#SwingTheVote

I'm not one of those big bloggers or youtubers working with companies to encourage people - specifically young people - to vote in this general election. However, I'm 18, a first-time voter and strongly believe, everyone that can, should vote.

On the 7th May, there is a General Election and it's looking like it'll be the closest we've had. Young people in the 18-24 year old bracket can swing the vote, as can women, both groups unfortunately make up a big proportion of non-voters.

Throughout history certain people have gone through a lot to gain the right to vote, and I feel that we shouldn't let that go to waste. However, we're also not taught a lot in school about how to vote, what policies to think about, what parties we can vote for etc. alongside that note, I'd like to say that there are other parties outside of 'The Big Five' (or Seven depending on your location). All parties are worth a look at, and weighing up positives against negatives. As well as the parties mentioned in the 'Other Parties' section on the BBC list of parties, there are others specific to your local areas, so maybe look at your constituencies election list.

Today is the last day to register to vote and I'm about to bombard you with links that might help you make a decision or inform you as to why you should vote. Personally, I've been struggling to find information in a concise and easy-to-understand manner so I'm collating all links I've found helpful...

Before I leave you with said links, I'm going to embed a spoken word animation from Grist & Larsen (two incredibly talented creative people) on why you shouldn't just sit and let the election happen without having your say...

Which Party Will You Go To? - Grist & Larsen (link)

REGISTER TO VOTE: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

BBC Policy Guide & List of Parties: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2015/manifesto-guide

vInspired: Swing The Vote: (all things you need to know about politics, jargon free): http://swingthevote.vinspired.com

Vote Match - Quiz: http://election2015.votematch.org

Sunday Recap #2

It’s been one of those weeks again. I’m not quite sure how I’d explain what ‘one of those weeks’ are, but it includes listening to music, feeling ill due to anxiety and ‘stress’ and feeling like you haven’t got nearly enough done, because your bed is a lot more comforting than the outside world.

I’ve got coursework deadlines looming (as always pft) and although I’m feeling a lot more confident than I was before Easter, I just want to get it handed in and over with now. My other blog has had some crazy big artists on it, and there are some more on their way, but with A Levels, my inbox and blog drafts have been left to wilt, much like the daffodils in recent weeks.

On a better and more positive note, I’ve had a restricted technology weekend and I’ve loved it. When things get too much, I often spend a day or two in bed, but this weekend I was determined to not let it get to me. So instead I turned off my internet (apart from posting a photo last night), barely went on my phone and chilled. Yesterday, I admit I did get a fair amount of work done in the morning, but I ventured down to the coast, slept for a couple of hours and then enjoyed some fish and chips with a couple of glasses of white wine, whilst chatting with music backing the conversations. This morning, I woke up without a headache (the first time in at least a week), got some coursework done and then finished reading ‘After Aushwitz’ by Eva Schloss. Again, just chilling with music and then cooking up some chicken fajitas, which seems to be my signature dish!

Now, I’m back home and with an early start and long day ahead of me tomorrow, I’m uploading this and then spending my evening sorting out interview questions for MIT Blog to be emailed ASAP.

I also fell in love with a song this week. This doesn’t happen often, I like a lot of songs and certain live or acoustic performances of songs, but there aren’t many songs that I will listen to at least a couple of times every single day. Songs that make that list are ‘Sweet Disposition’ by The Temper Trap, ‘Little Lion Man’ by Mumford & Sons, ‘End Credits’ by Chase & Status, ‘The Funeral’ either the original by Band of Horses or Nina Nesbitt’s cover and then M83 and Dodie Clark’s music in general. This is ‘Keep’ by The White Raven, Bon Iver meets Amber Run meets Biffy/Kings. Link below:

Keep - The White Raven (link)

march favourites.

I've come to the conclusion that I'd rather do these 'monthly favourites' blogs every other month, because doing on every four weeks doesn't seem particular useful, in that I don't want to be restricting content to favourites blogs every month, when I could come up with something else to fill the gap every month. Plus, when I wrote out my list of favourites for February, half of them were the same as the month before...

I'm not a huge fan of March, it usually sees the Easter break at school and the big signs counting down to study leave appear on walls. Can't be dealing with that and it also highlights final coursework deadlines and time going into making folders tidy (mine are pretty good this year!) and writing up revision notes ready for that exam prep. 

Anyway, enough of my moaning about education (I am thankful for it, of course, but we'll get onto that in another blog post...) here are a few of my favourite things from February and March. 

1. My Camera

The last few weeks have seen me get my big camera (Canon 700D) out a little more and boy was it worth it! Even though I still have a lot of learning to do, I'm gradually stepping away from my comfort blanket of Auto and re-learning settings etc. which I hope to continue, if you're a regular reader you'll have seen a few blogposts with some photos in them (if you're not - they're in the archive *cheeky plug*) but seriously, I'm really happy with how my photos and videos are coming out and I definitely want to pursue some projects with that little gem. 

2. Spaced (TV Series)

Sure, I wasn't a teenager in the 90s and I didn't have a clue what this TV series was when it was first on air, however, being the huge Simon Pegg, Jessica Stevenson, Edgar Wright and Nick Frost fan that I am, my step dad mentioned it to me, got the box set and gave it to me and honestly if I can't sleep, feel crap or just want something creative and funny to watch, this is my go to. I love all the characters, their development throughout the series, the writing, setting, filming style, gahhhhh it's all so good! If you haven't heard of it or seen it, it's weird but wonderful! 

3. Moleskine Notebooks

I'm very much a plain notebook person, it has to feel nice and it has to be good for it's purpose, but I'm not always a huge fan of having all those fancy covers, a solid plain front will do me fine. Recently, through my Creative Writing AS, I've got into writing poetry, haha. However, my Mum got me a really nice moleskin soft cover notebook and oh my life, it's now filled with creative juices, I'm surprised the pages aren't wrecked. So that's housing my poetry and random creative and thoughtful words... (I've also got two hard cover notebooks, one for each blog, which keep all my other creative fruit juices in *without apple of course*. 

4. Mum's Roast Chicken Dinner

There's something about sitting down on a Sunday and eating a roast chicken dinner cooked by Mum. From the roast potatoes to the yorkshire puddings, to parsnips and the chicken itself. It's definitely a highlight of my week.

5. The Theory of Everything (film)

I was a bit apprehensive about going to see this film, I'm not sure why but it wasn't one I was feeling too great about seeing on the big screen. Still, I got past that and went and saw it and was impressed. Impressed by Eddie Redmayne's brilliant acting and portrayal of Stephen Hawking. Impressed by the storyline and minor details paid attention to. Impressed by the way in which comedy is injected in small doses, just at the right times throughout. Impressed by the cinematography, there really are some stunning scenes. Impressed by the love story that doesn't throw up all over the other subjects covered in the film and of course, impressed by the little nods to Doctor Who. A brilliant piece of work by all involved and a film I will most probably be getting on DVD.

source

6. Chaos and the Calm - James Bay (album)

There's a bit of a back story to this being in my favourites, basically, I got asked to review it, I got positive feedback, it then got released, went to #1 in the albums chart and has now gone gold in the UK. Apart from this, it's a brilliant album that I've had on repeat, even after listening to it multiple times whilst reviewing (that means I wasn't sick of it and could still bare to listen to the CD on repeat). My iPod also decided it was a great idea to play 'Let It Go' on my home from my last night at club as a leader, oh the tears! If you haven't already heard of this guy or listened to any of his music, a link to his most successful single so far here.

7. After Aushwitz - Eva Schloss (book)

I have a weird obsession with World War II, especially within the sub-topic of the Holocaust, focusing on the concentration camps and inequality cast upon various countries. This book is basically the story of Eva Schloss (Anne Frank's step-sister) and her family before, during and after the war, I've been reading it for a while (to the point I had to restart it at one point) and I'm really getting into it now and enjoying(?! not sure that's quite the right word, but you get what I mean). It's a really good insight into not only the fear and hate she felt whilst going through this but also the system from within the camps and the social views afterwards. 

What have you been loving?

-evan.

a breath of fresh air.

This weekend I've ventured with some of my family, down to the coast. We visited the lovely town of Selsey and are staying here until tomorrow lunch (Monday). It is and I'm sure always will be a place I go to, to feel better.

The past few months especially have left me feeling incredibly deflated and lost, going to the coast and regrouping and grounding myself was much needed, I've been able to get a lot more coursework done and have ended up in a more positive mindset, which is incredibly helpful for the next couple of months ahead with deadlines and exams, that always leave me feeling crap.

Yesterday, we headed to see the lifeboat, I've always loved watching the displays and supporting them as they really are a huge help to a lot of people, and I'm sure they are one of those things that people will not miss until they're gone, which is such a shame and I'm really hoping they don't fade away like many things nowadays, because they really do save lives.

I took along my camera and got a few photos that I'm really happy with. I keep forgetting how refreshing I find just going for a walk with my camera in hand can be, whether I just chill with some music or have some company. It's something I must do more often, I just need to find some places to go and make the most of with a camera, because unfortunately near home, a lot of those places have been built on.

The sea air really has been a breath of fresh air and if anything it knocks me for six when it comes to sleeping, so that really has helped! So when it's all getting too much, remember Evan, Selsey will be waiting for you.

Where do you go to get a breath of fresh air?

- evan.

Sunday Recap #1

I've decided on a name for a new series of blogs. (That's a formal way of starting a blog and pretending you know what you're doing, when really, you just wanted to write and didn't know what about, so decided to come up with a name for those old weekly blogs I used to do...)

This week has been a weird one; there's been ups and downs and it's been flipping tiring. I got feedback on a MIT blog that I posted just over a week ago and that was positive, so that started well.
I headed to the coast with my Gran on Wednesday, which was refreshing, the sea air seems to solve anything and I managed to get a good nights sleep that night.
Then a long week of coursework and not getting far with a media essay took it's toll on me. Thursday, I spent my day feeling like I was going to pass out, throw up or just collapse in a heap at any given moment, oh the joys of anxiety.

Friday wasn't much better, I got my final school report EVER, can't say I finished on a high, but I think I'm now past caring and just want to get to the end of the course and attempt to pass it. It was also my last time leading at the church youth club that I have helped out at for just under 5 years and that was a hard one to say goodbye to. I helped out on Wednesday and Friday evenings and I loved it, but what with exams and other things happening, I couldn't quite hack it. I'm regretting it massively but short term it's definitely for the best. (I spent that evening forcing my way through a blog post for MIT, crying, eating chocolate - which I regretted massively feeling pretty ill later on, listening to sad music and crying some more).

Yesterday was long, although I went out in the evening with people and enjoyed Nuway Army, a Gary Numan tribute band, I forgot how much I loved his music and Tubeway Army's stuff, so I'm back on one of those music hypes I get on...
Today I've been tired, hated the wibbly-wobbly-rimey-wimey stuff that goes on when the clocks go forward but enjoyed breakfast out this morning and spending some time going through my poetry coursework and trying to come up with a understandable order for it all. Think I've given up with media now, really not the time eh? Hah.

Anyways, here's two songs to enjoy, and a few photos from the past week.
Some of the James Bay song lyrics punched me in the face nicely on Friday night and Bright City linked to the context of my week.

Let It Go - James Bay (link)

Colour - Bright City (link)

What have you been up to the past week?

-evan. :)

#DearMe

Dear 13-year-old Evan,

Three small things, your teeth will get better, you won't grow much and Duck will be sewn together a few more times... Onto the more meaningful things... 

In a few years, you will have changed your mind on what you want to do with your life, and that’s ok. Work experience will strengthen your passion for teaching, but your exam results and subject choices will start to put you off the idea, even though you’ve been set on it for most of your life. Choose subjects for you, don’t pick subjects you’re going to stress over and hate, because that’ll get you into a horrible rut of thinking you’re going to fail at everything, you’ll be close but you won’t quite fail.

Moving on from that point, positivity is key, not everything is going to go your way. Don’t let those things keep you down, keep going, they won’t last forever and you’ll soon learn to focus on the small things that make you happy.

Anxiety will kick in next year, learn to look after yourself, don’t get angry with yourself for not being able to do normal things some days. Spend a day in bed; just don’t spend half a week there. Go for a walk, listen to music, watch Toy Story, drink a cup of ‘funny’ tea, eat macaroni cheese (even if you can’t for much longer, make the most of it now!), do things to keep you calm.

Don’t give up on sport, you won’t realise how much it means to you until you stop. Spending five days a week doing cricket was tiring, but when you stop completely, suddenly it feels like you’ve gone into withdrawal. Find a middle ground, don’t give up on it just because you feel you’ve failed at it, it never failed you, fight your anxiety when it comes to batting, work on gaining confidence, you’ll get there eventually. Even if you get arthritic fingers from all the times you’ve dislocated and broken them, or bad knees just because your joints don’t like you, stick with it.

Friends will come and go. Your best friends now, won’t be your best friends in 5 years time and even though it might seem like they’re going to be there forever, stop taking that for granted. In a few years, everyone will move on, including you.

The next five years will see quite a few people pass away, people you regret not talking to much because they meant so much to you when you were younger, as well as people you look up to, people you care about, they’ll become stars and you won’t get the chance to say goodbye properly so just make the most of your time with them now.

You should be proud of things you achieve in the next few years, nothing will prepare you for your trip to Kenya, cherish the memories you make there. You'll go to the Olympics held in London, which  could be a once in a lifetime opportunity, soak up the atmosphere when Andy Murray wins. There will be many other experiences you should be thankful for and make the most of those (and scrapbook them when they actually happen, rather than forgetting about those smaller things that meant a lot to you). 

You’ll set up two blogs and one of them will grow more than you’d ever expect, you’ll be asked to write about musicians you’ve been listening to for years as well as getting to see so many artists and bands live and watch them grow and become well known all over. Even though there will be weeks where you won’t have the motivation to post, there will be people willing to wait for your next post. Keep at it. It could lead to what you do in the future.

From 18-year-old Evan.

What would you say to your younger self? Or even just 5 years ago?

a photo is worth a thousand words right?!

I'm writing this blog from the comfort of my bedroom, sat on my bed trying to ignore the crap weather on the other side of my window. I've got a headache (again), I'm tired and I'm starting to get one of my anxious tummy aches, so I'm sure I'll be finishing my evening off with a cup of 'funny' tea (as my family like to call it) and carrying on with some of coursework to keep my mind occupied.

The past week has been a weird one, I've struggled to motivate myself out of bed, so setting things to do for the past couple of days with family and friends has helped me get around that one. So, again, I'm just going to share a couple of photos, because 'a photo is worth a thousand words' and right now, words seem to be failing me :) 

'til next time!

- evan.