Adrian Phelan
Post 31
It’s your birthday| Remembering Dave| Extended filim bit| Mental Health Awareness Week| Social links| Links to past issues
I’m quite enjoying May so far. Birthday season has kicked off in our house and beyond, and the weather’s not too bad. The lavender in our front garden is also starting to show which is very exciting. I’m looking forward to that blossoming over the coming week. (What am I like!)
Make a wish
Speaking of birthdays, I was at two 50ths this weekend, both with connections to Leeds. The first was for an old course friend from London who I met on my first day at Leeds Met over 30 years ago. Top night, which like all these occasions was a reunion as well. The second was for a friend who grew up in Leeds but now lives in our town. Our families are close and we have both recently suffered bereavements, so it was nice to have everyone together.
Again, I’m glad to have the opportunity through this blog to highlight how important friendship is and this is certainly the week for it.
It was a wonderful life
On a similar theme I was honoured to attend the memorial for Dave Dix, who sadly passed away last year. Dave was a much-loved music all-rounder but will be remembered mainly for his skills as a sound engineer making many many up and coming music artistes sound amazing, giving them the best possible chance to shine in their live showcases. His talent along with his words of encouragement and industry insight has been a key part of the development of many who are gracing our airwaves today. He was also a cherished Dad, husband, partner and friend so it was an honour to be there to toast his memory.
A pleasant surprise on the evening was short performances by Dave Sutherland, Daniel Caner, Annabel Lamb, and Ash Grey, artistes who have had their lives touched one way or another by Dave. I hope it was some comfort to everyone who came to the memorial to see how much he was loved and respected.
The Filim bit
It can’t be a bad week when your biggest dilemma is wondering whether you have to have seen The Devil Wears Prada to enjoy The Devil Wears Prada 2. Any takers on that one? I’ve had mixed luck with the cinema this week. It’s always good to go and even better when it’s quite full, but Hokum (a folk‑horror story about a novelist who retreats to a remote Irish inn to scatter his parents’ ashes and becomes entangled in terrifying legends surrounding a witch that haunts the honeymoon suite) was a strange movie. It ticked most boxes to make a good, haunted house horror, but it was totally bizarre and, in the end, (spoiler alert) suggested that some of the experiences were down to hallucinogenic drugs. It’s well-acted though and worth a look at the cinema as opposed to on telly if you get the chance.
I cut my Hokum review short to squeeze in a few words about the Iron Maiden pic which I’m guessing was just out on a limited release. Of course it was one for the fans (and in my cinema they came in their t-shirts), but it was also an enjoyable watch for the likes of me who doesn’t really know their music. One thing you have to say is that they really put on a good show. And by their own admittance they are a bit shy so hide behind their visuals, but what visuals and that is all part and parcel of what has made them the legends they are. In addition, from what I saw today their songs are also good and what a voice Bruce Dickinson has. Up there with any opera tenor. I’m not on commission for plugging this but the concert at Knebworth is going to be something special if you were thinking about getting tickets.
Do Good Well – Mental Health Awareness Week, get involved
11-17 May is Mental Health Awareness Week. Mind is leading with the slogan, ‘Great mental health care is human’. They go on to say, ‘It’s the kind voice at the end of the phone when you’re worried about rent and too unwell to work. It’s the advisor who listens actively, rather than waiting for their turn to speak. It’s the therapist who talks through what’s happened to you, not what’s ‘wrong’ with you.’
If you’re in a position to support Mind, find out how you can get involved or donate, on their website.
Goodbye and thanks
I thought this week’s post was going to be shorter than average but it seems I didn’t have enough time to do that.
As ever, thanks for sticking with it. We’re into the 30s now and still going strong. My CV is here for your perusal, and I will see you next week.
Socially viable
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Past posts
2 May
26 April
12 April
5 April
29 March
22 March
15 March
8 March
1 March
21 February
14 February
7 February
1 February
23 January
16 January
9 January
2 January
26 December
20 December
12 December
5 December
28 November
21 November
14 November
7 November
31 October
24 October
17 October
10 October
3 October
Adrian Phelan 
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