USE just doesn't have the same ring to it

United States of Europe, USE for short, something which with any luck will occur in the next few years. Churchill had the right idea, we need to join together with our European brethren. This needs to happen not just in the face of the economic collapse but because of the lack care individuals have shown towards their own states.

I don't trust politicians. From personal experience I have found them to be liars, swindlers and beggars. My lack of trust for politicians is only dimmed by the lack of trust I have in the people that vote them in. Typically in Ireland we have cycles of governments. We have Fianna Fail in coalition with some minor party that will eventually be absorbed into their partner at some point in the future or disappear completely like the Green Party. On the other side of the coin we have the Fine Gael and Labour coalition with whom the media seemed happy to poster as the saviours of the economy only to find themselves only days from the budget removing sections regarding disability allowances. (The fact that in Ireland a Labour party would put together a budget with that many cuts surely indicates the champagne socialist nature of the higher end political organisation.) In Ireland we've a lack of choice but this comes not from the failure of the political spectrum to evolve but of the conservative nature of our people.

We don't like change here in Ireland. Topics such as contraception, divorce and abortion are still considered important in ethical debates and yet we've yet to see an abortion referendum. We don't like Europe, because somewhere along the way a ratty Sinn Fein politician has convinced us that someone dying in 1916 has meant that anything we agree to in Europe is tantamount to treasonous. Oh no, far be it from us to give up our government to be represented by Germans and French, it's not like their politicians aren't doing a good enough job in their own countries. We're happy to moan about the EU but what keeps our farmers going? Who pays for our roads? Who was happy to bail us out?

I believe we could all do with a dose of humility. Ireland may not be as bad as their painting it in the media but it's still in a bit of a rough spot. A single European economy built around the German and French economy would be far superior to what we have now. A single European state is the dream. A state where all cultures are equal, where spending is allocated from the top and ruthless efficiency will route out the problems within our civil service.

Sovereignty is a word that's thrown around a lot but being honest I don't care for being Irish if it means that I'm governed by idiots. I'd rather move somewhere else and take up that nationality. So long as people are safe and secure, does it really matter who's in charge? At the end of the day we can always kick up a stink and leave if it becomes a problem. But this is Ireland and we don't like change.

USE: if nothing else, at least Irish people would have someone else to have a good moan about.

How do you know you're up yourself?

Evening all, a pleasure as ever. I always enjoy our nighttime adventures into the vast expanse that is idiocy. Tonight, I have prepared something a little special for you to work your minds around. I'm sure you, like me, have judged others for their knowledge of certain areas; their over-indulgence in study of philosophy and their needless obsession with Tom Waits.

You know you're up youself when:

1. You study arts.
2. You know enough about music to put other people off discussing it with you.
3. You've joined a book club.
4. You own a computer built by Apple.
5. You drink vast amounts of wine and port (and have considered buying a pipe)
6. You've used the term 'creative differences' to describe yourself in relation to others around you.
7. You wear suits to expressly stated casual social occasions.
8. You've told someone they're "not living in the real world".
9. You write for a college newspaper (you're a lost cause when you become an editor)
10. You've thought about buying a smoking jacket (or at least finding out what one is)
11. You're well traveled and have become an authority on every country you've ever been to, especially while talking to locals.
12. You watch Frasier and laugh when he gets upset about getting a pinot noir instead of a merlot because the situation references your life
13. You write mediocre poetry and short stories so you can refer to yourself as a writer
14. You've joined Labour because the cause 'really speaks to you' when really your true sentiments lie with FF.
15. You quote Shakespeare at inopportune moments to prove how clever you are when really all you're proving is your memory of Leaving Certificate English.
16. You wear glasses
17. You've thought to yourself that you're too good for minimum wage
18. You've bought an expensive camera with an aim towards becoming a photographer
19. You try to apply your degree to real life social situations and find that none of it is relevant outside of your chosen field
20. You consider Joyce lowbrow

Please feel free to mention additions to the list. Hugs for all.

Day 29 A Song From My Childhood

I've been thinking a lot about the past lately. Generally for me this is a bad idea: not that I've had a bad past (certainly not in comparison with some) but mostly because I think back and wonder how I survived while being a complete and utter plank. It's weird that thinking back I've realised that at all points in my life I consider myself an authority on subjects without really knowing much about them and consequently finding myself in embarrassing situations.

As a result I don't like to dwell upon the past however current events out of my control have led to such things. A lot of people seem to be leaving my life, or have at least one foot in the door. It feels like summer 2007 again, which to all intents and purposes was not (as expected) the greatest of summers. I finished my Leaving Cert and was moving on to college but more than that I was leaving a place which had been my haven for six years. A lot of people that I had been friends with in school didn't survive the transition for one reason or another. I meet a couple of them now and then and we make forced small talk and reminisce about days gone by but it's not the same. It's weird to think that some of the people I considered my best friends just faded away. I got on fine without them of course so it's not like I'm sitting here mopping about that, it's just sad thinking about it in comparison with things now with people emigrating or planning to emigrate. In 2007 I broke up with a long term girlfriend, we've barely spoken since either, though it's probably for the better.

The song title today should refer to the times and to some people, but not most and certainly not some. It's funny, though quite a few people complained about the boredom of last summer and that everyone had been away on little adventures I don't feel I'm missing out. I've just completed one and am moving on to the next.

Take That - Back For Good

Day 28 A Song From An Awesome Soundtrack

Saw this film on Sky today. Delightful little picture and fantastic soundtrack to get the heart racing. Sorry it's been a while folks, been doing exams and the like. I'm back playing football again. It hurts an awful lot more than it did way back in January. Ah well, I likes me some pain.

This time on Wednesday I may (or may not) be able to stick the letters BA (Int) after my name. take the "i" out of that and you'll get what I think of it.

UCD thanks for the good times. Yeah it's been a rough ride and you could have been better but you've given me far more than a beginner's guide to history and politics (don't forget the international relations).

And to you, hopeful reader, it has been a pleasure as ever. A tip of the hat to you, good sir or madam.

This is the link

Day 27 A Song I Can Play On An Instrument

I've played many a song in my time on the guitar so perhaps I should enthrall you with my knowledge of the mandolin, which I don't play all that often but I can string a few chords together and managed to play some interesting songs on it.

I've decided that I'm boarderline depressive at this stage so I'm going to try perk up my blog a bit. Now that I think about it, this song is probably not the best thing to be publishing with happiness in mind. Ah well, you love it regardless.

Someone told me today that there is no historical basis for the state of Palestine because it was part of Jordan before it came under British rule and that the Israelis had every right to settle there. There are some morons out there, there really are. That's like saying there was no historical state of Ireland - which by the way there wasn't as Ireland had been incorporated into what was becoming the UK (though formerly not until set up until 1707 and not including Ireland until 1801[officially]) long before 1648 and the Treaty of Westphalia which set up the modern state system. So by that logic the English had every right to settle our country with plantations and murder people. Well done sir, you have successfully managed to justify 700 years of oppression in Ireland and 63 years of oppression of the Palestinian people.

Been thinking about joining a gym lately, not that I particularly need to, I'm super buff as it is but all that surgery stuff has made me lose the guts of a stone so I could probably do with putting some muscle back on. If anyone knows any cheap gyms around pass on the details. Unfortunately I don't drive so it has to be in the Artane area or town OR along those bus routes.

Made up my mind to make a new start, going to California with an aching in my heart

Led Zeppelin - Going to California

Day 26

Heard this track on Ronan Collins this morning. Never thought I'd particularly like anything by them but there you go.

UCD Football take on the Dublin Dragons this Sunday. Should be a corker of a game given that UCD went 2-6 last season and the Dragons 0-8. Trinity also managed to put up a big score against them, and we all know they barely held on against UCD so a win should be manageable.

Poor week, poor month, poor year really. I do hope things get better. In the meantime...

The Cure - Friday I'm In Love

Day 25 A Song I Wish I Could Play On An Instrument

This song is class. That is all. UCD FTW this Sunday.

Public Enemy - Bring The Noise

Day 24 A Blog I Didn't Want To Post But Feel Obliged To (And A Song To Go With It)

Well let's hope it's not any time soon.

I went through a phase a couple of years ago where I didn't think much of myself. There were reasons for this, mostly mistakes I'd made in both my school and personal lives. Regardless of cause the outcome was the same: I had low self-esteem. There are, of course, benefits to having low self-esteem: you never disappoint yourself. So while I've had a good run at being high on self-esteem I think it's rather more simple to be more realistic about my aims in life.

I've wanted to be a writer for a very very long time. There are somethings people are born to do. That was my thing. However it seems that the world neither enjoys nor cares for my epic prose and while I continue to write for my own amusement it seems foolish to pretend that I expect any sort of career to come of it. My problem is not that I am not talented but that I am surrounded by people far more talented than I could ever hope to be. I am, if nothing else, humbled by them rather than jealous: it is impossible to appreciate their skills without admiration for the people themselves.

I have yet to apply for Journalism in DCU, DIT or even get my personal information together for NUIG. Why? Because I'm terrified. I am genuinely terrified of what refusal will do to me. I don't take rejection well. Right now I am paralyzed by the sight of essay titles that where it not for surgery I would have completed by now. Because I have almost resigned myself to failure. It's an awful state when you detest the very person you've become: ignorant, arrogant, pathetic.

Vampire Weekend - Mansard Roof

Day 23 A Song I Should Have Posted Yesterday

Today UCD Football take on the Belfast Trojans in what could be described as UCD's toughest game yet. UCD lost more than their pride in a 56-6 loss to UL Vikings two weeks ago and now find themselves critically short of players due to injury. So what will prevent a third loss in a row? My argument would be pass protection: it will be critical to keep QB Colin O'Meara safe and more importantly give him time to make the pass. With UCD's supply of linemen running low this may be a big ask. However from watching the UCD/TCD game way back when it is clear that UCD merely need to get the basics right for a victory today. Doubtless Belfast are an experienced team, however there is no reason why UCD can't piece together a victory if they keep their heads and everyone knows their jobs.

In other news I've missed a rake of things this last while because I'm recovering. Sorry to all people who've felt let down by my appendix, trust me, he won't be bothering you again. The discomfort from the entry cuts is starting to ebb away anyway, really looking forward to Wednesday when I get the staples out.

I ordered an Aaron Rogers jersey yesterday; I'm a Giants fan at heart but gotta admit I love the Packers too: something very endearing about the fact that the people of Wisconsin own them rather than some super rich chap.

Franz Ferdinand - Katherine Kiss Me

Day 22 A Song I Listen To When Recovering From An Appendectomy

Hey guys, been a while. I've had a large amount of things on my already over-flowing plate this past while so I haven't been able to keep you updated on things. I've got a large chunk of my essays out of the way but I've one or two still knocking around. Only 5000 words left to write in assignments for my undergraduate degree. Madness? I think so. It's hard to believe this moron will soon be in possession of a piece of paper indicating his commitment to education. 4 years of my life for a degree.

Speaking of which I've been conditionally offered an MA in Media and International Conflict in UCD which I'm chuffed with because it's the one I really wanted. Only heard about it on Tuesday night - "So Conor, why has it taken you so long to tell us?", you ask.

As many of you know I had appendicitis way back at the end of January, royally ruining my college football career and my plans to get essays out of the way in the first few weeks of term leaving me with acres of space to get study done and relax coming up towards the exams. It was not to be however. Anyway despite having arranged my appendectomy for 13th of April my appendix decided that it warranted my attention before that thus I spent Tuesday night in the Beacon Hospital recovering from keyhole surgery. I felt nothing yesterday but today there's a bit of discomfort moving; probably need more morphine. Anyway they chucked me out yesterday, apparently there's no need for me to stay two nights and I'm at home now. Visitors welcome as always.

So there's hope for me to get my essays done it seems and even return to football for (possibly) the last three games of the season. I'm delighted it's all over to be honest.

BIG SHOUT OUT TO UCD FOOTBALL, the lads are off to Belfast to play the Trojans on Sunday. I know they'll do a class job and reel us in our first win of the season.

The Strokes - Taken For A Fool

Day 21 A Hymn I Listen To When I've Lost Someone

Ad majorem Dei gloriam

This blog post is dedicated to the memory of Gerry Haugh.

Gerry was my English teacher from 2001-2007 and yet he seemed to be much more than that. He was an institution in Belvedere College and whether you'd see him in class, in the yard at break or at one of his shows he always gave an air of caring about what he did. He was a proponent of what you might call the old school, it was not unusual to see him in old schoolmasters' robes something which set him apart from his contemporaries.

Gerry gave so much to Belvedere, whether it be the 100 productions he put on with the Dramatic Society or in helping out with the Block-pull. He was also an inspiring teacher and the reason I began to write in earnest in the first place. Words can not describe the deep sadness that has taken hold of me since hearing the news. It seems that I, much like the countless others, believed he would always be there.

Only In God

Day 20 A Song I Listen To When I'm Angry

I'm permanently angry. Seriously considering getting rid of this list and starting my own. Right so, things that have happened since our last encounter: UCD lost to UL 56-6 (that's 6 points better than last year), one more essay finished leaving me with four, Smedia shortlists came out (congrats to sarahisnothere), and I've deleted my facebook account.

Despite my original enthusiasm for the idea I have somewhat taken my foot out of the journalism door and it is now open a crack because I've left one toe in. It's not pleasant learning your own limitations however if my time in UCD has taught me anything it is that I am neither gifted nor talented, I am painfully average. As such in a world so already full of average and god-awful writers there is little place for me to find my spot. I needed to grow up and realise that I (much like Social Circuit) was only fooling myself with dreams of success. I should be used to second place at this stage.

My date for surgery has been finalised as April 13th, a Wednesday. I'll only be in hospital two nights (in the Bons Secours if anyone feels like visiting).

Al Pacino - Speech

I wonder who'll read this now that I haven't facebook to link you to it...

Day 19 A Song From My Favourite Album

As you probably know already I was down and out with appendicitis in February, rough time blah blah but it's over now. Or is it... I was enjoying a leisurely stroll around the Natural History Museum in London and apparently I can do fuck all without setting it off again. So after a brief and not at all enjoyable trip to the doctor last night I've been told to ease of exercise, spicy and fried food and have a very lazy weekend. Thus no more Chinese food for Conor and no more running for Conor. Not only that but he has 5 essays to do over the next three weeks. Life's a beach.

London was awesome though. It's the first time I've really been there since I was about 10. The Imperial War Museum was probably my favourite part (got to show Sarah up on my knowledge of WWII tanks and equipment). Did all the usual site seeing business so the only real let down was the hotel. Managed to get a burger in a place recommended to me by Esquire - Bryon - if you ever get a chance head there for some awesome eats.

More bad news. I got a letter yesterday giving me a roundabout date for my surgery. 13th of April which was a good two weeks later than I'd hoped. Difference is I'm going to a fancy private hospital this time. I should only be in for about 4 days but the recovery period is likely to be up to 2 weeks for normal walking and somewhere between 4-6 weeks for sporting recovery. This means I will have effectively missed my whole season. I'm absolutely devastated over the whole thing but no one seems to understand why. I guess it's because I've wanted to play for nearly 3 years and I felt I had just found my place on the team when I went down. Reality is: back probably to watch the Cork game on 22 May and hopefully playing by 11 June against the Dragons. So UCD football do me a favour - destroy Limerick this weekend - I need you to get to the playoffs.

Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks

Day 18 A Song I Wish I Heard On The Radio

Who listens to the radio anymore? I've worked on a radio station and believe me, very very few do. It's mad how much an iPod and speakers has taken over from the traditional radio. People want to hear what they want to hear and that's it. The appreciate for waiting for the right song is being lost with all this new technology.

Today TCD were the victors, not that that means much. A mix of shoddy refereeing and luck won them the game. I know that's easy to say coming from someone who plays for UCD but it's how it was. That's not to say that UCD didn't get its share of calls that went their way - the refereeing was poor overall. Two touchdowns and two two-point conversions saw UCD 16-14 in the middle of the second half. A returning kickoff touchdown gave TCD the game 20-16. Yet TCD who had came into the game fully prepared to walk all over UCD found themselves stumped in the second half. Their offence failed to find its rhythm and the line let through a number of easy sacks. A last ditch effort to save the game in the closing minute ended with an incomplete pass. TCD instead of kneeling on the football and accepting victory with grace decided to run the football with an aim to embarrassing UCD on home ground. The defence held. There was no doubt in my mind who won the game despite the scoreline.

Pixies - Where Is My Mind

Day 17 A Song I Hear Often On The Radio (When I'm looking to get psyched)

Ever wonder what happened to the humble Time Out? It's been relegated to the multi-pack zone which is the chocolate bar equivalent of Division 1 football. Not that it makes much difference to the Irish Cadbury's anyway: they only make Dairy Milk here as far as I know. All of our Easter eggs are imported from the UK, even the ones with GAA sponsorship.

Anyway at last I've seen someone complain about the 30 Day Challenge. When will people get tired of it? I've noticed myself easing off in the past few days and have just realised the problems my London trip on Monday is going to cause. Guess I'll make up for it on Wednesday or Thursday when I get around to turning on my laptop. Still I'm kinda surprised that I've kept going this long, a lot of people get to about Day 5 and give up, forget or get a life outside of Facebook.

Sunday is the big day: TCD @ UCD in a match that has already been described as on this Sunday. It will be a cracker of a game and there's everything to play for. TCD supposedly hold the upper hand but, let's be honest, if UCD had been at the College Championship there would have been a different outcome. Expect deep passes, medium passes, short passes and a running game! Expect interceptions (loads of them), sacks (even more of these), forced fumbles (one or two would be nice), incompletions and returning touchdowns from the Defence! This is our time.

Rage Against The Machine - Killing In The Name (of UCD Football)

Day 16 A Song I Used To Love But Now I Hate

Today has been a good day for the most part, busy at least. I'm getting through my first essay at least. Madden 2010 is waiting for me downstairs but I'm being good and finishing my essay first. Starting to feel the nerves with Sunday coming on. It's the weirdest feeling in the world because I can't change the outcome, I'm not playing. Still no date on my appendectomy but I'm hoping it's by the end of March so I can get back training fairly quickly.

This Challenge is seriously tough, I just don't learn to hate songs - I either love them more or get tired of them. I fail to understand why there's so much negativity in this! No one cares what song I don't like surely. Unless it's something like Nirvana or Radiohead which people always seem to get up in arms over.

The Beastie Boys - No Sleep Till Brooklyn

Day 15 A Song That Describes Me

Right gang a quick one today because I know you're getting tired of having to scroll further down the blog to get to the good stuff.

Carly Simon - You're so Vain

Day 14 A Song That No One Would Expect Me To Love

"Man, I'm so indie I defy all expectations by even talking to you. I'm totally not down with this 'expectations' business, I'm well above caring what other people think." is what any pretentious ponce who hangs in the Workman's Club, smokes rollies and reads Pitchfork would say. Me, on the other hand, well let's just say people expect me to like "good music" most of the time despite my very precise tastes.

To know what people wouldn't expect me to love I'd really need to know what people think I love in the first place. To be honest people aren't that open at discussing my horrible music tastes in front of me so that's a little difficult to pin down. Someone called me "a dour fucker" today, supposedly that means stern, harsh, gloomy, sullen. I wasn't aware that I'd garnered such a reputation for being gloomy and sullen. I don't think being stern was really what he was getting at, I have a laugh with the guy. Harsh? Harsh but fair that's my take on it, besides, they probably deserve it in the first place.

So I need a song that is upbeat, cheerful and so forth.

ABBA - Waterloo

I love me some ABBA

Day 13 A Song That Is A Guilty Pleasure

I wondered when I'd stumble upon some musical snobbery because there's nothing else I love complaining about more. I'm not, however, going to complain today; this blog needs more happiness than I've been tending to it. Right. Time to be cheerful. God I hate this.

The problem is I've no guilty pleasures because, quite frankly, if I like it I like it and it really doesn't bother me what other people think when it comes to music. I wish I had some great secret to tell you all like I'm a closet Ringo Starr post-Beatles-pre-Thomas-The-Tank-Engine fan, but readers please; you knew that already.

I also love 80s ballads, there's nothing quite like a bit of Journey, REO Speedwagon, Van Halen. Those guys knew how to kick back with some cheesy stuff. So here's some vintage ballad tune:

Def Leppard - Pour Some Sugar On Me

Their drummer has only one arm. Tomorrow will be better. Promise

Day 12 A Song From A Band I Hate

I'm of the opinion that there aren't bands that I hate, just ones I haven't found the right time to like yet. Cynicism is in my nature, I'm not particularly kind about the bands I haven't learned to love yet but it doesn't mean that someday I won't take it all back. I didn't like The Strokes for a long time and look what happened there.

The thing that really bugs me about this band is the amount of hype and the seemingly religious fanaticism that people have with regard to them. For their fans a new album coming out is like the second coming of Christ for Christians, only it happens every couple of years rather than not at all. My brother is a huge fan, as are a lot of my friends, but I've never seen the appeal. He just whines a lot, the guitars sound moany and dull - which is especially annoying for me. I'm under the impression (cue the onslaught of fans) that they use single-coil equipped guitars so why then don't they have more jangly tunes? It's quite simply beyond me.

I'll probably be told how poor my choice of song is too. Bring it on Radiohead fans

Radiohead - Karma Police

Day 11 A Song From My Favourite Band

Morning morning everyone! I don't know about you but I'd a great night out last night thanks to a certain Michael Corrigan and others. Nothing overly wild happened so you didn't miss much, serious banter was had though. I won't get into any gory details because you really had to be there, why weren't you? I call bad friend, shame on you.

My favourite band are The Strokes and believe me I never thought I'd hear myself say that. I disliked The Strokes for a long time. Social Circuit get a mention here because they're really the reason I came round to The Strokes. We played "Someday", I think it was the first song we ever played together - awkward moment for me trying to get the timing right on the intro, scarlet. I learnt to love the song and the rest of the album before falling head over heels for Room On Fire. I never got around to fully appreciating First Impressions of Earth but the parts I like, I love. The new track is awesome too.

As you may have noticed I've thrown in a couple of cheeky links already because I don't really want to make a proper decision (much like the Irish electorate).

The Strokes - Hard To Explain

Day 10 A Song That Makes Me Fall Asleep (Or Rather Keeps Me Awake)

I tend to listen to music, as opposed to let it be background buzz. It's not unusual for me to stop listening to whoever is talking to me in a nightclub if a song I love is laid down by the DJ. Music for me is an experience that I have to put effort into.

I should explain, listening to music to me is like reading a book or watching a talkie, it requires my attention. Sometimes I wish I was the kind of person who could sit down and write, read and listen to music at the same time but it simply doesn't work for me. I like to give it my full attention. There are plenty of people out there who sit on their laptops and PCs (or even Macs) and consider albums listened to when they've heard it while engaged in other things; that's not for me.

Friends of mine often criticise the fact that I have a very specific taste: I like some bands not others despite them sounding exactly the same (The Kooks and The View are perfect examples of this). However I don't think they appreciate sometimes the extent to which music listening is an event in itself for me.

I'm not a fan of listening to music in bed because I find I end up trying to analyse it when I really should be trying to sleep, the result is that it keeps me awake rather than sends me packing to the land of nod.

Now that that is done with, I suppose I should pick something.

Cee Lo Green - Fuck You

Cee Lo Green - Forget You

Two versions for all you out there who say music is too full of profanity these days. I certainly wouldn't be sleeping to either of these, far too much going on musically. I'm such a nerd.

Day 9 A Song I Can Dance To

Today I'm upbeat. It's a Friday, I've gotten my presentation done, sat an exam, got results from an essay (went well), applied for a job and sorted out some MA programmes. I hope your week has been as good as mine. I do enjoy a bit of the dancing I have to say. I wish the type of dancing was implied in the title though, it would make it easier to know what you expect from this. Slow dancing, swing, polka, waltz, line dancing, square dancing, twist, moshing etc. There really is no end to what you could be looking for here. But I refuse to cheat and ask you or put up a couple of songs. I'm trying to remember the last time I went dancing (it's been a while, I'm getting old) not that it doesn't matter, I wouldn't remember the song anyway.

From what I've learned in Popular Music and Culture, that epic course I'm taking at the moment, beat seems important when it comes to what types of music you can dance to, new Jazz for example is too all-over-the-place (that's the technical term) to have a good boogie to.

I was having some serious trouble thinking of a justification for using this song, then I realised; I love disco.

Hot Chocolate - You Sexy Thing

And yes I do dance to it.

Day 8 A Song I Know All The Words To

The categories for this challenge really are exceptional, I'd really like to thank whoever came up with 30 days of nonsensical rubbish music challenges. I play guitar (as well as variety of other musical instruments) and therefore know all the words to a great many songs - one of the many joys of being a guitarist is that everyone expects you to know every song by their favourite band.

Why oh why did I have to be born so talented? Why could I not just be like everyone else and this day would be as easy as 'Crazy World' by Aslan, a song of which I'm sure everyone thinks they know the words to, but really only know the chorus.

I decided to go with something with a lot of vocal variety so you wouldn't be bored by the monotony of one singer and a catchy chorus. I actually performed this track with Social Circuit, wasn't a massive fan of it then and I'm not a fan of it now. Still, I know all the words to it.

Daft Punk - Around the World

PS the lyrics are also conveniently included in the description

Day 7 A Song That Reminds Me Of A Certain Event

I'm really starting to believe I should have read through the list before accepting the challenge as a lot of these days have similar titles and I'm running out of songs that remind me of things. This track reminds me of yet another gig; this one was in Vancouver, Canada. Seán and I had been big fans of Death Cab for a while at this stage and when we heard they were playing it didn't take much convincing. To get the tickets we'd to convince our local friend Dave who'd never really heard them before but agreed to go anyway. The gig itself was great, made all the better by the sudden fainting of one of the aforementioned. Together with the still standing other I carried the unconscious lad to the barrier and I have to say, being rude to all those people who'd rudely passed me to get to the front was class - convince a friend to faint sometime, teach those people a lesson. I'm surprised that I can't remember the song that he fainted in, but I remember that as I searched for a drink for him I missed this song - or maybe I was back for this song, who knows, it was a weird summer.

Death Cab For Cutie - Marching Band of Manhattan

Day 6 A Song That Reminds Me Of Somewhere

As many of you know I was away for a year. So this song reminds me of Sweden. The whole album does really, so picking a song off it is pretty tough. The album wasn't panned by critics, but I didn't see it spoken very highly of when it came down to albums of the year on many lists. I don't listen to this song, or this album as much as I used to because I just associate it with Stockholm, mostly trips to AGA to see Chris and Eti or on my way to Lidl beside Radmansgatan, getting the 40 bus to Lappis from Odenplan, walking Drottingatan, walking in the snow to Stockholms Universitet and taking random walks to the lake.

I particularly like the line about cheesecake, that little breakdown is killer. Enjoy

Vampire Weekend - California English

Day 5 A Song That Reminds Me Of Someone

This is where it gets interesting, not because my choice of songs becomes more eclectic but that people will invariably give out because I've decided that one song and one memory is unbelievably more important than another. Don't be upset that I haven't chosen you overall.

Look at me sitting here on the branch of self-importance pretending to myself that:

• people care what I chose or don't chose

and

• people actually read my blog.

Sometime ages ago, the exact date has been long forgotten to all but the ticket stub that is too far away for me to be bothered to look at it, there was a gig and at that gig were a band called I'm From Barcelona. I remember the gig not being great, I think they played a lot of music off the new album that I hadn't heard yet (I've listened to it since and it's shocking). The company was one Alan Pierce, a scholar and a gent who had introduced me to the band.

Before you think that I've slipped off the mark and begun tomorrow's blog before finishing today I should explain: Context is seemingly of the utmost importance these days (it certainly seems to matter to my history lecturers anyway) so I figured I should explain lest you believe I was sitting here dreaming of Alan Pierce (which I am of course but you're not to know that).

I'm From Barcelona - Chickenpox

Apologies for the live version.

Day 4 A Song That Makes Me Sad

I've become one of those people who capitalise every word in a title, dear me. Back to the business at hand: Sad songs. There are a few definitions of sad which should probably be dealt with before I triumphantly announce the title of a song that makes me sad. There is sad as in the opposite of happy, i.e. emotionally distressed. However there is also sad as in words to the effect of "you sad bastard". There are also varying degrees of sadness, is the song supposed to depress me; make me cry; turn me to alcohol? If anything today requires a playlist rather than one song, perhaps something that gradually depresses or, in the case of the "sad bastard", a collection of Tim Westwood's tracks.

This song makes me sad, not in a horrible manner; it's not like I go off crying myself to sleep while listening to it. The song itself is all at once beautiful and sad. I play guitar (like everyone else) and I think my understanding of how difficult it is to play like that and sing with that emotion that lends me to appreciate this song. It's not one I play often, though I used to; it's a song best reserved for quiet times, away from people where you can sit back and bask in it. If you haven't heard it before it's not overly depressing, it's actually quite a pretty little song so don't be disheartened.

Regina Spektor - Samson

Day 3 A Song that Makes Me Happy

Making me happy is no mean feat, I come across as the grouchy type hence why everyone felt the need to congratulate me upon my purchase of a Mr. Grumpy t-shirt. Thus any song that could make me happy is clearly deserving of an award or, failing that, a mention on my blog. So I've chosen this song, not because it's a particularly cheery song, but because it's a song that will always cheer me up. It got me through the darker (both literally and metaphorically) days of my time in Sweden. It's easy to forget, in the absence of contact, that you have friends sometimes especially in a country where silence is seen as good rather than awkward. The song itself is a work of art, well constructed, beautiful lyrics and excellent instrumentation (the acoustic version is also well worth checking out). So enjoy and feel a little cheery.

Sufjan Stevens - Chicago

As a side note I've been reading through the 30 Day Challenge and there are a lot of very similar titles for days so I'll try save some of the good tracks for later in the series.

On the side of that side, Chicago is also a great driving/journey/walking/stop motion song.

Day 2 My Least Favourite Song

My least favourite song should be something so detestable that it should never have been conceived. My reasons for choosing this song are simple and I'll be very surprised if there aren't people who will argue that there are better candidates; what about that dreadful duo Jedward? So why have I chosen it? I've never liked Nirvana, there's something about Cobain's awful voice combined with muddy guitar and driving bass. That terrible testament to teenage angst never spoke to me. I think somewhere along the line I missed that crucial 'Nirvana phase'. Nothing more needs to be said. Do yourself a favour, don't click the link.


Nirvana - Smells like Teen Spirit

Day 1 My Favourite Song

It's weird when you get asked the question what is your favourite song because it's by no means an easy question to answer. I have many favourite songs by many favourite bands. In my mind my favourite song should be a song that I could listen to over and over without ever getting tired of it. It shouldn't be anything too complex, I could pick something classical and gradually wear away listening to the harmonies and the intricate nature of the instrumentation but it simply wouldn't do. At the same time it shouldn't be something I listen to all the time either, I could take the easy route out and pick the song that is most played on my iPod but I don't think I could bear the shame of knowing myself. I stress to you my favourite song should be simple and a pop song.

Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody

Every listen should be just like the first.

Challenge Accepted!

Came across this on Facebook thanks to a Mr. Pierce (credit where it's due). So I'll just explain what I shall be up to:

It's called the 30 Day Song Challenge

day 01 - your favorite song
day 02 - your least favorite song
day 03 - a song that makes you happy
day 04 - a song that makes you sad
day 05 - a song that reminds you of someone
day 06 - a song that reminds you of somewhere
day 07 - a song that reminds you of a certain event
day 08 - a song that you know all the words to
day 09 - a song that you can dance to
day 10 - a song that makes you fall asleep
day 11 - a song from your favorite band
day 12 - a song from a band you hate
day 13 - a song that is a guilty pleasure
day 14 - a song that no one would expect you to love
day 15 - a song that describes you
day 16 - a song that you used to love but now hate
day 17 - a song that you hear often on the radio
day 18 - a song that you wish you heard on the radio
day 19 - a song from your favorite album
day 20 - a song that you listen to when you’re angry
day 21 - a song that you listen to when you’re happy
day 22 - a song that you listen to when you’re sad
day 23 - a song that you want to play at your wedding
day 24 - a song that you want to play at your funeral
day 25 - a song that makes you laugh
day 26 - a song that you can play on an instrument
day 27 - a song that you wish you could play
day 28 - a song that makes you feel guilty
day 29 - a song from your childhood
day 30 - your favorite song at this time last year

To begin.

First things first.

Happy New Year all - yes I can be nice and highly critical at the same time it seems. The majority of people who've stayed in touch have remarked that 2010 was an odd year at the best of times. Bring on 2011, sure it's the last year we've left if you believe the 2012 hypothesis.

Anyway, I thought I'd bring you all some festive cheer with this amazing story of how I single-handedly brought rationality to the world:

I got asked if aliens were attacking last night. Anyone notice those chinese lanterns floating around well they were the culprits. In fairness, rationality should play a key role in deciding whether or not to ask me: Firstly what do I know, it's not like watching Star Trek when you're 13 makes you an expert on aliens? Secondly there are no aliens, at least according to reliable sources, i.e. the government, and since when have they lied to us? Thirdly, why would aliens come to Dublin: we're broke and have nothing going for us... Unless they're planning to invade because as I rightly pointed out, much to the horror of the caller, we probably wouldn't last very long against the invading hoards. True story.