Adrian Phelan

Welcome to my blog

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

Posted on January 31, 2026 by Adrian Phelan

Adrian Phelan

Post 18

Welcome to this week’s blog

Blog

AI proper roasting

I know it shouldn’t feel like an event when I cook, but I did another roast gammon on Sunday, and it was delicious. Practice makes perfect is not a lie. It’s fair to say I had to cook over the stated times on the pack, and what AI had told me, however the latter helped me make perfect roast potatoes, veg and Yorkshire puddings. AI might take our jobs, but it certainly does help make the perfect roast; and a decent sticky toffee pudding too.

Season’s greetings in the rain

The animals were roaming in pairs where I live, on Tuesday. It was a horrendous walk to the station. And very cold as well. We’re prone to flooding and I once had to take my shoes and socks off to get under the railway bridge, which frequently becomes a natural paddling pool. If you ever see me doing that when it hasn’t rained however, just politely smile, and move on

But we’re in the last week of January now, and before we know it, it will be Valentine’s Day, then St Patrick’s Day, Easter and can I take the opportunity to wish you a Happy Christmas for next December. The pubs and restaurants will be advertising it in six months. The turkeys usually arrive in our local farm shop in August with a couple of them getting nervous around Thanksgiving. But enough about that for now, I haven’t yet moaned about there being Easter eggs in the shops already. Although I did spot a Maltesers one I have my eye on if you’re buying.

The film bit

I saw ‘Is This Thing On?’ on Friday. It’s good. I read two, three-star reviews in advance, and three stars is a fair rating, compared to other films that have come out this season. I think it loses two stars because it is a bit disjointed, and the jokes that the main character tells in his stand-up routines are a bit odd. Again, it’s not one you have to see at the cinema. But it will make for good viewing when it comes on d’telly at Christmas.

Dentist

I went to the dentist on Wednesday. I have more fillings than teeth, so there’s very little actual tooth matter left to treat. Because of that I haven’t needed a filling for a few years, and I thought I might have needed one this time because of a slight chip. But it was too small to be a concern for now. However, I did get the sales talk on my future options; one of which being an £800 crown which could also by its very nature lead to the requirement for root canal treatment. However, where it is, I think a basic silver filling will do. For now. It will fit in with the other 20 I have.

I Swear, The Traitors is good

I was listening to Irish breakfast radio this week and there was a report of complaints to the BBC in Britain about the amount of swearing there is in the Irish version of The Traitors. The long and the short of it is that you will never get 30 Irish people together and not have swearing. We can’t help it. And we’re not British.

When the smoking ban came in in Ireland (the first country in the world to introduce it), all people spoke about for a year was the smell of BO and stale farts. England just didn’t have that problem. You’re too polite. If anything, you farted less in public when the smoking ban came in.

So, I’m not surprised about the swearing, and I’m not surprised about the complaints either. It’s what makes us different, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Do Good Well

World Interfaith Harmony Week caught my eye today so I’m promoting it in this week’s charity section. I love the description which says, Spreading harmony and tolerance between the world’s religions and those with no faith.

I’m the latter but value diversity so if you can support in any way, please do.

Thank you thank you

As ever, if you haven’t scrolled on before this bit, then thank you.

I hope you’re enjoying the posts and if you are, please have a think if there is anyone in your network who needs capacity in my skills area. Here is my CV,

I will see you next week.

Adrian

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23 January

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

16 January

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

9 January

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

2 January

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

26 December

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

20 December

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

12 December

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

5 December

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

28 November

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

21 November

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker

14 November

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker

7 November

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker

31 October

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker

24 October

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker

17 October

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker

10 October

Adrian’s All – Fairy tales of a jobseeker

3 October

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

Posted on January 24, 2026 by Adrian Phelan

Adrian Phelan

Post 17

Welcome to this week’s blog

Slightly long (but worth it) film bit

We’re a day late again this week but for good reason. What a Friday! I went to see Professor Brian Cox at a theatre I can see from my office and was able to squeeze in a film before the 7.30 start at a cinema I can also see from the office. With work it meant I was on my arse for 13 hours, but what an arse.

The film was ‘Saipan’, which I’m sure has some of you scrolling away but for any Irish in Britain (It came out in the UK yesterday but has been out in Ireland for a month) who remember the Keane/McCarthy Saipan saga I ebbed and flowed on my opinion during the screening, but concluded it was good, and worth seeing. Eanna Hardwick played Roy Keane well and let’s face it, there probably isn’t a bad Steve Coogan film, and he plays Mick McCarthy. A chance to lay a few ghosts to rest I feel.

I’ve seen six of the films nominated for best film at this year’s Oscars which I’m chuffed about. I haven’t watched Frankenstein yet, but I think that’s on Netflix. Year after year I look at the list and think, I’ve not seen one of them, so it’s great to have a few under my belt and I’ll try and tick a few more off before the big night. I think Sinners has the most nominations and for pure wtfness it’s probably the one to watch if you want a flavour of this year’s big hits. Hamnet is good too but you can watch that on the telly later down the line as I said in last week’s blog.

The cleverest man in Britain apart from Stephen Fry

What a man Brian Cox is. If there’s anyone who knows the size and composition of the universe, it’s him. He’s doing try-out nights in advance of his arena tour kicking off in the autumn so to see him from the third row of a 500-seater was a privilege. In the spirit of the work in progress, I won’t give too much away about what he has planned, but there is a nod to his musical side, with one of those 80s piano/guitar thingys making an appearance. If you’ve ever been to Prague as well, you might recognise some of the visuals but that’s all I’ll say for now.

A bum note

It’s a slow news week so I’m going to moan about tinnitus. Out of nowhere it’s just ambushed me. It’s like the love child of a tuning fork and the sound of static from an old tv. I’m guessing it’s connected to wearing a headset for 35 hours a week so a nice gift from my interim gig (which I am still grateful for by the way). But the ringing is constant, and loud so if you have any tips for blocking it out, let me know. And I won’t believe it’s connected to beer consumption.

We’ll take a cup of kindness yet

I went to a Burns night in the restaurant at my local college on Thursday. The whole thing was run by the students, and it was excellent. There were cocktails and mini burgers on arrival and then four courses, all for a reasonable price. I didn’t have any tartan on but one of our party did, and I spotted at least one kilt. I do hope for his sake that he wasn’t too traditional with his choice of underwear. It was a bit cold. But bravo to the students. It really was wonderful.

The job bit

I learned a harsh job lesson this week. I was planning to apply for a role that was pulled before I had a chance to get my application in. There was no end date in the advert, and I missed it by a couple of hours. I certainly won’t dilly dally in future.

I had a good career chat on Monday though with one of the leading pharma companies. I know where I could fit in well for a role in the pharma industry. I just need hard work to meet a bit of good fortune to make it happen.

I carry on Here, once again is my CV.

Having my ears raised

I’m at that stage where the indicator for needing a haircut is more about how bushy my eyebrows have gotten as opposed to the length of my hair, which increasingly wants to show-off the quality of my scalp. I used to get dandruff when I was younger but even that can’t be asked anymore, because of the lack of coverage.

I mention the hair thing as part of the build-up to turning 50. I’ve always been grey, so the only place I am visibly aging is in my face (I still have a great body). The main manifestation of that is just below my chin where fish could now easily be stored.

I’ll try and keep the ageing moans to a minimum, but as The Rolling Stones sang, ‘What a drag it is, getting old’.

Do Good Well

I didn’t have a plan for the charity bit this week so arbitrarily I’m signposting to Race Against Dementia Day which took place this week.

A bit more about Race Against Dementia:

Founded by Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, after his wife Helen’s frontotemporal dementia diagnosis, Race Against Dementia funds early-career researchers to accelerate progress towards a cure for dementia.

With over 55 million people affected globally and someone diagnosed every three seconds, Race Against Dementia is taking immediate action to drive significant breakthroughs and develop leaders in the field.

Do support if you can.

Goodbye and thanks

As ever, think if me if your projects need any extra capacity. Here is my CV.

Thanks for reading the blog and I will check in again next week.

Adrian

Connect with me on Facebook and:

Instagram: @adrian_phelan1

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16 January

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

9 January

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

2 January

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

26 December

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

20 December

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

12 December

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

5 December

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

28 November

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

21 November

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker

14 November

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker

7 November

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker

31 October

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker

24 October

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker

17 October

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker

10 October

Adrian’s All – Fairy tales of a jobseeker

3 October

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

Posted on January 17, 2026 by Adrian Phelan

Adrian Phelan

Post 16

Welcome to this week’s blog

It’s mid-January and you’ve probably said at least once this week, ‘Can you believe it’s two weeks since New Years’? But the year is up and running and I hope everyone is doing ok so far. As it’s what they call Blue Monday in a few days, I’m going to jump straight into the charity bit. Hold on to your credit card bills and grab a cuppa!

Do Good Well – Brew Monday

I came across Brew Monday earlier this week. It’s on 19 January and is described as a day when the mental health charity Samaritans encourages people to connect with someone they care about over a cuppa and a catch up. The aim is to transform “Blue Monday” into an opportunity for conversation, and support. You don’t have to restrict it to one day of course. There’s never a bad time for a chat.

I’m not a hot drink drinker so I’m rebranding it to ‘Diet Cola Monday. I’ll meet you by the vending machine. Remember the card option sometimes doesn’t work.

91 January

Following on from Blue Monday, it’s not with fondness that I remember being paid monthly when January came around. Particularly when December’s pay came early. It really did feel like a long month. I’ve never stared at a calendar more than I have done in January. It was also always a month when because of poverty I had to endure my own cooking as well. When payday finally came, I would reward my austerity by blowing all my wages in the first week and be skint again. Rinse and repeat.

The film bit

I can’t let the blog pass before mentioning Hamnet. We saw it last Friday. It lived up to the reviews I’d read in advance. Most gave it four out of five stars. It doesn’t lose a star for acting though, just a slight chink in the story. Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal were both excellent, and the children who acted in it were also rightly praised for their performances. It was shot in Herefordshire which doubled up as Stratford, with the National Trust providing some great properties for housing locations. The grand finale is set unsurprisingly at Shakespear’s globe which they recreated at Elstree Studios so highlighting a local achievement there. Moral is, go and see it, however it is one that you could also enjoy on d’telly.

I saw the second 28 Years Later this week as well. I’m torn because I want to recommend fans of the film series close the loop and go and see it, but it is very violent and gory so not an easy watch. When I see what makes a 15s movie or TV show these days, I often wonder what the threshold is to an 18s and this is definitely an example of what that would be. I’m known for raving on about Ralph Fiennes. I think he’s a great actor. However, Jack O’Connell is fast-becoming one of my favourite actors as well. Good in the Amy Winehouse movie, great in Sinners and now great in this too. I can’t wait to see what comes next from him.

I’ll be there for you

We had friends over from Australia this week who we haven’t seen for a number of years. Their once-small kids are now teenagers and we’re all knocking on the door of 50. But what a lovely time we had. The gap in get-togethers meant nothing to the friendship. We may as well have seen them last week. The same applies to a couple of other friends I saw in 2025 after a long time. A good, positive friendship will always endure time. So, 2026 could be the year for it. If you’ve been putting off getting back in touch with someone just do it. Facebook updates are no substitute for the real thing.

Nuts are we…

I went to the Masters Snooker in Ally Pally this week. The blog is normally a sport-free zone but allow me to indulge my hidden Hilda Ogden (Respect if you get that reference) for a sentence or two.

There are very few arenas where being on your mobile phone is disrespectful, and if the cinema is one, then being at a live snooker match is certainly another. You are forced to be in the moment. Snooker is also a largely unpredictable sport. A frame could last ten minutes, or an hour. You’ll never know. And even though it’s not something you might watch week in week out like football, at the Masters, you are guaranteed to see a match between two of the world’s best players. The view across London from Ally Pally is also stunning – particularly at night – and I’m looking forward to that too.

Running

I did the Parkrun on Saturday. First of the year. It was congested but I managed to trundle around in just over 27 minutes.

I ran 10k on Tuesday as well. I probably burned the equivalent of about two Bourbon creams in calories but I’m glad I did it. I still don’t need the belt on the trousers.

This is a short section, but I wanted to take the opportunity to signpost to the Parkrun website If you want to get into running, find one near you and get involved. If you’re doing Couch to 5k, it’s the perfect place to celebrate your achievement.

I hope to see you at one soon.

Goodbye and thanks

I haven’t forgotten the original reason I started the blog. It was to be a companion as I secured my next substantial role so as you’ve stuck with it, I will say that there will hopefully be a couple of positive updates next week.

As ever, thanks for your support. Do have a quick look at and share on my CV and keep me in mind if you think I could add capacity to any of your projects.

Adrian

07974669338

adrianphelan@hotmail.co.uk

LinkedIn.com/adrianphelan

Connect with me on Facebook and:

Instagram: @adrian_phelan1

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Threads: adrian_phelan1

9 January

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

2 January

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

26 December

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

20 December

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

12 December

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

5 December

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

28 November

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

21 November

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker

14 November

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker

7 November

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker

31 October

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker

24 October

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker

17 October

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker

10 October

Adrian’s All – Fairy tales of a jobseeker

3 October

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a jobseeker

Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

Posted on January 9, 2026 by Adrian Phelan

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

07974669338

adrianphelan@hotmail.co.uk

LinkedIn.com/adrianphelan