Being a university student, I tend to be tight with money as my course drains me financially so I try not to spend unless it’s for higher education purposes.  During the summer holidays I’ve been working, various things have happened which I’d rather didn’t so I’ve been spoiling myself and doing a little retail therapy¹.

This isn’t going to be a haul post, I’m just going to list the few buys, which I love.

• Cupcake sewing box

© Ditsy-daisies.co.uk.

I can’t find a picture of the one I bought and forgot to take a picture so I hope my description isn’t too rubbish.  The cupcake is brown, corrugated plastic and riveted on the handle.  The topping, or lid if you will, is covered with cupcakes printed fabric.  the lid magnetically clips onto the side.  Inside sits a tray with different compartments.  I also bought a pumpkin shaped needle cushion. ^^

• Boxes; I’m a huge nerd for storage and organising my things.  The boxes are the Ikea self assembling ones.
• Layton And The Curious Village/Pandora’s Box.  I love puzzle games and these games were real thinkers.  They also reminded me of how appalling at Maths I am…and logic sometimes passes me by.
• A friend of my mum bought me a few jewellery parts, when she went to Hong Kong – can’t wait to go back so I can see all the bits and bobs they have over there.
• Ted Baker make-up bag

© Boots.com.

It even has a little bathtub key fob on the zip.

1. By the way, I wouldn’t really recommend shopping yourself silly just to relieve emotional pain. [↩]

When I called Three to cancel my contract¹ one of the things I mentioned was my bad reception: not being able to receive or make calls; getting cut of midway through conversation and requiring three attempts to send a message.  The guy² told me that the problem wasn’t with Three as my area has a strong signal.  Apparently my mobile was the problem, something to do with it being a tri-band, which I thought was strange as I live in the UK and tri-band should work in Europe right?

Coincidentally after that call things started working slightly better but my reception still wasn’t great.   At the places I go most I kept getting “Emergency calls only”.  I bought a new mobile anyway because I’m not making full use of my contract (£15/month 300 minutes call and unlimited texts).  Although the guy did offer to give me 10% but that’s not much and with the VAT increase next year it wouldn’t be worth it.

My new phone is working great.  Calls are crystal clear, reception is good and my texts send first time ’round.  Maybe the guy was right and it was my mobile in question³…

I’ll be glad when this contract is over as I’m looking forward to just keep this mobile for a long time – not a big fan mobile shopping – and not wasting away my money on contracts which don’t meet my social status (read: a loner who barely uses phone.  Just kidding…I prefer using the Internet to keep contact and would prefer calling without worrying at how many minutes I have left.)

1. Silly didn’t realise that the three months before contract ends doesn’t actually apply to cancelling.  Almost coughed up £70 to cancel due to infuriation of bad reception. [↩]
2. Who kept apologising for things that were out of his control.  It’s nice but he really didn’t need to. [↩]
3. Admittedly I’m not mobile savvy so naivety may also play a part. [↩]

I’m going to openly say I have a contract with Three, and have been with them for a few years now.  The contract is good and at a fair price and despite what others have said the signal and service has been great for me.  It has only been the last couple of months I’ve experienced problems; can only seem to make emergency calls at the locations I’m at most.

Okay, I’m starting to veer of the tangent slightly.  Anyway, I’ve had things said about my choice of mobiles (read: I really don’t care much about mobiles so will usually go with which ever is free with the contract¹.)  My main brand of mobiles has usually been Sony Ericsson though.  With my current mobile playing silly buggers I decided to get a more than decent sim-free phone, which turn rebellious teen on me.

I was tempted to go to the shops but I didn’t want to get harrassed by an Apple fanboy/girl² so instead I researched online and read reviews.  Yes, I am one of those buyers: research then debate for centuries as to whether you want to buy or even spend the money of such things.  Also, being one of those loyalists I was thinking about getting another Sony Ericsson phone but go with the times (touch screen).  My sister told me not to, being the luck I have with Sony Ericssons.

Samsung is an instant no.  Don’t get me wrong, I know they’re good phones but I used to work in a Samsung product based company (the RMA area) so I knew the faults.  That’s what really puts me off buying any Samsung product³.

Babbling again aren’t I?  Fast foward to the Sunday just gone, I bought a Blackberry.  I had been debating on the buy for months and with a nudge I actually bought it.  At the moment it’s charging the howevermanyhours mobiles are meant to charge for.  When I received the package today I was really surprised that my phone had come, as I was expecting the silicone skin to arrive first.  Now though, I’m wondering, should I have really spent that much on a mobile; a technology I’m not too fond of.  I was really happy and excited⁴ but now…not so much.  I’m thinking I should have just left that money for uni, or even stationary⁵.   I’m going to go all organised now and start organising my life away with my new phone.

God I’m sad.

1. That’s not to say I don’t take care for my phones though. [↩]
2. No, offence to anyone but some assistants do tend to make it out as the end all, be all product. [↩]
3. Here’s some advise, if you really love a certain brand DO NOT work in that’s brand “faulty products” department. It will put you off for life. [↩]
4. Me, excited about a mobile?  Never. [↩]
5. I’m a stationary geek, or should that be storage geek?  Hah. [↩]

San nin fai lok.  Gung hei faat choi, lay sei dow loy.

Translation: “Happy New Year.  Congratulations and be prosperous, now give me a red envelope!”

I know I’m late but still…it’s the thought that counts. ^^

Who knew not carrying around a mobile would cause such hassle – I’m going to use the word ‘hassle’ lightly as it’s a little hyperbolic in this case.

Today I went to the NEC in Birmingham and took the train to get there – it’s just easier and more time efficient than driving.  Upon entering the “out” train I realised that I had forgotten my mobile but it wasn’t too bothersome, in fact it was quite blissful¹.   The only problem I would have come across was reaching my friend, whom I was meeting up with at New Street to then head to Birmingham International.

I got to the station and used a payphone to call my mum so she’d know I got to Birmingham fine, without being kidnapped or not making it².  Turns out she left me a text and when I hadn’t replied she grew worried and even went back to the train station to ask if I had boarded the train.  One of the staff members had no recollection; I had purchased my tickets from the machine outside so I wasn’t surprise.  It’s safe to say she was relieved when she picked up the phone to hear my voice.  She thought someone had taken me.  Whoops, sorry Mum.  Don’t mean to do this kind of thing to you.

Didn’t the payphones used to cost 20p/min a call?  I put my money in and dialled but the phone kept saying: “more money needed” or something along those lines.  The call ended up coasting me about 50p! O.o Oh well, I suppose it’s worth it.  Had I not called the police may have been involved.

This kind of mobile incident had happened times before but this is the most recent one.

Have you had any similar experiences or stories you want to share?

1. Yes, I have issues with the technology. [↩]
2. O.o [↩]