A Week in a Daily

This week (24/01/11 - 28/01/11) I have been fortunate enough to spend my time at the Birmingham Post & Mail, working as a staff reporter in their editorial department. So I thought I'd share with you all the triumphs and pitfalls of my week at a daily newspaper.


Monday

Arriving at 10am, I was greeted by the ever-friendly and helpful Ms. Davis, who handles all of the work placement students when they first arrive. I did the usual tour of the office, before being assigned to my desk.

I was prepped in how to work the system by John Marsden and given the task of preparing the Post's property supplement - requiring me to phone around local estate agents in a specific area and research house prices, transport links, town attractions and local schools.

After this I was taken out to the Villa home ground in Perry Barr to help with the filming of the Darren Bent mania happening there due to his recent signing.

Not a vastly interesting first day, but they like to test the water with you I think.

Tuesday

A much more eventful day entirely! I was signed over to the hands of the Newsroom team, and Content Editor Andy Richards kicked of the day with an impromptu pop quiz for me by saying:
"So, what news have you got for me then?"

Despite being awake at 6.30am and watching the news whilst I had my standard breakfast of strong coffee and a cheesy crumpet, I literally came over as a deaf mute all in the one moment, and couldn't come up with a single interesting thing to say!

Seriously bad timing for me to actually be speechless for a change, and he advised me to always come prepared with fresh ideas. As he said, even if they don't get used at least it shows that I'm keen and that I'm aware of what's happening in the world. Let's face it, everybody loves a trier...and that's definitely what I'll be from here on out!

I was then set the task of reworking two different press releases into 150 and 250 word stories. This required talking to the PR companies behind the press releases, organising interviews with the people involved in the stories and gathering pictures and background information to fill out the articles with.

Later in the day I was asked to compile a follow-up story on a litter of abandoned puppies from Birmingham Dogs Home. The Mail had published a "Homes Wanted" plea in their Saturday edition, and it had seen a major response from readers who had gone on to adopt all 14 helpless animals. I compiled a 350 word picture lead, including quotes from the head fundraiser at the charity, and the story is due to be run (with my byline) later in the week. Success at last!

My final task for the day was to transcribe a letter from a convicted armed robber, who had written to the paper from prison in order to address some accusations which had been made about him in the media recently. Obviously I cannot divulge any of that information here, but it certainly was an interesting read. It's amazing what they will trust you with on your second day!

Wednesday

A bit of a slow start to the day, unfortunately. I started my day by adding a final quote to the 150 word article on a pie-making contest, before being assigned a 100 word weather report to write. Obviously not front page news, by my work in print is still my work in print! View it here: "Snow could be on the way back to Birmingham"

I went for my third experience of a news conference, held at 10.30am and 1.30pm, involving the editors of all the different sections of the paper. The news conference helps keep the whole team in the loop regarding what content they have already got, what they need to chase up and where each potential story will feature in the newspaper.

Following this, I arranged an interview with a local swimming apprentice for the following day, which would help solidify my 250 word story on her and her successes. I then received some good news from Content Editor Andy Richards, who said that my 350 word story on the abandoned puppies was being turned into a full page story, and he set me the task of tracking down the new owners for a photocall. Apparently the paper want to run a full page story in a few weeks, and then do a recap of the animals 12 months from now, to see how far they've come.

The whole story is a feel-good piece, and brightens up the array of news on offer, and it don't half make the Mail look good as well! Plus, I'm more than happy to have a full page story on my third working day! Even more success at last.

Thursday

Today was spent at Birmingham Crown Court, with the paper's court reporter Ross McCarthy. As many of you will know, I have studied Media Law for the past few months as part of my University course, so I was pretty familiar with the whole procedure any way. However, the main issue I noticed when trying to report on court cases as a student was that the court officials are much less forthcoming with their information than they are when it comes to the press.

Ross was able to stride into the court with a list of all of the main cases for that day under his arm - many accompanied by Police press releases with the main information about the case included - so he was already at a great advantage to my humble efforts previously.

Also, the court usher was more than happy to fill in any blanks he had. Considering I couldn't even get ages and addresses off them half the time, I was glad to see that when you do get your press badge you seem to be taken more seriously as a writer and are privy to better info as part of that.

We got to watch a highly interesting case, involving four men and one woman from across the Birmingham area, who had meticulously planned two armed robberies - one at a cemetery and the other at a bank (both in Hansworth) - both of which were linked.

The clear pull factor in this story was that the gang had stolen the JCB digger used to dig the graves at the cemetery, and driven it into the wall of the bank in order to steal tens of thousands of pounds. I have posted the link to Ross' final article here for you to peruse: "Birmingham gang 'smashed into bank with JCB', court told"

A great story and it certainly was an interesting case to watch.

Friday

My final day at the Birmingham Post & Mail - for now. It was go go go from minute one today, as I had an interview with a local swimming apprentice, who had recently won awards for her academic and vocational successes, to complete and type up to begin with.

After this, I was set the task of chasing up emails, phone calls and photographs that we were yet to receive. It's the little things like this that hold up production in a newsroom, as not having a good quote or a strong image to head the story with can make the article you're working on seem rather incomplete. The story I wrote on Tuesday about the 14 abandoned puppies from Birmingham's Dogs Home was written up and waiting to go, but the lack of images to accompany the full page spread meant that it couldn't go to print until we had them. Nightmare!

I was then asked to draft up a story about a group of organisations in Cannock who had buried a time capsule under the newly built fire station. It was all very lighthearted, accompanied by nice pictures of the school children and the chief firefighter burying the time capsule. Stories like this are hardly front page news, but as I was told by Content Editor Andy Richards, The Birmingham Mail does like to try and keep an even mix between hard news stories and lighthearted stories of human interest - to give the paper a more rounded overall feel.

Usually, the big new is big news because it's bad news - an unfortunate but accurate fact to acknowledge. By including as many little lighthearted filler stories as possible, the paper hopes to give a better balance to what they report on and therefore what their readers have on offer to them.

My final task for the day was to research and write up an 800 word piece for the Birmingham Post's Valentines Day supplement, due out in the second week of February. It was intended to be an informal yet informative article on the best places to eat out this Valentines Day. I chose to include a wide range of different restaurants, in different areas across the city, so that there would be something for every taste and every budget.

My thoughts

Overall, my time at the Birmingham Post & Mail was quite successful. I got to write a fair few stories which are likely to be published, I got to experience what it is like to work in a bustling newsroom environment, and I learnt a great deal about the way a regional paper such as the Mail works to appeal to its core audience.

The only minor issue I had during my time there was finding that I didn't always have enough work to keep me occupied. Obviously, there are only certain articles that I was going to be trusted with, and being a rookie journo I was keen to impress and often blitzed through the work faster than they had expected.

With the newsroom being such a full-on commitment every day, the editors simply don't have the time to work consistently with us students, so I did end up having to find work for myself to do quite often during the week.

Andy Richards did say he would have loved to have spent more time with me during the week, as he was impressed with my writing style and organisational skills, and would have liked to helped me develop those further - but the restraints on his time as Content Editor every day meant that this was just not possible.

I'd happily go back again, and after working there for only a week I can honestly say I would feel right at home in a newsroom environment such as the Mail's. A regional newspaper might be the perfect place to start my blossoming career as a journalist after all.

Ten Confessions of a Shopaholic

After 3 weeks straight of essays, portfolios, evaluations, articles and exams, I have succumbed to the primal instinct which all females have: the urge to shop. I didn't go crazy mind, but it is an absolute must to treat yourself when you've had a month like I've had. So, I thought I'd do a bit of a fashion-blog piece and show off my Top 10 buys of the last few months.

1. This leopard print shift dress, with exquisite bow detailing (£39.99, River Island), was purchased less than two hours ago, in the wake of my weeks of hard work. It looks fantastic on, and I was dead chuffed as I could still fit in the Size 6. Proof that these first few days at the gym have not been wasted time. It will look just as good in the day with black tights and my heeled brogues, as it will out on the town with tanned legs and big heels. And for all those Kat Slater wannabees out there, THIS is how you do animal print, ok?
2. Ignore the dire skirt and boots combination they have going on in this picture, and the fact they have dressed it on some Long Tall Sally kind of woman; for a top US fashion store they really ent got it right here. But the Starlight Maxi Skirt (£12.80, Forever 21) is actually wicked with a light coloured top and high, nude heels, and on me it actually meets the top of my foot - where it should sit. I wore it to my friend's 21st recently and I was so happy in it all night. It's quite dressy, without being too over-the-top - and the slit up the side makes it slightly more modern than the traditional maxi skirt of Summer 2010. Black, with just a hint of sparkle, it can really spice up any night out.
3. During the River Island January Sales, I also picked up another Maxi item, in the form of a floor-length, black, floral, fishtail dress. It fits perfectly, and for only £15 it was an absolute steal! They no longer have it in stock, which means I have no photo for you, but I'm sure I'll be snapped wearing it soon enough. It requires nothing but a big pair of nude heels and a smile. Classic glamour: done.
   
4. As Topshop are being stingy and not allowing me to post the image here, I'll link to it instead. This simple, yet oh so effective, Basic Cream Zip-Back Vest (£28, Topshop) was a Christmas present from my friend Marty, and it literally goes with everything. I've worn it with high-waisted skirts, leggings, harem trousers...you name it, it will go with it. Swing tops like this look great tucked in or left loose, so I'd grab one in as many colours as possible if I were you.
5. My new highlight of my shoe wardrobe has got to be these drop-dead gorgeous Partytime Leopard Print Peep-toe Platforms (£45, Asos) - another fabulous Christmas present, but from the boyfriend this time. They are pain in shoe form, but also sex in shoe form - swings and roundabouts really! I have an almighty crush on these shoes, and I simply can't get enough of them. They are a truly classic design; simple black suede upper, with a dark brown leopard-print wedge, and a toe-crunching 6 inch heel. Yummy! They already go with several outfits, and I reckon they make the perfect partner for my new leopard print shift dress (see Number 1).
6. The love-of-my-life shoes above, also team more than nicely with another River Island bargain. My mother bought me this beautiful black, ripped mermaid skirt for Christmas (£15, River Island), and it was literally top of my wish list for months in the run up to the festive period. I team it with my leopard print heels, and my cream swing top for a sophisticated look. Sexy, sleek and fitted - it has certainly earned its way in my wardrobe.
7. Now for something a bit more casual, and it comes in the form of a blue bird-print swing jumper (£16, New Look). It's loose fitting, and looks great with my jeans and cream ankle boots. It's one of those tops you can throw on any time and feel good in. Plus, its dead comfy and I think it looks a tad more expensive than it was - which is always a plus.
8. Back to my shoe library now, and another recent triumph comes in the form of these red velvet shoe boots (£25, random one-off shop in the Bullring Link). I was literally mooching about, frantically trying to find something a bit special to wear to my friends birthday just before Christmas, and these babies just jumped right off the shelf at me. I was that over-whelmed by love for them, I can't actually remember where I bought them from! However, I do know that they help give a much needed colour injection into some of my day and evening outfits. Oh so high though! They are literally to-the-bar-and-back shoes, for sure.
9. I had this gorgeous military coat (originally £59.99, New Look) to keep me warm in the winter months as an early Christmas present from my darling mother. It fitted me perfectly and the piping detailed and raised shoulders gave it that extra touch of va-va-voom. Unfortunately, I picked a dud one, and after weeks of sowing buttons back on and repairing rips in the lining, the shoulder finally ripped as I bent down to put on my shoes and I'd finally had enough. So it had to go back I'm afraid, but I did manage to swap it for an almost-identical black version, with a high collar and cut-out military-style front. Slightly less practical, but I haven't had a single button come off yet, so it gets my vote!
10. And finally, in the top right-hand corner of this picture you will find my most recent Primarni purchase: a feather-print chiffon crop top (£8, Primark). It is pretty, dainty and looks so good just draped over a plain black dress. To be worn in the day, with leggings and flat boots, or of an evening with sheer tights and big purple heels. Bird-inspired jewellery looks beyond good with this, so when I hunt some out I'll let you know.
    

Media Law: Right to Privacy vs Freedom of Expression

This week, for me, will be all about Media Law and Regulation (due to my upcoming exam in the subject). When I'm studying, I find it helps to write my thoughts down in essay form, as well as just taking notes, to help me remember the points I want to make, and how best to make them - such as what order to present them in and how to phrase certain sentences.

I thoroughly enjoy studying media law, and there is one topic that interests me more than any other. Below I have included an essay I have written around my topic of interest, and I hope you find the issues I have discussed as thought-provoking as I do.

The laws and codes of conduct that regulate the media are designed to balance the right for freedom of expression with other rights protected under the European Convention on Human Rights. An explanation of this in terms of the Reporting of Sexual Offenses

There are strict guidelines which have been put in place to regulate the media in terms of reporting on sexual offenses. Sexually motivated crimes are arguably some of the most harrowing to live through, and those victims who have been involved in a sexual attack do deserve the reporting of their attack to be done in such a way that it protects them from an invasion of privacy, does not harmfully effect their mental wellbeing and keeps them from experiencing any embarrassment or social exclusion given the nature of the attack.

The Press Complaints Commission’s Code of Conduct (Clause 11) states that:

“The press must not identify victims of sexual assault or publish material likely to contribute to such identification unless there is adequate justification and they are legally free to do so.”

This is a very clearly defined rule, which protects the victims of sexual offenses being identified in any way. This rule is not the same for any other form of criminal offense, as you can name the victim in cases of physical assault, burglary, fraud etc. I believe this is rule has been supplied by the PCC due to the severity of a sexual assault, and the widespread societal belief that a sexual assault is somehow far worse to admit to than any other form of criminal offense.

Sexual motivated offenses are still thought to be somewhat of a taboo subject in my opinion, and it would be fair to say that victims of sexual assault may fear social rejection, embarrassment or exclusion if what had happened to them was to be publically known.

The law also bestows lifelong anonymity upon victims of sexual offenses, as it is felt that it is a basic human right for a victim of sexual assault to be protected from the distress of receiving any kind of publicity surrounding this matter.

In the eyes of the law, from the minute an allegation is put forward about this kind of offense, the person making the complaint is assumed to be a victim of a sexual offense – even if this has not be proven yet – and is therefore given lifetime anonymity. “McNae’s Essential Law for Journalists” (2009) describes the application of this anonymity as being:

• Immediate, from the time the allegation is made, whether made by the alleged victim or anyone else
• Whether or not the allegation is subsequently withdrawn
• Whether or not anyone has told the police about it
• Whether or not the alleged perpetrator is prosecuted for it
• Whether, if there is a prosecution, there is a conviction or an acquittal

This anonymity is automatic and unconditional to all cases, unless the victim gives valid written consent for themselves to be identified, in the rare occasion that the court lifts the anonymity or if the victim in question has died as a result of the attack. The only other time that this anonymity will be lifted is if the alleged victim is prosecuted for making a false accusation of sexual assault.

Personally, I believe that the alleged victim’s right to privacy, protection of their mental wellbeing and protection from social exclusion and embarrassment by far outweighs the media’s right to freedom of expression in terms of sexual offenses. The media are still able to report on the alleged perpetrator, the court case itself and many other details involved in the case (within the guidelines of general court reporting), and therefore I can completely understand the need for laws and regulations about this matter to be upheld.

There has been, however, some debate over whether the current laws and regulations are in breach of the human rights of the alleged perpetrators of sexual offenses. As the law and regulations stand at the minute, the alleged perpetrator of a sexual offense can be identified to quite a great extent. They can have their privacy invaded in many ways, through photographs of them leaving the courts, previous convictions held against them and all other manner of personal information can be published about them (all in accordance with general court reporting regulations however).

This seems a fair trade if the person is found guilty of a sexual offense, as I do honestly believe that they have sacrificed their rights to privacy and fair treatment if they have committed a sexually motivated crime. However, it doesn’t seem so fair if the person is not convicted of the crime, and they have then been the focus of so much negative publicity and have had such a grave intrusion into their privacy – seemingly, it could be argued, without good reason.

Take for instance the coverage of former Blue Peter presenter John Leslie, who was accused of raping a fellow television presenter in 2002. Many further allegations of rape and sexual assault were bought against Leslie by many other women following this first complaint, but he was never officially charged with any form of offense.

The media went into a frenzy, publishing story after story on Leslie and the allegations being made about him. Leslie was a highly successful television personality when these allegations came to light, hosting both the Wheel of Fortune and This Morning. He lost his job on This Morning after these allegations were made, and his career was essentially destroyed.

Leslie has often spoken out about how he felt victimised by the media, was named and shamed and had his career ruined by the negative coverage of his situation.

In one particular statement given in June 2008, Leslie said of one of his accusers:

"Another person protected by anonymity that the law gives them is able to drag my name through the mud.”

It is clear in the case of John Leslie to see how the current laws and regulations regarding the reporting of sexual offenses are not necessarily doing the best they can to protect the human rights of all those involved in accusations of sexual offenses. As much as the laws and regulations work to protect the human rights of the alleged victims of sexual assault, it does very little to help protect the human rights of those who are falsely accused or never convicted of sexual assault. It doesn’t seem right that somebody can make a false accusation of sexual assault, be allowed full anonymity unless they are prosecuted of making a false accusation, and yet the person who may have been falsely accused of a sexual offense has very few rights to privacy or protection of their human rights.

This is an extremely difficult call to make, as the pros and cons of the current situation seem to be almost impossible to get around. If you rework the laws and regulations to have a greater freedom of expression over the identification of all those involved in allegations of sexual assault then you risk breaching the human rights of the alleged victims. Similarly, if you rework the laws and regulations to have a greater value on the privacy of all those involved in allegations of sexual assault then you run the risk of destroying the media’s right to freedom of expression. It is a really tough call, but an issue that I genuinely believe needs addressing by both the law and the Press Complaints Commission in the near future.

The Happy List

Twenty-one of my favourite things in life. 21 little micro-pleasures which can make any day the best day I have had in ages:

1. A new pair of shoes. Gorgeous shoes, with big heels. Nothing makes me happier than buying a brand new pair of heels and wearing them out. Yes, I may well be in agony all night, but nothing compares to knowing I am wearing sex in shoe form. Yum! My lovely boyfriend bought me these beauties for Christmas, and despite the fact they kill me a toe at a time, I've worn them at every opportunity possible. Sometimes, I just like to get them out and look at them, maybe stroke them a bit. But nothing more than that...
2. A perfectly fitting dress. To go with the gorgeous new shoes I have just bought. When I am wearing a dress that fits like a glove (and I don't mean one that sticks out in five places) I feel like I'm a runway model or something. I'm aware that I'm not a model, but any dress that can make you feel like you should be on the cover of a glossy magazine has got to be a good thing.
3. Perfectly painted nails. I'm like Van Gough with a nail brush. It is pure euphoria when I can look down and see 10 finely painted tips - no smudges, no bumps. I love bright, interesting colours, and I pick them at random so that they hardly ever match what I'm wearing. It's one of my little quirks that my Fella thinks is a bit strange. But why match, they should be a statement of their own. I'm currently in love with metallics, such as the silver one I have on right now. But Barry M's mint green will always be the favourite of mine. Goes with nothing I own, but that's completely the point.
4. When a quiet night in the pub turns into a fantastic Cheeky Thursday. As I have pointed out before, mine and Ray's Cheeky Thursday's are the best nights out you could imagine, and they are fast becoming renowned in the local area, with more and more people wanting to be involved in this epic monthly event. Mid-week partying has to end when you get a real job, so as a 21-year-old student I'm making the absolute most of it. Cheeky cheeky!
5. Finding a bargain. You're out at the shops, you're mooching through the rails, when suddenly a fabulous, must-have piece jumps out at you. It's in your size, and best of all, it's only £6. Result! I wear my Primarni bargains with pride, and am more than happy to tell people it cost less than they think. The ripped black top I am wearing in this picture is a Primarni original, and actually was £6.
6. An unexpected text. Be it from the other half whilst he's on a night out with his mates, or from your best friend simply saying something stupid to make you smile, or even from an old friend who you'd lost touch with. To know that somebody is thinking of you, even when they have no real reason to, is a proper cheery thought, I think.
   
7. Massive cocktail rings. Completely unnecessarily over-the-top, too big for your hand rings. I love a good rock I do, and it can literally change my outfit from being a decent get up to being out-and-out spectacular. If you couldn't club someone to death with it, use it to break down a door, or at least be at risk of catching someone at the next table to you with it as you reach for your wine glass, then it isn't big enough. As far as I'm concerned, with rings, either go big or go home. I own this absolute monster courtesy of my darling Mother, as a present for my 21st. It's called the Matador, that's how fierce it is. I will keep it forever, and one day pass it on to my little girl, to use as her very own knuckle duster.
8. A random memory that makes you smile to yourself. Be it down to a song that reminds you of a special someone, finding a random object that takes you back to an amazing moment or simply seeing something on TV that reminds you of a simpler time -whatever it's cause, you can't beat the effect. And when people ask what I'm smiling at, sometimes it's fun to say "nothing" and keep that perfect moment all to myself.
9. A cheesy 80s song. Speaking of random memories, I've only got to hear a bit of Whitney, Madonna, Rick James, Bon Jovi or Rod Stewart and I'm right back in Reflex, dancing with my friend Addy while some strange bloke in a Mac is slyly trying to flash us. That club has held many fond memories for me, and every time I hear a bit of 80s cheese on the airwaves it's like that night never ended.
10. Singing loudly to myself in the car. Plug the iPod in, put the radio on, or even fish out one of my vintage Wham tapes - any way I can, I am going to get my kicks while I'm driving. Can't sing a note, but why should that stop me? I love to belt out a proper feel-good tune on my journeys. By the time I've got where I'm going I've got a sore throat, but I'm happy as Larry. Pure good times. Ce Lo Green's "Forget You" is my tune of the moment. I pull all the attitude faces as well...it's a shame nobody else can see, I'm sure I look ridiculous.
11. Penne Pasana pasta from Ask. Ask is my favourite Italian restaurant, and their pasta dish of garlic chicken, mushrooms, pine nuts, parmezan cheese and pesto makes me want to lick the plate clean. If it wasn't such a fancy place I probably would. And I've suddenly become very aware that I'm salivating so I'm going to move on now before I drool all over my laptop.
12. Knowing all the words to a rap song. I literally spent weeks of my life listening to "Love The Way You Lie", learning the words and rehearsing them over and over. "I can't tell you what it really is, I can only tell you what it feels like, and right now it's a steal knife in my windpipe..." Test me on it, I bet I know every line. And I will, more than happily, rap it for you, whilst getting my guns out in time with the music. Oh yes, I am a badass. Word to your mother, homee.
13. A well deserved pint. There is actually nothing better than that first sip of ice-cold beer after a long day at work/uni/in front of the Tele. I can find any excuse for a beer I can, and drink all night if I fancy it, but nothing compares to that first pint. Mmmmmm....
14. A genuine compliment. Not one where you can tell that the person has cut their hair, or has bought something new, or is pointing obviously at the thing they want you to compliment. No, a proper compliment, when someone looks at you and genuinely wants to say something nice about you. And you can tell the real ones from the fakes. I most certainly can. So don't bring your knock-off compliment's around me, I can sniff a snidey one out a treat.
15. Red lipstick. My longest, most dedicated friend (no offence Ray). I have been wearing red lipstick since I could figure out where my mouth was, and I will be wearing red lipstick when the last breath escapes my lips. I know that sounds morbid, but it's a simple mathematical logic, suggesting that I actually do wear red lipstick all time. It is one trend that will never fade away, and it makes me feel proper saucy when I've got it on. Makes me feel like leaving it on more places than just his collar, if you know what I mean?
16. A kiss that gets carried away. And I'm not talking about the way your estranged Auntie likes to rub her moustache up you at Christmas! I'm talking about one of those simple kisses, that starts with a peck, then another, then a firmer kiss, then a lingering kiss and carries on until it's, well, more than a kiss. A kiss like that can make you feel like you two are the only people in the world at that moment; everything gets a bit hazy and dizzy, and it gives you butterflies in your stomach. If you haven't had one of these yet, you must go get yourself one immediately. And that's an order!
17. A great photo. Where you look particularly pretty, or happy, or where you can see that you are genuinely having fun. A "made to be a Facebook profile picture" type picture. Everybody will have a few of these. I have loads, and they are all up on my photowall in my room, to remind me every day of all the good times I have had.
18. Laughing with my Mam. Me and my mother have both got a stupid sense of humour, and we can make the slightest joke about the least funny thing, and turn it into a roaring fit of laughter that ends with us in tears. We once laughed so hard about a conversation her and my dad had had about cheese, that she was gasping for breath and I was on the floor clutching my side. We set each other off a right treat. Like a slightly less funny Ant n Dec. You don't get that bond with many people, so that makes me really happy to have it with her.
19. A good horror movie. I'm sure I have mentioned this before, but it really is a passion of mine. I collect great horror movies in vast amounts, and I try and see as many of them as possible. Can't get enough of a good scare me, so if you can point me in the direction of something new in the horror genre, it will be gratefully received. That is all.
20. Blogging. I know this is going to seem pretty self explanatory, but since I have been blogging here on Twenty-one and Invincible I have had this real sense of accomplishment. I'm aware that it's probably just my friends and the boyfriend who bother to read the majority of what I scrawl up on here, but since people from overseas have started to read my work - well, I've been feeling pretty fly...for a white girl.
21. Finding inspiration in the little things. My idea for this happy list came from another delightful Christmas present from my other half, in the form of "The Goddess Book". I love it when I find inspiration for my life in a throw away comment, a random moment or an inanimate object. If the world around you doesn't inspire you, it's not much of a life to lead really is it?
    

Paranormal Activity 2-little?

As anybody who knows me will tell you, I am massive fan of horror films in all forms. I own the entire Halloween collection (all 9 of them), the Scream Trilogy, both of the Grudges, and numerous other old classics (such as the original "Wicker Man" and "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre") and modern-day gorefests (such as the updated "Second House On The Left" and the re-write of "The Amityville Horror").

I wrote this review back at the start of November, before I had started Twenty-one and Invincible and simply hadn't got round to including it - but as the online Horror fanzine that was supposed to publish it has failed to do so, I thought it may as well get some press on here. Enjoy!

Paranormal Activity 2-little?

That’s right, it’s finally here. The long-awaited prequel to the hugely successful Paranormal Activity of 2009 has finally crept onto our screens this October, and is in prime position to be the Halloween horror film of the year.

The film has been portrayed as a prequel to the original, depicting the ghostly goings-on of the previous two months before the first film is set. This time, the action is centred in the home of Kristi Rey – the sister of Katie from the first film.

A “burglary” occurs at the home of Kristi, her husband Dan and his daughter from his first marriage, Ali. Kristi has not long bought their new baby Hunter home from the hospital, and his is the only room in the house left untouched after the supposed break-in. Nothing has been stolen except a necklace given to Kristi by her sister Katie, but the whole house has been trashed.

Following the good-old premise of “caught on camera”, the Rey family decide to install security cameras throughout their house to make them feel safer, and this is where the supernatural fun really begins. It starts with simple objects going missing, or moving places seemingly by themselves. There are a few bumps in the night, loud noises which come from nowhere and at one point – in broad daylight and right in front of Kristi’s eyes – all the kitchen cupboards burst open and the contents go flying across the room.

We begin to see dark figures appear on the cameras and the violence starts to increase; Abby the dog is violently attacked by an unseen being and suffers a seizure. Whilst Ali and Dan are at the vets with the poor pooch, Kristi is left at home with baby Hunter. The lights begin to flicker in the baby’s room, and when Kristi goes to investigate she is dragged to the floor and pulled, screaming, down the stairs and into the basement by an unseen force – where she remains for hours until she emerges obviously possessed.

So follows a dramatic turn of events, where husband Dan and step-daughter Ali watch the CCTV footage of the night before and, seeing the violent paranormal attack Kristi has suffered, call in the help of their ex-nanny Martine, who insists evil spirits are to blame and gives Dan a cross with which to exercise the demon possessing his wife and help to pass it on to another blood relative.

After a violent fight to exercise his wife’s demons, Dan begins to put the family home back together, and for the next few weeks the family live in peace – but then Katie comes to visit, complaining of strange goings on in her house. This is where the two films start to overlap, and the film skips to the night after Katie’s boyfriend Micah is murdered, where we find Katie is staying at her sister’s home in the wake of his death.

This is where the whole film starts to spiral out of control and falls into being a load of overly-dramatic nonsense, as a suddenly possessed Katie first kills a sleeping Dan, and then throws her sister Kristi against the wall, before snatching baby Hunter and disappearing into the night. End of film.

Despite the first film’s brilliant set-up and electrifying atmosphere, the second film just does not live up to its parallel counterpart. There are plenty of jump-out-of-your-skin moments which save this prequel from becoming a total disaster, but the randomness of the storyline and lack of clarity towards the end really spoils it.

Paranormal Activity 2 appears to have been directed as somewhat of an explanation for the goings-on in the first film, but seriously fails to live up to this, as you are left more confused than you were before you watched it. It is also lacking the suspense and intense atmosphere you will have enjoyed so much with the first film.

Not a bad film overall, and it does have its redeeming qualities, but not a patch on the first film unfortunately. Hopefully the eagerly anticipated Paranormal Activity 3 will go some way to explaining the situation fully, and bring back the edge-of-your-set tension of the original.

Star rating: 3/5

Climbing mountains...one stone at a time

All this talk of the new year, a fresh start and a time to change doesn't usually have an effect on me, but this year - for some reason - it seems to have sunk in somehow. I don't just want to plod along this year, doing bits and bobs here and there, waiting for the interesting stuff to happen - I want to really LIVE this year. I want to look back on 2011 and know that I have thoroughly made the most of every single minute.

I mean, I already work several days a week, and whenever I am home I'm either doing uni work or blogging. I always make time to see my friends and family, and the boyfriend of course - but could I do more?

I think I could. So I'm starting this new burst of enthusiasm by joining the gym. It's not really a case that I need to lose weight; I'm 4ft 11" and I only weigh 7 1/2 stone - I'm hardly having to roll myself around! But I have noticed that after the last several years of takeaways and boozy nights out, that I'm not looking (or feeling) as healthy as I used to be.

Every summer I have a health drive, and I love it. I go running 2 miles 3 times a week, and do sit ups and weights at home - the whole lot. When the winter rolls round though, I use the "It's too cold" excuse, and the exercise becomes literally a forgotten memory. So, joining the gym will hopefully stop me slacking off, as it certainly won't be cold in there!
I have this real urge to better my life this year - probably due to the hardship of last year - and I told myself that my new years resolution would be to do more nice things for those I care about. Sounds like a right pile of soppy stuff I know, but I realised that most of the drama and strife in my life last year was more to do with me having to watch those I love suffer in some way, than it was about me suffering myself.

So, I'm going to put more effort in with the fella - make his recovery the best it can be and hopefully leave him feeling like the luckiest bloke alive by the end of the year. Don't get me wrong, I do always make time for him and try my best to make him happy, but there's always room for improvements. I'd like to see my best friend Ray be happier than ever this year. To know that she's happy and content within herself would leave me chuffed to bits. And I want to do more for my Mam. She always does so much for my whole family, and we've all been guilty of taking her for granted sometimes, so that has to stop. She's a superwoman, but that doesn't mean she can't have a sidekick to help her out when she needs it.

Finally, I'd really like to push myself to try new things in all different areas of my life. If there's something I want to do, but have never got round to doing it, then this is the year to make it happen. I'm still working out quite what I want from life this year, but when I figure it out I'll be sure to let you know.

Last year I was proud of myself for overcoming all that life had thrown at me - which was nice enough - but this year I want to be proud of myself because of what I have done to change my own life for the better, rather than just having to face up to how it has changed on it's own. Not quite sure if that makes any sense to anyone but me, but the good intentions are there, so I hope you can all read that much from what I'm saying.

I've probably said this at some point every year, but I really have got the drive to be the best I can possibly be from here on out. I just need to make positive decisions, put actions to my words, and see things through. And if I can manage an hour in the gym tomorrow that would be a good enough place to start me thinks!

The Couples Calendar

As the new year swings into play, I have allowed myself to get all sentimental and soppy and produce an article on fun, interesting and original couples activities which I hope will help put a spring in your step this year. I think this would be a great feature for most woman's lifestyle magazines, specifically Woman & Home magazine - who I am hoping will publish it in the February edition.

The version below has been tweaked slightly to suit my readership on "Twenty-one and Invincible", and will be edited differently for the pitched version.

The Couples Calendar

However long or short a couple has been together, there is nothing worse than finding yourselves stuck in a rut; going over and over the same old routine, week after week, month after month. Dinner for two at the same restaurant every month, drinks at the same old bar once a fortnight or a cinema trip without the back row action once in a blue moon – where is the fun in that? It’s time to try something new, fun and different in 2011.

If the romance is dying and you want to kickstart the new year by putting a bit of spice back into your lives, then look no further because I have got the ultimate year planner of great couples activities for you and your special man.

January

When the Christmas tree is back in the loft and the New Year celebrations are well and truly over, keep the festive feelings glowing for you and your man with a romantic night in building your very own gingerbread house.

This will be a tasty treat for the both of you. Get crafty together in front of the fire with a DIY Gingerbread House Kit and let your creative side loose. Your house may not be as fabulous as the one on the box, but it’s an easy to do, inexpensive and interesting activity to while away any cold January night.

I actually tried this with my other half the other day (as he has bought it me as a Christmas gift) and the finished result was pretty good, if I do say so myself. Considering the roof was in pieces when it came out of the box, and had to be reconstructed before we come even start building, I was pretty chuffed with it. We had great fun building and decorating and I hope you will too.

Gingerbread House kits come in all different sizes and style, and can be found from as little as £8 on Amazon.com

February

The most romantic month of the year. Sure, he could get you a table at your favourite restaurant, or go for drinks at that new bar in town, but why not make this a Valentine’s night to remember by dancing the night away Salsa style.

Salsa is an extremely erotic form of dance, which involves you and your partner holding each other closely as you swing and sway your way around the dance floor. It’s a sexy, sensuous and stimulating night out for two, and will leave you feeling perfectly in-step with each other for the rest of the year.

“Latin Motion” are running classes throughout the year at different venues along Broad Street, Birmingham. Special nights are held at Sports Cafe on Mondays, Bar Risa on Tuesdays and Highlight (in Bar Risa) on Thursdays. Classes start from 8pm and involve an hour long workshop, followed by an hour long freestyle session for you to show of your new sizzling moves. At only £5 per person per class, this is the perfect way to put the spice back into your special night.

March

As the spring starts to set in, it’s time to shake off the gloom of the winter months, get all dolled up and have your other half take you out in style with a trip to a casino. I'm thinking James Bond, Casino Royale (without all the gunplay); glamour, sexiness and plenty of fun.

Put on a nice dress, get him to wear his best suit and hit your local casino for fruity cocktails and cheeky gambles. You don’t have to break the bank – take only what you would be willing to spend and have fun placing petty bets and sipping fancy drinks until the money runs out. After a night on the casino tiles with your man, you’re guaranteed to feel like his one and only Bond girl.

April

Why not honour the age-old Easter tradition and organise a treasure hunt for you and your other half?

Forget the chocolate eggs, and buy each other a nice gift that you would really want, then hide them somewhere in the house and go hunting.

First one to find their gift gets to choose a treat of their choice, and that could lead to plenty of fun all on its own!

May

“Ghost”: one of the most romantic films of all time, and the only film to ever make pottery look sexy.

I'm not suggesting you head down to your local pottery workshop in nothing but your man’s office shirt, but a pottery class for two is definitely worth a visit.

You will both have plenty of fun getting messy together, and even if the pots come home wonky, you’ll both be glad you gave it a go.

June

Being shot at doesn’t sound particularly romantic, but paintballing may just bring out the Action Man in your other half, and that’s bound to get your pulse racing.

Taking your man paintballing is guaranteed to impress – he will think he has the coolest girlfriend/wife in the world – and despite the possible bruises and unflattering outfits, you will both have an amazing time. Make sure you’re on the same team, and watch your other half get all protective over his “little lady”. He will love showing off his gun-slinging skills, and there will always be an excuse for the two of you to “hide” in the bushes together for a little while!

There are paintballing centres across the country, with prices ranging from as little as £12.50 per person for a full day session (prices from National Paintball Fields).

July

As the summer months start to roll in, why not get out and make the most of it with a romantic boat ride for two. It’s going to take team work to avoid any mishaps on the water, but once you’ve got into the stroke of things, you’ll both soon be feeling the ripples of passion well below the surface.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a beautiful setting for your romantic trip on the water. Hire a small rowing boat from the Marina along the River Avon, take a picnic basket of all your favourite goodies and spend a sunny afternoon lovingly gazing into each others eyes, as you drift across the calm waters. At £4 per person per hour, you could afford to stay out there all day!

August

I'm sure the two of you will have already booked a romantic holiday this month, but that doesn’t have to be the only thing you do together in August. Follow your animal instincts and plan a trip to the zoo.

Walking around, hand-in-hand, in the sunny weather can be romantic in any setting – and all of the fascinating animals will give you plenty to talk about. You are guaranteed to find the day thoroughly enjoyable; plenty to laugh and joke about and it will be nice to experience the animals without the kids around for a change.

Dudley Zoo offers a daily close encounter with their resident monkeys. The walkthrough experience, “Monkey Tails”, allows you to get up close and personal with the animals in their own natural habit. Hopefully the two of you will be inspired to do some monkey-ing around of your own after that!

September

In the hope that the good weather lasts until September, why not try your hand at something else animal-related and saddle up for a horseback ride.

You may both need some practice, but once you’re ready to roam, the two of you can share a fun-filled and romantic afternoon with your new friends.

Dutton Stables in Curdworth, West Midlands offers a fantastic day of fun for you and your partner with its Pub Trekking afternoon. After some basic riding skills have been gained, you and your man will ride out to the nearby canal-side pub “The Dog and Doublet”, where you can have a spot of lunch before heading back to the stables. The whole trip takes two hours, including an hour for lunch, and your meals are included in the price. At £45 per person, it’s a tad more expensive than some other activities, but well worth it for a romantic horseback ride for two.

October

Get in the spirit of Halloween, and book a night at a haunted house. For the two of you to experience something so spooky together will make you feel so close, and it’s certainly going to be a great story to share with your family and friends when you get back.

There are no guarantees that you will see anything out of the ordinary, but the atmosphere itself is bound to put your nerves on edge. If nothing else, this experience will give you plenty of reasons to cuddle up to your other half.

The Red Lion Pub in Avebury, Wiltshire is one of the most haunted places in England, with an array of ghostly visitors, such as a woman named Florrie (who takes a particular shine to bearded customers) and a number of childlike figures who have been spotted roaming the halls. The B&B costs £40 per person per night, and is well worth a trip if you think your nerves can manage the stay.

November

Before the frost sets in on your chances to get away once again, why not throw caution to the wind and book a four-day stay in a stately home this month. England is full of beautiful stately homes; full of grandeur, spectacular views and interesting places to visit.

The breathtaking rural town of Sherborne in Gloucestershire is the setting for the magnificent stately home, Sherborne House. Situated just 10 minutes away from the picturesque village of Burton-on-the-Water (the so-called Venice of Britain), and no more than half an hour drive to the bustling town of Cheltenham, there are so many interesting places to visit and cosy couples activities to engage in – you will be spoilt for choice. One bedroom retreats in Sherborne House are available for as little as £180 for a four night stay for the two of you, and the trip is sure to put the spark back into any relationship.

If any of you would like further information on Sherborne House, read my blog post "Four days in a frosty haven" to get a real feel for the place.

December

December is always an expensive month, and with Christmas on the way you’ll be looking for something cheap and cheerful to keep each other entertained, so I suggest a blindfolded food tasting evening.

Blindfold your partner, and feed him a selection of foods (nice things only, it’s not a punishment) and see how many he can get right just on taste and texture alone. Then swap and have him feed you.

You will be surprised how intense and erotic this can be, and given the right mood it could no doubt lead to plenty more fun throughout the evening. They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, and you'll have him eating out of the palm of your hand all night...literally!

New year, new you?

It's a new year, new start and all that, so I've whipped up this new year-related vox pop with the hope of getting it published in The National Student this week. A great deal of my friends have helped me out with this so thank you, and my apologies if I have chopped and changed, or added bits here and there - but that's what us wannabee editors do! Hope you enjoy the read:

New year, new you?

The time for change is upon us once again, and as we enter into the New Year, many of us will bow to the age-old tradition of allocating ourselves a New Year’s resolution to kick start our lives in 2011.

There are always the traditional pledges to get fit, lose weight, stop smoking etc etc, but this year we students are going all out to bring some new dynamics into our lives.

Russell Fletcher, 25 and a post-graduate Music Industries student, has set himself the unusual task of being more decisive this year. He says:

“I’ve been notoriously indecisive in the past. I’m tired of always regretting not acting on impulses and letting things get away from me. This year there will be no more saying ‘Um, I’m not sure’ when I’m asked a question... I’m aiming to start taking hold of things and making them a reality.”

The idea of changing your attitude to life seems to be a popular choice with many students this year, as Heather Bradbury, aged 20 and a Jewellery Design student at Birmingham City University, has decided that she needs to be more positive in 2011:

“Last year I gave up chocolate until Easter, but this year the thought of giving up something so materialistic isn't much of a challenge, and I don’t think I’d get much out of giving up something like that again. I wanted to do something that would be more beneficial to my life, so my resolution is to be more positive this year, as I'm quite a cynical person really and I want to break the habit. If I think more positive, then I'll be positive. Or that’s the theory anyway!”

Manish Patel, 21 and a Media and Communication student at Birmingham City University, is aiming to change his life this year by doing one new thing each month. He says:

“My New Years Resolution is to make 2011 a year to remember for the rest of my life. I’d like to start small and work it up to something big by the end of the year. If I can start by graduating Uni with at least a 2:1 grade, then that would be perfect. “

26-year-old Andrew Spurrell, a Sound Technology student at Wolverhampton University, is a tad forgetful and wants to do more for his family in 2011:

“I have lots of brothers, sisters, their partners and nieces and nephews to please. I've always been rubbish at remembering birthdays and sending cards so my new years resolution is to be a more considerate sibling and uncle and remember (or write down!) important dates.”

Rachael Giaramita, 24 and a Journalism student at Birmingham City University, has gone for all the traditional getting healthy, eating more fruit, doing well at university pledges – apart from one:

“I need to get better at returning phone calls. People phone me, I miss it and then I never get round to phoning them back. It must seem like I’m ignoring them or something, but I’m just bad at returning my calls!”

Not every student is so drawn in to the yearly tradition of setting yourself new goals for the year to come, as 21-year-old Luke Jerromes – a Film Studies student at the University of Gloucestershire – claims that these resolutions never last for people because they wouldn’t have normally set these goals if there wasn’t such a thing as New Years resolutions in the first place. He says:

“I would like to think my life is dynamic enough to not have stagnated to the point that once a 'year' it's time to assess my life and then make some token gesture at trying to change things. By all means set goals in life. I have those, and then have a timeframe by which to achieve them - but other than that, I can’t understand setting yourself a goal you otherwise wouldn't have set yourself, it’s just odd!”

Luke says that although he doesn’t have any New Years Resolutions, he does have goals which he would like to achieve this year:

“I have the aim of getting a sketch I've written onto the TV, making at least one film I'm proud of and I want to appear in at least one TV or Film which I didn't personally create. That and I want see Metallica again, but that’s less of a goal, and more a burning desire...”

So, maybe it’s time to ask yourself the big question: What would you like to achieve in 2011?

Bad bad Ray Ray Brown

I have been tap tapping away on here for the last two months, and it has suddenly dawned on me that I haven't told you about my other, other half. I have a boyfriend, as I'm sure you will have all have guessed by now, but I also have a girlfriend, who has been in my life since I was 17 and probably knows me better than anyone.

I may have mentioned her once or twice before, but I thought it was about time I shared with you all the joys of having her around. Her name is Ray, she is 20, and she is a 2nd year Media and Communications student at Birmingham City University, specialising in PR. We met way back at Sixth Form, and I haven't been able to get rid of her since!

When I first met Ray, she was a nice, quiet girl, a bit of a geek perhaps, but sweet enough all the same. Then I got her a job as a glass collector at the pub I used to work at in Coleshill, and lets just say it went downhill from there! I think her mother has always believed I corrupted her or something, but I like to think that she was always just waiting for someone to corrupt her.

Ray is loud, vibrant, a laugh-a-minute and a truly loyal friend. She is hard working, career driven and a great shoulder to cry on in hard times. Yes, she is also somewhat temperamental, demanding, a tad ditsy to say the least and she really does have bad taste in men, but when you've known each other like we have, all those little misdemeanors seem to be somehow irrelevant in the grand scheme of things.

We have been through everything together; break ups, make ups, fallings out, drunken nights, brilliant nights, whirlwind romances, long term relationships, trips away, trips to the shops, tears, laughter and all the other stuff in between.

We are the founders of the best night out around, otherwise known as Cheeky Thursdays (which several of the images on this page have come from), and we love nothing more than getting all dolled up and heading out for a few swift glasses of wine. She is my partner in crime, but she has much better morals than me, if I'm honest!

We have that kind of friendship where we only have to look at each other to know what the other one is thinking. We're brutally honest with each other, sometimes to the point of being down right rude, but that's just how things are with us - and we both appreciate the fact that this is definitely a no-holes-barred relationship.

When I needed her this year, she really came through for me, and has stuck it out through all the hardship we've encountered this past 12 months. I wouldn't call her my rock, as I like to think of myself as a boulder on my own any way, but she's certainly the best thing I have ever worked for in all my years. So here's a New Years toast to you Ray, the best friend I have ever had. May 2011 be as enjoyable for you, as you are for me.