The 5 Websites I Check Every Day

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Now that it has become second nature when I enter my room to turn on my computer, almost as often as I turn on the light, I have come to realise that there are certain websites that are part of my daily routine. With easy access from my toolbar and extravagant Virgin internet, I have no choice but to waste a certain amount of time each day finding out what is going on in the world. I find myself allocating ‘procrastination slots’ each time I sit down to work, fully in the knowledge of the inevitable website wasting adventure upon which I am about to embark…

Facebook. So obvious that it barely needs mentioning. This is not just to be found on my toolbar, but as my homepage as well. Even when I don’t have my computer on me, I have a portable Facebook checker in my handbag in the form of my phone. It is embarrassing, time wasting and unnecessary but I’m fairly certain that this is one of the more relatable ones. Stop judging- you know you do it too!

 

Daily Mail TV&Showbiz Online. So I thought Facebook was embarrassing? It’s completely addictive to find out whether Lady Gaga has put on some weight or whether the cast of Made in Chelsea attended some premiere. However, after a good few minutes of horrendous judgements, I feel so guilty that I move onto website number 3…

 

BBC News. Once I have discovered what is going on in the celebrity world, it’s time to even out the balance and find out what is actually happening in the real world. However, if I can’t quite face anything too thought-provoking, there’s always the BBC entertainment section that can fill up my gossip quota.

Twitter. Now I would consider myself a twitter newbie, but people keep telling me stories of friends finding jobs through tweeting and being contacted by incredible people so I think I should stick with it. Also, it’s a great way to find out what is going on around you, especially in a university. I found out the Queen was in Bristol last week through the Twittersphere…

Student Beans. This is definitely another guilty pleasure, but one that never fails to make me laugh. If you haven’t spent time on this site, do not hesitate and head over right away. Think FML and Uni Confessions all mixed into one. After a tough day of lectures (or when feeling guilty about not having gone to any) hearing stories of other students doing unimaginably stupid things will cheer you up no end. 

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Why You Should Go To The Theatre

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Being a student, I often find we are happy to sit around apathetically doing the minimum amount of work we can get away with and going to the same three clubs over and over again. The sheer number of people who seem to fit this category almost allows it to become an excuse. I have recently discovered that things are much more fun if you do the old fashioned technique of ‘mixing it up’. Here are some reasons why you should go to the theatre, even if X Factor is on. 

Your friend is in a show. Have you ever noticed a friend has changed their profile picture to some poster of some production? It’s probably because they’re in it. Why not support your mate and go along and see what it is that they seem to enjoy so much. Even if the play is pants, you’ll still enjoy seeing your friend make a complete fool of themself.

It’s cheaper than pub golf. It really is not an expensive activity to do as a student, most shows will be around £5 and some are often free. Take advantage of cheap theatre while you still can, taking a date to the West End to impress is going to dig a much bigger hole in your pocket than seeing your uni’s annual musical. 

You can still go out after. Most plays tend to finish around 10pm, perfect timing to make your way to the local pub, neck a bottle of wine and then go out afterwards. This also makes it the perfect first date, if it is awkward then you don’t have to talk at all and can hurry on home right away. But if it’s going really well, you can chat about it in the pub afterwards.

It’s fun. There are so many different types of productions you can go and see. From musicals to Shakespeare to Improv to concerts- whatever you feel like, you can pretty much guarantee your university will be doing something on it within the next year. While theatre is so accessible, don’t be a numpty and miss out. 

Time for Tea or to Bust out the Booze?

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After a surprisingly popular post about different levels of drunkenness (to be found here), I had a thought about the differences between when you need a cup of tea or when all that will suffice is something much stronger. The difference between the desire for a warm cuppa to calm you down compared to the desperate times of the dangerously fleeting statement, ‘hand me the vodka’. Whether your tea comes in the form of classy chamomile or bog-standard breakfast, we often feel the need for a brew. Just occasionally, things fall so out of hand that a bottle of whatever has been sitting on the kitchen counter for far too long is the only thing that you are craving… 

Tea:    You know that test/essay/dissertation that you worked super hard on and completely freaked out about to all your friends? Pass the brew, you got a 2:2.

Booze: Yup, you failed- time for the voddy.

Tea:    You know that friend who has been worrying you lately with all the things that seem to be going wrong and you want to help but you just don’t know how? A calming cup of delicious tea will get your cogs turning to help you give the best advice.

Booze: You know that friend who has been driving you nuts with their drama and you just don’t care? Wine could help, but dependant on the amount of commotion- you might need something stronger.

Tea:    You know that person you quite fancy and they’ve starting going out with someone else? A nice infusion with a friend might take your mind off things.

Booze: You know that person you quite fancy who hooked up with your flatmate/someone ridiculously hot/your sibling? Bring out the booze, get your buzz on and show them who’s fabulous. N.B. This one is always a mistake. 

Or you could solve all these dilemmas the way the Irish do, mix the booze with the brew. 

The Drunk Scale

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So I recently found myself in the disastrous situation with a group of friends where we all seemed to be at a different level of drunkenness. Although this provided me with lots of amusement, because I didn’t appear to be the worst, it led me to thinking about all the various stages of inebriation and when we’ve gone that little bit too far…

The Tiny Bit Tipsy. We all know this delightful stage, you’ve had a couple of glasses of wine and can feel it but you’re fairly confident you will still be able to get out of bed in the morning. It’s just enough to persuade you to add a winky face to the end of that text, but not cruel enough to force you into telling your ex that you’re over them. 

The Moreishly Merry. So now you’ve reached the 4 drink mark, the texts become more cheeky and the drinks seem to go down faster. This is where you have to make the all-important decision, go all out or go home. Obviously the former is much more exciting and since you’ve had four drinks, one more can’t make a difference…

The Haphazardly Happy. You need to dance. Too much alcohol and adrenaline to sit still. Flirting with the bar tender is a necessity at this stage, and don’t forget confidently chatting to the fit guy/girl at the next-door table. This is it, the perfect drunk paradise, definitely the right decision to wear that top, you look fabulous. Then you decide to have one more…

The Shamefully Sloshed. The words are starting to slur, your foot gets stood on by some idiot’s high heel and you don’t really notice, you’re wondering if you can get away with a cheeky tactical chunder in the toilets…someone buys you another drink. 

The Painfully Paralytic. Woops. Time to start saving for that sorry/thank you meal you will have to buy for your flatmate who left the fit bird he was snogging to carry you home.

Blog Block

Image: MookyChick

After almost 3 months of blog keeping, it has finally happened. My deepest and darkest fear that keeps me awake at night on the edge of tears just wishing it was not so… Okay, so I might be exaggerating a tiny bit. But keeping a blog is hard! 

Despite my new found appreciation for writing my random thoughts and ideas on the internet for all to see, sometimes I simply don’t have anything to say. Or, I have lots to say but it probably wouldn’t be very interesting for you to read. When I started this adventure, I apparently didn’t think this far ahead. As my list of ‘blog ideas’ in my actual notebook starts to become weary and tired, I fear my blog may too. But, after all, they do say the first step to recovery is acceptance. 

So I have a plan, or lots of plans. I shall quiz my friends, search the web and try new things in order to get my inspiration receptors back to their finest. I will open my eyes to new thoughts and have random debates with strangers. I will do what it takes. It may be tough, but it’s what the blog deserves.