Roast Dinners Are Not My Thing!

I am in a family that when a roast dinner is announced or suggested, they run at the chance. Roast dinner crazy, the whole lot of 'em! But me, silly old me, no. No thanks. I'd rather eat a pizza with a nice cold drink and watch TV. I don't fancy eating a roast dinner: pool of gravy, hard dry meat (except for chicken), dry potatoes, roast potatoes (well, except for them) and so on and so on. And I know your face may twist at the thought of me writing a post about roast dinners and you're probably thinking or saying out loud: "Is this guy for real? Why the hell would I want to read about what he thinks about ROAST BLOODY DINNERS for?!' Well, yeah, you're entitled to your opinion and whatnot but the whole purpose of this blog was to write something. And this time, roast dinners!

I've always had a little bit of a hit and miss relationship with food. I love food but I don't love it. Get me? I've always been a bit picky with my food and I've had the tendency to take forever, FOREVER, making the food look nice on my plate - especially with salad. I blame Masterchef! But anyway, I've always been very 'hmm' about food. Especially with roast dinners. I remember a photograph of me as a little child and it's from my Nan's house and it's a photo of me with big curly hair (yep!) and my face is smothered with gravy. All over! I look like a right (messy) idiot to say the least. But it's been a photograph that has stayed with me in memory (that and the photo off me in the bath, why!??!?!).

Like I said, my family love their roast dinners. One on a Sunday (hmm, okay, Sunday is fine) and one on a Wednesday. Um... why?! Why?! One on a Sunday should be enough surely? But I would come home from school, watch TV (probably Scooby Doo, Zak and Cody, Drake and Josh, That's So Raven, Hannah Montanna (shh! I was just a child!) and then it would be tea time. My family would have the dinner and I would have... probably pasta, or preferably pizza! I just don't see the whole 'ooh, a roast dinner, mm, lovely!' thinking that my family (and many others) have when it comes to them. 

The only times when I can eat a roast dinner happily and not tut my way though (quite rare, quite rare...) is Christmas Day with Christmas dinner. And this is allowed as it's 'Christmas dinner' not 'roast dinner' even though it is just a roast dinner but with turkey, sprouts, at Christmas and my family sat around the same table. It's a roast dinner, pure and simple! But it's Christmas and I love a good Christmas tradition, so why break the tradition? I love turkey. Chicken and turkey are the only meats I eat (except for some ham on a midnight snack kinda thing) but it's chicken or turkey. But chicken I love more so. So, Christmas - fine. But I also love my Nan's dinner and I don't know whether it's the actual dinner or if it is just the gravy but I am more inclined to think that it is the gravy as it so smooth and soft and just so damn tasty. SO GOOD! But ever since, I'm not a big fan of gravy. More of a curry type of guy. 

The one thing that I absolutely love about a roast dinner is the roast potatoes. Mm. Lovely. I love roast potatoes but I don't love potatoes. Oh no, they have to be roasted! I love the soft golden colour on them and ah... I just love them. Not when they are black and just gross though, mum! But yes, roast potatoes are just... well, they are just, good. That's it. Good! And over the years, I've had alternatives to roast dinner on a Sunday - I've tried chicken and salad! And like I said above, I take for ages putting the food on the plate... yes, I blame Masterchef! But chicken and salad got a bit boring, a bit repetitive so now I  have the same dinner (with more roast potatoes, thanks mum!), chicken, peas and chicken gravy. Great. I just leave the peas, the carrots and the one white potato that my mum thinks I'll give a try but of course, I never do. 

That's that, my little post about roast dinners! I don't love them, I don't hate them, they are just... not my thing!

But what about you? Do you love/like/hate roast dinners? Let me know below in the comments...!

Thanks for reading!

That's all for now,

Corey.

Book Review #1: Dermot O'Leary: The Soundtrack to My Life

For Christmas, I had opened Dermot O'Leary's book, which to be honest, I did point at in Tescos where my mum just smiled at me! But I've always been a fan of and admired Dermot and his great work. He is so generous, so laid back (in a good way!), he is a true gentleman and he has written a cracking read in 'The Soundtrack to My Life'.

I've recently (like, ten minutes ago when I'm writing this) finished the book and it was an utter joy to read. It was very conversational which I really really loved. I love a book that isn't just 'my mum gave birth to me, then I went to this school, blah, blah, blah'. There is none of that here with Dermot. It's real, it's honest and it's rather bloody good. There were two reasons why I wanted to read this book: 1) I'm a big fan of Dermot and as he is a private person (quite rightly so), I don't know a lot about him, so it would be good to understand a bit more about him and 2) I'm a big fan of TV and radio and with Dermot being such a great talent on both, I thought it would be packed full of stuff related to how TV/radio works and boy, is there a lot! So, as you can see, I'm a happy boy with this book.

The basis of this book is that instead of 'chapters' as such, a song (or a few) that has been impacted on his life and his passion for music screams right through. Every chapter and every song that is used, he just screams and screams his love for the chosen song/s and for music in general. Which cannot be surprising with him being on Radio 2 and on The X Factor, perhaps. But written in his conversational, sarcastic and witty style, he doesn't write in the typical celeb autobiography that is out there (and god, is there a lot!), he writes certain parts off his life and how music has had an influence in that said moment.

The book really gave me an insight of how TV and of how radio worked. Which is what I wanted in the book, so that made me (immensely) happy! I have had such a big passion in TV and I love getting to know the behind the scenes stuff. I really do. After I finish watching a TV show, I turn to Google and I search for a script for the show and I sit there for hours reading the script; I love it. I love watching behind the scenes videos too, I just love it. And this is what the book gives me (and other readers, of course). I have a much better understanding of radio which I've hoped to pursue in the future. When I was younger for example, I and my nephew (whom is a year younger than me) used his microphone and this app on our phones and we pretended that we had our own radio show. We loved it. Both of us. Even though nobody was listening (though, there was this one guy at the end of the street in a sulk who sat there for ages and only left when we finished the 'show', so I guess that is a good sign) but I loved it. I've got a better understanding of what happens with TV (although this book really enhanced it, so thanks Dermot!), but radio? Well, this book really opened my eyes and has only wanted me to pursue it even more. Which can only be seen as a good sign, right?

What I love about Dermot that illuminates in this book is that he is real. Real. He isn't pretending to be somebody he's not. He's the cheeky guy-next-door type of person. He's a great role model to me. He is. This may sound really cheesy but he is. He's a hard worker, he is a great inspiration to many and I just love his sarcastic wit.

The other thing that I love about this book is the cover. And I know people say: "Never judge a book by its cover!" (especially in English class) but what a gorgeous cover. It's so 'vintage' and 'retro' and I love the style. It's a cover that stands out; it grabs the attention of the person. Well, it did to me and it looks so good on my bookshelf right now. I can't stop smiling at it! It's a great cover, and it's a great book. And it's full of music and as Dermot quite clearly says: "you don't choose the soundtrack, it chooses you." And that is exactly right. This is a great book if you love music, you are a fan of Dermot or you just want to read a great book of a hard working man to where he has become today. Or all three if you like. It's a great book so I hope you love it as much as I did.

Thanks for reading!

That's all for now,

Corey.

Goodbye 2014, Hello 2015!

Goodbye 2014, you've been a bit of a 'meh' year to be honest. But I'm determined to make 2015 a much, much better year for me. 2015 is the year when I turn the big eighteen, hurrah. It is the year when I hopefully get the grades that I need to go to university and study what I love and then hopefully pursuing a career in a journalistic field. Hopefully. I sat back in 2014, I let everything and everyone fall on top off me and get the better off me, well, not anymore! I want to be something, be somebody in 2015, I want to do more with my life, travel to new places, make new friends, do new things out of my comfort zone - I want to do something. And that is why I did this blog. To write something. To do something. I love to write, so why not write a blog? Why the bloody hell not?

So, a new year and new resolutions. These are my five resolutions that I hope to achieve in 2015 (there's a lot of hope in this post, isn't there?):

1. To read more: I've always been a lover of books, I love to be engrossed by a book, it's characters, it's story; I've always enjoyed that, ever since a young age. Books, books, books. My parents (and the majority of my family) would say: "You've got more books than WHSmiths!" Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever. But lately, I read a book and I don't finish it. I start a new book, don't finish it, and the cycle continues. But not anymore! I want to read a book, finish it, enjoy it and then read another one. Simple. Currently, I'm reading Dermot O'Leary's book, 'The Soundtrack To My Life' and what a bloody good read it is (more on the book in a later date!). So, yeah, I want to get back into the reading habit and to just read more. And more importantly, to enjoy the books that I'm reading.
2. Study more: This is a big year for me in education - it is the last year of college (hurrah!) and then hopefully if I get my grades, I'm off to university (hurrah?). University hasn't been a number one goal in my life. It's just been something there for me, but when I started college, I realised that I should go to university as it could really help with my career ambition - to be a script writer/journalist. So, yeah, I need to focus more on my studies and the grades that I need are a B in English, to pass my Welsh Baccalaureate (those in Wales studying it will know it's a pain in the... well, it's a drag.) Though to be fair, it really is helpful with your grades, especially in my case and I need a C in another subject. So, I hope the history paper is much better than last years! 
3. Do more: Did you laugh at that? "Do more"... I did, anyway. But yeah, do more with my life instead of watching TV programmes (even though there's nothing wrong with that, right?) but I want to do more. I want to go to new places, I want to see more things, see more people, go to more gigs and concerts, I just want to enjoy life and not for it to be a pain in the arse so I won't enjoy it. 
4. Exercise more: Like I've said in an earlier post, I'm not a big fan of exercising. But I really, really, really want that to change. I say it again and again (like most people I imagine): I'll go to the gym! New year, new me! Hurrah! But... yeah, I don't stick to it at all (like most people I imagine). In 2015, I really want to get into the 'fitness' and sporty bug. Why the bloody hell not, eh?
5. Write more: Whether that be by on this blog or just writing in general, I want to do it more. I have a few other bits and bobs that I'm working on and it just gets better and better. I love writing characters. I love giving them a voice, a personality. I love letting my imagination go free and finding these obscure, weird, yet wonderful characters on the way. So, yeah, I hope to continue writing as I love it so much. (Cheese fest, much?).

So, that's my resolutions: hopefully I'll stick to them! I hope you've had a good 2014 and an even better 2015! Tell me in your comments your new year's resolutions!

That's all for now,

Corey.

Fitness Diary #1 - Let's Get Started...

Hello! This time, it's all about fitness. Yes, that's right, fitness. To be honest, I'm not a fan of fitness, exercising, sport, none of it. Zilch. No thank you, sir. I hated PE in school, I detested it. I sat on the grass watching the rest of the guys play football or whatever. I just hated it. It didn't interest me in the slightest. Except for rugby during later in school, I don't know, I just sort of got into it. But I'm not a fan of fitness and exercise. But I want that to change. (Bear with...) I want to get into fitness, the gym, exercise, lose weight more. So, with my new blog, I thought why not write a fitness diary? It could be fun. And also, it gives me an excuse to write something...

The gym. I've been what... three times now? Probably three times and at first I walked into this big room with big machines with big men showing off with their big muscles. It was awful. It's like I entered a completely different world and in a sense, I did. I instantly formed a close connection with the rowing machine. What a great machine! I love it. It's the only thing that grabbed my attention for longer than two seconds. Even more so than the exercise bikes with TV screens. Let's talk about that for a moment shall we? Exercise bikes with TV screens. It's just like being at home - TV, sitting down but it's not though is it? At home, you sit down at front of the TV, probably carrying huge amount of snacks, you sit comfortably, you don't pedal, you don't sweat all over your body (except you're wearing a onesie, yes, a onesie and it's boiling). So, yes, exercise bikes with TV screens: just like at home but sweatier. But I did enjoy watching Tipping Point while pedaling, it was fun. The treadmill on the other hand... where do I start? What buttons do I press? Do I go too fast? Slow? In the middle? Or do I up the speed when the person next to me on the treadmill goes faster than me? What do I do? Oh, okay, I'll just up the speed in the best way that I see fit. No problem. None whatsoever. It took me a while for me to understand the treadmill, more than it should have probably. I didn't like it so I went back to the rowing machine. I love it.

Do you know what I find admirable? Old people at the gym. What a sight! I walked in and there was this seventy-something woman on the cross trainer and she was in such a good shape. She had the full outfit - a neon leotard, purple headband, pink sweatbands. Yes, she looked like she just came from a really camp musical or a really camp 80's fancy dress party. But she was having the time off her life, she was going for it at full speed. More than I could have. I was more impressed that there is a place for you to put your bottle in! Probably best to use water, a smoothie, or why the hell not, a protein shake. What the hell, you're into this fitness malarkey, you might as well go full out.

So, yes, gyms... not my best thing to be honest but it's a lot better after your first time. It is. It's big and scary and really uncomfortable at first but later on, you'll be fine. You'll be watching Tipping Point with more and more sweat and that bit closer to getting that killer body for your holiday.

Other than the gym, I bought a skipping rope and other bits and bobs clothing wise. Isn't there a lot of great fitness clothes? The patterns, the colours, the trainers... shame about the weighty price though. Really? They say that there is a massive problem with obesity, more and more people overweight and they need to exercise and go to the gym, but how when a pair, just A PAIR of shorts cost £20? Or a pair of running leggings cost £30?! How? This fitness malarkey is a lot off money. It is. But yes, anyway, I bought a skipping rope. Over many years, I have been told that I am a great skipper. Thanks mum! But yeah, even I say that I'm pretty good with a skipping rope. I love it. It's fun. It's pretty easy and I can go really fast and can make people dizzy. Hurrah! So, yes, if gyms are not your thing, go for a skipping rope. Can't go wrong. Just don't do it inside and break a precious family heirloom or something. Yep, go outside.  If it's raining, just stick a Davina McCall DVD on and you'll be fine.

So, that's it for my fitness diary number one! Hopefully, I can stick at it and I can also write about it. I want to try new things; perhaps a class? God, maybe not. A walk? Maybe. A run? Maybe. Actually, I've always loved the idea of running: running through the countryside with your earphones, in your really colourful (and expensive) sport gear. You see, the idea off it sounds absolutely great but in reality? Let's see how it goes yeah? So, I'll grab my bottle of water, my new workout clothes and let's get fitter shall we? Yeah we shall. And no, I'm not wearing a camp outfit from a musical. Or a really camp 80's fancy dress costume.*

That's all for now...

Corey.

*Only at a really camp 80's party or a really camp musical is that acceptable.

My Top 6 TV Shows of 2014!

Hello. A new post and this time it's about my top six shows of 2014. So, here are my choices:

1. Happy Valley: This was a show that I was really interested and excited to watch because a) It is written by Sally Wainwright and she also writes Last Tango in Halifax which I also love to watch so it was great that Sally wrote something new for BBC One and relating to Last Tango in Halifax, Sarah Lancashire plays the role of Catherine, and boy, what a performance! She was just magnificent in the role. Just amazing. Astounding. It gripped the nation, it sent Twitter in a frenzy, everyone was talking about it, it was just fantastic television. And yes, there is going to be a second series. One to watch out for...
2. How to Get Away With Murder: What a show. There, a simple sentence but also a true sentence. The show centers around the mystery off who killed Sam. We go back and forwards in time as we get more clues about what really happened to Sam. It is a sexy, stylish, fantastic show that grabbed my attention right away. It even made me want to study law. And I can't say that nothing else has made me want to study law. Watch and be amazed at Viola Davis as she excels in this role that will keep you wanting more, and more, and more.
3. Doctor Who: Doctor Who is my favourite show. There, I've said it. I'll hold my hands up high; guilty as charge. It always has been, I'm practically obsessed with the show. Literally. I have mountains of books, DVDS, loads of merchandise. It was my childhood and it is a great part off my life now. As sad as it sounds. So, season eight and Peter Capaldi as the Doctor. Doesn't get any better than that does it? Not for me! I have loved Capaldi in the role of the Doctor. He is just magnificent, a truly great actor and his passion for the show just screams through. It really does. Although there may have been a few weak episodes in the series and unnecessary forced Danny and Clara moments, it has been a great series. Michelle Gomez as the Master... wow. What a performance as the utterly insane 'Missy'. 'Doctor Chang!' is one of my favourite, if not, of the whole series eight. I can't wait to see more of Michelle! Jenna Coleman has also been really impressive in the role of Clara. The relationship of Clara and the Doctor has really been an exciting thing to watch and to develop. More of that please. 
4. The Missing: I love a good gritty drama that I can think about and try and work out the killer or whoever. I love it. I thrive off it. Of course, I don't dig out my Sherlock Holmes costume, my magnifying glass, watching the episodes again and again just to see if I missed just... something. Of course not. (I literally don't - I don't own a Sherlock Holmes costume, honest). But yes, The Missing is another drama that got everyone talking about. It centers around little Oliver Hughes going missing and his father and mother are desperately trying to find out what happened to their son. Especially the dad, Tony as he can't give up his obsession to finding out what happened to Oliver. The ending may have been up in the air or not that clear, but it is a great show with fantastic writing, directing, cinematography and acting. Frances O'Connor really stood out for me with her performance of Emily, the mother. The scenes when she sees Oliver, when she goes on the bridge, was just fantastic. Gave me goosebumps. I can't wait to see what series two has to offer.
5. Eastenders: This show has really stepped up a gear in 2014, it really has. With the new producer, Dominic Treadwell-Collins, the show has really had, quite frankly, a kick up the arse and it has had the nation gripped by the 'Who Killed Lucy Beale?' story that is part of the 30th anniversary celebrations off the show. There are lots of suspects, practically, most off the cast and I'm still not that 100% positive about who has actually did it. But I'm thinking it has to be somebody close to the Beales, or if not, one of the Beales themselves. Maybe Ian? Hmm... let's keep watching and investigating. In our Sherlock Holmes costumes, of course. (If we have one!).
6. Gogglebox: This has recently been upgraded to my 'favourite TV shows' list as it is hilarious. I love watching people, it's great. In a non-creepy way. I love watching people's reactions, people just being... well, people. And Gogglebox gives me that opportunity. On paper, it's the most boring ideas for a TV show EVER. It's basically people watching TV and talking about it. That's it. But I love it. I had the Gogglebox book for Christmas (yes, there is a book!), and I am in love with it. I love finding out more about the people on the show, I love finding out their thoughts about things related to TV. It's a great book, I highly recommend it! It's full of great quotes. My favourites on the show are: Chris and Stephen, Steph and Dom, Leon and June... pretty much all off them in their own special way. Except the people who play chess. What's the point? Sorry, but no. Not for me. They add nothing to the show. But yep, it's hilarious. And I can't wait for the most-likely board game off the show for next Christmas. 

So, there you have it! My top six shows off 2014. It's been a great year for television. And I hope it's going to be the same in 2015 too. I hope you liked my little image/chart at the start... it took me ages! Ages! So, yeah, I hope you enjoyed TV in 2014.

What are your favourite shows off 2014? Let me know in the comments! 

That's all for now...

Corey.

Just a quick hello...

Hello! I'm Corey and I've been in and out off the blogging world for many, many, many years. But like most things nowadays, I forget about it and I don't write on it. It's just like an old book you've had for Christmas that you don't like from your Auntie; collecting dust over dust. But I want to write something, just to write something. I write scripts, I write short stories, but most of all, obviously, I write. Now, with a new year approaching, a new me shall emerge, a blog-writing me, even. Well, hopefully.

So, hello. Welcome to my blog. This is a place where I'd write something - it may be my thoughts about something, for example: buses, perhaps. It maybe reviews, may that be TV, books, music, movies or whatever. Basically, I will write. So, I think it's best that you get to know a bit about me. I'm Corey, I'm seventeen, I'm from Wales, I'm studying English Language and Literature, History and Government and Politics at college. My career ambitions is to be a journalist writing reviews about TV shows, interviewing the stars of those TV shows or to write for TV drama. If you haven't already guessed,  I'm a huge fan of TV. I love it - it brings everyone together, it unites the family and friends and it can make people smile, laugh, cry, rant, it can infuriate people. But what's the harm in that? So, yeah, I love TV. My favourite shows include: Doctor Who, Miranda, Sherlock, Game of Thrones, Gogglebox (I actually, seriously LOVE this show, I'm watching it with a big smile on my face!), to name but a few. So, TV - done. I'm not a massive music buff, I'm clueless. A classic comes on and everyone is all: "Ooh, I love this song! Come on, dance!" and then there's me... sitting there, asking: "What is this song again? I haven't heard it in ages!" Pretending that I do know the song but I don't  know the song. You get me? So, yeah, music isn't my forte, so to speak. But really the important things that you need to know about me when you read my blog are that I'm Corey and I like to write. Always have done. As a kid, I would sit on the floor in my Nan's little flat, on the floor surrounded by paper and pens and pencils and imagination. Stories about monsters, aliens (as can probably seen by Doctor Who love), so yeah, hello, I'm Corey. I like to write.

Welcome to my blog.

Hopefully I'll get to write some more this coming year.

Got to dash, I'm watching the new Last Tango in Halifax.

So, I'll leave it at that for now.

Corey.

(PS: you can follow me on Twitter - @coreyterrett and if you are young and hip, follow me on Instagram - @coreyterrettoh ... as you can see, I'm very original).