Dé Luain (Mon), Meitheamh (Jun) 28th
Conan O'Brien hates Finland!
Conan O'Brien is fairly popular here in Finland. One of his recent sketches was about the Finns, it was actually shown on TV here at least twice.
Anyway here are clips of the Finnish sketch from the show (Swedes might be interested too):
http://koti.mbnet.fi/dredge/conan.avi
http://www.nodalpoint.net/doc/media/conan_obrian_hates_finland_part2.mpeg more..
maca @ 11:09.
Sovereign Iraq
The interim government in Iraq has been handed sovereignty 2 days ahead of schedule. "a historic and happy day for us in Iraq" according to President Sheikh Ghazi al-Yawar. In reality it will mean "sfa" for ordinary Iraqis as the body count continues to rise.
Less than an hour later Paul Bremer, the former Administrator was on a helicopter starting his trip out of the country. I bet Bush was wondering how many people he could get on that helicopter. more..
maca @ 10:59.
What's 'riddip' in Farsi?
One of the weirdest stories of recent times. In Iran a woman has given birth to a frog. Strange ... but true? more..
maca @ 10:47.
Vatican's condom 'bigotry'
You are probably already aware of this issue: "The European Union has condemned Catholic Church "bigotry" over the use of condoms to fight HIV."
As much as I detest the word "bigotry" especially when it's used to label the church I belong to [though i'm not religious] I can't help but ask what is to be gained from the Vatican making such claims? Cardinal Trujillo may be right about condoms not offering sufficient protection against the HI virus [approx 98% effective against pregnancy so you have to question their effectiveness against the smaller aids virus] but they are better than nothing. Surely it is irresponsible for the church to make such claims? We live in a world where aids is rampant[*see below] so surely the catholic church show throw off it's archaic ways and help protect our fellow man. Abstinence and monogamy may have helped in Uganga but won't do much overall in the fight against this disease.
more..
maca @ 10:23.
Dé Sathairn (Sat), Meitheamh (Jun) 26th
Has Irish no other future but to die?
A French student is investigating the current situation and future of Irish language and is looking for feedback on what you think the future holds for the Irish language... more..
maca @ 01:39.
Irish language advisory committee announced
6 MEMBERS NOMINATED BY COMHDHÁÍL NÁISIÚNTA NA GAEILGE
The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív,
announced today that the first meeting of Coiste Comhairleach na Gaeilge
will be held on the first of July in Dublin. 6 of the 23 members
representing the education, media, sport and culture sectors were
nominated by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge to represent An Chomhdháil
and its member organisations. more..
maca @ 01:34.
Dé Domhnaigh (Sun), Meitheamh (Jun) 20th
£50m for England's Rooney?
I'm trying to avoid Euro 2004 postings but this caught my attention. Wayne Rooney, Englands young player is estimated to be worth up to GB£50 million following his performance in the championship so far!
Players salaries have long been way out of control but this is really ridiculous. I mean, he's no George Best. more..
maca @ 11:38.
EU hard won constitution deal
Finally they have done it...after serious negotiations the 25 European countries have finally been able to compromise and reach a deal on the EU's first constitution. The next task for Governments is the ratifying of the text. They also need to appoint a new Commissioner as Mr Prodi steps down in October.
The Constitution
Q & A's about the constitution
Irish EU Presidency more..
maca @ 11:14.
Déardaoin (Thu), Meitheamh (Jun) 17th
Soccer thugs at it again
Well it was to be expected wasn't it. There's always a small minority of "soccer fans" who have more interest in creating havoc than supporting their team.
12 England fans were up in court, 11 of which [and a Russian] are to be deported and 1 has received a two year jail sentence after 200 English supporters ran riot in Albufeira on Monday. And another 34 fans are also due in court after rioting Tuesday. more..
maca @ 02:02.
"Energize..."
The journal Nature has reported that scientists have performed the first successful teleportation of atoms! Ok, it's a long way from Trekkie technology but can be developed for use in new super-fast computers. Interesting. more..
maca @ 01:47.
Dé Máirt (Tue), Meitheamh (Jun) 15th
Software Patent Issue Revisited 2
I did some emailing recently regarding the software patent issue and have just received the following response from the Irish Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Anyone with a good understanding of the issue want to critique their response? more..
maca @ 06:50.
Dé Luain (Mon), Meitheamh (Jun) 14th
Celebrating Bloomsday 100
June 16 approaches. The annual celebration of Leopold Bloom's epic journey around Dublin. The 24 hours known as Bloomsday, "the world's biggest simultaneous celebration of a single piece of art". Although Bloomsday is only a single day celebrations normally last the whole week and this year they are planning a five-month festival lasting from 1 April 2004 to 31 August. Should be good craic if yer in the neighbourhood.
Ever read Ulysses though? Riveting stuff...
Tá an 'ReJoyce Dublin' suíomh ar fáil i nGaeilge freisin. more..
maca @ 09:23.
Multicultural requirement...
Here's how some deal with the issue of multiculturalism. The Universtiy of Texas is considering making the study of another culture for a semester mandatory. "PC gone amok" some are calling it. more..
maca @ 08:59.
Dé Domhnaigh (Sun), Meitheamh (Jun) 13th
Féile ealaíne an Earagail arts festival, 8 - 18 Iúil/July 2004
Arís ón Nuachtlitir Ghaelport:
Clár ar fáil ar líne http://www.earagailartsfestival.ie/
nó in Ionad Eolais Gaelport.
The 16th annual Earagail arts festival will take place from the 8th to the 16th of July. Information available from http://www.earagailartsfestival.ie/
The man to watch out for here is the ventriloquist David Strassman, this guy is amazing and not to be missed. I'm sickened that I can't be there to see him myself. more..
maca @ 12:19.
An Ghaeilge agus RTÉ
Tá Cairt um Chraolachán Seirbhíse Poiblí nua foilsithe ag RTÉ agus áit
lárnach don Ghaeilge ann.
Is féidir an cairt iomlán a léamh ag:
http://www.dcmnr.gov.ie/display.asp/pg=1574 more..
maca @ 12:09.
Dé hAoine (Fri), Meitheamh (Jun) 11th
Windows XP agus Office 2003 ar fáil i nGaeilge faoi lár 2005
Tá Microsoft ag féachaint le leagan Gaeilge de Windows XP agus Office
2003 a tháirgeadh. Beidh na leaganacha Gaeilge le fáil saor in aisce ach
iad a íoslódáil ón Idirlíon.
Tá ionchur phobal na Gaeilge de dhíth.
Tuilleadh eolais:
http://members.microsoft.com/wincg/home.aspx?langid=2108 more..
maca @ 07:59.
Software Patent Issue Revisited
Got an email from reader Ciaran O'Riordan about the software patent issue.
Ciaran is working for the Irish Free Software Organisation and offers the following voting recommendation for the June 11 vote:
Area: Vote #1, and #2
East: Avril Doyle, Eoin Dubsky
South: Brian Crowley, Gerard Collins
North West: Sean O'Neactain
Dublin: Patrica McKenna, Ivana Bacik
Use your vote. Oppose the patents! more..
maca @ 02:38.
Déardaoin (Thu), Meitheamh (Jun) 10th
Where's Mick Dundee when ya need him?
Finally, in Hong Kong they captured the croc which had been evading capture for seven months in HK's New Territories waterways. The croc managed to avoid being caught despite the best efforts of many hunters including Aussie John Lever. Eventually the croc was snagged in a trap. They are now deciding what to do with "Croc Croc Chan". more..
maca @ 11:20.
Dé Máirt (Tue), Meitheamh (Jun) 8th
More bitching from Paisley
There was a ceremony to install the new Presbyterian Moderator in Northern Ireland yesterday, and guess who turned up to protest? Ian "Bigot" Paisley and his cronies. They were "denouncing ecumenism", protesting the fact that the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland was invited to the ceremony. more..
maca @ 10:19.
Obituary for Simon Cumbers
Simon Cumbers gets an obituary on the BBC website following his tragic death in Saudi Arabia at the weekend. Another sad chapter in Saudi's ongoing problem with attacks against westerners. His colleague Frank Gardner is critically ill in hospital. more..
maca @ 08:44.
Dé hAoine (Fri), Meitheamh (Jun) 4th
Another petition...
Calling all GAA fans. RTÉ have changed the theme tune to the Sunday Game...bastards.
Do your duty and sign The Sunday Game Petition, bring back our anthem. 
more..
maca @ 05:11.
Queen Camilla?
In the UK the green light has been given for Prince Charles to marry his bird Camilla Parker Bowles. Looks like they will be a royal wedding soon, and a Queen Camilla in future? But will mammy give her permission? [not that I really give a shit or anything.] more..
maca @ 11:09.
Web diseased
According to Sophos there was 959 new viruses released on the web last month alone.
Blimey...don't people have anything better to do with their time? more..
maca @ 11:02.
Microsoft patent clicks
The US patent office has long being a joke! Whether it's lack of resources or sheer stupidity they have in the past issued some seriously stupid patents.
Though not as stupid as some they have granted Microsoft a patent for a "time based hardware button for application launch" in which a click of a button can start different programs if it is clicked once, twice or held down for several seconds. This process sound familiar?
Not to worry too much though as "the patent only applies to handheld computers that run Microsoft's PocketPC software -- specifically the method of bringing up different features depending on how many times a button is pressed" more..
maca @ 10:57.
Déardaoin (Thu), Meitheamh (Jun) 3rd
Hurling Article
I was just surfin' the web when I came across this article in the Guardian about DJ Carey. It's a tad old, October 2003, but it's well worth a read if you are a fan of hurling or DJ. Mind you, if you don't like DJ you won't like this article as they make him out to be a god. more..
maca @ 09:57.
Dé Céadaoin (Wed), Meitheamh (Jun) 2nd
Good girl Julia
Julia Roberts is with child, two of them actually. Maith an cailín. more..
maca @ 12:51.
Sixth-grade killer
Christ ... In Japan an 11 year old school girl led a 12 year old fellow class mate to an empty class room during lunch hour and then slit her throat and arms! [Guardian | Reuters]. more..
maca @ 08:52.
Dé Máirt (Tue), Meitheamh (Jun) 1st
Norwegian smoking ban
Following the 'success' of the smoking ban in Ireland, the Norwegians have followed suit and also banned smoking in restaurants and bars. 26% of Norwegians are smokers, well above the recommended average so health chiefs are hoping the ban will have a big impact. Polls show the British are also behind such a ban. more..
maca @ 01:12.
Beo
Tá BEO Meitheamh ar fáil anois. Tá vóta spéisiúila ar an príomhleathanach an mhí seo, an bhfuil ceart ar mhuintir na hÉireann fáilte a chur ar George Bush nuair a tabharfadh sé cuairt ar Éirinn ar an 25 Meitheamh? Ní cheart, is dóigh liomsa....gabh pardún agam a Seoirse 
more..
maca @ 12:49.
Ranieri given the boot
If you are interested in soccer (sorry...football...blaaah) you may be interested to hear that Chelsea boss Roman Abramovich has sacked Claudio Ranieri. Bit harsh in my opinion, I think Claudio has done a good job, especially since Abramovich has come on board and tried to manufacture a team by throwing together big names. It looks like Jose Mourinho (who?) is the replacement. more..
maca @ 12:09.
Live Aid Part Deux?
Reports say Bono is planning to organise a second Live Aid, likely to be held in next summer in London. However Sir Bob denies any involvement with the project despite Sun reports that he is to team up with the U2 frontman. The 20th anniversary [of LiveAid 1] on July 13th "will be used to draw attention to the AIDS emergency and extreme poverty still engulfing African countries" (IOL). more..
maca @ 12:03.
China censoring online games
Interesting story from China where they have taken the decision to regulate online gaming.
Any games with content "violating basic principles of the Constitution, threatening national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, that might divulge state secrets" or content "threatening state security, damaging the nation's glory, disturbing social order and infringing on other's legitimate rights" will be prohibited! more..
maca @ 11:53.
Virtual cussing...
The bauld Slugger has been havin' a few issues le deanaí with folks resorting to insulting and name callin', generally lowering the usual high standard of insightful discussion which takes place. It totally spoils the atmosphere and in worst cases causes Slugger mgt. to remove what could be interesting and informative discussions.
Still, there's nothing new in that is there, the ranting on Slugger is wickedly mild compared to some of the crap you see on the net. Par for the course on discussion forums. more..
maca @ 11:34.