It's not very often you find a person who doesn't say that they are passionate about music or don't have a favourite music artist.
I love music as much as the next person but I hate being forced to listen to other people's crap loudly through the wall at stupid o'clock at night. Call me old, call me miserable, I really don't give two hoots. When I'm trying to sleep I don't want to hear your noise. Same goes first thing in the morning. I'm perfectly happy in silence, sipping my morning brew; I do not need someone to either be "blasting the tunes" next door or someone putting the music channels on the TV. If I'm sitting in front of a television set which is off then guess what...that is how I want it, OFF!!! First thing in the morning I do not want to see Rihanna shaking her booty all over my screen and I do not want to hear Akon exclaiming that he just had sex in the early hours of Sunday morning. And do not, I repeat, do not start me on people who blare their music out on the bus. If I don't like your music and the fact I can't, then the same goes for the 60 something lady two seats infront.
I, like thousands of others love a beat to dance to and there is a time and place for that. And it isn't in the quiet of night when normal people are trying to sleep or relax. On a morning I'd invite you to put on the TV if you so wish, just ask first and make sure it's something relaxing and simple, if not just keep it switched off. If you want to listen to your music, keep it to yourself, its why apple created Ipods.
All in all, I love music, but so long as it is what I want to hear, when I want to hear it.
Sunday, 5 June 2011
Saturday, 23 April 2011
Ballet Review- Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Well, it's been a long time since I last watched ballet, and even longer since I went to the ballet. I remember sitting in the audience as a dance student a number of years ago and admiring the plies and pirouettes throughout the production of The Nutcracker.
Today I sat admiring the effort which went into the Royal Ballet production of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland created by choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. It was marvellous, spectacular and magical, but was made truly unique with the use of effects, especially when showing Alice's changing size after eating and drinking.
The stars of this production are truly amazing at what they do, although I personally missed the Queen of Hearts shouting "Off with your head" as depicted in many other performances of the Lewis Carroll novel, but as ballet as no speech I will let them off.
Any cultured individual, or anyone who fancies a change from their usual television viewings should definately take a peek on the BBC iplayer to see what they are missing.
Today I sat admiring the effort which went into the Royal Ballet production of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland created by choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. It was marvellous, spectacular and magical, but was made truly unique with the use of effects, especially when showing Alice's changing size after eating and drinking.
The stars of this production are truly amazing at what they do, although I personally missed the Queen of Hearts shouting "Off with your head" as depicted in many other performances of the Lewis Carroll novel, but as ballet as no speech I will let them off.
Any cultured individual, or anyone who fancies a change from their usual television viewings should definately take a peek on the BBC iplayer to see what they are missing.
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
DVD Review- Rhod Gilbert...
... & The Cat That Looked Like Nicholas Lyndhurst.
Rhod Gilbert is once again phenomenal in his 2010 live show. There's just something about an angry Welsh man that gives you the giggles. Its rant after rant from the word go, just what you expect from the man of the hour.
The show is basically Gilbert explaining why he named the show this unusual title, general factors that anger him and the consequences of his anger.
Some how no matter what he says you can't help but laugh. He tears his audience apart, insults the Scottish, discusses how complicated it is shopping for hoovers, explains his split from his girlfriend, moans about washing machines and looks back at his childhood through hypnotherapy at anger management. It's impressive how he links all his stories together at the end, he's certainly one clever man.
I honestly don't think we stopped laughing for the whole show, typical day-to-day tasks are hysterical in Gilbert's life. Absolutely hilarious.
This follow his incredible "Award Winning Mince Pie" DVD, which included his infamous rant about duvets and togs. I recommend watching out for his work, just pop on youtube and catch a couple of minutes and judge for yourself.
Rhod Gilbert is once again phenomenal in his 2010 live show. There's just something about an angry Welsh man that gives you the giggles. Its rant after rant from the word go, just what you expect from the man of the hour.
The show is basically Gilbert explaining why he named the show this unusual title, general factors that anger him and the consequences of his anger.
Some how no matter what he says you can't help but laugh. He tears his audience apart, insults the Scottish, discusses how complicated it is shopping for hoovers, explains his split from his girlfriend, moans about washing machines and looks back at his childhood through hypnotherapy at anger management. It's impressive how he links all his stories together at the end, he's certainly one clever man.
I honestly don't think we stopped laughing for the whole show, typical day-to-day tasks are hysterical in Gilbert's life. Absolutely hilarious.
This follow his incredible "Award Winning Mince Pie" DVD, which included his infamous rant about duvets and togs. I recommend watching out for his work, just pop on youtube and catch a couple of minutes and judge for yourself.
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
International Women's Day
Its that time of the year again when we acknowledge that women should be treated equally to men. The rest of the year is what exactly? All Mens' Days.
The Suffragettes fought for what they believed in and got their voices heard in however way they could. They won the women's right to vote in 1928 and the gap between men's and women's salaries is still slowly shrinking. Although this is true, there are still many issues in existance that do not support the theory that women are now man's equal.
There are women all over the world who are subject to poverty. In many poorer countries young girls do not receive the privilage of education and many more women are illiterate than men, in fact around 66 per cent of the illiterate population are women. There are very few women in parliaments around the world and even at the home women still generally carry out the domestic tasks (not all homes of course).
It is not only freedom or power or money which will prove equality, but many women still experience sexism at work. Sexist remarks such as those made recently by commentators Andy Gray and Richard Keys are where society also fails to acknoewledge that men and women should be treated equally. In 2011 Women should not be downgraded.
Some will argue this is from a feminists perspective and that as a feminist I believe that women should be better than men, and have more power than men etc, etc, etc. This is not what it mean to be feminist. It is merely the belief that both socially, politically and economically women and men should be equal.
And to open up another can of worms altogether, in the media, when women do get air time, they are generally younger women, those who are supposedly more pleasing to watch. You rarely see older women hosting television programmes, unless its the middle of the day and your watching Loose Women. And why is Loose Women on in the middle of the day? Because it is a show aimed at women, and persumably due to the equality that doesn't exist women are more likely to be at home during this time of the day to watch women's TV.
Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled we can vote and can make nearly as much money as men, but there are still plenty of changes which can be made. It may be the 100th celebration of International Women's Day, but heres hoping that in the future we will have more to celebrate like education rights around the world and more female MPs, or in an ideal world maybe even be able to celebrate this equality all year round.
The Suffragettes fought for what they believed in and got their voices heard in however way they could. They won the women's right to vote in 1928 and the gap between men's and women's salaries is still slowly shrinking. Although this is true, there are still many issues in existance that do not support the theory that women are now man's equal.
There are women all over the world who are subject to poverty. In many poorer countries young girls do not receive the privilage of education and many more women are illiterate than men, in fact around 66 per cent of the illiterate population are women. There are very few women in parliaments around the world and even at the home women still generally carry out the domestic tasks (not all homes of course).
It is not only freedom or power or money which will prove equality, but many women still experience sexism at work. Sexist remarks such as those made recently by commentators Andy Gray and Richard Keys are where society also fails to acknoewledge that men and women should be treated equally. In 2011 Women should not be downgraded.
Some will argue this is from a feminists perspective and that as a feminist I believe that women should be better than men, and have more power than men etc, etc, etc. This is not what it mean to be feminist. It is merely the belief that both socially, politically and economically women and men should be equal.
And to open up another can of worms altogether, in the media, when women do get air time, they are generally younger women, those who are supposedly more pleasing to watch. You rarely see older women hosting television programmes, unless its the middle of the day and your watching Loose Women. And why is Loose Women on in the middle of the day? Because it is a show aimed at women, and persumably due to the equality that doesn't exist women are more likely to be at home during this time of the day to watch women's TV.
Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled we can vote and can make nearly as much money as men, but there are still plenty of changes which can be made. It may be the 100th celebration of International Women's Day, but heres hoping that in the future we will have more to celebrate like education rights around the world and more female MPs, or in an ideal world maybe even be able to celebrate this equality all year round.
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
Film Review- The Pianist
Wow... What an emotional film that was. I remember watching it in like year 8 at school for a history lesson, it was not half as hard hitting then. The suffering and heart ache the Polish Jewish citizens went through was just shocking.
The film follows a pianist on Polish radio throughout the war, from when his family leaves for the ghetto to when their sent to work camp, followed by his escape and survival throughout the most terrfying 6 years imaginable. Szpilman (played by Adrian Brody) hides, works, escapes, hides, relocates and hides some more throughout the course of the war after being spared scenes of the Nazi death camps.
Directed by Roman Polanski, famous for directing 'Rosemary's Baby' and 'The Ninth Gate', has certainly captured the fear felt by the victims of the Nazi villians. It is definately on the list of war films to see before you die, but be ready to see the pain and torture people went through during World War Two.
The film follows a pianist on Polish radio throughout the war, from when his family leaves for the ghetto to when their sent to work camp, followed by his escape and survival throughout the most terrfying 6 years imaginable. Szpilman (played by Adrian Brody) hides, works, escapes, hides, relocates and hides some more throughout the course of the war after being spared scenes of the Nazi death camps.
Directed by Roman Polanski, famous for directing 'Rosemary's Baby' and 'The Ninth Gate', has certainly captured the fear felt by the victims of the Nazi villians. It is definately on the list of war films to see before you die, but be ready to see the pain and torture people went through during World War Two.
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
Film Review- Valentine's Day
Funnily enough I watche Valentine's Day alone on Valentine's Day (but no I am not single, I just spent a lovely weekend with my fiance and thanks to Monday night lectures was back in Derby for the 14th February). The film definately kept me occupied for a couple of hours, with a huge array of actors and actresses from Ashton Kutcher to Patrick Dempsy and from Anne Hathaway to Julia Roberts.
There was plenty going on in this RomCom, couples everywhere, who were madly in love, breaking up and making up. Each individual story in the film overlap in some way tying the whole thing together. At the very end I was left in tears, thanks to the amount of love in one film, along with a mother and son being reunited for one night before her return to the army... ooops I may have spoilt the heart-melting part of the film.
There are certainly a few twists and turns throughout as the story unfolds, with a few shock moments towards the end, some of which I certainly was not expecting. All in all, after smiles, laughter and tears I really did enjoy the film. It is definately worth a watch, especially on Valentine's Day cuddled up to your loved one.
There was plenty going on in this RomCom, couples everywhere, who were madly in love, breaking up and making up. Each individual story in the film overlap in some way tying the whole thing together. At the very end I was left in tears, thanks to the amount of love in one film, along with a mother and son being reunited for one night before her return to the army... ooops I may have spoilt the heart-melting part of the film.
There are certainly a few twists and turns throughout as the story unfolds, with a few shock moments towards the end, some of which I certainly was not expecting. All in all, after smiles, laughter and tears I really did enjoy the film. It is definately worth a watch, especially on Valentine's Day cuddled up to your loved one.
Monday, 7 February 2011
Time for a change...
Life is a precious thing and sometimes we waste that precious time arguing and fighting, not over things we truly believe in, just stupid things like something we've said or done.
Lets forget reviews for a moment and take a look at what is happening in the world right now. So much death and loss over the last couple of weeks, who knows what will happen next. The loss of lives which show us how precious life is and how easily it can be lost.
What an unlucky country Australia seems to be right now. Last week a cyclone, this week bush fires. As the country begins to overcome one disaster another hits. It was heartbreaking to read stories of the yound boy who risked his life to ensure his younger brothers safety and it is heartbreaking to see others return to homes which have been destroyed by fire. At the end of the day it's only a house, another can be built, but a brother, sister, father, mother, can never be replaced.
Then of course there's Egypt, protesters taking on the army to argue what they believe is right. The extent of the chaos in Egypt is one item which will be seen regularly in the news, as the country falls into what could be a huge civil war.
We turn on the news channels today or open a newspaper and what we see in the murder of a 19 year-old mother to be, in Newport. The eight month pregnant teen was due to give birth to her baby girl in just under a fortnight, but instead both are dead. After being stabbed to death the young lady was to be set alight.
I know the world in which we live is not perfect. There's man made disaster and natural disasters which threaten the lives of people all over the planet. There may not be much we can do to stop disasters occuring, or the rising death toll all over the world. But we can sit here today and take a moment to think of those who have been lost through no fault of their own, or through fighting what they believe in. In perspective we may moan about our lives from time to time and think we have bad luck but at the end of the day we still have each other, people around us who love us very dearly. So maybe think a little the next time you want to moan about your life, about those who suffer and have it so much worse than we do.
Lets forget reviews for a moment and take a look at what is happening in the world right now. So much death and loss over the last couple of weeks, who knows what will happen next. The loss of lives which show us how precious life is and how easily it can be lost.
What an unlucky country Australia seems to be right now. Last week a cyclone, this week bush fires. As the country begins to overcome one disaster another hits. It was heartbreaking to read stories of the yound boy who risked his life to ensure his younger brothers safety and it is heartbreaking to see others return to homes which have been destroyed by fire. At the end of the day it's only a house, another can be built, but a brother, sister, father, mother, can never be replaced.
Then of course there's Egypt, protesters taking on the army to argue what they believe is right. The extent of the chaos in Egypt is one item which will be seen regularly in the news, as the country falls into what could be a huge civil war.
We turn on the news channels today or open a newspaper and what we see in the murder of a 19 year-old mother to be, in Newport. The eight month pregnant teen was due to give birth to her baby girl in just under a fortnight, but instead both are dead. After being stabbed to death the young lady was to be set alight.
I know the world in which we live is not perfect. There's man made disaster and natural disasters which threaten the lives of people all over the planet. There may not be much we can do to stop disasters occuring, or the rising death toll all over the world. But we can sit here today and take a moment to think of those who have been lost through no fault of their own, or through fighting what they believe in. In perspective we may moan about our lives from time to time and think we have bad luck but at the end of the day we still have each other, people around us who love us very dearly. So maybe think a little the next time you want to moan about your life, about those who suffer and have it so much worse than we do.
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