KURT COBAIN // 20 YEARS

This last Saturday (5/4/14) marked 20 years since Kurt Cobain died, aged just 27. 

To think that 20 years have passed by seems crazy, especially when you think 

about how much times have changed and evolved since then.

Obviously being born in 1996 means that I wasn't around in Nirvana's hey day 

nor was I around when Kurt died, yet to say that as a teenager a decade and a half

later I have been just as affected and moved by their music as any teenager in the 90's

and early 00's, as well as inspired by Kurt in particular is pretty remarkable.

It's also a testament to what Kurt achieved in his short time on this Earth and his

incredible legacy.

For me it was a couple of years ago that I really discovered Nirvana, having always

wondered what that CD with funny and peculiar cover with the naked baby swimming

towards a dollar note sounded like. Like most young people of course, it was

'Smells Like Teen Spirit' that really grabbed my attention one day and lead to me

wanting to find out more about this band who seemed to capture the essence of being

a teenager so perfectly. 

I found my parents Nevermind CD, with that iconic front cover, and finally put it

in my CD player and listened to it. It wasn't what I was expecting, but it connected with

me, and for the next few months I had it on repeat. Something about Nirvana's music

made me feel this fierce pride at being young; it also gave me this rebellious spirit, a

sense of belonging, and a desire to go out and take the world by storm.

It changed the way I viewed myself as a teenager and how I viewed the world.

It finally felt like it was mine for the taking.

After discovering the power of Nevermind I listened to various radio programmes,

read books about Kurt and Nirvana in general and tried to find out as much as I could.

I read this one biography about Kurt in particular that really stuck with me, which covered 

his childhood right up to his death and the aftermath. To have a story to put to the face and

the voice in my eyes made Kurt an idol of sorts. 

Aside from being a symbol for teen rebellion and liberation, to me Kurt also represented

that internal struggle, that need to belong and be loved, valued, never quite feeling good enough,

and that inquisitive conquest to figure out humanity, life and people in general. 

I identified with him, and I know he wasn't perfect, and yeah Kurt didn't always make the 

best choices, but when you realise what was fuelling some of those choices, and you begin 

to piece together the sort of person he was.... it makes all the difference as to how you

perceive this now iconic cult figure. 

Kurt Cobain was far from perfect but he's one of those people who I think had

a genuinely beautiful yet delicate soul but it was damaged and ultimately destroyed by

the hardships, cruelty and obstacles of life. He wasn't strong enough to weather and overcome

the storm, but he really tried, and he achieved so much in his life despite his choosing to

end it so soon, and I respect and admire him for that. He was wise, intelligent, creative, and 

so talented and I hope he found the peace in death that always seemed to elude him in life.

And on that note, I'll end with one of my favourite quotes of Kurt's, one that really did

change things for me was this:

"wanting to be someone else is a waste of who you are"

and I will always be grateful for those words because although Kurt may have

struggled with his own self acceptance, his words helped me finally accept myself.

RIP Kurt Cobain

1967-1994

DEAR MILEY CYRUS...

Two words.

Miley Cyrus.

I've tried to reserve judgement on the former

Disney star who still reminds me of Hannah Montanna,

 but upon seeing photos from her 'Bangerz'

World Tour, I feel like I have to say something.

I know Miley will never read this but still...

First things first, I like her new music, she's 

found her style and it works well for her, and I'm glad

that in terms of her music she's found her calling.

That's not a problem at all.

What I don't understand is why she feels the

need to dress the way she does.

Miley is such a beautiful girl, and she really,

really, really doesn't need to dress the way she is

doing at the moment. She calls it 'art' but to me

it's a lack of self respect and some serious self

esteem problems.

A girl will only dress like that when she needs

that attention fix. That approval from the opposite sex.

Or in Miley's case, publicity. Getting your assets out on

display is a sure fire way to get the attention

you crave and thus that self esteem boost fast.

You're getting that attention but not because the

person likes who you are inside, or because they

think you're beautiful or worth something, it's because

your literally offering them the petty things they

secretly desire on a plate, knife, fork and ketchup too.

When you dress like that, people see a lack of self

respect and thus treat you with a lack of respect.

They treat you like an object and they sure as hell won't 

take you seriously.

 I don't know who Miley dresses like that for,

but if it's for herself she deserves to think more highly

of herself than that. Miley, you are worth

so much more than that, you don't need to flaunt your

body off to such an extent and wear all 

those provocative clothes.

What are you trying to prove? What do you need

to prove?

I of course don't know Miley, and I understand

she has her reasons for why she does what she does,

but as one girl speaking to another girl,

I just wish she knew that she's worth so much more than 

that. She doesn't need to be all marijuana smoking, chain

wearing, minimal clothes wearing, sexual gesturing etc.

for people to like her music or respect her as an artist.

She's degrading herself when really she needs to honor

herself. So please, dear Miley, go put on a stunning gown,

make your beautiful eyes pop, walk and hold yourself 

with grace and poise, be sexy if you want but do it with

a subtle allure, put your tongue away and smile,

treat yourself with the respect, dignity and class you

deserve. 

You owe it to yourself .

Adore You

<3

PHARRELL'S FEDORA

I'm sorry but I just had to have a moment of appreciation

for Pharrell's Fedora hat.

What. A. Corker. Of. A. Hat.

THE INCREDIBLE NELSON MANDELA

Now as you most probably know by now,

the incredible, inspiring, courageous, brave Nelson Mandela

died yesterday aged 95.

This man was and always will be a vitally important

part of history. He was a rarity, he stood up for what he believed in,

he changed not only a nation, but the world.

He lit one single match and started a global fire.

And I think it's safe to say that they just don't make'em like
that anymore.

In a country governed by a strict, inhumane apartheid, in which

people were segregated into categories according to the colour

 of their skin, Mandela rose fearlessly from the crowd

to fight against a highly prejudiced

government for change, peace, democracy.

His beliefs led to him enduring 27 years in prison,

and if that wasn't enough to rally anyone to seek revenge,

I'm not sure what will, yet this man

refused to seek revenge or to fight against his captors

as many expected.

Instead Mandela used his newly found platform and media attention

from the world press to promote his original message:

the ending of the ruthless apartheid and universal equality for all.

Of course Mandela also did so much more in his 27 years in

prison, as well as before he was jailed and

particularly in the aftermath of his release,

going on to rule South Africa at the age of 76 for five years

- a truly incredible

achievement and measure of just how far Mandela and his

fellow fighters had come.

I will never be able to list all the incredible things

this man achieved in his time on this Earth, and I know for a fact

that I will never be able to match them.

What Mandela has done is something that we should never, ever 

forget. He gave us equality, he gave us peace,

he gave us an example to follow and a message to live by.

He changed this world for the better, and we will

forever be in his debt, and although his passing is tremendously

sad you can't help but feel glad that this incredible,

inspiring man is finally at peace himself.

If he was put on this Earth to right a wrong then

Mandela more than achieved that, and if there is a heaven

up there somewhere, then I'm pretty sure that 

God will be welcoming him with open arms,

for there are few more deserving of a place in heaven

than Nelson Mandela. 

So Nelson, I just wanted to say thank you for everything,

and that I truly truly hope you are now resting in peace.

I believe that some people are put on this world for a reason,

to make a change, a difference, 

and without them I dread to think where we 

would be. Nelson is one of those people.

God bless your soul.

<3 

GLAMOROUS LADIES

I'm a sucker for vintage fashion and beauty and icons

and out of all the glamorous ladies

this world has ever produced, there's a couple who

I think are utterly fabulous and they are:

1) Marilyn Monroe
2) Audrey Hepburn

3) Grace Kelly

4) Elizabeth Taylor 

and here are some awesome photos I found this

morning when I should've been doing important things,

like preparing for uni interviews or college work.

But eh, don't mind me, just yoloing it up.

:)