Time and tide…
This morning I cycled along the coast road to the bridge at Bull Island. A tad breezy for my liking but still a nice Spring morning all the same. I locked the rothar and walked the rest of the way towards the half tide wall.
When I got to the end of the path I saw an elderly man walking back along the rocks from the lighthouse. Something golden glimmered in his hands.
The rocks were a bit of a struggle. It’s not the easiest walk at the best of times and this man was no mountain goat but he was persistent. I took my place on an empty bench, watched him slowly scale the rocks and listened to Fake Empire by The National.
After about ten minutes he finally made it onto steadier ground under the Réalt na Mara monument. He sat down on the bench beside me to catch his breath and placed a golden urn at his side. He looked back from where he’d walked, in the direction of the lighthouse. The sea breeze made his combover dance. He looked at peace. Content.
When he caught his breath he stood up and picked up the urn. He gave me that nod that only aul fellas can give and walked on his way back towards the road. I nodded back.
As I watched him walk away I wondered who he was and where he was going. Moreso, I wondered who was in the urn. Was it a lifelong love? An old friend? A pet? Who knows? Not I.
I should’ve paused The National and said hello. I think he would’ve been only too happy to tell me his story. But now I’ll never know. And that’s a shame.
As the breeze blew across Dublin Bay I wondered if he’d ever seen The Big Lebowski? I wish I’d asked him.
ZZ Stop…
I saw this yesterday in a corridor in work and had to take a photo.
It’s an extractor fan. I love the colour, the shape, the symmetry. It’s most cool.
On another note entirely…
I had a busy evening last night. I hotfooted it to a couple of festive engagements with friends and a family gathering. Most enjoyable. I spoke to/drank with many people. And you’d think Christmas would be top of the conversation list. Alas, no. It seems my facial follicles were top of the agenda.
Everyone seemed amazed at my, quite unremarkable, beard. It’s not exactly ZZ Top standard but hey what can you do?
I wouldn’t mind but I have a beard more often than I don’t. It’s a common occurrence due to my laziness when it comes to shaving.
Maybe people just never noticed until last night? A little bit bizarre.
A little milestone indeed…
Homepages, a unique collection of stories and photographs, the first of its kind in Ireland, has hit the virtual shelf this very day.
All proceeds from the sale of the book, compiled on an entirely voluntary basis, go directly to Focus Ireland, a very worthy cause who provide services and support for people who are homeless across Ireland. I contributed a photograph I took a while back to the collection and am very proud to have done so. I really hope it sells a shitload of copies.
Catherine Brodigan is the curator of the project. So hats off to Catherine for having the imagination, the initiative and the will to make it all work.
Catherine describes Homepages as “a unique collection of stories and photographs, the first of its kind in Ireland”. The contributors are a motley crew of Ireland’s best bloggers who “hold forth on the theme of ‘home’, covering everything from pets and expat life to parenting and the Kellogg’s Variety Pack. By turns hilarious, heartbreaking and thought-provoking, it promises a captivating read and showcases some of Ireland’s best undiscovered writing talent”. The list of grade-A contributors is available here. I personally can’t wait to get my mitts on a copy.
Oh and it’d make a most excellent Christmas present for those you hold dear! It’s available online at Lulu on a print on demand basis for a mere €14. To buy your very own copy or one for a loved one go here.
Catherine will be virtually launching the book with a couple of drinks from 7pm this evening at Le Cirk on Dame Street – all are welcome to come along. She’ll be the redhead in the corner with the double espresso!
Also at Le Cirk this evening some fine folk will be live blogging to cover the final of The Apprentice. Excellent stuff. What a combination!
