Babi a Fi

I've been really lucky that since having Marianna - in direct contrast to what I expected - my mental health has been a lot better . I've noticed it mainly through the little things, like not having the rush of panic every time I need to make a phone call to somebody I don't know well, and happily leaving online comments again even when my view is not that of the majority. When I was feeling fragile the mere idea of that would make me want to be sick. Defending my own opinions seemed as impossible a task as climbing Everest. Every time you hit 'post' with a typo still at large, you think you're about to get ridiculed as much as a Diana Gabaldon quote on fandom_wank. (Weren't on the fandom scene? Read more HERE .) But now I'm back blogging, debating, and commenting - though not on YouTube. It takes true bravery to dip a toe into the pit of ignorance and illiteracy that is a heated YouTube comments section. I think it's that when you'r

Picture Show was a weekly British film magazine which ran from 1919 to 1960. This issue, which hit the shops on February 19th 1921, features Nick Cogley on the cover, billed as a 'black white female impersonator'. By 1921 blackface had already begun to fall out of favour for serious roles, but was still a common sight for background characters and comedy parts. Said Picture Show ( #9 ): ' It is difficult to realise that Nick Cogley is not always black and not always a woman '. Hmmm, if you say so. This issue also has the expressions of Viola Dana ( #7 ), reviews of the (long forgotten) best films of the week ( #20 ), and some interesting things to say on dental care ( #18 ) - ' One should visit a reliable dentist at least once every three months for a thorough examination ... Tincture of myrrh diluted is an excellent rinse for the mouth and gums; peroxide of hydrogen is also beneficial in killing any germs and whitening the teeth .' Click on the thum

Many moons ago A and I made a pact. A would watch all of Star Trek (and how anyone can try to lay claim to geek credentials without being a Trekkie I don't know) if I sat through Dr Who in its entirety. At times it's felt like it would never end but finally - finally - it's over. I've done it all, from 1963 to last year's Christmas special, with stop offs at Torchwood and the Sarah Jane Adventures, so to celebrate here are my top three things about Dr Who... Honourable Mention - The Cybermen Most Dr Who baddies are, it must be said, naff with a capital Na. There are grown men rolled in bubble wrap , bargain basement dinosaurs , tin cans which struggle with stairs , and the web planet. Just...  the web planet . But, once in a while, there is something which is genuinely creepy. My vote for this goes to the Cybermen. Not the cybermen BBC have licensed as action figures, with their fitted armour and funky head handles. No, the cybermen of my nightmares

A and I have completely different views on interior design. I like pattern, colour, retro kitsch... A doesn't. It's not much of an issue at the moment as renting means we couldn't do anything too drastic, even if we had the funds, but in the future I can see it being a battleground. (Albeit one which I shall emerge from the victor.) Heart Home magazine is running a competition to show off your favourite bedroom style, in conjunction with Betta Living , and it got me thinking about my perfect bedroom. The riot of colour I'd probably plump for were I still single is never going, realistically, to be an option, so the next best thing - the compromise option - would be grown up and glamorous. The probable outcome were I left to my own devices... Betta Living had a fitted bedroom set in glossy black named the Valentino, which proved to be my starting point. Rudolph Valentino and his Brilliantined hair oozed art deco glamour - and so would my dream bedroom. I'd

Gorenje UK are running a competition to win a washing machine, you just need to submit your best spring cleaning tip. Here is my entry - For a bigger view, click HERE . Fingers crossed! :)

My name is Jessica (or, more usually, Jess); my mum chose it long before I was a twinkle in anyone's eye and, when I was, she was so convinced I was going to be a girl she didn't concern herself with picking a boy's name. When I was born I apparently looked just like my mum's nan(!). With my mum and dad as a baby. I'm 27 years old and live in Cwmbran, South Wales, where I was born and bred. I studied history at Cambridge, then moved back and worked in the third sector in Cardiff before being elected to Torfaen County Borough Council in 2012. At university - I'm on the left. I tried graduate studies at the University of South Wales for a while, where I met Anthony (the love of my life  ♥   ). I gave them up just as I found out we were going to be hearing the pitter patter of tiny feet - there seemed more than enough happening to be going on with! Anthony and Marianna. Here is all the above information and more in the form of a handy &#