January 2020 – Monthly Round Up

And the longest month goes to… January! I hope everyone survived the January Blues if they were hit with them and to others: I hope you are happy that January happened! Niamh here, it’s been a hot minute since I introduced one of these Monthly Round Ups and if you haven’t guessed: I’m back! January was the most surreal month of my life in recent years and honestly if someone could pinch me that would be great! We’ve had some sickness, a number of gigs, some once in a lifetime moments and both of use are sticking to our New Year’s Resolutions (for now anyway). Hoping the year continues the way it started but, for now let’s get into all of our Muchness Monthly answers. 

Book of the Month

N: 100 Days of Sunlight by Abbie Emmons. -It made me laugh, it made me cry and made me feel so much. I haven’t felt like that with a book since The Fault in Our Stars. 

E: Highfire by Eoin Colfer. It was literally published today and Eoin Colfer is up there with the very best Irish writers on offer at present and his wit and way with words is unmatched. I won’t spoil the story but there’s a dragon that enjoys vodka and Flashdance, need I say more?

TV Picks

N: As you are meant to stay in a lot of January and curl up under a blanket watching great TV, I spent a bit of time doing this. Three recommendations for this month and yes I know 2/3 of my recommendations are epically dark: 

1.    Good Omens – BBC: Anyone not lucky enough to have Amazon Prime will be happy that this has finally graced our screens. A Terry Prackett adaptation with David Tennett as a Demon and Michael Sheen as an Angel… I was hooked within the opening scene. It airs Wednesday at 9pm. With catch up available via Sky. 

2.    The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Season 3 – Netflix: I binge watched all the episodes in two days after work. A series I highly recommend. 

3.    Dracula – BBC: Steven Moffat and Mark Gatniss back together penning a three part season? Yes please. I adored what they did with it. I still stand by my comment after episode 1, can Sister Agatha be my friend?

E: You know what’s out now on DVD and bluray, His Dark Materials. Go watch it. It’s amazing TV series with a polar bear! 

Movie Picks

Good Movie Recommendations: 

N: You might have guessed with the amount of TV shows I have been watching this month in between my busy schedule; I haven’t gotten to a cinema this month! I did find Beetlejuice airing on Comedy Central the weekend Picture This dropped their new single Wyona Rider so, the good movie recommendation for this month is Beetlejuice. No description just go watch this Cult Classic! 

E: Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise Of Skywalker – it’s the culmination of the sequel arc and while it wasn’t perfect, it definitely was a fitting end. I will always love the Star Wars movies and this one will hold a special place in my heart as the last to include our wonderful Princess and General, Carrie. May the Force Be With You Always.

Cheesy Movie Recommendations: 

N: a Cinderella’s Story the original one with Chad Michael Murray and Hillary Duff. I watched it for the first time in forever. 

E: Disney’s Hercules! So inaccurate in part that it almost physically hurts but I’ve adored this movie for years. Great music, wonderful Muses, the best eye rolling, sarcastic princess ever and the best sassy villain that Disney has ever created. Also did I mention all the jokes that went over my head when I was a kid? I love this movie and I haven’t seen this much love in a room since Narcissus discovered himself. Two thumbs way up, Disney!

Gaming Picks

N: Been lost in the world of Call of Duty Modern Warfare this month. I adore COD, this is a no judging zone… 

E: Tomb Raider. I’ve always loved Lara, from the days when we locked the butler (and that noisy tea tray) in the fridge on the Playstation and now I have her on my laptop and I’m a happy little gamer.

Music:

Single:  

N: ‘What Do You Mean?’ Hudson Taylor. It is great to have new music from these two! The album drops next month and if What Do You Mean? Is anything to go by we are in for a real treat when the album drops next month!

E: ‘Love That Sound’ Somebody’s Child. I really enjoyed seeing Somebody’s Child at Indie last year and then I heard their new single and kinda said to myself: “yeah I do love that sound, better check them out at Indie 2020 so.” Hint! Hint!

Album/EP: 

N: I know I had it for November since we got it early but, since it is officially out since the 24th of January… ‘Homebird’ Aoife Scott. This one is slowly making its way into a place in my heart. ‘Homebird’ is the second album from singer/songwriter Aoife Scott. It is incredibly easy to listen to, be it for background music or for self listening. Personal favourites include: ‘Homebird’ , ‘Irish Born’ and ‘Do Mhuirnín Ó’. Check out her version of ‘Dublin Saunter’ for a blast from the past as it was a song she remembers her grandmother singing. Trust me by the second chorus’ to all of Aoife’s songs on the album you’ll have a fair jist of the songs to sing them back (maybe not ‘Do Mhuirnín Ô” but you get my drift). It is the first album in forever that I really like each song on the album, there isn’t one I’d skip over in favour of another!

E: Rare – Selena Gomez. It’s so wonderful to have Sel back and she’s as powerful as ever even after a 4 year break. I loved this album from the get go so of course it had to appear here.

Favourite thing about January:

N: New beginnings. A clean slate in terms of a New Year, adopting a new mindset and pushing one’s self to make changes to be where I want to be and; more importantly be happier! 

E: The drive that a fresh start brings and the excitement of another insane year to come, this is gonna be big I just know it.

Favourite Item of the Month:

N: My Bullet Journal. I started Bullet Journaling! My doodles are like a 12-year olds but, do I care? Nope! I am finding it extremely calming and relaxing! Also monitoring my wellness and me are interesting! I would suggest it to everyone! 

E: My page-a-day diary that has every song I’ve picked so far for My Year in Music, a majority of if not all the gigs I’m remotely interested in on the days they are on and notes of new music and when it was released or new music to me. It makes remembering stuff for the round-up so much easier too ^,^ well who’d have seen that coming: I got organised.

Event of the Month:

N: Music for Cancer. Our friends over at MusicBoxPR put on their very first gig to raise money for the Irish Cancer Society! It was such a great night with friends, personal stories and great music! Honestly, I cannot wait for their next event and see everyone coming together for such a special cause that affects us all makes me speechless. Trying to sum it up in words is difficult except, thank you to everyone who made it happen and well done on raising money for a worthy cause! 

E: Honestly, I agree with Niamh’s choice. I know we’re both super proud of the ladies at MusicBoxPR who worked so damn hard to make this night the best they could. They have big ambitions and they’re only going to get bigger and better in 2020. These ladies worked so hard to raise funds for an amazing charity and here’s hoping all their future events are successful too.

Moment of the Month:

N: The Late Late Show pre recording with Niall Horan. The best day of my January hands down. Such a great sister day out and we got to see Nialler and Tubbers! 

E: Being able to help someone get something they want just because I couldn’t let them miss out on it. (And I love you for it. -N). 

Your Quote of the Month:

N: “‘Cause, darling, I’m a nightmare dressed like a daydream” – Taylor Swift.

E: “Don’t you know there’s part of me that longs to go into the unknown?” – Brendon Urie/Idina Menzel.

Three things you are most excited about for February:

N: Hudson Taylor’s new album, being so busy I don’t think I have any days off and seeing if anyone gets thrown an apple (if you know you know).

E: I’m going to be celebrating Singles’ Day (Feb 14th) because why the hell not #LoveYourself I’m excited to be getting back into my workouts because I’ve been hella lazy this January and I’m excited to write an awful lot more this month for the blog (one post already in the works that I know Niamh will love) and for myself. (and in response to Niamh: trust me, I know)