The Kooks at The Manchester Academy 21/4/17

Hey,

Again it feels like I haven't written in absolutely ages! Hope you're all ok and well?
These past couple of weeks have been a lovely break,  amongst A Level revision, I've laughed with friends, scoffed ice cream and milkshakes, explored the Chilterns and a few days ago went to a Kooks gig, on the second night of their latest tour. It's stories like these I write down, not just to enjoy writing, but to make sure I remember what actually happened when my brain one day turns to mush (more so than it is now).
Because sitting on my bed revising on that Friday, I wasn't even aware that The Kooks were still playing in Manchester, never mind that I'd get to go to the gig and meet them?! (dead surreal), so I thought for my sake, as much as for the sake of an amazing anecdote, I'll relay it. Before hand I really want to thank Louise Leacy and Sophie Graham again for letting me come with you!! <3

Well, like I say my day was pretty standard, sitting on my bed trying to do practise media questions and hoping to God I'm grasping what I'm meant to, I had a message from a friend who used to live in my street, but now has moved to Singapore. She explained that she'd seen that I blog and like music and her sister was planning to see The Kooks that night and had a spare ticket if I wanted to go. Sophie, had got tickets through being a photographer, but at the last minute her friend couldn't attend and it seemed a shame to waste a ticket to a sold out gig. I didn't even have to think about it, I love working, but between staying at home contemplating how much digital marketing effected film or go and see The Kooks, it was a no brainer. The catch was I had to work out whether it would be possible to get there in time and could I get back?? I couldn't get a lift and with one parent working and so I quickly ran to my Dad (and being the absolute legend that he is) asked if I felt well enough to go (thank goodness I did) and then proceeded to check the train times. We found that if I was to go to Manchester, I would have to catch the train that was arriving in 15 minutes to get there on time. I'd never met Sophie before and with Louise being so far away I swapped numbers to contact her at the station, chucked a charger in my bag (not very rock-n-roll when I'm on 20%), water (as a POTSY like me canna' be fainting mate) and left the house to get to the station in five (thank God for close proximity to a station). It was only at Stoke station when I had time to contemplate what was happening, that I began to get excited, I always want to go to gigs, but having friends with different music tastes/ who work/ having a condition which is so variable meaning  if I do book I'm often too ill to go, I don't get the chance. Now here I am getting a free ticket going to meet someone I'd never met? It was brilliant and mental all at the same time. The train to Piccadily was as quick as it always is, but even then it was eventful, the air conditioning unit must've broke and the conductor quickly came to everyone's aid with free bottles of water. I was now sweaty and felt completely underdressed for a gig (not even having time to brush my hair or put make up on), but it felt like an adventure. Having the Irish guys behind me having a full on debate made time go quicker anyway to be honest.

As we pulled into Piccadily I knew I had to get another train to Oxford Road Station in order to be closer to the venue, but I had no idea when it was due, how frequently it ran or which platform to get it from. But I don't know, I never worry about these things too much, there's always time boards or someone to ask. And ask I did, even in a very rushed way, after nipping to Boots to grab tea to eat on the way (can't beat a meal deal can ya?). When I say ask, amongst gasping breathes, blurting "which train do I get to Oxford Street Station?"
"You mean Oxford Road?"
"That's the one".

After the kindly and probably mildly annoyed guard showed me that I'm to go up the travellator and make a sharp right, I suddenly and quickly looked around and realised how pretty everything seemed at this dusky time in the city, and how my rushing was just one in thousands of stories that must go on under the canopy of the station. My deepness only lasted a second, before I knew it I was on the very packed train to Oxford Road, where I remembered to let Sophie know I would be there in a few minutes. She told me she had a green jacket and backpack and was sitting beneath the large departures board. I rushed to where the 'Way out' sign directed me and soon I saw a girl that had a green backpack and jacket.

"Is it Sophie?"
"Yes hi!!"

Well thank goodness I got the right person I thought, that could've been dead awkward..

After chatting and realising we had very similar interests and that Soph studies TV and Radio as her degree, blogs and does band photography, I knew I'd done the right thing in coming and that it was going to be a good night. After going to Starbucks to break some of the time up (doors didn't open until seven) we discussed lots about how competitive the media industry can be but how cool it is too.  Sophie had managed to get tickets through a company who wanted photos of the band and she explained how even though she hadn't been doing this kind of photography very long, Judas and Catfish and The Bottlemen were amongst the band's she'd already photographed. I felt a little bit like I was in the presence of someone famous then as I realised Sophie will do really well. She explained how she'd studied something completely different at A Level, before realising her love for media and that all the blogging and photography stuff, she'd fallen into on her own. And tonight she was photographing The Kooks, I was really aware I didn't want to make her late, but she assured me we'd got time. After downing our lattes we walked towards The Academy, a small venue for bands in Manchester, but a popular one.
Having Cerebral Palsy and POTS means my legs get tired and my heart beats fast so I struggle to walk far, so we stopped and sat down on route and Sophie kindly said she didn't mind at all, so I quickly ate the tea that I'd almost forgotten about. We stayed chilling for about fifteen minutes before heading to the Box office, where Sophie had been informed that there would be a photography pass waiting. This pass enables her to take her camera in the venue as a legitimate photographer, without it she wouldn't be allowed in with her camera.  However, after checking for Sophie's name it became clear that the lady didn't seem to have a record for Soph needing a pass, she informed us we'd have to ring the company. After providing email evidence as well as the stamped envelope from the company who sent the tickets, the lady behind the desk was adamant that we needed to contact the company supplying the pass ourselves to provide proof. However we did not have this number and the only number Sophie had was to the office, in which everyone would have now left for the weekend. After clarifying that Sophie's name definitely wasn't on the list, we admitted defeat and went to go through checks to get in (even though we knew we couldn't take the camera), when informed that yes, without a pass, the camera would have to stay - but where? - the Stewards suggested we go to the stage door and get the men there to ring the company for us. We thanked them and walked to a man in a high vis jacket to explain the situation and would there be any way of contacting the company to gain a photography pass, when the most surreal thing to ever happen to me happened.
As we're chatting I see three guys walking towards us, at this point it's just me Sophie and the guard, when I realise the 'three guys' are infact the Kooks?!
In the time it takes for my brain to realise this, Luke has come over to us asking what's wrong, Sophie explains how she's struggling to get a pass but her name is on the list and Luke informs us that it's no worries and they'll sort it.
In the meantime Luke introduces himself and I realise no one will believe this if I don't get a picture, he says of course I can get a picture and when I argue "but I can't take credit I'm just a friend, Sophie's the photographer" he was oh that's alright, no problem. They were honestly so lovely, and it was after the picture I saw that one other couple were with us and wanted a picture and after thanking them very much for their help and wishing them luck, they went to get ready. Shortly after, a man came out informing Sophie that he's sorted her pass, but weirdly her name was on the list after all, the lady at the Box Office must've overlooked it. Every cloud ey?
In amongst all that I think I said the very cool line of "I've never met a famous person before", and it's true, so that's definitely something I can tick off my list now :).
The gig itself was incredible, but sadly cut short due to the fact that the latest train home was the 9.46, at this point I was on cloud nine anyway, so missing a few more songs didn't seem relevant anymore although the ones we saw were incredible and the atmosphere was amazing.
We got a taxi back after the last bars of "seaside" played, and only had a few minutes in the station before saying our goodbyes and getting our trains home.
I've got to say Friday was one of the best and most spontaneous nights of my life so far and I loved every minute, thank you again Louise and Sophie and Soph you'll do fab keep going!!

Molly xxx

Poetry

Tonight I just feel like writing and my Dad said I should put my poems somewhere so I think I'll start posting them on here:

And how does somebody know you
When all you are is a mixture of strings
Yet people stick like toffee apple lotion
When they find they like the same things

Maybe people are all interconnected
Like space men invading space
Not separate but simply waiting
For Things to fall into place

I just literally write about anything- hope you enjoy them! 

Thanks for reading anyway,

Molly 

x

Comparison is the thief of joy

Hello,
Gosh, it feels so long since I last posted!
 I really can't believe it, I hope you're all doing really well.
Today's post is about a quote and subject that really intrigues me, and the title of this post "Comparison is the thief of joy".
Now, I'll hold my hands up and say I didn't know who first coined the term when I started this post, but I will say that they were remarkably clever and unwittingly true. Infact, in quick research I have found that this term was quoted by Theodore Roosevelt. And so, perhaps before going any further it would be relevant to look at how Roosevelt's life shaped the ideals he came to believe and how these manifested into what he was able to achieve. Despite being born a sickly child, with debilitating asthma Roosevelt overcame his difficulties. He was known to have an "exhauberant personality" with a "vast range of interests" and after being home educated he then attended Harvard where he became a historian and popular and gifted writer. He then entered politics, but then took time away after grieving the deaths of his Wife and Mother and ran a cattle ranch in the Dakota's. It is after this he came back east to run unsuccessfully as the Mayor for New York City. He then served as assistant secretary of the Navy, resigning after one year to serve in the First U.S volunteer cavalry regiment, where he gained national fame for courage during the Spanish-American war. Roosevelt was then elected as Governor of New York, thereafter, after much further hard work in politics Roosevelt succeeded to the office at age 42, becoming the youngest American President in history. In 1906 he won the Nobel peace prize for his successful efforts to end the Russo-Japanese war.
After leaving office, Roosevelt travelled but then came back to America, disenchanted with new regimes. It is in this frustration at home that led to him then lead a two year expedition to the Amazon-Basin where he and his team explored the "River of doubt" unearthing "many new animals and insect specimens" as it had only previously been explored by the indigenous people of the area.
Although planning to run for President again in 1920, Roosevelt suffered deteriorating health and died in 1919. He is consistently ranked as one of 'The greatest American Presidents' by scholars far and wide and his face is carved into Mount Rushmore alongside George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln.

What is so incredible when admiring the life of a man that seems so fully lived, is that it wasn't without its setbacks. He had already tried to run for Mayor of New York unsuccessfully before becoming Governor. He worked vigorously in politics for years before he came into office. All inspite of health difficulties, loss of family and various things that went right or went wrong. Roosevelt didn't let any of this deter him, he believed he could make a change and make a difference and so he worked hard to ensure he could make as much of an impact as he could. Like anyone, inevitably there must have been times during the periods when things weren't working out, that he stopped and looked around and saw associates, friends and colleagues excelling. Although happy for their achievements, it is in these times that in order to overcome the stalemate, he didn't dwell on what he felt he'd lost, he only aspired to move forward. He understood that comparison didn't in fact help anyone or anything, only save the time when using it to be a benchmark for where he wanted to be. I feel this is so relevant.
There are times when I get angry that I'm a lot tireder than I used to be, that I can't do things as quickly, efficiently as others, yet I have to stop and think how can I compare myself to others if they do not have the same health problems? It is just like the Einstein quote "If you judge a fish by it's ability to climb a tree, it will go it's whole life believing it's stupid". Maybe instead of looking at what others can do that you cannot, you waste the time you could be using emphasising on how to make the skills you have got even better. Maybe in illness, instead of being angry for even a loss of physical ability in yourself, be grateful for the things you haven't lost and remember them.
Roosevelt was right, do not compare, be happy for all you can do because tomorrow you may even be able to do more than you thought.

Molly

Footnote- Research on Theodore Roosevelt gathered mainly from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Roosevelt