Various things have happened this week, too; I spent an evening in the company of two old school friends playing catch up with some bottles of fizz, which was brilliant. Unfortunately the same night, we were thrust back into the 90's with the news of a dissident republican attack at the Massarene barracks in Antrim which resulted in the deaths of two young soldiers.
Then on Monday, I toodled along to the Ulster Hall for the first time in years. I actually can't remember what I was there for last. Anyway, a plethora of local talent had been harvested for the occasion, each to play one of their own songs and a cover of a track by a band they themselves have had the pleasure of seeing in the Hall. I had the pleasure of knowing a fair few of those involved in acts performing, which makes me simultaneously swell with pride and feel like a big talentless lump. I particularly enjoyed The Lowly Knights (splendid version of The Divine Comedy's 'Something for the Weekend'), Cashier No 9, Foy Vance, The Panama Kings (great cover of Ash's 'A Life Less Ordinary'), FWW/Jetplane Landing, and Neil Hannon who made my cheeks hurt from smiling at his rendition of the Pixie's 'Gigantic'.
Segue to arriving home to the news that a PSNI officer had been shot dead in Craigavon. I mean, fuck. Aren't we done with this crap? I did, however, take heart from seeing Peter Robinson, Martin McGuinness and Hugh Orde stand together on the steps of Stormont to condemn the attacks together - if they are going to provoke any reaction, a show of political solidarity like this is a refreshing first for Northern Ireland, rather than a thoughtless reactionary Loyalist hit-back. In the days following these awful killings, there have been reports of bomb scares, car searches, funerals; all the muck we used to be accustomed to. I only hope that this is as bad as it gets, and that we can all be fucking adult about this. Deep breaths, everyone...
And most excitingly, my friend Bethany gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Milo Robert Bradley. I can't wait to meet him - I have been moderately broody since being introduced to a Service User's 4 day old, 3 week premature daughter in work last week. So tiny, and perfect, helpless and hopelessly dependent. Babies are amazing, incomprehensible, perfect beings. Please don't fret though, I am entirely happy hogging cuddles with other people's babies for now.
Other things of note:
- 'Roast me a chicken and give me a bubble bath'
- If you put a pillow on him, he will go to sleep
- CC - 'Right, there are too many people in this office.' CL - 'Byee'
- I miss toilet paper
- 'Dammit, I'm just so complex'
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