Top o’ the mornin’ to ya! This being St. Patty’s Day and all, today’s Friday Favorites will contain more than one bookmarked site that in one round-about way or another have a connection to this fine day and/or the Irish…the connection may be quite tenuous, so be prepared! Because of the risk of offending Fence I’ll repeat that many connections I will be making between what I am about to post, the Irish, and St. Patrick’s Day are mostly in my own head.
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However, to begin, what could be more Irish than The Corrs? Well, quite alot really and I know I’ve been on a Corrs kick lately but its almost spring, and I have that spring madness and well, when its spring I break out The Corrs music, among others. And it wasn’t planned this way but besides being St. Patrick’s Day it is also Caroline Corr’s birthday, so Happy Birthday little drummer girl! 36 years old…still a youngin’!
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Staying in my Music Favorites folder (and here’s where those connections get tenuous) I present Loreena McKennitt. Loreena McKennitt is no more Irish that I am: she was born, raised, and resides in Canada. However she was bit by the Celtic music bug early in life and has single-handedly created her own musical empire. Loreena McKennitt is self-produced, self-managed, and is the head of her own music label, Quinlan Road, which has achieved international success. One of my favorite Loreena McKennitt songs just happens to be one of my favorite poems, The Lady of Shallot by Alfred Lord Tennyson. Loreena McKennitt can be seen performing this amazing verse here. While this may not be for everyone, and probably is not Loreena McKennitt’s best music, I have such an affinity for this poem that I really like this song.
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What would a St. Patty’s Day be without a toast of the good stuff. I remember the first time I tasted a Guinness…I was so used to watered down American beer that I nearly died. Even now a straight Guinness is not my favorite. However, a black and tan made with Guinness Stout and Bass Ale…tis nectar from the gods, it is! And of course I love the Guinness website, because here you can watch a few of those wonderful…or should I say “Brilliant!” ads featuring the Brewmasters. The two currently on the site are ones I have not seen before and are every bit as fun as the previous ones. Brilliant!
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Although this is another one of those tenuous links a natural place to progress from beer is to sports and yesterday this site became my favorite of all. For FREE, no strings attached, you can watch the games of the NCAA March Madness Tourney on your computer. All you have to do is register (no credit card or anything like that involved) and log in. It looks like you might have a long wait but it actually dumps huge groups of people in at one time so just wait a few minutes and you’ll be watching live. I was amazed with how smoothly it ran, and you can pick which game you want to watch. I hooked my boss up yesterday as well so he can keep an eye on the Iowa game today.
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And because Friday Favorites is generally about art, check out the terrific art of Tara McPherson.
Tara McPherson was born in California but currently resides in New York City where she creates these wonderful, innocent-but-with-an-edge paintings. Most recently Tara’s work has been seen on the covers for the DC comic, The Witching.
In her own artistic circle, however, Tara McPherson is probably best known for her poster work for various bands.
I just love Tara’s artwork. The colors remind me of 50’s diner colors and they have a flavor of that time period mixed with a very 21st century sentimentality. And quite frankly her work is just amazingly fun. The dark edge makes it appeal to me even more.
The missing heart image seems to be a theme in much of Tara McPherson’s work and it gives it a bit of a melancholy feel that moves the work beyond the cartoonish realm.
I hope you go visit her site and check out more of her work. She has prints, stickers, and even stationary for sale (which I purchased from my local comic shop). Her links page also leads to a variety of really talented, interesting artists.
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There you have it, another Friday Favorites in the bag. Have a Happy, Safe St. Patrick’s Day weekend!
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Fortunately, this year I have a green shirt! I usually can’t figure out what to wear.
Jessica’s teacher told the class if anyone pinches they’ll lose a week of recess. I can’t say I blame the woman!
Can you put enough food coloring in Guiness to turn it green?
mmmm…make mine a Guinness! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
L. Mck. has some strange music and although melodic, her mix is weird because I cannot slightly understand what she is singing. Even with the lyrics, she is harder to understand than Enya. It sounds English but I just don’t know.
If you click on the Lady of Shallot link I have you can actually read the poem as she sings it. Its a really poor video quality which makes it harder to see and understand.
I didn’t wear green today. Completely slipped my mind. Honestly. I don’t want to be pinched. 😉
I don’t think I could stomach green beer.
i think it’s interesting the we wear green on this day – supposedly it’s to keep away the little people, the fae folk, those crazy little men in hats – and whatever tradition you grew up with (pinching, etc – when i was young, we’d dump water on people sans green) had to do with the idea that wearing green would keep the leprecauns from being misceivious – but…. but – leprechauns love green – it’s their favorite color, you’d think it would attract them instead
HAPPY SAINT PATTY’S DAY! and thanks for the great links
You’ve got quite a point there Mysfit! Basically I’m doomed no matter what since I’m green-less today.
You’re welcome with the links. Hope you check out Tara’s stuff, she’s great.
Happy St. Paddy’s!
Wow! What a tribute! Great post.
Mmm… Guinness. It’s not for the meek and mild 😉
Oh, yeah.
Hello from Michele’s!
Thanks for the heads-up on the hottie artist – I hope the tats aren’t real and the breasts are.
The only thing that made both our posts today was Guinness, though I did mention music and art as well.
Here via michele today.
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I’m afraid Prego that the tats are real, at least they look to be from other pics on her site.
Thanks for the visit.
And I would encourage everyone to go to Kimmy’s site…click on her name in above comments…she has some very cute, fun St. Patrick’s Day jokes that will make you smile.
Here from Michele’s — but can I say I LOVE your taste in music — have everything the Coors and Loreena have done 🙂
Thank you Susan! I haven’t listened to near enough Loreena but regularly overdose on the Corrs.
Hi, Carl!
Interesting set of links. I’m a big fan of the Corrs … And I’ve been told that Loreena McKennitt grew up in a little border town not too far from where I live in North Dakota. (Small world, huh?)
Michele sent me, by the way.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Carl, off-topic: is that your alma mater I see playing in the NCAA tourney?!
And they’re playing great against Memphis right now! Holy cow!
That’s them. I’m keeping an eye on them on the ON DEMAND window on my work PC. I know they’ll lose but its nice to see them back in the big dance and at least not embarrassing themselves in the first half.
And no sooner have I spoken then they are getting their butts handed to them at the end of the half. Oh well.
Thanks for the visit Corrine!
Your site is a good crack.
Happy St Patrick’s!
rashbre
Interesting site and post! Glad that Michele sent me today…I am unfamiliar with all these talented creative people. I’m from a different time, you know? But I am always glad to be introduced to “now”! Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you, too!
Old Old Lady…you can’t be THAT old if you’re online…that alone shows that you are already in the “now”!!! Thanks for the visit, you too rashbre, and for the compliments.
You always discover the best artists. I think I need to pull out some of my fave Celtic bands. It’s been too long.
Maybe I’ll find some Enya while I’m at it.
Love Enya as well Carmi. Any other Celtic music suggestions are much appreciated.
Isn’t McPherson a scottish name?
I’m big on Drop Kick Murphy’s for fun Irish Music. Check them out. Here via Michele
Carl – esp. liked Tara’s cartoons.
Thanks for stopping by… I once painted an entire apartment based on the colours in Amelie. Twas wonderful.
I’m sure its not Irish…remember me using the term “tenuous” so many times in the post? But, it has the ‘mac’ thing going for it and since she was wearing green in her bio picture, AND because I’ve been wanting to do a Tara McPherson post for a long time it all sort of came together.
And I will check ’em out Margalit!
I have wanted my wife and my bedroom to be decorated like Amelie’s apartment since the moment I saw that film. Would love to see pics of that apartment.
Excellent ladies are Loreena & Caroline!
Michele sent me this way!
I hope you had a good St. Patrick’s day. Michele sent me.
Hope you did as well Jean-luc and Gnat! It was filled with watching KU lose in the first round of the tournament for the second year in a row (hope James and Jeff haven’t committed suicide), and watching my bracket get all shot to h..e…l…l…
Ya know as bad as I felt about KU’s early exit last night I feel WORSE about it today. ARGH!
I do enjoy Tara McPherson’s art. I’ve seen her stuff before and I really need to check out her site. The tat’s are a little much for me though.
I don’t have a problem with tattoo’s as a general rule, but I don’t really understand when people get that obsessive with them.
Hi Carl,
Michele sent me…
Nice site..I am going to have a look around…
I like the corrs too!!!
I checked out your main site, Nadia (torch)…I’ll have to go over to your myspace account and listen to some of your music. Congrats on everything, hope things go terrific in NYC.
I really like her artwork!
And yes, sweetie, I would love a bedroom with the Amelie colors! Great post.
Ok, I checked out the tats! Yes, she has a lot.
You crack me up Jules….
So you Americans use Paddy’s day as an excuse to go round pinching each other. In-ter-vestink.
Hope you had a good day, my weekend was great. It’d have been perfect if France had lost the rugby, but beating England was enough to make us celebrate.
Never heard of McPherson before, but those pix you posted look interesting.
Happy St. Patty’s Day a few days late… What, no website on the proper way to prepare Irish stew or corned beef and cabbage?
Shannin….um……no.
Hey I was just surfing around and decided to post a short comment here. I run a movie review message board and am looking for people to write reviews and contribute at my forum. You can even post a link to your blog on your signature file at my forum. It’s all good! Take care.
Awesome site! I am loving it!! Will come back again. Subcribing to your feeds also, Thanks.