Saturday night TV - The dream line-up

Once upon a time Saturday night TV used to a barrel of laughs and entertainment.  Nowadays, it is just pitiful and dismal.

Strictly Come Dancing is the only half-decent programme on a Saturday night now and watching Fix Factor on ITV1 is now something of the past.

While I have developed a real hatred for a programme of wannabees with a lack of talent and judges who are losing creditability with every passing week (I’m talking to you Gary and Nicole), this post is not going to turn into a panel bashing moan about the worst TV programme around now.

So, I wanted to take a trip down yesteryear to the 1990s and a time where the viewer was spoilt for choice. 

Starting from a regular 5pm slot until 10.30pm – this is my dream Saturday night line-up.

5pm – Catchphrase (ITV1)

You’ve just got in from a busy day trundling around the shops, or you’ve done a full day of housework or you come in from a tough day watching your side lose 15-0 at home to Barnet in the football. 

To start this evening off, a little bit of light-hearted entertainment to begin with in the form of Catchphrase.

5.30pm – Big Break (BBC One)

Snooker is not the most attractive sport.  In fact, it is pretty boring to watch but comedy shines through here with the trick shots and fast-paced games like Red Hot and Make or Break.  That’s what snooker should be all about.

Throw in comedian Jim Davidson and Big Break was an attractive pull in its day.

6pm – Gladiators (ITV1)

I miss these days of the super powerful Gladiators who used to be mine and most people’s superheroes.

The days of Wolf behaving badly all the time, the acrobatics from gorgeous girls Lightning and Jet, Mr. Nice Guy Saracen, the deadly Nightshade and the king of the Duel, Shadow.

The whole show was entertaining, competitive and compelling, made up by tackling the toughest assault course in its peak in the Eliminator. 

Now if you still don’t feel entertained, then what is wrong with you?

7pm – Noel’s House Party (BBC One)

Switching channels again can be a chore but it was worth it for some spectacular entertainment in the shape of Noel’s House Party.

Forget Mr. Blobby, Noel’s House Party was phenomenal and provided a bundle of laughs throughout.

Noel Edmonds has become a pale shadow of himself on Deal or No Deal but he did entertain the crowd, especially with games such as Gotcha and Grab a Grand!

8.15pm – Blind Date or You Bet! (ITV1)

Back to channel three on your remote control but Cilla Black was a regular presenter of a show on a Saturday night.

Blind Date was the perfect matchmaking show and it produced some couples who were a match made in heaven and others who simply didn’t work out.

Sometimes, You Bet! was also a brilliant show as teams had to try and get the better of a challenge in a time limit, with a studio audience helping the selection and charity proving to be the main winner.

Also, the loser in the celebrity panel had to a do a celebrity dare, which was the best part of the programme!  Matthew Kelly was a brilliant host, Darren Day less so!

9.30pm – Who wants to be a Millionaire? (ITV1)

Add some tension to your Saturday night and some drama too and I’m not talking about Casualty here!

In its prime, Who Wants to be a Millionaire could attract plenty of high audiences as Chris Tarrant asked the questions towards a £1million pounds.

Plus, there are the three lifelines, such as 50:50, the sometimes forgettable Ask the Audience and the occasional clueless Phone a Friend.

10.30pm – Match of the Day (BBC One)

Probably a predictable choice for me but while ITV show an old film from the 1980s, I’d prefer to watch the compelling highlights from the day’s action in the FA Premier League.

Match of the Day is the perfect finale to a perfect Saturday night.

So there you go, inside the mind of a perfect Saturday night on television.  If only we can move back in time to change schedules!

Categories: Big Break, Catchphrase, Gladiators, Jet, Jim Davidson, Lightning, Match of the Day, Nightshade, Noel Edmonds, Saracen, Saturday, TV, Wolf, You Bet!

Finding closure

The Uni experience is over for me - it is time to move on

My life has changed massively throughout 2012 and I knew that was going to happen at the start of the year.

When I left University and Northampton behind in June of this year, it felt sad.  A chapter full of colourful memories was being closed for good.

Recently, I went back to Uni to collect all the work that had been marked over the summer, leading to the confirmation of my 2:1 final classification grade for the BA Hons Journalism course I had been on.

Weird being back

It felt really weird being back inside the institution and the town that I had practically lived in since 2009.  Walking past my old address and seeing the curtains open at the room I used to rent for two years felt odd.

Strolling down the pathway, walking across the Racecourse (the day name for the park on St. George’s Avenue), and memories came flooding back of the Uni experience.

I have some great times to look back over and I’m sure that if I ever wrote an autobiography on my life (unlikely but never say never), this chapter might well be the easiest. 

It was nice to see some of the lecturers who had guided me through the challenges a degree throws at you and it does push you to the brink.  I experienced that feeling at least twice.

I updated them on the progress and the desire of trying to make that crucial breakthrough for my future.

Chances are slim

I hadn’t been back to Northampton after graduation day and that had been slightly frustrating.

The chances of going back there on a night out look slim to say the least and it felt like the long goodbye was finally over.  It was something that had started back in April when my dissertation was handed in and it WAS now over.

In a way, it was a good thing to finally find some closure.  I miss the Uni days a lot and although I have been keeping myself busy with lots of unpaid work, the comforts of dependable independence, student loans and clubbing nights with coursemates are areas that still were being missed, greatly in some quarters.

Now I know that it is all over.  It is difficult to let something go and in my view admittedly, it has taken longer to readjust to another life.

The life I had between September 2009 and May 2012 won’t ever be forgotten but time doesn’t stand still and it is definitely time to move on.

An unforgettable experience

UoN gave me some tough times but also some great memories

Collecting all my work (being the first student to do so apparently too…) felt like all my business in Northampton had been concluded.  No need to pester, beg or annoy people.  I probably had been doing that all summer and in some areas, throughout the journalism course.

11 days have passed since I was briefly back.  While it is difficult to say that I will definitely never return to Northampton – it did give me some great times and who knows what the future holds.

I might be back in the town in some capacity down the line, though that is likely to be flying visits than anything else.

So, it brings a conclusion to what was an unforgettable experience.  I am delighted I went to embrace the University culture and although I wasn’t the easiest person to understand or know, I hope I left my mark on some people and won’t be forgotten.

I have now found closure.  The Uni life is over but as one chapter comes to a satisfying and emotional conclusion, a new one will begin because that is what life is all about.

Categories: 2012, Dissertation, Graduation, Journalism, Lecturers, University, University of Northampton

The graduate job market

You would have thought that after getting a 2:1 degree classification from a three-year journalism course in the summer, it would have been easy to get a paid job. 

Realistically, that was never going to happen and so it is proving out to be the case.  In an uncertain economic climate, the graduate job market has serious pressures. 

Nobody wants to be unemployed especially as in my case; you have moved back home to live with parents and are having to pay to stay there. 

Although I am doing some freelance work in my free time, the process has been frustrating to go through.  Even the retail industry isn’t interested, which doesn’t help matters.

Shortly after I finished my degree, I was lucky enough to get an online internship with Total Football Magazine, initially during Euro 2012 and as a sub-editor and features writer.

I impressed the editor so much that I got promoted into the deputy editor role from the beginning of this month, which has extra responsibility and has made life much tougher for me.

Growing frustrations

The challenges thrown at me have been immense and largely, I have enjoyed the experience despite some growing frustrations along the way.

I am being tutored by an editor who was masses amounts of experience in the media industry and he knows what he is talking about. 

Trust me, stray commas, sentence structure and poor headlines have annoyed me too!

He changed my covering letter from a dull and drab piece into a sharper, shorter piece. 

While I shouldn’t be using a template and won’t be from now on, his example to me was invaluable for myself.  I apologise now to anyone who thinks I’m a boring old fart.

The only disappointing thing is I’m not being paid and therefore, a long-term future is unlikely.

I have applied for countless paid jobs.  Some of them have been internships; others have been temporary contracts and some in permanent positions.

Determined to make a breakthrough

I’m determined to breakthrough into journalism.  I was put onto this planet to get into the media sector, not to be a waiter, a bin man or to stack shelves on the supermarkets of ASDA every weekend!

Most got back to me with the term ‘high volume of applications.’  Some didn’t even bother to reply.  I wish all employers did find the time to reply in some form of way, it’s unprofessional otherwise.

I’ve even tried to get back into retail.  I had to quit my job of six and a half years in June as I was leaving Northampton and couldn’t get a transfer back to my local store due to the lack of desired hours. 

You could actually earn more signing on than working a measly four hour Saturday shift nowadays – I checked those figures a long time ago.

Has there been any joy with retail?  No.  I’ve done eight applications, just one interview and no job.  With Christmas around the corner, I need something fast or it will be slim pickings this year.

I have had a bit more luck this week, with some unpaid article work for a student graduate website which should be setup in the next few weeks.

An unlikely avenue

Radio and headphones with a microphone could be a new avenue

Then, on Friday – I got the go-ahead to start an online talk show for an online radio company on a topic of my choice.

I have to record three 15 minute auditions in October, before whether they decide to take me on permanently in one hour slots.

Should I be successful, I would be earning a little bit but nowhere near enough to survive and please those closest to me.

The search continues and as the temperature starts to drop rapidly outside, here’s hoping for the big breakthrough in the graduate job market.

From my experiences, I have felt downbeat on occasions and annoyed too when you get no responses back to job adverts but I won’t give up. 

Some advice for those in a similar position, keep trying, keep applying because you just don’t know what is around the corner.

If someone had said radio was a potential career avenue last year, I would have laughed at them.  The news at the end of last week shows to always expect the unexpected.

Categories: ASDA, Christmas, Degree, Economy, Editor, Internship, Job, Journalism, Media, Northampton

Megan, John and Lewis - A week in the headlines

Most news bulletins are dominated nowadays by political anger, conflict in the Middle East and our brave soldiers who continue to fight a battle in Afghanistan that gets grimmer with every passing week.

That changed this week as the stories were lead by the disappearance of 15-year-old schoolgirl Megan Stammers from Eastbourne.

She had been reported missing after eloping away from the country with one of her schoolteachers, Jeremy Forrest.

Sussex police worked very hard with counterparts across Europe to find the pair, while her devastated family members made heart-warming appeals for Megan to come home.

CCTV pictures were released of the couple boarding a ferry hand-in-hand and it ended in relief on Friday afternoon, when French police found them in Bordeaux.

Maths teacher Forrest has been arrested by police in France on suspicion of child abduction and made a brief court appearance in the country.  He is due back in court on Tuesday and is likely to be extradited to the UK shortly after that. 

If he is found guilty of not only that but having an indecent sexual relationship with a student then the law book is likely to be thrown at him and rightly so.

Yesterday, Megan boarded a plane to head home and will be reunited with her family soon. 

Although it will be difficult, I would hope the media allow her and the family to return to a normal life as they possibly can, fully away from the public spotlight.

Where’s the consistency?

Sport made the news on Thursday when the Football Association found former England skipper John Terry guilty of racially abusing QPR’s Anton Ferdinand.

Terry was charged by the FA earlier this summer, despite having been cleared by a court of law in July.

He has been handed a four game ban and a £220,000 fine.  A written statement is likely to be released this week and after that, Terry will have 14 days to appeal against the decision.

It is difficult to have much of a view on this case but what I will say is that the lack of consistency from the FA is startling.

Last season, Luis Suarez was banned for eight games after the Liverpool striker was found guilty of racially abusing Patrice Evra in a match against Manchester United.

The FA then banned Joey Barton for 12 games in the summer, after his disgraceful behaviour on the final day of last season as a QPR player.  Barton elbowed Carlos Tevez, and then head butted both Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany.

So why does Barton get 12, Suarez get 8 and Terry get 4?  Where’s the consistency?  It can’t be right!  For once, I agree with Barton’s reaction about the FA being clueless.

Also, it took 11 months to sort out – as the Terry/Ferdinand incident happened on October 23 last year.  While it is difficult to talk about the legalities without knowing the process, surely this could have been dealt with quicker.

A chequered career

Lastly on Friday morning, the Formula One world was stunned as Lewis Hamilton announced his decision to leave behind the McLaren team that has nurtured him since he was a young child.

Hamilton will move to Mercedes GP on a three-year deal for 2013 to partner Nico Rosberg.  This means that seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher has been booted out to make way for the Brit.

McLaren have reacted quickly and brought in the talented Mexican Sergio Perez as Jenson Button’s team-mate for next year.

Lewis Hamilton is taking a big gamble in moving to Mercedes

Hamilton has had a chequered career, which has brought him one world championship but that was back in 2008.  Since then, he has come close but not quite close enough.

Pitstop blunders, a lack of reliability and some costly accidents mean chances of winning the title in 2012 are now slim to nil.

Add in his feud with Felipe Massa last season, a management company that only is interested in money, his high maintenance relationship with X-Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger and ‘Twittergate’ when he published telemetry at Spa of secret McLaren data information and a move was on the cards.

While change is needed for all parties, McLaren have got one of the best young racers on the grid in Perez and as for Hamilton, I hope he enjoys midfield mediocrity because that is all Mercedes will provide him in the short-term.

Categories: Afghanistan, Bordeaux, CCTV, FA, John Terry, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, Middle East, Nicole Scherzinger, Politics, Sport, Sussex, Twitter

The BlackBerry...or maybe the CrackBerry

In today’s modern technology era, we all need to get around with some form of proper phone communication.

Today, it is the smartphone that is dominating the market and while there might be the odd person who can cope without these new gadgets – the majority will need one in their career, their life or for their social well-being.

Getting a BlackBerry wasn't my best decision on reflection...

Last year, I got drawn into getting a BlackBerry when my previous phone crashed and packed up a month before my 24-month contract with T-Mobile was due to expire.

I was so excited about getting a smartphone and felt the BlackBerry was going to be the best phone I’ve ever had.

On reflection a year on, it was possibly one of the worst decisions I made.  So it continues my trend of poor choice in mobile phones.

On the contrary, I’ve never been too lucky with mobile phones.  Sometimes because I got bored with what I had, others due to sheer incompetence from the company I was with. 

Either way, while I like security – I have had as many mobile phones as wins on FIFA 12 via my Xbox Live gamertag.  And the FIFA total is in single figures!

When I got my BlackBerry last October, (one of the curved versions) – I got it at the height of the RIM server crash.

I wasn’t that bothered actually.  It meant a delay in setting everything up and actually, I went into Uni the next day and couldn’t stop laughing at some of the inane jokes that went out on Twitter.

Sayings like – ‘What happened to the days when a BlackBerry was just a tasty little fruit,’ ‘Dear BlackBerry, what is a keypad? LOL!  Sincerely, Apple!’ and ‘What did the iPhone say to the BlackBerry?  iWork,’ left me in stitches of laughter.

Even my work boss said ‘gutted’ to me a few days later.  It didn’t worry me too much but maybe it should have done.

Lack of space and poor reliability

The space for applications is ridiculous.  Although I don’t need apps for restaurants and where the direction of the moon today is, there is no space to have what you want.

Plus, I like to have a few classic mobile games like Snake, Tetris, Sudoku etc and that is a squeeze in itself.

I have struggled with the e-mail concept too.  While it is lovely to have e-mails delivered instantly to your phone to read, it can be annoying that you have to delete them twice if they are spam messages (internet inbox too!)

The BBM messaging service is a major pull as this is free and handy to have but again, if there are limited connections, this isn’t as attractive to have as a general app for most phones.

In August, my first phone crashed and needed repairing.  T-Mobile wrote it off and gave me a new phone (well, same model and same version) anyway.  However, I lost all my BBM pins, apps and contacts. 

This was annoying and hence I have given it the nickname the ‘CrackBerry.’  I have one more year left of my current deal and safe to say, I will be looking at either Android phones or the iPhone next.

The Motorola V2288e was my first phone - an age ago now!

I think back to my first phone which was a brick to say the least.  The Orange Motorola V2288e in 2001, which looked cool at the time but now if you had it, then seriously – that is so early 21^st century!

My best phone I had was a Nokia flip phone, (can’t remember the make) now but it was light, easy to use and I could store anything on it.

Sadly, this got stolen in the summer of 2009 in an incident that I would rather forget. 

In a world of regular communication, the need to have a smartphone is very important but be wise when picking your choices.  My advice is: Go for an iPhone or an Android based model. 

They seem easier to use, better on battery life and more importantly – super reliability compared to the BlackBerry which has as much reliability as Ed Miliband’s political policies!

Categories: Applications, BBM, BlackBerry, Motorola, October, RIM, Smartphone, T-Mobile, Technology, Twitter

Turning 24...life moves fast

Life moves fast but turning 24 is not the end of the world

Next Wednesday, I turn 24 years old.  This scares me a bit.  While I hope to have a brilliant day and fingers crossed, a lot of well-wishing – life is moving fast.

You never know what is around the corner but realistically, I have lived out a third of my life already.  That is a disturbing thought to have!

24 is not a special age – especially if you have a lack of money, no relationship, no paid job and have a life that in direction terms, feels like a stalled Formula One motor racing car.

Negative thoughts aside, I have learnt a lot from the past 23 years and that is a lot of life experiences. 

Many scenarios have been thrown infront of me and fortunately, I have managed to conquer many hurdles flung at me.

Here are 10 things I have learnt from this life of mine, which is hurtling quicker than a normal commuting train from Milton Keynes to London Euston.

1. Don’t be greedy – When it comes to presents, appreciate what they are now with age.  Some might not be exciting but it is the thought that counts (except if it is another pair of smelly socks!)  Presents are lovely to have but occasions like birthdays and Christmas mean more nowadays than just gifts.

2. Be healthy – Although I don’t have the healthiest diet on the planet and my eating habits are so different to many out there, I try to look after myself.  I do drink but only occasionally and very rarely will I let that get out of control.  I don’t smoke, I don’t take drugs and I exercise regularly.  The days of being a fat couch potato are luckily a thing of the past.

3. Being helpful – One of the main qualities I think I have in life.  I always like to try and help people, especially if they deserve it.  It is nice to do this and hopefully, the person you are helping respects and values your kindness.

4. Take a step back – Don’t get too intense about life, what is the point.  Okay, you can disagree with a political viewpoint, a sporting decision or the choice of music from a fellow human being but the only life you can control is yours, no-one else.

5. Appreciate what you have – Sure, when we have lots of things, we would love to have more.  However, appreciate what you have.  Most of us will have some great friends, a wonderful family and if you are lucky, an appealing relationship.  Some of us on a worldwide scale don’t have this luxury.

6. Always expect the unexpected – Hardly anything ever goes as planned.  Always expect the unexpected.  Life is never easy but then again, if it was – it would be boring.

7. Don’t complain – Okay, this isn’t easy.  Trust me, I complain about things when they don’t go right but it is best to change your attitude or approach or just don’t complain.

8. Stress – There is no point in being stressed because all you do is make things doubly worse or say something that you are likely to regret.  Chill out a little bit more, approach things in a more relaxed manner.  So, when someone tells you to R-E-L-A-X, take their advice!

9. Have a crush on a celebrity – Let’s face it, we must all idolise a celebrity – whether that is a pop sensation, a Premier League footballer, an attractive film star or if you really are bizarre, a political leader.  By the age of 24, if you don’t have a dream crush/love, something is seriously wrong.

10. Work hard – Work hard and the rewards will come.  Sometimes, it is harder than it is for others but lazy, clumsy people who show no effort won’t go the places you want to.  With a bit of dedication to your career, you will succeed in some form.  It is just a question of patience.

At the end of the day, we have to make the most of our life and the opportunities offered, otherwise what is the point of it all.

Being 24 isn’t the greatest age to be but it isn’t the end of the world and it could be a whole lot worse.

Categories: Age, Celebrities, Healthy, Help, Life, Relationships, Stress

Education changes - Another questionable move

The main debatable topic in the news this week was the announcement of changes in the education system for secondary schools from 2015.

GCSE's are being scrapped and it is a questionable decision

GCSEs in England are to be scrapped and replaced with a new English Baccalaureate Certificate.

The changes were announced in the House of Commons by the Education Secretary Michael Gove.

The new system would see all students be tested on a single end of year exam, eliminating module courses and coursework in the process.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said the changes will “give parents confidence in the system” and helps “raise standards for all children.”

Honestly, I can’t see too many benefits with this system and when the news broke of this last Monday, I felt it was a bankrupt move by a coalition on the verge of liquidation!

Although I agree with the need to shake things up in the education system for students taking these crucial exams in year 11, this is a radical overhaul and far too much.

Getting rid of most forms of coursework is a big mistake.  While I felt impetus on this could have been knocked back, it is still an important form of work.

Not a fair way for everyone

Exams are not a fair way to settle an individual’s final grade.  They have to play a part but if you solely rely on the exam results, there won’t be a fair reflection.

Some excel in exams, others suffer brain freeze, an attack of the nerves, make themselves ill and simply don’t perform and that can’t always be helped.

I can’t help but feel that this change will benefit some students and hinder others, making it a two-tier system, something that Clegg says won’t happen.

I did GCSE’s back in 2004-05 and frankly, I screwed them up.  My results were utterly dreadful and I had to heavily rely on strong coursework to make up for constant underachievement in exams.

The news is disappointing but not surprising in another questionable decision from a coalition that lost control of this country a long time ago.

As for Clegg, he apologised for the rise in University tuition fees, breaking a Liberal Democrat manifesto pledge from the 2010 General Election.

He broke a promise, made many enemies and won’t be forgiven.  Saying sorry only happens if you mean it and he probably doesn’t.  After all, the Liberal Democrats should be renamed ‘Blue Democrats.’

This week, Clegg’s apology was turned into an autotune remix and has made the iTunes single charts!  The video is funny to watch but he can’t sing and is not very good at politics.

Might be entertaining but he is ridiculous.  A tip for Nick: DO NOT AUDITION FOR X-FACTOR!

Categories: Coursework, Education, England, Exams, GCSEs, General Election, Liberal Democrats, Michael Gove, Nick Clegg

Eight steps to enjoy University

For the first time since 1994, I am not in any kind of full-time education and that is an odd feeling to have.  Honestly, it is something I haven't quite got my head around yet.

A lot of people have just started University and trust me, freshers is the best experience when starting out.  So, from my own experience of three years which saw me finish with a 2:1 degree, here are eight steps to enjoy your first year at University.

This includes feeling happy, being successful and becoming well-liked.  These steps worked for me and it might not work for everyone but some could be useful to take on-board.

1. Never forget your roots

Going away from home for the first time on your own can be a daunting experience.  However, it is essential to never forget your roots.

Always keep in touch with your family, whatever form you feel comfortable.  Taking a photo from home of the family will help in any battle against feeling slightly homesick.

2. 'Ring of Fire'

In my view, this is the best drinking game ever!  You have to do some daft things, like drink the dreaded dirty pint! (I somehow managed to avoid this!)

Build up relationships with everyone you live with, get contact details, go out on the town and enjoy yourself. During 'Freshers Fortnight,' make sure to play this game.

3. Budgeting

Keep a budget, it does help especially with new fees to deal with.

Now this is vital, even if you don't like doing it.  Work out a rough weekly/monthly budget and try not to go over it.  

That's easier said than done for sure and most will get a student account with a nice, chunky overdraft.

However, you don't want to get into a bloody mess and the last thing you should be doing is asking friends for money.  Resist temptation if possible, don't go and spend £100 on designer shoes you don't have if you can't afford it.

Most students will leave University with debt, so don't add to it...

4. Decorate your room at halls

Wherever you stay in first year, it can't be much worse than sleeping and staring at blank, plain walls which can look as dull as dishwater.

So buy some posters, make a mural like I did of your family and friends and turn your place into your own personal space.

Struggles will occur, so when they do, look around the room and make it inspire you.

5. Get into a routine

Whenever timetables get published, I would try and get into some kind of routine plan throughout.  It is better being organised than disorganised at University.

Don't get too distracted by online gaming, Facebook etc.  Set time aside for these luxuries of course but it’s always handy to have a rough idea of getting work done before the last minute.  It really helps being organised.

6. Useful electrical equipment

To get you through first year, you will need to have some useful electrical equipment at your disposal.

Have a decent laptop is essential for any course you study.

First, all students must have a decent laptop to get through first year.

I survived with Windows Vista but Windows 7 is probably the best form of laptop to get.  Also, keep an eye out for Microsoft Office deals which are fully licensed and offer discounts.

I got the full Microsoft Office package in first year for £35, instead of the usual £200 - an 85 per cent student discount deal.

There are torrents of course, but this is a safer option than picking up a virus which could destroy the laptop.

Have plenty of DVD's to watch, get a decent alarm clock and some form of music player.  Listening to music often kept me motivated throughout first year.

7. The good morning wake-up boost

Trust me, 9am lecturers are the worst thing to have and I had that for the first term at Uni on a Monday morning.  The worst possible start!

Early mornings can make you sleepy, see a lack of concentration and dozing off in lectures is seriously not a good idea.

For me, having a coffee in the morning really helped, as it gave me that boost to be far more awake in the mornings.

I never liked coffee until I started Uni but it became a necessity to have.  It is a nice caffeine boost to have first thing in the morning and it usually worked.  

However, having a Red Bull energy drink at 9.30am in the morning is not a good idea.  I know a couple of people who tried this and it didn't give the best results.

8. Enjoy it!

You are going to have some tough days and stressful experiences because everyone does.

Remember though, this is what you want to do for the next three years, so persistence is the key to be ultimately successful.  

Giving it up after six weeks is useless and makes you look like a quitter.  Once you are committed, you should remain committed.

Have a social life of course and get the right balance between working and meeting assignment deadlines, in regards to some wild and much-needed partying.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so embrace and enjoy the University experience.

I wish everyone the best of luck across the country to all first year freshers who are just starting out with the University experience.

Categories: 1994, Caffeine, Coffee, Debt, DVD, Education, Experience, Freshers, Microsoft Office, Monday, Red Bull, Social Life, Student, University, Virus, Windows

A competitive soul

I come from the natural breed of being competitive and wanting to do well at anything, whether that is a group scenario, my football team doing well or even on a computer game.

However, I know that not winning might hurt but it isn’t the end of the world.  It is important to show that if you aren’t successful, you don’t act like your life is over.

I can use many of my own prime examples to show that life is more than just a game where there is a winner and a loser.

In computer games, I do get annoyed if I get taken out of a Grand Prix by some loony at Silverstone (like I was today!)

However, rather than throw a hissy fit, I curse my disappointment and a bit of anger at what happened for around a minute before trying to analyse, could I have done something different to avoid the contact?

Media day competition

The BTCC day last October ended in disappointment but also dignified

Last October, my course at University went on a media day to the final round of the British Touring Car Championship at Silverstone.

The main challenge of the day was to come up with a preview to the weekend’s event in groups of four or five (in my case) and the winner would get the article published on the official Silverstone website.

The task was hard and I really wanted to win, especially as it could have meant returning 48 hours later to watch the live action from the championship decider.

So when the winners were revealed, I was disappointed and not surprised.  My face throughout the day was one of frustration as things weren’t going according to plan for a variety of reasons.

However, the right team won the prize and deserved the rewards.  It had been an interesting challenge which ended in disappointment but gratitude.

Afterwards, one of the winners offered the race tickets to me but I declined the offer.  It was a lovely gesture but one I couldn’t accept as I wanted to accept defeat in a proper and dignified manner.

I felt if I had taken the prize, I would have not only cheated my team but feel guilt as I didn’t deserve it.

Our national game

Meanwhile in our national game, all of us who follow a football team are convinced that they can do absolutely nothing wrong.

As a Liverpool fan, I have many rivals including Manchester United, Chelsea, Everton and I’d put Arsenal and Manchester City into the mix too.

As a fan, you can’t do anything but hope that your team wins. 

When they win, it feels fantastic and there’s no harm with a bit of banter against the opposition, especially if you know a fan that follows the losing team.

However, keep things in perspective.  Football is just a game.  It is a very passionate game where we all want to end up with top honours but it is only a game and nobody should take it too personally.

I am a competitive soul and always have been.  However, one lesson I have learnt in life is to be dignified in victory and gracious in defeat.

Categories: BTCC, Chelsea, Football, Liverpool, Manchester United, Media, Passion, Silverstone, University, Victory

Taking risks or being secure?

As individuals, some of us are pure risk takers.  We decide that we should throw ourselves into a situation and have a feeling of ‘I don’t worry about the consequences.’

I admire those who have this sort of approach towards life but what kind of individual would you rather be? 

You could be either a real gambler in life (and I’m not talking about your regular fruit machine gambler) or you could be the human being who prefers security.

I was thinking about this today, especially as I fit into the latter group who prefers stability.

For the first time since 1994, I won’t be in full-time education.  That counts first school, middle school, secondary school, sixth form, college and University. 

Although it is good to get out of this habit, I would rather have a rough plan of what I want to do in the months ahead.

Not much of a risk-taker

To not have that at the moment is not a nice feeling.  Now that we are in September and it doesn’t feel right to not be ready to go back to Uni or school, like a lot of people are doing now.

Without even a paid position makes this even more difficult.  Perhaps I need to alter my approach towards life.

Or maybe I shouldn’t?  Realistically, I’ve never been much of a risk-taker and that has increased ever since the summer of 2009 (those who know me will know why).

Taking risks are good but it isn't a regular preference of mine...

I have great respect for those who want to spend their lives jumping out of planes, bungee-jumping, driving fast racing cars etc.  That is all about taking a risk, embracing life and frankly, not giving much of a care about the possible implications.

It’s not like I’ve never ever taken a risk.  I’ve told a few girls how I feel about them (and it never worked out), I’ve made bets with friends on sporting events (with modest results) and I’ve taken leadership in group situations and often come out better for the experience.

So, it isn’t like I’ve ever taken a risk.  However, I love stability and I don’t like it when I don’t feel in a secure position.

In life, you have to take risks once in a while but sometimes, having a rough plan could be a better outcome…

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