Music.

 Going to Reading festival always renews my love affair with new music. This year was no exception. When I got back I downloaded hundreds of songs from artists I knew or artists I had discovered and fell in love with. Aside from that, I then went exploring for music that had no connection with the festival at all but thought I might like.
 There are some albums that I really want to recommend whether you know the artist/album or not that I think are worth having a look at. (Just to iterate that these are not meant to be reviews, just mere opinion)

 Priorities by Don Broco: I saw Don Broco supporting We Are the Ocean in a small venue in Reading about a year ago. Having never heard of them before I really enjoyed their music and thought that they were a great live act. However, apart from downloading the odd song, I never really pursued their music. When I saw that they were playing the main stage at Reading this year I thought they would definitely be worth checking out and I was right. Their performance was energetic, entertaining and easy to engage with whether you knew the songs or not. My friends who had never heard of them were also very impressed. I came back and immediately downloaded their album, Priorities. The songs are so catchy and the lead singer's distinctive voice gives an edginess to their sound which is a mix of indie, rock and punk music combined. I found myself humming their songs absent-mindedly and obsessively listening to the album on repeat. I would suggest that anybody with any music taste could get into them as their sound is so approachable. The songs I am still most obsessed with are 'Yeah Man' and the title track 'Priorities.'

 AM by Arctic Monkeys: My mum has always loved the Arctic Monkeys and so, of course, I stole her albums to put onto my iTunes and have also loved them ever since. I find that you can always tell when hearing a song from them with album it is on as each of their albums has such a different feel from the last. This applies to AM for sure. Probably one of their best, if not their best, albums, the Arctic Monkeys really have pulled out a completely new vibe for AM. The album is much more chilled than their previous ones and has a more rock'n'roll feel. Still energetic but much more controlled. Alex Turner's voice suits this style of music perfectly and his vocals are amazing as always. Each song flows into the next and has it's own stand out qualities. This is definitely an album that must be heard as an album to be appreciated. Favourite songs at the moment have to be 'Knee Socks' and 'I Wanna Be Yours'.

 Signals by Mallory Knox: This is a band that I accidentally stumbled across at Reading Festival this year. I had heard of them vaguely before but had never listened to their music, let alone had any intention of seeing. However, as I sat down with my veggie burger, myself and my friends found ourselves watching a band that all of us communally appreciated. United in the fact that none of us had heard of them before, it was a unique experience to see them and all enjoy their music (plus the front man is a fit ginger). I decided to do a bit of research on them when I returned and in the end decided to go all in and download the album of which they had played the most songs off at Reading, their most recent. In doing so I discovered some beautifully poignant songs that have soon become firm favourites. '1949' and 'Bury Your Head' are slower, more thought provoking songs about enduring love and the like which translated very well on stage. Mallory Knox are a rock band and so most of the songs are upbeat but not too heavy and so I do think that they could be easily engaged with, whatever your preference of music.

 Sempiternal by Bring Me the Horizon: This isn't the newest of albums but it is certainly one of the best I have heard in a long while. I never liked Bring Me the Horizon until I met the lead singer, Oli Sykes and very shallowly of me I decided I should probably investigate their music more after (at this point) lying to Oli and professing my love for the band. Ironically, I began to love BMTH after giving them a proper listen and still do to this day. Their performance this year at Reading was INSANE and I cannot express enough how enjoyable the experience was. They were my favourite band of this year. As a heavy metal band, I thought dragging my friends along was certainly going to be an education for them as they are definitely not into that sort of "screaming" as they put it. However, they all went absolutely mental for them, like myself, and we found ourselves jumping around in mosh pits, getting pushed about, screaming at the top of our lungs and getting on random strangers shoulders. It was so much fun and we all came away breathless but buzzing. Many of the songs they played were from this album, released earlier this year, and already the songs have become classics. Oli has perfected his vocals on this album, so there is a lot more singing along with the usual amount of "screaming". The album makes you want to jump around and go mental as well as being able to relate to the songs lyrically. 'Can You Feel My Heart' is probably the best track on the album, however, cases could easily be made for any of the tracks. 'Antivist' is classic BMTH and songs like 'Go To Hell, For Heaven's Sake' show how the band has progressed over the years. Definitely worth a test to see if you like. 

 Xo.

Summer of 2013. An appreciation.

 Well, it sure has been a good old while since I've blogged. Life takes over, as it usually does and blogging has been put to the sidelines.
 However, I think now is a good a time as any to start it up again. As summer is drawing to a close and all my friends are heading back to university, I've been reflecting on what has been yet another brilliant summer. It goes on a bloody long time (4 months!) but that just means there is more time to spend with my friends. Those friends are what I wish to write about.
 I am utterly blessed with my friendship group. I know it, they know it and we have all had comments on how unique our group is because of our closeness and the way we are around one another. Not many people have the bond that we do or understand quite how close we are. 
 We take the absolute piss out of each other 24/7 and embarrass one another constantly. We can say what we like to one another; reveal our deepest secrets, tell one another to shut the fuck up when it needs to be said and generally have the best time ever. I laugh every second I'm with them; each member of the group bringing their own unique sense of humour and take on life.
 One reason I can stand being home for such long periods of time is because I know they are there and we will go out, get off our faces, do stupid things then meet up hungover the next day to discuss events and take the piss out of each other for things that seemed good at the time but of course were not. 
 Aside from being the funniest people ever, they are kind, generous and generally there for me any time I need them. Without them I wouldn't be who I am and would generally be lost. They give me the confidence every day to be myself, act like the prat I am, wear what I want, say what I want and to never care what anyone else thinks because no one else knows me like they do.
 This is a very gushy post and I know if they read it, they would take the piss at the same time as giving me a massive hug. I look forward to seeing them every day and never, ever get bored of their company. 
 We're all going to be together in Plymouth for one of my friend's 21st birthday and this will probably be the second time we'll all be together at someone's university for the weekend. I am beyond excited and as a fun addition I'm bringing my best friend from my university too so that he can get to know my friends like I do and therefore understand me a bit better. 

 These are just some snapshots of what's been an incredible summer. Reading festival was eventful but also one of the most amazing weekends of my life. Nothing gets better really than getting drunk with your best friends and watching some amazing bands.
 Anyway, this has been a long, muddled post. Forgive me, next time I'll try and write more concisely. That's me done for now.
 Xo.

More upbeat.

 Well, I certainly left you all on a depressing note, didn't I?! Apologies for my absence, it really has been a busy couple of months. Back at university and things were looking up after I left you. I've ditched the people I needed to ditch and grew closer to those who supported me. I have managed to escape the confines of Reading multiple times, to Plymouth, to Nottingham and to home twice. The second time, which is where I currently am, is quite by accident and through no fault of my own. 
 My idiot friend, who I have recently reconnected with, which up to this point had been LOVELY, accidentally headbutted me on a night out and broke my nose. Yes, my nose is broken. He is an absolute pillock. I currently have to wear the most unflattering nose splint/cast known to man and have holed myself up at home in Eastbourne in an attempt to avoid everyone and anyone. So far, so good. Tomorrow, I may have to venture outside the confines of my home though and this is, I can tell, going to be HIGHLY embarassing. What makes it worse is the consistent asking of me to send everyone a picture of firstly, my nose when it was broken and secondly, of it in a cast. WHY WOULD I DO THAT, WHY WOULD I LET YOU RELEASE IT ONTO SOCIAL MEDIA?! Idiots. That's all I can say.
 Anyway, onto more, less painful, topic of conversation. Two of my friends (who do not know I have a blog or if they do, I do not know they know) have written recently about their musings and ideas on friendship. I, in the past, on here, have also written about my friends and how much they mean to me and just wish to reiterate this fact. I literally could not have asked for a better group of friends, ever. They keep me going and keep me (in) sane. I love them to death and honestly do not know any other friendship group that works the way that we do, shares as much as we do with one another and makes each other laugh as much as we do. Laughter is key, no matter how down you are, how much you are failing in other areas of your life, if they can make you cry with laughter for a couple of hours, you will instantly feel your faith in the world be renewed. I know that I do. 
 Xo.

It's hard being unhappy.

 Over Christmas and New Year, I had the best month off from university. I got to see the people I love and I had such a good time. I felt myself again, as I always do when I go home. It is true what people say, home is where the heart is. It holds too many memories for it not to be that way.
 Then, I have to return. To university. This is something that should be exciting, something that I should be eager to do. However, it isn't. The thought filled me with dread and unease.
 I didn't want to be around people here. 
 At the end of last term, there was a select group of people who decided they didn't like me and decided to publicise this. Someone who I considered to be one of my best friends here rang me up and assassinated my character. Things weren't working out. I was finding my work difficult. I was too drained to concentrate properly, I felt permanently tired.
 So, I got back. Find out the first assignment that counts toward my degree was marked and I had failed. Fabulous start. 
 I'm a couple of friends down now I'm back and all I want is my real, best friends from home here to make me smile. I can't even be bothered to go on a night out. And that is NOT normal for me.
 Hopefully, life will look up and things will improve but at the current moment, things aren't great.
 Xo.

Bitchy girls and overdramatics.

 Continuing on from my last post's themes, I thought I'd dedicate this post to more personal experiences...
 I am currently living in a house with 6 other girls at university. Now, this does have it's benefits, let's not get that wrong, I mean, there's usually someone around and there is plenty of other people to talk to if you are avoiding one of them.
 However, sadly, I am here to talk of the downfalls of living with girls and well, girls in general. I recently had a catch up with one of my best friends from home who commented that "no-one will ever match the friends we have at home." And sadly, this is something I consider to be, on the whole, the truth. The friendship group we have at home is remarkable; we spend the whole time laughing our heads off at each other's stories, jokes and general taking the absolute piss out of each other.
 At university, most of the girls can't handle having the piss being taken out of them and get offended at the slightest joke that would mark their otherwise perfect exterior. If you said, as a joke, "you've got more chins that a chinese phonebook" (which let's face it, is hilarious), they would give you an icy stare and instantly start examining themselves in the mirror before declaring "that was SO unnecessary."
 I have to watch what I'm saying half the time in case it would hurt someone's feelings or they wouldn't understand. This isn't everyone and this isn't constant but it's a fair bit of the time. I would never have to worry about ANY of that with my friends at home. Some people would argue it's a matter of how long you've known each other; I disagree. I've know them for almost a year and a half now, plenty of time. Plus, there are some of my more special friends here who have been able to take the banter from day one.
 The dramatics, as well, can get very tiresome. Everyone talking about someone to someone else and analysing every single look, action and word. It's ridiculous and too time consuming. People are declaring "there will be drama tonight," making it almost happen from their very words.
 I don't understand why this has to be the case. Can't we all just avoid the people as best as we can that we don't get on with? 
 Girls will lose too much time in life bitching about other girls and worrying about what other people have said about them. Life's too short.
 Xo. 

Small rant.

 I just need to let out a small rant. Nothing major but my goodness aren't there just some BITCHY people in the world. I have been on the receiving end of it sometimes and have also seen many others been on the receiving end of it and all I can say is WHY?! Yes, of course, everyone should express how they feel but why behind each other's backs and why make snide comments? It can ruin someone's day for no good reason and is completely unnecessary. However, I think that's just how girls (and boys) are. They need to make themselves feel better and so bitch about others. It's not nice and it certainly shouldn't make you feel better about yourselves.
 Xo.

Mistakes.

 They say you learn from your mistakes but I am sad to say I do not always do that. In fact, I tend to repeat them. Several times. 
 I'm not sure what it is in my brain that doesn't allow me to comprehend that something was bad and not do it again.
 For example, I really must not get SO drunk. To be fair, I definitely don't get as drunk as often as I used to but when I do it's not always pretty. I should understand that it doesn't look good and I end up massively embarrassing myself and regretting everything. 
 Take today, I am hungover, tired and cringing at last night's activities. I was a wreck and everyone could tell. It's not a good look and it's not something I want to be known/remembered for. I need to take control of situations and ask myself if what I'm doing is a good idea (which usually, it isn't).
 Xo.