Fun!

The Hangar Queen is visiting. I took her to all the non tourist bars. We had a ball! I'm hanging today!

Hey There! :)

Hello me auld flowers, I'm still here! I hope you are all well. Lots of changes since my last post. I've retired the band after 37 years on the road but I'm still performing, albeit sporadically, as a solo performer. I have also gone back to my previous job as a courier at the airport, reuniting weary travellers with their lost luggage!  I enjoy it, most of the time.
UK daughter is coming home for Christmas, a whole week! We can't wait to see her! China daughter is not gonna make it, so it will be our first ever Christmas without the whole family together. This year I am cooking dinner and bringing it all across the street to my MIL's house. She usually comes to us but her mobility is so bad these days the effort is too much for her, and we don't dare mention a wheelchair!
I get to perform in my local pub on NYE, I'm really looking forward to seeing in the new year with all my pals and family.
I wish all of you who celebrate the season good cheer and a happy new year to one and all.
Love, Map.

Alone, On The Throne.

That early summer didn't last long, pissing cats and dogs again all day. I only left the house to pick up the drummer from the garage where he'd dropped his car for repairs. I picked him up in the bandwagon, which he took until his motor is fixed.

I'm home alone, Mrs. Map is staying with her Mam tonight and Helena is in Irish College in the Kingdom (Kerry) for two weeks. I was gonna go to the pub but my IBS is acting up so I need to be near a toilet at all times and I prefer my own. Too much info?? 😜

So...

Summer came early this year, it was a lovely three days. The raincoats are out again.

I trimmed the beard to a #1 again, and regretted it, again. It's now in it's scruffy stage heading back to Viking Warrior stage.

Dublin Daughter is visiting for the weekend, herself and the boy have had enough of Dublin and are moving to Beijing at the end of July! London Daughter is doing well, she's almost finished her first year of her Masters degree, whilst holding down a full-time job. Herself and the boy are planning to set up home together. Limerick Daughter is almost finished her first year of college and will be celebrating her 20th birthday this summer! Makes a man feel old. All five of us are meeting up in London for a weekend in June, it will be the last time we will all be together for a while.

My drummer of 37 years and I have picked a date to finish playing with the band. We will do our last gig in October. It will be emotional, but to be honest I've had enough of travelling and hauling equipment in and out of venues up and down the country! The drummer and meself have been friends for longer than that and will continue to see each other most days of the week. I probably won't see the other guys after October!

Our Rob was home from Oz for a visit last month with his wife and young son. It was great seeing them all but the goodbyes were hard. They are expecting their second baby in August and are in the process of buying a house just outside Melbourne. It looks like they won't be back for quite some time.

I'm back swimming again (pool) and can't wait for the real summer to get back into the cold Atlantic!

12

Day two of jury service and they haven't even picked a jury yet. We're all just sitting here watching TV. I have seen a few "characters" about the place though and know most of them to see. I doubt I'll get to serve on a jury!

UPDATE : I wasn't picked, thank fuck!

Louder

I nearly lost a friend this week.  A very old friend.  Through stubbornness.
We were watching The Celtic being hammered, four goals down at half time.  He likes a debate/argument does my friend and I was happy to oblige, until he hit a nerve.  And I got angry.  And raised my voice. I almost never raise my voice, unless I am singing, and I certainly wasn't singing!  I had to leave the bar and cool down in the back alley. (I had only had two drinks at this stage.)  After about ten minutes I decided to go back inside and watch the second half of the game but as soon as I got to my barstool I just took my coat and left. I was still angry.
Eight days later and still no contact.  It was eating me up,  why hadn't he called to apologise?  Then it hit me, maybe he didn't think he had to. So I bit the bullet, sent him a message saying I was sorry to have raised my voice to him. He replied saying he never meant to 'touch a nerve '.
I'm glad I didn't let a 35 year relationship go down the pan.

Good Week

This week our middle daughter had tests for a cancer scare. We all had a very tense week.  She got positive (GOOD!) results the same day as the tests were done.
Also this week baby daughter learned she got accepted into college,  in Limerick!  Which means she can live at home, and possibly get a part time job to help with expenses.
Good week.

More Dreams

The dreams continue, but these more recent ones are about life, not death. More specifically early life, babies and very young children.  In one dream I tried to adopt a toddler who was a nonverbal autistic kid. I was the bus driver who took him from the orphanage to the crèche every day. The only time he smiled was when he saw me and took my hand. The authorities and red tape blocked my efforts to adopt him.

In another dream I was showing off my grand-nephew Adam to all and sundry.  A very proud uncle I was. Unfortunately Adam doesn't exist,  at least not yet.

It's a holiday weekend here, I'm just in from entertaining at a wedding in the city, 300 guests! Obviously they all loved me.

I've just been to our Jimmy's place but the light is still off, sadly.  I so dearly miss my big brother.

Goodnight to you all my friends,  it's good to know you are all out there watching in. I'm a lucky man to have you all in my life.  I've been even luckier to meet a couple of you in person,  one in particular on many occasions,  and have been glad to have her as a house guest six times now. I do hope life will bless me with many more blogger meetings.

It's the Ma's birthday tomorrow, she would have been 92. I feel her happy presence about me all the time and have only happy memories of her.

XXX

Dreams

So, last night I had this dream. I dreamed the world I lived in, people's brains were still active for ten days after they died. Certain (chosen) people (of which I was one) looked after the deceased for these ten days, washing them, changing their clothes daily, talking to them and holding them until it was time for them to move on to the next phase.
The previous night I dreamed zombies were trying to drag me out of my house throughout the letterbox.
Discuss.

Fire, Death & Cider

My wife's oldest brother, Ger, died this time last year. He had a heart attack and died instantly.  He was a year older than me.
His anniversary mass was held yesterday, I didn't go, I was doing the catering for about thirty people.  Apparently I'm good at it.  But I think I'm just better at catering than being in church.
Turns out it was a rather fun day and not a bit solemn,  and everyone loved my food. Which is always good.

I lit a fire in the pit tonight, played some old style country music and drank cider.

Coffee Mates

I had an errand to do today at one of the banks at the shopping centre.  Afterwards I decided to have a wander around and bumped into my oldest and best pal Jim. He was shopping for a birthday present for his daughter to give her mother, his second ex-wife. He settled on a coffee mug.

He also showed me some beard oil he had just bought which was on sale, so I had to get some too.

We walked about for a while before deciding to go for coffee.
"I think about death every day!" he suddenly said.
"Yep, me too."
The conversation continued, and we ended up laughing so loud it drew the attention of the other customers.
Jim and meself are in contact daily.  If not in person, then with a phone call or by text. But it has been a while since we sat down in a coffee shop for a chat.
After drawing the attention of the other patrons with our loud guffaws we decided to leave. With our matching SALE bags containing our bottles of beard oil.

We drew more attention when we quite casually kissed goodbye.
Yep, we're at that age when we don't give a rat's arse what people think.

I'm drinking bourbon just now, JB will be horrified.

Marty is back.

I know, nobody reads this anymore,  but I'm still here.  I hope to get back to actual writing again,  still love you all.

Facebook Holiday

I deactivated my FB page ten days ago. It was much easier than giving up the ciggies.  But, like giving up the ciggies, I can't honestly say that I'm finished for good.  (As in it took me numerous attempts with the baccie!)
Anyway, I've had texts from FB friends wondering if I'd blocked them. It's not you, it's FB.

Don't Jump Into The First Tattoo When You've Been Drinking

Mourning Has Broken

It's been seven hours and almost twelve months since the Ma crossed over. I haven't shaved since the funeral.  I've grown quite fond of the facial hair,  though many others have not.
I miss the woman so much.

26...56

Today, 20th July,  myself and my lovely Annette should be celebrating our 26th wedding anniversary.  But less than 14 hours ago Annette's brother Ger died suddenly from a heart attack.  He was 56.
He had a mental illness and lived five metres from us with his mother who is soon to be 80.
We are all still in shock.
We awake each day not knowing what is going to be dealt to us.

Time, The Clock Of My Heart.

I'm 55 today.
When did that happen?
When did my kids become adults?
When did I become the oldest generation in my family?
Time. You are a bastard.

Food & Drink.

I'm the head chef and bottle-washer in Tigh Maurcheen. Every day the ladies come home to a lovely dinner, and the Maurcheen is well appreciated.  I'm quite a good cook, I love cooking and never find it a chore. I always make more than needed for our house and like to give the extra to friends/family.  My sister Serena is usually the recipient. This week she received my butternut squash & sweet potato soup, pork pasta bake and Oreo & Nutella cheesecake.  In return I received a lovely French wine on Monday, and tonight I got a special gift. The last bottle of whiskey from Ma's collection.  I'm having a large one now.

Time Check

Let's Dance was a hit in 1983.
Nineteen Eighty Fuckin' Three!
That's thirty three years ago for those of you still counting on yer fingers!
I just spent a very lovely couple of hours watching and listening to Mr.B on the BBC. Time goes by so quickly,  get out and live it. I'm not gonna post a video for this, check it out on Yoochube ye lazy feckers!
Peace.

Adam Is Off To Canadia

My roadie is off to Canadia.  He started hauling gear with us ten years ago as a skinny 15yr old, and has turned into a very handsome young man.  We had a farewell party tonight with his family, and wished him well on his big adventure.  I had a special bond with him and though I will miss him I feel glad he's 'leaving the nest'!
Vancouver is his destination,  so any of you folk in the vicinity please keep an eye out for our Adam.  He's a very talented graphic designer and quite an accomplished musician.
Au revoir for now our kid. Bon voyagee! 😀