I am truly terrible at finding time to blog! Work both days this weekend with parties tonight and tomorrow, when will I find the time to write?
I've already promised myself I'll do a review of Hole's (FANTASTIC) new album "Nobody's Daughter", so expect that when there is more time!
Friday, 30 July 2010
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Its turned into a British Summer, Fake Tan at the ready....
Despite the past few weeks of glorious sunshine, I always maintain the role of girl with the whitest legs ever. I don't even know how this is possible, I actually spent a lot of time wearing shorts (and rolled up jeans if I'm caught off guard) just to try and bronze my skeleton legs.No such luck.
This means I am now onto the fake tan ready for Emily's birthday; A fancy dress night around the town of Doncaster. Similarly to Cady in Mean Girls, I believe fancy dress doesn't mean wear as little clothes as possible, I prefer to make an Optimus Prime outfit out of several boxes stolen away from the local supermarket, spend hours designing and painting them and then covering my body with them like a big cardboard shield. Below is me partway through said outfit three years ago.
Apparently, this attire is not suitable for town, so I must wear fewer and smaller items of clothing. Hence, myself as a cowgirl. A mans checked shirt which will be tied around the waist (prompting me to try and tone my belly, no luck so far) and a pair of horribly tiny denim shorts. This is where the fake tan comes into play, if I have to get my legs out for the world to see, I want to look less like skeletor and have a more human colour. Definitely not orange.
One good thing has come out of this though. THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOTS. I am not usually a shoe girl, but even I adore these.
Miss Sixty cowboy boots, they were £130, I got them for £40. What a steal! And they are so beautiful and lovely, I will save them forever and find any excuse to wear them!
I will post photos of the cowgirl outfit nearer the time, I have much toning and tanning to do before then. Sometimes its awful to be a girl, if I was a man I'd just get a big burly six pack, and a beard like Hugh Jackman in the film Australia. Life would be simpler.
This means I am now onto the fake tan ready for Emily's birthday; A fancy dress night around the town of Doncaster. Similarly to Cady in Mean Girls, I believe fancy dress doesn't mean wear as little clothes as possible, I prefer to make an Optimus Prime outfit out of several boxes stolen away from the local supermarket, spend hours designing and painting them and then covering my body with them like a big cardboard shield. Below is me partway through said outfit three years ago.
One good thing has come out of this though. THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOTS. I am not usually a shoe girl, but even I adore these.
Miss Sixty cowboy boots, they were £130, I got them for £40. What a steal! And they are so beautiful and lovely, I will save them forever and find any excuse to wear them!
I will post photos of the cowgirl outfit nearer the time, I have much toning and tanning to do before then. Sometimes its awful to be a girl, if I was a man I'd just get a big burly six pack, and a beard like Hugh Jackman in the film Australia. Life would be simpler.
Monday, 26 July 2010
A declaration of commitment
I must continue with this blog. I want people to rage at me if I do not commit to it fully!
Here is what I intend to use it for;
Music Reviews
Book Reviews
Film Reviews
Comments on the news
General moans/rants about society
It shall be very odd.
Here is what I intend to use it for;
Music Reviews
Book Reviews
Film Reviews
Comments on the news
General moans/rants about society
It shall be very odd.
Monday, 22 February 2010
Gordon Brown - Bully?
The Story
Several people in Gordon Brown's office have contacted a bullying helpine. Christine Pratt, who runs the National Bullying Helpline (NBH) has stated that several calls have been made to the charity from Downing Street staff. Downing Street states that the reports are "malicious allegations" that are "without foundation".
Both the Conseratives and the Liberal Democrats have demanded inquiries into the allegations, and at a time when a general election is just around the corner, this could have a significant impact on Labour's votes, bullying does not give a sense of "A Future Fair For All".
However, in this story, there are a lot of things to be considered.
First of all, there have been "3 or 4" calls in the last "3 or 4" years, working out at an average of one call a year. This could quite easily be a single opportunity where Mr Brown has lost his temper, or perhaps, in times of high stress in Number 10, where there has been a lot of tension and anger, rather than bullying. The citizens information board defines bullying as "repeated inappropriate behaviour conducted by one or more persons against another or others at the place of work and/or in the course of employment and which could reasonably be regarded as undermining the individual's right to dignity at work." One call a year does not suggest "repeated" actions of any kind.
Secondly, perhaps Christine Pratt should be questioned for breaking the vow of confidence that the NBH offers to the victims of bullying. While it is true that Ms Pratt has not given away the details of the callers, it will most likely be very easy for Downing Street staff to work out who has made the call, especially in the event that Mr Brown has upset members of staff. Surely this can only have a negative impact on staff, who may even be forced to resign, not by bullying, but by their own motives now the story is out.
Finally, why now? The main question that should be asked with any story that takes a long time to come out. The first time bullying was mentioned in Number 10, how far was it looked into then, and why did nothing change? When the 2nd call came, why did the story not come out then? Did the NBH need publicity, and why has it conveniently been announced in the months leading up to a general election?
No doubt many questions will be asked, and only a handful of answers found. Such is political journalism, it may be a long time before we get to the bottom of this story.
Several people in Gordon Brown's office have contacted a bullying helpine. Christine Pratt, who runs the National Bullying Helpline (NBH) has stated that several calls have been made to the charity from Downing Street staff. Downing Street states that the reports are "malicious allegations" that are "without foundation".
Both the Conseratives and the Liberal Democrats have demanded inquiries into the allegations, and at a time when a general election is just around the corner, this could have a significant impact on Labour's votes, bullying does not give a sense of "A Future Fair For All".
However, in this story, there are a lot of things to be considered.
First of all, there have been "3 or 4" calls in the last "3 or 4" years, working out at an average of one call a year. This could quite easily be a single opportunity where Mr Brown has lost his temper, or perhaps, in times of high stress in Number 10, where there has been a lot of tension and anger, rather than bullying. The citizens information board defines bullying as "repeated inappropriate behaviour conducted by one or more persons against another or others at the place of work and/or in the course of employment and which could reasonably be regarded as undermining the individual's right to dignity at work." One call a year does not suggest "repeated" actions of any kind.
Secondly, perhaps Christine Pratt should be questioned for breaking the vow of confidence that the NBH offers to the victims of bullying. While it is true that Ms Pratt has not given away the details of the callers, it will most likely be very easy for Downing Street staff to work out who has made the call, especially in the event that Mr Brown has upset members of staff. Surely this can only have a negative impact on staff, who may even be forced to resign, not by bullying, but by their own motives now the story is out.
Finally, why now? The main question that should be asked with any story that takes a long time to come out. The first time bullying was mentioned in Number 10, how far was it looked into then, and why did nothing change? When the 2nd call came, why did the story not come out then? Did the NBH need publicity, and why has it conveniently been announced in the months leading up to a general election?
No doubt many questions will be asked, and only a handful of answers found. Such is political journalism, it may be a long time before we get to the bottom of this story.
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
Snow Days & Britains Crisis.
It sometimes appears that Britain, although it is an MEDC (more economically developed country) we always struggle and the minor crisis of snowfall. Gritters are running out of grit. People are panic buying necessities such as milk and bread, and who knows how long we have left until boilers break or we have a gas shortage?
Why aren't we more prepared for this? We spend millions of pounds on science and weather forecasting, if people knew this was coming, why didn't we prepare more? Luckily, at my house we did a lot of stock building of milk and bread (apparently the 2 essential substances we need....?), and now supermarkets like Tesco are closing. After helping to push multiple cars out of the snow and being stuck in traffic for quite a while yesterday, I understand the main problem snow causes is that our cars cannot go. And with grit running out, it looks like we're stuck in the snow for a while.
However, snow does have its benefits for some. For the hundreds of thousands of students who are off school, for the people who cannot get to work and are having some relaxing time off. Snow also brings a sense of community spirit. You suddenly find yourself grabbing your shovel and helping to clear your neigbours drive, the people you usually just say hello to, if that. You all work together to help the people who are stuck, and all the children get together to build a rather large snowman from the snow you clear off.
I have sympathy for the people who are truly stuck today when you needed to be somewhere. If you needed to get to hospital, or you needed to get to work and you cannot. But there is only one thing we can do. Sit tight, wait for it to blow over (no weather pun intended) and try and have a good time, with your kids, your family, your neighbours, or even just go out for a walk by yourself.
Why aren't we more prepared for this? We spend millions of pounds on science and weather forecasting, if people knew this was coming, why didn't we prepare more? Luckily, at my house we did a lot of stock building of milk and bread (apparently the 2 essential substances we need....?), and now supermarkets like Tesco are closing. After helping to push multiple cars out of the snow and being stuck in traffic for quite a while yesterday, I understand the main problem snow causes is that our cars cannot go. And with grit running out, it looks like we're stuck in the snow for a while.
However, snow does have its benefits for some. For the hundreds of thousands of students who are off school, for the people who cannot get to work and are having some relaxing time off. Snow also brings a sense of community spirit. You suddenly find yourself grabbing your shovel and helping to clear your neigbours drive, the people you usually just say hello to, if that. You all work together to help the people who are stuck, and all the children get together to build a rather large snowman from the snow you clear off.
I have sympathy for the people who are truly stuck today when you needed to be somewhere. If you needed to get to hospital, or you needed to get to work and you cannot. But there is only one thing we can do. Sit tight, wait for it to blow over (no weather pun intended) and try and have a good time, with your kids, your family, your neighbours, or even just go out for a walk by yourself.
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