Iesus Non Amat Me

Hey! Sorry, it's been a while since I've been here but then with lockdown still going on not much has been happening. I had a week off work near the end of June during which the original plan had been to go to Denmark, but obviously that didn't happen, so I just sat at home and melted in the heatwave. I also made pizzas from scratch which turned out pretty well, although the bases rose a bit more than I'd have liked (a combination of making them too early and the weather being so hot, I think.)

I've been doing a few online escape rooms with friends over Zoom and that's been fun. A lot of the puzzles are the type that I love doing anyway and have a lot of experience with, so I'm usually able to solve quite a few of them. I like that. It makes me feel like I'm actually of some use to the team!

Also, the LJDQ is back as the DWDQ so I've been playing that every week and basking in the quotage. I got a full house not long ago, which I was very proud of! It's a lot of fun so I would highly recommend people come along and join in. (And if you're European you can become a member of the DWDQEU. All are welcome. Even the English!)

I've started a rewatch of Once Upon a Time and am very much enjoying season one so far. I'm a bit worried about what's going to happen once I get to the seasons where things started going off the rails, but maybe knowing where it all ends up will allow me to enjoy it more. And if not, there's always fanfiction to turn to when it gets bad.

Something I had been particularly looking forward to was the Hamilton film coming to Disney+. Originally it wasn't supposed to be released until October next year, but I suppose that since no one can see it in the theatres now anyway there was no point holding it back. Part of me was worried that it wouldn't live up to my high hopes, but I shouldn't have doubted. It was brilliant. I loved seeing the original cast in the roles after hearing them on the soundtrack so often. And it was great to see close up shots and catch all the little details that I hadn't been able to see when I saw it live cos I was too far away or focusing on something else at the time. Also all the things I did see but forgot about!

And finally, I think we have bees living in the roof of the side passage. Looking online seems to indicate that they're just using the space that's already there and not doing any damage, so I'm inclined to just leave them bee. (Sorry, I'm no good at puns...)

On Tuesday I went to see the new production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and it was brilliant. Last time I saw this musical was over ten years ago when Lee Mead was in the title role (and wow, now I really feel old!) This time Joseph was played by a total newcomer, who was excellent, but the main names were Sheridan Smith as the Narrator and Jason Donovan as Pharaoh. Both clearly having a whale of a time! The whole production was so much fun and it completely embraced the kind of musical Joseph is, never taking itself too seriously. I wouldn't mind seeing it again but it's completely sold out now, so I was lucky I got tickets when I did.

And I'm really glad I got to see a production with Jason Donovan in, even if he wasn't playing Joseph himself. I was also a huge fan of the giant guitar playing Egyptian gods that were in the Song of the King set piece!

Then yesterday I went to the Science Museum cos I was interested in their Top Secret Codes and Ciphers exhibit. It was pretty interesting, although I was disappointed that all the puzzles were aimed at children. I had been hoping for some codes to try and work out myself. The rest of the Science Museum was pretty cool too. I forgot how big that place is and managed to spend about five hours there in total.

And last night my friends and I did the pub quiz. It was great to see people again, and we won which made it all the better!

I have this week off work and had all these plans of things I wanted to do, but now I'm just spending most of my time online. And going out. I'm off to the pub quiz again later today and I'm not sure what time I'll be back tomorrow. Hopefully it won't be too late and I'll get some stuff done then. I do like the pub quiz and it'll be lovely to go to one and not have to get up at 5am the next morning, but part of me was really looking forward to a few days uninterrupted at home to build jigsaws and make Christmas cards and watch films.

Anyway, I'm going to answer three of the November topics again today to try and catch up a bit more cos otherwise I can see myself answering these questions into next year!

11. If you could move anywhere, where would it be?

Probably London. I already live pretty close and go fairly regularly, but I'm still far enough out that it takes a while to get there and I have to get a lift to the station. I'd love to live somewhere with such good public transport that I was confident I'd be able to go where I wanted without having to rely on someone else. And there is so much to do in London.

12. If you could anonymously ban any pet peeve, what would it be?

People using 'immaculate conception' wrong. Jesus was not conceived by immaculate conception, Mary was. And it involved her parents having sex. The immaculate conception and the virgin birth are two different things, so stop throwing around the term when talking about pregnant girls who say they're virgins. It drives me up the wall!

13. If you could gain any skill/talent, what would it be?

To sing well. I've always loved singing and was in various choirs throughout school, college, and university, but I was never that good and always tried to hide my voice. I'd love to have been able to properly join in with confidence. And I always wanted to be in musicals. Still do, really.

Working retail over Christmas is always an adventure. But it's Christmas Eve and I survived! Yay! And, even more amazing than that, we closed at 5 and I was able to leave at 5:15. That's almost unheard of!

Also, I made eggnog and may be slightly drunk right now. That might be for the best though, since I'm watching a musical version of A Christmas Carol with Kelsey Grammer as Scrooge. It's... rather strange.

I hope you are all having a good Christmas Eve!

So, I have decided that this year I am having a three day birthday celebration. This is day two of the joyous event and so far it is going most excellently.

Yesterday contained the awesomeness of Avenue Q, which is still hilarious even on the third viewing, and dinner at Ed's. Personally I loved the high stools and music there. The food was very filling so I'm going to have to go back another time to try their desserts.

Afterwards we walked around London for a bit, which was lovely since it is very pretty at night. And there was ice cream. Ice cream is always good. As is Polish vodka, which was also involved in the fun.

I also discovered that Paul has a very nice house and a very nice housemate. I brought the sacred offering of Dave and therefore hope I will be welcome back in the future.

Today was less action-packed but still fun. It was like a taste of Canada - we had cinnabons for breakfast, waited for a train and I am currently drinking Molson. I also have lots of American sweets from CyberCandy but I am resisting eating them until after my dentist appointment tomorrow.

Tomorrow, of course, being the culmination of my birthday celebrations and the actual day I turn 26. At which point I will officially no longer be a young person according to National Rail. I presume this means I will be qualified to pass judgement on the youth of today. Excellent.

I feel old. I've been alive for a quarter of a century now.

The advanced years are obviously affecting my mind. My usual birthday poem of epic brilliance did not come to me as easily this year as it has in the past. Alas. This is what I've ended up with:

24 has been and gone,
Now 25 has come along.
50 isn't far away,
I'm halfway there as of today.

Emma and I went to see Mamma Mia! yesterday. It was good. And I was able to claim my free small popcorn that I won on the scratchcard I got when I went to see The Dark Knight. Yay for free food.

Emma also gave me a gift voucher to CyberCandy. I foresee a trip to London some time in my near future. =D

after_thought16 and I went to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat yesterday. I was worried that it wouldn't live up to my very high expectations though. I've been wanting to see this musical for years and had hyped it up so much in my head that I wasn't sure the actual version could possibly live up to the one in my mind.

But it did. Oh yes, it did. It was amazing. I loved it so much! Lee was great in the role and the Narrator (Jenna Lee-James) was incredible. I was blown away by her voice (and the fact that she was very hot didn't hurt either!) I loved the funny bits and the actors quirky expressions in reaction to them. Quirky expressions that I could see very clearly because we had excellent seats near the front. =D

I especially loved the singing camel, so I had to buy one for myself at the end. He's so cool; he dances and sings Any Dream Will Do. Not just a line or two either, the whole thing. It's Donny Osmond's voice, which seems like a bit of a weird choice, but whatever. I still love it.

All in all, I had a most excellent time and would happily go again. In fact that was one of the first things I said after leaving the theatre - "I want to see it again!" So if there's anyone reading this who wants to see it, I'll gladly go with you.

On Saturday I went to London to see The Lord of the Rings musical. It was very good, although I really wish the theatre hadn't been so hot. Highlights included a Frodo whose make-up made him look like he had come straight from a nearby production of Rocky Horror and an extremely awesome giant spider.

This meant that I was not able to watch Doctor Who until today...
( Utopia Squee...with spoilers )