It's St. Patrick's Day so get your Irish on

I'm half Irish-American and I don't like St. Patrick's Day, but only because in the U.S., it's kind of a stereotype-idea of Irishness. You drink too much and stumble around eating corned beef and cabbage (one time out of the year; be sure to brag about it on Facebook). You act all friendly and warm, hugging and exclaiming. Then you go back to your uptight Protestant work ethic while hating immigrants. That's about it. And if you live in Chicago, the city dyes the river green. Groan.

But I haven't been to Ireland yet so I'm stuck with these stupid and incorrect Irish concepts for now. Here's some random entertainment while I look for an article of green clothing to wear (so I don't get pinched). And another thing, I once attended a lecture on Irish mythology and the grumpy professor shouted in his lilting voice that nobody in Ireland believes in or even likes leprechauns. And looking at this St. Paddy's Parade from Dublin, it must be true. Not a single leprechaun in sight.


Properly trippy though. Ireland is most definitely a trip.

This guy is even grouchier than I am, with good reason, as he succinctly explains the current economic crisis in Ireland (warning: swear words). Take note, United States. Oh wait--too late.

Both of these videos were obtained by Adam C. Beach. Check out his music site, Band Geek.

The Muppets can make fun of anything and still be absurdly sweet-natured about it.
Special treat: Animal vs. Buddy Rich on drums.

Here's a recipe for chocolate-mint shamrock cupcakes. Love the intro: Celebrate the luck of the Irish with these adorable St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes... "Luck of the Irish" is ironic, you dumb copywriter. It means crud luck and is said with a bittersweet shrug of the shoulders among back-slapping Irish people as they head down the street to their favorite pub after barely surviving yet another mishap or disaster. It is not celebrated while baking or engulfing mint-flavored chocolate cake festooned with ground-hugging greenery.

Here is a Shamrock Shake. God help us.


And here is the trailer to Leprechaun. There have been six Leprechaun movies so far, including Leprechaun 4 In Space, Leprechaun in the Hood and Leprechaun: Back 2 Tha' Hood. Luck of the Irish indeed. These films have made English actor Warwick Davis a wealthy man. Thanks, you limey wanker.

And here is the Leprechaun, exhibiting obsessive-compulsive behavior for your horror-movie merriment.

They are magically delicious! I'm waiting for General Mills to introduce a cereal that's all marshmallow surprises. Any day now...