Nollaig

Psychology is awesome, I studied it for a year and have since read the entire coursebook (which would have lasted all three years had I kept it on). I wouldn't really like to pursue it as a career though I don't think, so I'm content with the undergraduate extent of my knowledge. It's a great area though, extremely fascinating.

Thank you! I did actually get a grant, and I didn't have to pay any fees, except registration fee. I got €3000 a year, which didn't quite cover accommodation (usually about €4000 a year), then I also had to pay €800-€1000 a year on registration, and then another few hundred on books, €1000 on a laptop when I started and then I also had to feed and clothe myself, as well as travel home every weekend to work. Basically, the year out funded all the bigger costs, and the weekend work fed me. As it stands, I'm not in any debt at all, I just need to stay that way til I get a job.

I'm in a catch 22 at the moment. I'm in no way well off, I never have been - I had to work for a year when I finished school to start funding university, and I had to continue working throughout to support myself. I've now graduated with a degree in English and Philosophy, so the path is open to go into Journalism, Library or archival work, teaching lecturing, or 'doing Philosophy' which involves writing papers and going to conferences, if I make it to PhD level. Unfortunately, due to the recession here my job was cut, and I can't find another as I have no experience in anything, and so solid qualification. So right now, I need to go back to uni and do my Masters in something to get a job, but I can't do that until I've saved money. So right now, I'm working on surviving until I can aspire to something more. I've gotten this far, I don't doubt I can go all the way. While it's weird not having all my time and more taken up with work and studies, it means I can focus way more on my art, my book reviewing and other hobbies, all of which have gotten better and better recently. I'm really honing my digital art, courtesy of Mika inspiring me significantly and the yearbook providing an outlet. I regularly get sent new novels from authors and publishers which is a challenge in itself - reading new genres and honing my writing in case that's the direction my Masters takes. So I'm happy, if not a little restless, at the moment. Where do I see myself in ten years? Who knows. I don't think like that - I take things one step at a time.

I agree too. I've never gone to a gig without someone, and this time I'm going totally alone.

I might be around both days. Well, I'll definately be around on the 16th, as I'm staying overnight. 14th is subject to whether people think the queues will require extensive queuing. I'd definately love to meet up with anyone who is around the day before or after.

Ahh you'll be grand so

Knowing Ireland it could very well go from cold to raining to sunny to warm.

Dublin is now the only one I'm going to, unless I get lucky. But I'm kinda just giving up on Belfast now (which I'm gutted over, there were plans!) and focusing all my excitement on the Dublin trip. Also means I will have way more money in Dublin, can stay somewhere nice and possibly go shopping on the Tuesday if any of my mates are around.

Wahey!

As long as it's not raining, I'll be happy. I don't want it to be warm. It's finally getting cold here, but it's still not cold enough!!!

I have no idea. I wanted tickets for Belfast but my 3V card randomly stopped working, so I had no way of booking one this morning. I imagine that's probably sold out now too. Keep an eye on the spare tickets thread, that's what Shaza told me to do for the Belfast gig - you might get lucky with the Dublin one?

I don't tend to talk about Mika to anyone (yet, it's getting to that point) but I know I'd get exactly the same response. And Cazgirl, that whole, 'he's so gay' thing is SO ANNOYING! I feel like saying, 'I have two gay friends and a bisexual friend, you gonna comment on their sexuality too? WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?!' It's also largely coz he's a guy, you know. I get it about Tim Minchin, (my best mate always says, 'Noll, we've been through this, you'd be breaking up a family - he has a wife and kids!' and I'm like, 'did I mention anything beyond his music and ideas?) If it was a woman we were all obsessed with, we'd probably just be accused of wanting to be like her or something. It's so stupid. You don't have to want something on a personal level in ANY WAY to appreciate it artistically, aesthethically, etc etc. Grr, etc.

:roftl:

People are going to think I'm mad. Even the Irish. I LOVE the cold, and can't stand in ANY WAY to be warm or hot. Winter in Ireland is generally skirts/tights/light top/light cardigan weather for me. When it rains, I'd sooner bring a brolly than wear a heavy coat. That said, I have leather jackets and a heavy fitted coat, but they're mostly for looks rather than keeping me warm - I'd not wear anything more than a string top under them in Winter!

I guess all we can do is hope so - and in your case, check ticketmaster at 9am tomorrow morning, as thats when all other general sales seem to be going on sale. It might randomly pop up.

Is it possible to contact people at Ticketmaster directly?? Isn't this what happened last time? A gig was listed but then it never happened?

That's a bit worrying.....

Exactly

Kids can be so unwittingly clever sometimes haha. Awww. HOW RANDOM!! Hahaha that's brilliant!

Buses the whole way would cost you €41. With a student card, Cork to Dublin is only €19, and Dublin to Belfast is €22, both return (obviously ). But that's a long trip. Also, the earliest we could get to Belfast on the day would be 3.30pm. (Leave Cork at 8am.)

Do you actually have msn or something? It might be handier generally for sorting that kinda thing out, I'll add Debbie as well if she doesn't mind and we can work it all out together another time when we're all online? Might be an idea.... if you want. I'll have a root through buses and trains and try to work something out. I'm no longer a student, so whatever you get, it'll be more for me And LOL yeah, my mate has a girlfriend though so she's more likely to get a bad impression! Only met her for the first time two weeks ago, though they've been together four years. He's my best mate, and I see him maybe once a year coz he's so far away!

Good question. Bahaha. Magic! *jazzhands*

Oh I hope so. It'd make sense to travel with you as far as Dublin and pick up other people there if they're on the way (would it? well if you want! Of course you can say no, I don't mind ) so one question - will you be going to Belfast the day of the gig, or the day before? I really have no idea about going to Belfast, I've never travelled there. Advice? I might, MIGHT try and meet my mate from Longford on the day inbetween gigs too. It'd be nice to see him. It'd be pretty convenient too. Edit: Wait, no, that's Valentine's Day. That's about as inconvenient as it can be! Buggar.