Category: United Kingdom

Is everyone in Sweden a sex-crazed homicidal maniac? My thoughts on Wallander

[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2462" align="alignright" width="150" caption="The British Remake"]wallander2[/caption] You might get that idea in the media.  This month I finished The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, which in Swedish was called Men who Hate Women Menn Som Hater Kvinner.  It was about some murders of women…well I won’t spoil the plot other than to say sex and murder had a pretty big role.  Last night I watched the first episode of Wallander on Masterpiece Mystery.  Wallander cop stories have been a staple of reading in Europe for the last decade, and a Swedish tv version has been around for nearly as long.  The BBC took a shot at making some films and the result was pretty good, though it also dealt with the same weird sex / violent murder that seems to be particularly Swedish this month.   Wallander was pretty good.  I suspect I’ll watch the next few episodes and maybe read a book or two (heck, without cable I don’t have much of a choice besides PBS).  I don’t think I’ll be visiting Ikea anytime soon.  Too much weird Swede stuff this month.]]>

Magdalen Bridge 2009 – Oxford

    p.s. here are the lyrics to The Hymnus Eucharisticus in case you were curious. The Hymnus Eucharisticus Composed in the 17th century by a Fellow of Magdalen Te Deum Patrem colimus, Te Laudibus prosequimus, qui corpus cibo reficis, coelesti mentem gratia. Te adoramus, O Jesu, Te, Fili unigenite, Te, qui non dedignatus es subire clautra Virginis. Actus in crucem, factus est irato Deo victima per te, Salvator unice vitae spes nobis rediit. Tibi, aeterne Spiritus cuius afflatu peperit infantem Deum Maria, aeternum benedicimus. Triune Deus, hominum salutis auctor optime, immensum hoc mysterium orante lingua canimus.]]>

Catholics back on the throne of England?

The Queen and the PM are in talks about just that sort of idea.

Turning in his grave.

Turning in his grave.

The London Times is reporting that discussions have begun on abolishing the Act of Settlement which bars Catholics from the Royal Family. There is also an effort to remove the primogeniture which find male heirs favored for the throne as well. Unfortunately, there are some legal scholars that believe it would take an act of parliament in every commonwealth country before it could take effect.

It doesn’t help me. There were no eligible or good looking heirs available when I was of marrying age. But if Prince William would hurry up and tie the knot, deliver a good looking daughter, than maybe one of my sons could marry into the royal line and their offspring become the first Catholic King or Queen in many centuries. Bet I’d get better season tickets to Arsenal if my kids were in the royal box.

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