Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

Adrian Phelan

Post 15

Welcome to this week’s blog

Someone reading this post will be the 1000th visitor. I know it’s not an exact science, but I’ll take the milestone nonetheless. The regular audience is starting to settle in. There are 1,400 views for those 1,000 visits so some of you are viewing multiple times. It’s not a huge audience but it’s interested and I’m grateful for that so thank you. The rest of you now cross the street when you see me coming and that’s fine too. I owe most of you money. Either way, here’s to the next 1,000. The more the merrier and you’re all very welcome.

Job bit

It’s six months since my contract ended which is a milestone. I spent some of the holidays in the library on the hunt and have popped in after work a couple of times this week too. There’s been lots of students with their noses deep in course work; home for the holidays and escaping the house for a few hours no doubt. With unlimited free online access on your own device and two hours a day access to their PCs, the library really is a valuable asset. [That read like a cheesy advert which was unintended] It helps that some have toilets too. There is one I use that doesn’t and I have on occasion lost the feeling in my legs trying to keep them crossed.

I continue to seek more certainty with my future so will keep going until I get that. We’re all into a new quarter so as ever, keep me in mind. Here is my CV.

Mine’s a Bourbon

I weighed myself again this week. The brief mystery of how I’ve put so much weight on was solved by an audit of the Bourbon creams I’ve gotten through over the last month. They have to go. I’m also not off the mark yet with the Parkrun this year so I need to sort that out as well. There’s no time like the present. I’m not doing Dry January, but I have cut back on the booze so hopefully that will help with shedding some pounds as well. My new suit is crying for mercy. If you’re doing anything interesting health wise in January that you’d like to share, send me an email at adrianphelan@hotmail.co.uk

Film bit

I went to see Marty Supreme at the weekend. Just give Timothée Chalamet the Oscar now. I think he was in every scene and had to work hard in each of them. I’m starting to think he gets the roles now that Leonardo DiCaprio would get if he was 20 years younger. I’d describe the film as a working-class Bond-esque caper with a couple of random cameos by Gwyneth Paltrow. Catch it while it’s in the cinema. It wouldn’t be as good on d’telly.

I’m seeing Hamnet tonight. There are strong Irish connections with the writing and acting of course. I’m wishing Jessie Buckley every success with the forthcoming awards season. Paul Mescal as well but he is a bit further on with his success.

As a quick TV/film addendum, we got the 1% question on the 1% club on Monday. In fact, with the help of our passes we got through the whole game. The 1% question was easy however and all the contestants got it. I’ll post it at the bottom of this blog.

Physical jerks and dainty bowling

I went bowling last weekend and I was rubbish. I usually have quite a dainty approach to throwing a bowling ball (picture that) so I thought I’d try something new and whack it this time. I came last. I’ve come to the conclusion that I have a subconscious leaning to the left. It didn’t matter which way I threw the ball, the bloody thing went down the left gully. I did have a couple of good hits but alas no strikes or spares. I’m reverting to dainty next time. More suited to a beta male, I think.

I played badminton as well mid-week. If my bowling is dainty, my badminton is anything but. These days my body swivels uniformly around just one axis. I’m very rigid, where I used to be quite bendy. But we had the chance to shoot some hoops in the hall as well which was fun. Basketball was my main sport as a child. The club I played for, Tolka Rovers is fundraising so their teams can compete in a European league. If you think you can help them out, you can send money to their Revolut Account .

Ice, Ice, baby

Imagine an alliterative word before ‘freezing’ and that’s what it’s been over the last week. I took down the outside Christmas lights at the weekend, and my hands are still out there. It wasn’t a job you can do with gloves, so it was pure pain.

But on the flip side it has been nice and sunny this week, and the wolf super moon has been spectacular. I think the one on Tuesday was the biggest I’ve ever seen.

It’s Thursday now and I take everything back as I wade home through the rain. I hope it’s short-lived, although the phone App says different.

A couple of years ago I fell over spectacularly in the icy snow; legs akimbo. I banged my head, and some said I was never the same again. So I’m quite wary of walking in the snow and ice now. Despite being careful, I very nearly ended up on my arse again last week. I had to do some kind of mash potato-style dance move to steady myself. I didn’t break anything thankfully, but I was a bit red-faced.

Do Good Well

2026 is National Year of Reading which is a vital campaign to tackle the steep decline in children’s reading. One of the leading charities supporting this campaign is Schoolreaders whose goal is for all children, regardless of background, to leave primary school being able to read well so they can go on to access their secondary education fully and maximise their future life chances. You can read all about the campaign on their website and if you’re in a position to, find out how to donate. The main campaign website also has more on what’s happening throughout the year and how you can get involved.

Bye for now and thanks

As ever, thanks very much for reading, particularly if you got this far. We’re 15 in now which is phenomenal.

Let’s see where it takes us.

Adrian

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adrianphelan@hotmail.co.uk

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