According to Jessica: What are my 500 word short blogs about?

JRND01

"A blog with at least five posts about a subject that interests you: It needs to include original material you should also include pictures. Make sure the blog is tightly edited and tagged appropriately. Include the address on your hand in.  This should be support by a 500 word commentary explaining the rationale for your blog and the target audience. You will be marked on content rather than design."

 As part of my course work, my task was to create a blog with at least five posts about a subject/subjects that interest me. My blog is aimed at people between the ages of around 18 plus; and includes opinion, political posts, reviews of things to do and see and also general posts I feel people may be able to relate to. I like to bring up issues that are currently in the media at the time, but on a more light hearted side I love talking about superficial things such as fashion and fun things to do as I feel a bit of light hearted reading is always a good escape from everyday realities and issues. I have been running my own personal blog for a couple of years now, and it's something I really enjoy. Blogging opens up many doors and it's also a great networking tool. 

 I wouldn't say I have one great love in life that stands out, and I feel that my life is made up of many many different things. I decided to include some "feminist" and "politics" in my blogs, as these are things that I am really interested in and things I love to look into. I don't believe posts have to be that in depth, but if you at least catch someone's attention about something through the means of blogging I feel you have been successful. It's great to get younger people on the bandwagon and interested in important issues, and as long as you don't lecture them and make them feel uneasy I feel blogging is a great way to read out to them. If I see something in the news I think is important, I may write a blog on it in an approachable manner, and something I feel 18 year old young people may be able to relate to or enjoy. 

 I like to relax my readers and have a few jokes along the way, I believe the light hearted posts keep them coming back. If I had to stick to one theme throughout my personal blog, I would personally feel really restricted and feel as if I didn't have much freedom.

 The important thing is I enjoy writing about many things, and I do have a readership on my personally blog who keep me going. I personally love reviews of things, whether it's places to go, places to eat or what is the latest beauty product that I may want to try on the market. I would say my blog is slightly more feminine and probably aimed more at women or people who enjoy feminine things. 

There is nothing better than finding out what other women my age are up to and loving, and I have followed blogs that even give me home décor tips which is really something quirky and great for someone my age (23) who is potentially looking to start up my first home soon!

 I hope people will enjoy my lifestyle type writing, and I at least get some serious points across in the process. 

Life is for living. Lifestyle writing is my favourite genre. 

Mount Batten is pictured above.

According to Jessica: Article 4, "Blurred Lines"

 "I know you want me." 

 Robin Thicke, the star of the controversial "Blurred Lines" video is the topic of many discussions between feminists and ordinary people alike. I came across this parody and felt it summed up the thoughts of most females and even some males in general regarding this subject. Does this make you feel uncomfortable watching it? It personally makes me feel objectified. I am so glad someone has taken the initiative to create something like this which is hard-hitting and straight to the point. Now, I know some of you may be sat thinking I must be a prude and Thicke's music video is all a bit of fun. However, believe me when I tell you I am probably the least prude person going, and it takes a lot to make me squirm in my seat when it comes to sexualisation and the like.   Men are seen prancing around showing little to the imagination, whilst women in suits; obviously a mark of authority- follow them around saying they need to be "domesticated" in the parody. Pretty strange if you ask me- but this is how women are treated by the media and some men in this world. 

 It is a catchy song and I will have a dance to it on a Saturday night, but the parody video has definitely shed new light on it. Imagine if the tables were turned. If everywhere you turned, women where seen telling men "I know you want me", groping at men, objectifying men and generally treating men how many men treat women in music videos. It looks pretty silly when a woman does it to a man. Why is it seen as "attractive" when a man does it to a woman? Is this because women are seen as lesser beings, only good for looking good and there to please men?

 The parody video has obviously attracted lots of hits in the world of viral media, so it goes to show that taking a bit of a comedy turn on big issues does actually get the message through to people in this day and age. People who wouldn't normally be interested in these sorts of issues may be able to stomach it if it's presented in such a way as this.

All in all, it's a brilliant idea and hopefully it has got people talking all over the world!




One last thing- can I just say gentlemen, try any of the lines in this song with a lady you are trying to woo and you probably won't get very far. Just a tip.

The original video, judge for yourself:

According to Jessica: Article 1 "Women Wars"

Gone our the days where the typical woman was wooed, married and settled down by 25. My parents themselves where married and had their own home, and child on the way at 24. This scares me slightly. I myself, am 23 years old and there is probably a very slim chance I will ever achieve that in a short 2 years. Why, you may ask? The simple answer is University and my career.

 Seemingly, women these days are leaving it later and later to start family life, putting careers first and climbing the ladder of success. However does this worry me? Not more than it should, possibly. I want to achieve so much, so is this possible with a family in tow?
Of course it is. Simply swap your last minute Mojito nights for evenings cooking and chilling out in front of the TV. The world offers so much for "career" women these days and has got with the times. It is possible for a family girl to have a job, attend University and kick start her career. With so many government childcare for equal opportunities to those who choose to start family life early, gone our the days where a woman had to choose between bouncing babies and crisp designer suits. 

 And of course, there is the other side of the coin. Men taking on the roll of "house husband" and living life at home, looking after the children and doing the housework. While the woman are the main bread earners, 100 years ago this would have never even crossed the minds of those macho men. In such dismay to men, women are even climbing the salary ladder a lot faster than one may think.

 It is amazing that there is so much choice these days. Sometimes you feel overwhelmed and question whether you are doing the right thing in life, like a lost kid in a sweet shop. As cliché as it sounds- things all make sense in the end. There have been so many times in life where things have not gone my way, but it's always ended up to be perfect for me when it all pans out.
 I myself am not ready to give up my flamboyant nights out, and waking up on days off at silly o'Clock in the morning (cough - afternoon); but I can feel myself "growing up" as it is as well. Gone are the days I'd roll in at 2am most mornings, and here are the possibly one-night a week cocktails and chill time talking about my week with close friends. The recent recession made life harder for many in the UK, causing strain in every part of life. People's careers where put on hold, and many had lost a sense of direction. Myself included.

 In a way this has been a blessing. It's made me and other think long and hard about what they want to do for the rest of their life. It is also important to respect the chance to be able to work and see it as such a blessing.

 For now, I am going to continue doing what I have always done. Let life pan out. Of course, you have to work hard to make your dreams come true- but don't be too disheartened when things don't go your way. Everyone is on a different path in life, and this is true. My top tip so far in my short life is to do what you love and surround yourself with who you love. Life is too short to do anything different.

 Going back to my original comment, maybe it's not such a bad thing tables are turning and women have more choice these days. Without sounding like a complete feminist- we have fought for years for this to happen. Take chances and enjoy all the opportunities that have been presented to us.
 If that's not something to smile about, I don't know what is.