smiley_b

Strictly 2019 Launch Show

2019-09-08T18:42:44Z

Putting this behind a cut as it is LONG!!

( Read more... )

comments

#winning

2018-12-06T21:41:47Z

So, I spent today in Croke Park (home of Gaelic Football and Hurling in Dublin), but not watching sports, at an industry conference which was really interesting and inspiring and also meant I was out of the office for the day! (#win-win)

In amongst all the Learning & Development talk, there was a performance from this choir, which was absolutely amazing and blew the entire room away:

https://youtu.be/3JDab6imFLI

Then after dinner, I went out shopping and knocked 3 pressies off my list and 6 off my mam’s - so that was an amazingly productive day!!

comments

Tumblr Apocalypse....

2018-12-04T21:09:55Z

It’s very predictable that as soon as there’s a whiff of a Tumble apocalypse, I decide it might be a wise idea to resurrect my Dreamwidth/LiveJournal - I know it’s been quiet around these platforms over the last few years as most of us migrate to Tumblr; but if that’s going down the Swanee i’d like to still have somewhere to hang my fandom hat as it were, so here we go...

The other factor is that while Tumblr is great for rebooting gifs and pretty pictures, it’s not so great for actual conversations, which is something I have missed!!

comments

back again....

2017-04-10T19:02:59Z

It's really weird how i post a meme 6 months ago, which is intended to get me posting again, and nothing happens; yet I get wind of an impending LJ apocalypse and here I am, posting away!!!

I've seen a lot of people deleting their LJ's over the last few days - I'm not going to do that at the moment, for 2 main reasons:

(1) Even though I'm posting mostly on tumblr now, LJ is still my oldest fandom home, and I'm not ready to let go of that yet, and

(2) I have a paid account until January of 2018, and I'm too pennywise and pound foolish to delete something that I've already paid up front for!! (In other words, I'm tight!)

However, the concept of agreeing to a translation of user T&Cs which may or may not be correct makes me fierce uneasy, so I'm going to be posting more on Dreamwidth and cross-posting to LJ (and depending on how much i keep this up, I might up to a paid account on DW, we'll see how things go.)

So, how is everyone on ye olde F-list, what have we all been up to?

comments

smiley_b @ 2014-11-13T20:57:00

2014-11-13T20:57:05Z

Bullet point update, as it's all my brain is capable of right now....

+ I discovered yesterday morning that there is something worse than training a class at 7.30am in the morning, and that's disciplining the apprentice who fell asleep in middle of the video presentation which forms the bulk of the 7.30am training class. Not fun, particularly when he answered me back with all the reasons he fell asleep (in til 8pm the night before, not home til late) and trying to wiggle out of doing the course again next week! (Joke was on him though - I was straight on the phone to his foreman, who proceeded to ream him up one side and down the other and sent him up to my desk to apologise for being so disrepectful! Good times!)

+ Then I got a phone call in the office from my cousin who had a computer issue - that was grand, but given that she's very very pregnant with a due date of last Saturday, and her husband works on my site (where the mobile reception is rubbish in the buildings!) the heart went crossways on me when I saw her name on caller ID!

+ Haven't been posting much about Strictly here; I think part of the problem with that is I feel quite disengaged from the show this year. I like some of the competitors and still love most of the pros, but I don't have a favourite couple this year. Added to this the fact that Judy Murray has well overstayed her welcome (seriously, she dragged Andy out last week. She got to Blackpool. Can she go now?) and that the judges scoring is more bonkers that ever this year - James Jordan and Camilla Dallerup's twitter feeds are interesting given what they think and how the judges score! I'll keep watching, but the sparkle isn't quite there for me last year. (Especially after last Saturday's shenanigans of the Daily Fail's hatchet job on Ola. Producer manipulation is high this year - if I wanted that, I'd watch the X Factor!)

+ As ever, am behind on my shows. However I have seen up to episode 4 of Scandal, and think I will be having a marathon of 5- 8 this weekend - from what I've seen, Bellamy Young is just stealing the show as Mellie (or "eff it Mellie" as Bellamy christened her on Twitter). My unpopular opinion is that I like Jake with Olivia, and I loathe her and Fitz and indeed Fitz in general. He is a horrible human being and what people see in the Olitz romance is just absolutely beyond me!!

comments

100things - #18

2014-11-10T10:37:22Z

Seeing as my twitter feed blew up last night over the fact that Judy Murray is still in the competition (seriously, whoever is voting for her? STOP. PLEASE AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH) I thought it was worth taking a trip to the god-awful side and posting what I consider to the The Worst Dance In Strictly HIstory - Quentin Wilson and Hazel Newberry's Cha Cha.

This was season 2 week 1, and Craig labelled it a complete dance disaster, Bruno said it was like watching a Renault Reliant trying to keep up with a Porsche (or words to that effect - Quentin presented the motoring show Top Gear, hence the car metaphors).

But yeah, GODAWFUL.

comments

100things - #17

2014-10-17T18:20:22Z

Sophie & Brendan - Charleston

This was one of my favourite dances from last year..... perfect fusion of the right dance for the right celeb; Sophie was amazing, absolutely hit every step of this routine!

And it's amazing to think that this was Brendan's first ever charleston on Strictly, considering he's been there since Day One!

comments

Holy Moly....

2014-10-15T19:13:19Z

This just popped up on my Twitter feed and I actually gasped in shock..... then followed an awkward 5 minutes trying to explain to the Mammy why this was a big deal.....

Another Good Wife exit in the works.....

Trying not to spoil in case people don't want to know!!

comments

100things - #16

2014-10-07T19:38:38Z

When I started this, I had a rule for myself that I wouldn't post two dances in a row from the same pairing, as I wanted some variety and not have the list be too samey.

And then this happened.

Alfonso + Witney + "It's Not Usual" + The Carlton Dance = SHEER DANCE PERFECTION.

I have lost count of how many times I've watched this - it's just an absolute joy to watch!

comments

smiley_b @ 2014-10-07T07:53:00

2014-10-07T07:02:06Z

So, this popped up on my twitter feed this morning:

Strictly's Aliona - I'm sick of dancing with old puddings

Am putting my reaction to this behind a cut, just in case i have any Aliona fans on ye olde friends list....

( Read more... )

comments

SCD - The Launch Show

2014-09-22T09:17:46Z

Have had this written since a couple of days after the launch show, might actually be an idea to post it before the series starts on Friday!!

Before we get to the pairings, some random thoughts on the launch show itself:

The farewell to Brucie dance, with all the pros ending in his signature pose, was really nicely done. I know not everyone liked him and he probably stayed a few years longer than he should have, but this was a nice send-off for him.

Loved, loved LOVED Tess and Claudia together. Truly the dream team.

Am going to miss James Jordan as a pro dancer (I know that's something if an unpopular opinion!) And why why WHY is Aliona back? They fired her last year only to bring her back when Natalie got injured; given the way she behaved with Tony Jacklin and some of her comments afterward I was hoping she'd stay gone! (And the fact that they got rid of Anya for her is just bonkers).

Artemis is someone I'm not going to miss, as his inability / unwillingness to choreograph the dance he was supposed to was working my last nerve. Plus we got the lovely Irish Tristan instead of him, so this is a Good Trade!!

As far as the musical guests went, tumblr went bananas over 5 Seconds to Summer; I squee'd over Imelda May and Smokey Robinson! Honestly, if they could get her go stop touring off the amount if time it'd take, I'd love to see Imelda as a contestant on Strictly - love her!

And now, onto the pairings!!

( Read more... )

I apologise if this post appears multiple times - cut tag in dreamwidth was being buggy!!

comments

100things - #15

2014-09-17T09:53:06Z

So, I had a semi-plan for this thing; lists, links to videos etc, etc.....

I even had a good idea of what the next dance was going to be!

And then I watched this weeks DWTS premiere videos, and the list went to hell in a handbasket!!

This is the best week 1 dance I have ever seen, in either DWTS or SCD - and yes, you can argue that he's a ringer, he's got experience.... and you know what? I Don't Care!! After all, we're talking about a show that partnered PussycatDoll Nicole with GoldenBoy and gave themridiculously high scores for quickstep that was not a quickstep (check me out, four years later, still bitter as!)

So here you go, Alfonso and Witney's jive. AMAZING

comments

100things - #14

2014-09-07T13:50:54Z

Seeing as it's Strictly Launch Day, it's past time that I revived this very neglected series; and what better way to do it than with the winning showdance from my favourite couple the show's ever put together - the "Dancing Hobbits", Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan!!

This, to me, is everything a showdance should be - full of great moves, great song and most importantly, they looked like they were having so much fun!!

comments

Bless Me Father, For I Have Sinned...

2013-11-17T21:50:12Z

Seriously, six months without posting anything is just embarrassing!!

The last time I went this long without posting, I'd fallen down the rabbit hole that was a major depressive episode; nothing so dramatic this time, just Work being hectic and bonkers and me saying "oh, I'll update tomorrow" and never actually doing it!!

Fandom wise I've been quiet - although I did pick up a new obsession in the form of Continuum - holy moly, that is such a great show! Season 2 finale blew my mind and I cannot wait for season 3! Continuing to love Arrow and I've also started watching Scandal - Kerry Washington is just magnificent!

And of course, I've been watching my beloved Strictly - favourites so far are Susanna Reid and the lovely Kevin from Grimsby - last nights paso was AMAZING!!

comments

Happy Rookie Blue Day!!

2013-05-23T09:17:33Z

Not gonna lie, I am very excited about the season 4 premiere (even though it will most likely be Friday evening again I get to see it!!)
There have been interviews popping up online with Tassie Cameron and different cast members which really make it sound like this is going to be a great season:

THR interview with Tassie Cameron

HuffPost interview with some of the cast

Travis Milne

Charlotte Sullivan

Obviously, they can't give too much away; but the stuff Charlotte and Travis say about their character arcs sounds really good - and at this stage, I'm anxious for some of the other cast to take centre stage and not have this be The Sam and Andy Show every week. (God knows tumblr is full of fans who just want RB to be Sam and Andy - I'm not one of them!!)

That's partially why I'm looking forward to seeing Sam with Marlo - we've never seen Sam with anyone other than Andy, so it'll be interesting to see that. (Not that I'm letting myself think Sam and Andy are anything other than Endgame - though I do think Tassie Cameron has a sin to answer for by actually saying that at the end of last season!)

comments

This made me cry....

2013-05-22T12:43:10Z

Blake and Miranda singing "Over You" on last night's episode of The Voice, as a tribute the the Oklahoma tornado victims.

The emotion is just something else, especially when Blake starts singing the harmony and has to stop because he's about to cry..... massive respect to Miranda for holding it together.

comments

I need to update more often.....

2013-05-20T21:50:25Z

But most of the time I feel like I've nothing to say!!! So here we go with a bullet point list to break the duck......

+ had an amazingly productive day at work; which may have had something to do with the fact that the EHS Manager, who I work closely with, was on a days annual leave, so I was able to get heaps done without him throwing more at me! (He's a delegator, but he fires so much stuff at me that when he asks why haven't I got (A) done, I have to reply "because you got me to do D, E, F and G after that! Full capacity here!!" Which is quite annoying. Especially when the guys on the team get swamped and I get some of their workload as well as my own. Grr)

+ Rookie Blue is back on Thursday!! I has All The Feels!!!!!

+ I have started watching Arrow. Holy Moly, why did no one tell me it was so good!! Already, I am multi-shipping like crazy (only watched up to ep 7, but am spoiled for the events of the finale..... not happy!!) The cast is awesome, with the exception of Katie Cassidy, who I'm sure is a lovely person but I think, acting wise, she is the weakest link there. And watching Paul Blackthorne play someone totally different to his usual sauve, debonair type is just a revelation (the accent!!)

+ Need to start posting my 100things list again. I have savagely been neglecting this.

+ Soap wise, I am in love with Elizabeth and AJ on GH. They are so smiley and pretty together!! (and I refuse to acknowledge that thing with Carly. It never happened!!)

comments

Sad, sad news

2013-05-08T20:21:45Z

Just saw this on twitter - Y&R's Jeanne Cooper passed away today.

michaelfairmansoaps.com/news/breaking-news-the-young-and-the-restless-jeanne-cooper-has-passed-away/2013/05/08/

Not a surprise, but very very sad news - she's a huge loss to the daytime community.

RIP Mrs C.

comments

here we go again......

2013-05-07T12:21:07Z

Courtesy of today's Irish Independent, news that 2 of the Criminal Minds cast may not be coming back for season 9 (if there is a season 9) over a pay deal..... Am not going to say too much in case people don't want to know; but from reading the article, it seems to be a case of CBS not learning their lessons.

www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/two-cast-members-set-to-depart-criminal-minds-over-pay-deal-29248451.html

comments

Holy Mary Mother of God!!!

2013-04-10T20:14:28Z

Am filing this under "Holy Mary Mother of God, I can't believe GH managed to pull this one off!!

t.co/rttaLxUliH

( clickety click..... )

Thoughts anyone??

comments

smiley_b @ 2013-03-02T19:22:00

2013-03-02T19:38:55Z

Holy Moly, this has been a long week. I was in work on Thursday and couldn't believe that it was only Thursday; it felt like it should be next Wednesday!!

That said, work is good - crazy busy, but I have to say that I'm finding being in an open plan office is doing wonders for my productivity!! Am developing a nice project that will not only keep me nice and busy and give me something to stick my teeth into; but also has the potential to raise my profile in the company, so that's kind of exciting!

In other news, I bought a new car today! Current car is 3 years old, and once it hits 4 years old here it has to go for an NCT test every 2 years..... plus my dad is big on changing cars every 2-3 years so you get the maximum trade in value out of it..... And of course I brought him with me as he drives a very hard bargain (last time out he almost made the salesman cry!) so I wound up with a very nice deal! Should have it in 10-14 days - very excited!!

Is it wrong that I'm developing an interest in this years American Idol because Keith Urban is on the panel?

And because I just posted on leobrat's LJ about this - I am SERIOUSLY LOVING Elizabeth and AJ on General Hospital! They are so sparkly and awesome and displaying some serious chemistry - it's a real, old-fashioned slow burn of a romance (as opposed to the insta-romance we've become accustomed to seeing on GH!) and I am so enjoying it! (And crossing fingers and toes that the writers don't eff it up!)

comments

DWTS 16 - The Cast!

2013-02-26T14:16:19Z

My reaction to which can basically be summed up as: DOROTHY HAMILL!!!! DANCING WITH LOVELY IRISH TRISTAN!!

Full cast is:

Singer Wynonna Judd, dancing with Tony Dovolani

Actor D.L. Hughley, dancing with Cheryl Burke

NFL wide receiver Jacoby Jones, dancing with Karina Smirnoff

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Lisa Vanderpump, dancing with Gleb Savchenko

Actor Andy Dick, dancing with Sharna Burgess

Boxer Victor Ortiz, dancing with Lindsay Arnold

Shake It Up! star Zendaya Coleman, dancing with Val Chmerkovskiy

Gymnast Aly Raisman, dancing with Mark Ballas

Actor Ingo Rademacher, dancing with Kym Johnson

Singer Kellie Pickler, dancing with Derek Hough

Figure skater Dorothy Hamill, dancing Tristan MacManus

So no Maks, and a good few new pros..... I cannot wait!! Is it March 18th yet???

comments

Updating....

2013-02-12T20:45:17Z

God, I suck at updating lately.

Lets start by saying office moves are hell. We've just relocated to a new office on site - just across the road from the old one, but when you're trying to move the guys of 100 people, plus phone lines plus IT systems plus a million other bits and bobs.... Well it's kinda stressful! It wouldn't be too bad if The Move was all you had to concentrate on, but you also have to do your normal job on top of all that! And of course, everyone thinks the thing they asked you to do us the only thing you have on your plate and they can't wrap their head around why it hasn't been done yet...

So yeah, lots of stress and no fun. Though our IT boffins swear it should have all settled down by tomorrow. Given their track record I remain to be convinced.

Though the new offices are gorgeous. And CLEAN.

And have a link, because this made me laugh out loud on a very shitty day: Ireland, A Translators Guide - t.co/V5QoJcY

comments

Alas, no snow!

2013-01-22T18:23:59Z

Which meant I had to go into work, and the Covert Affairs s3 marathon shall have to wait... :-(

The day started with a mail from one of my foremen asking me to do something that I've already done - I was very restrained in my reply, managing not to include the sentences "check your e-mails" or "check the schedule posted on the notice board." And it didnt get much better after that!!

However, digitalspy has made me squee with some truly awesome Castle casting news that I am very much looking forward to seeing on screen! : t.co/aR1O9AeC.

comments

Chrome does not like me tonight....

2013-01-21T22:14:20Z

Well, I had a lovely long "I can't believe I haven't posted in over a month post" all written and ready to go and then Chrome crashed and I lost the whole thing.

Lovely!

It has definitely been one of Those Days - starting with this morning, 15 mins away from work, I drove onto the N4 and into a Winter Wonderland - it was wellying down snow!! Heavy enough that it was beginning to lie and we were all in the office planning exit strategies (in order to avoid the 4/5/6 hour journeys that snow tends to bring in this country -Ireland really does not do snow well!) Luckily for us all it stopped and then a thaw set in so it's all gone - though there could be more snow tonight, the forecasters are just a bit iffy on where it could land! And with temps going to -6 tonight, the roads will be fun in the morning!!

Am woefully behind in all my shows (as ever) though I did spend the Christmas break marathoning seasons 1 and 2 of Covert Affairs, which I love! Season 3 is on the laptop, so if we do get a snow day I could power through that.... very unlikely though!

comments