Who Likes Short Shorts?

This evening, I finally got around to watching 'Paris, Je T'Aime', eighteen short films by different directors under the theme 'Stories of Love, from the City of Love'. The quality inevitably varies from one short to the next but, more often than not, the directors get it right. If you haven't already seen this, I'd recommend getting your mits on a copy.

In the meantime, it's worthwhile checking out homegrown short film 'Skint', written by Brendan O' Rourke.

The screenplay was originally submitted for RTE's Storyland Competition but wasn't among the selected finalists. A group of final year Communications students from DCU decided to use the screenplay however.

Having seen the finished product, I reckon it's better than some of the screenplays that RTE plumped for:


"I'd just be pushing the foam about my face, but in a sore way." Amazing.

Full list of cast and crew on the Youtube page.

In Good Company

I'm beginning to realise that I'm surrounded by people that positively ooze creative talent. I'd already come to accept that, in a few years' time, some of these people will have established themselves as successful playwrights, photographers, directors, artists, graphic designers and actors. Well, looks like we can add novelist to that list.

The Tribune gave my friend Eimear Ryan a lovely write up in today's paper. Eimear was the recipient of the 'First Fiction' prize at the Hennessy X.O. Literary Awards at a glitzy ceremony in The Four Seasons last week.

The piece that deservedly won her this prestigious accolade was 'Caterpillar', which was published in The Tribune last year.

Eimear keeps a literary-themed blog, 12 Stories, that features a selection of her work as well as some other interesting musings. Be sure to check it out.

[Image: John Boyne]

New Addition

A Fitzmotown Creation.

Aw, Shucks....

I've been long-listed for the Irish Blog Awards in the 'Best Popculture Blog' category. I'm up against nineteen other blogs in the category, including last year's winner Rick O' Shea and the insanely prolific UnaRocks, whose blog I've begun following these past couple of weeks. In such company, it's unlikely I'll progress any further but, as the cliché goes, it's an honour to be nominated.

In the 'Best Fashion Blog' category, I'll be rooting for Lyndsay, a good friend of mine and a blogger whose writing I really enjoy despite not being especially interested in fashion.

Incidentally, Lyndsay probably won't be eligible for next year's Irish Blog Awards as she'll be based in New York for the next twelve months. She's flying out to The Big Apple tomorrow and will be documenting her stateside adventures here.

I'm sure our paths will cross again really soon, L-Dawg.


[Blog Awards Image: Nice Day Designs]

Tagged

Lyndsay tagged me to play a game.

The rules are as follows:
1. Go to the 4th folder in your computer where you store your pictures.
2. Pick the 4th picture in that folder.
3. Explain the picture.
4. Tag 4 people to do the same!

Here goes:

This picture was taken last May after I received an e-mail from my friend Ann Marie requesting an "upclose pic of yourself, maybe wearing something unusual". The picture was to be used in a personalised version of the boardgame 'Guess Who?' that was being made as a birthday present for our friend, Jo-Ann. This was a failed attempt at taking the photo. I think I may have pressed the button on the camera before I was entirely ready. Oops.

Lyndsay has already ear-marked three of the most likely candidates for me to tag so I'm going to go with: Eimear R, Michael, Noel and Maeve.

The Digital Nativity

Merry Christmas!


(c) Declan Hurley

As We Go On, We Remember...

My graduation ceremony took place on Monday, followed by the Graduation Ball on Tuesday, and I was quite surprised by the weird cocktail off emotions I experienced over the two days.

In some ways, I kind of didn't expect to be too affected by the whole process because I'm continuing on my studies in DCU and the fact that I'm probably never going to put my degree to good use diminishes the sense of achievement somewhat.

As such, I was surprised to find myself quite overwhelmed after the ceremony on Monday when I posed for photographs with my former-classmates. I just thought back on the past four years and the ups and downs I'd gone through with these people. At various points, some of them bailed me out majorly and I'm fully aware that, without their help, I probably wouldn't have survived the course.

Photo courtesy of Kevin Lennon

The Graduation Ball was also a surprisingly emotional affair. Despite the fact that I won't be leaving the red-bricked haven of DCU behind any time soon, there was a nice sense of finality about the night. It was lovely to have a chance to catch up with people who've played roles of varying significance in my life over the past few years and to wish them well.

Only time will tell how many of the Class of 2008 I'll be able to sustain contact with. It's been one heck of a ride, guys. Here's to you.

Photo courtesy of Allan Dixon

Photo courtesy of Steve Grimes

Photo courtesy of Lyndsay McGregor

Blog On

So, I only managed a measly five posts in all of October. Pretty pathetic, I'm sure you'll agree. That said, it's a pretty accurate reflection of 'where I'm at'.

I've spent the last few weeks running around like a headless chicken, trying to fulfill the various commitments I've taken on and touch base with all of my favourite people. Those of you that know me are probably thinking: 'What's new?' but, at the moment, it's really not sitting right.

The reason I tend to get involved in so many projects is because I love trying out new things, challenging myself and, if I'm honest, being a little bit stressed. Right now, it just doesn't seem worth it though. I'm not enjoying myself at all and I feel like I'm not spending enough time with my friends to sustain a proper connection.

This might all sound like self-indulgent tripe but it's really beginning to get me down. I'm not sure how I go about remedying the situation but I'm hoping reading week will give me a chance to clear my head and get back on track.

Things will work out just fine. They always do.

Mo' Money, Mo' Problems?

Surely not.


I think I can safely say that, at this precise moment in time, I am poorer than I have ever been before. And it sucks.

As time goes on, more and more of my friends are setting up in The Real World, bringing in a salary and even starting to save (for a rainy day, presumably). An unfortunate consequence of this is that I'm having to miss out on a lot of social occasions due to my lack of finances.

When we were all poor students, we all lived cheap and rarely went beyond the confines of DCU to socialise. These days, most of the same people wouldn't be caught dead in a student bar whereas I simply can't afford to go out anywhere else unless I 'pre-booze' (as one of my friends calls it) or stay sober.

Cinema, theatre, gigs and the likes are also off the menu for me at the time being. At the moment, I don't even know how I'm gonna pay for my next couple of months' rent and it's a scary, scary feeling.

I Know That Girl

No really, I do.

One of my best friends, Hannah McDonnell, is competing in the Rose of Tralee contest this week as The Dublin Rose. Hannah came close to competing in Tralee a couple of years ago when she made the final selection for The London Rose so it's brilliant that she's managed to go one step further this time.

I'm hoping to be back in Ireland on Tuesday afternoon so here's hoping I'll get to see her crowned the winner on Tuesday night.