My Blog

The White Stripes, Glastonbury 2002

https://youtu.be/9ccSr53-64U?si=UErI2VB0Sxegaevf

 

Where do I start? I have so many memories and over the years I have a blog about Glastonbury as I see it as one of my spiritual homes. In 2002 when I saw the beautiful multi-coloured flags and went to the Pyramid Stage I was converted and vowed to keep visiting Glastonbury (whenever I was lucky enough to get tickets) until I am 80 years old.

The White Stripes blew me away. It was hard to believe they could deliver such sound and energy with only a drummer and a vocalist. Jack White (vocalist) and Meg White (percussion) were undoubtedly among the best bands I have seen in over 20 years. When they hit the big time, they swore they were siblings but in 2001 it was revealed they had been married and subsequently divorced.

The Stereophonics from Wales were awesome too.  I got to chase a giant beach ball (it must have been about 12 feet high) around the Kidz Field. The Giant Mad Max and Kangaroos on stilts in the Circus Field were a magical sight to behold and watching the sunset at The Stones on Friday night was a perfect end to a perfect first day of Glastonbury.

The new 5-mile perimeter fence was installed that year and 140,000 music and arts revellers enjoyed the fantastic weather. Tickets went on sale in February and sold out after a few weeks. Whereas now they sell out in 10-15 minutes with between 4 and 5 million people worldwide looking for tickets.

 

All the best

Stay fab

Adele

Recently Harry Enfield’s sketches have come up on my socials and I am now a huge fan.

The Dragon’s Den and I Saw You Coming are giggle-worthy. I love markets, the friendliness and community aspect as well as the crafts and homemade food. Occasionally there will be a stallholder who believes they should be selling their goods in Knightsbridge as these are the type of prices they charge.

I have come across this type of market seller on more than a few occasions. They appear to immediately profile you and decide what you can afford.

Harry Enfield I Saw You Coming

https://youtu.be/8AGSMJojAM4?si=aLyMq8vQpi7svy7E

Haggling is something I always enjoy but nowadays it is unheard of in most markets. I learnt my haggling craft when I visited the Souks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1992. The haggling scene in The Life of Brian movie was not far from reality.

Monty Python. Life of Brian – The Haggle

https://youtu.be/3n3LL338aGA?si=HSY2BLIkmmaRx2kn

 

Harry and Paul Dragon’s Den

https://youtu.be/ZiJa9diJOMk?si=34TabWgTIrl-pfv5

https://youtu.be/Uf4gdQqGLvE?si=LT38qfrBRAIMygin

 

The Dragon’s Den parody replicates the supercilious nature of most of the judges on any of the reality TV shows. When Paul Whitecross crosses his eyes at the end of The Alan Sugar Parody it cracks me up.

All the best

Stay fab

Adele

Sean Lock on How to Avoid Charity Workers.

This is Sean at his best. Although to be honest, he was always at his best.

 

https://youtu.be/CCYzdDXPoH0?si=mpAferh4WIWqmRti

 

When he said- Spina Bifida and breadcrumbs I lost it. And I like the nimble dance he employs to try to dodge an overzealous worker.

Charity workers are doing their best but there are so many of them, that it has become a charity onslaught. We also have a history in this country of mismanaging charity funds.

My chosen charities would be The Peter McVerry Trust, Simon Community and Focus Ireland as they support and care for the homeless. I have also written a few poems about the homeless.

But it’s The Donkey Sanctuary that gets me. It is so random. What’s next, Save The Beaver?

However, that could also be linked to a well-known X-rated site.

Last weekend I was cold-called by two well-dressed women in their mid-seventies who were asking if I would like to be a Mormon. I would give anything to know their success rate. What is the chance that somebody will answer their door and say- Crikey, I thought you would never call. This is just what I need. Becoming a Mormon will solve everything.

 

All the best

Stay fab

Adele

 

When my beloved aunt was ill, I often offered her help as I knew healthcare professionals who could ease her pain. She refused my help every time. My anxiety continued to escalate as I found it difficult to witness her being in pain. One evening I went home and watched Catherine Tate’s Nan. It offered me the giggle therapy I needed. After that whenever I visited my aunt, I imagined her as Catherine Tate’s Nan, and me as a niece. This offered me great relief from her anxiety as well as my own.

The 40-45 video of Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse never ceases to crack me up. Whenever anyone mentions either number I attempt to stifle a smile.

Harry and Paul – 40…45 years

https://youtu.be/O9IJnmbneLc?si=SRUJL11GNXTPba8t

And finally, the power of Panda Therapy cannot be ignored. I get immense relief from melancholy when I witness baby or giant pandas tumbling around or chewing bamboo and carrots. ASMR or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response is the latest craze for stress relief as hearing certain sounds can reduce our stress response. This genius put the two together, giant pandas being cute and eating crunchy crunchy vegetables. You are welcome.

ASMR Panda Eating Carrots Compilation

 

https://youtu.be/Aa8eKJDkX54?si=h6WVcbDxVMtp2mnd

If a panda does not work to relieve your stress how about a turtle chewing a strawberry?

ASMR  🍓 Turtle eating strawberry

 

https://youtu.be/8UATu8cjYxA?si=tQqvw-qg544GmE09

 

All the best

Stay fab

Adele

There are so many comedy clubs in Dublin for any budding Stand-Up Comedians. A friend recommended the

www.irishcomedyforum

which is also a great source.

Here are some events I have heard of over the last six months

1. The Cheeky Monkey Comedy Club (On Facebook) – This is the only one where you sign up on the night. Be there at 18.30 on a Monday night as the slots fill up very quickly. Unlike my own. Rude joke there, could not help it….
2. The Artane Comedy Club – I was born in Artane, so this one is close to my heart.
3. Sin E – Fusion. The last Wednesday of the month features Funny Women
4. Board Alcohol-free bar – Tuesday evenings in Harold’s Cross
5. Bar Rua – Thursday
6. Ha’penny Bridge Comedy Club
7. N20 Comedy Club
8. WRGriot

Here is some powerful giggle therapy by one of the best.

21 minutes of stand-up vs therapy comedy

Bill Burr, Sebastian Maniscalco, and more on Stand-up vs Therapy | Netflix

 

https://youtu.be/rp9uFWWBmdE?si=ja6YBckwlBUWWHml

 

Many comedians use stand-up as a form of therapy, which does sound bizarre but the performance and post-performance buzz is unreal.

Talking about your problems to a room full of strangers is the ultimate group therapy. If you can bare your mental health issues on stage what else can you achieve?

Bill Burr readily admits that his stand-up is a form of therapy. Vogue and Joanne McNally are incredibly successful with their Podcast, My Therapist Ghosted Me, which is now a sold-out tour all over the world.

All the best

Stay fab

Adele

Over the last six months, I have asked myself why I enjoy doing Stand Up Comedy. It seems insane to want to get up in front of a room full of strangers and want to make them laugh.

I get stage fright, sometimes forget my set (but wing it anyway), and get palpitations, but when I make the audience laugh it is all worthwhile. It is like comedic cocaine, the buzz is incredible (and I am not just talking about my dog, Buzz).

My fellow comics are such a decent gang to hang out with. In a sense, I feel I have found my vibe and tribe. How feckin corny is that last statement…….

As an aside, next month I will attend The Cats Laughs Festival in Kilkenny and they are celebrating a 30th anniversary. Who knew? We Irish really are a hardy bunch of funny folks.

My favourite Irish comedians are Tommy Tiernan, Eleanor Tiernan, Joanne McNally, Neil Delamare, Dave McSavage, Foil Arms and Hog, The Dirt Birds and Barbara Scully.

Internationally my favourites are Jimmy Carr, Catherine Ryan, Tom Stade, Kevin Bridges, Bill Burr, Nikky Glaser who brought the house down at Tom Brady’s Roast.

Here is the link

Nikki Glaser The Roast of Tom Brady

https://youtu.be/gt0HIBS__oA?si=b167Qjjs0Aqf5EIS

Over thirty people sign up at The Cheeky Monkey Open Mic in The International Bar. One week they had over forty willing comedians but did not have enough time for everyone.

Come down if you fancy a free laugh

All the best

Stay fab

Adele

 

 

I think it is fitting that in honour of my favourite and most popular poem- Kim Kardashian’s Arse,  I honour my 500^th blog with this one.

It is ribald, and bawdy.  Just my style. A friend of mine says that I am all about the ass, and I suppose she is right. Somebody sent me the video of Biden farting and I felt he needed my support considering the opposition that he is running against.

Imagine if Trump married Stormy Daniels, she would be Stormy Trump. Sorry, not sorry.

Biden’s Fart Video

https://www.tiktok.com/@abbeygrantg/video/7371818552694689067?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7341863387179304480

 

Poem

Biden’s Fart

He let one rip

On a diplomatic trip

The crowd were gathered

And their eyes watered

Some had chemical burns to their lungs

As they clenched their bums

Maybe his trump was a salute to Donald

And how he should be honoured

In that Biden farts in his general direction

At his criminal intent for reelection

His time in office and relentless corruption

With thirty-four criminal charges, an impressive selection

So, Biden farted, it shows he is human

A flawed, and farty political specimen

Maybe the salute was going too far

It was somewhat bizarre

But a farty President is better than a crook Who has broken every law in the book

As long as he didn’t follow through

We have all done it. Haven’t you?

 

 

By Adele Leahy

I had the pleasure of attending my first Shamanic Journeying event hosted by a dear friend @nicolaclare11, to celebrate Bealtaine. It was a really powerful shared experience with a group of like-minded souls. Exploring the world of shamanic journeying led to some unexpected moments for me.

 

1. Unexpected Power Animals – AARDVARK – This animal greeted me by the well, in my mind, as he dined delightfully on dandelions. Walking through fields to a well was part of the visualisation. I love Aardvarks, primarily the word, as where I live in Dublin they are few and far between. Perhaps the fact that it is the first word in the English Dictionary also appeals to me besides the fact that I think it is a very silly and lovely word.

 

2. First-Time Surprises: As I was walking towards the well. I walked in Aardvark poo. The meaning and relevance of this is beyond me but years ago I recall investigating a poo dream to discover that it is a prophecy for good fortune.

 

3. The Art of Letting Go – Part of the Shamanic Journeying was to imagine myself as a child. This was thoroughly enjoyable as I recall a butterfly tickling my nose while walking through the Botanic Gardens.

 

4. Strange Yet Insightful Journeys: Shamanic journeying often involves vivid and unexpected adventures. The Aardvark told me to let go of the imposter syndrome holding me back with my writing. He said rejections were stepping stones to perfecting my art and that I could imagine myself as an Armadillo with a hard shell whenever I get rejections. I loved this suggestion. Here is to my success. Yay.
5. The fact that the word Armadillo can also be easily transformed into the word Armadildo also makes me smile. Rather a lot to be honest. But that’s just my filthy mind.

All the best

Stay fab

Adele

 

 

Fifteen Minutes of Comedians on Climate Change

https://youtu.be/wSPokPXRcEY?si=we8R1jBrxKam25lt

Businesses are also jumping on the eco-bandwagon, eager to show off their green credentials. From biodegradable phone cases to solar-powered chargers, it’s capitalism with a conscience.

And let’s not forget the eco-influencers, those warriors of the web spreading the green gospel. This Earth Day, they’re out in full force, posting glamorous selfies with the hashtag #EarthDayEveryDay. You can’t scroll for five seconds without seeing someone hugging a tree or posing with a reusable shopping bag. It’s the digital age’s answer to chaining yourself to a rainforest: less commitment, more likes.

But the real star of Earth Day 2024 is the comedy. The internet is flooded with hilarious takes on environmentalism.

My friend called me the other day and told me he hated working at the can recycling plant

He said it was, “soda pressing”

So this Earth Day, join the movement. Share a meme, plant a tree, or at least recycle that can of soda instead of tossing it in the trash. Remember, every small action helps. Plus, it gives you something to feel smug about at parties. Who doesn’t love the opportunity to casually drop, “Oh, I only use bamboo toothbrushes now,” into conversation?

In the end, Earth Day 2024 is about more than just laughs. It’s a reminder that while our planet’s problems are serious, our solutions don’t always have to be. Sometimes, a little humor is just what we need to inspire real change. So let’s make our planet great again, one hilarious meme at a time. Happy Earth Day, everyone! May your compost be rich, your carbon footprint small, and your eco-memes plentiful.

All the best

Stay fab

Adele

Sean Lock on Climate Change – The first eight minutes are not climate-related but are still hilarious.

https://youtu.be/yQhqlWDf7K4?si=HWL82E9uPeDgAG25

 

Earth Day 2024 is here! That special day when we all pause to appreciate our home planet and pretend we’re going to change our ways for more than 24 hours. It’s the eco-friendly equivalent of New Year’s resolutions, complete with grand promises and the inevitable return to bad habits as soon as the clock strikes midnight. But this year, Earth Day has a fresh twist: it’s all about eco-memes. That’s right, we’re saving the planet one laugh at a time. Because if laughter is the best medicine, maybe it can heal our ailing planet too.

In the spirit of 2024, Earth Day activities have gone digital and delightfully ridiculous. Schools are abuzz with kids showing off their recycling skills like they’re auditioning for an eco-friendly version of “America’s Got Talent.” The latest craze? Competitive composting. Little Timmy from down the street just turned banana peels into compost gold and has the TikTok followers to prove it. Plastic straws are so 2023. Now it’s all about reusable straws that double as fashion accessories. Who knew you could save the planet and look fabulous doing it?

Of course, adults are getting in on the fun too. This year’s Earth Day has more green-themed events than you can shake a sustainably sourced stick at. Local coffee shops are introducing a “Treepresso”—for every cup you buy, they plant a tree. Sure, it costs an extra dollar, but think of the Instagram likes. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter. “Oh, this latte? It’s saving the rainforest, one frothy sip at a time.”

All the best

Stay fab

Adele