This is amazing.  I can’t believe I ever was dubious about dogs.

One of the greatest tragedies of Irish television in my opinion, is the fact that noone has decided to show American television show “The View”.  It’s basically the show that spawned “Loose Women” and “Mid-day” on TV3.  Four women, sit around, and shoot the breeze about topical issues and chat to celebrity guests.  Wait, I should probably rephrase that, because shooting the breeze sounds like a nice chat you might have with friends while sipping on a mojito in your back garden, and more often than not these “chats” are more like an alcohol fueled domestic between mortal enemies at a family reunion.  It…is…BRILLIANT.  At the moment the panellists are Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar (lefty liberal gas woman), Sherri Shepherd (all round nice lady) and my favourite:  ELISABETH HASSELBECK.

She is a complete and total nimrod.  Now I don’t think I’ve ever used the word nimrod before, but in this case it seems like the only appropriate term to describe the Hasselbeck.  Check her out here, in a fine example of her nimroddyness.  I wish wish WISH we could see her on our tv every day, because she is so often beautifully put in her place by the other women.  From this day forth, I shall commence giving you samples of her ignorance via this blog.  Welcome to a brave new world.

Louise xoxo

Firstly, let me apologize for the abrupt end to my last post.  I was very excited.  Still am actually!  I’m delighted for Conor J. O’Brien and Villagers, they totally derserve the Mercury nomination.

Now for something completely different.  When I lived in the states there were a lot of discussions about “valley girls”.  “Valley Girls” were girls from California who said “like” every two minutes, “Oh My God” a lot, and with a unique lilt that meant their sentences almost always sounded like questions.  In 1982, there was a competition to find the best Valley Girl.  Here is videographic evidence.  This ACTUALLY happened.

Louise xoxo

Apologies.  Again.  Things have been hectic.  Again.  I’m just a bit rubbish at this when things get busy!  Anywho, to business.

I went to Oxegen.  It was fun, but very very wet.  I’m usually pretty good at tolerating the festival environment; I don’t moan about the toilets or lack of showers, and when it rains I fire on a poncho and get on with it.  But this was a different scale of bad weather.  It rained almost constantly from when we arrived on Friday til very late on Saturday night.  We’re talking proper, hard, so wet your skin goes pruney rain.  I did not like it, and at one point during Florence and the Machine I actually felt like giving up, but thankfully Dizzee Rascal came on and pulled me through.  Highlight?  Jay Z.  He was INCREDIBLE and should have been the headliner on Friday night if the lackluster crowd for Arcade Fire were anything to go by.  Lowlight?  Laura Marling’s set being ruined by sound problems and the volume of the Main Stage and the Vodafone Stage.

In other news, I have moved home for a while.  I am excited about the prospect of having my clothes in a wardrobe for the first time in a few months, although my sister is going to have to move some crap out of the room I’m sleeping in at the moment before I manage that.  She has very generously donated one of her TWO rooms in the house for this interim period.  I am learning a lot about her taste in music while sleeping there, she has the lyrics of three songs stuck to the wall beside the bed.  They are:

And…

Best 12 year old ever?  I think so!  Aside from the room situation, it’s nice to be home.  The presses have food in them, my dog is happy to see me, and I don’t have to worry about the ESB.

AGH!  Sorry, just heard on BBC 6music that my friend Conor has been nominated for the Mercury Music Prize!  ZOMG!  So excited!  Must go and text loads of people…

Back later.

Louise xoxo

I’m sorry, but it is.  And this is no exception.  I laughed heatily.

My favourite bit is the fact that the couple just keep on going…I can hear yer woman’s inner monologue now, “Nothin’s gonna ruin my day!”  I do feel sorry for the poor guy though…a little bit.  When I’m not laughing.

Louise

There is very little I can say about this:

According to the press release:  “just add air and she’ll let you poke-her face.”

Louise xoxo

There it was.  My last night in the Roisin as a Galwegian.  Now, I know I’ll be back visiting a lot, so I don’t want to get too maudlin here…but I can’t help but feel a little retrospective.  When I arrived here, I honestly thought I would never feel at home.  I remember walking across the Corrib and looking at people drinking in the sunshine at the Spanish Arch thinking, “That will never be me”.  But I was so wrong.

It’s cheesy, but I found myself in Galway.  I really did.  I made friendships that have changed my life and had experiences that taught me lessons.  I laughed (a lot).  I cried (a lot).  I learned (a lot).  A piece of my heart will always be in this city.  And the majority of my wealth will remain in the pubs coffers…(no seriously, I often thought that a portion of my wages should just go directly to Neachtains and the Roisin).  But the friendships and memories I will keep with me always, and they are absolutely priceless.

Galway, I love you.  I’ll never forget you.  And I envy anyone just beginning their time with you.

Thank you to everyone I laughed with and cried with.  You made it for me.

Louise xoxo

Just a quick post today as I’m trying to pack up my life in Galway and am knee deep in bin bags and dust.  Packing sucks, doesn’t it?  And it’s extra hard when you’re trying to be really ruthless.  I literally halved my wardrobe and am already having some separation anxiety despite the fact that the clothes I’m saying goodbye to are still upstairs in bin bags.

ANYWAY.  Not much time for blogging, but I will leave you with this adorable story about a little girl and an orangutan.

Louise xoxo

I have a very talented friend named Jenny and she makes amazing clothes and accessories.  I’ve always been very impressed by her, but was particularly impressed by this “Get Me to the Church” bridal bag she recently made for her aunt who was getting married.

Isn’t it lovely?  The flowers are nice too, but that’s a different matter.  Anyway, Jenny has a great blog (she doesn’t know this but I’m actually really jealous because I think it’s better than this one.  Don’t tell her though.), and you can check out her wares (check out the wares on tha’!) and get updates on new products here.  G’wan the Jenny.

Louise xoxo