And so, the end is near…..

The end of 2011 is nigh, so it's time to reflect on the year that been. There's been the usual highs and lows, good times and bad. There's been laughter and tears (and some of those tears have come from laughter!), get ups and put downs too many to mention.

There's been changes positive and negative, relationships made and broken. There's been a host of new people in my life, some who have become good friends. Other's have been lost and, in some cases, refound.

There's too many people for me to mention, but you'll know who you are. To anyone who's believed in me these past 12 months, thank you. To those of you who have supported me through thick and thin, thank you. It's meant so much. To the ones who have listened when I've moaned, whined or generally complained and never uttered a word, thank you. To those that have put me down, thank you. I'm now a stronger person for it. And finally, to the people who make the world a little brighter, thank you. Keep shining your light into the world.

I'm already looking forward to 2012 with plans already in place. Some of them might be crazy, but you only get one life. And sometimes being that little bit crazy helps. Bring on 2012!

PTC/PTR Sites

I know what your thinking. How can you get paid for sitting around clicking and viewing websites? Well, you can, and I have some here to recommend to you. the first lot are those that I have used and successfully been paid. The second are those that I have been using and yet to receive payment (because not yet reached payout or there is other terms around it) or that I’ve just started using.

 

Many of the programs use Paypal and/or Alertpay to payout with may working in US Dollars.

 

Successful Payments

Site Name	Locality	Received To Date
Archerfish	UK & Ireland	£13.00
AdPaid	International	$28.70
Wordlinx	International	$126.89
Linkgrand	International	$35.00
Neobux	International	$62.67
You-Cubez	International	$17.00
MySurvey	?	£22.00

 

Currently Using

Site Name	Locality
Advercash	International
ClixSense	International
PTC Box	International
Clicksia	International
Clixtiply	International
Adf.ly	International

 

You can also have a look on Marketing Pond for other programs too!

 

Vhari x

December Update

Well, it’s been 2 months since my last update so might try and squeeze as much into this as possible (not that there is much to squeeze!)

 

Well, we visited the Hobby event in Glasgow at the end of October. It was good going round and seeing what was happening. We did buy some beads as well as some books on seed beading and new tools to undertake kumihimo (it should come with a warning that it’s very addictive!). We also bought some other daft things too. The good thing is that the next one fall the weekend of my birthday in March so already looking forward to it :D

 

Been out and about with the jewellery, selling bits and pieces once again getting the name out there. We’ve already been invited to a couple of events next year but it’s all down to dates now. We’ve also fulfilled our first big order! 50 charm bracelets (with word that there might be further orders)! So very chuffed! Bring on next year! Have started a re-design of the site which should hopefully launch early next year :)

 

Been a very quiet few months for music…okay so that partly a lie. Managed to catch John Barrowman and Only Men Aloud, both of which were very enjoyable (I’m now glad that I’ve seen Only Men Aloud’s version of Don’t Stop Believing live after seeing the performance last year(?) on the TV for Children In Need)

 

So that’s all for this installment. See you on the other side of the year :D

 

Vhari x

October Update

Hi all

 

Well it’s that time of the month again, although there isn’t much to report to be fair.

 

Apparently trying to wing my abilities isn’t working at present in finding a job. Had applied for an admin-y type job but no success. I’m pretty sure that people look at your qualifications (which mine are kind of all health related due to original plans for a career) and they’re not interested in hearing what experience that you have that you could bring to the job. Seen another job the other day so going to have a bash at that. According to my mum, it’s below me but I think that it would be good start if I get it, to give me some retail experience and dealing with the public and get my confidence back up. Then I could always hope that the world will be my oyster!

 

Our site (Handmade by M & V) has been up and running for the past month, and, whilst it’s so far not generated any sales, we are getting the visitors. We had over 600 unique visitors to the site in it’s first month, which I’m happy with. And we’ve had plenty of feedback from people saying that they’re impressed with the site, so hopefully this will lead to future sales. In attempt to see if we can’t drive more sales, we’ve also taken up a Folksy shop (that you can visit here) to showcase some of the items. Again, in the short time we’ve been there, we’ve had a number of views on the items, which in my mind is a good thing. Really need a job that Monday to Friday and then have the weekends free to attend craft fairs etc.

 

Looking forward to the end of the month as the Hobbycraft event is back in Glasgow at the SECC. It’s a year since we went to the first event and now my mum and I try to go whenever they appear to go and look at what’s on offer.

 

I’ve also learned that I really need to keep a note of the competitions that I’ve entered so that when i get a call to tell me I’ve won something, that I know what they are actually talking about. Had that experience at the end of September with tickets for Clyde 1 Live…a competition I’d totally forgotten that I had entered (well, it had been a Sunday at work when I entered…that ‘s my excuse and I’m sticking to it!!)

 

Anyhoo, that’s all from me this month. Till next time!

 

Vhari x

Clyde 1 Live @ SECC Glasgow 30th September 2011

On the 30th September 2011, Glasgow based radio station Clyde 1 took over Hall 4 of the SECC in Glasgow to bring a myriad of the UK’s hottest stars to stage together for one night only. So who was on the bill?

Olly Murs
First to take to the stage was Olly Murs, who despite coming second in the X-factor a few years ago, has been quite successful. He performed a few songs including Thinking Of You, Busy and current single Heart Skips A Beat inbetween talking X-Factor (seeing as he host The Xtra Factor), his new album and of course, his forthcoming tour. Overall he was good but not an act that I would rush off and see.

Sugababes
As many will probably know by now, none of the original line up remains. But Heidi, Amelle and Jade came out and performed a few past songs (About You Know, About A Girl, Push The Button) as well as new single Freedom. Sadly though, it sounded as if they were out of tune with the older songs, only being able to properly sing material since they’ve been together.

Cover Drive
This is a new group hailing from Barbados who only performed two tracks for their slot, forthcoming single Twilight and their debut Lick Ya Down. Not sure what to make of them but expect to hear more from them in the future!

Giving the stage crew time to set the stage up, presenter and DJ George Bowie took up the decks and brought the George Bowie Experience to hall 4 and got the crowd jumping and singing along.

Matt Cardle
Following George it was last years X-Factor winner Matt Cardle. Apparently he’s only been playing his new material up North. He played a solid set including his new single Run For Your Life and also constantly on guitar, which he looked more than comfortable playing.Of course there was the obligatory mention about his debut album coming out. It was good to see and hear him live and not just on the TV and it has shown he is able to play in the flesh but not someone I’d rush to see.

Nina Nesbitt
Jim Gellatlyintroduced this singer who hails from Edinburgh but has major labels chasing her. Discovered on YouTube (where she posted covers of artists including Ed Sheeran, Example and Mumford & Sons). She performed a cover of Little Lion Man before performing her own song Glue. The crowd seemed to get behind her too. Look forward to seeing/hearing more from her in the near future.

Pixie Lott
Victoria Louise Lott aka Pixie Lott came to the stage performing hit track Boys & Girls, following it closely with ballad Cry Me Out. Forthcoming single What Do You Take Me For came next (with her admitting before starting that tonight would be the first time that she had performed the track live). Debut Mama Do followed with much participation from the crowd. She ended the set with current single All About Tonight that once again got the crowd involved. Another solid set from a great young artist.

Dappy
It didn’t take much to get the crowd excited when it became obvious who the next act was going to be. Dappy (probably better known as being part of N-Dubz) came on stage. Performing only two tracks including number 1 track No Regrets, the crowd was wild including a surge forward at one point when he came down to the barrier. Not much to write home about.

Jessie J
After another short set from George Bowie, the main event of the night began with the one and only Jessie J. Starting off with a slow version of Do It Like A Dude, she suddenly burst into a full familiar version of the song, sending the crowd wild. She explain that tonight was the first time that she had performed with two shoes on after she broke her ankle a few months ago, using the excuse that Nobody’s Perfect. Dedicating the ballad Who You Are as a thank you to everyone who had voted for her for the various awards throughout the year, showed another string to her bow. Finishing the set with Domino, she invited anyone who was backstage to come join her on stage (though no one did!). But the track seemed appropriate to finish with. Even in that short space of time showed why her shows have sold out!

Looking at the event as a whole, it was interesting to see these artist together even though in general I wouldn’t go see these artist normally. Some acts could have done better and might have been better if some of the newer acts had a little more performance time. It probably didn’t help with the heat in the hall and that as as a space appeared there was a push forward as people tried to get closer to the stage. Maybe I’ve been to too many civilised standing concerts…

Photos © Vhari Lannigan

Olly Murs: Official Site
Sugababes: Official Site
Cover Drive: Official Site

Matt Cardle: Official Site

Nina Nesbitt: Official Facebook
Pixie Lott: Official Site
Dappy: Official Site
Jessie J: Official Site

September Update

Hello hello hello. I can't believe that I've not properly updated this in....well, a few months :) Where to start...

 

Probably the best place would be back in July. First week of July I was going to see Alex Cornish in Glasgow. And as if anything ever goes without complication! See, that morning, my brother got delayed on the train due to flooding at Dalmarnock station. And knowing what the weather was supposed to be like, it was an automatic panic to work out a 'what if' plan (it's at time's like that I wish that I had the confidence to drive into Glasgow...would solve soooo many things!) Anyway, successfully managed to get in and out without any issues. You can read the review of the evening here. Oh and I do highly recommend seeing him & co live and buying his albums (I'm sending him the bill for me saying that. He just doesn't know it yet...).

 

Mum and I took up a stall at the a local church car boot/fun day selling our jewellery. We knew ourselves that we probably wouldn't make much due to the prices of some items (well, you tend only to take a few pounds to a car boot....unless you're on Bargain Hunt or Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is) but still managed to successfully sell a nice amount which has since been reinvested back into the jewellery. We’ve now got a little site running for out self-funding hobby @ www.handmadebymandv.co.uk

Somehow my brother and I managed to survive a week alone whilst our parents were on holiday. It was really strange though because the dog was in kennels (apparently she needs time away for the family too)

And talking of parents, I made a huge mistake for their anniversary. I saw a To Me To You figurine that I really liked, and, with an agreement with my brother, I bought. The day before the anniversary, I discovered that the figure I had picked up was already in the cabinet! Turns out I had bought the same figurine LAST year for the same occasion…Guess I know why I liked it! I’d like to add that both times that I’ve bought it, it was the last one in the shop so I’m obviously meant to have it

 

Not having too much luck on the whole full time job front. It's still seems to be that everywhere is still looking for experience...and once again I say, how do you get experience if you can't get a job? Did try my hand on wining my abilities...well, if you don't try... Also putting the whole photography thing on hold at the moment. If I want to do the course, then I need to pay my own fees, add to that the expense of the equipment and probably books on top of that...Did considering doing a 3 month course which basically acts as an introduction to the course, but still not sure about that. I think my confidence has taken another dent.

 

AND...to add to that, as you might have seen in my last post about my PS3 dying, I'm thinking that if I hadn't got mine repaired, then the price drop wouldn't have been announced...Sod's frickin' law!!

 

So, that's it from me this month. Guess the past couple of months have actually been very quiet in comparison to some other ones.
 

Until next time

Vhari x

Oh No! YLOD! Who You Gonna Visit? Techbytes!

So here’s the scenario: I’m just daunering through the Playstaion Store whilst downloading a demo on the PS3 when, without warning, it turns off, beeps and flashes it’s wee red light. So assuming it just having a hissy fit, try to turn it on, for it to turn on, beep and turn back off. Yes ladies and gentlemen, my 4 years & 130 day old 60GB launch day PS3 has fallen victim to Yellow Light Of Death (YLOD) syndrome.

It was quickly online to find somewhere that could repair for a reasonable price. After all, a brand new PS3 is just out of the question at the moment, it’s not back compatible and my fattie just so much better than the slim (minus the hard drive space mind). After much trawling, comparing and deliberations of whether to try the hair dryer trick (which was quickly scrapped as knowing my luck I’d kill it well and truly!), I stumbled upon Techbytes and, after much reading reviews (that were mainly PC related with a few consoles thrown in), I decided to give them a try.

After explaining what I thought was wrong with it, a few more questions seemed to point that I was right. Handing it over, price and an explanation of their turn around time was given along with a book in receipt (they scanned the console's serial no) so if needed, I could check on the progress of the repair. I was pleasantly surprised to be notified 2 days later via text that my console was ready to be picked up, despite having been told that it might have been longer due to high demand.

The receipt I got when I picked the console up detailed what exactly had been done to the console and for the price (£69 for YLOD repair at the time of writing), it was worth it (compared to the price of purchasing a new console). Considering that the repair is covered for 3 months, I don't think that you can go wrong. Have since had it up and running for the past few days checking for myself that everything is alright (even though they’ve already tested it), although I am now paranoid about backing everything up, so it’s the last thing to get done before switching the PS3 off. If you’re in the Glasgow area, then I have no hesitation in recommending these guys to you.

 

Techbytes Glasgow

 

* Parts of this post will be appearing on review sites, so don’t worry if you feel you have a case of Deja vu :p *

** Normal ranting service will resume soon! **