See that? That’s my face. On an actual Henry Holland design!
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
The scarf and handbag won’t hit stores until June but when it does, you can bet there’ll be pics.
Jan 2, 2010
My New Year’s resolutions
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I’m not going to do anything drastic like resolve to lose weight, invent some life-changing invention or have neat hair. No, just a few little things that I’ve been meaning to do for some time. Here are the ways I’m going to “better myself” (ugh) in 2010:
1. Take more pictures. An Uncle of mine once told me that you can never spend too much money on camera film and getting pictures developed and, eight years later, I’m inclined to agree – it’s not like you’ll ever get that time back. So I’ll be taking snaps at pretty much every event I go to. Even if they are really fucking stupid, like this one:
2. Keep track of every book I read. No specific reason for this one really, but my friend Dan Worth did it and I liked the idea.
3. Don’t be a book snob. I avoided the Twilight Saga – even though friends told me they were unputdownable – because I thought myself above teen fiction. As it happened, I virtually inhaled the four books in three days. Granted, Stephenie Meyer isn’t the best writer but she created a world that had me hooked from page one. And I don’t want to miss out on any more amazing fiction because of a snobby attitude.
4. Stop feeling bad when buying things other than travel cards and milk. This is a hangover from my Summer of providing free labour at various magazines. Every pound was budgeted and there was no room for fripperies like magazines, eyeliner and Lush bath bombs (don’t feel too bad – I lived at home, so never went hungry or anything). Even though now I’m working, I mull over virtually every purchase – from a new dress to spinach hummus. It’s rather irritating to say the least.
5. Think about boys less. Self-explanatory really.
6. Listen to something other than Soul music. Starting with Bon Iver.
Dec 22, 2009
2009: How was it for you?
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I think for everyone there’s one theme that recurs throughout the year. For me that would be Twitter. An astonishing amount of the stuff that’s happened this year in my life – people I’ve met, things I’ve done and achieved – wouldn’t have happened had I not joined Twitter in January. And I certainly didn’t expect it to have such an impact on my life.
Though nothing major has happened this year (no pregnancies, marriage proposals, divorces or deaths) it didn’t go “to plan”. This time last year I expected I’d be at University. Instead I’m interning (and loving it), writing for a fantastic blog and have more plans for world domination in the pipeline. You’ll hear about them soon enough, don’t you worry.
Things of significance that happened to me in 2009 (in chronological order, naturally) and probably won’t mean much to anyone else:
I developed an obsession with all things Motown. Blame this.
I joined Twitter.
I went speed-dating. Here’s a tip: Don’t.
I got my photo taken by Mario for his Someone Once Told Me project.
I started writing for Domestic Sluttery. I’m especially pleased about this one.
I finished my 13 month internship at studentbeans.com.
I got a place to study English Literature at QMUL.
I started my blog. Lucky you.
I discovered karaoke at Lucky Voice. Go, it’ll change your life.
I joined Qype and went to a bunch of really fun events with friendly people (including last month’s infamous Bordello event)
I started going to London Blogger’s Meetup and The Sway. Still haven’t mastered this ‘social interaction’ thing though.
I went on my first ever date (at least my first that wasn’t with someone I went to school with).
I interned at Time Out, Shortlist and more! magazine for five weeks in the Summer.
Time Out let me scribble stuff for their Student Guide. That’s kind of a life’s dream fulfilled.
I deferred my place to study English Literature at QMUL.
I began an internship at Webjam.
I met Mayer Hawthorne! Extra-special thanks to my Twitter Fairy Godmothers.
I turned 21! I’ve been reassured that it’s all uphill from here :-)
Le Cool asked me to write for them! Please don’t tell them I’m a nerd with zero social skills, ta.
I won a return ticket to Paris, thanks to this blog post.
===
Whilst it’s always nice to see what’s been achieved at the end of the year, I’ve always been more excited to speculate on what will happen in the year to come. So many exciting and unexpected things have happened in 2009, and I can’t wait to see if 2010 will be the same.
Will I break a bone? Get a new job? Finally take up my place at Queen Mary’s? Fall in love? Grow taller? Move house? See? The possibilities are endless!
Happy New Year x
Oct 21, 2009
“Look mum, I’m in Time Out!”
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Remember when I interned at Time Out over the Summer? Well in my two-week stint, they let me help out loads on the 2009/10 Student Guide and I even got a few things published.
And I’m very pleased. Not least because I would eat kittens for a byline in Time Out, but because the Student Guide is a really fantastic magazine – certainly the best student-aimed publication I’ve read. It’s incredibly useful without being patronising, and I’m very proud to have worked on it.
Regardez:
That’s a whole page with my writing! All about interiors, which is apt considering I write for Domestic Sluttery.
And another full page all about Camden, which I co-wrote (it’s mostly my writing though – soz Josh Heller!):
A little write-up about art fairs:
Not to mention a few bylines I got for additional research (e.g. tramping around East London art galleries).
I’m going to be unbearably smug over the next few days. Just so you know.
Oct 16, 2009
I’m doing that thing again
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You know, where I eschew social contact in favour of holing up in front of the telly. Or in the bath. Or going to bed at 9.15pm. It’s not very good, but I like it. So why stop?
Because I have a niggling feeling that it’s not that healthy. So what to do?
Answers on a postcard please.
Sep 22, 2009
Why my new job is the shiz
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N.B Seeing as I’ve had a new job for over a week this blog post shouldn’t come as a surprise. I’m just a bit lazy.
N. N. B Come payday, I vow to get Siany hammered on cocktails for sending me the job application in the first place. Thanks Sian! x
I have a job at a lovely company called Webjam in a lovely corner of London. Here’s why it’s the cat’s pyjamas:
- I only work until 1pm, meaning I can visit exhibitions, shops and museums during the afternoon. Or I can nap.
- We get up to 15 different types of fruit delivered to our office.
- The room is a lovely temperature.
- I won’t get laughed at for putting serious thought into what web browser I use.
- Ditto Twitter client.
- No-one minds when I bother them persistently for help over Skype.
- That is because they’re all lovely.
Jul 2, 2009
On Shyness
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Those of you who know me over Twitter may be a little surprised when I say that I’m a little shy and quiet in person.
If you were to ask my friends and sisters, they would tell you all sorts of stories and funny habits that I have, most of which involve me trying to avoid eye contact (trufax: When I was 16 I had the art of walking down the school corridor without looking up at all down to a tee).
I don’t know exactly why I’m so crippingly self-conscious, but that’s not the point. The point is that it’s stopping me from having fun.
Take karaoke on Friday. Even though several lovely Twitter people assured me I wouldn’t be on my own the whole night, I spent several hours dithering about whether or not to go. If Sian hadn’t asked me to go at the last minute, I probably wouldn’t have gone at all. Pathetic, I know. Especially considering that it was the best night out I’ve had in ages.
So, what to do about it? In short, man-up and stop being such a chicken. But I like lists, so I have made one specially with quantifiable goals:
1. Stop being so ridiculously self-conscious. At best it’s silly and at worst it’s very selfish.
2. Go out at least twice per week. The notion of leaving the house to socialise more than twice a week may be normal to you people, but the fact is I’m incredibly fond of my own company. That may not be entirely healthy.
3. Talk to people. Using actual full-length sentences. And ask questions back. Stu (of @luckyvoice fame) can probably attest to my sub-human conversational skills.
So those three are all I have for now. Have you got any suggestions for my list? Lemme know!
Flickr image from LaertesCRB’s photostream
Jun 8, 2009
My half second of fame
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Check me 00:12 into this music video!
I was about 8, and very cute. My little sisters were supposed to be in it, but they were throwing diva strops and got cut out.
Jun 7, 2009
The Big Uni vs Work Debate
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Those of you following me on Twitter may have heard me griping about what I’ll be doing with myself for the next year or so – that is, take up my place at QMUL this September or attempt to get journalism work experience.
This is something I’m genuinely confused by, and I’ve asked everyone around me for advice. In order to make sense of this feedback, including the excellent response I got through Twitter, I planned to make a list. I like lists.
That was until I spoke to @laurablackhall*. After 10 minutes of verbal diarrhea (from me, not her) she asked me this:
“Alex, if someone was to tell you that you could never go to university, how would you feel?”
And my response?
“I’d be devastated.”
Which is true. For many reasons, I’d feel upset and angry and cheated.
That little question really helped me to realise what it is I want to do – I do want to get a degree. Just not yet and probably not at Queen Mary’s.
So what’s the next step? With my internship at studentbeans.com ending in three weeks, I’ll be looking to get as much work experience as possible over the Summer. But I won’t be cancelling my place at QMUL until I’m totally sure what it is I’ll be doing.
If you have any advice/feedback or just want to say hi, drop me an @ reply on Twitter (I’m @alexsheppard).
*My name is Alex and I’m a Twitterholic
Jun 7, 2009
5 things I’ve learned about speed-dating
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Like watching foreign cinema, getting a taste for wine and attempting to appreciate modern art, speed-dating was one of those exotic things I said I’d try once in London. I have yet to watch Jean De Florette and I still don’t quite *get* Damien Hirst but at least I can tick speed-dating off the list.
Here are five things that I’ll be keeping on mind on my next speed-dating trip:
1. People will lie about their age.
No doubt about this one. The event that I went to was 24-40 and if everyone there was under 40 then I’m Sasha Fierce. I’m not particularly bothered about dating people in an older age group (in fact I prefer to), but a line has to be drawn – mine is when a guy has more in common with my dad than me. Or bears more than a passing resemblance to Gordon Brown.
If, like me, you’d rather not date people twice your age, then…
2. Pick your age group wisely
I’ve only been once so I have yet to figure out some magic formulae. All the advice I can offer is: Think About It.
3. Don’t take it too seriously
Going to speed-dating with the expectation of finding your true love is like believing Fresher’s Week to be the best week of your life (but more naive).
You will spend the night scarily vetting everyone as a potential life-partner, which is exhausting and uncomfortable for all involved. Don’t scribble notes (unless in your head) or use planned conversation starters (”What’s your most embarrassing moment”) and then ADMIT they were planned. Having been at the receiving end of all of the previous, I can vouch that those three minutes went incredibly slow.
I had a fantastic night because I sang far too loud to 70s Disco (”Got to be real, got to be reeeeal”) attempted the moonwalk and had some interesting conversations. I did not stress about my lipstick or have a host of cringeworthy conversation starters planned.
4. Prepare to repeat yourself
When speed-dating, the primary aim is to garner as much information as possible. And, whether we like it or not, the most efficient way of doing this is asking: What do you do?
With that in mind, don’t appear at a loss when someone asks you that very question. If your job title is more than one word then try to sum it up in one sentence. This prevents confusion and boredom.
5. Guys: Don’t ever, EVER, ask “Why are you here?”
Not even in complimentary “You’re too attractive/witty/intelligent” to be single type of way. Because if a woman is at a speed-dating event then guess what. SHE’S SINGLE. And asking her that will just confirm every speed-dating stereotyping there is (it’s only for the desperate/ugly/socially inept) and she’ll be outta there.
