Who's getting married in the morning?

Being quintessentially English and enjoying all the traditions of tea, Eastenders and fish & chips does NOT mean we are all looking forward to Kate and Wills getting hitched. With proceedings being rammed down the throats of pretty much every citizen be it through yet another annoying BBC1 advert or seeing Union Jack displays and cushions with the image of the trolls emblazoned on...it seems one won't be free til the bank holiday's over.

I don't give a toss about a wedding funded by taxpayers' money, taking away from those who don't care and also bringing the whole country to a halt for one day. Pretty selfish if you ask me. I'm just waiting for someone to announce the 29th April a nationally renowned holiday it's been THAT hyped thus far.

It's even more tragic that people are actually camping outside Bucks Palace and on the freezing streets of London to catch a glimpse of...oh yes, royals in their cars and carriages. You're not even going to be allowed within an inch of the actual ceremony, why put yourself through a potential bout of pneumonia, WITH the prospect of overnight rain to add.

In light of today's imminent wedding proceedings this image had to be posted to sum up my thoughts. Being a student at Staffordshire University home of the country's, and some of the world's finest pottery (*snore*) I couldn't help but remember this story written by a fellow talented journo in my class about anti-wedding mugs.

I will probably crawl out of my pit for a millisecond, I must confess, to see the dress and discover what designer's going to walk around with a stick up their arse for the rest of time and their career.

Cheerio chums.

Totally addicted to...bass/ booze/ drugs...? Um, no just eBay :/

Forget drugs, booze or Glee...the latest craze gripping the souls of many a post-recession affected person is eBay. Its unique selling point is that it offers the best of the high street and beyond…for a mere fraction of its original price: tempting items listed daily which are simply too good to refuse. Don’t get me wrong it can be great for snapping up unexpected bargains…when used in moderation.

If I lose out on something and am outbid eBay being the extremely accessible minefield it is means a replacement is never more than a few clicks away. Then the waiting game ensues all over again of watching a particular item and its activity. Even forewarning that you’ve been outbid and encouragement to ‘bid again’ and ‘don’t let it get away’ all coerce naïve people into going higher than their original limits.

It’s an empty victory as most items you bid on you seldom genuinely need. It’s more the thrill of seeing something you want and beating off others in order to win it. Even the terminology of ‘winning’ an item makes people feel they’ve conquered something when in actual fact they’ve simply bought it.

At my lowest point I have declined going out with people and having human interaction outside of my house due to items I know I need to bid on at close range. If I'm out I’ve been plagued by items on my mind and end times looming.

I am aware that this is a quite normal extremely sad obsession but I know I am not alone.

First step to overcoming: look at your monthly bank statement. Only there can one actually SEE the amount of Paypal payments consecutively eating away at their balance. One thing about eBay is that you don’t realise how much you’re buying. Online transactions remove the reality of going into a shop and handing over your money or using a card; it almost becomes a mindless act spending on eBay.

Second step: tell someone. Even doing so in a jokey sort of “Heyyy so you’ll never believe I’ve been doing in my spare time lately…”, at least it’s a form of confession and a problem shared is a problem halved after all! Plus the embarrassment of admitting and speaking about bidding away your earned cash is enough to make you come to your senses.

Thirdly analyse the items you’ve been bidding on or buying. You don’t genuinely need 6 tops, 2 pairs of trainers, games or all that jewellery. Sure it’s at a discounted price but like any maths buff will tell you: it ALL adds up ultimately. Want: yes…NEED: no. That’s what you need to tell yourself before you risk buying excessively.

If this does not sound anything like you well done for staying strong, however anyone can get sucked in by the bargain-hunting bug. Continue to shop responsibly and don’t get carried away. And if this does apply to you: it’s not too late to mend your ways before you get stuck in a rut! I’m living proof…almost ;)

They're just not that into ME?

So I’ve noticed people have this weird tendency to over-complicate elements of life that really need no further complication. Things are actually pretty straightforward most of the time: it's us as humans who choose to misconstrue meaning and change things within an inch of its original state.

If someone isn't interested in you and tells you that or implies through not pouncing on you or general body language: it's probably because they ARE NOT interested. Trying to twist each subtle nuance/ interaction/ accidental glance and misinterpreting it as something imaginary that is not really there can only be detrimental to the person seeing it. The one being obsessed over is living their life, blissfully unaware. Seen it far too many times with friends who have had 'a moment' with someone ONCE but think that's one step closer to holy matrimony.

MATE we're not in an idealistic Danielle Steel novel OR a rom-com. This is real life.

You may be one of those people who have experienced this too with their friends. Or are guilty. If this scenario is unfolding itself with someone you know and they seek advice BE HONEST. Sometimes it's all too funny hearing how naive or ridiculous their perception can be but ultimately they are your friend and the last thing you'd want to see is them hurt. Or embarrassed once they make a complete tit out of themselves after they spot the object of their affection out and one too many sambucas are consumed. And remember you gotta roll with this person afterwards...your rocketeering street credibility is also on the line ;).

If you (Uncle Sam point) are a perpetrator please recognise these traits and step away. This person probably isn't worth all your anguish and hero worship. If they can't see how much you're into them then how attentive would they really be in any form of relationship? Really. It's not hard to realise eventually when someone's into you. Unless you're not into them and deliberately act nonchalant or oblivious to the fact. If that person were into you they really would have put SOME sort of nondescript move on you by now.

If people just stopped reading into things and took such things as they are I know my life for one, would be easier.

One day I'll live in a world where everything is just as it's meant to be and does exactly what it's supposed to on the tin. A world six feet under in pure bliss. No more human interaction as none of us will technically be human. Win.

R x

End of a chapter...

After a hectic past few weeks I've finally picked modules for third yearrrrr: I'm going to be graduating from university this time next year and I cannot wait!

Photojournalism. Web Based Journalism. Political Columnist. Journalism Project. Career Development.

Those babies will be the bane of my life next year and I'm sadly looking so forward to them.

I needed to blog today as I feel I've lost my ability to write in my own personal in-house style which feels right for me. And quite frankly I've lost myself in Journalism as a course and not a passion. The stories I've had published thus far are very rigid and structured with very little colour. When I read them they just seem bland and impersonal and nothing like the way I'm used to writing.

Lately I've been finding myself researching tons of new journalism/ PR/ publishing opportunities but am realising potentiality is not transforming into actuality. As a wise old man once said: "You must be the change you want to see in the world". So quite frankly I have to grab this sitch by the balls and grip...EEEK


R x

They're just not that into ME?

You may have noticed sometimes people have the tendency to over-complicate elements of life that really need no further complication. Things are actually pretty straightforward most of the time: it's us who choose to misconstrue meaning and change things within an inch of its original state. This is no different with ‘signs’ we think we’re getting from a hottie.

If someone doesn’t display ongoing affection toward you or implies through not pouncing on you or general body language: it's probably because they ARE NOT interested. Trying to twist each subtle nuance/ interaction/ accidental glance and misinterpreting it as something imaginary that is not really there can only be detrimental to the person seeing it. The one being obsessed over is living their life, blissfully unaware. Seen this in action with friends who have had 'a moment' with someone ONCE but think that's one step closer to holy matrimony.

Regrettably we are not in an idealistic Danielle Steel novel OR a rom-com. This is life.

You may be one of those people who have experienced this too with their friends. Or are guilty. If this scenario is unfolding itself with someone you know and they seek advice BE HONEST. Sometimes it's all too funny hearing how naive or ridiculous their perception can be but ultimately they are your friend and the last thing you'd want to see is them hurt. Or embarrassed once they make a complete tit out of themselves after they spot the object of their affection out and one too many sambucas are consumed. And remember you gotta roll with this person afterwards...your rocketeering street credibility is also on the line ;).

If you (Uncle Sam point) are a perpetrator please recognise these traits and step away. This person probably isn't worth all your anguish and hero worship. If they can't see how much you're into them then how attentive would they really be in any form of relationship? Really. It's not hard to realise eventually when someone's into you. Unless you're not into them and deliberately act nonchalant or oblivious to the fact. If that person were into you they really would have put SOME sort of nondescript move on you by now.

On the flipside people can genuinely get lead as a result of genuine mixed signals received. It’s possible the guy or girl leading you can be doing so unintentionally and innocently…BUT they could be fully aware and like your attention and their egos stroked. So not that attractive after all…

In order to get to the root of such an issue the best thing is to communicate. Easier said than done and not advising that you go in guns blazing and ask them what their intentions are, if any. Simply react to their signals and speak: gauge if there’s effort in conversation. Such signals can be confirmed or denied from exchanges with someone- not implying conversation has to be bouncing off the walls but getting a feel (not literally) for one another should confirm if there’s any general mutual attraction and anything worth attempting to pursue.

If people just stopped reading into things and took such things as they are I know my life for one, would be easier.

One day I'll live in a world where everything is just as it's meant to be and does exactly what it's supposed to on the tin. A world six feet under in pure bliss. No more human interaction as none of us will technically be human. Win.

R x

No-so-standard night at the SU

Yesterday night I hit my eyebrow on a plastic pint glass and split it because I banged my head while laughing too much. This is the kind of bizarre stuff that happens to me sometimes and I felt compelled to document it it was so ridiculous.

To make matters worse I had to be mended by my boss who, along with 4 of the bouncers I know, where laughing and taking the absolute piss. They proceeded to put on the brightest blue plaster known to man above my eye that I had to dance around my SU with for the remainder of the night. So smooth it's unreal.

Will I go teetotal after this mortifying episode...? Probably not.

REVIEW: Drake and J.Cole

Friday 14th January 2011 saw the final UK concert in Canadian rapper Aubrey Graham Drake aka Drake's European 'Dreams & Nightmare Tour'.

Thousands of fans flocked to the NIA Arena in Birmingham to watch the artist delight audiences with tracks from his first official studio album Thank Me Later. Drake was joined (albeit not together onstage) by upcoming American rapper J.Cole who opened the show. An incredible and underrated rapper with thought provoking and often political lyrics in his songs warmed the crowd up admirably.

Arriving fashionably late my friend Susanna and I appeared to take our seats in block J on the left hand side of the stage.

Firstly Cole performed his set with astounding ease and grace, knowing exactly how to interact and work with the crowd keeping them engaged and anticipating the main man of the evening. He gave the audience his all on 'Grown Simba' spitting lyrics with passion. Performing new single 'In The Morning' which features Drake, Cole delivered the lyrics of the song so effortlessly one could have believed they were listening to the actual track. Cole was humble and thankful to fans. Certainly one of the best opening acts I've ever seen.

Drake made an entrance simply: there were few flashing lights or tricks. Just one man and his microphone.

Opening his set with crowd pleaser 'Forever' and ending with 'Over' Drake delivered the creme de la creme from his mixtapes and albums brilliantly. Was a little disappointed he didn't perform more material from The Comeback Season or So Far gone (was holding out for Closer and Say What's Real) but I'm assuming he had an obligation to his mainstream fans and newfound success.

Drizzy also surprised the crowd with a re-enactment of his '3 stroke' which he had been talking about in an interview with Westwood earlier this week. Drake and his pelvic thrusts and vivid descriptions sent female fans into a frenzy of cheering before 'What's My Name'.

Paying homage to Lil Wayne he also performed 'Single' and Young Money track 'Bedrock'. He sung his verse from 'Aston Martin Music' which also got the crowd singing along as every other song did.

Overall the event was amazing and Drizzy was definitely on top of his game and then some, but above all supporting act J.Cole was the highlight. He got the crowd going with some great songs and energy. These two combined may well be a force to reckon with in the world of music in 2011 and beyond.

R x


P.S. Oh and on a more boring note I think security could have been a bit better- need to mention how NO-ONE checked our bags, not implying I could have something illicit on my person, but really, in Birmingham, or anywhere for that matter anything could have passed through. Not gonna rant *snore*