As the world's most acclaimed current band, the Manic Street Preachers, sang on 'Slash And Burn' "Madonna drinks Coke and so can you". Indeed, it s no wonder that so many contemporary popular cultural artefacts and modes of expression celebrate and fetishise America, as in a multitude of ways America itself is our popular culture. Few cultures are as rich in choice, diversity and good old-fashioned fun as the American Dream.
Fortunately, the American Dream is not necessarily all about the stars and stripes and free enterprise; it s just as much to do with savouring the simple pleasures in life. Consider leaving behind your Irish ways just for a brief 24 hours without compromising on having a good time. To give your groggy and sleepy self the ultimate wake-up call for an All-American Day, refresh yourself with some freshly squeezed OJ. Then awaken your senses with some succulent, freshly brewed American Style coffee. Ease yourself into the day with some sleepy yet zesty American Jazz from the Great Art Blakey, Miles Davis, Jimmy Scott or the imminently Dublin-bound Ray Brown. Tear back those curtains and find a light spring in your step turning into an around body glow that screams 'top of the world Ma!'
It is now time for the most important meal of the day, so be sure to do it in style. A Full All-American Breakfast is basically a full-on breakfast! Treat yourself to a three-course meal of fresh bagels, eggs sunny side up, and a desert of doughnuts and pancakes. If you consider this far too extravagant an indulgence for this hour of the day, consider the immortal words of the greatest mind of the 20th Century, Homer Simpson "Mmmmm! Doughnuts!" How could you argue with that kind of time-tested American wisdom from the sage of Springfield?
Adjust the soundtrack of the early part of your day accordingly. You are a spoilt brat for choice with a heritage of American music from blues to hip-hop, rock n' roll to techno, country and western to jazz. No matter what your taste, inclination or mood some of Uncle Sam's Devil's music is bound to suit you. Suitably revved up and raring to go, slap on Steppenwolf's 'Born To Be Wild', dust out those leathers and prepare to step out on the highway on your gleaming mean machine of a Harley Davidson. Step off at your local convenience store to stock up on Marlboros and chewing gum to keep you smilin' and smokin' all day long.
No matter where your locality is, you can self-style it into your own downtown playground where you are the leader of the gang. Ease yourself into daily life in your City of Dreams with mid-morning coffee in the diner, leisurely leafing through The New York Times and nodding at that sweet All-American waitress for more refills. From your diner base, you can plan your day at your own leisure, or even resume work on your life's meisterwork the Great American novel. Let's face it despite all the hype Don De Lillio's Underworld is not the scorcher it tries to be, and by immersing yourself in the rich reservoirs of American culture you could easily surpass it.
Eager for inspiration, make your way to a local paperback emporium. Breathe in the beautiful smell of books and survey the vast range of literature which can bring you into the heart of America: F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Updike, Walt Whitman, William Burroughs, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Hunter S. Thompson, Toni Morrison, James Ellroy, Jay McInernay. The list is as long as the number of years it would take you to read them all. Armed with some prose, it is now time to select an appropriate soundtrack for the rest of your All-American Extravanganza. Check out your local listening post for the latest releases from Mercury Rev, The Flaming Lips, Tom Waits, Jim O'Rourke, Bruce Springsteen, REM, Lauryn Hill, Madonna, Elliot Smith, Fun Lovin' Criminals, Beastie Boys, Jeff Buckley or The Pernice Brothers. If there ain't an American release there to suit you, then you just don't like music simple as that. Armed with your fresh All-American purchases its time to think yet again about what is best about America damn fine food.
Lunch is another minefield of choices and possibilities. Southern Fried Chicken, hamburgers or pizza: the All-American way is to take your cake and eat it. You can opt for one of numerous diners located all over the country, and tuck into chicken wings, burgers, ice cream and sodas to your heart's content. Don't spare any indulgence or feel any guilt, and allow the great sayings of Philosopher Simpson to banish any doubts about consuming such vast quantities of lovely, lovely food.
At this stage in the day, it has all been very thirsty work, so it is high-time to drop into the nearest saloon and savour a good old liquid lunch, American style. When Americans think of beer they think of Bud so a few ice cold Budweisers should go down a treat and get you in the American grain. Spending as long or as little time over drinks as you wish, it s time to go home to sample your recent acquisitions of American popular culture. No drinking and driving though, it s time to hail a New York style cabby towards your local video store to pick up the latest and the greatest of Hollywood releases. From Casablanca to Fargo, American cinema is another cornucopia of delights. You could opt for the gangster's paradise of Goodfellas, The Godfather Trilogy, Taxi Driver, Mean Streets or Scarface. Alternatively, if a romantic mood takes you, invite the better half round for Sleepless in Seattle or a time-tested classic like Casablanca. If in an adventurous frame of mind, the movies of David Lynch, Hal Hartley or the Cohen Brothers will give a cutting cinematic edge to your day.
After marvelling at the heroes and heroines, gangsters and gangsters' molls, it s time to make plans for the evening. Dinner could merge the cinematic with the culinary by arranging to meet your buddies in Planet Hollywood, home of the juiciest hamburgers and coolest Budweiser in town. Afterwards, Harvey Wallbangers in Chicago Pizza Pie Factory beckon, chased with lashings of Bud or Jack Daniels. As any rock n roller worth their salt will tell you, no party or visit to the saloon is the same without a shot of Jack! As the hours fly by enjoying the relaxing effects of America's finest liquor, it s time to hit the hottest night-spots to get down and dirty. Choose from East Coast hip-hop to Chicago house to Detroit techno, music for the mind and feet to be heard in any of the best night clubs.
To round off the day in debauched, extreme, self-indulgent style, treat your nearest or dearest or newly found friend to a stay in a hotel in your own town. Tallaght's Plaza Hotel is your last port of call for a night of extreme American decadence. As you relax over some nightcaps Budweiser or Jack, natch dim the lights and place some All-American Doctor Love tunes on the stereo from All-American party animals and lovers extraordinaire Prince and Barry White. You can sleep soundly knowing you've lived life in one day to a newly found All-American full. Even Terry and Sweetie never had it so good. God Bless America, but more especially, God Bless its whiskey, beer, food, writers, music and culture. It's so damn good to be alive . . .
Marilyn Monroe

If one were to select a series of images to represent the 20th Century then Marilyn would unquestionably feature. Marilyn Monroe was the All-American sex goddess, a superstar legend with magnetic energy so strong she captured the world. Her on-screen appearances paralleled the role she played off-screen. From Gentlemen Prefer Blondes in 1953 to Some Like It Hot in 1959, Marilyn was the silver screen diva of desire. Although always seemingly in control, Marilyn feared the public. This was understandable, particularly in the later years of her life, as the pressure to perform increased. In the end, Hollywood s most luscious bombshell died in her sleep at the age of 36.
James Dean

In the space of five short years Dean rocketed from obscurity to the very pinnacle of his profession with unforgettable roles in East Of Eden and Rebel Without A Cause. On September 30th 1955 Dean was driving at over 100mph, crashed his Porsche Spyder 550 into a telegraph pole and was killed instantly. Ironically, Dean had just made a safe driving commercial with the warning "Remember, drive safely because the life you save may be mine". He lives on through the magic of movies.
Humphrey Bogart

According to Entertainment Weekly, Bogart is the greatest movie star of all time. His universal appeal was cemented with the most famous leading actor role in cinematic history in Casablanca. The scene between Bogart and Ingrid Bergman is a piece of love scene lore ingrained into movie history. The American Film Institute recently named this masterpiece as one the best films of all time. 1999 marks the centennial anniversary of Humphrey Bogart's birth. So strong is Bogart's position in American culture, this event is being commemorated with a 100th Anniversary logo on numerous products in the US.
Life s A Beach

HOW MANY times have you said it? If only Tallaght had a beach.
Well, on July 4th it will do as Di Maggio s Restaurant & Cocktail Bar celebrates Independence Day with the mother of all beach parties. Thirty tons of golden sand are being brought in for the bash which gets underway at 5pm and runs until the wee small hours of the morning.
Jollying things along will be the Statue of Liberty, the King of the Limbo, copious amounts of Budweiser and Joe s Chef, who ll be barbecuing delicious All-American food.
Not only that but there s a chance to meet the sensational LA Valley Girls and bronzed hunks, The Beach Boyz.
Beachwear is essential, so kick off your shoes and take a walk on the wild side!
The Beach Party of The Decade takes place at Di Maggio s Restaurant & Cocktail Bar, The Plaza Hotel, Belgard Road, Tallaght. Phone (01) 462 4200 for more information.