Once again I feel I have to apologise for not being around as much as I would like. As usual college is keeping me busy. But it's reading week and a long weekend to boot so I have a little (too little really ) time.
And what does a Canadian in Ireland do when he has some time off and it's the October Bank Holiday?
The chestnuts for the competition are provided by 52 Horse Chestnut trees that surround the village green, which produce 30,000 conkers.
Here's some of them. I'm sure you're wondering what exactly conkers are at this point. Luckily, but not surprisingly, Wikipedia has an article.
A couple of competitors
Aside from the championship there were other games And crafts These lads started a mini-company selling slate crafts as part of their transition year.
The Kilkenny Flower Club were exhibiting in St. Lachtain's Church which is famous for its 12th century carved sandstone entry. A good day out, aside from the weather. Tomorrow? Back to the grind.
And finally, a couple of short films that are favourites of mine. And you can see them right here on the web.
You might also be interested if you've never heard Irish spoken.
Now the bad news is, because of my limited bandwidth, if I try to refresh the page to see comments the audio stream will cut out. So you might only hear from me during half-time. But we'll see how it goes.
Go Riders!!!
Oh yeah, the kick off is set for 1800 ET. According to my calculations, that's 2300 GMT. If you want to see what time the game starts in your area you can check here.
Moving on... Visitor time again. My cousin and his family who were holidaying out in Galway are coming for a few days before the head back to Canada. And, out of the blue, I heard from another cousin who works on a yacht in Spain. She's visiting a friend in Sligo and wants to come and visit us too. I should ask Bord Fáilte for a cut.
It never rains but it pours. Three birthdays in a row this week.
Sunday would have been Dad's, and of course Mam's was on Tuesday. And then when the brother rang to give his wishes we found out that his girlfriend had her birthday on Monday
Ah well, I fired off a quick e-card - better late than never - and I made sure that it's in the diary for next year.
Speaking of it pouring, the plan was to go to a beach this weekend and have a picnic to celebrate. Looks like the weather is not going to co-operate.
In other news:
Still working on the Vancouver photos. I have them in Picasa and sorted into albums. Still have to do some editing and get them uploaded.
The comedy festival was huge fun. Even though the weather wasn't great for it either. The previous two years really spoiled us. I wasn't on the Flying Squad in the end, but I was made a floating volunteer. Basically, instead of working just one venue I got sent wherever the needed an extra body. A bit more work, but I got to see way more shows this way.
So many great comics I can't list them all here. But some highlights were (in alphabetical order):
I didn't get to see Glenn Wool perform, but he spotted me in my Canucks shirt and we chatted for a bit. Turns out he lived in Saskatchewan for a while too.
But my Comedy Hero has to be Ed Byrne Not only a really nice guy and very funny, but he found my wallet when I lost it backstage at one of his shows.
Nothing else to report really, so mind how you go.
Mmmmmmmhhhhhh, pancakes. Light and fluffy, browned to perfection. Lightly buttered and dripping with maple syrup. <Insert Homer Simpson drooling sound here.>
And just to give it an Irish twist - served with rashers and black pudding. (Yeah, I know. But if you don't think about what's in them they're really tasty.)
Now I think I'm just going to go and digest for a while.
I was only just starting to recover from the weekend volunteering, when we get the local Pattern Day. So I was helping Mam get the family graves ready, then singing in the choir, then helping with the tea in the hall afterwards. It was a interesting evening, but unfortunately the weather didn't let us have the mass in the graveyard.
I've also had three exams in the last two days, dealt with some red tape that I won't bore you with, and my writer's group is doing a reading tomorrow for the arts festival.
I'm mitching off classes for a hour, don't tell anyone.
On top of that I'm sorting out a PC problem for a friend.
Anywho, I'm afraid that's the reason I've been neglecting the community Sorry, as soon as I catch my breath I'll be back properly.
Forgot to mention the volunteers' meeting for the Comedy Festival. Didn't really learn anything new - after 4 years I should know the drill - but it's good to catch up with the rest of the crew.
I was hoping to work as a driver this year, unfortunately I left it to late. Still, I managed to corner one of the festival staff and offer my services for next year.
I'm hoping I'll be able to do it. It's a big commitment, you have to be available for several days before and at least a day after the festival proper, and there are early mornings and late nights involved. I sitll think it would be a great opportunity. Plus I'd get a rental car to use, which would be interesting.
Now I just have to keep my nose, and more importantly my license, clean for the next year. Fingers crossed.
) time.
So you might only hear from me during half-time. But we'll see how it goes.
but it seems to have settled now. 
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- served with 
don't tell anyone. 
(86%)
WIDGETIZE