Tuesday 31 December 2013

Day 51 - ill on New Year's Eve.

No going out or enjoying myself for me, I'm not feeling good at all, and I can't think for the life of me what has bought it on. It's going to he a quiet one with the family tonight.

Also I've just been told that I'm back at work on the 2nd, which really isn't cool. Got so much to sort out tomorrow, getting home and sorting out my pass for work for the next month. Boo! I've enjoyed being all lazy and not doing anything for these last few days and I don't think I'm ready to go back to normal.

Anyway, guess I best get comfy and enjoy my 2nd to last day of doing nothing.

Monday 30 December 2013

Day 50 - Anchorman 2.

Well here I am, day 50. It's been a long 50 days and I think it's done me good blogging my days, like I've said I find things to fill my day and write about. It's not over yet, still got many more days left to go.

Well I guess to celebrate my 50 days if blogging I went to see Anchorman 2. I was a little scared at first because I thought it might ruin it but they've done a great job at keeping it original. Great quotes, crazy stories and plenty of laughs. They seem to focus on the rest of the news team rather than just Ron. It really was a great sequel which you don't normally find.

Going to have a quiet nice with TV tonight then I've get to see some family for New Year which is going to be cool, not looking forward to the long ass bus journey though.

Sunday 29 December 2013

Day 49 - The house is still standing

Actually managing to blog at a normal time for once, I didn't forget or anything...haha. I think with being at home and enjoying family time I've not been thinkin about it that much but I'm sure I'll get back on the blogging game properly when I get back to Leeds.

Went back to the house today actually to take a few things back and the house is still standing which is a relief haha. Looking forward to getting back and seeing friends again.

Going to Huddersfield tomorrow to see Terri and we're going to see Anchorman 2 which I'm really excited about. I was expecting to it be a bit of a flop but everyone has been saying good things about it so it should be a good one. Plus I get an Ice Blast as well, woo haha

Saturday 28 December 2013

Day 48 - Holiday hangover day

Yeah it's a late one again haha, been a long day full of the usual aches and pains of a hangover but it hasn't been he worst one being at home.

I started watched The Thick Of It again, forgot how great it is and how amazingly filmed it really is. Also finally got onto season 2 of Black Mirror. I really love the messages each episode has about the world today. I still think the 2nd episode of season 1 is the best, it sums up how much we think that the easist way to escape reality is to go in a game show and then you're all set and how much advertising rules your life. It's just all so clever.

Well I'll put on the final episode and catch up on my sleep I think haha.

Friday 27 December 2013

Day 47 - I ACTUALLY FORGOT

Okay, okay. I actually forgot. I went for some drinks (says it all, I know) whilst I was back home with some old friends and I forgot to bleeding blog. Apologies for even more spelling mistakes are going to be going on in this post than normal.

Whilst I was out it hit me what a great show The Thick of It was, so I'm going to re watch them all over the holidays.

Anyway, I'm home now, so I'm going to get into bed, not get up to some stupid hour and then tell you how hungover am I.

Thursday 26 December 2013

Day 46 - So much family time

Boxing Day, just as good as Christmas Day itself in my opinion. Places are open, plenty of food still left over and everyone is still in a good mood, sometimes haha.

So yesterday we got up early, cracked the log fire on and sat and opened our presents. You know you're getting old when you don't have a big pile anymore, but I'm not complaining, it was good to be all sat together enjoying ourselves. Then we moved on to preparing the food, we had our food pretty early because the plan was to have food then get the entire family together to do it all again later on. So I had 1 giant pile of food and chilled out for a few hours. I don't know why but crap films seem so much better when you've just had a giant plate of food and your sat infront of a fire with your family.

After a few hours of a food coma we had to get ready to do it all again, we packed up the car with leftovers and made our way to meet everyone else. We ended up having a buffet, which was a beauty. We then went into play some cards for ages, but again it was great to do it all as a family.

It was a crazy busy day but I wouldn't have it any other way, it's been great this year and I hope every other year after is the same!

Back home tomorrow to Wakefield, but New Year is just around the corner. I'll either be spending it with family or friends, either way I'll be happy.

Wednesday 25 December 2013

Day 45 - MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY

It's going to be a short one. I've spent all day with my family and I'm totally shattered and ready for bed. Had a great Christmas, probably one of the best I've ever had.

Hope everyone else's was the same and I hope you all got what you wanted from the big man.

I'll do a big post tomorrow telling you about the shenanigans of today, tomorrow, but tonight I need to watch some crappy films and fall asleep haha.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Tuesday 24 December 2013

Day 44 - Christmas Eve

Well it has certainly been a chill day this afternoon. Was up early this morning yet again, and I had to make my way around Aldi on a day like this. It was not pretty, full of rude people on a day like today. I don't think people get this is a time for being with their families and enjoying each others companies, but no get down to the supermarket nice and early, and buy a stupid amount of food, not complaining about the amount of food, just think you should be prepared for Christmas rather than going the day before.

Speaking of food it all starts tomorrow, no holds barred. I want some height to my food tomorrow, with a pint of gravy haha. But no, honestly I'll be eating a lot of food. Not sure what my Nan has planned but I'm sure it's going to be beautiful!

Uploaded some photos from a photoshoot we had a few weeks back, gotta say they're probably the best photos we have ever had done. Very happy with them. Also got the ad for the magazine coming out in a few weeks.

Anyway, everyone enjoy Christmas and the stupid amount of food.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

Monday 23 December 2013

Day 43 - Christmas Eve Eve.

Can you tell I'm running out of ideas for titles? Haha.

Got up early this morning which put me in a grumpy mood as always, but I was soon back in a good mood when we got down to Burton and saw all the family. Always good to see the whole family together, always puts me in a good mood no matter what has happened and they're all amazing people. We've got the fire on and some films and it's all perfect.

Just taking a break from a game of Monopoly. I wonder if the makers of that game knew they would cause so many arguments in homes all over the world, no matter what someone ends up getting a bod on. Still a great game though.

Also going to the chippy later, it seems to become a tradition when we come down to Burton on the first day now, I ain't complaining!

My grandads ment to be getting an iPad for Christmas and I have to teach him how to use it, God help me. It's going to be tough but it should be doable, once he gets the hang of it I'm sure he'll be beating my high score on Angry Birds in no time.

Sunday 22 December 2013

Day 42 - Christmas Eve Eve Eve.

It's so close to Christmas and I am started to get a little excited about it all. We've started packing up some clothes and all the presents ready to go down to Burton to see all the family on Christmas. This will be the first time in a long time that we've been all together at Christmas, so it should be a good one.

All the films are starting which is good, we cracked on Love Actually last night but the DVD broke after 40 minutes which nearly ruined Christmas but I managed to find it online and we watched it from Netflix, which would of been easier in the first place...

It's a bit if a mad panic to pack the car because we recently got a new car and it's a lot smaller than the last one so somehow we have to try fit in 3 people, presents for the whole family, the dog and clothes for 3 people for 5 days. It's a tall order but I'm sure we'll manage it.

Saturday 21 December 2013

Day 41 - A nothing day

Seriously been the most uneventful day to date haha, so I won't have much to talk about. Other than I went back to Leeds for the final time this year to pick up a few more things, ended up forgetting the alarm code and having to battle on with the alarm going off until I got told the code haha. I must of looked very suspicious going to my house with a big empty bag and the alarm going off. It's been a pretty windy day so all the trains were delayed, no difference there really, took me way to long for 1 simple trip but it's all over now.

Not even day 1 yet and I'm already missing my bros. Looking forward to getting into the studio after the new year and getting the first EP out in a few weeks. I heard a mix of one of the songs that will be on it yesterday and my word it is epic, also has a few quotes from Breaking Bad in it.

Good news everyone, we're all sitting down as a family and watching Love Actually! Yaaaay haha.

Friday 20 December 2013

Day 40 - I'M HOME

Well it has certainly been the busiest day I have had in a very long time, which consisted of phone calls, running after people, going on trains from pillar to post and then the finish line was the train home!
So I get into the office and I have to complete a giant order by 2pm or I'll get shouted out, only just managed it. I then was able to leave early so I could get home, or so I thought. I get on the train just about to pull into my hometown of Wakefield when my phone rings and they want me to go back in! So I end up going all the way back in to sort a 2 minute problem, which then started the awful mood. Because I had to wait for another hour to get the next train home, but I made it, Finally got home super late but all that matters it that I am home for Christmas, at last! It's been a long few days but it has finally happened.

So this weekend is going to be a quiet one mainly, I'll have to pop back to Leeds on Saturday to pick up a final few things then on Monday I'll be going back down to my place of born Burton-upon-Trent, the best place in the world with the greatest people. Already I can tell it is going to be an epic Christmas with family and friends.

Decided I'm going to stick on a non-Christmasy film tonight to make way for all the Christmas films I'll be watching over the holidays, going for I Love You, Man. No idea where the idea came from but I'm sticking with it and going for it. It maybe when I watched an interview with Paul Rudd and Jason Segel the other day when they are clearly super high at the time haha, if you've not seen it you have to see it, it is so funny!

I've never actually noticed before how many "artists" release an album so close to Christmas. That must be the first step to becoming a sell out. Someone mentioned something to me the other day which I'd never realised, but when a good actor ends up in a crappy advert, you know they've sold out and they're clearly just in it for the money, but when a good actor keeps their dignity and only appears in the odd film, you can tell that they are just doing what they do best and you can consider them an artist. But for example someone released an album this close to Christmas called "Right Place, Right Time" just thought it was rather an ironic album title.

Well I'm home and I'm going to make the most of it and eat loads of fun, walk the dog loads, and have a great time with my family. Merry Christmas everybody!

Thursday 19 December 2013

Day 39 - Home for Christmas tomorrow!

Probably had the busiest day ever at work today, literally been non stop since I say at my desk. Not complaining too much though because it did make the day go super quick meaning I'm only 1 sleep away from going home for Christmas! Just hope that tomorrow is busy as well so I can get out of there, or they let me leave early that would be beautiful

Did a bad thing and went the whole day without eating because I was working so much, but I rushed home and made myself a tower of toasties. Might just toast all the food I have left seen as though I only have 1 night left in this house this year, seems weird saying that.

It's really getting cold now, I think we'll be getting some serious snow soon, which means snow days! Woo! Might even buy a sledge this year, shame I'm not in Huddersfield this year with all it's massive hills.

Started watching Chuck the other day for the first time, a friend of mine recommended it, and I'm really enjoying it. It's a strange story about a bloke who accidentally downloads loads of government secrets into his brain. Only watched a few episodes but I'm sure they'll be some crazy stories coming up.

Anyway, time for me to make loads of toasties!


Day 39 - Home for Christmas tomorrow!

Probably had the busiest day ever at work today, literally been non stop since I say at my desk. Not complaining too much though because it did make the day go super quick meaning I'm only 1 sleep away from going home for Christmas! Just hope that tomorrow is busy as well so I can get out of there, or they let me leave early that would be beautiful

Did a bad thing and went the whole day without eating because I was working so much, but I rushed home and made myself a tower of toasties. Might just toast all the food I have left seen as though I only have 1 night left in this house this year, seems weird saying that.

It's really getting cold now, I think we'll be getting some serious snow soon, which means snow days! Woo! Might even buy a sledge this year, shame I'm not in Huddersfield this year with all it's massive hills.

Started watching Chuck the other day for the first time, a friend of mine recommended it, and I'm really enjoying it. It's a strange story about a bloke who accidentally downloads loads of government secrets into his brain. Only watched a few episodes but I'm sure they'll be some crazy stories coming up.

Anyway, time for me to make loads of toasties!


Wednesday 18 December 2013

Day 38 - Back to work

Back to work today, and it's another super busy day as always. This is actually the first day I actually have some time to do a good blog, I've noticed I've been slacking with it to be honest, so it's time to get back into properly. I guess I am doing it everyday, and do often have the most boring days known in history. I've been pretty lucky these past few months because of all the gigs I've been to. It was my final one of the year last weekend, and what a way to end it. I promise I'll review them all and post some videos over Christmas when I can sit down with my computer and upload them all.

I am starting to get use to this 9 to 5 lifestyle but the fact I only have 2 days left of work is slowly eating away at me and I can feel myself getting more lazy haha. Really cannot wait for when I finish work and I will actually have NOTHING to do at all. How do people hate Christmas? It is such a great time of year, everyone is in a good mood, you can sleep and eat as much as you want and spend loads of time with your family. I do understand that some people don't get along with their families and maybe don't like all the busy streets, but honestly I love it. Walking through town with its dark with Christmas lights on in the cold with loads of other people panic buying presents. Then getting in and watching a Christmas film. We in and watched Elf the other day, which is a fantastic film might I add. Me and my housemates guilty pleasure is the film Love Actually, and it's being shown on TV on Christmas day this year which has added some extra awesomeness to Christmas day.

Today my girlfriend became a full time Apple user and got herself an iPhone, I said it was only a matter of time before she gets some proper iPhone earphones and is walking about looking like she's talking to herself in the middle of town haha. (Biffy just came on the radio, so I need to take a 5 minute break to listen, brb...okay their we go) I have to say I got an iPhone 3G when they came out and it was a great phone, then I went to Blackberry (worst choice ever) then I went for a HTC (another bad choice) and now I'm back to the iPhone, which is holding up nicely and they've always been reliable and great to work with, I think I'll stick with Apple now. But not for my computer needs, I will always be a Windows fan in that department.

I actually had a little thought last night about doing some vlogs after this year and maybe vlogging an entire year of my life. Such be much easier next year when my placement finishes. If I Started it now it would be a good 6 months of me sitting at a desk haha. So I guess next year it'll be more fun for the 5 people that be interested in a random guys blog.

I've never been a big scarf fan, but what with the weather getting colder I could really do with one, so I might take the plunge after Christmas!

Well, I feel this makes up for all the crappy blogs I did over the weekend now I'm back in working mode.

Tuesday 17 December 2013

Day 37 - I wanna go home!

Went to see The D last night and we're truly incredible. Still not hit me that just 2 guys with acoustic guitars and bring such an amazing rock show!

Before I have to go back to work tomorrow, boo! I'm having a film day and watching films I've not watched before. So it's Inglorious Basterds tonight, and then I think The Departed tonight after a short food break haha. Yeah back to work tomorrow after a very long weekend, really cannot be bothered. I've got 3 days of work left then I'm going home for Christmas. I'm really lookin forward to going home as I'm pretty sure I've said in pretty much every blog leading up the Christmas haha. Bring on the food!

Monday 16 December 2013

Day 36 - The D tonight!

It's only going to be a a quick one tonight, rushing around the house cooking food and getting ready to see Tenacious D tonight, one day I'll be organized and be able to turn up to a gig on time with no worries, but not today.

I found a list of imdbs top 250 films of all time and I've only seen 50 of them! So I've made myself another challenge to see if I can watch them all, so that should keep my entertained over Christmas, going to start off tomorrow by watching Inglorious Basterds. So many good films off that list I need to see

Sunday 15 December 2013

Day 35 - Feeling Christmassy!

It's been another long day of traveling, from Sheffield to Leeds, was on the train for an hour with screaming kids left and center, did not enjoy that. So glad to be home now, and we're all sat down about to watch Elf and I'm certainly starting to feel like it's Christmas! Not felt like this in a long time, and honestly I'm mainly looking forward to being together as a family because we've not done this in a long time.

Going to see Tenacious D tomorrow which is going to be a lot of fun, seen some great reviews of the new stripped back set and I'm hoping to get a few videos hopefully that I post on my blog. Sabbath videos will be coming soon when YouTube lets me upload them.

Time for Elf, so I best stop blogging and start getting even more Christmassy!

Saturday 14 December 2013

Day 34 - Black Sabbath!

Short one today.

Just got back to the hotel room after seeing Black Sabbath and I am bushed. It's only Saturday and we've only just got half way through the crazy weekend haha.

Manchester was great yesterday and The Hobbit was fantastic, it was my first film IMAX and 3D and it was worth every single penny, on top of that the film itself was brilliant.

Today I had a mad dash from Manchestet to Huddersfield then to Sheffield! But it's all worth it as I've just seen Black Sabbath, a band that started it all for me, will review the show and post some videos I got from the show.

Anyway got Tenacious D on Monday and I need some serious sleep.

Friday 13 December 2013

Day 33 - The Hobbit!

So I'm on route to Manchester to see The Hobbit, so I'll be making this an early one because I don't want to be blogging in the cinema, because I'll be enjoying beautiful 3D Middle Earth. Also just remembered that we get to sit in the super posh seats as well to watch the film, right in the middle of the cinema, so that's a double win. To make it even better the train ride there is pretty much empty and we got ourselves a lovely table haha. Think I might need to grab a Subway before it all starts, seen as though it is a really long film I'll need the best food to get me through many hours haha. This is probably the longest film I've seen at the cinema.

I'm on the same train that takes me to work, it's going to be so epic not getting off the train and letting Huddersfield just roll on by haha.

I'll actually be going straight to Sheffield tomorrow to see Sabbath, which just makes this weekend a million times better than it already is, so I'm going to have little time for blogging really, so they're all going to be pretty short till I finish off everything for Christmas.

Thursday 12 December 2013

Day 32 - Family and friends are the best.

Its that time. I'm not drunk but I'm going to tell you all how much I really love my family and friends, that's right, it's going to be a cingey one, but I don't care because recently my family and friends have really really helped me out with a little situation I've had. I'm not going to go into any details about it as it is a little private. But recently I had a little situation and firstly every single friend I explained this to literally held out their hand to me help me, and just that my entire family made sure I was okay and reassured me that everything was going to be okay one way or another. I just can't explain how grateful I am to have such amazing friends and family they really mean the world to me more than anything. Okay that's enough of that talk, I went home to visit my mum, she's a real hero of mine and always has the right words to make me feel better. Plus she gave me a big bag of food that I can take home with me which is a double win. But what my mum has been though is horrible and she always has a smile on her face she really as inspired me in life. I have all these rockstars and actors I consider heros but at the top of pile is my mum! My girlfriend is equally amazing, don't know how she puts up with me sometimes, but 5 years strong is impressive, and I do love her very much! That's enough of that talk before I start breaking down haha. 

I'm going to Manchester tomorrow and staying at a friends and we're going to see The Hobbit in 3D, so it should be a great weekend all round. Will report back tomorrow with the results of the film, no doubt it will be a good one, always been a big fan of all the Lord of the Rings films and he last Hobbit film.

Wednesday 11 December 2013

Day 31 - One day a train will be on time.

Got a long wait for the train so in going to start the blog early and finish it off later, I know check me out writing early and saving it. But yeah, got a 20 minute wait for a train that would of been here 5 minutes ago, don't think I've ever got on a train to or from work and it's been on time, I understand when the odd stop can make a train 1 or 2 minutes late but 20 minutes? What exactly happened? And it's always the same excuse from the voice over guy...their isn't one! Anyway, I hate trains and everyone that has anything to do with them, especially conductors.

It's so cold outside, I honestly think we have some snow coming soon, which would be sick, just in time for Christmas. I'm propped up against a wall jammed into a tiny waiting room in the station, which isn't even that much more warmer than outside.

Very happy to be getting today out of the way, usually Thursdays and Fridays are quieter days than the rest of the week, so it'll slowly get me into weekend mode. Also makes it easier that I don't have to go in Friday, woopah!

Read something today that Friends is coming back for a final season, well rumours of it anyway. I'm really happy but scared at the same time, it was the perfect sitcom when they left it, it would be a shame if they ruined it. Wonder if all the original actors will come back? And haven't they sold the all the set? Guess we'll find out what will be happening in time, if it even happens.

I managed to get 10,000 Days by Tool on my iPod last night after so many failed attempts, forgot how much of an epic album it is. Rosetta Stoned can wake anyone up on a morning!

Tuesday 10 December 2013

Day 30 - I want home!

Well here we are day 30, go me! Seriously surprised myself that I've got this far, but it's been worth it I guess. I have been tried to find more things to do during the day to write about in the blog and I've all round found it fun, but their is still a long way to go yet.

As far as the healthy eating is going, it isn't haha. I've been eating pretty bad these past few days what with birthdays and parties so I've put that on the back burner but it's back day as I'm going to go for some pasta right after finishing this blog post. I guess I need to eat as healthy as I can these next few days as I'll be going home and eating some serious amounts of food for Christmas, because it's the law! I've got a feeling it's going to be a really good Christmas, honestly not been this exicted for a Christmas in a long time and I'm actually feeling Christmassy again which is one of be best feelings ever, makes me feel 10 again haha. Along with all the food I'm planning on doing nothing, not even moving, it's been a packed few months with work and friends and I need some serious down time I think. I'm really starting to find it hard to get up early again, so I really need these next few days to be over really.

Still not bought any Christmas presents but I'll be heading to Sheffield this weekend and I plan on buying a few odds and ends then, so hopefully I can at least start before I go see Sabbath.

I still really need to do a review of the Papa Roach show the other week, amazing band and some amazing support acts as well that I've recently got into. Let's hope the rest of the shows coming up do the same. Supports acts for me make the gig even better, I try no to listen to them until I've seen them so I can be surprised and really get a feel of their live sound, because you can't make an album sound like a gig in my books, they are two completely different sounds.

Monday 9 December 2013

Day 29 - The after work cuppa

I am so chilled out right now for saying its a Monday. I got in from work, made myself a cuppa and just passed out on my bed and I've not moved since, it's truly amazing. Think also my body is realising how close it is to Christmas and it's starting to get ready for the amount of food and sleep I'm going to have.

As if it's going to be day 30 of my blog tomorrow, exciting times, I guess I'll be more exicted when I hit day 100 though. I actually am really starting to get in the swing of it, like it's becoming a part of my life. Guess I can't really start saying that until I start calling it my living like some of he blog and vlog greats. I think eventually I would like to turn to vlogs and I just don't like the idea of all that editing, I mean I don't even have time normally to write this but maybe when I get some spare time I'll start vlogging.

Another fun filled weekend coming up as well, booked some time off work to go see a friend in Manchester on Friday and we're going to see the 2nd Hobbit movie in 3D which is going to be awesome and then the day after I'll be seeing the band that started everything off for me, the mighty Black Sabbath. I stuck on the first album last night and just got lost in that dark world of the self titled album, really cannot wait to see them again!

So yeah, day 30 tomorrow, let's see what that brings, I don't want to start reading these back until I've made a massive dent, probably look back at day 1 and think, what a nob haha

Sunday 8 December 2013

Day 28 - Surprise hangover

Well the plan was this weekend to have some friends round for Johnny's birthday, get some food and go out for a "few" drinks. Until we actually got to the pub that was the plan, then we started playing save the queen, ended really badly, one of is got kicked out for throwing up and everyone else was stupidly drunk, so carried on drinking haha. Got back at 5 after an hour wait for a taxi from Leeds. Seriously taxis in Leeds are horrible, that is one thing I really don't like about this city, it is just packed all the time. Anyway, here's the hangover, takeaway is on it's way and I'm so exicted for it haha, bacon burger, yeah!

I always have the same feeling on a Sunday "boo, work tomorrow!" 21 and I still feel like it's the Monday morning at school, maybe one day I'll grow up...

Yeah photoshoot the other day turned out amazing, we got a test shot and it looks really good. So hopefully we'll be in a magazine soon, woo! Haha.

Saturday 7 December 2013

Day 27 - Band stuff and tiredness

What a productive day we had with the band. Got to listen to the mix of out next single and it sounds awesome, really I can't wait to release to everyone and send it out to some radio stations. It's always a good feeling when you hear a song you wrote yourself on the radio, and lucky we got both of our previous singles played on BBC radio so let's hope we can manage a 3rd time. Also got some epic photos done by a good friend of ours, and they should be beig sent out to a magazine on Monday so we might be appearing an issue of Stencil magazine in January. And on top of that our debut EP should be out as well, so it's been a majorly busy time for us but all this hard work should pay off in the end, as they say "You only get out as much as you put in" and we've put in a lot of work with this EP, each member has been incredible and I'm proud of them all!

However we've paid eh price with all this hard work, we only for around 5 hours sleep after chatting about the future and sorting be mix out then we had to get up make ourselves looks pretty for some photos, so as you can imagine I'm totally wrecked to say its a weekend.

It's Jonnys birthday so we're all going out for a meal to a nice little place in Leeds called Reds, so it should be another funfilled night a head haha.

Great start to the weekend though, I'm proud of my boys!

Friday 6 December 2013

Day 26 - It's only bleeding Friday!

Going to make this an early post because I know for a fact I won't have much time later on. Lots of band fun and drinking most likely, that counts as being busy!

I always find on Fridays that I work more productively, which is a bummer because I have very little work to do today really, and all I really want to do is go home and start this weekend.

On my way to work this morning I was thinking it is so cold that it could easily snow, and no joke within the minute of me thinking it some flakes actually started falling, which then turned into rain, boo! I always remember back in my college days that snow days were amazing. Me and my mates would meet up and do some crazy shit in the snow. We have a lake behind my house back home that freezes over and last year it was so frozen we could walk over it, which was pretty cool. Well it was pretty cool until someone found a thin part and fell in haha. We always did the classic making a giant ass snowball as well until it got to big to move and then it would just sit where we left it for like 2 or 3 weeks haha. A thing I never really understood is why people moan that we always stop transport and working when it snows, of course we have to. It's not like we have snow all year round like some countries and have the money to spend on special transport for people that will only get used a few days a year, just be happy that you're getting some days off.

Recently at work we have started sticking the radio on just to help us work, because it is terrible working in silence, so instead of going for the usual Radio 1 "oh let's just play popular auto tuned crap for money with some okay songs in between" (with the exception of Daniel P. Carters rock show on a Tuesday) so we decided to stick on XFM, before work I'd not really listen to it, but it great to hear a radio show through out the day playing alternative songs. Even though the adverts are really annoying, but it is worth it when you get bands like Biffy Clyro and Queens of the Stone Age being played, gives me hope that people/radio shows are supporting actual bands with talent instead of money making bands.

Wow, I ranted rather a lot in the blog post...but I don't care, it's Friday, enjoy your weekend.

Thursday 5 December 2013

Day 25 - Incoming crazy weekend

Wow day 25 and still going strong, admittedly I do forget on the odd time and have to power through one haha. Especially this week what with all the gigs and work and stuff so they will be a little short from time to time, but come on I am doing this everyday.

So yeah, it's a good friend of mines birthday this weekend, Mr. Jonathan Youdale, hitting the big 22! So it'll either be a small gathering or a massive night out, so I'm probably going to be hungover over at some point in the weekend. It has been a while since we all went out as a group, so it should be a good laugh.

Also this weekend we're having a little band meeting on the Friday night, so that'll be a night filled with beer and pizza most likely. Always a winning productive combo. But on top of all that we have a photo shoot to promote the EP coming out and to send a few shots to some magazines. Also have some studio time booked next year so we wanna know our new songs inside out before we go in the studio to record our second EP. Still waiting on a name for that.

It is certainly getting cold out now, not looking forward to tomorrow morning with risks of ice. Me and ice do not mix well. It was crazy weather today though which was totally out of the blue, some serious wind and rain coming down with delayed like every train I had to get on and made me late for a meeting. God dammit wind! But yeah, just ice tomorrow so that shouldn't delay the trains this time. Even if t does I'll be going to work with a smile on my face as it's the best time of the week tomorrow. FRIDAY!

Wednesday 4 December 2013

Day 24 - Back to work!

So it's time to take a little break from gigs and get back to work, so can you can imagine it was pretty difficult getting up this morning and to make it even worse I have to get up even earlier tomorrow. The trains are all being delayed tomorrow because of high winds, boo!

Today I put Middle Class Rut on my Spotify playlist and I listened to them on the train today, I've really got into them after seeing them support Papa Roach. Some seriously badass riffs on some songs. 

Anyway this will have to be a short one as it's pretty damn late and I need some serious sleep!

Tuesday 3 December 2013

Day 23 - AVENGED SEVENFOLD, Five Finger Death Punch + Avatar - November 30th - Manchester Arena

So I've finally managed to sit down with my laptop and start writing some reviews for the recent shows I've been to. It has been a crazy weekend and their are no signs of it stopping any time soon with plans coming out my ears with everything from gigs, to my own band meetings and birthdays! I'm sure it will it all be a lot of fun though.

This was actually my first gig at Manchester Arena. I have to say for the size of it they nailed the sound perfectly. Though for the opening act their were a few technical issues in regards to monitors cutting out but they soon sorted that out for the remaining acts.

So it start the night I was expecting Device to open up the show but David Draiman has recently had a kid and cancelled so he can stay with his wife for longer, which is fair. So to open the night of awesome bands we had Avatar, a Swedish death metal band, with a theatrical twist. Even though Johannes Eckerstrom (Vocals) was the only one dressed up. He had some black make up round his eyes and some lovely red braces haha. Reminded me of a less hardcore Till from Rammstein. The remaining members really knew how to whip that hard back and forth. They put on a show but after the 3 songs and asking for another circle pit it went on a little bit.

Next they pulled out the big guns with Five Finger Death Punch. Even when the banner went up during set up everyone went crazy, and you can tell that everyone was very excited to be seeing them in a support slot. Surprisingly set up took less than 20 minutes and Five Finger took to the stage with some epic introducing music. I really do respect a band that can pick good walk on songs, really makes the entire experience of seeing a band that more worth while. They had a full balls to the wall sing a long set list, perfect for a support slot to get everyone warmed up and for people that may not know them to well to get into them. However in Five Finger they certainly do like their interludes, after every second song pretty much they'd walk off stage and have a song playing over the PA and then walk back out. I'm all for creating tension but after a while it really dragged on. But performance wise they really nailed everything, from screaming, to guitars solos to gut busting drum beats.

I still remember the day back in 2007 I bought a ticket to see Avenged Sevenfold who had just released their self titled album in Leeds, on a tiny stage. Look at them now, headlining festivals and selling out arenas. It is strange but good to see smaller bands from back in the day climbing the ladder. This is also the first time I've seen them with the same drummer! Back in 2007 They had The Rev, RIP. Then they came back a few years later to Leeds, now selling out the Academy, with Mike Portnoy of Dream Thearter, and then at Download Festival 2011 they had Arin Ilejay, and now in 2013 they have stuck with Arin. It must be pretty strange for him to go from a small band to jumping into a band that are half way up the ladder.
Back in 2007 Avenged Sevenfold and pyro didn't come in the same sentence but now they pack their shows full with fireworks and flames. A personal highlight was the giant death bat they had for a backdrop that spat flames every so often. M Shadows (vocals) voice was on top form as always, and Synyster Gates (lead guitar) kept the crowd entertained after an encore with one of his signature guitar solos, below is a small clip of his guitar solo


I also got a video from Critical Acclaim along with the giant death bat spitting flames.



All around it was a great show with lots of surprises, I'm sure this isn't going to be the last we hear of Avenged Sevenfold now with a full time drummer. Also Five Finger Death Punch seem to be on the up in the rock and metal scene. I'm positive they'll be headlining festivals and selling out arenas in no time.

Monday 2 December 2013

Day 22 - Busyyyyyy

Yeah I'm going to have to skip the review of the Sevenfold show again, just flooded with gigs and seeing family at the minute so I've not had time to sit down with my laptop. Tomorrow I'll do Sevenfold and then the day after I'll do Papa Roach, who I'm seeing tonight. Currently sat in Yates, filled to the brim with old people thinking they're on some sort of crazy night out haha one day I'll like that I guess. A group of mums next to us just ordered some shots and they're sipping them...

Literally had nothing to eat all day, I know not very healthy of me and I just ordered a chicken burrito. Health will start again tomorrow, I promise. Really really exicted for this food though, and of course seeing Papa Roach.

For how long I've been going to gigs I'm surprised I've not see Papa Roach before but this is actually my first time. Should be a good show though.

Sunday 1 December 2013

Day 21 - post-Sevenfold blues

Wow, yesterday night was amazing. Both Avenged Sevenfold and Five Finger Death punch put on a really good show. Sevenfold certainly know how to use the pyro now haha. Crazy to think I saw them in Leeds for the first time at a tiny club and now they're selling out arenas.

I'm regards to the pictures and reviews I'll sort it out tomorrow before tomorrow nights gig. Still at home and I don't have my laptop with me. Also I will be seeing Papa Roach tomorrow night, I know another gig! And it doesn't end with that gig.

Ended up having to run out of the arena to catch a coach back to Huddersfield. Took way to long, but it was worth it to see a great gig. Luckily trains tomorrow are all sorted so we have nothing to panic about.

Very happy to be having a nice long weekend, I'd love to tell you that I'll be eating lots of food and having lots of sleep, but I'm not! Boo!