i took a 45-minute uber ride home from the airport last night after a brutal, three-day business trip.
i was completely emotionally and physically drained, and my social battery was at absolute zero.
when i got into the car, the driver.. an older guy named kabir.. didn't say the usual "how was your flight?" or turn on the radio.
instead, he just handed me a small, laminated piece of paper attached to the back of his headrest.
it was a literal "ride menu."
it said:
1. *the silent ride* (total quiet, no pressure to talk).
2. *the therapist ride* (if you need to vent about your day, i am listening).
3. *the tourist ride* (i will tell you cool facts about the city).
4. *the radio ride* (we just listen to old jazz and coast).
i smiled, pointed to number 1, and whispered, "silent ride, please. thank you."
he gave me a warm nod in the rearview mirror, adjusted the AC, and drove the entire 45 minutes in absolute, beautiful silence.
it was the most peaceful, therapeutic boundary i’ve experienced all year. i felt my entire nervous system finally reset.
when he dropped me off, i gave him a massive tip and told him, "that menu is a genius business idea. you must get amazing reviews."
He looked back at me and said, "i didn't make the menu to get better tips, dear.
my daughter has severe social anxiety, and she told me that the hardest part of her day is navigating small talk with strangers when her brain is tired.
she told me it feels like running a marathon.
i made the card so that anyone who gets into my car can feel completely safe dropping the mask for a little while."
i walked into my apartment and just sat on my suitcase.
we live in a world that is constantly screaming at us to perform, to network, to be "on," and to over-communicate.
but sometimes, the deepest form of love and respect you can show another human being is just creating a small, safe pocket of silence for them to rest in.
pay attention to the people who give you permission to be quiet. they are rare.
SO MUCH IN A GESTURE! The grace with which outgoing Belfast City Lord Mayor Tracy Kelly placed her chain of office on Róis-Máire Donnelly was heart-warming, mindful not to mess up Róis - Máire’s hair! Style and civility ladies! Eamonn Mallie. @GRobinsonDUP@moneillsf@little_pengelly
Would be amazing to have more charging points installed at Community venues. Sports centre, leisure centre, Sports clubs and so many places to invest and support the rollout of charging stations across the country.
Northern Ireland Assembly members who drive electric cars can receive free charging at Stormont, despite already being paid travel expenses. Electric vehicle charging points have been installed at Parliament Buildings for the benefit of MLAs and staff.
Historic development for the city and language that has been over 50 years in the making - driven by a community that never took a back step
Fitting that the Shaws rd Gaeltacht will be officially recognised by @belfastcc as part of the Gaeltacht Quarter for the first time
Things you love to see...pitches absolutely packed at @AnRiochtGAA@AnDunCandG underage blitz....great work being done in Mourne hurling , two proud north Cork men looking down today very proud ... incredible facilities now, some of us remember picking the stones off the pitch😂
Down travelled to Kerry hoping to avenge last year's semi final loss. For a long time it looked like they would succeed. Down led from the start only to lose to a last minute point. Kerry 0-10 Down 1-6. But qualification is still in Down's hands. Focus turns to Derry 6th June.
From Irish unity to Labour’s struggles in government, this episode covers some of the biggest political questions we face.
Colum tells us how nationalism needs a “commonality” on unity and says he’d “embrace working with Sinn Féin” to achieve it.
“I'm not really worried about who I have to work with. In fact, I'd embrace working with Sinn Féin and other parties to get it done".
#Stormont #Ukpolitics #SinnFéin
@dmcbfs@timcairns
From seven sub appearances across four league seasons to kicking 1-35 in 2026, playing all but two league minutes, being a main man and popping up everywhere.
It's now Cian McConville's time
https://t.co/g3kuUvlbSn
🗣️ Rural GAA Members - Make Your Voice Heard 🗣️
Ulster GAA, @UlsterCamogie and @UlsterLadies are officially responding to @daera_ni Consultation Rural NI: Our New Approach 2026-2041.
We thank all those who took time to complete our survey, your responses will be added to our official response.
We also encourage GAA club members from rural areas to take a few minutes to complete DAERA's online consultation survey at: https://t.co/noN5baksWO by 1st June 2026 so that GAA voices are heard in this important Rural Policy which will impact on rural GAA clubs.