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. 

It Is That Time of Year Again...

Okay, so today is December the 7th,and that means that it't nearly Christmas!

So everyone at my school is excited, and they've been paying Christmas songs since around the start of November. And yes, Christmas is exciting... Just not for me. 

I get it, I get it, I'm such a Scrooge, right? 

Well that's where you're wrong. I love Christmas, I just don't get excited about it all, because I never get my hopes up for anything. Sorry. 


But the weird thing is, this year I'm really looking forward to New Year. For a lot of people, New Year is a time to get drunk and have a massive party, and yeah, good for you, have fun. But I think a lot of people now are missing the whole point of New Year; for me, it's a time to reflect on the past year, and think about how I want to, or need to change my life to become a better person. 

A lot of people don't get that. 

This year, I want to be able to look back and think about all of the good things that have happened this year. There has been a lot, honestly. They might just be small things, like someone smiling at me on the street, but they matter because they made me happy. 
Honestly, I think 2014 has been one of the best years of my life, despite all of the negativity and my bad attitude. I've made some incredible friends, and I'm so glad I've got my best friend, because without her, I don't know how this year would have gone. 
(Thank you Emma ♥) 

I know it's a bit too early to write about New Year, but I'm looking forward to next year, and all of the changes I'm going to have to make. 

Have a good day!
- Dottie. 

Take Time To Relax...

Okay, so I think my previous post was about getting stressed from exams and pressure from school in general. 
I've not been able to post for a while, as I've left revision for my mock week until the last minute, as usual, and I've been finding it hard to take time out and relax. 

So this is what this post is about... 

Once a week, I'm going to have a day to chill out, spend time with my family, read a book, or just do anything that isn't school work. I went to a parents' evening thing at school last week, and my tutor told me to ensure that I do take time out to relax, so in a way, I am doing homework when I'm doing nothing. 

For the last week, I have been feeling the pressure; I've had eleven mock exams to revise for, and I would have started revising weeks ago (like at the start of November..) but my teachers think it's fun to overload us with homework. 

But that's not the point of this post. 

Anyone who gets stressed about school or exams, or feels anxious, or anyone who actually does any school work will understand where I'm coming from when I say that it is really important for both your mental and physical health that you take regular breaks from work, and take a day out once a week for yourself. 

Today is the first day in a long time that I've not done any school work, and I do feel kind of guilty about it, because I'm going to have lots to do tomorrow, but I don't know... 

I've revised for an exam every evening for the past week, so I need this time now more than ever, because I feel so worn out and tired. 

Hmm... This post had really no direction, but there is one point I cannot  stress enough, and that is: 

everyone needs a mental health day once in a while; we're not indestructible, and we're not robots. 

Okay, well I guess that's all... 

Dottie. 

Exam Stress...

Currently at my school, we're having a mock 'week' (it lasts two and a half weeks..) and the teachers are putting so much pressure on the students to do well, to revise, and to keep up with homework/activities outside of school. For a lot of people, this is no bother; "oh, it's only mocks, I ain't gonna revise" but this is the real world, and you have to at least try. 

Personally, I feel that I have even more pressure to do well. I don't think people quite understand this, but there is an immense amount of pressure on the naturally smart/smarter people, because they feel that they cannot make a mistake. 
I feel like I have to do well, in every test, because if I make a mistake, or completely f*ck it up,I think that people are going to make fun of me, and say things like "Ohhhhh, Dottie got a bad grade!" I know that people won't say this, or be rude, but it's pressure to do well. Also, I feel that I have to compete with my sister (people with siblings will understand this one), because she got amazing grades when she was my age, and I don't want to feel like a let-down. 

There are two things I want to write about in this post. The first is why it's wrong to put so much pressure on teenagers, and the second is what you can do if you're feeling stressed, or worried about exams, or anything else. 

Okay, so when teachers, and parents, put pressure on teenagers, schoolchildren, to do well and to get top grades in their exams, it does nothing to help. 

We know we have to do well, and revise, and work hard. We know it all already. Teenagers give themselves a bad time an awful lot, we beat ourselves up over little things. You, keeping on at us, does not help. At all. 

Secondly, putting pressure on teens makes us even more stressed. We're already worried about things like our appearance, and just small things, so to worry about school makes it all 100 times worse. Our emotions are little all over the place,  so small things can tip us over the edge. 

I know that I can end up crying hysterically after a brilliant day, because I'm tired and just feel like small things are piling up around me.

Pressure makes it waaaayyyy worse. 

But what I do when I'm stressed out are the following: 

• Listen to music (it really, really helps).  
• Social media. Just scrolling through news feeds, seeing other people's lives makes me feel, if not better, then distracted. 
• Clean your room. 
• Cry it out. It feels crappy, but you will feel better. 
• If you're not super-stressed, then do the work you need to get done. It will help you feel better to know you'll have less to do nearer the deadline date.
• Talk to someone. 
• If you can't talk to someone, write it all out on this site: http://thequietplaceproject.com/thethoughtsroom/ everything you write is anonymous, and not saved, and it's strangely satisfying to watch your thoughts disappear. 
• Finally, I cannot stress how much music helps (I put it already, I know), because we all have a feel-good song. Put it on, dance around and just forget. It helps. 

If you need any more ideas, then take a look at the following blog post: http://highlyfunctioningblogger.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/10-things-to-do-when-youre-feeling-low.html

That's all for now, I guess.. 

- Dottie. 

People at Concerts...

Yesterday evening, two lovely guys from a lovely band that I love very much went to see an awesome band called Biffy Clyro. I am insanely jealous of them, because Biffy are the reason behind my music-loving. They changed my world. 

The lovely Biffy Clyro

Anyway, one of the lads posted on Twitter after the show "nahhh too many people recording 99% of the gig on their phone, try actually watching the band in front of you" 

And this got me thinking...
99% of the gigs that I've been to, there has been people stood in front of, or around me holding their phones out and recording the whole thing. And yes, it's a good idea, because you can relive the gig again and again. But technically, if you're on your phone, you aren't actually living in the moment, or watching the band. 

Sure, taking the odd photo is fine, but you have to live in the moment. Some people pay so much to go to gigs, and then either talk or text the whole time, get so drunk they can't stand up, or leave after the headline band has played two songs. Tell me, what is the point? 

I just don't understand it. I want to be able to look back on gigs and remember having the time of my life, singing and jumping around with the rest of the people. I don't want to experience it through a video. 

There are some seriously ignorant people at gigs, and I just don't like it, because some people actually do want to experience the gig first-hand. 

So if you're on of those ignorant, irritating people, either f*ck off, or stand at the back. 

That is all.
- Dottie

Symbolism and Meanings...

Today I'm going to write about something a little different. This post is about symbolism and symbolic meanings of objects that could be very ordinary. 

The definition of symbolic is something that serves as a symbol. I interpret the 'something' as being quite literally anything, be it a CD, a concert ticket or something more meaningful, like a piece of jewellery that could have some sort of spiritual meaning...  I don't really know. 

But I do know we all have something that means an awful lot to us. For me, even though this is stupid, but I think the thing that means lots to me is my collection of band merchandise (CDs, wristbands, t-shirts, tickets, etc.) which is weird, because I'm not really in love with material possessions, however, for me, I think these things mean so much to me because of the memories attached to them. For me, merchandise is a symbol of happy times. 

There are lots of types of symbols: religious, mythical, spiritual, and personal, and I think that everyone has something that can help them to feel better, or just to put them in a certain frame of mind. 

Some people see certain things are symbols of good luck, or other things. Birthstones are one of those things; if you wear the correct birthstone in the correct month (so wear a topaz stone in November) then it can heighten their healing powers. If you wear a Maori fish hook necklace, according to the legend of Maori (here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C4%81ori_mythology) , the fish hook represents prosperity and safe passage over water. 

This is my Maori fish hook necklace

I find that myths and legends about certain objects really fascinating (another is the wolf's tooth, all about power and bravery etc.), and it makes you think that not only legends can have meanings and symbols.

We all have something that makes us feel something, and it's just interesting..

This post didn't really have any direction, sorry guys.

- Dottie. 

My Favourite Three...

Live Bands

During the last year, I've been to a fair few live music events, I've been getting more involved with and interested in the live music scene, and though I'd share some great bands with you. 

Reel Big Fish are bloody brilliant, to say the least. I saw them at a music festival in Wales this summer, and they were incredible. They knew how to get the audience moving, played really catchy, upbeat songs, and the best thing, for me, is they showed how versatile they are; ultimately, they're a ska band, but they played heavy metal, country, folk, pop-punk, literally everything. Their musical ability was incredible, and they're just an amazing band. Do not ever turn down the opportunity to see them live, because, trust me, you'll enjoy it. 

Seth Lakeman is a folk singer/songwriter, and I saw him at a free music festival, again in Wales, but a different one to last time, and this was during summer. He was incredible. He can play so many different instruments (duh, he's a multi-instrumentalist), and his music really got my toe tapping. I must say I've not really listened to his recorded music, but the live show was really good. So, if folk or alternative music is your thing, check this out:

And, thirdly, Framing Hanley have got to be one of the most energetic, meaningful, and caring bands I have ever seen, or met. I'll start off by saying their set was incredible, they played old favourites and new songs, and got the whole audience jumping. They played for the audience, and really got us to join by singing, and they posed for photos! After the show, they sold their own merch, and took the time to thank everyone who came to watch them. For me, that means so much, it's insane. They're definitely worth checking out, because they care so much, and that is one of the best things about a live band. 

So those are three of my favourite live bands. 

Before I go, I own no rights to any of this music, please don't sue me.

- Dottie. 

Life is a Roller-coaster...

Sorry for the song lyric as the post title, but I feel like it accurately describes the day/weekend that I've had. 

I'll start off with my weekend; it was good, I didn't have much homework, which meant there was no stress. I went out for coffee both Saturday and Sunday, and felt so relaxed and peaceful. 

It was the same when I woke up this morning. I didn't feel rushed, or stressed or anything, I was fine. I got ready, did my makeup and then things started to go downhill when I was packing my stuff. You see, I couldn't find my charcoal pencils, and I really needed them for art today, and it was stressing me out because I knew I put them somewhere, I just couldn't remember where. It's the little things that throw me, you see. Anyway, I found them and got a lift to school. All good. 

The next thing that got me stressed, was the fact that my English teacher didn't show up. I know what you're thinking - why would that bother you, it means no work? - but I have mock exams in two weeks, and then my real exams in a few months, and it is just too much work, and I need to know what I'm doing. Anyway, as it happens, I'm not going to have a proper teacher for two weeks, so that'll be fun. Guess who is going to fail her exams. 

Then science is just so disorganised and crappy. No one shuts up in maths. I've been feeling really anxious, like I'm panicking, and I've felt sort of unable to breathe, I've been taking such deep breaths, in case I can't breathe suddenly. It's not fun. 

I don't even want to begin to write about art, it's just terrible, and I think I'll leave it at that for now. 

These next few weeks aren't going to be enjoyable, but I think the things that are going to get me through them are the long weekend I'm having next week, the two albums I got from my last concert, my next concert, and this song: 

But I'll be okay, I always am. 

Laters guys, 
Dottie. 

Here's To New Beginnings...

Hey there!
My name is Dottie, and I'm just some teenage dirtbag, and I was born at least 20 years too early...

That probably sounds hipster-y or something, right? I'm not a hipster, I promise you. I'm a punk. Well... I would be, if it weren't for school rules and my parents, but unfortunately, I can't look punk-ish until I'm about 20.. But I'm punk at heart! 

You see, I love bands such as Green Day, blink182, Sum 41 and Nirvana, and no one really listens to them any more, but they were on the radio all of the time in the late '80s/early 90s. So yeah, that's the 20 years too late thing. 

As for the new beginnings, well, I started a blog about two years ago, I think, but sort of neglected it. I found though, that it helped with emotional stress and just helped me to clear my mind, so that's what this blog is for! I'm going to rant, fangirl, and just post whatever I need to, to help me feel better. Feel free to come along for the ride! 

So here's to the future!!
Dottie.