Much needed update.

So, I fail at life...having not updated my dear blog in what seems like an AGE. I did start to write a Sonisphere review but then got waylaid and now it seems vaguely irrelevant. I'll just cover that one with the guarantee that it really was one the best weekends of my life. One of the smelliest and most sleep-deprived, yes...but all that pain was well worth it.

In the time I have been away from my blog, I have also been abroad - to the Dominican Republic no less. When I've finally got my butt into gear and uploaded the holiday snaps, I might blog about my wonderful Carribean holiday in more detail. Yes, I do need photos for that. ;)

So now I suppose we're back in the present. I spent this past weekend in Nottingham, staying in the house that will soon be my home for the coming year. It was tons of fun and makes me so excited to move in properly in a couple of weeks. Somehow, without my even realising it, I feel like I've started to grow up. Soon I'll actually be required to look after myself...cooking, cleaning etc etc. But, that thought doesn't fill me with the amount of dread that I expected. Lord help me, I'm becoming something close to a mature adult. Whatever next?!

Please note the 'something close'. Yesterday I did something equally out of character, but not quite so sensible and mature, blowing quite a bit of money doing some internet shopping. Along with some My Passion and Dead By April tickets, I purchased the following:





I know, I'm far too cool.

Adios! x

Soni!

So, this is where I'm heading off to in less than an hour...



YES, MATE.

Amy, Sweet Amy.

I'm yet to do a name post on my blog, which seems odd as they are such a (rather bizarre) passion of mine. Still, there's a first time for everything, and I think I can say that this is the first time for a name to take centre stage on here. Non-name lovers, please bear with me.

From behindthename.com :
AMY

Gender: Feminine

Usage: English

Pronounced: AY-mee
English form of the Old French name Amée meaning "beloved" (modern French aimée), a vernacular form of the Latin Amata. As an English name, it was in use in the Middle Ages (though not common) and was revived in the 19th century.


Sweet sound, lovely meaning, fair usage, no obvious teasing potential...this seems like the perfect name choice. It is not so popular these days, but it IS heard of, which makes it an excellent option for any parent to be (unless, you know, they have some terrible personal association with the name). Yes, lovely. Hence it's position on my main list of favourite names. But why only my main list, I hear you ask? Well, it's me isn't it? I like things interesting, just that little bit more unusual, and whilst Amy is utterly charming, it lacks that spark; I can't see it wowing people so much, I doubt anyone would think twice about meeting someone named Amy.

It would seem then, that fair Amy needs a little spicing up. Parents could always go for the more elaborate French version (Aimée) but I find that just a little too fussy. I mean, don't get me wrong, it is beautiful. BUT, if a little bit more spark and interest is what you're looking for, this barely fits the bill. It's pretty much the same name, just with some more letters and an accent thrown in. Charming, but not altogether different when spoken. From my experience, I think there are two ways in which Amy can become just that little bit more interesting: NICKNAME and MIDDLE NAME.

Nickname
I have heard a couple of Amy's say that they see nothing wrong with their name, as such, but have always wished it were longer, or a nickname for something longer. So, what names could Amy be a nickname for? This is what I've come up with (of course, some are more usable than others):

Amalia
Amabel
Amadea
Amelia
Amélie
Amethyst
Amia
Amira
Amity
Araminta


Middle Name
I think Amy is so unexpected as a middle name choice that it instantly becomes fresh and new again. It can sweeten a more heavy first name, or tone down a more elaborate first name. Here's some combos I've come up with:

Beatrix Amy
Constance Amy
Delphine Amy
Genevieve Amy
Rosamund Amy
Temperance Amy
Vivienne Amy
Winifred Amy


So there we have it, my first "Name In The Spotlight" if you will. Probably a bit more detailed than any further name mentions will be, but the name Amy was just being discussed on the forum I visit, and it led to some interesting thoughts on my part. :)

Honeymoon At Hogwarts

There were many good postsecrets this week, but this is the one I'm focussing on because I think it's cute and fun, but also holds some truth about humanity. Yes, you read that correctly, I'm going to get something really deep and meaningful out of one person's love of Harry Potter, a fictional boy wizard.
I think that's the point, to be honest, that it's fictional. Every once in a while, we all need an escape from our real lives, and what better way to escape than delve into a fantasy realm and read about someone else's life in a far off world for a while? I think that's why I love reading so much...open a book and you're suddenly transported into another time or place entirely, following the lives of some made up person/animal/being for a while. I think that it's important to have that escape, that chance to relax and rewind, to live your dreams in your head for a bit, or worry about your favourite characters problems for a change, instead of your own. Experience one 12 year old's battle against pure evil and you suddenly realise that your own problems aren't all that bad.

***

In other news, how freaking awesome is this T-shirt?



It's only made better by the fact that proceeds go to Matthew's medical bill fund. I know what I'm buying as soon as I have money! CLICK HERE to grab one for yourself. :)

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Finally, I am currently listening to Avenged's new album, Nightmare. In all honesty, I'm not overly impressed with it so far, but it could grow on me. You can definitely hear the raw emotion and pain that each of the remaining band members must be feeling at this time, I'll give them that.

Dead By Passion

I just found out that Dead By April are playing with My Passion on their October tour.

HAVE TO GO.

That is all. x

Glasses, Beards and Mermaid Tails.

So once again I've been browsing post secret. This one got me thinking because I often find that I, too, hide behind my glasses (but not so much my beard...).




And this one just made me smile. :)




I hope you're smiling too.

A little rant.

Having been brought up in an environment where those with disabilities are seen as complete equals, it never ceases to amaze me how cruel and heartless some people can be on the subject of disability, especially in the case of children. Today, I was told of one particular instance that really had me fuming. A grown woman, a MOTHER in fact, actually had the audacity to request that one mother leave with her disabled son as he was "scaring her daughter". Now, I'm sorry...WHAT?! How on earth is this mature, adult behaviour? What sort of twisted message is this sending to her daughter? Surely she should be teaching her not to be afraid, teaching her that we should treat every person in this world with love and respect. And if she had a problem, I'm of the opinion she should have got up and left herself!

Amidst my outrage at this completely inappropriate behaviour, though, I also have questions. Are the people who say things such as this cruel? Or are they merely uneducated? Are all these negative attitudes towards disability stemming from the fact that these people genuinelly just do not understand? Is it possible that, if they had been taught from the word go not to be so wary of disability, they would actually be much more accepting of it? Perhaps this particular mother was not asking the other to leave in a malicious way, rather she did not know how to deal with a situation involving a special needs child.

So now I wonder...what can we do? It seems to me that so many people in this world, so many otherwise lovely, kind people, are harbouring fears and anxieties about those who may have differing needs to their own, those who have disabilities. And these fears and anxieties, I believe, stem from a lack of education, a lack of experience. It scares and saddens me that such people will then undoubtedly pass on similar ignorant beliefs to their own offspring, and the cycle will continue. How can we stop this? How can we get through to people that disability is not something to fear, that those with special needs should not be alienated, that they're not all that different from anyone else?

I don't know what point this blog post had. I suppose it was just a rant on my part, a chance for me to express my utter outrage at how so so many still think it is ok to treat others like crap. It's time it ended. It's cruel, it's heartless and it's ignorant. It deeply upsets me, too, that it is so easily avoidable. If people would just open their minds, open their hearts, I think this world would be a much better place. We need to speak up. But I'm not sure that's enough. We need action. We need to ACT, we need to PRACTICE WHAT WE PREACH. For me it's just natural to treat all people with care, respect, love and equality. I barely bat an eye because I am so used to my home being filled with kids, some disabled some not. I view them all as just that, kids. And they're awesome. It's time for action. And it's time for those who don't know, those who are still harbouring these ancient and outrageous fears, to stand up and be willing to learn.

Barnardo's.

^^Click it.

<3