8 Jan 2012

Beat Magnets

To start the backlog of blogs from 2011, I'm going to start with one of the most recent events, (that also happens to be the easiest to find images for)

The new band 'Beat Magnets'

We formed a towards the end of the year after much frustration at not being musicians anymore (we'll at least on the part of myself, Duffield and G) we found a new Bassist (Pearce also known as P'sneer) and Drummer (Smithy, also known as James Smith) and a place to practice and we were set, we have our first gig coming up (28th of November at East West bar Reading if you are around) and I for one am very excited, feels like forever since I've performed with a band, and its one of my favorite feelings.

As ever we had trouble coming up with a name for the band and eventually settled on beat magnets after deciding that the best formula for a band name was:

A one syllable word, followed by a 2 syllable word

Having decided this we just threw together names that followed this rule until we hit on one that we unanimously thought was... "Ok, I guess" 

"ok... I guess"
The band builds on the (somewhat shaky) foundations of 'Ricky and the Pigeons' and 'Battery Powered' with the aim of a fuller rockier sound, we have decided to forgo labelling our music with a genre, other than 'rock' because its an easier way of saying "we play music with guitars and it is loud and might make you want to dance a bit"

...and thats pretty much it, the new band 

Us, complete with harsh lighting and logo

...wade



Still in the game

Hello Blog Readers!

This is my 3rd attempt at writing this blog today after discovering it whilst trawling through my various online profiles. It's my 3rd attempt because on 2 occasions blogger decided I didn't really want the 2 or 3 pages of text I had written and simply deleted them instead of publishing them like I asked.

Anyway despite this I am once again writing to this blog as I realised I havent done so for a whole year, and when I looked back at 2009 and 2010s posts it saddened me a little to think that I would have to rely on my 'fuzzy at best' memory to remember the events of 2011.

Aside from the massive amounts of newsworthy stuff that happened in 2011, (if you want to read about that stuff you are in the wrong place this is a highly introverted and narcissistic about Me!) it was a full and action packed year, so much so that I can hardly believe I didn't blog about it.

For example in 2011:

1. I finished my first year of university (apparently we dont get a grade, but I passed, so... yay)
2. Whilst celebrating point one with my course mates I drank so much I nearly died and lost my drivers licence, which I am still yet to replace
3. I moved out of my student flat, and into a normal flat, in reading with Karys, where I am responsible for paying for everything (...yay)
4. I started/joined a new band 'Beat Magnets' with Duffield and G from 'Ricky and the Pigeons' and new friends Pearce and Smithy (who play Bass and Drums respectively)
5. I began applying for internships and placements at graphic design firms.

Its point number 5 that brought me here and to writing this blog, as a graphics student applying for internships much of what potential employers think of you is done before they meet you, and may even dictate if they want to meet you at all. So with this in mind I have been going through my online presence making sure I am available anywhere a potential employer is going to look, and that I don't look like a fool when they get there.

Currently my online arsenal consists of
- A professional and personal Tumblr
- A professional and personal Twitter
- A professional and personal Blog
- A professional website
- A linkedin profile (which is like job facebook)
- An Online portfolio

I keep track of most of this through my iPod or Phone (I want to get an iPhone as I find the iOS interface much easier and quicker to use, have to save up my pennies) and on top of this I also help manage the band's online presence as well.

My new years resolution this year is to:
- Tweet as a graphic designer twice (at least) every day I am in Uni
- Blog as a graphic designer once a week (at least)
and
- Keep on top of my personal blogs and twitters and things, I want to update this blog for instance about  once or twice a week with what I'm doing so it doesn't slip into obscurity like last year.

 until next time

...wade


1 Jan 2011

Christmas Presents

As Promised here is a blog about, the stuff I got for Christmas, because without Jesus (and that's the way I like my Christmas) it's pretty much all about the presents. (and togetherness, family, love, giving etc)


1st up, Books! I got a selection of books, including a book of toilet humour "laugh on the loo" which is definitely NOT from Karys' Mother (....riiight) 




Next up, Life Aquatic and Watchmen on DVD, no need for further explanation, these are awesome.




Jagermeister and a Guitar Tuner, I quite like how they sorta match.




Headphones (super bitching rero panasonic ones) A fish eye lomography Camera (also bitching) Character Napkins and a set of Vintage 1989 Batman bedsheets (cos I'm a big kid)




LOUNGE PANTS



Chrome Deer Head, for hanging hats on.


So there you go a selection of things I got for Christmas, I also got a Lumix camera with a big ol' leica lens, which I used to take these pictures, I'm sure with better light and framing the other pictures I take with it will be much better :P

...Wade