Adrian Phelan

Post 44

50 to 50| Deal Days and Dave’s tunes| Jimmy Cricket| Gary’s desert| Legs eleven| International Youth Day| Goodbye and thanks| Social links| Links to past posts

50 days to 50  

10 August marks 50 days to 50 for me as I build up to the big day on 29 September. I wanted to find a way to be even more annoying, so I’ve decided I’m going to do daily micro video blogs plugging each one of the charities or good causes that we have featured in Adrian’s All up to now. 

I’ll start tonight and they’ll all be short, I promise. I will have space towards the end to squeeze in a few new ones so if you have a good cause that could do with a plug, get in touch.   

I do like to be by it… 

From good causes to good times. I’m writing this on my way back from Deal in Kent having spent two nights with an old college buddy.  

It was very cool down there. The weather was great and there was a real buzz around the restaurants and bars by the seafront.  

The ‘friends’ bit is a recurring theme in the blog and because of my friends down there I got to do a new parkrun (Walmer and Deal), visit a new football ground (Deal Town FC v Sutton in the FA Cup) and eat and drink in some of the nicest bars and restaurants in the southeast. Saturday night was rounded off with a glass of port and a bodhran lesson from local musician Stuart Smith. It really was a top weekend.  

On the way back to Herts, I stopped off at a gig in North London being curated by an old friend and it was great. If you’re ever in the mood for a shot of Americana, check out Dave Sutherland and Dom Glynn. They put on a top show.  

There’s more  

From country music to a fellow countryman, I was sad to hear Jimmy Cricket has died, aged 80.  

He stood out from other comedians of his time because his material was always clean, making him accessible and quite commissionable for TV. Part memory and part Google reminds me that his act regularly featured him reading humorous letters from his Mammy back in Ballygobackwards. His character may have been very much the bachelor but in real life he was married with four children. It also strikes me how different he was to Frank Carson, his fellow compatriot showing that resonance takes on many guises.  

Have a GOD moment with Gary O’Donoghue 

I’m getting through the backlog of Desert Island Discs and while I was out for a run the other night, I took a chance on the one with Gary O’Donoghue, the BBC’s North America correspondent. I have to say I found it very moving. His story is fascinating and his life journey very touching, from his relationship with his parents to the friendships he formed and how he rose to be one of the most recognisable journalists on TV despite being blind. He also had good anecdotes and a good mix of tunes too.  

I think Lauren Laverne is the perfect choice of host for the show as well It was a great hour. Give it a listen.  

Bingo 

I stumbled on a small pub hosting a bingo night last Wednesday and although I was too late to join, in it was one of the most relaxing things ever listening to the guy reading out the numbers. I was mesmerised as they appeared on the big screen as well. It reminded me of being a kid at the local summer project when we had a rogue caller who would say things like, ‘All the sevens, 23’, which was hilarious when you were 12 but confusing at the same time. No one won anything. You couldn’t follow it.  

I work next to a Mecca and I’ve never been in. I’m tempted now I have to say.  

Do Good Well  

Wednesday, 12 August is International Youth Day. The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs says, “it raises awareness of the challenges and opportunities facing young people around the world and celebrates their role as essential partners in achieving sustainable development.”  

I’d never heard of the campaign before going rooting today, so I suppose the call to action is to read up on it and perhaps a new lens through which to view young people is on offer.  

Goodbye and thanks 

So I’ve launched 50 days to 50 and I hope the 50 good causes get a few clicks. To those returning to work from a summer break who might need extra capacity. Do keep me in mind. Here’s my CV.   

As ever, thanks for sticking with me and I’ll see you next week.  

Socially viable

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