Laughter in appropriate places

Listening now to And So I Watch You From Afar. It's playing at another festival that's taking place on the same weekend as Willowstone. I've heard about these guys and it's interesting music. Loud and guitary and critically acclaimed.

Here's another one of their videos.



And her they are again.



I first heard about them about six months ago. Anthony said his son was like their official photographer. They're the next big thing and they're going down in history, he told me. They're music is very loud, is all i can say. I can appreciate the artistry and the precision that's going into that sound, but yes, it is a wee bit noisy.

Anyway...

I began thinking about the future - not the distant one, but the one where Ghin goes to school. And we have to start preparing for that. Ghin screamed and yelled in the car back home when he was trying to get us to buy him his own sweets. Share, we told him. Share. Nope, he wouldn't have it. I want my own packet. Go back to the garage... it's funny, Ghin was born this way. Just full of fight and determination. Full of knowing what he wanted. Sometimes that's good. He will never be walked over. But it's almost as if the fire is so intense and has to be directed, tamed.

I also spent an evening with RSPB colleagues. They are such a bunch of NICE people. Good guys you know.

Still, i really have to wonder about the future of wildlife. The sixth great extinction they say, and there has never been as many RSPB members.

Today i called up this guy who was organising a festival in Banbridge. He had given the RSPB a space in it to recruit people. Do some publicity with him, i was asked.OK. So i called up and said, do you think you could give us a quote about why you're having the RSPB there? Yes, he said. There is another charity that will be there - the Samaritans. Honestly, i thought, sure they'll join up with the RSPB and discover how depressing things are with the environment and so they'll call the Samaritans. And then i started giggling. Like a 16 year old school girl. Heeheeheeheee.... and i thought, oh my god!!!! He must think i'm a pillock. I quickly put down the phone, after being as discreet as possible, trying to make a dignified exit, and then confessed to Tim... Tim.... please apologise to Aaron... i giggled at the Samaritans. He must think i'm a shithead.

But laughter in appropriate places... or inappropriate places... that's what i specialise in. Seeing the funny side.

We're going to see Charlie and Lola tomorrow. The family is. I think i'm looking forward to it.

This is the headline act for Willowstone. Now they are good. I saw them five years ago.



Although if truth be told, i think that the Banbridge line up is better. It's got Lafaro and Panama Kings... and but Willowstone have Cashier No 9. To be honest, Belfast is full of such incredible music. It's like a renaissance going on. But if truth be told, the music isn't why i'm going. I'm going for the company and the fun and the craic. And i like it that it's only down the road. See if it rains, i'm so outta there.

Last year i went to see Lisa Hannigan...



It was very good.

I was going to write something... but i forgot, oh yes, the fast is going well. Nothing until dinner time. Then i had a bottle of Tiger and a mussels with cream sauce and half a baguette. And then i went home and had an apple. But fasting is very interesting. It makes me occupy this strange inner space. A place where discipline is extreme and beautiful. It reminds me of being a teenager again, of digging deep and discovering.

And it makes me no longer think about food.

It's strange how little we can live on really. How very little. When this fast is over i'm going to seriously cut down on everything i eat. Much much much less.

How weird when i think teenager. Oisin will be one soon... and life will come full circle.