#MusicMonday: Better Days - The Goo Goo Dolls

This is the last music Monday of 2014 which is pretty weird, I promise to get a hell of a lot better at this next year so tag along for the journey. 

Better days by the Goo Goo dolls is just the perfect song for this time of year. Each year I am drawn back to it. It's perfect to feel nostalgic to and to help you move forward into the new year. 

"so you ask me what I want this year and I try to make this kind and clear just the chance that maybe we'll find better days"

#MusicMonday: Get Back to Gold - Bethany Joy Lenz

Bethany Joy Lenz has now released "Get Back to gold" an EP launched using kickstarter proceeds going to Stop the Traffik as well. 

"Get back to Gold" is the perfect title for this EP as the three tracks currently released do  exactly that. Joy shows of her incredible vocals, extraordinary writing skills and ability to make an incredible record. 

"Belong to me" is a definite hit. With a catchy tune and a beat to get you into it. This song creates a base that indicates what sound BJL is now going for. 

Joy had previously released a snippet of her singing the beginning of "Start it up" so I was most excited to see what this song would be and WOW did she blow it out of the water. It hits you hook, line and sinker and you will catch yourself singing the chorus for days after. Lyrically perfect I fell in love with this song the minute I heard it. 

"Call of the wild" is in a league of it's own though. The song is hauntingly beautiful. And does indeed feel like a call of the wild. Joys vocals are hypnotic. This is my definite favourite.

Check it out on spotify and iTunes 

Success doesn't just happen

A little bit of rambling I did on a typewriter app, just my musings on what it takes to be successful. May or may not make sense. 

Talking to a camera?!?!

Hey everyone!!!

I am really excited to start sharing new ventures. I am now talking to a camera, with so much happening this is going to be a great way, to show you and bring you on this journey with me. So rambles of an impatient girl is still going to be here and I'm going to try and figure out a schedule to update it so that I am being consistent in my content, on top of that ImpatientGirlProductions will have a new video weekly, sometimes there may be more.

Another great thing that I am excited to share is 1995 productions is almost ready to start uploading content and I will delve further into that venture when I can.

With great new opportunities on the rise I am stepping foot on to a bright new journey, and I am so excited guys cause THIS IS THE START!!!

Refreshed... No! Just really Stressed

I have read countless blogs about people who have given up their phone for a few days, whether unexpectedly due to it being broken, stolen or loss or out of their own free will to see what life is like without portable technology there to be at there beck and call. Now maybe I’m just looking in the wrong places but 99% of these articles I read the writer realises they rely on technology way to much and vow to reduce there consumption or have more no phone days. Saying it is refreshing to not have this thing to constantly fiddle with, that they look up more and embrace life… 

Well I unexpectedly went without my phone for four days and I have to say it was such an unpleasant, nerve wracking experience. Maybe I rely on technology to much, but this opened my eyes to how much having my phone made life easier. 

• Having no actual alarm that became my phones job (it snoozes for just the right time and I can set and turn it off with ease.)
• It’s my main source of news (as I don’t buy a newspaper or really watch the news, idle time spent on busses ect is spent reading interesting articles and finding out whats happening in the world)
• Camera (though I do have a canon dslr, I do not always have it on hand), 
• Music player (sometimes, I forget to pick up my iPod when rushing out the door), 
• Calendar (the convenience of adding things from messages, putting in specific times, and changing the view at a moments notice is all too brilliant) , 
• Notepad (I am a lover of old fashioned pen and paper, but once again convenience takes place when in a hurry, plus it means I don't spend hours looking for a pen), 
• Weather checker (one simple click, no complicated winds coming in an easternly direction at a zillion miles her hours), 
• Travel router ( you have no idea how many times I have walked to a new place guided by google maps) 
• Clock (no I don't own a watch). 

But the hardest thing about being without my phone is that I became unreachable if I wasn’t in the house or near a computer. Which meant that really large portions of the day where I was at work or college, I was not entirely reachable and in return couldn’t contact others in return, which is extremely hard, I am starting a new career which means that I need to be contactable all off the time, I also was working on a lot of stuff that meant it would be helpful be able to be in constant contact with people. But no twitter, Facebook, email, text and calls where all gone. So many ways to stay in touch and I could access none. 

And truth be told I missed being able to be tweet at a moments notice, or check out instagram, or snapchat friends. All a sign of the times I guess but these things have become a part of my life that I like. Seeing what other people upload, how people use social media to make a difference, share an opinion or just make others smile. 

I don’t know what these other people must of done on their phones to have a few days without theres be eyeopeners to the lives they were living. I felt like nothing changed, I noticed what was happening in the world just as much, appreciated the little time I spent with friends and family just as much. Only I felt hugely disconnected a lot of the time. Totally out of sync. It wasn’t some refreshing experience I expected it to be instead I am relieved to have my lifeline back.

I am NOT a morning person

Ask anyone who knows me I am many things, some good - some bad, but the one thing I am most defiantly not is a morning person. Peeling myself from the warmth of my nest in the ‘wee’ hours of the morning becomes a task that is both physically painful and mentally exhausting. 

It normally takes several alarms set and many attempts before I can even bare to remove the covers and embrace the cold. And thats not even where the hard morning ends, once the light is turned on the challenge is to adjust myself to this unsuspected brightness and make my way down the hall (which by no means is a long walk) without injuring myself severely, many a stub toe has been a result of a hazy morning. 

Then I have to will myself to get ready, make up, hair, clothes… why cant we just have an automatic machine like in futuristic movies where it just zaps and there we are perfect for the day ahead… but no here I am looking for my other shoe, how I am constantly losing only one shoe when I defiantly, without a doubt take them off together and proceed not to move them until I need them again.  

So when I leave the house half bedraggled probably a little late…. or like you know a lotta late I am in no more of a good mood and am now daydreaming of my bed once more and knowing I can’t be in it makes me a whole big irritate-able mess. Little things, tiny details that normally go overlooked suddenly bug me to no end and I have to bite my tongue more that I would admit to not snap at people who probably aren't doing anything wrong…. most of the time. 

Then comes the unstopping yawns, proclaiming to everyone that I am tired, and the little comments like you should go to your bed earlier, or where you out late last night come along, this does not help in the slightest with my annoyance with the world. 

But when I get home and can safely climb back into bed suddenly I am wide awake, unable to sleep I stay awake and content myself with series of tv shows, or a movie… maybe 5, start a book, or an ides, write, erase, write, erase, write, erase. Tweet. Eventually find sleep, and morning is here again. 

For a night owl I am but a morning person I will never be. 

Both Sides Now

Sometimes you go back to a song a hear it different each time. Thats how I feel that Both Sides Now reacts with me, it changes and adapts to fit my life, emotions, at the time. An incredibly beautiful song that has been playing on my mind the last few weeks. 

Burnt out...

Burnt out… thats one way to describe how I feel right now. It has been a turbulent two weeks, but it has also been brilliant. The stepping stones to a new life have been laid and here I am with a mountain to go burning the candle at all ends. 

It’s not all bad I am finally sinking my teeth into something I genuinely want to do, am working on projects that I will be able to share incredibly soon and its all so exciting and new. With work on the horizon  as well this new life does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon and that its just a crazy good feeling of accomplishment. 

But with all this new work added into my already hectic schedule of work and college I am more tired than ever before. Days are longer, with less down time. But its only a matter of time before all this hard work pays off… 

A Moment...

It’s late, I can’t remember the last time I had a full nights sleep or a day where my head wasn’t preoccupied with a hundred other things. 

But all I what to do is take a snapshot of this moment, to never forget what it feels like right now. After a week of emailing we met with a client, a chance encounter has let to what will hopefully be a substantial project and a quick fire email yesterday led to filming an Art Gallery Opening tonight. As well as a few more projects in the wings. Life is busy and I am struggling to believe my luck. 

So here’s a tip, no matter how hectic everything seems, take a second to just soak in the moment cause just like that its over. Opportunities are rare and you have to take chances when you can. Say yes to as many things as you can. If its what you want, go for it! The worst you can do is fail, and a little failure along the way makes it all the more special when you achieve your dreams. 

You think a door closing is going to stop a dreamer!

Where am I going?

For the last few years I have hummed and hawed over what direction to take my life in. I had been so certain when I was younger what I wanted to be until one day I was at a loss. Suddenly any and all ambition I had was gone and I was left to muddle through. 

At 16 I got my first part time job, a taste of earning my own money and proper responsibility the first year came with a lot of uncertainty, who knew that whilst I pondered over taking a gap year straight after high school peoples main concern would be that I would get to used to earning and working and not want to return to education. I was confused I knew what both were like, I also knew how tiring it could be to juggle education with work and knew that this would not get easier when it came to further education. But this didn’t repel me from the thoughts of continuing with education, it was my safety net incase I choose not to. 

It was in those vital last few months that I changed my mind and applied to college, I picked a course that caught my attention, and suddenly there I was on it. The first few months were not what I thought. But suddenly we were half way through and into the nitty, gritty, the stuff that made it real. Suddenly the year was over and though when at the beginning I had thought I would only do the one year I was certain that I would do both. 

So here I am, in second year of college and though I’m still unsure in what direction my life is going. I am beginning to take more of a lead than I seem to have in the past. Instead of waiting to see what comes my way, I am looking for new opportunities, taking chances on things I never thought I would be doing and I am happy. 

I am happy with how my life is finally shaping out. And even if I fail I can try again, nobody succeeds the first time round. Nobody wakes up to have everything handed to them. Life is a continuous fight. You have to work hard to make it what you want. 

I look forward to sharing pieces of this journey with you. More to come soon. 

Till next time! 

#MusicMonday : Alchemy - Kyler England

This weeks #musicmonday is a new one for me. Alchemy by Kyler England was featured on an episode of Switched at birth and I found myself hooked.

This song is literally perfection... I think I have a new obsession.

Enjoy xoxo 

Welcome to 4am

I think for any of you who has read my blog before, I write in drips and drabs with no kind of clear point. I have a million bits of paper filled with half an idea. I am very easily distracted. But today I'm sharing with you a bit of writing that was inspired by all my unfinished work.  

WELCOME TO 4AM

This is the Writing hour
the unseen moments
the writer alone, pad and pen in hand
mind running wild
hurry to scribble everything down, before it is gone
inspired by the maybes,  the what ifs, the could not's
reflecting on the different roads that could have been

This is the lonely hour
where thoughts
drown you
captivate you
confuse you
exhaust you
unsure of what to do
or if you can do it
becoming an empty shell of who you were
you continue

This is the creative hour
full of ideas unfinished, unseen
other worlds full of people who live only on paper
who’s life’s you  write
as a break from yours
These are the moments before sleep captures you
squiggly lines that remember words scratch along the page
thoughts are lost
the notepad falls out of your hand
as you drift off…

-HR ©2014

I decided I was a feminist and this seemed uncomplicated to me - Emma Watson

Emma Watson has been in the spotlight since she was young, instead of being another child star statistic and ending up on drink and drugs and sprawled all over tabloids, she is using her voice wisely to stand up for what she believes in.






She is a feminist and she is not afraid to admit it and hopefully because the Harry Potter star has the courage to not let this word be seen as bad she will encourage her fans both young and old to take a stand.


Her speech is strong, it addresses what is wrong with inequality between men and women as well as addressing what is wrong with the way we stereotype feminists. This is a speech that you need to watch it, if you didn't define yourself as a feminist before you will no.


We have to break gender inequality we have to see if it weren't for feminist of the past women would not have been allowed to vote or work, and for some parts of the world that is still true. and together women and men can break the gender equalities that entrap us all.

So watch it, share it, become a part of it.

HeForShe

Youtube

the year is nearly over...

It’s like all of a sudden the dark nights have drawn in. You blink and its night time, and that’s it summer is over. We head into autumn then winter once more.

With only a hundred days left in 2014 I was suddenly hit with the feeling that yet another year had come and gone wasted. There had be so much I wanted to do, so much I had planned to do and I feel as though I have done nothing. Which is not true 2014 for me has been filled with many great things which I seem to have the tendency to overlook when looking back. Months have merged together in my mind and it feels as though things that I did in February happened years ago.

I have been to numerous concerts, met my favourite band, indulged in nights out, trips to the cinema, went to the Edinburgh fringe, took a trip to London, made a music vid and that’s to name a few, I have been lucky to have a year filled with so many highs.

With that there have also been lows; this year has challenged me in ways I didn’t think I’d ever have to be challenged. I’ve seen behind peoples masks and struggled to cope with the flawed human underneath. Which sounds shallow, I guess, but when you have had people around you for so long they accumulate a pedestal, one that they don’t deserve. No one should be judged harder just because you have higher expectations for them.

On top year is the most unhappy I have been at work (and I have had the same job since I was sixteen)  and I’m sure one day when I have a million other things that I’m struggling with that I will remember my little cashiers job fondly, I will remember the nights filled with great banter instead of the extended shifts, the can you come in at short notice, the untold shifts but you have to magically appear for and the other many great frustrations that come with a flexi contract. But for now it’s a means to an end, it funds the concerts, nights out and other things that made this year great.

So there are still 100 Days, ones that should be filled with magic and memories. Don’t waste your time once a year is gone that it. There are no re-dos, we will wave in another new year in filled with new promises and fresh hope, and whatever the bad was that happened to us this year can be washed away, left in the past, and we move on taking only the good with us.

#MusicMonday: Contender - Lacey

Contender is just one of these epic songs  that you can picture being played in a movie just as the protagonists realise they are madly in love with each other. So it's only a matter if time before someone picks it up. 

Lacey are a band I have had the privilege of seeing live and hopefully will again. They area true talent and are currently working on there debut album and using pledge music to fund it so go check that out in the meantime download outlaws you won't be disapointed! 

iTunes 

Pledgemusic 

Twitter 

Remember to Vote

I am a voter, I have a voice, I will be heard.

Today for Scotland is one of the biggest we will ever face as a country. We make the decision on whether or not to become independent. This vote has been debated for a while and in the past few weeks I am unable to go on any social media site without someone having an opinion on what way we all should vote and because I work with the public they also are very opinionated on what they believe is right.

But here it is September 18^th 2014 and its strange, today feels like any other day, I am doing what I would do any other Thursday, but on top of that I am voting for the first time ever and after today we find out how we are going ahead as a country. Changing the country whatever way the vote turns.

So here are a few things to remember:

1. VOTE: I don’t care how you vote, just make sure you do. If you have the power too,  you need to make your voice count.
2. RESPECT OTHERS VOTE: this one is as equally important, a lot of people are very strong minded in their opinion and there has been bullying and scare tactics from both sides. Everyone has to respect one and others vote, we are lucky enough to live in a democratic country and we can choose whichever way we please
3. THINK: possibly the most important thing,  there is still time before you go to the polls to do research  to make sure you are all clued up. Do not vote a certain way because friends, family or celebrities are. But also don’t vote a certain way because you hate whoever. Have your facts, understand this huge decision you are making and pick what you think is right. Do not have your vote influenced.

This is your vote, make it!

#MusicMonday: People Like Us -Kelly Clarkson

View on YouTube

Music Monday this week is People like us by Kelly Clarkson. Have recently lost my iPod, which has my whole music collection on it.  And my laptop is on the fritz, which also has my whole music collection on it. So I have been limited to what I have uploaded on my iPad and phone, which means I have been playing the same thing over and over again. Which means a complete lack of inspiration when deciding music Mondays.

So when "Beautiful Disaster" appeared on my tumblr dash. I started listening to all of Kelly Clarkson's work and can't believe I forgot about this song. Both song and video are amazing, and a good little fix until her new album is released.  enjoy!

First Look: The Last Five Years

This is the first look we have been given at the new movie musical The Next Five years, originally an off-Broadway production written by the fantastic Jason Robert Brown the film adaptation sees Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air, Pitch Perfect) and Jeremy Jordon (Smash, Joyful Noise) take the parts of Cathy and Jamie a couple who have ups and downs throughout there 5 year relationship.


The stage version plays both storylines out separately, first we meet Cathy she's at the end of the relationship and her story goes in non-chronological order, and when we meet Jamie he is at the beginning of the relationship and his story then follows in chronological order. There timelines meet briefly when the couple get married. Due to its interesting narrative I can't wait to see how the movie works it out.


But if this first look is anything to go by, I already have high hopes. Now all we have to do is wait till February...


In the meantime check out the cast albums from the two off-Broadway productions

Original Sountrack

2013 Soundtrack

#MusicMonday : Carried Away - Passion Pit

This week for music Monday I checked through my vinyl collection and totally forgot that I owned this. I bought Passion Pit's album Gossamer after falling in love with the song Carried Away, which is a great song to dance around your room too. It's got a crazy good beat and the lyrics are just as good to sing along too. Glad I rediscovered this beauty today. 

YouTube 

iTunes 

Website 

Twitter 

bare with me...

#MusicMonday Shake it off -Taylor Swift

Today I'm in dire need of some brilliant upbeat tunes to get me through a horrifically busy day, that involves me sitting on a bus.... A lot. 

And Taylor's Swifts new single "Shake it off" from her upcoming album 1989 can not be accused of being a downer. With a tremendously bouncy beat and catchy lyrics the song will keep you moving when your ready to burn out. Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake. I shake it. I shake it off. 

Look down each road...

There are some moments in out life that we can clearly pinpoint as the moment things changed. There was a clear decision where we wandered down one path instead of another and ended up where we are now. There are moments in hindsight that are important but when stood here we didn't realise how much it would affect who we become. Then there are moments that slowly change everything, without you realising it and then one day your stood wondering what happened. 

There will always be a multitude of life's that could have been. If you spend enough time thinking about them, you can idolise these other life's in a way that lessors the life you lived the great and bad experiences that brought you to this point. 

Hindsight's 20/20 but idolisations of the life that could have been blinds us. In dreaming of another life it will escape you the human moments that will still arise in them. Life is messy. 

If your not happy with your life, take charge make this moment the one where you choose the path that will make you happier. Choose well. If your in the same place months down the line change again. Finding what makes you happy won't always be easy. What you think will make you happy doesn't always work out like that. That's okay too. Your life is not on a fixed trajectory, there will be bumps and curves along the way, embrace them. 

And if your sat there happy with how your life is but think the grass is greener on the other side. Remember the grass is only greener because no one plays on it. Embrace the mess. 

Just don't wake up one day and regret the life you lived. Every path chosen will have been picked because it was the one that you needed to, that suited you best at the time. 

Embrace life. 

#MusicMonday: Fast Car - Tracy Chapman

Life has been rather busy recently. I feel like I'm never not working. I was sitting in the break room at work and this song came on the radio. Fast Car by Tracy Chapman is sheer brilliance.

Me and one of my friends used to sit up all night and send each other song links to each other and this song was certainly sent a lot, so whenever I hear this song it always makes me think of her. 

Chapman is a multi-award winning singer-song writer who has been writing songs and playing guitar since she was eight. The song peaked at no6 in the US and no5 in the uk in 1988. The song has rentered the uk charts again in 2007, 2010 and 2011 peaking in 2011when it reached no4. Rolling Stones also ranked this song no167 on there 2010 list of The 500 greatest songs of all time. 

Tracy Chapman

Fast Car 

#MusicMonday don't you forget about me - Simple Minds

Quick music Monday this week. Have been chocked with the cold. So whilst feeling sorry for myself have been putting in movies, to sit and watch whilst I recover (that's when I'm not at work). The Breakfast club has been a favourite pick this week. 

Which leads to the music Monday choice, Simple Minds Don't you (forget about me) which is basically the epitome of the 80's in a song. Even the music video for it screams 80s which is what I absolutely adore about this song. So y'all whether your a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess or a criminal it's time to turn the music up as loud as it can go raise your fist in the air and pretend we are all in a John Hughes movie. 

Find it on the outer net

Simple Minds

don't you (forget about me) 

breakfast club 

#MusicMonday: Beating Hearts - Ellie Goulding

Ellie Gouldings spectacular voice brings alive this empowering track. One of four songs Ellie Goulding contributed to the Divergent soundtrack and  she proves time and time again that her voice is flawless. 

Divergent is released on DVD in the UK today. The first enstalment of the fabulous trilogy written by Veronica Roth. The story is set in a dystopian future where people are split into five factions. The story follows Tris a divergent (means she doesn't fit into any if the niches in particular) as she chooses her faction and we watch her handle situations thrown at her as he world descends into organised chaos. Definitely a series to keep up with, as the books are amazing.  Starring Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Ansel Elgort, Kate Winslet and Miles Teller

Ellie Goulding 

Divergent, Insurgent, Allegiant 

Movie, Soundtrack 

Fragments...

On August 5th 1963 at 4.25am, Marilyn Monroe was found dead at her home in LA at age 36. Even now 52 years since her untimely end there have been many theories surrounding the circumstances of her death, and her life continues to be a source of inspiration for many films and shows. 

The fascination the world continues to have with Marilyn Monroe is not unjust, she is iconic, an unforgettable star who made 33 movies during a 15 year career and left a lasting legacy. 

Fragments is a beautiful collection of personal poems, intimate notes and letters by Marilyn Monroe gives a deep insight it some of Monroes inner turmoil, showing her deep struggle with her self and how little control she felt over the life she was living. 

A couple of extracts from Fragments: 

I can't stand human beings sometimes. 

I know they have their problems 

As I have mine - but I'm really too tired for it. 

Trying to understand, making allowances, seeing certain things 

That just weary me. 

For life 

It is rather a determination not to be overwhelmed 

For work 

The truth can only ever be recalled, not invented. 

#MusicMonday: if/Then a new musical

       

Today's #MusicMonday was brought to you by fate. My brothers friend has returned home after a trip to New York and had went to see If/Then (I can't contain my jealousy) and got my brother the if/Then playbill and programme so he handed me them to look at when he came in whilst I was watching Hercules which LaChanze is in ( Terpischore the muse of dance) as you can see fate. 

If/then is a brilliant new musical from the creators of the equally amazing Next to Normal; Tom Kitt, Michael Grief and BrianYorkey. The show also stars an array of great talent with Idina Menzel, LaChanze, James Snyder and Anthony Rapp. If this hasn't already made you think this is the set up for a great musical the storyline seals the deal. 

If/Then follows Idina Menzels character Elizabeth a New York native who has recently returned after 12 years away and she is working to rebuild her life in the city. A chance moment means that there are two choices that take her life in two totally different paths. To go with Lucas played by Anthony Rapp an old class mate who calls her Beth or to go with Kate a new neighbour who refers to her as Liz the show splits and both choices are played out. 

This is definitely a show if you have the chance to see you should. I shall be sitting here in Scotland forever envious that for the foreseeable future I won't get to see if/then on a Broadway stage. For the time being I shall sit listening to my cast recording that I thoroughly recommend you all get, the songs are catchy and inspirin, with very relatable lyrics for anyone all about life, love and starting over 

You can find if/Then

Twitter 

Website 

Amazon 

iTunes 

Vienna waits for you

Sometimes you need a reminder. That you need to slow down and actually take a minute to live your life. Having ambitions and doing what you can to achieve them is great. But you have your whole life, you may end up regretting a lot more. 

If your always looking forward you will forget to be in the now. 

Some sage advice from Billy Joel; 

"Slow down you crazy child

Take the phone off the hook and disappear for a while

It's alright, you can afford to lose a day or two

When will you realize... Vienna waits for you?" 

#MusicMonday: Patent Pending presents...

#MusicMonday again and this weeks choice is Patent Pending present Mario and the Brick Breakers: Greatest hits. This Ep was released last Tuesday and did amazingly in the UK charts hitting no7 in the pop charts and no16 overall, which is brilliant for the 6 song Ep that has a song entitled boom boom pass the mushroom.

The Ep opens on  Hey Mario a ingenious song off there Brighter album. The whole album follows suit and is pure brilliance, an incredible work and I urge you all to go and check out everything Patent Pending have done. This band has an unreal energy that is intensified when you see them live (which I have had the pleasure of three times now) but the energy is also incredibly evident in all of there recorded work. 

So stay tuned for what's to come from Mario and the brick breakers, including a thirty minute documentary and not one but five music videos. How many bands can you say have done that 

Check Patent Pending out online 

website 

Twitter 

YouTube

Let me fall... even if I hit the ground

It's hard to sit and watch people you care for take a tumble in life. We all do our best to support the people we love to make sure that they are doing ok so when the unexpected blow comes it can leave everyone in a bit of a funk. 

It's learning what to do next that defines us all. It's learning not to destroy yourself in the process that will help aid the recovery. You can not set yourself on fire to keep them warm. You can not lose so they can win. Life goes on, if your life encounters highs, celebrate them, embrace them. Don't downplay them. You're allowed to be happy. 

Your successes might be the kick start they need or they may need more time. nudge them in the right direction, let them find there feet again. Because they will find there feet again. The funk does not last forever though sometimes it feels like it might. Slowly and surely they discover what is the right choice for them to make and they will continue with life. Let them hit the ground as many times as they need to, do not try and cushion the blow, we discover our strength each time we are knocked down and are able to get back up. 

Sometimes you have to fall before you can fly. It is when you hit the ground that you really begin to find yourself and discover your strength. 

Music Monday: Salvation - Wakey!Wakey!

                         

It's been four years since wakey!wakey! released "Almost Everything I wish I'd said the last time I saw you..." And now the much anticipated fan backed (via pledge music) "Salvation" is here. 

The large break between albums means it is hard to tell what we should have expected with "Salvation" but Michael Grubbs has proven that his music is explosive as ever. 

The album opens with the upbeat "All it takes" a song that definitely encourages you to move along to the beat. You can hear the heart and soul pouring out of the music and lyrics throughout all 11 tracks. 

Highlights: 

- "Thru the night" a song that carries on from "light outside" sharing a positive message to keep on and that everything will be okay. 

- "waste away" I think this song is my favourite on the album. 

- "always and forever" this song has a great beat and even better lyrics definitely a great sing a long song. 

-  "Salvation" the title track really speaks for the album it's upbeat, positive and makes you want to move around. 

Getting to finally here the album makes me beyond excited to see Wakey!Wakey! (For the third time) when he plays the Oran Mor this October 

Check out wakeywakeymusic.com for more information on where to buy the album, tour information and a whole lot more. 

     

One day more...

Today consisted of Harrods and the National Gallery with some wandering in between and a lot of sitting soaking up the sun and the sights. 

Then tonight it was on to the much anticipated performance of Les Miserables. Now I have seen a really good armature production of Les Mis and of course have seen the movie countless times (though I'm still pissed at some of the movies choices) I've rewatched the 25th Anniversary concert DVD so many times just because it's so good. 

But this was the first time I've seen it done professionaly live and I wasn't disapointed the staging was fabulous the fact that the stage itself revolves makes the show flow effortlessly. The hype around les mis and the fact it's the longest running show does not in any way take away the pure talent and power fullness of this show and if you should have the opportunity to see it I strongly urge that you do. As seeing it on stage beats the movie a 1000x over. 

The Heat is on in Miss Saigon

London day two and I'm a tourist... So sue me. But I love London and all it's sights. Once we were up we headed straight to Buckingham Palace which though I've been to London before I have never seen the palace and what a day we picked we made it just in time for the changing of the guards and them caught glimpses of Kate, Prince Phillip and THE QUEEN as there were driven out of the grounds (Kate drove herself). 

Then it was a lot more walking round this lovely city in this amazing weather seeing everything we wanted too. Before coming back to the hotel to freshen up. 

Then the heat was on in Miss Saigon. Now I must have heard the soundtrack for miss Saigon when I was 6 or 7 it was the first musical my mother ever took my brother to I was not taken along but my brother listened to the soundtrack for weeks after it. I have always loved the music but seeing the production took my breath away. The set design is truly amazing ( there was a frickin helicopter!) and all the cast were stunning within there roles. It's a truly powerful musical with such poignant moments and truths behind songs. It hits you from every angle and your hooked beginning to end in the lives of the characters before you. Definetly worth the wait. 

Once...

It was up early to get ready so we could get to Glasglow and then it was the train down to LONDON!!! 

We got here mid afternoon so by the time we sorted ourselves out, got to the hotel and freshened up it was straight out to sort out this evenings festivities. 

I have wanted to see once ever since I first heard falling slowly which is a hauntingly beautiful track from this amazing musical. 

I kept putting off watching the film because I wanted to see the stage version first. I was not disapointed it was everything and more the cast are on the stage well before the show starts singing and playing fabulously whilst you are able to go on the stage and order a drink from the bar. The whole pre-show show geared me up for what was to come. 

The musical itself is heartfelt, hysterical, brilliant the cast are insanely talented as they act, sing and play instruments there is this unreal energy that they emanate whether the song was upbeat or slow. Each member of the cast was brilliant with strong performances all round. Well worth the wait.