My First Post! Nerves, Off Campus Review and general chat!

Hi, hello, hiya...

 I'm not too sure how to start this, so bear with me whilst I try to stumble my way through. 

 It feels quite retro to be starting a blog in 2026 - it feels like it's a dying art form, or at least I feel like I'm starting 15 years too late...I mean, I would've been around 9 but still, why wasn't I starting youtube channels/blogs like everyone else damn it! I could be living it up like Emma Chamberlain by now or living in a mansion like Zoe Sugg! (I'm aware these two women are from different generations but you get my point) 

So, you may be wondering...well why are you? What can little old me possibly have to say that's interesting enough to have a whole blog dedicated to me and my opinions and feelings! How arrogant of me! But to answer your question - my question, who knows! but I'd like to give it a try anyway. I am starting a Masters in Creative Writing in September (exciting) and I'd like to start building up a portfolio of different forms of writing, to flex a muscle and practice writing my thoughts and opinions on topics (hopefully coherently) in a structured way. 

Also, to not be so scared and nervous to share my opinions or to be honest about what I love - exposure therapy. (I don't love exposure therapy, I just mean like - exposure therapy, like the act of doing it is exposure therapy, does that make sense?)

Damn. This whole exposure therapy thing is tough, I mean, here I am still trying to over explain myself and make you understand me. But I can't! I can't make you! I have no control over what you take from my writing and it's not my job to correct you! Wait. I get it! I finally get it! EXPOSURE THERAPY! 

(Or is it just my lack of punctuation and sentence structure slipping me up on the first post? Or maybe if I was simply just a better and more talented writer this wouldn't even be a problem...I guess we'll never know) 

Anyway...(awkward laugh) sorry for that crashout folks, back to me trying to explain myself...again...

And not to toot my own horn or anything but I do love analysing - deconstructing people and things and trying to make sense of them. Side note - I actually applied to do Art Therapy before Creative Writing but realised I couldn't deal with the amount of academic writing required - I love to ramble! (and hate punctuation) but I do think analysing is one of my strengths as a Creative, I've always been empathetic and understanding of character's motives - even if I don't agree with them (catch me sobbing in the corner reading a book, most likely Throne of Glass - I've never been the same after reading THAT scene. Sam Cortland I love you forever!) 

I also have such a strong passion for childhood and the effects (affects?) of our upbringings and environment have on our adult lives. I love it (not that I relate or anything...that's another blog post, or therapy session or...both?) I think that's why I fell into wanting to try out directing (We Have A Dream tickets here!) because the whole gig is helping actors understand their motives, their experiences and relationships and they literally have to listen to me! (Apologies We Have a Dream folks, I love you!)  

But anyway, I'm not sure what this blog will entail, I'm nervous, I'm scared I'll overshare or not be able to put what I want to say into the right words or maybe I'll realise I hate writing and drop out and will never write again. BUT, I do have lots of thoughts (lots...lots, so many, god you don't even realise how many) and it's nice to have my own space to articulate them. So let's see where this thing goes aye? Oh, I said I'd talk about Off Campus - okay scroll down to read my review! (also realising I need to start taking way more photos to fill up the blog posts, here's some old ones that aren't related but at least they're pretty)

I'm not going to spoil the show for anyone so I won't mention any specific scenes or anything but one of the biggest things I took away from the show was the emphasis on female pleasure. I loved that it allowed two conflicting topics to co-exist, especially topics that we don't put hand in hand a lot of the time in movies and shows (although it goes hand in hand in real life, isn't it weird how we've strayed so far from what's real) People (I would say young people but I think it's equally as true and important for adults of any age) trying to figure out the awkwardness of being intimate and navigating trauma WHILST it still being an incredibly sexy and romantic show, which usually isn't shown in media, everybody seems to have no qualms or issues about stripping down which just isn't real life. 

I think what makes it stand out amongst the rest for me is that fact, it refuses to let the audience think that the character's issues make them less than or un 'sexy'. It quite literally screams at you that you are allowed to have issues and STILL be sexy and romantic, it doesn't define what you can and can't be. It's breaking down the barriers of what's socially acceptable and I think that this show is a turning point for us accepting ourselves a little more and all of our parts that we don't show in fear of losing our 'cool, mysterious and sexy' vibe, especially for women. 

I can't stress enough and it lowkey (high-key) makes me emotional being able to watch a show that portrays these issues in a healthy and delicate way (the way the trauma is explained and shown is just stunning and so much care has been put in to reflect it in the most respectful way) without it being a depressing and sad story. It's refusing to be labelled as one thing, allowing people to show up as they are. 

I also have to praise the male characters in the show (written by women) - I was taken a back at how articulate and emotionally aware the men are, which is just so refreshing considering they are all college frat/sporty boys which often comes with a heavy stereotype. Don't get me wrong, they do have their own issues, they aren't perfect. There is of course plenty of testosterone flying about but in terms of intimacy, the men are having healthy, serious and informed conversations about it, without it feeling 'put on' or 'unrealistic' with a heavy emphasis on trust and safety on the woman's part is also what makes the show so engaging. It's not for show or a performance to gain attention, these conversations are done in confidence with each other - these men truly believe this, it's a part of their moral code and there is no room for it not to be - in short, they are decent, respectful human beings. It is not some revelation and don't get it twisted - I'm not praising them for being decent human beings, it should be the bare minimum. However, with the rise of misogyny - it is more important than ever for men and boys to be exposed to this in mainstream media - rather than the horrid manosphere side, which is a sad reality right now.

On that note, the last thing I loved, which is more so on the mechanics of the show, was the sharp dialogue, the music and the editing. The dialogue was sharp and humorous, lightening the mood from the tougher topics. The edit of the show itself was fantastic and felt intentional and fun, creatively giving the scenes what they needed to suit the given mood along with class songs that haven't left my head since and are on constant repeat. 

And that ending! My gosh me and my partner were jumping out of our seats, whopping and hollering - a fantastic time. 

Anyhoo - I think that's me, I need to stop at some point or else I will ramble on for far longer than necessary. Hopefully that made sense and you got what I was trying to say. Take what you like and leave what you don't. The beauty of choice! Also make sure to watch it on Amazon Prime to form your own opinion! 

Overall, it's safe to say that I am buzzing for season two! Thank you for reading (if you have read this far) and I have no idea what I'll talk about next week but I'm sure it'll be something interesting enough (maybe) 

Bye! 

Jorgie x