What inspires you?

So like most people, I've always had the strong desire to write a book. Ever since I was little and first really got into reading, I knew that someday I wanted to write my own storybook.

A few years down the line and that desire in me is still very strong, to the point where I am now putting into play how to begin putting these words to paper - and it's no easy feat, believe me!
I've also begun to add books to my reading list that fall outside of my comfort zone, as I think it's important to try something different. This both expands your thinking and interests, and also your knowledge of words and the way different people write.
I am always interested to hear what other people have read that they have found interesting/inspirational/moving/compelling - so please, if you have any suggestions of titles I can add to my list, please drop me an email.

As well as expanding my reading, I have also been speaking to people who write, both for fun and those who have been successful in publishing their work. This has proved interesting in finding out how different people get their inspiration for their writing.
Examples being sat at a desk with an endless supply of tea, traveling to somewhere new with just a notebook and pen, to even just changing a room around so that it feels like a different place.
So what inspires you?

So until my next post, I will be indulging in the different things that inspire me, and hoping to eventually make a start on these books that are bubbling away in my mind ready to burst out.

L xo

Design Work

So after convincing myself that I never have enough time to have hobbies outside of work, I've decided to get off my ass and actually make myself do things that I enjoy.

One of these being designing - I don't do this nearly enough.

So for anyone interested I will be looking to create logos/letterheads/invoice templates, etc.

I'm going to start putting a few business packages together and will upload them to here for anyone interested in seeing them.

L.

2011

Wow, so I let this slip, didn't I?

Apologies to all that may follow my blog, I've been so tied up with work, I haven't had a lot of time to update this - but i'll get back on it.

Watch this space!
L xo

Knitting for Charity

So about 5 months ago I taught myself how to crochet, after seeing an advert for a new crochet magazine on the TV.

Initially, it was quite a funny idea - I was going to knit myself a 'granny blanket', and people joked about how comical it was to see a 22 year old crocheting. But I enjoyed it, and it meant I stopped snacking all the time as my hands were busy crocheting with every bit of wool I could get my hands on.

I've knitted hats for friends and family, and I love giving them to people - but I decided I wanted to do a bit more..

So after browsing the internet for a couple of hours today I have decided to put my new-found crocheting skills to better use. I'm going to crochet bonnets and garments for UK children's charities, and blankets for UK animal shelters.

After looking through various websites, it hit me how much these various volunteers and charities need people to donate their knitting and crochet items, especially some of the smaller ones; it was so sad to read how they struggled to hit their targets for donations due to not enough people being able to volunteer.
One site I came across listed their garment targets they wanted to reach by the end of this year, and it was so sad to see "1,000 premature baby bonnets needed - total received 41".

Now I have no specific target set - but I'm going to do my best to learn some new patterns and donate as many items as I can for these charities.
And I think anyone reading this should do the same - learn a new skill, like crocheting or knitting - and put it to good use, and help out someone less fortunate than yourself.

Below I have listed a few of the charities that I have come across, but obviously there are hundreds - so please, do what you can.
I hope this post can encourage other people to take it upon themselves and do something for these charities.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.
-Leanne Leveaux


http://www.snugglesproject.org
-The Snuggles Project is a great charity who provide 'snuggles' (blankets) to animal shelters all over the world.

http://sites.google.com/site/preemiesuk/home
-Preemies UK is a group of volunteers who knit and crochet clothing for premature babies. They're always needing donations and people to volunteer.

http://www.postpals.co.uk
-Post Pals is an amazing project set up for people to send gifts and cards to sick children in the UK. Please also check out the 'TLC' section, for children that are in need of a little more thought this month.

http://cuddles-uk.org
-Cuddles UK is a volunteer, non-profit organisation based in the UK, who supply gowns, blankets and wraps to maternity units all over the United Kingdom. They attempt to support families dealing with the loss of a baby through miscarriage or still birth. Please take a moment to check this site out.

http://www.bonniebabies.co.uk
-Bonnie Babies makes and sends tiny premature clothes, blankets sadly burial outfits to UK special baby care units, and also to the parents who need their support.

Due Date Dash

As part of the upcoming film release for Due Date, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis. Warner Bros. Pictures are giving you the chance to win two places to the film's premiere and an all expenses paid road trip across America.

Please see the following links for how you can enter to win this amazing prize!

http://www.people.co.uk/play-win/competitions/2010/10/24/win-due-date-premiere-tickets-102039-22651124/

http://www.premierinn.com/en/news/news_category/celebrate-release-of-warner-brothers-film-due-date-126.html

http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/freebies/competitions/due_date/index.html

Queue Jumping

Now generally, I'm pretty complacent about things, but queue jumping is one of my biggest pet hates!
And in London, people seem to assume this is ok? Has anyone else noticed this?

I mean, fair enough - on the tube, queue jumping is inevitable, because lets face it, there is no obvious queue, just hoards of irritable commuters, all of which feel they deserve to get on the tube more than the little old lady next to them, or that poor woman with the buggy.
And annoying as that is to watch, we just seem to accept it, and to be honest, another tube will be along shortly, with half the amount of people on, so that's not a big deal.

But for people to so blatently cut a queue that is so clearly obvious really winds me up.
Take for example my morning so far. I always stop in the Tesco Express on the way to work to pick up something for breakfast, and every morning there is always a queue running down one of the aisles (always the same aisle, before there is any confusion).
So there is little old me, with my breakkie, happily queuing, when this burly man in a business suit walks into the store, grabs a lucozade, looks directly at myself and the queue which had formed behind me, and as clear as day walked straight up to the till.
Now, I'm not normally very vocal about things like this, I tend to keep my thoughts to myself and generally roll my eyes and grumble under my breath, but the fact this guy made it so obvious he had SEEN the queue, and just figured he was above queuing really pissed me off.
Just because I was not wearing a suit does not give anyone the right to think they are above me, I am working my ASS off at the moment, trying to land myself a job.
So I called him out, reminding him that there was indeed a queue, to which he looked at me, and continued to attempt to pay for his lucozade, by which point I stated that he was clearly above the rest of us and it was my mistake thinking he had to queue like everyone else, and kindly mentioned that I hope his drink chokes him.

Now I apologise to anyone reading this who might be thinking I am a malicious, seething individual who gets ticked off at the smallest of things, but I am sure anyone else would have done the same.
But then, that does make me wonder why no one else in the queue said anything? It is again this unspoken rule that queue jumping is something people don't agree with, but that people just ignore, and let other people feel high and mighty and walk over the rest of us.
London, pull your finger out and stand up for yourself!
I'm new to this commuting lark, but it baffles me to see people happily let other people take the piss.

I think I may just become the Che Guevara of the London Underground..

Rex

Completely unrelated to work-like things, but thought I'd introduce you all to my new little pal, Rex.