Typecast

After becoming all "Outraged of Blackburn" at something earlier, my motivational email of the day from ' a friend ' suggested that there are bigger things to pissed off about.  Well, I had a look around t'internet and I think... THINK... I have found my Outrage Button. The set of Coronation Street is being rebuilt at Salford Quays to the tune of £10million.  But that's not what I'm outraged about... They have built the road behind Coronation Street (Maudsley Road) and included Victoria Court Flats.  But that's not what I'm outraged about... The set looks too 'new' so the builders are painting special dyes onto the brickwork and smashing chunks out of the brickwork to give it an aged look.  But that's not what I'm outraged about... What I *am* outraged about is the fact that the Rovers Return seems to have had a second window installed during the rebuild.  See... Top: new set.  Bottom: old set. Whilst I'm o...

Recently, I hosted a writing competition in conjunction with Totaljobs #JobsAcademy .  I asked two very talented writer friends, Vix Ward and Rachel McGladdery, to judge the entries.  The standard of writing was extremely high and the ideas pool very deep.  However, they reached a speedy, unanimous decision. And The Winner Is... Velcro Dog .  Jessica opens her interview by saying, "If it's a dream then anything can happen right?  So if I could interview anyone in the whole world it would be my dog, Lupo."  She then continues to interview her dog for the important position of family pet. The judges mentioned that the interview was cute, simple, funny and sincere and that it was amusing without being overly clever. Congratulations to Jessica (and Lupo).  They win £150 in High Street Vouchers from Totaljobs. Highly Commended The judges would also like me to give a special mention to the following entries: Mother Distracte...

This Soundtrack To My Life comes from Kirsty. I feel privileged to have Kirsty in my online social circle. I love the way in which both her and her wife, Clara, break the taboos about same-sex marriage. They are very open about the way in which their relationship works, how it affects others and how parenting in a same-sex relationship isn't such a Big Thing as is often portrayed. All links are at the end of the post, but for now, it's over to Kirsty...  ¨¨°º©©º°¨¨ T-Rex - Cosmic Dancer   This song reminds me of being a child. My dad was a big fan and I would find his Cassettes and play this in my walkman as it felt so familiar. When Billy Elliot came out it encouraged me to get the soundtrack on CD so that I could feel that my childhood again. I love putting this on on days where I want to remember where it all began. Bell X1 – Eve, The Apple of my Eye   I was going through a really rough time in my life, when I discovered this song. I wo...

Sharing a quick pic of my new labeller on Facebook recently proved that I'm not the only one with a bit of a geek streak... I'm a bit of a sticker freak, using them all the time in my diary, to jazz up files and on items that might get  stolen  "mislaid" at work.  I even have some London-themed stickers with my name on. I think I'm getting a bit obsessed with this labeller though; it brings out the organiser in me. I thought I was being a bit nerdy with the labeller love, going round the house tagging all the wires behind the television and in my study (aka the spare room which has a desk in it) so I thought I'd take it one step further and make a list of ten things I labelled this week... TEN WAYS I USE MY LABELLER Printed return address labels for the outside of eBay packages.  I type mine out like this:  [SURNAME] [door number] [POSTCODE] to save printing a full address out.   Labelled my camera in the same way inside the battery pouc...

In a land of myth and a time of magic the destiny of a great kingdom  rests on the shoulders of a young man. His name is Merlin.     Merlin is one of the most popular British TV dramas in recent years.  Since its launch in September 2008 the BBC drama has grown to become one of the most loved and watched programmes on television.   The Merlin: The Complete Collection  (series 1-5) box-set is being released on  28th October 2013 ! This complete collection brings together all five series on DVD as we follow Merlin attempting to fulfil his destiny at the side of the once and future king.  Merlin features an all-star cast including Anthony Head, Richard Wilson and the voice of John Hurt (as the Dragon).  This 27-disc box set tells the epic story of the golden age of Camelot and features amazing action sequences and stunning CGI.  It contains every episode and bonus features and includes the "Making Of..." documentarie...

Suzanne is a writer and it's taken her fourteen years to admit that! She has relocated from London to Scotland with her family and has a really bizarre tale about the reason her blog is named so (check it out on the link below!).  However, for now, it's over to Suzanne for her Soundtrack To My Life choices... ¨¨°º©©º°¨¨ Del Amitri - Driving With The Brakes On   This was my coming of age track. The song I broke my heart to and wondered if I'd stay single forever. I used to lie on my bed, in the dark and play it as loud as I dared without my flatmates staging an intervention. I was also head over heels in love with Justin Curry, the singer/songwriter from Del Amitri. At the same time, I was reading The Crow Road by Ian Banks, so the whole Glasgow scene seemed achingly romantic to me. I wanted to live a life somewhere between this song and The Crow Road - dark, brooding, exciting, men desperately in love with me, squabbling over my affections while I pursued my tr...

I had a month off at  The High Tea Cast  last month but I'm back with a vengeance and talking about possessions.  It's all based around a blog post I read ages ago about defining the "stuff" we have in our life and whether we actually need them all.  It would be great to hear what you think. Find all my articles on The High Tea Cast here 

I listened to Tim Minchin interview Caitlin Moran once and almost died of happiness.  In a perfect world, if i could have chosen to be a fly on the wall, this is one conversation I would have picked.  I wish it was still available to listen to (or that I'd downloaded it) because it doesn't seem to be online anywhere. At work, part of the course I deliver is based around making yourself employable and we cover interview skills.  Being interviewed is one of the most nervewracking experiences and whilst you should be researching and rehearsing, you're always waiting for that 'on the spot' moment, aren't you? #JobAcademy at Totaljobs asked me who I'd like to interview.  There is so much choice that I would probably say one person, imagine their answers and then immediately think of someone else.  I did interview my child once and his answers were not what I expected at all! So keeping that in mind, I think I'd like to open th...

Once upon a time I used to work at an insurance brokers.   It was my first full time job and it was the basis for my career path.  I also enjoyed a generous discount for all types of insurance and, boy, I wish I still had that discount now.  Shopping around for our insurance is the usual way to find the best deal but the AA Home Insurance always comes recommended.  I always like a good bargain. Car insurance is a legal requirement to be able to drive on the roads but did you know that home insurance should (or at least buildings insurance) is compulsory for any home with a mortgage?  It can feel pointless paying out money month after month into a bottomless pot t o secure a ‘just in case’ moment, especially in frugal times, but home insurance is just as important as it has always been.  It’s always good practice to review your level of insurance too, especially if you are building your home and adding to your possessions.  Imagine havi...

If you have never listened to an episode of The Big Cheese  on Preston FM before or you're never likely to listen to one again, then this is the one you need to experience.  Even if it's just for the crap rap that I made up for the show credits.  Don't forget, you can keep up with the show on Facebook or follow the live Tweets on Twitter by searching for #BigCheeseQuiz . The Big Cheese, Episode 6 by Nickie O'Hara on Mixcloud

Even though I profess not to be, I think we are traditionalists when it comes to the Christmas build up.  Our family custom is to put the decorations up on the 1st of the month (it's a bit early for me but it's all for the kids, isn't it?) and we have the usual battle about where best to store the presents so that they aren't discovered.  F rom the moment that famous Christmas truck hits our television screens I am already planning the the big build-up so here are my top ten things to do during the December holidays and on the run up to Christmas.   Knit a nativity scene.  I have never ever accomplished this but it will stay on my "to do" list until I do! It is something that should prefereably be done before Christmas.  Maybe I should start in June? Try and find the best Secret Santa present for the gift exchange at work. I'm thinking of a maneki-neko or a space hopper for this year's lucky recipient. Use everything up in the freezer and t...

Jenni describes herself as a "20-something Mama, chief WAG and all round charity shop obsessive which is most definitely the perfect description!  She also mentioned when submitting her choices that there were so many other songs she could have included and that she's going to kick herself for not including some of them but we all know that's the beauty of Soundtrack To My Life , don't we?  Let's have a listen to the five that Jenni did choose... ¨¨°º©©º°¨¨ Meatloaf - Paradise by the Dashboard Light   I grew up listening to Meatloaf, and it was the fist real tape I ever had of my own (my auntie bought me a copy) but this song has particular memories for me. When I was 18 me and my best friend worked in a pub together, at the end of our shift she would drive to the next village to pick up my boyfriend for me (she drove I didn't) and we would have this blaring out of her (very old) Citroen with all the windows down. Even now, whenever we go out we alw...

When I think of projects like this, it is then that I bemoan the loss of the one pound note. Anyway... I saw this article on Huffington Post Parents this week.  Basically a lovely retired couple occasionally take to the streets and offer random acts of kindness. This time they are offering one dollar to drivers at a crossroads in their home town (and check out the video further down that article - it makes me want to head to a roller disco right now ).  So the question is, if someone offered you a pound, would you take it? What if it was offered by a known and respected member of the community? What if it was offered by a teenager wearing low-slung jeans, trainers and a hoodie? What if it was offered by me? Are we automatically suspicious and want to know what the catch is?  Do you get 'something for nothing' in this day and age?  Because you don't need that pound, does it make it immoral to accept it? If you accepted the pound, what woul...

Not so long ago I took part in a survey which centered around child safety and window blinds with emphasis on the strangulation risks from the cords.  I offered my thoughts and then put it to the back of my mind because we have frosted windows and net curtains here (it's a Northern thing...).  And then I saw this article about the death of a 17-month old child who was hanged by a window blind cord. I remembered about some safety information supplied by the people who ran the survey - Apollo Blinds - and think that it's appropriate to raise awareness here (especially with more and more parents fitting blackout blinds in children's bedrooms). Six Simple Steps To Safety Do a quick check in your home.  Are any looped window blind cords dangling untethered?  Even if they are high up they need to be tied back.  Children can and will climb up! Select the best type of safety device for your blinds.  Cord cleats can be used for roman and venetian cords ...

Episode five of  The Big Cheese was broadcast on Preston FM last night with two new panel members.  See if you can spot who is missing! This also means we are past the halfway point of the series. That in itself is a milestone!  Episode six is 'in the can' but requires editing so that's this week's job earmarked! We have two more episodes to record in this series.  I may venture into inviting an audience to watch the recording, just to see how it changes the dynamics of the show and how much audience participation we can allow. Have you ever been to a radio show recording?  Let me know in the comments. The Big Cheese, Episode 5 by Nickie O'Hara on Mixcloud Don't forget, you can keep up with the show on Facebook or follow the live tweets on Twitter by searching for #BigCheeseQuiz .