Category Archives: Guide To Life

So you want to be a writer?

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{image via weheartit.com}

It seems like everyone out there wants to be a writer. It’s not glamourous, it doesn’t pay that well and quite frankly…its hard work.
So when I Stumbled upon a great poem by Charles Bukowski entitled “So you want to be a writer” I just had to share two small excerpts:

If you have to sit for hours staring at your computer screen or hunched over your typewriter searching for words, don’t do it.

If you’re doing it for money or fame, don’t do it.

If you’re doing it because you want women in your bed, don’t do it.

If you have to sit there and rewrite it again and again, don’t do it.

If it’s hard work just thinking about doing it, don’t do it. if you’re trying to write like somebody else, forget about it.

Don’t be like so many writers, don’t be like so many thousands of people who call themselves writers, don’t be dull and boring and pretentious, don’t be consumed with self-love.

The libraries of the world have yawned themselves to sleep over your kind.

Don’t add to that.

Don’t do it.

Unless it comes out of your soul like a rocket, unless being still would drive you to madness or suicide or murder, don’t do it.

Unless the sun inside you is burning your gut, don’t do it.

Read the rest of the poem here.

Summer Etiquette

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Pimms on the patio, the smell of burning charcoal, traffic jams, people turning from milk white to scarlet…summer is finally here.

However, there are some people who don’t quite understand the etiquette of enjoying a good old British summer.

Here are some of my top tips of getting the most out of the gorgeous weather without causing offense.

1. Men, this one is especially for you. Any chance you could refrain from removing your shirts?  If you’re in your garden, on holiday or on the beach fine go for it, liberate yourself. But if you’re walking around the streets, we just don’t need to see your moobs wobbling or your beer gut spilling over your shorts – especially at 7.30am when it’s no where near hot enough for you to remove that tee. Even if you’ve a torso that David Beckham would be jealous of its still not appropriate.

2. Bingo Wings. Now, this isn’t a rant about anyone in particular just a warning, never look at a woman’s upper arms! Unless she’s a gym bunny whose also sidelining as Miss Perfect the likely hood is she’s going to be doing an impression of bat-fink and flapping those wings. It’s hard enough for us girls having to decide what to wear on a summer’s day without the threat that someone’s going to glance at our wobbly arms. So, lets makes a deal that eye movement shall not go below shoulder level until at least Mid August when we’ve all had chance to work out. This especially applies to me, if I catch you ogling my wings, I am likely to poke you in the eyes!!

3. BBQ’s - we all love a good barbie. But, if you’re going to go all retro and have hamburgers and hot dogs, please refrain from buying those el cheapo “beef” burgers. They permeate the air with the most hideous smell and they are likely to make sunshine loving bloggers like me gag thus ruining the inevitable wine/pimms on the patio moment. I’m not being a snob here but 14p burgers from Tesco do no one any good, especially the people eating them.

4. Feet - If I’m forced to look at your feet don’t make me look at yellow, crumbly toe nails. Book yourself a pedicure (male and female) or at least take an hour to paint your nails. No one needs to see what’s been covered over for 10 months – it’s likely to put us off our salad. Also, avoid wearing socks with sandals there isn’t anyone in the world who can get away with this fashion disaster so to avoid people eye rolling and sniggering just don’t do it!

5. Don’t forget your sunscreen. We’ve all accidentally burnt in the past but there’s nothing more off putting than wandering around Tesco and seeing pieces of burnt flesh traipse up and down the aisles. You can get value sun-cream for about 25p so there really is no excuse. The lobster look is never likely to come into fashion so stop trying to start a trend and start applying the sunscreen. If you do insist on roasting at least remove your straps, the red and white combo – hideous!

6. In the UK – It is never too hot. Lastly and possibly the most important point for good summer etiquette. Never utter the words “it’s just too hot” when talking about the weather. We have this weather for about 10 days a year and some of us want to enjoy it. If you find it too hot, stay inside with an electric fan away from everyone. We don’t need you to kill our sunshine buzz with your whining. Of course you are entitled to comment on how hot you are feeling, just remember do it with a cheery and up beat tone before you’re banished to the land of no sun, ever! So, with just a few simple steps…everyone can enjoy the sunshine.

Dalai Lama’s 18 rules for living

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Ok so it’s a hoax and it’s not really the wise words of the Dalai Lama but still…some good sentiments to be found in these wise words…enjoy!Sunset

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three Rs:
* Respect for self
* Respect for others
*Responsibility for all your actions.
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
7. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honourable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

Love Books!

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Just a few days left on the competition to win a copy of The Golden Prince so here are 4 reasons why we need to keep buying books!!

1. Save Our Libraries.

Libraries are the life line in a lot of communities and yours is under threat of closure. They are wonderful places, full of all sorts of books to discover and enjoy. You can borrow books you may not necessarily buy and test out different genres without it having an effect on your bank balance! I’m a huge fan of the library!

2. Nothing feels and smells like a book. I’m sure you know what I mean by that. There’s something special about having a book in your hands that you just don’t get from your kindle or iPad. The touch, smell, feel and experience of owning a real, tangible copy of a book outweighs the digital option any day.

3. Switch off from technology and relax. We all need to do it more. Our entire lives revolve around emails, texts, internet, television so put the kindle or iPad down and pick up a real book. If you’re anything like me you won’t be able to resist a sneaky peek at your emails or a quick check on twitter if you’re using an electronic device – you won’t have the option with a paper book in your hands.

4. Share! You can’t share eBooks. Fact. Unless you’re willing to hand over your electronic reading device that is. Swap books, discuss them…enjoy them!

5. You can take a book ANYWHERE without worrying. I love reading on the beach when I’m away, I wouldn’t risk taking my ipad on to the beach! I love reading in the bath – baths and ipads – big no no. But a book can go anywhere.

Please feel free to leave your reasons for keeping paper books in your life below!

Enjoy!

A Daily Dose of Happy…

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I’ve been thinking a lot lately about energy zappers.

You know the type. People who come along and zap away your positive vibe with their negativity. Of course you know the type, we have all got someone like that around us and if you’re thinking you don’t…maybe its you that is the zapper?

I know we all have bad days and trust me I often have a good moan about things but its important not to let that deter us from the act of *actually* being happy.

Negativity is a spiraling issue and one that is hard to get out of once trapped. Of course its good to get things off our chests  {I recommend it} but knowing where to draw the line is something is the key.

Even if you’re a positive person the intake of negative attitudes can be catching. Let’s take social media for example. It is a wonderful thing but it has also created a whole new breed of “zapper”. A sub section that want to put out a stream of negative thoughts and feelings on a regular basis – a cycle which they’re obviously ingrained in.

Whether it be looking at a picture of a cute kitten or something a little more practical like going out and paint your nails bright pink. We all need a regular dose of happiness.

I promise I’m not sat here preaching or claiming that I’m some sort of happiness “guru” (trust me…I’m not, I let others feelings dictate the way I feel way too often) but what I do know is that being negative isn’t the way forward.

PS: couldn’t really leave you without a kitten picture could I?

Ah go on then…another one.