The say anything, what's on your mind thread

[Spudulika]

Coming home from training and heard a really tough interview with Milos Krasic. He's broke, unpaid by Fenerbahce for (if I'm right) 4 months and is looking to return to Russia. I need to research the full story, but it seems he was ripped off by his club, his agent and by his sister/aunt (she was managing his funds in Germany).

[Spudulika]

And now....Leo Varadkar says he's gay! Why did he need to make it public, it was already well known! I am a bit disappointed he's making a issue of it alongside the same-sex marriage bill, but I think it now will rule him out of being taoiseach, and I can say "thank the stars", because as a person and politician he's a twit.

[DannyInvincible]

I think it's fair enough that he cites his own sexuality as being a reason why he supports the bill in the same way a religious person may cite their religious beliefs as being a reason why they'd oppose it. He feels he's being more transparent that way. Why does it disappoint? Do you feel he's trying to exploit his sexuality to swing favour? As you say though, it could damage any hopes he might have had of becoming Taoiseach, so it's not as if he had nothing to lose. It took courage and guts, I'm sure, and if it helps further erode the social stigmatisation/political marginalisation of homosexuality in Ireland, I think that's a good thing.

[Spudulika]

I think it's fair enough that he cites his own sexuality as being a reason why he supports the bill in the same way a religious person may cite their religious beliefs as being a reason why they'd oppose it. He feels he's being more transparent that way. Why does it disappoint? Do you feel he's trying to exploit his sexuality to swing favour? As you say though, it could damage any hopes he might have had of becoming Taoiseach, so it's not as if he had nothing to lose. It took courage and guts, I'm sure, and if it helps further erode the social stigmatisation/political marginalisation of homosexuality in Ireland, I think that's a good thing.

I don't know Danny, the reason, but it's been open for some time now, and he has had many chances to do this. I do not like him as a person or politician, he has been terrible in many regards for the country and a complete hypocrite. I've always found his family likeable and they are decent folk, he has always been arrogant and dangerous. I don't know if I'm going to be proved wrong on this, but 2-3 years ago he was giving interviews saying that he would like to settle down but hadn't found the right woman. This was when he was positioning himself as a future FG leader. I thought it shocking that he'd be such a hypocrite, at first, then figured - maybe he's confused or bi? But he was with someone at the time but trying to keep his sexuality a secret - again, it's his own business. The dead lad from Boyzone did the same for years, despite it being known.

I just question the timing, why? Someone like him doesn't just do it this way. I almost feel that this is going to damage the chances for the referendum passing. And in terms of marginalising gays or lesbians, I think it mariginalises politics more in the community.

[Charlie Darwin]

Coming home from training and heard a really tough interview with Milos Krasic. He's broke, unpaid by Fenerbahce for (if I'm right) 4 months and is looking to return to Russia. I need to research the full story, but it seems he was ripped off by his club, his agent and by his sister/aunt (she was managing his funds in Germany).
Sounds like he'd fit right in at Dundalk :o

[Spudulika]

Sounds like he'd fit right in at Dundalk :o

haha - if he was from Sligo he'd have been ripped off by his girlfriend/wife - same thing as sister/aunt down there. (waiting for shock and outrage)

[bennocelt]

Jaysus, good to be back. What have I missed?

UCD will be in the Europa Cup next season:)

[Acornvilla]

I don't know Danny, the reason, but it's been open for some time now, and he has had many chances to do this. I do not like him as a person or politician, he has been terrible in many regards for the country and a complete hypocrite. I've always found his family likeable and they are decent folk, he has always been arrogant and dangerous. I don't know if I'm going to be proved wrong on this, but 2-3 years ago he was giving interviews saying that he would like to settle down but hadn't found the right woman. This was when he was positioning himself as a future FG leader. I thought it shocking that he'd be such a hypocrite, at first, then figured - maybe he's confused or bi? But he was with someone at the time but trying to keep his sexuality a secret - again, it's his own business. The dead lad from Boyzone did the same for years, despite it being known.

I just question the timing, why? Someone like him doesn't just do it this way. I almost feel that this is going to damage the chances for the referendum passing. And in terms of marginalising gays or lesbians, I think it mariginalises politics more in the community.

1st thing I thought when I seen the 'news' was that it was an attempt to distract from all of the HSE carry on.

[DannyInvincible]

I don't know Danny, the reason, but it's been open for some time now, and he has had many chances to do this. I do not like him as a person or politician, he has been terrible in many regards for the country and a complete hypocrite. I've always found his family likeable and they are decent folk, he has always been arrogant and dangerous. I don't know if I'm going to be proved wrong on this, but 2-3 years ago he was giving interviews saying that he would like to settle down but hadn't found the right woman. This was when he was positioning himself as a future FG leader. I thought it shocking that he'd be such a hypocrite, at first, then figured - maybe he's confused or bi? But he was with someone at the time but trying to keep his sexuality a secret - again, it's his own business. The dead lad from Boyzone did the same for years, despite it being known.

I just question the timing, why? Someone like him doesn't just do it this way. I almost feel that this is going to damage the chances for the referendum passing. And in terms of marginalising gays or lesbians, I think it mariginalises politics more in the community.

He did say he only properly came to terms with his sexuality within the past two years or so, but, whilst I think it's positive in terms of possible broader social acceptance of homosexuality, I can't discount the possibility that he sees some political opportunity in making a public announcement now.

Why do you think it might actually damage the chances of the referendum passing? Do you think people might view his announcement cynically and, consequently, be put off the whole motion as a sort of reaction?

You say he's "marginalising politics in the community"; are you attacking the whole concept of or focus on (fragmented) identity politics there or what do you mean exactly?

[osarusan]

I read somewhere that he was 'outed' in Village magazine recently, so that would explain the timing.

It's not a big deal for me, but its pointless to pretend that it won't be a big deal for some people.

[Charlie Darwin]

I read somewhere that he was 'outed' in Village magazine recently, so that would explain the timing.

It's not a big deal for me, but its pointless to pretend that it won't be a big deal for some people.
He was, and his partner (who isn't out) was named. I wouldn't be cynical about his motivation or timing - it seems like it was a matter of time before a newspaper splashed on it, so it beat them to the punch and did it on his own terms. I wouldn't be surprised if another couple of TDs came out or were outed in the run-up to the referendum.

[Spudulika]

Nothing he ever does is without an angle. It has been known for quite some time he was gay (from at least 2010) but his privacy was respected. He tried to do the spin and have "friends" give little bits to journos. I need to find the splash piece done by the Indo when he was going for a leadership push, it really illuminates his hypocrisy.

Osarusan, if it's true that the Village did a piece on him, it's unfortunate, but it's going to get worse.

[Charlie Darwin]

Nothing he ever does is without an angle. It has been known for quite some time he was gay (from at least 2010) but his privacy was respected. He tried to do the spin and have "friends" give little bits to journos. I need to find the splash piece done by the Indo when he was going for a leadership push, it really illuminates his hypocrisy.

Osarusan, if it's true that the Village did a piece on him, it's unfortunate, but it's going to get worse.
Yeah, his angle was that he'd rather say it himself than have it splashed across the papers. There's a reason the Village piece wasn't on the front of every paper - he'd used his influence to keep his private life private until he could make the announcement himself.

[Spudulika]

Yeah, his angle was that he'd rather say it himself than have it splashed across the papers. There's a reason the Village piece wasn't on the front of every paper - he'd used his influence to keep his private life private until he could make the announcement himself.

In one way it's okay and (I hate myself) admirable, if it's for the greater good - or for his partner. However this would be very far from the truth. Why did he need to make an announcement? He's gay, so what? His party knew it, people in his circle knew about it. Of course he was being hypocritical (from one point of view) for not being mad open about it, but why should he? It's his own life, his own business, he deserves to be happy. The need for people to declare everything is wrong, but this would not have bothered Leo. It smacks a bit of the Ricky Martin "outing", where his career was coming off the rails and he needed to grab new audience share.

I wonder what photos were turned up from his hollyers, which he had evrey right to take, suddenly made him jump.

[Charlie Darwin]

In one way it's okay and (I hate myself) admirable, if it's for the greater good - or for his partner. However this would be very far from the truth. Why did he need to make an announcement? He's gay, so what? His party knew it, people in his circle knew about it. Of course he was being hypocritical (from one point of view) for not being mad open about it, but why should he? It's his own life, his own business, he deserves to be happy. The need for people to declare everything is wrong, but this would not have bothered Leo. It smacks a bit of the Ricky Martin "outing", where his career was coming off the rails and he needed to grab new audience share.

I wonder what photos were turned up from his hollyers, which he had evrey right to take, suddenly made him jump.
Why did he need to make an announcement?

First of all, he's a minister. He can't come out quietly, He's been out in his private life for years, but he's a decision-maker in government who'll have a role in future referendums that affect gay people, so he can't exactly hide.

Second of all, we still live in a country where coming out is a huge deal for people. We live in a country where young gay people have to deal with the prospect of being ostracised by their family and friends, where they fear negative consequences in their work and can stay away from entire spheres of public life for fear of having their sexuality used against them.

Thirdly, he'll have people making innuendo about holiday photos because they feel his private life is their business.

I can understand why a gay person like Varadkar would look at the society that awaits him if he comes out and say "**** these load of *****." But he's gone and stood up for who he is, and fair play to him.

[Spudulika]

Why did he need to make an announcement?

First of all, he's a minister. He can't come out quietly, He's been out in his private life for years, but he's a decision-maker in government who'll have a role in future referendums that affect gay people, so he can't exactly hide.

Second of all, we still live in a country where coming out is a huge deal for people. We live in a country where young gay people have to deal with the prospect of being ostracised by their family and friends, where they fear negative consequences in their work and can stay away from entire spheres of public life for fear of having their sexuality used against them.

Thirdly, he'll have people making innuendo about holiday photos because they feel his private life is their business.

I can understand why a gay person like Varadkar would look at the society that awaits him if he comes out and say "**** these load of *****." But he's gone and stood up for who he is, and fair play to him.

What you write makes sense, for most people, but Leo does nothing without a reason. Listening (now) to Newstalk and reading the codswallop online, especially from Mimsy Lord - "first gay Taoiseach"....he is not coming out for best practice, he's looking at Dame Edna faltering and looking to position himself behind his leader for a big push (yes, deliberate ooh ar missus). He is not a good person, a useless politician and simply looking for attention for a run at the top office, as he wanted back in 2010.

[nigel-harps1954]

Personally, I don't think there's the same stigmas attached to coming out as gay as there used to be. The idea of being ostracised by family and friends and fearing negative consequences outside of home and in work/public is a thing of the past.

The most widely viewed opinion of the whole thing as far as I can see is one of 'this shouldn't be headline news in the 21st century'. It shows both how far we've come in the past couple of years, as well as the fact people just don't care about a persons sexuality anymore as much to say this person has brown hair or black hair.

Of course, this isn't completely right across the board. It's no different now to something like racism, where only a very small minority would get offended by this sort of thing.

[Spudulika]

http://waterfordwhispersnews.com/2015/01/19/woman-on-ae-trolley-for-53-hours-really-hopes-varadkar-finds-that-special-guy/

I think this hits the mark. A man who prove completely incompetent in his previous ministerial role, has been as bad or worse in Health, and now is using his friends and his paid advisor - one Mr. F. Flannery - to be in a position to "make history". It shows how easily our meeja is bought off by a "gossip" story and to lecture an already exhausted and developed nation on how they should behave - while providing all sorts of exciting gossip on the next page.

[DeLorean]

Just out of curiosity, what did he do or not do as Minister for Transport that you have an issue with?

[DannyInvincible]

Personally, I don't think there's the same stigmas attached to coming out as gay as there used to be. The idea of being ostracised by family and friends and fearing negative consequences outside of home and in work/public is a thing of the past.

Gay people themselves might say otherwise: http://www.buzzfeed.com/tomphillips/watch-an-irish-drag-queens-powerful-speech-about-homophobia#.qf4pp6AwKK


Have you ever been standing at a pedestrian crossing when a car goes by and in it are a bunch of lads, and they lean out the window as they go by, and they shout “Fag!” and throw a milk carton at you?

Now, it doesn’t really hurt. I mean, after all, it’s just a wet carton, and in many ways they’re right – I am a fag. So it doesn’t hurt. But it feels oppressive.

When it really does hurt, is afterwards. Afterwards I wonder and worry and obsess over: what was it about me? What was it they saw in me? What was it that gave me away? And I hate myself for wondering that. It feels oppressive and the next time I’m standing at a pedestrian crossing, I hate myself for it, but I check myself to see what is it about me that “gives the gay away”. And I check myself to make sure I’m not doing it this time.
…

For the last three weeks, I have been lectured to by heterosexual people about what homophobia is, and about who is allowed to identify it. Straight people have lined up - ministers, senators, barristers, journalists - have lined up to tell me what homophobia is, and to tell me what I am allowed to feel oppressed by.

People who have never experienced homophobia in their lives, people who have never checked themselves at a pedestrian crossing, have told me that unless I am being thrown into prison, or herded onto a cattle truck, then it is not homophobia. And that feels oppressive.

And so now, Irish gay people, we find ourselves in this ludicrous situation where we are not only not allowed to say publicly what we feel oppressed by, we’re not even allowed to think it, because the very definition - our definition - has been disallowed by our betters.

And for the last three weeks, I’ve been denounced - from the floor of the Oireachtas [the Irish parliament], to newspaper columns, to the seething morass of internet commentary - denounced for using hate speech because I dared to use the word ‘homophobia’, and a jumped-up queer like me should know that the word homophobia is no longer available to gay people. Which is a spectacular and neat Orwellian trick, because now it turns out that gay people are not the victims of homophobia, homophobes are the victims of homophobia.

David Norris claims the country is "rampant" with homophobia.

[Spudulika]

Just out of curiosity, what did he do or not do as Minister for Transport that you have an issue with?

I can go on about this at length, but will stick to 2 concrete events (I'm not going to mention transport debacles or pandering to oil industry or anything to do with an idiotic attempt to revitalise metro north - I will thank Labour for averting this disaster which sadly now seems to be back on the big money menu).

1. April 2011 - Offer made to have Ireland advertised (tourism) on tennis players, cost to Ireland - free. 14 players (mainly foreign) to wear the logo as a shoulder or chest patch, the only return would be some publicity and acknowledgement. Minister, face to face, says that tennis is a miniority sport for people with money and not interesting in Ireland. Was informed that it was to promote brand Ireland abroad at Grand Slams, WTA, ITF events, that it was a cross-marketing effort which was already done previously and successfully. Was to decide by month end and do a photo op with players who were training in Ireland (in any event).
2. June 2011 - Return to offer, told we had the push on with Wimbledon and already had interviews lined up with International media channels. Kept hanging as they were "waiting on designs", Tourism Ireland were in shock with this as they'd already given the patches. Wimbledon qualifiers about to start, Players passes offered to Minister and entourage and push on to get the patches put on. After the first round of qualies, Minister and lackey tell, face to face, that nobody will take an interest in tennis in Ireland. Again - told it's NOT just for the Irish market, but for tourism! Was to agree on patches, end of first week of Wimbledon where 2 of players got a huge media buzz (Diatchenko and Niland), Minister says "it's not interesting really."

There are more, and nobody in Tourism Ireland would do anything under his watch without his blessing. It was his sheer lack of understanding of, well, everything, that was shocking and his inability to listen. I wouldn't mind but he'd actually asked for such "media wins", then was puppeted around the place.

But...he has Frank Flannery advising him now, so, roll on King Leo I!

[Spudulika]

Gay people themselves might say otherwise: http://www.buzzfeed.com/tomphillips/watch-an-irish-drag-queens-powerful-speech-about-homophobia#.qf4pp6AwKK



David Norris claims the country is "rampant" with homophobia.

Ireland is populated (as with many other countries) with gombeens. Walking in Clara (Offaly) and having a dunce shouting - "Go back to Dublin ye jackeens" was like something out of a begorrah movie from the 1950's.

How many of us standing in LOI grounds have heard far worse yelled at players, officials, opposing fans, all because people can be dumb.

I don't believe Ireland is homophobic, but it suits the meeja for people to believe we are.

[nigel-harps1954]

Ireland is populated (as with many other countries) with gombeens. Walking in Clara (Offaly) and having a dunce shouting - "Go back to Dublin ye jackeens" was like something out of a begorrah movie from the 1950's.

How many of us standing in LOI grounds have heard far worse yelled at players, officials, opposing fans, all because people can be dumb.

I don't believe Ireland is homophobic, but it suits the meeja for people to believe we are.

Pretty much nail on the head. On the same token a foreign person will look for racism, a gay person will look for homophobia. Not to tar all with one brush however though. I have a large group of gay friends and extended members of LGBT groups who would all argue against Ireland being a largely homophobic state.

While there's a massive campaign for marriage equality, it's not reflective of the country as a whole, and I'd wager a large stake that the referendum will pass by an absolute landslide.

[Charlie Darwin]

Personally, I don't think there's the same stigmas attached to coming out as gay as there used to be. The idea of being ostracised by family and friends and fearing negative consequences outside of home and in work/public is a thing of the past.

The most widely viewed opinion of the whole thing as far as I can see is one of 'this shouldn't be headline news in the 21st century'. It shows both how far we've come in the past couple of years, as well as the fact people just don't care about a persons sexuality anymore as much to say this person has brown hair or black hair.

Of course, this isn't completely right across the board. It's no different now to something like racism, where only a very small minority would get offended by this sort of thing.
I'd say it shows how far Ireland has come, but people thinking coming out is a non-issue shows how little they still understand.

[nigel-harps1954]

It's not a non-issue, but it shouldn't be main headline news.

[Charlie Darwin]

It's not a non-issue, but it shouldn't be main headline news.
Well it is an issue so it is headline news. And the reason it's headline news is because it is a big event in a country where people still don't feel fully comfortable coming out in public, or holding their partner's hand, etc. I'm sure there will be a time when it's so passé that nobody even comments, but we're not there.

[DannyInvincible]

Pretty much nail on the head. On the same token a foreign person will look for racism, a gay person will look for homophobia. Not to tar all with one brush however though. I have a large group of gay friends and extended members of LGBT groups who would all argue against Ireland being a largely homophobic state.

While there's a massive campaign for marriage equality, it's not reflective of the country as a whole, and I'd wager a large stake that the referendum will pass by an absolute landslide.

Homophobia can be real and experienced without gay people having to go in search of it. I dunno if there's an implication there that reports of homophobia might be concocted or deluded or what? Nobody's saying Ireland is a homophobic state, but it's not exactly a sexually-liberal homotopia either.

[Spudulika]

Homophobia can be real and experienced without gay people having to go in search of it. I dunno if there's an implication there that reports of homophobia might be concocted or deluded or what? Nobody's saying Ireland is a homophobic state, but it's not exactly a sexually-liberal homotopia either.

Danny - above you quoted David Norris as accusing Ireland of being "rampant" with homophobia. Rory O'Neill seems to believe it is. Elements of the meeja will try to teach us that it is. Interest groups will claim that it is. So people with vested interests are saying it....but does it make it so?

I agree with you 100%, it can be experienced, that is a fact. It can come from family members being worried, religious relatives thinking it's an abomination etc etc. But unless a line is crossed and people are bullied or abused for their lifestyle, then it boils down to understanding from both sides. A former professor of mine said that the lgbt debate runs along the lines of the abortion issue. 2 sides develop to suit the society, both claim complete right to feel how they feel and both claim to be completely correct. We've just come through the fanatical debate that was/is abortion/right to life, now we're into the next meeja campaign, all the while the ruling regime set us up for the next land.

Charlie - the holding hands issue is something that is generally accepted, and that sounds terrible, though it more boils down to the reaction of those holding hands and those idiots who want to make an issue of it. And it generally comes more into the area of 2 men holding hands or kissing in public.

[Charlie Darwin]

Rory O'Neill went out of his way to explicitly say that Ireland is not a homophobic country. Which is sort of the problem - he's gay and he's shone a light on everyday homphobia, so people then interpret that as him attacking everyone.

[Spudulika]

Rory O'Neill went out of his way to explicitly say that Ireland is not a homophobic country. Which is sort of the problem - he's gay and he's shone a light on everyday homphobia, so people then interpret that as him attacking everyone.

I've listened to Rory on a number of occasions (including a reaction to the FG crawlers) say that Ireland is homophobic, but then temper it.

And one very, very interesting note in the fightback by Enda - Simon Coveney has been left out to dry, along with Leo, for daring to rule out a coalition with FF. ANd our meeja love it!

[Charlie Darwin]

And I've heard him say several times it's not. It's a difficult thing to nail down because when people think homophobia they think lynching and sodomy laws, not the sort of mild, intuitive homophobia that pervades. If people make seemingly contradictory statements, it's because they're being mindful of how people interpret what they say. Plus people get SO BLOODY OFFENDED when you suggest they're not as liberal and open-minded as they like to think.

[Spudulika]

And I've heard him say several times it's not. It's a difficult thing to nail down because when people think homophobia they think lynching and sodomy laws, not the sort of mild, intuitive homophobia that pervades. If people make seemingly contradictory statements, it's because they're being mindful of how people interpret what they say. Plus people get SO BLOODY OFFENDED when you suggest they're not as liberal and open-minded as they like to think.

:-) I know exactly where you're coming from. I remember the joke from Brendan O'Carroll (who cannot be accused of being homophobic) "I'd like to be brave but I'm not brave enough. The thought of a big hairy fella standing behind me saying "I luv ya"." Cue uproarious laughter. I think it's a very difficult issue to address. If you question the same sex agenda, you're a homophobe, if you are for it, you're a liberal, commie, sodomite promoter. What has amused me greatly is the absolute lack of perspective in the current debacle which has allowed the IMF sneak in and pat us on the backs, to allow the first shot be fired in the FG leadership battle, to allow the government away with more financial mischief and completely let an incompetent fool away with running down the health service further.

[Charlie Darwin]

I'd say the phrase "same sex agenda" is in itself homophobic.

[Spudulika]

I'd say the phrase "same sex agenda" is in itself homophobic.

I would regard the naming of phrases as homophobic as homophobic as it means there is something to be pointed out that runs contrary to the agreed policy on sexual relations between humans.

It boils down to understanding and acceptance that people are different. If we were all the same it would be terrible, like living in Cork.

[DannyInvincible]

I would regard the naming of phrases as homophobic as homophobic as it means there is something to be pointed out that runs contrary to the agreed policy on sexual relations between humans.

I think it would be grossly unfair to accuse those who are perceptive of or victim to homophobia (the moral judgment and negative distinction of others based on their sexuality) of homophobia itself for calling people out on it. Ultimately, identity politics may not be the most effective method of bringing about a fairer and more equal society for all, but we don't live in an ideal world. If gay people wish to collectively support one another because they feel socially marginalised due to experienced homophobia, it's not exactly their fault; it's an entirely natural and reasonable response. It's unlikely they have the luxury of being able to rise above identity politics given the poltically-fragmented society in which we already live.

[Spudulika]

I think it would be grossly unfair to accuse those who are perceptive of or victim to homophobia (the moral judgment and negative distinction of others based on their sexuality) of homophobia itself for calling people out on it. Ultimately, identity politics may not be the most effective method of bringing about a fairer and more equal society for all, but we don't live in an ideal world. If gay people wish to collectively support one another because they feel socially marginalised due to experienced homophobia, it's not exactly their fault; it's an entirely natural and reasonable response. It's unlikely they have the luxury of being able to rise above identity politics given the poltically-fragmented society in which we already live.

Danny, my post was a response, tongue in cheek, to Charlie's on homophobia. Sorry :-)

I agree on the "you're a homophobe" response from people who have had a slagging/abuse for a long time etc, or a fear. It's the same as black people saying "you're racist" under the same conditions. I always have an issue with both (reactions) as they are too often used to erase debate and discussion, thus limit understanding. It's a catch all response - here if you're not in support of Putin you're against Russia. George Bush - if you're not with us you're agin us. Fear is the key to retarding conversation, which is a killer.

My only take on the Leo "step out", is the ploy from his advisor (Flannery) to put him in a position to take the Taoiseach-ship, because if anyone questions him (from now on) the brush is covered with the tar of a) racist, b) homophobe. This was brought out by Leo himself and his media handlers (due to his parentage and sexual persuasion). Plus much was made of his "fine head of hair". Really, we get the muppets we deserve ruling us!

[DannyInvincible]

Danny, my post was a response, tongue in cheek, to Charlie's on homophobia. Sorry :-)

Ah, fear not. :)

[DannyInvincible]

I'd say the phrase "same sex agenda" is in itself homophobic.

Waterford Whispers News re-posted this on Facebook today; an hard-hitting investigation exposing the murky underworld of them gays: http://waterfordwhispersnews.com/2014/09/18/inside-the-twisted-world-of-gay-marriage/


...

If I’m honest it was at this point I started to worry: except for being Irish, living in Ireland, paying taxes, working, enjoying friendships, films, music, laughter, long walks on the beach, that episode of Friends where Joey and Chandler win Rachel and Monica’s apartment after beating them in that quiz, what on God’s green Earth had I got in common with these creatures? The answer terrifyingly was: nothing.

I had caught a glimpse into their strange twisted world and I did not like it. I persisted, venturing into a ‘pub’ where they drank libidinous liquids but I refused to dip my toe in that well. I had heard rumours this strange drink made you lose your inhibitions and I have long suppressed the fact that I, like, everyone can identity when a member of the opposite sexual orientation is classified as ‘attractive’. I was forced to drink it in the end using a strange blend of charm and burgeoning friendship.

They had nearly caught me out. I had almost danced to a song by Madonna. I left enraged that the gay agenda has clearly upped its game since the days of being loudly discriminated against by a powerful and ignorant few.

...

[nigel-harps1954]

Product placement is everything.

https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/1625711_10152765836605857_5883625373317390301_n.jp g?oh=4712bcb98fa990a9e848932f0c512106&oe=555BC906

[Spudulika]

Nigel - this is brilliant! I just saw it on WWN, came on to comment and.....what's amazing, as well as the advert, are the 2 pieces of other news on the page, sunk in to eithe rget people to read or to avoid reading. IS and Libya! Great editor I suppose!

I was just trying to remember, but it's maybe google, but if the newspaper people were using one of the editor programmes that is also net/adword linked, this is what happens! Gas chamber - advertiser is Gas company, hey presto, on the same page.

But those "lady boy holidays" ads that keep popping up on my work computer are pure conicidence, honest!

[Acornvilla]

Been trying to get better at art and stuff. Did a Totti drawing yesterday, think it's about the best likeness I've managed so far, so wanted to show someone, here :P

http://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.roosterteeth.com/images/EtcherSketch54d16f35b1870.jpg

[gustavo]

This day last year, I was playing indoor football and suffered a spinal injury which left me paralysed from the neck down. This has lead to a year of getting used to a different life whilst also retaining hope of recovery. I've been in the Mater hospital since the accident and hope to leave here in the next six months to go to the rehabilitation centre.

The biggest obstacle is the lack of independence. Virtually everything I could before on my own I now have to get assistance with. Staff are very helpful though and this has helped me.

I have missed going to see Sligo Rovers even though I picked a good season to miss. On the plus side I was able to watch virtually all of the World Cup. Here's me with Shay Given before they flew out for the Georgian match in September.

http://i60.tinypic.com/2ylac69.jpg

[Mr A]

That's a hell of a thing, sorry to hear of your misfortune. Best of luck with the recovery.

[pineapple stu]

What A said. Hard to know how to react to that tbh. Not an injury I'd have associated with indoor football. Best of luck with things gustavo.

[osarusan]

Ah Jaysus.

That's a very brave post Gustavo, fair play to you. I hope that things are going as well as they can go for you.

[Macy]

Best of luck to you Gustavo.

[nigel-harps1954]

Ditto the sentiments above. I have all the admiration in the world for folks who have to go through such tough times and come out so positive at the other end. Very best of luck to you for the road ahead.

[BonnieShels]

Gustavo posted something months ago when Tets took over as Ireland mod. I thought it was a joke. Sorry to hear about that dude. Here's to you!

[Eminence Grise]

It takes rare courage to be so open and positive after such a life-changing accident. I tip my cap in admiration at your resilience, Gustavo. Never stop hoping - dum spiro spero has truth enough and optimism to carry us through difficult times.

[Charlie Darwin]

Jesus, sorry to hear that gustavo. All the best, man.