Who Needs Vegas

Last night proved you don't need Vegas to have a hangover. There I was last night, sitting at home minding my own business enjoying a quiet Saturday night. Gareth was at work and it was just me and the cats doing some reading when the knock at the door broke the silence.

Several of my friends showed up determined to get me out of the house and have "just one drink" with them. I argued that I wasn't dressed or in the mood and I really wanted to get some reading done. My cat even jumped on my lap, stood on my chest and meowed a stern warning to me as if to say don't do it.

Before I knew it, my friends were tying my shoes, putting my coat on me, and dragging me to the car. As I shut the door I looked at my one cat sitting there staring at me and I said "I'll be right back."

The sun was shining and Gareth was at home in bed by the time I saw my house again. I walked in smelling like booze, second hand smoke, and sausage mcmuffin from the breakfast I needed so bad. I fell onto the couch and tried to sleep, but couldn't since the room was spinning a bit and my ears were still echoing the sound of the music from the many clubs we visited. One time I opened my eyes and there above me on the arm of the couch sat my cat, looking down upon me with a look of disgust on his face and his nose going a mile a minute. I wasn't sure if the disgust came from the fact he smelled booze and smoke, or that he smelled the sausage sandwich I ate and realized I had breakfast without him and didn't bring him a snack.

Not being able to sleep, I decided to get up and get a shower and put on fresh clothes. I was leaning against the side of the shower, letting the water run down my head and body when Gareth walked in to piss. One sight of me and he burst out in laughter at my misery with his "oh, oh, ohhhhh, hahahaha" laughter. I wanted to be annoyed with him, but I didn't have the energy. Even though he is still having much fun with the situation I have put myself in, he was kind enough to greet me when I got out of the shower with a nice fluffy towel and dry me off and put my sweat pants and t-shirt on me when even that was a struggle.

Now I sit here on the couch writing this and I glance at the book I was reading last night, still where I left it. Seems like a lifetime ago I laid that book there. Let this be a lesson, when your friends say "Just One Drink!" they really don't mean it. But now that I am sobering up, I can't complain too much. I had fun with friends and we have several new stories to tell in the coming years and the best part is, I took my camera with me and we have pictures of all the things my friends did last night that they'll try to deny in the future. "I never let a guy do a shot off my bare chest?" "Oh really, lets look at the pictures!" Priceless as they say.

Gareth is lying next to me on the couch, his feet propped up on my legs as we watch a movie and all is getting back to the routine. If only I could get my one cat to stop giving me an attitude.

Remembering A Friend

When Elizabeth Taylor, last of the great movie stars, passed away this week the world lost an icon, but for gay men, we lost a friend. No other star of her era befriended and supported the gay community as she did. Her last major movie role was in the sixties, yet she was still a major star and loved the world over when she made her last known public appearance in a gay bar in West Hollywood in 2008.

During her lifetime she shared the screen with several major gay and bi movie actors and befriended several of them off screen. She genuinely loved the handsome and talented, yet troubled actor Montgomery Clift. When he crashed his vehicle shortly after leaving her house, crushing his face, she ran down the road, climbed through the back of the car and cradled him in her lap, even pulling the two teeth he lost out of his throat before he choked to death. Then she stood guard over him as the papparzzi arrived, vowing any of them print a picture of his face and they'll never work in Hollywood again.


In her life she also acted with and befriended Rock Hudson and James Dean and worked with many other gay actors of note in her movies. Even though Rock Hudson who was gay and James Dean who was Bi disliked each other, the charms of Elizabeth won over both their hearts.


Elizabeth Taylor, like many of her gay friends of the day, found love to be fleeting and heartbreaking. She was married 8 times to 7 different men. She almost died several times throughout her life and was loved and hated at different times of her life for the way she lived her life.


Her work in the eighties as an AIDS activist when no other star would go near the cause only increased her icon status in the gay community. When Rock Hudson was dying of AIDS and many supporters turned away, it was Elizabeth Taylor and Doris Day who were two of the few celebrities to stand beside him with love and support for their dying friend.


So while the world mourns a movie star, we mourn our friend. Rest in Peace dear lady of ours. Thank you for being a friend.

Liam Lawrence

Liam Lawrence has criticised players who decide they want to play for the Republic of Ireland only after failing to win England recognition.

Stoke's winger Jermaine Pennant and Jamie O'Hara, who is currently on loan at Wolves, have both suggested recently that they could declare for Ireland. Lawrence, who joined Portsmouth from Stoke at the turn of the year, admits their comments have not gone down well within the Irish camp.

He said: "The only thing I know upsets us is when people are trying to juggle between England and Ireland. That's the only issue, really, and it's not just me saying that. It doesn't look good, does it?

"We don't dislike these people, it is just some of the comments they come out with when they are saying they are juggling between Ireland and England – you just don't want it, do you?"

An Irish Dinner

Online Memorial Book for Knut

http://www.zoo-berlin.de/zoo/service/service/knut/neuer-eintrag.html

You can sign the online memorial book for Knut.

Knut playing with a branch

Irish Sunset

Goodbye Knut

I couldn't help but cry when I heard the news that Knut the Polar Bear died this past Saturday at the age of 4. His life was filled with much heartache and controversy and he became loved by millions around the world.

Rejected by his mother at birth, he was raised by zookeepers. He became the first polar bear cub to survive past infancy at the Berlin Zoo in more than 30 years. The image of Knut playing with toys and waving to cameras became a successful tourist attraction for the zoo who made millions of dollars off of his fame.

Rest in peace sweet Knut. Wherever we go after this world, I hope you're running free.

Ben Cohen

Role Play Movie

Role Play is a film by Rob Williams that has some nice scenery, and I'm not talking about the plants around the pool. lol

Steve Callahan, who plays Graham a soap opera star, finds his career is in trouble after the release of a sex tape on the internet by his ex. Matthew Montgomery, who plays Trey a gay marriage activist, finds himself having his own publicity issue when a story is released that he’s divorcing his husband. The two seek solice in each others misery and find refuge at a resort while dealing with their issue.

Irish Hottie - Alex O’Loughlin

Ocean Darkness

Working an overnight shift on the ship working with some of the crew on some tests. Its been a long night and seems like we've been here two nights in a row without daylight.


Getting tired now as morning approaches. Its hot in here tonight and I feel kind of sticky and sweaty. Can't wait to get a shower and go to bed. I can almost feel the cool softness of the sheets in my bunk calling me name. I think I'll sleep good and sound when I get a chance.


Love to hear the sound of distant ships and their fog horns echoing their arrival. I tried to tape it, but its too dark and the sound of the ocean drowned it out on the tape. I'll try to capture that another time.

I was just looking out a porthole and either its beginning to drizzle or a sea monster is spitting on the window at me.

My test is finally completing and I can now go get a shower and sleep. Everyone enjoy your day or evening and remember to keep those in Japan in your thoughts and pray that they can get those reactors under control. Love you all. Ah, bed here I come.

Irish Aid To Japan

The images coming out of Japan each day of the devastation and loss of life both human and animal is hard to comprehend. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you.

Anyone in Ireland wishing to help those suffering in Japan, you can do so at this website.http://www.ija.ie/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=79&cntnt01origid=15&cntnt01returnid=88

Japan battles to keep Fukushima plant under control

Nine News: Japan battles to keep Fukushima plant under control - Video - RTÉ News Player#&autoplay=true#&autoplay=true

Will Ireland Elect A Gay Man As President?

The Independent Senator David Norris from Dublin has launched a campaign to secure a nomination to contest this year's Presidential Election. He said it will be a challenge, but the support he has received so far should be helpful in securing such a nomination.


Speaking at the announcement, he said the time has come for a political revolution that puts the needs of the people first. He wants to bring vigour and renewal back to the country, and he is putting his name forward with 'a sense of duty and resolve.


Senator Norris said he has written to all the chairpersons of every county council in the country.

Asked about canvassing newly-elected Independent TDs, he said he would be speaking directly to all of them and he would seek support whenever he could get it.

Mr Norris said as president he would not need the full salary, and that he would place a portion of it to one side, which would set up a fund to make the presidency more accessible.

Mr Norris said his sexuality has not been an issue, but if it is, he will deal with it. He would not see himself as a gay president but as a president who happens to be gay, he added.

Asked about campaigns opposing him from right-wing groups, he said he could not prevent a hostile view, but said he had lived a decent and good life.

Rugby Spoof

Irish Team Practices

St. Patricks Day Fail

The fun is already beginning! Happy St. Patricks Day Week.

Irish Stars At Night

Inseparable Friends

The bodies of Liam and and his dog Theo returned to Britain today where they were given a somber hero's repatriation ceremony in town of Wootton Bassett. People often line the streets of this town in a mark of respect each time a dead soldier is repatriated. Thursday, they stood in silence, many with dogs at their feet as Tasker's friends and family laid roses atop the hearse.


The soldier and his dog trained, played, and worked together for months searching out roadside bombs and their bond was so great, they died within hours of each other in Afghanistan. Theo had been so successful — finding 14 hidden bombs and weapons caches, a record for a team in Afghanistan — that the dog's tour of duty had been extended by a month.

There are calls for Theo to receive the Dickin medal, which since 1943 has recognized wartime bravery by animals, from carrier pigeons to a World War II commando collie.


Lance Cpl. Liam Tasker, a dog handler with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, was killed in a firefight with insurgents in Helmand Province on March 1 as he searched for explosives with Theo, a bomb-sniffing springer spaniel mix. The dog suffered a fatal seizure hours later at a British army base, likely brought about by stress.

Military officials won't go so far as to say Theo died of a broken heart — but that may not be far from the truth.

"I think we often underestimate the grieving process in dogs," said Elaine Pendlebury, a senior veterinarian with animal charity PDSA. "Some dogs react very severely to their partner's loss. The bonding that I have seen between soldiers or police and their dogs is fantastic. When you see them working together, it's really one unit."

The loyalty of some dogs is legendary, from Greyfriars Bobby, a 19th-century Skye terrier who guarded his master's Edinburgh grave for 14 years, to Hachiko, a Japanese dog who awaited his owner's return at a train station every day for years after the man's death. Both are commemorated with statues.


A military Hercules plane carrying Tasker's body and Theo's ashes touched down Thursday at a Royal Air Force base in southwest England. As the funeral cortege of black vehicles drove slowly away, it was saluted by a long line of military dog handlers, their dogs at their sides. A black Labrador retriever sat quietly beside its handler as the hearse carrying the flag-draped coffin disappeared from view.

Jimmy Fallon Surgery

Jimmy Fallon had a mole removed off his left hand by Dr. Oz. It was very interesting to see how the procedure is done and when they cut his hand I could just feel it. I felt for Jimmy when the crowd moaned as the blood started rushing out and Jimmy pleaded with them to "Just Laugh".

Love Jimmy, he's the best.

You can watch the surgery at the Dr. Oz website:
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/jimmy-fallon-cosmetic-surgery-pt-1
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/jimmy-fallon-cosmetic-surgery-pt-2