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John

Nuair a stadann an ceol, stadann an rinnce (When the music stops, so does the dance).

About Me

For fun, I am an author, freelance writer and poet (that's my author site banner up above - www.songsandstories.net). I love living in Cleveland, Ohio - Home of The Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame.I love love cultural events, like plays, theatre and live music and dance. Being outdoors, and/or with water makes me very happy and I get to travel quite a bit with my job, writing about the world as I see it. I also help put on Cleveland's Irish Cultural Festival in Cleveland (www.clevelandirish.org)
I enjoy meeting new people and chatting, in person, .. - whatever. Check out my author website (www.songsandstories.net), sign the guestbook, check out the blog (mostly about random thoughts and quotes, culture, life as I see it, Irish music, history, events) and drop me a line, I'd love to hear from you.

My Interests

Music, photography, traveling, sports, festivals and cultural events and water activities of all kinds, reading, writing, poets and poetry, hot weather and/or the sun, nature.The Ohio Irish American News - presenting the Irish Movers, Shakers and Music Makers throughout the Buckeye state and Ireland.

I'd like to meet:

Ronan Tynan, Bruce Springsteen, Meatloaf, Bill Clinton, Jane Seymour, Diane Lane, Anderson Cooper, Christy Moore, Helen Hunt, Catherine Zeta Jones, Elizabeth Shue, Mary Robinson, Mary Black, Colin Farrell, Oprah, Barak Obama,

Music:

New Barleycorn, Tommy Makem, Derek McCormack, Tommy Fleming, Johnny McEvoy, Bruce Springsteen, Ronan Tynan, Brigid's Cross, Bad Company, Meatloaf, Little River Band, Irish Sopranos, Makem & Spain Brothers, Jed Marum, Cahir O'Doherty, Billy Joel, R.E.M., and the bands listed on my friends section. They all play Cleveland's Irish Cultural Festival and are fantastic, like HotHouse Flowers, pictured below, at the fest.

My Blog

Looking for Photos to use for cover of Ohio Irish American News

Hi All, We (the Ohio Irish American News) are looking for photographs to be used as the cover of our paper.  Irish Life, Sports, Festivals (especially if they are on Ohio), Music, Landscapes, Cul...
Posted by John on Wed, 25 Apr 2007 02:43:00 PST

Cars Aren't All That Are Recalled - Please READ

Jack took a long look at his speedometer before slowing down: 73 in a 55 zone. Fourth time in as many months. How could a guy get caught so often?    When his car had slowed to 10 miles a...
Posted by John on Wed, 28 Mar 2007 07:32:00 PST

Only in America

I am a medical student currently doing a rotation in toxicology at the poison control center.  Today, this woman called in very upset because she caught her little daughter eating ants. ...
Posted by John on Sun, 28 Jan 2007 04:03:00 PST

First Breath - New Poem

First Breath by John O'Brien, Jr. There was an emergency todayamong the sound eating concrete walls.A wail rang outTilting the order of concrete colored...
Posted by John on Wed, 24 Jan 2007 05:39:00 PST

It's Finally HERE!

 THE 1ST EDITION OF THE OHIO IRISH AMERICAN NEWS IS ONLINE.Check it out at www.ianohio.com
Posted by John on Tue, 16 Jan 2007 03:50:00 PST

Don't forget the Launch Party Thursday

    The Ohio Irish American News Launch Party this Thursday at Stamper's Grill Pub (W. 217th & Lorain in Fairview Park).  Music by The New Barleycorn, great food and drink spec...
Posted by John on Mon, 08 Jan 2007 05:48:00 PST

New Poem - Concrete Putty

Concrete Putty by John O'Brien, Jr. I see your angry eyesand other things tooI see you walking down the hall,single fileshadow you...
Posted by John on Sat, 30 Dec 2006 11:03:00 PST

Announcing the 2007 Cleveland's Irish Cultural Festival Festival Lineup

Announcing the 2007 Festival Lineup:  Tommy MakemCherish the LadiesTommy FlemingLiz Carroll & John Doyle Johnny McEvoyJimmy CartonJohn McDermottSeven Nations The Prodigals Gaelic StormJames K...
Posted by John on Mon, 25 Dec 2006 10:04:00 PST

Band Aid '06

The Harp, a Cleveland area fixture known for great Irish food, music and craic, hosted Band Aid '06, on December 16th, in benefit of staff member Sinead [Shin naid] Elbert, who was recently diagnosed ...
Posted by John on Sun, 17 Dec 2006 09:54:00 PST

A funny - You couldn't make this stuff up

Subject: FW: ships passing in the nightYou've Gotta Love the Irish! This is the  transcription of the ACTUAL radio conversation between the British and the Irish off the coast of Kerry, Octobe...
Posted by John on Mon, 11 Dec 2006 07:26:00 PST