The Sunday GRUMBLE: 18.10.15

Please note the change of title:  Yes, I'm afraid that 'Sunday Rumble', my previous title for this fairly regular spot, simply does not do justice to my hissy-fit rage this morning.  Obviously a conspiracy has been hatched with the aim of reducing me to a foam-flecked, ranting maniac - and don't think I didn't hear that!  First of all, last night there was . . .

 

Strictly Come Shrieking:  Can anyone explain to  me why it is necessary for the ladies, both audience and participants, in Strictly Come Dancing, to SHRIEEEEK constantly, never-endingly, without pause, indeed, without reason? In fact, the only time they cease to shriek, or at least reduce the volume somewhat, is when a couple are 'dancing'.  I suppose I shouldn't complain because whilst I used to enjoy the programme in its early days when they attempted to execute proper dancing, now I hate it and as soon as the shrieking starts, roughly 0.07 seconds after the start, I make my excuses and leave it to the 'Memsahib' who, I can only assume is going deaf.  Well, she never pays any attention to my occasional requests either!

 

But the D&N archivist cheered me up:  Yes, dear old 'JK' has been rooting around in the D&N cellar searching for something or other and in the course of it there was a reference to my absolutely favourite 'cheer up' YouTube.  I've linked to it before but it's worth another visit because it's witty and fun - and Russian!  Yeeeees, quite!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/KgoapkOo4vg?rel=0

Mind you, I hope that by now the husband has stopped his wife from SHRIEEEKING!

 

But then the Bishops ruined everything:  What is it about C of E bishops that makes them into such smug, useless and unbelievably hypocritical tosspots?  Joining the choir chanting the old responses to - 'Something must be done' - they have insisted that the government must take in tens of thousands more immigrants.  And where, exactly and precisely, m'Lord Bishop, do you suggest we put them?  Are you by any chance offering any of those hundreds of empty, unused churches or church properties you own.  Nah, didn't think so!  So now I'm back into foaming-mode again!

 

Well, this battle really was 'Shakespearean':  The other day, in a fanciful mood, I broke the battle of Waterloo down into five 'Shakespearean' acts.  Today, I am obliged to Mr. Josh Gelernter of the NRO for reminding me that next weekend marks the 600th anniversary of a battle that was to become the most famous 'Shakespearean' battle of them all - Henry V.   

Now entertain conjecture of a time 

When creeping murmur and the poring dark

Fills the wide vessel of the universe.

I urge you all to have a read of Mr. Gelernter's essay, it is an excellent summary of a most extraordinary battle:                      

The English army had walked 200 miles and was totally exhausted. Henry’s thousand knights had virtually no food left; his 5,000 archers were living off foraged berries. They were two days from Calais, but a French army of (a best-guessed) 25,000 men had camped ahead of them on the road. 

 

And yet ... and yet ... the English won - BIG TIME! - and Henry V became king of France - poor chap!  I have told you all before that on Wednesday the RSC production of Henry V is to be simulcast to cinemas around the world - not to be missed!  Incidentally, Mr. Gelernter finishes his piece with a totally obscure reference of the sort usually only found in some erudite edition of the Arden Shakespeare:

 

Author’s Note: This piece was written just moments after the Mets clinched an NLDS victory — a victory greater, more astounding, and more remarkable than any since Agincourt.

 

Perhaps my American readers will understand the reference!

 

 

'President HillBilly': tell me it won't happen:  The advantage of a long lifetime of crime and misdemeanours is that people forget all about the first 95% on the charge sheet and then simply shrug at the later entries.  Thus it is with 'HillBilly', a woman once described by her Democrat boss, thus: "I decided that I could not recommend her for any future position of public or private trust.”  He was the general counsel and chief of staff for the House Judiciary Committee, Jerry Zeifman, a Democrat, and the man charged with looking into the Watergate affair in 1974.  The reason for his comment was simple: "Zeifman had learned that in this historic undertaking “she had lied” to him and to others repeatedly."  Whodathunkit?  Read all about it at The American Spectator.

 

 

And now I'm cheerful again  - thanks 'Vlad':  Yes indeed, good old 'A E-P' at The Telegraph has a cheerful article telling us all that Mother Russia is about to take to her bed again.  The Russian economy is now so bad that old style Soviet autarky is the only answer.  In other words, Russia will withdraw into poverty - again - and keep its people 'happy'(?) with loads of Soviet-style agitprop telling them exactly how happy they are - or else!  Of course, for a while they will be happy at the sight of Russian missiles blowing Arabs to bits but after a while they will wonder how much those missiles cost and how many loaves of bread that would have produced?  Stand by for increasing numbers of photos of 'Vlad the Impaler' flexing his pecs.  Poor Mother Russia.

 

 

 

No more grumbles, or snapping snarling rants, tonight

 

 

Comments

[whitewall]

I have been told that "shrieking" is what some women do naturally because--they claim--their husbands can't seem to hear them. Personally, I have perfect husband hearing and am never exposed to such noise. Why just this morning Mrs. WW was going on about something...not sure what, but it struck a major nerve with me. That would be the nerve that triggers my "time to go fishing" response. So bass fishing is on and I am soon out the door if I can find some warm clothes for a day on the water.

I hope my door key works when I come home tonight.

[Lawrence Duff]

To cheer you up, a scene from this millennium's Shakespeare: -

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XAOzMs9HbWg

SoD

[backofanenvelope]

I notice that one of the signatories of the letter suggesting we take in lots of Arabs and things, is the Bishop of Truro. He has a big house in Truro that used to be for spiritual retreats, set in large gardens. It is now used for conferences and so on. You could probably get a few hundred Arabs in there. Just down the road is the local TA place. I expect they have some tents and lots of razor wire, enabling the Bishop to take even more migrants. The food banks in Truro, which the Bishop likes, could be re-directed to feed the migrants. Combine all this with a special tax on the clergy - what's not to like?

[Bob]

The reference to the New York Mets' victory had to do with a playoff game in our baseball World Series. They beat my hometown Chicago Cubs who were the favorites. The Cubs have not won the world title in 107 years, so it was really no surprise.

Thanks for the link to the Russian video. I have no idea what context to put it in, but it made me smile.

[David Duff]

Do let us know, 'Whiters', what you catch and whether or not it was big enough and tasty enough to keep Mrs. WW happy.

Not quite, Lawrence, but I will try the DVD set one of these days.

Well, frankly, BOE, given that you have zillions of acres of open spaces down there in Cornwall then the least you could do is take a half a million Syrians!

Bob, that is the context, it makes you smile, who needs anything more?!

[Andra]

I'm sure you thanked me for sending you that delightful Russian flash dance clip and I'm happy that you're still enjoying it.

[David Duff]

I'm sure I must have done, Andra, because it really is one of my favourites especially if I'm in a grumpy mood.

[JK]

"I'm sure you thanked me for sending you that delightful Russian flash dance clip and I'm happy that you're still enjoying it."

You're questioning Andra, whether David offers sufficient "Thankee Kindlys" enough due?

Andra Our Dear, we are ALL round here at D&N ever admiring your regards ...

http://duffandnonsense.typepad.com/duff_nonsense/2014/01/a-tit-or-two-a-day-keeps-the-doctor-away.html

[jimmy glesga]

David, I think the mitre constricts the brain in the heads of those C of E Bishops. So they want to import people into our country who for centuries have preached hatred against the infidel. England has gone crazy. Cameron should stand his ground.

[whitewall]

David, thanks for asking. I caught 5 decent size bass fish but always throw them back. I like to fish for the fun of it and just observe nature. I got home about dark and my key fit the lock! As a bonus, Mrs. WW had something bubbling away in the cauldron too. A good day.

[Andra]

Well, that's alright then.

[whitewall]

Author’s Note: This piece was written just moments after the Mets clinched an NLDS victory — a victory greater, more astounding, and more remarkable than any since Agincourt.

Perhaps my American readers will understand the reference!

Maybe greater, but the quality of English used was no match for Agincourt.