Hey there! I'm just a mad creative teenager, trying to encourage myself to write more. I spend more time on Protagonize than on here cos it's obviously a bit more exciting. :P I'm a student by day and an internet surfer by night. The rest of the time I just bum around!
Oh dear, I just realised that I've slowly abandoned the whole writing thing in my blog and it's just turned into a rambling summary of my recent exploits. Ah well, I guess there's no harm in that. Poem for your thoughts?
Milk in my keyboard, The bracket key is stuck, I guess I can't afford To bring coco pops up!
Wow, I haven't posted in about a month! And what a lot I've got to say. Where to start, where to start...
Me on the ferry to Venice.
HOLIDAY: ITALY
Ok so I'm on holiday from university as you might already know (I can't remember a time that I wasn't on holiday, it's been that long and fabulous!) and I've just recently got back from my holiday away to Italy! Oh yeah! It was my first holiday away on my own with just a friend. Although we weren't really on our own because it was an organised group holiday, by the name of Oak Hall. They're a Christian organisation who do various holidays around the world with everything like hotel, flights, transport, trips included plus you get to meet loads of new people so it's great!! :D I would definitely recommend it.
In Venice on the Rialto Bridge
Cocktails!
So anyway, I had a really good time there with my friend, Ana. Took far too many photos (it was in the thousands, promise!) but I'm sure later, I'll be glad I was so camera mad! Haha. The beach was lovely! We had our own personal sunbed bit, where we could stretch out and sunbathe (not that I got much of a tan to show for it though, sadly). Always the way...oh the woes of being a fair skinned redhead. There were always salesmen wandering up and down the beach trying to sell you the most ridiculous wares: gordy towels, rubbish jewelry ("you like?"), silly dancing toys, tatoos, fake brandname sunglasses (of which I was clearly already wearing a pair of perfectly good Wilkos ones, so why would i want to buy some more?). But was pretty entertaining nonetheless!
I met up with my sister and her friend from America (who is actually from Italy so that's why he was visiting there) in Venice and we got a gondola together. Pricey but you've got to do it really, haven't you! We visited some other islands, stuff...So anyway, lots of other amusing stories (bella! Good price!) but I won't bore you with those!
Eating pizza in a bikini! That's what it's all about!
IMOGEN HEAP!
This is was where I was!!!
Next thing: I've met Imogen Heap!!!!!! I know, why didn't I mention that first! Well, I thought I'd do this chronologically at least, to give it some kind of order! Anyway, what happened was, I saw last Monday on facebook, Imogen's status that she was doing one of, what she calls her "HeapTweetUp"s in London the very next day! Tuesday at 7pm!! My instant thought was "I am going to that!" My best friend, who was round my house at the time, and I started looking up where the place was and took along my sister and her friend from America who was staying over as well. We are all mad Imogen Heap fans (except for the American friend, who thankfully has been converted and is now a big fan! How could anyone not not be, let's be honest! He'd only heard 'Let Go' initially and wasn't that bothered/hyped like we were by the whole thing, until afterwards...anyway I'm getting ahead of myself!!)
SO, we queued up outside the place...you see it was only the first 80 to get in, since the room was only a small bar room, and it was a squeeze with about 50 of us! We got there at 5:50pm to ensure our place in the queue and we were about 30 people back from the front. So any later, and it might've been risky! After waiting for EVER we were finally let in and oh my gosh, when we saw her for real it was surreal!! hehe. And wow, she isn't half tall! She is about 6ft or taller! I got a photo with her too. (see below. I actually look a bit rubbish in the photo but I don't care that much! lol) PLUS I got a personally signed picture of her new album cover. It was so cool, cos not everyone got one, since she was stuck for time near the end. We were the few lucky ones!
Drinks were on her (how cool is that!) and we all grouped round whilst she introduced it and began playing songs from her new album off her laptop through the absolutely amazing sound system that was installed in the room. She played about 5 songs off the album and before each one, explained their origins and meanings, etc. She's just as cool in real life as in her blogs; so honest and funny! If anything, it's made me love her even more! And what did I think of the new songs? Well, of course, unequivocal to anything else out there. Just the layers and quality of the sound is just, beautiful. The song I loved the most was Half Life, which she played last. I almost cried it was so lovely. The lyrics I could relate to and it made all us girls go "awwww!" afterwards. I can't wait to play it on my computer once I have the album!
(A stupid moth is flying around my lights and it is very annoying!) So yes, it was pretty amazing. I love how unplanned and spontaneous the whole thing was and now I can say "I've met Imogen Heap!" Not just seen her, but actually talked to her! Not that I said much, I was so speechless with delight, but all the same! Haha.
Me and Imogen!
And if you want to know what I'm raving about, here is a video with clips from all the new songs.
Right, well I think that's me officially done now. I do have other things I can ramble about but maybe I'll save that for another day, another blog.
The anticipation with bated breath is almost over!! For albums & films!
So Imogen Heap released a single from her new album Ellipse (which isn't being released until Augest 24th! Argh! Can't wait any longer!) and it premiered on an American radio station. I managed to get it streaming from their website just in time for when she was on it being interviewed (phew!). And then when First Train Home came on I was like "awwww!!!" I love it so much! Although I am in danger of overplaying it already so I am rationing myself at the moment. But here it is for you to listen to!!
I have also been waiting for Owl City's new album (even had it penciled in my diary!) which came out yesterday!! At first listen I didn't think it was *quite* as good as Of June and Maybe I'm Dreaming but it's actually growing on me and I already have a few favourite songs. Here is one from his previous album...(couldn't find a youtube vid of a song from the new album)
Do check him out on www.myspace.com/owlcity for more cool stuff! All the lyrics are really cute and his music just makes you smile and feel happy! Plus he's a Christian = Added Bonus! :D
And now I come to Harry Potter! Yay! The new film, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince has just come out today and I'm booked to see in Chelmsford this evening! Even that cinema (which is a bit quieter than Basildon and Romford) was nearly all booked up and we were lucky to get 3 good seats for me and my 2 friends! :) Can't wait! I'll let you know what I think of it!
Hmm, haven't written anything on protagonize for a while. For some reason, I've kinda been putting off writing for the moment. I don't know, I just haven't really been in the mood lately. I don't mind doing short poems and stuff but the idea of thinking up a whole new chapter and storyline or something, is a bit daunting. I know that when I finally get something up I will be happy but until then...here's a poem! lol
Letter
A scratchy pen is dipped in ink, A furrowed brow as hard to think, From all those swirling muted words, To a page that sings without reserve,
A true expression; no sound at all, A simple movement of nib and scrawl, A legible monitor that makes it beat, A powerful jerk that stirs through sleet.
A burning passion, a burning wick, Metallic liquid parts to seal the final lick, An emblem clear, archaic indication, Of folded confessions, threads of tradition.
That 'argh' post was annoying me how it was still at the top, so thought it was time for another post. (On that note, I did write a letter to them but haven't had a reply. Me = very annoyed) Aaaaaaanyway, nothing more on that!!
Hmm, me thinks a poem is in order today. I feel like something short and sweet. I really need to get my ass in gear and do some writing for protagonize! I mean, real writing! Badly Placed is crying to be added to but I came up on a bit of a hurdle with my research. It appears the plot needs a bit of re-jigging for it to be realistic and medically sound, if you will. That's the problem with doing a story where I know nothing about how comas work! But no, I will conquer it! And then, when it is finished I will be so proud of myself. :) So...poem!
Topic aujourd'hui est : Shopping
Up and down the weathered streets, Bustling and jostling past a hundred heartbeats My heels are stabbing and my shoulders ache, Every step an effort, a heavy weight.
But in my hand the bags swing, Safe and sound, my purchases sing. A happy sigh as I flop on the train seat, Nearly home, and I can't wait to eat!
Yes, you guessed it, I went shopping London today! :D Twas fun and I got some nice stationery from Paperchase...can never resist the stickers and cute bits! Very tired now and don't really know why I'm still up!! So, toodlepip! :)
So I received a letter today kindly reminding me about a fine I haven't paid from a train journey on the 29th April. I can't even remember what happened - I think I got a young persons railcard ticket from the machine, when I don't actually have the young persons railcard. So, sod's law I get ticket checked on the train, and fined 20 quid. Fair enough, I was in the wrong.
So I go online the next day and buy a young persons railcard and make an appeal for the fine, in the faint hope that they don't notice my young persons railcard was bought after I'd got the ticket. I remember thinking, "If they don't accept the appeal then fair enough, I'll pay the fine." It was supposed to take about 2 weeks for the appeal to be processed so understandably, it went out of my mind.
Two months later, I've totally forgotten about the whole thing, not heard anything from the fining company and I suddenly get this letter..."Reminder! Amount: £20 + £25 Administration fee"..."oh and by the way, we note than an appeal was receivedf but that this was declined and you were requested to pay the outstanding amount". No I was not requested! I didn't even get told anything about it!!
So, okay, let's get this stupid £45 paid then and be rid of the whole thing. I go on the website and what do I find? The administration fee has jumped up to £50 making the total £70!!!! I only received the letter today so how can they have already lumped on another 25 quid to the admin fee?!?! Annoyed, I ring them up and of course, it's one of those blasted switchboard enthusiastic sounding women who you just want to punch. Of course she sounds pleased: you're paying huge sums of money to their company for petty crimes. I finally get to the option "if you have any complaints or queries about the sum on your reminder bill.." (Yes, I might actually get through to a real person now")..."then please write to us". WRITE TO THEM?? The fine will have jumped up to £500 by the time they've got it. It's so ridiculous!! I can't even speak to a person to question the amount.
So now I don't know what to do . I'll probably end up paying the blasted money but I so don't deserve it. Very poor communication and extortionate fees. I just want to punch them in the face. See how they like it.
[END:RANT]
So anyway, how are you? I spent most of this morning helping cook lunch for our heritage club, at church. Was a yummy meal: al forno pasta and salad, chicken and sweetcorn soup, profiteroles and chocolate sauce. mmmmmmm. Tis very hot outside (nearly overheated when I was doing the washing up!) and think I'm gonna go outside in the garden and read my nice book and try and forget about that [insert appropriate profanities here] fine. ;)
Well, I wrote a little poem about cream teas in reply to one of Marc's blog posts and thought I'd put in on here. Why not! :D So here we go...I hope it doesn't make you want one too much. =P
Cream Teas
An english tradition, A summer edition, For picnics n' road trips, For lasses n' the masses
Originated in Devon, They taste like heaven, Just spread on the scones the butter with a cutter.
Then smear on the cream, thick as a dream, Cram on strawb'ry jam, Then pop on the top.
Boil the kettle, Leave the tea to settle, Pour out n share out, Tuck in...stomach in!
Here is a poem I just wrote today for a teacher from my school who taught me creative writing and other englishy bits in my junior school years. She's now leaving and some of us ex-pupils are contributing to a "writing journal" for her, including bits of poetry and prose that we might like to write to say thanks for all her teaching years. So I thought, what better opportunity than to flex my poetry muscles...well, here it is!
Dear Mrs Giachardi, My teacher from year five, gee! Just heard: you n’ your cardi Are moving from the Academy!
So it’s time for me to reminisce, Think back to the portacabins, the books n’ the bliss. Spywatch (I’m smiling) on Friday afternoons, You’ll see that I can still even sing the tunes...
(The chad is on the run trying to check it out Listening in on all the chat, seeing what it’s about. What no chocolate anywhere! No chops to choose I found a cherry but I only got a stalk...*ahem*)
I also loved the creative writing lessons, The ones where we would grab our fountain pens n’ Write a story, a letter or a poem but also “Beginning, middle, and end!” You’d crow.
My favourite part has got to be story writing, Where I could invent the characters, the plot and the fighting! I relished the comments you’d make on my scribbles, But more enjoyed deciphering your squiggles!
I also remember getting some looks, When I didn’t want to read House on the Prairie books, I preferred Secret Seven, Famous Five, I’d read them for hours; Mary Poppins, St Claire’s and of course Malory Towers.
But still for reading, I’m a great fan, As well as writing – I'm even part of a clan, Of writers on a website where we write lots of fiction And poems together; I’m really quite stricken.
You’ll be pleased to know, That my spelling is pro, And the wrong use of ‘your’, Is something I abhor!
As does there use of ‘they’re’, Sadly some don’t even care, that There simply all wrong! Well...their. I’ve said more than my fair share.
So thank you for providing the solid foundations (I may even one day be amongst publications!) For a skill that I love and have furthered my education With English Language at uni; I’m eager for a vocation!
Good luck with whatever you’re doing after, I hope it involves lots of smiles and laughter. You deserve a break from us children, no doubt! You’ll have all this free time, to do absolutely nowt!
Well, hope you enjoyed that...I certainly had fun writing it! hehe :)
I was inspired by AnaCristina to (finally) write another post on my blog after finding out she was a fellow fan to my favourite music artist ever: Imogen Heap! I know, you've probably never heard of her, right?
Ok, so, for those of you who don't know, she is an acoustic/ambient/alternative/does it matter?/electronic/folk/genre spongre/indie/no idea, clear?/rock/vocal/blaaaaa [lol that's what she descirbes it as] music artist...as you can tell, you can't really explain what her music is like until you listen to it.
She lives in Essex, England, not very far from where I live actually (which is so cool I think!) and she has various albums out; some under her duo bandname 'Frou Frou' (with this other guy) and more recently, her solo stuff under 'Imogen Heap'. I've been waiting for donkey's years (and not very patiently any more) for her new album to come out this summer!!
I've also been following her on her delightful vblogs on youtube all the way and on Twitter, so it's been really fun to "make the journey" with her; see how she progresses and makes each new song etc...giving us annoyingly short clips to keep us wanting more! I never realised how much work went into it!! Well, for true music artists anyway. All her instruments are amazing and the random sounds she puts in (gameboy sounds, birds tweeting, her running round the house!!) just makes it all the more unique and creative.
She also has the most random/crazy/yet wonderful fashion style which goes along with her quirky and hyper personality. :)
Well anyway, go check her stuff out and see what you think. It's not everyone's cup of tea so don't feel bad if you don't like it hehe. But I will never stop loving her stuff! (The fact that she has my exact accent makes her all the more cooler xD )
[Ok so she released some vocals for a song she never made and allowed us, the public, to make any mix we wanted with her vocals. Of course, lots responded. I tried and failed to make my own version lol. Ah well] So here's one of my fav versions: The Song That Never Was - Snyggare Version
What her music is perfect for: -working -jogging -chilling out -in the car -tidying your room -singing along with friends (so basically everything!!)
Hope you enjoyed this tribute post! :D
Sunday, 10 May 2009
Just feel like writing some poetry this evening. No particular topic. Just needed to let something out.
Chalk of Possession
Just when you thought, That hard line of chalk Had smudged away, built dust and decay; Sudden and sickening, Like flash images flickering She drags it hard 'neath, That name o' pure grief.
Two letters
You would never know how two letters could so make a heart beat fast, a hundred memories rush past. You could never know how two lives would so be right together yet wrong forever.
Well hello again! Thought it was due for an update! I've been made moderator for protagonize! wooo!! I'm so pleased. It's gonna be so exciting! :)
Back in the here and now, I just stayed up all night doing an essay with a bunch of students in the computer room at uni (was such a laugh!). It involved all of the boys just playing youtube videos and laughing about how they were still only on 100 words (out of the 3000). The energy drinks we went and got from Sainsbury's at midnight made us all into lunatics! Even the random facts on the back of the cheesestring packets were hysterically funny (yes, tears). So I fiiiinally handed it in at 9am! Such a nice feeling. I couldn't believe I'd actually finished it. I travelled back home on the tube like a zombie and went to sleep for 7 lovely hours. So now, I'm awake and my sleeping pattern is all messed up. Hmm...and gotta start revising soon for my two exams next week. Argh! But after than, I'm done! Finito! A glorious stretch of 4 months holiday. To chill. Relax...and do nothing!! Can't wait!
But aaanyway, thought it was about time for another poem! So here it is...let's see...
Today's topic: Decision
She could feel it advancing, The tension, the time! Her palms were sweating, 'It's going to be fine.'
This was the stop, No going back now, She walked off the train, Begun looking around.
It all happened so quick. Why was she doing this! From a passing flit, To a meaningless kiss.
It didn't seem right, But no cause for alarm Yet so short was her sight She never saw the harm.
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