More nonsense from David Quinn in today's Indo. My letter of reply below.

A Chara,

David Quinn (Comment, August 31st) has once again demonstrated his ignorance of the beauty of science and the material. In seeking to reconcile Mother Teresa's quite understandable doubts with his supernatural beliefs, he decries atheists like Richard Dawkins who - shock horror - "thinks that even love is simply a chemical reaction in our brain". Simply? what an absurd word to use! has Mr Quinn any idea how fantastically complex the human brain is? The electro-chemical processes of the brain are justly a source of wonder and joy for all those who study it.

Quinn is doing nothing more than parroting John Keats' old accusation that Isaac Newton somehow diminished the beauty of the rainbow by explaining it. In fact, the mysteries of the brain have provided inspiration for men of the calibre of Frances Crick - co discoverer of DNA, who writes about the complexity of the brain, consciousness and the scientific search for the soul in his book 'Astonishing Hypothesis'. I have no doubt that those who have read Crick's book (or indeed Dawkins' 'Unweaving the Rainbow') will agree that Quinn - and Keats - are sorely mistaken. For those fortunate enough to have some degree of understanding of what happens to a brain when it feels love, the experience is made all the more wonderful.

Mother Teresa's incredible good works are clearly far more important than her doubts about the existence of God. Perhaps this might provide an indicator to Mr Quinn that it is the here and now that deserves the focus of our thoughts; not vague notions of a supernatural being that even Mother Teresa seems never to have heard from.

Is Mise,
SJ

Indulge me

I've decided how I'll make my millions...
Check out my ebay auction...

An Open Letter

To the driver of the Beige 01-D reg Mercedes E200 on the Stillorgan Road today at lunchtime:

Hi, I'm the driver of the red Alfa Romeo who passed you after you pulled into the left-hand lane to make your turn. I was just wondering - why did you see fit to make a 'wanker' gesture out of your window as I passed? I was not speeding, or weaving around the traffic; and if I did delay my gear change a little to hear the sound of my engine, why should this deserve abuse from you?

I do not judge you for enjoying golf, nor for drinking port, reading the Sunday Business Post or listening to Phil Collins - why do you judge me so harshly for enjoying the sound of my car's engine?

In answering my question, I want you to bear in mind that I understand that life can be trying sometimes - the ravages of middle age can be depressing. I mean yes, the hair is a little thinner, the waist a little fatter and obviously there's the wife, who clearly isn't what she used to be (and yes she may drink rather heavily at those long lunches she does); but still, why take it out on me?

Even if young Jarlath hasn't quite found his direction in life just yet and his coke habit is too obvious to completely ignore; he's still your son. I realise that the prospect of grandchildren is still too remote for your liking - even that trip to Greece with that hairdresser friend of his failed to yield any stories of girlfriends... and that this fellow's Micra C+C does cause the neighbours' curtains to twitch. But it was a beautiful day, and Jarlath will do the things that he enjoys in life - you'll find it so much easier if you don't judge, and allow him to be happy. I would appreciate you doing the same for me.

Have a nice day - I believe that there's a special on Quail at Donnybrook Fare at the moment.

With Best Wishes,

SJ.

Holiday

I WILL arise and go now, and go to L'Estartit,
And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the mourning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight's all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet's wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear the water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.

(With Apologies to WB Yeats)
I'll be there for 10 days from Monday. I need this like you wouldn't believe. Look for me on the linked webcam - I've promised to be visible on Tuesday at 330 PM Irish Time!

What I did over the weekend

I was in Cork at this meeting of Petrolheads

The Pictures can't convey how happy I was to be a part of this group. Such diversity, linked by a common illness: Petroleum in the veins. Life is good.

Life Update

well just wanted to post to update y'all on the rollercoaster that is my life.

You may have noticed that I'm not around as much anymore - the main reason is that I'm working in a New Job and I am conscious of the fact that this blog is a little too public. I hope that any of my friends who want to get in touch with me do.

The new job (Started Jan 2nd) is excellent - they treat me reall well, I have flexi-time, which is brilliant. No access to overtime, but even without that, I'm making as much as I used to make in 50 hours, working 39 hours per week.
I'm a civil servant, working in a Minister's Constituency Office. It's interesting, although very busy at the moment (election imminent).

For the past few weeks, I've been lucky enough to be seeing a lovely American girl - Interesting, intelligent and pretty. Life is good.

Ooh, and last night I was in the New 5km long Dublin Port Tunnel, along with a gorgeous GTV 3.0 with a straight through quad exhaust; a TVR Tuscan, A Cerbera, an Elise, Several Scoobys, and a few other nice bits of metal - (see http://www.octane.ie/forum/showthread.php?t=7963) well I enjoyed it...

Job Opportunity

Anyone reading this who would be interested in a part-time (20 hours per week) job in Leinster House, please let me know. Secretarial stuff with some research and speeches thrown in. Election coming up too so could be interesting.