Packing.

With my work submitted I have to turn my attention to other things. I'll be busy over the next few days putting things together for my holiday. I can't believe it's only a few days until I'll be in Kavos.

Whilst I'm gone I've set up posts that will be scheduled to be posted each day whilst I'm away. Once I'm back after my holiday then I'll be staying in Huddersfield a little while with friends before my graduation ceremony. Life is going by very quickly; it's all very exciting. The most important thing for me to consider at the moment is which books I'm going to pack...

If you have any topics you'd like me to try to cover, let me know in the comments section or tweet me @GabrielleLeimon using the hashtag #BlogTopic
Similarly if you're part of a band and want me to review your work, an author wanting your book reviewed or any artist in general please get in touch as I'd love to review, discuss and promote new talent. Please feel free to get in touch at any point.

Song of the Day: Give It A Go

A live version of Molotov Jukebox's Give It A Go
I appreciated the care-free and spirited vibe in the music video and wanted to share.

Huzzah! My collection of short stories and my collection of poetry have been submitted!
Hopefully at least one of the two will be published. If not I'll submit my work to other places and remain hopeful. I'll take tomorrow off and the day after I begin novel writing and the research stages of a new project. If the project goes ahead it'll involve a small Kickstarter. It will literally be the smallest Kickstarter I've ever seen. Keep your eyes peeled. Exciting things lie ahead.

Support Dreams

The other day I was in Camden and a guy came up and spoke to me.
This is fairly common in Camden. You'll often find people from charities wanting to speak about their cause, people trying to sell their products on the street. Camden is a wild and vocal place. The man I spoke to, however, actually was successful in his aim.

The young man had recently recorded his first album and was selling copies of the CD. Most people were simply walking by and ignoring him completely. In fact this would have been my usual response as we're so often taught to hold tight to our purses and not fund anyone asking on the street at any time. Normally I'd walk by and not give a second thought but this time I didn't. Since I'm currently throwing myself into my writing I'm fully aware of how hard it is to get your work published. I'm sure it is equally hard trying to gain attention for your music or any other art form. The man was asking for small donations of a few pounds. Something about him really moved me, so I gave him some money and bought a copy of his CD. His work wasn't the kind of music that usually appeals to me but I know how hard it is to be at the bottom trying to work your way to the top. I admired his courage to stand out and spend the day trying to make his dreams happen and hated the idea of him going home empty handed after a long day.

I think it's important that we remember what it feels like to be at the bottom with dreams of making it to the top. So many people put in their work, time and energy and really struggle to advance. In an age where so many opt for the instant road to stardom via competitions and talent shows I admired him for taking a more traditional route to his personal goals. If you have money to spare why not help fund the arts by donating to local artists or even doing so via art fund website Kickstarter? Why not go to see unsigned bands performing in your local area? Why not go to student art/fashion shows?  Why not go and support indie film-makers? Support the stars of the future and make them feel one step closer to their goals.

Night.

I find myself to naturally be a rather nocturnal person.
Most of my inspiration for writing or my ideas for life tend to come to me at night. As a result I'm often up late on my own. I like the quiet, the sounds of lonely birds squawking and foxes on the prowl. It's so peaceful. I like the peace and quiet to just watch bad horror movies or write whilst alone with my thoughts. I'm currently up just getting my own work done.

One of my favourite things about summer at my home is sitting outside when it's late and watching the bats fly around, flapping their leathery wings against the stars.

Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Let me know in the comments section below.

"I LIKE TURTLES"

Oh man. I've just heard that areas of Kavos provide a home to the loggerhead turtle especially in the Issos Beach and Cape Aspro Kavos locations. I've always thought turtles were really beautiful, peaceful creatures. I'm now going to plan ahead and look into the possibilities of seeing a turtle. I don't know why I'm so excited by this prospect.





You probably all think of me like this kid now:

Kavos

I've just been out doing chores in the garden. I came in as big, grumpy rain-clouds began to edge over the sky. Then I remembered next week I'll be in Kavos. 

Kavos is a town in the Greek island of Corfu. Whilst there I'll be soaking up as much sea, sand and sun as possible and taking some time to relax before my graduation ceremony the week after. I'll be heading off with some lovely ladies from university and we shall be letting our hair down to celebrate results and whatever lies ahead for us.

There's a lot to do before I head off. Over the next few days I'll be excited as I begin to pack and consider any last minute information ahead of the trip.

I'm really looking forward to this as it has been years since I went abroad. I remember when I went to Mykonos around 5 years ago. We arrived in the early hours of the morning as the sun was rising and all I wanted to do was get into my bikini and swim in the pool. The poolside was totally empty, reflecting the slight purple hue of the morning sky. Though Kavos is known as a heavy party town I'm hoping to do a lot of reading and relaxing during my visit.

Wanderlust

I'm currently applying for some jobs abroad. I've already sent off a few for jobs in Italy and France. Next I'll apply for more in Bulgaria, Poland and wherever else suits my current needs.
Now that I'm about to jet off to Kavos I'm excited by the mere idea of travel and if I can combine it with work I'll be very happy indeed.


If not I'm looking at doing volunteer work in New Zealand, Mexico and Greece.
Let's hope I get a job somewhere lovely.

Women

I think today of all days is one in which we should consider the powerful and influential women in our lives.

I say this after Senator Wendy Davis staged a marathon filibuster in Texas against the abortion bill. This woman had to stand and speak for 13 hours without food, water, sitting down, rest or pause of any kind. The strength that Senator Wendy Davis has shown in support of women and reproductive rights goes above and beyond the call of duty. The only time that Senator Davis could get away without speaking was when she was listening to questions presented to her.

Why was she doing this?

If she was able to stand and talk for 13 hours on the matter, it would stop the bill from reaching the office of Rick Perry and being passed. The bill itself would stop women from getting abortions around 20 weeks of gestation. Though many pro-life supporters would feel that this is a long enough gestation period for women to decide on abortions they are forgetting that around this time women can experience or learn of life-threatening difficulties ahead in their pregnancy. It puts the life of an unborn foetus above the life of the mother carrying it. It may be discovered that there are heavy foetal complications, even occurring in the death of the foetus, which could require an ethical abortion process. Similarly there have previously been many cases where women haven't known about their pregnancy until very late. Heck, there's even a show called 'I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant' that openly discusses cases in which this has occurred. Senator Wendy Davis was standing up for women and their right to choose what is best for themselves and the foetus that they carry.

The bill threatened not only to have an impact on women's right to an abortion. It would have made abortions less accessible to women in general in the state of Texas.

Women are not simply baby machines. Women should have the right to decide what happens to their body and the bodies growing inside them if there are complications. The bill would also restrict abortion clinic locations by demanding that all abortions are performed within ambulatory surgical centres and would also require any physicians that perform abortions to have specific admitting privileges to do so at hospitals within 30 miles. This would pose difficulties for women living in rural areas or areas with little transportation to the appropriate hospitals. The bill would impact the lives of women but also the doctors that serve them.

I find it particularly interesting to examine how the government seeks to treat people through their lives. When in the uterus pro-lifers would say that you should make the full gestation period regardless of the circumstances, health or finance of the parents. As soon as you're born to that parent, you are theirs. If they cannot afford you and have to seek financial aid then they're treated like some sort of leech to the system for needing the money to support the child they didn't want or couldn't afford.

As Wendy Davis tried to speak her view people were constantly attempting to interject and speak over her. There were cries of "let her speak" coming from supporters. Even President Obama tweeted that "something special" was happening in Austin and used the hashtag #StandWithWendy. Women's rights advocates flocked to be present with Wendy in an act of solidarity in the final stretch of her filibuster. Senator Wendy Davis and her team reached out to women and collected their personal stories to give her material to keep talking and people in their thousands wrote in to support her. Websites like Tumblr and Twitter have been ablaze with support.

I think that we should all applaud Wendy Davis. Whether you agree with her views or not it has to be acknowledged that what she has done to support her cause has taken a super-human level of energy and strength. She, to me, is a true hero for quite literally standing for what she believes in. Today I ask you to be thankful for all the strong, independent women out there who are brave enough to raise their voices to question the treatment of women within our society. May we follow those who dare, may they ever inspire us and may there ever be women with the strength of Senator Wendy Davis.

Recommended Reads

Another Wednesday.
You know what that means?
Yes, here are my recommendations of things to read, look at, experience etc online in an attempt to cure your internet boredom. From this week onwards I'm now going to include YouTube videos in my Wednesday posts because I'm a bit of a YouTube addict.

• Author and YouTuber John Green may be on paternity leave - but here he is making pizza with Hannah Hart. I love John Green and Hannah Hart so a video with both of them is PERFECT. Also there's a dinosaur piñata and THE YETI
• How To Become A DJ - a basic guide for noobs. 
• Steam Retro on Etsy - beautiful jewellery and accessories. As I type this I am even wearing two SteamRetro rings. 
• Tits @ Download 2013 - an excellent article about sexism and the female body at Download Festival 2013.
• Lovely Dyed Locks - if you're as mad about coloured hair as I am then this is the blog for you. I'm constantly changing my hair colours so it's nice to head over to this blog to see where I could go next (I'm thinking Atlantis Blue from Directions)
• Speaking of John Green - someone turned his advice to new writers into a comic strip - Great advice for budding writers
• Do you like fashion? So does Natasha Bird so why not follow her blog as she discusses contemporary fashion. Natasha Bird is a UK journalist and previous editor of Woman This Month.
• Kickstarter.com! Kickstarter is so in and so fresh right now. If you've any pennies to spare why not put a small bit of money towards funding independent artists and creators on a project of your choice? I'm hoping to soon do a Kickstarter of my own so if you could take a look now that would be great. My Kickstarter, if I go ahead with it, shall be up next month. 

That's all for this week. I hope there's something of interest to you here.
See you this time next week, dear readers.

Song of the Day: I Go Crazy by Flesh For Lulu

This song makes me think of strolling on a summer day.
Hopefully the weather will be better tomorrow than it was today.

Enjoy,

Tragic Tea Loss.

Today is a sad day.
Twinings have apparently stopped giving out free samples of tea on their website. I have previously ordered several, always under increasingly ridiculous names, and I really enjoyed it when they'd actually bother to send them. I always thought that they'd eventually look at names like "Josephine De La Boris", "Angelique Lashayla" or "Roquefort St John" and eventually stop sending them.  I shall look forward to drinking my last two teas and really savour them. That said it's not like Twinings have lost any money from this as I buy their teas almost religiously. Now I have to buy tea like normal people... Good Heavens!

Into The Woods We Go...

I'm off for another run/work out session. I got into running when I had just started at my job and I could fit in a run or basic fitness session before going to work. Then my shifts changed and I worked only mornings. Even if I did find enough time to work out there wouldn't have been much time to shower.

Now that I have more time to myself I find that I can get back into fitness. Even a small session of lifting weights, doing sit ups, crunches or light running in the fresh air can really boost my mood a little. I'm so lucky to live near a forest where I can run amongst the trees and breathe in good, clean air.




I hope you all find time over the summer to take care of yourselves. Fitness and exercise is not just for those who want to lose weight. It's about maintaining your health. Why not look up your local gym and see if they give any free day pass opportunities? That way you'll get a free day of exercising with proper equipment to let you know what the gym offers.
Stay healthy, blog-ghosts.

Under-appreciated Movies: Josie And The Pussycats

Here I want to highlight another excellent film that is totally overlooked and should be way more popular than it currently is. This film is Josie and the Pussycats. Released in 2001 this is a film I found and rented on VHS at a small town corner-shop. Boy, does that make me feel old...

Based on the Hanna Barbera cartoon, this live action film follows three aspiring musicians and their band as they suddenly and mysteriously shoot directly into stardom. This film provides a wonderfully post-modern and satirical view of the pop music industry full of subtle humour from start to finish. A running gag in the show is the theme of subliminal messaging. A huge plot point is the idea of subliminal messaging in pop music. This is mirrored with subtle product placement in almost every scene. Full of music from one of my favourite 90s bands, Letters To Cleo, this is a film that is incredibly underrated. It makes interesting statements about the music industry and the relationship we have with it. The film boasts some really great moments and a talented cast. My favourite moment is when one character subtly breaks the fourth wall without any of the characters noticing. This is a sly jab at consumerism, greed and the pursuit of fame/fortune. I'd say this is the perfect film to cuddle up to on a lazy evening in.

Song of the Day: Tick Tock by Molotov Jukebox

Molotov Jukebox, a band featuring the wonderful Natalia Tena of the Harry Potter franchise and Game of Thrones series, is a double threat. With her great acting skills already established, it's good to finally hear her amazing voice combined with a cool Dia de los Muertes vibe.
Very stylish and truly catchy.
Enjoy,

The Art of Celebrity Baby Names

So Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have welcomed their daughter into the world and named her... North West.

"Another crazy celebrity baby name!" people cry over their gossip magazines and Facebook dashboards. Yes, we often wait with anticipation to hear what arbitrary names celebrities are calling their babies in the hopes of hearing what Celeb-land will churn out next. That being said their may be method in their madness. In fact I'd say, when considering the purpose of naming, that it's not really that mad at all.

After having a baby there is a push to choose a name, to bestow the child with a title to follow them for the rest of their life. Though the ceremonials of naming a child differ in their respective cultures, the purpose of giving someone a name is to give them a part of their identity by which we can mentally identify them against other people. This was we know that 'Sophie Alice Green' is different from 'Dorothy May Green'. Names are identifiers by which we attempt to understand in conversation who we are referring to or addressing. Giving a child a name from the list of most popular names from their respective birth year only means that they will be more likely to be confused with other people and therefore slightly less unique. Growing up I found myself rather lucky to have a fairly uncommon name for my area at the time. That said I would find there to be multiples of names in most classes. There would be two girls named Rebecca, two boys named Adam, a handful of girls called Hannah or a bunch of boys called Ben. I'd often find that when we had two people in a class of the same names we'd all have to find ways to establish which person was which.
Obviously the popular names will be influenced by sociocultural influences or media trends. After the popularity of Twilight names like Jacob and Isabella are incredibly popular. Unique names set children apart from their classmates. Their names will stand out when applying for jobs. A good name will make a person more memorable.

In fact if I were to reference "Apple" or "Blanket" then I'm sure you automatically know who it is I'm referencing. The celebrity world is full of children with unique names. Now such unique names aren't for every family but they certainly serve their purpose in identifying the specific person. There are millions of names and potential names out there. Perhaps we should applaud people, not just celebrities, who give their children more unusual or unconventional names. One may say it builds more character and gives an interesting impression of that person. They're setting their children apart from their peers and giving them an interesting moniker to frame their identity.

Sure, North West is pretty out there in terms of names but I'm sure there is probably no other child with that name in the world and therefore, in that sense, I'd say Kim and Kanye have done their job right in giving their child a unique identifier for a name.

Song of the Day: Heart's A Mess by Gotye

This has been stuck in my head all day.

Enjoy,

Sundays and Silver Linings.

I'm looking forward to relaxing soon.
It's been a rather tough couple of days and I'm left wondering what I can do next. In a few days I'll have submitted my various collections of work for publication and then I'll be in the last 6 months of the year. During those last 6 months I shall try to write/finish a novel whilst also entering the planning and research stages of another project. I like to believe that every cloud has a silver lining and that all the negative stuff that has happened over the past few days will really push me into doing something productive.
I've started applying for my dream internships and really thinking about what I want to achieve over the next few years.
I apologise if I'm a little more quiet over the next week or so.
I hope you've all come out of a good week and that the week ahead holds good things for you, readers.

How to become a DJ.

Whilst I was at university I was a DJ for my uni radio station. It was something that I really loved. Before I went to uni I'd make playlists for specific tasks/times (jogging/bath etc) or I'd make my own playlists for parties and DJ there. Hosting my own radio show, and eventually becoming Head of PR and Marketing for the radio station, allowed me to pursue an interest I may not have otherwise pursued. Here are a few simple tips for anyone interested in becoming a DJ.




Is being a DJ right for me?

This may sound patronisingly obvious, but to be a DJ you have to really love music. If you're someone actively involved in your chosen/favourite music scene and are opinionated about performers and their work then being a DJ may suit you. It's also best for someone that has a wide music library at their disposal to work from. Before you pursue being a DJ I highly suggest you go to clubs and watch a DJ at work. Or, if you're wanting to DJ for a radio show in a studio, listen to the radio regularly. You really need to be aware of any industry you're going into. Question where it is that you want to DJ: on a radio show, in a club? What equipment will you use? Will you create your own music/remixes? Really try to understand what it is, what you want from the experience and where you're going.

If you are looking to DJ your own club night then scope out your area. Is there an appropriate venue? Why not go speak with the manager and see if you can DJ any events there? Ask what equipment they have so you can work out what you need to provide. Then learn to read the crowd and their reactions. If the dance-floor is empty then you may need to consider playing something a little different. You'll learn how to read a crowd over time. Put together playlists in advance so you know how well one track will run into another. You don't want slow song after slow song. Listen through your playlist and move songs around to make something really great.

Also I'd say that if you want to be a DJ you should pay for your music. I understand. We live in an expensive world but as a DJ you have to love music and people that really love music pay for it. Paying for music is crucial in supporting the music scene, especially if you're involved in the alternative music scene. Piracy isn't cool because being a DJ makes you part of the music industry so help others working with you.


How do I find a venue to DJ at?

Keep an eye out for new venues opening in their area as they can be quite open to a DJ approaching them as it may help their business. Plan your club night. How will you market it? What music will you play? What equipment are you bringing and how will you transport it to the event? Is your event appropriate to the area you're in? Will it be popular and successful?

Once you've found a venue it is crucial to start advertising the event in advance. Harness social media websites as well as traditional methods like flyer-giving and poster placing to gain as much attention as possible for your event.

How do I host a radio show and DJ on air/online?

Many universities or colleges will have a campus radio station. Also do research on any local radio stations in your area that broadcast on air in the traditional manner or online. Online radio is becoming more and more popular. All I have to say on this is just do your research. I looked up my university  radio station before I even moved to the area. It was because of how passionate my pitch was that they took me on and I was involved with them all three years I was there. Just keep looking, remain confident and run your pitch by a few people in advance. Look for radio and media internships in the hopes of finding something.



However you go about it, go with confidence. This is something anyone can learn to do and do well over time. If you want to do well you'll have to work hard at at. I wish you all the best of luck if this is something you choose to pursue. I really enjoyed my time as a DJ and will look into getting back into it again soon.

Song of the Day: This Corrosion by The Sisters of Mercy

I realised that this blog needs much more Andrew Eldritch inspired awesomeness.
This comes from The Sisters of Mercy, an all time favourite band of mine, with one of their biggest hits.
Enjoy,

Advice to those heading off to college/university soon.

So the summer is creeping in. After summer another flock of graduates all over the world will head off to their new institutes of learning to pursue a higher education. If this is you - congratulations! Don't forget all the work you've put in to get to this point.

Here are a few items of advice to you at this time from someone who is about to graduate.

• You're here to work, so work. Of course that's an obvious point to make but many people forget it. Some go to university in search of the 'student experience' having been mislead so that they think of it as a time to live away from home, party and seek freedom. It is, however, a time of study and education. There are so many people in the world who would love to have the experiences that you are having so I beg you to appreciate this and to understand the privileges at your feet and do not waste this time. Absorb as much as you can, learn during this time and get as much from the experience as you can. It will be tough, but it will be rewarding. If you scraped through school beforehand, don't expect to pull that all over again. Try to sit at the front of a lecture room, listen up and take lots of notes. Try to prepare things to say in seminars/lectures and speak up. This is your time to shine and the students that shine are the ones professors remember. If they remember you, they're more likely to be on your side to support you later on.

• University isn't easy. This is something that I discussed quite candidly in my university experience review. Half way through my time at university I wanted to quit entirely though, a year and a half later, here I stand with an upper second. I've earned myself a good degree which is so much better than just running away. Universities and colleges often have services to help you if you're struggling so don't ever be afraid to ask for help because that's not failure either. Asking for help often takes a deal of strength too. 

• If you haven't done so already, find out how you work. What are your personal work ethics? How do you learn best? If you work best in groups, why not organise group study sessions? Find ways that will help you, and perhaps others, learn at this time. You can really tailor the university experience to your needs whilst you're learning.

• Don't just stay in your dorm room or hide yourself away. Try to push yourself to do at least one extra curricular activity to keep you from getting lonely or going insane. Having people around you at this time will be a great help. Study, but also make time for yourself and other things in life.

• Do interesting things in the summer breaks from college/university so your mind doesn't slump. Consider travelling, learning something new, taking up a new hobby etc.

• Student life is tough and often leaves you with little money so try to avoid buying your academic books/text books from campus book-stores. Try looking them up in second hand book-stores or on Amazon and you can save a huge amount of money.
  
• Many students feel very much alone during their first term/semester at university/college. Try to socialise, go out to events and really put yourself out there to try and meet people in this new space. Also make sure to keep in touch with the people who have been in your life longer so as not to fall out of touch with them in this new chapter of your life.

• Even when your studies are over continue to use that brain of yours to explore the possibilities of the human conciousness. Apply what you've learned to other places in life. Find ways to harness your education and use it in the future.

College/University can be a fresh start in many ways. This is were your learning is really handed over to you and only really guided by professors and other students. Remember that you've probably got way more potential and intelligence than you think you do. Work hard and make good decisions that will get you where you want to be. You are worthy and capable of achieving academic excellence. 

Song of the Day: Why by Annie Lennox

Camden Appreciation

Yesterday, before going to see Siouxsie, I stopped off at one of my favourite places: Camden Town in London. Camden Town is a colourful corner of London full of stalls, shops and food merchants. You can find everything from comic books to bespoke jewellery.

After visiting Camden on Monday I was reminded of all the reasons why I love it. It's a town full of tourists, sellers, alternative folk; it's a veritable melting pot of humanity. It's always busy, ever thriving, forever bright. Often known for the selling of Gothic/Goth and punk style clothing Camden is so much more. It's the home to indie artists, aspiring musicians, fledgling clothing designers. Camden, to me, is the artistic heart of London city.


Camden is the kind of place where you can find all the latest clothing trends on the market. I had recently been looking for a bowler hat (you know... one that could fit my stupidly bit head into it) and found some in the Camden Market. I was even able to haggle the price down. It is a must-visit place for all lovers of fashion as there is clothing on sale to suit all styles and needs. I've always found the people living and working there to be incredibly friendly and willing to speak to you making it impossible to feel alone.

If you ever find yourself in Camden I highly recommend stopping in for a drink at The Devonshire Arms/The Hobgoblin pub around the corner from the train stations. To this day it remains my favourite pub. No visit to London should be without a layover in this wonderful town.

Recommended Reads

My apologies! I realise that I did not post my usual recommended reads this Wednesday. What with Siouxsie Sioux and work I've not had much time. I also only have a few days left to finish my various items of work before sending them off in the hopes that they will be published. Right now I'm a little bundle of stress as I finish up some smaller projects but don't worry - you'll be hearing more from me soon.


Here are my (belated) recommended reads for you fine readers:

• The Mary Sue a website for geek girl culture on the internet.
• Video of the Week: The Strangest Interview Answer EVER.
• Eater.com - a blog for foodies
• 'Why helo it is i jimbles notronbo' No. I don't know why I find it funny. All I know is it's the only thing that made me laugh today with their interesting use of English and the turning of a supposedly beloved childhood TV character into something menacing:

Spellbound: A Night With Siouxsie Sioux (Meltdown Festival, UK)

It still doesn't feel quite real.
On Monday 17th, the start of this week, I had the pleasure of seeing one of my idols: Siouxsie Sioux. Known for her solo work and performance with Siouxsie and the Banshees and The Creatures I've long been a fan. Siouxsie had previously been on a five year hiatus from the music industry and fans had long wondered if we'd see Miss Sioux again.

Then, out of nowhere, came the announcement that Siouxsie would play at Yoko Ono's Meltdown Festival in London. The first show sold out on the day and another date was added with Viv Albertine providing support for both nights.


Viv Albertine of The Slits and her band provided support for Siouxsie. Albertine was very funny, charming and candid about her experiences since Slits fame. At one point she discussed her song "Needles" which, although often mistaken for being a song about heroin, is about IVF. Viv Albertine joked that having previously written songs about heroin and now about IVF her next 'needle' themed song would probably be about knitting: a tale of life quite literally through the eye of a needle. Their set was entertaining and proof that Viv Albertine is as charming as ever.

In Britain we are known for our almost rabid approach to gig-going. As an audience we stand at shows and dance as if to show our appreciation, utterly spellbound. We absorb as much from the experience as we can. The Southbank Centre is, of course, a seated venue known for calmer events that may call for a seated performance however this changed very quickly. The entire room moved as Siouxsie and her band took to the stage going from a seated gig to a standing one in a matter of seconds. People quickly rushed towards the stage, leapt up and made sure to have a good view for all things to come and seeking as close a position with the rocker as possible in an attempt to be face to face with a star.

Known for her painted eyes and wild hair, Siouxsie came out looking every bit as glamorous as one would expect. The Goth Goddess took to the stage in an elegantly cut dress of white PVC with black detailing thus making for a bold performance outfit. The skirt section was later stripped away to reveal a bold one-piece body suit. Siouxsie played a lot of her Kaleidoscope hits mixed with her solo pieces like "Into A Swan" and "Here Comes That Day" whilst throwing in fan favourites like "Dear Prudence", "Happy House", "Israel" etc. Siouxsie performed with not just her voice, but her whole body.  From the moment she walked out onto stage until the moment she left she left she was moving, dancing, pacing with vigour and strength.





Siouxsie has a feline grace from the wildness in her eyes to the way she paces about the stage, tossing her jet black mane, moving around in circles like a caged jungle cat. She was in full command of everything on the stage. Even whilst dreamily singing a slower number and being hassled by a rather intoxicated fan. The veteran punk rocker had been dealing with flower throwers, balloons being tossed towards her and the band and now a rather annoying fan who, by the looks of it, was grabbing at the lengths of her skirt and causing distractions. At one point Siouxsie, noticeably aggravated by the woman, yelled "F*** OFF!"
She then apologised and commented that people often seem to cause trouble during her slower numbers and how she wished they'd do so during a more angst-filled piece so her yelling seemed more commonplace. Though not as young as she was when she started in music, Siouxsie still provides an energetic and entertaining performance with more skill and agility than most performers could even dream of. Her voice is now a little lower, more sultry, but she can still rock every single song in her repertoire.

It was a good night for the fabulous and fierce women in the music industry that keep performing. There have long been rumours of another potential Siouxsie album. I truly hope that the wonderful Siouxsie Sioux continues performing until the last beat of her heart.

Song of the day: No Church In The Wild by Kanye West/Jay Z/Frank Ocean

No matter how you may feel about rap, you have to admit this song is stupidly catchy.
It's a song that really began to grow on me after hearing it. My obsession with it remains strong.
Enjoy,

Wonderful News.

Today I find myself without words...
As you've probably read in my university review I have found university to be incredibly difficult. It has certainly been a struggle. In fact, half way through my education, I considered dropping out entirely.

Today I discovered I'll be graduating with an upper second degree (2:1 as it is known to most) and am utterly speechless. I almost cannot believe I've earned such a degree. Today was a day that I approached with dread and now find myself totally overjoyed. I apologise for being so quiet the past day or so.
Expect soon my review of the Siouxsie Sioux gig and more articles on travel, fashion and other interesting topics.
Sending you my love, dear reader.

p.s I'm celebrating the news in the only way I know how.
A Game of Thrones pyjama party, of course...

Song of the Day: Happy House by Siouxsie Sioux

Siouxsie Sioux,
Happy House.
Siouxsie opened with this.
I still  can't get over how amazing she was
Enjoy,

Song of the Day: Il Est Ne Le Divin Enfant by Siouxsie and the Banshees

Siouxsie Sioux appreciation on this blog is mandatory

Song of the Day: Airship Pirates by Abney Park

This is a wonderfully catchy song by steampunk band 'Abney Park', a group who are true pioneers of the genre. Having seen them live many years ago they won me over instantly with their excellent performance and infectious songs. This particular song seems to be a fan favourite. 

Enjoy,

Exciting stuff.

Today I got my first paycheck from the new job.
I'd forgotten how good it feels to earn money. Whilst living in Huddersfied I applied for many jobs over the course of three years and couldn't find anything. I travel South, walk into a building and asked if they were hiring. It just so happened they had just had a staff member leave and practically hired me on the spot. I held my paycheck the way Gollum held the One Ring.
My preciousssss....
The exciting part is that now, if I were to book 6 months in advance, I actually have enough to cover my flights to and from New Zealand! I've wanted to go to New Zealand for more than half of my life. Though I probably wouldn't travel until next year I'm very excited. Hope you've all had a good day.

Hair Dye Tips!

My friends who have known me for a good deal of time will have seen me under an ever changing mass of hair. Soon they usually find themselves used to my chameleon-like nature.

I admit it.
I'm totally addicted to hair dye.
However this means I know a thing or two on the matter and am here to share my shreds of wisdom on the matter with you.

This is for those new to changing their hair colour. It can be very rewarding, boosts self confidence and allows you to alter your image. In fact coloured hair is becoming more and more popular at the moment from the humble dip dye to the full colour change.

These tips are entirely for those who haven't had much experience with hair dye. My hopes are to encourage people to do interesting things with their hair that they want to. Unless you have a specific reason to not dye your hair (because of your job, poor hair health etc) and want to dye your hair I hope this encourages you to consider and explore your possibilities.

If you're new to dyeing your hair, or are hoping to do so for the first time, just be careful. I say this for many reasons. Hair dye can be an expensive and addicted habit once you get started. Colour maintenance can really become a chore. Also, if done in a sloppy manner, you can get bright stains from the dye all over your bathroom/home.
If you have longer hair why not test your desired colour on the tips or a small strip of your hair before going ahead and applying dye to the whole head. This way you can see the colour and, if you don't like it, simply cut out the odd streak. Perhaps try to pick a colour that will work well with your skin tone and the colour of your clothing to avoid clashing. That said you should ultimately choose a colour you are happy with, a shade you want for yourself. Ask yourself: is this a colour I'd often wear? Does this shade I want go with my clothing? How would I wear it? How would I style it? Can I afford to maintain this?


When you dye your hair make sure to really comb through the lengths of your hair evenly and apply hair right to the roots if you're dyeing the top of the head or aiming for full head coverage.

When you dye your hair a lot or use a lot of chemicals/products/heat on your hair it's important to give back some love. Make sure to buy hair strengthening oils/shampoos/conditioner. You can also get colour protect shampoo and conditioner. Make sure to get a diet of good nutritional value as this will help hair growth:

I've used quite a lot of dyes in my time from natural colours to unnatural colours.
Some of my favourites:
Directions: Apple (Green - this shade was utterly beautiful)
Crazy Color: Pinkissimo
Crazy Color: Bubble Gum Blue
Colours I've not had a good time with:
Crazy Color: Violette.
Not sure if mine was incorrectly bottled but it came out a dark navy blue rather than a nice shade of purple.
Crazy Color: Emerald Green
It came out a horrible shade of pastel green hair, more a spring green than anything. Crazy Color dye is cheap. I guess you get what you pay for but some of their dyes have been really good.

With Crazy Color you can often leave the dye on for hours and hours. I even left my pink dye on overnight whilst wrapped up in tin foil and in a shower cap so as to not damage my pillow. I also applied some heat to the hair. This all really helped to seal the colour in and it really didn't budge. All I had to do was touch up the roots with pink dye every now and then.

When you dye hair try to do so using a tint brush and mixing bowl for the dye. I've often seen these in bargain stores for a pound or two. If not try finding something like this online to dye your hair with.

Tip: Before buying dye, why not look up reviews for that particular shade? This way you'll hear how other people experienced it and hear if they would recommend it.



Applying a touch of heat often strengthens the colour, makes it last longer and really seals it all in. Try to cover hair with a cheap shower cap when leaving dye to sit.
Try not to miss hair around your face as any missed spots will be easy to notice.
If you're new to dyeing your hair at home why not get a more experienced friend help out to show you how it's done so you'll be able to get it right and continue to maintain your new and gorgeous hair.
If you're unsure about the shade, why not go to a local wig seller and try on some wigs to test the colour against your eye/skin tone and clothing.
If you can get a foam dye for your first dye experience I recommend it as it's fairly straight forward and provides minimal mess.
Keep hair hydrated and well nourished.
Be happy, be colourful.

Song of the Day: Game of Thrones Ultimate Birthday Rap Battle

By now, dear readers, I'm sure you're very much aware of my almost indecent amount of love for Game of Thrones. In fact I find myself horribly sad to be faced with the prospect of another year long wait for season four. That said, here's an epic rap battle spoofing the show which will count as my song of the day as well as a video highlight. I think my favourite bit is the Robert Baratheon section.

Enjoy,

Macaroon Making.

Later this week I may try to cross another thing off of my B425 list. In my kitchen there are all the things I need to make macaroons. Obviously the picture on the right of this post was made by someone else. I'm not sure if mine will be as good but we can hope. Macaroons are a very stylish treat at the moment and have become increasingly popular in recent years. Perhaps it's because they can be personalised and coloured in various ways.
We'll see how it all goes.
Someone pray for me... and my kitchen.

Song Of The Day: Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) by Florence + The Machine

Long live the powerful ladies of music.

Dreams,

My first ever anthology of poetry and my first ever collection of short stories are nearing completion!

My work will be submitted at the end of the month and will hopefully be published if the publishers like it. If this happens I will have achieved something I thought may never happen for me. Breaking into the publishing world can be very difficult. My hope is that one of my submitted items of work will be published so that I may officially call myself a published author/writer/poet. This will, I hope, be the first stepping stone of many to come but it'd certainly help me in the future.

This is where most of my spare energy is going at the moment and once that's done I have an exciting new project on the way so please keep your eyes peeled and your hearts open.

Love you, blog-ghosts.

Song of the Day: Dick In A Box by The Lonely Island.

I dedicate this song to Theon Greyjoy.

June Favourites

Here are my favourite items for the month of June from books to jewellery. Next month, what with my holiday, expect a lot of pretty dresses and bikinis for general holiday goodness.

If you like your fiction surreal and full of blasphemous statements about our beloved pop stars then this is the book for you. The author of this book is an absolute nut, a real crazy guy. I say this with confidence because he's a friend of mine. That said he writes in such an offbeat, entertaining way that I'm looking forward to reading his most popular book. "Neverland" is a collection of short stories about false events in the life of Michael Jackson. Simon Crump also wrote a book about fictional events from the life of Elvis that got him banned from the Elvis fanclub of a small German town who released a statement saying ''We do not know who is this Simon Crump, but he is not welcome in our town.'
Worth a read just for that, I'd say.



I've currently been really into cook books and I knocked this beauty off of my Amazon wish list to treat myself. I first heard of it on Miers' cooking show. 

When in my kitchen I cook almost anything with spice if possible. I'm looking forward to making some tasty items from this book later this month.

This is the other cookbook I treated myself to recently. I'm admittedly not the best cook but I'm hoping to find some new regular recipes here. 

I think I specifically bought this cookbook because of the cover. Chilli and cheese? Yes, please.

You can find The Accidental Vegetarian here.

I'm obsessed with SteamRetro jewellery. As a Lord of the Rings nerd I'm particularly in love with their LOTR replica jewellery. I just received my greenleaf Lothlorien brooch/necklace and I've put in an order for this Galadriel replica ring. Of course SteamRetro do a lot of wonderful original jewellery too - but first I'm buying the nerdy LOTR items I've wanted for years before I continue to empty my bank account on their original jewellery. Check out the Galadriel Nenya ring here. Check out SteamRetro themselves here.




Movie of the Month: Cabin In The Woods.
It is the perfect post-modern criticism to accompany traditional, contemporary slasher/horror films and is executed in perfect Whedon style and humour. It is so perfectly crafted - I totally recommend seeing it but do yourself a favour: don't read any information about the film. Just put it on, watch and save your questions until the end because they will be answered. Perfect for someone who watches a lot of horror films.

After being parted for so long (well, after leaving it in the shower at my Yorkshire apartment) my favourite shampoo and I are reunited. Daddy-O from Lush Cosmetics leave my hair smooth, soft and fragrant. I really love it. I tend to use it with American Cream conditioner - perfect if you need to apply lots of love back to your hair after lots of dye, products and heat. It has a really light, subtle scent that I love and lasts all day. If you're interested you can find Daddy-O online here

Scent of the month is Happy Heart from Clinique. It settles nicely and lasts all day. It's a subtle scent - quite light and not too strong. Other perfumes I'd recommend:
- Gucci: Envy Me
- DKNY: Delicious
- So...? In Love
- Lacoste: Pour Femme










Those are my June favourites. I'm going to go watch the season finale of Game of Thrones.