So, 2011 is almost done. As I look forward to another year in which only one thing is certain - I will be in Benicassim in July - I take a moment to remember the past year.

Okay i'm done see you in 2012 a year in which I hope to finally finish something that is aching my soul, something that is so dear to me and at the moment so distant, something... you get the point.

See you in 2012 my hollow hoards of readers

I shall leave you with this image, why? I don't know but nothing bad can come from something so gorgeous right?

Busy, busy, busy, beyond belief...

I won't blog for a while, because the time just isn't going to be there. Life is really getting in the way of my writing and everything that I truly enjoy :(

Alas, remember me as I was my invisible friends... An Arctic Monkey craving, clever prose loving, procrastinator :P

Until next time!

The talent vs hard work debate that I flagged up in my last post is still waging in my mind.

I thought i'd share a video of a man who I believe fits the 'hard work' label - Arnold Schwarznegger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0PrTkE5jG4

The video is of a speech given by Arnold where he outlines his six most important steps to success. Give it a listen, there are some frequently heard steps but it's interesting that he calls the most important step "working hard!" He even goes as far as saying none of his steps work without hard work...

Anyway I'm going to get back to working hard :P

Enjoy

Recently I've been dealing a lot with the concept of success and is it down to hard work or talent. A few weeks ago at dance I came across a young man who pitched the idea to me that there is no such thing as talent. He believed that the word talent has been created by man to make us understand when someone is so much better. This notion interested me, because I have always wondered what makes Brian Lara or Cristiano Ronaldo such better practitioners of their crafts. Is it talent? Were they born that way? Or is it just that they have worked harder than everyone else? Or maybe it's a combination of both? (a point my Dad threw into the cauldron that is my mind)

After all the thinking I came to the conclusion that firstly to reach exceptional heights hard work is required. I believe talent is real, some people are quicker at learning things and see the word from a different perspective that allows them to do unique things. I don't believe talent is required to be a success though. Success can be achieved through hard work.

In my pursuit of an answer I came across a motivational speaker called Eric Thomas. He gave a brilliant analogy to what hard work really means. I'm going to leave you with a link to a video of his talking about hard work and success, it really is thought evoking - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoL0XNfSViA -

Until next time!

Along with the 7496 things I already do in my life i've just added 7497, which is the Arabic language... :)

I'm using loads of resources to learn it but mainly Rosetta Stone. One thing that has surprised me is the amount of help available via YouTube - it's not just for procrastination after all.

A channel that has been really fun is http://learnarabicwithmaha.wordpress.com/ created by a young lady called Maha Jubi. She is really clear and it's good to get descriptions of pronouns in English - Rosetta Stone is entirely in Arabic - as Arabic has LOADS!

Stay healthy Walad wa bint.

My love for Arctic Monkeys just grows and grows and this is why... The hair, the style, the music, the epicness... ENJOY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLezIehukGA

Ps. If anyone knows how to embed videos into a post do let me know. Thanks

England are the number one ranked test playing nation in the world.

They've destroyed an average Indian side; a side that are ODI champions and the former number one side; a side that I've always had my suspicions about.

India's batting line up is stuff of legend with Sehwag, Sachin, Laxman and Dravid piling it on before MS Dhoni comes in to bludgeon it. However, these legends have been made on flat trackers out in the sub-continent. This has always made me uncomfortable when calling India 'the best.' Even after they beat everybody and won the world cup - on flat wickets - my brow was furrowed.

This recent test series has show India's frailties, not only in their club standard bowling attack but also with the seemingly formidable batting line up.

I don't want to turn this into a dissection of India cause I want to talk about England - we're the champions after all. This is the best England side of my lifetime and possibly ever. They have a camaraderie that is strong, a fierce fighting nature and a raging desire to win, win, win. Not to mention damned good cricketers. An area that must be mentioned is the strength in depth. England have lost Tremlett and Trott in this series, no problem though cause instep Bresnan and Bopara (who got me ECB complementary tickets for the second day at Edgbaston but I digress). Truly signs of golden era for English cricket, let's hope that we've learnt the lessons from '05 and keep this side together for years to come...

Think I may have to get a Barmy Army membership ;)

Until next time my friends from beyond the bails.

Just watched the Reboot of Thundercats and I'm struggling for words to be honest.

The original series along with Michael Jackson was one of the best things to come out of the 80s. Hundreds of times I've watched Lion-o lead his fellow cats into battle against the evils of Third Earth. When I heard about this reboot I was sceptical and worried, because I didn't want anyone to butcher a pivotal memory of my childhood.

When I saw the early stills, my fears grew and the nights became longer and tougher to get through. "Those bastards better not Indiana Jones my beloved Cats." Is all I thought. Then I saw the first trailer...

I was upset, angry, livid... they had changed everything. The characters I loved had been morphed and transformed for a new story, for a new generation.

"If it aint broke, dont fix it" I commented on numerous forums and youtube videos. I wasn't prepared or willing to let them ruin my childhood.

Alas, in my rage it was brother who calmed me and spoke sense when irrational thoughts raged about my mind.

"They can't just copy the original, they need to make it different otherwise what's the point?" He reasoned. I thought about this long and hard and eventually agreed. So, calmly I decided to give the show another chance and wait for the first episode to air.

That fateful day was Friday the 29th July 2011. Due to my geographical situation I wasn't able to watch it live, but on Sunday the 31st I finally saw it.

Beautiful, respectful of the past, fresh, enjoyable... That'a a lot of superlatives but just watch it and you'll understand. It was surprisingly dark as well, which I think was bold and risky in a generation where children's cartoons are happy and very flowery.

Thundercats are back with a bang, they've been missed, but with the success of the first episode the show has already been renewed for a second season. I don't think these felines are going anywhere anytime soon. THUNDERCATS HOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Those that know the man behind the legend, may or may not be aware that I enjoy playing chess. In my early teens I was better than average - he says with a smug look of satisfaction etched across his face - and to this day I'm a hard nut to crack on the old white and black board.

So with my history of chess I didn't think there were many surprises that the old game could hurl at me. Not for the first time recently - fuck you David Haye - I was wrong.

This is four-handed chess:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-handed_chess

I'm looking for some players and somewhere to buy the board etc... so if you're interested get in contact. I'm more excited than a crack addict in a crack den... terrible.

Get practicing my invisible viewers and i'll meet you on the chess board!

Love the song, love this really cool alternative video. They've managed to capture a unique side to LA, it seems fun tbh.

Have a look :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvZIYIVNGZ0

It's been a while. I've been insanely busy doing all sorts. Changed my diet completely - no fried food. I've damaged my already damaged knee and so have to keep off it until July 13th - I haven't been. I've been using the cinema as my come down time. I love it and really use it as a form of escapism, that being said the film also has to be of a standard for me to become thoroughly immersed in it. I've been lucky with the summer selection of films I've been able to watch. I might start reviewing films after I've watched them... add another element to this wonderful forum of creative expression.

I'm purposely going to keep this short. I've got to be up at 5.45 to get the gym as part of my new regime - Benicassim is coming I can smell the Brine from the Spanish beach already :)

Until next time my amigos.

I don't like breaking pledges so here is my promised weekly post :)

United have just won the league. I'm happy but I'm not overly excited because of next week (champs league final).

Whilst talking about the sports world I may as well mention boxing as Saturday was a big day for the sport. George Groves humiliated James Degale. Now, when I say humiliated those reading that didn't see the fight are probably thinking it was a hugely one sided affair. This was not the case, if anything Degale looked the better boxer and could have won it at anytime. The fact that he didn't and no-one is calling it a dodgy result is why I'm using the term humiliated.

In the run up to this fight Degale threw the type of insults at Groves that Britain hasn't seen since the days of 'The Prince.' When you hurl around that type of abuse and then lose the fight, where do you go afterwards?

Groves did a bit of running and stayed at a distance, then when he felt the time was right he traded. Everyone called Degale the better boxer but last night the one with his boxing brain on was Groves.

I don't believe Groves has the ability to be a world champion, but we shall see. As for Degale he needs to go back to the drawing board. For me that means America, new camp and new ideas. In Degale I believe he has the talent to be a world champion and what happened last night was down to his own arrogance and stagnation in his development - Adam Booth may disagree. I hope last night humbles Degale and brings out the champion that I believe he could be.

Last night also saw Bernarnd Hopkins defeat Jean Pascal. I called B-Hop before the fight because to me he is too meticulous in everything he does in the ring to lose to an average champion in Pascal. In winning B-Hop became the oldest world champion ever, a fine achievement for the legend.

On a sad note another legend Roy Jones Jr was on the receiving end of a sickening K.O that must signal the end of his illustrious career. I've spent today watching vintage Jones and in all honesty at his best he was the greatest boxing of the last twenty years. His problem now is age. Bernard is still able to produce and he has a few years on Jones but what they rely on in the ring is vastly different.

Hopkins is tight, correct, determined and not the prettiest boxer ever. These are facets that time can't take away so freely. Jones on the other hand relies on blistering speed and hand eye co-ordination, both gifts that lady time takes early. Thus the difference in fortune we are witnessing at the moment. Hopkins is still able to cut it whilst Roy is floundering badly.

It is a shame when greats can't 'let it go' but Jones is now messing around with his health and someone in his camp needs to stop him.

Wow this has dragged... I do love boxing though, it's something I wish I had the opportunity to take more part in when I was growing up.

Until the next time my friendly phantoms

Saw this and thought I'd share...

Here is the original link:
http://www.nowloss.com/ways-to-speed-up-metabolism-naturally-to-burn-fat-faster.htm

11 Ways to speed up your metabolism

1. Go for the After Burn

The more intense you workout = The more calories you'll continue to burn "after" your workout is over keeping your fat-burning metabolism higher all throughout the day.

Weight loss intervals, these fat burning workouts and weight training are all examples of intense workouts that cause an after burn effect where You'll continue to burn calories for 12-to-48 hours after you've finished working out to help your body recover from your intense workout so to lose weight faster & permanently...

It's best to do a high intensity workout at least 3 times a week and you can do low intensity workouts the other days.

Please Note: all weight loss activities have some sort of after burn effect but only the after burn effect of high intensity activities keeps your fat-burning metabolism higher for much longer periods of time.

2. Exercise less but more frequently

Scientists are now saying you can actually lose more weight & keep your metabolism fired up longer by doing 4 smaller 10-minute workouts instead of 1 big 30-to-40-minute workout

Check this out: In a recent University of Pittsburgh study... Women who did 4 separate 10 minute workouts during the day lost 30% more weight than women who did one big 40 minute workout everyday so what this really means for you is this...


If you have time - you can boost your metabolism by doing 4 smaller 10 minute workouts at a moderate-to-high intensity (see how to lose weight at home) or if don't have time for 4 separate 10 minute workouts... You can still keep your metabolism higher all day long by going for the after burn (see #1) with ONE longer interval workout.
3. Drink at least 1 liter of ice cold water daily

Not only does water help prevent you from getting bloated by flushing out excess water weight but as far as increasing your metabolism goes...

The fat burning process of metabolism needs water to work effectively and... Your body has to raise your metabolism to burn extra calories to warm up the Ice cold water you drink and...

Check this out: A Clinical Research Center in Berlin found that after you drink 17 ounces of water - Your fat-burning metabolism increases by 30% within 10 minutes of drinking water.

4. Eat More fiber & protein

Eating more fiber & protein increases your metabolism because your body burns the most calories digesting foods high in fiber & protein and...

You can easily get more fiber in your diet by eating more complex carbs and as for protein... You don't have to go on a high protein diet - You just need to make protein at least 30% of your diet to get the metabolism boosting effects.

5. Do something when you wake up

The best time to workout to lose weight is first thing in morning so you'll burn more fat but as far as revving up your metabolism goes...

Morning workouts give you a longer lasting After burner effect (see #1) that helps you burn more calories during the day while on the other hand...

You do get some after burn with evening workouts but your after burn won't last as long since you'll probably end up going to bed in the evening and when you sleep - your metabolism slows back down.

6. Have breakfast after your morning workout - NO COFFEE

You need to eat good breakfast with some protein and fiber (see #4) to boost your fat-burning metabolism earlier in the day so you can burn more fat and...

If you do skip breakfast you'll miss out on all the calories you could've burned if you wait until lunch or dinnertime to eat because... Skipping breakfast makes your metabolism (which is already slow from you sleeping 8-to-12 hours) even slower and...

Studies show that when you eat breakfast... You won't overeat, you'll maintain your weight, and you'll lose more weight while on diet & exercise programs.

7. Gain Muscle

1 pound of muscle burns 5-to-14 calories a day so when you put on 5 pounds of muscle... Your metabolism will burn 25-to-70 extra calories a day and You'll lose an extra 2½-to-7 pounds of fat a year and...

Although the 2½-to-7 pound weight loss is not a lot... When you gain 5 pounds of muscle - You'll look 5-to-10 pounds slimmer because muscle takes up less space than Fat does.

8. Drink Green tea

According to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Green tea helps you burn 35-to-43% more calories a day and...

Another study showed that men who drank green tea for 3 months lost almost twice as much weight than those who didn't drink green tea - see How To Make Your Own Green Tea here

9. Got MILK?

During a Purdue university study... Women who ate 3-to-4 servings of low-fat dairy everyday burned more fat & more calories after meals and...
This study said you may be able to lose an extra 10 pounds of fat just by eating 3-to-4 servings of low-fat dairy like yogurt, cheese, and skim milk.

10. Add Spices to your meals to boost your metabolism by 20%

Different studies have said that spices can increase your metabolism by 8-to-20% for at least 30 minutes after eating them - for example...

An Oxford University study proved that hot peppers can increase your fat-burning metabolism by adding just 3 grams of chili peppers to meals and In a British Study... Spicy mustard made people burn an extra 45-to-75 calories over 3 hours and...

All you need to do to get a metabolism boost from spices is to add a little bit of cayenne pepper or spicy mustard to your favorite recipes.

11. Improve your thyroid function

Your thyroid basically regulates your metabolism and you may be able to increase your metabolism simply by eating more seafood, nuts & seeds because All of these foods are high in Selenium, Vitamin E, Iodine, Zinc & Copper and...

All of those nutrients are essential for better thyroid function to help boost your metabolism and not having enough of those nutrients will cause your metabolism to slow down and/or you may develop hypothyroidism and as a matter of fact...

People who have hypothyroidism or slow metabolisms add more Selenium, Vitamin E,Iodine, Zinc & Copper to their diets to naturally treat hypothyroidism to help speed up their metabolism to help them lose weight again.

Trying to do one every week now, so bear with me if I have nothing to say.

Check out Marsha Ambrosius' - Lady who penned MJ's 'Butterflies' — new album 'Late Nights and Early Mornings.' Don't want to say too much, but I'm engrossed in her voice at the moment.

When I'm not serenading myself with beautiful music I'm writing. When I'm not writing, I'm working. When I'm not working, I'm dancing. When I'm not dancing, I'm sleeping. When I'm not sleeping, I'm procrastinating... Ugh whatever I do that little procrastination gremlin will not leave me alone. Anyone with any ideas of how to be more productive fire them at me.

Does this count as procrastinating? No doubt I'll spend next few hours googling it and waste even more time...

2 Chapters away btw :) That's just a personal triumph. Those who know what I'm talking about can give themselves a victory fist wag if they want :o)

Until next time my friends.

Hey, I haven't blogged in... well you can all see the date of my last entry. I've had a entire half term and easter break in between blogs. The sad thing is, not much has changed.

Well, United are basically in the Champions League Final, and I reckon we'll play Real (everyone scroll down to my prediction for the cricket world cup, you'll see i'm gifted with sports forecasts). My little booky wook is nearly finished, which is a big reason behind the lack of blog love that I've shown recently. So many films have come out recently that I haven't seen, reasons? I have no clue... I love the cinema, there's even a film out with James Franco, Natalie Portman and Zooey Deschanel that I haven't seen. Years gone by I would have been at the premier.

What else is new? Alex Turner released an Ep solely featuring himself. I could give a thousand superlatives to describe the masterpiece but I shall use only one, Reem! (I've become a TOWIE fan betwixt and between blogs too) On a sour note, I've heard two new songs from Arctic Monkeys and I'm severely underwhelmed by their efforts. I'll give the lads the benefit of the doubt, but the due date of the album is drawing closer and if I don't hear something as ground shattering as 'Mardy Bum' I may sell my tickets to Benicassim (utter lies but hey).

I'm going to try and blog once a week from now on, my time management has picked up recently so I should be able to fit in a ramble here and there.

Until next time you nameless, pirates of cyber space.

It's done... it's over... where did it go? Why did it go? Please come back...

Just some of the shit sprawling around my head. Back in class in less than 48 hours and I'm wondering where my beautiful half term has gone. It seems like yesterday we were just meeting each other, the promises, the hopes, dreams... Now where are they? (Yes, I'm referring to half term as a woman, fyi she's 5ft5, black hair, bodacious rack and eyes that suggest pleasures far too explicit for a child friendly blog)

Thought i'd moan a bit and see if it made me feel any better... Nothing!

Haven't blogged in ages, because I'm a tool... I mean busy. I'm procrastinating to Uni levels once again, however a friend of mine has given me a new app for my Mac which can block the dreaded time killer (facebook) for a set period of time. Hopefully this means more blogs, more writing and more constructive behaviour. Only time will tell. If you have a mac and are interested in this app it's free and called 'SelfControl,' give it a try it could be a God send.

Until the next time.

p.s. India for the Cricket World Cup - Wickets are too flat, their batsmen are too strong when the ball doesn't move and they are at home... I mean how are they not 1.01 to take this thing hahaha BUYING money me thinks.

Haven't blogged in AGES! I've been insanely busy doing... well i'm not sure to be honest, but I have been busy :P

One thing I do know... I'm going to Benicassim Festival! Soaking up the 40 degree weather and embracing three of my favourite bands.

Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes and Arcade Fire are headlining and I can't fucking wait (pardon my French). I reckon if I hear three specific songs at the festival I will have an accident of orgasmic proportions. The songs are 'Do me a favour,' 'Juicebox' and 'Wake up'...

...

Just thinking about them causes me to pause and shudder momentarily. Those three songs... live... I literally can't explain the euphoria surging through my body just from the thought. I think I'll have to bring several pieces of spare underwear.

Wow, this has been a rather graphic post, I hope no under 16s are viewing... maybe I should put a disclaimer somewhere? Fuck it! If Perez Hilton can get away with his joke of a blog without any troubles then so can I... FREEDOM OF SPEECH BABY!

Until next time my veiled friends!