I want to go back to New York!

So last week me and my girlfriend went to New York for 4 nights...and it was beyond amazing.

We arrived on Sunday afternoon around 1pm local time after our flight had been delayed for two hours in Heathrow due to the snow. Soon as the plane landed we headed to your hotel, dropped off our bags and went straight back out into the city, heading over to Times Square.

Leaving the subway and entering Time Square was an incredible sight, and I instantly feel in love how busy the area was packed with the locals and of course tourists. I could not get enough with how crazy the area was with amount of advertising boards scattered around flashing their lights onto the street below. And of course we bumped into the Naked Cowboy doing his thing.

Throughout the whole trip we visited the tourist sights of the city; Empire State, Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Grand Central Station, Macy's, Ground Zero. To my surprise we didn't partake in some serious shopping, only casual looking around here and there on the way. Which of course I was totally fine with. Before we headed out to New York I searched up some other sights we could visit which aren't typical to tourists, one of these sights was Alice's Tea Cup, where we had a nice pot of tea and cake.

Alice's Tea Cup

My highlight on the trip would have to be the time we spent in Central Park, where we took a horse and carriage right around a small section of the park (due to the ridiculous price). Then finished off with ice skating, it was such a nice few hours spent in that location. Plus the weather was perfect, nice and sunny.

Coming back to London I of course want to back to the city already, I am tempted to look into going every year. Maybe explore different sections every time I go, but of course there is always the issue of money.

Have you ever been to New York?

MH x

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NYC Day 1

So yesterday me and my girlfriend arrived in New York! We were extremely tired, but managed to plough through and see some of the sights, including Times Square & the view from The Rockefeller Center.

Today we're going lower west side to see things in SOHO, Greenwich Village and Chelsea.

Yep all places you can find in London :-/ 

MH x

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Off to the 'big apple'

One of my 10 resolutions this year was to post a new blog entry every day throughout 2012. From the start of January this was of course lowered to every week day, still keeping a big task. With great surprise I have managed this throughout January, however next week (beginning 5th February) this may be a difficult task.

Myself and my girlfriend are heading off to New York for a few nights, and we cannot wait. We have both been over excited since we booked the holiday back in November 2011.

I am sure you can understand the idea of making sure I blog everyday whilst I am out there would be a mad idea, I want to spend the time relaxing and enjoying myself.

However I will be attempting to find some internet access at some stages, to post a picture on here each day with a few words so you can see what I have been up to. No doubt this photograph will be taken from my Instagram profile (I have fallen in love with this app lately).

You can also follow me on Twitter to get more out of me, as may also try and post a few things on there whilst I'm sightseeing/shopping.

Of course all these small ideas are in the maybe category of importance, were only out there for 4 nights, so I don't particularly want to waste time finding Wifi hotspots.

Also....why is it called the 'big apple'?

MH x

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Week 4 film review [I'm Not There, 2007]

This weeks film choice was my girlfriends, so that only means one thing. Her time to review....

I've probably owned I'm Not There for a few years, but have never found the time to watch it. I was very aware of the fact that watching it might take quite a bit of brain power so I think that's why I hadn't seen it until last week.

I'm Not There was made in 2007, and is focussed around 6 characters who embody a different aspect of Bob Dylan's life. The characters weren't meant to be Bob himself, which confused me at first, because I thought it was going to be a film in the style of Control, a biopic about Joy Division's Ian Curtis, just with more actors playing the role of Bob at different stages in his life.

I was impressed by the great actors that were on board for the film (Christian Bale, Heath Ledger etc) but my favourite just had to be Cate Blanchett. I must say, I had doubts of how she'd portray a man successfully on screen, but she absolutely blew me away. She had Dylan and his mannerisms down to a tee, and actually looked very much like him as well. Her character was definitely my favourite, closely followed by Heath Ledger's, which was also pretty interesting, I found. I also really liked the way the film was shot, especially when it was in black and white documentary style.

I think, to fully 'get' the film, I'd probably have to watch it again because I spent most of the film completely confused. But it's definitely an interesting one to watch, just make sure your brain is switched on before you press play!

 Week 3 film review

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Pulled Apart By Horses 'Tough Love' [REVIEW]

In 2009 I was on work experience with Rockfeedback TV and was lucky enough to be cameraman on a Pulled Apart By Horses viral video shoot for XBOX Reverb. Since the shoot, I have been a huge fan of these lads, and have seen them live a number of times. Which will also include seeing them at London, Electric Ballroom in February.

I love and have never got bored of their debut self titled album. So its understandable I was happy to hear they were back in the studio last year and was eager to get hold of the release of 'Tough Love'

Just like their debut album, I don't think I will get bored of this second album. They have developed a new sound, and I will be hesitant to say its a little softer than the first album, but it's still amazing and hard hitting. The album is full of punching riffs which you can't help but nod your head in sync with the rolling drums from Lee Vincent.

Going back to the new sound, its clear to hear Tom Hudson has changed his raw vocals from the rock/gothic/punk sound of the first album. However I think I love these new vocals more,  they compliments well with the big riffs from the guitars, with their now more metal influence which is a nice development for them. Better still you can hear Toms vocals more clearly, which is great. As you can hear some for comical vocals.

At the moment my favourite track is 'Wolf Hand'. Its a good example of the all the new developments of the band; new guitar, vocals and drum sounds. Concluding the bigger beefier sound from the band as a whole, and of course the bands comical vocals. Finally like the first album, there are still segments of songs you find your rewinding back to hear over and over again. Reinforcing how you can not get bored of the album.

It just fantastic, don't hesitate and buy the album now.

MH x

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Blowing my own trumpet

I have been working at the th1ng offices for just over a month now, and last Friday the opportunity had been given to me to work on a pitch with the founder of the company, Dominic Buttirmore. Straight away I stepped up to the offer, as I have been aching to help on pre production work since starting, and I thought this would give me a chance to show off what I can do.

The pitch was half way through completion when I was set to take it over, therefore included a few errors, which resulted in him flipping his lid from the get go. I shrugged off this early encounter and carried on through regardless, I understand and aware he could react like this. After all its his company, and his pitch for an important campaign. Therefore its got to be perfect.

He would return back and forth throughout, with of course making amends to sections here and there. Once the pitch had been completed, and everyone let out a huge sigh of relief, Dominic was kind enough to pass on some praise to me; 'Your good and quick are this aren't you'
It was only a few words, which he could have said to anyone. However I was still very thankful to hear that after all the stress from making the pitch.

I felt as if I was thrown in the deep end, having my first pitch for the company to be for the CEO. But then I took this on as a positive thing, as I believe it is better to start from the extreme end of the scale. Because I think moving forward, working on other pitches with the other producers will be less of a daunting task. As I have already experienced the stressful process with the up most important person of the company. Perhaps this would boost my confidence, with making suggestions with the producers. To show my interest in this industry, and interest to move up the career ladder.

That Friday evening I went home very happy.

MH x

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The Weekend [28/29 Jan]

My weekend was relaxed on both days, Saturday evening began very successfully with the selling of my guitar on eBay. After all the dumb messages from the bidders, I was very pleased with the winning bid, as it turned out to be far more than I anticipated. This means I can fully pay off my credit card (as I had originally planned) and purchase a new bike. As you may remember my bike was stolen a few weeks back, and unfortunately the Police were unable to help. With the small debt cleared and bike purchase, I will still have some money over. So again, very happy with the winning bid.

The Saturday evening was completed with me and my girlfriend consuming a tub of Ben & Jerrys Cookie Dough ice cream whilst watching the film, 'I'm Not There' - This weeks film choice was hers, so expect the review from her later this week.

Sunday started off with massive excitement from me and my girlfriend, as it is now only 7 days until we head off to New York for a few nights. We can't wait for this, as we booked this back in November 2011.

I'm still looking into ideas we can do whilst out there, please help if you have any suggestions.

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