DarrenByrne.com

Way back in school, surrounded by Yeats and Keats and Heaney and Shakespearean sonnets, when I discovered Phillip Larkin‘s poetry it was like a breath of fresh air. I realise how juvenile it was now looking back, but when I first read this, it spoke to me. I loved it.

They fuck you up, your mum and dad.
They may not mean to, but they do.
They fill you with the faults they had
And add some extra, just for you.

But they were fucked up in their turn
By fools in old-style hats and coats,
Who half the time were soppy-stern
And half at one another’s throats.

Man hands on misery to man.
It deepens like a coastal shelf.
Get out as early as you can,
And don’t have any kids yourself.

Philip Larkin (1971)

All these years later, it’s still sound advice. 🙂

Lottie is heading out to meet some fembloggers this evening, which leaves me at a loose end. That’s fine – I have plenty of ways to amuse myself. 😕

But then I spotted an idle comment on Foley’s blog from an admirer of herself. Now, I can understand people taking a shine to her – she’s beautiful – but now I wonder if she’s really going to meet these mystery ladies, or is she meeting the mystery guy instead…

I sent her an email:

Who’s your admirer? http://rayfoleyshow.blogspot.com/2008/08/what-friday-evenings-are-made-for.html

Lottie replied:

My new loova! 🙂 I don’t know. but I feel all foxy now.

I retorted:

Loova?

You’re not meeting the ‘girls’ at all, are you? Grr!

(And you should always feel foxy – you’re always gorgeous)

She eased my mind:

Grr- and I thought it was a cunning plan.

I couldn’t have an affair. I wouldn’t be able to resist the urge to blog about it. 🙂

A lot has been said, giving out about Irish Rail (here, here and here, and here, and here), but this morning I was privileged to receive some great service from one of the Irish Rail staff.

I forgot my wallet this morning (yes, I know I’m an idiot). I only realised as I reached the platform at Pearse Station. I got to the exit and I was honest with the ticket collector. He recognised me. I told him I have an annual ticket and I am there every morning. I told him I had forgotten my wallet. I told him I was very sorry and I asked him what I could do.

In his almighty benevolence he said that I looked trustworthy (well thank you Mr Man for letting me know). He asked if I was sure I wasn’t lying (I checked – I was sure). He took out his ticket book and said he would need to take my details, as “rules are rules” and I had no ticket. Before I had time to beg and plead, he said he had lost his pen. “Ah sure, go on this time, but don’t let me catch you again. And make sure you have money for your return journey”. Wasn’t he wonderful?

I know I’m in no position to give out, I had no ticket. But by his own admission this guy recognised me. Was there really a need for a power trip? And his “don’t let me catch you again”? He didn’t catch me – I came forward and admitted it. I have, many mornings, accidentally presented my bank card instead of train ticket and no one noticed or even looked at it. I could have handed him a wet trout and he’d have been none the wiser.

Why does everyone in Irish Rail have such massive attitude problems?