Missing Dad and not knowing Grandad.

I was in Armagh recently and a visitor to my wife's home house, "Boots," (I don't know his real name) asked me why I had stopped posting on this blog. I had no clear reply. No reason - really. I promised myself when I started posting to this blog that I would not let it's continuity depend on others' comments/contributions so the lack of feedback is not the reason either. Indeed I have been surprised to hear from time to time of how many people do actually read it.

But a little feedback is nice. No man is an island ... and all that. And so I am back and I intend to carry on with this.

After some thought the real reason for not continuing to blog is that if I were to be honest and helpful to the reader in the way I would (idealistically) hope to be, then I would appear at times to be overly critical and perceptively negative about my experiences/issues associated with moving back to Ireland. I hate being negative or being perceived to be negative. The truth hurts sometimes...

But in media there is always gate-keeping and editing. Therefore, it is a challenge I am going to take on again. I will attempt to inform the reader of the issues associated with "moving back to Ireland" but I will (in the interest of full disclosure) be gate-keeping myself. Some of this will be to avoid talking too negatively of institutions/people. Some of this will be to facilitate self-survival.

With that out of the way, here's the blog:

After being away for almost 20 years and losing my dad in 1998, it is now I miss him most.

Over recent months the eldest of mine and Anna's two young children, Tommy, has come on in leaps and bounds. He is assertive, cute, deceptive, energetic etc, etc and he was three on March 27th. He walked in to the house to me the other day and asked if he could go over to his next door neighbor. (His friend next door and he get on great. They climb through the fence to go to each other's houses regularly.)
I said no because it was coming to dinner time. He chirpily said "o.k. Dad." I continued doing what I was doing and then realized that after he had accepted my decision he just walked out the door, climbed through the fence and went over to his friend. No ifs, buts or discussion - he just left. What a guy!

If his granddad were here I know they would have a fantastic relationship. And it would be very beneficial to both! My dad (not all the facts on this link are 100% but close enough) would have had a great influence on him and on the littler one too, Sarah. It is times like this that the years spent away from home and family are noticed. It all kinda crept up on me. Unexpectedly.

He is gone from this funny world since 1998 and he was missed then and is missed now. These two grandchildren will not know him personally but they will read of him and listen to him.

And to this backdrop, as I can hear the rain on the windows, while on the TV the powers that be are trying to blame someone for the economical disaster that is Ireland today, and my two youngest kids are asleep oblivious to the economy and to the absence of grandad, it is good to be back home with great fond memories of being away.

There is something real about all this.

Driving Lesson and Test - Final Installment.

Remember what I said about the Driving Test?

Have you ever met someone who talks like they're in a real hurry but are not? Have you ever met someone who talks so fast the words stumble on top of each other in a rapid flurry of mumbo-jumbo? Have you ever met someone who, when talking to you, keeps nudging you with their elbow and sometimes with their fist or hand?

Well I did. 'John' the driving instructor. I had to take a few driving lessons in preparation for my driving test - I've been driving for 20 years so my habits (bad and good) are well formed - And I am glad I did! There was not a chance in hell, heaven or earth that I would have passed without a few lessons. 

John established, with my help, that he knew my dad when my dad was around. My Dad, Basil, was fairly well known around these parts. He was a performer and a character in many ways. But his musical performances as a one man show and as a band member got him most exposure.

I sat into the car beside "John-of-the-fast-talk-and-the-nudge-and-the-poke," and started driving...

"Now, Tommy I want you to drive straight across this lane and indicate right and drive on down. Aw... Basil was a nice...indicate! indicate! Now continue on here and outside the gate indicate left and continue. I knew him from Murrisk Abbey and the Tavern, Left!, Left!, He used to play his music there. LOOK over to your right when you move out - stop!... Now, Tommy, I want you to go into the roundabout and take the third exit. He had a great way about him really, Indicate! Look right, and move on sharply! How long is he dead now? Move on sharply, he won't be happy if you don't move on. Is it that long now? Aw well, powerful the way time passes too. Pull in here after this road. Stop! Stop! Now, Tommy back around that corner. Aw he was a great performer, wasn't he? Look in mirrors, and back, look over your shoulder, sure you have to look behind you, over your right shoulder again... and stop. He died too young. Now, Tommy, pull in and when you are ready turn the car around. He knew some amount of songs! Look left as you take off, Oh Jees don't forget to look left or he'll fail you. You can't beat them old songs. You'll be fine. 35 Euros. Thanks for your custom."

Well, all good things do come to those who wait and therefore my actual driving test came upon me on Tuesday, March 30th, 2010 in Castlebar. The lessons (four of them) were badly needed and did the job. I got the test.

The lesson I had on the day of the test just before the test was a great idea of Johns. It was not free but worth every penny. It was absolutely necessary. I made loads of mistakes on the run and it seems that got them out of my system for the real test.

I can now go ahead and apply for the real 10 year license and this should have a positive effect on my insurance costs. Yippee.