Wednesday, June 30, 2004
Very strange feelings in me today. I have all this nervous energy in me today for some reason. Got some writing done this morning which was good. Also looked back over more of the tapes from the filming of the stand up for the show in the Helix. Forgot about some good stuff. Took a little of the edge off the stress. But I have not tried it on stage yet and that can often take away the excitement. It is amazing how different your show is when you are watching then when you are on stage performing. The routines you thought went amazing are usually less powerful and the other way around for something you thought went better. Plus you notice all your annoying little habits. I sometimes so this dumb little laugh after I have made something up on stage. I can tell when I am confident and when I am pretending to be as well. Its like therapy.
Anyway I have to go pick up the posters now and then go get a suit for the wedding on Sunday. I am totally looking forward to New York now but it is annoying me that this is the second time that I am going home with minimum wage material weighing on my mind. Last Christmas we had the footage to film. So I know you are probably thinking that it should be kind of done now but it is just not good enough at the moment so its needs a major revision.
Got a little freaked out today when I saw the new Iraqi leader saying that Saddam definitely had ties to Al Qaeda. Now I am very disengaged from the info these days on the Issue of Iraq but I did think that this man had defitely just joined in the campaign to get Bush re-elected. I wonder was that part of the deal. This issue that Bush and Cheney tried to decieve the American people seems to be a big one for a lot of Voters. This would be an ideal way of reintroducing the idea without having to take responsibilty themselves. Now maybe this man is right but if he is than American must admit that the CIA knows nothing because they have just concluded that Saddam had very little to do with Al Qaeda and less to do with 9/11. So are they incompetent. Then we have a serious problem in the War on Terror.
But we don't as we know it is not a war on Terror. It is a war for votes and the Presidential Campaign is being fought on many fronts with truth as the only casualty.
Des
Anyway I have to go pick up the posters now and then go get a suit for the wedding on Sunday. I am totally looking forward to New York now but it is annoying me that this is the second time that I am going home with minimum wage material weighing on my mind. Last Christmas we had the footage to film. So I know you are probably thinking that it should be kind of done now but it is just not good enough at the moment so its needs a major revision.
Got a little freaked out today when I saw the new Iraqi leader saying that Saddam definitely had ties to Al Qaeda. Now I am very disengaged from the info these days on the Issue of Iraq but I did think that this man had defitely just joined in the campaign to get Bush re-elected. I wonder was that part of the deal. This issue that Bush and Cheney tried to decieve the American people seems to be a big one for a lot of Voters. This would be an ideal way of reintroducing the idea without having to take responsibilty themselves. Now maybe this man is right but if he is than American must admit that the CIA knows nothing because they have just concluded that Saddam had very little to do with Al Qaeda and less to do with 9/11. So are they incompetent. Then we have a serious problem in the War on Terror.
But we don't as we know it is not a war on Terror. It is a war for votes and the Presidential Campaign is being fought on many fronts with truth as the only casualty.
Des
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Well the show was repeated tonight and I did not watch it. I was infact sitting outside Cafe mocha with my friend Tommy the Truth. He does great tattoos by the way if anyone is interested. I hope a new audience caught the show. Have not got much to say really. Hoping that we will get some more hits now. I wish we could have got the webdite address up on the credits but sure I did not even know the bloody thing was going to be on until yesterday.
Anyway I can already tell that it won't be as hectic around town as it was the last time it was on. The phone was not hopping afterwards and things have seemed to settled down nicely the last month. To be honest the timing could not be worse as I was going to try out the stuff I want to do in Edinburgh that was in the Programme in Galway. But now it will just have been on the TV so people will definitely not want to hear it.
I will be in the International on Thursday if anyone wants to come down and together we can write some jokes for Edinburgh. We will make it like a comedy Workshop. Thought I would have more to say with the show being repeated and all but I am brain dead really. Picking up the new Posters for the International tomorrow so thats pretty exciting as people might actually know it is on a Friday now. Talk to you tomorrow.
Des
Anyway I can already tell that it won't be as hectic around town as it was the last time it was on. The phone was not hopping afterwards and things have seemed to settled down nicely the last month. To be honest the timing could not be worse as I was going to try out the stuff I want to do in Edinburgh that was in the Programme in Galway. But now it will just have been on the TV so people will definitely not want to hear it.
I will be in the International on Thursday if anyone wants to come down and together we can write some jokes for Edinburgh. We will make it like a comedy Workshop. Thought I would have more to say with the show being repeated and all but I am brain dead really. Picking up the new Posters for the International tomorrow so thats pretty exciting as people might actually know it is on a Friday now. Talk to you tomorrow.
Des
Well the show was repeated tonight and I did not watch it. I was infact sitting outside Cafe mocha with my friend Tommy the Truth. He does great tattoos by the way if anyone is interested. I hope a new audience caught the show. Have not got much to say really. Hoping that we will get some more hits now. I wish we could have got the webdite address up on the credits but sure I did not even know the bloody thing was going to be on until yesterday.
Anyway I can already tell that it won't be as hectic around town as it was the last time it was on. The phone was not hopping afterwards and things have seemed to settled down nicely the last month. To be honest the timing could not be worse as I was going to try out the stuff I want to do in Edinburgh that was in the Programme in Galway. But now it will just have been on the TV so people will definitely not want to hear it.
I will be in the International on Thursday if anyone wants to come down and together we can write some jokes for Edinburgh. We will make it like a comedy Workshop. Thought I would have more to say with the show being repeated and all but I am brain dead really. Picking up the new Posters for the International tomorrow so thats pretty exciting as people might actually know it is on a Friday now. Talk to you tomorrow.
Des
Anyway I can already tell that it won't be as hectic around town as it was the last time it was on. The phone was not hopping afterwards and things have seemed to settled down nicely the last month. To be honest the timing could not be worse as I was going to try out the stuff I want to do in Edinburgh that was in the Programme in Galway. But now it will just have been on the TV so people will definitely not want to hear it.
I will be in the International on Thursday if anyone wants to come down and together we can write some jokes for Edinburgh. We will make it like a comedy Workshop. Thought I would have more to say with the show being repeated and all but I am brain dead really. Picking up the new Posters for the International tomorrow so thats pretty exciting as people might actually know it is on a Friday now. Talk to you tomorrow.
Des
Sunday, June 27, 2004
Well ain't that a sight. 3 of Irelands top comedians on the stage in the International together doing an un rehearsed improvised sketch . That is not the kind of stuff you are likely to see anywhere else in the country other than the International. So let me just take you through Fridays Bill. Des Bishop, Tommy Tiernan, Dave McSavage, Dave O'Doherty, Andrew Stanley and Bernard O'Shea. You take that bill to any comedy promoter in this country and he will tell you it is next to impossible to get those guys together in one room. Then tell them you saw all those guys for 5 Euro. Well they won't believe you. That is the magic of the International I have to say and I have included this picture here for those of you who do not check the Forum. So thanks to Tony for that one.
I am a little Down in Myself as I went to Armagh last night and tried to stay true to trying stuff out for Edinburgh and it was very flat. I can't seem to get the Edinbugh journey off to a running start. I have been sitting in the room here for the last few hours trying to write just one funny line about living on the minimum wage that would be funny to a British Person. I can't seem to come up with one at all. My cerebral confidence is taking a battering. I feel like a have a pentium processor in my mind in a pentium 4 world. Yeah sure my mind was great in its day but now the technology in some of the other funny minds out there is much better. How can I come up with funny lines for this ever so competitive festival. This place ain't like the Laughter Lounge where you go out and do a Dublin accent and talk about the Dart and the place goes mental. Here you actually need jokes. I can't think of anything funny about these things any more. I realise now I was just writing so many of these jokes to go along with images that were going to be on TV. For the stage I no longer feel that there is anything that interesting going to happen.
On that note I just found out through the Forum that the show is going to be repeated from Tuesday at 10:20 on RTE 1. I am glad it is on 1 as that might open it up to a new audience. However I would have loved to know before anyone else. BUt its on TV and thats a good thing. I was hoping it would be repeated in the Autumn but this will have to do.
I guess I better go to bed. If anyone thinks of anything funny in the meantime let me know.
Des
Saturday, June 26, 2004
I think last night was a great success I know I enjoyed the bit of messing at the start. Unfortunately I had to leave and I do believe Tommy Tiernan did a bit as well. That sounds to me like a good omen for the Fridays in the future. Thanks to all those who came and availed of the now finished 5 euro promotion price. Anyway the gig out in Malahide was crap as I went on very late and they were all smashed. But I did not care as we had the craic down in the International. So I just thought I would introduce you to a friend of mine from my childhood who I have not seen in years. I met him last night and took a picture. Ladies and Gentlemen I introduce you to Chubba
Nice to see him again
Nice to see him again
Friday, June 25, 2004
Hi guys,
Great night in the International last night. Even thought the match was on we had a decent crowd and after the distractions of people running up and down the stairs during the penalties the crowd got quite focussed though I have to say that there could not have been more ditractions at a show ever. In the second half there was a leak and then the fire alarm went off. We got through it and all is ready to go for tonight. I hope we have a crowd as we have to get these Fridays working. Anyway I am off to listen to Keith Wood speak at a Lunch with my girlfriends dad. In the meantime here are some pictures from last night with the unannounced guests that turned up last night. Thats the beauty of the International you never know what comedians are going to be hanging around.
Here is Dave O'Doherty Tommy Tiernan and myself outside the International
Now introducing Dave Mcsavage
I just like this one of Dave and Tommy
See ya tonight folks
Des
Great night in the International last night. Even thought the match was on we had a decent crowd and after the distractions of people running up and down the stairs during the penalties the crowd got quite focussed though I have to say that there could not have been more ditractions at a show ever. In the second half there was a leak and then the fire alarm went off. We got through it and all is ready to go for tonight. I hope we have a crowd as we have to get these Fridays working. Anyway I am off to listen to Keith Wood speak at a Lunch with my girlfriends dad. In the meantime here are some pictures from last night with the unannounced guests that turned up last night. Thats the beauty of the International you never know what comedians are going to be hanging around.
Here is Dave O'Doherty Tommy Tiernan and myself outside the International
Now introducing Dave Mcsavage
I just like this one of Dave and Tommy
See ya tonight folks
Des
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
And Ladies and Gentleman just minutes after my last post I recieved this gem of a picture. I give you the Winning 2004 Rest of the World Football team from the Cat Laughs. OOOOHHHHH the memories
See you friday
See you friday
Hey here are the pictures of the crowd from the Carlow gig last week.
And here are the 2 people from Cork I met who had no pen for an Autograph and have been on the forum wondering where the Pictures are. Sorry for the blur it is just a picture phone
And here are the 2 people from Cork I met who had no pen for an Autograph and have been on the forum wondering where the Pictures are. Sorry for the blur it is just a picture phone
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Well good morning to you on this lovely Tuesday. I am in London basking in the late morning sun leaking through the window of this Hackney bedroom. The air is full of the residue of celebration, as the English have gone about their day with a sprightly spring in their step after watching a true sporting hero being born. To be honest I lost my desire to see England lose years ago and last night I was truly delighted to see Wayne Rooney join in the fine ranks of sporting heroes of the world. I am thoroughly enjoying the European Cup and must most definitely accept that I am now a real football fan as not only do I enjoy it but also a passion grows in me even when I am watching the most meaningless matches. So as the Birds sing on the trees around Well Street Common with a cockney whistle I find myself that little bit less annoyed with the English than I have been most of my life.
So I went to the Fleadh on Sunday as much as I am softening on the English I needed a break as well. Saw Bob Dylan on a not so great night of his. It was great to see a legend in the Flesh though. Saw Damien Dempsey though and he was amazing. What a passion this man has. What an unashamed honesty. It’s hard to write a song called Love Yourself in Ireland and not worry about every sarcastic bastard in the country taking the piss out of you. Saw Christy Moore too. Never had before and it was great though the rain was pumping down at that stage. Great day though. Still plenty of Irish in London that’s for sure. Not enough Irish acts I fear but I am sure next year will be different as the organizers came in for some criticism on that one.
Going to see Conor McPherson’s new play tonight. I fear I have spelled his name wrong. Looking forward to that. Have to keep supporting the Irish stuff over here. I don’t know what’s happening to me. God when I go home to New York I might even have to go to Gaelic Park or up to Woodlawn to get some tayto. I don’t even like tayto its just something you do when you are away from Ireland. You see Paddy shams walking around the Irish areas of the Bronx whispering in your ear. “Hey you wanna buy some Tayto, first ones for free you like it come back.”
10 days later….
“Hey man come on give me one bag. You gave me the first one free can’t you just give me one more. My wife has left me, as she can’t take the bad breath. My kids hate me because I won’t share. I have lost everything. All I have is that little yellow bastard that ran away with Tommy Nicholson’s Ma. Please hook me up.”
The pain of emigration
So I went to the Fleadh on Sunday as much as I am softening on the English I needed a break as well. Saw Bob Dylan on a not so great night of his. It was great to see a legend in the Flesh though. Saw Damien Dempsey though and he was amazing. What a passion this man has. What an unashamed honesty. It’s hard to write a song called Love Yourself in Ireland and not worry about every sarcastic bastard in the country taking the piss out of you. Saw Christy Moore too. Never had before and it was great though the rain was pumping down at that stage. Great day though. Still plenty of Irish in London that’s for sure. Not enough Irish acts I fear but I am sure next year will be different as the organizers came in for some criticism on that one.
Going to see Conor McPherson’s new play tonight. I fear I have spelled his name wrong. Looking forward to that. Have to keep supporting the Irish stuff over here. I don’t know what’s happening to me. God when I go home to New York I might even have to go to Gaelic Park or up to Woodlawn to get some tayto. I don’t even like tayto its just something you do when you are away from Ireland. You see Paddy shams walking around the Irish areas of the Bronx whispering in your ear. “Hey you wanna buy some Tayto, first ones for free you like it come back.”
10 days later….
“Hey man come on give me one bag. You gave me the first one free can’t you just give me one more. My wife has left me, as she can’t take the bad breath. My kids hate me because I won’t share. I have lost everything. All I have is that little yellow bastard that ran away with Tommy Nicholson’s Ma. Please hook me up.”
The pain of emigration
Monday, June 21, 2004
The following Blog entry was written in Cardiff 2 days ago when I was missing you all and wanted to talk to you in some way......
Well hello there.
There are no internet Cafes in Cardiff and there are 3 computers in Virgin Mega store with access and they were always full. I had already bought three pounds of vouchers might I add. Anyway I am writing this before going on the very expensive phone line in my hotel. I am dialing Ireland On Line’s phone number as I do not know any British Service providers number. So I hope I can paste this into the blog site when I get there. I just wanted to write at least once for God Sake like any civilized person in a civilized city does these days.
Having a decent time of it over here. Finally got a full set of Minimum wage material out last night. Went pretty flat but it was complete so that was a good thing. Though I have not been on the forum for a few days I assume my mother may have told you that our Dog died. I only got the news yesterday so that was a bit of a downer. I am much closer to our other Dog though so I was not over run with grief. Do not think I am cold it is just that Molly was found by my brother well after I had moved to Ireland and though I loved that dog I was not as close to it as I was and am to Mistress who is the best dog in the world. So I guess I will use this blog to say goodbye to Molly. Though we were not that close you lazy little thing you know I gave you a good few rubs.
So I am off to London tomorrow and am going to the Fleah in Finsbury Park to see Bob Dylan. Really though I am going to see Damien Dempsey. Can’t wait to see how the British take to him.
Really that’s it as I have to get ready for the gig now. Plus I need time to slowly get on to the blog page with this hotels land line speed. I will let you know how tonight went when I get to London tomorrow.
Early notice
I will be performing in the International on Friday night. I am still keeping the price 5 euros as promised. Michael Mee is on as well so it should be a cracker of a show.
Des
Well hello there.
There are no internet Cafes in Cardiff and there are 3 computers in Virgin Mega store with access and they were always full. I had already bought three pounds of vouchers might I add. Anyway I am writing this before going on the very expensive phone line in my hotel. I am dialing Ireland On Line’s phone number as I do not know any British Service providers number. So I hope I can paste this into the blog site when I get there. I just wanted to write at least once for God Sake like any civilized person in a civilized city does these days.
Having a decent time of it over here. Finally got a full set of Minimum wage material out last night. Went pretty flat but it was complete so that was a good thing. Though I have not been on the forum for a few days I assume my mother may have told you that our Dog died. I only got the news yesterday so that was a bit of a downer. I am much closer to our other Dog though so I was not over run with grief. Do not think I am cold it is just that Molly was found by my brother well after I had moved to Ireland and though I loved that dog I was not as close to it as I was and am to Mistress who is the best dog in the world. So I guess I will use this blog to say goodbye to Molly. Though we were not that close you lazy little thing you know I gave you a good few rubs.
So I am off to London tomorrow and am going to the Fleah in Finsbury Park to see Bob Dylan. Really though I am going to see Damien Dempsey. Can’t wait to see how the British take to him.
Really that’s it as I have to get ready for the gig now. Plus I need time to slowly get on to the blog page with this hotels land line speed. I will let you know how tonight went when I get to London tomorrow.
Early notice
I will be performing in the International on Friday night. I am still keeping the price 5 euros as promised. Michael Mee is on as well so it should be a cracker of a show.
Des
Sunday, June 20, 2004
Hey all. There is not one internet cafe in Cardiff but I am not going to complain about that as I wrote something on my computer which I will paste tomorrow.
So I am in London now after a very productive weekend in Cardiff. Feel that I am well in work mode now for the Edinburgh show. Enjoyed the Craic With Phill Nichol and Jeff Green and met a lovely comedian I had never worked with before called Simon Fox. The circuit here is such a different animal. You are really just a number as noone goes to the club to see anyone in particular. Most of the time they are group bookings from work or hen nights etc. It can definitely be depressing at times but this weekend it was mostly educational and inspriing as the guys were all working on new things so we were kind of motivating each other.
Have not been on the Forum in days but I had a quick glance on Thursday before I left and I see that things are hotting up in there. Can't wait to get back and deal with some of these allegations against me. To be honest I prefer writing in here as it is less choppy. Plus I reckon less people read it so it and those that do are less distracted by all the crazy colours in the forum. Don't get me wrong I love the forum and my mother really loves the forum but I just like the space.
Anyway I must say Happy Fathers Day to my dad who might not read this as he is not the most tecno minded human on the planet. I think he is just about to figure out how to work a VCR. But not to record a video on a timer jesus don't be crazy. He still calls the remote the "Flicker". But it is his day and I won't make fun of him as those techno skills are not necessary for what he does best and that is to be a great DAD and a good man. He will be retiring soon PG and I hope the next fathers day he will be relaxing for weeks on end out in the Hamptons walking of the lonliness with mistress.
So to all my family I love you all and can't wait to see you in a week and a half. And as they always say behind every good man is a good woman. So MOM I miss you too. I mean who else would there have been to find the Flicker went it went missing.
DES
PS I will be in the International on Friday this week don't miss it. And we will keep with the promotional price of 5 euros as planned for fridays.
So I am in London now after a very productive weekend in Cardiff. Feel that I am well in work mode now for the Edinburgh show. Enjoyed the Craic With Phill Nichol and Jeff Green and met a lovely comedian I had never worked with before called Simon Fox. The circuit here is such a different animal. You are really just a number as noone goes to the club to see anyone in particular. Most of the time they are group bookings from work or hen nights etc. It can definitely be depressing at times but this weekend it was mostly educational and inspriing as the guys were all working on new things so we were kind of motivating each other.
Have not been on the Forum in days but I had a quick glance on Thursday before I left and I see that things are hotting up in there. Can't wait to get back and deal with some of these allegations against me. To be honest I prefer writing in here as it is less choppy. Plus I reckon less people read it so it and those that do are less distracted by all the crazy colours in the forum. Don't get me wrong I love the forum and my mother really loves the forum but I just like the space.
Anyway I must say Happy Fathers Day to my dad who might not read this as he is not the most tecno minded human on the planet. I think he is just about to figure out how to work a VCR. But not to record a video on a timer jesus don't be crazy. He still calls the remote the "Flicker". But it is his day and I won't make fun of him as those techno skills are not necessary for what he does best and that is to be a great DAD and a good man. He will be retiring soon PG and I hope the next fathers day he will be relaxing for weeks on end out in the Hamptons walking of the lonliness with mistress.
So to all my family I love you all and can't wait to see you in a week and a half. And as they always say behind every good man is a good woman. So MOM I miss you too. I mean who else would there have been to find the Flicker went it went missing.
DES
PS I will be in the International on Friday this week don't miss it. And we will keep with the promotional price of 5 euros as planned for fridays.
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
FINALLY the VICAR ST PICTURES ARRIVED
For those that were at the last Vicar St gig back in April you may remember that it took me ages to get a camera to take a picture of the crowd. Well they were supposed to send me the pictures and they only came today. Only one came out so here it is. Great night it was no doubt. It only brings back memories.
So its great to have those. I took some pictures at the Carlow gig tonight so I will get them up as soon as possible. We have the gallery going now so all of them will be posted there as well so they don't get lost down the blog. I have a lot of moths in my room tonight. I have not been in my room much over the last few months and I am just wondering am I being pushed out by some new tenants that are squatting in my room.
For those that were at the last Vicar St gig back in April you may remember that it took me ages to get a camera to take a picture of the crowd. Well they were supposed to send me the pictures and they only came today. Only one came out so here it is. Great night it was no doubt. It only brings back memories.
So its great to have those. I took some pictures at the Carlow gig tonight so I will get them up as soon as possible. We have the gallery going now so all of them will be posted there as well so they don't get lost down the blog. I have a lot of moths in my room tonight. I have not been in my room much over the last few months and I am just wondering am I being pushed out by some new tenants that are squatting in my room.
Have to be quick because I have someone waiting for me. I am in Carlow passing time after a badly organised signing DVDS fiasco that brought me here early. I have no time to write what I want but last nights experience in the Glen was one of the best of my entertainment career. I will tell you more tomorrow but it does not geet any more real and it was quite nostalgic for me to go back to the place where I was living when I started comedy. For those that don't know about the glen I will tell you tomorrow. Hopefully I will have some pics from last nights gig as well.
Des
Des
Monday, June 14, 2004
apologies again for a few days away.
I am back in London now after a lovely day on the beach in Brighton. Fabulous weather as I believe it was back in Good old Ireland. Got a little too much sun on the face but other than that a very successful day. Back to Ireland in the morning in fact. Flying to Cork to do a talk in the Glen. Have to try and talk to the parents of the Glen about the benefits of not using drugs an alcohol too openly in the home. I am going to try to be light about the subject but John Lonergan the Govenor of Mountjoy is speaking as well so it could be quite a serious affair.
Anyway the gigs at the weekend were quite crappy. I never even told people about the website as I was not enjoying the gigs at all. On Thursday though there was a small crowd I really had a nice time. All the stuff I am preparing for Edinburgh went well and I was quite excited for the rest of the weekend. But it was a weekend of Stag nights and Hen do's. They had no interest on what is was like to work in a Kebab Shop. They just wanted to go to one at the end of the night. So I won't harp on about it but a weekend in Birmingham will not be on my high priority list for the future.
In Cardiff this weekend so I will stay with the mission of getting this material into UK mode for August. I hope it turns over quick as I can't deal with a month of flat shows in Edinburgh. It is a tough enough run as it is. Quite tired now so I might leave yous even though I feel quite guilty that this has been quite a boring piece. Hopefully my homecoming to the Glen will offer up some Drama.
Des
I am back in London now after a lovely day on the beach in Brighton. Fabulous weather as I believe it was back in Good old Ireland. Got a little too much sun on the face but other than that a very successful day. Back to Ireland in the morning in fact. Flying to Cork to do a talk in the Glen. Have to try and talk to the parents of the Glen about the benefits of not using drugs an alcohol too openly in the home. I am going to try to be light about the subject but John Lonergan the Govenor of Mountjoy is speaking as well so it could be quite a serious affair.
Anyway the gigs at the weekend were quite crappy. I never even told people about the website as I was not enjoying the gigs at all. On Thursday though there was a small crowd I really had a nice time. All the stuff I am preparing for Edinburgh went well and I was quite excited for the rest of the weekend. But it was a weekend of Stag nights and Hen do's. They had no interest on what is was like to work in a Kebab Shop. They just wanted to go to one at the end of the night. So I won't harp on about it but a weekend in Birmingham will not be on my high priority list for the future.
In Cardiff this weekend so I will stay with the mission of getting this material into UK mode for August. I hope it turns over quick as I can't deal with a month of flat shows in Edinburgh. It is a tough enough run as it is. Quite tired now so I might leave yous even though I feel quite guilty that this has been quite a boring piece. Hopefully my homecoming to the Glen will offer up some Drama.
Des
apologies again for a few days away.
I am back in London now after a lovely day on the beach in Brighton. Fabulous weather as I believe it was back in Good old Ireland. Got a little too much sun on the face but other than that a very successful day. Back to Ireland in the morning in fact. Flying to Cork to do a talk in the Glen. Have to try and talk to the parents of the Glen about the benefits of not using drugs an alcohol too openly in the home. I am going to try to be light about the subject but John Lonergan the Govenor of Mountjoy is speaking as well so it could be quite a serious affair.
Anyway the gigs at the weekend were quite crappy. I never even told people about the website as I was not enjoying the gigs at all. On Thursday though there was a small crowd I really had a nice time. All the stuff I am preparing for Edinburgh went well and I was quite excited for the rest of the weekend. But it was a weekend of Stag nights and Hen do's. They had no interest on what is was like to work in a Kebab Shop. They just wanted to go to one at the end of the night. So I won't harp on about it but a weekend in Birmingham will not be on my high priority list for the future.
In Cardiff this weekend so I will stay with the mission of getting this material into UK mode for August. I hope it turns over quick as I can't deal with a month of flat shows in Edinburgh. It is a tough enough run as it is. Quite tired now so I might leave yous even though I feel quite guilty that this has been quite a boring piece. Hopefully my homecoming to the Glen will offer up some Drama.
Des
I am back in London now after a lovely day on the beach in Brighton. Fabulous weather as I believe it was back in Good old Ireland. Got a little too much sun on the face but other than that a very successful day. Back to Ireland in the morning in fact. Flying to Cork to do a talk in the Glen. Have to try and talk to the parents of the Glen about the benefits of not using drugs an alcohol too openly in the home. I am going to try to be light about the subject but John Lonergan the Govenor of Mountjoy is speaking as well so it could be quite a serious affair.
Anyway the gigs at the weekend were quite crappy. I never even told people about the website as I was not enjoying the gigs at all. On Thursday though there was a small crowd I really had a nice time. All the stuff I am preparing for Edinburgh went well and I was quite excited for the rest of the weekend. But it was a weekend of Stag nights and Hen do's. They had no interest on what is was like to work in a Kebab Shop. They just wanted to go to one at the end of the night. So I won't harp on about it but a weekend in Birmingham will not be on my high priority list for the future.
In Cardiff this weekend so I will stay with the mission of getting this material into UK mode for August. I hope it turns over quick as I can't deal with a month of flat shows in Edinburgh. It is a tough enough run as it is. Quite tired now so I might leave yous even though I feel quite guilty that this has been quite a boring piece. Hopefully my homecoming to the Glen will offer up some Drama.
Des
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Greetings from East London
Just getting ready to get the train to Birmingham. Figured it was as good a time as any to drop a line. The problem is that nothing that interesting has happened to me that is really good for writing. Had a lovely flight and a lovely evening with Linda and now she is at work and I am packing. Ain't the comedy life exciting. Well I won't bore you with the rest. I got a new phone which should help to get more low quality pictures onto the blog.
I hate doing gigs in the UK to be honest with you. I just hate all the waiting around in British cities that are all the same. They all have the same shops and all have the same pedestrianised streets. You go to Costa Coffee and read the Guardian. Then you go and buy a t shirt or something in TK Max just to pass the time. Sometimes you go to the cinema on your own and always forget to specify that you don't want sweet popcorn. Then you go back to your room and eat takeaway chinese and wait till its time to go to the gig and watch the other English hacks bang out the same shit they have been doing for years. Plus they have better gigs than me which makes it worse. But don't get me wrong I am not in a bad mood.
Positivity is just not interesting really.
Des
Just getting ready to get the train to Birmingham. Figured it was as good a time as any to drop a line. The problem is that nothing that interesting has happened to me that is really good for writing. Had a lovely flight and a lovely evening with Linda and now she is at work and I am packing. Ain't the comedy life exciting. Well I won't bore you with the rest. I got a new phone which should help to get more low quality pictures onto the blog.
I hate doing gigs in the UK to be honest with you. I just hate all the waiting around in British cities that are all the same. They all have the same shops and all have the same pedestrianised streets. You go to Costa Coffee and read the Guardian. Then you go and buy a t shirt or something in TK Max just to pass the time. Sometimes you go to the cinema on your own and always forget to specify that you don't want sweet popcorn. Then you go back to your room and eat takeaway chinese and wait till its time to go to the gig and watch the other English hacks bang out the same shit they have been doing for years. Plus they have better gigs than me which makes it worse. But don't get me wrong I am not in a bad mood.
Positivity is just not interesting really.
Des
Wednesday, June 09, 2004
Hi Guys. In better form today. Had a great sleep and only one more complaint about my alleged laziness on Stage. I guess 3 complaints is not that bad. I would love to have weighed them against loads of praise but the weight would be about equal so I would rather just live in the Denial that Irish people find it easier to criticise than to praise.
Off to London in 2 hours and then to Birmingham on Thursday for the weekend. Have not done a gig in the UK since before Christmas so I have some work to do. I wonder what the British are going to think about Abrakebabra.
Really can't believe the Referendum is in 2 days. I would like to think of myself as a pretty clued in guy but I definitely have not recieved enough information. I am totally confused. I hate people talking about being like the rest of Europe. The same Party that says we are more like Boston than Brussels. I certainly am hoping for a no vote simply because it is an issue that seems to be being sold on one or two issues eg Pregnant Woman and the integrity of citizenship. However it appears to me to affect so much more than that.
I find it funny that the other issue that we are very different from Europe on is abortion. Reading the Irish Iimes today I see that we have a bye on any Euro votes on that issue. I know that is because we have so much care for the unborn child. But I will tell you right now the moment it is born I don't care if he is in Ireland or not once he is not Irish he can fuck off.
I can't wait to go home to New York where I can hang out with all my Irish American friends I grew up with. Unlike me they have never been to Ireland. Like me before I came to Ireland they have never heard of the 1916 rising and they think that Northen Ireland is in the middle of a civil war. There expression of Irishness is getting drunkon St. Patricks day and having some weird desire to support Notre Dame football team. I know 2 of them that have Irish Citizenship and all of them can. All of them will get it if they ever want to travel because its a better passport then the US. They might not even come to Ireland. They don't have to in order to get it. But who cares if they were not born here. Who cares if they hate the way Ireland reacted after September the 11th. There Grandparents were Irish and thats enough for me. Plus they could turn out to be good Goal Keepers and play for the Irish Team one day.
ON a lighter note here is a picture I found at irish beats from the Dilated Peoples gig. Its me MC ROb Kelly and DJ OC
Des
Off to London in 2 hours and then to Birmingham on Thursday for the weekend. Have not done a gig in the UK since before Christmas so I have some work to do. I wonder what the British are going to think about Abrakebabra.
Really can't believe the Referendum is in 2 days. I would like to think of myself as a pretty clued in guy but I definitely have not recieved enough information. I am totally confused. I hate people talking about being like the rest of Europe. The same Party that says we are more like Boston than Brussels. I certainly am hoping for a no vote simply because it is an issue that seems to be being sold on one or two issues eg Pregnant Woman and the integrity of citizenship. However it appears to me to affect so much more than that.
I find it funny that the other issue that we are very different from Europe on is abortion. Reading the Irish Iimes today I see that we have a bye on any Euro votes on that issue. I know that is because we have so much care for the unborn child. But I will tell you right now the moment it is born I don't care if he is in Ireland or not once he is not Irish he can fuck off.
I can't wait to go home to New York where I can hang out with all my Irish American friends I grew up with. Unlike me they have never been to Ireland. Like me before I came to Ireland they have never heard of the 1916 rising and they think that Northen Ireland is in the middle of a civil war. There expression of Irishness is getting drunkon St. Patricks day and having some weird desire to support Notre Dame football team. I know 2 of them that have Irish Citizenship and all of them can. All of them will get it if they ever want to travel because its a better passport then the US. They might not even come to Ireland. They don't have to in order to get it. But who cares if they were not born here. Who cares if they hate the way Ireland reacted after September the 11th. There Grandparents were Irish and thats enough for me. Plus they could turn out to be good Goal Keepers and play for the Irish Team one day.
ON a lighter note here is a picture I found at irish beats from the Dilated Peoples gig. Its me MC ROb Kelly and DJ OC
Des
Tuesday, June 08, 2004
Well I am back in my room after a crazy weekend down in Kilkenny. I see that finally a bit of negative criticism has found its way onto the website after Kilkenny. it is amazing how one group of people can be so happy with what another group can be so disappointed with. You decide to be more subdued for one show and people say you are being Lazy. You go nuts on the Energy for another show and people tell you that you looked nervous. In the end I did 15 shows in Kikenny and all but one was sold out so I hope most people were happy. I just hate when people say I am not making an effort.
Am I all performance and no substance. My God could it be that without my over the top energy I am not entertaining. My God could it be that I am in fact a cabaret act. My worst fears seem to be coming true. i left the festival this morning thinking that I had the best festival if my career but the 2 gigs where I held back on the performance and went for a more deadpan approach recieved negative feedback. I am an empty shell painted with very bright water colours rolling down a bumpy hill in the pouring rain.
Such a sensitive head returning to such a openly public life.
I had a great time though I have to tell you. And the Good Night Cats was great fun. Normally I don't enjoy it that much but this year I really had a ball. Went to bed at 6:30 am this morning just to polish off a weekend of little sleep and much adrenaline. Had a great time doing the old party piece with the Band at the festival club as well.
Never took any pictures though as I just kept forgetting. I am sure some will surface though as i was in loads of pictures.
I guess the last thing to do is gloat about the Rest of the worlds victory. s captain I take great pride in our Victory. More than that though I take great interest in all the people who come as spectators and claim that some people take the game to seriously. I have no shame about taking it seriously as I notice that the crowd are silent when we score yet go nuts when the Irish score. I think that is great by the way but it don't seem like a bit of craic to me. you want the Irish to win you xenophobes. I have got news for you. The Irish take the game very seriously and many discussions were had after and I can assure you that they were not about how to make the match more fun. Before people came down to watch the match years ago The Irish always won and they held that fact up with great pride. The game has never been played for laughs. I think people should just accept the Irish lost and not blame things. They had the crowd, the referee, subs and experience on their side. I will give them all that but I will not give them excuses. I love it.
Des
Am I all performance and no substance. My God could it be that without my over the top energy I am not entertaining. My God could it be that I am in fact a cabaret act. My worst fears seem to be coming true. i left the festival this morning thinking that I had the best festival if my career but the 2 gigs where I held back on the performance and went for a more deadpan approach recieved negative feedback. I am an empty shell painted with very bright water colours rolling down a bumpy hill in the pouring rain.
Such a sensitive head returning to such a openly public life.
I had a great time though I have to tell you. And the Good Night Cats was great fun. Normally I don't enjoy it that much but this year I really had a ball. Went to bed at 6:30 am this morning just to polish off a weekend of little sleep and much adrenaline. Had a great time doing the old party piece with the Band at the festival club as well.
Never took any pictures though as I just kept forgetting. I am sure some will surface though as i was in loads of pictures.
I guess the last thing to do is gloat about the Rest of the worlds victory. s captain I take great pride in our Victory. More than that though I take great interest in all the people who come as spectators and claim that some people take the game to seriously. I have no shame about taking it seriously as I notice that the crowd are silent when we score yet go nuts when the Irish score. I think that is great by the way but it don't seem like a bit of craic to me. you want the Irish to win you xenophobes. I have got news for you. The Irish take the game very seriously and many discussions were had after and I can assure you that they were not about how to make the match more fun. Before people came down to watch the match years ago The Irish always won and they held that fact up with great pride. The game has never been played for laughs. I think people should just accept the Irish lost and not blame things. They had the crowd, the referee, subs and experience on their side. I will give them all that but I will not give them excuses. I love it.
Des
Saturday, June 05, 2004
Good night last night. Two lovely shows. The festival is in full swing now. Once again I could not sleep in and I am starting to get a little frustrated. I was up before 8 this morning and I did not get to bed till well after 2. I left early by the festivals standards from the party last night to recharge the batteries but I feel even more tired today. I don't think I am going to make it through.
I will start taking some pictures tonight so that we can have a good ole blog at the end of it all. I am off now to talk to Ray Darcyont the radio. I am on first because 'I don't drink so I will probably be up' as Ray told me last night was the reasoning. Talk later.
Des
I will start taking some pictures tonight so that we can have a good ole blog at the end of it all. I am off now to talk to Ray Darcyont the radio. I am on first because 'I don't drink so I will probably be up' as Ray told me last night was the reasoning. Talk later.
Des
Friday, June 04, 2004
Just a quick note to say that all is well down here in Kilkenny. had 2 lovely shows last night. Hung out with Demetri Martin and Jake Johanssen lst night and showed them the craic in langntons. Today Myself Louis CK and Jake went for a jog and most of the other un healthy comics were just staring at us. Just met Ray Darcy though and he commented on my healthy sheen so it must have been worth it. This is really just a name dropping entry but its all true and the whole thing can be overwhelming so it is a bit of a release to just get it out there. Talk to you later. Off to a gig.
Des
www.desbishop.com
Des
www.desbishop.com
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
Finally I have managed to get these pictures up. Hope you enjoy them. I will put up others from the trip but these are ones that are related to the friends I made while working in Abrakebabra.
Above is myself and Leo's mother in Alyssa's uncles house in Jinzhou outside Dalian in Northeast China. All three pictures are taken in the same house and all are taken 1 day after being really ill in hospital.
Leo and Alyssa. Alyssa cannot get a new Visa to come to Ireland after she was denied a renewal as a result of the Shamrock Language School scandal.
Me and all the Family including Leos Mother, Alyssa's aunt and uncle and her little cousin who I will find a picture of tomorrow as whe is the cutest thing ever.
LEO IS LOOKING FOR A DAY JOB IN DUBLIN IF ANYONE HEARS ANYTHING LET ME KNOW
des@desbishop.com
Above is myself and Leo's mother in Alyssa's uncles house in Jinzhou outside Dalian in Northeast China. All three pictures are taken in the same house and all are taken 1 day after being really ill in hospital.
Leo and Alyssa. Alyssa cannot get a new Visa to come to Ireland after she was denied a renewal as a result of the Shamrock Language School scandal.
Me and all the Family including Leos Mother, Alyssa's aunt and uncle and her little cousin who I will find a picture of tomorrow as whe is the cutest thing ever.
LEO IS LOOKING FOR A DAY JOB IN DUBLIN IF ANYONE HEARS ANYTHING LET ME KNOW
des@desbishop.com
Once again I have woken up ridiculously early. This morning I have agreed to play squash though so I don't have the freedom to head off for a jog. In fact I have woken up on the wring side of the bed this morning as well as the wring side of the morning. Wanted to be well rested heading down to Kilkenny but this is a bad start.
I did The Last Word on Today FM yesterday evening and I was quite excited as it was always a show I have enjoyed since the Dunphy days. It was not that great an experience though as the topic was crap and there was no time. Still I got to plug the website so I think it was worth it.
I get frustrated on the Internet sometimes. I think I really need to learn html or something because I often want to put some stuff up just to pass the time but I am limited to using this blog or the Forum. I can send sutff to the designers I know but I am talking about the spontaneouss stuff that you think about at 2 in the morning when you have finally given up waiting to see if any booby shows are going to be on Sky one. Maybe when I am in Edinburgh I will get someone to train me in Web design as there is always time to kill during the day there.
Saw Bush talking at the Military graduation about the enemy and how we will defeat them. I am not going to get into Bush bashing but I genuinely wanted to know who the enemy was. As an American citizen I am curious to know who MY enemy is as I need to know who to look out for. I remember thinking we had defeated the enemy when we got rid of Sadaam. I recall that is what he said. Now we are still getting rid of the enemy. So is this like one of the horror movies where the spirit of the killer passes from one bady to the next. I think we have a serious problem here. This spirit seems to be multiplying as well as passing. The seems to be more enemies now then there ever was. TOO MANY ENEMIES NOT ENOUGH MICS
I really just can't stand looking at the man because I do not believe one word that comes out of his mouth. I do not believe he has the interest of any American in his mind accept for those around him. I watch these graduates and I can tell they are inspired by what he is saying and I wander how I could be so different to my fellow countrymen. I know they would think that I was weak or naive or a bleeding heart liberal. Well I would turn to them and say that I am none of those things you fucking robots. My heart is on fire and as a result it burns inside of me and the more I listen to George Bush the more it burns because he is killing people every day in the name of my protection. I feel less safe though then I ever did. I am hated when travelling the world and have to answer for his power intoxicated sins every day even though I hate the man. And you are going to kill for him in the name of making America safe. What makes me laugh most of all is that the world could not be any less safer than it was when he took office. Republicans will blame the democrats and 9/11 but its been over 3 years now and it just gets worse and worse.
I don't know why every one compares Iraq to Vietnam. The republicans pride themselves on showing all the military blunders of the clinton era. Lets just compare it to Somalia. City battles where Americans are dying every day it really does not look llke they are any better at this war thing. I can't remember in History when there was so much war after the war was over other than Civil wars. They always go on about the theatre of war so maybe this is just an encore as all the ceos of the Defence companies could not stop applauding. I would say all the Islamic Fundamentalists could not stop applauding either it seems to me they are loving it. Ordinary Europeans have nearly got fundamentalists views about America these days as a result of whats going on. I don't know if that is a good result of military action. They are not the military geniuses they thought they were really. I want to see Donald go out and fight and talk all his war talk on the Battlefield. Then I will believe in what they say when they fill up young niave teenagers with their rhetoric.
My message to my fellow Americans BUSH DOES NOT GIVE A SHIT ABOUT YOU. No politician does.
I did The Last Word on Today FM yesterday evening and I was quite excited as it was always a show I have enjoyed since the Dunphy days. It was not that great an experience though as the topic was crap and there was no time. Still I got to plug the website so I think it was worth it.
I get frustrated on the Internet sometimes. I think I really need to learn html or something because I often want to put some stuff up just to pass the time but I am limited to using this blog or the Forum. I can send sutff to the designers I know but I am talking about the spontaneouss stuff that you think about at 2 in the morning when you have finally given up waiting to see if any booby shows are going to be on Sky one. Maybe when I am in Edinburgh I will get someone to train me in Web design as there is always time to kill during the day there.
Saw Bush talking at the Military graduation about the enemy and how we will defeat them. I am not going to get into Bush bashing but I genuinely wanted to know who the enemy was. As an American citizen I am curious to know who MY enemy is as I need to know who to look out for. I remember thinking we had defeated the enemy when we got rid of Sadaam. I recall that is what he said. Now we are still getting rid of the enemy. So is this like one of the horror movies where the spirit of the killer passes from one bady to the next. I think we have a serious problem here. This spirit seems to be multiplying as well as passing. The seems to be more enemies now then there ever was. TOO MANY ENEMIES NOT ENOUGH MICS
I really just can't stand looking at the man because I do not believe one word that comes out of his mouth. I do not believe he has the interest of any American in his mind accept for those around him. I watch these graduates and I can tell they are inspired by what he is saying and I wander how I could be so different to my fellow countrymen. I know they would think that I was weak or naive or a bleeding heart liberal. Well I would turn to them and say that I am none of those things you fucking robots. My heart is on fire and as a result it burns inside of me and the more I listen to George Bush the more it burns because he is killing people every day in the name of my protection. I feel less safe though then I ever did. I am hated when travelling the world and have to answer for his power intoxicated sins every day even though I hate the man. And you are going to kill for him in the name of making America safe. What makes me laugh most of all is that the world could not be any less safer than it was when he took office. Republicans will blame the democrats and 9/11 but its been over 3 years now and it just gets worse and worse.
I don't know why every one compares Iraq to Vietnam. The republicans pride themselves on showing all the military blunders of the clinton era. Lets just compare it to Somalia. City battles where Americans are dying every day it really does not look llke they are any better at this war thing. I can't remember in History when there was so much war after the war was over other than Civil wars. They always go on about the theatre of war so maybe this is just an encore as all the ceos of the Defence companies could not stop applauding. I would say all the Islamic Fundamentalists could not stop applauding either it seems to me they are loving it. Ordinary Europeans have nearly got fundamentalists views about America these days as a result of whats going on. I don't know if that is a good result of military action. They are not the military geniuses they thought they were really. I want to see Donald go out and fight and talk all his war talk on the Battlefield. Then I will believe in what they say when they fill up young niave teenagers with their rhetoric.
My message to my fellow Americans BUSH DOES NOT GIVE A SHIT ABOUT YOU. No politician does.
Can't get the clock right. Went to bed last night at 1:30 am and woke up fresh as a daisy at 5 am. Used it to my advantage though and have just returned from a good jog on Sandymount Strand. I am just out of the shower and I couldn't feel healthier sitting here in front of my computer. I am going to wait till I am really hungry and go into the Kitchen and have a lovely breakfast with some freshly brewed coffee (hard to come by in China), and then go on about my day. It looks like a lovely one. It certainly was at 6:45 emerging over the bridge at Ringsend and looking at the sun gently shining over the Dock. No traffic on the toll bridge, No construction at the Library, No shopping trolleys in the Dodder, it was as if I was back in the old Dublin before the boom when ringsend was still working class. The good old days back in 1995.
Its a great way to start the day I have to say. I am in good form anyway as yesterday I got a lovely surprise that I was shocked I ahd not heard about. One of my favourite Hip hop groups were in Dublin last night and there was still tickets. Dilated Peoples played Crawdaddy and it was a cracker of a gig. Such a small place and the joint was ROCKING. Best Hip Hop gig I was ever at. Got some pictures too as the boys from Irishbeats.com were there taking pictures so I am waiting for an e mail from them. Got to reunite with DJ Lee for those who know about those connections. (The hardcore fans.) Assuming most of you don't know about the tiny Irish hip hop scene I guess this next story won't mean much to you but I will tell you anyway as i got a real kick out of it.
This quite good Irish MC called Rob Kelly has been around on the scene for quite a while. I have heard things about him over the years and heard one or two things that I thought were good. In comparison to some of the stuff you hear here I thought it was great. Anyway he comes up to me last night and introduces himself to me and asks If I remember him. It turns out he was in St. Peters in Wexford and not only that but I used to give him hip hop tapes I brought back from the states. Rap was hardly heard of here at the time other than Public Enemy and a few others so it was a big deal for this kid at the time. I was delighted to see that someone from Wexford would follow what most have been a pretty obscure dream back in the Early 90s and had the selfish thought that maybe I helped a little bit.
Anyway today I am doing nothing. I am going to buy some crap for Kilkenny and drop off some film for Linda then I am coming back and doing nothing. If it gets cloudy I will go to the cinema and thats it. I guess it ain't the worst life after all. But I am grateful and I won't gloat.
Peace
Des
www.desbishop.com
Its a great way to start the day I have to say. I am in good form anyway as yesterday I got a lovely surprise that I was shocked I ahd not heard about. One of my favourite Hip hop groups were in Dublin last night and there was still tickets. Dilated Peoples played Crawdaddy and it was a cracker of a gig. Such a small place and the joint was ROCKING. Best Hip Hop gig I was ever at. Got some pictures too as the boys from Irishbeats.com were there taking pictures so I am waiting for an e mail from them. Got to reunite with DJ Lee for those who know about those connections. (The hardcore fans.) Assuming most of you don't know about the tiny Irish hip hop scene I guess this next story won't mean much to you but I will tell you anyway as i got a real kick out of it.
This quite good Irish MC called Rob Kelly has been around on the scene for quite a while. I have heard things about him over the years and heard one or two things that I thought were good. In comparison to some of the stuff you hear here I thought it was great. Anyway he comes up to me last night and introduces himself to me and asks If I remember him. It turns out he was in St. Peters in Wexford and not only that but I used to give him hip hop tapes I brought back from the states. Rap was hardly heard of here at the time other than Public Enemy and a few others so it was a big deal for this kid at the time. I was delighted to see that someone from Wexford would follow what most have been a pretty obscure dream back in the Early 90s and had the selfish thought that maybe I helped a little bit.
Anyway today I am doing nothing. I am going to buy some crap for Kilkenny and drop off some film for Linda then I am coming back and doing nothing. If it gets cloudy I will go to the cinema and thats it. I guess it ain't the worst life after all. But I am grateful and I won't gloat.
Peace
Des
www.desbishop.com
