Day 2 of my new split ended up going like this . . .Weighted Chins.bodyweight + 10kg x 8+ 15kg x 8+ 20kg x 8+ 30kg x 4 1/2Preacher Curls (I don't count the weight of the EZ bar, just whats on it)20kg x 1225kg x 1230kg x 525kg x 11Face Pulls. (On a seated row with a rope attachment you pull towards the face)42 x 1549 x 1556 x 9Dbell Curls.16's x 1018's x 1020's x 10Straight arm pulldowns for fun to finish.Really good pump today and the biceps work was great as I don't do a lot of arm stuff these days. I plan to do a leg workout on Sun or Mon and again I will add it to the blog for you guys to have a...
The perfect mp3 player for howling boot boy racists:This lovely little piece of kit, comprising a 4 gb harddrive, 1.3 inch screen and internal radio, retails for way less than the equivalent Ipod (which are shit anyway) or Creative (which are great, but pricey.)And it's made by German firm Trekstor, so it's going to be reliable.Such a pity then that it's called the 'I.Beat Blaxx.'Or it was until the PC brigade mugged the firm last year. Now it is the only item in Trekstor's 'I.Beat' range of MP3 players that's not actually called 'I.Beat.'But you can still pick up an old stock model for your favourite racist friend in Eastern Europe, where they don't get their knickers in a twist about accidental, perceived racism, or from an English online retailer....
No matter how ugly you are there is always hope that you could create a solid physique !I hit the gym today to try my new plan which I mentioned briefly in my last post. Today I worked my chest and shoulders - tomorrow its back and bis and a bit of legs the following day before returning to chest. Heres what I ended up going for today.Incline Dbell bench press.32.5's x 840's x 845's x 850's x 9Clean press from the waist.45 x 855 x 865 x 875 x 3Weighted dips.bodyweight x 1210kg added x 1220kg added x 1230kg added x 10Side raises.12.5's x 1217.5's x 1220's x 10Cable crossovers for fun to finish.So after a fortnight off I felt pretty strong but gassed out on the clean presses. I ended up just staying with light to heavy on everything which is something I never used to do. I either picked a...
Okay, so first the global warming advocates tell us we need to cut down fossil fuels because of carbon emissions.Then Green politicians start demanding more biofuel use to replace the oil and petrol that's running out.Then, because foodstuffs are being diverted to biofuel production, grain prices soar, other food prices follow, and 100 million people end up starving, according to a top secret World Bank report that got leaked to the Guardian newspaper.I have a potential solution to the problem. Reverse the production of biofuels immediately. And in the interim, while the world's starving await the next harvest, let them eat their Greens.When will these back-to-the-middle-ages, yoghurt-knitting hobbits stop concocting junk science to justify their Luddism?And when will the rest of us stop...
4th July. Independence Day.
I’m going to CORK!
Of all the three letter airport codes Cork has the best: ORK. But thats a sidenote I’m not even taking the plane anymore.
The last time I was in Cork we went to Trabolgan though I was nine and barely remember it. I’ve been thinking about going to Cork for a few months now, yet I barely know why. I just keep hearing the words ‘technology’ and ‘web’ coming from that general direction and wanna see if they have flying cars yet or generally what it is they are all so patriotic about…
Donncha mentioned a while back a selection of events from the Cork Midsummer Festival that looked good and so I set the date of the last event, Robodock, firmly in my mind. Of course I only booked it last week,...
Following on from the evilly funny viral hit 'Cowen's Downfall' on Youtube (hat-tip to Richard), here comes the inevitable Cristiano Ronaldo version.Enjoy:...
Next time you open up the Indo and see a vomit-inducing hagiographic puff-piece about His Royal Highness 'Sir' Tony O'Reilly, remember this.Or when you wince as the Irish Times lectures you like a prissy maiden aunt about how you should vote in a referendum, remember this.Or when you peruse the rows of red top tabloids and sneer at the garish pictures of scantily clad starlets and schlock headlines in a superior manner, remember this.Freedom of the press is a privilege we enjoy. With it comes things we are interested in hearing and happy to be informed about. With it also comes lectures, preposterous opinions, spin, fluff, puff and outright nonsense on all too many occasions.But that's the point of diversity of opinion and press freedom. It permits all sorts of truths to be told, in a...
Me and Rach on some random island. I shit you not we actually ended up darker than this. I really am surprised that we got back into the country without having to climb fences and run up the channel tunnel.So I had talked about training when away but did the best thing possible. 2 weeks of total rest and plenty of food. I have actually sickened myself with the grub side of things and can't wait to pump some iron 2moro as I start back into my new routine.So the plan was a bit of full body to take the cobwebs out but after having a think I may hit a bit of a generic split routine. Although I prefer the upper / lower split I do need to mix it up and came up with this -wed - upper - cobwebs outthur - lower - again get the wheels moving and take the cobwebs out.Then onto a split routine which...
This BBC radio 3 debate was only recently drawn to my attention. It dates from December 2006, prior to Liverpool's assumption of the European City of Culture title. But it has possibly more relevance now.The question posed is fiendishly simple: Is Liverpool really an English city?Or is it actually the primary outpost of Irish cultures (Gaelic and Dissenter) in Britain, some sort of proto-capital of a notional East Ireland?Or is it better seen as a city state, a one-time global port now irreparably independent in spirit with a greater regional than national sense of identity?Or perhaps like Hong Kong or Cape Town, Liverpool is really just the nearest of the many obscure outposts of the Empire to London, a post-colonial entity struggling to shrug off the post-imperial hangover?There's no...
Everyone over a certain age (let's say 30) can recall the harrowing impact of Michael Buerk's first reports of a famine in Ethiopia in 1984.The sheer biblical images of starving black children - their hollow eyes pleading for food to placate their empty, distended bellies, their ribs stretching their thin skins, their limbs shrivelled to mere bones and skin - shocked the West in our relative affluence.What followed was Band Aid, Live Aid, and the growth of global consciousness in relation to the appalling poverty suffered on the African continent.Since then, charities have reported 'donation fatigue' and the diminishing returns of shock footage of African carnage or disaster. Mass rape and child slavery in Darfur barely stirs us now. Burma is flooded, and we can barely bother to put a...
Acccording to the ever-gorgeous Government Press Office, our glorious leader is off to Noo Yawk later this month:The Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen TD, will undertake his first official trip to the United States next month [sic].He will visit New York for a series of engagements with key political and business leaders, as well as representatives of the Irish community.The highlights of the visit are expected to be a visit to the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday July 16th and a keynote address at the Wall Street 50 Dinner on Thursday 17th July.In his meetings, the Taoiseach is expected to discuss the global economicsituation, how to further develop the relationship between Ireland andAmerica and the issue of immigration reform and the undocumented Irish inthe US.So Cowen will continue the...
Midsummers Day has come and gone (it was quite a long day at Barcamp) and so just another time of year to realise that time is moving far too quickly. I read recently that the reason time appears to move so fast - that life rushes by, leaving us saying all too often “where does the time go?” - is that as we get older we experience fewer big events and significant milestones as we do when we are younger.
As children (I guess through to late-teens too) there is so much learning of the world and ourselves. Many of us continue to learn, even though the number of major events become more sporatic. It can be disheartening. And so it’s for this reason I keep my free time as eventful as possible, particularly weekends. Increasing memories, eliminating that feeling of...
The last time I went to the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, I was greeted by a very lacklustre effort from Sinead O’Connor. Although I had higher hopes for Lou Reed, who brought his ‘Berlin’ tour to the venue last night, I left disappointed by an average performance and bewildered by the audience’s hysterical reaction.My main gripe was Reed’s tendency to sing the songs according to whatever lyrical phrasing that pleases him. Okay, they’re his songs and he can do what he likes with them, but I’d have preferred them to sound more like they do on the record. Surely that’s the point of presenting an album in its totality, live on stage. Reed’s delivery is generally conversational but I thought his ambling, talking style ruined ‘The Kids’ and ‘Caroline Says II.’The...
“Certainly not a FAIL” - Davymac
First, a huge thank you and congratulations to Andy who very successfully pulled of the organisation of Barcamp on Saturday. Though it wasn’t without miniature disasters and minor fallbacks, which Andy has raised.
Having said that, problems were minor and overcome with the help of understanding participants and attendees, such as Matt’s skills on the wi-fi front.
It was enjoyable and exciting to be around so many bloggers and twitterers in my home town for a change. The speakers did a great job; many promoting a lot of thought and conversation during and after presentations. Darragh and Grannymar’s technique of involving everyone in the room in an open conversation about blogging really stood out. I was curious about Emma Persky’s talk on...
The old man's still fighting.I got back today after 36 hours of Qantas-sponsored travelling hell to hear that the oul lad's had another heart attack. It's not his first or near it. It's not even his first this month.But he's always been a hard man to put down, and he's still in the game.He might just beat this one. Again.But now I'm getting worried about how long until the next? And how many more can he beat? The heart's not like the face. When it bruises it stays bruised, and when it's damaged it stays damaged, and that goes for both physically and metaphorically.I'll know more when I see him, and that'll be later today.I don't know who's most fearful of the insecurity to come. It's probably him. But it could also be a few other candidates too. Including me.I'd feel a little more able if...
Ok, so I dont know how to say hello in Greek, but its sunny so Hola will have to do! I am using the internet in our hotel which costs a fortune and thus this will be the fastest ever blog entry in history - expect spelling mistakes and grammatical errors!Quick update -- We still havent trained but did get a sports massage yesterday. Not bad and my legs feel it today but I wanted to really get my arsed kicked and he wasnt rough enough. I like it rough.- Funny how different the diet is on holiday. Lots of carbs. . all the time. Chips everyday at least once with ice cream to wash it down! 6 meals per day has become three over here. Protein is about 6 grams per day for feck sake.- Police over here fine you 200 euros if you and the missus are bombing about on a motorbike tryig to get a tan in...
Their winter is better than our summer.Bastards....
What is Barcamp?
BarCamp is an international network of user generated conferences — open, participatory workshop-events, whose content is provided by participants — often focusing on early-stage web applications, and related open source technologies, social protocols, and open data formats.
Interested? Belfast Barcamp is being held tomorrow, Saturday 21st June at Queens University Belfast, Peter Froggatt Centre, from 9am-5pm.
To date 62 people have registered their attendance and 19 to give a talk on chosen subject ranging from coffee shop working, webcasting, open source trends, web design, networking, blogging, new music technology and hand gesture recognition.
For further details and to register your attendance check the Barcamp Belfast Wiki.
9:00 - 10:00 - Session-setup...
I came late to the blog wars that erupted in the Irish blogosphere recently, largely because I was doing other things, like getting drunk down under.For those of you who don't give a shit about such things, which is basically everyone reading this who doesn't have an Irish blog themselves, plus a majority of those who do, one blogger suggested that the happy-clappy community atmosphere of Irish blogging was somewhat incestuous and stultifying.They named a couple of names, and claimed that the best blogs didn't necessarily win at the Irish blog awards.Then some of those named, plus some of their pals, took umbrage and lots of people typed angrily on their keyboards for a bit until the letters C, U, N and T were worn down by the efforts.I can now hear you yawning, so I'll get to the point...
Ten days sampling the Aussie media has left me pondering the power of positive thinking.I recall how some years ago, ITN news presenter Martyn Lewis was laughed at for suggesting that British news was too negative and could benefit from being lightened up with positive stories. Images of front pages about cats saved from trees filled the heads of his cynical colleagues and they chuckled.I did too.But it is true that the British media environment is a profoundly negative and mean-spirited one. The Irish media climate is little different.I've noticed this especially here in Australia, where they are prepared to put a story about a medical discovery or a community initiative on the front page without apology.In some other places I've been, the positive news can seem seriously parochial....
President of the Irish Football Association Raymond Kennedy has indicated his preference for a new build stadium to be built as part of Ormeau Park.
With question marks over both the Maze plans and the future use of Windsor Park for international football, Kennedy said that the Irish FA would go along with any of the Belfast plans. His comments have been seen by some as a rebuke to the IFA’s Cheif Executive, Howard Wells, who has consistently backed the Maze plans and is rumoured to be seeking employment elsewhere.
“Beggars can’t be choosers. I want a stadium to play football matches and I want them in Northern Ireland, not anywhere else.
Belfast City Council have come up with five sites and I would take any one of them.”
Raymond Kennedy, Irish FA President
He also...
When Kettlebells came along, as with most gimmicks (bosu ball cough cough) I was quick to say nah, not my thing. But they have stuck around and after closer examination seem to be ideal for many guys and girls looking to get buff.A kettlebell is basically a cast iron bowing ball with a handle.Don't get me wrong. I won't be putting an end to dead lifts or squats in place of these bad boys but I will look at some of their pro's -* Not everyone has the time to get to the gym and home gym kit can eat up space and money if you want to buy the proper kit (power racks etc).* The kettlebell introduces variety to any workout which is always a bonus and unlike many fads out there you have room for overload and progression - vital for gains.* Unlike exercises which target the chest or back, the...
We booked a holiday a month or two ago and that time is almost upon us. On Tuesday we head off to the Vasia Beach Hotel and Spa in Crete!Rather than bore you with my itinerary of lying about on the beach getting oiled up, I will cover the questions everyone asks when I mention holidays . ."So Neil, will you train?"Yeah, I will. I just can't help it. Don't expect me to be knocking out one rep maxes on the front squats but I reckon the odd set of curls or push downs will be enough to keep me ticking over mentally. (I feel skinny if I don't pump iron, its true :p)"Will the diet go tits up?"Hot weather does kill the appetite so although I will be eating out, I wont be eating as much or as often. I will pretty much eat what I want when I want it for the 2 weeks.As you know, I like to work on...
Splendid. Truly splendid.Let the political classes take note that the Irish people will not be bullied.Let the other peoples of the EU, who were so egregiously denied democracy, take note and thank us.And let us, as a people, be proud.We have, for now, prevented what effectively would have amounted to a coup d'etats. But when that sleveen creature Barroso murmurs ominously that other countries should continue ratifying what, under the EU's own rules, is now a dead treaty, then there is reason to remain vigilant and concerned.Why in the hell would any other country waste their time ratifying this trash now, when it has been rejected? If not, that is, for the reason that Barroso hopes to ignore our democratic voice at some stage in the future?The EU parliament has already appallingly voted...
I just can’t clear my mind. Lying there in the dark. I really really try.
Take last night for instance. I was in bed at 11:30pm - early for me. After tossing and turning for almost 2hrs; a constant stream of thoughts and ideas bouncing off each other, I eventually got up and had some Weetabix (which I hadn’t had already as I normally would as I wasn’t hungry) and a glass of orange juice (the greatest thirst quenching drink ever; 1 part orange to 4 parts water).
Then back to bed.
I began to think about darkness, space, stars, earth, google(!), blogs, updating my blog, photos, updating the photoblog, next location to take photographs. And so on.
This is what I have to put up with every single night. It doesn’t help this normally takes place after 1am.
Each and every...
What's wrong with Uluru?On the one hand, nothing.It's a big rock in the middle of the desert, just like it has been for hundreds of millions of years.On the other hand, it's a bit odd when you can go days and not see a single Anangu, or Aboriginal person in the area.All the hotels seem to be staffed primarily by Koreans. The tour guides are all white Aussies, with the exception of the dozens of Japanese guides who exist to ferry the hundreds of Japanese tourists seeking to climb the rock daily.Of course the locals don't like people to climb the rock. Not that the Japanese give a shit. They're not interest in Anangu culture (just as well, as the locals and their culture are quite hard to encounter out here), they just want to conquer the big red rock.Everything is preposterously priced, as...
I wanted to do a quick blog entry just to give a shout out to a few guys I know. Check out the Myspace tunes of Andy and Marty and tell me what you think. These guys write, sing and perform a lot of their own stuff which I always find very fecking impressive.ANDYS MYSPACE - Listen to 'meet your maker' and 'not that day'. My 2 favourites.MARTYS MYSPACE - This is his own stuff (check out 'dirty tuesdays') but he also does some pretty good swing stuff!Should also say that Marty is a client and good friend. At his fattest he was touching 19 stone. Not now though. I think he is about 13 and a half with a 6 pack at maybe 6'2 in height. Will get better pics off when he gets back from Turkey with a tan (he is super vain :-)BeforeMore recentListening to you both at the mo and I have yet to hear a...
On looking at pictures of the DUP's new ministerial team, I was reminded of Gore Vidal’s assertion that “Politics is show-business for ugly people.” Never has such a horror-show image assailed my eyes.Absent from said pictures is MP MLA Iris Robinson, who has recently exhibited herself as ugliest of all, with her uncompromising views on lesbian and gay people.It all started last week, when Mrs Robinson appeared on BBC’s Nolan radio show to praise the efforts of one-time moral crusader, Mary Whitehouse. It wasn’t long before she connected with the DUP homophobic mainframe and used her Christian beliefs to attack the morals – or lack thereof – of lesbian and gay people, although Mrs Robinson used the rather outmoded term, ‘homosexual.’ She spoke with a kind of smug...
Whats the point of the of a photoblog meetup if we don’t blog about it.
It seems that those who attended the Toejam Photocamp have been pretty busy lately and photographs and blogging has been slow.
An official name has been chosen, after the first major meetup in May at the Toejam carboot sale. We have a Flickr group for photos and discussion of future meetups.
Also at the beginning of the month Donncha setup IrishPhotographers.org, a single feed for all Ireland-based photo bloggers, meetups, competitions and so forth.
Until I think about what to blog about next here are a few photos from the aforementioned Toejam Photocamp:
panpipes
the Jeanie Johnston
After pints and most people leaving, Darren, Julie, Peter and myself went to find Windmill Lane, location of U2’s...
Niceness isn’t found very often, as we all know but just last week I was offered, and subsequently given a ticket to the Radioheadconcert at Malahide Castle, Dublin, by a friend who wasn’t able to go. That’s what I call niceness :)
The concert was great, definitely better than I expected. Unfortunately the security guy took my camera battery:
“You can’t go in with that.”
“Well I’m not giving it to you!”
“Okay, well give me your battery.”
“Eh, no - these batteries are expensive. How they hell am I gonna get it back at the end of this concert - you’ve seen the thousands of people here.”
“They’ll all be here, is it a battery like this one?” *takes a battery from his pocket similar to my own...