Surely it's time to ditch the TV license?

Today along with the other exciting brown envelopes in my letter box I received the annual "demand" for £145 of my hard earned cash. When you consider that this money isn't to watch tv in generally but only the ones contacted with the BBC I don't think I'm getting value for money.

Once I go back to work again I will be back to watching TV roughly for 4 hours/day (Mon - Fri) and mayb 8 hours or so at the weekend. Out of this I can hand on heart say I rarely watch bbc1,2,3 programmes. I don't watch Eastenders (dreary london life - er no thank you), I find their news reporting bias and in last few years they seem to have lost out on most of the major sporting events to sky or other rival companies. I did like the Jonathan Ross chat show (but if reports that Graham Norton is taking over as new host - sorry not my thing!)

Yes there are some programmes produced by the "beeb" that I like - Spooks is a fav, I dip into Strictly come dancing" and currently "mistresses" but that's about all that floats my boat.

Then there is the radio stations - and here I probably get more value. I admit to listening to the Radio 1 breakfast show for the drive into work since the Chris Evans Days, and like Scott Miles for drive home but really is there need for all the "jollies" DJ's from the show seem to be on - trips by moyles few yrs back to Germany for football, the trips to New york, Ibiza , Anya Napa every year - Value for money? Hardly.

We as consumers have the right to choose the addidtional stations we want to purchase -sky, virgin media, the now de funked Setana so why can't we have the same choice with the BBC? And by the way they aren't particularly cheap either but at least I can choose if I want to pay the money.

Surely in 2010 its time for BBC to ditch the license and go down the ad route same as the other stations and u never know their viewing figures just might go up!

st georges market - top 40 things to do in Belfast? I think so

Yesterday along with my pal Gillian I went to visit the Sunday market at St George's Market. I was nosey to see if all the hype about the place was true and also was curious to meet some of the people/businesses people talk about on my twitter feed.

Bare in mind my previous experince of SGM was as a 17 yr old student back in the day. Me and friends from school used to visit there on Friday mornings during the school holidays to "pick up a bargain". There was a different sort of vibe about the place then - I'm not being snobby but the vendors were a bit rougher, definately "more Belfast" and less up for the craic.

Indeed when I told my mum yesterday I was at the market she shuddered with the memory of some of the purchases I used to bring back.

I think her personal favourite was a long black trench coat which had to be hung out on the line for at least 2 weeks to get rid of the staunch. Me - it was a long patterned dress which I cut into a rather fetching (or so iIthought at the time) top.

So back to SGM in 2010, yes I think the 2nd hand clothes market (similar to Smithfield vibe) still is very popular on a Friday but the addition of the saturday/sunday markets which are prominately to appeal to tourist, students, people who enjoy the culinary experiences which are promoted through the Contenential markets.

As soon as we went in there was the sound of the Jazz band vibrating about the places - people were buzzing around carrying different things to eat, drink or just to brighten up their homes. One of the first stalls we came across was a fabulous jewellery stall similiar in style to the lovely (but kinda pricey ) Miglio jewellery. I had been eying up a fabulous ring and necklace expecting them to be £70 + and nearly "shit a log" when the lady said the ring was £8 and necklace was £20. Similiar Miglio bracelet is retailing for £220. So first purchase made (Gillian also bought 2 bracelets for her up incoming wedding for bridesmaids!)

As we browsed around the different stalls "would you care to sample?" was a common question. And people were happy to talk rather than that "pressure" to only sample if you intend to buy. Personal favs included the German marcoon/truffles guy who was new , slightly hap hazard but v funny, the chutney people (spicy chutney and crackers were delish), chocolate coulture, aunt sandras fudge and the delish cupcakes at Cakes by James. Did I mention I like food? lol

Next we went to look for the photgraphy stall of someone whom I follow on twitter - the v talented Edward Wilson. And even though I wasnt in the market to buy some prints at the moment thought his images of different parts of belfast were stunning, vibrant and would definately be a fab memory of Our wee land.

For lunch I decided to have a savory pancake which was nice though too full as we listened to the band again.

All in all a fabulous way to spend a few hours in a sunday afternoon. In conclusion this belfast chick will be back again VVV soon!

Sometimes It's hard to be a woman

in the words of the ultimate woman Dolly Parson.
And dont worry people Im not talking about men (as that would take a flippin series of books to work that one out!!!) no Im talking about the pressures of us woman to look good.
Now I'm not talking the general expected maintainence here - hair cuts, waxing, basic make up I'm talking about all the extra stuff we spend on looking good for whatever reason.
I would pretty much describe myself is the "anti girlie girl" or a tomboy was prob how i was described when I was younger. However, even I have been "persuaded" into going that extra mile in beauty care and it astounds me as to how much it's all added up.

This is how much I've spent on the "body beautiful" over the last 2 yrs:

Laser Hair removal underarm = £360
Braces £3,100
Contact lenses = £15/month
Nails = £70 /6 weeks
Gym membership £25 (now lapsed)
Spray tans for a special event - roughly 8 times/year £20
Purchase of a power plate machine £150
Hair styled for special events £20/5 oor 6 times

When I look at that I must admit I'm pretty embarrassed at the extent of my vanity - think of how much good that would do at the current Pakistan Flooding.

However, two points though firstly I work blooming hard for my money and do have my regular debits to 3 charities (ok its a small amount but still it is more than most!)
Secondly I am very happy in my body, the changes I make are things that I want to do. Its not because Im depressed, have a downer on myself, have pressures from anyone else to make changes.

However what with the advent of Becks and the Metro sexual man I think maybe in 5 yrs you men will be singing Its hard to be a man too!