Last Tuesday I was in the National Library at a UCD extra mural course where Alan Graham gave us a great lecture on Ulysses.
As Alan spoke about Leopold Bloom’s interior monologue being at the heart of the book, my own interior monologue started to run wild.
‘Oh God, did I lock my car (parked down in Merrion Square)?’
I remember taking my laptop out of the boot but I’m not quite sure I then locked the car (ten year old car, key needs to be put in door!).
Don’t be stupid…of course you locked the car.
But what if I didn’t?
Someone might steal my sunglasses.
I love them. They took ages to find (in TK Maxx).
Oh God. I put nine euro in the machine to cover three hours…some enterprising thief could spot the open car door…take the ticket…put it in their car and then I could be clamped.’
I begin to imagine walking around the corner of Clare Street on to Merrion Square and seeing the big ugly yellow clamp on my car.
‘What if my car is clamped?’
Jesus, how much does it cost?
I mean I could check it’s ok at the 11 o’clock break but that only gives me half an hour to sort it out.
Not enough time to get the clampers back to de-clamp me and be back for the second half of the class.
Relax Caroline.
You’re running away with yourself.
The car probably isn’t clamped. You can check it at the break and easily be back for the second half of the lecture.
Relax.
Enjoy the lecture.
Listen to Alan talking about Ulysses…it’s good. Not too lofty…informative.
“James Joyce first met Nora Barnacle at the corner of Kildare Street and Nassau Street (now the Alliance Francaise) close to Finn’s Hotel (where she worked),” Alan said.
I try to relax and listen but am delighted when 11 o’clock comes.
I throw on my coat and run out the door of the National Library.
As I scuttle down Kildare Street I think about Tom Halpin lecturing us in St. Pat’s on Ulysses in 2006. I will never forget it!
The English class had somewhat struggled through A Portrait of the Artist… when finally the day came for us to begin Ulysses… most of us dreading it.
From the minute Tom walked into the lecture hall he brought it alive.
He took on the roles of Stephen Dedalus, Leopold Bloom and even Molly. He had us all in the palm of his hand.
I absolutely loved the six episodes he covered with us over the next few weeks (although I have to confess I never read the other twelve myself…I needed Tom’s guidance!).
Tom Halpin is a bit of an enigma. Retired since last February, he lectured in St. Pat’s for somewhere close to forty years. He ambled around the corridors, quiet and unassuming. My friend Eimear once said Tom reminded her of a gardener…and she was right!
But when Tom started to speak…an entire lecture hall sat up and listened intently!
These thoughts and others ran through my head as I rushed towards Merrion Square.
My car…the thieves…the clampers…James Joyce…Nora Barnacle… Tom Halpin.
As I got close to the bottom of Kildare Street, I spotted an older man standing outside the Alliance Francaise. He was huddled over in a brown coat slowly drawing on a cigarette. Something about his demeanour was familiar. I glanced at his face…I couldn’t believe it…I was looking at Tom Halpin!
I accosted him!
He was lucky his daughter arrived to help him escape…
I then sailed down Nassau Street, smiling at the distinctive red brick gable wall of Finn’s Hotel as I reached Clare Street and then I turned onto Merrion Square…not really too worried about my car any longer.
And yes…of course it was locked!
Ah yes another great post!! Like the mention! Loved Tom's lectures he was somewhat like a treasured key, a key which when turned slowly unleased the treasures hidden inside the covers of those wonderful texts he covered! Yes another ERA…indeed I promised myself at the time I would read on but without the key I just don't think it would be the same! Glad you weren't clamped, didn't loose your shades or worse still have the parking nicked…KEEP UP THE GREAT WRITING!!
Thank you Eimear! What a fantastic description of Tom…he really was like a treasured key…and certainly not a big and brassy one…which made it even better! Sometimes I wish I could beam myself back to those days. (Forgetting about the headless chicken days where we were up to 90 with assignments…and the small matter of exams!)
Loved the story Caroline–we all have those moments 'did I turn off the lights' 'did I lock the front door' etc etc or my favourite one when heading on a family holiday with a packed car I had to turn back to Malahide from town with a burning question ' Did I turn off the immersion ? '!!!!–just like you & the car I did !!! –you can never reassure yourself enough !!!
Regards
Charco
Thank you Charco! At this stage of my life I've come to understand I'll have no peace of mind(and neither will anyone around me!) if I don't check it out! You might enjoy this Des Bishop clip…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52bna-tn_dY