The End of an Era 27/03/09
Technically today is the last day of my last semester at university, ever. My exams are in a month and I still have a project to complete by the 27th April, but after that, that’s the end. I’ve never not been in school – what do I do next? I need a job. Where do I look? This is not an exciting adventure for me. I want to stay in school; I am comfortable there.
Our Japan Trip Preparations 19/03/09
I’m so excited about going to Japan soon! Officially eighteen days until we leave. I don’t think I posted about it here, yet, so a brief recap on my life before the blog. About a year ago I asked if my mum would come with me to Japan, and she agreed. It seems she’s only doing it ‘for the giggles’, a milder form of lulz. It’s costing us a small fortune (especially with the current exchange rate) but I’ve never been abroad for more than five days before, and I’ve never been outside of Europe. For me, this is a trip of a lifetime and very much a big deal.
The excitement didn’t really hit me until about a week ago after I finished booking all the accommodation and worked out what towns and cities we would be visiting. Officially, these are;
Response from the ASA and a Nice Weekend 03/03/09
The ASA sent me a letter explaining why they cannot persue complaints againt the Christian Party’s advertisement. So it turns out that clause 12 of the ASA code makes political parties exemt from the rules. Basically, as far as they’re concerned, advertisements to influence voters are allowed regardless and by interfering with this they are interfering with democracy (what democracy?! but that’s a debate for another day…)
12.1 Any advertisement or direct marketing communication, whenever published or distributed, whose principal function is to influence voters in local, regional, national or international elections or referendums is exempt from the Code.
Oh well. You win, Christian Party. Nicely played. The letter explained the reasons why two similar advertisements were allowed to go ahead. One, from the Trinitarian Bible Society, simply contained a bible quote (The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.
) and the other, from the Russian Orthodox Church, contained the slogan There IS a God, BELIEVE. Don’t worry and enjoy your life.
which was deemed a clear reflection of opinion rather than trying portray something inprovable as fact. Fine by me, I never had a problem with these advertisements.