Review 2013-Part 2: The FOT! Awards

Hey Everybody!

Welcome to Part 2 of my Review of 2013. This post is your ticket to the most glamourous awards show of the year- The FOT! Awards. An expert panel of my brain cells (yes, all 4 of them) has compiled a series of awards in various different categories as a gesture to the achievements made by certain groups and individuals throughout 2013. Without further a do, let's get crackin'


Travel

Best destination- Mallorca       Runner up:Bilbao

I've had a very Spanish year so Mallorca had to be top. Recently voted 2nd in the world in a survey for quality of life, Mallorca has something for everyone be it a mad night out in Magaluf, a beach holiday with the family, hiking in the various mountains or a cultural experience

Best Journey- My flight home from Mallorca to Liverpool John Lennon Airport
(read all about it here)

No excess baggage fees, early departure and arrival, discount running shoes bought at duty free, Spanish conversation and incredible views overlooking Mallorca and the Pyrenees plus meeting Chris Froome. This flight was pretty much perfect, hoping for a few more of those in 2014.

Best Souvenir- My Bilbao BBK Live 2013 Wristband.

Although I can't remove it without breaking it, this wristband reminds me of the summer I had every-time I look at it. It will be a sad day when I finally have to cut it off

Worst Journey- Bus Journey from Manchester to Bilbao

3 buses each way, over 24 hours, frantic connections at each stop, an arrest holding up the journey home by 2 hours, crazy families, crying babies, nasty smells... so many things didn't exactly go to plan on this journey although it was certainly a memorable one.

Best Travel Accessory- My Camera (Canon Ixus 510 H5)

Cameras are essential for recording your travel and it turned out the little Canon I got for my birthday is indeed an superb one. Optical zoom, tonnes of memory space, in-built editing features, special effects, decent recording functions for my Youtube videos. It has everything you could want in a camera and is very easy to carry around with you as well.

Best Travel Picture

A rainbow in the Serra de Tramuntana, Mallorca

Sports

Best Sporting Moment- Andy Murray-Wimbledon Final

77 Years of Britain waiting for another Men's singles champion at Wimbledon ended when Andy Murray beach huge rival and friend Novak Djockovic in the final. It was the most viewed TV event on British Television and after the agony and tears of 2012's final, it was much deserved.


Funniest Sporting Moment- George North giving Israel Folau a fireman's lift. Australia vs the British & Irish Lions 2nd Test

2nd Test match, stakes are high, Australia's fullback goes to tackle North but the huge winger just picks him up and takes Folau with him. Priceless. Watch it here

Goal Of The Year: Jack Wilshere vs Norwich City Runners Up: Robin Van Persie vs Aston Villa, Jonny Howson vs Manchester City

In Arsenal's 4-1 thumping of my beloved Canaries they scored one of the greatest team goals of all time. No matter how well Norwich defended there was just nothing they could do against Arsenal's pinball style passing and Wilshere's perfectly placed volley.

Team Of The Year: New Zealand Rugby/The All Blacks

First team with a 100% win ratio in a calendar year. An incredible feat

Race Of The Year: ITU Men's Triathlon World Series Grand Final, London

The World Series came down to the final race of the season in which any of 3 different triathletes could win the world title-Jonny and Alistair Brownlee and their big rival Javier Gomez. Neck and neck between the trio up until the final transition when a reoccurrence of an ankle injury meant Alistair dropped completely off the pace leaving Jonny and Gomez to a sprint finish for the title which Gomez claimed. Absolutely captivating despite the agony of the Brownlees both missing out.

Best Match Of The Year: Ireland vs New Zealand, November 24th (Rugby)

Ireland leading 22-7 at half time before a tremendous second half fightback that went beyond the full 80 minutes only for the All Blacks to win 24-22 and finish off the very first perfect year in history.

FOT! Sports Personality Of The Year: Andy Murray  Runner Up: Mo Farah

Simply for finally proving that he can deliver with the weight of a nation on his shoulders and the media circus that surrounds Wimbledon each year and having to deal with the demons of many near-misses in previous years. Also, for a man who is famous for having no personality, he has become a lot more media-savvy in the past year and can now even make the odd joke or emotional expression!

Love this Adidas advert

Music

Album Of The Year- Opposites by Biffy Clyro

Runners up: AM by Arctic Monkeys , Days Are Gone by Haim, Modern Vampires Of The City by Vampire Weekend

A really tough decision but in the end I've gone for Biffy's 'Opposites'. The ambitious double album has something for everyone whether it's the heavier tracks like 'A Girl And His Cat', 'Little Hospitals' or 'Sounds Like Balloons' for the hardcore Biffy fans or the more mainstream rock sounds of 'Black Chandelier', 'Biblical' or 'Pocket' or the heartbreakers 'Opposite', 'The Fog' or 'Skylight'. It may have been overlooked for the major awards but overall this is a great record that hasn't received the credit it's due.

Band of the Year- Alt-J       Runners Up: Biffy Clyro, Arctic Monkeys

2012's Mercury Prize winning debut album 'An Awesome Wave' has been on repeat ever since I got it due to their unique sound and positively geeky intelligence with lyrics. They have also become more confident as a live band and their Sunday night set closing the NME/Radio 1 stage at Leeds Festival was easily one of my personal highlights of the weekend.

Male Artist of the Year- Jake Bugg  

2 Hugely successful albums in 2 years have rocketed the Nottingham teen from virtually unknown to the new hope for the British Music industry. With the likes of One Direction and Union J seemingly controlling the pop music world these days, Bugg's brand of music is bringing Country, Blues, Rock and Roll and Acoustic Ballads to the masses.

Live @ Leeds Festival

Female Artist of the Year- Lucy Rose

Dubbed as the new Laura Marling, Bombay Bicycle Club collaborator Lucy Rose's 2012 debut
'Like I Used To' has been another album I have been listening to non-stop throughout the year. Filled with acoustic guitar ballads and relatable lyrics, Lucy Rose's music is very easy on the ears.

Best Newcomer- HAIM      Runners Up: Bastille, Chvrches

Two words- Girl Power. The Haim sisters are full of it and just have this incredibly sexy sound (I don't know a better way to describe it) bringing some much needed female representation to the Indie Rock scene. Debut album 'Day Are Gone' went straight to number 1 in the UK and further UK success is set to come with their 2014 UK tour.



Best Gig/Performance attended- Biffy Clyro, Leeds Festival

Having seen Biffy twice this year I have gone from despising them to loving them. They put so much into their live performances and Leeds was no exception. Elaborate staging, graphics, pyrotechnics accompanied a well rounded set of Biffy hits past and present along with a fair bit of passion and guitar smashing

Best Festival Headliner Set- Mumford & Sons-Glastonbury

One of those 'wish I was there' moments. Mumfords closed this year's Glastonbury in impressive style playing hits from both of their critically acclaimed albums with the usual gusto before finishing off with a cover of The Beatles song 'A Little Help From My Friends' aided by The Vaccines, First Aid Kit, Vampire Weekend and HAIM. The tribute to band member Ted Dwane after his recovery from brain surgery was also touching.

Worst song of the year- What Does The Fox Say? by Ylvis

Makes Rebecca Black's 'Friday' sound like a masterpiece.

Top 10 Songs Of The Year

10. Alpha Romeo by MT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36K2FPtgrtQ

9.  Fred Astaire by San Cisco http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ultX5ZR-sQE

8. Do I Wanna Know? by Arctic Monkeys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpOSxM0rNPM

7. Jamaica by Theme Park http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjoCAu8HPMw

6. Taro by Alt-J http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0W3YQu00kXY

5. It's Time by Imagine Dragons http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sENM2wA_FTg

4. Opposite by Biffy Clyro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAWFcAfN3kc

3. Don't Save Me by HAIM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiqIush2nTA

2. Diane Young by Vampire Weekend http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oG6lTQNW04I

1. My Number by Foals http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRR_pvZcu-o

Miscellaneous 

Youtuber of the Year- The Vaga Brothers- BBBTV

Runners Up: Louis Cole- FunForLouis
                     Jack+Finn Harries- JacksGap

Back in May, two plucky brothers from California by the names of Marko and Alex won the MyDestination.com Biggest Baddest Bucket List Competition, the prize? A 6 month trip around the world stopping off in 25 different destinations of their choice. With their expert camera angles and shots from their GoPro cameras, their confident TV presenter-like delivery and extensive background research on every place they visit, it's definitely worth following the boys on their trip. So far they have traveled through the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa including places such as Ecuador, Brazil, Iceland, Istanbul, Dubai and South Africa all of which have been really inspiring on my gap year.

Blogger of the Year- Ollie Craig- Ollie Moves Abroad! Runner up-Jack Kenny- Hit the Road, Jack

Not only does Ollie write informative, funny and interesting posts for his Year Abroad blog but he also helped me get the Au Pair job in Mallorca and provided me with some handy info and advice. I can't thank him enough. Definitely owe him a drink when we're both in Southampton next September.

Funniest Moment- Josh Spivey

Like most years there has been plenty to keep me cheerful and this year my Spanish lessons with my friend Josh and the rest of my spanish crew including Natalia, Tom, Matt and Jonny have been by far the most entertaining moments however I struggle to pick one particular moment that outshines the others. Instead, I'll go back a few weeks to when I was skyping Josh in Nottingham from Mallorca and he drew on his laptop webcam only to realise it was permanent ink! The panic that ensued was hilarious to watch and yes, he did get it off in the end.

Best Food- Frit.

This cheeky little dish of chips and assorted peppers get pretty addictive. So irresistible

Best Drink- Kalimotxo.

Red wine and coke, it is the local drink of the Basque Country which I discovered whilst in Bilbao this summer. A quick way of getting emboracho, drink responsibly!

Best TV show- New Girl                     Runner Up: Fresh Meat, How I Met Your Mother

I haven't watched a great variety of TV this year but I must admit I became addicted to New Girl. Zooey Deschanel's quirkiness as lead character Jess is one of many reasons to watch it along with Max Greenfield's role as Barney Stinson-esque ladies man Schmidt. Lamorne Morris (Winston) and Jake Johnson (Nick) make up a hilarious cast and with cameo appearances from Taylor Swift this year and Prince in 2014 what is there not to like?


Best Film- We're The Millers Runners Up: Anchorman 2, Django Unchained

I do love a bit of comedy and We're The Millers was as good as they got in 2013. Don't know whether it was because of Will Poulter being cast, but the film had a distinct feel of British humour about it in which the writers knew where the comedic line was and then proceeded to cross it repeated times. Very rare for an American film, absolutely brilliant comedy.

Best Book- Swim, Bike, Run by Alistair and Jonny Brownlee

I admit to not being the keenest reader and I have had very little time for it this year but when the Brownlee brothers book came out at the start of summer I just had to buy it as they are two of my favourite athletes. The book divulges their training regimes, rise to success, mindset of a top endurance athlete and has some handy tips for budding triathletes. It has certainly encouraged me to try out the sport at some stage in the future.

Most famous person met- Chris Froome Runner Up: Jake Bugg

As I may have mentioned once or twice, I met Chris Froome during my flight home from Mallorca. He seemed like a very humble and nice guy and I have so much respect for him as a sportsman and a cyclist.

And now, what we've all been waiting for...

Top 10 Best Moments of 2013

10. Homebrew Fest 2013

Probably the best gig I've ever played and one of the most enjoyable

9. Great Manchester Swim

My 2nd Great Manchester Swim was much tougher than the previous year however I am proud to say I did it and that I raise so much money for Cancer Research UK.

8. Theme Park Gig

Excellent gig in what was a lovely small venue (Ruby Lounge,Manchester) making for a very intimate performance. Was also a real pleasure to meet Miles,Marcus and Oscar afterwards too. I'm a huge admirer of their music and they always look like they're enjoying themselves on stage.

Oscar

Miles

Marcus

7. Trip to Southampton

It wasn't really until my Interview trip in February that I decided Southampton Uni was the place for me. Having seen from the inside what it is like to be a student there, I can't wait to get stuck in come next September.

6. Mallorca

So many great moments to choose from in Mallorca but I decided to go with the whole thing. Whether it was playing live music in the bars of Palma, swimming in the Bay de Pollenca, hiking in the mountains of the Serra de Tramuntana or playing/watching football, I always had something to do and it was the perfect start to my gap year.

5. Winning the Intertown League

Not until this year had Marple SC won the league so to be a member of that winning team in my final full season with the club was something really special and a highlight of my swimming career with notables wins and races vs Romiley, Ashton, Saracens and at the Celebration Gala.

4. AQ Leavers Ball

Over the past 2 years, Aquinas has changed me so much as a person and I always knew it would be tough to leave so the Leavers Ball was certainly the perfect way to go out: in style

3. Leeds Festival

Leeds this year was a really interesting experience working as a volunteer and allowed me to meet so many great people and see tonnes of my favourite bands for free! I almost definitely intend on doing it again next year.

2. Bilbao BBK Live

Bilbao BBK wasn't just a great festival but a mini-adventure with many ups and downs. A truly brilliant international experience that I won't forget.

1. A Level Results

If you read my previous blogpost (Review of 2013 Part 1), then you will know that much of my year has been dedicated to studying in order to gain access to the University of my wishing-Southampton. To finally receive my A levels knowing that I achieved the goal I set out to accomplish two years ago is a huge relief and proves to me that all those hours of note making, essay writing and Spanish/French conversation have been worth it. To read my A level results post click here

Well, that's been 2013 and with the New Year just hours away I'd like to say something. Thank you to everyone who has been reading my blog since I started it in September be it all 22 posts or just this one. Since I've been home I've received some genuinely nice comments from various people about it which I must say is really unexpected but I am grateful nonetheless. I will continue to blog in various forms in 2014 so I would love it if you kept reading.

Wishing you all a very happy new year and may 2014 be kind to you!

lots of love,

Fraser x

FP

#FraserOnTour

A Posford Christmas at Home

Merry Christmas!

¡Feliz Navidad!             Joyeux Anniversaire!                ¡Bon Nadal!

Seasons greetings all around. I hope everyone is having a great festive period this year. I'd like to share with you my Christmas experience.

Christmas was a funny one this year. As I lay in bed in the early hours of Christmas morning, having finished a previous blogpost, the usual excitement for the day to come simply wasn't there. Had I finally outgrown Christmas? One thing was for certain, I just wasn't really feeling Christmas this year.                               Why?                        It just wasn't the same.

Well, to start with, we were missing some people. Each year, we spend Christmas together as a family with my grandparents however after Gramps passed away last month and with Imogen away on her Year Abroad spending Christmas with her boyfriend in Dubai (alright for some eh), the first time I'd spent Christmas without her, we were down on numbers. Second thing was the venue. In years gone-by we alternated having Christmas at home in Stockport one year then Christmas at my grandparents' home in Norwich. The past three years we had gone to Norfolk due to Gramps' ill health but this year we were back home instead and Dad brought Gran up to join us on the 22nd. It was a shame for me because I have always considered Norfolk sinonimos with Christmas. It is a truly magical place at this time of the year and one of my first memories of coming to England and of Christmas in general is when Imogen and I toddled around in the snow on Christmas day when I was about 3 or 4. Christmas at home in the North West has never really felt like a proper Christmas for me. Thirdly, there was no real build up to Christmas what with being in Mallorca. No carol concerts to prepare for, no advent calendars, no Christmas TV specials, no cold weather, it just didn't feel right.

Anyway, despite all my moaning/worrying/discomfort whatever you want to call it, Christmas 2013 was a pleasing one.

On Christmas Eve, Gran, Mum and I attended a carol service in which Ethan did a reading in front of the congregation as part of his drama group. He read very loudly and confidently which was great to witness as Ethan is not always the clearest speaker in general conversation. The few carols we sung at the service served as a warm up for mine and Ethan's next activity. When we are at home, it is a tradition on Christmas eve to go carol singing as members of the Marple Scouting group and deliver hampers to lonely elderly folk around Marple who don't necessarily have a lot of company. There were at least 40 of us, the biggest group I'd ever been part of, and we spent the best part of 2 hours visiting all the designated houses on our tour around the town followed by Mince Pies, Biscuits and
warm Vimto back at Scout HQ. Always nice to do a good Christmas deed.

Carol singing

Ethan's reading

Onto Christmas Day itself. Unlike previous years, I woke up at a sensible time- 11AM cos I'm getting old and that- before donning my Christmas jumper and joining the rest of the family in a late Christmas breakfast. We had planned to skype with Imogen at 11 however it turns out that skype is banned in Dubai so we had to settle for a good ol' fashioned telephone call, passing the phone around the table for our 5 minutes or so conversation with her. A nice touch and it was great to hear how she was experiencing her much warmer Christmas in the Emirates. When it got down to presents time, I wasn't expecting too much because my main present was to be my air travel tickets for the rest of my gap year but I was pretty pleased with my small collection of gifts. I got some new clothes including new running gear, woolly hat and a t-shirt, the latest Arctic Monkeys' album 'AM', money, an iTunes voucher, chocolate, a Brussels guide book (that will come in handy soon) and a set of paper airplanes-a symbol of my main present. Other notable presents include Dad's garish fluorescent high-vis running cap and Ethan received a PS4, it's safe to say he has barely left the living room since!

Roxy opening one of her presents

AM, didn't rated when it was first released but after a few listening I can now see why everyone is raving about it.   Top album

My main present...Kind of. Plane tickets to a yet to be confirmed destination ooooh

Mum with her new scarf

Gran

Dad and his new hat

Ethan and his PS4, a long lasting partnership I expect

Our Christmas tree

After all the present giving, I took Roxy (our dog) on a Christmas day run to Woodley and back to test out my new running top (it works, for the avoidance of doubt) before tucking into the sumptuous Christmas lunch, always one of my favourite parts of the day. The crackers we bought this year each contained a small whistle inside which when played in a certain order following some numbers on a piece of paper would make famous christmas tunes. This was a calamitous yet entertaining activity as we all tried to work together to play 'Jingle Bells', 'Silent Night' and such like but instead sounding like a group of referees doing a sound check-nothing resembling of a tune. The day finished with watching a bit of Christmas telly including the Doctor Who Christmas special as per (Malcolm Tucker is now the Doctor, win win) whilst playing a bit of Scrabble which Mum won convincingly, no change there! It was by no means a perfect Christmas day but there are certain aspects of the day that always make it special and this year was no exception.

Christmas dinner

Safe to say Dad likes carving the turkey...

Whistles

Dad conducting us

FOOD OF THE WEEK: New York Cheesecake. Because I don't like ANY of the traditional Christmas desserts, this is my go-to. One of the many reasons why I long to visit NYC

Chocolate log

Good start to Scrabble

Boxing day was another slow starter before we took a walk up nearby Werneth Low finishing with a pint in the Hare & Hounds pub at the top. No matter what time of year you go, you always get to see great views overlooking Manchester and the surrounding area; even the North Welsh Coast on a clear day. The following day, we drove down to the Midlands to visit my Uncle Len and Auntie Pauline at their new home in Shipston on-Stour having moved from London this year. They were very pleased to see us as it had been a while since our previous meeting back in April and we had what was our second helping of post-christmas lunch, turkey and cranberry sauce sandwiches and all.

View of Manchester from the top of Werneth Low

Dad brought Gran back to Norfolk yesterday to pretty much end the festivities and as I told her before she left "It's not Christmas without you" which very true considering how little time we have the pleasure of seeing her throughout a year.

Our attentions now turn to New Year and it's just dawned on me that it is now officially a week until I set off for the next leg of my gap year in Brussels, woah that's soon!

In the words of the late and great John Lennon:

'A Very Merry Christmas, and a happy new year, let's hope it's a good one, without any fear'

I'm hoping.

#FraserOnTour

FP

Say hello to Ethan, the Christmas Reindeer