Susan Hated Literature

There I was, channel surfing last night, and what did I come across, only the bestest news in the world eveh! That’s right, New Kids On The Block are back! Touring. And coming to Ireland. The excitement is incroyable.

I’m even half tempted to go. I mean, apart from the fact that they’re crap, and I only remember two of their songs, and the concert’d be full of other saddos like me either approaching or in their 30’s, what possible reason could I have not to go. Oh NKOTB, memories are made of you! Oh yeah, there is also the fact that while €44 aint bad for a concert, I’m really not willing to shell out that much on memories.

But still, it pleases me that, if I really wanted to, I could go.

looking at them I think I'm right to just say no

Obviously today’s title is brought to you by New Kids on the Block and their wonderful song Hanging Tough

I can’t help feel like there is something I’ve forgotten to do. I certainly don’t have that Friday feeling this afternoon, though that may be down to the fact that I have to work tomorrow Still could be worse. I’m guessing it’ll be quiet so I’ll be doing a whole heap of nothing.

But, I’ve checked my phone and have “no calender entries for today” yet still the feeling that I should be doing something just won’t go away. It’s annoying.

In much better news I went to see Declan O’Rourke play last night. I do think he is just fab.

When discussing the Mercury prize a while back Sinéad Gleeson mentioned Bats for Lashes^[1] and their album Gold and Fur, so I took a chance on it.

And guess what is my fav album of the year. I loves it.

At first I just really liked a few songs; Trophy and Sad Eyes and a few others

But the more I’ve listened to it the more I’ve loved it all.

Sinéad and the girl who’s afraid of foxes also recommended Beirut’s The Flying Club Cup but I haven’t listened to much of that. the cd only arrived this week so I haven’t had the chance yet, so far it hasn’t grabbed me as much though.

I already mentioned that recently I’ve been listening to Bill Callahan, well, lately I’ve been focusing my attentions on Diamond Dancer. I love this song,^[1] I could listen to it all day long. You can also listen to it on You Tube.

The only problem is that it really does get stuck in my head and I go around humming “diamond dancer, diamond dancer” to myself. But on the pro-side, it is really great song to walk^[2] to work listening to.

Over at Stainless Steel Droppings Carl has a lovely reflection on Jenn See and how the internet allows us to make connections with people we might otherwise never know. There is also an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer about Jenn and the people she knew online.

And although yesterday’s post may have been slightly tongue-in-cheek about how great the internet is, the truth is that wwwland can be a wonderful place. You get to meet new people, as a lecturer once put it, create new communities, that otherwise you might never do. So while there is stilla huge perve factor to a lot of the internet I think we should all realise that, like life^[3] the internet is what you make it.

Don’t you just love Bank Holiday weekends? Or whatever your particular version of them are. I know I do. And even more when it means that I only have a three day working week as I’m off on Friday too. Yay for half-arsed working weeks.

Most of yesterday was a lovely day, weatherwise. Sunshine, warmth, a nice August day. But as I walked past the cinema on my way home from town, I felt a few drops of rain, and, just after I got home, I heard the first roll of thunder and next thing you know it was lashing. cats and dogs weren’t even in it. Good timing on my part.

Anyway, enough about the weather, I’ve been tagged for the first time in ages, Alan wants me to reveal the Soundtrack to my life. Hmmmm.

1. In 1983/84 I was4/5, so I may not have seen the video to Michael Jackson’sThriller but I do remember the next-door neighbour hiding behind the couch.
2. B #1, being older, was more into music at the time, so we’d listen to his tape collection. Hits 5 was a favourite. You Can Call Me Al, Don’t Get Me Wrong, Thorn In My Side, and True Colours are the ones that stand out in my memory.
3. Alan mentioned Lady in Red over on his site, but I have to list it too, that was the song of the year. My cousin, and many many others, dressed up as the Lady for a fancy dress competition.
4. I’ve mentioned him before, that’s right, ladies and gentlemen^[1] it is Johnny Logan and Hold Me Now from 1987. I was 8. It was great.
5. Madonna’s Like A Prayer was also huge, mainly because it got banned. How cool was that?
6. In 1988 the song everyone was listening to was Kylie Minogue’s I Should Be So Lucky. And of course who could possibly forget her The Loco-Motion and the duet with Jason Donovan Especially for You No more dreaming about tomorrow, forget the loneliness and the sorrow classic.
7. Black Box’s Ride on Time, that song was at number one forever. Or so it seemed at the time.
8. In the early 90’s it was all about the New Kids on the Block. I think that their Hangin’ Tough was probably the first album I ever bought.
9. The year I went to the Gaeltacht Shaggy’s Oh Carolina was huge. Oh, and No Limit by Two Unlimited.<
10. In secondary school the big debate was, as Father Damo^[2] once asked “Blur or Oasis”. Personally I wasn’t big into either. But I thought Oasis had better music, but Blur had better personalities. Let’s go with Wonderwall, just because.
11. While I was at college in Galway I started listening to Ben Christophers. Bit fan of My Beautiful Demon. That was also when I first started listening to Dead Can Dance.
12. Listening to Snow Patrol or Keane will bring back memories of exams. Library exams. How boring, but that is what I listened to when I should have been studying.
13. At the moment I’m mostly listening to Bill Callahan, otherwise known as Smog. But I’ve also been listening to Declan O’Rourke, Martha Wainwright, Thea Gilmore, and the soundtracks to various films.

Almost forgot, I’m supposed to tag people, well I wouldn’t want anyone to feel left out, so you’re ALL it.

Before the day begins, can we all point and laugh at this story (via StephanieOnTour).

A lorry containing Cadbury chocolate eggs worth an estimated £70,000 has been stolen in Staffordshire. … “The criminal fraternity are pretty thick, it’s not likely that a reputable retailer will buy them and it’s likely that they will turn up at car boot sales in the area,”

Agus ón blog Harry McGee we have Liam Ó Maonlaí having a bit of a session: