Author: Yourcupatea

Round 3: Driving Disaster.

Yourcupatea3 Comments

Driving
Stalling a car five times in a row is not cool.

Driving past the Topa Topa Ranch for the fourth time I was confident that I had successfully perfected the route.

The gears, stops, and keeping on the road were all finicky mistakes that needed changing but I was sure that this was the time that I would prove myself as the brilliant driver I was destined to be. I was wrong.

Cruising up to the stop sign I efficiently switched into second gear and began to slow. Greeting the white line I stopped perfectly.

Slowly I took my foot of the clutch pushing my right foot onto the gas. Stall.

Peering around it seemed that a once derelict crossroads had transformed into a now raging road (otherwise known as a death zone).

Ok you can do this Georgie. I turned off the ignition and once again go through the simultaneous steps to start the car. Edging my foot off the clutch I get ready to go. Stall.

Read More »

The Pretenses of Valentines Day.

YourcupateaLeave a comment

Love
Oh Valentine’s Day you have once again returned,
Stealing the hearts and money of those in love,
Have you not had your fair share of fun?
Watching and laughing from above.

In my eyes Valentines Day is one big pretense. It is an excuse for shops to raise prices, sales to begin and people to empty their pockets. In many cases it is no longer a day to share affection or celebrate love.

Valentines Day has become a field day for mockery and competition. Who can buy the best gifts? Who can fool someone they dislike? And who can break someone’s heart?

In many cases Valentines Day lacks the key ingredient, love.

In my opinion love is a precious thing and should be celebrated everyday. Cook a special meal, tell someone you love them or even pick a fresh bouquet of flowers. If you love someone why not do this daily?

Read More »

Round 2: Stick Shift.

Yourcupatea1 Comment

Driving
So after my slightly traumatizing first driving lesson I was quite reluctant to once again get behind the wheel and drive.

I was convinced that I’d never be able to drive and that I’d be stuck with a pushbike for the rest of my life. Yes the environment would love that but my legs certainly would not.

So after much thought, a new car, a promised lunch out and some clothes shopping, I thought it was once again time to hit the road.

“Sorry” I cried as I once again stalled, “I’ll remember next time.”

“Don’t hit the curb, remember this is a new car.” Although these phrases were often repeated and may give the impression that it was another dramatic drive, in fact it was quite the opposite.

List of driving skills mastered:

Steering

3 point turns

Hill Starts

Missing cars

Windy Roads

Avoiding near death experiences

The clutch

Going into gears 1 and 2

Parking successfully

Yes, proudly I managed quite a few little skills on my second lesson and I even had a lot of fun. There’s still hope for me yet.

Although encountering numerous monster trucks, naked men (yes both me and my dad were quite shocked with that one), gangs and oh those dreaded potholes, we survived and luckily so did the people of Santa Paula. I could drive!! (Kind of).

As I waved goodbye to the future prospect of being immobile, (except for a pushbike and maybe a Zimmer frame, if I could get a license) I smiled gleefully.

Here’s a video that sums up how I was feeling after my second driving experience.
“>”>

Los Campesinos!

YourcupateaLeave a comment

Los Campinos!

Los Campesinos! are a relatively unheard of Indie band from Cardiff, Wales. The seven pieced, mixed gender, indie crew combines together to make music that is unique, different and quirky.

With song titles such as “You! Me! Dancing!” and “We Throw Parties, You Throw Knifes” the band reveals it’s unconventional yet loveable sounds through their titles.

The ensemble of voices, instruments and lyrics mix together to make the perfect recipe for songs, yet the band have not headlined in the charts.

Today those joining the music industry struggle due to the fact that a constant influx of new sounds generates much competition. It takes a dedicated Indie lover to come across a completely different sound and a rare talent that will really survive and conquer competitors in the charts.

With acts such as Florence and the Machine and Cold War Kids many music lovers still have faith that the ‘good stuff’ will get sieved out from the bland.

I guess everything has it’s time and I can only hope that Los Campesinos’s loyal fan base will help increase the band’s success amongst Indie lovers across the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj6SO_yKMe8

Adele.

YourcupateaLeave a comment

Adele
Many are familiar with Adele for her debut song Hometown Glory and the numerous remixes that have presented themselves in the past years.

In 2009 her first album 19 was a raging success with critics and listeners loving her strong voice and melodic symphonies. Becoming number one in the UK album charts and winning two Grammys, people thought that Adele really could not get any better.

After a break away from the charts Adele has once again returned with her new album 21. The new album reflects the transformation of the singer and the changes she has incurred after her past success.

Her warming tones and emotional lyrics are still evident but with new confidence and passion. She has a “crystal clear” perspective on her life and this is shown through the new material.

Although Adele believes in ‘hometown glory’ her new album has many tracks that are based around the old sounds of America.

This album is truly inspiring and Adele has not failed to disappoint.

Remember me.

YourcupateaLeave a comment

September the 11th, 2001 impacted the globe greatly. The tragic events what occurred changed the world and those who remained. Although serving many by enlightening the masses about the dangers of terrorism, the deaths that occurred will never be forgiven.

In these circumstances it is the ones that are left behind that suffer the most. The ones that are tormented by the loss of there loved ones and left to deal with a burden of grief that haunts them on a daily basis.

Losing a loved one is never easy and in the 9/11 attacks this was no exception. The grief felt was magnified on a global scale, devastating the masses.

We will always mourn for the lives that were lost in the attacks. We will always remember the individuals whose existence was taken prematurely and the aptitude and courage they showed. 9/11 will never be forgotten.

9/11

Read More »

Motor Madness.

Yourcupatea1 Comment

This Saturday I partook in my first driving lesson, scaring both my instructor and myself. No I was not an amazing driver in fact I was the opposite. As I ventured up the Denison Grade and Sulphur Mountain Road I wondered what could possible have possessed my driving instructor to tempt such a fate.

Stepping into the Honda Accord, wisely on the passenger side, I wondered how one could possibly drive. Warning the instructor of the fate he might incur he agreed that it would be best for him to begin by driving down the rocky slopes of Sulphur Mountain.

Once in Ojai we parked in a residential area what he assured me would be free of hazards and any obstacles that may cause an injury.  Later I found out this was not to be the case. Stepping into the driver’s side I followed all instructions on controlling the car moving forward slowly and reversing slightly.

Now it was time for the accelerator. Jerk. Ok now this first motion was a bit embarrassing so I apologized sincerely and he said it was ok but if the whole lesson would be like this he may get a little travel-sick.

Travel-sick was he joking, I mean there’s me in control of a powerful car and he was worried about travel sickness, if I were in his shoes I would have been worried about who I had written in my will or at the least that I had great health insurance.

So after a few deep breaths (on his behalf) we continued onwards forgetting the previous incident. He was yet to know this was going to be the best part of the lesson.

Pink Scooters, old people, motorbikes and children all obstructed my way but as it turned out I luckily did not manage to kill, or injure anybody.

Read More »

KFC catastrophe.

YourcupateaLeave a comment

Some things are truly peculiar, I often wonder how some stories manage to gain fame and publicity from the news. It truly baffles me.

In fact in the last few days a news story has been published on the BBC England website that makes me wonder just this. Yes it made me laugh, yes it’s entertaining but surely there are more important incidents to report in the world.

“Live chicken thrown at KFC staff in Nuneaton”

We all know the fast food restaurant KFC or Kentucky Fried Chicken. Advertised for selling real meat and priding itself for it’s well-trained and experienced chefs as well as nutritious tasty food. In the last few days one of these shops became a target for pranksters.

Inconveniently a group of “lads” threw a live chicken in the open window of one of the establishments. Thinking it would be a bit of a laugh. They were wrong.

Although advertised as supplying real chicken, the teens obviously doubted their culinary expertise of the chefs, aiming to prove how in fact staff had no experience with the real stuff.

Filming themselves they have now become a target for the RSPCA and other animal right’s groups. What was meant to be a funny prank has now transformed into a serious issue.

Although this may seem extremely comical we should also take a moment to think about the chicken. How did she feel? I’m sure she was very panicked realizing she was being made into a fast food treat rather than a luxury item, but you never know she may have loved the opportunity to reunite with some old friends.

Although she survived, she did suffer some distress. Poor chicken.

The crime in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kM4F3pujNQE

Stornoway

Yourcupatea1 Comment

Stornoway are a unique and individual folk band. Known for the hit Zorbing they have captured the attention of Indie and Folk lovers all over the globe. With sweet and melodic symphonies the country songs transport the listener to an idyllic spot.

Beachcomber’s windowsill is the perfect album for a sunny day. Reaching number three in the British indie charts, it includes singles such as I heard you Blink and Zorbing.

Classified as British alternative indie folk the band appeal to many. Originating from Oxford they typically portray the sounds of the British countryside. If foreigners want to familiarize with quaint English music this is the album for them.

Signed to the British Label 4AD the friends collaborate with a variety of instruments to create a sublime sound. This is a band to see live. Accompanied by a trumpeter they take to the stage awing the crowds.

With a selection of fast and slow songs their quirky lyrics transform what one would define as classic folk. Debuting at numerous festivals over the summer months including Glastonbury they have captured the hearts of many.

They are a real talent in their own right. Steering away from any real music genre they have managed to create a sound that is truly beautiful.

<a href=”http://“>

Come fly with me.

YourcupateaLeave a comment

Yes Matt Lucas and David Walliams have returned. After the global success of the sketch show Little Britain they have now extended their horizons creating a new comedy to begin 2011.

In the new BBC mockumentary the comedy duo have really pulled out all of the stops to create a hit. Assuming the stereotypical roles of airport staff they mimic classic scenarios and characters.

Yes you heard me right Matt Lucas and David Walliams have created a comedy sketch at an airport. Amazing huh? This program is truly a phenomenon.

As usual the two men play the main roles, dressing up in various costumes to achieve unforgettable characters. The difficult man at customs, the gay flight attendant, and the smiley girls at checkout, to name but a few. Their powers of character observation know no bounds as they accentuate the finite characteristics of the people pleasers they portray.

The show previewed on Christmas day displaying the beginning of what has now blossomed into an outstanding sequel to all that has gone before. The show has really taken off. David Walliams and Matt Lucas are really the stars of their own reality. This is inflight entertainment at it’s very best.

<a href=”http://“>