Lego Faora-Ul minifigure

The minifigure, just as it looked on sale. Blu-Tack was used to attach the helmet to the hand. Note that the hairpiece doesn't fit with the armor, unless you don't mind seeing a slight gap above the forehead.

Bought this minifigure seperately as I'm unwilling to buy a whole expensive set. Lucky for me, the Lego store I went to appear to sell minifigures individually by unboxing some of the sets they came with. However, the larger the set, the more expensive the minifigure (there are few exceptions though). In my case, Faora is exclusive to the Superman: Battle of Smallville set, which is both large and pricey. Still, it's better than having to buy an entire set which I will probably just put aside one day to collect dust.

Quality printing on the torso. Faora actually looks better without the armor on.

In memory of the Russian Grand Duchesses

From left to right: The Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia.

I found this somewhere on the internet, and I decided to reuse it here. I did some rewording to make it fit, so sorry if it doesn't rhyme (that's not the point of this post though).

They may be gone for almost a hundred years
And they lived on me for over a hundred years ahead
But they'll always be on my mind
Until the day I die

Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia were their names
They never knew me but I love them like nothing will be the same
I wish that I could dance with them under the bright moon
And go around the world to celebrate their birthdays

I wish I could keep the love satisfied
So they would forever be in my mind
I also wish I could find a way
To stay by their side just for a day

They held me during my lonely times
Which happened a lot of times
I know none of them will ever be mine
But they'll be always be on my mind

95th anniversary of the Ipatiev House massacre

95 years ago today, the lives of the Romanov family came to an abrupt and brutal end. The manner in which they were murdered is still very difficult for me to accept. The thought of how the fiends handled and disposed of them so bestially only makes it worse. Is the world really so grim?

Ever since I first paid real attention to the Romanov family in January of this year, I've always wished I could time warp to July 1918 and save every one of them, including those who accompanied them into exile. But try as I might, regardless of how long, nothing will ever bring them back. I never knew them, so I'll never get to hear their voices, see them in real color or feel the touch of their hands. All I can do is mourn them, lament their passing, and think of them in my imaginations.

Call me crazy, but I really cannot help it. I'm not sure how to put this, but to Nicholas, Alexandra, Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia and Alexei: may you all rest in peace, and lots of love from me.

Anniversary of Grand Duchess Maria's birthday

Exactly 100 years ago today on 26 June, Maria turned 14 years old. I would do anything just to witness her birthday. To see Maria in real colour would be a dream come true for me. In the words of Mountbatten, "I was mad about her."

Anniversary of Grand Duchess Anastasia's birthday

Exactly 100 years ago today on 18 June, Anastasia turned twelve years old. Wish I was there to witness and celebrate her birthday.

Keeping a photo of Grand Duchess Anastasia

Inspired by what Louis Mountbatten did, I've kept this photo of Anastasia at my bedside. Just need to find a frame for it.

Sometimes when I look at this photo, I try to imagine Anastasia's blue eyes and strawberry-blonde hair. But as there are no existing colour photos of her, just imagining has proven very difficult. I couldn't help but cry when looking at Anastasia eyes.

It has always left me frustrated. Why didn't the Romanovs hire Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky (renowned for his pioneering work in real colour photography) to photograph their formal portraits? Such photos would've looked modern and never grow old. Nonetheless, while this photo is black and white, Anastasia's eyes have never failed to capture me.

When I saw those icons of Anastasia and her family as passion bearers, I found it so emotional that I cried again. Somehow, I find it too painful to see them.

Louis Mountbatten kept this photo of Grand Duchess Maria in his bedroom. So lovely.

Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna and Louis Mountbatten

Louis Mountbatten (left) in 1914, when he was aged 13-14

Maria was a year older and their birthdays were only one day apart

"I was mad about her, and determined to marry her. You could not imagine anyone more beautiful than she was!"

"Oh, they (OTMA) were lovely and terribly sweet, far more beautiful than their photographs show. I was crackers about Marie, and was determined to marry her. She was absolutely lovely. I keep her photograph on the mantlepiece in my bedroom - always have."

Ignoring the fact that they were first cousins (cousin marriages were pretty common in royal families anyway), I think they would've made a lovely couple. Of course, I'm only saying this because it would've meant saving Maria from her tragic fate, which still greatly bothers me. Furthermore, Mountbatten had little in common with his wife Edwina, who had an alleged affair, or so I read. But did Maria also have a crush on Louis? And even if they were married and lived in England, would Maria have been able to cope with the death of her family?

On the other hand, Mountbatten was himself brutally murdered by the IRA in 1979, aged 79. Even if they had married, it is likely that Maria may have met her cruel fate anyway, albeit 61 years later. Or be forced to cope with the tragic loss of yet another loved one. She might never have had a peaceful life as a result. I can only hope there's a heaven and that the Romanov family and Louis are at peace.

A postcard sent to Louis from Maria and Anastasia.