Taking a trip across the water...

Scotland isn’t that far from Ireland. It's just a stone throw away. However, some things haven’t made it across the Irish

Sea yet and since arriving in Bonnie Scotland I’ve figured out there are some questions Irish people just cannot escape from...















The Accent

Yes, I know you love the Irish accent. No, I will not say “thirty three and a third” again.


The Geography

“Oh you’re from Ireland. Do you live in Dublin?”

There are, in fact, 32 counties dotted around Ireland so why do you insist we all come from Dublin? Yes it’s the capital but there is more to Ireland than The Pale.


The Culture

“Can you Irish dance?"

Upon hearing you are from Ireland, this is one of the first questions you are asked. Like all Irish children I learned how to Irish dance when I was about seven years old. This does not make me the female version of Michael Flatley nor does it mean I will perform a rendition of Riverdance for you.


The Language

Slang words like “shifting” and “nagan” have failed to make their way to Scotland. I am met with a blank stare and a queer look when I utter these words. To the Scottish, “shifting” is simply “pulling” and nagan ceases to exist.


The Irish Language

We learned it throughout primary and secondary school yet, unfortunately, the majority of Irish people will struggle to speak what is technically their native language. When asked by anyone outside of Ireland what you can say as Gaeilge the I-learned-this-off-by-heart-when-I-was-in-primary-school “'An bhfuil cead agam dul amach go dtí an leithreas?" is one of the favourites.


Thanks to some advertising genius in Carlsberg if we're feeling brave these few lines can also be heard;

"Agus madra rua! Is maith liom cáca milis.
Agus Sharon Ní Bheoláin.
Tá geansaí orm.
Tá scamaill sa spéir.

Tabhair dom an cáca milis!”





The Alcohol

The presumption that Irish people can be found stumbling along the street, drink in hand, proudly singing The Fields of Athenry, is not as true as you may think. In fact the reality is pretty sobering and might disappoint those who would like us to maintain our stereotypical Irish drinking reputation. Yes, we like to drink and get drunk and have a good time. That doesn’t mean we are raging alcoholics that want to go out every single night of the week.


The Phrase

“Top o’ the mornin’ to ya!”

A phrase no one has actually ever said in Ireland. Yet the very moment you announce your nationality to someone you can be sure they will respond with this phrase. And if they don’t say it, they’re certainly thinking it.


The Leprechauns

Not to burst your bubble or anything but these mythical little creatures are just that. Mythical. Contrary to what you might believe these small fairy folk do not walk around Ireland sprinkling magic dust as they go. Although some of it might not go astray at the moment. Did someone say recession?


The Red Hair

Although the stereotype will say that the majority of Irish people are born with ginger hair and freckles, reality states otherwise. Only 10% of the Irish population actually has red hair. In fact, Scotland has the highest percentage of redheads with almost 13% of the population donning this hair colour. Approximately 40% of the Scottish population carry the recessive redhead gene. Ireland is slightly higher with almost 46% of people carrying the gene.


The Potatoes

We don’t just eat potatoes, despite what you might think. We also eat spuds and poppies too.

Tackling the stereotype

He could see the anger building up inside her, like a volcano ready to erupt. Her blood was boiling with rage; the veins in her neck looked ready to pop. Her shouting was growing louder and more frantic by the second. Her words were menacing and threatening. As she advanced towards him her anger reached its pinnacle and she lunged at him, slapping him across the face. He tried to get passed her, tried to walk away, but she wouldn’t let him. Oh no, she wanted him to suffer. And he would.

She caught him again, this time by the back of the head. She pulled him to the floor and he fell, cowering as she continued to punch him over and over again. His plight was not over yet. She carried on hitting him; in the face, in the chest, in the back, anywhere she knew it would hurt. She beat him to the point of exhaustion, until he was gagging and heaving. But she did not stop there. This woman showed no mercy. She grabbed him by the hair, drowned out his screams with her own voice, and demanded an apology from him;

“I’m sorry for upsetting ya,” Tyrone whimpered. Kirsty let go and it was over. Until the next time.

Viewers were shocked when they tuned into Coronation Street and witnessed a manipulative Kirsty violently beating up hapless Tyrone. The storyline, which has been gathering momentum over the past few months, has gripped viewers both here and in the U.K. The soap has successfully tackled the ‘stereotype’ of domestic violence and, in doing so, has raised awareness of the fact that it is not only males who abuse and it is not only females who are victims of abuse. Despite this fact being out there, in the public domain, it still continues to shock, as viewers have seen in the Kirsty, Tyrone scenario.

Unfortunately domestic violence against men is not just confined to soap operas like Coronation Street or Fair City. Just last week newspaper headlines around the world reported on former tennis ace Jennifer Capriati’s alleged abuse and stalking against ex-boyfriend Ivan Brennan Jr. The three-time Grand Slam champion allegedly assaulted her former partner in a Valentines Day domestic incident. Although this episode of domestic abuse was reported, in general, domestic violence against men is ignored and has been deemed the “invisible domestic violence”. While it may be invisible in terms of being acknowledged in the media, the statistics that surround it cannot be ignored. Research carried out in Ireland has shown a 150% increase in domestic abuse against men in the last five years. It also found that two in five of all domestic violence victims are men. The report discovered that 88,000 men in Ireland have been severely abused by a partner at some point in their lives, however only 5% of men have reported this abuse to the Gardaí.

So why has there been an increase in domestic violence against men, and, more importantly, why are they so reluctant to report this abuse to the authorities? There are a number of reasons why female violence has become more dominant in recent years. Changes in drinking patterns, which can lead to more women being arrested for violent conduct outside the home, could account for one reason as to why female violence is suddenly more prevalent. CCTV footage has also contributed significantly in supplying evidence to Gardaí which often shows women participating in violent conduct. Apart from this, men are afraid to seek help when faced with such a situation. The stereotype of domestic violence being an act that is perpetrated by men and experienced by women still exists. Therefore when the tables are turned and the roles are reversed, what happens? Too often men are afraid to speak out for fear of ridicule or for fear that no one will take them seriously. They are embarrassed and ashamed that they are not living up to the so-called alpha male stereotype so they suffer in silence.

More and more initiatives are being set up to help and support male domestic violence victims. Campaigns such as the “She loves me, she loves me not” were set up in the U.K. last month and aim to encourage male victims to speak up and not suffer in silence. Similarly, at home, organisations such as Amen aim to provide assistance and advice to male victims of abuse.

Increased awareness, support groups and campaigns are needed in order to encourage men to stand up and speak out. There is only a certain amount that soap operas can highlight and characters can portray in thirty minutes of television. We need real people, real victims and real stories in order to acknowledge this issue because until we recognise it properly, it will continue to happen. 

Don't Stop Believing

At the heart of every community is a sport that has long survived the growing changes of Irish society. It is a sport that defines us as a nation. It is our sport and our entertainment. It joins us together and occasionally pulls us apart. It is of course, Gaelic hurling.

Like so many other Irish people I grew up in a county where hurling is very much to the fore. It is one of the most talked about sports throughout the county of Waterford. The conversation surges through the people like blood through veins. When these people talk about hurling they speak with passion, their eyes light up and you can see clearly the love they hold for this game.

Although hurling is regarded as the dominant sport in the Déise it has not always come with success. The so-called 'Golden Age' of hurling in Waterford began in 1929 and lasted up until 1963. During this period Waterford were honoured with two All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championships, two All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championships, two All-Ireland Junior Hurling Championships, one National Hurling League, five Munster Senior Hurling Championships, two Munster Minor Hurling Championships and three Munster Junior Hurling Championships. Not a bad feat for the Déise boys.

All the signs were there to indicate that the Waterford hurling teams could only improve and grow stronger. However it was not meant to be and the period between 1964 and 1991 remained largely a dark one for Waterford hurling. The team were honoured with only one title during this span of almost 30 years; a Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship.

The early 90's saw a rejuvenation in Waterford hurling, with 1992 being their most successful year in almsot three decades. Three championship cups were lifted that year. The Under-21's excelled, winning both the Munster and All-Ireland titles, while the minors took home Munster glory.

Waterford came close on many occasions in the years that followed but ultimately failed to deliver on the day.

Since 2002 Waterford hurling has become a force to be reckoned with, especially throughout Munster. The seniors claimed Munster final victories in 2002, 2004, 2007 and 2010.

The memories of these Munster final wins will remain embedded in not just mine, but many other supporters minds too. There is nothing quite like seeing The Square in Dungarvan covered in a sea of blue and white jerseys. The support in this county is immense. We might not win as much as Kerry do in football or Kilkenny do in hurling but that doesn't mean we can't celebrate when we do win. "Simply the best" as well as Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" have been adopted as Waterford victory songs and can be heard loud and clear when there is something to sing about.

2008 saw Waterford reach their first All-Ireland final since 1963 and well...we all know what happened. An unstoppable Kilkenny team as well as the pressure of an All-Ireland final took their toll and the Cats ran out clear and easy winners.

While Kilkenny celebrated yet another success, it was a sad day for Waterford hurling. The hype that had been built up around the county quickly evaporated and the bubble quickly burst. The weather seemed to mirror our mood and the following day, as rain pelted down, the Waterford supporters lined out along the quay in the city to welcome home a defeated and deflated team.

Each one of them looked just as dejected as the next. Some had tears in their eyes, whil others had their eyes firmly on the ground, unable to make contact at the mass of supporters they felt they had left down. But they hadn't let us down. We were proud of their achievements, proud they had made it to an All-Ireland final and proud they had done their best.

Since then the Déise lads have bounced back and 2010 saw them put yet another championship title to their name. Last Sunday saw them edge out Clare in a highly exciting and tension-fuelled game at Semple Stadium. The defeat against former manager Davy Fitz's beloved Banner county now secures Waterford's place in their fourth consecutive Munster final. Here they will meet the winners of Cork and Tipperary, a match which takes place this weekend. Both teams will provide a challenge to Waterford when they come face to face with either the Rebel county or the Premier county on July 15th.

Will Waterford win? Maybe.
Can Waterford win? Certainly.
I have no doubt that our day will come when we will claim League, Munster and All-Ireland glory. Until then, don't stop believing!

A chat with renowned journalist John A. Murphy

I ring the doorbell of his house and wait for a reply. I am nervous. My heart is beating faster than normal and my palms are slightly sweaty. I’ve never met this man before, never spoken to him, but I’ve heard a lot about him. I’ve heard about his outstanding journalistic talent. I’ve heard about his unique way with words. I’ve heard about the stories he has broken down through the years. His name is known all over the country. And with good reason.

He opens his door and warmly welcomes me into his home. For all intents and purposes I am stranger to this man, yet he talks to me as if we are lifelong friends. He leads me into the sitting room and we sit down. His laid-back attitude immediately puts me at ease. My nerves slip away, though not completely. I am still aware of who I am about to interview. He is a man with a very successful journalistic career. A man with a career spanning over 50 years. His name is John A. Murphy.
He begins by telling me about his younger years and his childhood. He describes his school days in Cashel, Co.Tipperary:

“I was a moderate student. I wasn’t great at anything, but I was brilliant at English.”

He recalls a funny story from his school days where his primary school teacher at the time, Brother Dowling, said to him, “you’re going to be a journalist”. John A. remembers how he raced home that evening to his mother and proudly announced that he was going to be a journalist when he grew up. His next question to his mother was; “Mammy, what is a journalist?”

I can see he is a good storyteller from the way he recounts this particular story. His whole face lights up, he speaks with an abundance of energy and humour and I am left laughing and smiling by the time he has finished. Following on from his childhood ambition, John A. says he always knew that journalism was the right career for him.

“I had an intense interest in GAA and a fantastic grasp of the English language,” he says.

He decided to combine the two together in journalism. He reveals that he was “extremely lucky” to break into journalism. He had just moved to Dungarvan, Co. Waterford when the chief reporter of the Dungarvan Observer left and a vacancy opened up for a senior journalist. Deciding to chance his arm he got in touch with the regional newspaper to see what they had to say.

“I’m not a senior journalist but I’m very good,” he told them.

To see if he was as good as he said he was, they sent him home and told him to write a mock news story and a mock sports story of 500 words each. He was true to his word and the following day he accepted the job offer and began working in the Dungarvan Observer.
He remained with the Dungarvan Observer until January 1960 when he accepted a job from the Irish Examiner. It was a job he would pursue for 47 years. In the Examiner he worked on both sports and news stories. He describes himself as “a bit of a freak” as he was the only journalist in the Examiner who reported in two different sections.

“I was a jack of all trades and a master of none,” he says laughing.

In a career extending over five decades John A., understandably, has a myriad of stories, experience and knowledge to share. When asked about the highlight of his career he declares that it was, “without a doubt”, a work trip to Rome where he met Pope John Paul II. Again his excellent storytelling ability is evident as he recounts the memory. He describes everything so accurately and so precise. He recalls how he made the trip to Rome a few months after the Pope had been to Ireland. Upon meeting the Pope, John A. remembers how nervous he was.

“My knees were knocking,” he says.
He recounts vividly the conversation they shared:
“You didn’t come to Cork when you visited Ireland Holy Father.”
“I didn’t my son. If I come back to Ireland I will come to Cork.”

Having made this promise he then pressed his rosary beads into John A.’s hands. He still has them. The following morning the banner headline of the Examiner read; “Pope pledges to come to Cork” by John A. Murphy. On the other end of the scale there have been days of tragedy that John A. has duly had to report on. Recounting one particular horrific car crash, in the early 1960′s, where three people died, John A says he will “never forget it”.
“I cried at the scene,” he says honestly.

Being actively involved in journalism for over 50 years means John A. has seen the profession go through many changes. ”I’m not certain I’d survive in today’s world of journalism,” he says. ”It has changed in a major way.”
Speaking about the decline of print journalism and the move to online journalism, John A. has a very clear opinion:

“Weekly newspaper sales, national and regional, are dropping like a ton of bricks. I see, in a decade or less, a lot of newspapers will have gone to the wall.”

Talking about the job itself John A. describes it as a “tough enough profession”. The biggest difficulty is getting into it, the vacancies are just not there, he says. Despite it being a difficult and often demanding job, he says it is a job that offers huge variation:
“No two days are the same,” he says.

His charismatic and outgoing personality are also well suited to his role as a journalist:
“I love meeting people,” he says.

He describes the difficulty of covering stories he does not agree with. He emphasises the fact that you must never allow your own personal feelings to intervene. “Factually and fairly” is an essential requirement to writing a good story he says.

Last year John A. was honoured with a surprise ‘This Is Your Life’ ceremony. The event, which was held in Dungarvan’s Town Hall and organised primarily by his family, was a celebration of the many achievements of John A.’s outstanding career in both journalism and GAA administration.
His daughter Sharon expresses her views on the occasion:

“It was a fantastic night. The admiration and respect that came from friends and colleagues we interviewed could not make you anything but proud. That night was a tribute to the great journalist, friend and Dad that he is. It will live long in all our memories.”

Similarly his other daughter Jackie reveals how the night was “special” as “it gave us an insight into how well-respected he is and the high esteem in which he is held. Sometimes when you’re part of it all your life you don’t see it.”

Away from his family John A. is highly spoken of among his work colleagues. WLR-fm’s GAA Commentator, Kieran O’Connor, with whom John A. has worked closely with has this to say:

“He is an unbelievable talent as a journalist. He has a great personality and character and a great knowledge of a wide range of subjects.”

Before I wrap up my interview with John A. and depart his house, he leaves me with some valuable advice:

“Listen to all the people that matter Rebecca. It will be to your benefit. Never reach a place where you think you know it all”.

A Whole New World

"You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.

You're on your own.

And you know what you know.

You are the guy who'll decide where to go."

This famous quote from Dr.Seuss is quite fitting to all of us young students as we set out on what will, hopefully, be the best years of our lives.

This time last year the idea of ever reaching college seemed a million miles away. Mocks, orals and the dreaded Leaving Cert. itself all stood as towering obstacles standing in the way of reaching university. I'm sure many of us wondered would we make it at all. Before long though the exams were done and dusted and the summer could finally be enjoyed, with all thoughts of exams thrown firmly out the window. However, August was quick approaching and with that came the inevitable Leaving Cert. results, followed by the CAO offers.

UL had always been my first preference and dominated the majority of my CAO. Journalism and New Media was my chosen course and, with happy thoughts for the exciting prospects that lay ahead, I gladly clicked 'accept' on my CAO offer. I was officially Limerick bound.

Moving into on-campus accommodation was an easy choice for me. Everything from the shop to the arena is within walking distance. Plus I had heard the craic was mighty in Kilmurry (and not just on Tuesday and Thursday nights). I was lucky enough to be placed in a mixed house with five other people. Any worries or anxieties I had about moving in with complete strangers instantly evaporated when I met my housemates. Good natured banter started almost immediately between us and, at the risk of sounding clichéd, we quickly became like a little family.

The first few weeks living in Limerick seemed to pass by in a blur. Figuring out timetables, learning to cook, clean and fend for myself, and, of course, socializing meant that it took a while before I finally found my feet. Nonetheless, as the weeks flew by I found myself adjusting and adapting to the life of a student. I no longer noticed myself getting lost or sitting waiting patiently in the wrong room, while my class took place someplace else. UL suddenly didn't seem like the confusing maze I thought it was just a few weeks previously.

Clubs and societies play a fundamental role in college life and, from my experience, are an easy and fun way to make new friends as well as developing your own interests. The sports facilities offered here are ideal for anyone interested in any kind of sports and it would be a shame for everyone not to use the Olympic sized swimming pool or the wide range of classes offered throughout the arena. They are a great way to relax and de-stress, as well as giving you some exercise. Even if you're not interested in sports taking a trip to the track could still prove worthwhile. The sight of Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell and co. training hard has brightened up many a morning for me.

Finally as first year draws to a close there is so much to reflect on. Second year is just around the corner and there is so much more to look forward too. Maybe not that nine o'clock lecture on a Monday morning though. At an academic level there is a lot to be taught and even more to be learned. Ireland proudly boasts one of the largest, brightest and most-educated workforces in the world. As informed students we are more aware of the world around us, the possibilities in front of us and the ability we have to change the world one step at a time. On the social side there is new friendships to be formed, opportunities to be seized and experiences to be enjoyed. For everyone college can be a place where knowledge is distributed, friendships developed and talents discovered. Forget about school, it seems college days are the best days of your life.

An Ireland without Irish - could that be what the future holds?

"There is something absurd and rather tragic about setting out on a journey around a country, knowing that if you speak the language of that country you will not be understood. It is even more absurd when the country is your native one and you are speaking its native language."

Manchán Mangan was, of course, referring to Ireland and to the declining Irish language. During his search for Irish speakers one of his experiences, in particular, highlights the dwindling use of Irish on a day to day basis.

At the beginning of his search Manchán Mangan walked into an Ordnance Survey Office in Dublin and began speaking Irish. Three times he was told to speak English or get out. In the end he was refused help and the office personnel ordered him to leave. Worse yet, they were angry at him for speaking Irish as they could not understand a word he was saying.

Now, it doesn't take an expert to see that there is something radically wrong with this situation. Firstly as a semi-state organisation the Ordnance Survey Office is obliged to provide certain services in Irish. Therefore why shouldn't this man, or anyone else, be allowed to speak Irish? Secondly, the Irish language is recognised by the Irish Constitution as our first language. Shouldn't we be entitled to speak it as openly and as freely as we wish? The answer simply is yes.

So where did it all go wrong? What happened that caused Irish to be swept under the rug and pushed English to the forefront of our lives? Well let us rewind back to the 16th century. The Queen of England, Mary 1, introduced a policy called plantations. In effect this meant driving the native Irish people from their land and replacing them with loyal English settlers who would speak the English language. As a result of this policy the Irish language declined and, subsequently, English spread throughout Ireland.

The Great Famine also saw a dramatic decrease in the number of Irish speakers and, by the end of the nineteenth century, and the end of British rule, Irish was only spoken by less than a mere 15 percent of the population. Unfortunately Irish never fully recovered and keeping our unique language alive has proved to be an uphill battle.

Nevertheless we are all given the chance to learn Irish. For the majority of Irish people, our first introduction to the cúpla focal as Gaeilge is through our schooling network. Irish remains a mandatory subject in both primary and secondary schools. The teaching of Irish however has been strongly criticised in the past and blamed primarily for the lack of interest students show in learning the language. Primary school children are not receiving a solid foundation of Irish before they head into secondary school. They then spend 6 years reading English versions of Irish novels and poems, memorising answers, essays and oral conversations so they can regurgitate them once June rolls 'round. Why do they do this, one might ask? The answer is easy. To obtain the maximum amount of points possible. They don't care about Irish. For the majority of them it is a chore. Those who regard it as a chore take pride in burning their Irish books, copies and notes once the Leaving Cert is over, safe in the knowledge that they will never have to speak "that language" again.

It is clear that improvements will have to be made, inside and outside the classroom, if our native language is to survive. The Country's National Authority for the preservation of Gaeilge is doing all it can to keep the language alive by supporting schools, newspapers and even a television station. Foinse, an educational Irish magazine is published and distributed freely every Wednesday with the Irish Independent. Television programmes such as Des Bishop's In the name of the Fáda and, more recently, Bernard Dunne's Bród Club have aimed to highlight the importance of the Irish language.

Seachtain na Gaeilge, which is an annual event, recently took place and is a week where Irish is emphasised and promoted throughout the country. People are encouraged to get involved and try to speak as Gaeilge. Now I don't claim to be fluent, but I do enjoy Irish. The tone of it, the sound of it, the way it rolls off the tongue. Listening to people speaking it is mesmerising. So with that in mind, and considering the week that was in it, I decided to attend an Irish play called Eilis. Afterwards I got chatting to a girl who was in the play. She admitted she never had a real grá for the Irish language and the thought of participating in a play as Gaeilge was "a bit ridiculous". However her love of drama outshone the fact she didn't exactly like the language and, afterwards, she declared it was well worth it and "it made me wish I gave Irish more of a chance in secondary school".

Bank of Ireland have also embraced Seachtain na Gaeilge with open arms. Eileen Walsh, Manager of Bank of Ireland Dungarvan, told how school children, from the nearby Irish-speaking school visited the bank, during Seachtain na Gaeilge. They displayed their singing and dancing talents as Gaeilge. She also told how the Dungarvan branch are getting into the swing of things. Each Friday, for the four Fridays of March, the bank is holding what they call "Fáilte Fridays". On "Fáilte Fridays" the bank workers are "encouraged to speak cúpla fócal amongst themselves and to the customers if possible".

Unfortunately not everyone is as inspired by Seachtain na Gaeilge, but it does go to show that if people cast aside their own inhibitions and give the language a chance they might actually enjoy it.

It is unrealistic to expect Ireland to abandon English. However it is not unrealistic to expect Ireland to accept and appreciate this individual and unique language we are privileged to have. It is time Irish was accepted and used by the broader community. Hopefully, in time to come, with more improvements and resources from our government a greater emphasis can be stressed on our native Irish language all over Ireland and not just in the Gaeltacht areas.

The Sound of Music

"Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul."

Music. It has the power to speak unspoken words. It has the power to make you laugh, cry and arouse every emotion in between. It has the power to relax you and motivate you. For many, music is a source of contentment, comfort and inspiration. For others, it is whatever we desire it to be.

Music is often described as a universal language that expresses who we are. Although universal in one sense, it is also something deeply personal and intrinsic to each one of us individually. It has the ability to speak for itself and to the person listening to it. Quite often we can relate to the lyrics as though they were written especially for us, with our lives, our thoughts and our dreams taken into account. Therein lies the beauty of music. Sometimes it understands us when noone else does.

It is one of life's great escapes. For everyone there are times when you feel like the whole world is against you. The chance to escape from that reality, through the lyrics and melodies affiliated with music, is a welcome distraction. For those precious minutes you can forget, or at least try to forget, about your own worries. You can get lost in the song, lost in the beat, lost in the music.

Bob Marley was once quoted as saying the "one good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” Wise words from a wise man. Even if you are tone deaf and have the dance moves of an old man with two left feet it doesn't matter. You can still enjoy what you are doing, the music you are singing to and the beats you are dancing to.
The earliest song I can remember prancing around to is "Stop" by the Spice Girls. Oh how I loved those girls. I wanted to be Baby Spice. I wanted her attitude, her blonde pigtails and her style (what was I thinking?!). Unfortunately, for me, there is a video of a fair-haired five-year-old standing in the kitchen belting out the words to "Stop" and dancing like noone was watching. I possessed two left feet and couldn't hold a note to save my life, yet it didn't seem to matter. The big smile across my face said it all. I was oblivious to my lack of talent in the musical department but I thought I was the bee's knees. Even though I was bad at it, it still made me happy. That's the magic of music. As J.K. Rowling so perfectly put it, music is "a magic beyond all we do here."