Bad Reputation

A few months ago, I posted about my badly behaved cat, Bumble. He has a reputation for being trouble and this week he has gone above and beyond his usual standards.











Last week, we got a new smart TV. Our old one was really big and bulky, so a certain cat used to sit on top of it:










However, our new TV is slim and lightweight. In fact, it weighs less than him. When Bumble decided we were giving the new telly too much attention and ignoring him, he tried to jump up as normal. He did manage to stand on the top with all 4 paws for a second, before the TV started swaying backwards. The cat managed to jump off over the back, sending it crashing forwards onto the floor.

Long story short, half the TV screen was not working. It is currently being repaired, so at the moment we have no TV. My dad is not pleased, leaving badly behaved Bumble in the dog house. I am not too angry with him though as he did not know it would tip over. Are your pets this troublesome?

Poll Results

Most of you will have noticed the poll about my posts I placed on my blog a couple of weeks ago. I now have the results and they are displayed on my front page for all to see. Thank you to all who voted, it was very helpful to me. I am please to see that you enjoy reading most of my posts, and I am interested to find out that you particularly like posts about my opinions. I will write more of those in future. Look out for more of my polls.

If you particularly like a post, you can click on one of it's labels at the bottom of the post. This will take you to all the posts with that label. This is a great way to find older posts that you might like.

Unrealistic Summers

Is it just me, or does it seem like the media think everyone spends (or should spend) all of their summer holidays relaxing on exotic beaches? From TV adverts to music videos and magazine articles, everywhere seems to be showing images of 20 somethings drinking cocktails under palm trees wearing the latest in summer fashion. I am starting to think they all have partnerships with Thomas Cook! Either that or they think they are more likely to sell that dress/drink/fake tan if people think it will lead to fun in the sun.

The fact is, not everyone has the time or can afford to spend 2 weeks in LA. Even if they did, they might not want to and should not be made to feel that it is what they should be doing. And in this country, we don't really have the weather for it. So I think the media need to be a bit more realistic in their portrayal of summer.

No. 17

Sorry I haven't posted for a couple of days, I have been doing other things as it is the holidays. Yesterday, I popped into Boots to see if there was anything I wanted to spend my birthday voucher on in there. I really like their No.17 range as it is much cheaper than No.7 but is still good quality. Also, as it is aimed at a younger audience, they have bolder colours than some other ranges.

Another reason I like No.17 is because they often have smaller size products than expensive ranges like No.7 and Max Factor. This is great because I always find my make up never actually runs out, it just gets old or I get fed up with it (mainly because I wear lots of different eye products and don't wear face base that often). Click here to go to their website.

Do you like No.17? Or is there another make-up brand you want to tell us about in the comments?

Summer Fun

Today, I went out in the summer sun with my best friend. First we went shopping. I bought a white summer cardigan with a lace back in the New look sale (see left). it is perfect for wearing over summer dresses. I also bought Megan Trainor's new album with birthday money, as I like all her songs so far and so will probably like the rest of her album.












Afterwards, we went to a funfair that had set up near the shops for the week. This was a different fair to the one I mentioned previously. That one was a modern fair, this time it was an old fashioned fair with traditional rides called Carter's Steam Fair. We went on the Octopus, the Swinging Chairs and the Bumper Cars. They were all great fun especially the Octopus, where you sat in cars on the end of long metal arms that spun you in the air. It was all expensive though, £2.50 a ride. Also, most of the other rides were aimed at children or families. I would go again, but I prefer the other fair. Finally, we went down the beach to walk along the sea front and have an ice cream.

First Jobs

For most people, their teenage years are when they get their first jobs. Whether it is a paper round or babysitter as a younger teen or a shop assistant or lifeguard once you're 16, it is the first bit of money you earn yourself. I have yet to get a job, as I am not particularly desperate for money and like to have plenty of free time. I will probably wait until I have done my GCSEs. However, a couple of other teens I know have jobs now so I decided I should still talk about it.

A part time job can give a teen work experience, finance and budgeting skills and time management. However, apparently, old teens who work more than 20 hours a week can experience negative effects such as not enough time for college work and increased stress. You need to find a balance between leisure, studying and work.

For unusual job ideas for when you are an adult, read Huffington Post's 10 best jobs in the world (you will have to scroll down, although the article at the top it good too.)

Birthday Shopping

I had a great birthday yesterday! The night before, me and 3 of my best friends went to TGI Friday's for dinner. We all had lovely meals and mocktails. At the end, they made me balance on a chair with a burning candle and wedge shoes (dangerous!) while the restaurant sang happy birthday. My friends gave me some cool presents and I received more of these the next morning. I ate lots of cake and saw friends and family as well. My presents included an orange Kipling handbag, ballet pumps as well as my ear piercing and highlights that I have had earlier on in the summer.

One of the presents was a voucher for H&M. Today, when we were shopping in Southampton, we went and had a look in there. I bought two simple T-shirts (one black, one white) from the teenage department and a fab blue and white striped shirt like the one below. All in all, I had a great birthday with lots of nice presents.

Little Mix

Little Mix used to be my favourite and I still really like them now. I love their lively, catchy tunes and cool lyrics. Their songs are a mixture of songs about love and ones with positive messages for girls in, like Change Your Life and Little Me. I think they are the perfect girl band for tweenagers and teenagers.

Their new single, Black Magic is currently number 1 and was played a lot at AAA yesterday. I love it and think it is a great start to their new album, which is going to be released in November. The video is great too, something different and quite funny.

I probably won't post tomorrow, as it is my birthday (yay!). We are going out tonight with my friends to TGI Fridays and tomorrow my family will come round. I will tell you all about it on Thursday.

Zorbing

Today, I went to a Fareham Access All Areas event with 2 of my best friends. To find out more about this scheme click here to read an earlier post. We had a go on an inflatable obstacle course, got henna tattoos and jumped off a giant inflatable onto a huge crash mat, but best of all was the zorbing.

I have never been zorbing before. These zorb balls were on a large area of grass (not water). The entrance was quite small and hard to get in and out of. Also, they don't  block off the entrance so you have to try not to fall out. Once in, I tried to stand up and walk but it was too hard so I ended up crawling. it was quite hard work after a while, a surprisingly good workout. To make things even more difficult, people kept crashing and the men running it kept jumping on the sides of the balls. It was great fun though.

Overall, the event was great, even better than last year. I will probably be going to another this summer. I think they are better than the Gosport Passport events too, although I haven't fully tried one of those out yet.

Internet Issues

Sorry I haven't posted for the last few days, my internet hasn't been working. It was down for over 48 hours due to a local problem with Virgin. It could have been dealt with much quicker, as at first when we reported the problem they said it was an issue with our hub, even though our next door neighbour's was also not working. Virgin had told her that it was a problem in the area.

Considering how much money households spend on their internet connection you would think companies would be better at finding and fixing a problem efficiently. With more people online than ever before and the connection under more strain, perhaps this is a problem companies will need to address.

Still, it is back up now and that is the first time we have had a major problem for ages. Hopefully, this is just a one off. Normal service will resume.