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GOODBYE, SAYONARA, ARRIVEDERCI

Two very good friends of mine are departing these shores this week. Former Mongrel publisher Yousef Eldin (pictured back row, far left, presumably in the cross-hairs of a powerful nerd-shrinking ray) is taking up a position at Vice magazine in London. He’s a talented photographer and general nefarious schemer, but also a really good guy and one of my best mates. Examples of his work are here and here (but not here).

The self-proclaimed ‘Arab Delight’ (there is a spicy lamb wrap where we eat lunch which he insists on referring to as ‘The Yousef’) will henceforth be pouring all of his deviousness and cunning into make online videos for Vice, where he began work this morning.

But even hundreds of miles away, I’m sure he’ll continue inveigling me, against my better judgment, into whatever schemes he’s hatching. (Confirmed: he already has. Christ, the guy moves fast!) So long, bud. It’s been… Well, it’s been a delight.

Farewell also to Peter Corway of PIAS records (pictured leaning on a bar, prattling on and on about how Canada is the greatest country in the world, and how he’s moving very soon.) Peter is one of the best PRs in Dublin, with a genuine passion for music and – perhaps uniquely for his profession – zero tolerance for bullshit.

This week, a long-held dream (long-held, I should add, not just by Peter, but by all of his long-suffering acquaintances) is finally coming to pass. Our boy is moving to Canada, via the UK. Peter, I think I speak for everyone who knows you when I say just fucking go already. Not that we won’t miss you, mate – we will. I’m interviewing candidates for replacement Champions League drinking buddy as we speak. But you’ve been talking about doing this for so long now that, quite frankly, it’s a relief.

A self-confessed “neurotic, egotistical 23-year-old skater dude”, Peter is moving to Canada to participate in the X Games (no, me neither) or, failing that, become a drug dealer. Either way, it’s nice to see that he’s aiming high. Best of luck, buddy. I hope Canada lives up to your expectations. It won’t, of course. It couldn’t possibly. But I’m sure you’ll thrive over there. Certainly, those Canadian indie chicks will be all over you like a rash (which I suspect is the whole point!)

Anyway, go get ’em, both of you!