Adrian Phelan

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Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

Posted on August 16, 2026 by Adrian Phelan

Adrian Phelan

Post 45

Eclipse of a kind

I’m starting this bit with a note on the kindness of a stranger who gave me their eclipse glasses on Wednesday as they headed home just after the peak. I got to experience most of it through the glasses which was great, and I am very thankful for that. Whoever you are you spread more than a little bit of happiness.

I have to say, there were a lot of expectations not managed well regarding the eclipse. There were so many people underwhelmed. The long and the short of it was that without the glasses the sun was never going to look much different. In terms of my experience both the light and the temperature dropped significantly in the open field where I was, creating a definite hue. As it ended, the temperature shot back up again and the blue sky returned. You can see the contrast at the top.

So in summary, I say eclipse 1-0 naysayers. I was less than impressed with the eclipse in ’99 myself, but now I say, ‘silly me’.

Open mic

Perhaps I need a personal eclipse or epiphany but I’m a bit disillusioned with the lack of music nights locally, places where singer songwriters can play their own tunes. So I was very happy that on Thursday I stumbled upon an open mic night where no fewer than five original songs were performed by two separate artistes. And good songs they were too.

I understand why covers are appealing. At the end of a hard day, we don’t necessarily want to sit in a pub listening to loads of songs we’ve never heard before, but I think there must be a platform that is explicitly and exclusively for original music. I know I should put my money where my mouth is so if anyone is up for collaborating on this, let me know.

50 days to 50

From one showcase aspiration to another, at the time of writing, I’ve done 5 posts in the 50 days to 50 series signposting to The Big Issue, The Best Before Cafe, Dementia and Parkinson’s charities in the UK and Ireland and Black History Month.

Viewing numbers are modest compared to some of my posts (I regularly get over 1,000 views) but the frequency will have something to do with that. However, I am not deterred. I am always learning and optimistic I can keep the momentum building, up to 29 September. Self-indulgence will not be dead while I’m alive. Again, if there is a good cause that you would like me to promote then get in touch.

The filim bit or lack there of

Talking about live entertainment, I haven’t been to the cinema for a while, which is unlike me, however I checked in with my brother and one or two others and The End of Oak Street should be the next one on the list. If you’ve seen it, let me know what you think. There’s also a Scorsese season on at my local cinema so I’m keeping an eye on what’s on for that.

Talking about turning 50, Taxi Driver turns 50 this year and so does Rocky. I was in good company in 1976. My Dad was a boxing fan and I’m hoping it’s just a coincidence that with Rocky coming out when I was born, that I was given the same name as his wife. Everyone in my youth thought they had the best Rocky impression. For years people thought my first name was ‘Yo’. We did love all the Rocky films, however. They keep coming and that’s no bad thing.

(The Graduate has just come on the telly and I’m quite enjoying it I have to say)

Do Good Well – Daffodil Day in Australia

The blog gets read all over the world and my search for a good cause this week has taken me to Australia. It’s the Cancer Council’s Daffodil Day next Friday, 20 August. The campaign is asking people to take a cold dip in an ocean, lake, river, pool, or even a bath to raise vital funds for Australians affected by cancer. Similar perhaps to the ice bucket challenge we all did a few years ago.

If you don’t live in Australia (including those who are currently there for a year of debauchery), maybe consider donating to your local cancer charity.

Goodbye and thanks

Right now, even I’ve lost count of what issue we’re on now. I think we’re in the mid-forties. It’s possibly only my family reading at this stage so to each of you I say thanks. This blog and related projects remains the bridge to my next substantial role whatever that will be. As ever, do keep my CV on file and contact me if you need any extra capacity for your projects.

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Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

Posted on August 10, 2026 by Adrian Phelan

Adrian Phelan

Post 44

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.

Read, Meeting Friends by Stuart and a selection of his poems.

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.

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Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

Posted on August 2, 2026 by Adrian Phelan

Adrian Phelan

Post 43

The .com generation

I’ve taken the plunge and bought my domain name which means you should no longer see random ads in these blog posts. I also have access to new features so as the weeks go on, I’ll look to continue to improve the look and feel. If anyone has any tips or expertise and you’re feeling generous then do share.

To all the other Adrian Phelans out there (now cringing and hiding their heads in shame), I will try and do our name proud. Chances are the domain will be up for grabs again in a year. I’ll let you know.

Falling Slowly – Goodnight Glen

I’m typing this just a few hours after the news broke about the tragic death of Glen Hansard. Non-Irish readers might remember him best as the guitarist in The Commitments, but he was far more than that to most across the Irish sea. I managed to listen to a bit of Liveline on RTE during my lunchbreak which was just one drop in an ocean of love that was outpoured for the Ballymun man throughout the day. It would be pretentious of me to say I was a fan of The Frames or his solo stuff – I was lukewarm on both – but I did view him as an elder statesman of Irish music, or maybe even just an elder statesman of Ireland. It is unbelievable that he has died so suddenly, so young, and I hope his family get all the love and support they need.

You led the sing-song Glen and for you the night will always be young.

The filim bit – does whatever a spider can

And so, to Spiderman – Brand New Day with Tom Holland in the lead role again which came out last week. The ages in our party watching were 49 (me) 15 (older son) and 13 (younger son). I thought it was good, younger son thought it was his second best turn as Spiderman behind 2019’s ‘Far From Home’ and eldest popped it towards the bottom of the ratings but still thought it was good.

There are some great characters in this one. Jon Bernthal as the very alpha combined friend and foe The Punisher is particularly good, as is Sadie Sink whose character Jean Grey is the nemesis whose unusual superpowers weave through the movie dictating the pace. Peter’s old pals Ned (Jacob Batalon) and MJ (Zendaya) return providing the friendship and romance that are key ingredients for the franchise.

It’s 2 hours and 25 minutes long which is not far off Odyssey proportions, but a lot is packed in.

For me, cinema was the winner with this one. Ours was full and I love that. Don’t wait for this one to come out on TV.

One and one

How good are fish and chips! We don’t have them very often because they’re not the cheapest on the takeaway menu, but my word we had them on Friday before the cinema and they were delicious.

Preferences tend to be different depending on where you live. For example, in Dublin, I would only ever have smoked cod; In Leeds – where I lived for four years – Haddock; and down here in the south of England, fresh cod.

Our local fish and chip shop here in Hitchin, Polcaros, nails it every time. The size can sometimes be modest, but when they taste that good, size doesn’t matter.

A quick look on Macari Google tells me, ‘Fried fish first arrived in Britain via Sephardic Jewish immigrants from Spain and Portugal, who prepared pescado frito — white fish coated in flour and fried in oil. This method was brought to English port cities as early as the 17th century, becoming popular in London and Manchester.

Sometimes fish and chips can taste quite good when you prepare it yourself so if you’re deciding what to have for tea tonight, perhaps I’ve decided for you.

Don’t be shy with the salt and vinegar.

Do Good Well – Love Parks Week

I spotted a post on my work intranet for Love Parks Week | Keep Britain Tidy and I thought it was a great idea. It’s an ‘annual campaign celebrating parks and green spaces, the people who care for them, and the countless benefits they bring to people, communities and our planet.’

Check your borough council website for events happening locally or perhaps just a simpler call to action is just to get out there and enjoy your local park, and keep it tidy.

This is one of my favourite campaigns this year.

Goodbye and thanks

It’s been a week of mixed emotions, lovely time spent with friends and family, but sadly saying a sudden goodbye to Glen Hansord, a national treasure.

Grief of course is the price we pay for love, and I have to say it’s a fair deal.

I hope like me you’re glad to see the back of the ads, and I’ll see you next week for more.

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Adrian’s All – fairy tales of a beta male

Posted on July 26, 2026 by Adrian Phelan

Adrian Phelan

Post 42

Me mind’s been bent on rambling…

I have a saying, ‘It’s always Friday, it’s always Monday’, because the weeks pass by so quickly, and we always seem to be in one of those days.

We’ve just entered the summer holiday as well, marking the end of another academic year. Life continues to pass by in a flash.

So I think it should be savoured, which is one of the reasons I write this blog and do a few little pieces on social media. For me it sticks markers in the things that have been important in the week.

My family – and I’m sure yours too – fawns over rare old photos of ancestors. But we now have the technology to allow generations of our families to engage with each other and I want to make the most of that.

However, with AI there we will probably need a new TV show called ‘Who do you think you aren’t?’

I hope you enjoy this week’s issue.

The filim bit

I saw The Odyssey this week. I did a brief video blog on it and one or two reacted to say they’d heard it wasn’t that good. At the risk of sounding defensive, the filmmaking has been described as ‘extraordinary’ and I wouldn’t disagree with that; but I know that doesn’t mean everyone will enjoy it. I think you would be hard pushed not to appreciate it on merit, however. I knew little about the overall story before watching but that didn’t matter. It is a cinema ‘event’ not to be dithered over until it gets to TV at Christmas. I didn’t watch in Imax and I’m not sure how much that mattered, but in for a penny…

Whatever way you watch it, get down to the cinema before it goes.

I’d love to hear what you think.

Hurley Burghley House

We visited Burghley House in Stamford for a 50th birthday this weekend and it was a stunning spot to spend an afternoon. We live near Knebworth House and the architecture at Burghley House had similar vibes, but the surrounding setting was very different.

To add to the atmosphere the venue was hosting an Ibiza classics event that evening and throughout the afternoon concert goers arrived, dressed to the nines and wheeling trolleys full of refreshment to see them through.

Several of our good friends from Hitchin made the trip up, so for the day it was our home away from home.

What we saw of Stamford itself looked lovely; a monotone limestone medieval vibe. We popped to a hotel called The George, for a quick drink and it was a lavish setting. A great way to round off the afternoon.

I haven’t done a friends bit one for a while so glad to report on this.

Happy birthday Rosie. All the cool kids were born in 1976.

T’All Ireland

Every sports entry in this blog begins with the line ‘This is largely a sports-free zone’, but I’m writing on the morning of the men’s All Ireland football final between Kerry and Mayo. One of the most profound moments in my life was the first time I walked into Croke Park. It was 1990 and Meath were in the minor and senior Leinster finals on the day, so the ground was full early and the roar from the Hogan Stand was something I’ll never forget. The Dubs didn’t win that day, but for me the sport did. I don’t think I missed a Dubs match for the next five years, which is when I moved over to the UK.

I swung that back to me but want to wish Mayo and Kerry and all their supporters all the best for the final. I know that every Irish pub and cultural centre up and down the UK will have events to celebrate it. I hope everyone has a great day.

Update: Mayo certainly did. They won, ending a 75-year wait. There’ll be no work done in the wesht tomorrow. I would always want Dublin to win of course, but under the circumstances I am happy for them.

Parkrun at 40

I did my 40th Parkrun at the weekend. It was another toughy but I finished it, albeit in the modest time of just over 30 minutes. It’s exactly a year since I did my first sub-25-minute run (In Torbay in Devon) and I have done one or two since, but I am not precious about the times. The spirit of the parkrun is taking part, and it will take a lot to keep me from a start-line somewhere at 9am on a Saturday morning.

If you’re doing a couch to 5k programme, there is no better way to mark your achievement so do look for a parkrun near you.

Do Good Well

A quick one this week. I’ve dashed past the Great Ormond Street Charity stall at the station a couple of times this week to catch a train so if you can spare a few quid, do donate.

Goodbye and thanks

I don’t know why, but this has been the hardest of the 42 blogs to draft, making me a bit self-conscious about it. However, I got there in the end and as ever, I thank you for sticking with it. Do send my CV to all your contacts and I’ll see you next week.

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