Author Archives: Bodger

Ouch.

This morning.

Via Yahoo:

Heather McDonald is sharing video footage of her fainting spell that took place on stage over the weekend in Tempe, Arizona.

The comedian, 51, fell after taking the stage for a standup set on Saturday night and later was admitted to the hospital with a skull fracture.

“When you faint on stage after you brag about being vaccinated,” McDonald wrote over a video in which she is seen mentioning how she is “double vaxxed” and has the “booster [and the] flu shot,” before going on to say she even has her shingles vaccine.

“I fainted on stage and fractured my skull in front of a sold out show at the @tempeimprov What do you think caused it? #karma #Jesus #comedy #juicyscoop #standup #covid.”

Anyone?

Heather McDonald Posts Video of Her Onstage Faint That Resulted in a Skull Fracture (Yahoo)

The Ambassador Bridge between Canada and Detroit, USA yesterday

This morning.

Via Reuters

The busiest land crossing from the United States to Canada remained shut after Canadian truckers blocked lanes on Monday to protest their government’s pandemic control measures.

While traffic in both directions was initially blocked, U.S.-bound lanes have since reopened, Windsor Police tweeted. Canadian police also said late on Tuesday another border crossing at Coutts, Alberta, had been shut down by protesters for inbound and outbound traffic.

Key U.S.-Canada border crossing blocked by truckers fighting Trudeau’s COVID curbs (Reuters)

Pic: Reuters

Meanwhile…

Wellington, New Zealand yesterday

This morning.

Via BBC:

New Zealand has seen a second day of demonstrations against pandemic restrictions with protesters camping outside the nation’s parliament.

Inspired by large anti- vaccine rallies in Canada, hundreds of Kiwis arrived on Tuesday to stage new protests against vaccine mandates and other Covid rules.

Protesters adopted the name “Convoy for Freedom” and blocked streets in the capital Wellington.

New Zealand anti-vax protesters inspired by Canada truckers camp outside parliament (BBC)

Pic: BBC

No.

The Contractor.

Linda Ní Ghríofa writes:

‘Contractors’ is a fascinating seven-part observational entertainment-based documentary series exploring the working lives and personal narratives of 7 agricultural contracting families from diverse locations over a critical six month period from April to September: a unique practical and personal insight into contemporary life in rural Ireland.

Featuring 7 feisty contracting crews from Limerick, Kerry, Meath, Tipperary, Galway, Donegal and Clare, the series highlights their professional challenges, the high and lows of their daily routine and their hopes and dreams, presenting a no-holds barred portrait of 7 extraordinary crews for hire – all members of an agricultural sub-economy without which farming would not be possible.

Contractors starts February 24 on TG4 at 9.30pm

This morning.

Meanwhile…

Hardcore.

Meanwhile…

Jaykersus.

Meanwhile…

…Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan said

“The government’s response to this crisis has been to fiddle with rent caps, which are now set at 2pc. Given the double-digit rent increases replete across the country last year, it is clear rent caps are nothing more than window dressing. They are doing nothing to stop sky-high rent increases.

“The answer to these outrageous and unaffordable rent increases has been obvious for years now – ban rent increases and dramatically increase the supply of public, affordable and cost rental homes. Regrettably, the government is refusing to act – and ordinary people are suffering as a consequence.”

Daft Report here

This evening.

Oireachtas foreign affairs committee.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney is responding to questions on a report which found a ‘serious breach’ of Covid-19 social distancing rules had occurred in the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Iveagh House HQ in June 2020 during a UN security seat Champagne celebration.

Watch Live here

Previously: They Keep Their Moet Et Chandon In A Pretty Cabinet

This afternoon.

Free February 14?

Nikola writes:

This Valentine’s Day, we are hosting a ‘Tinder Night’ at Bangin Noodles Restaurant in Augustine Street, Galway City.

Think a classic speed dating event but with a few differences: Think less ‘boring hotel conference room speed dating event’ more ‘Real Life Tinder’ ! 20 guys. 20 girls. 5 minute per date. Plenty of fun and games thrown into the mix to find your lucky one!

PlayBlue have given us a hamper of all of their products (from condoms and cock rings to dildos and sexual health books and everything in between!!) and we also have a 100 euro voucher for Bangin Noodles to spend on food or cocktails also…

Splutter.

Tinder Night (EventBrite)

Above from left: Liam Herrick (Irish Council for Civil Liberties); Ruth Coppinger (Socialist Party and ROSA); Aislinn O’Keeffe; and Ailbhe Smyth (activist for women’s and LGBT+ rights)

This afternoon.

Buswells Hotel, Dublin 2.

An event to ‘defend the right to protest’. A case is proceeding against ROSA activist Aislinn O’Keeffe in Limerick for her attendance at a protest last March violating Covid restrictions in Limerick city following the killing of Sarah Everard in the UK.

Sasko Lazarov /RollingNews

THis morning.

PBP-Solidarity TDs Mick Barry (top right) and Paul Murphy on the plinth discussing the group’s Private Members Motion on the Minimum Wage, Carbon Tax, and the cost of living.

Meanwhile….

…..Catherine Murphy, Social Democrats co-leader, said:

“Core social welfare rates – which were only increased by a paltry €5 in January – should be increased by a further €5. We know pensioners are among those most impacted by high energy costs. A €5 increase to the pension, which had not been increased for two years, was never going to be enough. The minimum wage must also be increased to factor in record levels of inflation.

“The fuel allowance should be extended beyond March and must also be paid to low income earners in receipt of the Working Family Payment. Currently, they are ineligible for this payment. The Exceptional Needs Fund should be doubled, and restrictions loosened, so that families at risk of fuel poverty can be assisted.

“A €300 refundable tax credit, for those earning below €50,000, should also be introduced. This would target support to those low and middle income earners who desperately need it. As it stands, the government is about to spend more than €6 million on electricity credits for holiday homes. This is not a good use of State resources.”

Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews

This afternoon.

Caitríona denied.

Fight!

Meanwhile…

Damn you, Dame Judi.

There is a chronic shortage of chefs in Ireland, restaurant owners say

This afternoon.

Via RTÉ news:

…Four in ten tourism and hospitality workers claiming the Pandemic Unemployment Payment did not return to their pre-pandemic employers, with many moving sectors and others returning to their home countries abroad.

“The pandemic has had a profound impact on the industry’s skill base, with a mass exodus of workers into other industries that reopened earlier,” said Paul Kelly, chief executive of Fáilte Ireland.

The issues are particularly acute among chefs, with 88% of employers reporting they are having “considerable difficulty” recruiting them.

Estimated 40,000 vacancies in tourism sector (RTE)

RollingNews

Alamy