The Always Write blog challenges users to post art found in public places. Here is my submittal for the PPAC Challenge.
This is a sculpture of St. Patrick on the beautiful Hill of Tara in Ireland. I’m no history professor, so I won’t even try to explain tremendous cultural and religious importance of the site. However, I strongly encourage you to look into the history of the druid burial site that has been sacred to the Irish for millennia.
It was at the Hill of Tara where it is believed that St. Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland.
A panoramic view of the burial mounds. Tunnels open up on the side of the hill to allow that allowed ancient people access under the mounds.
On a clear day you can see for miles down upon the verdant countryside.
The statue of St. Patrick is not the only artwork you’ll see at the Hill of Tara, there are other sculptures, painted glass, and beautiful wood and ironwork around the site.
A stone monument on top of the Hill of Tara.
If you’d like to learn more about the site you should check out the video below or plan a trip and visit yourself.
Sure, this doesn’t fit my usual music themed content but I thought it was beautiful and I wanted to share. So here is another PPAC Challenge entry.
My wife and I strolled the streets of Kilkenny during my first trip to Ireland. She is the daughter of Irish immigrants and Kilkenny was the home of her father many years ago.
She tried to find the street where her grand parents used to live, even though she knew the house was no longer there. It had been razed years ago to build a bustling city block.
She wasn’t exactly sure where we were going, but she knew there was a mall there now. It didn’t take us long until we we found this alley, leading to the mall which stands where her grandparents once lived. The colorful umbrella installation was a delightful surprise and it brightened our day, even if the sky was grey.
It’s been a surprisingly busy three months at Plan M Music Blog. I’ve totally revamped the site with new slicker navigation and improved categories. Hopefully you’ve found it easier to find the posts that suit your musical skill level and personal interests.
I’ve also spent time setting social media sites like Pinterest, Twitter, & Tumbler to help drive traffic to the site. I haven’t seen much effect on my site stats yet from it, but perhaps that will come with time.
HOBBY POSTS
My primary mission is still to help adults connect with musical hobbies that suite their needs and busy life style. I’ve posted 12 new posts in this area.
I’ve also launched a new series that I call Hasty Music Reviews. I examine and describe songs I’ve never heard before and recommend them to fans of other similar bands. This series is my humble attempt to help drive listeners toward Ukrainian musicians. Hopefully this will help them to earn a living from streams and online sales while Russia’s invasion continues.
Thus far there have been, 7 new posts in this area.
I’ve also published a playlist to help you find your own favorite Ukrainian artists. I hope you’ll join the cause and post similar content. If you do, please be sure to Pingback to me and I’ll share your work with my audience.
TRAVEL SERIES- MUSIC AROUND THE WORLD
I was fortunate enough to travel a bit this quarter. Like most people, I’ve collected plenty of great content from my travels. Much of it is music-related, and is great for this blog. Some of it has nothing to do with music, but I just want to share it anyway. It’s my site, so I’ll do what I want. I hope you’ll forgive my divergence from my mission and enjoy the content in my Travel Series anyway.
PPAC CHALLENGE
Marsha Ingrao at Always Write encourages bloggers to post artwork that they’ve enjoyed in free, public settings. This is known as the PPAC Challenge. I’ve found this endeavor to be quite worthwhile because I’ve casually been collecting photos of artwork that I enjoy and I’ve always just horded them to myself. Her series has provided a fun outlet. Thanks Marsha!
I’ve made it a focus to share the work of other authors on my site, particularly those that align with my mission to inspire adults to make more of their musical hobbies.
I hate knowing that I might be driving you away from my content, but I’m hopeful that you’ll return. Either way, if another author’s content helps you find more joy from music, then I’m proud to help you connect with them.
CONCLUSIONS
WordPress provides lots of useful statistics to help quantify success. I wont bore you with many, but this is my 31st consecutive day posting (my longest run). It is also my 100th post.
When I started this blog I didn’t know if I would stick with it. Im happy to say this has been a more enjoyable endeavor than I expected and that’s largely due to the interactions I’m having with other bloggers. Thanks for making blogging a new fun hobby for me!
A painting outside Cleere’s Pub, taken August 22, 2022.A hand-painted bodhran, a traditional Irish drum, is used to reserve the table for the musicians.
I’ve got another post planned to describe the incredible musical experience I had at Cleere’s, but for now, please be sure to check out their YouTube channel below. Also, be sure to check out my recent post about the music in Dublin. Perhaps it will hold you over until you can plan a trip to Ireland.
Sure, this doesn’t fit my usual music themed content but I figured these cheeks are remarkable enough for a PPAC Challenge post.
A sculpture outside Kilkenny Castle, Ireland. I’m not sure who the sculptor was. A handsome front view of the guy with the sweet cheeks. Sweet Cheek’s lady.
These sculptures are viewable from the street through the gates at Kilkenny castle. But luckily, entrance to the garden is free so you can get an even better look.
You’ll have to pay a small fee to enter the castle, but it’s well worth it. The tapestries, furniture, and numerous paintings offer plenty to scratch itch for art lovers and history buffs alike.
If you’re interested in learning more about my experience in Kilkenny, be sure to subscribe. I’ll be posting about the music shortly.
The Always Write blog challenges users to post art found in public places. Here is my submittal for the PPAC Challenge this week.
My wife and I landed at Dublin airport early in the morning. Our hotel, the Moxy Dublin, wasn’t ready for us to check in yet, so we walked to my wife’s favorite breakfast spot, the Queen of Tarts pastry shop. We sat on a bench for about half an hour as the staff opened the shop and this pink beast stood silently standing watch from the window from the tattoo shop across the street, Dublin Ink.
Sadly I didn’t get a tattoo that day, so I can’t vouch for the quality of the artwork they put on bodies. Maybe next trip. However, I can vouch for the sculpture in the window and for the delightful cardamum-cinnamon bun I had at Queen of Tarts. Definitely check it out!
The Always Write Blog challenges users to post art found in public places. Here is another submittal for the PPAC Challenge #61.
A sculpture in the lobby of the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Dublin.
You can find this colorful artwork in the lobby of the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Dublin, Ireland. Truth be told, this sculpture is technically just beyond turnstiles of the facility so I shouldn’t submit it because the rules say that the art should be free. You can see this from the lobby without paying if you really want to, but seriously, pay to go in. You’ll find lots of great artistic exhibits including sculptures, advertising campaigns, educational material, and of course beer!
Have your selfie printed on your beer. Check out sculptures of marketing characters. The Guinness harp.
The Always Write blog challenges users to post art found in public places. Here is my submittal for the PPAC Challenge #61.
BJ’s bar has been a staple for bands passing through western New York State for nearly a century. It’s dark and moody and there are so many trinkets to catch your attention.
Be sure to stop in and have a beer if you’re in town and certainly be sure to mention if it is your birthday.
A painting of a skull under the bar at BJ’s Fredonia, NY.
I recently learned of the PPAC Challenge and thought it would be fun to share pic I snapped of some staged graffiti in the Moxy Hotel in Dublin. Don’t worry, I’m sure it was done legally since it’s inside the bar.
I’m sure it’s not considered high fine art, but it, it makes me chuckle when I see it. Art is meant to elicit emotion- am I wrong?
Plan M: Finding Joy in Music Blog 