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The British
Firstly, apologies for not replying to comments - I keep getting a 403 error code. :( ETA: No wait, it seems to be working... I'll get to you!
Secondly, then I am sure there are other news than what's happening with the British Monarchy, but it's rare that it makes it past the wall-to-wall Mourning overage. (Although hurrah for Ukraine! Let's hope they can turn the war for good and send Russia packing.)
That said, whenever I catch some of the coverage it's fascinating - it all looks like something out a historical drama. The uniforms/outfits are incredible; I especially liked the Pikemen in the Civil War liveries.
I'm guessing you've heard about The Stone of Destiny, which is being brought to London for Charles' coronation?
The Stone of Scone (Scottish Gaelic: An Lia Fàil; Scots: Stane o Scuin)— also known as the Stone of Destiny, and often referred to in England as The Coronation Stone—is an oblong block of red sandstone that has been used for centuries in the coronation of the monarchs of Scotland.
I kinda love it (it's been used for at least a millennium), even as it's also completely mad. Like, that's some Game of Thrones/LotR stuff. Although I suppose it goes to show how all such fiction has a lot of roots in reality.
I have thoughts on all this, but my head is so tired from work that it'll have to wait. For now, have this amazing thread (direct link here):
I am also adding this, which is from 'How to be an alien' by George Mikes (first published in 1946). It's a delightful book gently satirising the English:
Secondly, then I am sure there are other news than what's happening with the British Monarchy, but it's rare that it makes it past the wall-to-wall Mourning overage. (Although hurrah for Ukraine! Let's hope they can turn the war for good and send Russia packing.)
That said, whenever I catch some of the coverage it's fascinating - it all looks like something out a historical drama. The uniforms/outfits are incredible; I especially liked the Pikemen in the Civil War liveries.
I'm guessing you've heard about The Stone of Destiny, which is being brought to London for Charles' coronation?
The Stone of Scone (Scottish Gaelic: An Lia Fàil; Scots: Stane o Scuin)— also known as the Stone of Destiny, and often referred to in England as The Coronation Stone—is an oblong block of red sandstone that has been used for centuries in the coronation of the monarchs of Scotland.
I kinda love it (it's been used for at least a millennium), even as it's also completely mad. Like, that's some Game of Thrones/LotR stuff. Although I suppose it goes to show how all such fiction has a lot of roots in reality.
I have thoughts on all this, but my head is so tired from work that it'll have to wait. For now, have this amazing thread (direct link here):
Right, everyone. I need to be serious for a moment. Because the greatest thing that ever happened is happening right now.
— ❓🦎 (@curiousiguana) September 14, 2022
I don't particularly care either way about the Queen. But the queue? The Queue is a triumph of Britishness. It's incredible.
I am also adding this, which is from 'How to be an alien' by George Mikes (first published in 1946). It's a delightful book gently satirising the English:
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-62883713
But yeah, concerning.
In which I'm not yet currently in the UK, but eh
(Anonymous) 2022-09-15 12:28 am (UTC)(link)See, I try not to criticise this stuff too harshly, cause it feels impolite: I am essentially a guest in this country. Theoretically, I could always go "nope, this is ridiculous bullshit", and leave. And preserving history and tradition and all that is usually good.
But this entire thing has pushed my whole aforementioned leftist indifference into anger and borderline disgust:
Because many more reasons *not* to celebrate the queen have come to light (I happen to follow some people that are very left and quite angry). Because people are gonna die this winter and wasting millions and millions and yet more millions on the funeral and coronation and the whole show –right after the Jubilee too-- seems like a gross misreading of many people’s mood at best and a deliberate “fuck you, plebs” at worst (and those dumb bastards cancelled the strikes wtf). Because even if she was pure sunshine and rainbows, I'm a bit of a contrarian, DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO, don’t shove all this mourning in my face, my god, she was 96, death is a thing that happens, can we not cancel NHS appointments people have been waiting years for).
Because one might well say “can you chill, this is a vestigial, ceremonial monarchy, not feudalism, even if you go ‘eat all the rich’ others take priority”. But I think the problem is not the monarchy itself, but the fact that it increasingly seems like a symptom instead of the decease. Because the problem may be what you had shared the other day: "The English do not care for change, and any new idea is repugnant to them".
TLDR: I find this whole thing kind of silly. I love the memes (protect Christopher Eccleston at all costs, king, don’t @ me). I might even turn on the TV. But it is a *luxury* to be able to do that. To go “lol, how quaint. Oooh, look at the shiny, we’re witnessing history!”
Because if someone feels outrage, and contempt, and vicious hatred, and wants to grab any of the 14.5 million Brits who are currently living in poverty and may happen to not feel those, and shake them until they do, my god, how can I blame them?
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On the other hand:
“I found it truly inspiring when Charles said ‘It’s Kingin’ time,’ and then started kinging all over the place, truly one of the moments of all time.” :D :D
(Also, no worries about the email, take your time. It would be insane and hypocritical of me to begrudge anyone a late reply)
Re: In which I'm not yet currently in the UK, but eh
Re: In which I'm not yet currently in the UK, but eh
Re: In which I'm not yet currently in the UK, but eh
Re: In which I'm not yet currently in the UK, but eh
Re: In which I'm not yet currently in the UK, but eh
Re: In which I'm not yet currently in the UK, but eh
It's not-urgent issues that tend to be pushed back again and again...
Re: In which I'm not yet currently in the UK, but eh
It's not-urgent issues that tend to be pushed back again and again...
Yeah, that's my understanding.
Re: In which I'm not yet currently in the UK, but eh
Thank you - he's basically fine now. :) And I guess there are plenty of happy stories about American healthcare, so in one way I can understand being skeptical of personal stories... however it's the principle of the whole thing. I just don't understand privatised healthcare, and why anyone would choose that. It does not compute.
(apologies for the late reply)
Re: In which I'm not yet currently in the UK, but eh
Totally agreed. And no worries!
Re: In which I'm not yet currently in the UK, but eh
This, very much. Or (to misquote the 13th Doctor): The systems are the problem.
If we abolished the monarchy tomorrow, would all that money be used to pay people's heating bills and abolish food banks? The short answer is: no.
Which is of course a different issue to having the monarchy shoved down your throat and dissent being suppressed. There are a lot of moving parts, and the main problem is political. :(
Re: In which I'm not yet currently in the UK, but eh
(Anonymous) 2022-09-19 09:43 pm (UTC)(link)This, very much. Or (to misquote the 13th Doctor): The systems are the problem.
Your continuing outrage over Kerblam! regardless of the circumstances, the passage of time, or the discussion at hand, is a thing of beauty; please keep doing it. I know it *was* relevant in this case, but still, this can and should reach Carthago delenda est proportions. :D
Re: In which I'm not yet currently in the UK, but eh
Never give up, never give in.
Re: In which I'm not yet currently in the UK, but eh
Re: In which I'm not yet currently in the UK, but eh
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Ooooh yes. I can imagine!
And here's to 'A King/Queen in the North' just to borrow from GoT. :)
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But is it even the real stone? There are those who claim the one that made it back to England was a fake. (It's probably the real one but I like the idea that it might not be :) )
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I kept thinking that too!
But is it even the real stone? There are those who claim the one that made it back to England was a fake. (It's probably the real one but I like the idea that it might not be :) )
If everyone thinks it's real, does that make it real? Hmmm, philosophy. Mind you, I too like the idea of Scotland taking it back & hiding it.
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ETA: I keep getting the occasional 403 code too. It's annoying, isn't it?
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Same. I love all the old rituals, but have a very low threshold for all the mawkishness. (I don't know who, but someone dubbed the BBC 'the Mourn Hub'.)
I am concerned that all the police from my area of the London suburbs have disappeared to central London though. There’s a spike in petty crime here.
Damn, that sucks. :(
ETA: I keep getting the occasional 403 code too. It's annoying, isn't it?
It seems much improved today. Here's to hoping it's all fixed!
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And thank you for The Queue...because WOW. LOL!
*HUGS*
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ikr? I'm rather proud of it.