BOGMAIL

My Blog title was inspired by this entertaining novel by Patrick McGinley- the story of a blackmailer from the bog...I have to admit I really loved the 1980's cover on the front cover too (which I can't find online, but I will post the one I did find)


BOGMAIL

Ticknor & Fields; 259 pages; $9.95

Pub Owner Roarty tries to kill his philandering barman Eamonn Bales with a toadstool omelet. When the poison fails, the publican does in the cad with a volume of the Encyclopaedia Britannica.

So begins this loopy yarn, set in the misty, myth-ridden hills and bogs of County Donegal, northwest Ireland. Once his victim is buried deep in the peat, Roarty begins to receive demanding notes from "Bogmailer."The mystery meanders with Irish indirection to a surprising last-minute plot twist, employing a cast of tavern regulars that Flann O'Brien or Dylan Thomas would have stood to a round.

Cor Mogaill, Roary Rua, Gimp Gillespie, Old Crubog and the Englishman Potter down their Guinnesses under Roarty's suspicious eye and argue why earthworms are scarce and if a doe hare drops her kits all in one den. Roarty's bizarre attempts to unveil his blackmailer also reveal the tragicomedy of the Other Ireland. Locals fight the design of a new church—"a cube surmounted by a cone"—and investigate a blackguard who steals the priest's maid's knickers from the wash line. Without the precisely plotted mystery, this might merely be another scenic tour of Eire. But Bogmail is something more: "A novel with murder." McGinley has concocted a different brew in this fine first thriller. Good health to him, and many more of the same.

SIA

Loving listening to Aussie songstress SIA's music 'soon we'll be found' - or 'the girl you lost to cocaine' can be heard on her myspace page...I also loved this video on youtube from the David Letterman Show, where she does sign language as part of her performance...She just has one of those voices, and her songs are really infectious. ..

Harp-beat

My gadgety boyfriend picked this recent post up on www.gizmodo.com its a chair with harp strings on the back. To be played and the person sitting in the chair can enjoy the acoustic vibrations...mmm sounds theraputic.
This is the acoustic chair that provides a resonant, vibrating massage that soothes and relaxes the upper and lower back, thighs--even the palms of your hands--when the 60 brass strings integrated into its seat back are strummed. Made in Germany and inspired by Medieval Scandinavian cradles that had strings on the bottom for soothing infants, the chair is crafted from 3/4" thick beech ply sanded smooth and finished in natural wood oil. Played by another while you sit comfortably, the 30 plain and 30 wound piano strings span the entire vertical length of the 38 1/2" backrest and are uncoated for clear, unmuffled sound while generating the frequencies ideal for relaxing acoustic massage. The strings are tuned to B (can be tuned up two whole steps to D) with the plain, unwound strings tuned one octave higher than the wound strings, producing a rich, zither-like monochord that generates a relaxing drone. The "ears" of the chair create a special resonance chamber, and two adjustable wooden armrests that attach to each side have smooth balls on the end for your palms; when the strings are played, the vibration can be felt in the wrist, palms, and fingertips. Includes tuning key. Please allow eight to 12 weeks for delivery. Chair 53" H x 22" W; Seat 22" W x 16" D. (100 lbs.)
Cost $7000

Typical Irish House layouts

Check out Homebug creater Zee's reply to a common interior design problem we face in Ireland.


The pictures shown here that inspired me to write into Zee to thank her for the inspiration for me own home are from Visualise design in Cork.

Make your own folding origami lamp!

I got this passed onto me from my other half who was busy on www.gizmodo.com
If only I had the time..unless he decides that he's going to make it!! Get it here

This week I am mostly listening to...

Rebuplic of Loose: Dirty Sexy Irish music, do those words work together in a sentance??!! Stop the disbelief already, and GET YOUR GROOVE ON!........I like music.....Loaded Dice records, available in all good stores and itunes.

Clarion Hotel Sligo-Live music venue

The building was previously a church for the residents of the near by hospital. DWA was asked to create a live music and conference venue for the Clarion hotel that was contemporary but respected the buildings past history. Image from www.dwa.ie, design wise interiors and associates Ltd. Galway.