Road To Nowhere

Quite a lot, apparently.

Nibs' job involves supporting the long-term unemployed who face barriers to finding work. Such as disability. one of his clients came into see him the other day. She's from a country in the Middle East we don't get on with terribly well*. And a wheelchair user.

She's also well qualified in what she does. She's got an online CV outlining her talents. But she's getting zero interest.

So she has an idea. She changes her name. By deed poll. From Fatima Hussain* to... Tara West*.

Suddenly. Loads of interest.

Depressing, isn't it.

* For obvious reasons changed some names here although facts are, sadly, true enough.

I started off my career as a junior reporter on a local newspaper where a restaurant was once featured in an advertorial.

Whether that soup mentioned among the first course options was carp or crab who knows. What was suggested sounded pretty vile. But you've got to titter over a typo.

And I like this one!!

Don't you just hate it when you fall for advertising bull?

You think you're so streetwise and clever and you can sneer cynically at those ridiculous car ads on TV all you want but one of the pesky little sods always gets through.

I can't tell you where I saw the advert - because that's the insidious nature of them isn't it... they lodge in your subconscious - but suddenly I was aware.

Muller light vanilla yogurts with dark chocolate sprinkles.

And I was curious.

So as I'm cruising the aisles of Sainsbury's looking for a pre-spinning snack, I spot them. Hmmm... 54p, should I maybe buy four for £2? Will I like them?

So I get to the office and I take off the lid and I stare, suspiciously, at the pale gloop with the faintest brown spots. I stir with my teaspoon. No hidden corners of dark chocolate. This is it. I taste the bit with the brown speck. No chocolate - at all. Not a hint. Not a wispa (sorry... couldn't resist).

All I could taste was yogurt and sweetner.

Rotten swizz.

Our university runs a master's degree in photojournalism, based in China.

Chinese students come here, UK students go there, although the course attracts attention from all over the world.

Some of the pictures I've seen over the years are just incredible.

One of our students won a very big-deal award for his work from a Dutch magazine.

This little film of his work, and that of his fellow students, is compelling. if you can find the time, it's well worth watching.

http://www.vimeo.com/1319672