I landed in Chicago about an hour ago or so.  Dad and I are at our hotel watching the Twins game.  The trip was fine and I have all my stuff.

Yesterday I had my last match for Trinity Rugby.   It was a friendly against Terenure.  The idea was to work on all the bits we need to be able to do for when the league matches start next week.  It’s a good thing we had a warm-up because we did little-to-nothing correctly.   I started on the bench because I’ve been fighting a cold since I got back from Prague, but I came on after about 10 minutes when Dork strained his hamstring.  This would be the first of many subs due to injury that would eventually lead to one of the most ridiculous backlines you’ll ever see.

We were shut out in the first half, but we did score three tries in the second.  I played a decently big part on the first one, when I got the ball up the right wing, and then off-loaded back inside to Ringo who was clear in.  I made a couple of solid tackles as well, on of which saved a try.  Well, delayed the try.  They did score a few phases later.  It was our usual MO – play well for about 20 minutes, but suck for the other 60.  Terenure is a division above us, so we never expected to win.  The idea was to work on things so that we’d be ready for the start of the season, and it showed us how much we needed to work on.

I made it back from Prague on one piece and I’m back in Dublin for one last week of partying and good-byes.  Prague pictures forthcoming.

If anyone cares to read it, The Gaelic Athletic Association and the Role of Gaelic Games in Early 20th Century Ireland can be downloaded from the link below or the Box.net widget in the sidebar.

The Gaelic Athletic Association and the Role of Gaelic Games in Early 20th Century Ireland

This week’s music is an acoustic version of “Black Hole Sun” done up solo by Chris Cornell. I sort of miss th drums on the chorus, but this is a great showcase for Cornell’s voice.

This is my last Top 10 before I’m done with my paper.  ’m meeting with Anne this afternoon to go over my spankin’ new Introduction v2.0.  I’ll work the changes from Intro 2.0 into the rest of the paper over the weekend, then meet with Micheál on Monday for any last minute ideas.  I should have it back from the printers on Wednesday to turn in.  Then off to Prague at the crack of dawn on Thursday.  Look for a download on Wednesday night for those who want to read my paper.  Once it’s turned in I can share with everyone.  Music after the jump.

1. Blue October – “18th Floor Balcony/It’s Just Me” Foiled
2. Shinedown – “Lacerated” Leave A Whisper
3. Foo Fighters – “Last Song” In Your Honor
4. Colin Hay – “I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You” Garden State Soundtrack
5. John Mellencamp – “Crumblin’ Down” The Best That I Could Do
6. Explosions in the Sky – “Catastrophy and The Cure” All Of A Sudden  I Miss Everyone
7. Jimmy Eat World – “The World You Love” Futures
8. Yellowcard – “Ocean Avenue” Ocean Avenue
9. Explosions in the Sky – “A Poor Man’s Memory” Those Who Tell The Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell The Truth Shall Live Forever
10. The Nadas – “The Worst Place I’ve Been” Listen Through The Static
11. Steve Miller Band – “Fly Like An Eagle” Young Hearts

This week’s list is some pretty weak sauce.   Yellowcard is the latest to fall victim to the Great iTunes Purge of 2009.  Once I’m back from Prague, the hunt is on in full force.

My friend Patrick is the drummer in a punk band here called The Vagabonds. I’ve seen them play a couple of times, and they’re very good. Below are a couple of videos of theirs.

In the coming days, once I’m done with final edits, you’ll see a box on the right where you’ll be able to download and read my dissertation chapters.  I don’t really want to put it out there yet since it could in theory get me in trouble if you all make suggestions, since that could be construed as outside help.   I know that’s a little paranoid, but 12 months and a ton of money is too much to risk to not finish this.  Anyway, things are progressing on that front, now to the music:

1. Kings of Leon – “I Want You” Only by the Night
2. Wilco – “Blue Eyed Soul” A.M.
3. John Mayer – “I Gonna Find Another You” Continuum
4. Wilco – “Poor Places” Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
5. Interpol – “Evil” Antics
6. Tyree Colion – “Projects” The Wire Soundtrack
7. The Ramones – “Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment” Ramones Mania
8. Jack Johnson – “Staple It Together” In Between Dreams
9. Wilco – “Hotel Arizona” Being There
10. Lenny Kravitz – “Stand By My Woman” Greatest Hits
11. Johnny Cash – “Mercy Seat” American Recordings

Bonus: Wilco – “New Madrid” Live at The Troubadour 11-12-96

You may ask why Mr. Kravitz is crossed out above.  It’s because his album stayed in my library for about 20 more seconds after that song came up.  It’s one of those albums I don’t like anymore, but still have because I’m a neurotic packrat.  But no more!  Here comes the great iTunes purge of 2009!

On a happier note – three Wilco songs, all from different albums plus Wilco doing Uncle Tupelo.  I never include a bonus track, but this one seemed too good to pass up.  4 Wilco songs in 11 (ok, 12) songs, that’s a full 1/3rd.

I’ve always heard that if you like Interpol that you should check out Joy Division.  Any of my more musically aware colleagues know the veracity of this statement?

One more thing – The Blueprint 3 comes out today, at least in the States anyway.  Below is Jay-Z on Letterman plugging his new album, which will be one my first purchases when I get home.  They are actually very quite funny together, good family fun.

I know I promised a review of Wilco at Vicar St. to everyone, but any writing done for the next week or so is going to my dissertation. To keep you tided over, the set-list (from the awesome Wilco forum Via Chicago) is after the jump. And Music Video Sunday from two weeks ago showcases the concert.Intro Music – “The Price Is Right” theme

• Wilco (the song)
• I Am Trying to Break Your Heart
• One Wing
• A Shot in the Arm
• Bull Black Nova
• You Are My Face
• I’ll Fight
• Impossible Germany
• It’s Just That Simple
• Sonny Feeling
• Handshake Drugs (w/Janet Weiss on shakers)
• Jesus, etc.
• You Never Know
• Hate It Here
• Walken
• I’m The Man Who Loves You
• Hummingbird

First Encore

• A Magazine Called Sunset
• Misunderstood
• Spiders (Kidsmoke)

Second Encore

• Box Full of Letters
• Can’t Stand It
• Hoodoo Voodoo
• I’m A Wheel