Grieving our exit from the World Cup?

For those who have been pinning their hopes on England in the World Cup this year and are going through the stages of mourning for the knockout of our team. Don't fret - I have done some research into the stages of grief (but changed slightly to make it relevant to the World Cup)...

1. Denial. "This can't be happening now, we had such a great team" This is merely a defence, which will be temporary.

2. Anger. "Who is to blame for this atrocity?! Fabio!! David James!! The referee!! Sepp Blatter!!" Denial cannot continue...therefore, anger comes in, and it's difficult to care for people in this stage.

3. Bargaining. "Just let me live to see England win the World Cup" This is where anger fades, and bargaining with life continues. Winning the World Cup is not the be all and end all.

4. Depression. "I'm so sad. Why bother doing anything? England aren't in it any more, I may as well remove all the England flags from my windows and sit feeling rubbish."

5. Acceptance. "It's going to be ok - we have another shot in 2014"

This could take a matter of days to get through, a week, a month? Who knows. But, I have found something that could divert your attention and pass all these stages.

1. Wimbledon.

A tournament that is exhilarating, fast paced, not distorted with vuvuzelas, wonderful sportsmanship and over in two weeks. The players are paid for their individual work, if they are rubbish, they earn less - bring so much more competition into it.

Venus Williams is out of Wimbledon! Maria Sharapova is out of Wimbledon. Kim Clijsters is out of Wimbledon - and that's just the women! For one, Isner vs Mahut - fifth set at 70-68 games. Lleyton Hewitt - out. Roger Federer - has struggled. Rafael Nadal - has struggled. Novak Djokovic - doing well! Andy Murray - doing very well! It's all to play for! It's fabulous. England lost on Sunday - and my "grief" lasted until Monday morning, when Wimbledon started again. I can watch all day - and do. I'm so happy Wimbledon is every year, makes my summer brighter.

Brad Paisley: Global Superstar in the making

Brad Paisley has all he needs to be a global superstar - he's way more talented than Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber put together (yet he seemingly can't conquer England). This is because Taylor and Justin have both filled gaps in the market - a female and male singer whom 15 year old girls can either relate to, or swoon over. There is a gap in the market for Brad, but it's a gap that no one knows about.

Brad has a huge amount of talent, and can give any guitarist a run for his money - Brian May? I've love to see a guitar battle between these guys, because in terms of speed - Brad has it covered. I've been looking on youtube at Brian May videos, and looked at ones deemed "the best solos" by him...and I watched them, and they bored me. Brian May is an incredible guitarist yes, and he can play solos for 10 minutes or so...but focussing on his hands, he's not doing much with them. It's just with those notes and a great guitar, it sounds incredible. Brad Paisley, however, has a great guitar, and can move his fingers faster up and down the neck of the guitar and show his, in my opinion, superior talent in his playing. It's all his own work, and can perform a whole setlist with 5 minute solos in each song without a break...that is talent!

I've been properly into country music for about 6 years now...and watched every Country Music Association award (CMAs) night since then. Brad has been winning something every year, and the award becoming bigger and bigger...and keeps winning 'Male Vocalist of the Year'. This is great news...but Brad has yet to win the biggest prize, 'Entertainer of the Year'.

Taylor Swift was relatively unknown back in 2007 when I saw her at the CMAs...no one in the UK had heard of her - and even mentioned her the next day to my friend who was like, "County music? Nah...won't listen to that" - but now, 3 years on...this same friend is a big fan of Taylor. Taylor Swift has recently won the coveted, Entertainer of the Year...despite only having been in the "business" for 3 years. Brad has been in the business for about 10...and still not clinched it...why?

Because he hasn't conquered a country other than North America (and Canada). BUT, as I discovered yesterday - he may well be in for a chance at the Entertainer of the Year award due to his sold out tours in England and Norway. SOLD OUT. Brad has many a fan in England, which was recognisable yesterday - and his show was just astounding. I have now seen both Taylor Swift and Brad Paisley in concert, and Brad Paisley was certainly the most talented and the most enjoyable.

Taylor Swift had a huge venue...lots of lights, videos, costume changes, extra dancers...etc etc....and it was a great watch. But, as I learnt from Glee...it's called "theatricality". Hiding the fact that when it boils down to it, the musician themselves couldn't perform a whole setlist without it getting boring. Now, I'd love to see Taylor in an acoustic session in a smaller venue - singing herself...I like her sound without the synthesisers. However, unfortunately, theatricality is what sells. Taylor also had Justin Bieber supporting her...which wasn't all bad...I've recently gotten into Justin and do like his music. But, that's going off the point - he got the crowd going...he got the screaming girls screaming more...he got the crowd pumping. Then Taylor popped up on a video...and then came on to a mega pumped up crowd.

Brad Paisley had a smaller venue...a few lights, no videos, one change of his shirt when it got sweaty, his band, and a range of guitars to properly showcase his talent. It was great...despite the small venue, I really felt the amazing atmosphere of proper fans of proper talent, as opposed to the 12 year olds at the Taylor concert. I loved the Taylor concert, I really did, but I have never attended a concert in which the main element of it was the performer and their talent. And it blew me away last night. And Brad had no supporting acts, risky? Yes. But the moment the beginning of 'American Saturday Night' started playing...the whole audience were pumped and joining in with the song. That is what great music can do...all you have to do is hear the music, and you're pumped. Again, I love Taylor's music I really do and I loved her concert, but thinking back - the whole event was big and flashy which surrounded Taylor's music.

I really hope Brad wins Entertainer of the Year. He's now got his eyes on reaching England, and will be coming back next year for another tour - which I shall be attending, no doubt. He's funny, he can get along with the audience...he can have a laugh with people, he can have a laugh at himself - there was just a sense of such humility last night...he knows he's talented, but doesn't know how talented, and doesn't understand how he has fans over here...but as he does, he did his utmost to enjoy himself, and in turn, made us enjoy ourselves no end. It was just great...

If you ever get the chance to see him, go. Don't just put him under the same umbrella as "country music". I know the stereotype that country music gets...and it's changed remarkably since that stereotype was made. Yes, he wears a stetson and has a great southern drall when he talks...but his music is genius, the lyrics are great and the whole shabang just works and when he gets his guitar out, you know he can provide a night to remember.

Films

Films are just fabulous, aren't they?

You can spend 2 hours or so in another land, world, time...and relax, cry, laugh, stress out, cheer, clap, and experience all sorts of emotions with people you've never personally met, but you feel you know them inside out.

These are my films in my collection, with my rating of them out of 5 - dated 23rd June 2010.

* Rubbish

** Watchable rubbish

*** It's alright.

**** It's pretty darn good

***** Wow! What a film...let's watch it again!

Atonement **

- bought it out of interest. Well directed, but story flopped.

Australia ***

- went to see this at the cinema. I enjoyed it for the storyline, but was a bit long.

Batman Begins ****

- love this film, but I watched the sequel first...which explains why only 4 stars...Dark Knight is too good!

Beowulf and Grendel *

- suggested by a few friends of mine (I think to try and get me to kick my Gerard Butler habit) - didn't stop it, but did show me that he has been in some seriously bad films!

Blood Diamond ****

- I've only seen this once, but it takes a lot out of you to watch this. Yeah, it's good though!

Bourne Identity ****(*)

- this film is really good. But does it qualify for 5 stars? Can I find anything wrong with it in my mind? Nope - I'm adding a star!

Brothers Grimm *

- bad, just bad.

Butterfly on a Wheel ***

- bought it because Gerard Butler was in it. It's alright, I guess. Has an interesting twist at the end!

Cars *****

- my favourite Pixar film of all time!

Casino Royale *****

- I was sceptical about Bond...always had been. But Daniel Craig was able to introduce some new fans to the story...ie. me!

Changeling ****

- it's so hard to give this film a 5 stars - mainly because it's very emotionally draining...and couldn't watch it again and again! But it is a great film...Clint Eastwood does a brilliant job directing Angelina Jolie.

Chicago ***

- it's fun to sing along to!

Chronicles of Narnia - the original BBC ones! *****

- does it have bad actors? Yes Does it have awful puppetry and computer graphics? Yes - But despite these, I love them so much. There's a brilliant original quality about them. I grew up with them...on VHS, and watched them every Sunday after dinner. I just can't stop loving the story.

Cold Mountain ****

- same problem with this film as 'Changeling'. It's very draining! I love Renee Zellweger in this, and there's something about Jude Law and Nicole Kidman, which I love. Usually, I wouldn't - but they had this great chemistry despite spending most of the film apart. It's a difficult watch.

Count of Monte Cristo *****

- one of my favourite films of all time (although, I have a few of these!) Just brilliant.

Coyote Ugly *****

- (now these are MY ratings, :D) I love this film, the songs are just great. The script is awful...but love it anyway! And the LeAnn Rimes cameo at the end...my favourite part. Oh, and one of my favourite actresses is in it, Maria Bello.

Crocodile Dundee II ***

- Crocodile Dundee has something that I just get drawn to....not sure what it is. But I love watching this film.

CSI: Grave Danger *****

- ok, not a film...but Quentin Tarantino directed these two episodes of CSI for the season 5 finale. And it's the best episode I've ever seen.

Dark Knight *****

- ding ding ding!!! It's great. Period.

Day after Tomorrow ***

- unbelievable, and to watch on a hot day. It makes me feel cold. But I like the relationship between Jake Gyllenhaal and Dennis Quaid, and Jake's relationship with Emmy Rossum. Can't beat it.

Dear Frankie *****

- very under the radar film. Watch this. Seriously. It won't disappoint.

Definitely Maybe **

- chick flick. It's good for a girls' night in - but not one of the best films to watch.

Dirty Dancing ***

- the soundtrack is brilliant! The dancing is great. The classic water jumping scene is great. And 'Nobody puts Baby in the corner' - sigh.

Disturbia **

- if you want a thrill, watch it. If you want to watch a greatly scripted film, don't.

Dodgeball ***

- now, I'm usually not one for "comedies". But this one, is fab. Has me in stitches!

Duchess ****

- great film...hard watch.

Dreamgirls n/a

- bought it...still haven't watched it!

Edward Scissorhands ***

- yeah, I used to like it loads...but not so much of a fan anymore. Depressing as.

Election *

- dodgy, dodgy, dodgy.

Emperor's New Groove *****

- fantastic fantastic fantastic! VERY quotable.

Enchanted ***

- it's Disney spoofing itself. It's very funny, and happy! Watch this.

Erin Brockovich *****

- this is brilliant. Language is frequent, but the storyline is just incredible.

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer **

- it's a fun watch. Not sure why I don't have the first - might have to buy it.

Father of the Bride ***

- ohhhh....this film brightens my day!

Father of the Bride 2 ***/*

- it's better than the first in some aspects...but not really a 4!

Fight Club *****

- great film. Can't explain why...far too complicated!

Flicka ***

- cute film. If I need to feel better - I'll put this on. Works like a charm!

Flight of the Phoenix **

- it's okaaay. It's definitely watchable - at least give it one watch.

Flightplan ***

- made me wary of anyone who is nice to me on a plane.

Flint Street Nativity ****

- this is hilarious. Seriously, please watch this. There are several quality British actors who do a nativity and all the sets are huge to make them look like they're kids. And it plays off all the funny stuff that kids do in nativities!

Freedom Writers ****

- great film, based on a true story! Got to be worth a watch...and has Hilary Swank in it, she's fab.

Friday Night Lights **

- I'm not a fan....but could understand if someone else would.

GI Jane ***

- not GI Joe. GI Jane - about a lady (Demi Moore) who wants to be a Navy Seal...and of course, faces all the opposition.

Gladiator *****

- one of the greatest films made ever!

Gone in 60 Seconds ***

- pretty good for a general watch!

Grease ***

- want a singalong? Perfect!

Hercules ****

- want a singalong? Even more perfect!

He's Just Not That Into You **

- this film confused girls as it shows us an entire new angle of what guys think about girls...but throws into the mix, but those guys may be an exception. So, we're still confused about how a guys mind works.

Hidalgo ***

- you need to be a certain type of person to watch this, and enjoy it. You need to enjoy a slower pace of film....it's not all action, there is action...but not much of it. You need to be able to enjoy a film without huge stars in it...and you need to feel sympathy between a man and his horse.

High School Musical ***

- I love this film.

High School Musical 3 ****

- hated the 2nd one. Loved the 3rd!

Holiday ****

- this is a cute little film. Definitely one to watch!

Home Alone ***

- Kevin McAllister was my hero when I was younger. He gave me the courage to believe I too could defend the house! Until the tree outside tapped against the window...

Home Alone 2 ***

- still my hero. Even if I get lost, have fun! Then I got lost in Wilkos, and cried.

Homeward Bound ****

- this is such a beautiful film. Makes me weep.

Hope Floats *****

- classic favourite of my mum and I. Dancing scene is awesome! Really love it.

Indiana Jones 3 ****

- not a fan of the 1st, or 2nd overly. And 4th - what 4th? The real Indiana Jones finished at this one! The best one!

Inglourious Basterds ***

- totally inaccurate - but still quite a good watch.

Inside Man ***

- this could have been a lot bigger than it was. Idea was great...film, not so much.

Interpreter ****

- very interesting film premise. Very well done!

Jerry Maguire ***

- 'Show me the money' and the cutest little kid ever!

Just Like Heaven **

- it's cute, I'll give you that. Reese Witherspoon is always great to watch.

Karate Kid I,II,III,IV ***

- overall, I'll give it 3. The first is great...and the rest came in the collection.

King Arthur **

- umm yeah.

Knight's Tale ****

- fabulous!

Ladder 49 ****

- want a great film? want a good cry? Watch this. Joaquin Phoenix's under the radar films...but it is really well done.

Lake House ***

- reuniting Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock was always going to be great!

Last Samurai ****

- this film, I didn't think I'd like. But I really really did.

Law Abiding Citizen ****

- mega gory, yes, for the beginning. Hard to watch, yes, at the beginning. But really clever.

LeAnn Rimes Complete DVD Collection *****

- I love LeAnn Rimes...simple as.

Legally Blonde ****

- one of the better chick flicks available! Absolutely great...makes me laugh time after time.

Lion King *****

- my favourite Disney film of all time.

Lorna Doorne ****

- brilliantly directed. Yes, it is long and often slow. But keep watching...if you get into it, it'll be awesome!

Lord of the Rings: Return of the King *****

- another favourite of mine. The extended edition too. I love the Mouth of Sauron!

Right...I'm gonna finish here for now. These are my films from A-L...stay tuned for the next installment, when I can be bothered!

'Knowing God'

I've recently started reading this book by J.I Packer called 'Knowing God'. This has been such a challenging book, and I've not even finished it yet. I'm looking forward to reading the rest, and applying the challenges to my walk with God.

I began reading this book at Girls Reading Week at uni, and we read and discussed the first 6 chapters in detail -- and each discussion revealed a whole new level that I had never thought about with careful consideration. Why my parents steered me clear from certain things -- so I grew up with knowing to keep myself clear of those things -- but only after reading this book, I was able to understand why. And it's so important for a Christian not just to know things in their head, but in their heart.

Packer relates to these issues...and discusses them using biblical references...so each person who reads it, can see where he's coming from. This is good because he doesn't sound more superior, but rather, he has experienced the challenges we, and I, have faced and wants to share his knowledge on the subject with other Christians to help them through, and to make us think seriously about how we are walking with God.

This book needs to be done in bitesize pieces...it would be too much to try and read more than 2 chapters in one sitting. It's mindblowing when you are reminded of the whole awesomeness of God! And when I read it, I often mind myself thinking do I pray with that realisation? Do I thank God day by day? Do I come to Him with my worries and concerns? Knowing that they are nothing compared to him? He wants to know us...and we should have the desire to want to know Him. Not just know of Him, but know Him - personally.

There is another chapter which speaks of head and heart knowledge. I often misconstrue these, and they are often mixed up in my life. Head knowledge is fine...but using that head knowledge to make myself seem more worthy - is just sinful. I am no more worthy because I have read another book, or know where books of the Bible are. God loves us equally...nothing we can do can earn more of God's love, we are already accepted! We cannot be more accepted! We cannot be more loved. And nothing we do can make God love us any less. I need to remind myself, or be reminded of this wonderful truth each day...because I quickly forget, and stumble into a life without talking to God....my friend! The best friend I could have! Always here with me...even when I stumble so I can learn to rely on his strength, not mine.

His unending mercy, grace and love is astounding...

MTV Movie Awards

I'm watching at the moment...thought I'd give my thoughts on the winners tonight.

Twilight seem to have won big. Robert Pattinson won Best Male Performance and Global Superstar, and him and Kristin Stewart won the best kiss. It's voted by the public...which explains a lot.

For best male lead, I would have gone for Zac Efron. You probably bow your head and sigh. BUT, the other nominees being Taylor Lautner, Channing Tatum and Daniel Radcliffe - I had a point! 17 Again is not the best film in the world - but it tugs at my heart strings. Twilight does not. Harry Potter does not. Dear John nearly did - but failed. Therefore, Zac should have won in my opinion.

Biggest Badass? Winner - Rain. Never heard of him! But my vote was with Sam Worthington in 'Clash of the Titans' - if you're into Greek mythology and 3Dness...it's a safe bet, you'll like this film. I did, and really enjoyed Sam's performance as Perseus. Reminded me of Leonidas from '300' in terms of the badassness! And Gerard Butler, for the record, won Biggest Badass a few years ago!

Best Kiss? Eeeerrrmmm...I didn't have a "favourite". But none would have competed against the winning kiss from 'The Notebook' - and none would have competed against Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams acceptance kiss.

Best Villain? Should have gone to Christoph Waltz - he was fantastic. Tom Felton has nothing going compared to CW.

Best Fight? Hugh vs Ryan vs Liev - one of the best fights in recent history I feel. I loved it. You can tell that teenage guys had a big influence on this vote as the best fight were between two women, Beyonce and Ali Larter. I like them both, but a fight...no thanks.

Best WTF moment? (I don't come up with these titles!) I actually agreed with...the naked guy jumping out of the trunk in 'The Hangover' sure made me think, 'What??' - with no expletives.

Best Scared as *** Performance? Yep...Amanda Seyfried in 'Jennifer's Body' - did a good job. Not a big award, so not that fussed really.

Best Comedic Performance? I'm not a huge fan of comedy...so no one from the Hangover had my vote...neither did Ben Stiller. This leaves Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock - easy one...Sandra should have won.

Best Female Performance? Kristin Stewart - are you trippin'? Sandra Bullock won the Oscar for 'The Blind Side' - so clearly we know who actually is better. Sandra all the way.

Best Breakout Star? I don't mind.

Best Movie? This was fairly easy to predict the result...Twilight won. Of course it did...now, let's look at quality and the winner should have been...*looks at nominees*...it's slim pickings...but probably would have voted 'Avatar' - wasn't a huge fan of the story, but loved the CGI, which is more than what I can say about Twilight.

I have to wonder whether during the voting process, the millions of people who voted actually read the categories and nominees before voting. Or did they just hold Ctrl and F, typed in 'Twilight' and tick every box? This is what bothers me about the public voting - it's fickle. It's not about the quality of your performance, but about the current hype you have - to be honest, it's the only way Twilight has ever won anything! That does amuse me.

But, the highlight of the night has got to be Sandra Bullock winning the MTV Generation Award. Her first appearance since her split with husband, Jesse James. She is on the top of her game. She has had more than 20 years of experience in the movie industry - and she has always been quality. The montage they showed included some of my favourite films, Hope Floats, 28 Days, and While You Were Sleeping...and brought a huge smile to my face. When she accepted the award, she was given a standing ovation - and I brought that honour into my lounge when I got up and clapped. Even with all her amazingness - she is amazingly humble. She is back - no matter what the papers say - she is back and raring to go and I cannot wait until her next release.

Bored...

I am sat at home...

Bored.

I'm looking for a job...I'm waiting for my trip to Romania...and my friends are not around.

You cannot begin to understand how slow these past two days have been.

I left Preston -- and seem to have left my social life there too -- there is nothing that goes on in Rugby. And if there is, I need my parents to drive me there. I lose my independence when I come home. I love coming home, I do - but having such a life that I lead in Preston, then leaving it for one that consists of waking up, walking the dog, eat, sleep...is not fun.

I have often questioned why I watch as much TV as I do...it's because there is seriously nothing else to do. At uni, I watch the odd programme here and there - but only the ones I really want to watch...that's because I can go out and hang out with friends...here, I can't. I find my solace in watching repeated episodes of Friends that I have seen about four times in the past month...and the MTV Movie Awards. Yeah, it's bad - I hope I get a job soon...or, I'll be even more bored than now...and that's tough.

Please entertain me somehow - send me an email, phone or text me. I appreciate my friends so much...you bring so much happiness to my life, you have no idea how much you mean to me.

Right, best be off to bed...hopefully I'll be offered a job tomorrow! Please pray that I would...thank you!