Counting in Nepal - Girl Effect

To put this all in context, I am a delightfully middle class young man sitting outside the British Film Institute on the South Bank of the River Thames in London, drinking a latte, typing on my tiny laptop and listening to music on my iphone.

I have watched the six Girl Effect videos and I was very impressed. They weren’t the usual campaign videos, they showed what can happen when an individual works hard and makes a difference to their own life. They aren’t about the helping hand, they are about real trailblazers who have helped to raise expectations for others. The ‘ask’ if anything, is to now help the mass of people to achieve the high expectation they have gained from seeing inspirational individuals succeed.

The thing that really got me is they are not asking for the single ‘feel good’ financial gift, they want long term support for others. Long term support that they want is for those things that we so take for granted like not having to watch our family die in a poorly sanitised house or an education. I know that some people in the ‘developed’ world may not believe in the principles of universal healthcare but in the 21st Century, have we any excuse for letting our neighbours suffer, in the age of the internet have we any excuse to keep our neighbours uneducated? When I can fly to Africa quicker than I can drive to my parents’ house, yes I do consider them my neighbour.

I am going to tell you a quick story from my experience because I have more knowledge of it than issues such as HIV or young marriages.

I was in Nepal in 2006 working for a children’s charity and I was tasked with teaching a group of young girls how to write, draw and take photographs. Oh my it was good fun but as the time went on and they learned to trust me, more was revealed about their pasts.

The girls had been trafficked into India and rescued and they were with the charity to either wait to be reconnected with their families or to complete their education and enter the world. Many of the girls were scarred and had a variety of on-going injuries and some had missing fingers and so on. The most striking thing about most of the girls is that they were initially sold by their parents.

This sounds very bad and is indeed very bad but the traffickers offered the family a big down payment and promised riches for their children and got the parents to sign contracts, either written in English or Hindi but more often than not the parents were illiterate and so just signed with an X. The parents trusted these people to help their children and the worst you could accuse many of them was immense naivety.

The thing about these girls was, many of them had been abused and even if they hadn’t, Nepali society assumed that they were no longer ‘pure’. This meant that integration back into society would be very difficult because no man would want an impure wife in a caste system where many women were disregarded anyway.

The family of one girl requested that she go back to them so that she could look after her brother’s new child. The girl didn’t want to but unless she could support herself, as she was approaching the age where she would have to leave the refuge, she would have to. The managers of the refuge said that if she could learn to count then she would be able to stay on as a house mother and get paid to look after the other children. She needed to learn to count so that when she went to buy produce for the children’s meals, she would be able to count what she was getting as well as making the correct payment and receive the correct change.

I took on the challenge of helping her to learn but as she had never received any formal education and as I had very limited ability to speak Nepali, we anticipated a lot of difficulties. I had to learn what I wanted to teach just before each lesson started, so I learnt to count to ten, and then I taught it back. I learnt how to count the different denominations of Rupees and then I taught it back. This went on for three or four weeks, a daily lesson and constant encouragement from the staff and the other girls in the refuge.

As the weeks passed she kept trying to convince me she was ready but how was I meant to know whether she would cope in the real world?

In my final few days in Nepal I said that I would cook a meal for all of the girls in the refuge, so I took her to the shops with me to buy the food. I was buying some meat and after deciding on a price, I gave the shop keeper the wrong denomination of note, “Stop!”

She had seen what I was handing over and worked out that I was trying to pay about seven times the price that had been suggested.

I was over the moon that she had noticed my mistake and so I handed over my money and she conducted all of the transactions that were left in our trip.

It was an absolute success.

She was offered the job of house mother by the charity and she has since taught others how to count and to my knowledge, she still works there.

Sometimes making a difference to one person can make a change in their whole world and their new found positivity and knowledge can be passed on to change more worlds.

After that trip to Nepal I spent a lot of time worrying that I had only helped a few children in one town, in one region, in one country, in one continent and so on. I forgot that helping one person to help others can be the change we all want to see in the world. That is why I’ve spent a bit of time tapping away because maybe someone will scroll through all of these wonderful Girl Effect blogs and change someone’s world as a result.


If you want to write a Girl Effect blog post, please visit  http://www.taramohr.com/girleffectposts/

RIP Rosie

It may seem insensitive to blog about someones passing but i think and hope her family will take this in the spirit that it is intended.

Today, September 12 2011, Rosie Kilburn sadly passed away. I didn't know Rosie personally although given the age and our tendency to communicate online, I guess reading each other's blogs and tweeting does count as knowing someone.

Rosie battled cancer for a number of years and by battled, I mean tooth and nail. So many times I read her blog and I was convinced that she was going to win. The people who read her blog shared her ups and downs and optimism was rife. It just seemed too cruel that she would be taken.

During her final years she raised so much money for cancer charities and hospices through her website and her families and friends fundraising efforts. She was the personification of inspiration and she made sure that her legacy was hope for others.

Her family wrote a bog post today entitled, 'the post we never wanted to write'. For the many that read her blog, it was the post we didn't want to read.

Rosie's life was lived and I think that is a hue compliment to her. It is too easy to say it is a wakeup call for people to actually live their lives, instead look at it like this, a young woman lived her life, she loved her life and she loved others whilst doing good things for society. How many of you can say that reflects your own?

My thoughts are with Rosie's family, boyfriend and friends but I hope they are taking solace in the fact that she helped and inspired so many.

Please take a minute to look at Rosie's website: http://www.theknockoneffect.co.uk

RIP Rosie

Ginger Mourinho strikes again

Sheffield Wednesday have played eight games in all competitions during August, winning all the home matches and losing all of the away matches. Two of these games have come against either Premiership or recently Premiership teams and so what all those at Valley Parade and those watching on sky witnessed, was a manager working within the rules of the game when forced to make decisions that he wasn’t comfortable with.

Gary ‘Ginger Mourinho’ Megson substituted Nicky Weaver after one minute and then took off two outfield players with the next fifteen minutes. This wasn’t an act of rebellion but the act of a manager who wanted to use the Johnsons Paint Trophy tie to his advantage and give a chance to some players who are either on the cusp of the first team or still developing through the youth ranks. Ayo Obileye made his debut at a mere sixteen years old and despite a few mistakes that a more experienced defender would have made, he did himself proud. Richard O’Donnell, a player who took us through the first round of the league cup with his penalty heroics was not deemed to be a first team player and as such had to start on the bench before entering the field of play after a whole minute. Giles Coke another play who came on has substantial first team experience and Cecil Nyoni is the proud possessor of a professional contract and has played in the first team.

What right does the football league have to dictate the squads that are played during cup ties? I understand the rule that first team squads must be put out but that doesn’t mean that six first team regulars must play. If someone is deemed good enough to be offered a professional football contract by their club then they are good enough to play in league and cup games. It is an absurd notion that just because someone did not play in the previous few matches that they cannot play in the cup.

Sheffield Wednesday, like many other clubs, are targeting promotion and there are a lot of games between now and the end of the season. Three cup games, on top of league games, at this point in the season is not good for teams with small squads. The league deprived three more footballers of the opportunity to get a game because if Gary Megson wasn’t forced into making the choice he made, then he would have been able to give other players the opportunity of first team football.

The fans that attended the game in Bradford knew what they were going to watch, a second string Sheffield Wednesday side play a near full strength Bradford side. It wasn’t a glamour tie, it was on Sky and so did more for us financially than if we’d have gone through and had to host the next round at home. The consensus that I have gathered is that the young players equipped themselves very well and proved the point that in the right circumstances, they are ready for first team football.

It was not an act of disrespect to Bradford that Wednesday fielded youth players and that we made three substitutions in seventeen minutes. Bradford are a proud club, full of tradition and real family values and in my experience, they have great fans and create a great atmosphere. It is more disrespectful that the league think that some professional footballers are good enough and some are not. The score was 0-0 at full time, hardly a score that shames a team with a fair few new players and youth team players is it? What better lesson in lower league football for the new Wednesday loanee striker, Danny Uchechi, than a size ten boot in his back from Guy Branston?

At half time the official Sheffield Wednesday website announced that the club had signed Ryan Lowe from Bury FC. By all accounts his goal record speaks for itself and his age only means that he can bring a wealth of experience to a team that is often lacking in attacking prowess. The signing of Lowe, the recent signing of Chris O’Grady from Rochdale combined with Gary Madine and Clinton Morrison means that for the first time in a while, Wednesday may have an attacking force to fear. If Jermaine Johnson can stay injury free, him and Chris Sedgwick can provide quality balls for any of the aforementioned strikers and maybe, just maybe, Wednesday will find a twenty a season man.

Gary Megson has proved shrewd amongst the panic of the transfer window and watching him laugh with players that he had taken to Bradford for a minutes football, it seems obvious that he has a solid relationship with the players. His commitment to the youth team was questioned after eleven boys were sent out to play eleven men and humiliated 14-0 but the teams that have proudly worn the blue and white in the cup games shows that even with the dismantling of the reserve squad, there is a very definite commitment to bringing youth players through.

Notting Hill Carnival

The Notting Hill Carnival arrived in town but without its usual swagger. Yes, the floats were vibrant, colourful and most of all loud but the atmosphere amongst the crowd seemed to be lacking. There were the usual middle class white kids in jumpers that were way too big but many people walked around, myself included, with our valuables in our pockets, hands on them and being more self aware than normal. Shops were boarded up, as were houses as the community appeared to turn its back on the event. You had the feeling that you were visiting an event rather than taking part in a community event.

The high policing levels and the fact that many people are currently in prison following the riots probably led to a few less ‘rude boys’ wandering the streets but there was still the sexism, cat calls and general misogyny that it all too common at the carnival. The floats, although as previously stated, were vibrant, colourful and very loud, they did seem a bit cobbled together. It’s no Rio carnival that is for sure.

Maybe I am missing the point and being too down on the whole affair but I am past the age where I want to see women who should know better wear thongs and bikini’s whilst gyrating to bad reggae in the street and I am certainly past laughing at the men who verbally lambast them for making the decision not to be groped.

I think this year’s carnival was marred by an undercurrent of fear. Only when it was over did people come out and declare it a success. To be an event with 200+ arrests and a near fatal stabbing isn’t a success but maybe I am just too middle class to enjoy these things anymore.

When the spirit got me I did have a little dance and took some pictures but my heart was never really in it.

It’s life I guess, some things die a death.

My weekend

It is Saturday night and I am sat on my bed writing to you all drinking a pre-mixed rum and coke...I have job applications to do tomorrow so I guess my weekend is already over.

Friday - I went to see Journey's End at the Duke of York Theatre, London.

This is a stunning and at times heart wrenching piece of theatre was admired by Winston Churchill and its first performance starred an unknown Laurence Olivier. Steeped in history it will not disappoint those looking for a first-hand account of life in the trenches.

It was written within ten years of World War One ending and by a man who fought in the trenches. Now that none of the brave souls who fought in that war are still with us, first-hand accounts of the conflict have also gone. A play such as Journey's End should be admired for bringing history to life.

The set is simple but incredible effective and the sound goes some way to expressing what it may have been like to live there. The battle that the play is set around saw over one million shells land on British trenches in five hours and as such, the sound will not convey that but it is certainly more than you would expect for a west end play.

Several first class performances really help you engage with the characters. You will laugh and cry and at the finale, you will sit in silence not really comprehending the immenseness of that war.

Saturday – Lots of thing!

We went to Loraine Pascal’s bakery in Covent Garden, Ella’s Bakehouse. I say with no word of a lie, their cupcakes are incredible. I had a malteser cupcake which consisted of vanilla sponge with crushed maltesers inside and a delicious creamy topping with crushed maltesers on. Their service was excellent, the cupcakes were excellent and although they were a bit pricey compared to a supermarket equivalent, there is really no competition and they are worth every penny.

Then we went to the Museum of Broken Relationships at the Tristan Bates Theatre just near Covent Garden. For those who don’t know the premise, it is a touring exhibition where people can donate items that they associate with a broken relationship. 

Highlights were a gnome that had been run over by someone’s ex as they drove away from their house and for me the most moving piece was a radio that someone had been given by a partner and that they had listened to the bombings in Yugoslavia on.

The exhibition originated in Croatia and so many of the pieces are from the Balkans but it is definitely worth it, the £3.50 entry is a bargain.

We then went to the press photographs of the year exhibition at the National Theatre on the Southbank. So many of the photographs are recognisable from newspapers but it is a treat to see them blown up in the glory that many of them deserve.

Brief I know but I thought you may be interested.

The Ginger Mourinho - What is his plan?

Gary Megson has taken the first steps to redemption for a crime he didn’t commit. The downfall of Sheffield Wednesday over the last fifteen year’s was not his fault but he is the one who is charged with the task of getting a once great club back to dizzying heights.

The first game of the season has come and gone. The anticlimax came about four hours after the final whistle. It gets tedious when fans of eight different clubs are giving jibes to each the others because they are top of the league. By the way, Sheffield Wednesday are currently joint top but still above Sheffield United on alphabetical differences.

Wednesday new boys Rob Jones and David Prutton scored a goal each to complete a 2-0 victory over Rochdale, a repeat of last year’s fixture at Hillsborough. Rob Jones got the opener from a set piece whilst “Jesus scored a wonder goal” was the general turn of phrase on twitter for a good while after Prutton scored the second.

After reading reports from the match afterwards, one thing has stuck in my mind, people are saying that we had done our research on the opposition and shut off all their effect channels of attack. It seems that good scouting combined with clever new acquisitions won the day.

For all those who may not like Gary Megson and his style of play, you cannot fault the fact that not only did we close down Rochdale who have a reputation for playing some quite good football at times. We got goals from defence and midfielders and the striker who was substituted, Clinton Morrison, still came off to rapturous applause.  This shows an all round good performance from the owls.

Gary Megson said of the victory, "It was a very good day because we scored our first goal, got our first point, first clean sheet and first win.

"That's a full house and great to get on the first day. I thought we were very good. We said to the players what we wanted out of the first game and got the lot.

Megson added: "It was something that Howard Wilkinson instilled into us when I was a player and we were fortunate enough to get all those things."

Under Alan Irvine there were too often players who did not seem to know what they were doing and heads went down if a goal was conceded. Although the next few games will accurately assess any real change in squad mentality, a telling point was the whole team celebrating together when the Owls scored.

If Wednesday win 2-0 in every home game for the rest of the season, the fans would be delighted but even more so, if the players and management team put in that level of planning and commitment, then the Owls won’t be far from the top come the end of the season.

On days like Saturday you can see hope, a tough opening game against a team who can easily capitalise on your mistakes and make you pay. The result was positive, the performance was positive and everyone went in the same direction. You lose together and win together, that is what Saturday felt like. Despite Megson's full house this time around, no one knows what his next hand is. More of the same is the hope.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to me!
x

My London riots

Sometimes it can be difficult, almost impossible to stand up and be a hero. The whole world can seem against you, fear can stop you as can threats to your life but we witnessed thousands upon thousands of Londoners stand up and say no. From the Sikhs and Muslims in Southall who protected each other’s places of worship, to the Turks in Hackney who protected their shops and homes, to the community of Eltham who protected their high street and the men, women and children who fought back with brooms and bin bags. Each act of defiance against people who so chose to go out and try to ruin their communities, only made their communities stronger.

I cried as I saw the people in Clapham and Hackney wave their brooms, I cried as I tried to help people negotiate themselves to safety when they were stuck and called me for directions and I cried a little after having to say “stay safe” to every public sector worker that I spoke to.

I work for a hospital that has 19 sites across London and I have spent three days ‘emergency planning’ and trying to ensure that our staff and patients are safe. I have had to prepare for a hospital in lock-down, I have had to prepare for violence against staff and patients and for an all out looting of our hospitals. As a team we did prepare and we prepared very well which meant that no acts of violence were taken against staff or patients. This action varied from people helping people seek safe passage to their homes, to providing shelter for people who couldn’t get back to their homes.

The people that rioted made the whole of London shudder. We lived under a dark cloud where we felt we had to go straight home of an evening instead of enjoying the glories of our city.

For those of you who live outside of the affected areas, ie, London, Nottingham, Manchester, Birmingham etc please believe me when I say that it is terrifying not knowing what is going on, where these people are travelling to and what they plan to do. I looked at people different, I looked at certain groups with distrust and I don’t like this. I want to face the world with a smile, not cross the road from them. I want to walk our streets, shop in our shops and drink in our pubs but I couldn’t.

I was texting my Dad as I made my way home from work, he said that they police should think about using rubber bullets if it carried on.

My response: They should use real ones.

His response to that: A bit harsh eh son.

My response: I want their fucking blood staining the streets. I want them dead. I do not want to live in fear.

At the time I was very upset but in hindsight, I really wouldn’t have cared if they had massacred the lot.

I do take excessive worry on board and I do take things personally but having to plan for the evacuation of 1,500 staff and countless patients did leave my very agitated.

There were so many things that I should not have to do. I should not have to fear for my life and the life of others, I shouldn’t even have to fear for my high street. I just felt so enraged at total disrespect of other people. I am still angry but it has dropped to a level that I can control and so that is okay.

The iconic images to come out of this:

The poor girl and her boyfriend who lost their flat and possessions

The poor lad being mugged whilst injured

The fireball surrounding Reeves in Croydon

But this is what I hope it is all remembered for

The Riot Cleanup Crew who brought London’s aching heart back to life.

Many reasons have been pulled out of the bag to explain this away.

Mark Duggan: After the apparently peaceful protest in Tottenham at the weekend it all started. My reaction then and my reaction now is that, a man who was in possession of a gun gets shot by the police, then well done the police. No one should carry fire arms in cars, on the street or anywhere else. To be it is genuinely irrelevant who shot first, well it’s not because I am glad the police shot first so that none of them got hurt.

I am a leftie but for all you lefties who will undoubtedly be tutting whilst sipping green tea as you read, imagine if that man had taken his weapon and shot one of your loved ones? If someone is prepared to take a weapon out in public, then they are either prepared to use it or too stupid for the gene pool. People condoned gun crime when a young girl in South London was made permanently disabled after being shot through the window of a shop. What if that gun was intended to be used for a similar incident?

Whilst I am not supporting shooting people on sight, I am supporting a robust defence of the city from people who so choose...CHOOSE...to carry a weapon.

Education: It is tough when you come from a poor area, when your parents don’t support you and your prospects seem limited. Although I had my parents support, I came from an area of high deprivation and my prospects were limited...until I bothered to turn up to school, listen to the teachers and suddenly, my prospects were massively enhanced. Everyone in the UK has a right to a free education until the age of 18. Even if you’re not that bright, turning up, doing your exams and respecting the authority of teachers will greatly enhance your chances of being employed. There is no excuse for not attending school and whatever anyone tries to say, everyone has a place at school and as such everyone should attend.

Parents: Not supporting a child in their education is one of the cruellest things that a parent can do. My parents supported me because they wanted me to have a good life. I cannot understand the mentality of any parent who will not support their children.

It is not acceptable that children are roaming the streets at night because there should be a home atmosphere that is welcoming to them. I don’t care if you do not have a television because unbelievable, people did exist before the rise of the idiot box. No i-phone, x-box or other such devise is an excuse either. Whether you’re a single parent or a family you should be aware of where your children are. I was once told off for going to my friends house for 20 minutes after school when I was expected home, I would never have been able to be on the streets looting. There is simply no excuse for this.

Cuts: These riots were not against the government, they were for TV’s and phones. You can tell the nature of the beast by the fact that only certain shops were looted in particular areas. When the students protested, the idiots who chose to be violent at least targeted specific places like banks and top shop. This was violence for products. Yes, funding for youth projects has been cut and yes, this is awful but people should know, through schooling and parenting (see above) that doing this is wrong.

I believe that for too long there has been too much support for those who don’t attend school. How about rewarding those kids who try really hard to get their education? I know that education should be its own reward but this week has proven that people may need incentives. That’s fine, I have no problem with incentives for good behaviour. A few years ago the council in North East Lincolnshire hosted a music festival and the only people who could apply were those that had achieved in school. It worked, it made people happy.

Bad children and children who can’t learn as well should never be isolated and yes, we do need to make more of an effort to understand what is really on their mind but we also need to be firmer, we cannot excuse actions for any of the above.

Would you excuse your house being burnt down, your business being looted or your family harmed for any of the following reasons:

The person chose not to attend school and was uneducated

Their parents didn’t support them

Their youth centre was closed

A gunman was shot by police in their area and they chose to rampage

I didn’t think so...however kind human beings can be and we have proven that we are with the riot clean up, we cannot excuse everyone forever.

Children develop quickly and as such, must take responsibility for their own actions. Adults should take responsibility for their children and if at the end, all of this fails, then society should be there to help.

Yes, all of the above is brief (I know it is so I don’t want the backlash because I have ‘over-simplified’ things) and doesn’t even begin to touch on the points in any detail but I wanted to mention my initial thoughts. Just how long can we be expected to live in fear before we actually chose to come down with a firm but fair hand on those that do not make any efforts to better themselves. There is always another way. So many people I know have proved that.

Your education, your choice

Your kids, your choice

Your community, your choice

All of these points have simple right and wrong answers. If you chose the right one, welcome and if you chose the wrong one, then I do expect the police and government to come down on you so hard you wish you had of made the right choice.

All in all, these last few days have been hell.

I wait with baited breath to see if they are over.

I would also like to extend a special thank you to the police, the fire service and the ambulance service for going out in extraordinary volatile circumstances to help save lives. I salute you *tips my cap*

Tonight, Harry Potter ends for me...

OMGski! I am going to see the final Harry Potter movie tonight. The IMAX, in 3D!

I was taken to the Odeon cinema on Freeman Street, Grimsby, by Mr Chris Hallam, to see my first Harry Potter film, The Prisoner of Azkaban. It wasn’t a ‘date’ but I think he may have winked at me whilst I bought the popcorn...maybe he didn’t, a boy can dream.

I had previously rejected Harry Potter and all the nonsense that surrounded it. To me something that popular seemed to be massively flawed. I presume there would be no room for a personal interpretation and I would have to sit through either several hundred pages, or several hours, of meaningless crap.

As soon as Harry came on the screen, I knew that I was wrong.

After the film had finished I went to the nearest shop that sold DVD's and bought the first two films and spent that evening watching them.

My only criticism of the films is that due to changing directors and to a lesser extent, advances in technology, the vision of the Harry Potter world changed from film to film. I can accept smoother CGI but changing the whole look of the Hogwarts, give me a break!

The stories are not incredibly well written and they were even used as examples of bad writing on my degree course, however the stories are excellent. No one in a generation has captured a public like J.K.Rowling has. On top of this she has inspired thousands, if not millions, of children around the world to read. For that alone, she deserves all the riches that now lay at her door.

They say the devil is in the detail and one huge thing that I have noted is that as my own breadth of knowledge has expanded, I have come across words, symbols and myths that Rowling placed within her novels. This amount of research, in addition to such a captivating story shows what an innovative and wonderful thinker Rowling is.

I read all the books in the two weeks before the final one was put on sale. I missed university classes, I didn’t eat, I just read. I lived and breathed the stories and was saddened and delighted along the way. I felt everything you could feel when reading a book.

Lessons learnt and inspiration taken, I am very sad that it has now come to an end. Maybe it is a good thing because I can now focus on taking the positivity forward.

I will forever be saddened that I didn't go to Hogwarts...

You are GOLD!

Comedy can be so hit and miss. I find that in the politically correct world we live in today, you’re as likely to hear stifled laughter and tutting as you are to hear a belly roar.

Comedy Gold, a monthly night held at the Old Queens Head, Islington, must by now be going down in the annals of the London comedy circuit as a place where you see the new and fresh with the jaded and famous. I have seen a host of acts there over the last three months and none have failed to intrigue me at some point or another.

My personal highlights so far:

-Seeing Mr Stephen Merchant in a room with only fifty other people whilst taking my best friend who was visiting for the week on a night out.

-Getting the aforementioned comedians autograph on the same napkin as I got Mr Dave Gorman’s autograph – sadly he was watching not performing but he did lend me his ear for the whole of the interval.

-Discovering the stand up talent of Danielle Ward, who I have now interviewed, to be published soon.

-Being scared witless by Pippa Evans as Loretta Maine.

It is one of those nights where you feel as comfortable attending on your own (I do have friends – PROMISE) as you do in a crowd. The hosts are friendly and always chat with the audience and the comedians always look like they are there for fun, not just as another stop on a 323573275 date tour. There is no selling of merchandise, no plugging, just good honest fun.

Last night (Wednesday 20 July), I saw:

DANIEL RIGBY, Winner of the BAFTA for Best Actor 2011, multi-tasker Daniel Rigby makes a welcome return to his stand-up roots in this exclusive appearance as compere extraordinaire at Comedy Gold. Inspired, inventive, surreal and silly.

PIPPA EVANS, If.Comedy Best Newcomer Nominee 2008 mostly recently seen on 'Fast And Loose'.

JAMES REDMOND, A dry, slick and subtle stand up who delivers unexpected twists and turns during his set as he reconstructs his art. You might also know him from Casualty and Hollyoaks!

MATT KIRSHEN,  As seen on NBC's show 'Last Comic Standing', 'Comedy Cuts' and 'Rude Tube'.

AND TOM STADE, You will have seen him recently on Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow!

As mentioned, Pippa Evans was a personal highlight for me, though Tom Stade almost reached her heady heights with a raw, emotive and honest set that really made you think about issues such as famine and seal clubbing.

I have always thought that the whole point of going to a comedy show was to enjoy yourself. The fact that Comedy Gold is held on a Wednesday at a bit of an out of the way venue in a nice part of town means that you get a crowd of people who really do want to enjoy themselves. The banter between performer and the audience isn’t vicious and I have never seen anyone humiliated, although there have been red faces when the more timid audience members sit near the front.

I whole heartedly recommend you go down and give it a shot. I should really say, don’t go down because if too many of you do, I won’t be able to get a seat.

Visit Comedy Gold at http://www.comedy-gold.co.uk/ and see what is coming up. It’s cheap, it’s incredible fun and you will discover something new that captures your imagination and has you googling their name for future gigs on the way home.

Exciting...

It's all a bit too exciting...

I've hd my first piece published in the Huffington Post...I have had stuff published in the Independent and on the BBC but this is probably the biggest thing I have had published considering the potential for world wide readership.

I am also going to be the official Sheffield Wednesday correspondent for 'We are going up', a new football league website/podcast. I am very excited about this as I love Sheffield Wednesday, writing and talking. It will be excellent I am sure. I am also writing something for the best Sheffield Wednesday fan group, Wednesdayite.

All of this makes me very happy and in addition to this, I am planning a screen play. Yipee for proactive Dom!

I'm not typing much because I am on my iPhone and I am struggling with the typin still!

So long for now.

Dom
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Turbulence and organ donation

Today has been an extremely turbulent day. I overheard something that I shouldn’t have and it put me in a real bad mood and if I am honest, a bad place emotionally. I have worked very hard over the last few years to balance my internal ship and I am not yet used to the fact that sometimes a rug can be pulled out from under you.

The smallest thing can have a massive affect on me and so when someone repeatedly tries to break my spirit, it takes all I have not to snap. I am proud that I have not snapped but disappointed that the etiquette of the internal hierarchy means that I cannot complain. The joy of being on a temporary contract, on occasion you can’t stand up for yourself.

On the positive side, I helped someone with something this afternoon which made me realise why I do the job I do, in the sector I do it in. I am not overly smart but what I lack in brians, I make up for in heart. I can’t reveal more as I work for the NHS and as such, it is confidential, but I am happy that I went the extra mile to help someone. That’s why I do it, it is why I know a lot of people who work in the public/third sector do it and I hope I never lose that desire to help.

I don’t want to get into a needless rant about how people think that they can do your job because that would in turn, lead me down the avenue of name calling.

I would like to say though that I want people to sign up to the organ donor register and when you do, talk to your family about it and explain your decision. After your death, your family still have the power to withhold your organs, so talk to them. It can be a life saving and life changing thing you do - call 0300 123 23 23 or visit http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk

I’m not trying to be preachy but I work in an environment where a large amount of our work depends on donors. However morbid you consider it to be, please do it.

A weekend of music

Last week I went to see Liza Minnelli perform at Heywood House on Hampstead Heath. Despite my reservations, I must say that she was excellent. In fact, the whole evening was excellent although some of this can be attributed to the fact that the sun decided to stay out and we could enjoy the concert and our picnic in peace. Liza is a seasoned performer with well documented issues and even if she isn’t what she was, she certainly knows how to put on a show and give value for money.

She interspersed her songs with anecdotes from her career and even though they have all been told a thousand times, they sounded fresh. She was so very gracious to the audience and it was with what I feel was a very genuine shyness, she thanked us all for our attendance. She received two standing ovations and it was nothing less than she deserved.

On the Sunday I went to the Wireless festival in Hyde Park and saw, The Hives, Metronomy, TV on the radio, Grace Jones and Pulp!

A brief run down:

Metronomy – Incredible as they were at Glastonbury. Very intense and beautiful music to kick off a great day

The Hives – More powerful than I remember them being. Despite their ability to make most songs sound the same, their front man put in a performance that Mick Jagger would watch for inspiration.

TV on the radio – Quality and original music but just not quite my cup of tea, although very much worth a listen if you’re in the mood for trying something new.

Grace Jones – If only all 63 year old woman had an ass like hers. The leotard, hats and hula hoop were nothing compared to the voice of this powerful and evocative performer. I didn’t quite eat my words, “She’s a fucking weirdo”, although I do have a new found respect for her and her music.

Pulp – A seemingly perfect performance. I could have watched them forever. This was live music at its very best. This was hardcore.

Live music is just absolutely brilliant.

Glastonbury - Part 3

I went to Glastonbury pretty unprepared. When you speak to people who have been to Glastonbury, a glazed over look comes across their face and they will talk for so long without making any real point at all. I am a bit too practical and so I wish to offer a few tips on what happened whilst there, what I observed and how I prepared.

My top ten not so alternative or cool tips to festivals

1.       Take appropriate clothing - Are you really dedicated enough to looking cool that you will wear something so wholly inappropriate but fashionable that you will end up hiding in portaloo’s to escape the rain? They smell you know, it lingers and it will help you get laid as much as looking like a rat who stayed aboard the Titanic will.

I took: A hoodie, four t-shirts, a pair of trousers, pair of jeans, pair of shorts, six pairs of boxers, six pairs of socks and a waterproof coat.

2.       Take appropriate camping gear – I took a blow up mattress to Glastonbury and it saved me from inevitable back pain and sleepless nights. I did however forget to take a pillow and paid dear for it. It may be a pain in the arse carrying camping equipment but it is an even bigger pain in the arse having a pain in the arse.

I took: A pop-up tent, a blow up mattress, a sleeping bag.

3.       Be honest with yourself – If you know you don’t like something, don’t do it. I am not a huge fan of dance/nightclub music and as such, I didn’t attend any of the light night venues which played that type of music. It did mean that some nights me and my friends separated but we all had a good time in our own ways. There is so much to do at festivals and in particular at Glastonbury, that I genuinely believe the cliché, that there is something for everyone. To extend on this point though, you don’t have to do anything you don’t agree with. I don’t do drugs and as such, I didn’t partake. Get into the spirit but don’t compromise what you believe or you’ll not enjoy the festival.

4.       Take an appropriate amount of money – I took some alcohol with me to try and save money over the weekend and although good in theory, you are out of your tent for so long in a day that you will have little desire to carry it around and your tent is often too far away to bother going back for it. I took about three cans of cider out with me and a few cereal bars to have a nibble on and then bought alcohol and food as required. Glastonbury was relatively well priced and living in London, I even found it cheap in some areas.

I took: 12 cans of cider, 8 cans of whiskey/coke, £40 in cash and my debit card of which I withdrew £200.

5.       If you want to see a band, see them – You will always regret not seeing someone you want to see no matter how popular and ‘uncool’ they may be. It’s great to go off and watch unknown acts but if you really want to see someone, even if they are on the main stage, then see them.

6.       Leave your inhibitions at the door – Whatever they are, leave them behind. People really don’t care what you look like, what clothes you are wearing or anything like that. They care that you’re a genuine, honest, fun and friendly person. Unfortunately nothing else will do! I guarantee that if you are all of the four mentioned above, you will make friends and stretch yourself beyond what you ever thought you could do and come home a happier and more rounded person for it.

7.       Look after your possessions – I took a bum bag...not cool (see point 6) but it made me feel safe and therefore more relaxed and comfortable. I had my wallet, phone, camera and notepad in there and I was more than happy. Most other things you can replace at the festival but it would be very difficult to access cash or a phone without your cards.

8.       Live for the moment – You will have so many moments where you will know that when people think of Glastonbury, they will think of that time. You will cry with the sheer joy of existence, so embrace it. Mine were as I walked across a muddy field watching Mumford and Sons in the pouring rain and laughing until I cried because I was there, I was fucking there and no one could ever take it away from me. Also, when I looked out over Glastonbury from whilst Beyonce belted out her first number, I knew that I didn’t ever want to leave. You will have your moments, live them.

9.       Be kind to others – A stranger helped my girlfriend out of the mud when both of her wellies got stuck, that was very kind and in return we helped a child who got stuck in the mud and lost their wellies. We carried him to his parents and someone brought the wellies. It’s that whole what goes around comes around thing.

10.   Take clothes for the way home – You won’t win any prizes for being the smelliest person on a train/coach. You certainly won’t want to be sat in soaking wet clothes as you make the long journey back to wherever you have come from. It’s not cool to not take enough clothes. It’s NOT!