The new old me.

Don't ask how, but I woke up this morning with a smile on my face. And that smile hasn't gone anywhere.

I admit I could just still be drunk, judging the state I was in last night. (Apologies to my mackem friends who in the early hours of the morning received a call of me singing geordie boot boys.) However, this being said, I seem to be seeing the world through rose tinted glasses today. I don't know wether I'll wake up tomorrow and be my old miserable self, but I really hope not, because  TODAY, I am happy.

And why shouldn't I be? I live in a nice house, I have a loving family, good friends, a decent way of making money, and last but certainly not least, the most amazing little boy on the planet.

I just realised, I'm 21 years old living in one of my favourite places on earth (Not Willington, let's go with Durham) and I have it pretty good. So, for now, I feel like I'm the old Stephen again, looking at everything and seeing an opportunity, not a threat. Like I said, it's early days so I don't know if this is here to stay or will be gone tomorrow. But today is going to be a good day, I can feel it.

To all of my friends and family who supported me through thick and thin, thank you, and I love you all.

And Isaac, I love you more than anything on this earth, and I will spend my time on this earth trying to make you understand that. <3

Bye for now folks.

Gan Canny.

Stevie C luvin lyf 2k12 innit.

The wall.

There comes a time in every mans life, where he hits a wall. A wall which is such a challenge to climb, that it defines his entire being. Today, I hit that wall.

This, is my story. But in order for it to be successfully told, I feel the following music must be played while you are reading.

Yesterday I was practicing with my new(er) band Lost In Paradise (www.facebook.com/LostInParadiseUK) and today when we woke up we felt the best course of action would be to head to Durham for some food, having not eaten since the gargantuan McDonalds the night before. We didn't know it yet, but this was to be a huge mistake.

Think you could tackle this? Think again.

Every monday, the Slug and Lettuce in Durham city centre offers 50% off all food, so this was to be our destination. On a normal day, we would each order a steak and be happy, but today was to be no normal day. We each ordered a steak as usual, but we added two ultimate platters, which anyone familiar with the Slug and Lettuce's menu will understand to be of mammoth proportions. The food came and all was perfect, we felt confident, we felt strong, we felt legendary. If only we knew what we had gotten ourselves into.

Defeat. Painful defeat.

As you can see, there was a pretty large amount of food, however, we underestimated just how much.
It started well, we ate, we laughed, we ate some more. The first 3 quarters of the food was no challenge (for all but Joe, who is a pathetic excuse of a man) and we were almost certain we would be able to leave with our heads held high, employees and customers cheering and screaming our names, but it was not to be. We first started to doubt ourselves when we hit the 3 quarter mark, and it only got worse from there. To the left you can see the remnants of our challenge

One ring to rule them all.

In the end for me, it came down to one onion ring (right), taunting me and taunting me. No matter how much I tried to build up the courage to do so, I could not defeat it. It was proved a worthy opponent, and today, it has defeated me, and will enjoy its victory. But this is not over. Not by a long shot.

For shame.

After I left, I held on to only one slight consolation, at least I wasn't reduced to a smilar state as this broken shell of a man. Joe (left) was defeated by pretty much everything, and afterwards looked not only ill, but terminally so. Still, nothing a pint couldn't fix.

I end this tale with a lesson, though you may leave a battle bruised and tired, and in this case a fair bit heavier, never be afraid to return to a challenge. Just because something is challenging, it doesn't mean it isn't worth attempting, it just means it will feel a hell of a lot better when you finally succeed. And god help me, I will succeed.  Oh yes, I will succeed.


Until next time lads and lasses, gan canny!

(A battle scarred) Stephen

x

FREE! (Until september)

Well hello again.

I'm sorry I haven't been posting much, I've been frantically working to finish this year of uni. Finally handed everything in yesterday, which was a HUGE weight off my shoulders.

So yes ladies and gents I am a free man until september! This means I can finally start focussing on Work In Progress, quite ironically really considering my work is now finished. I thought I would post the track listing up here and give a bit of an update on what's going on. The tracks on the album will be;

1. Heart Attack
2. September
3. City Life
4. Dreamer
5. 88mph

I understand this will mean absolutely NOTHING to the vast majority of you, but I think these are the 5 songs I am most happy with. Well, with the exception of Heart Attack, which may get replaced at some point. It's one of those songs you write, and are really excited about, until you listen to it back a few days later and you wonder what in gods name you were smoking to write such an abomination. Okay, I'm not that unhappy with it, but I will definitely be changing it quite a bit before I put the CD out there.

Now, about that update, All of the tracks (with the exception of the new version of Heart Attack) have been recorded and are sounding okay. BUT, I have come into some new recording equipment from my birthday so I'm considering recording a lot of it again, the sound quality will be a LOT better, and those of you know me know that I am a perfectionist with my music. Some of the songs will probably just be remastered as opposed to rerecorded, so it shouldn't take too long at all.

Once I've done all of this, and I am happy with it, it will be going up on iTunes, and everything like that. I'll also be printing a few copies to sell at my gigs. Then i'll give it a few months before I start recording a full album (you heard it here first). I'll be pulling in a band and writing some new songs, in addition to a few from Work in Progress which will be rearranged.

As always I'll keep you all up to date with what's happening, so keep your eyes peeled!

Gan canny lads and lasses!

Stephen

x