BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?

Subject: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: Gern
Date: 13 Jun 04 - 12:26 PM

I know 'catters are well read when it comes to cut-and-paste articles from dubious news sources. But how about Ulysses? Its annual celebration is June 16th (1904, from the day in which the books 'action' takes place), and this year is the 100th anniversary! Any Joyce fans out there? How will you observe this event? Profound introspection? Read some random, indecipherable prose? Dwell upon lusty thoughts of Molly Bloom? Or do you just put on your oddest pair of glasses and drink yourself silly? Any thoughts on this harmonic convergence coming Wednesday?

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: Amos
Date: 13 Jun 04 - 12:39 PM

I find it hard to believe that it has been 100 years. Amazing, because from one point of view, not all that much has changed since the early 20th C,. when Bloom made his rounds.
I wish you all a delightful, happy Bloomsday, and may you end it with "Yes, I will---yes!".

A

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 13 Jun 04 - 05:00 PM

to be honest I've started writin a song about this anniversary half a dozen times. The trouble is that the language eats itelf - as JJ pointed out - I think it was in the Oxens of the Sun bit.

Great writer - changed my life.......I may forgive him one day.

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Jun 04 - 05:16 PM

Maybe I'll re-re-re-read Ulysses. Or, maybe, I'll have a few drinks. Or watch a pretty girl. Or...Molly's thoughts...hmmmmmmm....

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: GUEST,Penguin Egg
Date: 13 Jun 04 - 05:46 PM

I have met many people who have started Ulysses but none who have finshed it. It is a dreadful book - boring, pretentious, badly-written. Didn't Roddy Doyle have some harsh words to say about Ulysses recently? Stream of concousness, indeed- stream of rubbish, more like.

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: Sorcha
Date: 13 Jun 04 - 06:07 PM

Possibly, but I love the short stories. I'll be wishing I was back in Dublin town....

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 13 Jun 04 - 08:26 PM

In contrast with Penguin Egg, most of my friends started the book, finished it, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I should think Penguin Egg probably never started it to come up with such an ignorant assessment.

In Dublin this coming Wednesday, people will be found in bars and street corners along Bloom's route, declaiming extracts from the book, for the benefit of anyone who wants to pause and listen. Plenty WILL want to pause and listen - many of them perfectly ordinary people with no academic pretentions. And they will be falling about in laughter at the vibrancy and sheer good humour of the prose.

Joyce started on Ulysses 14 years after leaving Dublin to live in continental Europe, first in Trieste, then Zurich. Thus he relied on maps; letters from friends still in Dublin, and most of all on his own memory, for all the inch-perfect detail in his Dublin street scenes. It is an immense achievement, and a pleasure to read. Anyone who wants to put this to the test need only open the book anywhere except the last chapter, and read a paragraph or two. The last chapter would certainly be a daunting prospect if you hit it from a standing start, because it is lacking in some of the basic punctuation to which we are accustomed. But if you come to it after reading the book from the beginning you will probably want to make the effort, and will find that the effort is well rewarded.

For those who want to make a thoroughgoing project of it, dozens of books and guides are available that track the parallels with Homer's Odyssey, etc. Or here's a link that will be useful to casual and earnest readers alike (Penguin Egg could just look at the the comic-strip illustrations):

Ulysses for Dummies

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: Amos
Date: 13 Jun 04 - 10:07 PM

I read it though in an admiring daze when I was far too young to appreciate why I was admiring it. I might just read that Ulysses for Dummies just to discover all I had missed! : :>)

A

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 03:58 AM

Similarly I read Ulysses when I was very young and Stuart Gilbert's excellent analysis. Also there was quite a good film with Milo O'Shea as Bloom and Maurice Roeve(Vincent In Tutti Frutti) as Stephen D. The actual narrative is simple, the ay of telling is sometimes confusing, even mystifying.

Saying Ulysses is pretentious and badly written is a bit like saying Picasso and Kandinsky couldn't paint pictures and Eliot's poem's don't make sense.

Start from the position that this is what a man of immense talent chose to do with his life. There was no money in it. Surely if you patronise a folk internet page, you know of many artists like that.

I'm not sure I go along with all that stuff, about walk the streets of Dublin and Ulysses and it's people will walk round every street corner and meet you. Theres a certain universality and you meet people like that round every street corner in the world.

Also the truths about life and sexuality make uncomfortable reading as you get older and you recognise how true they are.

Still on one level it's love song to us all, and of course to Dublin.

In answer to your original question on Bloomsday - I'll but myself a new copy of Ulysses, mine fell apart with rough treatment and overuse.

And at some point in the day, I'll turn westward and thank God for sending us a little island which produced oscar wilde, James Joyce, Van the Man, Christy Moore and oh yes my Mum's family.

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: mack/misophist
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 02:35 PM

A hint for PenguinsEgg: Read it out loud.

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 06:58 PM

James Joyce's Ulysses takes place over a single day when the hero, Leopold Bloom, journeys through Dublin. That day was 16 June 1904 in honour of the date that Joyce met his future wife Nora Barnacle for their first meeting, outside Oscar Wilde's house in Merrion Square.

Bloomsday is celebrated in 60 countries across the world. The first Bloomsday celebrations occurred in 1954 when Dublin writers attempted to visit all the locations mentioned in Ulysses.
  
Traditional Irish singer Mick Henry and friends are commemorating this historic occasion with an evening of song, tales and readings at the Port Mahon, St Clements, Oxford, on Wednesday at 7.45 pm. Tickets are £6/£4.

The acclaimed storyteller and singer PAT LUDFORD, himself a Dubliner, is special guest. MICK HENRY is master of ceremonies and will sing unaccompanied. Virtuoso classical guitarist GERALD GARCÍA will perform arrangements of traditional Irish tunes. Readings are provided by Catweazle Club regular Simon Collery, coincidentally an old boy of Joyce's school, Clongowes. Irish fiddle and accordion music will be performed by Amanda Whatley and Siobhan McAndrew.
 
For more information call 01865 245613 or 07760 315613, or e-mail [e-mail].

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: GUEST,Jeremiah McCaw
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 07:24 PM

For them as what's in the general area of Kitchener/Waterloo (Ontario, Canada); here's a copy of a missive that landed in my emailbox today.


Subject: Celebration this Wednesday, in Kitchener - Bloomsday


"Bloom in Kitchener" Celebrating 100 years of James Joyce's Bloomsday. A lyrical love-in of literary loquaciousness and laudatory lib(er)ations.

TIME:   A sing-along, talk-along, read-along on Wednesday June 16 at 7:30 pm at the Walper Terrace Hotel, King/Queen Sts, Kitchener.

On that day in 1904, Stephen Dedalus and Leopold Bloom each took their epic journeys through Dublin in James Joyce's "Ulysses" the world's most highly acclaimed modern novel. "Bloomsday" as it is now known, has become a tradition for Joyce enthusiasts all over the world. Suggested donation of $10 (or whatever you can afford). Proceeds to The Literacy Group of Waterloo Region. Period costume optional.

Supported by the Irish Studies Program, St. Jerome's University Waterloo.   See www.rejoycedublin2004.com - click on "Image Gallery"."

Cairde Friends of Irish Culture

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: Rain Dog
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 12:17 PM

I read the book years and years ago. Keep meaning to read it again but I never have ...yet

Of course I can always listen to the audio book. Naxos have just released the complete book on compact disc.

And BBC TV are showing on BBC4 on Wednesday at 21.00 , the 2003 film ' Bloom '

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: Rapparee
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 02:33 PM

Aw, poop. I just realized that I have to go to the dentist on Bloomsday.

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: GUEST,Penguin Egg
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 05:57 PM

Don't care what every one else says, I still don't like the book; but for those who do, I'll defer to your enthusiasim. One of my favourite Irish writers is Roddy Doyle, and I swear he was pretty dismissive about Joyce, saying that Useless -sorry, I meant Ulysses - needed a good editor to sort it out. I think early Picasso was a genius but his later stuff, including the dreadful Guernica, were pants. Hey...it's an opinion.

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: mack/misophist
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 11:37 PM

If you don't like Ulysses, try Finnigan's Wake. But don't start a thread on it until you've finished.

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: Gervase
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 04:05 AM

Just wishing I could be in Dublin again for Bloomsday instead of working on a wreck of a farmhouse in West Wales. But, there again, maybe I'm lucky not to be there, given the hoopla and fuss that seems to being made this year, what with all the tacky souvenirs and cashing in. Wouldn't mind betting that the queue at Davey Byrne's today stretches for half a mile!
But what a book! For me Ulysses is a wonderful affirmation of life; two thousand years of culture and countless more of atavistic humanity condensed into a single volume. It is the one book that I would take with me to a desert island (Finnegans Wake runs it a close second but, dullard that I am, I need a whole library to appreciate the references and the puns) and I think my life would be duller for not having read it.
So today I shall lunch on red wine and gorgonzola and raise a glass in delicious memory of the centenary of JJ's initiation at the hands of Nora Barnacle that sowed the seeds of this wonderful work.
Interestingly, Joyce was a fine singer, winning medals with his fine tenor voice. I've only got a couple of scratchy recordings of him in middle age reading from the Wake, but I'd love to have know how he sounded as a singer.

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 04:33 AM

I too never finished the book, and then I lent it to an ex girlfriend who was studying at TCD, along with a rake of other books that were on her required reading list for the following year. Well I never saw her nor the books again, and I certainly miss the books!
I seem to remember hearing that a newer version of the book had been published, as on re-reading Joyce's original MS it was discovered that much had been mis-read, apparently his handwriting was very bad. I will purchase a new copy [bad cess to the ex] and try again. Hope you all have a cracking Bloom's Day.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: JennyO
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 05:59 AM

Did anyone notice what is on Google for Bloomsday?

here - only for the rest of the day

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 07:15 AM

yeh in Ellman's biography there' s a picture of him with a guitar holding an A chord as I remember. He got medals for singing, and one of the stories in Dubliners is about a singing competition. Actually he got that almost hidden ferrets nest competitive spirit of the Irish to a tee.

Personally I'm not into Irish tenors, or anybody really with their throat so arranged - as you say its - its an opinion.

At least by the sound of it, you've had a go at reading Joyce, Penguin egg - which is more than most of the folks throwing their knickers in the air to the greater glory of JJ tonight , will have done.

Are you a Nic Jones fan? My first paid gig ever was a support act to him.

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: Gern
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 10:21 AM

I knew I'd find a few enthusiasts here, which says a lot about Mudcat diversity and interests. Joyce still stirs them up! Celebrate cerebrally or otherwise. But remember, Americans in particular, that for decades your courts would not allow you to read this book: among other things, Ulysses is a monument to free speech. that ought to be worth a pint.

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 10:30 AM

I am going to read a good book.

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 10:41 AM

weelittledrummer, I am impressed by the fact that you supported Nic Jones and can appreciate Ullysees. You're the sort of bloke

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: GUEST,Penguin Egg
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 10:45 AM

I would like to meet in a pub but never do. Honestly, when I read someone, I always do it with the intention of enjoying myself; but the book defeated me. I found it difficult, heavy, and a disapointment; but this may be due to low intelligence on my part.

Sorry about the 2 part message. One of my fingers accidently sent the 1st part by mistake-naughty finger!

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: Gern
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 12:34 PM

I'd say intelligence has little to do with it. I, for example, love the book, and I'm not the brightest bulb on the tree. On my first attempt I made it to page 6 and threw it down, certain that it had nothing to offer me. I tried it again a few years later and it blew me away. Sometimes its just your mood or your concentration: sometimes I don't want to work quite so hard in my reading. I sometimes return to a book I really loved and find little reason for it. Sartre's Nausea impressed me greatly in my younger days. When I went back to it, it was just a guy looking at his beer and feeling sick. Probably time to go home, I'd say. Each to their own. But I'm glad to hear from so many kindred spirits, and several who plan to re-read... or dare I say, re-Joyce.

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: GUEST,Penguin Egg
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 07:35 PM

One day I shall try the book again, but not today, even if it is Bloomsday.

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 08:31 PM

Just to add a thought about the author. Many years ago an aunt and uncle of mine befriended Joyce on his voyage to Trieste (where he finally resided). They were doctors on the ship --and Joyce was instrumental in getting them an appointment to a Dublin Hospital prior to their emigrating to the U S.

It may not be well known but he was very instrumental in having saved many Jewish lives by getting them papers to emigrate to the U S prior and during WW 2. I had some of the letters he wrote to various Lutherans here in the US (donated many years ago to archives) wherein he, Joyce, pleads for help---and as he says in one of them "...let us not be concerned at this point with conversion, but rather humanity".

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 08:57 PM

Joyce I came to early on also - maybe 16 or so. I came across Portrait of the Artist and started reading, because I'd heard Dylan Thomas's portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog on Woman's Hour- and I confused the two.

Anyway I really loved portrait. I suppose cos it dealt with stuff I was going through at the time - religious upbringing and the hormones going mad all that sort of thing. Also swept away by Stephen Dedalus, the effortless bohemian at the centre. I always wanted to be a bohemian, but I never had the figure for it - I was always a bohemian manque, a bit like Tony Hancock.

After that I was lucky in coming across the Essential James Joyce - a Peguin book edited by Harry Levin. That had a lot of the easy bits of Ulysses in it - like Nestor when he's a teacher. And I persevered with the other stuff - frankly there still a lot to confuse the general reader like myself - even when you've read everything Stuart Gilbert has to say - but that is how he wanted to write it. Its not a mistake , or because he couln't do it properly.

the gig with Nic Jones was a long time ago - before he had the accident. I'd seen him at Cambrige not long before , and he did most of that stuff - the Banks of Clawdie, fiddle tunes and maybe it's the lateness of the night but I'm searching for other items and find my memory empty. I DO remember all the local traddies were very upset, because he stayed downstairs until it was time for him to play - so he didn't get to hear their efforts (or mine - thankfully!)

I live round Nottingham - give me call if you think if the pub night sounds practicable.

As everybody says - its nothing to do with intelligence, but don't be angry at art you can't get off on. It will interfere with your open-ness and you could just miss out on something really good.

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 17 Jun 04 - 03:27 PM

Good points at 12.34pm yesterday Gern. Re your earlier post about the book being banned in the US, it was also out of bounds for a while in the UK and - thanks to the Catholic church - for a long while in Ireland.

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 03:05 PM

Ulysses is funny, moving, slangy - Dublin slang of the turn of the last century, which is fairly like Dublin slang today.

Roddy Doyle having harsh words to say about Joyce ... well, maybe Enid Blyton had harsh words to say about Shakespeare ...

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 12:37 PM

Bloomsday.
Time to re-read Ulysses

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: Bill D
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 12:40 PM

ummm...I think I'll read "The Cat in the Hat" backwards, perhaps.. for that 'feeling'.

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: Riginslinger
Date: 17 Jun 09 - 10:02 AM

Garrison Keillor read Molly Bloom's soliloquy on "Writer's Almanac." It's different when you hear it aloud.

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: maire-aine
Date: 17 Jun 09 - 11:07 AM

Detroit celebration:

Thursday, June 14, 2007
BLOOMSDAY at the GAELIC LEAGUE
20th Annual James Joyce Bloomsday Celebration

The Irish Cultural Forum invites you to join us once again as Detroit
joins devotees in cities around the globe to celebrate Bloomsday, that day in 1904 made famous in Joyce's Ulysses when Leopold Bloom sets out on his perambulations around Dublin. For those who can't get to Dublin on Bloomsday, the local celebration offers readings from "Ulysses" and other works by Joyce, spontaneous Irish music by the Perkins Family and master of ceremonies is Donald E. Morse. This year we will be having a sale of used books about Ireland. If anyone would like to donate some, they may bring them along to Bloomsday. They may range from paperbacks to coffee-table. Tapes, CDs, and videos are also welcome.$5.00 donation for members and $7.00 for non-members. Food and drink available at the cash bar.

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: maire-aine
Date: 17 Jun 09 - 11:09 AM

Update to Detroit date: June 18, 2009

Subject: RE: BS: What's doin' on Bloomsday?
From: Smedley
Date: 17 Jun 09 - 11:23 AM

I think I recall reading that June 16th (a few years later) was also the day that Bob Dylan recorded 'Like A Rolling Stone'.

And it is also my other half's birthday. So last night we got drunk.