3 Miles North of Molkom

The Lighthouse Cinema, Smithfield
€9


I trekked off to Dublin’s Smithfield to see this interesting 109 minute film. It’s a fly-on-the-wall documentary and concerns the ‘No Mind’ festival (more of which I will explain further on), held in Angsbacka, Sweden.

Nick is an Australian rugby fanatic and, like many Antipodeans, he is touring Europe. Siddhartha is a native Swede who is a Harbour Master and these two compete for arrogance throughout. Siddhartha is willing to embrace the hippy lifestyle of hugging trees and the far out lifestyle. Nick, on the other hand is sceptical of this “mumbo jumbo” (his words).

There are some others who feature in the movie: A frazzle haired hippy that has no problem attracting women. He, at one stage, starts to bleat like a goat and behaves in a childish manner, despite the absence of drugs. Worrying. Then there is a lady from Finland who cannot produce saliva in her mouth and is distinctly unhappy.

It seems that those attending the festival are missing something in their lives and through communing with nature, walking over hot coals and getting involved in tantric sex (among other activities), their lives become enriched. These activities and more form the basis of the ‘No Mind’ festival.

Financial concerns and total acceptance of each other is the free spiritual theme, throwing off the shackles of everyday life. Without being overtly religious, the communal atmosphere of 3MNoM is an encouraging way to live. It makes you think of your place in society, no bad thing. Maybe more people should consider making a journey to Angsbacka to participate – perhaps the reason for making this film in the first place.

This cinema-goer was expecting to see plenty of naked sexual exploits, as other reviews were accompanied by photos of naked human flesh from the film. It wasn’t pornographic but I had imagined that nakedness would be prominently featured. Instead the viewer is treated to a hippy flick. One’s attitude to hippies will determine how enjoyable the viewer will find 3MNoM.

It should be stressed that by the end of the movie all participants have their unhappiness resolved. The ‘No Mind’ festival brings a level of satisfaction. Just what is needed. This is a celebration of life and negativity is not part of the deal. Leaving the cinema, in darkest Smithfield, I yearned to see it again. Isn’t that the mark of a good film?

The Prostate

What follows is a brief look at issues surrounding prostate cancer and should only be viewed as an introduction. Nothing can replace a consultancy with a member of the medical profession and, as said below, if you are diagnosed, a second and possibly third opinion should always be sought.

Peter Mandelson has recently, it was reported, had surgery on his prostate. The late Charles Haughey, the very much alive Gay Byrne and Sunday Independent scribe, Eoghan Harris are just some of the famous Irish men who have had problematic prostates. I decided to get some lowdown on this part of the male anatomy that gets more precious with age.

According to www.psa-rising.com “A normal human male prostate is about the size of a small plum. The prostate sits above the base of the penis below the urinary bladder and backs onto the front wall of the rectum… the prostate makes some of the fluid for semen, may keep urine out of the semen, and enhances pleasurable sensations of arousal and orgasm… it serves two functions, urination and ejaculation.”

Whilst countless numbers of women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, prostate cancer is extremely common, in post-middle aged men. According to the website above: “An inflamed or benignly overgrown prostate can cause discomfort and pain and interfere with urination. Even more seriously, a prostate in which some cells are cancerous can threaten a man’s health and eventually his life.

The website goes on to say that if you receive a prostate cancer diagnosis you should:

Take a second and third opinion on the diagnosis

Compare long term survival rates and the side affects of treatment

Make careful plans based on your personal health, values and goals


It is important to remind people that prostate cancer can be treated in a number of ways and there is a good survival rate. Finally remember that there is a wide range of support for anyone with a cancer diagnosis – you are not alone.

Irish Cancer Society Website: www.cancer.ie

Hotel Rwanda

In 1962, after years of colonial exploitation in central Africa, two nations were established: Rwanda and Burundi. The former mainly made up of Hutu’s and the latter of the Tutsi tribe. For many years extreme violence between both sects was rampant. This was brought to a head in 1994 when civil war broke out in Rwanda. Many hundreds of thousands were killed.

According to a report, carried on the US based Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), the difference between the Hutu’s and Tutsi’s is economic rather than ethnic. In the 1980s, the report says:
‘The Rwandan Tutsi’s formed the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) and began attacks against the Hutu – led government. After years of fighting, the Rwandan government launched a genocidal campaign against Tutsi’s living in Rwanda. According to reports over 800,000 people were slaughtered over a period of 100 days. The ethnic strife that sparked the slaughters in Rwanda continue to infect the region.’

The above information provides a background to a terrifying, but compelling, film – ‘Hotel Rwanda’. Starring Don Cheadle and Nick Nolte, Hotel Rwanda has made over $30 million since its release and is a valuable window to anyone wishing to get a proper handle on African tribal violence.

The film follows the everyday life of a Rwandan hotel manager, Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle) who attempts to rescue family and guests from his hotel, which is in the front line of ethnic conflict. But his valiant efforts are only partially successful. A frisson of tension is wrapped around the viewer.

Nick Nolte plays the UN commander, Colonel Oliver, and we are shown the utter futility of the UN. Ultimately the war in Rwanda grew to such a scale that avoiding a massacre became impossible.

The film’s director, Ulsterman, Terry George, brings a large dose of terror to proceedings and one is reminded of the Nazi era when countless numbers of Jews were exterminated. The serious nature of ‘Hotel Rwanda’ is plain for its audience to see. However there are some mildly humorous moments: the bribery, by Cheadle, of one of the militiamen with copious amounts of bottled beer brings a low volume chuckle to this viewer. The bribery is used as a delay tactic in order that the caring hotel manager can buy some time and evacuate his hotel and steer away from harm.

The innocence of those in the hotel is exposed to mindless violence. In one disturbing scene, a box is carried into the hotel kitchen and falls to the ground. A large number of machete’s spill out onto the floor and there’s no doubt they are destined to be used to kill in the warfare gripping Rwanda. ‘Hotel Rwanda’ is a gruesome film to watch and one recoils in horror at the mass murder of those unlucky enough to be caught in the genocide in an otherwise beautiful country.

Terry George’s fine depiction of events should serve as a reminder of the terrible things humans are capable of. Not much to laugh at here, but there is plenty in life that cannot be laughed at. Mr George successfully transmits to us the fear present in Rwanda at the time, a fear that sadly is all too common in many parts of the world. Depressingly, one feels the violence in Rwanda is only the tip of the iceberg in a continent beset with tribal tensions.

Africa has yet to end the brutality which has plagued the continent for decades, if not centuries. This film will hopefully contribute to ending this suffering. It should be a celluloid memorial to the victims and the terrible pain survivors have to endure, physical and emotionally, in a spree of violence that should never have happened.

Looking through Eamon Gilmore’s eyes (apologies to THE ADVERTS)

In the 1980s the Labour party was shoring up support for leftwing politics in Ireland. One can remember Frank Cluskey (RIP), Michael O’Leary (RIP) and Dick Spring leading Labour. On a national basis Spring was perhaps the most successful and he went on to lead the party for over 15 years (1982-1997).

The years following Dick Spring’s departure as leader brought Ruairi Quinn and Pat Rabbitte to the top of the Labour party. However both failed to repeat the success of the popular Kerry politician. Spring, at one general election, led his party to a large increase in TDs elected to the Dáil. This became known as ‘the Spring tide’.

Vincent Browne, on one occasion, teased Ruairi Quinn when he was Labour leader: Could Quinn bring about a ‘Spring Tide’?, was Browne’s cynical question, or would it be a ‘Quinn trickle’? Sadly for Labourites the latter was nearer to the truth. The new Labour leader, Eamon Gilmore, will no doubt try to emulate the ‘Spring tide’ at the earliest opportunity.

What follows is a short profile on Mr Gilmore’s background and his current standing in Irish politics:

Barry Desmond,since 1969, represented the Labour party in the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown constituency. However upon his retirement from national politics(1989) a new man of the left was to replace Desmond. That man was Eamon Gilmore.

Gilmore was, initially, a member of the Workers Party and then Democratic Left, before that political grouping merged with the Labour party in 1999. Mr Gilmore was born in Caltra, Co. Galway in 1955 and was prominent in the Union of Students in Ireland (USI). By 1976 he had become leader of that organisation.

In 1985, Eamon Gilmore was elected to Dublin County Council and, since the general election of 1989, has represented the Dun Laoghaire constituency as a TD. Furthermore he has retained his seat in every subsequent general election. In the short-lived ‘Rainbow’ government (1994-97) he was appointed Minister for State for Marine.

In the aftermath of the general election of 2007 Mr Gilmore succeeded Pat Rabbitte as Labour leader. The current economic recession has seen his profile rise as the public get more and more disillusioned with the government. Labour are, once again, being spoken of as serving in a potential government. Certainly the omens are looking good for Ireland’s chief leftwing political party.

At a time of grave concern for our country, it looks likely that Eamon Gilmore’s animated, purple-coloured features will be seen for quite some time to come. His voice will resonate, not just to the people of Dun Laoghaire, but to everyone that is suffering the cuts and bruises of an economy on its last legs. Mr Gilmore will have to show empathy, something not really present with those governing us. He may do well in that regard, especially as we approach Lisbon 2.

Waiting Skills

Memory is a necessity for us all to function effectively in life. If we lose this human faculty then our lives become more difficult for us and those around us.

The Guardian newspaper (18th August 2009) carried an interesting piece on waiters, in Buenos Aires, and their ability to memorise customers’ orders. The article, by Marc Abrahams, quotes a study, in the journal Behavioural Neurology:

“Typical Buenos Aires senior waiters memorise all orders, from clients and take the orders, without written support, of as many as 10 persons per table. They also deliver the order to each and every one of the customers who ordered it without asking or checking.”

This tremendous skill won’t be practiced in your local diner, surely. No you’ll have to go to the Argentine capital for that type of total recall. The research behind this report was gathered by scientists based at academic centres in Buenos Aires and Cambridge. The article delves deeper to give the reader a better insight into the incredible skills the waiters’ possess:

Interviewed afterwards, waiters said they generally paid attention to customers’ location, faces and clothing. They also disclosed a tiny trick of the trade. They “did not pay attention to any customer after taking a table’s order, as if they were protecting the memory formation in the path from the table to the bartender or kitchen.”

The scientists who were responsible for this astonishing report continue:

A remarkable waiter who had trained himself to “recall as many as 20 dinner orders (meat or starch) and link it to the location in the table. He also used acronyms and words to encode salad dressing, and visualised cooking temperature for each customer’s meat and linked it to the position on the table.”

This is mind boggling stuff and proof of the wonders of mental agility. The Guardian article ends by informing readers of the best waiter at memorising customers’ orders:

The one who delivered drinks correctly even when customers had swapped seats – claimed that, unlike his colleagues, he ignored where customers sat, and paid attention only to their looks.

Could the culinary skills of Derry Clarke, Gary Rhodes or Antony Worrall Thompson be matched by waiters with the memory skills mentioned above? I think not. Even in the most expensive restaurants, here, waiting staff may not be as good at recalling orders as their contemporaries in Buenos Aires. Are you being served?

Dun Laoghaire Festival of World Cultures 2009 (3)

Another wet morning and you find me in the Bloomfields café, supping tea(sensible drinking). It's after 1pm and I'm perusing today's schedule. Oumou Sangare, Babylon Circus and the Dhoad Gypsies of Rajasthan will all be offering their music free to the public in Newtownsmith later on today. My attention, however, will be fixed on the People's Park with cultural delights from Cameroon, Mexico and Soweto. Will they bring any surprises?

Well I've made it to the Kingston Hotel where Steve Cooney and an assortment of dreadlocked musicians are looking around sternly whilst in rehearsal for their gig later... Signs behind the Kingston bar proclaim loudly 'CASH ONLY'. Everyone's out to take advantage of the money the festival brings locally and you'd have to say why not?

The People's Park is festooned with bunting hanging off the lamposts. A Latin-American band are capitivating a small but devoted audience. Water is the key word today. Not only is it coming down from the sky at an incredible pace, but there are a number of fountains in the park with water spouting from the mouths and penis's of the statues there.I should be thankful I'm not getting showered in urine.Anyway the water won't kill me.

Omnipresent over the weekend are food and children. If they were not present then, one wonders, would the festival work? A little more imagination is needed. If these gripes are addressed next year things will be more exciting. Also, the main thoroughfare in DL is practically ignored. Something for Ms Ackland to work on when she's not busily avoiding interviews....

It's 2.45pm and I am moving away from the People's Park going towards Marine Road for one last trawl through the crowds... Outside Saint Michael's church a lone pan piper is drawing interest. A group of bellydancers are arousing male attention. One of the dancers should clearly have given up this form of exhibitionism about 40 years ago.

Moving on I am approached by who I think is a Latin American man, "Amigo would you like a tattoo on your arm?" I politely refuse,one tattoo is quite enough for me,thank you.

My time at the cultural festival is nearly up and my final thoughts are that this year's events were less than overwhelming. The obvious intercultural attraction has not really been as thrilling as it could have been (although, being single may be part of the reason for that). More diversity is needed to take things to a higher,better level in 2010.
© Ian Callagy 2009

Dun Laoghaire Festival of World Cultures 2009 (2)

It's a wet start, my jeans are soaked. However the Dun Laoghaire area is slowly and surely gathering a crowd today, the first day of this year's festival. No amount of rain will affect proceedings: A Lute/Kora is being played outside the County Hall. A few hippies are watching, enraptured (as, indeed,am I). Hippies are usually well-off people who just want to get wasted. It's difficult to imagine the crusties beside me ever living in splendour. I guess there'll be more of this hippy chic to be seen in DL for the duration of the weekend.I'm not knocking these people, it's just that they never seem to be in the REAL world. And I haven't even mentioned spliffs...

I've moved inside the County Hall and there is a lot going on. Entertainment is being brought our way by an Irish traditional folk group and there is loads of organic food to be sampled. Healthy bread is neatly positioned with other calorie laden produce. A life-sized Snakes and Ladders board is rolled out on the ground and some kids are heavily involved. A word of advice: never ignore what goes on in the County Hall, it is a veritable Aladdin's cave and is most educational and informative.

Moving out of the County Hall, I'm heading to see Natty Wailer at the main stage in Newtownsmith. Please let it not rain! The carnival feeling begins to grow as I approach the area and the sound of drumming gets steadily louder. Be in no doubt, the children here are (or should be)having a great time. Many of the little devils and angels are having their faces painted and stuffed with food. Two Gardaí are supping 7up as more and more souls gather in anticipation of Natty Wailer's appearance. Everyone is relaxed, definitely no need to hurry.

"Greetings Dun Laoghaire - RASTAFARI", bellows Natty Wailer before breaking into Bob Marley's 'Redemption Song'. Natty is a natty dresser (sorry!), he's decked out in what looks like traditional gear. There's a couple of crusties at the front with another type of 'gear' keeping them happy. "Gettin' Irie", Natty sings and my jeans are now almost dry. Despite the lack of sunshine, everyone is skanking to the reggae beat. There's a good selection of dreads to be seen and the DL 'massive' are having a great time. But no-one's going to get heatstroke, judging from today's weather.

Natty continues to pepper his set with Bob Marley songs and it sounds wonderful. 'Stir it up' rings out over the field at Newtownsmith and the backing girls are sounding, and looking, terrific. The bearded Jamaican is in the correct environmnet. Thumping bass is, of course, a key feature and the band are as tight musically as Brian Lenihan's wallet. It was definitely a good idea to seek out Natty Wailer and I recommend others do the same.

Well I am now heading out of DL, going past what seems like hundreds of food stalls. Certainly you'd have no excuse to go hungry! Today was subjected to rain, sometimes heavy. But those at the festival were determined to have a good time and DL locals need no excuse to party. Tonight is going to be full of gigs and the Royal Marine Hotel will be the place to go to. Can't quite remember what's going on exactly but the blurb suggests great activity with late buses running. But for me today's goings on are enough and I have enjoyed the wide selection of events.

Tomorrow is the final day of the festival and I'm planning on going to the People's Park to check out what's in store in that part of DL......
© Ian Callagy 2009