Advertising Campaign: Orange

My dad recieved junk mail from Orange (mobile phone carrier) and I thought it was awesome.





Its taken the spin that kids moaning is like a broken record, so it is a paper sleeve (which acts as an envelope with address on the back) with a carboard record inside. The record is scratched, and has a label which is 'dad can you top-up my phone' by the Kids. And this side is a total mock-up of a regular record, and the back is the advert about phones.

This is the best mailer I have seen in a long time, and it works well, as I think the unique style of it, will draw customers. in.

Hey dudes.

Again, very little to say without me going into a massive rant about the suckiness of life.
So have some pictures of some awesome pictures.

Disturbed-Asylum


Green Day- 21st Century Breakdown shirt (I know people hate them, but it is a cool desigh)


LOL :)

Not much to say, so have some tuneage.

Means exactly what it says.
Gonna post some videos of what I have been listening to today.

Minor Threat- Stand Up


Bad Brains- Give Thanks and Praise

What time is it?

Umm...I was going to go an plan this big intellectual blog, but realised I have to get ready soon for work. -.-

So, I am running around like an idiot. Been trying to get some sketchbook work done, but never got very far. I have been having issues sleeping, so I have no energy for anything.  And that's about it.

So, in lack of anything better to say, have some vidjeos. First one is Good Charlotte (feat Harlow) being all nice and happy. *still peeved that 'everywhere' does not include UK or Ireland, cheers guys, really*



Also, jQuatchi (one of my fave vlog channels) is 1 years old today. So we have Yan and Jon baking cakes. *Note- Jon replied to me on twitter and I screamed in pure joy. I am THAT kinda person*

Motivation such an aggrivation

What is happening?

I am so lazy right now. It feels like everything I am attempting to draw is so bad right now. And more often or not, I get fed up and just give up. It's so frustrating.

It also feels strange that I am not going back to college this year. All the people I have spent the last few years with are either going back, or going elsewhere. 4 years in a row I went to college, and it really did change my life.

Before I went to college I had a few friends, but 1 really close friend who treated me like crap. But college helped me meet a lot more people who I had a lot in common with. And it kinda helped me make proper friends, and feel a bit more appreciated. I now have people who I trust a lot in my life, and it makes me feel better about me.

Which leaves me a bit gutted, cause that period of my life is over. But its on to the next chapter, and hopefully it will go as well as the one that's just closed. Fingers crossed.

Death of the Interweb

Ok, slight exaggeration.

But yesterday my internet router packed in. It won't even power up anymore. It wasn't a progressive thing, it just died. So most of my online activities have been placed on hold, as I can't access anything. :(

This sucks when I am trying to start off work things. Luckily thanks to my Blackberry I can still email people and view stuff over that, but I still can't access large websites. So if anyone wants to contact me about work, either contact me on twitter or email me.

Better news, I entered a competition at my work to take photographs about the arts where you live. Basically you send like an application for it, and 5 people get chosen to take pictures for the competition. The person with the best photos will win a trip to London, where they will get a professional photography lesson. It seems a really great opportunity. So fingers crossed, it goes well.

The Future's Still Unwritten

Noone knows what is going to happen.

Which although seems a simple concept, it can be controversial, especially when religion comes into it. Some religions believe that you have a pre-destined path to take, like someone has already written the plot-line to your life. I guess some people find that idea uplifting, but I find it really depressing.

To think that no matter what you do in your life, that someone else has already planned your life out? How can that be anything but depressing?

I am of the belief that the only person who can decide how your life pans out, is yourself. The reason, I think, that people tend believe that something else is controlling their fates, as if something goes wrong, then they can shift blame from themselves.

People like to wash their hands of responsibility.

But then people will pray to God, in some hope that He will change their life. I'm sorry, but if you don't stand up and do something for yourself, then how can you be stupid enough to think things will change? But people obviously do, and then blame other people for their own failures. That is just passing the buck.

Take responsibility, go out and make your life yours. Because as the, very inspirational, Hannah Montana says: 'Life's what you make it'. If your life is a mess its noone's fault but your own.

Techwaffle

Like tech/mobile phone news delivered to you with a comedic twist?

Well check out Jon Quatchi's Techwaffle site.

Jon used to do Vlogs for Tehkseven, a popular phone site which gave away free themes, and such. He has recently left the successful Tehkseven to start of his own project, Techwaffle. Here he still does his vlogs on mobile news, but he also does things like humourous cartoons.

The Best Way To Combat iPhone 4 Reception Woes


I came across Jon when he did his Phonage vlogs for Tehkseven, and loved his style. Although you'd think that talking about phone specs and software releases may seem pretty boring, Jon has a way of keep the information interesting and fun. It is obvious that all his videos are planned out, with him using various techniques to get a lot of laughs.



Visit Jon on http://techwaffle.net

Vloggiez

No I didn't forget about doing vlogs, I just had this thing called a life, which is why a lot of my reccent blogs have been posted via Mr Blackberry.  Soooo...watching would be appreciated. Also, if you have a youtube account, I sub back.

Blink And You'll Miss It

Ok, I was going to try and do this big deep and meaningful post, but I can't do it. I just want to write about Blink 182 and how awesome they were at the Glasgow SECC last night. Although I only arrived 2 hours before the doors opened, still got to the barrier.

The Setlist

1. Dumpweed
2. Feeling This
3. The Rock Show
4. What’s My Age Again?
5. Violence
6. I Miss You
7. Stay Together For The Kids
8. Down
9. Always
10. Stockholm Syndrome
11. First Date
12. Man Overboard
13. Don’t Leave Me
14. Not Now
15. All The Small Things
16. Reckless Abandon
17. Josie
18. Anthem Pt2

19. Encore:
19. Travis’ Solo
20. Carousel
21. Dammit

Also. Travis Barker? Best drummer in the world. No arguements. I have no idea how the man isn't terrified of heights, cause I would be, after all he's been through. But the drum solo he did during the encore. Never seen anything like it EVER.



(video from the Aberdeen show on Monday, but couldn't find one from the Glasgow show)

Apparently the crowd was really bad. Honestly, I didn't notice. There was pushing, and I was squashed against the barrier, to the point I couldn't get into my bag to get my camera. Gutted. Could have got some awesome pictures. And people compaining cause beer was getting thrown?!? What have they never been to a gig before. But the floor was slippery, and a lot of people fell over, which in a hall filled with 10,000 people, is no good thing. So a lot of people (mostly young girls) were pulled out.

When I thought I was never going to see Blink again, the fact that I got to see them, was good enough. But they never missed a beat, both Tom Delonge and Mark Hoppus keeping up a great level at banter. Both guys were so funny. Even Mark with the 'thanks to Jedward for letting us cover their song', before 'All The Small Things'. And little ad-libs during songs, which were probably rehearsed like crazy, but were so funny.

I just wish I knew that they would be back again, because I would relive that gig in a heartbeat.

The only pitfalls, are the floor of the arena, which is this rubbery stuff. Awesome when its dry, but a few spilt drinks and it turned into an ice rink. The SECC need to do something about that, cause I think that was the main reason so many people fell in the pit.

Sue goes fangirl

Yeah, I doubt this has any interest of anyone other than me.

First, Good Charlotte's new song 'Counting the days'. Queue me squealling like a pained cat for most of yesterday.


And for the fact that I am seeing Blink 182 tonight, have a video of them live at Madison Square Gardens, New York.

giggage

What's the best thing about being an avid music fan?

Gigs! I love going to see a band live and the anticipation it brings. You get to meet other fans and usually make some new friends.

I am going to see Blink 182 tomorrow, after much to-ing and fro-ing. They are playing at the SECC in Glasgow, after playing Aberdeen tonight. After not seeing the band for years, I am so excited.

Planning on going through tomorrow, but I know some people are heading through tonight. Yeah, I wouldn't mind doing that if i was staying in Glasgow, but I'm not, so just going through in the afternoon. Still gonna be epic though. XD

Music Recomendation: 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

I've Been Workin'

So been busy.

I'm at the point where I am half way through my website, which I am pretty pleased about. But I have been spending a lot of my holiday with friends and family, which is something I don't often get a chance to do. But with me not going to college next year, I am aiming to use all my free time during the day to work on websites and other projects.

Due to my financal status, I am planning on using the next few years to do small scale work and get my business plan in gear. I hope that by the time I am in a better situation, I will be getting more work through the door. Because at the moment, it is hard getting enough work to properly start my business.

Luckily I still have the evening job, so that has made the situation of earning through my work, not quite so bad. And it is also allowing me to take opportunities, such as working towards blog sponsorship (which is a possibility) in the coming months. I am also in a position, where I am working towards showing in an exhibition next year, which would be awesome.

So things are moving, and the next year or so will be deciding the best way to move further. Exciting times in the life of Sue.

FREEDOM

Freedom! What gives you that sense where you feel completely free?

For me, it's music. It is something that moves me so much. Whether I am listening to Tchaikovsky or N Dubz or Slayer, music is just so expressive.

Me and Gemma were talking about it yesterday. Because music is written from the heart and involves emotions, it easily effects other people emotionally. So because it's based on emotion, it should also be open to interpretation. Compared to how a person is feeling, or what they have been through, they may think differently about a song. And artists should be able to accept this.

If people expect their work to be accepted on an emotional level, then they should be aware that people may view it differently. But that's why I love music so much. It is all open to how I feel, not what others say its about.

Throughout history music has been used to voice opinion when people feel like they have no voice. In states which people feel as if their rights have been. taken away, they often rebel through art such as music. It is a way to get their voices heard. And this sense of unity, as the music brings people together, make the opinion louder.

With the UK on the cusp of becoming depressed under Tory rule, there is great expectations that the underground music scene will become more active again. With the unlimited amount of cutbacks getting pushed forward by government, people will feel jaded.

Because you can use music to describe anything, it will always have a sense of freedom, wherever the music itself comes from.

Rebellion 2010 ---A Playlist

I have been talking to a lot of people about my experiences in Blackpool at Rebellion festival. With the type of festival that it is, other than a few bands, most people have never heard of a lot of the bands. Well, people I know, don't know the music I listen to.

So as a way, of spreading the love for the music that I enjoy, so I have created a playlist for the bands I have been raving about seeing at the festival. It's full of 14 of my favourite bands of the weekend.

1-Slaughter & The Dogs- Where Have All The Bootboys Gone
2-The King Blues- Save The World, Get The Girl
3-The Aggrolites- Dirty Reggae
4- Sonic Boom Six- City Of Theives
5- Radio Dead Ones- Take It On Trust
6- Stiff Little Fingers- Johnny Was
7- Big D & The Kids Table- L.A.X.
8- Goldblade- Strictly Hardcore
9- UK Subs- Stranglehold
10- GBH- Race Against Time
11- Discharge- Realities Of War
12- Bad Religion- I Want To Conquer The World
13- Subhumans- Mickey Mouse Is Dead
14- Gallows- In The Belly Of A Shark

I have built this playlist over on Spotify, so check it out:
http://open.spotify.com/user/casualties_army/playlist/79Vq7ptpsvJn2Tb62yZaXX

Money made?

I'm sure everybody reading this has had poor service at one time or another. But what is it that makes the service so poor?

Most of the time its because customers aren't fully informed. People feel that they aren't always told the correct information, when they speak to a company. Surely that is ridiculous, how can you give the money you earned to a company you don't trust?

But nowadays, people are forced to accept these problems, as they HAVE to deal with companies. For instance, it is no longer possible for you not to have a bank account, whether you are on the dole, get a pension or work. Because money is now deposited automatically and controlled by the banks, and other companies. Too many people in this country never get to see a penny they have earned, because money is paid in and out of their bank account without them doing anything. We are forced into having bank account, because that's how everything is done these days.

What about the people who don't agree with the banks and how they act. There is no opt out. The banks earn millions of pounds day for looking after OUR MONEY. How is that fair? How is that looking after people? And to make things worse, you have issues and a change of circumstances, and you are punished with charges on your money. The banks run the world, because WE fund them.

I think that the economic crash, which has been going on for the last few years. The banks poor invested OUR money, lost it all, and the economy crashed. So you would think that governments would learn, and would give people more choice. But no, if anything they want to increase peoples' reliance on the banks. That will not solve anything long term, and eventually there will be another crash.

We need to find a stable, better model for our society to run off. It is something that would take years, even decades to sort out, and I don't even l know where we could go. Just it is obvious that the current model hasn't worked, so we should look at something else to make our country successful, rather than just money.

But that is something that businesses and governments need to decide. Due to how society is now operated, a single person no longer has the choice to operate 'cash in hand'. How is it correct that people are not allowed to take full control of their own money. If we can sort that out, I believe a lot of other things will follow.

To view more views on the state of our world, visit adbusters.

http://adbusters.org

...and the roof went off.

Bad Religion.

That band was amazing last night. Thanks to Rebellion, I have seen many of my musical heroes in the last few years. And if that isn't inspirational, I don't know what is.

There was a section yesterday, where John Robb (Goldblade, The Membranes) interviewed Charlie Harper (UK Subs). Charlie Harper has been playing music since 1965, and he is still going strong. That in itself is inspirational, but when he starts talking about things such as borrowing The Rolling Stones kit for a gig, it hits you how much this guy has done. UK Subs started in 1975, and they do still pretty much continously.

Makes me sad that Charlie doesn't get any respect from general music fans, in fact most of them don't even know he exists. I mean Charlie has some amazing stories about a fantastic career.

Bad Religion get endless praise and most fans of rock music have at least heard of them. But Charlie and the UK Subs, don't get all that much. I suppose it would be great if all bands got the same attention. But, hearing Charlie talk, he seems satisfied with the level he is at, as he says you either stick with your art, or you do it for money.

How can you not respect someone who has that ethic, and is still making music after so long? Mr Harper deserves the respect of music fans and the industry, alike.

I am feeling very motivated right now, thanks to Rebellion and guys like Charlie Harper, who I spoke to yesterday and he was so nice.

Punk does that, inspires you to do what you want, live life to own your rules.

You can pick up life lessons almost anywhere, it's all about your state of mind. If you are in a bad mood, then it is often hard to find anything enlightening. But that's where I think music is different. Songs can effect your mood, you can't say that for a lot of things. But because music involves someone's emotion just to create it, so I figure that is why it effects people so much. I mean, I have albums that I listen to when I'm depressed, happy or angry.

I think if the musician writes and plays from their heart, then someone will always become connected to the song. But what I love about music, is the sharing aspect. If you like a band, share it with your friend. Word by mouth is how most rock bands get more attention.

So do music a service and share your favourite bands with friends. Because without fans recommending bands, there wouldn't be much of a music industry. If you get a copy of an album from a friend, go see that artist live and buy some merch. Get the money to the bands, and not to the suits.

Fuck the record companies, trying to force money out of someone elses art.

So before I go, check out the UK Subs, and be inspired.

What Makes A Fan

So, think you're a fan?

If the answer is yes, whether it be music, sport or anything, then you would have most likely been told that you aren't a real fan. Sucks don't it? Who are they to decide you aren't a fan?

Shouldn't it be as simple as you are a fan, as long as you like a particular thing. But, things are never that simple.

I think it is another case of people liking to put themselves on a higher peg than other fans. Almost as if that makes them a bigger fan, because they say that you are not so good as them.

I can think about this in two ways, in which that happens to me.

First, is the Good Charlotte fandom. No matter how much you buy or go and see the band, someone will always try to out-do you. People seem very quick to dismiss other GC fans. We take pride in calling ourselves a big family, but some people seem to be spiteful about that. Its like, 'I don't visit GC.com, cause its filled with posers'. Yes, I have actually heard that. People refusing to go to the bands actual site, as if doing so gets them some kind of merit badge.

The way I look at it, the fandom (whatever the subject) is there to act like a community for the fans. So it should allow people to express themselves. And as long as you don't say anything negative, you can express yourself. The moment you say something against what one of the band members has done, you are immediately told you are not a fan. This isn't how a family should react. I do believe that its just people trying to heighten their self-importance.

Another area where I have felt this superiority complex, is the punk scene itself. As soon as I declare my love for the afore mentioned band, I get told I know nothing about punk. No matter what bands I have gone to see, or who I listen to, one band makes me not punk.

That's the issue with punk, there's too many idiot elitists, who believe the only true punk is that of the 70s and 80s, and that anyone who is under 30 and a part of the scene is a poser. I find this ignorant, I mean I doubt that punk festivals like Rebellion (where I am now) would be here, if there wasn't young blood going into the scene. I think that a lot of the original punks, don't want the scene to change, and just reject anything new. There is a few ignorant teenagers who feel they know all about punk, and say punk is dead. I say its ignorant, because I don't think the mindset of punk, will never die. People are always trying to better themselves and make things happen. Maybe it's just something I pick up from punk *shrugs* But I have talked about that before.

So. What's the moral of the story? Like what you like, fuck everyone else!

Music taste, personality trait

Because, I am at a music festival this weekend, it was kind of obvious that I would be talking about music. But I have been thinking about what music says about your personality.

Everyone knows that music creates stereotypes, like listen to Oi! you are a racist thug, listen to happy hardcore dance music, you are a scummy scrounger. I suppose it all has to do with our natural instincts of classifying things. Almost as if, we feel less afraid of something if we put it in its place. This sounds very stupid, but its not like anyone thinks about it. We have to make a genuine effort to not jump to conclusions on someone. And it's not as easy as it seems.

The best way for someone to stop jumping to conclusions on people, is to think if that's the way you want to be treated. If you don't like people judging you, then don't judge them. Simples.

But because of the very nature of music, then surely it can effect the way a person acts. For instance, dip your toes into the Good Charlotte fandom for a minute, and you'll see the most dedicated fans in the world. Why are they so dedicated? Because most of them feel that Good Charlotte has inspired them to get through another day. I'm sure that when people start bands, they don't ever think that they will be deemed saviours of their fans.

All music has an effect on someone, which is what makes a song effective. No matter what the music, even if you don't like it, for it to even be published, it needs to effect someone. But even 'hating' a band, means that said band has effected you in someway, so they are doing their job. People choose what they like because it goes in line with their mood.

It is actually a proven fact (read it somewhere) that people who listen to heavy metal and angry music, tend to be more balanced individuals, who are in tune with their feelings. Then it is also said people who listen to nothing but pop music, set unreachable goals and avoid conflict. Of course, this is all stereotyping, but it is an interesting thought.

Me? I am a big fan of punk rock. It has given me a sense of self, a place to belong. I am longer afraid to do what I want. That sense of motivation comes from being sick letting others decide what I want to do. I wouldn't be where I am today without punk. From Blink 182, to The Sex Pistols to Discharged, punk is the soundtrack to my life, and I wouldn't skip a single track.

Almost Normal

I kind of touched on this yesterday, but I love the feeling of normality that you get around people who are similar to yourself. The feeling that I'm not strange for liking the things that I do.

When I'm at this festival (Rebellion punk festival), I am not as out-there as some of the people here. Its a strange feeling, that as soon as I walk out out the venue and onto the street, out come the stares and whispered comments. The reactions themselves don't bother me as much as they used to, in fact I get a sense of satisfaction about it. But sometimes its nice to not have bitchy whispering behind my back. I like that there is no negativity that comes with me being myself.

How much does that say about our society? We are encouraged to be ourselves, but then mocked for doing so. People are still so closed up in their opinions of others that they get all defensive when they see someone act differently to themselves. But this festival, there is none of that. The place is so friendly, and anyone is welcome. Be yourself because that is what punk is about, and to me, festivals like this celebrate that fact.

Forget the trends, fuck what anyone else says, listen to good music and unashamedly be yourself.

Have a good Friday everybody.

Welcome to Blackpool.

First day at Blackpool has been brilliant.

This year looks to be the busiest, if today is anything to go by. Thursdays are generally the quietest day of the festival, with a lot of people not coming till the Friday.

The place is looked upon as a massive punk rock reunion, and I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that is always a highlight of my year. People fly in from all over the world to the festival, as it always seems to manage both a great atmosphere and a fantastic lineup.

Some thing that also really amazes me is the variety of people here. There is no set age for the festival, you have a few guys in their 70s, and then the 16 year olds. It also seems to be popular with families, with loads of mohawked kids running around playing tig. Although most people have unusual hair and band shirts, there is no dress code and anyone is welcome. And it all means that everyone feels welcome and there is an awesome atmosphere.

Bands I've seen already today include The Kirkz, Rebel City Radio and Charred Hearts. A bit upset that Middle Finger Salute are on the same time as The Restarts, but that is life, I guess.

Oh well, gonna go and find my pint.

CHEERS

Blackpool- I have arrived

Me and My Blackberry

A few weeks ago, I got a new phone, seeing as my poor old Nokia had gone on strike due the neglect it received. Poor thing.

So when thinking of a new phone, I decided I needed something which would enable to answer emails and so things, such as blog, when I am on the move. Yes, you read that right. I blog a lot, so it is a relief to me that I can do it easily from my phone. So, I was advised that maybe I should get a Blackberry, as they are ace at things like that.

So a few weeks ago, I renewed my contract and got a Blackberry Bold 9700. I thought I would leave it a few weeks before I posted a proper verdict on the phone. And after a few weeks, I need to say that I am shocked at how well the phone fits into my life. I can now see why people say that smartphones are the future of people surfing online and things.

The first that concerned me, was the QWERTY keypad, as I initially thought it might be a bit small. But due to each key been angled in such a way so that all the keys are reachable, it is a practical size.

It does everything else just as well as any other phone, such as texting and calling. The apps available for the phone have been really good quality, and again very easy to use. The only app I had an issue was OpenBeak, which refused to upload tweets 75% of the time. I then switched to UberTwitter, which is flawless. The only other app which I was disappointed in, was the LiveJournal one, which takes you to the LJ mobile page, which sometimes just refuses to post entries. I am hoping someone comes up with a good one soon.

I got the phone on a 24 month contract with O2, for £25 with unlimited texts and 300 minutes. You seem to get more for your money, than what you used to.

Overall, I am very happy with O2 and RIM for giving me such a brilliant phone at this awesome tariff.

Music Makes The World Go Round

Tomorrow, I am away on holiday. I'm going to Blackpool for the Rebellion music festival.

It's a punk festival, that I have been to the last few years. It is always really good and I get to see some fantastic bands. I mean this year, I get to see Stiff Little Finger again, and also Bad Religion. The atmosphere at the festival is always really amazing, and it's like being near people similar to myself. It's almost like a family.

I'm going to try and take a load of photos, and also take my sketchbook to do some work. I seem to be really inspired when I am down there. Which is awesome.

God, I am all excited.