Update

Hello you lovely lot! It came to my attention a few days ago that I haven't uploaded a blog for a while. Sorry about that. Having just checked my page I have realised that I actually haven't written one since 23rd June so it has been a little while. I could try and come up with a million reasons and excuses as to why I haven't but the simple answer is I haven't known what to say. I keep up to date checking in on the Instagram page that goes along with this blog: @thelastofmythoughts (If you don't already you should go and give it a follow please!). 

During the lockdown months my life has been pretty basic. I help out at home, I watch day time tv, I continue to binge watch shows on Disney+ and slowly make my way through Criminal Minds with my family (we're currently on Season 9). I also make the occasional Tik Tok, colour sometimes, read my books and try to dwindle the large pile I have which seems to always get bigger rather than smaller. The main point I'm trying to make is right now I don't really have anything of importance or interest to say. 

As I explained from the beginning I've never been political or one to give massive life changing judgements. So for me as a teenager to comment on the big things in life at the moment such as Covid, Black Lives Matter or the state of the government didn't seem right and I would more than likely make a mess of things, get something wrong and accidentally offend somebody so I will definitely stay away from there. They say it's better to be safe than sorry.

However, I do want to use this blog more affectively because I find this a happy place to voice my opinion on things that I like. So I'm going to try to continue to do as I have been doing. So the kind of things you will probably find over the coming months will include: uni life, books, musicals, movie and television reviews and maybe some more stories of the trips I go on with family and friends if allowed with the current guidelines!

I hope some of you continue to read along to my blogs as I come up with more ideas of what to write about and if anybody has any suggestions for what they'd like to read about then let me know on the comments here or on my Instagram page.

Hope everyone is staying safe and happy!

- Courtney -

Staged

Staged is what I would call an example of absolute genius during lockdown.

A 6 episode comedy series all done through zoom chats. This series starring David Tennant and Michael Sheen sees them playing exaggerated versions of themselves. The premise of the show is the suggestion to still rehearse the West End play ,they were meant to rehearsing for, during lockdown through zoom chats. What follows is silly arguments, crazy conversations and some special guest stars. David Tennant and Michael Sheen once again show that they are a wonderful comedic duo who work brilliantly together and this time they were even executive producers for the show.

Promotional Photo of David Tennant and Michael Sheen

It gives us a great insight into the perils of lockdown. How some people may have gone stir crazy! It’s an over exaggerated piece of nonsense but it’s entertaining and will make you smile and howl with laughter. This programme also provides us with a few guest stars who are kept secret until their guest appearances.

David Tennant and Michael Sheen's friendship shines throughout this mini comedy series and you find yourself relating to some of the crazy things they discuss. From who's name should come first in the billing poster, to what crazy concoctions you can create in the kitchen all the way to how to look after your neighbours during lockdown.

This programme also brings about a family of actors with both David Tennant's wife fellow actor Georgia Tennant and Michael Sheen's partner Swedish actress Anna Lundberg both making appearances throughout the whole thing. They are just as entertaining as their partners and if anything seem to be the ones remaining sane throughout this lockdown.

Promotional Photo of David Tennant 

and wife Georgia Tennant with their dog.

Michael Sheen and partner Anna Lundberg

The first episode premiered on BBC 1 Wednesday 10th June but the whole programme can be found on BBC iPlayer. I binge watched it all in one afternoon with each episode being only 15 - 20 minutes. It was 90 minutes of pure comedy genius and I would love a second series! 

Promotional Photos of David Tennant 

and Michael Sheen in their own gardens. 

*This show does contain strong language throughout and is therefore probably not viewable for those under 18.*

- Courtney -

Lockdown Lowdown

Lockdown has been stressful. For people like me I have nowhere to go. My job has been furloughed and my uni has been shut. Apart from the essays for my first year to finish and the tidying up to help out, I’m stuck. I’m not exactly little miss go outside, but even I can’t stand being indoors constantly. Six weeks of my house and the local park have been boring. I miss my friends and hanging out with them, I miss going out clubbing, I miss having a laugh and gossip at work (even though I don’t particularly like my job), I miss going out for food, I miss bus rides, I miss shopping and I miss bowling and the cinema. But I can’t complain, some have it worse and this lockdown has allowed me to get some stuff done. So here are just a few things that have gotten me through lockdown...

 

Watching Criminal Minds

The TV is not great, shows that should be on have been cancelled and so all the great night-time dramas have stopped. So, me and my family have spent our time binge watching Criminal Minds! It’s such a good show and I highly recommend any fans of crime to watch it. Trust me you will love it. If you would like to hear more about this show I wrote about it in my ‘Good Quarantine Boxsets’ blog from a couple of weeks ago.

Writing my essays

I do hate writing them. But it does make me feel productive. I make a coffee, I do my hair (normally in a ponytail or a bun), I put on my revision playlist full of music that earns me my spot in ‘The Geek Hall of Fame’ and I get work done. There’s something rewarding knowing you’ve not wasted your day. That it counts towards your grade and you’ve done something useful. There all done now so that gave me a great sense of fulfilment during this long period of lockdown.

Dog Walking

I have never walked my dog enough. This lockdown has made me and usually my mom, it’s my exercise. We take him to our park just across the road and it’s a nice way to relax and allow him to run and go crazy. There’s nothing better to him than running the length of the park to catch his tennis ball! Plus watching his ears flap as he comes running back with the ball in his gob fills my heart with love.

Face Timing my bestie

When we decided to go to different unis, we made a deal to try and see each other once a week. Sometimes we went two weeks, but most weeks we hung out, went for food, went shopping or went clubbing. Through this lockdown I’ve seen her twice since lockdown in person first time she stood at the bottom of my road and we had a chat while she was on the way home from her bike ride. It’s weird to not see her cause she’s a big part of my life. I still message her everyday but it’s not the same. Second time is now they’re starting to lift the rules slightly I have seen her while social distancing, but it was weird going so long without actually seeing her in person. Face Timing her is one of my favourite things to do cause it’s the closest I get to actually seeing her and annoying her as good best friends do.

Reading

I’ve read more, I recently finished a book called The Kingdom by Jess Rothenberg and it is one of the most complex but captivating books I’ve read in a while. That is the second book I’ve read during this lockdown and anyone who knows me knows it normally takes me about a month sometimes longer to read a book. I’m over halfway through this book and I only started it about two weeks ago! I definitely intend to read more.

Monopoly

Me and my family have had the same game of monopoly set up for about 3 weeks now. What’s the point in cashing up when you can get bankrupt instead? We sit, we listen to music and we hate each other when they ask for over £100 for landing on their property. Then we laugh when someone ends up jail.

 The Soaps

I don’t always get involved with the soaps. They’re just on as background noise. But not seeing them on everyday has made me realise how much I enjoy them. It’s weird not seeing these characters I love on the screen as often. I found myself wishing it was on more than two or three times a week. Especially at the moment cause there’s some really good storylines!

Making Tik Toks

I never thought I’d join the craze, but I did. It’s great. I love being creative! Some people who make them are so good. I enjoy them making them for my own entertainment. Never mind anyone else! It’s a great way of killing time, entertaining yourself and just being creative.

Colouring

My colouring book brings me great joy, to sit for an hour, listen to my music and use my pencils is so relaxing. Me and my sister will sit there for ages helping each other pick the right colours for each section, it’s always a good distraction. I’m no artist so my colouring book is the best!

Clap for Carers

Clapping for the NHS has been the most amazing thing throughout this lockdown. Not only does it do a great job of reminding me what day of the week it is. But it also brings us all together. It’s so amazing every Thursday at 8pm to see everyone come out of their houses, stand on their doorsteps and clap. I’ve said hello to neighbours I don’t often speak to, but we have a mutual respect for one another because each week we come out to take part.

Instagram Story Dear Diary

Each day I write a new Dear Diary and post it to my Instagram story. It asks me to name something I’ve achieved and something I’m doing to stay occupied. I found the template through an Instagram page I follow called Freeda (@freeda_en) they are a page dedicated to feminism. The best thing about their Dear Diary is it motivates me each day to achieve something I can write about. It also reminds you to take the small victories as a positive. The simplest things such as working on my essay or helping to tidy up can be achievements during a time when you can’t really leave the house.

Quizzes

A company me and my sister are big fans of, Yellow Elephant Promotions, have been continuously delivering their love quizzes which have kept us entertained. They’ve done Disney, Friends and High School Musical. Plus, not along ago I took part in a quiz hosted by Harry Judd. His was great it was basically on all my favourite things: McFly, Disney and Harry Potter! All he needed was a Doctor Who round! My cousins have gone quiz crazy! Everyday I’ve had a message to join the evening quiz. I don’t always but when I do it’s a good laugh. People take it in turns to be quiz masters and it’s a right laugh hearing everyone’s answers. So now my brother has decided we’ll join in and be quiz master, so I’m going to have to start preparing some questions.

 

Quiz Night with my friends

Wednesday has now become my friends quiz night. Each week we get together on zoom have a big catch up, have a few drinks and do a quiz. This is something we’ve started over the last couple of weeks and we look forward to it each week. I haven’t had my go as quiz master yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I have to start preparing soon.

Disney Plus

This is something I have been excited about for months. I knew this was somewhere I'd spend all of my time and I wasn't wrong. The beginning of March a year of Disney Plus and I absolutely love it. Re-watching all my favourite films from when I was a kid and re-watching all of them classic shows like Suite Life and Wizards of Waverly Place. I'm currently coming to the end of Hannah Montana and it has been such a joy re-watching it and remembering why I loved it so much as a kid.

 Spending time with my family

We live together but we don’t always see each other. One of us is at work, one of us is out, one of us is staying at a friends. We’re closer than some families but this lockdown has allowed us to drive each other insane more often. I love the three of them to pieces and I don’t know what I’d do without them most of the time. If anything, this lockdown feels like it’s brought us closer together.

That’s just a few things that I’ve been up to. That and sleeping more than my family appreciate! The only time I’ve gotten up early is a night I couldn’t sleep. I’m not perfect, lockdown isn’t the greatest thing for someone lazy like me. But I’m getting there, I’m doing okay and I’m trying to be as productive as can be. Let’s hope it’s over soon though.

- Courtney -

Top 10 Self Isolation Boxsets 

In a time where we’re stuck in lockdown and most people are indoors trying to think of things to keep themselves occupied throughout the day, boxsets are an excellent time killer. There is nothing better than grabbing a drink (be that coffee, tea, Coca Cola or even wine), something nice to munch on and snuggling down with a gripping boxset. A show guaranteed to keep you interested in for hours on end and then something you can drive your family and friends insane with when you go on about how good it was and how much they should watch it too. So, here’s a list of 10 TV shows I recommend you should watch to keep yourselves occupied during these strange times…

Criminal Minds - 15 Seasons - Amazon Prime

Main Cast Seasons 2 - 6

An American crime drama based around a team of FBI profilers. This show used to be played on Sky Living (I think?) but now 14 of the 15 seasons are on Amazon Prime (fingers crossed the last one will join soon!). Each episode has a similar concept where the agents will be called in by the police to help solve a crime. They use their genius skills to work out who the ‘un-sub’ is and help the police catch them. It has moments of comedy, family, love, heartbreak and friendship. It can be quite gory and sometimes the deaths can make you feel sick to your stomach. Sometimes there is a story arc going on and you learn more about our favourite profilers’ pasts. But if crime drama is your kind of thing Criminal Minds will always leave you feeling creeped out but interested in the goings on of a killer’s mind.

Broadchurch - 3 Seasons - Britbox

Main Characters Olivia Colman and David Tennant

A British crime drama starring David Tennant and Olivia Colman as detectives. Do I really need to say more? The first season follows the investigation into the death of young, Danny Latimer who is found murdered on the beach. But in a town where everybody knows everybody, secrets can’t stay quiet forever, and anyone could be the killer. The following two seasons deal with other crimes whilst also dealing with the fallout of the death of a young child in a small community. You can’t say too much about this show without spoiling it but it’s emotional and gripping. Starring some of Britain’s best-known actors including David Bradley, Jodie Whittaker and Pauline Quirke (If you don’t recognise the name google the faces you definitely know these people!). Plus, it’s created by current Doctor Who show runner Chris Chibnall, Broadchurch will keep you guessing until the last moment.

Riverdale - 4 Seasons So Far - Netflix

Main Cast Seasons 1 - 3

An American teen drama about a small town that is rocked by the death of a young lad. This show based on a comic book focuses on the victim Jason Blossom’s classmates: Betty Cooper, Jughead Jones, Veronica Lodge and Archie Andrews. As they try to come to terms with his death whilst also trying to find the killer. Diving deeper into the lives of those around them they discover everybody has secrets that won’t stay buried forever. The following three seasons follow the core four through more mysteries and murders, including a serial killer and a cult leader. Full of murder, suspense, romance and friendship, Riverdale is an addictive TV Show that once you start watching you can’t seem to stop no matter how confusing it can get.

Once Upon A Time - 7 Seasons - Netflix

Main Cast Season 3

When a curse makes every fairy tale character forget who they are it is up to the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, The Saviour, Emma Swan to come to the quiet town of Storybrooke discover her own past, defeat the Evil Queen and bring back all the happy endings. But this show shows you that not everything is as black and white as the fairy tales you grew up with. Villains do have reasons for their bad behaviour and not every good guy is actually a hero. A show that turns every fairy tale on its head, brings you extremely complex characters and makes you rethink the stories you were once told. Once Upon A Time is a show for the family that reminds you that hope is the most powerful thing in the world and that anybody can be redeemed if believed in by others.

The Alienist - 1 Season - Netflix

Main Characters (Left to Right) 

Dakota Fanning, Daniel Bruhl and Luke Evans

This show based on a novel follows a criminal psychologist, a newspaper illustrator and the female secretary of the police commissioner as they try to find the killer of young male prostitutes in 19^th Century New York. This gruesome murder mystery follows criminal psychologist Dr Laszlo Kreizler as he looks into the minds of those classed as insane while trying to find the killer. He is interrupted in his investigations by the Police whose main focus is to protect the reputations of the high society and ignore the working class. An all star cast including Luke Evans and Dakota Fanning. This gory, gruesome murder mystery leaves you wanting more. With a sequel season based on the second novel on its way now is the perfect time to watch this underappreciated period drama.

Torchwood - 4 Seasons - BBC iPlayer

Main Cast Seasons 1 - 2

This spin off series from Doctor Who follows the adventures of companion Captain Jack Harkness working for an undercover gang fighting aliens. This Doctor Who based spin off is for the older audience containing scenes of a sexual nature and some strong language. Its full of laughs and strange aliens whilst also breaking your heart. Set in the heart of Wales, some aliens are clever, some are scary, and some are just plain weird. The episodes of the first two seasons are mostly standalone episodes but each season has an overriding arc. The last two seasons have one focused story spread out over the series. This show is for any Doctor Who fans or sci-fi fans in the mood for a new tv series.

Glee - 6 Seasons - Netflix

Main Cast Seasons 1 - 3

An American musical comedy drama follows a group of school kids who are seen as the biggest losers when they join glee club, The New Directions. Bringing together the popular jocks and cheerleaders with some of the school’s biggest losers they all come together with their love of music. Over the 6 seasons we see them grow as people as they deal with love, heartbreak and the life of young adults. They sing some of the biggest hits and some old favourites and just maybe they can make the school see that popularity isn’t what high school is all about. It’s about building friendship that last a lifetime.

Robin Hood - 3 Seasons - BBC iPlayer

Main Cast Seasons 1 - 2

Based on the old legend of Robin of Sherwood. This show follows Robin and his band of merry men as they try to outwit the sheriff and help the poor. Along the way Robin falls in love with Marian, much loved characters die, Robin and the Merry Men have some brilliant sword fights, there’s betrayal and Guy of Gisborne becomes one of the most complex characters ever! 3 seasons all cumulating in one final big battle between Robin Hood and The Sheriff of Nottingham. This three season retelling of an old legend brings some new life into the story of one man, his friends and a bow and arrow.

Waterloo Road - 10 Seasons - BBC iPlayer

Main Cast Seasons 1 - 2

A tv drama about students in a high school. It follows teen dramas whilst also dealing with the life problems of both the students and the teachers. Each series introduces you to new teachers and students and brings back old favourites. The show deals with large issues, including teen pregnancy, marriage, drugs, knife crime, bullying, cancer, underage drinking and the average problems a teenager will go through: stresses of family, arguments with friends, relationships, exam stress and what to do after school. It’s full of faces you’ll recognise from tv shows you’ve watched over the years. Soap stars, drama actors and the occasional contestant on a reality tv show. Waterloo Road is one for all the family.

Bodyguard - 1 Season - Netflix

Main Characters Richard Madden and Suranne Jones

Richard Madden, his chiselled jawline, his gorgeous eyes and his beautiful face. Do I need to explain anymore? But for just in case I do: this political drama follows Richard Madden as David Budd the War Veteran turned Bodyguard assigned to protect The Home Secretary played by Suranne Jones; an extremely controversial politician. What follows is Budd at battle with his beliefs, his duty to protect and his own psychological scars of War. This series is the shortest on the list with only six episodes, it's a short but intense watch. This political, thriller drama is gripping definitely thrilling, not for the faint hearted but leaves you questioning everybody and everything. 


- Courtney -

Doctor Who

Doctor Who has been my favourite programme for as long as I can remember. It’s been there with me throughout the pivotal moments of my life! It cheers me up when I’m down. I can recite quotes, I can tell you facts, I can explain storylines, plot points and characters and naming every actor who has ever played the Doctor is like asking me to name my friends.


The show returned on the 26^th March 2005 and I’ve probably been watching it since 2006 making my first Doctor David Tennant. He due to this is also my favourite actor and my favourite Doctor. I don’t quite remember the first episode I ever watched I think it was Tooth and Claw. Give me a break, I was only 5.

The Tenth Doctor - David Tennant (2005-2010,2013)

But from the moment I set eyes on this show it became a massive and significant part of my life. I collected the magazines, I follow the social media pages, I have the action figures, the books, the annuals (still a tradition that my brother must buy it me every year for Christmas), I had a Tardis and I have two large boxes full of collectibles and memorabilia.

Modern Doctor's 9 - 13

(Left to Right) Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, 

Jodie Whittaker, Peter Capaldi and Matt Smith

The thing about Doctor Who is it never takes itself too seriously. It’s a feel-good show for all the family. There are some heart-breaking moments, the loss of a good companion or the regeneration of a Doctor can be so sad. The words ‘I don’t want to go’ have never hurt so much. But it educates, originally being a show for children that teaches them Science and History depending on where the Doctor ends up it still has that essence today. The historical episodes teach you so much and make you want to research more even this series! 14 years since I started watching the show and an episode taught me about an important man in the history of technology who I’d never heard of but became fascinated by.

The friendships the Doctor makes are brilliant. Companions such as Rose Tyler, Sarah Jane Smith, Donna Noble, Martha Jones and Amy Pond will go down in history as iconic female characters in the fictional and sci fi world. So much so that their stories still live on now, Sarah Jane having been a companion from the original run of the show got her own show after guest appearance in 2006.

The Sarah Jane Adventures Cast

(Left to Right) Clyde, Rani, Sarah Jane and Luke

The Sarah Jane Adventures gave Doctor Who a whole new younger audience. The simpler stories and clever characters created a bigger fandom for those obsessed with CBBC. I have many friends who aren’t fans of Doctor Who but used to watch The Sarah Jane Adventures. It was the show for the kids, inspiring us forever. Who would have thought the young journalist from Doctor Who of the 70’s would have such an impact on young minds in the early 2000’s. Her legacy will forever live on and to be a Doctor Who companion you have big boots to step into.

Rose Tyler - Billie Piper

Rose Tyler was my first companion and she is still my favourite. Her story of shop girl to heroic time traveller is brilliant. She becomes so much more fierce, independent and daring as the show goes on. Her development from season 1 - 4 shows you how much the Doctor has changed and made her grow. Her love story with The Tenth Doctor is my favourite, my original ship (before I even knew what a ship was!). They were so cute together, they laughed and looked after one another. They were always on the same page and the devastating conclusion to their story really was the only way Rose Tyler would ever leave her beloved Doctor.

Martha Jones - Freema Agyeman

Like every companion some fans love and some hate them. Martha Jones is an absolute badass. Only someone with strength and power could travel the world by themselves in order to save it when The Doctor isn’t able to. She starts off as just a follower and sadly just a step in while the Doctor is still getting over Rose. But by the end she is good. She deserves recognition for the pure determination she shows in the season 3 finale Last of The Time Lords.

Donna Noble - Catherine Tate

Donna, the most tragic story I’ve ever seen in Doctor Who. The Doctor gives her strength and confidence. He gives her the belief in herself that nobody ever has except for her wonderful Grandad. Add that with her quick wit and comedy, she and The Doctor make a great team. Their friendship and their comedy timing make them an awesome team! Donna isn’t afraid to question The Doctor’s actions and makes her own decisions she is a perfect example of a companion.

Torchwood Cast

(Left to Right) Jack, Gwen, Ianto, Owen and Tosh

Then there’s the men, Captain Jack Harkness, Rory Williams, Mickey Smith. Captain Jack gave people confidence, he was flamboyant but a hero. You knew he was gay from his early scenes but that didn’t stop him from being a hero and saving the day. Another one who got his own TV show. Torchwood, Doctor Who for the adults. It involves swearing, it’s a bit gorier and there’s even sexual scenes. It shows you who looks after the world when The Doctor’s not around and with Captain Jack as your main character its full of comedy, awesomeness and many innuendos!

Rory with wife Amy Pond - Arthur Darvill and Karen Gillan

Rory and Mickey are perfect examples of zero to hero. They start off as pretty useless. They’re not very helpful, they ask stupid questions and most of the time they get in The Doctors way. But then they learn, they fight, they stand up for what they believe in and they protect those they love. Rory took it one step further waiting 2000 years for Amy Pond, if that isn’t commitment, I don’t know what is. 

Mickey Smith - Noel Clarke

As for Mickey once he finally realised that the Rose, he loved was no longer the person she used to be. He took it better than most would, he stopped being the idiot and became a true hero. Having him stay in the parallel world to defeat the cyberman allowed him to develop into a leader rather than a follower but he still had his comedic moments.

Every story needs a villain and Doctor Who has provided some of the most iconic monsters and aliens of all time. Anybody in Britain would be able to tell you what a Dalek is! This recurring foe has left children terrified for years, they are the Doctors biggest foe and a stapled part of pop culture.

Doctor Who's most iconic villains

These recurring villains like cybermen, zygons, weeping angels and The Master have left children with nightmares and hiding behind the settee. They are one of the things that make Doctor Who such an iconic show and without the new villains or the old favourites Doctor Who just wouldn't be the same.

The greatest thing about Doctor Who is it constantly develops, aliens can change, but old favourites will come back. One companion leaves and the next one is right around the corner ready to tell a whole new story. As for The Doctor, each one is different. No two actors will ever play The Doctor the same way. They each bring their own showmanship to The Doctor and allow a new audience to enjoy someone and everyone has their Doctor.


Now 57 years since it started running and 15 years since it returned, and I joined this phenomenon’s massive fanbase and 13 Doctor’s later it still is adored by audiences around the world. It will forever remain my all-time favourite TV programme and I will continue to delight in everything Doctor Who.

All Doctor's from 1963 to Present Day

- Courtney -

You've got that concert feeling!

The rush of 9am ticket release, the excitement of waiting for tickets to arrive, listening to their music days on end, buying all the merchandise possible and waiting for them to come on singing all their best hits. A concert is one of the best experiences you can have.


I’d never really been to concerts. My first was when I was 13, I saw McBusted (a birthday present off my sister). I’d never been obsessed with music as I was more into films and tv. My obsessions probably still lie more heavily with films and tv but to live without my music would be a dull life.


But the build up to McBusted was something I could never have anticipated. I got the tickets in December; the concert was in May, so I had 5 months to wait. It seemed like forever away until suddenly it was the end of April and I was counting down the 10 days until seeing my favourite band in concert. Then it began... They were all I’d listen to, I spent days working out what to wear, thinking about where we were sat, what songs they would sing.


The day finally arrived, the whole time I was getting ready was a mix of McFly, Busted and the songs they sang together at McFly’s 10th anniversary concert. I just became more and more excited throughout the day to the point where all I did was smile on the two trains to the venue. We arrived and my little 13-year-old self was overwhelmed with excitement seeing so many people like myself with huge smiles, excitedly chattering and wearing their own McFly/Busted t-shirts.


I’d saved money for the merchandise for ages and it didn’t disappoint. I came out with a t-shirt, key ring, wristband, poster and a tote bag. Safe to say I went a little bit overboard but if you don’t do that at a concert when can you?


Then you have the agonising wait. Checking the clock. Is it time? When are they coming on? I sat through the supporting act feeling slightly bad for them, because they were good, but they weren’t who I came to see and I didn’t know who they were or their songs and all I wanted was for them to hurry up and get off the stage!


Finally the moment I’d been waiting for since the tour had been announced arrived, the lights went dark, everyone starts cheering and an opening video plays and then they appear on a flux capacitor (any fans will know it’s a Back To The Future reference from the Busted song Year 3000 and the name of the band McFly). Then from the opening notes of Air Hostess to the closing notes of Year 3000 I sang, smiled, clapped, screamed, laughed, danced, whooped and cheered my heart out. I stared in amazement as my favourite band sang their hearts out and lit the name up in fire. I felt as if I was apart of something. A feeling I don't think you can quite understand unless you've stood in a room singing along to your favourite songs surrounded by people who feel exactly the same as you. Concerts take you away from the realities of life and for those two hours you're inside a bubble of joy and you never want it to end.

McBusted - 3rd May 2014

Every time I go to a concert is the same. I experience the same set of emotions as if I’ve never been to one before. I get excited, I play the artists music nonstop the days leading up to the concert, I buy way to much merchandise, I take loads of videos of my favourite songs, I sing my heart out and normally have a sore throat the next day, I clap till my hands go red and start to sting, I leave content with a wide smile, their lyrics in my head and happy that they were as good as I expected and then the next day I have tour blues listening to their music wishing I could go again.


And since that amazing day back in May 2014 I’ve gone on to see a few more, always leaving with at least a programme, t shirt or keyring. These artists include Michael Bublé, The Jonas Brothers, Ed Sheeran, I’ve seen The Script three times! McBusted then Busted and now finally I’m hoping to complete the trio by going to see McFly in May! Fingers crossed with things being the way they are it won’t get cancelled. But either way, if I have to wait 2 months for my next concert or 6 lets be honest, I will always come home with no money but many memories and a massive smile on my face.

Below are a few photos I've taken during my own concert experiences:

McBusted on their Alien space ship aka their B stage 

3rd May 2014

Michael Bublé - 20th May 2019

The Jonas Brothers - Happiness Begins Tour - 29th January 2020

A photo from The Jonas Brothers that I thought was pretty

cool during Cake By The Ocean

Busted - The Pigs Can Fly Tour - 20th May 2016

Ed Sheeran - Leeds - Roundhay Park - The Divide Tour - 17th August 2019

The Script - O2 Arena Birmingham - 

Freedom Child Tour - 24th August 2016

A close up of Danny O'Donoghue, The Script was an intimate, 

standing concert so we were very close to the stage! 

The Script - Sunsets and Full Moons Tour - 28th February 2020

- Courtney -

University Truths from a First Year 

University is not easy; I am one term in to my uni experience and as much as I love my course and friends, the life of a uni student is not always easy.

University is based on independent studying and that is not something that I and many others aren’t good at. When in uni you sit in a lecture where a person stands and speaks information at you while you make notes. Sometimes there boring, sometimes they talk too fast and sometimes it just makes no sense.

It’s then YOUR job to turn that into an essay usually between 1500 - 3000 words. They expect references from websites and books so you gotta do your library trips and all that reading, and if your not enjoying the topic that much then it isn’t fun! You spend hours procrastinating until the deadline looms and you suddenly realise you have another 2000 words to write that’s due in two days. It’s stressful, it’s tiring, it’s hard work and it doesn’t always feel like it’s paying off.


But then you see the positive sides, the friendships you make, the fun you have, the nights out you have, the extra couple of days you get off and the time you get to spend with people who are just as passionate about the subject you’ve taken as you. Because it’s based on independence you really don’t spend that much time in lectures.


Doing a drama degree means I get to create brilliant work with other people. I get to read scripts by brilliant minds and use them as inspiration for my own pieces. I get to experiment with sound, lighting, costume, text and I get to do it with some great people. Some say a drama degree should be easier, ‘it’s standing on a stage, reading lines.’ It really isn’t there’s a lot that goes behind the scenes of making theatre be the way it is today. Some clever people had to come up with basic things such as talking to the audience for it to become such a key feature of theatre, films and television.


I personally can’t talk about the struggles and highlights of living in halls because I don’t. I’m very lucky to still be able to live at home and my uni is only about a 10 minute car ride or for me 25 minutes which includes the walk to the bus stop, the wait for the bus and the actual bus journey!


Basically, what I’m trying to say is: if you can handle: hard work, deadlines and stress. Then don’t let them stop you. The fear of moving out, lack of money, getting into debt and student loan stops people from taking that massive leap but it shouldn’t. It’s a struggle and it is hard work, but I enjoy University and going was definitely the right decision. I have wonderful friends who support me and have as much enthusiasm for drama as me. Whether I’ll say the same thing in my third year when I’m stressing over final pieces and deadlines I don’t know. But right now, I love it and would encourage anyone with a big enough love for education to go. Apparently, they’re meant to be the best years of your life? Check back with me in 2021 at the end of my degree!

- Courtney -