Metal metal metal

As a life-long fan of metal and rock (of varying degrees) I thought it was time I started putting pen to paper, or fingertip to keyboard, and started rambling on about bands that I have had the pleasure of seeing live.

I LOVE going to gigs. It’s rather simple, if you are a passionate band who have something different to offer then I am probably going to like you. If you have funny banter then it is highly likely that I will adore you.

So here it is, my attempt to talk about metal gigs that I have been to. I’m not a human encyclopaedia on metal or the UK metal scene, I don’t know all of the intricacies that make metal metal and I have been known to ask bands to describe themselves to me in only three sub-genre terms. I get very confused by these prog-math-tech-hype-swag-swing-sugar-fishcake-sock metal bands. I have one question, do you play music? Yes? Then I shall give you a listen.

Simple as that.

I’ll make sure I include gig photos too. Because I’m good like that.

 

the trouble with film is…

…it’s a very topsy turvy world.

I know it’s all been said before but it’s true. The film world is unpredictable and often a very thrilling ride!

I’ve almost grown accustomed to not having any money and a non-existent social life because I’m still over-joyed by the prospect of what MAY BE to come in my career.

It’s the secrecy of it all that gets me. I mean, I’m working on a few projects at the moment and I can’t talk about them to anyone who isn’t on crew. Luckily for me the DOP (Director of Photography) is one of my closest friends, but all the same, there are so many new developments that I want to shout from the roof-top but can’t. It’s so exciting but I have to keep my mouth shut. As such I just look like a deranged jibba-jabba because I’m in a state of joy but cannot let it out. For those who were not socially aware in 1994- this is a jibba-jabba http://youtu.be/k4mAWuIMctY

I do love my job and I cannot wait to start pre-production and get everything going but at the moment I feel like the poor bugger who gets shot out of a canon at the circus. I’m in the barrel just waiting to hear the fuse getting lit. The anticipation is killing me.

 

cupcake challenge? Don’t mind if I do!

What happens when you’re given four days notice to make over 50 cupcakes?

YOU BAKE! Bake like you’ve never baked before. That’s right, this called for the polka-dot pinny! And tea. Lots of tea.

Righty ho, I shall put up the recipes for these later but for now please enjoy the photos. 🙂

I made red velvet cupcakes, chocolate cupcakes and vanilla cupcakes. They were iced with cream cheese and buttercream frosting and topped with a chili chocolate twirl.

And there were LOADS of them!

Read my nails! No, really.

I’ve been doing my nails!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

So here is the final result. Newspaper clippings as a poor-girls pedicure! If you’d like to know how to do this then scroll down.

Ok. Here’s how it’s done. You’ll need:

-a newspaper, magazine, print out of your favourite poem/ literature – whatever! As long as it’s on thin paper then you are good to go 🙂

-base coat and top coat nail varnish- clear nail varnish will do but might not last as long and the paper may discolour.

-PVA glue- this is water-based and non-toxic so use this kind of glue instead of any other kind.

-nail scissors or small scissors.

Right:

1) paint your nails with a clear varnish.

2) cut out your nail shape from the newspaper. You can do a rough estimate and size it up. Don’t worry if this takes a couple of attempts.

3) once you’re happy with your cut-outs place them to the side and do the next bit toe by toe.

4) dab some PVA on your nail using an ear-bud (q-tip?) and then place the cut-out on top and press down.

5) repeat with all nails and leave to dry.

6) trim in necessary and then add a couple of layers of top-coat nail varnish.

DONE AND DONE.

🙂

when did work become so…slack?

After a gentle stroll through the streets of London I found myself at the front door of the office where I was due to work. No door bell, no knocker. Just a sticker with a number. I called the number in the hope that someone would let me in. No joy. So I stand and wait for a bright idea to pop into my head (one that doesn’t involve going to get chips!). Just then the door opens: this is what followed:

C&SS-Hi I’m the new intern.

Employee1-What? *looks me up and down*. Ok, well get yourself upstairs and I’ll to you in a few alright babe? *wink*

C&SS- *unimpressed* Pardon?

Employee1-Nothing, just head up the stairs and I’ll be up with some sh*t to keep you busy.

C&SS-Ok. *goes up the stairs swearing in my head.*

            *avoids rubbish on the stairs- fag ends, broken glass bottles, discarded papers, bank statements and chocolate wrappers (for example)*

*begins to feel uneasy about this place, a little worried I may be walking into someone’s flat by accident.*

             *convince myself that NO-ONE can live like this*

             *30 seconds later proved wrong. Walk into a room to find a man on a sofa in his underwear with a laptop on and bright pink headphones on. Fag hanging out of mouth. Ash precariously hanging over crotch*

– erm… is this **************? I’m the new intern.

Employee2- Oui.

C&SS- Oh. Ok. I’ll just… *looks for a chair and sits.*

              * mesmerised by the ash.*

              *realises that staring at a fellow employee moments before a painful burning  incident is NOT a smart thing to do.*

              *gets out phone- nothing.*

             *continues to proofread newspaper.*

             *Employee1 comes back in swearing about something.*

Employee1- so babes, let’s find you some sh*t to do.

C&SS- I used to love that film too. Grown out of it now though.

Employee1-What? *looks genuinely confused- bless*

C&SS-‘Babe’. It’s a film. About a pig. And a farm. And singing mice *STOP LISTING FILM ATTRIBUTES C&SS!!*

             *smiles sweetly, as though that’s going to help*

Employee1-*processes the information* Oh yeah! Don’t watch that when your high, it’s sick!

C&SS- I’m sure it is. *Oh sweet Jesus?!*

Employee1-So, you know our paper, right? What’s “the boss” want you to do here? Or are you just here to do what I tell you? *wink*

C&SS-No. The latter is a no. On many levels. *He didn’t understand “latter”- probably thinks it’s a coffee drink.* I’m here to give you guys some rock coverage. And I need to talk to “the boss” to offer up some proofreading skills. You guys need it. No offence, but I’ve gone through the paper and…

Employee1-Oh I know babes, I know. It’s just w*nk. I mean, if I had the time to do it, it’d be tight as f*ck but it’s left to other peeps. Shame. If I did the proofin’ we wouldn’t have none trouble.

C&SS-*re-thinks his last statement.*

            *tries not to laugh.*

-I’m sure. So do you have anything you want me to proof whilst I wait for “the boss” to turn up?

Employee1- Nah, you wouldn’t handle it right now babes.

C&SS-*call me “babes” one more time and I’ll ram this laptop up your left nostril.*

             -Actually I’ve already proofed the last issue, my corrections are all in re…

Employee1- Anyways. So, I’m gonna get you sorting our events page on the website. Safe?

C&SS- *steaming…* Talk me through it and I’ll do it. 

Employee1-So pull up Resident Advisor (http://www.residentadvisor.net  – very nice people too!).

C&SS-What’s that?

Employee1- You sh*ttin me? You live in London babes?

C&SS-Yes. *latop…nostril…*

Employee1-Just moved here then? *pulls up the website and seeks the events page*

C&SS-No. Been here my whole life but unless this site covers rock gigs, I’m not going to know it. Sorry. *Smile. I’m not sorry.*

Employee1- Nah, none of that. So you like all that dark stuff then? Punchin people in the face in the mosh?

C&SS-Depends. Safe to say I’m not a dance music fan. I like some of it but I’m learning as I go. Rock is my true love.

Employee1-Well, I need you to go through their events and our events and make sure they match cuz they only show the sickest events. We want that. Safe?

C&SS- Indeedy.

Employee1- *blank expression*

C&SS- *begrudgingly* Safe.

Employee1- Alright! Let’s get so tunes going! “Employee3” check somefink on!

*cue angry Hip Hop about a man who refers to himself as a n***er, and how he hates being called a n***er  because it holds him and his n***er buddies down in this anti-n***er world; where a n***er is called a n***er and how unfair it is that non-n***ers say the word “n***er” when they have no right to. Confused? I was!*

Employee1-So babes, you one of those rock chicks then?

C&SS- *picturing a baby chicken in leather with a nose stud and a red mohawk*

-I guess so. Why?

Employee1- No. That’s safe. So what’s your favourite club?

C&SS- Erm…The Barfly, The Electric Ballroom or…hmmm… The Purple Turtle and The Dublin Castle is a little gem too!

Employee1-Clubs babes. You like clubs?

C&SS- I guess not. I like the kind of clubs you use to swing at people though.

Employee1-Oh yeah, what kind of people?

C&SS-The kind who call me babes.

Employee3- *spits tea across the room* I like ‘er!

Employee1- You’re gonna be one to watch then. Got a fella? Should I be scared of him?

Employee3- Of course she has!

C&SS-…

Employee1- *lights cigarette whilst looking at his laptop* Oh sh*t man! “The boss” aint comin’ in cuz he’s hangin from last night innit.

Employee3-Told you this would ‘appen. Pay me.

C&SS- *no “Boss” today? A few hours in this company? B*gger.*

Employee1- Guess you’re all ours then babes. Don’t worry, I’m gentle innit.

C&SS- *Still lost in own thoughts.*

              Don’t force me to re-arrange your keyboard with your face. *B*llocks! Didn’t mean to say that out loud!*

Employee1- Yeah, definitely got a fella I should watch out for.

———————————————HOURS LATER THE BOSS ARRIVES——————————————————–

The Boss- Hows it?! Yeah man, yeah.

EVERYONE- Hey, Hi, Sup, Safe, Howsit? (Etc)

The Boss- Right, so let’s crack on wiv what’s goin on today den. Everyone busy? Everyone happy? Good weekends people?

           *general hubbub that I wasn’t really paying attention to*

The Boss- Hey C&SS, how you doin? Good to see ya here. What we got you doin?

C&SS- Well, Employee4 has got me working on some material to fill out the rock section. I’ve got a few articles that could come out of this…

The Boss- Cool man, so I’ll have a full feature from you by the end of the day then? Safe.

C&SS-*wait…what?! A full feature, end of the day, that’s 30 mins!* Yeah, sure.

            *types furiously*

———————————————–30 Mins later, head down to see “The Boss”————————————————

C&SS- *knock, knock, knock* Can I come in?

The Boss- yeah man, come in. How’s it?

C&SS- Fine thanks. *Walks passed an angry man at a desk who is swearing down his phone about something.*

– I just wanted to let you know that I’ve done the article for you but I wasn’t sure of a word count and all that so…

The Boss- safe man. Right. Have a seat and I’ll tell you what I want you to do this week. You’re a part of the team now so you’ve got some heavy responsibilities to carry out.

C&SS- *WTF!? This is an internship, UNPAID internship and you have given me responsibilities?!* Ok, well talk me through it all. *Smile. Hide panic.*

The Boss- here’s the spreadsheet of what we all do here, day by day. We can all see it so you know what other people are up to and all that. Here’s your list. *EPIC LIST of things to be done today (it’s already 6pm)* You think you can handle that?

C&SS- Yes. I’ll get as much done today as I can. Which reminds me, what time do you want me here until today?

The Boss- well I said that we’d make your first day easy so let’s say…Stay here until 10?

C&SS- 10 pm?

The Boss- yeah. That’s an early one really.

C&SS- *maybe for you as you strolled in 30 minutes ago! Grr….* Ok. Well, I can’t stay until then because I’ll miss my last train home and you originally told me that today I’d be done by 6.

*The Boss looks mad. Almost disappointed.*

– I’ll stay until 8pm AND I’ll get loads of good work done for you. How’s that?

The Boss- *appeased* Yeah, alright. Let’s see how you do man. Just try and get 3 things off your list before you leave early.

C&SS- *early?! Grr….* Will do. *smile*

———————————————–8:00pm, head back down to see “The Boss”————————————————–

C&SS- *knock, knock, knock. What’s that smell? Hmm…*

The Boss- COME!

C&SS- *walks in. Ah, that’s what that smell is. Man, this is a thick haze! Delightful*

*Finds “The Boss” and his friend (angry man from before) sitting at a table shouting about something or other- at least, I can just about make out their outlines through the fog. My head already hurts. Let’s make this quick.

-Hey “The Boss”, I’m done for the day. Just wanted to let you know that I’ve done the article, I’ve done another one that’s been sent to Employee4, there are 6 events on the site, everything’s in order and I’ve done 7 things off my list.

*smiles sweetly*

The Boss- *looks stunned. Stands up and walks over to me* Sh*t man! That’s awesome. Hey man, *looks back at angry man* I told you she was sh*t hot! Safe man. Right, you’ve earned the right to go early. See you tomorrow at 10am. Safe. Good work man.

*goes back to blazing.*

C&SS- See ya. *walks out.*

*Deep breath. Re-navigates the stairs and heads home.*

———————————————————————————————————————————————–

So here it is. The day I worked for *************************, the strangest work experience I’ve ever had.

Make no mistake, I don’t judge those who part-take in the drug-orientated activities. I don’t approve BUT I don’t judge. As long as it’s not thrust onto me or anything like that then it’s other people’s business and I am in no position to stop them. HOWEVER in the work place?! Come on now! That’s just not right.

An odd day. I learnt a lot. An awful lot.

I now know that “safe” has multiple uses. Most enlightening.

Download the long and the short of it…

I had the joy of working at an events paper recently (I’ll put that experience into another blog) and they asked me to produce a feature about Download. A low-down of Download if you will! So I thought I’d put my work up here too. I’m like that.

This is the ORGINAL document- as I was given no target word count, I thought it best to just write and see what I could come up with and then cut it down. I will provide a link to the published version.

DOWNLOAD is Coming!

Derby is preparing for the annual invasion of rockers, rollers, punks, metalers, emos and hard core Goths! The wave of black and metal will be decending on Donington Park between the 10th – 12th June 2011 for the 8th year running. Fear not, the fine folk of Donington are used to this kind of gathering as it is the self-proclaimed “spiritual home of rock” having hosted previous rock festivals such as ‘Monsters of Rock’ (1980-1996) and the epic ‘Ozzfest’ in 2002.

This year’s line up will satisfy even the pickiest of rock fans with every sub-rock genre being musically represented; if you love metal, nu-metal and goth rock but hate emo worry not, there will be a stage performance to quench your wants and needs, for example on Sunday the 12th June you can start your day with a bit of Belligerence at the Red Bull stage, skip over to the second stage to enjoy Buckcherry and finish off your evening at the Main Stage with some Disturbed, Bullet For My Valentine and Linkin Park. This year’s line-up really does cater for all!

As with every year, there have been a few surprising additions, some blasts from the past and some not-so-surprising reformations. It is a sheer delight to see the likes of Def Leppard and Cheap Trick gracing the set list- I expect we’ll hear the crowd singing ‘I Want You To Want Me’ all the way down here in London! Possibly the hottest news of the festival is the supporting act for metal legends Def Leppard. Home-grown glam metallers The Darkness will be throwing on the Lycra onsies, back combing their wild locks and screaming once more for our delectation. Will they play the chart smashing hits? Will they cover some golden oldies? Will they delight us with some new material? Who knows, the only guarantee is that there will be fantastic banter and maybe even a few visual spectaculars- who can forget the flying boob carriage at Alexandra Palace in 2006?

Other highlights of the line-up are LA MC rockers Hollywood Undead promoting their latest album release ‘American Tragedy’. No doubt they will live up to the high standards set by the release of their live album ‘Desperate Measures’ in 2009. You’ll find yourself chanting “UNDEAD!” for days!

Linkin Park will be closing the festival on Sunday the 12th June. No doubt the set will be brimming with the greatest hits from albums past and present with Chester Bennington’s sultry tones and blood curdling roaring interjected with Mike Shinoda’s intellectual observation driven MC-ing.

There are obvious Main Stage must-sees like (rock deity) Alice Cooper, Rob Zombie, The Cult, Thin Lizzy and Skunk Anansie. Miss these at your own peril. They are rock legends for a reason.

If you do fancy venturing away from the main stage you will give yourself the chance to see some of the best that the UK has to offer like Bring Me the Horizon, Rise To Remain and Oaf.

You will find these underground heavies on the Second Stage, Pepsi Max Stage and Red Bull BedroomJam.com stage.

N.M.

I decided to take the link out because of my blog reviewing the whole experience. I don’t want to name names. I’m not that kind of chickadee. So here is my article below:

Derby is preparing for the annual invasion of rockers, rollers, punks, metalers, emos and hard core Goths! The wave of black and metal will be descending on Donington Park between the 10^th – 12^th June 2011 for the 8^th year running. There are obvious Main Stage must-sees like (rock deity) Alice Cooper, Rob Zombie, The Cult, Thin Lizzy and Skunk Anansie but you will find dark delights at the other stages such as Bring Me The Horizon, Belligerence and Cheap Trick. Possibly the hottest news of the festival is who will be filling the supporting slot for metal legends Def Leppard. Home-grown glam metallers The Darkness will be throwing on the Lycra onsies once more for our delectation. The set list is unknown but you can rest safe in the knowledge that there will be fantastic banter and maybe even a few visual spectaculars. This year’s Download will be deliciously decadent, dirty, dark and down right messy! Bring on the mosh.

N.M.

Bank holidays are there to make you tired!

So I’d like to rant about my bank holiday.

It’s 12:30am. I start a new internship tomorrow. WTF am I doing blogging now?!?! Night tines. Will complete this tomorrow!

Quick run down: music, events, falling over, MAOAM, gaffa tape, epic fail, chat-up lines, sleep, no sleep, party, dance show, 2012 logo debacle, Luke Concanon, Nathan Ball, Ed Lofstedt, cookies, tea, dick eggs, wedding fever, Grace Kelly-esq, no sleep.

Well that’s Thursday to Friday! Not even touched on the weekend! Night y’all!

30 Day Film Challenge

Ok, so the latest fad to sweep Facebook is one which I am glad to get on board with. It’s called the ’30 Day Film Challenge’ and it does pretty much what it says on the tin. 30 days to recall films according to a specific criteria.

Mine’s still on-going so I will update. I promise.

day 01 – your favorite film — AMELIE

day 02 – your least favorite film — WILD WILD WEST

day 03 – a film that makes you smile — LILO AND STITCH

day 04 – a film that makes you cry — THE IMMITATION OF LIFE

day 05 – a film that reminds you of someone — THE JOY LUCK CLUB

day 06 – a film you wish you had made — LABYRINTH

day 07 – a film that depicts your life — KICK ASS

day 08 – a film that you know all the lines to — DIE HARD

day 09 – a film from your childhood — THE LITTLE MERMAID

day 10 – a film you watch before bed — HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

day 11 – a film from your favourite director — BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT

day 12 – a film from your least favourite director — I couldn’t answer this one.

day 13 – a film that is a guilty pleasure —CLUELESS

day 14 – a film that no one would expect you to love —JACKIE BROWN

day 15 – your favourite foreign language film — TONARI NO TOTORO (My Neighbour Totoro)

day 16 – a film that you used to love but now hate — STIGMATA

day 17 – a film with your favourite actor/actress — LEON

day 18 – your favourite sci-fi/fantasy film — SUNSHINE

day 19 – a film that makes you think — PI. (π )

day 20 – a film that makes you laugh — THE PRODUCERS

day 21 – a film that you wish you had never seen — THE EXORCIST

day 22 – your favourite scary/horror film — SHOWGIRLS (get the quote?)

day 23 – your favourite documentary film — HOME

day 24 – a film you’d pass on to your grandchildren — A MIRACLE ON 34th STREET

day 25 – your favourite action/adventure film — INDIANA JONES

day 26 – a film of your favourite genre/era/movement — MARTIAL ART/FIGHT FILMS

day 27 – a film you would most like to have starred in — SUCKER PUNCH

day 28 – your favourite thriller/drama film — SE7EN

day 29 – a film you last saw at the cinema — SUCKER PUNCH

day 30 – your favorite film at this time last year — ALICE IN WONDERLAND

done and done. Wow…I have odd taste…

AMAZING MILLIE’S COOKIE STYLE RECIPE!

Gooey, yummy and ULTRA naughty.

Watch this space. I made a batch but ate them before I remembered to take a picture for here. Doh!

Will re-bake.

If I must.

It’s all in the name of the blog.

Of course…

==========================================================

Ok, so here we go.

Double Chocy-mallow Chip Cookies (Millie’s Cookie style)

Ingrediants:

Yummy yummy yummy, Millie’s Cookies eat your heart out!

 

125g butter, softened (I use Pure- a non-dairy substitute)

100g light brown, soft sugar

125g caster sugar

1 egg lightly beaten

1 tsp of vanilla extract (you can get a pod if you’d like but this is cheaper!)

175g self-raising flour

50g cocoa powder

1/2 tsp of salt

200g of chocolate chips

a handfull of marshmallows to be chopped up- not too many because they will just become a blob of goo!

Method:

1) Pre-heat the oven to 180°C, gas mark 4. Line a baking tray (you may need two!) with greaseproof paper.

2) Chop up your marshmallows. There should be a enough to fill one hand and that’s it- seriously, too many and it’ll just melt and make a sticky mess!

3) Cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl. Once it’s creamed add the beaten egg and the vanilla extract.

4) Sift in the flour, cocoa powder and salt. BEFORE stirring add in the chocolate chips and the marshmallow chunks.

5) Spoon the mixture onto the tray in “almost circles”. I know it looks messy but trust me, it’ll taste lush!

6) Pop the baking tray in the oven for 7 mins-10 mins and the cookies will come out GA-HORGEOUS!

*Note: if you fancy being all grown up and stuff then add a slosh of brandy into the mix at stage 3. Not too much mind, or you’ll have to add more flour to dry the mixture out.

*Note: if you don’t like marshmallows ^o^!!!! Then just leave them out, the recipe still works without them. No marshmallows, honestly, people like that exist in the world?…*ramble ramble ramble*

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Love and it’s illusions

It was bound to happen. I was ALWAYS destined to write about love. So deal with it.

Well…now I just don’t know what to say. I’ll come back to this.

——————————————————————————————————————-

Love makes you feel exposed. It really does take a lot to allow someone to see you for what you are. It takes even more to then trust them to not ridicule, humiliate, exploit or (chips forbid) LOVE you for all the little foibles that make you tick. I’m terrified to be loved for my faults but I’m even more petrified about being loved FOR them. I mean, surely that just makes the other person a right wierdo?! Right?

——————————————————————————————————————-

Humans do not love unconditionally. They are not capable of it. This is why I want a dog. This is why I have a cat- actually that’s a lie, I have a cat to remind me that not all animals love unconditionally! Oh well. Thinking of getting a fish…