Following my recent spat with Blue Witch (which is finished with I think a mutual agreement to accept we have different views on this) someone very kindly sent me a link to this video (thanks Dee). It is apparently of someone's house in a place called Mason in Ohio in the U.S (where else). Now this really is a Christmas Lights Show! Not one for Blue Witch to appreciate I fear, but if you’re a gadget oriented techie minded sort then you’ll appreciate the amount of work required to set something like this up. Apparently, it’s all done by computers, and although the music (which is a bit naff – a sort of cocktail in the style of an ELP/Rick Wakeman/Bobby Crush mix) is broadcast outside the house, it’s not at high volume, whereas inside it is. He also coincidentally broadcasts the music on a local FM frequency so that passers by in cars can tune in whilst they watch. He broadcasts and displays between 18:00 and 22:00 every night.
As much as I admire this I’m not sure how happy I would be if it was in my street (yeah, so no hypocrisy there then Jack).
On a different subject, I have become a member of something called The Witanagemot Club as mentioned previously. Follow the link to see what it’s about. Basically it is a group of Bloggers who believe that England as a country and nation is disadvantaged by the current constitution, especially in light of devolved power to other members of the UK. Scotland has it’s own parliament, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own Assemblies (are they like school assemblies, with a register and hymns I wonder?). Of course those who know me might think this view conflicts with my Champagne Socialist views and aligns even more to the Dark Forces of Tory-fication swirling around me like a spell woven by the charming (but sinister) new Chief Tory Wizard (Mad Vain Credo – anag), and also seems to contradict my very very pro-Europena views. But you’d be wrong. I could argue that my pro-Eurpoe views are as a result of nto feeling I belong to a state called England. A sate where being English is immediately associated with an Imperialist past and a xenophobic, culturally scared society. It isn’t racist to declare your Scots heritage, nor your French, Spanish or whatever. However, being English seems to be associated to neo-nazi, Little Englander, racist thuggery.
Which is of course very, very wrong.
No, I want to be pro-European, but to claim my nationality is English with pride and not be fearful of PC backlash, or be asked to atone for sins of my forefathers. I want a constitution that recognises the State of England as a sovereign entity within both the UK and Europe. I want English MP’s to pass laws specific to England. I want an English Parliament which does not vote on Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish issues, and has that ideology reciprocated by those states. I want England to welcome other races and creeds whilst firmly retaining it’s own identity. Go to virtually anywhere in Scotland and you know where you are. You cannot doubt what country you’re in. A lot of England has sadly become a homogenous landscape of copycat towns with over zealous PC mad local councils. Hence, when Blue Witch nudged me to the Witanagemot Club site I was astounded to find that I liked what I saw and heard. I will of course try and partake in some of their healthy debates and let you know of anything strikingly interesting or controversial.
It’s the Locals Night down at The Local tonight ( a local pub for local people!). This means I will of course be very drunk and therefore probably not compus mentus tomorrow. For me this is where Christmas really starts…yep, the first real blow-out and consequent full day length regret session fighting the nausea, temperature fluctuations and general grogginess of excessive Guinness and Red Wine. I’ll try to avoid any silly drunken posts tonight.
Later, GrocerJack
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