Filed under: Belfast, Blogging | Tags: Belfast, Culture, CupCakeCamp, Twitter
The long-awaited CupCakeCampNI event took place today at Blick Studios on Belfast’s Malone Road. Despite clashing with Belfast’s visit from the Tallships, the event sold out well in advance.
Twitter pal, @doorofkukondo, (also known as Ciaran Madden) was the organiser of the event and through his energy, drive and enthusiasm, everything went swimmingly. Such was the interest in the cupcake phenomenon, that space soon ran out for displaying the hundreds of cupcakes that the various professional and amateur bakers brought along. Disaster was averted when permission was given to tuck in and space was quickly found!
Freshly brewed coffee was supplied to wash the confections down by @grib and his lady wife, with their @beanandgone business, and the posters (above) were designed and created by @davymac – both top men in their respective fields, thanks guys.
Many volunteers were on hand to support the endeavour, including @goodonpaper, @stuartgibson, @mynameisciara, @Peek-a-Bo0 and @bardsrad et al.
Filed under: America, Belfast, Culture, Entertainment, TV | Tags: America, Belfast, Culture, Entertainment, TV, US
I’ve just bought my tickets for David Simon’s talk at the newly reopened Ulster Hall at the end of this month. Great to see such a distinguished writer and director visiting Belfast. Really looking forward to it! I’m currently watching The Corner on DVD which features a lot of the actors later involved in The Wire. Quality acting.
Filed under: Cinema, Culture, Entertainment, Movies, Thoughts | Tags: Cinema, Culture, Entertainment, Film, Movies, Thoughts
Other than watching the original series from the 1960s, I’ve never had much interest in Star Trek. I know there are many Trekkie types out there, but it has never appealed to me that much. That’s why I am surprised that I’m really looking forward to the release of the new prequel coming this year. One of the great features of my iMac is the automatic downloading of film trailers up to 18 months ahead of their showing in the UK and the Star Trek trailer really looks good. One for my list!
Filed under: America, Bush Family Business, Culture, Life, Politics & Current Affairs, Society, Thoughts | Tags: America, Bush, Culture, Life, Obama, Politics, Society, Thoughts
That Obama chap seems to get everything just right! In another strangely fortunate turn of events, Chinese across the world are celebrating the Year of the Ox. The ox, one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, symbolises calm, hard work, resolve and tenacity. All qualities that Obama will need in abundance to undo the damage caused by his predecessor. The Year of the Rat was in 2008. I know who the rat symbolises but he’s away back to Crawford, Texas and obscurity hopefully!
Filed under: Books, Entertainment, History, Thoughts | Tags: Books, Culture, Entertainment, History, Thoughts
Best Christmas gift this year was this book by David Simon, creator of HBO series, The Wire. Riveting from page one! Getting through around twenty pages a night before the shutters fall. Should last for a few weeks yet!
Just finished this one, and it’s a great read too. Fick is a natural writer and conveys the action and sense of dread really well. Soldier’s-eye view of action in Afghanistan and Iraq – a welcome break from the politics of both wars. Free to any local reader in NI – just email and ask!
Another Christmas gift (via iTunes Gift Card), was Niall Ferguson’s Audiobook, War Of The World. I consider myself to be a bit of a history buff, especially about WWII, but there were numerous “new” bits of information to me. Over six hours of listening and fascinating from start to finish. Great for the drive to work.
Filed under: Culture, Entertainment, Thoughts, Weird & Wonderful | Tags: Art, Culture, Entertainment, Life, Thoughts
A fantastic and amazing performance – and she came second!
Filed under: Art, Culture, Entertainment, Life, Memories, News, TV, Thoughts, UK | Tags: Art, Culture, Entertainment, Life, News, Thoughts, TV, UK
Many of us remember with affection the TV programme from the Sixties and Seventies, Vision On. At centre stage, the immensely talented Tony Hart had us all enthralled with his skills and made art seem something within everyone’s grasp. Loved it! RIP
Filed under: Belfast, Culture, Entertainment, Fun, Life, News, UK, Weird & Wonderful | Tags: Belfast, Culture, Entertainment, Fun, Funny, Humor, Humour, Life, News, Weird
This just in from our Co. Tyrone correspondent:
This time of year is traditionally associated with high spirits as revellers welcome in another year.
However, a spirit of a different kind has been causing a bit of a commotion outside Coalisland in County Tyrone.
An apparent sighting of a ghost has led to crowds of people descending on the Brackaville area over the holidays.
“At one point, there was a line of up to 60 cars on the Mullaghmoyle Road with people trying to spot it,” said Sinn Féin Councillor Desmond Donnelly.
“It wasn’t just one night, it was going on for a week or so over the holidays. I’m not sure how it all started – I wouldn’t be one for ghosts, but you know how this type of thing spreads.
“If you ask me, it’s more likely to be a reflection of the moon on the river that flows through the area. Although the talk is that what was seen was in the shape of a person.”
Pat Hughes, speaking at the Central Bar in Coalisland, said the sighting had certainly got people in the town talking.
“Everybody’s been talking about it in the bar and it has also caught the imagination of young people,” he said.
“It has got to the stage where it’s a bit like a drive-in movie.”
As with these sorts of things, rumours about what was or was not seen quickly spread. It was claimed the apparition was a woman who had lived locally.
Warren Coates of the Northern Ireland Paranormal Research Association (NIPRA) said he was aware of “previous paranormal activity” in the area.
“It related to a phantom female hitchhiker, but if anybody down there would like us to investigate this latest sighting, we’d only be too happy to help,” he said.
SOURCE – BBC
Filed under: Belfast, Culture, History, Memories, News, Society, Thoughts, UK | Tags: Belfast, Culture, History, Memories, News, Nostalgia, Society, Thoughts, UK
Lots more interesting stuff from the BBC archives in this article about Christmas 1978. I especially love the old newspaper adverts and the reference to Stewarts Supermarkets, who I started working for in October 1979!
Here’s the link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7784524.stm
Filed under: Art, Culture, Society | Tags: Art, Culture, Poetry, Society
HUMAN BEINGS
Adrian Mitchell
Look at your hands
your beautiful useful hands
you’re not an ape
you’re not a parrot
you’re not a slow loris
or a smart missile
you’re human
not british
not american
not israeli
not palestinian
you’re human
not catholic
not protestant
not muslim
not hindu
you’re human
we all start human
we end up human
human first
human last
we’re human
or we’re nothing
nothing but bombs
and poison gas
nothing but guns
and torturers
nothing but slaves
of Greed and War
if we’re not human
look at your body
with its amazing systems
of nerve-wires and blood canals
think about your mind
which can think about itself
and the whole universe
look at your face
which can freeze into horror
or melt into love
look at all that life
all that beauty
you’re human
they are human
we are human
let’s try to be human
dance!
