I'm in one of those "missing Toronto" phases at the moment so I am particularly loving Edgar Wright's photo blog, Edgar Wright Here, from Toronto.

Edgar Wright is the writer and director of one of my favourite films, Shaun of the Dead, and director of one of the best television shows ever, Spaced. He's been in Toronto for the last few months shooting the highly anticipated film, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

And of course, what meta hipster blog and meta hipster film isn't complete without Torontonian ubiquitous hipsters, Kevin Drew and Chris Murphy? (yeah, they make an appearance)

Helicopter Sunday? More like Black Sunday

I'm off to Budapest; back in a couple days.

Can we talk about the "newish" bus stops in Glasgow?

By the look of them, you could easily be mistaken for thinking you were in some hot and exotic city like Barcelona. Honestly, who the hell came up with the design? By the look of them, it appears that the designer had never been to Glasgow: a city plagued by wind and rain. These weegie bus shelters offer little shelter when it comes to the elements - utter pish!

BELFAST AND BEYOND

After almost two weeks in Belfast, I'm back in Glasgow amongst the great unwashed and just my luck, Celtic have just lost to Rangers (1-0). Accordingly, I'm not going to venture outside today - well, not beyond my local shop anyway.

My luck started running out last night when Danny, my cousin, drove me to the airport and we were told that my flight was delayed from 9.30pm to 12midnight. After a few grumblings, Danny and I sat down in the sterile and fluorescent lounge that is Belfast International Airport. After about an hour of some engrossing conversation (some of which was quite horrific), Danny happened to look up and notice that my flight was suddenly boarding and it was FINAL CALL. After saying farewell, I had to rush through security, where I was asked to take off my shoes, of course, I ran to my gate and then out onto the runway to board my flight.

Anyway, pictures from my last two weeks in Belfast and beyond:


Somewhere in South Armagh (as seen from a speeding car)

South Armagh (a.k.a. Bandit Country): The Provisional IRA South Armagh brigade was notorious during the Troubles and indeed, South Armagh became the most heavily militarized area in the North during those times.

Somewhere in the South / Republic of Ireland

The South




Castleblayney, Ireland
View from outside St Patrick's in Crossmaglen, South Armagh

Shooting in the South
...and then it started to rain and then hail


Castleblayney again
Statue in the square of Crossmaglen

The Great Hall in Stormont

Paul in Belfast


The Cloth Ear in the Cathedral Quarter, Belfast

Belfast City Hall at night

My diner!
Downtown Belfast
Belfast Exposed gallery in the Cathedral Quarter- there was a great exhibition on about Long Kesh/ Maze and Bernadette Devlin - McAliskey

A young Bernadette: She remains the youngest woman ever to have been elected to British parliament
Statue of James Larkin in Cathedral Quarter

St Anne's Cathedral

Belfast City Hall as seen from the Linen Hall Library

I'm nearing the end of my time in Belfast and as sad as I'll be to leave this city, I'm also looking forward to getting back to Glasgae - where all the best shops are stocked with Diet Irn Bru and The Digger.

I've really enjoyed my time in Belfast: the people I've been working with have been really accommodating and kind; it's been great to be able to spend lots of time with my cousin here; the shopping has been fantastic and of course, there is rarely a dull moment in this city with regards to news.

Monday night I went to the opening 0f Chronicles of Long Kesh by Martin Lynch at St. Kevin's Hall, which was part of the Tenth Cathedral Quarters Art Festival. The play dramatised the history of the Long Kesh internment prison, which later began the Maze (infamously known as the H Block prison cells), and featured characters ranging from IRA members, republicans, loyalist paramilitary members and a prison guard. It was a good play; a bit cliched, perhaps, but then I suppose those cliches may have been based on fact as apparently Martin Lynch interviewed countless folks, from all sides, who either spent time in the prison or indeed, worked in it.

Yesterday I spent all day working up at Stormont, which was interesting. While waiting in line to pay for my egg salad sandwich, who should happen to be in front of me but Peter Robinson (I can report that he opted for the roast beef lunch that was on offer). Later in the day, Gerry Adams walked past me in the Great Hall and it took all my self-will to not be a tourist and ask for his photograph; I am here for work, after all, and not to get my picture taken with (in)famous politicians.

Oh my god.

One of the best things about Belfast? Avoca! What a gorgeous shop. Too bad I can barely afford to buy anything in it. Love love LOVE it!

I didn't think it was possible but evidently the weather is worse in Belfast than it is in Glasgow! It's rained every day since I arrived on Sunday - although yesterday it did manage to stop by the time I left work. It's bloody freezing too.

Due to the fact that I'm working all day, I haven't managed to get out and see Belfast as much as I'd like to. I have, however, been out to West Belfast a couple times to visit my cousins and one of my cousin's girlfriend.

Paul is coming over from Glasgow this evening and will be spending the long weekend over here. Since Saturday is the Celtic v Aberdeen match (and a somewhat important game), we'll have to watch it...in Belfast...which should be interesting. Sunday, my cousin has offered to drive us around Ireland so I'm really looking forward to seeing beyond Belfast. Fingers crossed that the sun will make an appearance.

Coincidentally, last night was the opening event for the Tenth Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival so I'll be checking that out next week.

And finally at some point next week, I'll be heading out to Stormont, which will hopefully be quite interesting. No doubt, more interesting than Holyrood.