Moments of 2012

With Christmas around the corner, this will most likely be my last post of the year. So, it only seems natural to take this oppurtunity to round up the moments that defined 2012.

1 - My Number One moment of 2012 : THE LONDON OLYMPICS

The most uplifting and brilliant moment in our countries recent history, there was so much expectation and anticipation along with some trepidation - but from the moment the Olympics opened we bought the spirit of London to the world stage - creating, arguably, the greatest Olympic games that have ever been.

And who will ever forget this…

2 - KONY

The video that changed peoples perception towards Youtube. Before, it was a search engine for videos - now it had become a tool for propaganda. The video and the company had its loopholes, but the message of the video was paramount - as was its importance to show that getting something viral can change an entire worlds perception on one thing.

3- CHELSEA WINNING THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE…AND THEN RUINING EVERYTHING.

Chelsea have become THE most discussed club in the world. John Terry's racism case, the sacking and hiring of managers and, of course, during this time we became european champions for the first time in our clubs history, and the first london club to do so.

4- OBAMA IS RE-ELECTED.

Just when you thought that he couldn't deliver, or he had his time and Romney was to steal it from him. Obama won - in a landslide victory.

5- HURRICANE SANDY

The picture of the giant storm cloud hovering over New York was spread all around Facebook, and despite the news informing us, no-one could quite imagine the size of the 'superstorm'.

Saving Arsenal FC

I am no football guru, just a man with a lowly FA coaching badge and some strong opinions - but here is my perceived blueprint for improving the club.

Arsenal are a team of brilliant individual footballers - Wilshere, Vermalen, Podolski and Cazorla are all fantastically gifted footballers. However, the team they play in are made up of also-rans, unfortunately players who do not cut it at the top end of european football.

Van Persie's goals would have made a difference, but I don't think a big enough one to pull them into a title contention…If I was Wenger I would have got Berbatov in as part of that deal, a player with a point to prove and something to give.

First and foremost the clubs board needs to put sole control to one owner, and that owner then needs to fire or ask Wenger to resign. To condemn the best foreign coach the premier league has had sounds ludicrous but unlike his illustrious enemy (Sir Alex) Wenger hasn't adopted his style or methodology to suit the ever changing demands of the premier league.

There is a lot of deadwood at Arsenal; Arshavin, Squillaci and Gervininho to name but a few and they need to be moved on.

Arsenal need players, top quality experienced players to mould them into a title force

Reina, Fellani, Demba Ba, Diame and Lescott All premier league proven players more than capable of adding some grit to Arsenals graft and all of the players listed are well within Arsenals reach financially. (Ba and Diame having clauses to get them for around £7 million each)

The system Arsenal play (4-2-3-1) is a popular one in modern day football and with the additions of the above players it would be one which wouldn't need much adapting. Tactically Arsenal usually dominate possession, however, learning when to pressurise with the ball and when to rest with it are notions that need to be introduced. They need to hit the ground running, the transition between defence and attack needs to be lethal, scoring in 4 passes or 40 is something Arsenal lack. Both are equal, but it is senescing the opportunity to score quickly and react to your opponent that is vital.

As for a new manager, Pep Guardiola would be a natural fit. As would Jurgen Klopp. Both Barcelona and Dortmund play the aesthetically pleasing football Arsenal fans admire, however, they would add more strength and a mentality that winning is key.

Playing the best football is great, being 15 points behind the leaders in December isn't.

My Favourite TV shows

Sons of Anarchy 

I started watching this last christmas after my Dad bought series 1&2. It written and produced by the fantastic Kurt Sutter, who was the architect behind the brilliant S.H.E.I.L.D. The shows focuses around a motorcycle gang -who gain money by running guns. The shows strength is it focuses on the relationships inside the motorcycle gang, with the Queen of the bikers 'Gemma' the shows stongest character. It has now been running for five seasons and there is very rarely a dull episode, it is often brilliantly poised between season to season.

True Blood

The Vampire story has become increasingly popular in the last decade or so. However, True Blood plays the genre so well and so differently that it has created a violent, gory and extremely well written show - that would have Tarrintino off his seat in ruptures of applause. The shows strength lies in its ability to have multiple story lines running at the same time, often converging in a thrilling finale. 

The O.C.

This was the original american-teen show. For my generation anyway, the character development was brilliant and the plot was always constantly changing, the scene above, is probably one of the most moving bits of television I had ever seen. It was just absolutely incredible. Season 4 was a bit rubbish though, and thankfully they quit while they were ahead.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer

As I wrote in a previous blog I've probably seen every episode at least twice. Written, directed and produced by the incredible Joss Whedon. The show finished on the best possible moment, there were so many brilliant episodes and so many twists and turns, 

Why I Love and Hate Christmas.

Christmas is such a strange time of year. The days leading up to it are filled with rushed preparation, I seemingly always find myself in Debenhams with my Dad is a manic rush to find one last perfect present for my mum. On the flip side I'm in Sainsburys or Tesco's with Mum stocking up on copious amounts of food and booze to be plastered across the dinner table for Christmas Eve, Day and Boxing day.

The evenings leading up to Christmas also consist of two things;

Wrapping

and

Love Actually or The Holiday.

On the other side, I despise Christmas. I love my job, I really do, It's an amazing place to work, you get fed and found but it is hard graft and on occasion you do get the simple customer or two. Especially when's its all you can drink. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the three weeks before Christmas it always consists of these two things:

Vomit

and

Drunk-Middle aged women proposing to me and my colleagues.

It's all just pretty embarrassing really.


But I really love about Christmas is summed up in the clip below from Love Actually - Secretly we all want to live the life of this film.

Acne.

No not the clothing range, or the place where people buy bombs in Warner Bro's cartoons. That horrible skin condition.

After watching BBC Three's excellent show 'dying for clear skin' . It left me pondering my own experiences with it and what I did to try and curb it.

I've suffered from acne since, probably, the age of 14. It's not nice - and I can only think of two or three other people in my school who had it was bad as I did or worse.

It really knocks your confidence, which sound so superficial and silly - but i didn't want to draw attention to my face so I wouldn't look people in the eye, this was something that was repeated time and time again on BBC Three's program.

Now nearly 21, I haven't had a bad acne breakout in probably a year or so, which is great. I've been left with some pretty nasty scarring though, which aint so cool.

I tried everything from Clean 'n Clear to Clearasil to GP antibiotics EVERYTHING.

But earlier this year I was bought a rather expensive, but brilliant device called a Calrisonic - it costs around £100, but, it is utterly brilliant and in around 3 months has improved my skin dramatically and its something I highly recommend buying.

Also as a facewash La Roche Posay are a french company which have a neutralised face wash which is excellent for the skin 'coz its got no perfume or anything harsh.

I know guys don't really do skincare, its quite or seen as, effeminate - however If you do suffer from bad skin, like I do, I hope between myself, the program and your Doctor you can find a resolution.

Albums that I love.

Paul Weller : Modern Classics

My Dad used to have this on in his car on repeat, it has also been the soundtrack to every holiday I have ever had with my family. I, perhaps, have been subtly moulded into adoring this album, however, it has got some of my favourite songs on here and brings back so many brilliant memories. 

Songs to listen to : 'Out of the Sinking' 'Wild Wood' 'You do something to me'

Arctic Monkeys: My Favourite Worst Nightmare

The first album created the buzz and made Arctic Monkey's into the best young british band, their second album however is my personal favourite and one of my favourite albums of all time. It also contains my favourite song of all time. 

Songs to listen to: 'Old Yellow Bricks' 'Do me a Favour' '505' 

Florence + The Machine: Lungs

As I wrote in a previous blogpost, she was amazing live . I think I know every word to every single song on this album, she is one of my favourite artists and is the soundtrack to basically every holiday I go on. I just keep going back to it.

Songs to listen to: 'Howl' 'Dogs Days are Over' 'Hurricane Drunk'


Amy Winehouse: Back to Black

I honestly believe she is the greatest voice this country has ever produced. I know that is extreme and is a bit of a sweeping statement, but this album led me to delve into music I have never even given a chance. Its beautiful crafted by Mark Ronson and Winehouse's voice is beautifully haunting and lyrically foreboding.

Songs to listen to: 'Unholy War' 'Back to Black' 'Wake up Alone'


Mumford & Sons : Sigh No More

I have never fell in love with a band so quickly as I did with Mumford & Sons, they are my desktop music - I don't stop listening to them and never get bored by what they do. I know they have their critics but in my eyes they are utterly fantastic.

Songs to listen to: 'I Gave You All' 'Thistle and Weeds' 'Sigh No More'

In No Particular Order, The Favourite Bands I Have Seen Live...

Coldplay - Wembley Stadium 2009

Coldplay are one of those bands who get a lot of stick for being successful, they have similar routine with their albums and mainly fit their songs around the sounds of a stadium. This show was incredibly poignant however, it was almost as if Coldplay had come out with a 'Best of' album and just played through the hits. Every single one of them, masterfully played and the staging beautifully constructed. It was a gig which entirely changed my opinion on them as a band. 

Florence + The Machine - V Festival 2010

I was in love with her debut album 'Lungs' and was incredibly excited to see her all weekend, and then she did the above rendition of 'You Got The Love' and despite it not being my favourite song of hers, she made my festival through the way she slowed the pace down to build up to an incredible finale.

Arctic Monkeys - V Festival 2011

They had just released 'Suck it and See' and were headlining the 'pop festival' of the summer - they were up against Dizzie Rascal who was due a big crowd, they knew they had to smash it. And they did. 

Jay -Z - Wembley Stadium 2010

I was sort of late to the whole rap game, Jay-Z was the first rapper I really got into and I didn't really know what it would be like to see a rapper have a set for more than half hour or so, and see what he could do when up against a band such as Coldplay. He played it perfectly. 

Lady GaGa - V Festival 2009

''Just Dance' and 'Poker Face' had just hit the charts in the UK and no one really knew what to expect of her, apart from she was a little weird. And she turned the tent we were watching her in, into her domain, she made an incredible Andy Warhol styled entrance and just pounded through some amazing tunes - also I didn't realise how well she could sing until her little piano interlude.