Saturday 29 March 2014

Radioactive side-kick (Oh my Gosh, Fall Out Boy).

I really regret using the title of "Rocking in the Disabled Zone" for last week's post as it or a variable would have been more suited for this week's post. I realised my mistakes while in the car on the way to the concert. There was nothing I could do as it was almost noon and I did not have a reception to even to attempt to change it by phone.

The concert was alright. I mean who even likes Fall Out Dude which I imagine is Fall Out Boy cover band but I hear Fall Out Guy (that is what it looks like I wrote on the calendar) is way better. Now let's never take the time to see if any of those bands exist.

 The concert was actually Awesome because Fall Out Boy are Awesome. Though, they'd be more awesome if they found a way to mute Pete Wentz and chain him to his Bass. I should have shouted Blue eyeliner suits no one. I really miss a shot there.

So lets go my back to start of notable things about last Saturday.

 I killed a man named Bob. My sib wanted to go TGIFriday (even though it actually Saturday), which somehow turned into a family dinner with 5 out 7 siblings with spouses (if they have them) being there. It totally ended in a food fight where we all swore never talk to each other ever again and we all lived happily ever after.

Of course that's not what happen. I had a disappointing burger and chocolate milkshake. Also two weird slushies that didn't come with cherries this time. The starters were nice though. We started with two tables because there was nine of us and there only let you book eight people table. They eventually did let us all dine at one table, not that it made much difference in terms of conversation. I talk to no one except to order.

 We in confusing affair went to the concert with my brother who also happened to be going as well. It made sense as it costs £7. This is the brother that I think of as Arsehole, that hasn't really change. I didn't say anything.

So this was my first time in the Hydro, not in the very ableist packing which I've complain about before but it wasn't as bad as last time since it wasn't as cold. Another complain is that I think it incredibly stupid for it to only have one cash machine. I also got told that I wasn't allowed to bring in bottled water which fucking retarded, apparently it because you could hurt someone with it. I frankly want proof. It probably a money lie but that makes no sense as since they sell alcohol they have to provide free water of some kind.

The Disable platform thing was a very good few for seating, which was a worry. We literally sat right on the front on padded waiting room chairs that they shove there. We were in platform 52.

I brought way too much merch: Three t-shirts; one hoodie; a overprice wristband; a tote bag and a mug that appears I never even touch and I blame my mother. The reason I have three t-shirts is that there never had the right size for the one I wanted so i got another one but then I saw another stand and they did have the right size. So I brought it. Books and merch are my two money weakness. Other things I can resist but not them.  My Chemical Romance stuff also came in the mail this week, their greatest hits and t-shirts.

As for the story of the mug, you obviously couldn't bring them in with you as you know no glass allow into these things as people are arseholes and accidents. After the concert, my mum rushed out of the place through a different door so with the buzz from Fall Out Boy I never remember to go pick it up and now will blame my mother for it forever. I've emailed them about it but hopes are not high that I'll ever get it. You can't get the mug online either. I should have wrote mug on my hand.

As for the music, what we heard of New Politics they were quite good. Having sort of listen to their two albums I think they a band with potential. I will keeping my ear out for them. Get it? You know ear instead of eye because they're a band and they play music. I'm just so witty. We heard Harlem which is currently they're biggest song, on ad for Frozen and everything.

The Petty Reckless were pretty disappointing. Frankly, they were crap live. The sib and I discussed this thought perhaps it was because instrument overpowered the leadsinger's (Taylor something) voice. During their sound test, the drums were randomly hit and were so loud they sattle everyone there. Maybe if we had been standing it would have been better. Taylor was also doing this weird stripor dancing. I wanted to remind her that she was there to sing, not to get pound notes off us. It was just really boring and I actually went to the toilet during the last song of 'Make me wanna die' which is a fav of mine. They didn't pump the crowd at all.

Fall Out Boy were awesome, brilliant. They played songs from all they albums (expect their actual first one). They play two of my favourites from their second which made me so happy. I actually just love it. I could just sit and gush about them all day. Especially that Patrick Stump. I stand by my Facebook statous that I would marry his voice and talent. I don't know him as a person but I love his voice and music. I haven't came across a song that he was involved in the creative process of that I haven't liked. He's as good live.

I did have several fangirl moments, but how could I not? I did sing along to all the songs. It would be petty bad if I didn't as I've listen to those songs thousands of times. They did this thing were they suddenly appeared behind the standing and we were so close to them, which was great because people in the disabled platform don't really have the option to be the mental fans that get to the very front. It was also funny to see the standing just rush to them when they realise they were there.

I did film bits, but apparently I wasn't allowed to film which I think is kinda stupid because I never had a professional camera and some phone camera are actually better than mine. It the world we're living in. I promise that I will actually edit something together and I will start editing the things I promise to edit.

I've probably said everything that you want to hear about Fall Out Boy. If not you could always comment and we could discuss more of their awesomeness.

On the course saga, I have quit the course thing. She never called me on Thursday, so I didn't go in on Tuesday.  That all I will say on the matter this week but I will have to call to see about things.

I'm off now to do things like not sort my room and annoy my mother by randomly bringing up the subject of mugs.

Wednesday 26 March 2014

Book Review: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevieve Tucholke

Who doesn’t find evil sexy?


You stop fearing the devil when you're holding his hand . . .

Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White's sleepy, seaside town . . . until River West comes along. River rents the guesthouse behind Violet's crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard. Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Violet's grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who likes coffee and who kisses you in a cemetery . . . Violet's already so knee-deep in love, she can't see straight. And that's just how River likes it.

This book has a very smooth style and has a charm to it. I found myself very engrossed by it. It lives in the shadow of the Jazz age, I guess the style is sort of Gatsbist.

The characters all have weird names for some reason, except the ones with the neglectful arty parents. Okay, not all of them but you have a Sunshine and a male River. They all right, mostly terrible people but they’re mostly teenagers and most teenagers are terrible people. They are strangely lovable bunch.  

This is a book with a supernatural side, sort of original.  Odd stuff is going on and horrific imagery. The end is a bit anti-climactic. There is meant to be duology. You could walk away; I don’t feel desperate to know what happens after. But I would eventually have some answers given.

Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars for Furry teeth. I enjoyed reading it, even if I did get sort of distracted and skimmed through the last chapter in the middle of reading the book. I would recommend this for those who like well-written magic books.

I got this off Netgalley for a review. It’s being published by Faber & Faber on 3rd April 2014.

Book Review: A Kiss in the Dark by Cat Clarke


I honestly think that there might be a curse on the books I decide to read that are set in Scotland.

When Alex meets Kate the attraction is instant. Alex is funny, good-looking, and a little shy – everything that Kate wants in a boyfriend. Alex can’t help falling for Kate, who is pretty, charming and maybe just a little naive . . . But one of them is hiding a secret, and as their love blossoms, it threatens to ruin not just their relationship, but their lives.

I’m a big fan of Cat Clarke. I have read all of her books (reviewed two of them). This has to be my least favourite of her books though. It also arguable has the happiest ending, if you’ve read Cat Clarke you’re realise that not saying much as Clarke likes to break hearts and she does it so well.

I liked Alex, but just found myself generally annoyed by Kate through most of the book. Sometimes I kinda just wanted to slap her. The romance is overshadowed by the “Secret” so it not romance-romance but there is some sappy. I like Jamie, Alex’s brother. Their relationship is interesting with each is interest.  It also feels like there something going on with Jamie. The book is told both Alex’s and Kate’s point of view. I liked Alex’s voice better, but you definitely need Kate’s. I like how the book is spitted into before and after the secret is reveal.

The plot of the book is this secret: the hiding of it, the reaction of it and then the consequences. I’m not quite sure what to say, because I can’t decide if the actual secret is a spoiler or not. We learn it in the first few chapters but still it probably best to go in blind. Let just say it was inspired by something that was a big news story a few years ago but the story in this book is way more believable (I remember Cat Clarke tweeting saying so). I will also say it set in Edinburgh which I enjoyed.

Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars for matching hats. I do like this novel and has interesting themes going on. I think there’s a good chance that I would have liked it better if I read it in a different mood. Cat Clarke is still great and I love her.

I got this off Netgalley for a review. It’s being published by Quercus Children's on 3rd April 2014.

Saturday 22 March 2014

Rocking in the Disabled Zone

I am going to see Fall Out Boy tonight. Awesome, no? Basically, this is a pre-wrote post because I'm probably in a car right now and realistically won't get to write this post on Saturday.

We're going to be in the seating, went through the disabled tickets. I'm not actually sure if there is actually a zone, but I would imagine there is because they have to have seats reserved for disabled people and can't actually sell them. My mum called up for concert that was meant to be sold out and got tickets because of this.

I kinda wished I could gone standing but then I would be by myself and I would have try to get right at the front anyway. We will actually be right at the front in the seating. Not sure that is good seating and not. Hopefully it will be because I imagine it probably be all the same seating and we going to see McBusted next month (Yeah, I am that cool). I'm meant to be going to the Hydro three times this year and it all for things that kinda broke up. Fall Out Boy obviously had their hiatus. Busted lost a band member (who is a proper example of a sold out). I'm also going to see the Still Game show, for those who don't know Still Game was a very popular show in Scotland and the people who made it fell out with each other. They agreed to live show to happen.

So I'm seeing all break-ups this year. I wanted to also go see Kids in Glass Houses as they are breaking up and doing one last tour but can't because it right before I leave for Florida.

Update on the saga of the non-existent placement. I was ill on Monday so couldn't make it to college, went in on Monday to a missing class. I was majorly fuck off by this point so I went outside to call my mum to rant (there is no reception in the actual college for some reason). I told her I was tempted to just walk it but she called them to find out where there were (I'm selective mute and hate interacting with people, especially when I'm annoyed). We told that we not to bug the reception about our classroom locations.

There were in the fucking library. They have no reason to be in the Library, they can't even get login on to the library computers. The course-runner actually like I should have been psychically able to tell or that it was a obvious place to find them. The CR was rude on the phone to my mum.

So I finally came face-to-face with the CR who lead preceded to lie to me like I was idiot. She tried to save the reason I didn't have a placement yet was because of my attendance. I've been off three times, all explained and were all together. I'm also not the only person who didn't have a placement. I told her that just wanted to quit now anyway because the course had mostly been a waste of time, her specific class being the main factor. It’s meant to be employability skills but she hasn't actually taught anything in weeks. She try say other people had benefit from it, using the idiot of the group. I know that mean thing to say, but she asks the most irrelevant questions and doesn't strand assignments even when they've been clearly explained.

She said if I stayed on the course I would she would get me a placement which she did, but not in hotel like I wanted. In a cafe that must be where everyone gets their work placement in the nearest town. I'm almost told to fuck herself then. I didn't because apparently social norms and that.

I'm technically still on the course but I'm refusing to do nothing. I'm not taking part in the Presentation or the charity event which the idiot is now running. My main problem with it is the quiz is that it's asking you to guess the name, the breed, and age of a rescue dog. There is probably no way to know his exact age or breed. The main reason I'm not taking part is that I might still quit so they should just prepare to do it without me. Also with the presentation thing, if I'm not allowed to say it been terrible then I'm not saying anything all.

I'm meant to be respectfully to them when they've nothing close to like that with me, just doesn't fly in my head especially as soon as this is over I'm having nothing to do with any of them and will be telling everyone I know not to go near them.

That all for this week, I'm off to see Fall Out Boy and sit through a meal that promises to be at least awkward. I'll probably tell you about it next week and hopefully have pictures- of the concert I mean.

Wednesday 19 March 2014

Book Review: Echo Boy by Matt Haig



I imagine Echo boys would be created by shouting ‘boy’ into a cave or a bathroom.

Audrey’s father taught her that to stay human in the modern world, she had to build a moat around herself; a moat of books and music, philosophy and dreams. A moat that makes Audrey different from the echoes: sophisticated, emotionless machines, built to resemble humans and to work for human masters.

Daniel is an echo – but he’s not like the others. He feels a connection with Audrey; a feeling Daniel knows he was never designed to have, and cannot explain. And when Audrey is placed in terrible danger, he’s determined to save her.


This is an interest idea but there certainly issues with this novel. Believability is one of them for me.  



I think my main problem with this book is that it set too near in the future to believable, for example I don’t buy the science of a currently 84 year old being alive in 2115. Echos are also basically born cyborgs. Some messed up things would need to have happened for people to be okay with that and I don’t think that is explained in the book at all. I also highly doubt that all of Scotland would be flooded but Paris isn’t. Scotland is made of hills and apparently is rising above our current sea level (England is sinking so that being flood is believable enough). It was just off-handed comment but I took note.

Funfact: There is an intersex cat in this book, I know this because tortoiseshell cats are only female and the cat was described as being a he. I guess he could be genetically engineered but what a waste time is to be genetically engineering cats to look a way that’s already possible.

The characters are mostly...Likable? Sure. Lovable? No. I like Audrey’s voice, the book is partly told by her, the other by Daniel. Certain characters don’t play as believable. Uncle Alex and his son are not quite right. Motives are bit lacking. There is romance but it’s very minor and does work in favour of the story.

The plot is made up with the typical dystopia stuff, conspiracy, real threat to the main character’s life and all that good stuff. The world building is interesting with the other technologies. There are no real school anymore so people going into pods.

Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars for random DNA.  I did almost gave this a three but decided it wasn’t quite a three so round it to four because of the idea. This is enjoyable but the ending is a bit lacking and does lose points due to believability.  I recommend you read this book if you’re intrigued by the idea of an Echo.

I got this off Netgalley for a review. It’s being published by Bodley Head Children's Books on 27th  March 2014.