Annie: Review + Response

So I recently went to see 'Annie' in the cinema and, although it has received mixed reviews, I really enjoyed it. Perhaps I enjoyed it because I didn't like the original. In our culture we often fear remakes: will it piss on the memory of the film we loved? Will it do the story justice? So many hated this film because they held the original so dear to their hearts. I, however, had no beloved film to hold onto and I entered with low expectations. This film is a very modern, trendy version that has been jazzed up for the audience of today.

Quvenzhané Wallis plays a precocious and instantly likeable Annie. She radiates charm so effortlessly and as a child actor I wish her all the best with her future career. Whether she stays in acting or moves onto something else at a later date I feel that she has a good path ahead of her. She is so poised and full of talent and charm. An obvious appeal to this film is the reverse white-washing and to be frank I want to see this sort of thing more. The world is ready for a black Bond. We want to see The Doctor played by an actor who isn't white. We want diversity. We need it. We crave it. I so desperately want this film to show the media how to do it I think we just need open auditions or casting calls where anyone can audition and anyone can be considered for the part. Cameron Diaz gives an awkward performance as Miss Hannigan, though this is probably down to the character herself. As far as musicals go I actually enjoyed this more than Into The Woods. I loved all of the unexpected cameos: Rihanna, Mila Kunis, Sia. Sia's work on the soundtrack was most welcome.  It had such a quirky, modern sense of humour and the bit that made me laugh hardest happened in the first twenty seconds of the film. If you've seen it, you know what I mean....

Love Your Self(ie): The Positive Rise of Selfie Culture

In 2013 there were mixed reactions when 'selfie' became the word of the year in the Oxford Dictionary.
We hear people talk negatively about the selfie because it is seen as vain and self indulgent. I, however, wish to offer another view.

We live in a world where we are constantly bombarded with hyper-sexual images of 'perfect' bodies. Companies are flocking to make commercials to remind us about their products to fix our skin, our hair, our wrinkles. Everywhere we turn, we are being sold more insecurities. It's very easy to fall prey to the bizarre beauty culture in which we live where our self esteem begins to plummet. 44% of American high school girls are focused on losing weight. A worryingly high percentage of young people with self esteem problems also engage in other negative activities such as self harm, smoking, drinking, bullying, disordered eating/eating disorders. At least 20% of teens will experience depression before their 20s. The amount of boys in middle school who have admitted to using protein supplements, even steroids, is staggering. Though these statistics focus on American youth, it can be said that there are similar findings across the world. Our self esteems are pushed far too low. Therefore, if someone takes a moment to take a photo of themselves because they feel and look good, I cannot find any problem with that. I think that, when we take a selfie, we do it more for us than for others. We attempt to relate ourselves to ourselves like a strange Lacan's Mirror Theory style act. It's a way of saying 'I feel good about myself today and I wish to capture that somehow. This is me.'

Ever since getting my iPhone and experimenting with apps like Snapchat and Instagram, I found myself taking more selfies and viewing myself in this way more regularly. It made me really look at myself and assess the aspects of my face and, in time, I realised that I actually really like the way that I look not just in the strategically angled and well lit photos that we take of ourselves. In the past 8 months I've felt happier about my appearance than ever before. In the act of simply looking at ourselves and focusing on our good features can really make us feel better about our face and body in general.

The argument that selfies are vain really stuck with me and forces me to ask an important question: why do we dislike vanity so much? Closely associated with pride, one of the seven deadly sins, vanity is something often seen to be negative. Surely we all know that person whose Facebook or blog consists heavily of photos of them in various different outfits and poses. 'How vain' we may think. Yes? So? Simple vanity itself doesn't seem to harm anyone. One possible reason is because in a 'vain' person we see someone who is confident in themselves in ways we cannot be confident and therein lies some form of jealousy. In Britain traits like modesty and humility often seem sociocultural expectations of character. We are often apprehensive to talk about our achievements and find the process of CV writing and job applications a little daunting.


In a time where notions of beauty are regulated, controlled and broadcast so heavily by the media, most of us live our lives totally unsatisfied with our appearances as a result. I've read articles on the selfie calling selfie-takers 'self-satisfied' which prompted me to question what is so inherently wrong with being satisfied with ourselves? Surely this is a state in which we should all be? Have we so heavily internalised the media-given images of what 'beauty' is meant to be that we then attack anyone who refuses to give in to feeling awful about their appearance? Why should beauty be the sole privilege of the beholder? I simply cannot fathom why we criticise those who see beauty in themselves when we're constantly being told otherwise. Surely it takes more to ignore the messages we're constantly being subjected to and to be comfortable in our skin. I will happily support anyone who wants to take a moment to feel good about their looks because, to me, it takes so much more to ignore negative messages and rise above it all. If you feel good and you want to capture it, go ahead. If you want to shame others for taking selfies, however, perhaps you should take a moment to consider what this says about you as a person.

'But first... let me take a selfie...'

2014: My New Years Resolutions

The new year rolls in and it's time for me to make some resolutions for the New Year. I was here about a year ago doing the very same thing and I managed to tick everything off one way or another. There was a time where I wouldn't make resolutions but I have, in recent years, found myself capable of keeping to them. So here's what I want to achieve over the next year:

- I want to travel. It may be to somewhere far afield like New Zealand or just up north to Scotland. Either way I want to travel this year because holidays are soul restoring and I was born with an endless wanderlust. Over the summer I shall be travelling around Europe with my father. We'll be starting in Amsterdam so I'm very excited.

- Keep writing. This year I want to either write a novel in 2014 or finish a film script or the pilot of a TV show and a few following episodes. I also want to continue with my second anthology of poetry and maybe seek publication for my first anthology of poetry. I'm now actually kinda happy that my poetry wasn't selected for publication because there's more work I want to do on the existing poetry in 2014.

- I want to work. I want to work whether it's in the job I have now or a graduate job or work abroad.  I want to work and to save up money for the future.

- I want to get into photography. Even if I'm no good at it I really love the idea of taking photos and simply documenting life.

- I want to start getting involved with music and actually creating some original songs so that I can maybe put together a small demo album. A few friends of mine have recorded their music and shared it with the world and I'd like to do the same. I've got some lyrics and tunes written out so we'll see where that goes. Maybe if I try to write at least one song by the end of the year. I think that's a good place to start.

- I want to get into vlogging. I've really enjoyed blogging so the next step is clearly to vlog on YouTube. I've set up a channel and I'd really appreciate it if you could subscribe and follow my journey.

- I want to exercise more and maybe get back into swimming simply because I really enjoy it. It's a really relaxing way to exercise.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2013: End Of Year Blog Statistics

End of year blog statistics

Number Of Blog Views:
22,837

Top 10 Most Popular Blog Entries:

1. Album Review: See You On The Ice by Carice Van Houten
2. Game of Thrones character RE-CAST?
3. David Wenham looks good in make up
4. The B425 List
5. 10 reasons to adopt pets from shelters rather than buying them from stores or breeders
6. The Business of Bodily Insecurity
7. Dashing David Wenham
8. Response & Review: Looking For Alaska by John Green
9. Spellbound: A Night With Siouxsie Sioux
10. Kavos: Sleaze Central or Soothing Escape?

Top 10 Countries That Have Visited My Blog:

Entry	Pageviews
United Kingdom	8717
United States	6503
Netherlands	1057
Russia	1046
Germany	939
Ukraine	447
Canada	293
Australia	281
France	238
China	170

Total Number Of Blog Posts Published So Far:
831

Total Number of Blog Posts Altogether (Including drafts/scheduled posts):
934

2013 Favourites

Favourite films of 2013:
- The Great Gatsby
- The World's End
- Gravity
- About Time
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Favourite songs of 2013:
- The Fox by Ylvis
- Sinners by Lauren Aquilina
- Thrift Shop by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis ft. Wanz
- Spring Break Anthem by The Lonely Island
- Siren Or The Sea by Carice Van Houten
- Someone Like Me by Ylvis
- Roots by Orla Gartland
- YOU. ME. BED. NOW by Carice Van Houten
- Only Teardrops by Emmelie De Forest
- Bird by Anouk
- The Good Life by Anouk
- kill by iamamiwhoami
- Same Love by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis ft. Mary Lambert
- y by iamamiwhoami

New bands/songs/artists I've discovered and enjoy:
- A Fine Frenzy
- Lauren Aquilina
- Molotov Jukebox
- Carice Van Houten
- Anouk

Favourite Album of 2013:
- See You On The Ice from Carice Van Houten

Favourite Books I've Read in 2013:
- Trumpet by Jackie Kay
- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- Fevre Dream by George R.R Martin
- Does This Baby Make Me Look Straight? by Dan Bucatinsky
- The Book of Human Skin by Michelle Lovric
- Wildthorn by Jane Eagland

Favourite new TV shows:
- Masters of Sex
- Orange Is The New Black
- The Tunnel

Biggest achievements of 2013:
- Landing my first publishing deal
- Becoming a blogger for The Huffington Post
- Graduating from university
- Setting up this blog and getting it to the point where it stands this day.
- Completing my first short anthology of poetry.
- Taking part in NaNoWriMo

Favourite memories of 2013:
- Graduation Day

- DJing for my partner's birthday party. I hadn't done any sort of DJ gigs for so long and it rekindled my love for it. I spent most of the evening indulging in music banter with two other guys with plenty of requests.

- Doing a whirlwind road trip to Whitby with Julia, Vief, Becka and Yuki and making a lot of women jealous when William Control chose to get a little close with me and wrapped his fingers around my neck and sang to me. I mean...how many people can say they've been strangled by a famous singer?

- Getting off my bus and seeing my partner again after weeks of being apart in a long term relationship. In 2014, however, that long term relationship will go back to a normal, close-dwelling kind of relationship.

- I got to see Siouxsie Sioux, one of my all time idols, perform live. I was so close to her. It was truly magical.

- Sharing a birthday party with my good friend Julia. The theme was zombie Disney and people came as zombie versions of Disney characters. I particularly loved Inkley in a rather stunning zombie Cruella Deville costume. It was a fun evening and, near the end of it, Hannah and I found ourselves drunkenly criticising Legolas. That was a fun night. This year I also went to a party at a small mansion where there were tiny dogs walking around in little tuxedo suits. It was adorable - a totally extravagant party, almost Gatsby-like in the sheer grandeur of the night. That was another good moment: seeing dogs dressed up as fancy people.

- Just being able to spend time with my family. Even when my father was in hospital there was this wonderful sense of togetherness. We'd be laughing and poking fun at my Dad about his surgeries and he'd joke right back. This year, and every new year, I become more and more aware of how truly awesome my family is. I'm enjoying just spending time with them. My parents are my dear friends, my sister is now blooming into this really rad young woman. I'm proud to call these people my family. I've also got a really rad partner who, all year, has supported me through the ups and downs, through the stress of university and through moments of great depression and anxiety. I'm very lucky for the people around me.

- Writing and beginning work on completing my B425 List.

- My trip to Kavos with the girls from uni (particularly the last night with Charlie and Claire's birthday outing, but I loved being curled up by the pool with the sun above me and a book in my hand. There was also a particularly memorable moment that involved nudity, roof climbing and a hijacked fishing boat)

- The moment when I found out that I was going to be a published author, seeing my chapbook anthology of short stories had been accepted. Also I don't want to forget that I also submitted an anthology of poetry which made the long-list. The fact that it was even considered and then made the long list must mean it's good enough to seek publication for. I'll make my poetry a big personal project of mine next year.

So that's a rough round up of some of my favourite aspects of 2013. Thank you for letting me share them with you now and through a year of blogging. I'm sure there are things I've forgotten about but I can safely say that this has been a wonderful year and I'm very thankful for all the good that it has brought to me. I hope that 2013 was good to you and that 2014 is even better.

2013: A review.

As the year comes to a close I think it's very important to sit down and reflect on what you've achieved over the past year to really put your life and your accomplishments into perspective. It's a little exercise in positive thinking to carry you through into the new year ahead. So bare with me for a moment as I give myself a well earned pat on the back for 2013 and all that this year has brought me.

One of the huge things that I'll remember this year for is that it's the year I graduated university with upper second class honours. It was such a lot of work and I put in so much time and effort to earn this degree that will follow me for the rest of my life. My degree is now framed and hoisted up on the wall and I do actually feel this intense pride whenever I see it. It's only now that I'm out of university that I'm actually thinking about the possibility of a Masters degree one day or, perhaps down the road, a degree in psychology as it is a subject that I've always been vastly interested in.

This year I started blogging. I set up this here blog and I've kept at it since March. It started at a way of venting all of my emotions and frustrations whilst writing my university dissertation so I could dump my feelings and get back to work. I didn't ever dream that this blog would have been accessed worldwide and read/shared by celebrities. My blog is still something that I run and write for fun but it has achieved so much in the past 9 months. It's my little blog baby! I aim to continue writing about things that interest me into the next year and, hopefully, for the rest of my life.

This year I started writing for The Huffington Post. I applied on a whim and after striking up a conversation with one of the editors they let me blog for them and my articles have been read and shared all over the world. I feel a sense of pride knowing that I contribute to such a wonderful news website.

I've had some contact with some wonderful famous people via Twitter who have tweeted me or reblogged me/shared links to my blog. This can be said of Natalia Tena (of the Harry Potter films, Game of Thrones), Carice Van Houten (singer, also on Game of Thrones), I was retweeted by Neil Gaiman, I was tweeted and thanked by actor/author/tv creator Dan Bucatinsky, I was tweeted by Dominic Monaghan. I got a message from Anne Rice when I messaged her whilst writing my dissertation on psychology in vampire literature. She thanked me and was happy I enjoyed her books. That was a good moment. I screamed with joy then. I know these things seem superficial but they're pretty big for a fangirl like me.

I got to see Siouxsie Sioux perform live. She has long been one of my icons and just when I was thinking I would probably never see her perform live she became one of the closing acts of the Meltdown Festival. Standing so close to her, even making eye contact with her, was strangely magical.

I made real, active work towards finishing my first novel. I even took part in NaNoWriMo. It has taken a lot of discipline and three years on a Creative Writing course to help me re-evaluate the way I thought about writing but I really love what I'm doing and I have hope for myself.

I went on a holiday with the girls from university. I'd done trips without my parents before, but not solely with people of my own age where we were entirely responsible for ourselves. We collected some fun times and some crazy memories.

I funded my first Kickstarter project! I kept meaning to get into Kickstarter but when I was a student I never had the money. It's something I highly recommend doing. It feels good knowing you'd funded the arts and given back somehow. Now that I'm working I hope to fund small amounts to promising Kickstarter campaigns each month.

I wrote my B425 list. Until this year I never really even took New Years Resolutions seriously, so the fact that I had 2013 resolutions and went on to create a mini bucket list of things to try and accomplish by age 25 seems like a great way to ensure that my life is fun and that I'm learning new things and having new experiences. After I turn 25 I'll write a "30 Before 30" list and truly hope to create new lists every 5 years or so of my life. I never want to sit back and passively accept what's happening within my day to day existence. I want to have goals aiming to get me closer to where I want to be at that point of my life.

I drank a lot of beer. I mean it's not an achievement as some of the other things but I probably drank more beer this year than ever before because I finally acquired a taste for it. In my mind 2013 will be mentally filed under the name "That Year Where I Drank All That Beer"

This blog was nominated for an award. No really, this blog was nominated for the Cosmo New Blog award. It didn't make the shortlist because the blog isn't primarily about fashion and beauty but still, I can technically say that, as of 2013, I write and run an award nominated blog and that's pretty rad.

I landed my first publishing deal at the age of 21 and on my first real attempt to submit an item of my work to be published officially. This is probably the coolest thing that happened in 2013. My first collection of short stories will be out later in 2014 and will be launched at a literature festival with another awesome writer, William Thirsk-Gaskill. I'm so excited. I've dreamed of being an author and having my work officially published since I was a kid and this is a really big step for me. It makes going forth into the world of book publishing just that little bit easier for me. I also wrote a collection of poetry that made it to the long list of a competition and was so very close to being chosen for publication which is pretty amazing. The fact that it was being considered is still pretty amazing so in 2014 I'll still pursue publication for my poetry and I've already started on my second collection of poetry. It has a title and everything. Very exciting.

2013 has been an utterly fantastic year and, sorry to toot my own horn, but I am truly proud of myself. I'm thankful for YOU even if this is the first time you stop by or if you read this blog every day. I'm happy for my family and friends. 2013 was tough and presented obstacles but I stand here feeling truly happy about what I've managed to accomplish. I hope 2013 was a good year for you too.

2013 New Years Resolutions, A Review: Did I Complete Them All?

What I said:
"1) Do that work, like a boss. With only three months left of university I want to do as best I can on any assignments that still lie ahead including that mammoth dissertation of mine. At the moment whenever I close my eyes to sleep my dissertation is what I think of, usually having sudden surges of inspiration when what I desperately need is sleep. Thanks for that one, Brain. "

Did I manage to complete it?
Yes!
I managed to ace my degree. In creative writing alone I got straight firsts and over all I got a 2:1, an upper second class honours degree. My degree certificate now hangs in my study with pride next to my mother's law degree.

What I said:
"Thank you, Kimberly Snyder. I spent a lot of my life hating my appearance, focusing hatred on little bits of it: my weight, the shape of my nose, my legs. The past year or so I've really tried to focus on my health: I've been swimming more, gone on more walks, even made radical changes to my diet. I hope that in 2013 I can continue my new pescetarian diet and continue to swim and, as soon as my leg has fully healed, go on more walks/hikes. "

Did I manage to complete it?
Yes!
I kept to my pescetarian diet and have even made certain changes with my diet. Some days my diet is practically vegan. I'm very healthy and I treat my body with care. Now I don't hate my body, I'm so wonderfully comfortable in my own skin and it's great. I've done some swimming but I should really try to make sure I swim more in 2014 because it's something that I really enjoy.

What I said:
"She works hard for the money. Once I graduate from The University of Huddersfield with my degree I want to move back down south and find a job - any job at first. I want to throw myself back into work so I can start earning money (which will be continued in the next resolution) and it'll give me something to do post-grad. The last thing I want to do is fall back into the habit of doing nothing. The job doesn't even have to be relative to what I want to pursue in my future career path. "

Did I manage to complete it?
Yes.
I had a job almost directly after completing my dissertation but I'm now looking for a proper graduate job with decent pay. I'd preferably like something relevant to my skill set but we'll see what the new year brings. I got a job and earned money which I've put away. I have just started a new job and am being put on a three month contract and, whilst I work that job, I'm also applying for a position as a weekly columnist so I'll be able to pursue journalism in my spare time.

What I said:
" The Pen is Mightier than the Sword. By the end of 2013 I want to have a book, a script, a screenplay or whatever written, completed, ready for the next stage. This, to me, is just as big and as daunting as the dissertation. If I have a book published I can then look into getting it published. If I have a script I can start to consider the next stages in the production process. "

Did I manage to complete it?
You bet your ass I did!
Not only did I finish a project, but it's currently in the publication process. I worked on a novel for NaNoWriMo which, although I feel still needs some work, is a huge personal success. So this year I completed two projects and took one all the way to the next stage way ahead of schedule. I scored my first publishing deal which has really been the highlight of the year for me. Majorly proud of myself for that...

What I said:
"Do more interesting things. I should take inspiration from the film 'Yes Man' and start throwing myself head first into new experiences and situations. Variety is the fruit of life and whatnot. I could go paintballing or take up painting or learn to dance ballet again. Who knows? "

Did I manage to complete it?
I guess so, yeah.
I've taken up doing exercises at home like sit ups and squats. I started drawing/sketching again. I got back into hiking just a little bit. I took up blogging here and for The Huffington Post thus pursuing an interest in journalism. I took up making cool, flavoured iced coffees at home, some of which are vegan. I've taken up modifying shirts. In 2014 I hope to continue doing new, cool things. This year I've gone from being in university to working to trying to finish a novel... So hopefully in 2014 I'll have more time and money to try new, exciting tasks and hobbies. The year before I took up making soaps and bath oils at home.


What I said:
"Go to New Zealand."

Did I manage to complete it?
Sadly no.
I have the money to go but I've just been so busy this year and at the moment I've got other things that take priority. If I go to New Zealand I want to go for a minimum of two weeks and lately I've been too busy with my writing and supporting my partner through university (emotionally) so this is quite an important time. Will I make it to New Zealand in 2014? Possibly, but who knows...

2013: A Year of My Life in Pictures

So I recently uploaded this to my YouTube account.

In 2014 you can expect to see me make a move from blogging to vlogging (don't worry, there'll still be stuff posted on here regularly) but I've enjoyed blogging so much that I wanted to expand. Vlogging just seems like a lot of fun. Here's my "A Year of my Life in Pictures"
I wanted to do one of these ever since I saw Brittani Louise Taylor do one.

Obviously it's not all the pictures I took this year. There were far too many, but it's a random selection of pretty things and memorable moments.

Enjoy!

How was 2013 for you?

Let me know in the comments section of my video.

November Rest...

Ahhh... November.

Last month I was working double time and taking up lots of spooky, Halloween-themed challenges. Now that it's November I'll probably post less but the things I do post will be a tad longer. I have plenty of books I've been meaning to review and topics I've been meaning to discuss.

Time to get to work... maybe in a day or two...

Recommended Reads? Yes.

Hello darlings, it's Wednesday again.
I do love these little mid week pit stops.

As per usual I am here to give my recommendations of things I've spotted on the internet this past week as I do every Wednesday. The idea behind doing this is to highlight or signal boost things on the internet so they get some attention and you get something to do, see or read rather than compulsively checking your Facebook for updates.
 So here they are....

• As you may know I'm a bit of a Twitter addict so I totally love this. It's Twitter: The Comic and creates little comic strips based on ridiculous tweets.
• There's gonna be a Goosebumps movie? Check out the info here!
• Do you like random trivia? Then Mental Floss is the YouTube channel for you. Check them out as they have loads of great, fact-packed videos.
• The official Tumblr of Comedy Central
• MMO player? Why not check out this blog dedicated to Lord of the Rings Online
• A shocking story about how people treat gender and masculinity. This story was absolutely appalling - brought to you by HuffPost.

Goosebumps Movie in the works?

It has been reported that a Goosebumps movie is in the works. I recall growing up seeing Goosebumps books on bookshelves and gripped hands everywhere. It even has an IMDB page. In fact, a casting
What do YOU think on the matter?
rumour has even emerged. Apparently the film is to star known funny man Jack Black playing a writer that must face his own terrifying creations. That sounds like it has an almost Lovecraftian tinge to it. Jack Black proved he could pull off a more serious role in films such as King Kong so perhaps it's not too cautious to be optimistic for a good film.
Here on the blog throughout October there will be plenty of posts on a Halloween theme.  

New Years Resolutions: A Further, Further Review.

We're already part-way through September and as Autumn rolls in we're reminded that we're getting ever closer to the end of the year and earlier this year, before my blog really became popular and before I was regularly updating it, I dumped down my New Years Resolutions right here and I decided to do a quick review of how they've gone so far. When I reviewed them previously it was, in some cases, too early to comment on any progress. Now, however, I can talk a little about the changes that have occurred for me in 2013.

The main focus of my resolutions was to buckle down and work really hard to complete my university in order to get a really good degree - and I did! I have now graduated and have a beautiful piece of paper up on the wall in my study to remind me of three years of hard work. I'm still very proud of my efforts and remember them fondly as I move into the world of work and look to the future.

My second focus was to remain healthy. I have, of course, remained a pescetarian and I've lost a little weight in a healthy, happy manner that hasn't compromised me in the slightest. This dietary decision certainly isn't something I'll be giving up any time soon.

My next focus was to find a job upon leaving university. I've found work, I had a job and now I'm looking for a position better suited to my skills and interests. So in that sense, having had a job, I suppose I can tick that one off too. I am now, however, looking for a "career" rather than just a job. I'd love to get some experience in the world of publishing or find something secretarial, perhaps even something within the world of litigation, but we'll see what lies ahead...

I then wanted to go to New Zealand. Initially I was hoping to raise the money and go this year but, what with other commitments, I'll probably push the trip back a little and go next year. That said I did manage to raise all the flight money needed for the trip and it's stashed away. I think I'll go next year when it's still winter here and will hopefully therefore be warmer in Wellington. I'm excited for the trip ahead even if 2013 won't be the year I head over.

I also stated that I wanted to finish a novel by the end of 2013. There's still much time to go and I'm obviously closer than I was in January however I'm by no means finished or even close yet. In 2013 I've also completed my first anthology of poetry and my first anthology of short stories.Whether or not they'll be published, I cannot yet say. My fingers remain firmly crossed.

Finally I said that I wanted to do more interesting things and I have been. I may not have been canyoneering or skydiving but I've gone to some cool events and I'll be having plenty of new experiences over the next few months to keep myself happy.







So all in all I'd say I've kept pretty faithful in terms of meeting my personal resolutions.
How about you?
What resolutions did you set yourself at the start of the year?
Did you keep them?
Let me know in the comments section for this post or tweet me your answers.
Bye!

What 2013 Holds: A Month-By-Month View

I've always had terrible organisation skills. Keeping myself organised is a huge effort but this year to ensure I keep on schedule I've managed to impress myself with my ability to give myself deadlines to work to. Thinking about NaNoWriMo/dissertation/university made me start to think about the rest of the year as a whole and what 2013 still has in store so I thought I'd write out a brief overview of what lies ahead for me. It's more of a provisional run through so I can visualise the rest of the year, I'm sure I'll add to it as time goes on but it's good to remind myself that there is life beyond dissertations and conference papers at the moment:

March: 
Finishing dissertation,
Taking a few days off to relax,
Continuing research for my conference paper
Late March - start looking for jobs.

April:
Do huge tidy of flat. (Have put off cleaning whilst working on dissertation and after this I want to do a huge scrub from floor to ceiling)
Work on conference paper. Start putting together my collection of short stories and my collection of poetry to submit for publication. Enjoy Game of Thrones, because Season 3 starts this month. Oh yeah. Also start putting together work for my university portfolio for the Creative Writing module.
29th - Conference at which I shall deliver my conference paper.
Start looking for jobs.


May:
3rd - Submit work for Creative Writing portfolio.
Am officially done with university.
Sit back and relax/panic.
Drink some wine.
Drink some more wine.
Continue looking for jobs if you don't have one yet, you get the picture.
Continue to work on your short book of poetry and your short book of short stories ahead of submission.



June:
Start working on your novel so it can be finished by the end of the year.
Have any poetry/short stories to publishing competition by this time.
Start learning how to drive.

July:
Trip to Kavos with my ladies from university.
Graduation from University. Proud moment.
Continue writing novel
Keep learning how to drive


August:
Continue writing novel
Learn how to drive.
Start teaching yourself more interesting recipes over the summer when you have the time to do so.

September:
Continue writing novel.
If you have a job by now, you should have a good amount of money stashed away for a trip to New Zealand in which case start looking/planning for a trip to get away when the winter cold arrives. Think about how much you need for what you want to do. Look into flights, travel costs etc.






October:
Continue writing novel.







November:
Continue writing novel for NaNoWriMo. Try to use this month to finish it so December is just pruning, editing and re-drafting of things.

December:
Finish novel.
Research the market and decide where to send the novel to first.

I'm excited

Resolutions: A review.

Hello Blog-ghosts!

I honestly don't think anyone reads this - but who knows? One of my blogs has over 1140 page views. Someone has to be looking. I've noticed a friend has recently gotten into blogging and I thought that I hadn't done much with my own blog here for some time and therefore resolved to start using it more often. I figure I'll write whatever thoughts and feelings come at the time. Even if no one is reading it there is something therapeutic about expressing your thoughts outside of your own mind. 

Okay, I got the idea from the first episode of Sherlock. Sure, I'm not a recovering army surgeon but blog writing could certainly be beneficial so why not try?

Anyways, just before New Years Eve 2012 into 2013 I wrote my resolutions on here and I thought that I would revisit them. 

Firstly I discussed the importance of getting down to work and since then I actually have done so. This is something that shocks me as I've always had trouble with organising myself and I can often procrastinate when the task at hand isn't one that excites me and this has proved in the past to be a dangerous habit. I've managed to get a good deal of work done as of late and I'm working towards all my goals and managing my time pretty well. My hopes are that this will be a productive year for me and that I'll graduate with some pride. 

Secondly I discussed diet. Yes, I recently converted to a pescetarian diet and I have to say that it is one of the hardest decisions to make. It takes a great deal of self restraint and normally food and self restraint aren't concepts that meet well in my brain. Going food shopping and not buying tasty things I used to love kinda sucks. That said it is far more beneficial for me to continue with my current diet as it is a sign of a healthy lifestyle. I came across the term 'seagan' the other day - like a 'vegan', but you still allow yourself fish. Since I already drink almond milk/hazelnut milk/soy milk instead of dairy milk and don't really eat eggs and so on I could almost do it BUT there is no way in hell I'm giving up chocolate. Or cheese. I am but mortal. These things are beyond me. 

There are some things I can't exactly comment on the progress of as it is not the time yet to do so. I will look for a job once I have graduated - maybe even as soon as my dissertation is submitted. Then I shall save up for my trip to New Zealand. I've wanted to visit for more than half my life - it is going to happen, fear of flying be damned. I've also not really had the time to do that much writing or work towards completing a script/novel but the other day I sat down and really worked at one. It's coming along nicely and the idea came to me one night practically fully formed and is therefore most likely going to be the first I finish and can then attempt to have published. Fingers crossed - I hope to have it done by the end of the year. 

2013: The Resolutions.

A few of my friends have started to blog their resolutions for the next year so I figured I'd join in...but mainly since I started this blog this or maybe last year and am yet to do anything with it.

1) Do that work, like a boss. With only three months left of university I want to do as best I can on any assignments that still lie ahead including that mammoth dissertation of mine. At the moment whenever I close my eyes to sleep my dissertation is what I think of, usually having sudden surges of inspiration when what I desperately need is sleep. Thanks for that one, Brain.

2) Thank you, Kimberly Snyder. I spent a lot of my life hating my appearance, focusing hatred on little bits of it: my weight, the shape of my nose, my legs. The past year or so I've really tried to focus on my health: I've been swimming more, gone on more walks, even made radical changes to my diet. I hope that in 2013 I can continue my new pescetarian diet and continue to swim and, as soon as my leg has fully healed, go on more walks/hikes.

3) She works hard for the money. Once I graduate from The University of Huddersfield with my degree I want to move back down south and find a job - any job at first. I want to throw myself back into work so I can start earning money (which will be continued in the next resolution) and it'll give me something to do post-grad. The last thing I want to do is fall back into the habit of doing nothing. The job doesn't even have to be relative to what I want to pursue in my future career path.

4) Go to New Zealand. Last year I went through a really sad few weeks which ended with the death of a relative. I was filled with guilt because I had so often thought to myself 'Why not take the money I have saved away to visit my family in New Zealand?' I'd keep telling myself 'you have time, you'll make it there eventually' and now I'll never see her again. I figure now is as good a time as any to start planning the trip. I'll put the money from the last part of my student loan towards the flights and I'll be able to stay in central Wellington since that's where the family live. Now, with the recent release of The Hobbit, there are sure to be plenty of deals in the new year on trips/flights to New Zealand. I want to be nerdy - my relatives live a stones throw away from Peter Jackson's studio base so I plan to do any/all LOTR related tours on offer whilst also appreciating the indigenous and post-colonial aspects of the country and its culture. I've wanted to visit for so long now I'm even getting excited at the potential flight routes. Casual stop in San Francisco or Shanghai? Sounds good to me.

5) The Pen is Mightier than the Sword. By the end of 2013 I want to have a book, a script, a screenplay or whatever written, completed, ready for the next stage. This, to me, is just as big and as daunting as the dissertation. If I have a book published I can then look into getting it published. If I have a script I can start to consider the next stages in the production process.

6) Do more interesting things. I should take inspiration from the film 'Yes Man' and start throwing myself head first into new experiences and situations. Variety is the fruit of life and whatnot. I could go paintballing or take up painting or learn to dance ballet again. Who knows?

It's that sort of optimism, creativity and experimentation that I look forward to exploring in the New Year. Roll on 2013.