THE END/THE BEGINNING

As of now there will be no more posts on this blog. 

Please proceed over to HERE and follow me!

All current posts have been transferred there and all new posts will be posted there.

Lots of fun new posts to come so if you are already a follower or have stumbled upon this blog and like what you see then please come and join me. 

A pretty new layout awaits you..see you there :)

Danielle x

Numbers

4.8.15.16.23.42

Fans of the epic TV series 'Lost' will know all about these. And I'm obsessed with them.
I've now watched the full 6 series' twice after convincing my man that he needed to see them! I think and hope that he enjoyed the show as much as me. I would easily consider it to be the best TV show of all time. Ever.

I've probably well over thought it but I seem to think that all of the numbers, minus one, have a significant meaning to me. Maybe I'm just trying to hard and they aren't such significant things after all but I'll list them anyways.

4 - The 4th of September 2011 is the date that my love and I became 'official'.  <3

8 - It was the 8th month of 2011 when my life took a big change in direction, which was very much welcomed. I was freed from a bad past, started to see old friends more, made new friends and moved out of the run down town that I'd lived in all my life.

15 - Is the date in December that my Mammy was born. I know for a fact not all people would consider this but, since I have moved out especially, I'm quite close with my parents. (This is where my reasons start to lack slightly I guess ha)

16 - Jake's Birthday. <3

23 - This has (for as long as i can remember) been my favorite/lucky number. I'm in love with the Jimmy Eat World song and hope that when I reach that age I will be on the right track in life.

42 - This is where I am stumped. I assume that the number will mean something sooner or later, so I'll keep an eye out for it.

What do you think? Can anyone else relate to all the 'Lost Numbers'. Hurley thought the numbers were bad, I think different.... :)

Namaste!

My Big Fat Gypsy Blog Post

[To begin I must say that I am annoyed I haven't finished this or gotten it up sooner, but as I carry on writing   I thought I may as well post the first part...]

Something I've been meaning to write about for a while and something that I feel strongly about is the stigma surrounding the Gypsy Roma and Irish Traveler ethnicity.

To quote the all-knowing Wikipedia, 'The term gypsy more specifically refers to people of Romani origin, an ethnic group that can be traced to the Indian subcontinent, while Travelers are mainly of Irish or English origin. They are considered an ethnic group under British law.'

So technically the verbal abuse and social targeting that the Travelling community receive is a form of racism? And racism is apparently unacceptable, so how come its so natural for us 'Settled people' to stereotype all Gypsys and pigeon hole them as being a certain way, using derogatory terms such as 'Pikey' and the like to describe them.

Illegal immigrants and people who aren't originally from this country receive more respect and help from the governments than these communities that are born here but choose maintain a separate set of traditions.

Let’s look into the facts of their way of life-

Starting with their morals and the way in which they raise their children, one of the most important points that I admire. People who watch the popular television show 'My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding' will be familiar with the tradition that woman marry young, usually as teenagers of around 16-17, with the majority of wives expected to be virgins at time of marriage. Most girls have a strict upbringing, being watched over closely by their Mother and Father and have to be chaperoned on any outings, especially with a man/future husband. Groups of sisters, cousins etc. stick together and have to accompany each other even if only taking a trip to the shop. Dropping out of public school before the end of primary school, girls start to help contribute in the home, learning to keep the family home clean and look after their younger siblings and family members in preparation for their marriage. Meanwhile the young boys learn the important knowledge and trades that they'll use to support a future wife.

As far as I'm concerned there is nothing wrong with any of the above stated. On the contrary, if anything I think people should take a leaf out of their book and strive to raise their children to have respect and know their place. The males and females are both aware of their social standings and ranking within the community, reminiscent of the 50s where the men were the bread winners and women filled the housewife roll.  I cannot really understand the problem people have with this, unlike feminists the travelers don’t protest and force their views on anyone else, do they?

To be continued…

Blogging Occasion.

I've neglected the blog recently, through a combination of partial busyness, a somewhat lack of subject and mainly laziness.
Although now I have a cause for posting.
My gorgeous man and I have been together around half a year now. Already! Seems crazy, but I've never been happier. Anyway, today he is 24! Haha I tease him about being old but I forget that I'm growing up too...
I feel bad that today couldn't be more special but we'll make sure next year is better.
I pretty much just want to say how much he means to me and how much I love him. He treats me like his Princess and I've never been looked after so well.
I'll include the first ever photo of us together cause it makes me smile.
I love you Jake, Happy Birthday bubba. Xo

UFC 143

So ESPN had a free weekend this weekend :D !!
That meant I got to watch the UFC on an actual TV for a change, and thankfully because I had no internet access to be able to stream anyways. The only downfall of this was that I didn't get to see the preliminary fights, which judging by play by plays and peoples tweets, was a big miss.

The fights I did get to see were mainly good, lacking many big finishes though.
Starting with Ed Herman v Clifford Starks with the first and only submission of the main card, (my pick) Herman finished 1.43 into round 2 after just losing the first round to Starks after a great 5min exchange.

Next up (I was right again when) Renan Barao made good use of his jab and mixed it up with kicks for the full 15minutes to beat Scott Jorgensen to a unanimous decision.

Josh Koscheck v Mike Pierce was a pretty even fight ending in Koscheck edging the split decision (chalking up another victory for me) , leading to the fight I was most hyped for - Fabricio Werdum v Roy 'Big Country' Nelson. After seeing Werdum compete in the 2011 ADCC in Nottingham I decided Is be backing the Brazilian.
First thing to mention in this contest was the apparent change to Nelsons appearance. It was quite obvious that he has made an effort to slim down his famous 'physique' and I think it made a big difference as I predicted Werdum would have been a little more dominant. Excitingly I thought it was all over, super early into the 1st, when Werdum took it to the ground looking for the rear naked choke but Nelson managed an escape and got to his feet. At this point Nelsons face is attacked by some big knees, making it clear he can take more than take a hit but the fight is paused for a doctor to check the bloody mess.
The round restarts and Werdum again connects with another knee, then they drop to the ground with Nelson this time defending the BJJ champs arm bar attempt.
The fight makes it to the third where Big Country grabs a standing guillotine, though it isn't on tight and as Werdum stands up bringing the round to a close still landing the more substantial shots. Winner by Unanimous decision, Fabricio Werdum!

Finally Carlos Condit and Nick Diaz step up to compete for the interim welterweight belt.
Which also went the distance, unfortunatly with a very unpopular result. For the full 5 five minute rounds Condit backed up and ran away from Diaz constantly throwing ineffective leg kicks, a typical product of Greg Jacksons camp.
At the end of the fight Nick Diaz proclaimed to Joe Rogan that he 'doesn't need this shit' and declared his retirement from MMA.
A huge disappointment to a lot of MMA fans and fighters alike and defiantly a sign that the judging system needs to be revised.
BJ retires after being beat by Diaz, Diaz retires after being beat by Condit...will Condit retire after his likely defeat by GSP?

Animals > Humans.

Consider this an introduction to my newest family member; little miss Mousen Eskdale. :)

I have been an animal lover as long as I can remember and have up until now had 3 rabbits, 1 Guinea Pig and 8 hamsters (alongside numerous fish, even though they freak me the hell out).

They are defiantly considered a friend and family member by me. I talk more to pets than I do to people most of the time, as there is no worry of any sort of let down with a cute tiny fluff ball. 

Most of my babys have had, what I consider to be, cool names! :P And my new Syrian, Mousen, is no exception. Dubbed 'Moo' for short the name first came from her having markings similar to that of a cow, hence 'Moo', then it evolved to 'Mousen' and inside joke about a small place I drive past on the road up to my parents. 

I agree with the 'never work with children' quote but I think working with animals is brilliant! I've always tried to get some interesting photos of my hammies and even though they hardly stop moving when you get a great shot its so worth it! Ive also been explored on flickr for one of Scamp. :)  

Here are a couple of my hamster army past and present - 

                                   Minnie (Disney girl)                               Dusty (My rescue girl)

                                    Travis (Blink 182 boy) R.I.P           Scamp (Cheeky boy) R.I.P

                             Pepsi (Cola girl)  R.I.P                              Halo (Gamer girl) R.I.P

I also had a gorgeous tan and white smooth haired Syrian called baby bear who unfortunately passed away after only a fortnight of living with me due to breathing complications :(
This group of beauties are better friends than any person could ever be! Just wait until I win the lottery and buy my farm! :D

Pointless

I want to write a blog but I haven't really anything to say.
I'm not feeling great with myself lately but hopefully I'm gonna change it as soon as possible.
I know that if I had a job or something that meant I could afford to go to the gym, I'd be there all the time! Might go swimming next week or see if our local leisure centre has a sauna :)
Until then I'm gonna keep cracking up at the non-funny spelling mistakes on damnyouautocorrect.com

Goodnight x

UFC 142

Best, most exciting card this year! Okay, its only the first event this year so far...but so many quality finishes on one night was amazing.
With almost every fight ending in the first round there was no chance to take your eyes off the screen.

There was only one Facebook prelim last night, Felipe Arantes vs. Antonio Carvalho, a great opening fight that went the distance ending in a unanimous decison for the Brazilian.
We then moved to FX for the preliminary card where the action was started straight off when Mike Pyle TKO'ed Ricardo Funch. Originally rocking Funch with a straight right, he followed it up with a brutal knee and following him to the ground, raining down punches, the ref jumps in 1.22 into the first round.
Another unanimous decision came for Yuri Alcantara after a nice bout with Michihiro Omigawa making good use of his judo. The end of the first round ends in confusion when it is unclear until the tape is played back whether Omigawa had tapped to the vicious arm bar Alacantara pulled on with just seconds left of the round, it is confirmed that there was no tap and the fight goes the distance.
 Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Ednaldo Oliveira, originally the Brit Rob Broughton vs. Ednaldo Oliveira, starts with an display of faints leading to a small exchange where Gonzaga grabs his chance to bring it to the ground. Here he wastes no time in making this the second 1st round finish of the card with a super fast rear naked choke! Awesome.
The last pre lim fight again goes the distance and ends in a unanimous decision defeat of Sam Stout for Thiago Tavares.

Main card time! And what I am sure many will regard as a definite contender for KO of the year.
Following an attack on Terry Etims legs, the first two rounds go to Edson Barbosa. No change in 3rd for Barbosa use of leg kicks and at 2.02  he lands a sweet spinning wheel kick square on Etims jaw knocking him out cold. Everyone goes crazy, including all of us twitter fans :P This fight also was awarded KO AND fight of the night.
Next up alot of controversy after the Erick Silva stoppage of Carlo Prater. Only 29 seconds in and the fight is stopped with Prater unable to escape the barrage of hammer fists but as Silva celebrates, ref Mario Yamasaki declares him disqualified for illegal punches to the back of the head. After many replays no one can see the apparent illegal blows, Joe Rogan especially found the result unjust as he 'interviewed' Yamasaki practically telling him he was wrong.
Rousimar Palhares vs. Mike Massenzio, again, was a first round defeat. Palhares, the ADCC silver medal holder used, what could be said to be, his signature heel hook to finish Massenzio just over a minute into the fight securing himself the submission of the night bonus!
Jam packed full of action even before the co-main fight took place, the event kept up its string of outstanding fights when the legend that is Vitor Belfort makes this his first submission stoppage (in the UFC) since 1997,  rear naked choking Anthony Rumble Johnson, despite his failure to make weight. Coming in at 11lb over the weight limit, this isnt the first time Rumble has come in over and it has been reported that he has now been cut from the UFC roster for his continuous cutting issues.

Personally the fight I was least interested in was the main event and featherweight title fight between  José Aldo  vs. Chad Mendes in which Aldo retained his belt. KO by knee joining the evenings 1st round finishes and celebrating by running into the crowd! ( Much to the horror of the security. I'm sure he can take care of himself lol)

Overall defiantly a hard card to follow you should agree. Just wish I could of afforded to be there live.
 Now to look forward to seeing Bang KO Neer on the 20th! Woo!!

The World Is Definatly Gonna End This Year!

Once again, its very late and Ive messed up my sleeping pattern more. Not that I cant get up if I need to obviously.
My handsome mans new shoesies are arriving tomorrow/this morning hopefully and as we never hear the door, were staying up in the hope they come at a reasonable hour.

Anyways, I gathered I hadnt written a post in a while and thought an update was in need before my usual post UFC blog on Sunday.
Since last time Ive had another photoshoot, a newborn shoot, for my clients mentioned a couple posts back. Also still on the hunt for a full time 'day job' until I can get enough bookings to make a proper living out of (if ever) or my dreams come true and my exciting emails are put into action again. This time Ill keep all hush about that though as not to jinx things!

Oh! And the hugest change lately...
The other day marked my 1 year anniversary of being a full UK driving licence holder...and the 11th marked the day I had to declare my car off road and decide to sell it.  :'(
Im not in the position right now to be able to afford the madness of the amount of money insurance costs for a 21 year old female. I am so extremly grateful for all the help my Dad and Mam have given me the past few months, especially with the car, without which making it to photoshoots in Berwick would of been potentially problematic (sneeky HP quote hiding in there for any super fans like me lol). But yeah. Im car-less. Its been a little weird so far but Ill get used to it I guess.

Other than all that nothing too exciting going on in Blyth. But apparently at 3.13 on yesterday there was a suspected 'Sonic Boom' which of course everyone is claiming to be an earthquake and that the world is deffo gonna end now. Gotta trust those Myans!

...Im off to play Runescape. Peace.

Cliche 'New Year' Post.

New years resolutions and all that jazz.
First of which is to take more bloody photos haha. So saying that I've started two new projects...Eyes and Feet. Doesn't sound too exciting but my Mam of all people will defiantly agree I've always had a fascination with feet and the different shoes people wear.
It started out that I was planning to do trio photos of each person, their Eyes, Hands and Feet but found when doing my self portraits that hands are awkward to photograph.
Here's my eye and foot self portraits anyways...

More to come!

Oh and if anyone would be so kind as to act as Guinea pig for me feel free to drop round the flat, preferably between the hours of 5pm and 7am as I'm currently nocturnal.

:D