Edinburgh Diary: Day Two

So, Ryanair screwed me over...

When I booked my flight to Edinburgh, I was semi-outraged to have to pay €15 each way for my checked-in bag. So, you can imagine how objectionable I found it when I arrived at the airport on Wednesday morning and was told I would have to pay €15 PER KILO that my bag was overweight. My bag was 17.8 kilos, which apparently is 3 kilos too many for Ryanair (rounded up to the nearest kilo) and warrants a surcharge of €45.00.

Would. You. Be. Able?

I forked out the cash (well, put it on my newly-acquired credit card) and decided that I was not going to let myself interpret this as a bad omen for my four-week stay in Edinburgh. To Ryanair’s credit, I made it to Edinburgh safe and sound, and on time for my 10am training session.

The training was daunting to begin with. I sat in a room upstairs on George’s Street (which is slightly more grand than our Irish equivalent) and watched as beautiful, trendily-dressed, arty-looking person after beautiful, trendily-dressed, arty-looking person filed into the room. I wished to myself that I had managed a few more exercise sessions before I came or given a bit more thought to the clothes that I’d packed but The Assembly Staff addressing us were really nice and their scatty introductions helped me to relax a bit.

The venue that I’m working in is fairly awesome. It’s a bit like a mini-castle or a church. It has it’s own courtyard called ‘the quad’, lots of portraits of people I can only assume were important at one time or another and seems to play host to Edinburgh University’s School of Divine Studies when not being used as a Fringe Venue.

There are 24 Front of House staff, a lovely, Australian Venue Manager called Gabby, and two Front of House Managers, one of whom is mildly attractive but, rather tragically, has a girlfriend. The pretty people I’m working with all seem friendly enough. I’ve yet to establish a ‘crew’ but hopefully that will happen in time…

In the short time I’ve already seen three shows. The first was ‘The Gala Assembly Press Launch’, which was basically a variety show and featured an onstage meltdown by Michael Barrymore. I wasn’t sure whether to feel sorry for a man that’s clearly still haunted by his spectacular fall from grace or to boo and hiss when he told us not to see his show until we’d ‘learned to be a proper audience’.

‘Krapp’s Last Tape’ by Samuel Beckett, performed by Peter Dineen (who apparently was in ‘Father Ted’) is appropriately described in the Fringe programme as ‘a work of peculiar beauty’. To put it simply: it was weird but I liked it.

Lastly, I saw Jason Byrne tonight performing his ‘Cats Under Mats, Having Chats with Bats’. Byrne’s humour is as silly as the name of his show and I never really liked the stuff I’d seen him do previously. That said, I was definitely impressed with his performance tonight. I liked the way he could speak to someone in the audience and make up something funny off the cuff as well as make something rehearsed look completely spontaneous (like when he conveniently 'tripped over his words' the exact same way he did at the Gala Press Launch to set up a sketch.)

I reckon I’d be a fairly desperate reviewer because I’m far too easily pleased. I’m hoping to see two more shows tomorrow after work so maybe I can ‘get the knives out’ then?

Probably not though.

Edinburgh Diary: Day One

I'm at the airport. It's 5am. Yuck.

Starting my job in 5 hours' time. Ryanair better not screw me over.

Right now, I'm a funny mixture of nervous, excited and tired.

But mostly tired.

The Barometer of Judgement

Love it:

Edinburgh - It's gonna be my home for the next month.

Dr Pepper - I've recently rediscovered how amazing it is. Reminds me of the Summer of '00 when I first fell for the Doctor...

New Look Last.fm - Many users have bemoaned the latest revamp but I quite like how it allows me to play down the fact that Britney's been played almost 400 times on my Itunes.

Zoot Woman - For once, my favourite new band aren't Nordic.

Muppets and Sesame Street - First the genius Feist 'Counting to Four' video, now this meeting of two cultural icons.


Shove it:

The O2 - O2 customers getting preferential treatment at the newly refurbished Point Theatre? Fook right off.

Getting Wires Crossed - I thought when she said she was 'picking up the tickets' for The Dark Knight, that included a ticket for me. Apparently not.

Kerry Katona - Smoking, drinking and doing God knows what else whilst up the duff. Sickening.

Brushes with The Law - 'Nuff said.

The Script - Ireland's answer to The Frey. MOR is less sometimes.

"You seem like a sensible guy..."

Then why do I insist on doing such stupid things?







I wish I was six again...

Who Even Needs The Mercury?

It's no coincidence that, on the day that the Mercury shortlist in unveiled, Popjustice announces the nominees for this year's Twenty Quid Music Prize. The winner will be decided on the 9th of September, which, as it happens, is the same day that the £20,000 Mercury Music Prize will be presented to the judges' choice. Check out the list of nominees below

The nominees in full are:

• 'A&E' - Goldfrapp
• 'About You Now' - Sugababes
• 'Bleeding Love' - Leona Lewis
• 'Call The Shots' - Girls Aloud
• 'Dance Wiv Me' - Dizzee Rascal feat Calvin Harris
• 'Flux' - Bloc Party
• 'Money' - Daggers
• 'That's Not My Name' - The Ting TIngs
• 'Valerie' - Mark Ronson feat Amy Winehouse
• 'Ready For The Floor' - Hot Chip
• 'Song 4 Mutya (Out Of Control)' - Groove Armada feat Mutya Buena
• 'Stuck On Repeat' - Little Boots

I reckon that the smart money's on Leona, Girls Aloud or The Ting Tings.

And The Nominees Are...

I have no intention for this to become a 'music blog'. However, as I previously mentioned, my life is reasonably happy clappy right now so I've no real need to 'get up on my soapbox' at this moment in time. So, until things come crashing down around me (as they inevitably will), I'm gonna continue on with the magaziney format of posting little tidbits I feel like sharing.

The 2008 Mercury Music Award nominees were announced today. Somewhat surprisingly, Coldplay and Goldfrapp didn't make the cut. Disappointingly, Róisín Murphy's 'Overpowered' album was also denied a nod.

The nominees in full are:

• Adele - 19
• British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music?
• Burial - Untrue
• Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
• Estelle - Shine
• Laura Marling - Alas I Cannot Swim
• Neon Neon - Stainless Style
• Portico Quartet - Knee-Deep In The North Sea
• Rachel Unthank & The Winterset - The Bairns
• Radiohead - In Rainbows
• Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Raising Sand
• The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age Of The Understatement

Admittedly, the only album I own on the shortlist is The Last Shadow Puppets' début. I was originally anti-Adele because of the hype (and tailor-made Brit Award) that preceded the release of her album '19'. However, I've reluctantly fallen for her charms since hearing 'Hometown Glory' and suspect that her album might actually be worth a listen.

I've never heard of 'Portico Quartet, didn't realise Robert Plant and Alison Krauss had recorded an album together and know very little of British Sea Power, Rachel Unthank or Elbow.

I suspect Estelle is a token 'urban' act. 'American Boy' is a great track but the rest of her stuff sounds pretty bland. Meanwhile, although I concede that Radiohead are one of the most influential acts of my generation, I have come to accept the fact that they're just not 'my bag'.

The three most intriguing contenders for me personally are Burial, Laura Marling and Neon Neon. I like what I've heard of these artists so far and I'm optimistic that one of them might turn out to be this year's Bat for Lashes, who the mercury shortlist kindly brought to my attention this time last year.

Tip to win: Neon Neon - Stainless Style

But what do I know?

My Shirt's Too Sexy For My Me

Mammy: I brought you back a little present from Spain

Please don't be a t-shirt, please don't be a t-shirt...

The Bubble Boy: Oh. A t-shirt. Thanks mam!

BUT...

...despite deserving an award for her outstanding contribution to bad taste in boys' clothes, mammy got it right for once.

Isn't it lovely?

Now I'm just worried that I'm not cool enough to pull it off.

Currently...

Reading: 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' by Khaled Hosseini

Listening to: 'Until We Bleed' by Kleerup featuring Lykke Li

Eating: Rice Krispies. Old School.

Watching: 'Popular' on youtube

Excited for: Wall-E

Dreading: My imminent dentist's appointment.

Great Danes

I'm an Alphabeat fan and not ashamed to admit it.

I concede that there's something very 'Ace of Base' about the Danish sextet but I can't help but love their unashamedly joyous pop ditties. Quite often their lyrics make no sense and I recently described them to a friend as 'like The Chalets but without the irony' . However true this might be, the band seem to really enjoy the music they're making and, as evidenced by their stonking performance in Whelans on Tuesday night, they're well able to cut it live.

Alright, I'm babbling.

Behold the band's new single 'Boyfriend'. I challenge you not to tap your feet to the (alpha)beat.



Alphabeat myspace

Things We Learn

#1: Irrespective of what The Chemical Brothers may tell you, do not push the button.

Dear Blog,

Why didn't you warn me that you were going to undo all my lovely tinkering and 'restore to default' if I clicked on that button? You have dropped considerably in my estimation. I would say by about 10%.

I've fixed you as much as I can so I'm going to sleep now.

Yours resentfully,

The Bubble Boy

The Barometer of Judgement

Love it:

Popular - Alongside Futurama, Freaks and Geeks and Top of the Pops, a worthy addition to the list of TV shows that should never have been cancelled.

Ladyhawke - Who even knew that Australians could do cracking electro-pop? See also: Pnau

Toutless.com - Beat those scheming ticket touts by using this website, where users sell various concert tickets at face value.

Lighthouse Cinema - Pretentious world cinema in an edgy gallery-esque building? Oh, yes please.

Wall-E - All indications point to this being the best Disney Pixar film since 'Finding Nemo'.


Shove it:

Faux lesbianism - This Katy Perry song will be huge. It's a decent track but her use of lesbianism as a gimic is, in the worst sense of the word, gay. And as for Tila Tequila....

August in Ireland - Gaze Film Festival, Rose of Tralee, Festival of World Cultures, Lovebox and more. So many fun things I'll miss while in Edinburgh.

Bus Eireann - Oh, how I pine for Dublin Bus.

Summer Sicknesses - Impossibly difficult to shift.

The Recession - People are getting a little hysterical. Just sell that second SUV and that ought to free up a little extra cash, mmkay?

Just Wondering...

Does the banner on my blog look like an advertisement for 02?

'Cos that wasn't what I was aiming for.

Scandanavian Sublimity

Recently, I've developed a weird obsession for Scandanavian electropop music. It wasn't a conscious thing but it just seems as though almost every musician I like these days originates from Northern Europe.

Par example:

Sweden - Robyn, Zeigeist, Lykke Li, The Knife, Lo-Fi-Fnk, Sally Shapiro, Those Dancing Days, The Sounds

Denmark - Alphabeat (who I'm going to see perform this coming Tuesday)

Norway - Annie, Röyksopp, Datarock

Datarock are my latest discovery. A trio from Bergen, Norway, Datarock's quirky brand of electro-rock is right up my alley. They've also worked with fellow Bergenite, Annie, on a couple of occasions, Their album has been out yonks but I only happened upon this video yesterday. It's pure genius.

My New Ambition...

...is to write for 'The Dubliner'.

The writing is intelligent and deliciously sardonic and, although the features are often written in a wry style that gently mocks aspects of modern Irish culture, the overriding tone of the magazine suggests pride in our fair capital and in our inherent Oirishness.

It's officially replaced 'Hotpress' as my pre-bus journey purchase.

Something Nice I Stumbled Upon

Here & There - (2008) from Eoghan Kidney on Vimeo.

Does anyone else pick up an 'Into the West' vibe?

Where's Your Head At?

I'm fine. Just fine.

I've been pretty much house-bound for the past few days (thanks to a particularly stubborn throat infection) and it's afforded me a bit of time to pause and reflect on 'where I'm at'. Turns out, I'm reasonably happy.

Which is nice to know, I guess.

I suspect things might get a little more dramatic (in more than one sense of the word) when I relocate to bonnie Edinburgh for August. This is convenient because I imagine that'll probably be pretty close to the time that I'll get bored of being 'content' and set about rocking the boat a little to sabotage the tranquility.

I guess, essentially, this is a blog about not having anything particularly obvious to blog about. I think maybe it's important to crystallise these 'plateaus' though so that, when things do get messy, you have proof that there were good times and there more than likely will be again.

Or maybe I'm talking shit. But hey, isn't that what this blogging business is about?

The Barometer of Judgement:

Love it:

Lady Gaga (especially when mixed with Bowie and Justice)

Arrested Development

Will St. Leger and his 'art raids'

'No Drama' - new monthly indie gay night in Dublin (tbc)

Getting back in touch with your roots...

Shove it:

Facebook

Rain

Ridiculous reactions to harmless condiment adverts

Sam Sparro's new video (I really want to like you. Why must you insist on being shit?)

Unwanted admirers

The Puppeteer

I pull on the strings and They stop for a while,
To see his limbs flailing, his wide painted smile.
A figure of folly, he dances and clatters,
Helping Them to forget more serious matters.
Shrouded by velvet, he performs all alone:
No room for another with so much going on.

My fingers are aching, my arms have grown sore,
But how can I stop when They’re calling for more?
The show must go on or They might walk away,
And I must stay unseen for the duration of play.
A movement of curtain might elicit confusion,
A visible finger would spoil the illusion.

I pick up the pace, try to hold Their attention,
Since the aim of this game is audience retention.
It seems to be working, The Crowd watch with awe,
But the strings slash my skin, my palms are now raw.
The hours of hard graft start taking their toll.
The Puppet swings wildly. I’m losing control.

In an instant I find I’m caught up in his tangle,
The strings pull so tight, I choke as they strangle.
The Puppet and I, caught up in this mess,
But he doesn’t seem to share my distress.
I’m tightly bound while he gently swings,
And it’s no longer clear who’s pulling the strings.

(c) Joey Kavanagh, 2008 (published in 'Set in Stone: A Collection of Original Writing by DCU students')

Music's So Good. Music's OK.

Pop princess Annie's long-awaited sophomore album Don't Stop is pencilled in for an October release. The lead single I Know UR Girlfriend Hates Me surfaced in March and I must admit that I found it a tad underwhelming, if only becauase it sounded uncannily similar to Chewing Gum, the single that first brought Annie to my attention back in 2004.

Subsequently, a couple of album samplers have leaked (one officially, one not-so-officially) that have well and truly whetted my appetite for the follow-up to the electropop masterpiece début that was Anniemal.

Annie gained a lot of indie cool when her Royksopp-produced Heartbeat single was named Pitchfork's #1 single of 2004. Personally, I suspect that Don't Stop probably won't have the hipsters in quite as much of a tizzy as its predecessor. That said, the new tracks are considerably more marketable than Annie's earlier singles and I wouldn't be surprised if this album surpasses the 'modest' commercial success of Anniemal.

The majority of the tracks have been produced by Girls Aloud's long-time collaborator, Xenomania, and the man responsible for Sugababes' Freak Like Me, Richard X. This particular track, Songs Remind Me of You, is one of the songs with Mr. X on knob-twiddling duties. Popjustice had this to say about it, which puts things far more eloquently than I could ever hope to.

Nadal Won

My brief post to announce my triumphant return to the blogosphere was made during one of the numerous weather-induced pauses of play in the longest Wimbledon Men's Singles Finals of all time.

But let's not speak of sport.

As I mentioned in the previous post, a few blog-related incidents in recent days have prompted me to revive the incredibly short-lived 'Confessions of The Bubble Boy'.

I guess it might make sense to start afresh but I think it might make for interesting reading in 30 years time to look back upon my various failed attempts at maintaining a blog. I probably should catalogue them in the same place, for the sake of simplicity.

I've just spent the best part of two hours tinkering with the layout of the interface (trying in vain to give it a 'bubble' theme) so I think that shows a little bit more commitment than my half-hearted attempt at blogging back in '05.

I'm also considering changing the name. 'Confessions of' is so clichéd and, for some reason, brings to mind a godawful Lindsay Lohan movie. We shall see.

Three years later...

I'm still alive. I have recently spent quite a bit of time thinking about blogging so I think I'm going to ressurect this poor forsaken blog.

I plan on writing a proper entry tonight... I'm not really sure why I bothered including this entry.

Alas, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal await.