I’ve been on the road now for 20 months. I have travelled from Venezuela north through Central America, spent three months in San Francisco and then flew back to Colombia and journeyed south to Bolivia where I type this. It has been a mammoth voyage. In two weeks it ends, as we fly back to New Zealand for the summer.
Sober Paddy
Here comes the shame la la la la……
After weeks writing about my true loves of the GAA and Global Warming, I return this week to muse upon alcohol. The great thing about alcohol is that it is only a problem for a small percentage of any population.
Most people enjoy a few drinks once or twice a week at best. Some enjoy an odd session every month. Some have a glass or two of wine with dinner most evenings and help the heart circulate the blood.
From GAA to Global Warming
It’s a wet week after the finals of the GAA championships on the Island of Ireland. Glorious victories for Dublin and Clare played out in perfect autumnal weather. Soft sun, still air and a gentle give in the turf led to some ferocious battles of true modern day warriors.
Watching the games from Hotel lobbies in Peru and Bolivia, one could imagine Ireland as some kind of warm European country. The blue skies and short shorts make for tantalising viewing.
Memories of Dublin vs Mayo 2006
Pre Match Build Up
I drove into Parnell Park in my TDi company car, the same as every other Championship game. It was a grey day, an end of August blah. The Malahide road was quiet enough. I sped along, listening to a thumping Techno Mix by Billy Nasty. I felt good, focused and energised.
I passed Clucko (Stephen Cluxton, Dublin Goalkeeper) on the way, walking down to the ‘Nell, as was his tradition. I rolled down the passenger window and hurled some obscenities at him. He didn’t flinch or take any notice, eyes straight ahead, calm and impervious.
I laughed and turned into the car park.
The Wink of the World
There is a hurricane of shame that lives inside me. I think hard and long and smirk at the wasted years. Long nights lingered in lowly oblivion.
The warm smugness of the delinquent muse I once loved, laughs at me now – such an oft told tale which pumps the lungs of many the fallen man.
Oh was I a quirky boyo, quick on my feet, winking and nudging? A scoundrel for the devilment, supping and guzzling, smoking and sniffing, carousing and jigging?
Drinking Cans on Irelands Eye, then off to Dublin Minor Training
I’m sitting here in my hotel in the Galapagos and listening to The Orb’s “Beyond Ultraworld”, from way back in the freakin early 90’s. They came out just before I started poppin’ the ould pills, them being ecstasy pills…double doves, speckled doves, Christmas crackers and the like.
There was innocence about me back in the nineties- drinks, drugs and the rest besides.