Irish boy band Boyzone has become the first boy band to feature a gay couple in their new music video ‘Better’.
After reforming for a UK tour back in November last year, Boyzone have been looking to try something new and gain a new generation of fans. In their latest romantic video, each member is shown paired up with a female partner as part of the storyline. All apart from Stephen Gately, who became open about his sexuality in 1999 and is currently in a civil partnership, who is paired with a (fictional) male character.
Not only is this new video a big break through in changing societies attitudes towards different sexualities it was also almost unheard of before for a boy band. Previously any inclination that a teen idol was gay could potential see the end of their career but this is a clear sign that views are changing.
Previous gay stars such as George Michael were seen onscreen with women and made it very convincing that they were straight. Singers such as Elton John and Westlife’s Mark Feehily get around the issue by not showing themselves in romantic situations.
Gately told BBC Newsbeat “it’s just me being me and I don’t think there should be a real big issue about the whole thing anyway”.
They originally decided on their own partners being in the video but none would appear. The decision to include a gay couple in the video was a joint decision from the whole band.
He added “I’m hoping this video will have a good, positive, all-round reaction”.
The video is expected to attract controversy but it has also pleased many including gay student Adam, 18, who believes “this will show homosexual people who are worried about expressing their sexuality not to be afraid”.
In the 1990’s, ‘Bring Boring’ by the Pet Shop Boys very briefly featured two men kissing at a house party and this has been the only other time a boy band has shown a gay couple. Openly bisexual singer Christina Aguilera also featured a gay couple kissing in her video ‘Beautiful’ and also infamously kissed Madonna and Britney Spears onstage a few years ago.
Tuesday 18 November 2008
Thursday 13 November 2008
Quantum of Solace Review
Certificate: 12A
Director: Marc Forster
Starring: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench,
Giancarlo Giannini, Olga Kurylenko
Running Time: 106 Minutes
James Bond has clearly not driven his last Aston Martin judging by the latest block buster hit.
Daniel Craig continues to prove the critics wrong in Quantum of Solace with his smooth ‘shaken not stirred’ attitude when playing Bond and his wittiness is still making me giggle.
Although not my favourite Bond film, Quantum of Solace has definitely been worth the ticket fare. The action scenes were plenty and are bound to keep you on the edge of your seat with the opening car chase scene one of the most memorable. I did, however, notice a lack of gadgets which is not typical of a Bond film.
The plot is slightly on the confusing side but does have a lot of connections with ‘Casino Royale’ as Bond is trying to get revenge for the death of Vesper.
He is assisted by a number of old friends including the ruthless M, played by the legendary Judi Dench, and Mathis, played by Giancarlo Giannini. Both were excellent performances but the most surprising performance came from rising star Olga Kurylenko who plays Camille and Bond’s newest partner in action. The pair is brought together due to their search for revenge on those that have killed their loved ones.
Other brief but brilliant performance come from Gemma Arterton, typically named Miss Strawberry Fields, as Bonds latest ‘easy’ conquest and also the bad guys including Mathieu Amalric.
The only down side to this film would have to be the opening song sequence. Yes, we get the point that you special effects guys are good but was there any need for the (many) giant sand women at the beginning? And if that wasn’t enough the song that went with the sand people made me want to shut my eyes and my ears. When you here that Alicia Keys and Jack White are doing a duet it’s got to strike as a very odd combination and then you hear the song which I have to be honest and say is the oddest James Bond song I’ve ever heard. Sorry but listening to ‘Another way to die’ could actually be another way to die.
Thankfully, the film quickly made up for it and it is well worth seeing as is any James Bond movie, even if you are not a James Bond fan.
Sach’s Granddaughter demands Comedy Duo be Sacked
The granddaughter of Andrew Sachs has demanded that the BBC take stronger action against Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross after their offensive broadcast.
On October 18th, BBC Radio 2 listeners were stunned after Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand’s controversial late night show.
The comedy duo made a number of insulting prank calls to former ‘Faulty Towers’ star Andrew Sachs. The 78 year old was horrified at the lewd comments left on his answering machine regarding his granddaughter.
Since the incident Brand and Ross have both made public apologues to Sachs and the 10,000 viewers that have complained and have since been given a three month unpaid suspension, however, Sach’s granddaughter Georgina, an exotic dancer, and a number of political figures including the PM himself insisted on more disciplinary action for the two TV stars.
Georgina told The Sun “jokes about peoples personal lives are unacceptable”. She calls for both Brand and Ross to be sacked for the offense they have caused her grandfather and has flown home to deal with the controversy herself.
Along with the three month suspension, Brand and Ross have both had their shows taken off-air. The decision came in light of an enquiry launched by the BBC. It has also sparked rumours that Jonathan Ross may never return to the BBC.
BBC director general Mark Thompson said in a press conference “it’s clear from the views expressed by the public that this broadcast has caused severe offence and I share this view”. This is despite the fact that the BBC allowed the broadcast to go on-air even after it had been vetted.
The future of the comedy pair looks bleak but this is not the first time Russell Brand has caused widespread offense. Earlier this year, Brand caused controversy in America after calling President Bush a ‘retard’.
On October 18th, BBC Radio 2 listeners were stunned after Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand’s controversial late night show.
The comedy duo made a number of insulting prank calls to former ‘Faulty Towers’ star Andrew Sachs. The 78 year old was horrified at the lewd comments left on his answering machine regarding his granddaughter.
Since the incident Brand and Ross have both made public apologues to Sachs and the 10,000 viewers that have complained and have since been given a three month unpaid suspension, however, Sach’s granddaughter Georgina, an exotic dancer, and a number of political figures including the PM himself insisted on more disciplinary action for the two TV stars.
Georgina told The Sun “jokes about peoples personal lives are unacceptable”. She calls for both Brand and Ross to be sacked for the offense they have caused her grandfather and has flown home to deal with the controversy herself.
Along with the three month suspension, Brand and Ross have both had their shows taken off-air. The decision came in light of an enquiry launched by the BBC. It has also sparked rumours that Jonathan Ross may never return to the BBC.
BBC director general Mark Thompson said in a press conference “it’s clear from the views expressed by the public that this broadcast has caused severe offence and I share this view”. This is despite the fact that the BBC allowed the broadcast to go on-air even after it had been vetted.
The future of the comedy pair looks bleak but this is not the first time Russell Brand has caused widespread offense. Earlier this year, Brand caused controversy in America after calling President Bush a ‘retard’.
Wednesday 5 November 2008
Can Students Survive the Credit Crunch?
As everyone else is feeling the pinch, students are among the very few who have yet to be affected by the downfall of the economy, but could that change?
University students are being warned that although their loans are safe the credit crunch could be affecting their parent’s incomes and so parents may not be able to support their children. Students are being urged to look into other means of funding such as part time jobs and hardship grants.
David Malcolm, Head of Social Policy at NUS (National Union of Students) told GET (a website designed to give career advice to graduates) that “if parents are in a situation where they are suddenly paying more on their mortgage, more students will find their parents won’t be able to support them”.
A recently survey taken by Uniaid, a charity dedicated to helping students with financial difficulties and offers them assistance on who to cope with a student budget, showed that a quarter of students expect to rely on part time work whilst at university. 26% believe that a shortage of money is a real concern.
But, these are concerns already inhabited by all students so will the credit crunch prove even more painful to a students already tight budget and what can be done if the credit crunch does begin to affect them?
In America, Congress has already passed a bill that protects its college students who rely on students loans from the effects of the credit crunch so will our government do something to protect our students?
For now students and their money are safe but a recent blunder by the government has caused the limit of household income in order to receive a grant has been lowered from £60,000 to £50,020. The underestimation will mean thousands of students whoes income is between £50,020 and £60,000 will miss out of the £50 to £524 grant that they would have received if they had started university this autumn.
Shadow Universities Secretary David Willetts told the BBC that “this is a heavy blow for students, 65,000 of whom have already applied”.
With family financial support also feeling the strain this is bad news for students, especially those from middle income families.
Although the current affects of the credit crunch can barely be felt by students some students are noticing that higher food prices, fees and rent are beginning to take their toll on their budgets. Former students have been giving new students advice on how to survive this economic spiral.
Southampton Solent University graduate, Steve Burford, has set up a website called wealthystudent.co.uk which offers students advice and money-saving opportunities. Burford told the BBC “It is imperative that students get off to the best possible start at University.”
The website has been extremely successful with over 60,000 hits last year and has been shortlisted for a national award.
Burford also added “with the right part-time job and a bit of savvy it is possible to leave university in a good financial.”
So if students find other means of funding and put their budgeting hats on then they can survive this economic crisis.
University students are being warned that although their loans are safe the credit crunch could be affecting their parent’s incomes and so parents may not be able to support their children. Students are being urged to look into other means of funding such as part time jobs and hardship grants.
David Malcolm, Head of Social Policy at NUS (National Union of Students) told GET (a website designed to give career advice to graduates) that “if parents are in a situation where they are suddenly paying more on their mortgage, more students will find their parents won’t be able to support them”.
A recently survey taken by Uniaid, a charity dedicated to helping students with financial difficulties and offers them assistance on who to cope with a student budget, showed that a quarter of students expect to rely on part time work whilst at university. 26% believe that a shortage of money is a real concern.
But, these are concerns already inhabited by all students so will the credit crunch prove even more painful to a students already tight budget and what can be done if the credit crunch does begin to affect them?
In America, Congress has already passed a bill that protects its college students who rely on students loans from the effects of the credit crunch so will our government do something to protect our students?
For now students and their money are safe but a recent blunder by the government has caused the limit of household income in order to receive a grant has been lowered from £60,000 to £50,020. The underestimation will mean thousands of students whoes income is between £50,020 and £60,000 will miss out of the £50 to £524 grant that they would have received if they had started university this autumn.
Shadow Universities Secretary David Willetts told the BBC that “this is a heavy blow for students, 65,000 of whom have already applied”.
With family financial support also feeling the strain this is bad news for students, especially those from middle income families.
Although the current affects of the credit crunch can barely be felt by students some students are noticing that higher food prices, fees and rent are beginning to take their toll on their budgets. Former students have been giving new students advice on how to survive this economic spiral.
Southampton Solent University graduate, Steve Burford, has set up a website called wealthystudent.co.uk which offers students advice and money-saving opportunities. Burford told the BBC “It is imperative that students get off to the best possible start at University.”
The website has been extremely successful with over 60,000 hits last year and has been shortlisted for a national award.
Burford also added “with the right part-time job and a bit of savvy it is possible to leave university in a good financial.”
So if students find other means of funding and put their budgeting hats on then they can survive this economic crisis.
Thursday 30 October 2008
THE GLAMOUR MODEL: THE NEW TEEN IDOL?
A shocking internet survey has revealed that more and more teenage girls aspire to be glamour models rather than teachers or doctors.
The survey that was created by mobile entertainment providers www.thelab.TV, asked 1000 girls aged between 15 to 19 what kind of career they hoped for in the future. The results were published on the Manchester Evening News website. 63% of girls who participated saw glamour modelling as a decent job as apposed to the 3% that chose teaching. Despite being taken three years ago, the survey shows the shocking changes in what young girls consider to be good careers and how the constant bombardment of images of glamour models on the cover of men’s magazines.
Out of the 63% that chose glamour modelling as their goal, 33% saw Katie Price as their role model whereas only 9% of the girls in the whole survey chose J.K.Rowling as their role model. Among other popular role models were Chantelle, Abi Titmuss and Jodie Marsh.
Not only has this survey given some unbelievable results but they seem to be coming true. The number of girls aged 18 to 19 who are having breast enlargements has risen to 150% it was reported by cosmetic surgery clinics across Britain.
Spokesman Shami Choudhry was quoted by The Sun saying that he blames the influence of famous female celebrities who have had breast augmentations for this alarming increase.
What is even more saddening is the fact that 15 year olds are not the youngest that are being affected. The extreme case of 11 year old Sasha Bennington was made into a documentary called ‘Sasha: Beauty Queen at 11’ which aired earlier this year. It told the tragic story of an 11 year old girl whose mother, Jayne, had drilled into her daughter that being a glamour model was all her daughter could do. Since the tender age of 8 her mother had been covering her daughter face in make up and applying false eyelashes. Now that she has just turned 12, Sasha has her hair bleached monthly and a fake tan each week along with other beauty treatments leading to a £300 bill each month. Sasha’s modelling portfolio looks more like what an 18 year old model would look like as Sasha is pictured wearing a lot of make up and very un-childlike. Her mother then parades her around the world in various beauty pageants.
When Jayne was asked by the Daily Mail for her response to the accusations of child cruelty she replied “People can say what they want. I know there is nothing bad about what I'm doing. I'm just helping my daughter make something of her life. Any good mum would do the same.”
Sasha is one of the very rare cases but as more and more women become glamour models and pose on the front covers of magazines more and more teenage girls will aspire to be like them.
The survey that was created by mobile entertainment providers www.thelab.TV, asked 1000 girls aged between 15 to 19 what kind of career they hoped for in the future. The results were published on the Manchester Evening News website. 63% of girls who participated saw glamour modelling as a decent job as apposed to the 3% that chose teaching. Despite being taken three years ago, the survey shows the shocking changes in what young girls consider to be good careers and how the constant bombardment of images of glamour models on the cover of men’s magazines.
Out of the 63% that chose glamour modelling as their goal, 33% saw Katie Price as their role model whereas only 9% of the girls in the whole survey chose J.K.Rowling as their role model. Among other popular role models were Chantelle, Abi Titmuss and Jodie Marsh.
Not only has this survey given some unbelievable results but they seem to be coming true. The number of girls aged 18 to 19 who are having breast enlargements has risen to 150% it was reported by cosmetic surgery clinics across Britain.
Spokesman Shami Choudhry was quoted by The Sun saying that he blames the influence of famous female celebrities who have had breast augmentations for this alarming increase.
What is even more saddening is the fact that 15 year olds are not the youngest that are being affected. The extreme case of 11 year old Sasha Bennington was made into a documentary called ‘Sasha: Beauty Queen at 11’ which aired earlier this year. It told the tragic story of an 11 year old girl whose mother, Jayne, had drilled into her daughter that being a glamour model was all her daughter could do. Since the tender age of 8 her mother had been covering her daughter face in make up and applying false eyelashes. Now that she has just turned 12, Sasha has her hair bleached monthly and a fake tan each week along with other beauty treatments leading to a £300 bill each month. Sasha’s modelling portfolio looks more like what an 18 year old model would look like as Sasha is pictured wearing a lot of make up and very un-childlike. Her mother then parades her around the world in various beauty pageants.
When Jayne was asked by the Daily Mail for her response to the accusations of child cruelty she replied “People can say what they want. I know there is nothing bad about what I'm doing. I'm just helping my daughter make something of her life. Any good mum would do the same.”
Sasha is one of the very rare cases but as more and more women become glamour models and pose on the front covers of magazines more and more teenage girls will aspire to be like them.
Saturday 25 October 2008
PIZZA HUT GOES PASTA HUT FOR NEW HEALTHY EATING BID
One of Britain’s favourite restaurant chains is set to change its name and its menu to entice new customers.
Pizza Hut came to Britain in 1973 and has been one of the most popular places to eat since so it came as a huge shop that one of Britain’s favourite household names was to take on a completely different look and name. The rebranding comes as part of a £18 million revamp package designed to bring in new customers and move the chain into more up market territory.
Pizza Hut’s boss, Alasdair Murdoch, told the telegraph “we’ve been on a journey for four or five years, trying to make our food better”.
“We’re trying to say to people: ‘yes, we’re great at pizzas, but we’re also great at salads and pasta’. Pasta is around 3 or 4 percent of our sales, I’m very sure in a couple of week’s time that will be 10 percent”.
As well as the various new pasta dishes which include a spinach and ricotta cannelloni, a meatball tagliatelle and even a traditional lasagne, Mr Murdoch had also said that Pasta Hut will be upgrading it’s salad bar and improving the quality of ingredients used in it’s pizzas.
Changing the name is obviously a very risky move for such a popular chain which is why My Murdoch insists that this is just a trial run and they are very interested to her responses from customers. On their redesigned website people can vote on a poll whether or not they like the changes but so far, all though not an accurate poll, 81 percent have voted against the change to Pasta Hut.
Beth Williams, a Pizza Hut fan, said ‘ I know the whole name change is just part of Pizza Hut’s campaign on healthy eating, but come on, Pizza Hut was invented to sell gorgeous and mouth-watering pizzas, with some nice pasta and salad on the side’.
We can only wait and see if this revamp of Pizza Hut will be warmed to by customers but until then Pasta Hut remains significantly unpopular.
Pizza Hut came to Britain in 1973 and has been one of the most popular places to eat since so it came as a huge shop that one of Britain’s favourite household names was to take on a completely different look and name. The rebranding comes as part of a £18 million revamp package designed to bring in new customers and move the chain into more up market territory.
Pizza Hut’s boss, Alasdair Murdoch, told the telegraph “we’ve been on a journey for four or five years, trying to make our food better”.
“We’re trying to say to people: ‘yes, we’re great at pizzas, but we’re also great at salads and pasta’. Pasta is around 3 or 4 percent of our sales, I’m very sure in a couple of week’s time that will be 10 percent”.
As well as the various new pasta dishes which include a spinach and ricotta cannelloni, a meatball tagliatelle and even a traditional lasagne, Mr Murdoch had also said that Pasta Hut will be upgrading it’s salad bar and improving the quality of ingredients used in it’s pizzas.
Changing the name is obviously a very risky move for such a popular chain which is why My Murdoch insists that this is just a trial run and they are very interested to her responses from customers. On their redesigned website people can vote on a poll whether or not they like the changes but so far, all though not an accurate poll, 81 percent have voted against the change to Pasta Hut.
Beth Williams, a Pizza Hut fan, said ‘ I know the whole name change is just part of Pizza Hut’s campaign on healthy eating, but come on, Pizza Hut was invented to sell gorgeous and mouth-watering pizzas, with some nice pasta and salad on the side’.
We can only wait and see if this revamp of Pizza Hut will be warmed to by customers but until then Pasta Hut remains significantly unpopular.
AN INTERVIEW WITH JENNIFER
Jennifer’s life took a spin when she was involved in a car accident aged 12 on her way home from a dance competition but it hasn’t stopped dancing from being one of her main hobbies six years on along with reading her favourite magazines, socialising with her friends and shopping. The 18 year old student from Nuneaton, who currently works in Superdrug, is studying Journalism and Media at Coventry University. She chose the subject because she enjoyed studying Media Studies at college and also enjoys writing, whether it’s fact or fiction. She hopes that she can one day write for a magazine about her favourite interests’ music and fashion. I asked her why she was so interested in these subjects and she was happy to explain. She told me her favourite music was ‘rock and metal’ and that ‘I don’t have a favourite because there are so many bands that I like’. On the fashion side, her two idols are Sarah Jessica Parker because she loves Sex and the City and SJP’s style and ‘her shoes!’ but she also really likes Dita Von Teese because ‘Burlesque really interests me and she has a really nice style’. In contrast to this burlesque loving rock and metal fan, her favourite film is the children’s classic ‘Lady and the Tramp’ as well as many other Disney films. Jennifer Bates, known to her friends as Jen, also likes to spend time with her long term boyfriend Jason who she has been with for a year and a half. She gets to see him a lot as she does not live in student accommodation and commutes to her lectures by bus from her home. She has only been out in Coventry twice since starting the University 3 weeks ago but thinks ‘Jumping Jacks’ is her favourite club. She does love to go out and party with her mates but says her most embarrassing moment was when she got very drunk and passed out her friend’s house. Her friends then drew on her face and took photos and when she woke up she then tried to remove the pen marks with vodka which left her face feeling slightly ‘burnt’.
FEMINISTS ATTACK SITE AS IT MAKES WOMEN 'INSECURE'
Feminist group ‘About-Face’ attack website over claims that it promotes young girls to diet and have plastic surgery.
MissBimbo.com has become one of the most controversial websites after a feminist group calls for the website to be shut down. The Miss Bimbo website is an English version of the original Ma Bimbo created by Blouzar Ltd, which was a huge success in France, and has attracted over 2 million people world wide into playing the game but there has also been a huge question of debate as to the games nature.
The game seems pretty simple and very feminine as you begin with animated girl which is effectively your ‘bimbo’. In order to progress in the game you must complete goals which include finding a boyfriend, buying new clothes, changing hairstyles and what people are finding most serious getting plastic surgery. You must also keep your bimbo happy by keeping her at her ideal weight but other aspects of the game have been overlooked such as the forum which has allowed players to make new friends and discuss personal problems about life matters and the forum has acted as an important advice giver for many of Miss Bimbo’s players.
To the players (the average age of the players being 19.1) it appears to be a normal game where they feed their bimbo, dress their bimbos and even play various games as well as talking on the forum but many people, especially parents, are now becoming concerned with the message that the game maybe sending out to young girls.
A recent attack on the site by the feminist group ‘About-Face’ has brought to light to light once more the issue of whether this very popular site has any influence on the thousands of teenage girls that play on it. One member of ‘About-Face’ emailed the creators of Miss Bimbo, Chris Evans and Nicolas Jacquart, saying ‘I do not feel that it is ok to allow other’s who are already insecure about the way they look to feel that they can fix it through playing a game’.
I spoke to Mr Evans who replied to this comment by saying ‘of course if we are making insecure people even more insecure then that is a concern to us all’ but he also pointed out that Miss Bimbo is not meant to be taken seriously. The reaction of the Miss Bimbo players, many of whom are adult women, has been similar with one saying ‘I believe most of the women on Miss Bimbo are secure enough to think for themselves and be able to enjoy the girlyness and satire of this site’.
The media coverage of the site has also been one of a critical view with many condemning the site but the creators of the site feel it is only because they do not understand the site. Jacquart has said that he is looking into expanding the site so that the media can take the time to understand why 75,000 people log into the site each day. The debate rages on between the two sides as the site continues to be under fire.
MissBimbo.com has become one of the most controversial websites after a feminist group calls for the website to be shut down. The Miss Bimbo website is an English version of the original Ma Bimbo created by Blouzar Ltd, which was a huge success in France, and has attracted over 2 million people world wide into playing the game but there has also been a huge question of debate as to the games nature.
The game seems pretty simple and very feminine as you begin with animated girl which is effectively your ‘bimbo’. In order to progress in the game you must complete goals which include finding a boyfriend, buying new clothes, changing hairstyles and what people are finding most serious getting plastic surgery. You must also keep your bimbo happy by keeping her at her ideal weight but other aspects of the game have been overlooked such as the forum which has allowed players to make new friends and discuss personal problems about life matters and the forum has acted as an important advice giver for many of Miss Bimbo’s players.
To the players (the average age of the players being 19.1) it appears to be a normal game where they feed their bimbo, dress their bimbos and even play various games as well as talking on the forum but many people, especially parents, are now becoming concerned with the message that the game maybe sending out to young girls.
A recent attack on the site by the feminist group ‘About-Face’ has brought to light to light once more the issue of whether this very popular site has any influence on the thousands of teenage girls that play on it. One member of ‘About-Face’ emailed the creators of Miss Bimbo, Chris Evans and Nicolas Jacquart, saying ‘I do not feel that it is ok to allow other’s who are already insecure about the way they look to feel that they can fix it through playing a game’.
I spoke to Mr Evans who replied to this comment by saying ‘of course if we are making insecure people even more insecure then that is a concern to us all’ but he also pointed out that Miss Bimbo is not meant to be taken seriously. The reaction of the Miss Bimbo players, many of whom are adult women, has been similar with one saying ‘I believe most of the women on Miss Bimbo are secure enough to think for themselves and be able to enjoy the girlyness and satire of this site’.
The media coverage of the site has also been one of a critical view with many condemning the site but the creators of the site feel it is only because they do not understand the site. Jacquart has said that he is looking into expanding the site so that the media can take the time to understand why 75,000 people log into the site each day. The debate rages on between the two sides as the site continues to be under fire.
BB BEX AT FRESHERS BALL
The Official Fresher’s Ball of 2008 took place opposite Coventry Cathedral on the 24th September and was host to many acts including ‘The Saturdays’ and Big Brother 9 and Coventry’s very own Bex.
It was probably the biggest event of Fresher’s week and was definitely a must for first time students to attend. The Ball took place in the Big Top which was a large tent that was erected in the University Square especially for Coventry University Fresher week which took place between the 20th and the 28th September. It was a great chance for the fresher’s to get to know each other even more and the cost of tickets all went towards the CUSU (Coventry University Student Union) which makes the whole University experience a whole lot better for the students of Coventry.
For the lucky few students who managed to get hold of VIP tickets, which were in short supply, they could even meet the acts backstage and speak to them. Overall, over a thousand tickets were sold for the event and the tent was bustling with people dancing and drinking and generally having a good time just being Fresher’s before the hard work of University life kicks in next week when their real lectures begin.
All acts performed, well Bex stood there, but the other acts were welcomed by the students and everyone appeared to be having a really good time. After Bex made a hasty exit off stage, because her arrival was poorly received by the students, she returned later in the night to spend some more time with her devoted fans who had all been eagerly awaiting her arrival.
Amongst the crowds, a few people did tear themselves away from the party just to tell me exactly what they thought of the night. Criminology student Karen Leak, 18, ‘found the ball a pleasant night out with her mates and a great chance to meet new people as well as cheap booze’ and she wasn’t the only one who discovered the cheap prices at the bar as it was jammed packed all night and when they weren’t at the bar the students were dancing the night away inside the Big Top until the Ball came to an end in the early hours of the next morning. It was definitely a night to remember.
It was probably the biggest event of Fresher’s week and was definitely a must for first time students to attend. The Ball took place in the Big Top which was a large tent that was erected in the University Square especially for Coventry University Fresher week which took place between the 20th and the 28th September. It was a great chance for the fresher’s to get to know each other even more and the cost of tickets all went towards the CUSU (Coventry University Student Union) which makes the whole University experience a whole lot better for the students of Coventry.
For the lucky few students who managed to get hold of VIP tickets, which were in short supply, they could even meet the acts backstage and speak to them. Overall, over a thousand tickets were sold for the event and the tent was bustling with people dancing and drinking and generally having a good time just being Fresher’s before the hard work of University life kicks in next week when their real lectures begin.
All acts performed, well Bex stood there, but the other acts were welcomed by the students and everyone appeared to be having a really good time. After Bex made a hasty exit off stage, because her arrival was poorly received by the students, she returned later in the night to spend some more time with her devoted fans who had all been eagerly awaiting her arrival.
Amongst the crowds, a few people did tear themselves away from the party just to tell me exactly what they thought of the night. Criminology student Karen Leak, 18, ‘found the ball a pleasant night out with her mates and a great chance to meet new people as well as cheap booze’ and she wasn’t the only one who discovered the cheap prices at the bar as it was jammed packed all night and when they weren’t at the bar the students were dancing the night away inside the Big Top until the Ball came to an end in the early hours of the next morning. It was definitely a night to remember.
Back Again
I haven't posted in yonks but i'm back now. I'm out of sixthform and currently at uni studying Journalism and English. The course is very intresting especially as i have to put together and article each week which i will post on here aswell.
I'm living in the halls of residence and it's like one giant sleep over all the time. Im in a flat with 5 other girls and we're constantly going out or doing something out of teh ordinary. Made a few other friends to and a couple of guys.
Night's out have been just as exhausting as lectures. Each time i've drank triple the limit and stayed till the early hours of the morning. I especially love the fancy dress nights. So far we've had a school night, 999 night (i was a policewoman) and a neon night and next week it's halloween!!! I'm going as the devil of course and my outfit looks wicked. Literally.
Well hope you enjoy my next couple of stories.
I'm living in the halls of residence and it's like one giant sleep over all the time. Im in a flat with 5 other girls and we're constantly going out or doing something out of teh ordinary. Made a few other friends to and a couple of guys.
Night's out have been just as exhausting as lectures. Each time i've drank triple the limit and stayed till the early hours of the morning. I especially love the fancy dress nights. So far we've had a school night, 999 night (i was a policewoman) and a neon night and next week it's halloween!!! I'm going as the devil of course and my outfit looks wicked. Literally.
Well hope you enjoy my next couple of stories.
Monday 7 July 2008
Reality Contestants Where are they Now? - Big Brother 1
Have you ever wondered what happened to all those desperate fame seeking hopefuls who appear on reality TV and either get loved or absolutely hated? Cause i have!!! I've decided to look back over the programmes I've watched up until now and find out exactly what happened to each of the contestants from when they left the show to the present day. I'm going to start with Big Brother as that's got to be the most talked about. Starting at series 1 back in 2000 i will find out as much as i can about each housemate starting with the first to leave.
Sada Walkington was a 28 blonde from Edinburgh who made her name by becoming the first to be evicted from the Big Brother house ever!!! She had many ambitions such as becoming a yoga teacher and writing which lead to her first book 'The Babes Bible' giving dating advice to women. After leaving the house and a brief relationship with former housemate Nichola, Sada ran to south east Asia for 5 months to get away from the media frenzy. Upon her return she has become involved in several other book projects. She also trained as a yoga teacher in India and lived for a short time in Argentina. She is rumoured to now be working as waitress in a bistro somewhere in London.
Andrew Davidson (Andy) was another one with ambitions such as running a holiday camp in the Philippines. The marketing product manager from Hemel Hempstead had a passion for motorcycling with his brother being Formula 1 racing driver Anthony Davidson and at 23 he was joint youngest in the house that year. After leaving the house he also went traveling and when he came back made brief appearances on Channel 5's 'Exclusive' series and also presented one of the chart rundowns on MTV Select but has otherwise remained outside the spotlight.
Caroline O'Shea was the oldest member of the house at 37 and wasn't liked in the house from the start as she was constantly put up for eviction eventually leaving the third one. The pink lipsticked woman from Birmingham is said of suffered a bout of depression upon leaving the house which became even worse after her attempt to launch a pop career failed. She once spent a week as the Eye in the Sky traffic reporter for a range of Midlands-based radio stations. She was also offered £5,000 for topless modelling for the Sunday Sport and now runs a makeover portrait studio in London. She also joins in social networking online and has a facebook page.
Nicholas Bateman (Nasty Nick) was removed from the house after being confronted by fellow housemates for manipulating their nominations. The 32 year old city broker from Hampshire, whose biggest fear was to die young, wanted to live in the Big Brother house as a challenge for himself. Nasty Nick hosted a Channel 4 game show called "Trust Me" which was axed after just one series. He cashed in on his infamy with a £70,000 newspaper deal, a book called How To Be A Complete Bastard, and a video, Nasty Nick The Truth Exposed. He also made an acting debut in the British gangster movie Hell to Pay as a police officer. He also featured as the narrator in a stage production of The Rocky Horror Show and has appeared in panto. Nick later did a directing course at the BBC and is keen to make wildlife films. He is now an editor of The Good Holiday magazine and married to Lynnette Peck. Is currently writing freelance travel articles for the Good Holiday Guide Magazine, as well as national newspapers.
Apart from this he has his own poker club and Is involved in overseas property developing in Eastern Europe. He says he is still available for comment on Big Brother and other media issues.
Apart from this he has his own poker club and Is involved in overseas property developing in Eastern Europe. He says he is still available for comment on Big Brother and other media issues.
Nichola Holt stood out from the crowd with her bald head and many piercings. The 29 year old art teacher from Bolton was best remembered for smearing her naked body in clay and making prints on the wall. After leaving the house she had a brief relationship with former housemate Sada and then went on to support Gabrielle on tour. She also released her own single called 'The Game' which flopped in at number 72 in the charts. She then tried her hands at fashion designing but that also fell through and from then on Nichola has been involved in the adult film industry. Married personal trainer Yas Parr on the island of Huatulco in Mexico but divorced in January 2004.
Thomas McDermott (Tom) was the 31 year old Irish farmer/computer engineer Omagh. After leaving and being voted the sexist man in Ireland the following January, Tom ditched his farming career to pursue a career in acting and TV presenting. He has been made co-presenter of Town Challenge, BBC Northern Ireland's highest rating TV programme over the past five years and he has also taken a DJ course and has tried his hand at entertaining nightclub crowds. He and Claire became a couple after Big Brother 1 and have a son called Pierce. He has also appeared in panto.
Claire Strutton was the 25 year old Florist from Gerrards Cross who came into the house to replace Nasty Nick. After leaving she and Tom became the first Big Brother couple and have a son called Pierce. She has also appeared in panto such as Jack And The Beanstalk with Eric Sykes at the Theatre Royal, Windsor. Following the Big Brother show Claire landed a role as presenter of a new six-part ITV series about dance floor and clubbing culture entitled "Dance 2000". In 2003 Claire Strutton and Tom McDermott moved to Southern Spain with their toddler son Pierce, and ran a property website. Tom and Claire have since split up. Claire also made an appearance on The Salon (the reality hairdressing show on Channel 4).
Melanie Hill was the 26 year old computer sales woman from London who dreamed of one day having 5 kids, traveling around South America and Africa and also meeting the Dalai Lama. After leaving she presented the dating game show 'Chained' on E4 and also writes for various magazines including the traveling features in Marie Claire. She also dated Alex Sibley from Big Brother 2002 for a time, and is in training to become a barrister. The Big Brother eye motiff was based on Mel's eye.
Darren Ramsay was the 23 year old father of 3 from London who was often descried as a ladies man by friends. Upon leaving Darren had a spell as a presenter on "This Morning". He has also done presenting work for MTV Europe and The Disney Channel, and has been asked to work for the Carlton Food Network's Taste Today. A trip to Jamaica for Christian Aid to raise Aids awareness ended acrimoniously after he abruptly cut the trip short, blaming exhaustion.
He later became a celebrity bouncer at the Funk U club night at Zinc. He then trained as a flight attendant which appeared on ITV 1's Airline, in which he was asked to leave the course. Darren has also appeared as a contestant on the 'Reality TV Star' special episode of Anne Robinson's The Weakest Link. Darren continues to live with ex-girlfriend Tammy and their 3 children (Shanice 13, Nuviea 12 and Zahnae 9).
He later became a celebrity bouncer at the Funk U club night at Zinc. He then trained as a flight attendant which appeared on ITV 1's Airline, in which he was asked to leave the course. Darren has also appeared as a contestant on the 'Reality TV Star' special episode of Anne Robinson's The Weakest Link. Darren continues to live with ex-girlfriend Tammy and their 3 children (Shanice 13, Nuviea 12 and Zahnae 9).
Anna Nolan was a 29 year old office manager from Dublin who came second in BB1. She fronted the BBC Choice TV show "Anna In Wonderland" visiting exotic locations around the world. She also co-presented Closure along side Davina McCall where they attempted to right some wrongs by ending arguments, relationships, or anything that need closure. She said on Big Brother she was forced to come out as a lesbian to her parents when her grandma caught Anna and her girlfriend Tania kissing in the park. She came second in the final, and went on to be a TV presenter for the Irish TV channel RTE. She announced in August 2006 that she would not be renewing her contract with RTÉ and moved on to be a presenter on the BBC programme Inside Out when the BBC North East and Cumbria crew filmed Anomalous Phenomena Investigations of Newcastle upon Tyne conducting a paranormal investigation at Hurworth Grange Community Centre in Hurworth-on-Tees. She is an occasional panelist on RTE TWO discussion show The Panel. Anna also makes public appearances for gay rights group Stonewall. On the 8th August 2005 she was mugged and assaulted on her way back from a family dinner. Now lives with her female partner in London.
Craig Phillips became Big Brother's first winner in 20o0 and the 28 year old builder from Liverpool has done quite a bit since even if we haven't seen much of him. He donated his £70,000 prize to his Down's syndrome friend Joanne Harris to help pay for her heart and lung transplant. Joanne sadly died in April 2008 after contracting an infection in hospital. A £500,000 five-album deal with Warner was trumpeted in the press - but he was dropped after his Christmas single, At This Time of Year, only reached number 14. He has continued to raise money for Down's Syndrome charities as well as becoming a regular on daytime television shows. Craig is now a full-time TV DIY expert, appearing in "House Call" and "Trading Up" on BBC and "Renovation Street" on ITV. He also appeared regularly on the Channel 4 comedy show "Bo Selecta". In 2007 Craig joined the team of 60 Minute Makeover for ITV1 for the fifth and sixth series trading his famous on screen white t-shirt look for a black t-shirt look. After 2 years, research planning and construction Craig developed the largest independent construction training academy in the North-West opening its doors in September 2005 to its first 152 students the facility was formally opened by Cherie Blair in January 2006. The centre received its own accreditation enabling it to run a variety of work based learning and entry to employment courses and has been commended by the CITB as providing one of the largest and best training environments in the country. After a year’s trading and having achieved full centre accreditation awarded by the Construction Industry Training Board, Craig felt he took the academy as far as he could and sold it to Carter and Carter Group Plc. Craig is still actively involved in the centre assisting with publicity and promoting employer engagement.
Friday 4 July 2008
70 Year Old Woman Gives Birth!!!
That may look like the sort of title you'd hear on some sci-fi tabloid but no. This is the story that caught my eye as i quickly flipped through today's newspaper and it's true! A 70 year old grandmother from India has just giving birth (by Cesarean thank God) to a boy and a girl weighing just 2 pounds each but doctors claim they are both healthy. Omkari Panwar and her 77 year old husband Charan already have 2 adult daughters and 5 grandchildren but really wanted a son so that they could have an 'heir'.
Omkari said 'If i am the world's oldest mother it means nothing to me' insisting that all she wants is to care for her two new babies in the time she has which i don't believe will be very long. If you think about it the children will be only 10 when their mother is 80 and that's if she lives that long. Even if they do have an heir who will take care of all they have when the parents snuff it and they're still learning how to tie their shoe laces. Come on people this isn't fair and if they did want a son this bad why didn't they start earlier? Why wait until your half dead? You have two children already, be grateful!!!
Lets not forget back in 2005 when Romanian woman, Adriana Iliescu, gave birth at the ripe old age of 66 but Adriana could still be considered the world's oldest mother as there are no documents to prove Omkari is the age she says she is. Who cares really? It's not right. The father has said that he gave up everything to pay for IVF so what have they got to live on now? I'd like to know the doctors who allow people who are clearly way too old to do this because it sickens me. Those children aren't going to grow up their parents because their will not live much longer and even if they do they can't take the kids for long walks, play sports with them or mess around. Can we stop doing this please!!!
Omkari said 'If i am the world's oldest mother it means nothing to me' insisting that all she wants is to care for her two new babies in the time she has which i don't believe will be very long. If you think about it the children will be only 10 when their mother is 80 and that's if she lives that long. Even if they do have an heir who will take care of all they have when the parents snuff it and they're still learning how to tie their shoe laces. Come on people this isn't fair and if they did want a son this bad why didn't they start earlier? Why wait until your half dead? You have two children already, be grateful!!!
Lets not forget back in 2005 when Romanian woman, Adriana Iliescu, gave birth at the ripe old age of 66 but Adriana could still be considered the world's oldest mother as there are no documents to prove Omkari is the age she says she is. Who cares really? It's not right. The father has said that he gave up everything to pay for IVF so what have they got to live on now? I'd like to know the doctors who allow people who are clearly way too old to do this because it sickens me. Those children aren't going to grow up their parents because their will not live much longer and even if they do they can't take the kids for long walks, play sports with them or mess around. Can we stop doing this please!!!
Friday 27 June 2008
Please get Jen out!!!
Another Big Brother rant. Sorry but I'm really worked up. After witnessing the argument that took place last night my views of people how changed completely! Luke is a little stirrer as i predicted and should definitely get the boot. Also Rebecca obviously spends to much time round those nursery kids and is now behaving like one. Control yourself woman!!! On a good note i now respect Darnell a hell of a lot more. He, Mario and Rex were the only ones to see that spitting on someone is a lot worse than smudging a painting. The rest of the housemates are disgusting for supporting such a thing.
Firstly, it's great that Sylvia has gone. Thank God the public sees the truth. Now we just need a few more people out. Dennis has been removed so that leaves Dale, Jen, Stu and Bex. Sadly due to the sheer support it's more likely to be a Rex and Mohamed eviction next week. I'll start from the top. Alcohol kicked in making Jen take things out of proportion when Rex smudged her painting (which was crap anyway). She went off crying attracting loads of attention. Rex said sorry and then left her to calm down. Jen decided it wasn't over and continued to babble on about herself and create more sympathy and Jesus did the tears flow even more when Stu and Dale appeared. They decided to be hero's and show their love for Jen by creating even more arguments with Rex (who kept his cool and listened). Then Dale decided to kick off and Rex stood his ground and remained calm even when Dennis kept repeating 'creep' in the background.
The funny thing about Dale is he believes he's the strong man on the group. Boy, does he have a lot to learn. Kicking off and accusing people and looking like a kid as he rants and raves doesn't do him any favours. Then Dennis, Bex joined in (why i don't know, they like the attention) and so being a good mate Mohamed stepped in to defend his friend Rex who was being ganged up on and what does he get? He gets accused of homophobia and spat in the face.
How can anyone support Dennis for what he did especially a mother like Jen who has a daughter at home and may look back at this believing that this behaviour is OK. Anyone who believes a smudged painting is worth a spit in the face should not be raising children. Please to the good thing and vote these people out. Don't support this behaviour. Rex or Mohamed to win!!!
Firstly, it's great that Sylvia has gone. Thank God the public sees the truth. Now we just need a few more people out. Dennis has been removed so that leaves Dale, Jen, Stu and Bex. Sadly due to the sheer support it's more likely to be a Rex and Mohamed eviction next week. I'll start from the top. Alcohol kicked in making Jen take things out of proportion when Rex smudged her painting (which was crap anyway). She went off crying attracting loads of attention. Rex said sorry and then left her to calm down. Jen decided it wasn't over and continued to babble on about herself and create more sympathy and Jesus did the tears flow even more when Stu and Dale appeared. They decided to be hero's and show their love for Jen by creating even more arguments with Rex (who kept his cool and listened). Then Dale decided to kick off and Rex stood his ground and remained calm even when Dennis kept repeating 'creep' in the background.
The funny thing about Dale is he believes he's the strong man on the group. Boy, does he have a lot to learn. Kicking off and accusing people and looking like a kid as he rants and raves doesn't do him any favours. Then Dennis, Bex joined in (why i don't know, they like the attention) and so being a good mate Mohamed stepped in to defend his friend Rex who was being ganged up on and what does he get? He gets accused of homophobia and spat in the face.
How can anyone support Dennis for what he did especially a mother like Jen who has a daughter at home and may look back at this believing that this behaviour is OK. Anyone who believes a smudged painting is worth a spit in the face should not be raising children. Please to the good thing and vote these people out. Don't support this behaviour. Rex or Mohamed to win!!!
Thursday 26 June 2008
Goodbye friends
I've now officially finished sixth form and decided to put my movie skills to the text by compiling a selection of photos from the two years. Believe me the hardest part was the music.
Hell again and BB9!!!
Oh my God, i have not blogged in ages partly due to my exams but they're now over (yippee) and i have loads of free time. Seriously, i have nothing to do and it's gotten so bad I'm now watching Big Brother!!! I know, terrible and i am ashamed but i have to say the people on it are far more interesting than the years before. I mean we've had Alex!!!
Well i think i should just give my opinion on those that have been and gone so far and believe me i have a big opinion on all off them and have to say there is not many i like but that doesn't mean it's not good to watch them make complete idiots out of themselves. Just so i remember them all i have the website out in front of me. Not that i go on it everyday to have a quick nose or anything but i am really annoyed at the website because I'm desperate to post my opinions on the Big Brother forum on it cause i love a good debate and i registered over 2 weeks ago and I'm still not allowed and it's really getting me peeved. Especially when i see posts like 'I love Alex' and i just want to get on there and rip the hell out of that poster (metaphorically). I'm not hooked on Big Brother at all and I'd gladly miss a few episodes but i have to voice my opinion about it and I'd rather do it on here than ring Big Brothers Little Brother and spend a fortune on phone bills. I don't even put a vote in for evictions.
Anyway I'll start 'in no particular order' shall i? Lisa, I'm pretty sure, is not your average woman. 40 years of age, wears make up like it's going out of fashion and is dating Mario. What more can i say. I almost spat my Pepsi out all over the TV when Mario said that Lisa had the most skill in the make up department (did she really think that lipstick suited her?). You have to hand it to her though, she went along with that task but anyone that says someone is a good person just because they're nice to them needs get their head screwed on properly or at least stop using the straightens for at least 8 hours. Lisa is probably the only housemate who thought Alex was 'normal' just because she never started on her. If you could open your eyes with all that mascara on Lisa then maybe you'd see reality.
Next up is Luke. Oh Luke, you really have no idea when it comes to women. Instead of complimenting Rebecca (a potential love match) he calls her 'Vicky Pollard' and refers to her 'fat arse'. Is there any hope for this young man. I recon though behind his innocent appearance Luke is a dark horse. He could be a winner but i believe he is also a game player. It took Rachel to point out his group hopping and constant gossiping for me to see what he is playing at. Acting as though he's everyone's advisor and friend could prove useful to him in not being nominated but could also prove deadly for him if he was up for eviction.
All i can say about Mario is he should of gone, not Steph. This guy would not freak me out if i met him I'd also want to karate kick that smirk off his face. He thinks he's the saviour of the house always believing he's doing it for the best but this guy is nothing but self loving pig. He knows that the public will sympathise with someone like Mickey so what does he do, he acts like Micky's best friend, always pointing out Mickey's disability as though no one else, including Mickey, knows it. He makes the other house mates seem uncaring so that he can seem like God's gift well I'm sorry but this guy ain't falling me. If you think he's just being nice well check out how quickly he ran to be by Rachel's side when she hurt her arm not giving anyone else a chance to help. Sorry but he's gotta go.
Speaking of Rachel, i think she's lovely. She's funny, lively and always optimistic and trust me we need some people like her out there. Rarely bitching Rachel would be my ideal girly mate and she also acts just like me when she hurts herself (cries like a baby). I believe she's one of the few genuine people in the house and those who say she's 'too nice' are just to sour to see the good in people.
Next in the line was Steph. I really wish the public hadn't of been so sexist sticking to the tradition of a girl going first. Steph had so much more to give and stuck up for herself against the bully, Alex. She was a strong young women but of course in today's world that equals bitch and bitches always go in evictions. I admit she should of tried harder in the task but come on ladies how would you cope pretending to marry Mario?
Stuart is the rookie of the house and i still don't really understand him. Constantly showing off his bod he could just be another Dale but i recon Stuart wouldn't shy away from an argument unlike a certain someone. I don't think there's enough to Stuart yet for him to be in the running for BB9 winner but just give him time.
Sylvia is up for eviction and she will bloody well go. Not just because she's a girl but because she deserves to go. Openly flirting when she has a man at home and it's not like those guys are desirable either. Plus she keeps changing her story playing naive Jen for a fool. Saying one thing to her and another thing to Stu she's winding everyone up. I used to really like her but she's just become more and more like a little girl craving attention and she should definitely get the boot.
I'm now looking at the black and white picture of Alex. God would i of loved to of seen her walk down the those steps faced with all those crowds of booing Britain's. I'm so angry at the house for not being more stronger against her. She even admitted she loved making people feel smaller than her which is what bully's do because their lives are so screwed up they need to hurt others to make themselves feel better. She was crazy, crazier than Kat. She talked out her arse the entire time she was there and I've heard pot heads talk more sense than she did. Constantly starting fights and the only people to stand up to her were Rex and Steph. I would of gladly gone in there and slapped her into reality. She thought she knew the real world well I'm sorry but in the real world you do not talk crap like she did and you certainly don't waste time arguing over burnt chips. Thankfully she was removed for threatening the housemates with gang crime. If she is in a gang then please take her daughter off her cause that is not right. I hate to think how that poor girl is being brought up. Last i heard Alex was in hiding, let's hope she stays there.
Next is Dennis who i actually hate one minute then like the next. He's a bitch but if your a man that's OK. He lies, causes problems but is also good to watch. He knows what the public want to see and he could be in there for a long time but he definitely wont be winning.
Mohamed!!! He should stay for sure. He and Rex are the best twosome in there. So what if he's Muslim and wore women's clothes. Religion shouldn't dictate your life!!! It's his decision and he stuck by it and good for him. If someone tried to tell me what to do on my birthday I'd shove a tequila up their arse complete with glass and straw and light it! Mohamed won't win i don't think because he's a push over at times but he should definitely not be leaving this Friday.
Now there is something not right about Mikey (Michael). Yeah OK he's blind and i do feel for him but he shouldn't win on sympathy and all he tries to get is sympathy! Plus some things h does just ain't right for anyone to do, blind or seeing.
I like Rebecca. No one is giving her the chance to prove herself and treat her like some dumb little girl especially Mario but i believe this woman has more to her. So what if she only works as a nursery nurse, i did work experience in a nursery and those girls are fun and caring people. I'd rather one of them than a high ranking business person who hasn't got the time of day for you. She's down to earth and I'd be happy if she won. Bless her, someone should teach her how to cook chips.
Kat is next and she annoys me so much i actually really love her. She talks like the man from 'Team America' and i thought that accent was made up!!! She won't win but she's funny to watch and who doesn't love cookies? Even if it is a bit of a perverted obsession.
Jen is only good for one thing and that's to look at. There is nothing else to her. This constant back and forth love affair with Dale is doing my head in and i just find her really boring. I have to be honest and say i i hated Jen since i heard she was anti-abortion because I'm pro-choice and have had personal dealings in these situations and i don't think anyone should dictate what you do with your body. Good for her, she's a mummy but that doesn't mean everyones' ready to be one.
Darnell i can just imagine sitting there with a spliff. He flips over the smallest things (just like all Americans i guess) and should really do something about that attitude. I feel for him because i also suffer from a skin condition which causes loss of pigmentation (no where near as severe as Albino) but like he said he doesn't want people to vote for him on that bases and so we wont and so he will not win because there's nothing else vote worthy about him.
Rex!!!! I love him. Rex to win!!! He is so straight thinking and fun. One of the lads he reminds of and stands his ground (like a real man unlike a certain Dale). I believe he should win and is my definite favourite. The way others alienate him is stupid because it just shows how up themselves they are. Rex doesn't care, he's not bothered and i love him for it. If i was in that house he would be my man. I bet when Mohamed stays this week the other housemates will realise that Mohamed and Rex are liked and will start being friends with them again. Losers!
Last but yes least is Dale who i have no respect for. He thinks he can win on good looks and being with the hottest girl in the house he has another thing coming. Behind those good looks is a coward. He bitched about Rex (what kind of man bitches?) when Rex was lying there right next to him and it made me laugh so much when he was confronted and he tried to deny it. Oh my God, do us a favour and get Dale out. I'm a 17 year old girl and even i cant stand him. Mister pretty boys gotta go.
Well that's what i think. Hope you like and hate and comment so i can argue cause i love to. I promise to start blogging more from now on and on something more interesting than Big Brother.
Well i think i should just give my opinion on those that have been and gone so far and believe me i have a big opinion on all off them and have to say there is not many i like but that doesn't mean it's not good to watch them make complete idiots out of themselves. Just so i remember them all i have the website out in front of me. Not that i go on it everyday to have a quick nose or anything but i am really annoyed at the website because I'm desperate to post my opinions on the Big Brother forum on it cause i love a good debate and i registered over 2 weeks ago and I'm still not allowed and it's really getting me peeved. Especially when i see posts like 'I love Alex' and i just want to get on there and rip the hell out of that poster (metaphorically). I'm not hooked on Big Brother at all and I'd gladly miss a few episodes but i have to voice my opinion about it and I'd rather do it on here than ring Big Brothers Little Brother and spend a fortune on phone bills. I don't even put a vote in for evictions.
Anyway I'll start 'in no particular order' shall i? Lisa, I'm pretty sure, is not your average woman. 40 years of age, wears make up like it's going out of fashion and is dating Mario. What more can i say. I almost spat my Pepsi out all over the TV when Mario said that Lisa had the most skill in the make up department (did she really think that lipstick suited her?). You have to hand it to her though, she went along with that task but anyone that says someone is a good person just because they're nice to them needs get their head screwed on properly or at least stop using the straightens for at least 8 hours. Lisa is probably the only housemate who thought Alex was 'normal' just because she never started on her. If you could open your eyes with all that mascara on Lisa then maybe you'd see reality.
Next up is Luke. Oh Luke, you really have no idea when it comes to women. Instead of complimenting Rebecca (a potential love match) he calls her 'Vicky Pollard' and refers to her 'fat arse'. Is there any hope for this young man. I recon though behind his innocent appearance Luke is a dark horse. He could be a winner but i believe he is also a game player. It took Rachel to point out his group hopping and constant gossiping for me to see what he is playing at. Acting as though he's everyone's advisor and friend could prove useful to him in not being nominated but could also prove deadly for him if he was up for eviction.
All i can say about Mario is he should of gone, not Steph. This guy would not freak me out if i met him I'd also want to karate kick that smirk off his face. He thinks he's the saviour of the house always believing he's doing it for the best but this guy is nothing but self loving pig. He knows that the public will sympathise with someone like Mickey so what does he do, he acts like Micky's best friend, always pointing out Mickey's disability as though no one else, including Mickey, knows it. He makes the other house mates seem uncaring so that he can seem like God's gift well I'm sorry but this guy ain't falling me. If you think he's just being nice well check out how quickly he ran to be by Rachel's side when she hurt her arm not giving anyone else a chance to help. Sorry but he's gotta go.
Speaking of Rachel, i think she's lovely. She's funny, lively and always optimistic and trust me we need some people like her out there. Rarely bitching Rachel would be my ideal girly mate and she also acts just like me when she hurts herself (cries like a baby). I believe she's one of the few genuine people in the house and those who say she's 'too nice' are just to sour to see the good in people.
Next in the line was Steph. I really wish the public hadn't of been so sexist sticking to the tradition of a girl going first. Steph had so much more to give and stuck up for herself against the bully, Alex. She was a strong young women but of course in today's world that equals bitch and bitches always go in evictions. I admit she should of tried harder in the task but come on ladies how would you cope pretending to marry Mario?
Stuart is the rookie of the house and i still don't really understand him. Constantly showing off his bod he could just be another Dale but i recon Stuart wouldn't shy away from an argument unlike a certain someone. I don't think there's enough to Stuart yet for him to be in the running for BB9 winner but just give him time.
Sylvia is up for eviction and she will bloody well go. Not just because she's a girl but because she deserves to go. Openly flirting when she has a man at home and it's not like those guys are desirable either. Plus she keeps changing her story playing naive Jen for a fool. Saying one thing to her and another thing to Stu she's winding everyone up. I used to really like her but she's just become more and more like a little girl craving attention and she should definitely get the boot.
I'm now looking at the black and white picture of Alex. God would i of loved to of seen her walk down the those steps faced with all those crowds of booing Britain's. I'm so angry at the house for not being more stronger against her. She even admitted she loved making people feel smaller than her which is what bully's do because their lives are so screwed up they need to hurt others to make themselves feel better. She was crazy, crazier than Kat. She talked out her arse the entire time she was there and I've heard pot heads talk more sense than she did. Constantly starting fights and the only people to stand up to her were Rex and Steph. I would of gladly gone in there and slapped her into reality. She thought she knew the real world well I'm sorry but in the real world you do not talk crap like she did and you certainly don't waste time arguing over burnt chips. Thankfully she was removed for threatening the housemates with gang crime. If she is in a gang then please take her daughter off her cause that is not right. I hate to think how that poor girl is being brought up. Last i heard Alex was in hiding, let's hope she stays there.
Next is Dennis who i actually hate one minute then like the next. He's a bitch but if your a man that's OK. He lies, causes problems but is also good to watch. He knows what the public want to see and he could be in there for a long time but he definitely wont be winning.
Mohamed!!! He should stay for sure. He and Rex are the best twosome in there. So what if he's Muslim and wore women's clothes. Religion shouldn't dictate your life!!! It's his decision and he stuck by it and good for him. If someone tried to tell me what to do on my birthday I'd shove a tequila up their arse complete with glass and straw and light it! Mohamed won't win i don't think because he's a push over at times but he should definitely not be leaving this Friday.
Now there is something not right about Mikey (Michael). Yeah OK he's blind and i do feel for him but he shouldn't win on sympathy and all he tries to get is sympathy! Plus some things h does just ain't right for anyone to do, blind or seeing.
I like Rebecca. No one is giving her the chance to prove herself and treat her like some dumb little girl especially Mario but i believe this woman has more to her. So what if she only works as a nursery nurse, i did work experience in a nursery and those girls are fun and caring people. I'd rather one of them than a high ranking business person who hasn't got the time of day for you. She's down to earth and I'd be happy if she won. Bless her, someone should teach her how to cook chips.
Kat is next and she annoys me so much i actually really love her. She talks like the man from 'Team America' and i thought that accent was made up!!! She won't win but she's funny to watch and who doesn't love cookies? Even if it is a bit of a perverted obsession.
Jen is only good for one thing and that's to look at. There is nothing else to her. This constant back and forth love affair with Dale is doing my head in and i just find her really boring. I have to be honest and say i i hated Jen since i heard she was anti-abortion because I'm pro-choice and have had personal dealings in these situations and i don't think anyone should dictate what you do with your body. Good for her, she's a mummy but that doesn't mean everyones' ready to be one.
Darnell i can just imagine sitting there with a spliff. He flips over the smallest things (just like all Americans i guess) and should really do something about that attitude. I feel for him because i also suffer from a skin condition which causes loss of pigmentation (no where near as severe as Albino) but like he said he doesn't want people to vote for him on that bases and so we wont and so he will not win because there's nothing else vote worthy about him.
Rex!!!! I love him. Rex to win!!! He is so straight thinking and fun. One of the lads he reminds of and stands his ground (like a real man unlike a certain Dale). I believe he should win and is my definite favourite. The way others alienate him is stupid because it just shows how up themselves they are. Rex doesn't care, he's not bothered and i love him for it. If i was in that house he would be my man. I bet when Mohamed stays this week the other housemates will realise that Mohamed and Rex are liked and will start being friends with them again. Losers!
Last but yes least is Dale who i have no respect for. He thinks he can win on good looks and being with the hottest girl in the house he has another thing coming. Behind those good looks is a coward. He bitched about Rex (what kind of man bitches?) when Rex was lying there right next to him and it made me laugh so much when he was confronted and he tried to deny it. Oh my God, do us a favour and get Dale out. I'm a 17 year old girl and even i cant stand him. Mister pretty boys gotta go.
Well that's what i think. Hope you like and hate and comment so i can argue cause i love to. I promise to start blogging more from now on and on something more interesting than Big Brother.
Tuesday 1 April 2008
Welcome to the era of attention seeking women!!!
Today, i was browsing through the paper when i noticed two different articles with similar story lines. One was about a 21 year old woman who claimed a soldier had raped her after a drunken night at an RAF bar. The woman, called Amanda Lang, had consensual sex with Phillip Trowell in her home whilst her boyfriend, an airman, was away at the time. Apparently Miss Lang became upset about cheating and went to the police where she lied and said that Mr Trowell had raped her on a grassland. She described the emotional toll it had taken on her and kept the lie going for 15 months until she finally came clean on the eve of her trial last month.
Then there's the woman who stalked herself. Lauren Holden invented up an attention seeking ploy after breaking up with her boyfriend. The 25 year old created a stalker called Casanova and sent dozens of threatening letters to her friends from the imagined criminal. Police immediately became involved and installed security systems in all the women's houses. The police finally became suspicious when Miss Holden was found in her home tied up with a plastic bag over her head. The security camera was turned off and police said that only someone who knew where it was could of done that. She was arrested and came clean about what she had done. One of the letters she wrote said 'It has come to my attention that you have a boyfriend. I feel that it is only right to warn you i find this most displeasing' and another said 'You complete me...Your body lures me...I will ravish you'. All the women were extremely frightened and Judge Pugsley told Miss Holden her behaviour was 'immature and attention-seeking'.
I'm happy that both women were arrested but there's still a lot of damage done by this. These women have made it harder for women who really are attacked or are victims of stalking to tell someone about their ordeal and how can people exactly make this stuff up? There are girls i know who have done exactly that. One got the police involved whilst another told everyone at school and destroyed the poor boys life. Both girls were attention seeking and both wasted police time and they both got away with it! Also both girls were really ugly and nasty so no one really liked them, especially boys, but i wont go into that. As a victim myself from stalking, i have discovered that the police are taking situations like this much more lightly. It took my police officer a month to see me and by then the stalker had disappeared as my neighbourhood watch had sent round so many messages for people to look out for suspicious people. Not enough was done by the police themselves but I'm just grateful my neighbourhood were so eager to help. I'm really disgusted with girls my age and young women who make stuff like this up just to get attention. What i have just wrote, i have not mentioned to anyone outside of my close friends or my family (i even made sure my name was not used in the neighbourhood watch posters) and i have not mentioned it since it happened four years ago. Women who have been through much worse ordeals need to feel as though they can get help and not be called liars but with women like Miss Holden and Miss Lang how can they truly be taken seriously?
Then there's the woman who stalked herself. Lauren Holden invented up an attention seeking ploy after breaking up with her boyfriend. The 25 year old created a stalker called Casanova and sent dozens of threatening letters to her friends from the imagined criminal. Police immediately became involved and installed security systems in all the women's houses. The police finally became suspicious when Miss Holden was found in her home tied up with a plastic bag over her head. The security camera was turned off and police said that only someone who knew where it was could of done that. She was arrested and came clean about what she had done. One of the letters she wrote said 'It has come to my attention that you have a boyfriend. I feel that it is only right to warn you i find this most displeasing' and another said 'You complete me...Your body lures me...I will ravish you'. All the women were extremely frightened and Judge Pugsley told Miss Holden her behaviour was 'immature and attention-seeking'.
I'm happy that both women were arrested but there's still a lot of damage done by this. These women have made it harder for women who really are attacked or are victims of stalking to tell someone about their ordeal and how can people exactly make this stuff up? There are girls i know who have done exactly that. One got the police involved whilst another told everyone at school and destroyed the poor boys life. Both girls were attention seeking and both wasted police time and they both got away with it! Also both girls were really ugly and nasty so no one really liked them, especially boys, but i wont go into that. As a victim myself from stalking, i have discovered that the police are taking situations like this much more lightly. It took my police officer a month to see me and by then the stalker had disappeared as my neighbourhood watch had sent round so many messages for people to look out for suspicious people. Not enough was done by the police themselves but I'm just grateful my neighbourhood were so eager to help. I'm really disgusted with girls my age and young women who make stuff like this up just to get attention. What i have just wrote, i have not mentioned to anyone outside of my close friends or my family (i even made sure my name was not used in the neighbourhood watch posters) and i have not mentioned it since it happened four years ago. Women who have been through much worse ordeals need to feel as though they can get help and not be called liars but with women like Miss Holden and Miss Lang how can they truly be taken seriously?
Saturday 29 March 2008
Always a bridesmaid...and what's wrong with that?
After watching the new movie '27 Dresses', i have to say i felt a close connection to the main character who in the movie is a bridesmaid 27 different times and is not only very good at the job and helps out with the planning of the wedding but also enjoys being a bridesmaid. With all that superstition like three times is bad luck and 'always a bridesmaid never a bride', i ask what's wrong with being a bridesmaid when your helping someone close to you on their special day?
I have been a bridesmaid twice. Once when i was five for my cousins wedding and the second time when i was eight for my aunties wedding. I loved being apart of the ceremony and watching my family or soon to be family walk down the aisle, just like Jane describes in the film when she is discussing why she loves being a bridesmaid so much. Although i was too young to take part in the main preparation of the wedding, i still believe i played big part in it all as i was the only bridesmaid at both weddings and was driven in the same car as the bride herself. I was also on the head table and was in many of the special photographs. The best part of all was when the bride thanked me for being her bridesmaid as you know then that you did the job well.
With two of my closest friends engaged now I'm sure there will be many more opportunities for me and although their weddings aren't for a couple of years i just hope they know I'm here if they need me as I'm always ready to help out a friend on their special day.
The film itself was very funny and emotional in parts and i definitely would recommend it. All the actors played their roles brilliantly, especially the hilarious Judy Greer (the yoga scene is a classic!), but the best part of the film would have to be the dresses. The many crazy and embarrassing dresses. It's all happy endings by the end but shh! I don't want to spoil it!
Friday 28 March 2008
What China tells them
We all know there is growing concern in China over the continuing riots and the new threat to the up and coming China Olympics of 2008. What we don't all know is what it's exactly like in China at this present time and what the Chinese public are going through.
The censorship of the Communist Chinese government play a huge part in the controlling of it's citizens and are a lot worse than we thought. The unrest has been felt in China, especially in areas with high Tibetan population, for many years dating back to around the 1940's due to ethnic and religious hatred and also by the rising inflation and food costs which forced many families out on to the street and madethe sight of starved corpses quite common. A British source currently living in China told me that there are vast differences between the rich and the poor, despite Communist ideology being everyone is equal. However, both classes undergo the same influences from the Chinese media.
There have been many unexplained stories which have been banned by Chinese censors from being broadcasted and this has become stricter and stricter over the last few years especially over issues such as health, education, inflation and stories concerning China's national leaders which are all big issues affecting China currently.
What i found most shocking from what my source told me was how the rioter's and protesters were being portrayed in the Chinese media. When reports are being shown to the Chinese public about the riots, those involved are not displayed as being ordinary citizens looking for change and a better way of life, but are presented as terrorists only out to cause trouble. With all the casualties and deaths caused by the rioting, two different death tolls were given. The Chinese official news agency, Xinhua, announced the death toll was at 19, whereas, the Tibet's Government-in-exile put the figure at around 100 although the reports are unconfirmed.
The overall concern currently is with the threat of athletes boycotting the Olympics in the hope that the rioting will cease but i wonder how it could ever end unless certain problems are resolved and how on earth they can hold Olympics when they are in the middle of a crisis such as this.
The censorship of the Communist Chinese government play a huge part in the controlling of it's citizens and are a lot worse than we thought. The unrest has been felt in China, especially in areas with high Tibetan population, for many years dating back to around the 1940's due to ethnic and religious hatred and also by the rising inflation and food costs which forced many families out on to the street and madethe sight of starved corpses quite common. A British source currently living in China told me that there are vast differences between the rich and the poor, despite Communist ideology being everyone is equal. However, both classes undergo the same influences from the Chinese media.
There have been many unexplained stories which have been banned by Chinese censors from being broadcasted and this has become stricter and stricter over the last few years especially over issues such as health, education, inflation and stories concerning China's national leaders which are all big issues affecting China currently.
What i found most shocking from what my source told me was how the rioter's and protesters were being portrayed in the Chinese media. When reports are being shown to the Chinese public about the riots, those involved are not displayed as being ordinary citizens looking for change and a better way of life, but are presented as terrorists only out to cause trouble. With all the casualties and deaths caused by the rioting, two different death tolls were given. The Chinese official news agency, Xinhua, announced the death toll was at 19, whereas, the Tibet's Government-in-exile put the figure at around 100 although the reports are unconfirmed.
The overall concern currently is with the threat of athletes boycotting the Olympics in the hope that the rioting will cease but i wonder how it could ever end unless certain problems are resolved and how on earth they can hold Olympics when they are in the middle of a crisis such as this.
Thursday 27 March 2008
Sixthform Art Trip to St Petersburg
This year’s Sixth form trip, organised by Mrs Downey, was to the famous, historical, Russian city of St Petersburg and was attended by 23 students. The enthusiastic group departed from Willink School in the early hours of Monday morning on the 18th February and were to embark on two plane flights on their way to their final destination of St Petersburg.
On arrival the excited group, mostly due to the sight of snow, piled on to a coach and got their first taste of Russian city life. When they arrived at the hotel, Hotel Rossiya, they quickly settled into their rooms and came down for what proved to be an unusual and interesting dinner, made even more interesting by the heavy snowfall outside. Temptation got the better of us and we were soon outside hurling snow balls around, most of which were aimed in Mrs Tang’s direction. Another attraction in Russia which became popular in the evening was the hotel bar and the prospect of real Russian Vodka!
The next few days were filled with sight seeing which displayed to us some amazing and incredible Russian buildings, including the many palaces in the city. We got to visit St Peter’s and St Paul’s fortress which included the burial place of the famous Russian royal family and then spent the rest of the morning exploring the Aurora, a famous symbol of the Communist revolution. At lunch time students were expected to find their own food around St Petersburg’s Art Square near the spectacular Church of Spilled Blood.
We also visited many Museums and gallery’s celebrating the history of Russia and St Petersburg. The Hermitage was a must as it was once the Winter Palace now converted into a giant art gallery displaying art from around the world. After a very long trek around the gallery we were treated to something extremely new, The Russian Opera, many of which enjoyed whilst other’s were quite happy to get their first opera experience other and done with.
The next day we were shown around the famous Russian porcelain factory which gave the opportunity for more souvenir shopping, something that we all enjoyed. We then had an eventful evening at Nikolaevsky Palace with a Russian Folklore show. The many extremely talented acts had us laughing and clapping along the entire time and were especially exciting when one of our group was invited on stage to join in with the dancing. There were many surprises that night including some flirtatious female dancers, an instrumental boot, two frisky Eskimos and also some Russian dancing of course.
On the last day we received one final treat of being taken to Pushkin Palace which had many breathtaking rooms including a room made of amber! The Pavlovsk gardens also looked astonishing in the heavy snowfall which hit us that day. Afterwards we headed to the airport and said goodbye to Russia. The trip was a huge success and we’d all like to thank Mrs Downey for organising the trip. Many of yr 12 are all ready preparing for next years art trip which is rumoured to be to Istanbul.
On arrival the excited group, mostly due to the sight of snow, piled on to a coach and got their first taste of Russian city life. When they arrived at the hotel, Hotel Rossiya, they quickly settled into their rooms and came down for what proved to be an unusual and interesting dinner, made even more interesting by the heavy snowfall outside. Temptation got the better of us and we were soon outside hurling snow balls around, most of which were aimed in Mrs Tang’s direction. Another attraction in Russia which became popular in the evening was the hotel bar and the prospect of real Russian Vodka!
The next few days were filled with sight seeing which displayed to us some amazing and incredible Russian buildings, including the many palaces in the city. We got to visit St Peter’s and St Paul’s fortress which included the burial place of the famous Russian royal family and then spent the rest of the morning exploring the Aurora, a famous symbol of the Communist revolution. At lunch time students were expected to find their own food around St Petersburg’s Art Square near the spectacular Church of Spilled Blood.
We also visited many Museums and gallery’s celebrating the history of Russia and St Petersburg. The Hermitage was a must as it was once the Winter Palace now converted into a giant art gallery displaying art from around the world. After a very long trek around the gallery we were treated to something extremely new, The Russian Opera, many of which enjoyed whilst other’s were quite happy to get their first opera experience other and done with.
The next day we were shown around the famous Russian porcelain factory which gave the opportunity for more souvenir shopping, something that we all enjoyed. We then had an eventful evening at Nikolaevsky Palace with a Russian Folklore show. The many extremely talented acts had us laughing and clapping along the entire time and were especially exciting when one of our group was invited on stage to join in with the dancing. There were many surprises that night including some flirtatious female dancers, an instrumental boot, two frisky Eskimos and also some Russian dancing of course.
On the last day we received one final treat of being taken to Pushkin Palace which had many breathtaking rooms including a room made of amber! The Pavlovsk gardens also looked astonishing in the heavy snowfall which hit us that day. Afterwards we headed to the airport and said goodbye to Russia. The trip was a huge success and we’d all like to thank Mrs Downey for organising the trip. Many of yr 12 are all ready preparing for next years art trip which is rumoured to be to Istanbul.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
