It's been a while...

I was typing out something in my address bar when the URL for this blog turned up... and suddenly I felt remorse. Remorse that I hadn't updated for so long.

Now, let me plead my case. The past few months have been unbelievably busy, and I've been flung into the realm of UCAS and Exam Prep. And even now, I feel slightly guilty to be writing this post as I have an exam in a couple of days.

However, come February, I will have a few things lined up and plenty to blog about! Just, at the moment, I need to get exams over and done with.

I have two dates lined up to see American bands, All Time Low, The Maine and We Are The In Crowd. I was also considering finally seeing ballet at the Royal Opera House, and perhaps check out War Horse at the National Theatre. Also, for those that are aged 16-25, there's a brilliant Entry Pass at the National Theatre, that allows you to buy tickets for £5. You can sign up for this, completely free, over HERE.

So, I'm just going to end this blog post here... I'll be sure to update in the next few days briefly with various Song of the Days, playlists and maybe even another edition of What's In My Bag?

Take care everyone!

x

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Comfortably Academic

For the first time in a long period of time, I am feeling suitably comfortable academically. But of course, from the moment I hit "publish post", this little hypothesis will begin to disintegrate as I will begin to start pulling my hair out and scrunch up notes yelling "where is my pen?!"

I really hope that doesn't become the case. I'm finding it incredibly relaxing to be doing my work right now, and surely that must be a sign that I probably am not trying hard enough? And perhaps I should not judge so soon, considering I have only been back for a month.

Teamed with my hot chocolate and my copy of Tess of the d'Urbervilles, I just stormed through note-making and hot beverage sipping at complete ease. Unfortunately, during breaks I am still thinking of what work to do next, how I can make my grades better, how I can balance my work. Surprisingly, I'm not feeling claustrophobic from the work at all. I don't know, perhaps an explanation for this relaxed atmosphere will come to me at 3AM and that is when I will feel the need to wake up and come here and explain myself immediately.

I'm doing work just for the sake of it. I like it.

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Love & War & The Sea In Between

There's just something incredibly atmospheric and soothing I am getting from Josh Garrel's album Love & War & The Sea In Between.

There's just so much variation in the album, it's surreal. I am really happy that I decided to browse around Bandcamp and this was the first artist that I clicked on. Some essence of Florence + The Machine, along with (surprisingly...) Linkin Park and hints of Bon Iver. The album art really drew me in as well!

I know exactly what I will be listening to all week. You can download and listen to his 18-track album here on Bandcamp. Consistently, it's the most underrated musicians that impress me the most.

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Song of the Day: "June Gloom" by The Like

Despite it being quite far off from June, there is some gloom today. But that gloom has been kept outside, so today has been that equivalent of a Nigella Lawson day on the inside.

I've been making cupcakes and had books cluttering my study, and I know that music mends any sort of gloomy weather. Hot chocolate is up next!

Today I present to you..... The Like! They're currently a band of four, but during "June Gloom" we have three members of the band. This video was before they adopted their 60's style, here known for their elfin, folk-like fashion sense and Elizabeth Berg's slightly raspy voice. Anyway, if anything, this song reminds me of Christmas... anyone else agree?

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Steve Jobs: Visionary.

Despite always waking up in a rather groggy wake, I'm always capable of automatically find myself at my computer to check my mail and Twitter. The first tweet I saw today wasn't the nicest and most settling one. The death of Steve Jobs.

Yes, as we all know, Steve Jobs (computer entrepreneur, co-founder of Apple Inc. and FT's Person of the Year 2010) died after his long battle struggling with pancreatic cancer last night. My instant reaction? Shock. We all know cancer has taken away many people we love and adore, but my reaction was similarly that of a stomach punch. It was almost the same feeling I had felt when Michael Jackson had passed away too.

Although Jackson and Jobs don't exactly come from the same branch of industry, there was something similar in both of them: they were incredibly influential and they pushed the boundaries.

I feel as if Steve Jobs was an auteur of technology or the auteur of technology. Apple was built in his own image, and it successfully carried through in all his products. Funnily enough, I was just researching the Auteur Theory for my music video project for school, and I know for sure that Steve Jobs would definitely be placed in the auteur category.

I'm glad that he passed away peacefully, almost as calm as the man himself. It would be awful to know that someone had died in an inconsiderate amount of pain like my own grandfather's death. Still, 56 is young in my books, and it's an awful shame.

RIP Steve Jobs, may your legacy continue.

"No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet, death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it, and that is how it should be, because death is very likely the single best invention of life. It's life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new." - Steve Jobs

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What's In My Bag?

A while ago on Flickr, I had joined a group called What's In My Bag? I had joined the group but never had the chance to actually take a picture of my bag with it's contents. Today, after realising I have nothing productive to do, I started exploring around Flickr and then stumbled across the group again. I immediately took out my bag, all the contents of it, and took a picture of it.

What I am going to be doing is creating an occasional "What's In My Bag?" feature, because I think the contents of a bag can often be very interesting. I'll talk a bit about what's in my bag, and see if I can remember any interesting stories from them. Credit has to go to groc for the inspiration.

As you can see, I don't really have much in my bag at the moment because I had recently cleaned it out and re-packed the thing.

1. You see that little red book on the left? It's a play. No, I am not a drama student, it's for my English literature classes. We're currently studying "She Stoops To Conquer" by Oliver Goldsmith. I was made to research Oliver Goldsmith for background, and frankly... I dislike him. His work is enjoyable thus far, but his attitude and history is just ridiculous; but he definitely is a character.

2. TESS of the D'URBERVILLES: Two words... READ. IT.

3. Wreck This Journal was something that I received from a friend on Christmas. I'm yet to complete, but I've done most of it. I carry it with me in case I need to imprint grass stains into it or find a public place to hang it and have people furiously scribble in it. I was terrified to crack the spine but eventually I did it. And several times also. I poured a little spiced wine on it too, and when you fan the pages, it smells of Burberry perfume. The journal is a character in itself.

4. My beautiful floral purse, another Christmas present! Vaseline, USB, glasses case.. they're all basic needs.

Unfortunately, that's all there is in a bag, but the contents always change so you should see some more updates a little later.

You will find that this will be a regular feature on my blog now, as a page will be dedicated to it right HERE!

Have a great day everyone, and keep your bags safe and interesting!

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Song of the Day: "You're The One That I Want (cover)" by Angus & Julia Stone

I know, I know, once again I haven't been able to update in quite some time. I've been so caught up with work and trying to get myself organised that I have neglected this poor blog.

With some of my time off, I have been listening to a lot of music again, and I stumbled across Angus & Julia Stone's cover of "You're The One That I Want" from Grease. Yes, you must be wondering... how? If you're familiar with Angus & Julia Stone's music, you can only wonder how a song such as this one could be pulled off in this style?

It's for you to find out.... Julia's voice is precious.

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