I Like...I hate...

2003-11-30T18:42:00.000Z

Gutted

Pop Idol viewers know nothing. Correction, they do know which contestants will make the blandest pop idols, because they've kept them all in and kicked off the wonderful Susanne. I loved Susanne. She was ace. She might not have had the best few weeks, but that's because the "themes" have been crap. Completely biased towards the boys. Foxy believing that "she look awkward on stage". Bollocks. She looked beautiful and relaxed and loving it. Anything but awkward.

It seems as though the "great" British public, can't stand anything other than the bland, the boring and the norm. Resulting in Michelle, Mark, and Chris being in the final 4.

I'm glad I didn't watch the results show last night, I would have been overcome with rage and had to throw my TV out of the window, something I would not be capable of doing as my TV weighs about 4 tones.

So here's to Susanne. We know you will do wonderful things with your life. You are beautiful, no matter what they say. You don't need Pop Idol anymore. Take your luscious lips and lovely blonde locks with you and run into the wind. You are free from the show that (now) makes a mockery out of its most talented contestants. Good luck my little one, and I hope to see you soon....

2003-11-28T22:11:00.000Z

A State of Mind...

2003-11-26T21:29:00.000Z

THE BEST CHAT UP LINES EVER!

'I'm not Fred Flinstone, but I can sure make your Bed Rock!'

'Is there a rainbow today? I just found the treasure I've been searching for!'

'I must be a snowflake, 'cos I've fallen for you.'

'Your eyes are blue, like the ocean. And baby, I'm lost at sea.'

'Do you have a bandaid? Because I just scrapped my knee falling for you.'

'You remind me of a magnet, because you sure are attracting me over here!'

'Excuse me, do you have any raisins? How about a date?'

'Is there an airport nearby or is that just my heart taking off?'

'I'm a Love Pirate, and I'm here for your booty!'

'Hello, I'm a thief, and I'm here to steal your heart.'

'I dont have a library card.. but do you mind if i check you out?'

2003-11-21T20:51:00.000Z

I Hate... Children In Need.

Okay, okay its charity and everything, but 7 hours is a stupidly long time for one single television programme! I knew I should have gone out tonight instead of thursday!

2003-11-13T21:19:00.000Z

Sneak Peak.

Just in the process of listening to the as yet unreleased "A Present For Everyone". First thoughts?

Very American, even slightly Blink 182. Quality lyrics. Excellent use of commedy sounds. Sexy matured voices. Older subject matter.

However I am never very good at judging albums on the first listen, and I have probably misheard most of the lyrics and not understood just exactly what they are singing about. So i guess I will have to wait until I have an official paid for copy in my hands before I can make any serious comment.

2003-11-13T20:35:00.000Z

What Would You Do If...?

A few important questions you really ought to be thinking about...

1 - If Charlie rang you up and sang, "Your, so fit, and you know it..." down the phone?
2 - Wearing school uniform became illegal after the age of 16?
3 - Everybody HAD to pluck their eyebrows?
4 - The earth was hit by an asteroid and we didn't make it to the Year 3000?
5 - Jumping was banned on stage?

2003-11-13T20:13:00.000Z

Dedicated.

This feature is made especially for my dear friend Katie. Over the past few days she’s gorged herself on Busted songs/quotes/sites and has now become convinced that SHE WILL BE MARRYING CHARLIE. Apparently it’s something to do with his “Porsche” and ability to play 4 instruments, yeah right.
So here you go love, your future husband is ready and waiting...

2003-11-12T19:28:00.000Z

Top Eight Places for a Busted Shag

Dressing Room at Manchester Apollo
The boys mentioned it the other day on exchange as one of the best places they played on tour. I would like it to be mentioned as one the best places they had sex.

Big Gold Tour Bus
It looks so luxurious. Big, comfy, leather sofas. I bet there's plenty of room on board too.

Garage Door
I wonder if they can compete with the claims of Triple 8?

School Desk
Lets see if they can do for me what they did for Miss McKenzie.

A Plane...With the Light On.
Obviously we would have to recreate the events of Sleeping With The Light On. I would have to give James my picture, in a frame, so he won't miss me beforehand, yeah?

Underwater
Because we'll still be doing it in the year 3000.

Backyard
Hopefully the neighbour, Peter, won't be peering over the fence. He should be busy making that time machine. And we'll be the ones making the funny noises.

The Disco
I won't say no to a dance and a little bit more at the disco.

2003-11-12T19:23:00.000Z

Sorry, Busted Week hasn’t really gotten off to the best start! It maybe Wednesday now, but today’s features will hopefully make up for the lack earlier in the week.

Single Review
CD 1
Crashed the Wedding
Everyone knows what this lil ditty sounds like. At first I wasn’t so sure, as it somehow sounded different to anything they’ve done before. But its not really like they’ve headed in a completely new direction! Of course Crashed the Wedding was a grower. The best use of sirens and church organs I’ve heard all year. Plus, Matt looks strangely hot in the video. Strange because I’m talking about the part where he’s a girl.

Build Me Up Buttercup.
The boys, together with new group Mcfly, have tackled the classic Foundations song. Although it does sound similar to other covers of this that I’ve heard before, it’s nice to hear some new talent. From the voices you can tell that Mcfly are young, but lets hope they mature as well as Busted have!

That’s Entertainment
An acoustic version which has annoying talking bits where the boys mess up and just general chat amongst themselves and to the listeners. Ok its funny, Busted are always funny, but I kinda wish they had done a proper version, so people don’t go ‘what the hell’s this?’ at the beginning of the track. Although I hadn’t really listened to the track previously, and I really love the lyrics, fun, but you can actually see where they are coming from. Sad that I missed them perform this at PITP this year.

CD2
Crashed the Wedding
Same as above, silly!

Hark the Herald Angels Sing
A bit early for a Christmas B-side lads. But Charlie does sound as though someone is squeezing his bollocks very hard in order for him to be able to sing so high in the opening verse. Haha. But think about it. It must have been at least September when they recorded it. How silly must they have felt singing carols then? Silly boys.

2003-11-07T19:10:00.000Z

COMING SOON!

With the highly anticipated release of the brand spanking new Busted track, Crashed the Wedding, next week shall be dedicated to the boys who ROCK!! Look forward to an array of weird and wonderful features. All sure to be better fun than doing a great big Busted Jump off Blackpool Tower!

2003-11-06T18:46:00.000Z

I Hate... Crappy Album Covers.

Continuing with what seems to be the theme of the week, "crappyness", do record companies have no imagination these days? Take a look at the following...

Do popstars not come with bodies these days? I thought they were essential to the dancing element of their careers? Maybe not so much for Westlife. However they do need legs to get up during those all important key changes.

Come on, get your act together. I could create something like that in about 15minutes. Aren't albums something to be proud of? To cherish forever? Something you can show to the granchildren, and say 'look I was in that band'. Maybe they will reply with 'did the money you make go towards the purchase of a body?' Who knows, but one things for sure, if I didn't know who Liberty X, or Westlife were, I wouldn't pick their albums up off the shelves based upon the interesting cover. However, I wouldn't pick up a Liberty X or Westlife album if it had the best cover in the world.

2003-11-05T22:58:00.001Z

I Hate… Crap Videos.

With the abundance of crap videos around at the moment, (I’m talking to you Atomic Kitten, D-Side and Westlife) I’ve decided that there are a few certain essential elements a video must have. (Or at least to try to have one of the qualities, then they can say they’ve put the effort in and tried.)

NAKEDNESS
Your aiming your music at an audience made up mostly of young ladies and gay males. They want to see a bit of flesh! (This rule only really applies to male popstars, I don’t particularly want to see Mis-teeq or Amy Studt getting naked.)

STORYLINE
I don’t want anything particularly complicated, but a little bit of something is always nice. Boy meets girl/girl meets boy, a car chase perhaps? A cliché maybe, but always nice to watch. Videos which follow the theme of the song (ala every Busted video every made) are even better.

COLOURS
Yes black and white videos might be arty, but give me a rainbow coloured video anyday!

OUTFIT CHANGES
I want my popstars to be wearing 3 different outfits throughout the 3 minutes they are on screen. At least. More if possible.

2003-11-05T22:58:00.000Z

I Like to...Flip Reverse.

I surprise myself, but once again I find myself praising the work of those Blazin’ Squad boys. With a new improved image, (they’ve ditched the bleached checked shirts of old, and dumped the dance routines) they are now telling us all to ‘Flip Reverse’ it. Actually boys, I don’t mind if you do. Especially that Krazee/Krazy one, when did he get so buff?

Despite this, I still campaign for the boys to get back to college where they belong. Popstars shouldn’t be MY AGE!

2003-10-25T18:55:00.000Z

I Like… I Hate…. Pop Idol favourites?

Ok so I haven’t really been watching Pop Idol fanatically, but after watching the final 12 in action tonight, my money is on Susanne and Sam.

I really love Susanne's voice, it has that unique quality similar to how I remember Will Young's in the beginning of Pop Idol. As for Sam, he is a mere 17 years old, but sings like a true proffessional. The joy he gets from singing comes through clearly in his performance. And his smile is beautiful!

More to come later on the fab 2!

2003-10-24T20:05:00.000Z

I Like...Passing My Driving Test.

On the whole, a much better experience than failing. Did it with only 2 minors aswell. So watch out everyone on the streets of Blackpool, I can legally run you down now!

2003-10-24T19:47:00.000Z

Its a GIRLS WORLD.

I never thought I would be purchasing so many singles by so many female artists. The last 5 I bought were:

1 - Sugababes - Hole In the Head
2 - Sophie EB - Mixed Up World
3 - Emma Bunton - Maybe
4 - Amy Studt - Under The Thumb
5 - Maria Willson - Mr Alibi

I particularly like Maria. Well really, I like her band. They are HOT. Still, it looks like girls are reigning at the moment. HURRAH!

2003-09-19T18:22:00.000Z

What's on my stereo?

Why is it that all the good songs seem to be coming out at once? Personally I think there has been a shortage of great pop recently, but hurrah because some of my fave acts are back with avengance!!

Sugababes - Hole in the Head
So very very FUNKY! Its hard to put it in any other category than FUNKY, so I think that's where it will stay. Not really a song which shows off their vocals, but the beat is brilliant. The video is everything a video should be. Great outfits, great make up, fabulous performance, and lots of smashing up of instruments! I can't wait to hear this one in a club.

S Club 8 - Sundown
I really *heart* this new direction (see what I did there?!) the 'club are going in. I don't care if they are younger than me, the music is fab! Plus I wouldn't say no to Calvin...

Sophie Ellis Bextor - Mixed Up World
Not too sure about the blonde 'do Soph, you look much better dark. But one thing we are sure about, you're back with a hit!

Emma - Maybe
Looks like Emma thinks she's big enough to drop the Bunton from her name now, but I don't really think she's hit Robbie status yet. However this has the same kinda vibe as her last single, free me, but is much better! It's very 60's and very ace sounding! Wouldn't sound out of place on an Austin powers soundtrack!

2003-09-12T18:49:00.000Z

Pop Justice $20 Music Prize

Oh the excitement of the great build up to this very special event was almost as good as the actual thing. Almost.
On Tuesday I managed to make the 3-hour journey from Blackpool to London to attend and make my views heard. Unfortunately this did not happen as Girls Aloud stole the prize from the would be champions, Busted. However anyone with the slightest knowledge of the Pop Justice Messageboard would have known that anyway, despite Mr. PJ himself trying to convince me that he thought Busted might come through in the last round. Yeah whatever.
Despite my annoyance at the final result, it was bloody great to finally meet the man behind the board that has ruined my life. A big ‘HELLO’ to all those who I got to meet. And a big ‘SORRY’ that I can’t actually remember any of your ‘real’ names now. And I wasn’t even that drunk.

2003-09-12T18:46:00.000Z

I Hate…Money.

Yes it makes the world go round, but its being a right bastard to me at the moment. Getting paid monthly is of no help whatsoever either. With just purchasing a car, having my hair done, many birthdays to buy for this month, tickets/travel expenses, I am a very poor Stephy at the moment.

2003-09-12T18:44:00.000Z

Tickets, Tickets!

I bloody knew that Busted would add another date at the M.E.N. Arena for next year. And thanks to my superior intelligence (or just The Daily Mirror) I managed to get 7th row centre this morning. Hurrah!

2003-09-12T18:37:00.000Z

I Love…MY PEUGEOT 106!

Its out there sitting in my driveway, feeling sad because its all undriven. But its got a warm happy glow inside because it has a fabulous new owner! Say ‘hello’ to my very first car…

Isn’t it gorgeous? Very gold, but extremely sporty looking. I’m already thinking of ways to customize it and make it even more special. A spoiler perhaps? Alloys? Blacked out windows? Ooh the possibilities!

2003-08-30T19:56:00.000Z

APOLOGIES.

On behalf of everyone here at I Like... I Hate... or just me, I would like to say sorry for not updating. For recently I have been mostly showing Ann + Co around Blackpool, festivaling away in Leeds, and for the rest of the time, sleeping. Never fear, for I feel I am now almost completely recovered and will be back in full working order very soon!

2003-08-17T13:35:00.000Z

MUSIC OF THE MOMENT

Certain songs are tickling my fancy right now. These are;

Elton John - Are You Ready For Love
Yes i am! Surely the happiest song ever made?

Stacie Orrico - (Theres Gotta Be) More To Life/Bounce Back/Security/Dear Friend
I couldn't pick just one. They are all damm fabulous. One of the best new (new to the UK, I know she's quite established in the US) acts of the year.

The Darkness - Growing On Me/I Believe In A Thing Called Love
This time next weekend I shall be bopping away to them at Leeds. Fab!

JC Chasez - Blowin' Me Up (With Her Love)
Dare I say it, better than Justin?

2003-08-17T11:03:00.000Z

HEY WHATEVER?!

One question - why haven't Westlife split up yet? Why are they still inflicting so much pain upon the credibility of pop? Okay, so maybe that was two questions, but they are both in very much need of being answered. I recently suffered the trauma of seeing their new video, and in the words of Jen from Popjustice...

help.me.please.
westlife.black.and.white. trying.to.be.cool.flouncing.about.with.models.posing.thinking.they.are.the.blues.brothers.song.is.crap.
my.eyes.are.broken.am.permanently.mentally.damaged.oh.dear.god.westlife. I think she summed it up perfectly.

The song itself leaves a lot to be desired. It is not a ballad, but yet another cover. Upbeat + Westlife, they just don't mix. I'm not even going to comment on their looks, or lack of. But golfing wear, fat, and general ugly-ness. Oh yes, I do believe the dumper is calling.

2003-08-17T10:30:00.000Z

I Like... being drunk for 4 days in a row.

Thanks to these fantastic results;

A - English Language
B - Sociology
C - English Literature
C - Communication Studies

I haven't really had chance to update for the past couple of days. Not because I haven't had access to a computer, just because I think its illegal to be drunk and in charge of such a complicated piece of technology?

So instead of relaxing and catching up on the none sleep I've had, I'm going to update I Like... I Hate... with many many exciting things!

2003-08-12T19:39:00.000Z

I Like…I Hate… Lee Ryan?

Today I found myself debating over the man from Blue. Is he just a fool who crashes his Porsche, dates kittens, and forgets to engage his brain when he opens his mouth? Or is he a true genius?

On the one hand, Lee’s comments about the elephants dying being more important than the collapse of the World Trade Centres was completely inappropriate, yet when he say stuff like:

“I want to sleep with an alien”
"I love wetting the bed"
"I want to see Tony Blair's kids with 70% burns".

I can’t help but be glad that the TFB (short for ‘Twat From Blue’) is around to brighten up my day

2003-08-11T20:44:00.000Z

SINGLE OF THE WEEK
BUSTED – SLEEPING WITH THE LIGHT ON

Now, unless your not part of the single buying public, (and I appreciate that there are fewer and fewer of you these days) cunning record companies like to bring singles out in various different formats in order to ensure fans have a hard time when contemplating which version of a particular song to buy. On the one hand it results in many different remixes, videos, behind the scene extras, and photo galleries. All sexy stuff. On the other hand, it is a greedy way of ensuring more copies are sold, said artist gets a higher chart position, and the big executives have more money lining their pockets.

Busted have done the very thing. Sleeping With The Light On (SWTLO to hardcore fans) has come out on 2cd’s AND a cassette. A limited tour edition cd, one with a medley and a brand new track and the tape also contains a demo that helped to get the band signed. So that’s not 1, not 2, but 3 different versions. A grand total of £7.47 going to the Universal Island Records empire, if you buy all 3. Not something I did today, no. (I have to say the limited tour edition cd is extremely mighty and brings back many memories of their fabulous May tour. A must buy for anybody who went to see them, or anybody who doubts their capabilities of actually being able to play instruments.)

I predict a second number 1 for the Busted boys.

2003-08-11T18:26:00.000Z

FOUR MINUTE WARNING = NUMBER 4!

Rather appropriately, Mark Owen’s comeback single debuted yesterday at number 4 in the charts. Not quite good enough to knock the funky Blu Cantrell and Sean Paul off the top spot, who hold on firmly with all four hands for a second week. Unfortunately, the highest new entry of the week came from Ultrabeat – Pretty Green Eyes, going in at number 2, closely followed by the appalling Cheeky Girls – Hooray Hooray. Now if I find anybody I know bought this dismal excuse for a song, I will personally 'take your shoesies off' and do more than 'touch your bum' with them. Get my drift?

2003-08-10T16:09:00.000Z

I Love...Shopping!

A day off work = A day free to pursue my first love, shopping. The wonderful Topshop and H+M being my main ports of call. They enable me to spend £60 and come back with 5 tops, 1 pair of pants, and a handful of trendy accessories. Brilliant!

One of todays finds, a lovely Powerpuff Girls t-shirt. Colour, green (my colour of the moment) with a large logo covering the front. To celebrate, some Powerpuff artwork!

2003-08-09T20:47:00.000Z

I Like... I Hate... BLACKPOOL ILLUMINATIONS?

This year on the 29th of August, Blue, Atomic Kitten, Liberty X, Robin Gibb, and Louise, will have the honour of performing at the annual switch on of the illuminations.

Being a proud Blackpoolian, I am debating whether or not to trek all the way to the car park opposite coral island, and bother to watch these artist mime their way through a couple of songs. I went to see A1, Darius, and Ronan Keating at the 2002 switch on, stood and waited for 5 hours, in a crowd full of holiday makers, children, and screaming 40 year olds (they were the Ronan Keating fans). I can't help but think it just wouldn't be worth it, since Blue are arrogant, Atomic Kitten are council, and Robin Gibb is old, (totally obvious that he's only doing it because he's a Fame Accademy judge this year. I presume that by the end of August, FA will have NO viewers, and will need all the publicity it can get).

And if I do decide to grace them with my presence, I will have to find some poor soul to take along with me. And the fact that I have no pop loving friends, will be a minor hinderance. Oh well, I'm hoping something will come along to help change my mind. A couple of backstage passes or the guarentee of being able to slap Lee Ryan round the face would probably do it.

2003-08-07T19:40:00.000Z

TRIPLE ALOUD?

Yet again the wonderful UK tabloids have linked 2 members from the bandsTriple 8 and Girls Aloud.

This time around Josh Barnett and Sarah Harding are supposedly having "relations" of some kind or another. She was spotted leaving the Triple 8 house last week after spending the night, with a huge grin on her face.

Who am I to comment on whether the 2 are really an item? But I will anyway. Possibility 1 - publicity stunt. The Aloud have a single out soon, Triple 8 are still striving to become recognisable in the industry. Handy timing is what I'd say. Possibility 2 - sex. The bands regularly see each other whilst doing the promo rounds. Josh is said to have commented on how sarah is his fave GA member. Maybe the pair have chemistry.

But really, do I care that much? Nah. Still, it would be nice to know whether or not there is any truth in the story. But I do feel it is enough of an excuse for me to place a couple of photos of them on here. How exciting!

The lovely Sarah and the even lovlier Josh. (My personal photo!)

2003-08-06T20:03:00.000Z

STILL SINGLE OF THE WEEK

I hate to turn this into some kind of Mark Owen fansite (honestly, its not!) but just a reminder that FOUR MINUTE WARNING is still available in the shops! And despite my previous talk of the 3 CRAPPY DOWNLOADS, I am still behind the man. Here's another photo of the buff hottie to keep myself going for a little while.

2003-08-06T18:43:00.000Z

TOP 3 CRAPPY DOWNLOADS
(“Top” because they are free and by artists who I wouldn’t dream of giving any credit to normally)

1 – Blazing Squad – We Dreamin’ (vocal version)
Much better than the “rap version” and also saves me the embarrassment of actually going to a shop and buy a single by a bunch of brainless pikeys/townies/kevs who should be in college, NOT ruining the state of the charts. Saying that, I do like it, ‘tis a very summery feeling ‘choon and sums up my mood today.

2 – Gareth Gates – Sunshine
I’m very surprised to hear GG has done something where he isn’t crooning his heart away, or covering covers of songs that have been covered far too much. Love the numerous “laaa la”, “doo”, “yeah eh”, “ah ah”, “ooh” and “woah”’s at the beginning. I wonder how long it took him to do all those in the studio? Could he reproduce them live? Hmmm. Plus he’s the first to complain about the rain. Personally I always thought I was the first to complain about the rain, obviously not.

3 – Tommi – Like What
“If you got your hair done and your look is tight….you got a fresh outfit and your clean tonight….”
Another bunch of shameless pikeys/townies/kevs from the London area. Claiming to be street and down with the kids, I have a confession, I actually bought this ‘crappy download’. Seems that I wasn’t completely satisfied with just having the mp3, I wanted something to keep forever. Even more shamefully I regularly enjoy the ‘beats’ of the Tommi crew and happily sing along with the 5 strong ladies.

2003-08-05T23:38:00.000Z

SINGLE OF THE WEEK
MARK OWEN - FOUR MINUTE WARNING

This week i will mostly be buying the new Mark Owen single. It is only 1.99 at Woolworths aswell, bargin!

Some people think its bland and wont even chart in the top 10, but sources tell me he's heading for top 5. After 6/7 years away from the industry that's pretty darn good. I hate to say it, but it was probably the exposure he gained from winning celebrity big brother, which has resulted in him doing so well. And also the fact that he accidentally "turned up" at Robbie's Sunday Knebworth gig probably helped even more. Still, there are many many grown up Take that fans out there who will want to see him succeed. With his mature pop/guitar sound, I think he's on to a winner.

2003-08-05T19:53:00.000Z

I Hate... Pic'n'Mix

Bloody can't stand the stuff. Today the rudest customer in the world declared that I was "pathetic" because there were no mint humbugs left in our Pic'n'Mix. Well I'm VERY SORRY Mr, I'm sorry that my stupid little store sold out of mint humbugs. I'm sorry that you couldn't stuff your fat belly with mint humbugs. I'm sorry that my job isn't just to make sure that you have enough mint humbugs to buy. Now get out of my store before stick the rest of that Pic'n'Mix where the sun doesn't bloody shine!

2003-08-04T18:13:00.000Z

I Like... I Hate... - A Monday Summary.

I Like...
1 - Sunny days
2 - 4 hours shifts
3 - Sexy text messages
4 - The Athlete album - Vehicles and Animals

I hate...
1 - The Cheeky Girls
2 - Jodie Marsh
3 - Dial up internet
4 - Slow WinMx downloads
5 - Ironing

Maybe i will elaborate on some on these later, maybe i wont.

2003-08-03T19:31:00.000Z

I Like...4.30pm on a Sunday afternoon.

Thats the time that Woolworths closes and when I get to go home! We bring the furniture/gardening stock in from outside, shoo all the customers who I know aren't going to buy anything out of the store, turn off the lights and shimmy on out of those front doors. Words can't describe the feeling I get at 4.30pm, but I'm going to try. It's a sort of aaaah/pheeeeeeew, kinda thing. Roll on next Sunday!

2003-08-03T17:59:00.000Z

I Like...pictures of friends with popstars.

Mark Owen and Laura. These kinds of photos always brighten up my day a treat. Especially when said friend Laura has waited 12 years, yes i said 12 years, to meet her idol. From the very beginning she was a Take That fan, and never thought it would be possible, not in a million years, to actually meet the man whose posters once adorned her bedroom walls. Finally on Friday 1st August, 2003, her dreams came true.

Smile for the birdy!

2003-08-03T17:10:00.000Z

WELCOME!

A big 'Hello' to everyone whos taken the time and effort to click on my link and look at my site. Its not very interesting yet, i know. But what do you expect? Its been up and running, for what, a whole 10 minutes!

Plans for I like..I hate..., well basically, to inform you my adoring public, about the current likings and dislikings of myself, Stephy. That is all. It could not be simpler. Things that will be featured in here lots; boybands, pop, food, work related issues, money related problems, manchester, people and televison. These are general things/stuff that gets my tongue wagging. And i don't care what you think! I aim to please one person and one person only, MYSELF.