The Eastern Seaboard

Dia dhuit as mise, Emma agus Caoilainn ar bád as an inis álainn seo go chuan an Gaillimh. Bhí cómhrá den scoth againn faoi ár bpáistí san fháistneach, na hainmneacha a beidh acu agus cén saghas daoine a beidh siad. Éist isteach chun do liosta féin a bhfeabhsú!

Hugo and Brian reunite in Dublin, for a brisk walk through the acclaimed Hugh Lane Gallery, just off O'Connell Street. Smog, chauvinism, clutter and style all come into play as we explore and discuss the array of tapestries, paintings and sculptures on display. Look forward to more idle chatter as we venture on to more galleries and the like.

Well it's 2025, and what better a way to start the new year than to discuss the pilot episode of the acclaimed sitcom Frasier with Hugo, Brian, Helen and Olwen, in our first attempt at a Google Meets convo. How did it go? Not much prompting was needed to get Hugo lamenting about his special interest, full of random Frasier intel. Olwen provides stellar notes and asks the big questions, mostly surrounding Frasier's haircut. Izzy also has questions about the Frasier Mullet. Helen connects dots and does some excellent character analysis. Brian just got in from a night shift bartending, as he is proud to brag about, but has little to offer in this conversation (He will be sure to take better notes for our next episode watch). Cheers to the new year! (pun)

Come with us as we venture through the Metropolitan Museum on this gloomy November day. Izzy takes us through Egyptian tombs; Jonathan gets too close to the art; Hugo yearns to get to his Postmodernist dolls. Brian spots a William Orpen and asks a lot of questions. What a time to see so much art! Too much art… So much to Learn.Will Brian and Izzy find Hugo and Jonathan before the museum closes? Will we get coffee afterwards? Tune in why dontcha.

And we're back! After a brief hiatus, Brian and Dolf wet their beaks and dive right into the prolific works of one of modernism's upmost immovable lesbians - Gertrude Stein - and discuss her opus, The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas. Izzy provides cunning analysis of the white lesbian. Dolf recites with impeccable tact. Brian did not finish the book.

Hugo and Brian explore the life of Saint Antony as written by Athanasius of Alexandria, and learn about the views held by those of the ascetic lifestyle. A maggot falls from the ceiling. Izzy gives her thoughts from an Uber. James watches the Hannah Montana Movie for the very first time. Johnathan gives his live reaction to the presidential debate. It all happens here!

Diving into some poetry, Hugo and Brian read the works of Charles Baudelaire and Rita Dove, in dissecting the image of Paris represented as a woman. Questions arise, such as: Should men be allowed to describe women? Is poetry ever good or useful? Will our power be turned back on in the apartment? We also discuss the writings of Lauren Elkin and Rebecca Solnit in exploring the concept of The Flâneuse, who Hugo considers to be the archetypal Flâneur. James offers deft insight as per usual. Spanish readings are to be discussed at a later date, when Brian learns how to read.

After reading The Cathedral is Dying by Auguste Rodin, Hugo and Brian discuss the complexities of the human equilibrium, the subjugation of art, and Nature with a capital ‘N’. Jonathan, Nills and James share their opinions on Gothic cathedrals. The apartment debates their perspectives on art, and the validity of such notions.