Hi Sydney. Thank you so much for your comment. I'm still cannot believe it. Especially since there were so many fantastic entries.

I really liked your review, and I love A Day To Remember. I was so disappointed I didn't see them at Warped Tour this year when I was over in the States but unfortunately heat exhaustion took priority (obviously I wasn't used to the dry Arizonian heat). However I'm really excited cause they are playing Soundwave Festival in my hometown Sydney, Australia in February so I'll be able to see them then as well as at their sideshow the following day.

Have you seen them play live before? This will be the first time they've toured Australia so I'm really looking forward to seeing them.

Hey Sydney. You should definitely make sure you see them. When I was younger I missed so many good bands because I had nobody to go with. That was until I decided why should I suffer just cause my friends didn't have fantastic music taste like I did? So I started going to shows by myself. And traveling around the country following my favourite bands by myself. That way I never missed out. It was scary at first but I seem to make a lot of sacrifices for great music. I'm a bot of a concert junkie. Well as much as you can be living in Australia. Last year I went to 42 shows (excluding local gigs) and I love it. This year my goal is 50. Just under one a week. Hopefully heaps of great bands come out this year so I can reach it easy.

With regards to the contest, I got an email from FOE to say I won (which I read at 6am and failed to comprehend) and then an email from RED (the company who distribute the mini mag alongside Alternative Press). They said the next mini mag was coming out in the summer (well it'll be winter in Australia) and they'll talk to me closer to that time regarding editorial content. So I have to wait a little while to 'claim my prize'.

It was always my dream to work at Alternative Press ever since I started collecting them religiously over four years ago (despite them costing $16.95 each from borders here) but I thought there was no way I'd ever be good enough cause I don't know enough about music. What are you doing to work towards your dream? Are you doing any writing classes? I also read a while ago that Music Editor Scott Heisel was looking for review writers and he was encouraging people to send him a sample of their writing. I'm sure they are still looking for new blood. You'll never know if you never try.

I know how you feel. My mum never used to let me go to concerts at this one particular venue (which I now go to all the time). But I’m sure ADTR will tour again soon.
Recently the only shows I’ve gone to are local ones to see bands like The Dream The Chase, Heroes for Hire and Worst Case Scenario. The last big show I went to was Green Day back in early December. But Soundwave Festival (Australia’s version of Warped Tour) is on Feb 21 and its going to be amazing. And that week some of the bands also play sideshows. So I’m seeing A Day to Remember on the 22nd, All Time Low and The Almost on the 23rd, Paramore on the 24th and I’m still trying to decide between seeing Taking Back Sunday or My Chemical Romance on the 25th. It’s a tough choice. But still doesn’t beat my record of 7 shows in 7 days which I did last February
That’s great that your school offers writing courses. Back when I was at school we didn’t have anything like that. Just our English classes. Although in year 12 I did Extension 2 English and all that class involved was writing something that was 8000-10000 words. It could be anything like an essay, poetry, film script etc. I wrote a short story. So that was pretty good and my teacher was very resourceful but he also let our class of 5 get up to all kinds of mischief and didn’t mind when we all rocked up to class late cause it started at 8am.
Sorry for the cheesy line. I was channelling my teachers and family. I’m just jealous that you know what you want. I’m in limbo at the moment. When I was in high school I knew exactly what I wanted to do and how I was going to do it. Then when I left I realised how many options there are and that I don’t have to live my life based on the rigid rule book my family expect me to follow. Now I think they’ve given up. They just shake their heads at me. And probably for good reason.
But keep doing what you are doing and you’ll get there. Hard work always pays off. And reading AP religiously is certainly a great start.

...way to creep my FOE profile Sydney. Why don't you start texting me more?

I want someone to text me more!
I have this new phone, and no one's texting me at all.

PS, the only person that calls me Winkles anymore is Brenden, and it makes me want to punch him in the face.

A BlackBerry

I might be, only for Go Radio though.

Wow thats awesome! Congrats. I'd be having a heart attack too.

I read the email contained your comment when I was at work and I raced up to Borders to see if they had it yet, but alas its not out in Australia yet. But I'm so excited for you. You deserve it :)

Anyway I'm currently trying to finish writing my baby sister's English essay and I refuse to pull an all-nighter to do somebody else's assignment so I'll write you a real comment tomorrow.

Also I'm hardly ever at home anymore cause I'm always out at shows or catching up with people for dinner or at work and for some reason my phone doesn't like friend or enemies so if you have facebook add me www.facebook.com/dirtyrottengoss and then I'll be able to talk more.

But it was so great to hear from you. I'm so excited and happy for you. Congrats.

I'll talk to you later xo

Hey Sydney!

I'm so sorry its taken me so long to get back to you. I can't believe its June already. This year has just flown by. Next time I blink it'll be December.

How are you? What have you been up to?

Unfortunately I can't tell you when I'll be in AP but it'll be soon. I'm so excited. When I can let people know you'll be the first person I tell.

Btw I love every book on your booklist. I just think you're missing Perks of Being a Wallflower, which is my favourite book, and Everybody Hurts: An Essential Guide to Emo culture by Leslie Simon and Trevor Kelly. That book made me literally laugh out loud more than any comedy routine. Leslie Simon is my hero. I love the fact that I can start reading something and I instantly know she is the one who wrote it; she has such a distinct voice. She is working on her third book at the moment about "Geek Girls" which sounds amazing. She has asked for people to help her out by filling out surveys on music, film and comedy to be included in the book. If you're not already doing it you should sign up.

I haven't been to a concert in ages. I'm starting to experience withdrawal symptoms. Its been like two weeks lol. Although cause of this cold weather its very hard to force yourself to not stay at home and watch tv from the warm comfort of your bed. Especially since I've become obsessed with the tv show Criminal minds. I'm almost finished season 4. I have a massive crush on Dr Spencer Reid. He is so cute. I always love the geek boys lol.

Anyway sorry again for taking so long to reply. I'll try and get on here more often. I know you don't have facebook but if you have twitter add me www.twitter.com/dirtyrottengoss or email me blinkandyouwillmissit@hotmail.com. I'd love to hear from you.

Take Care.
Talk soon
xoxo