Friday 30 December 2011

Why oh why - part 2: Return of the moaner

Ok, I know I said I would not use this as a ranting place but yet again I have to break my own rules and have a little moan otherwise I will burst!


Why do some people feel the need to declare their love (and other things) to their partner on Facebook?

'Hello gorgeous, thanks for yesterday lets hope we spend many more happy days together'


'I love you more than words can say'


blah blah blah.

Now I am in a loving relationship and could almost burst with how much I love my boyfriend BUT I will not put it on Facebook, or Twitter for that matter.

What is the point of sending something via Facebook? Is it just a way to show the world that you love each other? Sometimes it is just sick inducing and makes many people reach for the sick bag.

Also many occasions the person is probably sat next to you, tell them to their face!

This is what annoys me about today's culture people are more willing to email, message or text how they feel then call or talk face to face.


I sometimes think it is a little desperate to put it on Facebook. The straw that broke the camels back relates to my post 'Why oh why' the girl in question got back with the moron who now keeps posting lovey dovey messages on her Facebook wall, desperation much? Feel as if you need to show everyone you aren't a grade A arse?

I'm not against public displays of affection but why pour your guts out on Facebook.

It annoys me as much as someone saying... 'I hate the world', to which there are loads of comments saying 'What's wrong hun?' followed by the person saying 'I don't want to talk about it' DON'T PUT IT ON FACEBOOK THEN! You obviously do want to talk about it otherwise why would you put it on there, you wouldn't walk around the street with a sign around your neck or shouting the phrase for fear people will ask you so don't put it on a social networking site.

I feel my blog posts are fast making me a contender for Grumpy Old Women.

Ok I feel better, it just annoys me. Who cares if the world knows how much you love someone as long as they do isn't that the main thing?

Thursday 29 December 2011

Gigs - past, present and future

As 2011 comes to an end I am reflecting back on one of my great loves, live music.

2011 was a pretty good year - Beady Eye, Kylie Minogue, Katy Perry, Wild Beasts, Warpaint, Miles Kane (twice), Glee, Take That with Robbie and Kasabian.

Each very different and brilliant, Katy Perry smelt of strawberries, Kylie Minogue had a water fountain, Glee was OTT, Take That with Robbie was a childhood dream and Kasabian was amazing!

2010 was an amazing year! Gaga, Rihanna, Britney and Beyonce! And those were just the major ones.

So far 2012 is looking promising.

Only two gigs booked in one in February and one in March.

In February at Alexandra Palace in London I will be seeing The Black Eyes. I am beyond excited the album is immense and I have no doubt they will be amazing live.
As support they have Band of Horses, who should also be fantastic.

And in March I will be seeing McFly at Portsmouth Guildhall. This will be my fourth time seeing the band, and they are pretty good live. Always a good atmosphere and just good.

Hopefully I will be adding to this list, especially Lady Gaga, really want to see her again so fingers-crossed!

No-one else I don't think I want to see, but time will tell.

Tuesday 20 December 2011

Why oh why?

I try not to use this blog as a proper ranting place, however, I feel very angry.

And I'm sorry but it relates to boys.

Recently, and may I add yet again, I have had to comfort a teary eyed girl friend who has been made to feel like her boyfriend being an idiot is all her fault.

'I'm sorry but all that stress you have been going through has made me feel drained while I try to support you'.
'I feel as if you are smothering me, I need space'.

Why is it when it gets too much he makes you feel like the one in the wrong when the main reason for the break down in communication is because he has too much of an ego to tell you his problems. And that you won't understand rubbish does my head in!

Why is it some guys guilt trip you?

Why is it they don't have the guts to call time on a relationship but act like total pigs so that you do it and they are made to feel like the poor little victim.

Get the balls and do it yourself you bloody coward!

Sorry, it does my head it, and the thing is some girls don't see past it and see the tears the boys cry and feel either bad or that it must be bad if they are crying.

But I think boys are just as bad as girls (emotional blackmail-wise) but won't take the plunge if they are made to look like the bad guy.

In a relationship you go through the good times and the bad, you are there for each other no matter what, if you can't take it anymore talk about it before it gets too bad don't bottle it up.

And if you don't want to be with the other person end it. It is not fair on them or you to string something out that in the end will hurt even more. It's like ripping of a plaster do it quickly yes it will hurt but its better than peeling it off slowly pulling out the little hairs.

Someone has to get some balls and do the right thing.

*breathe* ok I feel better, sorry it just annoys me. But the rant is done now.

Monday 12 December 2011

Who you calling a cry baby?

I have always hated crying, I sometimes feel uncomfortable when people cry not quite knowing what to do. Personally, I have always thought crying was seen as a sign of weakness and I was not keen to let other people see they had got to me.


However, as I have got older something has happened and I cry pretty much all the time! Sad films, I can feel the tears coming, when I heard Amy Winehouse's new song I got choked up. When I get ultra stressed, the waterworks start, after having an argument once with someone they said I turned the waterworks on to get sympathy, nope really didn't, can't seem to control it.


I'm not entirely sure what has happened to me for this change to occur.

I used to be able to keep the tears at bay, keeping them in a special place to come out in private or not at all. But now I can find it really difficult keeping them in which can be quite embarrassing, when trying to keep cool.
Recently for work I spoke to a woman whose son had died. She had invited me into her home to pay tribute to him. It was always going to be difficult, she spoke about him through laughter and tears, and when I left I couldn't help but burst into tears. I didn't know him but I felt bad for her, and could feel her pain. I suppose in some situations you put yourself in their shoes and you can 't help but be overwhelmed.


My boyfriend couldn't understand why I was crying afterwards but when you are in a highly emotional and charged situation like that it is very hard not to get caught up.

I do seem to cry pretty much all the time and I have no idea why. It is almost as if at some point I opened the emotional doors and the tears started flooding and haven't been able to stop.

I'm not sure if I see it as a sign of weakness anymore though, I find it quite a release. If I am frustrated or stressed if I have a good old wail I usually feels heaps better after.

At the end of the day who cares! So what yes I am a cry baby!

Friday 9 December 2011

It's (nearly) Christmas!!!

I don't know what it is but Christmas makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

I think I have said before I love everything about it, I love the decorations, the lights, the shopping, the food and just the overall feeling.

I went to a garden centre recently I was interviewing the father and daughter who own the chains, really lovely people, anyway they obviously had their Christmas section.

The theme was cities and each decoration bit had its own city, the Paris one was all romantic and beautiful, there was Stockholm one and Hollywood was very glamorous. The trees were made up all beautifully decorated and I couldn't help but feel like a child I wanted to run around and touch all the glitter and lights.

When ever I drive past homes who have made an effort with their lights it makes me feel giddy, I just love it, I love the songs and the films. No other time of the year makes you feel happy.

To me also everything I feel should be shut on Christmas day.

People should be with their family or  with people like the Salvation Army, shops shouldn't be open, I feel bad for those people working for people who have forgotten to get milk or cranberry sauce.

Anyway it is only one day people no need to panic shop before.

I suppose as well I am lucky that my boyfriend is just as big a kid as me, and I just love giving presents it is great love it!

Also I love this advert.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSLOnR1s74o

I don't understand how anyone can watch it and not either feel warm, fuzzy and just Christmassy!

What can I saw this blog post is all about the love.

Tuesday 6 December 2011

Thank you for the music

Music can evoke memories, conjure up happy or sad feelings or transport you back to a time and place.

Sometimes you don't realise how important music is in your life, be it that song you sing at the top of your voice when you need an ego boost or the song you dance to when getting ready for a night out.

There are songs that remind you of first loves, exes, holidays or gigs.

I do love my music but I don't think I really realised how important it is and how it can have an impact on my mood. So in a short post I thought I would put down some songs that are important to me.

I suppose I should start with the song that made me want to write this post... Scott Mills played The Futureheads 'Hounds of Love' on his Wonder Years on Radio 1 the other day...this was a song I bought because the guy I was seeing liked it and it reminded me of him. Now it reminds me of him, when he broke my heart for the last time (after six or seven good gos) I decided I hated the stupid song, so I did what any rational person would do, I smashed it with a hammer, it was  CD by the way. It felt good though believe me.

Then there is Outkast 'Hey Ya', I love, love, love this song! It reminds me of my first (and only) girly holiday to Dublin, it came on in a club called Q I think, it was an amazing night out and an amazing holiday. Britney Spears 'Toxic' brings back the same memories.

Anything Spice Girls reminds me of my childhood days, especially 'Spice up Your Life' which I remember going to my friend's grans house before school to watch the premiere of the video, we were subsequently late for school, well worth it. Me and my friend even had a band which sung Spice Girl's covers, fantastic. Aaahh those were the days.

Then gigs...my first gig was Boyzone, I know! But now Kylie Minogue 'Love at First Sight' obviously reminds me of meeting the great lady and being on cloud 9 dancing to it. And of course 'Vlad the Impaler' reminds me of the fantastic Kasabian gig in Brighton.

I will admit that I don't go out as much as I used but there are songs now that when I hear them it reminds me of those days J-Kwon 'Tipsy' reminds me of a shots bar, which I was sick in but that's by the by. 'Golddigger' by Kayne I can remember dancing with my friend.

And then there are the songs that make my heart melt because they remind me of that special someone in my life... like Elbow 'One Day Like This' is just one.

Its like when I hear the instrumental version of 'Kissing You' from Romeo and Juliet I burst into tears, it reminds me of my friends wedding.

I know it's silly but music is one of those things and I felt compelled to write about my love of music.

So to all bands and singers Thank you for the music!

Friday 2 December 2011

Money makes the world go around

Many of us have would love to have some extra cash; be it for that holiday you have been dreaming about, Christmas around the corner or just to have some extra money for emergencies. Now many people are re-evaluating their jobs and taking up hobbies which can provide a bit of extra money, which means there are more opportunities for you to do the same.


One way to make extra money is by taking craft classes and making money from the items that you make there. Craft classes are not very expensive and in the long run can help you forge a new career or at the very least an enjoyable hobby. Craft’s come in all shapes and sizes, and the image associated with them being un-cool or boring is fast changing especially as people seem to appreciate homemade items.

Card making is a very personal and great way to make extra money, it won’t make you a millionaire but it may make you feel good about yourself, especially as people seem to appreciate the personal touch. It also means people can ask you themselves what they want and what kind of cards they want, as there is nothing more frustrating than searching the shelves of your local card shop and being disappointed with the cards on offer. A great starting point to help you out is the web; one great website is www.making-greeting-cards.com, which has lots of tips for different projects and cards for different occasions including Christmas and Mothers Day. Once you pick the card or occasion you click on the link and you receive a how to list on how to make the card. There is also a page dedicated to how you can start a home greeting card business. If you are interested in card making then it may be worth starting a blog, as it is a great way to show others what you can do, also try and join as many craft forum groups as you can, they are a great way to publicise yourself and get tips from others. Another useful website if www.makingcardsmagazine.com, which has its own forum and lots of information for budding card makers.

They say that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, however, on many people’s budgets diamonds are not your credit cards best friend, so the next best thing could be to make your own jewellery. Not only can you create yourself a bespoke piece of exclusive jewellery but you can also create gifts for your friends and loved ones.

Baking may sometimes be bad on the hips but could be good for the wallet. Everybody loves cakes so why not hone your skills and sell what you make, and if a batch goes wrong then I’m sure there will be more than enough people to eat the results. Baking cakes can also be inexpensive if you buy in bulk you can make a lot of cakes for a profit. To start you off here is a recipe for a simple chocolate cake, this recipe serves eight, and preparation time is ten minutes with cooking time at fifty minutes. Now the ingredients you will need for the cake are: 175g (6oz) margarine or softened butter, 175g (6oz) caster sugar, 3 large eggs, 150g (5oz) self-rising flour-sifted, 50g (1¾oz) of sifted cocoa, 1tsp baking powder, 1tsp vanilla extra, pinch of salt. For simple chocolate icing all you will need is 100 (3 ½ oz) of dark chocolate icing and 100g (3 ½ oz) of chopped butter. To cook you need to heat your oven to 180˚C (gas mark 4). Lightly grease a 18cm (7in) round cake tin with a little extra butter or margarine and cut a piece of greaseproof paper or non-stick baking parchment to fit the base of the tin. Put all the cake ingredients into a large mixing bowl and beat with a wooden spoon or hand-held mixer for 1 minute, or until just combined. It is important at this stage not to beat the batter too much, just long enough to make it smooth. Pour the mixture into the tin and smooth the top, bake on the middle shelf of the oven for about 45-50 minutes. The cake is cooked when it looks well risen and golden; the top should spring back when lightly touched with a finger tip or insert a skewer into the centre of the cake and it should come out clean. Let the cake sit in the tin for about 5 minutes, then gently run a knife around the edge and turn the cake out onto a wire rack to cool. For the icing, place the dark chocolate and chopped butter in a heatproof bowl and set over a saucepan of very hot water until melted. Cool for 15 minutes and then spread over the top of the cooled cake. If, however, the cake business doesn’t take off at least you have learnt to make lots of delicious cakes.

There are many ways that you can make a bit of extra cash in these trying times by making something delicious or unique. At the end of the day if it’s fun you will enjoy it a whole lot more.