Category: Uncategorized

BBC Radio 4 – You’re Dead to Me, Mary Shelley.

https://youtu.be/YhGn_9faEi4?si=TpmAFC_WQBpcKJNs

 

This is a great listen as a historian and comedian both analyse Mary Shelley’s work. Many men at the time refused to believe that a woman had written this great work of fiction. Mary’s mother dies soon after her birth which left Mary with a pervading guilt throughout her life. Her father remarried but Mary did not have an easy relationship with her. From an early age, Mary was exposed to great minds as her father regularly entertained Philosophers, Poets, and radical Politicians.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge when invited around for dinner described the Godwin children as ‘cadaverous with quite a catacombic vibe.

Percy Shelley stole her heart from an early age and rumours abound that they consummated their love on her mother’s grave. Whether this is an urban myth or not it does fire the imagination when you consider her penchant for all things grim and gothic.

Mary’s primary objective in writing Frankenstein was to examine the ethics surrounding technology at the time and to explore society’s attitude towards inclusion.

She suffered numerous tragedies throughout her life. In her early twenties, her beloved half-sister committed suicide. Her firstborn with Percy Shelly was born prematurely and later died. Their next two children passed months apart in 1818.

And just for a bit of silliness. As, after all, what is a day or a blog without taking the opportunity to be silly or to watch someone else being silly? Gene Wilder always does silliness to perfection.

 

Young Frankenstein (1974) Bloopers & Outtakes

 

https://youtu.be/tOjH-yoEJe0?si=ukCZvXZpVV3Fz9eo

 

 

All the best

Stay fab

Adele

Dylan Moran is hilarious in this clip where he states a confessed generalisation

• All Women are Mary Shelly and all men are The Monster

https://youtu.be/Af2vGh3t-o4?si=_YB1yebWcnz_B_NR

 

Mary Wollstonecraft and William Godwin were Mary’s famous parents. Her father was a radical politician, eschewing democracy for a self-governing world.

Frankenstein is written within the gothic and romantic genre. What is truly fascinating about Frankenstein’s Monster is that its powers are not gained from magic but rather scientific knowledge which was being discussed at the time the book was first published.

Mary Shelly was light years ahead of her time. And to have written her most famous novel at such a young age is remarkable. Like her father, she was a renegade and she idolised both her parents. Her mother was one of the most famous original feminists. A Vindication of The Rights of Woman was her greatest work.

Some say the novel asks the question of whether we should fear monstrosity, the creator of the monster or the monster itself. The whole realm of art and creativity can be examined within this lens. In other words, what do we owe to the things we create?

I love a monster. My favourite movie, as mentioned before, is Silence of The Lambs. Partly because I adore Sir Anthony Hopkins but also because I am fascinated by the fact that we love him, as a monster. And I still wonder, why we do that.

 

All the best

Stay fab

Adele

https://www.aclib.us/blog/frankenstein-day-or-birthday-mary-shelley

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley must be one of the greatest horror stories ever written. I am sure it is a metaphor for life in that we are all comprised of many different pieces/experiences. Alter egos are very common and wearing different masks for various social occasions is a powerful coping mechanism for me. Some days I feel like a goat and others like a ladybird, but that’s just me. How about you, or should I say ewe? Are you a sheep or a bull?

Top Ten Facts about Mary Shelley

• Her parents were famous intellectuals.
• She eloped with Percy Bysshe Shelley and her father disapproved of her relationship with Percy Bysshe Shelley.
• Mary was just 18 when she had the idea for Frankenstein and finished it aged 19! The novel was published in 1818 when she was just 21 years old.
• Frankenstein is one of the very first examples of the now celebrated and very popular genre of science-fiction.
• Mary thought of the idea for Frankenstein when she was in Geneva with Percy Shelley and Lord Byron, another famous poet. Byron challenged everyone to write a ghost story and Mary came up with Frankenstein, which she later developed into the novel we now know.
• Some of the ideas for Frankenstein came to Mary Shelley in a nightmare.
• Mary suffered terribly from the loss of her first three children; who all died at a young age. She had a fourth child who was named Percy after his father.
• Frankenstein Castle is a real castle in Germany. Some people think it may have inspired Mary’s story. Famous inventor Thomas Edison made a 15-minute film version of Frankenstein in 1910. It is thought to be one of the first horror films ever made.
• Mary taught herself many things. Her father did not have a lot of money to spend on her education, but she read a lot and made her own notes. She was also eager to learn from all the famous writers she knew and later wrote and published their biographies.
• Mary and Percy Shelley often wrote together and collaborated in their writing. They wrote a joint journal about their travels around Europe and encouraged and supported each other’s work. After Percy Shelley’s death, Mary supported herself and her son with her writing, which was very difficult and unusual for a woman to do at the time.

 

All the best

Stay fab

Adele

Doggone but International Dog Day has to be the best day of the year. WPA (Woeful Pun Alert) It is fur everyone, whether you have a fur baby or not, evfurry one is welcome to pawticipate. If you have had a ruff day it may be just what you need to attract more pawsivity.

Many tails have been written about dogs, and Vanity Fur recently celebrated their cuteness and loyalty. My series – The Dog Web, on Patreon, features Buzz as the Editor of the neighbourhood newsletter. Finn is his trusty sidekick, who reports on the 4 am park gathering that has become The Woof Light District.

https://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/international-dog-day-date-history-and-significance-6412778

I cannot finish this blog without featuring (again) my favourite dog-related poem, featuring famous doggy rock bands. You’re welcome.

 

Poem Doggy Rock

If dogs could talk, I so wish they would rock.

I know as a band; they would enthral and shock.

They could be called Bone Jovi

And boy, how I would Live on their prayer daily.

What about Snow Pawtrol?

I would Run to see them, Rock’n Roll,

Super Furry Animals and their Golden Retriever would light up a crowd.

The Animals at their Carnival playing loud and proud.

Furreigner singing Don’t stop retrievers,

Is a song I would truly believe in.

I gotta feeling Ruff Leopard and the Black Eyed Paws,

Would bring out the Animal in me and fill me full of awe.

Bones and Roses and Muttley Crue would never be Estranged.

And in Paradise City, I would dance deranged.

I would have Faith in Limp Dog Bizkit, Earth, Wind and Furr;

As they rock my canine Fantasy making my imagination stir.

The Velvet Undergrowl would give Some kinda love;

Then more Love etc, as the Pet Shop Boys go above

And beyond. The Boomtown Ruffs would make us always like Mondays.

And the Hot House Fowlers with Don’t Go could be the latest craze.

The Waggerboys would have me wagging my tail.

To The Whole of the Moon, I would chorus and wail.

I would never Give it away to the Red Hot Chili Papillons.

And Eight days a week, the Beagles would have me singing every song.

The Irish Rovers would support the magnificent Muttorhead.

And I’ll tell me Ma my Heroes have all my dreams made.

Daschund Midnight runners and Geno would be festival stunners.

As Barkade Fire Wake up and give so much wonder.

All the best

Stay fab

Adele

Here is my latest whimsical poem for your review. My lipstick is too bright at the best of times, so I decided to write a poem about it.

 

 

Red Lipstick

I shall wear too much red lipstick today.

I’m going to splash in puddles and sing in the rain.

The hills are alive with the Sound of Music.

I shall wave at the boats, leaving the estuary.

And collect my oyster shells to make necklaces. I’m a bit crafty you see.

I shall use my favourite word today – panacea.

And if you think I am being verbose – See ya.

I shall stand up for myself and be as cheeky as a pup.

I will do my silly walk to cheer myself up.

I shall assert myself. NO, is a complete sentence.

Why are you being such an unbelievable menace?

I shall practice my pointless dolphin impression.

And in my car, scream out my frustrations.

No catastrophizing or ruminating for me.

I shall wear a moustache ice cream from Scrumdiddly.

I will meet with triumph and disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same.

I will wear garish clothes and be mutton dressed as lamb. 

I will tell silly jokes and not give a care

How many ears did Dr. Spock have?

Three.

The left ear, the right ear, and the final front ear.

Slow down snails crossing, I will chalk on my local park path.

I never achieve much when I scurry and dash.

Free swallow aerial display at 4 pm today;

Will also be chalked to remind folk to notice them feeding and at play.

My Dementors and fear can take a run and a jump.

I have lived too much; I have no cares left. NONE.

I’ll still be kind and help where I can,

But I will no longer dim my light, for anyone as I am my superwoman.

By

Adele Leahy

All the best

Stay fab

Adele

 

 

 

Ireland did mighty in the Olympics. Seven medals for a nation as small as ours is relatively unheard of. From rowing to boxing, gymnastics and swimming, our team were truly incredible. Their homecoming was a joy to behold and I know they will continue to make Ireland proud.

Tom Cruise closing the ceremony with his stunts was another spectacle to behold as he received the Olympic flame for the USA to hold the Olympics in 2028.

https://youtu.be/49u3TrRwpOE?si=CO1-IUvOfuQAPjwJ

New games such as baseball, squash, surfing, skateboarding and karate.

92FM was discussing on the radio today the games that would need to possibly be added if Ireland were ever to host the Olympic Games. Here are a few of my suggestions

1. Turfing- who can cut the most turf in five minutes.
2. Guinness – most perfect Guinness pints poured in Ten Minutes.
3. Cow Milking – Most cows milked in one hour.
4. Slagging – the wittiest roasting match, Irish style.
5. Bodhran speed – The fastest bodhran player.

Ultimately, if the above, could be combined to be a circuit I think it would have maximum effect. Starting with the turfing, onto the Guinness pouring, followed by the cow milking, slagging and bodhran playing.

What do you think? Have you any other suggestions?

All the best

Stay fab

Adele

I had to be course and basic to celebrate my 500^th blog, and Biden’s Fart, did the job. My favourite poem has always been Kim Kardashian’s Arse which is why it seemed appropriate to write a poem in honour of Biden’s unapologetic flatulence. The salute after he farts will always make me smile.

The irony of Trump, trumping his was through his court proceedings was not lost on anyone. Saturday Night Live and Graham Norton can’t get enough of Trump as he is pure comedy gold. Here are the funniest stories. My all-time favourite has to be Trump’s commencement speech which was identical to Elle’s graduation speech from Legally Blonde. Reese Witherspoon is so humble when Graham brings it up and the reaction of Harrison Ford is pure class. You have to see it to believe it.

The Charlie Sheen Cuff Link story is priceless too.

The Funniest Donald Trump Stories On The Graham Norton Show | Part One

 

https://youtu.be/uOBF9qPto4c?si=g1B_X5AyItG4VL0w

Final Debate Cold Open – SNL

 

https://youtu.be/ozGr4IsTUng?si=wh9DXx2JfKYq2kBB

Best of Blogs Quarter Two 2024

 

1. April

https://adeleleahy.ie/april-fools-day-2024april-fools-day-2024/

 

2. May

https://adeleleahy.ie/500th-blog-and-bidens-fart/

 

3. May

https://adeleleahy.ie/stand-up-vs-therapy-part-one-of-two/

 

https://adeleleahy.ie/stand-up-vs-therapy-part-two-of-two-2/

 

4. June

https://adeleleahy.ie/anxious-comedy-relief/

 

5. June

https://adeleleahy.ie/how-to-avoid-charity-workers/

 

6. June

https://adeleleahy.ie/harry-enfield-i-saw-you-coming/

 

7. June

https://adeleleahy.ie/glastonbury-memories-2002/

 

8. July

https://adeleleahy.ie/ibiza-trip/

 

All the best

Stay fab

Adele

 

 

And here they are. My favourite blogs from the first quarter of this year. I always love looking back and reading them as I can remember feck all. If I smile, it is all the better. Writing new poetry is always enjoyable and I am pleased to say that – I Google Therefore I Am, always goes down well when I perform it.

One of my goals at the beginning of the year was to begin to perform Stand up Comedy and I am glad to say I have done this.

As my teacher in National School said on my report when I was Eight years old – When she is good, she is very very good and vice versa. In other words, I can do a good set and the next time I can bomb and forget my lines.

1. Jan

https://adeleleahy.ie/happy-new-years-day-2024happy-new-years-day-2024/#

 

2. Jan

https://adeleleahy.ie/best-blogs-of-2023-last-quarter/

 

 

3. Feb

https://adeleleahy.ie/poem-i-google-therefore-i-am/

 

4. Feb

https://adeleleahy.ie/poem-my-name-is-not-audrey/

 

5. Feb

https://adeleleahy.ie/doris-the-sleepy-cow/

 

6. Feb/March

https://adeleleahy.ie/happy-international-monday-and-other-silly-days-part-one-of-three/

https://adeleleahy.ie/happy-international-monday-and-other-silly-days-part-two-of-three/

https://adeleleahy.ie/happy-international-monday-and-other-silly-days-part-three-of-three/

 

7. March

https://adeleleahy.ie/stand-up-comedy-ikea/

 

8. March

https://adeleleahy.ie/happy-early-easter-2024/

 

All the best

Stay fab

Adele

 

 

1. Not say hello to the bees, busy on the lavender plants while I walk Buzz & Finn. IMPOSSIBLE.
2. Be sullen and ungrateful for the day. Impossible. Although, I have my moments. I am not perfect but sometimes I am so close I can almost taste it.
3. Stop saying – This Too Shall Pass, is a great motto for anyone suffering from constipation. Impossible. It makes me smile.
4. Not write, in chalk on my local park path – Free swallow aerial display at 4 pm today. Impossible. It is such a spectacular display. The – Slow Down, Snails of Waterside crossing chalk path message, was a success.
5. Not submit my three children’s books and the Triple D Comedy script. I have to extract the proverbial digit. Impossible. I have to do it.
6. Perfect my Yodelling and Dolphin impersonation. Impossible. They are already perfect.

Which rabbit hole shall I go down today?

1. Watch The Monty Python Silly Olympics clip on YouTube in preparation for the real Olympics next month?
2. Google all the Irish Athletes that are competing. We have many hopefuls in swimming, boxing, rowing, track and gymnastics.
3. Pretend that the Aldi Trolley Dash- when they open a new till- is an actual Olympic event .

All the best

Stay fab

Adele

 

 

This will always be one of my favourite blogs as I adore Alice in Wonderland. I regularly find myself going down a rabbit hole, predominantly of the Google kind. So, here are parts three of four.

What rabbit hole will you be going down today? Keep it clean please……

1. Leap out of bed with Joie de Vivre and Gusto. Impossible. Josi de Vivre and Gusto vehemently refused to get out of bed.
2. To become vegetarian. Impossible. Even with the shite weather, it’s still BBQ season.
3. Train Buzz and Finn to be less adorable. Impossible. They are ridiculously cute.
4. Not get excited about performing at Electric Picnic in Mindfield next Month, as organised by the virtuoso, David Hynes. Impossible.
5. Not get excited about performing my first Stand Up Comedy gig at The Ha’penny Bar Comedy Club in August. Impossible.
6. Not to have the song, I like the way you kiss me, by Artemis, as an earworm in my head all day.

The Google rabbit and wormholes that I see myself going down today are most likely the following

1. How to put together a trampette. It is a small trampoline and I have made three attempts so far, hopefully, this will be my final one.
2. How to make oyster shell necklaces.
3. How to find a real rabbit hole.

All the best

Stay fab

Adele