I am not so vain as to think that there are many people who will want to know about me but there may be someone who is curious as to who is responsible for the contents of this blog. So with that in mind here’s a little about myself.
I was born and have lived most of my life in Dublin apart from a ten year period in the 70′s when I lived in London. I was born in 1946 which make’s me 60 at the time of writing this. I have two children , now grown up of course , and am a widower. I am working class and left school when I was 15 without qualifications and have worked at various manual jobs. My last full time employment was as a market trader selling anything from LP records to books and , when I could get them antiques.
I like poetry , especially Afanasy Fet who I discovered in the 80′s and Patrick Kavananagh as well as other russian and Irish poets. I also have a weakness for true crime stories particularly if they concern Ian Brady. I like films , classics and older british one’s for the most part. In music I like most forms from Elvis Presley to Beethoven and Charles Mingus. I collect vinyl records and have some nice first pressings of Mingus , Ellington and of course Mr. Presley. I watch more tv than I should and like the X Factor. I listen to a lot of radio. BBC Five Live and BBC Radio 4. That’s about it.
I live in a bed sitter , a one room flat that is , in South Dublin.
None of this is important but I often wonder myself about the people behind particular blogs hence this short biography.
A Short Statement from the Management.
There is nothing so tedious as someone moaning in public. And in a blog criticism motivated by jealousy is ultimatly boring for the reader and is guaranteed to make them run to the hills. It may seem from time to time that this perhaps is my motivation but this would be wrong. My criticism of society , and Irish society in particular is simply an honest response to the uncaring attitude that has developed along with econonic prosperity. It is an unfortunate fact that as societies become wealthy , especially if this happens fast , that they also often become very uncaring.
No copyright exists on the content of this blog. It may be reproduced at will.
June 1, 2007 at 7:41 am
I would like to know why the interest in Ian Brady as you are so close to where David Smith lives. It is obvious you have a better command of the English language than me. Though I did abscond from Catholic run schools after being whipped on the legs at 6 years old for not handing in my exercise book on time. I had the audacity to write in my music book when starving at 8 years and living under flea infested coats in the slums when the house fell in. No seat for a starving child, bitter memories healed by my own educational aspirations. I won, but would give it all back to have been cherished as that faith said they did and should. My legs were purple, today that teacher would be in prison. So I wonder about your punishment? And why of all people – Ian Brady.
September 29, 2008 at 3:15 am
Dear Silly Old Twit
I think you are very honest and would like to get to know you better. I am in Wisconsin, USA, and visited your wonderful country in April for the first time.
I have written a book, a funny book about my Irish alter-ego and would like to get to know more of the Irish way of life: how about when you were younger? Would love to hear about your parents. My parents were both Irish-American, so I have been exposed to the humor, deep spirituality and empathy of the Irish spirit.
Thank you, Mary Bosman
June 23, 2009 at 11:49 am
Dear Silly,
i like very much the way your writing. it’s very honest. Myself is from Indonesia and living in ireland. There is a huge of differences of my country when i first got here, but i still love it. Infact, irish people are very easy going, and they very welcome to most immigrants.
.
Though i find difficult with the weather, at least they still have summer in ireland
Luv,
Jengsri
June 23, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Thank you for your comment Jengrsri….
August 24, 2009 at 12:24 am
I have in fact been reading you for over a year. Vincent Browne is an interesting character. Your opinion of him is like mine. Don’t shoot the mesenger! He’s rich like us! I’m fascinated by your writing and more fascinated by the vitriolic vomit from your “educated” critics. Frightened people these. We might just take over some day Silly! Us 7% that live down there with the rats! Tony
May 31, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Hi There,
I am running a project called True Irish Stories for Haiti. The aim is to collect as many true stories with an Irish collection. As many of these as possible will be compiled into a book, the proceeds from which will go towards Concern’s Haiti fund.
I have already received a good number of stories and have a publisher for the book. I just need a few more good stories.
Would you like to contribute a story to what is a very worthy cause? It can be something you’ve previously written or something new. It just has to be true, relate to Ireland or someone Irish (however tenuous) and be short (300-1500 words as a guide).
Please feel free to pass this on to anyone else you know. You can find out more about the project at http://www.trueirishstories.com
Would be delighted if you could contribute.
The deadline is the middle of June.
Regards
Garret