September madness

I usually hate planning to this much detail when travelling, especially in developing countries. But the main trips are booked out so far in advance, there wasn't much choice with only a month off work. So after months of planning, the South American itinerary (should really do this for a living), currently looks like this:

London -> Miami -> Lima, Peru (1 night)

Lima -> Cusco

3 days Cusco

4 days Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

5 hours sleep (in a bed hopefully)...

Cusco -> Lima, Lima -> Quito, Ecuador

4 days Amazon rainforest: Quito -> Coca -> Yasuni (& back again)

1 night back in Quito/travel to Guayaquil -> Galapagos

8 days Galapagos islands -> Quito, then

6 days Latacunga -> Quilotoa -> Latacunga -> Riobamba -> Alausi -> Quito -> Otavelo for the big Saturday market to stock up on presents day before flying home and going in to work the day after.

I had to give up Colombia.

(and Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Chile this trip)

Domestic flights and accommodation haven't been booked yet. If anyone has any advice or recommendations from previous experience for any of the above, especially for surviving the Inca Trial and Amazon, bug repellent, sleep deprivation, physical exhaustion, fast recovery, would be muchísimo appreciated! 

I challenge any sane person to be envious right now. Days of just travelling, never camped before let alone at 2000-4000m, not that fit, don't like bugs, recently developed fear of flying, the idea of being out on the open sea for 8 days worries me slightly, even if it is on a yacht what with tsunami warnings earlier this year, not being a good swimmer, sharks...

Going to be a fun trip :)

Living Dolls: The Return of Sexism by Natasha Walter

It has been a while since my last Blogspot entry, not least because I have been busy setting up my main website livonyeow.com (a work still in progress), and haven't yet figured out how to incorporate the two together.


This entry is a book review which I posted on Amazon and has received good feedback so far.

"I had a mixed reaction whilst reading this book. As a 20-something female who was born and grew up in London, I have both personally experienced and witnessed some of the changes over the past decade from when I was in (a single sex) secondary school to the things my younger sister tells me goes on now (we went to the same school). For example, first time sexual experiences brought down from age 15/16 to 12. The increasing number of young girls who aspire to be models and put the greatest emphasis on outward appearance (breast enhancements, etc.) and securing 'rich guys' - something I also witnessed in South Africa (5 year olds with highlights too!), rather than challenging themselves to advance in careers they may otherwise be good at. 

Now I'm not really one to criticise as I was indeed one of these girls out in tiny skirts clubbing in the middle of winter at 16 - a phase which lasted about a year. I took the higher education route, and even had a brief stint doing modelling test shoots, but at the same time I've always had an interest in politics, ambitions to pursue a successful marketing career, and one day own my own Tourism business (with Travel and Wildlife photography work on the side). I therefore find some of Natasha Walter's critique a little simplistic. 

A topic which is most upsetting to me today is the belief, as discussed by Natasha Walter, that women in authoritative positions are perceived in a certain, often negative way. Hillary Clinton for example. For those who followed the US presidential candidate and presidential race, many were appalled by the sexual innuendos attached to Sarah Palin and the insults directed Mrs Clinton's way. In fact I think women in London are being particularly affected by this. You only have to experience rush hour to see that its most often the women who have the least manners and feel they have to act aggressively to get ahead. 

I bought this book after seeing a review in Stylist magazine (in rush hour funnily enough). Although I agree with a lot of the argument put forth in the book - reporting good science as one example, it also occurred to me that women and the media are primarily responsible for this backward trend. What also occurred to me whilst reading Living Dolls was that having spoken friends and other women in their 30s, many have made the choice to forgo successful careers for 'more meaningful options' be it raising a family or pursuing low-paid passions - which they are often able to do because they have partners in well-paid jobs for support. Having also spoken to men, it surprised me that many would be only too happy to relinquish breadwinning pressures and in fact, be stay-at-home dads. 

What seems to upset men with regards to feminism from personal observation is that they think women today get to 'have it all' if they want whereas they still feel society's pressure to conform to male stereotypes, i.e. apparently its much 'easier for women' crossing boundaries if they so wish. Therefore I don't feel that all the arguments put forth in this book are necessarily valid, which leads me to the topic of Biological Determinism. 

The topic of biological determinism and the nature vs. nurture debate has been of great interest to me since studying A Level Psychology and I found this text particularly interesting with regard to this. Its definitely made me think twice about reinforcing certain gender-based behaviours and interests if or when I eventually have children of my own. 

The next decade should be an interesting one."

Virgin Atlantic follow up

Check out the comment I received in response to my last blog entry, which I posted a link to on Virgin Atlantic's Facebook fan page.  Hey, maybe the next time I fly with them I'll have mayo rather than mustard sandwiches! Here's hoping :)

Greg Hamling is based in Virgin Atlantic's Gatwick office and is assigned to help with general enquiries about the company's flights and/or services.

My new website

*NEWS*

My new photography-based website is up and running.
Check it out at http://www.livonyeow.com

My first entry dated 20th March titled 'Munchies', is dedicated to one of my favourite topics - FOOD, on my recent trip to California.

It is still a work in progress.
Please feel free to post comments or share your thoughts on it.

Livon :)

Moral Thermostats

*Moral Self-Regulation*

I came across an interesting article in Marketing Week (dated 14.01.10) by Richard Madden on the subject of Moral Self-Regulation.

The basic premise behind the concept of moral self-regulation is that when consumers, or rather human beings do something morally good in one area of their daily activities, they then feel ‘entitled’ to do something more selfish as a way of 'balancing' this act out. One of the examples Madden gives is that of a research study involving charitable church-goers; whereby a change in the local tax regime made giving to charities more advantageous. Imagine what then happened. The value of donations went up, and the frequency of church-going decreased. Take another example of a study that found those who have a higher sense of self-worth feel more ‘entitled’ to choose the route of maximum profit in a choice between profit and environmental responsibility. Those who felt a sense of being sinful tended to make the altruistic decision. Fascinating.

‘Trading off’ is something we all do to some extent on a daily basis. Just think about those individuals who ‘treat’ themselves to an extra slice of cheesecake, and then ‘compensate’ at the gym (or at the very least in their heads). Back when I used to me more disciplined (between the ages of 14 and 18 funnily enough), a meal at Maccy D’s or pizza used to equal an extra 50 sit-ups that evening. That was my way of making junk food ok. I wish I had that kind of discipline nearly 8 years later. So in a way this trading off can be a good thing, but then again it can also burden one with a constant stream of guilt, which needless to say can lead to a whole fountain of other problems – OCD, food complexes, various disorders, depression and the like. So the question seems to be, what is most beneficial?

Now, just imagine what the world would be like if people didn’t possess such moral thermostats to regulate their behaviour. On the one hand we have criminals, and on the other we have those devoted full-time to helping others with no thought of either moral or financial reward for themselves.

The implication of moral self-regulation from a Marketing POV? Madden proposes selling sin in the parish newsletter, and virtue immediately after a transgression. Now, there’s food for thought.

Worldwide Consumer Spending

*Consumer behaviour*

I came across some interesting stats today on worldwide consumer spending and how the global recession has had an impact on this. One of the main findings from this study, conducted by The Futures Company, is that consumers in China, Australia and France have proved the most resistant to cutting their expenditure levels during the 'downturn'. Japan was also found to be the most pessimistic of all the markets - this, not such a surprising fact given cultural considerations.

Other key findings included:

32% of Chinese contributors had reduced their outlay since January this year, compared with 41% of their counterparts in France, and 47% in Australia.

77% of South Koreans had actively followed strategies that helped them save money, as had 75% of South Africans, 72% of Italians, and 71% of the panel in Ireland.

55% of consumers on average are now aiming to get the "best price" when making purchases

56% are placing the price of goods ahead of brand names when choosing what to buy.

However, there is some good news for luxury brands in that 16% of people still covet, and buy luxury products and services.

Data sourced from The Futures Company; additional content by Warc staff, 25 November 2009 http://www.warc.com/News/TopNews.asp?ID=25987&Origin=WARCNewsEmail

Jubilee Hair Salon

*Jubilee Hair Salon - New hairdresser*

My sister came back one evening about two months ago now sporting such a dramatic new look that I almost didn't recognise her. After having to ask for the details of her new hairdresser a million times I finally got the name (with the promise of M&S piggy sweets in return - she's just turned 19 but is the baby of the family).

So I went in and booked an appointment after work this Monday (turns out its just down the road from where I'm temping at the moment), two days before my graduation ceremony. Prior to this I hadn't actually actually paid for my hair and had been living the student life for a year or two going to model appointments at a salon just off Oxford Street. I'm a very low maintenance hair person and don't bother brushing it most of the time. Its not exactly un-manageable.

Jubilee Hair Salon is located near Tottenham Court Road station in the Korean district of London opposite the food store. The place is home to great Japanese and Korean stylists. My stylist was Yoshie, whose name I got from an online review. She listened to what I wanted, gave me her own opinions on whether this would suit my face shape, and generally played it safe, letting me know whenever she was about to do anything, as opposed to just chopping. I also got reassurance as I was very worried about getting the fringe I wanted to try, having not had one for about 13 years. Seeing about 12 inches of hair fall in front of my eyes freaked me out a but she did it so fast I didn't have time to dwell on it much, thinking 'well that's done, not much I can do now!'. I also had about 3 inches cut off the rest.

For those of you interested, the address is: 28 Denmark Street, WC2H 8NP. Telephone number 020 7240 5999



It doesn't look like much from the outside, or even inside rather (nothing like a top London salon if I were to compare to other places I've been in the past), but don't let this fool you. I was also told that it had recently been refurbished.

I ended up paying £45 because of the length of my hair. Other reviews which I have seen online put the average price for women between £29 and £39. I was also told by my sister later on that they do student discounts. Compared to places like Toni & Guy its a bargain! I'd been quoted in the £30s on my appointment-making visit so was a little dissapointed but overall happy with the result, speed, and friendliness of employees.

The result is my blog profile pic located in the upper left of the page.

Jimmy Choo for H&M controversy

*COMMENT: ...and another thing!*

I've read some ridiculous posts on discussion boards relating to how Jimmy Choo has now ruined its brand name by partnering with H&M for this latest collaboration.

Frankly I think this is ridiculous. Some are outraged that they spend hundreds on his shoes and mad about the fact people are now able to purchase them cheaply (if you can call £70-£100 cheap having just left uni), even if it is just a one-off. Others are saying the brand name has lost valuable equity. Yet others call us 'sheep'/label whores. And the best one, "everyone in town will be wearing the same thing tonight" (more correctly, a handful of people will be wearing certain pieces from the collection).

I doubt either Stella McCartney, Matthew Williamson, or Karl Lagerfeld have had their luxury sales affected by such collaborations with the high street chain.

In fact I think its a very clever strategy which can only benefit both parties. Firstly, H&M stands to benefit from greater brand awareness, positioned as being at the forefront of high-street fashion, and of course, it brings greater numbers of consumers into their stores. It also doesn't hurt that high-profile names such as Hayden Panettiere have publicly coveted H&M (again, of a certain age group), and both Hilton sisters wore outfits from the collection to the LA launch party.

From the Jimmy Choo side, this collaboration represents a short-time publicity drive to increase brand awareness and gain precious column inches. But more importantly, it gives those less wealthy demographics a chance to experience high fashion at an 'affordable' price. The people who bought items from this new range will, on the most part I feel be the ones buying from the high-end luxury ranges in future if and when their earning power should increase. As a recent university graduate with a recent change in view to buying quality items rather than quantity (i.e. I have never jumped on the Primark bandwagon and would rather save for something classic that will last a lot longer), this definitely is the case.

To address the 'sheep' comment, this is the first time I've gone to any H&M collaboration on launch day or in fact, queued for anything fashion. I keep a mixed wardrobe and buy things I know will look good on me (I've seen some horrendous designer pieces around which I wouldn't be caught dead in), and not fall to pieces after a couple of wears. At the same time Jimmy Choo has built a very good all-round reputation and there is nothing wrong with launching a one-off accessible option for 'the masses'. I don't like to take a disposable view to clothes as I think there is enough waste in today's world so for the most part this is a good reason to buying the odd high-end designer item. I also buy from charity shops btw!

Jimmy Choo for H&M (London, UK): SCORE!

*UPDATE*

I had one of the best retail experiences this morning, am not nursing any injuries, and managed to score quite a range of items at the Jimmy Choo for H&M collaboration launch. Definitely a successful shopping trip and well worth the wait!

I left my house just before 7am this morning and headed to Convent Garden to the Long Acre branch of H&M. When I got there at 7.15am I was bemused (although not surprised) to discover a group of people with a tent right in the front entrance. 'Wow this queue isn't that bad' I thought on arriving, and then I followed it...right around the building and down the alley. I thought, crap I probably didn't make the first 160 people who get wristbands and alloted shopping times in the Accessories area.

Turns out one of the girls in a group behind me went to count and we were between 85 and 95 in line. Brilliant!




It started raining and staff came around to hand out umbrellas, although nearly everyone had already come prepared (UGG boots and all). The wristbands were handed out around 8.15am and mine turned out to be Orange, in the 5th group of 20.

Although we ended up waiting a few hours, I got chatting to some really nice people in front and behind me in the queue so in the end it didn't feel like we were there that long despite the rain and cold. It was all very civilised and there was a general air of excitement about, especially when the first shoppers emerged with their beautiful royal blue-coloured bags.



I doubt it was the same in the Oxford Circus branch although I'm curious to find out. The whole event was planned with military precision and I was very impressed. There were no arguments over items, no catfights, no treading on toes. The whole shopping process ended up taking a lot less time than anticipated, most likely due to the fact that many had already decided what they wanted to buy from looking at the collection in shop windows and online so the 10minutes was enough. I ended up taking the last pairs of two styles in a size 4 and 5.



I will be wearing these peep-toe grey suede boots to my graduation next week to go with a dress I bought recently for the ocassion.



I'm not 100% about these 'fierce' heels although they look amazing. They're about 6 inches and I doubt I'll be able to walk in them frankly. There is a very small chance they may appear on eBay soon. Am kicking myself for not getting the blue sandals as a quick check has already revealed people bidding on eBay at double the original retail price (the scarcity principle is amazing), and I'm definitely poorer now! But then another part of me thought how unfair it is of people to buy a lot with the intention of selling them on when there are people out there dying to get them in store to their dissapointment and cannot afford such mark ups.

Other purchases included the studded belt, small leather bag, earrings, and matching bracelet.




I tried on the sequin cardigan, leather dress, and leather trousers - all which looked great but eventually I had to take finances into consideration along with the fact the look may not be 'in' for very long, although I admit fashion trends do have a way of re-emerging every decade or so. Clothes were really the only items there was still an abundance of on the racks by the time I left the store. But then that was before the doors were open to the general public. It felt very exclusive for the people who bothered to queue as the rest of the store was closed off to everyone until the 160 had finished shopping. There were no changing room queues and assistance was at hand everywhere. An all round marketing and PR success for H&M I feel.

One of the most surprising things that happened was that I got talking to a woman in front of me in the queue who had just launched her own business, and guess what? Is currently looking for an entry-ish marketing person to train up and incorporate as a new member of staff. So not only did I score some Jimmy Choo, I also scored a business card and potential job lead. How's that for random?!

The final Jimmy Choo for H&M shopping spree result:


Apologies for the picture quality - it doesn't do the items much justice. The D90 is currently in Johannesburg with my bf.

ASOS

***Consumer update***

I ordered a few winter items on UK online retailer ASOS.com yesterday. It seems they have a new delivery charge pricing option. Usually a 3 day standard delivery costs £3.95. If you select the new 6 day option however you're only charged £1.95 (ideal for those with no urgent item requirements).

The most surprising thing was that I received an email in my inbox this morning confirming despatch!

That's pretty good customer service. This leads me to the assumption that they're not as busy as they'd like to be at the moment, or the £3.95 option is just an attempt to make a little extra profit. Either way, I know which delivery option I'll be using on ASOS in future.

Social Media statistics in 4.23 minutes

***Social Media Revolution***

Here is a post I came across on a LinkedIn Marketing Discussion page today. Some interesting stats presented in a very clever and engaging way (in my opinion).

'If Facebook were a country it would be the world's 4th largest'.
Enjoy.

http://www.furlongpr.com/every-social-media-statistic-in-423-minutes

Gutted - water filter bottle

*Water filter bottle invention*

I'm gutted!

This was the bright idea I had last year in Small Business Management class...the filter built into a bottle, reducing plastic waste and therefore better for the environment. I just didn't have the technical and scientific knowledge to try and develop it into something worth patenting fast enough.

Oh well, this guy developed it with a bigger cause in mind (halting the spread of diseases in developing countries) so I can't feel too bad. There are probably thousands of lives which will now be saved because of this development...as for the commercial market in developed countries, its something I think could replace the need for buying bottled water.

Check it out, it really is great:
http://www.ted.com/talks/michael_pritchard_invents_a_water_filter.html

At least its nice to know I have good ideas!

The ball has started rolling (slowly)

***Latest buys***

More charity shop finds!

River Island couture top = £2.50 (worn to a fashion show and party within a day of purchase)
Christopher Lee autobiography: = £1.00 (brilliant actor!)

Its a great time to visit right now as we're in a seasonal transition where all the spring/summer wardrobes are being cleared to make way for the new arrivals :) I went to Chelsea over the weekend to see the Thrive! exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery which was great and very inspiring. But on the subject of Chelsea, does anyone know of any good charity shops in that area? I figure its going to be a new haunt of mine.

***Latest job news: PROGRESS***

Thanks to some friendly help I now have a temp job in the International department of a place I used to work and very excited about the prospect of having an income again, if only until Dec. This means I probably won't have to physically create/make my Christmas presents this year...although I've since been told this is a preferred option for some. Wow, tomorrow it will be exactly 3 months to the day!

I've also been invited for my first 'real' job interview in the first week of Oct...for a six-month Research internship I applied for at the Red Cross head offices in London. It is only expenses paid but seeing as I haven't had any other real prospects, i.e. progressed past the application stage to date from other unpaid internships (let alone permanent paid roles) I take this as a very good sign of things getting slightly better. In the meantime I'm still on the lookout for grad jobs in Marketing...the positive of having a temp job now is that I've bought myself a couple more months to not feel pressured into taking anything non-career directed. Tomorrow I'm off to the QS Diversity job forum/exhibition - I'm really keen to get onto the L'oreal Management Training Scheme.

***Latest non-visit: PHYSIO***

I cancelled my last optional appointment because as much as I loved going I decided the gym was a better option. Feeling much better for it! Circuit Training today was tough...it was just me and five guys - I think that may have made me work harder. Oh and I have conquered my fear of the treadmill, haven't yet fallen off :) touch wood

And on a kind of related topic - health?, I've gone off chicken donar kebabs thanks to Ty and his news articles (retaliation for the new smoking research I sent him, which shows heart diseases have declined since the UK brought in the smoking ban).

Autumn is on its way

It just poured outside...and its the first day of September which probably means the onset of Autumn. Dread.

People are often asked: 'What's your favourite season?', and I've never really been able to decide. Does this make me indecisive? I don't know, but then I think every season has its advantages. I like Spring because its my birthday then, its an often quiet time of year with no other big birthdays I know around then, Easter, and although it usually rains you can also smell this whole renewal thing going on in the air. The birds fly back north, the other animals are coming out of hibernation, there are cute little ducklings out on the pond, and there are bright yellow daffodils everywhere. Spring also means the next season is Summer...something to look forward to. Kind of like the 'It's Friday!'-feeling. I don't like Sundays, because its the day before Monday. Its been a great summer in London this year with perfect weather but some people don't like it. Warm weather makes it harder to get things done, there's all the extra grooming requirements for girls and the pressure that some people put themselves under to get into skimpy summer outfits. But everyone appears happier, smiling and are wearing brighter clothes which seems to have a knock-on effect.

Autumn means Winter. And this year there is no 'back to school' either. I'm all for the pretty colours of the leaves and I don't mind cold weather, but I don't like rain and cold, unless its been desert-like for days. Oh, and the grey gloom that settles over London. That's depressing although very productive for work...if one has a job. The black clothing comes out and people are hit with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). But Winter also means lots of birthdays and the festive season - Christmas (food and presents!) and New Years Eve (parties). Additionally, there's nothing better than staying home on the weekends curled up in bed or with a movie/book when its rubbish outside.

The sun has just come back out. Its not over til its over I say!

Latest Research

I just came across this 'Doing better for Children' report on the BBC website today which compares the well-being of Young Children (13-15) in the leading industrial economies (24 OECD countries). These were some of the findings:

YOUNG PEOPLE'S WELL-BEING

Worst drunkenness: UK (the highest amongst 15 year old girls)

Highest rate of bullying: Turkey

Most affluent: Norway

Best education: Finland

Best local environment: Australia

Least exercise: Switzerland

Best housing: Norway

Least risk: Sweden

Highest suicide rate: New Zealand

Enjoy school most: Turkey

Enjoy school least: Czech Republic

(Source: BBC, 01/09/09)

Two things I find shocking here:
1) Switzerland and the least exercise - aren't the Swiss supposed to be healthy with all their good food, clean air, and non-confrontational politics? Most of us would relate exercise to good health. Maybe they're just too comfortable to work out!
2) New Zealand and their high suicide rates - possibly due to boredom and isolation? But seriously you would have rather assumed Japan or Finland to be in this category. Shocking when ages are taken into account.

Two types of people

There are two types of people.

1 - those who get over arguments almost as soon as they've started, apologise for their part in it and get on with things because life's too short (Type C)

2 - those who sulk over an argument for days, weeks, months, years preferring to prolong the BS (Type D)

I've labelled these Type C and Type D.
I'm a Type C as is my mother but quite a few people I know are Type D which is very difficult to reconcile and is pure frustration having to deal with or be around. Because as much as me and my mum may fall out about little things or have bust-ups we're always best friends if not hours later, then definitely by the next day. I don't understand these Type D people and never will. If I had to choose one kind of person I don't like, this is it. The question I ask them is: "Seriously, what's the point of making one bad situation a whole lot more miserable than it has to be?"

I really would like some answers here because its the cause of some BIG problems.

I love charity shops!

***Latest buys***

Ethnic-style Morgan top = £3
Book (Jeffrey Archer - ' A Matter of Honour') = £1
Book (Peter Hoeg - 'The Quiet Girl') = £1

...all in the name of a good cause and (almost) totally guilt-free!

Not many people talk about charity shop finds as its somehow seen as 'uncool', yet they rave over eBay or Primark (which I only buy the very odd item at due to the bad press it has received and the fact that often manufacturers have to supply at a loss, not to mention the disposable nature of the clothes). I love eBay however, but the problem of online shopping remains; that you never know exactly what you're getting until it arrives. Add the costs of p&p, it is often easier to get down to London charity stores if you have the time. My local Cancer Research UK even has changing rooms. Mornings are the best times. I went straight after my Physio appointment, got there around 10am and spent about an hour just browsing at the piles of 'new' stuff that had just been put out. I found a nice DKNY skirt on the racks too amongst all the Primark cast-offs. It just didn't suit me.

***Latest job news: UNEMPLOYED STILL***

No other interview invites for moi and so have now switched to looking for work experience opps in well-known international companies in the field I'd like to work at. I figured the only way to get a foot in the door may be to prove myself through an initial expenses-only paid work placement with the way the job market is at the moment.

For example:
1) Management Trainee role at Meltwater Group - over 2000 apps for 4 roles. I submitted on the deadline and they got back to me approximately 4 weeks later saying they'd just had a chance to review my app and wondered if I'd be interested in pursuing a role at their new Canterbury, Cardiff, or Manchester offices. I asked them to hold my CV on file for anything that arises in London or Cape Town.

2) Research Assistant role at Insight Research Group - 300 apps for 2 roles. Slightly fewer but then again Market Research is probably one of the less glamourous sides of Marketing...albeit one that I really enjoy!

These are some of the numbers I have on enquiring after my application to give you an idea of just how tough it is right now. I'd assume those newly redundant with much more proven relevant work experience are being given such roles.

Although, even competition for unpaid roles seems to be ridiculous :(

***Latest visit: PHYSIO***

I had a Physio appointment for my foot this morning at 9am...the bad news: turns out I'm not as full healed as I thought I was after a whole bunch of new exercises, the good news: I can get back to the gym to start building up my strength again slowly. The problem: I've been out of the gym nearly three months now and feeling lazy!

I love Google!

*I love Google! and the Web in general*

It's a great age we live in where company's activities are so transparent - they definitely can't get away with as much anymore, and almost any information on anything can be found online at the click of a button. Take my recent experience with London Marketing Services, a company which claimed to train managers from the bottom up, never disclosing that the job was door-to-door sales at entry-level and commission based with no basic salary (or, a small annual salary plus 40% commission I'm informed by other bloggers) until you turned up for the second stage 'observation day' being told to wear comfortable shoes and worked a full day 12.30pm to 8.30pm. If I hadn't found two existing blogs that evening I got the call I would have wasted a whole day of researching credible job opportunities, as in ones companies don't mislead potential employees about.

Ok, so the credibility of many sources on the web are questionable - something that has been drilled into me constantly from university lecturers. But what I enjoy so much is that the Web's like this one big impersonal (or personal if you like) forum where one is able to interact with people all over the world...take for example this site I found through an Oprah article: www.urbanbaby.com, where people go to ask advice or vent feelings annonymously, e.g. "I have cheated on my husband, what should I do?"...completely shocking to me (but so, well, frankly, nice to see that people are able to talk to strangers who do not know who you are personally about issues that concern more of us than we'd think!), but why wouldn't I expect this stuff to be online considering free porn is?!!!

New pics over the weekend

Oh the joys of being one-legged

So I finally got my new baby (well actually its mine and Ty's first joint asset lol) - my Digital SLR Nikon D90 and its a beauty! Have been playing around with it and doing some reading around the technical stuff but I really really want to take it out around London to start experimenting (looking like a typical East Asian tourist no doubt), but I can't because I'm stuck in this damn plastercast. My clumsiness sometimes fails to amaze...the funniest part of it all is that I managed to fracture my ankle flat-footed rather than in one of my fabulously high heels. Go figure.

I'll say one thing about being one-legged, it really does make one appreciate having two legs and being able to walk normally - similar to the appreciation I had for being able to flush toilet paper down the toilet after my travels in Central America in 2005 and not having a constantly dodgy belly. Walking is something I think many of us today take for granted, especially with our use of cars - although this doesnt apply to me because: (1) I still don't have my licence, and (2) I don't have a car (which would presumably be linked to 1). Additionally its given me a much greater respect to those permanently disabled who have to deal with the constant frustration of not being 100% able...although saying this I've come across some amazing people who are capable of much more physically than people without disabilities.

The point is I believe things happen in life for a reason and this latest accident was followed by a previous few days of tripping over and breaking an internet router, falling up the stairs and getting some lovely bruises among other small acts of clumsiness. Maybe this time (the doctor says my foot could take 6-8 weeks to fully heal - in the midst of an amazingly sunny hot British summer), I'll finally learn to be more careful.