Linky Links

I have a few links for all you readers. I know it's not really what a blog is for, but at least I didn't send you a forward with the links shoved in there. Count your blessings.

The first is the picture of now world-famous Stuart on stuffonmycat.com:

Stuart's Halloween Candy

Once again, musical genius, Deb Whalen has introduced me to another absolutely perfect song:

The Postal Service, "Such Great Heights"

And, as if that weren't enough, Ben Folds does a live cover of it on Australian radio:

Ben Folds, "Such Great Heights"

In "M.D.S." related news: Engagement plans are in the works for my beautiful sidekick and myself. In case she happens to read this, I think I'm planning on proposing as soon as the Tim Horton's opens. I figure we could go get some doughnuts, coffee and hash browns. Then I could profess my love in the most romantic place ever: a fast food/coffee shop named after a Canadian hockey player. If I did it before we completed our order, though, maybe they'd give us a discount. That's the ticket!

Additionally it seems like we'll both be heading to Millersburg this weekend to help move future mother-in-law and father-in-law into their new home.

Son-In-Laws = Cheap Labor. We work for food and parental approval.

-M.D.S. AWAY!

Link yourself HERE:

http://maskedphd.blogspot.com

If you are wondering why this blog seems inactive (or merely poorly attended to) then you haven't discovered my "new" blog all about being a doctoral student in Ohio. Find it. Enjoy it. Rock on. Outta Here.

-Ian

These are members of the York Street Flute Band, the young man to my left (David), and the two immediately to my right are members of the Macrory Boys Brigade, where I worked this year. David played the large bass drum you can see to the left, Gary played the side drum (on the ground to the right), and Colin played flute (not pictured).

July 12: The (Protestant) Orangemen march through Shaftsbury Square. They march each year through Belfast with drum and flute, bands, flags, huge, hand-painted banners, and full regalia.

You can see seven P.S.N.I. (Police Service of Northern Ireland) Landrovers in this picture. This was the closest I got to the riot between Loyalist Protestants from Tiger's Bay and Nationalist Catholics from the New Lodge. The Tesco in the background is where I shop for groceries.

Just some of the crowd gathered at the bonfire site.

July 11: Bonfire night. Protestants celebrate prior to the anniversary of The Battle of the Boyne. I spent the evening with Gary 'Bones' McIlwaine visiting different bonfire sites throughout North Belfast. This was by far the largest, at about 50 feet.