BEDM - May 31st

Ohai there!

*sob* Well, this is the end. May 31st. Today, let's look to the future...

My last exam is on Thursday -- note to self: start learning your writing! -- and then I start 5th year at the Anderson on Monday. MONDAY! As in 5 days, which to me that's crazy. It'll be kinda sad to leave Sandwick but I think it's time now. Another year there and I may have gone crazy.

Summer is going to be awesome! There's all the Tall Ships stuff going to happen - the big dance performance at the opening ceremony and the Maddrim short film - as well as many of my friends playing music on the main stage. Maddrim will be making films for the festival all over the summer, I will be making an homage to bad American 80s soap operas like Dynasty as a kind of spin-off to 2009's Split Ends. Watch the space.

In addition to this I'm heading the Edinburgh Fringe for a few days (yay) as well as taking part in the Youth Theatre summer production of Salomé, an Oscar Wilde play. Overall it's going to be very exciting!

Also, Nice will be so nice in October! It's going to insane!

Well, that's BEDM over. I'm quite amazed I've come up with something to say everyday! I hope someone else will take the gauntlet and do a BEDJ? Cool?

SONG OF THE DAY: I Need a Dollar - Aloe Blacc
The song is going to be big. Trust me.

Tara x

BEDM - May 30th

Ohai there!

Holy fo'shizzle I can't believe this is the penultimate day of BEDM already, it's gone by so quickly... JK it feels like I've been doing this for eternity.

I wanted to share with you some stats and a secret about my blog prostitution today. Yay!

• Most Popular BEDM: May 18th in which I talk about losing my respect for Glee and Standard Grade Drama.

It puzzled me for a long time why this seemingly simple post rocketed up in the views. I mean, the second most popular - May 20th - was written by Max so it's understandable but I was perplexed about the other. Until it hit me like a brick in the face. My linking description to Facebook was "Confession. (Don't Get Excited)".

People are drawn to drama, so upon realising this I started to whore myself out (in a semi-satirical way granted) by writing things like 'SOMEBODY DIES!?!', "Secrets and Lies!', 'Time lists!', 'Beaten in a field to death!', and one time I just wrote 'Explosions!'

None of the follow-up posts got quite the buzz of the first - with the exception of May 22nd, 'SOMEBODY DIES!?!' - so my suspicion is the jig was up from that point onwards. It was cool little social experiment for myself and a little viewers boost which is always nice!

Also, I discovered that 'Geek Chic' is big in Denmark! Huzzah my Scandinavian friends! 27 views! (Though it has nowhere reached the relatively low heights of the UK or US.)

So there you go. A nice confession for ya'!

SONG OF THE DAY: Make You Feel My Love - Adele/Bob Dylan/Adorable Ronan Parke on BGT

Tomorrow's the last day. Shitters! I might talk about my highlights/the future.

Tara x

BEDM - May 29th

Ohai there!

For the love of god, I cannot be bothered to do another one today.

Like, you are awesome. Honestly, you (the person reading this) is top notch but I have a sore head and nothing to say and I feel sick from eating too much chocolate and bleugghhh - this just isn't happening.

Em.... I think I'm going to just stick in an obligatory funny YouTube video and call it a night.

Bon soir!



This is a character on Saturday Night Live. He's legendary and Bill Hader can't get through a single sketch without breaking character.

SONG OF THE DAY: Set Fire To The Rain - Adele

Tara x

BEDM - May 28th (kind of)

Ohai there!

I'm not sorry for missing yesterday. That's because after being beaten to death by the wind and rain in a field, I wasn't much up to it.

So I went to a couple of my friends birthday party yesterday. It was a camping party. This is when alarm bells should have rang. 'A camping party in Shetland, Joe? IN SHETLAND?!'


Of course we were met with gale force winds and monsoon like rain, but y'know what. I had a lot of fun. Well, until our tent started leaking at 12.15am - then it was just kind of stressful.

SONG OF THE DAY: Mad World - Tears For Fears

One of the songs played during the epic jamming session!

Tara x

BEDM - May 27th

Ohai there!

Another last minute installment, I'm afraid. I was going to talk today about the differences between European & non-American cinema in comparison to American cinema but I don't really have time/I'm full of Chinese food and lying down.

I'm at an intriguing stage where I'm actually bored of study leave. I only have one exam left which require minimal studying, so I'm now spending my time replaying the PS2 version of HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

SONG OF THE DAY: Bang Bang - Elie Dupuis

Tara x

BEDM - May 26th

OHAIII THEEEEERE!

I'm in such a weird mood right now, so excuse me if this post looks like I have ADD.

Righty-ho.

I have finished Standard Grade Chemistry! Unsexy chemistry will haunt my life no more! Actually, come to think of it I'm finished my studies of the sciences forever. Maths forever. Logic forever! I get to do the creative wanky bullshit stuff mixed with general knowledge and life skills full-time! In layman's terms: English, Modern Studies, Music, French and Philosophy! Yup, it's going to be delicious.

Alas, I'm not going to totally unashamedly bash the sciences. I've learned a decent bit more about the world around me is like from SG Chemistry and Physics, but let's be honest; for me to do the Higher would be pushing it and getting slightly too career-ey for my liking. Here is a list of the things I have found useful/interesting in both of the courses:

• Some stuff about elements
• Some stuff about metals/corrosion
• Some stuff about acid
• Some stuff about fuel/renewable energy
• Space Physics
• Radiation
• Some stuff from Health Physics
• Some stuff about forces 
• Some stuff about energy
• Knowing what not to touch in a plug

I think that about sums it up. A decent list, though there is some emphasis on the some.

I wouldn't be surprised in the next few days if I act like my exams are totally finished... but they're not. I still have a niggling little examen en español, la semana próximo. Es muy molesto.

I need an exciting thumbnail for this BEDM so here it is.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I tried to draw Thomas Edison but he just kinda looked like Einstein with breast implants."
SONG OF THE DAY: Animal - Neon Trees

Tara x

BEDM - May 25th

Ohai there!

I have a chemistry exam tomorrow which is not impressive. I had, what I would say is, my first ever cramming session today and I would not recommend it! I mean, it's fine, I have the gist of everything but there are still some imperfections in my knowledge of the scientific world that need to be ironed out (empirical formula?) I think this all came from my Physics exam when I only started revising a couple days before and that transcended into this mess where I have like, half a day to go over everything. OH WELL!

Right I also watched the Glee finale. I am not going to say much about it now because 95% of people haven't watched it yet but let me just say it's quite heavily restored my faith in the programme. For a theatre/NYC geek like myself, it's kind of delectable at points. *coughwickedcough*

Alas I must depart. I think I'm going to watch The Apprentice then go to bed.

For everyone sitting the exam tomorrow - bon chance!

SONG OF THE DAY: For Good - Wicked

Tara x

BEDM - May 24th

Ohai there!

I almost totally forgot about this. I'm just looking at TIME 10 lists right now, and there is some interesting stuff but my favourite is one of the top ten tweets of 2010:

"@Sn00ki u r right, I would never tax your tanning bed! Pres Obama's tax/spend policy is quite The Situation. but I do rec wearing sunscreen!" - John McCain.

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2035319_2033647_2033646,00.html #ixzz1NJV5X6tp

I think this is funnier without context.


SONG OF THE DAY: Barricades - Fyfe Dangerfield


Tara x

BEDM - May 23rd

Ohai there!

I NEVER HAVE TO DO PHYSICS EVER AGAIN! HUZZAH! *MANIACAL LAUGHTER*

This may or not be all my physics work for two years. I may or not be doing a cultish happydance on it.

Exams/Jaw

In all seriousness, my exam went fairly well I think. Oh! The doctor also said there's nothing seriously wrong with my jaw. He also gave me a mountain of ibuprofen, which is always nice!

Glee (spoilers)

I'm very torn about the prom episode of Glee. There are parts of it I really enjoy, like Artie singing to Brittany and 'Rolling in The Deep.' However there are things that really bug me beyond the usual accepted improbability. Firstly I would NEVER EVER believe for one second Principal Figgins would actually read out Kurt's name for prom queen, not for one minute - he should clearly have announced the runner-up. Also the fight between Jesse and Finn seem to come out of nowhere, and I have no idea why Quinn went ape and SLAPPED Rachel. I suppose that could be put down to heat-of-the-moment.

I think the prom queen debacle would have had a bigger emotional impact on me if I hadn't seen it 2 years prior with Justin Suarez on Ugly Betty (FTW!). Though I really have to praise Chris Colfer because if he weren't such a good actor, Kurt would be a total mess of a character.

• This is also one of my favourite things:

BAFTAs

Both 'The Cube' and 'The Only Way is Essex' won a BAFTA. I have nothing to say.

SONG OF THE DAY: Edge of Glory (Acoustic) - Lady Gaga

It's a grower!

Tara x

BEDM - May 22nd

Ohai there!

I'm so doped up on pain killers right now. My jaw has decided to go nuts on me and be excruciating whenever I move it in anyway, plus I have a Physics exam tomorrow, so because of this today's blog will be short and sweet. Like Ronnie Corbett.

John (our Youth Theatre director) has got a budget of £435,000 for his big 2 year production with the national theatre which is NUTS! I don't know that much and I don't know how much I'm allowed to say so I will only utter two words - 'car ballet.'

Right, watch some funny/awesome YouTube videos to amuse yourself...









SONG OF THE DAY: Home - Edward & The Magnetic Zeros

Tara x

BEDM - May 21st

Ohai there!

After yesterday's... interesting BEDM installment, I'd like to take things down a notch by doing something I always do when I have nothing to write about. Writing about a TV programme! Tonight, feast your eyes on Community.


Here's the starting premise:



Now this trailer doesn't even begin to do the series justice. It evolves from the theme of 'lawyer learns to love bunch of misfits' after about 6 episodes and then it flourished into absolutely one of my favourite comedies. It also becomes a true ensemble show, with equal focus on all the characters through different episodes - it stops being all about Jeff.

It has killer character comedy, pop culture gags and physical humour but I think the thing I love about it most is that when all the characters are established, the series can show a vast variety of types of episodes and still be incredibly heartwarming. One week it can do this:



This entire episode was a satire of action movie clichés while advancing the character stories and being hilarious. Very admirable. However, it can also produce material like this:



Best bromance on TV!

Honestly, it's a really sweet show that wears it's heart on it's sleeve. Watch it online. Seriously.

SONG OF THE DAY: Fix You - Coldplay

Tara x

BEDM - May 20th

Ohai there!

(Today's blog is being guest written by Max! Dear god...)

Hello, citizens.

How are you feeling? Sitting comfortably? Good.

So, I'm guest blogging, as you may have guessed. 

And I would like to tell you about the issue of Dick's disease.

Common symptoms of this illness include being a dick, and being a dick about things.

Here's a short summary video demonstrating this;

Now, it's easy to combat. Just get someone to give you a big slap around the head when you do that.

Right, serious stuff out of the way.

Now I can talk about what I want.

You may have heard that American election campaigns will be starting soon, and I'd like to emplore you 

to root for the republicans.

As you can see from that picture, The Democratic party is obviously the Devil's party. And we shall see that tomorrow, when the world ends and they sit with Beelzebub in his cottage sipping hot tea, and eating Hob-Nobs (knobs?)

So, just a quick friendly note that if you don't vote Republican, you'll burn in hell.

And that's the way I like it. Uh-huh uh-huh.

SONG OF THE DAY: Dino Rampage - The Quick Brown Fox

Tara x

PS: FUCKING SEAGULLS

PPS: FUCKING SEAGULLS (wink wink)

BEDM - May 19th

Ohai there!

Today, I went to the cultural heart of Shetland - the Hoswick Visitor Centre. The reason for this young ones, was to watch archive footage of Shetland people at work and play throughout different periods of time. There were videos of women in the 40s spinning wool, snow owls on Fetlar, Polish fisherman hula hooping and a 70s documentary about life on Fair Isle. It made me think quite a lot about how different life is now, how much things have changed in only a number of decades.

The footage showed the people during the war, and farmers. Lots and lots of farmers. This was before Shetland's big oil boom and geez, it's like a different place. We have (mostly) progressed as a society and you can also see how much technology has affected our lives. It's poignant to think about.

Pardon my Philosophising!

I also bumped into Mhairi and we discussed my Beanfeast Committee election campaign! There's going to be pens and cupcakes with my face on them!

The theme I'm suggesting: Sparkly Sexy Linedancing. (Sub-contextual theme: awkward.)

SONG OF THE DAY: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star - Fredrika Stahl
It's really pretty, she sounds a lot like Regina Spektor!

Tara x

BEDM - May 18th

Ohai there!


So today I sat Standard Grade Drama - the first group in Shetland to do so - and lets just say that after the general paper there wasn't a beaming face to be seen. Characterisation techniques? Pfft. Luckily the credit was more familiar territory and I definitely got 8 easy marks. I don't know what I got but I'm certainly not going to stress about it. 


Okay, I just watched the 'Funeral' episode of Glee and... sigh... lets just say I'm rapidly losing faith. Stop reseting the characters' personalities and emotionally manipulating me! My tears of laughter and sadness have to be earned god dammit! I think this comment on 'The AV Club' sums up my opinion perfectly:

***

The problem with Glee is in the writing. Pure & simple. The cast are fine (and have the necessary talent to back it up) and they all play their respective roles well enough. When they are given something of substance that challenges them as actors, more often than not they are capable of rising to the occasion and giving standout performances. The show's weakest link is it's creators.

Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan & Brad Falchuk are talented writers but sadly they have three different takes on "Glee"and rarely do these visions blend with each other. No where is this better illustrated than in the development (or lack of it) in the show's characters. Case in point, Sue Sylvester.

Jane Lynch is a great actress and deserved her Emmy win for bringing this over the top and larger than life character to the small screen. She nails her scenes every single time even when the writing isn't always up to scratch which was very much the case in season two.

Between Murphy, Brennan & Falchuk, Sue Sylvester is no longer someone who even remotely resembles a human being. She has become the "insert crazy character into the scene because it needs some spark!". One moment she is a concerned high school educator determined to help a student who is being bullied (Kurt), the next she is hell bent on hurtling a teenager out of a canon (Brittany) because her cheerleading routines bore her and she needs something to bring back that creative burst of energy.

One moment she's a loving and devoted sibling to a sister who has Down Syndrome. The next she is pushing students out of the way and throwing objects everywhere because the school won't back another of her wild and wacky schemes. In short, the character is all over the place and in many ways, she highlights the weaknesses in the show's writing structure.

I've always maintained that the show is in serious need of a script editor/supervisor who can rein the three creative heads in and get them thinking as a collective group rather than just three individual writers who have their own agendas. Someone who can sit these three men down and says what needs to be said. "This works", "This doesn't", "This needs more attention".

The series has a number of things that still work in it's favour. It can still be touching, hilarious and down right entertaining when it wants to be. But the faults and flaws are becoming increasingly apparent and as the series reaches the end of it's second season, hopefully Mr's Murphy, Brennan & Falchuk will put the show on a more coherent course of storytelling narrative along with a better thought out sense of plot and character development as well.

***

SONG OF THE DAY: I Got Rhythm - George Gershwin

Tara x

BEDM - May 17th (kind of)

Ohai there!

I promise to stop sucking! I do! I've dropped the ball a little bit but now the exam I was the most worried about - drama - I can become a less crazed human being. I was worried about it not because it's the hardest (that would be Physics on Monday) but because of a mixture of caring about the result, lack of a safety net, and lack of preparedness. And how did it go you ask? Well, that's for the blog later on...

NOW LET'S TRAVEL BACK IN TIME!



...that was us traveling back in time.


What happened that I cared about yesterday:

• French Exam: It was quite easy, except the questions about the circus performers in the listening paper. Oh sorry, I didn't look over my circus vocabulary! Still I'm looking forward to Higher.
• Nice is so nice: I am sooo excited. If all goes to plan, at this time in October I will be wandering the streets of the French Riviera, cruising around Cannes and Monaco and pottering around a Nice university. A blissful study trip.
• Screw you Sky: So as you all know I am obsessed with enjoy Glee. The prospect of season 3 excites me (if they get their act together plot wise), so when I found out yesterday that Sky bought the rights to the season and outbid E4 I was a little pissed to say the least. Actually I left a slightly stronger worded post on Facebook. Looks like I'll be watching S3 on Megavideo!

SONG OF THE (YESTER)DAY: Autumn Leaves - Edith Piaf

(In honour of the French exam.)

Tara x

BEDM - May 16th

Ohai there!



Tara x

BEDM - May 15th (kind of)

Ohai there!

Shit shit shit! OK, this time I don't have much an excuse other than I forgot. But never again.

Well, you really didn't miss much yesterday. I got up wandered around, learned some French, half-assedly played saxophone and watched Gaga at Radio 1's Big Weekend.

Also, I'm thinking now that for the post exam party it could be an idea just to get everyone to go to the regatta cause it's kind of a party anyway? Thoughts?

SONG OF THE (YESTER)DAY: So Lucky - Zdob&Zdub (Moldova's Eurovision entry)

Tara x

BEDM - May 14th

Ohai there!

It's all about Eurovision so here is my Eurovision live blog:

Finland - Sweet 8-year-old hippy. I did kind of want to vomit though.

Bosnia & Herzegovina -  A less talented Glee cast in 30 years accompanied by a lost hip-hop dancer.

Denmark - I really enjoyed them! Though I appreciated the running, it was definitely not a good idea vocally.

Lithuania - A very Disney interlude! Also, shamelessly reaching out for the deaf vote.

Hungary - This is the Eurovision I know! The noises she made were hilarious (and occasionally out of tune) but really not my taste.

Ireland - Wow... I'm slightly speechless. I think John and Edward have found their element. It would help if they could actually sing, but I think Eurovision is just the right amount of camp for them!

Sweden - Something tells me you will be very 'Popular!'... They deserve to win simply for the staging and performance!

Estonia - It's Godzilla and she loves show tunes! And has a lot of other giant gay BFFs.

Greece - I think Mount Olympus was always missing hip-hop dancers and a rap 3 octaves too low... but, lots of FIRE!

Russia - I think John Travolta and John Barrowman had a secret love child. Oh, he did a backflip - he has my vote!

France - Bookies favourite. Why? This is no place for a proper singer! Also, why is there a supernova happening behind him?

Italy - Oh I'm actually really liking this. They had a baritone sax. EASY WINNERS! But of a strain on the top notes but because of the jazz feel it worked. However, atrocious last note!

Switzerland - Ukelele solo! Quite a cute song with a bubble machine! Pretty good, I must say.

UNITED KINGDOM - I'm pretty sure somebody has Lee Ryan by the balls! Well, they're better than Scooch.

Moldova -  MC Hammer on crack with a band at a circus carnival during Christmas. I'm voting for them.

Germany - I really liked this actually. It was sassy but did get dull towards the end.

Romania - Awww... it was good until the chorus until it fizzled in it's sappiness. It has a very Mika feel.

Austria - That girl has balls to go out there and sing a cappella. It appears like another Disney interlude minus the charm. Stop trying to be Leona Lewis.

Azerbaijan - I actually have a soft spot for this song. Though it's much better when you close your eyes - I agree with Graham.

Slovenia - Ohai there Sasha Fierce tribute artist with sponsership from Ann Summers.

Iceland - Very charming. Very likable. Sweet story.

Spain - I'm getting increasingly worried about the state of Spain's music industry. I can't even make a snarky comment about the dancing, I'm too busy laughing.

Ukraine - The art was more interesting than the song.

Serbia - Groovy baby! Fun 60s throwback, loving the shuffling and quite enjoying the song.

Georgia - Oh dear... classic Eurotrash. Did a group of Goth's get lost in a nuclear power plant? Oh, the sad rapping nearly killed me. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

FAVOURITE: Moldova

BEST: Italy

WORST: Georgia (just stole the title from Greece at the end)

BEST TO DANCE TO: Serbia

CAMPEST: Estonia

MOST HOMOEROTIC: Sweden

HOPE TO DO WELL: Iceland

WILL DO WELL: Jedward

Tara x

BEDM - May 13th

Ohai there!

And so here's your double dosage! I spent all of today in school doing drama, which culminated in a performed rehearsal in front of some bewildered 3/4th years. As part of the exam, you have to create a drama from weird stimuli you get from the SQA. We chose a bunch of positive words specifically positioned and we chose to use that as a mural in the background of our 'Personality Clinic' where the drama takes place.

Here is an extract for those who have a vague interest:

SCENE ONE

Lights up on the waiting room at “The City Company Personality Clinic.” There are a couple tables and some chairs DSR, placed on the table is a bowl with some pebbles in it to assist in creating a spa-like atmosphere. Behind this, USR, is a mural with lots of positive words written it, and highlighted in bold are the words: passion, talent, love, joy and luck. USL there is a semi-circular reception desk with JOY (the receptionist) sitting behind it. There is a phone and a plant pot on the desk. Something else spa-like is next to her desk so that can be used for slapstick later.

Joy is a perfectly pleasant person; she has clearly had many treatments in the past but there is something robotic and twisted about her. She has a layer of creepiness below the surface.

DEBBIE and BERT BROWN enter USL. She is coaxing him over to Joy’s desk.

Joy: Hello there lady and gentlemen and welcome to The City Company Personality Clinic. My name is Joy and I will be your persistence today.

Debbie: Great, in that case, can you persuade my husband that it’s a much better idea to spend our honeymoon money on rescuing our already failing marriage than renting a villa in Majorca for 2 weeks?

Joy: I’m sorry Mrs...

Debbie: Brown. Bert and Debbie Brown.

Joy: I’m sorry Mrs Brown, but I think you misunderstood me. I will be your personal assistance during your treatment today.

Joy realises that since she didn’t understand the lingo that:

This is your first time here isn’t it! Oh you’ll get to grips with the lingo in no time hun. What are having treated today? Patience?

Debbie: No! This isn’t for my benefit. Well, it is. (Bert’s attention wanders) Bert! Pay attention! (to Joy) We’re here for to fix our little passion problem. This man here doesn’t tell me he loves me often or emotionally enough. I’m not asking too much am I Bert? To say, I love you once in a while? God, it’s like we’ve been married for 40 years already. Do you having anything to say?

Bert opens his mouth to speak.

Forget it. Now he’s not even talking to me.

Joy: Okay... your funds seem to be in order. I just need Bert to sign here.

Debbie moves and sits on the furthest away chair.

Joy: (in a stage whisper) I feel for you.

***

In case you didn't understand what was going on from that excerpt, a Personality Clinic is where you can go to have negative parts of your personality changed in order to improve your life. However the treatments have can have side-effects and create a twisted version of yourself. The message is about self-acceptance and we draw satirical parallels to the cosmetic surgery industry. I know, truly wanky stuff!

The other plays were about a girl from a strict religious family falling in love with a traveller and 'borrower-like' tiny people being trapped in a house once the owner has died and waiting for the post to pile up so they can make their escape through the letter box!

I have recently become obsessed with a show called 'Community' and I think this article in The Independent really sums up my televisual frustrations: 

SONG OF THE DAY: Nuvole Bianche - Ludovico Einaudi

Tara x

BEDM - May 12th (kind of)

Ohai there!

Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry! Though to be fair, it wasn't really my fault. I tried to blog yesterday but the service was down. So you're getting a double helping of Joe today! Last night was our leaving Prom...

...and it was pretty sweet. We got all dolled up, then promptly got VERY sweaty. If the photos are on by later on, I will share them with you. Congrats to Martha and Connall, our Prom King and Queen.

I'm going to do a more in depth post later so look forward to that!

SONG OF THE (YESTER)DAY: Something Good Can Work - Two Door Cinema Club

Tara x

BEDM - May 11th

Ohai there!

I had a lovely day. It was sunny and I ate cake and a panini and liked it. I also caught up with a wide range of people and it was ace. We played awesome jazz music. Then my Warblers CD arrived and I played it loved all the songs. I watched the Glee prom episode (full of promtroversy and prama) and it was scandelous. Then I watched Gossip Girl. Then The Apprentice. What more do you want me to say?

SONG OF THE DAY: Do Ya Think I'm Sexy - The Warblers

A bonus treat on their album:

BEDM - May 10th

Ohai there!

My hand is so sore! That Modern Studies exam is 3 and a half hours of vigorous writing altogether, and I know have a blister on and my writing finger AND thumb! Anyhoo, there was nothing in the paper that perplexed me so it was all good... oh! Except one of those stupid common sense questions and a poorly worded question in a questionnaire. (High five for that last sentence?)

I am going to talk about Scottish Independence at last! Huzzah!

Firstly I was very happy with the result of the recent Scottish Parliamentary election, because I'm a newly converted from the LibDem debacle (though, I do concede that the Scottish Liberal Democrats are getting the shit kicked out of them for Westminster's actions for no good reason.) I am in favour of Scottish Independence and this can be split into 3 reasons:

• Political
• Cultural
• Economic

I'm not going to talk about the economics because I'm not clued up enough to have a strong point-of-view.

Culturally Scotland is very different from the rest of the UK. When you talk about a sense of national pride, I see myself as proud to be a Scot and not a Brit. I personally believe that Scottish people are also more popular than the English in the international community, as epitomised by the classic scene:

A bar in Germany.

German: Guten Tag!

Scot: Hi there?

German: So are you British...?

Scot: Scottish.

German: Oh! You are Scottish! Let me buy you a drink friend.

You catch my drift. Because of the traditional Scottish sportsmanship and friendliness, I believe we are more secure as a nation then if we're attached to the rest of ragtag Britain. You might just see this is nationalist propaganda but it's just my perspective. 

Now politically I have very strong opinions! First let's talk about parliament. Scotland continues to show an incredibly liberal political status and what are we operating under? A Conservative coalition. Despite the fact we only elected 1 MP. In the whole of the country. I think that was the straw that broke the camels back for me. I also believe that disconnecting ourselves from one of the worlds super powers will make us much more safe. What are the benefits of being a powerhouse country like the US? I suppose more sway in the international community, but is it really worst it for the increased risks of terrorist attacks and all the flack you have to take. I would rather be in a small, respected country (like Holland) than in a powerful much hated country.

I also think the way we've used our devolved powers is excellent. Abolished tuition fees and prescription fees, bus passes. I believe our education system is better. If not independence I believe in more devolved powers to the Scottish Parliament.

Believe it or not, I don't actually feel that strongly about this but those are my thoughts. What are yours?

But never mind that, 'The Apprentice' is on! I can't wait to see the new selection of cunts candidates!

Tara x

BEDM - May 9th

Ohai there!

I'm really depressedddddddddddddddd.

Our youth theatre trip to Edinburgh that I've been looking forward to since last year has been cancelled because of money and staging problems and I am wholeheartedly fucking sad. It's always a HUGE highlight of the year.

I had my music listening exam today. The general paper was awesome! There was The Jungle Book, Batman, High School Musical, the themes from Amélie, The Exorcise and Up and to top it all off 'Popular' from Wicked. Pretty great...

...Then I did the credit paper. Which in fairness, I only got a couple wrong and I got the chord question right which I NEVER do, so that was awesome! All in all, I'm not worried about music.

Alas, I must depart and revise. I swear I'll write the Scottish Independence BEDM tomorrow!

SONG OF THE DAY: Popular - Wicked

Tara x

BEDM - May 8th

Ohai there!

I'm going to write about Scottish independence tomorrow when it isn't so late - it'll be good practice for my Modern Studies exam the next day. Since it is so late today, I'm going to do something which is amusing and requires very little energy. Google meems.

I'm going to use one's I did a while back because they're funnier.


Joe needs...

Joe needs your help to find his brocoli
Joe needs to poop
Joe needs costume take in after bug diet
Joe needs a drummer
Joe needs toilet training
Joe needs to seriously consider a career change

Joe looks like...


Joe looks like a normal, happy, productive member of society and NOT like someone who lives in a cave
Joe looks like Kurt Cobain
Joe looks like an idiot

Joe says...


Joe says so
Joe says: FIND ME
Joe says vote Obama
Joe says he's tired of the rumours
Joe says violent captivity adds piss him off
Joe says NO to rodeo

Joe wants...


Joe wants to beat the crap out of Bam Margera
Joe wants 50 Cent to give him Oral Love
Joe wants Ashlee to dump Pete
Joe wants... to vaseline your teeth!
Joe wants a Wall-Mart in Brooklyn

Joe does...


Joe does Soulja Boy
Joe does heavy overhead squat was on Vimeo
Joe does NOT drive a bumper car
Joe does the Oscars
Joe does it again

Joe hates...


Joe hates his new job
Joe hates sharks
Joe hates people
Joe hates Facebook
Joe hates you
Joe hates Valentine's Day
Joe hates runescape dance

Joe asks...


Joe asks Bill Gates a question
Joe asks for 6 months of retraining

-

From this I'm worried about society. And should have a rapper fetish.

SONG OF THE DAY: Someone Like You - Adele

We were having a little sing-song in my room to this epic tuuuuuune.






Tara x

BEDM - May 7th

Ohai there!

I'll talk about why I think Scotland should be independent tomorrow, but since Saturday is the day of the whovian, I'm going to talk about my (limited) Dr Who theories. UBER SPOILERS for those who aren't up to date are ahead!

Just a word on tonight's episode first: meh. This was a perfectly good episode of Dr Who, and I did love badass pirate Amy Pond, but it was clearly, and quite rightfully, made for the younger audience. I prefer the craziness of the episodes like the last two - which are more dark, scarier and have a longterm effect on the characters and whoniverse.

Onwards...




This is undoubtedly the biggest Dr Who question that faces us at the moment. And here's my theory:

That little girl is Amy's daughter. God knows what she's doing in 60s New York but that's what I think. First off, there were pictures of her holding her baby in the room at the orphange - the room of the little girl. I don't think she shot the Doctor though. I think it was either the Doctor himself, so that their mission to stop the Silence could begin or it was River for some currently unknown reason. Amy's baby is also whacked as the TARDIS console shows. I suspect it's because of the time travel or TARDIS and the baby is part timelord, like the Doctor/Donna. There are many logic holes in there but I'm running with what I can.

I think everyone pretty unanimously agrees that River Song is in prison for shooting the Doctor. It needs to be someone of significance and related to her so there aren't many options. We also now know that she was (or will be?) a companion of the Doctor. Wait. To River she has been; to the Doctor she will be? Is that right? I'm also pretty convinced that she's his wife, cause if she was his mother like I initially thought the campy flirting and getting off would be grossly inappropriate!

I think we'll learn a lot more next week in 'The Doctor's Wife'! The Ood with green eyes are there, plus the Doctor's mother?! Man he really was wrong with this 'last of the Time Lords' shit! Are they on Gallifrey? Will we get more River action? I sincerely hope so. Her hair is amazing plus she's utter camp fun! (see: "Oh don't worry, I'm quite the screamer!")

So that's what I think Roseanne!
Disclaimer: I will most definitely be wrong about everything.


Tara x

BEDM - May 6th

Ohai there!

Today will be brief because I did my english exam today and my tolerance for writing is extremely low.

Yeah, so I did the exam. I wrote a story about a guy called Paul who finds out he has a brain tumour on his 18th birthday. I did add one bit of black humour (as in dark, not racist) so I hope I didn't cross a line and the SQA get all pissy about it. The reading papers were... weird. The general paper was about Christmas time in Glasgow?! Apparently it's the concrete jungle where dreams are made of at xmas time? When I opened the credit paper I discovered it was about parkour: another 'wtf' moment! I found it quite tricky to get my head around. I mean, I didn't bomb it but I didn't exactly come out of the exam skipping! So, we'll see what happens there.



Thoughts? I think it's pretty amazing. It's a neato idea to do a modern retelling of a biblical story and I personally would have loved the bible if Gaga Magdeline was there! The reason I've had problems with her last 2 videos - 'Alejandro' and 'Born This Way' - is because they're ABSOLUTELY fucking insane as opposed to this and 'Bad Romance' which are still fucking insane but don't quite cross the line into "What the hell is going on?" You can still feel out a narrative if you try. Also, I'm pretty sure she was on crack when she wrote 'Born This Way.'

Above all, I think the dance is impressive and it's generally very pretty to look at which is good enough for me!

And finally kids...
I just came across this again. I think it solidifies the fact that Tina Fey is a total legend. Coming from a huge 30 Rock fan!

Peace and love!

Tara x

BEDM - May 5th

Ohai there!

So a lot people have had, like, half their exams already but I'm sitting my first tomorrow. It's English, which to be fair I don't mind - still I'm now starting to shit myself. In light of this and in preparation for what will inevitably happen tomorrow, I'm going to write a lot on today's BEDM with not a lot to say. Huzzah!

1) I don't love terrorists. Just thought I'd let everybody know. 

And on that subject: "I hate to say I told you so... so welcome to Miami!" 

You're an absolute legend if you get that reference.

2) If you going on the trampoline with a long black dressing gown on in the wind you look like a Sith Lord. Try it! Or y'know don't... Also, a neato (has anyone used that expression since the 70s?) thing to try is skipping on the trampoline. Honestly it's the most ninja thing you'll ever do and it hilarious! Especially when you tie the rope around your head. What? No, I never tried that!

I had no exciting picture for today, so I google imaged "darth vader trampoline" and holy sweet Jesus this is the most adorable thing I've ever seen. It's by Jack who's 6 years old and he's drawn Darth Vader chopping up a trampoline!

3) I keep forgetting it's election day today! It's probably cause I can't vote. *insert whine here* But if I could...

Jean Urquhart - SNP for Shetland MSP

Scottish Green Party for List Vote

Yes to AV

I must admit, I'm a Lib Dem convert after the whole 'broken promises' debacle. Though I do totally agree that their getting all the slack for everything the Tory government is doing just cause they're newly on the dark side. We expect it from the blues. Plus I went to the hustings a few weeks ago and Tavish is looking a tad dodgy, for example, not having an opinion on the windfarm - Shetland's most divisive issue. Plus Jean is very nice, was influenced politically by my granddad, owns a Ceilidh place(!) and is an SNP. So yeah, there you have it. Political talk over.

4) I finished Act 1 of 'Starship'! So far my favourite song is 'Kick It Up a Notch!' which is a semi-evil jazz number and my favourite is Up.

5) Feel free to suggest blog topics to me for the rest BEDM either on here or on Facebook or Twitter. I'm going to start song and picture of the day tomorrow.

Hope you're all being totally awesome!

Tara x

BEDM - May 4th

Ohai there!

Right, I'm going to be blunt. I have nothing of remote interest to talk about today, so I'm going discuss my current televisual guilty pleasure - 'Gossip Girl'.

Here is where we stand at the moment:



Juicy! So what I really want to know is, does anybody actually watch Gossip Girl anymore? I knew a handful of people who watched it but that was like 3 years ago! And HEY why don't you watch it now?! Oh, what's that, you have a life! Pfft!

This is like my soap opera, no one's particularly proud of watching them but aren't they awfae fun! (And c'mon, it's better then that 4 month period where I watched Hollyoaks. That really was bleak.)

There are teams in the current situation on the Upper East Side, as always. Think 'Twilight' with diamonds. There's Team Chair - Chuck and Blair, Team Blouis - Prince Louis and Blair, and Team Dair - Dan and Blair. 'What?!' I here season 1-3 viewers cry, 'B and Lonely Boy? That's preposterous!' But just know I'm firmly on Team Dair. There relationship is banterlicious and makes for awesome one-liners.

So yes. I really did have nothing to talk about today, but genuinely please tell me if you watch the show. I'm curious.

Tara x

BEDM - May 3rd

Ohai there!

Study leave is fucking amazing! Within the course of like 6 hours, I was at home, in school, at the bake shop, walked to park, met for lunch with someone in the Peerie Shop, pottered about the street and went to the library. FREEEEEEEEEDOM! (as pre-sacrilegious Mel Gibson would say.)

(SIDE NOTE: I just went to the bathroom and heard this really muffled, aggressive beeping noise coming from the attic. I'm scared. It's bad enough that every time I hear a bump in the night I think a) 'Shit, Paranormal Activity demon!' or b) "Oh, that's just The Silence, here to be creepy. Owwww, maybe I just fought them without realising!")


I am on top of smarmy arsehole hill today cause everyone's getting stressed about the maths exam tomorrow and I don't have to do it!  I will be napping while they try to solve trig equations! Success!

I might not write about Osama on here, cause there's already been a huge discussion about it on my Facebook page when I posted something somewhat controversial - but can I just say, this is not what the reaction to the death of another human being should look like. No matter how hideous they are:



It's barbaric. And they're asking for another attack. The should just be content that, though I'd rather he were still alive, justice has been served...

Tara x

BEDM - May 2nd

Ohai there!

Now, after finishing THE LONGEST ESSAY IN HISTORY, I have 2 things to talk about today. One is awesome, the other... not so much.

The folk festival foy last night was made of win but it was 5 and a quarter HOURS of music, which for a big music fan like me was hard to take. Luckily, the vast majority of the acts were awesome, and without further ado, here are my favourites:

• Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three

Wonderfully flamboyant stage performers with possibly the best name ever?

• L'Angélus

Similar to Pokey in many ways, but swamp pop! And a sax solo!

• Findlay Napier and the Bar Room Mountaineers

Sorry, it's the same clip as yesterday but they really are fabulous. And really nice people! They sang a song about a stalker last night!

• Fred Morrison Trio

Now, I hate bagpipes but this guy is phenomenal. I was entertained and invigorated by his performance. (This is him without the other 2!)

• Genticorum

Quebecois folk music. That is all.

Actually I think I'm going to write about Osama tomorrow. For today - enjoy the music!

Tara x

BEDM - May 1st

Ohai there!

I'm doing BEDM (Blog Every Day in May) this month! It'll be a nice distraction from exams of which I have an abundance.

I have quite a lot to say and not much time today (about 10 mins, to be precise.) I'm going try and not make this blogs about my life too much because that'll just be dull, but more about things I think are cool. In spirit of that, TEAM STARKID has just released 'Starship' online! They are the group behind 'A Very Potter Musical' and the sequel. I've watched the first 3 parts, and so far it's hilair! Here's Part 1:




I'm off to my work leaving lunch in 6 minutes, which'll be lovely. Good food with very nice people.

And it's the Shetland Folk Festival Foy on tonight, which is my last chance to see all the visiting acts AKA the ones I never saw at the excellent concert on Thursday night. I have discovered I have a little soft spot for folk rock, as epitomised by this band - Findley Napier and the Bar Room Mountaneers:



Tara x