I knew that book would arrive on the day I didn't bring a bag

[alexsarll]

Every now and then, when I'm reading the news, I come across something which sets off my internal loop of 'Land of Hope and Glory'.
Apparently Britons "go to more concerts, films, plays, galleries and libraries than almost anyone in Europe. They even manage to visit more ruins and monuments than the Italians."
What really seals the beauty of this, though - "the one area where they lag behind the other major nations of Europe is sport. More French, Italians and Spanish than British go to a course or stadium."
Truly we are the chosen people.

[Poll #441380]

Most of my anti-monotheist ire seems to end up directed at Catholicism or Islam, but just so we're clear on the ecumenicality of my hatred, here's a brilliant article about the Greek Orthodox church featuring "a 91-year-old bishop naked in bed with a nubile young woman", nightclub drug dealing by Metropolitan Theoklitos of Thessaly, and a cleric who had a gay affair with a bishop before "leaving the church to embark on a career as a fashion designer in Paris".

edit: Dan, which bit of 'none of the above' is unclear?

Comments

[tiny-tear.livejournal.com]

You need to see if he will turn up
;-)

And if Formula 1 was cheaper I would have gone to a sporting event...

Does me going karting count as a sporting event? If yes I shall need to change my answer

[atommickbrane.livejournal.com]

I really have to get over the library thing. Perhaps I could mock up some fake ID to get new membership. Oh god. I feel ashamed whenever people ask me the last time I went to a library.

I rarely see theatre, I admit. It's a closed world. Should I see more?

(Greek Orth church = awesome BTW I have some grebt stories abt them but I think yours is pretty darned good)

[tiny-tear.livejournal.com]

And I just remembered I did go to a Library... just accompanying Anwen though... I don't really do libraries

[beingjdc.livejournal.com]

No concert unless gigs count. Sporting event I don't think so, not really. Well, unless you count watching ksta's flatmate play rugby from a safe distance. Anyway, Babyshambles have some ace tunes, the trainwreck's the problem.

[ex-dumbgenius.livejournal.com]

I have, in fact, been to a monument or ruin in Italy. Do I win?

Also I am now going to a library. I don't remember going to a theatre, although I am going to that Savoy Theatre sometime soon. Nor do I remember going to a concert, which means I prob haven't.

[rentaghost31.livejournal.com]

i wouold have assumed that gigs come under the definition of concert. otherwise I shall have to change my answer

[ex-dumbgenius.livejournal.com]

"a 91-year-old bishop naked in bed with a nubile young woman"

Why do we hate this? Jealousy?

[barrysarll.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure whether they count participating in sport, actually. Or participating in any of the other activities, come to that. But then I suppose there can't be many actors who don't also attend other plays...

[barrysarll.livejournal.com]

I had probably had more than a year away from the theatre before Aladdin, tbh.

Surely with all the librarians we know you can get the price taken off your head?

[suicideally.livejournal.com]

Though I should point out the "sporting event" was the Goths vs Whitby Gazette match.

[juliet]

Might be lying about the monument - oh no, visited the Abbey at Whitby.

Go see Babyshambles! Because I can't be arsed staying (probably) & would like to know what I missed.

[barrysarll.livejournal.com]

I'm taking 'concerts' at its widest meaning, just as I'm taking theatre to include panto. I don't recognise high art/low art divides.

[barrysarll.livejournal.com]

See below - but in any case, surely the carol service would count?

[barrysarll.livejournal.com]

It's just not a nice image, is it?

And he was meant to be celibate, apparently.

[ex-dumbgenius.livejournal.com]

ahh man, I have been to the theatre and all.

[violentbec.livejournal.com]

ruins were in turkey, does that count?

[barrysarll.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I would be guilty on similar grounds if only last year hadn't been such a wash-out for bonving.

[tiny-tear.livejournal.com]

Ok, then I shall change it to say I have gone to a sporting event, after all I didn't pass to the final round and watched the final race...

[barrysarll.livejournal.com]

It's about nationalities rather than nations, so yes.

[london-imp.livejournal.com]

I don't think watching Lincoln City counts as an event itself, more like pure theatre!

[missfrost.livejournal.com]

I can't really answer question 2 as I wondered the same.
Does bowling count as "a sporting event?" If so I can tick all (except the none of the above, obv.)

[publicansdecoy.livejournal.com]

Does wandering drunken and confused past The Monument count?

-x-

[barrysarll.livejournal.com]

Also, if one's a Londoner then it's pretty hard to go that long without visiting a monument - at the very least you're going to end up casting the odd glance at Westminster or Nelson's Column once a year.

Your Babyshambles logic is, I fear, less than compelling. I'm not the miner's canary/dancing monkey for my friendslist!
Oh, wait - I am, aren't I?

[atommickbrane.livejournal.com]

I have been reassured by two actual librarians that I "probably" wouldn't be murdered as soon as I show them who I am.

I am not sure if I like the odds I associate with the word "probably"!

[barrysarll.livejournal.com]

As long as you actually gazed in awe for a moment or two before stumbling on your way.