Today is ANZAC day in NZ and Aussie, the same as remembrance day in the UK.
Many Kiwis attend dawn services to commemorate the fallen servicemen of all wars.
I didn't attend.
Not because I don't care, but for other reasons.
The main one is that I remember our fallen comrades every time I take a little drinkie. Many of my friends and former comrades have been killed in the past.
On exercise in Germany when the Crabs (RAF) managed to drop an entire f*cking battalion into the Kiel Canal. I lost two friends then.
One, a Lieutenant, was dropped right into the middle of the canal and drowned.
Another was removed from this planet quite spectacularly (if not pleasantly) when the f*cking Crabs managed to arrange a heavy drop (land rovers and other heavy equipment) right onto a recently used personnel drop zone, and squashed him into Raspberry jam.
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| Oops |
I lost mates in Aden, The Falklands, Belize, Northumberland (DON'T ever try to crawl under a Bedford 4 Tonner when it's sinking into mud), and Iraq.
I remember them.
I don't think they would want to get up at Sparrow-Fart to attend a bloody church service, they'd prefer a drink.
The other reason is that I'm in a lot of pain.
Yesterday at NLHS, after quite a pleasant day (only teaching two classes, both perfectly behaved, and only one threated knifing) I became aware that I had a very painful coccyx.
Even sitting at a computer was painful. I have absolutely no idea how I damaged it. I didn't do anything strenuous (as if I ever would), but the pain just started.
Even after a hot bath at home it was still really uncomfortable, and eventually I gave in and went to bed.
I fortified myself with Panadol x 2, hot milk, honey and nutmeg with just a (large) dash of brandy, a long acting Codeine tablet (filched from my beloved's supply) and just in case, a glass of the product of Islay's best known distillery.
I awoke at 9 this morning, still in pain, but not as much. I'd really like to know WTF triggered it off, but I'll cope.
My Beloved's flight issue is still not resolved, I'll do some more tonight.
IF I can stand for the pain produced by sitting at the computer.
I wonder if it would work if I used her laptop while lying in bed.
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| Seems to work for this lovely young thing. Wonder if it will work fro me? |
Might be worth a shot.
Anzac day is becoming larger and larger as the old Anzacs get fewer and fewer in numbers. Australia now has none left from WW1 but sadly, way too many from other wars.
ReplyDeleteIt wouldn't be the missus and her ongoing flight hassles giving you a pain in the butt?
Tempo: Same here, fewer and fewer veterans, but more civvies showing respect.
ReplyDeleteYou may say that it may possibly be the "missus" giving me the pain in the butt, but I couldn't comment. (Just look out for broomsticks.) You have been warned.
our local "village" memorial is on the main road next to the church and adjacent to two pubs. The great and good go to church, the real soldiers come out the pub holding their glasses as the last post is sounded.
ReplyDeleteGet Mrs TSB to give you a magic massage on your sore spot.
ReplyDeleteWheat bags are good too.
Why don't you take an anti-inflammatory like nurofen. Better for a sore back.
I think you made need to see the physio. The ones down the road at Silverstream Village are excellent.
Take care TSB. Nothing worse than a sore back - but you must know that you have lived with your beloved's back sufferrance for many years.
I was in Birmingham on Rememberence Sunday and the atmosphere in the pubs was brilliant. Lots of proper old soldiers and a big gang of people in kilts, from some Scottish regiment or other. Drinking heavily, drinking well.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your bumbone. Suppose you might have to bear all with a doctor soon. Hope she's pretty.
I am sorry about your back and I second what Valley Girl says about nurofen, which I am pretty sure is the drug I know as "ibuprofen."
ReplyDeleteIt's called Memorial Day here in the U.S. Having a mind full of dark matter the way I do, I immediately think of all the servicemen and women who died and the chicken hawks in Washington who rush to war but never pay the price themselves. None of the lunatic Neocons who sent us to the middle east hellhole ever served time. They all avoided military service but want to prove their manhood by their willingness to sign an order sending some young kid to his doom. Don't get me started. Oh...wait...you already did.
ReplyDeleteYou'll find as you grow older that there's a ball of pain in your body. It moves about and visits different corners but once you reach a certain age, SOMETHING will always bother you. I run and visit the gym but that doesn't seem to help much.
We were lucky not have lost anyone in my family in Vietnam. Not so for the neighbors, and I remember them much more than once a year. We lost a godson in Iraq, and I remember him every time I pass the fridge that holds a child's drawing, still.
ReplyDeleteTailbone pain's really annoying. But remember it's only pain. It may even take you outta the game, but it's not going to kill you. Don't let it rob you of life.
Furtheron: Yep, I reckon the finest tribute is remembering them with a pint.
ReplyDeleteVG: Ehhh...thanks for the idea, but I'm not too keen on having my Beloved rubbing my bottom, not in this context anyway. My coccyx will be fine by tomorrow.
ReplyDeletelooby: I'm really surprised to hear that a large gang of kilted Scots were drinking heavily. I'm even more surprised to hear that a large gang of kilted Scots were drinking heavily and were not fighting.
ReplyDeleteThe doctor's a bloke, and as he's already seen (and felt, very, very deeply)my bum, he won't be too shocked to see it again.
Patience_Crabstick: Yes, nurofen is the same as ibuprofen, and thanks again to you and VG for the advice. It's getting better quite quickly, but what worries me is what caused it in the first place.
ReplyDeleteThe Unbearable Banishment: Ah the delight of politicians. Old men sending young men out to die.
ReplyDeleteInteresting concept on the "ball of pain", which has a lot going for it. At this precise moment, I can feel it rolling along to just above my right kidney. Combine this with my own mild hypochondria and you get a worried old man. What's going to pack in next.
Maybe I'll make a list for the next post. Good idea, I can share illnesses.
Gyms and I will always remain strangers.
Austan: Loss is always bad, but so much worse when it's a youth. I like the idea of the drawing on your fridge, it's a good way to keep the memories fresh.
ReplyDeleteI know it's only pain...but is it?
Do you want to know how many terminal diseases start with tailbone pain? 17.
Morning TSB.
ReplyDeleteDear TSB, I am deeply suspicious of all the mileage that pollies get from ANZAC Day - however if I were at home I would go to the Dawn Service at the War Memorial. I am an army brat. My stepfather was in the Navy in the Second War War as was my Step-Grandfather. I try but fail to understand what it must be like to be a kid (because that is what they were) and at war. In Australia, many old soldiers march (my dad doesn't) and then they go to the pub/RSL club, get pissed and fall over. I am glad they still can. I am sorry to hear that you are in pain and that you still haven't finalized Mrs Twisted's ticket yet. More scotch required - clearly! Lindaxxx
ReplyDeleteRichard: Morning (again) you oldkraut lover you.
ReplyDeleteDear Linda in Chile: Nice to see your presence again. We've been missing you. I know what you mean about the politicians, but at least you live under a democracy. I wonder what it would have been like under Pinochet?
Getting pissed is an ancient ond honoured tradition for all (old) soldiers.
The back is better thank you, Mrs TSB gave me some relief last night.
I might even be able to sit at the computer long enough to get her tickets tonight. Hmm...I wonder if such was her objective.
Oh so you did get some relief from Mrs T after all? Her being a Nurse and fellow back sufferrer, I'm sure she knows a fews tricks.
ReplyDeleteYour subsequent comments have me wondering. I hop e you don't have kidney stones. My sister did and the pain was just unbelievable she reckoned, and so mcuh worse thatn any of her 5 childbirhts/labours, resulting in her passing a wee stone the size of an apple pip.
Tried to get my recenlty deceased Uncle to Anzac Dawn Parade last year and the RSA after, but at 90 he would'nt have a bar of it. Said he only ever went once after he returned form the war and he got so pissed he said "Never Again".
(To dawn parade that is - not drinking in general).
"Old men sending young men out to die." This is how NZ poet R.A.K.Mason saw it in 1950:
ReplyDeleteSonnet to MacArthur's Eyes
General MacArthur looked down on the bodies of four young Korean soldiers. "That's a good sight for my old eyes," he said.
- Newspaper Report
I have known old eyes that had seen many more
aspects of war than this man has seen
eyes that had looked on Gallipoli or the keen
edge of battle with the Boer or in even older war
had known Balaclava and the Mutiny's evil score:
such eyes as I've known them old have always been
eager to see spring flowers and the youth who mean
mankind's spring after war's winter. Never before
Have I known of anyone whose old eyes rejoice
to see young men lying dead in their own land,
never have I known one who of his own choice
follows up the machines of death to take his stand
over the slain and in a quavering voice
declaim his joy at youth dead beneath his hand
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/nov/09/wilfred-owen-dulce-decorum
ReplyDeleteGreat poem, ex-Clive
ReplyDeleteIs it Wilfid Owen's?
ReplyDeleteIt scans so beautifully.
What a great talent he was. Such a waste.
Oops I just re-read the intro - RAK Mason. I really like this poenm and the way it reads.
ReplyDeleteVG: It was't quite that sort of relief I was talking about. *embarrased shuffle and red face*
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it's not kidney stones, just some sort of soft tissue damage, and now much better.
Dawn parades are for sparrows, soldiers prefer the pub.
ex-Clive: Hmm, thoughtful. Poetry isn't really my scene, but it's emotive.
ReplyDeleteLaoch: Sweet and Glorious? I think not. I've always liked this poem, Wilfred Owen was definitely one of the better war poets.
ReplyDeleteTC: I've never heard of Mason before, I suppose he's more of a Kiwi icon.
ReplyDelete