I've had a busy couple of days, mostly involving trips to Belfast.
Yesterday, I spent time with Tim, my best friend from ages 6 until 15 or so. We lost touch a couple of years after I moved from Glengormley to Ballymena and it was only recently that Tim found me online via Twitter. It's been great catching up with him and it was lovely to meet his wife and daughter, too. I got a very tasty home cooked meal last night at his house, which isn't too far away from the street where we grew up. It was nostalgic in all the right ways. Tim's not really changed, which is reassuring, because neither have I. We're both still big science fiction and movie fans who would have probably spent the whole evening building starships out of Lego, had we had any.
Today I met up with long-time writing collaborator, Colin Sinclair. We ate lunch at the Victoria Center in Belfast (which continues to impress the heck out of me). Then we retired to a coffee shop to go over background material for the Broken Rooms RPG. As usual, there was some great ideas sparking back and forth, though I'm reminded again of how much work is ahead of us if we want to get the book done for August 2011. It's to the point where I'm seriously considering uninstalling World of Warcraft from the Macbook. Hmm.
I've been enjoying my time in Belfast. I'm noticing the impact of the recession, with some closed shops here and there, but for the most part it seems like business as usual.
Despite the very kind and effective taxi-service laid on by my friends while I'm home, I decided to take the train home. I've always enjoyed the train and they're particularly nice and modern these days. The ride back was in darkness, of course (sunset at about 4:30pm here) but there's something comforting about the sea of sodium lights that is Newtownabbey by Night. Those lights are an important part of my childhood color palette.
I've been back for a week and it does feel longer. Despite a sore throat and the beginnings of a cold, I'm very happy with how things have gone so far. I just need to avoid distractions and get writing. There's no one to blame but myself for that, though.