Katie Hopkins ... Her Stupid Story

Regular followers may be slightly surprised by this post as I’d made a vow never to mention the vile Katie Hopkins ever again - I figured if people stopped giving her a platform she might simply shrivel up and disappear - but, after (foolishly) watching the farce entitled ‘My Fat Story’, I was so incensed by her arrogance and stupidity I felt the need to have another pop at her.

For those who haven’t seen the programme, Ms Hopkins (self declared fat hater) decided to educate the masses by gaining 3 stone in weight and then shifting it ASAP.  The phrase ‘eat less, move more’ was rammed down our throats as she rammed meal after meal, snack after snack down her own revolting throat.

Not only was this a ‘No-Sh*t- Sherlock’ approach to diet and exercise but it was also an incredibly naive experiment.  No great surprise there, given who we’re dealing with, but even the doctors who checked her out before her bingeing began said that it was unwise and that they didn’t recommend her going ahead.

But go ahead she did, determined to prove her points.

If you eat a lot and don’t move - you get fat.

When you stop eating and take up exercise - you lose weight.

Really?!  Oh, Ms Hopkins where would we be without your wisdom?

Now … here’s where I have the problem.  I am considered to be a ‘normal, healthy weight’.  I have no issues with food but I’m well aware that there are people who do, and to imply that it’s as simple as ABC to shift weight if you have an eating disorder is ignorant and small-minded.

Of course Ms Hopkins would have no problem going back to her old eating and exercising habits - it’s who she is and she’s clearly also someone with a naturally high metabolism.  Although, as the rugby players pointed out when they first saw her skeletal-bikini-clad bones, she could do with keeping on a few of those gained pounds.  Quite frankly, she looked like an under-nourished ten year old with an old lady’s head glued on top.

We are now all well aware that Ms Hopkins wouldn’t employ a fat person - a statement she’s incredibly proud of.  After learning more about her through this programme, how would she feel if someone told her they wouldn’t offer her employment because she’s epileptic?  Not nice, is it?

And now that we’ve been ‘enlightened’ on weight-loss, I wonder if she’d like to try bulimia or anorexia for a few months - and then oh-so-miraculously snap out of it.  Or how about alcoholism?  Or here’s a good one … pop your dressing gown on and sink into the depths of depression/panic attacks/anxiety and then show all the sufferers how simple it is to shed your gloom and start living again.

Because it’s really that simple, isn’t it Katie?

Dancing on my Doorstep

Living in Putney, we're fortunate to be close to the City when we need to be yet also surrounded by enough greenery, parks and common areas to kid ourselves that we're in the country when we want.

One of our local pubs - a five minute walk along a leafy lane - calls itself  'A Country Pub in London' and last night we experienced what can only be described as 'one of those magical nights' as we were invited to their re-launch.

The Telegraph is a pub dear to my heart - a selection of wedding guests joined us to lunch there the day after we married twenty years ago and, as it's so close to us, we often head there on a sunny afternoon for a drink and a light lunch.

But last night was SOMETHING ELSE!

Recently under new management (MD Peter Linacre) we were invited to eat, drink and be merry - and boy did they deliver!

Regular readers will know that I'm a firm believer that I've either lived before or was born too late, so for me to be entertained by a live big band with some classic standards, while sipping on champagne and nibbling excellent food was like a dream come true.

My ex was part of a big band so it's a sound I'm familiar with and love - unlike our teen, who left just a little disgruntled after half an hour! It most definitely wasn't 'his thing' but when he chooses to listen to music that leaves me wanting to puke, with my ears bleeding, it's hardly surprising.

But for me 'The Mack Big Band' with their very talented singer (sheesh, he can hold a note!), Marshall Scott, it was a night made in heaven.

For the second half of the evening the pace was upped and the place erupted - every age group, from late teens to pushing a hundred hit the dance floor.  One very persistent, elderly gentleman kept beckoning me to dance with him and I spent a while declining.  Such perseverance should always be rewarded though, so I eventually joined him and was surprised to be proposed to!  He was a good sport when I told him I didn't think my husband would approve!

What more can I tell you?  The staff were friendly and chatty, the food was mouth-watering, original and plentiful and the refurb has been done to the highest spec.  We will definitely be returning there with friends and I urge anyone in the Putney vicinity to go there and check it out.

In our goodie bags (containing bottles of port and delicious chocolate fudge brownies) we were given promotional material which told us that they'll also be running various clubs and societies - wine appreciation, dining, pub quiz, film club, digestive club talks, theatre, comedy/open mic, book club.  Any locals, get yourselves there and help make this pub THE place to be.

So, a HUGE thank you to Peter and staff for a truly fantastic night.  I wish you well and hope that The Telegraph gets the success it deserves.

*This review is my opinion.  I was not asked to write it*

PLEASE head off and check out my books.  Putney author and proud!

FUNKY FRIDAY - with author Neal Doran

It's that time again - FUNKY FRIDAY  and your chance to meet author Neil Doran.

Your writing seems to involve a lot of humour - do you find this easy and do you like to read books that make you laugh?

I love to read books that make me laugh, although I'm not  much of a lol-er, so it's usually a smirk and the occasional 'ha!' if something is really funny. There's a Canadian short story writer called Stuart McLean who writes about about family life who I think is very funny. Marian Keyes is the stand-out funniest chick-lit writer I've read, although I also liked Mhairi Macfarlane's 'You Had Me At Hello', which was properly funny. And Richard Asplin can turn out an excellent comic thriller if you like a few more twists and turns with your laugh.

I'm someone who has a tendency to communicate everything through references to comedy of some sort. I think it's probably easier for me to do than it is for the people around me who have to listen. I'm also a slow writer, so it can take ages to get a few hundred words on a page, and if I don't think they're funny or entertaining in some way as I go along it makes for very painful hours at the keyboard.

What's the worst thing about writing for you?

As I mentioned, I'm pretty slow at getting words on the page. I think it's one of the contradictions of fiction writing that it tends to involve asking a daydreamer to focus on a specific task, so the days when I just don't get the things I want to get done done are pretty horrible. But the thing is, the worst day writing is still better than a day not writing at all. There's a real feeling on non-writing days that there's something else I'm supposed to be doing that I just can't shift. Which is a shame, because they happen quite a lot ...

As one writer to another, I totally get what you're saying!  OK, Dream time.  Ultimate dinner party? You can have anyone dead or alive there - who would you have and why?

Tricky question. I think I'd veer towards living guests as it would be creepy to have dead people around to dinner. Although on the plus side they would eat and drink less.

Of the living I think I would pick Clive James, because he has stories about everything and everyone, and can make you feel clever because you like watching American TV shows.  Caitlin Moran could give Clive a run for his money, I reckon. Then Larry David. He'd be funny too, but would then probably end up offending everyone and cause a huge row and everybody would leave by a decent hour so I could go to bed after finishing the wine.

How do you deal with the dreaded bad review - are you a sulker of a shrugger?

I'm just getting into the time when I might get reviews, but I'm confident I'll be a shrugger.

That is if by shrugger you mean someone who'll be sitting in the corner with their shoulders convulsing uncontrollably as their body is wracked by sobbing.

Once more, I'm with you on that one!  So, if you were offered a squillion pounds to never write again, would you take it?

My writing's so bad someone's prepared to offer how much to stop? That's passion ... I think instinctively I'd say take the money.

But then I'd hire minions to whom I could dictate all my ideas, and get them to get on with the actual typing and those kind of details. And if anyone said that was cheating they could take their chances and sue me. Do you have any idea how powerful the lawyers' squillionaires can hire are?

Woah!  Clever answer!  Try this one then!  You've been invited in the Big Brother house - do you accept?

There are many reasons to say no to that. The main one though, is that I've never been a fan of getting changed in public changing rooms at swimming pools or wherever. The idea you'd be living in a house where the entire nation (well people who watch Channel 5) would be able to see your ablutions at any time around the clock is just too hideous. I'd spend the entire time hidden under layers of towels.

QUICK FIRE ROUND

Planner or Winger?

Winger.

Night or Morning?

Morning!

Doer or procrastinator?

Procrastinator.

Writing/first draft or editing?

First draft.

Tea or coffee?

Tea. Tea, tea, tea, tea, tea. Tea.

Thanks so much for joining me, Neal.  It 's been fun and I wish you well with your writing.

You can follow Neal on Twitter @nealdoran

'Dan Taylor Is Giving Up On Women' is available to buy at Amazon and all major e-retailers.

NEWSFLASH

Looking for a short informative book on CRPS? (Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome) Please support new writer Laura Smith and buy here.  AND my lovely son designed the book cover for her!

Fancy a book about a pole dancer?  Look no further, future FUNKY FRIDAY author Francis Potts and co writer Kitty Bittersplit have just released 'Life After Pole Dancing'

Searching for new chicklit?  Suzy Turner brings us 'Forever Fredless' - check it out now, I know I'm going to.

Next week I'll be welcoming Natalie McCormack from The Book Geek Wears Pajamas - it will be fun, I promise.