That’s right folks, David Simon is giving a masterclass on television drama in Dublin, Ireland this Thursday 24/01/08 - a half day at The Guinness Storehouse, Dublin 8.

David Simon is the creator, writer and producer of ‘The Wire’ which, in my opinion is simply the best televsion ever.

The masterclass will explore such issues as the writing process, the writer as exec producer, developing story and character, and the current US television drama landscape

David Simon has been mentioned on BifSniff several times before, there was that post about a New York Times article on him and also a post about his book ‘The Corner’ which also has other interesting links to related articles.

The deadline for applying to the class has past, but if you are interested I recommend applying anyway as a little birdie told me there just might be a couple of places left… EDIT: THIS CLASS NOW FULL!

The proposed law will require Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to keep records of every email, every instant message or chat message, and every time users log on or log off, and to store that information for up to 18 months. This information will then be available without any court order or warrant.

Noticed on Damien’s blog, Digital Rights Ireland are bringing to our attention this Big Brother like move… read about it and freak out.

Came across a sight today called howitshouldhaveended.com. Really liked this Superman one.

Which then led me to this Spider-Man one. Anyone who remembers my review of Spider-Man 3 will know it’s funny ’cause it’s true.

As a title, They Never Froze Walt Disney, is a corrective, and an indication also of the dysfunctional nature of the two characters in this slight but endearing play. As a corrective the title states a fact; as an indication it carries much of the plot, for the young-old man dealing with the young-old woman has a pedantic streak which, as a boy, he displays with a helpless charm but which, as a man, he uses with ruthless if bewildered righteousness.

In a necessary contrast, the girl/woman he once almost loved confuses words such as eulogy with elegy as readily as she confuses facts.

Her rebellious streak makes him initially protective and the way in which these conflicting but potentially complementary characteristics harden and distort drives what there is of the action.

Writer Jody O’Neill doesn’t overstate the case, but arranges possibilities with too little regard for likelihood (for example, if the social stigma she indicates is as powerful as it has to be here, how does the much-mentioned subsequent marriage come about?). There are also one or two moments reminiscent of other plays on the theme of young, unspoken and unfulfilled love, including even what might be called a balcony scene. But it is this insouciance which defines the work, especially as it is carried through by the convincing performances and assured timing of John McCarthy and Jody O’Neill herself.

The poignant innocence of their youthful encounters is given comic counterpoint by the freezer lowing like a tanker in the kitchen, where home-made cryogenic procedures are attempted. If this suggests a black comedy, the suggestion in inaccurate.

Directed with a light hand by Jack Healy, with sound design by Carl Kennedy, the comedy is assured, beautifully pointed and anything but dark.

Mary Leland, The Irish Times, 10/01/2008

Tried to join twitter using the iPod touch, couldn’t because the captcha doesn’t show up. I thought it would be a perfect device for twittering, bit of an oversight perhaps? Anyone sucessfully joined using an iPod?

Also couldn’t categorize this post correctly using the touch because not all the categories show up for some reason. It’s mad how quickly you get used to typing though.