Geri's World @geriohara.com

Happy St Valentine's Day - But Is It True?

noreply@blogger.com (Geri Ohara) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

This article was first published on 13/2/10.

Happy St Valentine's day! but is it true that under the current calendar of the Catholic Church it should be celebrated on November 11th? ...That would really feck Hallmark up wouldn't it.

St Valentine is not only the patron Saint of Lovers but also the Patron saint of greetings card manufacturers. I would call this very serendipitous considering the amount of cards that will be bought for this one day.

Come to think of it he is also the Patron saint of the plague and epilepsy. Now no matter how sagely,old and wise I may sound at times I am not old enough to remember anyone with plague ...but epilepsy is close to my heart.

The times I have felt myself getting agitated or upset by someone and felt the nerves in my hand,then my arm right up to my face dance about uncontrollably is more than I can remember. The mantra then is "No Please don't pass out, don't pass out!" On the surface apparently at this stage I look quite calm, (perhaps maybe more intense than usual ... well I am concentrating on my mantra). If memory serves me right a grand mal seizure when you're passed out on the floor and jigging about uncontrollably is far from calm. If onlookers find it frightening and upsetting think about the poor person writhing about on the floor (that was usually me). ...Thank God we have St Valentine,

Do you think Hallmark should make a Happy Valentine's day card with the message..'.Hope this year is plague free...or epilepsy free' as well as 'To my darling Valentine'?

To my darling valentine. I have a theory about why he out of all the saints became the patron saint of lovers. It has more to do with fertility than to do with romance. Don't talk to me about romance. Romance is the stuff of nightmares, when it comes to partners their idea of romance or what it means to be 'romantic' sets you on a helter skelter path of failure. It doesn't matter how heartfelt your declarations are or what you try to do. A bunch of flowers, a card or something totally extravagant, everything, anything will ultimately fail...You discover when you reach forty something there is really no pleasing people so it is best to just please yourself and on that note I have noticed I am digressing!

All I know about St Valentine is that he was beaten up, imprisoned and then beheaded by the Romans for being a Christian not very romantic I'd say! Not too terribly surprising either considering the times he was living in. It was the 3rd century and the Christians were into martyrdom in those days, that's what made Saints. So anyway back to my theory. In 496 Pope Gelasius set aside The pagan festival of Lupercalia dedicated to Juno the Goddess of women and fertility as the day to honor Valentine. A lot of Saints days are celebrated around the same time as pagan festivals. It was easier for Christians to hijack an existing festival than to try and be imaginative. Anyway I think the pagans had something because I have come to the conclusion that February the 14th is the most popular birthday on the calendar.

Valentine being a Catholic and Catholics are off course into procreation being a blessed and loving thing; love and romance are joined at the hip (especially for the young). So voila Valentine becomes the head honcho for love. Sweet! It is not a scientific conclusion by no means, it is just that off the top of my head I know five people who are Valentines babies. Are any of them romantic? Can you hear me laughing? Anyway, it just seems a fairly high proportion of people that I know all share the one birthday and that day happens to be February 14th. Makes a bit of sense to me, May is obviously a loving month and February is when we should celebrate what we got up to back then.

Juno the Goddess blesses us, we celebrate, the Christians come along gave the day to their guy Valentine. People around the world get lovey dovey for a day, greeting cards sales soar and everyone is happy. My theory may not be scientific but I think it is sound.

The first Valentines greeting was sent by a Frenchman Charles Duke of Orleans to his wife in 1415. He spent 25 years in the Tower Of London after the Battle of Agincourt. All I can say is God help the poor woman. I hope she had plenty of diversions

The notion that Valentines day is the day that the birds mate originated in the 14th century. The idea is attributed to a Chaucer poem.

And finally did you know that St Valentine's 'remains' were lost? The fact that no-one really knows who he was is neither here nor there (there were a few Valentine Martyrs around about his time). Never the less his 'remains' ended up in Ireland -where we promptly lost them. (We're a race that looks after our religious and romantic heritage). He was lost in a church in Dublin for ever so long a time...turned up in the back of a cupboard. Makes you wonder what else was up there and I for one will not chide myself anymore for losing things.....Most likely they'll be laying up the back of a cupboard. And at least we can pat ourselves on the back, after all no-one flushed him down the loo.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone May you be plague free

Happy Valentine's Day May all your fits be little ones

Happy Valentines Day to all you sweetheart romantics

And Happy Birthday to the Valentine babies

The Gaga Minds And The Scrambled Scrabblers Club

noreply@blogger.com (Geri Ohara) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

In the early hours she thrashed about in her sleep, awoke in a sweat and had swept the bedclothes of her body in a dramatic fashion. They still lay in an unloved heap at the foot of her bed. She had long since left her home chewing on a piece of toast and acting on an instinctive urge, an impulse.

Any of Carols friends or colleagues would have been shocked to hear that she acted so impulsively, she was not known for idiocy. The opposite could be said about her in fact. If any of them were asked to describe her words such as passive, thoughtful, introspective and cautious would spring to mind.

At 07.40 she found herself walking across the airstrip at her local airport to board a flight for London. By 11.30 she found herself sipping coffee in Starbucks near the London Eye . Occasionally she checked her ‘devil device’ as she liked to call her mobile, but there were no new messages. It looked as though this new ‘ impulsive’ her was going to be sorely disappointed. “Ahh well” she thought.

The door of the coffee shop opened and a woman with shortish thick red hair and intensely blue eyes breezed in. She looked taller than she actually was and Carol recognised her right away. She almost shouted out her name but was suddenly overcome by a sense of shyness ...and embarrassment. Just behind the woman a tallish younger man entered he grabbed her and give her a squeeze she jolted round her face changing from shock- anger to delight. “Jamie!” She hugged him. Jamie laughed and said rather loudly “Let the festivities begin!”

It was just then that the woman spotted Carol. She let out a squeal and ran over to where Carol was sitting grabbed her into her arms and hugged her tightly. “I can’t believe you actually really came to the meeting of ‘The gaga minds and scrambled scrabblers’ " She said. Carol was laughing, shaking with nerves and pleasure. Jamie didn’t look overly pleased. “I suppose that is me out manoeuvred” he said. Then his face brightened “I’ll get this round in Zee you get the board set up.”

Zee rolled her eyes and winked at Carol “He imagines we gang up on him”.
“Never!” Said Carol and laughed “Is anyone else coming?”
“I don’t think so, I think people find it easier to pop in online from time to time … I can’t believe you have come all this way.”
“I said I would one day.”
“Yeah, I know...but all tongue in cheek! It wasn’t something that I would have seriously expected.” Carol laughed “I guess I am a dark horse.”
“I guess you are.”

Jamie came back laden with coffee and the game started. Zee went first and used up all her letters with ‘ordinal’. Jamie shouted “Foul! Now you two are actually together in physical space you are cheating.”

The women fell about laughing …” No no Jamie!” Said Zee almost choking with laughter. “But, if you think about it, it just goes to show that I am Number 1 she is number 2 and you are number ..who cares!”
“Bollix and shit” Said Jamie trying not to laugh along with them and trying to put on his “I am not amused face’. The women laughed harder and louder and Jamie finally started to laugh along with them “Be quiet he said you’re causing a scene.” The game went on much in this vein with Jamie objecting and accusing the women of ‘ganging up on him and the women laughing at his daftness and then Malcolm came in.

“Girl look at you you’re a sight for sore eyes” he said to Carol as she stood up and hugged him in delight. It was odd, in a way surreal. She had never met any of these people but she felt perfectly comfortable with them, as though meeting up with them was a regular thing .

While they played Malcolm started to talk about the latest book that they had been reading. ‘Before I Go To Sleep’ Malcolm thought the journal was a clumsy plot device and Carol agreed. “It was a good story though and I found it really easy to get into .” She added.
Jamie agreed. “Yes I found it a very easy read I liked her style. “ As they played and chatted Carol didn’t realise that time was flying by. “Carol I still have to take you for that game of pool I promised you if you ever came over, are you planning on staying over”?
“Well, I had thought of getting the last plane home, whenever that is. What time is it anyway?" She realized she would have to start thinking about making her way back to the airport. "I didn't really plan things terribly well."
“You should just stay over with me tonight that way we will get to have that game of pool”.
“Now there’s an offer I wouldn’t refuse”. Said Jamie
“That’s an offer you wouldn’t get.” said Malcolm
“Too right” said Zee. Jamie pulled a face at her
"Your harsh"

Carol looked at the woman with the red hair and the intense blue eyes, this woman who she had talked to for hours but only just met today. "Oh come on girlfriend" Said Zee laughing. ""When we eventually get back to mine we can crack open a bottle of wine and chat into the wee hours, it'll be fun".

For the second time that day Carol had the opportunity to act on an urge, on impulse...

I Will Always Love You

noreply@blogger.com (Geri Ohara) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:27:00 +0000

Last night many people took the opportunity to celebrate Valentines day with their significant other some went out for meals or went to shows and some had a romantic evening at home with the M&S £20.00 special meal deal. At about 11.45 the news of Whitney Houston's death hit the social media. Twitter and facebook erupted with the news as people expressed their shock and sorrow at the loss of such a talent.

She sang some of the most memorable romantic ballads in popular culture and I think there is a poignancy at the timing of her death, when so many people are celebrating the love they have for one another.

She was an extraordinary talent but like many people who are so gifted she was also a tragic personality. I couldn't help agreeing with one friend's post on facebook.

"I can't believe so many people are shocked that Whitney Houston is dead. I'm more shocked she lived this long"!!

RIP

Gave Ma Head Peace #2

noreply@blogger.com (Geri Ohara) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:30:00 +0000

My daughter calls in to remind me that "I have an ology!"
"Don't worry" I tell her "they are not catching".
"They're not much use either" She answers me. We have some coffee, we chat, I remind her that my frown is really only an upside down smile. ..Just in time she leaves for work

"Give Ma Head Peace"

noreply@blogger.com (Geri Ohara) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:07:00 +0000

My daughter is a lecturer and I do not mean she has an 'ology' or a doctorate, she is not an expert in a 'thing'. Nor do I have my words or their meanings confused; I do not mean she is a lecher. She is not lascivious or living a life of debauchery. All in all I'd say she was quite normal.

Still withal she is a lecturer. She visits with a mental and verbal list of everything that I should or should not be doing. - "You should be getting out more, write more, stop smoking, cheer up. Smile! Go for walks, don't get too giddy, drink, don't drink, Smile...Stop smoking.

Off course I cannot smile for frowning and thinking "Give ma head Peace". Which reminds me of the satirical comedy show set in Northern Ireland.

'Give My head Peace' sent up (Made fun off) every aspect of Northern Ireland life from the politicians to the police and the paramilitary groups. The plots were often farcical and absurd. The pilot episode 'Two Ceasefires and a Wedding' sent up the 'love across the barricades' scenario aired in August 1995 though the series did not start until 1998 running until 2008. It was written and performed by the Hole in the wall gang and was a firm favourite with Northern Ireland audiences. One thing all the people of the North have in common is that they can laugh at themselves.

Just An Age Thing

noreply@blogger.com (Geri Ohara) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:01:00 +0000

The new year is well under way, February slipped in as I, sipping a glass of Pinot Gricio pondered about the future. 2012, for good or ill has its feet well under the table and it, like every other year will bring its own adventures and strive, whether I want it to or not. I find that February is one of those months with far too many particular dates and far too many particular memories. Which is odd considering that it is the shortest month of the year. Off course if I sit down and think about it I am at that age when every month probably has particular dates and memories...it is an age thing...

Although perhaps I should be grateful that I still have memories.

Ohh I Have Little To Do

noreply@blogger.com (Geri Ohara) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:57:00 +0000

There’s a hole in ma wee sock
That Mollys run amok
The world is tumblin round ma ears
And I’ve turned into a right old dear

T will teach me how to knit
And embroider a little bit
Ciara’s on the Morgans spice
It is nice with lots of ice

And our Barry - he’s a geg
He’d drink beer by the keg
Vikki bakes a wee cake
Puts a smile on Declan’s bake

Ohh he's James now - What to heck
He can’t change his name back
Nearly finished my wee poem
As I listen to this song

And the song is Mack the knife
A song of death and of life
my poems of facebook and some chums
Who make life less humdrum

So I dip into their world
While I knit and I purl
That’s a joke now - it really is
I’m just sitting drinking fizz.

The bottle popped- cork hit the ceiling
Molly ran and started squealing
So I had to calm her down
So we danced all around

Now we’re having a little sip
Well maybe more than a little bit
So goodnight dears one and all
And tomorrow do not call.

(too early):)

I Wish You A Very Happy New Year XX

noreply@blogger.com (Geri Ohara) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:11:00 +0000

Drunken Fairy

Some people may already be partying to welcome in the new year having not stopped their Christmas revelry's. Others may be following that age old tradition of cleaning their home and making it spick and span for it is said how your home is on new years day - so it will stay. So, a lot of people try to have their homes clean and cheerful ...for they want a cheerful new year. Not one bogged down by clutter and chaos.

People think of the new year as a new beginning - but it is just a continuation of more of the same .. the same worries, the same joys and the same sorrows. The year may be new but we certainly are not and all the things that vex or break our hearts one year will still vex us and break our hearts the next.

For many people the Christmas period becomes a time when you dwell on the past thinking about people who are no longer around. People who were in their time an important part of your world and then others who may have only been in your world for a relatively brief time ... who also added colour and joy to your life's story but are now, for what ever reason lost to you. It all sounds rather depressing doesn't it?

Gremlin In My Stocking

Thankfully though we have the gift giving and receiving - we have the dinner (that is always in danger of being ruined but that we somehow salvage) we have the M&S Cava, the bucks fizz, the mulled wine, the beer and the telly. The stupid games, the little tiffs and family and friends.We have all the trappings that are gold to stand up comedians .. crackers charades sweets cakes. We have the opportunity to overindulge ourselves and our families. We have everything that will insure a merry Christmas We have the smiles, that are not frozen or plastic, but genuine and a vague idea that next year we will make it an even better Christmas.

The Christmas period can be sad and happy in equal measure, we cannot forget the people who have gone from our lives because in their time they enriched us with their presence. I am however mindful of the people in my present. They are all the best Christmas present I could ever want........Now where did I put my Cava?

A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL! CHEERS XXX

Lack Of Oxegen Causes Deep Intake Of Breath For Irish Teens

noreply@blogger.com (Geri Ohara) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:01:00 +0000

It was announced earlier today that next year’s Oxegen Festival would not be going ahead. This music event is normally held just outside Dublin at the Punchestown Racecourse in July. I have many happy memories of picking my daughter up from the Train Station after her attending this festival. Although it was a short trip home , I usually got her to open the car windows to let the unwashed for three days smell out. Then when she got home she would shower, sleep and sleep some more and then maybe think of starting to hose down her mud caked jeans and trainers.

"The Lucy Show" and "The Twelve Days of Christmas".

noreply@blogger.com (Geri Ohara) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:42:00 +0000

It always amazes me how music sometimes manages to trigger off a long forgotten memory. Well today while out last minute Holiday shopping the tune of The Twelve Days Of Christmas worked its way into my head. When suddenly I remembered a television programme of my youth – The Lucy Show. This was the episode when she conducted a boys choir giving their rendition of the very same song. As the boys sang she did all of the actions “swans swimming”, “maids milking” etcetera. It must have made this five year old child laugh, as it still makes me smile today. To see if I remembered correctly I checked out the clip on You Tube and was surprised to see it was in colour. Back in 1965 when it first aired we had a big old black and white television with only two channels BBC and ITV. It is nice when a memory like that resurfaces, before the Christmas present bubbles back.

The Post Office - Failing To Deliver Or Second For None.

noreply@blogger.com (Geri Ohara) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 16:08:00 +0000

It looks like everyone round my way has been trying to save money by posting their Christmas cards second class. Because when I visited the Post Office yesterday afternoon I was greeted by a large sign saying ‘No 2^nd Class stamps’. Then in much smaller writing ‘Due to unforeseen circumstances. We offer our apologies’. Could this be a sneaky way to increase their profits , by asking people to pay an additional 10 pence per item for an already 2^nd class postal service. Gone are the days when your mail was waiting in the hall when you came down to breakfast. Usually I arrive home to find a pile of junk mail on the mat and a utility bill buried somewhere in between them. Like most I usually communicate by text or email as it is inexpensive and quick. So the Post Office may see people buying stamps at a busy posting period as an ‘unforeseen circumstance’. It shows bad business planning and no wonder people are seeking other avenues to get their messages through. So if you haven’t received my card by now, it is in the post, honestly.

"The World's Largest Titanic Visitor Experience"

noreply@blogger.com (Geri Ohara) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:14:00 +0000

Tickets went on sale today for “The World's Largest Titanic Visitor Experience”. Based in Belfast’s Titanic quarter, the Titanic Belfast is an iconic six-floor building featuring nine interpretive and interactive galleries. It opens to the general public on Saturday 31^st March 2012. Ticket prices at the moment range from £6.75 for a child to £13.50 for an adult.

Until March you can still visit Titanica at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and for a taste of what you will find there, see the photographs above.

Statue Of Limitations.

noreply@blogger.com (Geri Ohara) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 10:04:00 +0000

Love Is ......

noreply@blogger.com (Geri Ohara) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 07:33:00 +0000

Personal Reflections Frozen In Time.

noreply@blogger.com (Geri Ohara) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 22:05:00 +0000

"I Read The News Today Oh Boy ... And Thought The News Was Rather Sad." - 8th December 1980

noreply@blogger.com (Geri Ohara) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 08:01:00 +0000

I really can’t believe that it was over 30 years ago that former Beatle John Lennon was shot dead by Mark David Chapman. Here are some photos taken by a friend outside the Dakota apartment building on Manhattan's Upper West Side. As well as the imagine mosaic and plaque in Strawberry Fields within Central Park.

"Holiday Under the Stars" at Time Warner Center NYC 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Geri Ohara) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Advertised as one of the most popular holiday attractions in the Big Apple, “Holiday Under the Stars” at Time Warner Center features twelve 14-foot stars that hang from the ceiling of the 150-foot Great Room.

These pictures (thanks Dolores) have given me the inspiration to make my 8-foot tree the best ever this year. So come Friday I’ll be getting the decorations out, putting Slade on my iPod dock and opening a bottle of wine. Let the Holiday Season begin.

Perfect For A Winters Day.

noreply@blogger.com (Geri Ohara) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:51:00 +0000

A View From The Walls Or Please Remember To Shut The Gate.

noreply@blogger.com (Geri Ohara) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 11:05:00 +0000

Yesterday saw the Apprentice Boys Lundy's Day commemoration in the City of Derry. The annual event commemorates the shutting of the city's gates against King James in 1688. As is the norm an effigy of Robert Lundy, the governor during the siege of Derry, was burned in the City. So as some people continue to look towards the past, many prefer to look towards the future, as Derry will be the UK City of Culture in 2013.

Big Dog Sent To 4th Planet Or A Mars A Day Helps You Run, Hide And Pray.‏

noreply@blogger.com (Geri Ohara) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:26:00 +0000

It was one of those Sunday mornings when I was in multitasking mode – emptying the dishwasher, preparing dinner and listening to the radio. When I misheard an item of news on World at One on the BBC. "Did you here that Mollie? They are sending a large dog to Mars". Her ears pricked up at the word dog.
"Apparently NASA are sending a dog to another planet" I told her. Now Mollie always looks worried from under her fringe. I imagined her thinking to herself 'the longest journey I go on is up the Cave Hill or Whitehead. If my owner gets it into her head that it is ok to send me further than that, then I’m hiding behind the couch and not coming out until Christmas'. (A lot of thinking for a small dog). So off she scampered.
I continued on with my tasks and just before 1.30 there was a brief recap of the main headlines. The newsreader said ‘The near one-tonne rover, tucked inside a capsule, left Florida on an Atlas 5 rocket at 10:02 local time. Nicknamed Curiosity, the rover will take eight and a half months to cross the vast distance to its destination. The rover - also known as the Mars Science laboratory (MSL) - is due to arrive at the Red Planet on 6 August 2012’. The penny finally dropped. Curiosity may not have killed the cat, but it certainly put the wind up a wee dog from Belfast.

"And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by" - Tall Ships Race 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Geri Ohara) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 21:08:00 +0000

I was reading today that the Tall Ships Race will begin in Belfast in 2015. In the past my home city hosted the Tall Ships Races in both 1991 and 2009. After the ships leave here they will travel to Norway and Denmark. I hope the sun shines on them for this visit as the last time they came here it was great weather for ducks.

Purrfect Property Or Possible Perceived Pussy Problems.

noreply@blogger.com (Geri Ohara) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:35:00 +0000

Some Belfast graffiti humour.

"Clothes maketh the ... Song and Dance ... man"

noreply@blogger.com (Geri Ohara) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:28:00 +0000

Yesterday I mentioned James Cagney, well earlier today a friend sent me these few pictures. Cagney worn this costume in the movie Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942). His portrayal of entertainer George C. Cohan won him the Oscar.

Cor Blimey Look Who Got The Top Job At Apple.

noreply@blogger.com (Geri Ohara) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:23:00 +0000

Apple has named director Arthur Levinson as chairman of the board. The post had been vacant since early October when Apple co-founder Steve Jobs passed away.

"Made it, Ma! Top of the World!"

noreply@blogger.com (Geri Ohara) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:38:00 +0000

My friend is heading over to NYC at the weekend and I’ve dared her to shout "Made it, Ma! Top of the World!" from the top of the Rockefeller Center. I’m sure that many of you know that this line is taken from the 1949 movie White Heat starring James Cagney. The Top of the Rock is a three level observation deck that consists of the 67th, 69th, and 70th floors of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The upper deck is 850 feet above street level and it is a long way down (See the photographs). So I wish my friend a safe journey and hope she conquers her fear of heights.