County Sound Interview.

It's taken a while but the audio for the interview I did on County Sound radio about One Short Story To Be Told has arrived. I've uploaded the file to an internet site. This is link http://www.archive.org/details/CountySoundInterview&reCache=1

I hope you can access it.

88*googleplex

leyton

Movement.

We have TWO volumes on the move at the moment. As announced on the 18th August Paddy Fitzhenry is sending Volume Two to Collette O' Donohgue (who is very excited). As that journey begins in Canada and ends in Kildanan, Ireland it's taking a while. And now Valerie Spencer has announced that Volume One is ready to find a new home, and that Maureen Collins will provide that home. This jouney is a much shorter one, but it's just as exciting for 'Waiting For Life To Return, and indeed me.
Now all I need is Nuala McGrath to let Volume Three go. Actually I'm goign to contact her now.
88*googleplex
leyton

Radio Fun.

I've just returned from a stint in the offices and studios of Community Radio Youghal. And I want to send a big thanks to all the staff and volunteers down there for making my stay a truly enjoyable one. An especially big thanks to Beads for showing me the ropes, helping me with my tasks and for taking these lovely photos.

It's Colette's turn!

Paddy Fitzhenry has rewarded Colette O Donoghue for her swift response to his request for a new owner of 'Wink', by choosing her as the next recipient. I have to say Collette has been consistent in her persistent insistence that she should receive a volume of One Short Story To Be Told, and that her selection is more than deserved.
88*googleplex leyton

A week in review.

A lot of news to get through today, it's been a busy week for me and our stories. I'll start by telling you that my two week stint in Waterstones, Cork ended yesterday. I had a ball and Kerry and all her staff were great. I really enjoyed the canteen food, too - which was a plus. My human friend Stanley, as you can see, kindly snapped me as I left the premises. He, I have to say, was emotional at the time. But then he is a big softie!

All other news is about the One Short Story To Be Told volumes I have out in the world, and goes as follows.

Volume One: ‎'Waiting For Life To Return' nudged his way in to my mind a little earlier today and told me that Valerie Spencer, his current owner, is - and I quote - 'A Dear!'.

Volume Two: Paddy Fitzhenry who you will remember took 'Wink' to Canada has been in touch to say our little volume is having a great time. Aww isn't that nice. I'm expecting 'Wink' to be in touch on foot of that, he does like to have his say.

Volume Three: 'Grey Skies' is still basking in his new found freedom. He has been in touch every day, but his long chats can be summarised by saying that Nuala McGrath is treating him splendidly. In fact she is treating him so well that 'Grey Skies' is not sure he wants to move on! I, of course, have told him that's not cricket (to use a rather spiffing english phrase), and that Nulala has already indicated she has a new home in mind for him. He took that news better than I thought.

So that's it your up to date (or as up to date as you need to be). I do have further visits and moves afoot, but to tell now would only spoil the surprise.

88*googleplex

leyton

A forgotten day trip.

You know with all the excitement of Wink headingof to Canada, Valerie Spencer finally getting her hands on 'Waiting For Life To Return' (not to mention the energy expended on reaching 150 friends facebook or the leyton attens story) I entirely forgot to post the photos of 'Waiting' and Paul McSweeney on the nostalgic day trip I agreed to arrange when 'Waiting's' transfer to Valerie was (again) delayed. Needless to say that today, once he had settled into Valerie's life 'Waiting' was on the blower to point out the error. So here I am putting that mistake right.

As you can see it was a tad of rock climbing we participated in. And on 'The Devil's Rock' no less; a place where Paul and my human form Stanley frolicked away many a day in a youth that now feels as distant as an imaginary galaxy. Thankfully it was all new to 'Waiting' and he enjoyed the climbing, and indeed (as picture two below illustrates) the rest that followed. As for me? All I have to say is that 'The Devil's Rock' has a shrine to the Virgin Mary embedded in it. Don't think the devil would have allowed that if he actually lived there! But then maybe I'm not mad, or childlike, enough to understand.

88*googleplex

leyton attens

Yippee!

It's not often I get specifics on the handover of our little books. In fact this is the first time. But then there has been some confusion and delays on this one. Anyway the upshot of it all is that Volume One, Waiting For Life To Return', will leave PAul McSweeney's possession and (finally) land in Valerie Spencer's hands this evening @8pm. YIPPEE
88*googleplex, leyton

Canada and more

‎'Wink' (volume two)has landed in Canada. The conversation was, if possible, even more complicated than the one at the airport yesterday. He is happy though. The same cannot be said of Waiting For Life To Return (volume one). But I'm taking him on a nostalgic trip this evening which should ease his pain.

88*googleplex

leyton attens

A touch of sad news.

Well after the excitement of 'Wink' heading to Canada a touch of sad news. There has been another delay in Vol 1 (Waiting For Life To Return') reaching Valerie Spencer's hands. 'Waiting' is, of course, distraught. And the news about 'Wink' and Canada hasn't helped his mood either. I am on the way to consult with him. No doubt promises will need to be made (and kept). I'll keep you posted. In the meantime send some LOVE to 'Waiting' - every little will help!

88*googleplex

leyton

Yippee

Round about now (maybe even RIGHT now) Volume Two of One Short Story To Be Told, which, of course contains the story 'Wink', is taking to the air.

Yes One Short Story To Be Told is heading for Canada!

I'm very excited, but 'Wink'...well 'Wink' is totally overwhelmed, and the short chat I had with him while he was at the airport was potted with words like BRILLIANT. UNBELIEVABLE and my own favourite, CHIMERICAL.

88*googleplex leyton

All good things must come to an end!

Yes all good things must come to an end. And as Waiting for Life To Return will be transferred to the hands of Valerie Spencer tomorrow my tour with volume one has now ended. But we went out with a bang, I must say. Thursday saw us take in a game of footy( pic shows us just before kick-off). While Friday evening was spent sampling Tom Barry's hospitality, the creamy taste of Murphy's and a delectable dish from Jackie Lennox's chip shop.

Of course an ending often leads to a new beginning, too. And so it is in this case. My day-tripping exploits have whetted my appetite for public exposure and I am now committed to finding places to hang out for a while. Brilliantly Waterstones in Patrick Street, Cork have agreed to me occupying (at least a little of) their space for the next fortnight. I couldn't think of a better place to start! So thanks to Waterstones. And thanks, too, to all who helped me and Waiting For Life To Return so happy over the past weeks. We applaud you.

Oh, I almost forgot the rest of the pictures from our final two trips can be viewed here:https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.236804886359806.60781.176918199015142

88*googleplex

leyton attens

The Tour continues

We haven't posted since Sunday, it's been a busy week (being a Superhero is so demanding!). But that doesn't mean the tour was abandoned. Oh NO! We had leyton in UCC and out for a game of football. The photo's are cool. This one is just a teaser, click the link to see the rest. http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.234980913208870.60415.176918199015142

Day Trip to Fitzgerald Park

Paul McSweeney and I (leyton attens) treated Waiting For Life To Return to a trip to Fitzgerald's Park in Cork today. It was an emotional day for Paul as the park has so many memories attached. Great fun was had, even though we missed the Comedy Festival by a week. 'Waiting' has been popped back on to it's shelf now. And it is humming with pleasure. What more could I ask?

88*googleplex

ps - follow this link for more pics of the day

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.233021240071504.60055.176918199015142&type=1

Latest Day Trip

Waiting For Life To Return's latest leg of the tour promised by leyton was a trip to Dublin.

Boy did our two friends have a ball!

This photo was taken just before they boarded the train. For more go to

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.232522770121351.59953.176918199015142

Big News

BIG NEWS! Paddy Fitzhenry (the current owner of Volume Two) is immefgarting to Canada in a few weeks. Guess What? He's taking 'Wink' with him! One Short Story To Be Told is going to a new continent. Yippee 88* googleplex leyton/Stan

The Tour continues

What a day!

I had the immense pleasure of spending a day in the company of Paul

McSweeney and Waiting For Life To Return today.

We visited the world famous Cork landmark 'The Lough'.

Trees (as you can see) were enjoyed.

88*googleplex

leyton

Lots happening today.

Nuala MacGrath has been in touch. She tells me Volume Three holds pride of place in her house at the moment! Yippee do da da da...

Also Volume Two (Wink) landed in new hands last night. One Mr Paddy Fitzhenry of Wexford is the new owner.

And we (that's Stan, me and Paul McSweeney) took Volume One (Waiting for Life To Return) to the park today.

As the photos show touring is such fun!

88*googleplex

leyton

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=230563143650647&set=a.230562983650663.59522.176918199015142&type=1&theater

leyton begins Waiting For Life To Return tour

Following much deliberation I've decided to call the series of day trips I've promised Waiting For Life To Return a tour. This decision then led to a spur of the moment trip to Pine Lodge (Mytrleville, Co. Cork) last night to see Cork band Half Man, Part Bicycle. 'If I'm going on tour I might as well start with a rock gig' being my rational. Half Man, Part Bicycle were great and proved just the right preparation for the warmth and comfort for the Sunday lunch with talented Cork film maker Paddy O' Shea's family that I had planned for Waiting For Life To Return today. The two trips also provide a nice pair of contrasting photos, too. 88*Googleplex

Good news, Bad news, More Bad News and Resolution.

Good News: Paul has decided that Valerie Spencer will be the next recipient of Volume One of One Short Story To Be Told.

Bad News. Valerie Spencer is on holiday.

More Bad News: Paul informed Waiting For Life To Return he was moving before he had contacted Valerie, and the news that Valerie is on holiday left Waiting For Life To Return bereft (and in a major sulk)

Resolution: leyton intervened, calmed Waiting For Life To Return down and agreed that for the period of Valerie's holiday he would make it his business to return from the ethereal plains every second day and take Waiting For Life To Return on a series of day trips.

The first of these happened today. leyton, as our picture shows, took Waiting For Life To Return to a secluded, warm location and treated him to multiple readings.

Could NOT resist this!

On the night Volume Three was launched Volume One was passed on, too. Glen Keane (left) was the passer, and Paul McSweeney (obviously right) the reciever.

Just two minutes after this was taken Waiting For Life To Return completed one thousand circus tumbles in celebration. Sadly no camera captured that moment.

88*googleplex

leyton

(almost) movement

With three volumes now in circulation I'm finding a lot of my time taken up with 'consultations'.

I'm not complaining - it's great that those in possession of the stories care enough to ensure they are doing the right thing when passing it on. So this week has included contact from all three current owners - Paul (Volume One), Dan (Two) and Nuala (three) - during which the topic of PASSING ON popped up. Strangely all three said more or less the same thing, which was that they had 'More or less made up their mind'. So 'Waiting for Life to Return', 'Wink' and 'Grey Skies' are all 'almost moving'.

I just know the stories will be communicating their feelings on that term pretty shortly, too. Oh the joy of being at the centre of a mad idea.

88*googleplex

(a very busy) leyton

PS I've also had 'consultations' with people eager to get their hands on one (or any of the volumes). Can I suggest direct contact with the current owners might be a better route? Or would that upset some of you? Too late now anyway.

Animation for Volume Three Launch

Marc's brilliant piece of work for the launch of Volume Three (Grey Skies)

Volume Three First Owner

Well Saturday was a great success. Lots of fun and games. But the happiest person in attendance was NUALA MACGRATH who was drawn as the first person to recieve volume three and the story Grey Skies.

It goes without saying Grey Skies was ecstatic. But I've said it anyway.

88*googleplex

leyton

Volume Three Launch update

Final details being put in place for tomorrow. The animation is BRILLIANT! Murphy's are providing complimentary pints. Tom Barry's have thrown in bottles of wine. Evening Echo and Douglas Post are attending. And Grey Skies is wild with excitement. You have GOT to be there!
88*googleplex
leyton

Extract from 'Grey Skies'

With just a week to go to it's launch date 'Grey Skies' is getting rather excited. And that excitement ballooned into pure unadulterated delirium when I approached it this morning and said I needed an extract for the blog and facebook. Needless to say that delirium quickly turned to infighting when the words that make up 'Grey Skies' realised they couldn't all be used. We did however, after three hours of wrestling, decide that the following selection would those lucky enough to blaze the trail for Volume Three, which remember will be released on Saturday 2nd July.

Enjoy

88*googleplex

leyton

'As is nature’s way the scene played out over and over again as Tony sat and watched. Waves roared and rolled, rolled and roared. Frothing breakers crashed against rock. Rain poured down. And all the while the dark menacing mass providing the rain hung low in the sky, ensuring a bleak landscape stretched as far as Tony could see.'