Sunday, May 27, 2007

Our Shadow Self


Some great thoughts thanks. The arrival of internet social networking seems to have a generation addicted to myspace/bebo/facebook/blogs. People can present themselves to the world, revealing (or making up) another dimension to their character.

Douglas Coupland is my hero. In an interview about his new book 'jPod' he said:
'In the future everybody will have their real selves and their shadow self that exists purely inside computers'
Do you think this is the case?


Anyway, I'm off to England for a school trip tomorrow for some absailing, raft building, quad bike racing, shooting, zip-lining, and trying to bring the same 30 kids home again. Click here for last year's update...... that means I've had this blog for a year now.....I'm still unsure of the point!

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

To blog or not to blog

I've been wondering about the point of blogging since a discussion in Brian Heasley's a few weeks back.

My own blog began because I like writing and thought blogging would be a good outlet for it. After a while I kept getting religious nuts coming on and twisting what I was saying so I stopped writing about real issues and just stuck some pics up and talked about music.

Al's blog has provided him with support and catharsis but....
.....as I look at most other people's blogs it seems that whenever they write something new, interesting or profound nobody comments. But if they write something for a bit of craic then they get a load of people commenting.

Maybe the people who read blogs do so for escapism? The same reason that people watch soaps, big brother and read those crappy celebrity magazines where they compare how awful they look compared to the fit celebrities and how great they look compared to the fat cellulity ones.......maybe it's escapism from real life which is just too damn hard to be thinking about.

I also find it strange how friends, partners etc go on eachother's blogs and declare their love. Why not just tell them or send a text? Why does the WWW need to know??

Any thoughts on.....

Why we write blogs? Why we read blogs?

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Hallelujah Avenue

This song by Foy Vance has moved me so much since I first heard it in Dundalk's Spirit Store. This is a powerful unofficial video I spotted on youtube. Have a Jeff Duke.

She never was a fighter
Til he lay beside her.
And gently whispered hope

Friday, May 04, 2007

Jesus of the Scars


Yesterday the mini-rugby team I coach won the Gilpin Cup- the most prestigious sports competition for local primary schools. Great reward for the hard work through the winter months.

Last night was a special gig with Julie Feeney, Foy Special, and Duke Special and the amazing Ulster Orchestra. Very different than Foy's and Duke's normal gigs but a feast for the senses never-the-less.

Normally I would have loads to say about these things but last night didn't feel normal. Though the past week has been eventful, I find it hard to do normal things, be normal places, read normal books/blogs etc when my mind is consumed with reminiscing about Lins and the pain that her passing has left on those closest to her. A pain that I can't come close to understanding. The grieving period, especially for them, is ongoing.

Stefan quoted from this poem (by Edward Shillito) in his prayer at Lindsay's funeral. Beautiful words.

If we have never sought, we seek Thee now
Thine eyes burn through the dark, our only stars;

We must have sight of thorn-pricks on Thy brow,
We must have Thee, O Jesus of the Scars.

The heavens frighten us; they are too calm;
In all the universe we have no place.

Our wounds are hurting us; where is the balm?
Lord Jesus, by Thy Scars, we claim Thy grace.

If, when the doors are shut, Thou drawest near,
Only reveal those hands, that side of Thine;
We know to-day what wounds are, have no fear,
Show us Thy Scars, we know the countersign.

The other gods were strong; but Thou wast weak;
They rode, but Thou didst stumble to a throne;
But to our wounds only God's wounds can speak,
And not a god has wounds, but Thou alone.

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Grief observed

I'm finding it difficult to think with any clarity these days. Nothing seems important beyond the loss of Lins and the grief of those closest to her (click here). I heard a song on the radio recently that summed up my feelings and prayers for them. It's called 'Revival' by Soulsavers. I'm not sure of their spiritual leaning (have sent off for the album so will let you know). It is beautiful. Check out the audio here.

Why am I so blind with my eyes wide open?
Now I need someone
Let this dark night be done
I need you so
Put an end to my suffering
I wanna see a revival tonight Lord
There needs to be a revival.