It's been an interesting 10 + days or so as the Telegraph reveals the details of MP Allowances. While the story and revelations are ongoing it is stiil unclear exactly how many of the 630 MP’s, which represent us have proven themselves to be morally and ethically bankrupt.

It's a joke... They (our MP's) are the people whom set up a system which is rotten to the core and open to abuse.

Like many I have been following this story quite closely as it unfolds and am at times filled anger and disgust (more often both) as it becomes apparent that there is one rule for our MP's and another for us.

They want to know every last little detail of our lives yet many whom have been caught with their "fingers in the till" feel we have no right to know anything about them, or how they are ripping our nation off. Shame on them!!!

Recent events only reinforce my general opinion that politicians are NOT to be trusted!

I don't expect our politicians to be perfect - they are ONLY human and they will make mistakes, however what they need to understand is that many people (misguidedly) look-up to them (consciously or not) as an example; and it's a pretty poor example that they are setting. We need our politician to be honest, moral and ethical, however I think we may have to wait until "Hell freezes over" before that happens.

As to whether this fiasco undermines our democracy is yet to be determine.

Finally I think that:
1) The hypocrites’, bigots’, liars and cheats whom currently hold office should be removed from power and be barred from holding Public Office ever again.
2) They should repay every last penny which they have in effect stolen from the public purse.
3) They should be investigated by the Fraud Squad.

What can I tell you??? My primary focus through out these month continued to be eZeSchools PLP and Purple Club.

eZeSchools kept me busy as I worked with the CEO to develop new content agreements for the Personal Teaching and Learning Platform. During this time we succesfully closed not only the agreements which had been in the pipeline, we also engaged in developing partnership agreements for a handful of International Projects. I was also kept busy working with the technical development teams and partners if working on the next round of development and enhancements to the Platform; while my team were set the task of developing the client relartonships based on criterea which the CEO and I had agreed as part of the over-arching development plan.

Purple club kep me busy as I handed over the micro management of one of the primary pilots for the newly formed charity so that I could focus on the development of the operational backbone of the organisation and implementation of policy. As well as executing the profile raising and fund raising plans, which set in motion within day's of the charity becoming officially registered. I see myself working on evaluating and fine tuning the implementation of these plans as I move forward into 2009.

Was my thrid area of focus getting ready to go to India for the 8th IEF (Innovation and Enterpreneurship Forum) - the ladies of CRESCO-east and I decided to act on Christine's suggestion to take something unique as a gift for the conference organisers, for inviting us to particpate not only as deligates but also as speakers. To this end we decided to make a poster which quoted the President Elect - Barak Obama... and had photos of us (the ladies of CRESCO-east), Essex School of Business (Without which, we would never have been invited) & Southend in it. So photo shoots were arranged, then I designed the poster which was then printed and taken with us to India; which we presented to Atul Tandan Director of the Mundra Institute of Communications Ahemdabad, India. (More about India and the Conference - see Forum) 

... and that pretty much was it on the work front.

During this time I also made time for several CRESCO-east gatherings, went to a 'Bespoke' event... Bespoke is run by a group of very talented ladies... Their outlet is in Sutton Road, Southend. The ladies at 'Bespoke' provide a range of custom designed and made garments and soft furnishings as well as providing workshop and classes in those arts and crafts. I went to my favourite local night club [Evolution] on a handfull of occassions; and spent some quality time with my family... and was loking forward to 2009.

September rolled in and on the 3rd and 6th I sat the finals for the MA Course I had been a studying for. I took a few days out to stop and think... I once again reviewed my project plans and did a little more shuffling and rearranging, as it had become evident that in the short to medium term eZeSchools and Purple Club were going to need increased levels of my attention to deliver the plan and meet the objects which were set during the negociations prior to accepting this contract. By the end of September I had renegotiated my contract with Entertainers & EasyTheatres, put several of my design  projects onto the back burner; and spend the remaining little time I had on  cresco-EAST. 

I was invited back to Essex University to participate in the Guest Panel for Fresher's week and address the new intake of students both as a former student, (30th September) and as a key local business person (2nd October) - both of these events were, interesting, empowering and to some extent challenging, however I always view challenges as opportunities to grow and learn I was very pleased to have had the opportunity; and hope that I will be invited back again as applicable...

I had several key meetings one of the perhaps most significant being my meeting with my University Faculty Head, Professor Mitra; he  gave me some excellent advice on a global project I have been quietly working on for the past 20 years; and takes me one step closer to making this project real. The SEB have also agreed to engage with the consortium cresco-EAST which I founded with my girls in June...

... and with that October rolled around and here we are...

Wow! is the main thing I have to say for the past 3-months... Firstly "Where did the months go!" and secondly "The experiences of have been amazing!" 

If we go back towards the tail end of July that's when I was engaged as a consultant to Project Manager the national roll-out of eZe Schools PLP and launch the Southend Pilot of the Purple Club; this is all while I was working with "My Girl's" on the phase one development for cresco-EAST (Creative Entrepreneur's Consortium) which I founded with "My Girls" on the 18th 2008, and trying my best to make time to revise for exams which were looming in early September.  

During July I also had two MA Assignments to hand in, so you can imagine the month was a bit of a whirlwind and sped by at an alarming rate.My time dividied between wrapping up loose ends with regards to former projects which were coming to an end. Disapointment that I had failed to secure a project which I had spent 4-months developing, and handing in course assignments to deadline. The process and experience of my studies with the University of Essex, School of Entrepreneurship and Business were phenominal, in spite of the greuling timelines and schedules...

August my focus turned to eZeSchools PLP, Purple Club, cresco-EAST and me. On the development front at cresco-EAST took a few giant leaps forward, as I was invited to consult and provide development ideas for a large scale regeneration project locally on be. On top of the usually day to day routine of getting up a 7am to be out the door by 8am and in one of my client offices by between 8:30 and 9am, August was filled with numerous after-hours meetings. It's a family in joke that I am either out, working for clients, out working on my pet projects, or in my office stuck to my computer. I am truly blessed in the way that my family, are so supportive and cope with me, having the time of my life in terms of my personal development and the way that effects my journey as an entrepreneur. I applied what I had learned in my studies and put the theories one by one to the test by applying them to different levels of my somewhat ecletic, client based projects. This was my primary method of revision as August flew past in yet another whirlwind...

So it's Friday evening, I've come home from lectures this afternoon and in reviewing the homework for one of my lecturers, and having had the great fortune to have studied Emotional Endurance, I felt I couldn't do my homework until I said Thank You to God and a few people who have helped me to "step-up", and receive new light on my vision.

The experience of undertaking the Post Graduate MA Certificate in Creative Industries Management has been a most awesome experience, in a long line of awesome experiences, quirks of fate and chance meetings, which when you trace the line back, clearly reveals the pattern of destiny and a calling. Maybe I'l get all spiritual on you another time, for now I want to acknowledge the Supreme Being ~ God for giving me my life, with all the ups and downs of my roller-coaster ride, which has led me to this point, so at the top of my list I thank God.

All the following People deserve a special THANK YOU, as I wouldn't have got this far without you.

My Husband: he is my rock that keeps me anchored and balanced and who from the day we met has treated me like a princess and with respect. Who has loved all of me unconditionally and who has reminded me of the power in keeping the dream alive. It is my husband who has three times so far in our union provided me with the catalysis required to making the "empty handed leaps" which have brought me to this point, and who has always believed in me.

My Children: who have been with me and made this journey with me, in spite of the bumps they trust and believe in me, they are my pride and joy, they are my best friends, critics and sounding-boards.

Katherine: my longest standing client, and friend; for your trust and faith in me.

To Sean for introducing me to Paul, and to both of them for providing me with the opportunity to engage with them to deliver their project (Pi Project)

To Rosemary Pennington and her team for making introductions and networking me across diverse interest groups within Southend.

Without the networked profile I would not have been invited to events organised by Essex University, School of Entrepreneurship & Business, I would not have heard about the PG MA Certificate in Creative Industries Management, I would not have had the opportunity to enroll, and I would not be sitting here inspired by my course work to write.

To the University of Essex for opening the School of Entrepreneurship & Business in Southend and for launching this pilot program which has been an inspiriation and acted as a catalysis to my aspirations. 

To Prof. J Mitra and Dr Nocker for developing this pilot program in the first place, and to the outstanding team of lecturers.

To Suzanna Mulvehill, the training in Emotional Endurance has been valuable beyond words. Your course has empowered me to put all my years of self-development, experience and insight into a new context and has helped me to bridge a gap in my practice.

To my MICA students, Neha & Shehzad, the cultural exchange has been a bodacious experience, from which I hope that you have gained as much from me, as I from you.

To the CrEsCo-East ladies for your support, friendship and trust. You're all brilliant.

To Jane for introducing me to Angela Day who now works with me as my Events Manager, and to Angela for introducing me to Sassy.

To all my clients and the people who have had smaller roles to play in my journey I thank you all.