Artist of the year 2011.

Adele owned 2011. The Gorgeous, 23 year old British singer released her second album, the break-up tribute "21," in February, and in barely 11 months, she has already sold more than any artist in the world, currently inching towards 13 million globally. But it wasn't just heartbreak that made her popular. In contemporary music, Adele is one of a kind, a woman who thrives off no bells and whistles, she takes personal experiences and turns them into works of art. The first time we all knew Adele was born was last year at the BAFTA awards, she delivered a spine tingling performance singing "someone like you", a well deserved win for a phenomenal talent.

Reeling in the year .Top 3 Celebrities of 2011

1.

Lady Gaga. hits number one for the first time ever, topping towering over Oprah Winfrey for the first time ever. She gets the top spot not only for her $90,000,000 earned last year but for her number one album "born this way".








2.

Although one of this years top earners at over $290,000,000. She missed out on the top spot by one this year. Oprah will be doing he last ever show next year, she will then retire. She still sits on a fortune of over 1billion Dollars, Its no wonder shes always smiling.



3.

Despite recent controversy in Wood's personal life, he still remains a hugely influential figure in the celebrity world. Last year Woods earned over $75,000,000. With a few more tittles under his belt this year, Woods seems to be setting himself up for an come back of epic proportions.

Top 5 YouTube Videos 2011

Click and see 2011's top 5.

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The Past. In Photographs.

Be a BIG kid for a day. (on a budget)

With everything costing a fortune to do these days and students generally having no money, I’ve complied a small list of kid inspired fun things to do. I've picked my top five and it’s up to you to choose.

1- Dublin zoo. With a student ticket varying form 10-15 euro it’s a bit of fun for a group of students to do, to break up that tedious college day.

2- Ice skating. Is been said to be the most fun you can have with your clothes on. It is necessary to do this as fast as you can as the only permanent ice rink in Ireland, is in Belfast. Dundrum on ice and 7up on ice offer great deals at a cost of 8-20 euro (depending on the day) it’s a guaranteed laugh.

3- National Wax Museum. Fun, Scary, Legendary, a few words from people who have visited the museum in recent years. With exhibits from all different time periods and a ticket that gets you closer then you've ever been to your favourite celebrity’s. It’s the hottest ticket in town just be careful not to get too close, or you may end up melting Peirce Brosnnan or Tina Turner.

4- Leisure Plex. With branches all around Ireland, you’re never more than an hour from a leisure plex in Dublin. The fun for all the family atmosphere is excellent and provides activates such as bowling, Qzar, and a play area called 'the zoo'. With excellent midweek deals it’s a must do, with games of pool from 5 euro, to bowling from 10, its cheap and cheerful fun.

5- Go-Karting. The most expensive of all the selections, but it does offer the most fun per-euro then the rest. With ample karting circuits around the country, the best of the bunch in my opinion is the Kylemoore, the indoor circuit offers good dry driving all year round. It dose cost a pretty penny compared to the rest but as always student rates are offered, with a general cost of 15-40 euro depending on day attended and also amount of people.

These are just a few of my picks. For more ideas visit:                       http://www.fundays.ie/listings.asp?offset=56&County=Dublin

Review: The Port House restaurant, Dundrum

The port house tapas bar in Dundrum has had its doors open for no more than two years and since then it has been booming with business, unlike our economy. The restaurants success can be attributed mainly to its diverse menu. As Dundrum’s first tapas menu it is likely to attract the odd curious few, this it seems to be the bulk of their business. Situated in the lower Pembroke district in the Town Centre you’re spoiled for choice with a healthy selection of bistros and “burger joints” to keep your stomach satisfied. 

The staff are friendly and courteous, always smiling and pushing their abundant wine menu under your nose. The cute and rustic appeal of the place is complimented hugely by a somewhat Venetian style outdoor heated area providing an appealing area for what is essentially a tiny restaurant. Service for food and drink is at the industry standard of around fifteen minutes. Everyone is good looking in the place, the lights are so dim Sinead O’Connor could come in and look bald and thirty again!

The menu is excruciatingly appealing to all. With choices from mini burgers to philly steaks, duck with lemon zest, lobster, salmon, pike, meatballs, paella, risotto, patatas may, salted asparagus and more, you’re spoiled for choice. There is something for everyone, and don’t forget this is tapas, small portions means you can try three to four dishes depending on your belt orientation. The food itself is at a mixed standard. I like to call it the “luck of the draw”, you could get an amazing dish like their salted asparagus, with a great flavour and soft centre it makes for a great eat or the patatas with four different toppings, it is a must as a side dish. At the other end of the scale there’s the seafood paella, with its undercooked rice and chewy fresh from the freezer fish, it makes for one disastrous piece of work. The meatballs again keep a disappointing trend up. With a sauce as bland as paper and the meat itself of a low quality, a relatively simple dish to prepare ruined.

I find myself that the failing areas are due to a size issue. A menu that vast would be nearly impossible to perfect. It is no wonder that some dishes are, to be honest brilliant and some to the same standard of the mc Donald’s euro saver menu. With a lottery for a good dish, a cosy country style and good staff, filled with beautiful people it makes for a good dining experience. It is for these reasons I would award The Port House in Dundrum three stars.

Bucket List. Top 10 things to do before you kick it.

With life being as short as it is, and being told every minute that all the good things in life are bad for us, it is only fair that we squeeze a bit of fun in before we kick the big old bucket in the sky. In the words of the great philosopher Ferris Builer, “life’s too short, if you don’t stop and look around once in a while you might miss it”.

  1.      Get married (kids optional).

One man’s dream is another man’s nightmare. The dream of a man is to be single forever and to live the playboy lifestyle as long as he can. Eventually though his mind will change and he will want something more meaningful and lasting. So it might not seem like it’s on everyone’s list now, but it will appear soon enough.

  2.      Witness something majestic.

With our eyes having run over numerous laptop screens, televisions, papers, and millions of other mundane things, it’s only fair we treat our eyes to something spectacular. Now this takes a lot of commitment! Something majestic is a view so beautiful in literally takes your breath away, something that only a few have ever seen, something you need to see so you can safely say “I witnessed the most beautiful thing in the world”. My person place would be the top of the highest point of the Himalayas on a clear day.

  
  3.      Kiss the most beautiful girl in the world.

Now, this could be problematic. With Scarlett Johansson being named the sexiest woman alive in 2011 (Esquire magazine), she may encounter a few fans looking for more than just an autograph. But who knows stranger things happened.

  4.      Own something that goes far too fast.

Most of us dream of our ultimate boys toy, be it bike a boat or a car. With doom and gloom all around all those bankers with flash Mercedes and BMW’s are having to sell up at ridiculously low prices, which means BARGINS for us (if you’ve got the money). My personal pick of the bunch would be the Arial atom, you can pick up a gorgeous used one for around €25,000, with low mileage and a 0-60 time that would take any tupay off in record time. Top speed 165/mph.

  5.      Laugh so hard you wet yourself.

Everyone knows that friend that they think is hilarious and makes them laugh on every night out, he will not suffice! Unless your friend is Jimmy Carr. When he comes to town get yourself a ticket to Jimmy’s live show, a litre of water, and some pampers (adult size). All combination of these makes for a fun filled, wet night.

  6.      Step foot on all 6 continents.

A favourite on every list is travelling, one of the most important things we can do. An escape to a different world, without actually leaving this one. North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia are all waiting to be rediscovered by one of us. Sampling different cultures cannot be more fulfilling, try new foods meeting new people, it’s a must do.

  7.      Have a mansion.

Now money is a serious restraint of this one. But I know I wouldn’t want to own a mansion, there too big, too cold, and cost a fortune, I would rather live in modest sized house. My proposal is to rent. Find a huge house down the country somewhere, rent in for a week, have an almighty party with family and friends and live it up like a king for a week.

  8.      Do a runner on a huge bill.

This could be used on a few of the above, for example the mansion, if you can get away with giving no details to the owner. But if you’re a bit more cautious like me do it in a fancy restaurant, there’s always a risk so be warned. A sure way to get away with it though is to buy a cheap coat leave it on your chair, and say to the waiter your just nipping out for a smoke, 2 hours later the waiter has a bill for €120 and a jacket worth €30, and for the love of God do not leave anything in the jacket that can be linked back to you!

  9.      Go Heli-skiing.

This is not for the faint hearted. This entails jumping from a helicopter in flight, a few meters above the ground into onto untreated, off-piste snow. It is quite dangerous, but something that gives you such a thrill. Also it’s not as expensive as you might think at an average cost of €350-500, as well as that, it makes a great change from the cliché of skydiving.  

10. Invent something only useful to you.

 A man can sit and wonder, for literally 2 minutes sometimes, on the difficulties he faces on a day to day basis. Tasks such as taking out the rubbish or cutting the grass, he sits and ponders, about things in his mind that could do these tasks quicker, and without needing him to be involved. So for once instead of sitting, do it, get up, make your idea a reality, no matter how obscure or insane. Draw your idea, go to a manufacturer, and have it made, spend your money on something that you want, for you only. You’re own bespoke junk.