Blogging in the name of.

Last week I went to go see Rise against that wholesome post punk rock band from Americana live at the Leeds O2 Academy with fellow Shire-Folk Sanderson and all I can say is I got something much better in return.

 Being Born in 88 I was just old enough to catch the tail end of Heavy metal before it sadly ended at the feet of Kurt Cobain and his puke green jumpers so I have always admired the poise and raw feral feeling a true blue metal band brought. Not the bands of the late 90's to 00's which predominantly turned thrash or todays Metal core (chuggathon) But the Flashy 30 minute soloing explosive guitar, pyrotastic heavy metal about women and other such naughty things.
As a child I would sit transfixed by certain bands, feeling a secret power from within when listening to songs that I didnt quite understand even as an adult I still retain a soft spot for the classics.

Rage against the machine is a Los Angeles Rock/metal group formed in 1991 drawing heavily upon the 'heavy metal' of the 80's (in my opinion) and took the best for themselves. Singing about political agendas ina mix of genres. they have today sold over 16 million records worldwide. Needless to say they are pretty big.
Tom Morello, thier guitarist is a particular favorite as an axe god for me, someone who never really got the call to shred sweet lyrical nonsense upon the plank of wood.

So Imagine my surprise when the man himself walks onstage, barely six feet away from where I am standing in the 'pit'. I swear I have never grinned so hard.
For about 45 minutes I was a child again, Right there, Listening to a man whos music I have grown up with Live, throwing out simple shapes, Moving on stage with 'Classical music' (traditional in metal) Baring out feral music, engaging the crowd and then BANG ten minute guitar solo right out from hsitory, Whammy bar, double tapping, The man played his guitar with his teeth while the crowd cheered on. It was stepping back in time and it felt good. I dont think I cheered so hard all night.
Even when he lead us in a sing song. ( World wide rebel songs ) and we sung happy birthday to Tim Mcllrath, vocalist of Rise against.

I am no stranger to being star struck. I have been in the presence of some Interesting comedians and completely lost with words but there is something comofrtinga bout rock/metal singers and the stage that makes you want to engage and give yourself totally for the time your there.
It is something I hope I wont forget.. though I may edit out the swearing here and there.

B.

Door of awesome

This is what we get up to in lectures.


B.

Summer Pt1: Hot days in a builders shoes.

Now while I didnt find a Paying job (arguable as I did manage to earn 120 pounds for clearing the yard) over summer several oppotunities did arise to keep my self entertained as well as learn some new skills.

 First off as my folks decided to move and buy a do-upper house I was roped into construction of: A new kitchen, Bathroom, Wc (just a toilet for those who dont know) the foundations for an extension and of course my own bedroom. Ironically the only job not finished was my own room due to lack of funds and well.. attempting to build free floating shelves from scratch by myself was a little trickier than I honestly relaised...
Go Figure.
Overall It was fairly easy, Mostly making studwork walls or typical decoration. though I did try my hand at tiling and floor laying (including laying my own carpet) But most props go to my father for never going over budget and finding inventive ways to get done what needed to be done on as close to a schedule as possible. While not nessicarily my first choice in home It is slowly becoming something worth while from the construction site I first visited. Clearing up the mess after your done however is probably the worst job I was given, Sitting out in the sun with a shovel and moving hardcore to a skip with a broken wheelbarrow was not fun nor a learning experience. Challenging yes, but back breaking which increases my respect for those doing it on a daily basis.

 The second slightly more rewarding work experience I had was working with my neighbor down the road on a two story extension. Though unpaid It was interesting to shadow and attempt to help where I could to build somthing professionally rather than DIY. This went from helping dig out and prepare the foundation layer, Mixing concrete, Minor bricklaying and a little scaffolding tutorial which are surprisingly stable. (irrational fear of heights here)
It was exciting to see a build slowly come together as each job completed links to the start of an other till the extension and the interior became solid form and less a mass of bricks and studwork. It also helps its given me a better basic knowledge of how such things can be done which may be useful in my line of work (If I get a job)
I do have to say I found it impressive that despite rain or shine the build continued as often it hard work in bright sun leads to very unhappy workers but no one complained and just kept going till the end of the day, I consider that an work ethic I should learn from.

All in all worth it.

B.

Woo!

Just a quick post as its been so long and I have plenty to write about but still, feeling good and dandy so hold on to your hats!

The road least travelled.

It has been an interesting and probably not all that an exciting a week from an outsiders persepective, but for me it represents several things,
A change in pace to the aggressive rather than passivly idling my way through life,

Understanding more about myself and what makes me tick,

Sometimes you must loose something precious to you to gain,

I cannot wait for something to happen, I simply must just continue forward,

To let things go.

It is a  far better road I walk upon now than before, Or so they say.

I also found out trying to write a Exhibition design brief for myself is harder than it looks.

Go Figure.

B.

Adventures with a Morris Minor.

Just a small post today,
Met up with internet friend Ook of Today Rose at Welwyn for a brief coffee and impromptu chat session while she was visiting The Cat Survival Trust, a protected sanctuary for big cats in England where you can go visit and take photos of wonderful creatures.

Ook is for lack of a better term a fantastic Anthro artist, thus a creative type and good in my books and we have often discussed ideas crossing over many genre which prove to be interesting or unique which goes to show no matter what discipline you are in sometimes its good to step back and ask someone from a different walk of life, they could improve something a hundredfold.

Something that made my day all that sweeter is that she drives a white Morris minor called Rose, This little mog is a beautiful piece of machinery with a wonderful smell and roaring engine was a pleasure to ride in.
On the ride home I did notice something strange, Knebworth now has a dinosaur trail. It could warrant a look just for laughs
We will just have to see.
Oh! and I ordered an iced tea today, Felt like a proper grownup.

B.

College. re:

My sister has recently not done so well in the educational waterfall known as school so she had decided to up and leave to attempt a course in an adult learning college,
Specifically the College I also spent four years at before going off to university.
Now normally this would prove no Issue as obviously, being younger and living int he same area my sister has followed me from school to school but she is a bit of a nervous coward when it comes to new things so I was roped into taking her to the college. This is where it got weird.

It was kind of nostalgic to be back on the grounds and see what changes had been implemented in the years since I've set foot there, I knew where to go and what to sort out having had prior experience but something I didn't count on was the fact that several members of staff would actually remember me. Let alone in some kind of fond way.

While waiting, I managed to bump into three, count it, Three tutors who for four years where most influential over me and my grades and my wants. It was kind of humbling. However rather than ex student to tutor they spoke to me as a person and enquired about things I wouldn't have imagined to be important to them, while still providing me with advice for the future, all of this while smiling.

Just goes to show, Sometimes you don't know just how much someone invests into their students, intellectually and emotionally and sometimes you just totally read people the wrong way.

B.