The Curious Black Cat

The Question: Why do you blog?

2010-03-12T11:52:00.002Z

'The Question' will be a series for this blog where every so often, I'll post a question in the title, accompanied by a short post. Its main purpose is to get bloggers and readers talking and sharing ideas. They may be controversial, funny or just plain weird. Each of the posts will be labelled so that if you want quick access to all 'The Question' topics you can find them in the topic list in the right column of the blog...

Today's question is: Why do YOU blog?

I've always wondered about this. Why do people blog? What are your motivations for starting and maintaining a blog? There are many different reasons why people choose to blog. Commercial? Professional? Passion for a subject that you want to share with other like-minded people? If I look at my first blog post I wanted this blog to be a series of observations and opinions about a number of topics, particularly life as a law student. A means of getting things off my mind...Now, nothing much has changed. Though, I have tried to steer the blog away from angsty posts about pining for a guy called Leo and now just moan about my lack of a legal job!

So, what are your motivations for blogging?

F*ckbook in the spotlight (Part 1)

2010-03-11T13:20:00.008Z

This post has been a long time coming so I guess I should probably explain the title. The woes do not relate to my own personal life but that recently more and more news stories are cropping up relating to Facebook. Whilst most of us recognise that it is a social networking site of significant relevance to society, could it also be just as harmful?

I like the fun of facebook just as anyone who is a member does, though I am interested in the number of reports and stories with this internet phenomenon at its centre. So here are a list of categories with links to articles you might find interesting to read.

Facebook Bullying
A shocking trend amongst teenagers and adults alike, I'm sure, is to resort to bullying for whatever reason, online. This is just one case of many reported in this country (UK)
Teenage girl is first to be jailed for bullying on Facebook

Crime

Vigilante justice in the form of setting up a facebook group in a bid to launch a hate campaign against an innocent man accused of being a child killer.
David Calvert is still not Jon Venables
The comments really have to be read in the above article.

Are these two instances of inmates with Facebook profiles/ access evidence of a lenient penal system? From their prisons, these inmates are able to terrorise victims on the outside world...using Facebook.
Inmate in Facebook death threat
Violent Criminal boasted of Facebook from prison

Children and Safety fears
I for one do not believe Facebook is suitable for children. Or young people under 16 to be exact. I'm sure that there are other networking sites such as Bebo, Myspace or whatever else they are called which are more suitable if your children have the need to be like everyone else and have an online profile and identity. I'm not sure younger users appreciate just how open their profiles and information are on Facebook and how easily a sexual predator could create a profile for the purposes of appealing to and grooming a young impressionable teen or pre-teen. Children using Facebook in my opinion is another case of kids trying to be grown up before their time...with fatal results.
Facebook threatens to sue Daily Mail
Police criticise Facebook safety after Ashleigh Hall murder

Relationships
From personal experience (though nothing critical) I know first-hand how damaging facebook can be to insecure or controlling partners (or indeed ANYONE) in relationships. Checking the others' relationship status or posts on their wall and the many often incriminating photographs attached to someone's profile can lead to many an argument and has done. I think that it is ridiculous to broadcast your relationships, open to public scrutiny to the world and have seen many a 'friend' in a relationship change their status to 'single' after having it as 'in a relationship' and having to answer a barrage of questions about their supposed relationship break down. Just. Don't. Do. It.
Remember this story?
Marriage end 'Posted on Facebook'
It amused many people to no end, least of all the couple involved...

It is interesting to read about the fact that Facebook could be playing a part in relationship breakdowns and issues and even more shocking is that the article below states that an unmentioned law firm suggested that one in five of petitions they processed for divorce had mentioned facebook.
Facebook fuelling divorce, research claims

Then there are the reports that in the US, more and more formal court documents are being served via facebook which you can read about below. (This is just one report and there are several online)
Facebook- the future of service of process

Employment issues

Finally there is the news that increasingly, employers are checking the facebook profiles of their prospective employees and as the attached article shows, even resulted in one teen losing her job over it.
Teenage office worker sacked for moaning on Facebook about her 'totally boring' job

Is it just me or is Facebook becoming less fun? I still do like the fact that I can get in contact with friends in St. Lucia or abroad. I appreciate that a lot of my friends and colleagues like to use it to show off to friends at how good they can pose in photographs. I have been guilty of having stupid photos on my profile in my time, though recently, I have not been frequenting the site as much as I used to...

The choice to join is yours... I'm seriously considering terminating (for the second time, the first being due to the Spanish Inquisition I was subjected to about my profile) my account after all of these stories.

CBC

xx

I wonder whether I should update this post from time to time (or post part (2) or (3) as appropriate) because I'm sure Facebook won't be out of the news, positive or negative, for a while to come!

More on Venables, F*ckbook and David Calvert

2010-03-11T11:35:00.004Z

Good morning www. This post is a day late but after logging onto F*ckbook this morning to check my messages, I noticed that one of my 'friends' Mr Lit. who is particularly interested in law and criminal justice had created a group to entice crazy Venables hunters and then changed the name of the group. It was a joke but was shocking that it attracted 54 angry members, trying to take justice into their own hands. Sad. Good on him for doing so...hope he didn't get into trouble!

I write this post in response to a news story of David Calvert, who is being targeted by members of the public who are accusing him of being Venables. A series of Facebook groups had been set up to name him as Venables and launch abuse at him. How stupid can people be? It is widely reported that Venables (whatever his new identity) is in prison, therefore how can Calvert be Venables? It just seems that logic, common sense and all that goes with it have gone out of the window in this case.

However, there is a more serious underlying message to all of this. Should Venables' anonymity be upheld at the risk of innocent people being under threat? Clearly Calvert is worried for his safety and that of his children. So is keeping Venables' identity out of the public domain more important than the safety of a family who has (supposedly) nothing to do with proceedings?

I personally believe that without putting Venables and the fairness of future proceedings at risk, as Calvert says here perhaps a statement that he is not Venables would be a start. Simplistic in my explanation I realise but I really do think that this might be necessary to prevent a full blown 'witchhunt'. However, how do you protect against pure stupidity?

*tumbleweed rolls past*

So today, I feel exhausted for some unknown reason. I haven't been working or doing any exercise. Hmm...

Till next post,

Stay legal

CBC

xx

"Unagi is a state of total awareness..."

2010-03-09T11:54:00.002Z

"...Only by achieving true unagi can you be prepared for any danger that may befall you..."

Today I am in a semi-unagific state. I am hitting the job search from a different angle today.

Unagi

CBC

xx

Return to Foyle's Philavery: Bavardage

2010-03-08T16:24:00.004Z

As you may or may not know, I love books and words and love unusual words in particular. Therefore my beloved Foyle's Collected Philavery set is making a reappearance, emerging from its dusty home on my bookshelf, after my previous 'Oculolinctus' post.

Today's words are:

Blabagogy: a criminal environment
Great word for use in a legal context.

Flabellation: the act of fanning, particularly in the context of keeping fractured limbs cool
Who knew there was a word for this?

Groak: to look or stare longingly, especially at someone who is eating
Probably more appropriate for use in the Caribbean and in particular St. Lucia where often it is joked that one can cause an eater's food to drop from a utensil or their mouth, simply by staring at them.

C'est tout.

A Bientot,

CBC

xx

Sugar Cane, Venables and Dirty Laundry

2010-03-08T12:27:00.005Z

Good morning readers,

This post will be a bit of a collection of weekend antics and news stories I have come across through my husband to be, Matthew Wright (I SO am not attracted to him in any way...it's because I often refer to his talking points. I just wanted to point this out).

So on Friday night, in a bid to catch up with the girls (and lift my dampened spirits), I headed over to Sugar Cane bar in Clapham Junction for a few cocktails and chat. Tasty drinks, yummy food and fun tropical decor made this a really pleasant night out. I'd love to go again.

On Wrighty this morning, there were several interesting talking points as per usual. The most interesting for me I suppose was that of the child killer Venables, and whether it was naive of officials not to anticipate reoffending. You can read a report on the alleged child pornography accusations made against Venables in the Times Online here.

I'm not sure I can comment on the matter as I don't think that I have been able to formulate an opinion that isn't contradictory as yet. I do think that his childhood offence meant that he had a propensity to commit further offences of a similar type BUT I don't think that the media should be speculating about the offence he may or may not have committed. An interesting point was made in the article that discussions of Venables' alleged crime could jeopardise future legal proceedings and that if his past was revealed, it would be impossible for him to have a fair trial. Some would argue that the horrific crime he committed in the past excludes him from 'fairness' though on the flip side, this could affect public faith in the criminal justice system if proceedings are prejudiced in this way (by revealing his old identity and past convictions).

Sorry if that made no sense, I just have so many thoughts whizzing through my head on this one...

So onto a more light hearted find from the Sunday Times, Camilla Long, a Guest Contributor to the 'newspaper' wrote about why couples fight or argue in public. Especially when on public transport, this can be rather unsettling and slightly irritating for other commuters. It's almost like those people who insist on telling their life stories LOUDLY on their mobile telephones for the entire bus, train or tube (overground) to hear. Is this for attention? Because undoubtedly, people (especially myself) will often pretend not to listen but cave in eventually because their iPod battery chose that moment to die or that they're bored of staring listlessly out of the window, at the floor, or if on a tube, at the crotch of the person standing over you or into the eyes of the perverse looking man (or woman) undressing you with their eyes.

'Coupley' fights can be amusing sometimes. Thankfully I haven't seen many but the most extreme and shocking one I did see was a man pushing his girlfriend up against the window of H&M Oxford Street shouting in her face about money or something equally as trivial (as trivial as money could be in the 'current climate'. Sorry for the flippant remark!), much to the obliviance (is this a word?) of the self-absorbed shoppers there!

You can read and giggle at Camilla's article here.

That's your lot for today. Till next entry, enjoy the sun and frost.

CBC

xx

Edit: I have been reading the law blogs and come across a post about Venables with lots of commentary which anyone interested might find informative so read the Magistrate's Blog!

Shhh...

2010-03-03T15:04:00.003Z

...my name is CBC and I am a nail polish addict. I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned or alluded to this in any of my posts but there you go...it's all out there. Now I have stumbled upon the blog of someone who is ever crazier about nail polish than I. If you aren't into nail polish and such then I know that this will seem a little weird. But Scrangie is like nail porn!

I'm not sure that this blog is the right place to post nail swatches but don't be alarmed if you do see a photo or two of nail related stuff on here, now that the secret's out. It's not law related but it's certainly part of CBC!

Till next entry,

CBC

xx

New month. New challenges

2010-03-01T17:36:00.002Z

Hello www! As it's the first of March today it's a great day to post and reflect on the previous month and the month to come.First of all, I just wanted to tell you about the latest manifestation of my Japanese interest: Wasabi flavoured Pringles! I know this sounds crazy and slightly disgusting but if you are a fan of Japanese flavours like myself, you will find this a welcome snack.While plodding around my nearest Tesco store on my lunch break on Saturday, I stumbled wearily across a new offer on new Pringle flavours for 99p. On closer inspection, there was one labelled 'Fiery Wasabi'. Crazy CBC grabbed a tin and headed back to the bookshop. Once you've scoffed quite a few in succession and give your lips a lick, the crisps do taste remarkably like wasabi and really do pack that mad wasabi punch! My new crisp love...

As I have started on a wasabi note, I might as well talk about my dismay to waking up one morning and finding seaweed scraps strewn all over the kitchen floor. On looking into my sushi supplies, I find that three of four of my packs of 10 seaweed sheets had been ripped open and crushed. For some reason which I cannot comprehend, my 'father' has ripped open three identical packs because he was looking for something to eat. He knows that this is one of the few things that keeps me happy but he destroys them all even when he did not even know what they were in the first place. Intelligence personified!

The month of February has been a bit of a rubbish one when it comes to making progress with job applications. Everyone I have chased up has either been out to lunch, away from the office or sick. No one has bothered to get back to me. I've been so close to giving up. I feel like I'm in a vicious cycle of applications and rejections or blatant disregard for the fact that the name on the application which probably took the sender HOURS to complete is an ACTUAL person. I just can't wait to get out of this rut. I really want to do something to help people who had gone through a similar thing as myself in the future. It just makes you think that as a reasonably educated individual, if you aren't capable of getting a response to an application then would you really have wanted to work for such a company in the first place? I do however appreciate that where there are thousands of applicants for very few positions, it is sometimes difficult to respond to all of them. In this case I think firms/companies should have some form of automated 'receipt of application' process in place so that they need not waste time sending responses out but every application sent receives an automated email. That way, you don't end up with a generation of depressed, demotivated and unemployed young people who have given up on life simply because they waste their time on job applications which don't get acknowledged (that is not to say that every application should be a successful one- that'd breed complacency). Just my two (sometimes over-emotional) cents...

So onto March, there are a few positions I have applied for for which I am remaining optimistic though I am seriously considering Mc Donalds as a short term solution. In all seriousness I'm still remaining upbeat and keeping the apps going.

Off to get some dinner and rest my eyes. Last night I somehow managed to read a book in about 2 hours. Tonight may not be as productive...

CBC

xoxo

(less than) Wacky Wednesday

2010-02-24T16:38:00.002Z

Hello www,

I trust that you are all well? This is short a post to let you know that I am still alive as I haven't blogged in a week or so. Today is a less than inspiring day for me compared to the one I had on Monday with AW! Fun times...

At the moment I am listening to my new Alicia Keys CD and I'm loving it! One of my faves is called 'This Bed' because of the beat and because it makes me WANT to dance.

Enjoy,

CBC

xx

Sterilisation for women addicted to drugs and alcohol?

2010-02-11T11:39:00.006Z

Good ole Wrighty has alerted to me a very interesting topic of conversation this morning. Put simply, there is an organisation in the US which offers a cash payment for the sterilisation of and provision of long term contraception to women addicted to drugs and alcohol because of the long term negative effects on children born in these circumstances.

It appears that this discussion has arisen out of a recent BBC Radio 4 broadcast which you can listen to here (very compelling listening!)

So what do you think?

Is a $300 payout to an addict a fair offer? It seems that these women will be motivated by the money which Project Prevention offers them and make choices which, in their state of mind are not fully conscious. Listening to Barbara Harris, the founder of the organisation, I get the feeling that her heart is in the right place and that she is genuinely concerned about the welfare of unborn children of addicts as she is an adoptive parent of four children of a Los Angeles addict.

However, it has been argued that she appears to be playing God, deciding which sectors of society are 'good enough' or 'socially undesirable' (as quoted by Fergal Keane) individuals to produce children. The argument (and her critics) has even gone as to far to argue that she is an advocate of and supporter of the theory of Eugenics preaching Nazi ideals.

Too far?

What about the addicts?

The Wright stuff panel argued that perhaps the focus should also be on the addict mothers and their rehabilitation. They pointed out that while it may be honorable of Harris to think of unborn children and the medical and financial implications involved with caring for these babies, that the mothers ought not to be essentially 'baited' by $300 which they would probably use to fund their habit thus not tackling the issue from the origin. Harris said when questioned about the financial incentive,

"...We know the money is the bait... We know the money is what gets them. We know in most cases that they're probably going to spend the money on drugs but that's their choice. The babies don't have a choice."

The babies don't have a choice. She's right. Going with one of the central prinicples of the law involving children, the best interests of the child are of paramount importance when considering decisions which could have an effect on a child's life. Does this apply to unborn children?

Where does the funding come from?

As hinted at in the interview, some of this funding comes from individuals or extremist organisations who have a racist outlook on things and think that black people have a more relaxed view on contraception and child rearing. However, according to Harris, the views of the donors is not what the issue is and she will continue to accept donations from whoever provides it, as the overall purpose overrides the issue of where the money comes from. Is it not surprising then that she is accused, of being racist as accepting donations from racist or extremist organisations may be seen as condoning their views? As one half of a bi-racial couple, it could be said that she is not racist but she fails to recognise how the acceptance of certain donations could be viewed by the public.

An organisation called 'National Advocates for Pregnant Women'(NAPW) which works to protect the rights and dignity of pregnant women and those which are most vulnerable due to ethnic background, low income or drug abuse, contains commentary and testimonials on the Project Prevention ideas and one commentor and former addict said,

"... thank goodness I had not met Project Prevention founder Barbara Harris when I was in active addiction, because I may have taken her up on her offer and missed out on the beauty of having children."

(see further comments and information here )

I think that Project Prevention and its proposals sound like a reasonable idea(in some cases) but feel that more focus should be more on rehabilitation and therapy for these people as simply by not having children, will not work to resolve the drug addiction...

I find this so interesting and would be interested to hear what others have to say so feel free to comment!

CBC

xx

No man is an island

2010-02-10T22:49:00.002Z

Hello folks!

It's late and I've been thinking about posting all day so have finally succumbed and here we go! I've been feeling strangely lonely over the past few days and this evening in particular. I don't know if thats because I've been watching episodes of the Vampire Diaries back to back or what it is...I then had the strangest compulsion to speak to one of my brothers and make sure he was okay a few minutes ago. Hmm, I've been a bit funny today.

Today I managed to send a couple of applications for paralegal jobs and one volunteering position off so I feel like my being reclusive today has not been in vain.

What a load of drivel. I apologise. I am in the strangest mood. I'm neither psychic nor able to predict the future but I get the strangest feeling. I'm sure all will become clear in the coming days...

Till next entry,

CBC

xx

'The Catcher and the Fly'...

2010-02-07T22:16:00.003Z

...I can scarcely keep my mouth closed and my eyes open (my mouth being the catcher and the rest is self explanatory...no?) Thus forgive the inevitable drivel which may emerge from this post www. I wanted to post to acknowledge the death of JD Salinger over a week ago. His most famous work, 'The Catcher in the Rye' is not something I have read or at least I can't remember reading it but working in a bookshop, it is a book I am asked about so often, it feels wrong not to know the story. I am also very interested in reading and catching up with some of the classics I was NOT forced to read at school so I may just read it when I have dented my 'To Read' pile at home....

That said, referring to an earlier post I made about Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, (no stone is left unturned here) I have finally read the book, enjoying it thoroughly! I have laughed out loud on the London Underground at parts of the story (mostly the zombie invasion and sexual innuendo) though I'm not sure what Austen would have made of this adaptation! I bought the deluxe heirloom edition (and feel rather posh for doing so dahlingss) complete with paintings of vital scenes in the story. Nice!

So whilst the catcher is getting through those flies, I had better hit the hay, make hay while the sun shines, to be honest, it's not you it's me (to use as many cliches and overused phrases as I can in my tired state)

Good night!

CBC

xx

This is why the entity of 'celebrity' should be dissolved...

2010-02-05T12:54:00.003Z

A man visibly upset at the prospect of losing access his children is probed for public scrutiny (and sick delight) Makes me feel ill. I feel for the children.

CBC

Frustration...

2010-02-05T11:12:00.004Z

A week at home after losing my full time job (for a weekend one) and already feel like I'm losing my mind. I need a job so badly, if not just to get me out of the house away from a bad situation. I really can't take it anymore. The money of course, would be an added bonus...

Another quiet day...

CBC

xx

Lock up your daughters! Chain up your sons...

2010-02-04T14:45:00.003Z

Yes, this is my third post of the day but I am really in a posting mood today.

I just came across this story about a Chinese Father who chained his son to a lampost outside a shopping centre to prevent the child from being abducted. Far from being outraged, I actually think that looking past the crude means of restraint, this works for this poor family who is trying to earn a living AND whose four year old daughter had been abducted weeks prior. To Western eyes, this may seem like child cruelty but as child abduction is a big worry for the family, this is a solution. It was also reported that the family could not afford childcare. It is very easy for me in my 'so called' cushy life to point the accusing finger and question why the child was not left with relatives but we do not know the entire situation.

I think that the story was perfectly summed up by a commentor, Adrian Wright who added,

"Who should babysit for the poorest in the world?"

Sad but true.

The story and photograph are taken from: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article7014172.ece

Hey Diddle Diddle...a Castle and a Fidle(r)

2010-02-04T14:26:00.005Z

I am intrigued by a story I heard on (surprise surprise) the Wright Stuff. By the number of mentions I have given that show, Matthew, I'm sure you owe me some money in advertising by now! (I accept Paypal :D)

Anyway, I digress...

Robert Fidler, a farmer from Surrey, spent two years building what can only be described as a CASTLE hidden behind some straw bales (for what reason we can't be certain) has now been told that it is to be knocked down as he did not have planning permission of some sort to erect it in the first place. Take a look and read of the story here and you will see that this is no shabby mess we are talking about! So putting the matter of permission aside, would your opinion of the plight of the building change if it was an eyesore? I don't think it should be demolished but maybe Mr Fidler ought to be fined? Why spend precious money knocking it down and rendering a family homeless?

Hmm...

CBC

xx

Cakes and Mistakes

2010-02-04T13:09:00.005Z

Hello Readers!

I trust that you are all well, whatever part of the world you are in...

I'm having a quiet, stay-at-home day today where I don't plan on leaving the house and probably not my bedroom either. I feel a little withdrawn and unsociable today so I will be doing just that. I've just been pottering around my room, watching YouTube make-up tutorials and haven't done much job hunting for the day (yet). When I eventually snap out of it, I'll probably do a little cooking and tidying up and probably a little ironing too. I just don't feel in the mood for much today. Didn't have that great a night's sleep last night either...maybe it's because I couldn't get to sleep thinking about a certain someone/situation for some UKNOWN reason. And I don't mean my mother either...I really don't understand why.

LEO

Maybe it's because we exchanged friendly, catch up emails before Christmas about where we are with our lives, careers etc and then when, at the start of the New Year, I replied to the conversation thread (on good old FACEBOOK...grr) he deletes his account and disappears off the radar. Nice (one) I'm not saying that's the reason, but I guess it has been playing on my mind to some extent...

(Edit) And now, as I type this, I've got some random off the street person in the place where I live (I won't call it home), changing my more-than-capable father's DIRTY bed linen (while he sits and watches and plays helpless). Nice. (two)

I apologise if this is too much information www, I just had to get it off my chest.

But hey-ho! Everyone has their quiet days right? Oooo! I completely forgot that I had the new Alexander McCall Smith book to read so I will be visiting Mma Ramotswe in Botswana sometime today also! Very much looking forward to that.

Yesterday I had a second attempt at my marshmallow and choc-chip muffins and they came out great! I think the mistake I made on my last attempt was that I had overbaked the muffins, though still in- keeping with the suggested time in the recipe. What I had not considered was that I have a fan oven and sometimes cooking in this type of oven requires less time...So I halved the time and hey presto! Moist, yummy muffins...The reason I have been cooking a lot of sweet treats lately is because I've never been great at preparing desserts or cakes in the past and always would prepare savoury things. However, on realising how easy and cheap cakes and sweet things are to make, I've become hooked. Also, at the bookshop, to raise some money for charity, we are planning to have a 'Cake Day' where one person bakes cakes or some other sweet treat and we have to give a donation before getting our greedy mitts on the goods! If it happens once a week or month, by the end of 2010, not only will be have raised some good money for charity but I'll also be the size of a small horse...all for charity's sake!

So I'm feeling considerably better now at the end of this post than I did at the beginning and I'm going to go to a few job searches and apps (ignoring the banging around going on in the next room) and then start seasoning and marinating my chicken wings for the roasting they're going to have this afternoon!

Till next entry,

Stay on the RIGHT side of the law (and off Solicitors from Hell !)

CBC

xx

13 Year Old Rapists? Whatever next?

2010-02-01T19:42:00.003Z

I know that this is a relatively new story which I originally heard from the newspaper round-up section on the Wright Stuff. I haven't posted much legal content recently and this story really interested me so I felt the need to comment. If you haven't read or heard the story you can find a report here. In summary, a 13 year old boy was convicted of raping a 20 year old female and was sentenced to only 3 years because of restrictions related to his age and the fact that he apologised.

Sorry?! 13?

I do understand that minors under a certain age are subject to different sentencing guidelines that adult offenders but 3 years seems a little inadequate. According to the article, "By law, anyone under 18 years old faces a lesser sentence for rape than an adult, and for those aged 14 or under the term is reduced further..."

I do not have the guidelines to hand but I would hope that this would be proportionate according to the severity of the act because as one of the commentors on the article suggested, Khan is potentially 'one of the rapists of the future' and if he is capable of such a disgusting act at his tender age then the thought of what he would be capable of as an adult is frightening. It also seems ridiculous merely to reduce a sentence fitting a crime committed simply because the offender comes below a certain age bracket. I fail to see how 3 years will be sufficient to make Khan see '...the error of his ways'.

However, the judge in this case, Judge Glenn has removed a restriction on the publication of Khan's name because of the severity of the offences committed. He said,

" In this case I believe there is a legitimate public interest in naming this offender. It may prove to be a deterrent to others."

Oh right. Am I the only one that thinks that the fact that Khan is only 13 is a sad reflection of the changing nature of the values of the youth of this society for the worst? I don't know how simply 'naiming and shaming' will act as a deterrent for others.

Sorry doesn't seem to be the hardest word...

What do YOU think?

CBC

xx

Soundtrack to this post(Song I was listening whilst I was writing...the lyrics coincidentally, are unfortunate in relation to the subject matter): 'Cloud of Stink' by Biffy Clyro

Quoted from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1246195/Boy-13-raped-woman-friends-jailed-just-years.html

"It was the most mournful pee I've ever had in my life..."

2010-01-30T21:09:00.005Z

I'm watching Russell Brand's Ponderland on love and this fabulous title comes from a woman describing meeting the love of her life...you couldn't make it up.

I went to the Japan Centre again last week and to my delight, there are now TWO different stores: one for food and another for literature and culture. I was low on sushi ingredients and so went to stock up on rice, seasonings, wasabi and soy sauce. However, something shiny and sharp caught my attention. A thing of beauty. A Japanese knife! Now to some that might seem a little scary. I haven't suddenly turned homicidal. It's just that after a while of roughly cut sushi, having neat edges seems like a dream!

*sigh*

Additionally, I seem to be cooking a lot more in recent weeks. Like for example, a lovely friend at work made some chocolate fudge and shared this (a whole SKIP-LOAD) with me. After SERIOUSLY gorgeing on the fudge, I nabbed the recipe and last night, attempted to make some. For a first attempt, it didn't half turn out bad www! So I spent my Friday evening making fudge. In my pyjamas...I fear I may have aged 20 years for 2010! Good grief!

I must say I am embracing the "F**k it" philosophy this year. Eff it need not mean that things which need to be taken seriously aren't. It just means that insignificant things in relation to the 'grand scheme' aren't turned into bigger things than they need to be. Also moaning about any and every thing which are not in one's control will not be happening in CBCs world this year. (I will endeavour not to www...) So saying that, I must have a problem but I just do not get the current obsession of some of my peers with the opposite sex, dating etc. Now of course a lot of this blog has been about my romantic feelings towards certain people, unrequited feelings and just men in general. I do look after the 'Popular Psychology' section in the bookshop and also read a lot of relationship books out of interest. However, I am a bit annoyed with some people who can barely walk a few feet down a street without assessing which men in the vicinity are attractive, interested in them and with whom they see potential. Forgive me for not giving a flying fuck! Sheesh...

So enough of the ranting tonight, I am off looking for jobbies and keeping optimistic despite feeling utterly shafted by the bookshop. Tut...onwards and UPwards

CBC

xx

Tonight...

2010-01-23T21:38:00.002Z

...tomato soup was just enough.

Happy 2010 Readers!

2010-01-22T22:12:00.004Z

Hello www. I realise that I'm about 22 days late but better late than never... right? No? Ahh well, I'm just a bad person aren't I?

I'd just like to say thank you to all readers for your comments in the duration of this blog. I haven't given up on the blog and neither have I given up on law. I have merely taken some time away to deal with more pressing matters which I may have mentioned on my previous post. Now, for 2010, I am still searching for a training contract or some form of work experience but I have some new goals:

New job
New house
Save Save Save
More writing(!)

I've been sending applications when I can though I'm finding it tiring working the erratic shifts I am doing at the bookshop (which I am still loving!) Actually, as I mention the bookshop, I am currently reading 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies'. I've been reading it for what seems like an age now but my justification is that I'm savouring every moment of the zombie invasions and culling! LOVE!! *in sing-song mock operatic voice*

Today I had a day off from work so I spent some of the day trudging around in the rain buying ingredients for my chocolate chip marshmallow muffins! They turned out better than I expected though I may have cooked them a little too long as the marshmallows seem to have all melted! Och...at least that will save me money on Tesco/ M&S lunches.

"But CBC, " you say, "...whatever happened to Leo? Mr Literary?"

Dear readers, I am currently disinterested in men, relationships, dating at the minute. Maybe I should leave that subject there for the time being!

I probably should go for now as I don't feel like I'm making much sense. Goodnight for now till next entry

CBC

xx

Blogging again...

2009-12-23T23:26:00.002Z

Hello blogwatchers...if there are any left at this time! It has been some weeks, months even, since I have blogged. So much upheaval and rubbish has happened, making it almost impossible to be able to concentrate on anything other than getting through each day. To spare you the details (as even I am bored of them now) I am alive and well, have FINALLY passed my LPC (though I have yet to receive my certificate), have no training contract yet but am getting back onto the applications bandwagon after a much needed mental break. I still work at the lovely bookshop where I have been working for well over a year.

I bought 'The Female Eunuch' today...and on an aside I saw Mr.John Bolch's Guide to Divorce in store today! I could barely contain my excitement as I handed it over to a colleague for a customer! Go Mr Bolch...

So dear readers, as this is a short post I will not continue my ramblings much longer, except to say Happy Christmas, and I trust that you all are well...

'Normal' blog services will resume shortly...

Much love,

CBC

Baby P 'PETA Posters'

2009-10-13T12:11:00.003+01:00

Is this too far?

I was watching The Wright Stuff as per usual this morning and this topic of conversation came up. Animal rights charity, PETA has created a billboard featuring Baby P's killer with the line 'People who are violent towards animals rarely stop there'.

I'm not sure how appropriate this is, particulary since the billboard is to be put up in Haringey, the neighbourhood where Baby P was killed. I can see how the campaign will be effective and has added 'shock value' as it is real rather than being staged. BUT, as one of the callers on the Wright Stuff said, the billboard will only serve to remind the members of the community about the incident and it will almost be like a sort of 'guilt trip' since citizens supposedly should have spotted that there was something wrong.

In my opinion, it's not a bad idea or campaign as in some cases it has been proven that there is a link between animal abuse during childhood and later going on to offend. However, is it right to suggest that children who are cruel towards their pets or other animals will grow up to become murderers?

Read the story here and decide what YOU think

CBC

A new look

2009-10-11T21:29:00.003+01:00

For a while now, my posts have been becoming less and less frequent as I have been elsewhere...in my head. BUT, a very talented colleague has given this blog a new look (goodbye multi-coloured roses...*sniff*) which is making me feel more inspired to post a little more often.

With 'Doc Martin' in the background on the television, I'm sitting at my desk winding down after a long and emotional day at work. I just had to post to test the new- look blog! Sad? Maybe.

Still no LPC results which is making for very nervous pacing and nail biting to the extent that I have been looking at Mc Donalds in a new light; that can't be good. However, this is only a short post as I am working overtime tomorrow at the bookshop. I just felt that I needed to comment on the death of another celebrity: Stephen Gately.

Rest in peace Stephen...

Till next entry, stay smiling and on the RIGHT side of the law!

CBC

xx

p.s. Get well soon Mr Brown!

Currently reading:
The Makioka Sisters by Junichiro Tanizaki
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

The Importance of Reading...

2009-09-30T13:37:00.004+01:00

A little incident occurred yesterday which only reinforced how important reading is to me and my own life. Of course, this is not the case with everybody. Some customers who come into the bookshop often sniff at the fact that some people read for fun. "I'm only here because X person wanted this book but I NEVER read myself...Who has time for reading when one can get off one's teets on bacardi breezers".

Okay, so I made that last bit up but the former is true. Often customers are proud of the fact that they don't read anything but the television schedule off their Sky teleboxes.

"What was the last book you read?" said I, trying to find a suitable book.
Snorts. "ME? I am too busy to read." say they.

Of course some people are busy and don't have time to sit around reading books all day but there is time to read if you really WANT to. This explains the hundreds or thousands of people who use public transport on a daily basis and often read during these journeys. Read before bed. Read during one's lunch break. Read on the sunlounger whilst roasting oneself on a beach in Ibiza (or any similarly original holiday destination)

Then there are people who cannot read. I understand that. It is sad and unfortunate but it happens. There is help out there and I wish I could help people who can't read to do so as it must feel lonely and isolated. So I appreciate not everyone can read.

Finally, I appreciate not everyone has an interest in reading. I work in a bookshop because I read...a lot. I do not read solely because I work in a bookshop. My place of work further feeds my need for new writing, information etc...

Now for the incident....

Yesterday, I was doing a bit of shopping as I needed things like envelopes and ink for my printer as I am doing job applications. On the way home, there are road works being carried out between two bus stops meaning that a two way street is now only one way (with on coming traffic being stopped to allow traffic going the other way to pass and vice versa) The two bus stops affected are clearly marked with fluorescent signs, emblazoned with the words,

BUS STOP NOT IN USE

So, aside from the fact that a person may not have seen the sign (for whatever reason), the fact that buses were driving past the stop and stopping elsewhere, was this not an indication enough that the stop was closed? Clearly not. There were people waiting at the stop for a long time, shouting and walking out into the road to try to coax the drivers to allow them to board. Passers-by going to the next stop told these people that the stop was closed and that they should start walking to the next stop. They refused. It's so unfair. Why should they have to walk to the next stop. The buses should be throwing their doors open wherever we please.

This situation escalated to the extent that the police were called. All because some people could not be bothered to read the sodding sign!

I shouldn't have been so annoyed but it was such a perfect example of people not bothering to read and then trying to lay the blame elsewhere.

A similar 'row' ensued when a customer in the bookshop brought two books to the till to buy. I put them through the till and they weren't happy at the prices of the books which were clearly stickered on the backs of the books. They had supposedly seen a shelf talker telling them of a discount on the books. Fair enough. I told them that I'd go to the shelf myself to check. Checked...no such discount. Customer then decided to get irate with me and told me to look again because they were sure I was trying to charge them more than they needed to pay. They then offered to show me because I (was stupid, uneducated and obviously grew up in a jungle with no food...this was not said so I am jumping to conclusions) obviously couldn't read. They made it up. But still wanted to be wrong and strong.

READ!!! If unsure, ASK. Don't ASSUME!

I'll stop now as this is developing into a mega rant but I wish more people would live by this philosophy...

Till next, calmer entry

CBC

xx

So...

2009-09-27T21:15:00.002+01:00

It's been a while since my last post, and not because I was doing anything particularly exciting or forgot about blogging, I have just been in a funny place lately...couldn't really be summed up in words.

Last week, I spent the majority of the week with my brother in Kent, which was a really good way to clear my head and thoughts a little. For this week, I really want to get stuck into applications and doing a bit of serious clearing out of my room and writing...

We'll see how that goes.

I hope that you are all well blog-watchers...

Till next entry,

CBC

xx

p.s. as much as I appreciate my neighbours living in the same house as me, listening to them singing along with the same song night after night (after dark) is just...plain...strange. Why are they doing it?!

Still, it's not as bad as the previous neighbours who I could hear having 'relations' in vivid detail in the upstairs flat...and to a particular song which I can no longer listen to without feeling uncomfortable.

*shudder*

A Saturday Evening 'Quickie'

2009-09-12T22:32:00.004+01:00

So, it's late and I am absolutely shattered. What an interesting day. I have been excited for a while to learn that Levi Roots was coming to the bookshop to sign copies of his new book. He did not disappoint. I guess I was a little disappointed that his publicist seemed to de-personalise the experience by constantly being at his side. Then again, it was her job so I cannot fault her for doing it... was just glad to have been able to assist in setting up for the 'event'. And hey, at least I got my book signed (by giving it to a smiley person in the queue with my name on a post-it for her to present to Levi for him to sign)

*sigh*

Past disappointment. Am over it already. I just wanted to do a quick post on some of my adventures of the last week...as in during the week.

On Wednesday 9th Sept, I took a trip down to Piccadilly Circus and to the Japan Centre. I was extremely excited and nervous for some reason. I was afraid that I'd feel a little out of place and that everything would be in Japanese. D'oh! It was not as I expected.

I first browsed the ground floor which consisted of food and homewares. There I was able to get my sushi supplies like Seaweed Sheets, Rice, Wasabi and Rice Vinegar/ Seasoning for Sushi. I also bought some Jasmine tea bags, a bamboo mat for rolling the sushi and a tea cup. I did consider purchasing a good Japanese knife as there were really good ones there for about £6.99 but decided against it for that day and planned to buy it on another trip I would make there.

I then browsed on the basement floor which was the book section, filled with Magazines, Books and Japanese artefacts for sale. There was even a pair of 'geisha slippers' made of wood, for sale (sorry, I forgot the special name given to this type of shoe). I wanted a sushi book to give me some more ideas and inspiration for fillings, techniques and different types of sushi. (I will edit this post to include photos and links another day when I have photographed things!) I found one...I also wanted a good beginners Japanese book in addition to the one I already have and I found the staff to be very helpful and friendly and I eventually settled on a Textbook/CD combo called 'Japanese for Busy People' and is a romanised version so that the Japanese words are written phonetically to aid pronunciation. Fantastic! This will keep me occupied as I no longer have any studying to do (in the near future!)

SO I'm definately going to go back pretty soon...well when I can afford to!

I then walked from Piccadilly Circus to Leicester Square Tube Station and to a second hand bookshop on Charing Cross Road where I remembered purchasing a second hand 1800 book for Leo's birthday nearly 2 years ago.

(Such a big deal was made of this book at the time; I merely thought it was pretty and that it would be well received...which it was. It was an interesting find. However, as I hadn't really been "dating" Leo for long, this present was supposedly too thoughtful and an indication of my undying love and devotion to him forever...

*rolls eyes*

G.O.Y.** It only cost me £6! Pah!)

I love the antiquarian bookshops there and love a good bargain so ended up buying two books for £4, both of which are related to African History/ Slavery. Very interesting reading and I'll ALSO be going back there pretty soon to browse for a bit longer (by this point, the sushi rice was weighing me down a bit and it was BOILING hot on the underground)

On the walk from Piccadilly Circus to Leicester Square, I came across NUMEROUS Croatian football fans in their shirts all singing and chanting and generally looking very excited about what I now learn is the England-Croatia match which took place on that day! At the time I can remember being a little worried about the chanting and wondering what the crowds were protesting about!

All in all it was a good day and I think I will be taking a little walk and browse there after payday, which is next week!

SO that is all dear readers, I felt compelled to write this down, just in case I forgot because I really had an enjoyable day that day and made up some avocado, cucumber and red pepper sushi rolls that very evening...yumm!

Surprisingly, despite the fact that this is a long-ish post, it did not take me very long to write but I shall stop for now as I am growing increasingly weary and I have to wake up early for work in the morning...

Good Night all!

CBC

xx

** G.O.Y. = GET OVER YOURSELF!!
(It wasn't my fault that I was a good present buyer...)

Spotted Richard?

2009-09-09T10:09:00.004+01:00

Inspired by the Wright Stuff, one of my sources of early morning post inspiration, I am a little surprised to hear that the name of the famous 'Spotted Dick' dessert/pudding has been changed to 'Spotted Richard' to spare the blushes of waiting staff in the canteen of Flintshire County Council, North Wales.

A spokesman said,

"This was not a policy decision. Canteen staff simply acted as they thought best to put an end to unwelcome and childish comments - albeit from a very small number of customers."

Yawn! Grin and bear it...how old are they? 12? I understand that this may have made some more reserved conservative members of staff feel uncomfortable but then again why not see the funny side? Seems PC and prudishness are going absolutely bonkers!

Take a joke...albeit a slightly rude one! Have these people never watched a 'Carry On' film?

You can read the story here

CBC

xx

The fat lady has begun her sweet song...

2009-09-08T19:25:00.005+01:00

So today was my Professional Conduct Exam blogwatchers. 1 and a half hours of sheer brain busting Conduct and Financial Services related trivia. I'm glad it's over now. I know it is probably minor in the grand scheme of LPC things but it's the one exam in which things could either be hit or miss. So that's that...the examinations are over BUT the game is only just beginning. Now it's just a question of waiting for the results.

However, a most ironic thing occurred after said exam. I was having a 'thank goodness that exam is over' catch up drink with my old pal from university and after drinks on the way to the Tube station, my friend was having a quick cigarette and absent-mindedly dropped her butt on the ground.

*Cue jaws music *

Just her luck...the enviro squad and police were standing behind us and landed her with an on-the-spot fine of £50! Eeek! Poor thing...that's going to hurt her in the pocket department. The crazy thing is that she had been smoking earlier on in the day and had done the same thing but there was no one there to bust her. Damn and blast!

As law students and potential lawyers, we really really should know better!

Stay out of trouble kids...

CBC

xx

My first love...

2009-09-02T11:44:00.006+01:00

Just a selection of my books, not including any law textbooks, that are on my bookshelf! They're such great company, they never criticise or answer back...perfect companions really. The books are a mixture of presents I have been given, new purchases, proof (or ARCs according to a work colleague)/ damaged copies from work and library purchases for a few pence...

Happy reading!

CBC

p.s. Guess how much I love to read!

The 'Write' Stuff

2009-08-27T12:57:00.004+01:00

For most of the morning, I have been distracted with thoughts (and searches for) of employment and in particular, that of writing as a career (or at least a supplementary one). Anyone who knows me in the flesh has probably had the extreme pleasure of hearing me harp on and on about wanting to 'write things' and getting really excited about it. After my final (one hopes) exam on the 8th of September, I will be taking the employment search to the enthusiastic stage, whereby I will be dressing in my semi-best and knocking on doors. I vow to be the most enthusiastic temporary coffee and tea maker, envelope stuffer and photocopier there is...

In addition to the above, I am going to seriously consider freelance writing, if only to find out if I really am cut out for it. Ever.

Onto the books...

CBC

p.s. As much as I think babies and children are sweet in appearance, watching Supernanny and Nanny 911 chill me to the bone.

Kids books to have happy endings?

2009-08-26T10:29:00.003+01:00

I am watching the Wright Stuff this morning (as per usual) and am awaiting the next talking point which is about the fact that children's books should have happier endings. As a bookseller, this is of particular interest to me. According to former children's laureate, Anne Fine, modern books are too "bleak". I suppose that would be true if all children's books were like that but not all children are interested in fairies and bubbles and sunshine. I have had a few requests from little boys (at the bookshop) for war stories and action stories. This would suggest that there is in fact a market for this type of thing. Even the Harry Potter stories which are fantasy have an element of death, evil and suspense BUT on balance, a strong sense of friendship and morals. I just think whilst this is a valid opinion when you consider the numbers of books which feature "bleak" themes such as murder, suicide and violence, there is a danger of 'mollycoddling' or shielding children from the harsh reality that is life if you take these away. Obviously, these books are not being forced on the children and they are becoming interested and choosing to read these books. Even the classics aren't all that tame!

*Nannying alert*

I have to agree to an extent though, and say that I have been slightly alarmed by some of the newer titles coming onto to the market, but I would have to consider the individual child and judge whether I thought that they would be affected by what they read. If all children's books had happy endings, there would be a great disappointment to these children when they got old enough and realised that they'd been somewhat brainwashed and that bad things DO happen in the world.

You can read the article here...

CBC

xx

Text messages as evidence in French divorce

2009-08-25T22:01:00.006+01:00

I'm watching 'Caribbean Food Made Easy' on catch up television and just reminiscing about good times/childhood in the Caribbean. Jerk up that chicken Mr Roots!

I also am reading yesterday evening's Evening Standard (which I was too tired to read on the train last night) and came across a very interesting little snippet on page 20. The article was entitled, ' Le text d'amour...messages of love that prove adultery'. It follows a ruling by the Supreme Court that text messages can now be used as evidence in a divorce in France. The article went on to say that the ruling would mean that it is easier for people to get a divorce as French people often had to wait for extended periods of time if they could not prove that their spouses were mistreating them. I don't profess to know anything about French law but this ruling sounds like it will be both a positive and both a negative. Negative in the sense that drunken, incoherent texts often float around and if the basis for a divorce is on these messages, then we all need to be on our best behaviour and not drink and text (as many of us, not mentioning any names, have done after a 'good' night out).

The article also stated that emails are also accepted as evidence in trials. It really didn't clarify whether this was just in France but if anyone who practices Family Law knows whether texts and emails are accepted as evidence in England and Wales, I'd love to hear about it.

Interestingly enough, the article ended with the following,

"The decision overturned a 2007 ruling by a Lyon court, which had declared that using phone exchanges in court was a breach of privacy."

As if airing your marital laundry in court wasn't breach of your ex partner's privacy enough. (sorry if that made NO grammatical sense whatsoever)

Obviously, I haven't been married (yet?) so will never really be able to fully understand what divorce must be like. Heck, I've never even been in love...and I digress...

Night all!

CBC

xx

Green Parrots/ Parakeets in London?

2009-08-25T12:38:00.003+01:00

Hello blog watchers,

This is probably old news because I may have tweeted about this a few days ago but I have only just uploaded the photos onto my laptop. Here are the photos of the green parakeets which I saw in the tree behind my West London 'home'. I had no idea that they are supposedly now 'native' to England and have been breeding since an apparent escape from captivity, decades ago. You can read about the Green Parakeets as reported on the BBC News site in 2004.

Truth really is stranger than fiction! There were about 30 of them in that tree and by the time I managed to grab my camera, rush to the window and pap them, the battery ran out! The last photo is probably the clearest I could get from where I was.

Hmm...

Make the most of the good weather bloggers and readers!

CBC

Returning to the Code of Conduct

2009-08-20T11:18:00.003+01:00

Yes dear blogwatchers,

I am going to have to get my head down and get studying for Professional Conduct, the exam which is on the 8th of September! More updates will be coming soon. I really have to get it right this time...

CBC

New Moon

2009-08-20T10:44:00.005+01:00

I felt that I needed to comment on the Twilight Saga, which is currently taking the world by storm. Teenagers and adults alike flock to the bookshop daily carrying armfuls of the stuff, manic grins on their faces. I must admit that I too enjoyed the first instalment, Twilight, and read it in one sitting (give or take a few pages). However, on reading New Moon, which I still haven't read COMPLETELY, I was left feeling disappointed and uninspired. BUT, I do quite like Jacob.

The Twilight film, I did not enjoy. I didn't feel it lived up to the book. It may have been because when reading the book, I was able to imagine things that were not quite portrayed in the film. It may have also been because I watched it with my niece so wasn't really paying attention to it. The New Moon trailer though, looks AMAZING. So I will be watching that and hopefully it will inspire me to read the rest of the books...

CBC

p.s.You can watch the trailer below...if you desire. Keep an eye out for hunky Jacob!

The Twilight Saga - New Moon

p.p.s. I'm 23! *groan*

I think I'm turning Japanese...

2009-08-18T14:09:00.007+01:00

For a while now, I have had an undescribable fascination with Japan, it's culture and people. I think it's because it's so different from my own Caribbean background. I'm sure I've posted about this before, but as I'm sat listening to my Japan CD, Japanese fiction in hand and my cupboard stocked with sushi rice and sushi nori seaweed sheets, I think it's about time that I come to terms with it.

I'm not sure where this stems from to be perfectly honest. I can't remember whether this started after I first tried sushi whilst at university or when I first read/watched 'Memoirs of a Geisha' by Golden. Whereever it started, it has further deepened since I began working at the bookshop, just over a year ago. I then began to have access to Japanese fiction and crime, which quickly worked to appease my thirst for knowledge about the culture, so far away from my own.

One of my dreams, amongst many, is to visit Japan and learn about the Geisha tradition and learn more about the food too. First, I'm going to have to get to grips with the language which has taken a bit of a back seat recently...meaning I am back to square one in terms of anything I may have learnt. Still, I can count to ten!

Ichi. Ni . San. Shi. Go. Roku. Shichi. Hachi. Kyuu. Juu.

I was going to post a video of the well-known song which inspired the title of this post but on realising the hidden meaning, I think I will refrain from it...

Currently though, I am reading Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto and although it is a very short story, I haven't read enough of it to be able to comment on the book in enough detail. Needless to say, I am already enjoying it as it is the closest thing I will get to Japanese life at the moment! I should be reviewing it when I am done...which shouldn't be long now. It must be said: I love the fact that her name is Banana!

Everyone has something that they're 'into'. Find yours and get passionate about it!

CBC

x

Currently, I am listening to a song that sounds like a combination of Zouk, Soca, Pop and with Latin elements called 'Koza Renka' and is sung by Takashi Hirayasu. Love it! T'is a pity I'm not able to find an audio clip of it online.

On getting older

2009-08-18T09:58:00.002+01:00

Tomorrow, I shall turn 23. Hip Hip Hooray, Whoop-di-doo...Birthdays are overrated anyway. I used to get excited by birthdays when I was younger, when presents and singing really mattered. Now, getting older fills me with a mixture of dread and excitement of what is to come.

So, we'll see what the new year will bring...preferably a job!

CBC

xx

A 'Good' Shake

2009-08-14T16:47:00.005+01:00

I can't remember where I read this. It may have been in one of my favourite books, Little Women. I don't believe in corporal punishment (per se) but reading about someone administering a 'good shake' to a defiant child (and please don't think I'm condoning this especially with the controversies surrounding 'shaken baby syndrome') made me think about this. I'm using it as a substitute for the proverbial 'kick up the backside' and not to mean abuse.

I believe that sometimes everyone needs a 'kick up the backside' or a good firm shake by the shoulders. A wake up and smell the coffee kick. A 'get a grip' kick. A 'chin up' Scottie kick. A reality-check kick.

Recently, I've gotten these hypothetical 'kicks' when I check my bank balance or look at the BIG picture in relation to my life. One way or another though, we all get them. It keeps us grounded and makes us stronger.

Think that's enough philosophy for one day. I'm planning on macaroni and cheese and peri-peri wings for dinner so I'm going to roll my sleeves up and get cooking!

Om nom nom

CBC

xx

p.s. Bend over!

I don't BELIEVE it...

2009-08-13T15:56:00.004+01:00

...'Victor Meldrew' style. A MILLIONAIRE MP, Alan Duncan has the cheek to complain that he feels that MPs are "treated like shit" and are "forced to live on rations". At a time of financial hardship for a lot of people, this is hardly an appropriate comment to be making. Is it?

If he feels that his wealth isn't up to par (or his job not fulfilling its expectations), he is more than welcome to send some of it my way to pay off some of my tens of thousands of pounds of student debt. Not all of us have rich mummies and daddies or parents who care enough about their education to provide for us.

Cheeky so and so.

I don't believe it!

CBC

xx

p.s. AND exhale...

(Read the story here)

A tragic story set in Trinidad

2009-08-12T12:45:00.002+01:00

Currently, I am reading The White Woman on the Green Bicycle a fabulously written story, set in Trinidad and with the dialogues (of the Trinidadians) written phonetically to represent the dialects of the island. When a British couple move to Trinidad in the 1950's, the husband, George Harwood immediately takes to the island life, whereas his wife Sabine initially struggles with the racial segregation and isolation. It is not until she accidentally stumbles upon a political gathering in which the future Prime Minister of Trinidad, Eric Williams, is delivering a speech, that she finds island life is becoming bearable. Over the decades, she writes him hundreds of letters in which she tells him about her hopes, fears and dissatisfaction with her marriage and life. She never sends the letters. They are her outlet. However, when her husband discovers her secret stash of letters, their lives take a turn which ends in tragedy.

One of the main things I liked about the book was the way in which the action over the decades, which started in 1956 and continued to present day, was split up and its order not chronological. This meant that you found out the tragic end nearer the beginning but were left wondering about the back story of the couple and their time in Trinidad, which made the book compelling reading.

I am currently on page 379 of 437 and although I don't want the story to end, I can't wait to continue reading!!

Homesick

2009-08-12T11:05:00.006+01:00

I'm missing the Caribbean sunshine and my family.

*sigh*

One day CBC shall return!!

xx

**EDIT**

I haven't posted as much as I'd have liked recently because I'm feeling increasingly homesick. Missing St. Lucia and the way and pace of life over there. In short, I need a SODDING holiday!!

I hate wallowing and feeling sorry for myself. (I do annoyingly have the occasional lapse) Maybe this is my problem...not wanting to talk about my problems. My REAL problems and feelings. This is MY coping mechanism. It's not shutting anyone out. It's just that in my opinion, my problems are just that; my own and no one else's. There are times where I'll moan to my nearest and dearest, (or even on this blog) seeking reassurance and comfort. The majority of the time, I put on a 'brave face' and get on with it.

Am I unique? No. Everyone has their problems and different means of dealing with them which I respect.

I am not afraid or too proud to ask for help or to admit when I'm feeling a little down but I'll make no apologies for occasionally keeping 'schtum'.

It's no secret that I've been trying for some time to secure a legal job for some time with little success. It's no secret that I'm not particularly thrilled at this fact and that it gets me down from time to time. But it's something I have worked very hard for thus far and am not about to give it up. Obviously, I AM being realistic. I knew it was never going to be easy and that I was never going to jump straight into a £100k a year trainee role out of uni. BUT, I know MY capabilities and strengths and am tailoring my applications to suit.

I am just slightly frustrated (understatement of the year) at the whole process which I know a lot of graduates and prospective lawyers are also feeling...

The big question is whether it really WILL be worth the hassle in the end...

Leniency of judges

2009-08-10T13:42:00.005+01:00

I don't think it will come as a surprise that there are those rulings which you look back on and ask yourself what the judge was thinking. However having 10 sentences increased on appeal for leniency is a little negligent don't you think? I thought there were sentencing guidelines in place to deal with this very thing. Understandably, the guidelines are just that; guidelines. But despite the fact that the differences in circumstances between each matter must be taken into consideration, they are there for a reason.

One judge, Crowther, "... handed a community rehabilitation order to a defendant convicted of gross indecency with a child. This was increased to 18 months in prison."

Rehabilitation order for gross indecency? Where is the deterrent? Or the punishment?

Though reading further, it seems that the JCO are trying to protect the decisions of the judges by saying,

"... sentences could be increased for several reasons and overturning the original decision did not necessarily reflect badly on a judge’s performance."

Fair enough. There IS truth in the statement...

Hmm

CBC

xx

Read the story here

On an aside...is it sod's law that the title of "most lenient judge" goes to a woman?

Double murder in Ipswich

2009-08-10T13:30:00.002+01:00

A 15 year old girl and her 41 year old boyfriend (...yes 41) were arrested on suspicion of murder where two dead bodies were found in Ipswich. Very interesting to see what comes of this story and how it develops (if it does) and eventually goes to some form of trial. Early days I suppose.

Read the story here

CBC

xx

Catching the 'Golden Snitch' that is pupillage...

2009-08-03T11:00:00.003+01:00

After reading Minx's post on her pupillage application woes, I have been left with a bitter taste in my mouth. How does a woman as qualified in many ways as this not have pupillage? It gives me the beginnings of an inferiority complex about my own application situation. I know only too well how competitive the profession is, even more so in the case of BVC students seeking pupillage. Though, I too went to the wrong university, didn't get the best A-Level grades and don't have a fraction of the experience or qualifications as Minx...

I think the recruiters need to pull their socks up Minx!

CBC

xx

p.s. It seems only wizardry to Potter standard can capture that Snitch!

Are beggars entitled to be 'choosers'?

2009-07-30T18:28:00.003+01:00

I am hungry. I have just spent the best part of 3 hours completing applications to meet tomorrow's deadline. I'm going to make this a quick post. Today, after visiting my GP and deciding that my new fridge looked too empty, I decided to do a little food shopping in my local area. While at the ATM, a little boy of about 6 or 7 approached me muttering something incomprehensible or so it seemed as I had my headphones on. I quickly retrieved my money from the machine and removed my headphones and asked him what he wanted.

He was begging.

I had an unopened can of Pringles in my bag, so I took this out and gave it to the boy. He thanked me and left. Seconds later, he returned with a lady now asking me for money. It was obvious that I HAD cash on my person as I was approached while I was withdrawing money. I told the lady that I had given the little boy a snack and that I had no change. They surrounded me holding out their hands, she pointing to her pregnant stomach.

They knew I was a soft touch.

I told them I'd purchase some food for them to eat if that was what they wanted.

"Bless you." She said, rubbing my upper arm and clasping her hands.

They then followed me across the road to a local bakery. I asked the lady what she wanted to eat. She said Mc Donalds. Mc Donalds was another 10-15 minute walk away and I had things to do. I replied that I would be buying something from the bakery. She wanted me to get change for her. I walked into the bakery and bought some pastries for them to eat. I took £3 out of the change I had and walked back out, handing this to the lady. She looked into her hand and looked back at me saying,

"What is this?" (Looking into her hand and then the bag)
"I want £3-£5 to buy food...this isn't enough..." (or words to this effect)
"These are cheese and onion pasties." I said. "Nice and hot."

I told her that I was sorry and that I am unemployed and this was all I could spare, especially as I had just bought them something to eat as well as given them change. While all this was going on, the little boy was circling me and pulling at my clothes saying, "Please, Please"

I firmly replied that this was all I could spare and walked away. They proceeded to follow me, still chanting, "Please Please". I again, firmly said,

"Please. I have given you what I can spare. I need some money to buy food for myself."

I walked away.

Later, I thought about this experience and how disgusted the lady was at the fact that I had ONLY given her £3 as well as bought food for her and her son AND given him a snack. I couldn't believe that she'd had the audacity to say that what I had given her was not enough, especially as the shoes I was wearing had holes in them and I had NO food in my fridge at home.

I understand that things are hard for everyone, but refuse to be made to feel bad because I could only spare £3...

I am hungry.

CBC

xx

Realisations

2009-07-30T00:18:00.003+01:00

It's late and after updating Dite Kako and watching another riveting instalment from the Big Brother house, I now understand why I am drawn to Halfwit. He reminds me of Mr Literary...in many ways. Bah!!

I'm off to bed!

CBC

x

On Ladydresses

2009-07-29T11:14:00.002+01:00

Title inspired by the lovely Jennie!

Good morning bloggers! I feel in a funny mood today. I'm not sure how to describe it. I guess it could be attributed partly to waking up early and feeling full of beans. OR, it could be that my mind is a-swimming with thoughts of the future. Hmm.

At the moment, I'm filled with desire for the new Gap A/W09 collection which I have seen advertised in Grazia AND I'd love to get a new pair of shoes...preferably Converse or Rocketdog (as my faithful Rocketdog of three years is practically falling apart but I refuse to throw it away!) I'd just love to go on a mini shopping excursion after I've had a good wadrobe clearance and gone to the charity shop!

I probably should not become complacent with this Conduct exam and start studying soon. As soon as I get the date for the exam that is!

I have a job application deadline in 2 days so I had better get form filling and such.

Toodle Pip!

CBC

xx

Tuesday musings

2009-07-28T10:16:00.003+01:00

Hello dear readers,

well I have not posted in about a week because I have been busy doing overtime at the bookshop and sulking in a corner about my LPC results. I think I'm entitled a bit of a sulk and now the moment has passed, I am semi-fine. I had one exam result outstanding: my Conduct exam. Not exactly rocket science but as you probably would have seen from an earlier post, things didn't go well on the day. I wasn't expecting to pass with flying colours but to fail by 5 marks has really IRKED me. I'm already a YEAR late so what's a few more months I guess. UGH...

Last Thursday, I went to see Bruno at the Cineworld in Trocadero with my sister-friend who I've known since uni (but feels like forever). The film is funny in parts but its disgusting elements outweigh the comedy for me. I much preferred Borat as it was new and different. Bruno seemed very much similar in plot and structure. Disgraced foreign TV personality seeks new life in America, accompanied by trusty sidekick who he later falls out with AND is reunited with. Nonetheless, it was nice to catch up with T and have a laugh. She is also an LPC student and just got awarded a Distinction! Woot!

Later in the day, I went to S's Birthday food and drinkies which was full of fun and giggles.

Now I really need to get back into the applying and rejections NOW with added revision. What fun!

CBC

xx

"I don't think so Sonny-Jim"

2009-07-21T11:31:00.003+01:00

If you watch Big Brother, then you'll 'get' the reference. As I imagine, not very many lawyers and academics would own up to watching the show. I do. I think I'm a little bit in love with 'Halfwit'. He's actually quite an intelligent, eloquent character. Watch his telling off of Noirin...

Funny chappie!

On another note, on reading the latest law reports on The Times Online, I found the one entitled, 'Guidance for juries when alcoholism is raised as a defence to murder' really interesting. I suppose there is a difference between an isolated drunken incident which resulted in a murder compared to that of a seasoned alcoholic. The report stated that,

"Their Lordships had concluded that the effect of the directions to the jury was that the defence of diminished responsibility would not be available if the jury found that any of the appellant’s drinking was voluntary. Save semantically, that was indistinguishable from the direction in
Wood and, for the same reasons, constituted a misdirection. "

This would suggest that where the drinking was an isolated incident and that the defendant was not alcohol dependant, the defence of diminished responsibility would not be applicable. The report also referred to this dependency as a disease or underlying 'condition' that the jury would need to consider and that the killing was an 'involuntary result of an irresistible craving for or compulsion to drink.'

So, the defendant in such an instance would need to firstly prove that some form of 'abnormality' of the mind existed and then whether there was a link between this abnormality and the 'disease' or illness. Because of experiences with alcohol (not personally, but close enough) I find it difficult to accept that alcoholism is in fact a 'disease' and that dependency on alcohol is a valid defence to a murder when to me it seems a self inflicted, voluntary 'condition'

Overall, some of the issues which are said to be likely to arise in similar cases are the following:

"(a) the extent and seriousness of the defendant’s dependency, if any, on alcohol,
(b) the extent to which his ability to control his drinking or to choose whether to drink or not, was reduced,
(c) whether he was capable of abstinence from alcohol, and if so,
(d) for how long, and,
(e) whether he was choosing for some particular reason to decide to get drunk or to drink even more than usual. "

and the jury would be invited to come to their own conclusions based on these factors. In my opinion: Alcohol an excuse?

I don't think so Sonny-Jim!

CBC

xx

Article/ Report taken from Times Online.

I'm now officially a 'twat'...or is that 'twit' ?

2009-07-21T11:10:00.002+01:00

Thanks to Mr Charon QC, I am now officially a part of the Twitter nation. Yet another addiction to my ever growing list!

Luckily, it was payday yesterday so I may indulge in a little retail therapy (not ALL for myself- I/the house needs a new fridge!).

Tweet tweet

CBC

xx

Giving life 'The Finger'

2009-07-19T19:35:00.003+01:00

After a crazy (!) comment from one of my work colleagues ('wuv' him...) I got to thinking about this. Giving life the finger I mean. On the way home, there was an absolute N-U-T-T-E-R (sorry I'm not more PC) on the bus, making me lust after drivng lessons (or a lottery win) even more. He proceeded to throw batteries at a bemused couple sitting in front of him and then rolled around on the floor of the upper deck of the bus whilst speaking in tongues and laughing manically...A fellow and rather handsome passenger commented on the fact that the noises the man was making sounded like he was in a "Busta Rhymes" video...LOL

I seem to attract strangeness.

*COUGHLEOCOUGH*

Also, as I sit here in the dark typing this, I've noticed that my right ankle is quite swollen and puffy. But you know, I'm going to stick two fingers up to life and crazy things at the moment...

Giving it 'the finger'...so to speak.

I'm also quite excited about my other blog at the moment which is giving me an excuse to drink teas and other lovely drinks.

Let's see what tomorrow will throw at me

CBC

xx

What makes an 'undesirable' trainee candidate?

2009-07-14T12:07:00.009+01:00

As my days are now almost entirely consumed by applications, trawling the web for vacancies and blogging, I am beginning to wonder whether in a firm's eyes there is such thing as an undesirable candidate for a training position and what that person would be like. It seems there are several categories/ qualities which firms are reluctant to budge on. I must just clarify that I am not generalising about firms but merely passing comment on what I have observed about the application process. Here are just a few observations:

Degree Classification and University
90% of Firms which I have come across either via the web or their hard-copy literature request an upper second class degree or above, regardless of discipline. There are a small percentange of firms which state that they 'require' a lower class degree or above and an equally low number of those which do not specify a degree class on their recruitment brochures etc. So on this evidence it seems that the likelihood of a student getting offered a training contract with anything less that a 2:1 is going to be based on a lot more than their degree result.

Legal Practice Course
I have also recently noticed that a large number of firms are now specifying 'Distinction' and 'Commendation' as well as the 2:1 or above. Fair enough.

Language Ability
A lot more firms are wanting fluency in a second language and I have even come across one or two which wanted fluency in several languages! In particular the international and multi-jurisdictional firms will place more importance on the fluency of candidates in different languages and this is not at all unreasonable given the nature of the firm. However, some smaller (medium) sized firms would love a candidate to be fluent in a second language also.

Legal Experience
This is interesting as the firms do not ALWAYS mention this but it is assumed that they'd all want some level of experience. The experience could range from vac schemes and pro bono work to part time employment and paralegalling. The experience requirement is not exclusive to law of course but it seems that it is vital to securing a training contract. The good thing I have noticed about some firms is that they clearly state that should there be a reason why the candidate did not achieve a high level of academia, if they have 'good' experience elsewhere, this may have a positive impact on their application.

SuperPowers
The often hidden category, the majority of firms expect a level of superpowers ranging from time travel, flight and invisibility to telepathy. No sarcasm whatsoever. In all seriousness it seems they would like prospective trainees to have something...special about them. Having interests outside of work are handy.

SO, back to the original question, an undesirable doesn't really exist...do they?

I don't expect firms to compromise on quality of candidates of course; that would be to their and their future clients' as well as the profession's detriment. I can't argue with that.

CBC

xx

Same excrement, different week...

2009-07-13T10:01:00.003+01:00

Hello dear readers. After what seemed a crazy weekend at the bookshop, I am left feeling worn but looking forward to the week to come with all that it brings.

CBC

xx

P.s. You may notice some changes to the blog layout in the week to come; I'm giving CBC a little bit of a makeover...

The Inner Sanctum

2009-07-10T15:37:00.007+01:00

So I realise that I haven't NOT posted a whiney, "Give me a training contract" post for a while...even subliminally (and yes for grammar nazis out there I realise I've used a double negative) But today dear readers, will be different. I am off on a fashion tangent today. I have been following Style Bubble's Blog for a couple of days now and already I am hooked. I've looked through all of her style diary outfits and her Style Bubble Daily wear blog and I can't wait to get shopping! Her style is as she describes, 'eclectic' and a little eccentric as described by others who follow her. I love the mish mash of colours, textures, brands, layers and creativity that she throws into each and every outfit that she wears. What an inspiration.

I'm a fashion novice and at the moment don't really consider myself to be fashionable or with the trends but recently I've found myself becoming more and more curious about clothes. I'm not about to go for a career change just yet folks, but it doesn't stop me from experimenting with fashiony things.

And yes, although I am sat here in shorts, trying not to aggravate the slow healing flare-up on my leg, I AM wearing feather earrrings and lipgloss...

I wonder how much individuality in attire is appreciated in the inner sanctum.

CBC

Boiling Cold

2009-07-09T09:48:00.004+01:00

This is how I've felt yesterday. After shivering for hours and feeling hot and cold, I feel a little better but still achy. My eczema has flared up on both legs to the point where walking is pulling on and splitting my skin (sorry for the graphic detail) How on earth can I serve the lovely customers at the bookshop when I can barely walk? This will not do www. This will not do.

Well, I have the rest of today and tomorrow to recuperate...

To smilier days

CBC

xx

Edit: As I watch the Wright Stuff on Channel 5, he is asking the question, "Would you miss men if [they] we were gone?"

Hmm...Matthew, I'll get back to you on that one.

Employment Drought

2009-07-03T11:20:00.003+01:00

So dear bloggers,

I am away for the weekend on a much needed break away from home which is driving me up the 'crazy' wall at the moment.

In the past week or so, I have taken a short break from the relentless job searching and applying purely to let my hair down a little but now I'm getting back in the saddle out of necessity. I went on an 'interview' last week which was an odd experience I won't detail too much on here. Needless to say, the firm in question was not prepared to pay me until a future date...

I am so close to screaming, it's choking me.

Till Monday

CBC

xx

Ding dong merrily on high....t'is the month of Ju-ly

2009-07-02T10:30:00.012+01:00

Happy July www. I've been away for a little while 'living it up' in the sun but now that I have been charged with several counts of GBH on my bank account I am holed up in my hot and humid bedroom without a window, drooling over items in the asos sale.

I'm not one to moan (much) and I love the sunshine, just not when it continuously causes sweat moustaches which one has to wipe away every other minute of two whilst holding one's nose to protect oneself from the lovely London commuters who forget that deodorant exists. (I have to stress that the majority are aware of soap, water and deodorant but the select few who do not are the culprits) That said, I love the summer; cold watermelon juice running down your arms while you sink your face into a slice. Sunglasses and flip flops slap-slapping against your soles. Long summer nights. Butterflies. Cool showers. Makeshift fans with bits of cardboard.

*sigh*

Last Friday, I attended the Wimbledon championships with my friend Politics Girl and what an experience that was. It was one of the most unbelievably amazing days. For starters to get grounds access resulted in this mammoth queue,

for approximately 7 hours or so. What a queue that was. That said though, it was a fun wait with so much going on around us and so many funny characters, like this guy who decided to give his friend a back massage.

Also, we met a greyhound rescued and homed by Wimbledon Greyhound Welfare and I managed to get an amazing close-up of him yawning! (Edit: I removed the photo for technical reasons)

All in all www, it was an amazing day. Here are a few other shots from the day.

Stay safe in the sun!

CBC

Ooo, you are awful...but I like you

2009-06-21T22:24:00.014+01:00

Good evening www. I'm sat in front of my laptop nursing sore feet after a long (ish) day at work and I just couldn't help but feel happy. Despite the fact that I am tired and can barely walk (seriously, I'm walking around my flat as though I'm walking on hot coals; my feet ache that much) I had to come into my blog to post and exclaim at how much I love my job sometimes. Yes, there are slightly over-enthusiastic customers who get a little emotional and rude about finding their books. On the whole though, the satisfaction they (and I) get from locating their book is amazing. Hyperbole? Perhaps. Yesterday a customer came into the shop looking for a phrasebook for her friend who was travelling to Europe and after having another colleague search for the book and then myself, I was near to telling the customer to try WHSmith (shock, horror!). Suddenly, as if by some sweet magic the book materialised right in front of us. Both myself and the customer shouted "Yay!" and started 'seal-clapping' and then giggled at how excited we got after locating the book. These moments www, are priceless...

On another note, I purchased (yet another book, I know) a book on Digital Photography today after spending my weekend in the basement; now it is affectionately known as the 'dungeon of knowledge'. So now after I get a few practice runs, taking photos of everything that can be photographed, I shall include some of my better photos in this blog. One photo which I particularly like is one I took earlier in the year from the 5th floor of a solicitor's firm I used to work in (It's the photo accompanying this post). It feels like a moody and mysterious photo and I feel particularly lucky to have captured one of the many beautiful sunsets in London. I can't wait to get papping!

I also got a book on Rumi after reading one of Daisy Goodwin's many collections of poems which referred to his poetry. I have yet to start it but can't wait. Currently, I am reading 'Out' by Natsuo Kirino after reading 'Grotesque' by the same author and it is truly gruesome...just the way I like it! I'm also reading 'I am a Cat' by Natsume Soseki and although very funny and insightful, it is very hard to follow at times and I am not sure whether this is because the book was translated from the Japanese. Regardless, I am determined to soldier through it!

Finally, I was shocked to read that the stig has been revealed (yet again?). According to the article, the stig was none other than...Michael Schumacher! Nooo! I think I liked Top Gear more when I didn't know who was under the helmet...but it does add a certaine 'je ne sais quoi' to things now!

Pfft, well I better get back under my duvet now.

Toodle pip.

CBC

xx

p.s. I love semi colons...

Are lawyers misunderstood creatures?

2009-06-19T10:54:00.004+01:00

I was reading the Law section of Times Online today and came across this shocking article. Avert your eyes fellow law students and practitioners...

Why are Lawyers so Hated?

Read at your peril, particularly the comments.

Furthermore, in Criminal Law News the first trial without a jury for '400 years' is scheduled for July. This is because it was ruled by the Court of Appeal that the trial could be heard by the judges alone due to "jury nobbling". Apparently, this is the FOURTH trial scheduled to be heard with the previous three costing a total of £22 million and the previous trial collapsing due to "a serious attempt at jury tampering". So having a trial without jury in this case is found to be in the interests of justice. Hmm so many issues here....I don't even know where to begin. Costs? Why this 'nobbling' occurred in the first place?

Pfft.

And so I'd like to conclude with this beautiful song which I came across yesterday whilst watching videos on YouTube; it was playing in the background of someone's make-up tutorial. (I think it was Romaquillage)

For some reason, watching the video I get the feeling there is some underlying message involving domestic violence which you don't quite get when you merely listen to the track. Great all the same. I'm going to purchase the album on my next pay-day.

So, that's enough ranting and raving for one day, ne c'est pas?

CBC

xx

P.s. I've vowed to take and use my own photographs in this blog so I'll be looking forward to the commentary on my amateur photography.

Half-wits, Dog-faces and Digital Britain

2009-06-17T18:53:00.010+01:00

I'm sorry www. Of late I have not quite been my curious self. But I'm slowly coming back. I promise...especially as there are so many interesting things going on in the world to blog about. As I type, I'm nursing a headache. One of those dull thudding headaches you get when you're thinking about whether you will get a training contract, book deal or lottery win or even a response to a job application or whether a hypothetical 'he' will call.. Yah. Those headaches...

Today I did indulge in some much (not) needed retail therapy as I really needed to get out of the house. This relentless rejection a la job applications is very hard going. I'm not giving up but at the same time, every 'Thank you for your time but sod off' email is disheartening. So that's why I've been a little AWOL www.

Big Brother. Why do I watch it? Every year without fail, I vow never to watch it and then on launch night I get sucked into watching these frankly, odd attention-seeking fame hungry nutters and can't stop. That's it. Summer's ruined. Hah. But seriously, what is the deal with the Halfwit and Dogface saga? I seem to have missed the part where Freddie and Sophie changed their names via deed poll...Hmm. And poor Shree. Shree Shree Shree. Unrequited love sucks eggs pal. I nearly gagged on last night or Monday night's highlight show where Shree put uncooked bacon into bread smeared with what looked like jam (it was probably ketchup) and served this up ceremoniously to his fellow housemates. Bless him. It has to be cooked dear...especially with the current SWINE FLU pandemic. I found that worryingly amusing. The uncooked bacon that is.

Another story (one of MANY) which interested me yesterday was the Digital Britain Report 'hoo-ha'. Might be good news for those who cannot afford broadband, which with the number of telesales people calling me on a nightly basis to change my 'providings to a better and cheaper service of providings than my current providings' is surprising. But also it will be a good thing to help stamp out illegal downloading and other such illegal activity. Broadband for everyone! You can read the report in its entirety, should you so wish here.

Now, finally Mr Speaker or Michael Martin is leaving the House...not out of choice of course. However, this has not stopped the tributes from MPs pouring in and The Guardian online's Political Blog has given an almost blow-by-blow commentary of the goings on today. Tissues anyone? (No Freudians or puns intended)

What a pretty kitty (in my new oversized geeky sunglasses)

CBC

xx

The Return

2009-06-11T17:03:00.004+01:00

Hello www,

I've taken a bit of a break from blogging to do some thinking and sorting out of my life. This will be a short post (I hope). I lost contact with a really close friend of mine over a year ago despite several attempts to contact them. I can understand that everyone has hard times and struggles in their lives so may need head space. Likewise. However, am I wrong for feeling apprehensive to their reappearance?

Hmph

CBC

xx

p.s. this post has been edited.

London

2009-06-04T17:57:00.002+01:00

I had a lovely day strolling around London in the sun after my interview. Unfortunately, I did not get the job. Oh, well. Back to the drawing board I suppose.

CBC

xx

Tea Off!

2009-06-03T18:33:00.005+01:00

Wow www, I am tired. After a long day spent 'leafleting', I am tired but energised. A three hour nap in the middle of the day is fantastic...

I just came across a news story which really got my juices bubbling. As you will have discovered from reading this blog, I do love me a cup of tea. So imagine my surprise to find that a Tetley Green Tea advert was banned from being shown for being 'misleading' after FOUR people complained that it appeared to suggest that drinking a cup of tea had the same of similar health benefits to exercising. A spokesman for the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) said the following,

"While it did not imply the tea had the same or similar health benefits to exercise, it did imply that the tea had some general health benefits beyond hydration, in particular because it contained antioxidants. As we had not seen any evidence to demonstrate that green tea, or the antioxidants in it, had general health benefits we concluded that the ad was misleading. "

It seems a fair statement from the ASA but surely an educated person would know this? The ASA should be looking into those mascara adverts which suggest that by wearing a certain mascara, you'll get the 10 mile long lashes featured on the models in the ads. Only recently have I noticed that in the small print, the ads are telling consumers that the ad was 'filmed with lash inserts'. Before that, we were all misled as to the lengthening, volumising and false lash effect of many mascaras!

The above being said, I am not going to be one sided. It seems that the health benefits of green tea are not concrete and according to this Wikipedia article, have been long disputed and there are still many unproven claims as to its benefits.

Wonders never cease... in conclusion, it's JUST tea. Take a chill pill (instead)...

"A deep-seated attitudinal problem" (?)

2009-06-02T09:04:00.006+01:00

Well hello there www. As you probably know, I was away for a few days swotting up for my Professional Conduct exam; my last exam. As the law of the sod would go, several things occurred during that exam to make me feel less confident about the outcome:

I got writer's cramp about 5 minutes in

It was an hour and a half exam and although visiting the ladies just before it started, I became desperate to go about 30 minutes from the end so thus lost 10 minutes

I had 2 minutes to do 14 marks' worth of multiple choice questions

I ran out of time and bullet-pointed 2 whole questions (just about)

There were two questions which I could not identify the issues which were being tested UNTIL THE END (see the previous point)

So after feeling relatively confident prior to the exam as I had prepared, read over everything, practised questions, walked around my house talking to MYSELF about 'Regulated activities' and s.327 FSMA and Scope Rule compliance...it all went (for lack of a better word) "teets up".

Pah.

So last night, after watching another exhilarating episode of Eastenders (I was not being sarcastic...much) I caught an episode of Panorama, entitled 'A Very Dangerous Doctor' about paediatrician David Southall. I had not been aware of this story prior to this but it really caught my attention. Evidently, Southall had used secret filming of his patients and managed to uncover a ridiculous number of cases of child abuse. Now of course in learning about Family Law, you become familiar with the concept that the safety/ best interests of the child are of paramount importance etc (Apologies if my wording is a bit off; I haven't looked through my family law things for about a year...)

So why were so many people up in arms about the findings of Southall's research? Perhaps it's because several people have been accused of child abuse due to the findings of it? But in my head, all I can think about is the fact that children are possibly being abused and that this research/ surveillance may save a few children from this. Sadly for their parents though, it may mean false accusations of abuse.

Where is the balance?

Now, in reading a follow up article (because CBC likes to do her research) Southall has been described as having 'a deep-seated attitudinal problem' by a disciplinary panel. It seems a shame that the focus is now on his personality than the issue in hand; the safety of the children. However, I am not looking at this through 'rose tinted' glasses and ignoring the fact the he may have had an agenda which had nothing to do with the children and more to do with a 'power trip'.

As the judge ruling that the decision to strike him off was justified said,

"He was speculating on non-medical matters in an offensive manner entirely inconsistent with the status of an independent expert."

But what about this Münchausen's syndrome? The article describes it as, "... a condition which means parents deliberately induce or fabricate illnesses in their children to get attention for themselves."

Are Southall's accusations justified in some way? Obviously every case is different but isn't it better to be safe than sorry?

Interesting stuff. So many questions...so few right answers.

*sigh* I love the law

CBC

(p.s I really need to discover once and for all the issue regarding copyright and images in this blog. Although there are links to all the photos and otherwise I have obtained permission from folks for certain cartoons, I am still a little concerned. All in good time.)

Escaping from the Code (of Conduct)...

2009-05-26T21:52:00.003+01:00

...for a few minutes to read from my book of legal quotations, entitled 'The Law is a Ass' by Ronald Irving, I will leave you, dear www, with the following:

"The good lawyer is not the man who has an eye to every side and angle of contingency, and qualifies all his qualifications, but who throws himself on your part so heartily, that he can get you out of a scrape."

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-82),
The Conduct of Life (1860)

Well that made me blush a little folks...

CBC

Edit: Thanks to Charon QC for the mention!

Fatebook

2009-05-25T15:46:00.007+01:00

Sometimes I truly despise facebook. In particular, my 'beef' is with the news feed when you log on so you see what everyone on your list has been up to; photos included. So casually CBC logs onto her facebook to see Mr Lit. cavorting about with a mystery woman in a boat. Cannot say that I am surprised but I cannot understand why it took me so long to realise that Mr Lit was not interested...really and would eventually move on to pastures new. It has been nearly a year since 'lipgate' after all.

However, I am an excellent jumper of conclusions so I may have my facts wrong and this may be his sister or aunt Trish, though my instincts tell me otherwise.

Nonetheless, ta ta Monsieur Lit...too much time I have wasted thinking about you.

CBC

xx

P.s. funny how this sort of thing/ revelation always occurs RIGHT BEFORE I have to take some form of examination. Is ignorance really bliss?

The black pepper in my soup

2009-05-21T20:48:00.021+01:00

Hello there www. As I sit supping a mug of 'cuppa soup' laced with black pepper, (I use this analogy to replace the cliched, "Cherry on the top" or "Butter on my bread") I'm feeling all 'philosophical' again. This post however, will not necessarily be of a philosophical nature ...

Today I ventured out to pay some bills and get some exam supplies (highlighters and tabs; a law student's essentials!) and ended up spending more than I had intended. Do I really need another dress? I bought ANOTHER dress today. Now all I need, apart from a training contract, house, husband (+ 2.456 children sans ASBOs) and debt free life is somewhere to wear this new dress. Hmph.

I am being naughty yet again and will have to apologise to Salem* but I am going to have to miss going out for pizza and frolics in favour of studying. I have not got a lot of materials to study from for Professional Conduct BUT that said, it really is a touch and go thing. I could either understand why I can't give legal advice to Mr X because of the REALLY OBVIOUS conflict of interests or confidentiality issue OR I'll miss the point completely and go off on a tangent talking about the FSA and Scope rules. SO, I really need to stop procrastinating and get studying!

* Salem Salem Salem. *sigh*. Salem is a lovely chappie with whom I worked (temporarily) in the bookshop over Xmas 08. He is...an enigma in the truest sense of the word. Hmm.

On a side note, Mr Literary who I have not seen since 'lip gate', has bought a new shirt. A floral shirt. He has professed his 'love' for his shirt on Facebook.

Now for some Japanese tea and late- night revision...

CBC

p.s. I love parentheses...as much as I love the word itself.

Och...my internal Scot

2009-05-20T18:44:00.008+01:00

I don't know whether it's to do with my surname, but I've always felt like there was a Scottish person inside of me, waiting to break out. I'm not alluding to some strange form of multiple personality disorder, I just sometimes think in different languages and dialects. Is that strange?

I just, after a period of revision of my Professional Conduct notes, got to thinking of affairs of the heart (again). No, I'm not about to start warbling on about Leo and his posh double- barrelled surname yet again; I was merely thinking back to a conversation I had with my friend Politics Girl (or PG for short) earlier during the week about the subject. Sometimes, I can't help but feel that relationships are so much more trouble than they are worth. I suppose maybe it's just that thus far I have been unlucky (or had a lucky escape depending on the way you look at it!) Though, I find myself harbouring that 'Disney-esque' view of love and life at times at other times I am a cynical cat lady without a cat. Pah!

Currently though, dear suitors, CBC is still holding a miniature torch for Mr Literary. Yes, she is. She also suspects that he is aware of this. Though she fears that irreparable damage hast already been done in this area.

But why - I imagine you ask. Why-est the torch CBC?

I wish I knew dear suitors and guests. I have never had a talent for falling for 'appropriate' gentlemen...so far.

For now anyway, the law is my other, better half!

CBC

xx

Bye Bye Mr Speaker

2009-05-20T11:46:00.004+01:00

So long. Farewell. Auf Weidersen. Good bye...

Well I have just received a telephone call from a legal telephone advisory service (and provider of legal services and information to women) to which I had applied for an internship. I have been shortlisted for interview in two weeks.

Watch this space.

Excited? *frantic nodding*

CBC

xx

"Don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining..."

2009-05-19T12:35:00.003+01:00

...courtesy of Judge Judy during one of her verdicts. I do think this rather crude sounding phrase sums up how I feel about a lot of things; in other words, don't take me for a fool. Nuff said.

Had an interesting day yesterday helping a friend campaign at London Universities on behalf of a political party for the European elections. Surprisingly, I found myself really getting excited by politics of late. Hmm. I wonder whether a career as an MP is on the horizon...

*coughnewminicooperyippeecough*

"Mr Speaker, I beg to differ..."

Poor Mr Speaker...he couldn't even read his own statement without stumbling over his words. I'm not surprised with all the heckling going on round him.

Just for information, the party is called Libertas and is a relatively new party working towards a democratic, accountable and transparent Europe and you can find more information about the party here. Don't forget to register to vote on June 4th!

Now to commence revising for Professional Conduct on June 1st!

CBC

xx

13 years today

2009-05-15T10:34:00.003+01:00

...it only feels like yesterday and I love you no less.

CBC

xx

Chain Emails

2009-05-14T10:33:00.004+01:00

Today, I received a chain email about Baby Herbal Soup supposedly eaten in Canton, made from aborted foetuses and chicken. The email contained several large photographs of a 'baby' being prepared for this soup. I apologise for the gruesome nature of this post. I will NOT be posting these images or links to the images on this blog (view them at your own risk) *spits* However, the 'rationale' behind the preparation of this soup is that it allegedly improves 'health and sexual performance'. *spits*

Now I do not deny that somewhat 'strange' practices exist around the world; it's what makes the world go round. BUT, I refuse to circulate these emails with the message that, if you like eating Oriental food be careful as it may contain human meat. How offensive. Slander? Hmm. I don't buy it.

Maybe I'm a party pooper, but I've never really been into the whole 'chain email' phenomena. I've always been a sceptic...just as I am of this story. I am also glad that Ethical Martini has set the record straight or submitted the possibility that this might be a hoax. Not.That.Gullible...NEXT!

CBC

xx

p.s. Apologies for the spitting. And be careful of clicking on the links (particularly CharonBoat) in Ethical Martini's report; you just don't know what will pop up. You have been warned!

Time

2009-05-13T10:16:00.004+01:00

Time seems to be a big issue to and with me the older I get. Remember those early years when you'd play for hours in the dirt/sand with a stick, running round and round in circles until you got dizzy or got called in for dinner? Now, it's just about how little 'time' we have to do the things we need to do from day to day. However, how much 'time' do we actually waste? What constitutes a better use of time than another? This would then suggest that use of time is quite a subjective thing, so therefore what one person considers is a good use of time may not be to another.

Also, why is it that sometimes when you are ridiculously busy time seems to fly and then at other times when you are just as busy, it doesn't? Interesting phenomenon.

I don't know why I feel so philosophical today...

CBC

On the up!

2009-05-07T20:41:00.005+01:00

It seems my positivity is paying off a bit www as I have had quite an interesting day today. Firstly, I have passed my re-take LPC exams...HURRAH! That just leaves me with Professional Conduct and Financial Services to sit on June 1st! Also, my exam results spurring me on, I have made ...wait for it...12 applications and enquiries for legal jobs today and have a whole long list more to do tomorrow! Surely one of these must reply...right? AND, I have a day of girly catching up to look forward to with T tomorrow. All in all a successful day me thinks!

Purr

CBC

xx

Light bulbs being phased out

2009-05-06T11:22:00.002+01:00

Am I missing something here? I heard this story on the news a few days ago and was not so much incensed (as that would be too strong a word in this case) as amused. Still, anything which will have a positive impact on the environment can't be a bad thing but it does pose some practical problems. Like one antique shop owner being interviewed on the news alluded to, what is going to happen to those appliances which use 'old' bulbs and cannot accommodate all types of light bulb? Some experts even commented that 'so-called' energy efficient bulbs emit a certain level of mercury if broken by accident so are dangerous to an extent. This is NOT of course, a 'new' issue as you will see from the link to the article talking about the dangers of environmentally friendly, energy efficient bulbs.

Some dark times ahead it seems. Candles are cheap these days.

CBC

xx

Love, Actually...

2009-05-06T00:05:00.006+01:00

So after having a cosy evening (alone) watching 'Love Actually' for the first time (sensing audible gasps here. Yes, it's the first time) on ITV2, I haven't been able to go to sleep so here I am bloggity blogging. I did cry a little at the end; I'm getting less embarrassed at this now!

There is a story in the media which has captured my interest over the past few days and I meant to blog about it yesterday but hey, no time like the present.

Pregnant Briton Samantha Orobator faces death penalty in Laos http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article6220226.ece

There are just so many 'annoying' (for lack of a better, less explicit word) issues I can see arising from this case:

The refusal of legal representation
The fact that she is reported to be five months pregnant BUT has been in prison for eight months
The severity of her proposed punishment; death
The question as to the 'fairness' of the impending trial
Her 'treatment' in prison

I suppose the main overriding issue here is that of human rights. I'm not sure whether it matters at this stage if she in fact was guilty of the offence she's been charged with. I think now it's gone beyond that. With Trisha Goddard in the background this morning, it got me thinking. Why is lie detection software not used in court? Or just generally...as normal as brushing one's teeth.

HER: "Does my bum look big in this darling?"

HIM: "No love. You look beautiful and I love you just the way you are."

HER: Well, let's just hook you up to the lie detector first dear..."

[BEEEEEEEEEEP]

Because it doesn't matter if the person on trial is actually guilty or not; it's their right to represent themselves in a positive light? Human Rights? It's all very mind- boggling to me.

Though, please don't misinterpret what I'm saying www. I am all for human rights and think that Orobator's reported treatment is disgusting to say the least. But I often cant help but think that things might be so much easier if criminals were just 'hooked up' to lie detectors.

"Did you steal that money?"
"Did you murder Mrs Bloggs?" (unfortunate name in the context)

Yes? No? Problem solved. NEXT!

However, it's the fact that the law isn't this black and white that gets me all...hot under the collar (!)

Till next time,

CBC

xx

(I realise of course that the suggestion to use lie detectors in law is just plain crazy but...actually no buts...it IS crazy so apologies!)

Pride and Prejudice (and zombies too)

2009-05-04T17:50:00.009+01:00

I haven't read Pride and Prejudice much to your incredulity www. No I have not. Yet I know about the existence of Mr Darcy *sigh*

(Does watching the film featuring Keira Knightley count?)

At work I've noticed there is now a zombies version! Zombies and Austen: A strange combination but one I'd quite like to 'give a go' so watch this space for a review.

http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/displayProductDetails.do?sku=6586481

But I sincerely hope that you have enjoyed the Bank holiday www, as much as I have; yet another day dreaming of a legal career whilst devouring copious amounts of tea and cake...

Onto another evening of feline curiosity...

CBC

P.s. Happy Birthday Salem*!

Oculolinctus: don't try this at home law-folk!

2009-04-30T11:33:00.007+01:00

As I sit here in front of my laptop, shivering in my 'pyjamas', reading ' Foyles Further Philavery' for new words, I come across a few cracking words:

Oculolinctus - sexual arousal from licking one's partner's eyeball
I would advise any adventurous readers not to try this at home! I love the fact that there is actually a word for this, one of the strangest sexual practices I have ever heard of. (Not that I profess to know all there is to know about the frankly 'dodgy' sides of sex) Maybe this is some kind of upper class practice(?) It reeks of 'poshness'.

Eyes open or closed tonight dear?

Oggie/ Oggy - a slang term used in Cornwall for a pasty
As soon as I came across this word, that famous football chant came to mind. I really don't care much for football(sorry I'm more a cricket fan personally) and thus do not know what it means so I apologise in advance if it's offensive. So now "Oggy Oggy Oggy. Oye Oye Oye" becomes "Pasty Pasty Pasty, Oye Oye Oye" the chant of the hungry...

Moronolexicophobia - a fear of daft dictionaries
Like Collins'?

Hen-hussy - a man who meddles with women's affairs
I don't think I need comment on this one

Anemophobia - the fear of wind or drafts
Most of my journey's on public transport are filled with anemophobic moments. Confined spaces like the underground at the height of 'rush hour' in particular are what I'm referring to.

What an educational morning spent perusing FP, www. I'm off to continue skipping amongst the daisies and tarting up my CV...

Toodle pip

CBC

xx

Skipping amongst the daisies

2009-04-29T15:48:00.010+01:00

Wotcha www? After an amazing weekend with my pals from the bookshop, I am still on that high today. That or the Red Bull I had earlier. Anyhoo, I was just catching up on my legal news and stumbled across this article.

Director disqualifications reaches record high by Michael Herman

"A record 1,252 company bosses were disqualified from acting as directors in the last financial year in a sign that the Government is toughening its stance towards individual business executives. The number of directors disqualified was up 9 per cent from 1,145 in the previous financial year, according to figures from the Insolvency Service. The average length of disqualification also reached a record level, rising 12 per cent to 6.5 years in 2008-09. Disqualification orders, which are made against directors of insolvent companies, ban individuals from serving as directors or taking part in the creation or promotion of a limited company for up to 15 years..."

Surprisingly, I am fascinated by this article as I have long shunned Business and Company Law as I did not understand it. Now I think I can appreciate it a bit better. The statistics from the article are staggering and are sure to put prospective directors off the post. If anything I think this will stamp out malpractice and ensure that shareholders aren't being exploited and their
investments protected.

"...Of the 1,252 directors barred last year, 203 were disqualified for 10 or more years. All are entered on a public registry that can be searched freely on the Insolvency Service’s website."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article6186595.ece

Even more shocking was that the directors are listed on a public registry; named and shamed. I had to stifle a giggle at this one as it reminded me of the Sex Offenders Register.

(Not that this is a laughing matter however. I think I've definitely inherited the lawyer bug. You know that thing where you find yourself laughing at something so pedantic and trivial and absolutely UNFUNNY to most lay people but you and your learned friends will cackle at it? Yah.

Reminds me of a Property Law lecture in which Leo (I think) came out with a corker that tickles me to this day. The lecturer normally hands the register out before the start of the lecture and
then we'd sign the register and pass it on. However, during this lecture she had forgotten to hand it out. Some busy body in the crowd must have alerted her to this to which I think Leo said,

"Uh-Oh, we nearly had an 'UNregistered' situation here..."

Or words to that effect. The crowd was in stitches...the irony was that we were about to start studying UNREGISTERED LAND!

Ba dum dum pssh!!)

I wonder how long the directors' details will have to remain on this database for?

CBC

P.s. Feel strangely happy today...(wait for it) FOR NO REASON!

(Cartoon from http://www.stus.com/)

Easy on the bacon sandwiches...

2009-04-27T14:37:00.008+01:00

So apparently, swine flu is on the rampage. I must be honest and say that this has put me right off my bacon sandwich this morning. Whilst I suppose I should try to rationalise things and say that it is probably unlikely to have infected my bacon; for now I will watch this develop on the news.

Some say scaremongering...I don't know
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article6175993.ece

CBC

xx

If you give them an inch...

2009-04-24T19:54:00.002+01:00

I hate it when people try to take advantage of my easy-going nature. Family or no...

CBC

xx

In a cold sweat

2009-04-24T09:39:00.003+01:00

This morning I awoke with a jolt, trying to shake out any memory of what I was dreaming about last night but to no avail. Leo. I sat on the toilet (doing nothing) for about 20 minutes this morning trying to collect my thoughts, thus resulting in a ring of shame on my derriere. I've contemplated contacting him again but what's the point? I've sent him 3 emails in the last year to receive no response. Not emails talking about the past; 'Happy New Year', 'I'm offering you an olive branch' and 'hello stranger' Clearly, he doesn't want to speak to me.

*SIGH*

So why for that split (second) 20 minutes did I think about contacting him? Why? I haven't done it (Thank G-d) and I don't think I will now I have recollected my thoughts but I seriously question my decision-making processes sometimes. I promised myself that the New Years' message would be the last so I'm sticking to it. I'm not even interested in him in that way anymore so why all of a sudden am I dreaming about him?! Pah!

*EXHALE*

Onto a humble day of applications, blog surfing and who knows...

CBC

CBC gets the sniffles

2009-04-23T15:08:00.004+01:00

Today, I can proudly and most excitedly announce that after months of slow reading I have finally finished The Shining (by Stephen King). I am a little disappointed with the ending; it seems all too abrupt. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey though. It is one of those books that is incredibly detailed to the point where it not only described in detail the surroundings in which the story took place, but also the thought processes and psychic commentary involved. Heavy heavy going.

I also read an unpublished book called 'I Do Not Come To You By Chance' by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani yesterday, which was an interesting, funny and sad insight into the world of the Nigerian email scam...the 419. I loved the way in which the author developed the characters and the fact that my feeling toward them changed so dramatically from chapter to chapter. I think it just illustrates how poverty can influence the most law-abiding person into getting involved in desperate(and illegal) situations. (image from www.amazon.co.uk)

Currently, I am finishing off 'Grotesque' by Natsuo Kirino; part of my 'Japanese phase'. After this, I cannot wait to get stuck into the next instalment of the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency. I have already read seven of these books, watched the one-off episode last year and watched the entire series this year. I have only listened to one of the radio podcasts on Radio 6/7 but according to one of the customers who came into work a few weeks ago, the podcasts were more true to the books that the television series. To be perfectly honest, I didn't care much for the podcast I listened to although it was VERY funny.

Seem to have slight verbal diarrhoea today...

There was also an article posted on Times Online today which was rather interesting:

How can ethnic minorities reach the top of the profession?
Frances Gibb

"Baroness Scotland of Asthal could be forgiven if she saw no problem. Britain’s first black, first woman holder of the post of Attorney-General is a living example of diversity in the legal profession. But, as with women political leaders, is she a one-off?

There is one black High Court judge and none in the Court of Appeal or House of Lords. In the High Court, the only black ethnic minority judge is Mrs Justice Dobbs. “People blame me,” the Attorney-General says. “They say I shouldn’t have gone into politics” — the implication, and likelihood, being that she would have risen to the upper judicial ranks, setting a precedent there rather than in government..."

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article6148204.ece

Gibb paints a very interesting picture of just how few black lawyers 'at the top of their game' there are. The article also suggests that this number is further diminished when considering the numbers of black women there are in the profession. Interesting stuff.

I had better go indulge in a cup of the best and get on with some applications. I can feel the RSI in my fingers already...

CBC

xx

p.s. Horrid hayfever has begun already!

The Darling 'Buds' of ...well April

2009-04-22T11:27:00.005+01:00

Good morning www. I had to get in there before that statement became redundant and it ceased to be morning. Gosh. I woke up to the slightly camp tones of Matthew Wright on Channel 5. Good show as per usual.

Prior to the announcement of Darling's budget (and especially seeing as I am not as politically versed as I would like) I had been scouring Times Online for some 'light' and came across the following unrelated story:

MPs to get extra £150 a day for turning up

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6144277.ece

Pity the same principle could not be applied to law students, giving them £150 for each application for pupillage/ training contract application they made...if only.

So on to enjoy the rest of my day (kitty style) commencing with the ever glamorous task of defrosting my freezer (or more like cleaning up the sodden remnants of my freezer) and then onto shopping for replacements of said contents...all in the day of an aspiring lawyer

Purrr

CBC

P.s. Mmmm, non sequitur...

(Cartoon can be found at www.stus.com. Permission was sought before posting this)

Ailurophobics not welcome...

2009-04-21T09:31:00.006+01:00

So upon reading Barmaid's blog about her current legal- application -induced illness, I have come to the harsh realisation that I too have the training contractivum strain of this dreadful illness. If you are a law student and you feel that you are suffering the symptoms posted here:

http://bar-maid.blogspot.com/2009/04/ive-got-illness.html

then don't suffer in silence... (and be wary of Frank's advice)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5178388/Drugs-so-much-wrong-with-Franks-advice.html

This morning however, after the goings on of last night, including several gallons of tears and scarily swollen eyes (currently they are slits), I have made a pact to be more proactive. Seems my actions of late aren't pleasing my family. So my whole life I have played nicely but now I need to badger people into giving me a job. I don't WANT to work in Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's or Morrisons and no offence to anyone who works there; they're fine establishments. I just want a sodding legal job.

A mere ruptuary like myself. Fancy that...

CBC

Hai, soo desu...CBC learns Japanese

2009-04-20T14:36:00.007+01:00

So currently, I am so stressed, I am literally shaking. For reasons I won't go into www, I am now asking what next? A bit of a glimmer of light at the end of this tunnel is all I'm asking for. Even the jobs where I am offering to work for free aren't responding! Come on law firms...we can't all have gone to Oxbridge with 1sts and commendations and do work in small African villages in our spare time whilst single handedly solving world hunger. Give a normal person a chance! Sometimes, the relentless stream of applications with NO response from anyone is annoying and downright rude. Do recruiters not realise that there is a person behind those emails and phonecalls? I'm not even talking about Training Contract Applications at the moment either; paralegal work, work experience, frippin' toilet cleaning...

*and exhales*

I think I need a cup of tea and a pie. My patience is wearing thin but I'm not giving up even though the bastards are wearing me down!

Sayonara

CBC

It's Un 'Lykke Li' to be a sunny day today

2009-04-16T11:54:00.007+01:00

So www, at 11.55 a.m. I am still in my pyjamas (It's all glamour and glitz in the legal world kids) scouring the legal vacancy pages for something to apply to. So far today, made one application which I feel is an achievement for the day thus, woo hoo! However, I come across a story on the news which makes me chuckle:

Probe into court 'garlic' attack http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/7999996.stm
(BBC News Story) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/8000249.stm
(Link to Video - BBC News)

I'll say no more really, speaks for itself. And we wonder why so much time is being wasted in court proceedings; it's no wonder when we have smelly courts to contend with!

Well, I probably should twaddle off to do something more productive with my day so here she goes...!

CBC

xx

Insomnia

2009-04-07T00:33:00.003+01:00

This may possibly be one of the latest posts I have ever done, even though it's not that late. I just...can't...sleep.

Seems like today was one of those days at work in which all the mentally unstable people in my area seemed to materialise there in the space of a day! Odd, odd day to say the least. Let's just say the evening got even more ridiculous (and not in a good way)

On the upside though, Foyle's Philavery and Further Philavery for 99 pence is a bargain!
B-A-R-G-A-I-N. I will be posting some of my new found favourite words from those glorious texts in due course.

I'm going to try to stay awake for as long as feasible as I just can't and won't go to sleep yet :(

CBC

xx

"I sometimes wish I'd never been born at all..."

2009-04-03T13:32:00.007+01:00

Today, Freddy Mercury's words ring in my ears. Don't worry www, it's not the onset of a murderous streak although I am coming to the end of reading 'The Shining' after several months(!) so that may have influenced my song choice of the day. I don't know really. Sometimes I feel like my life is an out of body experience and that one day I will rejoin my body and begin living this life I have been observing from afar for 22 odd years.

Sometimes I wonder whether I'll ever be happy with my life...

Only time will tell

CBC

xx

Just a few things I've neglected to mention...

2009-03-31T15:51:00.007+01:00

So I've been blogging for just over a year now and although it's been fun, there are some things and people that I blog about without so much as an introduction: How rude! Well I suppose I know you a bit better now so I can let you in on the 'down low'. I've compiled a bit of a Q&A, answering some of the questions you may have had while reading my blog.

Q: Who the heck is this Leo* bloke and are you obsessed with him or something?

A: Leo is a 25 year old law student and published poet with whom I studied the LPC at BPP Law School (and later began a short romantic involvement with). I don't think I've ever physically described him apart from in one of my silly poems which alluded to his blue eyes. He was about 6ft, well built and had curly brown hair and blue eyes...sound like someone you know? Is he you? LOL. As for the second part of the question, I am/ was not obsessed with him. I think he was the first guy who I ever actually liked and could actually see a future with so on my part anyway, there were pretty strong feelings involved.
[*If you hadn't already figured this out, Leo is not this guy's real name ]

Q: Where did the name of the blog come from?

A: Well to reveal that would give the game away. Let's just say I am a huge cat lover and my star sign is also of a feline nature.

Q: So what are you? A student or something?

A: Yes www. I am a student currently. I am an aspiring lawyer and writer.

Q: What does LPC, BPP, BLP mean?

A: Those are legal abbreviations www. They stand for Legal Practice Course, BPP is the name of a law school and BLP is Business Law and Practice. This is one of the compulsory modules studied on the LPC.

I hope that the above has answered some of the questions one may have.

Today has been a quietly strange day.

CBC

xx

P.s. My favourite tea of the moment is Twinings Lady Grey! I think with a little milk it is divine!

Minty fresh breath and no one to appreciate it

2009-03-28T21:09:00.003Z

Well, there's some truth in the title. Here I am sat at home, popping the mints when I could have been out with some friends, chilling out, maxing, relaxing all cool...shooting some b-ball outside...okay, I digress but you get the point. But I just could not bring myself to get ready and go out. It was almost as though there was something holding me back, telling me not to go. I never usually hesitate this much before going out and I was very much looking forward to going out! How exactly do you tell your friends,

"Oh, sorry I can't make it tonight, I just had a feeling I shouldn't be there..."

So look forward to yet another quiet evening in ALONE and will probably read a bit of a book (The Shining) and drink lots of tea. What am I...75?

I must say though, I am feeling significantly more upbeat in the face of crappy-ness [adversity for my fellow legal friends who do not speak 'street'] so I'm not sure what that would indicate...

Mucho love-o

CBC

xx

CBC is back in court!

2009-03-27T14:46:00.003Z

Okay so maybe the title has made this out to be more exciting than it really is but yesterday was my first clerking assignment to the RCJ in quite a while. I had forgotten how much waiting around was involved in the judicial system. Wowser! Obviously I can't go into the details of the matter I was attending court for but thankfully it was a family matter, so as to get my legal brain back into gear.

Upon leaving the RCJ, there was in excess of 100 Oriental people waiting to get into the court and about another 50 or so in the lobby/ entrance hall. Needless to say, one black girl going against the tide of people armed with a suitcase and agitated client closely behind does not a party make! There also appeared to be some form of protest taking place outside. Maybe I'm just ignorant but I have no idea what that was about and there was no report on the news as far as I am aware so I guess I'll never know. Didn't really want to hang around as there were news crews aboot the joint.

Curious...

Hmph, anyway, I am just about to head out of the house for some much needed and deserved [if I say so myself] frivolities.

Till next entry

CBC

xx

p.s. Don't you just love it when the judge doesn't show up for court? Heh.

Recurring headaches...

2009-03-06T17:54:00.006Z

I may have to face up to the fact that I may one day have to wear glasses. I never considered that these headaches might be connected to my eyesight.

Hmm...bacon sandwiches or spinach and ricotta pasta for dinner?

CBC

xx

P.s. how much lemon cake can one woman eat and why am I still thinking about Mr Literary? Is an indicator as to whether a man likes you whether he thinks it appropriate to speak about his toilet habits to you? Och.

Poor Heston Blumenthal...not looking good for the Fat Duck is it? Quackitty Quack!

Another quiet day

2009-03-06T14:08:00.003Z

It's been the second day in a row of quiet reflection at home. I don't know why really. It wasn't a conscious choice to. I've been having a lot of headaches lately so I guess it's making me recluse-like.

So I've gotten through the exams and lived to tell the tale! After months or nervously waiting, revising and imagining worse case scenarios, finally they are all over. I haven't the results yet but I've got a lot riding on these.

Not a lot has happened lately and I've barely been out in yonks. I do however, know how to make sushi now so that's one more thing ticked off my 'To Do' list!

CBC is still single and training contract-less so watch this space!

Better be off to to some handwashing so till next entry

CBC

xx

First post of 2009!

2009-01-25T21:22:00.003Z

Happy New Year! Seeing as this is my first post of 2009, I suppose I should make it as cheery as possible. However, after a shattering day of selling books, I scarcely am able to feign a smile.

So what's new CBC? Leo? Mr Literary? Training Contract in the Circle of magique?

Who? What? Don't be silly! Thankfully, for my own sanity and well-being I have not heard from Leo in such a long time that I can just about remember what he looks or sounds like. Unfortunately, recently I have been thinking about him a little more than occasionally. Hmm. I'm not particularly sure what has brought this on. It may be that there was a guy with whom I worked of the same name and so that may have got me thinking about him again. Who knows? Who cares really? I'm going to have to come to the realisation that I'll never quite know what went wrong. I think the more that I try to figure it out, the deeper I dig myself into the pit of "me thinks she doth protest too much"-ness.

Mr Literary. I probably should not comment further on THAT matter. I just don't understand the incompetent sex sometimes. I have decided that for 2009 I will enjoy being alive (as opposed to living) and not trouble myself with 'affairs of the heart' and such. I think relationships/dating/etc are so much more trouble than they are worth. For now anyway.

Ah, but please don't mistake me for someone who is becoming a cynical whingeing old bat. Oh no. Cautious may be a better adjective in this case. 2009 is going to be different; I can feel it already.

So onto the circle of magique. Seeing as I have to re-retake some of my exams, there'll be none of this magic circle lark. But who knows what the future holds. I can't wait.

See...I did kind of end on a semi positive note!

CBC

xx

P.s. I had better scuttle off to make my notes for BLP

Christmas is coming...the pig is getting fat...

2008-12-16T22:23:00.003Z

YAY! So it's Christmas next week and my moods are up and down but I'm kind of happy. Shock horror...I'm becoming a bit of a happy bunny. Hopefully my bloggy will be updated more over Christmas but working 7 days a week, the last thing I am able to do is to post coherent passages recounting my ever exciting legal adventures. Pah

Well time is getting on and my eyelids are getting droopy! Not hitting the hay before I have a cherry bakewell or two and some herbal tea...you know, I've eaten 6 over the past two days! Eek. I shall be positively waddling into the new year!

Till next entry

CBC

xx

"Who do you work for...you pretty little girl..."

2008-11-25T14:32:00.003Z

Pressing words you might say. I'm watching Alias on OD TV and I am hooked already. I love Jennifer Garner or whatever her name is.

Anyway, yes I haven't posted in a while but guess what...I have a rare day off today hence why I am leisurely posting crazy drivel that just feeds my procrastinating urges.
Well I have to reretake my retakes. I'm not going to cry about it. No point. Just got to get on with it now.

Love life? HAH!! Nada, nil, niecha, non, pas existe. I don't know. Maybe I'm destined to be an old cat woman. I'm not sure that I have the time to care though.

Till next more positive entry

CBC

xx

It's a little bit shit...

2008-10-10T20:27:00.002+01:00

...this thing called life. Here I am, locked up in my room and in my pyjamas since 7.30 eating a jacket potato. My dad is still in hospital and will probably be there for a while yet. I am working my socks off and not really reaping the rewards. My love life is so far past non-existent, it's stupid. My finances are crap; whats the point?

I'm nervously awaiting my retake results and I think that I will positively scream if I have to re retake anything!

I need to sleep

CBC

xx

Always look on the bright side of life?

2008-10-06T11:15:00.002+01:00

Sometimes I sit back and think that things couldn't possibly get any worse than they already are. Oh but they really can and have. Dad is in hospital and I don't know how long he will be in there. Meanwhile, I am as alone as ever and I'm having to work 7 days a week. FUN TIMES

I'm tired of this...surely I'm due a little ray of happiness some time soon?

CBC

xx