Silent Disco – WTF?

While I was in Ireland, I got the opportunity to go out and experience a bit of the local nightlife for A’s birthday. It was myself, A, A’s boyfriend, and several of A’s friends and roommate. It was her birthday, and she was very excited to go out to the Alchemy club in Dublin – and kept saying it was the hottest trend in night spots. I was rather excited – we’d spent the afternoon shopping and got a cute outfit. To say the least, we were quite cute and dolled up.

Anyhow, out we went to Alchemy. Overall the club was pretty fabulous. White diner style booths with blue and red Leds around the base, lots of shiny mirrors and reflective surfaces – and a great big dance floor with stage at the front. Despite the fact that the guys plopped the group next to a big brass pole (with a lampshade style top) which we teased them about incessantly, I thought this place has possibilities. Then, I looked at the drink prices and went well, they’re a bit steep – I guess I’ll only be having one or two, if that.

By 11:30pm, the place was just not happening. In the background was a female singer (belting out the latest and greatest of everyone form Pink, Lady Gaga, and Byonce) who was pitchy, and had the philosophy of “sing louder, it makes me sound better” who just made me cringe (ok honestly, I was wishing to go to karaoke just to have something that I know I should be laughing at!). Then, there were thye maybe 15 people in there, and the annoying fact that staff were busily “cleaning” so they weren’t standing about – mopping floors, washing mirrors/glass doors, and yes, even the columns. I was like uh… okay…

About Midnight, there was an influx of people – literally it was like the doors flew open and people surged in. Lots of single women, lots of poser metro-sexual style guys in their 20s who were sniffing about like dogs needing a place to piss. An announcer came on demanding over and over in between songs (the Banshee singer was still yelling) that we had to get our headsets now…

We were given neon green wrist bands (and of which people put in various places under their clothing to highlight naughty bits…) , and white 80’s style shades to wear. Amusing, but – the banshee in the background was still singing. A double Encore even – after promising to stop singing!! I wanted to leave, and was about to – until someone mentioned that tonight was “Silent Disco” night, promoted by Smirnoff – and we had to stay because it was the reason A had insisted we come to the club.

Intrigued, I asked for more information. Basically, on top of the 7 Euro cover charge, you paid 10 Euros to rent a headset (which was fully refundable). At 1am, the music in the club would be turned off completely (Thank GOD – I did have my MP3 player to enjoy once that happened!) and everyone with headsets would begin hearing music (I had brought my own – by chance!!) Those without the club provided headsets (and who didn’t bring their MP3 player) wouldn’t hear music.

Cool – I thought – it’s a great idea to stay within the “noise ordinance limitations” of the city. Plus, if you had the laser lights going and people dancing on the floor, it could be a bit trippy and a bit fun if I decided I wanted to have my own “mp3 player out — who needed to pay 10 euro if I had my mp3 right?!?”.

Anyhow, By 1:20 AM, the novelty had worn off (even without me pulling out my MP3 player), and I left.

Let me explain why this was a failure.

People got their headsets. There were 2 channels – A and B. A contaned disco music (think YMCA, KC and the Sunshine Band, etc). B contained “grunge rock” (Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Oasis, etc). Everyone was switching between them and kind of happy. Red lights followed one music set, blue lights followed another at, of course, two different speeds. Girls were dancing to the Disco, Blokes to the Rock.

Inevitably, people wanted to chat. Only they had on headsets. So, what should have been a “silent disco” turned into people who were too lazy to take off their headsets YELLING LOUDLY to be heard over the other person’s headset music. Multiplied by everyone in the club… with the lights buzzing and whipping about, the 2 different types of dancing… it was funny.. UNTIL….

The male drunks started singing. Off Key… Slurring … “WONDERWALL” in the corner.

And the girls started Singing /Dancing to “Saturday Night” in the opposite corner.

And then everyone started YELLING LOUDER to be heard over the singers… and well…. at some point, I decided….

Some ideas may be great when you’re stoned….
They really should stay there…. because Silent Disco – Not so silent at all.

Howth (rhymes with Both) Ireland

In July I had a few days off, and found an inexpensive trip to a day spa / hotel just outside Dublin Ireland. The town is called Howth (Rhymes with Both), and it’s on the North side of Dublin Bay. Pulling up through the gates by taxi, I was impressed

by a pair of lovely gray stone gates. On one side of me was the sweeping view of the bay and on the other, Howth Castle. We were going up the hill, to the Spa at Deer Park. When I got there and was checked in – there was a bottle of Champaign and a lovely dish of chocolate covered Strawberries waiting (A sure sign of a relaxing time to come):

What I can say is that I’m glad to have taken several days enjoying the wonders of the spa and golf courses at Deer Park. Even though I don’t golf, the area is lovely – lush and green – the courses being made on the old Castle Howth Grounds.

Howth Castle

As I mentioned, the spa itself sits up on top of a hill – overlooking Dublin Bay on one side, (behind the castle below)

and a pair of islands dedicated to bird sanctuary on the other (My room had a view over the golf course down to the islands).

Unfortunately, while there, I managed to gunk up my main camera lens – which means that I didn’t get to take photos other than the first day. While I did get it repaired in the city – I didn’t get it back until the day I was leaving. So, I guess you could say I saw the sites, committed them to memory – and didn’t even get to take photographs of them all. It’s a shame – but here’s a few that I did take (all from the first couple hours) are now online with a sampling below. ( my flickr set is here for more).

St. Mary’s Church – Howth (anglican)

St. Mary’s Church Door with Roses

The Bloody Stream (I admit I thought it said SCREAM) where I had a tasty dinner of tomato soup, crusty bread and pasta.(It’s right outside the train station)