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Grandad March 3rd, 2008
I have a few regrets about Saturday night.
The first is that I didn’t get to meet more people. The only reason I went is because Bock the Bastard promised to buy me a pint and I couldn’t find him. Then he fecked off early to escape me.
The second is that those I did meet, I had difficulty hearing. Old age again.
The third, and biggest regret is that I couldn’t stay longer.
I can’t mention all the great people I spoke to, because my memory is crap [as you know], and I know I’d leave a lot out. But to every one of you - thanks. You made a great evening special.
I am sitting here in my comfy armchair, where I sit most mornings. It is a beautiful day outside. Blue skies, birds singing, sun shining, snow falling [snow? What the fuck?]. I’m tapping a few inane words on my keyboard and I don’t expect anyone to read them because they are my own little bit of amusement. So when I arrived on Saturday and people started coming up to me and saying they were dying to meet me, I was utterly bewildered. I read on a post yesterday that someone wanted to meet me, but they lost their nerve? What? What the hell is going on? I was the one who was nervous and bewildered. I was the one who was surrounded by the great and the good and I was nervous about approaching anyone. I was approached by people who said they read my blog but were too nervous to comment? What in the name of all that is holy is that about? Any time a comment appears on the site, I get a little glow. Someone is reading what I have written and have bothered to reply. I feel honoured.
I didn’t expect to win. I was very surprised to make the long/shortlist. I hadn’t even thought about what I might say, because it never occurred to me that I might have to say it. I sat down the back, because I knew I wouldn’t have to have quick access to the stage. I was more than gobsmacked when Rick called out Head Rambles. What the fuck were the judges thinking of? Were they on smack or something? Whoever you were - thanks! As I said yesterday, an Irish Blog Award means more to me than any other award. It really is the highest accolade.
I should also thank a few other people. [Yes - here comes the acceptance speech I didn't make]. For the first time in my life, I would like to thank Microsoft who sponsored the category, and Hosting 365 for the bottle of bubbly [which is being laid down for a very special occasion]. And of course Moviestar for the DVD player.
The nice little graphic on my sidebar was done by Robin Blandford [another winner!], and I will wear it with pride.
Another thing I will wear with pride is the lovely t-shirt given to me by Julie-Anne of Curious Tales. If I can get it back from Herself of course.
Elly and the gang reading my t-shirt,
or looking for my off-switch?
I have already thanked Damien and will continue to sing his praises. The other reason I wanted to go on Saturday was to shake him by the hand. At least I achieved that [are you listening, Bock?].
I would also like to thank whoever it was who had the idea of nametags with very small print. It gave me the opportunity to legitimately approach women and stare down their cleavage without embarrassment. Though I was caught once or twice staring down at a fine pair, only to realise that they weren’t wearing a nametag. Woops.
We would love to have stayed longer. Unfortunately, wee health problems meant we had to leave early. As it is, we overdid it and are going to suffer for the rest of the week.
But it was worth it.
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Ok ok, hold the phone.
First you neglected to not just WEAR the crochet cap I lovingly made for you with my own sweat and tears, but you didn’t even bring it with you at all!!!
NOW you’re robbing my pictures.
Well!
I have a letter bomb with ‘Mean old Fart’ written on the envelope. Who should I post this to? Hmmm…
I didn’t feck off early. That’s a vicious rumour started by JC Skinner for some evil reason.
Sorry about the pint, but I fell into bad company and somehow got a dose of the flu that caused my speech to slur and my legs to wobble. Strangely, it happened to all the people I’d been out drinking with till three the previous morning. Even more strangely, there seemed to be another 400 people in the Alexander with similar symptoms.
I’ll have to wait till next year to buy you that pint, but congratulations anyway, and well done.
K8 - For over twenty years I clothed and almost fed you, and you bitch about a measly photograph? Are you not ashamed? Letter bomb on its way…
Bock - The same tired excuses. Next year, it’s two pints. Inflation, and all that.
I didn’t say hello because people were mistaking me in my silver-streaked beard for yourself, and I didn’t want to disturb that - at least not when I was drinking with Bock into the early hours. You got off lightly.
I would also like to thank whoever it was who had the idea of nametags with very small print. It gave me the opportunity to legitimately approach women and stare down their cleavage without embarrassment. Though I was caught once or twice staring down at a fine pair, only to realise that they weren’t wearing a nametag. Woops.
haha, that made me laugh.
Oh, and it was nice to make your acquaintance.
Well done Grandad, i for (not the only) one
am not in the least bit surprised by your win! Keep up the good words.
Ya look like some eejit up from Cork for the match!
Well I didn’t get to meet you as I was not in attendance, perhaps next year for your follow up win? Keep up the good work, hope the health gets sorted.
i was one of those eejits who didn’t have the balls to come up and introduce myself to you. perhaps i should have worn a nametag…
Eolaí - I was wondering who the other bearded freak was! I’ll shave if there’s a next time?
Twenty - Great meeting up at last. We’ll have to do it more often
Natalie - Well, I still am.
Granny - Feck off.
Thrifty - It does help to be there all right. Next year? If I’m still around?
Rosie - I am disgusted with you. I was the one lacking balls [after a dispute with Herself a while ago. It got violent].
you’re not the only one, believe me. long story.
Hi Grandad. I’m only discovering now that you and Grannymar are superstars! Yay! Well done. As I just wrote to Grannymar - Herself will be jealous when you two go on a victory tour of Ireland and are too amorous (not to mention too mean) to pay for twin hotel rooms!!
I was at the awards in 2007 but couldn’t make it this year…so sorry I didn’t get to meet you and kiss your royal ring!
I’m not doing too much Blogging lately - except spillovers from Flickr.
Well done again!!!
[...] pick up on the story of another Wicklow resident and Bona Fide Irishman. I am talking about Wicklow resident Grandad, who has just picked up a well deserved award for Best Personal Blog at the Irish Blog [...]
Geez, are those other people midgets or are you like 8 feet tall?
I know what you mean about the comments.. the first time you commented on MY blog, I had to go change by shorts.
John O D - Herself was there on the night and I had to stop her beating the crap out of Grannymar. Jealousy is a terrible thing! You were supposed to buy me a coffee in my favourite coffee shop sometime, and you can kiss my ring then.
RhodesTer - A bit of both. Also, they are stooping a little. What did I say that caused you such indiscretion?
It was just your visit. Thank god you DIDN’T say anything.
Why? Was I your first ever visitor?
Congratulations! I have to say, I don’t have any trouble seeing how you won myself. Well done.
I think it’s great that you don’t have to travel 12,000 miles to meet fellow bloggers! Congrats and hope the recovery doesn’t take too long.
Cheers! Grandad
T’was good to meet you and all the gang and especially your ‘other’ other half!
Do tell us what was written on your back?
Steph - I quote…
[...] lastly, to Grandad, whose utter ‘aw shucks’ delight at the fact that people love his blog AND he won an [...]
Hey, Grandad, ya must been a beautiful baby. I like your taste in loud T-shirts, but where’s the matching Bermuda shorts, or better still, a pair of long, slim tight-fitting lycra bicycle shorts? You’ll have all the grannies up on their bikes after ya.
Long, slim tight-fitting lycra bicycle shorts? The women of Ireland would be dying from the lust!!
Congratulations on the win.
I think you look very fetching in that t-shirt.
I have to agree with you, there were some marvellous cleavages on display that evening. And I went with the expectation that the room would be filled with pale, shy males.
Hi Sharon, and congratulations to you too!
The room was filled with a pale shy male [me] but you couldn’t see it under the beard. The T-shirt has been appropriated by Herself, and with her cleavage etc., it’s now too big for me.
I see we made the Indo today! But not page Three.
“WEIRD WIDE WEB”
??
Fucking nerve!!!!!
I thought you would enjoy that one!
It’s getting worse. I just noticed that one of the Google Ads on this pagewas for ‘Elderly Care’, and another was for ‘Volunteer For The Elderly’. *sigh*
[...] from Republic of Ireland have come into my possession. While Grandad was supposedly attending a shindig in his honor, (aka WR 104) it appears that he was in fact devising a new plan along with the Embassy of [...]