Summer summer summer-time!

Okay so admittedly it has been AGES since I last posted (or attempted to post more like). Been insanely busy with university work and exams and just general life things. Thankfully it's all over and I managed to finish up my second year with a few bruises and scratches, a couple of nervous breakdowns, and an incredible internship in London, so all in all life is pretty damn good right now.

Also leaving for home in a few days which I'm super excited for, despite the fact that yet another BA strike has left me stranded here for a little longer than I originally planned for. But honestly, when exams/uni is over and the weather is as hot as it is right now I can't be that annoyed.

So I usually put together a playlist of my SOTM (songs of the moment :) ) right before I have to travel, and this year is no exception. So without further ado I give you some picks from my official Summer 2010 mix:

• 11th Dimension - Julian Casablancas - Great vocals from Strokes frontman as per usual, but with a funky 60s/retro-inspired vibe. Very driving-around-with-the-top-down.  
• California Gurrls - Katy Perry Ft. Snoop Dogg - Bound to be overplayed on beaches/clubs everywhere this summer, but a good song nonetheless.
• Miami - Foals - I have this on repeat at the moment, mellow but great melody, good bus/car/train/plane song.
• NYC Moves to the Sound of LA - Funeral Party - Very energetic, raw vocals and super catchy. Good packing/rocking out in your room song.
• Animal - Miike Snow - Funky electro pop gone alternative style music. Fun happy mellowish, also a good travel song.
• Summertime - DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince - The post's namesake. The Fresh Prince needs no justification.
• Not Following You - Ellie Goulding - Very folkish song, pretty sweet melody and adorable lyrics that remind me of summer crushes. She sort of sounds like acoustic Feist here, if Leslie Feist were British.
• Closer - Corinne Bailey Rae - Love love love this. Soulful as ever, kind of sassy (yes I just used that word) and coy lyrics and just a great listen. My favourite track off of her new album by far.
• Tenderoni - Kele - Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke's first single off his upcoming album. Very up-tempo and high energy, good raving-at-club-somewhere-in-spain song. He's definitely established his own unique style which is great since it doesn't just sound like Bloc Party 2.0.
• 9 to 5 - Dolly Parton - I put this on there in the spirit of what I'll be doing this summer, but such a fun song either way. Makes me want to break out in song like I'm on an episode of Glee. But I won't :).
• Fixed - Stars - Courtesy of BIRP! May 2010. A little more upbeat and intense than their older stuff but still really good.
• Fields of Gold (Acoustic Version) - Sting - A little random (and old obviously) but kind of reminds me of lying down in a field/on a beach and staring up at the stars. Beautiful song.

And a few more notable summer-ish/just plain good songs:

• A Pencil Full of Lead - Paolo Nutini
• Holiday - Vampire Weekend
• Crystallised - The xx
• Guns + Horses - Ellie Goulding
• Watercolour - Pendulum
• Little Lion Man - Mumford and Sons

I would post the entire tracklist but I'd never stop talking so I'll leave it at that for now :)

In other news, the WWDC was held today during which Steve Jobs had an "I told you so" moment gloating over how epicly succesful the iPad has become, and more importantly, unveiled the heavenly piece of technology that is the iPhone 4 (as well as iOS4). But more on that in another post.

Happy summer people!

God Bless the Triple Espresso

So I am once again blogging from the road (sorry, rail), it seems like these train rides are the only time I can find a moment for myself. Plus there's something so poetic about writing while travelling, Mark Twain and the steamboat etc. Although this blog is hardly comparable to Huckelberry Finn, but still. I feel more inspired writing like this.
Anyways, my departure was a little less hectic this time. I even had time to grab 'breakfast' from the little kiosk at the station. I say breakfast like that because the cheese and tomato panini I'm having hardly constitutes a sandwich. The coffee however, is heavenly. And much needed at this hour, especially since I'm sick, yet again, so I'm feeling a little worse than the usual 6 AM lethargy. I'm not really sure but I'm inclined to believe coffee/caffiene isn't too good for the flu, but oh well.
Moving on, I've been meaning to do a music post for a while so without further ado, I present the
"What's Playing on my iPod" segment (catchy, I know :) )
- The Glee Soundtrack: Yes, I am a self proclaimed Gleek. I admit, it's a cheesy show at times but the characters are hilariously colourful not to mention incredibly talented. Favorites on this album include the ever popular Journey cover 'Don't Stop Believing' and their cover of Queen's 'Somebody to Love'
- Ellie Goulding: Although her album's not out yet, she's already caused quite a buzz, and with good reason. I'd describe her music as Florence and The Machine meets La Roux, sort of like folk-tronica. Favourites so far are 'Starry Eyed' and 'Under the Sheets'.
- 'Hollywood' - Marina and the Diamonds: Another new artist with a pretty unique sound. Catchy, fun song, makes me want to hear more from her.
- 'Won't Go Quietly' - Example: I don't usually like these kind of RnB electronic-ish songs but this one is pretty good. Has kind of a Mr.Hudson vibe. It's more of a party song though.
- 'Pursuit of Happiness' - Kid Cudi ft. MGMT: Genius collaboration. I love it, the video's pretty neat too, kind of trippy.
That's it for now, I'll depart with a picture of my oh so appetizing meal :).