Photo Blogging - One-a-Day! Day 51: New Music? Yes Please!!

I watched some of the Grammy's today and I may of found some new acts to lend my ears too.

Bruno Mars, B.o.B and Janelle Monae did an amazing performance showcasing a song of theirs.

Bruno Mars has been on our radios for a few month and boy is that guy talented. Piano, Drums, dancing feet.. Loving him. So much so, that I think I maybe owning a copy of Doo-waps and Hooligans very soon.

Janelle Monae. WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW! Voice. Energy. Fantastic talent. I think I will be stealing the album from my housemate as someone with this much charisma should not be overlooked!

Another artist that emerged from what seemed like nowhere, are a band called Lady Antebellum. I think they have just hit mainstream in the US so I don't know how long it will be until they reach our airwaves but I never thought I would say I enjoyed listening to a Country band. I have only heard 1 song (which I will post below) but I am intrigued about their other work. You tube me up!!

Other stand out performances (good and bad - I will let you decide!, Cee Lo in a half bear half bird outfit, Gwyneth Paltrow dancing on his piano, Rhianna getting jiggy with a hoodie around a fire, Muse front man Matt Bellamy getting all mushy over his pregnant girlfriend, Nicole Kidman caught singing along with Katy Perry and Will Smith busting some moves to Beiber!

I'm off to run my itunes and youtube in to over drive.

Night All and enjoy the week ahead

Photo Blogging - One-a-Day! Day 50: Post - Brits

The Brits.

Famous for being a right royale, **** up with numerous notable ones over it's 31 years.

This year, I missed it on the night it so I caught up over the weekend on the performances and awards.

Compared to the other Brits, it seemed pretty calm! No bums exposed and not as many swear words. Maybe this was due to the re-jig of the format to have more emphasis on the music, which is what the awards are about after all. 

There were some great performances and some AMAZING performances, namely Adele and Mumford and Sons. No flashy props or overkill sets. Just pure voices in an effortless performance.

I think all awards were well deserved in most categories....(Lets not talk about the Beiber).

If this is the winning format for the BRITs now, long may these awards reign as I felt it was about the music and for once, I wasn't wanted to break the TV because of the bad jokes that had been scripted or the shocking apperances of the nomination hosts.

Well Done to the BRITS. You have a fan once again.

 

Photo Blogging - One-a-Day! Day 49: Train Spotting

Commuting back to my homelands, I decided to jot down my observations.
Busy concourse at Victoria, suitcases all around.
Men in suits running through the station to the platforms to take them their destination.
Took a seat on the train. To my Right, Facebook addict next to me. Updating status and geo-tagging.
To my left, tinny noise seeping from headphones.
In front, I see a grown man in a bobble hat on a man's lap drinking wine from plastic cups.
Discarded free sheets all around the carriage, high and low
With a pastie smell drifting through the carriage.
Bing-Bong. The next stop is mine.
Familiar sights woosh by
I see bright lights.
The bright lights of home.

Photo Blogging - One-a-Day! Day 48: Masterchef - xfactor style

MASTERCHEF is back.

As a youngster I always used to be bored by Masterchef when my parents watched it. Those were the days with one TV in the house and you had to like it or lump it. Now, I find it interesting and even though I have other things to be getting on with I am drawn in to watching it.

Tonight, I watched the new series on Masterchef and it's gone all XFACTOR on us.

The chefs are now preparing their dish and then taking it in to a room with the judges to finish creating and plating. Once ready, drunk looking John Torode and Gregg ' I wanna get all over that dish ' Wallace try their food and decide.. Do they get a clean white apron with a M on it or not! If their dish doesn't cut the mustard (*giggles to self*), they have to push their food trolley out the door to consolation hugs from their loved ones, with their apron strings between their legs

Masterchef hasn't changed that much that they get an apron for cooking well, its to symbolise they are through to the next round when the 'heat is really on!'

Why change the format masterchef!? We enjoyed it the way it was before. Now it seems so copycat and not orginal. I bet Mr. Grossman was screaming at the TV too!

I'm still going to tune in next week, it looks like it might go all Hell's Kitchen on us!

Photo Blogging - One-a-Day! Day 47: The start of something new??

I'm going to be needing this tomorrow... it could pave a way!

Photo Blogging - One-a-Day! Day 46: Reflection

Sitting on the tube.

I turn right.

I see someone looking back at me.

It's me.

My reflection.

In a dirty window.

Somehow I look better.

Photo Blogging - One-a-Day! Day 45: Will you be my Valentine?

Valentine's.

I speak to most and it's agreed that it is too commercialised and they don't take want to take part... but a card would be nice!

My better half and I decided to buy something small for each other and I liked doing that as it's not something heart emblazoned or chocolate coated and filled. We got each other something as a token and seeing the smile on his face and hearing him laugh was the best part of it.

 

Photo Blogging - One-a-Day! Day 44: And the winner is...

My BAFTA Highs and Lows

HIGH - King' Speech won some well deserved gongs!

LOW - Tim Burton.. zzzzzzzzzzz

HIGH - Hoorah! to Harry! Winner of the Outstanding Contribution

LOW - It's depressing how beautiful Jessica Alba is!

HIGH - Dominic Cooper & Rosamund Pike's autocue hell.

LOW - The reminder of the greats that have passed away. " I am serious... and don't call me Shirley".

HIGH - Four Lions won an award for the best debut by a director. A great film I would recommend

LOW - Gemma Arterton didn't win rising star

HIGH - Christopher Lee. What a legend

LOW - Helena's Speech.. LONG!

HIGH - Jonathan Ross's comment after Helena Boham Carters Speech.

Going to finish on one final high...

ANDREW GARFIELD! *heeeeeelllllllllllllllllllooooo! :P x*

 

Photo Blogging - One-a-Day! Day 43: Giant Jelly Babies

I'm thinking I may have to take a visit to see these statues in Marble Arch.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11549879

It could be a great opportunity to practise different lighting and settings with my camera.

Photo Blogging - One-a-Day! Day 42: Furry Feet

Ill.

Wrapped up.

These bad boys keeping my tootsies warm

Photo Blogging - One-a-Day! Day 41: Breath!

Imitate me by *pinching nose* and saying "I godda blocked up knos"

Photo Blogging - One-a-Day! Day 40: Stick a Fork in Me - I'm Done!

Residents, Tourists or workers of London, lend me your ears!

Looking for a reasonably priced eatery that offers a taste of various cusines from the globe?

Then you must go to Kitchin N1 in Kings Cross.

I must confess early on that this is not my first visit to Kitchin, or my second. It's my sixth! Kitchin has been the place that I have taken parents, friends and a date and everytime I have been, I have stuffed my face!

For just under £15 per head, you can indulge in the delights of Thai, Chinese, Indian, Italian and the newly introduced, Japanese (Sushi).

It is a buffet restaurant with an open kitchen in the centre where you can see the chef's at work. The best part of Kitchin is the Stir-fry section.

It's brilliant! You choose your own ingredients and pile it on a plate. You hand this to the Chef and you can add Chicken, Prawns or mixed seafood to the meal. He will then ask you how hot you like it and in the wok it goes! Your dish gets swished around and made to order and in a few minutes it's steaming hot on a plate ready for you to enjoy.

I ate A LOT and 4 plates and 10 spring rolls later I felt huge, but very much satisfied!

Without a doubt, I will be back again!

 

and hopefully with room for desserts!

 

Photo Blogging - One-a-Day! Day 39: Note Taking

Got to put the theory into practise at my course on Tuesday.

It was interesting, if not difficult at first as I was in a group with 4 people who didn't really talk! I had to lead, which I wasn't comfortable with!

It was a great lesson though, I got to use my brain and put my understanding on the topic in to good use.

We didn't do bad, but there is still areas to read up on. I can't wait 'til my text book arrives :o) *GEEK ALERT!*

[Good use of two coloured pens apparently!!]

 

Photo Blogging - One-a-Day! Day 38: Monday Observations

I spotted something today and it inspired me to write a list of observations to share with you. Today, I spotted the following:

Big Grin! - " A smile is an inexpensive way to change your looks" 

Today, I saw a huge smile. A smile of relief. A smile of joy. A smile of someone who got an opportunity. A smile of someone who took the opportunity. Then I saw a smile, mine. I was smiling for this person and how happy they are.

A Look of worry! A look of Anger.

At Kings Cross tonight, some guy decided to get his foot stuck in the door of the tube train. He ran for the train and as he took a step, the doors closed on his foot. One foot on the tube, the rest of his body on the platform. He tried to raise the alarm and attention of the platform working but waving. No noise. Just a jolly wave and a look of worry across his face.

The doors opened and as he smiled with relief, everyone else looked at him with anger or disdain. I am sure as soon as those doors shut again, there were some very loud tuts and huffs to be heard.

A Not So Dreary London - "London is so grey!"

Not tonight! Tonight, I saw a red coat and on the other side of the street, another. Then from automatic doors from Tesco's another red jacket appeared before my very eyes with another ahead of me crossing the zebra crossing.Shaking my head in disbelief, I looked up to find a red jacket smoking by the doors of the tube

5 Red Jackets in 1 day.

London obviously does have vibrancy after all.

Shuffle me up Baby!

My ipod sometimes bores me. I feel let down by the 1000 plus songs I have on it and I always find myself skipping. (Want to ease this woe of mine?? Click here!) Tonight, on my interesting journey home I was treated to the back to back toe-tapping, finger drumming joys of:

David Bowie - John, I'm only dancing

Jimmy Eat World - A praise chorus

White Lies - To Lose my Life

Muse - Plug in Baby

Feeder - Buck Rogers

White Rose Movement - Love is a number

The Beatles - I want to hold your hand

Editors - Bones

Supergrass - Pumping on your stereo

 

Photo Blogging - One-a-Day! Day 37: Creative Writing

I personally don't think I have got the hang of this creative writing. I feel a lot like I'm writing emails or texts.

There are a lot people out there that have amazing ability to write so well and draw you in to their world.

On Sunday, I read a blog by one of the 'One a Day' project bloggers as it was recommended by the project boss, Pete. He did advise us that is a difficult read as it is so personal to the writer, Daniel and also such a tragic story.

Daniel is posting parts, day by day and so far I'm up to Day 5 and what this guy has been through so far is just so .................. I can't even think of the right word but his writing has really struck a cord as I'm drawn in and find myself shedding a tear or two.

I don't know Daniel but what I do know is that he is a very brave man to put this very personal account of a tragedy into words and make it so public.

If you would like read Daniel's story, it starts here

Another writer, who I am extremely jealous of is my mate Gemma. Gemma, I have known for many, many years and she is amazingly talented in many respects as well as an amazing friend. Gemma, inspired by my lacklusturous efforts has started her own blog which I am so jealous of! It's a cute little blog where Gemma often reflects on her memories and her most recent project, her new home!

If you have five minutes, take some time to read Gem's Blog and smile along with the all too familiar memories of been a lot smaller and a lot younger than we are now.

Photo Blogging - One-a-Day! Day 36: Oh Procrastination... i'll finish that line later

I wanted to tidy the house the other day. It needs a hoover and an all round good scrub.

I donned my 'knocking around the house' clothes. You know the clothes that your mum used to tell you to wear when you were at home, for fear of you getting your 'best' clothes dirty or ruined.

Hoody and Joggers - Check!

Bin Bag - Check!

Oooo.. someones messaged me on facebook..

DOH!

Goodbye an hour what could of been a massive clean up operation!

I pulled myself together and started to put some washing on and started tidying my room. Radio blearing out some classic 90's tracks causing quite a few air punches and air guitar of an elite standard. The mini clean up was going well. Socks matched up and rolled up, clothes folded or hung, put a few bits and bobs away, all good stuff until I clocked the time. It wasn't long until I had to ditch this and get my glad rags on to head out for a night on the town.

Decided to put the dinner on, finish my room and get ready to go out. Except Mr. Procrastination decided to pop by again.

Don't worry, I didn't put off the dinner!

Just the completion of the task I started 6 hours ago!!

So I'm still sitting in a pig-sty... I guess I will start again in a bit :/

 

Photo Blogging - One-a-Day! Day 35: Note to self: Be aloof in a mini-cab

After catching up on 4OD, my eye caught this image!

WELOME TO ROMFORD - a one off documentary set inside the mini-cabs that service the Romford area.

It's all eeriely familiar, falling asleep in a cab, singing BADLY with friends and the all too common 'You had a good night tonight??'

I found myself giggling a lot watching this, with some great characters caught on film. There were a few mouth wide open moments that I couldn't quite believe.

Got 25 minutes to spare, then watch WELCOME to ROMFORD. You will certainly think twice when your in a cab tonight!

 

 http://www.channel4.com/programmes/welcome-to-romford/4od#3160916

Photo Blogging - One-a-Day! Day 34: Fashion! Turn to the left! Fashion! Turn to the Right

Anyone ever look at someone and think.. 'Wow if only I could pull that look off! I love everything that they are wearing but I would look like a idiot if I tried!"

That happened to me today. This girl looked amazing. Playsuit, heels and a cute bag with a cape style coat. If I put that together in an ensemble together, I would look like I had a fight with a sale rack in TKMaxx and lost.

 

Photo Blogging - One-a-Day! Day 33: Adj. defeated - not successful; having failed or having an unfavorable outcome

Wednesday.

Mid week.

A blue, blue day.

[ My face, for most of Wednesday - attractive eh! ]

Today, I felt defeated. When I was penning this, I wasn't sure defeated was the right word. I looked up a definition and I still wasn't sure until I saw a few posts on google from forums and blogs.Most of the people who had posted seem to be in a worse frame of mind than myself, however the message was still the same.

I felt god damn awful today, possibily due to the fact that I was tired but all I wanted to do was get up from my desk and walk. Walk out into a cold breeze and walk. I don't know where to, but just wander aimlessly.

I think I felt defeated as it feels like I have so much on and so little time to organise myself and complete tasks and duties. My work finish time is a haze, it drags on to a hour which most would see as unreasonable, but its the only way I can seem to manage things.

On top of this, I have other things playing on my mind and I cannot seem to socialise or break away from the work mode. This is not resting well in my relationships and I am awaiting the moment when they crack too.

My definition of deafeted maybe different to the Oxford or Collins one, or to anyone elses but to me, to be defeated means I am failing to or have failed to acheive.

Photo Blogging - One-a-Day! Day 32: Make Me Laugh!

I starting reading a book today. One that my Grandparents kindly bought me for Christmas.

I have starting to read in to the life of Michael McIntyre, not everyones favourite comedian but one I think that is generally liked by most. (If you are not part of the majority, sorry if this blog affends your eyes!)

I have only read the first few chapters and the writing style is very much like Michael's speaking and performance style. I even find myself, reading it (in my head) in the same way he speaks and imaging the animated head wobbles and arms being waved around. 

So far, he is discussing the early years of his life (yes,I know this is the generally the way autobiographies begin!) and I am finding myself smiling through the paragraphs as he describes his mixed ethnicity and the characteristics of his family members.

So far, a very easy book to get into and I am looking forward to learning more about his hysterical and embarrassing stories of growing up and how he became famous.

I cannot wait to get to the photo pages though, oooo there are some crackers!

 

Photo Blogging - One-a-Day! Day 31: 1 Month down, 11 to go

31 Days on, this is still hard work.

What inspires me to going, is the fact that there are people reading this. So, Thank YOU, for your support and if you have commented via the box below or on facebook/twitter or even in person, Thank YOU again for taking the time to do so, it is encouraging and does make me want to continue it.

Finding inspiration is the toughest thing. As the title says, this is meant to be a Photo-blog but unfortunately the areas I seem to pass through are not inspiring really, which is sad considering I work and live in a pretty random and vibrant city. So I apologise for the basic and crappy clip-art but I think a picture of some form keeps you all interested (she hopes!!!!!!!!).

With all your support, I would love to make it Day 60, so I welcome all your support in any form as I want to unlease my creativity on you all... if I can find it first.

 

Thank you once again

xxx