2012 so far: men, moves, and mystery

Posted by spriglet On Sunday 19 February 2012 19:39 0 comments
I didn't write any New Year's resolutions this year - at least, not here - because the ones from 2011 pretty much still stand and were well worth keeping up. But, 2012 has been hectic so far and it doesn't look like it will slow down anytime soon, so I thought I'd share what I've been up to...

Ticking the 'Over 25' box
In January I turned 26, which is terrifying for obvious reasons. I'm closer to 30 than 20. I should probably start using eye cream. I still haven't accomplished any of what in my mind I would by the time I reached this age, and still feel 21 at heart. So naturally, I was dreading this birthday a little - but funnily enough, it was quite possibly my best ever. OK, so in all the Christmas rush I forgot to take the day off work for it (muppet), but I planned a night out at LVPO and invited pretty much everyone I know in the hope that maybe a handful would show up, and was overwhelmed by how many friends came along. I danced like a moron (see previous 21-at-heart comment), saw people I hadn't seen in 6 months or more and generally had a brilliant night. Yay!

Learning some moves
I've been moaning about getting fit for a while now, and while I wait for WaterCrew classes to return to London (or until someone buys me a WaterRower - those things are SO expensive!), I've been getting fit the fun way with Zumba. Now, I know that this word is everywhere, together with quite irritating pictures of people looking like they're laughing AND exercising (freaks) but it actually is brilliant. And you will laugh. As a lover of all things Shakira, the music is right up my street and even if I am wearing a sports bra and lame trainers, I love the moves and little shimmies that are involved. It's fun, energetic and not too expensive - fitness win. (Plus, Wahanda have offers on Zumba pretty often. And you can use JJ21 for 10% off anything. You're welcome.)

Blogging, blogging, blogging
I know I'm not the most dedicated of bloggers when it comes to this site - but the thing is, I'm writing for lots of other sites too! In February I was very happy to start writing for the brilliant folks at Aigua Media - they have such a great range of sites and I'm proud to be part of it. So, tune in to sites like Dollymix and Kiss and Makeup to see me writing about television, break-up songs and much much more. And of course check out their other sites such as Catwalk Queen, Shoewawa and The Bag Lady. You won't be disappointed!

Continuing to not understand men
Yep, I still don't get them. After countless chats with my ever-patient girlfriends about one guy who, despite me liking him (and him displaying signs of liking me but then disappearing again), I have had to put in the Never Going To Happen file, and very little else going on, I am still very single and a bit bored of it - last year I enjoyed it, but now it just seems so 2011. Add to that a very, very random bunch of flowers landing on my desk on Valentine's Day, with nothing but a weird quote from Keates (thanks Twitter for telling me), and I'm as baffled as ever. (Please, can someone own up? Thanks!)

Plotting and planning
This year, I promised myself I would see more and do more (yeah, maybe I did make a little resolution after all) - so I've been planning my getaways. Fingers crossed they happen; I've got my ticket secured for Hideout Festival in Croatia (aka the new Ibiza, although frankly, who needs a new Ibiza when you already have awesome original Ibiza?), plans to visit my friend in Dubai, tickets for Blood Brothers, and the lineup for Lovebox is looking pretty good too. This year is going to fly by, isn't it?

Did you start any New Year's resolutions this year? How are they going?


The Wonderful Whitney Houston

Posted by spriglet On Sunday 12 February 2012 02:16 0 comments
For the majority of my teenage and post-teenage life, I have always said that there are a few celebrities, a very select few, whose death would truly upset me beyond words. Off the top of my head I would have said those were Mariah Carey, Kylie, Whitney Houston and of course, Beyonce. I'm not saying other celeb deaths aren't tragic, nor am I saying that I am celeb obsessed, because I really am not - I can't even pick up a copy of heat to be honest; that's how much celebs bore me. I don't even follow the latest news of the above very often. But these are the singers I have followed and loved since I-don't-know-when. They're a huge part of the soundtrack to my life so far. And right now, I am crying my eyes out because it's actually happened - Whitney Houston has died. I am heartbroken.

I can't remember a time that I wasn't in love with Whitney; I remember watching The Bodyguard and being in awe, I remember being excited every time she was on TV singing live, I've often defended her and proclaimed her the best singer in the world because quite frankly, I think at a time she was (and her only new contender in my eyes is Beyonce, but given her different style/genre, I'd say they're equally fantastic). I've never not adored her - she's very much the reason why when X Factor comes around every year I'd rather watch a singer than an entertainer. Talent like hers is just inspiring.

Tonight I went from a text, to Twitter, to Facebook, to Google in the hope of finding something that said it was purely a rumour, but then switched on BBC News and let it sink in that the beautiful, gifted, one-of-a-kind star Whitney Houston has died aged only 48. 

With undoubtedly one of the best voices in the world - if not the best - and an astounding career including, most memorably, the single I Will Always Love You and her starring role in one of my all time favourite movies The Bodyguard, Whitney was a huge success. Her personal life was less positive, but no matter what went on or what transpires as the cause of her untimely death: I will always love her.  

RIP Whitney, and thank you for being the soundtrack to so much of my life.









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