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This afternoon I sat on the grass of the City Hall in the sun and read a book, during my lunch break. I have never done this before and it felt great. Part of my new plan to be a “better” person. Step one - read more. The last book I read was Johnny Depp: A Kind of Illusion. I only got 2 thirds of the way through, and this was exactly one year ago. I have lots of reader-type friends, who generally read a lot. Every time I see them reading or hear them talking about books, or if they ask me if I have read such and such a book I feel really dumb ‘cos I actually never read.
Okay so ‘never read’ is probably a bit wrong. I rarely read books of fiction. On the other hand I am constantly reading. I read a lot of stuff, blogs, news, articles etc. I buy a newspaper everyday, and although I don’t read all of it I read as much as I can get through in a day at work. Sometimes I take it home to finish reading, most of the time I can’t be bothered when I actually get home. If theres something that interests me I look it up, soon enough I will have spent 30mins reading about it from various sources, and as if by magic, I have pushed out some old knowledge for new.
I have a thirst for knowledge, especially of things that are now. I often live quite fast-paced. Always doing at least five things at once. I rarely sit on the grass and do nothing, although I do think about it often. When I walk down the street, I like to walk slowly. Life is often too fast, I like to keep my eyes open and watch how the people and things around us work. To put it another way, I wouldn’t often sit for hours with my head stuck in a book, blocking everything out. I often feel that I’m not being constructive when I do that. I prefer to be learning something by, for example, reading a non-fiction book, or doing something, when you have a million photographs, theres always one to play with.
So you get the idea - I’ve never been big on reading. Sitting in solitude with no music playing, reading a story about a world beyond our own. Well maybe its time to change that and see if it can last. Yes, for my next trick, I will spend less time at my computer and read more. It will be tough, but if everyone else can do it…
It happens every time I change my routine slightly (Bust my cycle as Ze would say). On Monday I spent the day at a friend’s house just chillin’. Watching movies and drinking lots of coffee. I didn’t use a computer. I didn’t take one photograph. But it was different. It was lots of fun. Unfortunately my non-readingness came up. Right then I said (to myself) “I am going to read a book… soon.”
Not wanting soon to turn into never, I decided to start today. It was another beautifully sunny day. I always imagine myself sitting in the park on a patch of grass alone (though most of the time not, but this is my imagination) reading a book. Today it came true. Alone, with my book, I read. Occasionally looking up to see other people munching their lunch, reading books, or just watching the world go by (the majority in that category were older men too…).
The book I have chosen to start with is one bought for me by my good friend Ronan 2 years ago as a Christmas present. “How to be Idle” by Tom Hodgkinson. I started to read it then, though I didn’t get too far. Now I have started again and read it on three separate occasions throughout the day. It felt good and I will do it again. Tomorrow!
Yesterday I got my wish. I went to the beach.
This has been going on for a good few weeks now - months even - a desire to see other parts of Northern Ireland. Partly the fault of Flickr, particularly the NI group where there are often great photographs by photographers (or people with cameras?) in other parts of the country, rather than just Belfast where I know. Having said that, the Belfast group is always filled with pictures of parts of Belfast I have never been to, or what is often the case, just wouldn’t go to.
So anyway - wanting to see other parts of NI is all well and good. But where, and how do I get there. So far I have thought of Carrickfergus and it’s castle. I haven’t been to Portstewart in 2 or more years, I will try and get up there over the summer, along with Portrush and Coleraine. I don’t really want to go back to Derry for a while - except to take a picture of the Seagate Technology facility, more to the point, the street name sign 1 Disc Dr. Yes, that’s what it says Disc Drive!
With all the great weather we’ve been having lately it suddenly occurred to me that the last time I was at the beach was in Rhode Island, in the US of A in the summer of 2005. As usual, thinking it was a great idea and that everyone else would surely agree with me and be queuing up to join me on my mini adventure. But, as usual, I was very wrong. A few laughs, a few ‘I’m busy staying in watching dvd/tv/doing something else. So I went on my own. This doesn’t bother me. I just can’t understand why anyone would say no.
The day came. I had been looking forward to it all week. Finally it was here. With a slight taste of alcohol on my breath from the night before, I got up showed and got the train at 13:20 from Botanic Station. I haven’t even been on a train in Northern Ireland in over 2 years, I wasn’t even sure what to do. Thankfully someone else went to the train before me and knew to push the button to open the door; they don’t all open here when the bus stops.
I took photos all along the way, as if I had never seen trees before, and everything else that passes the train on the way to Helen’s Bay; my chosen sandy destination.
Once I arrived I didn’t quite know where to go. So I went left, soon passing a sign that said “Welcome to Helen’s Bay”. I had left the town, but then just ahead was a sign that read “Crawfordsburn Country Park”. I knew there was a beach somewhere in here.
Eventually after walking around the woodland I found the sea and sand. I ran and jumped in the sand, getting much in my shoes.
After walking around for a few hours, getting sand in every orifice, I was tired and hungry. It was time to go home. Though I felt very satisfied.
Now to decide where to go next. I have a train timetable. It shall be put to good use.
On a lighter note… I notice this every day as I walk along the Lisburn Road. I kinda laugh.
Who would possibly refuse an opportunity to go to the beach? When mentioned generally you wouldn’t, would you? Okay so normally the question refers to a beautiful sandy beach in the south of France, or Spain, or maybe Italy, just generally somewhere that people often go for a holiday. Definitely not Northern Ireland.
Of course I would have to be different wouldn’t I. This time though it isn’t purely to be different. There a few reasons…
a - I haven’t been on a train in 2 years.
b - I haven’t been outside Belfast in a long long time, maybe even two years!?
c - I haven’t been to the beach in 2 years.
d - I want to take photographs of the beach
e - I want to take photographs of trains
f - Its sunny. Perfect time to go to the beach, right.
In reference to point ‘f’, I did think ’sun’ and ‘heat’ was what brought people to the beach, but I guess people native of Northern Ireland, or at least Belfast, only go to the beach between the months July and August and when they are not in Northern Ireland.
So enough repetitive nonsense. In short - I have crazy ideas, generally with motive of taking photographs and no one else is generally in the least bit interested in doing half of these things. Very few people really do things purely for the aesthetic reasons. Point being. No one wants to go to the beach with me. I didn’t expect anyone to want to join me and rarely do.
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Kitty and the Can Openers, fresh out of the practice room, where it seems they have all been locked for the last few months, had their second gig this evening in just as many days. Last night they got a last minute slot at a Knights of the Round Table gig in the Pavilion. The debut public performance for drummer Bongo John and I was quite pleasantly surprised by just how much of a difference it made. Ronan’s lyrics are great, Ciara’s singing, beautiful. Baselines, perfect. But the drumming just added another dimension to the band.
Then this evening, they played in Common Grounds Café. Not to say that the gig last night was not good, though I almost thought this was one better, but it could be due to the fact that it was in a quieter atmosphere where everything could be heard much better. It was awesome.
After we went for a few drinks. Planning on not drinking alcohol, I went to the bar and said, “A pint of Hard please.” Immediately after the words came from my mouth I remember I was going to not drink alcohol. At which point I decided my next drink would be water. Then a pint. Then water. Then a pint. By the time it came to my next drink, which should have been water, my watch read 00:59 - bar closing! I ended up getting another pint. Which I regret as I had to down it quickly when we were rushed out at 01:20 or so.
To end on a completely different note… White Stripes. Anyone in Belfast have any idea where this wall is?
I’ve bought a nice new lens, something most people would consider essential when my only lens at the minute is a fixed focal length (no zoom) 50mm. It is a great lens which I have had lots of fun with in the last 2 weeks and the f1.8 aperture works wonders, though it’s definitely not much good as my only lens.
Having a wide aperture is a necessity for producing quality photographs in the environments I like to frequent, mainly bars and dimly lit rooms, plus plenty of photographs of people - something I hope to do much more in the near future.
So a wide aperture is essential - but which lens to get. Having done some research I came to the conclusion that the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 will suit me, besides being within my price range. Hopefully it will arrive by Saturday (planned trip to the beach). Friday would be even better, but I don’t think that’s gonna be too likely at this stage. I even called Jessops, but of course, being the crap overpriced shop that they are, (thinking they’re great just ‘cos they have a bit of a monopoly), they don’t have it in stock on any shops (I didn’t even specify which, I just said “any other stores have it”), nor is it in the head office.
Friday would be a good day to have a wider lens as Kitty and the Can Openers have a gig in the intimate Common Grounds café. There’s no room to move about, so getting a good seat, not to close and not to far from the band is essential (ordering coffee 30mins before they get on is also essential). If you happen to read this and live in Belfast, do try and get to the gig!
Although each morning this week I have been pretty tired and not managed to get into work at 7:30am like I had planned to, Each evening has been lots of fun. Although Sunday is not the beginning of any week, I will start there anyway.
I woke up slightly hungover after a late night of cat photography.
Later I headed to my Grandparent’s house where I spent much of my time lying on the grass in the sun with a beer.
On Monday I played pool…
…followed by Boathouse and Mary’s Great Idea in Lavery’s Bunker. Having been almost a year since I last saw Boathouse, I had forgotten just how good they were, besides the fact that they have improved since then, often difficult when a band is so good already.
Tuesday, another gig, this time in Auntie Annies. This was was hard to beat. To start with, the very talented Geoff Gatt.
He was even joined on stage by the girl with the bestest voice, Ciara O’Neill…
The next act surprised me, though I should stop being surprised by the variety of music coming from Northern Ireland at this stage. Ruby Colley, a classically trained violist who uses pedal samplers to produce complex tunes that create a gradual build of wonderful classical sounds. The sound is mesmerising.
Finally, Catoan, previously known as Paddy McKeown through the fact that their excellent lead singer and songwriter is named so. Through a wonderful complexity Catoan produce brilliant tunes that I could definitely listen to more. Though we are still undecided whether it’s pronounced catoawn (the part after the ‘cat’ said faster) or catowan. I will have to get a copy of that ATL Sessions CD.
And that’s what I’ve been up to lately. Half way through the week. I’m looking forward to the long weekend.
(don’t forget to check my flickr stream for lots more photos, updated regularly)
These posts are becoming so few and far between, and to make matters worse all I want to write about is something that happened 2 weeks ago. Damn camera destroying my long run of great blog posts (shussh, I think so anyway!).
So as usual - I’m quite happy, its just a running theme at this time of my life I guess. Its sunny, I have a camera, I take photos, I go to work where I’m bored shitless and think of nothing but getting home to computer/photos/camera and I take more photos and go to gigs and meet people and hang out with friends blah blah. It’s all good.
Possibly the best gig I’ve been to in a long time occurred on Saturday 5th May. I should begin this little story by pointing out that I have a habit of getting a little starstruck when I meet famous people, though it has happened very rarely, so when I met Gary Lightbody, lead singer of Snow Patrol, I found it quite hard to contain myself.
This story starts with a nice little idea, or initiative, to help musical people in Belfast/Northern Ireland get started in getting their musical talents to a wider audience. Beginning with some powerful folk in Belfast such as Gary Lightbody, a building was found in the centre of the Cathedral Quarter in 2005, this building, when it is completed later this year (hopefully), will form the Oh Yeah project.
It measures 14, 500 square feet over three floors and will soon be home to rehearsal rooms, performance space, a café and office units to incubate new music businesses.
Back to the 5th May, this was the date of the first public viewing of the building, previously bonded whiskey warehouse. The purpose of the day was to allow members of the public to see the potential of the project for young musicians.
The building was filled with a buzz of anticipation of what this, almost surreal, idea can do to the local music community.
The top floor was filled with people involved in some way with music and musicians in Northern Ireland, including Alternative Ulster, Bruised Fruit Promotions, No More Art, Belfast Guitar Emporium etc.
A talk took place in the hall on the first floor with (from left to right) Stuart Bailie, dude from from Smalltown America Recordings, a woman from Down South and Paddy Glasgow, founder of the Glasgowbury festival.
The first performance of the day was by a talented guitarist, Thomas Leeb, with an unconventional technique of beating the crap out of his guitar in order to produce crazy sounds. The atmosphere throughout the whole day was very relaxed, as well as filled with a certain amount of excitement. People sitting on the floor enjoying the music and buzz.
Next were two local musicians who previously went by the name Pat and Nipsy, now with the addition of a drummer, have changed their name to The Fools. Though today they were minus this new recruit, so lets just stick with Pat and Nipsy?
After that performance everyone was ordered (not really) to leave the building and head to The John Hewitt to have a pint. Though one wasn’t expecting Gary Lightbody and James Nesbitt and friends to take the table to the immediate right. But lets not get all starstruck and annoy everyone…
A little later the fun really started. The secret exclusive gig that no one knew about was to start. The atmosphere was almost more tense than before. I was quite excited myself. Getting to the point, in running order;
The Fools/Pat and Nipsy (again, and still lacking drummer)
Paul Archer and The Burning Codes
Then things got really good.
Gary Lightbody and Lisa Hannigan
Elbow who flew in especially for from Manchester
A slightly intoxicated James Nesbitt
James Walsh from the excellent Starsailor, of whom I’m a massive fan
And finally, the unstoppable and truly great Duke Special
In all - it was a great day and the project itself will hopefully be a great success when it is completed later this year. It is something I am looking forward to being involved in, in terms of photography, having so many bands and musicians in the one place and the opportunities it will provide for local musicians.
Watch this space for more (oh yeah, and this space)
I just never know how personal to make this bloggie thingie. I know I really shouldn’t. It’s that whole thing of really wanting to do something, but when it comes to the time of doing it, you realise it just ain’t right. I think thats right in this case, unlike that thing that you really should do but just plain don’t cos you ain’t got the balls to carry it through.
It’s that particular feeling that holds me back from so much, and the essence of what I’ve been thinking about over the last week or so.
I am too much of a personal person - yeah that makes no sense, I’m aware of that… I think a lot. I think too much. Thinking about everything about twenty times before actually doing it. This often leads to not actually doing, or saying, whatever it is. Of course I do occasionally say, and do, some pretty stupid stuff; that’s certainly no good either. I also generally regret it later. Everyone does stupid things.
In the last 2 weeks there have just been too many times when this has happened (not the saying stupid stuff) and it’s certainly not something that normally happens as often.
Hopefully this isn’t just a total bunch of crap that will make absolutely no sense to anyone… Yet at the same time, I don’t want it to make to much sense (yes I’m trying to be as subtle as possible), it just feels good to get it out.
So I almost feel that the time may have passed. I may have lost out. All the opportunities to say a few words in the last couple of weeks. It only really occurred to me recently that I feel this way. If I can’t do it now, will I ever be able to do it?
It just takes confidence - some balls, and confidence. To know what comes next. Does anything ‘come next’? Will anything ever come next? Putting yourself out there and making a move its tough. But heck, today I wore one red shoe and one green shoe - I can do anything!
Enough crap. Here’s a teaser of whats to come in the next few days
Each day of the past week has been a joy. Great weather and taking part in enjoyable activities with the best people. I have also taken an average of 300 photographs a day, and had very little chance to even look at many. From gigs to exhibitions, waterfront walks to late-night construction workers even a few clowns. Its just been one of those fun-filled weeks. So here it is in full, with pictures.
On Monday Iconoclastic and Queen Alexander and the Lowly Knights Orchestra played in The Bunker for Club Sandwhich
Followed by DJ Ben
This was also the first night of the smoking ban in Northern Ireland - something I will spend more time on later in the week.
As mentioned, the weather was awesome. So I went on a photo walk around the city during lunch, and after I finished work.
There’s something about being spotted and getting that picture of eye contact. My friends tell me that one day I’m gonna get a fat li from photographing the wrong person, I guess they just don’t understand the thrill, adrenaline even…
These people didn’t look too happy.
Soon later I saw this picture. Of course I didn’t take it for any perverse reasons, like some people think I do with the camera, but because I think its quite beautiful. Also a good advertisement for Belfast, don’t you think?
That evening my favourite band, Mary’s Great Idea were playing in The Pavilion
Wednesday was also a good day. Starting out with a pleasant walk to work
After work I met Ciara and Ronan. We went to Botanic Gardens for a bit to enjoy the sun.
We then headed to Foo Kin Noodle Bar which was an excellent suggestion and I will be back again soon. All you can eat chinese food. It rocked! I had two full plates! Just awesome.
Later we headed to The Rotterdam Bar at Clarendon Dock.
I had never been before and will definitely be going back. Hard to describe it, but basically it has a great atmosphere with a very old feel to it like its never been refurbished since holding prisoners prior to deportation to Australia. I wasn’t so sure about getting a Guinness in a Budweiser glass though.
There was a gig that night, as I think there is every night. The two guys who were playing were really good, playing some great blues tunes. I can’t remember their names, though I think they play every Wednesday so I will be sure to go back and check em out.
Thursday was the start of the Festival of Fools, an International Street Performance festival with “more than 100 shows and some of the finest walkabout entertainment”. I didn’t get to see any of it until Saturday unfortunately. That evening though, I went to the launch of Graham Smith’s Photography Exhibition in the Waterfront Hall. Graham is a great local music photographer who I have a lot of respect for.
Johnny from LaFaro played an acoustic set with a great view over out the windows of the waterfront.
The beautiful Pixie Saytar posed for me
There were even more photos over the weekend and much more excitement and stories to tell. I will leave it for later, though hopefully not too much later, in the week.