Cosmic Masque X

I was asked to do a review of a Doctor Who comic for the Doctor Who Appreciation Society. As I have said in the past, they are the oldest Doctor Who group in the world. It actually started the month I was born. Way back in May of 76. They have a monthly print publication (Celestial Toyroom)that is available to members as well as a digital version (Cosmic Masque). The digital version is free to download on their website. Well I have been asked to contribute to both over the last year or two. This time my review made it to the recent Cosmic Masque. I have never reviewed a comic before, as I don’t really read them as much anymore. But, I did read this one for the review. And here it is attached. I have took out all the other material so you can just see my review. ( But I also recommend reading the entire thing http://www.dwasonline.uk/CM10_STD_format.pdf )If you have a few minutes to kill, please take a minute and give it a read. I would love to know what you think of my first comic book review. Thank you so much everyone. Have a great, safe, and healthy day.

Made in England

 Dr. Martens: Made in England

                Most people who have known me for a while know that I love Dr. Martens. I have worn Docs since the seventh grade, when my Granny bought me my first pair of 10-eye boots. Back then, all Dr. Martens were made in England. In 2003, I believe, the company was facing bankruptcy and moved production to China and Thailand. As many fans noticed, the quality suffered severely. While my original English-made boots lasted for many years, the ones made in Asia barely lasted a year before falling apart.

Even though the original Cobbs Lane factory in Wollaston, England saw the first pair of Docs roll off the line on April 1, 1960, the business actually traces back much earlier, to 1901. Back then, they were a traditional bootmaker. A year after they outsourced to Asia, they began production on the 'Vintage' or 'Made in England' line. Although some small-scale machinery is used, these boots are essentially handcrafted in limited quantities. I love this line so much that I now own four pairs; I refuse to buy any pair not made in England. You may pay more, but you certainly get your money’s worth in quality and craftsmanship.

Most people also know that I collect autographs. Some of my fellow collectors might not understand what I’m about to say, but someone doesn’t have to be famous for you to value their signature. This brings me to my most recent acquisition. I decided to write to one of the cobblers who made my boots at the Cobbs Lane factory. I only had a single first name to go on, but I took a chance and wrote to her asking for her autograph.

Yesterday, I received something in the mail that has easily made its way onto my list of favorites: a personal letter and three Polaroids from inside the factory. I am beyond flabbergasted. It was totally unexpected and, in my book, incredibly cool.

The Furchester Hotel

                When my daughter was young, she absolutely loved Sesame Street. More specifically, the character Elmo. I can remember when the Tickle Me Elmo doll first came out she really wanted one. Everyone who remembers back then, should remember that the Tickle Me Elmo was darn near impossible to just find. Well in the store that is. I can remember people standing in massive lines for hours and hours and actually getting into fist fights over the things. It reminded me of when I was a kid when the Cabbage Patch Kid dolls came out. Luckily my boss at the time just happened to be in Toys R Us right when they were putting them out. Without even me asking him, he graciously picked one up for me and just charged me what he paid for it. I took it home and my wife and I wrapped it for her Christmas present. I can still remember it like it was yesterday. She tore into the wrapping and her face just lit up. She loved it. Well...until she squeezed it and it started laughing and moving around. It scared the heck out of her. It took her a couple months to have anything to do with that doll, but she did end up loving it. I even wrote to Sesame Street for her and they sent her an autographed photo inscribed to her from Elmo. (hopefully someday I can do the same for my son) That love of Elmo continues to this day and she’s in her early 20’s. 

                 Fast forward to 2017, both of my children are young adults now and my wife and I decide to welcome a three day old baby boy into our home. When he is about a year old he starts watching Sesame Street. Of course the format is a little different now but most of the old staples are still there. I.e. Bert & Ernie, Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, & of course Elmo. At the time, he liked Elmo, but he really liked other shows like Daniel Tiger and Mickey’s Clubhouse a little more. We even bought him a Tickle Me Elmo doll for his first Christmas. Which oddly enough was half the size of the one my daughter had. Just like my daughter, he loved it as well. Not to mention I can do an ok Elmo impression. Then one day in December 2018 out of the blue he asked to watch Elmo; it’s been Elmo ever since. 

                   He’s been watching Sesame Street on the PBS app as well as his PBS tablet and really enjoying it. Then one night the PBS Kids app was down and his tablet was not charged so I decided to look on some of the other Apps to find maybe the Elmo movie or something. As I was searching Netflix I found a British show I had never heard of before called The Furchester Hotel. It’s about the Furchester family and their nephew Elmo. They all run the hotel along with Cookie Monster as the chef of the hotel. It’s a cute little show and my son really loves it. I will admit though, I like it too. Lol. My wife and my daughter says it reminds them of Fawlty Towers if Fawlty Towers was “G” rated and puppets. I can definitely see that. So if you have little ones that like Sesame Street, The Muppets, Fraggle Rock, Mister Rogers or any other PBS children’s television programming, I highly suggest checking out The Furchester Hotel on Netflix (If you’re in the US). A friend of mine told me it’s on CBBC in the UK. And always remember: “A Furchester never gives up, never gives up, never gives up.”