Fading Imagination.

This is going to turn into a Once Upon a Time in Wonderland related post.

I do not have children, and part of me is glad for that.  Therefor, I can assure you I’m completely out of the loop on many things.  Starting with video games.  I took my nephew out with me for a few minutes yesterday and ended up buying him one of those Skylander figures for his game my other sister bought him for Christmas.  While in Starbucks, waiting for our ride, he launched into telling me about it which was actually kind of cute, but at the same time I couldn’t help thinking about my niece who is much older than he is, and wondering how long before he follows that path.

How much longer before the lack of open ended play in video games washes away his imagination.  My niece does not play imaginatively, she hasn’t in a very, very long time.  If she isn’t playing on a game console, or the computer, she’s on someone’s iPad.  This actually came to one very aggravating observation a few weeks past.  She looked up at my sister (her mother) and I, gave us a strange look as we were talking about growing up in the 1980s, and told us she pitied us for growing up then.

Because we didn’t have iPads, game consoles (well, there were video games, just we didn’t have an NES until I swear it was 1989 and even then we didn’t care all that much) and computers.  Nor did we spend our days mindlessly watching the television.

I personally wouldn’t trade growing up when I did for now, we had a lot more freedom and we had something she doesn’t: imagination.  I wish I was joking, but she had a creative writing assignment last year that she simply could not write.  Those were the assignments I lived for as a child, not that I needed one to write stories.  But she sat there for an hour, and couldn’t write a word as she couldn’t imagine anything.  Not a character, plot, not a thing.

This has been troubling me for a long time, I was actually speaking to a woman who turned out to be a substitute teacher when I was in middle school, and we got onto the topic of children today.  Even she said, through her own observation, that they do nothing much aside from playing on devices, their conversations are fueled by video games, they hardly play and they can’t think outside the box.  And it is sad.

I began to realize, as I’d come across a role play group that actually caught my interest the night before, that it could very likely be with her generation we’re going to see a lack of anything imaginative as they grow up.  It is bad enough her language skills revolve around ‘net speak, but as I was actually reading the profile again for the character I was interested in, and imagining what said character would do in the world created, I realized role play is rather like imaginative play for adults, and I could see even that dying out when my niece and her generation grows up.

Now, how does this come to Once Upon a Time in Wonderland?  This Thursday the schedule (or front runners I guess is the word) will be announced for next season.  Thursday is normally my weekly Christmas, because my show is on.  My show I look forward to, the one I was aching for over a 12 week hiatus.  I was dying to see Alice and Cyrus again, and this Thursday we will finally get into Cyrus’ past (about time)…and I’m almost giddy, not only because it looks like my theory on him could be right.

We can agree to disagree, but there isn’t a lot of imaginative shows out there anymore.  I quit watching a lot of shows I used to as I just grew tired of the constant crude humour (not that Knave doesn’t provide plenty enough), the pointless love triangles (I’m not looking forward to Once Upon a Time tomorrow, not even sure why I’m still watching) and pointless violence which I swear is just there to try to shock a desensitized audience.  If you want a character that will continue to shock you, have you met Jafar?  Honestly, have you?  The man is made of nightmares, and Naveen Andrews plays him brilliantly.

What I am getting at here is that the show is a refreshing change, it is fueled with imagination and whimsy, the characters are all wonderful (I’m choking on labeling Knave that way after last week…but I don’t like him so I suppose, mind he’s been a true friend to Alice, I still half expect him to turn on them).  For myself, the show woke my long dormant imagination, I actually started writing again and I hadn’t in a very long time.

Of course the next season of the show wouldn’t be in Wonderland, as it was already stated by the writers there would be a different adventure, if there was an interest.  I would say as the show does seem to trend on Twitter when it is on and there is a large fanbase on tumblr (oh scrolling through the beautiful Cylice edits yesterday) the interest is there.  Social media needs to be taken into account in this day and age, as not everyone can watch on a television (or has what is needed for that ratings system they use).

Alice and Cyrus.

If you enjoy the show, please do show support for it on Twitter.  People have started using #SaveWonderland along with #OnceWonderland on their tweets.  We need imaginative shows, something in which you can theorize all you like but still get a surprise.  I will admit, I’ve called a lot of the twists and turns (the end of Home being the stupidest so far, and the revelation the other night didn’t give me much of a surprise but did confirm a sneaking suspicion I’ve had concerning the spell of the three genies).

We all like different things, and different shows on the TV.  But in all truth this one takes me back to when television was actually worthwhile, and I’ve honestly not seen anything this captivating since the first season on Once Upon a Time (it really is a mess now), and the characters are all so engaging.  Jafar really is the perfect villain, Alice and Cyrus are just…words can’t be found for them, the Red Queen is such a wonderfully layered character as well.  The Knave…well…I guess he’s alright for comic relief.

If anything, I hope what my friend read about the writers saying it would make sense (or something like that) to move Alice and Cyrus over to the main show means should worse come to worse we’ll still have them.  They’re the main reason I watch, I am not a romantic by any means, but I was gushing like a 14 year old the moment he introduced himself to her…and then yelling at the TV when I thought the Red Queen had killed him.

I hope they keep it around, another adventure next year would be brilliant, even if it is hiatus filler.  Because if they decide not to keep it around it really is going to feel like imagination isn’t all that valued these days.  It is bad enough watching children today walk around with devices that they spend the majority of their waking hours on, maybe if we had more shows like OUATIW something could spark in them as well.

But in the long run, I can’t stand the idea of not seeing Alice and Cyrus again.

In conclusion, if you have young children put up the devices, limit the video games and hand them a book, a creative game that requires imagination and thought.  If they’re at an age they can write, give them pen and paper, have them write a story or create their own little world.  Turn the TV off, go outside to play…with an imagination the sky is the limit.  When it is time for some television, engage in conversation with them, ask them what they think could happen next.  I did that with my niece when it came to Once Upon a Time in Wonderland and she came up with nothing.

If nothing else #SaveWonderland.

Little Alice.

I’m making an attempt to post here more often. We shall see how long that lasts.

I won’t rant on Once Upon a Time in Wonderland today (despite an aggravating conversation with my sister on this stupid plot twist they pulled I’m still bothered over…he said he’d been freed before and it didn’t work – go figure she’s a Knave fan and I’m completely for Cyrus so we can’t seem to agree to disagree). But this is Wonderland themed.

I think I’ve already spoken about the Patience line from Wilde Imagination. She’s a bit like a Pullip, but in my opinion worth the price tag. She lacks the fragility that comes with Pullip, she can get a little floppy after awhile but she’s so darn cute one can forgive that, and it makes each expression she makes a little more unexpected.

A few photos I’ve edited of my Wonderland Patience, whom is named Alice as I lacked imagination there (I’m holding out hope for a boy in the line at some point who could have a resemblance to Cyrus…I’d die with joy).

I love playing with effects and such on photos, and with her it is even more fun as it gives it a bit of a dreamy look at times.

Either way, I am going to attempt to update here more often, be it with doll photos, talk about books or (most likely) ranting that Once Upon a Time in Wonderland needs a second chance (I really don’t watch much television other than that show). So I could get dull, but if you like doll photos you could be in luck.

January blahs.

I had not realized how long it has been since I posted on here!

I wish I could say I’ve been exceptionally busy, but that truly isn’t the case. I have been writing a lot, and well, family drama that fairly ruined Christmas.

A couple new dolls though! First is Tatiana Wynters, whom I received for Christmas.

She is Past Life Evangeline Ghastly, and is stunning. I’ve never had a dressed Evangeline, and I can see why they’re so expensive. Her outfit is amazing, although she’s a pain to display with the huge skirt but either way, she’s stunning.

Last November I decided to try my hand at NaNoWriteMo, on my own without officially signing up. I completed the required word count in 20 days so I pre-ordered a doll I was wanting as a reward.

Fairy Tale Basic by Tonner from the Re-Imagination line. At first i was thinking of doing her over to look a bit like Emma Rigby as the Red Queen on Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, but when I got her out she struck me a lot with her resemblance to Sophie Lowe, so her name is Sophie. At some point I wouldn’t mind finding a wig that looks a bit more like the actress’s hair style and colour, but not sure about that. Her head seems a little loose so one day when I’m money ahead she might be off to the doll hospital.

My first doll of this year follows in with my obsession.

Little Alice aka Wonderland Patience by Wilde Imagination. I am completely in love with the Patience line, and she makes the perfect Alice doll with her inquisitive little face. If you’re wondering what she’s holding, it is a bottle of wishes. Most people instantly think of the Mad Hatter, I’m beyond conventional and go right to genie.

Which brings me to my huge annoyance and what is making January even more depressing: Once Upon a Time in Wonderland. it saddens and depresses me that the fate of the show seems to be in limbo. I am well aware it was meant solely as a hiatus filler and they’ve admitted their mistake with how it was aired this season (putting it up against The Big Bang Theory was daft at best, but I’ve read it seemed to pull in around 4.4 million viewers so that has to be pretty good, to my way of thinking), but I just wish they’d renew it as the show is just so wonderful and a refreshing change of pace with what is normally on to pick from.

Honestly, how can anyone not love these two?

I was unimpressed with the plot twist back in December, and if it isn’t reversed there will be a lot less of Cyrus as they’ve essentially taken away his purpose in the show (I honestly believe there is a reason he is the third genie needed and it won’t work unless he’s in that bottle…why yes, if you recognize that assertion I am the one who keeps saying that on various social media platforms…I’m also the one who timed how much screen time Cyrus has had: 65 minutes tops…remind me, what is a main character again), but they need to for once try giving something a second chance. There is so much potential here, so many more stories that could be told with these five characters and the show, in my opinion, is far better than the original (which is such a mess I can’t even watch anymore, they bring over the Wonderland cast and I’ll tune in, but if they leave, I’m out again).

It is about time the networks gave a show a second chance, and Once Upon a Time in Wonderland is a good place to start from. We don’t need more sex driven plots, catty women backstabbing each other, womanizing men and love triangles that serve no purpose.

We need more shows that spark the imagination, the are filled with whimsy, villains that could go either way, true love that doesn’t end in the normal sex filled rubbish and just something that you come away from feeling happy. That show is my happy place, and the idea that it could be gone in another five episodes depresses me more than I care to admit. Of course the fandom can live on well after the show is gone (many do), but it truly is high time something was given a second chance and this is the perfect one to start with.

Put it back where it should have been, I can wait until December to see it again if I have to, but pulling the plug completely on something so imaginative is only proving to me that no one wants the imaginative anymore. Cheap humour, sex driven plots and reality shows seem to dominate the airwaves and in all truth, if Wonderland goes I’ll more than likely be unplugging the cable.

I’d rather read a book in that case, as there is truly nothing on TV worth watching anymore. Once Upon a Time in Wonderland was a breath of fresh air, and I dearly hope the fact no decision has been made yet is a good sign.

If you have not watched the show, I highly recommend it.  There is no need to have seen the original Once Upon a Time, it stands on its own and as I said, it is far better.  With only five characters it flows smoothly and how anyone cannot love Alice and Cyrus is beyond me.

All the new.

And so the fall television season has begun.  I rarely get overly interested in anything on the television, mainly because most of what I do watch is slowly starting to tank.

I have quit with How I Met Your Mother, although that show has steadily deteriorated over the years.  Even The Big Bang Theory isn’t catching my interest like it once did (although that has a lot to do with the fact it has a serious bit of competition now, in my eye).  Sadly, 2 Broke Girls has added a new character and if they’re keeping him, I’m out.

As to Once Upon a Time, it would be nice to see the show being written as it once was, instead of the Snow/Charming rubbish that serves little purpose and now the Hook/Emma pairing just is making me lose all interest in the show, all together.

With the changing leaves we also get a brand new bunch of shows to vi for our attention and capture our imagination.  Being a lover of Marvel movies I had anticipated Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D. with high hopes.  After the second episode, it fell completely flat.  I’ll state for one I was never on the ‘Coulson Lives’ bandwagon.  Loki skewered him, and that’s that.  He was a fun character but not one I was overly attached to.  Therefor the lack of explanation of how he survived a ‘glow stick of destiny’ through the heart just bothers me.  And I find the majority of the cast unlikable.  I rather enjoyed the first episode, other than a few instances, but the second failed to hold my attention for long and the third I spent reading a book over watching the show.  The fourth I was already engrossed in a book about Shakespeare and English kings, so gave it a complete pass and I fancy that will be that.  The show will do well, much to my absolute bafflement.

After that comes The Goldbergs which I enjoyed immensely.  It brought back wonderful memories of growing up in the 1980s.  It really just hit it all spot on, of course I had sisters and not brothers, but it reminded me of a simpler time.  A time I wish we could go back to.  I fear, like any show I decide I like, it will be cancelled before the end of this year.

I watched a few other premieres but didn’t really care for most of it, until one magical Thursday night.

Once Upon a Time in Wonderland…an absolutely charming show. I cannot figure out exactly what it is, but it drew me in and I was shocked when the full hour time slot came to an end. I turned over to The Big Bang Theory but was constantly distracted with thoughts of Alice, Cyrus and the rest. It completely captivated me, and if for the fact I couldn’t get it in another time zone until midnight I would have watched it right then and there again.

I will admit I’m not a fan of the Alice in Wonderland book nor do I like any of the movies. But this is new, it is different and completely enchanting. As well, not being much for girly movies or books, the fact that Alice and Cyrus had me grinning like a love sick fool within ten seconds also had me hooked. I almost cried when I thought the Red Queen had indeed killed him (although it made no sense in the premiere episode…not that I want him dead at all).

Yes, the CGI isn’t the greatest at times, but I honestly think it adds to the charm and also the other worldliness of Wonderland. The characters are all interesting, the White Rabbit is a touch creepy but sometimes CGI animals can be that way. The love story is sweet, unlike all the Snow/Charming rubbish on the original. The Knave is sarcastic and funny, and I am dying to know what Jafar and the Red Queen want with Cyrus, and hoping Alice does not use any of her wishes.

Sadly, it would seem it runs the risk of cancellation which saddens me. There are so few shows on the telly these days even worth watching, and to see one that has so much potential likely end up gone before it had a chance seems unfair. More so as it would be replaced with yet another insipid reality show. Of all the shows I’ve decided to check out this season, I would hate to see the one I love the most gone. I’ve heard it is to be just a one season thing, consisting of 13 episodes. High ratings or not, I don’t understand why we can’t at least have that.

Maybe even move a few characters to the original, although I’m not sure I’d want them lost in that hot mess.

So that is my two cents, half spent, on a few of the shows that premiered this autumn. The Goldbergs and Once Upon a Time in Wonderland are definitely worth viewing, but the other I mentioned isn’t in my opinion. Unless you are hardcore into the Marvel universe. And even then I’m still not sure it is worth it.

Dress up fun.

Faith and I have been having some fun with clothes.

I don’t own any Marley Wentworth dolls by Tonner, as I only discovered Tonner dolls about two and a half years ago. I did find an old dress my mum had in a lot of Barbie clothes she acquired at an auction. I had a feeling it would fit her and I was right.

Anticipating autumn.

Girl with a sunflower.

The colour of the dress goes so well with her hair, I really do love it on her. The ‘belt’ I think was something my niece started and never finished, it just seemed like it needed a splash of colour to me.

The second outfit I tried is actually among Ellowyne’s Thrift Shop Finds. It is the Ennui Purple blouse and skirt.

Curious child.

The blouse is a bit loose, but it works. If you were worried about decency you could get a little undershirt or tube top on her underneath it. The skirt likely wouldn’t stand on if it weren’t for the two pairs of stockings she has on. But then again, it may very well regardless. Either way, it looks adorable on her.

In the garden.

I cannot wait to see what they have in store for her with the autumn release, in terms of new dolls, clothing and anything else their creative minds concoct.

In closing, so this isn’t all dolls, I am thrilled to finally be able to view this on the my television two weeks from today.

Mind you, if you go to amazon you can pre-order the entire Henriad on DVD (what will be on Great Performances) and it is to be released about three days prior to the first airing of King Richard II. I am hopeful they do not take long to ship, as I am eagerly anticipating a day filled with Shakespeare.

Now I just need to finish reading King Richard II.

It takes a little Patience.

Now that we’re sliding into autumn that means one thing in the doll collecting world: new play line and new releases from collector companies! Granted a lot of play line has been trickling out over the summer, but Tonner has only done a sneak peek at what is to come, whilst Wilde Imagination just teases.

One bit of information on Ever After High mind you, they aren’t slated to be in regular stores until December. So much for the Christmas rush, eh? And that is the US, I don’t know about the rest of the world. I suppose it works out, as I think another doll is going to be taking a lot of my money at this rate.

The evening before Tonner revealed Deja Vu (I like the concept of the line, have yet to see a doll that perk my interest but i’m sure one will), Wilde showed off their newest little girl: Patience. The second I saw her I just needed her. Not sure what it was, the big eyes or what but I just had to have her. Thankfully, it worked out and I did get her ordered.

We won’t mention the week long holiday she spent in customs, much to my annoyance. But finally, yesterday around noon she arrived.

A little girl and her dollhouse.

She is around 14″ tall and very articulated, making her great fun to pose. The eyes, which I at first fancied would be moved in the same way as a Pullip, actually move depending on how her head/upper body is positioned.

Fairies and pumpkins on my.

I’ve read she can share clothing with Marley Wentworth or the Harry Potter dolls made by Tonner, as I don’t have any of those dolls that isn’t something I can say for certainty but I will assume this is correct information. I have a few dresses here that might actually fit her, so there might be a dress up day coming up. I tested them on Maudlynne and they worked, so here’s hoping.

I’ve renamed her Faith, and rest assured you’ll be seeing a lot of her in the coming weeks as I am completely smitten with her. I actually have a doll room planned, so she is getting her own little bedroom area. She’s already spoiled with a huge dollhouse (the Precious Places Magic Key Mansion from the late 1980s, it belonged to one of my sisters), I have a bed already that just needs the mattress cleaned and some bed sheets and pillows, and of course she’ll be getting quite the wardrobe in the long run. Oh, and an antique quilt made by my late grandma 60 years ago.

I am hoping this line does well for Wilde Imagination, as I’m in love with it already and there is only one doll! If you are a doll collector and considering adding her to your collection, she is worth it. She is kind of like a Pullip without the fragility and issues. The rest of the line will be up at some point this autumn, so I know for one I am eagerly awaiting more.

A few more photos of her around the yard or with Christian (my Mortimer from the Evangeline Ghastly line).

Faith.

Rose coloured view.

Resting with an antique quilt.

Faith and roses.

Tell me a story.

Christian and Faith.

Mortimer is another doll I recommend highly, he’s gorgeous. I do not photograph him often enough, which is funny since I wanted him all of last year and the only reason I splashed out was the 20% off sale right before Christmas.

I’ll hopefully be back with more of Patience and many other things. I am considering going to a showing of Shakespeare’s Othello in the coming weeks. The only trouble is it is on at the cinema the same night as the season premiere of The Big Bang Theory.

Such a problem I tell you.

We’re all mad here.

Yesterday I was settled down watching Once Upon a Time when I noticed a vehicle pull up outside. Quickly I grabbed my dog to put him in another room and went to the door, as I was only expecting two items I really had no clue which this would be. Although I figured it out quickly when I saw the size of the box seeing as a Pullip arm likely wouldn’t need that much space.

Madeline Hatter from Ever After High, a gift from a friend in the States. I had originally asked her to see if she could find the doll for me, and I was going to pay for the doll and cost of shipping to Canada. Sadly things happened and I couldn’t afford her, but after some rather distressing news she surprised me with the doll as a gift.

I am still amused (as is she), Maddie showed up when I was watching Once Upon a Time, it would have been even better if it were an episode with the Mad Hatter in it. I’ve heard they’re very hard dolls to debox but I got her out rather easily, maybe there are others in the line that are difficult.

The first thing I noticed when I did get her out of the box was the dolls feel heavier than Monster High, they are thicker in their body and limbs. I know one complaint about them is their heads/faces. Considering I really love Pullip the bigger heads don’t bother me, I think it adds to their charm. They do use the same face sculpt from what I’ve been reading, but each doll has a different look so that can be forgiven. And each to their own, but I do think their faces are bursting with personality.

Her outfit is colourful and well made, no loose threads that I could find. She is pretty well ‘tea party’ themed, with her little tea pot purse (which really could be used as a tea pot instead of a purse if one so desired), her little teacup hat and the design on her adorable shoes.

It is too bad her curls didn’t do so well with the packaging, but that isn’t any surprise. Play line dolls seem to have issues if the doll has curls, although a good portion of them on the underside of her hair survived and are very much intact. I might read up on boil perming doll hair to see if I can give her some nice curls.

She is shorter than the other dolls in the line (think Howleen or Twyla from Monster High), but she is a lot of cute in a small package.

All in all, I am so happy with her. It will most likely be October or November before the line starts showing up on the shelves here, but I can honestly say I recommend these dolls if they interest you. Each to their own, but I prefer them over Monster High but then I’ve never been a huge fan of monster movies so that could be why. Both are a fun and unique line and will likely do well together (with C.A. Cupid as a crossover character between the two it wouldn’t surprise me to see webisodes with both lines together in the future).

For a month that isn’t going all that well it sure has been a doll filled month thus far. And it is barely half done.

“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.”

This past week has not been a good one. This whole year hasn’t been, but this past week seemingly has solidified the year has it out for me.

It isn’t something I can do anything about either, which frustrates me as this means Thanksgiving and Christmas are officially finished with my family. While I hold onto tradition and family values, they couldn’t care less. I can at least try to keep Christmas the way I always knew it, with my dog at the very least, but Thanksgiving is finished.

Ah, the joys of being the sister who is only spoken to when they want something. One day, they may regret that, who would know.

But I am here to speak of dolls, which sort of ties into my stress of the last week. New playlines have begun appearing on the shelves. The new Monster High dolls hold no interest for me, although I would love a new Cleo de Nile one of these days, if I could find one I like. Of course there is new My Little Pony, Barbie, even saw the new La Dee Da dolls at Target (and by the by Spin Master, where are the stands? If you want me to hand over $20 CDN I would like a stand, otherwise, they can wait for a dandy of a sale). Of course the doll line I’m really looking for is Ever After High and you guessed it, nowhere to be seen. But oddly they’re showing up in England now.

This is the oddest marketing I’ve ever seen in my life, well, that I can recall. I would love to know why this is taking so long. I am highly tempted to e-mail Mattel and ask them exactly when we can expect to see the dolls in Canada, as I am aching to get my hands on them. Mind you, I do have Maddie on the way. A lovely friend in the States bought her and sent her to me as a gift. I was utterly gobsmacked and really need to get to a Christmas/Hallowe’en shoppe I know of to get her an awesome birthday gift.

I also received a new Pullip this week. I had waffled on the Starry Night Dahlia peasant doll for quite awhile, unsure if I wanted to order her. Also unsure if I wanted another Pullip as I really haven’t had a lot of luck with them as of late. Split seems in the vinyl (those are the older ones), eye mechs that don’t work right, crummy wig quality (to the point I rewigged one of them, ah the joy of prying THAT off with a sharp kitchen knife). But she finally won me over. I decided to order her from PullipDollDreams which is a small shop online. Their selection of dolls is smaller and sometimes can be more expensive than PullipStyle, but unlike that store when you pre-order you can do a deposit and then pay the rest, plus shipping, when the doll is in stock. So I went with that shop…as well they were scheduled to get Dahlia a month before PullipStyle.

Tuesday she arrived right as I was about to head out the door for some shopping, and I was absolutely giddy. She is adorable.

She came with a little gift as well, which is just gorgeous. It is in another photo, I took it off the little key ring chain as I could not bear the idea of it being ruined.

Then it happened. It turns out Groove is adding a new design to Pullip which pretty well opens her up to a nice new flaw.

Both lower arms have a crease in them, but sadly in the case of this one it is a crack. From what I’ve been told this a new design feature added this year, but why I’ll never understand. After a few exchanged e-mails Dahlia has a new arm on the way but it did take the joy out of the day to see that. As well, her eyes won’t close, but I kind of expected that.

The plus though, she has a lovely, soft wig and her stock is well made. Her shoes are enormous on her tiny feet (I read somewhere they’re type 2 shoes…someone forget they’re on type 4 body for Pullip?). And she’s very photogenic! Although too much daylight can wash her out.

She comes with a broom, head dress, stand and trading card. She is a charming little thing (and if anyone is wondering, her eye lid make up is a pinkish purple, mainly the lighter but a darker shade as eyeliner).

I did check my other Pullip from this year to discover that this crease seems to be the new thing, as Cecily is sporting it as well. How I failed to notice it is beyond me. Fairly certain this is the end of Pullip for me, but hey, now I just get to spoil them with new clothes and where I bought Dahlia is the perfect spot to buy them.

And one last doll, there will be oodles more photos of her come Christmas time.

I had been eyeing her in the secondary market dolls section of My Favourite Doll for quite some time. At first I fancied she would make a wonderful Christmas gift for one of my sisters, as she loves everything to do with The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (must be her hero until he changes at the end), but decided I would enjoy her much more. This Cindy Lou Who is certainly more than two though.

A new ghoul.

We did not go to that performance of Hamlet, nor do I have any intention of attending any of the upcoming performance. In all honesty, I’m not sure I’ll ever attend this Shakespeare festival.

Not only did the director modernize the play, but she abridged it and moved the ‘To be or not to be…’ speech to become the first lines you hear Hamlet utter. I’m rather sick of people having to butcher Shakespeare for a modern audience, some of us would like to see it performed the way it was written and in the time it is set in.

Regardless, the week has been a long one. I began reading Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, which is thus far an interesting read. I had not realized it was such a long book (I’m reading on a tablet), so it obviously isn’t something you can read in an afternoon or two.

Yesterday I also made my first Monster High doll purchase in likely a year.

Monster High’s Twyla.

I had come across her a few days prior, but as my niece was short the money for a doll she wanted I bought her’s instead and hoped this girl would still be there later.  Or better yet, this town would get the dolls.  As it is, it would appear we’re about five months behind on new doll releases.

She is shorter than the other dolls (other than Howleen), and her eyes even glow in the dark.  I am not sure if this is a constant flaw with these dolls now or not, but her right elbow joint is very floppy.  I have a Dot Dead Gorgeous Spectra with the same issue so it makes me wonder.

The other issue with her is her hair.  It is a hot mess.  I trimmed it a little bit, but it might be getting more taken off.

The ghouls.

It might not be easy to see in the photo, but it frizzes horrid at the ends, I am wondering if they were going for waves and it just didn’t work out.  The furniture you see them with is actually going to be used to create a room on my shelf for the Ever After High dolls, whenever they actually make it to Canada.

Twyla with her hair pinned back.

It is interesting that these dolls have surpassed Barbie in sales, yet the quality control still seems lacking.  Although they are play line and I’ve been purchasing more collector dolls in the past year.  I am still eagerly awaiting Ever After High though, as fairy tales are a little more to my interest than monsters, although I do like the little collection of them I have.

In other doll related news, I am eagerly awaiting the release of this lovely girl.  I pre-ordered her from a different online store that expects her in stock the end of this month, so I dearly hope to have her by middle of August.

Strangely this coming autumn there are a few play lines I’m interested in, so I am hoping when our Target opens they are a little more on the ball than Wal Mart.  It would be nice to be able to buy these dolls without having to travel to a city, even if they do cost a few dollars more than Wal Mart.

The rest is silence.

This week we are off to see Hamlet. And I will happily say I was looking forward to this most of the year, as I have not seen Shakespeare performed live since I was a teenager.

That is, until I started watching video and interviews online with the director of this particular production.

How do you feel about Shakespeare taken out of it’s original setting and tossed into modern times? I do not mean like the movie 10 Things I Hate About You (based on Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew and is one of my favourite teen movies).

It amuses me the director states in one interview that it would be an anomaly to perform the play in it’s original setting, so she brought it forward into modern times. I would think people in modern dress speaking the language the play was written in to be more the anomaly. Not to mention she’s turned the play within a play into a musical.

I had such high hopes, as I’ve never seen Hamlet performed before, but I have come to the conclusion I need to go into this with very, very low expectations.

The themes and stories are timeless because they resonate today, but that does not mean you have to take it all and put it into modern day. I would have rather seen the play performed in it’s proper setting, rather then here and now. It is safe to say I’ll be very critical about attending next year and making sure this person is not directing (although last year they did something similar to this as well, which is why I passed on going). What is next? Will they do a production of Richard II set during Woodstock?

As my sister stated when I broke the news of what I had discovered to her ‘Is there a pub nearby? You know, in case it is so bad we have to leave for a drink?’