The Shamrock Experiment: Day 1

I thought I'd try and grow my own shamrock for St.Patrick's Day this year. This small green plant needs a little care and attention to be grown indoors, so don't be surprised if this goes all wrong. And there isn't a huge amount of sunshine in my part of Finland at the moment.

I didn't have any soil or fertiliser around, so I have to make do with some old mix of wood chippings and dirt. Because of this I will have to keep it well drained with water over the next few weeks.

Will I have the 'Luck of the Irish'? We shall see!

I purchased this small packet

of seeds while in Ireland last Christmas.

So here's the first photo of my experiment.

Keep watching this terribly exciting blog to see if the

shamrock grows in time for good old

St.Patrick's Day 2010!

Click here to read The Shamrock Experiment: Day 2

The Puppet Master's Farewell

I just heard sad news about one of Ireland's favorite characters Eugene Lambert who died suddenly at his home in Dublin last night aged 82.

As well as being a much-respected and well-liked person, Lambert played a part in the lives of many Irish people including myself who grew up and watched TV in Ireland during the 1970's and 80's.

He was a great puppeteer and ventriloquist who invented some well-loved children's TV puppet-characters.

Eugene Lambert and 'Judge' the dog.

I remember one particular character, a dog named 'Judge' who was part of a show called 'Wanderly Wagon'. He was a character most children of the time could relate to and trust.

It was no surprise that Lambert's wonderful canine character 'Judge' was also an important figure in public service campaigns for children's road safety throughout Ireland.

Eugene Lambert was also responsible for another very popular puppet in Ireland called 'Bosco', who lived in a box, only ever leaving it for an ice-cream or a visit to the Zoo!

Eugene Lambert was founder of the Lambert Puppet Theatre, which he established in 1972.

A sad day for 'grown-up' Irish children everywhere.

Read also:

RTE Television

Irish Independent Newspaper

Thanks for reading my blog and feel free to share with all your friends.

-Alan

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Top Hat In Bloom

Due to missing images this blogpost has been reposted with updates. You can now read this at this link. 

Kurt Cobain

(February 20, 1967 – April 5, 1994)

If he were alive today he would be celebrating his 43rd birthday. Unfortunately on April 8, 1994 Kurt Cobain was found dead after committing suicide by shooting himself at his home in Seattle. While not a huge fan of the singer and his band Nirvana, I did enjoy their sound and I witnessed the impact it had on people such as my younger brother in the early nineties.

Kurt Cobain and Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth

Dublin, 1991

One concert I recall hearing about while living back in Ireland was their support gig to Sonic Youth at the 'Top Hat' venue in Dublin on 21 August 1991. I recall this gig as I was more a fan of Sonic Youth at the time, and it was a concert I really wanted to be at, but I just couldn't get a ticket. This concert at the Top Hat was held just one month before Kurt Cobain's band Nirvana released their biggest album called Nevermind and it was the first time Irish fans got to hear their biggest ever hit Smells Like Teen Spirit. That moment must have been really special I reckon.

Here's an advert for that concert which

I kept from a magazine at the time.

(looks like the magazine printed the wrong date!)

Nirvana played support to Sonic Youth at a gig the previous night in Sir Henry's Pub, Cork before heading to Dublin.

Here's an audio clip of their song 'About a Girl' from that gig.

Read also..

http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/ontherecord/2007/08/21/smells-like-top-hat-spirit/

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- Alan 

                     

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Hugathon!

Hugathon 2010!

It's on your computer screen!

It's the Big Valentine Hugathon!

And it's free!*

(*indicates members must hug their computer screen at least once to avail of free entry)

It all happens on February 14th, 2010.

This is an all-day event for everyone.

Simply sign in to Facebook online and join this event now.

Invite all your friends, all they need is access to a computer.

Just click HERE for the only link you need

When? 14/02/2010

Where? At your computer screen, wherever you may be.

(allergy sufferers are advised to clean their computer screens before hugging.)

Ooh... Sweet Trifle!

Bird's Trifle!

I just realised I'll have a chance to pick up a few boxes of my favourite dessert soon. I have a short visit to Ireland planned next month, where I will have the honour of becoming godfather to my brother's baby girl. Looking forward to a great day in Dublin.

I hope to pick up a few items to take back to Finland with me. And Bird's Trifle is top of the list!

I'd better pick up a few extra packets of jelly too. They never give you enough in the boxes. Unlike this one here, I prefer my trifle bowls to be filled right up to the brim.