Should you vote?!

Hello!

Okay, bit of a weird subject for me of all people to be talking about. Of course, everyone knows the general election is creeping up on us. If you didn't know, then either you are living a life similar to that of the Amish orrrr just completely ignorant/ambivalent to it all.

I am in no way as clued up on politics as a lot of my friends are which is why I find it a bit strange to be talking about it.

However, the other day as I was enjoying an afternoon in the sun with some friends, I was shocked to hear that a couple of them said they 'weren't going to bother because they didn't know who to vote for.'
Now, politics is such a touch and go subject so I don't expect anyone to feel the need to tell me who to vote for, similar to how I would never try and sway anyone's views. Each to their own. However, I am a firm believer that if you are registered and over 18 then there is no reason why you shouldn't vote. To put it in perspective - there are hundreds of countries across the world that would do ANYTHING to have their say. For example, in Saudi Arabia women cannot vote at all, just take a minute to digest that.  On the same note, I think a lot of women forget that it is actually quite recently (in the grand scale of things) that we won the fight for women's voting rights. So to 'not bother to vote' is kind of like a slap in the face to all the suffragettes don'tcha think?!

I thought I'd post something I discovered last week, it's basically a little quiz (love a good quiz!) where you map out what's important to you and it'll show you which parties match your political views. Pretty cool. The link is HERE and it looks like this.

To be honest I know a lot of people don't agree with any of the parties that are running which is completely understandable. If you find yourself in that bracket I urge you to at least go along on Thursday and spoil the paper. That way you still have a voice even if you're not actually voting for anybody!

Hope that all made sense...it felt a bit fragmented while I was writing it.
Have a fantastic week
TTFN
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March Favourites!

Hello! 

A long time since a favourites post. To be honest, I didn't really feel like I had anything to rave about over the Christmas period, I think my last one of these was in November, crikey! My laptop then died and had to go to the tech wizards who sorted it (after three trips to PC world) HURRAH! March was a good month for me! I've been so so chilled and really loving the Spring weather that has occurred! I've never really appreciated Spring as a season as bizarre as that sounds. For god knows how many years I've associated March April and May with deadlines, cramming and exams. This is the first year since I can remember that I've not had to stress about academic things and it feels AWESOME.

Moving on.

Alrighty, I'm starting this off with a film which I watched recently. Now I can't remember whether I watched this either right at the start of April or the very end of March so I MAY be including this in the wrong month but never mind. The film is called 'Begin Again' and stars Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Adam Levine, James Corden and Hailee Steinfeld (and Gnarls Barkley briefly haha.)  It's written/directed by John Carney who was responsible for 'Once' - one of my all time favourite films (if you haven't seen it DO and go and watch the West End production because it is beautiful.) I feel like this film was kind of overlooked a little bit. I think I saw a trailer for it once or twice but I didn't hear anyone rave about it and didn't see any reviews which actually is quite cool to be able to go into a film without having any expectations whatsoever.  It basically follows the story of a British musician (Knightley) finding her way in New York after her college sweetheart (Levine) who is also a musician struggles to cope with his new found success and is led astray. Ruffalo plays a downbeat ex music producer who has lost his way but is instantly capitavated when he hears Knightley's music and they continue to record a whole album on the streets of New York. In my opinion, this film won't be for everybody, film buffs will criticise the overly charming quality and lack of grit. But this is my kind of film, it's easy to watch, heart warming and the soundtrack is amazing. Also, I've had this thing for Mark Ruffalo since watching '13 Going on 30' when I was about 12, weird. This film just took me surprise, in a good way, and I was really impressed.

Secondly is a book I read whilst my laptop was poorly. I found myself going through books at such a fast pace whilst I was stripped of my Netflix viewings.  This may be the most emotional book I've ever read. 

 I wasn't prepared for it

. At all.

'Me Before You' written by Jojo Moyes follows Lou Clark who becomes a carer for Will (a quadriplegic who was caught in a motorcycle accident.) He is extremely stubborn, she is hilariously sarcastic. I don't want to give a lot away, but it's one of those novels where you finish reading and you start re-evaluating things. Ohhh yes it's one of THOSE books. Moyes has just got it spot on, she doesn't 'sugar coat' anything which is really quite refreshing. I'd like to say I'll be reading this again soon but I just don't think my emotions are ready for it.

Third on my list is a beauty product recommended to me by a friend who works for the company 'Forever Living.' Their products are all Aloe Vera based so super good for those with sensitive skin like me,  I went over to my friends for a pamper afternoon a couple of weeks ago and she gave me this mask to try. It's basically a toning/moisturising mask which contains two elements; you have the mask powder and the aloe activator which you mix together to make a paste. Apply to face and wait for the magic to happen, it literally feels like you've been injected with triple doses of botox for half an hour but your skin feels suuuuper soft and refreshed afterwards. It's relatively pricey in the sense that it cost me £25 for both (I know there are much pricier brands out there) but I think it'll last a long time.

At the end of January my iPod died, a sad day for everyone.  I was encouraged to get Spotify Premium because it meant you can listen to music offline, without any adverts and their is a huuuge catalogue of music (I should be a sales representative.) Anywho, I've discovered so much music recently that I thought I'd share a couple.  Firstly is Jake Isaac, I saw him perform last year and he was phenomenal and last month he released his EP. 'Where We Belong.' This is a fantastic record as far as EP's go, there is not one track that I didn't like.  His sound is organic, upbeat acoustic with such a soulful voice. 'Home' is my favourite track as the song just sort of evolves and gradually get's bigger and energetic. (There's no video or audio for it on YouTube so I'll include another track of the record which is 'Fool For You' which, again, is great.)

And lastly is another artist I've been loving (a golden oldie if you will.)

To me, Paul Simon just defines summer. I grew up listening to Simon and Garfunkel with my dad and Simon's solo stuff with my mum.  I love that I've been able to reconnect with his music since downloading Spotify. Everyone loves 'Call Me Al', it's a classic but I'll leave you with my favourite which is 'Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes' taken from 'Graceland.' Just a very happy and upbeat song (great music review skills.)

And that is everything! It took a while to put up as I've just been adding little bits when I can. I hope everyone is enjoying the Spring like weather as much as I am.

TTFN
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Top 3 Netflix Comedies.

First proper blog post in a while! 

I am currently sat on my sofa binge watching episodes of Catfish whilst nursing a hangover. I haven't moved from this spot in 3 hours. Happy Sunday everybody! 

So the big news of the week is that I've been offered a new job!! A proper adult job! I will be working for Mind the mental health charity. They are a fantastic support system for those who need it and I feel privileged that I will be working for them.  My notice has been handed in at my current job and I finally feel that things are sorting themselves out hooray!

Moving swiftly on.  Today I wanted to talk about my top 3 (current) Netflix comedies.  When it comes to the streaming site I am extremely bad at becoming addicted to TV shows to the point that hours will pass without me even realising it.  Those who know me can confirm that I am a sucker for American comedy series.  I find that they are the sort of things you can put on just before going to sleep that don't require too much attention.  They're almost like a comforter. 

I'm going to start with a show that I discovered last Sunday and I have now completed all episodes.  'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt' is a Netflix original created by the legend herself Tina Fey. It follows a girl adjusting to modern New York after being held captive in an underground bunker by a doomsday cult leader for 15 years.  Sounds pretty heavy but it's not. Ellie Kemper is fantastic, she is in everything she touches from The Office to The Mindy Project.  Kimmy's pure innocence and naivety is what makes her so likeable, she's missed out on all technological advances and is so unaware of social networking and popular culture.

Kemper's character combined with Titus Andromedon (how is Pinot Noir not a Top 10 hit already?) is what makes this show so current in terms of comedy. I cannot wait for the second series.

Secondly, I have been loving 'Brooklyn Nine Nine', purely because Andy Samberg is in it. I watched this when it was aired on E4 about a year ago but it has recently been added to Netflix.  When I first heard it was an action comedy set in a Precinct of the NYPD I was slightly doubtful as to whether I'd enjoy it. However, the characters along with the scripting makes it so accessible and it's just so bloody funny.

Finally, I've been a bit sneaky with this one as it's not actually available on the UK Netflix (I predict it won't be long until it is though.) I downloaded a proxy which made the US version available and I'm so glad I did because 'Parks and Recreations' may be THE best comedy since The US Office.  Greg Daniels has struck gold again by creating another mockumentary but this time with a strong female lead.  Leslie Knope is the passionate deputy director of the Parks and Recreations department who is responsible for the gem that is 'galentines day.' She is the most motivated yet empathetic character depicted by Amy Poehler.  I honestly think the reason that shows like this are so appealing and so funny is because they are set in offices that are typically mundane but accessible by masses. It's very easy to make comedy out of simple observations that a lot of people can connect with.  In my opinion there is not a single character within this show that lacks comedy value.  It is so well thought out and cast (Amy Poehler, Chris Pratt, Aubrey Plaza AND Aziz Ansari!) and it's one of those shows that I will rewatch. I urge everyone to watch it, go on, TREAT. YO. SELF.

Hiding.

I haven't collected my thoughts and I'm not entirely sure on what I want to say so I'm going to just write and see where I end up.

4 months and 1 day since my last post.

I had finally found a little hobby that I actually enjoyed doing (for myself) and I couldn't keep it up, good job!

I have no idea where the past four months have gone and what even happened within that time frame?! My laptop had to go to hospital for 6 weeks and work has been uber (do people still use this word?) demoralizing. Applying for jobs seems to be going nowhere and whilst it seems that everyone around me is starting to get their shit together, I feel like I'm stuck in a rut. I'm 21 and yet to pass my driving test and yet to know what career I actually want to work and where I want to live.  With the lack of these three things I seem to find myself stuck in a job that has turned me into a person that I don't like whilst living in a very secluded area home to many narrow minded people. This is not what I thought I'd be doing 8 months after graduating.  

So I think partly the reason that I haven't been active on this page is because I'm embarassed at the way I haven't been pushing myself to go out and do things.  I felt like I hadn't done anything or discovered anything worth writing about. I literally dread the unavoidable conversations asking what I've been up to and how the job hunt is going to the point where I find myself cancelling plans if I know a large group of people are going to be there. I find it rather overwhelming to be in the company of people who seem to have it sorted. I realise this sounds self pitying however I am under no illusion that this all could all be cured if I pushed myself to take part/apply for things. 

This has all been ever so doom and gloom hasn't it? I do apologise (to anyone, stilllll not sure if anyone actually reads this!) I guess January and February were slow months.  However, we are mid way through March, the sun is starting to make it's appearance, the days are getting longer and the next few weeks are shaping up nicely. Jobs have been applied for, driving test has been booked and the summer calendar is starting to look rather lovely.

I have so many posts I have been planning to put up so I might just go on a mad writing spree to attempt to make up the quarter of a year of silence on here.

Again, I do apologise for the horribly grim tone to this post! I promise this shall all be turned around.

TTFN!

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