The Bess-t.

Well Done, Bessie.

Well done, you. You legalize that gay marriage.

Let's Wrap It Up, Jubilee

Due to a spot of illness (hey, at least it's not a bladder infection like Prince Philip. I love that they keep having to say that in all the press coverage.) I've been sidelined from my Jubilee enthusiasm to my couch today. So I'm watching all the pomp and circumstance on a high def television. In one sense, I love that two longest reigning monarchs of Great Britain have been women. On the other hand, as I've gone about the city and been looking at some of the coverage, I can't help but notice a few things.

1. How bored everyone looks. Especially the Queen herself. But everyone, really. The Queen definitely looks the most bored-- like completely zoned out during the toast to her-- followed closely in boredom by Harry. 

2. They can't show the Queen eating, but they're giving us a complete rundown of what literally everyone is eating and drinking and where said food came from. The tee-totalers will have Apple Juice from Sandringham. The vegetarians will have this, the gluten intolerant will have this, etc etc. Time-filling in event coverage is force-fed with inane minutia no matter where you go and what the event is. 

3. I love that the coverage swings between commentary from ultimate man of pretension, David Starkey (who takes the pronunciation of the word "year" past just your typical "gap yah" "yah" to a full-on yuhhhhhhh) and atonal drags queens singing Kylie Minogue in the rain in Anglesey. This. Is. Britain, ladies and gentlemen. 

4. MERCH! I think the entire point of this event is to sell merch. Looks like it's working. The Guardian estimates 823 million pounds in merch sales for this event. I mean, listen, I'm all about merch, but I found it rather fascinating. If I was purchasing any mementos, I think I'd splurge on this. 

5. THIS.

6. The color coronation footage from 1953 is genuinely gorgeous. Nothing dazzles the eye like those primary colors and jewel tones. If you haven't seen it, check it out. I'm guessing the remastered footage will be up on youtube soon. In the meantime, here is what's already available. 

Pre-Jubilee Luncheon in Chelsea Physic Gardens

Even though the weather has taken a turn for the worse here in Jubilee Land, earlier this week, it was still glorious and my fabulous employers took me out for a luncheon in the Chelsea Physic Gardens. Not a bad front garden they have. While I will always be a city girl, I absolutely love gardens. And gardens in the heart of the city-- that's the best of both worlds. 

These gardens are awesome and full of 5,000 edible, medicinal and historical plants. At first stroll, I didn't realize this and wondered why the plants seems to be grouped my ailments. I love how they constantly refer to the plants as useful. Is there anything better than being useful? 

The whole place-- it's the oldest garden in London-- smelled of blossoms and we sat outside with big blooms and bunting. I had a delicious quiche and salad and the Macleods and I discussed the traumatic nature of Scottish reels and the modern inequity between men and women. I have the best job in the world. If only it were full time.