I received some good news yesterday — one of my travel features is to be published in the next issue of U Magazine. Yay! In May, I went on a press trip to Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. The journey started rather unglamorously with me necking baby bottles of Smirnoff in the airport toilet. I haven’t been a great flier ever since my Dad was in a plane crash (he survived), and need a little bit of Dutch courage before I get on board. Once up in the air, I was flying — literally.

Press trips are great. You get to be a guest of the city which means you are treated to the best of everything (I hope I’m not sounding too Gavin Lamb-Murphyish here!). Whilst in Newcastle, I went around with Alex Fitzgerald who freelances for Ireland on Sunday. Alex is a bit of an all-rounder; when he’s not writing articles he’s on modelling assignments. Keeping himself fresh for the modelling means he doesn’t drink alcohol. So, you can imagine my surprise when a few months ago posters of our Alex started appearing all over the city with him wearing an ‘IT’S GOOD TO BE OUT’ T-shirt for Smirnoff Ice!

I was walking through town yesterday listening to the radio on my headphones. One minute I was Bronski beating my way down Grafton Street, the next it seemed as if Shirley Temple-Bar had taken over the airwaves with a National Lottery advert.

Our Shirl is to become the new host of Telly Bingo — a logical step forward for Ireland’s most famous bingo caller. All those National Lottery outlet people will be wondering why so many well-dressed, witty men and women have started playing Telly Bingo! I’ll definitely be watching to see how Shirley tackles her new role. And since I’ll be in the comfort of my own home, I may as well play the game as well. Good luck Shirley!

Thursday, 27 September 2001

I haven’t been on the scene this week. I was meant to go out tonight to see The Missing Link at The George. Annie Balls’s show has to be one of the best nights of the week at The Gee and seems to be giving the bingo a run for its money in terms of audience numbers. I wouldn’t be a contestant for all the poppers in America, although I was tempted to take part during the Madonna night in August. I’m glad now I didn’t. I thought I knew all there was to know about the most famous woman in the world, but compared to the guys who took part I knew feck all.

Anyway, the reason I’m not going out tonight is because I am too hungover. The worst thing about a hangover is no-one gives you any sympathy. All you seem to get is snide remarks about how you deserve what you get etc.

The hangover is a direct result of drinking red and white wine (book launch, The Hibernian Hotel) followed by drinking Bulmer Buddies (The Waterloo).

If I can give you a bit of advice dear readers it is this: never ever mix red and white wine and then go on to drink Bulmers and Budweiser. Believe me, it’s not worth it.

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