A bit of a mix really.


Hello one and all!

So, it's been a while. I know. Sorry about that. I'm trying to balance so many things at the moment and it's not easy. But I'm managing. I'm still here, and I'm still working my flipping backside off in all aspects of life. 

Firstly, some things you may not know:

  • The University Diary is once again up and running. Follow it here - http://bit.ly/1cpwT1M  
  • I have three weeks left at university before Christmas - Expect me to go blogging crazy once I'm done. 
  • I'm on Tumblr. God knows I'm not very good at using it, but if you do, and you want to follow me, you can do so here - http://bit.ly/15qcZda 
  • I'm going to two gigs in 2014 (so far). Those being Frank Turner in February, and Alkaline Trio in April. Posts to follow. 
  • There are probably more, and if there are, they've escaped me completely. 
  • I actually had a beard for the past three weeks. 

Anyway!

Welcome back to my blog. Let us get back into the swing of things. I do hope that I've appropriately named this post, because it really is going to be one of those posts where I go on and on and on (if you read this, sorry David), just updating you about my life. After all, I guess that's why I started this blog in the first place.

So what's first on the agenda? 

Well, as you'd expect. It's University. 

I have been here for what feels like ages now. And that's a bit strange considering that I'm actually only in week 9. But I guess that can be expected, due to the nature of university life. Or at least in my case. I hardly stop. I'm pretty much always on the go. I get a lie in here and there, a bit of rest and time to myself is nice, but otherwise it's full on work and social. Don't get me wrong, that's fine by me. I love it. I spent my entire summer sitting around doing nothing apart from a couple of gigs here and there, band practice, etc. It's fair to say I'm certainly looking forward to the Christmas break, I really am going to need it by the time I get there.

In terms of my course, it's going very well. If you've watched my most recent diary video, you'll probably have an understanding of what I'm getting up to this term. I have four modules, two for the audio side of my course, and two for the media. There's a really nice mix of practical and theory, yes, it's a lot heavier on the practical side, but that's just the way I like it. I've had four assessments so far, three of which I've received the marks for. Both audio assessments I have scored 75%, which is a first. For the media side, I've had a score of 68%, which is a 2:1. I've actually really happy with these marks. Of course, I'd like them all to be above 70%, but I'm bloody close. 

It's a lot of work. And it does wear me out. I think for at least 5 of the 9 weeks I've been here, I've had some sort of cold, disease or plague. Those of you who saw me this past weekend will have noticed that I'm fighting a cold off now. But I'm fine, and will continue to be fine.

That should segue me quite nicely actually.

Rule Britannia!
So, at the weekend I went home. Only for the Saturday night, and I was fortunate enough to be home for the Dukeries Proms. Which I absolutely loved. And I'll be honest, and rather sad that I wasn't a part of in terms of the music. Band people, have you any idea how strange it is to sit back and listen rather than play? It sounds so much different from the back of the hall than it does on the stage. I really miss being up there, and that's perhaps a little daft, but the band, and the music department has been like a second family and a home away from home to me for the past two years, and my only regret is that I didn't get so deeply involved sooner. 

I'll be back though. Christmas is coming, and there will be a space for me at the concert on the 19th. If there isn't, I'll bloody well make one. 

To be fair, I did end up playing at the Harley Gallery on Sunday. And it was such fun. The band has come along so much since I left, and it's only getting better. It was really nice to see everyone this weekend though. It's the first time I've done so in over 10 or more weeks. And, now that I'm back here in Lincoln I actually feel a little sad, and perhaps a little homesick again. I'll be fine. Like I said, I've only got three weeks to go.

Some people might find this next bit a little weird, or sad, or whatever you want really.

I recently got my hands on a copy of 'The Songs of Tony Sly: A Tribute'. When I say recently, I mean this afternoon. And when I say copy, I mean a double 12" record. If you follow me on twitter, you may have seen this already. If you don't know Tony Sly is, he was in the band No Use for a Name, and sadly recently passed away. Tony has had a massive influence on many, many artists and bands. Some of which you've likely heard of. If you have any soul, I urge you to listen to this album. Even if you know nothing of his work, because it really is a truly wonderful tribute.

Recognise any? Comment below.
There's a bonus track which gives me chills every time. Ryan Hardester's cover of 'International You Day' is absolutely incredible. I'm not one for solo piano covers of bands songs, I think they're a little silly to be honest, and used just to evoke emotions from people for absolutely no other purpose but to take their money. You certainly won't catch me raving about Gabrielle Aplin's cover of 'The Power of Love', but this one is just different. Maybe it's the melody, or the key, or just knowing why the recording was done in the first place, but I'm absolutely hooked. 

Black and white artsy portrait. Typical. But perfect.

You can actually listen to the album as a playlist on YouTube. I won't link it, not sure it's a particularly legitimate upload. But it's available. You don't have to buy the album if you don't want to, I'm not secretly working for the marketing team, but if you do feel like buying it, the money goes towards the Tony Sly Memorial Fund. 

I know I'm now over 1000 words, if only my essay for Mediation and Representation was this easy to write, ha!

I think I'll leave it here. Do take in what I've said, check the bullet points at the top, they might be of interest to you.

As always, thank you very much for reading!

- Anthony.

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