I’m reading journals and blogs of friends both old and new and everybody is going away on holiday somewhere utterly cool this year. New York, China, Russia, Denmark. Me? Balado. Which is in Scotland. And where the greatest music festival in the world takes place on the first weekend of July each year - T In The Park. Although so far there’s only actually a few bands that I want to see - Newton Faulkner, Primal Scream, Scouting For Girls, The Hoosiers, Reverend And The Makers. I’m a bit worried that the Sugababes and Will Young are playing, Geoff Ellis what are you thinking man?

So, the countdown begins. It’s only 11 weeks away. Well actually, it’s in 11 weeks. And I can’t wait. Question is, are any of you going to T this year? Or any other music festivals?

Your musical taste is superior as fuck, and I’ll leave it at that.

Rhiannon, I love you. That was better than getting my site reviewed, hahah!

I don’t know if it will be picked to be published, but this is my entry for BehindEveryBlog.com, the website that focuses on the author of the blog!

1. Who was your very first crush?
   I believe that it was Henry Ramsey from Neighbours (AKA Craig McLachlan), although looking back at pictures now I have to wonder why! I liked him that much that I named my pet rabbit after him, even though she was a girl. She quickly became Henrietta though! Thankfully, my taste in men has changed a heck of a lot since I was 4 years old!
2. If you could undo one thing from the last 24 hours, what would it be and why?
   Probably going to bed before 8am this morning, as I’m now not tired even though I need to sleep for work in the morning. Unfortunately, it’s a theme that seems to occur every weekend these days…staying up all night and sleeping all day. It’s playing havoc with my body!
3. In the room you’re in right now, pick out your most treasured item (your computer, people and pets don’t count). What makes it so special?
   Since people don’t count, I guess that I can’t pick my boyfriend! My most treasured item in this room (said boyfriend’s bedroom) is either going to be my brand new digital camera - which I love with a passion and seem to be taking more and more pictures every day - or our Nintendo Wii, if only because I rock at driving games and it makes me want to pass my driving test even more than standing at a bus stop at 6am every day in the pouring rain!
4. You’re given $500 to spend for a good cause. Assuming you actually have to spend the money rather than donate it to charity, what would you buy, and what would you do with it?
   . I think I would find the lovely man who stands outside the shopping center in my town selling the Big Issue and take him on a shopping spree to buy warm, waterproof clothing and boots. And a pack of cigarettes and a nice warm cup of tea. He stands outside for around 10 hours a day, opening doors for people and trying to sell the magazine. He deserves to be warm and dry!
5. What’s a quick pick-me-up?
   A Starbucks Java Chip Frappe and a newspaper to read, lounging on the big floppy sofas at the front of the shop, watching people walking by.
6. What made you start a blog?
   I honestly cannot remember, it was that long ago. My first websites started as a base to share cartoon dolls and music lyrics (hey, I was 12 and it was 1998!). From there I progressed to writing into a LiveJournal account and then changing my websites from rubbish content sites to an actual blog. I think I just wanted to be cool!!

I’m just a little busy at the moment…I cant find any inspiration to write anything so I’m not going to bother trying. Work is taking over, I’m sick with the cold and I need to have some more ‘me’ time.

So to combat the lack of posting going on around here these days I’ve a little challenge for you…recommend some songs, bands or albums for me to check out. Music is my life and I need to expand it!! My Last.fm profile shows what I’m into…

Help me out guys, I need to fill my iPod with something!

The Samsung G600 is one hell of a phone. With it’s slinky black shell, amazing music player supporting five different file types, 30FPS video recorder and viewer, 240 x 320 pixels TFT LCD screen, 5MP camera (yes, that’s more megapixels than my current digital camera!), connectivity via Buetooth and USB2 plus a great WAP 2.0 serivce, it is definitely the most stylish 5 megapixel camera phone on the market.

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Since it’s the middle of the month, it’s time for my oh-so-awesome playlist suggestions. If you’ve missed this before on either of my other blogs (hell, you think I’m giving out the links? Go find them!) it’s simply me posting my top songs that I’ve been listening to this month with a short reason why I think you should check them out. They could be old songs, new songs, album songs, b-sides. Whatever. I love my music and I love sharing.

Oh-So-Awesome Playlist August 2007

Calvin Harris – Acceptable in the 80’s
This song is wonderfully electro and..well, 80s. I have a liking for Calvin Harris just because he’s also Scottish but man that guy makes good music. He’s been linked with Kylie Minogue, so that just shows how good he is in bed at music making.
Acceptable In The 80’s is a feel good dancing song, guaranteed to get you up on the dance floor! Written and produced by Harris, before he slapped in to BMG Records to stick their name to it, it’s proof that there are still great musicians out there in the chaos of manufactured bands who all bring out the same sort of tracks. A definite Friday night song.

Mika - Big Girl (you are beuatiful)
I don’t care what anybody says, when a Mika song comes on you sing along, even if you don’t like him. This has to be my favourite Mika song by miles. Don’t ask me why, it’s probably because it’s not old enough to be as overplayed as ‘Grace Kelly’ or ‘Love Today’. It’s a real feel-good song, and not just for ‘big girls’. At last, a famous person who embraces the non-size 0 world - even if he is as skinny as a lolly pop!

Rhianna - Umbrella (Sensation White version)
Again, I don’t like Sensation White (dance festival-thingy) but this version of Umbrella is the best one that I’ve heard. Somehow, making the ‘Ella, ella, ella’ bit last long works bloody well and gets your feet tapping. Dude, if you only listen to one other version of ‘Umbrella’, make it this one.

Reverand & the Makers - He Said He Loved Me
Classic Brit-Indie. I was convinced the first time that I heard this song that it was somehow interrelated to Franz Ferdinand. Alas, no. Reverend is from Sheffield, England. And is actually boringly called Jon McClure. I can’t explain this song very well, you’ll just have to listen to it. Especially if you like Franz Ferdinand, Artic Monkeys or anyother Brit-Indie band.

Newton Faulkner - People Should Smile More
If you haven’t heard of Newton Faulkner, what rock have you been under? Granted his music maybe a bit folky, but it’s amazing. This is my favourite song off of his album because it reminds me of an advert for ‘Orange’ mobile phones. Total chill out music. Great for Sunday mornings.

Groove Armada ft Mutya Beuna - Song for Mutya
Ex-Sugababes stunner, Mutya Buena, has teamed up with Groove Armada to come up with one of the best songs of the summer. Question is, is the song directed at the Sugababes or an ex-boyfriend? Great for the pop-lover you know you really are.

Have I missed a great song? What have you been listening to this month?

Around three weeks ago my boyfriend’s mum told us that Marilyn Manson was playing Glasgow again. Since I couldn’t find it online I didn’t believe her, but he is!

I can’t wait for Friday so that I can buy my tickets. Such a shame it’s in the same venue as last time as it wasn’t that great but I’m so, so excited! I love Manson with a passion, I don’t care if people think I’m freaky for liking him. The music’s awesome and some of the lyrics that he writes are out-of-this-world amazing.

Roll on December. Oh and for all those who disklie Marilyn Manson because he’s ‘freaky’, then listen to this song called Last Day On Earth. It’s gorgeous, sad, powerful, heart moving and angry all at the same time;

I know it’s the last day on Earth,
We’ll be together while the planet dies.
I know it’s the last day on Earth,
We’ll never say goodbye.

And the dogs slaughter each other softly,
Love burns it’s casualties,
We are damaged provider modules,
Spill the seeds at our children’s feet.
I’m so empty here without you…
I know they want me dead.

So, after I am paid on Friday the 17th August I only have three more pay days until Christmas. Granted I will have an extra £500 on my last wage from my savings scheme which I pay £100 into every month plus my quarterly bonus which I’ll get in my August wage (I think that it’s £141, which is better than nothing).

Between now and Christmas I have lots of money going out which I don’t normally have. My passport, for one, will be about £60 or something. My driver’s license is £40 (I think?). Our holiday to Tenerife will knock about £400 out my hands and driving lessons come in at £20 per hour. Ouch. I also hope to sit my two driving tests before Christmas, coming in at around £90 just for them. Plus I have my monthly bus tickets, dig money to my mother, paying off my overdraft, lunch at work, cigarettes, going out from time to time and our Christmas night out to pay. There’s also the small matter of a new laptop which is essential for my Management Training Course. I think, as always, I’ll stick with a Dell Inspiron. I love those laptops/notebooks with a passion and I’m gutted that my 6000 is dead! I’d be using one of many Dell coupons that are available, just so I can save some more money.
I am, probably, going to be even more skint than I usually am. Oh, (Christmas) joy a’right!

I’ve started buying Christmas presents already. I have purchased a few pairs of jeans and t shirts for the boyfriend over the course of the last three months, just as little extras. I also have a make-up brush set for my mother, one she has been going on about wanting for a few weeks that I managed to pick up in Debenham’s sale at half price.

Not only am I thinking about what I would like to buy as presents for other people, I’ve started writing my wishlist. Hey, give to receive is my motto. Selfish, or what? Ironically most of what I want is from USA-based stores, especially delias.com They have such a great selection of logo tshirts, I think I maybe in love! I’ve noticed a theme in logo shirts over here in the UK, really garish black or white tops with ‘I love boys, music and shopping’ plastered over them in Frankie Says Relax-style font and layout. Ugh, not nice the first time, not nice now!

I have a wish list for Delias, since that’s the only way that I could possibly get anything from the site. I would love to get any of these items - they are so much better than stuff I can get in Scotland at the moment since we’re going through a fashion-death I feel! Of course, if you were buying me a tshirt from my wish list (yeah..right!) you could always use a dELiAs.com coupon for it!

All of these stores have great savings to be made using coupon codes when you checkout, which for me is an absolute bonus. Why would anyone pay full price for something when they can get some cash off of their purchase?

I must look crazy, talking about Christmas already when it’s only August, but when you’re on a budget like mine you have to be organized!

T In The Park, the best Scottish music festival, starts in just under 6 days time. I am, without a doubt, rather excited. I have everything ready (aside from my bus ticket to get me there but hey, I’ll walk if I have to) and still have to decide which clothes to take with me (lets face it - Scottish weather is annoying to work out in advance) but I’m ready. New wellies have been bought, new jumpers have been purchased from Adventure One (seriously good wee shop for any other TITP-ers, it’s the one next to Avalanche Records at Queen Street St.) and the big camping bag has been found in the abyss that is my wardrobe. I have a pink camping chair, bought by my boyfriend, a lilac roll mat for under our new double air bed, and a green king size sleeping bag from Argos. £s;40 for a double air bed and king size sleeping bag? Yes please! Thanks to a nice wee email from a friend I have an idea of which order the bands are running in and I’ve hit a brick wall. Here’s why:

• Friday
  1. Lily Allen - 5pm-5.50pm
  2. The Coral - 6.20-7.20pm
  3. The Ads - 8.05pm - 8.35pm
  4. Artic Monkeys - 9.20pm-10.50pm

So far, not a problem aside from lots of time in between bands. Now the actual problems:

• Saturday
  1. Charlotte Hatherly - 12.50-1.30pm
  2. The Thrills - 2.30-3.05pm
  3. Calvin Harris - 2.40pm-3.15pm
  4. CSS - 4.40pm-5.20pm
  5. Drive-By Argument - 5.50pm-6.20pm
  6. Amy Winehouse - 7.05pm-7.50pm
  7. Razorlight - 7.45pm-9pm
  8. My Chemical Romance - 8.20pm-9.10pm
  9. The Killers - 9.35pm-10.50pm
  10. The Kooks - 9.40pm-10.50pm
• Sunday
  1. Hedrons - 11.55am-12.20pm
  2. Avril Lavigne - 1.25pm-2pm
  3. Tokoyo Police Club - 1.35pm-1.55pm
  4. The Bravery - 2.35pm-3.10pm
  5. Tiga - 2.45pm-4pm
  6. Gossip - 3.15pm-3.50pm
  7. Paulo Nuntini - 3.40pm-6.25pm
  8. Mika - 4.20-5.05pm
  9. Fratellis - 4.55pm-5.45pm
  10. Shiny Toy Guns - 5.20pm-5.50pm
  11. Ocean Colour Scene - 5.45pm-6.30pm
  12. Jet - 7pm-7.45pm
  13. Scissor Sisters - 7.45pm-8.55pm
  14. Snow Patrol - 9.30pm-10.50pm
  15. Kasabian - 9.40pm-10.50pm
  16. Queens Of The Stoneage - 9.40-10.50pm

See, my problem is that every band I want to see is on at the same time as something else I want to see. Geoff Ellis, if I promise to stop my mates dropping their empty Tennents glasses when they’ve drank their beers can I change the lineup please? Hah!