We didn't go to a big display. We got a small cheap box of fireworks (£5) and a pack of sparklers, and set them off outside the house. Various neighbours' children joined us. It was WAY more fun than going to a big display.

:D

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Quote of the Day? I'm not sure if it goes to cassandravert or sovietkiki

Vert said:

But of course it was also a historic election. Not everyone in the US has felt represented in politics. There are some kinds of people that we give lip service to, but when push comes to shove, they are not welcome in certain circles. It has been, if not the kiss of death in American politics, at least something to overcome. But last night we elected a President who represents this group and makes no apologies for it, wears it openly like a badge of honor.

Last night, we elected an intellectual.

Kiki was talking about what the views of God might be, and said:

Considering he is Morgan Freeman, it would make more sense

I love that when people think about God, they picture Morgan Freeman in a white suit. He's come a long way from being Kevin Costner's sidekick...

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RIP Michael Crichton. I'll come out right now and say that I'm not a big fan of Michael Crichton's writing in general, but he did write and direct one of my all time favourite films. Condolences to his family, friends, and fans.

So, today is the fifth of November, and a bonfire has been lit under world politics. Whatever happens, we are living in a very different world today than we were yesterday, and there is a mood of happiness and hope abroad, but it seems so fragile. Lets not let it die, people.



And wasn't it incredible,
So beautiful and above all,
Just to see the fuse get lit this time,
To light a real bonfire for all time.

What a beautiful day indeed. Can we keep this going? Yes, we can.

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Dear Mr Obama,

Congratulations! There is a glorious mood of happiness in the world today, and I thank you (and the people who voted for you) for that. You have a huge amount of work ahead of you, and you carry the hopes and dreams of vast numbers of people in your hands. You offered us all hope; hope for change, hope for equality, hope for liberty. Hopes embodied in the message that has been going round the world all week: Rosa sat so Martin could walk; Martin walked so Obama could run; Obama is running so our children can fly! Please, please don't dash those hopes.

We're all counting on you, sir. It's going to be very hard for you. But if you pull it off, if you're not the crashing disappointment that some people fear you will be, then your country and the world will be a much better place. I think, I hope, that you can do it. Your place in history is already assured as the first black American to hold the presidency of the USA. I hope that you are remembered as a great president, and not as a man who betrayed his promise.

yours in hope,

Miss SB

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Dear People of the United States,

Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you for restoring my faith in you as leaders of the free world. You guys rock.

Please don't assassinate him. Please.

much love

Miss SB

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Dear People of California, Arizona and Florida,

What the FUCK? How can so many of you want to take George's marriage away from him? STOP IT! If people love each other, they should be able to marry if they want to. If Prop 8 and its equivalents in other states are passed, history will not look kindly upon what you have done today.

Your country has, today, voted for happy and progressive change. Quite a lot of you guys have too. Please let it be the majority.

yours in trepidation,

Miss SB

It hardly seems like two years since I made this post. To quote Billy Bragg: the times that we all hoped would last/like a train they have gone by so fast/and though we stood together at the edge of the platform/we were not moved by them. Time has moved on so quickly since I made that post, but it seems to me that very little has changed in our great nation. We still Labour under a government that seems determined to clamp down on our remaining freedoms in the name of protecting us from terrorism. There are still those of us who labour under the happy delusion that if you've done nothing wrong, you have nothing to fear.

At this point I would usually go into a rabble-rousing tirade about how something must be done, probably quoting John Stuart Mill, but I think that this year I shall leave the rabble-rousing to my lovely fiance. He's right, England has never tolerated tyrants for long. We're not good at revolutions here (tending to leave that to our cousins across the channel), but we are good at quiet, steadfast refusal to obey unjust rules. We're good at stoicism. We're good at soldiering on, keeping a stiff upper lip, and prevailing in the end. And then getting absolutely rat-arsed afterwards ;)

Lets hope it's not much longer, eh?

Tonight I shall be going to a Bonfire hosted by my friend and colleague, Imogen. I hope you will all join me in the spirit of the evening, which is definitely the one after the poetry in the H2G2 entry on the subject ;)

NB: any links which may have been in the original entry are no longer there. Sorry.

( Originally Posted 5th November 2005 )

NB: any links which may have been in the original entry are no longer there. Sorry.

( Originally posted 18th November 2005 )