Shake It, Shake it, Shake it like a Polaroid picture.

Firstly I would like to apologise for neglecting this blog but I have been a super busy bee and FINALLY I have a moment to myself, so here we go!

 

In this post I would like to have a little natter about Polaroid’s. For those of you who don’t remember the hype of their second revival in the late 90’s/early 00’s fear not. IT’S BACK WITH A VENGANCE.

DISCLAIMER: The word ‘Polaroid’ is mentioned an obscene amount in this post.

For those of you who do not know what Polaroid’s are pictures that are pictures that are printed instantly from the camera itself & you’re generally told to shake it, but tbh you don’t have to.

To be honest, I’m pretty happy about this. It’s really been happening over the past year, but I’d say it’s the last few months that people have really stepped up their Polaroid game; and I have been receiving many Polaroid’s in the post.

This is the thing, while digital is amazing, very few people actually print out their pictures. Which makes me ask the question…. What’s the point of taking them? Sure you can upload them onto various social media sites, and that’s great. But for those anti-technology days you may just want to have those photos in a physical form.

Polaroid’s take all the hassle of getting your film/digital photos developed out.

Granted, they’re not cheap. Yes. You can pick up the camera itself for a pittance if you don’t mind second hand bits and bobs. However if you want to get a brand new one it can get pretty expensive, considering that it is in fact old technology. Have a look here

Another cost that you must take into consideration when venturing into the Polaroid world is the cost of the actually Polaroid paper itself, which works out more expensive than getting your pictures developed.

But if you’re happy with all that, run with it, there’s nothing quite like a Polaroid.

However for those of you now thinking. Oh crud.  I can’t be dealing with all this cost. DO NOT WORRY.

There are other ways that you can get the look of a Polaroid, and that is by downloading a template, adding your picture and then printing them off on your own accord. Sure, it’s a load more of work, which kinda defeats the idea, but if you’re after the polo vibes at the fraction of the cost, this is how you’re going to have to do it.  See this fellow blogger.

So ladies and gents, either get ready to shake it or fake it.

Go get your Polaroid on.

New music be blarin'

 

So in the last few months I’ve found that there’s been a bit of a lull in new decent music. Of course this is all subjective, but that’s just my opinion.

HOWEVER. In the last week or so I’ve found an abundance of new music that’s got me thinking “I should download that when I get home”. I don’t know if it has been the mix of me having a really quiet day at work which resulted to me actually listening to what the music channels were playing opposed to just considering them as a bit of soft porn in the background while I was serving drinks. Or whether I was just oblivious to all these new acts emerging, and now with the force I’m actually paying attention.

Either way, it’s about time.

I take a lot of joy in finding new artists and being ‘that friend’ who is always suggesting new stuff, so for me this is ruddy wonderful…

Consequently for those of you scrolling through your iPod thinking “crumbs, this could do with a massive update” DO NOT FEAR, THERE’S GOOD STUFF ON THE HORIZON.

Another thing that I’ve started to do is googling “if you like *artist/band* then you will like” and there are loads of message boards with a plethora of suggestions. It’s kinda like dominos when you do this, you find one you like and then a whole load of others come knocking down in your direction.

My suggestion for you deal pals is that if you had the same views as me earlier that you do this, there is really a lot of new stuff coming out at the moment and I’m sure you’ll find something to tickle your taste buds.

If you really feel like it, drop me a message and I’ll offer you up some suggestions.

 

Much love as always.

Autocorrecting autocorrect.

 

So AutoCorrect has become the bane of my life. (slight exaggeration right there).

 

Lets be honest,  auto correct is meant to make us seem smarter than we actually are.  Got problems spelling long complicated words. Autocorrect/Autofills’ got yo back.

And that's great.

However, when it comes to the mediocre every day words, it just doesn’t cover it. At no point when typing “It’s” have I meant “tsunami” or wanted to turn “fucking” to “ducking” or “sure” to “sensuous” or even “out” to “overpowering”, and these are just the ones that I can think of now! What I want to ask is why? Why WHY W H Y. I'd like to ask my phone when have I ever needed to use the word “vitriolic” in everyday life? (It means mean btw), and why does it feel necessary to somehow slot it into nearly every text?

Well, autocorrect is just being VITRIOLIC. (Happy now?)

The other thing with Autocorrect/autofill is that when you’re trying to be sassy as fuck it’ll just screw you over. Look at the example below.

 

 

 

This is basically my friend bailing on me, by telling an obvious lie, so a “K” would be the perfect response right? NOT ACCORDING TO AUTOCORRECT. AUTOCORRECT WANTS TO MAKE ME LOOK LIKE A FOOL.

Why can’t programme developers (or whoever is in control of this) just sort out every day language before getting all clever on us?  Seriously, don’t run before you can walk sunshine.

Am I the only one who has problems with this? Let me know!

But for now,

Dear Mr/Mrs/Dr /Professor Autocorrect.

Sort your life out.

TOTAL (actually partial) ECLIPSE OF THE HEART (actually sun)

Those of you who know me personally and for those of you who don’t, I love space.

Not as in the space around you (although I do appreciate that) as in the galaxy and all the other bits that are kinda essential to Earth.

Luckily for me, there’s going to be a solar eclipse. Tomorrow. 

And I’m super excited about it.

For those of you who don’t know what a solar eclipse is, it’s basically when the moon blocks out the sun for a little bit, and plunges us mere mortals into darkness for a few minutes.

However I must mention that if you Google it (other web-browsers are available) you’ll see how pretty awesome it looks. Yet if you decide to watch with your own peepers tomorrow WEAR PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR. Have a look online to see various suggestions, as your sunglasses from last year’s holiday to Barcelona will simply not cut it, and let’s be honest, you’d rather look like a bit of a prick for a few minutes than go partially blind for the rest of your life right?

When can I partially blind myself for the rest of my life I hear you ask? Well my loves, you’ll have to set your alarms because its 08.00 GMT, and those of you in the UK should see around 90% coverage. So for those of you who are willing to peel yourself away from the warmth of your bed I’m sure it’ll be worth it as it rarely happens.

If you guys are interested there’s going to be a special show on the BBC after it has happened on the subject so you can get educated on all of the sciencey stuff or just marvel at all the cool pictures.

I hope that for those of you who do decide to watch it that it’s awesome and you enjoy it.

Peace out.

Selma [Film]

At last I’ve seen Selma.

As most of you know, this blog is generally me being quite angry/disappointed or just downright rude about certain things. If you’re new to this- hello & welcome.

But unfortunately for me, I can’t be demeaning to Selma and am seriously having problems faulting it.

Let me give you a brief overview on it… It focuses on Dr Martin Luther King Jr. in both his political and partially his private life. Set in the height of the American Civil Rights movement it show the struggles Black Americans had, and their fight to have the same rights as White Americans, it’s one of the most notable fights within modern history (I should know, I studied it at A Level) that has really influenced modern day society as we know it today… Anyway, this is a history lesson, although if you want one, let me know & I’ll happily give you one.  

In many of film awards this year it has held a fair presence, while not always winning its categories it has won some- which is better than none right!?  Although in my opinion it should have won way more than it did, as they were all so well deserved.

The directing is on point and has three wicked producers, one being Opra Winfrey, who also stars in it, tbh I didn’t even know she was in it until I saw her and was all like errr… Opra? But she acted her character really well. So kudos to her.

DOP has got some amazing shots that really help to take the film to the next level. Meaning that, even if you’re not into the subject matter, you should go and see it just for the technical aspects and score.

A little more on the score- while a little cliché having gospel music amongst orchestral (N.B. I have nothing against gospel music and quite like some of it.) It just seems that considering the subject matter it was the easy go-to option. This is literally my only criticism. I’m not in any way saying that it was bad- just predictable.

The performances by the main actors and actresses were outstanding, and deserve more notation then they have already received. They help to turn historical fact into a truly emotional and consuming film.

Yet again like most of my reviews, I don’t want to tell you the whole plot- especially if you wish to go and see it. But I will say that it is one of the best historically accurate films I’ve seen in a very long while. For now, here's the trailer to have a look at.

Go and see it, but just to warn you- take a hankie.

 

 

 

Charity Shops, Jumble Sales and Carboots.

For those of you who know me and for those of you who don’t, I appreciate a good charity shop haul.

Most of my friends are quite cold when it comes to charity shops, and will not step foot in one, unless I drag them in. When this happens, they normally have a face of thunder, (apart from the odd few who sodding love it like I do, seriously we hit carboots with the excitement of going out.)

The irony for those who hold ‘thunder face’ is that most of the time when they say “oh I like *whatever item*” it’s usually the second hand stuff.  SO THERE.

What I want to ask is why there’s such a hang up about charity shops/carboots or jumbles’ .  Just because its second hand doesn’t mean that it’s bad. I’ve found better quality stuff in a charity shop than say, in Primark, NewLook or Jack Wills. Another thing is, just because it’s second hand does not mean that somebody died in it. I mean, sure, there’s always a possibility. But it’s rare.

The thing is, for those of you who don’t want to wear what everybody else is wearing well then charity shops, carboots and jumbles’ are the way to go. Some of you may be thinking ‘sure, if you wanna wear what everybody was wearing 4 years ago’. Granted, this sometimes is the case. BUT if you have a rummage you can find some beauts, and not just that top you saw in H&M three years ago.

I mean, okay, you can get some stonking outfits for fancy dress etc, but there’s everyday items too.

People tend to forget that charity shops, carboots and jumbles aren’t just about clothes,  you can get a range of stuff from there for example I have seem to obtained an ungodly amount of DVDs, vinyl and books. In addition to picking up the odd bit of brick a brack during my visits.

So my challenge to you dear readers, is to step into a charity shop, go to a carboot sale or visit a jumble sale. I’m not telling you to buy stuff, just go and see what you can find; and don’t be afraid to get stuck in.

50 Shades (Film)

So  ladies and gents. I actually went to go and see 50 Shades. And I don't really know what to say.

 

Firstly, let me paint you a picture. After being ear-bent by my friend to go and see it, I finally caved. This ‘friend’ later decided they no longer wanted to see it in fear of seeing somebody they knew at the cinema. However by this time I had my mind set about going to see it. So I did. On my own. How Awkward.

I’m not too sure if it was just the film or the crap content (see earlier post to read me slating the book), but I found it genuinely painful to watch.

The acting was rather wooden, and not helped by the score like some bad acting. This is not to say that score was crap as Danny Elfman actually bossed it (as per) when it did kick in and some of the tunes that are involved are amazing and honestly, the only reason that I stayed in the cinema.

This film it meant to be about chemistry amongst other things, and there just wasn’t any there. Also, a completely petty point, but Jamie (Mr Grey) has really strange thumbs- they look more like a big toe, and for a person who doesn’t really like feet, having mutant toe-hands blown up on the screen is not ideal.

Celestial music is played when Ana is placed on a cross for sexytime. Now, in all honesty I found this super awkward to watch, along with the shots used it just made for a super cheesy and cliché scene.

The accuracy of the film is also a little off; I know it’s yet again a minor point. But if you’re aiming to make a box-office smash hit, PLEASE MAKE IT ACCURATE.

So my point is: audiences are allowed to read the characters texts Hollyoaks-style. Yet - Mr Grey has an iphone. Check. And Ana has a beat up old phone (not a smartphone of any sort). Check. So the colour of the text should be green right? WRONG. Its blue and blue is for imessages in my mind. I don’t know why this tiny detail bugs me so much, but it does.  SORT IT OUT.

However, it has to be said that in its first week it did smash it in the cinema, but whether people enjoyed it or not is another matter.

I don’t know if I noticed these petty things in the first place because I found the film that boring, or if others picked up on it? (If you’ve watched it please let me know).

Overall- I certainly wouldn’t watch it again, but for those of you who do wanna see it- go for it & get it out of your system!

I realise this isn’t really a constructive review- but I have nothing to say but rant, so sorry ‘bout that.

Let me know your opinions on the film by email or comment.