3rd January, 2002
Well, the festive season has come and almost gone.
After next Sunday (Women's Little Christmas) Jan 6th, it's back
to the grindstone. Speaking of Women's Little Christmas, did you
know that it's totally unique to Cork City. No other county in
Ireland celebrates this day. I believe we have a top class show
for all you ladies next Sunday night in Rochestown Park Hotel.
Rockin' Gerry and the one and only Dickie Rock will be back in
Douglas for all you ladies. Tickets are now on sale at the
Douglas Weekly office (9.30am - 5.30pm), and also at the hotel
reception in Rchestown Park Hotel.
I drove out to Ballincollig during Christmas. I must compliment
the people there for their fantastic display of lights and
decorations in the village. I presume that there is a business
association who get together to really make Ballincollig so
beautiful during the festive season. Many years ago Douglas had a
business association, then it died. Perhaps it's time for another
one?
What did you think of the TV shows which were shown over the
holidays? One of the best shows I watched was the documentary on
the man from Annascaul, Tom Crean. Tom was the Artic explorer
whose life story is told in the book, "An Unsung Hero".
For the third time I watched the comedy, "Dumb and Dumber",
and it's still as funny as ever. I also watched the Leslie
Neilsen movie, "Naked Gun", but it's one drawback was
OJ Simpson. Looking at this man in the movie makes my skin crawl.
He's about as funny as a toothache!
Here, in the office, we decided to form an organisation called
ABS. ABS stands for Anything But Soaps. My television is being
taken over by Coronation Street, Fair City, Eastenders ... I
can't take much more. Ronnie, who suggested we call our
organisation ABS, is now telling Rosie that Les tried to kill
himself, and poor Janice is in turmoil. Jesus Ronnie, I thought
you were with us, but you're really one of them!! I know what to
do, I'll get badges printed with ABS, then we'll know our real
friends.
In our Christmas edition we did a piece on consumer rights. I
spoke to a retailer last week who asked me to do a piece on
shopkeepers rights, and I will, if one is sent into our office. I
know from speaking to several retailers that some people do abuse
the system. For example, a woman buys an expensive party dress at
Christmas, wears it for a big night, and then returns it to the
store, looking for a refund, or buying a comedy video for
Christmas, watching it with the family and then returning it to
the music shop, telling the assistant, "My mother bought me
the same video for Christmas". Not nice, and not right.
Speaking of rights, a lot of shop owners are very good and
understanding in some situations, but some customers do screw the
system. So, before you buy, make sure everybody's rights are
covered, the customer and the retailer.
This year is going to be a very important one for our politicians
... it's election year! I suppose local issues rarely surface in
a general election, except if a county is riddled with potholes!!
The biggest problem in Douglas is traffic, and lack of social
amenities. Anyway, it's going to be an interesting year, now that
Con O'Connell has decided to stand as an Independent in South
Central. Watch this space...
Joe Jackson had a very short interview in the Sunday Independent
with Brian Wilson. Brian was the founder and songwriting genius
of the Beach Boys. Brian, with his two brothers Carl and Denis,
cousin Mike Love and Al Jardine, were the Beach Boys. Sadly, Carl
and Denis have died, but Joe Jackson told us in the article that
Al Jardine is also dead. I checked the Al Jardine website on the
internet, and it seems Al is alive and still paying, up to
yesterday!! Brian is touring as 'Brian Wilson & Friends', not
as the 'Beach Boys' as his cousin Mike Love owns the name, and
they haven't spoken to each other in years. Al is playing with
another group of friends. Sadly, the 'Good Vibrations' are no
more.
Finally, our Douglas Weekly Christmas part night was a huge
success. Thanks to everyone who helped to make it such a
fantastic night. We hope to repeat it next Sunday at the
Rochestown Park Hotel with Dickie Rock and Rockin' Gerry, and
you, for Women's Little Christmas. See you there.
Bye for now and Happy New Year,
Michael O'Hanlon.
