Published in 8 Davisville Road·PinnedA Foreign CountryI have to peer closely. Is that really us? “What have you in common with the child of five whose photograph your mother keeps on the mantelpiece? Nothing, except that you happen to be the same person.” George Orwell My mum’s cousin, Margie Beirne left us in December. Margie was…Family5 min read
Published in The Beatles FAQ·PinnedJohn, Yoko and the MonkeysEloping couple marry in Gibraltar Two days after Paul and Linda’s wedding, John and Yoko are in a car on their way to visit John’s Aunt Mimi. After a deep discussion on the back seat, they announce glad tidings to their driver. “We’ve decided to get married.” “Congratulations, sir. When’…Beatles4 min read
Published in The English Language: FAQ·PinnedWhat is Hogmanay?And why did January 1st become New Year’s Day? Hogmanay is the word used to describe the very distinctive Scottish celebration of New Years’s Eve. This includes the singing of Auld Lang Syne while linking arms — a tradition has spread across the world. Other famous customs include ‘first-footing’ —…New Year3 min read
Jun 20Day 24–31 Days of Reading 10 New Articles a day111Andy TaylorThanks so much for your very kind comments, Andy.Thanks so much for your very kind comments, Andy. I have added links to other posts that form of my 'sort of memoir'.1 min readThanks so much for your very kind comments, Andy. I have added links to other posts that form of my 'sort of memoir'.----
Published in The Beatles FAQ·Jun 12Remembered PlacesTwo teenagers meet at a drab bus terminus. Not the most promising song premise. Just memories really…pulled together and given a slightly poetic treatment Paul McCartney Lennon and McCartney approach the physical world of their past from different angles. For John ‘the places I remember’ are seen as part of…Beatles2 min read
Published in The English Language: FAQ·May 31The origin of the word jubilee?Biblical but it gets complicated Jubilee is an interesting example of a word that evolved to cover two distinct but connected meanings. The origin can be traced back to the Old Testament, where the hebrew word yobhel was used to mark the year of the emancipation of slaves. This was…Jubilee2 min read
Published in The Beatles FAQ·May 25When did The Beatles last play The Cavern?The Beatles played 292 times at the Cavern Club in Liverpool in just two years. Their last performance was on Saturday, August 3rd, 1963. The speed at of The Beatles national rise to fame caught the Cavern Club management by surprise. They had intended to use the The Beatles national…Music4 min read
Published in The Beatles FAQ·May 3I Wanna be Your ManHow Lennon & McCartney gave the Stones their first Top 20 single In an interview with Playboy (1980) John Lennon, gave his account of how Lennon & McCartney came to write ‘I Wanna be your Man’ for their nearest musical rivals, The Rolling Stones. Paul and I finished that one…Beatles4 min read
Published in James Joyce FAQ·May 1Why is ‘Throwaway’ a key motif in Ulysses?Bloom as the ‘dark horse’ outsider One of the most extraordinary features of Ulysses is the subtle way in which real people, places and events are woven into its fabric. On the 16 June 1904 the Ascot Gold Cup race takes place, near London. The event is followed closely by…James Joyce3 min read
Published in James Joyce FAQ·Apr 26How does Ulysses begin?A troubled Stephen Dedalus is back in Dublin after the death of his mother. — Stately, plump Buck Mulligan came from the stairhead, bearing a bowl of lather on which a mirror and a razor lay crossed. A yellow dressing gown, ungirdled, was sustained gently behind him on the mild morning air. He held the bowl aloft and intoned:- Introibo ad altare Dei. Listen a…James Joyce3 min read
