicians to sort that out, and it can’t be at the expense of the education of the children. Youngsters with the chance of learning a second language shouldn’t have to pass on that opportunity because councillors are struggling to find answers to other education-related problems.A feasibility study is currently being carried out by Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta - the Department of Education sponsored body responsible for the promotion of Irish-medium education in the North - but this has been dismissed by Colr Cubitt as a waste of time.Lazing aroundIn a society where kids are spending more and more time lazing around on Bebo, Facebook and MySpace and the English language has been butchered mercilessly by the introduction of “txt spk”, surely everyone should be fully supporting attempts to develop the vocabulary and language skills of the next generation.How long before Shakespeare texts in school contain the lines: “Romeo, Romeo, wer r u, Romeo?” or “2 b r not 2 b, thats the ?”?Learning anything new is a positive developme
nt and should be actively encouraged by all councillors, no matter what political persuasion. Whether it’s a new language, an instrument, a sport, or any type of new skill; all are beneficial to the development of the child. It stimulates activity in the brain and can help them further in later life..In addition to developing a lifelong ability to communicate with more people, children may derive other benefits from early language instruction, including improved overall school performance and superior problem-solving skills.Knowing a second language ultimately provides a competitive advantage in the workforce by opening up additional job opportunities - especially in the media here in Ireland. If you can read and write in Irish, and are interested in a career in the media - you’re laughing.Bilingual studentss develop a deeper understanding of their own and other cultures.
Some evidence also suggests that children who receive second language instruction are more creative and better at solving complex problems.Many schools couple language learning with trips educational visits. It would be great for kids from Limavady, or wherever, to get away to the Gaeltacht for a week and experience something completely different from the norm.Introducing primary school children to another language can be fun for the children involved. Some have argued that giving the pupils the experience of successful communication in early learning encourages a 'can do' attitude to foreign languages. This would suggest that pupils then approach secondary school modern language lessons with greater enthusiasm.On a purely social front, being bilingual is a big winner among members of the opposite sex.‘Score points’If, and when, the child reaches university-age and decides to go to uni then having a second (or third) language can score BIG points.I was walking and chatting with a friend of mine at university in York when her phone rang. She excused herse
lf and started speaking fluent Polish to her grandmother. I nearly fell over in awe - I had no idea she spoke anything but English with a Bolton-twang - and felt a little bit ashamed at my own lack of a second language. Another girl from my halls was born in Brazil and raised in Texas by a Greek mother and Spanish father. At 18 years of age she was fluent in English, Portugese, Spanish, Greek and French (which she had studied at school from the age of 5!). It really puts into perspective just how far behind we actually are.It’s super if young people learn to embrace a different language and culture.It would be a great for children in the North to learn a bit more about their neighbour’s culture - whether that be a greater understanding of the culture of Ulster-Scots or vice versa. It can’t do any harm and would, in all probability, do a hell of a lot of good.
A waste of good money? What price can you put on a child having the ability to speak more than one language? I don’t care if it’s Irish, Japanese, Hebrew, Spanish or Esperanto. The benefits to the child are plentiful and make it anything but a waste of money.Colr. Cubitt is quick to dismiss the notion that his objection has anything to do with a clash of ideologies.“I know people will say I don’t want it because it’s an Irish school, but it’s nothing to do with that, it’s because we need to bolster our rural schools and help address the issue of classroom overcrowding,” said Colr. Cubitt.Fair enough, maybe his objections have nothing to do with the language in question but to deny children the chance to develop their education in a new and exciting way seems crazy.Overcrowding is an issue in some primary schools but it’s up to the politicians to sort that out, and it can’t be at the expense of the education of the children. Youngsters with the chance of learning a second language shouldn’t have to pass on that opportunity because councillors are struggling to find answers to other education-related problems.A feasibility study is currently being carried out by Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta - the Department of Education sponsored body responsible for the promotion of Irish-medium education in the North - but this has been dismissed by Colr Cubitt as a waste of time.Lazing aroundIn a society where kids are spending more and more time lazing around on Bebo, Facebook and MySpace and the English language has been butchered mercilessly by the introduction of “txt spk”, surely everyone should be fully supporting attempts to develop the vocabulary and language skills of the next generation.How long before Shakespeare texts in school contain the lines: “Romeo, Romeo, wer r u, Romeo?” or “2 b r not 2 b, thats the ?”?Learning anything new is a positive developme
nt and should be actively encouraged by all councillors, no matter what political persuasion. Whether it’s a new language, an instrument, a sport, or any type of new skill; all are beneficial to the development of the child. It stimulates activity in the brain and can help them further in later life..In addition to developing a lifelong ability to communicate with more people, children may derive other benefits from early language instruction, including improved overall school performance and superior problem-solving skills.Knowing a second language ultimately provides a competitive advantage in the workforce by opening up additional job opportunities - especially in the media here in Ireland. If you can read and write in Irish, and are interested in a career in the media - you’re laughing.Bilingual studentss develop a deeper understanding of their own and other cultures.
Some evidence also suggests that children who receive second language instruction are more creative and better at solving complex problems.Many schools couple language learning with trips educational visits. It would be great for kids from Limavady, or wherever, to get away to the Gaeltacht for a week and experience something completely different from the norm.Introducing primary school children to another language can be fun for the children involved. Some have argued that giving the pupils the experience of successful communication in early learning encourages a 'can do' attitude to foreign languages. This would suggest that pupils then approach secondary school modern language lessons with greater enthusiasm.On a purely social front, being bilingual is a big winner among members of the opposite sex.‘Score points’If, and when, the child reaches university-age and decides to go to uni then having a second (or third) language can score BIG points.I was walking and chatting with a friend of mine at university in York when her phone rang. She excused herse
lf and started speaking fluent Polish to her grandmother. I nearly fell over in awe - I had no idea she spoke anything but English with a Bolton-twang - and felt a little bit ashamed at my own lack of a second language. Another girl from my halls was born in Brazil and raised in Texas by a Greek mother and Spanish father. At 18 years of age she was fluent in English, Portugese, Spanish, Greek and French (which she had studied at school from the age of 5!). It really puts into perspective just how far behind we actually are.It’s super if young people learn to embrace a different language and culture.It would be a great for children in the North to learn a bit more about their neighbour’s culture - whether that be a greater understanding of the culture of Ulster-Scots or vice versa. It can’t do any harm and would, in all probability, do a hell of a lot of good.
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