Driving Home For Christmas

Driving home for Christmas. Chris Rea made these road trips appear to be so full of magical festive nostalgia. However as fantastic as it was to be chauffeur driven by my Dad home again (official thank you done) to be sat in the car about 7 hours when it is a 2-3 hour journey…. Is just insane!

Just to put the record straight – I consider myself not to be a complainer or a winger – those titles go to my dearest Papa when frustration rises in his stomach . Growing up with a Mechanic as a father, and a car fanatic, it follows the trend that Dad considers himself to be pretty above standard driver, and anyone who cannot reach this level of skill is indeed a ‘moron’.

Leaving Bournemouth at 3pm there had only been a light sprinkling of the white stuff. To be fair it wasn't settling enough for us to worry about – but on the other hand heavy enough for me to feel ever so Christmassy whilst packing my belongs for the FIRST TIME (eeek) to go home for the holidays.

So as we left at 15 hundred hours and began start the expected life updates for each other expecting to return home in time to grab some dinner and head into our local in town to see a band and have a few drinks.

It seems someone else had other plans in store for us.

We had a safe hour of at good 60mph plus of travelling until we hit issues just outside Dorchester. When I say issues… I mean snow traffic problems…. And when I say snow traffic problems I mean the sighing and huffing coming on my right side, with the occasional expletive. Well that was my problem anyway.

In my eyes there is no point in complaining or sighing or getting frustrated in situations you cannot control – of course this saintly attitude isn't one I always adopt - however I seem not to have picked up my father’s impatience.

After an hour plus of craning our necks, watching drivers get in and out, switching CD’s and even getting my laptop out of the boot to show Dad my embarrassing interview footage, we started to move.

Admittedly it was at the pace of someone who had fallen out of a wheel chair and was pulling themselves along – or at the very least it felt like that. At this point I smugly look over to say “See we’re moving now, at least that’s better than complaining” and we come to another stand still.

“Seriously?!? What’s stopping us now? Stopping on a hill is the worse place to stop.” Unfortunately these were typical famous last words that rang in my ears as I bounced on the bonnet of our lime green Audi Estate trying to ‘gain traction’.

Humiliating is not a strong enough word for the performance I was giving the queues of stationary traffic.  Moving five minutes back in time, the car ahead of us manages to slowly slip its way up the hill.

Aha! Clutch up, hand break off – GO GO GO!

Er – no. The tyres are just gliding over the ice and we’re no further forward than before and the familiar rise of panic affixes to my chest. “You’ll have to get out and push on the bonnet.” I dutifully I get out of the passenger side and began to push hard down on the bonnet attempting to gain some grip, but I keep slipping. “You’ll have to sit on the bonnet to get some weigh on it”.

Oh dear God, am I actually doing this – especially with a car full of barely legal guys opposite me in the queue shouting advice. My logical side was fighting against my emotional, You’ll never see these people again and you need to get home vs. This has to be one of the uncomfortable things I have ever done.

Eventually, the testosterone kicked in for some men and actually decided to get out of their cars and help me and we soon got moving….

We eventually pulled into the drive at 10pm. 7 hours later, with several worried phone calls from distressed clucking Grandma and Mum checking for sure that our pride hadn’t got the best for us and we had just started gnawing on your own shoes to survive.

Now a day later, a semi-successful snowman, a satisfying roast and the fireside burning in the living room (no we haven’t gone back in time – this is just life my life in Devon), it does concern me I’ll be snowed in an not be able to actually see the friends who were my driving force in coming home.

But I think for now I will enjoy the glass of wine in my hand and Ghostbusters on the box (it’s a bit crap, but I seem to have lost the control I earnt over the remote) – I think I will be able to survive for a little bit longer.

SNOWW!!!

Just a random bit I wrote about the cold snap!

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Yay snow… no wait… I’m cold, trapped in my house and lacking food after the enviable milk and bread genocide.

When did this happen? When did my childish glee of snow change to the same bitterness the wind slaps across my face?

As a child, snow was the best thing ever to redecorate the whole of the country since Dick and Dom’s ‘creamy muck muck’ covered their wholesome bungalow. For my generation it used to be so rare. In fact a white Christmas for years on end never appeared from behind those curtains of torrential rain and dullness.

Never too old..... even with childish carrot placement...
January 09

I would yearn for those beautifully supernatural days when as a girl I would wake up early for school to find mum telling me that there’s too much snow to head in. It was pretty much if someone came up to me today to proudly present me free tickets to Glastonbury : A-Mazing!

It would be now when I would be bolting for the nearest exit of the oven and into the freezer. This is no mean feat whilst maternal forces attack with layers and layers of random clothing to avoid catching the dreaded ‘chill’.

Frankenstein slash snowman
 Jan 10

My brother and I used upturn the garden from the smooth picturesque image we had woken to into what would soon become our pride and joy snowman for the remaining few days. The garden became a war zone as we would smash the thick ice that frozen over the water butt and create a crime scene of snow angel outlines across the lawn.

Looking at my window now, whilst wrapped in bed clothes, fluffy dressing gowns, and clutching the standard hot chocolate, I think “F**ks sake!”

I seem to be unable to now separate the joys of flakey white confetti with the unavoidable lurking questions: Why is this seat belt so cold? Why wont my car start? How am I to get to work? And then the resigning thought that all my unfinished work is almost certainly going to create a fortress of paperwork around me.

It’s a sad thing that our frenzied adult lives revolve around the means of travelling to work. It’s times like these when I wished I followed my potential art career. It could be brilliant. I could draw the scene in its entire splendor. That is before I suddenly realize that we are out of milk and debate whether the local shop would be open if I braved to expedition out.

SpeakEasy Photo's

SpeakEasy Thursday 9th Dec 2010 - The Winchester - Bournemouth

Features: Life In The Day: Charlotte Gay

This piece is written in the style of the Sunday Times Magazine, it focuses on my stereotypical day before attending BU.

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A Life in the Day: Charlotte Gay

The Devonshire student, 18, on waitressing and finding the time to seize the day.

My first thought when I wake up is usually 'Where am I?’

This is because of living with parents in separate houses. Once noting where I am staying, I quickly recall what it is I am supposed to be doing that day. I don't mind getting on with my day once I'm up, however since leaving North Devon College I am relaxing in the joy that is the summer time. Of course if you were to try and find North Devon College, you will soon realise it does not exist. 2009 saw our own ‘coalition’ – the North and the East coming together to create… Petroc. Anti-climax? We all thought so.

Bitter Sweet Countryside

However summers’ have always been very bitter sweet to me. Until this year, I couldn't drive and being stuck in the middle of the 'Devonshire Countryside' (although lovely) doesn't look quite so pleasant when the nearest bus is a 40 minute walk away - bad times.

Typically when I'm up I'll grab my own concoction of breakfast. I like to be 'inventive' with my food. The best tool for these creations is a toasted sandwich maker - the possibilities are truly endless. Charlie will usually, however, demand that his needs are met first and insists on weaving in-between my legs and putting his head in the fridge - I should probably mention that Charlie is my cat.

Luckily, though there are breakfast shifts regularly offered to me, I have been able to justify my preference for evening and weekend shift with my ‘college get out of jail free’ card. Waiting is a lot harder than people initially think. Character building? Yes, I have certainly had to toughen up my emotions – I used to get teary as soon as easily as someone making an offhand comment. But being hounded down by the kitchen for simply being swamped with other orders is a daily occurrence. Understandably the kitchen can be stressful, yet after a difficult customer it does make you question Do people do this on purpose? I have heard some tall complaints but the worst has to have been ‘This ice cream is too cold’. Or a weirder note I even had a woman give me her tooth! There are worrying people out there. I am also sometimes a bar maid too – even scarier that waiting. Although my nervous disposition for this is purely acquired by the fact that I the bar attached to my restaurant is manned by only 1 bar person at a time. 1 person to serve, clean, take food orders, change barrels (though I have managed to escape this so far) and pour drinks for restaurant too. Thrown in at the deep end I’ve worked it alone since my ‘induction’ shift.

'The Woodford Massive'

I like my job mainly because of the people I work with. At my 1^st job I was the youngest member of staff and never enjoyed the way it excluded me socially. But now, since so many of us are similar ages, I’m in the social haven of ‘Woodford Bridge Country Club’ or should I say the ‘Woodford massive!’

I have met so many more new friends since working there. A standard shift will end with us either staying up ridiculously late in staff accommodation watching films or all going out for a crazy night somewhere. I’ve had night when we parked up home back at 8am ready for Sunday carvery. I love being spontaneous and it is more exciting that way. There is a problem with that though, mainly for my boss. Work being the centre of gossip and many of us hung-over, perhaps its too social. Nevertheless as social as I want to be, I always get the job done.

Eventually rocking home at god knows what hour I tend to finish the night off with a cup of tea and maybe a brief mental day plan for tomorrow before collapsing asleep.

Vox Pops Assessment - By Charlotte Gay & Caroline Scott

BA CHAIRMAN CALLS FOR SECURITY CHANGE

Miss Whorriskey 'headache'

BA Chairman, Martin Broughton, has launched an appeal for radical change in the UK’s airport security, announcing we should stop ‘kowtowing’ to American security demands. Every terrorist plot seems to lengthen the airport security procedures, with passengers now forced to remove their shoes, open laptop cases and empty their pockets in order to be screened – a process Broughton criticised as being “completely redundant”.  

A survey in the Financial Times shows the security queue is the most frustrating part of a passenger’s air travel.

Social care worker Nevetta Whorriskey, 45, Newbury, is adamant airport security checks are getting too intense. She expressed that the need to queue for hours makes her experience “a bit more of a headache”.

Mr De Angelis: "checks are
good - they are needed"

Nevertheless, waiting an extra half an hour would not be an issue for many. Shop owner Tony De Angelis, 70, of Hazelton Close, Littledown, said he is more concerned for his safety. “I don’t want to worry about someone going to blow me up” he said.

Mr Butcher: " It's keeping
me safe"

Gardener Terry Butcher, 54, Marlborough Road, Westbourne, also completely disagreed with simplifying the security.  “As far as I’m concerned it’s keeping me safe and keeping other passengers safe.”  Mr Butcher returned from Menorca, stated he would rather spend a bit more time queuing on the ground rather than worrying about his safety in the air.

Mr Chadwick: "Safety and security has
got to be paramount"

Retired Bournemouth visitor, Ray Chadwick, 73, Charing, Kent, was shocked by Broughton’s appeal. “Safety and security has got to be paramount” he said.

Mr Chave: "It wouldn't bother me at all
to go through the full body scans"

Taxi driver, John Chave, 45, Belben Road, Wallisdown said “With the 9/11 incident I think that the security could be a bit tighter” He believes the current checks are not enough.

Mr Hitchens: "Body scanner(s) will probably
reveal 90% of what a terrorist has on him"

Sandwich bar owner Paul Hitchman, 54, of Charminster Road thinks “sample checks” are the way forward to reduce queues. Hitchman says “they’ve got to have a system where they can detect most of these terrorists” without putting everyone through the security procedure.

Mrs King: "Get through security quicker"

Mother of two, Sabine King, 41, from Hordle says “we’d all like to see a little bit less (airport security)”.

David Bezwarick, 29, Glen Road, described this as “extreme”, complaining, “we still get the same checks going to Scotland as we do going to the states”. Bezwarick, currently an art gallery sales assistant, also said the security measures “don’t make a lot of sense”, due to only being allowed to take 1 lighter on board, for example.

Mr Bezwarick:; "Extreme"

Miss Wilson: "Ample"

Hairdresser Pippa Wilson, 26, Richmond Park Road, Charminster, feels that the security measures are ‘ample’ but a necessity. “It’s really important for our country” she says.

Miss Luard: "Bit OTT?"

Performer Jenny Luard, 24, Magdalene Road, Durham, thinks the intensity of the checks are a wise move, although she admits feeling uncomfortable when having to go through so many. “From past experience it can be a bit OTT, but I guess it’s for a good cause.”

Are male stand-up's funnier?

My little try at a column style piece.
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Tell me who your favourite comedian is. Is it Russell Brand? Jimmy Carr? Dara O'Briain? I think there seems to be a pattern here… Where are all the women? This is a question that often bemuses me. It strikes me as odd that we live in a society which appears to be overruled with male comics. Don’t get me wrong I love them! I can’t get enough of Michael McIntire’s mockery slash adoration of the middle classes, Lee Evan’s frantic explosions and even the scandalous verbal slips that leave Frankie Boyle’s Scottish tongue. Still when I type into Amazon ‘comedy DVD’ and I can officially tell you no females will be seen in their ‘relevant’ list.

Mock The Week

So why is it that these men get national sell out gigs and television appearances? Whilst the most I can find for someone like Catherine Tate was the odd tired half laugh Either way, surely in this day and age women can be just as funny as men?

Yet, I can honestly announce that I have friends both female and male who are equally funny yet there is some sort of a keys step missing between this level and that of stand-up comics. This thought first occurred to me when a friend of mine back in school announced ‘Men are always funnier than women – FACT!” I tried to defend our lady kind but unfortunately my lack of substantial evidence of comedians proved my argument to be lack somewhat in credibility. This annoyed me (I’d say a 50/50 split between my beliefs and my stubborn attitude which doesn’t like to be beaten) so perhaps I took this thinking a bit too far, or at least I knew my friend had stopped caring by the time I came up with my logical conclusion and here it is:

Women are not as successfully funny than men because it is a seen as unfeminine.

Jo Brand

It has been said that stand-up comedy needs a degree of machismo, clear self-assertion and even aggressiveness. All elements typically associated with men. Apparently there is also a rumour that woman have a higher ‘fear of failing’ – pft! I wouldn’t say that. But my point still remains that women have to choose between how they want to be seen by others and how much they are willing to put up with being seen as a bit ‘blokey’. For instance, probably one of the most successful British female stand up’s is Jo Brand (you may not agree but just bear with me a second). Can you honestly say that Jo Brand tries to appeal to men through her femininity – this may at first seem like a harsh thing to say but Jo herself has easily and often commented that she is not trying to represent what the western world calls beauty (whether that is ‘right’ is a completely different discussion). But this is exactly it. With self-deprecating humour she no longer becomes a target for hecklers but someone who is appreciated for the jokes she entertains us with.

Sarah Silverman

It appears that women have to adopt male attributes in order to become ‘funny’. Joan Rivers’ material can be pretty crude and as result gets that label – yet being a fan of some of Frankie Boyle’s work doesn’t make his female audience crude does it? I suppose my studies in sociology seem to have created a feminist argument – not one I have intentionally started! Trust me sociology is not a fun subject! But to summarise I guess what I am saying is that women can be funny look at Josie Long and Sarah Silverman. It just seems a shame that there is a trend for women to act more male to get a laugh. I’m waiting for those under the radar females to prove to us girls we're just as funny.

Head Banger

What a head banger!

After attempted crowd surfing, the 21 year old accounting and finance student, collides head first with the dance floor. Mike Juriansz has no recollection of Friday night, 26 Nov, and how he ended up unconscious on The Old Firestation floor, but friends Jack Aldridge and Ellie Keep remember the crash much clearer.

Ellie, 21, Roman Archaeology student, said “A group of guys, I didn’t know them, came over and picked him up over their heads, like crowd surfing.” Mike, from Fleet, Hampshire, believed the group to be “from back home but I’m not certain”. It was then at 2:45am that Mike landed head first onto the ground.

“He landed like flat on his head, and his neck bent, and he just laid there with his eyes open” said Jack, 20, Physiology student.

Mike Juriansz before bang.

“They all surrounded him and some of them tried picking him up but a bouncer came over and dragged Mike to the ticket booth room” said Ellie, from Reading.

Jack and Ellie watched as their best friend was laid down and put into the recover position. “He started to come round but was really confused and didn't know where he was or anything they told him to stay in the recovery position and asked me to call an ambulance” said Ellie. Jack said “he was still thinking he was in his hometown”.

When the ambulance arrived the paramedics took Mike inside to complete checks before heading to Poole Hospital. Ellie, waiting at The Old Firestation said “I dunno how long (the checks were) for but it felt like forever”

After spending 10 hours surveillance, Mike got a lift from Poole Hospital at 1:30pm the next day with a friend. “They kept shining a torch into my eyes, which was annoying, but they just told me to take it easy and if I felt dizzy or ill to go back.

“I still consider the night a success - it was eventful and there’s no lasting damage” said Mike ironically after sustaining cuts, lumps and bruises to his head.

A special thank you goes out to the staff at The Old Firestation “They were extremely helpful and nice” said Ellie.

Mike, although, said “I honestly have no idea how I ended up crowd surfing”

BAD HAIR DAY? Hair Raising for the Teenage Cancer Trust

Bad Hair Day The Movie!

Bad hair?!? Don't talk crazy! Usually a teenage nightmare, so why intentionally come to university with hair looking awful enough to make strangers stare at your barnet?


The crazy thing is people actually jumped on it!


The event dubbed 'Hair Raising' headed mainly by third year BAMMJ student Laurence Ettridge, and 1st year Joseph Kent, started today with 30 plus people doing ridiculous things with their hair.


The choices tended to range from permanent bleaching (Mr Kent himself!), temporary colour (I myself fall into this category), Back combing, knotting things actually into their hair - girls you are much braver than many female I know!

My hair looking more ginger than red!

Of the least obvious yet in my opinion brilliant ones was by Skylar Shah's half and half look, shaving half his face and spiking the other half up! Pretty epic idea in my opinion, yet it was Vix Hutton who won chocolates as being voted for the best (or worst) hair.


Over £100 was raised, figures tally up to make that Media Law lecture cost 2.7p a second. Dan Hogan, News Journalism lecturer stated 'it is your generosity of spirit that made this such a great country'.
This has brought the overall total to bulldoze the £500 barrier and it is just the beginning of the fund raising... A 'Speak Easy' event combined with the 'Hair Raising' Band Night are to be held at The Winchester, Poole Hill, Bournemouth Thursday 9th December. 




So stay tuned for my gig review.

Pepe Jeans - Flash Mob!!!

In a plan to show my keen-ness to the Pepe Jeans rep's, I came along to this 'secret event' Pepe had invited BU students to.
It all started back in the hazy beginnings of freshers at the Fresher's Fair. Pepe Jeans had a stall as there were looking for a male and female from Bournemouth University to be a brand ambassador.... what does this entail you ask? Getting you mates to buy expensive jeans? Having to go to events and get other ambassadors for the brand? No... it was simply - yet brilliantly - as easy as getting 100% FREE DESIGNER JEANS!
Ambassadors are kitted out twice a year in Pepe's London store and just have to wear these fantastic jeans!
It just seems too good. Well whilst waiting for the competition panel to make their minds up on who is the lucky pair - I am waiting in anticipation (PICK ME!!!)

Either way! This is a Flash mob. We quite simply disturbed the peace of Bournemouth Town Centre by causing a stand still in the high street..... confused? Watch the video above and have a gander at our little experiment :) 

Old Person Interview

Thought this may as well go up - though it was the first piece of work I did here at Bournemouth and there are quite a few things I would of done differently if I interviewed him again :)
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During the War...

‘Terrifying’. David Saunders returns back to life during WW2.

As a toddler, being torn out of home and horded to the bottom of the garden is not something many people experience today.

David Saunders shed light on WW2 bunker

Now as a crisp day in October, gazing out over Bournemouth Garden’s it’s hard to imagine how much has changed since David’s childhood.

 ‘It was one of the most terrifying times of my life’

Dark. Damp. Cramped. Cold.

An uncomfortable situation at best but luckily David was not alone.

Protected by his parents and four sisters, David’s family also shared the restricted bunker with neighbours’ families.

The steel sheeted shelter often flooded and didn’t prove much comfort in these times of panic.

These air raids being common during the 1940’s, sometimes lasting for several hours. Not knowing when it is safe to leave or what you’ll return to when resurfacing.

‘We all just sat soberly, listening to the German planes flying overhead for hour at a time’

Wife, Marie, puts her hand on her husband’s knee. Married for fifty one years, last year celebrating their golden wedding anniversary the couple sit relaxed in each other’s company.

The Oxford based couple are Holidaying in Bournemouth and enjoying their stay in the Savoy Hotel.

 ‘We would really love some grandchildren’ said Marie.

My Porn Story :)

The Sun Article

Personality Piece - Telegraph Magazine style

MARK FORKGEN

Short-listed for the Royal Philharmonic Society awards, Mark Forkgen talks about guest conducting, duets with Deep Purple and working with young musicians.Charlotte Gay joins him at Bournemouth Arts College before his annual performance.

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It’s an animated scene. A group of seven musicians are all tuning their instruments independently, each one fiddling with reeds, tightening strings and even a drummer texting away on his mobile. People are joking around, teasing each other with jests only each other would understand. A dark haired man sits, taking his place upon the conductor’s chair. The noise dies down and people prepare their musical sheets for the rehearsal.

Mark Forkgen

This is Kokoro. The small contemporary ensemble is led by conductor 41-year-old Forkgen, and derives from the Japanese word for Heart of Feeling. Born in London, Forkgen has been shortlisted for 2006 Royal Philharmonic Society awards – the highest recognised award for live classical music-making in the United Kingdom. In 1994, he won Second Prize and the Kenneth Tyghe Audience Prize at the Leeds Conducting Competition. Forkgen has also worked with big names such as Mstislav Rostropovich - widely considered to be one of the greatest cellists of the 20th century, and with such ensembles as Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the English Northern Philharmonia.

Clearly a man well established in the orchestral world, it begs the question what is he doing settling with the small Bournemouth based group? “I prefer the more personalised and relaxed atmosphere. Everybody trusts each other and it allows me to have better responsibility for the group.” Forkgen started working at BSO (Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra) in 1992 as an assistant conductor, before moving onto Kokoro in 1999. 

Forkgen’s family brought him into a musical environment, and no doubt had their influence over his musical career. “It was actually a second generation thing, my mother’s parents were musical and my aunt used to play the organ.” It was as an Organ Scholar at Queen’s College, Cambridge that Forkgen began his lengthy résumé, soon winning a scholarship to study conducting at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

“When I was younger I did a lot of choral work and played as an organist.” Forkgen says that learning with the Chapel choir gave a clear religious stimulus to the beginning of his conducting. Although now “Choirs and operas are not something I work with.” Forkgen also admits to no longer playing organ “I play a small amount of piano but it is impossible to keep up with everything.”

Now Forkgen decided that he no longer wished to specialise in operatic work, he describes the many different avenues for a conductor to specialise in “You just need to find your niche. I like variety.” Now a dedicated to the field of choral and contemporary music, Forkgen searched for his forte with years of guest conducting. Often travelling internationally, Forkgen has given performances of Handel’s Messiah in Siena, Handel’s Israel in Egypt at the Viterbo Early Music Festival in Italy and Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring in Denmark.

  “It’s always an experiment; you never know for sure how it’s going to turn out”     

His recordings have been highly celebrated by BBC Radio 3 and in both musical and national press. It would appear that classical music is moving closer from the periphery edges of main stream music attracting more younger audiences than ever before. Whilst sat in the Bournemouth University Forkgen says his audience following is “Quite Mixed – Tonight performance’s a complete sell out.” He continues to say “initially it’s always an experiment; you never know for sure how it’s going to turn out, but art students tend to enjoy the contemporary.” “I think the music is philosophically linked rather than an age thing”.

It seems Forkgen’s knowledge of classical music is extremely comprehensive. Nick Thorne, BSO Fundraising and Ensembles Department states “You definitely do not have to have the same knowledge as he does for music (to be able to work with him) Mark is very easy to get on with.” This seems to be a key aspect of Forkgen working environment. “I’m not usually into moving groups, I prefer working with smaller groups.” Forkgen rarely guest conducts as this would mean a lack of personal connection with the orchestra. When everyone is relaxed and gets on well with each other this creates “a better quality (of music).”

Rehearsals at ACBU

However what is most intriguing is the regular juxtaposition of rock and classical music that Forkgen brings together. July 2006 saw the compilation of Forkgen with the BSO alongside with Deep Purple at the Henley Festival and again with Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour at the Chelsea Festival. Both 70’s rock bands are recognised for pioneering different styles of rock with chart-soarers like Smoke on the Water and Another Brick in the Wall. It was a “slightly wacky project” said Forkgen. David Gilmour being a “Seventies rock God” it created a following that Forkgen was not expecting. “We arrived in the morning to see people queuing already - not exactly the norm for an orchestral performance.” Forkgen had nothing but praise for these rock bands, “They are fantastic musicians & instrumentalists, immediately earnt respect”.

Now as Head of Music at Tonbridge School Kent (boarding fees are £9,971 per term), Forkgen can now influence the young people he has always hoped to and gaining more interest in orchestral music from a younger audience. “Being a school teacher you have to be very adaptable to speaking to a wide range of people from those very keen on music to those not so, every project he takes on he does with great thought and assurance that there will be great success to his work” adds Nick.

Conducting requires a strong level of control, with poise in each flick of the arms and wrists whilst keeping the torso neatly held. Forkgen said “People are wowed, they wouldn’t normally think it, but to be fully appreciated orchestra needs to be live – It’s all part of the performance, it’s a visual experience as well”

New Radio Chat Show

I have just started my new radio show - wehey!


It's currently fortnightly on Thursday evenings 5 -6pm - hopefully will become weekly! I will be playing the latest chart anthems, inviting in guest presenters to banter with and be asking for all listeners thoughts and musings!


You can listen and watch the webcam on nerveradio.com


Check out the show's Facebook page : The Charlotte Gay Show
Or Tweet me @charlottegay92
Or the Nerve Studio at @nerveradio

PORN FOR ALL

With any luck this piece will be published - When it is I'll either change this around or I'll add links etcetera to the final published article.

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Freshers’ from Bournemouth University have project hardcore pornography onto neighboring halls of residence.

Students staged an impromptu festival of pornography by projecting a porn film out of their block of flats. The side of Purbeck House was used a makeshift 70 foot high screen. The 8th November saw the action spread out over four floors of student’s rooms and audio booming across the courtyard.

Undergrad student Perri Robinson, 19 from Hillingdon, said “we were watching a film and thought – I wonder if we could get it on the other building. It wasn’t until after we realized we could that the guys had the idea to play porn”

The sex tape projected out at just before 11pm. Retail Management student, Richard Welsh from Staines said “I think everyone who saw it found it funny and weren’t offended although there were a few screams from girls walking between Block A and B”.

As the couple performed on the building, security guard’s prowling the scene drew the five-minute show to an early finish.

“As soon as we saw the security guard we stopped projecting it incase we were put on another warning”

In true student style “Anyone in block A think they can top that?” said Welsh.

The sex scene was then posted on testosterone-fueled site Truelad.com

Currently standing at 1220 likes the post reads:

“Just looked out of my window at my Halls of Residence in Bournemouth and some absolute LADs have projected hardcore porn onto the face of Block B. 30ftPornLADs”

With security oblivious to the event, the students are debating what their next what the next challenge will be.

http://www.truelad.com/story.php?id=166832

FAD -Facebook Addiction?

This piece here is subject to change - hopefully will be published in Nerve* Magazine.


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Do you have FAD?

Facebook Addition Disorder. Do you have it? Since the release of The Social Network, Facebook seems even more unstoppable. It starts with just checking your notifications, then a sneaky peek at what your friend’s new boyfriend or girlfriend looks like (admit it – we’ve all done it!

But has your problem escaladed? Do you find that hours have gone by and all you’ve done it repeatedly hit the refresh homepage button?

These symptoms of FAD include:

• Putting off important work to be trawling through random people’s photos.
• Access on your mobile phone – checking whenever you have a spare moment or two.
• If you fall out with your boyfriend /girlfriend and its official once he relationship status has changed.
• You get frustrated if you cannot find the person you are searching for
• You have hundreds perhaps nearing thousands of friends – but how many of them would you genuinely want to stay in touch with?
• You make a point of checking your Facebook just before going to bed – even if it is 4am and you can barely type in your password correct. 

Following the recent ‘Unplugged’ challenge where approximately 400 students were invited to take part in spending 24 hours without media. Facebook was one of the most missed aspects of the challenge. If that doesn’t grab your attention well maybe The Ohio Report will shock yourself with the fact that students who use Facebook have a “significantly” lower grade in US universities than those who did not use the site. For those of you who have come to terms with your problem here are my ‘self help tips’ for keeping you off Facebook and onto that assignment…. At least until the work is done!

Stage One:

Admitting you have a problem. For most of you reading this you probably already recognise that many hours spent social networking could have been spend either doing work, or maybe even socialising in real life? – Just a suggestion!

Stage Two:

Have a Facebook mission. Most of us log on to send someone a message, or check our notifications, but once you’ve done that STOP RIGHT THERE!

O.k. you’ve done what you came to do so this is your que to exit.

Stage Three:

I can’t get off Facebook. O.k. I’ll admit, saying and doing are two completely different tasks. I have personally found that when I get back from a lecture; don’t even turn on your computer. Or failing that don’t use the Internet at all. This may not be possible for all assignments but if you’re like me, you assure yourself that your just keeping it open in case someone needs to get hold of you. IF IT’S THERE YOU'LL LOOK AT IT!

Stage Four.

Make a schedule. We all know the certain times of the day when people are more likely to be online, or when you are more likely to knuckle down and get some work done. Here is your chance to have a bit of Facebook time and actually get some work done too. Happy faces all round.

Stage Five.

Quit Facebook. If you find you are at this stage, then you either have a serious medical addiction (I mean I am actually a tad worried for you) or you don’t really have an addiction, which make me think do you really need to follow these steps?

Hopefully this will help of you addicts there shaking back and forth till your next fix – or if not maybe Facebook group would grab your attention more?