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It
is that time of the year for exiles to return, and
yours truly is no exception. Of course, the Season
of Peace holds a special place for us, as the Party
of Peace. It truly has been a remarkable time to be
in Ireland, particularly in the afterglow of our overwhelming
victory in the Assembly elections. But enough of politics,
if my friend Danny Morrison can write wistful slice-of-life
vignettes then your Jimmy can have a crack at it too.
The
highlight of the season was, without doubt the Blanket
office party. It was an enormous success, due in part
I think to the decision of the caterers to abandon
the distilled-water-only catering policy of previous
years, but mainly I believe it was a factor of the
enormous diversity of voices the magazine attracts.
The image of Liam O'Comain pinned to the photocopier
by a tipsy Ruth Dudley Edwards is one which, for good
or ill, is likely to remained burned on my memory
for quite a while.
Christmas
is about family and friends, but that of course means
the nightmare of Christmas shopping. In past years
of course it was particularly difficult, unless of
course the Army Council hadn't finished theirs in
which case we'd get a ceasefire. No such problems
now, but of course one of the downsides of the peace
process is that the shops are very crowded and it
can be time consuming. Fortunately I had a bit of
good luck which cut the task in half. I have been
asked, however, not to talk about it. Anyway, even
then I still had the non-smokers to shop for. I must
admit I have had a few grumbles from relatives, but
as I explained to them, one day collectors will pay
good money for "Martin Meehan MLA" stationary.
Finally,
Christmas is for the children, and not just because
of Sinn Fein's newly adopted policy that they are,
indeed, our future. If you have any youngsters in
the house, you could do a lot worse than visit the
Ardoyne Youth Theatre Collective's adaptation of Hansel
and Gretel ("Internment Without Trail").
For those unfamiliar with the story it deals with
two young innocents forced on the run by force of
circumstances, who are then imprisoned by an evil
witch whom they bravely defy by refusing food. It
makes a pleasant change from politics.
Happy
New Year to all my comrades
Yours
in Struggle!
Jimmy Sands
Convener
Foxrock Bintifada Support Group
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