I've remained pretty silent over the past few weeks — in part because my schedule has been waaaaay out of control, and in part because the only thing I've really had on my mind is the whole smoking debate.

I'm sick of the whole thing. Can we move on to something else?

How about this one — GET OFF THE PHONE AND DRIVE!

I am so tired of following a slow poke, or someone not using their turn signals, only to see them chatting away on the phone while driving.

It can wait! For crying out loud, that converstation can wait. And if it can't, pull over!

Often when you have high expectations and high hopes they are dashed, things just don't turn out the way you anticipate.

But last night was not one of those times. Last night I watched my good friend Tony Brown and local folk artist Tommy Sands perform at a social club in the heart of Loyalist territory at an event that really was special.

Alan Bell, the organizer of the event, said during his introduction of the artists that "this really is something that could not have happened even three months ago."

It's been a couple of days since I have had the time, computer and connection all at once to set some lines and let you all know how things are going here in Nor' Ire'.

I took a day and walked around Belfast - put a lot of miles on the shoe leather. My right foot is reminding me today just how much walking I have done since I entered this fine country.

I'm having a wonderful time thus far in Belfast. Today Tony sang at
Dunbury School -- an intergrated school that has both prods and catholics,
along with several ethinic groups and nationalities attending. There's
about 150 students in grades K through 7.

It was fun to be there, the kiddos were all really excited about
hearing Tony. He sang there two years ago -- the students who were not there
had heard about it.

This is what they cal anticipation -- sitting in the airport waiting for the first flight of the day.  Today is day one of the trek to Belfast, a two-week trip with <a href="http://thekansan.com/stories/092107/play_20070921004.shtml">Tony Brown to Belfast.</a>