On Love Never Dies

Being such an ardent phan of the Phantom of the Opera, I was curiously compelled to buy the DVD of the theatrical production of the sequel, Love Never Dies, filmed in Australia.

I know it got luke warm, to frigid reviews when it opened up in London. In fact there is also a website and Facebook group called Love Should Die (tsk, tsk)- set up by those who feel The Phantom of the Opera needs no sequel.

With excitement and trepidation, I slotted the DVD into the player and began to watch. If you want to know about the basic plot, please read it on the Love Never Dies Website.

**Please note, there are major spoilers below. Read at your peril!**

Upon on initial viewing, the Coney Island setting freaked me out, but then again I generally hate circuses and clowns... oh God, clowns! The songs did not grab my attention at first, the haunting melodies from the Phantom that made me such a phan to start off with, seemed absent - at first. But then I searched for the lyrics and listened to them some more, and hey, there are few gems in terms of music - "Beneath a Moonless Sky", "Look with Your Heart", "Devil Take the Hindmost" and "Love Never Dies".

Putting my antagonism for circuses and all associations aside,  the Coney Island sets are amazingly beautiful and some of the effects does leave your jaw dropping to the floor, especially when the song "The Beauty Underneath" is sung.

As for character development, it had to happen, else the story could not have continued - you might as well watch the original again if you wanted things to remain the same.

I think Christine seemed stronger in this version. She admitted she loves the phantom (hooray!), she admits to having spent a night with him before her wedding, was heartbroken to find him vanished in the morning because she was ready to 'declare her love for him'. Upon finding him alive she was fiercely angry that he made them all think he was dead. And the whopper - their night together resulted in a son, Gustave!

Raoul turns out to be one helluva drinker and gambler. In fact, the family is in debt. A dashing, young Vicomte he is no longer. He admits to not being able to understand Christine's passion for music and the stage. This is obviously how she connected with the phantom - their passions complemented each other, their souls connected and it exploded into brilliance on the stage. The initial puppy love between her and Raoul did not sustain into a solid relationship. I did not find this surprising. Maybe I even silently cheered on Raoul's demise, even though I felt incredible pity for his wretched state.

Madame Giry and Meg - I think their development led most to the plot's soap-opera-feel. Turns out, Madame Giry becomes quite resentful when the phantom lures Christine to New York, feeling slighted that all she has done for him in the past 10 years, will be for nothing. After all, he is going to leave his inheritance to his son! Meg, it turns out, wants nothing more than the phantom's approval and attention. And it was thanks to her 'bedding so many men' that the phantom had the financial resources to set up the Coney Island wonderland. She even attempts to drown Gustave, but ends up shooting Christine by accident. Did I not say it became like a soap opera? I still shake my head thinking about this plot progression.

Finally, the phantom! After 10 years, he is still a tortured soul, longing for the one who can bring his music to life. Even though he is in Coney Island, he seems less powerful, alluring and charismatic compared to the original, despite revealing aspects of his dark side in Love Never Dies. When he realises he has a son, he becomes more human in my eyes and I don't think I like that very much. He still has a powerful voice, and his musical genius is still present, but he is no longer on the right-side-of-danger that I found appealing.  As one of my friends have said: "They took the phantom up from the sky and crushed him down to the human level." Despite Christine dying, at least he finds acceptance from his son, acceptance he has always sought, despite his disfigurement. And maybe that, along with Christine admitting she does love the phantom, were the two saving graces that emerged from Love Never Dies.

Chocolate Mondays

If I can be anyone today, I would be this dog. This is exactly how I feel when I see a chocolate fountain. Pic found here: Imgfave.

On a different note, the Neighbourgoods Market opened up in Johannesburg this past weekend. I convinced the S.O* we should go and off we went. And I am so glad we did. After driving around and around to find the place (Braamfontein has too many confusing one ways) we finally found it. I gotta say - I loved it. Even though it was packed and there is not a lot I can eat being a strict vegetarian, the vibe was easy going, friendly, fashionable and fun! It reminded me of when South Africa hosted the Soccer World Cup in 2010, combined with the Greenwich Market in London. What I did get to eat was divine. With Johannesburg having such an entrenched mall culture, it was beyond amazing to walk outside a bit. Stalls actually ran out of food, and some out of business cards because they did not expect such a great turn out. Return trips are a must!


Chocolate Mondays have been created to banish Monday Blues, or at least lessen the sting of a new working week.
*S.O - Significant Other 

Just weird or epic fail?

M1 told me one of the most bizarre things I have heard in a while:
"Mr X bought for his home an ice cream making machine, can you believe it?! Should I worry? Not a toaster or coffee maker but an ice cream making machine! I got weird friends."
"Now he is all about how delicious they are...still don't get it why..."
"Like you wake up in the morning and say: right, let's get up and get that ice cream machine."

First of all: 

Is an ice cream making machine a necessity?

Second of all:

Is an ice cream making machine really necessary in a predominantly cold city like London? 

I got to admit, it does not make much sense in my mind. But who can resist a treat like ice cream! Anyway, you tell me your thoughts!

The Peter Pan Syndrome

I am currently having a lot of trouble finding the right words - hence the absence from Blogger-ville. My insides are a muddled, muddy mess. I cannot begin to wade through it at the moment. But I think this quote captures a bit of what I feel right now, but I could be wrong. Regardless it is still a wonder of words. I got it from Slutty's sister, who got it from another friend. :)


"I'm convinced that most people do not grow up. We find parking spaces and honour our credit cards.We marry and dare to have children and call that growing up.I think what we do is mostly grow old.We carry accumulation of years in our bodies and our faces; but generally our real selves, the children inside, are still innocent and shy as magnolias" - Maya Angelou

Closed door

Oh look at that, my UK visa has expired *Sadness*

It's time to party like its... MMX*

A decade ago (or almost a decade ago, depending where you're coming from) I completed my last year of high school. It is difficult to grasp the concept of time passing at such a rate!

Do I feel the need to vent, reflect, cry out of joy and sadness? You can betcha your last Rand, or Dollar or Pound...

I certainly see a different person in the mirror compared to 2000. Most of my dreams - I have accomplished. The Plan involved strategically working towards them and suddenly, there I was living the dream, having the best of times life can offer.

Finding the S.O has never been part of The Plan. Then Life, with its bitchy mood swings, sees fit to throw a curve ball. And so The Plan looks very different to what I had always pictured. I certainly think S.O is in my life for a reason, but I cannot understand anything as yet.

And now it is all about survival, with a smile.

Hope MMX is as wonderful as wonderful can get for each and every one of you!

*MMX (roman numerals) = 2010

I know this post has been, erm, vague, but I fear the torrent of tears, while at my work desk, if details are mentioned.

Rewired into reality

Today was my first day back at work. It seems strange to have a 'grown up' job in South Africa. Before London, I freelanced from home. And before that there was an extended intern ship at a national newspaper. And prior to that were odd part time student jobs.

So, the next chapter begins... and I feel elated.

*smiles*

Two days

Duck feeding. Time with the girls. Breakfast in the sun. A few arguments and heart felt truths spilled out. Drinking cocktails out of jars.

Could all of this have something in common? Why, yes, of course! The S.O. and I did all of this past weekend.

Saturday: A good friend from London was down south for a brief visit. We met him for breakfast at a quaint restaurant at 44 Stanley. I've always loved this place and it was amazing to go there again. We ate outdoors with a witty waiter providing entertainment. Both Skanky and Slutty are back from their Euro trips so we spent the afternoon together. We could not stop talking! The S.O. picked me up at night and I remained a fly on the wall as he and the boys had beers. Inbetween all of this, S.O. and I were trying to sort out a few issues. It seems all the challenges we overcame before I left seems to have resurfaced. And of course there are new challenges as well because we had a long distance relationship for a year.

Sunday: S.O. wanted to talk so he picked me up in the morning. So we talked again...both being brutal with our honesty. It was a warm, pleasant day so by the afternoon I anxious to be outdoors. I wanted to go to the Zoo Lake to feed the ducks. Because the weather was so glorious, the place was packed with picnic goers. Thereafter we decided to have sun downers and eventually found our way to a wonderful place called Mammas Shebeen*. I had something called a Sophiatown Sunset and it was served in jar. :) I instantly fell in love with everything - the decor, the atmosphere, the hippy crowd. A live band completed the perfect picture.

* originally an illicit bar where alcohol was sold without a licence. Further reading can be found here

I'm ready

Found on Postsecret

Falling in love (again) is (still) hard on the knees

To all those who feel the urge to hurl at romance, a word of warning, do not read any further.

<3

As S.O. and I approach our eight year landmark tomorrow, I feel quite reflective at the moment. Thinking back on our year apart, I know we both have grown in different ways. Sure, we had the long distance thing going on, but it is easier since we are now both in the same country. It feels as if I am getting to know him again. And that means falling in love yet again. It makes me feel rather light headed and light footed at times. You know, giddy and giggly and all those horribly girly attributes.

Sure we had our awkward moments when I just returned from London. And yes, we will have more awkward moments and further challenges. But more than ever before, I feel there is hope. And I have faith...in both of us as individuals and in the relationship.

To my S.O. thank you for the past eight years! Our life together has been light and laughter and love...except when you make me angry enough to throw you out of a window of a 10 storey building. ;)

Last week...

I. Had. Breakfast. At. Tiffany's.

Pic: taken by Prixie at Madame Tussauds, London.

FYI: The breakfast was in South Africa. The Sister Person treated me.

Winter...

'Tis the season of lost hats on floors instead of keeping heads warm, single gloves floating sadly in puddles of water, forlorn umbrellas hanging off the hand rails in trains and scarves longing to be around their owners' necks once again rather than blowing aimlessly in the wind. 

Home

Anyone who has read my previous post would know what an agonising January it has been. Nevertheless decisions have been made. In a few months time I will be in SA again. Not because I cannot cope without S.O, but simply because I do not want to be without him. And London may even be in our future. You just never know what lies in store.

And then I seen the above pic on post secret this week. Ta da! Thank you Universe!

A whirlwind visit

S.O came to London. He went back home. It seems he has taken my heart back with him. Our first "Goodbye, see you later" in April 2008 was hard. The second one in January 2009 was absolute torture.

I love London so and I am willing to stay. Nevertheless things seem a bit lack lustre since he packed his bags (and my heart) and headed back home. To see the magnitude of love in his eyes made me drown in enraptured joy. And it is that love that can make me re-assess what I always wanted out of life.

Granted, I am emotional at the moment but I need to make a decision. London or S.O?

Skanky, in her infinite moments of wisdom, asked:
so what can u afford to lose? what are you able to live without?

Crunch time.

Oh and besides all my ranting, may you all have a blessed 2009. May it be more than everything you want it to be.

London brace yourself

S.O arrives TOMORROW! Flutterflies turn my tummy into a disco. This is the longest separation we've had in all our seven years.You know, I should brace myself too...

It's frosty up here

London welcomed me with open arms and warm air. The flowers burst forth with colour and sweet scents. Blue skies, erratic hot spells. There was a tangible magical euphoria everywhere. Coming from South Africa, I thought: "These fools, happy with sort sort of normal weather!" Yes, because blue skies and clear days are the norm back home. 

Now that the trees are bare, and the only decorations in the gardens are the melting diamonds in the morning, I realise why summer is such a treasure in the UK.  I now see people bundled in scarves, gloves and coats. Faces a scrunched against the wind and backs are hunched. 

Yet, I find a different sort of beauty during this season. Sure it is tempting to just stay in my cosy bed and hide from the world, but the colds air seems to invigorate me. Everything seems cleaner and I am eager to see snow. So c'mon Mother Nature, I await your winter glory. 

A love triangle

It's an eternal tale, retold in so many different formats. So much so I yawn at the mere thought of it. Then why oh why has The Phantom of the Opera (the play and movie) so captured my attention and has left me enraptured? 

*Note: Plot spoilers below*

It saddens me so that Christine treated the Phantom as she did. In my opinion, he gave her, her voice - so to speak. Raoul would have never notice her if she remained one of the background dancers. Thanks to the Phantom training her, she was pushed into the limelight. And it was the limelight which brought her to Raoul's attention. 

I also think the scene where he first takes her to his lair is one of the most romantic ever in movie history. It is charged with passion and subtle seduction. 

I understand Christine loved the Phantom because their souls recognised fellow musical spirits. Their religion of music brought them together and flamed their attractions. Whereas Raoul was from her past - their history made her feel comfortable. He was good, stable and always there. To me he was the easy choice.

In the end though the Phantom proves to be the better man. Even though he is a maddened genius, psycho killer and very much a stalker, I still root for Team Phantom. There is just a certain something about his character...

Some of my favourite lines:

The Phantom: Let your soul take you where you long to be. 

The Phantom: You alone can make my song take flight. Help me make the music of the night... 

The Phantom: Past all thought, of "if" or "when" -no use resisting: abandon thought, and let the dream descend . . .

The world is sweeter in a chocolate shop

It's appalling that I have only seen my cousin and his wife once since I have been in London. So I decided to see them yesterday. And oh boy, do they know what makes me tick: they took me to a shop called The Chocolate Alchemist. Flavoured chocolates, normal milk varieties, flavoured dark and white hot chocolates, chocolate coated nuts and so much more! Oh divine! Heaven! Joy! My only regret is I did not have a bigger bag and could not by more. I am still trying to catch my breath...

*If chocolate was a religion, there would be world peace.*

She has a point

Skanky brought something quite bazaar to my attention: my room looks like my blog! It's uncanny I gotta resort to profane language to express my emotions: it is just plain old fucking weird!

The wall paper in my room is exactly the shade of this "old paper" background, I have brown accent points (the glittery cushion on my bed, the chocolate brown poof, the pictured frames, wooden jewellery box and so on) and there is a hint of green too. The only difference comes in the fact that I have a few burnt orange decor pieces in my room, whereas my blog has none. 

Overall I'd say the room has a romantic country feel to it. In face Vamp told me this past weekend that it is very homely. Skanky said it feels warm. I cannot wait to see what S.O says when he visits. On second thought I wonder if he will even notice all the little things.  ;p 

My two conclusions on this room and blog mirror image situation is therefore: I know what I like or I am dead boring and stick to what I know. And why oh why did I fail to notice it before?! Oi, my mind remains boggled. 

All Hallows Eve

The witch. The sangoma/witch/mental patient. The zombie slut. The red riding hood/member of the French resistance. In the streets we walked. To the library as the moon looked down and stars gossiped. Rented movies returned and all through to the bus stop we were stared at. "Wooooooooooooo!" we remarked. Passing strangers smiled, adults in everyday work clothes. Sigh.....

To Greenwich we went, hoping to find spirit...and spirits. No not those in the bottle, rather those that will go "Woooooooooooo!" with us. Even the graveyard in the church was quiet. And only one adult Cleopatra in the streets we saw.

Wearing disappointment, along with red lipstick, we strutted homeward. And that is the sad tale of my first Halloween experience.