tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190361202024-02-28T21:20:08.296+00:00CloudStephA blog by StephStephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12892946732502908212noreply@blogger.comBlogger253125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19036120.post-7525623216996319932009-04-12T21:55:00.004+01:002009-04-12T22:14:08.919+01:00Closing time<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2689/43/102/542916484/n542916484_2165998_2254437.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 453px; height: 604px;" src="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2689/43/102/542916484/n542916484_2165998_2254437.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2689/43/102/542916484/n542916484_2165998_2254437.jpg"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline;">I </span>went for the usual few pints of beer last night in the local, chatting away with the folks and getting nicely merry into the wee hours.<div><br /></div><div>Something in the fresh sea air, the invigorating landscape or just within the beer (who knows) inspired me to write a blog post on <a href="http://www.iamsteph.com/">www.iamsteph.com</a>, a domain I've been hoping to call online home to a 'proper' blog and a bunch of other things but I haven't got around to sorting it and keep fobbing it off. </div><div><br /></div><div>I wrote from the heart/gut/head/wherever and at 4am, after failing to get some audio clips on the page I gave in and hit Publish and fell asleep. I woke with the inevitable "oh f*ck" recounting my online trip the night before that involved a lot of writing, possibly too much of it in hindsight. My initial reaction was "must delete that asap" but I've done that so many times before, be it blog posts, comments, texts, emails. I decided not to delete it and just clean up the awful grammer and typos and get the audio up. It's a new blog and a new approach to blogging for me and why not start with breaking the unwritten rule of "never ever drink & blog" :) That said, I'll do my best not to become dependent on pints of Smithwicks for inspiration to write!</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't know where it's going but I can't wait to find out! </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.iamsteph.com/">www.iamsteph.com</a></div>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12892946732502908212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19036120.post-73954207159470329502009-04-09T14:27:00.003+01:002009-04-09T14:39:57.211+01:00Niamh gigging for Cobh Hospital on May 8th<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://content.screencast.com/users/StephanieF/folders/Jing/media/11974aba-480b-4c56-aae3-dc8df378b057/2009-04-09_1435.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 338px; height: 261px;" src="http://content.screencast.com/users/StephanieF/folders/Jing/media/11974aba-480b-4c56-aae3-dc8df378b057/2009-04-09_1435.png" border="0" alt="" /></a>My "little" sister Niamh (on the right) is gigging in aid of Cobh Hospital on May 8th in Cobh Heritage Centre with local baritone Darragh McGann.<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.darraghmcgann.com">Darragh</a> will be performing classical and contemporary pieces while Niamh will be throwing in the odd solo piece on the piano. </div><div><br /></div><div>Despite her being my sister and my obvious tendency to be a little biased, please do go along to support them and enjoy what I'm sure will be a beautiful evenings' entertainment. She'll be but two days turned 19 for this concert and it's her second charity event, having donated proceeds of her first recital to the guys in <a href="http://www.spunout.ie/">SpunOut.ie</a>. She's one top lady & hopefully I'll see you down there on the 8th.</div><div><br /></div><div>Info here: <a href="http://www.niamhfrancis.com">www.niamhfrancis.com</a></div>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12892946732502908212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19036120.post-74740738172303582252009-04-08T15:13:00.001+01:002009-04-08T15:13:43.495+01:00Wishmaster. It's just that kind of a day.<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gg5_mlQOsUQ&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gg5_mlQOsUQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12892946732502908212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19036120.post-70556957167412459642009-04-07T09:42:00.002+01:002009-04-07T09:47:43.371+01:00For all you ladies out there...Some words of advice from the lovely people at Wilkinson Sword (thanks to @dhuntrods).<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">"Mow the lawn"</span></div><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/id8CqkqBW-c&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/id8CqkqBW-c&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br />And...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wilkinsonbutterflyeffect.co.uk/#film1-watch">Ever wish you'd stayed in bed</a>?Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12892946732502908212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19036120.post-38462249544138460132009-04-03T10:22:00.000+01:002009-04-03T10:24:16.121+01:00Song for the day - Dangerzone<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Y1a_ikfUico&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Y1a_ikfUico&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Turn it to 11. For Goose.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12892946732502908212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19036120.post-9544997849067547622009-04-02T15:20:00.001+01:002009-04-02T15:22:45.594+01:00Contrast on Unconventional Web Apps at FOWA Dublin<object width="600" height="330"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3963501&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3963501&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="600" height="330"></embed></object><br /><br /><div>One of the most engaging, entertaining and useful presentations I've ever had the fortune to see live. Well done again <a href="http://www.contrast.ie">guys</a>!</div>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12892946732502908212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19036120.post-21096543782480582652009-04-02T12:47:00.004+01:002009-04-02T16:19:05.970+01:00Why should I care about politics?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3468/3398405423_9bed370758.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3468/3398405423_9bed370758.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div>Last weekend I went to my first Ard Fheis, the Labour Party National Conference in Mullingar. I wouldn't describe myself as political in any sense but I always vote and try to keep an eye on what happens in the world of politics in general.</div><div><br /></div><div>I went along (as hired help) with blogger & boards.ie Community Manager <a href="http://darraghdoyle.blogspot.com/">Darragh Doyle</a> who wanted to interview some of the movers and shakers in the Irish Labour party. And boy did he get interviews. Eamonn Gilmore, Pat Rabbitte, Joan Burton, Prionsias de Rossa, Michael D.Higgins to name but half. How? He asked nicely. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://darraghdoyle.blogspot.com/2009/04/why-should-i-care-about-politics-video.html">He's got some of the interviews online</a> on his blog with more to come. The two main questions asked were:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">"Why should I care about politics?" and "Why should I care about Labour?".</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>I left the conference on Saturday with huge respect and admiration for the Labour party and a refreshed interest and understanding of how politics affects each and every one of us, no matter how much we might dislike it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Congrats to Darragh on taking a fresh and unique approach to the conference and Irish politics with (what I think at least) are great results.</div><div><br /></div><div>Photo via http://www.flickr.com/photos/labourparty</div>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12892946732502908212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19036120.post-77610150419234759652009-04-01T13:45:00.002+01:002009-04-01T13:49:02.838+01:00Tele-Medicine - First Concept VideoThis popped into my neglected Google Reader last week and only got to take a look at it now. Very interesting concept, looking forward to seeing what the next iteration produces.<div><br /></div><div>Via <a href="http://blog.multiblah.com/index.php/site/tele_medicine_first_concept_video/">Kev's blog</a> from Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design</div><br /><object width="400" height="227"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3807274&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3807274&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="227"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/3807274">COPD - service design concept - finalCUT</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/ujjval">ujjval panchal</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12892946732502908212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19036120.post-7627824487484313042009-04-01T09:12:00.002+01:002009-04-01T09:19:16.124+01:00Favourite April Fools<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3656/3401357033_7979ae1350.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3656/3401357033_7979ae1350.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Moo's "super-eco-friendly" business cards - <a href="http://www.moo.com/blog/2009/04/01/announcing-a-new-moo-business-card/">http://www.moo.com/blog/2009/04/01/announcing-a-new-moo-business-card/</a><div><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://content.screencast.com/users/StephanieF/folders/Jing/media/a1fe947f-8c98-452f-bc6f-84f9d3e1f605/2009-04-01_0914.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 598px; height: 305px;" src="http://content.screencast.com/users/StephanieF/folders/Jing/media/a1fe947f-8c98-452f-bc6f-84f9d3e1f605/2009-04-01_0914.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://www.spunout.ie/about/Blog/Pat-Kenny-leaves-RTE-to-join-SpunOut.ie!">SpunOut.ie</a> newsletter claiming Pat Kenny has quite the Late Late to work with them in Galway.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12892946732502908212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19036120.post-42943428104737550672009-03-27T13:51:00.002+00:002009-03-27T14:08:58.272+00:00Six degrees of separation - not in Ireland<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://content.screencast.com/users/StephanieF/folders/Jing/media/4fb883c4-3c26-47e5-9f1a-e4dba4787f91/2009-03-27_1407.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 171px;" src="http://content.screencast.com/users/StephanieF/folders/Jing/media/4fb883c4-3c26-47e5-9f1a-e4dba4787f91/2009-03-27_1407.png" border="0" alt="" /></a>I took a taxi home last night from Westmoreland Street to Glasnevin after an evening at the <a href="http://www.connector.ie">Connector</a> event. The driver was chatty (no kidding I hear you say) and had a ripe Monaghan accent. The chat eventually led to Mondays' 24 hour strike by Taxi drivers. I asked questions about it and I guess being more curious than most he asked "how come you're so interested?". So I began my tale of why I started <a href="http://www.downwiththatsortofthing.com">Down With That Sort Of Thing</a> with "well I work on the corner of Nassau and Dawson Street and..."<div><br /></div><div>I didn't get go finish my sentence.</div><div><br /></div><div>"You're that one who takes photos of the protests and puts them on the internet!". I'd finally come face to face with my subject, something I've avoided thus far as I want to keep the blog firmly in documentary territory, no taking sides. We had a laugh about it & I sat there thinking "oh so there's actually someone looking at it". </div><div><br /></div><div>So I direct him towards the apartments in Glasnevin and as we approach he asks "are you happy with the apartment?" Bit of an odd question but ok. "Yeah they're lovely, I'm only renting but it's the best place I've lived in in 7 years renting in Dublin." Mr.Taximan: "That's good to hear. I worked on those when I was with Sisk. Great company, great work. Now I'm working a 95-hour week at this game to try make some money."</div><div><br /></div><div>If the journey had been a bit longer I might have teased out his Monaghan background to see if we could strike any more common ground and no doubt we would have. It's a small world but Ireland seems to be truly tiny - I think Guare's six degrees theory could be halved for us lot but I wouldn't have it any other way :)</div>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12892946732502908212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19036120.post-34407163618489671462009-03-26T18:49:00.002+00:002009-03-26T19:04:36.169+00:00GoBus - the best way to travel Dublin to Galway<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://content.screencast.com/users/StephanieF/folders/Jing/media/358fffff-e35e-483c-963d-273e7a294b82/2009-03-26_1849.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 110px;" src="http://content.screencast.com/users/StephanieF/folders/Jing/media/358fffff-e35e-483c-963d-273e7a294b82/2009-03-26_1849.png" alt="" border="0" /></a>GoBus is a new direct bus service between Dublin and Galway that launched last week. I was travelling west last weekend so thought I'd give them a go. In short, it was ace & in my opinion, the best way to travel between Dublin and Galway. Why?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Free wifi</span> - yes, free internet that's pretty reliable for a moving vehicle going through a country deprived of decent connectivity.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Comfort</span> - seats are the best I've put my delicate rear on ever. I normally hate coaches & their seats but these were fine. Got a fold-down table with cupholder airplane style, wee bins beneath each aisle seat, proper air con that works & radio jacks over each passenger with individual volume control.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Convenience</span> - there's about 14 direct services that take the lovely M6, shaving about 45mins off the journey. They even do services through the night in each direction (including Dublin airport drops & pickups).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Service</span> - I emailed to find out about wifi charges in advance (as there was no info on the website) and had a reply within an hour. Drivers in both directions were superb - handling baggage in/out of boot, offering to call head office if the wifi didn't kick in.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Value</span> - it was only €20 return. That's less than half the price of the train which does the journey in the same time.<br /><br />I've emailed GoBus again to congratulate them on a great service. Best of luck to them with the services - won't be catching me on a train ever again! Website is <a href="http://www.gobus.ie">www.gobus.ie</a>.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12892946732502908212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19036120.post-49847035833744449122009-03-25T12:49:00.004+00:002009-03-25T13:25:58.813+00:00Picturegate rolls on<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt20/SevenofNine_bucket/cowen-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 397px;" src="http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt20/SevenofNine_bucket/cowen-1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>My blood has been simmering since I heard about the RTE apology to the office of an Taoiseach last night. And it's not settling.<br /><br />I just heard Mary O'Rourke being interviewed on Newstalk about the whole mess and she seems to be in agreement with the FF slap on the knuckles to RTE while saying it would be crazy for the Sunday Tribune to apologise. She went on to say (I am paraphrasing) that it was okay for the paper to print such a story because you can't always be sure of what your reading in the printed news is truth while something like RTE's 9pm news is more, well, "gospel". What wasn't "factual" about the report on RTE? I happened to see the broadcast as it happened and I can honestly say they coudn't have reported it more "factually'. I'll link to the Lunchtime show podcast one it goes up so you can hear it for yourself.<br /><br />I'm disgusted that Cathal Goan didn't have the neck to stand over something that had already been approved for broadcast. Did RTE paint the portraits? Did Cowen have them comissioned? It would be a stroke of genius if he had to try and avert the attention him and his cronies are getting for the shoddy handling of the economy. Why didn't he take the higher ground and offer to buy them if the artist came forward & insist the money be given to charity?<br /><br />I can't wait to see where this fiasco goes next. RTE are now firmly under the thumb of FF if they weren't already before. Cowen's aggressive attitude & bully tactics (and that of his government) seems to know no bounds. My discomfort living in Ireland under the current government began when I heard Cowen losing the rag on challenge to the opposition and shouting something to the effect of "I'll run this country any way I see fit" a few months ago. This discomfort is turning to anxiety, unease and anger and I'm not going stay quiet about it.<br /><br /><a href="http://twentymajor.net/2009/03/24/fuck-you-cowen-and-shame-on-rte/">Twenty</a>, <a href="http://www.mulley.net/2009/03/25/picturegate-or-whatever-we-call-it-is-not-about-a-facebook-group/">Mulley</a>, <a href="http://www.mamanpoulet.com/rte-apologise-for-disrespect-to-office-of-taoiseach/">Suzy</a>, <a href="http://golez.net/2009/03/24/its-all-a-matter-of-disrespect-rte-apologises-to-brian-cowen-for-picturegate/">Alexia</a> & many others have written about it & over on <a href="http://www.creativeireland.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25084">Creative Ireland</a> there's a thread lighting up with more crude interpretations. Will they be shut down? Will the FF press office be scouring the internet & demanding posts, threads & images to be removed? Bring it on.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(Image via http://www.creativeireland.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25084)</span>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12892946732502908212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19036120.post-29812231835475102192009-03-24T18:23:00.002+00:002009-03-24T18:27:10.640+00:00All the girls have lovely bottoms<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://twitpic.com/img/2ete2-f7c5a2f4b4a0a26e1aabfd2e86c045d1.49c92554.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 450px;" src="http://twitpic.com/img/2ete2-f7c5a2f4b4a0a26e1aabfd2e86c045d1.49c92554.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />As @lexia <a href="http://twitter.com/lexia/status/1381295295">said</a> earlier today, "<span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">We're all a step away from a Father Ted gag. This knowledge makes me feel safe.</span></span>"Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12892946732502908212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19036120.post-10658192897190624412009-03-20T22:12:00.001+00:002009-03-20T22:12:50.255+00:00Beautiful sunset<img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Z3vLwoJwb9YbHVzI3HysheGn51zkYqc2oaDUe1dUuACvGt-2Jtt71QP042qEnSynuXR2_tjMGsWmEH-I9qPgBwgj3v3LoIEzGNmhbN2vktpH-seh8l2Ff_9YpK7V4VMinZe3/'><br>iPhone didn't quite capture the beauty of it but...Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12892946732502908212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19036120.post-76685385058138743522009-03-20T09:09:00.002+00:002009-03-20T09:21:09.197+00:00I shall go to the ball<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLWZPqbYinz68evuJg3u4XY6ZMEwecJXxyX_S4sE49J38BkUgHp4h5ItOx_XkriV3aRbrM_09FlQU4w5SS0Ucs97TF9Wd7we9O5kPgqTM5kiot2nWuUv18Dd5HkpSVMu_GRVM/" /><br /><i><a target="_blank" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=53.34209,-6.25826">GeoTagged, [N53.34209, E6.25826]</a></i><br /><br /><div>Very tired but very happy. </div>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12892946732502908212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19036120.post-32727958207949469432009-03-19T23:45:00.001+00:002009-03-19T23:45:30.534+00:00Ready, set, go!<img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQr3PnuPXY2JGOygEL9jGzTwVTnYblF-TjsUsk1_rHs3XaeKgStydpiBHuKlD2vQCFQX2WvkI6vgWofAstcoAcAgZzc7rI-TLuiGTNHjEtjJO1KdEYQl_M-3rTP-oibJXtRnco/'><br>So at 8pm there were already about 20 people forming a queue for U2 tickets outside Stephens Green Shopping Centre. That's at least 12 hours before they go on sale. <br /><br />Not the warmest of nights in Dublin so good luck to them all. Not sure if I'll join them, think the multiple PCs approach might do me fine. Fingers crossed. <br />Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12892946732502908212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19036120.post-13130064340892178052009-03-19T09:39:00.002+00:002009-03-19T10:00:28.381+00:00To queue or not to queue for U2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://almostalwaysthinking.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/wonka_gold_ticket.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 448px; height: 264px;" src="http://almostalwaysthinking.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/wonka_gold_ticket.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>It's that time again. 4 years have passed since the last time you got up in the dark early hours of a March morning to go take your chances in a queue at the nearest Ticketmaster outlet. Or if you're really hardcore (nuts) you're already queueing, living out of a sleeping bag & dining on McDonalds. <div><br /></div><div>I did the queueing at the crack of dawn thing last time around. It wasn't easy leaving the bed at 5am to stand on a freezing Nassau St watching the sun come up but the experience was pretty enjoyable despite not getting any tickets (due to bad choice of vendor). There was great banter among everyone who was out, people doing coffee runs once shops started to open. Even the Gardai were having a laugh. I'm not as crazy about the new album this time around but Bono & the boys do a good show so I'm game for the ticket rush once more. I'm not sure if I'll queue or go for the internet option yet, maybe you'll help me make my mind up. Here's some pointers if you're new to the whole thing:</div><div><ol><li>Tickets are on sale at 8am, limited to 6 per transaction. They will go fast.</li><li>To better your chances of successful online purchase, get to a computer with as fast & reliable a connection as possible</li><li>If queueing is your thing, go to a proper Ticketmaster vendor. Places like Sound Cellar on Nassau St only get a pre-printed batch to sell over the counter (my fail last time around). Here's a list of Ticketmaster <a href="http://www.ticketmaster.ie/etc/?tm_link=tm_homeA_ql_2">vendors</a>.</li><li>Queue early - I'm talking a minimum of 2hrs previous (6am) if you're in Dublin city centre.</li><li>Consider buying for gigs abroad - there's a load of European dates on sale tomorrow at 8am, tickets will probably be cheaper, you'll have a better chance of sunshine & why not make a weekend of it?</li><li>Make sure your credit/debit card is in date & has enough credit on it!</li><li>Don't lose the head - I didn't get any on the day but a friend of a friend had a spare a few weeks later, win win. </li></ol>If anyone's game for being my online wingman (i.e. shop online while I shop in person) let me know. Good luck!</div>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12892946732502908212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19036120.post-78539092064456713862009-03-18T22:04:00.002+00:002009-03-18T22:55:47.033+00:00My first Dublin Paddy's Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiow51DrxTFK36Hg91tBdXsjC737sxyn5QgWC1zBydbUfrF4-s-jpXbKRbbv_q5cGIbo-AeyGUJ4N_woZ9espp1LvuDpxV6_RoCcG909VXQYQWF3hDvcuT5vsJH2dGOgknYxpZA/s1600-h/3365727227_a5b7ed661a_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiow51DrxTFK36Hg91tBdXsjC737sxyn5QgWC1zBydbUfrF4-s-jpXbKRbbv_q5cGIbo-AeyGUJ4N_woZ9espp1LvuDpxV6_RoCcG909VXQYQWF3hDvcuT5vsJH2dGOgknYxpZA/s320/3365727227_a5b7ed661a_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314658992806285586" /></a>I've lived in Dublin for close to 7 years now & have managed to pretty much avoid Paddy's in the capital like the plague until this year.<div>I know, how could I or why would I do such a thing?! Well I'm not really into the paddy-whackery or the drinking or any of it. Paddy's even down the country never appealed to me. Memories of watching floats of farm animals sprayed green and little Irish dancers frozen to death in their little costumes while trying to take shelter at the side of Donoghues' pub in Fanore while the rain pelted in straight off the Atlantic. That or being sent off to pick shamrock to pin to ourselves for mass the night before are memories that stick out in my mind, neither of which get me rubbing my hands gleefully in anticipation of March 17th.</div><div><br /></div><div>This year I somehow got caught up in the festival in Dublin. My first spin on a big wheel, waltzers & some other crazy spinny thing that nearly made my eyes pop. The theatre and creativity on the streets with the bands, the flash mob, the Spheres gang in the Docklands, and of course the big parade on Tuesday. Huge thanks to Marcus of Pix.ie for the last minute spare wristbands - check out the amazing photos from all the weekend fun & frolicks over on the site. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not sure if it was the perfect weather, the great spirit around town or just our desperate need to let the hair down and have a laugh but it was fantastic. It certainly made a nice change to see the streets full of people laughing & joking rather than pickets & protests that have become all too frequent in the past few months! Let's hope the Paddy-magic doesn't ware off & the smiles keep spreading for just a little longer:)</div>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12892946732502908212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19036120.post-85267337520282335612009-03-16T09:49:00.001+00:002009-03-16T09:49:28.855+00:00Robert Webb on Comic Relief<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5Lz6k5Zg2wA&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5Lz6k5Zg2wA&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12892946732502908212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19036120.post-53809209364747297362009-03-13T13:59:00.003+00:002009-03-13T14:01:20.470+00:00INTO website fail<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://content.screencast.com/users/StephanieF/folders/Jing/media/d4963817-0c9d-4d77-8aec-8c6ae9eb7cd8/2009-03-13_1359.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 555px; height: 123px;" src="http://content.screencast.com/users/StephanieF/folders/Jing/media/d4963817-0c9d-4d77-8aec-8c6ae9eb7cd8/2009-03-13_1359.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This is what you're faced with if you hit the INTO website. Well it made be stop and look so I guess it served its' purpose to some extent....?</div>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12892946732502908212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19036120.post-9832673757994492222009-03-11T21:52:00.003+00:002009-03-11T22:02:39.220+00:00The Impossible Dream<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XiBX8MkFkd4&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XiBX8MkFkd4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Just saw this ad on telly. I'd forgotten how much I love Scott Walker's voice, whom I first came across when I fell in love with the songs of Jacques Brel. Off to Amazon to purchase some Walker, very long overdue.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12892946732502908212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19036120.post-21971696273407098032009-03-10T21:23:00.001+00:002009-03-10T21:23:10.178+00:00Sushi goes where sushi has been before<img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2JctNJrf__tcK1u7a1CbRbYa8XqGH0rcaoLRoi9nIlk7Uv7G8Q2YhvgZ1flABcdC-SGEVSAcQ2xrm8EcXgDNxfdnACqjIyvuF7xGue6utqKq8deQDxtgUTsBaHmFRDcXbjR6/'><br><i><a target=_blank href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=53.37059,-6.28072'>GeoTagged, [N53.37059, E6.28072]</a></i><br><br>Seems Dublin 2 shall have its' sushi services restored by Yo Sushi "soon" at the former Aya premises. <br /><br />Horray for sushi!Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12892946732502908212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19036120.post-706874979011382592009-03-10T10:01:00.002+00:002009-03-10T10:02:44.905+00:00Riverdance at Crufts<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4d-og0lKeso&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4d-og0lKeso&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />If you can't handle the suspense scrub out to about 4mins...Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12892946732502908212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19036120.post-62267803911278617342009-03-09T21:14:00.002+00:002009-03-09T21:40:52.219+00:00Dolly mixture: Cork, Copenhagen & blogging<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3382/3342125470_394896ace2_m.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 240px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3382/3342125470_394896ace2_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Cork</span><br /></div><div>Randomly, a feature on the Blog Awards of a few weeks ago appear in today's Evening Echo in Cork. A bunch of photos accompany, including mugshots of myself, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/73124101@N00/3341291399/in/photostream/">my sis</a>, and fellow X Comms-ers <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/73124101@N00/3341288835/in/photostream/">Darren & Sarah</a>. Damien has <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/73124101@N00/">some snaps here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Copenhagen</span></div><div><a href="http://blog.multiblah.com/index.php/site/ciid_applications_for_next_year/">Kev</a> is reporting that the Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design (CIID) will be enrolling students once again this year for their masters degree in Interaction Design. He's currently loving the pilot year of the programme & the work they're doing looks fascinating. Applications need to be in by April 1st so jump quickly if you're interested. <a href="http://ciid.dkds.dk/admissions/">Info is all here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Blogging</span></div><div>So my new site, <a href="http://www.iamsteph.com">www.iamsteph.com</a>, is far from being moulded and tweaked to perfection so for now I'll be blogging my little head off as usual here with the more design-related/nerdy stuff going over on the new site. Don't forget to keep an eye on the delightful <a href="http://www.downwiththatsortofthing.com">www.downwiththatsortofthing.com</a> for snippets and snapshots of Ireland's protests & strikes.</div>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12892946732502908212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19036120.post-63210436093095990922009-03-09T14:07:00.001+00:002009-03-09T14:59:08.739+00:00Dublin Bus website issues<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbPrBjcz6H4xdtVyWDhDn0Tb6t-qWf1RWvN8CqaG5WJEFN7jhPfSByopPg8zLJrDvqeUyIQJCPn942TEJrb9lI2R_1DjF_4nly3vD7DbbwEJy2__6uZWWyzCDDfQaWUhhPVGz/s1600-h/2009-03-09_1424.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 354px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbPrBjcz6H4xdtVyWDhDn0Tb6t-qWf1RWvN8CqaG5WJEFN7jhPfSByopPg8zLJrDvqeUyIQJCPn942TEJrb9lI2R_1DjF_4nly3vD7DbbwEJy2__6uZWWyzCDDfQaWUhhPVGz/s400/2009-03-09_1424.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311197291124729458" /></a><br />This is what I found when I stuck "dublin bus lost property" into Google. What's the big deal you say?<br /><br />1. The <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">old website</span> pops up - where's the shiny new one?<div>2. Throwing the same search material into the site search on the new website? Google search results in an <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">iframe</span> with the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">old website</span> with the same information, not to mind the blank white box thing above it (see below)</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBMZsyomop0gY5InSqGXdzYjC5spU43aHFtI5hcJmo0F6ljsc5EvwMAD3DF45jKZAScZUFIsv38TTvfMuPj9bkFO7GNr7_LdA6FEwTe7W32BzIcwYJUiej8JgzePBe2TAyjNr/s1600-h/2009-03-09_1443.png"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBMZsyomop0gY5InSqGXdzYjC5spU43aHFtI5hcJmo0F6ljsc5EvwMAD3DF45jKZAScZUFIsv38TTvfMuPj9bkFO7GNr7_LdA6FEwTe7W32BzIcwYJUiej8JgzePBe2TAyjNr/s400/2009-03-09_1443.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311199127466178338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 366px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div>3. The address of the Lost Property Office reads as "CIÉ Canteen, Earl Place (behind Clerys), Dublin 1. " </div><div><br /></div><div>So it looks like I'm making a trip to the CIE canteen tomorrow morning looking for a cardboard box or something full of junk for my wooly hat. I'll go out of intrigue but may not wear the hat ever again. As for the website? In my experience it's been up and down for the past week like a yoyo and now this shoddy mess? Bet it didn't come cheap & great to know my inflated bus fare is paying for a lack-lustre job. </div>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12892946732502908212noreply@blogger.com0