Aaron Donohoe

The other version was taken offline or some reason, so here’s a pictorial view…

Well, I’m back from a hard working weekend in Cork. I got back last night, but was too wrecked to write anything – I just hopped into a shower and straight into bed!

Woke up this morning in bits! Could barely get out of bed, so took a sickday off. Back aching, tired, arms & legs hurting, and no homework done – I didn’t get a chance as I was on my way to Cork as soon as I was home! But recovering – slowly. Spent the entire day in bed until around 3pm, got up and reviewed my photos, and got to editing some videos I got of our accomplishment!

As you can see, we did some major transformation to it. A total of 12 man hours has gone into it so far. 8 hours ‘getting it going’, and 4 hours tidying and cleaning the bodywork and interior. It sounds absolutely demonic, as there is a hole in the exhaust – which will be patched next time we’re down. But it’s nice to get things like this, considering it’s a sole survivor in private preservation of it’s class – and it was an old single decker rebodied as a double decker!

Above is the temporary setup to get it running. The screwdriver on the left was our ignition, as the positive pole on the starter was sheared off, and this was needed to short the starter to get it going, the ‘EasyStart’ (we used 6 cans in total) was used to get disel to the filters. The 20 litre Jerrycan was used as a temporary fuel tank, as there was a blockage in the fuel line to the bus’s tank – so the yellow hose was used as a fuel line. The picture was take just after it fired up and ran on its own accord!

It’s hoped that it’s brought to Dublin for a thorough restoration in concours form by our group the Motor Vehicle Preservation Society of Ireland. It’s crucial that it isn’t lost considering it’s a sole survivor of it’s class, and a legacy to the late Eamon McArthur who saved her from the scrapheap back in 1984.

The above image illustrates under 1/3 of the mass of buses in the yard! There is close on 250 buses stored in the depot, and gradually we’re getting them going again one by one, which includes getting them runup, washed, fueled and parked. I don’t usually write about everything that happens, I just concentrated on R913, as it’s such a rare vehicle and required such effort to get it mobilised once again!

I’m sure most of you will agree with me, that Christmas comes earlier (or so it seems to) every year. I’m sure you’ve all noticed that Tesco and other supermarkets are stocking up with the Bumper Christmas packs of food that could feed a small army, the smell of artificial trees fills the isles, and the sight of those ‘selection boxes’ is tempting!

The advertisements are on the telly already, and the christmas ‘sales’ are beginning already. But, nothing says Christmas to me, other than the Coca-Cola ad, with the trucks coming over the hills all lit up – it’s been on TV since I was knee-high, and it’s when that advert appears you know the festive season has truely begun. Incase you haven’t seen the ad I’m on about, here it is:

I’ve even had Christmas carolers at the door – two weeks after Halloween! They didn’t get a homely response from me, basically told them it was way too early and I’m not falling for it! Although, fair play to them for trying it on – it’s a good way to earn some money (considering most people are scrooges like me… ).

A bit premature perhaps…but Happy Holidays from madringo.com!

With the awful music being produced today, I’m a non-conformist when it comes to my music. I’d much prefer to listen to New Wave 80′s music, than this new R’n'B fandango – of course the yung wans love ‘Justin Trouser Snake’, and the fine piece of work that sang ‘Umbrella’, of course you get the odd few into the 80′s like myself.

I’ve decided to somewhat rejuevenate the oldies and classics for any readers of the blog (and any passing guests – you should subscribe here for up-to-date blog postings!). I would class my self as an anorak, but evenings going through both my and my dad’s CD, Cassette and in some instances Record collections is fascinating – it brings back memories. I wasn’t even a dirty thought in my Dad’s mind during the 80′s, but he’s always enjoyed listening to it, and you’ll always find that you like the same genre of music as your parents (within reason!) as that is what you were subjected to at a young age, and more than likely you could hear it in the womb!

I will do a post a day containing one music/concert video, with some information on the band, song, etc… As well as recommend other music from the artist if I don’t intend on making any futher postsing about them. Chances are most of you will have heard the song before, and once you hear the intro you’ll remember!

Also, if there’s any songs you’d like featured, don’t forget to comment on the last made music post or alternatively contact me.

The first (of hopefully many!) music videos will be posted later on this evening.

My favourite song at the moment is Don’t Stop Believing – by Journey. Not entirely sure for what reason though, it has a great tune and the lyrics are catchy. It’s a song you’ve heard before, and only remember it when you hear it on the radio or TV.

It’s been backing music in loads of shows such as The Soppranos, Scrubs, and Family Guy. So there’s a chance you’ve heard it.

I’ve only recently been getting into bands like Journey, that’s what happens when you go routing through your Dad’s CD collection…

Anyway, below is the song in its entirity. Although, it’s not the original video, it’s a makeup of scenes Final Fantasy – and there’s also the Family Guy take on it down there somewhere…

This morning, we lost probably one of the greatest voices the world has ever encountered. Luciana Pavorotti the infamous Italian Tenor died this morning surrounded by his family at his home in Modena, Italy. He had been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in 2006.

Pavorotti, was of course one of the most famous opera singers, but was also famous for the number of duets he partook over recent years. He’s proformed with bands such as Queen, as well as James Brown (who died on Christmas Day 2006) and Barry White (Died July 4 2003).

He was mostly known for his role in the Three Tenors, whom toured during the 1990′s and in recent years.

The Late Pavarotti and The Late James Brown

The best advertisement ever (in my opinion ever…although I am a ‘Ford Freak’!)

The ad for Nescafé first shown around 2002 or there abouts, featuring a

<insert needless Cortina lesson>Later Cortina Mk3, L series, 1.6l,</end needless Cortina lesson>

meaning it would move…pity it’s only cruising in the advert! Still, they did it justice showing all the good angles…and they give it a bitchin’ fro’!

The backing song “Funky Cold Medina” sang by Tone L?c, but has been modified in the context simular to Dustin the Turkey’s version “Funky Ford Cortina”.

No, I’m not full of shite. I came across this video on YouTube, where a demonstration of a desktop lamp was made using a Mini-USB cable, 6V Bulb, Two old CDs, some cable, and some cardboard for the light shade!

Pretty cool trick eh? Will give it a go eventually, but I think it’s a little bit dangerous…especially if your wiring is shite! I’d be inclined to find a fuse as well as a switch and impliment them into it – just for safety’s sake!