However, I started talking about Daniel Craig, the US show Smash, my coughing fit, Camille O’Sullivan’s new album and Pennywise the Clown.

The Pennywise Endurance Test: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sheTpnkqVXg

A few links that I mention in the video:

@DarrenByrne on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DarrenByrne

@AnthonyMcG on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AnthonyMcG

@SineadKeogh on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SineadKeogh

@TheSonicScrew (my brother, Seán) on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TheSonicScrew

The Sonic Screw on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/TheSonicScrew

My Drunk Kitchen on YouTube: www.youtube.com/MyHarto

Also, a huge thanks to everyone who has given me positive feedback on these little videos over the last week. It’s greatly appreciated.

I also wanted to tell you about The Artist, which I saw in the IFI last week. Damn fine movie!

And yeah, I’m wearing a bowler hat – what of it?

D

I watched a couple of episodes of the show today and was inspired to answer the questions myself.

1. What is your favorite word?

Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis. It was a word I learned as a child when I was obsessed with language, words and wordplay. Despite its length, it still trips off my tongue effortlessly.

2. What is your least favorite word?

The ‘C’ word.

3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

People. People and their emotions. Laughter, tears, embarassment, elation, fear, pride…all of it. I love the range of human emotions and love to watch it play out in real life.

4. What turns you off?

Negativity. (My own included)

5. What is your favorite curse word?

Fuck. It’s an amazing word with so many different uses and connotations. Do you watch The Wire? Before I ever saw the programme, I saw a clip on YouTube of this 4 minute scene from the show where the two leads utter nothing but ‘fuck’ and its derivations for the entire scene. I had assumed it was a parody or piss take of the show until I started to watch the boxset. A few episodes in, that scene started to play out – I couldn’t believe it. It had me in stitches. I’m also a huge fan of the opening scene of Four Weddings and a Funeral.

Curiously, I rarely cursed until I was about 16 and I still think I use ‘bad language’ sparingly.

6. What sound or noise do you love?

A song than reminds me of a happy time. But if it’s a specific sound…laughter in all it’s forms.

7. What sound or noise do you hate?

So many voices at once that no one can be heard.

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

Writing. I’d love to be a successful, published author.

9. What profession would you not like to do?

Anything that involved dealing with children 8 hours a day.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

“Despite your lack of belief during your life…come on in, the champagne is on ice.”

Here’s the questions again if you want to copy and paste your reply:

What is your favorite word?
What is your least favorite word?
What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
What turns you off?
What is your favorite curse word?
What sound or noise do you love?
What sound or noise do you hate?
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
What profession would you not like to do?
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

These well-to-do aul’ wans were discussing a mutual friend, one they seemed to have both known for a significant number of years. While I picked up no names, their inflexions and tones on each “he said” and “she said” made it easy to decipher the individual “he’s” and “she’s”.

At the moment I picked up on their less-than-clandestine conversation, aul’ wan A (let’s call her Ann) was saying that she had enough of “her” (the mutual friend’s) behaviour. Aul’ wan B (shall we say Barbara?) completely agreed. Ann’s annoyance grew as she spoke of the mutual friend’s recent gallivanting.

Ann: “I saw her up dancing in the Grand last Sunday. And she a married woman.”

Barbara: “Sure, she’s always been the same. Do you not remember back in nineteen sixty-something when she was with yer man? She knew then I had a thing for him and she didn’t care. Why would it be any different now?”

Ann: “She’s a hussy. It’s no way to be behave.”

Barbara: “Well, I’m having no more to do with her. I’m cutting her out.” (this is honestly what this woman said)

Ann: “What do you mean?”

Barbara: “I’m not speaking to her. I’m not even going to look at her. I’ll walk by her if I see her.”

Ann: “You’re dead right. I’m not talking to someone like that. I’ll cut her off too.”

Two elderly women behaving like bitchy teenagers – I could only smile in disbelief.

I’m beginning to think their no such thing as ‘growing up’. It’s just a phrase that adults use to make themselves feel better.

I

So, why then was I so nervous going for a small part in a five minute song produced by the AmDram society I’m in? I know the people people I was auditioning for. I know the song inside out and have done for many years (Skid Row fom Little Shop of Horrors). I know I can do it and do it well.

And what happened? I walked in, I missed my cue, I screeched instead of sang, I missed notes. Argh!! So, so silly. I’m better than this.

Rant over. I hate auditions.

What’s this then?

This is my attempt to mark an end to the crapness of this last year and try to build a fresh start. Things aren’t all that bad. I have a great selection of wonderful friends – I’d be lost without Anthony and Sinead – my family are being incredibly supportive, and I’m seeing someone new, who is kind, funny and mad about me (what more could I ask?).

I’ve also joined a musical society. We recently staged Jesus Christ Superstar in The Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire. The cast is really close and I love all of them. Over the past few months, between rehearsals, nights out and the show itself, they have been a well needed distraction from real life’s woes.

I’m embracing the positives (and no, I’m not reading any self-help novels). I’m going to try focus on the good things and look forward instead of constantly moping and moaning about the things that are in the past and can’t be changed.

Here’s to a fresh start, a fresh outlook and a fresh attitude to life.

What? Not attractive? I think I look hot!!! Ahem…

Okay, here I am being cute instead:

Hi D, you’re well?

All is good with you?

Everything ok?

You in good form, mate?

‘Story, bud?

I’m grand. I’m fine. Coping. I’m good, yeah.

All just words really; they mean very little.

The truth is, I’m having a hectic and messy few weeks, but I’m positive about where things are heading. I’m loving work right now and when I’m out of an evening, I’m having fun, rather than just going through the motions.

There are plenty of people who’ve had it worse than me. It’s just hard sometimes to step out of self-obsession long enough to see this.

My new job in the IIA, though just short term, is perfectly suited to me. All the jobs I’ve had and all the experience I’ve gained over the years seem to be geared towards this position. And it’s nice to feel challenged by work again.

Culch.ie is going phenomenally well. Traffic on the site is taking a jump again in recent times. This is due to some great new writers, consistent quality content (the most important thing, IMO) and support from companies and PR firms who are able to offer competition prizes, review tickets and other information. Yes, it still costs me money to run. I’m reluctant to put ads on the site to pay for it, as I don’t want to take away its community feeling. We’ll see.

The love life is a real life horror movie, so there’s no change there. I just need to get used to my own company for a while. I need to find myself, blah, blah, blah… Truthfully, I don’t know what I need or want, but I’m going to try to enjoy finding out.

What else? What do you want to know?

I think Amy the Cat is feeling very neglected these days. I should pay her more attention. She doesn’t bring me dead birds as gifts anymore. I’m not sure if this is a good or a bad thing. Does she hate me now?

I’m trying to keep this week free of plans – we’re coming up to our Annual Conference next week and the preparations for that are forcing me to keep long hours. That said, I’m hoping to catch Manny Quinn tomorrow evening, head to the Queen’s 25^th on Friday and then after a hopefully quiet weekend, head to see Sandi Thom in Whelans on Monday. Yes, that is my idea of a quiet few days.

All in all, it’s not too bad. I’m smiling.