27. Learn Spanish

I've always found Spanish to be a very sexy language.  I love songs in Spanish (latino style) and often try to find the lyrics to sing along even if I don't understand what they mean.

This is partly why I wanted to learn Spanish.  I would even like to try to write a song in Spanish if I learn it enough.

I downloaded an app called Duolingo and started learning.  It's quite a cute little app with various ways of learning: speaking, selecting the missing word, creating sentences, translating English to Spanish (and vice versa).  The more "Lingots" I earn from not losing lives/hearts and completing topics, I can "buy" things in the "shop" like extra bonus topics, outfits for Duo the Owl and potions to restore a heart if I lose one by making a mistake.

The different rounds

The topics turn "gold" when they're completed.

The levels I've completed

If I don't learn every day I get reminders and also the topics you complete become weaker so you need to top them up.  The app tracks you every day and you get through levels and checkpoints.

Rounds completed and not (do you like the little "champagne tracksuit" I got for Duo the Owl?)

At the moment I can just about recognise phrases but I don't think I'd remember a lot of them if I was asked.  I need to get to that level in my brain.

I still have quite a few checkpoints on Duolingo to clear but I'm enjoying it.  I've completed so many already.  I need to make sure I keep up!

For my birthday, my folks got me a Spanish course for my laptop which I've started using as well.  It's slightly different in the order of things it teaches you but I get to wear headphones with a microphone attached (if it hadn't been connected to the computer, I'm sure I would have put some music on and pretended I was singing on stage whilst busting some moves - Madonna style (but without the falling off the stage bit)).

You never know, with all of these methods of learning, I might be fluent by the time I'm 40!

11. Finish a game of Monopoly

I've never played Monopoly!  I might have given it a go when I was a kid but, if I did, I certainly wouldn't have known the rules.  I've often wondered why I'd never taken Monopoly more seriously as a game or assumed it wasn't fun (judging by the sheer look of pain on people's faces when it's even mentioned in passing).  It's such an iconic game.

I can't remember how it happened exactly but I was pointed in the direction of The Beatles Monopoly.  I read the description and thought to myself "I must own this" but wondered why I must if I didn't know how to play...hence adding it to the 40 list.  I was pretty sure I knew people who knew how to play Monopoly and therefore would eventually get around to purchasing The Beatles version of the game.

I've told my family, boyfriend and various friends that if they're stuck on something to get me for my birthdays/Christmases then consult this list.  Lots of ideas here!  My boyfriend, Mathijs, did just that and actually got me The Beatles Monopoly (I might have dropped a hint though)!  

We hadn't got around to playing the game until I took it with me to Makkum (Holland) when I stayed there from Boxing Day to New Year's Day.  I read the rules and thought it was pretty straight forward.  Mathijs and I roped in his brother, Wouter and sister, Michelle to play.  Michelle was the banker.

The Set-up

Now, the ACTUAL rules.  If you land on something, buy it or put it up for auction but someone must buy it.  We chose our pieces.  I chose "Strawberry Fields Forever".  The other pieces in the games are "Here Comes The Sun", "Maxwell's Silver Hammer", "Octopus's Garden", "Rocky Raccoon" and "I Am The Walrus".

Strawberry Fields Forever

So, after a few goes I had bought Sgt. Pepper, Yellow Submarine, Come Together and their live performance at Shea Stadium (the live performances were in place of what would have been the stations in the regular game).  I then got The Cavern Club to go with Shea so any time someone landed on either they would have to give me ♥50.  I then started collecting the reds until I was thwarted by Michelle which meant I couldn't buy houses for them.

Sgt. Pepper, Yellow Submarine, Come Together and Shea Stadium performance

The Cavern

Money started to run out quite quickly so I had to start mortgaging my properties - especially when Wouter put hotels on all of the pink ones (Beatles For Sale, Help (Single), Help (Album)).  Then Mathijs started putting houses on the highest priced "streets" (Abbey Road Studio and Apple Records).  I had to give my mortgaged properties to Mathijs in a deal.  Wouter was beginning to clean up.  I almost got to the point of bankruptcy and made a deal which meant giving most of my items away so I wouldn't have to "pay the rent".  The deal-making part was quite funny, especially when it was between Mathijs and Wouter.  

Mortgaging

Wouter with hotels on the pink ones!

Mathijs with houses on the most expensive spaces

Mathijs started to get more cocky by putting more houses and then a hotel on his expensive "streets".  It looked like Wouter was going to clear up but he met his demise by landing on Mathijs' expensive "streets" a few too many times.  He was almost pleased he kept going to jail so he wouldn't have to make any moves and could still rake money in.  

Wouter rubbing his hands about to make a deal!

Jail?   Again?

Someone is in jail!

Michelle was bankrupt first and I was next.  Mathijs ended up winning the game.

Mathijs bought my mortgaged "albums/singles"

Wouter getting cocky!

I would definitely play the game again (obviously, as it was a present).  It doesn't take as long as people think if you buy every time you land on something.

I just noticed online there's a Beatles Yellow Submarine Monopoly...oh dear (keep away, Lauren)!

12. Obtain 40 albums in a single year (Year 2)

So, the last day of 2014 and I thought I'd share with you my list of top 40 albums I obtained during the year.  I guess the list is in this order based on what I enjoy listening to the most and also my favourite artists.  I never go into the technical side of things like the production etc. it's purely on how I feel when I listen.

Feel free to comment below about what your favourite album of the year is and why.

No.	Band/Singer	Album
40	Rumer	Into Colour
39	Paloma Faith	A Perfect Contradiction
38	Lewis Watson	The Morning
37	Maroon 5	V
36	Damian Rice	My Favourite Faded Fantasy
35	Train	Bulletproof Picasso
34	Rascal Flatts	Rewind
33	Within Temptation	Hydra
32	Ari Hest	Shouts & Whispers
31	Daryl Kellie	Wintersong
30	Mamas Gun	Cheap Hotel
29	The Hoosiers	The News From Nowhere
28	Kasabian	48:13
27	The Fray	Helios
26	Julian Velard	If You Don't Like It, You Can Leave
25	Little Big Town	Pain Killer
24	Ben Howard	I Forget Where We Are
23	Stu Larsen	Vagabond
22	Kenny Chesney	The Big Revival
21	Lady Antebellum	747
20	Adam Cohen	We Go Home
19	Brad Paisley	Moonshine In The Trunk
18	Jon Allen	Deep River
17	Christina Perri	Head Or Heart
16	First Aid Kit	Stay Gold
15	The Black Keys	Turn Blue
14	Phillip Phillips	Behind The Light
13	Morrissey & Marshall	And So It Began
12	A Great Big World	Is There Anybody Out There?
11	Paolo Nutini	Caustic Love
10	The Pierces	Creation
9	Passenger	Whispers
8	Ryan Adams	Ryan Adams
7	Miranda Lambert	Platinum
6	Hozier	Hozier
5	Take That	III
4	Various Artists	Begin Again Soundtrack
3	Andy Burrows	Fall Together Again
2	Ed Sheeran	x
1	Jason Mraz	YES!

Jason Mraz's "YES!" is my number 1 album because I think he's an exceptionally talented singer/songwriter and the songs on it are so easy to listen to.  A great mix of up tempo and slower tracks.  Jason teamed up with a band called Raining Jane who provide the backing vocals on the album - and everyone knows I'm a sucker for harmonies.  I saw Jason and Raining Jane live this year at the Royal Albert Hall and it was totally worth the money - a fantastic show!

You may have noted I put in a soundtrack in the top 40.  I don't usually do this but it was one of the albums I couldn't stop listening to after seeing the film.  It really affected me (in a good way) and thought it deserved to be in the chart.  Well-written songs sung by Keira Knightley and Adam Levine.  Go and see the movie!

Year 2 is DONE!

Looking forward to some amazing album releases in 2015. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR READERS!

5. Get into the "Never Mind The Buzzcocks" studio audience

Ever since the days of Mark Lamarr, I have (pretty much) watched Never Mind The Buzzcocks religiously.  It was always a good way for me to increase my knowledge of music and test what I already knew...it still is.

I stuck with it when Mark was replaced by Simon Amstell, who was actually hilarious...one specific moment that springs to mind is Simon dressed as a big pink rabbit.

When Simon left it was a real shame, especially as they couldn't find a permanent host but there were some great guest host episodes that stick with me.  Jack Dee (this is still on my Sky Planner), Adam Buxton "dis guy must be an alien or sutin" and Alex Horne "Josh Widdico MBE".

Now they've found a permanent host in Rhod Gilbert (who had been a guest host twice previously) and he's actually pretty good.  Not as shouty as his stand-up routine.

I've ALWAYS wanted to be in the audience to see how it all works and therefore it HAD to go onto my 40 list.  I joined the BBC notifications to see if I could get tickets to be in the audience.  After a year of notifications I couldn't figure out why I wasn't getting any for Buzzcocks.  I did a Google search and found a company that actually did do the tickets for various TV shows as well as Buzzcocks.  I registered and then waited until I got a notification so I could apply.  It all happened pretty quickly.  

I got an email notification and applied for two tickets instantly.  I knew I'd find someone who would come with me.  One of the best bits was that it's filmed in Elstree.  Not far to go at all!  A couple of days later I got an email saying I was successful.  I contacted the ONE person I knew who would be totally up for it...my friend Daniel Rissen.  We turned up on the night and, unfortunately, we were turned away as they'd over-allocated.  We were gutted.  I thought that there was no way we'd get to go this series.  We handed our tickets over and were told we'd get priority entrance next time and we'd get an email with dates.  The email never arrived but another email notification did with some new dates.  I found a phone number and called explaining the situation and she sent me priority tickets straight away.

My priority ticket

I got there early and awaited Daniel's presence.  He was cutting it really fine but we eventually got in and walked into the studio.  I looked around in awe, not quite believing it was actually happening.  We were told to turn our phones off...not before I managed to get this cheeky one of the studio.  It was a lot smaller than I had imagined.

The Studio

After the warm up act had done his thing, Rhod Gilbert came out and had a little banter with the audience and then introduced Phill Jupitus and Noel Fielding.  After Phill stole a shoe from a member of the studio audience, he and Noel introduced their guests.

On Phill's team were Romesh Ranganathan and two guys from the band Rixton (Jake Roche and Charley Bagnall). 

Phill's Team (L-R: Romesh, Phill, Jake, Charley)

On Noel's team were Kym Marsh and a stand-in guest, Van McCann from Catfish & The Bottlemen (who just won the BBC Introducing Award at the first ever BBC Music Awards).

Noel's Team (L-R: Van, Noel, Kym)

The quiz started and it was really good except for the fact that Van McCann kept saying he wasn't supposed to be there and came across quite jealous of the Rixton boys and kept insinuating they had loads of money.  He also didn't grasp the concept of the "Corrie-off"!

Rhod Gilbert was a great host and kept everything together really well - like running a tight ship.

Rhod Gilbert

Now I've seen the edited version on TV, it's quite interesting how much actually gets cut out.  There was one whole round they cut out but probably because Van McCann wasn't quite getting the point of it so it fell flat.

The intros round had one of my favourite lines of the episode in it.  Romesh said of Little Mix's song Salute, "That sounds pretty dark and heavy and that, doesn't it?"  Then Phill (who I've never really found particularly funny at times) replied "dark and heavy?, I thought that was our cop show".  I was really impressed by the quick comeback.

The Identity Parade round was Imaani (former British contestant for the Eurovision) and Bushkin from Heartless Crew.  What you don't see on the aired footage is that Van said of number 5 in the Imaani line-up that it looked like a friend of his who was in the audience so they got him down to stand next to number 5.  This was the round that Daniel was most interested in seeing.

The next lines round was funny because when trying to explain "White Horse" by Taylor Swift with models, it led to craziness.  In the recording, Phill takes the horse and for 5-10 minutes has it pretending to throw up (the audience was in absolute hysterics but you probably had to be there to see how funny it was).

All in all it was a great experience and now I know how to apply I might try to go again if I'm successful.  Seems silly not to considering I'm around the corner!

Images courtesy of BBC iPlayer and my iPhone!

28. Plant a tree

On Wednesday 1st October my family lost the most wonderful man in our lives - my Grandpa Monty.  I had so much respect for him and his opinions, his stories and just anything he had to say and I, for one, loved him very much.  From the age of 4 he was the only Grandpa I had.  He was funny, he was a "magician" and his "Grandpaisms" still stay strong to this day.

November 15th would have been his 92nd birthday and the family were going to get together to remember him over dinner.  I decided that I would like to commemorate Grandpa somehow and then I thought about planting a tree in his memory.  I didn't want to do this just to complete something else on my list but to have something lasting for years to come.  I decided on a fruit tree because I wanted the tree to have a purpose.  I took my Grandma to Aylett Nurseries in St. Albans to have a look at some trees.  I decided on a Czar plum tree as my Grandma makes the best plum jam and Grandpa always liked her jam (especially on bread/toast on top of cream cheese - don't knock it until you've tried it!).

My folks got a gardener to dig the hole in their garden ready to put the tree in.  On the afternoon of the 15th I took the tree, separated the roots, put it in the hole, filled the hole in, put the topsoil on and gave it a little watering.

I hope the plum tree will bear fruit for many years keeping Grandpa's legacy living on for the next generation of our family.

As recommended by Aylett Nurseries in St. Albans

The tree; my handiwork

2. Find 40 Geocaches (Part 3)

Nashville Cache (see what I did there?...like the song by Lovin' Spoonful "Nashville Cats"!)

As they say, "when in Rome...".  OK, so I wasn't in Rome, I was in Nashville but I wanted to find some geocaches outside of the UK and what better place to try than while I was there.

My geocaching exploration started on the Saturday I was in Nashville.  I went for breakfast quite early at The Edgehill Cafe.  It was a lovely sunny and fresh morning.  I then left to find my 10th geocache (without the aid of data or wi-fi).  I'd looked it up before I left the cafe so had a rough idea where I was going.

I headed down 21st Avenue South to the Pizza Perfect.  The geocache was behind the building and it was a clever magnetic one.

Behind Pizza Perfect

Yes, it's hidden here.

Once I'd found this and entered it on my app, I got a "souvenir" from Geocaching.com which gets recorded on my account.

My "souvenir"

I then decided to go and do some sight-seeing around Music Row and find my next geocache.  I wandered down 17th Avenue South and passed loads of studios; finally made it to RCA Studio B.  I managed to connect to some cheeky wi-fi and found my second geocache.

RCA Studio B

The hiding place

I then realised that back at Exit/In there was another geocache.  Annoyingly I had been there the previous day but decided to head back anyway.  It was getting warmer as well.  I spent so long trying to figure out the hint.  I eventually figured it out though.

The hiding place

The culprit (so tiny)

 So, 12 geocaches found in total and only 28 to go in 5 years.  I reckon I can do that!

My geocaches in Nashville