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THIS THURSDAY ISN’T just any ‘ol Thursday. It is, of course, Valentine’s Day.
On a day when singletons get to do whatever the hell they like, couples are faced with a difficult balancing act between expressing their feeling and not melting their credit cards.
Still feeling the Christmas pinch, we here at TheJournal.ie HQ feel your pain and have some ideas that won’t break the bank.
If none of these tickle your fancy, remember that a simple expression of love should be enough… shouldn’t it?
The cinema
Yes, the cinema. The preserve of many a wonderful first (or second, or third…) date, it does still exist, you know.
Sure, it may cost the same as a meal out, but at least you know you’ll get to keep your seats for the duration of the film, which is probably longer than a restaurant will give you on the night.
Nothing, and we mean nothing, shows affection like a two-litre drink and a ridiculously sized bucket of popcorn.
For the full effect, this will be in the cinema by then. You’re welcome.
(FilmsActu Movie Trailers/YouTube)
After all, ‘Yippee Ki-Yay’ does rhyme with ‘Valentine’s Day’. If that isn’t a sign, we don’t know what is.
Poetry in motion
For those who want a little more culture in their Thursday night, the Cork Poetry Festival is running from the 13-16 February. With readings, film and music on offer, there is something for everyone.
Before you know it, you’ll have penned your own ‘roses are red’ four-liner, which should give whoever comes up with it first brownie points for life.
Dance
Sometimes you just need to dance. While the dance moves themselves may be classed as a crime against humanity, the aim of One Billion Rising is far better for the species, with hopes of getting one billion women (and the people who love them) dancing to mark the 15th anniversary of violence against women day.
When was the last time that you danced for a good cause?
If that doesn’t satify your urges (dancing urges, obviously), your very own Valentine’s céilí awaits you. And the best bit is, it’s free.
Have a ball for charity
There is a band in Ireland called Fraggle Rock. This we can confirm.
If the name alone doesn’t make you want to get yourself to Athenry in Co Galway this Thursday, maybe doing your bit for charidee will – the Valentine’s charity ball that they’re playing at is in aid of Cancer Care West and the Irish Heart Foundation.
It’s not just for Christmas, you know.
(Deus Ex Nihilum/YouTube)
Say hello to the man himself
Well, kinda.
Did you know that the Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin 2 contains the relics of none other than St Valentine?
Well now you know. A word of warning, however. People have been known to get engaged here… so, eh, no pressure.
(Deidre Moran, from Castlebar, Co Mayo, and Stephen Long, from Dunboyne, Co Meath, in Whitefriar Carmelite Church on Aungier Street, Dublin, where Father David Weakliam hosted a special blessing of the rings ceremony with the engaged couple at the Shrine of Saint Valentine. Pic: Julien Behal/PA Wire)
What are your plans for this Thursday? Let us know in the comments.
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Always questions questions questions, but never any answers!
@Colette Kearns: It’s a hospital, the chances of a virus being there is quite high. I think that answers the question
They’re bacteria?
@Timmy:
Eh, no, hospitals being places where bacteria are likely to be found does not answer why they cut the cleaning budget.
@Timmy: TIMMY!
@Timmy: I also think it answers the question, albeit in a superficial and practically inept fashion. The idea in the hospital is to not endanger the patients (or staff) any further. That specifically includes maintaining the highest of hygiene standards, the hospital failed to do that and cutting the cleaning regime was obviously a factor in that.
@Jon Snow: Livin’ a lie, TIMMY!
Of all the things to be cut in a hospital, hygiene!!! I’m not a doctor, but is cleanliness not vitally important in a hospital of all places??
Never happened when the nuns were in charge, the hospitals were always spick and span.
Cutting costs on cleaning and putting people’s lives in danger. Like why not just reduce the boards massive wage bill instead.
@Darren Cooney: you will probably find the Board are all unpaid volunteers.
Lowest bid cleaning contractors???? Hospitals need qualified in-house cleaning staff 24.7
The answer lies in the fact that there’s an antibiotic culture in this country.
@Darren Bates: No… it doesn’t. In the case of these superbugs it’s more to do with an antibiotic problem… in India.
“Questions need to be asked”
The favourite go to line of many a politician, knowing only too well it’ll all be forgotten and buried in a few days/weeks.
Ridiculous to cut the budget. But very misleading article- cleaning or lack there of does not contribute to carbarpenem resistance, the use of that antibiotic does.
The day of drug resistant staph and enterococcus is fast approaching.
@George Beckett: to be infected by the bacterium requires the bacterium to be presence.
The probability of the presence of the bacterium is increased by reduction in cleaning.
Prevention of infection is better than cure, especially in the case of antibiotuc resistance fir the bacterium.
@George Beckett: Eh… the day is here? It’s called MRSA and CRE or VRE. Nobody is disputing how resistance evoloution happens they’re disputing that proper measures aren’t taken to try and prevent the acquisition of these bugs.
@George Beckett:
Yes but it can be controlled by correct aseptic methodology which include cleaning regimes which is lacking in this case
No accountability,no consequences.
“Penny wise, Pound foolish” the mantra of government.
“Penny wise, Pound foolish” the mantra of government.
It’s been widely reported in the past that this hospital has had issues with bullying and it’s ‘management style’, particularly in it’s Emergency Department, resulting in consultants there becoming whistleblowers. I’ve heard whispers that little has changed, the hospital management hire highly qualified staff to help enact changes. But these are consequently bullied and unable to do their job – a job which had been earmarked for another member of staff belonging to a clique within the hospital. Unwilling to admit they have a problem with bullying, the management then become a reluctant party to it.
The lunatics are running this particular asylum, and have been for quite some time, so it should be no surprise when some questionable decisions are made, but just how much latitude are they going to be given before an adult steps in and takes control is the real question. This isn’t the first time patients lives have been put in danger, or even lost in Tallaght Hospital, particularly in it’s Emergency Department, the issues aren’t being resolved and appear to be getting worse.
It would help tallaght hospital if they got half decent cleaners to clean wards/toilets/main hospital areas. Place is filthy
Why not get prisoners to clean then hospitals at 4am. Problem solved.
Get the nuns in with the Dosco brushes n Dettol
Who I mean who, decided a hospital (any hospital) only needed to be cleaned 6 out of 7 days?
Find the person and let him go….
have your say