I'm not one for public displays of emotion, but I thought writing down a few words here would help get things straight in my head.
Eamonn passed away on the 16th of July 2010. I met him for the first time 10 years ago, during the Summer of 2000 when I first moved to Lanzarote.
The first time I saw him he was striding outside the Craic towards the steps that lead down to Freddies. He had his arms out in front of him--as they always seemed to be. Thinking back now over the 10 years I've known him--through working with him, drinking with him and generally being in his company--he always seemed to have his arms out in front of him, never by his side. Neither did he ever stoll or amble, he always walked with purpose. Everything he did, he did with meaning. This probably reflected his attitude towards life - t'was never enough to just live life, you had to enjoy instead.
The pictures and the comments on the facebook page are nice - there's little doubt that Eamonn would have detested such niceness and would not have been shy about, ahem, voicing his grumpy displeasure at such sentimentality. The pictures of you though give the game away Eamonn and you couldn't fool those who really knew you - you weren't that grumpy and you weren't that crazy. Your big smiley head in those pictures shows the real Eamonn: happy and content, with a personality so large it filled the entire Old Town. (And from what I hear, it filled Ballyduff in Co. Waterford too.)
Your like will never again be seen. And for anyone who ever met you, Lanzarote changed forever on July 16th, 2010.
Bye bye big fella.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Don't get caught with unlicensed on-line travel agents
The on-line hotel booking company 1800hotels.ie filed for bankruptcy a few days ago.
This has left many holiday makers high and dry: they've paid for their hotel through this company, but they arrive at their destination to be told that the booking has been cancelled. Left with little option, people have to pay a second time for their hotel room. Now, instead of paying €600 for your room for the week, you end up paying €1,200 (or more, if your hotel reception says that €600 was a discounted internet offer and the real price is actually higher).
Hopefully, all those in this situation with 1800hotels will get their money back through their credit card companies.
This unfortunate episode really highlights the danger of using unlicensed, unbonded on-line travel agents. Before anyone resolves to never again book holidays on the internet, remember that lots of established "real-world" travel companies have on-line outlets. These will be bonded (meaning that they have deposited 'fail-safe' cash with the appropriate Government licensing body, so that if they go bust while you're abroad then there's still money there to get you back and cover your expenses).
But, how can you tell which are the unbonded "virtual" travel agents that could cause you a load of heartache if they go bust. Well, all reputable travel companies should have the license/bonded symbol on their site (usually their 'Homepage' or on their 'About Us' page). See the end of the Budget Travel website for an example of what to look out for. The letters ITAA (Irish Travel Agents Association) or ABTA (The Travel Association) should also be on the page someplace. See the bottom of the First Choice website for another example.
If you're in any doubt, contact the website company directly and ask them if they're licensed and bonded. If you don't get a reply or you're still unsure, then don't book - is it really worth the hassle of worrying about paying for your room twice just to save a few quid?
This has left many holiday makers high and dry: they've paid for their hotel through this company, but they arrive at their destination to be told that the booking has been cancelled. Left with little option, people have to pay a second time for their hotel room. Now, instead of paying €600 for your room for the week, you end up paying €1,200 (or more, if your hotel reception says that €600 was a discounted internet offer and the real price is actually higher).
Hopefully, all those in this situation with 1800hotels will get their money back through their credit card companies.
This unfortunate episode really highlights the danger of using unlicensed, unbonded on-line travel agents. Before anyone resolves to never again book holidays on the internet, remember that lots of established "real-world" travel companies have on-line outlets. These will be bonded (meaning that they have deposited 'fail-safe' cash with the appropriate Government licensing body, so that if they go bust while you're abroad then there's still money there to get you back and cover your expenses).
But, how can you tell which are the unbonded "virtual" travel agents that could cause you a load of heartache if they go bust. Well, all reputable travel companies should have the license/bonded symbol on their site (usually their 'Homepage' or on their 'About Us' page). See the end of the Budget Travel website for an example of what to look out for. The letters ITAA (Irish Travel Agents Association) or ABTA (The Travel Association) should also be on the page someplace. See the bottom of the First Choice website for another example.
If you're in any doubt, contact the website company directly and ask them if they're licensed and bonded. If you don't get a reply or you're still unsure, then don't book - is it really worth the hassle of worrying about paying for your room twice just to save a few quid?
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
10 songs every cover musician should know
"You can play what you like on your own time. When you're on my time you play what my customers like."
This was the instruction my ex-boss gave to many musicians/entertainers if they indulged themselves by playing what they liked personally rather than what the punters liked.
With this in mind, I tried to think of 10 fail-safe songs that every stage jockey should know. There are loads more I'm sure...
1. Brown-eyed Girl (Van Morrisson)
2. Mrs. Robinson (Simon & Garfunkel)
3. Hey Jude (The Beatles)
4. Delilah (Tom Jones)
5. Nancy Spain (Christy Moore)
6. Suspicious Minds (Elvis)
7. Knockin' on Heaven's Door (Bob Dylan)
8. The Wild Rover (The Dubliners)
9. Lyin' Eyes (The Eagles)
10. Satisfaction (The Rolling Stones)
So, any suggestions for other favourite Lanzarote songs?
This was the instruction my ex-boss gave to many musicians/entertainers if they indulged themselves by playing what they liked personally rather than what the punters liked.
With this in mind, I tried to think of 10 fail-safe songs that every stage jockey should know. There are loads more I'm sure...
1. Brown-eyed Girl (Van Morrisson)
2. Mrs. Robinson (Simon & Garfunkel)
3. Hey Jude (The Beatles)
4. Delilah (Tom Jones)
5. Nancy Spain (Christy Moore)
6. Suspicious Minds (Elvis)
7. Knockin' on Heaven's Door (Bob Dylan)
8. The Wild Rover (The Dubliners)
9. Lyin' Eyes (The Eagles)
10. Satisfaction (The Rolling Stones)
So, any suggestions for other favourite Lanzarote songs?
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