What Makes Us Care - A stunning exhibition

By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

On my way to London today, I find no fewer than three people sleeping rough outside Central Milton Keynes train station.  This is becoming a worrying problem and the statistics don’t lie when it comes to seeing people living in almost unthinkable conditions.

Thames Reach record regular facts and figures on the homelessness and the figures are truly shocking.  6,437 people in the UK were seen sleeping rough between 1 April 2012 and 31 March 2013.  That is an increase of almost 1,000 on the 2011/12 year, and a 43 per cent increase on 2010/11 numbers.  In the autumn of 2012, the estimated total of rough sleeping counts estimated at 2,309 people.  Autumn and winter are the most fraught parts of the year for these kinds of people, as they are totally exposed to the winter elements and are very likely to pick up nasty colds and more pressing issues such as pneumonia. 

The most common reasons for becoming homeless involve an issue of domestic violence, the breakdown of a relationship with a partner or family no longer willing to accommodate a person due to private issues such as rent payments or even a criminal conviction. 

I was appalled when reading this, but what can be done about it?  Awareness of this issue needs to be highlighted more, particularly as we are now approaching the time where temperatures drop and the nights draw rapidly in.  One individual has decided to put a unique twist on this, and the results are simply spectacular.

'What Makes Us Care is worth visiting'

‘What Makes Us Care’ is a free exhibition at St. Martin in the Fields in London near Charing Cross tube station.  The exhibition has been put together by Kathryn Prescott and the photography is simply breathtaking and stunning to witness.  I went to the viewings on Saturday, and I really felt a connection with the expression portrayed in the photos.  It might be a small collection, but it is magnificent.  Every one of the pictures on display really do tell a story.

Prescott is known for her TV work as a talented actress in the former E4 teen drama Skins, which came to an end at the start of August after seven successful years on the box.  She has managed to get stars from Skins, along with cast members from popular shows such as Glee, Waterloo Road and Shameless to be photographed in a vulnerable state.  

Her idea of putting recognised faces in dark and uncompromising scenarios is an inspired idea.  You never know what might happen – it could be one of us next.  There is a huge block of the UK population who have a settled job, are financially secure and committed in a happy and loving relationship.  However it only takes one of these aspects to disappear, and a life on the streets might not be far away.  By putting familiar faces from TV in this gallery, Kat has managed to tell a strong and powerful story and it makes ‘What Makes Us Care’ a standout exhibit.

Shot mainly around London but also in Los Angeles in the United States, the likes of Georgia Henshaw, Elliot Tittensor, Kaya Scodelario, Ollie Barbieri and Craig Roberts have been photographed for this unique show.  Kat’s partner in the on-screen ‘Naomily’ story in Skins, Lily Loveless is another who has gone under the microscope.

Graphically astute and detailed to the absolute precise detail you could imagine, it is worth going even for just an hour after work or on a free weekend.  I’m not a massive fan of art but I know when I see a stunning photograph, scenic beauty or portrayal of someone.

The pictures range from Henshaw with a graffiti background looking emotionally drained, Chuck Hittenger looking up towards the sky, but laying down in fairly uncomfortable surroundings and Megan Prescott, Kat’s sister looking lost, lonely and heartbroken on a dull London day with her arms resting against her cute but disconsolate face.

Kathryn Prescott has produced some great work

Kathryn Prescott is still only 22 years old and is remarkably multi-talented.  Her portrayal of the popular lesbian teen character Emily Fitch in series three and four of Skins, along with a brief cameo in the most recent final series won her many fans and plenty of critical acclaim.  The love story of Emily and Naomi (played by Loveless) in the show opened a door previously closed in British drama of female relationships and dealing with their sexuality.  It was a cracking portrayal of a same-sex relationship and it was about two characters falling in love rather than just a chance or drunk encounter that other shows in the past decided to focus on when putting two female characters together. 

Since Skins, Prescott has appeared in Sky One drama Bedlam, Being Human and long-running BBC medical drama Casualty.  All of these roles were packed with drama, passion and intrigue.  Not only can she act, but she has shown that she is a very skilled photographer.  It shows that young people who are often stereotyped in this country as loud, snobbish and utter failures can do some great things.  She is a shining example for those who want to make something of themselves and do something tremendous in their spare time. 

The exhibition is set in a historic location

‘What Makes Us Care’ remains open until the middle of October and A3 prints of all 20 photos taken are available to be bought online, signed by Kat herself.  All proceeds from the prints will go to The Big Issue and Centrepoint youth charities with the aim to not only help two causes, but to highlight the issues of living on the streets, sleeping rough and struggling to eat a decent meal.  This shouldn’t happen and as already highlighted, numbers are also on the increase.  By doing this the message is now out there to severely reduce these crippling figures and I hope Prescott’s hard work, along with make-up artists Summm Agnew and Krystle Gohel and the printers at Metro Imaging is rewarded with a fantastic total for two worthy charities.

I will be buying an A3 print of one of the photos to show my support and I would recommend this exhibition to anyone who is a fan of photography, the actress or Skins to come down to London and see ‘What Makes Us Care.’  The photography is masterful, the setting where it is situated is very historic and it has opened my eyes to people who don’t have the lucky breaks the majority of us have.  Many of us have access to luxuries such as 3D TV’s, clever smartphones and flashy sportscars.  Others who live rough have to battle illness, and struggle to get a decent roast dinner.  ‘What Makes Us Care’ is a real highlight and it is all for some great causes.

‘What Makes Us Care’ is open until 13 October 2013 and is free to visit. 

For more information on the exhibition and to buy a print, visit www.bigissue.org.uk/whatmakesuscare  A3 prints are £30 individually or £120 for five and all proceeds are split between the two charities, The Big Issue and Centrepoint.

To make a donation, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/whatmakesuscare

Categories: Exhibition, Georgia Henshaw, Homeless, Kathryn Prescott, London, Los Angeles, Milton Keynes, Photography, UK, What Makes Us Care

Why Amazon isn't always the best place to buy gadgets online

By Simon Wright - Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

This article was first commissioned by TheRankTank

The buying habits of the everyday shopper have changed considerably. Retail outlets continue to diminish, as a solid proportion of us opt to do our shopping online. Gone are the days of heading to Woolworths or Jessops to pick up a bargain, or get the excellent customer service we rely on. Today the likes of Amazon dominate our thoughts, whilst many retail stores have had to embrace the change in habits, and make a viable business online.

Amazon has been an online leader, but there are some downsides

For many years, Amazon (warehouse pictured) has been the preferred choice to buy gadgets online. However it isn’t always the best place to purchase the latest technological advances, from cameras and game consoles, to iPods/MP3 players.

Before committing to buying online, make sure to check out the latest deals. Sure, Amazon is going to be on many people’s shopping list. They definitely do an excellent range of products but it might not be the best deal around. The process can be time-consuming but it will be better in the long run to save money if a more specialised website is offering the same product you are after that Amazon has. In that way, having knowledge of online shopping websites before you begin is advantageous. There’s eBay, the standard online shop from retail stores, Play.com or specialist shops. For example, the choice of printer cartridges is better on Amazon, but prices are often far more expensive to a specialist shop like Printerbasics.com.  

When going to shop on Amazon, the important face-to-face transaction with shop assistants is lost. In the recession, the success of the online market has driven gadget-driven stores like Comet to the wall, whilst others such as HMV and Game have been in administration. It is fine to shop online and again, Amazon can offer a better range, and handy information about the product but not the technical information that might be required. Consumers after a new tablet or laptop should always try Currys/PC World. The sales assistants are there to do a job, will offer tremendous service to buyers and nine times out of ten, you’ll walk out of the store with the latest model and a huge smile on your face for the faultless shopping experience. No matter what they try, Amazon can’t offer this.

The risk of shopping online is the quality of the product. Amazon does offer some quick delivery options and free shipping of products, but third-party websites won’t, and that could mean paying over the odds for the item the customer is after. The service is not always totally reliable, and the estimated dispatch date can be inaccurate. Be aware of high postage charges on Amazon. At the end of the day, they are a business just like anyone else who want your money and are keen to make a handy profit at the end of the year.

Amazon is a good starting point for many but make sure to shop around to get the best buy and always be aware of the product you want before purchasing.

Categories: Amazon, eBay, HMV, Jessops, Laptop, Money, Play.com, Printer Cartridges, Retail, Tablet

The UK's best selling male grooming products

By Simon Wright - Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

All articles are available and were written on TheRankTank.com

Earlier in the summer, I wrote some retail pieces for the website TheRankTank.com.  The Rank Tank is a site that promotes the best selling products for a variety of companies, and it is the job of the writers like myself to produce detailed and informative content about the various sectors assigned to us.

There are areas on the site for a whole range of products.  This ranges from toys and games to computing and entertainment segments.  I was set the task of researching the top five male grooming products.  

Below is the top five, led by V05 Extreme Style Matt Clay

V05 EXTREME STYLE MATT CLAY

BEST PRICE: £2.50 at Amazon

Using V05 Extreme Style will give many men the good look

Most men want to look good, whether that is for an important business meeting or looking to impress the ladies on a night out in the town.  So you need to get the right hairstyle, and this won’t be a problem with use of V05 Extreme Style Matt Clay.  Its job is to create a choppy look to your hair, making you feel amazing without having to work hard to get the ideal look.

This product is ideal for those looking to create definition with a matte finish and at its current low price, is an absolute bargain.  The product was winner at the FHM Fashion & Grooming Awards in 2007 so it is unlikely users will be disappointed with the final result.  To use, simply apply a very small content onto dry hair, work a small amount of clay between your fingers, run through your hair and create the choppy look you dreamt of.  The unique formula of V05 Extreme Style Matt Clay (pictured) also means it washes out extremely easily without needing to worry about any effects afterwards.  So if you’re looking to create an intriguing look without shine, Matt Clay will do the job required.

TONY & GUY MEN STYLING FIBRE

BEST PRICE: £6.95 at Amazon

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Tony & Guy with use of this product

The Styling Fibre for Men from the recognised brand Tony & Guy (pictured) will create a matte finish and some casual looks, although this product should only be used in moderation and not in large contents.

Established back in 1963, Tony & Guy are celebrating their 50^th anniversary of existence this year so why not take advantage of this milestone.  It is one product that once used for the first time; you will probably use it again.  Loosen the product between the palms of your hands and work delicately through dry hair for a hold that is bound to provide satisfaction.  Tony & Guy Men Styling Fibre will provide the opportunity to integrate creative looks with classic styles providing a slick and smooth finish.

L'OREAL EXPERT HYDRA ENERGETIC BLACK CHARCOAL FACE WASH

BEST PRICE: £5.10 at FeelUnique.com

Dullness and stickiness is a thing of the past with the use of L'Oreal

Some care more about hair and skin than others, and L’Oreal certainly fits into the former category.  No wonder this is the case when adverts in their established history on TV have included the likes of actor Gerard Butler and dashing former French footballer David Ginola.

Now L’Oreal has come up with a product that makes male skin look superb, especially in tough times.  For the first time ever, the Expert Hydra Energetic X-Treme introduces black charcoal – a purifying agent in a foaming wash.  The job is to eliminate the dirt and pollution that can crop up on the skin on a daily basis, an issue when working in the big UK cities.  The effects could mean your skin looks dull and has lost its shine edge.  This is when L’Oreal (product pictured) comes in to sort the problem out.

The product acts on skin and dethrones the dirt effect.  Not only that, but it helps fight five problems that can be caused by daily city grime.  Stickiness disappears; dullness is beaten and the shine in skin returns, alongside tackling blackheads and enlarged pores.  This is a cleansing innovation that must be tried.  L’Oreal continues to set the standard because you’re worth it!

VEET FOR MEN HAIR REMOVAL GEL CREAM

BEST PRICE: £7.15 at FeelUnique.com

Veet For Men Hair Removal is suitable for use on many areas

Those concerned about hair removal should fear no more, especially when using the Veet for Men Hair Removal Cream. For use in the shower, the many ingredients contained, including Magnesium Trisilicate, Propylene Glycol and Potassium Hydroxide will leave skin smoother for longer than you’d get from regular shaves and that often stubby regrowth of hair.

The cream is suitable for use on many areas of the male body, such as chest, back, shoulders and legs. Simply put the product on delicately, and rinse off for smooth skin in no more than four minutes. If that is a bit too quick, then try six minutes but no more than that, otherwise the excellent results can’t be guaranteed.

Before use for the first time, make sure to read the directions for use. It might sound tedious but to get the best skin comfort, then I recommend doing this before use. And don’t use on your face or in more private areas.

It might come with plenty of requirements, but Veet for Men have come up with a top product and have been vigilant to let people know of what could happen if not used properly. However use it correctly and you’ll wonder how you ever got by without it.

JUST FOR MEN HAIR COLOURANT

Best Price: £6.99 at 123 Hair & Beauty

Another pressing concern for many men who age is how grey our hair gets.  So don’t complain and do something about it. Use the Just for Men Hair Colourant product, and those worries will become a thing of the past. The shampoo-in hair colour targets 100 per cent of those grey hairs, and is the most traditional way to deal with a problem like this. Afterwards, your hair feels gentle, calm and good once again.

Just For Men eliminates the grey hair factor

Just for Men (pictured) have come up with a variety of different colours that range from sandy blond to ash brown. The above price on the website 123 Hair & Beauty is for the natural jet black colour. The cost can vary depending on hair colour at some outlets, but we aren’t talking vast differences.

What’s more, this isn’t a product you use for five minutes then you need to purchase more. One application should last the minimum of a month and if lucky, upto six weeks before needing further use. Grey disappears in just five minutes, often a shorter length than an average shave.

The instructions for use are simple. Apply, wait five minutes then rinse out. Just for Men Hair Colourant ensures grey hair drifts away in almost an instant.

Categories: 1963, 2007, Amazon, Colour, Cream, David Ginola, FHM, Gerard Butler, Hair, L'Oreal, Matt Clay, Men, Retail, UK, V05

The UK's best selling skincare products

By Simon Wright - Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

All articles are available and were written on TheRankTank.com

Earlier in the summer, I wrote some retail pieces for the website TheRankTank.com.  The Rank Tank is a site that promotes the best selling products for a variety of companies, and it is the job of the writers like myself to produce detailed and informative content about the various sectors assigned to us.

There are areas on the site for a whole range of products.  This ranges from toys and games to computing and entertainment segments.  I was set the task of researching the top five skincare products for the male specimen on this planet.  

Below is the top five, with Nivea for Men as expected leading the way.

NIVEA FOR MEN REHYDRATING MOISTURISER

BEST PRICE: £5.20 at Amazon

Nivea products have always been very successful

One of the most annoying issues for men is the development of dry skin, especially on our faces. For supreme protection from this aspect, use Nivea for Men Rehydrating Moisturiser. Apply to the areas that need the most attention, mainly facial and neck areas twice a day. Before applying for the maximum result, use either Exfoliating Face Scrub or Nivea for Men Deep Clean Face Wash.

Nivea is a proven winning product. Between the years of 2004 and 2010, it was voted number one in skincare range by readers of FHM magazine.  Men who use this product can trust to get the results they are looking for. Afterwards, their skin will feel smooth and supple, and it will look healthy again, alienating those dry patches that for some can be very tempting to pick away at. It also helps protect the skin against harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Nivea for Men Rehydrating Moisturiser (pictured above) is formulated with special Vitamin E and Provitamin B5, and provides solid and effective protection from dry facial skin for 24 hours. It is a handy product to use to keep the male breed looking cool.

NIP+MAN SCRUBBING FACE WASH

BEST PRICE: £5.95 at Boots

Using Nip+Man on a daily basis will produce the right results

Nip+Man Scrubbing Face Wash (pictured) should be used daily to retexture and resurface skin elements while Caffeine Extract brightens and refreshes your face. This product is currently not available in the United States, so the potential of it expanding into a wider market is most definitely there. Use this on a daily basis and it can be used as a pre-shave preparation product to allow for a smoother and relaxing shave.

The use of the Brazilian Papaya chemical provides the results you would be looking for. Put a very delicate amount onto your hand when using the product, then place gently into damp skin areas that are causing irritation. Finally rinse with warm water to get the complete facial experience. It makes your skin feel completely re-energised, ready for another day in any occupation of life. The contents of 150ml might sound small, especially when you consider the best prices but as long as individuals are careful and don’t use it in one go, a tube of this should last approximately two or three months.

Nip+Man Scrubbing Face Wash is one of the leading male skincare products on the market at the moment, and it provides cool cleansing and eccentric energetic results to your skin.

NO7 MEN POST SHAVE RECOVERY BALM

BEST PRICE: £8 at Boots

Say goodbye to raw skin with use of No7 for Men

No7 for Men Post Shave Recovery Balm (pictured) is an exclusive product of major pharmaceutical giant Boots and is currently unavailable in any of the leading supermarkets or internet shopping websites. This indicates it is a rare product and a leader in its particular targeted market.

This is a skincare product that is suitable for those who have sensitive skin. It should be used after shaving. Boots have come up with a product that not only replenishes skin texture, but leaves it feeling calm and soft after use.

This product shouldn’t be used in large quantities. In fact, all you need to do is squeeze a small amount onto the palm of your hand, and we’re talking th amount of about the size of a fingertip. Rub the contents onto both of your hands to leave an even amount on each hand. Then massage onto all areas of your face, but pay the most attention to those parts that are creating high irritation or elements of redness.

Boots have worked hard to push this product, thanks to their skincare experts and the result is No7 for Men Post Shave Recovery Balm means you can wave goodbye to irritated and raw skin after shaving.      

PALMER COCOA BUTTER MEN BODY AND FACE LOTION

Best Price: £2.99 at HealthMonthly.co.uk

Palmer’s is the UK’s number one Cocoa Butter Brand and it has now created its first Body and Face Lotion for men. This product offers effective no-nonsense masculine skincare.

Palmer's Cococa Butter Formula works all over the male body

For use on a daily basis, it can be used in small or bigger quantities. Gently massage the contents used onto your skin after washing. The main ingredients of Vitamin E and Cocoa Butter will combat areas of dry skin, and also parts that have undergone rough layers.

However don’t just save this for facial skin, as you can apply the product all over your body, ideally after you’ve bathed or showered. The male specimen won’t need to worry whether they then look a bit of a fool in the immediate aftermath. Palmer Cocoa Butter is both non-greasy and the ingredients allow for it to dry fast and quickly onto applied areas. The product is also ideal to use after shaving.

Although it is freely available in many of the regular shops, best deal with free delivery is actually online on the website HealthMonthly.co.uk. You won’t regret going there either.

Providing soothing skincare, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula for Men (pictured above) has been made for males, to be used by males and to give males an excellent finish.

LAB SERIES PRO LS ALL-IN-ONE FACE TREATMENT

Best Price: £22 at John Lewis

Dealing with four skin treatments makes Lab Series Pro expensive

Now this is a product that is completely different from many in its skincare range competition. Lab Series Pro LS All-In-One Face Treatment (pictured) doesn’t just deal with one area of your skin, it deals with four.  It is a four in one treatment, and that is why the price seems quite expensive. However you will get your money’s value for using this product.

For those wanting to know just what aspects the product covers, it soothes, moisturises and repairs skin, and provides the mattifying treatment. This is ideal to use in a post-shaving environment, so either after a testing day in the work office or a hard workout in the gym. With the 50ml tube, you get more than what might be expected considering the best price, which is matched by Boots, but John Lewis online services offer free delivery, whilst Boots don’t.

The absorbing formulas limit the appearance of skin redness and irritation, meaning it looks refreshed after shaving. The shine control protection absorbs oil instantly leaving for a cleaner finish and damage repair eliminates the ugly appearance of dine lines and wrinkles.

With four treatments in one, and designed to be used anytime of the day, the All-In-One Face Treatment provides the complete package.

Categories: Amazon, Boots, Brazilian, Butter, Caffeine, Environment, FHM, John Lewis, Men, Moisturiser, Nivea, Office, Skin, Treatment, UK

Celebrating a year of Viewing Perspectives

By Simon Wright - Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

Today (10 September) marks a year since Viewing Perspectives was launched.  

I want to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has even read one post on here in the past 365 days, and to those who regularly read the content that appears on this site, ranging from TV reviews and Grand Prix race reports to general feelings on some of life's more difficult questions using some of my personal experiences along the way.

Running two websites at the moment is not easy, but it is a challenge and running this site provides less pressure than the football website I continue to write and create. 

There will be plenty more content from Viewing Perspectives ranging from around 4-8 posts per month and review of the year will also be back in several different forms when 2013 draws to its conclusion.

Feel free to look back at my portfolio from the past year, and continue to enjoy and indulge in the content that will appear on Viewing Perspectives in the coming months.

Happy anniversary!

Simon (pictured) (Writer and creator of Viewing Perspectives)

Categories:

Supporting two worthy causes

By Simon Wright - Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

Landing the current full-time role back in the middle of July felt great.  Not only did it provide a comfortable income for the first time since the end of those student loans we all relied on during the University days, it gave me the encouragement to do something else I’m happy to do.

Starting last month, I am giving something back to a couple of worthy charities, who need all the promotion and support required to make lives better for those who are more unfortunate, or had a real unlucky break in life.

Despite my bad run of luck when it came to job applications, I can claim to be one of the fortunate ones.  I might be unlucky in love, but am very privileged with what else I have.

I have a loving family, some close friends, professional acquaintances, decent health, a good income, clothes to wear, regular foot to eat and the odd luxury here and there.  When I say luxury that is being able to treat yourself to a new shirt for work, or a new autobiography to read from Amazon or Waterstones, not things like swimming pools, tennis courts or Lamborghinis!

Others in the United Kingdom are not so lucky, and if you expand that to a worldwide scale – then think about the people trapped in Syria at the moment.  You can’t imagine what they are going through as they try to flee a country that is in the news for all the wrong reasons at the moment.

Go further back in time and think about those affected by natural disasters, such as the Asian tsunami of Boxing Day 2004, the earthquake that devastated Haiti in 2010 and the horrific Japanese tsunami of March 2011.  All of these have happened because of the force of Mother Nature.  No-one deserves this kind of element, but it is sadly a cruel part of the world we live in.  I made a donation to those who suffered in Haiti because it was something I wanted to do, and felt they needed the aid.  For example, while I might have been enjoying my University experience, some of the sufferers in Haiti would probably have been struggling to get a proper meal or a clean glass of water. 

For me though, the people and the families I utterly feel for the most is when they get a devastating health setback that can change their lives forever.  For the majority, this is another wicked form of the planet we share together.

I’ve always wanted to give something back, and that meant making donations to charities that most definitely deserve my support in their battles to make life easier for more unfortunate people.  It is something I’ve wanted to do for a while too, but never been able to, until I got into a settled financial position with suitable income coming in.  Now I have this, I am happier to make a contribution back to the less fortunate.

Therefore I am proud to announce that from last month, I set-up a regular monthly donation to two great charities and they are the British Heart Foundation and Teenage Cancer Trust.

The BHF are doing some fantastic work

The British Heart Foundation is the nation’s leading charity for tackling heart disease.  Currently, there are almost 2.7m people living in the UK with coronary heart disease and the numbers are rising.  That statistic shocked me when I read the booklet the BHF sent to me on the donation I started recently, but I know they are doing some incredible work to change these numbers for the better.  I know that with my small contribution on a monthly basis, I could be helping research for understanding heart disease and how it occurs and how it can be cured.  There are so many ways where you can help out, whether that is doing charity events or making a regular contribution which is what I’m doing.  The BHF’s official Twitter channel sent me a tweet last month to thank me for my donation, and it is one of the main charities I always wanted to do something for in close proximity.

Teenage Cancer Trust is an amazing cause that I'm delighted to be a part of

Teenage Cancer Trust (logo pictured) is another amazing cause that I only really started researching more recently.  Every day, six young people across the UK are told they will have some form of cancer, whether that is lung, pancreatic, testicular or any other form of this deadly disease.  Being a young adult myself, this is something that you simply can’t comprehend if you received this devastating diagnosis.  Teenage Cancer Trust is working very hard to build specialist teenage cancer units in NHS hospitals up and down the UK.  They might have only been around for two decades, but they have been supported by many famous people.  They include boyband Blue, film star Nicholas Hoult and the England football team. 

While I haven’t personally been affected by any family loss to these diseases, I am fully aware of their hard work and a couple of scenarios – one fiction and one in the real world made me want to support both causes even more.

In March 2012, the football world came together in support for the footballer Fabrice Muamba.  Muamba was a fit athlete at the peak of his powers and playing in the Premier League for Bolton Wanderers when he suffered a shock cardiac arrest and collapsed on the turf at White Hart Lane during an FA Cup quarter-final between his side and Tottenham Hotspur.  Despite being clinically dead for 78 minutes, Muamba miraculously survived and recently became a dad for the second time.  Although his football career came to an end, he still has his life and he is working with the British Heart Foundation to get defibrillators into football grounds up and down the country.  Football has always been a huge part of who I am as a personality, and when you see something like that, it does shake you up and you want to help out as best as you can. 

Earlier this year, E4 teen drama Skins took the brave decision to hand a cancer storyline in their final series to one of their leading characters.  Naomi Campbell played by the talented actress Lily Loveless was given the shock diagnosis that she had cancer in Skins Fire.  Sadly, this would have an unhappy ending and as treatments including radiotherapy and chemotherapy didn’t work, the cancer spread and ended up being incurable.  Naomi would end up dying at a young age, and whilst there was anger at the heartbreaking ending given to the popular ‘Naomily’ couple in Skins, it was a brave and sensitive issue that the production team tackled.  While it could have perhaps been given better coverage, it did highlight the threat of cancer to youngsters, even in their early 20s.  Watching these episodes was really sad, and although I disagreed with the final outcome, I accepted that it had a powerful impact for the following watching the show. 

These two tales, one that happened in real-life and one that happened in television portray the emotions that can be felt when lives are suddenly turned upside down.  It encouraged me to support these two charities even more and I’m delighted to now be doing that. 

I can now say that I am supporting two tremendous causes and this gives me joy and happiness to be part of the fight to tackle two health issues that need more public attention because they deserve it.  I hope that with my regular donations, I will be helping to make lives better. 

Together, the numbers can decrease of those who have to live with heart problems and cancer and I am proud to be joining the fight to tackle the statistics.

Categories: Asia, Blue, Boxing Day, British Heart Foundation, Charity, E4, Fabrice Muamba, Haiti, NHS, Nicholas Hoult, Syria, Teenage Cancer Trust, Tsunami, UK

The travelling desire

By Simon Wright - Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

Tomorrow marks the start of my ninth week in my newish role as a picture researcher for a leading company in stickers and trading cards.  While I can’t go into much detail, it has been a good and worthy experience.  I have settled into a routine, get on well with the whole team, contribute to all projects that we have undertaken as a team so far and if I’ve made any mistakes, I’ve always learnt from the slight errors.

I am now halfway through the contract given to me when I accepted the role, and it means I need to start thinking about my short-term plans yet again.  Plan A is most definitely to stay where I am at the moment.  When I did my journalism degree between 2009 and 2012, I didn’t imagine ending up being a picture researcher to be honest, but things can’t have gone much better, and I really do not want to return to the position I was in during the first six months of 2013.  That was a feeling of insecurity, frustration and at times, feeling depressed as I started to ponder a life without any real purpose to it.  I love where I am working at the moment, and ideally will want to continue there in the short-term.  I am still doing a couple of minor writing tasks in freelance positions, and am attempting to run two websites at the same time, and that isn’t easy.

Longer term and the goal is to land a dream job writing in journalism or media – preferably on sport, but flexible to go into other sectors (excluding politics and religion!)  One area that interests me and allowed me to develop a new skill earlier this year is travel writing.  There is a desire to go travelling at some point in my life, and that could happen in the future I’ve considered.

When I was at University, the idea of travelling and seeing the world never really appealed to me.  I’m a close-knitted individual – in terms of keeping my family and friends close to me, and while I always wanted to own some kind of property abroad when the money started rolling in, travelling or living abroad almost full-time just wasn’t a viable option.

That element changed back in January when I started doing some flexible writing guides for the website Holiday-Weather.com.  Unfortunately this venture only lasted four months and three travel destinations, but it was the only element of the first six months of this year that I look back on with pride and satisfaction.  Writing travel guides was right outside my usual comfort zone, but it was something I took on and got quite excited about.  Looking on the internet at some of the awesome accommodation destinations, and amazing activities made me slightly jealous of not being there.

The world can offer some beautiful sights and shots

I have been abroad before and on many occasions too.  My first foreign holiday was to Lanzarote in the Canary Islands in December 1999.  As a family, we used to escape the chilly weather and spend Christmas and sometimes New Year in far hotter climes.  Christmas 2000 was spent in Tunisia, 2001 in Gran Canaria, 2002 in Tenerife and again in 2005.  There have also been holidays in Malaga, Faro in Portugal and more recently, Fuerteventura in August 2011.

I went to Fuerteventura in 2011 feeling so happy to leave the UK.  At the time, the country was being burned to the ground with nightly riots across the land, and it sickened me.  Part of me wished it was a one-way ticket to Fuerteventura.  The holiday itself was relaxing, fantastic and hot, and walking down the promenades near the beach, I actually pictured a future here and away from Britain for the first time in my life.  It is a destination I’d love to return to again in the future, and who knows what might happen in the longer run.

Fuerteventura was a great experience two years ago, and a place I'd love to return to

There is a desire to see more of the world now.  Earlier this year with the lack of job opportunities and potential, I hatched a Plan B to go away for 12 months and see different destinations in a budget range.  The list included cities such as Paris, Montreal, Abu Dhabi, Auckland in New Zealand and Barcelona.  I even briefly considered going to Brazil to experience the atmosphere of next summer’s World Cup finals.  Whilst some of these ambitions were unlikely and mainly non-starters, it did suggest I was happy to go and explore places I could never have dreamt of even two years ago.  And that is down to the writing work I did for Holiday-Weather in the first part of this year.

I am proud to be British and that faith was restored last year by the way we celebrated the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games, something that I had seriously questioned in 2011 after the riots up and down the land.  England will always be my home, and Milton Keynes will always be my hometown.  That won’t change, but there is now a plan in place should things not work out to go and spread my wings.

If people want to go and see the world, whether that is the skyscrapers of Kuala Lumpur, the romance of Venice or Paris, or some of the great wildlife Down Under in Oz, they should do it.  Life is unpredictable and no-one knows what is around the corner.  While I like to be settled and in a comfort zone of my choice, there is a travelling factor I am happy to consider.  Being realistic, it is unlikely for me to make a move abroad in the near future; but it is something I’m considering in my longer-term plans (meaning around five years down the road etc.) 

Make the most of the possibilities.  Go to explore Monaco’s riches, or the pyramids of Egypt.  Picture a world abroad and the possibilities are endless.  What would be your dream destination to live in the future?

Despite the worldwide recession created by the unreliable banking sector, there is still some gorgeous scenery across the planet.  Don’t ever rule out a world move – it could be one of those decisions where it is scary at first, but the experience becomes totally worth it.

Categories: 2013, Accommodation, December, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Journalism, Lanzarote, Malaga, New Year, Pictures, Portugal, Pyramids, Tenerife, Travelling, Tunisia, University