Thursday 30 April 2015

G Is For Getting Motivated


Day 7 of my A to Z Challenge. G is for Getting motivated. 
If you don't know how this works, I've posted the link back to the rules of the challenge at the end of this, along with a link to yesterday's post. If you want to read my full alphabet, just keep following the links. Each day has a link back to yesterday's post.



Sometimes it’s hard to get motivated to start something. It’s not always even that the thing you are putting off is something particularly horrible. You might find you even enjoy it once you start. It’s just the thought of where to start sometimes. I am the world’s worst for this, so as such I’ve tried to develop ways to get motivated. Obviously, it depends on what you are going to be doing, but I generally find the following helps me:

1.Set a realistic goal and stick to it. If, like me, you are a procrastinator, limit yourself. For example, I will have five minutes on Facebook/Twitter/whatever your distraction is rather than saying I’m just going to pop on for a bit. A “bit” is too general and you will still be there 3 hours later. Time yourself and come off after the five minutes.

2.Reward yourself for doing it. For example, when I’ve done an hour/halfway through or whatever you would like to measure by, I’ll have a cup of coffee/a biscuit/5 minutes in the sun. Whatever you will look forward to doing to encourage you to press on.

3.Visualise the finished result. Whether its cleaning out your closet, losing 5 pounds, decorating a room, or finally writing that blog post you’ve had floating around your head all week, think about how accomplished and happy you will feel when it’s done.

4.Listen to music. This may sound stupid, but listening to a real kick ass song, with a bit of beat really gets me in the mood to get moving!

5.Do it. Do it now. Most importantly, don’t let yourself off too easily. Give yourself a good ass kicking when it’s deserved, and in the words of Nike – Just do it!

I hope you find these tips helpful. What else would you add to the list?

Follow me on Twitter @randommusings29 and feel free to comment :)


Mums' Days
Mami 2 Five

Wednesday 29 April 2015

You Can't Wear That!



Firstly, I would like to say a massive well done to Debs, over at
http://www.wannabeprincess.co.uk  for starting the #WeAreTheThey campaign and bringing this issue to the media's attention.

For far too long, people have been telling women (and men) "You can't wear that!" Well guess what? We can. And we will.

You know why? Because we are the they you are talking about and we are taking back the power - the power to wear horizontal stripes, bold pints, white, short skirts, fitted shirts, body con dress, and bikinis. In short, the power to wear whatever the hell we want.

Why? Because we can and we should wear what we want.

What we can't do is let small minded people tell us who we are or who we should be. Your personal style is a big part of who you are. Own it!

Want to wear black lipstick even though you've been told you're too pale? Do it!

Want to wear a bikini even if you have been told you can't because you have stretchmarks? Do it!

Want to wear hot pants even if you don't have an ass like Kylie? Do it!

Want to wear whatever you want even if you've been told you're too thin/too fat/too tall/too short/too old? Do it!

I could go on here, but I think I've made my point. Show the haters their opinions are, and always will be, irrelevant. Stand up (figuratively and literally) and say "this is me and I will wear whatever I want to". Go on stand up and shout it right now, and mean it! Take back the power!

Most importantly, show the door to anyone who tells you "You can't wear that!". Because you can!

 Check out these other fab blogs from women who are giving haters the middle finger:

http://adiaryofacurvygirly.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1

http://www.darceygrowsup.co.uk

http://murderofgoths.wordpress.com

www.wisheshopesdreams.co.uk

And don't forget to check out http://www.wannabeprincess.co.uk for some truly inspirational posts from the woman who started it all!

 
Follow me on Twitter @randommusings29 and feel free to comment :)
Brilliant blog posts on HonestMum.com
You Are Beautiful

Fashion Friday on MummysGotStyle.com
Bold and beautiful
Domesticated Momster
Modern Dad Pages

F Is For Faking It!


Day 6 of my A to Z Challenge. F is for Faking it.


If you don't know how this works, I've posted the link back to the rules of the challenge at the end of this, along with a link to yesterday's post. If you want to read my full alphabet, just keep following the links. Each day has a link back to yesterday's post.


Think Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally. Come on girls. Who hasn't done this at some point. Maybe not in quite such a spectacular fashion and probably not in a cafĂ©, but it happens. Picture the scene - your partner has had his (for want of a better expression) and now he's determined to "finish you off". You know its not going to happen tonight for whatever reason, so to save his feelings, you fake it. Its probably more of a sigh or moan than on a full on "OH MY GOD", but it does the trick. When its a one off, I really don't see the harm in it. At least I didn't until a few years ago when I had the below conversation.
It was a few years ago but it's always stuck with me. It was with a guy and its always good to get their side of these things.
He said that faking it is pointless, because there are two types of men out there.
One that just wants to get his, and couldn't care less whether you enjoyed it or not, and that's just a waste of your acting skills!
The second type though, I hadn't really thought about, but he was so right. The second type is the man who wants you to enjoy it as much as he does. Now to me, he's the one that most women would fake it for to save his feelings.
The man I was talking to pointed out that this guy wants you to enjoy it. If you fake it, he thinks you have. So he now thinks that whatever he was doing, is what you like. He will now continue to do this, and you will either have to spend the rest of your time together faking it, or have an extremely awkward conversation! Neither way seems very appealing.
So I would say, if you have any intention of seeing this guy again, it's probably best not to fake it!


Follow me on Twitter @randommusings29 and feel free to comment :)


Link to rules: http://myrandommusings.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/a-z-challenge-whos-with-me.html




Link to yesterday's post:



Super Busy Mum
Brilliant blog posts on HonestMum.com
The Twinkle Diaries

Tuesday 28 April 2015

E Is For eBay


Day 5 of my A to Z Challenge. E is for eBay. 
If you don't know how this works, I've posted the link back to the rules of the challenge at the end of this, along with a link to yesterday's post. If you want to read my full alphabet, just keep following the links. Each day has a link back to yesterday's post.


I love eBay. It is a great place to sell anything and everything. A lot of people use it to run very successful shops and make a lot of money, and a lot of people sell on eBay full time. I tend to use it mainly to sell unwanted items, although sometimes I do buy a job lot to break down and sell. I don't claim to be an expert, this is things I have picked up through trial and error and a fair few mistakes!
Here are my top tips for writing a good listing on eBay:


Use keywords in the title
I know this sounds like an obvious one, but a lot of people get this wrong. Keep it sharp and to the point, but include the things that will get searched for.
For example if you are selling a pair of jeans. Naming the listing "pair of jeans" isn't going to grab much attention. You should include the item, brand, size and colour. For example "black River Island jeans, size 14". I see so many listings where people either don't put enough information or they miss out keywords or use words like beautiful, gorgeous etc. You have a limited number of characters - don't waste them. Also, if the item is new (don't lie - more on that later) add that to the title. To save characters, eBayers use abbreviations in the titles. BN = Brand new. BNWT = Brand new with tags.
Photographs
Good photos of your item are essential! Unless you particularly want to, you don't need to pay for a load of extra photos (unless you are selling a car or something with really high value). Just make sure the photo you do use is sharp, clear and shows the item in a good light. If there is any damage to the item, it is always a good idea to include a picture of it then the buyers know exactly what they are getting.
Main description
This is the part were you can use words like beautiful etc. Fully describe the item. If it's clothing, for example, as well as the dress size, it's a good idea to add other measurements such as length etc. If you don't, buyers may move on to something that is more clearly described. Or you will get hundreds of messages asking for measurements. Either one isn't the desired outcome. If there's an interesting back story, add it. If there's a specific reason for sale, add it. Remember you are trying to sell this item to people - make your listing sound a bit personal rather than vague. Also if there's any damage add it in here with a full description. It might seem like a bad idea, but the alternative is unhappy buyers, returns and negative feedback.
Postage
Postage costs are always going to be a bone of contention between buyers and sellers. Buyers want it for next to nothing, sellers want to charge too much. I always offer free postage and just add the cost of postage to the item start price. If you don't want to do that, just make sure postage costs are fair. They should cover actual postage, packing material, and the cost of getting to the post office to send the item. You should never add extra on to avoid fees etc.
Item condition
State if the item is new. If it still has tags on, mention them. If the item is used, be honest. No one wants to bid on a new item and it turns out to be used. Generally speaking, used items sell as well as new. The issue stems from being lied to! If the item has been worn several times and has some minor wear and tear for example, state that, don't put worn once.
Packing
Always make sure the items are correctly packed. They should be boxed, or wrapped, in a way that they are fully covered and can't move around. Ensure packaging is stuck down well, and wouldn't fall apart in rain. Remember, postal services aren't gentle. If you need to be extra gentle with an item, it is not packed correctly. Also, ensure the item is clean (and don't use anything like newspaper to pack as this will dirty the item) and pressed if applicable.

This could go on for pages, but I've tried to keep it to the essentials. If you are new to selling, I would advise selling a few small, low value items, and experiment - find what works for you and stick with it.
Remember "One man's junk is another man's treasure". Sometimes, the things you put on with no real hope of selling make a lot of money, and items you think will fly out don't, but that's what keeps it interesting!

Follow me on Twitter @randommusings29 and feel free to comment :)

The Twinkle Diaries

Monday 27 April 2015

My Liebster Award Nomination

So, today I received a Liebster Award Nomination. I am so excited to take part! If you don't know what this is (I admit I didn't until today) its quite simple. It is a way for bloggers to show a bit of love for each other, and help others get a bit more exposure, which is always a good thing! The rules are as follows:


1. Thank and link the person who nominated you.
2. Answer the questions given by the nominator.
3. Nominate 11 other bloggers, who have less than 200 followers on twitter and link them.
4. Create 11 new questions for the nominees to answer.
5. Notify all nominees via social media/blogs.





To start then, I would like to thank Marteen Lane from
http://livelaughloveblog.com for the nomination, and here are the answers to here questions:


1. Why did you start blogging?

I originally started blogging because I want to write a book someday, and I wanted a place to experiment with writing that was actually aimed at an audience. I have now totally fell in love with blogging and can't imagine not doing it. For the full story, read this post http://myrandommusings.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/why-i-started-blogging.html

2. What song stops you in your tracks and why?

Nothing Compares To You by Sinead O'Connor. I think everything about this song is haunting. The lyrics, the music and the sheer emotion she conveys.

3. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why?

I would love to live in Manhattan in New York. I love the American people, and New York is so vibrant and alive.

4. Dog or cat?

Dog all the way.

5. You’re hosting a dinner party and you’re only allowed to invite three people (dead or alive), who would they be and why?

1. Sigmund Freud - I am fascinated by Freudian psychology. I would love to pick his brains about some of his ideas.
2. Katie Piper - I think she is so amazing. To go through what she went through (if you don't know, she had a cup of acid thrown in her face) and come out of the other side, not only sane, but positive and happy is truly inspirational.
3. Adolf Hitler - I know that sounds a bit strange, but while I obviously don't agree with what he did during WW2, I would love to have a conversation and find out what was going through his mind, and how he thought genocide was a solution.

6. What would be your all time favourite book?

Wow this one is hard! I have so many. I'm going to go with the one I go back and re-read over and over again and never get bored. Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin. There is just something about it!

7. Who was your first crush?

A boy in my class when I was around 6. I won't name and shame him, I would normally give initials, but as I don't remember his surname, he is simply A.

8. Do you have a guilty pleasure?

Watching re-runs of Gossip Girl!

9. What was the last thing you bought?

Not including groceries, because that's boring I just bought a pair of boots with ridiculously big heels. They are going to kill me, but I don't care because they are lush!

10. What is your desert island must have?

A laptop with unlimited battery lol but I think that's probably cheating! Realistically, a really good book I could read over and over.

11. What was the last film you watched?

I'm a little embarrassed to admit it but Clueless. I've seen it loads but its so watchable!


Some of those questions were hard! They really got me thinking.


My 11 questions are:
1. If you could have any superpower what would it be and why?
2. If you could interview anyone, alive or dead, for your blog who would it be and why?
3. What are your 3 handbag (or pocket) essentials?
4. If your house was on fire and you could only save one thing (not including people and pets) what would it be and why?
5. If someone offered you £1 million to be filmed 24/7 for a month (including bathing, toilet, sex, the works) and be put on YouTube would you do it?
6. True love or unlimited money?
7. If you go time travel 10 years into your future and see yourself, but be unable to change the outcome, would you do it and why?
8. At what age would you say you were happiest?
9. If you could change 1 thing about your life what would it be and why?
10. What is your all time favourite post you've written on your blog?
11. Sweet or savoury?


I now nominate the following bloggers to answer my questions and take part in the Liebster Award (I must confess to cheating here - a few of these have just over 200 followers, but it was so hard finding brand new accounts sorry!):
@singleparents_ @holly_berryx @blissfulblonde @xoandso  @brittanyalana_ @xoxokaymo @doneishadodd @beckybeablog @lazythoughtsxo @stylealfresco @mydaywithjack Give them a follow on Twitter!


If I haven't nominated you, and you would like to take part, feel free to answer these questions! Send me your link, I would love to read your answers.


Follow me on Twitter @randommusings29 and feel free to comment :)









Mums' Days

D Is For Diary

Day 4 of my A to Z Challenge. D is for Diary.


If you don't know how this works, I've posted the link back to the rules of the challenge at the end of this, along with a link to yesterday's post. If you want to read my full alphabet, just keep following the links. Each day has a link back to yesterday's post.


I've always wanted to keep a diary, but I've never really found the time, and my diary has always been just an organisational tool. So I knew straight away that D was my chance to try it. This is the first time I've ever done it, so I hope it's not too boring! It's something I will be keeping doing in the future.




Monday
Monday’s are such boring days. I thought only office workers and the like who work Monday to Friday 9-5 got the Monday blues, but I sure get them.
This morning I spent doing mock exams for a course I’m doing tomorrow. I passed them all, which was an obvious bonus, but I’m still absolutely bricking it for the real thing. It doesn’t help that work are paying for the course (no pressure at all then!).
I spent most of the afternoon writing blog posts (then getting over eager and wanting to post them all now), catching up on emails and social media, and watching a bit of Netflix (loving Pretty Little Liars, just finished season 3).
Went to work 6-11 tonight, only had one customer, so spent most of my shift cleaning things that weren’t dirty and reading a book while thinking of all the useful stuff I could be doing at home.

Tuesday
Been on the above course today. It wasn’t half as bad as I expected. It was all about the licensing law, and I thought it would be in legalese, but the man teaching it was really good, and put it into English. It still felt like a very long day though. Makes me wonder how I ever did this all day everyday at school without going absolutely mental. By about 2pm, I was twitchy and restless, and felt like nothing was going in. Total information overload. I think this is maybe because at work I’m always on the go, not sitting trying to listen to and remember facts. Felt like my brain was going to explode by the end of it, and then had to take the exam. Oh joy. I think I did ok. Fingers crossed.
Then off to work. Was slightly busier than yesterday, but still kind of quiet, but at least one of the other staff popped in for a drink so I had someone to talk to.

Wednesday
Sad day today. Went to a funeral of one of our regular customers. He has been coming in to the club where I work for a long time. I’ve known him since I started going in there 15 years ago. He was a very sweet old man, a real character and he will be sadly missed RIP JM.

Thursday
10 hour shift today, so not much time to do anything else. Such an awkward time, 1pm-11pm, so that pretty much rules out the full day and night, but I said I would do it so I can’t complain (much lol).
The sun was out in force, a real nice day, so the afternoon was pretty busy. So jealous of all the people sat in the beer garden sunning themselves.
By evening time, it had quietened down a bit, so I spent some time thinking about topics I could use as part of my A to Z Challenge. Managed to come up with a fair few, so I’m happy about that.
I also hit my first major blogging milestone – 500 page views! Established bloggers are probably rolling their eyes now at me getting overly excited about this, but I totally am excited. I even filled up a little. I never dreamed I would have that many readers when I first started blogging. Now I’m aiming for 1000.

Friday
My day off work today, so I fully expected it to rain, but it didn’t, which was a nice surprise.
Spent the first few hours writing blog posts, and catching up on social media, emails and the like while I waited for the sun to really come up. Apparently, being outside isn’t fun to me unless the sun is high enough to burn me!
So, about 12ish, I decided to do a bit of gardening. Last week, I spent a full day cutting back bushes etc, and by the time I finished, it was after 8pm and getting a little chilly, so I didn’t get around to digging over, so that was today’s mission. The garden looks fab now even if I do say so myself!
Even better, while I was doing the garden, I got an email through from the instructor who ran Tuesday’s course – I passed!!! Only got one question wrong. I was so happy.
Really wanted to go out and celebrate but it’s my friend’s 21st birthday party tomorrow and I don’t want to be too rough to enjoy it, so I will celebrate tomorrow. I won’t be telling anyone though, I don’t want to steal her thunder. People pass courses every day, you only turn 21 once!
Tonight I got brave and sent the link to my blog to a really good friend, who has been wanting to read it. To say I’m nervous as to her reaction would be an understatement, because she’s a writer and a bloody good one!

Saturday
Spent the morning writing more blog posts. Went to work at 1pm. Lovely short shift today, I asked to finish at 5 with going out tonight so it absolutely flew over.
Had a fantastic night at my friend’s birthday party. Caught up with a lot of people I haven’t seen for a while, so we all had loads to talk about and catch up on. Was great to see them all. I didn’t end up going out after the party. I was too sober to face the rat race of the night clubs here, I can only tolerate it if I’m pretty drunk myself!

Sunday
I was expecting to be rather rough today after last night so I put a holiday in from work with the intention of spending the day recovering and saying I’m never drinking again. I was surprisingly ok this morning though!
So instead of recovering, I took the time and spent a good 4 hours writing a schedule for blog posts, because I kind of feel like I’m just winging it at the moment, and long term that’s probably not a good plan. By the time I’d finished scheduling, I felt kind of bug eyed and fuzzy headed, but also a lot more relaxed knowing I have plans. If anything comes up that I particularly want to post about on a given day, I will, but it’s nice to know something’s in place for when that doesn’t happen!
Took part in my first #pabchat this evening. I learned so much about scheduling posts, apps and photo editing. Was definitely worth getting involved, and I will be trying to be involved more often. All in all I had a pretty good week!
I would love to know what people think of a diary post, as I'm considering making it a permanent weekly feature on here, so any feedback would be greatly appreciated!


Follow me on Twitter @randommusings29 and feel free to comment :)


A to Z Challenge rules: http://myrandommusings.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/a-z-challenge-whos-with-me.html


C is for Cringe link:






Binky Linky
What Katy Said

Sunday 26 April 2015

C Is For Cringe!


Day 3 of my A to Z Challenge. C is for Cringe.

 

If you don't know how this works, I've posted the link back to the rules of the challenge at the end of this, along with a link to yesterday's post. If you want to read my full alphabet, just keep following the links. Each day has a link back to yesterday's post.


Those cringey moments when you want the ground to open up and swallow you. We all have them, and I think if you own them, you become part of the joke. People will be laughing with you instead of at you. I have had so many of these moments, this post could easily become a novel! I will share my most recent one.
It happened about 3 weeks ago. I had just finished work, and was going to a friend’s house. I decided I would take us some lunch (no good deed goes unpunished, as the saying goes!). There’s a lovely little cafe near where she lives, so I decided to call in there and get us some takeout. Now this cafe is on a very busy street full of shops, and cafes, and this was 1pm on a Saturday afternoon, so as you can imagine, it was pretty busy.
I got out of the car and proceeded to cross the road, and that’s when disaster struck. I tripped. Everything went into slow motion. You know that thing you do were you trip, try to catch yourself and end up doing that awkward bent over run? That was me. Across a busy road. Then it happened. I fell. And I mean I fell spectacularly. Because I done the catch myself run for so long, I’d built up quite a bit of speed, so I managed to fall onto my knees, then kind of sprawled onto my front. My handbag fell off my shoulder and one of my shoes came off. The moment when I got back up off the floor and had to stop to retrieve said shoe was a personal low point for me.
I hobbled off the road, shoe in hand, knees bleeding and tried to block the episode out of my mind. Then a lady came to see if I was ok. And that’s when it hit me how absolutely hilarious this must have looked. I tried to tell her I was fine, and thank her for her concern, but the whole time I was laughing hysterically. She must have thought I was a right fruit loop! But it’s not like I could be anymore embarrassed.
Needless to say I survived the ordeal with nothing worse than a few cuts and bruises on my knees, a bruise on one of my toes, and a massive dent in my ego. But it sure entertained my friends when I told them what had happened! And it could have been worse. Imagine if it had happened on the way out of the cafĂ© - same result but with food splattered all over me!
What’s your cringe worthy moment?
Follow me on Twitter @randommusings29 and feel free to comment :)

Link to the rules:
Link to yesterday's post, B is for Bar Etiquette:


Mami 2 Five
The Dad Network

Saturday 25 April 2015

B Is For Bar Etiquette


Day 2 of my A to Z Challenge. B is for Bar Etiquette.

If you don't know how this works, I've posted the link back to the rules of the challenge at the end of this, along with a link to yesterday's post. If you want to ready my full alphabet, just keep following the links. Each day has a link back to yesterday's post.
As some of you may know, I work as a bartender. I do enjoy it, and for every customer who acts like an idiot, there's maybe 50 who don't, but as with anything, it's the idiots who tend to stick in your mind. So I have put together 10 rules of Bar Etiquette. Follow these rules and you will never be THAT customer in any bar :)

1. Know what you want
This applies to the people who stand in a queue bitching that they have to wait (and I’m talking 2-3 minutes here not the 20 they’d have you believe). Then it’s their turn and they start yelling over the packed pub to their table “Dave what you having?”, “Margaret do you want vodka or gin?”, etc and just when they’ve finally got the order sorted, I’ve made the drinks, and I think it’s over, they decide they want to try something new but don’t know what. This is why we have queues!
2. Say please and thank you
Something I wouldn’t have believed would have to be included (bearing in mind everyone in the place is an actual adult) until I started working in a bar – it’s not that hard people!
3. Never ever whistle, snap your fingers or bang on the bar at me
Unless of course you enjoy waiting while I serve literally everyone else, go to the loo and touch up my lippy, have a smoke break, make a coffee, drink the coffee, file my nails, pop outside to see if anyone wants to come in, collect all the glasses and wash all the tables whether they've been used or not. I really can’t stress this one enough!
4. Order all your drinks at once
It makes it quicker for everyone – you, me and the queue behind you if I do all 3 of your vodka and cokes in one trip rather than one at a time. I do this every day. I can and will remember your 6 drink order.
5. Don’t be arsey if I ask you for ID
Not only is it my job, it’s the law – if you are underage and I serve you alcohol, not only will the pub and I get fined, you will too. Take it as a compliment that you look under 21 (we do challenge 21). I have to say though it does give me a laugh when I ID someone and they make a massive show of eye rolling, moaning and all the other stuff they insist on doing, then show me ID that says there were 18 like 3 days ago.
6. Have some money to hand
I’m not insisting you have the exact change, or have the money ready the second I ask, but have it were it is easy to access. You know like a purse or wallet, in your hadbag or pocket not at the bottom of a locked suitcase. You know you have to pay, be getting it ready while you stand in line moaning about waiting!
7. Don’t argue about the price
I don’t mean if you genuinely think there’s been a mistake. I mean the person who asks, for example, “How much is a pint of Carling?” I say “£2.30” and they then say “I’ll give you £2”. Erm no. No, you won’t. Also when buying a packet of crisps, telling me they are cheaper in Asda doesn’t mean I can magically lower the price just for you, but congratulations on your observation skills!
8. Don’t blame me for your mistake
If you ask for a vodka and coke and you meant vodka and lemonade, don’t make out I’m an idiot that made the wrong drink. Admit that you made a mistake ordering it. I am much more likely to switch it for you based on you being a reasonable person who made a mistake than an arsehole yelling at me.
9. Don’t assume buying me a drink means you’re somehow “in” 
I’m not one of those bartenders that thinks every customer has some sort of obligation to buy me a drink. For those that do, I do appreciate it, but I don’t think I’m somehow entitled to it. If however, you do choose to buy me a drink, I think of it as a thank you and by accepting it, I am accepting your thanks, not agreeing to go on a date with you/sleep with you/push you in the queue/sneak you an extra measure or any of the other things some people seem to think it means.
10. Don’t tell me how to do my job
I don’t care that you ran a chain of pubs for 17 years (read here was a glass washer for a weekend and couldn’t handle it). Unless I am on your payroll, I will be doing it my manager’s way, not your way. And for the record, you are not paying my wages, the owner of the pub is. If you don’t come in, I will still get paid believe it or not!

Can you think of any others that should be added? Or how about what bartenders do that drives customers up the wall?
Follow me on Twitter @randommusings29 and feel free to comment :)



A is for Awesome link: http://www.myrandommusings.blogsppot.co.uk/2015/04/a-is-for-awesome.html












You Baby Me Mummy
Mami 2 Five
Modern Dad Pages

Friday 24 April 2015

A Is For Awesome

I'm still excited to start this challenge. I think challenging is going to be the right word though. Its going to take me outside of my usual writing comfort zone I think to find things starting with each letter, but I think that's a good thing. If you don't know how this works, I've posted the link back to the original post at the end of this one.


Day 1 of my A to Z Challenge: A is for Awesome


Here's my list, in no particular order, of 10 things I think are awesome:


1. The Sun
I know we are no longer supposed to sit in the sun, but for me nothing beats it. Whether at home or on holiday, its an instant mood lifter to open your curtains on a morning, look out and see a beautiful day. I think its a British thing - we don't get enough sun here, so when we do get a bit, we make the most of it.


2. Harry Potter
I am a massive geek when it comes to Harry Potter. I love the books and the movies (more about those on "H" day). If I find an article about it on the web it makes my day!


3. Getting lost in a good book
I love it when I find a book that is so good I get lost in it. When I can read it and be so engrossed, people are talking to me and I don't notice. So gutting when it ends though. There is one author that's guaranteed to give me that feeling (clue: I'll will discuss in her in more detail on "J" day).


4. My laptop
I know this one sounds a bit weird, but it's not this laptop specifically, its more being online. I love how I can be connected to so many different things at once. Updating my blog, chatting on Facebook, Tweeting, and reading lots of interesting blogs/articles, all in one place. What's not to love?


5. Socialising
A bit of an obvious one, but there's nothing better than a day or night out with good company. Forgetting about everyday worries, and laughing and joking around. If the company is good enough, it doesn't even matter where you go!


6.Coffee
I mention coffee, because its my go to caffeine fix, but pretty much anything with caffeine works here. It's probably all in my head, but it seems to work as a little pick-me-up when my energy levels are flagging.


7. Writing
I love writing - blog posts, stories, factual articles - I enjoy it all. Its a great way to express yourself, and while I try to stick close to my original draughts (to me they are the most honest when you just write and haven't yet had a chance to doubt yourself), its nice to be able to go back and polish up, change bits that don't make sense. Something you can't do in an actual spoken conversation.


8. Netflix
I think this is something to do with instant gratification. Once I'm into a show, I can't stand waiting a week between episodes, yet alone up to a year between seasons. I love it when I find a show that pulls me in and I can binge watch it to my heart's content.


9. Achieving a goal
I love that feeling when you set out to accomplish something, you've done the work, you've waited out the time and then there it is. Whether its losing weight, starting a blog, finishing a book, learning a language, literally anything. That feeling when you can look back and say I made/did/achieved/finished that is beyond words.


10. Being in love
I said at the beginning that this was in no particular order, but subconsciously, I've saved the best for last. There is no feeling in the world that beats that warm, butterfly in your tummy feeling that being in love brings.


What would yours be?


Follow me on Twitter @randommusings29 and feel free to comment :)


Link to challenge post: http://myrandommusings.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/a-z-challenge-whos-with-me.html




Binky Linky
You Baby Me Mummy

Thursday 23 April 2015

Jamelia, Plus Size, And The Reaction

I thought I would post my views on the whole Jamelia debacle.
First I would like to address the notion that Jamelia is somehow being bullied. Lets take a second to remember that the comments she made were on live national television. She obviously knows anything she says in this context is open to people having an opinion on her views. If she has said something that the nation agreed with no one would be saying "stop agreeing with her, she won't like it". Lets also remember that the group of people she was effectively writing off hadn't put themselves out there to be judged but she did it anyway.
Her comment about people who aren't a "normal size" being made to shop in specialist shops and not being able to buy nice things on the high street was just stupid. It was stupid enough that rather than being offensive it was actually laughable. You just can't make a blanket statement like that without being able to back it up.
Who defines the norm? Her? The retailer? The general public? Do we elect a committee to decide?
In retail, customer is king, so we have to assume that the customer decides the norm, and being that #wearethethey was trending on Twitter yesterday, it seems the customer and Jamelia have very different ideas about the norm.
In the UK, the average dress size for women is a size 16, which is classed as plus size. What retailer in their right mind would stop selling something that is the core of their business? By that logic, the norm would be plus size, and a woman her dress size would be the one shopping in specialist shops and not being able to buy nice things.
For the record, I'm not suggesting that is what should happen. I would suggest that retailers sell whatever they want, aimed at whichever market they want and don't take business advice from someone who has just embarrassed themselves in front of the world.
Whilst I clearly don't agree with her original point, she has a right to think what she wants. The programme she made the comments on is aimed at adults, and I would like to think that as adults we are not that influenced by her opinion of us.
So if she genuinely believes that anyone she deems to be too fat/too thin for her liking should be ostracised, she has a right to think that. It says more about her than it does about the people she is condemning. 
The bit about this whole thing that's really got my back up is the way she has back tracked. I think she genuinely believed that the masses would agree with her. When they didn't she has frantically started protesting what she said, blaming the media for twisting her words. If she had done an interview, then perhaps she could be given the benefit of the doubt. But being that everyone has heard her say this directly, she can't deny it, and trying to is really not helping.
If she had come out and said "yes, I said it, I believe it and here's why" I still wouldn't agree with her, but I could at least respect her for standing up for what she believes in.
But this way she not only comes across as ignorant, but also as spineless. By all means have controversial opinions, I know I do, but stand by them!
I honestly believe if everyone spent less time focused on people's appearance be it size, colour, style, body art and the millions of other things people comment on, and started focusing on people's personalities, the world would be a much nicer place. It would also, I think, dramatically change who is viewed as "beautiful" and who is viewed as "ugly".
I know a lot of people are concerned about young girls seeing these comments and being upset about their bodies, but as I said earlier, the show is aimed at adults, and therefore, we have to assume that comments made aren't suitable for children. I think this is down to individual parents to decide if their child is mature enough to watch the show and not be overly influenced.
I also have to disagree that Jamelia is in anyway a role model for children. I don't think she is popular enough for young people to be concerned about what she thinks. From what I've seen and heard, on social media and in real life, the general consensus from teenage girls is "who is she?".
What does anyone else think?


Follow me on Twitter @randommusings29 and feel free to comment :)



Brilliant blog posts on HonestMum.com

Wednesday 22 April 2015

A-Z Challenge - Who's With Me!

So, I'm going to do the A-Z challenge! I'm quite excited about it. I can't wait to start, but I am going to wait until Friday (I know, contradict myself much!). I'm waiting until Friday simply because its my day off so I will have plenty of tie to plan it out.


A-Z challenge: 26 letters, 26 days, 26 posts. Each post about something starting with the relevant day's letter.


Who's in?


Follow me on Twitter @randommusings29 and feel free to comment :)

Love At First Sight


I don't believe in love at first sight. Does that make me logical, or unromantic or both?
It's impossible to love someone who you have just seen. You don't know them or anything about them.
I believe in being in love with the idea of love at first sight. Let's be honest, its a nice idea. It makes for a much nicer story than "our eyes locked and I thought hmmmm he's not bad looking, then casually continued on with my life". Its better dinner party conversation to say I saw him and knew I loved him than to say I saw him and wanted him. 
I understand why people do believe in it. You love him now and can't remember a time when you didn't, so you call it love at first sight.
You look back to when you first met. You remember that butterfly feeling you got when he first looked at you, first spoke to you, first touched you. And you casually forget that you had those same feelings with countless other men, but didn't come to love them.
I believe in lust at first sight. The power of attraction is strong and could be mistaken for love, but then you get to know him as a person, realise you have nothing in common, he doesn't treat you as you want to be treated or one of a million other reasons and you move on. The next time it happens you do the same. And again. Maybe even again. Then you find the one, and that initial attraction genuinely does become love so you tell yourself you always loved him. It doesn't mean you actually did.
Do you believe in love at first sight?

Follow me on Twitter @randommusings29 and feel free to comment :)