2012

It’s got to the stage now whereby I can’t even remember writing my last blog post. But now the end of the year has been reached it seems somewhat appropriate to finally return and spurn one more unimaginative fairly clichéd post out of the mill.

Just a few minutes ago I had a short conversation with a friend on twitter; I will refer you to his tweet, as I see it as rather fitting to this blog post:

'Normally I hate all the "omg next year is da wuhhnnnn xoxoxo!" tweets, but 2012 is actually so massive that I can sorta accept it’

Now I have to agree with this and say (although perhaps more eloquently and in a standardised manner), yes: ‘next year is dah wuhhnnnn’.

I think every year we enter, sometimes subconsciously, usually less so, into the next year hoping that it’s going to be better than the last, even if the last held some fantastic remarkable moments, next year has to better it. I’ve never been one for New Year’s resolutions because, like most people’s, they either: only last a few days, never happen, or I completely forget about them. I’m not sure about everyone else, but they’re also usually always the same: Work harder, stop getting so distracted, increase confidence levels etc etc.

But, this year, as I have mentioned above, will be completely different. Now I don’t think I’m even going to attempt New Year Resolutions, because, frankly, I know what I need to do and I know what I need to improve on in the next year anyway (see above resolutions!). However, I am going to talk a little about 2010, about 2011, and about 2012. The past, the present, and the future – call me Charles Dickens (wasn’t the BBC’s ‘Great Expectations’ fantastic?).

Now if you don’t know me, or don’t know me well, or even know me well(!), perhaps you are wondering why 2012 is quite so significant. The year London hosts the Olympics; the year the euro crumbles and crashes even more than it already has… none of those things. 2012 is the year that I, and the majority of my year, begin University.

Personally I can’t quite fathom what life is going to be like without school. Although at times I hate it, and get incredibly frustrated with it, I know I’m going to miss it exceptionally: the students, the staff, the lessons, the frees… All of it. Well, maybe not so much the ‘timed essays’, but the rest of it. Thus I’m not entirely sure whether to be excited or worried about the start of university. It’s going to be so completely different to all that I’m used to and I know that all of us, even if not everyone will admit or realise it now, is going to miss the help and support given at school exceedingly, as well as the friends and all the people we have got to know so well over the past couple of years. For I’ve found that Sixth Form really is the time when you talk to people, and become friends with people, you never would have talked to previously.

If I were to name a year that I think, for me, has been the most successful, I would have to cheat a little and choose June 2010-June 2011. In that summer I took my GCSE’s and received results that I am still incredibly proud of. In September, Sixth Form began and, although many people now say there isn’t much of a gap between GCSE’s and AS-Levels I completely disagree, then in November 2010 I started my first novel. By May 2011 I had completed said novel, and the next month I took my AS Levels which, with the exception of one, I am very proud of. Now if 2012 can be that successful then I’ve got a good year ahead of me.

It’s got to the point now, where I feel that this blog post (as mine often do) isn’t really going anywhere. I guess the point of it, more than anything else, is as one that I can look back at in a year’s time from now and see how much has changed.

Wherever all of us end up, I hope (and this is the cliché bit!) we all end up extremely happy, with lots of new friends, and a course and university that we will enjoy just as much as, or even more than, sixth form. 2012 is going to be absolutely terrifying, from taking those A-Level exams to leaving on that first day to University, but it should, hopefully, also be incredibly exciting: from the long summer of 2011 to the independence and madness of university life.

Whatever you’re doing in 2012, whether you too are starting university, working at the same job, looking for a new job, continuing on at school, or building a space rocket to traverse the moon, I hope it’s a success.

Happy New Year everyone.

Torchwood - Miracle Day - The New World... The New Show?

This review of Torchwood: Miracle Day, Episode 1, only contains minor spoilers.


So yesterday I was fortunate enough to attend the screening of the first episode of the new series of Torchwood, Series 4. I think my main fear in relation to the series, before viewing the first episode, was that it may have become too American. The American accents, the American setting, the American characters... all present in the trailer, with very little of Torchwood's fantastic Welsh origins present.

However, once one can look past all of this, the new series of Torchwood certainly does look very promising indeed.

Approximately half of the episode is set in America, the other half being set in Wales. The first storyline we're introduced to (If I recall correctly) is the storyline of the series 'bad guy' as he appears: Oswald Danes, played by American actor Bill Pullman. Pullman plays a very convincing villain throughout, with his sinister looks and the threatening tone to his voice which, in one particular scene, he conveys so well; and it will certainly be interesting to see where the writers intend to go with this storyline and Oswald himself.

One thing that was established, within the panel discussion preceding the screening as well as the trailer for the rest of the season, was that the relationship between Jack and Oswald will be salient throughout. I don't want to give too much away, but let's just say that Oswald's character is certainly going to fascinate Jack, as well as the rest of the world.

Perhaps my favourite thing about the episode were the constant links back to Wales. We get a lovely insight into Gwen and Rhys' new life; something that Eve Myles commented on as being, "Rhys' idea of heaven, Gwen's idea of hell." Part of the reason I enjoyed seeing Gwen and Rhys' life together so much, is because I have been a fan for many years now; and I think, generally, those who are already fans will appreciate the insight into what Gwen's life has become, without Torchwood.

Now, undoubtedly, Russell T Davies had a job. And part of that job was to make Captain Jack's return as spectacular as it was. Let's just say that I wasn't disappointed! He's his usual charismatic, fantastic self and has clearly been holding onto his retcon supplies, as well as overlooking Gwen and Rhys' lives during his time away. Jack has some brilliant one-liners, including a superb reference to Owen Harper which long-term fans like myself will adore!

The other storyline we follow, with the exception of the main story itself: the miracle, is that of the CIA's: Rex Matheson and Esther Drummond. I didn't have huge expectations, but I have to say that both played their roles spectacularly. Rex, as one of the victim's of Miracle Day, is displayed as a very typical American figure, meaning that RTD couldn't resist an influx of jokes relating to Rex's crossing of the Severn Bridge. I also have to commend Alexa Havins on her portrayal of Esther. I thought she played the inquisitive CIA agent exceedingly well, almost drawing a parallel to Gwen's first knowledge of Captain Jack Harkness (or as Rhys would say 'Captain Jack Bollocks').

Perhaps the most interesting thing about this new series is Russell's concept itself. Look away if you don't want to be spoilt on the storyline that the series follows... The concept being a time when no-one on earth can die. What's quite so interesting about this storyline is the way that Torchwood explores the effects such an event would have, effects that many may not have even thought of. Medically, it's very intriguing as hospitals line with patients in intensive care and even a man blasted to smithereens, barely a skeleton, just cannot die.

Generally this new series of Torchwood encompasses a healthy amount of action, humour, the gruesome and the wonderful. It's also very thought provoking and fast paced. As per usual, there are a few shocks and surprises among the way; especially one concerning Jack, which many you may have already heard and is, undoubtedly, a plot twist and a half.

Personally I'm still unsure as to whether this new series of Torchwood can ever match-up to the previous. It's very different, which is where the title to this blog post ties in because we are, of course, being faced with a completely changed organisation. There's no safety of a base, the equipment and a structured team like Torchwood used to have (although it was good to see a quick return to the bay), but in a sense this does add to the danger and the thrill of this new Torchwood.

Overall, the episode was certainly a promising start. At times it was a bit slow, and although I did state it was fast-paced, it wasn't quite up to the excitement and tension of Day Two of Children of Earth for example. Whether this new series of Torchwood will ever live up to the standard of 'classic Torchwood' is unbeknownst. Only time will tell.

7.5/10

Sponsored Run!

Hello all,

Now first of all this is a big ask but I would really appreciate your help!

This forthcoming August I will be going to Morocco as part of my World Challenge. I'll be climbing up the Atlas Mountains (:s) and doing some project work in a local village there.

In order to raise money for this I will be doing a sponsored run on Sunday 8th May. It'll be up to 15km (although most likely 10) and I will be ridiculously dressed as Harry Potter! If you are able to, then I would really appreciate any sponsors as I really do need to raise money for this!

Unfortunately because World Challenge is not 'technically' a charity, I can't collect sponsors online so all sponsors will have to be made via post or via an online bank transfr... Once again, I know this is a huge ask but I will love anyone so much who is willing to sponsor - no matter how much! I will, however, need to at least know who you are, as of course I will be enclosing my address or bank details to you. Unless you intend to see me in person over the next couple of months in which case I can collect sponsors then. :)

If you are willing to sponsor me, please send me an email (Yemmaa@live.co.uk) or let me know via twitter/facebook etc. You can sponsor per km or simply for the whole run. It will mean a lot and I will make sure pictures are taken - my friend will be dressed as Ron Weasley (or Luna Lovegood ¬.¬), and no doubt we will be quoting and embarrassing ourselves all day. xD

And remember...

Yema :D xx

Exodus Bogus

Before you read this blog post, I recommend you take a look at this:
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/exodus-international/id418794954?mt=8#

Now, if upon clicking that link you simply thought 'So what?' I recommend that you stop reading now.

I came to knowledge of this application, after it was mentioned on Twitter by actor Nicholas Pegg and my opinion somewhat replicates his.

I haven't come across Exodus International before, for which I'm very grateful, although I was aware that groups such as it would exist. However, it is not Exodus International that I am pinpointing today, but Apple, Inc.

The fact that Apple Inc, a well acclaimed and incredibly successful corporation, have approved an application which openly promotes homophobia is frankly, disgusting. Exodus International shouldn't even exist in the first place, and the fact that Apple have approved an application supporting this really loses me a lot of support for the corporation.

As anyone should know, homosexuality for one is not a disease, thus it has no need to be 'curable'. People are either born gay or 'become' gay depending on whether you believe the nature or nurture side of the debate... Or, hang on, they 'catch' homosexuality, like a disease it's passed from one person to another and can only be cured... with help from an iPhone app!

Ridiculous.

Personally I am unaware how the process of approving an application works at Apple, other than the fact that the application is analysed and tested for reliability, but the site likewise claims that the Exodus International application has been 'tested' and not only that has been rated 4 stars! Brilliant guys, this application is 80% likely to help anyone anyone you know on the path of curing homosexuality!

I think one can tell from the sarcasm in this blog post how preposterous I find the idea of an application based around Exodus International; and I sincerely hope that Apple will rethink what they're approving in what is now the 21st century (As if they need a reminder).

World Book Day

So, today is World Book Day.

Today is also my first blog post of 2011 so I'm going to try and make it interesting.

Because it is world book day, you may have guessed that this post is going to be relating to... Well, books.

Anyone who knows me will know how much I love to read, but unfortunately in the last year or so I probably haven't read much more than a dozen books.

A few years ago, a dozen books is about the amount I would go through in a month.

I'd love to tell you that the reason for this is due to my increased social life and the amount of time I spend going out with friends, but that would be a lie. And as this source is completely unbiased, I will be sticking to the truth (Historical Reference Number 1).

World Book Day is a yearly event, that was first celebrated back in 1995. Although traditionally on the 23rd April, we in the UK like to be different and so celebrate it on the first Thursday of March.

World Book Day is a fantastic thing when you're young. You get to attend school in fancy dress and receive one of those memorable £1 book vouchers, built to encourage us to read. But as one gets older, less emphasis is placed on what - really - should be quite a superb day. After all, where would we be without books?

For the last few years, I have done nothing for World Book Day. But this year was a little different, as my English Literature class decided to discuss favourite books and eat book cake...No fancy dress though.

In reality, this blog post has little point other than to add a bit of activity to my dying blog, commemorate World Book Day and despair over how little time I have to read now, due to the amount of school work I'm faced with.

Of course, I can't just blame school for my lack in reading over the past few years. When I was in Year Seven, I used to read more books simply so that I could fill up my reading log as fast as possible (ah, back in the days!), now; however, I always find other things to do, whether it be TV or skimming around the world of the internet, I simply do not read enough.

I aim to resolve this however! Even though it takes me months now to read a book that really is not /that/ thick, I feel it is important to have some time just to lie back and lose oneself in another reality.

So now, I'm going to hand over to you and ask anyone who reads this blog to recommend one book. Just one book that you think I should read. And I aim to at least attempt to read every book recommended to me before 2012 begins.

Happy World Book Day. :)

The Best of TV – But, Is It Worth It?

A rather different reflective blog post today, with a slightly odd perplexing question, heading today’s subject.

The question being, whether, the pain and angst we feel when our favourite TV Shows begin to head downhill is really worth it. Okay, so today’s post is going to be rather overdramatic, for I am, of course, imagining that TV has a huge impact on each and everyone of our lives, and that, one actually cares about how the stories are evolving and characters are changing. But, really, it depends on your emotional attachment to things, such as TV Shows. With some of us, when our favourite character is brutally and stupidly killed and we cry for three hours straight (I am, of course, not speaking from experience here…), one begins to wonder whether watching this same favourite TV show is ever going to be the same again. However, some of us will simply lean back in our chair and enjoy the fact that we no longer have to suffer the awkward moments where we’re watching TV with our parents and two grown men are playing naked-hide-and-seek (What will we do without these moments, ay?).

With a lot of people, TV is simply, something to do. It’s nice to be able to sit back on a Monday evening and have a laugh whilst watching The Inbetweeners (Sadly, this is no longer) or to catch up on the latest episode of Spooks with a cup of hot chocolate and the BBC iPlayer. I, however (as you may have guessed), am one of those people who really enjoys, and gets a lot out of TV – which is funny, seeing as I don’t really watch that much of it. Quality over quantity, I say. Mind you, I do watch the X Factor (Shouldn’t have admitted that, should I?) on a regular basis so I guess I can’t really talk.

With a lot of TV shows, there is often, too much quantity and not enough quality. They tend to start off brilliant, which is usually why another series is commissioned, and then start to head downhill. The first series is always the freshest, the funniest and ultimately: the favourite. So what can one do to ensure that a TV Show stays just as quirky, just as action-packed and just as brilliant, without going overboard and thus, becoming unbelievable (Unless, of course, it is Sci-Fi in which case – pretty much anything can happen)? Of course, I am not saying this is the same for all TV Shows; I can name quite a few where the first series was not my favourite, but as an overall view – the first series or first couple of series are usually the best.

Take Skins for example, pretty much 90% of Skins viewers will tell you that the first two series were by far the best. The storylines were better (After all, in the first two series, no-one was clubbed to death with a baseball bat), and the characters were a lot more likeable and easy to emphasise with, producing actors, such as Dev Patel who went on to star in Slumdog Millionaire. For me, personally, the third and fourth series ruined Skins – so one might ask, should they have left it there after the first two series? Did we need to continue or would it have been best left as a memory? Having a new episode of Skins to watch every Monday Thursday? was a novelty but by the end of the series, I was turning to 4oD a few days later, with no particular interest in whether JJ could actually get a girlfriend or not. Give me Maxxie and Tony back any day. In some TV programs, total cast changes can and would work. For example, thinking about it, I believe a new series of The Inbetweeners with a completely new cast could work, so long as the same writers are kept on. However, it’s always a risk, and with the aforementioned ‘Skins’, I don’t think this risk paid off.

Now, this blog post was evidently going to lead onto one of my favourite TV Shows: Torchwood. What started off as a five or six men main cast has now been brought down to a grand sum of… two. My front is simply that the programme has changed, and not for the better – or at least, I will find out this summer whether all those losses were for the benefit of the programme or not, although I highly doubt it. The first two series were made up of 13 incredible episodes each, every one of them brilliantly scripted and full of mystery, romance and action. At the end of the second series, two of the five-man team were killed off, with, as far as I know, neither actor requesting their character’s ending. So, we’re left with three main characters left. Now, I am in no way complaining about this, for Exit Wounds was a superb series finale, full of tension and lines that made even the less-compassionate folk shed a tear. But, then I ask the same question – Should it have been left here? Should we have left these two wonderful series of 13 episodes each where they were? Back

Unfortunately (Well, and fortunately) I cannot complain about the quality of the third series of Torchwood: Children of Earth for it really was a fantastic drama that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. But I still don’t see what happened at the end of Day Four as necessary. Possibly one of the most likeable characters in TV at that time being axed off the show, and once again, not at the actor’s request, seemed superfluous and frankly, quite stupid. Of course, I see the other side to the story, for it was brilliantly done and certainly affected almost everyone watching in some way or another, but was it really necessary? As a fan, I will definitely be watching Series Four when it comes out in the summer, but the show has lost what it once was and I’m not sure I can see it being as funny, as sexy or as dazzling as it was renowned for.

But whose fault is it when shows come down to this? Is it the writers who ultimately decide what happens – who lives and who dies? I am a fan of Russell T Davies, writer of episodes of Doctor Who and Torchwood, and creator of Queer as Folk, however there is one thing that he said which grates with me, I do not have the exact quote (if anyone does that would be brilliant) but it was something along the lines of “I do not write with the audience in mind, overall – who cares what they think? I am here to write a story not please the masses. I write for myself and myself only” I find this to be a very self-centred egotistic approach to writing a story. Although I agree, that ultimately, it is Russell’s story and thus, he can do with it what he likes, sometimes you need to take the fans views into consideration, for we are the ones who watch, love and appreciate the stories he is telling us. One screenwriter who does, or did, do this is that of Marc Cherry, creator of Desperate Housewives. In the original drafts of Series 6, the character of Mike Delfino was to marry Katherine Mayfair, but after realising how much of a fan base Mike and Susan Mayer had, Cherry changed his mind and re-wrote it. Perhaps it would have been better and more of a challenge to stick with this first less popular coupling, and attempt to win fans round to supporting them, but sometimes I think you have to listen to your viewers, and that is exactly what Cherry did.

Ultimately, this is just my own highly opinionated view on what TV is turning into. And this all came, from myself humming a tune that used to be in Hollyoaks back in the golden years (Craig and Jean-Paul ftw). But please do leave me a comment expressing your view, whether it be similar to mine, or completely different.

John Barrowman: Set List and Videos

Warning: As the title suggests this blog post WILL include spoilers for John Barrowman's 2010 Concert Tour! Some people have asked for me to include the set list in a blog post, so I'm going to post that here. Alongside 13 videos which I took from the first date of John's tour in Oxford, a few of which I would not recommend watching if you have yet to see it and are planning on seeing it before 2nd November!


So the songs performed by John were:
Act One:
Get This Party Started
You To Me Are Everything
Viva Las Vegas
Don't Cry Out Loud
Unusual Way
Spiderman/Wonder Woman Medley (For this John got his dancers dressed up as spiderman and wonder woman, I did, thankfully, take a video of this!)
Memory
Cry Me a River - Jodie Prenger
Mambo Italiano - Jodie Prenger
Fireflies
Rain on my Parade

Act Two:
Conga/Turn The Beat Around
Let Your Love Flow (John's song dedicated to Scott)
Man, I Feel Like a Woman (One of the best of the night for sure. John's male dancers wearing pink dresses was brilliant. John could not stop giggling!)
Remember When (A beautiful song which John's parents danced to)
Proud Mary - Jodie Prenger
Nobody Does It Better - Jodie Prenger
So Close (Duet with Jodie Prenger)
CopaCabana (This was brilliant! John decided to test out his dancers acting skills by getting them to act out the song xD)
The Doctor and I
Rule The World
Let's Get Loud

Encore:
From This Moment On (Dedicated to John's fans)
I Am What I Am

What an incredible playlist.

Click here for a link to my playlist on youtube of the videos I managed to take on John's tour. :)

^ John being...well, John!