Category Archives: Misc

Thank Fidelma it’s Friday.

The crowd’s all here so let’s do another (sadly) voucher-less Friday music gabfest, shall we?

I’m almost afraid to choose a theme in case some pedantic alert reader (you know who you are!) pipes up that I chose the same theme on (insert exact date and year and link to previous BS comp from the mists of time).

But I shall not be deterred! This week, I want to know: what’s your favourite song to listen to before you go to sleep?

Here’s mine.

Please include video link if possible.

Lines must close at Midday Saturday.

Nick says: Good luck!

Meanwhile…

The results are in.

Last week, my esteem was won by Capernosity & Function who chose as his favourite winter song In The Bleak Midwinter.

“This version is from Carols at King’s College, Cambridge. This is the epitome of the High Church Anglican hymn in the classic Church of England Christmas setting. Winter is my favourite season and this song evokes those images of the barren trees surrounding the ancient church amidst a graveyard of faded headstones tinged with frost. Lovely.”

Nick says: Thanks to all who entered.

Meanwhile…

It nearly got away.

And three weeks ago (long story!!), my esteem was won by Otis Blue whose favourite song about travel was Wide Open Road by The Triffids (above).

Otis wrote:

“The quintessential Aussie road trip song.”

Nick says: Thanks Otis.

Pic: Wah Wah Records, Dublin

Wednesday.

Verona Murphy’s assertion that vaccinated and unvaccinated share the same risk of spreading the rona has come under scrutiny from The Journal‘s fact checkers.

To wit:

Right.

Cleared that up.

FactCheck: Are vaccinated people as likely to transmit Covid-19 as non-vaccinated people? (The Journal)

Wednesday: Reckless People

Thanks KN

Meanwhile…

FIGHT!

‘sup?

Let it out.

This morning/afternoon

The Tánaiste said that “climate-shaming” of farmers should stop.

There was an increase in agriculture emissions last year, but decrease the year before, Mr Varadkar said.

“We’re determined to bring farmers and rural communities with us when it comes to making this change,” he said.

“What we now have is certainty for farmers. We have a climate plan. They know exactly what they have been asked to do,” he said.

Varadkar: ‘We have a duty to do our part’ on climate (RTÉ)

Previously: Breaking Wind

RollingNews

This afternoon.

Shayna writes:

I received my “Spend Local” £100 Credit card. Stormont is the only devolved government to implement the scheme.

It is estimated that it will cost £15M , designed to help local businesses in The North of Ireland who have suffered due to Covid. It’s available to anyone who resides in NI, over 18 and can provide a National Insurance number, also it is not means tested.

However, I gather, far from stimulating the local economy, lots of types are using the full £100 at Tesco and the like to purchase gift vouchers for Amazon. The road to Hell is paved with good intentions, comes to mind.

Ah here.

Damn you, Bezos.

Jedward

On Angela Scanlon’s Ask me Anything.

Rayna Connery writes:

Dubbed the “ultimate handsome man” actor and comic writer Rob Delaney joins Angela for his first ever Irish TV interview….

…Dynamic pop duo Jedward discuss how it’s good to be a badass sometimes with their spicy tweets and their hopes to represent Ireland for a third time at the Eurovision Song Contest…

The most famous fringe in Ireland and the belle of the Liberties Imelda May talks to Angela about cloud gazing; shaking things up and how her fella makes her laugh…

Angela Scanlon’s Ask Me Anything tomorrow on RTÉ One at 9:45pm.

RollingNews

This morning/afternoon.

Glasgow, Scotland.

Greta Thunberg leads climate change rally as young activists march through Glasgow (Evening Standard)

This morning.

Via Associated Press:

Pfizer Inc. said Friday that its experimental antiviral pill for COVID-19 cut rates of hospitalization and death by nearly 90% in high-risk adults, as the drugmaker joins the race to bring the first easy-to-use medication against the coronavirus to the U.S. market.

Currently all COVID-19 treatments used in the U.S. require an IV or injection. Competitor Merck’s COVID-19 pill is already under review at the Food and Drug Administration after showing strong initial results, and on Thursday the United Kingdom became the first country to OK it.

Pfizer said it will ask the FDA and international regulators to authorize its pill as soon as possible, after independent experts recommended halting the company’s study based on the strength of its results. Once Pfizer applies, the FDA could make a decision within weeks or months.

Soma, anyone?

FIGHT!

Pfizer says COVID-19 pill cut hospital, death risk by 90% (AP)