THEGAYUK

Author: Matthew Porter

  • Five things you should keep in mind after you get your A Level results

    Now the hard work is over, here are five things to remember to do once you’ve finished your A-Levels.

    what to do if you don't get the A Level results you want,

     

    1. Don’t be pressured into anything.

    When I was doing my A-Levels my tutors pressured me to go to university. I had no encouragement to find a job or an apprenticeship. I was not ready for university so I decided not to go, I was even called a fool by a teacher. If you don’t think university is right for you then don’t go. Remember, the same course will be available at a university for decades, however, the right apprenticeship or dream job might be a one off.

    2. Find alternatives.

    It is unlikely you’ll be rejected by a university and end up without an option. But if that eventuality does come around then be prepared. Apply for part-time and full-time jobs, apprenticeships, traineeships and anything else you can get your hands on that interests you. Perhaps even doing a year at a college will be good for you, make the most of free education. You can never have to many qualifications and experience.

    3. Never take something for the sake of it.

    Never go to university because you can. Go to it because you want to. It is the same with jobs, I made that mistake and it affected my mental and physical health. There is no feeling worse than going to work anxious and stressed and coming home exhausted and drained. The right people, places, and professions will all come around to you. Everyone has a purpose.

    4. Do what you enjoy.

    So what if you don’t want to go to university with your friends, you can stay in contact. I was one of a handful of people from my year who didn’t go to university and I am in a much better position than some. I have a strong friendship circle and have a good lifestyle. If your passion is photography then pursue it. Go to university and study it and get that degree. If that is not for you, get a job to fund your adventure (photography can be very expensive!) and make the most of your free time.

    5. Everything will fall into place.

    Take it from me. I left after my a-levels not wanting to go to university, I was called a fool by teachers and left a few people confused. I took a job I hated hoping I could make something of it. My biggest mistake was taking a job I didn’t love. Pair that with some stressful life experiences and you get some mental and physical health issues! It worked out in the end. I was offered an apprenticeship with a photographers studio in London. I had never been happier than the day I handed in my notice knowing in a weeks time I would be on the path to my personal happiness. And to this day, I have never loved doing something so much. I’ve always wanted to make my career something I loved. And now I can.

    Here’s to your future. Whatever path you choose, make it the right one for you. Do what you love and you will love what you do.

    Follow Matthew Porter on Twitter.

     

  • CAR REVIEW | Ford Kuga Titanium X Sport 2.0 TDCi

    Ford seems to have tried making a premium SUV, but gave up half way in and threw in a load of plastics and cheap technologies to get it finished. Of course, it looks good and should be reliable, after all, it is a Ford.

    CAR REVIEW | Ford Kuga Titanium X Sport 2.0 TDCi

    The MK2 Kuga is a vast improvement on the old, it has sharp styling and from the outside has a very strong whiff of a premium brand. The model tested was a Titanium X Sport with the 2.0 TDCi 180ps manual with AWD. Now, in this trim the car looks brilliant, we had ours in Deep Impact Blue and it was gorgeous. The big 19″ alloys, silver trim and roof rails made it look like it came from the class above. The bodywork is curvaceous yet sharp and looks very sporty. However, you only get this look on the Titanium Sport or higher, anything less and you get cheap black plastic trim all around the outside. That is where Ford has made a mistake.

    Our test car was fitted with the very comfortable leather seats, well, more like armchairs. Heated as well non the less. The rear seats were also just as comfortable with plenty of leg room and the option to recline the seats. This is more or less where the positives for the inside end. The infotainment system is appalling and looks like it was designed to be used by babies. It is slow, dim-witted and clunky with hard to reach buttons and a poor layout. What can I expect, Ford have never done very well with infotainment. Look at the current Fiesta, nearly 9 years into production and they have barely changed the inside once.

    What makes this even more shocking is this is a whole new infotainment system, only in cars from April 2016 onwards.

    The problems continue. On a car this size and shape you would expect to have a massive and fully usable interior, after all it is a Sports Utility Vehicle. The rear seats don’t even lay completely flat. One of my biggest bbugbears Nothing ruins the back for me more than on a car with tall and wide with so much potential, to be hampered by a step in the load area. The little things. My other issue is more of a suggestion. Under the two front seats we have on offer a very large space, could it not be an option to have under seat storage? It will be great to hide valuables in. Although the glove box is big, it can get filled up quickly with the manual, CDs and in my case, my change pot.

    Apart from those niggles and issues with the inside, it is a pleasant place for a long journey. The electric sunroof is a nice touch, it brings in a lot of light into the cabin, although it sits rather annoyingly in the center of the roof with over half a foot gap on both sides. It doesn’t sound like much but when you want to look out the roof from the rear seats you have to strain over to one side. I won’t get too bogged down with the negatives, because at the end of the day the ride is smooth, the seats are comfy, it is quiet and the air-conditioning works sublimely. Everything you need for a cruise down the motorway in the summer sun.

    So we have established the outside looks great and the inside needs improving, now it is time for an under the bonnet critique. The engine in this car, a 2.0 180bhp diesel works well.

    First gear is almost non-existent and proves to be no use, I often took to moving away in 2nd gear as it got off quicker. Apart from 1st, the rest of the gears are lovely and the transmission is smooth and the gear lever feels connected. The AWD system is a useful, but fuel consuming, bit of extra safety and reassurance.

    For a Ford it coped very well with a bit of light off roading. The suspension is also very good at soaking up bumps, not to mention you can really chuck it at the corners. I was surprised at how smooth the ride was, considering we were riding on 19″ alloys.

    The safety kit is also useful, if not a little unsettling and confusing. It was not until after contacting Ford about the City Stop active breaking that we found out it doesn’t work for people…

    The lane keeping assist works and isn’t too intrusive. Some cars have been known to pull you back over, whereas the Kuga goes for a more “vibrate the steering wheel so violently you lose blood flow in your hands” approach. I also got to test out for the first time park assist. It is a very useful bit of kit, if not a little weird to get used to. Even in the pitch black at 11pm at night I didn’t hit anything.

    Overall it is a good car, nothing to rave about, but I wouldn’t tell anyone not to get one. There are similar cars available which I would suggest, the Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tuscan to name two. If you are looking for similar sized cars but with a different budget in mind, the Dacia Duster is a phenomenal car for your money, whereas the BMW X1 gives you a lot more class for your cash.

    Likes:
    Styling
    Comfort
    Drive

    Loathes:
    Infotainment system
    Acceleration
    Fuel economy

    Car – Ford Kuga Titanium X Sport 2.0 TDCi 180 AWD Manual
    Price – £36,115 (as tested)
    MPG – 54.3mpg (combined)
    Power – 177bhp
    0-62mph – 9.2 seconds
    Top Speed – 126 mph
    Co2 – 135 (g/km)

     

    Find out more at http://www.ford.com/

  • 5 Things To Do Now You’ve Finished Your A-Levels.

    Now the hard work is over, here’s five things to remember to do once you’ve finished your A-Levels.

     

    1. Don’t be pressured into anything.

    When I was doing my A-Levels my tutors pressured me to go to university. I had no encouragement to find a job or an apprenticeship. I was not ready for university so I decided not to go, I was even called a fool by a teacher. If you don’t think university is right for you then don’t go. Remember, the same course will be available at a university for decades, however the right apprenticeship or dream job might be a one off.

    2. Find alternatives.

    It is unlikely to be rejected by a university and end up without an option. But if that eventuality does come around then be prepared. Apply for part-time and full-time jobs, apprenticeships, traineeships and anything else you can get your hands on that interests you. Perhaps even doing a year at a college will be good for you, make the most of free education. You can never have to many qualifications and experience.

    3. Never take something for the sake of it.

    Never go to university because you can. Go because you want to. It is the same with jobs, I made that mistake and it affected my mental and physical health. There is no feeling worse than going to work anxious and stressed and coming home exhausted and drained. The right people, places, and professions will all come around to you. Everyone has a purpose.

    4. Do what you enjoy.

    So what if you don’t want to go to university with your friends, you can stay in contact. I was one of a handful of people from my year who didn’t go to university and I am in a much better position than some. I have a strong friendship circle and have a good lifestyle. If your passion is photography then pursue it. Go to university and study it and get that degree. If that is not for you, get a job to fund your adventure (photography can be very expensive!) and make the most of your free time.

    5. Everything will fall into place.

    Take it from me. I left after my a-levels not wanting to go to university, I was called a fool by teachers and left a few people confused. I took a job I hated hoping I could make something of it. My biggest mistake was taking a job I didn’t love. Pair that with some stressful life experiences and you get some mental and physical health issues! It worked out in the end. I was offered an apprenticeship with a photographers studio in London. I had never been happier than the day I handed in my notice knowing in a weeks time I would be on the path to my personal happiness. And to this day, I have never loved doing something so much. I’ve always wanted to make my career something I loved. And now I can.

    Here’s to your future. Whatever path you choose, make it the right one for you. Do what you love and you will love what you do.

    Follow Matthew Porter on Twitter.

     

  • Three Of The Coolest Cars From The London Motor Show

    2016 bought back some history for the motoring world. For the first time in eight years, London hosted a motor show, although on a small scale it was very important.

    With the ever increasing sales of British cars of all brands, it was only fitting to bring some publicity to such a city. Not only has the United Kingdom created some of the best handling, luxurious and iconic cars, but are also going to help raise the bar on the land speed record.

    Matthew Porter gives us his top three highlights of the London Motor Show

    MG GS

    Over the years MG has been trying to claw its way back into the market with the three and the six. Both are very reasonably priced but lacked quality, however, what they lacked in quality they made up for in standard equipment. Both cars sold at a steady pace considering MG only re-entered the market back in 2011. After the fall of the brand back in 2008, it was down to the new Chinese owners to pull it back up to the top. With almost all current car companies having at least one SUV in their range it was much needed by MG to bring out the GS. This compact crossover SUV will sit to rival the Nissan Qashqai. What this car excels at will be value for money, set to undercut the rivals on price and equipment, making this a strong contender in the very growing and crowded market.

    The stunning new GS brings stylish looks, practicality and technology at a very reasonable price. The sporty yet rugged looks of the GS bring new design language to the brand, with the face-lift of the 6 there is a clear path they are following, a very fruitful and prosperous path.

    Set to come after this is a smaller, Nissan Juke rival. What will make this car even more desirable is that it will be built in Wales, truly putting the British engineering into a British car.

     

    TVR.

    This is all TVR would reveal to press.

    2016 bought the return of renowned car manufacturer TVR. The iconic British car brand was credited for their speed, handling and dramatic styling. After the last cars were made in 2006 it was thought to be the end of an era. However this has all changed. On the third of June 2015, car designer Gordon Murray and Cosworth partnered up for the relaunch of the brand. The plan is to bring the new car to the market in 2017 which will be the first step in a ten year plan for the company. The new car is rumored to host a front mounted Cosworth V8 powering the rear wheels and transmitted through a manual gearbox. The design has not been officially released get but some teasers have been released. It is said that the car will heavily rely on ground effect aerodynamics incorporated into the body work. The official unveiling will go ahead to all 400 deposit paid customers before the public debut.

     

    Bloodhound project.

    Bloodhound project hoping to break the land speed record with 1000MPH with this new development. CAD Image: BLOODHOUND SSC originated by Flock and Siemens

    This is an interesting showcase of a vehicle if it can be called that. The Bloodhound project is aiming to break the land speed record they previously set with their last creation the Thrust SSC with a top speed of over 760MPH. Speaking with a representative of the company it was understood this is a very complex and powerful feat of engineering.

    To start with the vehicle will be fitted with a Typhoon EJ200 jet engine manufactured by Rolls-Royce. Second to that are three Nammo hybrid Rockets. All of these will help propel the vehicle to 1000MPH. However, with an engine to large and thirsty it must be fueled constantly and at a fast rate. Which is why, with no other purpose than a fuel pump, they will be using a Supercharged V8 Jaguar engine. As the previous driver of the last two record holding vehicles, Andy Green will be behind the wheel to bring another victory home.

     

    Follow Matthew Porter on Twitter

  • CAR REVIEW | Ford Fiesta Black Edition

    Firstly, the Ford Fiesta Black edition is almost exactly the same as the Red Edition, sparing opposite paint schemes. Whichever colour scheme you go for, they are both absolutely stunning cars. Evidently, as I own the Black Edition this is my favourite.

    The Fiesta Zetec S Black Edition has a bold, sculptured, aggressive look with contrast details that make sure you don’t get confused with any other Fiesta in the car park. Considering, since going on sale in 2008, the Fiesta has been the UK’s best selling car it is in no doubt that you need something to make you stand out. This special edition model composes the great styling of the standard Fiesta with a racy body kit, lowered suspension by 10mm, black 17” alloy wheels and red accents across the car from the grill surrounds, front splitter, mirror caps and roof all presented against Ford’s “Panther Black” paint. The Red Edition is exactly the same, sparing the paint scheme, where there is red it is black and where there is black there is red. The only other difference between the two is the price, the Black Edition is slightly more expensive then the red due to the black paint being a premium choice.

    The star piece of this car is the engine. In most other Fiesta models you can choose boring petrol or diesel engines, which are pretty standard, and nothing special. What is special, is Ford’s 1litre turbos, the “Ecoboost” engines. The standard 1litre turbo gives of an impressive 98bhp – nothing to scoff at. However, Ford have made the engine for the Black Edition pump out an amazing 138bhp, and what a sweet engine it it. Considering how small the engine is it loves to rev, makes a gorgeous thrumming noise and is pretty rapid.

    The Black Edition is almost the same as the standard Zetec, however, here we get some red accents throughout the cabin.

    Where the Black Edition is let down, as with all Fiestas, is the infotainment system, which is immensely dated and aged, where most rivalling cars get a colour touch screen Ford offers a rather analogue looking display, with lots of buttons.

    Another overlook on the Fiesta are the materials. Some of the plastics do feel cheap and scratchy, however considering that the Fiesta is churned out in obscene amounts we have to give credit were it’s due.

    The technology is very good. Considering the look of the bad infotainment system it does fairly well. There’s voice commands to control some of the functions as well as Bluetooth connectivity which lets you make calls, have texts read out, stream music and the car even calls the emergency services for you if you have an accident.

    Other features, which you’ll love to test are the hill hold assist, which holds the car for you for three seconds to allow you to move off without juggling controls and rolling back. The start/stop technology, helps to keep this car’s CO2 emissions low. This feature can be turned off via a button on the dashboard.

    For concerned parents, this Fiesta also comes with “My Key” which allows restrictions to be put on for anyone driving with the spare key. You get two keys, the master and the spare, with the master in the ignition you can set restrictions such as speeds and volume for the audio, it even tells you how many miles have driven with the key. As optional extras on the car you can have rear privacy glass, auto wipers and lights, rear parking sensors, heated seats, cruise control, automatic climate control, and active city stop. So this can be a car for anyone.

    The Black Edition sits in the range between the standard Fiesta and the Fiesta ST. I see this car as a stepping-stone into the true “hot hatch” market. It is faster and sportier than a standard fiesta without setting off alarm bells with the insurance company, as to them this is still a 1.0 Ecoboost Zetec with a body kit. What I appreciate about this car is its comfort. Compared to the shockingly hard suspension on the ST and bum numbing bucket seats this feels like a luxury limousine. Although the Black Edition is lowered and has 17” alloys, it makes almost no difference to the ride quality, only improving handling and driving fun.

    CREDIT: Ford/Newspress

    I live by a philosophy of “if you don’t look back at your car once it’s parked, you’ve got the wrong one”. And not a time goes by I don’t look back at mine and think how lucky I am. I can forgive all the little niggles about it, like the build quality and the infotainment system because when something puts a smile on your face like a Fiesta does, then its perfect no matter what.

    LOVE

    Punchy engine

    Sporty looks

    Great road handling

    Loathe

    Infotainment system

    Poor materials low in the cabin

    Fuel economy

    Lowdown

    Car: Ford Fiesta Black Edition 1.0 litre 140PS Ecoboost

    Price: £16,945 (starting price)

    MPG: 62.8mpg

    Power: 138bhp

    0-62: 9 seconds

    Top Speed: 125mph

    Co2: 104 (g/km)

    Find out more from Ford.

  • TV REVIEW | American Horror Story

    ★★★★★ | American Horror Story

    American Horror Story, or AHS as it is abbreviated to, is a four season (soon to be five) long delve into the creative mind of Ryan Murphy, the creator. In case anyone hasn’t watched AHS yet, please do.

    I mean genuinely it is such a deep and intense show you can not afford to miss it. I will be honest, since Season four “Freak Show” finished in January I have re-watched season 1, 2, and 3 all over again in less than a week. I am an addict, I will admit. Now with the premise of season 5, “Hotel” featuring, Lady Gaga, I am struggling to keep my panties dry.

    I will commence with a season by season commentary, I will warn you, there will be spoilers.

    Season 1: Murder House.
    The Harman family move from the East coast to the West, LA, to settle down and try and get their family together again after a ‘brutal’ abortion and a cheating husband. Mum Vivian, dad Ben and daughter Violet move into their 18th Century house which appears normal. Until they slowly discover all of the deaths in the house. Almost every occupant who has lived there has died in that house. Each of them are wanting something. It isn’t long until Ben gets his first patient (he is a psychiatrist) and we meet Tate Langdon (Evan Peters *Clenches butt*). Violet and Tate hit it off great and it’s even more dramatic when we find out he is dead, and why… It is so damned intense! Vivian gets pregnant with twins, unfortunately for her, one of the babies is Ben’s but the other is a masked man’s in a gimp suit who raped her. Turns out it was Tate. Fast forward a little and she looses Ben’s baby in childbirth and gives birth to the rape baby, but dies in labour. At this point we find out Violet died from an overdoseThe neighbour next door, Constance (who we find out is Tate’s mum and is played by Jessica Lange) takes the rape baby because it is her grandchild. Ben is left alone and the other spirits kill him, which leaves Ben, Vivian and Violet together as a family in the house. It’s oddly a nice ending. It ends with them warding off new buyers so the don’t have to go through what the Harman’s did.

    Season 2: Asylum. Featuring Adam Levine.
    Set in the 1960s, this corrupt church owned mental institution is governed by the sick minded Sister Jude (Jessica Lange). She wrongly commits Lana Winters (Sarah Paulson) into their care because she was snooping and wanting to write a story about an inmate, Kit Walker – Bloody Face, (played by Evan Peters), who was wrongly accused of skinning alive women. Move down the line and Lana thinks she finds her escape with a friendly doctor but turns out he is Bloody Face and he rapes her. She gets away and ends up back in the asylum. Finally, she gets out again and gets her story out and kills bloody face. In all of this time, Sister Jude has been forcefully committed to the asylum and her fellow Nun, Sister Mary Eunice who has been possessed by the devil was partially responsible. Queue a Nazi Doctor and you have an amazing story! Things progress, and Kit Walker gets free and later takes sister Jude with him. She dies and he gets abducted by aliens after he gets terminally ill (the aliens are explained in the plot). At the end, Lana is an old woman who is a very successful writer and ends up meeting her baby from Bloody Face’s rape she gave up for adoption. She shoots him in the dead and that’s it. End. Finito.

    Season 3: Coven.
    Set in New Orleans this school for witches sounds like a cheap and nasty Harry Potter magic school. It is far from it. It is set now. It is modern, sassy and darn right attention holding season. There is less explaining I can do here. A group of witch girls fight to become the new Supreme of the Coven and cause havoc on their way to it. People die, monsters die, zombies invade, slavery is witnessed and we see what hell is like. The majority of the soundtrack to this is Fleetwood Mac so if you like that you’ll like this because Stevie Nicks also makes an appearance as well. We end up getting to the point were there are two witches left and their new Supreme. The coven makes national news and they recruit a mass of new witches. This end well. Well worth a watch as this is my favourite.

    Season 4: Freakshow.
    You follow around Elsa Mars (Jessica Lange) a German woman of wonder who is the owner of a travelling Freak Show. They settle down in New Orleans but the welcome is not great. They are losing audiences fast. Throughout this, we visit were Elsa has been, through picking out the freaks to getting mutilated, to where she wanted to be. On TV. In the show there are new acts, new drama, back stabbing, kidnap and a new and gorgeous fancier of one of the women there. Betty and Dot (Sarah Paulson) the two-headed woman is right in the sights of Dandy (there are a few bare butt scenes which are a bonus). Things get so out of hand at the end that Dandy buys the show, massacres the majority of the freaks and then gets drowned by the remaining few. Elsa gets her TV show but ends up dying. This doesn’t end well for any of Jessica Lange’s characters.

    Season 5: Hotel
    This season is coming out in October 2015 and features the one and only Lady Gaga. The saddest part is Jessica Lange is not in it anymore (my ultimate woman crush). All we know is that it is set in a hotel. It looks promising with many returning characters and I just hope it is too the standard of Murphy’s other work.

    Not only is AHS beautifully written and cast, it has some real personality. The cinematography is a gem, the mise-en-scene is fabulous, the sounds are eerie and well thought out and the editing is just as you want it. You can tell that Ryan Murphy has put every last thought into it. A masterpiece. The only criticism is can you please you not bring Emma Roberts back. That is all.

  • BLOGS: Shabby Chic or just plain shabby?

    Well the time has come to put down the white paint and pick up the skips! The time has come to move on from all the white walls and white floors, the times have changed so make room for the broom because you will need it!

    The term ‘shabby chic’ has been thrown around a bit in the design world, it is only now that it has really taken a firm hold on the nation. With the help of shows such as “Kirstie’s fill your house for free” and “Brand New House For 5K” the nation has had a nudge in the right direction. The desired house look not so long ago was sheer white walls, wooden floors and designer furniture. However, because of this shift, the term ‘bin raiders’ might become a household term for each of the occupants!

    To give the idea of what shabby chic is;

    “Shabby chic is a form of interior design where furniture and furnishings are either chosen for their appearance of age and signs of wear and tear or where new items are distressed to achieve the appearance of an antique. At the same time, a soft, opulent, yet cottage-style decor, often with an affected feel is emphasised to differentiate it from genuine period decor”.

    So that is basically it.

    What I find so intriguing and great about shabby chic is that it brings back, for a lot of people, the nostalgia and memories of a once past life and history. The idea of finding something virtually being given away and putting in the effort and time to make it personal and great is just amazing. For me, the most treasured item I have ‘done up’ was my great grandmothers feature mirror. All it took was a sanding down and some spray paint. Now it takes pride of place for me to admire myself in whenever I walk past, knowing that she once looked in that mirror.

    It is apparent that there are people who think that shabby chic is tacky and sometimes ‘dirty’. I know some people have issues about germs and having used things in their home, but if that is the case, how well do you know the factories? The factories your new furniture is made in could be full of many germs, think about the more deprived areas in the world, they are just some places your ‘clean’ furniture has been made in. Just remember that before you shrug off something second hand, remember that new things are sometimes not as fresh as you think.

    So all that is left to say is give it a go! Embrace the world of shabby chic and invite it into your home, maybe throw a party to show it off? No one can deny and party.

     

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