Pages of my Notebook

Sunday 25 September 2011

Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover?

Maybe it's not such a bad thing. I don't mean stop speaking to someone because you don't like their haircut. I mean...would you have your MacBook Air if you didn't judge it by the way it looked? Some brands rely completely on the look of their products. And when you see a shiny, slim new phone with good reviews, you want to buy it, don't you?

It may seem wrong, but it's not. If you like the look of something, it's fine. You are judging just by saying that you like the look of it. Sometimes you have to. If we're speaking literally, why would you pick a book off the shelf if the cover doesn't appeal? Maybe if a friend has reccommended it. But the cover would still put you off...a bit.

So what i'm saying is don't feel guilty about buying something just because you like the look of it. Imagine what would happen to the fashion world if that happened! Remember that the feel of it is also an important factor. But remember- don't judge a person by how they look.

Cari.

Saturday 24 September 2011

One Saying, So Many Situations Applying.

I had just come off the tube, and was, as whenever I go on the tube, staring at the adverts surrounding me. I noticed some new ones had been plastered onto the wall. They each had a quote on them. And that's where I got the inspiration for this post.

"You can't expect to win the jackpot unless you put a nickel in the machine."
I do have a post called Life is A Lottery...
That isn't the way I interpreted it.
I think this means that if you don't put any input or effort into anything, you can't expect to succeed. For example, you may want to start a business, become famous, write a book...but none of this will happen if you put no effort into it.
There is only so much you can do with natural talent.

Cari.
If you interpret this differently, please comment.

There's Nothing like...

What is your biggest comfort? It could be snuggling up on the sofa with a good episode of The Apprentice, maybe it's a hot chocolate on a day that resembles the weather patterns of Antarctica. Whatever it is, when you think about it, you probably think this:
There's nothing like...

To me, there is nothing like...reading a good book, watching business-based reality shows, reflecting on my day in extreme depth while curled up in bed...there are so many things that I love doing that give off sheer happiness.

And these are so important. It's important to turn off your phone and just relax every once in a while, otherwise your head becomes all clogged up and you can't think properly...

I wanted to blog about this because people are forgetting this. Try it. Turn off any technology that keeps you from thinking, sleeping or relaxing. Yes, it may seem unthinkable but try it with you phone. That way, you have some time to think and not have to worry about threatening text messages from feared collegues.

Cari.
Comment on any opinions, comforts or anything related.

Monday 19 September 2011

Another 17 years...Until We Can Supply You With Another Limb

A mother has just publicly accused the NHS of "Age discrimination" after they say that her 1-year-old daughter cannot be supplied with an artificial limb until she is 18.

Year-old Poppy has a shortened right arm and it would be beneficial if she could have a flexible artificial limb. Instead she has a velcro-strap PVC limb. The NHS have said that it would have to be changed often as the arm grows so it would be better is she could wait until she has stopped growing to get one. Her mother, Mrs Pickford, is not satisfied with the velcro-strap limb as she claims it gives the appearance Poppy has a broken arm and says it falls off too easily.

Her family are looking towards raising over £30,000 to supply Poppy with five silicone arms.

I can see why the NHS are saying this but at the same time, I understand that Poppy's parents want the best for Poppy- in this case, wanting her to learn to use a normal arm.

What do you think? Is the NHS being reasonable or discriminating against Poppy because of her age? Please share your views and comment.

Cari.

Saturday 17 September 2011

The Two Types Of Changing Yourself

Changing has different sides to it.

Type #1: Learning from mistakes: changing for the better.
How many times have you heard this: "Everybody makes mistakes." Familiar? Maybe it was the comment that saved you from getting into trouble as a child, or maybe it aggravated you because you heard it when your Dad forgot to take you to the park.
Whatever the situation, learn from the mistakes made. Use it as an opportunity to grow instead of mourning over it. Even if it is somebody else's mistake, let it leave an imprint on your mind. Try to make these memories positive, though, instead of saying "Don't do this," say "Try to do this."

Type #2: Trying to copy someone else: changing yourself to please others.
I'm not talking about the idiom "A leopard can't change it's spots" meaning you can't change who you are. If you want to, you can change your style, you can change your attitude, even an aspect of your personality, but do it for Yourself, not because somebody laughed at your skirt. This is about staying true to yourself, and not letting others influence you too much. Inspiration is fine, but copying isn't. Don't get an iPhone 4 just because somebody sniggered at your two-year-old Samsung, buy an iPhone 4 because you like it or find it easy to use or are in desperate need of a new phone to replace your ancient one. It's OK to see someone with a shirt you really like and want to buy a similar if not identical one, as long as you don't copy their entire wardrobe.

Thank you for reading and please follow!

Cari.

Thursday 15 September 2011

We Are Outstanding?

I have just read a news article that caused me to write this post. It shocked me so I wanted to express my opinion on it.

The article was about the fact that 53% of secondary schools inspected by Ofsted that achieve an 'Outstanding' rating do not achieve an 'Outstanding' rating for the quality of teaching. The schools are judged based on various aspects of the school and are given a rating of 'Outstanding', 'Good', 'Satisfactory' or 'Inadequate' for  each category. Primary schools are less likely to get an 'Outstanding' ranking if they have not got an 'Outstanding' rating for the standard of teaching.

In my opinion, a school should not achieve a rating of 'Outstanding' if the teaching isn't- my thoughts on what should be the main priorities of a school are as follows:
1. To make sure the children are getting a good education.
2. To make sure the children are happy and comfortable around their teachers and peers.
3. To make sure the children grow to be polite, friendly, and able to communicate.

Thank you for reading my views, as this is a topic close to my heart.

BBC News- Michael Gove queries schools' Ofsted ratings

Cari

Wednesday 14 September 2011

Life Is A Lottery

The aim of this post is to analyse that statement, and say my opinion on it.

Life isn't really like a lottery. I mean, when you chose your numbers for the Double Rollover last week, did you expect to win? It's really a gamble, maybe you think 'Will I win a few pounds?' Nobody really takes care with their numbers, maybe they put their lucky number and their house number and a few digits of thier phone number but there is no strategy, no core thought behind it.

Imagine if people treated life like a lottery. Nobody would care about what they did. Imagine what that would do to Society, politicians saying "Lets put up taxes 30%, see how it turns out" or parents saying "Let's just send our kid to drama school and see how they like it" with no real reason for their choice. It would ruin lives, not just emotionally but mentally and physically.

People would do whatever they felt like. They would put no thought into life-changing decisions, do completely unreasonable things and would gamble on every choice.

If you disagree comment and tell me how life is like a lottery. Thank you for reading.

Cari

Negative to Positive

This covers a few things. Firstly, you know my What it happening to music? post, I will do a positive response to that. There are some beautiful and meaningful songs that I would like you to listen to because they not only sound different to most modern music but have meaning to them (click the Links):

Set Fire To The Rain (Adele)

The A Team (Ed Sheeran)

Nobody's Perfect (Jessie J)

Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall (Coldplay)

Better In Time (Leona Lewis)

Comment if there are any other songs I have missed out that you think should be on the list.

Secondly, most people have heard the saying "From bad to worse," but I think that things get better in time, because you learn to adapt and adjust over time. This gives the illusion that it is getting better. I find this happens quite a lot, for example, if you hear a depressing song, you could feel really upset and not be able to think about anything else, but everyday you'll find that the pain from the song fades, until eventually, you don't feel sad anymore.

Lastly, if you think about something bad for a long time, you will discover a bright side. Sometimes, this doesn't take a long time, but sometimes this will take a while. But by doing this you are being brave: Facing Facts. Facing facts is something that is better done sooner as opposed to later. This conveys one of my favourite sayings "Ignoring the facts doesn't change them," which indicates that you are better off facing facts sooner. If you refuse to admit a medical problem, chances are it will only get worse. Learn to face them. This will take enourmous amounts of strength and courage but it is a skill you have for life, a very important one.

Cari

Saturday 10 September 2011

Excitement

Maybe insects are fluttering in your stomach, maybe you want to scream. It doesn't matter, you're excited! But excitement is a strange, eccentric, weird, bizarre feeling. It is usually the positive equivelant to nervousness, but it could feel like pure happiness. Satisfactory. Like you've done something world-changing for the better.

Or maybe it brings disappointment. I personally don't like hockey. It makes you go in strange and uncomfortable positions, is generally not enjoyable in my opinion, and the mouthguards make me gag. But I remember the night before I started playing, I was so excited, I thought I could discover my new favourite sport, and even woke up early to go to before-school hockey practice- and was trapped in a flood of disappointment. It was my (and probably a signifigant amount of others') first time playing. We plunged straight in to a game, and I was embarrassed because I didn't know how to play. When we actually got round to the skills (next hockey practice), I was confused. This was what almost the entire yeargroup got up early especially for? If I hadn't have had such sky-high expectations, I would probably have just shrugged my shoulders.

Excitement can be one of the best emotions, too. The anticipation of something great about to happen. So don't avoid excitement over new things- it's great that you are enthusiastic. But not too excited.

Whatever the situation, it could end well or badly. So try not to get too over excited over something you've never tried before- remember the hockey story.

Cari.

Wednesday 7 September 2011

Quality, not Quantity

The old saying at it's most important in a media controlled world where everything is judged on quantity. The old saying that you thought were the most annoying words ever spoken when you wrote an eleven page story at school.

Having many sales could well be an indicator of quality. A blog having many followers can be an indicator of a good blog. Not always. But a blog could pull in over a million followers overnight but it would still be terrible. I am not saying that everything popular is bad. But people buy into popular culture for the sake of doing so and for acceptance, regardless of what they think of it.

If it were totally up to you, how many of the shops that you currently shop at would you actually shop at?

I am also not saying that you should follow this blog if you think it is terrible. You can comment and tell me your concerns or disagreements, but if you feel you have my interests or like my style of writing, please feel free to.

A lot of people show off if quantity is shown in any way over something they have done: "Look at how many followers I have on Twitter. How many have you got?" This could be a good time to say you don't have Twitter. "How many friends have you got on Facebook? I have seven hundred and sixty three!" This person probably doesn't even know half/most of them. "My favourite song is Stay Awake by Example, it's number 1! What rating on the charts is your favourite song?" You may not be an Example fan. That is beside the point; the point is that they are basing their judgements and status and importance on a rating of Quantity. They are not asking you whether you enjoy using Twitter. They are not asking you whether anyone of your friends on Facebook has posted some exciting news recently. They are not asking what your favourite song is. They are asking how much you are worth in Facebook friends, Twitter followers or even your favourite song.

The reason I posted this was because I thought somebody's opinions and judgements are never more or less worthy than another person, and the dignity for one's opinions is fading.

Cari.

Monday 5 September 2011

1, 2, 3...The Lowdown on Lists

Shopping lists, To-Do lists, Places To Go lists- Lists. Lists, Lists, Lists. What can I say? Some are helpful, some are out to ruin your life: Let me check my To-Do list...I must go and get that blowdry at the salon for Lianne's wedding, but first I must pick up the laundry from the drycleaners. And when will I get round to buying Lia's new pencil case, her old one is falling to peices...

Lists can be extremely useful- Admit it, you would have forgotten the butter last time you went to Waitrose if you list wans't clipped neatly onto the trolley. Or you would have gotten margarine instead. But like the example above, they can take over your life. Here is a typical To-Do list- the deadliest kind of list (this is based on a Londoner with a few children of varied age).

1. Do the groceries- a whole new list for that.
2. Buy a new computer- preferably a Macbook. Very Useful!
3. Top-up my phone.
4. Renew Alicia's O2 contract.
5. Buy Emma's new duvet.
6. Oragnise Ben's party.
7. Buy Ben a Birthday present (and sort out what it will be).
 
See how worrying about what you have to do is not going to be beneficial (to say the least)?
But I am feeling a bit hypocritical- I did do a "5 Things That Annoy Me Most" which was technically a list. Those lists do not keep you up at night worrying, though. Unless...You write that a fellow collegue Annoys you most? Maybe not even then. Try to keep positive with lists- thay are a big part of many people's lifestyle. As this is a lifestyle blog, I decided to mention it. To-Do Lists could ruin your life/lifesyle.
Cari.

Sunday 4 September 2011

Going Back or Starting Fresh...

This seems like a convinient time to write, doesn't it? The school year is starting and people will go back to their daily work routine soon, some have already started. Going back to something is strange to me; I never have completely positive nor negative reactions or emotions towards it. Sometimes you are going back to something you've experienced many a time, or maybe it is partially or totally new to you.

Whenever I think about it, I tend to go through my list of positives and negatives of Going Back. It may look huge, it may pass without very much notice by like a car driving by. It could take up the topic of every thought you have. I would like to (and already have a bit) share my thoughts on Going Back.

You could get to see friends or collegues that you haven't seen for a while, and share your experiences with them. But I'm not going to lie to you, they can change, and that has happened so many times. A collegue who you have always found agreeable and fun to be around could now be completely difficult, disagreeable and boring. People may see the same thing in you too. This is what triggers my positive and negative feelings towards going back somewhere.

On the other hand you could be completely new to something. And it's worse mid-year, surrounded by an army of experienced people. Everyone knows that feeling- Where do I go, How do I act, What do I do? Or you can feel like a veteran after a week or two. People do have different reactions.

My best advice for anyone nervous about going back to somewhere or starting somewhere new would be: It is best not to try and stand out or draw attention to yourself on the first day by disagreeing with what everyone says just for the sake of it. You want to be noticed, but this could set a bad reputation for you, which you will later have to try and make up for.

My best advice for someone relaxed about going back or starting somewhere new would be: It's great that you aren't nervous, but don't get too caught up in the positives because people change. And if you are starting somewhere new, remember that it might not live up to your expectations. So lowerng them slightly will be benefitial, and possible save disappointment.

If you would like to share any experiences or have advice for people going back or starting somewhere new, please comment.

Cari.

Friday 2 September 2011

Let me just go and find my car keys...No, I'll use my iPhone

No, I am not going anywhere by car where I need my phone. But how come people are willing to go and find their iPhone, but not their car keys? I honestly don't know. The App Store has started selling an app to open your car. But it's crazy- searching for your phone is the same as searching for your car keys. Maybe you look for your phone more willingly but...
And maybe you carry your phone with you at all times. OK, maybe it's useful under those circumstances, but you could do the same with your miniscule car key. And if you say that you always lose things, forget it- you could also lose your phone. Does anyone else think that the App Store is selling too many useless Apps? Please comment if you think otherwise or have discovered another completely useless App.
Cari.

May I just add: I love apps! But there are some pretty pointless apps out there.

5 Things That Annoy Me Most

5 Things That Annoy Me Most (In no particular order)

#1. When you look up "How to...", scroll down reading a whole page convincing you this is the best method ever- And when you get to the bottom of the page, there is a book or product which costs £39.99 and you are never going to buy, as it would be a complete waste of money. Even when they lure you in with a "10 % off" offer. Sure, you have to advertise...but this is genuinely the most annoying way possible.

#2. When people ask you "Have you ever..." and finish the sentence with something you have no interest in at all, and when you say you haven't or you don't like it, they say "You DON'T like it?" or "You've NEVER had a frappucino*?" I really hate this because the person doing this never realizes how annoying they are when they do this. And if they do realize, they do it again to wind you up.

#3. When you someone asks you "Are you mad at me?" when you clearly are. I don't know why people do this, maybe because you have no choice but to say no, and they use this information later...
I actually have said "A bit" and I never regretted it. So my advice to all you people in this situation- tell the truth or they will say "But you said you weren't cross with me!" And you will waste hours explaining how hard it is to say yes.
 Most people (most, not all) have been on the transmitting and receiving end of this.

#4. When people say "Do you like my advert?" or whatever this thing is that you hate. This is a bit like number 3, because if you lie and say you do when you hate it, people will use this information later and...
Sometimes people will make you take part in this "advert" and say "Because you like my advert, will you help me with it?" This is even worse, because if you try and change anything (It seems like there is no choice but to say yes yet again) they always say "But I thought you liked it!" I apologise that this is starting to turn into an advice post.

#5. When twelve-year-olds make really bad songs, post them on YouTube, and think they are "Stars." They think this because their videos get ten million views (and nine million dislikes), and claim they are celebrities. This is so annoying, I can't tell you how much. I think most people know exactly what I am talking about. And having nine million dislikes on a video that has been viewed ten million times makes you infamous, not famous. It is being viewed for the wrong reasons. People have gone to thier friends and said "Watch this video, it's so bad, LOL."

Does anything else make you want to Scream? Post a comment and tell the world what it is.

Cari.

*The Frappucino incident is true.