The Fault in Our Stars

Last night I went to the cinema to see The Fault in Our Stars

Now before I continue, please note that I have not read the book, but I plan to in the very near future.

The film is about a teenage girl who has cancer, and I think I loved this film so much because I could relate to it on so many levels, okay I don’t have cancer but I was diagnosed with a debilitating, life-shortening, degenerative neuro-muscular disorder called Friedreich’s Ataxia at 15. (So in short term, yeah I am a dying man but it’s okay we are all going to die one day, it’s the one and only thing we are guaranteed in this) sorry if that’s a bit full on, just being honest, truth-shooting as a friend called me one time. 

This film is sad yes, but it’s also powerful, inspirational, very moving and positive. It touched upon real life events and captured them really well, again I could relate, because I myself have been in a few of those situations on which the film touched upon.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my big blockbuster films as much as the next guy. Like Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Godzilla, X-Men: Days of Future Past, but there is just something I really love with films like this maybe it is the fact that I can relate to them, I don’t know the just feeling more real (Like they touch your heart, if that make sense)

I think they got everything right with this film, the direction and cinematography was fantastic, not a single shot felt odd or out of place and every shot matched the scene and felt real. The acting was amazing too. It made the two characters feel real and alive, their performances were so heartfelt and definitely Oscar worthy. They probably won’t get recognised for it, which is a shame because most will put this down as just another teenage love story... but it’s so much more.

This movie is one of the best romantic comedies that have ever touched the face of the earth. I encourage EVERYONE to go see this movie no matter what age you are. I am a 26 year old (straight guy, not that it matters) but even my eyes teared up a lot, and one part of the film broke me into a lot of tears.  Bring a packet of tissues as well, you’ll need it

I give this film, a well deserved
10/10

Today has been a very Positive and Productive Day

Today was a productive day; we (I and mum) attended a meeting for Bournemouth University Carer and Service User Partnership.

We got asked to attend the meeting, because they are trying to put together a welcome booklet for new Carer and Service Users. Also they wanted to hear our ideas and input on what we thought should go in to this welcome pack, so I had to think back to before I got involved in this which wasn’t too hard as I only signed up a few months ago.

There were 7 people in the meeting, and it was all positive I think between us we came up with some good stuff to go into this pack. When this booklet gets made, hopefully I can get my hands on one and I’ll post some picture’s so you can see it.

We talked and disgust so much today and we got on the topic of fire alarm drills, so I shared my story of that time I got left in a room on a fire alarm drill by my own. 

Here it is if you have never read it 

I was doing a web design course and we were doing it up at Bournemouth University. And one day as we were all in the class doing our work and then the fire alarm goes off, and the tutor say’s right leave all your stuff and make your way outside. Everybody dose including the tutor and it’s just me left in the class room alone and I am in my wheelchair. This class room was on the 3^rd floor so I could not take the stairs plus I could no longer walk, so that option was out. I was sat there like what the hell do I do, so I rolled out into the hall way and this guy shouted hey over here, I’ll hold the lift for you. So we took the lift down, and then when we arrived outside and this woman started having a pop at us for using the lift because, if it had been a real fire the lift would have got stuck. Turns out what I was meant to do was wait in the class room and the tutor was meant to carry me down the stairs, which I turned round and said if it was a real fire I’d be burning up stairs,  as my tutor ran out and left me. And she didn’t know what to say and all my tutor could say was I am so sorry I forgot about you being disabled.  Nice of that tutor hey I didn’t mind though being forgotten I didn’t appreciate the shouting from that woman, that was my first time of been in a wheelchair and a fire alarm going off I didn’t know what the rules were of what I was meant to do. When you go into a wheelchair you don’t go to wheelchair school or get a manual, you got to learn it all for yourself.

They are going to look into it, and I think they want to set up a fire alarm drill for when they have some more wheelchair users in the building.

And on the bus on the way home, we got talking to this top lady form the University and she looked at me and said “so what course are you doing? To which I replied none I’m a Service User, I think she was a little bit taken back by that.  We got talking about my day, and on the topic of fire alarm drills again and she was like that’s a really important thing and she wanted to give me her business card but she had run out, and my mum looked at me and said I bet you don’t have yours... but Yes! I did, so I gave her one and she said she was going to email me sometime.

Today has been a very positive and productive day, and even got some networking done today who knows it may lead to some new doors opening for me. :-)

Download

Last Thursday we packed up the car, and headed for the great north. 

Then we saw this sign 

And we were Home, for the next 4 days

and then it was time to Rock N Roll. \m/

I had such an Amazing time, (it didn’t beat my first ever Download of 2009, but man it came very close) I got to see so many great bands, catching up with friends/making new ones, hangovers, late nights and early starts. It was all worth it though, as it was so fun.

The disabled campsite had got better in 4 years too, all the toilets now had hand rails in them and all the showers had a fold down seat and a hand rail. 

They nailed it, last time I went some of the toilets/showers had them but not all, so this year was good and made it a little easier for me (and I bet my fellow disabled campers too)

The only down side was the long grass, let’s face it my wheelchair was designed to roll across concrete, not grass. It was pretty tough in some places but we managed, it was just the campsite grass that was a pain the main arena grass was fine, that was more flat because it had a shit load of people walking over it.

My best bands 

Best bands for me over the weekend 

Friday

Black Label Society, Rob Zombie, Avenged Sevenfold (My favorite moment came when Avenged Sevenfold played Seize the Day, it's my favorite song of all the times by them and i have never seen them play it live it was Beautiful, i even shed a little tear, it was a moment that will stick with me forever)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN4q06fQvTo

Saturday

Fozzy, Bowling For Soup, Twisted sister, Status Quo

Sunday

Red Dragon Cartel, Buckcherry, Richie Sambora, Joe Bonamassa, Volbeat, Steel Panther & Aerosmith

Now I still enjoyed all the other bands I saw, but these were just the best of the bunch for me.

The weather held up too, we had 2 nice days of sun (Yes I got sun burn on my noise, and a tan) we also got a little rain, but nothing to heavy.  One thing I forgot about is, Download Festival is right by a airport and planes are always taking off, so next time I’m taking ear plugs.

Spending the weekend away at Download was great fun, and Rocking Out to live music was just the best. I am not going to wait another 4years, if the line up has some bands I want to see next year then Download I will be back.

Last night at the Festival of Learning

Last night at the Festival of Learning, it was held at the Executive Business Center.

http://microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk/festival-of-learning/ 

Let me just say, what a cool building and very high tech. 

Let’s get into it the Festival of Learning went well I think so anyway, they had a good turnout of people. I did my part of talking to new people, networking as it’s called.

I was there to tell people why I love doing it, giving talks and that I did. Fingers crossed some new people sign up, to this great cause,

I am a fool sometimes though, because before we left to go my mum said to me have you got some cards ready to take, I was like no I’m not going to take any. 

Then during question time someone asked a question about, social media and blogs. Then Angela Warren plugged my blog for me, and I thought thank you but oh crap now everyone is going to want to know. Only one person came up at the end and asked about my blog, so kind of got away with it but next time I’m going to take my cards. 

I had fun and enjoyed the Festival of Learning, but now for the Real Fun. I get to go and, Rock Out for the weekend at Download Festival. 

I feel like singing Ozzy Osbourne - Mama i'm coming Home

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvNXF7aGP2s 

because Download is my Mama and I am coming Home, 4years it’s been that’s a very long time, I can’t wait to get back to the promised land. 

Fingers crossed I return with some awesome stories and pictures to share  with you all, hope you all have a great weekend, bye and i'll see you all next week.

Living for the Moment

This is so true

Last night I went to a gig with a friend, not out of the blue for me.  What was out of the blue was how it came around.

As you all know, I reefer myself as a bit of a master planer 

Here’s what went down 

I woke up Sunday morning and when I got on facebook I saw one of my friends had posted a video of a band, and he asked if anyone wanted join in?

So I jumped in with, “Where is it, man?? And what’s the policy on wheelchair people??”

He then repaid with “it’s at joiners in Southampton.

tbh one would hope their policy is "everyone get the fuck in here and rock the fuck out" but the venue is a proper ballache of a place generally as its kinda small in places. i shall pm you sir

So we had a private message chat 

As we were doing that, a friend of his popped up with a comment and said “there is a girl who regularly goes to punk rock shows there in a wheelchair”

In the spare of the moment, I was like that’s good enough for I’m in.

I know a few weeks ago I said how I usually turn things down like this, because I like to make a plan.

Yesterday I was fuck it; my rule book got thrown out the window and was winging it. I had a shower and got myself ready (I even had odd socks on, I know right how fucking Punk Rock I am) and then my friend came to pick me up. Now I have never been out in this friend’s car, usually I worry at shit like this oh will I get in his car, will my wheelchair fit all that shit, not last night, I was winging it baby living the dream...

 Anyway everything went smooth and fine, and we rolled out like Transformers on our way to Southampton

On the way up, my friend goes to me, so have you done any research on the venue or bands or anything? And I go No! The Justin rule book has gone out the window, tonight I am winging it and I am going by the word of your friend on facebook. 

And he goes Yes! Best way to be, well tonight you is either going to love it, or fucking hate it.

Spoiler Alert 

I fucking loved it

The first of the bands that come on were called Fingermen and I really liked them, really good band and their bass player was shit Hot! at playing the bass, like wow good. proper groovy,  they were a bit of a mixed bag of what they played, which was cool. 

Yeah they played this dubstep kind of track, and just before the song the bass player took a ring out of his pocket and put it on, and when he kicked it in shit went crazy. I wish I had recorded it but I was so mind blown at what I was seeing, I was like some IRONMAN shit. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9CZrhwUSM8 <--- that is a link to Figermen

Then the 2^nd band hit the stage Melt-Banana (my friend was really excited to see them) they are is a Japanese noise rock band that is known for playing extremely fast grindcore and noise music mixed with experimental, electronica and pop-based song structures. The band has released ten albums and toured worldwide extensively. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcqC8LSoBws <--- here's some crazy Melt- Banana for you

Now they are not really my cup of tea, but something beautiful happened when they were on stage. I had a dance (well a wheelchair dance) I just got lost in the music and started moving my body along with the music. I probably looked a bit like Forrest Gump when he dances with Elvis Presley (but remember I was just moving around in my wheelchair) so really I probably looked liked like that part in the film, where he’s in that chair just after that school principal has finished banging his mother. Hahaha but I didn’t care what I looked like I felt Alive. :-)

To wrap things up, I have learnt it is still good to plan ahead but wheelchair people can still do last minute thing and still have a fucking good time. Just Wing It  

I’d like to give a shout out (to my friend) my brother from another mother - Chris George 

Thank you for a wicked night man, live music it’s the best nothing beats it.

As I said last night that was round 2, I look forward to round 3. :-)