Hey it's VB!

So, it's the night before I go back to school which is weird because, as I recall, I usually went back to school on my birthday. I also used to have to plan more than two days ahead. Anyhoo...tomorrow I return to my old secondary school - Coláiste Abbain in Adamstown, Co. Wexford. I'm a little nervous about it but also excited. It will be very strange to sit in a classroom again with my old teachers and have to listen as they talk about stuff that I used to know but feel certain I've completely forgotten. I've just had a look at my timetable and I think it's Irish first with English, Maths, French and Music also on the agenda over the course of my visit. I might even get some metalwork under my belt but maybe it's safer I stay out of the workshop if I'm as bad as I remember with power-tools. Maybe Home Ec would be safer! :)

I'll be talking to Niall and Mary on the show tomorrow so tune in early to hear how I get on as I prepare for my first day back! I'll also be updating here again so check back soon! Now, where's my pencil case?

Talk y'ya!

VB

X Factor Mania

So much to talk about after the X Factor this week! We'll start with Whitney... poor old Whitney. Aside from the wardrobe malfunction halfway through, she seemed... how can I put it without being sued... exuberant. Poor Dermot didn't know how to handle her.

I'd love to know what's on offer in the X Factor green room, what with Robbie last week, and Whitney this week. Some listeners were angry at the message these displays are sending out to young viewers.

Myself and Mary are still arguing over Danyl. She wants him to win, but I'd happily see him out next week. Me, I'm backing Joe and Stacey who I really enjoy. Most people thought Cheryl did pretty well, but there was one act that shone brightly this week... Jedward! Say what you like about them, but they've got balls.
In case you missed their performance...



We also talked about the internet - and the most annoying things about it. Stuff like buffering, pop up ads.. and those annoying log-ins where you have to enter an indecipherable word. Check out the full Top 50 here.

Some other stuff from today's show....

• Liverpool aren't winning because the players aren't kissing!
• What's your comfort food?
• Long legs are on the way out!

Vinny's Big Hard One
Clue: Soldiers lined up spaced with pride, Two long rows lined side by side. One sole unit can decide, If the rows will unite or divide. Tell me, tell me, scream it out. What's the thing I talk about?
Ans: A zipper.

Going For A Song
Clue: Tender loving care without the clothing to perform surgery.
The answer is here.

Back tomorrow at 6.50am!
N.

The weekend has landed

We spoke of the ouija board on the show this morning - following on from the news that a theme park in the UK has had problems since the staff used one.

Many Beat Breakfast listeners swear that they have had scary experiences after doing the ouija board. Although, my favourite comment of the morning was the listener who once used a "Luigi Board". It conjures up images of a small Italian man answering yes or no to certain questions. We might explore this topic more near Halloween.

We also announced the winner of our Beautyteam.ie pamper package. It was a really tough decision, but in the end, we chose an email from Anne Marie who nominated her workmate, Pat. Pat has had a tough year following the death of her daughter, and she has taken on the task of raising her little daughter, so everyone is in agreement that she deserves a little pampering!

Other stuff from today's show...

• Pointless study of the week
• Something for everyone in this story
• A sad day for the music industry

Vinny's Big Hard One
Clue: To rich and poor we useful are; And yet for our reward, By both at last we're thrown away, Without the least regard.
Ans: Shoes

Going For a Song
Clue: Plane recording equipment travels upon chronological concept
The answer is here.

Next week on the show, Vinny goes back to school - and we play "My costume is sheeeet"
N.

Back To School - Day 2

A pretty good day at school today. It began with school mass, held in St. John's Church. This was a chance to get off the school campus for a while. I had good craic with the 1st year lads on the walk down, although I had my singular most depressing moment of the whole back to school experience. One of the lads asked me what year I left Waterpark, and when I told him 1996, he fell around the place laughing and told me that was the year he was born in.

After mass, I spent some time with the careers guidance counsellor, Mr. O'Reilly. We had a chat about all the options available to young people nowadays. I was expecting him to tell me I should be an accountant (I think I was born to be an accountant), but he said that radio was a good career as it was obvious that I loved it, and everyone should strive to find a career they love.

Next up was my geography test based on what I had learned in class yesterday. Miss Walsh gave me the test, which I thought was really easy. However, I hadn't counted on Miss Walsh being such a tough marker, so I didn't get the 100% I was expecting. Instead I got a B which I suppose is decent enough. There is a pic of my test paper above.

Next up was the dreaded P.E. I was told to report to Mr. Byrne at 11.48, but I hadn't brought any P.E. gear so I knew I had to think of some way out of it. I asked some of the lads for good excuses, and unfortunately, the best I could come up with was that I was "allergic to grass". I forged a note (which is pictured above), but it didn't go down too well with Mr. Byrne. You can hear his reaction on tomorrow's Beat Breakfast.

After that, I sat in on the Rugby Development Committee meeting to find out about the work that they do, I explored the catering section, and I had a final review with the Principal, Mr Beecher.

Overall, I really enjoyed my experience at Waterpark. Far from being the terrifying place I thought it would be, it was a pleasure to sit in and work with some of the students. They are a great bunch of lads, and were friendly, helpful and respectful. I have a new found respect for the teachers aswell. Whilst I have been critical of teachers in the past for the wonderful holidays they have, these guys do a tough job and when you see all the extra activities they are involved in outside teaching hours, you understand that they really are trying to get the best out of the young men that attend Waterpark.

Finally, a huge thanks to Mr Beecher and Mr Carberry for their hospitality and hard work. Thanks to Miss Walsh for letting me play an active role in her Geography class, to Florian for the loan of the book, and to Mr. Keegan for making it clear to the South East that I could be an X Factor winner if I just applied myself!

Back in studio with all the reports tomorrow at 6.50am.

N

Back To School - Day 1

What a day! I had forgotten how busy school is - you always have to be somewhere, or be going somewhere. I wasn't particularly nervous this morning. I had visited the school twice last week to meet the Principal and the teachers, so I think I got the nerves out of the way then.

First thing today, I met the senior rugby team. They were getting on a bus to go to Bandon to play. I will be honest - I seriously considered hopping on the bus and heading off for a day to watch the rugby. However, the fear of actually being asked to play put me off the idea. What if they didn't have enough subs, and I was asked to tog out? I personally believe that people who look like Josh Hartnett/Keanu Reeves/Kevin Bacon shouldn't be at the bottom of a maul getting their head stood on.

So reluctantly, I hit off to my first class - Geography. Today, we were dealing with metamorphic rocks. My ignorance of rocks was displayed earlier in the morning on the breakfast show when I told the others that I thought igneous rocks was the man who founded the Christian Brothers. Anyway, I sat in silence for the first ten minutes trying desperately to remember anything about marble and quartzite. The teacher told us that quartzite is often found in crucibels - which are things that you would use in a science lab, not what you might see on the wall of the church, as I discovered later. Eventually Miss Walsh asked me to read aloud - which is something I'm good at. It all ended on a sour note though when she revealed there would be a test tomorrow, so I have to study tonight.

I went to first year assembly, where I discovered more about the mentor system, the student council, and the cinema trip next week! I also spent some time with the Special Needs Assistants to find out about the work that they do. This type of support wasn't available when I attended school. And I had a lovely chat with Francis Xavier Keegan who has been in Waterpark for many, many years. He taught me, my brother and my father - and I used to be in his choir. Anyway, there is a school mass in the morning, and I have been asked to rejoin the choir for one last hurrah! And to think people scoff at my singing voice....

So, that's day one. Wish me well with the Geography test tomorrow!
N.