Posted 7:48 AM by Lodger
THE BOMBINGS

I've been avoiding blogging for over a week now. Events in London on July 7th were difficult to accept; articulating my thoughts about the matter has also been difficult. When I do speak about it, I speak in circles, asking questions for which there are no answers.

But I've come to some conclusions.

1) I'm angry at Tony Blair. That he deceived the British public about his reasons for invading Iraq I can cynically understand. This was a decision made by an image-obsessed Prime Minister and his staff, politicians who value opinion polls over truth and accountability. He argues he had no choice invading Iraq. It was in the best interest of the British public, a necessary decision made by a courageous statesman in the face of an ever-increasing imminent danger. Fine. I disagree with Mr. Blair on the matter, but I can accept that he believed he was doing right.

What I cannot accept is his stubborn assertion that British involvement in the war in Iraq has not made Britain less safe. Of course it has, and to say otherwise is an insult to my intelligence, and to the intelligence of the British public. As many recent articles in the British press have reported, events in Iraq have ignited fires of radicalism and hatred within many young Muslims, worldwide and in Britain. To deal with this increasing threat, we need truth from Mr. Blair right now, not spin.


2) I have been affected by this. Last Sunday, Emma and I took the tube for the first time since the attacks. We took the train to King's Cross, which was eerily quiet. The tube was closed from there so we took a bus to Camden where we spent the day shopping. En route I was very aware of a sense of discomfort on the train and on the bus. I found myself scanning the car, looking with suspicion at larger bags and packs. People were a bit quiet, and the train was less busy than usual for a hot July Sunday. King's Cross was particularly strange; the platform was quite busy, but almost silent. A large group of commuters walked up the stairs together without speaking, evidence that despite the brave defiance of London's citizens, people are scared. I am scared. Not constantly, not always conciously, but it is there, as it was there on those faces at King's Cross.

But...

Camden, one of London's most ethnically diverse and culturally vibrant neighbourhoods was alive with excitement. Thoughts of bombs and terrorists were soon far from our minds. Thank God for Camden.


HOME AGAIN

We are now in Vancouver, having arrived yesterday to a sunny welcome. I am already feeling relaxed (the result of many things: taking a break from the craziness of London, being on holiday from the craziness of the crazy school, and the crazy deep tissue massage I had on Saturday). Crazy!

It is 7AM, we both awoke initially at 2, woke for good about 5 - not suffering so much from jet-lag as from jet-boost. I'm sure the lag will set in this afternoon.

What's it like to be back? I will refrain from using the craziness of the term crazy again, and instead will use the equally unimaginative adjective: weird. Of course it's great to be home, but I'm anxious, as well, wondering what Emma will think of BC, my friends and family... I feel I've been changed by my experiences over seas... how will the two worlds mesh?

I know it's silly to be anxious. Maybe it's residual London anxiety. Maybe all I need is a few hours in the sunshine.

Posted 5:13 AM by Lodger
'In my life / Why do I give valuable time / To people who I'd much rather / Kick in the eye?'

The Smiths


As he did so often, our friend Morissey (lyricist cited above) has used some gross hyperbole to express a valuable point: social obligations often compel us to act in direct opposition to our wishes. Em and I returned yesterday from a trip to visit old friends we'd lost touch with... in retrospect we're not sure why we went. Obligation? Hope that the friendship would be rekindled? The sad truth is we'd lost touch for a reason. It wasn't anyone's fault. Time to let go. (Incidently, I have no desire to kick anyone in the eye)