Adrian Phelan
Post 52
50 to 1 shot
I’ve been rambling on about my birthday for so long now I think most people are relieved it’s here in hope that I will shut up. And I will. I’ll sign off the 50 to 50 thing and then we can all get on with our lives.
But I think it was worth doing. Clicks on the charity links in each blog issue have been modest so I wanted to make sure that even if we are not driving traffic to the sites, that people were aware that support is available if they need it.
I want to give a heartfelt special thank you to the organisations that engaged with my posts. It meant a lot and helped quieten the doubts I had about doing it in the first place.
It began as a ‘nothing ventured…’ labour of love and has concluded as something I’m very proud of. I might look and see how it can develop into a longer-term sustainable option.
For I’m a jolly good fellow
And so to my birthday itself which at the time of writing is tomorrow. Compared to the last two weekends it will be relatively low-key. I’ll have breakfast with the boys, then take a mid-morning trip to the cinema (Sense and Sensibility), then in the evening we’re heading to the local for some grub and a catch-up. Ok so there’s a bit going on but you’re only 50 three times.
Thanks to everyone once again who came to the Hamm in Hitchin, who came out at the weekend and to my amazing family. You have all spoiled me rotten and I truly am grateful.
JH
I went to a recording of Later… With Jools Holland on Tuesday and without spoilers on the artistes that featured it was one of the best live music experiences I’ve had in years. It was like The Kashmir Klub with cameras. I’ve always wanted to go to a recording, so I was fulfilling a long-held ambition.
To say it didn’t disappoint is a massive understatement. The crew was huge, the filming gear probably the slickest that money can buy and the quality of the music was unsurprisingly top drawer.
No notice of when it will be on telly, but I can’t wait to watch it.
You Too
So U2 celebrated their 50th anniversary in some style, with two surprise gigs in Dublin; one in their old school where they met and then an hour-long show in Grafton Street that evening. I was at the latter and it was brilliant. They did an 11-song set of greatest hits and new song Silencio.
Me and my brother made a day of it, doing a tour of their old haunts including Rosemount Avenue, Windmill Lane and The Dockers pub. But the highlight was undoubtedly the pop-up show. Grafton Street was suitably packed for it with people of all ages from all around the world.
Congratulations to the band. I say all the cool kids celebrated 50ths this week.
Do Good well
Your mission this week if you will indulge me is to go on to my Instagram channel and scroll through some of the videos I have done for the 50 to 50 and maybe click into the websites of one or two good causes. That would make me very happy. A special mention to the last one we did on suicide prevention. The links to the Ireland and UK charities are in the usual places.
Goodbye and thanks
So this is Post 51, the final in the first chapter. We have done a blog every week for 52 weeks except for the week my Dad died and like with the 50 to 50 I am very proud of that.
Again I need to thank everyone who has read some or all the posts and considered my CV.
Don’t forget I remain available for work and in the spirit of what the blog was set up for, I’ll leave it there.
Socially viable
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