Louise McSharry

So, at this point, you probably know that I cry easily.  At everything.  My wedding day is going to be a makeup nightmare.  Thus, it will come as no surprise to you that I cried at this video.

Delighted for him.

I’ve loved Rosie O’Donnell since “A League of Their Own”, and I really don’t know how I missed this absolute GEM.

Hello!  Today is mental so don’t have much time to be here unfortunately.  Hopefully this video of Ricky Gervais offending everyone in Hollywood will keep you going.

 

It must have been exciting for 8 year old Elizabeth when she got to sing the American National Anthem at a local hockey game.  Singing the anthem is a big deal!  So I can only imagine how she felt when her mic suddenly gave out.  Fortunately the crowd were there to help.

Once again, I warn you, you may tear up.

Here you go!

It’s hard to get your head around the fact that this ACTUALLY happened.  It looks like a movie.

Donations can be made here.

This has been all over facebook so you’ve probably seen it at this point, but I insist you watch it again.

Wonderful.

It was a shock to most Dublin foodies when rumours circulated about the closure of Gruel and The Mermaid.  The two restaurants had been open for 14 years, and were a staple in many people’s lives.  (I for one think the fry in Gruel was one of the best in Dublin.)  The dismay when it became clear that the rumours weren’t just rumours was palpable.

Today, all is becoming clear.  The owners of the two establishments, Mark Harrell and Ben Gorman, have spoken to the Irish Times, and they’re not mincing their words.

“I fear for Dublin if this is the way the culture is going to go. It will just become temporary traders and boarded-up shops,” Mr Harrell said.

For Gruel and the Mermaid, 2010 was a difficult year.  Between snow at the start and end of the year, and volcanic ash somewhere in the middle, trade slowed down.  But that’s not what they’re attributing their closings to.

According to the Irish Times:

The combined rent on the two restaurants at 68 and 69 Dame Street was €190,000. When Mr Harrell and Mr Gorman opened the Mermaid, at number 69, in 1996, the rent was £15,000.

Some increase is obviously understandable, but that is monumental.  Within those constraints, it’s a wonder that any restaurants and bars manage to stay open.  According to Mark Harrell they won’t be the last of the closures.

It will be “a very busy year” for restaurant closures in the city, he predicted, with levels of custom during January and February – traditionally quiet for the industry – likely to force several traders out.

“It will be the small, interesting restaurants that go. It’s not going to be the Starbucks and the McDonald’s. But then what’s left? Where’s the interest? Where’s the joy?”

He’s got a point.  Can’t help but think of Maser and Damien Dempsey’s joint effort:

They’ve got a point too.

If I were to write an autobiography, I think Forever Lazy would be an appropriate title, so you can imagine my delight when I came across this:

There are many varieties of onesies available these days, but there have always been a few issues for me.  First, I can’t abide my feet being enclosed.  I need to be able to wriggle my toes in the fresh air if the desire strikes me.  Secondly, going to the toilet!  I mean, how would one manage?  Thirdly, would I be able to “party down with friends” while wearing a onesie?  I just didn’t know.

Thank God the Forever Lazy has addressed all of these issues.  This is the onesie for me.  Also, as it is unlikely that I will ever take it off, I’ll be easily identified and my media profile will skyrocket.  I’ll be “that girl who is sometimes on the radio who always wears the onesie!”  WIN.

(Thanks to Karen for alerting me to this wonderful ad.)