Happy Valentine's Day

It seems to be all the rage these past few days to discuss Valentine's Day so I thought I'd share my thoughts on this controversial holiday too.

My Valentine's Day cupcake

Now I call it controversial as people either love it or hate it. Personally, I love it and despise how people can be so cynical about it. The cynical people are not necessarily all single as you might expect. I know many couples who find the whole holiday embarrassing and stupid. These people argue that partners should show they love each other every day of the year and not just one particular random day in February. 

I agree with this. Partners should love and cherish each other every day of the year and not feel pressurised by social expectation to be the perfect other half on this day. Or to bankrupt themselves buying twelve dozen roses or Belgian chocolates.

However, if you have this view then the likes of Mother's Day and Father's Day shouldn't be celebrated either because surely you should cherish your mother and father every day of the year as well?

I think people read too much into this holiday and thus the hype is generated. Whether you're in a relationship or not, simply spend the day doing something nice that you are going to enjoy. Just don't be cynical about it! It's meant to be a celebration of love after all!

I hate the term Vomit Day and not once, when I was single, did I ever curse those in relationships on Valentine's Day. I simply ignored it. So why can't others do the same? I hate how people say it's a stupid holiday, then those who enjoy the holiday (like myself) are made to feel silly for liking it.

On a final note, to anyone who says they don't like it because it's helping companies become richer - I'm assuming you don't buy into the concept of Halloween, Christmas, New Year, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Independence Day, Birthdays, Anniversaries or St Patrick's Day then either? 

But anyways, rant over.

Is it true?

So I've recently found out a few things that I couldn't believe were actually true. Maybe you'll read them and go, duh Hazel that's old news! Or you'll be just as enlightened as I was.

Btw, they all concern America. You crazy Americans you! 

#1 America hasn't got any round-a-bouts. 

Seriously? I'm jealous! Over here you can't go more than ten feet without coming into contact with one! We even have DOUBLE round-a-bouts. Yeah. We're hardcore.

#2 All men are circumcised at birth

In the recent Celebrity Big Brother, two American twins were disgusted when they found out that British men aren't circumcised at birth. The British guys couldn't believe that American guys were! I did piss myself laughing when the twins asked if the sex was the same and that they'd be grossed out if confronted with a non-circumcised cock!

#3 Everyone has to do some sort of military service

This is the one I'm least sure of. Is it true? I have no idea. I just have a hard time imaging hardcore gamers or barbie bimbos actually doing this. All I know is that it would be hilarious if Britain tried to implement that system - it would undoubtedly start more riots! Which ironically, would see them fighting anyway...

So yeah, let me know if any of those are true! 

Friday the 13th

Today will cause a lot of people great distress due to their superstitious nature. I find it quite amusing that one date can render people nervous wrecks. Especially since it doesn't happen all that often anyway.

I'm not a superstitious person but I used to be when I was kid. I avoided walking under ladders, or stepping on cracks and if I saw a magpie I always tried to find another one in order to make a pair. I only did this because everyone else did it though. If you didn't they'd laugh at you and say you were cursed, which is quite intense for a child!

I soon realised how foolish I was being though and stopped. Personally, I think it's sad that people live their lives based on their superstitions. I recently laughed when I found out that my cousin is rushing to get her wedding done this year because 2013 is too unlucky lol! Like, seriously?

But although I know it's not real some habits are hard to break! Don't judge me when I tell you that I still pair off magpies...

I don't know if this is a superstition or not, but I'm desperately trying to stop believing in jinxes. For example, I won't say that an exam was easy in case I jinx it and fail or I won't say that I aced an interview in case I jinx it and not get the job. Know what I mean? 

It's not so bad to be fair, it teaches you to be humble and modest but sometimes it can be quite a nuisance!

So how about you? 

Do you have any wacky superstitions? 

Or do you find it all ridiculous?

My Girl Crushes...

I don't know about the rest of you, but apart from having crushes on male celebs I also have crushes on female ones too. I am in no way a lesbian or bisexual by the way, I just find these women incredible beautiful as well as having that extra something that makes them special...

Emily Blunt

Diane Kruger

Rachel Weisz

Rachel McAdams

Kate Winslet

All of them are extremely talented actresses with gorgeous voices to boot!

So I've Been Thinking...

...That it's time for a change here at Pablo's Angel. 

Yes, that's right. I'm bored of my design/layout and want to change it again. I realise I do this often but I can't help it - I get bored extremely easily!

These changes could entail a new colour scheme, new pictures and maybe even some new features! The possibilities are endless!

Watch this space...

Ick Factor

Has anyone ever said anything to you that has completely ruined something for you?

I'm aware that that sentence probably makes no sense so instead I'll move swiftly on to my example...

Years ago, Leona Lewis released a song called "Bleeding Love". I do not like this song but I admit that the chorus is quite catchy. An old friend of mine completely ruined this song for me however with one tiny little comment....

Me: "What do you think of Leona Lewis's new song?"

Sally: "I don't like it, it's like she's singing about her period"

Me: "Ewww!"

So yeah, thanks Sally! I cannot listen to that song anymore without thinking of what she said...

Do you guys have any similar stories? Or did I just keep really weird company?

Looking Forward

Have you ever wondered what the future has in store for us?

If we look back seventy odd years ago, people used to live quite happily without the things we call essentials today.

• They didn't have emails

• They didn't have text messages

• They didn't have Google

• They didn't have computers

• They didn't have dvd's

• They didn't even have indoor toilets!

So when people, seventy years from now, look back to our era, will they find it just as hard to believe that we lived quite happily without the things that they call essentials?

• Maybe they'll pity us for only having text messages when they have hologram technology

• Maybe they'll be astounded that couples could have children without first applying for a licence

• Maybe they'll find it difficult to believe that we can't access our computers with our voices 

• Maybe they'll be frustrated that university wasn't compulsory

• Maybe they'll laugh at how we dressed, obsessed with being orange when they are desparate to be pale

• Maybe they'll be jealous that we grew up with Harry Potter

• Maybe they'll be confused at how we talked, when they all talk in rhyming verse.

What do you think will happen in the next seventy odd years?

Know your limits!

All very cool and sophiscated isn't it? But here's what the advertisers failed to include...

Men brawling with each other, bouncers or even policemen because they think they're invincible

Vulnerable drunk women

Passing out in disgusting places

Demeaning one night stands

Horrendous hangovers the following day

And my personal fav, the inevitable drunken Facebook pictures that will probably get you fired

Star Quality

What do you have to do to become a celebrity?

I'm asking, not because I wish to become one, but because lately in this day and age, everyone can become one despite not having any talent whatsoever.

I think this is wrong. In my eyes, only those who have a respectable talent should be considered as a celebrity. I hate how lately, spouses are claiming to be celebrities just because they are or were married or dating a celebrity. How does dating a celebrity make you a celebrity? It's crazy! 

To me, you should only have celebrity status if you are an actor/actress, movie director, singer/musician, comedian, sports star or author. These people have respectable talents and deserve to be known as celebrities.

Examples include Johnny Depp, Tim Burton, Rihanna, Peter Kay, David Beckham and JK Rowling. All these people have brought us things we love and enjoy - movies, songs, laughter, sport and a magical world. Surely, only those who can match this standard of talent should be called celebrities too?

I refuse to consider reality stars, models, daughters of businessmen or spouses of celebrities as celebrities! So following that logic, the likes of Amy Childs, Kate Moss, Paris Hilton and Alex Reid are not celebrities.

• Amy Childs is a pretty but thick as two planks reality star over here in Britain. She's quickly becoming the nations new sweetheart. And what is she "famous" for? For taking part in a reality show where she sticks jewels on ladies private parts. Yeah. Exactly.

• Kate Moss may be famous but what for? All she does is wear clothes for a living or pose half nekkid. Anybody could do that! Plus, models these days are airbrushed within an inch of their lives so you don't even have to be remotely attractive anymore.

• Paris Hilton is famous because she has a rich daddy. Therefore she gets to shop all day and party all night. She's unemployed but that doesn't sound as good as "socialite".

• And Alex Reid was a nobody until he started dating Katie Price. But he is now a full blown "celebrity" for reasons unbeknownst to me. I wouldn't even consider Katie Price a celebrity either...

Now I'm not attacking these people's personalities, I'm sure most of them are actually really lovely. It's just... they're not in the same league as the likes of Elton John or Angelina Jolie. If anything, I'd want these sort of people to be classified under something other than the term "celebrity". 

How about, "fame sharks" or "desperate wannabe's"? I know they're not as catchy but they're more realistic. It would also be nice if we didn't put these sort of people on pedestals or consider them decent role models for children. Surely it would be better for children to aspire to be like Kate Winslet instead of Kim Kardashian?

Does anybody else feel the same way about this or am I the only one?

Love, Hazel

To Dye or Not To Dye...?

I'm extremely jealous of this girls hair colour. Isn't it gorgeous? I would love to dye my hair this shade of red but I'm scared to do so. There are far too many disaster stories involving hair dyes that I'm not prepared to risk my brunette locks. Like, for example, my sister dyed her hair a coppery brown and it ended up an obsenely bright orange and an old classmate dyed his hair blonde and everyone called him "lightbulb". 

Then there's the whole "topping up the roots" business. Is dying my hair worth all the hassle? Remember folks, I am incredibly lazy. And skint. Extremely skint. The cheaper option would be to dye my hair myself but then I get images of all my hair falling out and parts of my face being dyed red too. And my hair is extremely long. What if I miss a bit?! 

Sigh. I think I worry too much. Until I'm brave enough I think I'll just sit and drool over this girls hair, wishing it was mine...

I'm so frigging weird.

Love, Hazel

Just sing the damn song already

Is it just me or does anybody else get annoyed when artists feel the need to sing their name at the start of their songs? No? Just me then. I don't know why but it drives me nuts. If I'm listening to the radio, the DJ has already told me whose singing or I'll recognise the tune straight away so it's completely unnecessary!

These artists are all guilty of doing it!

JLS

Enrique Iglesias

Usher

Jason Derulo

Pitbull

Jessie J

Seriously, is it some sort of "cool" hip hop/R'n'B thing? It better not catch on to other genre's because I'll be extremely miffed if the likes of Foo Fighters or Nickelback start doing it.

Love, Hazel

Acceptance

The movie Lost in Translation recently opened my eyes to one of my flaws that I'd do anything to change. This flaw is my constant need to feel liked or accepted by everyone I meet. Despite hating this flaw, I think it's a natural part of being human. So many people want to be accepted by others that their main fear is rejection. So it's normal, right?

I first noticed this flaw when I was a child. At primary school I would have played the games my "friends" wanted to play despite hating them or accepting being the eighth leader of the gang just in order to be in it. With my seven friends... 

As I became interested in boys at secondary school I lied and said how into sports I was in order for them to think I was "cool". I also joined the school dance class because my best friend was into it. Despite hating hip hop, I stuck it out until it was obvious I wasn't accepted by the other girls. Apparantly I had no rhythm. Fucking bitches...

Then recently at college and at my old job I edited my true opinions and interests just so that the girls would like me and accept me into their cliques. 

What I hate most though is that I've laughed at people's awful jokes or pretended to hate things when I really didn't. I even praised people when they didn't deserve it. God writing this is making me realise how fake I've been! I'm actually cringing with past memories right now... *shudder*. I don't even know why I continue doing these sort of things because they never work anyway! Not once did those girls appreciate me, or consider me a friend and it backfired with the guys because they just saw me as a tomboy. A girl can never catch a break...

Some of you are probably wondering why I mentioned Lost in Translation. Well it's because Scarlett Johansson's character thinks everything she writes is mediocre, she has no idea what she wants to do with her life and she said she is going through a photography phase. Just like me. The difference between us however is that she never once dumbed herself down to be accepted by other people. Instead she was herself and I admired that soo much.

I know there are very strong opinionated women and men out there who are probably reading this and thinking how silly I am for caring what other people think of me but... I can't help it. It's something that I am ashamed of. I do wish that I had the confidence to go through life not giving a damn. I'm tired of feeling like a fraud. I want people to like me for who I am, it's just being brave enough to let them see the real me that is the problem. But I'm sure I'll get there. Someday...

Love, Hazel

Imagine

One of my fondest hobbies is to people watch. Not in a stalkerish/weird way, but just to pass the time. It's really a lot of fun watching people go by and inventing life stories for them. 

I once pretended that a small boy, who was staring off into the distance was watching celestial beings that no one else could see which of course was the reason why he wasn't listening to his mother... Another time, I observed a bus driver continuously looking into his rear view mirror which of course led me to believe he was a spy instead of him just checking the traffic... Or the time when a young couple were hugging each other goodbye because they knew that this was the last time they would be together... 

That story actually broke my heart and I had to look away, even though I had made it up.

What I'm trying to say is, usually when you look at someone you can see them thinking, processing the world around them, so much so that you can create a fantasy world for them and be a part of their lives, even if it is only in your imagination...

And I love that.

Love, Hazel

Student Life: The Hazel I Can Never Be...

A few weeks ago I talked about Carl Rogers and his theory that everyone has a Real Self and an Ideal Self. Some of you were kind enough to talk about your Ideal Selves so I think its time that I shared mine too.

My Ideal Self has very sophisticated tastes. She wants to read classic literature and be able to discuss their authors as well as be able to identify composers from a single note. She is also the one who dreams of playing the violin to rival Vanessa Mae.

Appearance wise, her Real Self enjoys her petite stature but deep down she'd love to be a few inches taller. Plus, her actual size three feet makes shopping for shoes more difficult than it ought to be. She likes her long hair but wishes it was more voluminous and luxurious as well as wishing it was black like the midnight sky. She doesn't mind wearing glasses but would have preferred green pupils than common grey.

My Ideal Self would love to go on shopping sprees in the fanciest stores but the fact that her Real Self has an aversion to shopping, that doesn't happen that much. If at all. She longs to wear outfits that make her look smart like a young adult instead of wearing outfits involving converse and jeans all the time. Though when wearing jeans and converse she would at least like to look like Bella Swan instead of a fat frump.

She would also like to be more independent such as having her own place as well as a job. A job that she actually enjoys were her colleagues respect her and don't treat her like shit. She'd love to be able to cook for her loved ones as well as spoil them rotten with unexpected gifts or little gestures. My Real Self already has the pleasure of owning her own car but my Ideal Self would love to have the freedom to drive it without first consulting my mother on where I'm going, why I'm going and when I'll be back. Always having to ease her worries takes the freedom away from driving.

Finally, my Ideal Self would also like to have a few close girlfriends that I can always rely on for a good giggle and a gossip. She imagines having them round her house drinking wine and enjoying themselves but her Real Self knows this will never happen as she doesn't like alcohol and is socially retarded.

One Frog, One Quest, One Destiny...

Is it just me or does this frog look slightly bored? 

Almost as if he's well used to being cradled by humans. Then again, maybe he is! Maybe this is some ancient king cursed by a malevolent witch to roam the land in frog form searching for his one true love!

Therefore countless maidens must have held him close in order to kiss him, hoping to break the cruel witch's curse. Unfortunately, many centuries have passed and he has yet to find his soulmate....

Maybe the look I mistook as boredom is actually a look of resignation. Maybe he believes his quest will prove fruitless as he's yet to find the one destined to free him and love him for eternity... 

I hope he continues searching as no one should ever give up on love...

But then again, it could just be a frog. But where would the fun be in that?

Love, Hazel

Where did the time go?

Ever have one of those days when you don't know where the time has gone? When you check the time after five minutes and you realise two hours have passed? I'm having one of those days today...

I'm all out of sorts because when Paul was here this morning the time flew in. Literally five minutes passed between us waking up and him taking the train home. And now that he's gone, seconds feel like minutes and minutes feel like hours. It sucks royally. 

I'm not depressed or lonely or anything like that. What I'm feeling can only be described as withdrawal symptoms as I know I won't be seeing him again until next week and that is always torture. I guess I just hate going cold turkey...

Love, Hazel

Laughter is my drug

Whilst most girls my age would rather attend music concerts or gigs I prefer going to see comedians perform live. Is that strange? I don't think so. I find it a very cool way of spending my time as I get to laugh all night long without a care in the world.

I've been fortunate enough to see a good few comedians and have plenty more planned for the rest of the year. The earliest one being next week when Paul and I are going to see Tommy Tiernan. I've never seen him live before so I'm really looking forward to it!

Here's a little taste of what made him one of my firm favourites...

Love, Hazel