Man, what a day! I woke up in me little shack, smellin’ like burnt wood and sweat. You know, just another day in Antrim, right? But nah, today was somethin’ else.
So, I’m out on the streets, right? Headin’ down Church Street, tryin’ to grab a cuppa before I start burnin’ charcoal. I’m thinkin’, “Aye, a nice strong brew will set me right.” But guess what? The café’s closed! Closed! Like, who closes at 8 AM? I mean, come on!
I’m fumin’ now, but whatever. I stroll down to the Market Square. It’s a nice spot, ya know? Lots of folks buzzin’ about, doin’ their thing. I see me mate, Paddy, tryin’ to sell some dodgy knock-off watches. I’m like, “Paddy, mate, you’re gonna get yourself in trouble!” He just laughs, all cheeky-like.
Then, outta nowhere, this kid runs past me, right? He’s chasin’ a dog, and the dog’s chasin’ a pigeon. It’s chaos! The kid trips, goes down like a sack of spuds, and I’m just standin’ there laughin’. I mean, it’s a bit mean, but c’mon! It was hilarious!
After that, I finally get to me work site, just off the Ballymena Road. I’m settin’ up me kiln, and it’s a right pain in the arse. The wind’s blowin’ like it’s tryin’ to blow me away. I’m thinkin’, “Great, just what I need.” But I push through, ya know?
Then, I get a call from me mum. She’s all worried ‘bout the weather. “It’s gonna rain, son!” she says. I’m like, “Mum, I’m in Antrim, not the North Pole!” But she’s havin’ none of it. Typical mum, always fussin’.
So, I’m workin’ away, and I see this fella walkin’ by. He’s got a fancy suit on, lookin’ all posh. I’m thinkin’, “What’s he doin’ in this neck of the woods?” Turns out, he’s some big shot from the council. He stops, looks at me kiln, and says, “What’s this mess?” I’m like, “Mate, it’s art!” He just rolls his eyes and walks off. Rude, right?
But then, I get a surprise! A couple of tourists wander by. They’re all excited, takin’ pics of me work. I’m like, “Really? You wanna take a pic of a bloke burnin’ wood?” But they’re lovin’ it! Makes me feel like a rockstar for a sec.
Later, I’m packin’ up, and it starts to drizzle. Just a wee bit at first, but then it’s like the heavens opened! I’m soaked, lookin’ like a drowned rat. I’m shoutin’ at the sky, “Really? You couldn’t wait five minutes?”
Finally, I head back home, soaked to the bone. I’m walkin’ down the Antrim Castle Gardens, and it’s all peaceful. The flowers are still lookin’ good, even in the rain. I stop for a sec, take a deep breath, and think, “You know what? Life’s not so bad.”
But then, I step in a puddle. A big one. My foot’s soaked again! I can’t help but laugh. Just me luck, right?
So, I get home, and I’m knackered. I flop down on me couch, thinkin’ ‘bout the day. It was mad, it was messy, but it was mine. Antrim’s got its quirks, but it’s home. And I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
What a day, eh?