Bloomsday

I don't usually do anything for Bloomsday, and I've never been in town before to experience the goings-on, but today was different.

To begin with, it was my turn to do the 30-minute presentation at the end of today's Music Group session, and, because of the day that's in it, I'd decided a couple of weeks ago that I'd choose music associated with James Joyce. The possibilities are wide, and my main problem was deciding what to leave out while still ending up with a meaningful 30-minute programme. I was happy with what I came up with, and it went down well with the gang.

I'd warmed up before going out by listening to some of BBC Radio 4's Ulysses marathon. The early 'episodes' didn't work at all well, I thought, because of being slotted in to the normal Saturday morning programme, but things improved when the first stand-alone episode was aired (though I didn't much care for the approach of the actor playing Stephen).

We went for one drink to Clontarf Castle after the music session, after which I dashed home to get ready to go in to town and meet my Chew & Chat mate Tom for one of our get-togethers. I made a point of getting into town with time to spare, just in case there were any Joyceheads around dressed up in Edwardian gear. There were. I'd met a guy in boater and flashy jacket on Westland Row and he'd suggested that I go on to the Mont Clare hotel where I'd find 'lots more people' dressed up. That's where I saw this lady who proved the most blippable. I actually paid a fiver for the privilege of going inside for further blipportunities. There was a big gang there, most of whom were in period dress, but I couldn't stay for the scheduled readings.

It was my turn to nominate an eatery, and I chose Dobbins. It's been a good while since either of us has been there. It was enjoyable, the food was good, the atmosphere was fine -- but I have to say it was too pricey for what we got, good as the food was.

We were late leaving, and weren't sure where to go for a late drink. Purely by chance we opted for Kennedy's at the top of Westland Row, and ended up delighted that we'd done so. There was an American guy at the bar, and we got talking to him. He turned out to be 'an academic' (his own word) who'd presented a paper at a Joyce conference earlier in the day. We got embroiled in deep chat about Joyce and his work and the rather sad antics of the Joyce industry, including all those academics like our new friend. I think he was surprised to meet someone who was 'into' Joyce, and someone who was unimpressed with the circus of missing-the-point analysis. It was a hugely enjoyable encounter, though, and a perfect way to bring Bloomsday to a close.

I got the 1:30 Nitelink home.