Victoria 3.6 "A Coburg Quartet" Review

                                              
Still the trouble in paradise and in the monarchy continues as Albert (Tom Hughes) and Victoria (Jenna Coleman) head for more ups and downs in their marriage and public life.  As said, Feo (Kate Fleetwood) being here didn't make things easier and Victoria finally realizes that she's making waves between them; but at what cost.  Well revenge of course for everything Victoria has but she doesn't, as well as finding out that the real reason she hates her was that Feo wanted to be Queen.  She would've married George, old, fat George and she'd have been Queen and not Victoria.  But Uncle Leopold (Alex Jennings) and her mother sent her away.  Marrying a poor prince so she wouldn't get in the way.  Leopold tells Victoria it was since George was just using Feo to show he could produce a male heir as the rest of his ilk.  Feo was just a pawn.

George of course is mentioned quite a bit throughout especially since Albert finds he can't do anything with Bertie and Feo suggests he may need a doctor's opinion, who measure his lobes/bumps and says he has what, the 'dumb' gene.  Albert is progressive but where Bertie is concerned it seems he doesn't know or want to know what's best for his own son.  As Victoria firmly believes he's not prone to insanity, as Feo puts that idea into Albert's head about Victoria too.  Also Feo organizes the Georgian ball again as a harkback to George and invites the guests.  As she gets more 'bribes' from them for doing so.  Also noticed by Palmerston (Laurence Fox) when he sees her riding a horse in the park, which she clearly can't afford.  Victoria also noticing her tiara at the ball.  However Albert doesn't want to hear it, especially the rift between them part, as he too is hung up on Victoria being far too concerned with her own personal image, rather than being the monarch she should be, commanding respect.

Not helped by the new design of the coin which Albert wants to take responsibly for.  At the same time, etchings of her are published by the printer.  The one where she's bathing her baby.  Which she takes displeasure at since it doesn't make her feel regal in the least and wants to sue.  Albert taking this task on himself as she can't do so.  Even though Russell (John Sessions) advises her not to do so.  She thinks she's a laughing stock and again we all know this was instigated by Feo.  As she brings it to Leopold's attention when it's printed in the paper.

Palmerston buys a print for a shilling and tells her that this is a way of her becoming more on par with her people.  They have babies and dogs but they don't have her wealth and see her more human in this way.  Again Albert telling her she can't have it both ways when she confronts him about leaving off the "by the grace of God" from her coin.  Which he remarks wouldn't fit on there since she wanted a crown on her head.  Victoria thinks Feo should leave now and even Albert disagrees by saying that she can't even throw her a crumb from her table.  Seems he is very endearing of Feo but can't see the same in his son.  When she confronts him, he tells her that he can only love her as her protector now and is all the love he has left for her.  As Bertie cries over his missing mouse, she tells him they can get another one, but they can't stop loving someone.  Reminiscent of Victoria losing her beloved Dash.

Elsewhere, Sophie (Lily Travers) and Joseph (David Burnett) get to be together at the ball after he tells her that the Ninth Duchess of Monmouth was in a similar fate as herself and killed herself after she was humiliated.  Which is what Monmouth (Nicholas Audsley) wants to do to her.  She changes her mind and dresses as a servant, as her grandmother was one.  Wonder if it had more to do with lowering herself to Joseph's station for what they intended to do.  As Penge (Adrian Schiller) looks for him and Lady Emma (Anna Wilson-Jones) searches for Sophie before Monmouth finds them.  As he sees that Palmerston isn't with her as he suspected.  Then Monmouth sees Sophie looking at Joseph during the christening, as noticed also by Emma and Alfred (Jordan Waller).  No doubt this was turning into a real Upstairs Downstairs/Downton Abbey story in the context of the royal household.

In actual fact, the etchings were stolen and printed.  Leading Albert to sue and was granted an injunction on the grounds of privacy.  An early case of its type involving royalty, but one which is widely documented in legal circles.  Abigail (Sabrina Bartlett) saying the people were impressed with seeing her so 'common' was shown to be the case with Punch.  However Victoria was still not amused.  Both Victoria and Albert did turn to the science of phrenology and the finding that Bertie's anterior lobe wasn't developed enough for him to adequately learn.  The Duchess of Monmouth's story was based on the affair that Caroline Norton had whilst married to her Tory MP husband, George Norton, who took away her children.  In fact she had the affair with none other than Lord Melbourne.  As mentioned in series 1 which is why those around her were weary of Victoria around him so much.  However, she didn't kill herself, instead she wrote books etc to earn an income and one on why mothers who were divorced should still have access to their children. As for the coins, well the inscription was left off and the coin had to be redesigned before it was issued.  Another reason for Victoria to be angry with Albert!

Muldoon & Ives - EP

Real Music Lives

Thought I'd lost this song forever but it's back Grey Again was one of my absolute faves when Patty had it on Sound Cloud (almost wrote sound bites there!)  Then it vanished as it left such an impression on me.  Well all his songs do, and Neil Ives collaborating too.  (Or should that be collusion!  ha.  Scratch that!)  Grey Again is one which helps cuts loose from your inhibitions and just throw paint around on a canvas and watch it come to life whilst you imagine dancing a slow dance in the rain and got over a broken heart as just life in general passes you by.

The songs are very atmospheric and can conjure a picture of so much emotion if you're in that kinda mood and if not, well, just relax and enjoy The Ride!  (Sorry!)  Who says you have to be a writer of epic proportions!  Cos writing songs is just the real deal too!  Whether you're into this music or not, there's always something uplifting about listening and brightens up even the worst day you might be having!

Miracle has the vibe of  a traditional '70's rock song played on through generations and still able to mess with ya head; get your foot tapping and playing loudly at a party to the annoyance of neighbours (yeah mine would deserve it).

The Ride reminds me quite a bit of Red Dress (will always love this one!) Although I started out listening to Patty with Glowing Like Gold - that was the first one I ever heard.  It's got a similar vibe and The Ride could be a sequel in many ways. 

Back to Life yay and a welcome back to more rocking sounds and have missed these for a while now and had to listen to the ones scattered about on YouTube with the Concerts From My Living Room series.  Back to Life also has a more country vibe to it.

They return again to wake up the Sleeping Masses!  Thanks again it's been far too long. 
Looking forward to much more!
Welcome back!

Released: 15 April 2019
Muldoon and Ives
Available in iTunes & YouTube

Victoria 3.5 "A Show of Unity" Review

                                               
As Victoria (Jenna Coleman) rides in her carriage with her children; another shooter tries to shoot at her, but is quickly tackled to the ground by the guards.  As Bertie relays how someone tried to kill her and that the gun wasn't loaded.  Albert (Tom Hughes) regrets not being there with them as if he could've done something.  Anyway she decides on a trip to Ireland for the discourse that is still widely spread there and always will be, in a bid to, well, what did she want to do.  As Albert once again referred to it as her piece of "adoration" from her people, as they acknowledged how the Catholic Church and Cardinal Ronan (Christopher Dunne) aligned with her and her own protestant church.  Providing her with a dove as a symbol of this peaceful act.  Which Victoria promptly sets free as it is an Irish dove and belongs in Ireland.  Much to rapturous applause!

With Feo (Kate Fleetwood) in charge at home, she sets about acting as a monarch in her own right.  Giving Vicky and Bertie light wine for breakfast which they don't have and Vicky asking if she likes Caine (Edwin Thomas) the new tutor for Bertie.  Seems like Bertie was learning very quickly for someone who didn't want to be taught at all!  Of course he did the very thing Victoria questioned him on, i.e that his name doesn't symbolize his method of teaching! Which of course he says doesn't since he too was subject to it at school.  Bertie even impresses when they return home from Ireland with his French.  As Feo asks Albert to make the parson Hannam (Richard Earl) the Dean of Ely.  Of course it could only have been in return for a bribe since we all know how good she is at that!  As well as mentioning this to Palmerston (Laurence Fox) when she reminds him of his so-called attempted encounter with Sophie (Lily Travers) when he comments on Feo's pearls..  He tells her that they're "quits"on that now re her holding it over him.

Speaking of Sophie, Victoria notices her indifference towards the Duke of Monmouth (Nicholas Audsley) and insists on taking him to Ireland with her, which was a mistake, as he just gets drunk and makes a further fool of himself.  With Sophie spending time with Joseph (David Burnett) on the beach and finally they kiss.  With Joseph saying his son will go to Eton.  Palmerston notices Joseph and Sophie return at the same time and warns her about being with Joseph.  As she has a late breakfast and Monmouth walks in.  He makes another fool of himself when he confronts Palmerston in public over "rogering" his wife.  Whereas Palmerston replies he should forgo the booze and perhaps he can "roger her with more authority."  Yes women as chattels and sex objects, that's all they were good for!  Albert notices has Palmerston has no tenants in Ireland and he tells him they agreed to leave for America when the famine was at its height.  He paid them to go but they were happy since they write and tell him of how grateful they were. 

Victoria also sees Palmerston's marriage firsthand with Emily (Pandora Clifford) as she tells him about his having a woman whenever the need arises by placing his boots outside his room.  Then telling her if he was successful or not.  Admitting that she too has done the same on occasion since he spends so much time away, they both have such needs when they arise!  Victoria later compares her own marriage with theirs a little.  As well as breaking the news of being pregnant again since Albert regrets he won't be having anymore children to drop the ball on, with not seeing how Bertie was being treated.  And yes Feo should be held accountable for letting this slip by unchecked.  But she's still too busy making waves and getting what she can out of being there.  Albert and Victoria still not being as close as they once were as their interests and feelings over the monarchy and what is happening in the outside world, have veered them into different directions.

Victoria 3.4 "Foreign Bodies" Review

                                                      
As Victoria (Jenna Coleman) and Albert (Tom Hughes) refuse to speak with one another, they pass messages via the staff which becomes hilarious.  Think of the paper and ink they could've saved.  Sure they did this before when they asked the staff to relay messages verbally.  Anyhoo he's off to Cambridge to become Chancellor of the university much to the annoyance of Victoria who has to deal with the cholera epidemic on her own.  Not wanting Albert's help.  Same at the uni for him as they refuse to accept he wants the sciences to play a core part in the university.  However they are livid that he believes they should be teaching the theories of Charles Lyell who did not believe the world was created in seven days.  Also Lord Powis (Julian Firth) now stands against him for the post.  Which Albert finds humiliating.  As they don't want "foreigners" around and a German at that.  Since they don't want what he was taught at Bonn University to become the norm here.

Palmerston (Laurence Fox) also telling Albert he was a fellow at Cambridge too but Albert can't recall what college he was at.  Which Russell (John Sessions) says he ought to know.  Victoria has 'foreign' guests who bring gifts of jewellery for the newly born Princess.  Where Albert has to accompany her.  A doctor tries to find the origins of the outbreak as the guests settle down to listen to some opera singer and Russell gets a note informing of the outbreak not being limited to Soho where they thought they could contain it.  And also by moving the bodies to the country where they will be buried.  Victoria is concerned about her guests not hearing; lest they find out how dirty her country really is!

The doctors arrive at the Place with their own view points and a Dr Snow (Sam Swainsbury) with a stammer, can't tell her what's happening until he has proof.  As he traces back the outbreaks and where it's spreading to by asking patients questions.  Skerrett (Nell Hudson) visits an apothecary for some medicine and obviously that is contaminated from the water used in it.  When finding out she's pregnant.  Francatelli (Ferdinand Kingsley) has the hotel opened and she breaks the news to him.

Victoria asks Palmerston to arrange a visit to the hospital to check out the patients and meets Florence Nightingale (Laura Morgan) who also tells her about Dr Snow being the only one who visits here.  He finds the outbreak leads to a dirty water tap and tells this to Victoria.  As Brodie (Tommie Knight) overhears this, he asks who the apothecary is and Victoria goes to Skerrett.  Alas it's too late since Victoria tells her it's a good thing she's done opening the place, her own palace and there's nothing she can do for her. 

Palmerston votes for Albert in the chancellor election and obviously he must've had some of the others voting too for Albert to have won.  But he says he can't accept the position.  Palmerston says he agrees with him but only as far as the cholera issue goes.  ALbert returns home to Victoria and they make their peace.  As Victoria opens Skerrett's letter where she tells her she must follow her heart and leave her.  She regrets not opening it sooner.  Feo (Kate Fleetwood) being livid her plan of dividing them didn't work.

Joseph (David Burnett) is still enamoured with Sophie (Lily Travers) and the Duke (Nicholas Audsley) wants her to return home.  Joseph tells her to refuse him as the palace is safer.  The Duke tells him it's a command so she can't refuse him.  However she later tells Joseph that he can't refuse the Queen's command.  As Penge (Adrian Schiller) watches them.  So they killed off Skerrett, which wasn't really expected.  There didn't seem to be that much they could have done with her and Francatelli and getting them married kind of left them at loose ends, since this was about Victoria and not them.

Apparently Victoria had Dr Snow's help in real life; giving her chloroform during the birth of her seventh child, but he didn't really find the cause of the cholera until later on in.  She didn't meet Florence until the Crimean War either.  Albert accepted the position of Chancellor not realizing it was just a position of honour and he wasn't meant to be so vocal about it or to do anything. 

Plot generated for my book

 This was too funny not to post from https://www.plot-generator.org.uk/

Curvy maddie

An Incredible Romance
by Jamie

chase hanson is a curvy, weak and witty painter from the hood. His life is going nowhere until he meets maddie smith, a handsome, strong woman with a passion for jam doughnuts.
chase takes an instant disliking to maddie and the scheming and arrogant ways she learnt during her years in Ohio.
However, when a mass murderer tries to badmouth chase, maddie springs to the rescue. chase begins to notices that maddie is actually rather splendid at heart.
But, the pressures of maddie's job as a lawyer leave her blind to chase's affections and chase takes up baking to try an distract herself.
Finally, when arrogant author, bruce brown, threatens to come between them, maddie has to act fast. But will they ever find the incredible love that they deserve?

Voting and comments are only available on published work.

Auto Praise for Curvy maddie

"I fell in love with the thoughtful maddie smith. Last night I dreamed that she was in my teapot."

- The Daily Tale

"About as enjoyable as being slapped with a dead fish, but Curvy maddie does deliver a strong social lesson."

- Enid Kibbler

"I love the bit where a mass murderer tries to badmouth chase - nearly fell off my seat."

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"I could do better."

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PS I have already written one with these character names and it is much better!! 

Victoria 3.3 "Et in Arcadia" Review

                                              
Trouble in paradise with Victoria (Jenna Coleman) and Albert (Tom Hughes) then as they argue over the children, her being here when she wants to be in London and with Palmerston (Laurence Fox).  With Feo (Kate Fleetwood) interfering as much as possible to ensure there is a drift between them.  After the excursion to Osborne House which Albert designed himself and the library room, which Palmerston refers to as "cosy" Victoria also finds herself warming to Palmerston, if she did indeed.  After attempting to take a swim in the freezing old sea with Palmerston arriving to see her 'beached' so to speak.  Really you'd think they would have protocols and rules of just anyone turning up willy nilly out of nowhere on the beach.  It is an island after all, but how safe is that.

Albert and PM Russell (John Sessions) exchange unpleasantries about Palmerston and they don't like him, however Russell would have him on his side rather than across the bench with the riff raff hecklers of the rival party.  Nothing changed in Parliament then!  Palmerston has invited the Hungarian Lajos Kossuth (Simon Gregor) to speak and is having dinner with him.  However Victoria doesn't want him here as there's growing descent over his "regicide" talk.  However Palmerston insists on it.  As well as him wanting to get it on with Sophie (Lily Travers) who is enamoured with him and also wants his attention.  Starved for love, as they might call it.  However he's not everything he seems to be, as Emma (Anna Wilson-Jones) tells him.  She doesn't want him seeing Sophie or dallying with her since it would be a repeat of their own dalliances, and Henry couldn't give her what she wants.  Being married he won't leave his wife.  As Sophie is still woeful of her son being carted off to boarding school.  Also hot on her heels is Joseph (David Burnett) and he is there when Palmerston rejects Sophie, offering a hankie but also wanting more.  Not to mention his mad dash skinny dipping moment into the sea.  A repeat from last series but he's on his own here.
Speaking of last series, it's just an overture to Ernest and Harriet and their unrequited love, well more forbidden, as she too was married.   Palmerston saying it was "shockingly excellent about Sophie's husband not being here.  She question shim being shocked and he adds that is excellent still.

Feo hates her room and she changes it with Sophie which finds Palmerston in a bit of a pickle.  Victoria thinks she can return home now as it's safe but she doesn't want to leave.  Thus a good opportunity for Feo to blackmail Palmerston as he enters Sophie's room but is shocked to discover that it's actually Feo's naked shoulder that he's kissed!  Ample opportunity for her to stay here then since she tells him how the Queen and Albert don't like him.

Albert built this house for the purposes of the children and their education which he thinks is a good way to build into their game time.  Enacting the Peninsula Wars.  But Bertie isn't interested in learning even when he tries.  Victoria has had enough and at dinner accuses Albert of bullying her children.  After Bertie tells him, "I don't bloody know" in response to Albert's question.  Now where'd he ear that?  Which he takes offence to as he's never bullied them.  She tells him to respect her or to continue the conversation in private and Albert retaliates by remarking that if there was any respect to give he would.  Thus she throws a glass of her wine at him.  Which of course Feo relishes and so did Palmerston. 

She was actually getting her own back at him since he said she craves love and approval of her people, as does Palmerston so they're two peas in a pod.  Which makes her change her mind about Kossuth and tells Palmerston to go ahead with the dinner, as they come to an understanding.  Penge (Adrian Schiller) fires Joseph as he missed church since he says he was bathing in the sea.  However when Sophie hears of this, she gets him reinstated by saying he was running an errand for her and she was to blame.  Looking to get her jollies with Joseph now.  But the number of times she feigned to forget his name.  Francatelli  (Ferdinand Kingsley) gives his resignation and Skerrett (Nell Hudson) follows suit telling Victoria she's married to him and Victoria is angry and despondent.  Victoria returns to London and tells Albert she can stay if he wishes. 

With Feo pitting each of them against one another by telling Albert that Victoria's got baby brain but it's not permanent.  Albert asking if he shouldn't have anymore children.  Then she brings up Victoria's grandfather who was funny in the head.  When they return, Albert locks his door and Victoria calls him "my darling" now when she wants him.  But otherwise he could do no right in her eyes.  The way Feo looked at Victoria when she got out of the carriage to the adulation of her people, that look of sheer evil!

At least this ep has some true stuff going on with Palmerston entering the wrong room at Windsor Castle and Albert not being happy with that.  Victoria couldn't be Queen at Osborne which is all that she wanted to be.  So he was right when he said that she needed her subjects.  As well as Victoria throwing wine at Albert.  However she did go swimming and not used the line of her not being
a fish.  Bertie's learning difficulties were real as opposed to Vicky who was the brains.  Lajsos Kassuth was a revolutionary of the time, as well as being a journalist and lawyer, his opinions were considered dangerous at the time cos of his nationalistic views.  Here he is shown to be ridiculed when he finally gives his speech, which gives pleasure to Palmerston and Russell as he was doing what his Queen wanted.

Arty video

The only place where it uploads! Sheesh!!

Some of you may have realized this was for the Rob Thomas submission for the vid to One Less Day (Dying Young).  And for those who didn't you do now!

More arty farty than arty! But it's what I do. Even if it turned out boring!