22 AND A HALF REASONS WHY JULY MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE BEST MONTH OF MY LIFE

Even before July had started I knew it was going to be pretty special. There was a lot lined up but it seems to have been on a roll since day one. I've compiled this post of amazing things that have happened (in no particular order) this month, making a very strong case for it to be the best month in the history of my life. Check it out.

1. THE WICKEDLAND EXHIBITION

As I'm sure a lot of you know, on the 5th of the month I held my first ever solo exhibition. The HQ was full of new and old faces all chilling, having a drink and looking at a collection of my artwork. I was overwhelmed with the attendance and saw so many faces I didn't expect to see. It was kind of like a birthday party, but I didn't have to clean up after.

2. BBQ SEASON

It well and truly got underway. I think I might have had 1 or 2 this year so far but july has been steadily punctuated with grill meat cook outs.

3. JAY Z TICKETS

Tom managed to secure two standing tickets for myself and him to go see the jiggaman live in October. He is one of those people I've seen live on screen so many times but never had the pleasure so it should be good.

4. DILATED PEOPLES TICKETS

An old hip hop favourite of mine that I've fell back in love with since Evidence (far left) dropped his solo album in 2011. I decided I wanted to see them live and got tickets for me, Frank and Dan.

5. ARCTIC MONKEYS TICKETS

I don't think there is a musical act performing today that I want to see more than these guys. They shut down the main stage at Glasto, as ever I watched on wishing I got a ticket and waited for their tour tickets to go on sale. This was the 5th time in my life I have tried to get tickets to see them and failed, I was so so gutted. They crashed the ticketmaster website in 8 seconds. I was wallowing, coming to terms with the fact I wasn't going to get to see them when they announced another date and I was in their like a fucking SOLDIER. I scored two tickets and I will be off to see them in November.

6. MCDONALDS MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN

Don't chat to man about the burger on the right. very serious business. It's got like a mexican sauce and peppers and shit in it. It's crazy. 

7. THE LIGHT VIDEO

I finally got around to editing and releasing the video for this song by myself and Twisted Pennys called 'The Light'. People enjoyed it!

8. UFC 162

Chris Weidman shocked the world of MMA and beat long time middleweight title belt holder Anderson Silva. Silva is so dominant, I can only describe him as the Usain Bolt of mixed martial arts. He hasn't lost a fight since 2006, and Weidman beat him.

The reason this is good news to be was I was planning on piling as much money as I could get together on Silva winning. my Ladbrokes app had my old card details and I couldn't go ahead with it. I've never been so relieved and happy.

9. DRAKE ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM

Drake's new album will be out September 17th and is entitled 'Nothing Was The Same.'

10. GTA5 GAMEPLAY TRAILER

GTA released that trailer that gave anyone remotely interested in being alive a hard on. There is not a doubt in my mind this will be the best game ever.

11. MAGNA CARTA HOLY GRAIL

Even if lyrically, in my opinion Jay Z's new album is lacking, there is no doubt that for production value he works with a great team and has produced some sterling work in MCHG. It's unquestionably been a welcome soundtrack to my July.

12. CRICKET!

I went to the 20twenty with Tom, Mikky and a bunch of their lot. It's the first time I've been in years and it was a real good laugh. Leicestershire beat Nottinghamshire in fine fashion.

13. LIVE WITH TEEPS AT THE MUSIC CAFE

After the exhibition I did a live performance of the stuff from our recent Silver Tongued EP and a couple other tunes with Teeps at the Music Cafe. It was good fun, I enjoyed the performance and it was probably the business night I've been a part of at TMC.

14. OUR TRIP TO VISIT JAMIE IN LONDON

I had a lovely little swan down to London to visit Jamie is his super balling new place. Me, Tom, Dan and Brad went down and spent the weekend enjoying the blazing sun, BBQ and boozing.

15. DARRYL AKA MASSAPPEALS ON THE MAIN STAGE AT GLOBAL GATHERING

He is having a great year and when I saw this picture I was so proud of him. It really sunk in that a lot of my close friends are doing really well for themselves recently.

16. SAINSBURY'S COMMISSION WITH DEBBIE BIRD

I scored some freelance work with a local artist called Debbie Bird. We worked together all of last week on a project for sainsbury's. The sun was great, I enjoyed the week and the work paid rather handsomely.

17. MORE CRICKET

The ashes have been back on and it's good fun. The first test was a great game and the second one was a relentless pulverising. The Australia team is so piss poor this year and that is not a problem as an England fan.

18. LUTHER WAS BACK ON

The best british drama in years was back on BBC1 through out June. 4 highly enjoyable episodes, even if the season finale was a sub standard visual definition of the word 'predictable'.

19. MONSTERS UNIVERSITY

I'll be honest, I wasn't blow away by Wreck It Ralph. For the potential that film had I felt it just didn't deliver. It was good to see Pixar back to undeniable top form with this. Although I usually object to follow ups to classic titles this was brilliant, start to finish laced with layers of detail. Also, the whole storyline is set as a prequel to Monsters Inc, with the monsters at University before the world of work. It was really well written with a lot of moments that left me thinking 'ahhh that's why that happens in Monsters Inc'. I strongly recommend.

20. LEX LUGER AND RIFF RAFF SET TO WORK TOGETHER

When I listen to Riff Raff all I can think of is Lex Luger. When I listen to Lex Luger all I can think of is Riff Raff. *David Brent melting pot lip bite and finger motion*

21. YET MORE CRICKET!

The last two weekends I've spent an afternoon on the park playing cricket with a few of the guys. It's been so fun, I forgot how much I enjoy playing it. It's the first time I've played since 2008 and it was so fulfilling.

22. THE WEATHER

I can't stress how important this is. I think this 'reason' stands above all other reasons on this list, and made so many of them possible. The weather has been amazing. Blistering hot sun for weeks on end resulting in me being happy in the fact that we've actually had a real summer. Even the thunderstorms have been great fun too. No wonder everyone in Africa is always so happy, good weather literally equals a good mood. As long as you are not in a state of famine. 

22 1/2: SUAREZ IS STILL AT LIVERPOOL (FOR NOW)

I'm sure it wont be long until a player that is clearly far, far better than the club he is at will be on his way, but he has survived this far despite a barrage of transfer talk. This is good because the price for him will only rise as the transfer deadline and desperation draws ever closer. Who knows, something mental might happen where nobody can agree on fees and he might be with us until January. Here's to wishing.

What a mental month. Non stop amazing things happening all month, July 2013 has really been one to remember for me, and hopefully for you too.

NEW PODCAST: 23 - 3D'D BY 1D

I'm back with Bradley and Frank missing Max this week talking about that reckless train driver, Cristiano Ronaldo bullying kids from Bournemouth, Justin Bieber has been at it again, American footballers are getting in trouble with the law regarding dogs and we touch on shitting yourself. All in this weeks podcast!

SINGLE FILE

Yo what's going on then? The Luther season finale was a piss weak hour of predictable bullshit wasn't it? Does anybody even read this anymore? I don't even read it after I post it. Do most bloggers?

This made me laugh. I went to the cinema with Max to see This is The End (which by the way was very funny indeed) and this chinese girl was stood holding out a hotdog. It's not something you see too often is it?

The weather is sending people mental. Whenever I see a five pound note in these boxes I think somebody is getting far too gassed. This nosey employee was listening in on my conversation with Bradley and told me its because a local bar ran out of ice and came down to McDonalds to get some ice and made a charitable donation as McD's can't sell the ice. I hate people chipping in on conversations they are not welcome in, she wouldn't fucking stop. And I still prefer my theory.

I'd be pretty pissed if I graduated university and on my big day my mum took me to Mcdonalds.

I'm about that grape soda life you know. Welch's is better than KA is better than fanta. true story, this is what I doooooooo

You'd just print them off again wouldn't you? How shit does this look? And what kind of charity shop has to remind people they require stock? This is currently occupying the cursed plot on Narborough road so it shouldn't be long before it's shut.

Some unbeweavable scenes in town the other day. that dickhead red fringe was glued to that forehead no chances.

One day a lowrider pavement weaving fancy dress nutjob, the next day a coffee sipping metropolitan gentleman. 

It's always a hats special when Gwopaz is about. I met up with him Kama and Chief Beef on sunday for food, Roosters niced it again.

Rain PA'd for a day the other day. I really enjoyed it. As a rarity it is brilliant. You know the other night when there was that mental thunder storm? It must have been the loudest thunder I've ever heard in my life. There was this one crack of it at about 5:15 and loads of car alarms were going off on my street. Tom said to me that the brightness of the lightning woke him up! haha

I ended last weeks post with a white bloke wearing a Du-rag so lets do it again this week. Thanks for reading!

NEW PODCAST - 22 - FRANK'S ORIENTAL SPECIAL

Frank is back to complete a full team and we are talking about the royal baby, Cameron's porn ban plan, christian hospitality/stupidity, illegal imports of endangered species, a Nazi themed restaurant and more in Frank's oriental special. Enjoy!

SLUMPERS IN LONDON

I can't believe this weather. It's like what we've been lacking since about 2008. I'd go as far as to call this 'summer.' from what I've heard it is meant to be lasted a while too. Who knew we could actually have seasons in England.

In other news I have my first ever first hand experience of Yodel, the courier service. They are every bit as awful as I had heard about. Somehow they fucked up a delivery twice, didn't leave a card or anything, noted on their system that the day after both scheduled delivery they were 'unable to deliver' and then sent my parcel to Scotland after sending me conformation of delivery texts. I'm still waiting, I ordered my package on the 3rd.

DW Sports has opened where JJB was. This is amazing news, now we don't have to slum it with the tramps at Sports Direct. (Ironically Yodel is owned by the same bloke as Sports Direct. figures, doesn't it?)

I went to the 20/20 with Tom, Mikky and a load of their mates to go and watch Leicestershire vs Nottinghamshire on Friday. Leicester won!

This weekend I was in London visiting Jamie with Tom, Dan and Brad. The weather was absolutely scorching hot. Jamie got this drink from some Jamaican vendor man at the roadside. It was crushed ice and bubblegum flavour syrup. It was crazy.

Supermarket slumbers just chilling on a hot day

Jamie is living in this big boy place in London now it's so sick. We went up to the roof and he pretended he was Tinie Tempah for a bit.

Dan got his big boy steak and cheese baguette on the barbecue. Those forearms don't run on no duppy boy vegetarian diet, don't chat shit.

We had a barbecue on jamie's rooftop. Loads of his old friends shown up, it was like a housewarming thing for his new place. It was nice! Saw some people who I don't get to see so often, like a load of the people he went to uni with.

Jack was about and was drinking a little beer and smirnoff ice mix. Straight down, then into the Dalston Social.

The beg level in east London is on a million. SPT alone has single handily made Bart Simpson a hero of these kind of tumblr girls, and it's really caught on. I already clocked that some of the other skater lads are taking him on as their mascot, so are the girls of East London.

Some of the girls we met were getting the tequila rounds in and it got out of hand. I saw Bradley pull a face I've never seen him pull. It was great, I've never drank so much tequila before. We got back to Jamie's place and it made a return journey.

Obviously this little place we went for a drink had door staff. They had a little flyer holder on the bar. It made me laugh, firstly because I've never seen anything like this before and secondly the actual flyer itself. The photo of the two bloke demonstrating their services is brilliant, isn't it?

People are wearing diamante OBAMA t-shirts now. In England too!

Nice handstyle near Tottenham court road.

I met Valena for lunch on Sunday at some american place in central. I was super hungover but ate my way through it. I had a blackened chicken burger with extra bacon, onion rings, jalapeños, pepperjack cheese and sour cream, chilli cheese fried and a strawberry shake. It was truly delicious.

BUS RIDE SLUMPERS JUST CHILLING ON THE BACK SEAT

Not only was this guy resurrecting one of those flame short sleeve shirts he was wearing a Cruella Devile du-rag. Imagine him checking himself like Zac Morris before he leaves his yard. Amazing scenes.

That's me. I'm loving this weather so much you know. I was thinking about it. Besides for about an hour last Thursday I've not been in a bad mood for a couple of weeks, it's fully to do with the weather isn't it? Thanks for reading, I'll post up again soon!