I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for reading this and any other posts of mine over the last year-ish. I've now made the decision to combine my this and my other blog together to form my new writing haven Storm and Fox. I will disable dreaming-of-blue-skies (all the dashes were getting annoying) in due course but I would like to invite you all to subscribe to my new blog. The Top Three will continue, and will be inter placed with other excerpts you hopefully will enjoy!
Thanks again, and please welcome to the world, Storm and Fox!
Alannah x
Saturday, 3 September 2011
Friday, 2 September 2011
02-09-11 My Sincerest Apologies
To not keep up to date with proceedings is so unlike me. My defence? It's been a CRAZY few months (A Levels, Travelling, Teqila Times and preparing to leave home in two weeks!) Anyway, with my new super-whizzy phone arriving in a matter of days all my blogs should be back in action, and back for good (hope you're also singing Take That.
Starting (again) as I mean to continue with a special one... Alannah's Top Three - Summer 2011
1. ROUND GLASSES
3. SUMMER SUMMARY IN ONE AND A HALF MINUTES
PEACE, ALANNAH
Starting (again) as I mean to continue with a special one... Alannah's Top Three - Summer 2011
1. ROUND GLASSES
Ignore the posing, I've been working (not particularly) hard with my photographer friend this summer to work on her portfolio and get me out of the house. This image was taken close to Nissi Beach, Ayia Napa, last month. Look closely and you'll see those curvy frames. I'm on my fourth pair now (two are now resting in peace in my drawer in the vain hope that they'll magically recover from their wounds), so it's fair to say we've teetering on the cliff edge looking down at the sea of obsessive circular glasses purchasing.
Photo by Helena Rose Taylor http://www.flickr.com/photos/helenaaataylor/
2. PATTIE BOYD
Her autobiography, 'Wonderful Today' kept me highly entertained for several days on a family cruise this summer. She details her childhood in Kenya, her lifestyle in the emerging hip London scene in the early 1960s as well as her marriages to George Harrison and then Eric Clapton which placed her as the muse for songs including Something, Layla and Wonderful Tonight. She's down-to-earth and heart-wrenchingly honest about her youth and her marriage breakdowns. It was impossible to be tear-free at various points (not one for the daily commute, unless you want to secure an extra seat for your bag).
3. SUMMER SUMMARY IN ONE AND A HALF MINUTES
A lazy third choice? Perhaps. But nothing sums up my summer more than this video. The clothes, the music, the attitude. Enjoy, I'm all out of words.
NB. Another great one and half minute summer summary is Norgaard by The Vaccines, the new single from my current most-listened-to album What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? To be completely honest, I could have a separate blog just to explain my love for this band.
PEACE, ALANNAH
Friday, 21 January 2011
judgment day is hopefully not in exactly four months
UNO - Poetry.
It's an under-appreciated artform these days. Here are two of my favourites:
> Sir Phillip Sydney. Anyone that can compound four words and produce "long-with-love-acquainted eyes" is a genius in mine.
>Jim Morrison. My first crush, and here's why:
in terms of poetry, knock yourself out here: http://www.poemhunter.com/song/an-american-prayer-hour-for-magic-freedom-exists/
DOS - The Maya
Reading apocolyse theories is a passion of mine, along with forming rhyming couplets for sinister words (e.g mutiliate and facilitate, scream and dream). Anyway, I read a (hopefully) crazy Christian theorist's blog which cites May 21st 2011 as Judgement Day, with the Earth being engulfed in a chip pan fire on October 21st. Yes, I added the chip pan bit for laughs, but reading doomsday theories regularly is enough to at least mildly depress the Easter Bunny. Therefore, in a slight snub of my own religion, I have selected the Mayan prophecies as one of my top three favourite things. The reason is fairly simple: we have more time. BRING ON DECEMBER 2012.
P.S. This girl is great. She genuinely brought a tear to my eye when I should have been revising last weekend. It's a lengthy one, but worth a watch.
TRES - Finishing Exams
It doesn't matter if you fail, at least you don't have to revise/feel guilty for not revising anymore. THERE IS NOTHING MORE YOU CAN DO. So start raising funds for another retake, or commence revision for the June series.
It's an under-appreciated artform these days. Here are two of my favourites:
> Sir Phillip Sydney. Anyone that can compound four words and produce "long-with-love-acquainted eyes" is a genius in mine.
>Jim Morrison. My first crush, and here's why:
in terms of poetry, knock yourself out here: http://www.poemhunter.com/song/an-american-prayer-hour-for-magic-freedom-exists/
DOS - The Maya
Reading apocolyse theories is a passion of mine, along with forming rhyming couplets for sinister words (e.g mutiliate and facilitate, scream and dream). Anyway, I read a (hopefully) crazy Christian theorist's blog which cites May 21st 2011 as Judgement Day, with the Earth being engulfed in a chip pan fire on October 21st. Yes, I added the chip pan bit for laughs, but reading doomsday theories regularly is enough to at least mildly depress the Easter Bunny. Therefore, in a slight snub of my own religion, I have selected the Mayan prophecies as one of my top three favourite things. The reason is fairly simple: we have more time. BRING ON DECEMBER 2012.
P.S. This girl is great. She genuinely brought a tear to my eye when I should have been revising last weekend. It's a lengthy one, but worth a watch.
TRES - Finishing Exams
It doesn't matter if you fail, at least you don't have to revise/feel guilty for not revising anymore. THERE IS NOTHING MORE YOU CAN DO. So start raising funds for another retake, or commence revision for the June series.
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
happy flu year
hola and feliz años nuevo! sadly stuck at home and off college. what i thought was a bitch of a hangover turned out to be flu. therefore, my top 3 (and literary ability) is slightly warped...
1. LEMSIP
the best hug in the world, and my current substitute for alcohol.
2. In the Night Garden
traditionally aimed at young children of pre-school age who won't go to sleep, it's my current substitute for education.
also, it has the most beautiful theme tune in the world, which has the possibility of making a fantastic wedding song. i don't care if i lose all credibility...
3. Moody Blues - Go Now
at least one of my New Year Top 3 should actually be good/sensible. my most listened to song (according to spotify) this week. takes us back to a simpler time. paracetemal is affecting my sentence length and complexity, so i'm taking the easy option and posting a video (i am completely in love with this song, however). excellent for when you need a substitute for In the Night Garden.
1. LEMSIP
the best hug in the world, and my current substitute for alcohol.
2. In the Night Garden
traditionally aimed at young children of pre-school age who won't go to sleep, it's my current substitute for education.
also, it has the most beautiful theme tune in the world, which has the possibility of making a fantastic wedding song. i don't care if i lose all credibility...
3. Moody Blues - Go Now
at least one of my New Year Top 3 should actually be good/sensible. my most listened to song (according to spotify) this week. takes us back to a simpler time. paracetemal is affecting my sentence length and complexity, so i'm taking the easy option and posting a video (i am completely in love with this song, however). excellent for when you need a substitute for In the Night Garden.
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
Crazy Spanish Bands, Girl Power Lyrics & My Fringe
Alannah's Top 3
1. CRYSTAL FIGHTERS
Anyone that can merge dubstep and ancient basque instruments (I'm talking bashing blocks of wood and stones together) gets my vote. Crystal Fighters is a prime example of the reason I always make the effort to pay attention during support bands, rather than swaying around the bar. After some research I found they have a rather interesting history. The band formed after the lead singer found her late grandfather's eccentric diary in his home in northern Spain. It included details of an opera he was writing, called Crystal Fighters of course. Anyway, touring currently with Foals, I was fortunate enough to see them dancing like pagans in Brighton last night. Picture the druids at Stone Henge with electronica, and you're getting close.
www.myspace.com/crystalfighters
Sorry, I couldn't pick my favourite!
2. THE LIKE'S LYRICS
Few girl bands do very much to express the real modern day role and lifestyle of women as well as The Like. I would simply like to thank them for the girl power, and document a few of my favourite lyrics.
-"when I'm through with him he will be wishing he was dead" (Wishing he was dead)
-"Takes a flash to figure it out
But in your memory you might find some holes
Oh, like the last 6 hours
That made you realize you're sleeping on the floor
On someone else's floor" (Walk of Shame)
-"Hello stranger, what is your name?
And can you tell me where we are
Oh god oh no. Tell me we didn't... Oh
Thank god ok well now I've gotta go
I've gotta get home" (Walk of Shame [again, but it just makes me laugh so much])
3. HAIRSPRAY
I'm 18, and I think I've just discovered hairspray (NOT the musical/film/excuse for mothers to gaze at Zac Efron while treating their daughters). As a result, I am now holding less negative feelings towards winter. I have a fringe, you see and it's naturally curly (not as reminiscent of a bird's nest like the rest of my mane)and this causes problems EVERY time it rains. Problematic in the UK. But now I feel liberated! It is not a perfect hold, but it is sufficient, and after Day 1 of gale force winds and torrential downpours, the curling is minimal. Bring on the hurricanes.
1. CRYSTAL FIGHTERS
Anyone that can merge dubstep and ancient basque instruments (I'm talking bashing blocks of wood and stones together) gets my vote. Crystal Fighters is a prime example of the reason I always make the effort to pay attention during support bands, rather than swaying around the bar. After some research I found they have a rather interesting history. The band formed after the lead singer found her late grandfather's eccentric diary in his home in northern Spain. It included details of an opera he was writing, called Crystal Fighters of course. Anyway, touring currently with Foals, I was fortunate enough to see them dancing like pagans in Brighton last night. Picture the druids at Stone Henge with electronica, and you're getting close.
www.myspace.com/crystalfighters
Sorry, I couldn't pick my favourite!
2. THE LIKE'S LYRICS
Few girl bands do very much to express the real modern day role and lifestyle of women as well as The Like. I would simply like to thank them for the girl power, and document a few of my favourite lyrics.
-"when I'm through with him he will be wishing he was dead" (Wishing he was dead)
-"Takes a flash to figure it out
But in your memory you might find some holes
Oh, like the last 6 hours
That made you realize you're sleeping on the floor
On someone else's floor" (Walk of Shame)
-"Hello stranger, what is your name?
And can you tell me where we are
Oh god oh no. Tell me we didn't... Oh
Thank god ok well now I've gotta go
I've gotta get home" (Walk of Shame [again, but it just makes me laugh so much])
3. HAIRSPRAY
I'm 18, and I think I've just discovered hairspray (NOT the musical/film/excuse for mothers to gaze at Zac Efron while treating their daughters). As a result, I am now holding less negative feelings towards winter. I have a fringe, you see and it's naturally curly (not as reminiscent of a bird's nest like the rest of my mane)and this causes problems EVERY time it rains. Problematic in the UK. But now I feel liberated! It is not a perfect hold, but it is sufficient, and after Day 1 of gale force winds and torrential downpours, the curling is minimal. Bring on the hurricanes.
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
Make Music for Adverts, Make Up & Make a Fool of Yourself
Alannah's Top 3, 2nd November 2010
1. ALLIE MOSS - CORNERS
Recognise the song? Unless you exist without television, or stick to the BBC because you don't like adverts, you'll know this is the song from the BT advert (I don't know what they're actually selling for I spend the advert singing along and admiring the shooting star things rather than reading the small print). It got me thinking about other great songs that the majority of us heard first on an advert... The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition, anyone? (thank you, Channel 4, for bringing this into my life through your V Festival 2009 coverage). Anyway enjoy the enlightening little tune. It'll brighten your day.
2. EMBARRASSMENT
Needs more explaining, but here's my account of the event. I was informed that my canteen had been refurbished. It had indeed, and is now the swanky and continental 'Cafe Nuevo'. A little over-excited, I bounded into the room (complete with the Cossack hat), and exclaimed "WOW". Enthusiasm was evident. Embarrassment was prominent. I no longer feel I can purchase food at my college, and since I have no idea who was in there at the time, I no longer feel I can travel around the local area unaccompanied for fear of ridicule. I may have to write to an agony aunt to get over this difficult time.
3. PARTY MAKE-UP
The party season is fast approaching (I know you're sick of people/furniture companies/Boots telling you this, but it's November now, and you can't deny it any longer). This gives us all (even boys, it's the 21st century - go and buy some guyliner)the perfect opportunity to do the make up you've been too scared/mellow/sober to try out all year. So, here's my personal favourite party make-up. Taken at Woodstock in 1969, the look can be achieved with liquid eyeliner and some dark eyeshadow (black or grey works best). I actually adopt this at any vaguely-appropriate event (Gay Pride, my birthday etc) and it does actually work. But take your time with the dots, and have a cotton bud and make-up remover within a suitable distance - you'll soon realise the look is not for the faint-hearted.
1. ALLIE MOSS - CORNERS
Recognise the song? Unless you exist without television, or stick to the BBC because you don't like adverts, you'll know this is the song from the BT advert (I don't know what they're actually selling for I spend the advert singing along and admiring the shooting star things rather than reading the small print). It got me thinking about other great songs that the majority of us heard first on an advert... The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition, anyone? (thank you, Channel 4, for bringing this into my life through your V Festival 2009 coverage). Anyway enjoy the enlightening little tune. It'll brighten your day.
2. EMBARRASSMENT
Needs more explaining, but here's my account of the event. I was informed that my canteen had been refurbished. It had indeed, and is now the swanky and continental 'Cafe Nuevo'. A little over-excited, I bounded into the room (complete with the Cossack hat), and exclaimed "WOW". Enthusiasm was evident. Embarrassment was prominent. I no longer feel I can purchase food at my college, and since I have no idea who was in there at the time, I no longer feel I can travel around the local area unaccompanied for fear of ridicule. I may have to write to an agony aunt to get over this difficult time.
3. PARTY MAKE-UP
The party season is fast approaching (I know you're sick of people/furniture companies/Boots telling you this, but it's November now, and you can't deny it any longer). This gives us all (even boys, it's the 21st century - go and buy some guyliner)the perfect opportunity to do the make up you've been too scared/mellow/sober to try out all year. So, here's my personal favourite party make-up. Taken at Woodstock in 1969, the look can be achieved with liquid eyeliner and some dark eyeshadow (black or grey works best). I actually adopt this at any vaguely-appropriate event (Gay Pride, my birthday etc) and it does actually work. But take your time with the dots, and have a cotton bud and make-up remover within a suitable distance - you'll soon realise the look is not for the faint-hearted.
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