Top Five: Good Job Things

The five best things about my job. In no particular order, other than the one that I thought of them in.

1. Biscuit Pay Day
Everytime pay day rolls around, someone is nominated to buy biscuits. We all tend to go a little overboard though, so they tend to last for quite a while. Unless the greedy folks eat them all, that is.

2. Department Colleagues
I have the pleasure of working in a team full of very funny and very nice people.

3. Tea Rounds
I hardly ever drink tea at home, but for some reason, I can't get enough of it at work. We aren't limited to how many rounds of tea we are allowed in one day, so a lot of caffeine is consumed. This probably goes some way to0 explaining point number two.

4. Close To Home
Close to home = not having to get up too early. It also means I can pop home in my lunch break if I chose. And if i am having a particular lazy/sleepy day, I can be in my PJs by half five.

5. Dress Code
Or to be precise, the lack of dress code. We can pretty much wear whatever we want, except for the very rare occassion when important visitors are lurking.

Top Five: Girl Crushes

All girls have "girl crushes" on women that they admire in some way, sometimes to a slightly obsessive level (in the same way that blokes have "man crushes", normally on footballers or presenters of blokey TV shows). These are my Top Five ones. Admittedly, it doesn't normally stretch to five different females, but I have a blog to write here, so five it shall be. Thems the rules.

5. Beyonce Knowles

I pretty much included her because I needed five names. However, this does not detract from the fact that she is an incredibly awesome human being. She is one of the few people in this world that are more talented than is really fair, although to balance that out, she has appeared in some movies of a slightly dubious quality. She also seems to have a habit of recreating the same music video again and again at the moment, if you don't include the work she has done with other artists. Her status as a sex symbol has become most evident to me while trying to find a picture to accompany this post, and struggling to find one in which she is modestly dressed. So much so, in fact, that I abandoned the whole picture concept.

4. Demi Lovato

This has absolutely nothing to do with the fact she is dating a Jonas. Actually, most of you probably didn't even know that in the first place. So let's just pretend I never said that. As anyone who knows me can confirm, I have yet to actually grow up, and am still a little obsessive with Disney, specifically the music that is associated with it. I mention this because Miss Lovato is my favourite of the Disney associated females currently doing the rounds, mainly due to the fact she has a vocal talent I would kill to have. Well, not actually kill. I am not cut out for life in prison. I listen to Disney!

3. Hayley Williams

She's friggin' Hayley Williams! I really don't think any more reasoning is needed than that!

2. Leighton Meester

Probably more to do with the fact she is Blair Waldorf, to be honest. Her character in 'Gossip Girl' is my favourite for many reasons including her bitchy put-downs and killer wardrobe. And the fact she tamed Chuck Bass - to a degree anyway. I am aware neither of them are real people. This particular "girl crush" is pretty much based in the world of television.

1. Katy Perry

When Katy Perry first appeared on my radar, I brushed her aside. I saw 'I Kissed A Girl' as being a novelty tune, and just assumed she would soon disappear. Then I heard 'Hot and Cold' and saw the errors of my ways. I now like her debut single, if anyone is interested. Like Blair Waldorf, she also has a killer (although very different) wardrobe, although unlike Blair she is an actual person. I suspect you had already noticed that though. She has also got that English Rose look going on, which makes a change from the usual highly tanned female musicians that we normally see.

Top 5: Most Listened To

My most listened to tracks of the last 3 months.

Uninspired blog post I know. Apologies.

5. Don't Trust Me - 3!oh!3

4. Fight For This Love - Cheryl Cole

3. Liquid Confidence - You Me At Six

2. Starstrukk - 3!oh!3 Featuring Katy Perry

1. Dear Maria, Count Me In - All Time Low

What I've Watched: March

Angus, Thongs & Perfect Snogging
The Happening
The Princess Diaries
The Princess Diaries 2
Last Chance Harvey
New Moon
Paper Heart
Over Her Dead Body
Drag Me To Hell

Cruel Intentions 2

Cruel Intentions 3

In The Land Of Women

Picture Perfect

Franklyn

Top Five: Life Changing Gigs

These are not necessarily the five best gigs that I have attended, but the ones that have changed my life the most in some way or other. It might sound a little over-dramatic, but bear with me on this one. Also, you should bear in mind that I do not have an impeccable memory, so any dates mentioned will be courtesy of my dear friend Mr Google, or the stash of tickets currently living in a yellow box under my bed. I apologise in advance for the number of times I am probably about to use the word "gig". I also apologise to person I shall refer to as "Music Guru" who has attended the majority of these events so probably doesn't want to read about them again.

5. 30 Seconds To Mars @ Bristol Academy - 2008

One of the many bands that have come into my life courtesy of my dear friend and music guru (they are the same person by the way). I was a little sceptical of seeing a band with a celebrity lead singer, and was a little scared by the screaming girls/women surrounding me, but it turns out that 30 Seconds To Mars are a band that benefit from the live environment. I don't think I would be as keen on this band if I had never seen them in this live capacity. To be honest, I mostly threw this gig in the mix because I couldn't think of five gigs. But it was a pretty awesome show.

4. 911 @ BIC, Bournemouth - late nineties

This was the first gig I ever attended. I went with my mother. The support band was Atomic Kitten, back in the days when they were called Automatic Kitten. This probably tells you everything you need to know about the whole experience to be honest, and I can already foresee that you are all now bitterly disappointed that my taste in music has not always been at its current high standard *cough*. However, had I never danced the night away with 911 & co, I may never have caught the gigging bug, and that would have been a little bit tragic, as this was the night that I realised that music was meant to be played live, not out of a stereo.

3. You Me At Six, Forever The Sickest Kids, We The Kings @ Newport Centre, Newport - March 2010

Two Reasons. 1) I had been desperate to see FTSK live for ages and ages, so I feel like an ambition was reached. 2) It has triggered a slight YM@6 (though admittedly mostly lead singer based) obsession. I have always liked the band, but something happened on that fateful evening in Newport which has resulted in my brain being consumed by an urge to listen to their music at all hours of the day. Plus, I melt a little at the sight of Josh Franceschi's smiley face. I'm not sure how long this will last, but for now, I am 100% hooked. I feel slightly better as Music Guru is in the same boat.

2. Muse @ Earls Court, London - 2004

To date, probably the best live band I have ever seen. I have seen them in a few different locations over the years, but this was the first time I witnessed them, and to say I was blown away is a little bit of an understatement. It raised my expectations of what to expect when seeing a band. I may be wrong, but I also believe it is the first time I have had to leave gig early and have a (not so) leisurely run through the tube station with Music Guru in order to catch the last public transport home. The annoyance at having to skip out before the end is slightly balanced out my the tannoy announcement telling us to stop running as we sped through Earls Court train station, but only slightly.

1. Taking Back Sunday @ 93 Feet East, London - August 2006

Prior to attending this gig, my only experience of this band was through Music Guru. I had liked the music, and as the gig was to take place in one of the smallest venues known to man, this was too good an opportunity to waste. As it turned out, we were stood effectively in the second row, which remains the best "seats" I have ever had at a gig - I could actually see the band for one thing (something that is not always easy when you are a person as short in stature as I unfortunately am). I went from casual listener to huge fan during the set and haven't looked back since. I remember the set drawing to a close and me thanking my friend for introducing me to the band, and said friend buying me a TBS T-shirt as I really wanted one, and at the time was a bit on the poor side. It remains one of my prize possessions. This awesome show was followed by seeing the band AGAIN just a few days later at Reading Festival, which was in turn followed by me and the music guru queueing up to meet my brand new heroes. I will never turn down a chance to see these guys.

Top Five: Pros of the Common Cold

As it is time for my annual Summer Cold, I thought it best I try to cheer myself up by thinking of the positive aspects of my current state. I will admit now that it was a bit of a stretch to think of five things, but bear with me. If you can think of anything I've missed, please add it to the comments section below.

5. Taste Numbness
Although it is slightly annoying that you can't fully taste good food anymore, at least if you are eating something that doesn't taste so good, you aren't really aware of it. This is especially useful if you are being made to eat somewhere that doesn't make food of a very high quality as you can pretend that it actually tastes awesome.

4. Comedy/Childrens tissues
I am currently using HSM 3 tissues, courtesy of my mother. Marginally more exciting than regular tissues. If anyone is interested, while the packets are adourned with HSM related pictures, the tissues themselves are just plain white, which is a little bit of a letdown to be honest.

3. Cough Mixture
Although all the medicine in the world is not able to actually cure the Common Cold, at least it tastes better than the stuff you get for other illnesses. Although its no Calpol. Children's medicine is so much better.

2. Laziness
You don't feel any internal guilt for being lazy when you have a cold. You can embrace your inner Man Flu and justify spending time not doing anything. Plus, as you can normally sound more ill than you really are, so others tend not to disturb your lazy time (although I think part of that is just the fear that they will catch it). This also translates to not feeling bad about making lazy food like microwaveable delights, instant mash and toast.

1. Singing like Adam Levine
I take my in-car singing very seriously. I treat it like my own sound booth, as no-one can hear me, or my choice of music. My current CD of choice is the latest Maroon 5 album. On a side note does anyone know when the next one is coming out? Anyway, in the seriousness of the afore mentioned in-car singing, I find great joy in the fact that while I am in the 'stuffy nosed' section of the Common Cold process (before I get to the 'i can't speak without coughing' section), my voice sounds marginally more like that of Adam Levine's. Admittedly its not quite at the Stars In Their Eyes level, but its enough to make me feel a bit better about myself.

Thoughts: KCA Awards 2010 nominees

I am indulging my inner child and voting for Nickelodeon's Kids Choice Awards, and as with the Empire Awards, I thought I would share my choices with you. I am not entirely sure when the voting closes, but the ceremony itself is 27th March, so I guess if you click here at some point before that date, then you can vote too. Apparently, if you have nothing better to do with your time, you can go back and vote every single day!

Favourite Couple:

Edward and Bella (New Moon)

Jacob and Bella (New Moon)

The Obamas

Neytiri & Jake (Avatar)

Favourite TV Show:

iCarly

Sonny With A Chance

Wizards Of Waverly Place

The Suite Life On Deck

Favourite TV Actor:

Cole Sprouse

Dylan Sprouse

Joe Jonas

Nick Jonas

Favourite TV Actress:

Miley Cyrus

Keke Palmer

Selena Gomez

Miranda Cosgrove

Favourite Music Group:

Black Eyed Peas

Jonas Brothers

Linkin Park

Coldplay

Favourite Female Singer:

Beyonce

Miley Cyrus

Lady Gaga

Taylor Swift

Favourite Male Singer:

Jay-Z

Sean Kingston

Mario

Ne-Yo

Favourite Song:

I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas

Party In The USA - Miley Cyrus

You Belong With Me - Taylor Swift

Paparazzi - Lady Gaga

Favourite Movie:

New Moon

Transformers 2

X-men Origins: Wolverine

Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel

Favourite Movie Actor:

Zac Efron

Taylor Lautner

Shia Labeouf

Tyler Perry

Favourite Movie Actress:

Sandra Bullock

Miley Cyrus

Megan Fox

Zoe Saldana

Favourite Cartoon:

Spongebob Squarepants

The Simpsons

Penguins of Madagascar

Phineas And Ferb

Favourite Reality TV Show:

American Idol

Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?

So You Think You Can Dance

Wipeout

Favourite Female Athlete:

Serena Williams

Venus Williams

Danica Patrick

Misty May Treanor

Favourite Male Athlete:

Kobe Bryant

Lebron James

Ryan Sheckler

Shaun White

Favourite Video Game:

Wii Fit

Mario Kart

Wii Sports Resort

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

Favourite Book:

Diary of A Wimpy Kid Series

Twilight Series

Vampire Diaries Series

Where The Sidewalk Ends

Favourite Animated Movie:

A Christmas Carol

Monsters vs Aliens

Ice Age 3: Dawn of The Dinosaurs

Up

Favourite Voice From An Animated Movie:

Jim Carrey

Seth Rogen

Renee Zellweger

Ray Romano

Top Five: Rock Band Front Men/Women : RETRACTION

It has come to my attention that back in October 2009, I declared Gabe Saporta as one of the top 5 front men. I wish to take this back. I have since seen the error of my ways, as more recent posts have probably indicated. If you could all pretend I had never said it, it would be very much appreciated. I shall be issuing a new list in due course, just in case anyone is concerned.