The Best Thing About Today #34

Happy Christmas!

Happy Christmas!

Today we celebrate something wonderful, the birth of a small baby. And just like the joy that surrounds any birth of new life, it is an exciting thing to remember and share with the world. But this birth was so different from any other baby born in our world today, yesterday and in the future. From humble beginnings lying in simply a pile of straw, this baby would go on to challenge love and create a whole new level of love for the world that He so desperately wanted to save. With His whole being He lead a life purely for you. For you, and for me and ultimately for love. Little did those parents, shepherds and wise men know just what or who they were witnessing. Jesus Christ, the saviour of the world and my saviour and best friend, was born to show a furious and unstoppable love.

So I hope you all have a wonderful time with your friends and family, unwrapping your presents, eating too much and watching the inevitable BBC Christmas movie and double bill of Eastenders, but take this day as a gift. Enjoy time with those you are with no matter what the circumstances, be thankful (whoever you end up thanking) for what you have and above all, just love. Love today, love Christmas and love those who need it.

Amen.

2009.

I've got a feeling my review of the year is going to be pretty analytical.

Coming soon.

Personification: Self Esteem.

Hi Self Esteem,
Hey mate! How are you? What do you mean you're awful? I was counting on you being really brilliant. Wow, that's sad news.
I have been meaning to write for a while to bring up a few things that have been troubling me, probably not best that we talk about it whilst you're in such a fragile state. I don't want to be accused of kicking you when you're down but there are some annoyances that cannot be kept silent for much longer.
I've been finding it quite difficult lately to juggle your moods. One minute you're up, the next you're down, and I'm not finding that it's very helpful for our relationship. It is a relationship we have, somewhat of a friendship, and like all good friendships they do have their ups and downs but I find it's useful if most of those times are ups. This has not been the case of late.
I've got some helpful advice I hope you don't mind me sharing... you shouldn't need a constant reassurance to be up. It's not healthy for you to resemble a fuel tank that needs refilling by nice comments and reassurance. Obviously these things are great, but they should be more of a bonus that compliment your already strong existence. No one likes a whiner.
Anyway, I hope I haven't come across brash, I know how difficult it must be for you to move with the moods of your owners and especially if that owner is a) female b) mid twenties c) me. But you're doing okay, just work on being okay most of the time, it makes it much easier for me and many others around me.
Great. Glad that's sorted.
Yours in worry, woe and empathy,
Emmah xo

The Best Thing About Today #33

Earth is bloody amazing:

More incredible images!

Women of Win #5

Jessica Stevenson

Jessica Stevenson (now Jessica Hynes) starred in the great British comedy Spaced. She was amazing. She was also in the great British film Confetti. She was great. She is an incredibly witty lady who also happens to be quite beautiful. She also once wrestled Simon Amstell on the telly.

The Best Thing About Today #32

The only thing that's brought me the spirit of Christmas so far this year:

This week I've mostly been #1

Hello! So this is pretty self explanatory as much of my features are.

Mainly:

• Skipping: My new favourite way to exercise! I can now walk up stairs without feeling like I might die any second. Always a good thing to not want to end your life after walking for a few seconds I think.
• Listening to remixes: Especially Fake Blood, Jakwob and Rusko. Hello greatness. Fake Blood remix of the week for me is definitely Calvin Harris' Ready For the Weekend which you can listen to on Spotify. Jakwob is definitely the remix of Ellie Goulding's Starry Eyed which has been floating about various blogs for months now, always receiving rave reviews. And finally, Rusko's remix of Adele's Cold Shoulder is simply brilliant. These tunes often accompany the aforementioned skipping.

The Best Thing About Today #31

This song & video:

The desires of our heart.

This week I've learnt that if you want something enough then it won't arrive when you want it to. The meaning of trust is more real now than ever before, and all this springs out of an affirmation of the word love. Such a simple throwaway verb to some, used as lightly as a common noun but such a crucial and devestatingly concept to others.

Nothing you desire with all your heart will be served upon a silver platter with a side salad of anything worth your time. I am discovering that real life is hard work, out of the student bubble and facing a life that I didn't imagine or expect. Maintaining relationships is hard work, juggling emotions is hard work, facing disappointment and having your expectations challenged is hard work. All things that are worth waiting for require a dedication to the cause.

Within a time of longing where you strive for a moment to finally arrive or find yourself sitting in a pool of uncertainty - remember that it's not good things that come to those who wait. Let's redifine those thoughts and believe that it is amazing things that will come and distill a negative and blurred vision of need.

I'm trying. I'm trying to believe that hope and trust and above all, love, will reap many rewards.

i don't own my clothes but i own my mind
it's not what you've lost it's what you find

Cat Hat.

EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE A CAT!
COS A CAT'S THE ONLY CAT,
WHO KNOWS WHERE IT'S AT!

Women of Win #4

Kristen Schaal

(Why wouldn't you pose with a cockerel?!)

Kristen Schaal plays Mel, the super super super stalker superfan in Flight Of The Chonchords. As Mel, she has many fine moments. As Kristen, she probably has a lot more such as when she was on Never Mind The Buzzcocks and this happened:

The Best Thing About Today #30

This song & video:

The Best Thing About Today #29

The new video by a previous Woman of Win, Ellie Goulding.

My Friends Are Talented #3

image from www.myspace.com/beingjofrancis

Say hello to Josh, Jon, Chris and Mike. They are in a band called Being Jo Francis who write wicked songs about life and circuses. Maybe you would like to listen to them? Lucky for you, they have a myspace here which I and they would very much like you to visit. They also like to pose in fields with their hands in their pockets but don't judge them solely on that.

Massively Great Quotes #26

A thing of beauty is a joy forever: its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness.
- John Keats

The Best Thing About Today #28

This brilliant cover:

Image Share #6

Via Ricky Gervais' blog:

Wonderful Websites #11

A website called Inspire me, Now! Inspiration, essentially and a collection of brilliant photos, ideas, sites etc. I love it already.

http://szymon.tumblr.com/

http://szymon.tumblr.com/

http://szymon.tumblr.com/

http://szymon.tumblr.com/

http://szymon.tumblr.com/

Women of Win #3

Ellie Goulding's debut single Under The Sheets is insanely brilliant. Listen here or her myspace at the address below and then marvel at her greatness.

www.myspace.com/elliegoulding

The Best Thing About Today #26

My friend and musician Luke Leighfield has just put up a song from his anticipated third album on his myspace. It's called By My Side and features some stonking guitars and loads of other good features but the stonking guitars have blinded me upon first listen. Well done Ben Price.
Anyway, you can listen to it here:

www.myspace.com/simplylukeleighfield

And you can also pre-order the album now by becoming a fan on facebook. The pre-order is exciting, there are t-shirts and photo books involved.

There is also a tour.

BIG THINGS PEOPLE, BIG THINGS.

Wicked Cool Bands #12

Love it will not betray you dismay or enslave you;
It will set you free.
You will be more like the man you were made to be.
- Sigh No More, Mumford & Sons

image from www.myspace.com/mumfordandsons

Every so often, a band will come to your attention and startle you. You will wonder how you have ever looked at your album collection without theirs in it, you will wonder who else you would play first thing in the morning and last thing and night and in the time inbetween. You will try to think of any other band who has affected you quite the same way in the past year, and falter.

Hello Mumford & Sons.

I won't claim the victory that this band was a self discovery, I was introduced to them a few months ago via a music loving boyfriend of mine, and until yesterday had only heard limited tracks on their myspace (which you can visit here) and their single release from their debut album, Little Lion Man which has been available via Spotify for a couple of months. This one track was one I played a lot, reveling in the folk glory that it is, and the wonderful lyrical talents of the band. Previously mentioned boyfriend managed to wangle the album prior to release by means that shall remain nameless (cough) and I have had to make do with a 5 track release on Spotify. Totally worth it though, since yesterday I've listened to it non stop and like a new love affair, am wondering what I ever did before this album (or the 5 tracks at least) were in my life!

The album is officially released today, 5th of October. Buy it, and get ready for some intensely brilliant lyrical genius and an album full of stonking folk tunes that will no doubt make you want to dance, stamp your feet and take on the world.

The Best Thing About Today #25

What a better The Best Thing About Today than The Maccabees. Less today though, and more yesterday.

image from www.myspace.com/themaccabees

Last night I went to see The Maccabees in London's Brixton Academy. A wonderful, beautiful venue. I saw Brand New there a couple of years ago and was truly mesmerized by such a stunning place, full of haunting atmosphere and wonderfully captivating open space. This space was widened upon my second visit, as at the previous event I had been front center stage, taking in the wonder of the show whilst sharing in hundreds of others sweat pouring out from every crevice. This was suitably welcomed however, as being in the upper circle was a lovely if entirely different experience. My friend Vicky and I did some of the best seat dancing I've ever done in my life and risked life and limb (it's steep okay!?) by dancing stood up at some of the best points. In fact they were all best points. It was a wonderfully put together show, void of light displays, clever banter or any other gimmicks other than simply great tunes played by a bunch of humble and grateful men. These character traits were the best things about the gig, and me and thousands of others realised just how grateful the band were for the opportunity to play at such a venue. Latchmere was a particular highlight, and Can You Give It and of course the fine slab of indie brilliance that is First Love which was of course the encore.

If you ever get the chance to see The Maccabees, you won't be disappointed. I don't know that I've felt the urge to dance at a gig quite as much as I did last night, and I've seen The Spice Girls live. Twice. Yeah that's right, you heard me.

So to sum up, The Maccabees live experience: more dance-worthy than The Spice Girls.

Women of Win #2

Paloma Faith:

image from www.myspace.com/palomafaith

Hello incredibly talented and beautiful redhead. I love pop stars who ooze glamour yet down-to-earth-ness. She is wicked.

Photo Post #8

The Best Thing About Today #24

This soundtrack:

[500] Days Of Summer - Music From The Motion Picture

YouTube Win #7

MAD LANDING SKILLZ:

Personification: Autumn.

Dear Autumn,
Hi, I think that we've met before, but never really been fully acquainted. I mean I've enjoyed your past endeavors, and I've definitely noticed you before but only recently have I really been able to call myself a fan. Your previous work has passed me by slightly, so the new collection of colours you've brought to the table have really surpassed earlier times, because I'm definitely loving it.
Orange is a difficult colour to make work, but you've definitely done wonders with it, and fancy bringing in the yellows and slight greens! I never thought that would work, but congratulations, you've achieved colour success.
I often wonder if it's more difficult for you to follow the success of my good friend Summer, but I suppose it's probably easier for you as you just tend to strip the trees to their bare essentials and let them get on with it. Wise choice.
Anyway, hope that this letter of encouragement finds you well and I look forward to experiencing a bit more of you come October.
Yours in fallen leaves,
Emmah xo

Massively Great Quotes #25

"'You were a million years of work,'
Said God and His angels, with needle and thread.
They kissed your head and said,
'You’re a good kid and you make us proud.
So just give your best and the rest will come,
And we’ll see you soon.'"
- Needle & Thread, Sleeping at Last

Women of Win #1

A new feature demonstrating some of the fine women I'm a fan of.

Zooey Deschanel

image from www.myspace.com/zooeydeschanel

Great actress, impeccable style and hair. In a folk band. Dresses ridiculously well at all times. Cute. Funny. Girl next door. In films with hot boys (NB: 500 Days Of Summer). Oh, Zooey.

Great Things About Life This Week #18

• Hair cuts: a liberating feeling to know that you have just cut off months of damaged and split ends so that if only for a few weeks, your hair will be healthy for a while.
• Discovering something you love: I took some photos of my friends band this week and it just instilled in me a definite love for photography. It's a great feeling to have something to feel passionate about.
• Greenbelt festival: my boyfriend and I got back on Tuesday from a great weekend in Cheltenham, we worked at the festival in the hospitality lounge (that's backstage teas and coffees to you and me) and got free food and a free ticket to the festival for the privilege of doing so. Hard work, but a great weekend. http://www.greenbelt.org.uk/
  

My Friends Are Talented #2

Hello! Welcome to the second part of My Friends Are Talented! Last time I featured Adam Guest, Luke Leighfield and Kim Masters and now it's the turn of some other lovely person to be talked up via Tension & Thrill.

And so brings us to the brilliant and marvelous Dave Shearn.

He takes photos of lots of things in life: gigs, weddings, people... I'm sure he'd do your gig or wedding or person if you asked him nicely. He is a very funny, great and handsome chap who loves Jesus and photography a lot. He has taken these brilliant photos and you can visit his Flickr to look at some more of his wicked photography.

The Best Thing About Today #23

This cover:

Great Things About Life This Week #17

• A week with my favourite ginger: say hello to Sarah Ashworth. She is what is known as a ginger winner and I spent lots of time with her this week. We went to Starbucks and other coffee establishments, talked alot and ate too many eggs and drank too much gin and tonic. Standard times.
• Grace: astounds me, always.
  
• Greenbelt: Lee and I are currently at Greenbelt and having a wonderful time despite the turbulent night temperatures and the fact that we are working! Home tomorrow.
  

The Best Thing About Today #22

image from www.myspace.com/imogenheap

IMOGEN HEAP'S ALBUM IS OUT TODAY!

Image Share #5

Via Nataliedee

Do you not know? Have you not heard?

This blew me away today. It's taken from a DVD called 'How Great is Our God' which describes the great magnitude of the universe, and how stupidly amazing the God is who made it all. It has made me truly consider how insignificant Earth is in comparison to the rest of the galaxy, and the stars, and the insane big-ness that is the universe. And amongst all this epic existence, I am set apart. I have been chosen as a dwelling place.

Incredible.

Massively Great Quotes #24

"People travel to wonder at the height of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars; and they pass by themselves without wondering."
- St. Augustine

Ellipse.

What follows is the genius that is Imogen Heap's new album!



Listen, love and enjoy.

Wonderful Websites #10

http://www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com/

http://www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com/

http://www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com/

http://www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com/

http://www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com/

Does exactly what it says on the tin, awkward family photos.

Great Things About Life This Week #16

• Northern Ireland! I'm in Bangor in Northern Ireland this week and today me and my boyfriend, his dad and his brother are off on an adventure across the border to Ireland for some camping and some traditional Irish music!
• Meeting new people is wicked.
• The sun is shining!
  

The Best Thing About Today #21

Today I am going to the lovely place that is Bangor, in Northern Ireland to see the lovely person that is Lee Mitchell.

The Best Thing About Today #20

This song:

Great Things About Life This Week #15

• Weddings: I went to a lovely lovely wedding on Saturday! My friends Si and Jo from University got married and they both looked wonderful and celebrated the best day of their lives in style complete with all things Cath Kidston, Laura Ashley and with plenty of sunshine.
• Books: I have received 2 amazing books in the post this week, one is called Jesus For President by Shane Clairborne, and another is called Drop Like Stars: Some Thoughts on Creativity and Suffering by Rob Bell. Both have some amazing photography in and feature some wise words on how God and Jesus are oh so relevant to today's society, and the economic and social suffering going on all around us.
• My new camera lens: I got a 50mm lens (known online as the nifty fifty) and it's a massive winner so far. I can't wait to use it when I go on holiday to Northern Ireland on Saturday. Win.
  

Massively Great Quotes #23

"I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination.
Imagination is more important than knowledge.
Knowledge is limited.
Imagination encircles the world."
- Albert Einstein

YouTube Win #6

Frankmusik doing some badass beat boxing:

Photo Post #7

Image Share #4

Via www.marriedtothesea.com

Wonderful Websites #9

http://horribletattoos.blogspot.com/
http://horribletattoos.blogspot.com/
http://horribletattoos.blogspot.com/
http://horribletattoos.blogspot.com/
http://horribletattoos.blogspot.com/

Essentially, a website deomonstrating the immense stupidity of some people regarding their choices to get these things inked onto their bodies. For life.

Massively Great Quotes #22

"Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow - that is patience.”
- Unknown

Great Things About Life This Week #14

• My mum: Yesterday we had a BBQ for my mum's birthday which was on Saturday. My mum is a great mum. It's hard living with her after 4 years of independence at University but she is such a wonderful person. Giving, loving and everything a mum should be and more. So I'm glad she had a lovely day, she's a winner.
• Holga: My new Holga camera arrived this week! It's brilliant and I have had lots of fun taking photos with it today. The problem I have is that after years of using digital cameras, I need to work on my patience. My 4 year old niece didn't understand why she couldn't see the photo after I took it!
• Watersports: On Saturday I went to my friends hen party and we did loads of watersports like water skiing and banana boating (not quite sure that counts as a sport but still). It was so much fun, I ached all weekend from it and have some impressive war wounds but great times!
  

YouTube win #5

This kid has got some serious mooooovez:

Image Share #3

Via Toothpasterfordinner.com

Your Future Is Mine.

Reading or writing on another train platform.

Looking up at neon train times, contemplating life and creation - usually finding myself whimsically looking up to the sky wondering how clouds work or why that part is that colour or why that part is moving and that part is not.

It's either really hot or really cold, and whatever the weather, I am inappropriately dressed.

Now, what to do. Get coffee? Is there time? Will I have to run for the train coffee cup in hand and do the embarrassing thing of slowing down to edge my way to a doorway that's not crammed full of angry commuters or buggys? Which pocket is my phone in? How much battery is there left on my iPod? Will it last the journey? Will I last the journey is more the point.

There is usually an underlying sense of guilt attached to my contemplative waits on endless platforms. It has increased over the course of the last year, each time bringing with it more questions, more times of deep reflection, more times when I've simply had to shake myself out of thinking about it for fear of delving deeper into my narcissistic hours of thought and motion. This guilt comes from spending money, from alcohol, from boys, from ignorance. Mainly from ignorance. Mainly from not listening. The list is truly endless like no other list. Defying a plan, leading me to endless train stations, and feeling like I'm running from something.

Now this contemplative knot tightens, symbolizing uncertainty.

'Your future is Mine' a voice whispers.

The voice swims through me, exciting, unnerving, supernatural and wild. It rips through me daily, seeking me out and challenging me and all of a sudden it's a minute until the train I'm due to board arrives and I'm always grateful to get moving again so that the voice can reign supreme.

Your future is mine. It is louder now, and as quick as I am reassured, the knot in my stomach is gone.

The Best Thing About Today #19

The other day I told you all to read The Time Travellers Wife, a wonderful book that I'm currently nearing the end of. Well they're making it into a film! Tonight at Tesco I saw a poster for it outside. It has the beautiful Rachel McAdams in it from The Notebook and Eric Bana from the awful first Hulk film. Here's the trailer:

Massively Great Quotes #21

"Even the smallest person can change the course of the future."
- Galadriel, Lord Of The Rings

Image Share #2

Via nataliedee.com

Great Things About Life This Week #13

• My weekend was spent in 2 of my favourite places: Winchester and Weymouth. In Winchester I searched for a new house with a best friend, in Weymouth I slobbed out in an old house with a best friend.
• Holga cameras: I'm sure you will be hearing much more about this, but I ordered a Holga camera this week, and I'm very excited about receiving it and messing around with it! They are 80s toy cameras that produce amazing light distortion effects and I have loved looking at Holga images on flickr for ages now, so am eager to get started with mine soon, exciting.
  
• New babies: my friend Abi had a beautiful beautiful little girl very early this morning. Her name is Amelie Victoria and I'm very excited about meeting her soon.
  

The Best Thing About Today #18

The first song of Imogen Heap's new album 'Ellipse' is on Spotify!

image from myspace.com/imogenheap

Listen to First Train Home on Spotify: HERE!

Wicked Cool Bands #11

"If you ask me of my fondest memory,
I'd say take my hand and I'll show you where I've been.
As we tread through leaves you'd listen while I speak,
this moment that we share is ours to keep."
- Through The Leaves, Kissy Sell Out

Kissy Sell Out: DJ, electro pioneer, remix king. Summer songs. Big tunes. Best played loud accompanied by sunshine. Listen to Through the Leaves, the best track (in my humble opinion) from their 2009 record, Youth and try not to give in to the desire to run to the nearest park and lie back and think of the summer that we should be having. You might want to take an umbrella for the rain.

Official site.
Myspace.