November 5th

[ffutures]

Once again thousands of fireworks are detonated, and the odd house set on fire, in celebration of a 411-year old failed attempt to destroy Parliament. You have to wonder why anyone bothers, given how Parliament seems to be set on destroying itself at the moment, but never mind...

I'm not a big fan of this particular bit of conspicuous destruction, for reasons I've mentioned in a previous post -
http://ffutures.livejournal.com/2003/10/31/

but if you're doing anything explosive tonight I hope you'll be safe and enjoy yourself.

Comments

[beamjockey.livejournal.com]

All the fireworks in my neighborhood got used up Wednesday night, around midnight, for the apotheosis of the Cubs.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

What do they do when the Boy Scouts have an apotheosis?

Sorry - I vaguely know this has something to do with sports - in the UK "Cubs" are the younger arm of the Boy Scouts.

[beamjockey.livejournal.com]

Chicago has two baseball teams, the Cubs and the White Sox, as well as one (US-type) football team, one basketball, one hockey.

The Chicago Cubs have ups and downs, like anybody, but they've acquired a reputation as lovable losers. They have only rarely made it to the national baseball championship, the World (you should excuse the expression) Series.

By "rarely" I mean this: Not since the year of the Tunguska strike. Not since the year Jack Williamson was born. Not since 1908.

Neither you nor I are sports guys, but as the Cubs played a terrific season, then played seven games of the best-4-of-7 World Series, and won the Series, the conclusion to their 108-year losing streak became a sports headline of cosmic significance. I hope I may be forgiven for presuming you had heard of it, rather than explaining myself a bit more thoroughly.

Yesterday, the Cubs returned from Ohio where the final game of the Series had been played. Chicago held a parade.

Police estimated five million people in attendance.

I heard someone on TV say that this parade was the seventh-largest gathering in the history of humanity.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

OK, I suppose it's worth celebrating if you're into the game. Congrats to all concerned.