I’m not a fan of the Eurovision Song Contest. I know many are crazy about it. It’s the highlight of their year, akin to Christmas Day. House parties are held, crazy costumes are created, and insane drinking games invented as the country grinds to a standstill to watch the annual event. Plus it’s presented byContinue reading “Nil Points”
Tag Archives: music
The 12 Blogs of Christmas #2
For a good part of yesterday, I had the dulcet tones of ‘Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer’ on a permanent loop in my head. The more it played, the more I felt what little festive spirit I retained within me slowly ebbing away down the plughole as the joint spirits of the GrinchContinue reading “The 12 Blogs of Christmas #2”
Feeling Old And Outdated…Again
Our Hannah is a massive Shawn Mendes fan and is very excited about him releasing new music later this year. She eats, sleeps and breathes Mr. Mendes who does appear to be an excellent role model to his army of fans. Fionnuala and I fully understand given our own teenage infatuations with Bros and BelindaContinue reading “Feeling Old And Outdated…Again”
Hannah’s Experience of a Lifetime
Our Hannah recently wrote an essay for her English homework. She worked very hard all week on it and Fionnuala and I were so impressed with the end product that we decided to post it on the blog. Well done Hannah, we are all very proud of you 😊😍 It was the day that ShawnContinue reading “Hannah’s Experience of a Lifetime”
Toxic Positivity – What Is It?
I stumbled across this image earlier on Facebook and it got me thinking; or rather accelerated something I had already been mulling over in my head. It was a hammer that nailed a series of loose thoughts into a cogent steam. Toxic positivity. It exists, it’s a real thing, not just the product of myContinue reading “Toxic Positivity – What Is It?”
Walk Away
No words needed. Walk away.
Don’t Be Afraid To Start Over
When I started this blog, I started all over again. Turned my back on the past and threw my energy into new passions. Almost three years later, I’ve published two books and completed a third. I’m training for my tenth marathon and been promoted at work. I’ve living the happiest & healthiest life I can.Continue reading “Don’t Be Afraid To Start Over”
RIP Kobe Bryant
Happy World Introvert Day
It’s World Introvert Day. I never knew such a day existed until it popped up on my Facebook feed this morning. Who decides these days? Is there a committee somewhere locked away in a conference room debating such important matters? I can only assume there’s also a World Extrovert Day, no doubt shouted from theContinue reading “Happy World Introvert Day”
Thank you
Another very encouraging review from fellow blogger, Lesley. Thank you very much for so eloquently capturing the essence of Skelly’s Square. I tried hard to address very serious and real issues against a supernatural backdrop liberally smattered with action and humour. The book continues to attract positive feedback while promoting mental health, disability, addiction andContinue reading “Thank you”
Who Is Your Lighthouse?
It was a murky lunchtime run today which highlighted the lighthouse exhibit on Belfast Lough. I focused on it from some distance away and it inspired me to keep pressing forward through the blustery, wet conditions. Most other days I would have run past it without a second thought but it was there for meContinue reading “Who Is Your Lighthouse?”
I’ve Had An Anxious Week
I’ve had an anxious few days worrying about work related matters. It started towards the tail end of last week and preyed on my mind over the weekend, before descending again from on high like a hungry vulture on Monday morning. Various unwanted thoughts have spun a not so merry dance around my head despiteContinue reading “I’ve Had An Anxious Week”
Fractured Faith Is 1000 Posts Old
Today marked our 1000th post on Fractured Faith. We started the blog back in May 2017 and, back then, had no idea what to expect. Fionnuala encouraged me to share my writing with the online world as both a form of personal therapy and to encourage others that there is always hope, no matter howContinue reading “Fractured Faith Is 1000 Posts Old”
Never Forget
Never, ever forget….
Girls Night Out….Boys Night In
Fionnuala, Hannah & Rebecca had a great time at the Boyzone concert in Belfast last night. 12,000 fans packed out Falls Park in Belfast to hear them perform their final ever Irish concert as part of the Feile an Phobail festival. The weather remained (mostly) dry and the girls sang their hearts out, returning homeContinue reading “Girls Night Out….Boys Night In”
We Need Your Feedback
The blog passed 11,000 followers the other day and it’s growth continues to amaze and delight me. I don’t know why people keep coming back to view, like and comment but I’m forever grateful. At each milestone, I like to ask you guys what you want from the blog in the future. As well as,Continue reading “We Need Your Feedback”
Blinded By Your Grace
I believe in God but haven’t been to church in a number of years. That’s a story in itself. Suffice to say, I’ve never quite fit into the traditional church environment. Maybe it’s the inner cynic inside of me, forever questioning the motives of these ‘too good to be true’ people I found myself hangingContinue reading “Blinded By Your Grace”
We are on the train!!
Ok so this day that has been on a countdown in our house for what seems like an eternity has finally arrived yes it’s the weekend that Shawn Mendes has the pleasure of being in the same city as the one and only Hannah Black!! We are on the train sitting next to the mostContinue reading “We are on the train!!”
The 12 Blogging Questions Of Christmas – Day 8 – Do You Like Or Loathe Chris Rea?
You know that Chris Rea song, ‘Driving Home for Christmas’? Well I hate it. Whenever it comes on the radio, I reach for the tuner and change channel pronto. I think it’s his gravelly, dour voice. He turns the most positive message into a depressing dirge. I can think of nothing more depressing than beingContinue reading “The 12 Blogging Questions Of Christmas – Day 8 – Do You Like Or Loathe Chris Rea?”
Meet our guest blogger
As part of Hannah’s English coursework she had to write her autobiography so we decided to share it with our WordPress family. My name is Hannah Catherine Black I am 14 years old. I was born on the 10th of December 2003. I was supposed to be born on Christmas Eve, but I came earlier.Continue reading “Meet our guest blogger”
I’m Writing A Book….Still: (Part….I’ve Forgotten Which Part)
Regular readers will know that I’m writing a book. I’ve been droning on about it for the better part of a year. It’s titled ‘The Kirkwood Scott Chronicles – Skelly’s Square’ and is the first part of Young Adult fantasy series based in Belfast. The hero of the piece is very loosely based on yoursContinue reading “I’m Writing A Book….Still: (Part….I’ve Forgotten Which Part)”
Should We Meet Our Heroes?
During the recent World Cup I have heard the word ‘hero’ casually bandied about to describe the exploits of young men who get paid millions of pounds every year to kick a ball around a field. The same applies to our favourite actors, musicians and authors. I’m as susceptible to this idolatry as any ofContinue reading “Should We Meet Our Heroes?”
12th Of July Parades – Aghalee
A taste of the 12th of July celebrations which are being held in our village this year. Feel free to ask questions. It’s all about history and culture and stuff…. What do you know about the 12th July parades in Northern Ireland? Is this what you expected?
It Isn’t In Our Blood
Help me It feels like the walls are caving in No medicine is strong enough Someone help me Feel like I’m crawling in my skin Sometimes I feel like giving up But I just can’t It isn’t in my blood. Not the words of Stephen Black, average blogger and wannabe author. No, they were writtenContinue reading “It Isn’t In Our Blood”
What Bloggers Would You Invite To Dinner And Why?
I’ve posted some heavy duty stuff in recent days so thought I would lighten matters up somewhat. The weekend is just around the corner and sometimes us bloggers take life just a little too seriously. I know I’m the worst offender. So to kick off ‘Fun Friday’ *cringe* I thought I’d pose you a fewContinue reading “What Bloggers Would You Invite To Dinner And Why?”
Who Are Your Favourite Bloggers?
I’m always delighted and slightly surprised when someone compliments me on my writing. It’s that inbuilt inferiority complex that I have dragged around behind me for most of my life. A nasty case of you’re-not-good-enough-itis. For many years I was so disenchanted with myself that I hid behind different characters that I created in orderContinue reading “Who Are Your Favourite Bloggers?”
Lacey Sturm – Mercy Tree
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrgl9z3grKU&feature=share Fionnuala and Hannah are the musical maestros in the family but I thought I would crash the party and post a song by one of my favourite singers and authors, Lacey Sturm. She was formerly the lead vocalist of a band called Flyleaf who some of you may have heard of. Her words andContinue reading “Lacey Sturm – Mercy Tree”
Hannah’s Saturday Worship
Throughout this week we have been springing little surprises on you all and so we have another one for you this evening. Our eldest daughter Hannah loves to sing and has dreams of being Worship Singer when she is older. As part of the changes to our blog we want the children to get moreContinue reading “Hannah’s Saturday Worship”
What’s So Super About Heroes?
Everybody needs a hero, right? Someone to look up to. They inspire us to aspire to become more than what we are. They move us to improve. And their very nature makes them super. Heroes cannot be anything but super. They perform at a level beyond our wildest dreams. They operate on a different planeContinue reading “What’s So Super About Heroes?”
“I am Fearfully and Wonderfully Made”
Today’s song is “No Longer Slaves” performed by Bethel Music. One of the first times I heard this was a few years back when a very good friend of mine, Helen, asked me to join her to see Bethel playing in a church in Belfast and I just simply couldn’t say no. We were like two teenagers hoggingContinue reading ““I am Fearfully and Wonderfully Made””
What a Beautiful Name
I love to listen to worship music. Stephen is a reader and a writer and I love to sing. Although I love to sing it doesn’t actually mean that I can sing and if I am really honest I couldn’t carry a note in a bucket but that doesn’t stop me. As part of the new changes toContinue reading “What a Beautiful Name”
All I Want For Christmas….
Fionnuala and I celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary today. We have decided this year not to buy each other presents but instead are going later this afternoon as a family to the Christmas Market in Belfast. I’ll be blogging about that adventure later so stay tuned for photos of the Black family there. Probably eating.Continue reading “All I Want For Christmas….”
My Big Sister Hannah
My sister is called Hannah she is 13 her date of birth is 10th December 2003. My sister’s full name is Hannah Catherine Black. My sister is special because she is my big sister. When my sister was born she had to stay in hospital for two months because she had Spina Bifida and sheContinue reading “My Big Sister Hannah”
The One Where Belinda Carlisle Spat On Me
As a teenager my first serious crush was the 80’s pop singer, Belinda Carlisle. And by crush I mean obsession. She occupied every waking moment of my day. My bedroom was plastered in posters of her. ‘Heaven Is A Place On Earth’, her massive hit, was played on a constant loop. I swooned and daydreamedContinue reading “The One Where Belinda Carlisle Spat On Me”
The Writer
Attention fellow bloggers! Have you ever been caught in the creative flow, hunched over your keyboard, and the thoughts and ideas and have just flowed effortlessly from your mind and onto the screen via your frenetic fingers? This has been happening me more and more lately. To the extent where it has felt like anContinue reading “The Writer”
The Gospel According to Logan Paul
Have you ever got a song in your head that drills through your skull and deep into the recesses of your brain in a never ending loop. One that lasts for hours, days, weeks. That drives you to the edge of sanity and then beyond. Leaving you a shell of your former self, a gibberingContinue reading “The Gospel According to Logan Paul “
Samson – The MTV Years
I’m not an authority on Biblical timelines but I’m pretty sure the Book of Proverbs was written after Samson’s time on Planet Earth. Or if it was he didn’t get around to reading it. I get the feeling that Samson wasn’t much of a reader. Too busy leading the life of a heroic leader andContinue reading “Samson – The MTV Years”
Black Thoughts 
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