Dec. 21

As if singing at Sainsbury's, dancing at Victoria Square, and singing at church didn't provide enough Christmas cheer, I also got to spend the afternoon with my friend Aelish.

That's us in the bathroom at the National, where we had lunch.

Aelish, originally from Castlewellan, has spent most of her adult life in the US. We worked together at Vanguard for many years. She recently took early retirement in a reshuffle of international teams. We talked for hours and then did some shopping. Here I am back at the swing dance location of a week ago.

Aelish was one of 11 children. Two of them have died in the past year. She's here this Christmas to support her brother and sister.  

After I went home to walk Paddy I went to a swing dance event at Shorts Recreation Club, where the Belfast Jazz Orchestra was in fine form. I'd like to say I was, but I never really got into it. I danced 8 times at Victoria Square but only 3 times tonight during a two-hour stay. I think I need to get back to the lessons to up my game a bit. Also, sometimes my head is not in the extrovert space, which it needs to be if I'm going to chat to people for a few hours.