Nat Beard nee McHugh

@MCMComicCon @TimDownie1 How could they leave @UpstartCrowPlay off that list @TimDownie1?

Stoplickingthedamnthing! 👀 Tim Downie is joining us at MCM Birmingham this November. Meet the Baldur's Gate 3, Outlander, Good Omens and Geek Girl star all three days for autographs and photo ops. Get MCM Birmingham tickets at spkl.io/6019AOKCc

@YouAreLobbyLud I had another patient sitting beside me in my oncology treatment room if I’d ever though of using it to treat my Metastatic Breast Cancer 🤬

The ivermectin obsession is so weird. And hydroxychloroquine. Where did all this come from? And why is it so compelling for people?

Cows with guns #couchpeloton

@GreenEDGEteam Lucky to have some help close to hand

🇫🇷 #TDF2025 Two stints of bad luck for Dunbar in close succession. The Irish man was forced to stop and unclip on two occasions due to crashes in front and is fighting hard to return to the peloton. There’s no easy day at the tour!

@fasc1nate #guymontspellingbee

The Dunce Cap: Symbol of Smarts to Hall of Shame historydefined.net/dunce-cap/

@peekaboo_jen I’ve been really unwell and have chemo on the Tuesday, so fingers crossed I can get there for at least one day 🤞🏼

@natbeard19 I was wondering if you'd be going. I'm glad to hear you are.

Possible rant incoming. Feel free to scroll on by, or get comfy and have a read. As always, the choice is yours. As an Australian I have become quite used to "missing out" on several experiences in life. We are quite far away from countries like the US and the UK (at least 17 odd hours by plane) and as such we don't often get a lot of the bigger names in entertainment visiting our beautiful shores. When we do get visitors from the magical world of entertainment, they more often than not perform on the East Coast, Sydney, Melbourne and the like, simply because it is often easier to perform multiple shows for a smaller outlay cost and reduced travel time between shows when compared with the West Coast. In the west, Perth tends to be seen as the only location likely to justify the associated performance costs. Sometimes, acts travel across the state to some of the smaller cities and towns, but that tends to be the exception to the rule as opposed to the norm. It is also understandable given both logistics and associated cost vs. potential profit. We do have an abundance of sporting events all over our country which is great. Some of our stadiums are world class, I'm looking at you Optus Stadium, winner of the Prix Versailles 2019 World Title in Sports, and it is truly incredible to watch a game in these sporting facilities. But, one doesn't want every night out to be a sports game, and it is always a real treat to have an act or performer visit Australia, especially venues on the West Coast. So, we either pay a lot of money to travel overseas to the events that we wish to attend, or we wait until the event happens locally and we pay a bit less money, but still quite a bit of money, to attend in our own place. Which brings me to the rant component of today's post. Ever since it was announced that Sam, David, and Charles were to attend Supanova in Sydney and Perth I have seen comment after comment complaining about various aspects of the event. Why is it so expensive? Why is Sam's appearance exclusive to the Kilted and Distilled events only? Why is it in Sydney and Perth only? Why do I have to attend both days? Why do I have to pay more money to see Sam? Why? Why? Why? Now, that is not to say that I haven't seen a lot of positive and excited comments, too. I have. But, in my experience the negative have far outweighed the positive. (Hopefully that means all of the really excited folks are off social media and planning their weekend instead) I've just been really surprised by the negative. Not the disappointment that some are feeling, we all know what FOMO feels like. But, the negativity is so present in so many places. It is sad to see. Especially, from fellow Aussies. We don't get opportunities like this. Hardly ever. Sam coming to Perth wasn't on my Bingo card. Not evenly remotely. Yet, here he is, coming our way, and people are complaining. Complaining about paying money to see him and then complaining about the cost. To me, this is essentially saying that Sam isn't worth the set price and I think that is really sad. Now, we can debate this till the cows come home. I understand that everybody's financial situation is different. I understand that on some level price tags mean different things to different people. But, at the end of the day, you can either choose to pay the money or you can choose to not pay the money. Someone thinking that Sam's price is too high doesn't mean it needs to be changed to suit their budget or to their belief of what he is worth. It simply means that this experience is beyond their financial means. And, that's ok. There have been a million experiences that I wish I could have had that I simply couldn't afford. There will be another million future experiences that I will wish I could have that I will not be able to have. To me, this is life. Is it disappointing? Yes. Does it make me feel sad? Yes. Have I been jealous of opportunities and experiences that others have had? Yes. Did I ever write comment after comment complaining to the organizers or tagging Sam with my negative comments? No. No, I haven't. I can't imagine doing that. Especially not to a guy who, in my opinion, has done more for this fanbase than any other. A guy who has held so many free meet-and-greets via book signings and bottle signings. A guy who always stops in the street, has a chat, and poses for a selfie. A guy who tries to make every fan experience the best that he can, even when approached in public situations where he should not have been approached. Imagine saying that you don't think an experience with him is worth the money they are charging. I find it really odd. You can say that you cant afford to go. But that is very different to saying Sam isn't worth that money. That is your choice. You decide what you are prepared to pay. And, if you decide against his worth, simple. Don't go. And don't begrudge those who are choosing to go. Don't ruin their excitement and their experience because you have no idea what it is "costing" them to actually go. The other major complaint I have seen is that his schedule has been spread out across both days because they don't want to have to go both days. What?? I have attended conventions where Sam has hit the ground running at 9am and then hasn't stopped until late in the evening. I've heard him joke that protein bars got him through the day. I've seen him look exhausted at the end of a very long day of interacting with thousands of fans, giving each person the best experience he can manage in that moment. When his schedule for Supernova was released my first thought was, "Oh, what a great schedule. Plenty of time for interactions and engagement. Plenty of time for Sam to mingle." Yet people are complaining that they have to attend two days to engage in all aspects of the experience. The event was advertised as two days. Why you would make the assumption that you would only have to attend one day, especially with Sam, David, and Charles in attendance, is a bit odd to me. Yes, other conventions have been one day only, but that is specified. This wasn't, and therefore I made the assumption it would be over two days. I was happy it was. More bang for my buck as far as I am concerned. And, yet, people still complain. I have seen the Supanova representatives fighting for their lives in the comment section of their posts. People ranting and raving about them, the convention, and Sam. All of this from the same people who lament that we never have these kinds of opportunities in Australia. A tad ironic, right? Recently changes were announced that Sam would now be available for solo photos and autographs via a basic entry ticket, a direct response to the "feedback" they had received. Previously, all Sam-related options were via two exclusive passes. You would think folks would be happy, but, no, the negativity remains. People still complaining that they have to attend both days to get an autograph (Saturday) and have a photo (Sunday) I have seen people sharing what they think Sam's schedule should look like and telling the Supanova representatives to put that to Sam because it would make their life easier. Not everyone else attending the convention. Not Sam. But their life. And, there we have it. What I believe sits at the root of most problems in the world these days. Entitlement. A sense of personal entitlement. A belief that they are the deciding factor in what happens in life. That their feelings count over-and-above everyone else. I am so very thankful that the majority of people I encounter in my life, off-line and on-line, do not subscribe to this victim mentality. I am not sure that I could manage my headspace if I did have an abundance of that. But, I have seen so much negativity and complaining about these up-and-coming appearances by Sam and it really made me wonder what is going on. I have no doubt that everyone who goes will have a truly incredible time. I have no doubt that Sam will be his usual self. Kind. Funny. Engaging. I am really looking forward to it all. I am thankful that I am in a position to attend. And, most importantly, I am thankful to Sam, David, and Charles for choosing to come ALL the way to Sydney and Perth. As I previously mentioned, a lot of folks don't make their way here, so when folks do, I think they should be celebrated, not berated or dictated to. PS Yes, Sam, David, and Charles, make money by attending these conventions. Why shouldn't they? This is their job. I am not expected to do my job for free. I don't expect them to do theirs for free. But, not every cast member does these events. Not every cast member travels halfway across the world to do so. As such, I believe that Sam, David, and Charles, genuinely enjoy interacting with their fans and I hope that continues long after the last episode of Outlander ends. PPS You may feel differently, and that's ok. I respect that and I'd request that you respect my feelings, too. PPPS Sam is a really lovely guy. In a perfect world everyone that wanted to meet him would be able to do so. Everyone that wanted to have a quiet moment with him to tell him how much they appreciate him would be able to do so. I know how fortunate I am to have been able to do both. And, I also know that I would be sad if I hadn't had those opportunities. Believe me, I get it. I just don't get the out-and-out negativity. I don't think I ever will. End of rant. Thanks for letting me ramble on. Much appreciated. Here's a lovely photo of Sam, at a con, being his charming self. #worthit

@peekaboo_jen Think they’re just waiting for the promised treats!

I'm thinking they weren't impressed! Ellie and her dad, Bentley!

@WeeMissBea Western Australia for sure!

OLDER THAN JESUS is my brand new tour show of the UK & Ireland! On sale NOW through the link in my bio for all my loyal followers (hopefully more than 12) On sale Friday everywhere else! OH MY GOD I HOPE PEOPLE COME! Enemies welcome.

@Zaunny Very true Tom

Very important for everyone to know that Lot 39 in Goomalling does the best steak sanga in WA.

@StuddertNatalie That person should be kicked out of the group! I have Metastatic Breast Cancer, the life expectancy for that is less than two years. Here I am, eight years later.

I’ve just joined young women’s breast cancer group. Someone put life expectancy stats up for the certain stages of cancers. I’ve never felt more depressed. I’m going to try and stay positive tho, I’m starting a new cancer treatment in the next two weeks.

@Thehullboy1 An absolute champion!

The final moments of the UK challenge. No matter the pace, no matter the days, we did it. Mental health matters ❤️

@TheDoublePaul Was great to watch though!

Nice story to tell! Might have had a few dreams of pink during the day but it wasn’t to be for our breakaway! 🎀

@Thehullboy1 You are amazing!

Today marks a year since I ran my first ever half marathon. Mad to think 365 days ago 13 miles was my limit, now we are just 13 days away from running the entire length of the UK. This shows no matter how dark a place you are in, it will get better and you will improve (no matter what that thing is). Keep battling, stomping, smiling and living ladies and gents ❤️

@StuddertNatalie Just have to take it nice and slow for a while. Very frustrating but don’t be hard on yourself xxx

Anyone have chemo brain after cancer treatment? If so, what helped? I’m struggling to use my highly articulate brain. 😂😂 Words don’t come out as easy. Feels like dementia at times!

Hoping @JaiHindley is okay after that horrible crash @giroditalia

TV reception was crappy here tonight in Perth but terrific ride from Tadej, again! #FlecheWallonne

The person in therapy isn't the red flag. The red flag is the person who thinks they would never benefit from it.

@ErykBagshaw @gemcarey I’m so saddened to hear this news, loving thoughts to her family and friends xxx

I’m very sad to report that @gemcarey has died. The family has asked me to release this statement. “Gemma passed away on 17th November 2024 after a long battle with illness. Her family ask for privacy during this difficult time.”

@JaneyGodley Rest in peace Janey, you gave us so much laughter. Sending lots of love to you family and friends and darling Honey xxx

Earlier this morning Janey passed away in her sleep. Her family were with her. The love and support from all her friends and fans during this cancer journey brought her enormous joy. It has also been a huge comfort to us, her family and close friends, thank you.