“I accept chaos, I’m not sure whether it accepts me.” Bob Dylan. (2020 review 1/3)
Disclaimer: You won’t hear much about the virus in this.
I’m not a denier, I know the damage and destruction covid19 has caused and the death toll, therefore I am not yet cold enough not to realise this is going to sound completely selfish, but that is my decision. My reviews focus on MY year.
Just so you’re aware.
“I accept chaos, I’m not sure whether it accepts me.” Bob Dylan.
2020...
What can I say?
This was the year I decided to officialy identify as Non-Binary, not that anyone actually cares or believes me or thinks i'm "(insert stereotype at will)" enough.
except for those very VERY rare people who do and who actually listen and hear me when I speak.
Anyway -It has been a trashcan fire of a year since February/March
February when I saw the Hu and Counterfeit alongside Ally.
And I say February/March because that was the weekend I say my year ended...the good part anyway. Because it was that weekend when I got the ultimate honour, privilege and miracle of meeting Jason Carter,
After that it was like a Dementor had French kissed the year and I can’t be the only one who thought it?
Conventions and gigs postponed, rescheduled and ultimately cancelled, masks, social distancing, lockdowns the works.
And can I just say - I didn’t clap, and I don’t feel in the slightest bit ashamed for it. Despite or maybe because I have friends and a few family who work in the NHS I couldn't bear to be a part of the hypocritical BS idea.
I live in a country that will clap for their 'beloved' life saving NHS but then stand silent when Pay rises are frozen and when the NHS is in danger, we as a country expect a lot but don't lift a finger to gave back, clapping doesn’t pay bills.
But...Bright points in the year let’s try staying positive and leaving the crap outside shall we...well...
The main one has got to be that the US finally found their sense and President Elect Joe Biden will be sworn in January 20, 2021.
After that... I’ll have to get back to you.
Oh...no..no that’s not one... seriously I’ll have a think and get back to you.
Conventions:
Just one this year, for me, because of the obvious... But what a convention
FCD Events presents 2258 a Babylon 5 Conventions:
Where, as well as finally being among actual self confessed fans and being able to tick a b5 convention off my bucket list after starting cons way too late to attend the OG cons I did the impossible...
I MET JASON CARTER... have I mentioned this? Have I? Should I say t again? I MET JASON CARTER!!!
Also Mira Furlan, Tracy Scoggins and Patricia Tallman, but I met him! Finally!
And... Just a reminder I did warn you guys, several times that it was likely hell would freeze over if I ever got that particular honour, do not say I didn’t.
I’d never done an FCD before, I’d meant to, even bought a ticket but it just never seemed to happen, but the second someone said b5 con, I was so there!
Karan Robinson made my year by making me the Anla’Shok uniform. And Nadine added the cherry on top by making the belt buckle that ONLY Marcus and Entil’Zha Sinclair wear :D (for the record: Velcro still hates me)
David one of the organisers of FCD kept randomly shouting “We live for the one.” And when people other than me actually knew the response and responded... dude kick in the feels I kid you not.
Next Year (Angel Willing) Adam and I are attending the Teen Wolf conventions entitled “Howl at the Moon 4” in Paris, France... which is cool on so many levels not least of which being I get to meet JR Bourne and Daniel Sharman again and get to visit the church of St Julian of the poor.
And yes, there are cons planned here in the UK. But... well. It’s already looking Grey, and not the good kind.
Music and Gigs:
Two gigs one after the other at the 02 Ritz in Manchester.
The First:
The Hu a Mongolian band who Ally really likes and I think are pretty cool. They are amazing live there’s no doubt, can hold their own in England even in a room of idiots.
The 2nd :
Counterfeit (also with Ally)
I went VIP and got to meet the boys again, and listen to a Q&A with them.
I will forever love them, not just because of Jamie’s acting side despite what people say.
Didn’t realise how special until recently though because; after keeping fans going and hyping up new singles during lockdowns, they recently decided to go their separate ways.
Jamie’s gone solo and he’s put three songs out on YouTube.
_
I was meant to be attending a one off gig by Ruelle and Fleurie both of who had music used on Shadowhunters, even talked my friend Lou into it, but it was a victim of the lockdowns and things and I’m not the optimistic type so I doubt it’ll ever happen now, will be lucky if even one of the ladies comes over here if I’m honest.
_
Recently I’ve rediscovered a love for Black Veil Brides and their leader Andy Black’s solo stuff.
Olivia Hyde of Bad Pollyanna recently killed everyone in her black unicorn’s fanbase with an amazing solo album, me included.
Ally has introduced me to a few interesting bands this year,
*Wingtips - very 80s Goth, very Ally (translation: very cool.)
*Allegiance Reign - a Japanese Samurai metal band, not sure what Ally actually thinks of these guys, she found them while perusing YouTube and thought of me :D
Suggestions greatly accepted, I am always up for giving new stuff a try.
Hopefully next year things will even out and gigs will be able to be put on again.
TV and Fandom’s:
*We FINALLY got Roswell: New Mexico in the UK, and ITV blitzed through 2 seasons in less than a month, but it was enough for me to decide I loved it, maybe more than I did the original. Alex is my fave, but obv Michael isn’t half bad, nor is Max when he’s not making goo-goo eyes at Liz.
* Finally got to see 9-1-1 Lone Star and I absolutely love it, (I kinda knew I would from all the talk)
* Decided to give the Charmed reboot a 2nd look and it’s proved addictive, now waiting for s2 to be downloadable on Amazon or something.
*In march I was so, so excited for the return of The Expanse and the fact the main cast were coming to a con in the UK, then.. The verse went to hell. I still Love the Expanse, but I’m not as die hard as I was, not for lack of trying. Still love it for Anna of course, any excuse to see her.
*After 15 years Supernatural finally ended in 2020 with season15:
I stopped watching religiously at the end of season 6 but that does not mean I stopped liking the show just that I didn’t like the direction (like with The Expanse recently)
I loved watching the reaction of the fans, and how much they (we if I’m counted) mean to the cast.
* I have to mention Cursed... If only to say HOLY HELL DANIEL!
𝑴𝒚 𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑻𝑽 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒐𝒇 2020
Cursed
9-1-1 Lone Star & 9-1-1
Warrior Nun
Prodigal Son
Penny Dreadful: City of Angels
Doctor who (Officially season12)
Roswell s1&2 (it counts cos ITV only just got the reboots)
Charmed s1&2(it counts cos E4 only just got the reboots)
Call the Midwife (s9 btw)
Our Girl
Strike Back: Vendetta
Friends:
“Friendship ... is born at the moment when one man says to another "What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .”
― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
My understanding of "friendship." is skewed, and I’m not saying that to be "Vulcan." it’s honest, and anyone who wants to know how or why just has to ask. But let’s leave it at that for this.
It makes some things more stark... and I've said this recently, but this binfire has made even me more aware of who’s out there in my verse, whose pack, who’s potential, and who’s just pathetic.
The last I’m not going to waste my breath on.
The first two: Pack and Potential (read: new acquaintances /potential friends)
Pack:
Yes I go on about friends as 'Pack like a person whose OD'd on Teen Wolf... because I am so :P
My pack as a whole are varied, and spread out across this country with a few dotted around Europe and Aus. hopefully they know who they are because I don't do mushy crap as they know. But if they do know, they know I'm there when I'm needed and more than willing to sod off when not. Yorkshire brass makes me frank and I’d hope fair.
There are 2...mayb 3 who sit above the rest, in special place for the things they've done and things they've been through with me.
I make no denial of that.
But everyone is important to me. I wouldn't change them for anything....
Ok... tell a lie, maybe 1 or 2 when they do my box in, but that’s only like for a week maybe less.
I've spent too many years and got too many scars and burned too many photos and bridges because of fake people and users to not be honest to a fault. It’s who I am.
Potential:
the Counterfeit gig in Manchester, 2258 and yes even Tiktok have given me the opportunity to make some interesting acquaintances this year, and some I hope will become friends in the real in the future, but for now I will say -
"I am defensive, stand off ish, sometimes bull headed and of course opinionated, but I am by no means blind. Or blinkered despite what may be said of me. I am there when needed, if I can be of use, just poke me."
Ave Atqua Vale
This section has its own post these days. Sadly.
Pictures
Will try and make one of my “a year in ten pics.” Posts later.
Final words
While I am not fond of this time of year, Enjoy your celebrations whatever for they may take,
I will be watching The Magicians / Call the Midwife and plotting 202? Cosplays.
I will be here when (fk knows why) I'm needed.
Otherwise- Compliments of the season, now go get a beer, i'm sure you need it after reading this crap.
in the words of The one and only Jason Carter
“Hindsight is 2020″