Is that blogging? Stop That.

Do you think they ever accidentally call someone middle-aged for interview at Connected Ventures? Like a slightly paunchy, balding guy arrives at the front office in a bad suit and everyone kind of looks at him in confusion? The girl on the desk can’t stop staring at his mottled, glistening forehead. Finds herself unable to answer any of his questions. Eventually Ricky sees him wandering around nervously and manages to swallow back his discomfort enough to establish that there’s been some sort of mistake, that they’ve asked someone over thirty in to see about their accountant position. And he invites him into his office just to put a good face on the whole thing but why the damn hell aren’t people required to put their age on their résumé? Saving everybody embarrassment? And all the guys in the main office sit there feeling antsy and a little nauseous and peeking through the glass until Ricky shows the guy out fifteen minutes later nodding all friendly-like. Everyone heaves a huge sigh of relief as the pale, ugly old man leaves. They play beer-pong and high-five all afternoon to try and get over the shock of it.

Last Read Update

You can approach it from a couple of different angles. What are you trying to achieve in those last hours? Nostalgia? Immersion? Comfort? Most of my very favourite books would not be suitable I think. I would have no more need for warnings or guidance at this point.

Nostalgia: I’m very fond of an illustrated copy of The Hobbit my dad read us in front of the fire when I was five or so. I’ve gone back to it many times. I think it would be a beautiful last read.

Immersion: Still don’t know about this one. I’d need to look at the bookshelves at home. Kind of amazed that no grand story comes to mind.

Comfort: Soundings, my Leaving Cert. English poetry book contains (almost) every piece of poetry I have ever connected with. Patrick Kavanagh would be something I would want on the way out. It’s an endless source of pleasure to me that I work in Kavanagh’s watershed, fifty metres from this canal.

If you had 24 hours to live, a room with four walls, a chair and no door, and your choice of book with which to spend those last 24 hours, what would that book be?

 I haven’t decided yet, but I’m enjoying thinking about it. Much of what I read now is dictated by a vague notion of self-improvement. That’d be out the window (if there were a window). Much of what I’ve read in the past just wouldn’t feel worthy of my last day.

 I’m not talking your desert island movies here, this is the last thing you will ever read. I’ll post some possibilities when I think of them.

Things I don't understand about the Internet: Podcasts

I don’t want to be mr. bitch about the internet over here but why are you making a podcast? I mean, I understand there is some potential in the medium for musicians, comedians, storytellers, but you’re a webdesigner. Why do I want to hear you speaking? Isn’t one-way, voice-only information pretty much the worst possible way to communicate to me what you’re talking about?

I do, however, fully support what’s happening with audio over here. I’m considering trying it myself. Although revealing my dulcet tones to the web is something I’m going to have to think about. It’s not like I need more teenage girls stalking me online. I am trying to put a cap on that.