Goodbye Belfast

Today, September 1st, marks the 2nd anniversary of the of this blog - originally started to post 'behind-the-scenes' info about the Podcast.  It became something more for me - a tool to understand the strange, fascinating place I in which I had become stranded.

As listeners to my podcast know I shape my life to compliment the narrative arc of my various works, regardless of whatever alias/artistic persona I'm inhabiting.  With this in mind, after 2 years, now is the time to say goodbye to Belfast.

Though I may work in Northern Ireland on occasion, I will no longer live here - it's been quite an adventure:  the 3rd marriage, the attempt on my life, the creation of the podcast and much more.

I'd like to say thank you to everyone who's supported me during this tumultuous period in my life.  Without the help of the folks I met here I wouldn't have made it. 

Special thanks go to:  Alicia Peyrano, Wayne Van Ry, Erin Parish, Gareth Higgins, Beth Lloyd, Raphael Rehbock, Sara Templer, Kirsteen O'Sullivan, Celia Petter, Keith Law, Sonia Butterworth, Dave Torrans, Philip Morrow, Richard Parkin, Allan Gildea, Alan Meban, Stephen Barnes, Marcus Valentine and Lucky Starr most of all for her love and devotion.

I'll end by saying the Podcast will continue Dear Listeners, what form it will take we'll have to see.  Thanks to everyone for taking part.

P.S.
There was a Flickr Meetup today of Belfast Photographers - a great way to say goodbye to the area.  Above and below are some snaps from this afternoon.

Here's the gang:  digitalEnvironmentalist, Alan in Belfast, A lovely lady who's name I can't remember, (a little help anyone?) Anna, myself, Red Mum, mymsie, NickyBe and Stepbar; (the  indomitable Dogtired arrived later and therefore was not present for the photo).

I'm going to end on the shot below.  I've been here 4 1/2 years.  Belfast's changed so much in that time. 

I've heard a lot of people diss Belfast over the years, complaining about this and that, the lack of culture or the problems with its people. 

But there was a war on. 

A war. 

The war's over now.  It'll take a long time for things to get better.  But I'm hopeful. 

I'm hopeful.

Comments

[Rey]

Hello,

Nice blog! Nice meeting you today. Very interesting journals and more power. Rey

[Jett Loe]

Nice meeting you too Rey - I've got some nice photos of you on your back snapping the 'Spire' - will post soon! :)

[Tom Raftery]

Happy trails Jett - the place will be less interesting without you.

[Jett Loe]

Thanks Tom...(that's Tom Raferty for all your I.T. needs :)

[Maria W.]

see you soon, Jett Loe... wherever you may end up.

[Jett Loe]

There's gonna be travelin' a plenty Maria W...I feel the London comedy scene a callin'.

[erin]

That way you ended this with the last shot was beautiful, Jett. Well done you, Mama P. is proud.

[Alan in Belfast]

Anna

[Stepbar]

Sniff! [wipes away tear]

What will Belfast do without you?

You do realise that since you arrived here, Belfast, nay, the whole of Northern Ireland, has been a calm, troublings free place? Coincidence? I think not.

I'm worried that without your influence on the people, we'll revert back to savagery. We need to know that should you be needed here, you will return to save us!

[manuel]

Hey if I had known that I would have said hello yesterday. Great work n all that, best of luck in the future....

[Jett Loe]

I will be monitoring the situation Stepbar in case Belfast needs me again.

And sorry for no warning manuel, I made the decision quickly. Reasons may be explained in an upcoming podcast.

[Robin Blandford]

Cheers Jett. My #1 podcast for years! Hoping your next location will provide as much entertainment for us :-)

[Jett Loe]

Thanks for listening Robin; there's at least 3, possibly 4 more podcasts in the 'can' from Edinburgh...hopefully upload one today...then there's the 'departure' ep as well.

[Matt Hutchinson]

*gulp*

my #1 podcast too, since moving to London (from Belfast in early Jan 2006) - the weekly, then monthy show has kept me attached to the place - Living in Dublin now and still subscribing, ~I can only hope wherever you end up next will be a skype call away from the Wayne and that the adventures will continue.

(and yep i *have* listened to every episode, many more than once) and no, Im not crazy

[Jett Loe]

God bless for you listening. Tell your friends...the more feedback I get the chances are I'll keep doing it! :)

[Claire]

Wow, the end of an era indeed! I'm very happy to hear that the podcast will continue though, you had me worried there for a minute.

Good luck in your next adventure Jett.

[Brabazon]

The fact that LTA existed at all says something positive about the current state of Belfast/Norn Iron - I would even go as far as to say that LTA has contributed to the social history of this place, in it's own unique way. In years to come the podcasts will be dusted off and transferred into whatever the new medium is at the time and will be displayed as a snapshot of what it was like here in the early 21st century. Maybe the OBG could exhibit it... :)

Good luck on your continuing travels, sir. Thanks for letting us all tag along, it's been fun... (For some reason I've got the theme tune from 'The Littlest Hobo' in my mind...)

[Jett Loe]

Thanks Claire - (Claire's site: Gingerpixel is well worth a visit!)

And cheers Brabazon, am looking forward to LTA being played on 'holo-cube' on the Moonbase.

[Jenny]

Hey Jett, all the love and best wishes. It seems somehow sad you're leaving - as Claire said the end of an era - but I hope also the beginning of positive & incredible experiences for you. I'm sure you know that regardless of your aliases & personas the people on this site care about you personally and not just the content. As for me, I wish you good luck and sincerely hope we'll meet again.

Happy to be one of your 15 people,
Jenny

[Jett Loe]

Thanks Jen :) ...re: 15 People:

ConstantComedy.com on Reuters

[cageyk]

Have really enjoyed the podcasts and blog. Looking forward to the new ones! Best of luck with your regeneration (perhaps you'll emerge with a curly mop and a very long scarf? or very thin and Scottish?)... if I should see you in some comedy club in London don't worry I won't give the game away - won't even acknowledge you - *wink*

x
K

[Jett Loe]

Good lord you're right cageyk - I should completely change my appearance to throw 'them' off the scent!

[Wayne (formerly]

*sniff*
End of an era, d00d.

Sorry I'm gonna miss yer official exit from the country (what with me visiting the States at the moment). Don't forget the little people (i.e. 'me') when you hit the big time.

Best of luck, Jett. I'm gonna miss our adventures... (oh, alright...I'm gonna miss you too...)

[celia]

thanks for tickling Belfast lovely man :o)

[Jett Loe]

Jeez this is resembling a high-school year book page. I'm gonna miss you too Wayne - though I feel odd typing that as you and I feature in the upcoming show: LTA - Chapter 77 - You Will.