Nicholas J. Barlow

21 years to the day.

Time flies whilst your having fun,
It also flies on autopilot.

This past year has been interesting and unique in its own way. From starting off without a job, to finding a new job, to being part of one of sketches, and also finding a wonderful theatre community with and .

Finding new friends, and reconnecting with old ones. And, going to a sensible amount of gigs and theatre shows (). To putting on a few gigs with the help of a few friends and

Whilst 21 years are up, this is only just the start.

Thank you for being part of it.

Another year older.

"Sometimes the best things in life are temporary, that is what makes them the best."

A few days ago, I finished a short run of shows with an unforgettable and talented cast and crew. With "Where The Bees Fly", an emotional and light-hearted family musical commenting on the harm we are causing to the planet and what we could do if we act now, with a bit of time travel and songs thrown in for good measure, by at The Lamp in Brownhills.

My first ever time singing on stage, playing a brilliant character - Mr Andor Fogg. Which I hope is resurrected soon (by myself, if I can). My confidence and general ability in acting and creativity has been reinvigorated (after a painfully long creative drought). I look forward to treading the boards again soon.

So, thank you to everyone who came to see the show. Not to forget the brilliant cast and crew (tagged in the photos). Plus, of course and for commissioning and bringing it all together.

Another year older, another year wider.

My teen years have come to an end, and I am now 20 (time flies, eh?).

This past year has been jam-packed. Despite the fact that The Unscripted Podcast unofficially came to an end, I have been very busy doing other things (namely a job).

Anyway, here's a few pictures of me: during the Christmas period (hence the shirt), when I performed my poetry supporting at Pride House during the Commonwealth Games, and a meme.

Enjoy.

Let's see what my 20s have in-store...

Hi there, it's been a while...

7 years done.

Last week, as with many of the country, Friday was my last day at school
I’ve made this post as a milestone-cum-commemoration to the many wonderful people, and experiences I’ve had thanks to my school.
And, it has only just hit me.

Like a brick wall.

I no longer have any homework to do.
I thought I’d be jumping up and down with joy. But, to be honest, I’m in a lull of catharsis and self-assessment.

On the bright side, it means I can devote some time to the things I’ve always been meaning to say and do.
Learn a few new things, and gain a few new experiences.
Be proactive with my goals.

This is not a post made for self-infatuation.

This is a thank you to the people I’ve had the joy of knowing through my 7 years at school.
And, I hope they all know that I will always be there for them.

Now, to start getting to know those I wanted to know when we were in school together.

Thank you for reading,
Nick

It’s the 1st of June - you know what that means!

Happy Pride Month!

Remember, whatever any ignorant or uneducated person may say - you are still valued.

If you need someone to confide in, my DMs are open.

I'm aware how rocky the journey can be.

PS. To any companies reading this, making your logo rainbow colours is nothing more than virtue signalling.

Stop it. Please.

Pride is a celebration, not an advert for how inclusive you are.

Please read.

Please excuse the miss-phrase on the end slide.

Thank you.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Remember: you will never be alone when the storm raging on is happening to us all.

Stay chill, and there's a 1 year anniversary Episode of the podcast out at 6pm!

Thank you for being there.

Stay safe.

@ Birmingham, United Kingdom

NEXT WEEK marks the 1 year anniversary of

And, to celebrate: I want to get YOU (the listeners) involved!

You've spent hours listening to me, and I feel I should be listening to you.

Regardless how much you've listened to the podcast, I want your input!

In the comments, tell me what your favourite MOMENT has been?

And, ask me some questions?

This time NEXT WEEK, I will be doing a special bonus episode.

I AM OFFICIALLY PART OF THE Beatfreeks YSC!

Yesterday marked the First Official Meeting, and I am looking forward to the change that we can bring!

For those who don't know: Beatfreeks is a Birmingham Based insights agency, borne from a Poetry evening in 2013.

Interesting, right?

You'll be seeing a lot more about them from me in the next year...

I am now 18.

I go into the future, as the past,
to have a gift like the present:
I'll never shun that.

This year... 2020

I thank everyone who has helped this year be a relatively good one. Despite the current situation. Thank you all for following me, liking, sharing, commenting, participating, talking with, talking at, and bring a friend to me.

May 2021 bring us some light at the end of the tunnel. And, I hope you'll follow me on my journey.

The light which guides the bold may falter, but it is the commitment and acknowledgment of change which will get you through.

Stay safe
👊♥️🙏

#2021

What is YOUR track of the year?
Tell me in the comments!

JINGLE MY BELLS & TASTE MY PLUMB PUDDING!

Me and the king are going live TONIGHT at 7:30pm BST.
Join us for a right festive treat!

Be there.

Be Kind ->
Good day! This is another post on your feed... But, I'd like to ask you a favour.

It is the Winter Solstice today, and I know 1/3 of Britain has been given a sour taste from Boris' recent announcement.

All I ask is this: look out for one another. Don't disregard another's feelings because you don't feel that way, humans are enigmas...

Just be kind.

@ Birmingham, United Kingdom

Main Attraction by .in

Weekly Pick from
The NJB Official Playlist
Curated by myself.
Only on

A new-age indie tune, with a bedroom artist. EX.in, is best known for his aesthetic and proud Notts roots. Main Attraction is where it's at!

This is a weekly feature with good music from my playlist/added to my playlist. New or well-known, it will be good.

🦆I'm posting on a Tuesday, can you believe it?

Tell me how your day's have been?

Today may have been good, Today may have been bad.
But, that doesn't matter.

It's Friday, take a moment to realise how much you've done.

Stay chill 👊

I Matter. by

Weekly Pick from
The NJB Official Playlist
Curated by myself.
Only on

Comprised of
& - I Matter is a song-version of Matt's poem of the same name. From their album, We Are Humans, under
I highly recommend that you listen to them, regardless if you like poetry or not!

This is a weekly feature with good music from my playlist/added to my playlist. New or well-known, it will be good.

Take time for yourself,
Look after yourself.
Try to feel safe and secure.

Your wellbeing is paramount...
Please look after yourself.

The good, the bad, the indifferent.
Talk about them.
Be proud, be down, be meh.
There are people who will listen to you.
I'm one them.

Take time for yourself,
As the world has its own problems.

You do not need to worry about what you cannot control.
Take it in.
Listen.

People will be there when you come back.
Take a break if you need it.
Don't worry.

Relax.

The obligatory 6pm post.

I messed with some filters on the second photo, tell me what you think? Also, the poetry extract for the week!

How are you? And, my question to you: apple juice or orange juice?

@ Birmingham, United Kingdom

THANK YOU!

To the guests who have been good enough to lend their time to talk informed waffle for over 1 hour.

But, thank you! The listener!
3 series, 22 episodes, and 894 episodes, and 10 countries later.

From an unknown podcast started on the 9th February 2020, I am overawed at how many people from many different countries have listened to the podcast.

You are why I do it!

I hope you will continue to listen for the S4 and many more (but, wait for S3 to finish first)

(If The Unscripted Podcast. Appears on your Wrapped, post it & tag me!)

What if the postal service was free? Tell me you thoughts!

Personally, I think it would be a good thing. But, would be quite radical.

Anyway, here's some random pictures.

I hope you're having good days.

@ Birmingham, United Kingdom

Did you notice I had writers block when writing this?

The full poem from is on the next page.

Tell me what you think?

Blu-rays by .band

Weekly Pick from
The NJB Official Playlist
Curated by myself.
Only on

This is a band hails from the West Midlands. Bringing indie beats, echoing Easy Life and Rex Orange County - these are surely going to float your boat.

This is a weekly feature with good music from my playlist/added to my playlist. New or well-known, it will be good.


@ Birmingham, United Kingdom

Life has lessons, and through times of hardship we should acknowledge them.

I’ve noticed a few things as this pandemic has grown on.

We have taken far too much for granted.

Yes, your family may be there with you from birth - but they are not obliged to stay there.
Similarly, your friends “are the family you choose” but, the friend circle is an ever changing and malleable things for everyone, so to keep someone you treasure close,

You need to make the effort.

This does not mean posting on social media confessing your love to them/about them, this means giving them the attention they deserve.

Similarly, public services have been there from cradle to grave for many people,
And we forget that.

If we do not stop to realise the sheer enormity of what those services (albeit somewhat unreliable at times) do, we run the risk of losing them altogether.

Also, on the education system:

In the UK it was apparent that the current system may not be feasible as the GCSEs and A-Levels were called off with algorithmic grading replacing them…

And, didn’t that work well (!)

I am aware I do not hold the keys to change, but at least I acknowledge that it needs to happen (in some way).

To summarise, we need to learn the power that gratitude has towards our friends, families, and outer societies.

Final words: Be grateful for what you have, and acknowledge that there are people who are not as fortunate as you.

What are your lessons from the current situation?


@ Birmingham, United Kingdom