Thankyou, Jack Black!!

I got a 2:2 for my degree.

When I started my course, I remember my tutor telling us about how Brighton students studying fine art cry if you get anything lower than a 2:1.
It’s pretty much a 1^st or nothing.

I didn’t cry.

Here are 5 reasons why:

1.   I gave up with the grade ages ago. I decided about a month into third year that I didn’t care about the grade. I wanted to make it through the year without dying. I made it…sort of.

2.  At the time I had a job that didn’t require my grade, just that I am creative…that fell through so not sure if it counts anymore.

3.   The amount I argued with my tutor, I’m surprised he didn’t fail me.

4.  I did better in my dissertation than my studio practice. Everyone is shocked at that one. F*** you dyslexia!!

5.   Finally!

 My main point. The only point for this blog post. I made the artwork I wanted. I created what made me happy. “Rock isn’t about getting an A” well neither is art. We paint because we love to. 

Unfortunately, that has to be graded at some point and unfortunately, that is in the hands of other people. Unfortunately for me, that decision was left in the hands of a person I did not see eye to eye with. Don’t try to control my creativity!! 

But, I did what I always do when authority pisses me off. I said f*** you and carried on making what I love.

I didn’t suck up to anyone. I didn’t change my art to please others.

 At least I can honestly say I love the art I made at the end. I really do. It makes me happy and that is all that matters.

What to do now?????

Get a tattoo expressing your anger for the system. That’s a punk thing to do!!

Hmm...

After All This Time, I'm Still Into You

After all this time, I’m still into you.

Bet everyone thought I’d write about My Chemical Romance before any other band.

HAHA

So, Paramore was never my favourite band growing up. GreenDay and MCR always came top of the playlist. I’d say they were my favourite female lead band (but, then again, Evanescence).

Side-note: Paramore is my sister's favourite band.

I’ve been thinking about Paramore a lot lately.

When I left home for uni, Paramore released their self-titled album – Paramore.

Their sound had changed. Not for the worse just not as “emo” – happier, maybe.

The album seemed to relate to the things happening in my life.

·      Leaving home to move to the big, bright city of Brighton.

·      Leaving family and friends behind.

·      Moving on

I remember it hitting me when I got off the train in Brighton on my way to a job interview before starting university.

The song “Daydreaming” came on my headphones and the lyrics

“It’s not that I won’t remember where I’m from,

Just don’t wanna be here no more,

It’s not enough”

It was a sunny day and in the distance, as I walked down Queens Road, I could see the sea shining bright blue in front of me.

With all the excitement and positive vibes from moving away from Ashford, those lines just struck a chord with me and the entire album sounded so different.

Other songs on the album that then meant so much more:

·      Grow Up

·      Ain’t it Fun

·      Be Alone

·      Last Hope

·      The Interludes: Moving on, I’m Not Angry Anymore and Holiday

·      Still Into You (but mostly because of mine and my sisters dance routine)

·      Anklebiters

I’ve named almost every song on the album…

My sister, being the super fan she is, told me the album was based around when Hayley moved away from home and growing up and stuff and thangs.

Hayley spoke to me

I was also lucky enough to go see them on the Self-Titled UK Tour they did following this album with my sister and best friend Lauren, funnily enough, the day before I moved to Brighton.

It was amazing!!

Of course, this was not the first time Hayley just seemed to understand.

I mean she was basically the leader for all 14-year-old emo girls everywhere.

With her flicky orange hair, making it cool to be ginger.

We all wanted our hair to be that flicky.

You could say she inspired my wacky coloured hair obsession but that was all me.

We all wanted to go to school and copy her in the Misery Business video.

Songs that meant something to me:

·      Hallelujah (first song I ever heard)

·      Hello Cold World (more association for now)

·      Brighter

·      Born for this

·      Playing God

·      Brick by Boring brick

·      All We Know

·      Fences

Among others, that escape my mind right now.

A little way into uni, my sister introduced me to another song, “Tell Me it’s Okay”, which is basically summed up growing up.

It’s tricky to choose lyrics that really show what I mean so you can just listen to it yourself...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-da28p8B2o

It’s so true…

You were a miserable emo kid through school but it’s okay to grow and be a bit happier now.

All I’m really trying to say is Paramore and their music grew with me and I’m hoping other people around my age feel the same. 
We’re fucking lucky to have that.

I know my sister is definitely jealous of that.

Just want to throw this in here but after all these years competing with Hayley over hair colour she has finally released her own range of hair dye - GoodDyeYoung.

I am too excited to use it!!! It better be good, I’ve been waiting too long for this!!!