Liam Fray acoustic tour, Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth, Wednesday, September 25, 2013

I have seen Manchester band The Courteeners about four or five times at last count since about 2007 when they first came to Portsmouth and Southampton. With these gigs you know what you are going to get, loud and fast guitar heavy songs belted out across the room with the crowd loving every minute.

To say the crowd at a Courteeners gig is full of energy is probably an understatement, they sing, they dance, they shout and chant - mainly 'Li-am, Li-am, Li-am'.

So when I bought me and my boyfriend tickets to see lead singer Liam Fray's acoustic gig I was a little intrigued as to what he was going to play and what it would be like.

Lets just say I was not disappointed, and the crowd still managed to get a chant in.

Playing for about an hour and a half he treated us to a number of Courteeners hits Last of the ladies, Scratch you name upon my heart and Lose control. All of which just sounded perfect, just him, a guitar and a piano guy. 

It is nice to hear songs like Acrylic slowed down and stripped back showcasing the word smith we all know Fray is.

Even though he said he had a sore throat the songs were delivered, to the sometimes silent room, with such quality and class.

The crowd were also a little different this time, less rowdy but still shouting out the song lyrics at the top of their voice, especially to favourites Bide your time  and Please don't, so loud in fact that Liam stepped back to enjoy the moment and let the crowd sing out.

 I can see why with this tour he has chosen to play smaller more intimate venues like the Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth as he can interact with the audience, so much so that someone in the front wanted to talk to him about Manchester to which he said 'You want a one to one conversation but no one else in the room cares'. 

To be honest I think at this gig was the most I have ever heard Liam talk.

He also treated the room to a bit of a Fleet Foxes song which was amazing.

It was an phenomenal gig, laid back and chilled out but still with a slight rock and roll edge. 

Even without the band as support Liam still brings it to the stage and I'll be buying my ticket next time he goes acoustic.

September etc Magazine

Finally September and the new etc is out. We have just put October to press but I thought I would share what I have done this month.

Sussex - http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk//launch.aspx?pbid=cdbd86eb-0ed9-41e5-a590-031651c44a1c

Is a wedding and motor special.
I have a range of interviews but also one with Martha Mitchell a ceramic designer who makes amazing mugs with line drawings, I love the biscuit mug. - http://etcmag.net/a-fine-line/

Hampshire - http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk//launch.aspx?pbid=7ff12f34-a8e7-4615-959d-6cb2dfd41b85

I spoke to Nigel at Hang you Hat a hotel with a difference, I reviewed Becketts in Southsea, amazing food. Southsea Deckchairs also talk about the British classic and lots more. - http://etcmag.net/decked-out/

In Eastbourne - http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk//launch.aspx?pbid=3210216c-6838-4646-8efe-07a62e12c69f

Check out my interview with Pearl & Queenie in Hastings really beautiful jewelry - interview is also online - http://etcmag.net/pearly-queens/

So check them out and I can't wait for you to see October some great interviews coming up.

Meditation in a modern world

Most people on a Friday night are going out for meals or getting ready for a night of clubbing, the other week I went to a meditation class.

My boyfriend and I went along to a class in Chichester called 'putting problems into perspective'.

It was from 6.30pm until 8pm and I'm not going to lie I was very dubious and very nervous. I actually stressed myself out quite a lot just thinking about it, so I really needed it to work.

The talk was held by Gen Kelsang Lekma who explained first what the class was about and also the process. The class was actually quite full which surprised me.

When we started the first meditation block you get relaxed, sit straight hands together, thumbs lightly touching, close your eyes and Gen talks you through it. You breathe out any worries and stresses you have through black smoke and then you breathe in white light - everything positive.

I felt really good afterwards, it is a bit like when you have a massage or beauty treatment and are left in the room, being able to empty your mind and relax it just is a fantastic feeling.

We also did a second mediation but it didn't really work for me, it was about compassion and as good as it was, I came to realise that I am quite compassionate already and didn't really think it opened my mind. 

I have always believed 'everything happens for a reason' as hard as it is at the time it will work out in the end, which helped me during meditation.

When I got home I felt lighter and my mind was so much clearer. I wasn't really a beliver before in mediation but after the other week I can see how once a week or every day it can help you.

We are going again so lets see how good it is second time around but to clear your mind and just de-stress I can't recommend it enough. 

Here's the website http://www.thekchencentre.org/chichester

The 5:2 diet

I have never been one for diets. I hate the thought of not having things, as soon as I know I can't have something to eat my mind instantly starts thinking about it and I want it - no to chocolate, I want a chocolate bar.

Therefore my weight has fluctuated over the years. I lost a lot when I was about 18 but mainly through going out all the time, drinking and not really eating not great to be honest.
As well when you are in a relationship your weight does go a bit, feeling comfortable with your partner or eating the same portions as him again not ideal.

In the past year I have been running and lost quite a bit of chubbiness but feel as my body becomes more used to running my weight-loss has stopped but I still feel as if I have a stone or so to lose. I have started running three times  a week, what with the Great South Run coming up, and I also do piloxing once a week, where you can burn up to 900 calories. But still I need an extra push.

So I stumbled across the 5:2 diet/lifestyle. A type of starvation however two days a week you only eat 500 calories, but the joy of this is that you eat whatever you want the rest of the week, want a chocolate bar? Go ahead. Glass of wine? Sure why not! It is two days of pain but the next day you can eat what you want.

Unless starvation your body doesn't store the fat in a panic but eats at it to break it down.

I have been doing it for about four weeks now, it isn't easy, I do feel hungry and it sometimes feels difficult getting out of a habit of eating three meals a day, or eating at designated time hungry or not.

It is getting easier but it is amazing how many calories things have in them. I tend to eat two meals a day deepening on my day on piloxing days I don't get back until 9 and don't fancy dinner so have breakfast and a big lunch, but most days I do breakfast and dinner and go for a walk at lunch.

You can have black tea or coffee, or herbal teas and water which don't count on your calorie intake.

But since coming back from Jamaica (6 weeks) I have lost 10 pounds, which probably isn't too surprising as I ate so much but I like to think that 5:2 is aiding this and really is isn't so bad.

I will keep you updated with my progress but top tip dried egg noodles from M&S only 80 calories!! Perfect.