A guide to what's hot and what's not.
What's hot
Italian classesGet in sync with Giovanni Trapattoni from the get go. See www.iicdublino.esteri.it. Forza Irlanda!
Men in earringsGood to see Daniel Day Lewis out of lumberjack gear for a change.
Free Frank BlackThe former Pixies frontman did a short acoustic set for hundreds of fans in front of Stephen's Green last week. Hurrah!
Good movie adaptationsThe Diving Bell and the Butterfly, No Country for Old Men, Atonement, case closed.
Enlightened advertisingThe illuminated Dublin Film Festival billboard on Ranelagh Road is classy and eye-catching.
What's cold
Frock schlockMeteors, IFTAs, Baftas, Oscars, film festival, theatre awards, all at once . . . For starters, just what was the beautiful Marion Cotillard wearing? Swan's wings?
ATMs in newsagentsOut of service more often than not.
Hands down track suitsWorried it's going to fall off?
"Firsties" on internet message boardsIs that all you have to say?
Windows VistaIn a word, hell.
Driving to Northern IrelandStill not one petrol station on the M1.