Sebastian Stan Panels MCM Comicon 25/26 May

Another panel like Misha's where there were far more wanting to attend than could.  Most of the queues were impossible. They should have gotten a separate hall just for those instead of squeezing them into one small space.  Anyway didn't think much of the moderator either, just cos she's on YouTube, whatever, doesn't mean she was a good choice, then they always do that with their moderators!  Claire Lim was useless! Whether you agree or not!

Anyhow Sebastian was great but I wondered why everyone went for Bucky cosplay cos if I was doing cosplay I would've gone for the Mad Hatter from Once Upon A Time.  He was so different in that and so very underrated, but a perfect fit (misfit) for that!  Maybe next time!
                                                    
Anyway Seb says he tries to have more compassion for himself these days.  Even on the off days he tries to see not everything will be perfect but he likes to go for a walk, especially in London where he can see other people and say he's not alone.

He said looking back he would have played Bucky more enjoyably if he wasn't quite afraid when he go the role.  He would have trusted the role more and "owned" it.  I remember his questions at the AppleStore 2014 (See blog post from then) where he was much more relaxed as it was a much more intimate setting, better questions too and he didn't get pushed around from pillar to post!  You know, do this, autographs where he didn't get a chance to talk or personalize pics, then talk, photo ops, it was maddening and yes no pun intended re mad Hatter!!

Seb was in awe of the fan drawings and loves to see them, adding "we need that sense of self-expression".  He hopes they will carry on drawing.  Seb said it's hard having long hair when playing Bucky.  If Bucky ever went into space he'd want Groot along since he'd let Bucky speak more so than not.

Re Avengers Endgame he commented on how both he and Captain America/Steve are free at last.  If he had the Infinity gauntlet he would use it for good unlike Thanos.  He would like to see Bucky in a relationship with Nat.  He was happy for Steve going back to be with Peggy [Agent Carter.]
On accents he spoke of the posh "Dr Strange guy" ha, yes Benedict Cumberbatch but he loves the Cockney accent, something the mod couldn't point out to him when he said that!  Cos how the hell do you not tell him it's known as Cockney!!  He likes showering over having a bath.  Likes to watch Netflix when he's chilling out and loves Star Wars too.

In his opinion Captain America's shield is way cooler than Thor's hammer! That Black Widow is better than Captain Marvel and strangely or not feels John Wick would win a battle between him and Chuck Norris.  He enjoyed Winter Soldier and Civil War as he thought they were more fun and Anthony Mackie doesn't do his own stunts since he's on a wire.  Yeah they were good films cos he was in them more and Bucky had more of a story; something more to do.

When Steve and Bucky were saying their farewells, Seb wanted them to have more to the conversation between them, but the Russo's were of the belief they would have already had that conversation.  Well they could have repeated it for us fans!!

His fave long lasting memory was filming with Chris in the first Avengers movie and that it was in London.  He absolutely loves London as he can be himself here.  As well as being fascinated by the history and he visited Shakespeare's Globe Theatre too.

Seb enjoyed MCM Comicon.  He might return to theatre sometime next year.  Great he should come here for theatre, but then the fans/stans will be out in force and a lot of people will still be disappointed at not being able to meet him!  One day he'd also like to direct.  He left Romania at a turbulent time and he visited last year after being away for 14 years.  He's looking back at his country and re-educating himself about it.  He said one fan was freakin' [fu**king] amazing for learning Romanian.  Ah Vlad would be proud! ha.  Okay bad joke!

That's the gist of it, I typed from memory so hopefully I got everything!  Hopefully Seb will return for a con here again but a more better one where he'll be treated with more than just being an object or piece of meat, harsh but that's what it felt like!

Misha Collins Panels MCM Comicon 25th/26th May

Lots of questions and fun to be had but the people queueing for the panels was unbelievable , it's a shame they didn't do more for those who couldn't get in, like find somewhere to stream it cos that was really unfair for many people.  Also the same with the Sebastian Stan panels too!

Misha felt right at home here being at his first MCM Comicon but of course he's no stranger to cons and to speaking: a helluva lot!!  He was taken aback by the love he was shown and everyone meeting him for the first time saw how cool he really is, or in Dean's words "awesome"  Not from the panel.

Misha on his family and how they're really sweet and he misses them.  Also how they sing songs like 'Twinkle twinkle little star.'  That's what he'd like Sam and Dean to sing in a Supernatural ep!  That he would like to see other songs on the show like maybe The Muppets theme.  As well as Metallica and heavy metal.  Maybe they should all get together and compose one of their own, a real heavy Supernatural metal anthem!

He spoke of Jensen's dream that he had on the ending of the show and he was trading in the Impala for a motorbike on Craigslist and he drives away alone on the bike and there's no second seat cos "Sam is gone...poignant...I feel like the show needs to end tragically and have a finality to the ending...about one of the brother's surviving than having them both die in a sendoff, more Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, I feel like it's something; one survivor, one story and that dream that Jensen had has stuck with me."
Hey that's what I said about The Mentalist too, that Patrick Jane should've so been Red John!  anyhow, that's what I thought too, how they needed some form of closure for one or the other brother since season 2 and how they would always keep bringing each other back in some way!

Was a fan of the show before starring on it.  He's also seen the season 1 promo photos with Jared and Jensen. He's enamoured with Cas's loyalty and wants to be like that in his own life.  As well as wanting to 'teleport.'  Hey he could be a guest on Doctor Who: TARDIS teleportation galore and time travel too. so we could always find him still around in some dimension or another!  My words!

He was snuggling his children in bed, tucking them in and he wanted to tell them to stay his little kids forever and how he loves them so much.  They said they were going to grow up and Maison said:      "we're gonna get old and then we're gonna die."  Aww dude not yet!
The Collins family cookbook is about family and community.  It shows love towards his mother and a re-telling of her story.  That's so sweet I had a feeling of family connection when I wrote one too.  Although the recipes are common and well known, they are handed down from generation to the next and have been tweaked to reflect that!

He said that Jensen is the one he'd f**k!  Jensen is "submissive like your mother."
Misha said Mark Sheppard tries to kiss every one of the cast.  When the show ends, we'll move onto more younger and prettier shows after SPN.
He would love Cas to have his wings returned as he's fed up of driving.  He'd like a smart car with Sam and also perhaps a motorbike too.  The show has always been able to curtail Cas in many ways from being able to help and reach out, so having no wings was another obstacle in the way of positive solutions.
Also adding Cas isn't too riled about his own happiness or losing his life, he perhaps has a pen knife he can use to prod himself and not be happy.

He loved the ep the French Mistake and wanted Cas to be even more douchier, so they let him add to the script.  His agent later told him it was good to see Misha actually being his real self!  He felt a little weird meeting people/fans for the first time in person as they've seen/know him and he doesn't know them.  Having feelings of imperfection when he's told how much he's loved/appreciated.

Did get a spoiler for the show for UK viewers as we haven't watched S14 here yet!! But he said the deal he made with the Empty still stands even though Jack is in the Empty now!!

Misha said he will miss all concerned with the show, the SPN family, crew/cast and eventually there won't be that intense an involvement but the love will still be there and how this fandom had an impact on them and shaped their lives.  There were many moments on the show which were memorable but there was crying too when the final season was announced and they spent about an hour on their farewells!

He's clueless as to what he'll be working on next TV-wise and thinks he may crawl up in a cage and cry for maybe a year!  My opinion: man crying/tears are good for this show and probably many will do that when it ends!  Or he might produce.  Cheers from the crowd when said he should run for President!!  He might direct an ep, but he says the cast are like 'children'!  ha. So it could present a bit of a challenge!

Annabelle Comes Home - MCM Comicon

Not your average post!
Getting ready for some more unfollowers with this piece! Ha.  Always get that when I write about the paranormal!  Got the chance to see Annabelle doll up close and personal with a pic with her also at MCM ComicCon on Sunday. Strangely no vibes or anything from her, relieved, but also there's a reason why she's behind the glass case.  The notice above the glass was funny telling people: "positively do not open".  Ya know how can that be positive for something associated with so much negativity.  It was the doll from the movies of course.

Took some other pics of her too and found some faces and reflections that couldn't have come from the angles they did, i.e there were objects in the way and the light wouldn't have caught them.  So uploaded some screen shots below for you to decide for yourselves if you want. 

Apparently some people were a little bemused as to who she was, especially from not seeing the movies, but others actually wanted to touch the glass and were wondering why she was behind glass to begin with.  There were some others who wanted to do I don't know what, didn't hear them properly but they were told that copyright rests with Warner Bros.  But I got the impression it was something weird.  Man I have never typed so fast either?!!

A brief history:  Annabelle was bought in 1970 by a mother as a gift for her daughter who was graduating and becoming a nurse.  Before long, she found the doll would move around her apartment by itself.  A seance was held and they become weary of the spirit of a girl named Annabelle Higgins.  Which was not the case.  Contacting the Warrens, who told her the doll infact wasn't possessed but it was actually an inhuman spirit controlling it.  They took the doll back with them and eventually had it placed in a blessed glass case and in the Occult Museum. 

Still whether you see anything can decide for yourselves.  Had a thought that well, even if it's not the real, actual rag doll, it is her namesake and surely there must be some sort of energy perhaps and particularly since the films involved paranormal subject matter.  For future discussion perhaps.

Rob Thomas Chip Tooth Smile - A Reflection of Times Past

                                                    
"So what’s the strangest place that [Rob] Thomas has ever heard "Smooth” being played over the years? 
“One time my wife and I were walking into a sex shop, and it came on. That was pretty cool!”  
Most people would preferred to have asked what they were doing in the sex shop?!! ha.  What - it's a valid question!!  I thought this line would grab your attention from Rob's interview for the New York Post back on 26th April when the new album was released.  

“I think I just heard one too many people talk about the idea that they hate getting older, and I don’t think they’ve really thought that through, because the alternative to getting older is to stop…We’ve lost some friends over the years that died before their time, and I think that you comprehend as you get older that it’s a privilege that isn’t afforded to everyone.”   On his song One Less Day (Dying Young) which in some ways could be reverse psychology in some respects.  People talk of another year older but don't really see how lucky they are to get that extra year.  Another year older is seen more as not doing what they wanted when they had the chance, when younger.  On losing out on so much.  Yet compared to those who have gone before, gone too soon, the older you are, the more you have achieved in terms of life.  That's it, it's plain and simple: just life!

Rob: "it sounded like such an ’80s song anyway [with] the production and the guitar," on Timeless.  It's not just that song though.  Others on there sound akin to an 80's vibe running through them.  Other faves of mine include Tomorrow, The Worst In Me, Can't Help Me Now, It's Only Love.  It's that kind of an album and even if no one agrees, it definitely is one that makes you sit up and listen, not just the music but also the lyrics.  Rob has written some of the most wondrous lyrics over the years, although I admit some of the words have been used over (see below) which has been one of the highlights of listening and rediscovering his songs for me.  Yeah rediscovering as there was a period where I had other stuff going on and returning to them when my father passed in 2004, especially with Bent and a few others such as Leave, When You're Gone.  Real songs that far from having the feel-good factor (and many do) they were more those that make you wallow in self pity and make you forget the real world for a brief moment.  But also return you to that heart breaking point in time when you realize you'll never see your loved one(s) again.  Only in dreams!

It's Only Love is so breath taking and yeah it's true; give me a song title, lyric, poem and I'll string a few words together and come up with something else!  I love doing that, but don't get to do that quite often.
An example: 

It's only love, when I looked at you for a second time through all the modern trappings of materialism I saw I'm not a material girl

I now chant

it's only #ephemeral

Seriously it's a haunting melody summing up what was, could be, could have been, everlasting, if only...it's only love...

This was going to be a kind of retro piece highlighting some of the best songs from the past and then going onto the current Chip Tooth Smile album, but alas it didn't turn out that way.  But I did attempt to write some nostalgic bits and pieces below.  I think I got carried away in places in the moment and just went with the flow.  That's what spontaneity is all about and something I feel that Rob must do when writing.  Hell I wish I could write music to some of the lyrics/poems I have penned! But I didn't get into it not even at school.

Now Comes the Night is a haunting melody. The piano intro is reminiscent to me of Somewhere In the Night - Scott Bakula. And no I didn't make a connection with both songs having 'night' in the title either, not right away! I know it was used in the final ep of Stargate Universe and was apt for this ep, especially since we didn't get anymore.  It was great they went for one of Rob's songs and making him a little more familiar and known to others around the world, who hadn't heard of him before.

Many songs remind me of Rob's songs & vice versa. Take Lonely Anymore is akin to Rihanna's Unfaithful song.  Though Rob's came a year earlier.  It has a similar beat to me for the chorus part only. 

So it didn't come as a surprise to me that Rob brought out an entire album Chip Tooth Smile which has Timeless, an homage to great '80's music.  But that there are quite a few songs which are reminiscent from the '80's and artists from that era.  Yeah we deffo had the best music going back then! Not that some isn't good these days, but not consistently good, unless you like a specific artist.  Generally there's a market lacking for consistently exceptionally crazy good music and lyrics too.  As well as upbeat rhythm and music for our times to bring us through the doldrums of what we as an entire world are experiencing right now.

Let's see. How Far We've Come has connotations of Billy Joel's We Didn't Start the Fire.  Heck we need a follow-up for this song since there's plenty of material out there, esp right now when the world is going to pot in a hell basket all over again!  With some Dire Straits sliding in subtly with the 'cool' lines.

Hand Me Down is a little Beatles Let It Be vibe and some Bryan Adams' Everything I Do I Do It For You.
Trust You has a Poker Face feel to it
The rock theme, some are heavy heavily rock orientated like Long Day, Push, conjures up an image of a goth puppet being manipulated cos "I can."  Still Ain't Over You reminds me of The Doors with that rocking rhythm and the title in particular especially as Rob sings it.
All That I Am is a classic anthem of love, life, transcending the mundane.  An homage to Native American spirituality, in my opinion; as echoed in the haunting theme.

The use of similar or same words in many songs: broken, mean... I'm not knocking it, it's kinda sweet like a recurring trend almost providing a theme running through them, a link even.  Which is different.  I don't think I've come across that in many songs/artists' music. Duran Duran to name one band tend to do that too in some songs.

Snowblind: focus
Ever the Same, Mad Season, Bent, We Were Beautiful: broken
Gasoline, Disease: beautiful girl
She's So Mean, If You're Gone: mean
Absence of Affection, Pieces: everybody wants you pieces
You get the gist.   Yet where else could you get such great lines as:
"Everything is alright until it ain't right
And we all know that we ain't alright right now"  (Tomorrow)
where you turn your insides out trying to use those same words and come up with something even so remotely coherent and fail dismally.  That'll be me then on occasion!

The Worst In Me deffo a Billy Joel vibe running through this.
You know those misheard lyrics people speak of, well mine for this on the line "...hanging on a moment wouldn't stop" sounds like "hanging on the morning doing stuff!"
Which is funny as I have an ear for EVPs, not the same thing I know but still involves listening! ha.
Early in the Morning is so Phil Collins, it's uncanny!
No, no this isn't a piece on comparing and contrasting and it isn't meant to be read as such.  Rob has his own distinctive style and mood to his songs and music.  Always changing the sounds to coincide with changing times and shown by decades of success.  But more than that by bringing us classy, engaging music to make sure we get by each and every day.  Some escapism as in Little Wonders.

As shown by some of my silly tweets:

Timeless 

who's this Thomas, Thomas you hear in the first two timeless in the chorus.

#MisheardLyrics !

Wrote this and then thought woopsie, it's your name!! ha  

But squint your ears and it does sound like Thomas!

ON a serious note I love the way you sing "Major Tom" so very #Bowiesque sounding!

When you've a song in your head that doesn't quite fit what you're after til coming across Her Diamonds @ThisIsRobThomas Perfect for the ending of this mess! [Pic of my book in the tweet]

Wow what a great fit for this! If only it actually became a reality & not just stuck in dreams.
This was a tweet for one of my books and darn it if this song doesn't fit it!

If we're talking tweets this was too damn, well something or another.  And yes, the out of focus one looks better.  Resembles the Cradlesong pic a bit!  No?!

I hear ya chuckling and I don't blame ya!! 

Tomorrow is one of those songs you are looking to listen to when sad, at the same time it's rather uplifting and bittersweet in its sentiments and rhythm.  I've found that with many of Rob's songs, no matter how sad, sombre; they always make me laugh a little and think, well there's a song for how I'm feeling and I can really cry along with it, sing along or "God damn it's never easy..." but just go with the flow and see where you end up and where each beautifully written line leads you.  Down some path of no return, craving more music and his subtly sublime voice in many songs.  Whilst having that punky rock, throwaway cockney style too in songs such as Push, Bent, Long Day.  Like who needs perfectly proper posh language all the time!
Tomorrow: seconds out and we're down for the heartbreak.

We Were Beautiful the innocence of youth, loss, coming to terms, endearing the past, growing up, longing for yesterday; are the sorts of thoughts and sentiments this conjures up for me.
Can't Help Me Now: a chanson for doomed love, haplessness, going it alone, needing to find someone else to see you through cos the old friend/confidant/lover ain't working or helping.

Snow Blind invokes being lost in a blizzard imagery and can't get out of an endless circle of sameness and nothingness. Stuck in a loop.
Pieces a ballad of infinitesimal haunting memories. Written for Rob's lovely and courageous wife, Marisol, it's also hopeful in a foreboding sort of way.  Fate is out of our hands, but fighting will bring us through the darkness.  Never give up!

And have there been dreams, why yes of course, that goes without saying!  One example!

Funny dream ended up in a place where they were letting people sing Karaoke 

but it was like in individual booths, only people could still hear you. 

Was there with a friend who looked familiar like you. 

Then I said well I'm not trying that, I don't want people to hear me, 

esp when I don't reach the high notes. 

Some guy was having a go and there was a holographic Rob behind 

a glass screen. The guy was singing a song from the new album 

cos it was one I hadn't heard before.

It was It's Only Love. Then said to him, don't stop you're really great!  

Did a double take & saw it was Rob after all!  WTH?!!

Not that any of your songs wouldn't be good for Karaoke or anything!

Chip Tooth Smile in my opinion is one of Rob's best albums to date!  Heck it's better than his best.  It's inspiring in many ways and so grounded in stability and positivity displaying an uplifting beat.  The '80's were one of the best decades for music for those of us around then and especially growing up and this reflects that time of innocence and just finding our way as teens for most of us! I feel Rob was making up here for not writing such brilliant stuff in the '80's (you know what I mean) and it's great knowing that all his other writing and albums were culminating in this work of art.  Destined to outshine that gone before and sparkle in a wilderness of music we had lost for a very long time. Or thought we had, but was always around in some form or another with this exceptional treat to our ears, hearts and souls!

Victoria 3.8 "The White Elephant" Review

                                        
Albert (Tom Hughes) is slogging away at the great Crystal Palace project and is burning the midnight oil with Cole (David Newman). Causing Bertie (Laurie Shepherd) to awaken Victoria (Jenna Coleman) as he believes Papa is dead.  Obviously that was a little premature but none the less worries Victoria and has repercussions for the end of this ep and for next series.  Which presumably there will be one! Albert has second thoughts about it being "great" and even Palmerston (Laurence Fox) tells Victoria it won't really be as successful as he imagined as the British public aren't big on hyperbole's.  They're not really big on much anyway.  As Albert and Cole worry they haven't sold enough season tickets and the ladies don't want to accompany their husbands to the exhibit.  Whereby Victoria adds they will want to shake hands with their Queen.

Palmerston is at loggerheads also with Russell (John Sessions) as he has written to Louis Bonaparte who has declared himself Emperor of France and he thought it premature for him to do this.  As Palmerston adds Louis will have a lot on his hands dealing with repairing France instead of thinking of another battle with Britain.  Russell is not so amused as he plots his downfall behind the scenes in the commons.  Russell relays his dismay to Victoria.  As does Palmerston who resigns and informs her at the opening.  She knows he won't be ending his career just yet.  He will become PM one day and his wife, Emily (Pandora Clifford) agrees as she's invited to the opening by Victoria.  And obviously the public agreed as he was voted in as PM twice.

Victoria also hears that Sophie (Lily Travers) has a serious brain malady and she sends Abigail (Sabrina Bartlett) with a note.  She can't get in to see her in person, but she pays a servant who tells her that her illness is so severe that the nurses lock her up when they go to eat.  As Sophie watches from the widow.  Monmouth (Nicholas Audsley) being adamant she won't see William and he will send her to an asylum.  Victoria demands to see Monmouth and Joseph (David Burnett) is angry when he overhears Sophie's predicament threatening to take him on himself and win.  As Penge (Adrian Schiller) observes it all.  Bertie is in love with Heidi (Ellen Evans) and Albert contemplates allies and wants her to marry Sigmund Crown Prince of Prussia (Lion-Russell Baumann) as they will be good allies.  However Palmerston suggests to Feo (Kate Fleetwood) that she could marry Louis and become Empress, a station even higher than Queen of England.  To which Feo is delighted.  Bertie even proposes to Heidi.  Who tells him she's too old for him.

Victoria finds Albert in the dark outside ruing his folly and he tells her about the white elephant which is given as the highest honour to a family and must decide if they can feed the family or feed the animal as it can't be killed.  That's what his Crystal Palace is, a white elephant.  She tells him it will be a success, as she feels his hand which is ice cold.  They open the exhibit and Sophie speaks with Joseph who wants her to meet him at Euston so that they can run away to America and just be ordinary people.  With Monmouth still watching and demands to know who the servant is with his wife.  Penge refuses to help further as he says respect is earned not bought, throwing his bag of coins at him.  So much for Monmouth's declaration of his wife's "wanton" behaviour.  Of course Victoria is aware something is amiss especially when she sees Joseph making a gesture towards Sophie before he leaves.

The exhibition is a success, at least the opening, as Bertie shouts "God save Papa" with the people joining in with "God save Prince Albert."  Victoria mentions how a mother wouldn't leave her children to Sophie.  So as she's about to leave, William calls Sophie as he can't sleep and Joseph waits for her at the station.  He'll be waiting a long time.  Albert finds out about Feo's deal with Palmerston about Heidi marrying Louis and tells her she's betrayed him.  Which is what Victoria had been telling him over.  She says they'll leave and Albert says it's only that Palmerston has resigned that she's had a change of heart, well mind.  Victoria tells her that she doesn't have a sister even though she has many things, but Feo insists she would've made a good queen had she not been carted off by their mother.  Which Victoria tells her Feo's blamed her for all this time.

Victoria stands by the fire where Albert proposed to her and she remembers that, as Albert falls to the floor and passes out...Cue cliffhanger, not that it's much of one as we know what the final outcome will be.  Thus ends series 3 with a few ups and downs such as devoting nearly the entire series to Feo which was kind of boring even if they wanted some plot points to carry the story further.  Showing their bitterness towards one another.  Albert finally realizing her betrayal. TRusting the wrong people comes at a price, even family.

Betrayal - Pinter at the Pinter

The play most everyone was talking about, except me. Finally got to see it and well what a tangled web we weave and all that.  Hilarious in places Pinter really captured the essence of affairs between couples (married) and turned it into a finely tuned comedy.  Written by Harold Pinter based on his seven year affair to Joan Bakewell whilst married to others.  So no wonder.
Slightly tongue in cheek in places with  a bit of a slow start.  Practically everyone was betraying everyone else and all having affairs.
"The play is unique due to its reverse chronology; Betrayal begins two years after the affair has ended, and the piece ends before the affair has begun...."
Thus it ends on a positive note of friendship: never broken, never parted.
Also one reason why the set was revolving in a circle, anti and clockwise, a reflection of time passing and years going backwards and forwards.

Heck the melons, reminded me of Berberian Sound Machine play with the sound effects when those poor melons were smashed to pieces.  Not so much here as being devoured and yes smashed to bits by Tom Hiddleston as Robert' in one scene at a restaurant.  With the booze overflowing, well of course not real booze, but plenty would've been devoured in real life, or swilled.  Same scene had some belters in there when Robert says he hates books, he's a publisher but he hates them!  With Jerry (Charlie Cox) his best friend having a nose for finding the best writers out there for publication!

Did anyone get the subtle hint that Robert was actually Spinx as the MSS was an anon submission and then Spinx wore dark glasses all day and was fifty, overweight.  Thought it would've been Robert in disguise though he was only alluded to it, not actually seen on stage.  Also how Casey was meant to be a good writer too.  Particularly as Robert was interested in what his wife, Emma (Zawe Ashton) was reading the book and he asked what she thought of it. My view at least.   Overshadowed by Torcello, a book fair being held there.  Lots of references there and how they were caught out in a lie, especially Emma whens Robert tells Jerry she didn't go since there weren't any speedboats and a gondola would take forever.  Robert then tells him well he took a speedboat cos the gondola would take hours.

Apparently they were all having affairs years ago and some moving scenes when mentioning their children and how the action revolved around a number of years, back and forth.  Robert saying Jerry was such a good friend that he'd even have an affair with him, I said that too early on as they were so enamoured of each other.

Full house this night and sold out practically but it has been extended a further week in June. Watching in a box in the Royal Circle with only two seats there was particularly good.  Plenty were there for Tom and his performance.  However he didn't sign many autographs at Stage Door, I have to say poorly done Tom as many paid quite a bit to get tickets for the show and to travel here from abroad!  Many actors traverse the boards for even longer than 90 minutes and do their due diligence for their fans!  Okay so don't agree with me, but it's true.  Same thing was done by Aidan Turner last year, maybe this is the norm for some of the current actors doing the rounds, especially those whose immediate forte isn't really theatre! That was my bit of negativity. I'm not a fan but I despair for those who are.

Here's silly sketch for anyone.

SO what was the point of the security going through the line checking tickets at Stage Door if no one was going to get through save for the select few at the front.  Still at least got to see Charlie Cox and Zawe Ashton who were excellent in their performances!!

Victoria 3.7 "A Public Inconvenience" Review

                                            
With Victoria (Jenna Coleman) and Albert (Tom Hughes) growing further apart, Victoria is now saddled with the problem of him wanting to create a vast exhibition and he wants this to be a success.  For someone who vented about Victoria needing her subjects to adore her, his plans for this monumental exhibition don't fall far from hrr vanity.  Especially since he's also not accepted by the public and the newspapers never fail to show that. So doesn't he also need approval too.  He decides Hyde Park would be a good venue and there is uproar in the House over where the drunkards will now piss themselves.  As Albert talks public convenience with Cole (David Newman).  Also as Cole demonstrated how the masses could be subjected to the ornamental wealth of the rich too by having objects which are engraved by his machine.  As Albert remarks "want steam, get Coal," or Coal, more like.

Victoria still wants Feo (Kate Fleetwood) gone and is tired of having her here.  Palmerston (Laurence Fox) suggests Victoria get friendly with her and make her an ally rather than an enemy.  As he sends a fleet of ships to a blockade with Greece over their treatment of a British Jew and how the police joined in.  She of course wants a more peaceful method employed and asks Wellington (Peter Bowles) what should be done.  Who tells her he's going to resign as her Commander of the Army, suggesting Albert should take his place as he's more than qualified to do so.  As Albert tells her she should grow up, she's 30 now and should act her age.  Telling this to Feo, Victoria mentions how their mother wanted to be as far away from Victoria as possible.  Asking Feo what she wants and what she can give her.  Feo requests her daughter be at court as she is of marrying age now.  Victoria doesn't even recall her name, Adelheid (Heidi.) Whom Bertie (Laurie Shepherd) takes a shine too already and that's where his womanizing ways began no doubt!

Albert is determined to get his great venue but finds that bricks are just too many to employ in such a costly adventure and the designs look more like a mausoleum.  Why don't they get another architect is Cole's suggestion.  Elsewhere Russell (John Session) tries a coup over Palmerston and this backfires, as Palmerston comes to Parliament with a speech well versed in how it feels like to be a subject overseas and it doesn't make any difference where they are and they should all be supported and protected, to rapturous applause.

Monmouth (Nicholas Audsley) employs Penge (Adrian Schiller) to be his eyes and ears and get the dirt on Sophie (Lily Travers) as he knows she's having "relations" with a footman but he doesn't know who, giving him a purse of money.  Penge of course knows it's Joseph (David Burnett) and also catches them in the Summerhouse together.  However Joseph comes clean about getting paid by the Duke at his last position for pretending to be in love with the Duchess and was handsomely rewarded, as he speaks of America and finding his fortune there.  As William is coming home.  Emma (Anna Wilson-Jones) tells Sophie of Caroline Norton and Lord Melbourne, as I mentioned in last ep's review.  How she lost her children and was left penniless.  Those being the least of her worries as Monmouth refuses to let her see William when he returns and threatens her with the asylum.

Victoria realizes Albert has given up his dream and he accepts the post of Commander but tells him she married him for his dreams, even if they fail, at least he had the courage to have them.  She tells him to go ahead with his building and Cole employs a new architect, a gardener, Paxton (Christopher Brand) who Albert is impressed with.  Seems they are back together as Albert says he loved her differently to how he loves her now.  She's older now and he grabs her book from her as they laugh together.

Ghost Adventures 18.6 "American Horror Story - Woodbury Story House" Review

                                                  
This episode focused on the American Horror Story House used for filming the show and many others too and how many realized that it was actually haunting itself.  AKA the Woodbury Story House.  It was built in 1882 by Captain Frederick Woodbury?? an Altadena founder whose brother is said to haunt the house still as his be died penniless.  Having several owners over the years; the current owner, Sally Elbert, who takes part in rituals with the assistant property manager, Stephanie who was also constructing a Ouija board from the wood from the house.

Getting their first glimpse of a presence when the light goes out after the battery is drained and rustling can be heard in the garden. There was also a mystic who lived in the house during the 1970's and could have had an influence on the presences in the house.  Both Sally and Stephanie engage in Ouija board sessions for a few minutes.  With Zak adding that he does take part in that kind of stuff, but knows of the risks when going too far.  Leading to more build up of energy with the mystic in the 1970's.  What was the mystic's name? - Madeleine - which came through on the spirit box.

Zak sees an entity in the garden but he had a camera and he couldn't capture that on the camera, though he did manage to see a stick figure on the SLS.  Aaron gets "I'm here" on the spirit box, which Zak thinks is a warning from John Woodbury.  With more quick fire voices coming through.  Was that the mystic??  I don't hear "how many here"  I hear "how did he do [it?] or how could he do?? Zak saying a door is here and these spirits were conjured, that's why so many voices.  Zak lights the candles as in a seance.  The Trifield spikes to 10.

Dakota loses the coin toss and heads for the basement alone.  As Jay calls "heads", er, so did I! How come they don't capture the shadows when they're holding a camera, as Aaron didn't after also seeing one and holding the camera too.  Zak uses the Polaroid again.  The thing of beauty keeps showing up in these eps as I said before, it's a great camera! A light anomaly appears to be following them around quite a bit, as it goes up the stairs, then appears when Zak drops the photo, why?

Three knocking sounds are heard behind Billy in the dining room. Zak uses an Electroscope to detect static energy in the air which only goes off when static is around as omitted by spirits.  Which goes off in his hand in one of the bedrooms as an orb is seen getting next to him on the bed.  As well as Zak and |Aaron hearing a growl, not caught on camera.  There's a clicking sound when they ask what that was, which was probably the camera and not paranormal.  The voice on the recorder sounds like "I hate ya or her."???  As Jay and Billy use the music box next to the Ouija board and the rocking chair, which didn't move but the music box did play.

Zak finds some sort of light anomaly in one of the pics.  Probably the one that was following them around.

The Ovilus comes through with "Hug" which Dakota says it can do to him.  Before he hears some noises from behind him, a "D" left in mid air on the Ovilus and he runs with "Do Run" on the screen.  There's a cage in the basement, don't know what for, perhaps a leftover prop?

Aaron captures more voices on the spirit box sweep: "he talking"??  Not "him." When Jay asks who's talking, I hear "Peggy."  It's a woman's voice.  Billy gets "evil" on the Ovilus. "Talkin?? not a growl and "Aaron."  More intelligent responses in the attic: "Harm to anybody" Aaron asks. "No."
Aaron: "were you having fun?"  Answer "he was."  "He wants to kill her."  He shows the home is home to a portal.

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