These Days

My heart's hurting a little bit because I'm listening to Employment and reminiscing about when I was a carefree obsessive fangirl and kind of missing being a carefree obsessive fangirl. It was so much easier because I didn't have to worry about not regressing because there was nowhere to go. My heart is also hurting because it's been over two years since I first got Employment and I can't believe I am where I am. This is not to say that I'm disappointed at where I am, I just can't believe how quickly the time has gone. I miss the old days, when I was a carefree obsessive fangirl. Everything was easier.
In other news the Fratellis have entered into my subconscious without even asking. I had a dream about seeing them at this weird club/theater place and the lead singer was wearing a very odd shirt. The Fratellis were the first opening act for the Red Hot Chili Peppers (don't even know why they were there) and nobody was paying attention except me, because I'm crazy. Then We Are Scientist came on and everybody was asking Keith if they could take pictures of him. I broke somebody's watch and twisted my ankle and Mr. Sharp was there (amazingly awkward). All in all one of my weirder dreams.
Hmm, lets see what else, what else...Alex is a perfect gentelman and...umm...naughty things. Oh and he wants to take over Russia and become dictator. :sigh: He's so cute. Except when he's telling his best friend's girlfriend to have phone sex with said best friend. Then I'm just disturbed and feel the need to reference an episode of Gilmore Girls. My IB tests are going well. The last part of my IB History test went down very well, though I have decided that I'm the master of concise and that this is not a good thing for IB tests. Being concise will be great when I'm reviewing albums, but not when I'm trying to impress my exam grader. Oh well, I figure I'll do well enough. Also, the first part of my IB Bio test went so-so today. I think I'll do better tomorrow though, especially once I go over the two options I need to know about. That and if I can avoid cells and energy and answer only questions having to do with evolution, or if by some freak chance I can magically answer the questions having to do with a different option that we didn't study this year. Anyway, I think tomorrow will go better, or at least I hope tomorrow goes better.
On a random side note, Keith Murray and I have the same birthday. We were born eleven years apart. I know, I'm a big freak, but I actually happened upon this fact randomely, so it's not like I'm a sort of stalker. Anyway, I think this fact just confirms the fact that I must be a music journalist. I must.
Lets see, lets see. I think I'll save my links for another entry, coming immediately after this one. But before I go, I leave you with this:

"What differs fertilization from copulation?:
D. Fertilization is conscious event"

--- IB Standard Level Biology Exam, Paper 1, 2007

Sweating it Out

I'm currently sweating out my cold. I'm not sure if this is the most appropriate method of curing oneself, but I don't really want to get up, so it will have to do. Now onto the news!
Muse will remember Virginia forever. They may never come back, but they'll certainly remember us.
Pete Doherty will never be clean. He'll always have drugs in him, even if he hasn't taken any. Thus he will have no music career and all the snobs at NME will cry. I, on the other hand, will breathe easy, knowing that my favourite bands' choice of drug is alcohol, which isn't nearly as horrible.
And now for all the IB English students reading this journal: Alliteration
:sigh: I'm really tired and did so-so on my history exam today. I totally fucked the second question on Paper 2, by writing only one paragraph. I did well on the first question though, so that's good. Also Paper 1 went fairly and hopefully my brain won't be outside my head tomorrow for Paper 3. Basically, I think I can salvage my score for IB History. Huzzah!
By the way tomorrow's my birthday. Yay me! I'll be 19 and an old hag. Yay me!
Nighty-night darlings.

Wait For It...

Look, look my throats exploding! No really, it's going to explode any second now, look! :exposes throat to readers: See...definitely going to explode.
:throat explodes: Well I'm off...got's to take those IB tests, even though my throat has exploded. Bye!
Proper entry will possibly occur this afternoon

A Not Quite Full Regression

First of all I would like to say, horrible evil people don't want me to be better. They want me to regress completely, in a vain effort (or it would seem not so vain effort) to have me fail at life. That's right, I might have to completely align myself with DiS because DIY hates me. They don't know it, but they hate me. On a side note, concerning the evil that is a certain band, :imagine this being said really really quickly:I love their new video like I love 1984 and Douglas Adams. Omg.:end the really quickness:
In other music news, KT Tunstall is releasing her new album in September!!! Or at least she's releasing it in September in the UK. As of right now there is no official release date for the US. Personally I would love it if she released in Europe and in the US at the same time, but I'm not going to hold my breath. Just like I'm not holding my breath for the Cribs*.
Uh, let's see what else is their. IB tests are going well, considering how I've only taken one, really. The Fratellis join the masses of people cancelling tour dates because of exhaustion. There is a real blue box near the American embassy. My mp3 is really truly broken and I haven't told the parents yet. I'm thinking that after Wednesday would be a good time to fake the "OMG my mp3 just broke" nonsense. I'm truly a horrible person in other words. Also, I have a dailymotion.com account so I can rate episodes of "Black Books" because it is the most brilliant series to ever air ever. Dylan Moran is the best Irishman to ever exist and Bill Bailey is just...Bill Bailey. Which means genius. So yeah. That's it.
*Correction, after research (and a helpful hint from a helpful person) it seems that the Cribs are releasing their album 2 months later in the US. Thanks muchos to Anonymous and Sound Bites

Black Books

Oh I've discovered another British comedy. Which has allowed me to discover the following:

• The British comedy/tv world is tiny. Literally tiny. It consist of anyone who's ever been somehow associated with Simon Pegg. Or at least this is my belief.
• Bill Bailey does have a career outside of Never Mind the Buzzcocks.

Anyway, I've got an IB test in a hour and I thought you lot might want to know what I do when I'm not "studying" for said IB tests. That's right, I discover strange British comedies.
In any event, I want to use the bullet point thingy so here are some more things that fit nicely into bullet points:

• Despite best efforts, I'm still a KC junkie. Maybe not with pictures, but definitely with music. And my strange, strange mind.
• I could have everything by Muse if I wanted. I just have to remember to use AIM.
• I have no mp3 player, just a thing that looks like a mp3 player. Thus Windows Media and I have become very good friends.
• "Retirement" is the best song ever. >_<

Alright, off to get dressed. Wish me luck!

Music News 102, pt. 2

And we're back, ready for round 2...
Oops. I guess that's what you get when you come to Virginia...food poisoning? I don't know. I feel bad that it's my state, but I'm surprised at the date since they played on the 28th. Maybe they had two VA dates, though that would be really, really, surprising. But yeah...oops.
Uh, just what we need, MCR and P!atD teaming up. I'm depressed not only about the fact that these two "we're not emo" but actually are emo bands are teaming up but also because they are doing it to record a tribute album to the Smashing Pumpkins. Now I have nothing against the Smashing Pumpkins (well not really), but honestly, do they really need a tribute album? I don't think so.
So now for a review. A review of an album that doesn't have a release date in the states. A review of an album produced by Alex Kapranos. A review of...Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever by the Cribs. Written by the guys at DiS. But not Dom Gourlay, which means it actually gets a fair shake. And yes, I do have a thing against Dom Gourlay. On the other had I totally have a thing for Noel Murray. Moving on...
Speaking of idiotic things, Luke "The Kooks" Pritchard sounds like an idiot when he bashes Lily Allen. That is all I have to say about that.
I'm actually going to a festival!! That's right bitches I'm going to Virgin Festival. I'm going to see the Fratellis and Amy Winehouse and...the Police. Oh and Modest Mouse, Peter Bjorn and John (they're suppose to be really good or something), and Fountains of Wayne. So yeah. I'm going to a festival!!! Huzzah and jubilation!!
Well that's it my loves. I'm all linked out. Good night.

Music News 102, pt. 1

Gah, I've got like twenty million articles to post, but so little time! Oh well, I'll start now and finish later.
Lies. Vicious, vicious lies. Blur will never get back together and Alex James is a horrible person for saying so. And nothing will change my mind >_<
You know why Popworld failed? Because Simon wasn't on it. It's that simple. Popworld is over because Simon is on NMTB.
Tom Chaplin is such a toughie. I mostly find this article to be hilarious because I can't imagine Tom drinking Tom under the table. I just don't believe that if Tom faced Tom, Tom would win. It's impossible.
(Teehee, I love not using last names.)
Holy crap! Go Arctic Monkeys! You totally deserve to rule the world. Even though A.V. Club gave you a B. Which is consistant, but still. You guys totally deserve to rule the world.
Well that's it for now. I'll be back with more.

I Hate When Technology Doesn't Work pt. 2

I think in an effort to fix my mp3 player, after it froze last night, I've actually broken it. This is not good mainly because I don't know how to tell my parents about this state of affairs. I'm also going to be going into IB testing on Thursday, which is fairly stressful by itself, but add in a broken mp3 player...lets just say things are not looking good for my sleep patterns this week.
I can't concentrate, so my original plans for this have officially gone up in smoke. I'll try and post all my wonderful links tomorrow. We'll see. Bon nuit.

To Mar(s and Back)

Another weird day for Nore. First I had testing in the morning and due to my weekend (which I'll get to) I was completely out of sorts and couldn't remember Michelangelo (don't ask) and just generally felt really, really tired. Once the testing was I went back to school were I discovered no one was there. That's not true, it was just that a bunch of people were missing from my usual lunch table gang for various reasons so it felt like no one was there. And I so wanted to show off my sonic screw driver. Anyhoo, went to see Ms. Campbell about what I missed today and Thursday, instead got to find out why Jasmine had been calling me this weekend. I then preceded to feel like a complete shit because I didn't call her back last night when I got back home (which was around 9) from my weekend in Williamsburg. Ms. Campbell's news left me completely dazed which was fine because we didn't do anything in CW except pack books, which meant I got semi-sweaty, which I hate. Afterwards I was informed that I might be killed by Jackie tomorrow in history, but my feet still hurt and I took a hour and a half nap this afternoon so she can just suck it. I then went to chorus were we did nothing for what seemed like a really long time and then worked on a piece we are going to be doing for our final concert. Went home, took an hour and half nap and proceeded to watch "CSI," "Scrubs," and "30 Rock." So yeah, my day was really, really boring. :shock!:
So this weekend I went to Williamsburg to visit my sister and see Muse in concert. Turns out I left the tickets for the concert at home so there was some quick thinking and lots of annoying shit to be dealt with so I could see Muse in concert. The whole thing was general admission and so I got to pick out seats for Sophs and I, which was cool. I picked some really good seats that allowed for not only non-committance on our part as well as a good view of the band. But before I talk about the concert (which will be a brief review, partial set list, and bullet points) lets talk about all the walking I did!
First I walked to the bus stop so Sophs and I could take the bus to breakfast. Then we walked towards campus to get bagels and other grocery things, but ended up only getting shampoo, ear plugs, and feminine products. We then walked to Plan 9 were I got the Young Knives album Voices of Animals and Men which was uber-exciting since I've been wanting that album for ages. Then we walked to campus and saw an a Capella Christian group, who was really good, but Christian. Now I have no problem with Christianity or Evangelicals in general, but I don't like listening to evangelical pop music. But the group was really good and I tried to ignore the lyrics as much as possible, so a fairly good time was had by all. Then Sophs and I walked back to her apartment which has to be a good five miles from campus. I checked my email and such and then went out for ice cream with Sophs and her friend Laura who is my kind of crazy. Went back to Sophs' apartment and took a really long nap because I felt really sick and was tired. After said nap I took a shower and went to the concert. Huzzah!
So, Muse was the opening band for My Chemical Romance, which was interesting because I've never had direct contact with fans of bands like My Chemical Romance. Interestingly, they all looked the same. Black eyeliner, black super skinny jeans, black shirts, black hair, strange dye jobs, black Converse slip ons/high tops. I was wearing my green striped polo. Needless to say I felt a little out of place. So, onto the concert.
Once Sophs and I got settled in some seats (and after eating a cafeteria-esque cheeseburger) I prepared myself for the concert. Which didn't take much, mainly I just got my note taking paper and pen ready and tried to have a conversation with Sophs about my cultural observations. No luck there, but then the band came on, so all was good.
Muse have been lauded for their excellent live performances and I must say, they have every right to be proud. Even though they were the opening band, they were excellent and even for the songs I didn't know, I was not at all disappointed. I would really love to seem them as headliners, but I would not want to change the venue. Muse are one of those few bands that are really meant to be seen in an arena. They have the stage presence and charisma to really shine in larger venues. I couldn't imagine seeing them any other way.
So, now that I've done my quickie review, here's the partial set list. The reason it's only partial is because Muse have released four albums and I only know the songs from one of those albums. So there are some holes in my set list, which I will try to amend, but no promises. Anyhoo, here's the set list. Edit: With very much appreciated help from orangenoslide, I've filled in some of the holes in this list. Yay!

• Knights of Cydonia
• Unknown [really cool piano-intro] {Possibly Bliss}
  
• Starlight
• Change the world - Everything you are? [unknown] {Butterflies & Hurricanes}
  
• Invincible
• Supermassive Black Hole
• Won't make you [unknown] {Time is Running Out}
  
• ? [unknown, couldn't figure out a defining feature]

Now, my notes (yay!)

• Tiny white and black man on stage
• Camera phones record the events
• Stoic bass, flashy guitar
• Better in Britain [because you know it's true]
• The diverse fans of MCR
• 4th song piano middle 8/solo
• outcome the lighters (Invincible)
• Be impressed bitch [this was in response to Matt Bellamy, the lead singer/guitarist really showing off his guitar skillz {that's right with a z}]
• Hey scenesters [I saw some girls who reminded me of indie-scene people and immediately thought of the Cribs song "Hey Scencesters!" What can I say?]
• BALLOONS!!
• What the hell is Matt doing? [he looked like he was doing something entirely inappropriate with one of the speakers off to the side]
• Destroy the stage!

After the Muse set, I got a t-shirt and suffered through about 4 MCR songs before Sophs and I decided to leave. We walked back to her apartment.
Alright, now I know this is one of my longer entries, but this last part is the most important part of the whole thing. I've been dedicating songs to the past 5 school years, but this song is dedicated to a close friend of mine. I'm not really that good with the whole touchy-feely stuff, but I want her to know I'm thinking about her. So anyway, this is to Mar.

"Float On" by Modest Mouse
I backed my car into a cop car the other day
Well he just drove off sometimes life's ok
I ran my mouth off a bit too much oh what did I say
Well you just laughed it off it was all ok

And we'll all float on ok
And we'll all float on ok
And we'll all float on ok
And we'll all float on any way well

Well, a fake Jamaican took every last dime with that scam
It was worth it just to learn from sleight-of-hand
Bad news comes don't you worry even when it lands
Good news will work its way to all them plans
We both got fired on the exactly the same day
Well we'll float on good news is on the way

And we'll all float on ok
And we'll all float on ok
And we'll all float on ok
And we'll all float on alright
Already we'll all float on
Now don't you worry we'll all float on
Alright already we'll all float on
Alright don't worry we'll all float on

And we'll all float on alright
Already we'll all float on
Alright don't worry even if things end up a bit to heavy
We'll all float on alright
Already we'll all float on
Alright already we'll all float on
Ok don't worry we'll all float on
Even if things get heavy we'll all float on
Alright already we'll all float on
Don't you worry we'll all float on
All float on

Something for me

http://www.virginfestival.com/2007/index.html

Rock/Soul/Progressive

Rock/Soul/Progressive:1955 a.k.a my soulmate class. Just read the description and tell me, does this not sound like me? Dear god, so perfect, so, so, perfect. Anyway, I just wanted to share that with you. Goodnight sweet hearts.

I'm a Bitter Old Woman at Not Quite 19

Crap fuckity, fuck, fuck, shit. Bugger, bollocks, bollocks, shite, shite, shite. God damn it to hell, son of a bitch, fuck, fuck, fuck. :continues to curse and scream, inwardly:
I've got reviews! Reviews of Favourite Worse Nightmare! Not by me! That will come later, along with a more general overview of this year's (and last year's) second album releases. Fucking huzzah. Now for the reviews; DIY: A-. DiS: A-. NME: A.
And now a review of Costello Music by the AV Club's Steven Hyden. I like him.
Finally in the review section, a review of the Cribs' new single, produced by Alex Kapranos, "Man's Needs." Sounds horribly exciting.
Now for links! About things! Like My Chemical Romance and Patrick Wolf! Whoopee.
Patrick Wolf quits live music. Just like the Beatles except 40 years too late to be cool. Let's see how survives without concerts. Little shit.
Baby Metallica gets to keep her name. Hopefully she won't mind too much when she gets older, otherwise all this hubbub would have been for nought.
The Pipettes do an interview with AV Club. I haven't actually read this, but I like the Pipettes, so they might as well get some face time in this here blog.
MCR lose their bassist to marriage. I suspect there must be more of a reason than that, but since the primary reason given is a nice one, I'll leave it alone. This does lead to some question as to who the hell will be playing bass when I seem them this Saturday. Again, I won't question since really I don't care.
Favourite Worst Nightmare is going to be big in Britian. Fairly unsurprising, as DiS said, though interestingly enough there's an article from Reuters pointing out that this record didn't sell as well as the first one. It doesn't matter though because Arctic Monkeys can't help but be huge at all times. It's just their unfortunate fate.
Avril Lavigne tramples all. I find this interesting mearly because I haven't heard her new single and if that stays the way it is, I will be happy. Really.
Oddly enough this is the only thing today that has made me remotely happy. That and reading backlog entries of Kirkland Ciccone's column. God I want out of here so badly. Do you think DIY would take on an American high school drop out with an undying love for all things British? I don't need to be paid. Honestly. I just need the UK.
Well now that I've got that over and done with I'm going to make a confession. You can't tell Farber or the rents because they'll worry, but...I'm listening to YTAM. I was desperate and am in a terrible mood and needed something comforting. Oddly enough that is YTAM, despite some less than stellar connotations. As much as I don't want to take two years (or even 1 semester) of French, I'm not looking forward to the testing required to get me out that gen. ed. requirement. I've been fighting so hard against my learning/developmental disability that I feel like I'm giving in by doing this. Needless to say, Kaiser Chiefs are still my favourite band and so are like the musical equivalent of chocolate. Damn my neediness. Stupid KC for still being my favourite band. Damn, damn, damn.
Anything else? Oh yes, I finished watching Casanova (the Ten-Inch version) and I didn't cry at the end. It was good and thoroughly enjoyable. Now the evil files are deleted and chances are I won't be seeing Casanova and all of it's wonderful sex for quite a long time.
Oh sweet, sweet KC.
Editorial Note: Just because I'm listening to KC doesn't mean I've fully regressed to where I was before the concert. It just means I'm listening to KC. I want to make that perfectly clear so nobody gets any ideas. I'm just listening to Kaiser Chiefs, not being an obsessive fangirl. Just listening.

Only Ones Who Know

All I ask, and I know I ask for things quite often, is that you somehow listen to "Only Ones Who Know" from Arctic Monkeys' second album Favourite Worst Nightmare. It is by far the most beautiful song ever created by man. "Only Ones Who Know" is like..."Claire de Lune" or the last movement of Beethoven's Fifth beautiful. I'll post the lyrics for those who can't wade through Alex's Yorkshire accent, but please find a way to listen to that song. I don't care how illegal it is, just listen. You won't be disappointed.

"Only Ones Who Know"

In a foreign place
The saving grace was the feeling
That it was her heart that he was stealing
He was ready to impress
And the fierce excitement
The eyes are bright
He couldn't wait to get away
And I bet that Juliet was just the icing on the cake
Make no mistake, no
And even somehow he could have shown you
The place you wanted
Well I'm sure you could have made it that bit better on your own
And I bet she told a million people that she'd stay in touch
But all the little promise that don't mean much
When there's memories to be made
And I hope you're holding hands by new year's eve
They made it far too easy to believe
That true romance can't be achieved these days
And even if somehow they could have shown you the place you wanted
Well I'm sure you could have made it that bit better on your own
You are the only ones who know

And the Loving will be Ceaseless

1. How are you stereotypically female?
I like jewelry and pretty things and believe in Prince Charming. Oh and I love cute babies and kittens.

2. How are you stereotypically male?
I don't think I am.

3. What parts of you do you consider unclassifiable as either gender?
Umm...the stomach. And liver...and most internal organs. Except the ones having to do with baby making, in which case those are user specific.

4. Do you think you are primarily male, female, or neither in characteristics?
I am woman hear me roar! By the by, I thought last month was national Woman's month. I'm so confused.

5. If you could be born as any gender, knowing the gender prejudices as they are now, which would you choose to be?
A lady. Because we get to use our feminine wiles to seduce men into bed. Besides I enjoy being a girl.

1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 23.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the next three sentences in your journal along with these instructions.
5. Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book, or the intellectual one: pick the CLOSEST.
6. Tag five other people to do the same.

So you get a choice between HHGG and...Fish on Friday: Feasting, Fasting and the Discovery of the New World. I choose HHGG!!
"'Drink up,' he urged.
At that moment the dull sound of a rumbling crash from outside filtered through the low murmur of the pub, through the sound of the jukebox, through the sound of the man next to Ford hiccuping over the whisky Ford had eventually bought him.
Arthur choked on his beer, leaped to his feet."
And thus Arthur's house was destroyed and following that, the Earth.

Lets see what else...My lack of Buzzcocks will be cured, but first I have to figure out which episode my header is from. See Phil says "And the loving will be ceaseless" and now I have the damn quote stuck in my head as well as the accompanying imagery, but I can't remember which episode it's from. So annoying. But I have discovered that YouTube isn't barren of complete NMTB episodes, just lizzilupin. So yeah, yay!
Let's see I have news articles, but no snide comments. No, that's not true, I just don't have a snide comment concerning the Gorillaz. I do for the other articles. So, shall we?
Why on earth does the UK need two new music festivals. Don't they already have enough? Honestly, it's just not fair. Europe should share it's festivals with the rest of the world, aka the US, and not keep them for themselves. As I've told Jasmine, sharing is caring.
As I previously mentioned, there is some news concerning Damon Albarn's animated side gig, Gorillaz. It seems that they will no longer exist. Yes, Gorillaz are splitting after the hopeful completion of a movie which, according to NME, will be directed by Terry Gilliam. All of this makes sense to me, though it does hint that Albarn is closing down the side shows, possibly to focus on Blur. Though I may be just making random connections that make absolutely no sense to anyone but me. Which is typical. Anywho, Gorillaz will be no more.
That's it my lovelies. Hot Fuzz was called for last night, but will be on tonight, so yay! In the mean time I will be watching NMTB and hopefully going out driving. Ta ta [box].

Working Order

Well my internet or whatever the hell was possesing Yahoo! and livejournal yesterday are all fixed so everything is back in working order. Hot Fuzz is still on for today which is exciting because it is. I'm going to go collapse now. See you later!

I Hate When Technology Doesn't Work

I really do hate when technology doesn't work. LiveJournal/my internet is being an absolute whore and so I haven't been able to check my friends page or almost anything related to livejournal today. Interestingly enough I could get to one of the icon communities I browse through and so was able to nab some very nice anglophilia related icons. After that I haven't be able to get to livejournal. I'm horribly sad because most of what entertains me is on that site and so I have been very bored. Except for the almost fifteen minute negotiation that occured between myself, Jasmine, and Alex, though I couldn't hear Alex's side. Anyway, we're going to Tyson's see to Hot Fuzz tomorrow at 7:15 (for all you wonderful stalkers out there) and I just realized I have no idea when I'm eating. Oh well! It will be fun anyway. So yeah, those are plans for tomorrow. Hopefully I'll be able to check livejournal later tonight. Hopefully I'll be able to post this post on livejournal. Gaaah, stupid technology.

Don't make it over-tricksy

Here's an interview with Simon Pegg (Shaun), Nick Frost (Ed), and Edgar Wright (director), from the AV Club in which there is talk of movie making and Hot Fuzz. Remember to go see it this Friday or on Saturday, Sunday, Monday...whenever. Just be sure to see Hot Fuzz.
In other news it's Ten-Inch's birthday. Happy Birthday Ten-Inch!
And here's a really cute fan art by JesIdres:

That's it.

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

So Yahoo! and the Arctic Monkeys have decided that being on the US's good side is a good idea. This means less for Yahoo! since the Arctic Monkeys aren't that big in the States, but AM seems to be trying to fix this by being consistently wonderful and allowing their fans in the States to have access to all parts of their singles which is just fantastic. The even better thing is that I can do this through my Yahoo! account, so no illegal stuff. Fantastiche is what I say, fantastiche. Keep it up boys.
In other news, be expecting a thorough analysis of Favourite Worst Nightmare in a style similar to that of YTAM, except not a month early and with completely accurate lyrics.
So, as of yesterday, Lily Allen cancelled all, well the majority, of her US tour. According to multiple sources, including Ms. Allen, this is because she is exhausted from having been touring for a year non-stop. While this may not be the most politically* correct choice it is her choice and we must respect that. The NME article does an excellent job of quoting her journal were she very nicely explained and apologized for the cancellations. In any event, I hope she relaxes and the fan backlash isn't too horrendous.
Well that's all. I went out driving again today with Mums which was very pleasant. School was good and whatnot and I got cake! Umm...yeah. The year is winding down and the majority of my classes are finishing up because IB testing starts on May 2nd. Basically from the end of April until May 17th my life is going to be crazy because of testing. Not that this will deter me from updating, but many of those entries may consist of screaming, bitching, or complete nonsense. Though that last one is quite normal for me, so just ignore that. In any event, life is boring as all get out and there's nothing you can do about it. That's right, you heard it here first: No one can break my will, so life will remain boring. Because dammit, when I put my mind to something I'm a stubborn ass about it. So yeah, that's all folks.
*by politically correct I mean correct in the mind of her American fans. I don't actually mean political like politics. Politicians don't care about Lily Allen. Her fans on the other hand do.

Misadventures in La-La Land

I came home yesterday and found out that there had been a shooting at Virginia Tech. I went to bed knowing that 32 students had died. I woke up to find out that it was now 33 students. National news outlets having been refering to Virginia Tech as Virginia Tech, even though that's not the university's proper name. Even President Bush refered to it as Virginia Tech. I know that of all the things to be thinking about, thinking about the fact that everyone is calling Virginia Tech, Virginia Tech is pretty odd, but it's the only thing I can wrap my head around at the moment. I know people who go there, I know people who have siblings who go there. I don't want to think about the other side of this news item.
Of all the bizarreness of this situation, the most bizarre is the fact that a British blog that I read has entry about it. Someone in London (or more accurately a suburb of London) heard about the story and went to a college website for reasons unknown. And something he said hit me:

Guns. Americans. It happens. It's in their culture. And it'll happen again.

He's right, to a certain extent. We don't care enough about the loners, the ones that don't seem like obvious psychos. This doesn't neccesarily mean it's in our culture, but there is every chance that sometime, not anytime soon mind you, something like this, maybe not as deadly, will happen again. And there will be shock that something like this could happen here, some sort of public outcry for better gun control and what have you, and then the something else will take center stage and the travesty will be forgotten by most everyone but those affected. Call me a cynic but it's a sad fact.

Gaaaaaaaauuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhh

Oh god kill me now. Sure I won't die the happiest woman on earth but I'd rather die than feel like this. Stupid womanhood. Stupid, stupid ovaries.
God I feel like shit right now, but I don't think there's really anything I can do about it. Except complain constantly, much to the chagrin of everyone I know. :D
I've discovered something very interesting: My life is incredibly boring without a certain band. Seriously, it is so boring. I'm not obsessed with anything else to the level that I was obsessed with that band and so there's nothing to replace the countless hours spent obsessing. I'm not sure whether this is a good thing or not, I have yet to decide. Hopefully I'll never come to the conclusion. Anyway, just thought I would point that out for you lot.
So yesterday I was pure evil and downloaded the latest DW episode because I couldn't find it on YouTube (my preferred method of evilness). It took for-fucking-ever, but was totally worth it because, OMG, so wonderful. Ten-Inch with the kitty, the end scene, and Martha made the eternal download time and evilness worth it. I really like Freema Agyeman as a companion to the Doctor if only because she doesn't take his crap. Having read the reviews from Behind the Sofa this episode has been very decisive. Either the reviewer hated it (because most of it was completely illogical and involved giant crabs called Macra who then didn't do anything accept exist) or loved it (because it was complete fluff with some good acting). I personally thought it was great, so yeah. Great fluff is always appreciated by Nore.
In other news Fairfax county got out of school 3 hours early because of the possibility of gale force winds. This meant that I got to sleep more than I usually get to sleep and didn't have to endure chorus. Huzzah! Otherwise the day has been pretty normal. Clarinet lesson, doing jack shit, checking all my sites, rechecking my sites just incase they updated for some bizarre reason, playing solitaire. Yup, perfectly normal day.
Gaaaaaaaaaaauuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhh, evil stomach/intestines. I hate you all!

Fuck All

I've got fuck all to say but seeing as the last time I posted I was a wee bit depressed, I thought I might give you guys a happier update. So lets see, what's there to be happy about...
Well I did get to watch the new Dr. Who last week (not sure if I mentioned that anywhere) and it did not fail. As one reviewer from Behind the Sofa pointed out, the episode was a bit bland, but not nearly as disappointing as some episodes from last series. Tonight though there's a football match (Waterford v. Manchester United) and so even though the show has been delayed forty minutes there's the possibility that if the game runs into overtime the episode will be delayed a week. Boo! I don't care who wins just as long as it doesn't go into overtime!
Let's see, what else...
Lollapalooza! I could go, but spending $195 to see 8 bands (some of which are only maybes really) just doesn't seem worth it. Besides with some of the bands, there's always the chance that they'll come to the DC area (which doesn't actually exist) and the ticket price will be much, much cheaper. But yeah, it was kind of cool to think about how I could go to Lollapalooza if I wanted to.
Umm...
Picture!

Kitty! This is such a cute picture even if it totally contradicts an episode from last series. Oh well, still very, very cute.
That's all. I leave you with an article full of advice for the young men of Arctic Monkeys.
Quick Reminder: "Hot Fuzz" comes out this Friday!! Go see it and be amazed!!

Addendum

There's an article I forgot to post. Go ahead and read it, see what you think. My personal opinion is that popular music (or at least popular rock music) has reached a similar point in its growth that classical reached around the early to mid 20th century. Although I don't entirely agree with the bands listed at the bottom I suppose everyone is entitled to their opinion. Overall though it's a good article that brings up some very interesting points. And it's not by Dom Gourly.

Scotland Rocks Your Socks

Why does Scotland rock your socks? Because it birthed David Tennant, the Fratellis, and Franz Ferdinand, among others. Scotland will in fact take over the world eventually. And here's an article to back up this thesis. You know what else Scotland has on its side? A distinct lack of Kaiser Chiefs.
Now, the Long Blondes have decided (or gotten the chance) to finally release their debut and guess what? It's going to have four bonus tracks. This makes me excited because I've been waiting for this forever. This release along with the Pipettes means that finally I'll have more than Jenny Lewis to represent the lady rockers. I'm happy.
I've decided that I'm going on a Kaiser Chiefs detox. I've put too much of myself into that group and have gotten basically squat in return, so I'm going to turn my attention to other things, like school and Doctor Who. I mean this honestly, this isn't some wussy "protest" that will only last a day or two. I'm dead serious.
Now you might be wondering what made me decide to do this. Well there was the concert and then there was this which just exacerbated my feelings from the past few days. So I decided that I just can't do this. I have enough in my life and I have other interests, so I'm just going to focus on those instead. Going through a wonderful roller coaster ride of emotions over a bunch of guys who I've never met is ridiculous. I'm just not doing it anymore. There's more to life.

You Should Never Meet Your Heroes

Actually, you should never live your fantasies. Reality never plays out as well and so you're left disappointed in yourself and in the world and, at least in my case, quite heartbroken.
When you devote yourself so entirely to something, or someone, or a group of people, there's a certain amount of your heart you put into it too. So when you feel like there should be acknowledgement for your devotion it's incredibly devastating to realize that, that devotion will never be acknowledged. Or, maybe not never. There's always the chance that sometime in the future it will be acknowledged, but I guess when you're screaming at the top of your lungs, the future doesn't really matter that much.
There's always the chance that I'm wrong. Maybe my devotion, or at least my exertion during the concert, was noticed and so all this angst I'm feeling is utterly pointless. Or I could be right and it was the girls who groped and stood in the middle and sacrificed themselves at the alter of respectability who got noticed and not me. Lord knows he smiled enough to give that impression. Maybe both kinds of devotion were noticed and I just have incredibly low self-esteem.
But how would you react? You stump their album to all your friends, you constantly write about them, you do a song by song review of their new album, you do everything within your power (and wallflower personality) to promote the band and then you stand for two hours in line in freezing weather, damage your ears and vocal chords, and for what? The possiblity that it was you the leader singer was smiling at? You see others, more outgoing, more willing to act like idiots, being acknowledged and smiled at. How would you react to that?
All the while in the back of my head there's this nagging voice telling me I'm acting like an idiot. That I'm overreacting to something that doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. That I know better than those girls, that a smile is fleeting. But still, as the Fratellis said, "my hearts all broke in pieces and my heads a mess" and for some god-awful reason I can't move on.
It's sort of funny. I've never been in a serious relationship, yet I know what it's like to feel heartbroken. At least that's what I think this feeling is. Maybe it's only funny in how completely pathetic I am. No, you should never live your fantasies. The reality of it all hurts too much.

RIP NMTB

Well it seems someone noticed lizzilupin's stash of Never Mind the Buzzcocks episodes, so now they're all gone. I don't know if I'll ever be able to watch Ricky drunk again, or see Preston walk off because he's an idiot. Never again will I be able to revel while Phil and Bill take crack shots at everything under the pop culture moon. So very, very sad is what I say. Stupid YouTube. Stupid living in North America. Grrr...
Despite the fact that I still can't listen to KC, I have made a step forward in my rehabilitation and read some articles and such about them (or by the them, depending.) Even though I'm having a hard time thinking of myself as a true blue fangirl, I'll post these lovelies because that's what I do. Enjoy.
[Just the titles, no snarky comments. I'm not that far along in my recovery]
KC/DC - Back in Blog
A Blog in Time Saves Nine
Kaiser Chiefs continue US tour
Well that's all folks. I think I'll go die a little bit more now...

And Oh the Towering Feeling

And now for my 450th post, a whole hell of a lot of fangirling

And oh! The towering feeling
Just to know somehow you are near

Just thinking about it makes my chest feel tight. I could never properly review any of their concerts simply because it's all too surreal for me. I couldn't have asked for anything more amazing or heartbreaking. The after effect may have been one of despair (because I can never be someone I'm not), but how can I forget those too perfect moments of complete bliss? Yes, I can never be certain of anything, but it's so wonderful to imagine, so very wonderful. I may never be able to do what I wish I could do, but if everything goes as planned, that won't matter. No, I won't ever forget, and one day I will be remembered.

I was so faint with joy I didn't know what was happening

Set List:
Saturday Night
Every Day I Love You Less And Less
Heat Dies Down
Ruby
Thank You Very Much
Na Na Na Na Naa
Everything Is Average Nowadays
Born To Be A Dancer
Modern Way
Highroyds
Try Your Best
I Predict A Riot
Take My Temperature
Retirement
The Angry Mob
Oh My God

By the time we were let in I couldn't feel my toes and my hands weren't working properly. I had seen Nick and Simon leave the tour bus, the exact same one that Sophs had been saying she wanted to push over. The opening bands were good, but I couldn't understand a word from either of them, what with the sound system not working. But piece by piece the stage was cleared till all that was left was the equipment for the main attraction. My poor ears were all but dead and I knew I would pay for my enthusiasm through my neck. Then the lights went down and the screaming started.
Before that Peanut was up on the balcony watching the Walkmen speed their way through their set. The proceedings had started late and the two opening acts were paying for this tardiness. I was up against the railing to the right of the stage, my right ear getting the brunt of the abuse I was enduring. Then it was the Walkmen's last song and a half hour of waiting. The waiting didn't seem that long though and soon there was cheering and screaming. And there they were, living, breathing, real men.
Most of what happened afterwards is blurred together with only a few things standing apart from everything else. The deadening realization that as much as I seem like a fangirl, I'm far too inhibited to actually act like one in public. The hope that his (and we all know "he" is) wink and salute was to me, though it may have been towards someone else. Brief moments of possible eye contact, his eyes looking so dark. The slow realization that all of my attention was focused on him, that somehow my stare would draw his attention. The other realization that I was screaming and shouting my vocal chords into oblivion for the same purpose as my stare. Then, during "Take My Temperature" the stage dive to the bar and the return journey. I touched his hand! My god, I really touched his hand.
There was a moment during the concert when I just stood there, my mouth partially open, staring in amazement that I was were I was. Smiling when Ricky collapsed near the end of the set, feeling nearly as exhausted as he probably felt. Egging them to come back, knowing full well which songs they hadn't performed. Wondering why that one girl thought she could actually convince the band to stray from the prescribed set list, as if she was so powerful. No, the whole thing was a blur of emotion with the music acting as an accompaniment.
And yes the performance was excellent, despite what the Washington Post reviewer* may think. Oddly enough I actually learned some things as well: People either don't pay attention to or don't absorb lyrics the way I do and when it comes to living out the fantasy the closest I can get right now is holding his hand for a brief moment.

*scroll down past the review of the classical artist to get to the review of Saturday night's show

Easter Sunday

Well...last night...it happened. I don't really want to write about at the moment, due to the fact that I'm still recovering from certain aspects of the concert, so y'all will just have to wait. So instead of a set list, you guys get the lyrics to a Fratellis song. Technically (or at least according to my interpretation) the song is about a prostitute (which is true for most of the songs on their album) but certain parts relate very nicely to how I'm feeling at the moment. The song is called "Whistle for the Choir" and is by the Fratellis from their debut album Costello Music. Enjoy.
Well it's a big big city and it's always the same
Can never be too pretty tell me you your name
Is it out of line if I was to be bold
And say "Would you be mine"?

Because I may be a beggar and you maybe the queen
Though I may be on a downer I'm still ready to dream
And it's 3 o'clock the time it just the time it takes for you to talk

So if you're lonely why'd you say your not lonely
Oh your a silly girl, I know I heard it so
It's just like you to come and go
And know me no you don't even know me
Your so sweet to try, oh my, you caught my eye
A girl like you's just irresistible

Well it's a big big city and the lights are all out
But it's much as I can do you know to figure you out
And I must confess, my hearts in broken pieces
And my heads a mess
And it's 4 in the morning, and I'm walking along
Beside the ghost of every drinker who has ever done wrong
And it's you, woo hoo
That's got me going crazy for the things you do

So if your crazy I don't care you amaze me
But your a stupid girl, oh me, oh my, you talk
I die, you smile, you laugh, I cry
And only, a girl like you could be lonely
And it's a crying shame, if you would think the same
A boy like me's just irresistible

So if your lonely, why'd you say you're not lonely
Oh your a silly girl, I know I heard it so
It's just like you to come and go
And know me, no you don't even know me
Your so sweet to try oh my, you caught my eye
A girl like you's just irresistible

5 Hours 20 Minutes

I dont' really have to time to write, but I just wanted to post this article from the NME. Set list will be up tomorrow sometime, hopefully. I may or may not do a review a la the WAS/Arctic Monkey concert from June, but I haven't decided.
In other irrelavent news, I don't know if I'll be able to watch "The Shakespeare Code"!! A fact that makes me very, very sad. I don't care if Sophs thinks I'm "stealing" by watching it on YouTube, I still want to watch it!
Anyway, that's all.

Day 1 cont. (Because I'm a Horrible Person and Couldn't Resist)

Monday was magical because...it wasn't really magical at all! That's what made it magical

Tuesday, what a tiring day, because...I was procrastinating on all the work I have to do, which is really quite tiring. That and I was trying to find "Smith and Jones" on YouTube, when it isn't there.

My Wednesday was wild & crazy because...I had breakfast for lunch. Crazy I know.

Thursday made me think about...how idiotic musicians are and David Tennant. Wonderful Ten-Inch and his wonderful Scottish accent.

Friday is the most fun because of...my Musical Investigation. Yipee.

1 Day

I've got a shit load of work to do (hurrah for MI!), so I thought I would try and get as much of my online shit done with earlier in the day, so that I can have more time to do the work I have to have done by the time I have to have it done. I apologize for that last sentence. I'm going to move on now.
I don't think Whitey understands punctuation. I say this because his sentences are separated by elongated ellipses..........Like so.......Thus leading me to believe he doesn't understand punctuation. It is nice to see that someone has decided to update the blog though.
So, we all remember how much of an obsessive Beatles fan I was not too long ago. Well it seems that my new obsession has decided to kill me. You see there are certain things, or songs, bands are not allowed to do, or cover. For instance, bands are not allowed to say mean things, or cover, the Beatles. This is simply out of respect and the understanding that if weren't for the Beatles, rock wouldn't exsist. That may seem like an exaggeration, but it's true. >_> Anyway, bands really shouldn't try and cover Beatles songs. The reason for this is because they aren't the Beatles. The only Beatles cover that has ever been as good, or better, than the original is Fiona Apple's cover of "Across the Universe" which was actually better than the original. Normally though, Beatles' covers are shite. Which is why it makes me sad that KC is partaking in this abomination of a really fantastic album. Also vaguely curious to see which song they cover. But mostly just sad.
Also on a quick side note, The Fratellis? What song could they cover?
And finally, some more KC news. According to NME, they will be keeping a blog during the NA tour. I laugh at this simply because they have a hard enough time keeping up with the blog on their site. How they hell does NME expect them to keep another one for them? I mean honestly, there's only so much you can expect from these guys. Oh, silly NME. I do hope they keep their word on the pictures though.
One last thing: Takin' Over the Asylum is wunderbar. And midcirclenine is my equally wunderbar provider. Yay YouTube!!

2 Days

In an effort not to make my journal sound like it's written by a drunk (an incoherent drunk at that) I'm writing this a bit earlier than usual. So now I'm going to go check my news sites, just in case something has happened that I didn't know about.
Oh Jesus. Today's going to be fun...
So let's start with the guys looking like dicks category. The top prize goes to Jamie Cook and Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys for acting like old dicks when they're only two or so years older than me. First off they lay into Mark "Lily Allen's Producer" Ronson which means Lily will probably be saying something scathing sometime soon. Then the boys decided to take up my position that all music sucks. This is were Alex comes in saying that Timbaland is in every music video. Which made me wonder were he was in their video. As DIY put it, grumpy old men (the Gallaghers) before their time? I think so.
Our next category is America, or not being able to come to America if that's the case. So, while the View deal with the fact that their lead singer is a crack addict, Tokyo Police Club and the 1990s hustle their asses over here to be on the telly. Good luck to them.
Continuing with our look at people coming over to the States, we had a bit of deja vu a couple of days ago concerning our good friend Mystery Jets. Mind you this is just a reiteration of the fact that they're releasing an album over hear two days before my birthday and not coming near the DC area. On the other Ms. Allen is coming near the DC area, but I refuse to go to the Sonar, so that's another Lily Allen gig I won't be going to. I've stopped being disappointed though.
In the ongoing saga of the Swedish baby with the weird name, courts in Sweden aren't letting the parents name their daughter Metallica. The court's reason for not allowing the parents to name their daughter Metallica sound a bit Big Brother-ish to me, but I think this should be a sign to the parents not to name their poor daughter after a semi-mediocre metal band that were popular in the...I don't actually know when Metallica were popular, but the point is, don't name your children after metal bands. Or any bands for that matter. Moving on...
A show that I wasn't going to get to go to because it was this weekend in London got cancelled. That's all.
Give the Cribs their drum back!! After rewatching the episode of NMTB that R hosted, I've decided that even though the Cribs aren't my favourite band in the world, they don't deserve to have their snare drum stolen. They seem like a nice bunch of blokes, so whoever took it should give it back. :sticks out tongue in defiance:
And last but not least, Kaiser Chiefs. I say we start with the article that makes Nick look like an idiot and then move onto the article that makes Ricky look like a complete dick. So Nick...what's on your iPod? What I found interesting about this little article wasn't so much what Nick has on his iPod (though I did find it interesting that most of the songs that popped up were either songs he didn't like or didn't know), but that the person who did the interview was the same person who did the review of YTAM. Oh the irony of it all.
Now Rick. Rick, Rick, Rick. When you snub a concert dedicated to Princess Di don't bring up the obvious hypocrisy of all the other people doing it. Having checked your touring schedule, you have a perfectly good excuse. You'll be in Italy the day that the concert is suppose to be happening. You would be disappointing so many Italian fans if you didn't go, so there. You have a good excuse that doesn't make you look like a dick. Yes, technically you would still be snubbing Princess Di, but I think we can all live with that. Oh well. You've already said what you've said, can't go back now. Stupid git.
Well I don't have anything else to say. Actually I do: Just two more days, and Sophs has already agreed to showing up at the club early. Mwhahahaha. Oh and Jasmine, you've replaced Sophs as the person who I irate about stupid things. Good job.

4 Days

It's sort of interesting what people care about. YouTube user extraordinaire lizzilupin has uploaded the past three seasons of Never Mind the Buzzcocks as well as various episodes from past seasons and the direct to video special Never Rewind the Buzzcocks all of which adds up to quite a lot of hours. Interestingly, none of the episodes have mysteriously disappeared. On the other hand, all links having to do with the full episode of "Smith and Jones" have gone poof from the YouTube sight. This not true for other Doctor Who episodes including the series 1 finale and the 2006 Christmas special "The Runaway Bride" (which I watched today.) I suppose there's a certain logic for taking down "Smith and Jones" but it's also rather worrying. Will next week's episode be available, even if just for a day or two? But I digress. No, what's interesting is that a show on BBC 1 is more important than an equally excellent show on BBC 3. Funny, I guess ratings do matter more than quality. I just hope the Beeb doesn't notice all of those NMTB episodes.
Not much else happened today. I finally got to see "The Idiot's Lantern" which means I've seen every episode from the new series of DW, which is exciting in its own way. I also had the rather odd realization that I really would be seeing R and the lot in the flesh on Saturday. This might seem like a rather stupid observation, but one must realize that I see pictures of R and the band quite often. Thus, the idea of really seeing them takes a while to sink in. Anyway, I'm going to move on. A friend of mine got in an accident which reminded me of something entirely inappropriate. But I couldn't help myself. Anyway, I just hope he's completely alright, just like R.
Ugh, I've got to sleep now. Or at least not write. A demain, mes petites.

5/6 Days

I'm never entirely sure how to do count downs because I know to include the day that you're writing (eg today is monday, thus start with monday) but then, since the concert doesn't start until like 10pm, do I include saturday? So confusing. Anyway, it's 5/6 days until I see Ricky in the flesh for the first time in over a year. And this time I'll be uber-close as opposed to last time were I was really fucking far away. :squeeeee!!!!!!:
Anywho, today was visit UMW day or, for my mums, take lots of pictures of UMW on a crappy little disposable camera day. Most of the day was useless since I've already done all of the things they were doing today, but it was nice to see the campus in a different season and mums and I went on a bit of shopping spree at the bookstore. I got a neato t-shirt, flip flops, a glass, and a penant. Mums got Dad a t-shirt and a baseball cap and stickers for the cars. All in all a very enjoyable experience. We also went to the office of disability services and met a very nice lady who told me how I could get out of the pure hell that would be taking four course in french. Huzzah! Sadly I did not see Alex like I was expecting, which was too bad. But overall it was nice day. Oh and I got a cool frog ring for my middle finger. Yay.
Umm...let's see what else. I'm thinking of rewatching some Amstell NMTB, because I love him so and possibly rewatching "Smith and Jones" just for the hell of it. But only if I have time. Simon is every so much more important than Ten-Inch. Even if the possiblity of shagging Ten-Inch is slightly higher than shagging Simon. Damn you Mar!!!!! Damn you for corrupting my poor mind. Ugh.
So yeah, not much happening. Need to get started on my MI and reading Wuthering Heights. I'm super-determined to read this book, so I don't fail at life. We'll see though. Now...off to Simon!!

A Check List of the Things I Did Today

• Went to church and finished A History of Britain while trying not to stare at the creepy couple sitting in the library with me
• Watched most of the NMTB episodes I hadn't already watched, except for the one hosted by the old guy, which didn't seem like it would be that funny
• Watched the new Doctor Who, which was bloody brilliant. Here's a link with much thanks to tennantfan1 on YouTube for posting the episode. Hopefully they'll post next weeks episode as well. I'm really looking forward to Shakespeare
• Figured out which courses I would want to take to fulfill the gen. ed. requirements at UMW, which is rather exciting it in its own mundane way
• Nothing else. Really bloody fucking boring day. Guuuuuhhhhh, so bloody bored.

So yeah, that's it. I would suggest that everyone watch "Smith and Jones" because it really is bloody brilliant. Almost everyone over at Behind the Sofa agree that it's brilliant, so go watch!!
In other news I'm off to Fredericksburg tomorrow for the admitted student's day at UMW. This means I have to get up at normal school hours, which kind of sucks, but I'm excited to see the campus again.
I'm going to stop now while I still make sense. Go watch the good Doctor and all that jazz. Cheers!

Doctor Who

Gaaaaaaaaaah. The new series of Doctor Who has started and I can't see it. It's killing me on the inside. I need new Doctor, stat! Oh, Jesus I'm sad.
Not much else happening. I got my UMW sweatshirt for Sophs today and it's the exact same one that Alex has, which means we can be twins. Except he's slightly taller, blonde, and...a he. But otherwise we can be twins. But otherwise, not much happening. I think I'm going to watch the really long episode/special/video/thing of Never Mind the Buzzcocks. Have a nice night!

The Many Things That Need to be Said

So I got into UMW, yay!! I was really giddy most of yesterday afternoon because of that, but also because I have the new KC album which, for those cool people who bought the CD/DVD combo, includes an absolutely fantastic short film by a friend of the band's. I'll address that topic a bit later though. Firstly I have some things to get off my chest (or more accurately, out of my unposted articles folder).
Random Ten-Inch interview. Tis very interesting, mainly because it gives all the background info about Ten-Inch that I didn't know before. So yeah, that's all.
Umm, when did Noel Gallagher become nice? Seriously, read the article and you'll be wondering what he's on. I'm so confused...
Twat. I swear, I'm starting to wonder what people want from new music. I'm also starting to question my loyalty to DiS considering how frequently I've been disagreeing with their reviews. I don't need another news site (thank you NME), so the fact that DiS and I seem to have divergent opinions on music makes me wonder what the point of looking at their site is. Which makes me sad because it's a really lovely site and the writing style of the staff is fun. Still, Dom Gourley is a twat of the highest order.
Also, on the topic of music reviews confusing me, what the hell do you people want??? Honestly, am I just blind-sided by obsession with band? I mean, Mums likes the new album, but we practically have the same taste in music. Dad thinks it's good, but he was programing his new BlackBerry last night, so I don't really trust that opinion. I haven't heard from Sophs and I don't know anyone who I can get an honest opinion from. So here I am wondering whether my undying devotion to all things Kaiser Chiefs has completely skewed my ability to accurately tell whether YTAM is actually any good. Which annoys me to no end.
So yeah, that's that. Onto my notes from Tim Blackwell's Film. Tim knows the band through Rick (they met at uni) and has been "filming them [Kaiser Chiefs] ever since their early days." On the DVD that comes with YTAM there's a short film by him that's positively wunderbar and I took notes during my second viewing (it's only 14 minutes, so shut up.) Here they are!

• R= guuhh [Throughout the whole damn film, he's just wonderful]
  
• Mustache [Rick had full out beard which got shaved off to a mustache which you see at the very beginning of the film. Now he's all nice and shorn.]
• Pancake
• "Peanut, not Pancake" - Nick [Whitey mistakenly called Peanut Pancake]
• Gareth Keen/Keane [Who Peanut is more like. I'm not entirely sure who this is referencing.]
• "I'm confused" - Simon [Same here. Something involving R, Whitey, and a pool table]
• "I can't play" - Whitey [can't play the piano]
• P=Spiderman [When asked which super hero is more like, Superman or Spiderman, this was Peanut's answer]
  
• Nick recording vocals/rapping [Literally]
• Slow-mo recording [Scene that shows the band recording, but all slow-mo]
• 4 screen recording scene [The screen is split into four, with each showing a different part of the recording process. Shot during the recording of "Heat Dies Down"]
• Photoshoot
• Slightly out of tune?
• Arm waving [Rick randomly waving his arm, which reminded me of something you do in chorus when you mess up]
• Diff between R & N
• Recording faces (when singing)
• Also sort of similar [In terms of when they close their eyes, which was at exactly the same time]

• <> [crescendo, decrescendo and the facial expression difference]/rocking out
• R looking at camera [Really amusing, because it's so obvious]
• Beer after recording
  
• "Invisible, inaudible" - R [So cute!!!!!!!! In reference to how he couldn't hear Whitey]

• Zoo
• Tortoise
• Giraffes
• Legs then neck [According to R, giraffes long legs evolved first to get the high leaves, then the neck to drink water.]

• Antwerp
• "Hi" - R [He says hi and then the band starts into "The Angry Mob"]

So yeah, those are my notes. I have no idea how to rip the video onto my mp3, otherwise I would probably be watching it all the time. Oh well, I'll figure it out eventually. In fact, I might do that right now.
Until later mes chers

Pay Attention

So nackered...got into UMW...celebrated with ice cream...got YTAM as well...fuckin' nackered to high heaven...have to do English first...I just want to sleep though...stupid grades...still...I got into UMW...nice big envelope with a nice certificate of admission...so tired.......
:goes to do English:

I Hate This Week

I hate this week. I hate it with a passion and it's only Monday. Imagine how I'll feel tomorrow or Wednesday (which I can't even spell correctly most of the time.) I hate this week so much it's not even funny. I really, seriously, want this week to die. I hate this week.
Anyway...here's picture of Ricky looking like a prep school student, which I find highly amusing:

I would love to see the original of this picture. It totally reminds me of a school club photo from like...the '50's or something.
Not much else to report. YouTube provider lizzilupin has uploaded more NMTB, but I'm not in the mood to watch episodes that don't involve Ricky. I'll probably end up saving them up and watching them over spring break (only 4 days away!!) when I'm not writing my MI for IB Music. God I hate this week.

:can't think of a good title:

Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh I hate Interactive Notebook!!! Stupid emphoris assignments that claw at my soul. :slowly dies to "Lola Stars and Stripes:
In happier news, my bestest YouTube buddy lizzilupin has uploaded more episodes of Never Mind the Buzzcocks so I watched one of them. Truly hilarious. Jonathan Ross is a complete perve who can't pronounce r's (not to be confused with R's), but still has a natty dress style. I also finally understand what the band thing is at the end of the episode R hosted. Most of you wouldn't be interested, so I won't bore you, but (!) if you want to know what it's all about, watch the first like thirty seconds of the Jonathan Ross episode. I'm hoping she'll post the original Amy Winehouse episode (not the one from two seasons ago), so I can see what Amy is like when she's not drunk. Though she may have been drunk all along. I won't know till I see it. So yeah...that's my day. Never Mind the Buzzcocks and hating my history teacher. Fun!

Oh No She Didn't

First off I would like to say that I don't want to live in the US when I have the option to move. The way the government has been acting for the last...oh, six years, I don't want to be here anymore. I've become completely disillusioned with the whole "democracy" thing. Or at least US democracy. Because our politicians suck and anyone with a grain of salt doesn't get elected. So yeah, culture isn't the only reason I want to leave.
On the other hand, much like my school spirit, if you slag off my country, I'll get a little annoyed. Just like right now I'm a little annoyed with a certain Ms. Allen of the UK.

It's all very weird here. They're all backward in Texas but not as much as they are in Arkansas and Wyoming where I'm going soon.

Now the only reason I haven't completely written Ms. Allen off is because 1) I really, really, love her album and 2) This is what she does. She slags off everything in world. But still. I know the south can be a bit "backwards" but you're not from here Lil (yes I do get to call her Lil, just like I get to call Ricky R.) I wouldn't make fun of Yorkshire or Devon or some other county in the UK. It's just common courtesy. You don't slag off my states, I won't slag off your counties. Mmkay?
By the by, here's the link to the original article by DiS. She says more, but it doesn't really make sense to me, so I won't comment on it. But just for everyone's information, if she slags off Virginia or the metro-DC area...I'm going to throw a hissy fit.
In other news, my high school is hosting the East Coast A Capella Summit (oooh) and one of the groups that is performing this weekend is Blue Jupiter. They came last year and performed at the school, but I'm not exactly a huge fan of a capella, so I really wasn't at all excited when I was told that they were coming again this year. The rest of the women in my chorus class were though and begged our chorus teacher to have the guys come to our class. Totally not excited. Really not at all excited. But then they came and one of the members (who's brand new) looks almost exactly like Nick from Kaiser Chiefs (also known as Nick Hodgson). I totally freaked out the minute he came into the room because he was tall and lanky and subconsciously reminded me of Nick. Of course once I got a good look at him I freaked out even more because I realized consciously that he is the spitting image of Nick. He (his name is Mike) is the only reason I'm going to the concert tonight. Otherwise I wouldn't have gone. So yeah, I'm totally sad and pathetic. Huzzah!!
No other news. Have a good weekend.

Aargh with the Frustration

Why can't Blogger be a bit more like LJ? Because then I could reply to comments posted and not feel like a total shit for not replying. At least with LJ I have the option to reply, even if I don't always use it. Stupid Blogger.
In any event, only two weeks and two days until I get spend a lot of time convincing Sophs that we really do want to spend two hours in line so that I can be really close to the stage. :D!!! My Ricky obsession continues full force, despite the stress of this week. Or maybe because of the stress of this week. But yeah, two weeks and two days until Kaiser Chiefs!!!!
I've figured out why Kaiser Chiefs aren't doing (or at least I assume aren't doing) Carling Weekend. The answer has been glaring at me every time I check their site, but didn't hit me until today, because I'm smart. See they're being the Foo Fighter's bitches, though that's not completely fair to them, but it's fun to say. In all honesty I'm really suprised that T on the Fringe and Carling weekend are overlapping, because it puts a lot of bands in a bit of a bind, not to mention the fans. What if I wanted to see Kaiser Chiefs and Maximo Park? It would be kind of hard because Edinburgh isn't exactly spitting distance from Reading or Leeds. Not that Reading or Leeds are that close, but the point is, Edinburgh is as far away from Leeds as Reading is from Leeds and so I would be unable to see Maximo Park and Kaiser Chiefs that weekend if I wanted to. Of course we all know who would win, but not everyone is like that. So yeah. Dunno why these festivals are overlapping. I'm not a huge freak or anything. Nope not at all.
Umm...news links!
Speaking of Carling Weekend, lots of people are now screwed. I feel really horrible for all of those people who thought they were going to this really major festival, who thought they had paid for these really expensive tickets, and are now completely SOL. A small part of me, despite the overwhelming sense of sympathy, is really happy because I wouldn't be able to go anyway. But yeah, poor people who can't go. They won't get to see some fairly okay bands. Oh I could be so mean right now...
Metallica is girl's name! Really, it's official, I read on the NME site. I just find it absolutely histarical that a hard metal band's name is the name of baby girl somewhere in Sweden. I hope for her sake she ends up liking the band because otherwise...it would be like if my parent's had decided to name me...Razorlight or something. Snow Patrol is another example. Or Mika.
Anyway that's it. Go watch some hilarious David Tennant. Be amazed at his sexy Scottish accent. Be wildly impressed with Catherine Tate's ability to use Shakespeare in a comedy sketch and have it make sense within the given context. I'm going to find some Boosh to watch.
Quick Side Note: New Doctor Who starts March 31st, so there might be more posts about that as things get started over in the UK. Unfortunetly I won't be seeing anything until this summer, so yeah. I might also go crazy, ya never know.

Late Breaking News

I just had to post this:

"Yours Truly, Angry Mob" is out in North America next week and to give youy all a chance at a sneak preview, we have put up the whole album for a limited period on our myspace page. Why not add yourself to our friends list while you're there? Enjoy.

Or, you could've gone to NME, a month ago, and have been listening to the album since then. I love you guys, but honestly, you make making fun of you far too easy. Sure the non-hardcore fans will be happy, but for the rest of us, this is just a cruel reminder of the fact that, supposedly, everyone else in the world has already heard YTAM. Thanks a lot guys.


I would just like to point out at this time that I'm not a loon. I'm a crank thank you very much.

I Feel So Appreciated

I've just finished watching Big Fat Quiz Show of the Year 2006, which lasted for-fucking-ever, and have realized why everyone (or so I am led to believe) in the UK loves Russel Brand: He can keep a straight face no matter how absolutely idiotic he sounds. It really is an admirable skill, which unfortunately Noel Fielding is not as good at. I must admit, when they won over David Walliam (yes, Wall-iam) and Rob Brydon, I was really fucking happy. Hurray for the goth corner!!!
In other interesting news, there seems to be another anglophile in the world and they commented on the Blogger edition of this lovely journal. I feel loved. :waves at readers:
So onto the real news:
Kaiser Chiefs aren't playing Carling Weekend. Instead Razorlight is. I'm being completely serious, as of today (20 March 2007) the Kaiser Chiefs were not scheduled to play Carling Weekend. Which is a huge deal because part of the weekend takes place in their home town of Leeds. I'm in shock still and am wondering what it all means. We shall just have to wait and see.
I could see Keane at the 9:30 club on 29 May. I won't though because I will be relaxing and mourning over the fact that I didn't get to see Arctic Monkeys on 16 May. It is rather cool that they're playing there though and I'm sure everyone who does go will have an absolutely fantastic time. I won't though, because I'll still be trying to find a green dress for graduation.
Look it's a Ricky statue!

According to spiffychocolate, this picture was taken near the Torchwood headquarters in Cardiff. This proves that you can be a Torchwood/Doctor Who/Kaiser Chief fangirl all at the same time. Others of us (the Ricky fangirls) can't get over a certain area of his...umm...yeah. Remember David Bowie in Labyrinth? That's what I'm talking about.
And finally, due to a bizarro fire drill today two minutes before the end of first period, Loghman was forced to make eye contact with me. Which means, he had to acknowledge for a split second that I exist. Huzzah! I exist! :shakes head: It's just so sad...

The Great Buzzcocks Spam of 2007

In an effort to absolutely nothing until 9 tonight, here are the links to different Never Mind the Buzzcocks episodes. They come in threes to be prepared.

When Ricky Hosted Never Mind the Buzzcocks:
Pt. 1, Pt.2, Pt. 3

When Noel Fielding and Donny Tourette Blew My Mind (This One's Got 4!):
Pt. 1, Pt. 2, Pt. 3, Pt. 4

When Nick Hodgson Was On Never Mind the Buzzcocks:
Pt. 1, Pt. 2, Pt. 3

When Sam Preston of the Ordinary Boys Walked Off Never Mind the Buzzcocks:
Pt. 1, Pt. 2, Pt. 3

When Ricky Was Pished on Never Mind the Buzzcocks:
Pt. 1, Pt. 2, Pt. 3

When John "Captain Jack Harkness" Barrowman Out Gayed Simon Amstell (This One's Got 4 Too!):
Pt. 1, Pt. 2, Pt. 3, Pt. 4

I've deemed six to be enough for you lot. Enjoy 3 hours of some of the best comedy known to man.
On a small instructional side note, you don't have to come back here at the end of each part. Just of the first one.

Some Things That Have Made Me Happy Since My Last Post (My God What a Long Title for an Entry)

• Rewatching the episode of Never Mind the Buzzcocks that Rick was on and re-realizing that he was so drunk/high while he was on it
• Rewatching the episode of Never Mind the Buzzcocks that Nick was on and re-realizing that Simon Amstell is my gay lover, not that I'd really forgotten
• Having some chicken with BBQ sauce and orange juice
• Watching a couple of episodes of Never Mind the Buzzcocks while Mark Lamarr was still hosting and soaking up his bitter comedy
• Trying to find episodes of Never Mind the Buzzcocks on YouTube to no avail. Don't ask, but that does in fact make me happy.
• Reading the comments for this rickydaily post, especially this bit:

  diva_chic_mandy: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAA
  Who's he with btw?
  honeyswallow: Whitey!
  diva_chic_mandy: Ok that's what I thought! But then I was looking & he looks different. HE'S SMILING MAYBE THAT'S IT! lol.

  diva_chic_mandy speaks the truth, except I would recognize Whitey's ugly mug no matter what his actual facial expression was (please don't kill me Whitey, you're an absolutely fantastic guitar player)
• Did I mention the chicken with BBQ sauce? Very happy making.
• Having bits and piece of my internal monologue be in a British accent from varying regions of said country (dear God I am an anglophile)
• Really, chicken is a cure all for everything, along with Never Mind the Buzzcocks

With much thanks to YouTube, the Beeb, Mark Lamarr, Bill Bailey, Phil Jupitus, LiveJournal, and chickens.

My Biggest Fear (An Open Letter)

Dear [fill in appropriate name],
Today I finally went to choir rehearsal for the first time in a couple of weeks. As usually we, the members of choir, waited outside of our director's office chit-chatting about nothing. I'm not the most social person, a bit too shy for my own good, and so I was just listening to snippets of the different conversations that were going on around me. Two girls next to me were talking when one of them, I think she's a sophomore, asked the other girl, also a sophomore, whether she liked the Arctic Monkeys. I immediately perked up, waiting for the second's girls answer. The second girl wasn't entirely sure whether she liked them, seeing as she only knew one song by them, something about when the lights go down. In my head I was trying to pair what this second girl was mentioning to the singles the Arctic Monkeys released last year and came up with "When the Sun Goes Down," and mentally corrected what she was saying from "lights" to "sun."
Rehearsal started and I got lost in the music we were rehearsing, a motet by Palestrina, which we may or may not be performing next week. During rehearsal someone's mobile started ringing. The tune sounded familiar but it wasn't until everyone had stopped talking and was staring at the person whose phone it was (the person who had asked about the Arctic Monkeys) that I realized that it was the Fratellis. I said to no one in particular that I liked the person's ringtone, though I doubt she noticed. Rehearsal continued and I got wrapped up in the motet again, sight reading the part while being the only person in my section.
Towards the end of rehearsal we started talking about scheduling. Our director asked who wasn't going to be available for the Good Friday service and some people raised their hands. He then asked who would be there for the Easter service and almost everyone raised their hand. I felt that now would be a good time to mention to John (the director) that although I would be at the service, I would be practically dead because of the rock concert I was going to the night before. He asked who I was going to be seeing and I said Kaiser Chiefs. The same girl who had the Fratellis ringtone and who seemed to have some sort of interest in the Arctic Monkeys sang-spoke the beginning part of the "Ruby" refrain (Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby) and I said "yeah those guys."
A part of me worried, at that point, that Kaiser Chiefs would only be known for "Ruby" and that by releasing that song they had doomed themselves to being considered a novelty group here in the States. Another part of me was excited to know that seemingly normal people know some of the same bands that I know, which means that they are becoming more popular here which makes me happy. The part of me that was worried is now more worried about something else: The bands that I adore and admire may never know how much I truly appreciate them.
There are so many pushy fans in the world and because of my natural shyness I will never be one of those fans. I will be the fan that waits in line for hours before a show, who will tell all of her friends about band X and that they should by album Y. I will be the fan who knows all the lyrics to all the songs and buys merchandise at every concert she goes to, which is every concert she can get to. I will be the fan who does everything she possibly can to promote band X and still stay within her shell. I will never be the fan who tries to get backstage to meet band X nor will I be the fan who sends letters or emails to band X telling them how much she adores and loves them, how wonderful they are, on and on. No amount of prodding or pushing will ever get me to be one of the pushy, in your face fans. But there are so many of them and only one me.
I want my favourite bands to know that I appreciate them more than words can say and that my admiration isn't fake or based entirely on looks. These bands, who I listen to day in, day out, may never know how much they mean to me, or if by some miracle they eventually know, I worry that they may not take it seriously.
This is my biggest fear: That the people who have helped me to realize what I want to do with my life will never know and until I realize my dream there is nothing I can do to change that.
Very Sincerely,
Nore

Dear god, did any of that make sense? I'm completely out of it right now. Half of my brain was trying to concentrate on writing this while the other half was split between playing Clicken Gold/solitaire and listening/singing along to YTAM. Sorry if this is just a bunch of nonsense I really have no idea where my head is at right now. Hopefully things will start making sense by tomorrow. Hopefully.

Slowly Collapsing

So District Festival (chorus) went well even though we (as a whole group) completely fucked up for a few measures. I wasn't allowed to bring my purse which meant I couldn't have my mp3 player which sucked major balls. I'm now exhausted and don't have anything else to say. I did get to listen to most of YTAM during IB music which is tres, tres wunderbar (go mixing two languages!). Anyhoo onto the freaky ass picture that_heather posted in her valiant effort to make what is suppose to be a daily community actually daily instead of sporadic. So yeah, one freaky picture coming up.