I don't know where we're going, but we know where we are? (Part whatever)

Lying in bed, woke up just 20 minutes ago, listening to the rain and wind lashing outside there today. Not a day to be out and about! ☔️⛈☔️⛈☔️

Had a great night out last night at The Seattle Grunge Experience in Whelans of Wexford Street with three good mates. The lads in the band played all the major grunge hits of Nirvana, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. Came back for two encores. Excellent stuff! 👍👍🔥🔥🔥🎸🎸🎸🎸

Wasn’t just us oldies in their 40s and early 50s there either - quite a few in their 20s and 30s, showing the enduring power of grunge. 😎 That was my first gig in well over two years (Bjork at the 3 Arena in Nov ‘19 was the last). Great craic and so good to be out. Dublin city centre last night was heaving!

A mate I haven’t seen much since Covid and the restrictions dropped in for a cuppa and a chat this afternoon.

I’d heard from another mutual friend that things between him and his wife were falling apart and that they were separating. Now I’ve heard it from him directly - he’s a very “old school” bloke who rarely opens up about his feelings - but the things he told me today about what his estranged wife and her attempts to paint a picture of him as a bad father and a violent abuser shocked me as I always liked her and she always appeared sweet, friendly and pleasant.

I know that there are two sides to every story and I’m only hearing his side but he is not the type to lie or exaggerate. Looks like much of the “happy family” image they projected, especially from his estranged wife, was just a facade.

Thing is they have three children, two sons and a daughter - aged 14, 12 and 6 - and they are being dragged into this. Their mother is making them take sides which is very wrong. They recently moved into a new house and are still under the same roof but the tension, according to my mate, is nearly unbearable. They hardly speak to each other, the kids are very upset and he has lost weight and is depressed. I really feel for him. He’s linked into the family courts services and his GP has given him meds to help. I let him know that I am there for him for when he wants to talk.