tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72130407691353752962024-03-24T10:43:38.180-07:00Copperhead 1864Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962456749993690006noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213040769135375296.post-64899105598060556882015-02-25T15:14:00.001-08:002015-02-25T15:14:02.999-08:00Magnificent, Medieval, Modern<div style="text-align: center;">
Thurs, 12 Feb 2015 </div>
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Flight #1 leaves Louisiana bound for Ireland (via Houston AND London) scheduled to arrive the next day.<br />
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Fri, 13 Feb 2015</div>
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Choosing to fly across the Atlantic Ocean on Friday the 13th may not be in the cards for the superstitious. For me, it was no problem!</div>
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10 a.m. - Arrive in Dublin</div>
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Phone isn't working here. No texting. No emailing. CRAP! Must find a way to let people back home know I made it. Oooh look, an Internet Cafe. One euro for an hour on the Internet. One euro for a phone call. COOL! In case the phone call doesn't work, Facebook it is!</div>
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Done. Now, let's walk around a bit and take a few things in shall we?</div>
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Inside my backpack are: one Sony videocamera; one Canon 35mm camera and extra rolls of film; one Fuji digital camera with extra batteries; passport; directions to lodging; and probably other stuff that doesn't belong. Oh well. Off we go. Pretty afternoon. Fair skies. Little breezy. Not cold, just a little windy.</div>
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Look at ALL these people! OMG! Very comparable to the hustle and bustle of New York City. People, businesses, bicycles, buses, cabs, cars, more people. Wow! I'm not sure what I expected, but I don't think it was THIS. Didn't realize Dublin was such a metropolis, but should have figured. It being the country's capital and all.</div>
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Trinity College. Christchurch Cathedral. O'Connell Street. Grafton Street. Pubs. Touristy souvenier shops. Restaurants. A huge vertical memorial jets skyward. Impressive. The General Post Office. (Highly impressive) Dublin Castle. Very colorful doors all around me. Medieval bricks cushion my feet as I walk. Phoenix Park. Guinness. The Clarence Hotel. Ha'penny Bridge. COOL STUFF.</div>
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Supper in Madigan's Pub. Lamb stew, a 7-Up, and a piece of apple pie. When the lady asks, "Cream or ice cream?" I don't know what to say, so I say, "both." (What did she mean cream or ice cream? Cream? What the hell?) This lamb stew is awesome. Sure I've had mutton, but lamb? Never dreamed people slaughtered lambs, but hey...it's good. </div>
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The apple pie is a little different. Less sweat than ours. The filling is custardy...is that a word? Custardy? The apples are tart, but sooo good. No American Apple Pie crust either. More like creme brule without the caramelized top. Not a pastry chef, so it's hard to describe. But man oh man, it's good.</div>
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Sat, 14 Feb</div>
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Valentine's Day</div>
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Bus to the Cliffs leaves 7:30 a.m. Huge bus. It's full. I sit in the front next to a man named Michael Martin from Dublin. He's nice. Very chatty.</div>
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"I like the way you talk," he says.</div>
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"I like the way YOU talk," I answer.</div>
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Tour guide is JJ. Bus driver is Frank, although JJ keeps calling him Fred which makes everyone laugh - even Frank.</div>
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Landscape is gorgeous once we get out of the city heading west to County Clare and Doolin. Black and white Hereford cattle graze in lush green fields. Hearty and fat sheep, herds of sheep, sunbathe and play. Miniature stone walls separate property lines like old fence rows. Chilly morning but the sun is out. JJ says it's going to be a beautiful day. A little fog across the pastures. JJ calls it mist.</div>
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Pit stop somewhere along the way. Mike buys a candy bar. It's chocolate. Like a Hershey's, but it's called Galaxy. He offers me a piece. OMG! Waaaay better than Hershey's or even Cadbury. I swear. It's the best chocolate I've ever eaten. Hands down. I'm thinking of ordering me some online. Really!</div>
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As we get closer to our first site of the day, an ancient <a href="http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/places/the_burren/corcomroe_abbey.htm">Abbey</a> where Monks used to live, the roads get narrower and bumpier. The bus rounds a bend. A farmer's cow is out and in the middle of the road. Frank stops the bus. The car ahead tries to herd the cow on as three others on foot attempt to direct her into the right gate. The teamwork is successful and after a minute or two, the heifer is off the road. The bus laughs at this rural adventure unfolds in front of them, but I've seen it too many times to laugh at the problem. Still, I smile.</div>
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After the Abbey is the "little cliffs." Amazing!</div>
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Next stop: Doolin for lunch.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fitzpatricks-Pub/201071623261900"> Fitzpatrick's</a>. I have salmon. It's pretty good. Never had salmon before.</div>
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Next stop: Cliffs of Moher. Good God Almighty. Unbelievalbe. Something straight out of another world. Extreme wind as I climb. Someone is playing the tin whistle and another is playing his accordian. It's so unreal to be standing here looking out on the Atlantic Ocean, hearing soft melodies, and watching the waves crash against the faces of the cliffs. I'm so high up, the waves seem tiny.</div>
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Leave around 5:30. Make a final pitstop somewhere along the highway, or Motorway (like our Interstate) for those who have to go to the bathroom. Mike buys ANOTHER Galaxy candy bar and shares with me. I should've gotten off the bus and bought my own.</div>
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Around 9 pm we're back in Dublin and I decide to get off the bus on O'Connell St figuring I can find my way back to the lodging. WRONG!! I wander around taking pictures and watching people. I walk up and down streets, main streets, side streets. I go inside touristy gift shops. It's too late to eat supper, and I'm not really hungry. I keep walking and wandering around hopelessly lost. At one point, I'm back at Christchurst Cathedral and I think I'm getting closer to where I need to be. NOPE! Businesses get fewer and far between. People on the sidewalks get less and less. Oooh look...the bar from "Cheers," no really it is. Least the sign looks perfectly similar! Alleyways begin to get darker and longer. I turn around several times. Finally, I give up the ghost, fish the address to where I'm staying out of my backpack, and hail a cab.</div>
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Shit, I was only a mile or so from where I needed to be, but there was no way I could've found my way back. The driver has a GPS in the car and we're there in a few minutes. Whew!</div>
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Sun, 15 Feb</div>
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This time the day tour is a smaller group. A Mercedes van is all that is required. Tour guide is Ronan. He's super funny and friendly. Seven of us in the van: all from the Southern US. No kidding. Three from Florida, two from South Carolina, and would you believe the girl sitting behind me is from Shreveport!</div>
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Blarney Castle, Cork, and Cobn (pronounced Cove...weird, I know) are the destinations today. From the east coast to the south we go. Another chance to see the landscape change. More history from Ronan. He seems to enjoy his job! He talks of the pharmaceutical industry and how Viagra was invented in Ireland. (Really? I had no idea. But, he may just be telling a good story.) He DID say the last three letters in Viagra, the "gra," is the Irish word for love. So...who knows?!</div>
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He talks of Queen Elizabeth I and Oliver Cromwell and the exile of the Irish Catholics to the barren land of the west. He talks of the dairy industry, of butter and cheese, the beef and wool industries, the technology jobs and how computer giants such as Google, eBay, Yahoo, and Microsoft each have their European HQs in Ireland. Interesting. He talks of cars being brought to the island. Ronan talks about a lot of things. It's so cool to have such interactive history, geography, geology, and socio-economic lessons as we ride across the country. He talks of gypsies, of political and religious issues. He tells of the Uprising. I am enthralled because I love history. He even tells a joke, and it's so funny! (Maybe I got it on video...hope so.)</div>
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Sunday was such a magnificent day. To stand and walk around and touch the walls of a castle was CRAZY! Very overwhelming. And yes, here I am bent over backwards (literally) putting my mouth on a rock! Dude did a good job holding me up! He was very handsome, too! </div>
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I can write so much about these three days in Ireland, but I better wrap it up. I heard so many dialects there, just like here. Everyone knows if you travel 20 miles in any direction, you'll hear different accents. Same there. Yet I even heard Russian, German, Italian, and a Frenchman actually said, "Bonjour," to me as he boarded the city bus on Friday. My French teacher would've been proud of me because I actually wanted to say a few words back to him, but his English sounded as broken as my French...so I kept quiet. </div>
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Really cannot wait to go back. It was one of the best three days of my life!</div>
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Monday morning I was at the airport coming back home. WOW! Did I really go and do all those things? Ha. Who's coming with me next time? </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962456749993690006noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213040769135375296.post-30522357010281762012015-01-23T14:42:00.000-08:002015-01-23T14:43:24.789-08:00The Good ShtuffI like Social Media. Facebook. Twitter. Why? Because I get to find the coolest things. And when I find cool things, I like to talk about them. <br />
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"What cool things?" you ask. Here's a few:<br />
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1. Entertainer <a href="http://www.aindrias.com/">Aindrias de Staic</a><br />
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2. Blogger <a href="http://www.reelinginthefears.blogspot.ie/">Daithi O'Connor</a><br />
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3. Writer <a href="http://www.eddiestack.com/">Eddie Stack</a><br />
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and my newest cool find is:<br />
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4. Poet <a href="http://www.poetart.ie/">Brian O'Driscoll</a><br />
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Why do I like Brian's writing style? <br />
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a) He makes you think without spoon feeding you the same old lines we've all heard or read.<br />
b) He displays courage in doing what fulfills him, what he's passionate about.<br />
c) He expresses raw, outlandish, vivid, soft and hard emotions and curious thoughts. <br />
d) He is contemporary, fresh, and interesting.<br />
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His website says, "...anything goes...," and "A poem with the absolute right kind of magic running right through it really can mean the world to someone if appreciated to the fullest extent." If you're so inclined, I encourage you to visit <a href="http://www.poetart.ie/">www.poetart.ie</a> and who knows what you may find to appreciate.<br />
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Recently, I made the above short clip of random phrases I picked from his website. Don't go through your life with your head buried in the sand. Open your eyes to something different, something eccentric, something new.<br />
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Open your eyes to the good shtuff! <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962456749993690006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213040769135375296.post-32392622848737152142014-12-25T18:50:00.000-08:002014-12-25T18:50:19.619-08:00A Christmas Like No OtherNo tree. No gifts. No decorations. No bountiful harvest. No music. Nothing.<br />
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This Christmas I am stuck, and yes...I mean stuck, housesitting a fourteen-pound cat named Tinkerbell. I swear, you can't make this up. An elderly man I know, who used to work with me, asked me weeks ago, <br />
"So, what are you doing for the Christmas break?" <br />
"Not much." <br />
"You want to sit with our cat? I'll pay you. Carolyn [his wife] doesn't want to board her and we're going to Virginia." <br />
And dumb ass me says, "Ok." <br />
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So, here I've been for the past few days, just Tinkerbell and me. No company. No phone calls. No "Merry Christmas!" NOTHING. NOTTA. ZILCH. ZIP. <br />
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At least my Christmases in the Army were spent with other soldiers. Yes, we may have been away from our families, but we had the company of each other. Now, I have Tinkerbell. I can always find the stupidest shit to get myself into, simply because I can't tell people, "no." Why am I so accommodating? So eager to please? Seldom rocking the boat. Such a "yes" girl. Always trying to help others, no matter if I DID have things to do at my house during this break. Been this way my whole 44 years, no sense in trying to change now. <br />
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So what does one do in a strange house, with a cat? <em>At least they got cable tv.</em> (That's a luxury I don't have.) Let's flip through a few channels shall we? <em>No. No. No. Oooh, a movie.</em> Shit, they don't subscribe to that channel. Damn it. Flip. Flip. <em>Oooh, another movie. That looks good. I've been wanting to see it.</em> Nope, they don't subscribe to that one either. Shit! TV goes off.<br />
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<em>Hey, I've got Facebook on my phone. Oooh and Twitter.</em> All the Christmas posts. Damn. What a way to reinforce 1) my aloneness and 2) the fact I have NO CHILDREN, much less grandchildren. Can this Christmas get any more depressing??? I mean, seriously! Yes, people...I know you LOVE what you got for Christmas. How many exclamation points does it take to make your point? How many more ways can you show your kids' and grandkids' smiling faces, their leaps of joy, their piles of wrapping paper left scattered on your living room floor? I mean, really?! I know you're excited. Hell it's Christmas, we should all be excited, right?<br />
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And so...in my loneliness and desperation, and for any kind of interaction, I send private messages on Facebook to friends who are online and even direct messages on Twitter for some kind of <strong>connection</strong>. Tinkerbell doesn't have a FB page, or Twitter, or I'm sure she'd be all over that! Of course, since it's Christmas and most people with a brain are spending the day with their families, no one is available to chat. NO ONE! I take that back, a friend from Massachusetts "talked" to me for a while, another from New Jersey, and someone from Ireland popped on to wish me "Happy Christmas." I am so happy for their messages. Other than that, nothing! Again, can this Christmas get any more depressing?! <br />
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Okay, okay. Yes, I'm inside out of the 40-degree cold with central heat. Yes, I have an ice-box full of food. Yes, I can flip through a hundred channels. Yes, I have a nice comfy bed to sleep in. Yes, I've got hot water to take a shower. Yes, even a desktop to use...with Internet! WOW! But...all I wanted today was company. I wanted a voice. I wanted a physical connection. I wanted to know and feel I wasn't alone. Today was Christmas, and it was indeed a Christmas like no other. Very glad to know this day will be over in a few hours.<br />
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Where is Tinkerbell? OH, there she is at my feet...bless her heart. She's as desperate for company as I am. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962456749993690006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213040769135375296.post-86967299004489022032014-11-10T15:14:00.000-08:002014-11-12T15:03:27.415-08:00Crazier Things Have Been Known to Happen<div style="text-align: justify;">
Have you ever done something so over-the-top crazy, looking back you can't believe you actually did it? Recently, I had such an experience. First, here's a little backstory.</div>
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When particular people cross my path, when they blow in like the wind out of nowhere and take my breath away with such thunder and magic, the only thing I have to offer in return is words. So, to create more support and awareness <i>and </i>to express my deepest appreciation for their gifts, I write about <a href="http://www.writing.ie/tell-your-own-story/leaving-an-impact-by-sherry-perkins/">them</a>. </div>
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Being a writer has afforded me great opportunities over the years, and opened many doors. For example, one such opportunity is the experience of being a successful grant writer - which proved most advantageous a short while ago.</div>
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To date, I've requested a combined $32,000 for my non-profit writing group, and have received $16,193 in corresponding awards. If you're a math geek like me, this equals to a 51% success rate and averages over $1,300 awarded on each attempt. Not too shabby!</div>
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Along similar lines of grant writing, came my most recent cool adventure. It was HUGE! When this new door of opportunity opened in August, I stepped inside without haste.</div>
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To keep creatively engage all the time, I'm always doing something different: articles, stories, flyers, submissions, poetry, speaking engagements, making YouTube videos, compiling grants, interviews, editing, ghostwriting, and anything in between. This new project certainly challenged me in such a fresh way.</div>
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It was comprehensive, detailed, and at first seemed way out of my league. Then I thought, <i>What the hell? If I can do a dozen grants, I can definitely do this.</i> Plus, never having attempted something on such a large scale, I was determined to NOT be intimidated, to let the writing, the project, speak for itself. Call it Southern sassiness, stubbornness, or plain old grit, but my motivation screamed, <i>If others can do it, so can I. </i></div>
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I tackled this monster slowly, methodically, obsessively. I inserted links, statistics, pictures, and data. I asked for the required professional reference letters, and received them. I gave direct examples, gathered supporting statements, and when my eyes began to blur and cross from working on it night and day, friends not connected to the project stepped in looking for errors. It was like a freakin Master's thesis for God's sake!</div>
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With such combined effort and teamwork, I was determined to do everything possible to make this stand out. Remember, I said it was huge? Well...for a country writer from Dry Creek, Louisiana, it doesn't get much bigger or more intimidating (no matter how I viewed it) than Europe. That's right, Europa! You know...that place across the pond? Have a go at this video.</div>
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My project was an award nomination for the 2015 European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage in the category of Dedicated Service by an Individual. For his long-term contributions to music, culture, Irish language conservation and preservation, and his creative performance art, my nominee was none other than the fabulously fantastic fiddle player, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOUpAn0T5Hg">storyteller</a>, and creative genius...<a href="http://www.aindrias.com/">Aindrias de Staic. </a>Here is the actual opening statement used in the application:</div>
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<i>Aindrias de Staic is a diverse, multi-disciplinary artistic ambassador who embraces, experiments, creates, and promotes music, performance art, the Gaelic language, and Irish culture. Recipient of grants and numerous awards, he increases local and global awareness of Irish traditions; engages international audiences by sharing Celtic culture via music, storytelling and performance art; and, as a proficient and active Irish communicator, promotes the conservation and preservation of an ancient language. Surviving substance abuse, he brings powerful messages of hope and recovery to those afflicted through his music, lifestyle choices, and performances. Additionally, he successfully adapts learning methods for his severe dyslexia. Through it all he remains a positive influence for the Republic of Ireland, Europe, those affected by learning obstacles, substance-abuse addicts, and independent artists worldwide. This award would recognize his contributions as a role model and cultural heritage promoter and substantially assist future projects as a professional entertainer.</i></div>
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Visit the <a href="http://www.europanostra.org/apply-for-an-award-2015/">website </a>to review the call for submission and successful recipients of this honor. Perhaps the following statement will drive home the scope of last year's projects. According to page 44 of the July/Aug 2014 edition of their <a href="http://issuu.com/europanostra/docs/2014-awards-magazine/1?e=1264477/7671836">publication</a>, "This year's 27 laureates were selected from 160 nominated projects across 30 countries, by juries from across Europe for achievements in four areas - conservation, research, dedicated service, and education, training, and awareness-raising."</div>
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Again, do the math. 27 laureates out of 160 projects is only 17%. Statistically speaking, this means only 17 out of 100 were chosen while 83 out of 100 were passed over. Will this project be chosen in a few months? Who knows??</div>
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The point is, all it took was one section, one email, one picture, one letter, one link at a time to finish. Yes, the mountain was rocky and steep, but I'm very proud of myself for completing such an undertaking, for doing something I had never done before, for venturing outside my comfort zone as a writer, and for playing ball with the Europeans! No doubt, to praise and validate someone on an international scale is one of the most important pieces of writing I've done to date. It was such an amazing process.</div>
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Regardless of the outcome, my goals were 1:) to expose the judges to the crazy, cultural creative madness Aindrias expresses in his body of work, and 2) to not only <i>try </i>at this task, but to complete it. Despite the many setbacks and relentless aggravation of Murphy's Law, the "Operation Heritage" mission was accomplished.</div>
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Now, weeks after submitting the finalized 48-page proposal, although I'm neck-deep in other projects, I find myself having withdrawals of not working on it, not obsessing over it, not moving words around for the upteenth time, not waking up at 3 and 4 in the morning with an idea of how to make it better. Two months is a long time to devote to a project then suddenly set it free, cold turkey. No good bye kiss, no hug, no "see ya later," nothing! Sadly, everything has a deadline.</div>
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Who would have thought someone in Louisiana would complete a European nomination packet on someone in Ireland to be read by someone else in Holland, to be distributed to a jury in other countries? Hey...crazier things have been known to happen, especially in my weird world.</div>
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A few days before the deadline, as we scrambled against time and I was very close to throwing in the towel, Aindrias said, "Even if we get nominated, it's huge." Bless his heart.</div>
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Well, didn't the video promote the awards as "the Oscars for Europe's heritage?" Wow, maybe Aindrias is right after all. Fingers crossed for this project and many, many thanks to all who helped behind-the-scenes!!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962456749993690006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213040769135375296.post-88619753672957700902014-09-25T14:31:00.001-07:002014-09-25T14:31:30.171-07:00An Everlasting Bond<div style="text-align: justify;">
Of all the things I've written, this is one of the most personal to me. I hope you will read it with an open heart. And if I offend you with my words, I'm sorry. However, I will never apologize for my convictions. </div>
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Here's my story...</div>
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Once upon a time, a young teenager left her home in Louisiana and joined the Army. At 19 years old, and at her first duty station in Ft. Lewis, Washington, she meets another young soldier. His name was Bryan. Bryan was from Florida and they hit it off like two peas in a pod and became best friends! When people saw one of the pair, they usually saw both of them.</div>
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They ran miles together, done countless pushups and situps together, slept out in the freezing cold in the field and came back to their unit all nasty, sweaty, stinky, dirty, and tired together. On holidays away from home, they ate Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners in the mess hall. They got drunk and even vomitted together. They really were best mates.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUgp4iLUZ8uwiy3ew2MIJ9gtViIrxUWTJZEx0H9_ar0BqONZvtXlgDVQ538FWqjKMu4Y8birAVN1fWMyxDA6vGid8X2-caPr5Q2sA6fonUeIz7L4hhyphenhypheneIMdwb_2C9H5ZrFehReZhunJc/s1600/MeAndBryanArmy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUgp4iLUZ8uwiy3ew2MIJ9gtViIrxUWTJZEx0H9_ar0BqONZvtXlgDVQ538FWqjKMu4Y8birAVN1fWMyxDA6vGid8X2-caPr5Q2sA6fonUeIz7L4hhyphenhypheneIMdwb_2C9H5ZrFehReZhunJc/s1600/MeAndBryanArmy.jpg" height="344" width="640" /></a></div>
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Since the barracks were co-ed, Bryan had his room and she had hers. Other than sleeping, going to the bathroom, and showering separately, they done everything else together and became very close. They became even closer than a brother and sister; so much so that of course people talked. It didn't bother them though to see the glances, or hear the whispers and inuendos. They kept right on soldiering and being each others friend. </div>
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However, Bryan harbored a secret he was reluctant to share, even with her.</div>
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She had no idea he struggled with something to tell her, that it kept him up at night, that it interferred with his emotions, his reasoning, his logic. In between the laughs, the tears, the stories of home, the many nights eating Ramen noodles, watching "The Simpsons" on tv, and listening to Bon Jovi and Madonna tunes over and over, Bryan kept his secret private, even from his best friend.</div>
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Not knowing how his friend would respond, one day he came clean to her. </div>
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He told her he was gay. To his surprise, his top-secret revelation never fazed her one bit and they remained best friends. Yet...she knew what would happen if he told his superiors and she begged him not to tell. It was not that she was ashamed of him, instead she knew he would be dismissed. Well...that's exactly what happened.</div>
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While Bryan was discharged from the Army, she went on to serve six more years in the Army without him. They missed each other terribly, but life had a way of moving on.</div>
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Although they only saw each other once after his discharge in the early 90s, they have remained best friends over the past 22 years. The everlasting bond which formed betweem them as teenagers is very much alive. She lives in Louisiana and Bryan is about to relocate from Georgia to Florida. You see...he was recently dismissed from a very good job as a Cardiac Tech. </div>
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Georgia is an "at-will" employer, just as Louisiana is. What does that mean? It means just as anyone has the right to quit a job without notice, an employer in an at-will state has the right to terminate an employee "at will." No grounds of dismissal are needed. Of course it's more complicated than that, but you get the idea.</div>
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And since Bryan is still Sherry's very best friend in the whole world, she will do everything she can to help him. Bryan has a fundraising campaign going on to help him with relocation expenses. And even though Sherry can't afford to help him...she will. Because that's what friends do, they come to each other's aid in times of need. She would give everything she could to Bryan if the time came. She'd even cut off her right arm (and she's right handed) if he needed it.</div>
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You see... when we can least afford to give but give anyway, that is true sacrifice. Isn't love all about putting other people's needs before our own? Those of you with children, you understand this concept.</div>
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Now I know some of you won't understand this post. Some don't agree with being gay and will turn your nose at the thought. I am fortunate to have been reared by outspoken, character-building, and strong parents and am glad those characteristics are part of my personality too. I love Bryan! He is a gentle, caring, loving, kind soul. And don't get me started on what the Bible says about being gay. I'm a Christian, I know what it says. I also believe Jesus when He said, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Mark 12:31</div>
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Oh, and which commandment says, "Thou shall not be gay?"</div>
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Anyway...if you want, here's the info to help Bryan get to his new home and new job in <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/ezc1cw">Florida.</a></div>
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And if I lose a few friends due to this post...you will be sadly missed. </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962456749993690006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213040769135375296.post-84616741581798816292014-05-27T15:21:00.001-07:002014-05-27T15:21:29.066-07:00Jim McKee: the Musician, the Artist, the Man<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_l3A4sIrlTjHsT9u8UWu_sU0pj9WiyHbGpnYHfvsBG4yQm1SfwdqG9lcMcKzkbOqCIaxxn_qpueS2Rvzkft45PHlYMtwmNE_IGGFMZT_jDvaOEp01DUTwqlM4Ee0RzsLpdBe14F7fSU/s1600/Clouds2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_l3A4sIrlTjHsT9u8UWu_sU0pj9WiyHbGpnYHfvsBG4yQm1SfwdqG9lcMcKzkbOqCIaxxn_qpueS2Rvzkft45PHlYMtwmNE_IGGFMZT_jDvaOEp01DUTwqlM4Ee0RzsLpdBe14F7fSU/s1600/Clouds2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I
lie on the ground and look up. Cotton-candy clouds float overhead as
if by magic. With grace and randomness, they move in slow motion.
Wonder, peace, and sheer relaxation envelope and carry me away
to a special place in my mind; a place with no worries, no anxieties,
no stress, no negativity. This is the place Jim McKee’s music
carries me to. As soothing as a warm breeze, as elegant and frail as
butterflies’ wings, as soft as a flower petal, as poignant and
heart-tugging as a newborn, as hopeful as a child, as desperate as
unrequited love, and as strong as steel…it’s all in his music.</span></span></span>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jim
McKee’s voice cuts with exact precision a razor-sharp path through
the silence, through the past, through the troubles, in a subtle,
energizing, and hypnotizing manner. Whether he sings about Uncle
Pete, missing a familiar face, or a goldfish named Picasso, his voice
is angelic and powerful. It soothes you, excites you, and sends
chills down your spine simultaneously. It transports you, uplifts
you, and even makes you cry. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqotgeSxUE2qXC5EDy2mcigrPEzdYHMRHz-X7J2iZqn8rW65Ir_RjFiRl7JX7f84hrDDZ9j5UWGi7GtsmNZCYhvbKNShphIaA2Klj6C49z_jhRj__8Fu4YrBH6NzrM6fJdoc3_k4Mr5LE/s1600/JimMcKeeandguitar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqotgeSxUE2qXC5EDy2mcigrPEzdYHMRHz-X7J2iZqn8rW65Ir_RjFiRl7JX7f84hrDDZ9j5UWGi7GtsmNZCYhvbKNShphIaA2Klj6C49z_jhRj__8Fu4YrBH6NzrM6fJdoc3_k4Mr5LE/s1600/JimMcKeeandguitar.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My Webster's II, Riverside, New College Dictionary (1995 ed.) defines juxtaposition as: "To place side by side, esp. for contrast or comparison." </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Jim McKee is a master of juxtaposition in his music. For example, the happy, hopping sounds in "Gone Fishing" is actually the backdrop, the background, the wild contrast of a very sad story, a story full of regret and sorrow. Another fine example is the contrast of the hauntingly beautiful and magical music in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUygmpkUPlw">"Homeless Piano Man."</a> The music is angelic; whereas, the words rip your heart out. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The songs above express the juxtaposed contrast between music and lyrics. However, "But the Truth" blends the sounds and lyrics together to reflect an absolute broken heart; a fine comparison in the flow of past to present. Phrases of, "...give a man enough rope...," "...try to be a better man...," "...helicopters in the sky...," and "...gimme back my childhood..." scream volumes of hidden ghostly skeletons in the closet, skeletons of a past filled with yearning and personal tragedy.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The
distinct contrast of soft musical notes against vivid, precise,
clean, and cut-straight-to-your-heart words leaves one breathless.
His voice, his art, and his instruments are as comfortable, safe, and
inviting as home. A whisper, a dream, a yearning, an angel’s voice…
those are words which come to mind when I hear Jim McKee’s music.
If you want to be moved by slow, melodic, romantic, simple,
inspiring, relaxing music which floats you on clouds of hope, love,
despair, and wonder, I urge you to take a listen to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzuY4jZgkds">"Uncle Pete"</a>. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Join
me as I get to know Jim McKee: the musician, the artist, and the man. All the pictures are courtesy of Jim's Facebook page and are used with permission, except for the cloud in the beginning and the two of Ireland at the end. I snagged those from the internet. Since Jim is Irish, you may notice words spelled differently; like favourite and honour. I left them spelled his way since the spelling is still correct here in the US.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>1.
You are a multi-faceted artist. You sing, play music, and paint.
Which came first, and how did the other aspects evolve? </b></span></span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Well, </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">as long as I can
remember I’ve had a natural love of music. Our first record player
and record was sent to the house by my aunty from Canada: The
Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel and The Shadows, 22 golden guitar hits
landed and that was it. Then, Elvis. I would act out the songs with
my sister as a kid night after night. I could learn a melody after
one listen. I wrote my first song at 7. I used to watch my uncle play
guitar and sing for hours and torture him for chords. He had a folk
group called Sprig. I got my first guitar for my 6th or 7th birthday. I
suppose I am what you call musical. I could lift an instrument and
knock out a tune. I’ve always had an ear for music and loved a good
groove. After music, like, what else is there? Really people in
Ireland are all very musical and full of stories and adventures. Let's
face it, we've had plenty to write and sing about. Ireland I guess is
a landing pad and melting pot, but we don’t know that, heee [we
think we’re just Irish haa]. My father was a brilliant artist.
I only ever saw two paintings of his and I remember being blown away by
them. He used to bring me art materials all the time as a kid and I'd just draw, paint, write, and create all the time. Then when I went
to school, it was noticed, my singing and flair for music and art. But my music teacher put me out of class for carrying on. I was a bit
wild and giddy I guess. I left school early, at 15, to go working full
time as a milk delivery man. My art teacher came on the milk float one day, when I was 15, and asked me to come back to school to pursue my art, school exams, and studies, and not be off working; he wanted me to get to university and study art. When I look back, he saw something that I didn't back then. I played flute in a flute band also when I
was 9 years old, and was exposed to marching tunes and marching bands
in the town I grew up in. From early on, I've always loved the flute bands
and pipe bands and live music scene and still do to this day. I love to
hear live music no matter where...</span></span></span></span><style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; direction: ltr; line-height: 100%; widows: 2; orphans: 2; }P.western { font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; }P.cjk { font-size: 12pt; }P.ctl { font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; }A:link { coloWell</style></h3>
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<h2>
<span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>2. In addition to harmonica and guitar, do you play other instruments?</b></span></span></span></b></span></h2>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; direction: ltr; line-height: 100%; widows: 2; orphans: 2; }P.western { font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; }P.cjk { font-size: 12pt; }P.ctl { font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; }A:link { color: rgb(0, 0, 255)</style>I play tin whistle and flute a bit as well.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>3. In your experience, why do so many people migrate from Ireland? Is it
the economics, politics, geography, or a combination of all three?</b></span></span></span></h2>
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<style type="text/css"> </style><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">People leave Ireland*
for opportunity, employment and work and I'd say to get away from
stuff, I believe. Also many of us had to leave. Where I come from,
lots of my school friends are now in countries like Australia, England
and the USA. Most of my friends have all lived at some stage away
from home. We had a choice, we could either sink or swim. Growing up the north of
Ireland wasn’t always easy, not that I’m complaining. I knew
nothing else. It was great fun too but it was also like growing up in
Lebanon, in a war zone** with soldiers and loaded guns on every street
corner, check points, police, all armed bombs and riots. When I look back I
wonder was it all a dream really. Wages were low and there were not a lot of
opportunities. Folk music wasn’t always a safe music to play or be
seen to be playing because there was a certain label that used to go with
it…thank God that has all changed now. I first left home at 12 believe
it or not.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">*What astonishing <a href="http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/ireland-has-highest-net-emigration-level-in-europe-1.1601685">statistics</a> on Irish migration. Alarming!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">**For a little background into the conflict of Northern Ireland, read this 2010 article from Simon Rogers in<i> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2010/jun/10/deaths-in-northern-ireland-conflict-data">The Guardian</a></i>, in addition you may want to watch this <a href="http://www.britishpathe.com/video/street-riot-in-belfast">this video.</a></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQelM20-HZP0KmhXxCpQCAIIRWWAtACiYXxXtOYpUWWZlCu1RwBcr12jZSHTtokLxuVVs2oEtUN_uCNyohsNos9m0JRhljLB3oaVg2n8LdwYlZNC-6YhW3AtqabDNau2D4lmhA_r2-R8Q/s1600/JimMcKee1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQelM20-HZP0KmhXxCpQCAIIRWWAtACiYXxXtOYpUWWZlCu1RwBcr12jZSHTtokLxuVVs2oEtUN_uCNyohsNos9m0JRhljLB3oaVg2n8LdwYlZNC-6YhW3AtqabDNau2D4lmhA_r2-R8Q/s1600/JimMcKee1.jpeg" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>4. Tell me about your participation in the new Irish film <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axeCp-lgpH4">Songs For Amy.</a></b> <b>What was it like to film in Ireland?</b></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Well I was singing in a
pub called <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FJXZWCu7-E">Tully's</a> in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH6jUFxmkGk">Kinvara</a>
Co. Galway...a
well-known little west of Ireland music bar with my band, when a lady called <a href="http://www.sonnyandskye.com/bios">Fiona Graham</a> approached me after
the gig and wanted to hear my songs. She heard me sing a song I wrote
called <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfV-HLB5ZoA">"Soul Friend"</a>. She told me she was
making a film and needed songs and liked the song. I thought nothing
of it. Then she came to visit me at my house. I gave her my first solo
album and let her hear a few new songs I’d written. At the time, I
sang them to her and she loved the songs called, “Greatest Best
Thing” and “Show Me the Love.” She then asked me to write a
title track called “Amy” which I did…and she asked me to
audition for the part of Rory. I auditioned and although I didn’t get the
part I was offered to do a small cameo part of Tom the Busker,
or Busker Tom, which I did and sang the song “Galway Bay.” I got
on the big screen for 15 seconds! During the filming I had
to play some guitar and work a little with the lead actor <a href="http://seanmaguire.co.uk/">Sean Maguire</a> as he was singing my songs in the
film. I played the guitar on “Soul Friend” as he acts it...it was
fun being on set. I loved every minute of it and enjoyed the film-making process. I was very at home on set. I also got to work with <a href="http://www.ultanconlon.com/">Ultan Conlon</a>. He has a lot of songs in the film
also and he scored the film music, so I had to sit down and record my
songs for him to work on. Ultan was great. Also on the song “Amy,”
he wrote a chorus middle 8th piece so it’s a co-write. I ended up
having 4 songs in the film and have been flown to California,
Newport Beach Film Festival, and Cannes Film Festival in France,
Glasgow Film Festival, Galway Film Festival, and to London for a
showing where Ultan and I got to sing the songs from the film. It was a lot of fun, and I met some great people along the way. During the filming, I even met the band <a href="http://www.alabama3.co.uk/">Alabama 3</a> as well. The actors and
film crew were fab! Filming was so much fun - a 6-week party to be
precise, in the small village of Kinvara which was our base. There were
parties every night, and we played gigs every night in different pubs. It was
a great opportunity and it raised my profile a lot, I have to say. The
film is coming out around the world and was released in Ireland on 1st of May
2014.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPbRvAKr6CJSp8YKWgGrYbf42_zzZEuVO76_zXjDtw5kG915JocgYc8fgO6EcPKAd5FYXBWag69bRpjEGbRH6uz77ISw3H98YGDsGz2oP5xAuuJd4aXnMCrcOSqxxTP2BGgQ7_uxA1A0/s1600/JimMcKeeSongsForAmy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPbRvAKr6CJSp8YKWgGrYbf42_zzZEuVO76_zXjDtw5kG915JocgYc8fgO6EcPKAd5FYXBWag69bRpjEGbRH6uz77ISw3H98YGDsGz2oP5xAuuJd4aXnMCrcOSqxxTP2BGgQ7_uxA1A0/s1600/JimMcKeeSongsForAmy.jpeg" height="268" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A scene in the movie with Sean Maguire and Jim</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<h2>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>5.
Within your art and singing/songwriting, what has been your most
proud moment?</b></span></span></span></h2>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_4122">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Well, there have been so many highlights, I don't know where to start...</span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_4128">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Having a beer with Willie Nelson in Harstad, North Norway was amazing.</span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_4128">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span></span>
<br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_4129">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hearing my music in a film on
the big screen; those little ideas of songs I had many years ago coming
from a poor large housing estate with nothing is a moving experience...</span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_4129">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span></span>
<br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_4130">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Lately, my son started playing
guitar and I was over the moon about that - he's good. Also, when he first started
playing saxophone and played a full tune - I hope he picks it up again. That's priceless.</span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_4130">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_4131">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Selling
my first two paintings to <a href="http://www.marycoughlanmusic.com/">Mary Coughlan</a>, (a famous Irish jazz singer) was an
amazing feeling. I met her on the street randomly and she stopped me as
she liked the painting I was carrying and wanted to buy it. She didn't
realise that she was making my first painting sale. She bought two that day...and then
the sell-out art shows followed.</span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_4131">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span></span>
<br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_4132">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Meeting the President of Ireland through my music, and giving him a painting is a big highlight.</span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_4132">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_4133">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Singing my songs and stories to my hometown theatre was an amazing feeling.</span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_4133">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_4141">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Travelling to California with my songs was a nice feeling.</span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_4141">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span></span>
<br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_4134">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hearing my songs on the radio the first time.</span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_4134">
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_4135">
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Seeing
my paintings years later in people's houses is some feeling, or getting
an email or a call to do a piece for someone's 50th or something is still,
and always, a buzz.</span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_4135">
</div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span></span>
<br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_4136">
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Also, I saw a piece the Bank
of Ireland bought while standing in a queue [line] one day in Galway - that was a
quiet and nice moment to myself.</span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_4136">
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_4137">
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Also, every year I raise money for many charities with paintings and music gigs, that's a great feeling to be able to do that.</span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_4137">
</div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span></span>
<br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_4138">
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I also gave a song called <a href="http://attackingthepage.com/2012/05/17/2834/">"Homeless Piano Man"</a> to a Boston charity album that raised money for the homeless...things like that mean a lot.</span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_4138">
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_4139">
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But
probably one of the biggest things ever to happen to me was once when I was
contacted by a mother about how my music comforted her daughter before
she passed away at only 37 years old. Her daughter died of breast cancer. The funny thing is, I had given the girl a free cd, my first solo album, one night at a gig and there were only 7 people at the gig, and I was
losing hope. (One of those nights that you wonder why you bother bringing
your music out the door or why do you do these gigs at all?) A few years
later I was glad I did when I was contacted to say they played a song I
wrote for my son "Like Angels" at her funeral... funny how things
work. </span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_4139">
</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<h2>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>6.
Your life experiences are reflected in all your creative works:
music, song, art. Can you comment?</b></span></span></span></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_HAm2rNBEDTgr2OEjMmzJDqq8hTvinB-kDVCvwgv3UmHQhUA0q0YM-Ti6OIAN65lFHHCikPfOAav15tpwo4Cskqv2S7OQbWaEMUY6oNRVJSfYOWq3AbOAhD6mGg8vbaCl_xlmr-DCXY/s1600/JimMcKeeCDs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_HAm2rNBEDTgr2OEjMmzJDqq8hTvinB-kDVCvwgv3UmHQhUA0q0YM-Ti6OIAN65lFHHCikPfOAav15tpwo4Cskqv2S7OQbWaEMUY6oNRVJSfYOWq3AbOAhD6mGg8vbaCl_xlmr-DCXY/s1600/JimMcKeeCDs.jpg" height="400" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="yiv9622493294Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_2330" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Yes, I write about my life mostly and paint stuff that jumps out in my environments I am living in. Writing my songs has been a big healing for
me and helps me let go of the past and hurt at times. I also simply
write when I am happy too, but it took a few years to do that as I had a
lot of crap to get off my chest. I also like to write as honestly as I
can, sad and happy and tell it as it is and as it comes sometimes and
let the public edit. It doesn't always have to make sense. I remember
Donavan, the singer-songwriter, telling me that one night in a
conversation at a singer-songwriter event at Winkles Pub in Kinvara, <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ireland/county-galway">Co. Galway.</a> It's like painting. I remember doing a painting
called "Fishbowl" once. It was about living in the north of Ireland and
all I had witnessed. I painted it one night after a visit north and in a
rage when I was upset and returned west. I painted it by candle light in
a small caravan I was living in at the time. The beauty of painting
it, was that no one could argue with it, just look at it. As Patrick
Kavanagh, the Irish writer once said, "Write as if you're dead and turn your suffering into royalties," so that's what I am doing, not by choice. I just
can't help it and it has turned out that way. I just do it...no big deal, no
big expectation, but a bonus when it touches someone, or ends up in a
film or soundtrack, or when a painting ends up on someone's wall it is an
honour. To be honest, I enjoy creating songs and ideas and paintings. I
don't care much for the rest, the bullshit and bullshitters in the business. But I guess it takes all sorts...I love painting places I find, and
people I find interesting. I won't have enough time or life left to paint
and write and sing all that I see and have ideas for. Every day
something jumps out at me and I picture it and paint it when I can. My
son Dualta gives out to me for stopping at random times. I've nearly
caused car crashes when I see something and just stop to take a
picture. I love to sit among nature and paint, it's my favourite thing to
do in the whole wide world. It just fills me up and makes me happy to be
among nature and colour. Magic always happen if you sit still long
enough...</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<h2>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>7.
As a boy, was music or painting a part of your life, or did you just
“pick it up” one day?</b></span></span></span></h2>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TfpoGI2J79I0HtTk4pmAehP6Y105bNLADkSFVUZtqsqr-6zjyWklhtiPrXe1WiiX9W_FKn75AiimqcvWX96_0o1-2AqXYd4Q8ig5K5sJQ1kFojljfsmWFAAjFtFEy3Glf6KSn2Hvplw/s1600/JimMcKeeCherryBlossomPainting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TfpoGI2J79I0HtTk4pmAehP6Y105bNLADkSFVUZtqsqr-6zjyWklhtiPrXe1WiiX9W_FKn75AiimqcvWX96_0o1-2AqXYd4Q8ig5K5sJQ1kFojljfsmWFAAjFtFEy3Glf6KSn2Hvplw/s1600/JimMcKeeCherryBlossomPainting.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cherry Blossom by Jim McKee</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="yiv9622493294Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_2330" style="border-collapse: collapse;">As
a boy, music and art have always been a big part of my life. I used to
sing myself to sleep out loud and imagine I was on a big stage. I've
always been drawing and keeping sketch pads and I wrote my first song at 7
years old on 2 strings on my guitar. It was called "If You Know What's Good For You, You Better Leave Me Alone." Around this time, I also joined
my first boxing club...Ha how funny when I look back. Where I lived there
was a lot of bullying and trouble. The large housing estate was rough. Lots
of fights and fighting. That was a release I guess. 1977 was the year Elvis died, I remember I was 7...I played the tin whistle and flute then
also and I loved listening to music a lot. I also loved to scribble and
draw a lot. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="yiv9622493294Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_2330" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjduuhQGN7zToB-GOCKUXPzUu6P7Bxju8qFL7YpfCh3ZT7I4z0z-iHIrJQmDXfvBShH72r25r-VOp-BlukarweEtLJ50xj9U5b5x8kxxGPgeLje-Tu-L9gwCydETi7jdlMOzX6DR0dV4n8/s1600/JimMcKee10yearsold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjduuhQGN7zToB-GOCKUXPzUu6P7Bxju8qFL7YpfCh3ZT7I4z0z-iHIrJQmDXfvBShH72r25r-VOp-BlukarweEtLJ50xj9U5b5x8kxxGPgeLje-Tu-L9gwCydETi7jdlMOzX6DR0dV4n8/s1600/JimMcKee10yearsold.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">What a sweet-faced little boy!</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<h2>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>8.
You were a boxer, right? Tell me about that. How did that happen?</b></span></span></span></h2>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="yiv9622493294Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1399735787037_2330" style="border-collapse: collapse;">I joined my first boxing club around when I was 7. A neighbour brought me. I
went to toughen up as I was getting bullied and beat up a lot on the lane
ways. Coming from school and going to school there was a lot of tension
at the time where I lived and my dad used to send me back out to fight my
own battles. As well as a record player coming from Canada from my Aunty Anne, she also sent me a Muhammad Ali doll one Xmas. I remember being
very taken by the doll in white boxing shorts...I was terrible at the
boxing at the start. I used to cry in the bucket and turn my head when
sparring, but for some reason I kept at it and won titles. Locally for my
county, then province, and then I went on to win 2 All-Ireland titles and
lost 1 All-Ireland final. I won an Irish title in 1987 and 1989. The Cup I
won in '89, was the same cup that Steve Collins (World Professional Champion) won
in 1983. I represented Ireland 6 times and won a Silver medal at the Gaelic Youth Championships (a competition with boxers from Canada, Scotland
and Wales) and represented Ulster teams 4 or 5 times. To be honest, I was
a gentle soul - a creative artist and musician more so, but I stuck at
boxing for 13 years. I boxed from when I was 7 until I was 20 years old
consecutively. I had 112 fights and won 91 or 92. I met many great
people. Some of my boxing friends my same age - my Irish team friends - became professional world champion boxers: Wayne McCullough, Eamonn
Loughran, and Eamonn Magee. Boxing saved my life. It kept me out of trouble
and from joining the IRA at the time. To be honest it was a great
focus, it taught me a lot of discipline and how to be dedicated to what you're
doing. Boxing got me respect and notice and away from the crap I was living
in. One of my great trainers was a man called <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tv_and_radio/sports_personality_of_the_year/7747507.stm">Frank Gervin</a> from Clonoe a.b.c
...also Frank "Chubby" Quinn was my first trainer...and John "Tam" Heagney my
last ever trainer. I made a come back in the ring when I was 28. I had
4 come back fights. I lost 1. I got my jaw broke on both sides in the National Senior Boxing Semi-Finals 2nd round. I was winning the fight
on computer at the time. It sickened me that I never really went back to
the sport after that, but it was good to me. At a time it
gave me stability, I guess. I had many travels all over Ireland, England, Wales and one trip to the USA. I made some great friends for
life, but I always had my guitar and journal and art with me. I also
trained in many gyms around the world. After I quit at 20, I trained in South Africa when I was there and in Norway as well when I lived there for a
few years, in Southampton and in Birmingham gym, and in a small
health Bronx gym....it was a great lesson for life, boxing, and still stands
to me. To be honest, I hardly ever talked about it for the past 10 to 12 years. Not
many people know I boxed. It kinda leaked out in an article...during an art
show.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>9.
Was there any time in your life that you second-guessed yourself and
your talents, and wondered, “What the hell am I doing this for?”</b></span></span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Aah
yeah. There have been times I've doubted myself, but not for long. I have a
deep self-belief and determination. Things take time. I never listen to
experts that much. I listen to the inpert, it's like an inner voice gut
feeling...an angel whispering. I take what I need and what I feel is right
from the experts, little bits from everyone at the end of the day, we're
all guessing and trying. But in a way, I've always known what I was doing. Even when lost and homeless I had a sense of what I was doing. Following
music at the time and easing pain. I won't go into that chapter, but one
boxing slogan I kept for life is "Losers are quitters and winners don't
quit." I stick at things. I remember when I released my first solo album
and was doing a tour of Ireland. If your heart is good
and pure and honest and you don't push anything. I tend to wait to be asked
to go places and do things. I prefer it that way. I wouldn't invite myself
to a wedding...I like to be asked. I like to let things happen. At the
end of the day I am not trying to be anything. I am who I am, an artist. I
know who I am and what I am about... When that penny drops, you're sorted for
life and will be truly happy I feel. Follow your passions and
dreams. Someone once said to me, "God smiles when we pursue our talents. He
smiles on us." I like that. And fine magic always happens when I paint and
sing. Another thing, I was once told by a nun, "The man who invented
music invented it in a cave in order to be heard." She said, "The man had to
come out of the cave." I used to be very shy about performing in front
of people, but I've challenged myself all my life and over come that. I
remember once, driving around a city with fear when very young before
going busking, after driving 200 miles to get there in the first place. But I
got out of the car, busked, and made 68 <a href="http://www.oanda.com/currency/iso-currency-codes/IEP">Irish punts.</a> At the time, I ended
up staying in a great bed and breakfast in Galway City and eating well
and buying loads of music record tapes the next day and driving home so
happy. The sense of freedom, independence, and dignity was liberating. The
money you make busking, or on the street, the experience can't be
bought. The street is a great learning place, 10 percent music and 90
percent psychology. Also music should be fun. A famous fiddle player, Cathal Hayden, once
told to me, "Spell music." He spelled it...m.u.s.i.c.f.u.n.</span></span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/just-a-piece-of/id327836234"><i>The CD Just a Piece Of</i> via iTunes</a> </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>10.
Have you ever received bad advice as a musician? If so, what was the
experience?</b></span></span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I've never really received bad advice from musicians or as a musician. Well
in fact, I once was destroyed by an older musician in my hometown as a
boy for singing a song a bit faster and in a different version. In fact, the
version I sang of the song was sung by a very famous gypsy band. And funny
now, the man who destroyed me as a boy singing on guitar in a pub
session, recently was so nice and friendly to me, and was delighted I was
doing well. People change towards you as you succeed and climb the ladder
and play your hometown theatre I guess. Ha, I waited a long time for
that, but I'm good at waiting. Boxing and life and where I'm from has taught
me patience. It wasn't always easy being from the north of Ireland with my
accent living and working in England. I have always kept going, believing in myself and writing my songs and recording them with
little money at times, but getting there and getting it out there
breaking through. I'd never let anyone put me off anything. I met a lot of
jealousy in the music but musicians are jealous bitches. I feel the true
greats, like Willie Nelson, have nothing to prove. The real deal are in it
for the right reasons I guess. In fact, all my life I've been copied...but then again we all copy each other. But I find being copied a
compliment really...I just smile inwards. It gives me power
really. Recently, I got a few doors closed in my face with my art in Martha's Vineyard, but to be honest it made me more determined. But it was interesting to watch the rich...the experts! Heee. One
gallery took a piece I painted there and that's not forgotten. I hate
asking or pushing, it's not my style. But I was there trying to break into the USA art world as a lot has changed here in Ireland and things are
down. I've been around a few galleries and learned the hard way. In Ireland, I had a very large check bounced on me, which put my lights out. 8 years
work, but I bounced back and always will...it's good to be humbled. It
makes you better and more reliant and makes for great work...</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirj_rS7mhzxKB7F9epcQ7ehK2xImXU_ZE9qkkmrO4ZuZXdwoC1MXlr1P74cSAIwtyg3YUUb6srNHVPdxc-DQ5g60KoDfYh4k5Bc3hTVyuwtA_Sn2euxLPD9xu4W9_YqsaY5H-t3F01zEc/s1600/JimMcKeeandEmma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirj_rS7mhzxKB7F9epcQ7ehK2xImXU_ZE9qkkmrO4ZuZXdwoC1MXlr1P74cSAIwtyg3YUUb6srNHVPdxc-DQ5g60KoDfYh4k5Bc3hTVyuwtA_Sn2euxLPD9xu4W9_YqsaY5H-t3F01zEc/s1600/JimMcKeeandEmma.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jim and Emma</span></td></tr>
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<h2>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>11.
How important is encouragement, motivation, and positive energy to
you now, as an adult artist? Did you receive those praises and energy
as a boy?</b></span></span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;">I won't be around negative people or low vibrations for one second. The first rule of Buddha is beware of fools. To be honest, my dad and mum encouraged me as a kid, but to be an artist or musician wasn't heard of or considered a real job, [it was] something you did as a hobby. Artists and musicians are treated like shit 90% of the time and live in poverty. I have always listened to myself and had deep self belief, you need to. And never let anyone put you off or get in the way of an idea or dream. I always listen to that inner voice and the outcome is always good. It takes courage at times to be different. In a way, good artists have suffered for their art, suffering makes good real art I feel. It's like healing and a release, creating. Positivity is everything. Seeing the bigger picture and hanging on no matter how hard it gets, something always happens later down the line...it is really important to be true and honest. It all takes time and experience and learning by your own mistakes. It takes us all our life to become the person we are. I've had much good advice from people along the way and take something from everyone I meet. I observe people all the time. Should it be on a bus, a plane, a new city, a singer on a stage, a child playing on the grass, or an older person coming close to the time to leave earth. I listen and watch. Before my Aunt Anne died, I asked her for advice. Her dying words to me were, "...always do something for others and don't think of yourself too much. And do an honest day's work, it's good for the soul." So I never refuse charity work and helping others, or pass a homeless person. I have some great older relatives from my father's side that all left home in Ireland and made lives around the world in Australia, Canada, England, South Africa, who I really looked up to. They inspired me to travel and look at the world in many different ways. I love creating and don't care much on outcomes, but it's a bonus if I get paid or liked. I don't take it too seriously as there are a lot of people unhappy and only happy to pull you down, as they're not living their lives as they really wish they were. Follow your passion is the trick of life and happiness, true freedom and happiness. To hell with dead-end jobs and being unhappy. Life's too short to be unhappy and walking to work to pay the bills at some job you hate. Go do what you're meant to be doing: singing, writing, painting, building, running, laughing...whatever it is, acting. Be who you really are meant to be and listen to the "inpert" and not the experts. We're all experts...</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>12.
What influences your creative process?</b></span></span></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">My son Dualta and everyday living inspires me, and traveling to new places. Watching a lot of people. Going to new places and trying new things. I get inspiration everywhere. Everyday things jump out. I won't have enough life left to paint and write and record all the songs I want to. I've so many ideas. I just keep putting them out and recording. Sometimes when I'm very happy and very sad I get my inspiration...I always go to bed with pen and paper. I've written some of my best songs on napkins and one even on a sick bag on a plane and on the back of cigarette boxes. I've drawn things on paper to remember things and run home to paint. Ya never know when the dog will bite and the light is turned on and inspiration and ideas flow like a river. I think it's important to get up out of bed and grab the world with both hands and simply LIVE. If you're not making mistakes, you ain't living, you're existing... </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> </b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TYDsRH3ENY"><b>"Picasso's Still Swimming" </b></a></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>13.
How can people buy your music or your paintings?</b></span></span></span></h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;">You can buy my music on iTunes or at a gig or contact me on Facebook, Jim McKee. I'd be happy to reply. I can post [mail] my albums to you. I also have a new website coming shortly. My art can be seen and bought directly via Facebook or at my studio in the west of Ireland in a village called <a href="http://www.burrengeopark.ie/the-geopark/visit-the-geopark/towns-and-places/bellharbour/">Bellharbour, County Clare in the Burren.</a> Many collectors and buyers call, year in and year out and my work is on occasion in Kenny's Gallery in <a href="http://www.discoverireland.ie/places-to-go/Galway">Galway City.</a> I've stopped using galleries lately, as a lot have closed and some have ripped me off...or you can email me on jimmckee2012@gmail.com .</span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jim-McKee/336606045867?sk=app_96687436973">Jim's My Store on Facebook</a> </span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00C3GME7Q/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_zNpxrb0Q71332">Unplugged Matters via Amazon UK</a> </span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/jim-mckee/id327836497">Listen to 42 iTunes selections...HERE</a></b> </span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>14.
How can supporters contact you? Do you really reply to email?</b></span></span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;">Supporters can contact me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jim.m.kee?fref=ts">Facebook</a> or email jimmckee2012@gmail.com. I reply to everybody and if I don't, keep trying as I've overlooked you. Nothing personal. Sometimes I'm busy and people get overlooked down the line. Never on purpose. Everybody is important to me. No difference if someone likes my work. I am delighted and will always be overwhelmed but I'd never not reply to anyone. I am honored when people contact me.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>15.
We all have a bucket list. What’s on your list? Skydiving? Visiting
the pyramids of Egypt? Anything you’d like to share?</b></span></span></span></h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;">Well, I'd like a world tour, just me and my guitar for my 50th birthday. I am 44 now...Also, I'd love to drive across America...and bring my girlfriend <a href="http://www.emmaheatherington.com/index.htm">Emma Heatherington</a> to Nashville...and I'd love to get lost in India for 3 or 6 months...I love America, I'd like to go to all the art hot spots east and west. I'd like to visit Toronto, Canada and Australia, and visit a few cousins. Basically, I'd like to visit as many countries as I can with my music and art and even just go and take it all in. I visited Martha's Vineyard in Sept 2013. I'd love to return there again, it's a magical place...I have also a longing to go to Mexico. My dad never made it. And one other place on the list is Cuba with a hometown friend. We had a friend who died there so we said we would love to go to Cuba, find where he died, and crack open a beer from two <a href="http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Cookstown-Cookstown-P7135">Cookstown</a> lads from <a href="http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/destinationNI/coTyrone.aspx">County Tyrone in Northern Ireland</a> and drink it in his memory. Our friend was a very socialist and republican freedom thinking person. There are many more places but that's a few. I've been a lot of places, some I'd love to return, like Chicago. I love that city also and California...I've a fondness of America, North and South. I've had many good times there.</span></span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">[Speaking of California, here's a funny video of Jim and his talented fellow Irishmen <a href="http://www.kevinjryan.com/">Kevin Ryan</a> and <a href="http://www.aindrias.com/">Aindrias de Staic</a> driving on the California freeway. It's great craic, and I don't think you guys realize the combined talent riding around in the SAME CAR.] </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">So...I just HAVE TO share <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Mn2I08BFDk">Kings of Ireland!</a></span></span></span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>16.
How long does it take you to finish a painting, hours, days? Or a
song?</b></span></span></span></h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3b6h8kveHKH58AlDj1TpBoc-_5cwYaA8fwNU8dz6fB_eZnTvK8C3Vuxs8UGpCAsZTAODpLTmcooW_NBdYGWuCbv8MKC5Xgzs0L0DxB9Ld47wiFv1stzDtSx9__ry3Wsna8UHuP_uaVY0/s1600/Jim+McKee+ART+PIECE+FOR+BROCHURE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3b6h8kveHKH58AlDj1TpBoc-_5cwYaA8fwNU8dz6fB_eZnTvK8C3Vuxs8UGpCAsZTAODpLTmcooW_NBdYGWuCbv8MKC5Xgzs0L0DxB9Ld47wiFv1stzDtSx9__ry3Wsna8UHuP_uaVY0/s1600/Jim+McKee+ART+PIECE+FOR+BROCHURE.jpg" height="400" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Peter Horan 1926 - 2010</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A painting can take 6 minutes to 6 years or longer, same as a song. I sometimes come back to them. I wrote a song recently just before I was about to go to bed. Fell out of the sky. I didn't have to change a word. That can happen in like 20 minutes and they're normally better than the forced ones. It can happen with paintings also. Sometimes I have an idea brewing for weeks or days or hours or even in a minute and I just strike and do it. A good composition paints or writes itself. This can't be taught in university. I've no explanation for it. It's like nature. Returning seasons come every year, no explanation. Sometimes people ask how long did that painting take or song take to write, and I answer 44 years...that's how long really.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>17.
Which artists would you like to play and/or collaborate with that you
haven’t?</b></span></span></span></h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I would love to do a song with Ray Lamontagne or Willie Nelson or Glen Hansard or the band Alabama 3 or The White Buffalo, and maybe do art exhibition with Irish artist <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vOQmN8nJy0">J.B.Vallely</a> or Enos Ray from Virginia who lives on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Maybe they'd do something with me, ha.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jim and Emma</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>18.
What is it like knowing your music touches people, that it resonates
with them, all across the world?</b></span></span></span></h2>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It's the best feeling in the world when you touch someone with a song. To be honest, I never expect to, but when you do it's the ultimate compliment and a feeling money can't buy. I am only a channel...songs are bigger than me...and for sharing. It's a very humbling experience when a song touches someone. I can never believe it. For me, writing a song and singing is just like washing my hair or doing something I do everyday. Nothing special and something I just do. I don't do it for attention...<b> </b></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/jim-mckee">SoundCloud Tracks Here!</a> </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>19.
Is there anything you would change about your personal or creative
journey?</b></span></span></span></h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">No, I wouldn't change a thing. I look forward to leaving the earth. I am doing my best and have done my best always...and have given my best effort in all I do and have done...I've done well and lived well, all things considered...</span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEaFGqj6aOU">"Run Like Them All"</a> </span></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>20.
For those of us who have never been to Ireland, what is it like?</b></span></span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ireland is sincere, green, wet, musical, and full of Guinness and drinking. There are fun-filled parties and full of talented people that have magical old souls with depth and great spirit no matter what they've been through. I sometimes think Ireland is the capital of the world, God's capital. Ireland and its people and landscape have something I can honestly say I've never seen anywhere in the world. Something old and very real and beautiful is in its music, arts, and poetry. I love Ireland. Come see it yourself. I bet you will love it.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>21.
Last question: Is there anything you’d like to add? Any final
thoughts or comments?</b></span></span></span></h2>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'd like to dedicate this interview to my rock, my son DUALTA, and to his wee brother or sister on its way, and also to Emma and her kids: Jordyn, Jade, and Adam...Love Jim X</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jim and Dualta</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'd also like to say THANK YOU, Sherry, for taking the time to do this write up and interview and thank you for helping me and supporting me. It means a lot. And I'd like to thank anyone who reads this. I hope it inspires you either way and I wish you the greatest art and healer of all... LOVE. Besta luck, Jim. x</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">P.S. I'd love to hear from anyone. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr align="center"><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJFyuJsFsfisbYktYpVrUcGA0e3gRlSQP_v6VyjlEKWXmTXYhwnpFZIFnS0QakF9bKeRWrXsUsRKuTpCi9KCThQIp4Z-vueMJ9g9jM_u84_FxHleuvVwBXFwUi2bnJJqwzsTLsfAWnbs/s1600/JimMcKeeRaysOfLight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJFyuJsFsfisbYktYpVrUcGA0e3gRlSQP_v6VyjlEKWXmTXYhwnpFZIFnS0QakF9bKeRWrXsUsRKuTpCi9KCThQIp4Z-vueMJ9g9jM_u84_FxHleuvVwBXFwUi2bnJJqwzsTLsfAWnbs/s1600/JimMcKeeRaysOfLight.jpg" height="320" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Photo by Shannon Rynd-Ray </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It seems Jim has come a great distance from his youthful, turbulent past of <a href="http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/">Northern Ireland.</a> His music and art touches people all over the world, even down here in LoUiSiAna! Thank you, Jim. Keep painting, keep sharing, and keep jamming, brother! </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">One last video to share. Enjoy! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is a good wrap!! So fun, funky, silly, and such a happy, hopeful, joyous song.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-tcjigmx3Q">"Goodness Comes From the Heart"</a></span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If you enjoyed the video, here is the amazon link for the album</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CMO76VI/ref=dm_ws_sp_ps_dp">Goodness Comes From the Heart.</a> </i></span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> </i></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<h2>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">COMMENTS & SUPPORT</span></span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #f4cccc;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kerry Burak</span></span></span></b><br />
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<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; direction: ltr; widows: 2; orphans: 2;</style><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When asked if I wanted to contribute
to a blog about singer/ songwriter/ musician and artist, I didn’t
hesitate. To say that I’m completely blown away by the talent of
this man is an understatement.
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.14in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I first heard of Jim McKee while
surfing YouTube for videos of short films by Kevin Ryan when
I came upon a live sing along of "Kings
of Ireland."Thought to myself, “hmm interesting” not thinking much more about
it until someone shared Jim's "Goodness Comes From the Heart"
video. I think that did it! I
instantly loved the beat, the words, it was a fun song yet I could
tell it what a tribute.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not long after that,
I downloaded the album <i>Goodness Comes From
the Heart</i> from iTunes, and
I’ve listened to it just about every
single day. Upon a recommendation from Jim, I downloaded
his album <i>Just A Piece</i>
<i>Of</i> as well. There are
great songs on both; however,
I have my absolute favorites, like "Beautyiful Storm," "Soul Friend," "Picasso’s
Still Swimming" and "But The Truth(slow)."</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.14in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I listen to Jim’s
music, it makes me happy. My favorites are ones I go to many times
when I’m having a bad day or feeling
stressed, because they are calming, and beautiful songs. I feel very
fortunate to have come upon his music, and am so thankful for it.
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.14in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m blessed to have recently
purchased my very first piece of artwork, which happens to have been
painted by Jim himself. It is one in a
series of Cherry Blossoms where the
colors pop out on the canvas.
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.14in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I can’t say enough things about
Jim McKee’s music or his paintings. He is a blessing. So very
talented, and I know there are even greater things ahead for
Jim.
</span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Joe Gleeson</span></span></span></b><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="null">Jim's music can stand beside the best in the world, and
the way you know is, when you buy a cd of any of the top bands there are
always a few songs you will skip but Jim's one is better then the
next. Very few attest that can be said about. His live music rocks the
house every time, any time we can go to hear him we go, as well as all
that, Jim is such a sound guy always has time for people matter who they
are.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fiona Graham</span></span></span></b><br />
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<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Jim McKee's music reflects some of the best of Irish singer-songwriting talent. It is both eclectic and timeless and his songs are not just about love and loss but often about the interesting people he has met like 'Uncle Pete' and 'Homeless Piano Man.' His songs combine his skills of music and storytelling.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Jim McKee's gigs have a fantastic energy about them and draw a following from those hearing him for the first time. We chose a number of his songs for the film <i>Songs for Amy</i> as we were looking for songs that were authentically timeless, that could have been aired at the same time as Dylan or John Martyn and yet also contemporary, appealing to an audience who want more from their music than over-produced synthetic pop music. </span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ronnie Graham</span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="null">First and foremost I am honoured that we accept each
other as 'friends'. I do not use that accolade freely and I don't think
Jim does either. I do not put his music top of my list....I respect him
most of all for the type of caring father that he is. This is big on my
list of priorities. And his art? A 'natural' and he is one of the very
few individuals that I would repeatedly exhibit alongside. (We have
managed 5 Rough Diamonds' joint shows to date. ) And his music....Jim is
ridiculously full of talent and his songwriting is just one of his
talents. I particularly like 'Gone Fishing'....story of my life too.
Father, friend, painter, musician. That's my list in order.</span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Emma Heatherington </span></b></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Irish author, see her amazon page <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Emma-Heatherington/e/B0034Q3GXU">right here!</a></span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Jim McKee's music will take you on an eclectic
journey through his very colourful life – from poignant memories of
growing up in the troubled North of Ireland, to the rugged wild of
Ireland's west and to many cities and countries of the world to which he
has travelled. He sings of people, places, love and loss with a unique
approach and through observations which are naked, raw and as honest as
you will ever hear. He plays guitar with fascinating ease but his best
instrument is his voice with its haunting strain and a sense of
vulnerability that leaves you wanting more. </span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">AS a painter, he is a self-taught natural,
creating masterpieces in a mix of reality and impressionism which result
in creations that grace the walls of the homes of everyday people and
many famous faces. He creates art which is addictively collectable,
highly personable and which breathe life into the viewer at every
glance.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Jim graces every role in his life – in his
music, his art, as a friend and as a father - with loyalty, grit and
effort but most of all with love. He is a one off. He is a truly unique
and talented person and once he comes into your life, in whatever sense
of the word, you will never forget him. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;">Shannon Rynd-Ray</span></b> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="null">I was talking about Jim McKee the other day with some
people from the vineyard. I was saying how he was so open and kind to
every person. Judgment didn't seem to be part of his vocabulary. He is
just one of those people that brings fun and light to a gathering! An all-around really good person. We quite like him here on the vineyard.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="null">Heather C. Rynd, R.P.P.</span></span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="null"><span style="color: #f4cccc;"> <span style="color: black;">Check out Heather's Facebook Page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Heather-C-Rynd-RPP/29584487394?ref=br_rs">here!</a></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="null"><span style="color: #f4cccc;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="null"><span class="null">Jim McKee's music deeply touches soul and heart. Raw
and organic. A eclectic mix of his Irish music roots and his own unique
style of voice and sound. A pure gift to receive.</span></span><span class="null"> We were blessed to have Jim's art and music come to the Vineyard fall 2013. We are looking forward to his return.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962456749993690006noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213040769135375296.post-18217963127417324012014-05-20T15:00:00.001-07:002014-05-20T15:00:47.449-07:00Blog Hop...tag...I'm it!!<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; direction: ltr; widows: 2; orphans: 2; }A:link { color: rgb(0, 0, 255); }</style>
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<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My friend, and
author of the blog <a href="http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/">www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com</a>,
Sylvia Ney recently asked me to participate in a blog hop. I’m answering the
four questions below then tagging another blogger / writer friend to keep this going.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08qgYMHLL38K2hKshxh3-r9id7PF8q872HNvOluFIpDOJgVQwsIek1NJhvocPi0aj68ZCLFsMWHNaCRGzk6Ps3Hx-eUMijprnLnIt7AB6WOpDUVham93coyJ44Ira1pIoIN48WGXBJMc/s1600/writing2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08qgYMHLL38K2hKshxh3-r9id7PF8q872HNvOluFIpDOJgVQwsIek1NJhvocPi0aj68ZCLFsMWHNaCRGzk6Ps3Hx-eUMijprnLnIt7AB6WOpDUVham93coyJ44Ira1pIoIN48WGXBJMc/s1600/writing2.png" height="320" width="246" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Q. What are you
working on?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Oh good grief, I STAY busy. In addition to this blog piece, I’m editing ANOTHER blog
piece to be posted soon. Just finished a novel edit for another
writer. Started another screenplay. Submitted some poetry to
publications, am working on a grant PLUS putting the final touches on a feature / profile for an
international publication. So…I’m very busy. And, just today, I
submitted a piece on editing to another writer friend’s blog.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Q. How does your
work differ from others of its genre?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Since I’m all over
the map with my work, I have no genre or specific category of work. I write
and publish it all: blog posts, poetry, short stories, fiction, nonfiction, flash
fiction, brochures, pamphlets, press releases, and most recently put
together a portfolio for someone. However, if any of my writings ever touch someone, then I'm elated. Or, if I can help just one writer in the editing process to produce better work, then I'm just as happy. I am also confident in my individuality. That I don't fit in the cookie-cutter mold, that I'm different...just wish more people were secure in his/her oddness! </span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Q. Why do you write
what you do?</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I write what I do
because I HAVE to. Every since I was a teenager, I have had an overwhelming desire to put words on papers,
whether they turn out to be a story, a poem, an advertising brochure, or even
a full-length screenplay, it doesn't matter. My mind never seems to shut off. See next question!!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Q. How does your
writing process work?</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have no process.
Inspiration comes at random and odd moments. Some days I’m very
productive at writing pages upon pages of material. Other times, I
may wake up at 3:00 in the morning and write out a poem on a pad
which I keep next to my bed. I don’t have a set schedule to write.
I work full time and squeeze my writing in when I can. My writing is like Cinderella, the mistreated step-child. Sometimes it’s
very overwhelming but I do it because I have no choice.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90PH2vNCrHot2k2-2An3tXTPNMYdarLkBROhncHOcQjOoQabZrQvXZop9SoAlBH-fX03lU8HwbjO33kL-gPfMVntPeSBVt558lv16CD8sgPscEMsgNzECiCDWFkgF3KXzQ6oqOXutAA0/s1600/writing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90PH2vNCrHot2k2-2An3tXTPNMYdarLkBROhncHOcQjOoQabZrQvXZop9SoAlBH-fX03lU8HwbjO33kL-gPfMVntPeSBVt558lv16CD8sgPscEMsgNzECiCDWFkgF3KXzQ6oqOXutAA0/s1600/writing.jpg" height="424" width="640" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now, I'd like to pass these questions to award-winning mystery writer, and my friend Linda Todd, who blogs at "The Incurable Itch of LF Todd" here: <a href="http://lindaheberttodd.blogspot.com/">http://lindaheberttodd.blogspot.com/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Look for her answers soon!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962456749993690006noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213040769135375296.post-24811242270385494322014-03-15T07:35:00.001-07:002014-03-17T15:17:33.432-07:00The Eddie Stack Book Club<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsEjG06584LBxvCEDm7Q9QxVsfhzcpCMiocck-RcFKqSoF6WLRVTqzGqi4kV0E3VQOMUq4kpbvMMTec7kJmAFbala3TT8WcxIhtvBROj_HDwugmCJ_FV_htidTfQ7JkAHewLTWi4gjBU/s1600/Darkgreenclover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsEjG06584LBxvCEDm7Q9QxVsfhzcpCMiocck-RcFKqSoF6WLRVTqzGqi4kV0E3VQOMUq4kpbvMMTec7kJmAFbala3TT8WcxIhtvBROj_HDwugmCJ_FV_htidTfQ7JkAHewLTWi4gjBU/s1600/Darkgreenclover.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
Don't panic!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There's no Eddie Stack Book Club, I just made that up!<br />
<br /></div>
However, there are those of us who really enjoy his work. So, for this St. Patrick's Day, we would like to share with you a few things about his books, his characters, and his stories. Hope you enjoy, and maybe you'll become an Eddie Stack Book Club Member, too. Just to clarify...there IS NO book club, so don't be sending me any money to join!! Wait...on the other hand, just meet me around back. (*wink*)<br />
<br />
Some are answering questions about his books, some are commenting on the free stories via his website at <a href="http://www.eddiestack.com/">www.eddiestack.com</a> and other comments, well... you'll have to see for yourself! It's all about appreciation and support on this St. Paddy's Day 2014. Put on the kettle 'cause you never know who will stop by!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGDkdetGmZ7E4tmrfUsn2C161IOhW8Tq-QJfLYEOqG0pPY1T7oCBCeZMpYftuXjcTWaRpBlkyLSUD_2mqN-EgQEYw4BNBf5MbA8kbXIo0Oyx6_tSeBy070EH99NS7rWwOct7bs9gAE0o/s1600/Big+yellow+rose+Wallpaper__yvt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGDkdetGmZ7E4tmrfUsn2C161IOhW8Tq-QJfLYEOqG0pPY1T7oCBCeZMpYftuXjcTWaRpBlkyLSUD_2mqN-EgQEYw4BNBf5MbA8kbXIo0Oyx6_tSeBy070EH99NS7rWwOct7bs9gAE0o/s1600/Big+yellow+rose+Wallpaper__yvt2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></b></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">BOOKS Q&A</span> </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. Where is your favorite location Eddie Stack writes about?</b></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Terri Taylor Tattan</b> </div>
<span style="font-size: small;">Remote, sparsely populated areas, like in "For the Record." (<i>The West</i>)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sherry Perkins</b> </div>
Rossmount House in "Simple Twist of Fate" (<i>The Irish</i>) and Pat Patrick's cottage in "Flowers of the Sky." (<i>The West</i>)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTOTivtaoihxp2clFFxCCPkCKwqnIlFkGxJ5J8PU5U0uk8XLMqr-XbtSvzwjRAONQ_FMnMY-Z2kHsN4bopSFG_2KGxP5un8hdniT5By0ti4KyFjxmz8YRqvVJR1HyHjXFZcVdC-cT-w0/s1600/stacks_image_47_1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTOTivtaoihxp2clFFxCCPkCKwqnIlFkGxJ5J8PU5U0uk8XLMqr-XbtSvzwjRAONQ_FMnMY-Z2kHsN4bopSFG_2KGxP5un8hdniT5By0ti4KyFjxmz8YRqvVJR1HyHjXFZcVdC-cT-w0/s1600/stacks_image_47_1.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. Who is your favorite female character?</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Terri</b> </div>
Constable Stella Blute in "Carnival Cop." (<i>Borderlines</i>)</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sherry</b> </div>
Mabel Downwave in "Revolution" (<i>The West</i>) because she is loyal, quiet, and somewhat withdrawn and defeated in the beginning of the story. In the end, she finds herself and her strength and I love that about her. Ooh, and because I'm a hopeless romantic, I must include Ellie Lazurino from "Ellie" (<i>Out of the</i> <i>Blue</i>).</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsczKn7EodfniMKIMOrUO574lZNzv5ZD8k1WvMGxW-IkK4aXNmJJwPXZZM8Xc0eLpYwSimwzTd9BTWaT25xOploON5KB8P6KsqfOCXOiSNKYTuWyyMA5xZ50j2Vo49AF3XnPxFlC7e31A/s1600/hillsborough_lake_5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsczKn7EodfniMKIMOrUO574lZNzv5ZD8k1WvMGxW-IkK4aXNmJJwPXZZM8Xc0eLpYwSimwzTd9BTWaT25xOploON5KB8P6KsqfOCXOiSNKYTuWyyMA5xZ50j2Vo49AF3XnPxFlC7e31A/s1600/hillsborough_lake_5.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can this be the lake where John and Marty fish in "Blue Money" (<i>Quare Hawks</i>)?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. Who is your favorite male character?</b></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Terri</b> </div>
Guy from "Bonzo." (<i>Borderlines</i>)</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sherry</b> </div>
Paddy Petty in "When Everyone in Ballyjames Had Helicopters" (<i>Quare</i> <i>Hawks</i>), because he's hilarious, silly, stubborn, nervous, mean sometimes, and so animated. And Bonzo in "Bonzo" (<i>Borderlines</i>) is so James Dean cool and smooth. He's one of those guys you just want to hang out with.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79ntyMJ0jFimIsWdUDcNVm9f0_ArECgDhM4fjpcjhsnGPF5nq0Y6cdzSTxkX3yoifLsB3HsitwzdHAsTz3otpTqznBSYjl9CD8uBBq-c36nDy-IzWx5GeEuiQJDH0ly4O4IoeIgcNdV4/s1600/Borderlines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79ntyMJ0jFimIsWdUDcNVm9f0_ArECgDhM4fjpcjhsnGPF5nq0Y6cdzSTxkX3yoifLsB3HsitwzdHAsTz3otpTqznBSYjl9CD8uBBq-c36nDy-IzWx5GeEuiQJDH0ly4O4IoeIgcNdV4/s1600/Borderlines.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. Which character would you run from, if you saw heading your way?</b></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Terri</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Gerard Downwave and his talk of revolution! "Revolution" (<i>The West</i>)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sherry</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'd run from Faruda in "The Poet, The Psychic and The Knave" (<i>The Irish</i>). She's clingy, neurotic, and just crazy!<b> </b></div>
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<b> </b> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIc6FwbArgn3g0cDWvdB6A_mkReW66j5TwFkz_G2iMaGF1QwAJLtwk0vXmJDeIPEeqUtm88pAaTHsb9HlK1d_Y1NtGNxTsWQDLbTjRMFqtqG_APbx-G0BQhi-YCU4Xr_Kq_jfh3cyXHA/s1600/irish_donkey_in_field_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIc6FwbArgn3g0cDWvdB6A_mkReW66j5TwFkz_G2iMaGF1QwAJLtwk0vXmJDeIPEeqUtm88pAaTHsb9HlK1d_Y1NtGNxTsWQDLbTjRMFqtqG_APbx-G0BQhi-YCU4Xr_Kq_jfh3cyXHA/s1600/irish_donkey_in_field_2.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look! It's the donkey from "Jackass Blues" in <i>Out of the Blue</i>.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>5. Which character would you LOVE to kill? (It's not a homicide if they can't find the body!)</b></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Terri</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Finbar Lyons - because he's a pig! (I don't really want to kill him, though.) "Bonzo" (<i>Borderlines</i>)<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b></b><br />
<b></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sherry</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Toss up between Gerard Downwave in "Revolution" (<i>The West</i>), because he just sucks the life right out of his wife, and he did it on purpose; and Mona in "Morning Tea" (<i>Quare Hawks</i>), because she's stubborn, cold, resents herself, is very unhappy and takes it out on Jack.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>6. Which character do you wish you were more like?</b></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Terri</b> </div>
Sam's mother from "Simple Twist of Fate" (<i>The Irish</i>). Although she has characteristics I would not want to take on, I do admire her strength and determination.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sherry</b> </div>
<span style="font-size: small;">I wish I were more like Sam in "Simple Twist of Fate" (<i>The Irish</i>), because he has the wonder, curiosity, softness, simplicity, and joy of a child. [And no...Terri and I DID NOT share and compare answers! Ha!]</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlJLt5_PheS6npjqRoO-l9kBat0pIWD75micG6fxAEir2HxG9KQhDwOy71qGht5mgi553cxR9O43nXmuxZIEbIyNNsd4UR4hFnm8qobhqJq3G1DPe3eMtpsiuzTlgJLS3WjelB9I0uz8/s1600/old_cottage_interior_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlJLt5_PheS6npjqRoO-l9kBat0pIWD75micG6fxAEir2HxG9KQhDwOy71qGht5mgi553cxR9O43nXmuxZIEbIyNNsd4UR4hFnm8qobhqJq3G1DPe3eMtpsiuzTlgJLS3WjelB9I0uz8/s1600/old_cottage_interior_1.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what I imagine Pat Patrick's cottage to resemble, but a bit larger to hold everyone!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>7. Which character would you marry?</b></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Terri</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
None.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sherry</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'd marry Bonzo. He's just that super cool. But since he smokes dope, I'm going with Paddy Petty because I'd always be laughing (...or fighting - and as a Southern Gal, I don't back down!)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqVWvld_dLa3wfNYqeZpzZrDFtAbz9WaxqClg8zzw7RmHdvv-Qnl9bP7wryJBGYDJ7-PSckvCP5Oiei3yBqMQgfw4-FFjnQGKCyTsNCi9VM5j79j83Yg-jsMpYz-VRFiUlKTyM6coy7Q/s1600/The-Village-of-Ballyvaughan-County-Clare-Ireland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqVWvld_dLa3wfNYqeZpzZrDFtAbz9WaxqClg8zzw7RmHdvv-Qnl9bP7wryJBGYDJ7-PSckvCP5Oiei3yBqMQgfw4-FFjnQGKCyTsNCi9VM5j79j83Yg-jsMpYz-VRFiUlKTyM6coy7Q/s1600/The-Village-of-Ballyvaughan-County-Clare-Ireland.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The colorful vibe of this picture is synonymous with the crazy vividness of Eddie Stack's stories.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>8. Which character would you want to befriend?</b></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Terri</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sunny from "One for the Rover." (<i>Borderlines</i>)<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sherry</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Bonzo (<i>Borderlines</i>), the Moore Family in "For the Record" (<i>The West</i>), Sam in "Simple Twist of Fate" (<i>The Irish</i>), Tommy in "The Book" (<i>The Irish</i>), and Todd in "Carnival Cop" (<i>Borderlines</i>).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavnOYBHlR0sqKQ-ncGJebGwiurCXezm-asBDeKhKupaMfkVG868Vr3mTcBuEFeV5wwdA81VUQfEJ5OWMjmOszJBwrLMZJTZJWrHQ87YIk4i-OeG3IP6AG-11z5VIUoj4xtTAaCJQhpt0/s1600/Map+of+Ireland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavnOYBHlR0sqKQ-ncGJebGwiurCXezm-asBDeKhKupaMfkVG868Vr3mTcBuEFeV5wwdA81VUQfEJ5OWMjmOszJBwrLMZJTZJWrHQ87YIk4i-OeG3IP6AG-11z5VIUoj4xtTAaCJQhpt0/s1600/Map+of+Ireland.jpg" height="320" width="228" /></a></b></div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>9. If you had to sum up Eddie Stack's writing in one or two words, what would you say?</b></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Terri</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Incredibly entertaining!<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sherry</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Powerful, poignant.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcBYkQlQAeYkfOIVMh7LQhr9gJY1E0ElLb4VRpzsi-daZiLOtxF9mxaxv7TRf8KSefNDInvGBP-lKrU0s4gzSKf1_x4mPVf4djvRKK0M5tjmKqMr9-YNAWVqQQU33J76l52-3fF2cVMo/s1600/irish+proverb+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcBYkQlQAeYkfOIVMh7LQhr9gJY1E0ElLb4VRpzsi-daZiLOtxF9mxaxv7TRf8KSefNDInvGBP-lKrU0s4gzSKf1_x4mPVf4djvRKK0M5tjmKqMr9-YNAWVqQQU33J76l52-3fF2cVMo/s1600/irish+proverb+copy.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>10. If you could transport yourself into only one story, which story would it be?</b></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Terri</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Back in the Days of Corncrakes" (<i>Out of the Blue</i>)<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sherry</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"The Book" (<i>The Irish</i>)<b> </b></div>
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSA0GeSNNsG4dN5Dq4-YA076FIc3zIgM0QPyqxH0e9ms8GODJHkBH5r5xHEh1Zb3k97YdDnrT3OO6TP2IMOXgmTXJ7EClqVfH4z5T5R3nOEhSXfQDy5QdrLLlHUSN734tKEgbsX2Jy3WU/s1600/Donegal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSA0GeSNNsG4dN5Dq4-YA076FIc3zIgM0QPyqxH0e9ms8GODJHkBH5r5xHEh1Zb3k97YdDnrT3OO6TP2IMOXgmTXJ7EClqVfH4z5T5R3nOEhSXfQDy5QdrLLlHUSN734tKEgbsX2Jy3WU/s1600/Donegal.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can imagine this scene as Tommy watches and writes in "The Book" from <i>The Irish. </i><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>11. Which ending was the coolest and most surprising?</b></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Terri</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Bonzo" (<i>Borderlines</i>)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sherry</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Bonzo" (<i>Borderlines</i>)<b> </b>& "Ellie" (<i>Out of the Blue</i>)<b> </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaxBkda-7QVmfLioVG2GONxuI4SUEAjVkLWMoeloSQiuSSXe57Z19weAwBAXBVq8mNQnQJBsJyAfQ9w14r94IO15o960DMblkSVE1oc37RxBDWf94eYUR-cchkppmEjK_OgG_yU6y5C8/s1600/Bonzo.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaxBkda-7QVmfLioVG2GONxuI4SUEAjVkLWMoeloSQiuSSXe57Z19weAwBAXBVq8mNQnQJBsJyAfQ9w14r94IO15o960DMblkSVE1oc37RxBDWf94eYUR-cchkppmEjK_OgG_yU6y5C8/s1600/Bonzo.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey look, it's Bonzo! He's just hangin' out. If he had a website, am sure it would be www.GoWithIt.com</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b></b></div>
</div>
<b> </b> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>12. What are some of your favorite Irish words / phrases?</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Terri</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Great steam," "you're a legend," "cracked as a brush," "mighty," "you know, yourself," "come here ta me"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sherry</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Jaysus," "stone cracked," "lambaste," "nicked," "different kettle of fish," "on the steers again," "put the chat on him," "gone from the wire," "Irish nirvana," "on the pull," "batshit crazy," "bigamy sirens," "cratur" <br />
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfGc8qUObj6os9kkZo16P1WWXGBqaMuH01SHXYTFHm8E_PYn7web9r-eMjgrsUyDMq1t0L1MIdYxwoc3m1ZgBZh7iJquycxrwwpnuUwbQVCwNlBjxDSvUbLO6Mad-ScWJpsMkKYwd1no/s1600/mourne_wall_snow_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfGc8qUObj6os9kkZo16P1WWXGBqaMuH01SHXYTFHm8E_PYn7web9r-eMjgrsUyDMq1t0L1MIdYxwoc3m1ZgBZh7iJquycxrwwpnuUwbQVCwNlBjxDSvUbLO6Mad-ScWJpsMkKYwd1no/s1600/mourne_wall_snow_4.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe from Megga Moore's home, she saw this from atop her bicycle on her travels into town.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>13. Has any story made you cry?</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Terri</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"The Warrior Carty" (<i>The West</i>) gets me everytime.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sherry</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Time Passes" and "The Warrior Carty" (both from <i>The West</i>), "Morning Tea" (<i>Quare Hawks</i>), "Simple Twist of Fate" (<i>The Irish</i>), and "Ellie" (<i>Out of the Blue</i>).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4YN8Vi0S85FNDmOsi8c4SjMjnUZDgKtxVde1jizTtGJo1XW4ABcd0ilVIIQ5yOMmpXAkpVnfJZ2touretyqggTCwfsNymQAgK576DBw3G3e2mPGoEAf7ak3qDgMmdLDgXbRmNeYzIso/s1600/Doolin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4YN8Vi0S85FNDmOsi8c4SjMjnUZDgKtxVde1jizTtGJo1XW4ABcd0ilVIIQ5yOMmpXAkpVnfJZ2touretyqggTCwfsNymQAgK576DBw3G3e2mPGoEAf7ak3qDgMmdLDgXbRmNeYzIso/s1600/Doolin.jpg" height="211" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>14. What character did you secretly hate?</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Terri</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Mariah "One for the Rover" (<i>Borderlines</i>)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sherry</b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Peter Berry and Coyne in "Waiting For a Fare" because they stereotyped and judged Manji because he was different, AND Senator Patrick Kelly in "Ellie" because he's just an arse!!<b> </b>(both from <i>Out of the Blue)</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcRw5hFiX3SGfTIYC0gF8wKzLRNnayGwdas4_d1UTqKyWHEFZlpeSIFPzDOjUvB-0qz452OCjBAvtW7C48SbAkS_uTQMu6IeA2fj754hAIDvdiDNjc_qTrM33lllNii3vQpanBV-ZAqM/s1600/celtic_cross_memorial_monument_222759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcRw5hFiX3SGfTIYC0gF8wKzLRNnayGwdas4_d1UTqKyWHEFZlpeSIFPzDOjUvB-0qz452OCjBAvtW7C48SbAkS_uTQMu6IeA2fj754hAIDvdiDNjc_qTrM33lllNii3vQpanBV-ZAqM/s1600/celtic_cross_memorial_monument_222759.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>15. Any words for Eddie Stack? </b></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Terri</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Thank you for sharing your gifts with the world! You're a legend!!<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sherry</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm so happy to have discovered your stories! Thank you for your words!<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5idwRdVE4_dgvBhVDLwPb8DXok3pWtqVZVETa-QXlrEHj7OiwnvSgB_sKiDhAh9BJI9IA5AdwiCg_MzmOklTzIfcpGJPr6MKEwcLzNpQXIr_S_fvGHoy3f2HZCXQti0mzLyJLdBsxRg/s1600/Irish+eye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5idwRdVE4_dgvBhVDLwPb8DXok3pWtqVZVETa-QXlrEHj7OiwnvSgB_sKiDhAh9BJI9IA5AdwiCg_MzmOklTzIfcpGJPr6MKEwcLzNpQXIr_S_fvGHoy3f2HZCXQti0mzLyJLdBsxRg/s1600/Irish+eye.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>~~~Other Comments~~~</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Debby J. Bruce </b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
T<span class="null">ell Mr. Eddie I said, "Hello!"</span></div>
<br />
<b>Kerry Burak</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span data-measureme="1"><span class="null">Eddie, Happy St Patricks Day
to you. I'm so excited to say your writing is highly recommended. My
first read is "Heads." I bought it the other day and began reading. It's
exciting, charming, and a bit humorous. I've already formed pictures of
what the characters look like - that I believe takes genuine talent. I
want to know exactly what Jazz did to tick the priest off - it's going to
be a fun ride discovering that. I'm looking forward to reading your
other works as well, especially <i>Borderlines</i>. I promise to leave reviews
for all. Wishing you all the best. Much love and respect, Kerry.</span></span> </div>
<br />
<b>Janet Burke </b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="null">Eddie Stack is a modern Irish storyteller, brilliant
at creating colorful, unusual characters that are both endearing and
exasperating, with engaging plots that make his books hard to put down.
His stories are character driven and filled with quirky people who are
often self-destructive and, if not already steeped in the darker side of
life, they are teetering on the brink. Rarely is a character all good
or all bad – with the exception I think, of Basil in “A Simple Twist of
Fate” who was a crass opportunist epitomizing the Celtic Tiger era.
There was nothing good about him! Through Eddie's work I feel like I'm
getting a glimpse of an element of modern Ireland not often seen by
outsiders. And although the stories are contemporary, there is a thread
of the druid throughout, as if magic is at work moving the plot along
and leading the characters to their fate – a fate that is always very
satisfying. The lives depicted in Eddie Stack’s stories are often gloomy
but his underlying optimism shines through and keeps bringing me back
for more!</span></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Emma Heatherington</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Irish Author</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crazy-For-You-HarperImpulse-Contemporary-ebook/dp/B00HY5ZCS4/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t">www.amazon.com/Crazy-For-You-HarperImpulse-Contemporary-ebook/dp/B00HY5ZCS4/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t</a></b></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="null">Eddie Stack's stories are like a warm hug
that take you back in time. I can't help but smile at their familiarity
and the satisfaction that comes with each conclusion. A true delight.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Michelle Henman</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The best authors are able to draw you into a story; Eddie Stack does
that and more. The stories build around you, the characters are real
and relatable, and you ALWAYS walk away wanting a little bit more. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Pat Carroll Marcantel</b><span style="color: #949494; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I thoroughly enjoyed Eddie Stack's story "Bonzo," even though my delicate 81-year-old eyes had to flutter across all the F-bombs, etc. The characterizations are wonderful and the story line kept me glued to it all the way through. Way to go Bonzo AND Eddie Stack!</span></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Jim McKee</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Irish Artist & Musician </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/jim.m.kee?fref=ts">www.facebook.com/jim.m.kee?fref=ts</a></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="null">Eddie Stack writes from a place that has been
lived and seen, an Ireland that is leaving us. His stories carry so much
humour, charm, honesty, truth, sorrow, punch, and real Irish dialect. Pagan and Celtic, pre-Christian and the secret truth that was kept hush in Ireland
makes for not just good reading but interesting and educational as well. He captures an era soon gone. After reading his short stories I
want to read his books. They're preserved photoshots of something
priceless and magical...now I know where the deep well is, where his son Aindrias de Staic drinks from, he doesn't lick it off the ground...pure
magic. At the turn of a sentence Eddie can stop you in your tracks or make you
laugh. He doesn't waste a word...long live Eddie Stack. These words n
stories are old souls alive. Jim McKee</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Karla Mohtashemi-Reese</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/coachkarlareese">www.facebook.com/coachkarlareese</a></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="null">"Granda and Me":
I was drawn to this story because of my own personal relationship with
my Grandpa. My own Grandfather was such a colorful character, and told
me stories of his experiences as a youth that flew me away to days gone
by. I was delighted by this author's writing style and how he easily
introduced me to the characters of his own youth. The information about
St. Patrick's day customs in Ireland was retold in such a brilliant
manner! I actually felt I was there as the story unfolded. The ending
made me smile. What a wonderful writing style this author has! I cannot
wait to read more! Recommend him HIGHLY!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Jayne Henry Owens</b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.ataglancemag.com/">www.ataglancemag.com</a> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="null">Recently I had opportunity to read each of the free
stories available on Eddie’s webpage. I thoroughly enjoyed them and was
very happy to be introduced to this lovely writer. Eddie’s ease of
approach to his stories instantly draws the reader into a comfortable
cadence, even in an uncomfortable story line. His narrative voice is
earthy and natural as he shares his first hand view of everyday Irish
life. The pictures drawn are filled with relatable characters that seem
very at home in their surroundings. I was easily swept away, falling
quickly into the world he created, even though I have no knowledge of
Irish life. Significant things, Irish-centric, were shared in a
relevant way so as to imply that it was integral to the story, even as
it was commonplace. This style allowed me to feel fluent in what was
being shared. There I found humor, truth, conviction, liberation and so
much more. A quaint look at life through Irish eyes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sean Sheerins</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
(Sean's answer to question #1 is): Doolin!<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Patrick Talty</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Eddie is an authentic Irish voice in fact and fiction. I marvel at his power of recall when writing about conditions in Ireland from his youth in stories like, "Time Passes." I also enjoy his blogs with a mix of fiction and documentary. Beir beo, Eddie.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Elizabeth Teese</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2x.1:3:1:$comment473462739442212_473853752736444:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".2x.1:3:1:$comment473462739442212_473853752736444:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".2x.1:3:1:$comment473462739442212_473853752736444:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$4:0">...I found the story ["Bonzo"] funny and captivating from the get go. The
characters were easy to envision and absolutely delightful. They were
fleshed out so well I found myself longing to meet them. I can't wait
for another chance to get lost in one of his stories.</span></span></span> </span></div>
<b> </b></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCVbgqPuCNoutsVPY-6JX3ESA60M8Zm6qxxPJ31p3Ohe_wdwbJwLRWjH3j-lx5q_oNU5AM8l-llGuLF18xCjguP8hoxr0n4pVTK5idpLD3zp53O_1FBp9XAP3L2u-1fY4TbQ9yA7uFBo/s1600/Free-dew-on-green-rose-pictures-wallpaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCVbgqPuCNoutsVPY-6JX3ESA60M8Zm6qxxPJ31p3Ohe_wdwbJwLRWjH3j-lx5q_oNU5AM8l-llGuLF18xCjguP8hoxr0n4pVTK5idpLD3zp53O_1FBp9XAP3L2u-1fY4TbQ9yA7uFBo/s1600/Free-dew-on-green-rose-pictures-wallpaper.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>~~~Special Guests ~~~</b></span><br />
<b> (Look who stopped by!!)</b><br />
<br />
<b>Bonzo</b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
We're on the bus, man!<br />
[By the way, Bonzo tweets and you can follow him on Twitter @BonzoInfo] <br />
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Aindrias</b><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="http://www.aindrias.com/">www.aindrias.com</a> </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="null">Eddie's writing is both insightful and inspirational.
Its gives us a chance to see with rare humour the Ireland that lives
within us all.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962456749993690006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213040769135375296.post-12125267287338835372014-01-29T13:24:00.001-08:002014-01-29T13:42:59.792-08:00A Fan For Life<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; direction: ltr; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); widows: 2; orphans: 2; }P.western { font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; }P.cjk { font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; }P.ctl { font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; }A:link { color: rgb(0, 0, 255); }</style>
<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When
someone enriches your mind, it’s very overwhelming and amazing and
can’t be put into words. However, this is my feeble attempt to do
just that – pay homage to a fabulous and wonderful writer. I hope
to do him justice, without causing embarrassment.</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUwibIzyM7ij-8O0a8GruJ2TGEHZ9E4l7-RKV0Hza7gJaFgUbb_B1IVr-grnkd-t8QR38AJnoGdMhk32G4EZra26kzJ2RAZye0XMx65843OegVT4LFOBMPNR1GGjAUDGmSwvDt2AD26Q/s1600/stacks_image_81_1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUwibIzyM7ij-8O0a8GruJ2TGEHZ9E4l7-RKV0Hza7gJaFgUbb_B1IVr-grnkd-t8QR38AJnoGdMhk32G4EZra26kzJ2RAZye0XMx65843OegVT4LFOBMPNR1GGjAUDGmSwvDt2AD26Q/s1600/stacks_image_81_1.png" /></a> We
all have our favorite writers. When I was a kid, Laura Ingalls Wilder
dragged me along the prairie. I gathered eggs and firewood with her,
froze with her in the meager cabins that sheltered them from bitter
and harsh winters, and cried when her sister Mary went blind. As an
adult, Rick Bragg makes me laugh at the impoverished rural people of
the South and the situations which befall them (simply because I can
relate), and I even cry at their heartache, grit, and loneliness.
Now, I found another author who affects me just as much but in
different ways.
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Eddie
Stack takes me on magnificent journeys to far away places, journeys
which always include cast after cast of humorous, flawed, and
down-right crazy characters full of the quirks we all possess (some
to a larger degree than others). <i>Borderlines</i> is the title of
his latest work. In addition to Laura Ingalls Wilder and Rick Bragg,
Eddie Stack is now in my category of favorite writers.</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYwgwkwsWPGiSm_5EJIz53F6i0Edtn-bYK-2Oh-tkOJlUhJa3Fvc7R-fSFpw0OA89aU-Dp9mm32f-dTEUX-bL03d8QRPsJnWx9k07kBv5yyrtiMW8kS9l6Ip3VesxbxnruJOxRjd6K3M/s1600/19489384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYwgwkwsWPGiSm_5EJIz53F6i0Edtn-bYK-2Oh-tkOJlUhJa3Fvc7R-fSFpw0OA89aU-Dp9mm32f-dTEUX-bL03d8QRPsJnWx9k07kBv5yyrtiMW8kS9l6Ip3VesxbxnruJOxRjd6K3M/s1600/19489384.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Places
I’ve visited include: a classroom inside a monastery, a
psychiatrist’s office, Irish pubs and streets, a train station, a
living room of a downtrodden wife, a bedroom of a confused wife, a
wild and wet carnival, an Irish cottage, a riverbank where boys fish,
a dole office, and so many more places; places which may remain
physically foreign to me, but not foreign in my mind. Not anymore.
Not only do I get to go to wonderful and exotic new places via this
writer, my emotions tag along on a roller-coaster of experiences. I
love the characters, hate the characters, both empathize AND
sympathize with them. I laugh with them, cry with them, get mad with
them, cuss with them, and find myself saying aloud, “Oh no you
didn’t,” when a character surprises me!
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
All
writers have his or her voice, that “something special,” that
specific and personal creativity, that “way with words” which no
one else can claim. Stephen King. James Lee Burke. Nicholas Sparks. I
could list many more. If you’re a reader, then you have your
favorite authors. As a fan of each of these writers, I love their
individual styles. Yet, I don’t wish to write like they do. I
treasure my own voice, my own writing style. Whatever it is, it’s
mine and belongs to no one else. In the thousands, and I do mean
thousands, of books I’ve read in my life, only three writers have
ever made me think, “Man, I wish I could write like that.” One I
won’t reveal (it’s my secret), the others are Sam Shepard (yes, THAT Sam Shepard - the one from <i>The Right Stuff</i>) and
Eddie Stack.</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSLR7HoZh4yCgMw9CRNHQdfwcsFqdcmTosDnHv_wb41xb2Neu3ZJb-xWu2sHh_jl1ADh4HlpiJWii4DcIVWNMucolRGXhgFdnyreveOXnY4OPeY46Uz5psHSl8D4bgxXzgAJmQ6aZl0M/s1600/stacks_image_47_1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSLR7HoZh4yCgMw9CRNHQdfwcsFqdcmTosDnHv_wb41xb2Neu3ZJb-xWu2sHh_jl1ADh4HlpiJWii4DcIVWNMucolRGXhgFdnyreveOXnY4OPeY46Uz5psHSl8D4bgxXzgAJmQ6aZl0M/s1600/stacks_image_47_1.png" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The
rhythm of sentences flows like subtle poetry, the kind of poetry you
don’t even realize IS poetry until someone tells you. The diversity
of sentence lengths keeps your attention. Some are long. Some are
short. The vivid, spot-on descriptions – never too much, never too
little - are always perfect. Action comes from all over in his
stories. Funny action. Silly action. Romantic action. Mean action.
It’s all there. The masterful use of alliteration, similes, and
metaphors are as soothing as a hot bath. The foreign word choices
from a different culture pulls me in like a magnet drawn to metal. I
cannot get enough of the humor, the dark situations, the crazy chaos,
the surprises, the realness, the fresh takes on ordinary
circumstances, the twists, or especially the Irish jargon. Yes,
sometimes it confuses me, but I figure it out. It’s so awesome!
(Wait...I’m wondering if I should use words like mighty or
brilliant here, instead of awesome?)
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sometimes
I read so fast (and don’t absorb the material, the situation, the
conversation, the “whatever the hell is going on”), just to get
to the end of the page and turn and see what happens next that I’m
lost because I don’t understand what I just read. Who said what?
What did they do? Wait? What’s happening? My eyes simply skim to
get to the end. It’s ridiculous! The writing is so good and smooth,
that my eyes and brain unconsciously trick me. But I don’t mind
having to go back and reread. By this time, I’m a kid in a candy
store trying to decide if I want a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup or a
Three Musketeers (and both are my favorite!). In other words, it’s
ALL good.
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The
way Eddie Stack writes about the Irish, in no way demeans or
belittles. A quiet pride smiles between the words and peeks out in
his prose. The way Laura Ingalls Wilder shares being poor, and the
way Rick Bragg discusses southern living, neither writer ever offends
because you can relate if you’ve ever been in similar
circumstances. Eddie Stack does the same thing. Although I can’t
relate to Irish living, I get the same easy and comfortable feelings
from his work. To remember people, to talk about them, to write about
them is the best homage one can pay, and as bizarre as the stories
are, I’m sure his fiction is rooted in at least a little bit of
reality, which is why the stories are so golden.
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So,
if you are inclined to be carried away to funny lives, fanatical
pubs, desperate people doing desperate things, sadness, elation, wild
and real characters, or even if you wish for a new and colorful
vocabulary, I encourage you – no I beg you – to read Eddie
Stack’s work. He offers free stories on his website if you would
like to sample the fabric first before buying yards of it. I am
beyond thrilled to both endorse and support his work and consider
myself a fan for life.</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Visit
his website at<span style="color: #b45f06;"> <u><a href="http://www.eddiestack.com/">www.eddiestack.com</a></u></span>
where you can find links to all his work. Plus, not only does he
cater to paperback readers, he offers ebooks and spoken word stories
as well. <span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="background-color: black;"><a href="http://www.ballylara.wordpress.com/"></a></span></span><span style="color: purple;"></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJAMVQyhFnzxAHtQuByn6wI1NiJ0gHo3pmMOdjtNt9SMlZ7B6Jlu-djDPSvEjcJgQG15qOy6q2BRExLKofVrv9i_c9kvw6-iAuhSh6rJ0ZdqH7EhZcd6UsNMWTJrh4DkBIpB_JFBnrZw/s1600/estack_sea_230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJAMVQyhFnzxAHtQuByn6wI1NiJ0gHo3pmMOdjtNt9SMlZ7B6Jlu-djDPSvEjcJgQG15qOy6q2BRExLKofVrv9i_c9kvw6-iAuhSh6rJ0ZdqH7EhZcd6UsNMWTJrh4DkBIpB_JFBnrZw/s1600/estack_sea_230.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Photos snatched from his website! But I snagged the picture of <i>Borderlines</i> off the Internet! :)</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962456749993690006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213040769135375296.post-9603464112835050662013-11-15T15:03:00.000-08:002014-05-20T14:57:59.366-07:00A Sister's Plea Entertwined With Some "Dropkick"<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }</style>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;">What is it about a sibling? We love them and
sometimes we hate them. Yet, at the times when we hate them, we’d
fight Satan himself if he said a bad word against our sister or
brother. It’s one thing to lose a parent, but when a sibling dies,
it’s very different. Furthermore, when they die at a young age,
it’s unnatural. If addiction has touched you personally, then you
will understand this post. If it has not, consider yourself lucky. My
brother was dependent upon pot and alcohol at first. This gave way to
his wife finding a needle, which later caused a divorce. Eventually,
he swallowed pills, smoked meth, swallowed more pills and died at 30
years old. He’s the little boy in the far left in the picture
below. This is my favorite childhood photo. I’m about 12 here.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DlrtK0G_T7TmoWpLdTnwHaKM9Uchr_e0D3Ry5uko3g3pfH1VUNTffoUqJOUdsra-Am3v9IG1liJw_JTwNtWyk5rFkELFDnmZLQ_yfYzCWSQIq8GgBuRKSw19CfX8zrXSa3GcVUXoLsk/s1600/us.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DlrtK0G_T7TmoWpLdTnwHaKM9Uchr_e0D3Ry5uko3g3pfH1VUNTffoUqJOUdsra-Am3v9IG1liJw_JTwNtWyk5rFkELFDnmZLQ_yfYzCWSQIq8GgBuRKSw19CfX8zrXSa3GcVUXoLsk/s1600/us.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">As a writer, I write about things that move me.
Yes, this is the third consecutive post about The Latchiko’s.
Forgive me. Their music moves me. I’m way beyond silly crushes on
handsome and talented musicians, so I hope you don’t think that’s
what this post is about. Being a writer, I love words. When the right
music is added to the right lyrics in the most perfect way, then it
becomes much more than a song. It becomes magical AND real to me, and
in this case – very personal. It is my hope after you read this
piece, that their music will move you in magical ways too. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">This morning, I awoke at 4:30 am by what felt
like a slight whisper on my heart and a soft voice in my ear saying,
“Sister, time to wake up.” Weird, because I live alone. It was
my brother Charlie’s presence. He died in 2006. I awoke with such a
feeling of calmness and warmth. He continued to nudge me as I played
track #10 from this wonderful CD, and hit repeat, repeat, repeat over
and over again. I’d listen, press pause, then write. Press play,
listen, press pause, write more, press play. Listen, then cry. You
see, track #10 is “Dropkick”. It’s such a sad,
poignant song about addiction and the desire for recovery. The lyrics
and music are both tear-jerking yet hopeful at the same time. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span></span><style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }</style>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">For 10 minutes, The Latchiko’s take you on a
musical journey of what it must be like to be dependent on things
that are so dangerous they’re scary. The music mirrors the hero’s
path; slow at first, just as life must be in recovery. Then it picks
up. Faster and faster and happier and happier music reflect a more
joyful life. The phoenix rises from the ashes in this song. By the
end, you’re in love with the hero’s uphill battle and feel so
overcome with relief that he saw the light at the end of the abyss.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: orange;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: orange;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="color: orange;">
</span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;">Of my four younger brothers, I’ve watched
three of them battle demons of alcohol and drug abuse. With so many
resources for the addicted, Charlie should have sought help. I miss
him so much my heart hurts, some days more than others. Today is one
of those days. Just because good people make bad choices, it doesn’t
make one a bad person. If you know an addict, please encourage them
to seek help. When addicts use, they lie, cheat, steal, manipulate,
and deceive you…over and over again, because we let them. As we
hand over money, food, or a place to crash, we think, “Man, I wish
he’d straighten up,” or, “He’s just sorry to be in that
state,” or even, “If he loved us, he’d get clean.” But, we
cannot begin to fathom the power that addiction holds over its
victims. Then, when it’s too late, we (the enablers) carry such
blame and guilt; a kind of guilt which is hard to forgive, even years
later.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh how I wish my brother was the hero in
‘”Dropkick,” but am so very happy for Aindrias. Click on the
link below to watch a simple performance of this very moving and sad
song. In some of the shots, his eyes glow from what I can only assume
is happiness and joy, what a testament to his spirit and character. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrWLZ_DKfQc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrWLZ_DKfQc</a> </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can find out more about them at their website <a href="http://www.thelatchikos.com/">www.thelatchikos.com</a> where you can get this wonderful music for yourself. I can talk about this CD all day, but until you hear it for yourself...you have no idea how moving it is.</span></span>
</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962456749993690006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213040769135375296.post-19302013058711948572013-10-23T14:51:00.000-07:002014-05-20T14:56:04.339-07:00"Sugarbeat Sessions" by The Latchiko's <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: blue;">Music Comes Alive in This Debut Album!</span></span></div>
<span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you don't know what a sugarbeet is, think of a gigantic, non-orange carrot made for the Jolly Green Giant, and it's spelled sugarbeet (with an e), not sugarbeat (with an a). Yet, when it comes to The Latchiko's, they are anything but conventional, and the spelling with an a is in the title of their album, which I just received a few days ago. Now I can't stop playing it and am so addicted it's crazy. Like when KISS released their "Dynasty" LP when I was 9! (I didn't get MY record until I was 11 or 12!); or, when Prince released "Purple Rain" when I was in high school! Believe me, this is better. Waaaay better!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="color: #3d85c6;"> We all have those cds where one, two, or even three songs we don't really like and can live without. I hated "Let's Go Crazy" by Prince (still do...) and when anyone other than Paul Stanley sang on "Dynasty" I wanted to vomit. However, on this Sugarbeat Sessions album, there is not one song I can live without. NOTHING makes me want to throw up! I love all the songs! The sounds are so chameleon-like, so changing, blooming, and explosive. For little over a month, I've been seeing and hearing bits and pieces of most of this on YouTube. As I finally get to put it all together, it blows me away.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qL4eEWdrkW7l6d5_MxewrorJ5yivV9E72uJPm24dQYzJk3DBazZHrC-1F4Gt2SzFf6FwD2bH8cKPaNgJYnHftiCYo3LjyQpnE2BmjK-1HBFWjTTEDL7RHLwopEaNI1ZKwW49GVtRauc/s1600/tim+from+terri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qL4eEWdrkW7l6d5_MxewrorJ5yivV9E72uJPm24dQYzJk3DBazZHrC-1F4Gt2SzFf6FwD2bH8cKPaNgJYnHftiCYo3LjyQpnE2BmjK-1HBFWjTTEDL7RHLwopEaNI1ZKwW49GVtRauc/s400/tim+from+terri.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim Scanlan performing in New Jersey, March 2013. Photo courtesy of Terri Taylor Tattan</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="color: #e06666;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> 10
magical, hypnotic, overwhelming, and
oh-so-amazing-it-makes-me-smile-tingle-and-dance songs are on this
album. After listening to track 1 “Sugarbeat,” I thought, “Wow,
this is amazing. It’s my favorite.” Then, after hearing track 2
“Pish Shtains” I thought, “Craaap, THAT’S my favorite.”
Then came track 3, and well you get the idea. Each song affects me
this way. The diversity of sounds, rhythms, and lyrics fits together
like caramel and chocolate, it’s perfectly soothing, satisfying and
exciting at the same time. I DO NOT have a favorite because I can’t
pick one.</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> With
song titles like, “The Shligo Rovers,” “Nova Nova,” and “The
Moogaga Jig,” this album is so eclectic, groovy, sexy, up, down,
funny, sad, wild, crazy, energetic, spirited, and
diverse
as are the guys in the band. While Aindrias and Eimhin are from
Ireland, Tim hales from Australia. Look at Aindrias, he’s so
gypsy-looking it’s unreal. (I think he’s really from Transylvania
or Romania and simply wants to say he’s from Ireland. I guess he
thinks people like the way the Irish talk? Who knows?) Then, there’s
Tim who looks like the cool, hippy cousin (or uncle depending upon
your age) you want to go fishing or fighting with. To watch him play
his instruments takes my breath away. Then, we come to Eimhin who
looks like an accountant rather than a percussionist. Nothing wrong with math, I have a 2-yr degree in Accounting! His smile, his
singing, his beats blend like flour, sugar and eggs to make the most
perfect cake. How crazy is this trio? Oh, and by the way – they ALL
sing and play. I tell ya, there is method to the madness. But
whatever method these guys use, the formula works. To show how crazy
they are, Aindrias performs bare-footed here in a performance!</span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgjqPuwvyhH_bis8YvjR1sQRDY5LMUkesRYfMI5qCN-FFGHctMaO40pQBGsAR02-dwMoVbC_aWLAZW-EhwGbBKZyvFE6_yFiOn3Q6QVMZ3mTq0o9YB45EOFU4HfC4xdzbO6yAwwfMoeg/s1600/aindrias+from+terri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgjqPuwvyhH_bis8YvjR1sQRDY5LMUkesRYfMI5qCN-FFGHctMaO40pQBGsAR02-dwMoVbC_aWLAZW-EhwGbBKZyvFE6_yFiOn3Q6QVMZ3mTq0o9YB45EOFU4HfC4xdzbO6yAwwfMoeg/s400/aindrias+from+terri.jpg" height="400" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aindrias de Staic performing in Maryland, March 2013. Photo courtesy of Terri Taylor Tattan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="color: #3d85c6;"> <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> Listening
to “Pish Shtains” is like watching the most flowing, flawless,
beautiful Tango dance mixed with the haunting and hallowed sounds of
“The Phantom of the Opera” soundtrack. A very dark message of
being pulled back into a world of bad behavior and addiction is
hidden within groovy, arousing, melodic sounds that you can’t help
but move to. I could make a one-man silent play based on this song
alone! The contrast of the message and the music is
out-of-this-world. Analogies and metaphors abound. Right from the
beginning you are blinded to the actual meaning. At first, you think
it may be a funny song with funny lyrics simply because of the funny
title. Then you hear, “…but as I tried to turn around, but on
this muddy ground, the shlope that I was climbing, it was shlippy.”
The song ends with these lines:</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> <span style="font-size: large;">I
woke up three weeks later in a muddle.</span></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i> In
a bed of little weeds I had to cuddle.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i> My
digits they were shtingin,</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i> my
head was loudly ringin,</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i> so
I caught my own reflection in a puddle.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i> To
focus on this face it was a chore.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i> I
had way too much to drink but needed more.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i> As
I shtood up empty handed,</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i> that
puddle he demanded,</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i> “Have
we not met somewhere like this before?”</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"> <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">
Track
7 “Reggae Reel” is also mind-numbing. In 4 ½ minutes of
instrumental music, I hear three distinct mini-songs. With no break,
they bleed together with fascinating efficiency. At first, you don’t
even notice. Then, you think, “Is this the same song? Did it change
and I didn’t notice?” The first minute contains the slower
reggae-style, harmonica-laden, soulful vibrations in a very hypnotic,
melting and groovy feel. Second, at the 1:15 mark, the pace increases
with faster rhythms and funkier beats. As certain notes get higher,
higher, and higher it goes straight into the final part of this song,
at around the 2:50 mark, with what I consider traditional Irish
music. Blasts of an even faster tempo and an exploding fiddle cut
straight to your heart and sizzle like bacon frying.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
Every
song is a story. Yet, the voices Aindrias gives to the characters in
these story-songs are like when you were a child. If someone read a
bedtime story to you and put voices to the characters in the book,
the story came alive on a personal level! In these stories, even the
music becomes a character with its own changing voices. Not many
artists can do this. Nothing is felt forced. It all sounds and feels
so natural. Like Frankenstein’s monster, the music itself is alive!
And…just as I am left to wonder about the characters in these
stories, I also want to know what happens to the music after the
songs end. (Told ya’, I’m addicted.)</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij742QWu8y3IqRbxjkJcmykmkYrKU9nUgnvilCtkWaXIV2JbuoDoQbLayJtN9H4NY1wtNXP805dqkgUux6MZopkB0yO_FOjAGF6hVuGCN9XuZWEnV1e_31S-5jyX4rIcB8ee3HYDeL9a8/s1600/both+a+and+tim+2+from+terri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij742QWu8y3IqRbxjkJcmykmkYrKU9nUgnvilCtkWaXIV2JbuoDoQbLayJtN9H4NY1wtNXP805dqkgUux6MZopkB0yO_FOjAGF6hVuGCN9XuZWEnV1e_31S-5jyX4rIcB8ee3HYDeL9a8/s400/both+a+and+tim+2+from+terri.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Both Tim and Aindrias in Maryland, March 2013. Photo courtesy of Terri Taylor Tattan.</td></tr>
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</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If
I could have only one CD for the rest of my life, it would be this
one! I still don’t have a favorite. Maybe you will once you hear
this music combined with storytelling and background elements. It’s
so beautiful and inspiring. I wish these guys much success and hope
they continue making music together. Music touches us all in
different ways. If you want to be touched by wild, raw, sexy,
calming, charismatic, electric, tingling tunes, check out
“SUGARBEATS” by The Latchiko’s. Each of these guys is a master
at his craft, and it shows.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I urge you to visit their website, look them up on YouTube, do whatever you have to do! You can buy your own cd straight from their website store at <a href="http://www.thelatchikos.com/">www.thelatchikos.com</a> and see for yourself. It's very easy through paypal. Don't let the international transaction scare you.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_pco-vSO4RtWe-vRHOQUDiOmrXFnKGtOnBzsDwFIaeClNBvdJ9BbC7TcAokdk0nPOBszj_R9kfo94FdGgAdmbpWcsRa9ntfPV9srETYL-uJK0edrUtbdsa0Lrui77cQ0-o9WQdbdcM4/s1600/cd+cover+art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_pco-vSO4RtWe-vRHOQUDiOmrXFnKGtOnBzsDwFIaeClNBvdJ9BbC7TcAokdk0nPOBszj_R9kfo94FdGgAdmbpWcsRa9ntfPV9srETYL-uJK0edrUtbdsa0Lrui77cQ0-o9WQdbdcM4/s320/cd+cover+art.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cover of their CD. Photo courtesy of their website</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962456749993690006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213040769135375296.post-76540424250541193522013-09-24T14:38:00.000-07:002013-09-24T14:40:04.784-07:00The Latchiko's, The Pot of Gold at the End of My RainbowIsn't it odd that we always find the strangest things in the most peculiar places, especially when we're not looking for them? That's what happened to me a few weeks ago. While viewing a particular YouTube video, one thing led to another and now I find myself on the edge of stalking (or...as I like to call it - aggressive admiration) this three-man band of misfits. Ok, they're not really misfits, I just like the word and thought it would get your attention faster than words like: talented, funny, smart, spirited, and handsome.<br />
<br />
Being born and reared in Southwest Louisiana, music is as much a part of our culture as food and fais do-dos are, and in this connotation do is pronounced dough! With people like Jerry Lee Lewis, Sammy Kershaw, and the soulful, sexy sounds of Buddy Guy and Harry Connick, Jr, our state is rich in music and talent. However, the world stereotypes us. Little do they know we are more than just gumbo and gators. (And we don't marry our cousins anymore either, thank you very much!) Sadly, the Irish are stereotyped too. I wonder if the rest of the world knows there is more to them than being stupid, stubborn, lazy drunks? After reading this post, perhaps both misconceptions can be dismissed.<br />
<br />
Have you ever felt compelled to do your own thing, to think outside the box, to blaze your own trail no matter the obstacles? I have...but this piece isn't about me. It's about a band called The Latchiko's.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1CbUxUzypIjcbvnYDgYTpqmK0ZLcS8k1SeW-rKw711EAJLrNAHVlZSJTTzcVpYO5v59FE__zxY5OVK63fz25FxfYv7Flaw8RpOn6cxDCB9digCUtrFjMlbwlAfVRn9iAnFVPZUUMdG4/s1600/Aindrias.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1CbUxUzypIjcbvnYDgYTpqmK0ZLcS8k1SeW-rKw711EAJLrNAHVlZSJTTzcVpYO5v59FE__zxY5OVK63fz25FxfYv7Flaw8RpOn6cxDCB9digCUtrFjMlbwlAfVRn9iAnFVPZUUMdG4/s400/Aindrias.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aindrias </td></tr>
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The 1970s produced folk singers like Joan Baez, Janis Joplin and Bob Dylan. They performed with only their respective instruments. The 80s gave us rock music, big hair, and men who put on make up like Alice Cooper, Poison, and the almighty KISS (who are still rocking it in their 60s). The 90s produced the alternative sounds of grunge with the likes of Soundgarden, Nirvana and of course Pearl Jam. In 2013, The Latchiko's are helping bring back folk music, and I am thankful.<br />
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Being born in 1970, I never fully appreciated what people called folk music, until now. The energy, grit and sheer joy displayed by Aindrias de Staic, Tim Scanlan and Eimhin Cradock is infectious. What's super cool about this group is simple: plain, creative expression. That's an oxymoron if you think about it because what's plain about creativity? Is this what folk music is, simple creative expression? I don't know, never been too much for labels. What I do know is I get much pleasure in seeing them enjoy themselves in tiny UK pubs or larger US venues. They are all alone on stage with their instruments, microphones and nothing else to distract me from the bliss on their faces, or from the lyrics that reach out and grab me, or from the tempo and rhythms that make my heart dance. This is true passion, for them and for me. No theatrics, lights, smoke, stupid costumes, which at times leaves little to the imagination, no "look-at-me-and-be-impressed" gaggle of dancers wanting to be Michael Jackson (no disrespect intended because I loved MJ!), no opening acts that linger for hours making you wish you hadn't spent that $75 on a ticket, no fancy PR or security goons trying to be Michael Corleone of "The Godfather" to keep fans at a safe distance. These guys have none of those stupid, silly, over-the-top, money-sucking distractions. Thank God!<br />
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As a writer, I understand the overwhelming desire for creative expression. Just as they are unconventional and unorthodox, so am I. For example, I don't really care if others like my poetry or prose at times. I do it to cleanse my soul. Other times, however, I want my pieces to touch you, to resonate with you somehow. And when that happens, (hell...I don't know if it ever REALLY happens or if people are just being nice, but I like to think it does once in a while) I'm over the moon happy.<br />
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Is this what it's like for Aindrias, Tim and Eimhin? I don't know because shit, I don't know them on a personal level. We're not friends, cousins, siblings, old acquaintances, or even enemies. I just like their style, grit, heart and music. I've never seen them live, but maybe one day I'll witness the real smiles on their faces. Maybe one day I'll see the corners of their eyes light up with joy. Maybe one day I'll see their hands and fingers caress instruments or beat on a drum. It could happen...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTAX2-zAfyImVgERlei9qeJ4bMCsxTkCZdK-kLL2-TPC2Lm_XbuYztMD7GMwE3OU8AfA1qDksCz1KyB9hH4s-qQ3IOqdI-8eckz3nj_359QHJtwhVtGIwQpI1ha5nO2vVnONBFE_zyS8/s1600/Tim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTAX2-zAfyImVgERlei9qeJ4bMCsxTkCZdK-kLL2-TPC2Lm_XbuYztMD7GMwE3OU8AfA1qDksCz1KyB9hH4s-qQ3IOqdI-8eckz3nj_359QHJtwhVtGIwQpI1ha5nO2vVnONBFE_zyS8/s400/Tim.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim</td></tr>
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If this is what folk music is, consider me addicted. Thank you guys for thinking outside the box and for having the heart to blaze your own trail. Thank you for your creative expression. Thank you for helping me appreciate something 43 years late. You are the pot of gold at the end of my rainbow.<br />
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For your viewing pleasure, here is the extended version of "Bondi Junction." Although a shortened version is available on itunes for the ridiculous cost of a dollar! YES, a frickin dollar! <a href="http://youtu.be/1DbihZh0pfs">http://youtu.be/1DbihZh0pfs</a> and you can google them to find loads more.</div>
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Visit Aindrias' website at <a href="http://www.aindrias.com/">www.aindrias.com</a> to find he's much, much more than a sober Irish fiddle player.<span id="goog_65101349"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_65101350"></span></div>
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Photos of Tim and Aindrias courtesy of (and used with permission by) Bryan Kremkau at <a href="http://www.skapunkphotos.com/">www.skapunkphotos.com</a> from their performance at Irving Plaza, New York City, March 15, 2013.</div>
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Follow The Latchiko's on Twitter at @The_Latchikos and like them on Facebook at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheLatchikos">https://www.facebook.com/TheLatchikos</a> </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962456749993690006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213040769135375296.post-6860685002670362202013-09-19T15:22:00.001-07:002013-09-19T16:36:46.831-07:00Save Copper Campaign Continues...10 Copper Facts and LagniappeDear Cineflix,<br />
As a loyal Copperhead from the first episode, it has ripped my heart out that BBC America has canceled the only show I watch. That is not a figure of speech, it is the truth. When Copper debuted last year, I watched on DirecTV, but since then have moved out and do not have cable. So, I literally leave my home on Sunday evenings to watch Copper with someone else at their house. (And got them hooked on it too, by the way!)<br />
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Now this... The network claims lower viewership this season as compared with last. Well, when most of the marketing and public relations come from fans and NOT from the PR Department or Marketing Executives who get paid high dollar to DO THEIR JOBS & MARKET THE SHOW, of course the show will suffer. And what of THEIR bosses? Why weren't people on top of this "problem" of low viewership before now? This means many people fell down on his/her jobs in the marketing and advertising departments at BBCA. Regular Joe's don't have the media connections, advertising budget, or networking opportunities which professionals do. We have social media and word of mouth.<br />
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Although I am a regular Joe, I do have enough sense to present a justifyable argument as to why Cineflix should shop this show around to another network. You want data? Here are 10 points (which can be verified via reputable sources, just do some digging) to the decision-making executives at Cineflix as to why we Copperheads want to save our 5-Points Family:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8TZmpDjmxoISrf6viEIzK6xZWyl5vSsBnuJXtEyGiIZV5tISRkknPrqw4UKZn0dLcQFFzpwMVXQ4vXtcunSk6vYAK0NF0gc8MbN05lGM0vaxjh1j-dFRMSJZBpMESRW6OUA46BvteZU/s1600/Corkoran.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8TZmpDjmxoISrf6viEIzK6xZWyl5vSsBnuJXtEyGiIZV5tISRkknPrqw4UKZn0dLcQFFzpwMVXQ4vXtcunSk6vYAK0NF0gc8MbN05lGM0vaxjh1j-dFRMSJZBpMESRW6OUA46BvteZU/s400/Corkoran.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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1) First airing of Copper in 2012 drew the largest audience of any debut drama for BBCA. Why? Marketing & advertising months out! The campaign was so smooth and the show was so hot, it drew us in from the start and has kept us for two seasons. People were on the ball then, but somewhere along the line dropped it.<br />
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2) Second series received 2013 Emmy award for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme. The music is a character itself and draws viewers in like flies to honey.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe83creIV2o-l8pd8D4EvOQz4DF9XYURfFU0LptLKxi3dasz3ulF5PVxtuIPYe9XfRz6NSNiYpqev3xzNQjL29yPb1DpZSteMkMsMygmuGcX5eX49oSNDP2kOW-q5a0u2a_fuZPvkRKa8/s1600/Coppermusic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe83creIV2o-l8pd8D4EvOQz4DF9XYURfFU0LptLKxi3dasz3ulF5PVxtuIPYe9XfRz6NSNiYpqev3xzNQjL29yPb1DpZSteMkMsMygmuGcX5eX49oSNDP2kOW-q5a0u2a_fuZPvkRKa8/s400/Coppermusic.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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3) Massive cast/crew followers on Twitter include (as of this typing):<br />
<ul>
<li>Tom Weston-Jones 6,161</li>
<li>Kyle Schmidt 8,361</li>
<li>Ato Essandoh 14,265</li>
<li>Kevin Ryan 67,244</li>
<li>Dylan Taylor 1,398</li>
<li>Anastasia Griffith 4,000</li>
<li>Kevin Diebold 1,052</li>
<li>Newcomer Jim Watson 158</li>
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These followers alone total over 100,000! That's only a partial audience since many still do not participate in Social Media. <br />
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4) CopperTV on Facebook has 74,425 likes! <br />
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5) When I created this blog, I titled it Copperhead 1864, because I am a Copper freak! And, if you scroll down the page you can find my Copper Season 1 Quiz. <br />
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6) Talented fans have drawn portraits, paintings, and even tats for our favorite 5 Points family members.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-xCjMLIBBh11VP2VX9VW2f4QD9dSJiWAoW_BvW6XmlhvHqpEzMDcPt-U7lNPjsuJjyy4FSOmlxurxDwu8s6ocIfWCXNRMEokgMHKxOTSP2vWPr6rEqP2cOrIqq-YdBmcRMoVWOrTEDU/s1600/Doc+Freeman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-xCjMLIBBh11VP2VX9VW2f4QD9dSJiWAoW_BvW6XmlhvHqpEzMDcPt-U7lNPjsuJjyy4FSOmlxurxDwu8s6ocIfWCXNRMEokgMHKxOTSP2vWPr6rEqP2cOrIqq-YdBmcRMoVWOrTEDU/s400/Doc+Freeman.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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7) Kevin Ryan has posted over 116 photos to WhoSay, which fans comment on, like, or even repost to their respective Facebook page.<br />
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8) Superfans have created Twitter accounts such as @FYKevinRyan, Tumbler pages <a href="http://scottcaanlifeinphotos.tumblr.com/">http://scottcaanlifeinphotos.tumblr.com/</a> & websites such as <a href="http://simplykevinryan.wordpress.com/">http://simplykevinryan.wordpress.com/</a> dedicated to the talented, soft & conflicted Detective Francis Maguire. Thank you to Lainie from New York for permission to link tumbler above, and to Stephanie from Wisconsin for permission to link her Kevin Ryan fan site above. Follow both these ladies for more wonderful things about beloved and wonderful actor Kevin Ryan.<br />
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9) As I type this, tweets are going out to @BBCAMERICA , @COPPERTV , to the cast and crew showing love and support, and some are coming to you, just like this letter will when I get it typed. Petitions are even being generated online! Fans are posting their outrage and opinions on GetGlue and Pinterest Boards! We are very passionate and want our voices heard. After all, when Kevin Corcoran feels wronged and when justice is not served, he, Andrew, and Francis take action. We are taking action!<br />
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10) If you look at CopperTV's Facebook page for 2012 photos, you see plenty of ploys and fan interaction with giveaways, "Caption This," and "Copper Mugshots Option" when the show first aired. When you compare those PR and marketing techniques with this season's attempts, there is no comparison. <br />
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Lagniappe: Louisiana for "a little something extra!"</div>
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We Copperheads do not give up easily. This show is awesome. It's historical, entertaining, accurate, raw, gritty, sexy, and based on real people and real places. Who gives a shit about "Orphan Black" as referenced in comparison with Copper in an article I read today? See what BBCA is doing here. Pitting its own shows against one another, and the one with the lesser viewers loses. How sick and greedy is that? Copper fans are loyal, generous, and are emotionally invested in the writings of Kevin Dieboldt & Kyle Bradstreet! <br />
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I hope this letter is read. Although it is from one fan (of tens of thousands,) I feel confident in speaking for all Copperheads just this once when I say, WE WANT COPPER!<br />
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Thank you for your time and attention to this plea.<br />
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P.S. I did apply to both BBCA and Cineflix for a job simply to say I contributed to the network and studio which presented Copper. Didn't get either job, but at least I had the gumption to try.<br />
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Best regards,<br />
Sherry Perkins<br />
A Copperhead in Louisiana<br />
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*All photos courtesy of CopperTV on Facebook.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962456749993690006noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213040769135375296.post-13521063020537531252013-09-18T15:01:00.000-07:002013-09-18T15:01:41.078-07:00Banjaxed, Bogman, Bedraggled, and then some...Can't believe it's been months since I've posted. How time gets away from me. What I would like to share is a brand new writer I recently discovered. Well...HE'S not brand new at all, just brand new to me. The ironic part is I discovered him while crushing on my new favorite band <a href="http://www.thelatchikos.com/">http://www.thelatchikos.com</a> but oh my, that's another post so won't get into that now. The pic below is of them, courtesy of their facebook page!<br />
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Originally from Ireland, Eddie Stack makes his home in San Francisco. Winner of numerous awards, his writing is so witty and genuine that it envelopes all of my senses: sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste, in such a way I feel compelled to share with you.<br />
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Eddie shares free stories on his website <a href="http://www.eddiestack.com/">http://www.eddiestack.com</a> and it's these stories I want to elaborate on to give you a taste of his style. His word choices are out-of-this-world. The Irish phrases, though sometimes hard to get at first, are refreshing to those of us who may have heard, "I've got to take a leak" many different ways; yet, I bet you never heard it Eddie's way.<br />
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With his permission and blessing, I share these bits and pieces from the noted free stories on his site. (Really hope I can add his books to my library soon.) I know we are taught that each of us has our own voice, our own style. Which we do and should embrace! Don't get me wrong, I embrace my weirdness. It's just...well, I want more of Eddie Stack. I want to read it, absorb it, assimilate some of his wit, rawness, and humor into my style. Maybe, by reading more of his work, it will make me a better writer. Sure hope so. Please enjoy...<br />
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<a href="http://www.eddiestack.com/index_files/stacks_image_2241_1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.eddiestack.com/index_files/stacks_image_2241_1.png" width="229" /></a></div>
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photo courtesy of www.eddiestack.com </div>
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1. <i>Granda and Me</i><br />
"...wild head of wild white hair..."<br />
<i>"...</i>shouting and cheering like a crowd of jail breakers..."<br />
"...they were cockeyed with drink and anarchy."<br />
"...kept out of my space."<br />
"He belted me until I cried, not with hurt but with rage."<br />
"...as if they'd been branded with a red-hot cattle iron..."<br />
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Words I like from this piece: bedraggled, druids, propoganda, and Granda.<br />
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2. <i>Limbo</i><br />
<i>"</i>...ye're as lazy as Sin."<br />
<i>"...</i>we were the flotsam left behind by the tide."<br />
"...becoming more demonic with every stroke."<br />
"...and don't always be looking like a moon calf."<br />
"...sleaze and slaughter."<br />
"Mention of drink, Rasputin and red Russia in the same page was the height of treason."<br />
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Words I like from this piece: lout, bards, Jaysuz, sty, drivel, sutach, bogman.<br />
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3. <i>Back in the Days of Corncrakes</i><br />
<i>"</i>...soft scents of summer..."<br />
<i>"...</i>press ganged..."<br />
"...lounged in the caravan like the Rolling Stones before a gig."<br />
"...my feet go rubbery."<br />
"Fullbright didn't own a blade of grass."<br />
<a href="http://www.eddiestack.com/index_files/west-sml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.eddiestack.com/index_files/west-sml.jpg" /></a>"...just shook like a statue in an earthquake."<br />
"I'm bursting to make a lake." (Yeah, guessing from reading the context this means, 'I gotta pee.')<br />
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Words I like from this piece: jerkins, arsing, banjaxed<br />
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4. <i>Finito</i><br />
"The Irish had very fertile imaginations."<br />
"...pathetic clothes hanger in a crumpled suit."<br />
"Freud would say she was shooting Larry by proxy."<br />
"Subversive ballerinas, Buddhist butchers, film star typists, lesbian nuns and gay jockeys."<br />
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The word I like here is shag! (Yes, it means what you think it means.) <br />
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<a href="http://www.eddiestack.com/index_files/the-irish-sml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.eddiestack.com/index_files/the-irish-sml.jpg" /></a>5. <i>The Power of Prayer</i><br />
"Cop cars cruised swift as sharks..."<br />
"Virgins and villians,..."<br />
"...the broken veins that came from long nights of lonesome drinking..."<br />
"...an exotic fish in these warm seas..."<br />
"Somehow in those twelve peals, God got a foothold."<br />
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Words I like from this piece: flummoxed and half-eleven (meaning 11:30)<br />
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Hope these tid bits raise your interest enough to visit his site and read for yourself about internet dating from a man's point of view, an uninterested therapist, young lads being in a commercial, a female cop undercover as a prostitute, and a stern Granda. Who knows what words will jump out at you!<br />
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Comments are welcome and encouraged. Thanks for taking the time to read, and thank you Mr. Eddie Stack for your encouragment and blessing on this piece.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962456749993690006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213040769135375296.post-60646399795226207042013-05-31T10:45:00.000-07:002013-05-31T14:10:47.850-07:00Darcy and Elizabeth's Letters UncoveredWouldn't that make a great National Geographic headline? For fans of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, there are countless conversations, debates, writings, and even websites now devoted to the elegant Mr. Darcy. How can a 200-year-old fictional character remain a part of today's society? What makes a character like Mr. Darcy leap off the pages of a book, onto the screen, and into our hearts? Matthew Macfadyen's portrayal of the tall, dark, handsome, rich, stoic, quiet, mysterious, and loyal Fitzwilliam Darcy is any woman's dream. Jane Austen captured the romance and heartbreak and Matthew displayed it better than any to date.<br />
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To celebrate Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett's unseen feelings, I can only imagine what went through their hearts and minds. After all, you can only get so much from a two-hour movie. I've created three short letters between the two. Tell me what you think. How would their correspondence continue? Would it? What if there was no fairy tale outcome? Would love to hear your feedback. What if we could uncover their letters? What would they say? Maybe something like this...<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Dearest Miss Bennett,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your last letter has put me in a state of great trepidation. While I wander all hours of the night and day at your heart's mysteries, I perceive these vexings to be unsettling. Forgive the manner and length of this letter, I pray you. Bingley and I have business of the most urgent manner, so I must close. Please corresponde as you see fit. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For your words do not fall on deaf ears.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Darcy<br />------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mr. Darcy</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I pray this letter finds you well. As Jane obsesses over one Mr. Bingley, I shall confess my reservations toward you sir. Money does not make one wise, Mr. Darcy, and although I lack your fortune I am certainly no fool. However, your efforts have not escaped my notice. As you shall most certainly come to know, I express what is on my heart surely not in the most refined manner I am aware. For this, I pray your forgiveness.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As much as I would most assuredly enjoy Pemberly, I must decline your offer. Our worlds are very much different. On a huge estate I do not belong; no more than you belong in a house trampled through by swine.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I shall write no more. I pray you understand. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Miss Elizabeth Bennett</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvAhg0cZdgBB4wJLlHhzDGmd65Cl6GpTHA-o_C6IK04t2kNjI9TiddW4hWQeP67K_hZeogKKX162IIJLdmITE8gjzzy0_bbsJ9PCd24jJJ2qM2yqey7d89s2w7TYO5dFdNnsBpe_fV8g/s1600/Mr+Darcy+rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvAhg0cZdgBB4wJLlHhzDGmd65Cl6GpTHA-o_C6IK04t2kNjI9TiddW4hWQeP67K_hZeogKKX162IIJLdmITE8gjzzy0_bbsJ9PCd24jJJ2qM2yqey7d89s2w7TYO5dFdNnsBpe_fV8g/s320/Mr+Darcy+rain.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Miss Elizabeth Bennett</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After studying your letter, my feelings are thus. Who are you to tell me where I belong and where I do not? While it is true we come from opposite worlds - we are very the same internally. It seems your prejudice against wealth has blinded you.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For that, I am most truly saddened and shall bother you no more.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Darcy</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does Darcy write again?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does Elizabeth ever respond?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How would you have these two characters behave? </span><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photos courtesy of Matthew Macfadyen News on Facebook and used with permission. Thank you again MM News!</span></span></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962456749993690006noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213040769135375296.post-10615425440706913112013-05-15T10:33:00.000-07:002013-05-16T10:55:32.365-07:00Copperhead Quiz<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Copper</i>'s second season begins Sunday, June 23rd, on the BBC America channel. I challenge you to take the Copperhead Quiz below to measure your level of fandom. Beware, you may find yourself too Morehoused to play the game, or that you are an obsessed viewer like myself. So, get something to write with and some paper. Don't argue - just do it. You can play, or you can pray.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Disclaimer: This is all in good fun. Don't go tellin' Kevin, Maguire, O'Brien, Doc Freeman, Cpt Sullivan, Eva, Robert, or Elizabeth that I'm talkin' about them behind their backs. In all seriousness, this is my personal blog and is not endorsed by the BBC America, Cineflix, or the cast/crew of <i>Copper</i>. All photos from www.facebook.com/CopperTV.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">There are 40 questions below. Have fun!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyuWK4_o7qshHDm8dE_T7ZxAfVXhBEeDXKvRYF2W3zg7zTnyiPXpyr9JkemUwOwNpfyCUhtmIp8A1uQOP8e-kDR55jqRMxQPwMmrfISa-K6XDjDG7yq164A9rOIB42kwOeRWMFd7RPOQ/s1600/Corcoran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyuWK4_o7qshHDm8dE_T7ZxAfVXhBEeDXKvRYF2W3zg7zTnyiPXpyr9JkemUwOwNpfyCUhtmIp8A1uQOP8e-kDR55jqRMxQPwMmrfISa-K6XDjDG7yq164A9rOIB42kwOeRWMFd7RPOQ/s320/Corcoran.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Who is Whom?</span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1. Who is the Southerner who attempts to befriend Robert Morehouse, then blackmail's Robert's father?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A) Teddy Roosevelt <i> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">B) Robert Kennedy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">C) Ford Lincoln Mercury</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">D) John D. Rockefeller III</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">2. What is the name of the abortion doctor?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A) Madame Tussaud</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgk3BBGORNX6GPnKtQfGugmxVnThqovK99inqFLSSMkm9SM1P5L5hmYCELCjtnwPh4xQVqcSHtMW6YkmlThmIrmxALI44X7emjuwIV0lg9Hs4Axe-upQRlWhb0593ixt7kqw79EtoGiU/s1600/Doc%252C+RM%252C+KC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">B) Dr. Freeman</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">C) Dr. Grimes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">D) Madame Grindle</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">3. Detective O'Brien's wife is named?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A) Sybil</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">B) Molly</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">C) Annie</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">D) Elizabeth</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">4. Who was Francis' first fiance?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A) Mary</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">B) Maggie</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">C) Molly</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">D) Margaret</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">5. What is the name of Elizabeth Haverford's butler?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A) Alistar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">B) Alvin</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">C) Kennedy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">D) Julius</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">6. What is the name of the Morehouse coachman who is always retrieving Kevin?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A) Julius</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">B) Jasper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">C) McLain</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">D) Sim</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">7. What is the name of Annie's sister?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A) Kitty</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">B) Kate</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">C) Kiara</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">D) Kelly</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i>Who Said What?</i></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">8. According to Corcoran, "When people confess, their eyes ______."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A) blink</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">B) relax</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">C) look away</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">D) fill with tears </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">9. Who said this to whom, "We've all committed our share of sins. Some of them part of the job, some of them part of us."?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) Kevin to Francis</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) Francis to Robert</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) Eva to Elizabeth</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) Molly to Maguire</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">10. Who said, "No matter what I do, I end up killing the things I love."?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) Norbert Morehouse</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) Kevin Corcoran</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) Francis Maguire</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) Andrew O'Brien</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">11. The line, "Poor is tragedy," is uttered by someone we assume has no idea. Which one?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) Eva</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) Mary</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) Elizabeth</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) Annie</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">12. Who said, "I'm a whore, not a nurse maid."?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) Eva</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) Molly</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) Elizabeth</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) Mary</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">13. Dr. Freeman said, "I'm gonna find your mama." To whom was he speaking?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) a patient</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) Sara</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) Annie</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) Elizabeth</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgk3BBGORNX6GPnKtQfGugmxVnThqovK99inqFLSSMkm9SM1P5L5hmYCELCjtnwPh4xQVqcSHtMW6YkmlThmIrmxALI44X7emjuwIV0lg9Hs4Axe-upQRlWhb0593ixt7kqw79EtoGiU/s1600/Doc%252C+RM%252C+KC.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgk3BBGORNX6GPnKtQfGugmxVnThqovK99inqFLSSMkm9SM1P5L5hmYCELCjtnwPh4xQVqcSHtMW6YkmlThmIrmxALI44X7emjuwIV0lg9Hs4Axe-upQRlWhb0593ixt7kqw79EtoGiU/s1600/Doc%252C+RM%252C+KC.jpg" width="602" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">14. "A man's name is all he has." Who said this?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) Eva Heissen</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) Norbert Morehouse</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) Robert Morehouse</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) Kevin Corcoran</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><b>What Did They Do?</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">15. What did Francis give Molly for their engagement?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) a new ring<i><b> </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) a new bracelet</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) his mother's ring</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">D) his mother's bracelet</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">16. What outfit broke Corcoran's leg?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A) The Irish Mafia</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">B) An Italian Gang</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">C) The Pinkertons</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">D) Rouge cops</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">17. In the opening scenes of Episode 1, what does Kevin give Annie?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A) flowers</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">B) a kiss</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">C) attitude</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">D) an egg</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><b>Who Killed Whom?</b></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">18. Who killed John Reilly?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) Eva</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) O'Brien</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) Francis</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) Annie</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">19. Who killed Francis' second fiance?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) Kennedy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) Francis</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) Corcoran</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) McLain</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">20. Who does Francis kill?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) Molly and Mary</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) Grindle and McLain</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) Grindle, Ellen, and Molly</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) Grindle, Mary, and McLain</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><b>Location, Location, Location</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">21. When Doc Freeman and Sara leave Five Points, where do they move?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) Hoboken</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) Winchester</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) Brooklyn</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) Carmansville</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">22. Where does Kevin find Ellen?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) Central Park</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) The cemetery</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) The Earle House</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) The Morehouse Mansion</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">23. In Episode 2, Eva takes a trip where?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) San Francisco</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) New Orleans</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) Philadelphia</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) Washington D.C.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">24. Where does Norbert Morehouse get exhiled to help in "the relocating and assisting in the recovery of ________ as a small-business entrepreneur."?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) Appomatox</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) Richmond</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) New Orleans</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) Atlanta</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1OZ3aTN2hw6xIaryJhd0PeAnKbaOi8Zyn7E9H6Y2r1ZjmppiuJ9Tw-pluxTorbVUDxINmIHmljBp8UMIqqftezSXs6q-vJuT9nsW4Iy4CuUU9iPCIRfyxp9cee14LVxKEnrRwqP4Wcs/s1600/RbtMH.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1OZ3aTN2hw6xIaryJhd0PeAnKbaOi8Zyn7E9H6Y2r1ZjmppiuJ9Tw-pluxTorbVUDxINmIHmljBp8UMIqqftezSXs6q-vJuT9nsW4Iy4CuUU9iPCIRfyxp9cee14LVxKEnrRwqP4Wcs/s320/RbtMH.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">25. Before he is banished, Norbert Morehouse plans to buy all of Five Points. It consists of how many city blocks?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) 15</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) 20</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) 25</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) 30</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><b>Relationships</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">26. Who was John Reilly to Annie?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) her friend</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) her father</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) her uncle</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) her husband</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">27. Who doesn't Norbert Morehouse want invited to the fundraising ball?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) William Astor</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) John D. Rockefeller</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) The Kennedys</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) The Booths</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">28. Which three served together in the Civil War?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) Corcoran, O'Brien, Maguire</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) Corcoran, Freeman, Morehouse</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) Morehouse, O'Brien, Maguire</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) Freeman, Corcoran, Maguire</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">29. What happened to Sara's brothers?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) They were hanged.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) They were arrested.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) They moved away.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) They became boxers.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><b>Since Louisiana is referenced a few times, here is a gumbo of questions:</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">30. The headline of the newspaper Elizabeth shows Robert toward the end of the last episode reads:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) A Devilish Plot Foiled</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) The Show Goes On</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) A Fast and Fiendish Plot</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) Booths Sizzle in Shakespeare</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">31. How many episodes are in Season 1?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) 13</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) 12</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) 11</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) 10</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">32. At what age could girls marry in New York in 1864?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) 10</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) 12</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) 13</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) 14</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">33. In the tombs, Corcoran consistenly questions prisoners about what?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) a locket</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) a murder</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) a murder weapon</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) a witness</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">34. What profession does Eva practice?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) a teacher</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) a banker</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) a baker</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) a madame</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">35. How many times does Corcoran use his brass knuckles in the entire season?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) once</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) four</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) twice</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) none</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">36. What drug does Doc Freeman give Kevin to ease the pain of a broken leg?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) marijuana</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) morphine</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) heroin</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) cocaine</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">37. Where does Corcoran hide his knuckle busters?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) in an extra pistol holder</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) in his right shirt pocket</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) in his hat</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) in his left shirt pocket</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">38. Both Robert Morehouse and Kevin Corcoran have a bum leg. Which leg is affected on each?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) Robert's right leg and Kevin's left leg.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) Robert's left leg and Kevin's left leg.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) Robert's right leg and Kevin's right leg.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) Robert's left leg and Kevin's right leg.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">39. Arcenic was used as a murder weapon in what?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) a pie</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) a cake</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) a tart</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) a drink</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">40. On the night the Booths performed Shakespeare, it was William Shakespear's ____th birthday.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A) 100</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">B) 400</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">C) 200</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">D) 300</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HE4cJp8COyO0UzMzhE1yJWYs_fq8r1f2x5pCY4DzopduUgrgdCPL3l8BInB9JkWRvUjndcrLIuVOIiZjN9HWtb-y0lmdRKec84C5ntecf1rWlmk1Olh2gvJobFFhp3GJZUrZkSszL1w/s1600/annie%252C+note%252C+kiss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HE4cJp8COyO0UzMzhE1yJWYs_fq8r1f2x5pCY4DzopduUgrgdCPL3l8BInB9JkWRvUjndcrLIuVOIiZjN9HWtb-y0lmdRKec84C5ntecf1rWlmk1Olh2gvJobFFhp3GJZUrZkSszL1w/s320/annie%252C+note%252C+kiss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
ANSWERS</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(NO ARGUING!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1. B 11. C 21. D 31. D</div>
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2. D 12. A 22. C 32. A</div>
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3. A 13. B 23. B 33. A</div>
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4. C 14. C 24. D 34. D</div>
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5. A 15. D 25. B 35. C</div>
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6. A 16. C 26. D 36. B</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
7. B 17. D 27. A 37. C</div>
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8. B 18. D 28. B 38. A</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
9. A 19. B 29. A 39. B</div>
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10. C 20. D 30. C 40. D</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
WHAT KIND OF COPPERHEAD ARE YOU?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u> If you correctly answered Consider Yourself </u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
20 or less (50% or below) </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Really? You are obviously <b>Morehoused</b> and in no shape to play a game. Report to the Morehouse Mansion where Robert will greet you with a smile, great company, and great whiskey. At least you tried. Major Morehouse appreciates a good attempt.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
21 - 27 (52.5% - 67.5%) </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You have spent too much time body hopping at Eva's Paradise. You're on <b>Copperhead Probation. </b>Report to Cpt Sullivan and explain your shortcomings. You have been replaced by Little Burns on the force.</span><br />
<br />
28 - 31 (70% - 77.5%)<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You have watched some episodes, but you're only half a fan. You are a <b>Copperhead-in-Training</b>. Watch all episodes again. Report to Det. O'Brien, he will train you in the art of physical intimidation, and how to be hen-pecked.</span><br />
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32 - 35 (80% - 87.5%)<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Way to go. You are a <b>Copperhead Corporal</b>. Report to Det. Maguire. He will train you in the art of deception and secrecy, and probably share his whiskey. Beware if you're a female. If Francis falls in love with you, you may end up dead.</span><br />
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36 - 39 (90% - 97%)<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Wow, you are a <b>Copperhead Apprentice</b> since it seems you're too scare of Sybil O'Brien to miss a single episode. Report to Det. Corcoran. He will keep you safe from Sybil and continue your training. Ladies, he may also end up in your bed if you're not careful. Woo - Hoo!</span><br />
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40 (100%)<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Outstanding! Go buy yourself a hat. You are a full-on obsessed <b>Copperhead</b>. Report to Cpt Sullivan. He will give you a badge and a gun - nothing gets by you. You've been assigned to work with Corcoran and O'Brien while Francis recovers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">***Hope you had fun and thanks for playing. Tune in to <i>Copper</i> next month on the BBCA to see what happens to our friends in Five Points. </span></div>
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<br />Feel free to leave comments. Feedback is always welcome.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962456749993690006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213040769135375296.post-88238224590600571462013-05-10T15:00:00.001-07:002013-05-10T15:00:19.942-07:00When Writers WriteOne way to slow down your hands to keep up with your brain is to write long hand. That's right, with pencil and paper.<br />
<br />
"You mean people do that?"<br />
<br />
"Why, sure."<br />
<br />
I've notice these last few months now that I have time to write, and now have no computer, I'm slowing my hands and brain down and actually enjoy the movement of the pencil in my hand. And would you believe the number of pieces I've been able to come up with? It's cool.<br />
<br />
Go figure.<br />
<br />
Anyway, when you want a break from typing, and maybe your Carpel Tunnel's Syndrome is extra syndromy - try writing.<br />
<br />
Oh, and don't forget you'll have to actually erase because you can't backspace on the paper.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962456749993690006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213040769135375296.post-83921965655523458842013-05-09T14:45:00.000-07:002013-05-09T14:45:38.621-07:00My Apologies - And Hello AgainMy previous blog is now gone.<br />
<br />
Since I couldn't remember the different combinations of letters and numbers, and couldn't find where I wrote it down, and moved in the process - my previous password is gone.<br />
<br />
So...I've been forced to create another blog from scratch. <br />
<br />
And here it is.<br />
<br />
I've titled it Copperhead 1864 since I'm the biggest Copper fan on the planet. IF you're not familiar with that show, it's on the BBC America channel. Season 2 begins in June.<br />
<br />
Don't worry, I'll try to refrain from posting stuff from the show because of copyright laws and such and will remember the reason for this blog - because I'm a writer.<br />
<br />
As such, I hope my friends find me again and we can pick up where we left off.<br />
<br />
By the way, now that I've led you down the road to <i>Copper</i>, check this out:<br />
<a href="http://www.bbcamerica.com/copper/">www.bbcamerica.com/copper/</a><br />
<br />
We'll talk later... Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962456749993690006noreply@blogger.com0