George freaking Takei will be at Collectormania London at the end of the month. Also: Chase Masterson (Leeta from DS9) and Rene Auberjonois (Odo!!).

I'm not 100% sure if I'll go yet as I'm a bit broke and none of my friends are planning to go (yay for lonely train journeys... :/). But I really don't want to miss Sulu! And I guess there'll be plenty of people to talk to when I get there, as it's bound to be packed with all the fangirls who'll flock to see John Barrowman and Misha Collins.
Well, that's me convinced. That was easy.

Oh yeah and haaiiii, I'm still alive. I've been busy as hell with my UCAS application (now handed in! :D) and open days and essays and all that good stuff.
I'm looking forward to Christmas so bad already.

Pic heavy.

( Sorry to bother you, sweetheart, but would you mind stabbing me in the eye? )

I'll make a full post tomorrow, once I've finished catching up on my sleep (-_-) but until then here's a photo of me fighting Alien:



:DDDDDDDDDDDD

Dear everyone: if you ever book to see something at the Apollo in London, be aware that there are two. One is the HMV Apollo in Hammersmith, the other is the Apollo Theatre in Piccadilly. Just saying, because it's kind of a problem when you go all the way to Hammersmith, queue up to collect your tickets and get told you're at the wrong place.

It's even worse when it's someone's 18th birthday and it means they miss the first half of the show :(

And when we did finally get to the Apollo Theatre, Piccadilly, they couldn't find our tickets! The box office was closed for the evening (despite the BOX OFFICE OPEN sign outside) so they couldn't check the computer records either. All we had was the booking number, which essentially proves nothing, but the theatre staff were SO AMAZINGLY NICE. SERIOUSLY. It was about 10 minutes to the interval when we arrived so they let us slip in to the back row of the Dress Circle during the gap. I still can't believe they were nice enough to let us do that ;_;

So in the end we got to see the second half of Ross Noble's stand-up show, which was incredibly funny.

To make it up to the friend whose birthday it was, we all got up early the next morning, cooked her pancakes and bought a load of cakes from the shop down the road. Because said friend can sleep through anything, she had no idea what we had done until she stepped into the kitchen. After our healthy and nutritious meal, her brother got his guitar out and we all had a sing along around the breakfast table. Happy days.

An extremely cathartic day really, in which I did the geekiest Phantom-based thing possible and LOVED EVERY SECOND, but ultimately decided it was about time to leave this god-forsaken fandom.

I wrote most of this yesterday and didn't have time to post it, just pretend that all the 'today's say 'yesterday', k?

( It's funny how few people notice that The Phantom Of The Opera is in the car next to them )

FRIENDS, GATHER ROUND WHILE I TELL YOU THE HAPPIEST STORY OF MY LIFE IN FANDOM SO FAR.

NO CUT AND ALL CAPSLOCK BECAUSE I AM JUST THAT EXCITED.

ONCE UPON A 1986, A LITTLE MAN CALLED ANDREW LLOYD-WEBBER CREATED A LITTLE OLD MUSICAL CALLED THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.

IT WAS HUGELY SUCCESSFUL, MAKING PHANTOM THE HIGHEST GROSSING FRANCHISE OF ALL TIME, BECOMING THE LONGEST RUNNING MUSICAL ON BROADWAY AND LOADS OF OTHER FACTS YOU CAN FIND ON GOOGLE.

THEN A FEW YEARS AGO, THERE WERE WHISPERS THAT HE WAS CREATING – DARE I SAY IT ALOUD - A SEQUEL. YES, HE INTENDED TO FOLLOW A STORY THAT ENDED PERFECTLY THE WAY IT WAS, BASING THIS NEW MUSICAL ON A MUCH DERRIDED NOVEL: THE PHANTOM OF MANHATTAN, IN WHICH THE PHANTOM LIVES WITH MOLEPEOPLE. SERIOUSLY. WHO THE FUCK WOULD THINK THAT WAS A GOOD IDEA?

ANYWAY, WE ALL, BY TURNS, LOL’D AND CRIED AT THIS IDEA. BUT IT WAS HAPPENING, THERE WAS NO WAY OF STOPPING IT. THE PREMIERE DATE KEPT GETTING PUSHED BACK AND PUSHED BACK BUT FINALLY LORD ANDY SETTLED ON EARLY 2010.

IN SEPTEMBER, THOSE ON THE (AS IT WAS NOW TITLED) LOVE NEVER DIES (WTF THAT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING FROM TWILIGHT) MAILING LIST RECEIVED AN EMAIL TELLING THEM OF A COMPETITION. THE PRIZE OF SAID COMPETITION WOULD BE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE PRESENT AT THE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE SHOW – SEEING THE VERY FIRST EXCERPTS FROM THE NEW SHOW, RECEIVING EXCLUSIVE MEMORABILIA, SEEING ALL THE NEW LOGOS AND PROMO IMAGES AND SHIT.

ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF THAT TOTALLY WOULDN’T MAKE A FAN’S LIFE.

TODAY I GOT STUCK IN PHONE HELL (FUCKING IPHONES, SRSLY) BUT, IN SHORT, I, OUT OF 1000S, WON ONE OF THE FAN TICKETS.

I HAVE TO GO IN MY PHANTOM COSTUME (WHICH I AM SLIGHTLY EMBARASSED ABOUT orz) BUT OMG OMG OMG U GAIZ

AHFIHNAKFMALMKKKWM I AM SO FUCKING EXCITED I CAN'T EVEN PUT IT INTO WORDS

THE END.

PS: SOMEONE ON ONE OF THE PHANTOM COMMS HAS ALREADY DARED ME TO STAND UP HALFWAY THROUGH AND DO A KANYE RANT ABOUT HOW THE ORIGINAL WAS ONE OF THE BEST MUSICALS OF ALL TIME. TEMPTING...

In the absence of both LJ and Twitter for the most part of today, I've been catching up on YouTube videos that have been recommended to me recently.

( Also in honour of having new headphones, here's 3 amazing videos )

I have so not spent all afternoon thinking: "JUST KISS ME ALREADY!".

And then, when it finally happened, I did not have to resist the urge to do a little victory jump and dance like I was in a cringey romcom.

Best day ever, even if I did have to walk all the way home (45 minutes -_-) with flour down my (black) dress. And I had to pop into work on the way to try and pester Kevin (checkout manager) to give me my shift off next Sunday. But he wasn't even there D:<
NO MATTER, I AM STILL EXTREMELY FUCKING HAPPY.

When I did finally make it home, these were sitting on my desk:

TOO EXCITED. AND little_pixie42 is going to lose her Phantom virginity (if she pays me for the ticket :P).

I have a feeling she's going to be a bit 'meh' about it due to the fact, you know, that I love it too much and go on about it a lot. Idek why - the lyrics are cliched, it drags towards the end of the first half, Christine is useless, Andrew Lloyd-Webber is a bit of a twat, etc, etc. Must also resist urge to share extremely uninteresting, extremely geeky facts throughout the entire thing:
"In the actual score it goes down from an F to a C on 'strong-er' but Ramin Karimloo goes from the F up to a B flat, to give it a rockier feel cos he used to sing for tribute bands back in Canada. Did you know his favourite band is The Tragically Hip?" and so on and so forth until either she or someone else in the audience punches me.

HOLD IT IN. BE STRONG, CHARLOTTE.

And now to watch the last 3 episodes of Torchwood in one sitting~





yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay I rock :)

Taken from albumsontheside
List 15 of your favorite characters from different fandoms, and ask people to spot patterns in your choices, and if they're so inclined, to draw conclusions about you based on the patterns they've spotted.

1. Erik/The Phantom - The Phantom of the Opera
2. Tyler Durden - Fight Club
3. Adelle DeWitt - Dollhouse
4. Amanda Sommers - Ugly Betty
5. T-800 - Terminator series
6. Pavel Chekov - Star Trek XI
7. Gabriel Gray/Sylar - Heroes
8. Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias - Watchmen
9. Captain Jack Sparrow - Pirates of the Caribbean series
10. Captain Jack Harkness - Doctor Who/Torchwood
11. Billy/Dr. Horrible - Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
12. Vince Noir - The Mighty Boosh
13. Geordie Peacock - Our Friends In The North
14. Denny - Choke (novel) LOL TOTALLY A FANDOM, U GAIZ
15. Donna Noble - Doctor Who
Edited into rough preference order.

I can definitely spot one group in there and I know why I like (or feel close to) them. Let's see if anyone else can see anything.

Really looking forward to the London Film and Comic Con on the 18th! YESSSS. As much as I'm fired up for the general convention atmosphere, the opportunity to cosplay etc, I'm going to try not to explode in fannish glee at this in particular:



I might get a bit too excited. Just saying. Like, really excited. Heh.

Also looking forward to meeting Edward Furlong (even though he's 31 now, JFC. I didn't even realise it was him in American History X until someone pointed it out. He'll always be that little kid with the bad fringe to me), Sendhil Ramamurthy and Jimmy Jean-Louis.

There's also Jacob Kogan (young!Spock). I'm wondering about the layout of the convention, since I want to see him but I'm not actually fussed enough to queue up and pay £15 for an autograph. I'd pay £15 to pinch his little cheeks though. I also feel like it's my duty to get an 'I ♥ ontd_startek' sign with him. Hmmm.
Considering it's far more guest-focused, I assume the LFCC won't be like the MCM Expo where guests just get stuck on random tables strewn throughout the convention hall (so you can do your best paparazzi impression and sneakily take photos of them without having to queue/pay). And they probably won't get stuck next to unrelated guests either (ie: Craig Charles and Gareth David-Lloyd at the same table at the last MCM. Lol wut).

(Speaking of Gareth David-Lloyd - Eve Myles is also attending. I need to continue my run of accidentally insulting Torchwood cast members while dressed as the Phantom of the Opera, Y/N?)

I've noticed on the LFCC forums people refer to (what can only be) the MCM Expo as 'that other convention' where the staff 'can't control the attendees'. LOL. They're all worried about Vic Mignogna (anime voice actor) being a guest and how it's going to attract people who normally go to that other convention. Trufax though. The MCM Expo really does bring out the people who you'd find a picture of if you looked up 'Narutard' or 'stereotypical Kingdom Hearts fan' in the dictionary. But, you know, you gotta take the rough with the smooth. Or something. There's still a wide enough range of phenomenal cosplays and interesting people at the MCM to keep me going back, even if the guests aren't great and there aren't proper events/talks (just one big dealer's room). And it's not all that hard to ignore the free huggers and the 13 year-olds engaging in 'yaoi' in the corridors either. Come on.

And to end the entry on a potentially bitchy note: I really don't understand the mentality of so many anime fans who get so terribly excited about meeting VAs (especially Vic), despite their obstinate position on English dubs (ie: let's not even give them a go, the original Japanese MUST be better). Explain to this non-anime fan plz. Is it just because they have played some part in the production of their favourite shows, even if it's not a part they actually like?

Oh, OK. End on a more cheerful note. Possibly going to see Phantom again on the 25th!
That's the plan anyway. I'm just aiming for the first free Saturday after I recieve my theatre tokens. I knew I wouldn't be able to resist spending them on Phantom, despite there being a load of other shows I still want to see. My excuse is that I really need to go again before Ramin Karimloo transfers to Phantom 2.

...


Ugh, Phantom 2. I've ended on a depressing note.

Switching off friends only, starting to post regularly.
I'm aware there's all of about 4 people who've friended me. Feel free to remove me, I guess you probably didn't even realise you had me on your flist. I'm sure you'll decide after a post or two. It's all good.

Stranger: ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR VULCAN MIND?
You: KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRK
You: HAVE YOU SEEN JIM?
You: THE DAMN BASTARD STOLE MY VACCINES AGAIN
Stranger: KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN
You: NO, IT'S BONES, YOU FOOL.
Stranger: IT'S PROBABLY B/C HE WAS MAD ABOUT YOU GIVING HIM NUMBTONGUE
You: THAT WAS AGES AGO
You: HE'S REALLY ONE TO HOLD A GRUDGE, HUH?
You: I GUESS HE'S NOT AS BAD AS SPOCK THOUGH
Stranger: MHM
You: DO YOU KNOW WHERE HE IS?
Stranger: OR MAYBE HE'S JUST PISSED BECAUSE SPOCK DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE SOME FUN LAST NIGHT
You: OH YEAH. WE TRY NOT TO TALK ABOUT THAT.
You: ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM OR WHAT.
Stranger: THE GREEN-BLOODED ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
You: EXACTLY
You: WHO IS THIS?
You: SULU?
You: CHEKOV?
You: UHURA?!
You: I HOPE IT'S NOT UHURA
You: DAMN IT
Stranger: ENSIGN CHEKOV, PAVEL ANDREVICH, SIR
You: REDSHIRT #14481
You: OH RIGHT
You: THE KID
You: YOU'RE TOO YOUNG FOR THIS
You: GO BACK TO BED
You: DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT
Stranger: BUT I'M SEWENTEEN, SIR!
You: SEVENTEEN, SCMEVENTEEN
Stranger: I'M OLD ENOUGH TO BE THE NAVIGATOR ON THE USS ENTERPRISE
You: I COULD NAVIGATE THE ENTERPRISE WHILST OPERATING ON A PATIENT
You: IT'S ALL FUCKING AUTOPILOT AND AUTONAVIGATE THESE DAYS
Stranger: YEAH, BUT YOU'RE A DOCTOR, NOT A PHYSICIST
Stranger: I'M A NAVIGATOR WHO CAN DO PHYSICS
Stranger: NAWIGATOR, SORRY
You: I KNEW THE ACCENT WAS JUST FOR EFFECT, YOU SLY BASTARD
You: YOU'RE NOT REALLY RUSSIAN, ARE YOU?
Stranger: DAMMIT, YOU FOUND MY SECRET
Stranger: I'M ACTUALLY A 42-YEAR-OLD WOMAN FROM BRAZIL
You: A VERY SVELTE AND CURLY-HAIRED AND DAMN SEXY 42 YEAR-OLD WOMAN FROM BRAZIL
You: DID I SAY THAT OUT LOUD?
Stranger: DO YOU WANNA FIND OUT HOW SEXY, DR. MCCOY?
You: NOW THAT I'VE FOUND OUT YOU'RE ACTUALLY LEGAL... *PORN MUSIC*
You: UM WAIT
You: MAYBE THIS IS A MISTAKE
You: OH GOD OH GOD
You: DO YOU THINK STARFLEET LOGS THESE CONVERSATIONS?
Stranger: OH FRAK
Stranger: GOD NOW YOU'VE GOT ME MESSING UP MY SCIFI SERIES
You: YEAH WELL I'M GOING TO SEND YOU BACK TO PRINCESS LEIA
You: OR SOMETHING
You: IDK
You: WHAT WAS THE NAME OF THE SLUG THING?
Stranger: (so, btw, gqmf, right?_
Stranger: )
Stranger: wait
Stranger: 1 sec
You: Yeah, lol
You: Username?
Stranger: CENTAURIAN SLUGS
Stranger: blufzms33
You: soomka :D
Stranger: :D
You: I MEANT THE BIG SLUG IN STAR WARS BUT WHATEVER. CHEKOV, DO SOME MAGIC PHYSICS AND FIND KIRK OR SOMETHING. I DON'T KNOW HOW THESE THINGS WORK.
Stranger: OH, JABBA THE HUTT
You: YEAH. HIM.
Stranger: ~MAGIC PHYSICS~
You: YOU KNOW HE DRUNK ME UNDER THE TABLE
Stranger: HE IS STRANDED ON DELTA WEGA, SIR
You: NOT AGAIN
You: DID HE INSULT SPOCK'S MOMMA AGAIN?
Stranger: I WOULD SUSPECT
Stranger: CLEARLY, HE WAS WERY WERY ANGRY AT SPOCK'S REJECTION
You: I KEEP TELLING HIM HE'S GOT TO WAIT UNTIL PON FARR BUT DOES HE LISTEN...
You: DAMN HORNY THING
Stranger: MAYBE WE SHOULD GET SOME ORION GIRLS ON BOARD
Stranger: TO TIDE HIM OVER
You: NO, REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME?
You: WE CAN'T CRASH THE SHIP AGAIN
You: WHAT IF WE HIT A PROPER PLANET THIS TIME, NOT PLUTO
You: CHEKOV? OH GOD, COME IN CHEKOV. PLEASE DON'T TELL ME JIM HAS DRAGGED YOU OFF.
You: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Stranger: I'M RIGHT HERE
Stranger: SIR
Stranger: WELL, WE COULD GIVE MISTER SPOCK SOME CHOCOLATE
You: ... CHOCOLATE?
You: WHAT WOULD THAT ACHIEVE?
Stranger: WULCANS + CHOCOLATE =
Stranger: WERY, WERY DRUNK, SIR
You: OH YEAH. THAT.
You: YEAH.
You: THEN THEY CAN GET IT ON. A+ PLAN.
You: WHAT IF I WANT IN THOUGH?
Stranger: THANK YOU, SIR
Stranger: WELL
You: IF I GET JIM + SPOCK DRUNK.
You: ...
Stranger: I AM SURE A DRUNK MISTER SPOCK WOULD NOT OBJECT
You: K, WELL, THANKS CHEKOV.
Stranger: AND I DOUBT THE KEPTAN WOULD EVER CARE IF ONE MORE JOINDED THE PARTY
You: I MIGHT BE IN TO SEDATE EVERYONE SO THEY DON'T WALK IN ON US 3.
Stranger: EXCEPT FOR ME, OF COURSE
Stranger: YOUR SECRET IS SAFE WITH PAV
You: TCH, AND THEN YOU SHARE IT WITH SULU.
You: AND YOU KNOW HE LIKES TO BLAB.
You: BEFORE YOU KNOW IT WE'RE CALLED BACK TO THE ACADEMY AND PIKE IS REVOKING US
Stranger: I SWEAR I WEEL NOT
Stranger: EWEN THOUGH I TELL SULU EWERYTHING
Stranger: YOU CAN ALWAS DEPEND ON A RUSSIAN TO KEEP A SECRET
You: WELL, I'M OFF TO THE REPLICATOR FOR SOME CHOCOLATE, BOOZE FOR JIM AND SOME SLEEPING PILLS FOR YOU GUYS.
You: In reality, it's past 2 and I need some sleep
You: Thanks for the best conversation I've had on here in the past 3 hours *high five*
Stranger: ooh, your in great britain?
You: Yup
Stranger: *high five*
Stranger: yes, this was fabulous
Stranger: :D
You: <333
You have disconnected.