This Is How It Is

I recently re-listened to this album. It says all I want to at the moment. The defining song of a generation?

Twentysomething, Jamie Callum

After years of expensive education
A car full of books and anticipation
I’m an expert on Shakespeare and that’s a hell of a lot
But the world don’t need scholars as much as I thought

Maybe I’ll go travelling for a year
Finding myself, or start a career
Could work the poor, though I’m hungry for fame
We all seem so different but we’re just the same
Maybe I’ll go to the gym, so I don’t get fat
Aren’t things more easy, with a tight six pack
Who knows the answers, who do you trust
I can’t even seperate love from lust

Maybe I’ll move back home and pay off my loans
Working nine to five, answering phones
But don’t make me live for Friday nights
Drinking eight pints and getting in fights
Maybe I’ll just fall in love
That could solve it all
Philosophers say that that’s enough
There surely must be more
Love ain’t the answer, nor is work
The truth elludes me so much it hurts
But I’m still having fun and I guess that’s the key
I’m a twentysomething and I’ll keep being me

The Church has its Priory-ties straight

It was very interesting to receive a copy of a well-known Catholic publication on the way into a screening of The Da Vinci Code at theweekend, in which a 6 page article refuted all the claims made in the movie.

It got me wondering when the Catholic hierarchy will hand us out detailed articles that respond to the Ferns Report and other similar audits that catalogue the Church's catastrophic mishandling, and subsequent cover-up of, child sex abuse cases?

Just Like A Woman

Cate Blanchett to play Dylan in biopic

by Alfons LunaWed May 24, 5:47 PM ET

Cate Blanchett will play Bob Dylan in his "androgenous phase" in a new biopic of the great poet-songwriter's life, it was announced, as Dylan turned 65.

But even as he shows up everywhere in books, films and even a Broadway musical, Dylan, who has sought seclusion and mystery all his life, remains as enigmatic as ever.

Dylan has clearly shrugged off retirement age, taking on a new job as a radio DJ, publishing a selection of his memoirs, musing in a Martin Scorcese documentary, authorizing a stage musical with his songs -- and appearing in an advert for the Victoria's Secret lingerie store chain.

And on Dylan's birthday, the Hollywood press reported that Blanchett would be among several actors -- also including "Brokeback Mountain" star Heath Ledger and Richard Gere -- to portray the great American folksinger in a film.

Yet the exposure is adding as many layers to his mystery as it is giving fans more insight into the composer of classics such as "Like A Rolling Stone", "Blowin' in the Wind" and "The Times They Are A-Changin'".

Mystery surrounds the coming biographical film on Dylan by director Todd Haynes, who earlier took great liberties with the life of rock star David Bowie in his 1998 movie "Velvet Goldmine".
Now he is recruiting an all-star cast for his Dylan film "I'm Not There", in which six or seven actors will play the star to show different facets of his life and personality. Dylan has agreed to let Haynes film his biography.

But Dylan's penchant for hiding from publicity and attention has meant that all of the new biographical material, even his own book, have only made him more enigmatic.

A passage in his 2004 autobiography "Chronicles, Volume 1", explains his horrified reaction to fame and exaggerated image in the 1960s: when he was introduced at Princeton University as "the disturbed conscience of Young America", he said could only think, "Oh Sweet Jesus! ... I was so mad I wanted to bite myself."

When he found fans flocking to his Woodstock, New York home in the 1960s, he said, "I wanted to set fire to these people."

"Roadmaps to our homestead must have been posted in all fifty states for gangs of dropouts and druggies," he wrote.

Through the book Dylan refused to provide details on what many readers wanted to know about -- his 1966 motorcycle accident, his love affair with fellow folk star Joan Baez, his controversial move to "go electric".

Though tantalizing, Scorcese's documentary late last year was hardly more revealing about what Dylan himself thinks.

Still, there is more Dylan-mania to come. The Twyla Tharp musical "The Times They Are A-Changin'" will open this summer on Broadway. It is about a drunk named Captain Arab -- a character from a Dylan song -- whose traveling troupe sings out some of Dylan's greatest hits.
While on a tour of the United States, Dylan has also started hosting his own show of his favorite songs on XM, a US satellite radio network. Each week he plays an eclectic list of songs linked to a theme he has chosen, like Mother's Day or the climate.

Showing his broad tastes, in the first show, dedicated to the weather, he played Jimi Hendrix's "The Wind Cries Mary", Judy Garland singing "Come rain or Come Shine", and "Blow Wind Blow" by Frank Sinatra.

Some at first worried about how the show would sound since Dylan's mumbling and growling voice can be unintelligible at times.

"Yes, you can understand Dylan on radio better than you can in concert," wrote Chicago Sun-Times reviewer Dave Hoekstra.

"The show's main challenge will be to keep the music as fascinating as its host."

'United 93' is astonishing

I attended an advanced screening of Paul Greengrass' controversial new movie 'United 93' last night and all I can say is that the early rave reviews from American critics are well deserved.

The action of the movie - which is performed by an unknown cast, some of whom play themselves in the aviation control centres - takes place in real time from when the plane took off from Boston on a beautiful, light Autumn morning and when it plunged into eternal darkness some hour and fifty mintues later. Greengrass keeps ratcheting up the tension, an extraordinary feat considering that everyone knows how this story ends.

It also serves as a searing indictment of George W Bush, simply by not mentioning him by name or using his image in the film. His absence from 'United 93' brilliantly metaphorises he and his government's catastrophic mishandling of events leading up to, and on, that terrible day.

The first hour documents how the controllers on the ground responded to the first wave of attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon, faithfully channeling the sense of absolute chaos that prevailed that morning.

Meanwhile, we become familiar with the passengers, crew and, crucially, the hijackers aboard flight 93 (One of the film's most powerful scenes juxtaposes the hostages and the hijackers repeatedly saying prayers that are central to their respective religions, but with obviously different meanings and intentions).

The final 25 minutes of the film should be enough to gaurantee Greengrass a place at next years' Oscars. You as the viewer become a passanger on that plane. You get swept up in the rising panic and desperation, as the hostages get in touch with loved ones on the ground, and, through distraught farewells, realise the fate that awaits them if they don't act.

A plan is hatched to take back the cockpit from the hijackers, and this forms the most suspenseful segment of the movie. My audience were cowered in their seats, chomping on nails, fists - anything - as the desperate situation unfolds before our eyes. When the final credits rolled, my audience were numb. It took a few moments for people to shake themselves, get up, go outside and return to their normal lives, struggling to cast off the devastating impact of this extraordinary, essential and profoundly moving film.

Homophobic bullying rife in schools, survey finds

Pretty depressing, but not at all surprising reading.


Homophobic bullying rife in schools, survey finds

19/05/2006
Homophobic bullying is a prevalent problem in second-level Irish schools, according to a report published today, writes Áine Kerr.

The survey of 364 teachers found almost 80 per cent were aware of instances of verbal bullying where homophobic terms were used. Some 16 per cent reported instances of physical bullying as a result of students perceiving someone to be homosexual.

Teachers involved in the social, personal and health education (SPHE) secondary school programme took part in the three-year study, entitled Straight Talk - Researching Gay and Lesbian Issues in the School Curriculum.

The DCU study funded by the Department of Education concludes that the Catholic Church's teachings are "very influential" on what is taught about relationships and sexuality.

It identifies the church as a significant contributor to "homophobic attitudes". Researchers noted that because the church owns most schools in Ireland, "nothing can be taught in a school that does not reflect the church's view on sexuality".

The report adds: "This situation has gone largely unchallenged, but, it is now clear that in relation to State policy in key areas of SPHE, a potential for conflict is beginning to emerge."
The study, by researchers in DCU's Centre for Educational Evaluation, found teachers feared improving homosexual education due to parental and staff disapproval and a lack of policy guidelines.

Researchers said 41 per cent of teachers found it more difficult to deal with homophobic bullying in their school than other types of bullying. Among the reasons for this were a desire to be sensitive to the victim, lack of guidelines, and a fear of the possible reaction from parents, other staff and students if they were seen to side with the student thought to be lesbian or gay.

Teachers in rural schools were more likely to cite the disapproval of their board of management as a hinderance to improving their work on lesbian and gay issues than their counterparts in urban schools.

"This may be related to the fact that the board of management of a school in a rural area will often include some members of the local clergy or religious personnel who will have a higher profile in the local community," the report states.

Only 10 per cent of schools include reference to homophobic bullying in their school policy on anti-bullying, the report notes.

Principal author James Norman, who undertook the research in conjunction with Miriam Galvin and Gerry McNamara, said that homophobic terms are almost an accepted language in second level schools.

"It is the last accepted prejudice existent in our schools. We have come to a point where we won't allow racist or sexist comments but we haven't been given a language for talking about homosexuality," said Mr Norman.

When teachers were asked if their school was going to attempt to extend its work on lesbian and gay issues, 57 per cent said they believed such a development would be "hindered".
In a list of concluding recommendations, the Department of Education is urged to issue clear guidelines to schools on their responsibility to address homophobic bullying among students and teachers.

It also advises that teachers should receive pre-service and in-service training aimed at promoting acceptance of sexual diversity among students. Boards of management are advised to produce policies in their schools that incorporate both the local school ethos and national equality legislation.

Guidelines on how to represent sexual diversity in SPHE must also be drawn up by the The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), the report says.
© The Irish Times

Bush's approval rating at an all-time low

Editors are running out of words and terms to describe the depths to which the presidency of George W. Bush has sunk. Every new poll for the past month has recorded "a new low". Roll on mid-term elections in November and then, hopefully, all his rotten eggs will come home to roost.

May 11, 2006, 9:12 pm

Bush Dips Into the 20s

President Bush’s job-approval rating has fallen to its lowest mark of his presidency, according to a new Harris Interactive poll. Of 1,003 U.S. adults surveyed in a telephone poll, 29% think Mr. Bush is doing an “excellent or pretty good” job as president, down from 35% in April and significantly lower than 43% in January. Approval ratings for Congress overall also sank, and now stand at 18%.

Roughly one-quarter of U.S. adults say “things in the country are going in the right direction,” while 69% say “things have pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track.” This has been the trend since January, when 33% said the nation was heading in the right direction. Iraq remains a key concern for the general public, as 28% of Americans said they consider Iraq to be one of the top two most important issues the government should address, up from 23% in April. The immigration debate also prompted 16% of Americans to consider it a top issue, down from 19% last month, but still sharply higher from 4% in March.

The Harris poll comes two days after a downbeat assessement of Bush in a New York Times/CBS News poll. The Times, in analyzing the results, said “Americans have a bleaker view of the country’s direction than at any time in more than two decades.”
Permalink Trackback URL: http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2006/05/11/bushs-approval-ratings/trackback/

Now You're Lavin!

In a true publishing coup, LowlyJourno.blogspot.com is proud to announce that we will have a weekly column from socialite and IT boy Lavin Gambe O'Murchu, who will be dispensing wisdom on matters of life, love and the universe. In this first installment, Lavin examines a common dating dilemma and gives us directions on how to cope - and what to wear - during the crisis.


So what does one do when confronted with the challenge of going on two dates on the one evening here in fabulous Dublin? This was the fabulous task that I had to face last week when a fabulous, gorgeous blond model named Sorcha and a fabulous, hot, muscle-bound masseur named Ronald both had to have a piece of the Lavin as soon as humanly possible.

So yes, dear reader: your beloved ‘IT’ boy agreed to double dip. That’s what the girls on Sex and the City call it when you agree to go on two separate dates on the same night – and Gucci in Heaven knows that those four fabulous single gals are my role models. New York: Dublin – there’s no difference really. My fabulousness translates.

I was due to meet Sorcha for cocktails in Café en Seine, Dawson St, Dublin 2 at 8pm and then Ronald at 10pm in Cocoon Bar and Cocktail Lounge, Duke Lane, Dublin 2. But first things first: what would I wear? Perusing my walk-in closet – which has more room now since I kinda, more or less came out of it – I was totally aghast to see that I had nothing to wear for my fabulous dates. Imagine? Me? With nothing to wear?! It was such a ludicrous thought that I simply had to call my good friends Pamela and Caroline and tell them to organise an ‘Off the Rails’ special ay-sap!
I was panicking. How did I have nothing to wear? I said I’d have a shower and I’d decide then. After bathing with my Ole Henriksen Loofah Body Scrub (€43) and washing my golden locks with my fabulous Baxter of California Daily Protein Shampoo (€23), I emerged calm and collected and ready to face my evening.

After much deliberating over the fabulous closet that I purchased in Habitat, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, I flopped down on the imported Italian bed sheets that I found at the bargain price of €465 in Arnotts, Henry Street, Dublin1 (and they’re so comfortable too, really, you’d be a sad sack not to own a pair).

Eventually, I decided on a blue Armani shirt that I bought in the fabulous Brown Thomas, Grafton Street, Dublin 2 for €299 (ask for Sarah Jane, ext 6673, sale on until the 15th June). I accompanied that with a pair of G-Star jeans that I purchased in BT2, Grafton St, Dublin 2 for €175 (and they made me so happy too. Really, no Celtic Tiger cub’s life could be complete without them…what? Oh my god, you don’t have a pair? I insist that you rush to BT2, Grafton St, Dublin 2 immediately and purchase a pair). I topped off the Lavin sartorial masterpiece with a swanky pair of brown Prada loafers that I picked up for €200 in Italia…or Italy as you would call it.

I was ready. As I was leaving my penthouse, I stopped and momentarily reflected on this idea: just how do I manage to keep up this hectic love/social life and yet remain so grounded, unaffected and downright fabulous? Well, at least I had the ice-breaking question for both of my dates!

Love,
Lavin
x

Nighty-mare neighbour is back!

The first series was bad...and by bad, I mean horrendously, offensively, shockingly funny. But nothing can prepare you for how dark, sick, twisted, surreal and completely off the wall the second series of BBC comedy Nighty Night is.

Writer-director Julia Davies returns as demented beautician Jill Tyrell, who has pinned the blame for all her crimes on her sad, OCD-afflicted fiance Glen (Mark Gatiss). As the series begins, Jill unearths the seaside hideaway of her former neighbours, the Coles: Cath (Rebecca Front) and - the object of her crazed desires - Dr Don (Aengus Deayton). She then kidnaps her employee Linda (the scene-stealing Ruth Jones) and inveigles her way into the councilling centre that the troubled Coles are attending by posing as a therapist. There are unforeseen roadblocks, however, including a surprise pregnancy and a teenage girlfriend, roadblocks that Jill will do anything...and I mean aaaanything...to overcome.

You should know the score by now: if you're new to the whole Nighty Night thing, then get through series one before starting here. For the converted, brace yourself cos you aint seen nothing yet. Disability, rape, sodomy, paedophilia, sexual abuse, a Princess Diana vision and the most disturbing artificial insemination scene you'll ever in your life see (at least, I hope it is) all await you. If you can peel your hands off your eyes log enough to watch and regain control of your mouth after it gapes open in horror, you might just die laughing. This is inspired, wickedly un-PC stuff that is quite simply unlike anything currently on British television.

Good God.....

Manuel Uribe sits on his bed at home in Monterrey, Mexico in a January 17, 2006 file photo. Uribe, who at 1,212 pounds is possibly the heaviest person in the world, hopes to travel to Italy for a life-saving operation to shed weight. REUTERS/Luis Reyes

Review of 'Minor Irritations'

You can read the review here of the play 'Minor Irritations', which is being staged as part of the third annual Dublin Gay Theatre Festival. Well worth checking out.

New Reviews, fresh off the laptop

For those interested, you can read reviews of 'Don't Come Knocking' and the so-bad-it's-worse 'Freedomland' by clicking on the titles.