Archive for September 30, 2010

The “Cat” Is Sleek Again! Jaguar C-X75 Unveiled Paris Motor Show 2010

Possibly one of the nicest looking Jags ever built, the Jaguar C-X75 caused a major stir on the eve of the Paris motor show 2010 with a surprise ultra-low emissions supercar that could catapult it back into the rarefied market it left in 1994, when the 217mph XJ220 ended production.

Jaguar C-X75

Jaguar design chief Ian Callum is already on record with his view that this car is the most beautiful Jaguar that the company has ever produced — prettier, even, than the 1966 XJ13 prototype racer.

He said: “The C-X75 is as close to a pure art form as a concept car can get.” Its grille and headlights, and pure fuselage-like body surfaces, are also a clue towards the looks of Jaguar’s next XK, and its often-rumoured smaller sports car.

The C-X75 pictured here has been unveiled to the world’s media at the Paris show’s press day today. Jaguar officially describes it as “a commemoration of 75 years of Jaguar heritage, and a glimpse at the design cues and technology that will characterise our cars in the future.”

What makes the C-X75 particularly remarkable is its experimental powertrain. Powering this 4.6m-long, 205mph, two-seat berlinetta are four 195bhp electric motors, one at each wheel. They give a combined 780bhp and 1180lb ft of torque, and provide for zero-emissions running, dynamics-enhancing torque vectoring, and pace that even an XJ220 couldn’t match: 0-62mph in 3.4sec, 0-100mph in 5.5sec and 0-186mph in a Veyron-beating 15.7sec.

READ MORE: AUTOCAR.CO.UK


Intriguing Words – 28th September 2010

Feeling bored? While away a few minutes / hours pondering these types of government by number and decide which type of rule describes best the one we have in Ireland?
Arithmocracy – rule of the numerical majority
Democracy – government by the people as a whole
Isocracy – polity where all have equal power
Oligarchy – rule by the few
Pantarchy – same as democracy
Pantisocracy – Utopian political system wherein all are equal and all rule
Polyarchy (also polarchy, polygarchy, polycracy) – rule by the many or by a number of persons
Sociocracy – government by society as a whole

And just when you thought you’d found the answer to the Irish political situation, here’s a few more – the good, the bad and the plain ridiculous!
Angelocracy – angels
Aristarchy – the most qualified person
Aristocracy – literally the best person
Athletocracy – athletes
Foolocracy – fools
Heroarchy – heroes
Kakistocracy – the worst citizens
Meritocracy – the talented
Mobocracy / ochlocracy / pollarchy – a mob
Neocracy – amateurs
Riotocracy – violent action and disorder

So, Patrick James Blog…. Where’s the Fast Cars, Words, The Poetry, Food & Health and all other Links?

In response to a very interesting email I have received it has become oh too apparent that I mush put out my hand for a slap and take my reprimand for wandering off the path.

One reader of my Blog emailed me with these simple words:

“So, Patrick James Blog – what the heck is up?… OK there’s still music, but what happened to the Fast Cars, The Words, The Writing, Food & Health, the tech talk and all the other interesting stuff you used to post about?”.

The bitter pill is that I have been neglecting my blog… apart from all the other excuses I might offer I have been more engrossed in the micro-blogging world of Facebook & Twitter. But no excuse is really ever a good excuse.

So I have decided to get back to writing more in this blogg and building up little by little until we have a blog that people will want to ready again.

If anyone has any suggestions on what they might like to see please let me know? I am counting on you guys!

Featured Video – “Real Thing” Jamie Lawson

“Real Thing” by Jamie Lawson makes it into the “Featured Video” Catergory with this fantastic piece of video film. This is one single to watch out and will hopefully be in stores in October (Date to be confirmed).

The back story? Jamie was born and raised in Plymouth in what was he says a resolutely non-musical household. “No-one sang or played anything. We didn’t have any records. My dad would listen to Radio 2 a bit but that was the extent of it. Then the elder of his two brothers got me into The Smiths, The Housemartins, the Jackson 5, a disparate trio of early influences, you might think, but Jamie says not really. “They’re all very big on melody. And Morrissey and the young Michael Jackson both have a real passion to the way they sing.”

Jamie’s voice proved to be something very special indeed. No one who has heard him sing live would disagree, he has played with artists including The Frames, Martha Wainwright and Damien Rice, as well as having been chosen as opening act for outdoor gigs by both Van Morrison and Katie Melua. Even-keeled, even undemonstrative offstage, he comes alive in front of an audience and in the service of his songs. Jamie is not just a singer but also an exceptionally blessed and affecting one, whether with his regular band or in a solo and acoustic setting. His voice and songs have proven to work equally beautifully and well whether in a tiny indoor venue like London’s 12 Bar Club or outdoors before 10,000 people..”

Read more:http://www.myspace.com/jamielawson#ixzz10IFAp3sb

Health & Happiness – Maybe Now More Than Ever!

In a time when recession occupies most of our radio and newspaper space with talk of financial struggle and impending doom it’s hard to find the silver lining. It seems everyone is living with the constant peril posed by the current political and economical environment – More and more people are left feeling powerless and it’s everyday people that are suffering the most. Stress, sleeplessness, worry, fear anxiety, tiredness and even physical and emotinal ill-health are becoming more common place - it sometimes seems like we are living in times that has forgotten that it is the “Person” that counts most. The ultimate result is that peoples Health and Well-Being are suffering.

There is no easy cure for the current situation and I certainly have no clever answers but I have found something that has made things a little easier for me and might be of help to others.

I recently decided I need to take some time for “Me” and decided on trying something new…I started a course one evening a week to help me to unwind and it really did work -  I started sleeping better but quite unexpectedly started to feel more in controll of things that were happening in my life… it reintroduced a light  at the end of the tunnel. At my own pace and through simple, common sense and above all very enjoyable techniques I was able to make use of that one hour a week to make a change in how I was feeling and reduce some of the symptoms if fatigue that I was feeling.

Holistic Health

Excercise for energy

Achieving a Life/Work balance

Living with ease

Time and stress management

Healthy eating

This is by no means an advert (of any sort) but because I have  found something that has helped me, I want to pay it forward, anf if anyone else feels they need a little extra help they will at least have  the option. Next Thursday evening there is a “HEALTH & HAPPINESS” Course starting in the Carneige Hotel in Swords, Co.Dublin 7.30pm-8.45pm. The theme of over the 8 Weeks is well-being and having a more fulfilled life based on a simple principle of H.E.A.L.T.H.

The truth is people may find the course very helpful and if anyone is interested and mentions my name they are very kindly being given a €25 Discount (normally €135 down to €110) by Louise who runs the course. If you are interested or would like to find out more about how this course can help make things that bit better for you please give Louise Fagan of the Wellbeing Institute a call on Mob: 087 9910747 and she will be happy to have a chat with you.

Featured Video – “Takin The Train” The Saw Doctors

“Taking The Train” is a great Feautured Video by The Saw Doctors truly inspirational Irish Rock band. Taken off the eagerly awaited new album “The Further Adventures Of…” this track shows why The Saw Doctors have managed to be one of Ireland’s iconic band for over twenty years, in an industry that sees modern bands appear and vanish in an instant.

If you like this music video The Saw Doctors have just confirmed a live concert in Waterford City at The Forum venue on Friday October 8. Tickets for this Waterford show by The Saw Doctors on October 8 are currently on sale from Ticketmaster outlets and online from http://www.ticketmaster.ie

Other Tour Dates:

THE SAW DOCTORS – IRISH SHOWS 2010
Sunday September 12
Co. SLIGO, BALLYMOTE

Temple House Festival
http://www.templehousefestival.com
http://www.tickets.ie
Friday September 17
MEATH, NAVAN LIVE

Teach na Teamhrach (formerly Balreask Arms)
Info: 087 940 0710
http://www.navanlive.com
Friday September 24
CORK, SAVOY

http://www.ticketmaster.ie
Saturday September 25
DUBLIN, OLYMPIA

Box Office: 0818 719 300
http://www.ticketmaster.ie
Friday October 8
WATERFORD, FORUM

http://www.ticketmaster.ie
Friday November 5
BELFAST – MANDELA HALL (Belfast BT7 1NN)

http://www.ticketmaster.ie
http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk