Category: Northern Ireland life

APNI, Armagh, Belfast, Blogging, DUP, Media, news, Northern Ireland life, politics3 Comments

UFOs observed in Queen’s Quarter

Michael McFarland Campbell

Updated on 13 March 2011 – thanks to Conor Prendergast

Last night, whilst most of Northern Ireland’s political bloggers were finding out about the stars of the Slugger Awards in the Cathedral Quarter of the city, some 50 or 60 people were observing UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects), aliens, planets, and stars in the Queen’s Quarter.

There was, however, some connexion between what was happening in Hill Street and in Elmwood Avenue. Three of the four of us that had been involved with the Hammering Out of the Slugger Awards were actually in one location and not the other. Guess which three and in which location we were to be found. Continue reading “UFOs observed in Queen’s Quarter”

Belfast, christian, Gaeilge, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, Royal FamilyLeave a comment

it’s not difficult to get the words right

Michael McFarland Campbell
God save the Queen - Dia leis an Bhanríon.

On Accession Day, I thought I’d give a little hand to all the Ulstermen and women who seem to have some confusion about the words of the National Anthem. Continue reading “it’s not difficult to get the words right”

APNI, DUP, Metro, news, NIRailways, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, politics, Regional Development, Sinn Féin, Translink, Transport, TUV, UUP, Wales2 Comments

linguistic diversity should be a positive benefit to all

Michael McFarland Campbell

The proposal that we should have the possibility of bilingual traffic signs in Northern Ireland is seen as divisive. However, I think it could have a much more positive benefit to our country in general.

Until many, mostly political unionists and cultural Protestants, stop seeing any language use other that of English as an attack on being British, we will have a hard job in using any such language. However, as I have said before, and has been said by many, if these self same people would look back in their heritage they would find that they are likely to have ancestors who used Irish, and if not Irish, then Scots Gaelic. Scots Gaelic of course like Welsh is in use on roadsigns in other parts of their so-beloved United Kingdom. In other words, they need to relearn the history of this island and come to the understanding that diversity is often a way of unifying a whole country. Continue reading linguistic diversity should be a positive benefit to all

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recent deaths – from print and speech

Michael McFarland Campbell

Those of us who have and interest in coins will remember the 1973 fifty pence piece. It had a ring of hands on the reverse with one female hand amongst the others. It was to commemorate the European Economic Community. The one female hand was to represent Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. However, it features most prominently in my memory as being one very important part of a book, The Queen’s Nose, by Dick King-Smith who died yesterday. Amongst other books, his story of The Sheep Pig became better known as Babe in film. The Queen’s Nose has since been … Continue reading recent deaths – from print and speech

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George Woodman MBE: a small appreciation

Michael McFarland Campbell
Full shot of a MBE including the case it is gi...
Image via Wikipedia

Those who work in Parliament Buildings at the present within the Northern Ireland Assembly, and those who have in the past will know George Woodman*, Parliamentary Librarian, who has been honoured by Her Majesty The Queen by being made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the New Year’s Honours this year.

George has always been there when you want some help in looking something up in the Parliamentary Library (sorry – now the Assembly Library). Continue reading “George Woodman MBE: a small appreciation”

Blogging, Media, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, politicsLeave a comment

BBC NI notices the NI blogosphere – corrected

Michael McFarland Campbell

It seems that BBC Northern ireland has been noticing the Northern Irish blogosphere. Well done. We’ve been around for some time… Gareth Gordon writes… I think it only attracts a certain type of people. I don’t necessarily think its a broad representative cross-section of opinion or even punditry and it can at times attract extremist views on the blogosphere. It is a pity, however, that [due to BBC editorial policy] Mr Gordon does not follow the usual courtesy of bloggers – that of linking to the various sites named. Therefore, in a spirit of helpfulness. Here are the links… 1690 … Continue reading BBC NI notices the NI blogosphere – corrected

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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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charitable, Conservatives, Lib Dems, London, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, politics1 Comment

the big society: does it apply to Northern Ireland?

Michael McFarland Campbell

The latest news from the Coalition Government in Westminster is a scheme whereby customers using bank cards could give money to charity. As a trustee of The HIV Support Centre, a local charity, this sounds like it could be a source of welcome money. But I have quite a number of questions. How would such money be distributed? How would the charity/charities be chosen? Is this to eliminate charity boxes in corner shops/bars etc.? I cannot see how this could be done in a fair way to help those charities that are reasonably small – yet are vital to local … Continue reading the big society: does it apply to Northern Ireland?

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CD4 count, Health, HIV, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, Viral load1 Comment

each time you tell, you’ve no idea what you risk unleashing

hivblogger
Positive Life NSW looks at serodiscordant gay couples

I am HIV positive.

Just saying that brief sentence or its alternative

I am living with HIV.

gives people the opportunity to do and say the most remarkable things. Continue reading “each time you tell, you’ve no idea what you risk unleashing”

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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”