Nearly caught in student riots, celebrity dilemmas, sick to my stomach by bullying...
Nearly got caught up in the student riots on the way back from filming for that Channel 5 programme late yesterday afternoon. I absolutely believe the students should be protesting - if tuition fees go up much more only the very rich will be able to forward Uni - plus a few very poor, very smart students who get scholarships. But I'm always against violence - and that includes violent protest. I'm certain the majority of students would be happy stopping traffic BUT would be appalled about the violence towards the police and police horses. Who do they go running to when their laptop's stolen from their student digs? The police!
Today on MSN UK my article about celebrity dilemmas - and what we can learn from them - has gone live. It's on their "sex and relationships" channel - I've given lots of advice for six big dilemmas that celebs have faced this year including Lily Allen, Leona Lewis, and Gillian McKeith.
I've just posted a new "your e-mail of the week" - check it out under the "Gold Star" on my homepage - it's from a woman who was using recreational drugs to intensify sex and it's not working any more.
After a Christmas drinks-thing (that I got to just about when it was finishing - panting, perspiring, and being the last one in - isn't a good look) it was lovely to put my feet up and watch the next instalment of ITV's The Accused - a gripping series by Jimmy McGovern - some of the scenes have filled me with dread and fear they've been portrayed so perfectly.
The episode set amongst soldiers - where Mackenzie Crook showed a surprising depth to his acting as the bullying Sgt - literally made me sick to my stomach. Good review, eh? When someone tells you they were made to feel sick!
TODAY’S THOUGHT: if you didn't see that episode then you won't know what I'm talking about. It's a dreadful story of a friend standing by while his friend is bullied to the point of suicide. Sadly it was so believable - not surprised they got complaints from the services.
But my point is if you can’t count on your friends (I'm talking apart from families) who can you count on? I recently had an e-mail from someone I'll call Anna - Anna knew her friend was struggling with problems a few months previously. Anna now felt really guilty about not having been more supportive and asked my advice on making it up.
The best thing is never to standby when a friend’s struggling. Even if you're really busy tell them you're thinking of them. But friendships can survive such things - I told Anna to be honest about her guilt and make it up to her friend.
I've decided that Big Boi’s album Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty was the most underrated hip-hop album of the year... not that I constantly listen to hip-hop by any stretch of imagination but someone gave me this and I loved it.
Happy Friday, Pam x