Musical Promises

I made a promise to myself at the start of the year. I promised that I would go to shows, see live music, spend what little extra cash I have on events that make me happy and will give me wonderful moments to create happy memories. I’ve spent far too much of my life not doing the things I wanted because of the cost, or because I really shouldn’t take time off work or for whatever reason. So what it boiled down to was a promise to go see live music more. And on the back of that I booked tickets a couple of months ago to go see one of my favourite groups when they came to Dublin. The gig was Monday night, the place was The Olympia, the band was Pentatonix and the night was phenomenal! They are five of the most stunningly talented people in the music scene at the moment and I am thrilled to have seen them live, and in such a wonderfully intimate venue. PTX can sell out arenas stateside but it was beneficial for the fans here that the same is not true of them in Ireland – yet (give it time.) The Olympia was jam packed and everyone there got an amazing experience. Having seen their documentary and their Youtube videos, I knew that they do a big show, but it translated well to the smaller stage of The Olympia. The setting was simple, these guys and their team know that the voices and songs are the true focus so there is no need for fireworks or costume changes. A light show and some smoke added to the excitement but they needed nothing more. The audience love them as they are.

The highlight of the night for me was the first encore song. A track entitled Light In The Hallway. A lullaby of sorts, they put their individual mics on the ground and curved around two small floor mics, the lighting was simple, resembling firelight washing over them, and they sang a beautiful, almost haunting melody. Avi Kaplan is a joy to listen to and he shines on this song. The whole performance was a joy, with Kevin Olusola’s cello and beatbox solo another highlight. The friends I went with agreed we would happily go to see Kevin perform by himself. The whole group seemed genuinely excited and enthused by the thunderous applause they received, which was much deserved.

Disaster of a Day

I should be on a bus right now on my way up to Dublin to attend a Graduate Careers Fair, an opportunity to meet and impress potential employers and give my cv to the unsuspecting reps for numerous companies. I've been debating with myself for a few days whether I really wanted to go or not. My dad suggested it and I agreed it might be a good idea. Which in fathertongue means I'm going. I know he's just looking out for me and wants me to succeed and to be happy, but I don't see the point in going to this fair. If I am to stay in Ireland, I really want a job in the south east. Somewhere accessible from home. Somewhere that I can commute from home. It makes saving a lot more feasible. However if I was to get a job elsewhere in the country it would mean having to pay rent and food and whatnot, leaving next to nothing for saving. Tramore might not be my ideal location right now, but it makes financial sense.
So I had been tossing and turning over whether to go today or not, and I decided to prep to go. So I printed a few dozen cvs and put them in envelopes, found time tables of trains and buses and picked a time to leave. My bus was at 7:55 am. That would get me to Dublin sometime around 12, which would mean getting to the Arena sometime around1. Giving me an hour to look around and talk, before heading back into town to get a 3 o'clock train home. A lot of travelling for a little time in Dublin, but who knows? It might do me good. I got up this morning at 7, and dawdled. There is no other word for it. I was still debating the trip and whether it would be worth it. But I left the house at 7:45, determined to give it my best shot.

The bus stop is at the bottom of a hill. As I began to head down the hill I could see the bright red bus with its orange lights sitting at the bottom. 'Great,' I though, 'I'll make it.' Only as soon as I thought those words the bus began to pull away. I was too far away to make a run for it so all I could do was stand there and watch. So I turned on my heels and trudged home in the rain. The next bus was well over an hour away so I wasn't waiting. And I've sat here for the past hour debating whether it's worth my while to get the next bus. And I've decided it's not. By the time I'd get to the Fair it would be after 2, and it's only open until about 3. And it would mean not getting home until almost 9pm tonight. Really not worth it.

So goes my job hunt....slowly but surely twisting down the drain.

*Cough, cough*

I'm sick! Coughing and spluttering and generally being a nuisance, more to myself than anyone else. I can't sleep at night because I'm coughing so much, and my chest, stomach and back hurt from the amount of coughing I'm doing. It's great fun! But on the plus side, I am getting better. Well, I think I am.

I had an interview on Friday! It went well, apparently. I thought it went horribly but I've heard since that it wasn't nearly as bad as I first imagined. Now all I have to do is wait and see if I got the job. Fingers crossed! It's a fairly handy job. It's a cashier position at the credit union. Like I said, fingers crossed. It's not a dream job, but it's a job. Speaking of, I am working. Sort of. Local newsagents/toy store/gift store/stationary store were short staffed and I need money, so it's a win win situation. Started on Saturday and am working again tomorrow and then for the rest of the week. Which is great cause I need some money because I want to go to Hull between now and Christmas, and flights and trains cost money!

Dublin was great. The conference went really well - I think anyway. Had a fun time with Robert and was fun to talk to students about the Uni and tell them stories. I also got the chance to look at some post grad info from some English uni's. Gonna look into that in more detail soon though. I do sort of expect I'll just go back to Hull to do my Masters. It's comfortable and I'm comfortable there. We'll see how money and time goes. Seeing the girls was great fun. I miss Aoife so much. I always realise this when I see her, but the great thing is we can go for so long without seeing each other and then meet up and it's like we were never apart. And Sarah!! Well, that girl is an entity all her own. I love her to pieces, but this past weekend she managed to upset me for possible the first time I've known her. And it was unintentional I'm sure, but it still happened. But I think it was a two way street so what can ya do?

The Saturday was a lot of fun, Ben and I wandered Dublin for a while before heading out to Phoenix Park and waiting outside the zoo for Nici and James. It took them forever to get there, but get there they did. We wandered around the zoo until closing time and then headed to Thunder Road where we were joined by Sarah and Padraig for dinner. I hadn't been there in years, it was brilliant. Music was loud {I'm getting old!} and they've changed the layout and some of the decor, but it was still fantastic.

Just hanging with Ben for the weekend was fun. I've missed him. Lots. We didn't do anything of note, just enjoyed each others company and walked alot. Hopefully it won't be another two months before I see him again.