The Benefits of Resting Bitch Face

I am always asked “Are you ok?” or “Is something wrong?” I have even been compared to Percy from Thomas the Tank Engine. However, there is nothing wrong with me at all. There is even the chance that I am probably feeling really happy, just my face never got the memo.

This could only mean one thing, and after seeing photos of what I thought was a normal resting face, it transpires that I have the best condition ever…resting bitch face. I have noticed that many people have focused on the problems resting bitch face causes. But I have found many positives and I shall take you through some of my favourites:

1.) People do not want to sit next to you on public transport.

This happens all the time, am I complaining? Nope! There is nothing worse than someone sitting so close to you that you are squashed against the window unable to move. Or if they fall asleep and you have to awkwardly give them what looks like a lap dance to try and get past them. Well this doesn’t happen to me. The other day I was sat on the Metro and a man came over to sit next to me, saw my resting face (again I was unaware at how angry I looked) and he got straight back up and moved. I spent the rest of the journey spread out, looking out the window. Brilliant.

2.) People rarely come over to ask you questions.

“Do you have a minute?” No I do not! But do I have to say that? No. Why? Well because my face already does. I see the charity worker spot me out of the corner of my eye, he’s rushing towards me…I turn round and what happens next? He turns straight back round as he has spotted my resting bitch face. Who does he go up to? The woman behind who has a naturally happy face of course. Why would he want to stop anyone with a resting bitch face? He probably thinks you are about to scream at him, no one would want to take that risk, never mind the possibility your face screams that if you’re stopped you will slap him. Now you do not feel pressured to stop or give money for what could be the 100th time this week. (I understand some do take risks but oh how they regret it).

3.) No awkward small talk with strangers.

Who wants to talk to someone who looks like they staring straight into their soul with anger and hatred? No one. This is great for public transport, or if you fancy having a little bit of lunch, quietly in the park and someone sits near you as there are no other spots. However, if you make the move and you strike up the conversation they do seem surprised as you actually are lovely and they misjudged you.

4.) Someone wants something done at work, are they going to ask you?

No, probably not if you look angry. They are probably thinking you are unapproachable. They may even think you’re angry or feeling down. Enjoy this, you’re now going to get to lunch earlier while those with smiley faces get to do some photocopying.

5.) Even science says it’s good for you, therefore it has to be.

According to Texas Women’s University researcher and consultant Rene Paulson, us misunderstood, resting bitch face ladies have a stronger sense of self-awareness and a better ability to communicate. She states:

“Women used to being constantly misunderstood focus more on the words someone says, rather than their tone, body cues, or facial expressions, ensuring a more effective flow of information between both parties.”

There you go ladies, let’s embrace our resting bitch faces and enjoy the benefits it holds. Science says it good for us, so it must be! Now go scowl on the train, or the bus and enjoy the fact no one will sit next to you.

If you have resting bitch face comment below and let me know what benefits you have found.

The Struggles of a Graduate

The fun of graduation has passed, you have handed your cap and gown back and your party is over, next stop…job hunting!

Now where do I start?! This easy task actually seems to be harder than university itself.

I recently graduated with a First Class Honours in Music Journalism. I lived away from home and collected many transferable skills along the three years. During my final year, I not only produced a Case Study on the Newcastle Music Scene, but also completed a placement in radio, in which I presented and produced my own show. Whilst juggling various other deadlines and commitments. So in light of this can someone tell me why these qualities are not enough to even get a reception job?

Well apparently for any graduate job these days, the requirements are of course to have graduated with a 2:1 or above, but also to have two to three years experience…Someone please let me know how this is possible?! I have even come across ones asking for four years experience (The Guardian are the worst offenders), and for those who went to university straight after A Levels, you’re probably wondering, what the hell, that’s not possible?! How are we able to get all this experience when half the time we are learning and the other half of the time trying to make money to live? And if we were at university and tried to apply for roles in areas we wanted experience in we would still be asked for experience… That’s right, even something as simple as work experience now requires… experience, making it even more difficult in the long run.

As someone passionate about radio, why should it be on who I know and not what I know? What bugs me the most has to be that I have produced and presented my own shows through university and community radio. Yet a contestent on Take Me Out or someone who used to be a popstar has more attributes than me…someone who has studied hard to get into a role like this.

Then we get onto the best part, gender, race, disabilities and religion. Why is it we often get turned away or even chosen because of one of these? Why should it even matter? I believe this should not be taken into account and you should not even have to answer questions like these on any online forms.  We want the job on our ability. I have recently been turned away from a job as I was not of an ethnic minority. Why should it matter about anyone’s background? If you have the skills then you should get the job.

Let’s hope one day this changes my fellow fed up graduates! But in the meantime, let’s not get our hopes up!

The Top 5 Christmas Gifts – 2014

5.) Socks

You cannot deny that if you got socks this year you were probably secretly excited. When you’re younger socks seem like a last minute thought but as you get older and in particular when you become a student this becomes a joy. I get very cold feet so different selections of socks are always exciting gifts to open. Also when you become a student this means both less washing and saving money, what more could you ask for?

4.) DVDs

DVDs are always the perfect Christmas gift as there is always a film, TV boxset or comedy DVD you want to watch and put on your Christmas list. This year I got ‘Miranda series 3’ to add to my Miranda collection and the ‘Not Going Out boxset.’ These are two of my favourite UK sitcoms and in Miranda’s words they are ‘such fun’. However, this Christmas both of them came to an end and left on a high. Thankfully, now I can keep watching them for a bit longer, like they haven’t ended…just yet!

3.) Engagement ring

This is not something I received this Christmas Day but many people did. Facebook seemed to be flooded with men proposing to their girlfriends not before Christmas, not after Christmas but on Christmas Day. Did you men forget to get your girlfriends presents? Christmas Day is already a celebration so it’s not your own day and you have to share it so not my preferred proposal. But I would like to send out a big congratulations to everyone who got engaged not only on Christmas Day but around it too.

2.) Boxes with more boxes

The most annoying thing I have seen on Facebook during the Christmas period has to be the incredibly annoying videos of people wrapping boxes and putting them in other boxes and so on. Not original, not funny and the videos are boring, so a tip for 2015 is don’t bother. Also what was with the fake laughter and fake confusion on the face of the person opening them, surely you realised? Oh and if someone does that trick to me I think I would guess from the moment I opened the first box and I would not be amused…what a waste of wrapping paper, you could save some for next Christmas.

1.) Selfie stick

The selfie stick seemed to be the most popular gift this Christmas. This is one great invention and perfect for Christmas, the one time of year the whole family can get together and take a massive group photo, now without any struggles or without one person missing out to take it! I had so much fun using mine to take photos and looking at Facebook other family’s did too!

Here’s some of our family photos that we took with the selfie stick and photobooth props which made it extra amusing. If you didn’t appreciate the selfie stick I think you will now:

S Club 7 are bringing it all back!

Steps made 90s kids dreams come true when they announced their long awaited reunion tour back in 2011. (I was so happy about this, I went twice!)

And after much speculation, S Club 7 are officially back!

Remember when Paul broke hearts in 2002 when he decided to leave the group. Thankfully the group carried on as S Club but by 2003, we mourned the loss of the whole group. No more reaching for the stars…until NOW! S Club 7 are bringing it all back for Children In Need. While we all sit patiently waiting for them to announce a reunion tour and dust off our Miami 7 videos (maybe the VHS players too!), let’s take a trip down memory lane and look back at their best songs.

I have to admit this was very hard to decide!

10.) Never Had A Dream Come True

Ballads can be a bit boring but not with S Club 7. ‘Never Had A Dream Come True’ is still played every Christmas with its winter themed video. The song claimed the band not only the Number 1 spot in the UK but also their first Top 10 in America.

9.) Love Train

‘Love Train’ was an unreleased song by the band which was on their album 7 and featured on their fabulous TV show LA 7. A song I feel should have had a bit more recognition!

8.) Bring The House Down

Also taken from their album 7 and TV show LA 7, ‘Bring The House Down’ was a song that should have been released as a proper single. Luckily, they kind of made up for this by including it on their Greatest Hits album. Maybe they realised it was a missed opportunity for a hit too.

7.) You’re My Number One

‘You’re My Number 1’ has a dance routine no one could forget. This song is exactly what pop music is all about! It has the cheesy lyrics, dance moves and a smiley group with loud outfits and that’s what makes it brilliant. You will listen once and will end up singing it all day (maybe doing the actions too).

6.) Two In A Million

‘Two In A Million’ was a catchy mid tempo song. When you hear the words ballad or mid tempo you automatically assume the sing will be gloomy but not with S Club, they’re all smiles as they join together in this video. I certainly wouldn’t have it any other way.

5.) You

When I first heard ‘You’ it automatically became one of my favourite songs. It was a bit different to S Club’s normal stuff yet it still had what we all wanted. The video was one of their best and the car scene was all very Grease Lightening.

4.) Don’t Stop Movin’

Everybody was moving to the S Club beat with ‘Don’t Stop Movin.’ A Number 1 and unforgettable song, which was also included on many karaoke CDs in the early 2000s. This song earned S Club Record of the Year in 2002 and how well deserved that was!

3.) Bring It All Back

S Club’s first song is still one of their best. It was obvious from the start they were going to do well when it when straight in at Number 1 and was an automatic hit around the world.

Random fact: ‘Bring It All Back’ was actually knocked off the top spot by The Venga Boys – ‘Boom, Boom, Boom.’

2.) Reach

‘Reach’ is of S Club 7s most recognisable songs and has now become a karaoke classic. If this comes on when you’re out in a club you are transported back to the year 2000, and there is no denying that you remember all those moves from ‘Reach for the stars’ to ‘when that rainbow’s shining over you’. It is still an outrage this was not Number 1!

1.) S Club Party

We ALL know there really is no party like an S Club Party and this is why it is rightfully sitting at the Number 1 spot.

Not long now until we find out if Jo has still got the flow. And you better be waving you’re your hands in the air like you just don’t care this November as the S Club party is back!

It may have only reached Number 2 on its original release but ‘S Club Party’ is sitting pretty at Number 1 on my chart!

What NOT to take to University

Freshers hear the same stories every year and this year’s bunch are no different. “You must take this” “you must take that,” when in reality you take a lot more than you need or can even fit in student accommodation…or your car! Back in 2012 I also looked at forums to help me but when I was bringing everything back after 1^st year was over I realised I didn’t need half of the stuff.

I have thought of 5 things I wish I knew before I started uni, this is my guide on what NOT to take:

5.) Your room from home

You do not want to take everything from your room at home will be going back there some weekends and during the holidays. If you do it means it will be bare or you will constantly be trailing everything round on your travels. Remember you are not going to another planet; there are many shops to buy things from. Also don’t worry about trying to make your new room homely, you will end up do this yourself as you start to settle in.

4.) Multiple glue sticks

Yes, they might come in handy but if you are like me and forget you have them just look for them rather than buy more. While moving out of my flat at the end of second year I found out I had seven…I study journalism and glue has only come in handy for one lecture! This year I have learnt my lesson!

3.) A selection of kitchen utensils

You will not be cooking a three course meal; you’re going to stick something in the oven or the microwave and hope you don’t burn down the flat. During my 3 years I could have easily survived with two knives and forks at the most. If you do this it means you have to wash your stuff and your kitchen will be clean and tidy which is great for your OCD like flatmates (like me).

2.) Labels for your stuff

You will look like a loser for the rest of your University life because your mum’s permanent marker is there to stay for all 3 years! Trust me, I’m still suffering the effects to it never wanting to go away. Also it turns out that not many people want to steal your stuff and you learn to share.

1.) An Iron

You can just about wash your clothes after learning to use the machine. Don’t get too ambitious. Once you have washed your clothes you can leave them to dry near the radiator neatly. This works just fine and if it doesn’t just put a jumper over your crinkled T-Shirt and no one will ever know. If you do this you don’t need to find extra change to pay for the dryers, now that is a nightmare! You have to remember you will probably be living in your overdraft so the more money you save the better, even if it is on drying your clothes. Every little helps!

Is there anything you took to uni that you didn’t need? Do you have any top tips or maybe you are suffering from the permanent marker items?Comment below I would love to hear your thoughts.

Casson Complains

Over the summer holidays I started a placement in a Community Radio Station as part of my third and final year of University.

Always looking for new and innovate ideas, I decided I needed something to add to the show that would make people remember me and that they could look forward to during every show.

During one of my many casual complains my parents (yes my parents!) reminded me that this was a favourite pass time of mine. This then became the genius and fun feature ‘Casson Complains!’ As there were so many during my summer shows, I thought I would share my top 5 with you:

5.) Airport and Airplane food: Airplane food, I cannot even describe how much I detest it; even just the smell makes me feel queasy. But as you may have noticed those main meals are now only served on long-haul flights and have been replaced with the more bearable but still untrustworthy snack. Since the changeover I have noticed that food in the airport has become even more expensive. The last time I ordered a bacon sandwich and an orange juice at the airport it was JUST under £10!

4.) “Do you have anything smaller?”: These are the words I dread to hear when I get to the till and all I have is a £10 note. I have deliberately bought a couple more items to try and get the price up, yet I fail and it still comes to £1.60. My main issue is that if I had something smaller I would hand it over, why would I want to break into my £10 note if I didn’t have to?! I understand the question may have to be asked but do we not all agree it’s a bit silly?

3.) Public Transport: Me and public transport do not get on very well. I am currently learning to drive and the quicker I pass my test the better! Buses and I…Well what can I say? We have never been friends. Only I can rip my ticket as I pull it out of the machine! Luckily living in Newcastle and so close to the Metro I can use this on a daily basis (if you don’t know what this is google it or watch Metro The Musical on youtube). As someone who used to be a fan of the Metro due to its accessibility and easiness, I have now been let down. Just a few weeks ago I waited 20 minutes for the Metro as I finally gained some motivation to go to the gym. However, this Metro I was waited for turned out to be out of service, and if this wasn’t inconvenient enough the next one was too! Finally the THIRD Metro arrived and as I boarded it decided to terminate! I enjoy the gym but I could not deal with the hassle any longer and I am still distraught as a poor student that I paid £3.60 for a ticket to nowhere.

2.) The word ‘Alternative’: WHAT DOES THIS EVEN MEAN?! I do not believe that this word should be used to describe anyone’s taste in music or fashion. Why you ask? This is because ‘alternative’ has been used too many times now that the people who are claiming they are ‘alternative’ are more of a norm than ever before. I am very happy in jeans and a simple jumper when it comes to fashion and to be honest, would this not be classed as more ‘alternative’ as no one seems to dress like this these days?

BEFOREEEE we hit the number one stop I have to admit this was a very close call as I really do hate the word ALTERNATIVE! However, if there is one thing that I hate more it is sitting right here in the number 1 spot and students, I think you will all agree with me on this one!

1.) Student Finance vs Student Housing: Firstly the problem lies with student finance. As someone who lives away from home, doesn’t qualify for any grants and is in University nearly every day meaning a part time job is pretty much out of the question during term time (remember this is also my third year) I do not receive enough money. I need to pay for food, travel and accommodation but these are made pretty impossible by the poor excuse of a loan and the lack of bursary’s and grants. Do student housing companies take this into consideration? No. My next rent payment is ridiculous but without paying I will have nowhere to live so you just have to suck it up and get on with it. Even if it is a pain! That’s just life (I can still complain of course, it is my speciality). However, I do know many students who get grants, bursary’s and a bigger loan but live at home…surely people moving away should be given that little extra boost for help?

Do you agree with any of these points? What really bugs you and you would like to complain about? Feel free to comment below and share your rants and opinions, I would love to hear them.

Emma x

So You Think You Can Drive?

Yesterday I embarked on a new adventure…I started my driving lessons! I know many of you will think why now? Why at 21? Well it was a case of I wasn’t ready and didn’t need to drive during my first 2 years at university. But now I’m learning and the roads will for the time being be an unsafe place…I’m just kidding!

Before my driving lesson my friend Rebecca said to me that she noticed all driving instructors had a special wave to acknowledge one another. So in my first lesson as another learner passed the car, both instructors waved much to my amusement. I am bad enough with bus drivers and the guys on the metros (just check my Facebook likes!) While trying not to laugh I instantly thought of a new idea. Why do learner drivers not have a special signal they can do when they pass each other? A wave, wink, smile, funny face…whatever really! If you agree and can think of a great signal please comment below. I think we can get this thing going. You will certainly know if you pass me, I will be doing the chosen signal.

So yesterday I actually did quite a bit of driving for my first lesson which was quite exciting and nerve-racking. I sadly had too much fun adjusting the wing mirrors which involved moving what was like a joy-stick. I love how no matter how slow I am going whether it be 20 miles per hour or 10 I feel like I’m speeding then I realise I’m just being stupid. One main lesson I learned was my left and right, they are so easy to get mixed up especially under pressure!

I know what you want to know, what type of car did I drive. Well every time I answer this I come out with the same line, “I don’t know, it’s silver and looks like a boys car.” Remember I am a girl, I have no idea and don’t care.

I’m back on the road for lesson 2 next week so watch out for this blog and of course my car.

I would love to hear from you guys about what your first lesson was like! Tell me what you enjoyed or hated and again please help me with a special signal so we can all join forces!

Emma x