10 Things I Love About PRIDE Magazine!

Simply because top 10s are always fun.

10 Verge Magazine
Ok, it might seem strange to begin an ode to Pride with a reference to another publication, but hear me out. I dig that Verge is bubbling away on the top floor of Pride House. Simmering and almost done, this student publication has a very cool team cooking up a treat that is set to be HUGE! Mark my words...

9 Postal Staff
They don't come friendlier than the delivery guys at Pride. It must be a contractual stipulation.

8 The building and location
An easy commute to Battersea takes me 25 minutes tops, and the cosy office is always so welcoming. The vertical layout of the building is cool too - going up two flights of stairs for a pee, then down another to the office, one more to the front door, then a final two to the kitchen (phew, mops brow) is a nice bit of exercise. Plus the contstant clunk of footsteps makes you feel like you're in a (very poor) spy movie.

7 The slightly dodgy intern Mac


Ah, me and this eratic machine have come to understand each other. Whether unexpectedly freezing, refusing to send emails or deleting all my work, I have learnt that patience is key. I ain't mad at you old friend; All relationships have their ups and downs, and when you're good, you're really really good.

6 Publisher's Letter
Oh yes, this page of the mag never fails. If I'm honest, I usually skip these things, as they tend to fit one of two categories: an unecessary summary of the contents page, or a bizarre stream of consciousness that, although well-meaning, has very little to do with the rest of the publication. Pride's Publisher CJ Cushnie, however, has mastered the artform of intro letters; not many could incorporate the Mandella quote "Resentment is like drinking poison and hoping it will kill your enemies" into the first page of a women's mag. One word: skills.

5 Inner Spirit
I love that the mag dedicates a section to Gospel music and Christian events - religion is scarcely represented in mainstream media, so it's cool that this hasn't been phased out to follow suit.

4 Interesting and varied tasks


I am kept blissfully busy at Pride, whether researching, collecting vox-pops in bustling Clapham Junction, interviewing and transcribing, or writing copy for the entertainment pages. It's an amazing buzz and I love love love the fact that all my work actually gets used! (all my interns in the house, I know you feel me)I even got a credit on the contents page. Brap!

3 Shevelle's laugh
The Fashion and beauty editor has the cheekiest, most unabashed and joy-filled chuckle I've heard in ages. Always cracking up about something, Shevella-ella-ella has a laugh as distinct as her mean shoe-game (try leopard print platforms studded with gold spikes all over. Exactly, you ain't ready).

2 Real-talk Afua
Features Editor extroardinaire, Ms. Afua Adom has a sense of humour exceeded only by her journalistic flair. If you don't find her funny, there is something seriously and incurably wrong with you.

1 Jobama!!

Aaaah, Mojo-Jojo!!! Andy Warhol would be proud.

The lady who gave me a chance. I wouldn't even be up in the Pride towers if it weren't for the wonderful Entertainment Editor that is Joanna Abeyie. I'm so grateful she let me come on board for what has been the best internship of my young journalstic career to date; a sweet lady with a panchant for squirrels (private joke), it has been a joy assiting her in work. I have a feeling we'll be working together again in the future...hopefully before she makes it to the White House (another private joke).

Tope 10 done.

PS. My first full feature for Pride will be in the March issue. Yippee! :D

The fight of your life

The craziest thing happened this weekend.

So it's a new year. Resolutions, aspirations and goals are whirring around inside the heads of the masses, each of us pledging to follow our dreams this year, to push the boundaries, to make 2011 a year that counts.


Out with the old, in with the new; new thinking, new actions and tons and tons of new opportunities.


Ok, you get the point. So with all this in mind, imagine my horror on the first day of the new year when, presented with an amazing opportunity - the greatest of my budding journalistic career - that I was faced with the biggest opponent ever...

Myself.


Shocked? Me too. In the Red corner, weighing 130 pounds, the undefeated champion of immaculate copy... me!

And in the Blue corner, equal weight to her opponent, swinging fists of doubt, insecurity and negative self-talk...you guessed it...me!


I was made an AMAZING offer this weekend. And in a fit of intimidation, disbelief and plain negligence, I pretty much talked myself out of a big break. Seriously. I'll disclose details another time (provided I haven't completely ruined my life!) My tongue remains in partial paraylisis following the event - I haven't spoken since for fear of what my words may destroy next!!


Confidence is a thing that must be nurtured and generated over time, I get that - however, due to my slip-up this weekend, I've been forced to revisit my progress in this area and bookmark it as a priority for improvement this year. Call it a resolution if you want, labels aren't important - what is important is that I get this bad boy in check:


By thinking thoughts like these:


As anyone who wants to get into this line of work will have a heard a gazillion times, journalism is a very competitive field. By nature, I'm not the competitive type; however, if I continue shooting myself in both feet, I'll take myself completely out of the running without any external sabotage necessary!

Fortunately, it's not too late to run damage control...(fingers crossed)

Learn from my mistake people: EVERY moment is an opportunity to sell yourselves. Remain vigilant, for at any time that enemy within may arise when you least expect it, and before you know it...

Knock-out.


Carpe Diem.

Hello 2011, we've been expecting you...

2011 - The Year of the Journalist (why not?).

Let's make it a special one. Happy New Year ;)

Goodbye 2010, and thank you

What a year. 2010 has been a beautiful struggle - the most successful and distressing year of my life.

I'm certainly one for nostalgia, a sentimental soul since childhood - keeping every travel ticket, bit of notepaper, and obsolete (sometimes even broken) object, as all things held a sense of meaning; I'd feel a lump form in my throat at the thought of letting a piece of time slip away unchartered. Perhaps it was the budding journo in me.

But with maturity, I gained a sense of balance, and have since developed the gift of goodbye. Letting go is a fact of life, and a practise I become increasingly adept at by the day.

However, before I let go of 2010, I'd like to say how pivotal it has been in my life. Obviously, it was the year I discovered Catch22 - one of the best things to ever happen to me - and the catalyst for launching my career as a writer (have quit the day job now, so it's official).

It was also the year I lost the closest person to me to cancer. A gruelling and emotionally taxing experience for my family and I, I couldn't envision us emerging on the other side of that experience. But we did.

So as 2010 slips from my grasp, I ask you: what are you letting go of at the start of a new year? And those things that you're taking with you, are they worth it?

For some, New Year's is a waste of time and nothing special; I agree that every day is an opportunity for change, but why not seize December 31/January 1st as a benchmarch for measuring your progress?

Whatever you choose to do, congratulate youself for completing this year and challenge yourself to be in a better position this time next year, when there will no doubt be more to weigh up, hold onto or let go of.

Happy New Year!

Trainee of The Year 2010 :)

STOP PRESS!!!!

Now, in journalism, for a story to considered 'newsworthy' it must be new and current (no surprises there)

Well, this isn't exactly brand new information, but it's new enough.

I was named Catch22's Trainee of the Year at their annual Gala!!



Yes, that's me - alongside Charlene White of ITV News and Catch22 founder Tokunbo (it takes a lot for me to post pictures of myself in the public domain, so you know I must be proud).

I am extremely honoured and humbled by this; it was totally unexpected (luckily by the time my name was called to appear on stage I had changed into a half-decent pair of heels and left my hightops in my handbag!) and I feel super confident after the Catch 22 tutors felt my portfolio of work deserved a 98% Distinction. Thank you all so much.

It took all my self-restraint not to end up like this:



But the boost it has given me is immeasurable. I'm using this moment as a springboard into a new year with new goals; accolades are great, but we can't rest on old laurels forever. Onwards and upwards!

Thanks again guys (blush)

Work Experience: Company Magazine

Company Magazine. A memorable mix of fashion, beauty, and the fashionably beautiful.



It’s the campaigning heart of Company that I find so inspiring – admittedly the other stuff kind of blows by me – amidst a bunch of fabulous stylistas my lack of fashion-forwardness may have been more than mildly offensive.



However, Catch22 put me here to work, not to “work it honey!”

Let the journalism begin.



Week one consisted of researching for the FYI section of the magazine - a quick run-down of the best ways to spend your time out and about, at home or online. I also spent a whole day trying to track down the tie from Channel 4 show The Inbetweeners; as modelled below:



Thanks guys. After hours of wild-goose chasing we finally found it at Topshop just across the road, and had it 'called in' for free. Wow, if getting freebies is that easy, I'm definitely in the right business.

I also interviewed a Britain’s Next Top Model evictee...

(chocolate, model's own)

Wrote copy for the website:

http://www.company.co.uk/fashion/news/london-fashion-week-carboutique?click=main_sr

...and watched from the window in hysterics as a (rather poor) David Beckham look-alike was pursued by an eager stampede of Soho-ites desperate to grab a glimpse of the imposter.



The rest of my time at Company was pretty varied, with tasks including a search for funny (or, rather, revolting) sex scenes in novels, wacky guiness world records broken this year and searching high and low for a female coctail blogger (surprisingly difficult, irrespective of the British booze culture - don't look at me like that, you know it's true). Following the theme of reticent drinkers, I had the somewhat challenging task of finding some young boozers willing to disclose embarrassing stories about drunken behaviour, not to mention a detailed list of the amount they drink per day around Christmas time. So yeah, nobody got back to me.


C'est la vie.



Back to the free stuff. There are treats galore for employees at Nat Mags to sample – each day my inbox was rammed with info about giveaways and taster sessions, everything from live Ken Hom cookery to Nintendo Wii demos; free samosa rolls from local restaurants and jars of Kate Moss jam (coming soon to a posh supermarket near you).



*shakes self* Focus woman! Enough with the free stuff and back to the writing. I pleasantly surprised the editorial team with my effortless ability to adopt the ‘Company tone’ when writing for the website – ("Like OMG, she writes like someone who actually owns an aviator jacket!!")

Now, this is gonna shock and disappoint a lot of people, but I don't actually own an aviator jacket *hangs head*

My final week was spend trawling the net in search of a beautiful house to be featured in the Back to Ours home showcase section. Special shout out to Kate at Catch22, real proof that the support from Catch is never-ending - as interiors are her thing I knew she'd be abale to help me out...and lo and behold, she recommended the fab home of print designer Jane Foster.



I also got to write an article for Nat Mag's internal newsletter the 'Broadwick Tweet', spreading the word about Catch22 (go team!)

A special thank you to Company's lovely Editor Vic White, the ever-attentive HR angel Tammy Platyes, features editor and multitasker extroardinaire Lena DeCasparis, and the rest of the editorial team.

I'm sure another great journo will be slotting into my space at Company soon, probably one who owns a pair of Manolos (whatever they are!)



She's hired!

:-D

Hot Rox

Live music is my second love – although we aren't as close as we used to be, left-field hip hop produced by the likes of genius J Dilla (RIP) will always have my heart, but in recent years acoustic guitar, keys and kick drum own my ear.

It’s been a while since I went to a show and was wowed by an act though, and the cynic in me - noting the contrived pretty girl with tomboy-influenced Shoreditch uniform and pseudo Winehouse annunciation prototype that is currently doing the rounds - had grown a little tired of ‘the scene’.

But at this year's Croydon Summer Festival I saw an artist who, despite ‘the scene’ was simply ‘an artist’. And a flipping great one at that.

Meet Rox – though you may have done already.




Wow. Standing up front at the open air stage after shimmying past drunken revellers, mums with prams and teen girls posing as the Saturdays, an unexpected treat in the form of Rox took hold of the stage and grabbed the audience’s full attention.

Blasting my (undue?) cynical expectations out of the water, this songstress melted my heart with her crystal clear vocals and excellent showmanship.



Singing renditions of Bob Marley’s Rock Steady, and a reggae-inspired version of Dreams by Fleetwood Mac, alongside her own original material including recent single ‘My Baby Left Me’, her smooth vocals sailed effortlessly above the crowd, rested beneath the afternoon sky and were underscored by sexy swaying moves punctuating each beat of the band’s percussion.

Vibrant stage presence with sincere crowd interaction, her performance was a pleasure to experience. This girl simply has it. Beauty, talent and confidence – but most of all, talent. The natural kind record execs can’t prescribe.

I don't quite know how to feel about her vocals when recorded (do a little you tube-ing and you might agree that, by comparison to the live stuff, the texture and clarity of her voice are a little lost on wax) so maybe I'd do better to hold out for an unplugged album? (A little something to think about, oh ye of Rox Management...?) Until then, her debut album Memoirs is out now.

One thing is for sure though - when live, Rox rocks.

Check the excerpt of her performance at the festival below - the quality isn't great and there were other standout moments in the set, but I’m happy somebody was less awestruck than I and actually thought to record some of this (you tube, we love you)