A Roving I’ll Go
I got nominated for an Irish Blog Award! Best Personal Blog!
Ah, but wait-wait-wait…waity here a wee minute…
Thing is see, I’m not Irish. It’s true I’m a diasporic* Celt who writes about sheep a lot and hangs out on a lot of Irish sites but I’m a Scottisher living in California so no shiny gongs for me. Howly waily. The sweet and lovely Devin nominated me and stone me stone deceased if I wasn’t more chuffed than a chuffy-chuffy steam trainfull of asthmatics going up a foggy hill; it fair made my day. But I’d feel like an imposter as my Irish credentials are generations gone, nor do I live there, so I’m removing myself from the list.
I will be at the awards though, on the way to pick up my mammy – a nervous flier – and bring her back here for her holidays. Providing, that is, the British embassy gets it’s wrinkly old arse in gear and renews my passport. They said 10 days. It’s been more than 10 days. I’ve bought my ticket now too so it blinkin’ well better get here on time.
I’m really excited about getting to meet some of my favourite bloggers, folks like fatmammycat, Primal Sneeze, Bock The Robber, Eolai, Sniffly, The Hangar Queen, Medbh, Gimme, Manuel, John Mc, CapnP, Conan, Sweary, if she shows up, and perhappens a whole bunch of other great people I don’t know quite so well yet like K8 and Flirty and Gingerpixel and Annie and oooh loadsa people. Maybe do a little Twenty spotting too. ‘k, I can’t be bothered making links any more.
As it happens, most, if not all, of these people are nominated and you will not be wasting your time if you visit any one of them. These are gems of blogs, every one. It was lovely to have been included in their number for a wee while, and generous of Dev indeed but I’m more than happy with just getting to come and rah on all me Irisher pals. In one swell foop I’m getting to meet half my blogroll. I wish there was a way of meeting the other half sometime.
* This means I reproduce asexually in a forest far, far away. Like a mushroom.
February 1st, 2008 at 8:38 am
Well you can always say you’re honorary Irish, Sam. That’s what white boxers do. Does Twenty Major meet people? I thought he moved about Dublin incognito to avoid getting beaten up. Have a wonderful holiday.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:33 am
Congrats on the nominations.
Looks like you have the whole “It’s just an honour to even be nominated” thing down.
Now all you have to do is practice the that-was-completely-unexpected look in case you win and the gracious-in-defeat-but-secretly-seething-because-that-bloody-waster-won look in case you don’t.
Best of luck. Enjoy the night.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:34 am
Party of the century! It didn’t occur to me that nominations were open to Irish bloggers, not just bloggers in Ireland… I’m raging! You’re fully entitled to your chances, girlie, don’t erase yourself!
I’m not so good at public functions, I’m shitting enough bricks here to build another tower of Babylon… I think I might turn up in a gorilla suit and remain anonymous.
Thanks for linking me!
February 1st, 2008 at 9:42 am
Ahhh you are an honourary Irishwoman and sure Scotland means Land of the Irish anyway
One day you’ll have to venture to England too!
February 1st, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Congrats, dear.
As for the British Passport, they’re probably re-checking it since you’re getting an Irish Blogging award.
Cheers.
February 1st, 2008 at 3:05 pm
You can’t remove yourself from the list: it’s the law. Once you’re on, you’re on.
Anyway, you don’t have to be Irish. The rules state that if you know an Irish person, or saw Finian’s Rainbow, or once accidentally heard U2, even if it wasn’t your fault, you qualify to enter the Irish Blog Awards.
So, there’s no going back now.
February 1st, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Yay for you!
I agree with the Bock. C’mon, I’m Scottish now since I’ve seen Trainspotting 1000 times and I like Sean Connery.
I’ll vote for you if they’ll accept my non Irish vote (can I pass as Black Irish? ya think?)
February 1st, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Do not, I repeat, not. disqualify yourself.
You have a phenomenal gift for writing, in general, and for humor, in particular. When you described yourself as diasporic, for example, I knew mushroom was coming. I was so pleased! If not for blogging, how would you ever get to know that what you have to say has a waiting audience?
I stumbled upon this blog roll when a friend directed me to FMC and while I find many Irish political and geographic references to be beyond me, and I really hope Twenty Major never shows up around here calling everyone a cunt, which is likely to get him killed, there is no denying the value of sitting here in my jammies having a good laugh over the universality of life on the planet.
Curtsy, at least…
February 1st, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Hearty congratulations, Sam.
The quality of your writing speaks volumes and the Irish know a good writer when they see one.
I look forward to raising a glass with you soon!
February 1st, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Nanas, one day I’m donning my khakis, packing some gin and bananas and I’m coming to the Congo to sit at your feet and gaze up at you. Maybe I’ll idly twirl a fingerful of silver shin hair as I do. No doubt I shall fall hopelessly in love.
Bad Ambassador, see you’rs is exactly the kind of site I was going on about over at fmc’s this morning. You Irishers really have a way with you and the words. Always engaging. Are you coming to the awards? I’ll be the gangly one with the silly accent and a drink in each hand.
K8, you’ve been on my blogroll for ages, hun. I shall be interrogating all gorillas on the night to see if they are you. Hope I get to meet you!
birchy, I like this honorary Irishwoman thing. Ta Toots. As it happens my best friend has just had a baby, down in your neck of the woods. I don’t know when I’ll get the chance to visit but when I do I would surely love to meet you.
Rand, ah see I’m not getting an award at all. It was just the longlist I was on and i very much doubt I’d have made it any further. The passport thing is worrying me though. I’ve been checking my Visa to see if they’ve taken the fee out yet, but nothing, and it’s been two weeks. I got a return receipt from the post office acknowledging delivery so I know it’s there. I might see if I can bleat querulously on the phone to somebody about it in a while.
Bock, I see my name is still on the list so maybe what you say is true. Holy moo! What are you crazy Irish going to do with me? Not the leprechauns, please, not the leprechauns! Keep these creepy wee gits away from me pleeeeeeease! Or I’ll start punning badly until Irish ears are bleeding. I’m warning you – don’t corner a Hebridean!
Jali! You’ve emerged from the bed of love, you saucy lady! But don’t be so sure you’ve escaped having Irish or Scottish blood in you. Everyone is so mixed up in America. I know a fellow who’s a Filipino Hawaiian Irish and something else New Englander living in California. Scots/Irish blood usually hangs around the elboy joint of your dominant arm. If you have a nice smooth movement when you’re drinking your swallie then you know you have it. Just make sure it doesn’t settle near your liver!
Sea Dreams, what lovely land did you come from with your lovely things to say. But see the thing is, if you already knew the mushroom was coming that doesn’t make me very good at all. Not at all. Have you a site i can visit in my jammies to say hi? And don’t mind Twenty – I get the impression he’s a big softy really under all that hair and filth and muck and vomit and bile. He just needs a good bath is all. Thanks for stopping by – come back with your generous spirit whenever. I’ll make you a cuppa and we’ll yack some.
Medbh, and you, with your generous things to say! I’ll be rooting for you too come the 1st, you lovely thing, you. You ain’t no slouch yourself you know. I’ve learnt a lot over at your’s, about all sorts. I’m really looking forward to meeting you.
February 1st, 2008 at 6:14 pm
What a pox. You should have left you in.
I’m pretty sure there is a way around you legibility. If we went to a crossroads at midnight and danced a hornpipe backwards while chanting ‘C? bhfuill an Siopa? Rith me abhaile ar nos na guithe’ , if we make it throught stage one it gets much easier, then all we need do is slit the throat of the wild bulls of Cooley before playing a quick game of hurling, enjoy a light meal of roasted Salmon of Knowledge, fill out an application form send it to An Bord Plean?la, wait for them to reject it until we cave and then finally move our sceptic tank. I pretty sure after all that you too could have been honorary Irish, you’ve got to complain about it being too warm on the one hot day we get in summer though, if you don’t the gigs up and they revoke your Irishness by demanding you play a tune on a comb using only a piece of wax paper and really itchy lips.
Nobody can pull THAT off unless they were taught by a kerry headmaster with a foul temper and a hatred of the redcoats.
February 1st, 2008 at 6:14 pm
We had the same problem with German passports for the kids. We had to call the consulate in Chicago daily to get them off their kiesters and get the things to us in time for a trip last summer. I’d say bleating is a good idea.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:45 pm
I’ve been told many dozens of times that if you’re Scottish, you’re Irish, and I vice versa. You’re close enough as far as I’m concerned, and even if you’re technically not, you still SHOULD be Irish: you grew up on a misty, moisty island surrounded by colorful people who didn’t mind a wee nip from time to time, and most importantly — you’re not English! And Medbh is right: the Irish know a good writer when they see one, and some Americans do too.
Glad you told me about that elbow thing. I’ve been wondering where all my Irish has gone.
February 2nd, 2008 at 12:23 am
fmc, just don’t let any of these creepy wee leprechauns near me. I don’t like the way they move.
Rand’, I did. I phoned and bleated and apparently Washington had not updated the call centre people that handle their inquiries. I spoke to a lovely Irish man for $2.49 a minute on my credit card and he told me not to worry, to call back on Monday. My name was not on his computer though – maiden or married and so I’ve decide nobody is going to take away this opportunity for me to fret ’til Monday. I’m starting after tea tonight.
Mary, my rolled rrrrs say different. I maintain it should be the other way around. Because the Irish grew up on a misty moisty island surrounded by colorful people who don’t mind a wee nip, I reckon that makes them technically Hebrideans. (I was once a member of The Struggle For An Independent Outer Hebrides! – yes with an exclamation mark and everything. I gave out badges) As for the Irish knowing a good writer, well, I admire the Irish literary scene immensely but even they get it wrong sometimes – how else to explain Celia Ahern? Thanks for your kindness though, my darlin’. More power to that elbow of yours! You’re fair purdy with dem ole wordies yourself, hun!
February 2nd, 2008 at 2:52 am
So what are we doing on the Friday again?
And when are you organising the Hebridean Blog Awards so we can, well you know…?
February 2nd, 2008 at 2:53 am
Congratulations! Irish? Scottish? Come on, they’ve both got i’s in them for a start. Surely you could be let in.
The thing is, how do you keep being anonymous at these awards things ? That’s what I want to know. Does everyone wear paperbags over their heads with a blog name tag? I would just so love to see what people would look like. I once meet a woman after I had been working with for her after about six months, her first comment was, ‘Oh you’re small! I was imagining you to be tall and possibly large!’
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:22 am
you’re in luck…i’m planning on chairing the Scots/Cali Blogger Awards this year, so you’re a shoe-in. what the hell is a shoe-in? where does that come from? and what kind of shoe is it?
February 2nd, 2008 at 1:37 pm
We definitely need a Scottish Blogger Awards thing for Scots abroad, Scots in Scotland, non-Scots in Scotland and people who think Sean Connery was the best Bond. I’ve mentioned it to Dr Maroon on several occasions but he always pretends he hasn’t heard.
February 2nd, 2008 at 2:54 pm
At $2.49 a minute, at least you could have received some salacious noises over the phone or something.
Cheers.
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Eola? puts his finger on the most important question. What are we doing on Friday. Or Thursday, even?
February 3rd, 2008 at 6:53 am
Sam,
Will ya stop ar dat? I have decreed you to be as Irish as I am.Trust me.’Twas no coincidence that when you called the Passport people in DC it was an Irish fella you were talking to.
You’re one of the Murphia now Sam.Just relax and think of how brilliant it will be that you’ll be able to read all the road signs ” as Gaeilge” when you’re there.
What ARE we doing on Friday night?
February 3rd, 2008 at 2:22 pm
How could I possibly have forgotten to mention-”one swell foop”?
My brother and I thought WE made that up years ago, it’s no less hilarious today.
Sorry, Sam. You Celtic Tiger now.
February 3rd, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Nominated or not, accepting or not, you’re is the bestest wee bloggie of all.
( the mirror told me Sam )
February 4th, 2008 at 7:32 am
What are we doing Friday night?
What a silly question! Doing what all Irish folk, even Hebridean-Irish, do on Friday nights. The real question is where are we doing it Friday night?
February 4th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
And there we were thinking that we could convert you to the dark side. Aw shucks. On the sheep blog thing, you do know that them maricans don’t like sheep, seen the films I did. Something ’bout weak roots on the grass.
Again, glad you were nominated, but I do like your Fryesque ‘no thank you’.
February 4th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Sam, the Drummcestors hail from the Hebridean mists and prior to that from the Dalriadan glens. I’ve no doubt we are kin, kithing couthins, even! As Snagglepuss might say. Plus it’s a leap year, so let the noms stand!
February 4th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Eolai, Bock, Sneezy, Sniffly, Devin, and Conan, look to your emails in the coming week or so. I didn’t really have anything figured out being as how I’ve never before but roughly, generally speaking like, in brief outline, that is to say in short, I thought everybody would be up for a bit of food and beer and chat and then some falling over. But this is your feckin’ country, you tell me! I’m not the social director! And, just so’s I get it in early, if we’re doing a kitty, I’m not in charge of the money either. For a start it’ll be all of your mad Euros which i’m not used to at all. Gimme’s up for going late-night dancing and as I think we might be all on the same page musically, that might be an idea, I’d certainly be up for that. Probably best not to plan too much though. Medbh and her hub are in and Manuel might be there, plus maybe a surprise other Manuel (Estimulato), Bock’s got a posse from Limerick, and there might be a very special guest too – much missed of late, she’s still alive and well and using foul language. Ssssssh! So some hardcore definitelys and a few maybes.
LaughyKate, there are some photos of last year’s awards on Flickr and there were no paper-bags as far as I could see, except the ones to haul all Twenty’s awards away. There were a few false moustaches, mind but you’d have to ask Bock about that.
Kara, I’m only going if it’s the Scots/Cali/Ore awards. And for the love of Holy Stuff won’t you get help for that shoe obsession you’ve got going on there?
Kim, sounds like a fab idea adn if I were in Scotland I’d help put such an awards together but I’m not. The Scottish blogging community doesn’t seem that cohesive though. I’m not sure whether this would work to make it more so or whether it would need to become more so before awards could be attempted.
Rand’, I had to make my own.
Sea Dreams, hellos and welcomes to you, traditionally a hundred thousand of them. I was crouching outside when you and your brother made it up and I nicked it for my own, right then and there because I have a black soul and that’s what black souls do.
Snifflie, you’re a darling daftie but you wouldn’t be mocking my accent there now, would you? I’ve being trying to cut down my use of the “wee” to emergencies only, when things are very very tiny indeed and I’ve exhausted small, miniscule, Lilliputian etc.
Vincent, and a whole heap of welcomes to you too. I love you because you called me Fryesque. Tell me, are you married at all? I am but my husband has never called me Fryesque so I’m divorcing him tomorrow now I’ve found a bloke who will.
Conan, which Hebridean mists in particular? We have all different sorts. It’s a grainy sort in the Uists. Who knows what these filthy Inner Hebrideans have. Down Barra way it’s a light tickly mist, whilst up in Lewis and Harris our mists tend towards the driving rain kind.
To all who said lovely things about me nommo and said to let it stand, thank-you sincerely, you make me goofy happy, you do. But the latest post should help explain that even a cousin Celt like myself has plenty i don’t yet know about the Irish which sets me apart from all of you and means I’d still be an imposter if I let me nommo stand. Cheers, you lovelys, though, very very cheers.
February 6th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Congrats dear – even if you feel you can’t accept it. Rather like Bob Geldof in reverse – I think! I do hope you get your pass-port in timeten days sound miraculous for them. Good luck with it. What a time you’ll have . I’m pea green. Stay safe and bon voyage!