Restaurant Review - Alexandra Ristorante Italiano - Ramsgate

This is a brilliant family run Italian restaurant right on the seafront. We went on a Thursday night in March and we were the first people in when they opened at 5pm so it was just the 4 of us for a little while before another couple came in. It felt like we were getting special one-on-one service as it was the husband and wife in that evening.

My mum had the spaghetti bolognese and absolutely loved it, she was worried that the portion would be too big but it was the perfect size for her and she said it was delicious.

I had the Orecchiette Piri Piri which was diced piri piri chicken, onions, medley of mushrooms, sweet red pepper, piri piri spices, a cream sauce and saffron. OMG it was delicious, it was so tasty that I wish there had been more of it.

The for dessert, my mum and I shared a plate of John's Panna Cotta which was so creamy and smooth. Loved every bite of it.

They did loads of gluten free and vegetarian options, so there was something for everyone. My sister-in-law gets a very bad reaction to gluten so it was nice that she had plenty of options for what she could eat.

My Review Of The Ozzy Osbourne Exhibit In Birmingham

There was absolutely no universe in which I was going to miss the Ozzy Osbourne exhibit in Birmingham before it closed at the end of September. It had already been extended once, and I was NOT risking fate by assuming it would happen again. This was a mission, and I was determined.

We were outside the museum before 10am, practically vibrating with excitement, and the best part? We weren’t alone. A whole little tribe of fans gathered with us — and yes, several of us were proudly wearing Ozzy t‑shirts. We all gave each other that knowing nod, that “we’re here for HIM” smile. Instant camaraderie.

The second those doors opened, we were off — inside, up the stairs, breezing past Lucifer like he was just part of the furniture, and straight into the heart of the exhibition.

The Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero exhibit at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery hits you right in the feelings. Nearly 800,000 people have already visited, and you can tell. The whole space feels like a living, breathing tribute to the Prince of Darkness, especially after his passing. It’s emotional, powerful, and honestly… beautiful. I felt emotional as soon as I saw the poster at the beginning of the exhibit.

The gallery is packed with treasures from his life and career. You get to see his actual Birmingham Walk

of Stars plaque which was temporarily rescued from Broad Street during tram works. Ozzy's Grammy Awards, MTV trophies, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honors. The walls were covered in his gold and platinum records, they even have the official Ozzy Nike trainers on display and there was huge photos of him throughout his life.

And then you see it. The throne. THE throne.

Ozzy’s iconic black Gothic-style throne sits encased in glass like historic relic that it has become. The bejeweled skulls on the armrests, bat wings, clawed monster talons for feet — it’s everything you’d hope Ozzy’s throne would be. The plaque on the back marks his second Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, and the whole thing just radiates legend status. I couldn't help but stand there looking at it and picturing him sitting in it for his last gig.

And then there’s the part that really gets you, the little cinema room. A huge screen that shows a video of Ozzy watching footage from his childhood, early Black Sabbath days, and decades of monumental solo performances. The bit that finally got the full water works was when they showed a video of Ozzy singing Mama I'm Coming Home live. I couldn't hold the tears back and I wasn't the only one, there was a few of us shedding a few tears at the loss of such an amazing man.

The end of the exhibit is the civic book of remembrance. Fans from all over the world have filled it with emotional messages, and it will eventually be given to Sharon and the Osbourne family.

The exhibition runs until 27 September 2026, and honestly, if you’re even thinking about going, do it. It’s powerful, it’s emotional, and it’s the perfect tribute to Birmingham’s own Prince of Darkness.

Hotel Review - The Briar Rose - Birmingham

The Briar Rose in Birmingham is such a quirky little find — a full hotel perched right above a bustling Wetherspoons. The whole place has this charming art‑deco vibe, and the staff were genuinely lovely. I asked for extra pillows and the receptionist had them at my door in under ten minutes, which instantly put them in my good books.

Now, the pub downstairs is lively. It closes at 1am and stops serving food at 11pm, and every time we walked past the door it was absolutely heaving. Thankfully, the hotel has its own separate entrance outside, and if that’s locked you can ring through from inside the pub.

We arrived around 9:30pm, checked in, and headed straight down for dinner. It was packed — classic Spoons chaos — and we hovered for about ten minutes before grabbing a table. The food was exactly what you expect: cheap, cheerful, and hits the spot when you’re hungry.

Our room was huge because it was an accessible room, and honestly it felt like a mini apartment. Big comfy double bed, bedside tables, wardrobe, tea and coffee setup, TV, two chairs — loads of space to move around. The view wasn’t glamorous (just the backs of other buildings), but the noise‑reducing glass was incredible. With it closed, we heard nothing from the bars and restaurants outside. Open it for fresh air and you could hear the city again, but even then it wasn’t too loud.

I loved the hot drinks tray because as well as the normal tea and coffee bits, there was also hotel chocolate, cookies and instead of just having normal milk, they had sachets of oak milk.

The bathroom was a massive wet room with a power shower and a chair. It took us a minute to figure out how to get the water hot, but once we cracked the code it was fine. The bed was super comfy too — I slept brilliantly both nights.

The location is unbeatable. You’re right in the town centre, surrounded by shops, restaurants, and other hotels. Everything is walkable. The only downside is there’s no parking, but the Town Hall multi‑storey is your best bet. It’s £23 for 24 hours, and if you need longer, just wait for your session to end on the Ringo app and start a new one straight away.

Overall, a great stay in a fun, central spot — perfect if you want Birmingham right on your doorstep.

How Is It Nearly Christmas?

I got a message yesterday from one of my friends saying she had started Christmas shopping, I nearly replied back saying we have loads of time when I realised that we actually don't.

It's 102 days until Christmas Eve, I only have 3 more paydays until Christmas. 

Where exactly has 2026 gone?

I need to start thinking about what to get people for Christmas and most of the list is kids who I have no idea what they are into anymore. 

This also leads to the fact that in a few months, I am going to start seeing Santa everywhere which will freak me out.

You see, my dad was basically Santa. He looked like him, had a Santa suit, loved Christmas and especially loved walking round at Christmas in his Santa suit raising money for charity.

Christmas was always magical when he was alive, he was the one waking me up on Christmas morning because he couldn't wait any longer. I remember one year when I was little, he woke me up in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve and whispered that he thought Santa was on the roof. We went over to the window, opened it and I could hear seigh bells. We both got all excited and he said I better get back in bed or Santa wouldnt leave me any presents. I found out many years later that it was actually my big brother standing in the alley next to our house shaking the bells, but I love that they did that to make Christmas magical for me.

This is why, since my dad passed away in 2020, Christmas isn't the same anymore. I want to love Christmas like I did before, but it's hard to get into it and not have dad here.

The first Christmas he was gone, I spent the whole week with my mum. The second year I didn't want to know Christmas so Sean and I booked a hotel in Cornwall. Christmas Day was a day in the hotel room eating pizza and watching Doctor Who. The years after that we have been at home, I have decorated the house in Christmas stuff and tried to be as festive as possible, but my heart breaks multiple times a day. 

I went to a Christmas market with my mum last year and we had to leave because a guy dressed up as Santa was there and he looked like dad. It completely freaked me out.

I have no idea what I will be like this year, and that worries me.

Album Review - Bloodletting - Rory

There is nothing that I don't love about this album.The pure emotion that comes through is incredible, you can feel the pain that Rory has suffered through her life. You can feel her anger, her pain, her grief.

But you have to remember that these are all things that she has survived and is here to tell us and motivate us to be brave and strong.

When asked about the album, she said:-
“I realised I was sick from being nice. I’d spent so much of my life being the bigger person, forgiving people, understanding people, making excuses for people. I’d become disconnected from huge parts of myself. BLOODLETTING was about reclaiming them.”

The title itself is the perfect metaphor as history tells us that bloodletting was an ancient medical practice where blood was released from the body to cure illness. For Rory, it became a spiritual act. A release of everything buried too deep for too long.

Rory pushed herself further than she ever has to bring us the raw emotion she has deep down. She wanted to take her music to a new level and she most definitely managed it with this album. She started having vocal lessons and even learned to scream in order to get her message to us, the adoring fans, that life can be shit, but it's never too late to be who you want to be.

The album includes her last 5 singles Degradation, Dead Girl Walking, Kids These Days, Strange and Swallow.

My favourite track is A Cure For Cancer, although it made me cry because it made me think of my dad, it is a beautiful song, it pulled on ever heartstring. It's one of the songs that Rory sang at Download this year and cried my eyes out then as well.

Tracklist:
1. Welcome to bloodletting
2. Degradation
3. Swallow
4. A cure for cancer
5. Mortal
6. The death of a people pleaser
7. Kids These Days
8. Dead Girl Walking
9. Grey
10. Oh when the saints
11. Hometown
12. Strange
13. Do you want to live?

Album Review - Electric Callboy - Tanzneid

I haven't been this excited about an album in at least 2 years. Although most of the tracks are singles that have been released already, there is a gold mine of tracks waiting for the world to hear them.

The release of the album coincides with Escalation Fest 2026, where the band will perform the whole album for the very first time, turning the festival into a huge live premiere which will include a set by Electric Bassboy DJ with new remixes, a Loveboat, multiple guests that include Evil Jared and Krogi and an actual Tekkno Train. I really really wish that I could be there to see it all happen.

What the band had to say about the upcoming album: “After our album TEKKNO and all the worldwide touring, TANZNEID took everything out of us. It was intense, exhausting, but also exactly what we needed after all the incredible moments we shared during that era.

“With TANZNEID, we wanted to create something special, for our fans and for ourselves. Every track surges with energy. We took what we loved about TEKKNO and pushed it further, adding new elements, new sounds, and new extremes. Heavy beats, explosive drops, and moments that hit you right in the chest. The last singles 'RATATATA' and 'Hypercharged' were just the beginning. Now it’s raw, loud, and alive, in every pulse, every scream, every melody.

“We wanted to match our music with your adrenaline, to create a record that pulls you onto the floor, makes your heart race, and doesn’t let go.

“TANZNEID is built for the stage. So turn it up, lose yourself, and dance like no one’s watching.”

Other than the singles, including the latest The Way You Are, you have Heartclub, The Savior and 4 remixed songs of We Got The Moves, Tanzneid, Hypercharged and Revery.

I can not find the words to describe how much I love Heartclub. From the first moment I heard it, I fell in love with it and I have been gagging to share it with my friends. I know 2 of my friends that will love it and I can't wait for them to listen to it and let me know what they think.

Tracklisting:
1. TANZNEID
2. RATATATA ft. BABYMETAL
3. Hypercharged
4. Let The Good Times Roll ft. The Offspring
5. Elevator Operator
6. Heartclub
7. The Way You Are
8. Still Waiting
9. The Savior
10. Revery
11. We Got The Moves (Sullivan King Remix)
12. TANZNEID (Paolo Ferrara Remix)
13. Hypercharged (Paul Elstak Remix)
14. Revery (Sullivan King Remix)

Gig Review - My Chemical Romance - 10th July 2026

As a birthday present from me, I got tickets for myself, my husband and my favourite gig buddy Carmen to go to Wembley Stadium and see MCR. For me, it was the first time in 19 years since I saw them live back in 2007 when I took Sean's cousin Ashley, who didn't have anyone to go with him, so I went with him. Wasn't going to have the lad miss out on seeing his favourite band.

So, on a very hot Friday in London, after Sean and I stuffed ourselves on all-you-can-eat buffet a WJ Buffet, we made our way to Wembley Stadium and was met up a massive sea of people. As we walked up, I was preying that they weren't in our queue as it was going down one side of the ramp and up the other with a never ending end. Lucky enough, it was the front standing queue and we were looking for terns tile P in the red zone. That queue was much shorter so we were a lot happier hahaha.

Got through the turnstile and made our way up to he top floor and out into the stadium to find our seats. Now, I have never been to Wembley Stadium, never ever at all. So, when we finally made it up to our seats and I turned round, I had a funny turn seeing how high up we were. I have never held onto a rail so tight in my whole life. Everytime I stood up, either for a dance or to move out of the way of people getting in and out of their seats, I made sure I was either holding the back of the seat, the rail or Sean. It was seriously that step that I think I would crashed and rolled my way all the way down to the bottom if I had lost my step.

Joan Jet And The Black Hearts were amazing! She was doing a mixture of your own songs as well as some covers but she was just amazing. Unfortunately, I missed 2 songs because I was getting seriously hot and needed a cold drink so ducked out to the bar for a strawberry daiquiri, the heat was unreal. I loved that she did I Love Rock N Roll and Crimson & Clover. Even though we were sat to the left side of the stage and high up, the sound was brilliant. 

Setlist
Rebel Girl (Bikini Kill tape)
Victim of Circumstance
Cherry Bomb (The Runaways cover)
Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah) (Gary Glitter cover)
You Drive Me Wild (The Runaways cover)
(Make the Music Go) Boom
Fake Friends
Lie to Me
Everyday People (Sly & the Family Stone cover)
I Love Rock 'n' Roll (The Arrows cover)
Crimson & Clover (Tommy James & the Shondells cover)
I Hate Myself for Loving You
Bad Reputation [1]

My Chemical Romance were absolutely OUTSTANDING!!! I didn't know every single song but I had the best time screaming the words to the ones I did know and felt like I was part of something much bigger when I heard everyone else in the stadium singing along as well. 

The best moment for me was hearing that first piano key for Black Parade and everyone in the stadium stood up for it. I don't think there was a single person sitting down for that track and we were all singing at the top of our lungs. It was quite magical.

I knew it was coming but I cried my eyes out when they played Cancer. I haven't been able to listen to the song since my dad passed away and it just always makes me think of him in the hospice and it breaks my heart. It was a brilliant performance of the song, it was done perfectly but I just held onto my phone to film it and cried my eyes out.

We left during Ghost Of You as I started to get worried about leaving at the same time as everyone else and ending up in a big sea of people. I'd had so many issues being in big crowds at Download that I knew going through it again to get out the studium was going to stress me out. It did mean that when the huge fire-works display went off at the end, we had the perfect view of it on the hill near our car.

Setlist
The End
Dead
This Is How I Disappear
The Sharpest Lives
Welcome to The Black Parade
I Don't Love You
House Of Wolves
Cancer
Mama
Sleep
Teenagers
Disenchanted
Famous Last Words
The End (Reprised)
Blood
-----Stage change-----
Not
Okay
To The End
My Way Home Is Through You
Summertime
Nananana
Ghost Of You
Zero Percent
Scarecrow
Helena
Demolition Lovers

Download Day 3 - Sunday

Kublai Khan TX
I wasn’t planning on seeing this band, I got to Download a bit earlier than I thought I would and got to check them out.

Setlist
Darwinism Supreme Ruler
Low Tech
Antpile
Boomslang
The Hammer
The Mountain of Corsicana
Antpile 2
Self-Destruct
Mud
Swan Song
Theory of Mind

Rory
Love Rory so much. She did an absolutely awesome set showing everyone what a beautiful, strong minded woman in her 40s can do when she puts her mind to it. There is nothing she can’t do. We need more women like Rory in the music industry to remind people that music isn't always about the younger crowd, the older ones can kick just as much ass and look fucking fantastic doing it.

I nearly cried 3 times listening to her speak to the crowd about her life and how she turned it around. Everything that she has been through and look at her now, she is such a wonderful inspiration.

Setlist
Anti-Repressant
Dead Girl Walking
if pain could talk, what would it say?
Uncomplication
Alternative
Kids these days
Degradation
Strange
Sorry I’m late
Blossom

Bloodywood
I have been waiting too long to see this band live but I am so glad that I finally have seen them. Their set was so much fun, everyone around me was dancing and there was just this super amazing atmosphere.

Setlist
Dana Dan
Aaj
Nu Delhi
Gaddaar
Bekhauf
Halla Bol
Machi Bhasad (Expect a Riot)

Skindred
As soon as I saw the post about the secret band being Skindred, I knew that I was going to miss whoever else was on at the same time because there was no way that I wouldn’t be seeing Skindred. I missed them once at Download before for another band and I have regretted it ever since, so I promised to myself that every chance I get, I WILL see Skindred.

The tented stage was absolutely packed but I managed to be in the crowd actually in the tent. As usual there were taller people in front of me so I had to use my phone a few times to be able to see the band.

As usual, the crowd was roaring to go before the band came on stage and as soon as Benji strutted onto the stage, the crowd went bat shit crazy.

The set was only 5 songs long, which was disappointing, but they put on such an amazing set that getting that high-feel-good energy boost was enough to set me up for the rest of the day.

Setlist
Set Fazers
You Got This
Nobody
Gimme That Boom
Warning

Ice Nine Kills
OM-FUCKING-G! The band that I was waiting all weekend to see, and they did not disappoint. I loved every second of the set. They played most of my favourites including The Laugh Track, Ex-Mortis, Hip To Be Scared and The Great Unknown.

One thing that I really loved about seeing INK is the theatre dramatics for each song. The 2 police officers being snuck up on and their throats ripped out for Meat & Greet, Art the Clown burning and then lassoing a toy baby for A Work Of Art, Ghost Face stalking the members of the band and then killing Hannah Hermione Greenwood for Twisting The Knife. If you don’t get into screaming the lyrics to the songs, you will soon get into the performance going on while the band is playing.

Setlist
Meat & Greet
Wurst Vacation
Ex-Mørtis
The Great Unknown
Funeral Derangements
The Laugh Track
The Shower Scene
Linoleum - (NOFX cover)
Welcome to Horrorwood
Hip to Be Scared
Twisting the Knife - (with Hannah Hermione Greenwood)
The American Nightmare
A Work of Art

Scooter
Not going to lie, I only really wanted to see Scooter for The Logical Song and Jumping All Over The World and I left as soon as I had heard them. By this point, I was tired and thinking about bed, showing my age now.

But Scooter did put on an awesome set, pyros, sexy stage dancers, lasers, a flaming guitar and pumping tunes.

Setlist (That I saw)
Rave From Outer Space
Weekend!
We Love Hardcore
Techno Is Back
Heart Attack
Maria (I Like It Loud)
No Rewind
Fire
God Save the Rave
Jumping All Over the World
How Much Is the Fish?
Ramp! (The Logical Song)

Linkin Park
I will be totally honest, I missed the very beginning of the set as I was seeing Scooter but I also didn’t last long into the set. I saw Linkin Park back in the day a few times when Chester was alive and I do get that the band want to move on musically, but I can’t get on with Emily’s voice. It’s not because she isn’t Chester, it’s because I’m not into her voice. The rest of the band like her and a lot of the fans do so good luck to them.

Download Day 2 - Saturday

Landmvrks

I've only been listening to Landmvrks for a few months, I got onto them when one of my friends started playing them for me in his car. They were on early in the day but they still had a great crowd come out to see them and sang along to every song. It was a brilliant atmosphere and I had such a great time watching them. I’d love to see them again.

Setlist

Creature

Death

Blistering

A Line in the Dust

Sulfur

La valse du temps

Lost in a Wave

Blood Red

Self made black hole

Black Veil Brides

I will be very honest, I don’t know many BVB songs as I’ve not really listened to them before but I will admit that they put on a bloody amazing set. I totally dug their music and the reactions from the crowd.

Setlist

Knives and Pens

Bleeders

Hallelujah

Vindicate

Certainty

Rebel Love Song

Revenger

Faithless

The Legacy

Fallen Angels

Babymetal

Another band I got to see for the first time at this Download, I was very excited to get to see them and they put on an awesome set. They opened with “BABYMETAL DEATH”, the band set an immediate tone of ritualistic drama before diving into a fast‑paced run of fan favourites including “Distortion,” “PA PA YA,” “RATATATA,” “Gimme Chocolate!!” and “Road of Resistance.” 

Just like Electric Callboy the day before, when they performed Ratatata they had their counterparts, Electric Callboy, on the screens to sing their parts while Babyetal were on stage.

Setlist

BABYMETAL DEATH

from me to u

Distortion

PA PA YA!!

Song 3

METALI!!

RATATATA

Gimme Chocolate!!

Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!!

Road of Resistance

Behemoth

We were wandering around and decided to get a good place for Architects and got to check out Behemoth. I haven’t listened to them before I saw them and I really got into their set. I loved the dark theatric music, make-up and performance. I found it so fascinating to watch.

Setlist

The Shadow Elite

Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer

Thy Becoming Eternal

Conquer All

The Shit ov God

Ecclesia Diabolica Catholica

Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel

Nomen Barbarvm

Bartzabel

The Return of Darkness and Evil (Bathory cover)

Ov Fire and the Void

The Deathless Sun

Architects

Even though their set had a lot of interruptions by security, which not only irritated the band but the crowd too, Architects put on an outstanding set. They came out on stage to a very eager crowd who erupted into cheering and screaming the second they were spotted by their fans.

I made the mistake of going to the toilet at the beginning of the set. I tried to get back to my friend Carmen but I couldn’t find her in the sea of fans but I did get adopted by 3 people who I got talking to. I loved standing with them because they were huge Architects fans and it was great to hear them singing along to every song.

I only knew a few of the songs but I had an awesome time watching their set and feeding off the amazing energy from the band. I was so happy when they got to play their whole set, They were meant to finish at 9pm but kept going to make up the time I thought they were going to lose because of the interruptions.

During their song "Braindead," Florent Salfati, the singer from Landmvrks came out on stage to sing together and I’m not joking when I say everyone lost their shit hahaha. It was brilliant, everyone loved it, I wish he’d done another song with them but it was just the one song. 

Setlist

Elegy

Whiplash

Doomsday

Black Lungs

Gravedigger

Blackhole

Impermanence

deep fake

Curse

Broken Mirror

Brain Dead (with Florent Salfati)

A Match Made in Heaven

When we were young 

Everything Ends

Seeing Red

Animals

Guns n Roses

I missed most of the set seeing as I was watching Architects, what I did see was while I was walking to the Apex Stage from the Opex Stage and I didn’t like what I was hearing. The music sounded good but Axle Rose just doesn’t have the same voice anymore. It’s not surprising because of how old he is and being a singer for so many years, it’s taken a toll on his voice. Which is why I decided to not stay and watch.

I saw them back in 2002 and would rather keep those memories than have ones of a bad performance.

Download Day 1 - Friday

POD

My first band of Download 2026 and POD were amazing! They stormed the Apex Stage like a band on a mission, blasting through a setlist so tight and explosive it felt engineered to shake the ground beneath Donington.

The best moment was getting to hear Alive. The Apex Stage lit up, the crowd roared every word, and POD delivered it with the passion of a band who still believe in every note. It was uplifting, powerful, and absolutely unforgettable — the kind of finale that leaves you buzzing long after the amps go silent. 

Setlist:

Boom

Rock the Party (Off the Hook)

Drop

Southtown

Youth of the Nation

Alive

Hollywood Undead

I have not seen Hollywood Undead in years but I knew I was going to have a good time before they even got on stage. They came out on stage, super cocky (in a good way), no masks and straight away, they got us going with an outstanding setlist.

“You better get up out the way

Tomorrow we'll rise, so let's fight today

You know I don't give a fuck what you think or say

'Cause we gon' rock this whole place anyway”

And they did have the whole place rocking.

Most of the setlist was my top favourite Hollywood Undead songs so I was in my element singing at the top of my lungs. But my absolute favourite songs were California Dreaming, Comin' In Hot and Everywhere I go.

Setlist:

Undead

California Dreaming

Whatever It Takes

Comin' in Hot

Riot

Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond cover)

Another Way Out

Chaos

Everywhere I Go

Electric Callboy

I did not stop moving from start to finish, absolutely loved this set. So much energy and feel good vibes, I don’t think I was the only one who couldn’t stand still.

Electric Callboy burst out onto the stage with a bang and the crowd exploded. Feet were stomping, arms were in the air, bums were wiggling, heads were...headbanging haha.

I would love to be backstage for one of their sets at a festival so I can see how the outfit changes happen. I feel like velcro has something to do with it because they play one of their songs, a little random song plays for a minute while they disappear and then they are back in a completely different outfit.

This was the first time that I really noticed the big screens and all the awesome effects that they were putting on. So many different themes and effects that it’s definitely a step up from when I first started going to Download.

My favourite tracks from this set was Ratatata, I was hoping that seeing as Babymetal were going to be playing on the Saturday, they might make a special appearance but they didn’t, instead they were on the big screens. I also really loved hearing Still Waiting and Elevator Operator.

Setlist:

TANZNEID

Still Waiting (Sum 41 cover)

Tekkno Train

Hypa Hypa

MC Thunder

Neon

Pump It

Hurricane / Overkill / All the Small Things / Bodies

Mind Reader

Elevator Operator

RATATATA

Everytime We Touch (Maggie Reilly cover)

MC Thunder II (Dancing Like a Ninja)

Limp Bizkit

I have waited 26 years to see Limp Bizkit, they are one of those bands where whenever they announced a tour, I was already doing something or I didn't have the money. So my inner 16 year old came out big time when I heard Rollin as it was the song that got me into heavy metal music. They were the band that brought me into the heavy metal world.

I saw Fred Durst's curly hair and got seriously jealous of the curls hahaha, so glad it was a wig, but I will be using his picture as an example of how I want my hair next time to go to get it permed.

I loved that they had the words to the songs on the screen at the back of the stage, it felt like a huge karaoke session, but a good one and not one like you get down the pub.

My favourite song in the set was Behind Blue Eyes, it has been one of my favourite songs for years and hearing it live was just phenomenal. What I didn’t expect was to have a little cry while hearing it, I’m not 100% sure why, I guess it was a mixture of the lyrics and hearing it live that stirred me up a bit.

For Full Nelson, Fred Durst picked 4 girls out of the crowd to get up on stage with him and sing. It was funny seeing them up there singing, they were in pairs on either side of the stage and they were having a total blast.

Setlist:

Break Stuff

My Generation

Livin' It Up

Bring It Back

Hot Dog

Nookie

Full Nelson

Dad Vibes

Rollin' (Air Raid Vehicle)

Eat You Alive

Faith

Take a Look Around

Behind Blue Eyes

My Way

Break Stuff

41 And Diagnosed As ADHD

On Thursday the 30th of October at about 5:15pm, I was in a video call with a physiatrist through Psychiatry UK and he says the words I've been expecting for over 2 years.... "Suzy, you have ADHD".

I'd already done lots of the online forms and tests to see what the result would be and it always came out that I had ADHD, but hearing it from an actual medical professional hit differently.

I could finally start to understand why I think, feel and act the way I do. I did get a little emotional after the call because it meant that instead of being told I'm stupid or depressed, I was on the right path to working myself out.

When I was in primary school and my first secondary school (I went to 4), I would have extra classes to help me with reading and writing. I remember loving those classes because it was me, a few other students and 1 or 2 teachers. I was getting 1 on 1 help and I would do really well. Until I went back into the classroom and got lost in a room full of 20+ kids and 1 teacher. I also remember that a few times in junior school I would have someone sitting with me writing my answers in tests but I never properly understood the questions so always got them wrong.

I always felt stupid and the other kids in my class calling me stupid and bullied me.

For most of year 9, I was home schooled by my mum and sister, and it was amazing. I learnt a lot because it was just me, I felt it easier to concentrate and I always had someone with me helping me. My mum was worried about me missing out on work for my GCSEs so sent me back to school and I found that I was quite far ahead of everyone else in my year. I felt quite smart for a little while but then I was lost in a classroom of kids again and I was back to being stupid again.

I didn't do too bad in my GCSEs but I also didn't do great, I hadn't understood a lot of the work and felt too ashamed to ask for help. Maybe if I had had the ADHD diagnosis back then, I would have done better.

In my late 20s I was having trouble with my mental health, I was having panic attacks, my moods were really low, I couldn't go anywhere other than work without Sean because I would panic, I was all over the place. I went to the doctor and after a 5 minute conversation, was prescribed antidepressants. They worked for about a month and then started to ware off so the doctor put my dosage up. they started to ware off again so I refused to take them anymore, I didn't see the point if they weren't working. So I struggled on as I was thinking the doctors couldn't help.

I even ended up quitting a job with no other job to go to because I was on urge of a nervous break down. There had been a re-structer and I was told to go into a department where I didn't like and I couldn't do the work but got told that if I didn't like it, I could leave. I tried for a year and felt bullied by my manager who did her best to make me feel stupid. I finally gave up when she tried to give me a disciplinary for something I hadn't done but instead of fighting back, I gave my notice instead. It took me 6 months to get my confidence back to go back to work.

In 2021, nearly a year after my dad passed away, I had a mini breakdown. I didn't know who I really was anymore, I was constantly scared and having major panic attacks. I again reached out to my doctors who again put me on antidepressants, but this time, told me about ISEO which is free online theory service. It didn't take long for the antidepressants to stop working again but this time, I was having weekly online chat sessions with a therapist who was helping me to work out my triggers. It did help, and to be honest, I haven't had any big panic attacks in years, a few little ones but none that have left me clinging to the nearest person and crying like a baby. But still, the doctors never thought to look into helping me further when I said the medication wasn't working, it just got dropped.

Maybe if I had had the ADHD diagnosis, I could have been helped the first time I went to the doctors. You see, when I was a kid, ADHD was misdiagnosed as dyslexia. And in adults, it can be misdiagnosed as depression. The professionals I've dealt with seem to have just gone with the first thing they thought of and didn't look into anything else.

I do often think about how different my life could have been if I had been diagnosed properly when I was a kid. I could of done better at school, I could have done better in life as people would have understood me a little better.

I'm very lucky that the people I work closely with either know about ADHD or have ADHD so they understand me quite well. They all know that emailing me or sending me a Teams message with something they need me to do urgently. If it starts getting loud in the office, everyone know I'm putting my headphones in to listen to music to help me concentrate. 2 of the lads are great at explaining things to me in a way that I understand and have the pacients of saints when I ask them same questions for the 40th time because it goes in 1 ear and out the other.

I'm still waiting for my ADHD medication, last time I looked on the Psychiatry UK website, the waiting time for medication is 10 to 12 months. So I have a minimum of 3 months to wait. I've read lots of reviews about the medication, some are good and some are bad, but I am still excited to get started. I'm really fascinated to see if I change, if my brain becomes less noisy and I can actually focus like a normal person.

Stay tuned for updates 😁

Babymetal Release New Single “from me to u (Jordan Fish Remix)

Today is a very special day because Babymetal have released their new single, “from me to u (Jordan Fish Remix).” 

The deluxe edition will be available digitally and on vinyl, including a limited zoetrope pressing that brings ten album icons to life in motion. The expanded release features three live performances and two remixes of “from me to u (feat. Poppy),” including the new version by Major Lazer released last month, and this latest release with Jordan Fish.

The track is the second single to come out from their upcoming record Metal Forth (Deluxe Edition), which will be coming out on June 26. 

Disc 1, Side A
 1. from me to u (feat. Poppy) 
 2. RATATATA (BABYMETAL, Electric Callboy)
 3. Song 3 (BABYMETAL, Slaughter to Prevail)
 4. Kon! Kon! (feat. Bloodywood) 
 5.  KxAxWxAxIxI 
 
 Disc 1, Side B
 6. Sunset Kiss (feat. Polyphia)
 7.  My Queen (feat. Spiritbox) 
 8. Algorism 
 9. METALI!! (feat. Tom Morello) 
 10. White Flame ー白炎ー
 
 Disc 2, Side C
 1. from me to u (Major Lazer Remix) 
 2.  from me to u (Jordan Fish Remix)
 
 Disc 2, Side D
 3. from me to u (live from The O2) 
 4. My Queen (live from Intuit Dome)
 5. Algorism (live from Saitama Super Arena)

I’m super excited that Babymetal will be performing at Download Festival in just a few weeks, I’ve never seen them live so I’m going to make sure I don’t miss their set.

The band will soon be kicking off a UK and Europe tour before heading across the pond for the North American tour in August and Latin America at the end of November.

 

North America Tour Dates

August 30 – San Diego, CA - Petco Park*

September 2 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena

September 4 – Chicago, IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island

September 5 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center

September 7 – Toronto, ON – RBC Amphitheatre

September 9 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center

September 10 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center

September 12 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live

September 13 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek

September 15 – Charlotte, NC – Truliant Amphitheater

September 16 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre

September 18 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre

September 19 – Louisville, KY - Louder Than Life**

September 21 – St Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater

September 23 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion

September 25 – The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Sponsored by Huntsman

September 26 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater

September 29 – Albuquerque, NM – First Financial Credit Union Amphitheater

October 1 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre

October 3 – Sacramento, CA – Aftershock Festival**

 

*Supporting My Chemical Romance

**Festival

 

Latin America Tour Dates

November 28 – São Paulo, Brazil - Espaço Unimed

December 1 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Movistar Arena

December 3 – Santiago, Chile – Arena Movistar

December 7 – Lima, Peru – Costa 21

December 12 – Mexico City, Mexico – Estadio Fray Nano