Ye What.Biz

Gone to facebook

2010-12-15T22:01:00.001Z

I've decided to, whenever I take the notion to, instead of doing what has been called blogging to scribble an odd line or two on my facebook notes page instead which should be found here. My main facebook account is found @ http://en-gb.facebook.com/davetodd7 and if you want to keep an eye on the sh1t I post there hit the friend request button and let's be FAKEbook friends.

See you on the other side...

30 Years ago, today...

2010-12-08T13:23:00.000Z

Margaret Thatcher was in Dublin talking about the hunger strike in Northern Ireland.The song Super Trouper by Abba had been number 1 in the Singles Chart. I was living in Bangor at the time and remember how shocked I was seeing a report that John Lennon had been murdered. I remember where I was and what I was doing three years earlier when Elvis had died (I was in a Ford Transit milk van travelling out of Bangor @ 3am on the way to deliver milk) but only remember the news story about John Lennon. A few days ago I saw and heard what I call an amzing You Tube video by Anthony Toner which shows so much feeling and is a great tribute to John Lennon, a video which I'm sure you can take three minutes out to watch, enjoy and be impressed by. The title of the song is Me & John Lennon & You. The video...

A song from Belfast singer songwriter Anthony Toner, to mark the 30th anniversary of John Lennon's death. The idea for the song was planted a couple of years ago, after a chance remark by a friend about Lennon's death -- and how he and his wife had reacted, says Anthony. 'And the song was finished this autumn, somewhere between visiting the Imagine garden in New York in September and the 30th anniversary of Lennon's death on December 8th.'

Would you like Belfast Girls in your stocking this Christmas?

2010-12-07T21:07:00.001Z

I love the question that's been popping up all over the net which is 'Would you like Belfast Girls in your stocking this Christmas?' I'm sure there's a lot of people will answer yes to that question, even if the Belfast Girls refered to is the title of a book and the stockings aren't as those shown in the self portrait I took earlier (joke -I'm not that much into Xmas yet) The story about the book has been well documented on this blog and also on BooksNI. Back in May I blogged about A first for a writer from Northern Ireland. The story continues and now the latest is...

Award-winning Irish author, Gerry McCullough, releases her debut novel, 'Belfast Girls', on Amazon.com

The new full-length debut novel, Belfast Girls - from Ireland’s award-winning author, Gerry McCullough - has just been released on Amazon by new UK publisher, Night Publishing. This story of three girls growing up in contemporary Belfast captures the high life - and lowlife - of these post-conflict times, including drugs, high fashion, addiction and crime.

Gerry has been a successful short story writer for many years - with stories, poems and articles published regularly in magazines and anthologies in Ireland, UK and USA, and broadcast on BBC Radio. In 2005 she won the Cuírt International Literary Award in Galway, Ireland, for her short story, Primroses, and has been shortlisted/commended for other awards since then.

Says Gerry of Belfast Girls, “I’m bouncing off the walls! It’s something I’ve lived for and worked for my whole life, so I couldn’t tell you how happy I am. I’m hoping for a lot of support from the people of Ireland and beyond and I think the book is something everyone will enjoy.”

Her first novel follows the lives and loves of three girls from different religious backgrounds. In a city where such differences often separate, the girls manage to remain firm friends into adulthood. Their love lives are much more complicated, though. Sheila, the ‘ugly duckling turned beautiful swan’, becomes a successful super-model - dubbed the ‘ice maiden’ - but hides her unhappiness and dissatisfaction beneath the ice cool exterior.

Phil sets her heart on Davy, but he gets more and more entangled in the local crime scene, eventually dragging her down with him. Mary is wild and uncontrolled - until she almost overdoes it - then manages to re-build her life on a more solid foundation. John is all that Davy is not - solid, ambitious, serious, but also self-righteous, angry and conflicted. Drawn to one another, yet somehow repelled, John and Sheila’s love affair is more off than on. Where will it end?

Belfast Girls managed to make it to the top of the HarperCollins’Authonomy.com site last April, earning Gerry a review from this major publisher. But it was Night Publishing, a smaller UK company, which actually offered to publish her first novel - without forcing it into any particular ‘genre’ pigeon-hole. The result is a novel which has plenty for everyone - action, emotion, gunmen, kidnapping, glamour and despair.

This novel is a thriller, romance, comedy and drama, rolled into one - as Gerry says, “Like most people’s lives!” So, why not put Belfast Girls into your stocking this season?

If you've enough snow why not try...

2010-11-28T22:32:00.000Z

Illustration stolen from the book by Chris McNab entitled The SAS and Elite Forces Military Survival Handbook

Hooley Water; thirst quenching, sanctified and blessed.

2010-11-25T22:16:00.000Z

I was privileged a few days ago to be at the official launch of 'Hooley Water'. I understand that the 'Hooley Water' which to me tasted like some sort of weak brandy has some sort of connection to what's called a Holy lake in the Sperrin Mountains. A lake which St Patrick created so his followers could have something to drink.The same lake where it's said nothing can ever drown in.I also understand that the water is brewed , if water can be brewed, in the grounds of a community that live in a secluded valley near that lake, somewhere up the Sperrin mountains.The community which consists of mainly young women play continuously, music by their favourite band the Undertones.The music keeps them upbeat and active as without it young women living in such a remote location would tend to relax to much and not concentrate on their calling.

One of the sisters had a dream that she'd met Terri Hooley a former manager of the band, at a pub in Belfast and God had walked into the pub and told her that Terri was blessed by Him and that to let the world know about this special blessing she was to create a drink and call it 'Hooley Water'.She'd prayed about it for a few months to find out what the ingredients of this water should be and God had told her and made her promise not to disclose exactly what was in Hooley Water.He said if she ever disclosed what was in the water He would dry up the Holy Lake that St Patrick had created.

Unfortunately none of the young ladies from the community where able to attend the launch.The Most Blessed Terri Hooley was pleased to be at the launch.I also spotted and was able to get a photo of Terri beside Maggie Young. As I was driving that night I didn't really get to try the drink properly. I do however have a couple of bottles chilling in the fridge now and as it's Thanksgiving I'll use that as an excuse to really try out this Hooley Water.I'll let you know tomorrow what I think of it.

@ The Weekend.

2010-11-23T11:33:00.000Z

TRUE STORY - A woman walked into the ladies toilet and noticed that one of only two toilets were in use. There was nobody else in the room so she started singing that Micheal Jackson song 'You are not alone, I am here with you...' The lady that was using the toilet came out of it smiling at her and said 'That's the first time I've been serenaded in the toilet'.

Some people are so nice, aren't they :-)

Are you longing to be ravished by rhythm & rhyme?

2010-11-22T20:17:00.000Z

I was tagged on facebook on this, love the poster.

Party Girl.

2010-11-17T21:22:00.000Z

There are some videos that leave a lasting impression on me and this is one, via the Guardian...

Multiple sclerosis: 'I hate the word can't'
Collette Waller reads from her poetry collection Party Girl, recorded before multiple sclerosis left her unable to speak or write

Your chance to meet the Godfather of Punk.

2010-11-12T22:16:00.000Z

I'd the privilege this week of meeting and having a few drinks with a Northern Irish legend, the legend that is Mr Terri Hooley. What was planned as just a meeting for my wife to get his book 'Hooleygan' signed took a wee bit longer than I'd expected.She was also fortunate to have the book signed by both Terri and Richard Sullivan, Richard I believe put a lot of hard work into both persuading Terri to have the book written and writing the book.I reckon this book will be the Northern Irish bestseller this Christmas.

If you want to get a copy of the book signed both Terri Hooley and Richard Sullivan they will be signing copies in Waterstone's Fountain Street, Belfast tomorrow, Saturday 13 November, from 2.00pm.

If you haven't bought the book yet, buy it now! Did I mention it's called Hooleygan.

When Bedlam won't be.

2010-11-10T22:17:00.000Z

I shouldn't really tell you about this as I might miss all the bargains.Last year I was at something similar run by Jenni and it was impressive and I left needing to purchase another bookcase...

WHAT ? - For two days only, in the front foyer of the Old Library in Great James Street, local online Bookshop, LITTLE ACORNS BOOKSTORE will have a stall at Derry's innovative and most exciting indoor weekend market – BEDLAM MARKET.

With an overall stock of 7,000 books, stock has been specifically chosen for sale over the two-day period in keeping with the nature of the market and other stalls: vintage, retro, antiques, arts and crafts.

There will also be books on film, television, music (biographies, history, pictorial etc), literature (drama, poetry, study guides etc), fashion, arts, crafts, Irish/Ireland-related plus mixed fiction, alongside selected children's titles.

New and used books will all be discounted, many of which will be cheaper to buy than online and in the high street.

To compliment the books, a small selection of used and new CDs and cassettes – jazz, blues, film soundtracks, swing etc – will be on sale.

Other stock available:

As-good-as-new magazines on books, publishing, writing (Books Ireland, the Bookseller, Publishing News, the New Yorker, Writers' News etc). Plus arty postcards and second-hand film star prints/postcards (Marilyn Monroe, James Dean etc).

Local, hand-made, specially created gift cards and other small crafts from Marilyn McLaughlin.

And possibly a few other unique surprises – perfect for stocking fillers or Christmas gifts!

Please feel free to suggest or ask after any specific books/subjects in advance that can then be made available (if in stock) on the day.

This is a one-off Book Stall, so please do come along and feel free to spread the word!

Email: wonderfulworldofworders@yahoo.co.uk

Web: http://www.amazon.co.uk/shops/littleacornsbookstore

WHERE ? - Bedlam Weekend Market (Basement of Old Library)35 Great James Street, Derry, N Ireland

WHEN ? - Starts @ 10am this Saturday and finishes sometime on Sunday.

Live & Loud @ Charly's

2010-11-07T12:46:00.000Z

I'll blame it on Alan Simpson and an interview with Clive Culbertson on his radio show last week meant that I ended up in Coleraine last night.I'd heard the name Clive Culbertson before but when I heard he played bass guitar, was a vocalist, songwriter, recording engineer and record producer and had a new album out I couldn't but miss heading up to Charly's. I was also curious as Clive had mentioned on the interview about being a Druid.Sadly last night there wasn't a hint on stage of anything Druidish. To find out about Druidism the best bet is checking out The Order Of Druids In Ulster website.

It was a pleasure to be entertained by a 5 piece totally live band called YAP and even listen to the single from Clive's latest album.The album is entitled Still Havin' Fun and described as Radio-friendly pop rock from one of Northern Ireland's most talented songwriters, a former member of the Van Morrison Band. More about Clive...

From his earliest days playing in covers bands in his native Coleraine, Clive Culbertson attracted attention as a fine bass player, singer and arranger. But it was when he started writing his own material, his command of the three-minute power pop genre catapulted him to success both as a solo artist and with his band The Sweat. After releasing a string of fine pop and punk singles on the Rip Off label in Belfast, the band landed an album deal with Dave Dee s Double D Records and the single Why d Ya Have to Lie picked up major airplay across the UK. The band played a string of promotional dates up and down the UK before Dave Dee s label folded and Clive returned to Northern Ireland to set up his own studio and develop his solo career. He quickly became an in-demand session player, performing on countless TV and live appearances, while establishing himself as an in-demand producer on the busy country music circuit. In the late 80s, a friendship with Van Morrison developed into an active role as bass player in Van s live band. Clive subsequently played bass on the Avalon Sunset album, which featured the massive hit single Have I Told You Lately . He also toured extensively with Van and The Chieftains, following their Irish Heartbeat collaboration. Since leaving Van s band, Clive has continued to develop his writing and performing career, notably with New Moon, a country rock band who were hugely popular on the country festival circuit in the late 90s and into the early noughties. With the current fascination with powerpop music in Japan, Clive s 80s solo punk material on vinyl had been changing hands for some time for not-insubstantial sums of money on the Japanese collectors market. Tokyo-based 1977 Records re-released two CDs of Clive Culbertson and The Sweat material in 2008, and Clive found himself reforming the band and going out to play two dates in Tokyo, where hordes of young people already knew all of his lyrics. With the flame rekindled, Clive went back to the studio and began working on songs of his own again. The result, Still Havin Fun, is a collection of pop love songs that bear the hallmarks of Clive s whole career, from straight-ahead powerpop to country ballads. Recorded at his own No Sweat Studios in Coleraine, the album features fine performances from some of the finest session players in the country.

YAP are playing again next Saturday night at Charly's and if you enjoy live music and can make it up to Coleraine it's well worth heading up there.

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Now Showing: Stephen Hall and the Moonshed Orchestra

2010-11-06T15:20:00.000Z

We now have the opportunity to see a clip of Northern Ireland's Rolf Harris when he was on the Gerry Anderson show recently, sorry that should be the Gerard Micheal Anderson Show on BBC Radio Ulster.Stephen Hall and the MoonShed Orchestra joined Gerry Anderson for a session and to promote their new album, "The Wee Wee Man. Songs from the MoonShed".The musicians were Rohan Young( Bodhran), Michael Sands (Funk Banjo),Stephen Hall (Mandolin), Barry Tipping (Lead Guitar) and John McKeever (Guitar) Enjoy...

and more...

BooksNI

2010-11-05T13:19:00.000Z

I've a blog/website BooksNI gathering dust and I'm feeling slightly guilty about it. It still has visitors even though the last blog post was in June. I've decided I'd like to open it up to authors, poets & publishers from and in Northern Ireland who want to use it to promote their books, book signings, appearances etc.It can be used to reblog blog posts or articles that have been written for other sites that can be reposted on BooksNI

I'm going to be sending out invites by email to people inviting them to start blogging @ BooksNI. If you are one of these people please feel free to blog about, as it says on the tagline of the site, books written by authors from and in Northern Ireland. Sadly the blog/website can only have up to 100 authors, so if your reading this and want to post on this site email me soon so I can add you as an author.I'm afraid there is no payment for writing/blogging on this site, it's just another avenue for people to find out about your latest book.

Karaoke Fun @ The Bull's Eye

2010-10-30T13:43:00.000+01:00

Special Halloween edition of the Ballymena Times

2010-10-30T12:56:00.000+01:00

Early this week I was extremely fortunate to purchase a rare collectible edition of the Ballymena Times. The paper, published in Northern Ireland's ~~Drugs~~ Bible Belt, was celebrating all that goes bump in the night.It was £1.00 well spent, a £1.00 spent on ~~blood~~ ink that still hadn't dried, hot or is cold off the press. Every three or four pages was smeared with ~~blood~~ red ink, like this...

and this...

I wonder is Des Blackadder opening up the offices of the paper for haunted tours on Halloween.I've heard stories about that place, stories you wouldn't believe...

Irish author's stories appear in French collection.

2010-10-27T21:15:00.000+01:00


Fred Johnston amid the sculpture at l'Autre Rive Café, Huelgoat, Brittany this summer at a reading by Colette Wittorski

Breton publisher Terre de Brume has just published a collection of short stories by poet and critic Fred Johnston, entitled 'Orangeman,' and translated by Kristian ar Braz. The publisher, based in Dinan, has produced a number of Irish authors in French, including Liam O'Flaherty and Walter Macken, and a new book on James Connolly. The book was produced with the assistance of the ILE.

Fred Johnston has not written any poetry in English for several years now and his poetry in French is widely published in France, in journals such as Hopala! and Interventions a Haute Voix.

"I am delighted that the stories have been published in Brittany," says Johnston, whose new collection of stories in English from Parthian (UK) will appear in May 2011. "I owe a lot to Kristian for his encouragement and for his work on the stories and hope to see him soon in Brittany." Fred Johnston translated the poetry of Colette Wittorski, a Breton-based poet, which was published by Lapwing earlier this year.

Government response to petition 'livemusicevents'

2010-10-25T20:17:00.000+01:00

I don't receive too many emails from hmg.gov.uk Thank God so when I do I can't help but share.One's just arrived in my inbox entitled 'Government response to petition 'livemusicevents'. I'd signed a petition asking the Prime Minister to stop criminalising live music with the Licensing Act, and to support amendments backed by the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, and the music industry, which would exempt most small-scale performances in schools, hospitals, restaurants and licensed premises.

Her Majesty's Governments response was, wait for it.

Currently the Coalition Government is reviewing the situation concerning live music performance at smaller venues, and the Minister for Tourism and Heritage, John Penrose MP, is considering the result of the Consultation on Live Music which closed in March. The Coalition is committed to cutting Red Tape, to encourage live music and is keen to find the best way forward. A number of options are being considered and the Minister will make an announcement in due course.

I'm waiting in anticipation for the Ministers announcement, which I'm expecting to be a long wait.

17 years ago today

2010-10-23T13:53:00.001+01:00

I noticed a few status updates on facebook mentioning that it's 17 years today since the Shankill bombing. This refers to a bomb which exploded prematurely in a fish shop on the Shankill Road killing an IRA member (involved in carrying the bomb), a UDA member and eight innocent civilians.This bomb had the highest casualties and resulted in numerous revenge attacks by loyalists.How many lives on both sides of the divide would have been saved if this bomb hadn't exploded. Today my thoughts are with those people who because of this bomb have lost loved ones and with people who have been scarred and injured because of it.It's sad that as yet there hasn't been a mention of this anniversary on any news websites.I believe it is important for us all to remember the past, to remember events like this one to help us move on to a peaceful future. If there happens to be anyone reading this who was in the vicinity of the fish shop that day I'd like to point out that the video below is put together very well and is very moving..

Introducing Smokey Joe...

2010-10-19T23:06:00.002+01:00

Sermon Free Sunday ?

2010-10-17T15:34:00.000+01:00

For all you heathens, like me, out there who haven't attended any religious gatherings this weekend here's a thought for the incoming week...

When you speak honestly and openly, others truly listen to you. Ju Gosling aka ju90

Tomorrow...

2010-10-13T13:38:00.000+01:00

Monday's don't have to be boring.

2010-10-11T11:44:00.000+01:00

don't be shy,why not try...

A blog about a children’s author living in County Down.

2010-10-09T22:06:00.001+01:00

A couple of years ago when I was trying to encourage the local Northern Irish bloggers to join the Northern Irish bloggers ringsurf community I'd sent out a few Q&A's to find out a bit more about the bloggers. I sent the same questionnaire to Cathryn Lindsay a local children's author who I'd the privilege of meeting and managed to obtain the 1st signed copy of her book 'Who ate all the pies?' She kindly answered...

What is the title of your blog?
My blog is called cblindsay.com

Why did you call your blog cblindsay.com
I called it this because my pen name is C B Lindsay (C B stands for Cathryn Bronwyn)

Briefly, describe your blog, if you can
The blog is about my life as a children’s author living in County Down, Northern Ireland

Why do you blog?
I blog to keep a record of the things I have been doing in relation to the book, such as signings, readings and other events. I like to have photos on the blog to keep it colourful and so that friends and family can see I’m still alive! I also post resources on the blog such as a downloadable colouring-in sheet that is taken from one of the book’s forty illustrations

What has been your best blogging experience?
Making connections with other literary types from all over the world!

What would be your main blogging advice to a novice blogger?
My advice to a novice blogger would be to update your content as often as possible to keep people coming back for more

What are your favourite blogs?

What is your favourite book?
Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray is my favourite adult book and his short story The Happy Prince was always my favourite children’s book

What are your favourite films?

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
The Lives of Others
Monty Python and the Holy Grail

What is your favourite poem?
Snow by Louis MacNeice
I know your down there plughole man which I think is by Spike Milligan

Who is your favourite comedian?
Spike Milligan…but of people who are still around I would have to say Mark Thomas

If you were to relive your life to this point, is there anything you'd do differently?
I would worry less about silly stuff, have more confidence in my writing, get rid of the TV sooner, and make more of an effort to help others and our environment

What would you call your autobiography?
Exaggerated for Effect!

Who would play you in the film about your life?
Kate Winslet

What are your hobbies, apart from blogging?
Apart from blogging I like to write, read, knit, walk, watch movies with friends and TV dramas such as Deadwood and documentaries such as The Century of the Self with my partner Stuart

What is your most treasured possession?
I try not to treasure possessions, but I do treasure experiences, such as the time two of my friends and I lay by a lake in Ancient Corinth sipping Greek beer and watching the stars all night – something I will never forget

Who are your sporting heroes?
I’m afraid I don’t do sport! Some of my hero’s would include Martin Luther King, Adam Curtis, Oscar Wilde, Mary Ann McCracken and of course my lovely Dr Stuart McWilliams!

If you won a million on the Lotto what would you spend it on?
I would give as much as I could to Oxfam as I think they do a wonderful job
I would make sure my family got their fair share
I would buy a little tumbledown cottage by the sea for Stuart and me to live in, with hens, some bees to make honey and a pig called Chester

Another one...

2010-10-08T12:58:00.000+01:00

Yes, there is another X Factor for all you singing superstars to enter.It's at the H&W Welders Club on Dee Street in Belfast.Of all the X Factors throughtout the country that I've attended recently I reckon this one is the best. The best sound around, with fair judges and some fun thrown in too.Last night the entertainment included a birthday girl being proposed to and a ring being placed on her finger. There was also some (not that) 'dirty dancing' and Uncle 'I can't stop loving you' George on stage.The heats run through until the4th Nov and maybe if you enter you'll get the chance to be up against Maggie Young on the 11th.

It's easy to find and if your going let me know. Maggie won a £15 bar tab last night to be used next Thursday night so I might end up there next week too.

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It's National Poetry Day today

2010-10-07T01:02:00.000+01:00

and in the interview below made by Faber for Culture24 and National Poetry Day Daljit Nagra talks about what inspires him to write poems and offers his tips on how to become a poet. Find out more at http://www.nationalpoetryday.co.uk and visit the Culture24 poetry section @ http://www.culture24.org.uk/poetry