How do you new year?

I cannot push the thought from my mind that 2014 will perhaps not only present me with new, exciting opportunities, it could also take away my opportunity to do things I take for granted now. I wish I could accept the Happy New Year well wishes but I am not in a place to right now. I believe 2013 made me a more positive person, and this isn't a feeling of negativity towards 2014, just fear. I've learnt two things this year from two very important people. The first is something my Mum instilled into me; don't regret anything. An obvious sentiment to live by for many, perhaps, but this coming from my Mama means a whole lot to me. It translates to me as "I believe that no matter what decision you make, whether it be the right or 'wrong' one, you did it to make you happy and I am behind you one million percent whatever it may be". My mum in my eyes has never stopped being that image of the most amazing Mum in the world, she has never stopped being beautiful, inside and out, and I have never stopped aspiring to be like her. So being told she has my back no matter what is all the approval and acceptance I will ever need. The second piece of advice came from my Nan, more commonly known as Nanny to anyone who has ever met her. She's undoubtedly the most amazing lady in the whole world. The woman has the capability to laugh at anything and everything. Hurt yourself? Hilarious! A morbid story from the past? She can't tell it for laughing. This is the second lesson I received and this year and probably the one that I need to put into practice more, because if you can't laugh, you'll cry, and being sad isn't going to change the way things are. Life really is too bloody short. I have many, many years to watch the fireworks on Southbank with my boyfriend, or get wasted with my friends... if I want to. That's why I'm watching the television with 3 outta 4 members of my family, because I want to. And I couldn't be happier.

A late Christmas gift

I went to a gig not so long ago and left with chills. Not because of the breeze that was coming off of Camden Lock, and not because of the main act. But the support act.
7.30 - Mirror Signal the set list taped to the door told me. I HAVE to interview this guy I thought, so here we are. A little shy but never the less, one of my favourite acts I've started listening to this year. If this guy doesn't blow up in 2014 I will be absolutely dumb founded.  

What started it all for you?

I've been writing for quite a few years now. In middle school I learnt 'Mary had a little lamb' on piano, it was literally that that got me into music. So I joined the orchestra as a clarinetist which was weird, I then moved onto guitar and wrote my first song in year 8. But electronically this year really.

You should do a tribute performance of 'Mary had a little lamb' as a thank you.
Haha, yeah that's not a bad idea actually.

Musically, biggest influences?
Green Day, weirdly were my biggest influence to learn guitar, also Fall Out Boy. But gradually my tastes changed and I just went off making acoustic music as my previous stage name TeeTotal, I was less into the mainstream stuff.  I started listening to a lot more electronic stuff, I'm not even sure how, so for my current sound, James Blake, definitely Radiohead, bands like that.

Your music is quite chilled, would you say your influences reflect in the music you make?
A lot of people draw comparisons to my influences when listening to my stuff. But I wouldn't compare myself, I don't think I'm that good. 


You don't think you're that good? Crazy. What made you put the songs you have released out there then?
I just recorded an EP in January with some tracks and put it out in April. I've recorded since but I've recently come into management so I just haven't had time to release anything else yet. 

Can I have context for the lyrics in your tracks?
At the time of writing I was going through an existential crisis, you know, where you don't really know what anything means? I just had loads of ideas about society, what society means and why there's meaning where it's not really needed. A  lot of my lyrics stem from that really. 

Cool. How easy is it to balance gigging as Mirror Signal and being at uni?
Easy at the moment, my manager will ring me up with a gig and I can either accept or decline depending on how much stuff I have on that particular day. But I'm in my first year at Uni so its not too difficult to balance. Music is first and foremost what I want to do. Uni was a back up plan, so music will always come first.

2014 plans for Mirror Signal? 
At the moment I'm writing a few songs, I have 7 or 8 in demo form. I'm releasing a new song early next year called Submarine Eyes. But that's about it.

Have you been starstruck yet?
Sort of, yeah. But not as much as I thought I'd be. I supported Andreya Triana, she's pretty big. I'd been listening to her for ages and I supported her in October, she came into sound check and I was star struck for a couple of seconds. And at the end of that gig I just saw Newton Faulkner in the room. That was really weird. I met Jamie Cullum too but he's a really nice guy so being star struck doesn't last too long.





I once saw Newton Faulkner at London zoo watching the penguin show. The guy gets around. Is Jamie Cullum really short in real life?
 Yeah he's tiny, I didn't think he would be but he was shorter than me.

Was Jamie Cullum playing your track on his show a big boost to the attention you received?  
Definitely, it was my biggest influx of new fans. I had so many new Twitter followers and Facebook messages after the show. Which just proves radio is still a big part of the industry, I think people forget that sometimes. 

We have to talk about the 'fro. Its quiet amazing. Are you ever manhandled for your choice in hairstyle? 
Yeah actually, I played a gig in Manchester and after my set three drunk girls came up to me, didn't mention anything about what I'd just played but asked if they could touch my hair. I was just like "I could get used to this".    

Having an afro seems like people see it as an invitation to touch the afro-bearerr, like a green light to the general public.
Haha, yeah I don't mind it at all. 

Festivals next year?
I can't really say anything but I've been offered a few stages. 

Dream festival to play?
Obviously Glastonbury, but a couple in America that I'd like to play as I've never been there.

Things have happened so quickly for you, it seems so crazy.
Yeah, I'd say I'm quite shy, indifferent and strange, I try to channel that into music to make it stand out. I guess that its working. 

True dat.

For all you creepers;
Follow him
Like him

I like trains.

This, is my best/house mate and also brother, Dan. Majestic looking, in't he.

Dan is currently working on a project and needs you, yes you, to help him. 

A truly beautiful idea, Dan's vision is to put a short film together based on songs that people associate with a personal memory. Better explained here:

Projects like this don't come along often, and when they do it is so important you take part just so you're able to say; I did that. If not for anything for your own fulfillment.

So, what are you waiting for?  

So it's begun

A brief break down in case you aren't up to date:
This is YOUNG KATO.
Who?
Tommy Wright - Vocals

Jack Edwards - Guitar

Joe Green - Guitar

Joe Lever - Bass

Harry Steele - Keyboards

Sam Henderson - Drums 

What tracks have they done?
Well Drink, Dance, Play is probably their most well known song, but if you watch Made In Chelsea you would probably recognise a lot of their songs, they're featured quite a lot. They even appeared in an episode at the beginning of the series! Zane Lowe has a lot of love for them too!    

~~~~~~~~~~

On Wednesday the 14th of November I embarked on a journey with four mates from my sleepy little university town to Dingwalls in Camden. I'd been invited to the YOUNG KATO gig that was kicking off later that evening; and in no way was I prepared for the performance they were about to give. Upon entering Dingwalls I became Two Drinks McGee, after not realising the bars card limit was a fiver. So Bulmers and Red Stripe in hand (we are not here to judge), my friends and I made our way to the back of the dance floor just in time to catch the bands warm up acts Mirror Signal and PROPELLERS. With both acts getting the crowd beautifully buzzed for the main event, I made my way to the front (and slightly to the left, so I didn't get punched in the face by a rouge fist from the mosh pit) just in time for YOUNG KATO to grace to stage. Everybody was cheering, until Tommy entered, then they were screaming in sheer overwhelming delight. The rest of the band fired up their instruments and played probably one of the most memorable gigs I have ever witnessed. Their music just, made everybody so happy. Between songs the guys would express their love for the crowd, they just seemed so down to earth, and humbled. Then came the end of the set and the band announced their final song; Drink, Dance, Play. The crowd went absolutely mental, everybody was moshing and Tommy full on crowd surfed on top of all his adoring fans. After the gig when I spoke to the band as they sold their merch, you felt like they had all the time in the world for you. They're so appreciative of their fans which is so refreshing, tweeting this after the gig: 

These guys are going to be absolutely huge, I can feel it. 
Here's an interview I did with Tommy for all your YOUNG KATO needs!   

Firstly, I love your guys stuff, you’ve made some insane tracks! What brought you guys together to form the band?

The band was bought together by the two step brothers in the band (Jack & Sam). We all had a huge passion for music and just wanted to make some noise.

Why YOUNG KATO? Is there any story behind your name?   

We needed to name the band in less than a week as our first confirmed show was coming up quick. The word 'kato' apparently appeared 'almost everywhere' to our guitarist and he pushed for it. I hated the name at first but we've all grown to love it. YOUNG KATO doesn't mean anything really ... Except us, and that's what I like about it.

You’ve had such a crazy couple of years, what’s been the highlight for you?

There's been so many highlights for us it's hard to choose. I guess specifically for me it was the recent headline show at Dingwalls in Camden on our November tour. There was just short of 400 people going mental and il never forget it.

Have you had any surreal moments this year?

I got a call from our manager at 10am one morning and he explained to me that in 2 weeks, we'l be playing a show St Petersburg, Russia. It was a whistle stop tour and we didn't get to enjoy much scenery. I still today can't quite grasp that songs we wrote, 3am some mornings in Joe's bedroom got us on a plane and took us 1400 miles east.

What’s your favourite track to perform and why?

I suppose at this moment 'Drink, Dance, Play' is the song in the set that just erupts. It's a youthful, vibrant song that seems to just flourish in a live environment. Wherever we are; be it Russia or in Truro on tour, it's really well received.

What did your track ‘Something Real’ being chosen as Zane Lowe’s ‘next hype’ feel like?   

It felt good, especially for someone as influential as Zane to back the band. The best thing about all of this to me is, that as a band, we just play music we would like to hear. Therefore this all becomes a huge compliment when people come to or shows, or even plays us on radio1.

Twitter exploded after your set on Played in Chelsea last week, were you expecting that kind of reaction? 

Not at all, it's always great when you are given the chance to promote your sound in front of a large audience. I was wary of how the desk feed would sound, however thinking back it all looked great and sounded cool, what more do we want? 

Your tracks have been featured on Made in Chelsea before, plus you were filmed performing in Camden Barfly for the beginning of the series. Were any of the band fans of the show before or was it a whole new concept to you?

I've always watched Made in Chelsea for the soundtrack predominantly. Lots of my favourite bands including: Various Cruelties, Zulu Winter, Foals etc are always being given synchs with the show. The show prides themselves on the best new music and were proud to be a part of it.

Have you become friends with any of the cast?

The cast were all really nice, down to earth guys. We've kept in touch with Andy a little bit and had a night out or two. 

You’ve just finished your tour, what do you have planned for your time off?  

We will keep ourselves busy writing more songs, playing a few gigs here and there until the new year. As a band we don't like to stand still and do nothing, it frustrates us! 

What can we expect from the band in 2014?

I know for a fact  that the album will come out. Hopefully we'l be playing almost every festival in the summer and also touring relentlessly throughout the year. We've got a lot of work to do but 2014 is already looking great for us.

So. Awesome. I have nothing but admiration for these guys!
Check them out if you haven't already! 

Bromance at its finest

Am I late to the party? I don't even care. This is the best thing my eyes have ever feasted upon.

Albion

On the 18th of November an exhibition was held by 8 photography students at my university. Six people exhibited their own work and two people curated work from other photographers. But this wasn't a normal exhibition. There was no box room with photographs on the walls, no, this exhibition was on a 1940's Routemaster London bus.

The exhibition was all about Britain, upon arriving you were given a authentic looking bus ticket with the exhibition information on that you could keep, designed by Jasmine Rajagopalan. The whole thing looked so professional the only thing that gave away the group were uni students were the UCA logos displayed on the tickets. In keeping with the British theme (if the big red bus wasn't enough) a marquee had been put up with a table underneath covered in a union jack, offering visitors a traditional cuppa tea and biscuits (or a cake, if that's what you're into). To make the experience all the more authentic, a member of the group was dressed as a bus conductor and held a tally counter which clicked away as the time passed and more and more people were curious as to what the red bus was all about.

You could see the photographs from the outside of the bus but boarding the bus was a complete game changer. With images of British fashion, urban landscapes, mini coopers, the military and 'disgracing Britain',  it was quickly realised that their goal had been completely achieved, it was impossible to not think about Britain. Cup of tea in hand, leaning out the back of the bus, it reminded me that we as a nation are something to be proud of.

Charlie Hummerstone-Pope and Jasmine Rajagopalan focused on fashion in Britain. Although their theme was the same, after holding separate shoots, their final products were at the contrasting ends of British fashion. Charlie focused on high fashion, showing how powerful and fierce the typical British fashion designer can make their pieces look despite not being over the top; "The exhibition is what we as individuals think represents Britain best" he added when I chatted with him at the event. Jasmine however, focused on the alternative side, her models moody glares, dark make up and doc Martens screamed indie kid with a hint of 70's punk. With the Union Jack proudly flying in both photos linking them together beautifully. "This is our interpretation of Britain as a generation, but we're all aware everybody's views are different".

Jay curated images from an organisation called mini madness, while Kara curated images from a photography duo "C & A photography" who focus on taking pictures of battle reenactments. Hollie and Samantha collectively took photos of the British army on a training day, reinforcing the proud to be British feels we were all holding as we toured the bus. Giulia's images displayed her own interpretation of urban landscapes as a exchange student from Italy, who was quite adamant her images wouldn't depict the capitals skyline as a typical tourist would. Quite alternatively, Jacob's interpretation of Britain was a little different, showing images of homeless people and drunks, although giving the exhibition viewers a little more to think about, it still didn't pull the focus of how the other images had painted Britain to be great. 

Plans to set a projector up and display all the images on the side of the bus were halted due to typical English weather, which also unfortunately put the exhibition to a premature end. It didn't matter though, the daylight hours were enough for the group to do themselves proud.   

(L-R Jacob Venn, Giulia Garetto, Samantha Liu, Hollie Lansley, Kara-Jayne Thorn, Jasmine Rajagopalan, Charlie Hummerstone-Pope (Jay Smith is out of shot))

Charlie's personal photography blog

Jasmine's flickr account

Kara-Jayne's photography Facebook pagex

Hollie's photography Facebook page

I want you on my team, so does everybody else

Tattoo post number three comes in the shape of 20 year old Sebastian Ennis. I know you want your standard tattoo post but honestly, let me digress here, it's worth it. 

As well as having a completely bad ass sleeve and studying full time for his BA Hons in Film Production as a sound engineer, Seb also produces his own music. Under the alias In as Beast (which is actually an anagram of Sebastian, clever init, my name's an anagram of shit) he has had recognition from BBC introducing after sending them his track Constellations. Seb told me his main influence when producing is house music, but the list of specific artists that influenced him to start making beats and to continue doing so is insane.
"In particular I love J Dilla, Koreless, a lot of the producers on Hessle Audio, people like Pearson Sound, Ben UFO... I've been listening to a lot of machinedrum, I think his sound is subconsciously changing mine slightly the more I do."
"A lot of my main influences are hip hop based so people like Pete Rock, 9th Wonder, Madlib. I'm into a lot of the newer ones too like Julio Bashmore."
"I listen to a wide range, from indie to hip hop, but I'm still discovering my sound"


 

Sick, right?! I know what y'all really want. Here you go... 

How old were you when you got your first tattoo?
I was 18 years old

Which was the first?
The outline of the day of the dead skull

Which one is your favourite?
Probably the buddha on my inner bicep, I'm quite a fan of dot work and the dot work is quite complex on it around the leaves. more the technique, rather than the actual design itself

Are there any meanings behind your tattoos?
Not particularly, I've always been interested in tribal but I didn't want the lazy approach of going in and saying I want that one, I sat down and told the artist what I wanted and after a process of back and fourth, we came up with tribal that has other elements in it. The script on my left forearm probably has the most meaning, it was a tribute to Gil Scott-Heron after he died. I've always been into writing so after he passed I was quite saddened by it so I thought I'd get some of his work on my arm, cus I know I'll always be a fan. Its from one of his songs/poems called Spirits

A lot of people are big haters of tribal tattoos, did that cross your mind when getting your sleeve?
Not at all, I have a lot of people in my family with tribal tattoos. I've always done art at school so from an early age (year 6/7) I had a big interest in Maori/Polynesian designs so I researched it a lot before. I also made sure I went to an artist specialised in that kind of style. I think people worry about tribal tattoos because they know if you get a lazy design a lot of people are going to have it, but mine was done to how I wanted it so it wasn't an issue.

How long did it take to design?
Probably about two and a half months for the artist to design it for me, and then I think it was all in all about four or five long day sessions over a period of two years

Where did you get your tattoos?
Barry Louvaine House of Living Art in Earlsfield

Are you planning any more tattoos?
I'm due to start another half sleeve that will continue with the tribal theme, there's more dot work from what I remember of the design as I asked my artist to include more of that. Then a mask that has headphones on it cus I'm really into sound, that'll goes across to my left pectoral, as a continuation of the sleeve. All of that will hopefully be done by March. After that I'll probably start on my back piece, I'm thinking a gypsy pin up girl in day of the dead style.


Did you worry about how having a sleeve may affect your future when it comes to careers?
Yes and no, my mum has tattoos so she's fine with ink but she always told me to never get my hands or my neck tattoo'd, so from an early age I always agreed with that. In terms of my sleeve, I don't plan on going into an academic background so it's not such an issue. For interviews and things a long sleeved shirt will completely cover it.

Have you ever had any negativity towards your tattoos?
Oh yeah a lot, when I was working in retail I'd have people tell me I was going to regret it when I'm older but I disagree. To me they're memories, it's my arm and I don't really care what I'm going to look like when I'm older.

Any advice for people thinking about getting a tattoo?
My main advice would be if you're not sure, don't do it. But if you're unsure of pain or having to have a meaning behind your tattoo, I think that's quite pretentious, the fact that you over think it takes the meaning away. You get it because you want it, don't worry what anybody else thinks, it's on your body.


SO MUCH YES. For any of you interested in listening to more of Seb's stuff as In as Beast, you'll find it here. If you're too lazy, have another




peace xo

Just a quickie

UGH I HAVE TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU CUS ITS JUST TOO GOOD TO KEEP TO MYSELF.

You probably already know but for those who don't The Weeknd dropped his debut studio album this September and honestly it is the greatest thing ever. But this track is definitely a favourite. I can't stop listening to it. The video is hot too. Lady wood ensued.



xo

We are the reckless

For a little while (my whole natural life) I've been doubting the existence of the sisterhood. Did it ever exist? Personally, I have never been favoured by female company, and vice versa. I've been told on many occasions (usually one where there's alcohol) "Oh my god you're so lovely! I can't believe I thought you were such a massive bitch before I even knew you!" THANK YOU NATURE FOR GRACING ME WITH A BITCH FACE. It's only since coming to university, perhaps maybe because maturity levels have increased, that I have found a solid group of girlfriends, but I can only count them on one hand. My guy friends though, the number of them would require me to get my feet out, and perhaps even my penis. Why do they outweigh the girls? Because most boys attitudes are absolutely 100% different to most girls. I'm talking rational behaviour and the ability to LET THINGS GO. Don't get me wrong, not all guys are like this, and I'm not saying guys don't bitch because some of the guys I know are worse than a room full of 1950's housewives. 

My track record with girls has never been fantastic and my life experience has honestly made me extremely wary of putting trust into new girlfriends; in reception I witnessed a milky skinned blonde girl approach the other milky skinned blonde girl in the class AND CUT HER LIP OPEN WITH SCISSORS. My first encounter of girl on girl crime, slight over reaction on girl number one's part but I guess her train of thought was the same of most girls who see another girl as a threat: annihilate her. Except social boundaries hadn't yet taught her that all girl wars were sneaky and not quite as blatant as taking a sharp object to someones chops. Orrrrrr maybe she was just a psychopath.
Even as child growing up and having a female cousin similar in age, if I had something new or cool that she wanted, it would be made hers ASAP. If you are born with the trait of jealousy it cannot be something that is easily shook, I was the younger (definitely cuter) grandchild, and she wasn't the only one anymore, which could've been the reason for her assigning me all the shittiest characters when we played make believe and whatnot. 

My mum went to my parents evening in year one or two, and the teacher told her she'd never ever met a more bitchy bunch of six year olds. Yup.
Secondary school was when I was in my largest group of girlfriends but, as life dictates sometimes when we grow older we grow apart, unfortunately I was the one that grew apart from the rest and was left rethinking a lot about the person I had nearly become. Fortunately for me I've always had an insane team of guy friends that at times of desperation have stopped me being a complete arsehole and reminded me that life is for living, not for dwelling. 

For me, coming to university was a fresh start, no rumours were following me, no one from home to taint the image someone may have held of me to put them off becoming my friend, nothing sinister in the slightest. People were gonna like or dislike me through no ones fault but my own, right? Wrong. 

It's funny isn't it, how some girls can be completely irrational over a guy. I'm guilty of it, perhaps I'm not as INSANE as a few bunny boilers out there but I've definitely thought things about girls unfairly when it should have been the guy I was torturing in my mind. However it is one step further when you go out of your way to make a girl feel uncomfortable because you are unhappy with a situation. Sometimes we do it, your friend is torn up over a guy and then the guy gets a new girlfriend which sends your friend into an absolute HATING frenzy and because you love her and because you hate seeing her like this you'll hate whoever has done this to her. But she wants the guy back, if anything the new girl he's with has hypnotised him, put him under a spell, because there's no way he'd fall for SUCH A SKANK HOE BITCH LIKE HER. So girl on girl war begins, sneakily though because y'know.. vaginas, and the indirect tweets begin and the MakingYourFriendLookAsHotOrSluttyOnANightOut to win him back sagas commence, you laugh as she walks by, you talk about why that day she's looking particularly skanky (to the point where you don't even care if she hears, you just want to make her paranoid) until you push her over the edge. Because that's what you want isn't it, her to retaliate so you can justify your own bitchiness. But she probably won't retaliate if its happened to her before, she'll just cry to herself when you're not around and then just piss you all off when she's seen being super happy with the guy your friends trying to get back. 

If you're wondering if the bitchiness ever stops, it doesn't. My nan's sister is in her seventies and is still victim to old lady hate crime in the form of her next door neighbour. Great.

Girls read magazines written by other girls that they treat like bibles, girls take fashion advice off of other girls without even knowing it, girls pick up traits of a personality from another girl because they want to give off the same aura. We are all insecure. We are all different. We are all the same. 

Don't get me wrong, this might sound like I'M being a massive bitch. I'm not. Girls are great, get the right ones together and you have the best company in the world. You can talk endlessly about penis sizes and what stationary they look like, you can sync your periods together and all fun things like that. But no in all seriousness I have a few girl friends I don't know what I'd do without, they've held me up when life was at a low, you can rely on girls to always say the right thing as well. We understand each other, which is why we shouldn't hate each other. 

Maybe my life experience has made me a slightly more rational person, maybe sometimes life has to hit you in the face for you to realise that being horrible isn't funny and doesn't make you a queen bee or a fierce bitch, it makes you a fucking cunt. Maybe my naivety of living with two strong females from being a baby and witnessing the strongest bond of a mother and daughter sticking together put me under some sort of illusion that girls have this unspoken bond, the sisterhood, that all girls will follow the code too. Maybe that's why I'll never give up hope on the sisterhood, but sometimes will lose a little faith in its existence. 

Just hold on, we're going home

Dear 16 year old me,

Future me here, not gonna give you any spoilers although I know you love em but you'll realise surprises are better. Anywhoo, you know that care free attitude of thinking the universe unfolds as it should and everything will be fine for us? Well, it pays off. Better than fine, you're so much happier now. Those plans you have right now oh boy do they not happen. You'd have been bored being a bio chemist anyway. You're literally gonna change so much you curtain haired bastard. You're gonna realise a lot and you will grow so much. Oh yeah we finally reach 6 foot! High 5. You're gonna meet a lot of girls who aren't right for you, I'd say don't change for anyone but you learn it soon enough. Don't worry or give up though, you do eventually find that perfect girl and she's more than worth it. All I can say is have fun, enjoy yourself you'll be just fine. Oh and don't think too far ahead cause plan B is always better. 

P.s start working out now and save me all this hassle 

P.p.s enjoy MSN while it lasts it'll be gone very soon (Y)

Future me x

M/20

It usually doesn't rain in Southern California

After long anticipation (I'm sure) I'm back with another tattoo post! This time our subject is my best friend of eight years Oscar Coles (you might remember his sister Chloe from this post)



























Recently moving to Detroit to study at Wayne State University for his second year of his BA in History, Oscar is quite possibly one of, if not THE coolest person I know (it must run in the family~~~). Over the years he's introduced me to Spekuloos (it is insane) and kept reminding me to never care what anybody else thinks.

I'll now divulge you hungry lot in some of the conversation we had the other evening via Facebook, so forgive me that the interview isn't that long, but I also believe his new and *cooler* American friends beckoned him away with shots. I would've done the same. Wanker.

How old were you when you got your first tattoo? 
18
Which one was your first? 
The skull. Then the thunderbird, then the ship, then the lines around my skull. My last two were my Che (Guevara) quote and my lucky one.

Which is your favourite? 
I don't have a favourite, all of them are as important as the other.
Are there any meanings behind your tattoos?
My luck one I got because I feel I have had a really good life so far and I'm lucky for the opportunities and people I have and have had in my life. The ship is also to remember to never settle, always be adventurous and keep moving.

Where did you get your tattoos? 
One place in Northampton did a couple, and two separate shops in Manchester did my others.
Any other tattoo ideas in the pipe line? 
I'm thinking about the Detroit Tigers D logo, it's cool. Maybe some more Sailor Jerry ones, or Tyler or Frank lyrics.
Sick! Any advice for people thinking about getting tattoos? 
Get them! If you want something, get it. Don't let other things change your mind about it.

Short but sweet, you get the idea.

Another?

Dear sixteen year old me...

Hey there buddy, check you out with all your friends and parties and stuff! Being sixteen is good for you, you wear it well. Don't get too comfortable though, the next few years are gonna be challenging, but don't worry, we get through it. You have so many friends at 16, but you'll realise it's precious few who still remain in your life and you still care about you so much that are worth more than all those friends ten times over.

I wish I could tell you that everything is going to be exactly how you imagine it but it's not. You're gonna face some tough shit over the next few years babe and you're gonna feel like it'll never get better and it's gonna be unlike anything you have ever experienced in your life, it'll feel like it will never end. It does. I am so proud of you. You have shown strength and courage that I never imagined I would be able to feel and I am so proud to be able to say that I am you. I'm that girl. The next three years involve a lot of great memories for you, look forward to it, enjoy them. You deserve it, even if at times you feel like you don't deserve anything.

You'll be asked by your friend to go to a football game, accept. Go to that game if it kills you. I promise you will not regret it.

I guess a bit about how you're doing right now would be nice. So, I'm writing to you from being nineteen, twenty this September (scary huh?). You're happy. Mum and Dad are doing fine, so are the boys and your sister. Yes, just the boys and your sister. So enjoy your next few years and don't worry, you're going to be just fine.

Take care sweet and if you ever feel low just remember that you reach 19, you're happy and you're loved. That's all that matters.

f/19

We're gonna show the world that something good can work, and it can work for you...

I'm balls deep in my 5 month summer holiday courtesy of UCA Farnham. And with the new year looming, I can't help but reminisce about what position I was in this time last year. 

I was working full time for the summer at a cinema, nervously awaiting results day. As I was 90% certain I had failed my a levels, in my head, my dream of university was already dead.

Forever fierce and refusing to be a failure at life, I went out on a whim and applied for a job as cabin crew for Virgin Atlantic. I tweaked my CV a little (a lot) and bullshitted my way through their application questions. 

2 weeks later after I had forgotten all about even applying, I received an e-mail congratulating me on securing an interview. There's more to this story but, it's boring and I'm digressing anyway. MY POINT IS; having that back up plan, albeit not a guarantee, was the best idea I had at that time. It made the thought of not receiving good enough grades for Uni bearable (but I did make the grades and all was beautiful and right in the world). Even if you think you're absolutely guaranteed a place at your first choice Uni, having a plan B could be the smartest move you make. 

That aside, I'm sure all of you lovelies WILL make your grades, you've probably already raided ikea for all it's cutlery, and I bet you a fiver you've bought a lot of things you really really don't need. (Don't worry if you haven't yet bought things you don't need, your student loan will come in soon, that's when hauling shit begins). 

Here are a few things I wish I'd known before coming to Uni, plus a couple of things I did to make things at the beginning a bit easier:

-During freshers, be friendly, to EVERYONE

Uni is a time for you to come out of your shell, you're effectively leaving your old life behind, it's time for you to be exactly who you want to be without things from home holding you back. With that in mind, during freshers everyone is out to make friends. So don't disregard someone because they don't look like the sort of person you'd be friends with at home. I have a friend that I made at Uni that I can safely say is one of the most hilarious and loyal guys I will ever meet. At home, we would've rolled in different circles and never given each other the time of day, but as we were thrust into the bosom of one another (not literally) as housemates and we gave each other a chance, we turned out to be great friends. Plus being friendly is an all round nicer way to go about life really. 

- Put yourself out there, but be understanding to those who don't.

Introduce yourself to all of your housemates, they're going to be your first set of friends during freshers before your course starts. Say yes to things, even if you don't really fancy it that much. I nearly said no to exploring a town close to Uni, but that was the day I realised I was absolute soul mates with a girl I'd moved in with. Although if you do have a housemate that's saying no to things, don't give up on them, keep asking. (Until they tell you they're moving out cus you're all too noisy. Woops.)  

- Don't leave your tea towels in the kitchen 

Just, don't. 

- Worried about your relationship? You should be. 

I'm not going to lie to you, I lived with 7 other people, 5 of us began Uni in a relationships, and by January we were all a little lonelier (HAH, GAAAY). I'm aware this statistic isn't anything to go by, but living away from someone you're used to being with quite a bit is a challenge. If you're both prepared to work at it, your relationship will prevail and I'm expecting an invite to the wedding (with a plus 1, cheeky.). However, if worst comes to worst and it doesn't work out, Uni is an excellent place to be to get over it. You're living with your friends and active basically 24/7, and someone will always get drunk in a bath with you. 

-Beware of the sausage theif 

Milk, ketchup, mayo, leftovers. You bought them. But that's communal food now. Ahh, the unwritten rule of the asshole. Look you're probably gonna have food that goes missing okay? If you catch them, confront them, if it continues, report them. But only if you have SOLID EVIDENCE. For god sake when I accused my housemate of eating my yogurts he nearly cried. Just beware, and don't be a ham burglar yourself. 

-FRIENDS, UNI FRIENDS! 

Make friends with the porters, the care takers, the lunch ladies, security guards, the bar staff at the SU and the bouncers. My ass has been saved an unimaginable amount of times because of this during my stay in halls. If you don't listen to anything else I say, listen to this.

-Don't be a snob

You will get used to Sainsbury's own vodka, just like you'll think 60p value tinned peaches is the bestest dessert you've eaten in ages. You'll want to pitch it to Heston Blumenflumen. 

-Have fun!

Coming to Uni is the best thing I have ever done, leaving home was sad but you're bettering your life for you, nobody else. Even if you don't go into your preferred field after Uni, you've gained some valuable life experience there, don't let those 3/4/5/6/7 years go to waste. 

And to prove I did have a ball in my first year at Uni...

It's been a long time y'all

I promised I'd carry this on, I wasn't lying.

To 16 year old me,

I'm not going to lie to you, you're heading towards some serious shit over the next few years. You're going to have your heart broken several times in different ways, and it's not going to be easy to get over. Hell, some of it you'll never truly get over. All I can say to you is that shit happens, and there's not much you can do about it apart from carrying on with your life. Some advice I will impart though is  make use of the people around you whilst you can. If there's one thing I've learnt it's that it is easy to be independent when you've got a safety net, but remove that net and shit gets a lot more difficult. If you can nip a problem in the bud early on though you may as well. Sometimes things don't just go away with time; even if you think they will, you're not always right (though you do have a pretty good hit rate - jus' saying).

Alas, tis not all doom and gloom. You've also got some great things heading your way, just make the most of them whilst you can. And when you get an opportunity to do something, take it. No good story ever starts with "oh yeah, remember that time I stayed in...", unless you had a really fruitful wank (it happens). Also, make the most of every interaction you have. Even if it's with someone you know well or a random tramp you're rolling a cigarette for. You won't ever see some of these people again in your life, some you'll be good friends with currently but in a few years may not speak to at all. Guess in a roundabout way I'm just saying experience and enjoy life. Too much bad stuff happens in all of our lives and it can only be viewed as a learning curve, so when something good is happening/potentially happening make the most of it whilst you can.

Now get started on all that work I know you have you magnificent bastard. Also don't fuck up your A-Levels, and sort your work ethic out you dick.

Much love, me x

m/20

Little updatedoodley

All quiet on the blog front. I apologise but I'll put it down to the fact that I haven't been that much of a dickhead lately and I know that's why you guys really come here. My keyboards also a little lot broken, making typing more frustrating than watching a small child play video games. Plus I finished my first year of uni and have been far too busy doing sweet FA to actually even look at this blog. BUT ANYWAY, I've apologised, given you a shitty excuse let's just put it behind us I'm here now. 

A lot of things are on my mind lately that I want to tell the internet, but a lot of it involves other people, which makes me want to punch myself in the face for not making this blog anonymous. "Why don't you start a new one?" I hear you say? Well because I can't be bothered, and I feel like we have a special bond, y'know?

I think what my mission this summer is, is to really get into something. I feel like everyone around me has their own niche and I'm yet to even discover what I like doing, let alone what I'm good at. 

I feel like I need to find drive from somewhere. Something's missing and something doesn't feel right. I'll let you guys know first when I find out what it is.