Cult Interview: Barca Boy / Loveable Cult Candyman Unwrapped!

[COLOR=PaleTurquoise][B]How did you find the cult, what brought you here?[/B][/COLOR]

There is a Literature festival in the city nearby but its usually a load of crap, full of snobs and wannabe dipshits. For the twentieth anniversary they decided to give it a bit of life and invited Chuck. I was having a cigarette outside when this weirdo approached me to ask would it be a good idea to start a fight with the guy from Fight Club? He then told me all about the Cult, as soon as I got home I joined, its the first forum I've joined and the only one Ive stuck with.

[COLOR=PaleTurquoise][B]Do you think there is a real divide between 'guys who wanna fight the guy who...' fans of Chuck, and folks of Cultdom? What do you feel that, basically, unites us kids of The Cult? Where do you fit into that picture?[/B][/COLOR]

What surprised me most was this guy traveled across Ireland and booked his tickets on the day they came out. He knew all about the Cult but yet I haven't seen him around here. Maybe convicts don't have internet access?
I think there are a few things we all have in common here and then after that some people are completely different. Living in a small town in the West of Ireland its difficult to meet like minded individuals but Ive managed that since joining here. There is such a mix at the Cult you can always find someone to talk to about different aspects of life. The one underlining thing is Chuck, whether its his books, writers workshops or General Discussion.
Do I fit in? I'm not sure. I will leave that up to you guys to decide.

[COLOR=PaleTurquoise][B]You're a very popular boy here, wonderful and pleasant. Do you find yourself to be 'nice'? How do you feel about being, 'The Nice Guy'? Tell me something you've done that might shock us.[/B][/COLOR]

I know I'm nice but I don't think I'm popular around here. I've discovered that like everything else when I started being myself I got on better.
I think my niceness stems from my low self worth, I feel I have to be that extra bit friendlier for people to like me,but thats how I am.
What could possibly shock you guys, well for about 6 years I was a complete Asshole to my friends and family. I started of with an alcohol problem and after moving to The Netherlands I developed a cocaine problem, in the end I was snorting a line of Coke before I got out of bed in the morning. I'm over five years into my recovery now apart from last weekend when I got drunk for no reason that I can think of.

[COLOR=PaleTurquoise][B]What did you end taking away from your days of addiction? What did addiction take away from you?[/B][/COLOR]

My addictions play a big part in my life. I've learnt that I'm a stronger person than I think I am. The failure rate is quite high so to come out on top means a lot to me. I needed to hit rock bottom before I could begin to start over again, at the time I quit family, friends and my doctor said that I wouldn't have lasted another six months the way I was going.
Right now after 5 years and only one slip along the way I'm back to my old shy and insecure self. I have no real regrets about my past, I feel that everything I've done has helped shape me into what I am today. Ive also learnt that you know who your real friends are when you go through something like that.

[COLOR=PaleTurquoise][B]Describe for me your idea of the typical Irishman. In what ways are you and your typical Irishman similar, different? Would you say you are more liberal in your views, or conservative?[/B][/COLOR]

I think I'm the complete opposite of the typical Irishman, although I do have freckles and a love affair with Alcohol. There aren't many typical Irishmen left, we are becoming more Americanized and European everyday, Ten years ago we thought a Cappuccino was something you got done when you didn't want to have kids, now we've even got Starbucks and McDonald's popping up everywhere. I must say though after doing a lot of traveling as a child I am a lot more liberal in my views. God help you if you are Gay, Black or Protestant in Ireland even today, your average Irishman would run a mile but I'm quite tolerant and open.

[COLOR=PaleTurquoise][B]Ireland has a remarkably strong history of literature, any local boys' work you feel or at one time felt really perfectly captured your experiences and challenges as a young man growing up in Ireland?[/B][/COLOR]

I use books mainly for escapism so I tend to stay away from Irish ones. Its enough living in the country without reading about it in my free time. The only two Irish writers I read are John Connolly, who bases his books in America and Ken Bruen who lives 20 miles away (and still I haven't met him). The one story I can relate to most is Song of the Silent Snow by Hubert Selby Jr. That story has me off to a T. I often leave conversations with people in a good mood but the more I ponder on it the worse I start to feel. As for Irish Literature they say the English may have invented the language but the Irish perfected it, so my hat goes off to those Irish writers out there.

[COLOR=PaleTurquoise][B]Tell me about your education? Where you a good student? How far did you attend? In which subject did you excel, and what do you think that subject suggests about your personality.[/B][/COLOR]

I went to an all boys Catholic school. I was one of the brightest in my class at an early age but then I discovered Soccer and Stephen King novels. Give me something I'm interested in and I will become an expert but if I don't care for it you cant teach me. After my final exams I went to college to read Legal Studies. At the time I thought I was going to be the next John Grisham. Sadly I partied for the year and dropped out. I spent three years working in a bar in the Netherlands and when I straightened myself out I got a diploma in English Literature through a night course from the local University.
My best subject in school was Business, Geography and English. As you know I love to travel and read and business comes naturally in my family. I used to cut the cover off my copy of Hamlet and sit there reading Pet Semetary as quiet as a mouse.

[COLOR=PaleTurquoise][B]Tell me about Barcelona, and why you're so driven to move there.[/B][/COLOR]

I grew up in a small town of 5000 people in the West of Ireland. I'm not that comfortable in big cities, but Barcelona is the exception. I fell in love with Barcelona at the age of 8 and Ive followed the football team ever since. Traveling 14 hours just to see a match and return home with no sleep is the happiest I ever am. people in my town either think I'm nuts or just plain dedicated but I don't do things by half.

[COLOR=PaleTurquoise][B]Are you close with your parents, will you miss them when you move?[/B][/COLOR]

I am close to my parents, there was a few times when I was close to being kicked out but my 3 years in The Netherlands made me appreciate them even more. They understand that its time I made a fresh start and as long as I don't go off the rails again then thy will support me. The one thing I will miss the most is Cujo, there is no way you can explain to a cat that you need to move away. If the fecker could use a phone it would be easier on me. I'm used to having my friends far away. I haven't been back to the Netherlands in 5 years.

[COLOR=PaleTurquoise][B]Tell me something of your time in Barcelona, something that occurred that could only have happened in Barcelona?[/B][/COLOR]

For me everytime I go to Barcelona it proves to me that there is more to life than I could imagine. Ive never experienced a bigger high than when my team plays well at home. I often dwell on things too much but when I am in the stadium I feel that I am part of something bigger. Its a time for me to reflect and follow up the good mood by making decisions on where to go and what to do. Ive made friends over there and although I will always be an outsider people appreciate the effort I make and the love I have for the city.
A funny thing that occurred to me in Barcelona was witnessing a Hooker fight, my first ever! Being Irish I loathe to see English stag parties and when a guy broke off form the group and insulted two African prostitutes I was rooting for the ladies. While one disappeared for a moment the other took off her shoe and whacked him over the head. The other one arrived with a whip and went all Zorro on him, it was priceless and a great way to finish up my holiday!

[COLOR=paleturquoise][B]Do you have any 'kinks'? Would you be willing to describe them? What do you think your kink stems from?[/B][/COLOR]

Kinks? Hmm, I think I'm the only guy who likes foreplay but I could be wrong. Blondes usually add an extra inch and if they have pigtails I'm ready to propose. I love honey, you can guess the rest...

[COLOR=PaleTurquoise][B]How do you feel about the idea of 'love'? Cynical, optimistic, indifferent?[/B][/COLOR]

Love? I'm optimistic for most people but when it comes to me I'm a cynic. I really wish there was someone out there for me but she would want to get her arse to Ireland, Pronto.

[COLOR=paleturquoise][B]In what areas would you most like to be successful in the near future: Work, social life, artistic or intellectual pursuits, financial, or love?[/B][/COLOR]

Money doesn't matter to me and jobs are just there to pay the bills. I have a good social life and a few close friends. For me give me love any day. Its been a longtime since someone said those words to me, I'm not desperate but it would be nice. Before I would get up on a crack in a plate but now Ive gotten picky. If a girl ticks all the right boxes then I promise you guys I will go for it.

[COLOR=paleturquoise][B]Finally, you have so much coming up in this next year...in one word, tell me of the coming year ahead.[/B][/COLOR]

In one word the year ahead .... Happiness!