Close Your Eyes and Think of England
Lady Hillingdon, seemingly reluctant to have sex with her husband, wrote in her diary: “When I hear his steps outside my door I lie down on my bed, open my legs and think of England.”
How fitting a sentiment since I feel like America has been royally fucked by this election season.
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The ChickieNob and I started binge-watching the new Netflix show, The Crown.
It begins with Queen Elizabeth’s marriage to Prince Philip (or, at the time, Princess Elizabeth’s marriage to Philip Mountbatten), and I’ve heard that the series will go up to Diana’s death in the future. We heard about this series a few months ago, and we marked the release date on the calendar, eager to be mentally transported to England.
The show is fantastic, and we spend the hour alternating between shouting at the television, “Get rekt!” every time someone delivers a clever takedown and holding each other while we sob.
It’s nice to close our eyes and think of England, taking an hour off at a time from this election. And it’s also nice to get the perspective the show gives to the monarchy, especially a woman’s rise to power. Yes, the job was Elizabeth’s whether she wanted it or not, but the criticism and grace tell a larger story of what it means to be a woman in charge. To be held to a different standard, to be scrutinized, to be judged.
It’s a show about the British monarchy, but it comes full circle in helping frame the story around Hillary Clinton. Hopefully by tonight we will know the fate of our presidency in America. Beyond voting today and trying to get others to the polls, this election is finished. But afterwards, regardless of who wins, America needs to take a good, long look at its relationship with women.
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Sometimes it is necessary to not focus on the details in front of you but instead use any means of distraction to get through a situation. Everyone should have a place they can mentally go when the going gets tough.
Other times, we need to come back to reality and face the facts in front of us. It starts with the narrative surrounding Clinton and it stretches out in a multitude of directions to a multitude of groups.
Deep breaths, everyone. Today it’s about the election. Tomorrow it’s about being better and doing better as a country.
9 comments
Grey and I have been watching the Crown and picking at the historic significance. Mostly with Winston Churchill (why beloved elected officials need to hand over the reins) and the culture at the time. We are becoming more conversative as a society and I do think the one benefit of this election is that the change that has long been needed both in government and society will no longer be held back by the selfish desires of the current ruling generation.
Still it is scary to watch. I truly worry that neither political party is going to survive after this and what that complete collapse will mean for the rest of us. It is death in the most pure of senses.
Tomorrow is hopefully for sleeping in/sleepwalking through the day/celebration. But Thursday, Thursday we can get back to being better and doing better as a country. I hope.
Adding this to my list. Always looking for a distraction lately. Hopefully tomorrow will be a calmer day, and one of celebration, and we can go back to facing the world around us without sickening feelings of dread.
Good luck tonight, Mel. We’re nervous here in Canada about your election; can’t imagine how you’re feeling right now. We’ll be watching with you.
I’d love to see this show. I guess I’ll need to sign up again with Netflix. I let it lapse a few years ago.
Also, I saw this today, a diversion you might like. https://youtu.be/nwAYpLVyeFU?t=16s
I have been bingewatching it too, and I am loving it. It is filling the void that Downton Abbey left nicely.
Ha, I thought your post was going to refer to Brexit, e.g. vote so we don’t end up with a bad situation like that.
^^^Hahahaha that’s what I thought too! Made me click.
I’m in Canada so clearly I don’t get a vote but watching the coverage is making me ill so I’m watching a Canadian show called “Hello Goodbye” about the stories of people at the Toronto airport. It’s a really lovely (mostly) warm and fuzzy show. I need a happy distraction as of now!