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Topics - Caid

#1
General discussion / Spotify
March 06, 2010, 09:37:19 AM
Has anyone here got the capability to send invites on spotify?  I used to use pandora when in the states and I think this sort of thing is deadly.

If someone can send me an invite to b1461402@qub.ac.uk I would be very grateful.

Thanks
#2

There seem to be a fair few gamblers on the board.  Just wondering what sort of swings you guys have taken in recent years?  Does the wife ever take a swing for you as a result?!

Been over in the States here for a few months and semi-professional gambling seems to be prolific and some of the lads I work with would bet serious money on two beads of condensation dripping down a window!

These superbowl boxes they have in the bars involve serious money too...
#3

Apart from like iTunes, MS Office and Photoshop what other sorts of software packages do you guys use?
#4
General discussion / Over-rated
November 13, 2009, 03:58:52 PM
Going to the Bog (for turf that is)
The English at most sports
New York
The States
The Office (the TV show that is)
Ricky Gervais
Jennifer Aniston
Desserts
Wagon Wheels
Lady GaGa and that Pokerface rubbish
Every Dublin GAA team in the past 15 years
Ziggysego
#5
http://www.cnbc.com/id/33863533/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/

Swedish men, Norwegian women get highest ratings for their looks

Britons are among the ugliest people in the world, according to a dating Web site that says it only allows "beautiful people" to join.

Fewer than one in eight British men and just three in 20 women who have applied to BeautifulPeople.com have been accepted, an e-mailed statement from the site showed.

Existing members of the "elite dating site" rate how attractive potential members are over a 48-hour period, after applicants upload a recent photo and personal profile.

Swedish men have proved the most successful, with 65 percent being accepted, while Norwegian women are considered the most beautiful with 76 percent accepted, the site said.

The way that BeautifulPeople.com accepts new members is simple. A potential member applies with a photo and a brief profile. Over 48 hours, existing members of the opposite sex vote whether or not to admit them, the site said.

Options are: "Yes definitely," "Hmm yes, O.K," "Hmm no, not really" and "No definitely not."

The site was founded in 2002 in Denmark and went live across the globe last month. Since then, the site has rejected nearly 1.8 million people from 190 countries, admitting just 360,000 new members.

"I would say Britain is stumbling because they don't spend as much time polishing up their appearance and they are letting themselves down on physical fitness," Beautiful People managing director Greg Hodge said. "Next to Brazilian and Scandinavian beauties, British people just aren't as toned or glamorous."

Only the male Russian and Polish applicants fared worse than British men, although Russian women had a 44 percent acceptance rate. Polish women did not appear in the table.

German applicants were slated for offering up unflattering photographs, which may have hindered their acceptance rates at 15 percent for men and 13 percent for women, the lowest rate in their category.

"German men and women aren't faring well, but they are submitting stern images, they need to soften up," Hodge said.

#6
GAA Discussion / London dispense with manager role
November 12, 2009, 04:35:21 PM
The London County Board have decided against appointing a manager for their senior football side next year, instead opting for just three selectors.

This decision has not gone down well with delegates, with one person exclaiming at a recent meeting: 'it stinks' and 'it will set London football back 20 years.'

The players would appear to be of the same view: 'It's an absolute farce. Football in London will go down the pan,' fumed Paul Hehir, London's most famous homegrown player.

'When Croke Park see this set-up they're going to laugh at us, ask what the point is in paying for teams to travel over and back when London can't get their finger out.

'They'll throw us out of the championship, those players won't have a platform to show their talents and will walk away, and all the efforts made in bringing through homegrown players will be gone to waste."

A committee had been appointed to appoint the 2010 manager after last season's Championship exit at the hands of Down.

But despite three candidates being put forward, including Noel Dunning who took charge of the last five seasons, and interviews taking place, the Board opted for a committee system similar to the one employed by London's hurlers.

This decision came despite Dunning having the backing of the clubs, who voted 15-6 in favour of the incumbent, but with the management committee's vote counting for 12 they had the casting vote.

Chairman Tommy Harrell defended the board's actions, initially insisting the snub to Dunning wasn't personal but he then launched a stinging attack on the outgoing manager.

'At the start of the year 45 people were attending training and despite repeated requests (to reduce it) that continued for quite a long time, which incurred costs between meals and providing everyone with training gear,' explained Harrell.

'The other point made at management was that Noel had no respect for any of the principal officers, and in dealing with the team it was always an anti-county board feeling; it was them and us.'

From RTE
#7
General discussion / The Stranger
November 12, 2009, 04:09:28 PM
One of my favourite Irish songs/poems is called the Stranger on an album by a Limerick ballad singer called John Ahern (that I found in a local library in London).

I can find no reference to this poem on the internet anywhere (except for links to the John Ahern album itself).  Does anyone anything about it? Did Ahern write it himself?

I will recite it below so that you too may enjoy it:

The Stranger
Well a crowd of the boys were moppin' it up in a Sandy Row saloon,
As they sang to an oul piano that was sadly out of tune,
The night was July the Eleventh, and they made the rafters roar,
With the most harmonious rendering of 'The Sash My Father Wore'

Outside the blazin' bonfires made the night as bright as day,
And all the crowd were dancing in a wobbly sort of way,
They were shoutin', they were singin', and all the din they made,
It early drowned the clangin' of the Belfast Fire Brigade

There were educated men among them, cultured men ye know,
Men like Billy Bothwell, from the village of Drumbo,
A painter by profession, but an artist to his friends,
He'd painted many a masterpiece on some Protestant gable ends

There was poor wee Tommy Fleming, a Prod from Donegal,
Especially invited, and beloved by one and all,
A ballad singer was Tommy, and singing still I hope,
Well known throughout Ulster, for his songs about the Pope

There were shipyard men and dockers, all with glasses in their hands,
There were transport men and fitters, aye the toughest in the land,
And standing there among them, and drinkin' up her fill,
Was a well known local lady, by the name of Orange Lil

But over in the corner, a stranger sat alone,
And nobody paid no heed to him, as the gaiety it wore on,
A tired and weary traveller, he had tramped for many a mile,
And he just came in to sit there, and rest himself a while

But Orange Lil soon noticed him, as her sort often does,
And she went like and sat beside him, and asked him who he was,
"I'm just a weary traveler, but a civil one you'll find",
"I just came in to hear the craic, now I hope the boys don't mind"

Now Orange Lil, for all her faults, had a heart as pure as gold,
She turned to all the fellas and said "look, some day we'll all be old"
"So give this man a drink or two and make him feel at home"
And so they did and soon the beer and whiskey began to come

And then someone said to the Stranger "Come on and give us a song"
But the old lad said "I'm sorry – my singing days are done"
"But I used to play the piano, and so if it's alright",
"I'd like to play some music, in honour of this night"

His coat was all in ribbons, you should of seen his hat,
His tattered sleeves were flappin' on the keyboard as he sat,
Everybody pitied him, he was a sorry sight,
But I can't help remembering, but his eyes were kinda bright

Now it wasn't very quiet in the pub, I needn't tell,
With the clatterin' of glasses and the gabblin' as well,
But as he started playin', and the notes rose in the air,
A mighty hush descended on the whole assembly there,

The shipyard men and dockers, they never made a sound,
The transport men and fitters, were rooted to the ground
And as the sweet notes twinkled on, there came a deathly still,
And I even saw a tear, roll down the face of Orange Lil

As long as I'm on this earth, I'll not forget that night,
I remember it like yesterday, a sad and a moving sight,
But the saddest part, I've yet to tell, I know a tear you'll shed,
Before the night was over, that poor old man was dead

Now he lies in his earthly grave, away from worldly strife,
But up above his head, a tombstone tells the story of his life,
It says "here lies the bravest man, he'll be remembered long",
"Because one night, in Sandy Row, he played the Soldiers Song"
#8
General discussion / Man raped in Belfast city centre
November 11, 2009, 09:22:29 PM
Man raped in Belfast city centre 
 
A 21-year-old man has been raped in Belfast city centre.
The attack happened in the Library Street area some time between 0300 and 0400 GMT on Monday but details have only just been released.
A police spokesman said the victim was "extremely shocked" by the ordeal and was speaking to specially trained officers.
Detectives want to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and who may have information about the assault.


and other grim news from the BBC...

A 16-year-old child rapist allowed to walk free by a judge, only to abuse a five-year-old boy just days later, is detained

A teenager who kidnapped and raped a five-year-old boy, eight days after avoiding custody for another rape, has been detained for at least three years.
The 16-year-old admitted offences against the second boy including rape and child abduction.
Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court heard the attack happened after he was given a community order for the rape of seven-year-old boy in Tameside.
The first sentence, by Judge Adrian Smith, provoked a legal challenge.
On Wednesday, the attacker, who cannot be named, was given an indeterminate sentence for protection of the public after committing a second attack.
He must serve a minimum of three years minus five days before being considered for parole.

But Judge Peter Lakin told him: "The offences you have committed are deeply disturbing and very serious.
Det Con Terry Farrell read out a statement from the victim's father
"You are a devious and manipulative young man with an unhealthy and completely unacceptable sexual interest in young boys.
"It is likely you will not be released for some very considerable period of time."
He added that it was "highly unusual" for a court to categorise a 16-year-old as a danger to the public but in this case it was merited.
"I have to say I have absolutely no hesitation whatsoever in reaching the conclusion that you are indeed a dangerous offender," the judge said.
The boy was sentenced to three years and four months, but will be eligible for parole earlier because of time spent in custody.

Judge Lakin also revoked the community rehabilitation order passed by Judge Adrian Smith and resentenced him for the earlier rape offences against the seven-year-old.
He was sentenced to three years and four months, to run concurrently, and placed on the Sex Offenders Register.
In sentencing for the first rape, Judge Smith is believed to have considered the victim's family, who forgave the youth because of their Christian beliefs.
The three-year community order led to an appeal by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), but was overtaken when, just days after appearing in court, he was arrested for the second rape.

Rape is rape and whether you are 16 or 60, it is one of the most horrific crimes anyone can commit
Det Con Terry Farrell
On 4 July 2009, the second victim, who is now six, was playing outside near his home when he was lured away to look for a lost football but was actually taken to the teenager's house and abused.
He was found emerging from the house while his parents searched the neighbourhood for him.
The teenager later admitted child abduction, rape, committing an offence with the intention of committing a sexual offence, attempted rape and causing a child to engage in sexual activity.
Speaking after the hearing, Det Con Terry Farrell, who led the investigation, said it was a "harrowing and disturbing" case.
"Rape is rape and whether you are 16 or 60, it is one of the most horrific crimes anyone can commit. For this to happen to a five-year-old boy is beyond comprehension."
He then went on to read a statement on behalf of the father of the victim.
He said: "This has been a traumatic ordeal for my whole family, and particularly for my six-year-old son who has had to go through what no-one, let alone a young innocent boy, should ever have to go through.
"It has been a harrowing time but I'm glad it is finally over and we can now draw a line under everything and move on with our lives."
#9
General discussion / Boston
November 02, 2009, 05:06:23 PM
Thinking of heading down to Boston for Saturday and Sunday.  Any recommendations for where to stay and where to drink?  Which is the most Irish part of town?
#10
General discussion / Mortgage Brokers - NI
October 22, 2009, 11:28:40 PM
Has anyone got a name and numebr for a good mortgage broker in the North?

Preferrably one that gets its fee from the banks rather than its customers...

Thanks
#11

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/no-to-nama/sign.html

Only has something like 350 signatures   :-\
#12
General discussion / What happened to global warming?
October 12, 2009, 09:45:21 PM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8299079.stm

This headline may come as a bit of a surprise, so too might that fact that the warmest year recorded globally was not in 2008 or 2007, but in 1998.

But it is true. For the last 11 years we have not observed any increase in global temperatures.

And our climate models did not forecast it, even though man-made carbon dioxide, the gas thought to be responsible for warming our planet, has continued to rise.

So what on Earth is going on?

Climate change sceptics, who passionately and consistently argue that man's influence on our climate is overstated, say they saw it coming.

They argue that there are natural cycles, over which we have no control, that dictate how warm the planet is. But what is the evidence for this?

During the last few decades of the 20th Century, our planet did warm quickly.


Recent research has ruled out solar influences on temperature increases
Sceptics argue that the warming we observed was down to the energy from the Sun increasing. After all 98% of the Earth's warmth comes from the Sun.

But research conducted two years ago, and published by the Royal Society, seemed to rule out solar influences.

The scientists' main approach was simple: to look at solar output and cosmic ray intensity over the last 30-40 years, and compare those trends with the graph for global average surface temperature.

And the results were clear. "Warming in the last 20 to 40 years can't have been caused by solar activity," said Dr Piers Forster from Leeds University, a leading contributor to this year's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

But one solar scientist Piers Corbyn from Weatheraction, a company specialising in long range weather forecasting, disagrees.

He claims that solar charged particles impact us far more than is currently accepted, so much so he says that they are almost entirely responsible for what happens to global temperatures.

He is so excited by what he has discovered that he plans to tell the international scientific community at a conference in London at the end of the month.

If proved correct, this could revolutionise the whole subject.

Ocean cycles


What is really interesting at the moment is what is happening to our oceans. They are the Earth's great heat stores.

 
In the last few years [the Pacific Ocean] has been losing its warmth and has recently started to cool down

According to research conducted by Professor Don Easterbrook from Western Washington University last November, the oceans and global temperatures are correlated.

The oceans, he says, have a cycle in which they warm and cool cyclically. The most important one is the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO).

For much of the 1980s and 1990s, it was in a positive cycle, that means warmer than average. And observations have revealed that global temperatures were warm too.

But in the last few years it has been losing its warmth and has recently started to cool down.

These cycles in the past have lasted for nearly 30 years.

So could global temperatures follow? The global cooling from 1945 to 1977 coincided with one of these cold Pacific cycles.

Professor Easterbrook says: "The PDO cool mode has replaced the warm mode in the Pacific Ocean, virtually assuring us of about 30 years of global cooling."

So what does it all mean? Climate change sceptics argue that this is evidence that they have been right all along.

They say there are so many other natural causes for warming and cooling, that even if man is warming the planet, it is a small part compared with nature.

But those scientists who are equally passionate about man's influence on global warming argue that their science is solid.

The UK Met Office's Hadley Centre, responsible for future climate predictions, says it incorporates solar variation and ocean cycles into its climate models, and that they are nothing new.

In fact, the centre says they are just two of the whole host of known factors that influence global temperatures - all of which are accounted for by its models.

In addition, say Met Office scientists, temperatures have never increased in a straight line, and there will always be periods of slower warming, or even temporary cooling.

What is crucial, they say, is the long-term trend in global temperatures. And that, according to the Met office data, is clearly up.

To confuse the issue even further, last month Mojib Latif, a member of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) says that we may indeed be in a period of cooling worldwide temperatures that could last another 10-20 years.

The UK Met Office says that warming is set to resume

Professor Latif is based at the Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences at Kiel University in Germany and is one of the world's top climate modellers.

But he makes it clear that he has not become a sceptic; he believes that this cooling will be temporary, before the overwhelming force of man-made global warming reasserts itself.

So what can we expect in the next few years?

Both sides have very different forecasts. The Met Office says that warming is set to resume quickly and strongly.

It predicts that from 2010 to 2015 at least half the years will be hotter than the current hottest year on record (1998).

Sceptics disagree. They insist it is unlikely that temperatures will reach the dizzy heights of 1998 until 2030 at the earliest. It is possible, they say, that because of ocean and solar cycles a period of global cooling is more likely.

One thing is for sure. It seems the debate about what is causing global warming is far from over. Indeed some would say it is hotting up.
#13

With POR abdicating from Down to Armagh, Big Joe going to Galway, Geezer going to Kildare, Mulgrew having been at Fermanagh, Micko managing everyone etc it seems that the intercounty manager of the 21st Century is driven by different motivations than many club and intercounty players - who play for their gra for their club or county.

This is not a new phenomenon really and the growth in "outside" managers has been on the rise for numerous years - even at club level. 

What is the reason for this?  Some combination of a love for the GAA and a need to be involved; money; or a desire to prove yourself at the top level even though your own county job is not available to you?

As a Fermanagh man I will always support the team regardless of who the manager is.  But having lived through the tenure of Ferguson, Maughan and Mulgrew I have seen at first hand that supporters are quicker to turn on managers that are not "one of their own" which can ultimately make it harder for an outside manager from the outset. 

Good luck to Paddy O'Rourke
#14
GAA Discussion / McNamee Awards 2008
August 10, 2009, 09:48:01 PM
Monday, August 10

McNamee Awards 2008

The winners of the 2008 McNamee Awards have been confirmed by the GAA. These Awards, the GAA National Communication and Media Awards named after the late Pádraig McNamee, former President of the G.A.A., Chairman of the GAA Commission (1969-1971) and member of R.T.E. authority.  They are presented annually in recognition of outstanding contributions made by individuals in the area of media and communications.

Uachtarán CLG, Criostóir Ó Cuana said "I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of this years winners and to thank them sincerely for their immense contribution for their coverage and promotion of Gaelic Games.

The awards will be presented by Uachtarán CLG, Criostóir Ó Cuana, at a function in Croke Park on August 16th. 

This year's winners are:

Best GAA History Publication - Loughinisland GAC, Down
Ar Scéal féin: Stair C.L.G. Loc an Oiléan (Our Story: The History of Loughinisland G.A.C.) is a beautifully produced book which blends local history, memoir and a record of the games won and lost. Lavishly illustrated, the book straddles a century of GAA life in the Parish, bringing the past to life in a stunning array of historical and contemporary images and documents. The history of Loughinisland G.A.C. is not only that of a people at play; it is also a history of voluntary endeavour and community achievement. The compilers of this book have not only done justice to that achievement, they have built on it. It is a book that will surely find a resting place in every home in Loughinisland, but it contains much to fascinate and intrigue a much wider audience.

Best Website - Belgium GFC, Brussels, www.belgiumgaa.com
The site has excellent design features with notable integration of current web trends such as a blog feature, forum and Flickr integration.  In addition, as an overall service to GAA fans in the region – the site has excellent news features, modern up to date content whilst employing outstanding usability and coding standards. Overall, a first rate site.

Best Photograph - Oliver McVeigh, Sportsfile

This image (see attached - Joe Canning, Galway, in action against Cormac Donnelly, Antrim. All-Ireland Senior Championship Qualifier, Round 1 2008, Casement Park, Belfast) from the match between Galway and Antrim epitomizes the photographic skill, vision, timing and concentration of the photographer in capturing a millisecond of time showing the sawdust flying and the hurl smashing in what is regarded as one of the fastest ball games in the world. It vividly reflects the courage, commitment and competition of the sport of hurling.

Best County Programme - Wexford SHC Final
This was an outstanding production and presentation of their 2008 county hurling final match programme between Oulart the Ballagh and St Martin's edited by Mary Foley, County PRO. At 104 pages long it was a credit to all involved that quantity never came before quality and from cover to cover there was an abundance of interesting and informative articles that lent to the sense of occasion. It was notable too that the intermediate final curtain raiser between Rathnure and Blackwater was not ignored and treated with the same respect and recognition as the senior final.

Best Local Radio Programme – WLR FM (Waterford Local Radio), "2008 Hurling in Review"
The WLR FM entry captured all the excitement side stories and honour associated with qualifying for an All Ireland Final and sensitively handled the disappointing Deise performance. The production, research, scripting, innovation and content behind the programme were superbly edited making WLR FM a worthy winner. 

Provincial Media Award - Western People, feature on All-Ireland MFC Final 2008
The nine page feature on the All Ireland MFC Final 2008 was first class covering a wide range of issues and topics giving readers a real sense that they were being kept in touch with all the important matters in a lively, colourful and insightful way in the build up to the final.

National Media Award - Jackie Cahill
Jackie Cahill's interview with Niall Gilligan, Clare hurler, provides an insightful look into the demands faced by the players but also reveals the enduring passion for playing for your county in the heat of the championship. Combining a career as a top class GAA player and a businessman in these recessionary times reflects the extraordinary commitment of the top hurlers and footballers and this is captured brilliantly in this article.

Irish Language Award - Raidió na Gaeltachta Spórt an Domhnaigh

The Raidió na Gaeltachta Spórt an Domhnaigh programme wins this award for their expert analysis, results and reports from the day's GAA sporting fixtures every Sunday throughout 2008 as Gaeilge. The editing and presentation of information was of a consistently high standard. Clár radio thar barr go Ghaeilgeoirí.

Best Modern Technology Innovation (for use of modern technology in relation to the promotion of GAA activity) - St Peter's GAA Club, DownA fantastic production of a communications strategy for St. Peter's GAC, Down. Not only was their approach multi-faceted, involving many aspects of modern technology, from web page, to email, to desktop publishing, but it was implemented to a clear strategy, with clearly defined goals and milestones. They were also not afraid to use tools like Google Analytics to measure performance. As a single broad body of work, it is an outstanding production for a small club run on a voluntary basis.

Hall of Fame Award - Ray McManus, Sportsfile
As the founder of Ireland's foremost sports photography agency, Sportsfile, Ray McManus has made an immense and invaluable contribution to media coverage of gaelic games worldwide. For almost thirty years, Ray has worked tirelessly all over the world, capturing countless individual moments of athleticism and emotion that define the unique spectacle the GAA produces. Ray also currently serves as President of the Press Photographers Association of Ireland, a measure of his standing and admiration amongst his peers.

#15
General discussion / World Fleadh in Castlebar
July 25, 2009, 03:30:18 AM
Has anyone ever been to this or know is it much craic?

Heading down next Saturday to it.
#16

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/8167653.stm

GAA team hit by swine flu fears 

Down's minor gaelic football squad are feared to have been hit by the swine flu pandemic after a number of the players developed symptoms this week.

The Down County GAA Board has said that players have been advised to follow National Health Service guidelines.

A Down GAA statement added that the situation "is being monitored closely".

Down were narrowly beaten by Armagh in last weekend's Ulster Minor Final but they are still involved in the All-Ireland Championship

#18
General discussion / Bars in New York with RTE...
July 03, 2009, 05:44:10 PM
I know the demise of Setanta has led to a widespread inability to see GAA overseas - but by chance does anyone know of a bar that has RTE, by legitimate means or otherwise, in New York that may show the games?
#19
Question: What do Antrim, Cavan, Down, Fermanagh and Leitrim have in common?

Answer: They are the only counties (other than Kilkenny who don't compete) that Mick O'Dwyer hasn't managed against in the All-Ireland senior football championship.

Extend it to playing/managing and Cavan and Down can be deleted from the list as he played against both in the 1960s. Stretch it further to the Tommy Murphy Cup championship and Antrim and Leitrim drop off as Wicklow played both in the last two years.

That leaves Fermanagh as the only county whom O'Dwyer hasn't played or plotted against at some stage of the many magical summer odysseys he has undertaken in his 52-year involvement with senior football.
#20
Bought the brother four tickets.  Credit crunch et al and he no longer wants them.  €131.50 tickets - they're pretty deadly seats - 19 rows up and right beside the stage in section 302 of the Lower Cusack (row X, lower 302 Cusack).

If your interested gimme a text on 07880790797.  They use the ticketfast application so all four can be printed off straight away