Slumdog, Poached Eggs, Gordon Brown, Lent

[poliphilo]

Yes, I'm pleased about Slumdog Millionnaire. It may be everything Judy says it is- softcore liberal pap designed to tickle the tastebuds of the Hollywood voters (I haven't seen it yet) but I don't believe any Hollywood studio would have had the nerve to make it- not without sticking a Caucasian male in there somewhere.  Danny Boyle- if not quite an auteur- has a record of making films that are both feisty and commercial- and create the taste they exploit. Besides, he's not only a Brit, he's a Lancastrian; he comes from Bury- a small town about ten miles from here.

We bought an egg poacher yesterday. I haven't owned one since I don't know when. I love poached eggs. I had them for tea yesterday and I think I'll have them for tea again today.

If I write very little about politics these days, it's because I find our current government so disgusting I'd end up spluttering. They took us into an illegal war, they colluded in torture and detention without trial, they helped create the current recession by feather-bedding bankers, they legislated away our historic liberties. Our current, unelected prime minister is a galumphing, self-righteous coward- and  heads a cabinet of  greedy, unimaginative, dull-witted, corporate drones. The gap between elected and electors has never been wider- and- if Britain were a country with any serious history of revolution, I'd be predicting blood on the streets. See! Just as I said I would- I'm spluttering.

Ailz has been debating what to give up for Lent. I think she's settled on yeast. So, no crumpets, croissants or hot-cross buns. No toast. No cake. I refuse to take religion that seriously. According to the research I conducted- swiftly and superficially- this morning, the origin of Lent lies in the 40 days mourning of Inanna for Tammuz (much deplored by the prophet Ezekiel) - a discovery that goes some way towards reconciling me to it. But, no, just because I've started going back to church doesn't mean I've laid aside or pacified my Daddy-issues.  And if a gang of long-dead hierarchs thinks it can tell me what I can or can't have for breakfast it's got another think coming.  

Comments

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

Yeast's what you give up for Passover, surely, rather than Lent (unless Ailz is deliberately cross-referencing there)? But hot cross buns - rich, eggy, spicy buns - aren't Lenten fare, they're an Easter morning treat, and if this means Ailz is reinstating them to the proper season, I'm all for it!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I think Ailz is probably cross-referncing religious discipline with healthy eating.

Hot cross buns appeared in the shop shortly after Christmas- one packet for the price of two (sorry, I mean the othger way round) and we've been taking full advantage.

[mummm.livejournal.com]

Slumdog Millionaire is very good. We have seen it. So was Trainspotting (another Danny Boyle movie), in it's own way. We, unfortunately, had not seen the other films up for the Oscar.

My mother, who was quite religious, thought that giving up things for Lent was a bit silly I guess. She would joke that she was giving up watermelon.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I admire Trainspotting. And 28 Days Later. His films have lots of "zip".

[ideealisme.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you don't write about politics. I go to my blog to get away from all that rubbish :)

[ideealisme.livejournal.com]

YOUR blog, sorry!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I used to write about politics quite a lot- but it's a trivial pursuit.

[(Anonymous)]

I had wondered why you've not written about politics recently, even at times when it was the major talking point of mainstream media. I have to agree with you wholeheartedly about our government.
If you're interested in some stimulating reading I'd recommend the following to everyone:
http://www.thelibertyvoice.com/
or http://onlinejournal.com/
and perhaps even http://powerofnarrative.blogspot.com/

Tom F

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Well, that's the reason. I still read about politics- so thank you for the links.

The quality of our politicians has declined in recent years. I used to detest Mrs Thatcher- but I never felt the contempt for her that I feel for this New Labour mob. She had principles and a backbone and that she stood up for her country. She and Reagan appeared on the world stage together as equals- unlike Blair and Bush.

[(Anonymous)]

I imagine that corporations had a little less of a strangle hold over government back then, given that you had to pre-book an international phone call, and the www was more of a research project.

I know an interesting video you might like to watch on a related note: http://www.storyofstuff.com/

It's an animated short about consumerism, capitalism, government, how products get from the mine to your home, and all the externalised costs along the way (read: how people get screwed over). It's a little simplistic but I liked it.

Tom F

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Back then politics was still a profession that some of the best and most accomplished people aspired to. That doesn't seem to be the case any longer. Are there any political giants around today? Ken Clarke perhaps and- erm- I can't think of anyone else.

Maybe Vince Cable.

Thanks for the link to the video.

[solar-diablo.livejournal.com]

I gave up church for Lent back in '84, and never looked back.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Heh heh heh.

I gave up church in '86. And now I'm backsliding. I'm not quite sure why.

[daisytells.livejournal.com]

I do not so much "give up" stuff for lent, as I observe a seasonal slowdown of available (in-season) foods. Harks back to our time in the country when we grew our own. As so often happens with your posts, this one inspired a longer one of my own which I put up on my own LJ.