Category Archives: Humour

Did you hear the one about?

Dec 16 2011

Goodbye Snow!!!

How I’d love to be able to say that.  It snowed during the night and the place is covered this morning.  Not cold though.  Sadly, it’s likely to get colder during the day and then the freezing sets in and that’s pretty much it …. I really don’t want snow at Christmas this year.  I don’t think anybody does.  It looks lovely but that’s all.  So, for what it’s worth, I want to say “Goodbye snow … see you again at some stage but NOT now”!

On the other hand, my dog Alpha said “hello” to snow today.  Even allowing for the difference in dog years, I’m not sure he’d remember much of it from last year so he was a little bemused when we went out this morning to open the church.  Mad for off, I had to keep him back for a while but then decided he might like to run.  I was right!!

What happened all the black stuff?

and the green stuff?

Okay, let's go!

This stuff is cool!

Who's idea was it for me to sit in this???

Yeah, it's not all it's cracked up to be. I'm going home!

Take me home, country roads!!

Nov 21 2011

For something completely different (and senseless!!)

Earlier today I got an email and it made me smile.  Okay, there’s no doubt the subject matter is serious and beyond a joke but I think the photos are class and, as I said, it made me smile.  Maybe it’ll do the same for you.  (I got it in picture format but found a video version on YouTube so being lazy I’ve opted for the latter rather than having to save and upload all the photos …..)
Aug 16 2011

Holiday Time!

“How is Alpha?” is a question I’ve been asked quite a bit in recent months.  He’s doing well.  At the moment he’s on holidays with my cousin Brendan who is seriously good with dogs!!  I was in Brendan’s house a few weeks ago and was very taken by how well behaved his dogs were.  He certainly has a way with them so I asked him if he’d take Alpha for a bit of “brendan time” while I was on holidays.  He readily agreed and I’m very grateful.  I sent Brendan a text earlier to see how things were with Alpha – he sent me back this photo.  It’s of Alpha with his brother and sister …. they seem to be getting on well together.

The Dobermans!! - Alpha (left) with his sister and brother in a very Sunny South Sligo. Alpha decided to holiday in Ireland this year :)

Aug 10 2011

May in August!

NO, I’ve not finally flipped!!  It’s time for May in August ….

I heard “Kentish Town Waltz” on Mid West Radio yesterday and thought it was a lovely piece of music – didn’t fully catch the lyrics but the tone was pure class.  I caught the name of the performer “Imelda May” but didn’t know anything about her.  I met a girl earlier today and we ended up talking about Gay Byrne’s interview with Imelda May on “For one night only”.  Strange that her name came up again. Anyway, did a YouTube ramble and found Kentish Town Waltz and the Gay Byrne interview.  What a lovely person she is and SO talented.  So, if you’ve only a few minutes to spare watch and listen to “Kentish Town” (brings me back a quater of a century to when I spent a few weeks of the summer as a Deacon in St Gabriel’s Church, Holloway Road.  A classmate was in Kentish Town and I used to visit him there.  No, we didn’t waltz!!!  We did eat a lot of junk food though :) …. Kentish Town ……….)

And if you’ve a bit more time – follow the clips from the “For one night only” show.  Thanks to whoever went to the trouble of posting them on youtube.  Thanks to Imelda for her reality, her gift, her talent …. her songs.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Jul 2 2011

July

It’s hard to believe that we’ve stepped into the seventh month of the year.  It seems no length since Christmas and now we’re closer to the next one than the last one. Time certainly moves on.  Nothing much to share now – just really to put a marker on July.  I received the following story in an email earlier so maybe it’s worth sharing …. then again, maybe not!

I notice my first posting on this blog was on July 8th, 2008 so it’s almost three years on the go now.  I’ve enjoyed it.  As I said at the start, wasn’t sure where it’s going and, truth told, still am not too sure but it’s still going and I suppose there’s something to be grateful for in that. A few months ago a local journalist ran a piece on the blog site I try to keep going (http://www.con-telegraph.ie/opinion/open-agenda/2020-blogging-for-gods-sake)  So we’ll stick at it for another while – Rome, not built in a day and all that …. Yeah, maybe today’s email is worth sharing ……

The Los Angeles Times published the story of a commercial airline flight cancellation which resulted in a long line of travelers trying to get bookings on another flight. One man in the line grew increasingly impatient with the slow-moving line.  At last, he pushed his way to the front and angrily demanded a first-class ticket on the next available flight. “I’m sorry,” said the ticket agent, “First I’ll have to take care of the people who were ahead of you in the line.” The irate man then pounded his fist on the ticket counter, saying, “Do you have any idea who I am?” Whereupon, the ticket agent picked up the public address microphone and said, “Attention, please! There is a gentleman at the ticket counter who does not know who he is. If there is anyone in the airport who can identify him, please come to the counter.” Hearing this, the man retreated, and the people waiting in line burst into applause.   We are like this man.  We have forgotten how to wait patiently. In today’s gospel, Jesus invites us to learn his meekness and humility. 

Apr 3 2011

Alpha!

Alpha close enough to the ALPHA (beginning)

I called to see my brother Kieran and his family just before midnight on New Year’s Eve.  Some weeks earlier their Doberman (Jordan) gave birth to a litter of puppies.  Kieran and Helena offered me one of them if I wanted and, though tempted, I thought of all the reasons I shouldn’t.  There was still a nagging though – not from Kieran or family – but in my head, that a dog might be good to have.  Then again, the reasons why I shouldn’t kept coming back.  They were numerous and true!!

Anyway, back to New Year’s Eve.  I called to see them all, welcomed in 2011 and left around 12.30am ………. with Alpha!!  They brought in one of the pups just after midnight and I decided to take him home.  It was just into the New Year, a new beginning so I called him ALPHA.  He’s still with me though there have been a few times I thought I’d prefer to call him OMEGA (the end).
I’m into my fourth month with him now and it hasn’t been honeymoon all the way.  I was in the school the other day and told the children I was going home to have my lunch.  I had some mince meat cooked from the day before and told them I was going to have that with some potatoes.  The teacher said I was making them hungry.  Came home, put down the potatoes, took mince from the fridge and left it on the worktop.  Decided to let Alpha in for a while.  Before I knew what happened, he had the mince devoured!  The children need not have been jealous.
Friends ask how I’m getting on with him and I say that there are times I regret getting him but overall I’m glad to have him.  Certainly there’s a welcome home waiting for me now.  I think we’ll have many rows but hopefully none too serious.
I’m going to take him for a walk now.  Well, more accurately put, he’s going to take me :)
Feb 3 2011

Heritage Night

A short recitation by Martin Frain – filmed at the Heritage Night in Kilmovee Community Centre on the vigil of St Brigid’s Day.  Martin is well known for penning pieces like this. 

Dec 21 2010

Three Christmas Video Clips

Hello!  Thought I’d post three video clips – one I received today.  It’s a very UP TO THE (TECHNICAL) MINUTE take on the Christmas Story.  I looked at some of the comments on YouTube and some find it less than respectful – I’d beg to differ.  I think whoever did the work has a great grip of the Story.  See what you think!

The second clip, I posted last year as well but this seems to be a longer version.  It’s one of my favourite Christmas Carols ….

And finally, my favourite Christmas Carol – Silent Night – sung by John Denver (R.I.P.) accomanying himself on the guitar the instrument, he tells us, that the carol was written for.

Nov 7 2010

Well done old friends!

Congratulations to my old friends in St Aidan’s N.S., Monasteraden on another FILM SUCCESS!  This week they were awarded two special prizes in the FÍS awards – Best Directed Film and Best OVERALL Film for their animation “Awful Arabella”.  Two of the pupils, Shane and Lisa, were interviewed on RTE Radio 1 by John Murray the morning after their success.  President McAleese presented the award for the best overall film.  Well done to you all.  Keep up the good work.  The Film was posted on the RTE website so I’ve borrowed the link!  Enjoy

                                                                          [Vimeo 14237667]

Aug 28 2010

You have to see this! (Well only if you want to :) )

Back in Kilmovee since yesterday.  Travelled well and good to be back.  Still a lot of good memories floating around in the “ould” head and glad of them too.  Just got an email from a good friend with the following You Tube video link attached.  Have a look …. Would have loved to see something like this in Penn, Grand Central or Union Station.  There’s place for this kind of thing anywhere …. Enjoy!