Here is the my story previewing the royal wedding. The point of the story was that most people here in London are rather indifferent, at best, about the royals. Unfortunately, the teeth were totally removed and the story feels a bit pointless. I like the folks at The Northwest Indiana Times. They're lovely, hard working people who have to make decisions I hate. I get it. Every writer hates seeing their stuff get cut up. Luckily we live in an age of technological wonders. I now present for your edification the unedited version of my story.
Kass Stone
Times Correspondent
London – Not everyone in Britain is going gaga over the royal wedding. While international media coverage of the upcoming nuptials of “Wills and Kate” may make it seem like all of the UK is about to explode into a patriotic fervor over the ceremony, the truth for the majority of people is quite the opposite.
In the small working class neighborhood of Plumstead, located on London’s Southeast side, far from the pomp and circumstance of Westminster Abbey, most people show very little interest in the wedding.
“I couldn’t really care less,” said Plumstead’s Kirsty Bennett, when asked what she thought of the wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton.
The actress and mother of three does not find the fact that day of the wedding is a national holiday pleasing. The wedding is taking place less than a week after the UK’s children have returned from their four day Easter holiday, which continued directly on from a two week “half term” break. The day off for the wedding and the following Monday, along with the time already out of class, means that Britain’s children will have spent only about 9 days total in school for the month of April. This is a long time to have to find ways to entertain three young, rambunctious sons.
“Oh, I don’t care for it,” said Bennett, about the national holiday aspect of the wedding. “The boys have not been in school for ages. I can’t believe the kids are never in school. It’s absolutely mad. I love my children to death, but I need a break!”
Crown Point native’s Chris and Lisa Westworth have noticed a definite lack of royalist enthusiasm amongst their friends and neighbors in the West London neighborhood of Chiswick. The two former Crown Point High School Bulldogs are a bit surprised to find their fellow Americans more excited about William and Kate’s big day than their British cousins.
“For most of my British friends, for them it’s an excuse to have street parties and to have the day off,” said Lisa Westworth. “I think there is more excitement for the wedding in the United States than there is here.”
Lisa is following the coverage of the wedding in the buildup to Friday’s ceremony and finds Prince William and Kate Middleton quite likeable, but she has no delusions about the moral superiority of the members of the House of Windsor.
“I can kind of relate to them,” said Lisa Westworth, about the royal couple. “They are a young couple, like us, and they seem to really be in love with each other. But we all know that Prince Charles was a real scumbag and was cheating on Princess Diana the night before their wedding. But I guess William and Kate seem different. We don’t know though.”
U.S. singles are more likely than Brits to watch the royal wedding.
• 40% of U.S. singles say they plan to watch the royal wedding on TV, whereas only 31% of single Brits say they plan to tune in.
- From Zoosk Royal Wedding Survey.
Friday, April 29, 2011
The Royal Wedding: On the Scene
(A TESCO stooge [formerly the Duchess of York] handing out crappy paper flags in Trafalgar Square)
Caught the train for Charing Cross Station at about 6:30am. I was expecting a swarm of royal wedding zombies on board but was instead pleasanty surprised to find it mostly empty. I met a nice family from near Manchester who were in town for holiday and were excited to have the chance to soak up the wedding madness.
Exited Charing Cross to find a much more frantic scene. Hordes of people were flooding into Tralfagar Square and down into The Mall. They were decked out in Union Jacks, Canadian maple leaves, Australian flags, St. George crosses, Scottish flags, Welsh Dragons and, of course, images of William and Kate. Every where I looked were banners, signs and t-shirts baring smiling images of the world's most popular wealthy couple.
(Monarchist Canadians looking for some royal back bacon in Trafalgar Square)
Once down into The Mall, it quickly became apparent that I was trying to walk into a wall of red, white and blue bedecked humanity. With my arms full of free flags and other giveaways being doled out by various representatives of various companies and a notebook full of royalist friendly qoutes, I high-tailed it out of there while the getting was good. I swam up stream through people in Union Jack wigs and faces painted in St. George's cross. I scurried quickly through the horde and past the giant screens playing old news reels of the queen's coronation and back into the safety of the train station.
(A pair of Aussies in the midst of a Vegemite and Fosters induced stupor on The Mall)
I rushed on board the #3 train back home and let the silence wrap around me. Just a few hundred yards away were hundreds of thousands of Wills and Kate loving whackos whipped into a frenzy over fairy-tales and patriotism.
Back behind the safety of my keyboard in beautiful SE18, which itself is quite dead, with the wedding on the TV, I can start to relax. The high streets are empty. I can only assume that everyone is in front of the tube watching the spectacle.
The story I wrote was quite rah-rah "we love you, Wills!" type of thing. Don't feel exactly great about it, but at least I was given the chance to write up a piece that ran today (4/29/11) about how most Londoners don't seem to care one way or the other about the wedding. Though, the emptiness of our neighborhood may call that thesis in question. The average Londoner might not care about the wedding . . . all that much, but they still care. As do I. I hate the concept of the monarchy and would love to see the British Republic replace the United Kingdom, but there is something undeniably compelling about the images being broadcast around the world and being in that mad crowd of royalist sentiments was a bit electric. Just try being around that many celebrating people and not pick up a contact high.
So, in summary. Everybody pretends to not care about the royals, but the truth is everybody is fascinated by them. Love or hate them,we are paying attention and discussing them. The monarchy is disgusting but it really puts on an exciting show.
(Kate Middleton moments before the ceremony)
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Royal Wedding - Yuck. Prolog
"It's like a fairy tale, isn't it?", you might hear said by some ladies chatting away in the grocery store check out line. The pair are both in their late-30s, dressed in track suits and wearing Crocks on their feet, and are looking at the cover of a celebrity gossip magazine with the shit-eating smiles of Prince William and Kate Middleton emblazoned across it. This gruesome two-some, inbetween episodes of Oprah and The View, are probably in the midst of seperate reveries in which they are being swept off their feet by "Wills" and taken off to Buckingham Palace for a good, long fuck-fest on silk sheets while rose petals fall from some heart shaped void in time and space floating over the bed. They are now a Princess and getting it from the heir-apparent is just one of the many benefits to this fairy-tale lifestyle. There are huge country estates, palaces, cars, planes, celebrity friends, jewels, designer clothes, excess and pampering!!!!! So much better than the IT stooge they married after college and feel obligated to toss a lay to once a week or so. Ugh! To think that I'm going to be adding to this fantasy makes me a bit ashamed of myself.
(Regent Street decked out for the wedding)
I have been asked to cover the Royal Wedding for The Northwest Indiana Times Newspaper. I'll be providing some exclusive color content.
(Regent St. in wedding regalia)
(Regent Street decked out for the wedding)
I have been asked to cover the Royal Wedding for The Northwest Indiana Times Newspaper. I'll be providing some exclusive color content.
(Regent St. in wedding regalia)
I'm pretty anti-monarchy so I'm hoping to create a more balanced piece about the wedding than most sources will present. The fact is I have not met anyone in London who is excited about a couple of rich super-elites getting married. They are just happy to have the day off. The fact that the wedding is a national holiday helps placate the proleteriate resentments of hereditary heirs to thrones spending millions of pounds on their "special day" while the rest of us have to deal with the massive government cuts the Tories and their Lib-Dem lapdogs have instigated.
(Here is an early picture of the happy couple)
Not being a citizen of the UK limits how far I feel I can display my disdain for the monarchy in public. It's not exactly my fight . . . yet. But I still can't help but feeling a little bit greasy in the pit of my stomach providing positive press over "Wills" and "Kate" getting hitched. Let's face it, any coverage of this wedding will be construed as ultimately promoting it. The best thing would be if nobody paid any attention to what this pack of multi-billionaire power broker welfare recipients do.
(Here is just a reminder that Prince Harry, William's little brother and currently 3rd in line to the throne, likes to get drunk and dress like a Nazi)
Well, it will be interesting to see what kind of story I come up with. I feel a little dirty about it but the truth is good intentions do not pay the kid's nursery bill.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
My Favorite UK Protestors. 1
One good thing the UK is good for is creating really interesting protestors. Demonstrating is a way of life here for a lot of people. I want to introduce to you one of my favorite UK protestors: Arthur Pendragon
Arthur Rex is a fixture at Stone Henge, where he is currently protesting the removal of ancient remains found on the site. He wants the remains put back where they were found. He also protests the fact that Stonehenge is fenced off from the public. He was also involved in the legal proceedings that led to the EU government siding with the UK's neo-Pagans in their demands to be allowed access to Stonehenge for religious ceremonies. Because of this, the Pagans get access to Stonehenge during the solstices and equinoxes. So, the man is scrappy and has been involved in some real progress for his cause.
When we met Arthur, he was sitting outside the fence near the entrance to Stonehenge with a sign demanding that the remains be returned and talking to anyone who wanted to hear what he had to say. He came off as a rather sweet though intense guy who enjoyed driving English Heritage and the government crazy with his constant presence and protests. As we parted company from him, he gave my 4 year old daugther an autographed picture of himself decked out as a medieval king signed "Arthur Rex". If that does not make him cool, I don't know what will.
Here is his autobiography, in brief, from Arthur's website:
Titular Head and Chosen Chief
King Arthur Pendragon is the Titular Head and Chosen Chief of what has become known as the, Lawband, Clawband and Warband, or as may be called, Wizards, Witches and Warriors. Each Order fighting for and sworn to the Ancient virtues of Truth of Honour and of Justice. Druid members of LAW may be found at Avebury on the nearest Saturday to celebrations of the eight-fold wheel. Also in London on Primrose Hill on the nearest Sunday to each Solstice and Equinox and at Stonehenge on the dawn of the actual day of Solstices and Equinoxes, performing public Ritual and Ceremony (English Heritage & Wiltshire Constabulary permitting). The Warriors may generally be found, not surprisingly, on the Battlefield - the Protest sites, and Magical support may usually be provided by Dragon Claw and the Druids
Biography
Born fifth of the fourth fifty four, John Timothy Rothwell was the son of a modern-day warrior, 4546273, Sgt W L Rothwell, a Scouser in the York and Lancaster Regiment, (for was it not the sergeants that won the war for us?) and May Victoria (a Londoner named after two queens) Rothwell nee Barratt.
Arthur (or John as he was then known) was born in Yorkshire and was raised in the shire of Hamp, being the garrison town of Aldershot. Although Sgt Rothwell is interred in Aldershot military cemetery under the above name what his original name was is unclear. Having run away from school - it was a good one, being approved - he then lied about his age, changed his name, joined the British army, corps of drums, and went to war.
Arthur himself was the original boy named Sue, 1954 being long before the time of the scan, and was in fact to be called Susan Carol. Unfortunately, when he was born, he was discovered to be far too dangly to be a girl, and after a re-think it was decided to call him Timothy John. However, Sgt Rothwell's commanding officer and his lady wife had decided upon this very combination for their own child born around the same time. Therefore, not wishing to be seen to copy, the young Arthur was duly named John Timothy, although, as we have heard, the Rothwell part of the name was highly dubious. From what Arthur has subsequently learned, it is likely that his father's original forenames were Angelo Fritzgerrio, obviously not the ideal combination during the Second World War. Thus the young Arthur of indeterminate origins was brought up, an army brat (mongrel English). His mother's line, however, is more traceable, and includes such personages as Blawe-Barret, the last English man to face Jack Johnson, the heavyweight boxing champion of the world.
Having received a secondary education and leaving school at the age of fifteen without qualifications (although he later gained membership of Mensa), he got a job as a telegram boy. The adolescent Arthur turned into a "rebel with without a cause" becoming a time served nomadic biker chieftain - however as 24341883 1st battalion Royal Hampshire Regiment, Arthur received exemplary conduct upon discharge from Her Majesties forces. Before returning to the biker fraternity, Arthur was in fact a Minister in the Universal Free Church, holding the title of Reverend and the job description of Psychic Investigator.
His interest in all things Spiritual began at the age of fourteen, whilst skiving school, when he and his father suffered a traumatic and near death experience in a train crash - the dustcart his father was driving was hit by a train. Following this, the young Arthur was then drawn to things of the occult, religion and philosophy, thus the beginning of his Druidic training.
After diverse adventures and life experiences, it was in 1986 that he reverted to his once true and former name of Arthur Uther Pendragon. By Beltane of 1990 he had been hailed as the once and future king, Rex Quondam Rexque Futuris, and raised Honoured Pendragon, Glastonbury Order of Druids.
Since then he has received many titles from both the Druid and Wicca community and has steadfastly fought for Truth, for Honour and for Justice, campaigning both against the encroachment on our once green and pleasant land by developers, and for and on behalf of the civil rights movement. He views himself primarily as a Freedom Fighter with his reality being, that if we ever get it, Freedom that is, his work is done and he is out of here.
He is presently known for his role as an environmentalist and Eco-warrior. What is not as well known or as publicised is the fact that he was the piling foreman on the Peterborough bypass and helped to run in a supervisory capacity a six and a nine million pound contract for Laing Management Contracting.
He and his order, the Loyal Arthurian Warband, have been involved (at the sharp end) with campaigns such as Twyford Down, the Third Battle of Newbury, Manchester Airport, Birmingham, Crystal Palace, Lymminge, Kingston, Stringers Common, Stonehenge, Dead Woman's Bottom, Teddy Bear Woods and Preston amongst others
Being sworn to the Sacred and Imperial Oath, he has run in General Elections, being the only Independent candidate to poll more votes than a national party. He has taken H.M Government to the European Court of Human Rights, and as Plaintive, challenged the Home Secretary in the Royal Courts of Justice. As defendant, he has appeared before Crown, Magistrates and County Courts against the forces of establishment. He will not shun his responsibility to challenge any Law that he and his Order see as unjust, nor will he or his Order shrink from fighting in any arena, whether it be it a Court of Law, in the pursuit of justice, an election, (through the ballot box) for general consent, or through the diverse channels of Druidry and Wicca. Thus, he and his Order take their vows seriously, and will live and, if need be, die by the sword - the sword in question being Arthur's sword Excalibur.
Personal
King Arthur Pendragon, is a Pagan Priest, and Druid Swordbearer, and takes (as do his Knights and Priestesses) their duties seriously. This means that he has an unshakeable belief in the Divine and his/and their place in this system. Thus it may be observed that he is at one - King, Arthur and Pendragon. What is best for the nation (Pendragon) must come first. What is best for the tribe (King) must come second and what is best for the man (Arthur) must come last. Thus as King, as Arthur and as Pendragon he must prioritise.
As Arthur
Arthur, the man, is Pagan and has a belief in the twinning, being that of the Sun and the Moon, Male/Female, Druid and Wicca. That we can have one without the other is not within his belief structure. That the Female is the sisterhood is without doubt and likewise that the Male is the brotherhood is beyond question. That monogamy exists is up to the individual and not within his belief structure. "The only way I may make love to the Goddess is through her priestesses - each and every female is an aspect thereof". Therefore when you hear "The Kings a Tart" it's probably true. And it works for him.
As King
As King, Arthur believes paramount in the fellowship of the Table Round, it being a case of horses for courses. Arthur being the best God'dam' Arthur we've got, simply because he is the only Arthur we've got, Parsley being the best Parcival we have for the same reason. Just as Gally and Daggers are the best Galahad and Daggonet we have for the very same reason. And like any cycle or chain. It is only as strong as its weakest link. Thus we all have a part to play and stand or fall as one. Thus is the nature of the tribe.
As Pendragon
A title given to an ancient British or Welsh Chief holding or claiming supreme power. In English, chiefly known as Uther Pendragon, father of Arthur. The word means "Chief Dragon" the dragon being the war standard. - The Oxford Companion to English Literature.
As Battle Chieftain Arthur takes his role seriously and will do naught as either King or Arthur to jeopardise what is best for the Isle of the Mighty (Britain) and the common good.
It is his belief that there are others at this time who have returned to fight and to lead the other nations. So too shall they join the fight and alliances be made for good to triumph over evil. Arthur's work however remains here in the Isle of the Mighty.
THINK GLOBALLY ACT LOCALLY
King Arthur Pendragon
Arthur Rex is a fixture at Stone Henge, where he is currently protesting the removal of ancient remains found on the site. He wants the remains put back where they were found. He also protests the fact that Stonehenge is fenced off from the public. He was also involved in the legal proceedings that led to the EU government siding with the UK's neo-Pagans in their demands to be allowed access to Stonehenge for religious ceremonies. Because of this, the Pagans get access to Stonehenge during the solstices and equinoxes. So, the man is scrappy and has been involved in some real progress for his cause.
When we met Arthur, he was sitting outside the fence near the entrance to Stonehenge with a sign demanding that the remains be returned and talking to anyone who wanted to hear what he had to say. He came off as a rather sweet though intense guy who enjoyed driving English Heritage and the government crazy with his constant presence and protests. As we parted company from him, he gave my 4 year old daugther an autographed picture of himself decked out as a medieval king signed "Arthur Rex". If that does not make him cool, I don't know what will.
Here is his autobiography, in brief, from Arthur's website:
Titular Head and Chosen Chief
King Arthur Pendragon is the Titular Head and Chosen Chief of what has become known as the, Lawband, Clawband and Warband, or as may be called, Wizards, Witches and Warriors. Each Order fighting for and sworn to the Ancient virtues of Truth of Honour and of Justice. Druid members of LAW may be found at Avebury on the nearest Saturday to celebrations of the eight-fold wheel. Also in London on Primrose Hill on the nearest Sunday to each Solstice and Equinox and at Stonehenge on the dawn of the actual day of Solstices and Equinoxes, performing public Ritual and Ceremony (English Heritage & Wiltshire Constabulary permitting). The Warriors may generally be found, not surprisingly, on the Battlefield - the Protest sites, and Magical support may usually be provided by Dragon Claw and the Druids
Biography
Born fifth of the fourth fifty four, John Timothy Rothwell was the son of a modern-day warrior, 4546273, Sgt W L Rothwell, a Scouser in the York and Lancaster Regiment, (for was it not the sergeants that won the war for us?) and May Victoria (a Londoner named after two queens) Rothwell nee Barratt.
Arthur (or John as he was then known) was born in Yorkshire and was raised in the shire of Hamp, being the garrison town of Aldershot. Although Sgt Rothwell is interred in Aldershot military cemetery under the above name what his original name was is unclear. Having run away from school - it was a good one, being approved - he then lied about his age, changed his name, joined the British army, corps of drums, and went to war.
Arthur himself was the original boy named Sue, 1954 being long before the time of the scan, and was in fact to be called Susan Carol. Unfortunately, when he was born, he was discovered to be far too dangly to be a girl, and after a re-think it was decided to call him Timothy John. However, Sgt Rothwell's commanding officer and his lady wife had decided upon this very combination for their own child born around the same time. Therefore, not wishing to be seen to copy, the young Arthur was duly named John Timothy, although, as we have heard, the Rothwell part of the name was highly dubious. From what Arthur has subsequently learned, it is likely that his father's original forenames were Angelo Fritzgerrio, obviously not the ideal combination during the Second World War. Thus the young Arthur of indeterminate origins was brought up, an army brat (mongrel English). His mother's line, however, is more traceable, and includes such personages as Blawe-Barret, the last English man to face Jack Johnson, the heavyweight boxing champion of the world.
Having received a secondary education and leaving school at the age of fifteen without qualifications (although he later gained membership of Mensa), he got a job as a telegram boy. The adolescent Arthur turned into a "rebel with without a cause" becoming a time served nomadic biker chieftain - however as 24341883 1st battalion Royal Hampshire Regiment, Arthur received exemplary conduct upon discharge from Her Majesties forces. Before returning to the biker fraternity, Arthur was in fact a Minister in the Universal Free Church, holding the title of Reverend and the job description of Psychic Investigator.
His interest in all things Spiritual began at the age of fourteen, whilst skiving school, when he and his father suffered a traumatic and near death experience in a train crash - the dustcart his father was driving was hit by a train. Following this, the young Arthur was then drawn to things of the occult, religion and philosophy, thus the beginning of his Druidic training.
After diverse adventures and life experiences, it was in 1986 that he reverted to his once true and former name of Arthur Uther Pendragon. By Beltane of 1990 he had been hailed as the once and future king, Rex Quondam Rexque Futuris, and raised Honoured Pendragon, Glastonbury Order of Druids.
Since then he has received many titles from both the Druid and Wicca community and has steadfastly fought for Truth, for Honour and for Justice, campaigning both against the encroachment on our once green and pleasant land by developers, and for and on behalf of the civil rights movement. He views himself primarily as a Freedom Fighter with his reality being, that if we ever get it, Freedom that is, his work is done and he is out of here.
He is presently known for his role as an environmentalist and Eco-warrior. What is not as well known or as publicised is the fact that he was the piling foreman on the Peterborough bypass and helped to run in a supervisory capacity a six and a nine million pound contract for Laing Management Contracting.
He and his order, the Loyal Arthurian Warband, have been involved (at the sharp end) with campaigns such as Twyford Down, the Third Battle of Newbury, Manchester Airport, Birmingham, Crystal Palace, Lymminge, Kingston, Stringers Common, Stonehenge, Dead Woman's Bottom, Teddy Bear Woods and Preston amongst others
Being sworn to the Sacred and Imperial Oath, he has run in General Elections, being the only Independent candidate to poll more votes than a national party. He has taken H.M Government to the European Court of Human Rights, and as Plaintive, challenged the Home Secretary in the Royal Courts of Justice. As defendant, he has appeared before Crown, Magistrates and County Courts against the forces of establishment. He will not shun his responsibility to challenge any Law that he and his Order see as unjust, nor will he or his Order shrink from fighting in any arena, whether it be it a Court of Law, in the pursuit of justice, an election, (through the ballot box) for general consent, or through the diverse channels of Druidry and Wicca. Thus, he and his Order take their vows seriously, and will live and, if need be, die by the sword - the sword in question being Arthur's sword Excalibur.
Personal
King Arthur Pendragon, is a Pagan Priest, and Druid Swordbearer, and takes (as do his Knights and Priestesses) their duties seriously. This means that he has an unshakeable belief in the Divine and his/and their place in this system. Thus it may be observed that he is at one - King, Arthur and Pendragon. What is best for the nation (Pendragon) must come first. What is best for the tribe (King) must come second and what is best for the man (Arthur) must come last. Thus as King, as Arthur and as Pendragon he must prioritise.
As Arthur
Arthur, the man, is Pagan and has a belief in the twinning, being that of the Sun and the Moon, Male/Female, Druid and Wicca. That we can have one without the other is not within his belief structure. That the Female is the sisterhood is without doubt and likewise that the Male is the brotherhood is beyond question. That monogamy exists is up to the individual and not within his belief structure. "The only way I may make love to the Goddess is through her priestesses - each and every female is an aspect thereof". Therefore when you hear "The Kings a Tart" it's probably true. And it works for him.
As King
As King, Arthur believes paramount in the fellowship of the Table Round, it being a case of horses for courses. Arthur being the best God'dam' Arthur we've got, simply because he is the only Arthur we've got, Parsley being the best Parcival we have for the same reason. Just as Gally and Daggers are the best Galahad and Daggonet we have for the very same reason. And like any cycle or chain. It is only as strong as its weakest link. Thus we all have a part to play and stand or fall as one. Thus is the nature of the tribe.
As Pendragon
A title given to an ancient British or Welsh Chief holding or claiming supreme power. In English, chiefly known as Uther Pendragon, father of Arthur. The word means "Chief Dragon" the dragon being the war standard. - The Oxford Companion to English Literature.
As Battle Chieftain Arthur takes his role seriously and will do naught as either King or Arthur to jeopardise what is best for the Isle of the Mighty (Britain) and the common good.
It is his belief that there are others at this time who have returned to fight and to lead the other nations. So too shall they join the fight and alliances be made for good to triumph over evil. Arthur's work however remains here in the Isle of the Mighty.
THINK GLOBALLY ACT LOCALLY
King Arthur Pendragon
- Say what you will about the guy but you have to admit he has style. I personally feel that he is fighting a good fight. Sure, the Druids arose in Britain after Stonehenge was constructed. Sure, the neo-Druid movement and and most of the neo-Pagan movement has very little connection to the actual pagan peoples that lived here prior to Christianity taking over. That said, today's Pagans are a real religion that draw inspiration from the ancient people of Britain and Europe and deserve to be accorded the respect other religious groups receive. That means they should have access to their holy places whenever they need access and should have some say in what to do with the relics and remains of the people they venerate. Plus, the fact that Stonehenge is being used as a place of worship makes it much cooler. It's not just some mysterious pile of stone slabs. It is a living place being used not just as a museum piece but as part of spirtual lives of modern men and women. How different is that from places like Westminster Abbey or Canterbury Cathedral? The fact that those ancient places of worship continue to function and have so much history, that is still being created, adds to their grandeur. The same goes for Stonehenge. English Heritage should embrace Arthur and his Pagan pals. Maybe let them set up a little stand explaining who they are and the relevance of the site to their faith. Embrace the living history and make everyone happy.
Maybe the problem is that the Pagans are a "new" religion and as such do not get the respect that more established religions receive? If so, this is a case of bigotry and discrimination. I trust that Arthur Rex and company are prepared for the fight to come.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
What the London Marathon Means to Me.
Today was the London Marathon. A major sporting/cultural event in these parts. But for those of use not hanging out on the sidelines cheering on the runners or kicking it at a pub party along the route it was a major pain the nether-end. Allow me to explain. Less than a week ago I had a hernia operation. Currently I feel as if I have a severly battered and tender oversized meatball where my right testicle used to me. Walking any distance or sitting in one position for any great length of time causes major pain and discomfot. Well, today I decided to get out of the house and accompany my wife and daughter to the O2 (located inside the "Millenium Dome" on Greenwich Peninsula), about 5 miles from our house, to catch the 1 GBP kids matinees at the cinema there. Today was Megamind (which I recommend highly). 
We forgot to take into account that the marathon was starting at just the same time as we were heading out for the movies. What would have been a 15 minute drive turned into a 45 minute twisty-turny, around-and-around, mess. At first this was kind of a cute adventure through our hood. Then the pain set in. My left testie began to throb and groan more and more with every "Diversion" sign we passed. 
By the time we found our way to the Blackwall Tunnel, it felt as though one half of my family jewles were going to explode due to prolonged sitting in one uncomfortable position. I pictured one of those old Madballs toys chewing its way through my boxer shorts. 
We forgot to take into account that the marathon was starting at just the same time as we were heading out for the movies. What would have been a 15 minute drive turned into a 45 minute twisty-turny, around-and-around, mess. At first this was kind of a cute adventure through our hood. Then the pain set in. My left testie began to throb and groan more and more with every "Diversion" sign we passed. 
By the time we found our way to the Blackwall Tunnel, it felt as though one half of my family jewles were going to explode due to prolonged sitting in one uncomfortable position. I pictured one of those old Madballs toys chewing its way through my boxer shorts. 
I was nearly in tears by the time Ellen dropped me off at the entrance to the Millenium Dome. Amelia and I shuffled our way into the dome and into a cinema seat. All the while it felt like an anchor was hanging from my manhood. Luckily the seat was comfortable and I was able to shift positions often enough to keep the throbbing Madball that had grown in my pants to a low roar of pain in the back of my mind.
On the way home, the only signs of the marathon along the usual, now open route home from the 02 were heaps of discarded water bottles, Union Jacks hanging from the pubs' windows and my pulsating tackle.
A severe pain in the nuts is what the London Marathon means and will always mean to me.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Getting Started!
I've started this blog to see if I couldn't do something different from the typical travel blogs by my fellow US ex-pats that are out there. Thought I'd kick things off with some photos I took of a protest in front of the Ministry of Defense in Westminster the afternoon of March 21, 2011. The demonstrators were protesting the NATO bombings of Libya. 
While I agree with the broad sentiment, I have a problem with the way the message was being delivered by the speakers on hand. 
There were two groups speaking at the same time. One was a more "Western" group and the other was a fundamentalist, Islamic group. The fundamentalist had an imam speaking, who kept repeating that David Cameron was out to kill all muslims. This of course ignores that the NATO bombing is in support of muslims fighting against another group of muslims. Not very effective. The more "Western"/secular group argued that the bombing was killing innocents and was a heavy handed response and that it was not the "West's" place to intervene. This is a slightly better argument, but it ignores the fact that the Libyan rebels happily accepted NATO intervention. In fact, they have complained about it not being enough! So the point was that Qadaffi is vile and should go but nobody should help get rid of him? Not a great point and one that does not easily translate in a noisy demonstration on a busy London street. 
There were also currents of anti-colonialism sentiments. This is more on the mark but the extremist rhetoric without a rational argument backing it up just causes the message to be easily ignored as "crazy talk".
(Case in Point)
This protestor is typical of the message the fundamentalist were trying to deliver. It is a wronge, emotional, knee jerk reaction to the events in Libya. NATO's intervention is about securing Libyan oil for the West and keeping it out of the hands of a maniac like Qaddafyi, a fundamentalist Islamic government or a government that actually has the best interest of the Libyan people at the front of its agenda.
It's easy math. The Allies support the rebels. The rebels defeat Qaddafyi. The rebels are indebted to The Allies. To pay back this debt and guarantee that their new government continues to have NATO's military backing, they cut The Allies sweet, sweet oil deals. It's a form of economic colonialism. Very simple. It has nothing to do with Islam and everything to do with economics.
So, it was an interesting event, but ultimately the protestors failed with their messages, which were convoluted and too full of anti-Western venom to make a positive impact on the good people of London, especially the good people working in the Ministry of Defense and the nearby Parliament.
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