From the Sublime to the Ridiculous

2011_4_29 From the Sublime to the Ridiculous

I woke up at 2:45 last night to pee. When I got back in the recliner, where I have slept ever since I got out of the hospital on January 12, I tuned into NPR to hear some music to help me get back to sleep; but instead I got the BBC broadcast of the Royal Wedding, and William and Kate were just walking down the aisle at Westminster Cathedral. Curious, I got the remote and tuned in on the TV, and indeed, there they were, gliding through the nave. She was in a simple white dress, which I later found out was modeled on what Grace Kelly wore when she married her Prince. William was in a Royal uniform of red and black with spangled details befitting a Prince of the realm. Invited guests jammed the cathedral and tens of thousands were arrayed out side waiting for a glimpse of the fairy tale couple. It was a grand moment for the English monarchy, almost the kind that justifies their continued existence.

Only the Brits could pull off such a ravishing spectacle with a cast of thousands. I heard it said that the event was going to set back the Queen $11 million dollars, and that sounds accurate for all the actors and black horses and pomp and circumstance it called for. There were 60 cameras placed all over the cathedral, including some high in the rafters, which made everyone down below look like ants. Not even the Super Bowl had that many cameras. Stylistically, the event had elements of the 19th and 20th centuries, with smaller touches that went back in time even further; but the couple, who have gone together 9 years and that includes living together, seemed of the 21st century, which is why the crowds outside could identify with them, especially Kate who was a commoner. Of course you’d never know she was a commoner. She had amazing poise, grace, and absolutely stunning beauty. She acted as if she had been born to play this role and she had a sublime radiance as a bride that will win over the hearts and minds of the people. There is no doubt in my mind she will be the replacement for Dianna. William had impeccable luck to land her for his Queen.

In comic contrast there is Donald Trump, who has arrived on the electoral circuit like a train wreck. Man, is he a blowhard, an uber-cowboy who is going to face down all our adversaries with bombast and curse words. I heard part of a speech he gave last night in Las Vegas in front of a very conservative group and he dropped the F-bomb when referring to price of oil and gas. I read a piece in today’s Huffington Post that argues he is the logical outcome of latter day Republicanism, the result of devolution rather than evolution. He is a puff fish who has crawled out of the cosmic slime.