"dun dun Dun dun Dun dun Dun, dun Dun dun Dun dun dun Dun"

Yes, The Apprentice is back and in the last few years it has been one of my favourite programmes.


I don't know what it is about cocky suit people who really don't live in the normal world, but I find it very entertaining.  Being a creative, I admire more academic people but that doesn't mean I always have to understand them.


This week was the 2nd instalment of Season 8.  I won't go on about all the details, but I wasn't impressed at the two ideas that were taken forward to pitching - I can't believe how little these people listen to each other!


I have been a keen addict of this programme since about Season 5, after various people told me I was missing out on some great TV moments.  By the end of Season 5 I was hooked and I've watched it ever since.  I have even gone on YouTube to watch all the previous seasons in 10 minute parts - annoying but worth it.


Having tried to watch the American version, there is just something about Lord Sugar, Nick and Carol (originally Margaret) that works.  That and the fact that the American version is SOOOOO American:  orange glow to the filming, sound effects when something is going to happen, zoom ins when someone is shocked and over dramatic.  It's just annoying!


Although some of the challenges reappear in different seasons, it is always good seeing new dumb people tackle them in stupid ways.  One of my favourite ones from the last Young Apprentice (which I also watch) was the two girls going to Croydon to buy a watch, which cost them the task.  Who gets a black cab to Zone 5 in rush hour and why on earth can't you find a watch shop nearer the inner London - stupid!


If you haven't watched it, the last 2 current episodes are on BBC iplayer and worth a watch - if your days going badly, it could make you feel a whole lot better : )  Also don't forgot The Apprentice:  You're Fired with Dara O'Brien - it's a fab overview of the weeks challenge : )


My title is based on the theme tune for The Apprentice, but today I am going to give you a link to Cassette Boy VS The Apprentice, as this comedy edit is brilliant:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yxi6QDwQyLU&feature=related

"Spanx for the memories..."

Apologise once again for the late blog.  Long hours of work and a computer that is rather here and there doesn't allow me to do this easily : (


Today's post is split between two topics:  Spanx and Reunions


Spanx


I'm going to a friend's Masquerade Ball today (I know, how posh am I, lol) and decided to try on some of the dresses I wished to wear yesterday.  Once I had finally chosen the dress I stood in front of the mirror to check how it looked.  That's when I was like - uh oh!  I am not that big in size that I am going to complain, but since the running around of panto in January I have been a bit lax with exercise and have been eating "well" and the tummy that I had joked about on panto was now definitely there. 


Now we are not talking beer belly or anything like that.  I like to know of it as a "Care Bear belly"  (I loved the Care Bears as a kid) which basically means it is a very slight mound that is slightly cuddly : )  Anyway, normally I have no problem with my slight roundness until you put me into a skinny cocktail dress, then it shows big time.


My week has been hectic with a capital H, so I didn't have much time to play with but decided to go to a local department store to find something to solve the problem.  Unfortunately for me, the only one nearby was a rather posh shop, so no own brand stuff, just the expensive stuff.  An array of different items hung in the lingerie section marked "support".  In all honesty, this had been a section of lingerie that I had either ignored or just not noticed before.  And this is where the Spanx come in.  Spanx (for those of you who don't know and I didn't know until fairly recently and I work on musicals) are very tight, generally unsexy pants that hold in everything so you can were slim line clothes.  I have to say, I didn't even know there was so much choice.  As well as pants of all different lengths and shapes there are basques to were under clothes.  Most of the stuff ranged from £17 - 75 (people spend that amount of money on this!).


So, I head into the changing room with a range of items (from the lower part of the price bracket : s).  Well, for someone who had just done a laundry call for a show, it was not the time to try these evil contraptions on.  I was contorted and made to look even worse most the time, by these evil pants and basques. They were all so difficult to get into (well, the ones I could get into) and so hot.  How people wear them under normal clothes in Spring is beyond me!


In the end, I took all the items, handed them back to the lady and walked out.  I decided that most of them were not holding me in any better than I tight pair of high rise cycling shorts I have, so that's when I had the idea.  I'm not going to pay this amount for hideous pants that I know for a FACT I'm not going to want to wear, so it's cycling shorts with my cocktail dress.  I can have a secret smile all night knowing I have cycling shorts under my beautiful dress, but who cares if it does the trick and saves a few pounds : )


Reunions


Reunions are a nice thing with the right people and you find you do them a lot more of them as you get older (especially when time passes so quickly and you just don't get to see everyone all the time).  


I didn't used to be a fan of the "Reunion" and that was mainly because when I was a child I didn't know that many great people that I wanted to see again after we lost contact.  That and I reunion has to be something that all the parties involved genuinely want.  It doesn't work if "so and so" has only gone because she's been pressurised into going.  I have never been to a reunion for primary or secondary school (and probably would never will) and the college one I went to was awful (you are mates with certain people for a reason, don't try and force friendships with a whole class it doesn't work).


I have also had reunion meet ups with old friends, which has been good but it is always hard to keep the contact up constantly when your life is quite hectic.


Anyway yesterday, I met up with a group of people I originally worked with from 2004 - 5 and between us, a group of us have kept in contact since.  The thing I love about our meet ups (I wish they could be more often, as we do have a great time) is the fact that we all got on so well when we worked together and we have been able to take that laughter and connection out of the workplace (which is normally the difficult things - when your not laughing about the stupid printer at work and idiotic people in other departments, sometimes it can be forgotten there is an out-of-work person in there too).
I think another reason we are so close is that our ex-manager (who is part of the group that meet up) allowed us to be our natural selves at work, which meant we worked to our abilities and we were taken for who we were (even if she is reading this, she is still one of the best managers I have ever had and that's not me trying to gain Brownie points).  My time with this bunch of people was so good, that I always base future jobs with people on this experience.  Mainly because I had work satisfaction through the role and the people I worked with and it proves that can exist and it's quite easy to forget that in the arts (unfortunately not everyone is always as great as they make out).


So I met up with the girls yesterday (our only guy part of the group, the MG, couldn't make it because of his filming schedule - alright for some) and we ate, drank, laughed until the hours ran out.  I want to thank them all for a wonderful evening and I hope we do it again soon.  Friendship appears in the most random places (most my friends I have met through jobs I've enjoyed or random interests I have tried) but when you find it, it doesn't matter how long it is until you see them next, it will be like it was only yesterday that you saw them.  It can't be bought and that's what makes it a wonderful thing!  Awww : )


(Pictures will start appearing at the bottom of my blog again soon, but I've had to write this in a hurry : s)


Blog title inspired by Fall Out Boys' Thnks Fr the Memories: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onzL0EM1pKY

...Now only fourteen left to go"

First of all, I haven't written in ages because my mac has been on the blink.  It's getting sorted but I'm using the boyfriends laptop for now to write this blog.

Everything is a bit up in the air at the mo, what with long hours of freelance work, no computer and me trying to sort out permanent work.  Stressful is not even close to the word.

I have been doing the same as many others are, trying to sort out permanent work so I don't have to constantly stress about paying the bills and to have some goals and aims to head for.

I have been doing all kinds of applications recently, mainly for office based roles but a few other random jobs have been thrown in their too.  You see I have been doing dressing work for ages and I do enjoy it but I now want to push some of my other skills and stay in one work place for once : )

Today I went for a 2nd interview for a job I really want.  I always find these ones the worse, as I tend to mess up and never really know how I've done.  In the past, most of the jobs I have been asked to second interviews for are for roles I decide I don't want (either after meeting the people or finding out about the company).  This must be the first 2nd interview I have ever been to and I don't know if I like them.  The reason being you are so much closer to getting the job yet still so far away.   Although I nearly went through a wire fence by accident  when trying to get to my boyfriends house, which is probably why I feel sick, I think the other reason is because I feel I messed up the interview and have no other permanent work in the pipeline - I feel like I'm crying inside and it's RUBBISH!!!

You see in this age we have to be strong however bad times are and sometimes its just too hard.  So that's where my chocolate,cakes and food indulgence comes into play : s

For tonight I have decided though not to think about it anymore and move on - who knows what tomorrow brings.  For now I am just going to enjoy the food my boyfriend has cooked, watched some tele and chill.

Today's title is from one of the first songs by the fab Athlete - Out of Nowhere:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNl-mUqedxc

"Cause we love our love, in different sizes..."

I went shopping the other day.  Fashion shopping wasn't something I was much into as a kid.  Let's face it I grew up in the 80s and 90s (when some of the coolest things around were shoulder pads, shell suits and t-shirts that changed colour when you sweat), so it wasn't the most inspirational period in which to look good as a women.  From my memories of 80s films, it was dress drab or like a slut, no real in between.

Since the 00s my interest in shopping has increased a lot.  Maybe this is because I was now an adult, had more money to spend and knew what I was looking for (rather than just wearing the trendy things I was "meant" to like).  These days it is normally the other extreme, I actually have quite a few pairs of shoes, clothes items and bags that haven't even seen their way out of my room - but oh how pretty they look in there.  I'm saving them for the right moment when it's time to unveil them and how exciting that will be : )  (Read my post about "New Shoes" and you'll know how much I like wearing something for the first time.

Anyway, so I went and did a bit of shopping.  My main aims were to go to Debenhams and H&M as I had vouchers for both.  Now, for anyone that is getting close to 30, you may have noticed that your body has started to change (could be you've put on weight, body shape has changed etc), but it is definitely not what it was 5 years ago.  Now, I have definitely not looked after my body as much as I should of.  The days of spending half my evenings in dance classes and the other half sweating off calories in night clubs has gone and boy do I notice it.  In general, my life has basically changed and with that my body. Bad times : (

Most of the time, I have little worry about this.  I haven't really put on much weight, my body is just less toned and there are only three times when I notice this.  1. When I walk up a lot of stairs and get out of breathe (ridiculous I know) 2. When something no longer fits me in my house (even through sheer determination) and 3. When I step in a changing room : (

So my average clothes size used to be a 12-14 (10 on my very slim months and from certain shops).  At the moment I am more a 14 and sometimes a 16, which again doesn't worry me that much apart from when all my clothes don't start to fit, then I get mad.

My first trip the other day was to Debenhams.  I had a look at some Pineapple stuff, Red Herring, Oasis (the normal really) but decided because I want to re-tone up, I might as well buy the clothes that will convince me to tone.  Jogging bottoms/dance trousers - oh the bane of my life!  I have been buying this things since my teens as every dance class and sport that I did needed a slightly different look or fit of these items, but it doesn't make me love them anymore.  The problem is I have a bootalicious booty (as I like to call it).  My bum has never been or never will be ultra trim.  I can tone it but it's size will never go down and I kind of like that way (how else would I "shake my thing" in a club).  The problem is (especially the dance trousers) do not like behinds like mine).  They expect everyone that wears dance trousers to have no bum and no hips (which is cutting out about 3/4 of the female population at least).  So when I try on even the loose fit boot cut trousers I still feel they stick to my ass like glue and look horrendous!  I took in 8 pairs of sports trousers the other day (all the right size) and only one pair was I convinced to buy, the others made me feel like Goldie Hawn in Death Becomes Her when she puts on weight after her husband is stolen away (picture on right - great film if you haven't seen
it).  I'm not even that big, especially as I'm 5ft 9, but put me in those trousers and I feel
huge, lol.  So after a good 20 minutes of feeling like an elephant trying to squeeze into
cling film (and those evil shop mirrors that make you look bigger than you are), I left with a decent pair of trousers and a sports crop top (that's for when I'm toned, not now : s

My 2nd trip was to H&M.  Now I was reading an article about being 30 recently and it said you have gotten used to your age when you have given up H&M.  Given up
H&M?  What am I meant to do?  Half of my clothes come from there.  But it does bring up a very good point.  Around my age there is definitely a transition of change in clothes from 20 to 30.  There are clothes that I wore 10 years ago that not only would only fit around one of my legs but also is "too young" a look for me now.  You
must know what I am talking about, those dresses and outfits that your mum never wanted you to wear out so you either borrowed them or bought them and changed at a friends house so she'd never find out.  I'm now of the age where I look at disgust when I see a younger girl wearing one of those.  Especially the ones with their bum hanging out wearing a thong (thank god I was never one of those, lol)  The best one was in Lincoln recently where a younger woman was wearing skin coloured leggings and a vest top out for a night.  From a distance we thought she was nude of the bottom half and were appalled.  It also didn't look much better close up, but for some reason, she thought it looked great enough to wear it out of the house.  No one of a similar complexion should wear that colour and anyone of a different complexion probably wouldn't, so why they sell that colour, I don't know.

So, back to H&M.  As always I like a good browse around the shop.  I don't just go for what's in the window or what they happen to have rails and rails of, I like to look at the hidden stuff or the random items that no one has considered (the amount of weird and unusual stuff in H&M that looks better on than on the hanger).   H&M (like everywhere else) now have a catalogue (which I wish I hadn't signed up to because every other week they send me updated brochures and I just land up recycling them straight away) and they now sell bigger sizes in most of their clothes.  I think this is great and definitely a turning point in their sometimes super skinny sizing.  However, this has not completely transferred to their stores. The main store is roughly size 6 - 16 (even though you have to be a detective to find size 16s in the shop and with 14s you also have a similar problem) and then there is a 18 - 24(i think) size area as well.  The problem is the bigger sizes are normally completely different to the smaller sized clothes and the fact that they don't stock enough of the middle sizes (i.e. 14 and 16).

For instance, have a look at the picture to the left which I took at H&M the other day.  The main dress in the picture on the right has about 35-40 copies of it on the rail and yet there was one 14 there, a few 12s and no 16s.  They many consisted on 8s and 6s - ridiculous! Have you ever seen THAT many size 6 and 8 women in that shop. NO, is the answer!  Most women in their look size 12 - 16, so where there ideas on ordering come in, I have no idea.  And funny enough it is these masses on 6s and 8s that always just land up going straight into the sale after a few weeks because no one has bought them.  Maybe if they did proper customer research, they would realise this.  That and cuing for changing rooms and tills - they should have taken Mary Portas's ideas on!.

Anyway, tried on the weird n=bunny dress that I liked and due to having a large chest, the dress didn't fit and that was a 14, so no dress for me.  I now have to see if I can order it - annoying!

Several areas in which H&M have improved though is there underwear is getting better (the ones that are proper knickers), there range of socks, tights and leg warmers and my favourite, their sports collections.  Their sports range started last year I think and since it's started, I have bought loads of stuff.  For once, they have obviously listened to consumer needs and the clothes are made nicely, fit nicely and come in a range of colours. At the moment I am buying more from their sports range than any other sports manufacturer because there is something about their designs that works (and this comes from someone that used to buy mainly from Adidas and Reebok).  Definitely try out this range - I bought 2 items only the other day : )

I feel I am definitely having to re access what I'm buying and from where.  Places like Republic aren't doing it for me anymore and I'm starting to find new high street and designer brands that I like (started a new love for Bench and things like Firetrap).  Part of me is sad because my very young youthful chapter is finishing and I now know more what I want from things, but it is also exciting as I get to wear nicer clothes, from slightly more expensive brands and enjoy the shapely figure that I was given.  This doesn't mean I stop being individual (still love vintage stuff and boutiques) but I have just matured and changed and that's not always a bad thing!

Today's post title comes from a 90s song called Perfect 10 by Beautiful South: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWjDZkY1ILU

"22 grand job, in the city it's alright..."

I just got in from a lovely meal with my mate Verrall to find out I have a 2nd interview for a job I want.  I was so happy and shocked (because the jobs I  really want don't ever seem to come to fruition) that I nearly cried on the train - embarrassing!


I'll explain.  I have worked in the Arts for over 10 years now (with a few mini gaps here and there) and sometimes I still feel back at step 1.  The problem is because I have never been one for long term goals (mainly because I like variety in my work and haven't had that one thing I've really wanted, more like 10, lol), freelance work tended to suit me in the past.  It was great  because I could do lots of different jobs, work with different companies, have no problem getting time to myself (just didn't book work when I wanted to be off) and got to party and socialise around the lifestyle.  The problem is that freelance work also means being poor at certain points in the year (if the works not there), constantly looking for work and never being able to plan more than a few months ahead in worry that important well paid work would come up.


In the last couple of years my ideas of work have changed.  I've spent ages doing heavy duty stuff, long irregular hours and working for low wages - I want a decent wage and lifestyle because I'm 29!  There's nothing wrong with that!


The thing is I've done so many applications and interviews now I'm confused what skills and tactics are the magic to getting a job.  I have so much to offer yet I don't know what to do to get paid for it - arrrrrggggghhhh!!!!  Recently I have become more creative in my applications by having faint background pictures on my CV, designing stylish borders and my newest thing, the video CV.  For someone like me where my skills partially come from practical skills/experience I need evidence not a plain piece of paper to prove my worth.  It also comes in handy that I do sound and video editing, as I did this myself (the music was even two tracks I had merged on my own home equipment - creative is what I was going for : p).


The problem is, for every 20 applications you send out, you are lucky if you even get one email back - people are getting so awful at even emailing you to say you've been unsuccessful (I HATE rude people!)  I've interviewed people for internships and we always got back to them, even if we weren't able to use them:  It's courteous and it is not difficult!


The worse thing is it doesn't get any easier the older you get and that is VERY annoying!  I would have thought nearly 14 years on since applying for my first job I would be ready for what ever interviewees throw at me but all that has happened is I have become slightly more confident in the process and maybe I care less (the more you worry the worse the interview normally goes) as it's easier that way.


All I will say to all of you who are looking for work is persevere til you succeed!  I have experienced a whole roller coaster of emotions over the last five years but I feel I am finally nearer to what I am looking for and I am not willing to give up.  I have faith in you all - find your dreams and don't let the recession get in your way!

If you haven't noticed by now, all my posts have lyrics or titles from songs (will go back and update all the posts so they have links to any songs where possible at the end of the post). This is because I like using famous lyrics creatively and due to my love of music, know a ton of songs from different genres and eras.   Today's title comes from the great track by The Rakes's  22 Grand Job - have a gander! :


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flESd2vFXy4

"I just want to make you sweat..."

I went to Ministry of Sound last night to see Armin Van Buuren - it's only taken over 10 years for me to actually come to this iconic place and I've done it before I turn 30.  That's one thing off the tick list : )

I've been into Dance music on and off since about 1992.  My original interest mainly came from watching Top of the Pops (when it was still good) with my parents, going to school discos that played current tracks and my disco dancing.  Yes, I went to classes with girls that did those crazy spangly competitions and tried to make themselves as Oompa Lumpa-ish as possible (they were good times! lol).  Especially with the disco dancing side of things, I landed up having lots of dance cds from a young age and would love nothing but to dance round my kitchen to lyrical tracks (something I still enjoy doing now : p).

On top of this, my gran's best friends son was a DJ in the making, so we would hear about some dance music stuff through him.  It's weird to think of all the loud music we would hear coming up through the living room when we visited and yet that was the beginnings of his International stardom (yes, it paid off for him!)

So, early to mid 90s - good dance music!  End of the 90s, it feels like something went horribly wrong.  Probably because pop music (in particular girl and boy bands) to over.  Not that I'm complaining, it added a nice bit of cheese to my collection, but dance music went bad!  There are irritating songs like "Sweet like Chocolate" and "Swing it Back" that to this day it makes me cringe to hear.  Then this followed with not only a good few years of mainstream garage but also more bad music without lyrics - awful!

Start of the 00s I had become well and truly the indie rock chick I was always destined to be.  I not only paid to see a huge amount of acts in the next few years, but I also went to a lot of gigs for free due to my street teaming work : ) Sweet!  Dance music was alright but still not worth listening to unless it was backtracking on Kisstory.

And then Ibiza happened.  In 2006 my boyfriends mates planned on going to the Island for another round of clubbing, drinking and fun.  I have to say I was kind of sceptical (TV never really gave it good coverage and I didn't want a holiday full of idiots) but the guys (who had mostly been before) said it wasn't like what was portrayed and it was a good break.  So 7 of us booked the trip and off we went.  I have to say, clubbing is so much better out there.  Ok, sometimes you are packed in like a jam sandwich, but the experience and the euphoric  feel is like nothing I have ever felt before.  Sometimes the view around you is immense, maybe being chilled by ice cannons for a split section where you can't even see your hand in front of you or maybe the baseline is just so heavy your heart is literally pulsating out of your body - it is insane!  That and every club and bar is different, offering another experience to your holiday.  And aside from that you wear whatever you want, have beautiful weather around you and there is enough shopping, water sports and other activities to keep you entertained when your awake and not clubbing.   But the best thing about the trip, was re-finding my love for dance music, it hadn't gone away, it was just sleeping : )  Whilst out there we went to Pacha, Amnesia, Cafe De Mar, Eden, Manumission and an array of other places.  We listened to DJs from across the world playing banging tracks and we stayed out late and most of all we had fun doing.  We also chose a great year, as 2006 turned out to be brilliant for the revival of good dance music.  It is thanks to this holiday that I know about Paul Oakenfold, David Guetta, Paul Van Dyk and Armin Van Buuren (to name a few).  Ibiza is also now opening it's doors to other styles of music, so getting to see Futureheads and a few other non-dance acts was also great.  If you love music, it is definitely worth going.  These days, you never know who will be on the billing! : )

Now, I'm standing in Ministry of Sound - I finally got to come.  Everytime I have tried to visit one of the big clubs n town, something has happened and I haven't been able to go.  Asides from Pacha in London, this is the 2nd 'big' club I have been to.  Some of the greatest acts of dance music that have been created have played here and it was cool to absorb that and the music around you.  Even if I don't get the chance to come here again, I can say I have been (especially as they are currently unsure if it is going to be knocked down) and that in itself seems like an achievement.

Today's post title comes from Snoop Dogg Vs David Guetta's Sweat:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnEXrbAQyIo&ob=av2e  @davidguetta @snoopdogg