Fog over Channel. Continent isolated.

[England]

3rd July 2011

Why do they never schedule enough work for today? I know it’s a Sunday, but that’s never stopped them before. It’s bloody inconsiderate.

Tea at the National Portrait Gallery this afternoon. Forewent the usual and opted for one of Yao’s White Needle blends, while certain tourists took pictures of every plate and everything on a plate. For pity’s sake, it’s a finger sandwich, not a statue.

However, as we had an excellent view over the square it was hardly worth moving. The Fourth Plinth remains Shonibare’s Ship in a Bottle, which isn’t quite the hilarity of Gormley’s commission, I’ll admit, but at least it’s not more ghastly modern art. Armless torsos and blue chickens? Who comes up with this stuff. Better yet, what makes them think I want to look at it over lunch.

Matthew’s embassy is still rather done up, I must say. The banners from Canada Day are all over Trafalgar Square. Must remember to speak to him about that.

…

Though on retrospect, perhaps it can wait a day. Yes, I think it can wait.

The EU is on about the bloody rebate again. If it’s not one thing it’s another, so I’m not entirely surprised. But I didn’t get rid of one empire just to teat half of Europe, you know. If France wants to save money, he can stop subsidising his farmers and let them compete with the rest! Free economic zone—utter rot. The only thing that’s ever been free over there is the clap, and I'm about as keen on that as I am on these so called 'reforms'.

Got stuck with hiccups across the bridge on the way home. Blame the thing swaying—I thought they'd fixed that. I'm sure they said they'd fixed that. The other side wasn't much more comforting. They’ve set up an exhibit on the road, poems from child refugees we’re currently housing. It’s rather creepy if I’m honest. They’ve got the children reading the things out on loop. Definitely time to stop watching Honda's films. A couple were rather disturbing all on their own.

I'm glad to hear the newlyweds are enjoying Quebec. I wasn't one hundred per cent certain that was a good idea, but I suppose a few insults are to be expected.


Still on the fence about tomorrow. Haven’t packed a thing.

Suppose it really is too late to post a card now.

Blast it.



((I was out and about in London, and I thought why not. He has opinions. They’re cranky and hopeful amusing, so here goes my attempt at giving Arthur a journal~

‘Fog over Channel. Continent isolated.’ was an infamous British newspaper headline from the 1940s, which just about perfectly sums up the British perspective!

Disclaimer: England’s biases and gripes aren’t mine, and are meant to be taken with a pinch of salt, even IC. No-one likes to bemoan more than the British do, but we rarely mean it.

Happy 4th to all you bloody upstarts xxx ))

[England]

26^th July 2011

Every city matters, of course, but a capital always cuts the deepest. It's unavoidable and damningly obvious. London's had its fair share of bombings--a good bit more than, I'd say. Jerry, IRA, this new crop of creeping bastards--but that's neither here nor there. When it comes from home, from the misguided zealousness of a child of one's own, it's always hard to swallow. I can only commend the stance Norway’s boss has taken in all this; after the referendums coming out of that bloc recently, I certainly wasn't expecting it. After all, it's one thing to have that kind of minimal security from a hereto lack of necessity; another to stick with it. I think he's barmy, of course, but continued diplomacy in the wake of a tragedy like that is admirable. You get on with it. I've always believed it, and I have never once let it stop me from taking the Tube. If my people have to risk it, it's the least I can do. Still, like I said, barmy. And now they're investigating possible links between their man and my lot.


The worst of it is, I won't be at all surprised if they find something. We didn't fight a war against nationalistic thugs just to nurture their ideals now they're speaking English. It's not just reprehensible, it's goddamn treason after everything we went through.

It never rains but it pours, I suppose.


In other news, surprised Germany found another pocket to go loaning Libya out of. I'd say he was trying to start riots of his own, but that might seem like I was objecting. Not bloody likely. It's bleeding the budget dry. 0.2% GDP growth. Pitiful.


Now if some people could only stop turning the world's economy into the world's most nerve-wrecking roller coaster, we might all get through the month. Though on retrospect, the other issue was probably somewhat harsh and mistimed. I—

No, sod it. He should learn not to piss people about. I can understand being embarrassed, but ignoring me is childish.


...


...


I detest apologising. I really do.

[England]

8th August 2011

I’m well aware of the concept of dissatisfaction. Well aware. I have been through famines, riots and wars. Times are hard and I do not doubt or belittle that. And it is no sodding excuse to start burning things. Cars, shops, homes. This is where I live. This is where you live, you senseless fucking morons. If you children have no respect for me, or yourselves, or everything you’ve been given then you do not deserve it. At times like this I mourn national conscription. I miss the days when you could cane a child and above all, I miss the days when it was not politically incorrect to believe and take pride in the idea that one should earn what they have. Pride we have clearly lost.

I count myself a tolerant Nation with my people. That would make some laugh, I’m sure, but nonetheless it is true. Tonight, as I have been for the last few nights, I count myself thoroughly ashamed.