No going out or enjoying myself for me, I'm not feeling good at all, and I can't think for the life of me what has bought it on. It's going to he a quiet one with the family tonight.
Also I've just been told that I'm back at work on the 2nd, which really isn't cool. Got so much to sort out tomorrow, getting home and sorting out my pass for work for the next month. Boo! I've enjoyed being all lazy and not doing anything for these last few days and I don't think I'm ready to go back to normal.
Anyway, guess I best get comfy and enjoy my 2nd to last day of doing nothing.
Well here I am, day 50. It's been a long 50 days and I think it's done me good blogging my days, like I've said I find things to fill my day and write about. It's not over yet, still got many more days left to go.
Well I guess to celebrate my 50 days if blogging I went to see Anchorman 2. I was a little scared at first because I thought it might ruin it but they've done a great job at keeping it original. Great quotes, crazy stories and plenty of laughs. They seem to focus on the rest of the news team rather than just Ron. It really was a great sequel which you don't normally find.
Going to have a quiet nice with TV tonight then I've get to see some family for New Year which is going to be cool, not looking forward to the long ass bus journey though.
Actually managing to blog at a normal time for once, I didn't forget or anything...haha. I think with being at home and enjoying family time I've not been thinkin about it that much but I'm sure I'll get back on the blogging game properly when I get back to Leeds.
Went back to the house today actually to take a few things back and the house is still standing which is a relief haha. Looking forward to getting back and seeing friends again.
Going to Huddersfield tomorrow to see Terri and we're going to see Anchorman 2 which I'm really excited about. I was expecting to it be a bit of a flop but everyone has been saying good things about it so it should be a good one. Plus I get an Ice Blast as well, woo haha
Yeah it's a late one again haha, been a long day full of the usual aches and pains of a hangover but it hasn't been he worst one being at home.
I started watched The Thick Of It again, forgot how great it is and how amazingly filmed it really is. Also finally got onto season 2 of Black Mirror. I really love the messages each episode has about the world today. I still think the 2nd episode of season 1 is the best, it sums up how much we think that the easist way to escape reality is to go in a game show and then you're all set and how much advertising rules your life. It's just all so clever.
Well I'll put on the final episode and catch up on my sleep I think haha.
Okay, okay. I actually forgot. I went for some drinks (says it all, I know) whilst I was back home with some old friends and I forgot to bleeding blog. Apologies for even more spelling mistakes are going to be going on in this post than normal.
Whilst I was out it hit me what a great show The Thick of It was, so I'm going to re watch them all over the holidays.
Anyway, I'm home now, so I'm going to get into bed, not get up to some stupid hour and then tell you how hungover am I.
Boxing Day, just as good as Christmas Day itself in my opinion. Places are open, plenty of food still left over and everyone is still in a good mood, sometimes haha.
So yesterday we got up early, cracked the log fire on and sat and opened our presents. You know you're getting old when you don't have a big pile anymore, but I'm not complaining, it was good to be all sat together enjoying ourselves. Then we moved on to preparing the food, we had our food pretty early because the plan was to have food then get the entire family together to do it all again later on. So I had 1 giant pile of food and chilled out for a few hours. I don't know why but crap films seem so much better when you've just had a giant plate of food and your sat infront of a fire with your family.
After a few hours of a food coma we had to get ready to do it all again, we packed up the car with leftovers and made our way to meet everyone else. We ended up having a buffet, which was a beauty. We then went into play some cards for ages, but again it was great to do it all as a family.
It was a crazy busy day but I wouldn't have it any other way, it's been great this year and I hope every other year after is the same!
Back home tomorrow to Wakefield, but New Year is just around the corner. I'll either be spending it with family or friends, either way I'll be happy.
It's going to be a short one. I've spent all day with my family and I'm totally shattered and ready for bed. Had a great Christmas, probably one of the best I've ever had.
Hope everyone else's was the same and I hope you all got what you wanted from the big man.
I'll do a big post tomorrow telling you about the shenanigans of today, tomorrow, but tonight I need to watch some crappy films and fall asleep haha.
Well it has certainly been a chill day this afternoon. Was up early this morning yet again, and I had to make my way around Aldi on a day like this. It was not pretty, full of rude people on a day like today. I don't think people get this is a time for being with their families and enjoying each others companies, but no get down to the supermarket nice and early, and buy a stupid amount of food, not complaining about the amount of food, just think you should be prepared for Christmas rather than going the day before. Speaking of food it all starts tomorrow, no holds barred. I want some height to my food tomorrow, with a pint of gravy haha. But no, honestly I'll be eating a lot of food. Not sure what my Nan has planned but I'm sure it's going to be beautiful! Uploaded some photos from a photoshoot we had a few weeks back, gotta say they're probably the best photos we have ever had done. Very happy with them. Also got the ad for the magazine coming out in a few weeks. Anyway, everyone enjoy Christmas and the stupid amount of food. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE
Can you tell I'm running out of ideas for titles? Haha.
Got up early this morning which put me in a grumpy mood as always, but I was soon back in a good mood when we got down to Burton and saw all the family. Always good to see the whole family together, always puts me in a good mood no matter what has happened and they're all amazing people. We've got the fire on and some films and it's all perfect.
Just taking a break from a game of Monopoly. I wonder if the makers of that game knew they would cause so many arguments in homes all over the world, no matter what someone ends up getting a bod on. Still a great game though.
Also going to the chippy later, it seems to become a tradition when we come down to Burton on the first day now, I ain't complaining!
My grandads ment to be getting an iPad for Christmas and I have to teach him how to use it, God help me. It's going to be tough but it should be doable, once he gets the hang of it I'm sure he'll be beating my high score on Angry Birds in no time.
It's so close to Christmas and I am started to get a little excited about it all. We've started packing up some clothes and all the presents ready to go down to Burton to see all the family on Christmas. This will be the first time in a long time that we've been all together at Christmas, so it should be a good one.
All the films are starting which is good, we cracked on Love Actually last night but the DVD broke after 40 minutes which nearly ruined Christmas but I managed to find it online and we watched it from Netflix, which would of been easier in the first place...
It's a bit if a mad panic to pack the car because we recently got a new car and it's a lot smaller than the last one so somehow we have to try fit in 3 people, presents for the whole family, the dog and clothes for 3 people for 5 days. It's a tall order but I'm sure we'll manage it.
Seriously been the most uneventful day to date haha, so I won't have much to talk about. Other than I went back to Leeds for the final time this year to pick up a few more things, ended up forgetting the alarm code and having to battle on with the alarm going off until I got told the code haha. I must of looked very suspicious going to my house with a big empty bag and the alarm going off. It's been a pretty windy day so all the trains were delayed, no difference there really, took me way to long for 1 simple trip but it's all over now.
Not even day 1 yet and I'm already missing my bros. Looking forward to getting into the studio after the new year and getting the first EP out in a few weeks. I heard a mix of one of the songs that will be on it yesterday and my word it is epic, also has a few quotes from Breaking Bad in it.
Good news everyone, we're all sitting down as a family and watching Love Actually! Yaaaay haha.
Well it has certainly been the busiest day I have had in a very long time, which consisted of phone calls, running after people, going on trains from pillar to post and then the finish line was the train home! So I get into the office and I have to complete a giant order by 2pm or I'll get shouted out, only just managed it. I then was able to leave early so I could get home, or so I thought. I get on the train just about to pull into my hometown of Wakefield when my phone rings and they want me to go back in! So I end up going all the way back in to sort a 2 minute problem, which then started the awful mood. Because I had to wait for another hour to get the next train home, but I made it, Finally got home super late but all that matters it that I am home for Christmas, at last! It's been a long few days but it has finally happened. So this weekend is going to be a quiet one mainly, I'll have to pop back to Leeds on Saturday to pick up a final few things then on Monday I'll be going back down to my place of born Burton-upon-Trent, the best place in the world with the greatest people. Already I can tell it is going to be an epic Christmas with family and friends. Decided I'm going to stick on a non-Christmasy film tonight to make way for all the Christmas films I'll be watching over the holidays, going for I Love You, Man. No idea where the idea came from but I'm sticking with it and going for it. It maybe when I watched an interview with Paul Rudd and Jason Segel the other day when they are clearly super high at the time haha, if you've not seen it you have to see it, it is so funny! I've never actually noticed before how many "artists" release an album so close to Christmas. That must be the first step to becoming a sell out. Someone mentioned something to me the other day which I'd never realised, but when a good actor ends up in a crappy advert, you know they've sold out and they're clearly just in it for the money, but when a good actor keeps their dignity and only appears in the odd film, you can tell that they are just doing what they do best and you can consider them an artist. But for example someone released an album this close to Christmas called "Right Place, Right Time" just thought it was rather an ironic album title. Well I'm home and I'm going to make the most of it and eat loads of fun, walk the dog loads, and have a great time with my family. Merry Christmas everybody!
Probably had the busiest day ever at work today, literally been non stop since I say at my desk. Not complaining too much though because it did make the day go super quick meaning I'm only 1 sleep away from going home for Christmas! Just hope that tomorrow is busy as well so I can get out of there, or they let me leave early that would be beautiful
Did a bad thing and went the whole day without eating because I was working so much, but I rushed home and made myself a tower of toasties. Might just toast all the food I have left seen as though I only have 1 night left in this house this year, seems weird saying that.
It's really getting cold now, I think we'll be getting some serious snow soon, which means snow days! Woo! Might even buy a sledge this year, shame I'm not in Huddersfield this year with all it's massive hills.
Started watching Chuck the other day for the first time, a friend of mine recommended it, and I'm really enjoying it. It's a strange story about a bloke who accidentally downloads loads of government secrets into his brain. Only watched a few episodes but I'm sure they'll be some crazy stories coming up.
Probably had the busiest day ever at work today, literally been non stop since I say at my desk. Not complaining too much though because it did make the day go super quick meaning I'm only 1 sleep away from going home for Christmas! Just hope that tomorrow is busy as well so I can get out of there, or they let me leave early that would be beautiful
Did a bad thing and went the whole day without eating because I was working so much, but I rushed home and made myself a tower of toasties. Might just toast all the food I have left seen as though I only have 1 night left in this house this year, seems weird saying that.
It's really getting cold now, I think we'll be getting some serious snow soon, which means snow days! Woo! Might even buy a sledge this year, shame I'm not in Huddersfield this year with all it's massive hills.
Started watching Chuck the other day for the first time, a friend of mine recommended it, and I'm really enjoying it. It's a strange story about a bloke who accidentally downloads loads of government secrets into his brain. Only watched a few episodes but I'm sure they'll be some crazy stories coming up.
Back to work today, and it's another super busy day as always. This is actually the first day I actually have some time to do a good blog, I've noticed I've been slacking with it to be honest, so it's time to get back into properly. I guess I am doing it everyday, and do often have the most boring days known in history. I've been pretty lucky these past few months because of all the gigs I've been to. It was my final one of the year last weekend, and what a way to end it. I promise I'll review them all and post some videos over Christmas when I can sit down with my computer and upload them all. I am starting to get use to this 9 to 5 lifestyle but the fact I only have 2 days left of work is slowly eating away at me and I can feel myself getting more lazy haha. Really cannot wait for when I finish work and I will actually have NOTHING to do at all. How do people hate Christmas? It is such a great time of year, everyone is in a good mood, you can sleep and eat as much as you want and spend loads of time with your family. I do understand that some people don't get along with their families and maybe don't like all the busy streets, but honestly I love it. Walking through town with its dark with Christmas lights on in the cold with loads of other people panic buying presents. Then getting in and watching a Christmas film. We in and watched Elf the other day, which is a fantastic film might I add. Me and my housemates guilty pleasure is the film Love Actually, and it's being shown on TV on Christmas day this year which has added some extra awesomeness to Christmas day. Today my girlfriend became a full time Apple user and got herself an iPhone, I said it was only a matter of time before she gets some proper iPhone earphones and is walking about looking like she's talking to herself in the middle of town haha. (Biffy just came on the radio, so I need to take a 5 minute break to listen, brb...okay their we go) I have to say I got an iPhone 3G when they came out and it was a great phone, then I went to Blackberry (worst choice ever) then I went for a HTC (another bad choice) and now I'm back to the iPhone, which is holding up nicely and they've always been reliable and great to work with, I think I'll stick with Apple now. But not for my computer needs, I will always be a Windows fan in that department. I actually had a little thought last night about doing some vlogs after this year and maybe vlogging an entire year of my life. Such be much easier next year when my placement finishes. If I Started it now it would be a good 6 months of me sitting at a desk haha. So I guess next year it'll be more fun for the 5 people that be interested in a random guys blog. I've never been a big scarf fan, but what with the weather getting colder I could really do with one, so I might take the plunge after Christmas! Well, I feel this makes up for all the crappy blogs I did over the weekend now I'm back in working mode.
Went to see The D last night and we're truly incredible. Still not hit me that just 2 guys with acoustic guitars and bring such an amazing rock show!
Before I have to go back to work tomorrow, boo! I'm having a film day and watching films I've not watched before. So it's Inglorious Basterds tonight, and then I think The Departed tonight after a short food break haha. Yeah back to work tomorrow after a very long weekend, really cannot be bothered. I've got 3 days of work left then I'm going home for Christmas. I'm really lookin forward to going home as I'm pretty sure I've said in pretty much every blog leading up the Christmas haha. Bring on the food!
It's only going to be a a quick one tonight, rushing around the house cooking food and getting ready to see Tenacious D tonight, one day I'll be organized and be able to turn up to a gig on time with no worries, but not today.
I found a list of imdbs top 250 films of all time and I've only seen 50 of them! So I've made myself another challenge to see if I can watch them all, so that should keep my entertained over Christmas, going to start off tomorrow by watching Inglorious Basterds. So many good films off that list I need to see
It's been another long day of traveling, from Sheffield to Leeds, was on the train for an hour with screaming kids left and center, did not enjoy that. So glad to be home now, and we're all sat down about to watch Elf and I'm certainly starting to feel like it's Christmas! Not felt like this in a long time, and honestly I'm mainly looking forward to being together as a family because we've not done this in a long time.
Going to see Tenacious D tomorrow which is going to be a lot of fun, seen some great reviews of the new stripped back set and I'm hoping to get a few videos hopefully that I post on my blog. Sabbath videos will be coming soon when YouTube lets me upload them.
Time for Elf, so I best stop blogging and start getting even more Christmassy!
Just got back to the hotel room after seeing Black Sabbath and I am bushed. It's only Saturday and we've only just got half way through the crazy weekend haha.
Manchester was great yesterday and The Hobbit was fantastic, it was my first film IMAX and 3D and it was worth every single penny, on top of that the film itself was brilliant.
Today I had a mad dash from Manchestet to Huddersfield then to Sheffield! But it's all worth it as I've just seen Black Sabbath, a band that started it all for me, will review the show and post some videos I got from the show.
Anyway got Tenacious D on Monday and I need some serious sleep.
So I'm on route to Manchester to see The Hobbit, so I'll be making this an early one because I don't want to be blogging in the cinema, because I'll be enjoying beautiful 3D Middle Earth. Also just remembered that we get to sit in the super posh seats as well to watch the film, right in the middle of the cinema, so that's a double win. To make it even better the train ride there is pretty much empty and we got ourselves a lovely table haha. Think I might need to grab a Subway before it all starts, seen as though it is a really long film I'll need the best food to get me through many hours haha. This is probably the longest film I've seen at the cinema.
I'm on the same train that takes me to work, it's going to be so epic not getting off the train and letting Huddersfield just roll on by haha.
I'll actually be going straight to Sheffield tomorrow to see Sabbath, which just makes this weekend a million times better than it already is, so I'm going to have little time for blogging really, so they're all going to be pretty short till I finish off everything for Christmas.
Its that time. I'm not drunk but I'm going to tell you all how much I really love my family and friends, that's right, it's going to be a cingey one, but I don't care because recently my family and friends have really really helped me out with a little situation I've had. I'm not going to go into any details about it as it is a little private. But recently I had a little situation and firstly every single friend I explained this to literally held out their hand to me help me, and just that my entire family made sure I was okay and reassured me that everything was going to be okay one way or another. I just can't explain how grateful I am to have such amazing friends and family they really mean the world to me more than anything. Okay that's enough of that talk, I went home to visit my mum, she's a real hero of mine and always has the right words to make me feel better. Plus she gave me a big bag of food that I can take home with me which is a double win. But what my mum has been though is horrible and she always has a smile on her face she really as inspired me in life. I have all these rockstars and actors I consider heros but at the top of pile is my mum! My girlfriend is equally amazing, don't know how she puts up with me sometimes, but 5 years strong is impressive, and I do love her very much! That's enough of that talk before I start breaking down haha.
I'm going to Manchester tomorrow and staying at a friends and we're going to see The Hobbit in 3D, so it should be a great weekend all round. Will report back tomorrow with the results of the film, no doubt it will be a good one, always been a big fan of all the Lord of the Rings films and he last Hobbit film.
Got a long wait for the train so in going to start the blog early and finish it off later, I know check me out writing early and saving it. But yeah, got a 20 minute wait for a train that would of been here 5 minutes ago, don't think I've ever got on a train to or from work and it's been on time, I understand when the odd stop can make a train 1 or 2 minutes late but 20 minutes? What exactly happened? And it's always the same excuse from the voice over guy...their isn't one! Anyway, I hate trains and everyone that has anything to do with them, especially conductors.
It's so cold outside, I honestly think we have some snow coming soon, which would be sick, just in time for Christmas. I'm propped up against a wall jammed into a tiny waiting room in the station, which isn't even that much more warmer than outside.
Very happy to be getting today out of the way, usually Thursdays and Fridays are quieter days than the rest of the week, so it'll slowly get me into weekend mode. Also makes it easier that I don't have to go in Friday, woopah!
Read something today that Friends is coming back for a final season, well rumours of it anyway. I'm really happy but scared at the same time, it was the perfect sitcom when they left it, it would be a shame if they ruined it. Wonder if all the original actors will come back? And haven't they sold the all the set? Guess we'll find out what will be happening in time, if it even happens.
I managed to get 10,000 Days by Tool on my iPod last night after so many failed attempts, forgot how much of an epic album it is. Rosetta Stoned can wake anyone up on a morning!
Well here we are day 30, go me! Seriously surprised myself that I've got this far, but it's been worth it I guess. I have been tried to find more things to do during the day to write about in the blog and I've all round found it fun, but their is still a long way to go yet.
As far as the healthy eating is going, it isn't haha. I've been eating pretty bad these past few days what with birthdays and parties so I've put that on the back burner but it's back day as I'm going to go for some pasta right after finishing this blog post. I guess I need to eat as healthy as I can these next few days as I'll be going home and eating some serious amounts of food for Christmas, because it's the law! I've got a feeling it's going to be a really good Christmas, honestly not been this exicted for a Christmas in a long time and I'm actually feeling Christmassy again which is one of be best feelings ever, makes me feel 10 again haha. Along with all the food I'm planning on doing nothing, not even moving, it's been a packed few months with work and friends and I need some serious down time I think. I'm really starting to find it hard to get up early again, so I really need these next few days to be over really.
Still not bought any Christmas presents but I'll be heading to Sheffield this weekend and I plan on buying a few odds and ends then, so hopefully I can at least start before I go see Sabbath.
I still really need to do a review of the Papa Roach show the other week, amazing band and some amazing support acts as well that I've recently got into. Let's hope the rest of the shows coming up do the same. Supports acts for me make the gig even better, I try no to listen to them until I've seen them so I can be surprised and really get a feel of their live sound, because you can't make an album sound like a gig in my books, they are two completely different sounds.
I am so chilled out right now for saying its a Monday. I got in from work, made myself a cuppa and just passed out on my bed and I've not moved since, it's truly amazing. Think also my body is realising how close it is to Christmas and it's starting to get ready for the amount of food and sleep I'm going to have.
As if it's going to be day 30 of my blog tomorrow, exciting times, I guess I'll be more exicted when I hit day 100 though. I actually am really starting to get in the swing of it, like it's becoming a part of my life. Guess I can't really start saying that until I start calling it my living like some of he blog and vlog greats. I think eventually I would like to turn to vlogs and I just don't like the idea of all that editing, I mean I don't even have time normally to write this but maybe when I get some spare time I'll start vlogging.
Another fun filled weekend coming up as well, booked some time off work to go see a friend in Manchester on Friday and we're going to see the 2nd Hobbit movie in 3D which is going to be awesome and then the day after I'll be seeing the band that started everything off for me, the mighty Black Sabbath. I stuck on the first album last night and just got lost in that dark world of the self titled album, really cannot wait to see them again!
So yeah, day 30 tomorrow, let's see what that brings, I don't want to start reading these back until I've made a massive dent, probably look back at day 1 and think, what a nob haha
Well the plan was this weekend to have some friends round for Johnny's birthday, get some food and go out for a "few" drinks. Until we actually got to the pub that was the plan, then we started playing save the queen, ended really badly, one of is got kicked out for throwing up and everyone else was stupidly drunk, so carried on drinking haha. Got back at 5 after an hour wait for a taxi from Leeds. Seriously taxis in Leeds are horrible, that is one thing I really don't like about this city, it is just packed all the time. Anyway, here's the hangover, takeaway is on it's way and I'm so exicted for it haha, bacon burger, yeah!
I always have the same feeling on a Sunday "boo, work tomorrow!" 21 and I still feel like it's the Monday morning at school, maybe one day I'll grow up...
Yeah photoshoot the other day turned out amazing, we got a test shot and it looks really good. So hopefully we'll be in a magazine soon, woo! Haha.
What a productive day we had with the band. Got to listen to the mix of out next single and it sounds awesome, really I can't wait to release to everyone and send it out to some radio stations. It's always a good feeling when you hear a song you wrote yourself on the radio, and lucky we got both of our previous singles played on BBC radio so let's hope we can manage a 3rd time. Also got some epic photos done by a good friend of ours, and they should be beig sent out to a magazine on Monday so we might be appearing an issue of Stencil magazine in January. And on top of that our debut EP should be out as well, so it's been a majorly busy time for us but all this hard work should pay off in the end, as they say "You only get out as much as you put in" and we've put in a lot of work with this EP, each member has been incredible and I'm proud of them all!
However we've paid eh price with all this hard work, we only for around 5 hours sleep after chatting about the future and sorting be mix out then we had to get up make ourselves looks pretty for some photos, so as you can imagine I'm totally wrecked to say its a weekend.
It's Jonnys birthday so we're all going out for a meal to a nice little place in Leeds called Reds, so it should be another funfilled night a head haha.
Great start to the weekend though, I'm proud of my boys!
Going to make this an early post because I know for a fact I won't have much time later on. Lots of band fun and drinking most likely, that counts as being busy! I always find on Fridays that I work more productively, which is a bummer because I have very little work to do today really, and all I really want to do is go home and start this weekend. On my way to work this morning I was thinking it is so cold that it could easily snow, and no joke within the minute of me thinking it some flakes actually started falling, which then turned into rain, boo! I always remember back in my college days that snow days were amazing. Me and my mates would meet up and do some crazy shit in the snow. We have a lake behind my house back home that freezes over and last year it was so frozen we could walk over it, which was pretty cool. Well it was pretty cool until someone found a thin part and fell in haha. We always did the classic making a giant ass snowball as well until it got to big to move and then it would just sit where we left it for like 2 or 3 weeks haha. A thing I never really understood is why people moan that we always stop transport and working when it snows, of course we have to. It's not like we have snow all year round like some countries and have the money to spend on special transport for people that will only get used a few days a year, just be happy that you're getting some days off. Recently at work we have started sticking the radio on just to help us work, because it is terrible working in silence, so instead of going for the usual Radio 1 "oh let's just play popular auto tuned crap for money with some okay songs in between" (with the exception of Daniel P. Carters rock show on a Tuesday) so we decided to stick on XFM, before work I'd not really listen to it, but it great to hear a radio show through out the day playing alternative songs. Even though the adverts are really annoying, but it is worth it when you get bands like Biffy Clyro and Queens of the Stone Age being played, gives me hope that people/radio shows are supporting actual bands with talent instead of money making bands. Wow, I ranted rather a lot in the blog post...but I don't care, it's Friday, enjoy your weekend.
Wow day 25 and still going strong, admittedly I do forget on the odd time and have to power through one haha. Especially this week what with all the gigs and work and stuff so they will be a little short from time to time, but come on I am doing this everyday.
So yeah, it's a good friend of mines birthday this weekend, Mr. Jonathan Youdale, hitting the big 22! So it'll either be a small gathering or a massive night out, so I'm probably going to be hungover over at some point in the weekend. It has been a while since we all went out as a group, so it should be a good laugh.
Also this weekend we're having a little band meeting on the Friday night, so that'll be a night filled with beer and pizza most likely. Always a winning productive combo. But on top of all that we have a photo shoot to promote the EP coming out and to send a few shots to some magazines. Also have some studio time booked next year so we wanna know our new songs inside out before we go in the studio to record our second EP. Still waiting on a name for that.
It is certainly getting cold out now, not looking forward to tomorrow morning with risks of ice. Me and ice do not mix well. It was crazy weather today though which was totally out of the blue, some serious wind and rain coming down with delayed like every train I had to get on and made me late for a meeting. God dammit wind! But yeah, just ice tomorrow so that shouldn't delay the trains this time. Even if t does I'll be going to work with a smile on my face as it's the best time of the week tomorrow. FRIDAY!
So it's time to take a little break from gigs and get back to work, so can you can imagine it was pretty difficult getting up this morning and to make it even worse I have to get up even earlier tomorrow. The trains are all being delayed tomorrow because of high winds, boo!
Today I put Middle Class Rut on my Spotify playlist and I listened to them on the train today, I've really got into them after seeing them support Papa Roach. Some seriously badass riffs on some songs.
Anyway this will have to be a short one as it's pretty damn late and I need some serious sleep!
So I've finally managed to sit down with my laptop and start writing some reviews for the recent shows I've been to. It has been a crazy weekend and their are no signs of it stopping any time soon with plans coming out my ears with everything from gigs, to my own band meetings and birthdays! I'm sure it will it all be a lot of fun though.
This was actually my first gig at Manchester Arena. I have to say for the size of it they nailed the sound perfectly. Though for the opening act their were a few technical issues in regards to monitors cutting out but they soon sorted that out for the remaining acts.
So it start the night I was expecting Device to open up the show but David Draiman has recently had a kid and cancelled so he can stay with his wife for longer, which is fair. So to open the night of awesome bands we had Avatar, a Swedish death metal band, with a theatrical twist. Even though Johannes Eckerstrom (Vocals) was the only one dressed up. He had some black make up round his eyes and some lovely red braces haha. Reminded me of a less hardcore Till from Rammstein. The remaining members really knew how to whip that hard back and forth. They put on a show but after the 3 songs and asking for another circle pit it went on a little bit.
Next they pulled out the big guns with Five Finger Death Punch. Even when the banner went up during set up everyone went crazy, and you can tell that everyone was very excited to be seeing them in a support slot. Surprisingly set up took less than 20 minutes and Five Finger took to the stage with some epic introducing music. I really do respect a band that can pick good walk on songs, really makes the entire experience of seeing a band that more worth while. They had a full balls to the wall sing a long set list, perfect for a support slot to get everyone warmed up and for people that may not know them to well to get into them. However in Five Finger they certainly do like their interludes, after every second song pretty much they'd walk off stage and have a song playing over the PA and then walk back out. I'm all for creating tension but after a while it really dragged on. But performance wise they really nailed everything, from screaming, to guitars solos to gut busting drum beats.
I still remember the day back in 2007 I bought a ticket to see Avenged Sevenfold who had just released their self titled album in Leeds, on a tiny stage. Look at them now, headlining festivals and selling out arenas. It is strange but good to see smaller bands from back in the day climbing the ladder. This is also the first time I've seen them with the same drummer! Back in 2007 They had The Rev, RIP. Then they came back a few years later to Leeds, now selling out the Academy, with Mike Portnoy of Dream Thearter, and then at Download Festival 2011 they had Arin Ilejay, and now in 2013 they have stuck with Arin. It must be pretty strange for him to go from a small band to jumping into a band that are half way up the ladder.
Back in 2007 Avenged Sevenfold and pyro didn't come in the same sentence but now they pack their shows full with fireworks and flames. A personal highlight was the giant death bat they had for a backdrop that spat flames every so often. M Shadows (vocals) voice was on top form as always, and Synyster Gates (lead guitar) kept the crowd entertained after an encore with one of his signature guitar solos, below is a small clip of his guitar solo
I also got a video from Critical Acclaim along with the giant death bat spitting flames.
All around it was a great show with lots of surprises, I'm sure this isn't going to be the last we hear of Avenged Sevenfold now with a full time drummer. Also Five Finger Death Punch seem to be on the up in the rock and metal scene. I'm positive they'll be headlining festivals and selling out arenas in no time.
Yeah I'm going to have to skip the review of the Sevenfold show again, just flooded with gigs and seeing family at the minute so I've not had time to sit down with my laptop. Tomorrow I'll do Sevenfold and then the day after I'll do Papa Roach, who I'm seeing tonight. Currently sat in Yates, filled to the brim with old people thinking they're on some sort of crazy night out haha one day I'll like that I guess. A group of mums next to us just ordered some shots and they're sipping them...
Literally had nothing to eat all day, I know not very healthy of me and I just ordered a chicken burrito. Health will start again tomorrow, I promise. Really really exicted for this food though, and of course seeing Papa Roach.
For how long I've been going to gigs I'm surprised I've not see Papa Roach before but this is actually my first time. Should be a good show though.
Wow, yesterday night was amazing. Both Avenged Sevenfold and Five Finger Death punch put on a really good show. Sevenfold certainly know how to use the pyro now haha. Crazy to think I saw them in Leeds for the first time at a tiny club and now they're selling out arenas.
I'm regards to the pictures and reviews I'll sort it out tomorrow before tomorrow nights gig. Still at home and I don't have my laptop with me. Also I will be seeing Papa Roach tomorrow night, I know another gig! And it doesn't end with that gig.
Ended up having to run out of the arena to catch a coach back to Huddersfield. Took way to long, but it was worth it to see a great gig. Luckily trains tomorrow are all sorted so we have nothing to panic about.
Very happy to be having a nice long weekend, I'd love to tell you that I'll be eating lots of food and having lots of sleep, but I'm not! Boo!
So I forgot to blog today, but technically it's still today so I'll go for it haha.
It's going to be a very short one as I'm on the coach home from seeing Sevenfold. Amazing show will post the pictures and videos tomorrow on the review post.
Battery is running low so it's time to get comfy for an hour and half bus ride. Yay...
Its the best time of the week, the weekend. And to top it all off, I'm in my hometown of Wakefield seeing the family.
It's been a long day at work, mainly because I didn't have an awful lot to do, which is a bit of a change. It's strange how having a really busy day makes you're day go much faster. I guess when I'm not doing anything I'm constantly watching the clock, not good. But it that's time I can do nothing and enjoy it, the weekend!
Well I say so nothing, going to see A7X tomorrow along side FFDP, very excited about that! Then I have Papa Roach on the Monday. So it's a nice long weekend for me filled with chilling and live music, hooray to the weekend!
I caved and got some bad food and I'm going to enjoy it! Get over it haha. Yeah I'm having an off health day, but I've gone all these days and went for a run yesterday and I think it's time I took a break. Soon as I got in I went to the shop and made a banana and Nutella sandwich feel like a kid again, and it's awesome! Also found a new love for peanut butter, it's cheap and tastes nice.
Today I became a full time iPhone guy and bought some of them hands free headphones, so now I can be one of them guys that looks like they're talking to themselves, hooray haha.
Tomorrow I'll be heading off back down to the land of Wakefield to spend a day with the family. Really looking forward to it, it's been a while since I last saw everyone, and my dog! And then on Saturday I'll be seeing Avenged Sevenfold, I'll be doing a little review of that show like before. Also just heard that Five Finger Death Punch are supporting, woo!
Got some serious cravings today for some bad food, but I'm staying strong and going with pasta tonight. I know, boring! Even considering going on a run around the park, but it's really dark and scary so I might give it a miss till the weekend.
Been another long ass day what with getting up early and then work. Very very slowly getting use getting up early, still feel like crap when I do though. One day though, I will get up fine I'm sure haha...and then we'll end up going on a night out and ruining it all!
Work has actually slowed down a little recently over the past few days, so hopefully will be an easy 2 days before that lovely weekend comes.
Speaking of the weekend it should be a good one. On the Friday I'll be seeing my grandparents, who are the greatest people in the world, and then on the Saturday I get to see one of my all time favourite bands, Avenged Sevenfold. Going all the way to Manchester to see them for the 4th time I think it will be. They were one of the first bands I saw live and one of the bands that made me want to be in a band. I watched the self titled album making of so much when I was 15/16, just made me what to pick up my guitar and record, perform and write, probably wouldn't be in a band today if I hadn't have watched that DVD and seen them live. Hopefully one day I'll get to tell them this.
So weird, every time I go "time to blog" I have nothing in my head, now all of a sudden I start typing and words just flow out, I don't understand it but let's hope I can keep it going.
Well here it is, my first review of a show I've been to. I have a long string of gigs I'm planning on going to over the coming weeks, and this is by far the smallest, so it's nice to start things off small and get better as the weeks go on. (The photos I took are pretty naff but you can see what's going on haha) Firstly, The Burdenell is such an awesome venue, it has the perfect size stage for decent size up and coming artists to perform on and has plenty of room for lots of people. No matter what type of gig it is the sound is always perfect in my experience. Cheatahs were first to take to the stage, sort of took on the indie/punk feel. Not what you expect for a punk rock show but never the less they took to the stage well and everyone seemed to enjoy the music.
Next up, The Wytches. For a 3 piece they were dangerously heavy. I use dangerously in the good sense of course. Ever single part was perfectly played even though they had so much energy about them on stage. Reminded me of a hardcore Placebo. The rock and roll finish to their set was brilliant as well, smashing up equipment is always cool after rocking out for 30 minutes. One thing I found interesting about the set was the band didn't speak much in between songs, this gave out a big feel of tension between the giant riffs The Wytches came out with which you don't normally find.
It was good to see a pretty big punk rock band setting up their own equipment. As Metz made sure everything was set up correctly the odd member of the crowd go walk up and shake hands with a band member. Was good to see friendly interaction between a band and the crowd between bands.
Then came the music, packed full of energy! They walked on to silence and kept the set pretty striped back which was good to see. Especially at a small venue like the Brudenell. After a quick word from Alex Edkins (vocals/guitar) the crowd soon span into a frenzy and bodies were flying everywhere. Which coming from someone who has played some small shows is always a great sight to look over whilst playing. Heyden Menzies (drums) sure kept us all pumped with his crazy drumming skills.
Here is a video of Metz Performing Headache (a personal favorite of mine).
All round it was a fantastic and loud show! I want to know the magic that is keeping Alex's glasses on through the set when he is whipping his hair back and forth.
It's going to be a quick one tonight because I've just got in from work and I have an hour to watch The Walking Dead and make food!
Going for sweet chili fried rice, feels good to actually prepare and cook food rather than putting shit in a oven and waiting 20 minutes, my mum will be ever so proud haha.
Really excited to be getting back into gigs, it's been a while since I last been to a gig, and it'll be cool to actually watch a band play rather than being the band. But don't get me wrong the best feeling in the world is playing a gig! 2nd best is watching haha.
I'll post a review and some pictures tomorrow of the show!
Here we go week number 2. It's coming to the end of the weekend, but the beginning of a great few weeks. Got so many gigs lined up, which I'm really excited about. It all starts with METZ tomorrow, like I said in previous posts I'll do a little review of the show the day after, not that I'm much if a reviewer. Tomorrow will actually be the first gig I've been to on my own, which will be a little weird for me but I'm sure I'll have a great time.
Really trying to stop myself from watching Star Wars tonight, promised my girlfriend we'd watch them all together. I'll just have to stick with The Office tonight. I'm still surprised I like the US version of The Office, I'm a really big fan of the UK version and a big Ricky Gervais fan and I thought I wouldn't like it but it won me over after a season and I'm hooked. For anyone who likes realistic style sitcoms I recommend it to you.
So I get back to the house after a weekend away and I find myself with NO internet and NO oven. The 2 most important things in my life gone! I was ready to cry myself to sleep and carry on but turns that we tripped a fuse in the basement and now, thank The Lord it's all sorted and I can get on with being a lazy, internet and food based student.
Few weeks ago I introduced my girlfriend to the wonderful world of Star Wars. Like any normal girl she thought it was going to be the average boring sci-fi film. But after A New Hope she was ready to watch the next, which surprised me at first but it's nice to know I've introduced her into something new. I don't want to get excited for the new 3 that are coming out but the child in me does want to. I know everyone is getting pissy about the whole Disney thing but I seriously think J.J Abrams is going to do a great job, and hopefully make a realistic story to carry on the legacy. I remember watching The Phantom Menace as a kid and having my heart ripped out when Oui-Gon Jinn died, my childhood was never the same after seeing that. I know everyone rips on the first 3 and how bad they are but when you've grown up with them it's different.
That's enough about Star Wars, I woke up at half 7 this morning when my alarm would normally go off, strange how your body does that. But I refused to get up and managed to sleep a little longer. If I wake up on a weekend and it's dead early I can get up fine, but on a weekday it's like the worst thing in the world.
Just seen Brian Blessed on TV, my oh my that is one wonderful beard!
Lovely lovely Friday, it's time for me to sit on the sofa, turn the xbox on and not move until Sunday night. Here is the best part, I took part in a survey about beer and some new products that are coming out, and I ended up getting some free beer to try out. So that's a nice addiction to my Friday.
The stuff I'm testing is Strongbow Citrus Fruits, honestly not what i expected. The taste isn't overpowering like I thought it would be. I would certainly purchase it when it comes out in shops, and I recommend it to you all!
Going to make this a short one, as it's been a short day at work and I want to enjoy my Friday some more. Still really enjoying this blogging, I will certainly carry on for a year, and maybe even longer, but maybe not everyday after this year.
So it's time for me to enjoy some beer and play some games.
We've only hit day 11 and I'm fresh out of names to call my blog posts, so I might as well admit defeat on this one. One thing I've realised after writing this blog I find myself trying to do more interesting things through out the day so I have something to talk about, which I guess is pretty good. Before I'd just go about my business going from pillar to post not thinking about anything. I encourage everyone to blog or vlog what is going on throughout their day, just for yourself to read back after a month or so.
Wow it's cold in this house, trying to refrain from putting the heating on as well after the stupid amount of bills we have to pay. Seriously thinking of buying some tea lights and sticking them around the living room when we're all in here, we're that skint and cold haha.
On a positive note it is Friday tomorrow with a high chance of me being able to leave work early, hooray. I try to set myself little goals when at work. Like today I wanted to push as many new ideas as possible at a meeting I was in and I feel I achieved this. I sort of shy away from new ideas when around new people to avoid any embarrassment of a bad idea, but if you've got the balls to say something people will listen and take it in.
Been looking at Patrick Stewart cardboard cut outs today, we're thinking of buying one for the house, because every house needs one, don't they? Think that would be a nice Christmas addiction to the house.
Well that's all folks, it's time for me to get in the bath and watch some of The Office, my favourite part of the day...oh no am I getting old?!
Wow day 10, here we are. It's still sinking in that I've planned to do this everyday, but I'm slowly getting use to it.
I'm starting to feel the need for food a lot since eating a lot different, I'm certainly craving bad food a lot more but I'm determined to keep at it, day 10s strong! Make way for the pasta and rice train haha.
Been watching the new series of Fresh Meat, and I'm really not feeling it. Just seems to lack the student feel to it now. It started out perfect with nights out and crazy house parties but now it just seems too crazy, with weddings to keep people in the country. Still has it's funny parts though don't get me wrong, but series 1 and 2 are certainly the best. I'd still recommended them all to any student that's lived away from home.
I've noticed I've been slowly but surely making these blogs shorter and shorter, so I'm going to try and make this one nice and long for you, because I know you're all so interesting in my life...haha. It is very hard though to maintain a blog everyday when you're actually a boring person that works 9-5, but anyway, I will do my best and I'm not promising any hard hitting stories.
Today I heard Outkast are getting back together and are rumoured for Glastonbury. This actually made my day! Really looking forward to Glasto this year, it's my first time for Glasto but not a first time festival goer. It'll be interesting to see how different it is from other festivals, from what I've heard it is going to be amazing!
Treating myself to a lie in tomorrow, it's been a crazy week and I need it.
Man it's been a long day. Never thought if get in from work and want to go to bed at 9pm. Am I getting old? Really looking forward to becoming an actual student again next year!
So yeah, it's been a long day of Photoshopping and such. Again, never thought I'd actually get to do this as a job, but I am and I'm really enjoying it!
Anyway, this is going to be a short one, very tired and I'm up early tomorrow. Is it the weekend yet?! Going home this weekend to see the family and some are coming up from my actual hometown as well, so all round it should be a good one. I am going to sleep soooooooooo much haha
I was saying I about to blog for a year and eat healthy. So far so good I guess. I honestly thought if bottle it after like day 3 but here we are 1 week on.
I say I'm going to stay healthy but I'm currently drinking and getting ready to go out again haha, oh well, I'll start again tomorrow. Here's to getting up early for working tomorrow.
Don't know if I've told you but I'm currently IT Support at Huddersfield Univeristy, but today I think I found the path I want to go down in future. I literally spent my entire day on Photoshop and designed flyers and posters all day, and I really enjoyed it I think I would enjoy a life in design.
Work a side, I have some amazing gigs coming up in the next few weeks, starting in Leeds next week I'm seeing METZ, then the week after I'm seeing Avenged Sevenfold, 2nd band I ever saw live many years ago and I'm still a massive fan. Then over December I have Black Sabbath, Papa Roach, Tenacious D! Just to name a few, I'll probably post a few pictures and a little review of each show as I see them. Not that I'm much of a reviewer, it'll probably just be me telling you how awesome it was.
So here's to the next few weeks and to my ears getting destroyed by great live music!
I said it might happen, I said it. I'm officially posting my first hungover post, you're welcome world! So yeah we ended up in Cockpit last night, although the music was pretty bad we ended partying hard to Michael Jackson. Although I didn't eat anything to unhealthy on the night I certainly could do with some majorly unhealthy food right now. So that's why a pizza is currently cooking in the oven!
Weekends go way to fast! Can't actually believe it's Sunday again, boo to Sunday. All round been a great weekend though, saw some old friends and had some good laughs and I hope the next one is just the same.
With my hungover state and I'm actually just sat here with X Factor on, and oh my what a load of shit it all is. Just seen Gary Barlow playing his song, could clearly hear 1 acoustic guitar in the song but he had about 10 guitar players, fool! Haha. And Miley Cyrus, what the hell?! Here's to getting AC/DC - Highway to Hell to the Christmas number 1 spot this year.
Back to work tomorrow, not looking forward to an early start like any other human being on Earth, but it has to be done. See you all Tomorrow.
Great news everyone, I'm not hungover which means I didn't cave last night. Go me! We all got up early in the house to make our way on the long train ride to band practise. Which was totally worth it because our new songs sound amazing if I do say so myself. Very Audioslave feel to them, very funky bass and plenty of groove to make everyone move, I think they'll go far.
Also last night I didn't cave to bad food and stayed healthy, go me again!
Looks like it's shaping up to be a very quiet weekend really, which was just what the doctor ordered, not had a quiet weekend since we moved into our new house. We tried to live like 1st year students and it backed fired and told us we we're to old haha. It is crazy though going from having very little to do during the week to then having a full time 9-5 job. Makes weekends feel that little bit more awesome!
I wish I had some more pictures of stuff to show on this blog, I really need to start taking more photos. Here's one I got this morning. I woke up pretty early and found this in out letter box
How crazy is that?! Hahaha. More photos to come of my days as a student, I'm sure they'll be a few interesting ones haha.
It's finally here, beautiful, beautiful Friday. And lucky I had a very busy day meaning my time at work went super fast which is another win to the end of week list.
In a serious dilemma though, to go out or not to go out? Fuel in Leeds are doing a WWE themed night, how the hell can I miss that?! I guess you'll find out tomorrow if the title to the my new blog post is "hungover" haha. Let's hope I do get up tomorrow as my band are starting to write new material and I would not want to miss that!
I had a very bizzare soundtrack for my day today, I decided to start my day with some Bruce Springsteen, The Boss can help any man or woman through an early morning. By the afternoon I moved onto a band I recently discovered called METZ. I even bought tickets to see them because they're playing 10 minutes away from my house, so I had to go see them. If you're into your noise rock and hardcore punk check them out.
Short one again till I have something decent to talk about. So here's to the quiet/crazy weekend. Hope you all have a good one!
Before I forget my girlfriend does a blog as well which includes it goings on in life, she's a great writer and I enjoy reading her blog posts so go check her out. Terri Woolford.
It's Friday tomorrow! Hooray! Really looking forward to the weekend, get to see some close friends I've not seen in a while High State are going to be writing some new songs. Exciting times for the band, we have so much written but so little recorded.
I'm actually a little late writing this post, it has been a busy day with work and to honest I just wanted to get in a chill for a while before I did any blogging, I know, I'm lazy, I told you this on day 1. But I must say I am enjoying his blogging stuff, and to be honest eating healthy is going great for me.
Just about to sit back down and get my weekly dose of Karl pilkington so this post may be a little short. I do love me some Karl, not to sound like a hipster but I did get into Karl when he first started. I use to download The Ricky Gervais show from day 1 and loved it. Still have them all on my iPod still haha.
Anyway, I did say this would be short, so good day and have a nice Friday tomorrow! Yaaaaaaaaaaay.
Here we go, day 3. They say if you get past the 3 day mark of something that means it finally becomes normal and it's easier to carry on, whether that be stopping smoking, or blogging for an entire year and eating healthy. So happy day 3 to me!
I do know full well that this weekend is not going to be pretty with the return of 2 very good friends of mine who I have not seen in a while and the potential of a house party on Friday, so pray for me guys, even though it probably won't work and I'll end up a complete mess and order a takeaway the next day haha. (It the rules of being a student)
I was actually a little worried today that I would have nothing to write about today but look at me typing away. I really don't get how vloggers like Shay Carl can post daily videos of him and his family and make me jealous about what they get up to. The most fun I had today was leaving a little earlier at work. But props to Shay for doing a vlog everyday, he's a great guy with a great beard. Speaking of beards I haven't seen that many moustaches about to say it's Movember. The train conductor I see every morning does have one mighty fine 'tash on him. I think this weekend I'll fashion my very small amount of facial hair into a nice little Movember style. I'm thinking moustaches and goatee? Yes? No? Probably no, I'll only get laughed at.
Well I best cool me up some pasta and enjoy the rest of my night. If I have some spare time tomorrow I think I'll get round to Photoshopping me some pretty designs for my blog, not a fan of using default designs. So that's all I got, bring on the weekends and why is it only Wednesday God damn it?!
Well here we are day 2 of my challenge of blogging for an entire year and to eat healthy. I'm going to be honest with you it is not going well, last night I cracked when I watched The Walking Dead...
They just tastes too good! Haha. But yeah, back on track now, currently cooking up some rice and lentils to have. I won't show you a picture of that because it looks like the most boring meal in the world haha.
Check me out using picture and stuff in my blog, I'm slowly learning the way of the blogger. Looking at other peoples blogs they all seem to have one subject they focus on, I don't know why but I thought my focus would be my life and what I've up to during my day. Prepare for some really boring posts haha. Something I will talk about a lot in these blogs is going to be music, so I guess they'll be a double whammy of my life and music. I guess this is the perfect opportunity to tell you about my band. I'm currently the guitarist in a local band called High State (www.facebook.com/highstateband) we released our first single Tear The World Apart a few weeks back and I'm proud of the boys in the band and myself about just getting this far. The only thing I ever wanted was to be in a successful band and to write, record and perform music. So I'm pretty lucky that I get to do them very 3 things in the bands I'm currently in and I wouldn't want it any other way. We even got played twice on BBC radio which I never thought I'd get to say, but we did. So here's to the future!
Anyway, my lentils and rice are burning away and I have some photoshopping to be getting on with. I'm re-designing the catering website for the university I study and work at, it's some pretty heavy stuff but I'm really liking what I get to do for a living. Everyone I work with is very friendly and the work is right up my street.
Okay, I'm pretty new to all this blogging stuff but I decided to give it go after a lot of thought. I chose to set myself the challenge of writing a blog everyday for a year and see what would come of it, also funnily enough the same day I decided to start eating healthy for a change rather than the usual takeaways and alcohol diet I'm so very use to...well maybe alcohol will stick around for a while longer haha. Not really sure what made me change what I eat, but it has been 24 hours and I'm still going strong (go, me!). I really wish I had a more interesting life to share with people but I really don't haha, as I write this I'm at work sat at my desk, I should probably be doing work but I thought starting this blog is much more important right now. Only interesting thing going on the office as we speak is that XFM is playing some great music. Well I guess that brings me nicely onto the subject of music. Just heard Band of Skulls new single (Asleep At The Wheel) and it is just amazing! I show them back in 2010 at Leeds Festival when they only had debut album Baby Darling Doll Face Honey (which I must say is a five star album.) They always seem to nail the perfect balance between female and male vocals, and they blend in with each other perfectly. Their live performances are also full of energy and they also have plenty of opportunities to sing-a-long. Really looking forward to the new album coming next year Well I guess that has been my first post, nothing special I know, do remember I am a boring, lazy student haha. I'm sure more stories will come out in time, especially when it gets to the weekend...hopefully one day I'll have charisma and charm of +Shay Carl, and the beard.
