Does your bag really need a seat?

I've just got back from the big smoke, for those of you that don't know that normally refers to London. For those of you that commute to London on a daily basis or frequently this will probably not come as a shock. The train journey was to be expected, sat on the floor by the train entrance as the carriages were already full by the time I boarded. It's OK, its only 1.5 hours, I don't mind sitting by the entrance, standing up at every stop to let passengers on who indefinitely would become the person (or people in this case) sitting next to me for this journey. And you guessed it, after a few stops we were no longer able to sit but was all stood packed together like sardines in a tin! It got to the point our door would open and we all just stood there looking at these potential sardine passengers eagerly trying to cram in to the tiniest gap, even if this meant the door closing on their bag and only delaying the train further. Eagerly trying to board the sardine tin as to not be late for work on their daily dreadful commute to the capitol city.

Anyway, this I can deal with as it's kind of the 'norm' at rush hour going from Cambridge to London. I was only travelling to London Liverpool Street and to be honest, this journey isn't normally that bad and I don't have to do it that often. What I can't deal with are the passengers who insist that their bag has the right to a seat? What, really? Yes! There are some delightful people out there who couldn't possible have their bag on their lap, in the bag storage or under their seat. So to add to an already stressful commute this only added to my fuel. I then see a woman ask an old man if he would like to take HER seat (to get a vision this woman was 2 rows down on the opposite side from the guy with the bag, but facing him). The chap with the bag clearly saw this happening and did nothing. A few more stops, lots more sardines and someone finally asks the chap if they could sit next to him and he replied "The seat is taken, for my friend". This guy was already on the train when I got on, so I am unsure if he was actually with a friend. But what I do know is that from Whittlesford Park Station to London Liverpool Street his only friend was his bag! Now it is possible that his friend was on the train and lost with the many other sardines but I highly doubt it.

Are we in the day and age where we can't sit next to strangers? OK I understand this is unpleasant sometimes, under certain circumstances, and I get that some people have personal space issues but come on! I vaguely remember buses been the same when I was younger and people just value that extra space. If you value your extra space, take a taxi or drive your car!.

Chasing the dream or back to Sunday karaoke?

Hi All,


So it's been a little while since I last wrote here and now seems the perfect time. I sometimes struggle for things to blog about and am always looking for some inspiration. I have a few posts 'saved as drafts' but don't yet feel the need to post them as there not really 'great' content. But who know, maybe in the future! My first intention was to blog about everything that annoyed me but I soon realised I would be blogging all day!


A lot has changed in the past few months, new job, new car, new friends, turned 30 and generally feeling happy with my life... Anyway, for Christmas a certain individual thought it would be funny to buy me a studio experience. If you have heard me on karaoke then you will probably laugh... for a snapshot of what i'm like drunk on karaoke, head over to my YouTube channel and look at some of my first videos or just speak to my parents or friends ;).


So, for me this was fantastic! Finally it was time to show the world what I could sound like with the appropriate equipment and minus several pints of lager! The experience was with a company called Songmaker and they offer these experiences throughout the UK and hire out the experience to small studios to help cover the UK. The experience includes a digital download, a CD and they release you into their official chart. The only bad thing to say about the experience is I never received my VIP lanyard or other 'goodies' I was supposed to receive before the experience, as you can imaginge I was gutted!

 I attended a little studio in Duxford not far from my now home town of Cambourne, Cambridgeshire. The experience was fantastic, I was made to feel really welcome and the whole experience was a good one. It's great to see how everything works and the actual detail and time that goes into making and recording a track. I was a long way from just listening to my favorite artist on Spotify! I must just stop here and give credit to Richard Hinks at Zen Chapel Studios for making my experience so great ( I even paid for an extra hour on the day to record a second track! very accommodating and highly recommended).


For me, the hardest part was picking a song! I love to sing, if i'm really honest it's my passion and it's something I would love to do full time however, I seem to be somewhat like Marmite as in you either love me or hate me!


In the end, I ended up choosing Ed Sheeran, Don't. It's a catchy tune and one I sing along to in my own version of carpool karaoke, ha! After a week of learning the lyrics and learning to breath properly whilst singing I was ready to go. I also got to perform my first chosen song John Legend All of Me after extending my visit which topped the day off nicely.


I would really appreciate it if you like the video to vote for me in the chart. Either for one song or both. I have included the links below, just click on the song.


Ed Sheeran, Don't

John Legend, All of Me


The official chart can be found here.


What next for Sam you say? Hmm I dunno, maybe the XFactor? Sell out concerts? Number 1's? or probably back to my own studio (the car) or drunken Karaoke.. watch this space.


Anyway, I have included the videos in this post for your viewing :) Enjoy... I think.