Geographical Fugue by Ernst Toch

This is SO sick! Dean brought the score of this to our music class today and it is so good! But so so hard! These guys have it dowwwwwwwwwwwwwn!!! I don't know how they stop themselves from cracking up halfway through. It's amazing though and would be so fun to try...but some of the triplets are just SO fast! Grargh! xxx

Sleeping Lessons...

What a grumpster! Lots to say but not much energy to write!! Going to bed now but I'll leave you with this ugly little gem I just recorded! Eye-bag central! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!

Handel is my Homeboy...

Perhaps I should have run through the second part before recording...

OH WELL....Here it is...in all it's raw glory!!!! x

Axis of Awesome - 4 Chords...

Today my music tutor showed us this video. Maybe I'm just a geek, but I find it really funny :D Even if you don't find it funny, it is worth watching...promise!! xxx

First day on my PGCE....and I'm already knitting!

Woooh...got over the first day, and it was actually quite good. This morning I was quite anxious as it felt like a "back to school day". I hated uni sooooo much and I was a bit worried it was going to feel like uni (considering I'm doing the PGCE at the same uni I went to!) But it was good! I met some really lovely people and there are quite a few of us travelling up from Cornwall, so we've decided as from tomorrow we'll carshare the 180 mile round trip - it'll work out much cheaper than the train and gives us much more freedom to bugger off at the end of the day instead of the usual hanging around for an hour and a half waiting for the train. So we've already been overloaded with work- I have an essay due tomorrow (printer problems...aah!) a 'Snapshot' of myself to send to schools and we have to do a 15 min group presentation on Friday---blooming hec! But on Wednesday, the fun begins- we have a group composition on Wed which I'm nervous but so excited about. We have such a nice array of instruments, including a gorgeously lovely girl that plays the harp---amaaazing! It should be an interesting session! We will be given a theme to do the composition then go into the studio to record it---MUST get over my flute phobia SOON! We're also having professional photos taken on Wednesday. I always hate stuff like that but at the same time, it's a really nice opportunity and there are only 12 of us in the music group so it might be nice to have a group photo- I think we're all going to become quite close.

I have a tonne of research to do for our groupwork tomorrow and I HAVE to get the damn printer working but I came home so knackered (have to get up at 5.30am everyday) so I've treated myself to a bit of knitting time...I'm making a pair of slippers. They're pink mohair and I'm going to make a yellow flower for the front :) Wooh.

Better get back to everything!

Love, Laura xxx

Oliver Messiaen Quartet for the End of Time

Wow...How am I so uneducated? I'd never heard this until Polly and Nick told me about it the other night...It's a pretty hardcore piece...really good!...I love it from about 5 mins 30 seconds in...I think Nick said it best..."EPIC!" x

Overcoming flute phobia....

Soooo....this is my new attempt to overcome my fear of playing the flute in front of anyone...WEBCAM! I've filmed myself playing a couple of pieces....they're all pretty bad and pretty rough, but it's a big step for me to upload these videos! haha...I shall overcome this one day!!!!! xxx

Knit The City - Yarnstorm...

While flicking through the new Joules magazine, I came across a little article on Knit The City. I've heard of this group before and think they're amazing. I think it was back when they started off by making little lamppost and tree cozies and have now moved on to full-on knitted graffiti domination! I LOVE this knitted phonebox cozy. I was reading on their website here; http://knitthecity.com/2009/07/09/yarnstorm-the-third-the-phonebox-cosy/ that "This Phonebox Cosy is dedicated to the memory of June. Whose yarn was nefariously used to knit most of it. We are assured she would have loved it, and probably joined in with the yarnstorm if she’d been there." Wish I could join them!! xxx

I Knit London...

At Emma's craft day I got told about I Knit London. It's an amazing knitting shop that holds knitting workshops and knitting groups (every Wednesday and Thursday evening) and they meet for a Roast on the last Sunday of every month. I adore living in Cornwall and I love all of my friends to bits BUT London has sooooo much to offer! I am suuuuuper jealous when people live in London and don't make the most of cool things that go on there! I might be off to London for a few days to visit friends at the end of October. I just need to check I have time off uni/placements and then I can book my train tickets- so exciting!!!!!! I'm going to contact them and see if I can go along to their Thursday evening knitting group....exciiiiiting! :D xxx

On the subject of nice friends...

I've been meaning to post this for a couple of weeks. My friend Geraldine bought me this fabulous Laura Ashley Make Your Own Necklace kit as a late b'day present for me. It was soooo sweet of her. She said that she rarely sees presents that remind her of the person, but she saw that and thought of me. I love it. I haven't made it yet, because I know that as soon as I make it, I'll want to re-arrange the beads and make it again!!! And plus the box is just so pretty- I don't want to ruin it! How ridiculous! But I will make it--very very soon- maybe I'll even wear my new necklace on placements! That'll cure the nerves! Woooooh! xxx

Wow, I have the nicest friends...

Wow, what gorgeously lovely friends I have. Tonight I missed samba practice (I couldn't go anyway, as it was only a practice for band members that can play for a wedding on Saturday - I have to work unfortunately so can't go) but my mum who is also in the band offered to drive Polly and Nick as practice was at a friend's house. So Polly and Nick arrived at my house and Polly just ran in while I had foils on my head, thrust this amazing card at me as a complete surprise then had to run off as her silly work phone was ringing. It was soooo nice of them! I'm super nervous about starting the course on Monday, and I am having all sorts of doubts about my abilities. I'm doubting myself musically, but I'm also doubting that I'm going to be able to stand up in front of a group of teenagers and teach them anything! I am so scared. I am excited, but utterly utterly terrified!! But this card helps!!!!! So sweet of them----thanks guys :) xxx

New hair & a new bra...I'm a new woman!

Am I a woman? I don't know! I don't mean that as in what sex am I, I know I'm female, but I feel too young to be a woman or a lady...I'm a new girl shall I say!?
So...new bra - as I've explained before...amazing! I'm still stunned at the difference it makes! Brilliant! And tonight I got my hair cut (and highlighted...a little...admittedly...I AM naturally blonde...the same colour as my eyebrows...I just have a little brightening every now and again with the help of Mr Bleach...ok!!!) I had a few inches off...it was desperate..it's still pretty long at the front and goes really short and cute at the back...it's all layered- I had no idea how it would turn out, I was like "yeah, just chop away, I like the sound of the scissors on hair"...but I love it. I look pretty gross in the photos (as usual) and it doesn't really look like that in "real life" as it goes up loads at an angle at the side so just looks all one length in the photo, but I like it :)

Phobia of all things beginning with F (well, maybe not quite ALL things if you catch my dirty drift!!!!!)

So...F is for flute and F is for French...both of which I have phobias of. Ok, just to make clear, by French, I mean the language not the lovely people. Anyway...I just realised that..not very exciting! But I should get over it/them! Any suggestions how??????? Help please! Actually, please just help me with my fear of flute...French I can cope without, but seeing as though I'm about to start a music PGCE a little overcoming of my flute phobia might be quite uselful! I basically just need to be able to play in public without feeling like I am about to collapse/die from nerves! My friend suggested busking (eugh) ANY TIPS!??? xxx

Currently putting off an essay...

Oh my god, I haven't written an essay for ages! I forgot just how hard it is! So, I'm halfway through my first essay for my PGCE which I start on Monday. I'm supposed to be doing a critical observation of a lesson. I'm completely terrified but excited at the thought of starting the course (especially so soon!) But while putting off my essay (it's taken me so long to get into it) I've been making cup of tea after cup of tea after cup of tea. Whilst waiting for the kettle to boil just now, I decided to see if I could still pirouette like I used to all those years ago in dreaded dance classes. The answer is...my spotting is not as good as it was or should be! I feel utterly sick! At least it put me off that packet of digestive biscuits that was staring at me! Yuck! Sick sick sick...bleurgh!!!!!!!!! {@_@} xxx

Stolen photos of craft day!

Ahhh...I had such a nice time crafting today...Here are a few photos stolen from Emme Lou...I really like them! Although I look super ugly in all of them...eugh..can't wait to have my hair done and my ugly gurning faces don't help...ohhhhh well!!!!! And here are the baby slippers I made :D Emma's photo makes them look so classy!!

Knutterings & stutterings at Emme Lou's craft day!!!

Omg, I had the niiiiicest day today! I went over to Emme Lou's as she was having a craft day at her house! It was sooooo lovely and there were some fab ladies there that I was very glad to meet! SO we ate cake (made by Emme Lou--soooo yum!) drank tea and CRAFTED! I made some cute little booties for a friend's baby (she's about to pop in October producing a gorgeous little girl!) And I was so proud of myself for completing them...Emma on the other hand...is still halfway through the first one, but we'll mention that as little as possible!!! Although I was exhausted after finishing just one!



We decided that after listening to each other mumble words of abuse at our work that we'd call it knuttering (knitting + muttering) and stuttering (stitching + muttering)...it became quite true after a couple of hours in!!
So I took over this huge bag of wool (my new overnight bag- LOVE IT!) and I spent most of the time oggling over Emma's craft room! SO JEALOUS! It's such a nice space to craft and create and it's SO TIDY! Love it, love it, love it!!!



I took loads of photos---I'll post them below...have a nose! Emma..thank you SOOOOO much for a gorgeously lovely, special day! xxxxxx

Don't underestimate the importance of a good bra & leggings!

My first musing of the day...is going to be...NEVER underestimate the power of a good bra and also NEVER, I repeat NEVER be tempted to buy cheap leggings!
So I know I've been wearing the wrong bra size for a whiiiiiile (like so long I'm embarassed to admit!) I got re-measured and never got it sorted! And I've been uncomfortable for the whole time! So today I had to nip into Penzance so I quickly bought a bra (in the right bloody size) and it's the best thing I've ever done! I can't believe what a difference it makes!!! I used to hate my boobies before and now I'm actually quite proud of them! I sat in traffic today and I kept having to have a quick grope- I was just so impressed!!!!! So that's my first tip to you ladies!
Second......don't buy cheap leggings...I mean the 2 pairs for £8 in Tesco...they go bald on the thighs within a day and they fall down worse than Nora Batty tights...go for £8 per pair Next or M&S...WAAAAY BETTER! So, heed my advice, learn from my mistakes and you will be GAWWWWGEOUS!!!!!!! (Unlike me!) Loves xxxxxx

Flute Phobia...

Ok, I've just committed and ordered a laptop...it has an inbuilt webcam which will definitely beat my rubbish Hello Kitty cam...!
Basically...I'll explain, (this is kind of relevant)...I have a complete phobia of playing my flute in public! I have got SOOOO much better in the past year as I've been doing some flute teaching which I've been fine with playing in front of students and I also played at my friend's wedding with my friend on cello who is the most amazing musician. I started off rehearsing and being so shy of playing in front of her but now I'm ok. When we played for the wedding I felt SO nervous. I was shaking and we started playing and I looked over at my friend and I said "I don't feel too good, I think I'm going to pass out!" And she snarled back "KEEP PLAYING!" So out of sheer terror I carried on. We played for so long in the end. About an hour before the ceremony and then during the signing of the register and I was SO proud of myself for doing it. I felt utterly ill afterwards out of exhaustion and relief. I've never ever had this problem with samba and I used to play flute in orchestra at school and drum-kit for the jazz band but it does just seem that flute freaks me out although it is my main instrument and the one I'm best at. So, on Saturday, I was asked to play for the Gorseth in St Ives...it was really nice to be asked and there were about 12 of us in the band and we processed in front of the bards and it was a massive thing with local TV cameras and photographers which was nice to be involved with but AGHH...STAGE FRIGHT! I got SO freaked out! I'd learnt all of my music, but as soon as we began to have a little warm up I completely froze...I could barely remember how to play the flute, let alone remember the songs. My mind went completely blank, and I think if someone would have asked me my name I wouldn't be able to answer! So I was COMPLETELY nervous...freaking out...went to the toilet to calm down...I got bloody locked in!!!!!! I'm soooo claustraphobic and it was on the third floor in a really old building with a tiny window that was high up and I wouldn't have even been able to stick my big head through and I just started freaking out! After a couple of seconds of hyperventilation, I was able to calm myself down at the thought of "maybe this means I won't have to play"...so relief set in and THEN the bloody door unjammed and I got out...DAMNIT! So after that little saga, there was no time to practice and I was thrown out onto the street with my flute in my sweaty palms and terror on my face and barely able to breathe! I nearly passed out I was so freaked out...but it did get better throughout the day and on the homeward stretch I was fine (as fine as I could be anyway)...SO back to my new laptop. I was asking my friend (amazing cellist- who was also playing, but violin this time) how to get over nerves...she suggested busking..and lots of it...and also a webcam where I'm forced to play but being broadcasted over the internet! SO...I might record me practicing and post it on my blog! Bear in mind it will just be PRACTICING! No concert pieces or anything...but I just really really need to get over my nerves...playing at home I'm fine, but as soon as I get around people, I freeze entirely! It's bizarre....so, maybe I'll be posting some videos soon!!!!!!!!!! xxx

While we're on the subject of YouTube videos...

I don't know why I want to share this with you, but I do. It just makes me laugh...this is my friend Mark, as he desribes it; "Here's what I did this morning. Edited this afternoon and emailed to Oxam by 5.30! Filmed and edited by the fabulous Ben Giles - Diamond Geezer Extraordinaire!" I can just imagine Mark & Ben faffing about filming this in Mark's basement or shed or wherever he practices and it just makes me chuckle...What cheesies! But you can't deny Mark's talent...the bugger! Ha! Swing it Funky Monkey! Oops...sorry, forgive me..."Groove Meister!!!" :D x

Aruba Red...

Tonight I met up with some friends from school that I haven't seen in AGES! It was SO nice to catch up with them and find out what they're all doing!!! We got a takeaway and sat and had a chat and then we went to a gig to see Aruba Red who was AMAZING live! Like...SO GOOD! Her voice was SO soulful and so lovely that videos and recordings just don't do it justice. She sang SUCH a beautiful version of On & On by Eryka Badu - it was incredible. It was just an acoustic set at Gylly so it was right next to the beach...really really lovely! An amazing night :) Thanks girls x

My new kitsch dog jumper...

Wooh...I just got to choose my new uniform at the shop for Autumn/Winter (yes, already!) and I chose a cool burnt orange 60s style tunic, some pink granny beads and this super kitsch dog jumper which I'm in love with! You too can own your own kitsch dog jumper for the small and very worth it fee of £59...(am I a good saleswoman?) Probably not, but at least I look cool now! I LOVE IT! Kitsch kitsch kitsch (and a little itch itch itch too as it's made of wool!) HEARTS! xxx

Do it for daddy!

I'm not ashamed to tell you that I have an alter-ego called Daddy. He channels himself through me with a gruff Essex accent and says things like "go on, do it for daddy" which is usually followed by a cheeky yet dirty little wink! Well, I'm also a bit of a feeder, and today at the shop, it was quite quiet, so after a day of dressing up (including a whole outfit made of tweed complete with horsey grin and hobby horse and a quick trot round the shop) I went and bought lemon meringue flavoured fudge. I usually hate fudge, but a lady came into the shop the other day eating fudge and while I was serving her at the till she offered me a piece (followed by another piece, followed by another piece!!)...It would have been rude to turn her down...so I didn't!! So, on a bit of a sugar-low today, I trundled down to the fudge shop and bought some of that deadly fudge for us all to share! The girls were slacking a bit with their fudge eating, so Daddy offered encouraging words like "Go on, open wide! Do it for daddy! It'll make you niiiice and big!" They loved it! But the person that loved it the most...was Daddy! xxx

So excited about CRAFT DAY!!!!!

Emme Lou popped into the boutique while I was working the other day and it was SOOO nice to catch up with her. I stole a couple of photos from her blog- one of her GORGEOUS crocheted corsages and one of my bow tie-backs! I love Emme's vintage style and the corsages are super-cute! I'm also really excited because Emme invited me to a crafting day at her house on Tuesday and for once I'm not working! I am soooo excited! I'm gonna get my sewing machine out and ask for some much needed asistance! I got a couple of vintage-style skirt patterns and some lush material, but I've been too scared to go ahead and start the project, but with Emme's assistance and careful supervision I might be able to get the courage to give it a go! I haven't sewn properly since school and even then I was a bit useless! Can't wait though...super excited! Thanks Emme! xxx

Lunch Spot...

This is where I'm lucky enough to sit in my lunch-break. It's about 2 mins from work...and on a nice day it's a total sun-trap! It's so nice to get away from the strip-lights and the darkness of the stock-room and get some lovely green scenery and natural light! Haha! Niiiiiiiiiiice :) xxx

My Biro Tattoos!

Shhh...I know I can't draw!
So while at work, it was too busy to read, but too quiet to do nothing so I decided to biro tattoo myself! I quite like it! I also did my feet while I was sat there (this was after tidying, cleaning and polishing the shop - I swear!!) Haha...I felt too cool for school, and I met my friend in the evening and was shocked to see she'd got tattoos all up her arm since I'd last seen her and didn't even know! She's the most unlikely person to get tattoos but they REALLY suit her! She got a pink heart on each hand, and then birds all up her arm - they look SO nice! I then got a bit over-excited and was saying "do you want to see my tattoos?" while brandishing my forearms! Oh God! Sadly, the ink got washed away in the shower along with my tears...boo hoo hoo!