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?"