Megan’s first post

Well… where do I start … I didn’t think that there were to many new things to do in life but you’re now experiencing the outworkings of one … my first internet post! I’m still not convinced that anyone is actually interested in anything that I have to write but I’m all up for trying to do new things & Pete sold it to me with “but Megan it is peteANDmegan.com”. So here I am. Be prepared to be enthralled ….

Formost on my mind the last two days has been the postponing of the u2 concert. (I can’t believe that Pete hasn’t posted first on this – hehe – beat ya to it!) So sad!! Possibly 5 minutes after telling a workmate how excited I was about the concert next week I hear that its been postponed. The unofficial word is that The Edge’s daughter has leukemia – very sad if the rumours are true. I was going to make some wise crack about it being a cover-up for Bono’s smoking habit catching up with him – but in view of the potential truth – I won’t – out of respect to a particualy fantastic guitarist. Anyway I guess I just hope that health is restored soon to whoevers family member is ill & look forward to the concert – whenever it happens. I was looking forward to celebrating St. Patricks day – with the Irish rockers!

On the note of St Patricks day .. I heard an interesting comment on the topic. something like this “What sort of a saint was it that we celebrate by drinking copius amounts of Guinness” So i’ve done some research … courtisy of : www.stpatrick.co.nz

“*St Patrick*

The St. Patrick’s Festival commemorates the feast of St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland. It is a celebration of New Zealand’s Irish heritage and culture.

St. Patrick was a missionary whose aim was to convert the Pagan Irish to Christianity. His first visit to Ireland was not as a priest, but as a captive of Irish raiders. After enduring six years of slavery, he escaped to Britain. Patrick returned to Ireland and began his missionary work by going where no Christians had gone before. The legends of his miracles grew and spread throughout Pagan Ireland.

While St. Patrick and other missionaries triumphed over Paganism, perhaps the greatest accomplishment was the convergence of Christianity with Gaelic culture, which gave life to the Irish spirit as never before.

It was for his work and the inspiration he left behind that St. Patrick became the Patron Saint of Ireland. His memory and works are celebrated on March 17.

*New Zealand’s Irish Heritage*

Close to 20% of the population are of Irish descent and a big bunch of others claim a drop or three of green blood in their veins. It is no surprise then to know that William Hobson, our first Governor General, who signed the Treaty of Waitangi on behalf of the Crown, was born in Waterford. At least seven Prime Ministers were born in Ireland, or of parents who were born in Ireland. The words of the National anthem were written by John Ballance from Antrim and many the Irishman and woman have joined in lustily when the anthem is sung. The Irish have figured prominently in agriculture, education, publishing and industry throughout the years and it wasn’t that long ago that the North Island was known as New Ulster, the South as New Leinster and Stewart Island as New Munster.

It matters not whether you have a drop of Irish blood in your veins or not, you are welcome to join us, share the craic, participate in the festivities and join the team in celebrating Ireland’s great day. There is dancing and dancers, music and musicians, songs and singing, drink and drinking, laughter and laughing, sun and sunshine as we turn Auckland green.”

Interstingly Auckland is said to be the first city in the world to celebrate Ireland’s national day. I do hope that it doesn’t have anything to do with our binge drinking culture but I have my suspicions.

I am particulary interested by the comment “It was for his work and the inspiration he left behind that St. Patrick became the Patron Saint of Ireland. His memory and works are celebrated on March 17.” I never knew what his work was so how is it that we celebrate that?? (gosh I am becoming cynical these days…. I thought that he was the guy that first brewed Guinness!!! ) Anyway ….

Well done to anyone who has managed to reach it to the end of this post. I could go on but I might keep some things until later … watch this space with anticipation I will be back!!!!