Los Campesinos! at Heaven, Under the Arches (London)

Yesterday, Dan and I went off to London to see one of my favourite bands (for the fourth time!), supported by Joanna Gruesome who were also ace. This time I'm pretty sure we were that crazy drunk couple singing and dancing to every song, and I really couldn't care less because I had the best time ever. Great company and great music go very, very well together (and being a bit drunk made it even better).

For once I put all of my things in the cloakroom so I didn't manage to take any pictures, but I'm actually pretty glad about that because it meant I didn't have to worry about anything and I could just enjoy all of it. I've had to look up the set list because everything was a bit of a crazy blur of dancing and singing, but it was as follows:

1. As Lucerne/The Low
2. By Your Hand
3. Romance is Boring
4. What Death Leaves Behind
5. Death to Los Campesinos!
6. A Heat Rash in the Shape of the Show Me State; or, Letters from Me to Charlotte
7. For Flotsam
8. Hello Sadness
9. Glue Me
10. We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
11. Cemetery Gaits
12. Songs About Your Girlfriend
13. Let it Spill
14. Avocado, Baby
15. You! Me! Dancing!
16. The Sea is a Good Place to Think about the Future
17. Heart Swells/Pacific Daylight Time (Encore)
18. Straight in at 101 (Encore)
19. Baby I Got the Death Rattle (Encore)

Every song is a favourite, really, but my highlights were definitely Romance is Boring, Glue Me and, as always, The Sea.

I was so sad for the gig to be over, especially as we had to be done by 10pm and the band had to go to work the next day. Work! It seemed so unfair that people who had the power to make people have the time of their lives have to go back to a day job the next day, but I'm so glad I got to be there at the end of the tour (despite the fact that we couldn't be joined by Kate whom I miss very much). Everyone should go to see them and buy their wonderful merchandise that was featured here! Walking around the prettily lit London with Dan afterwards was also the most lovely way to finish off the evening, and props to the couple we found on the Christmas tree instalment at Embankment who helped us to light up the tree.

Los Campesinos!- No Blues Appreciation

After a really ace weekend at home it was lovely to return to Southampton and pick up my LC! bundle! Because of the mishap with printing, it's been a longer wait than we would have hoped- but it was so worth the wait. Coloured vinyl is always a lovely surprise, and the pink of No Blues is great. Wonderful artwork as ever, and I really like the print it came with! The album itself is amazing, and may be edging its way into my number 1 spot for LC! albums, but my heart is still clinging to WAB, WAD at the moment. And after spending the majority of today listening to it I'm even more excited for their gig next Monday! Bit of a brief little post but I've got to head off to work very soon, so just enjoy the pretty pictures rather than my rubbish description.

Frightened Rabbit at The Union, Southampton

Having bought my ticket back in September some time after seeing Frightened Rabbit's ace Reading Festival set, and totally forgetting about it, I had a nice surprise this week when I remembered I was seeing them at The Union yesterday. I managed to miss the first act, Paul Thomas Saunders, due to buses and what not, but arrived in time to see Lanterns on the Lake. I'd forgotten how much I loved live music and it was brilliant to see a band I didn't know and really enjoy them! My favourite song of theirs was Kingdom, and I was oh so close to buying their album from the merch stand but dragged myself away. 

After a short interlude Frightened Rabbit opened their set with Holy, which is one of my favourite songs of theirs. In honesty, I don't know the band all that well so it was nice to hear something I knew from the start! Despite my lack of knowledge of much of the band's stuff prior to Pedestrian Verse (yes, I was one of 'those' mentioned by Scott who only really know Woodpile) I really enjoyed the whole set- even if I did spend most of it wishing I'd listened to them more because they were so bloody good. As always at a gig, you get the people who are 'too cool' to let loose and bop around, kind of skulk around the outskirts (this was me, though less 'cool' more just solitary), the very keen people who like to jump around a little too much, and the fairly drunk middle-aged people dancing around wildly and having an amazing time. I was really jealous of a couple in front of me who were belting out every single song, dancing a lot, and loving every second of it. And props to the nice guys who complimented my crazy trousers.

Being a little person my pictures at gigs always suck, but the lights were really pretty so I took some anyway...

This gig has made me even more excited for seeing Los Campesinos! in just under a month's time with Kate and Daniel. Expect a review of that too!

Quote of the Day

"Realise you can be happy at this moment for no reason. Otherwise, you eternally depend on your conditions for happiness. Unconscious of this moment, you remain a victim of circumstances"

-Arthur D. Saftlass 

Update: University, life, and what not

It's safe to say I have been THE worst blogger ever recently. Even my Mum has told me I need to post more. So I thought the best way would be to do a little update on recent goings on! A list is probably easiest- I really haven't done anything all that interesting.

• Daniel came to stay for a few days which was amazing
• I got a job! (at a pub in town)
• I completed my first Film assignment ON TIME
• I went home for the first time which was ever so lovely
• I have been writing to Chlo and Granny which I am enjoying a lot
• I have a tattoo booked for next Wednesday! (a wishbone at the top of my stomach)
• I have not had ANY time to read anything outside of my course books (other than a collection of Kurt Vonnegut's stories recently)
• I have been going out a lot
• At halloween I dressed up as Mia Wallace but didn't have a five dollar shake
• Aaaand up to most recently, today I went to a vintage fair in town!

Apologies for a slightly rubbishy update, but I am supposed to be editing my abysmal essay so should probably get to it rather than writing this and eating scones. I'm going to see Frightened Rabbit in a week so I will no doubt blog about that, but until then...goodbye! (and I will try to think of more interesting things to post I promise!)

my face today

Apologies...

I have been a totally rubbish blogger of late, mostly due to university related business, but I will be back with updates on things in Southampton and happenings over the past few weeks!

Quote of the Day

"Take a lover who looks at you like maybe you are magic"

Frida Kahlo

Thoughts on..moving to Southampton

So, after much build up, many lists, lots of goodbyes, and a few tears, the day came for me to move to Southampton University. For the past week I haven't been able to go a day without feeling either sick with worry, or just unbelievably sad at the thought of leaving my friends, family and boyfriend. I think the whole thing felt ten times worse because I have lived in the same house for the last 18 years- and the thought of moving to a new place with new people seemed pretty terrifying. The goodbyes were horrible, one in particular, but I really am having the best time now that I'm here!

The thing I was most excited about was getting to decorate my room, and so, whilst my mum and step dad went about unloading the practical stuff, I made better use of my time by pinning little girly things to my noticeboard and making the whole place a bit prettier- which was ace. I can't wait to collect more things over my time here and fill my notice board even more!

 

I think I've been extremely lucky with the people in my flat, which has also helped me to settle in so quickly. So far we all seem to be getting along really well, and despite not ending up at the foam party last night (which admittedly I'm pretty glad about) and then boycotting the infamous Jesters queue, I had a great first night- and I didn't wake up hungover which is always a bonus! Tonight we plan to make up for that though...so tomorrow morning might not be so sweet. I'm glad I'm no longer feeling so worried about the social side of university, next to tackle the academic worries!

Night 1!

Gately flat 14! (Note: do not customise clothing whilst drunk)

I hope anyone else who has moved into university is having a great time too. I'm sure there will be more university related posts to follow! A 'Gallivanting...' one will come soonish.

Quote of the Day

"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard"

-A.A.Milne, Winnie the Pooh 

Book Review: La Bête Humaine

I bought this novel on the basis of a recommendation from a friend whilst trawling through David's bookshop, and I'm so glad I did. Despite their literary credit, often novels that are regarded as classics can be a little slow moving- a bit like trying to get through very thick mud in order to reach the exciting parts. La Bête Humaine is quite the opposite- and for this reason it is easily the best novel I have read recently.

Set mostly on the railway lines around Paris, La Bête Humaine originally two separate novels- with one focusing on railway life and the other dealing with the hereditary nature of murder, but Zola makes it so that the two seem to go hand in hand, forming an extremely compelling and dark narrative. The most interesting part of the novel was its focus on human nature and the part it plays in the act of murder, with one of the central characters, Jacques, comparing murder to the survival of the fittest instinct among beasts- perhaps as a mitigation for his actions, though not a very reasonable one. Whilst reading I found myself able to compare themes and characters to those of Shakespeare's Macbeth, because, essentially, both texts focus on the same thing- what it takes to murder, and the extent to which human nature can be pushed. 

I think my enjoyment of the novel, particularly the ending which is predominately set on the railway line, was further aided by reading in the garden with the sounds of trains passing on the nearby railway- I found myself able to get totally lost within the text. I'm actually quite tempted to re-read La Bête Humaine despite only having finished it last night, and I hope that I get a chance to study it at some point because it is totally full of interesting material and themes! I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a bit of murder and pessimism...because this is a truly amazing novel. Next up: Virgina Woolf's To the Lighthouse.

Quote of the Day

"No need to sparkle. No need to be anyone but oneself."

 -Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own

Gallivanting...in Norfolk with Granny

On Monday I jetted off- well, more hopped on a train -to my Granny's in Snettisham, Norfolk, for a few days- and it was so lovely to get away from Hertfordshire. I had the loveliest time and have been totally spoilt rotten- and have now decided that once retired, or even before, I'd like to move to the seaside, and get a dog, so that I can begin everyday with a lovely dog walk on the beach- I think then I would be very happy. Although Baldock is hardly a bustling town, you really do notice the quietness and serenity of Norfolk in comparison- especially when walking through woods with the dogs and not bumping into a single person.

Awaiting the train at Baldock with my Mary Poppins bag

Dog walk no.1 in some lovely woods

Reading in the evening sun- this book is very, VERY good

The room I stayed in is the B&B room, so naturally, it is absolutely lovely (as I'm sure it would be even if it were not a guest room). I slept in what is quite possibly the most comfortable bed in all of England- and, despite the size, found myself waking up curled up on the left hand side as though I were sleeping in my little single bed. I will miss this bed almost as much as I will miss Granny, Gutty and the dogs.

Flowers from the garden picked by Granny

"I can see the sea so give me 5p!"

Dog walk no.2: Yes, I did swing on the swing.

On Tuesday Granny and I went on a trawl around some lovely shops- meandering around Wells, Docking, and Heacham- and generally having a lovely time! One of my favourite shops was one called Big Blue Sky, in which Granny bought me a lovely print to have in my university room. We stopped for lunch in a lovely little tea room in Wells called Catesby's, which served a very scrummy blueberry and lemon drizzle cake, as well as yummy peppermint tea! We also treated ourselves to ice cream AND crispy crackle cakes...just because we could.

Ace print from Big Blue Sky

Bunting in the streets of Wells

A spot of peppermint tea in pretty mugs!

Would definitely love to paint the reflection of the clouds in the sea- it looked so lovely.

Make mine a mint-choc-chip, always!

I think Bertie wanted to walk himself this morning 

Abandoned shoes for wading (ahem, paddling) through some water

The dogs enjoying the beach

I only got home about an hour ago and I already want to return to Granny's- which is sad, because I won't be able to stay there again for at least another three months! Nonetheless, it has definitely done me good to get away for a few days- as I was in danger of slipping into a routine of doing nothing other than sleeping and eating. Next up I need to start reading my course books for university, finish reading La Bete Humaine, and get writing my first article for Soton Tab!

Quote of the Day

"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think as much as you do, care about many of the same things that you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"

-Kurt Vonnegut, Timequake

Book Review: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

It's been a fair while since I read any 'modern lit'- I seem to have convinced myself that in order to adequately prepare for university I need to devote all of my attention to classics -but my Granny lent me this book because she thought I would enjoy it as much as she did. Of course, she was completely right- this is without a doubt the loveliest book I have read in a long time, possibly since The Elegance of the Hedgehog or Never Let Me Go, both of which I read whilst on holiday last year.

There were times whilst reading this that I was worried it was going to descend into a repetitive account of the protagonist's walking, or at least I was worried at the beginning of the novel- but I must say, I was pretty wrong on that judgement. Joyce beautifully weaves Harold's thoughts into the narrative, despite her use of third person narration, in a way that reminded me a little of Woolf's use of stream of conscious narration in Mrs Dalloway- and it worked really well to convey his wandering mind as well as his wandering feet. Throughout the novel pieces of the jigsaw of Harold's memories are placed in one by one, rendering the book totally un-put-down-able, and it really reminded me of the way my own memories can surface without me even remembering registering them enough to become a memory. Another element I found particularly touching is the relationship between the protagonist and his wife, Maureen- as that too ventures on a journey as Harold's walk continues.

The most thought provoking part of the story I found was the weight put on the way other people can seem totally ordinary to you, but they could be hiding something- say, a memory or a questionable habit -inside of them, but passing in a street you would never know- unless, as Harold does, you allow people to stop and talk to you. 

I'm not saying that I now want to walk the country end to end, and discover all of the secrets of strangers, but I'm definitely going to try to be more aware of the idea that you never really know what people are going through. I'd also like to do a bit more walking. Maybe not in boat shoes, though.

Gallivanting...at Reading Festival

On Thursday, all packed up with a bag that was probably big enough to fit me in it, wellie-and-shorts-clad, I headed off to Reading Festival for the second year in a row- and I can honestly say that it totally topped last year's experience (and not just because of my age making it a hell of a lot easier to get a bit squiffy).
Before going I decided that I'd see the bands I wanted to see regardless of everyone else's plans- and I'm so glad that I did that. It did mean I spent a fair bit of time by myself wandering around and feeling a little bit awkward, but once the music started everything was forgotten and amazing. Stupidly, I didn't take my camera to the arena once so I only have a few campsite photos to offer BUT I was lucky enough to see some awesome music- although at times the crowds were a little bit too boisterous for it to be enjoyable (namely when I got a split lip during Foals- Inhaler and had to leave the crowd with bloody hands)!
My definite highlights included; Biffy Clyro- Biblical/Bubbles (and the whole damn set), Alt-j- Fitzpleasure, Tame Impala- Elephant (their set was possibly my favourite of the weekend), Disclosure- White Noise, White Lies- Farewell to the Fairground, the amazing noodles I had on the last day, and then of course making it home safe and sound to my bed.
I really did have the most amazing weekend ever- literally the only thing that could have made it better would be if Foo Fighters had been there like last year! Here's to more festivals- hopefully going to take advantage of living in Southampton next year and head to Isle of Wight or Bestival.

Campsite fun

Pre-Disclosure drinks

The very lovely Holls

I assure you we didn't spend the whole festival in these clothes- although some people possibly did -we just didn't bother taking any pictures until we were all looking a bit dishevelled on the last day! I'm so excited for seeing more live music in the near future, it made me so happy this weekend- I've already booked a ticket to see Frightened Rabbit at Southampton in November. Happy festivalling!

Quote of the Day

“I think it’s very healthy to spend time alone. You need to know how to be alone and not be defined by another person.”

-Olivia Wilde

Book Review: Schindler's Ark

I've had my eye on this novel for sometime now, as I've always found information/literature surrounding the Holocaust really interesting- despite not knowing all that much about it! Admittedly, an additional reason for fancying Shindler's Ark is the 'hype' surrounding the film- everyone seems to rave about it as one of the greats, and as a general rule I try to read the novel before seeing the film.

As a whole, I didn't enjoy this quite as much as I thought I would. I think it's probably because I read a lot at work so was frequently interrupted by customers and it made it pretty difficult to properly get into it. Towards the end though, I did feel a lot more drawn in and found myself making more effort to indulge in reading sessions. The narrative is an amazing and impressive one, Schindler as a character (especially as it is based on true events) is heroic and invites the full trust of the reader, which was really nice whilst reading. I did however find that there were a few to many characters to form real emotional attachments to anyone other than the constant of Schindler, although maybe that's reflective of the fast paced moving of prisoners from camp to camp and the fragility of life (or something to that effect at least!).

Something I found most interesting about the novel was a question posed towards the conclusion of the novel- the question of whether the SS officers acted merely under duty, or under their own human nature. Quite possibly it's a mixture of the two, depending on who we are dealing with- but I found it quite thought provoking despite being a passing comment within the narrative. 

Overall, I did enjoy Schindler's Ark, and had I devoted more time to it I probably would have enjoyed it even more. If you are interested in historical happenings/the Holocaust/heroic tales, then I would definitely recommend this novel. Next up is something a little lighter in the form of Rachel Joyce's The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry which I have heard lovely things about.

List V: Things to look forward to

Due to results/getting into uni, everything is a little bit exciting now and I have a lot to look forward to- and I have some lovely plans aside from university things too! Having things to look forward to is ace, especially as I feel I should be making the most of my time at home before I bugger off to Southampton. 

• Reading Festival

I went to Reading last year, and it was an amazing weekend. I can't wait to go again this year with two of my closest friends, and if anything, I think it could top last year! Recently I've been a bit rubbish at getting tickets for anything, so the last gig I went to was months ago- I can't wait to immerse myself in great music and hopefully discover some new stuff too.

• A stay with Granny

My Granny is possibly my favourite person in the world, and we've always gotten on amazingly well. At the beginning of September I'm going to stay with her for a couple of days, which will mean lovely walks on the beach with the dogs, exploring cute little shops, and hopefully lots of ice cream!

• My last shift at work

I really do enjoy my job, the people I work with and the people who come into the pub, but I'm looking forward to not having a job for a bit. However, I am working right up until the weekend before I go to Southampton so I'm sure celebrations will be in store!

• University

It goes without saying that I am ridiculously excited for going to university- it's something I've always wanted to do, and now it's properly set in stone it seems a bit surreal. I'm looking forward to new people, new surroundings, new reading, and new challenges. I'd honestly leave tomorrow if I could!

Okay, so this isn't an overly extensive list but I feel like I have a lot more to look forward to than just this! I'm sure I will keep updating/blogging about all things to come- especially Reading and Granny's. I really need to make the most of this next month before everything changes (yikes).

Quote of the Day

“Make your own Bible. Select and collect all the words and sentences that in all your readings have been to you like the blast of a trumpet.”

—	Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thoughts on...results and university

As many of you probably know, today was A Level (and AS) results day, meaning the day a lot of us found out whether or not we had gotten into our chosen university. It's safe to say that last night was a pretty sleepless one- dozing off at 2, waking up at 4, dozing off, waking up at 6 to check Maths results (B, good), then snoozing until UCAS clearing went live at 7.30. I found out that I now have a place at Southampton University to study English and I am over the moon, because I really had my heart set on it- but I still had to face collecting my English and Media results that- despite getting my place- I was still pretty worried about. As it turns out, I had no reason to worry at all. My overall grades were an A* in English Lit, A* in Media, and Bs in Maths and Extended Project- and I really couldn't be happier. The funny thing was that the only person who was actually surprised with these results was myself, everyone around me had expected me to do as well as I did- which I guess points out my major flaw in being my own worst critic. Of course it would have been lovely to have done better in Maths, but I can't really complain and I'm so proud of myself because the hours of revision and tears and tantrums and stress actually paid off- and I think I got the grades I deserved. Collecting results was lovely, because all of my friends had also gotten into university and I am so proud of each and every one of them (even though I'm going to miss them horribly).

Now everything is very real. I will definitely be moving to Southampton on 21st September. I'm not going to come home until December. I will have to make new friends. I will have to get back into the swing of academia. I will have to work hard again. To be fair, it isn't the work I'm worried about. I'm more worried about making new friends and making good first impressions on people- and steering away from the temptation of embracing my introverted tendencies and hiding away in my room with a book. That said, I am really looking forward to going. I need new challenges, new surroundings, new people...and I think this will be good for me. Next steps will be finding out my accommodation, buying all the bits and bobs necessary for university, and then buggering off to have an ace time!

I hope everyone got the results they wanted and is off to where they want to go. We did it- we beat A Levels! Well done to all.

An excitable me after very little sleep

Gallivanting...à Paris

 It was actually back in February 2012 that I last went to Paris, but I thought I'd grace you with a post about it anyway because I was thinking about the trip the other day. I went with the school for the second time, after already having gone in 2010, and again the trip was absolutely ace. You could pretty much name any tourist attraction in Paris (Arc de Triomph, Eiffel Tower, Pompidou, Notre Dame, Louvre, Sacre Coeur etc etc) and yes, we would have visited it- which resulted in a lot of tired, and sometimes moany, students. I understand that we had to make the most of our time there, and it was amazing having the opportunity to visit four museums in one day, but it really made me want to be there alone without the pressure of the clock and attempts to cram as much as possible into a fairly short space of time. The weather was also a bit of an issue, Paris in February is very, very chilly so I spent the majority of the time with around four layers on feeling a little bit snowman-esque. Nevertheless, both trips were wonderful and I am definitely going to get myself there again at some point in the near(ish) future!

View from atop the Eiffel Tower

Who doesn't need a free hug from time to time?

Evidence of snowman clobber

Pretty Parisian streets and Bekky being a tourist

"Lovers' Bridge" (or something to that effect)- couples put padlocks with initials onto the bridge to symbolise their love. Romantic, eh?

I love the narrow streets of Paris, and thought this bike looked pretty cute propped up in the corner

 I don't really have as many photos as I would like to because I stupidly didn't transfer them over from my old laptop when it gave up the ghost- but thought I'd go along with the post anyway! Next up: Schindler's Ark review (when I've finished it) as well as a results based post come Thursday if I'm happy!

List IV: Places I'd like to visit/explore

I've been thinking a lot recently about wanting to do exciting things and make the most of living/being young I guess- but unfortunately spontaneity is a little difficult when it comes to travelling to out of the way places. I'd love to say that one day I will just wake up, decide I want to go to Paris, and damn well go to Paris- but realistically, I can't just set off at the drop of a hat. To take a trip I'd have to plan with family, work, money, and a number of things that make swanning off (as appealing as that is) impossible. So, I thought I'd just put together a list of places I'd like to visit in the hope that one day I will actually get the opportunity to do them.

• Venice, Italy

I've never been to Italy, so really I would love to go anywhere there- but the idea of visiting Venice has always been really appealing. From pictures it looks so beautiful and inviting, and I'd love to get lost among the back alleys and canals and travel across the water in a boat. I'm not sure but I think there may be a possibility of doing a year abroad there with my degree, although I may be getting than confused with Kent's course.

• Amsterdam, Holland

Everyone seems to talk of going to Amsterdam in pursuit of, well, sex and drugs mostly (which I'm sure it is good fore). My motives lie elsewhere, I just think it looks like a pretty cool city that would be ace to wander around and get lost in!

• Paris, France

I have previously been to Paris twice (and am considering doing a blog post about my trips) but I would love to go by myself. Both times were with the school, and although you are given a fair bit of freedom I often felt as though we were rushing to fit anything and everything into a short space of time, rendering us completely exhausted and unable to appreciate everything as much as we would have liked to. It would also be nice to go during the Summer, I find it's always nicer to be outside when you aren't wrapped up like a snowman and suffering from numb extremities! 

• York, England

One a little bit closer to home, where it would actually be possible for me to visit on a day's notice! I've been to York a fair few times, having friends who live near Leeds, but I'd really like to go again. Maybe just for the day to wander around- first train up, last train home kinda thing. England really does have some lovely places and I feel like I should explore them more!

There are lots and lots of other places I'd like to visit- Canada, Australia, Kenya, Brazil, Sweden etc- and I really hope that one day I have the chance to visit them! In the meantime I may just have to stick to exploring England, perhaps venturing to Edinburgh at some point if I'm feeling really adventurous. One thing I've always really wanted to do is see the Northern Lights, so if anyone could take me somewhere to see them I think I'd be obliged to award you eternal love (or at least eternal like).