Short bus is ready to have you on board

I went to see the film 'Shortbus' on Sunday night at the Curzon Soho. I had seen previews for it beforehand and it looked good. The premise is that sexually-confused and frustrated New Yorkers become inter-related by this sex club called, you've guessed it, Shortbus. After watching it, me and my other half had a talk about it, as we do for most things. A few prominent issues cropped up: How the individuals in it seemed to be defined by their sexuality, and how this ruled their lives, and the issue of honesty. These so-called 'cool' New Yorkers were all deeply confused about sex and their feelings about it. They felt the need to go to a sex club to solve them. Their jobs were sex-related, their friends were other sexually confused individuals, and their lives were almost consumed by SEX.

Now, I'm not a prude, on the contrary, but come on... how many people's lives are consumed by sex. Me sat here writing this blog - not really that sexual (albeit the subject is sex), making dinner, going to the bathroom, texting someone. You get my point. It did though have that 'we're in this together' kind of feeling. Laughter erupted in the cinema frequently and I secretly had a little tear at one stage.

A cardboard set of New York provided light relief from the sexual escapades. Naked gay guys did too!

Everything I think of has a green haze over it

A few weeks ago I suffered from a week-long stint of an infection of the stomach. Lovely. While recovering I made the consequent list in my head of all the foodstuff I had eaten the previous few days. Nothing seemed suspect apart from an egg sandwich. So from that day on I did not touch an egg... until yesterday (boiled eggs and toast are my weakness). While eating my egg I was reading a very interesting article in The Observer about where our eggs come from. Now, I had already been told that free-range is not what I think free-range is, and this article confirmed it. Chickens are co-habiting with 4,000 - 9,000 other chickens and the more dominant ones block the exits to fresh air, thus leaving the majority ultimately trapped = battery hens.

This made me think about other goods and services we buy and use. I like to think of myself as someone who is environmentally aware and active, but when I thought about the consequences of some of the things I do I concluded I was not. Flying, driving, boiling the kettle, shopping, eating out, listening to music... Everything has a negative consequence.

I would love to, one day, live a guilt-free life and have my own free-range chickens, pond with salmon and tuna swimming freely around, solar-panel ... the list is endless.

But I don't and won't for many years. So in the meantime I'm going to revert back to not eating eggs (and if you do you should look for the Soil Association stamp of approval which means chickens live in smaller groups and can truly gain access to the outside), walking and using public transport as much as possible, not over-boiling the kettle, turning heating down, unplugging phone chargers, not buying internationally-grown produce, not buying my salmon for Xmas day from M&S, and thinking about my actions.

If we all think a bit more, we can help to make a difference.

Shhhhhhh!

I have a new campaign (or bee in my bonnet) that I want everyone to spread the word about... Silence in the library! Every time I go to the library to work, or attempt to work, I am guaranteed to be interrupted to some inconsiderate student. Even though there are clear signs informing people these floors are for SILENT work, students either ignore these, or are illiterate. Now I know I may sound like some moaning final year but I make no apologies for my rampage. The fact that the majority of people I have spoken to about this important matter are scared to tell someone to 'shut up', adds further fuel to my argument. If people do not tell others to 'please be quiet, and use group study rooms for talking, or go outside' then the word will no be spread. We are obviously all to blame for the situation. If we spread the word and politely tell others to 'please be quiet' then they will know, and hopefully stop. In a perfect world. Alternatively you can buy an I-Pod and block out all of those annoying noises!

The power of communication

This weekend my other half made the two hour journey to see me in my university town. This trip was his first, so as you can imagine I was fairly excited. Our relationship is at present long-distant. Phone calls, emails, texts and letters are the ways we communicate, until we see one another, usually every other weekend. Today, the day after he left, I feel like I have had this massive injection put into me and all the feeling I have for him have been heightened. Strange, but I guess understandable. Speaking to someone, or emailing, are great ways of keeping in touch but sometimes these aren't enough. When you do see this person face-to-face you feel and experience so much more.

I was thinking about this, and how I feel after seeing him. With all of these new technologies that exist and are evolving even as I type this, I believe that, powerful as they are, they will never replace face-to-face contact. I think practitioners know this too. Just talking to someone and being in their presence is much more powerful than an email. For PR. with a practice that is fundamentally based on this power, this has huge implications. As practitioners we must recognise the power new technologies have, but not forget our old practices. I don't think these functions have to work alone, though. They can both be used to harness the power they both possess into a campaign or meeting.

When it comes to my other half though, I'll always prefer face-to-face!

Are you up for the challenge?

I went out on Tuesday night and found myself talking about what I am passionate about; the environment. The party I was with have their own views on this topic, but I fought on to put my point across and answer whatever questions that came my way. One argument on why we shouldn't bother trying to make a difference and change the way we live, is because it won't matter. Me, as just this little person, living my little life, going about my business, can make NO difference to the environment at all. I say that this is rubbish! What is the world made up of? Yes groups, parties and the mass, but these simply consist of individuals. If everyone changed one thing for example walk to the corner shop instead of driving, then we harness that power to making a difference and trying to change the way we live our lives. We can't think of tomorrow and argue that we won't be around. Do you think people who lost their lives in WW1 and WW2 were thinking of today? I believe they were dying to protect us; the future. And it is our responsibility as citizens and users of this world to do the same. The problems is though, is who agrees with me, and who is prepared to make those small changes a reality?

Another challenge

I've been looking at graduate schemes and the applications process. I read in this month's PRWeek that at some agencies there are 600 applicants for one place, and how some agencies prefer those candidates who don't possess a PR degree as PR dgrees are far too theoretical! I know it's going to be very difficult to get an interview, let alone a job. However, I'm as good as anyone out there. I have to sometimes convince myself of this fact, but I think that the saying is true:%2

Childish glee

To celebrate the upcoming Guy Fawkes day, I went to an organised fireworks and bonfire display. As soon as I was starring up at the enormous bonfire I was overcome with childish glee! It was rather overwhelming. I had a toothy grin transfixed on my face for the whole evening. It made me think about the activities that you associate with your childhood. Isn't it amazing how such an insignificant Saturday night event such as a bonfire and fireworks display gave me such internal warmth and comfort. Admittedly I'd had three pints, but I was still filled with memories of sparklers, roasted chestnuts and that overwhelming heat on your face from a roaring bonfire.

I think it's amazing that you can still remember those smells, sights and sounds from x amount of years ago. I suppose you never forget those good times...

How real is real life?

I got told this weekend that myself and my other half weren't suited to one another and that we wouldn't last. Instinctively I felt very protective of my other half, but then had a thought. How much are the things people tell you ever actually about you? The person who told me this revelation was, thinking about it, probably just jealous. I have an other half and this person does not. I was single, and now I am not. It wasn't vindictive, but it made me think about how people disguise their true feelings and emotions. Why aren't people just straight to the point. Why didnt this person just say to me, I liked it when you were single and we could both go out and 'pull'. (Of course then the question of, 'am I not fun now?' rears its ugly head).

A different friend went on an animal protest at the weekend, in support of veganism and animal rights. Whenever I hear about such demonstrations of interest I am filled with joy and a rejuvenated hope that people do actually care about more than themselves. Whatever your passion and interest, don't just sit back. Have a view, express a concern, tell someone about it. Negative, positive, ambivalent. (She also met a contortionist, which is surely another incentive!)

Welcome to me

So my first post. In case you were wondering I'm a student, who's vegetarian, and studying public realtions. I hope that doesnt sound like an oxymoron!

I've been vege for two years now and it means a lot to me. I'm not one of those preachy types but i think everyone should consider it. How many people do you know who rave on about how much they love animals, crying over Pet Rescue and Its me or the Dog (I cried at last nights episode!)? In my opinions, such hypocrites.

Feel a bit ashamed of my degree to be frank. I have just come out of a political communications seminar, and the lecturer actually said 'I dont expect you to know all about Marx's theories'. OH MY GOD. Hello? How can you not know about them, and still study PR? Thankfully I know, probably only the basics but seriously. How depressing.