Hello whoever might be out there,  My birthday gift this year was tickets to see Matilda The Musical at my nearest theatre (which as you may know, isn't near at all, especially as my Mum doesn't drive) and it was the best thing I could've got. I have wanted to see Matilda on stage for so many years, basically as soon as I heard about it. I was meant to go in Year 6 with my primary school but couldn't, and I am kind of glad in a way because it meant I got to go today. Matilda (1996) has always been my favourite film and probably always will be. I relate to Matilda Wormwood more than any other character, and part of the reason why I am glad I got to go now is because I can fully appreciate both the character's and my own lived experiences. I'm not going to trauma dump, that isn't fun to write or to read and I have already rephrased this several times to avoid it, but all you need to know is that I understand Matilda in practically every aspect of her character...

Hello whoever might be out there,  I want to preface this by saying that I may use Neighbor and Neighbour interchangeably throughout this. I know officially it uses the American spelling but I am a firm advocate for British English remaining strong, which is a whole rant for another time (idea now added to my ever growing list.) I finally watched My Neighbor Totoro. I am slowly working my way through the Studio Ghibli films, with each one seeming like a reward. I have now seen Kiki's Delivery Service, Ponyo, and My Neighbor Totoro; so the most well known ones. I always knew I would like Ghibli. Everything I had seen advertised about them interested me. Animation, storytelling, music - three things I simply adore, and adore even more when put all together. I was having a bit of a treat day today, so I thought there would be no better way to end it than to watch My Neighbour Totoro, one I was told was cosy and heart-warming. I have been trying to watch more films so no better place t...

Hello whoever might be out there,  I think I may have just had the best day ever. Genuinely. I don't think there is going to be a day that will ever top this one. I have seen Hamilton live. And if you have also seen Hamilton, or even know anything about it, you will know how big of a deal this is. My family aren't theatre people. We don't really have a strong local theatre that houses touring shows. And we especially don't have the money to be dropping £200 on tickets every time. But my Mum finally caved in for my birthday this year and bought us tickets to see Hamilton in Plymouth. My birthday was in January by the way, you have to book these shows months and months in advance, and even then we still got some of the last tickets left. They were the best seats I ever could've asked for though! Dead centre of the stalls. I had a perfect view and it was the most magical experience I have ever had. Everyone was absolutely incredible, but I have to give a special mentio...

Hello whoever might be out there,  I finally watched The Bob's Burgers Movie. I'm doing a chronological watch through, so it was tough resisting temptation and holding out until the end of season 12 to finally watch it. You know Year 11 summer is going well when your plans for the whole day consist entirely of eating mac and cheese and watching a film. I had this day all hyped up in my head for days (had to wait until everybody was out of the house for big TV privileges). After about five trips to the kitchen, fetching various snacks and drinks, I was ready. I hit play. It was peak. For the first half an hour or so. I do not like the Fischoeders. I understand why they are there as characters, and I can appreciate how they are written, but I can not stand them. I know that is partially on purpose - they're the rich, corrupt, landlords, why would you like them? It's not called The Fischoeders Movie. And I know it is twisted so that helping the Fischoeders helps the Belche...

Hello whoever might be out there,  I have been miraculously inspired to rewatch The Simpsons, not that that would come as a surprise to anyone. The best place to start? Season one - arguably. And with over 700 episodes, a rewatch doesn't necessarily have to be every single one. So I skip straight to episode six: Moaning Lisa. For being one of the first episodes in the show, it is quite bluntly beautiful. Lisa Simpson is a character I feel deeply connected to, hence why she is my blog profile picture. She is an eight-year-old girl with the weight of the world on her shoulders. She is Lisa Simpson. She meets Bleeding Gums Murphy. She plays some music. She learns she can be sad but happy at the same time. Simple but effective. This episode inspired the song from the "Simpsons sing the blues" album, and also the title of this post. Incredibly obvious as the song she sings with Bleeding Gums Murphy is the first verse of this song.  https://youtu.be/MieasttRrkw?si=K6F3tBzgVbplA...