"Twenty Thirteen doesn't have a nice ring to it"

Over the past few days, I've seen nearly all my favourite blogs writing up there New Years posts, some are positive, some are quite frankly happy to wave goodbye to 2012. I can't say that I am either.

2012 has been a really up and down year for me, though I think about all the fantastic things that happened to me, there seems to be this big cloud shitting all over everything and making me feel very disapproving of the year just gone. Lots of 'what ifs' circling my mind about a whole variety of things. Then again, I can't change any of it, so what's the point in worrying about it?

I guess it all stems from a messy break up at the end of 2011 (why does that always happen huh?) it made me into an emotionless ice queen, who lost trust in nearly every person I came across and I slammed my fist on the self-destruct button of late nights and drinking. Looking back on it however, those nights trawling Southsea's finest bars, my best friends in tow, were some of the funnest nights of my life. I didn't have a care, I just wanted to forget everything, enjoy the moment and feel free. What I didn't exactly think about was that I had a 15,000 word dissertation to write, a television show to help produce every week and a career to start - cue numerous breakdowns on my mother and a load of waffle about radio. In the summer, the friends I'd spent three years with all parted ways and moved back home, I lost my grandfather and had no job to fund the flat I was moving in to. All whilst my dad was in bloody Antarctica and my brother serving a tour for the RAF. Men - completely unreliable!

Saying that though, some really great things happened to me, so I'm doing my best to think about those and the impact they had on me. Most importantly I think the people I have met this year have made the biggest change to my life and I can't thank all of them enough. Eventhough I may have met most of them through Twitter, I would hate to have them out my life, so if you're a friend of mine and you're reading this, here's to you, for making my life bloody fantastic. Here's a few other things that made my life great:

I started working for BringTheNoiseUK.com, I started as a writer, I now manage the social media and competition side of things whilst helping out with editorial work. I've met some of the best people through BTN and it's given me some amazing opportunities to interview my favourite bands and write what I'm passionate about.

I featured in the July issue of Company magazine as a Guest Music Editor. The first piece of real exposure I've ever been given and I can't thank them enough for choosing me!

I graduated from Portsmouth University with a 2:1 in Television and Broadcasting. Clearly all those drunken nights somehow didn't hinder my grades too much, thank god!

Finally, a month ago I was given the go head on my own radio show. It may only be on the local Portsmouth radio station, but everyone has to start somewhere right? I've already had some great feedback and I'm super excited to see what will come of it in 2013.

With feeling so glum about how 2012 went, I am seriously hoping 2013 shines a light onto my life a bit more. I'm slightly scared for the next 12 months, this is the first year where I haven't had education dictating my life. My only source of income is what I earn and no decisions are made for me, it's me in control of my life now. There's a possibility of moving to a completely new city, away from everything I know, there's the endless job applications to fill out for industry work and there's a whole lot more people out there for me to meet and enjoy the little moments with. Maybe I'll even stumble across a nice boy to share some time with, maybe I won't, either way my life is now entirely up to me and I'm determined to take life by the horns and go for it. There's a lot of uncertainty head of me, but one thing that is certain, one thing that I am incredibly excited for, my dad is coming home.
"There's only one man a girl can count on and that's her dad"

Here's to you 2013. You better be a good'un.

Cardiff!

Now I don't know about the rest of you, but I am one of those people that needs a little trip or adventure every few weeks or months, just to keep things exciting. Otherwise I generally become miserable and start hating wherever I am. Now that my life is in more of a routine, that revolves around working at Bench, Radio and Bring the Noise the excitement in my life had really started to dwindle.

After having a conversation whilst back home with my mum and brothers girlfriend Harriet about the above, it was decided that me and Harri would have a weekend away, I had most of the Bank Holiday weekend off work, so that was it, we were going, no matter what.

Why Cardiff? I've been once before and loved it, but never got to explore the city properly. Everyone I've ever met in Wales have been lovely, I've also made a few friends up there in recent months that I wanted to meet and I'm quite the sucker for a Welsh accent! We had quite the difficulty finding affordable accommodation, but eventually we found a deal with The Big Sleep Hotel, £99 for two of us staying one night & the hotel is in the centre of town so we couldn't really complain! 

 

 1. Train tickets 2. Hotel room 3. New York Deli - Best bagels in town! 4/5/6. Me and Harri being our vain selves before heading out 7. PBR - The night my friends DJ 8. Church in the city centre 9. Me by Cardiff Castle 10. The hat that received the comment "crackin' bobble that" 11. Frozen yoghurt with strawberries and blueberries - lush! 12. The Big Sleep

I had the most amazing couple of days away, it was exactly what I needed and I think it's fair to say I'm even more in love with Cardiff! Me and Harri had such a laugh and it was great to finally meet my friends and throw myself around a dance floor. We've already decided we're going back to do our Christmas shopping there and hopefully I will be up for SWN festival in October. Sod London, Cardiff is my favourite city!

Any of you got a place you love to visit when given the chance?

Tattoo!

So for any of you that follow me on twitter you may have already seen me excitedly tweeting about my new ink. For those who don't here it is!

'only love' written across my rib just below my left boob. The words come from the Ben Howard song of the same title, which is one of the reasons i have it, because he's become one of my all-time favourite musicians. The second being that it represents my love for music, as it's been my biggest passion since i was small and it's what i want to do with my career, so yeah thats what it's for. A bit cheesy yes, but i absolutely adore it! I've been a fan of rib tattoos for a long time but have put off having my own due to the "oh thats the most painful place" comments i always get. In fact, it was nowhere near as painful as i thought it was going to be, probably helped that i had a lovely tattooist and a hand to squeeze! It's my second tattoo and i have a few more ideas up my sleeve for other ones, but i need to save some pennies first!

Have any of you got tattoos? Would love to see them if you do!

Birthday.

On Sunday it was my turn to leave the easy world of being a teenager and join the not so easy, important world of being an adult. I turned 20. Not really a big birthday, that will come next year for my 21st. But clearly as soon as you leave the teenage years behind, relatives stop sending birthday cards and presents are down to a minmum. So i wasn't particularly excited for this one, especially as i had already recieved my main birthday present from my parents, which was a weekend away in the New Forest in this....

.... Pretty awesome huh?
However i realise that has made me sound like i am not grateful for the presents i did receive, of course i am grateful for them, and i loved them all! My mum has ordered me some brilliant rollerskates, which should hopefully arrive soon, then i can start skating along Southsea seafront!
I also got some Toms, which are SUPER comfy! I had no idea how comfy they actually were!

Other than that, i got a pretty thermos for my tea, and this purse which you can wear on wrist ( an essential for festivals and nights out!) Two Spot Gobi's album, which is also a must have for the summer!  A £15 iTunes gift card, which i have already spent half of on the Twin Atlantic album! Plus a £20 Accessorize voucher and £30 cash. So i don't think i have done too badly if i say so myself :)

I'm planning to have a proper party for it in September when i'm back at uni with all my friends as that will be easier, plus it's an excuse to have a party!

Hope all is well with everyone else!

Tamsyn x