Archive for the 'Awards' Category

Irish Blog Awards to be a disaster

March 26th, 2010

I waited until the last moment before making my decision.

The decision is made.

I had every hope of attending the Irish Blog Awards tomorrow night, but due to circumstances beyond my control, I have to pull out.  That reminds me of the other night with Sharon, but that’s another story.

I know I am a finalist in the Best Blog Post category [kindly sponsored by KRO IT Solutions – have to say that], but I don’t think I will win.  In fact I have my money on one of the others, which I think is a brilliant post.  I’m not saying which one, but I will be rooting for them from afar.

I know the night is going to be a disaster in my absence.  There are going to be lots of frustrated women, and a lot of bewildered blokes looking for someone to point them in the direction of the bar, but these things just can’t be helped.  Life just deals a shit card sometimes.  There is always next year….

Incidentally, I have two tickets to the awards.

Anyone want them?

Transport and accommodation not included.

Irish Blog Awards – Part Deux

January 26th, 2010

This is getting very fucking confusing.

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that nominations were open for the Irish Blog Awards.  Last week they announced that nominations were officially open.  So what’s the difference?  Damned if I know.  I think it’s a bit like using a stretch of motorway for a few weeks before some wanker officially declares it’s open?

As far as I know, any nominations that were made before the ‘official opening’ are valid, because I got emails back thanking me for the effort I had put in, and that my nominations had been accepted.

At least they now have a closing date.  All nominations must be in by the 5th of February at 3pm.  I presume they mean 3pm GMT, but who am I to argue?

If there is anyone out there who wants a nomination, please let me know.  I will get in touch regarding payment methods.

The other big news is that the date and venue for the awards has been announced.

I have never heard of the Radisson Blu Hotel.  It sounds like something you’d flush down a toilet to make a smell.

I phoned them this morning to make a reservation.  They asked me my name so I told them.  They said they were fully booked out.  Bastards.  Those fuckers from the Cork International must have told them about last year.  I phoned again and used my Uncle Jimmy’s maiden name, and suddenly they had plenty of space.  I fucking hate that type of messing about.

Yes.  I am going [bar some unforeseen incident] and there is even a rather worrying rumour that Herself is interested in going.  In fact I intend to head on after into the wilds of Connemara and have a little break for myself.  Why not?  I deserve it.

The big question now is who else is going?

Is it going to be a repeat of last year, with myself, Bock, Twenty, Robert and Peter ripping the place asunder?  Or is it going to be a different crowd?

Anyone interesting thinking of attending?

Getting thirsty

Galway Blog Awards

January 15th, 2010

How the years fly past.

It seems like no time since I was down in Cork at the Irish Blog Awards, and it seems like even less time since I was in Dublin for the year before.

They are on again in a couple of months, but this time they are in Galway.  I’m not sure why they keep changing the venue but I have a sneaking suspicion that they are trying to confuse me.  I suspect that they are trying to find a city that I haven’t heard of.  Well, it’s tough shit because I know where Galway is.  I don’t advertise this for obvious reasons, but Herself comes from Galway so I have had to go there a couple of times in the past.

As cities go, Galway isn’t a bad spot.  You have less chance of being drowned there than you have in Cork.  You have less chance of being stabbed/shot/mugged/murdered/raped than in Limerick.  All in all, it’s quite a friendly little city.  I have very fond memories of a stay I had there in Salthill some years ago.  We got the lounge pianist drunk and that led to a great session that lasted into the small hours of the following afternoon. I don’t know if they ever rebuilt the hotel.

I don’t know what the story is about this year.  Will I be going?  I don’t know, because I have a problem.

With impeccably bad timing, our K8 is due to drop her sprog some time around then, and for some unknown reason, Herself wants to be around for The Event.  I can’t understand the attraction myself, as a sprog is a sprog is a sprog.  Once you have seen one, you’ve seen them all.  It just means more babysitting.  I am just baffled as to why K8 chose such a fucking awkward time.

Of course I may just sneak across on my own.  Herself can stay at home In Case of Need leaving me to enjoy myself.  Last time there were a few of you women who fancied a slice of Grandad, but were scared off by Herself.  Maybe this is your chance?

Anyway, nominations are open.  I don’t know when they close, but I think it is very soon, so get voting.  The blog has to be Irish, but you don’t.

I’m not going to make any recommendations, as I am not going to do your thinking for you.  Just fucking nominate.  OK?

I wonder if I can nominate The Sprog as Best Newcomer?

Talking avatars

February 23rd, 2009

I was going to apologise for not posting yesterday, in case any of you were hanging around waiting for me.

But then I decided that if you were sad and lonely enough to be waiting for my rantings then you deserve to be disappointed.

It was a bit of a hectic weekend, as we travelled down to some place called Cork for the blog awards.

It was a surreal experience because, as we all know, bloggers don’t really exist – they are just comments that appear on my site and pages on my feed reader.

So the hotel was full of talking avatars.

I met bock who I recognised immediately.

Then there was mcawilliams and peterd .

Of course, who could miss eolai .

darragh was much in evidence, as was tommy

twenty was difficult to track down, but I recognised him by the green background.

DamienMulley did a brilliant job of organising the whole thing as usual.

There were dozens of others most of whom I remember, some of whom I forget, some of whom I can’t remember even though I want to and others I can’t forget no matter how hard I try.

Avatars kept coming up to me saying “Howya Grandad!” which was nice, though I don’t know how they knew I was me.  I don’t know who I am half the time.

It was that kind of weekend.

Of course our K8 won the gong for Best Blogpost which I think was a very sound decision on the part of the judges.

In the meantime, The Irish Times called me a cunt.

But then I read it again, and I realised they had written ‘cult’.  My fault.  I must change these glasses.

Herself is delighted at that and is now shimmering around the house in a saffron robe chanting something about Harry Crishna, whoever he is.

I asked her if I was entitled to a few extra wives and she said I could have as many as I like as long as they don’t get under her feet.

I took the liberty of secretly recording that conversation, and my solicitor now has a copy, just in case.

I had a great weekend.

But now I think I’ll have a well earned nap.

Lock up your daughters

February 21st, 2009

I haven’t said much about the Irish Blog Awards up to now, simply because everyone else has said it.

Today is a bit chaotic because Live95FM in Limerick chose today for their interview.  Bugger.  We’ll see how that goes. 

After that Herself wants a haircut or a Brazilian or something so I have to drop her off. 

Then I have to bring Sandy to the kennels, and she hates kennels with a passion.  She gets her revenge by teaching all the other dogs her nasty tricks.

At some stage or other, we will head down to Cork.

I’m going, of course, as is Herself and we are bringing The Other Fella along as well, as I have a cunning plan.

I am going to get totally hammered and then let himself suffer the hangover tomorrow.

K8 and TAT are going too.  They are going in their own car.  However, I slipped down to their place yesterday and did a little reprogramming of their SatNav, as she and I are in the same category and I like to play with the odds.  I hope they enjoy Letterkenny.

I don’t expect to win anything.

In fact the only reason I’m going is because there are a few people who owe me pints, and I’m a great believer in other people paying their debts.

With a bit of luck, I can also convince Herself that this is our Summer Holidays, which should save a few bob later on in the year.

Lock up your daughters, Cork.

Grandad is on his way.

« Prev - Next »