David Cameron's rather unsettling Leveson inquiry performance

Did anyone else catch a glimpse of David Cameron’s performance yesterday with regards to the Leveson inquiry? Granted Cameron himself elected to set up the inquiry but I felt there was something unsettling watching, what at times seemed to be, our very own Prime Minister being interrogated in a criminal like fashion. Perhaps the most intriguing new evidence which came to light with fact was Cameron’s closeness to Rebekah Brooks, the former chief executive of News International. When questioned how often he and Brooks spoke Cameron showed signs of nervousness, a quality the nation rarely sees in a leader. Cameron stuttered and looked at his papers for back-up. Rather interestingly however, after a short break, Cameron returned with hard evidence about he and Brooks' meetings from his wife's records. There's nothing dubious about Cameron's wife apparently keeping tracks on every time he and Brooks met, right? 

I think what is most interesting about this case is that we as a nation are witnessing a dramatic U-turn shift in political establishments' relationships with newspapers. Political establishments such as Labour and The Conservative Party once sought to be linked to once politically powerful people such as Brooks, for Brooks was linked to Rupert Murdoch. Oh how times have changed. 

You can watch one of the clips here on The Guardian's website.

Love knows no boundaries!

Imagine if your celebrity crush finally noticed your insistent tweets to them, saw how beautiful or handsome you were in your profile photo, responded to you and you both fell in love and lived happily ever after. 

Sadly this is in fact a very, very, idealistic situation and, unless I am informed otherwise, to my knowledge this has not ever happened.  Why? Because “status” gets in the way. This idea came to me after reading about how crazy cool and so-far-from-normal Rita Ora’s life has become in the past three months ever since she was noticed by one of Jay-Z’s reps. She’s been partying in Cannes, she’s chums with Beyonce and is dating Rob Kardashian. All I can say is, lucky her. I wonder if Rob would have noticed her if it weren’t for her propelled celebrity status? Probably not.

I suppose the notion I am getting at here in a roundabout way is that everyone says there’s a soul mate somewhere in the world for everyone. So isn’t it weird to think how some people may never actually meet the love of their lives, just because money and status gets in the way? But, like everything in life, who knows, fate may just bring people together one way or another...

Two reasons to smile: it's hot and it's Friday

On glorious summer days like today I look around and realise how beautiful literally (almost) everything in life is. I woke up in a good mood, literally because I could see the sun shining. There was a bug on the floor in the kitchen, which normally I'd freak out about, but today it wasn't a problem. Let's put the bug outside in the sunshine, aww. It's crazy the effect the warmth and light of the sun has on us all, in a good way that is.

So I guess it made me realise how it's so easy to take everything for granted because, let's face it, realistically we are all really busy everyday with what in hindsight are really menial tasks and chores. And then I watched this feel-good video, promoting living life to the very max, and cheesy as it sounds it's brightened me up just that little bit more.

Ask anyone what they would really want in life and I guarantee the answer would be to be successful and rich. But, money really isn't everything. Everyone has something they really want to do in life and I think we should all pursue our dreams no matter how peculiar, or out of reach, they may sound to others. It's frightening how easy it is to get so tied down with the 9-5 work culture, but so many actually make their careers work around their lifestyles.

Not so long ago, in the midst of a typical everyday conversation I was told about a man who lives in South Africa for 6 months of the year and works remotely via his computer, simply because he loves surfing. If you're wondering what he does for the other half of the year, he spends the remaining 6 months with his girlfriend, who lives in Paris. So he works 6am-2pm, spends the rest of the day surfing and spends almost every evening socialising. Too many of you, and probably even myself if I were an outsider looking reading this article, would just think "Wow, sounds like he has a dream life" and then forget about it. But don't. Because I learnt the hard way this week that life is short, and you never know when your time is up.

If the saying really does turn out to be true, and we really do only live once, then make sure you lived your life to the best you could.

Here's the link to the video incase you wanted some Friday afternoon (perhaps slightly cheesy) motivation: http://www.wavescape.co.za/video/the-latest-clips/desk-jockeys-be-free.html

An advertiser's dream

Anyone who reads this post and who knows me well will laugh at what I’m about to write. I'll admit it, I'm a sucker for clever advertising campaigns. Notably those super-airbrushed beauty ones. The most memorable (and in hindsight naive and stupid buy) was a Maybelline mascara that promised to put what would look like diamonds on the tips of your lashes. It was effectively a gloopy, glittery formula. And no, my eyes were not dazzling like diamonds. 

I like to think I’ve gotten better over the years since having a part-time job alongside my studies, for I appreciate the value money a lot more now. But every now and then new mascara is launched, or a foundation that promises to give you photo-ready flawless skin with nil imperfections. Come on girls, who wouldn’t want that? 

The issue is that beauty and skincare companies blind the consumer with scientific laden terms that sound impressive. They read something like this: “Igty-bictaly improves the cellular appearance which in turn reduces the effects of visible ageing by up to 10 years.” Secretly you’re wondering what on earth Igty-bictaly is, but on the surface you’re thinking they’ve solved your skin problems. Igty-bictaly, that’s the one. Companies provide us with this false security of knowledge, and we oh so naively are willing to buy into it. Because if the “scientists” are willing support this new foundation with their research, it’s got to perform... right?

After a series of less than perfect results with high street make-up brands i.e. Bourjois, Maxfactor, L’Oreal I have been left a nervous purchaser whom very much sticks within my comfort zone for fear of disappointment. It’s not that £10 on mascara is too expensive, it’s just so very irritating when it doesn’t live up the expectations promised – because that’s £10 down the drain. I have used eye products from Urban Decay before, a brand I would consider to be on the more expensive side, and I have to say you do notice a positive difference. There are more colour shades to choose from, and if used alongside their eye primer they last on your eyes all day. I guess the age-old saying is true: like most things in life, to ensure you get quality you have to be willing to pay the premium.

Note: Igty-bictaly was in fact made up by me. It might exist, but as far as I’m aware I created it.