MacDara Conroy: Self, aggregated
Microlog
Arduino Punk Console
A programmable eight-step noise synthesiser/sequencer made with an Arduino board. Maybe one day I can build something cool like this. In the meantime, maybe I’ll get me one of these babies. Permalink ·
Rules That Eat Your Brain
On the scourge of ‘zombie rules’ in grammar like the split infinitive, which only serve to obfuscate meaning rather than ease its conveyance. Permalink ·
Yotam Ottolenghi’s recipes for full-of-herbs fish cakes
Totally making these, but not with haddock, ugh. Coley or whiting would be great. Permalink ·
Learn to Code a Basic iPhone App
In the future, everyone will be a mobile app developer. Permalink ·
61 Things I Learned At The National Hobo Convention
This is really pretty amazing and heartwarming and respectful. One of my links of last year. Permalink ·
Rotary Dial
Man, I miss when Paul Ford used to blog all the time. Those were the days. Permalink ·
Microbes manipulate your mind
It surprised me to learn a few years ago how connected the brain and the gut really are. It’s freaky stuff, neuroscience. Permalink ·
Is There a Limit to How Tall Buildings Can Get?
As ever, we’re only limited by the resources we have to hand. But the fact that we’re even seriously thinking about it is pretty amazing in itself. Permalink ·
13 ways of looking at Medium
Finally an explanation of the thing, which is not explained very well on the Medium site itself. I still don’t get it. I mean I understand it now, but I don’t get it. Permalink ·
Rian Johnson’s theatrical commentary for Looper
I was thinking only recently how people are missing a trick by not recording alternative commentaries for movies (in the form of podcasts or whatever) and then here comes along one for a new movie by its own director! See also: an alternative commentary for Star Wars. Permalink ·
British wrestling posters
What a window into history! Permalink ·
Primer: Horror
If you don’t know much about the genre beyond the obvious, this should open your mind. Permalink ·
The Most Comma Mistakes
Mostly common sense although I disagree with the need for a comma after ‘Des Moines, Iowa’ as its absence introduces no awkwardness or ambiguity. Permalink ·
How to make a light theremin
One of a whole bunch of weekend projects at the MAKE website. Filing here for future reference. Permalink ·
Wikipedia entry on Conway’s Game of Life
I don’t understand the explanation at all, but I kinda get it by looking at it in action. Permalink ·
Macrolog
Recipe: Impromptu Moutabal
Moutabal? For some it’s just baba ghanoush by another name; for others it’s more like hummus but made with aubergine instead of chickpeas. I’m more inclined to the latter, and I made some last Sunday evening just for the heck of it. You should too. You will need:
1 large aubergine / fresh garlic / salt / tahini / lemon juice / pomegranate molasses / a blender
Weeknotes #595-601: Watt, Walking, Writing and More
Where to start? February began, as I wrote last time, with my interview with punk rock legend, and my musical hero, Mike Watt. You can read the whole thing here on Thumped if you’ve got a spare half-hour. I finally, properly met the man himself at the Il Sogno Del Marinaio gig at Whelan’s earlier this month, which was a great night only marred by the last support band and their truly horrible fans (all I’ll say on that note is: kids, don’t do drugs).
Cloud Rat, Rest Reviewed and More
Quite a few reviews by yours truly since my last update. On Thumped you can find my takes on new ones from local lads :Hounds:, Oxbow singer Eugene S Robinson’s collaboration with Philippe Petit, French grinders Blockheads, the ethereal Jodis, Aussie scumdogs Krömosom, the mighty Cloud Rat and Cork’s prog metal titans Rest, who play a launch gig for their record this Saturday night at Whelan’s. You should come with me, it’ll be sweet.
Macrolog: Recently
Weeknotes #584-594 Tue 05 Feb 2013
Culturewipe 2012 Mon 31 Dec 2012
Grant Hart Interviewed Mon 17 Dec 2012
Kurt Ballou Interviewed, Nick Millevoi Reviewed and More Sat 01 Dec 2012
Weeknotes #574-583 Tue 20 Nov 2012
More entries in the Archives »
About
This is the personal website of MacDara Conroy, a production journalist, music writer and mediavore in Dublin, Ireland. Read more »
Status
What am I doing?
At the moment, I’m
Agenda
16 May 13: Suffocation/Cephalic Carnage at The Pint
23 May 13: Ireland v Pakistan ODI at Clontarf Cricket Club
23 May 13: NoMeansNo at Whelan’s
24 May 13: Dragged Into Sunlight at The Pint
15 Jun 13: Revolution Pro When Thunder Strikes at York Hall, Bethnal Green
10 Jul 13: Nazoranai at Whelan’s
13 Jul 13: Negative Approach at TBC
15 Aug 13: Swans at the Button Factory
Listening
Most recent tracks from Last.fm:
Reading
Saga Volume 1 by Brian K Vaughan & Fiona Staples
Decibel #102
Power Slam #222
Rock-A-Rolla #42
SFX #233
The Wire #350
Watching
Adventure Time (DL)
Botchamania (YouTube)
Mad Men s05 (DL)
University Challenge (BBC Two)
Waking The Dead (Netflix)
The West Wing s07 (DVD)
Playing
Dominion (TTG)
Race for the Galaxy (TTG)
Etcetera
I read books. I listen to music. I take photos. I contribute to the hive mind. I collect images and things. I watch movies and videos. I look after my health. I go on adventures. I work on projects. I once wrote a thesis. And more besides...