Martin Bridgeman

So, here I am, another year on…

This trip around the sun has had much joy, some intrigue and can never be described as boring, of that much I’m sure. Ups and down have come and gone and I’m wiser in ways, foolish still in others, lost of innocence and anxious too in a way I have not been for many years. Horizons  are opening on another piece of the important parts of my personal jigsaw, anxiously awaiting word and so I surrender myself and risk the truth once again. I’m still a work in progress. 

It often happens that way. It will turn out okay – eventually, I’m sure – but there’s sometimes a need for patience. A decision to do something sends off a myriad of paths, feelings and discussions. Other consequent decisions come later but it is the initial one that sometimes gives a sense of calm, of a thing done, a move made, a feeling that deep down there is unfinished business that’s being addressed. Some decisions you make because you want to, others because you have to. 

I’ve started writing about this now and it’s surprised and calmed in ways I can’t articulate. I’ve also described this latest search issue and adoption generally as having an elliptical orbit. It stays for a while and then spins away, life gets in the way, priorities shift. 

I’ll park things for now and wait for news. 

In recent days I’ve been delighted by news of things closer to home. Nothing earth shattering but small wins for people I love. Its good to take stock of these every so often, to count the reasons to be cheerful, to paraphrase Ian Dury. I love and am loved in ways I cannot measure, I have my bounteous share of good friends, there for you anytime friends, casual acquaintances becoming more, supportive colleagues in the workspaces, shared moments and memories adding to the big picture. 

I spent yesterday with great musicians giving their all with great technicians and all round good people making sure the Rollercoaster Stage lived up to the high standards of talent and support for which the shop and the boss behind it became famous. I sat down for a while during a long day of 16 acts and remembered the smile of a good man who gave up example after example of how it was to be a truly good person in this business. Most of the acts had been in contact with Willie in one way or another, all who had remembered his decency and willingness to do the right thing to get their music out there. That’s good to know, a little solace while we feel his loss in our ways.

Music oils and balm my soul, always has and always will and I count myself lucky to be in the company of many great people in this place that’s smiled on me for over 25 years. Home is where the heart is. I lost mine happily to a beautiful Kilkenny woman 30 years ago and then to her city 25 years ago. That’s real good fortune and beyond measure of things of this earth. 

Thanks for all your kind wishes, good turns, smiles, cooperation, honesty, love and care. Despite recent rumours, I remain in relatively good health and intend to continue to be an obstinately older bastard for a while longer, ag casadh nó ag seinim, ag caint nó in mo thost.

See you around.