February Download Announcement

With the new announcement from Download HQ, which doesn't just give us more bands, it gives us the days they will be playing and the beginnings of panic attacks for band clashes.

Friday (only 1 possible clashes as most of the bands I want to see are on the main stage)

• Limp Bizkit or Halestorm (I think Limp Bizkit will win this one lol)
• Cypress Hill or Daughtry
• Electric Callboy
• Pendulum
• Hollywood Undead
• POD

Saturday

• Guns N Roses  or Architects
• Hot Milk or Behemoth
• Baby Metal
• Landmvrks
• Drowning Pool

Sunday (the day I will possibly be crying picking between bands)

• Linkin Park or Scooter or Static X
• Bad Omens or Spineshank
• Ice Nine Kills
• The Pretty Reckless
• Bloodywood or Tailgunner
• Rory or Dogstar 

I can't remember when we got the times last time I went to Download but I feel like it was very close to the festival so I have just over 3 months of thinking of clashes in the schedule while trying not to think about clashes in the schedule lol.

Also trying not to think about the weather, there seems to be a bit of a patton of it raining one year, the next it is hot, the next year it rains and so on. Last year was nice weather so praying to the gods of rock n roll that all I will see is clear skies because I mainly spent 90% of the Sunday in my tent last time I went to Download and it rained. 

Time to Talk 2026

It's that time of year again, it's Time To Talk Day.

If you haven't heard of it before, it's when the UK has the largest mental health conversation of the year. It's organized by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness and it is encourages anyone and everyone to have open and supportive conversations about mental health. 

That conversation could happen anywhere, at home, work, school, clubs, village halls, anywhere. Because mental health isn't something to be ashamed or scared of, it's something that needs more understanding.

If you don't know how to start a conversation or a bit nervous, you don't have to dive in straight away about mental health, build up to it. You can talk about a TV show you have been watching, a film you have seen recently, a sport you like watching, a restaurant you went to and have a great experience. Then when you feel more comfortable, you can move the conversation along to mental health.

You don't have to talk about anything you don't want to or feel uncomfortable talking about until you feel ready.

Check out the Mind website for great links and information on Time To Talk Day.

My New Bucket List

I had a bucket list a while ago but I feel like the things on it need some updating, so I've done a new list.

If you have any tips or articles I can read on anything listed, please send it to me through the Contact Me form.

Try a blacksmith experience
I've wanted to try this for a while, I think it's so fascinating how metal can be heated up and made into this else. It's a true skill that I would like to try to see if I am any good at it.

See The Northern Lights
I know this is something on just about everyone's bucket list, but I want to see them for myself. I want to see their beauty for myself.

Visit Rome
I have been interested in Rome for years, especially the history of the city and the beautiful architecture of the old buildings. I feel like I would need a minimum of 3 days to see everything that I want see without getting stressed about waiting times to get into places.

Visit Barcelona
It looks like such a beautiful city and it's only an hour coach ride from my hotel when I go on my holiday to Spain. 

Finish My Scuba Diving Course
In 2023, I finally passed my PADI open water course and became a certified scuba diver. I was also signed up to the advanced open water course. The only issue I have is what I will have to wear if I finish it in the UK, because it's so cold in the water here, I will need thermals, a dry suit, gloves, shoes and a hood. The whole outfit is so restricting, the dry suit has a rubber part around the neck that you have to push your head through and it feels like it is strangling you because you also have a hood on that goes down to your chest. I couldn't feel anything properly because the gloves are so thick. The suit didn't fit me right because it was one that the shop had and for some reason, whoever made the suit seemed to think that if you are a larger person, you must have really long legs. I'm thinking of doing the Advanced Open course abroad instead of in the UK or saving up and getting my own dry suit custom made.

Swim With Sharks
I know I would have at least a dozen panic attacks and cry like a baby before hand but I think that once I am in the water, I will be fine haha. As long as the cage holds out.

Sleep In A Glass Igloo
I have seen these pop up on travel websites a lot the last few years and I love the idea of turning off all the lights to look up at the stars at as I fall asleep.

Sleep In An Aquarium Over Night
One of my favourite things to do is go to aquariums, I love seeing the sea creatures as up close and personal as I can. When I'm in the sea scuba diving or snorkelling, the sea creatures swim away so at least in an aquarium they don't have as far to go as they do in the sea. I would seriously love to stay over in an aquarium for the night.

Try Glass Blowing
After seeing a few TV shows about glass blowing, this is something that I would like to give a try. It looks super complicated so I've been looking for 1 day experiences so I can try making something small and simple.

Make My Own Candle
Something else I would really like to try doing but to see the process. When I went to Madame Tussauds in Blackpool, I got my hand done in wax and I found that quite fascinating so I would like to try other things to do with wax crafting. 

Go On An overnight Ghost Hunt

I have wanted to do one of these for years but can never find anyone who will do one with me, and there is no way I am going on my own. I know plenty of people that have said "I'd love to do one of those" and then when I find one to do and asked them to come, they don't want to do it. I need some braver friends haha.

Go To A Medieval Festival In Costume

We went to Loxwood last year which is a medieval festival and we both felt out of place by being some of the very few that weren't dressed up haha. We are going again this year so I am looking for the perfect costume.

Pick My Own Strawberries

This used to be such a big thing when I was younger but never got to do it. Hopefully there is a farm out there that still lets people pick their own strawberries so I can give it ago.

Complete A Rage Room

I really just want to get some of my frustration out on some objects that can't talk back haha. I feel like it must be very therapeutic. 

Complete An Escape Room

I've seen these for years all over the place but never actually done one. Think I'll need to get a group of people together and give this a go.

Watch An American Football Game In Person

I've watched games on TV but never actually seen a game in real life. I've had a look online and the tickets aren't that expensive so I just need to find someone to come with me so I have someone to experience it with.....or at least know the rules better than me haha.

Go To A European Christmas Market That Isn't In London Or Local To Me
I saw this every year but I am already looking into this one. I need a good one with cheap flights to that city and a nice cheap hotel that isn't too far away. It would be quite interesting to see how another country celebrates Christmas compared to the UK. I was in Orlando one Christmas and that just blew my mind haha.

Stay In A Wetherspoons Hotel

I am seriously intrigued to find out what it is like staying in a Wetherspoons hotel. I've drunk and eaten in a lot of them but never stayed in one. Fingers crossed that this year brings me the opportunity to stay in one.

I know I won't get all of this year but I can have fun with it over the next few years.