Day 16 - A Picture of Myself

Well, this seems easy enough =]

Day 15 - Put Your iPod on Shuffle and List the First 10 Songs

For the record - don't judge me on what music pops up, I have my guilty pleasures and this is probably not the best thing for me to do!

Line & Sinker - Billy Talent

Face The Strange - Good Charlotte

Strings - Blink 182

Let The Flames Begin - Paramore

Road To No Where - Bullet For My Valentine

It's My Life - Bon Jovi

Obvious - Blink 182

Livin' So Devine - Framing Hanley

American Idiot - Green Day

He Wasn't - Avril Lavigne

Wow...Not too shabby =]

Peace x

Day 14 - A Picture of You and Your Family

I don't actually have one of us all together...That's pretty bad! But here is my family in stages =]

Me & My Mam =]

Me, Dad & Helen - And Wilbert, Helen's boyf =]

Grandparents & Uncle =]

Of course there is Spikey Mikey too (Y)

Day 13 - A Letter To Someone Who Has Hurt You Recently.

A chance to fuck over the people who have upset me...on the internet?! Although tempting, I'm bitch enough to real people, so I'll leave the cyber bitching for another day...

However, something I would like to say. I'm very sick of getting my hopes up and being let down...Without this turning into a full blown 'obvious' rant. I was hurt once before and it's not long since I stopped feeling hate for this person...Now I've let go and don't even care. But then I started feeling something for someone else, and now, I'm going to stop. I'm not being there just when someone wants me to be, maybe I gave them the wrong idea - but I'm worth more than what I felt over those few weeks.

Shit init... Wish things were different, but it isn't even my choice - I'll never let go of the perfect idea, but I know it won't happen.

x

Day 12 - How I Found Out About Blogger & Why I Made a Blog.

Well, I found out about Blogger because In my first year of Journalism we had to make a blog for assessment. I ended up using Tumblr because I liked this one better for my 'personal' blog rather than my uni one.

I made one, of course for the purposes of the assignment, but also, because I wanted somewhere to write. Somewhere to vent my stress and write what I'm thinking...I love my blog =]

Day 11 - Another Picture of You and Mates.

Skeg last April...

And this is a photo from a legendary night last Christmas...

Skeg girls - 5 are my awesome current flatmates, and the other 2 are some other cool people =]

Day 10 - Songs

So, now I have to list songs I listen to when I'm happy, sad, bored, hyped and mad...

Well, when I'm happy I'll listen to anything upbeat...But probably some Billy Talent so I can have a good sing-along...River Below, Lies and Standing in the Rain...And You Me At Six on repeat =D

When I'm sad...Usual stick a bit of Evanescence on...Or just sad songs by my general favourite artists...Hear Me Now and 23 Days by Framing Hanley...White Sparrows by Billy Talent. Maybe Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls but that's a sad song for a whole different reason.

When I'm bored... At the minute I'd probably bang on some Good Charlotte, because it does entertain me, and I'm going to see them in Feb with Framing Hanley and Four Year Strong.

When I'm hyped...If it's not some A Day To Remember, System of a Down or You Me At Six...Then probably a bit of classic dance music, anything bouncy that requires a bob or a mosh along.

And when I'm mad...I'm not too sure... If I'm really mad I'd probably listen to any of the above to draw me out of the bad mood. I'm a bad sulker, if I'm mad I'll sulk in silence until someone cheers me up.

peace x

Day 9 - Something That Has Made Me Proud in the Last Few Days

I don't know about the last few days. I've not done anything to make myself proud.

I guess in general I'm proud of who I am. If we refer back to my day 7 post in which I talked about the bullying I went through growing up, I'm proud I fought through it. Stayed strong, didn't give in and became who I am today. Dealing with that kind of treatment growing up changes anybody, but, as I mentioned, I changed who I was for people that didn't matter - which in turn has made me, possibly more stubborn. Whether that's a good or bad thing I don't know.

I guess what I'm trying to say is I take more time to think about the people that matter, and if people don't matter to me then I don't give them the time of day. I wasted time when I was younger pleasing everyone, but now I focus on the people I care about, my family and friends. I know what makes a real friend now and I try to reflect that in the way I treat mine.

Peace =]

Day 8 - Short Term Goals & Why

Let's see, short term - so I'm guessing the next couple of years.

1. Stick in with uni and get a 2:1 in my degree

2. Get on to a Masters course to improve my chances of getting a job

3. Pass my driving test

4. Get a job - preferably within the scriptwriting industry

I guess that's pretty much my big ones. All fairly self explanatory - be successful and begin my adult life securely - preferably with an income and some independence.

Short and sweet =]

Day 7 - Picture of Someone/Something That's Had a Big Impact on Me

Apologies for missing the weekend - funny how things are forgotten when you go home =/

So, a picture of someone or something that's had a big impact on me...Not really sure to be honest. A lot of things that have happened in my lifetime have had an impact on me, so I'm probably going to go with the biggest one I can think of.

Bullying. This is also the first time I've really openly talked about it, never mind broadcast it on the internet. Growing up I was never overly popular, but I got by, had my group of friends through primary school in Myddle and so on. Everything was fine, then we moved to Wales. What a fucking mistake. I've blocked out most of my memories of the three years we lived there, because it was hell. I went to two different primary schools in the space of a year, bullied for the common reasons, appearance and so on.

But then there was the extra twist, I was English, and everyone else was Welsh. So the evil little school children had another reason to make me feel more inadequate each day. Name calling turned into physical bullying in the playground, even in the classroom, which the teacher - who was also the head master, conveniently didn't notice. Only the NQT who helped out once or twice a week noticed, and informed my parents.

By then I was miserable, bruises covered my back, I'd spent all my break times and lunches in the changing rooms crying, avoiding the other kids so maybe I'd make it through the day without any embarrassment. The day my parents came in to see the NQT was the same day the head claimed non of his lovely students would treat another like that, it was also the day my sister told the big fat vicar that he wasn't God - and the day I was taken out of that school and enrolled in another.

Everything was fine for the rest of my primary education. Then I had to attend secondary school, with the same wankers who'd made me life hell just months before. Now, granted it wasn't as frequent as the bullying before. But it was worse, it was teenage bullying, the nasty, sly, spiteful kind. Being isolated on the bus, having people pretend to be my friends, just to go back to theirs and tell them things I'd said or done, also to get my mobile number, so they could ring me and shout abuse out of school hours. Then, my parents said we were moving to Chesterfield - Thank fuck.

Not to say that this didn't present its problems too, as I was a year 8 coming into a new school. At that time I was alternative, I wore baggy jeans with chains, had a skateboard and never wore make-up. So I got bullied in Hasland for a few months, until I settled and found some half decent people, then everything was okay. But one thing I will never forget is that because of the insecure, inbred wankers that made fun of the way I dressed, I stopped. I dressed like everyone else and that is probably one of my lowest points - because I conformed for someone like that.

Now, life story over. This had a big impact on me because it was the worst time of my life. But unlike so many others, I'm still here to tell the story. I came out of that time stronger, and I'm the person I am today because of that. The most amusing thing? The Welsh girls that made my life miserable have since tried adding me on facebook. Hilarious isn't it? One even sent me a message saying "Oh my God Lauren I can't believe it's you. You look so different now, you're really pretty." Sickening isn't it.

Yeah I have changed, and I've developed a decent punch as well - they better hope I don't run into them one day. I don't forget.

Day 6 - Favourite Superhero and Why.

Well, I'm not a HUGE fan of comic books and superheroes, but I know a few of them. I don't really have a favourite, as I'm not a devoted fan. However, if I had to pick, I would probably pick Batman. And I don't know why, maybe because it's set in GOTHam city... Maybe because it's all a bit dark and sketchy...And the Joker is pretty cool too =]

So yeah, not a great reason why - but it's answered the question =]

Day 5 - A Picture of Somewhere I've Been

Unfortunately I don't have any pictures on this laptop or my facebook of the cool places I've been! So here's one from the internet, but I promise, I really have been there...
Photo: Laura Padgett

Helen, my sister, took me for my 18th birthday. Three days in Rome - it was beautiful! Something I will never forget. And to top this she is taking me to New York this Christmas for my 21st - It is safe to say I really do have the best sister ever, and I am a very, VERY lucky girl =]

Day 4 - A Habit I Wish I Didn't Have

There are the obvious ones, but they are also the common ones...I wish I didn't bite my nails, wish I didn't smoke and so on. So in the interests of not being boring, I'm going to take this question a little deeper. And interpret it to be a characteristic I wish I didn't have...

I over-think. Who knew that thinking too much could be bad for you? I over-think situations I am in, situations I want to be in and ones that haven't even happened. Alongside ones which will never happen but I think about it just in case, so I know what I'd do if it did happen. Now, doesn't really seem like a bad thing, could cast it off as just being prepared, organised, thoughtful. Wrong. I make a conscious effort to wear my heart on my sleeve, and not shy away from true feelings because that only makes things worse in the long run. Therefore, by over-thinking silly situations, reading too far in to peoples behaviour and looking for alternate meanings behind peoples language, I just fuck myself over.

We all know life is complicated, people are complicated. But sometimes things can be just as simple as they seem. I never look at it that way, I'm always waiting for the ulterior motive to come out. I'm not always right, which is why this is a habit I wish I didn't have. But once or twice it has served in my favour.

Peace x

Day 3 - A Photo of Myself & Friends

Well, I don't actually have a photo involving the relevant people. I was tempted to put up a massive group picture, but my facebook is littered with them. So here's a couple of pics with the most important people on.

My beautiful Lincoln girls, flat 37 ...

My beautiful Tayoon & Shanoon - Apart from family, they're the only reason I miss home...

This is not to say anyone not in the above is not as important, people know if they're my friend or not and how awesome they are if they are =]

Day 2 - The Meaning Behind Your Blog's Name

Well, The Faith&Venom part was quite random...I wanted it to be quite dreamy, and both the words make me visualise a fantasy world. It was also the idea of opposing words to illustrate my nature in a way, I guess the idea that I oppose people when they try to change me - as everyone does/should. And that I'm not a stereotype, even if I look like one.

The actual name, Younger Minds Think Alike, was derived from You Me At Six's song Jealous Minds Think Alike. For 2 reasons, because YM@6 are fucking amazing, and I bum them. And also because I think it's a true statement, younger minds DO think alike, it's symbolic of the changing world, and how young minds are growing up in a different society, whereas older minds are stuck in their ways. It's my little way of showing the divide between the old and young generations, and obviously as my blog is filled with ideas, rants and language of a young person it seemed fitting...Hoping that anyone else reading would understand also.

Peace =]

30 Day Challenge - Day 1

Well, I have reached the plateau of boredom, and have noticed a few stories in my newsfeed of 30-day blog challenges, all of which are slightly different but look quite cool. So I have stolen the one either chosen, or maybe invented, by Nikki. Hey, if you're reading this - which you probably will when you start getting stories in your newsfeed that maybe cause an episode or two of deja vu :)

Day 1 - 15 facts about yourself...

1. I have constantly changing hair colour.

2. I get bored very easily - which doesn't do my bank balance any favours.

3. I love rock and alternative music, but have my guilty pleasures like anyone else.

4. I'm a third Geordie, a third Scottish and a third Yorkshire.

5. I support Newcastle United and become male when watching football.

6. I have 4 tattoos, soon to be more - but they will always be somewhere I can conceal them.

7. I have 16 piercings.

8. If someone tries to change me, I fight even harder in the opposite direction.

9. I have size 7 feet, which upsets me greatly.

10. I have a bent toe on my right foot, I was embarrassed but now I embrace it.

11. Pink and black, or purple and black, are my favourite two colours to put together.

12. I've never been on a 'real' date.

13. I've lived in Yorkshire, Shropshire, Wales, Derbyshire, and spent many summers in Newcastle.

14. I love art and poetry.

15. I always wear my heart on my sleeve.

A recent picture of myself...

Student Protests, Good Charlotte & Dreams...

I must open with a little summary of my feelings toward the recent student protests in London. Now, the Tories are c***s, we all know this, doesn't mean I condone such behaviour as throwing fire extinguishers at police. Which, by the way, was badly received by the protesters in the courtyard. Who went on to boo the people that threw it, so just for all those that think all students are crazed cop-killers now - we're not!

At first I was slightly taken aback by the events of 10/11/11, originally thinking that the acts by the anarchists and those who weren't even students would simply make the demonstration a mockery. However, given time to reflect on it and witness the media aftermath, I think it was the best damn thing they could have done. I was originally supposed to be going on the protest, I can't describe how gutted I am I didn't end up going! But, to put it into a short few sentences; The powers in this country have never listened to peaceful protests in the past, and if they have it's been a rare occurrence.

What those in favour of the tuition fee rise aren't understanding is that it's going to cost the best part of £10,000 a year for higher education... That's £30,000 over the standard 3 year course. Add onto that a standard maintenance loan of say, about £4000. £12,000 over 3 years. Not to mention the credit cards and overdrafts students commonly max to simply survive. Over £42,000 worth of debt - and that's supposing they don't continue on to a Masters or another branch of HE. What NORMAL family in this day and age can afford that much money and debt? As always, making the rich, richer and the poor, poorer.

I for one will be behind the students every step of the way, and will be at the next protest! As I'm sure many more are to come! F**k Parliament.

Now, onto a lighter note, as I bop along to some classic Good Charlotte. I must admit, I do love them :). Funnily enough, when I was younger I fancied Joel, like everyone else. But as I've gotten older, more alternative, and found piercings and tattoo's more attractive, I must say - Benji is looking HOT! And this transition has made me feel old! 11/2/11 - Good Charlotte, Framing Hanley (who's sexy lead singer you can see below) and Four Year Strong.

Picture: JadedDelilah

This is going to be an awesome gig, cannot wait - It'll be like I'm a little 13-year old mosher again. Wearing baggy jeans with chains hanging off them, skater tops and carrying around a skateboard even though I could only balance for a few minutes and do an ollie :). Leeds won't know what's hit it when myself, Tay, Sophie & Sophie and Emilie take it down. Roll on February!

Finally, I have been prompted to begin thinking properly about my future. Due to a gay little assignment about CVs and action plans. I've decided I want to be a writer, script & book to be precise. It's been something I've always done and enjoyed, as opposed to crazes that lasted for a few weeks before I grew bored of them. However, in choosing my dream, I've managed to choose one of the most competitive and difficult industries to get in to. Not only is it the ever advancing and growing media industry, it's scriptwriting. And there's never a job advertisement for a script writer. Which goes on to mean that I need to be willing to do freelance for the foreseeable future, which is fine, it's doable. Just means I need to start building up a portfolio NOW, and getting myself into competitions and sending in my scripts producers to start getting an idea of where I stand.

So, in conclusion, ladies and jellyspoons (Got to love a bit of Eddie on a Sunday afternoon). I need to pretty much get my arse into gear, start writing in my free time instead of being a facebook whore or designing tattoos. In general - incase you were wondering - life is okay, not great - because let's face it I'm skint, unemployed and have a billion and one things I should be doing instead of this. But all is well, it is 40 days, 10 hours and 5 minutes until christmas day - as it stands. I get to go to New York in between Christmas and New Year and that's f*****g amazing! And I have a sexy MacBook Pro on which I am typing, ever so lovingly.

Right, I'm off to find a free website to begin the showcasing of my awesome writing skills ;)

Picture: Nick J Webb