My Morning Was Better Than Ailz's

[poliphilo]

Ailz came back from church saying how dreary it had been. She'd been listening to the service and it had hit her as never before how masculinist the whole thing is- with even the Holy Spirit being a "him".  "Goddy" was the word she used.  She'd found herself chanting "Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali" under her breath to restore some sort of balance. Also the organist had been on holiday. I attempted an off-colour joke. "Three Hims and no organ": it needs work, but there's the core of something there.

Meanwhile, out on the street I was having fun. I usually avoid crowds because they can get you to do things you might later regret but once in a while it's nice to be part of a benign one. We cheered everything- including a stray jogger who was proceeding down the road in the wrong direction.  When the police motorcycles came through ahead of the torch the cheering was distinctly ironic. We used to quite like the filth in this country (Dixon of Dock Green and all that) but we don't anymore. I'd positioned myself- by happenstance not forward planning- at a change-over point and the guy with the empty torch was hanging about having his photo taken with members of the crowd.  On the pavement across the way a primary school was out in force with banners. It was heartening to see little kids of all cultures grouped behind a slogan saying they were backing Team GB. There are hard times just around the corner and this spirit of national solidarity is what we're going to need to see us through. 

Comments

[ron-broxted.livejournal.com]

BBC3 9pm tonight "Do we trust the police?" a shine job I was told but I will watch it EVEN THOUGH it clashes with reheated C4 Kosher Manchester doc.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

OK. Sounds interesting.

[daisytells.livejournal.com]

"Three Hims and no organ"? Tee hee! I plan to tell this story to my fellow residents here at Beacon House. Wish I could have been there to see the torch carrier. Do you plan to see any of the Games?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I won't be going to London (that would be a nightmare, I think) but the BBC will be showing the Games and nothing but the Games for the whole fortnight. I imagine I'll catch some of it. I'm intrigued by advance reports of Danny Boyle's opening ceremony.