Katy Said What?

UNICEF Facebook advert

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 08:00:27 -0400

In a world where everybody in the social media business is chasing ‘Likes’, this advert caught my attention for all the right reasons. Well done UNICEF.

Donate to UNICEF

The New York Pass - review

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 07:19:00 -0400

Recently, after years of yearning and a couple of almost-made-it moments, I went to New York for a short holiday. Now, this isn’t a review of New York but it’s safe to say it was awesome. If you haven’t been, go. And if you have been, don’t you just want to go again?

On arrival at my hotel, I was surprised but extremely happy to find a couple of New York Passes had been left at reception for my boyfriend and I to use on our trip. The card allows you entry to over 70 New York tourist attractions, so we had a quick re-think of our itinerary and then hit the streets!

Thanks to the New York Pass, we visited the following attractions:

Brooklyn Botanic Garden
CitySightseeing Cruise
Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Museum of Modern Art
On Location Tour of Central Park - TV and Movies Sites
Rockafeller Center (including Top of the Rock)

What quickly became apparent to me was the more places you go and visit with the card, the more you want to visit other attractions! We certainly went to a couple of places that weren’t on our original agenda (looking at you, Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum), and we enjoyed both immensely. If we’d had more time in NYC, we’d definitely have visited many more attractions - I can see this saving visitors a lot of money, if they use it wisely. Look at it like this - once the card’s paid for, you don’t have to pay to get into any of the attractions covered by the pass and the more sights you see, the more money you save. So it could turn out to be a huge money-saver (giving you some spare dollars for the expensive cocktails that you’ll come across!)

I’d definitely think about purchasing a New York Pass, should I visit the city again, so I can tick the other attractions off my list. It also comes with a really handy guide that helps to get you excited about the places you can visit! You can also buy different cards, depending on how long you’re visiting for, which range from $85 to $200, so there’s some flexibility depending on your needs.

newyorkpass.com

The katysaidwhat promise

I only write about things I genuinely like and have used - I can’t be bribed, not even if you deliver a puppy to my door, in a basket and wearing a bow. If I’m lucky enough to get something for free, I’ll always tell you.

Living With Parents (Again): A Survival Guide

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:09:08 -0400

It’s now been six months since I moved back in with my mum, at the age of 28. Overall, it’s been a (very) long six months, but I’d be lying if I said it was all bad.

All being well, I’ll be moving out in the next couple of months, so I thought it was a good time for me to share my experience with you - if you don’t live with your folks, and have no intention of doing so, it might not be for you. But look on the bright side - you can laugh at the fact I did.

If you do find yourself back in your childhood bed, here’s my guide to not killing your parents:

Pay rent

A simple one to kick us off. There was never ever doubt I’d be paying rent. Admittedly, it’s much less than I used to pay for my city centre flat but it suits both parties. But, be aware: paying rent doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t still be asked to do plenty of guilt-laden chores. You know the ones; “oh, can you just walk the dog…” or “can you stay in and wait for the neighbour to pop round with the Tupperware box she borrowed last Christmas?”

I’m all for helping, but my past flatmates didn’t take these liberties. The guilt-chores were probably my least favourite part about moving back. Once I move out, I can experience the guilt of not helping, from afar. Perfect.

Try not to moan

Trust me; this is easier said than done. But I’m closer to 30 than I’d like to be and moaning about living with your mum just makes you look like a right sad case. Instead, why not set up a blog and moan about it there?!

See your friends

My mum lives in a place where not very much happens. The day a Subway opened up in the village, it was big news. I mean, BIG news: it made page two of our local newspaper. So it was important to go out as much as I could. Due to a distinct lack of public transport, this has varying rates of success. Waiting at Manchester Piccadilly for an hour, alone, after three glasses of wine just didn’t appeal to me by the fifth time it happened.

Also, be aware that there is a fine line to tread here; don’t go out enough and you will drive yourself mad. Go out ‘too much’ (mum’s words, not mine) and chances are your parents will drive you mad with all their questions about where you’ve been and if you’re going to be in for tea tomorrow.

Embrace the routine

Parents are, by all intents and purposes, weird creatures. And if you haven’t lived with them for years, the routine that you followed last time will seem even weirder. My mum likes to do things a certain way and if I suggested a different way, that would save her time, you’d think I’d spat in her eye. So smile, happily talk about the neighbours’ lives (at length) and leave everything in the bathroom exactly how you left it. And I mean, exactly.

Keep it quiet

Plenty of people my age live with their parents (if the stats are to be believed), but whenever I told somebody new, there was usually a look of pity which made me feel a bit sad. If worse comes to the worst, lie but I’d probably just gloss over it to save yourself the pity party.

I asked my mum the best bit about having me under her roof again. Her response?

“The weeks you weren’t here; there was no hair in the bathroom.”

Thanks, mum, love you too.

Wine-tasting at Vinopolis

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 13:18:00 -0400

After years of thinking about going wine-tasting, I was recently invited to Vinopolis to finally try it. I’ll never look at wine in the same way again!

I was booked on the Classic Experience (£32), with which you get 12 tokens that are pre-loaded on to a ‘wine debit card’ - simply insert the card above the wine of your choice and, as if by magic, your wine is dispensed.

But first, it was a 15 minute ‘how to taste wine’ session in the venue’s theatre. Our guide, the fabulous Vincent, was the star of the night. Before visiting, and thanks to multiple watches of Sideways, I was worried that the environment would be pretentious, so I’m happy to say that Vincent’s relaxed, humorous approach put me at ease immediately. And I learnt stuff too!

Following the talk and taste (I think there was some apple in there…) we were taken on a short tour through the building. And what a building! Open brick, airy and full of wine. At Vinopolis you can explore over 100 wines; red, white, fortified and dessert. If you’re interested in how climates affect taste, check out the geography zone or if you’re feeling adventurous, explore the discovery zone, including a selection of English sparkling wines. I know, English wines; who knew?

Wines are worth 1-4 tokens and the choice is incredible. I’m usually a white wine (light and fruity) kinda gal but I tried all manner of wines, including some powerful and robust reds that I hold responsible for my heavy head the next day!

As well as your tokens, staff are on-hand to offer you samples of their wines of the week and it was here that, once again, we were advised by Vincent. I’ve come to the conclusion that the man is a miracle-worker - he got my boyfriend to try - and enjoy - a rosé! As a staunch hater of the pink stuff, this is an impressive feat.

If you’re thinking of visiting, I’d suggest leaving a couple of hours for the Classic Experience - there’s plenty to do to fill the time and I really appreciated being able to do the tasting at my own pace.

I’m pleased to say after this visit I’m armed with a better knowledge of wines and understand more about which bottles I could enjoy both in restaurants or at home - which is exactly what I was looking for from the experience.

Now, somebody hand me that bottle…

Vinopolis
No.1 Bank End,
London,
SE1 9BU
vinopolis.co.uk
0207 940 8300

Keep Music Free

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 08:57:15 -0500

But how will anybody make any money?!

A night in Didsbury

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 13:00:10 -0500

I left Didsbury for pastures new about ten months ago and I’ve missed it pretty much every day since then. So when my boyfriend and I were planning a weekend away recently, it seemed like the obvious choice to spend a night.

The Hotel

We were looking for a bit of luxury with the hotel and booked (arguably) the best one in the area - Didsbury House. We received great customer service from the outset and upgraded to the Opus Loft Suite on arrival.

We weren’t disappointed; the spacious surroundings were perfect for that ‘at home in a hotel’ feeling, with two cast iron roll top baths and an awesome walk-in monsoon shower (love them!) being just two of the highlights.

The only criticism I have is, despite paying a substantial amount for the room, breakfast wasn’t included (boo!), and we weren’t going to pay an additional £30 for it - so it was off to The Deli in Didsbury Village the following morning. Actually, it was pretty damn delicious, so I have no real complaints at all about having to go elsewhere for a bacon butty!

The Meal

We booked Albert’s for our evening meal. And with it being a Friday night, we took full advantage of their Champagne deals!

I was completely bowled over by the food and enjoyed the most tender pork belly I’ve ever tasted, followed by a steak cooked exactly as I’d requested. What more can you ask for? Full marks to Albert’s.

Fizz time!

The Nightlife

Didsbury Village itself is suffering from chain fatigue. You’re unlikely to get an independent shop or bar in the area, so if you want to find something more interesting, venture down to the lovely West Didsbury. Worth a punt are The Violet Hour, Mary & Archie’s and my personal favourite, The Drawing Room. Don’t let its diminutive stature put you off; the atmosphere is fantastic both across the week and the weekend (take note, Northern Quarter try-hards) and the cocktails are delicious. The jukebox might only hold indie music from the ’90s, but that in itself is quite comforting!

It was only a short visit but my night in Didsbury confirmed something that I already knew - at some point in the future, whether it be in two years or in twenty years, I’m going to be a Didsbury resident once again.

If you’re planning a trip to Didsbury in the future, have a look at didsburylife.com - it’s got all the bases covered.

Valentine's Day Card and Gift Ideas

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 11:03:17 -0500

Whichever side of the fence you sit on the subject of Valentine’s Day, it’s always nice to get cards and presents. So I’ve chosen a few select items for your perusal, in case you deem your beloved worthy of something nice on February 14.

What a Difference a Day Makes Print

Call me a softie, but I enjoying marking special dates - first dates, anniversaries, other peoples’ birthdays - and this ‘What a Difference a Day Makes‘ print is ideal. But if you’re displaying it in a public room, maybe skip the ‘first time we had sex’ date.

Happy Valentine’s Day No-One Card

One for 30 Rock and Tina Fey fans. This illustrated card by Catherine Palmeno uses a Liz Lemon quote to perfectly channel the collective feeling of single guys and gals on Valentine’s Day.

I Love You More Than Video Games Card

You can’t ask for more than this.

Heart Pendant

Simple, pretty and cheap enough for it not be a complete waste of money should you split up a week later. God bless Accessorize.

Sloth Valentine’s Day Card

I love the blurb for this - ‘Sloth has a piece of valentine in his mouth, he was hungry.’ Fair play sloth, we’ve all been there.

Mutual Weirdness - Call it Love Print

To be honest, I probably wouldn’t want this on my wall but I like the sentiment. After all, if we’re supposed to believe the ‘there’s someone for everyone’ mantra, we must be a little weird from time to time.

I’d Bone You Card

Because Valentine’s Day isn’t a time for being serious.

Will you be sending anybody a Valentine’s card this year? I’m a sucker for cards, so if you are, share them with me!

Waiting staff: pick up a pad!

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 11:41:00 -0500

For a fussy eater who heaves at the very idea of mayonnaise touching her food, or throws up if somebody serves cream-based sauce without asking if it’s ok, having waiting staff decide to not write down an order is stressful. But that seems to be the norm these days. And as it so often goes wrong, it winds me up.

Ah, to see a notepad and pen. With them, I feel secure and comfortable; without, I’m pretty much convinced that I’ll have to return whatever misjudged concoction arrives at the table.

What’s the obsession with not writing down orders these days? I asked a friend of mine who works as a waitress and apparently, it’s to ‘give the customer confidence’. According to her company, not writing down an order makes the server look more professional. What a load of crap - I can’t remember ever getting exactly what I ordered when it hadn’t been written down. Instead, the server gets distracted, mumbles a quick ‘OK’ and goes off to ruin my order.

Part of me feels sorry for the waiter/waitress; did they know that they had to have a good memory when they went for the job? Why should they have to remember a list of items that they don’t really care about? Most of the time in restaurants, I just want to eat nice food and then leave. I don’t want to subject the staff a Dr Kawashima brain training exercise. I just want the food I ordered!

And what’s worse, I know when I won’t get it. I know when a mayo-laden sandwich is going to arrive in front of me and there’s nothing I can do about it other than ask if they will remember the order and then I’m shot down with a look that says ‘er, that’s my job?’

And then the wrong thing arrives. Sigh.

Frankly, if a server refuses to write things down, they are just asking for trouble. If you think not writing my order down will make me come back to your restaurant, you’re wrong. But you know what might? Picking up a pad!

Tom McFly ruins it for men everywhere

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 13:43:00 -0500

Tom ‘McFly’ Fletcher posted his wedding speech/song on YouTube and left a trail of mascara-stained faces and high expectations in his wake.

Warning: not for the unromantic!

I love this. Really, really love it. It helps that I like McFly (aww, they’re still best friends after all these years etc. etc.) but even the darkest of souls must agree that it is a lovely wedding speech. But I worry. Worry that the men in our lives don’t stand a chance when it comes to grand gestures.Seemingly every day there’s a new proposal video, professionally produced with beautiful couples looking oh-so-natural and sickeningly happy in front of a camera and, quite simply, expectations are just not being managed. The video above means that no longer will a mumbling ‘thanks for coming… cheers!’ cut it.

Men, I’m sorry but Tom McFly has sold you down the river.

Kew Gardens, December 2012

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 14:44:16 -0500

The turkey has been eaten and the mammoth chocolate pile is getting smaller, so I thought some fresh air was needed – step forward Kew Gardens and its ‘12 Days of Christmas’ promotion.

Until 04 January, Kew Gardens is offering a number of free tickets (usually £16 for adults) to visitors wishing to explore its 300 acres. Armed with my camera, ticket and boyfriend, I had a wander around:

If you’re feeling a bit lethargic after all the festivities, Kew Gardens is a great option – and if you’re quick, you could bag some of the free tickets; they have just released some more. Just make sure you wear comfortable shoes – you’ll be doing a LOT of walking!

Enjoy!

My Top 10 Pop Singles of 2012

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:48:00 -0500

I’ve ~~thrown together~~ lovingly hand-picked my top 10 pop singles of 2012. This list is based on nothing other than the fact I like them. And the fact that they are awesome pop songs.

(10) Try - Pink

I liked her in 2001. I liked her less in 2008. But this is a heartfelt song, sang amazingly well. And I loved her performance of it at the American Music Awards 2012.

(9) Titanium - David Guetta feat. Sia

Never did I think Old Man Guetta would make it into any ‘top’ lists I did. But Sia made it happen. The song I hear other people playing on tinny earphones on every mode of public transport.

(8) Girls Aloud - Something New

This nearly didn’t make the list because there are others equally worthy of a mention. But I was beside myself when they returned. And I enjoyed the lengths the director went to in order keep Sarah out of shot for most of the video. She’s the new Nicola.

2012 was the year I nearly met GA. But let’s not talk about that.

(7) Troublemaker - Olly Murs Feat. Flo Rida

“Trouble, troublemaker yeah, that’s your middle name”

It’s catchy and whether it be with songs or reality show presenting, Murs has come into his own. Let’s just ignore the Flo Rida bit and hope it’ll go away.

(6) Part of Me - Katy Perry

Made me think I knew the goss from her relationship with Russell Brand, even though I didn’t. I’m a sucker for faux celebrity insight. One of my most listened to songs of this year, without a doubt.

(5) We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together – Taylor Swift

I haven’t stopped listening to it (on a daily basis) yet. And it is responsible for me declaring ‘this is exhausting’ at any given opportunity. Which I think can only be a good thing and isn’t at all annoying for everybody else.

(4) Stronger - Kelly Clarkson

The Clarkson can do no wrong in my eyes. Well, Dark Side wasn’t the best, but apart from that, she’s my golden girl.

My boyfriend complains that every song she brings out is the same as Since U Been Gone. But we all know how brilliant that is, so who’s complaining?

(3) Candy - Robbie Williams

I liked it from first listen, despite Robbie being a complete dick on the Radio 2 interview he did before its first radio airplay. The chorus stomps hard all over the verses. I heard Gary Barlow (who wrote it) has been singing it on his recent tour.

I’ll just leave that with you, to mull over at your own leisure.

(2) Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen

A more-than-worthy runner-up. This has brought all manner of my friends and acquaintances together on the dancefloor in awkward social situations, and for that I thank all involved in its release.

(1) Wings - Little Mix

Any song with this amount of clapping in will always get my vote. And I love a good bow, which solidified my thoughts that Jade was the best one.

Don't Talk About Work At Home!

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 07:24:00 -0500

About a year ago I found myself, whilst on a weekend away and on a supposedly relaxing boat trip on the Thames, emailing a colleague on my mobile about a broken CMS that I couldn’t actually fix. About ten minutes later, I deleted that email account from my phone and I got a good portion of my life back.

More recently, I have noticed something else has begun to consume my personal life. My boyfriend (S) and I hadn’t seen each other for a week (damn that distance) and, on the first evening of being reunited, we spent the evening talking about work. Not the edited highlights that are normal; more the moans, niggles and general bitching about office ineptitude. After hours of that, it’s no wonder we weren’t in the mood for a more typical reunion later that night…

Since then, we’ve tried hard to restore some balance but often the theory has been easier than the practice. I’m all for sharing working life with partners - after all, they are (hopefully!) the most consistent person in your life, there to give you reassurance and a bit of perspective when that office martyr rears their ugly head again. But allowing talk of the boss to come into the conversation across the dinner table could have a detrimental effect on any relationship.

So, I’ve taken affirmative action: no more moaning about work when I close the front door. I’m not cutting S out of my working life, I’m just not dragging him to every part of it. So far, we have learnt that work is such a huge part of both our lives that we have to talk about it sometimes - but also that we need to find a middle ground. For example, be able to talk about the ‘bad’ bits but only if we really want useful suggestions from the other half. After all, lengthy moan with no conclusion will just bring the mood down.

Do you feel as though you spend too much time talking about work at home? And what do you do to limit that? S and I will happily try your ideas!

Saponara, Islington

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:12:16 -0500

There’s little I look for more from an eatery than good quality products cooked well and friendly service. Step forward Saponara - one of the best Italian delis in London.

Located on an unassuming, slightly scruffy street in Islington, Saponara ticks all the boxes. Service is warm, friendly and very Italian. And the food is fresh, tasty and unpretentious. Perfect!

Saponara is exactly what you would imagine an Italian deli to be and it’s easy to imagine yourself in a little Italian town once you step into its cosy settings. It’s nothing fancy, so don’t wear your cocktail dress, but its appeal lies in its packed-to-the-rafters shelves and small tables.

I’ve been a few times but have never felt the need to blog about it before now. But after another great time, I had to share. Once served with a drink, waiting staff come to show you the pasta board for the day - amazing homemade pasta full of tasty pieces of meat, fish and vegetables. On this occasion, I wanted the fish pasta but - as a lifetime hater of creamy sauces (which was recommended) – requested a tomato-based sauce. But I was told ‘no’, simply because the pasta and sauce wouldn’t taste as nice and they want it to be the best it can be. In some places, you could feel as though the choice wasn’t yours but at Saponara, you’re more than happy to let them make the decision for you. In fact, I’ve started to want that elsewhere - after all, they (should) know what’s best.

The antipasto was packed with something for everyone, just as it should be; mouth-watering melon pieces, fresh meat, salad and olives. For main, I was recommended the wild boar, which when it arrived looked like a ridiculously small portion (apologies for the awful photo!) but turned out to be ideal, what with the richness of the boar. I didn’t even have dessert! My boyfriend opted for an old-favourite - four cheese pizza - and was once again impressed by the mix of flavours. Unlike chain restaurants, the cheese tasted as though it was only churned that morning.

Best of all, on top of the unpretentious service and good quality products, it’s all at an affordable price. So, if you’re in the area, I’d thoroughly recommend a visit. And if you’re not - get one planned; you won’t regret it.

Saponara
23 Prebend Street London N1 8PF

Live Review: Jack Savoretti, The Scala

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 10:49:31 -0500

Every now and again in my day job, we’ll play new artists. Step up, Jack Savoretti. I first heard about Jack a few months ago and we’ve championed him since the arrival of his latest album, Before The Storm.

On Tuesday (November 06), I ventured to The Scala in London to see Jack and his band perform in their Breaking The Rules tour. It was the third time I’d seen him live, but the first with a full band.

Having seen him perform to smaller crowds in the past, I was unsure whether he’d have the stage presence to hold the attention of a 1,000-strong crowd, but I needn’t have worried. With enough charm to hold the attention to the women and enough humour to keep the men listening, this was one of the strongest performances I’ve seen Jack give.

Whilst his songs suggest he’s a sensitive soul, full of brooding lyrics and intimate suggestions, there’s a twinkle in his eye during songs that suggests he can just turn it on when he needs. It’s clear that the past few months have been a success for Jack; the crowd was of a mixed age-range and songs that have been given radio air-time were sung much louder than others. His band - The Dirty Romantics - have created a winning live set and it was a pleasant change (for me) to see him perform with them.

His solo spot, in which he did a good version of Johnny Cash’s ‘Ring of Fire’ was an audience highlight (of course), but he shouldn’t need to pull out covers for much longer.

Jack’s passion for music and his general likability shouldn’t be underestimated. He’s a voice you should keep an ear out for – and if you get a chance to see him live, take it.

jacksavoretti.com

Watch Jack’s official video for single ‘Breaking The Rules’:

The Shed, Notting Hill

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 09:18:00 -0400

Just a quick recommendation should you find yourself in West London, looking for somewhere to eat - let me introduce The Shed, located in Notting Hill.

I randomly happened upon The Shed after dinner with a friend that ended too soon - neither of us wanted to go home and it stood out immediately, with its unique décor on an otherwise uninspiring road.

With our bellies full, we only had room for drinks – thankfully, The Shed has a good wine list and the friendliest service I’ve had for a while.

Peeking into the dining area, it looked small but accommodating. And for a Tuesday evening, the place was packed, with a really positive, relaxed atmosphere. Unsurprisingly, it’s very ‘shed-like’ and the owners must have spent months locating the vintage signs and random pieces of furniture that make up the venue’s style.

I was very happy to find The Shed - next time, I’ll make sure my belly is empty and will happily explore their delicious-sounding menu!

The Shed
122 Palace Gardens Terrace, W8
Open Tuesday - Saturday 5.30pm-11.30pm
theshed-restaurant.com

'90s Nostalgia

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 09:26:18 -0400

I’ve come up with a foolproof way of gauging whether I’m going to get on with somebody new. I simply declare ‘I miss 90s pop’ mid-conversation and wait for their reaction. It usually sparks one of the following responses:

Complete disbelief, followed by mockery. Sometimes even a sneering comment about how I should listen to ‘something worthwhile’. If this happens, chances are that person isn’t my new bezzie.
A declaration of ‘me too, I loved Billie; she was a real pop star!’ - here, chances of a lasting friendship are much more likely.

There are very few days that I remember more fondly than those on the mid-90s, listening to pop on my Walkman and proudly sporting double denim.

Living in Manchester, I’ve always found it difficult to find an authentic ’90s pop disco – I asked recently on Twitter if one existed yet and it seemed the answer was a big, fat ‘NO’. But the desire is there:

So, club night organisers, get on the case! Otherwise I’ll have to do it myself, and that seems like a lot of hard work.

Cherry, a club night held at Manchester’s Sound Control, has recently launched and whilst it promises ’90s hits, it’s not pure ’90s, so I’m not sure it’s exactly what I’m looking for. But I hope to be proven wrong and plan to investigate it in the future – if it’s a hidden gem, I’ll let you ’90s fans know!

So, have I missed an awesome pure ’90s pop disco in Manchester? If so, let me know ASAP :)

And now, all that’s left for me to do is to share with you the power of ’90s pop. Which song led to me THROWING my money at a barman when it came on at a wedding reception I recently went to and practically canter to the dancefloor?

All is revealed right here!

Living with Mum - one month in

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 15:25:10 -0400

It’s been a month since I moved back to my childhood home. A month since my mum (and her dog) became my housemates. So, how’s it going? I’ve been asked that question a lot lately - sometimes because people genuinely care; other times because they are desperate to see how close I am to sprinkling anthrax onto my mum’s cereal.

My answer? It’s… fine. No big fights to report, I have the internet to keep me sane and I live in hope that one day, when I return from work, the dog will actually respond when I ask “so, what have you been up to today?”

But ‘fine’ is what it is. And I’m starting to think that’s not good enough. Moving home was always a short-term solution to a longer term plan, but if I’m miserable - which I am, at times - is it worth it?

Fundamentally, I miss Manchester. Urban Cheshire, by comparison, is just all shades, colours and textures of boring. This was exemplified when I ventured into Didsbury - hardly the centre of the world - last week for drinks. But the lights! The bars! I practically had to have my fingers peeled off a lamppost when it was time to get a taxi home. Because, let’s not forget, a taxi’s the only option - the public transport options in Cheshire after 9pm aren’t exactly plentiful.

And I miss my friends. Socialising when you’re directly out of the action is tough. I used to think nothing of meeting friends after work when I lived in the city centre. These days, I have to plan fleeting catch-ups around once an hour trains and always monitor my wine intake due to the scary post-train 15 minute walk home.

Basically, living at home is making me organised and sober. So I have some work to do on sorting that out… after I’ve watched the Great British Bake Off.

Content, CMS and mistaking Dev for IT

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:48:27 -0400

I work in digital content - I know; we’re everywhere these days. Now, on the one hand, it’s a lot better than being sent to work in a mill and getting crushed to death whilst releasing cotton; on the other, if you’re not careful, it can turn you into a controlling ego-maniac, prone to shouting “am I the only one who gives a damn about content?!”

In my experience, when you’re building or re-designing a new site, or moving to a new content management system (CMS), everybody wants a say - the digital team, marketing, editors, producers and even board members, should you work for the sort of business that allows that sort of thing.

So, who should be responsible for content?

When it comes to content, the content team should be in control. I’m not just saying that because I’m a member of such team (I’m not!), I’m saying it because without the ownership of content from the team closest to it, you’re going to ruin any potential that content has of succeeding and achieving its best for the business.

Take a CMS, for instance. They always seem to be built by developers, for developers, despite the fact that once it’s built, developers cower in the corner at the thought of using it. It seems obvious that if the CMS doesn’t suit the needs of the content team, then it’s more likely to fail to meet the objectives of the business. If content isn’t live, doesn’t work or looks plain weird, it’s seriously going to impact on the reputation of the business. Skip this by keeping the content team close by.

What does the content team know?

More than they let on; seriously, content producers and web editors are a sneaky bunch that you need to keep an eye on. But if they’re in love with digital content, they should know their audience and objectives inside out - and also what works and what doesn’t.

Keeping your content team involved from the beginning of a campaign could be the difference between your online activity succeeding or failing.

Content versus tech

I love developers; I really do. I wish my school had understood something (anything) about technology and I might have become one, but they were more interested in getting me to make a fruit salad. Alas, I’m wandering off track…

Yes, I love developers but content is often at odds with the techy brains in the business. If you’re lucky, your development team will understand that the website being broken on the day you’re launching a big online campaign is far from ideal and will work fast and hard until it’s fixed. But, to make this happen, you’ll need to make yourself heard. A lot of people still mistake development for IT and they get loads of irrelevant ‘how do I fix…?’ emails - so, for once, go offline and venture to their desk, begging for help.

When someone brings a suitcase on the tube during rush hour

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 08:30:47 -0400

londongrumblr:

when I bring one on…

Review: Legally Blonde - The Opera House, Manchester

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 05:27:44 -0400

Before we go any further, let’s get this straight: Legally Blonde’s storyline is in no way connected to reality, but it is fun, frivolous and endearingly absurd. And it happens to contain cute dogs, which always helps.

For those who missed the equally-glitzy Hollywood film, the story sees a Malibu-born fashion student conquer Harvard law school and become a courtroom star, whilst learning a lot about herself along the way.

The show starts with lead character Elle Woods (played by Faye Brookes) expecting a proposal from beau Warner (Gareth Gates). Alas, her plans are dashed when he dumps her for somebody more ‘serious’.

So, off she goes to Harvard law school (as you do), where she is at first mercilessly mocked for her pink outfits, silly grin and ditzy style. But, after meeting post-graduate Emmett (a strong all-round performance from Iwan Lewis) she reads a book or two. She is then accepted as an intern by a top lawyer who’s defending a fitness guru in a murder trial.

This is a musical where ‘gaydar’ and a good knowledge of hair and fashion are as likely to win a case as years of legal training. The production, directed by Jerry Mitchell, certainly gives the film a run for its money - in fact, in parts, it surpasses it.

Former popstar Gareth Gates gives an unfaltering vocal performance but has a relatively peripheral role overall. Jennifer Ellison, as fantastically-named hairdresser/beautician Paulette Buonufonte, has a larger supporting role and the sub-plot of her budding relationship with the ridiculously macho (read: camp) messenger boy, Kyle (Lewis Griffiths) is a welcome addition.

Faye Brookes has obviously studied Reese Witherspoon’s Elle from the film, but in parts is far more vibrant. Her general exuberance and sense of mischief carry many of the scenes and her singing is spot-on throughout.

The show copes well with a lot of set changes and it was pleasing to see a musical number shoe-horned into most scenes.

The appearances of not one but two dogs throughout the show consistently thrill the audience, adding further weight to the fact that the British will always be nation of dog lovers.

The nonsensical fairytale story doesn’t matter to the audience; it is a production that doesn’t take itself too seriously and ticks all the boxes of a feel-good night out!

On until 22 September 2012
manchestertheatres.com

Review first published here

Images: Johan Persson