Category: Belfast

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alternative numbers for Northern Ireland Water

Michael McFarland Campbell

With the ongoing shortage on water in Northern Ireland, and lack of information that is correct being distributed, it is important that people can contact NI Water. Therefore I am publishing alternative numbers to contact them on. According to Say No to 0870 campaign, it is possible to contact Northern Ireland Water on numbers instead of the 0845 744 0088 number. 0845 744 0088 – NI Water’s published number 028 9016 8020 – alternative from SAYNOTO0870.com 0800 051 5445 – freephone from landline. Although I have not tried this in this particular instance, from mobile telephones, it is quite often possible … Continue reading alternative numbers for Northern Ireland Water

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Belfast, gay, Health, HIV, MRSA, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, PVL-MRSA3 Comments

my name is Andrew

Andrew McFarland Campbell

My name is Andrew, and I am living with HIV. You might think that I am HIV positive – I am not. I am living with HIV because my boyfriend*, Michael, the man I love,  is HIV positive. I am living with HIV because HIV has a direct impact on my life. I am also, to some extent, living with PVL-MRSA, because Michael has that too. Today Michael had an appointment at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, and his doctor took the opportunity to screen me for MRSA, because there was a chance that I was an asymptomatic carrier. It … Continue reading my name is Andrew

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Belfast, CD4 count, Drugs, Health, HIV, MRSA, news, News, PVL-MRSA, Viral load4 Comments

another day, the RVH again

Michael McFarland Campbell

This morning Andrew and I toddled up to Belfast‘s Royal Victoria Hospital once more, after last night’s abscess burst, and sat around whilst the normal business of the CUM glinic went on about us. Eventually, Dr Killian Quinn, called for me – and off I went. He didn’t take any swabs from the abscess which I had thought was the principal reason for attending the clinic. That is to ensure that it was just (the now normal) PVL-MRSA. However he did prescribe the usual special wash and Bactroban nasal spray – for the next five days. What fun! And of … Continue reading another day, the RVH again

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Belfast, christian, LGBT, news, Northern Ireland lifeLeave a comment

Christmas Past, Present, and Future

Michael McFarland Campbell
And the Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us.

From Twitter I learn that most people have already opened their presents, their stockings, and parcels – before lunch!

with my parents when I was young

Before we set off for the service on Christmas Eve night, we set up the Christmas tree unlike many of our friends who had had theirs up since December 1. The most we got during Advent was usually an Advent Calendar or in latter years an Advent Candle.

Since my brothers and I were in the choir at the local Anglican parish church – we were allowed to open one present upon our return from Midnight Mass, then bed quickly. Then Santa came round on his second trip* round the UK. Then in the morning we were allowed to see what Santa had left in the stocking.

Something every child could get

Continue reading “Christmas Past, Present, and Future”

APNI, Belfast, Blogging, Enniskillen, Lib Dems, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, politics, SDLP, UUP8 Comments

Anna Lo: an update… a rather liberal take on what I was saying

Michael McFarland Campbell
Icon for use on Template:Politics of Northern ...
Image via Wikipedia

A Pint of Unionist Lite has commented about a post of mine* about the reaction of Anna Lo MLA to the story from Fermanagh about Social Democratic and Labour Party Councillor John O’Kane’s comments on creating a centre ground grouping, I would like to confirm that I made my statements full in the knowledge that some could try to twist my words into saying what they do not.

This can happen to anyone who makes any public comment on any issue.

But, to go back to the original issue that I had then – and still do have – with what Ms Lo was saying, let me be clear about my thoughts on this important issue. Continue reading “Anna Lo: an update… a rather liberal take on what I was saying”

Belfast, Blogging, Lib Dems, London, news, politics, Tuition Fees7 Comments

The 27 betrayed their Party – Shame on them!

Michael McFarland Campbell
The Palace of Westminster at night as seen fro...
The Palace of Westminster wherein the 27 Rebel MPs betrayed their Party, led by Rebel Leader Nick Clegg MP Image via Wikipedia

On another Lib Dem blog we read that

Today’s tuition fee vote is a milestone for the Liberal Democrat party. It is the first time the party has had to seriously consider the wisdom of a policy designed for permanent opposition from the perspective of government. Continue reading “The 27 betrayed their Party – Shame on them!”

APNI, Belfast, Conservatives, DUP, Labour, Lib Dems, London, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, Police, politics, PSNI, SDLP1 Comment

violence in Belfast as the vote loomed – reaction

Michael McFarland Campbell
Protestors and police clash as Translink Metro is broad to standstill during Protest on Tuition Fees. Pic © 2010 Michael Carchrie Campbell
Protestors and police clash as Translink Metro is brought to standstill during the protest on Tuition Fees in Donegall Square, Belfast on December 9th, 2010. Pic: © 2010 Michael Carchrie Campbell

This afternoon, I happened to be in Belfast City Centre as the protest on tution fees was taking place at the gates of Belfast City Hall.

Earlier this evening as Northern Ireland Liberal Democrat Chair I issued a press release. I said: Continue reading “violence in Belfast as the vote loomed – reaction”

Belfast, gay, LGBT, Media, news, Pink PaperLeave a comment

Final push for Pink Paper Readers Awards

Michael McFarland Campbell

We’re into the last 24 hours of voting in this year’s Pink Paper Readers Awards. Earlier in the autumn as the awards nominations opened, it was impossible to log that you came from Northern Ireland in the awards. As one of the people that pushed Tris Reid-Smith, Editor of Gay Times and the Pink Paper to include Northern Ireland, this year, I urge all in Northern Ireland to vote for their favourite LGBT venues – and show the rest of the UK and the world that we do have a lively and healthy gay scene, with the largest community Pride … Continue reading Final push for Pink Paper Readers Awards

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Belfast, Blogging, Health, HIV, news, Northern Ireland life, politics, SDLP, Volunteering3 Comments

ending the stigma: guts needed to tackle it head on

Michael McFarland Campbell

cross-posted from positive hivblogger World AIDS Day 2010 It’s World AIDS Day 2010 today, another year has gone past, those of us living with HIV are still here – and still the stigma is being broken by some of us that are courageous enough to tell our friends, our family, and other people that we are here, living with HIV. “Coming Out” That’s right – telling others. So, today, I’m ‘coming out’ publicly on this blog as to I am. Complete with photo. Unsurprisingly given my job and other interests, I was at a political conference a few weeks ago. … Continue reading ending the stigma: guts needed to tackle it head on

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APNI, Belfast, DUP, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life1 Comment

Minister misleads the House: ministers must wise up

Michael McFarland Campbell

A sorry scene in a legislature Yesterday, we witnessed a sorry scene. A government minister getting up, answering questions, but answering them in a way so as to mislead the House. The government minister in question did so during First Minister’s Questions when answering a question from Dr Stephen Farry of the Alliance Party on the Cohesion, sharing and integration programme consultation, Democrati Unionist Junior Minister Robin Newton MBE MLA stated that: The consultation attracted 290 written responses Hansard, 29 Nov. 2010 and then just minutes later we heard the following exchange: Danny Kinahan: I thank the junior Minister for … Continue reading Minister misleads the House: ministers must wise up

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