The Late Late Toy Show is a phenomena I am not 100% commited to.  Prior to last year I don’t think I’d ever seen an entire show.  Years of living in the US combined with teenage disinterest upon my return meant that I didn’t completely understand the unadulterated passion most Irish people have for the show, the jumpers and the toys.  However, last year, I watched the entire show and fell in love.  I fell in love with John Joe.

Enjoy the show tonight, I won’t be watching.  It just won’t be the same without him!

From me…and from Dolly.

Wow.

There are lots of songs out there people.  Lots of them.  Here are some I think are good or interesting.

1)  John Legend and The Roots

I love John Legend.  I love the Roots.  So I really love the fact that they’ve collaborated for an entire album.  It’s great.  So is this song (also featuring Common and Melanie Fiona), it’ll ease you into any day.

As a result, they have been performing a cover of Arcade Fire, Wake Up at their live gigs.  It’s grand, interesting to hear a hip hop/soul group cover something rocky.  I’d quite like to hear it recorded properly by them, I think it could be incredible.

It is worth noting that I saw John Legend play Vicar Street about 4 or 5 years ago and he may be the ridiest person I’ve ever seen.  Holy Moses.  He is also an amazing live artist.

2)  This is incredible.  Adele is back, and she’s back with a BANG.  This performance is amazing – goosebumps, funny feeling in tummy, etc.

3)  If you know me, you know I love Robyn.  And if you know me REALLY well you know that a Salt and Pepa tape was the best present I got for my 11th birthday so this is blowing my mind…

 

This short documentary makes me want to be more.  And move to New York.

You can see the whole thing here.

I’ve been lazy.  I’ll admit it.  I’ve been ignoring the niggling voice in the back of my head telling me I need to post here and there is no excuse for it.  A friend said to me yesterday, “People do actually check your blog Louise….” so apologies to anyone who has been doing that.  I vow, from today, that I will be much more attentive.

So, what’s been happening?  Well, fortunately I’ve been lucky enough to do a few more shows on 2fm which is brilliant.  I have found working there really pleasant, the 2fm listeners are lovely and the staff I’ve met have been really welcoming (and forgiving of my mistakes, and there have been mistakes).  It’s really nice to be on air again, and lovely to hear from listeners from the West who I’ve been missing since I left i.  I’m on again on Christmas Morning from 7-10 (which will be an experience) and then for the full week between Christmas and New Year’s Day from 7-10.  If you find yourself awake between those hours do have a listen, send me in an auld text and say hello.

Socially, I’ve been to what feels like a million amazing gigs, most recently LCD Soundsystem in Tripod on Friday night.  It was the second time I have seen them this year and they were fantastic, they play all the songs you want to hear and create an amazing atmosphere.  Well done them.  Also, it was my second visit to Tripod in 10 days and I have decided that I really like it as a venue.  Well done Tripod.  Highlight of the night?  Waiting for the beat to kick in during Dance Yourself Clean, which they opened with, although a close second was seeing the boyfriends’ hands in the air and a face of pure euphoria as they played “Tribulations”.

Also, I am absolutely loving “Coppers” on Channel 4.  They describe it thus, “Filmed across England, from inner cities to country beats, Coppers reveals what the police are up against every day of their working lives.”  I think it’s brilliant, the feature police men and women are honest in a way that I don’t actually think I’ve ever seen before in terms of law enforcement.  You find out not only what they’re up against, but also what they really think of the people they deal with on a daily basis, and often their compassion has surprised me.  You can watch it here.  I think the Emergency Response episode is my favourite so far.

Other than that, I was disappointed by Deathly Hallows, and I’m as shocked as everyone else by this revelation.  As for the state of the country…the less said the better.

Louise

Right.  Now I’ve been thinking about this for a few days, and I’m not going to lie it’s been difficult to come to terms with.  What I’m about to type is not going to make me popular…it’s not going to make me cool…you may even be disappointed in me.  However, I’ve just got to say it.

I LIKE CHER LLOYD.

Yep.  I really do.  I like her silly facial expressions, her big hair and slightly dodgy (sometimes very dodgy) makeup.  She is the part of the X Factor I look forward to most.  She’s just got it!  I hope her confidence and star quality doesn’t mean she’s going to go out prematurely in the competition, I reckon people are confusing her natural stage presence with arrogance.  The girl has got it, and if you’re still doubting that fact have a look at last week’s group performance.  You’ll find her bit is the only interesting part of the whole thing.

Yep.  Love the dickie bow too!

Well hello!  I know I’ve been kind of absent here and I do apologize but things have been supremely hectic.  I was very lucky to get 2 opportunities to be on air last week in 2fm, I really enjoyed myself.  It was great to be back on air, because (however wanky this sounds) it really feels like its where I’m meant to be.  Thank you to everyone who texted me, and called me, and facebooked and tweeted to offer support.  It meant a lot to me, and was very comforting at 6am on Friday morning when I was on air for the first time in 5 months to see friendly texts from familiar names in the West and North West.  Fortunately, I didn’t break RTE or libel anyone, so I’m back covering for Damien Farrelly on 2fm tomorrow morning at 6am.  Fingers crossed it won’t be the end!

It’s funny, but having been through the redundancy thing and still being in the middle of career uncertainty makes me feel like I can be a better presenter.  I certainly feel like I have a better understanding of what so many people are going through at the moment.  I have an idea now of how difficult it is to survive on jobseekers allowance, and of the kind of sacrifices people all over the country are making.  Having said that, I’ve been largely fortunate given the fact that I don’t have kids or a mortgage and have parents who were willing to put a roof over my head and feed me when necessary.  It’s not easy in “the current climate”, and it’s hard for me to believe that there was a time when I arrogantly said “Sure, the only effect the recession has had on me is better deals in the supermarket!”  I was kind of asking for punishment, wasn’t I really?  Well, I got it.  But things are looking up, and they will for everyone at some point.  We all just have to keep the faith!  And use the force!  And believe in life after love!  No?  Anyway, you get my drift.  Big love to anyone feeling the recession at the moment.  It sure ain’t easy.