December 25th - 2006 Urbi et Orbi

9 am on Christmas morning. Family & friends; the Universe centres itself for one day. Thoughts of earlier Christmas days abound. Bieng the child, having children, bieng alone. Could there be another stage !!

Sligo town was so repressive yesterday evening.

So nice to ring Mike and Jim yesterday and know how positive relationships endure over time and carry such Joy. Just must plan that visit this year. Autumn time possibly. My dear friend Georgia is in my heart today. Her health is now declining for the first time ever. She will be 95 years old in the days after Christmas.

The day: Clara & Kevin for Mass and then Dinner, phone Emma + Cora, Joe & Pat + Felip & Rose for short visits, John @ the house and finally Paul & Berta. Action packed.

December 21st 2006 - Last day at work

Long tailback at Lahey delayed me on route to Ballyboffey. Diverted towards Castlederg and travelled through the lunar landscape at the back of the Barnesmore Gap. Amazing terrain. Late arrival with Peter but the stage had been set. The last day of a twenty year assignment. Mutual decision, proper and with great grace as always. Compelling assignment and many good things achieved. Will begin to write on this experience in January. Something deep healed within myself here. Also new threshold of living emerging at this time.

Donegal is my emotional heartland. The music of my life, experiences, love, friendships all are there. Will feature large in my next year of living.

December 20th 2006 - Carol singing for Amnesty

The streets of sligo were not exactly crowded but the gang were in good cheer. The reggae version of God rest ye merry gentlemen was a hoot. Reminded me of Grafton Street with Anne singing for Voluntary Services International. (1975 !!). Innocence and simplicity !!. Surrounded this time by beautiful women, John-the-Map, Shane dressed as a shepard. Good vibes alround.

Reminded me of my most unsocial ways throughout the year. It was good to meet up with all the folks and catch up on the modest happenings of our lives.

December 19th 2006 - Driving through mists

The trip to the big smoke was a success. Louis and Jim were in good form. The contrasting styles were from both sides of the spectrum. A well developed plectrum technique tripping across the strings (Louis) contrasting with a most unique thumb technique (Jim) that is the equal of Wes Montgomery at his best. Amazing. The crowd in J J 's deserve commentary too. Dedicated listners, regular dub's, guitar aficinados, middle ground livers,.. The road from Dublin was overlaid by fog. Johns fiesty driving and combative attitude made perfect sense on the open and near vacant road.!!!!!

December 18th 2006 - Upwards and Onwards

First entry into the blog. What follows, in these pages, will be open and as honest as I can be on the day. I hope it can provide the reader with some insight into who I am when I am not conforming to the expectations of others and honest to my self.

This day will be consumed with writing the final invoices of my business and a trip to Dublin to hear Louis Stewart and Jim Mullen perform in J J 's.

Music is such a delight and Louis an inspiration. John's (M) commentary that Louis is egoless when playing and an honest servant to the tunes he plays is a fitting discription of the performance idiom of this great artist.

More anon.

Zydeco Bill