Note the Nightmare Before Christmas Poster, the round flower print chair, the lightbulb lamp, and the American Girl doll Lamp on my desk, as well as my CD player right next to it.
Visible on my shelf is Avon Mark Hollywood Pink and Avon Naturals Pumpkin and Spice lotion and Bath and Body Works Art Stuff Sassy Starberry Lotion.
BEN & IMO
The Swan Theatre, Stratford upon Avon, Tuesday 2nd April 2024
Mark Ravenhill’s new play couldn’t be further from his first one (Sh*pping and Fucking), dealing with a rather rarefied moment in British musical history. Composer Benjamin Britten has just nine months to come up with a grand opera in time for the coronation of Elizabeth II. Along comes Imogen, daughter of Gustav ‘The…
Magnetic Press announces Black Box Chronicles, a new sci-fi anthology
Magnetic Press announces Black Box Chronicles, a new sci-fi anthology #comics #comicbooks #graphicnovel
Magnetic Press has announced the upcoming premiere of their first original production in partnership with Horrible Future: Black Box Chronicles, a science-fiction anthology that spans multiple generations in mankind’s expansion into space and beyond the stars. Developed by Horrible Future founders Mark Schey and Chris Northrop, the anthology serves as an introduction to the sprawling drama and…
Now, I'm in England with a house I absolutely love, and found that it either didn't sell, or is on the market again. I LOVE this home. Note the 2 statues on the columns playing a game and you drive under it.
This estate is in Dorsington, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, UK, has 6bds, 6ba, £3.65M / $4.319M
Do you like the look of beams? This home's ground fl. is completely open concept, but the beams offer a clear view while still marking separations for each area. Here in the living room there's a lovely brick fireplace.
There's a nice round railing in the middle of the floor. Note the exposed brick walls.
The home has a nautical theme. The unusual round kitchen island has nautical accents. I can't make out what the graphics on the walls are, but they must be ship-themed.
I must say that this is some architectural design. It's amazing. I could be very happy here. It gives off a feeling of tranquility.
Also, beyond the kitchen and living room, there's a gorgeous indoor pool and spectacular acquarium that takes up a whole wall.
I like the way the inside of the pool is painted and look at the stained glass window with an ocean scene above. Also, take note of the beams on the left that are carved to look like palm tree trunks.
The hot tub at the end of the pool lit up at night. How romantic is this?
A magnificently carved custom made bed in a child's room. Look at the mermaid with the trident. On the other side there's a pirate with a sword. Is that a canon in the middle? I think that there's also a way to climb up on top of the bed, too.
From the cupola in the eaves there's a pirate ready to swoop down and he has a long sword on his belt.
Now, out here they cheated. That's book shelf wallpaper.
The primary bedroom is very large, and a little too beige.
The home theater has an Art Deco flair. Look at the little side tables, for snacks and drinks.
What an incredible bar. The floor, the lights, the walls. Even the pool table lights up.
Outdoors there's a nice little terrace and what a colorful anchor.
The big chess set.
Gorgeous gardens.
And, as if all of this isn't enough, there's a fairytale cottage with a thatched roof.
Isn't this a cozy living room? Love the red wood stove and Marilyn Monroe above it.
Nice semi-circular kitchen. The extra touches in these homes are so special.
Hope im not bothering you and I dont know if this had been talked about before on your blog but I was really really curious about your opinion on something. I know we have to take a grain of salt when it comes to actors interview cause they don't write the show but what are your thoughts on Ryan using neutral gender pronouns when talking about Eddie's possible futur relationships? (Using partner and themselves instead of girlfriend or herself when he has been until the marisol break up very much explicit with using lots of femal pronouns concerning Eddie's love interest and relationships)
Like I said I know Ryan most likely isn't aware of much for season 8 but its very likely that some stuff must have been talked about and I dont want to be that buddie shipper but to me it's screams that it has been talked about, and I'm not saying it has been confirmed among themselves but with him using gender neutral it screams so loud that at least buddie has been talked about. Sorry that was long but its been wracking my brain and I really wanted your opinion cause honestly I love being one of your avons cause you are always lovely and sweet and formulate very lovely responses (thank you so much btw cause I really really love when you answer me ❤️)
Lots of love from anon that appreciate you like im sure many others do ;)
HI BABE IM SO SORRY I NEGLECTED YOU💐💐💐💐 I only just caught up on the interviews that had dropped
Like these bits oml the secret optimist in me is SCREAMING
Like yes Ryan is stressing a million times that s8 is very much a question mark on what will happen and that he as an actor is the last to know yada yada but I love the way Ryan is like “partner” and “them” very interesting indeed
Also love how much he understands Eddie but that’s a whole other story
But yeah what he wants with Eddie stopping the cycle of looking for a mom for Chris and instead looking for something NEW and for himself is just so perfect and exactly what we’ve been begging for
Also I keep seeing people referencing more stuff so if you have specific snippets you wanna send me please do because I think I might not have found all the articles
Ahhhhh and I love having YOU as one of my anons you guys are literally the sweetest people ever 🫶🫶🫶
Live broadcast of ‘Le Sacre de Napoléon V’ on the national channel Francesim 2, hosted by Stéphane Bernard
(Another journalist) It was an incredible moment of emotion! All of Francesim was in suspense during the coronation of Their Majesties!
(Stéphane Bernard) I agree with you. If I may, dear friend, I would like to draw your attention to the sanctity and seriousness of the images we have just seen. Despite their youth, it now seems quite clear to me that Their Majesties fully and worthily embody their roles. These solemn moments testify to their profound commitment and the grandeur of their imperial mission.
(Another journalist) You're right. I am not a believer, but the ceremony was very beautiful.
(Stéphane Bernard) It’s not over yet: Their Majesties must now proceed to the Grand Trône. We have witnessed the profession of faith, the triple anointing, and the coronation. Now, the imperial couple must be enthroned, and the Emperor must pronounce the Constitutional Oath he makes with the French People. This crucial moment marks the Emperor's solemn commitment to his nation, reinforcing the indissoluble ties between the sovereign and his subjects.
(Another journalist) Tell us a bit about this famous oath, Stéphane.
(Stéphane Bernard) Of course. As you can see in the images, Their Majesties are leaving the Petit Trône to be enthroned. After this enthronement, which includes the blessing of the imperial throne by His Holiness, the Emperor will pronounce the Oath. In the past, both Napoleon I and Napoleon IV swore with their hands on the Gospel. However, it seems that Napoleon V will adopt a different approach, marking a new stage in the imperial tradition.
(Another journalist) What does this oath entail?
(Stéphane Bernard) It is a constitutional oath. Symbolically, it means that the Emperor swears to submit to the Will of the French People. Imperial law promises to preserve the achievements of the French Revolution. This is precisely how the empire distinguished itself from the kings of Francesim, a sort of reconciliation between the Republic and the Monarchy.
⚜ Le Sacre de Napoléon V | N°12 | Francesim, Paris, 28 Thermidor An 230
The imperial couple are crowned and leave the cathedral choir. They now go to the Great Throne to be enthroned. It was broadcast live on television by Stéphane Bernard, the famous journalist covering crowned heads in Francesim.
Beginning ▬ Previous ▬ Next
⚜ Traduction française
(Autre journaliste) C'était un formidable moment d'émotion ! Toute la Francesim était dans un flottement pendant le couronnement de Leurs Majestés !
(Stéphane Bernard) Je suis d'accord avec vous. Si vous le permettez, cher ami, j'aimerais attirer votre attention sur la sacralité et le sérieux des images que nous venons de voir. Malgré leur jeunesse, il me semble maintenant tout à fait évident que Leurs Majestés incarnent pleinement et dignement leur fonction. Ces moments solennels témoignent de leur engagement profond et de la grandeur de leur mission impériale.
(Autre journaliste) Vous avez raison. Je ne suis pas croyant, mais la cérémonie était très belle.
(Stéphane Bernard) Ce n'est pas terminé : Leurs Majestés doivent maintenant rejoindre le Grand Trône. Nous avons assisté à la profession de foi, à la triple onction et au couronnement. À présent, le couple impérial doit être intronisé, et l'Empereur doit prononcer le Serment sacré qu'il fait avec le Peuple français. Ce moment crucial marque l'engagement solennel de l'Empereur envers sa nation, renforçant les liens indéfectibles entre le souverain et ses sujets.
(Autre journaliste) Parlez-nous un peu de ce fameux serment, Stéphane.
(Stéphane Bernard) Bien sûr. Comme vous pouvez le voir sur les images, Leurs Majestés quittent le Petit Trône pour se faire introniser. Après cette intronisation, c’est-à-dire la bénédiction du trône impérial par Sa Sainteté, l’Empereur prononcera le Serment sacré. Autrefois, Napoléon Ier et Napoléon IV avaient prêté serment la main sur l'Évangile. Cependant, il semble que Napoléon V adoptera une approche différente, marquant ainsi une nouvelle étape dans la tradition impériale.
(Autre journaliste) Que dit ce serment ?
(Stéphane Bernard) C'est un serment constitutionnel. Symboliquement, ça signifie que l'Empereur jure de se soumettre à la Volonté du Peuple français. Si vous voulez, le droit impérial promet de conserver les acquis de la Révolution française. C'est précisément en cela que l'empire se démarquait des rois de Francesim, une sorte de conciliation entre la République et la Monarchie.
GLORIOUS!
Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford upon Avon, Monday 17th June 2024
N.B. I attended a preview performance prior to opening night.
Based on the life of American eccentric, Florence Foster Jenkins, Peter Quilter’s play is never short of amusing, often hilarious and ultimately touching. Director Phil Beeson handles the humour well. The ‘singing’ scenes are especially well done, with as much…
The sequel to Romana II's costumes, rated, here by popular* request! (*maybe not very popular.)
Screengrabs from here (copied rather than linked per their FAQs). Invaluable record of what Avon actually wears in which episode from here. I haven't included overcoats, spacesuits, or anything Avon doesn't actively choose to wear, like prison clothes. Which means that rating this monstrosity
is left as an exercise for the reader.
I've also not done every single variation on black jackets with studded panels, even when they are technically different black jackets with studded panels, because otherwise we'd be here all night.
As seen in Space Fall and Cygnus Alpha.
Ugh. It's fine. The heights of bonkersness that Blake's 7 costume design would reach are not even really hinted at here. It's a perfectly reasonable outfit - grey shirt, grey trousers, grey tabard-thing. Add a name badge and Avon could be stocking shelves in a fancy supermarket. I'll allow that it does look comfortable, which will not be a theme of much else on this list. 5/10.
As seen in Time Squad.
I don't hate the brown patchwork thing (though brown is rightly Blake's colour), but what's going on with the larger square over his stomach? I feel like he's about to do some welding or something and it's there to protect his clothes, but it is his clothes. Avon only wore this outfit once, and who can blame him? 2/10.
As seen in The Web, Seek-Locate-Destroy, Mission to Destiny, Duel, Project Avalon, Breakdown, and Deliverance.
I think this one may have suffered from the passage of time. Because I look at it and think, why has Avon chosen to dress like an old-fashioned stereo system? But from the vantage point of 1978, I guess Avon had chosen to dress like a decidedly modern stereo system. Look at those rounded corners, he could be a first-gen iPod. And the matching grey of collar and cuffs is a nice touch. None of this answers the question of why he has buttons across his tits, but there are some things that are not for us to know. 8/10.
As seen in Bounty and Orac.
Oooh, green. Green is a nice change. And if you're watching Blake's 7 and you're enjoying those green sleeves, you'd better make the most of them, because other than one very notable exception, this is the last time that Avon wears an outfit that isn't brown, white, black or shades of grey for the entire rest of the series. The rest of it looks a bit like someone's Star Trek Discovery uniform cosplay got out of hand. 6/10, because green.
As seen in Redemption and Killer.
Obviously, this is a classic. And full marks to Paul Darrow for wearing a costume that was literally bought from a sex shop and making it look like something that anyone might wear to their normal day of fighting oppression and engaging in homoerotic tension. 10/10.
As seen in Shadow, Horizon, Gambit, and Children of Auron.
OK fine I threw away the term "classic" too soon, this is the true classic, the time Avon decided to dress as a thermal blanket and then pair that with thigh-high boots. ICONIC. What I love about this is aside from being batshit, it's actually kind of a nice outfit? I imagine that shiny fabric was absolute hell to work with but the gathering at the shoulders means it hangs surprisingly well.
It also gains at least 5 bonus points for featuring in this, one of my all-time favourite Blake's 7 moments:
I wish I could find it as a gif, but you'll just have to join me in pretending these images are moving instead. And in heaving a nostalgic sigh for the era when men were allowed to have normal bodies on TV. 15/10.
As seen in Shadow.
I've tried to go for just one main outfit per episode, because this is already very long and we're only about halfway through. But I had to make an exception for matching! outfits! And all the better for being an outfit that looks great on all three of them. I only wish that Avon could have had some silver boots like Jenna is wearing, I think it would really have completed the look. 9/10.
As seen in Weapon, Pressure Point, Countdown, and Dawn of the Gods.
In some ways, this costume is quite practical. Avon is wearing something not a million miles from bikers' leathers here, and the quilted part of the chest and back would presumably offer him a bit of protection if he got into a fight. But also, it's the colour and style of a brothel sofa, and there's no way in hell he could wear this and retain the ability to lift his arms above his head.
God, I love this show. 10/10.
As seen in Trial, Hostage, Voice From the Past, The Keeper, Star One, Aftermath, and Powerplay.
I have less to say about this because - and I mean this in full tribute to the Blake's 7 costume designers - it's just a nice jacket! It stays in keeping with the design trends we see throughout the series, with panels of different fabrics, and spacewear shiny silver bits, but ultimately you could wear this on the street today and no one would give you a second look. I quite like that about it. 8/10.
As seen Aftermath. (And the loose black shirt in Voice From the Past is similar too).
Maybe this is just my mid-00s goth-adjacent phase showing through, but I am, and always will be, a sucker for a man in this kind of shirt. 8/10, please don't make me justify this further.
As seen in Volcano and Rumours of Death.
The first of many similar black outfits, where I'm going to be selective or this will get tedious very quickly. I think this is the best of them; after this, the 80s started up in earnest, and Avon's shoulders were never allowed to be their natural width again. 9/10.
As seen in The Harvest of Kairos.
My parents haven't been camping in years, but somewhere in the attic they still have an old tent, which lives in a bag that looks a lot like this outfit. As if I needed any more reasons to dislike The Harvest of Kairos. 1/10.
As seen in Ultraworld.
Avon what are you doing. Brown is not your colour. I think I might headcanon that this is Blake's jacket, because aside from the brownness it also seems to be a fair bit too big for Avon. After a couple of seasons of squeezing him into the lobster outfit and other tight leather things, the costume designers seem to have swerved hard into boxy shapes from this point onwards. I disapprove. Honestly, I was going to skip this one except that I love what Dayna is wearing. Wish Avon could have some of that energy. 2/10.
As seen in Death-Watch.
Let's pause for a second, look to the left, and appreciate that Dayna is wearing another fabulous outfit. Now let's take a deep breath, and look at the utter monstrosity that Avon is wearing. Like a matador crossed with a bumper car. 0/10.
As seen in Rescue, Power, Traitor, Stardrive, Animals, Headhunter, Orbit, Warlord, and Blake.
Avon wears some kind of black jacket with studs for nearly all of season D, but I've picked this as the definitive one. I don't know if there's some kind of clever character development thing going on here with how big this costume is, like Avon is expanding into his leadership role, but weighed down by the responsibility too. It could be deliberate, it could just be what fashion was like in the early 80s.
What I do know is that however meaningful this costuming might be, it's not flattering. 5/10, and Avon finishes the series, sadly, no better dressed than he began it.