Shownotes and Something For The Weekend
Was watching Six Feet Under last night and in one of the scenes one of the focus points was a Hanky (Handkerchief). It got me thinking, nobody seems to use them anymore! So we asked listeners whether people should starting using as one person described "Snot Rags". I surprised with the huge response we got, Mary phoned to say "When I was a child if people were buying clothes, they'd usually ask how does it wash and the good answer was 'it'll wash like a hanky'. Ask your mother has she ever discovered if a paper hanky went in to the wash with dark clothes, they would be destroyed. There are a lot of pluses for still using them. They are more hygienic if you steep them in detol or bleach. They're not thrown around a street or on buses. I have one belonging to my grandmother and it's embroidered with her initials. They were a fashion accessory up until the 1970s. They might make a come back! You need 100% cotton. I used to get ladies hankies in Arnotts up until a few years ago. They are still available in Shaws in Waterford. Most are polyester and they're not as good at all" So if why not give a home to a hanky!
The other question we answered on the show today concerned the Census which happens on the 23rd, we wondered how would the census would work if you were staying in a hotel for the night, luckily Kay Brown a numerator has the answer "If you're staying in a hotel – the hotel manager will numerate anyone who stays in his premise on that night. He gets a slightly different form to everyone else. He can take up to 60 persons on each form"
Last Friday a post called Something For The Weekend got a lot of hits so I've decided to write another one today. So if you have a few mins to spare over the weekend here's some bands and movies that you might like to check out.
Music wise have a listen to Scott Maher, If I remember correctly he used to be in a really great Beatles tribute band, his solo stuff sounds great too and his full web site can be found here. Female vocal wise you will strain to find a soul singer as good as Laura Isibor, from Dublin she writes great songs and has just signed a massive deal with Zomba. No longer up and coming talent she's established singer in her own right now. If its a full band your after then you've got to check out Captain, I just love their song 'Broke', it is a perfect mix of male/female vocal with a great hook, this song really deserves to do well, hopefully it will.
Movie wise I'm going to recommend a DVD classic. Midnight Run is the ultimate buddy movie, Robert De Niro has never been funnier as a sensitive bounty hunter trying to track down former 'Mob' accountant Jonathan Mardukas, as played by Charles Grodin. Its a really funny film and according to the fab IMDB.com the F word is used 137 times. For that record alone its worth a watch! Thats all for now, I hope you discover some nice nuggets.
Have a great weekend and I'll post soon,
Alan
***Please Note*** The links provided are for your convenience and are in no way connected with this blog. Through these links, this blog is not responsible for the content of these external internet sites.
Texts, Being Young and Podcasting
Well hello, todays show started off with this text: "30/03/2006","11:18:31","Alan do u know what annoys me…kids watching Dvds in the back of cars.they should be looking out the window at the birds and trees.no wonder the world is gone mad when kids dont appreciate the environment around them.i have a 20 month old and he looks out the window and says as gaeilge crann agus einin etc. the parents are to blame for a lot of the behavior of kids these days.turn off the tv and send the kids outside.its so much better for them!"
So we took a trip down memory lane and remembered our own childhoods, It's true though, when I was growing up, the internet didn't realy exist, you had a couple of radio stations and a massive mast on the top of your house to pick up a few channels. You read books, made up stories and spent hours out in the fresh air. The point the listener made is a very valid one, how can a child develop its imagination if their heads are filled with other peoples ideas?? Elaine from Ck on Suir wrapped up the debate by making a great point about how simple things as kids used to make us happy! "30/03/2006", "11:54:28","Remember you might not, but i do,we would make mud cakes,we would b covered mud.Squeezin the muck between our fingers.god b wit d days."
Talking of the Internet, its funny, years ago if you worked in radio nobody would have a notion what you looked like. You would listen in to a show and have an image of the DJ in your mind. Nowadays stations have websites, Presenters have blogs and anyone can go online and have a gawk. I had a great laugh at this text that came into the show today but I don't know if its a compliment of not ;-) "30/03/2006","11:32:49","Alan u look younger than u sound, saw u on the website, was surprised, thought u were an ould lad, hey will ya play paul simon for us. Tanx. Ann
Elsewhere on the show here's the music we had on the show. Artist/Song: Alison Moyet-Weak In The Presence of Beauty, Cara Dillion-Never In A Million Years, Queen and David Bowie-Under Pressure, Jose Gonzalez-Heartbeats, Lighthouse Family-Lifted, Thin Lizzy-Dancing in the Moonlight, Bee Gees-Secret Love, The Bangles-Eternal Flame, Gilbert O' Sullivan-Get Down, Bell X1-Flame, Classic Number One / Leo Sayer-When I Need You.
Got a lot of hits to the Something for a Weekend post last Friday so I'll post another one tommorow, couple of music reviews and a few other bits and bobs. Talk soon, Alan
PS My first podcast 'Click4Sound' kicks off next Friday 14th of April, Full RSS feeds and links will be posted soon. The podcasts will be posted on this blog and later on this year on http://click4sound.com
***Please Note*** The links provided are for your convenience and are in no way connected with this blog. Through these links, this blog is not responsible for the content of these external internet sites.
Shownotes for Weds
On the show yesterday we talked about Beauticians being the happiest workers in Ireland, DJ's came in 2nd place, while Florists and the clergy where also very happy bunnys. Just thinking though, if you were a Beautician wouldn't you get sick everyday dishing out relaxing rubs and makeovers and not getting any rubs yourself?? Meanwhile our age game pitted Oscar winner against a Grammy winner, Whitney Houston or Nicole Kidman? Who was older? Twas Whitney (41). A-Z contestant was Kate from Thomastown and she scored a respectable 7.
Music from the show included Artist/Song: There She Goes-The LA's, Make Me Smile-Steve Harley, Tara Blaise-Unbearable Lightness, Christopher Cross-Arthur's Theme, Meck and Leo Sayer-Thunder in My Heart, Coldplay-Speed of Sound, Tracy Chapman-Baby Can I Hold You, Adrina Thorpe-Round the Bend, Corinne Bailey Rae-Put Your Records On, Jack L-Authentic Fake, Candi staton-Young Hearts Run Free, Jem-Just A Ride, Gnarls Barkley-Crazy, Soul Asylum-Runaway Train and CLASSIC NUMBER ONE-The Foundations-Baby Now That I Found You.
***Please Note*** The links provided are for your convenience and are in no way connected with this blog. Through these links, this blog is not responsible for the content of these external internet sites.
Did you know?
Short blog,
Did you know that there is around 2.25 Billion email queries each day and thats just a rough guess, the actual amount of emails sent cannot be estimated.
2.25 BILLION, jaysus.
Shownotes for Tuesday
On the show today, we talked about favourite names (according to a survey the most popular boys name is Alan, Girls is Laila). Music today included Adrina Thorpe’s 'Round the Bend' from the album 'Elusive', Brian Kennedy's Eurovision entry 'Every Song is a Cry for Love' and our classic number one was the Buggles 'Video Killed the Radio Star' Our book club Tuesday read of the week is 'The Ten Skills of Highly Successful People' By Samuel A. Malone. Sam joined me on the show today to chat about his book.
(pic of book above) According to publishers The Liffey Press "Ten Skills of Highly Successful People" provides practical guidance on how to live a successful and fulfilling life. Success does not mean fabulous riches or fame, but rather achieving the financial means that allows you to live in a purposeful and contented way. The book is organised around the acronym OPTIMISTIC, which will help you to memorise and recall the skills you need to grow and develop in order to realise your dreams" A separate chapter is devoted to each of the ten skills with real-life examples, inspirational quotes and stories, evidence from the best research available and practical advice to facilitate the journey to a happy and successful life. In addition, each chapter has mind maps to help remember the material as well as a five-step plan for putting the skills into practice. Its priced €11.95; ISBN 1-904148-95-6 and is a bargain with the amount of really great advice you get.
Also on the show we talked about how to save money through a site called Tax Ireland. Tax can be confusing (actually VERY confusing) and this site is a fantastic resource.
Our A-Z score was 11 scored by Elaine in Danesfort. Answer to the teaser was '28'
*** Non Shownotes*** Went to see 'Inside Man' last night. I can say, hand on heart, one of the best films I've seen in a while, clever twists, believable characters and a great soundtrack courtesy of Terence Blanchard. I can’t recommend enough the opening track 'Chaiya Chaiya' which I believe is taken from some Bollywood film. If you go and see the movie and the beat at the start doesn’t grab you then something is wrong with you ;-) Also Spike Lee has a host of Podcasts available about Inside Man on the movies site.
Thanks for dropping by, Talk soon,
Alan
Something for the weekend
Full shownotes will be back in operation Monday. Now since its the weekend and you might have some time to spare here are some movie and music links that you might like to check out. Music wise if you fancy something soulful yet funky then you should really have a listen to Gnarls Barkley. The latest offering is a track called ‘Crazy’ which is to be released in April. His My Space page can be located here. Next up is Manchester group/singer Inhaler. Its a mix between Killers and Depeche Mode. As far as I know this guy (Christian Burns) isn’t signed to a major label yet but judging by the song ‘Something about you’ I’m sure the majors will be sniffing around very soon. If a little bit of dance is what your after you’ve got to hear Chicanes new song ‘Stoned in Love’. It features Tom Jones on vocals but in a way you have NEVER heard him before. Its a great tune but won’t be released until the 24th of April. Finally if its a massive female vocal your after then check out Naomi Striemer, what a voice. You won’t be dissapointed.
If your in the mood for a good movie then you can’t go wrong with Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang. From the pen of Lethal Weapon writer Shane Black, KKBB is a murder mystery buddy film starring Robert Downey Jnr and Val Kilmer. The full synposis is here. It’s a long time since I’ve enjoyed this type of a movie plus you get the added bonus of newcomer Michelle Monaghan who plays a struggling tv actress (her next film will be MI-3 with Tom Cruise and is a big star in the waiting). Its witty, smart movie and if you loved Lethal Weapon you will LOVE this. Plus Downey Jnr and Kilmer are a duo screaming out for a sequel. Out now on DVD and worth the rent. You will need to concentrate though, this ain’t no mindless action film.
So hopefully one or two recommendations for the weekend. Have a great one and I’ll talk tommorow. Best, Alan
***Please Note*** The links provided are for your convenience and are in no way connected with this blog. Through these links, this blog is not responsible for the content of these external internet sites.
A tribute night to Fergal Barry
Hey all, sorry for lack of shownotes, rambles and playlists over the past 3 days but I’ve had a bit of a chest infection on me which cleared up yesterday and last night I was involved in a wonderful tribute concert for a Carlow musician called Fergal Barry, a young man who tragically died in December of last year.
I was honoured to be asked to MC the evening. 13 bands played at the concert and 2 of the bands, The Le’mons and Step played original numbers which were written by Fergal. These were groups that he would have been a member of. It was a lovely night, attended by his family and many friends and I hope I did the MCing duties justice. All proceeds of the night went to the Carlow branch of MS Ireland and St.Lazarians School. One of the bands which performed last night was’79 Cortinaz’ and they have written some nice words about the late Fergal Barry on their site which can be found here. All credit to the acts that played last night, you were all fantastic. I like to say a big thank you to Padraig and Barry for asking me to MC the night.
Long Johns and Lots of Links
Hey, the first ten minutes of todays radio show consisted of why nobody wears Long Johns anymore. After much debate it was agreed that many of you DO wear the thermals! Still not convinced though! I honestly believe, thats why so many of us have shaggin colds at the moment. Elsewhere on the show to celebrate World Poetry Day we talked about the how Ireland is home to so many great poets and to celebrate we recited the words of the shortest ever poem.
Today was web day, while browsing for content for the show I came across the new Da Vinci Code trailer which can be found here. I was reading that there has been a huge downturn in people attending cinema screenings. Now whether this is to do with DVD’s, the net etc attendances should shoot back up this summer with the amount of films coming out. Personally I can’t wait to see the new Superman Returns movie (big Bryan Singer fan) Da Vinci Code should pack ‘em in and in a moment of pure weakness Mission Impossible 3, for pure popcorn enjoyment and to see how Lost Director J.J. Abrams shoots it. Being such a movie fan I am still suffering from withdrawl symptoms due to the ending of the Peter Jackson Kong video diary. To make matters worse Bryan Singer for some reason stopped his video journals mid way through production for Superman Returns.
Anyways, enough of my whinging. I Want to share with you a blog that I’ve enjoyed reading for the past few months. This blog has become so well read that the blogger has signed a book deal. Belle in the Big Apple is the diary of a NY writer trying to make her way up the career ladder in New York. Over the past month or so a new man has made his way into Belle’s life and guess what…. he’s a cook…. with a blog, its really fantastic writing and I’m looking forward to reading the book. I just hope its not a cut and paste from the blog.
Finally if you think you blog alot, then check out http://designsponge.blogspot.com/. You don’t blog half enough…..
Ok…. getting sleepy,
Tommorow, music from My Space that are floating my boat and advances on my first podcast. Talk soon, Alan
***Please Note*** The links provided are for your convenience and are in no way connected with this blog. Through these links, this blog is not responsible for the content of these external internet sites.
80 days to go and more good news!
Now you might not know this but I LOVE football…….
As if having the Fifa World Cup in Germany this summer (80 days to go and counting..) was not enough, the news that the best football pundit/critics/piss takers of football tournaments are returning has suddenly wetted the appetite even further.
I’ve just found out that David Baddiel and Frank Skinner are to produce 10 free World Cup podcasts from Germany for the English Times newspaper has put a massive smile on my face! Fantasy Football League and FF World cup were such great TV shows and when I heard recently that they were not doing any world cup TV show this year, I was quite disappointed. But it now seems that they are pressing ahead with the podcasts and that just ads the icing to the world cup cake, even if Ireland are not there. The times news link can be found here.
***Please Note*** The links provided are for your convenience and are in no way connected with this blog. Through these links, this blog is not responsible for the content of these external internet sites.
