A tribute to treasure

A Sunday morning to remember at the Riverfront Theatre in Newport as the Puppet Folk Experience introduced a special screening of The Muppet Treasure Island with a tribute act. (The film is 30 years old this year.)

The Puppet Folk are puppeteer and singer Liam and guitarist Andy, who also proves to be a handy banjo player as well. Liam performed with Kermit and Ernie who appeared for a rendition of 'Rubber Duckie', which is one of his signature songs.

Costume change for Kermit

I was impressed with the way Liam captured Kermit's vocal inflections in the songs. I have read about plenty of fan criticism of how Kermit sounds in recent Disney productions. It's a hard voice to do well, and Liam gets him sounding like "original Kermit" (Cathy's words).

Overall what came through was the clear love and respect that Liam and Andy have for the characters and the source material. There was a mix of songs, some of them in a medley, covering everything from the original Muppet Show theme through to a song from the 2011 Disney reboot. (Which is itself a shocking 15 years old now!)

After the tribute was over, we watched the movie. It had been a long time since I had watched it. I had completely forgotten one set of characters until they popped up in a proper 'oh, yeah...!' moment. The gags were still funny. I enjoyed it. 

Like several other fans in the audience, Cathy and I wore suitable t-shirts for the occasion. Kermit commented on Cathy's t-shirt after we queued up for the post-film meet-and-greet.

After taking the photos with Kermit we chatted to Andy afterwards as he was on the merchandise stand. He told us there might be another show introducing The Muppet Christmas Carol at the end of the year, so hopefully that will be coming to South Wales!

Blood Bowl night of horrors

As it was Friday the 13th, I decided to debut my Necromantic Horrors team (boosted by a werewolf star player that I built a few days ago). I also debuted my Blood Bowl themed t-shirt that Bryan and Elaine got me for Christmas.

The phrase "Nuffle giveth and Nuffle taketh away" was very apt as my team of zombies, ghouls, golem, werewolves and wraiths started strong, putting two opponents into the casualty box. But gradually the game turned towards the lizard-men, who had star player Anqi Panqi making a debut for them. And my dice rolls couldn't keep up. (And, truthfully, my tactical understanding of the necromantic team was very poor.)

The necromantic team benefits from most players having the "regeneration" skill. This gives a coach a 50/50 chance of a player avoiding becoming a casualty and missing the rest of the game. A number of players were saved this way but the body count was so high, regeneration couldn't save everyone!

On top of that I was soon a haunted bedsheet down when one of my wraiths got sent off for trying to foul an opponent. To make matters worse, I tried to "argue the call", rolled a 1, and got ejected from the ground.

The Lizard-men went ahead towards the end of the first half, a skink making an extra dashing yard to score. 

Anqi Panqi didn't do very much on his debut for the lizards, but Roxy the Kroxigor bossed the midfield, making two successful blitzes and also carrying the ball for several yards before a team-mate fumbled receiving the ball from her. 

That loose ball proved crucial, as one of my werewolves, who was back on after regenerating, got hold of the ball and charged downfield.  Despite being surrounded by three players at one point, the lycanthrope managed to score a very unlikely equaliser on the penultimate turn!

So the final score was 1-1, which I almost felt embarrassed about, it was so undeserved. 

Quilt of memories

I'm married to a creative person and one thing she is very good at is creating ways to hold on to memories. We had accumulated quite a stack of t-shirts. I did whatever the opposite of outgrowing clothes is when I lost weight a few years ago and went into diabetes recovery and some of my favourite t-shirts no longer fit me. Other t-shirts got worn out, frayed and a bit tatty around the edges. I hung on to several long past their useful life for sentimental reasons.

So Cathy turned them into a quilt.

It's a patchwork of memories. Our first American road trip. Our trip through Utah. The shirt Cathy was wearing that caused a guy to holler in respect across The Strip in Las Vegas. Our pilgrimage to Canada. Presents and gifts over the years. Star Wars t-shirts that I've worn in so many photos of fun times with family. Repurposed to keep us warn at night.

It's a nice feeling sunggling up under your memories.

And that's Jonny Danger, for the win

Total Film have got a list on their website of the top 20 Star Wars t-shirts.

Guess who's number one! *Go on, guess baby!) Oh, yeah, that's right - Feel the Force from Fair and Bare. Can you feel it!

Check out the complete list here.

I guess this just goes to prove that "I raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawk!"

Fight the power

Yeah, yeah, I hung with Mark Thomas. (And he loved my t-shirt!)

Can you feel it? Well, can you?

Yeah, yeah! My t-shirt concept got made at Fair & Bare. Go buy one now and experience the kind of lovin' only we Jedi know!


Order here