I BUY a number of different papers most days, as my interest spans not just the news, but also those who are writing it and what each publication deems newsworthy.
You could say then, that I like to keep abreast of the news.
And yes, this means that I also buy papers with boobs in them. This week, though, it seems to me as though the mass media has gone bosom crazy.
Firstly, it came to press that Princess Kate had sunbathed topless. The world took a collective gasp. Oh the horror. However, I totally sympathise with Kate, because there is also the horror of strap marks. The pictures were published by French magazine Closer on Saturday and they were then taken to court on Tuesday. Sounds a bit like a Craig David song, but with a lot less love.
The court granted an injunction banning the pictures and the judge handed out a fine. Much like the Prince Harry Las Vegas photos the UK media have, predominately, snubbed the pictures of The Duchesses’ royal pair. I’m glad, it’s respectful and it’s not objectifying a woman. Hold on a minute… Yes, because, oddly enough putting baps in our papers is a quintessentially British affair. It’s usually the wider world that looks on with disgust at our beloved Page 3. ‘Is it a porno or a paper?’ an American friend once commented.
And we’re not sure how we feel about it either; a recent online petition set up by author Lucy Anne Holmes to campaign against the daily dose of bare breasts on Page 3 has already got around 17,000 signatures.
Personally, I’m not totally offended. And I’m not sure it’s as simple as getting rid of Page 3. For a start, it would mess up the page numbers. But I am sensing a wee bit of a paradox here.
Of course, it’s two different things: a public person doing something private and getting papped and a person who chooses to take their clothes off in public and get paid for it. However, I do feel like we’re confused about whether knockers are newsworthy or not. I don’t think they are. And I’m not sure if papers and magazines that sell more because of their, er, assets are the real boobs.
Airy cakes with my cuppa
I’M AN ambassador for Macmillan Cancer Care and their campaign The World’s Biggest Coffee morning. So, this year, I decided to go through hoops to show that you can hold a coffee morning … just about anywhere!
I had my cake and cuppa three metres up in the air on my aerial hoop.
It might look easy, but it’s actually quite difficult to balance with crockery… and just a wee bit scary! I suppose, though, it is a good way to work up an appetite and a great excuse to get stuck into some cupcakes! Nom Nom.
QB’s Corner - 5 things I’m loving this week
1. BEST TIME: It’s not always easy to find time to hang out with your best mates. My BFF has two wee babies so she spends a lot of time washing, bathing and cooking… and that’s just for her hubby! So, I’m always delighted when I get to spend time with her.
2. TRUFFLE SHUFFLE: Cheese doesn’t get much posher than Truffle Brie – brie with a truffle type cream in the middle. It’s delicious and I’m going crackers for it!
3. GLAD TIDINGS: My mum came to see me for lunch and brought me gladiolas. I’ve never been given a bunch before but I like the bouquet beaucoup!
4. LOCO ABOUT COCOA: Is there anything as comforting as a hot chocolate? It’s like a hug in a mug!
5. FOUR WHEELS? Tired of getting about on Shanks’ pony I’m contemplating getting a new car, so I did a test drive for the first time. Hmm, not the glamorous, exciting experience I was expecting. Maybe I should try something faster?