The one with the toy show pics

My thanks again to Val from World of Wonder for coming in and supplying loads of prizes! Heres the pics from 2nd Cork Talks Back Toyshow!

The one with whats coming up

Over the next week or so you can expect the following on CTB as we turn the show inside out and wind you down for the holidays!

Paul Dee, live hypnosis in the studio
A selection of Irelands finest comedians
The sickest, most depraved comedian on the planet, Gilbert Gottfried
The Battle of the comedians
The Battle of the RedFM staff
The Battle of the Local politicians
The Cork Talks Back Toyshow
The Cork Talks Back ADULT Toyshow

And alot more. So make sure you stay tuned!!!

The one with Zombies!

Well, ya know its Xmas time when the blog slows up. Been a manic week. One of the problems Ive had is the amount of Zombies crawling through the streets and shopping centers of the real capital of this green and shite weather isle. Even more frightening is that people are having sex with these Zombies. Yes, you read that right. Theres a certain amount of Zombies maruading the streets pushing prams, buggies and ankle skinners.

I spent the best part of the weekend like Mila Jovich or Simon Pegg, battling the never ending hoardes of these Zombies. They're everywhere. Feck sake, some are even driving cars. Heres a simple way of spotting these brain muching bastards. They come in all shapes and sizes, sexes and ages. You can spot them a mile off as they trudge around shops, mumbling things like "Buy stuff, buy stuff, buy anything" They refuse to get out of your way and their spatial awareness has been destroyed by the virus. Kick them in the arse and they may fall down, but they'll keep going, crawling their way to anything or anyplace that sells items....of anything.

I think at this stage the Local authorities need to do something about it. Its quite obvious to me and a whole load of listeners that Cork, if not the rest of the country has been infected with some viral outbreak of Resident Evil proportions. I'll glady assit the councils with exterminating the hoardes. Provide me with a shotgun and some kind of permit stating that I wont end up in court, after a cure has been found. Actually, forget the shotgun. Gimme a chainsaw!

Tomorrow on the blog, I'll be giving the low down on whats happening next week on the show as we host our annual Xmas spectacular...ahem!

In the meantime, The CTB Toyshow this week on Thursday night. Next Wednesday we will be having some live, in the house hypnosis. Another Munster brick to be given away tonight and all the usual madness! Tune in!!!!!!

The one where theres a poorly named title but a few decent pics in the actual update

Last Friday night we were all taken out for a few glasses of lemonade and pork scratchings in the Crane Lane, to celebrate the hugely sucessfull JNLR results. What follows are a few pics and by all accounts, theres more to come! In fairness to Lenny, he delivers an Oscar worthy performance of "Ignoring" the goings on. I know somewhere down the line this picture will come back and haunt me, but what the hell.

"NO Dave, Your doing it wrong!!!!"

"Guess who's just got new teeth"

The station is gone Xmas mad with the whole place kitted out and we even had Santy in the house the other day for the first annual RedFM office Xmas decorating awards. Santy looked similar to Ruari above, but my eyesight isnt what it used to be. Anyway, I would want to be out of my mind to think Santy was someone else.

"No Santa, I dont want to see your red nose reindeer"

Phil gets the real feeling of Xmas

"Is me Meteor award in yer beard?"

"C'mon Santy, gis a kiss"

"All I want for Xmas Santy, is good manners"

The one with a Red Xmas

The place is better decorated than the South Mall, AIB holding its own though.

The one with New York

Bucket loads of you have been asking for the New York stuff, so here ya go. Its a little chaotic, but if your going its well worth a read. All of this was compiled over months of nosing around the net before I went to the big apple over the summer. If you have a sepcific question, leave it in the comments or post it on the board and I'll do my best to answer it! It might also be worth reading my trip report in the blog archives here




NYC EATS

The CARNEGIE DELI
854 Seventh Avenue, at 55th Street, 10019 NYC

Cheyenne Diner
411 9th Ave, New York 10001
At 33rd St

Gordon Ramsay at the London
The London Hotel NYC
151 W 54th St, New York 10019
Btwn 6th & 7th Ave

Empire Diner
Diners & Coffee Shops
210 10th Ave, New York 10011
At 22nd St

Grimaldi's
19 Old Fulton St, Brooklyn 11201
Btwn Front & Water St
NUMBER 2 SUBWAY FROM TIMES SQUARE STATION, GET OFF AT FULTON STREET
NYCWATERTAXI TO FULTON FERRY LANDING
12.23pm

Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory
2 Old Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY

Brooklyn Diner 57th St.
212 West 57th Street
(between Broadway and 7th Ave.)
TEL: 212.977.1957

Brooklyn Diner Times Square
155 W. 43rd Street
(between Broadway and 6th Ave.)
TEL: 212.265.5400

Pommes Frites
123 2nd Ave

Grays Papaya
539 Eighth Avenue at 37th Street

Juniors - GO FOR THE CHEESCAKE!!!!
West 45th Street between Broadway & 8th Avenue

Crif Dogs
113 Saint Marks Pl, New York 10009
Btwn Ave A & 1st Ave
ASTOR PL STATION – Head East, Between 7 and 9th Street (8th Street)

SHAKE SHACK
Madison Square Park
Madison Ave. and 23rd St
23rd Street Station (R,W, Train)

Virgils BBQ
152 West 44th street

Big Nicks
2175 Broadway
79th Street Station (1 Train) then head south

Brother Jimmys
428 Amsterdam avenue
80th and 81st St
79th Street Station, head East

Pauls Place
131 2nd Ave

Burgers and Cupcakes
265 West 23rd Street
23rd St Station C&E Train

Gigino Wagner Park
20 Battery Place
Bowling Green Station 4,5 Train walk towards river, head west (take a right)
Blue Smoke
116 East 27th Street
28th Street Station, 6 Train

Old Johns Luncheonette
148 W 67th St,
66st Lincoln Center Station

Big Daddys Diner –
Park Avenue South between 19th & 20th Streets.

Jackson Hole Burgers
521 3rd Avenue / 35th Street
New York, NY 10016

Bubby's Pie Company
120 Hudson Street in Tribeca, NY


--------------------------------------
NYC CLUBS and PUBS

Molly's Pub & Restaurant, Shebeen
287 3rd Ave
23rd St Station

McSorleys Pub
15 East 7th Street
Astor PL Station ,6 Train

Tavern on the Green
Central Park at West 67th Street
66th St Station Lincoln Center Station , Walk East towards Park

Rudy's Bar& Grill Old-timers still drink themselves to death around the bar, but local youngsters, businessmen and the ubiquitous hipster element now rule the prime real-estate red-leather booths at this West Side paean to dirt-cheap booze.
Plan B: Make a pitstop at Siberia for a bona fide Hell's Kitchen dive crawl. • 627 Ninth Ave., between 44th and 45th Sts., 212-974-9169,

230 Fifth
230 Fifth Ave., nr. 27th St., twentieth fl.; 212-725-4300
Fresh air meets stale pick-up lines at the city's largest rooftop drinkery. Since it opened last year, a steady stream of finance types have flocked here for the Miami Vice-like decor of palm trees, stuffed safari animals, and an endless expanse of wooden benches.
The View: The Empire State Building to the north, the MetLife building to the east, and Jersey to the west.
The Menu: $15 cocktails incorporate fresh grape and pear juices; bar snacks range from fried shrimp to the Malaysian Romli Burger.
The Hours: ; Daily, 4 p.m.–4 a.m.

Local West
1 Penn Pl., Eighth Ave. at 33rd St.; 212-629-7070
Okay, so not much is exhilarating about the rooftop of a one-story building, but those looking to unwind before their train back to the burbs could do worse than snagging a seat at the smattering of tables or at the elevated patio bar atop this casual beer bar near Penn Station.
The View: Chat up the folks on the upper decks of the tour buses that constantly roll by.
Menu: Sliders, nachos, chicken tenders: You get the idea. Pomegranate martini, $10; beers, $8.
The Hours: Daily, 11 a.m.–2 a.m.






Bar 13
35 E. 13th St., at University Pl.; 212-979-6677
NYU students who couldn't make it to Florida for spring break (and downtowners too lazy to travel for a rooftop) seek solace at this campus clubhouse. Amid the palms and illuminated panels, revelers can pretend they're in South Beach—and of legal drinking age.
The View: Opaque screens surrounding the deck mean the only place to look is up.
The Menu: Well drinks are $6, while the 13-ini, the bar's signature Absolute Mandarin–based beverage, costs $7.
The Hours: Mon., 7 p.m.–midnight; Tues., 6 p.m.–3 a.m.; Wed.–Fri., 5 p.m.–4 a.m.; Sat., 9 p.m.–4 a.m.; Sun., 10 p.m.–4 a.m.

Zanzibar
645 9th Ave, New York, NY 10036


Cielo




18 Little W 12th St, New York, NY
Off 13th street and 6th Avenue
Directions Time Start out going East on W 45th St towards 6th Ave
Nearby: Arts Bars Beauty & Spas Hotels Restaurants Shopping 0.9 Turn left onto 6th Ave 1.7 Entrance near intersection of W 47th St and 6th Ave 2.0


Ratings
Re-route

Take the F train from 47-50 Streets - Rockefeller Center station heading Downtown / to Coney Island 5.0 Pass 42 Street - Bryant Park 1.4 Pass 34 Street - Herald Sq 1.8 Pass 23 Street/6 avenue 2.1 Get off at 14th Street / 6 Avenue 1.9 Transfer


Ratings
Re-route

Take the L train from 6 Avenue station heading to Manhattan / 8 Av

HopStop has taken into account scheduled service changes for this route

5.0 Get off at 8 Avenue 1.6 Exit near intersection of W 14th St and 8th Ave 2.0
360-view Start out going South on 8th Ave towards Greenwich Ave

Turn right onto W 13th St 0.8 Turn left onto Gansevoort St 1.9 Turn right onto Little West 12th St
Monday Night

Gotham Comedy Club
212.367.9000 - 208 W. 23rd Street, New York, NY 10011 (7th / 8th Avenue)

Pacha
618 W. 46th St.
11th / 12th Avenue

HOGPIT After club food
22 9th Ave, New York 10014
At 13th St



----------------------------
NYC SHOPPING

If you start at Canal Street and walk up Broadyway, ending up in Union Square you'll pass loads of good shops and street vendors. My fave shops were Antique Orange and Blues (for Levis), Uniqlo www.uniqlo.com (for cheap but great quality clothes and nice jeans) and Yellow Rat Ba$tard for fab t-shirts. Also Forever 21(cute underwear), DSW (discount shoes) and American Eagle(jeans again) are in Union Square. Try Shoemania in Union Sq for trainers

Century 21 Department Store
22 Cortlandt St. (Church St.-Broadway)
Cortlandt St Station, R,V Train

Bloomingdale's
1000 Third Ave. (59 St.
Lexington Avenue Station – 4, 5 and 6 train

Macys
34th Street / Herald Square
34th Street Station

Midtown Comics
459 Lexington Ave. (45 St.)


burlington coat factory
707 6th ave

Loehmanns
7th Ave. & 16th St.

Adidas Originals Store With an inspired collection, the triple-stripe sportswear company has moved out of the gym and into retro fashion. Young jocks and wannabe D.J.'s come here for anything from key chains, track suits and tees to limited-edition shoes.
Plan B: Opt for streamlined apparel and footwear from the nearby Puma Store, abuzz with young hipsters. • Adidas: 136 Wooster St. near Prince St., 212-777-2001, adidas.com
• Puma: 521 Broadway near Spring St., 212-334-7861, puma.com Make a Playdate American Girl Place The 43,000-square-foot behemoth is home to a full line of eighteen-inch historical dolls (dressed in period clothes), a café, a bookstore, and a theater that brings the dolls' characters to life. • 609 Fifth Ave. at 49th St., 1-877-AG-PLACE, americangirl.com For Those With an Alternative Computing Style Apple Store SoHo The two-story space boasts a show-stopping glass staircase and a translucent walkway which glimmers in the sunshine flooding in from skylights. Test-drive everything in sight (iPods, digital cameras, software), play stump-the-tech-experts at the Genius Bar upstairs, or sit in on the free daily instructional seminars. • 103 Prince St. at Greene St., 212-226-3126 Because You Can Afford to Look Fabulous Barneys New York Anyone worth her Manolos will tell you that Barneys' Madison Avenue flagship is the final word in edgy designer fashion. The lower floors house sophisticated, expensive items like Prada suits; in the upstairs Co-op department, you'll find Habitual jeans, Miu Miu dresses, and clingy Juicy tees. • 660 Madison Ave. at 61st St., 212-826-8900, barneys.com
• Barney's Co-op, 236 W. 18th St. near Seventh Ave., 212-593-7800
• Barney's Co-op, 116 Wooster St., near Prince St., 212-965-9964 Score a Suit. Buy a Shoe. Bergdorf Goodman Ladies who lunch still come here for endless variations on the daytime suit; younger customers flock to the fifth floor for Michael Kors, Theory, and Diane von Furstenberg dresses. The second floor shoe salon is dazzling enough to get any woman in trouble and the massive bag collection is equally dangerous. • 754 Fifth Ave. at 58th St., 212-753-7300, bergdorfgoodman.com Bag Big Name Brands Bloomingdale's Plow through "B-Way," the aptly named, crowded main-floor arcade that feels like Times Square on Saturday, and hit the second floor for trendy, well-priced American brands. Bloomies also carries all the requisite big-name designer labels and houses an extensive selection of lingerie. The SoHo location, opened in spring '04, caters to a younger, hipper crowd. • 1000 Third Ave. at 59th St., 212-705-2000, bloomingdales.com
• 504 Broadway, between Spring and Broome Sts., 212-729-5900 Save Big Century 21 The home of department store designer leftovers that are at least—and often far more than—40 percent off. You'll find everything from Hanes to Helmut Lang for men and women. The linen department deals are even more incredible. • 22 Cortlandt St., near Broadway, 212-227-9092, c21stores.com Return of a Classic FAO Schwarz In 1862, German immigrant Frederick August Otto Schwarz began supplying New York society with Europe's finest toys. Today, you'll find a smattering of ultra-high-end goods and an array of stuffed animals, dolls, train sets, blocks, board games, and even candy. • 767 Fifth Ave. at 58th St., 212-644-9400, fao.com While You Wait Grand Central Station Looking for authentic New York cheesecake? You don't need to trek out to Brooklyn. This spectacularly restored landmark boasts a Junior's outpost—along with classy lounge The Campbell Apartment, the famous Oyster Bar & Restaurant, and a slew of shops, including Godiva Chocolatier, Kenneth Cole, L'Occitane, Banana Republic, Papyrus and many more.
• Grand Central Terminal, 42nd St. and Lexington Ave., grandcentralterminal.com Take a Fresh Food Break The Greenmarket at Union Square Farmers from as far away as Vermont arrive at this outdoor market four times weekly, toting the freshest of produce and an ample selection of flowers. Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
Plan B: Roam the long corridor at Chelsea Market, stopping for lunch, pastries, produce, or unusual blooms at their wholesale flower market. • Greenmarket: Union Square at 17th St., 212-788-7476, cenyc.org
• Chelsea Market: 75 Ninth Ave., between 15th and 16th Sts., 212-243-6005, chelseamarket.com Meet the Mod Squad Henri Bendel In the disco era, Henri Bendel was the epicenter of modish New York. These days, the shop stays cool with favorites like Earl Jeans and Shoshanna dresses, as well as styles from designers like Sophia Kokosalaki. Visit the Tiffany's Closet boutique for vintage handbags and jewelry. • 712 Fifth Ave. near 56th St., 212-247-1100 Go Euro-Fabulous H&M The throngs of bargain hunters, thumping music, and huge fitting-room lines could fray even a Zen master's nerves, but you can't beat this Swedish chain's ridiculously low prices on must-haves of the moment like club clothes, ethnic-inspired tops, and cargo pants.
Plan B: For years, European have loved the Dutch brand Mexx for many of the same reasons New Yorkers love H&M—accessible prices, amazingly quick trend-spotting. Prices are a step higher at Mexx and outerwear seems to be their strength. • 640 Fifth Ave., near 51st St., 646-473-1164, hm.com
• 1328 Broadway at 34th St., 212-564-9922
• 558 Broadway near Prince St., 212-343-2722
• 435 Seventh Ave. at 34th St., 212-643-6955
• 125 W. 125th St., 212-665-8300
• Mexx: 515 Broadway, between Spring and Broome Sts., 212-965-8975


Shop the Miracle on 34th St.
Macy's
If you're looking for cutting edge fashion, head elsewhere. This is the spot for essentials from all the big brands—everyone from Guess and Esprit to Ralph, Donna and Calvin, and at all prices in between.
• 151 W. 34th St. near Broadway, 212-695-4400, macys.com

Why God Made Window Shopping
Madison Avenue
This haute strip boasts fifteen blocks of celebrity designer shops (Calvin, Jean-Paul, Giorgio) and flagship fashion house boutiques (Prada, Hermès, Chanel). Kick things off at Fratelli Rossetti on 58th Street for fab Italian shoes, and be sure to leave some time for the grand finale at the stately Polo Store on 72nd Street.
Plan B: Need to get it all in a hurry? Fifth Avenue is where you'll find the high-end department stores (Bergdorf's, Bendel's, Saks) carrying all the names you need. Plus a few that you won't find on Madison (Versace, Fendi, Ferragamo).
• Madison Avenue, 57th to 72nd Sts.

Chase Your Hoop Dreams
NBA Store
This bustling basketball temple carries everything from standard posters and authentic jerseys to jewelry, tableware and a new "nba4her" line, worn by Eve and Mariah Carey. Test your skills by shooting balls on the main-floor court or in the pop-a-shot game downstairs.
• 666 Fifth Ave. at 52nd St., 212-515-6221, nbastore.com

Just Buy It
Niketown
The famed Nike swoosh is everywhere you look in this much-ballyhooed store. Stop in for the full line of Nike products—shoes, clothes, gizmos—and the terrific people-watching.
• 6 E. 57th St., between Fifth and Madison Aves., 212-891-6453, niketown.com

Not your Average Drug Store
Ricky's
No one needs 80 kinds of hair brushes, but they look cool all lined up on the shelves. Ditto for wigs in shades of neon and hair bands in every shape. Makeup artists hoard the tiny plastic pots and bottles; club kids come for extensions and body glitter.
• Multiple locations. Flagship Store: 509 Fifth Ave. near 42nd St., 212-949-7230, rickys-nyc.com

Shop a Classic
Saks Fifth Avenue
This top-end department store is filled with major American designers and plenty of Europeans, plus a complete collection of diffusion lines. The eighth-floor swimwear department swells seasonally to accommodate classics and styles with a little more va-va-voom.
• 611 Fifth Ave. at 50th St., 212-753-4000, saksfifthavenue.com

Explore the Downtown Crowd Pleaser
SoHo
This one-time artists' mecca has since morphed into the city's poshest outdoor mall. Cobblestoned streets and loft-like spaces make the neighborhood a prettier spot for shopping than the average galleria, but do expect seemingly impenetrable throngs on your way from Catherine Malandrino to Kate Spade. (Kill two birds and visit Chinatown for knockoff bags just blocks away.)
• W. Houston St. to Canal St.; Broadway to Sixth Ave.

Embrace Your Inner Technophile
Sony Style
It's big, noisy, and always packed with elbowing tourists, but this shop's the best place around for sleek gadgets and high-tech equipment.
• 550 Madison Ave. near 55th St., 212-833-5336, sonystyle.com

Browse 16 Miles of Books
Strand Book Store
Established in 1927, the dusty, flea-market-esque Strand is the largest, cheapest secondhand-book store in town. It carries everything from current fiction to old cookbooks, art tomes, and rare reads.
• 828 Broadway at 12th St., 212-473-1452, strandbooks.com
• Annex: 95 Fulton St. near Gold St., 212-732-6070,
• Strand Books Kiosk: Central Park, Fifth Ave. at 60th St., 646-284-5506

Score a Little Blue Box
Tiffany & Co.
The most democratic of the big jewelry houses, Tiffany's welcomes shoppers who come by Town Cars, taxis, and tour buses. Snap up key rings, money clips and cuff links, or invest in beautifully-made men's watches, kitchenware, or their classic 6-prong diamond engagement ring.
Plan B: Compare styles and prices across the street at Van Cleef & Arpels, a surprisingly intimate, wood-paneled shop packed with the legendary designer's glamorous, classic rings.
• Tiffany & Co.: 727 Fifth Ave. at 57th St., 212-755-8000, tiffany.com
• Van Cleef & Arpels: 744 Fifth Ave. near 57th St., 212-644-9500, vancleef.com

Hitch a Ride Inside
Toys 'R' Us
Why spend your city time in this suburban staple? Smack in the middle of their midtown store sits a giant ferris wheel. Go for a loop, then make a beeline for the exit. You can always stock up on the chain's discounted name-brand toys and games later.
• 1514 Broadway near 44th St., 800-869-7787, toysrus.com
• 24-30 Union Square East near 15th St., 212-674-8697

Tune in to the Music
Virgin Megastore
A sprawling retail palace, Virgin has surprisingly helpful salespeople and a good selection of everything from rock to show tunes.
• 52 E. 14th St. at Broadway, 212-598-4666, virginmega.com
• 1540 Broadway near 45th St., 212-921-1020

Keihls" on 13th street and 3rd ave ( - SOAPS )

Disney Store on Fifth Avenue and 55th Street

The one on a Thursday

First off, well done to KC for getting nominated for a Meteor. Get your fingers over here and vote! Be wide of his hairy puss though!!

Its been one of those weeks where the remains of sickness still hang in the air, but by all accounts and according to my insides, all is well.

If you were listening to the show last night, in between everything, Eimear won the lotto. Pity the ticket was for Saturdays draw, as opposed to last nights number selection. And contrary to popular belief I wouldnt have played a few songs and killed her, if she really won. I would have only grabbed the ticket, signed my name on it and finished the show before going to Dublin this morning to collect my 5 mill! Whats five million among collegues??? Not that 5 mill will get you much these days. Veyron 1.7 mill, Decent gaff 2 mill and the rest of the money will be used to fuel the Bugatti. Not much value for lotto winners these days!

On another note, we will be hosting a Cork Talks Back Nice Wan Bash in the run up to Xmas. Its just a little bash for X amount of listeners in a particular location in Cork. I'll also be doing a Too Close and Personal Q&A session, just for a bit of craic. There will also be a weekend away up for grabs on the night in question as well. So keep listening as I'll be looking to dish out invites in the next week or 2.

Anyway, thats it for another lame hole blog update. The normality shall resume hopefully in the next few days. Anne Sexton and Sexually Speaking tonight, my rough guide to whats hot and not in NYC for those of you heading over for some Xmas shopping. The last weekend break up for grabs, compliments of Eddie Rockets and one more pair of tickets for Duran Duran @ Live at the Marquee.

Until 9pm!!!!

The one with Kildare and more besides

Im still alive (I heard that). Yesterday morning I woke up knowing something wasnt right. A funny pain in the stomach and a few shits later I went back to bed. I fell asleep and woke up again an hour later and went through the same carry on. I eventually got up and fired off a few emails and then I started puking and puking and puking. The only thing was, I had nothing in the stomach. For those of you into puking, you'll know this is the worse type. Im still sore this morning after it! All I could do was stay in bed and I've never slept so much in my life. Whatever it was, it knocked me out like Tyson.

Besides that, we took a trip up to that Kildare outlet villiage on Saturday. Granted we didnt get there till around 3.30, the place was simple to find. Exit 13 off the motorway. Check the photos down the page somewhere. Its a nice spot. Wonderfully clean. Theres a few of the chelsea tractor crew wandering around buying coffee makers for €1000 but you get over that. If your the hungry type, then forget about it. No fast food gaffs anywhere. Theres 1 italian restaurant (not bad, the pasta was freshly made) and a starbucks. So be prepared to queue. Either way, the whole thing was a nice oul day trip. There was no arguing about directions and plenty of jokes about the Sat Nav not having a bells notion about where it was.

The one with barely anything

Still looking for a chance to finish Assassins Creed, heres hoping yanking out the second controller will sort it out!

My early Xmas pressie to myself, the ipod touch is the absoulte dogs bollocks. Besides the obvious musical advantages, the ability to have a dump and be looking at myself on youtube is again even more of the dogs bollocks. I also spent a portion of toilet time buying a few toons for Light later on with the wifi itunes yoke. As Darth Vader would say...Impressive!

Less likely to be impressive is the rest of this blog update...........