Hi All

So once again, I'm back into the world of blogging in my last blog post I made a promise that I was going to blog more, a promise that I failed to keep! However as I am now currently set on embarking into my final year of UNI as a media student, I feel that blogging is something completely necessary!

So the summer has gone really fast and I seriously do not understand where the past few months have gone, every year I always say I'm going to do something outrageous with my summer months yet this never ceases to happen! However the summer has brought a brain full of happy memories, so I can't really complain!

This summer saw me end my long term placement with a jazz record label, called Big Bear Music, I really loved working there as they were able to give me first hand experience into the PR world! As well as this I have being recognised for my efforts whilst working there, after being named as media officer in their annual Jazz Festival programme. This is something really good to be used within my personal portfolio and it will hopefully make me recognised within the media world (even if its just a little!). Anyway I will go into more detail of my work placement in a future blog post.

As well as the usual going out shopping and holidays, I have also being working full time hours at my part-time job, The Co-operative. Yes its not the best place to work, but from the age of 14 I have always worked and paid my own way (not meaning to sound like I've gone without, because I haven't, I've got the best mom in the world! But in terms for anything material wise I wanted I've always bought it myself!) So when the summer months begin I feel that I have to work instead of just sitting on my arse because otherwise I'd feel like I was putting valuable time to waste!

As well as working I found time to go on holiday with my lovely group of friends to Gran- canaria, which was one of my bets weeks of the year!

So maybe not a summer wasted ah?!

xxx

The Lack of Blogging

I made a promise to myself that I was going to start updating my blog on a regular basis, but recently I have seriously neglected my blog, so Hi! I'm back again!

As of late has being a really stressful time what with Uni deadlines, and an impending exam. Today I handed in a 3,500 research report and I can honestly say last week was one of the most stressful weeks I've experienced. I think my problem is that I'm to hard on myself so even if I've done a day's worth of work, in my head its still not enough! However it's only going to get more stressful over the next 3 weeks as I still have three more deadlines and an exam to get my head round! I'm sure I'll be fine and the fact that after that I have three and a half months off slightly helps the problem!

I'm being a health fanatic at the moment as I'm going on holiday in 6 weeks, last year I joined weight watchers and managed to lose a stone, since then however I just kinda put it to the back of my mind but last week I re-joined and was surprised to hear I'd only put 2 pounds on since last year. Fast forward 2 this week and I've not lost 3 pounds and plan to lose a stone by the time I've gone away- something which I thinks pretty achievable!

My reasoning for doing this is because I've never really felt happy with my body and how I look and so instead of moaning about it, I'm doing something about it! I regularly go running with my best friend Emma and we've now added swimming to our weekly exercise regime as well as this I go to the gym twice a week, so all in all I'm working out 5 times a week.

I only lost a pound last week, but this has driven me to lose more this week and I've now said to myself, well you can see as my witnesses that I'm going to exercise every day this week and be a bit stricter for what I'm eating- I'll let you know how I get on!

Any way that's enough of me babbling for now

xxx

So I set up this blog and called it "The Life of A Pee-pod" but never really explained my reasons for doing so.

My full name is Rachel Powell, but no one ever actually calls me that, well obviously not "Rachel Powell", its quite a bit of a mouthful and yes I'm aware I'm babbling!

So anyway my friends (aka the slags, not because their literally slags!) used to call me "Rachey P" and then my one friend's boyfriend shortened it to "Pee" and it just seemed to stick!

So that's the story of how the pee evolved! aha!

Undertaking a vow

As of late, I've found myself lacking in motivation in regard to uni work and going to the gym, because of this rather annoying state of mind I have decided to take a vow declaring that I will complete every task on my to do list:

• Complete my dissertation proposal (2000) words by Thursday


• Complete my 600 word draft for Issues and Representations


• Read week 8 readings and make notes


• Attend aerobics Monday evening and pilatas Thursday evening


• Go to the gym at least once as well as the above


• Get my roots sorted

It may seem a bit sad, but all of the above is bubbling around in my head! However I fully intend to stick to it and after just writing this blog post I feel more motivated already, but for now I'm going to enjoy my Sunday evening after a long day at work :)

xx

P.S. I'll let you know how I get on!

A Saturday night stabbing

This weekend was a rather eventful one....

Saturday evening myself and some friends decided to venture too Lloyds bar in Solihull, now I've always been quite a fan of this place as I like the fact you can have a drink and sit if you want or go and have a dance, without feeling like a squashed jelly bean in a jar!

Drinks were flowing and we were all having a good time that's until a fight broke out, followed by another three, now I understand that sometimes when your intoxicated people do silly things but what happened next was just completely ridiculous!

It turns out a lad was stabbed, the police were swarming everywhere and as a result we weren't able to leave the bar for a good hour whilst the police were searching for the knife. It was getting rather ridiculous after a while, obviously it was a serious incident but they weren't keeping us informed whatsoever!

After a while waiting we were finally allowed to leave and since Saturday there has been rumours that the victim had died, but I'm not entirely sure how true that is.

I really don't understand how it would come across any one's mind to bring a knife out with them? The concept is totally inexcusable and it just shows how some people think that, that's acceptable nowadays. It really made me think hard of how I should act when I'm out in future, I mean I have a quick temper but you just don't know how people are going to react nowadays, an angered word could result it someone been seriously injured and it's just not worth it!

As yet there have been no news stories about the stabbing, but I really hope the victims okay!

x

Adam Clinton Lines

There's a special someone in my life that you've not had the pleasure of been introduced to yet, his name is Adam Lines and trust me when I say he is one of the most delightful human beings you will ever come across!


My first recollection of Adam, was when I was 13 years old, the school I attended when I was younger had these day's called "challenge days". Each school year, three days would be put aside for students to partake in activities they would normally be opposed to participating in.


That year I was learning the skills of sailing at Shustoke Reservoir, myself and Adam's first encounter can hardly be classed as successful. I was quite a volatile young girl and I'm pretty sure that day I sent some abuse in Adam's way.


Fast forward seven years and you would hardly believe that Adam is one of my dearest and closest friends!


Myself and Adam both share this childish nature that perhaps no other individual would understand, that's what makes our friendship so special. Prank calls, a spot of stalking, baking cakes, singing Grease Lightening, talking in code and watching Tracey Beaker are only a few of the many ridiculous childish things we do on a regular basis.


You're probably reading this right now and thinking what a pair of losers, but life's to short to be prim and proper, sometimes you just have to let yourself go and let the child within you come out to play!


The one thing that can always be said of Adam is that he is very dedicated, he is currently in his third and final year at Birmingham University, studying English Literature and I know that there's great things to be expected of him in the future.



I think Adam brings out the best in me, he makes me want to succeed in everything I do, whatever achievement I succeed within life, he's the first person I always tell regardless of how little it may seem to others. The past few years have been a bit difficult and Adam has been my rock, he has helped me, never judged what I have done and if I've ever needed to rant about anything regardless how miniscule, he has always made the time for me.



I hope you can see from this blog post how lucky I am to have Adam in my life and I just wanted to show him how much he means to me and how proud I am of everything he has achieved so far.


Thank you for reading


x

A selection of reviews

Some of these reviews are quite outdated now, But I thought I'd include them anyway seeing as they've just been sat in my documents!

One Tree Hill- Season 7 DVD release

The heart wrenching story of Peyton and Lucas may not just be a distant memory in Tree Hill, thanks to the arrival of compelling new characters, Hayley's sister Quinn and Nathan's agent Clay, with broken hearts and grieving widowers their pasts intertwined maker series seven of One Tree Hill just as entertaining a its previous.


Now in their seventh series the passionate lives of the One Tree Hill residents are still as scandalous as ever. A truce that we never thought we could witness is reached through the blossoming relationship between Brooke and her mother Victoria, but if the viewers thought the turbulent life of Brooke would be plain sailing for a change they are proved wrong by the interference of a Hollywood hottie.

Goodie goodie Millie proves that she is not as straight narrowed as she seems on her path to self-destruction leaving Mouth once again broken hearted, will he ever be able to have a simple relationship? Rumours of a cheating scandal leave Nathan's MBA career hanging in jeopardy whilst the ever so reliable Hayley faces a personal tragedy.

Of course series seven of One Tree Hill wouldn't be the same without the return of the imminent baddy Dan, stepping right from his prison spell into the media spotlight with a familiar red headed woman on his arm.

Series seven will not let expectations down from its dramatic plots, to capturing the viewer's emotions through true friendship it is truly something that can not be missed.

Rihanna- Loud

A year after she hit our screens with Rated R, the queen of pop is back to claim her throne with her fifth studio album Loud.

The harsh beats and the darkness of Rated R have been replaced by the light heartedness tones of her latest works described bu the lady herself as "sassy, fun . flirty and energetic" the album certainly has a lot to live up too.

The exuberant first single "Only Girl In The World" certainly lives up to the singers promise, the chorus especially holds a beat that would be worthy of playing in any club. We are reminded of Rihanna's Caribbean roots with the songs "Man Down" using a murder metaphor to describe a break up, and a compilation with RnB's finest Drake on "What's My Name?"

A blatant sexual manner is a recurring theme throughout the album, with lyrics like "sticks and stones may break my bones but chains and whips excite me" its hard not to question Rihanna's motives behind these lyrics.

Ending with what can only be described as a stunning second part version of the "Love The Way You Lie"duet with Eminem, Rihanna lays down her vulnerable side for all to see. Loud is a striking album that certainly puts Rihanna at the top of her game.

Paranormal Activity Two

Paranormal Activity Two is certainly the horror movie of the moment, with an atmosphere filled with suspense the spectators sit tight ready to enjoy the unexpected journey of the film.

Paranormal Activity slyly leads the spectator into its plot with pre-Gotcha teasers, such as doors appearing to be moved on their own, saucepans falling from a secure unit and the swimming pool cleaner being moved out of the pool, and well that's when it all begins captured on a security system, ladies and gentlemen Paranormal Activity is back for a second time.

The unexpectedness is certainly what makes this film thrilling; the house is of course haunted by an evil presence, yet there is no pattern to these recurring events leaving spectators at the edge of their seats fearing the worst.

Halfway through, the film reaches its penultimate scene where we witness Kristi appearing to be dragged down the stairs. However viewers are to be left disappointed with the film, as the dread and anticipation of when something will finally happen is only met by a few scream out loud moments.

Paranormal Activty Two is almost like a pre-sequel to the first, it answers a lot of questions that were left hanging in the air by the first. Set two months before the first it explains the reasons for the evil presence in both houses.

Similar to the first, the husband of Kristi is sceptical to believe that any paranormal activity is happening to begin with, but with a security system put in place it becomes increasingly hard to deny that these events have occurred due to natural circumstances.

Paranormal differs from other horror films because it doesn't rely on gory effects to scare its audience. It's truly unique in the way the audience is constantly unnerved, waiting for something to happen and feeling a sense of relief when its over. However the film ends with you wanting more than just the credits rolling.

Twenties Girl By Sophie Kinsella

The comedic heroine responsible for the shopaholic book series, Sophie Kinsella is back with her latest book "Twenties Girl". Based on a friendship between a ghost and a 27 year old that has just been dumped by the love of her life, Kinsella engages the reader with her casual and classic humour.

The main character Lara has been having a hard time recently, being dumped by her boyfriend and being made to attend the funeral of her Great Aunt Sadie, someone she has never even met. To make matters worse, when she finally attends the funeral basking in her own misery, she is startled to hear a voice that no one else appears to hear. The ghost of Auntie Sade is back demanding the return of her necklace, threatening that if she doesn't she will haunt Lara for ever more.

The contrast between Lara and Sadie couldn't be further apart. Sadie is the epitome of a 1920's carefree girl and throughout the book they constantly bicker. The book reaches a very humerous peak when Lara is forced to go on a date on the behalf of Sadie, what Lara doesn't realise is that this will be the man she will eventually fall for.

The book remains completely humerous and has many laugh-out-loud moments all the way through. Underneath the humour and bickering, we see a real friendship form between Lara and Sadie. They may appear to be completely different, yet they bond over tales of broken hearts regardless of what era what may be from.

Readers will not be disappointed by Kinsella's lastest work: its a heart-wrenching tale talking about true love and friendship, something of which all readers can relate too.

Thanks for reading! x

Rachel throughout the ages

Since turning 18, dying my hair has become a regular occurence in my life, so I thought I'd take you all on a trip down memory lane of the past looks I've modelled!


So this is me at the innoncent age of 16, a complete and utter CHAV, this is one of the rare pictures you will find of me with my actual hair colour: a mousey brown that looks like dirty dish water!

Next up is me a year later at the age of 17, Apologies for the CHAV like exterior once again but this is me with the help of some blonde highlights, it obviously wasn't blonde enough for my liking.....

This is me showing how not too do the "bleach blonde look", my friend at the time, who it must be mentioned had no hairdressing experience bleached my hair with a box dye. This look was TRAGIC for me considering the fact that the roots came through every two weeks and when my friend died my roots they would come out lighter than the rest of my hair. So I looked like I had white blonde hair on top and a yellow straw like colour underneath it was wrong on so many levels!

If you can see past the TRAGIC pouts me and Louise are busting out here, you will see my next hair colour! When I finally got bored of looking like a Barbie reject, I decided that the next colour I wanted to be was dark brown. However because of the amount of bleach I had in my hair, the hairdresser's had to strip my hair and then put on a inbetween colour which was a reddy brown it was okay but it was never a permamnent fixture.

"The accidental ginger" look as named by Louise. This colour was a result of the colour in the above picture fading very fast, at the time I didn't like the colour but its now out off all the colours I've been its my all time favourite!

So this was perhaps a bit extreme for me to go from a rather light colour to a really dark one, it took time for me and others around to get used to it believe me! At the time I really wanted to be this colour, friends tried to put me off saying it wouldnt suit me, but then I've never listened to what anyone else has said in my entire life! Looking back I think the colour in this picture is too dark for my complexion it made me look washed out.

Not much difference in the colour here, its just a bit lighter with the help of some subtle blonde highlights. I really liked the colour here, but something else was on my mind....

..the length of my hair, I wanted a bob and a bob is what I got! At the same time I happened to put on a load of weight, which you can see in this picture ( this is me at my heaviest). I look at this picture now and hate what I see not only had I got big, but I'd cut off all my hair, but I believe if you don't like the way you look do something about it, which is what I did.

So this is me after I'd lost my "extra baggage", I'm really proud of this picture, because you can really see the difference in terms of my personal appearance from the picture above to this one. As you can notice I'd also started to grow my bob out at this point.

The colour looks a bit familiar dosen't it? Well this is me going back to my ginger roots, on purpose this time I may add! I LOVE this colour on me at the minuite, not many people die their hair this colour and thats what makes it different!

My hair has finally started to noticeably grow to a decent length, but once again I got the itch to do something different....

So I decided to have the undercut, as seen on Ellie Goulding. I really had to give this some serious consideration before having it done, the undercut isn't for everyone but now I'm really glad I had it. Initially when my friend Laura shaved it, there was a moment when I thought "what the hell have I done", but its something different, I don't want to be like everyone else plus when and if I get bored of it, you can easily cover it by changing my parting ( thank god I have stupidly thick hair!)

So that's the history of my hairstyles over the past 3 years, I've gone from one extreme of been a bleach blonde Chav wearing hair extensions, to been a ginger bird with a shaved head quite a change ah? Who knows what I'll do next?!

Blog post inspired by Adam Lines

For You Grandad

This is one of my articles I wrote for my news and feature writing module at university, its about my Grandad having Parkinson's and how my Nan deals with caring for him 24/7, an issue that is close to my heart. Been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease is something no individual wants to hear. Over the years the condition progressively deteriorates leaving the individual in what can only be described as a shell of their former self. William Powell has lived a good and prosperous life with his of 56 years Eileen. Becoming the carer of her husband Eileen has battled with such emotional turmoil over the last eight years she truly is an inspiration to us all. When William was first diagnosed with Parkinson's he took the attitude that there "was nothing wrong with me" and went about his normal business. Over the last two years the disease has completely taken over his life. Independence is something everyone takes for granted but to have that taken away from you after so many years of been able to stand on your own two feet would be hard for anyone to come to come to terms too not at least a sufferer of Parkinson's. What Eileen finds really hard to comprehend is the fact her husband was the person she always had to rely upon, he was the man of the house it was his sole responsibility to care for her till death did they part. Life doesn't always go according to plan, six months ago under the doctor's request William went for a MRI scan as his memory loss had become so severe they thought he he may have Alzheimer's, Eileen said of this matter: "I prayed he didn't have it, it hurts enough to see the role reversal in our lives I am now his main carer it is my sole responsibility to make sure he is OK". William may be fortunate that he didn't have another life changing disease as the one he already does have has a strain on his normal day to day goings on. Every morning Eileen has to dress him because left to his own devices clothes are put on back to front, attention has to be on William at all times during the day, in one instance when this didn't happen he fell down the stairs bruising all of his back, worry for their safety is clearly evident from their family members as they have daily visits from their son Steven. Over the past few months there has been some developments into the care of William, he now goes to a day centre every Friday giving him the chance to socialise and be independent for a good few hours. Even Eileen has been asked to go to a "support for carers" group something she has decided to decline because she doesn't want to leave William. It's clear that been a carer isn't a 9-5 job, its a lifestyle the pressure of which a lot of individuals couldn't handle. Eileen barely has any time for herself and she tells us how this affects her emotionally: "Since the conditions worsened, I get frustrated with him and I have no time for myself, I just about have enough to do the bare essentials like shopping". Since the Parkinson's worsened Eileen has been put on anti-depressants, William may have contracted the disease but both of them are suffering because of it. Been stuck in a house all day just the two of them must add to the pressure of their relationship. Here Eileen explains why they don't go out much: "When we go out William always wants to do things his way, he has always been an independent man and he struggles to realise that when were out we need to do things my way. He doesn't like escalators and I can't just leave him when were out." It seems the only option for Eileen to keep a close eye on William is for them to stay at home most days. It's not only the independence of William that is lost it's also that of his wife Eileen, a side effect of Parkinsons's is to have disturbed sleep patterns, this affects Eileen as well as William and when a typical day for them both will start at 6am and won't end till about ten pm, its easy to see how tiring their day can really be. Eileen's main concern is for William to take his medication four times a day. It's hard for William to get out in the day, one memory Eileen shares is from when he was still driving: "He was determined to still drive even though his memory wasn't so good, he took the car out and he was gone for three hours, I was beside myself with worry so I had to call my son he couldn't find him. I thought I'd lost him." Due to the Parkinson's Williams memory capacity has shrunk, to have a conversation requires a lot of patience because mid-sentence he will have forgotten the subject, simple things most people take for granted he can't do. For a person who used to have to have his belongings neat and just so it's a shame to see that he now leaves things out and a new daily routine is to put his newspaper in the pantry. Eileen and Williams is truly inspirational after 56 years of marriage they are still going strong regardless of what life throws at them. Life doesn't always deal the card we want but even though Williams condition is slowly deteriorating both he and Eileen battle on with the help of family, showing a new dimension of unconditional love. Love you both very much x

Music

For those who know me on a personal basis, you will know music plays an important role within my life. I constantly play music around me, from my car radio to my Sony Walkman mp3 player which goes EVERYWHERE with me. My taste in music is not for everyone it mainly consists of RnB and chart music, which has earnt me the label of "the chav" by my best friend Louise.

Anyway back to the point of this Blog post, I thought I'd share with you some Artists that I'm really enjoying this week;

Firstly is Chipmunks new single, Champion featuring Chris Brown

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlnMVb2XVVk


The song is basically about Chipmunk putting two fingers up to the people who doubted him, hes basically saying I'm here, I made it, I'm a champion. A refreshing perception he gives in the sing is his knowledge of the fact that he can be taken off his pedestal at any time, by the people who made him who he is and that's why, Champion is basically saying you've got to work for what you want, you need to push yourself to achieve what you want in life, instead of making do with what you've got.

Champion was the first time I'd witnessed Chris Brown rap, I was pleasantly surprised in how well he did so, this is an aspect I'd really like him to use on his own material.

Next is a woman called Jessie J, she burst onto the scene late 2010 with her song "Do It Like a Dude", and now her follow up single "Price Tag" has landed straight at number one .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMxX-QOV9tI

I personally think Jessie J is one of the hottest new artists England has at this present time, she seems to have the whole package having written all of the material off her album, she was also responsible for Miley Cyrus's hit song "Party in The USA". Not just a pretty face ah?

I really like the message Jessie conveys with her single "Price Tag", Money shouldn't the centre of everyone's world, people need to be reminded of how to have fun. One of my favorite lines from the song has to be "And it wasn't low blows and video hoes, Am I the only one gettin...tired", a subtle way of suggesting that she doesn't have to rely on the apparent sexiness other artists use to be a success, mentioning no names (BRITNEY SPEARS).

The last artist I want to mention is Nicki Minaj, she's not for everyone but I absolutely LOVE her and I personally think her album "Pink Friday" is one of the best out in the charts at the moment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7GW8TYCEG4

Anyway that's me done for today, obviously the sort of music I love is not going to appeal to everyone but I think you always have to be open minded when it comes to music, its a powerful thing. xxxx

Beneath the exterior

So the young of today are a waste of space with no respect for elders are they? There has been a lot of bad press concerning young individuals and their behavior. Yes, for a large proportion the activities they choose to interact in cannot always be deemed responsible or show them in a positive light, but the majority does not speak for every young individual.

A certain amount of respect should be given towards the elderly citizens of our world, what with some of them being well respected beings have done their bit for our country and all, but respect surely has to work both ways and be earnt.

On three occasions this week I have seen prime examples of why I have just stated the above, yes CCTV may be watching you, but ladies and gentlemen Rachel Powell is watching the elderly fighting the young-un's corner.

The first took place on a Monday afternoon, I was how should you put it, in a rush, a busy schedule for this PR student. However my travels came to a sudden halt due to these two elderly dears, discussing the rising prices of their local Co-operative. Now this is all very nice to hear but when an individual is in a rush its hardly practical, overtaking however was not an option. So there's me politely asking "excuse me can I just get round", when the old lady turns round and looks at me with such disgust it's as if I've just told her pensioner Thursdays are a hoax! "You've just interrupted our conversation dear". DEAR all I want is to continue with my travels yet I feel I've been put on trial for disorderly behavior. However, the only individual that should be put on trial is this elderly woman, the crime being no manners!

The second encounter happened on the bus, with how should I put it politely a "larger" old man, with such an impressive gut he made Rik Waller look like a fairy, and a young woman with a pushchair. The man decided to sit in the priority seats at the front of the bus, next to a sign which clearly states "please move if someone needs this seat more than you". Now this wouldn't usually be a problem until the woman with the pushchair came along that is. The middle-aged heavy weight seemed to be in an ignorant mood that day as he refused to move half a metre. behind him, regardless of the fact there was plenty of free seats. Due to this man's ignorance the woman had to stand up for the entirety of her bus journey-hardly fair.

I have to earn my beer money somehow, so every week I put my PR plans on hold to indulge in some slave labour at my local Co-operative. Working in a small community brings an interesting aspect to my work life, mainly because its full of weirdo's.Fancy a short break? Forgot sun sea and sand how about, alcoholics, perverts and chav's?

There's this one old gentlemen in particular, that has earnt himself quite the reputation of a ladies' man for all the wrong reasons, if he was studying a degree he would receive a first-class honors in groping. Daily visits can expected to be accompanied by perverted comments such as "you're not too young to make love too" NO LIE. Honestly I was 17 at the time, which perhaps makes it quite wrong. So you can understand my reasons for attempting to avoid this man every time he comes into the store.

Now back to the main issue, one of many nickname is Wangers, given to me by my lovely Slag's because to be blunt I have rather large boob's, something which cannot be disguised by a black polo t-shirt. On Saturday morning the perverted old fool manages to creep up on me and before I know it he's all up in my grill asking my name. Quick as lightening (rather impressive for an old git) his hand is grabbing onto my name, badge pulling me towards him whilst groping my wangers at the same time, muttering the excuse of wanting to know my name. VIOLATION is an understatement and once I get him off me, he walks off happy as larry.

As far as I was aware, been groped wasn't part of my job description; if it was maybe it should have been put into the advert;

Customer sales assistant wanted...to work with the general insane, WARNING groping may occur.

So in the past week I've witnessed a granny brawl. a loss of chivalry and been subject to a vile grope, all thanks to the older generation!

My mother always taught me one main principle in life; treat others how you want to be treated, regardless of who they are. Individuals shouldn't be painted with the same brush, so the moral of today's tirade being, don't judge a book by its cover. There are good and bad in each social group regardless of gender, age or ethnicity.

There are plenty of young individuals, who indulge in anti-social behavior but at the same time, not every young person makes them decisions, likewise not every middle aged/ elderly person are going to act like the ones mentioned today.