BS: Happy St. George's Day

Subject: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: Rog Peek
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 02:32 AM

Happy St. George's Day all, and especially all you English men and women.

Would have been my maternal grandfather's 112th birthday, so Happy Birthday Grampy RIP.

Rog

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 02:55 AM

I am celebrating with a dental appointment at noon, but it might be all downhill after that!

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: GUEST,Musket sans cookie
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 03:21 AM

I notice the Conservative Club in a nearby town are hosting a St George's Day ball. I emailed their secretary congratulating them on their recognition of the diversity making England such a tolerant melting pot.

Hosting a ball to celebrate a gay Turk. Hope for them yet. ..

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 03:29 AM

Happy St Georges day and William Shakespeares birthday! And my Grandsons 4th birthday too :-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 04:33 AM

Xlnt Musket - what what was the reply?

I know we should do something or other but I find it difficult toraise any enthusiasm

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: Musket
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 04:36 AM

Didn't get one. But it was somewhat cathartic...

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 05:02 AM

St. George's balls are big and bouncy!

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: gnu
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 05:15 AM

Well, buddy, that was yesterday in Newfoundland... always earlier ona Rock eh?

Do ye fellahs get a long weekend out of it? or just a big scoff? And, most importantly, will there be Morris Dancing?

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: Musket
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 05:22 AM

We don't get anything out of it. You see his flag flying on a few churches, and that is normally how you know it is St George's Day. If you have one of those diaries that gives both The Queen's birthday and her official birthday, there's a good chance it will have St George's Day in it, (as well as St David's Day and St Andrew's Day, and when it is a bank holiday in NI.)

To be honest, these days, American styled events such as Halloween in the way broadly recognised are more popular. (Pedants - don't waffle on about All Hallows, I mean pumpkins.) Also, I note school dances have become school proms, Clapton help us.....

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 05:27 AM

Where does the gay Turk bit come in? Most sources say Georgios was born to a Greek noble Christian family in Lydda, Palestine. Never heard any mention of his sexuality before but I suppose seeing as the Greeks invented homosexuality he must be gay :-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 06:02 AM

You will have to forgive Musket. His hobby is lying to Christian people. Clapton help him.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: gnu
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 06:14 AM

I prefer the other Eric as an Idol.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 06:31 AM

Gnu tee hee.

Eric the fish. E's an 'alibut!

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 06:42 AM

Happy St George's Day to all, especially my son Ewan, as it's also his birthday.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: gnu
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 06:44 AM

Happies on yer lad, G.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: GUEST,kendall
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 07:03 AM

I'm still wondering when a neighbor is going to ask me what that white flag with the red stripe is for.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: Musket
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 07:10 AM

Born in Lydia according to my old Encyclopaedia Britannica. Not Lydda. That makes him Turkish by modern geography. His lifestyle comes, I suppose from as you say, his association with the Greeks. he is certainly held up as a hero in Gay pride marches, mainly to wind up the right wing "groups" trying to disrupt them.

Wikipedia says Palestine too, and my book may be wrong. Funny old world. You read things as a child and take them on board.

Best be careful what you teach children then, eh Jack?

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: gnu
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 07:11 AM

And that rose on yer lapel.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: Musket
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 07:24 AM

I don't lie to Christians. You have priests, vicars, bishops etc to do that without any help from me. I'd only get it wrong anyway....



(If anybody has, like salty Jack Tar and I, lost the plot; Sailor Jack is offended because I once said I support the many people who say they are Christian when the local school with good performance figures happens to be a faith school. He reckons doing well by your children is secondary to doing well by his imaginary friend. I accept that your children come way above any hobby you partake of on a Sunday.)

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: Jim Martin
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 07:26 AM

This should probably be in the music thread but anyway, couldn't find any English trad stuff to celebrate St. George's Day but this is good alternative! (There is an English choir in it):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG2jench7Kg

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 09:52 AM

There is not much truth in calling him a Turk since it wouldn't even be Byzantium until many years after George's death.

He was born as a Roman citizen in a culturally Greek city in a place that would possibly be part of Turkey in several hundred years?

Don't worry Blather, no harm in you're lies. Not when you are just passing the time before you feed the worms.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 10:27 AM

I can understand the confusion about Lydda and Lydia - In my own mind Lydda seems to make more sense but, then again, I am often worng! (Yes, that is as I typed it - Decided not to correct...)

Anyway - Still can't understand the gay bit. Is it another case of a minority group hijacking a cultural icon for their own benefit? Poor ol'd Greorgie - Flag hijacked by the right wing. Identity claimed by numerous countries. Sexuality claimed by gays. Whatever next? Dragons becoming homophobes? Surely not. After all there is Puff... :-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 10:38 AM

Thanks for the link, Jim. I enjoyed the performance. Do you know where the musicians are from?

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: Musket
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 10:47 AM

I suppose even here, wearily, I have to rise to the bait. Only I can't be arsed and others are trying to have a discussion about St George without me being chased around the threads by a rabid idiot full of zeal and his bible in his hand....

You can move to the next post if you wish. This next bit is just for Yo Ho Ho and a bottle of rum.

"Don't worry Blather, no harm in you're lies." Is that the American for "your" or just your lack of education?

My reference to Turkey, which is acceptable by the way; you can give modern geographical references when referring to ancient figures, was nothing to do with Turkey nor indeed Lydia. It was to point out that the patron saint of England was as much to do with England as saint is to do with reality. The gay reference was in contrast to the folk hero worship he gets from the repugnant far right who see him as a folk hero whilst having an aversion to gay people.

(Dave - He may well have been hijacked by gay rights activists. Presumably because he is put on a pedestal by those who don't see gay equality as a right.)

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 12:12 PM

Quite a few 'mummers plays' seem to have a character who says, "In comes I, Saint George..." etc.
I enjoyed the Youtube clip Jim. The lady in a blue cap looks a bit like that girl from Abba! I noticed the band was described as a 'Wedding or Funeral band'. Handy to be able to cover both contingencies.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 12:27 PM

I am worried. I have been agreeing with MtheGM and here I am agreeing with Mither. Tell me Dr Quack, what is wrong?

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 12:31 PM

"My reference to Turkey, which is acceptable by the way;"

I like they way you talk as if only you get to set the standards.

It is really very straight forward If there was no Turkey he wasn't a Turk. Its like saying that Julius Caesar was Italian or the Aztecs were Mexican or Catherine the Great was a Soviet.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 12:33 PM

St George gay 1

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 12:45 PM

Doesn't exactly prove that he was gay. Does it Richard. Certainly by Musket's logic, it doesn't. By that story George was a virgin until he went to Heaven then welcomed as a "bride." In Muskets universe the Heaven part could not have taken place. Which leaves us with him being good looking and clean shaven, Like DeCarprio? Like Beiber?

Not exactly a smoking gun.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: Musket
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 12:57 PM

I've already described Heaven in an adjacent thread you prat. Ok, I called it the vinegar stroke but no matter.

I don't set the standards any more than when you go crying to the moderators. Using modern geographical references to set the scene where boundaries don't exist any more is in the thesis style guide of most universities. In any case, I did question whether I was correct in saying Lydia, making your "make him look an idiot" stance rather futile.

(If you are going to try and look big, at least quote the full sentence before passing judgement. I know you pick and choose the parts of Christianity you agree with before calling yourself a Christian, but history is in the real world.)

Nothing wrong Bridge. About twice a month on average you agree with me. Any more and I would buy an armchair and join you......

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 01:23 PM

"and William Shakespeare's birthday!"
.,,.
... and his death day only 52 years later! And Cervantes' death day. I always find the coincidence amazing that two of the greatest of writers should have died on the same day.

Happy day just the same!

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 01:27 PM

Why the hell can't you trouble makers just enjoy the intelligent exchanges here without constantly pissing each other off and acting like teenagers? It's getting so almost every BS thread is being hijacked by vandals.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 01:45 PM

in contrast to the folk hero worship he gets from the repugnant far right

Can you just reassure me that you don't mean that if you see St George as a folk hero you must be from the "repugnant far right". I am sure you didn't but for the sake of clarity I would appreciate it. I am getting pretty cheesed off with this association. I would love to celebrate St Georges day, being a typical Englishman - IE 1/4 Polish, 1/4 Russian, 1/8 Welsh and the rest made of god knows what, but if I do so I seem to risk being labeled a Gay Nazi Xenophobe who hates everyone else :-) How come everyone else can celebrate their Saints day but not the English?

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: GUEST,Musket sans cookie
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 02:27 PM

I do enjoy celebrating concepts designed to make you feel good. Hence being pissed off with nationalism being hijacked by those with an agenda.

A bit like if you wear an orange shash and claim you have the right to march on The Queen's pavement, and goading people is not your aim.

Funny how flag waving in England fell into disuse after Empire Day was quietly put out to grass and didn't really come back at flag in window level till migrants started filling cities and old industrial towns.

Then it made a comeback.

St George in the tradition is a folk hero. Just as I still sing John Barleycorn despite some prat once telling me it is sung at rallies of far right groups. Luckily I drink beer not shandy so I don't have that in common with the buggers.

In answer, no.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 02:42 PM

Is that no, you don't believe it or no, you cannot reassure me?

Confused (Easily done)

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: GUEST,Musket sans cookie
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 02:55 PM

You're knocking on an open door. I don't believe it to be wrong to celebrate something just because it has been hijacked.

We all celebrate Xmas not just the less than 1% who are church goers here in The UK. There is room for all, hence I like you dislike ownership of a concept. Hence my correspondence with a local con club.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 05:09 PM

Fairy Nuff - That is all I was asking. No hidden agendas. Just wanted to know what your stance was on the hijack of St George! I dunno why you just couldn't say you dislike it but what the heck, we all have our odd little ways :-)

Happy St Georges day again (while it still is in England)

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 05:20 PM

The good neighbour on whose land I park my car, having no parking space of my own, has a flagpole by his front gate. Has had Union Jack at half-mast since Mrs Thatcher's funeral, but today was flying St George's Cross.

Hurrah for Cyril Fenn, widower of Haddenham, Cambridgeshire.

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: The Sandman
Date: 24 Apr 13 - 02:59 AM

i celebrated englishness by doing something quintessentially english standing in a queue, it was an imaginary queue, and i stood there for a minute, of course because i was in ireland nobody joined me, but I still celebrated englishness, in a quintessentially english manner, hurrah for dick miles eccentric of ballydehob

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: gnu
Date: 24 Apr 13 - 05:18 AM

Soldier... hehehehee! Thanks for a breath of fresh air. Been rather "stank" in here lately.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 24 Apr 13 - 05:23 AM

From: MtheGM - PM
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 01:23 PM

"and William Shakespeare's birthday!"
.,,.
... and his death day only 52 years later! And Cervantes' death day. I always find the coincidence amazing that two of the greatest of writers should have died on the same day.

Happy day just the same!

~M~

Unfortunately they didn't die on the same day. They died 11 days apart. It is just a coincidence that they have the same date of death.
England was still on the Julian calendar, Spain was on the Gregorian.

Cheers

Nigel

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Apr 13 - 07:08 AM

especially all you English men and women.
And Portuguese, Georgians and Muscovites.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: kendall
Date: 24 Apr 13 - 07:20 AM

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on the same day.They were not friends.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy St. George's Day
From: Jim Martin
Date: 24 Apr 13 - 08:03 AM

Leeneia - I first became aware of Goran Bregovic and his films & music at a gypsy festival at the Barbican some 12 or so years ago. I think his band are composed of gypsies from the former Yugoslavia but there was also an orchestra as well as an English choir accompanying him in that clip. Here's a short biography of Goran - an amazing man:

http://www.youtube.com/artist/goran-bregovic/about