*Thing* of the day... Today is "Blue Monday". So how does it feel?

 Today is "Blue Monday". So how does it feel?


Apparently today, Monday 17th January, is meant to be the depressing day of the year according to the following formula  -> (W + (D-d) x TQ) / (MxNA)... (W=weather, D=debt, d=monthly salary, T=time since xmas, Q=time since trying to quit bad habit, M=motivational levels and NA=need to take action). Therefore today is apparently "Blue Monday".
I'm not sure about everyone else, but I've found today pretty good... hmmm...
To cheer up the blues battered British, two heated "Happy Bubbles", filled with space hoppers and free massages, have been in London's Finsbury Avenue Square. Now that sounds like my type of spa. 


To me, "Blue Monday" is one of my favourite songs. Released in 1983 by the Joy Division reincarnation  New Order, it is one of the most important synth tracks of all time, bridging the gap between the post-punk sound of the late 1970s and the fresh 80s synthpop and disco; not to mention an iconic indie dance floor filler. Notably it was also one of the first tracks to be performed live (and not mimed) on Top Of The Pops (although the performance turned out to be poor due to technical problems). Its stand out kick drum intro, with its throbbing sythn and bass guitar bass line makes the over 7 minute track hooky (yes, I made a joke) and so memorable that you end up in some kind of blue trance which you'll have tapping out for days.


Here is a full '83 live version... Enjoy it, I order you (pun No. 3). 

(Kylie fans: please see video at the bottom)

*Thing* of the day... Sport just got a little more interesting.

Sport just got a little more interesting...

Now, I am no sports expert. I did P.E. in high school and actually quite enjoyed it (accept for gym - I cannot do a roly-poly to save my life - and athletics), especially cross country believe it or not (13th three years running ;) ), but that doesn't mean I actually know anything about it! But what I do know is a) the off-side rule, b) how to play FIFA 09 and c) kinda how cricket works... Therefore, I feel I am at least qualified to suggest that following sportsmen are of an attractive nature in the world of sport:
 Attractive sportsman number 1: Footballer, Simon Lappin.

 Attractive sportsman number 2: Cricketer, Steven Finn.

That is all.

*Thing* of the day... I want Matilda's magic powers.

The Magic Of Roald Dahl - Matilda.

God knows how many times I read Roald Dahl's Matilda when I was younger. In fact, I was a bit of a Roald Dahl obsessive; they must have been the only books I ever read. Matilda was by far my favourite, I even had the film on VCR. Remember them?! However, the more I read and watched it, the more jealous I became of Matilda's ability to move objects without touching them. And I still am to be honest. Not only would it be totally cool to be able to just move stuff just by looking at it, it would make me mega popular and save a lot of time and effort... Ok, maybe not popular - probably a medical case. But even so, if I could have any super/magical power, I would so have that.

Now Dahl's classic story has been adapted into a musical, being performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company . What makes it even cooler is that Tim Minchin - yes, TIM FUCKING MINCHIN! - has written the music and lyrics. Just plain awesome.   http://www.matildamusical.com/#/behind_the_scenes/watch_videos/video_8/

*Thing* of the day... Ready for this? It's Tim Minchin!

I've always thought Mr Minchin's musical expressions of, well, pretty much anything and everything, from boobies to canvas bags, were pretty good. I think he is a good comedian and was quiet impressed by his presenting skills on Buzzcocks the other week. But I've never been too worried about him.  

Then this Christmas, Father Christmas left me a gift (as he does). A gift of discovery, of wonder, of pure effing brilliance. It was Tim Minchin's live dvd - Ready For This? and now I think I am in love...

Therefore I am now following him on twitter like a MCR obsessed 13 year old girl.

*Thing* of the day... Helena Bonham Carter Oh, this woman truly is a babe.

Oh, this woman truly is a babe. 

Nasty but classy, Bellatirx Lestrange makes Cruella Deville look like you average harmless dog sitter.

There is something scarily sexy about Helena Bonham Carter's character in the Harry Potter films. When she whines the line "Itty, bitty, baby Potter..." there's part of you that goes "Oooo, you biatch!". And that laugh... Oh. 

I guess it's being in a relationship of the king of all things dark, mysterious and just generally weird, Tim Burton that's helped.

I'm not a religious or massive HP fan, though I have read the books (Ok, my mum read me the books) and have seen all the films up to date; in fact, I even have a book about Quiditch. Despite that fact, I couldn't help but get a tiny bit excited when I watched HP and the Deathly Hallows recently. On a scale of 1 - Pee of excitement, it was probably a 7 - an "Awhh!" (Which I think I actually did say under my breathe in the cinema, as long as my boyfriend didn't hear me that's fine). I also let a tear slip when Dobby - don't read on if you haven't read/seen it - died. But that is a different matter.

Yes, I think I have the female equivalent to a "man crush" on both Bonham Carter and her alter ego, but if I was to be a villain for a day, faster than you could disapperate into Hogsmeade, I would choose Bellatrix Lestrange. 

There's also something quite *mmm* about Ron Weasley too...

I WANT TO BE HER.

Helena Bonham Carter - Bellatrix Lestange

A festive moan and stuff.

It's hit that time of year again. I could blab about Christmas lights and presents here, but I just can't be bothered. I'm not a big fan of this time of year; November - January. Last year I didn't have a particularly great time at this point, and although this year isn't half as bad, it's still not turning out that wonderful to be honest.

Snow has hit Norfolk. Yay.

I find it beautiful, how the snow dresses the naked branches of the sleeping trees and accessories the evergreens with white shall. And when you walk through those trees, through the country lanes, everywhere and everything is glistening, pure, peaceful and perfect.

But I'm pissed off with it. It's also a crappy reminder of past poop and it gets in the way of bloody everything. Like, tomorrow I have my music lessons, but they've been cancelled because it's too icey and I have a piano exam next week. Plus I have a driving lesson and I bet it will be cancelled, which is great when I'm ready to book my test. And then you have to worry about getting into college and whether it will be closed or not... I wish it would snow on a day when it doesn't actually matter, preferably Xmas day.

Xmas day is such a let down too. It's all over too quickly. You get up and before you know it you're eating chicken sandwiches from the lunch left overs and watching the Doctor Who special.

But, in my opinion, Christmas is the one day of the year when we should celebrate life, love, friends and family  and should thank everyone who means something to us for just being in our lives. Of course, we should do that all the time, but this period of the year is set aside to remind us, make us actually think about it. Throughout the rest of the year we just don't get the time, whilst this is the point where everything (should) slow down, giving back that important piece of time.

So that's my view on the festive period.

In other news, not much has been going on. I've see Athlete and Ellie Goulding at the UEA. Athlete were incredibly good, I can't believe it is only recently I have gotten in to them. Ellie's whole set was bloody amazing. It was all professional, with a full backing band and vocalists; stripped down acoustic section; video backdrop; beautiful staging and lighting; and her performance itself was unbeatable and energetic playing new tracks such as Lights and her cover of Your Song.

I can't really think of anything else for now.

Happy Xmas if I don't blog before.

Jess

Wagner to Interzone! It's blog time, baby!

This blog is going to go to the rhythm of what ever comes to my mind at the time.

I'm terrible, I truly am.

I keep meaning to write a blog update more often, and yes, I know I keep saying that... gawd darn it.

I also keep saying I will write another article type thing, but of course, I never do; or I start and don't finish. It's the whole time factor, blah blah blah...

From time factor to X Factor (see what I did there?). Currently I'm sitting in the conservatory with the legend that is Wagner parading about on the screen (my mother just said he's entertaining purely for the fact he has bigger earrings than Pat Butcher...). I started to write a piece about X Factor. Yeah, I haven't finished it. *Shifty eyes* But, if it doesn't make this cyber paper, to basically sum up, my debate was: What is the "X Factor"? Is it being able to entertain? Is it having individuality? Quirkiness? Or to be able to sing like every other top ten diva? 'Cause let's face it, that's all that these reality shows seem to be looking for. If not that, a couple of cute looking lads to sell posters. And then it always seems to be those who come third or second who actually make it anywhere. I'm not sure, but if it's not the last option then Wagner seems like the only suitable candidate for the job. Oh, and if you decide to enter as a girl band, good luck.
In other X Factor news, my dad's cousin's daughter, Trudie Le Marie is a head stylist. Here's a video: http://xfactor.itv.com/2010/fashion/viewer/watch_ask-the-expert-week-4_item_201320.htm
and here's her website: http://www.trudielemarie.com/
Unfortunately I don't know her personally; I doubt she even knows of me, but it's still pretty damn awesome ;)

Else where, in the recent weeks I have taken my grade 5 music theory exam (still waiting for results), my driving theory test (which I passed, booyah, now just the actual test...) and I went on a spa day with the bezzies at Centre Parcs. A very chillaxing day. I've also been continuing my gig fest and went to Klaxons at the UEA last night, it was Magik (sha-boom). There's something special about this band. The energy they create on stage bounces straight into the crowed, and they absorb it, thirsty for the adrenaline. The sound is tight, pure and clear and this is reflected straight back through the band's stage presence. This is a gig I was thoroughly impressed by. On stage Klaxon's were joined by ex-DPT guitarist Anthony Rossomando doing all the extra twiddly extra bits. I got a signed poster too. Mmmm, oh yeah.... and from one Dirty Pretty Thing to another, I ordered my Carl Barat ticket this morning. Sexy.

Wagner to Interzone! 

Klaxons' auditions for new front man look promising... 
I wonder if Klaxons' gave Trudie styling tips? Shiny.

Right now, as I've been up and down and not concentrating properly, I'm currently watching a documentary about Take That in black and white, interesting...

I think I'll go now, as I need the loo.

ByeBye, cyber friends,

Ssej xxx