Ok seriously?????

Cheers weather.

You seem to know I haven't got a weekend right now, so you have decided to make it the hottest day of the year.

Grrrrr.

I have been doing my Riot Graphics logo all day, well for a couple of hours. I like it :)





I can see the 'R' being quite brandable, and I like that. I am getting my designs together for shirts as well, so they should be posted up here within the next few days before I send them off.  I have decided I want a few shirts with just my new logo on them, just to so that I can wear them.
Hence the reason, if you know me, this is posted everywhere.

So that I can see what people think. *sigh*

So if you view this blog AT ALL, or see the logo anywhere else, please tell me what you think about it.  I need to gage opinion before i get business cards and stuff printed out. Right, off to try and cool down for a bit, seeing as it is so so uncomfortably hot.

Ciao

A Cliff To Climb

I am still making steady progress on the mountain of work I need to have done within the next week. Today I completed 3 pages for Shaun's website. AND I finally managed to get a contact form sorted out, with the help of Paul.

So I have a bio page, which is just going to be writing, so I am planning that tonight at work, and will type it up when I get home. Then I have the portfolio, which will be done using 'lightbox', a javascript item, which gives your site a pop-out gallery thing. I have done Lightbox before, so I'm not really that worried, I will just fill it in with different colours untill Shaun gives me any images he wants to be in it.

So, that is a major unit, pretty much done. This one is important, because I know I have to design my own site, and get it online over the summer. So its good to know, I have only really come across one bump. And that was getting the contact form to display on the desired page. But that was more me, putting the wrong size for the container box (25555 px wide, when the site is 1028 px, d'oh). So yeah, me and Dreamweaver are good pals right now.

Going to be busy this weekend, need to try and get my t-shirt designs sorted and sent to the print shop, for pickup next  Saturday.  So yeah, get one thing done, but its not even a dent on what I still have to do. :S

I'm in overload

Sooo...progress from both sides today.

Got some more of Shaun's website designed, and its looking a wee bit better. It has a welcome banner and everything. So kinda happy that is getting somewhere. But nothing else is. :/

It's like I have so much to do, I don't know where to start. Most of it has to be in on Monday, and to be honest, that is kind of an unreachable target. *sigh*

But, I spoke to Caron, my tutor, today, and she showed me a bit about where the exhibition will be, and it looks a good space. And she said that I could put a few of my t-shirt designs up. So I need to have them ready to be picked up for next weekend, so they can be put in the exhibition come Monday/Tuesday. So I need to get the designs ready to be sent in by next Wednesday, so I can pick them up on Saturday. And at the moment they are still being finalised.

Graeme, web design tutor, told me about a company called Be Your Own Boss, where they partner with Scottish Enterprise, and they help people get their business off the ground. So I sent them an email, in hope that they will be able to help me.  I hope.

Way too much stuff going on right now. My brain is about 3 different places at once. :S

Stressfully Numb

Still stressed, and still not much further ahead. *sigh*

But I magically found time to do this :-



Isn't it brilliant how I always find time to blog. *rolls eyes* To be honest it does relax me, and helps me get out all my agro out. So I am half way through 'The History of New Media' which is good.
But because of my laptop's tendancy  to overheat itself, I ended up going on to Play.com and looking ath Laptop coolers. Saying that, it will make things a lot better, as my laptop will be able to site on my knee or my bed, and work without getting too hot.

So yeah.

Over Stressed

Today started off well. I went into college and did work on my Graded Unit. Was actually quite chuffed, cause I did a lot. Actually did about 12 pages of developement work. Which made me rather happy, and totally motivated about the project. So was happy, and for a change felt I had spent time in college well.

That was untill I went to Web Design, and completely wanted to cry. The class was so noisy, and something as simple as adding a contact form onto a website, did not work. *sigh* So I ended up in a two hour class, and the only outcome was that I wanted to kill myself :/

So I finished this afternoon, totally dejected and just wanted to go home.  Then, to top off my feeling of uselessness, I lost my bus pass. As in, I had it this morning, and now its gone. Where the issue is, that I have no money, and can't afford to go to either college or work. *sigh*

So I have such a headache cause of all this, and I just want to cry, everytime someone asks how I am doing.

Riot Graphics' Progress

After months of being static in where I want to go, with my work. I am now offically starting Riot Graphics as a business. 

I know what you're thinking, 'so what have you been doing this past year'. Well, to be honest, I have been trying the name out, and seeing what people think of it. And it has seen some good feedback and interest. Also, I have been at college *cough*. Seriously, I have. :P

What has started this, is that the clothing store I was in contact with, has contacted me saying that whilst they like my designs, they are not going to be able to print out the designs themselves. So, this means that I would have to pay for printing and send some prototypes, so that they can see what they look like.

To get these prototypes, I am going to have to order them from an online source. Which involves me sending them the designs, and them printing them for me. Ideally, I would love to screenprint them, but that is not going to be workable, given the amount of time that I have. Which is not very much, at all.

So, I am starting work on my business plan, and am going to start pricing up different resources which I will need. A business plan, shows what your company is, and where you expect it to be within the next year. You need to estimate turnover, and sort out taxes. It seems very complicated, and after reading over things, it seems like it is complicated. But you know what, the prospect of people paying for my work, is my motivation for this. I am so ready for this, can't bare college for another year.

Booyah Son!

Too much Red Bull [x]

Not enough sleep [x]

No college work done [x]

Wishing was out at pub [x]

That's all I need to say about my Friday, to be honest. I went to college, just to go to the pub. And then I had to come to work, when all I wanted to do was to get a pack of beer, and go home. :(

And then, I remember I am booked in for overtime tomorrow, when I could do with lying in. *sigh* The things we do for money. I supposed it is only four hours, and it IS time and a half. So it ends up at about £12 an hour. Which is good.

I mean, at least I get the chance to do overtime. A lot of people can't work, never mind work extra. So I guess, I should stop moaning, and just get on with it.

Ha. Me stop moaning, I can be a commedian. lol

No Happy

If you know me, then you are likely to know that I have been having issues, with a lot of my internet accounts being hacked. *sigh*

It all started with the college, and the fact that the majority of their PCs have been getting viruses, which are 'infostealers'. For the uniniciated, infostealers, steal info, like passwords, sites you visit, etc. Well, these viruses seem to be on the network, so every PC seems effected.

Well at the start of the week, I access my facebook, youtube and hotmail account, and my details were sent somewhere. Facebook  went on shut down, after someone tried to access my account from North America, when I am in Scotland.

If that was not enough, some dodgy emails were sent from my hotmail, my youtube videos were deleted and twitter password changed.

So last night, I went and changed all my details, and thought all would be ok. Well, today I recieved a call from Ticketmaster, saying they attempted to take a £400 bill out of my bank. I was raging. Then facebook locked me out AGAIN, then I went to YouTube, and all these animal sex videos were uploaded on my account. WTF!!!!!

To be honest, its making me very reluctant to using the college PCs for anything. But I know I need to. *AAAAARRRRGGGHHHH*

Brighter note, I passed a unit on digital imaging or something. Which is good. Also passed an animation test today. So progress is finally happening, well, progress of sorts

Muse-day

Another day gone, and another day closer to the unreachable deadline.

I went to college today, and got really, really frustrated with the fact that I couldn't get anything done. So everythings due in, and I have done nothing. *bangs head off wall*

My graded unit book does look pretty awesome, but its the general layout and not the volume of work which gives that appearance. Which is sad. I do love it though. Its like a wee child, so I want it to do well. (How sad do I sound?)

I'm gonna try and get some more drawings done tonight, for it, so that I can at least appear that I have done some developement. The horrible thing is that my other project is nowhere near this one. *sigh*

Talk about fail :(

Big wheels keep on rollin'...

Aye, so there's been no updates, due to crap internet, and crap me, being too busy to :P

Its approaching 1am and I am doing college work. Shocked? So am I.

But seriously, I am seriously close to just bombing this course because I haven't been bothered by anything the last few weeks. Which has just lead to me being a very stressed out Sue. *sigh* I do this every year. :( I wish I had more brainpower sometimes. It would be handy, for when I decide to go and watch videos rather than do college work. *She says as she blogs away*

I am an obsessive person, so things such as vlogging and blogging got in the way of me doing actual work. *sigh* But, again, I can't blame anyone but myself. I either work slowly, or I stress myself out to the point, I just stare at the PC, completely devoid of emotion. :( It's no good, like.

Anywho gonna put on SLC Punk, and do work when that is on. I have stuff to print out, and scanning to do. And stress lines to deepen across my forehead.  Wish me luck.

Today is Notsome

I am stressing. Again!

I have stuff due in for Gillian, from the first semester, where I went all stupid, and didn't hand things in :/

I also have to hand my Graded unit in for marking next week. The developement is where most of the score comes from, and do you want to know how much I have done? Absolutely sweet FA. :(

It's all my fault, I have been total uninspired over the last few days. Also next Thursday, I need my first animation finished, and all the paper work done, like my storyboards handed in, again, this is not done either.

So stressing out about that, and I come into work, to be told that my manager will listen to a few of my calls. :( I hate that, it makes me feel like everything I am doing will be scrutinised.

I suppose that needs to be done.

Hopefully I don't fuck it up too much. ButI know me, and I probably will make a complete disaster out of it.

I wish I was at home.

Music Reccomendation- Middle Finger Salute

Middle Finger Salute began in Blackburn, England in late 2005, aged just 15 and 13 at the time the band have now gone on to establish themselves firmly in the punk scene in the UK having toured the Easter Punk Feast 5 tour with Angelic Upstarts, Deadline, The Vibrators and Drongos For Europe, and holding support slots to bands such as Rancid, Buzzcocks, Stiff Little Fingers, Glen Matlock from The Sex Pistols, Towers of London, The Adicts, Sham 69 and many more.

The band have been on the bill for the last few years of Rebellion festival, a punk festival which occurs annually in the seaside resort of Blackpool, UK. And last year the band touring America as part of the Vans' Warped Tour, something which helped them gain an international following.

In 2010, the band are on the Warped Tour again, and will come back to the UK to feature at Rebellion.

Get more information of the band at http://middlefingersalute.co.uk

Free Mp3 Downloads

Middle Finger Salute- All The Way
Middle Finger Salute-Falling Down

Music News-05/05/10

Beastie Boys putting final touches to new album
Beastie Boys' Mike D has revealed that the band are on course to release their new album, 'Hot Sauce Committee Pt.1', this September. The album process was delayed when band member, Adam Yauch was diagnosed with cancer of the salivary gland in July 2009.
The album was fully recorded at the point Yauch was diagnosed, and has been sitting in post production since then.
Mike D has compared the progress to the growing of a fine wine. "We've been letting it age," he told Rolling Stone. "The writing is the growing of the grapes, and we've already macerated, and at this point, it's been living in a barrel and being stored in bottles in the cellar, and hopefully by September, we will uncork."
Yauch is currently making a good recovery, and although the band are making plans for a sequal album (Hot Sauce Committee Pt.2), this will depend on his condition.
(via www.nme.com

Avenged Sevenfold Make Live Return

Avenged Sevenfold will make their live return in August as part of the Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival.
It will be the Orange County metallers' first tour since the tragic death of their drummer, Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan, who passed away in December.
Avenged will coheadline the 36-date trek - which kicks off on August 17 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and concludes on October 4 in Wisconsin Madison - with labelmates Disturbed. Also on the bill are Stone Sour, Halestorm, Hellyeah and Airbourne.
(via www.kerrang.com)

NWA the movie?
After last years movie about The Notrorious B.I.G., Hollywood seems to be wanting to create biopics for Raps most famous stars, with movies about Tupac and Run-DMC already in production. Suprisingly enough, the movie will be called 'Straigh Outta Compton' after the groups' famous album. It will show the band as they work their way to fame from the underground.
It is suspected that Andrea Berloff (World Trade Center) will be writing the movie, whilst former NWA member, Ice Cube will take on the role as producer. The companies behind the movie are Ice Cubes very own Cube Vision Productions and New Line Cinema. Although no actors have been confirmed for the film, Eminem and Kenen Thompson (Kenan & Kel) are hotly tipped to land roles. I have to say, that if this happens, at all, then I would be very happy.
I just hope they do a better job than what Notorious was.
(via www.mtv.com)

Rome wasn't built in a day...

Good news, everybody.

I have made progress in three of my college projects, Graded Unit, Art & Design Project and Web Design.

I know this doesn't seem like very much at all, but I was working in college from 9am, seeing as I had no classes, it seemed like a good idea. Well, despite the fact that the college was so noisy, I still managed to get some work done. I am so happy,  because usually, the slightest noise is enough to throw me off, and my concentration levels plummet. 

I always seem to get motivated late, like way after I should. If I had worked like this throughout the year, then I would have been ok, and not late with anything. But, alas, I'm just not that perfect, so hence me rushing about like an idiot, last moment.  *rolls eyes*

But at least, it's a start

Recommendation: Dip Dap

Dip Dap are a punk band, which hail from Glasgow. They have played many gigs throughout the last few years, and they are a popular sight in the Glasgow/Edinburgh punk scene. Following the punk ideals, this band produce and sell their own albums and merch. They are constantly looking for gigs.

The current band line up, features Jen on guitar/vocals, Kipper-man on bass and Budgie on drums.

Dip Dap take influences from bands such as: Astrid Oto, Blatz, Tilt, Nirvana, Operation Ivy, Crimpshrine, Cleveland Bound Death Sentence, Fifteen and The Gr’ups.

visit the band at http.myspace.com/dipdappunk for more information including booking details.

I met Budgie and Jen in 2008 when we were queueing for the Eastpak Antidote Tour. I was first in line, and they came after. I have since met them at a few more gigs, including their own at Ivory Blacks in Glasgow. Very nice guys, and the amount of work they do, they really deserve this band to do well.

Free Dip Dap downloads
Dip Dap - What To Do
Dip Dap - Cheap Ass Beer
Dip Dap - Repeat
Dip Dap - Fool To Think

Music News 04/05/10

Blink 182 album to be completed this Summer
Blink 182 front man Tom DeLonge has spoken to the Chicago Tribune saying that the new Blink 182 album would be completed during this summer. In news which will thrill the band's loyal fans, DeLonge confirmed that the band were getting close to completing the long-awaited follow-up to the bands 2003 self-titled release.
Delonge also admitted that if it wasn't for the plane crash that almost killed drummer, Travis Barker, the band would not have reunited. The musician said 'if that accident hadn't have happened, then we wouldn't be in a band, pure and simple. It was fate'.
I guess you don't realise how much you need something, until it is almost taken from you. I am interested to see what the band have come up with.
(via www.kerrang.com)

DJ John Peel's son gets BBC Radio 6 show
The son of the late, great John Peel, Tom Ravenscroft, has been signed up to present a show on BBC Radio 6. People are bound to have large expectation of what Tom will come up with, especially seeing how loved and treasured his father was. For those who don't know, John Peel was BBC Radio 1's longest serving DJ (37 years) and is seen as launching the careers of Nirvana, The Pixes and hundreds more.
Tom will be taking over from, Iron Maiden front man, Bruce Dickenson, who has been with the station the 8 years since it's been launched.
6 Music editor,Paul Rodgers, has praised Tom for his musical knowledge, and feels the new signing will be a good omen for the struggling station.
Good luck to Tom, and I hope it all goes well when he starts his new job on 4th June.
(via www.BBC.co.uk)

Apple says bye bye to Lala
In December 2009 Apple purchased online music company Lala, and has caused a lot of conspiring in what it plans to do with the utilities the service has. Lala was an online music site, where users could upload music, and stream the songs through various devices. You could also buy songs to download, or buy 'web songs' which you bought for a lower price, but couldn't download to your PC.
This has caused a lot of chatter about itunes opening up a site where you can stream your itunes library from anywhere. This would be useful in that it would see Apple release apps for Android and Windows 7 Mobile phones. Some tech bloggers, have started calling the project 'itunes.com', but ever secretive Apple, doesn't seem to be wanting to give anything away before its annual conference in June. Although it should be mentioned, Lala will shut completely on May 31st, 1 week before the Apple conference in San Francisco.
This is some exciting news for user of the world's most popular media player. It would be great to be able to access my library over the web, but I am cautious that it could mean it could get hacked into.
(via www.informationweek.com)

Monday Monday

Hello. Another weekend has passed, and I haven't progressed any further in anything.

I did a lot of thinking, and came up with the idea of starting a music blog, as if I don't have enough to do. Its going to be filled with music news and recommendations.  I love music, so I thought that this would be the ideal way to spread some love. So done both the recommendation and News posts for today.
Check it out: http://musicholdall.blogspot.com

Also I have an article I am supposed to be sending into my works internal magazine. Its to try  and help raise the moral of people in the call centres. I think its is a fantastic idea, and am looking forward to seeing what I come up with. I think it is going to be written in a similar way as this. 

So I am going to vanish and get the 500 word thing typed up now, seeing as I have 40 minutes before I start my shift. And that will be one thing I can tick off my list as being 'done'.

Music News Update

Catchy title, I know.
But welcome to The Music Hold-All's first news update.
I am aiming to let the world see all the latest news on artists I care about.

Child 'killed' in M.I.A's video, defends the singer.

M.I.A's new video to accompany the song 'Born Free' has been hitting headlines all over the world, due to its violence. The video shows red headed people being collected up in some sort of military operation. Hamrick, who was shot in the head during the video, states that the message of the video is to 'show violence to end violence'. It is certain that this video was created with a message to get people to think of genocide, and actually acknowledge what's happening in the world. What do you think about the video.

M.I.A, Born FreeROMAIN-GAVRAS Vimeo.

Bono loses $140 Million In Palm
U2 front man, Bono, has lost a fortune which he invested in mobile phone company, Palm. In the space of a year, Palm share prices went from $18.09 to $5.70 in the space of a year. The shares were managed by Bono's investment company, Elevation Partners, and the deal has seen Bono lose a large part of the $320 million worth of shares, he has now lost.
Could not have happened to a nicer fella.

Johnny Depp to play Ozzy Osbourne in movie
Since Sharon Osbourne confirmed that were talks of turning her husband Ozzy's life into a movie, there has been speculation over who will play the Brummy rocker. Well bets are being made for Johnny Depp, to play the former Black Sabbath frontman. I have a feeling that the only reason Depp's name has been thrown forward as it is well known he can play a 'wasted person', after he played Jack Sparrow in Pirate's of the Caribbean. But I am unsure of whether Depp would be convincing enough as the God of Darkness. I guess time will show what will happen with this.

Recommendation: The Guilty Pleasures

The Guilty Pleasures are a punk band from Lancaster, England. They are influenced by bands such as Anti-Flag, Bad Religion and The Unseen. This band first came to my attention in 2008, when I heard of them through Rebellion Festival, which is an annual punk festival in Blackpool, England. Around about this time, word started to spread that these guys were fantastic live, and they were spotted in national magazines such as Big Cheese.

They began to get a lot of press when the recently received a KKKK review from Kerrang! magazine, currently the only alternative Rock weekly magazine in the UK. The also made an appearance on the Radio 1 punk show, which is a major thing for any band. BBC radio 1 is widely acknowledged for launching the careers of many a band. They have a successful history of championing bands, so that they get their deserved success.

To date the band have released two E.P.'s, 'Freedom Of Speech' and 'Think Of England'. And June 2008, they released their first full album, 'What Are We Fighting For?'. They have also supported bands like The Subhumans, UK Subs and MC Lars on tour. These guys are one of my favourite band, in the current wave of UK Punk, and they put on an amazing Live show. The band have a good energy and presence that the crowd thrives on. A definite must see for any punk fan.

Download The Guilty Pleasures- Kick In The Face MP3

Welcome

Welcome to this new project I have started to try and promote music news and bands I like.

I have decided that I would like to see a blog, which covers all my musical interests from 90s cheesy pop to black metal to classical. I love music and I hate at having to go to different sites to find all the news and information that I would like. So, I am trying to show a wide range of music interests.

I know it is going to be quite the challenge covering all forms of music, but as I said it will be mostly relevant to my tastes at the moment. Though if you are reading this and have any recommendations, then email them to me at Riot_Graphics@yahoo.co.uk.

Any recommendations or news will be credited no matter where it comes from.

Weekend Thinking

Ok, I thought that someone, somewhere decided that weekends were supposed to be relaxing. Well, NEWS FLASH, it's not.

I seem to be doing this thing right now, where I just stress myself out over nothing. Which is so unlike me *rolls eyes* So I have been stressing out, on how my internet seems to be falling in and out of connection, like nothing on earth. Which I can normally live with. But when I am trying to upload a video to youtube, especially when there are issues with the uploader. So yeah,been going kinda shouty at the computer for that.

Aside from that, I have been updating things. Also been shouting at Tumblr, as it has decided that it doesn't want to do things my way, and just balls up everything I do. In retrospect, it may be me who is malfunctioning and not the site, but I like being able to blame something else. Makes me feel better about my failure.

Good news, a talk to my mum today, kinda helped me decided that I may start freelancing alongside my pay-job. Because I am getting interest in relation to my work. Basically, how it is right now, is that I am doing a lot of work for myself and I am really enjoying it. I have been told reccently, that I have a good writing style, though I do blabber on a bit. But writing was something which came into my head when I was at school. But at the time I wanted to be a Veterinary Nurse or an Artist. And here I am, aged 26 looking to start of a business as a graphic designer.

But due to the popularity in online blogs and journalism, I could see that in my future? I don't know. The one thing is, the comments about my writing has got me really considering things like that. But, I know that through the last year or so, since I really got back into blogging, I know that my grammar has approved 100%. And I have also picked up touch-typing, which was one thing I couldn't do at school. I have no idea where I picked it up. To be honest, I think its because, right now, I seem to spend half my life in front of a computer, be it at work, college or at home.

I guess I just have a LOT of thinking to do. I mean, do I get myself working 9-5 trying to kick-start Riot Graphics? It seems like a good root, as I have a lot of pathways I could go down. Fingers crossed. The thing is, I don't know how I will act being self-employed. I really don't know if I have the discipline to do that without having it planned out for me.