This Is What I Live For..

Yesterday, I went to a gig, for the first time in around two months. I'm not kidding when I say that the atmosphere, and the people and the feeling I get in a concert venue, is what I live for. I'd forgotten how much I love it. 

I hate the queuing, especially in the cold, but I didn't mind yesterday. I was just so happy it was insane! The first support band of the night was called Oh Captive, and last night's was their last show. The second support band was called Dead! and I have seen them twice before. They were even better than I remembered them. Their new songs were brilliant, and their usual stuff sounded even better than before. All the way through their set, I had this crazy-big smile on my face; I'm so proud of those boys! 

Then the headline band. I'd listened to their first album when they released it, earlier last year, and I thought they were good, but I was into heavier music at the time, so didn't think much more of it. They released an EP on 9th February, and it is beautiful. The band is called Fort Hope. Their music is beautiful. 
By this point in the gig, I'd managed to get centre second row, so I was looking directly up at the singer. It was super crowded, and the band was a lot heavier than expected! There was a lot of people jumping around and shoving (they were stood behind me), and I feel sorry for the girls I kept getting pushed into. Fort Hope were a lot heavier live (the bass and guitars were much louder) but I absolutely loved it. Every single second. Usually at gigs, I zone out for at least one song, but this time, I didn't. It was amazing. 

Then, afterwards, I brought a physical copy of Fort Hope's EP (I'm one of those annoying people... sorry), a wristband, got a free badge, and got a copy of Oh Captive's first EP for £1. (I already own loads of Dead! merch..). I spoke to a couple of guys from Dead!, and the singer of FH singed my CD. I am still so happy.

I was going to put my band-member-and-me photos, but I look too stupid.. Y'all should check out Fort Hope!! Buy their EP (£3.99 on iTunes apparently..)

- Dottie. 

The Education System.

The following YouTube video inspired me to write this post. Watch the video first, then read what I have to say.

Okay, so I'm assuming you've watched the video now. My blog isn't really about the same stuff, but the video is still relevant. 

School sucks. For the first few years of secondary school, its not too bad. Then you start your GCSEs and it's suddenly like going to hell and back. Every. Day. 

My school has been putting so much more pressure on us recently, and I don't quite understand why. They cannot force people to work harder, and get their head down and revise. Yet, they seem to give us loads of extra work anyway. If people don't want to work, they won't. So the people who need less work to do, and less stress, get a bucket load more, because some assholes can't sit down, shut up and do work. 

A lot of teachers seem to think that grades are all that matter. We had a mock exam week (that lasted around three weeks) in December, and we had a 'results day'. A huge deal was made about something that doesn't even matter. And those mock exams made an anxiety problem way worse for my best friend. That is so wrong. (And I hope she's okay <3) 

I heard the other day that year 8s (12 or 13 year olds) are choosing their GCSE subjects soon. I don't get it. Adults expect teenagers to have no reason to be stressed/anxious/depressed/mentally unstable, and they're so wrong. We're expected to be able to juggle school, school work, other work, social lives, friendships, relationships, regular exercise and enough sleep. 

I was told a few months ago, that I was expected to shut myself away every night after school, after having done my homework, and sit in silence with no phones/laptops etc, and revise. 

I don't go out with my friends very often, I go to a concert maybe once a month. I play guitar and bass, but barely have time to practice. I don't really have a life, because it feels like school is my life.. That didn't make sense, but you get where I'm coming from. 

And, school seems to drag on forever. Seriously. This week feels like it's been three months. Everyday is the same, there is no change of routine. It's wake up, get dressed, eat, get ready, do work/go out, come home, play guitar, shower, sleep. Even on weekends. It sucks. I want my life back. 

This pretty accurately sums up school:

"I'm going insane, but that's okay because my grades are more important than my mental health anyway."

Okay, bye!
- Dottie. 

New Year, 'New Me'...

Hey people!!

I know my previous post was about New Year (I think...) but I want to write about how much I've changed in the past two years...

Two years ago, we had to choose our options for our GCSEs, and I chose art. I was really happy with that choice, but now I'm not so sure....

See, two years ago, I was listening to stuff like Taylor Swift and James Blunt. I had a 'normal' hair cut, and didn't wear much make-up. I couldn't stand outfits with no colour (as in wearing all black). I wore skinny jeans and normal t-shirts, hoodies and boots...

Fast forward two years and I listen to 'emo', metal and punk-rock music, I am attempting to make my hair be all floppy and fringe, wear waaaayyy too much eyeliner and constantly wear either all black, or skinny jeans and an ill-fitting band shirt. I am the person I swore I'd never become... 

Oops... 

I guess the point of this post is, 13 years old is too young to know who you're going to be when you're older. 

Because I'm not who I thought I'd be. 

When I was thirteen, I genuinely thought I'd be, maybe not a girly-girl, but definitely not an emo/punk/whatever I am. This may not be the case for all people; my best friend knew exactly what she wanted to be, and she's following that path right now. 

But  don't limit yourself until you're sure of who you are going to be. 

I'm sixteen years old, and I think I know who I am, and what I want to do when I'm older. Even if I change, I think my career will still mean something to me, because it's something I've been influenced by (no, I don't plan on being in a band [if it happens, it happens], I want to be a sound engineer). 

So, I guess what this post is about, is to always be true to yourself, and do what you enjoy. You'll change anyway, so don't try and change yourself before you're ready. 

Um, yeah... 
- Dottie. 

A Year in Review...

Okay, so currently it is January 1st, 2015, 2:09 PM, and I am happy. 

I'd like to start off this post by asking: is it acceptable to wear 2014 tour shirts to be cool, or is it too soon? Okay, scratch that, I don't care. Wearing the tour shirts (all two of them with dates on...) makes me so happy, because I remember the times when I was happy. Last year, I was so happy. And I'm happy now. 

Around May-time last year, a lot of stuff changed. I made new friends, and started spending more time with old ones, and I've never been happier. 

2014 is the year I finally found happiness; I've been to so many gigs, and spoken to so many new people, and sure, there have been crappy parts, but I'm not going to dwell on them, because the happy parts mean so much more. Since summer, I've been keeping a list of things that have made me happy in 2014, and sure, I forgot to put lots of stuff on there, but I'm going to share a few with you guys now. 

1. I won tickets to see one of my favourite bands (they're small, but I love them!) At said show, I was juggling, and the singer of the band juggled too. That made me happy. After the headline band played, I got to speak to the guitarist, and he hugged me!! I thanked them for being awesome. I don't think I'm going to top that night for a while...
2. I started spending more time with my best friend, and before summer, there was a day when we (me, my best friend and our two other friends) were sat outside talking at lunchtime, and we were all laughing so much. Pure happiness. (They're the people who make me forget to look at my phone..)
3. I've mentioned this in a previous post, but the kindness of the stranger who stood next to me at the Taking Back Sunday gig. That always means a lot. 

Yeah, the last year has been brilliant, and I'm determined to make this one even better. 

A lot of things are going to change soon; I'm going to be taking exams, and moving on to a different school/college, and I won't be with my friends. That makes me sad, but I know its part of life. I'm going to be taking a course that I'm so excited about, and I just can't wait!

A lot of people are making New Year's resolutions, but not me (they never last anyway). Change comes about naturally anyway, so I'm just going to continue being happy with every aspect of myself and my life. 

That's it. Happiness.

Yep. That's what I'm going to do. Chase happiness. Be happy. Be me. 

Happy New Year, guys!! Make this one the best year yet!

- Dottie. 

Happiness Is...

This time one week ago, I was on my way to see some bands, and those bands mean a lot to me. I may not have been a huge fan for years and years, but still, I love those bands, because some of their work means an awful lot to me. 

Last week, I went to see Taking Back Sunday, who had support from Blitz Kids and Marmozets.  And it was brilliant!!

This post isn't really linked to the one I wrote about being happy etc. but I guess it kinda also is... You see, Happiness Is is the title of Taking Back Sunday's album they released earlier this year, and also, their tour was the 'Happiness Is' tour, so naturally, I called this post 'Happiness Is'. 

My TBS tour shirt and concert tickets (on cork board)

For me, concerts are the things that make me ultimately happy.I love them not just because of the live music, but also the people. I'm going to start with that part. 

I'm not a people person, at all, but when I go to concerts, I seem to forget about it. I can talk to people, and have conversations, and I'm perfectly happy being in large crowds now. I feel fine. This past year, I feel that I have gotten more confident, and it may not show at school, but in large social situations, I don't feel the need to shy away any more. So that's pretty cool.

Also, people at concerts aren't as rude and obnoxious as people at school. Last week, a dude I don't know came and stood next to me, and that was cool.We spoke a little about the support bands, and the headlining band, and some bottles of water got passed around, and people shared them out (I didn't have any). But if you were shopping and bottles of water were given out, no one would share, right? At the concert, the dude offered me some of his water, and just, people at concerts are great.

Also!! Also, some dude got shoved into me, and people asked if I was okay, etc. I love people at concerts. 

Then there's the atmosphere and the bands playing!! It's just brilliant, because almost everyone is there for the music, and they're all singing along and it's just a precious moment. 

So yeah. My happiness is concerts, which is why I want to work with bands/at live music events so much. If these things can have such a huge impression on me, and make me feel the way they do, then I'd love to be a part of that and help someone else feel as great as I do. And even if I did a small thing like roadying or something as big as being part of the band on stage, I don't care. I just need to be part of it. 

So that's kinda how awesome my last Monday was..And now? Meh.. 

Have a good week guys!
- Dottie. 

Pop Punk?

Pop punk. 

Yup, pop punk. Because that's all I've really been listening to for the past two days. It just makes me feel so good!! 

My music taste varies a lot (from heavy metal to folk/country music from the 1950s..) but the main genre of music I listen to would probably be rock/punk music.

But pop punk. And before you say it, no, 5SOS probably aren't pop punk (but I can't say anything cause I though Black Veil Brides were heavy metal for years... Oops). So shush. 

But, I'll say it again, pop punk! It always seems so happy, and cheerful, and is actually insanely catchy. 

Recently, I've been listening to a lot of '90s pop punk, and I'm so happy. I did an art mock exam today, and got to listen to my music for five hours, and I'm in such a good mood because of it. 

And I think I've learnt a little about pop punk. So, here's a recipe for a good pop punk song: 

• Catchy lyrics that are rude/funny or emotional.
• Cool guitar riffs and pretty cool choruses. 
• Heavy drums. 
• Bass solos??? (Idk, I like bass..) 

So yeah, that's basically every pop punk song ever maybe. 

And here's my favourite three pop punk songs from the 90s (and 80s I don't know).

1. Bowling For Soup - High School Never Ends

2. Jimmy Eat World - The Middle 

3. Teenage Dirtbag - Wheatus

So I guess it's clear where the inspiration for my blog name/address came from, huh? 

Until next time guys!
- Dottie. 

If It Means a Lot to You...

There is something in my life, that means the world to me. It isn't a physical object, or a person, but a feeling. 

The thing that means so, so much to me is pure happiness. The type of happiness you feel when you're with your friends, and you're all laughing and all of your worries seem so far away. The type of happiness you feel when you get something you've been waiting for, for a long time. The type of happiness you feel when your favourite band plays your favourite song live. 

The feeling of pure happiness is very rare for me; there is always something at the back of my head, asking me if something is wrong, or if I've forgotten to do something important. 

*continues post from two days ago when I was tired* 

Okay, so I think where I was going with this post is, the thing that makes me ultimately happy, purely, purely happy, is going to concerts. Live music. Being in a room with as little as 20, or as many as (possibly) 20,000 (?) people, singing along to every word. That is the feeling I hang on to for days. 

Seriously. 

And I think what I'm trying to say is, if something makes you happy, hold on to it. Don't ever give up on your dreams of being happy. 

Hold on to whatever makes you happy. I'm being serious here. Do not compromise your happiness at any point in your life. It's your life, so live it how you want. 

Okay? 

Okay, so that's the end of this pretty mediocre post... 
- Dottie.