Best places ever.

Wroclaw.
I hope Poland does well tonight!

Is being naïve the only way of seeming sane?

“Well, free time will most likely be the time when you'll be desperately trying to escape reality.”

The idea of destination always seemed strangely comforting to me. Perhaps, the Christian upbringing have had some impact on it. Either way the belief that your entire existence is pre-written, just like a film scenario (hopefully an American high-school chick flick or a pre-1914 romance drama) is tranquil at the very least. But as per usual, with the comfort there goes the naïvety.

As important as we might feel after being told how beautiful and unique we are, the reality just proves you otherwise. Stronger and more directly every single time. Unnecessary and accidental – that's how most of us feel a lot of the time. There are almost 7 billions human being on the Earth alone. The only difference between us is the height, weight and colour. Nothing really remarkable. We all have similar needs and all have our hopes. And the planet Earth is just a dust-like part of the Milky Way, which is just a miniature fraction of the known universe.

Now, leaving the science trivia behind, (I am not even going to try to explain, or understand the concept of alternative universes into it – that on the other hand makes us into God-like creatures) I want to focus on the part about an accident. Life is just a series of events and incidents that can be an opportunity to fail or succeed. How many babies do you know of who were actually planned? The fact that most of us came to be is a mere accident. So where do you really get the motivation to seize every opportunity and take a risk when really you don't know if it's worth it? Maybe life is only what we put into it? I'm not sure. So far I am anything but satisfied. Lately I have realized that my efforts are not changing a thing. Therefore I have only myself to blame if I will end up a a beggar, seeing as my youth was too consumed with wasting time.

I am seventeen. I've never been more disappointed. There are two possible explanation that I want to consider:

a) most people that I know (or know of) genuinely do not give a shit and they have all they need for now, or at least that what it seems like. On the contrary, the ones that try the hardest keep just getting nowhere near the desired outcome. Personally, I'm stuck somewhere in-between. Maybe, the fact that I'm actually writing the entire thing down on paper using a fancy Parker pen before posting it here, with Guns n'Roses in the background, wearing just a leopard print nightgown says something. I am not a one to judge.

But I am digressing here. Reason “b” as aforementioned is something that my lovely friend accidentally (there we go again) said today.

Let's re-literate his exact words into something more poetical. “Once you get a taste of something better, the old will never be enough.” And I am not talking about eating free-range eggs for a few months and they getting back to Tesco-own. Without going into too much detail, it sums up the emotional withdrawal caused by departing from beloved friends and family and not living the life to the fullest at all. This time last summer I was probably stoned out of my skull or consuming enough to lead to a serious intoxication. I was also on a verge of a mental breakdown and giving in completely to the hungry claws of anorexia. It might be a Friday night and I am quietly sat with my copy of Lord of the Rings. I am nowhere near content. These accidents might have a positive outcome eventually. For now I'm just stuck here missing the person who has done all the things I

am not proud of. Finding it hard to believe, but impossible to deny.

It all goes away so fast. Nothing lasts forever.

Film review

Submarineby Patrycja Pencarska

The heart-warming characters, hilarious triviality and an extreme awkwardness of a teenage boy, all captured in wonderful retro scenery are now crucial to the success of new wave for the coming-of-age movies.

The brilliant debut film from Richard Ayode – “Submarine” is an inspiring and refreshing sensation to the British film industry based on Joe Dunthorne’s novel. The awkward comedy, full of discomfort and teenage angst draws you in straight away and takes you back in time to the picturesque Swansea of the 80s. While portraying a range of themes – from adolescence and relationships to depression and death, the film captivates the audience into a journey through a mind of troubled and sexually frustrated teenager.

Fifteen years old Oliver Tate, played by the eccentric Craig Robert, endures his dreary, everyday routines by creating the alternate realities in his head. But, really – it’s quickly established that the boy has two big ambitions in his life: losing his virginity to a strangely seductive yet completely reclusive classmate Jordana (Yasmin Paige) and saving his parents’ marriage. The storyline gets more and more twisted after Oliver’s first kiss, which supposedly “tasted of sour milk, Polo mints and Dunhill International,” as his mother is allegedly cheating on dad – too wrapped up in his own misery to realize what is going on.

The outstanding performance from the entire crew – especially the excellent skills of the youngest actors, greatly enhanced the complex and heart-warming characters. Peculiar yet completely adorable Oliver and his beloved Jordana create a compelling and accurate portrayal of the teenage romance accompanied by sexual tension. Beside the quality of acting, the perceptive visual tricks and savvy camera work coming from the director, established the vintage setting and effectively enthralled viewers, displaying a range of shots and visualizing the summary of the events with a creative and unique approach. Including “breaking the fourth wall” and using the characters to communicate with the audience seems like a clever technique to add elements of drama to the film, but more importantly – get even more subtle humour into the storyline. And finally – the soundtrack: absolutely mesmerising and soothing composition of indie music, being a magnificent work of art on its own, accomplished movie’s light-hearted feel with a hint of mystery.

Bizarrely charming, brutally honest and incredibly humorous account of youth seen with the eyes of a teenage guy, who spends his free time either fantasising about suicide or being “the best boyfriend in the world” is an intriguing blend of a laid-back comedy with many awkward elements of adolescent’s drama. Whether it’s due to quirkiness of Oliver, his mother’s infidelity or perhaps Jordana’s pyromaniac tendencies, it is almost certain that the characters from “Submarine” will linger with you after the last credits disappear.

Abnormally phenomenal!

Gig review

16^th October 2011
Silent Screams at Club Revolution
by Patrycja Pencarska

The metalcore five-piece Silent Screams shook the Peterborough local venue on a Sunday night, unleashing their energy with powerful riffs and piercing vocals to the relentless audience, impatiently waiting for the attack.

Never mind a blissful Sunday night to restore and relax before another long week at work or school - The Coventry crew have no time to slow down. Playing some of the angriest, the most attitude-drenched tunes in the underground music culture, Silent Screams have been touring around the UK in the last month, intensely promoting their debut album “When It Rains” (available in your local stores on October 24^th.) Now, for the first time, the boys tried to take over Club Revolution in Peterborough.

Vacant venue quickly fills up with demanding fans. Effective dim lighting adds to the sinister atmosphere surrounding tonight’s acts. The beginning is dreadful: the inadequate skills of the amateur musicians don’t fool anybody. But a disappointing opening from the first two bands was rapidly balanced out by a refreshing performance from the local Turn & Run and an excellent sample of UK’s finest metal delivered by Under Godless Skies.

Undeniably, the evening truly belonged to the headliners who performed an outstanding set, reeling off their songs with dark frenzy. The venue was filled with furious energy and riffs heavy enough to get the entire audience into the brutal beauty of progressive metal. The brilliant collaboration of bassist and guitarist has led to a sudden kick off in the mosh pits. Clearly, the band members were smugly appreciative of the risky and slightly bizarre way of portraying devotion coming from the crowd.

The two-year experience and technical abilities with a significant amount of passion and commitment contributed to a fantastic live performance, enhanced with ridiculously loud bass and flashing lights. The melodic sounds of “Pacific Highway” contradicted with the agonizing screams from the vocalist, causing a burning fever among those under the stage. Ending the victorious evening with the fans’ favourite “Burning Bridges”, is the proof that there is more to the infamous hardcore genre than screams and violence. “I really enjoyed it. Brilliant night, but I’m gonna be in a lot of pain tomorrow,” said Sam – the lead guitarist after the gig. So despite the ominous title in the heavy close, we can be certain that this is not the last time we see Silent Screams rocking out on the Peterborough stage!

The new wave of metalcore genre tends to be quite controversial – you either love it or you hate. If you shudder even at the idea of shrieking screams I recommend you don’t bother with this one. However, if you are open to experiencing new, heavy and outrageous music and you are a fan of Devil Wears Prada or Asking Alexandria –do not hesitate to give the Coventry Mob a listen straight away.

Unquestionably, a memorable experience and eventful night full of enthusiasm, passion and talent!

Jack Daniel's Advert

 

Jack Daniel's advert I have created for a photography assignment.