Wednesday 20th 2006f September 2006
« « Closure| A Note From Shea » »Niecehood
It’s been an eventful few weeks, to be sure. To begin, my friend Shea came to stay with me for a few days. We studied clay animation together in Ballyfermot Senior College back in 1993-4, along with Dean (or Captain Skeezebag Dirtybones as he seems now to wish himself be known). Shea is now one of the lead animators in Aardman Animations with nice big credits on the films Chicken Run and Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were Rabbit. I didn’t fare so well in the world of clay myself, but there you go.
I actually hadn’t seen Shea for about six years, so I was delighted when he sent me an email to say he’d be driving across the States from LA (he’s been on loan to Dreamworks) and finishing up in NYC. He stayed with me while he was here – it was great to be able to catch up with him after all this time. I was a little nervous before he arrived – people can change a lot in six years, and I wasn’t sure if I was about to be sharing my apartment with a virtual stranger. Would we have anything to talk about? But no worries. It was a real pleasure, and I hope it won’t be so long before we get to hang out again.
Normally I’d go through a blow by blow account of what we got up to, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to give Shea short shrift in this entry. I have prevailed on him to write a guest post, and for a good account of his entire trip across the country as well as his experiences here you can check out his travel blog
His stay was overshadowed – nay, interrupted – by news of the birth of my niece, Aoife Ellen Rickard, in Newcastle on September 12th. Yes, the baby “in potentia” Eleanor referenced in her own guest post has been actuated. I am fully nieced up.
As you can see, my niece is still very small. I’m not sure how she feels about being related to me, but I’m sure time will tell. Here are the proud parents; my sister Eleanor and my Brother-in-law Jim.
And here are my parents, or Aoife’s grandparents as they are now.
I had thought that Aoife would be well taken care of, surrounded by parents, both sets of grandparents, friends and uncles and aunts, but then I saw this picture:
Honestly, do these look like people who know what they’re doing with a baby?
Anyway, after that my old school chum Owen was in New York and dropped by for a few beers and a bit of Xboxing (oh yeah, I got a 360). He doesn’t have to write a guest entry because he wasn’t actually staying with me. He was staying with Gerry, another old school mate, who is now some kind of securities trader or something. I hadn’t laid eyes on him for about thirteen years – he’s been in New York much longer than I have. His first words to me were asking for advice about buying a new television. Securities traders!
Actually he doesn’t live too far from me. Although as I said I plan to move out to Brooklyn. Actually now I’m thinking of buying a place. I’ve even talked to a mortgage broker. Well, we’ll see.
Comment ID: 19342
At 4:25 pm on Thursday 21st 2006f September 2006, Ivan opinedHappy unkledom, congratultions to Eleanor and Jim.
Mmmm.. floor baby
Comment ID: 19384
At 3:22 am on Friday 22nd 2006f September 2006, Skeebag Spunk Bob Square Pants! discoursedJazuz! Babies, talk of houses, domestication etc etc!!! What’s next Anthony?
Well done on being a Unca. Now you can feel old like the rest of us at last. And congrats to the rest of yer familie!
Ciao Ciao!
Comment ID: 19454
At 2:52 am on Saturday 23rd 2006f September 2006, Babs statedAwwwwwwwwwwww… She’s so cute!! Congrats all round.
And skeeze is right—-being an aunt or uncle REALLY makes you feel your age. Especially when they start high school. Waaaahhhhh!!
And what’s all this Brooklyn business?
At least Queens has SOME redeeming qualities.
Comment ID: 19470
At 10:38 am on Saturday 23rd 2006f September 2006, Suze realised it was important that we all should understandAre they dancing round the baby?
Comment ID: 19489
At 4:37 pm on Saturday 23rd 2006f September 2006, Ivan channelledI think its some bizarre pagan/celtic ritual. The men seem to be imitating birds….... or tea pots.
Comment ID: 19584
At 3:12 am on Monday 25th 2006f September 2006, Skeebag Spunk Bob Square Pants! wrote:) Strange Ivan… but true, true. Could be a Birdy Song Celebration. I fear for the little one. Like a hand bag at an eighties disco.
Comment ID: 19661
At 2:04 pm on Tuesday 26th 2006f September 2006, shea wroteHi Anthony,
i guess this is going to be my guest blog entry!
So hello everyone,for those of you who probably dont know me, im Shea, Anthonys old friend.
I travelled to see Anthony recently after trekking across the U.S.from L.A. over 12 days.
It was great to see him again, i cant believe its been 6 years since we had a pint in Hogans on Georges street.Anthonys exactly the same funny guy as i remember!
So id never been to New York before and i was going there anyway so it was a great opportunity to meet up.
The taxi driver got me there fine and I met Anthony at the door of his place.
Anthony had given up his room for me and i felt a bit guilty about that but then again there is a current building site right outside the window! Slept fine though. it was great to stay in a place for more than one day too!
Also the day i arrived was my birthday and we went out and picked up a few 6-packs after a walk in central park. Anthony picked some Coronas and i picked up some Becks and i said i wouldnt mention this
but after drinking one and reaching for another, Anthony discovered i was drinking non-alcoholic beer!
( i also didnt notice his giant TV for a day) but i think it grew in size while i was there.
We went out then to meet some of Anthonys friends at a bar and i made sure i stayed on the alcoholic stuff there! (Well you have to on your birthday!)
Next few days then we bumped into a few of Anthonys ‘neighbours’ and i generally done the tourist thing. Got myself a 20 dollar subway ticket and Anthony pointed out some sights to see.
I went on ferry trips to to Ellis island, Brooklyn bridge,Shea Stadium!(just because)Traipsed up and down 5th avenue,Saw some street acts,St Pats cathedral, went to the Guggenheim and Frick museum and i must have walked about 5 miles every day.I was at Ground zero on sept 11th too.
I was continually amazed by New York.
In the evenings then i would hook up with Anthony after his working day and we visited a nice restaurant or 2 and met up with some more of his friends. And we even played a bit of guitar one night
Anthony still remembers his finger-picking from schooldays!
On the 5th and last day we said our goodbyes and i had an hour or two to visit the Chrysler building and Grand Central Station.
It had started to rain by this day so i was glad i got to see some sights the days beforehand.
So ive probably left out a few small bits here and there but that was my 5 days with Uncle Litton!
Thanks Anthony!