Saturday 08th 2006f July 2006
« « House for Sale| Catalogue » »Summer Rain
I’ll be back in Dublin for a week in the beginning of August, to help my parents throw away all my stuff before they move into their new house. It’ll be temporarily quieter in work at that point so I’ve essentially been ordered to take a week of my vacation time while I can. My parents had been agitating for me to go over, even offering to pay for my ticket, so that’s all worked out. This will be the first time I’ve seen Dublin in the summer since 2003. It’ll probably be raining.
Not that it hasn’t been raining here. On Wednesday morning I was caught in something of a downpour. I was out near Prospect Park in Brooklyn trying to get into work. Obviously, I don’t actually live there. I had spent the night in my boss Eli’s spare room.
Eli is the person I’ve seen more often than any other recently. In addition to working together, we’ve been hanging out fairly often, along with Ian and his wife Jackie. That wedding was excellent – almost as good as the bachelor party. It took place in Westchester, in the garden of Ian’s Uncle’s giant mansion. It was raining, but there was a tent, and if it hadn’t been it would have been unbearably hot. Particularly in a suit. As happens at weddings, I danced. I’m terrified that there are photographs. They’re back from their honeymoon tomorrow, I believe. Jamaica.
This weekend just gone was, of course, the weekend of July 4th – Independence Day here in the US of A. Beautifully, July 4th was a Tuesday so we had a four day weekend – positively unheard of. On Friday night I went out to Brooklyn to meet up with Maeve, her fiancee Jordan and her friend Kat. We had been intending to see an open air gig, but the sky was threatening so we bailed and just went drinking. I ended up on Maeve and Jordan’s sofa that night. The trek from Prospect Park to Harlem is not one lightly undertaken late at night while drunk.
How much more so the journey from Red Hook to Harlem. Quite an odyssey even in broad daylight in a state of complete sobriety. That’s where I went to watch the fireworks.
On Monday I went into work to pick up my gym gear. I’d left it there rather than trek it out to Brooklyn on Friday. Eli was there (not surprisingly, even though it was a day off). I went for a workout (so, so boring) and then met Eli for a drink. We had a few and completely failed to go to a gig in Manhattan that his friends band was playing. It finished at 9pm rather than starting then – an important distinction. Missing gigs and drinking was really the motif of the weekend.
We agreed to meet up to watch the fireworks. Maeve had suggested I join her and a few of her friends on a pier in Red Hook to see them, and Eli was agreeable to this. He had in fact worked with Maeve many years before – New York is pretty small. In the event he mostly missed them. He and his girlfriend Liz had a hard time finding the place. They ended up at the wrong pier standing beside a huge pile of smelly garbage. I don’t think they stuck it long. The fireworks were great. I didn’t take this video.
From where we were standing we could see the display on the East River as well as the simultaneous, synchronized one by Staten Island. We had only to turn our heads to see the same thing from a different angle, which was nice. We met up with Eli and Liz in a nearby bar later. As there was work the next day it soon became obvious that I wasn’t going to make it home. Eli offerd to put me up and that’s how the next morning I ended up almost stranded in a flood with him in Brooklyn rather than safe on the relatively high ground of Harlem. Athough this did happen just a few blocks away, so maybe Brooklyn isn’t so bad.
I haven’t been to see a movie in ages. I used to go on my own all the time, but then I got into the habit of going with certain other people. And now for one reason or another I don’t go with those people anymore, so I don’t go. But this will change, I’m sure. If Superman or Pirates of the Caribbean don’t tempt me out, the A Scanner Darkly certainly will. That’s one of my favourite books. And how good was the last episode of Doctor Who? I can’t wait for the next one. Rose can’t die! I mean, literally – she’s narrating.
I’m thinking about starting to control comments more tightly. Recently they seem to have gotten a little – off colour. I’ve had comments issues before but I chose to deal with them by means other than brute deletion. I’ve never actually deleted a comment except at the request of the commenter, and I’ve only edited when a bit of non-standard punctuation has gotten into the Textile filter and screws up the formatting. This may change. So tone it down, people. And by “people” I mean Dean and Daragh. This is not a challenge.
Elenamary, you I don’t mind so much.
Comment ID: 13230
At 2:14 pm on Saturday 08th 2006f July 2006, Nigel statedYou tell ‘em Anthony! No hoodlums here!
Comment ID: 13234
At 3:30 pm on Saturday 08th 2006f July 2006, Andrew Bellware announcedI think I slept through the rain. I’d heard it described as “biblical”.
Comment ID: 13255
At 5:13 pm on Saturday 08th 2006f July 2006, elenamary blurtedAnthony, you are a sweetheart. I am done with the off colored remarks it was a brief, one blog entry, abnormal behavior. I am now back to the liberal bleeding heart comments. Since your parents paid for your ticket do you want to pay for my ticket to Ireland? I’ve never been and it is where half of my family comes from =(
Comment ID: 13269
At 12:00 am on Sunday 09th 2006f July 2006, Babs proclaimedHurrah!! For once I’m not the pottymouth!!
And I took my Ma to see Pirates the day it came out. I normally won’t pay that much, or go out to see a film on opening day, but it had to be done.
Totally worth it in my opinion.
Comment ID: 13270
At 12:03 am on Sunday 09th 2006f July 2006, Babs opinedAlso—if you’re not up to it I’m perfectly willing to trot off to Ireland in your place to throw away your things. Really. You’ll thank me for this one day.
Comment ID: 13357
At 3:45 pm on Sunday 09th 2006f July 2006, Anthony postedI’m perfectly happy to go myself, sorry Babs. And Elenamary, I don’t think I’m as wealthy as you think I am. I’m really, really bad with money. If my parents weren’t paying I wouldn’t be going.
I suggest you direct your appeals directly to them – I’m sure they could use some more help packing.
Comment ID: 13425
At 3:18 am on Monday 10th 2006f July 2006, Skeezbag Dirty Bones assertedAhem! Ahem…. ahu-Ahem!!! Anthony, you seem to have forgoten one vital thing since your recent Americanisation…. that being, YOUR FRIENDS!!!
May I re-iterate that is was in fact Daragh and I who were the sole contributors to many a bare and dismal Blog posting in the past year. As for off-coloured comments I think Elenamary with her talk of Herpe infested flaps wins hands down, yet you seem to feel it necessary to chastise Daragh und moi!! Get your priorities straight Monsieur, or you’ll soon see who yer friends are back home… or not as the case may be, as you sit alone dribbling over a flat pint of Smithwicks!
Comment ID: 13498
At 8:28 pm on Monday 10th 2006f July 2006, elenamary attestedSkeezbag Dirty Bones, it doesn’t matter if you think my comments win “hands down”. It doesn’t matter because I am much more cute than either of you (and humble).
Dear Mr. Litton,
As per your son Anthony’s reccomendation I am writing you in hopes of a plane ticket to Ireland. I will help you pack and I will do whatever you ask of me while Ms. Litton is out and about.
Thank you,
Elenamary
Comment ID: 13538
At 4:14 am on Tuesday 11th 2006f July 2006, Skeezbag Dirty Bones testifiedLeave ‘im alone…. he’s OUR friend!!!!
Stay clear of it Anthony, she’s just an illegal Mehican looking for safe passage to another country! She’ll ddo anything to get her way, yes – ANYTHING!
Oh, and by the way, don’t let my Gravatar trick you; as you see by the Pirate theme, I am actually not unlike Johnny Depp in the handsome way and many commentors here will I’m sure, having met me personally, profess to my unbelievable good looks.
But I fart from time to time though.
Comment ID: 13613
At 8:59 pm on Tuesday 11th 2006f July 2006, elenamary felt the urge to writeDear Mr Skeezbag Dirty Bones, Actually, I have dual citizenship in two countries. I have safe passage to many countires. I wouldn’t mind some EU citizenship. Any one know any countries where you can get citzenship by birth other than the two countires I have citizneship in? I got to figure out where to have my youngins.
Comment ID: 13618
At 3:01 am on Wednesday 12th 2006f July 2006, Skeezbag Dirty Bones felt the urge to writeElenamary. I hear, between you and me, that Mr. Litton Junior is very fond of the odd Fahita and has a serious hangning for Chillis! In fact, he once told me how he would love to return to Ireland one day wearing his favourite Sombrero and open his very own Mehicano Restorante! Ola! Ondale ondale!! He has all 10 episodes of Speedy Gonzales on DVD and he’s a big fan of Antonio Banderoso’s work! Indeed, his favourite fancy dress party outfit is his trusted Zoro!
I’m not sure about this, but I also think he’s big into making babies too! Ya never know eh! But act quickly; war is on the horizon between the US and the Europeans I hear!
Comment ID: 14052
At 5:39 am on Monday 17th 2006f July 2006, D professedUsually reliable sources report that Anthony’s parents sold their hovel for a pittance. They are looking forward to moving to the new hovelin (ie small hovel) This is little more than a shed build in the backgarden of the Italian Embassy. Being of modest tastes and hopeful of a steady and ever increasing flow of emigrant remittances, they expect a comfortable decline into old age. Mr Litton was touched by Elenamary’s offer to help not only with the moving but to wash, cook and clean as well. He has heard of people rowing accross the Atlantic and supposes row boats cannot be too expensive. Also, it’s a very healthy way of travelling.
Comment ID: 14053
At 5:49 am on Monday 17th 2006f July 2006, Daragh attestedWhat a scorcher! Heading into the 30’s here in dorty Dublin & Gallimh! You missed a great Film Fleadh Anthony!
Hope thats toned down enough!
...When in doubt talk about the weather!
Zaini & Sagel had a great Birthday!
Comment ID: 14094
At 4:11 pm on Monday 17th 2006f July 2006, Anthony testifiedIt’s 35 here today and it’ll be hotter tomorrow. Humid, too. It’s too much! I’m always sorry to miss the Fleadh, particularly now that Felim’s so involved. How’s he doing? And happy birthday Zainin and Sagel. You couldn’t have waited, could you…
Comment ID: 14121
At 4:32 am on Tuesday 18th 2006f July 2006, Daragh declaredDidn’t get to see Felim – He was probably up to his eyes – They had a great Film Board party in the Radisson – the stars were John Hurt, Kathy Bates, Patrick Bergin and Nic Roeg of ‘Don’t look now!’ fame – he had a Master Class on. Pretty surreal in the Radisson – outside having a few drinks in the sun – lying on astro turf on the crazy golf course over looking the bay… magic. As always did’nt get to see any films but the craic was mighty!
Comment ID: 14129
At 7:20 am on Tuesday 18th 2006f July 2006, Babs assertedIdea for you, Anthony!! Why don’t you leave for Dublin NOW and I’ll house-sit for you, instead. Don’t want any crazies nicking your puter or TV, do you??
I am, of course, basing my offer on the assumption that you have several air conditioners in your apartment.
Comment ID: 14201
At 7:05 pm on Tuesday 18th 2006f July 2006, Ivan opinedgood – Dave wins in Galway
bummer – I am in france at the start of August
good – I am in france at the start of August
the triangularcircleum is complevium.
Comment ID: 14236
At 6:38 am on Wednesday 19th 2006f July 2006, Skeezbag Dirty Bones typedDoes anyone want to flat sit for me? But you gotta take care of my Pussy while I’m away too.
Comment ID: 14701
At 5:07 am on Monday 24th 2006f July 2006, JIMI, PhD imparteder… I read an article once in Sight and Sound about “narration as death” or something. All about film noirs, etc narrated by dead people (and not forgetting of course Sunset Boulevard). What I’m trying to say is Rose CAN die, despite (or perhaps because of) the fact she’s the narrator…
Capish?
Comment ID: 14774
At 1:38 pm on Monday 24th 2006f July 2006, Anthony declaredYeah, well, she didn’t, so there.
So, Ivan, both yourself and Zaini will be out of the country while I’m in it.
I gave too much notice, didn’t I.
Comment ID: 14871
At 5:32 am on Tuesday 25th 2006f July 2006, Daragh assertedYea, were in the country too…. but thinking of getting out now…. its a conspriency…. we know something you don’t …. we’re joing up with Ivan and Zaini….
Na, theres a bed here for you Anthony, with your name on it, if you want, when you come over…. Am I not exciting enough? It will be a bank holiday here when you come over so people are taking full advantage I guess.
Comment ID: 14872
At 5:34 am on Tuesday 25th 2006f July 2006, Daragh proclaimedJoining!
Comment ID: 15016
At 7:00 am on Wednesday 26th 2006f July 2006, Felim saidHey geezer, when are you back in Dublin? It would be nice to meet and beat you in a game of chess!
Hi Ivan, Daragh, Zaini & anyone else I know. Mad news about your parents moving out of your house! (‘bout time they got their own place!)
Comment ID: 15021
At 7:33 am on Wednesday 26th 2006f July 2006, Daragh was compelled to shareHey Felim! Where were you hiding in Galway?
Comment ID: 15066
At 5:42 pm on Wednesday 26th 2006f July 2006, Anthony decided it was worth pointing outI’ll be back on Saturday for a week. I’m sure you would love to meet me and beat me in a game of chess.
Only one of these is likely.
Comment ID: 15106
At 3:04 am on Thursday 27th 2006f July 2006, SkeezeBag Dirty Bones decided it was worth pointing outYes indeed!! Chess eh? CHESS? I like Chess too, but it’s not exactly a hit with the Ladeees now is it lads!?
So Anthony, how about a spot of Clay Pidgeon shooting when you get over? Or scoping scobies from Liberty Hall with a .22?