Via Flickr:
this is just a shelf in my bedroom where i shall from now on keep books, dvds and albums! (i filled it up much more since this photo). so yeahh
oh, that piece of paper is a painting – or recreation! – of something by banksy (i don’t know what it’s called, but it’s of a guy throwing macho flowers) i did for my gcse art, which was a massive failure overall. i kept the painting to stick up on my wall but it kept on falling down (the papers quite thick) and now it just lies around… with no place to be 
Untitled
Via Flickr:
the height of these buildings were gob-smacking. they were almost hidden away in between the narrow streets of the moorgate-barbican area – i had harldy noticed them until i turned the corner. there are the popular ones, like canary wharf and the gherkin, and then there are these ones. your typical well designed office blocks that, though not suprising to see in london, still don’t fail to leave you jaw-dropped as you tilt your head back to take in their enormity!
exams are over – hurrah! i mean, starting applying-to-university things – eek!
so my exams ended about three weeks ago. and indeed, it was a long, grueling process. there have never been more times within one day where i’ve wanted to completely submerge myself into my duvet and teleport into another dimension!
on the other hand, i must admit that during exam period, i had never been more on form. believe it or not, but doing non-stop calculus – this includes differentiating and integrating; trigonometric functions, exponential functions, composite functions, more functions you don’t care about… moving on! – and revising economics definitions as well as mini geography essay writing, is actually very good for the brain. yep, i had never felt wittier. the world around me would just make so much sense – at lightning speed! feeling slow? revise! (even if you don’t have exams….)
sadly, though, ever since they (they.) ended i have done nothing – absolutely nothing – but waste time like i never have before (if you’ve heard of tumblr, you’ll know what i mean). and as a result my brain power has gone from the tip of a drop of a rollercoaster (or in mathematical terms; the maximum) to rock-bottom in the space of those three weeks and at an increasingly fast rate! hence why this post, currently, is sucking. but moving on to the important stuff…
university. it always felt – just like many other future prospects – so far away, and as if the day you apply will, almost, never come. and because of this, you’ll think: i have loads of time to prepare and think about it all!
but then all of a sudden, it’s popped up on you like a rain drop from the leaf of tree falling on your head post-torrential-rainfall: already, we’re having to make our university choices, visit open days – none of which i have done, register our UCAS accounts, and, possibly most importantly, write our personal statements!
who’d have thought doing such a thing would be so difficult?! i mean, writing about myself. i do it all the time. i’m doing it right now. me, me, me! so, why, may i ask, must one only sit there staring at white blank page (mumford) when asked to write about oneself and a subject or two one is passionate about? well, they do say the person we know least is ourself (or something like that).
i’ll be applying for maths and economics courses, and so far, i have a brainstorm – i mean, mind map! – full fairly decent ideas to include. they’re cat-poo compared to the amazing attributes and extra-curricular activities i’ve come across on the glowing personal statements on the internet but hopefully the reader will take pity – probably not.
i need to; be original – not cliche, interesting – not skills-listing, and sound as least arrogant as possible – i need to reduce use of the word I.
yeah, i can so0oo do this.
should go and get on with it rather rambling and ranting about it. by july 17th we’ve got to go and show our final pieces to the sixth form head, who i’ve heard will absolutely butcher it, and one’s self-esteem in turn i guess! ahhh ><
on a lighter, more relevant to the world and general internet users – and of course not remotely related to this post, crazy (literally) alternative pop (i don’t really know what it’s called 
) sensation Björk is back and features in the 200th issue of Dazed and Confused
awesome! (is that word at the end of a post patented??)
the music for 2011 playlist
yes, it’s been quite a while since my last post but i am still here! just to update you, i have an awful, awful cold – probably contracted from the abundance of little kids in my school (i attend a sixth form, why?!) – and stink of this fake vicks my mother bought called ‘Peach, Vapour Rub’ – tuh, the tub looks exactly like Vicks! oh and not to mention the stream of snot currently trickling down from my nostrils and into my mouth *goes to grab a tissue* … wait, all gone?! nooo. must resort to old, used up tissue… ooh not good!
ok, all is well (ran to the kitchen to grab a not-so-nose-friendly kitchen towel – but at least the snot is gone! 
). anyway, back to the important stuff.
as the title suggests this is where i reveal my new music for 2011 playlist. ‘but it’s already march, we’re well into 2011′ i hear you say. uhuh, i hear ya, and i. am going to respond to that by saying, ‘there’s never a beginning or end for new music. music is being created everyday of every week. even as i type this a young university student is out there sitting on their laptop in a cramped up halls room, possibly putting together the greatest tune ever to hit your ears!’ ‘touche’ is what you’re thinking, ri-ight?
so, here’s the playlist, just click here (i love making ‘click here’s). it’s on spotify so you’ll have to download if you haven’t already – i can asure you that it will be worth it once you do.
it’s got all the obvious ones such as Mr James Blake, who, by the way, attended my school… yuhuh, The Naked and Famous, The Vaccines and Yuck, all of whom you may have come across on the bbc sound of 2011 list released at the beginning of the year (yeah yeah, the proper way of doing it!) or, if you’re really indie,
Catsitting
Catsitting, originally uploaded by Daniel Jacques.
this has to be the loveliest thing i’ve seen all day. ok, so it’s still the morning, but the weather was fab – in contrast to the miserable… plethora(!) i was forced to step out into yesterday – so to beat that, it’s got to be awsum! makes me want a cup coffee (neither good nor bad)
i should really be doing some work rather than going straight on the laptop and listening to some katie melua (my sister heard it from the bathroom and thought it was someone singing outside with a really good voice aha) while having steve allen on lbc on! and i should also go get some breakfast. i’ve always thought breakfast first then work – cos you need the ‘fuel’! – but come to think of it, breakfast is just one big distraction. food in general really: food means tv which means getting into a programme (anything but hollyoaks of course) which then leads on to watching others meaning time being consumed and consumed like water going down a plughole. ramble, ramble, ramble…
That’s right, I am back!
Warm, woody and full of books, originally uploaded by Pomelo ♥.
now, how do i start?… how about where i went?
well, the truth is; nowhere. i have been at home, sitting at this very laptop everyday, but not once logging onto wordpress who quietly sat in the corner and never once shouted at me for attention; but prayed in its woeful silence that i just might one day come back. six posts in and already on a hasty hiatus. i apologies: to the site and, of course, to you guys, my abundance of loyal subscribers (:P). but don’t worry, it’s all good, because i am back – bigger (i’m pretty sure i grew a few mms) and better than ever (i am older and therefore wiser!)
though i have been at home, very much has happened (this isn’t normal). so much that it won’t fit all into one post so i have decided to, using my highly advanced further maths skills, divide them neatly into separate posts. here’s a taster of what exciting tales are to come…
1.) i have moved out – into the attic! well, the loft from now on. yep, i have my own ikea-ified room to jump about in and go absolutely crazaaayy. i’m sitting in right now as a matter of fact, with amplified raindrops keeping me company 
2.) i have decided what i want to be when i am all grown up. all grown up into a stinky adult (sorry!). no, it’s not something out of this world – like an astronaut!; it’s something incredibly mundane actually. no, more mundane than that. let’s put it this way, you’ll probably hate me for becoming this. ‘what do you mean? i hate you now…’ ohh hahaha -.- yeah, i should stop talking to myself
3.) umm, wow, maybe it wasn’t as much as i thought (too good to be true?). oh yes, remember that ‘artists to look out for in 2011′ post i said i was going to do? it’s here, almost a 1/6 into the year, but it’s here. and accompanied by a sparkling spotify playlist (download, now!).
4.) speaking of the last post, i’ll be revisiting my list-of-things-i-shall-do-or-do-more-often and finding out how they’ve been going… well, let’s face it, they were new year’s resolutions and the people on the radio are right: it’s an utter waste of time!
5.) and lastly, we’ve almost met the end of awards season, so i’ll being having a look at how those went. and there’s some tres exciting (for me) music news awards-wise!
there you go, be sure to check back and see you soon! (this time i’m serious)
EDIT: yes, yes, hahaha. this was all a fail (apart from 3, which for some reason was left in my drafts!).
Twenty Eleven
bookish, originally uploaded by tinyearthquakes.
indeed, tomorrow you shall wake up and most probably find yourself lying comfortably under your duvet as you would on any other Saturday morning (but hopefully not hungover in place you hardly recognise!) and not feel even the slightest bit different. but wait: nothing is the same. why? because – yep, you’ve guessed it – you’re in 2011. you’re in a whole new year. a new year for new beginnings and feeling so ambitious, you could sign yourself up for a sky dive – right now!
like many of us, i’m total sucker for breaking new year’s resolutions. i remember last year starting my own project 365 and having it all fall into pieces after just the first few days. did come out with a few good photos but i guess those things are only for strictly committed photographers and i wasn’t one of them (but don’t want to put you off having ago, too).
anyway, instead, i’ve compiled a list of things i shall do or do more often… that most certainly, in any way, shape or form, are not synonymous with new year’s resolutions:
1.) WORK. work, work, work. everyday after school, you shall work.
2.) WordPress as much as you can!
3.) take more notice of current affairs so much that you can answer every question in the big fat quiz of the year 2011.
4.) get the best grades you can in your AS levels so that you can apply to good unis!
5.) finally buy that mac you’ve always wanted
6.) read.
7.) turn on time for school (it’s a big one)
we shall make it one epic year and, most importantly, we will not mess up!
and so, tonight shall be spent the usual way: sitting on at home watching some fireworks light up the sky in different parts of world as well as at the southbank along with numerous shots of big ben striking twelve from every angle possible on my telly. oh and singing to myself the smiths’ ‘there is a light that never goes out’ over and over – take me out tonight, where there’s music and there’s people, and they’re young and ali-i-ive! not to mention, on top of that, we’ve got jools holland’s annual hootenanny to take us into the new year! (genuine excitement, it really does make new years special)
for those of you who will be out partying or even possibly rocking out at that foals gig on tonight at the flowerpot in london, the guardian have made a nice little new years eve survival guide to help get you through your night without making a fool of yourself! thought it was pretty funny:D
So farewell, 2010, i’m going to miss the solidness of your name and of course, your ability to churn out some great music (cheesy, albums/artists of 2010 blog? meh, there are too many of these! might go for artists to look out for 2011 instead though) and hello 2011! i look forward to your reciting your formidable name and the first few days when friends and i will put a 10 at the end of our date in our exercise books by accident at school and then laugh hysterically about foolish we were to do such a thing. aah.
p.s. picture has nothing to do with 2011 really; i just really like it!
Pink Umbrellas – Peter Jones Christmas windows 2010
Pink Umbrellas – Peter Jones Christmas windows 2010, originally uploaded by frankiesinclair.
Have a good Christmas Day, guys. It’s pretty bleak out but just remember that today only comes once a year and coldplay were just on top of the pops – only on christmas day! I don’t celebrate it so shall spend mine dipping breadsticks into a tub of Flora Pro-active and drinking Shloer in front of Strictly. Good enough for me
i’ll leave you with this totally awesome photo i saw on flickr ha. it’s official, pink is the new festive red!
now, The Grinch or or Shrek The Third?
Before you go, if you have time give this a listen!
Jasmine’s Christmas Song of 2010 Award
didn’t you know? it’s christmas eve! which means… time to give out my award for my favourite christmas song of 2010. just a way of sharing with you the songs that make my Christmas that little bit more special each year! so, without further ado, the nominees for the year 2010 are:
Gabriella Cilmi with Warm This Winter
the one that featured nicely in the co-op advert
sadly, the record label won’t allow any of the youtube videos to be embedded so i’ll just to give you boring old link!
Ellie Goulding with her Elton John cover of Your Song
sorry, another advert song, this time for John Lewis. lovely video, i might add
a-a-and Coldplay’s Christmas Lights! nice to see them back and psychologically taking us to Oxford St at Christmas time
the winner is (ooh the tension and excitement!)
*long pause*
no peaking!
the winner is…
Coldplay with Christmas Lights yay!
i must say, the song did take a while to grow on me but those are always the ones i end up liking most. the little piano riff never fails to gets me and always makes me happy when i wake up to this song on the radio in the morning. i just want to keep that moment, lying in bed, and make it last as long as i can.
well, that’s it for Jasmine’s Christmas Song of 2010 award until next year. hope you had fun and Merry Christmas (you arse, thank god it’s our last… enough with the music!… sorry )
‘but what was 2009′s?’ i hear you eagerly ask. i can’t really say because this actually an unprecedented occasion which is here to stay of course. but if i had given one out it would have to Laura Marling’s Goodbye England (Covered in Snow)
certainly a future classic for me enjoy!
Christmas means Catcher
DSC02121, originally uploaded by allofthiscanbebroken.
started reading this a few days ago, and it feels perfect. sitting on the carpet in my bedroom by the fire – radiator i mean – right between mine and my sister’s bed with just the right amount of winter sunlight poking through the gap in the curtains and just the right amount of shade to add to the calmness. all in silence. not to mention it’s christmas time, i’m now sixteen, broke up for the hols last friday just like the main character, holden caulfield (except he’s never going back to his school and has a bunch of other problems too), and the outside is blanketed in snow just like in the book at times.
it’s my second time reading ‘the catcher in the rye’ and it seems to be having a much greater effect on me than it did the last time. i actually feel sorry for him at times but, then again, hate him at others. this is weird, and never happens to me (i hadn’t been much of a reader until recently!), and i always thought it was pretty silly to actually sympathise with a fictional character in a story; they’re not real! when i was doing my GCSEs i used to write all this ‘crap’ in english lit essays about how the book affects the audience and encourages them to feel for the characters – ‘the author allows the audience to see the world from the protagonist’s point of view and build anger towards the antagonist’ blah – JUST because that was what you had to do get marks. but i guess now, i sort of really understand what i was saying back then haha. oh gad, my education was awful but i won’t all the blame on them.
though i’ve really been looking for books with good use of language and holden’s is probably the most inarticulate in order to make up for all the reading i missed as a child so that i can reach normal standards of a sixteen year old’s, i have found it quite impressive the way he expresses things and don’t really mind that it isn’t too creative with its language – it’s supposed to be that way (and there’s still time)! there’s no reason why you should listen to me, but i’m going to tell you to read the book if you haven’t already.
i was really reading into the book on the internet when i came across this on the guardian website.
you can take a look yourself so that i don’t have to repeat stuff :p (and i could tell where he was coming from although i think, like any many of today’s teenagers, with all the american tv i’ve watched (which is loads) including much set in the 50s i still manage to get a good jist of caulfield’s time – i hope), it wasn’t really the article that interested me; it was the comments. i love reading them cos they’re so varied and interesting – some ignorant, some insightful. my favourite was this:
When I read ‘Catcher’ for the second time in my late twenties, it was almost a completely different book to the book I was forced to read the first time formy highers.
With the benefit of knoweldge of historical context, I think the great motif of ‘Catcher’ is loss. The major theme is how post war America dealt with the loss of a generation by focusing on the future- building and making money rather than mourning the loss of hundreds of thousands of fathers, sons, uncles, cousins etc
‘Holden’s parents refusal to allow him to attend his brothers funeral, the cover up of his classmates death by the adults, his obsession with being a ‘Catcher in the rye’-one who saves children from falling off cliffs whilst playing all reflect on a Society that couldn’t and wouldn’t face up to the gaping hole in so many families and communities. Holden’s inarticulate rage comes from society’s seeming inability to deal with this loss.
If we avoid the usual ‘catcher’ cliches of ‘teenage rebellion’ and ‘nothing much happens’, we see that at the heart of the novel is a melancholic , deeply affecting study of one Nation’s post war trauma.’
a* level interpretation right there! something i could never and will never come out with
