My graduation ceremony took place on Monday, followed by the Graduation Ball on Tuesday, and I was quite surprised by the weird cocktail off emotions I experienced over the two days.
In some ways, I kind of didn't expect to be too affected by the whole process because I'm continuing on my studies in DCU and the fact that I'm probably never going to put my degree to good use diminishes the sense of achievement somewhat.
As such, I was surprised to find myself quite overwhelmed after the ceremony on Monday when I posed for photographs with my former-classmates. I just thought back on the past four years and the ups and downs I'd gone through with these people. At various points, some of them bailed me out majorly and I'm fully aware that, without their help, I probably wouldn't have survived the course.
The Graduation Ball was also a surprisingly emotional affair. Despite the fact that I won't be leaving the red-bricked haven of DCU behind any time soon, there was a nice sense of finality about the night. It was lovely to have a chance to catch up with people who've played roles of varying significance in my life over the past few years and to wish them well.
Only time will tell how many of the Class of 2008 I'll be able to sustain contact with. It's been one heck of a ride, guys. Here's to you.
Bloc Party are a great example of a band who don't rest on their laurels. After they struck a winning formula with début album 'Silent Alarm', they could have easily 'pulled a Coldplay' by continuing to churn very similar stuff and sell albums by the bucketload. Instead, they continue to toy around with their sound and, although the resulting material has sometimes fallen short of expectations, their sonic evolution always makes for interesting listening.
In my opinion, their new track 'Talons' is the best thing they've produced since 'The Prayer'. I especially love this keyboard-driven Phones R.I.P. mix, which sounds like the long lost cousin of early-90's pop anthem 'Killer' by Adamski.
Russell's side-project Pin Me Down are worth checking out too. Their song 'Cryptic' is one of my favoruites of the year.
This week I wound up going to three gigs. Maybe it's a sign that I'm getting auld but, these days, I'd much rather go see an act I've even a vague interest in perform than head out on a hedonistic night of clubbing and booze.
Tilly and the Wall played on Tuesday in Andrews' Lane Theatre. Their music isn't easy to categorize as it doesn't really fit any specific genre. They masterfully combine elements of folk, pop, rock and electronica in their lovely sing-along ditties and I guess what makes them particularly unique is their use of a tap dancer, Jamie Presnall, for percussion.
The gig was great fun and full of arty, vaguely hippyish types. There wasn't a whole lot of people there (truth be told I've never seen much of a crowd in Andrews' Lane) but it didn't seem to affect the performance, which the band genuinely seemed to enjoy. The support act, Ugly Megan, were pretty impressive too. Their quirky bogger-electro sound reminds somewhat of You're Only Massive and their cover of the theme from 'Fresh Prince of Bel Air' was inspired.
This Tilly and the Wall video is fairly awesome if you haven't seen it yet:
Wednesday was the night The Saw Doctors played the DCU Hallowe'en Ball. I wasn't particularly excited to see them but, admittedly, they were better than I expected. All the same, I'm not prepared to post any of their videos on my blog. Instead, here is a picture of an emu:
Finally, on Thursday, my friend Yvette and I went to see Wallis Bird in The Button Fatcory. I've previously enthused about Wallis and I would definitely recommend checking her out if singer-songwriters like Kate Nash or Gemma Hayes 'float your boat'. Bird told us that it was the biggest gig she ever played and her set was over an hour-and-a-half long, guaranteeing us our money's worth.
It was endearing to see a performer so appreciative of an audience although her insistence that the audience partcipate in call and response for every single song and her constant gushing seemed slightly unprofessional. Bird is a major talent and deserves a wider audience. Perhaps this version of the Depeche Mode Clasic 'I Just Can't Get Enough', currently featured in the television advertisements for 'The Sun' newspaper, will be her big break?
My friend Olivia showed me this a couple of weeks ago and a new obsession was born. I got drunk at the Hallowe'en Ball and would only speak in stuffed-doll-come-to-life form. People rightfully thought I was demented.
So, I only managed a measly five posts in all of October. Pretty pathetic, I'm sure you'll agree. That said, it's a pretty accurate reflection of 'where I'm at'.
I've spent the last few weeks running around like a headless chicken, trying to fulfill the various commitments I've taken on and touch base with all of my favourite people. Those of you that know me are probably thinking: 'What's new?' but, at the moment, it's really not sitting right.
The reason I tend to get involved in so many projects is because I love trying out new things, challenging myself and, if I'm honest, being a little bit stressed. Right now, it just doesn't seem worth it though. I'm not enjoying myself at all and I feel like I'm not spending enough time with my friends to sustain a proper connection.
This might all sound like self-indulgent tripe but it's really beginning to get me down. I'm not sure how I go about remedying the situation but I'm hoping reading week will give me a chance to clear my head and get back on track.
