Diesel or Polo Mints

Tattered foil strewn wildly on cheap quasi-leather mats.
A chalky residue stains the fabric.
The window winds down effortlessly, revealing  a rusted metal phallus,
resting awkwardly, on its snug, secure podium.

The soles of the feet step on to the murky pitch-black tarmac.
I grab the heavy nozzle, drawing it towards the car's watering hole, 
an intercourse of machinery and energy.
The glugging commences, bringing a rare flash of presence.

Standing self-consciously, a workman with thickened black hands provides a welcome focal point.
He'd have been a much better man for the job!

The soothing glugging liquid noise quietens. The smell is pungent.
A toxic beauty scraping the nasal canal.
Footering in the tight jeans pocket, I retrieve a mint of Arctic freshness.
A timely temperance.

I return to the car for a chugging prayer, drowning out the incoherent country drawls around me.
The sinuses are clearing, like diminishing floodwater from a cavern.
Perhaps the recession has been too quick though, my temples hurt, like tender splints.
But I won't fooled by wrong awareness, it's not the diesel or polo mints.

                                                                                FLOATERS AND FOG

A dewy mist settles on the glass-stained water. The mystical canvas creates a peculiar sense of serenity. Wildlife appears invisible, perhaps waiting for the mid-morning sun to dissipate the vapour.

It feels like the calm before a phantom storm, as a pair of ducks pop up.

The conjoined black outline glides aimlessly, before dropping off the face of the Earth. The mist is clearing, visibly confirmed by a flock of terns racing by.

Little fissures continue to splinter the low-level cloud assisted by a leaping roach.

The sun has got stronger, framing the scene as a translucent image.

A brisk walk along the towpath conjures up drumlins of clouds, scattered with hints of hopeful blueness.

Near the end of the pleasant part of the towpath, a car crosses an old, stone bridge. Timeless and secure, the bridge only revealed by the harsh, radiating lights that streak skywards.

Finally, the mist lifts, exposing a grey-turquoise body, the outline all but vanished. Near the edge of the riverbank, a clan of tadpoles swivel around in a circular motion. Joyous as the warm rays graze their gills.

The sunlight has spawned patches of light brown cloudy water barely viewable to the naked eye. You would really have to look for it or be hyper-aware of these things.

Sometimes ignorance is bliss, just don’t stare directly at the sun!

Do you want to get the COVID-19 Vaccine but perhaps are afraid of injections or passing out at the sight of a needle?

Do injections and medical settings in general cause you to become a little squeamish?

Tune in to this episode where host Paddy McCurdie discusses the common anxiety experienced around injections and needles.

Listen as I talk about my own experiences of anxiety with injections and blood injury, how early experiences shaped this and how I eventually faced up to the fear and got the job.

The episode has some really good practical advice as well to help those who are perhaps nervous or anxious around injections.

Happy listening!

Intro Music Courtesy: Asepirawan20 - Corporate Upbeat Motivational (Pixaby)

Catch-up on this brilliant episode of the Authentic SOAP Podcast with my guest Eimear Le Blevec.

Listen as host Paddy McCurdie discusses with his sister Eimear her early experiences in Portadown and how she got into Youth & Community Work.

We go in-depth discussing profound early experiences working on drug awareness projects and youth exchanges in Austria and Minnesota, USA comprising Public Achievement initiatives .

Eimear talks about her experiences studying youth and community work in Liverpool and the similarities and differences in social issues affecting Liverpool and her native Northern Ireland.

Learn about the positive impact youth work has on our young in society particularly emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are also some great anecdotes from her early life in Portadown, great listening for some reminiscence. 



Intro Music courtesy of John Sib - Innovation (Pixaby)

Join Authentic SOAP host Paddy McCurdie as he interviews his father, Paddy McCurdie senior.

We go in-depth on my dad's plastering career, how he got involved, experiences working abroad and skills helpful for the trade.

Learn about Paddy's early acting career as the Station Master in Paddy and the Railway.  The production took place in 1969/70 at St. Mary's Hall Portadown and was judged by Hughie Green of Opportunity Knocks.

We are keen to find out if anyone has any memories, souvenirs or memorabilia of the occassion.

Not to be missed St. Patrick's Day special with amusing anecdotes and a trip down memory lane of some of the characters of his home town of Portadown!

Join Authentic SOAP host Paddy McCurdie as he delves into the Mind-Body connection.

Can the mind really heal the body?

In the episode, I explore psychosomatic conditions, the differing views on dualism and monism, is the mind part of the brain or vice-versa?

Learn about how Science and Philosophy interpret the mind, is it non-physical or is everything in this world materialistic?

I also look into how negative thinking can exacerbate existing physical conditions and how the ego can take over for those with chronic illness.

A truly fascinating episode!

If you would like to contact the host;

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @CatfordPat
Facebook: Search for 'Patrick McCurdie' or 'The Authentic SOAP Podcast'

Music courtesy of Pixaby: Meditation - Timmoor

Join Authentic Soap as host Paddy McCurdie interviews his sister Christina Greer.

In an in-depth and fascinating interview Christina talks humorously and passionately about how she became a pharmacist and the diverse and critical role the profession plays in the health service. 

The podcast delves into her reasons for studying psychology a number of years after qualifying as a pharmacist and we discuss her thesis on attcahement theory and how this can affect the course and chances of an individual in life. 

The episode dicusses much more including themes of spirituality, religion, and inner transformation. 

Intro music courtesy of Pixaby: On The Beach - Latin Dance Party Music 
Artist: JuliusH

My six year old nephew Vincent Greer discusses video games, playing in the park and his recent trip to Ireland.

Intro music courtesy of Pixaby - Happy Piano Intro: Irobinson sds

Reflecting on my one year of podcasting.

Would be grateful if you could leave a review on iTunes if you feel inclined.

Just search for 'The Authentic SOAP Podcast' on iTunes and leave a review in the 'Reviews and Ratings' section.

Many thanks

Paddy McCurdie

Do you face that inner dialogue of criticism so prevalent in our modern lives?

Tune in to The Authentic SOAP Podcast to here host Paddy McCurdie discuss the inner critic and practical methods to disengage and observe.