Are We Obsessed With Social Networking?

A month of working for a communications agency, a brother whose job is a YouTube channel and a flatmate who makes a fortune by blogging about One Direction has all led me to believe that perhaps social networks have taken over our lives. I do love a good Facebook stalk/Twitter troll/Instagram snap as much as the rest, but maybe we should take a day off every now and then. Don’t you occasionally miss the good old days*? 

This wonderful cartoon sums up exactly what I mean:

Image: Wrong Hands: http://wronghands1.wordpress.com/

(*Good old days= 2 years ago)

Using Vine To Fill My Time

As you may know, I am currently in Bordeaux working in a communications firm that specialises in quality food brands. Although only an intern, I actually get to do some interesting work, especially with the English press and the brand, ‘Instant Naturel’. 

However, when there is a little time to spare...we like to make videos!

(with minions...)

Instant Naturel's Cake Decorations:

Instant Naturel's Flavoured and Coloured Sugars:




Instant Naturel's Vinegars With Fruit Pulp:

French V British: What Makes Us Different?

Image: Crossed-flag-pins.com

I have only been in sunny Bordeaux for a week, but I have already noticed a lot of culture differences between us awkward Brits and our froggy neighbours. They may be stereotyped, but they’re very true.

Their Driving. I decided to make a little road trip out of my year abroad and so brought my car to Bordeaux with me. I expected dilemmas to arise when entering car parks and not being able to reach the ticket machine on the other side, but I hasn’t quite realised that the French aren’t particularly bothered by the welfare of their vehicle. I have yet to see a car without a dent or scratch and am counting the days until I find mine with a wing mirror knocked off.

Their Size. They may eat lots of bread, but I have yet to come across anyone larger than the likes of Dr Jenson recommend. I’ve seen lots of fast food restaurants, but fast food junkies seem to be few and far between.

Their hate of supermarkets. I haven’t quite worked out why, but the French seem to hate the idea of buying everything in one place. They have separate shops for food products (Boulangerie for bread, boucherie for meat, epicerie for all the condiments) and I really cannot understand the lack of the all-encompassing Boots. Make-up, shampoo and plug adapters all in one place? Yes please.

And the one thing we do have in common? We secretly love each other! We can’t get enough of French restaurants in England and I seem to be seeing the British flag everywhere in Bordeaux. Not only that, but within a 10 minute walk of my apartment can be found, ‘Sherlock Holmes’, ‘Charles Dickins’ and even a ‘Cock and Bull’ (Yes, real pubs! Apparently one of them even serves Pimms…). 

Image: Hammeroftruth.com

The Cons of Losing Weight

I know that when I started this blog, I promised myself that I wouldn’t make it too personal. However, I’ve recently been working really hard and lost a bit of weight. Although I’m really happy with most of the changes, I can’t help but notice, especially as this is the first time that the number on the scales has gone down, that there are some draw backs too. Before you sigh and tell me to shut up, I am aware that these may not be the challenges that everyone faces, as there are plenty of ways to go about getting trimmer, but here are a few things that have affected me… 

The Cost. From joining a gym to vowing to eat a minimum of my five-a-day, my back (student) pocket has suffered hugely over the last few months. As a newbie to the gym, I wanted to try out all the classes, I tested a bit of Zumba, DanceFit and even  the Vibro Plate at which I failed miserably due to too much giggling. It has been fun, hard work and most of all, costly. 

The Clothes. Now, this is one of those complaints that will make you roll your eyes to the back of your head while cursing at my whining, but I’m honestly annoyed at the fact that my selection of TopShop cocktail dresses are no longer flattering. I’m happy that I’m getting a tad fit, but I’m not happy that my wardrobe doesn’t.  

The Specifics. Losing 10lbs has been an achievement, but despite my targeted attempts, I haven’t lost it from the places I was desperately trying to rid myself of. I will always be curvy, but perhaps I preferred the more obvious curve I had before?

The Conscience. Before embarking on an adventure of heaped vegetables and snacking on fruit, I would happily eat the free chocolate that comes with my latte or add a little too much sugar to my tea. Cutting out this frivolity has meant that when I do indulge, I just get an unwelcome sense of guilt, like I’m doing something wrong. Being disciplined is good, but not to the detriment of happiness. 

Image: MarciRD.com

Nostalgia for MSN Messenger

Image: chyang313

Do you remember the days of Friday night MSN? You’d spend all day at school with your friends and then as soon as you were home you’d log onto the family computer, sit through that old dial up noise and log on to MSN Messenger just so you could create a huge conversation where you and those friends sat around sending each other smiley faces and slices of pizza. 

Perhaps you had a more productive childhood than me and my friends, but when I heard the news that MSN were putting an end to their Messenger, I did feel the slight tinge of nostalgia for the days before Skype, but then I remembered that nothing has changed…

The drama of the webcam. What a nightmare. When you’ve got no plans for a whole day except watch Masterchef and paint your nails, it’s an absolute disaster when you hear the Skype noise coming from your computer: you’re not wearing any makeup. You don’t want to appear vain, but your hair looks like it went through the car wash backwards. “My webcam seems to be broken…”

The emoticon battle. This one isn’t unique to the video messaging, Facebook chat is a culprit as well and it can get out of hand. It starts with the cheeky :P, it turns into the XD and it escalates to so much more. You can get dancing ninjas, the afore-mentioned pizza and my favourite for Facebook, type in :putnam: and press enter. I KNOW. 

The abbrevs. (Abbreviations for those not in the loop) Most of them make sense, brb for ‘be right back’ lol for ‘laugh out loud’ to everyone except my dad who stands by ‘love you lots’ even g2g as ‘got to go’ is acceptable. However, as tweenagers we took it too far, starting with LMAO, then came the naughtier LMFAO and then the absolutely ridiculous ROTFLMFAO. Just no. 

The games-athon. I’m pretty sure that I learnt how to play chess, checkers and battleships through MSN. Unfortunately this one hasn’t survived the shift to Skype and sadly long gone are the days of ‘waiting for player 2’...

The choice!

5 Great Bristol-Related Websites

What it says on the tin.

VisitBristol. Probably designed for tourists, but I can’t get enough of it. This is the best place to go if you have some free time and don’t know what to do with it. Whether you want to go to the theatre, find a National Trust stately home to wander round or find the perfect place for your parents to stay if they visit, this website is incredibly easy to navigate. They even have a section called, Rainy Days Out.  

BristolCulture. This little gem is written by one man who has his finger in every little Bristolian pie. From reviews of theatre offerings to news about opening cafes and restaurants, this is the site to head to if you fancy an eclectic mix of Bristol information. I found out recently from BristolCulture that Jason Donervan plans on visiting Jason Donervans… 

Inter:Mission. This one is more for the students, and I’m a little biased because I write for them. However, if you’re stuck for something to do then head over to the Inter:Mission calendar and the weekly planner which will let you know the best things happening that week. It’s also a great place for the more quirky student, a fan of the intimate-venue, up-and-coming band scene? Head to Inter:Mission Bristol. 

ThisIsBristol. I don’t always agree with their theatre reviews, but if you’re after local news then this is a great place to head to. The website is updated regularly and it’s a really good way to make yourself feel more connected to the Bristol community, if that’s what you fancy. 

Crack. For the more fashionable amongst you, Crack Magazine’s website is the place to go if you love music and art. They keep you updated on the anti-mainstream, you can even play tunes on the site. What’s more, they have a physical version of the magazine that is FREE and widely available.

The Places of Bristol: Boston Tea Party, Park Street

Image: Trip Advisor

Although this may not seem like an original choice, the reason I have chosen this dainty little coffee shop is for its garden. Already loved for its ethically-sourced products and family owned atmosphere, the Park Street branch of BTP was in fact its flagship location set up in 1995. The café boasts a large collection of teas and if you’re lucky, the baristas even put a nice leaf pattern on your coffee. 

The secret of this place, however, is only to be found when heading towards the toilets in a ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ style-moment. Heading through the tattered door, you come out the other side to a beautiful tiered garden. With lovely rock tables and heaters for cold mornings, the garden really does charm its customers. 

This picture doesn't do it justice!

So next time you fancy some Red Berry and Hibiscus Tea or a Get your goat, you’ve pulled! toasted sandwich, why not head to Boston Tea Party on Park Street? Find the old door that takes you through to your own peaceful garden, stealing you away from the hustle and bustle of city life just for a little while.

Creative CVs

With the necessity of work experience, top grades and extra-curricular activities required in abundance on your CV, we are constantly being told what we need in order to stand out. However, what if we don’t have all those extra bits and bobs that the careers advisors go on about? I stumbled across Charlotte Olsen, from Norway, and her inspiring CV and I think she might have just struck gold. 

Image: Behance/Charlotte Olsen

Although only a self-promotion task at university, I don’t think many employers would throw this CV straight in the bin. If it’s a creative job you’re looking for, then why not offer something more original to employers? A hedge fund manager or a high court judge might not appreciate such a wacky idea, but in an ever-modernising world, showing your ability to think outside the box will definitely get you noticed.

Want to work in fashion? Maybe try this one...

Image: Bored Panda

A bit of a tech genius? Try this one... 

Although sending a chocolate bar, t shirt or QR code/video might be a little far-fetched in reality, the idea of spicing up your CV to make it more attractive does sound like a good idea, provided you are sure you have the right audience. 

The Places of Bristol: Cabot Tower

Possibly one of the most romantic spots in Bristol and only a 2 minute walk from Park Street, Cabot Tower is an isolated fairy tale just off the beaten track. The 32 metre high tower offers stunning views of the city and is situated in Brandon Park, allowing for a perfect lunch spot after the panoramic sights. 

Image: TripAdvisor

Although some may argue that Cabot Tower isn’t exactly a secretive landmark, it took two years until I discovered this beautiful place that steals you away from the hustle and bustle of the Clifton Triangle. It seems the perfect location to spend a much-needed lunch break away from the worries of the day or even a romantic walk in the evening with a view included. Although the actual tower closes at 3:45pm each day, the views are still fascinating from the base of the tower which sits at the perfect height to catch a glimpse of Bristol by moonlight. There really isn’t a more seductive spot. 

Where? Brandon Hill Park

How much? IT'S FREE.

5 Ways to Avoid Procrastination

Image: A Writer's Journey

It is that time of year when university students have spent all their Christmas money, gained a few pounds having enjoyed home cooked food far too much and are starting to fear the looming January exams. Procrastination is at an all-time high, visibly demonstrated by the sheer numbers of people on Facebook chat and the abuse of the Facebook status. As a fellow sufferer, I have tried to discover a few simple steps in order to battle this terrible affliction. 

Tea Breaks. One of my most successful ways of avoiding the random need to get up and wander around is to decide when I am going to take my tea breaks (or booze breaks for those in desperate need) before I start working. Knowing that I have an end-point certainly helps me concentrate. 15 minutes to go…10 minutes to go… 5 minutes to go… break… 1 hour 30 to go… and so on. NB if you decide you need abnormally common tea breaks, you might need to factor in loo breaks as well…

Website Blockers. I have recently had my attention drawn to these God-given gifts that have the power to disarm you from Facebook/Twitter/YouTube for a certain period of time of your choice. LeechBlock for Firefox or WebsiteBlocker for Chrome are good examples of programmes that can block the websites that your procrastination habits abuse. If extra precautions are to be taken, ask a friend to set the password. NB unless you don’t mind a fairly severe frape, I suggest you carefully consider which friend to ask…

To Do Lists. This one may sound obvious, but rather than face a mountain of notes in one go, it may be easier to set yourself lots of little tasks. Particularly satisfying if you write a list of tasks at the beginning of the session and then get to tick them off as you go. Learn 2 equations: tick. Read 10 pages: tick. Repeat 2 equations: tick. NB abuse of this rule may lead to time wasting… 

Rewards. Working is hard, revising is really hard and exams are horrible. Encourage yourself to work harder by treating yourself if you are productive. Learnt 20 pages of notes? Watch a movie. Finished that essay? Have an ice cream. Didn’t go on Facebook for an entire day? Celebrate. NB Try to avoid rewards that involve alcohol, working is already hard enough.   

Do Not Start A Blog. But if your body needs its procrastination fix, I suppose you could read this one.