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Thanks for this little reminder, Jon. I'm working, too - and dealing with multiple "house" issues - so didn't have the opportunity to watch the opening ceremonies. . . even on TV. So, at your prompt, I went back and watched them on YT.
They were a little ramshackle and silly:
*As much as I love John Barrowman (he's hot, and a great singer): despite the "tongue-in-cheek" intention of the opening number, I didn't think it was all that hilarious, or musically inspiring, TBH.
*I wasn't a fan of Alex Salmond getting some political miles off this - because I think he's a BASTARD ;-)
*And, I really find Rod Stewart's voice a bit like fingernails scraped across a blackboard - so no excitement, THERE ;-) BUT:
I DID love the way this whole opening was dedicated to UNICEF, and to poor children in the Commonwealth - and the special appeals made by Ewan McGregor, and Jamie McAvoy. (Sigh, that Jamie - he's pasty and pale and wan as can be, but there is something about his smile I love, that almost makes me FORGET my rule, about only dating BRUNETS ;-)
And there were other splendid moments, as well - particularly Sir Chris Hoy embracing his Great-Uncle, the war hero, Andy Coogan.
http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/lo...ndy-coogan-at-games-opening-ceremony-1.488758
And Her Majesty did a fine job, as well. People take her a little for granted, these days - forgetting that she's a lady of 88, now. But she opened the Games in rousing, and eloquent, fashion.
And I loved to see Glasgow reclaim a little love and respect, in the eyes of the world. I've friends from Glasgow, Jon, and it wasn't so long ago that even the residents of that city saw it as not only the toughest place in the world to grow up, but a place divested of very much HOPE. Perhaps things are turning around, a little, now.
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As regards the Commonwealth, Jon - I think it is inevitable that it should mean more to the English, Scots, Welsh, a tiny fraction of Irishmen, and others in the diaspora, across the world, than it does to people in the U.K., itself. That's understandable - because we ARE the diaspora - who left for economic reasons, or were alienated for political ones (I'm not taking THAT all up, again): but some few of us, in an older generation (not so much in Australia ;-)))). . . feel a nostalgia and love for the old countries, still.
You're right, of course. The Commonwealth, these days, is more of a social club, and cultural-exchange organization, than anything else: which has no particular political relevance to modern Britain. (Much like
la francophonie, is, to France.)
Still, the historical and cultural ties do mean something, to those of us (especially the older ones) who were brought up on the tales and legends (and the real hopes and aspirations) of the British Empire, upon which our grandparents were succoured. Parliamentary and responsible government; the rule of law and precedent; continuity of history and tradition; and certain ideas and ideals of generosity, tolerance, and fair play, under the aegis of our historic institutions, including, the Crown. (Almost 70,000 Canadians died for these ideals in W.W.I, and almost 50,000, in W.W. II, for these ideals. A huge sacrifice, for a tiny country.)
And some of these ideals, have been realized - however imperfectly. Though the memory of all these things is surely fading, now, older Canadians - particularly veterans - do remember the ideals of loyalty, fidelity, and common goals of freedom under the law, and in accordance with tradition.
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While the Commonwealth is now (again) mostly an organization for cultural interchange, without real political consequence (for the most part): I DO recall that the Commonwealth DID play a small (but important) role, in fighting
apartheid, in South Africa. Because the
apartheid regime was forced to exit the Commonwealth many years before it finally ended; and some Commonwealth countries, like Canada, helped to tighten the screws on that particular despotism, to help end it.
http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/1...heid-in-south-africa-and-free-nelson-mandela/
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Well, that's all POLITICS - which is nasty ;-) And the Commonwealth Games is all about FUN, and good sportsmanship. But, Jon, I think that good sportsmanship, and fairness, is at the heart of the Commonwealth ideal - and even for this reason, it's worth celebrating.
"A" XOXOXOXOXOXO
