Friday, 23 September 2011
All quiet on the blog front
Just a quick update I was on holiday in Greece last week, hence the lack of posts. But I will be posting about the holiday plus other offerings I have floating around my head at the moment so watch this space!
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
One question...why did you want to be a journalist?
I will admit that once I tell someone that I am a journalist, you can see the cogs turning, they start thinking can I be trusted and then again why.
I have been asked a few times, in interviews for my course, my job and just in general.
Journalists do have a bit of a bad reputation especially at the moment where every other story about journalists is about hacking. But most local journalist would not be able to do something like that, well any moral person should think twice before doing it, anyway, nationals can tread on people, so to speak, because they have the money to and have enough stories out there that one local story can be replaced with another. But for regional papers to be honest people are usually more than happy to tell you their stories as everyone loves a little bit of fame. And we build a relationship of trust as those people may come back time and time again with differnet stories or let you know when something is happening.
So why do I want to be a journalist?
When I was 13, I wanted to be a TV researcher, but then one English lesson after a writing exercise my teacher asked me if I had ever considered being a journalist and it is almost as if a little bubble burst in my head and everything made sense.
I seem to possess a lot of qualities that journalists have, I am nosey or I like to think inquisitive, I ask a lot of questions and my mind is always wondering something. Sometimes completely random and sometimes quite sensible.
I enjoy learning new things and then writing something for others to learn new things.
I enjoy meeting people and chatting to them, that is what I loved about working a shop. One of the best things about my job, was when I did my first story about a baby's pram being stolen and then people pulling together to help her out, for the mum to come in and thank me. It feels nice to help some in a simple way, with words.
I, obviously, enjoy writing, it is very cathartic for me, especially my blog where I can have my rant.
Being a journalist is very varied, although we have the same deadline day. No two days are the same you can plan but then stories just happen. It's like one day you can do a story about a girl in a pop video, then a man who's wife has Alzheimer’s and then a planning story. There is no other job like it I don't think.
I think some people do it for money (not much to be honest) and some to see their name in lights...well print. But me I just do it because I love it. I think that is the only reason you can otherwise you won't enjoy it and won't do it very well. But then it may have been someone told me I was quite good at it and I have never seen myself doing anything else.
Some tips though for any wannabes:
* Get experience, anywhere and everywhere. You pick up a lot of skills and start to think where you could go.
* Get on a NCTJ course, a journalism degree is well and good but a lot of papers want those four letters... N.C.T.J (National Council for the Training of Journalists). I went to Highbury College and did the 20 week course, the hardest 20 weeks of my life but really toughens you up for the real world, I also got to make a lot of good friends. Their website is: http://www.highbury.ac.uk/client/content.asp?ContentId=377
* Don't bad mouth anyone, journalism is a small world and everyone knows everyone or at least someone who knows someone else.
* Keep everything you write, as a record of what you can do.
* I suppose if you want to do it your passion will shine through and those around you will see how much you want it.
* Oh buy a dictionary and a thesaurus.
So good luck!
I have been asked a few times, in interviews for my course, my job and just in general.
Journalists do have a bit of a bad reputation especially at the moment where every other story about journalists is about hacking. But most local journalist would not be able to do something like that, well any moral person should think twice before doing it, anyway, nationals can tread on people, so to speak, because they have the money to and have enough stories out there that one local story can be replaced with another. But for regional papers to be honest people are usually more than happy to tell you their stories as everyone loves a little bit of fame. And we build a relationship of trust as those people may come back time and time again with differnet stories or let you know when something is happening.
So why do I want to be a journalist?
When I was 13, I wanted to be a TV researcher, but then one English lesson after a writing exercise my teacher asked me if I had ever considered being a journalist and it is almost as if a little bubble burst in my head and everything made sense.
I seem to possess a lot of qualities that journalists have, I am nosey or I like to think inquisitive, I ask a lot of questions and my mind is always wondering something. Sometimes completely random and sometimes quite sensible.
I enjoy learning new things and then writing something for others to learn new things.
I enjoy meeting people and chatting to them, that is what I loved about working a shop. One of the best things about my job, was when I did my first story about a baby's pram being stolen and then people pulling together to help her out, for the mum to come in and thank me. It feels nice to help some in a simple way, with words.
I, obviously, enjoy writing, it is very cathartic for me, especially my blog where I can have my rant.
Being a journalist is very varied, although we have the same deadline day. No two days are the same you can plan but then stories just happen. It's like one day you can do a story about a girl in a pop video, then a man who's wife has Alzheimer’s and then a planning story. There is no other job like it I don't think.
I think some people do it for money (not much to be honest) and some to see their name in lights...well print. But me I just do it because I love it. I think that is the only reason you can otherwise you won't enjoy it and won't do it very well. But then it may have been someone told me I was quite good at it and I have never seen myself doing anything else.
Some tips though for any wannabes:
* Get experience, anywhere and everywhere. You pick up a lot of skills and start to think where you could go.
* Get on a NCTJ course, a journalism degree is well and good but a lot of papers want those four letters... N.C.T.J (National Council for the Training of Journalists). I went to Highbury College and did the 20 week course, the hardest 20 weeks of my life but really toughens you up for the real world, I also got to make a lot of good friends. Their website is: http://www.highbury.ac.uk/client/content.asp?ContentId=377
* Don't bad mouth anyone, journalism is a small world and everyone knows everyone or at least someone who knows someone else.
* Keep everything you write, as a record of what you can do.
* I suppose if you want to do it your passion will shine through and those around you will see how much you want it.
* Oh buy a dictionary and a thesaurus.
So good luck!
Sunday, 11 September 2011
I Heart New York
Today is the tenth anniversary of the awful 9/11 attacks.
I remember it quite clearly, walking home from school hearing that a plane had hit the World Trade Centre, not quite knowing what building it was, I had heard of the twin towers but I suppose I never knew their 'official' name.
When I got home I turned on the TV to be greeted with the Twin Towers smoking and a ablaze. I also saw the second plane hit, it was just.... you can't describe it, seeing something like that unfold in front of you. Just chaos and debris. Loss of innocent life, people jumping out of the building thinking that is the best way, their way.
Anyway, I don't want to dwell on this but talk about my love for one of the best cities in the world.
I visited New York in 2004 with my mum. The flight was ok, and we got a mini bus thing to the hotel with a bunch of German people.
The hotel we were staying at was next to the Empire State Building, so every morning when I opened the curtains I could see the magnificent Empire State Building.
Walking through Central Park and Times Square was like walking through a film set, they are sights that you have seen in your favourite TV shows and films but are unbelievable when you see them in real life.
I will admit that most of it was little smaller that I was expecting but still amazing. On our first day after being awake for over 14 hours me and my mum went up the Empire State, barely talking to each other but we were told by the hotel receptionist that it was going to rain so it would be better to go up there that day. We got into a lift crammed full up to the observation deck made famous by King Kong, but although we were tired and grouchy when we got there and our first proper view of the city from above and I was not disappointed.
We did the usual touristy things, saw the Statue of Liberty, went on a carriage around Central Park, had dinner in Ellen's Stardust Diner (http://ellensstardustdiner.com/) where they sing while you eat, I got Mack the Knife...it was ok a little embarrassing as you try to eat your burger. One of the funniest things though is going in to the Art Deco beauty that is the Chrysler building, we didn't know you couldn't go up so literally walked around the lobby and back out.
We also caught a Broadway show, we saw 42nd Street, a proper New York musical from the 30s, and it was amazing.
There were also visits to the brilliant Macy's, Harvey Nichols and Bloomingdales. Didn't take advantage of the good dollar-pound ratio back then, wish we had. We bought socks in Bloomingdales just so we could get a little brown bag.
I would love to go back to New York at Christmas; films like Elf, set in New York make me feel warm and fuzzy during my favourite time of year. I have only been once but that was enough to truly captivate me and make me fall head over heels in love with it.
So on this day, we should all remember those lost and the fantastic city they loved as well.
I remember it quite clearly, walking home from school hearing that a plane had hit the World Trade Centre, not quite knowing what building it was, I had heard of the twin towers but I suppose I never knew their 'official' name.
When I got home I turned on the TV to be greeted with the Twin Towers smoking and a ablaze. I also saw the second plane hit, it was just.... you can't describe it, seeing something like that unfold in front of you. Just chaos and debris. Loss of innocent life, people jumping out of the building thinking that is the best way, their way.
Anyway, I don't want to dwell on this but talk about my love for one of the best cities in the world.
I visited New York in 2004 with my mum. The flight was ok, and we got a mini bus thing to the hotel with a bunch of German people.
The hotel we were staying at was next to the Empire State Building, so every morning when I opened the curtains I could see the magnificent Empire State Building.
Walking through Central Park and Times Square was like walking through a film set, they are sights that you have seen in your favourite TV shows and films but are unbelievable when you see them in real life.
I will admit that most of it was little smaller that I was expecting but still amazing. On our first day after being awake for over 14 hours me and my mum went up the Empire State, barely talking to each other but we were told by the hotel receptionist that it was going to rain so it would be better to go up there that day. We got into a lift crammed full up to the observation deck made famous by King Kong, but although we were tired and grouchy when we got there and our first proper view of the city from above and I was not disappointed.
We did the usual touristy things, saw the Statue of Liberty, went on a carriage around Central Park, had dinner in Ellen's Stardust Diner (http://ellensstardustdiner.com/) where they sing while you eat, I got Mack the Knife...it was ok a little embarrassing as you try to eat your burger. One of the funniest things though is going in to the Art Deco beauty that is the Chrysler building, we didn't know you couldn't go up so literally walked around the lobby and back out.
We also caught a Broadway show, we saw 42nd Street, a proper New York musical from the 30s, and it was amazing.
There were also visits to the brilliant Macy's, Harvey Nichols and Bloomingdales. Didn't take advantage of the good dollar-pound ratio back then, wish we had. We bought socks in Bloomingdales just so we could get a little brown bag.
I would love to go back to New York at Christmas; films like Elf, set in New York make me feel warm and fuzzy during my favourite time of year. I have only been once but that was enough to truly captivate me and make me fall head over heels in love with it.
So on this day, we should all remember those lost and the fantastic city they loved as well.
Thursday, 8 September 2011
Mini break Looe, Cornwall, in August
Any other year you think a trip away to Cornwall at the end of August would be sunny and hot, loads of surfers, and loads of people on the beach. You would think wouldn't you? But we live in England so it was wet and damp, warm though.
Getting over the weather fact though it was a very nice break away in a very nice part of the country.
We were away for two nights and stayed at The Old Bridge House, which was lovely. Really nice atmosphere and Colin and Liz who owned it were lovely very helpful recommending some local places to eat. Which were highly recommended and the ones we went to were spot on. The breakfast was delicious, it was Cornish breakfast, which has everything a English breakfast but with hogs pudding. Sausage meat with herbs and garlic it was delicious. The room was spacious and we had a really good view over the harbour. There was also a honesty bar, where you put the drinks to your room number and paid when you left, great selection and they didn't have prices that ripped you off.
Looe is full of cobbled streets, lined with mostly independent shops, and little snug pubs. As the weather was not great we got to experience a lot of the of the pubs and cafes.
I threw myself into local produce, especially the fish. Whilst there I tried Orchard cider, it was a flat cider, really nice though I had never tried flat cider but I was surprised at the taste and that it didn't make me feel bloated.
I had a Cornish crab sandwich, really delish and it was only £4 but filled to the brim. Also of course a proper Cornish pasty, real meat and real veg and proper pastry. You cannot get a proper pasty anywhere else but Cornwall, that's a fact.... well that's what I think.
The beach was lovely and sandy, but as it was cold empty. I sat on the beach in my coat and wellies while my boyfriend took a dip in the freezing cold sea, turning his legs blue. I had to admire his courage though.
Our first meal was in the Old Sally, a little pub, with a low ceiling, oak beams and tables a little close together. Comfy and homely, also cheap for drinks, but I had a lamb hotpot, while my boyfriend had a steak and ale pie. The lamb was tender, with veg cooked to perfection, potatoes and melted cheese, it was mouthwatering just thinking of it makes me feel hungry. Fantastic value for money and a great atmosphere.
On our last night we went, on recommendation from B&B owner, we went to fish restaurant Mawgans. There was a menu of different items but also a specials board of fish caught the night before. I opted for John Dory in asparagus and white wine sauce, I had never had John Dory before so thought I would give it a go. When they brought the dish out the veg was separate and I did have a mild panic it was just the fish. But the fish was succulent and tender and just melt in the mouth, you could tell the fish was cooked by someone who knows how to cook fish and you could tell it was fresh. We have a bottle of wine and as a treat shared a pud called chocolate indulgence, it was very indulgent. The bill was probably a little more than we would usually pay but well worth it as the fish was the best I have ever had.
Another tip if you don't want to walk over the bridge from West to East Looe, you can get a boat for 40p. Very quick and easy. Also parking there is a car park where you can park all day for £4 bargain!
Even thought the weather was not great the mini break was. The B&B felt like a home from home, the food was the best I have ever had. So for those not able to go abroad then I recommend Looe. So for time away got to Looe.
Useful websites:
http://www.mawgans.co.uk/
http://www.theoldbridgehousehotel.co.uk/
http://www.looe.org/
The Hotel (cream building)
The beach
Looe
Getting over the weather fact though it was a very nice break away in a very nice part of the country.
We were away for two nights and stayed at The Old Bridge House, which was lovely. Really nice atmosphere and Colin and Liz who owned it were lovely very helpful recommending some local places to eat. Which were highly recommended and the ones we went to were spot on. The breakfast was delicious, it was Cornish breakfast, which has everything a English breakfast but with hogs pudding. Sausage meat with herbs and garlic it was delicious. The room was spacious and we had a really good view over the harbour. There was also a honesty bar, where you put the drinks to your room number and paid when you left, great selection and they didn't have prices that ripped you off.
Looe is full of cobbled streets, lined with mostly independent shops, and little snug pubs. As the weather was not great we got to experience a lot of the of the pubs and cafes.
I threw myself into local produce, especially the fish. Whilst there I tried Orchard cider, it was a flat cider, really nice though I had never tried flat cider but I was surprised at the taste and that it didn't make me feel bloated.
I had a Cornish crab sandwich, really delish and it was only £4 but filled to the brim. Also of course a proper Cornish pasty, real meat and real veg and proper pastry. You cannot get a proper pasty anywhere else but Cornwall, that's a fact.... well that's what I think.
The beach was lovely and sandy, but as it was cold empty. I sat on the beach in my coat and wellies while my boyfriend took a dip in the freezing cold sea, turning his legs blue. I had to admire his courage though.
Our first meal was in the Old Sally, a little pub, with a low ceiling, oak beams and tables a little close together. Comfy and homely, also cheap for drinks, but I had a lamb hotpot, while my boyfriend had a steak and ale pie. The lamb was tender, with veg cooked to perfection, potatoes and melted cheese, it was mouthwatering just thinking of it makes me feel hungry. Fantastic value for money and a great atmosphere.
On our last night we went, on recommendation from B&B owner, we went to fish restaurant Mawgans. There was a menu of different items but also a specials board of fish caught the night before. I opted for John Dory in asparagus and white wine sauce, I had never had John Dory before so thought I would give it a go. When they brought the dish out the veg was separate and I did have a mild panic it was just the fish. But the fish was succulent and tender and just melt in the mouth, you could tell the fish was cooked by someone who knows how to cook fish and you could tell it was fresh. We have a bottle of wine and as a treat shared a pud called chocolate indulgence, it was very indulgent. The bill was probably a little more than we would usually pay but well worth it as the fish was the best I have ever had.
Another tip if you don't want to walk over the bridge from West to East Looe, you can get a boat for 40p. Very quick and easy. Also parking there is a car park where you can park all day for £4 bargain!
Even thought the weather was not great the mini break was. The B&B felt like a home from home, the food was the best I have ever had. So for those not able to go abroad then I recommend Looe. So for time away got to Looe.
Useful websites:
http://www.mawgans.co.uk/
http://www.theoldbridgehousehotel.co.uk/
http://www.looe.org/
The Hotel (cream building)
The beach
LooeTuesday, 6 September 2011
Adele, Bournemouth International Centre, 05/09/11
I was meant to see Adele yesterday but unfortunately she had to cancel due to illness.
I am gutted but hopefully she will reschedule for later on and I can still go.
For the official notice http://www.adele.tv/news/339/illness-forces-adele-to-postpone-the-first-2-shows-of-her-september-uk-tour
To end GET WELL SOON ADELE!!!
I am gutted but hopefully she will reschedule for later on and I can still go.
For the official notice http://www.adele.tv/news/339/illness-forces-adele-to-postpone-the-first-2-shows-of-her-september-uk-tour
To end GET WELL SOON ADELE!!!
Sunday, 4 September 2011
Something a little fishy
I know this isn't anything new but I have recently had a fish pedicure.
For those of you who have not seen it, you put your feet into a tank of small fish who come and nibble off dead skin leaving your feet feeling soft and supple.
I have always wanted to do it but never had the time or the money to do so, so for my birthday my sister bought me a voucher, which meant that I had a time frame to do so six months and didn't have to pay.
I went in and there were some women giggling and mildly screeching, it did feel me with some apprehension so when I got there with my feet waiting to go in I thought 'this is it, now or never'. What did I do I hear you ask, I just put my feet straight in, no point milking it just get it over and done with.
The sensation was not unpleasant, it felt a bit like pins and needles. But not painful or uncomfortable, like little vibrations all over your feet. It felt strange though when they went between my toes but not awful at all.
You have your feet in for fifteen minutes and then you get a lovely foot rub. They even go up your leg which is very strange.
They say that after one go you notice a subtle change, which I did my feet were softer and some parts looked different, but they say that to get the full effect you need to go quite a few times.
I think I would go again, it is a cheaper thing you can do to pamper yourself, doesn't take all day and is nice and relaxing.
For those of you interested in the details. The fish they use is a garra rufa, a member of the piranha fish which use suction to nibble off the dead skin cells, leaving healthy skin to grow.
Not a very in depth review but if you want it done I would recommend it.
Me with my feet in the tank.
For those of you who have not seen it, you put your feet into a tank of small fish who come and nibble off dead skin leaving your feet feeling soft and supple.
I have always wanted to do it but never had the time or the money to do so, so for my birthday my sister bought me a voucher, which meant that I had a time frame to do so six months and didn't have to pay.
I went in and there were some women giggling and mildly screeching, it did feel me with some apprehension so when I got there with my feet waiting to go in I thought 'this is it, now or never'. What did I do I hear you ask, I just put my feet straight in, no point milking it just get it over and done with.
The sensation was not unpleasant, it felt a bit like pins and needles. But not painful or uncomfortable, like little vibrations all over your feet. It felt strange though when they went between my toes but not awful at all.
You have your feet in for fifteen minutes and then you get a lovely foot rub. They even go up your leg which is very strange.
They say that after one go you notice a subtle change, which I did my feet were softer and some parts looked different, but they say that to get the full effect you need to go quite a few times.
I think I would go again, it is a cheaper thing you can do to pamper yourself, doesn't take all day and is nice and relaxing.
For those of you interested in the details. The fish they use is a garra rufa, a member of the piranha fish which use suction to nibble off the dead skin cells, leaving healthy skin to grow.
Not a very in depth review but if you want it done I would recommend it.
Me with my feet in the tank.
Friday, 2 September 2011
Birth of a cupcake monster
In my pursuit to be a domestic goddess I feel I am becoming a bit of a cupcake monster.
It all started when my boyfriend bought me a Hummingbird Bakery cupcake and muffin book, it was all very innocent to begin with. I love cupcakes, Swallow Bakery in Chichester is one of my favourite places to have a sugary piece of heaven. And as I have said in a previous post I would love to be a domestic goddess being able to produce heavenly cakes for all to admire. My boyfriend knowing this and being happy to reap any rewards that I might make was very happy to purchase the book to help me on my way.
Next step getting the book and choosing what to do all simple enough. Now this is where the obsession and transformation into the cupcake monster rather than cupcake Queen begins.
I bought all the ingredients for my first ever batch...chocolate and hazelnut cakes. I got the flour, sugar, eggs etc, I got the cupcake cases, the baking tin and Tupperware to put them in when done. Me and my boyfriend spent last weekend making a delicious batch of cakes which were enjoyed by both sets of families.
My boyfriend thought, bless him, that this baking session would be enough to tame the beast. But no, my head was busy planning what my next load of cupcakes would be, maybe Strawberry Cheesecake? Or Marshmallow? Or the Pecan and Maple Muffins?
I then knew I had to buy more equipment: a measuring jug, sieve, silicone cupcake cases and a icing piping thing. I paraded my purchases with a massive grin on my face, much to the bemused looks of my family.
My next purchase would be a hand electric whisk, a Kenwood one was seen on BBC 2's The Great British Bake Off programme. I get a flutter excitement about it in the same way I do about shoes and bags.
It seems that my fixation is never wavering, in a Waitrose I can stand merrily looking at the baking aisle treats, looking at the different sprinkles, food colourings and decorations like a pregnant woman looks at baby clothes. I just don't know what has come over me, I think it is something practical I could potentially be good at.
Out of my sisters I am not the practical, doing one. My youngest sister is a trained hairdresser, I couldn't do that at all. I am very theory based, which is why I think baking appeals to me there is a list of things I need and a step by step guide on how to do it, deviate from this and error rears its ugly head but as one who likes instruction it is my perfection. Something that cannot possibly go wrong if I follow the recipe to the letter.
And so another part of my puzzle has fallen into place, I bought the very stylish Cox Cookies & Cake bake book, filled with cupcakes that are sexy and out-there. Also cookies, brownies and other delights. With decorations including skulls, lips and underwear it is the naughty side but with chocolate and peanut butter offerings I cannot wait to get stuck in.
The sugar eyed beast is looming again, and my boyfriend cannot but stare, wondering what happened to his normal girlfriend who prefers not to cook. She is in here somewhere, behind a apron and a cloud of flour and baking powder.
It all started when my boyfriend bought me a Hummingbird Bakery cupcake and muffin book, it was all very innocent to begin with. I love cupcakes, Swallow Bakery in Chichester is one of my favourite places to have a sugary piece of heaven. And as I have said in a previous post I would love to be a domestic goddess being able to produce heavenly cakes for all to admire. My boyfriend knowing this and being happy to reap any rewards that I might make was very happy to purchase the book to help me on my way.
Next step getting the book and choosing what to do all simple enough. Now this is where the obsession and transformation into the cupcake monster rather than cupcake Queen begins.
I bought all the ingredients for my first ever batch...chocolate and hazelnut cakes. I got the flour, sugar, eggs etc, I got the cupcake cases, the baking tin and Tupperware to put them in when done. Me and my boyfriend spent last weekend making a delicious batch of cakes which were enjoyed by both sets of families.
My boyfriend thought, bless him, that this baking session would be enough to tame the beast. But no, my head was busy planning what my next load of cupcakes would be, maybe Strawberry Cheesecake? Or Marshmallow? Or the Pecan and Maple Muffins?
I then knew I had to buy more equipment: a measuring jug, sieve, silicone cupcake cases and a icing piping thing. I paraded my purchases with a massive grin on my face, much to the bemused looks of my family.
My next purchase would be a hand electric whisk, a Kenwood one was seen on BBC 2's The Great British Bake Off programme. I get a flutter excitement about it in the same way I do about shoes and bags.
It seems that my fixation is never wavering, in a Waitrose I can stand merrily looking at the baking aisle treats, looking at the different sprinkles, food colourings and decorations like a pregnant woman looks at baby clothes. I just don't know what has come over me, I think it is something practical I could potentially be good at.
Out of my sisters I am not the practical, doing one. My youngest sister is a trained hairdresser, I couldn't do that at all. I am very theory based, which is why I think baking appeals to me there is a list of things I need and a step by step guide on how to do it, deviate from this and error rears its ugly head but as one who likes instruction it is my perfection. Something that cannot possibly go wrong if I follow the recipe to the letter.
And so another part of my puzzle has fallen into place, I bought the very stylish Cox Cookies & Cake bake book, filled with cupcakes that are sexy and out-there. Also cookies, brownies and other delights. With decorations including skulls, lips and underwear it is the naughty side but with chocolate and peanut butter offerings I cannot wait to get stuck in.
The sugar eyed beast is looming again, and my boyfriend cannot but stare, wondering what happened to his normal girlfriend who prefers not to cook. She is in here somewhere, behind a apron and a cloud of flour and baking powder.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)