David Bowie, a personal note.

Now I’m not the biggest David Bowie fan, nor do I really even care much for his music nor work. His music just exists to me. But I do acknowledge and understand he is a huge icon to people. 

Today I saw a text post that genuinely shocked and surprised me, the first time I’d ever heard of it. An allegation was made against David Bowie that he is a Pedophile/Rapist and assaulted (allegedly) a 13 year old girl. Now I must begin with the fact that I for one am not in any way, shape or form a Rapist sympathizer, apologist or defend in any way rape or pedophilia. I despise and hate those who do such things and have deep personal experiences with these issues which I’m not going to divulge. So when I ask out of curiosity about how he is I get told to google it, so I did. Upon googling it I find a few disturbing pages where people seem to support the idea Bowie raped a girl and seem to enjoy the idea almost egging the idea on. So I dismiss this as sick filth from the offset. I carry on looking and can find not one reputable source on the subject. Now I studied media and had one of the best teachers I could’ve hoped for, and we were taught the importance in journalism of finding and validating sources. Now I couldn’t validate one, I’m definitely not the worlds best at research and evaluating sources but honestly after a page and a half I found nothing. So I continue to say that if the allegation was made and that it was investigated if any of it was found to be fact based aka time/date or whatever that it would’ve been a court case. Now this allegation never made it to court at all and although I do understand all to well that in too many cases that rape crimes do not make it to court since this was a high profile allegation the Police would’ve put resources into the investigation. Please do note that the British and American justice systems are different and that the British justice system although the penalties for crimes are stupidly low the majority of crimes are investigated properly without prejudice. So no matter his status or wealth the allegations against him would’ve founded basis for an investigation. Hence why the Jimmy Savile case was carried out and found him guilty and also the Rolf Harris case to which he was found guilty and prosecuted. 

Following this I was to an extent personally attacked by the blog in question, being seemingly labelled a Pedophile/rapist apologist or sympathizer. The hashtags accompanying the reply's to my asks also being a bit upsetting. Now I’m not easily upset by things especially not online but when someone tries to make a personal point against me using rape or pedophilia as a way of trying to show I’m somehow prejudiced or defend the people who do that saddens me. As I stated before, within the last few years I have had experiences with Rape that have changed me forever, as much as I need to stress that I was nor perpetrator or victim I had a very close to home experience of it and the issues surrounding it, including the way it is dealt with. So for me to be branded or attacked in such a way has not only saddened and upset me but also brought back a lot of issues that I had buried deep. 

The main point I’m trying to stress through this post is really that I respect David Bowie, I respect his work and him. I understand and accept there are allegations against him and I wish I knew more as most likely do most people about it. If he is guilty then I do not stand for his actions, nor condone. I’m fully on the side of the victim. But after I looked and tried to find for myself if he was guilty or the details of it I concluded for myself, in my mind that he is just what he was before. A man whom made music that neither really interested me or grabbed me, I respect he died, I respect his life and his legacy. I respect that his death means a lot to many people and that this allegation exists. My personal view with what I found is he’s neither guilty or not guilty but as neither can be proven I will respect his passing and Its meaning to others. 

Arctic Monkeys, AM - review

Arctic Monkeys

AM

Domino Records

This is probably the biggest album of 2013 for me, for a number of reasons. A – This is the album that really got me into music, style and The Arctic Monkeys and B – It is just utterly amazing.

The Arctic Monkeys aren’t the new kid on the block when it comes to making a stellar album, from day 1 these Sheffield lads have been putting out singles and EP’s that ruin the competition and gain them more fame and followers each and every time. With this album the progression of the band is clear, and within minutes you can feel the change of pace and class of this band.

Once you get listening the band hits you hard with a guitar and beat that’ll make you feel the need to gel your hair, get some Chelsea boots and a leather jacket. Honestly Do I Wanna Know being the first track on this album followed by R U Mine? Is possibly one of the best choices ever made on an EP. I can’t begin to express the utter class of Mr Turners voice as he sings this album, not only has the style and class these days but the vocal and musical progression. Lets not forget this band write these songs themselves and Tuner writes these lyrics, this isn’t a fake band with some overpaid guy with an English degree to write the lyrics for them. This album is here to say to the fans that there is change but it’s still the good old Arctic Monkeys, the guitaring skill and drumming from the band is at its peak as well.

This album far extends beyond just the EP, the music videos and the images that have come with this show with crystal clarity that the Monkeys are different, more classy and better than ever. I rate this as a 9/10 and a must hear if you have even the slightest interest in good music.



Singles reviews

Chicane FT.Bo Bruce
Still with me
(Ultra Music/Armada Music)

This new single by Chicane to be released on 27th October, this is a trance type song and although it isn't really my genre I must say that I like this song. It's quite relaxed in pace and tempo and with the vocals by Bo Bruce this song is really just a relaxed masterpiece. Also the music video for this is quite relaxing and awesome too, it is quite simply a video of Snowboarders getting airborne in slow motion, and kind of adds to the feeling of the song with the almost beautiful majesty of the footage. All in all this is a tune I’d say is worth a listen, but not really my cup of tea.

Sander Van Doorn, Martin Garrix, BVBBS FT.Aleesa
Gold Skies
(Spinnin' Records)

This single that is due for release on 27^th October is definitely one you’ll want to hear. It had me hooked almost immediately, with a beat to tap your foot to and a dreamy vocal to reminisce moments to this is a catchy yet emotive tune. It is one of those tunes that really could appeal to anyone who enjoys a good tune, a tune that is thought provoking and can bring different emotions for the listener, this track I feel gains more meaning and develops a different sense for me each listen, so I guess you’ll have to listen and find what it brings for you.

Cheryl
I Don't Care
(Fascination/Polydor)

This is a more tricky song to tell you how I feel about, because frankly I don’t know. The beat and underlying tune of this song is good, Cheryl sounds a bit too fake, maybe me but her voice sounds like it has been tuned up in this outing at least. The message of the song is clear though, she doesn’t care, what about? Well I don’t know that’s for sure as the video packs in a luxury Yacht and her dancing about on beaches. All in all not my area of knowledge but personally this song has little more to appeal to me than a good beat and backing tune, due for release on the 3^rd of November.  

OneRepublic
I Lived
(Columbia, Mosley, Interscope)

This song is one that without context is almost unmentionable; I’d say an average song at best. But I first heard this single with its music video and it changed everything, as it will for you if you watch it on the link above. Generally I think this is a song geared more to a message than to musically engage you, by this I mean give you a tune to tap your foot or dance to. This is a pretty average song, nice vocals and decent music from OneRepublic as usual but nothing to scream from the rooftops about, due for release on November 10^th all in all a decent track.

Stereotyping, the view from a teen

Firstly I feel I have to clarify that this isn't going to be a post about all forms of stereotyping but more the stereotypes that most teenagers these days use to address each other and class each other.
I have to start by coming true and saying that I use the stereotypes myself, but let me explain that to you. In my city there are what almost amount to factions of teenagers that go around in groups, act and look certain ways. Now in my case I use these stereotypes as a means of essentially identifying people in conversation, for example if a group of people are walking towards us or something I'll refer to them by the corresponding stereotype as a way to almost identify who I am talking about them to whomever I'm with. The fact is stereotypes are in fact now a part of modern vocabulary in a way as they're almost a fast-track way to identifying someone.
But is this wrong?
Now my personal view is that a stereotype is justified if it isn't used in an untoward manner, for example using a stereotype of someone to insult them would be wrong I.E going up to someone and shouting this at them. But if used in the manner of conversation with someone so they can gain an understanding of how they dress and act then I believe that is okay. Whether I'm wrong or not I don't know, but if I believed it was wrong I'd not be doing it.

I think it has reached the point where I have to explain to you the stereotypes I use, now the main one I guess everyone uses is Chav, now for me Chav is literally the way someone dresses aka the Tracksuit and also usually the way someone acts with the accent and how they act. Then there's the people called 'Greebs' now this one is a bit more complicated, it's essentially someone who poses as a skater but can't skate, they basically turn up and repeatedly fail a trick for hours and do the same daily. These are just two of the few I use, I must emphasize the fact I personally think within reason stereotypes such as those I have explained are okay. However racial stereotypes and the more serious use of stereotyping to offend people is not okay in my view and shouldn't be done. I think it's a fact of humanity that our brains always look to create stereotypes as a shortcut to almost like a fact file on what we know about that type of thing or person, this said I think we still are able to control and adapt how we think.

20 Xbox 360 games you should play Part - 1

Call of Duty:Modern Warfare

The starting point of a video game trilogy that changed the face of gaming and the industry forever, in a nutshell an epic game.
Set in the modern 21st century world this game puts the player into the boots of two soldiers, SGT.Gary 'Soap' Mactavish of the 22nd SAS regiment and SGT.Paul Jackson of USMC First Force Recon. You fight as these two men through a veriety of missions with the end game being stopping nuclear conflict as Russian sepratists gain control of Nuclear missile silos. In short an epic campaign that'll have you hooked from Captain Price's first words of "What the hell kind of a name is Soap? How'd a muppet like you pass selection?"

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_of_Duty_4:_Modern_Warfare

 

Call of Duty:Modern Warfare 2

The continuation of the world of Modern Warfare sees the player facing the aftermath of the previous game in this installment.

This time however you play as SGT.Gary 'Roach' Sanderson in Task Force 141, a task force comprising of NATO SF operators from around the globe tasked with high priority and high risk special operations. And American 1st Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment's PVT.James  Ramirez.

Without giving too much away this game takes place five years after the events of the first installment, and is an essential play for not only its gameplay but also the continuing story.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_of_Duty:_Modern_Warfare_2

 

Call of Duty:Modern Warfare 3



The final and most advanced entry in this trilogy spares no expense in major visuals and showing off how far the events of the previous two games have pushed the world. This game brings the thrilling, explosive and shocking trilogy to an explosive end that you'll love. And there are a lots of surprises and twists in this final installment of the story.

You play as an ex Russin Spetsnaz operator called Yuri as you work in the now disavowed TF-141 on the hunt for the man behind the carnage of the last two games. And Derek 'Frost' Westbrook in a US Army Delta team (Special forces, search SFOD-D for more information) as they work for the same goals as the 141 however for the US and while having to operate within the limits of the military, the 141 not having this as they are disavowed aka fugatives, not saying how or why as it'd ruin it for you but as you may guess they're not the bad guys. All in all a trilogy of games that you must play!!!!

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_of_Duty:_Modern_Warfare_3

 

Grand Theft Auto IV

Grand Theft Auto is simply put the most well rounded and fun to play free-roam/story based game to have ever been created. In this installment you play as Niko Bellic as he trys to make his way in Liberty City. This game is nothing short of some of the most fun to be had on the 360 console, I've personally invested more of my time into this game than is healthy for me, and you know what? Not one regret, I loved every second!!!!

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Theft_Auto_IV

 

Grand Theft Auto IV - Episodes from Liberty City

This is very much the same game as GTA 4 however this game gives you two more stories to play out in Liberty City, that of Luis Lopez a returned soldier of the US Army working for a club owner 'Gay Tony' and the story of Brucie Klubbitz who is in a biker gang called The Lost and Damned. Essentially this is a couple of extra campaigns to play in the amazing Liberty City which is essentially New York and these two games both on one disk have some additional content of there own, simply put an amazing addition to GTA and a nice follow up to GTA IV.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Theft_Auto:_Episodes_from_Liberty_City

 

Grand Theft Auto V

Where to start with this, one of the most anticipated games of all time, sold out in most stores globally within hours and the culmination of years of development and work, a blockbuster on all levels and if I'm honest I couldn't do this game the justice it deserves in this short sum up. This game is beyond words, if there's any game you really need in your stack it's this entry in the GTA series.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Theft_Auto_V

 

I hope you've enjoyed this small review of the top 20 Xbox 360 games to play, stay tuned for part 2 coming soon.



My ALS Ice Bucket challenge

I'm just putting my ALS ice bucket challenge on here, for a good cause and I am donating

I hope you enjoy and just donate, even if you're not going to pour ice on yourself it's a good cause.

The beginning of the start

As this is the first entry on a blog that I plan to continue to expand for the forseeable future, I think it's best I introduce myself.
My name's Stratford White and I'm an 18 year old student at City College Coventry, I live in Tile Hill, Coventry and I have been a resident of Coventry for my entire life.


My ugly mug

I have a veriety of interests of the widest veriety of subjects this including

• WW2 Military History
• The Military
• Drama
• Music
• BMX
• Fashion
• Phychology
• Media
• Technology
• Information technology
• Motor sports
• Gaming
• Science
• Sports

There are undoubtedly more subjects which I have forgotten to list, however I believe the majority of the blog posts I'll make will involve the above subjects.
That's really all I have for my first post and I hope to bring more content and updates to my blog soon.

Hope you enjoy