Up until about a year ago, I'd always wanted to be a journalist. It's all I can remember wanting to be... that and a princess when I was in playschool. But then after taking Journalism alongside my degree in first year, I learnt a few ugly truths about the industry that completely blackened it for me. Things I was so naive to before about the way journalists acquire their stories, the lack of freedom in their writing and the lack of morality in their work.
I've recently found myself at the forefront of such matters. I'm not going to go into details, but it involved a tweet of mine being taken and twisted by the press. Yes, the press were interested in one of my rambling, sad little tweets. I was as shocked as you probably are. When I found out about it, alongside the repercussions of it, I felt sick. The thought of some random person trawling through my tweets to find something conspicuous is the strangest feeling. And to totally twist it and add made up lies to it to make it even worse... well it was certainly a peculiar feeling, one I'd rather not feel again.
You see things like this happen everyday of course with prominent figures. And you don't even think twice about it. But you can guarantee the authors of those tweets didn't expect them to go much further than their "twitter audience"... unless of course that was their original intention. You tweet and make Facebook posts for your friends and family. It's supposed to be private... but you forget anything you write on the internet can be seen by absolutely anyone, and it's theirs for the taking. Even this blog can be read by anyone around the world. We're slowly losing our grip on privacy, and with that losing some of our human rights.
The media can be a disgusting business. The phone hacking saga is a perfect example of that, which whilst it didn't shock me, was a disgraceful and frightening violation of human rights. The media has eyes and ears everywhere... anything we say or do can be captured somehow, noted down for their twisted gain. They'll stop at nothing to get what they want, with no regard for who or what they may destroy in the process. I hold on to the hope that there are still some genuine journalists out there... actually, some genuine people out there. We're all guilty of putting ourselves before others at some point for our own progression... okay, sometimes it may be needed, but there is a limit. And those limits are becoming weaker and weaker... soon there's going to be no limits left.
They say pushing these boundaries is necessary as it allows them to deliver "what the public wants". Can they really say that is what we want? To have innocent peoples human rights ripped to shreds just to deliver a good article, to make a snappy headline? But as long as they have the power to do this, then of course they will, and we will all be their victims.
"Power is tearing human minds apart and putting them back together in new shapes of your own choosing"
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
Monday, 16 April 2012
Bra burning, dirty faces and ditzy blondes: getting my rant on.
I've just finished writing an article for my Uni newspaper about the Daily Mail being inherently anti-woman... and it's literally made me so angry.
I'm not going to sit here and claim that I'm a full on feminist. Because I'm not... I don't know enough about feminism to say that. But to be quite honest, after writing that article, I'm well on the way to burning my bra in protest.
I talked about the Samantha Brick article a lot in it... for anyone that isn't aware of it (not sure how anyone couldn't be, it was all over.. well, everywhere), she basically write a story about all women being jealous of her for being so beautiful. She said that she'd even been held back from job promotions by spiteful and envious female bosses in the past, and that men constantly bestowed her with wonderful gifts due to her prize winning smile. I mean... was she having a laugh? I for one can say i'd never dislike a girl for being attractive. I may feel envious, but that's down to my own insecurities, nothing else. I'll always say if a woman is beautiful. But equally, why would that be the most important thing I would notice about someone when casting my judgement of them? I make my opinions on someone based on whether they are kind, funny and have values I agree with. I'd be ashamed if the only reason I was paid attention was down to my looks. I'd much rather someone recognise me for my personality or achievements. Do men and women really still have such unequal rights that people still believe a women's looks are her most important feature?
And I don't even care how ranty I sound. Another article I read talked about a woman being fired from Harrods for refusing to wear makeup. The journalist write that "Women who feel no compunction to improve what nature bestowed upon them are, in my experience, arrogant, lazy or deluded, and frequently all three". What a joke. And it was a woman who write this? I don't understand anyone who would agree with this view. If a girl doesn't wear makeup, who cares? If they're good at their job, it doesn't matter. Obviously bosses wouldn't want an employee rolling up with hair all greasy and messy and dirt all over their face (not sure why anyone would have that, but you never know), but you can still be tidy and representable without makeup on? I can think of so many times of gone to work without makeup on, but I can guarantee my performance at work didn't suffer due to it.
I'm also not going to say that I don't wear makeup: I do. I like to dress up when I go out. But I don't understand people who rely solely on their looks to try and get what they want. If a girl wants to dress herself up and look pretty, go ahead, but please have a few brain cells behind it. Don't play the "ditzy blonde". It's embarrassing and makes a mockery of us.
I think an ambitious and driven woman is so much more attractive than a typically pretty airhead. But I guess that just depends on what people deem as "attractive". That and how many trashy magazines you read.
I'm not going to sit here and claim that I'm a full on feminist. Because I'm not... I don't know enough about feminism to say that. But to be quite honest, after writing that article, I'm well on the way to burning my bra in protest.
I talked about the Samantha Brick article a lot in it... for anyone that isn't aware of it (not sure how anyone couldn't be, it was all over.. well, everywhere), she basically write a story about all women being jealous of her for being so beautiful. She said that she'd even been held back from job promotions by spiteful and envious female bosses in the past, and that men constantly bestowed her with wonderful gifts due to her prize winning smile. I mean... was she having a laugh? I for one can say i'd never dislike a girl for being attractive. I may feel envious, but that's down to my own insecurities, nothing else. I'll always say if a woman is beautiful. But equally, why would that be the most important thing I would notice about someone when casting my judgement of them? I make my opinions on someone based on whether they are kind, funny and have values I agree with. I'd be ashamed if the only reason I was paid attention was down to my looks. I'd much rather someone recognise me for my personality or achievements. Do men and women really still have such unequal rights that people still believe a women's looks are her most important feature?
And I don't even care how ranty I sound. Another article I read talked about a woman being fired from Harrods for refusing to wear makeup. The journalist write that "Women who feel no compunction to improve what nature bestowed upon them are, in my experience, arrogant, lazy or deluded, and frequently all three". What a joke. And it was a woman who write this? I don't understand anyone who would agree with this view. If a girl doesn't wear makeup, who cares? If they're good at their job, it doesn't matter. Obviously bosses wouldn't want an employee rolling up with hair all greasy and messy and dirt all over their face (not sure why anyone would have that, but you never know), but you can still be tidy and representable without makeup on? I can think of so many times of gone to work without makeup on, but I can guarantee my performance at work didn't suffer due to it.
I'm also not going to say that I don't wear makeup: I do. I like to dress up when I go out. But I don't understand people who rely solely on their looks to try and get what they want. If a girl wants to dress herself up and look pretty, go ahead, but please have a few brain cells behind it. Don't play the "ditzy blonde". It's embarrassing and makes a mockery of us.
I think an ambitious and driven woman is so much more attractive than a typically pretty airhead. But I guess that just depends on what people deem as "attractive". That and how many trashy magazines you read.
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
The day a builder tried to murder me.
Wednesdays are my day off... the one day I find it acceptable to stay in my jammies all day, sit in my room, and just crack on with work.
I was hoping today would be no exception. It was going so well, comfiest toasty sleep ever, lovely pancake filled day yesterday and the prospect of a nice quiet day to myself, ready for a heavy social tonight. But alas, of course some prick has to come and screw that all over.
It started at 8 o'clock, a hefty banging on the front door. Of course, the whole house ignored it. We knew it was none of us at the door so to be honest I didn't give a shit who else it would be. Then came the clanging and the banging, literally so loud it was impossible to get back to sleep. So everyone retreated to the kitchen, moaning and grumbling like we always do. Then came the next bang on the door. So off I go to answer it, only to be greeted by about 10 builders and scaffolding all outside the front of our house. My exact words were, "What. The. Fuck". These lovely chaps had come to install solar panels on our roof... SOLAR PANELS!!! WE LIVE IN WALES! THERE IS LITERALLY NO SUN, EVER, NONE AT ALL.
But hey, I could kind of see the ridiculously retarded funny side of it. As long as they would keep out of our way and just get on with their job, I could deal with it. But no, that would be asking to much. Firstly, they rip up floorboards right outside Beth and Livs room, barricading them in or out. Then they leave the door WIDE OPEN whilst we must travel from the bathroom to our rooms in just our towels, whilst they all just chill by the front door. Then they drag the pungent smell of fags throughout our whole home... and not just fags. They generally just stink, musty ranky stink. THEN they piss in our bathroom. This is not acceptable. I do not want their horrible piss around my toilet seat when we cleaned the bathroom sparkling only two days before. I do not like boys in our bathroom at the best of times. Let alone the inevitable noise they make... and fuck leaving them in this house alone. I've seen all those programmes about builders trashing and thieving from peoples homes... and these ones look dodge. I'm not having that. And all this for something we DIDN'T EVEN ASK FOR !!! Its ridiculous, the asshole landlord takes months to sort out our massive list of problems with this house, most of which still aren't even sorted, but the second he decides solar panels would be a fun and fabulous idea, bang they're here.
But what about the cherry on top of the cake? So here I am, sat in my room attempting to block out all their stupid drilling, when Liv texts me to suggest I go grab all my washing (seeing as those grubby men will probably just rub shit on it all or something). So I casually walk over to my door and innocently open it... only to have the worst builder of the bunch literally fall into my room from the top of his ladder, with the ladder smashing down in aswell on to me! And when I say smash on to me, I am not exaggerating. Luckily it was only on to arm as I jumped out of the way, but WHAT THE FUCK! And then he just was there on the floor, staring up at me like "Oh sorry, didn't know you were in there." REALLY?? DID YOU SEE ME LEAVE YOU IMBECILE?!?
And here we are. I am literally stuck in my room, scared to leave on the thought another bloody massive chunk of metal is going to fall on my head, or even worse the ratface builder decides to just push me down the stairs. Cheers guys, cheers a fucking lot.
I was hoping today would be no exception. It was going so well, comfiest toasty sleep ever, lovely pancake filled day yesterday and the prospect of a nice quiet day to myself, ready for a heavy social tonight. But alas, of course some prick has to come and screw that all over.
It started at 8 o'clock, a hefty banging on the front door. Of course, the whole house ignored it. We knew it was none of us at the door so to be honest I didn't give a shit who else it would be. Then came the clanging and the banging, literally so loud it was impossible to get back to sleep. So everyone retreated to the kitchen, moaning and grumbling like we always do. Then came the next bang on the door. So off I go to answer it, only to be greeted by about 10 builders and scaffolding all outside the front of our house. My exact words were, "What. The. Fuck". These lovely chaps had come to install solar panels on our roof... SOLAR PANELS!!! WE LIVE IN WALES! THERE IS LITERALLY NO SUN, EVER, NONE AT ALL.
But hey, I could kind of see the ridiculously retarded funny side of it. As long as they would keep out of our way and just get on with their job, I could deal with it. But no, that would be asking to much. Firstly, they rip up floorboards right outside Beth and Livs room, barricading them in or out. Then they leave the door WIDE OPEN whilst we must travel from the bathroom to our rooms in just our towels, whilst they all just chill by the front door. Then they drag the pungent smell of fags throughout our whole home... and not just fags. They generally just stink, musty ranky stink. THEN they piss in our bathroom. This is not acceptable. I do not want their horrible piss around my toilet seat when we cleaned the bathroom sparkling only two days before. I do not like boys in our bathroom at the best of times. Let alone the inevitable noise they make... and fuck leaving them in this house alone. I've seen all those programmes about builders trashing and thieving from peoples homes... and these ones look dodge. I'm not having that. And all this for something we DIDN'T EVEN ASK FOR !!! Its ridiculous, the asshole landlord takes months to sort out our massive list of problems with this house, most of which still aren't even sorted, but the second he decides solar panels would be a fun and fabulous idea, bang they're here.
But what about the cherry on top of the cake? So here I am, sat in my room attempting to block out all their stupid drilling, when Liv texts me to suggest I go grab all my washing (seeing as those grubby men will probably just rub shit on it all or something). So I casually walk over to my door and innocently open it... only to have the worst builder of the bunch literally fall into my room from the top of his ladder, with the ladder smashing down in aswell on to me! And when I say smash on to me, I am not exaggerating. Luckily it was only on to arm as I jumped out of the way, but WHAT THE FUCK! And then he just was there on the floor, staring up at me like "Oh sorry, didn't know you were in there." REALLY?? DID YOU SEE ME LEAVE YOU IMBECILE?!?
And here we are. I am literally stuck in my room, scared to leave on the thought another bloody massive chunk of metal is going to fall on my head, or even worse the ratface builder decides to just push me down the stairs. Cheers guys, cheers a fucking lot.
Sunday, 12 February 2012
Say no to drugs
So I woke up this morning to the news that Whitney Houston had died. And the first thing that ran through my head, was that it had to be drugs.
And the exact same thought when Amy Winehouse died. And Michael Jackson... well he was just fucked up from every angle.
And so many more of the greats died at the hands of drugs... Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain (yes it was an alleged "suicide" but under the influence of a lethal dose of heroin), Jim Morrison... Elvis! So many talented souls snatched away by an uncontrollable addiction. Don't get me wrong, it's so sad, it's sad when anyone dies... but part of me always thinks that ultimately it was at their own hands. People know how drugs can take over peoples lives... yet they still let themselves get engulfed by them. And I'm not preaching that no one should ever do drugs, because that would be completely hypocritical of me, but it's when you allow yourself to rely on them... It's never going to end well. You end up just setting yourselves up for self-destruction: no ones invincible, you will always be beaten by them. It just makes me think of all the people that have absolutely no say in the way they die... "real" people, family, family of friends, friends of friends. They didn't have any choice. Their lives were taken away from them without them even knowing. Yet so many people just dice with death on a regular basis. Maybe it's on purpose? Maybe they genuinely want to die. No ones ever going to know.
It's so strange when a celebrity dies anyway. People go into complete mourning for them. I mean, I cried when Michael Jackson died! And I don't even know him... but you grow up with them all over the media, being told every single detail about their lives, their highs, their lows... you may as well be a part of their life. And those celebrities that do have obscene drug addictions... the media practically counts down the days till they die. But when someone you care and love for dies, a whole country... actually, the whole world doesn't bat an eyelid. Of course I'm not saying they should, but it's crushing because in your head, they may have been the most important person in the world. But a celebrity dies and suddenly two minutes later you've got thousands of "RIP" facebook groups, newsfeeds are full of thoughts on the matter, and every newspaper has their face on the front of it.
So people may think I'm an absolute prune for writing all of this, but I can't see how anyone can't agree to be honest. I, and I'm sure most people, have seen the way drugs can ruin someone, and consequently ruin anyone attached to them. And if you're still not convinced, watch Requiem for a dream... that'll put you off drugs for life.
And the exact same thought when Amy Winehouse died. And Michael Jackson... well he was just fucked up from every angle.
And so many more of the greats died at the hands of drugs... Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain (yes it was an alleged "suicide" but under the influence of a lethal dose of heroin), Jim Morrison... Elvis! So many talented souls snatched away by an uncontrollable addiction. Don't get me wrong, it's so sad, it's sad when anyone dies... but part of me always thinks that ultimately it was at their own hands. People know how drugs can take over peoples lives... yet they still let themselves get engulfed by them. And I'm not preaching that no one should ever do drugs, because that would be completely hypocritical of me, but it's when you allow yourself to rely on them... It's never going to end well. You end up just setting yourselves up for self-destruction: no ones invincible, you will always be beaten by them. It just makes me think of all the people that have absolutely no say in the way they die... "real" people, family, family of friends, friends of friends. They didn't have any choice. Their lives were taken away from them without them even knowing. Yet so many people just dice with death on a regular basis. Maybe it's on purpose? Maybe they genuinely want to die. No ones ever going to know.
It's so strange when a celebrity dies anyway. People go into complete mourning for them. I mean, I cried when Michael Jackson died! And I don't even know him... but you grow up with them all over the media, being told every single detail about their lives, their highs, their lows... you may as well be a part of their life. And those celebrities that do have obscene drug addictions... the media practically counts down the days till they die. But when someone you care and love for dies, a whole country... actually, the whole world doesn't bat an eyelid. Of course I'm not saying they should, but it's crushing because in your head, they may have been the most important person in the world. But a celebrity dies and suddenly two minutes later you've got thousands of "RIP" facebook groups, newsfeeds are full of thoughts on the matter, and every newspaper has their face on the front of it.
So people may think I'm an absolute prune for writing all of this, but I can't see how anyone can't agree to be honest. I, and I'm sure most people, have seen the way drugs can ruin someone, and consequently ruin anyone attached to them. And if you're still not convinced, watch Requiem for a dream... that'll put you off drugs for life.
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