Tea Off!

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)...





CBC

xx

P.s. Who ARE these four busybodies?

The black pepper in my soup

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

xx

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

Pride and Prejudice (and zombies too)

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

xx

P.s. Happy Birthday Salem*!

CBC gets the sniffles

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!

Hai, soo desu...CBC learns Japanese

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

xx

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

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

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

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

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

I'm still standing...

...yeh yeh yeh. I attempted to sing there. Did you notice that? I'm in a good mood today...ish. Went job hunting today with reasonable success in that there are actually jobs out there to be applied for. Now I just have to play the waiting game. I'm used to playing that game by now! (no allusions to love life intended!)

Had all my revision lectures yesterday thus making the seemingly mammoth task of going over 20 lectures and 30 SGSs for one topic less so. Pretty excited about getting all the highlighters out and going for it this time around; which admittedly is sad but its not all been a bed of roses over in Curious Cat ville. I really just need to sit down (tonight) and plan out my revision, digging out all the statute books and folders from under the bed and replacing them with the elective stuff. Kinda nervous about results now - 25 July...EEP! If I have to retake any more exams I will not be a happy kitty to put it politely.

Anyway, for now it's Hollyoaks and tea avec scone time so I'd better dash...OH NO! I forgot there aren't any more tea bags left. Darn it. This simply will not do. Can't quite be bothered to pop out now so shall have to endure withdrawal until tomorrow morning. I digress. Till next entry.

CBC

xx

p.s. I've strayed a little and changed fonts; spontaneity eh?

Home at last...

After my previous post from law school, I had to leave shortly after that. My little headache had become a full blown migraine. I fell asleep on the train with my mouth slightly ajar. I could feel it open but my head hurt so much that it seemed to relieve the pain. A very brave man decided to brave the slobber and sat next to me. Poor thing, bless him, it must be catching because within like 10 minutes he was 'catching flies' also! HAHA. I'm more powerful than I thought. Lock up your sons, one glance at me and you TOO will be 'catching flies'...mwahaha

My head seems to be easing a bit after spending the past 3 hours in bed curled up in a ball. Maybe I can squeeze another hour of business accounts in before I go to bed? Perhaps I'll get a cup of tea, get an early night and then get up at 6 and work solidly through my format. To think I failed Business Accounts by 4 marks makes me all foamy at the mouth!

"Que sera sera ...whatever will be will be..."

CBC

xx

I had a dream...

...about Leo last night. That's a first. Before it used to be like thinking about him at odd times when my mind wasn't occupied or if I saw him or something that reminded me of him. But dreaming about him especially when I wasn't thinking about him AND I have exams, is NOT encouraging! I don't get what the dream was about really, it was the strangest thing. I can't remember where we were, what was going on or anything just that he had his arm around my shoulders and then the next minute we were dancing, dancing, dancing...and then other 'things'. Strange! Now you tell me what that has to do with the administration of an estate; which is what was on my mind before I went to bed last night!

Today I also did a silly thing...I've ordered my first item from a television shopping channel. Goodness me! I know it'll probably be a load of rubbish but for some reason I was in a spontaneous mood. I suspect it to be all that dream action that occurred in the last 24 hours! HAHA

Well, Im going to get me a cup of tea to calm my nerves and get back to the administration. Aiming for another 2 lectures by tonight...maybe get some will drafting notes done

CBC

xx

"I can feel it coming in the air tonight...oh Lord..."

Tax, tax and more tax

Man I love tax. IHT, CGT, Income tax *sigh* can you sense my enthusiasm? Haha, no it's not that bad really. Lovely day in Londres today...apart from the abundance of flesh! My goodness, a bit of sun and everyone goes a bit crazy. Hey, I don't blame them...it's not very often the weather is this nice in Britain but still, is denim hotpants really appropriate for law school? Maybe I'm just bitter because I can't get my legs out. Heh.

Aie! Advocacy assessment next Friday. Better get rehearsing and dust my suit off. I love seeing the guys all dressed up in their suits! Saw Leo in his today...and did a mini double-take (nearly walking into the barriers and he looked amused, or so I think since my eye sight isn't what it was!) I'm starting to wage bets on who speaks to the other first now. It's been AGES! Me, 20-1 anyone? Bloody hope not.

Well, I think I'm going to put the kettle on...

CBC

xx

P.s. This blog is painting me out to be a bit of a tea addict now. Couldn't be more true!

Musings of a Sunday Evening...

(Image from :http://lolcats.com/view/12648/)


Crumbs, well I haven't blogged in a while. Been rather neglectful of this blog lately. Not a huge amount to document as such. Been a quiet weekend this weekend. I've decided that I officially want to get back into crafting now...whether it be soap making or knitting, I just need to make something or paint something...you know?

Really want to try something new...expand my horizons a bit. I've been so desperate to go Fencing for the past 3 years but never been able to yet...until now! I'm going to bug those people until zey give me a chance dammit! En Garde!! Heh.

I love all the rain we've been having in London lately. Whether that makes me a weirdo or a hopeless romantique (which I suspect is the former more than the latter) I just love the rain. It's so romantic and makes me feel all cosy even though I'm being trampled by sweaty business men in ill -fitting shiny suits or being splashed by inconsiderate cab drivers, there's something quintessentially English about rain. Not that I'd really know...being from the Caribbean and all, but I hazard a guess at this.

Recently, I've been enjoying a lot of sushi too...my new found coolness :P. I love that crazy Wasabi rush that comes up and out of your nose when you least expect. Must make a mental note not to go on a date in a sushi restaurant...only Lord knows the freaky gurning that goes on when the Wasabi hits my nose! Leo's allergic to seafood that reminds me. Yes. I did say Leo...and before you ask...no it's still back to square 1. Nothing has changed. No better than the last time I posted. Overreact much Leo? Hmm, I can't work out men. I really can't. You try to be civil and they take it as a sign that you're coming onto them! Sheesh...though saying all this, I still try to be nice. That's my problem. I try. I care. I could be a bitch...(he would probably argue that I am already one, but we'll leave the mud-slinging to Jeremy Kyle shall we?) well more of a bitch about it. Who cares. I can hardly remember what happened. Well I can but I have more important things to stress about really. I just don't understand why he's being so totally weird about stuff. That's what bugs me. Not so much the "I can't do this anymore" thing...Hmm. I think it's okay to be scared but DON'T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS. Every lawyer knows not to rely on assumptions...he should know better...lol. RANT OVER!

Anyway, moving swiftly on, I've got a few good books lately. Well borrowed from the library but good as new. I'm reading "Jane Austen's Guide to Dating" by Lauren Henderson...both an educational and insightful read! Also I'm reading "Duppy Conqueror" by Ferdinand Dennis. Really good historical read encapsulating all the trials and prejudices faced by black people and tinged with traditions spanning Jamaica, Britain and Africa ultimately. I'm in the Britain phase at the moment. The 'Island Club' being the central location for the time being. So engrossed in that book! Got another book by John Grisham and one by Tess Gerritsen to get my fangs sunken into. Slurrrrrrrrrrrrp! :)

Had a "Mean Girls" night last night! I think every girl needs one now and then. Bit of teenage frolics and frippery with some man candy thrown in for good measure.

"Jason you are such a skeeze..."

"That is so fetch"

Mioaw! Not the best lines but one's which circle my head whilst I'm trying to consolidate PC (WPEP). Haha there's an abbreviation for you www!

Well my tea is getting cold. I must depart. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Schott Part 2 even though a source has informed me that it's not particularly new. I still want it!

Kitty say "Miao bye!"

CBC

xx

P.s. Poems I like coming soon!