John Keyes

The Airfix Red Arrows Hawk 50th Display Season kit is another nice kit that’s easy to make. Myself and my son put this one together.

Again we went with a custom paint job, using Halford’s paint we had to hand, and applied the decals to our own tastes. We’re called it the Silver Arrow for obvious reasons.

I applied a couple of layers of clear coat too, but for some reason this seemed to bubble some of the decals.

We’re happy with the results. I’ve been told the next paint job should glow in the dark. We’ll see what happens on that front.

We went to see Song of the Sea yesterday, and it lived up to my personal expectations. Even if this was a silent film it would still be spectacular thanks to the beautiful visuals.

A masterpiece from Tomm Moore, a tale of witches, selkies, and fairies; a family torn apart by forces known and unknown; a journey of truth and discovery; an acceptance of the way things are.

Song of the Sea Trailer

More deserved success for Cartoon Saloon who continue to forge their own path of excellence in the world of animated film.

Do yourself a favour and see this film on the big screen before it’s too late.

For my birthday, I received a present of some Tour de Ted body wash. The product blurb goes:

For the modern man about town who’s not afraid to change gear or multi-task, the fresh and invigorating top notes of Ozonic, Eucalyptus, Geranium and Patchouli will leave you feeling completely revitalised.

This revitalising Hair and Body Wash works in tandem with your physique to ensure you’re always oiled for choice.

I do love some fun cheese laden prose. Now I could go on about how this product will keep my frame sparkling, my levers glistening, and my saddle supple, but why would I go yanking your chain like that.

My family spent a few days down in the Mount Brandon Hotel in New Ross this week, and after dinner on Wednesday night I noticed a Give Blood Clinic was open. Some members of my family have had their lives saved thanks to people who have donated their blood. This was an opportunity for me to give some back.

The last time I donated blood was about twenty years ago. Willie O’Keeffe, a veteran of over fifty donations, brought me into St. Stephen’s school in Waterford. I don’t remember too much about the day, but I’m fairly sure I had a glass of Guinness to aid recovery.

The large room where the clinic was being held was pretty full. I joined the queue of other donors and one of the nurses informed us that it would take about two hours in total. I thought it might take about half an hour, and with two kids upstairs wondering what the hell their Dad was doing, I briefly contemplated walking out.

They arrived down with my book, and my son (five years old) said he’d give some blood too. After telling him I’d bring him a keyring when I was finished, he was happy enough to leave me to it.

A quick registration process followed, and then I was in another queue, for the haemoglobin test. I thought this might be a blood prick test (or similar), but it was even more straightforwad than that. I simply had to put my finger into a device with a rubber sleeve, and that was that. It didn’t take very long, and then I ended up in another queue to await an interview. First time donors, and those who haven’t donated for over two years, must go through this interview process.

Prior to the interview, I had to fill out a questionnaire (yes/no answers), with questions about my health, travel, and sexual activity. The interview consists of a review of this questionnaire, and then signing a declaration that basically I understood all the questions, and that I accept how my blood could be used.

After the interview, I joined the donation queue, and had a couple of glasses of water. I then spent maybe thirty minutes reading about Stephen Fry’s sugar addiction, before I was called to donate.

The procedure itself is fast. I was giving a large plastic bone to squeeze, and then they swabbed the area, inserted the needle, and let me lie there while the bag was filled. I’d say it took about five minutes to fill the bag. An audible alarm signals when the bag is full. The needle is removed, a plaster applied and then off you go for some goodies.

A glass of 7-Up and a few Bourbon Creams and I was out the door.

Most importantly I didn’t forget to bring two keyrings back to the room with me.