KT Dodge

Archive for July, 2007

It seems that the law commission is making recommendations for co-habitees to get the same financial rights as married couples if they ’split’ (if they meet their criteria). and therefore, be able to claim financial support from eachother. (hidden agenda rather than the taxpayers footing the bill if a break up leaves one partner unable to financially take care of children).

This apparently has been in force in Scotland since May 2006 and so far they do not have any evidence to show an avalanche of claims.

I do not object to co-habitation especially as in this day and age to live alone is very expensive. However, surely If you decide to purchase a property together or have children together when you are unmarried you should treat it the same as a ‘business’ transaction between two people. Surely it makes sense to offer co-habitating contracts which outline what happens financially if you split up. This should be done at the beginning of a relationship when you are both still ‘in love’ with eachother as break ups can get very vindictive, irrational and messy.

In addition, if ‘marriage’ wasn’t so expensive maybe more people would choose it as an option …… and they would get the rights anyway.

It’s actually amazing how many women I know that are having their first babies in their late 30’s and early 40’s these days. LIke me, they chose not to have children earlier in their lives for one reason or another. Obviously, there are more risks if you conceive at an older age, however, so far all of my friends have had very healthy beautiful babies. Does being an older mum make you a better mother? Not necessarily. But it definitely makes you a more patient mother. If you decide to try for a baby when you are older it generally means that you have done all the things you wanted to do and a baby is now something that you would like to compliment your life. Therefore, you are ready to make the sacrifices and changes to your lifestyle that a baby often brings.

It seems that every time I turn around one of my friends is fleeing London for the coast. Another good friend of mine has just sold up in London and is moving to Worthing near Brighton for a better life for both her and her young son. It seems that many of my friends would like to follow her example, and escape the ‘big smog’, some even wanting to emigrate because London is so expensive and unpleasant. With the internet explosion it makes it much easier for people to work from home or abroad and continue to support their lifestyles without necessarily livng in London. I wish her luck in her new life by the sea and hopefully will be visiting often.

Where have all our good dramas, sitcoms and programmes gone? Long gone are the days where I actually look forward to the next episode of a British drama or sitcom. It seems that our airwaves are just filled with ‘reality shows’, documentaries and ‘game shows’ as well as no end of repeats. In moderation all these shows are ok but it seems that they are the preferred option of programme makers because they are cheaper to make than a good drama or situation comedy. The Americans on the other hand are making some excellent series - Ugly Betty, CSI, Heroes, My Name is Earl, Medium and Dexter just to name a few.

I recently read an article which criticised the BBC for losing it’s way. It essentially said that they have forgotten that they should be making all types of programmes for all people. After all this is why we pay a licence fee to enable them not to be commerically viable. in fact it said they should not be trying to compete with the other Commercial TV stations especially after the quiz show fraud debacle. The BBC has a long way to go to regain the reputation they had when I was a child.

To kick off my new self-employed lifestyle, this week I’ve been for two auditions. The first was an advert casting for Boots The Chemist … and the second one was for a programme by Channel 4 called Modern Toss, Series 2. So watch this space .. hopefully I will get some good news next week.

Friday was my last day at The David Beckham Academy where I have worked for nearly two years. I have enjoyed working there and wish the Academy and it’s coaches lots of success. And YES I have met the man himself, David Beckham, and even got a kiss from him!! Partly because he liked a film my brother Perry Benson was in called ‘Love, Honour and Obey’. I must say that many people were quite cynical about David Beckham’s motives with the Football Academy, but after being part of it, I can honestly say that his intentions are good and he truly wants children from all backgrounds and abilities to be able to experience a wonderful day(s) of football.

Last night I went to a preview screening with my husband Andrew Ian Dodge of an animated film called Ratatouille, this I am told, is the last combined animated offering from Disney and Pixar.

The film takes place in Paris, France and follows the life of Remy a ‘blue rat’ who has a brilliant sense of smell and therefore, an equisite appreciation of ‘good’ food and who dreams of becoming a gourmet chef in a five-star French Restaurant like his hero Auguste Gusteau whose moto is ‘anyone can cook’. Through a turn of fate, Remy meets up with a frustrated chef called Linguine who is currently employed as a garbage boy for Gusteau’s restaurant .. and their unlikely relationship unfolds as Remy enables Linguine to impress food critics and rise to the top as a talented chef.

This film was thoroughly enjoyable with lots of ‘out loud laughs’. Although at first, it was just me and Andrew who were laughing out loud as we were surrounded by a room of ‘industry critics’. The animation was fantastic and very realistic. The whole thing had a complete ‘feel good’ nature about it and would appeal to both adults and children. All in all it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Ratatouille, will be out in October 2007.

My parents went to see Babs in concert at the O2 on Sunday. They had £250 tickets (which you would think would give you fairly good seats, however, unbeknowst to me tickets varied from £75.00 - £700.00 each) No wonder Babs is one of the highest paid female singers in the world and only has to do a minim of mb 20 gigs a year. Unfortunately, although fairly near to the front gave them a crick in their necks, as they had to bend to see Babs. They said she was brilliant and the orchestra backing her was outstanding.

How many of us are prepared to spend all night stranded on a motorway? After seeing the reports today regarding the jam on the M5 due to severe weather conditions it reminded me to write a list of all the things I should leave in the boot of my car for just such an emergency. With no police or emergency services in sight. Who can blame the motorists for taking matters into their own hands by using the hard shoulder to find the nearest exit road off the M5.

Well Harry Potter mania is in full swing, with loads of people camping out to get a copy of the final chapter in the life or will it be death of Harry Potter.

Check out Childline’s story on Sky News about bereavement counselling as they have warned parents that children might suffer “bereavement” if Potter actually dies in the new book. I’ve never heard something so stupid. Children can discern the difference between fiction and reality and of course, they will be disappointed and upset if Harry dies, but… bereavement counselling is rather taking it a bit too far!!! I wonder what other wonderful counselling ideas will be offered once the book is finally released?