Hello guys, so it's just occurred to me that it's been a bloody long time since I actually posted anything on here. Partly due to not having much time on my hands to write much, and partly due to not having much motivation or inspiration to think of anything to actually write anyway. But recently, I've had some time to reflect over the past year, on the things I should and shouldn't have done and said. 2013 has been a surprisingly good year for me. Apart from a few little blips here and there which have put dents in my armour, but other than that there's not much I can overly complain about (for a change).
One of the major things that happened this year, was the fact that I finished my GCSE'S and left my secondary school (not physically, as the sixth form I attend is still on the same complex) but nevertheless. It's strange not seeing faces that have been around for the past 5 years, and you don't even realise it until they've left that you probably should have tried to make more of an effort with most of them. Even the people I didn't speak to, or at least didn't speak to a lot of the time, I miss. I'm glad those 5 years are now over. Sixth form is so much better in a lot of aspects, but in a way I wish we could go back to how easy the work was in the first two years of secondary!
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| This was most of our year, a lot of people were busy getting shirts and books signed at this point... |
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| Our English class, cute |
I've met so many incredible people this year that I honestly never thought I'd get the chance to and I am so so thankful to be given those opportunities. Whether that's people I've made friends with through bands, through twitter and through gigs. I finally met Jo and Charlee properly after months of talking on twitter and Facebook, and I can't believe how lovely they are. I made some friends outside one of the gigs I attended and they happen to be some of the funniest girls I've ever met. I've made quite a few friends thanks to the 'EF' programme at school, and I know that I'll be absolutely distraught once they have to leave in June because they are such genuine, nice people that I'll probably not get the chance to see ever again, but most importantly I finally met Charlotte after 3 years of talking to via MSN (the good ol' days), Twitter, Facebook, Skype and text.
My mum agreed to let her come and stay for a week in August, and Charlotte's parents were willing to drive her 5 hours through the country to come and visit, although by the end of the 5 hours (+ whatever traffic jams they got stuck in) they must have been exhausted! It was honestly the best 6 days I think I've ever had in my entire life. Everything was just so much more fun and I felt so comfortable in her presence. If you say to me 'I don't want a friend that lives the other side of the country because it's pointless' I can honestly say it's so worth it. It is difficult and it's not very nice when you can't spend time with each other, but when you do finally meet each other it's so fantastic.
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| Ticket from when we ventured to Brighton for the day ♥ |
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| Our first selfie together, in the cinema waiting for Kick Ass 2 to start! |
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| Decided to go bowling, realised we're completely useless at it... |
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| Went to the apple store in Brighton, got let loose on the iMac's... |
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| Went to Eastbourne to show Charlotte where Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging was set |
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| Went and got our photos taken in a photo booth on the day before Char went home :( |
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When I'm standing on the yellow line waiting at the station...
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In May my brother got married to a lovely woman and I happened to be a bridesmaid... I can't say I was very thrilled with my hair and make up, or the fact I had to wear a floor length dress to be honest. Dressing up in that sense doesn't particularly appeal to me, so when the woman who did our hair/make up revealed the entire look to me on the morning of the wedding, I had a meltdown and nearly ended up sobbing my eyes out where I hated it so much. It was an incredibly emotional day for all of us who attended, but so worth it. By 6pm in the evening, I got changed into my jeans and denim jacket and got my sister to supply me with redbull and vodka throughout the rest of the evening...
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| (from left-right), My gorgeous sister Tina, Her nanna Shirl, myself, my sister in law Cat, my brother, my fantastic mum and my brother and sister's dad Dave. |
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| Decided to stand by a tree and tried to look pretty... |
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| Sister in law with her fantastic bridesmaids *cough* |
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Hilary (bridesmaid 1), dearest brother lol, sister in law and I
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I've also been to a fair few concerts this year, which I had an absolutely incredible time at.
I FINALLY SAW MCFLY. AFTER 10 YEARS OF SUPPORTING THEM AS A BAND. I FINALLY SAW THEM. I'm still in shock to be honest and it's been 5 months since!
The Vamps and James Bourne supported McFly on their 'Memory Lane Tour' and both acts put on a fantastic show. McFly were incredible and I cannot wait until they announce the Album 6 tour.
2 days after McFly, I saw The Midnight Beast. I didn't have such a great time at this gig, but that was purely down to being separated from my friend by a girl from Poland with a rucksack on who proceeded to punch me for so much as asking her to move...
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"My name is Andrew Francis WAKELYYYYYY"
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I then saw Room 94 on their '3 Brothers' 1 Kit' tour for which I had VIP for. One of the best nights of my life. This was the day I finally met Jo properly and we had the best fun taking the piss out of ourselves. We also met a group of girls outside the venue which were a riot! Room 94 never fail to put on a great show and they're always such darlings when you speak to them. I have so much respect for them as a band, and I just pray to god they don't decide to go on a bloody show like the X-Factor like Sam Callaghan, District 3 etc...
At the beginning of September, I saw The Last Carnival (one of the support acts from the Room 94 gig^) and they were great. We arrived early and met a group of ladies that were so much fun and we stayed with them throughout the entire gig and had a wonderful time. Got a chance to mull around and meet them afterwards, only resulted in meeting the guitarist Justin, who I may have called a 'dickhead' in Welsh, forgetting he was Welsh and could speak the language... Oops
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This chick is an absolute legend
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I also lost my day-festival virginity at the end of September. SD2 Festival was bloody great. The only thing that could've made it any better, would have been cider and The Saturday's not being on the set list. I went with my longest friend Becky, her wonderful Aunt Julie and Julie's friend Lisa. The Vamps, Conor Maynard and The Wanted all performed and made an excellent job of it.
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| My idea of a perfect way to spend the day... |
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| Go on Brad! |
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| Bradley strumming his guitar... |
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| "Brighton..... I'm HOME!" |
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| Becky is a fantastic young lady, I adore her so much. She's more of a little sister to me! |
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| First set of wheels... Dey see me rollin' |
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| Avoiding having to listen to The Saturdays' set by going on the Chair-o-planes! |
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| ♥ |
The final gig I went to, was Lawson. I was actually surprised as to how excellent they actually were live. Rushing through Brighton straight after college, dragging Becky by her arm to try and meet Room 94 (who happened to be supporting) before they got swarmed was totally worth it. Spent 30 minutes talking to Kieran and Kit with Charlee, Jo, Cat, Sophie, Becky and Lauren and got endless cuddles and photos taken.They had a perfect set, although they should've been on straight before Lawson rather than Paighton.
During Paighton's set, Cat, Jo and I decided to bugger off and try and find something to drink and get some air. We found Sean in one of the 5 bars in the venue, he was having his photo taken with some fans but he walked off just as we arrived which absolutely sucked but nevertheless.
We rushed out during the final song of Lawson's set to bag ourselves a place in the queue to meet Room 94 and have group photos and signatures. Kieran still remembers who I am and called me by my twitter add (alltimejay_) which he always does as a wind up. When I asked him to sign me, he signed my wrist just above my bracelets which was the cutest gesture ever.
We did wait around after the gig to meet Lawson, but we had to leave incase we missed our train. If we'd have stayed an extra 20 minutes we would've met them, but it was either that or be stranded in the middle of Brighton over-night.
Over the summer, I visited London, Brighton, Portsmouth and Eastbourne a lot. It's excellent living on the south east coast of England (the part of England which gets the most sun throughout the year on average) and being able to hop on a train to go wherever. I think I've felt like I've had a lot more freedom this year in comparison to other years. I love visiting London. I think it's due to living by the coast that makes it such an experience venturing into the city, I feel like such a tourist because I'm not used to it in the slightest.
I'm going to be rather disappointed when this year is over, I honestly don't want it to end. I just hope that 2014 proves to be just as good, if not even better.
