British LOL's

Someone asked me the other dau which TV boxsets I owned, so of course 10 minutes later I was finished naming them all. They asked me why there wasn't any British comedies on the list. I replied that I didn't like any of them, I have quite a snobby attitude towards comedy and I honestly think our American cousins do it better. Modern Family, Friends, Parks and Recreation, Will & Grace, The Big Bang Theory - need I say more.
It did get me thinking though - I actually do love some British comedies, whereas some just go over my head. I don't find shows like Alan Partridge, Porridge, Monty Python and Only Fools and Horses that funny (I do not say this out loud with fear of being exiled), but there are some that I find myself watching re-runs of all the time. I wrote a short list of 6 comedies that I feel prove me wrong, and prove that Britain is funny.

1. The Inbetweeners (E4)
I fell for this show straight away, Will is a perfectly written character - the scene where he shits himself during an exam can make me laugh out loud just by thinking about it. The other boys are great aswell, each with their extreme personalities. Neil is probably my favourite character, his naivety mixed with his lack of shame just makes him great.

2. Absolutely Fabulous (BBC)
How can you not like this show. It has everything a comedy should have. It has a drunk best friend, a snobby daughter, a slightly out of it Grandmother and a bat shit crazy assistant. All these characters just add to this show. Eddie is obviously the star of the show, she is totally oblivious to her status and thinks she is more than what she is - however to me she is perfect. If I could change one thing it would be the americans - they are too extreme and I often find myself zoning out when they come on.

3. Miranda (BBC)
I accidentally stumbled across this show one night when I was having pre-drinks at my friends house and she was taking forever to get ready. I will always remember it -  the scene was when she was at a job interview and she starts to sing a Whitney Houston song, I laughed so hard that I almost saw my pre-drinks in reverse. Miranda is one of those characters that I find my self relating to (reluctantly), she is one of lifes losers who just strives to have everything that everyone has but takes for granted. Miranda Hart is a comic genius and I am actually going to see her on tour and I can't freaking wait.

4. The IT Crowd (Channel 4)
I didn't watch this show much when it was broadcast, but then iTunes had an offer to buy the series for like a fiver or something so I snapped it up, so happy I did. I binge watch this show all the time (thank you Netflix). My favourite character is of course Moss - I love him. I feel if I was to be around him I would just laugh all the time, he would hate me because he isn't trying to be funny. Jen and Roy of course make up the magnificent trio. I was glad that Channel 4 got them together to do one more episode to wrap things up - I needed the closure.

5. Trollied (Sky 1)
This is a show that I think is lost amongst the cable channels. It should be on the BBC at least, more people need to see it. It is a sitcom based in a supermarket - we never leave the supermarket. It has a range of characters so there is something for everyone. My favourite character is Lisa, she is the check out girl who could not give less of a shit. She is literally there for the money, she has no passion and is often rude (so basically any shop worker).  She is crude and loathes everybody, she is the best.

6. Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps (BBC)

I believe this was our answer to Friends - accept a hell of a lot more realistic for us Brits. It tells the story of 5 friends trying to get through life in Runcorn. They are struggling for money, struggling for jobs but they appreciate the beauty of having a pint with your mates down the pub. Its hard to pick a favourite character from the original 5, but I would have to say my favourite supporting character was Donna's mum - she was amazing, made me laugh more than anyone else.

So to recap I may have been too harsh, we have some jewels in our comedy crown. We getting better and better and we have had some amazing shows come and go. Maybe my next boxset purchase will be a British Comedy.

Supergroups!

Inspired by the formation of McFly and Busted as one big supergroup; I thought I would create some that world needs/wants. Before you say, yes they are all female. I can't help it; I love a good female singing voice.

Little Saturday
A combination of Little Mix and The Saturdays. Unfortunately we live in a world where there can only be one raining girl band at a time, fortunately for us when one goes quiet the other one steps in - so they both get chart success and the attention they deserve. Combining these two groups would be genius, it was give us one amazing girl band that would be unrivalled! They are pure pop fun and they deserve more than what we give them.

DCTLC
What would happen if you put the two biggest selling girl groups of all time together in the same room? Magic I am sure of it. Separately they have dominated - together they would conquer. The tour would be a spectacle and would sell out in minutes the world round. Just like TLC were going to at the American Music Awards (but didn't!) they should hologram in a Left Eye and it would literally be the best show on Earth! I am actually getting excited and its not even happening - it was created by me, boredom, 4 am and Photoshop.

Jessie, Paloma, Adele, Ellie and Florence
Arguably the five best voices we have birthed in this country in the last few years. Just now I thought about Emeli Sande as a sixth member - chills. The shows would be epic and beyond any vocal performances anyone has ever seen, Separately they have sold out arenas - together they could sell out stadiums around the freaking world. I need this to happen, I am too excited for it not to happen.

My Go-To Albums

I am one of those people that get incredibly bored with music very quickly, I can love a song one day and instantly turn it over when it comes on the music channels the next day. However, there are some that break this rule. These are my go to albums right now, when I'm on the train or walking places and I can't choose anything to listen to, I will go to my old faith-fulls.

Little Mix - Salute

Quite a new addition to my go-to albums. When I first heard it I was a bit erm about it. I can flick past one or two songs but some really stuck with me. 'Boy' is my absolute favourite on the album, think old school Destiny's Child with a bit of Dream's "He Loves You Not' and Jesy's amazing vocal intro and you have a great track. Also with the album you will notice you start to walk in a different way, you march! They have perfected the art of marching music - if you don't agree listen to 'A Different Beat', 'Move' and 'Salute'. This type of music just makes my head bop and there ain't nothing wrong with that.

Natalia Kills - Trouble

I will always be thankful for Spotify for this treat to the ears. Its an amazing album. It has attitude filled songs, mixed with some beautiful ballads and some throw back tunes that are reminiscent of the 90's. Particular favourites include 'Devil Don't Fly' and 'Saturday Night' - I am a huge sucker for a ballad. If you need a song to help you stomp the street like a boss ass bitch then you got 'Problem' for that - this album has something for everyone.

Taylor Swift - Red 
If you know me then you know my love for Taylor is deep and its real. She is an amazing writer and every song she gifts us with seems like we are having a peek in to her world. I have to say my favourite album of hers will always be 'Fearless' (it was perfect), but the reason this album is on my go-to list is because it is so varied. No two songs sound similar, no two songs cover the same topic and lets face it her voice is like a fine wine - its only getting better with age. Favourite songs include 'Red', 'The Lucky One' and 'Holy Ground' - but for me its like picking my favourite food, its all good.

Miranda Lambert - Four The Record
This album is country perfection, she has the twang down and there is no shortage of guitars and banjos. This is the epitome of country for me, every song is a story whether happy or sad. It takes a lot for a song to make me cry just by listening and not having a video for it - 'Over You' had me bawling, ugly snotty kind of crying. This album is perfect for journeys, you can just look out the window and the scenery fits the songs and you can create your own music videos (just be aware of fellow passengers judging you as you place your hand against the rain splattered window and mime). This album does also have its great up tempo songs aswell. Favourite tracks include 'All Kinds Of Kinds', 'Look At Miss Ohio' and 'Mama's Broken Heart'.

Demi Lovato - Demi 
If I could have any one's singing voice it would be heres, her range is awesome and she can hold a note like nobodies business. Each album of hers gets better and better. This one definitely shows a growth and maturity. She has now got a clubby vibe to her sound on some songs and I'm not mad about it, her ballads are what you expect - perfect, and she still hasn't forgotten her pop routes. If you ever want to mime and feel like a diva (which we all do at some point of the day) then pop this on. Some favourites include 'Neon Lights', 'Warrior' and of course 'Heart attack'. I also very much recommend her last album - 'Unbroken'.

The Band Perry - Pioneer 
I fell in love with this band the second after I heard 'If I Die Young' - it was depressing, country perfection, which is what I ask from my music a lot. When they released this second album I was afraid they wouldn't live upto the high bar I set them. Then they released 'Better Dig Two', yes another death related song, but my god its so good. The whole album is great - they haven't stepped away from their country roots, but why should they, you don't fix something that isn't broken. I am also listening to them on replay a lot lately because I am going to see them on Sunday and I am balls to wall excited.

Pleasuring the masses

Before I start there will be a lot of people that will probably disagree with this post, people that know will probably think I am nowhere near a people pleaser. Well thats not how I feel, read on and you will see what I mean.

For years now I have felt a bit like a people pleaser, not in the brown nosing way. In the way where I hate disappointing people, where I don't like been in people's way and sometimes to the extreme where I would hide certain parts of my personality to fit in. In all honesty now, I am sick of it. I am going to be me, I am going to make me happy and I am not going to try and impress people anymore.

I have reached a point in my life where I have realised that I have done everything because thats what I thought I had to do, what was expected of me. Its lead me to quite a boring existence. I am still in education at 25 and studying something that right now I couldn't give two shits about. I will finish though, I have worked to hard and long for it - it will literally be the only achievement I will have had. When I look back it seems a lot of stuff I have done was pointless. For example I didn't need to do my A Levels - I followed my friends there as I didn't have a plan, I should have gone straight to art college.

My job is another place where I am sick of trying. For some reason I have been labelled lazy - I am not lazy. Yes, I will sometimes take a minute to talk to someone I work with, but my job never suffers and I will help other people with their jobs if they need it. I am always trying to be noticed by people at work but I'm not. They only notice my negatives. I don't want to sound big headed but there isn't many people at my job that can do some of the things I do well. I think from now on I will just go in, do my job and leave - pointless trying to impress someone who doesn't look out for it.

University is another place where I feel like I am not doing it for me. For instance I now know that I am on the wrong course with the wrong career choice. I know now that I won't use my degree to its fullest when I leave. I feel like I am quite a creative person, however there are too many rules that I have to design by - this isn't what I signed up for. I went to uni because I never saw another life for me, it was always in my plan and I never questioned it.

So, from now on I am taking a stand. I am only responsible for my happiness, no one else's. If I don't want to do something then I won't do it. Life is too damn short to be unhappy or trapped. As I type this I am doubting myself as I know I will be in uni tomorrow, which is the last place I want to be. Maybe I will have a change of heart soon, but who cares - its my life. Its my life to screw up, I don't have to answer to anything or anyone.