Olympics

Last night I watched some of the opening ceremony at the Olympics in London. I enjoyed watching Queen Elizabeth II parachute into the opening games with James Bond, and I love Mr. Bean's performance on "Chariots of Fire" (of course I've had that song in my head all day today). While watching them go through the decades of British music I came up with a theory: Great Britain sent us the Beatles as an apology for that taxation without representation thing back in the 18th century, which of course had sparked a small war. Andy asked me why they sent the Rolling Stones, and I said it was for the War of 1812, and the impressment of Americans onto British ships. I have no explanation for the Who, for David Bowie, Elton John, the Kinks, Queen, and especially not Wham!
I just came to realize what an Anglophile I am. I love London's (and Great Britain's) rich history. I heard they were even emulating the smells of the Industrial Revolution, and I said I could do without the sulfur smell, thank you. That's a bit much. I love the fact that London injected a lot of humor into their opening ceremony. It's way too easy to get too serious about these things, and the British have created some of the funniest shows and characters known to man. Look at Monty ("It's Only a Flesh Wound!) Python. Look at Mr. Bean. The Beatles movies (i.e. Hard Day's Night, where the man on the train tells them that he "fought the war for your sort" and Ringo says "I bet you're sorry you won!). The myth of the British as prim and proper is debunked by their sense of humor, and that's my joy for the day.