4th June 2022 - Platinum Jubilee
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Written while not contributing to open VOIP on aNONradio.

So the UK is currently enjoying a 4 day weekend thanks to old Queenie 
reaching the impressive feat of living a bit more. The Jubilee is a 
strange affair but it is nice to celebrate in an odd manner. The 
actual 70 year mark was hit on 6th February as the title passes at the 
moment of the previous monarch dying. However, February is a pants 
month for celebrations so it was moved to June, the month of the 
Queen's second birthday. Her coronation was on 2nd June 1953 and so 
this is why she has a second birthday then. Anyhow, the additional 
bank holiday has been most welcome. Today, the village I live in 
closed the high street and held a street party. It had some crafty 
stalls, some great silly games like throwing balls into toilet 
cisterns and charity fund raising stalls. Some entertainment was 
provided by local community groups and the huge amount of rain which 
appeared. It cannot be a bank holiday without surprise rain of course! 
It was nice to see the community come together for a daft time with 
the high street closed off. The monarchy is a strange affair and I 
wonder if it will keep existing once Charles becomes king. Yet, it 
can be a useful frame of reference for the passing of time and provide 
a level of civic pagentry. I like the Japanese way of using the 
Imperial reigns as eras. Mind you, the reign of Elizabeth II has been 
crazy for changes. One advantage of the monarchy as a head of state is 
that we avoid dodgy politicians. Boris Johnson as head of state would 
be extremely terrible. Not every country can be as lucky in finding a 
head of state as the Republic of Ireland with Michael D Higgins (and 
his lovely dogs of course). 

Interestingly, the Queen will become the second longest reigning 
monarch in 9 days time when she beats Rama IX of Thailand's record. 

Anyhow, one more day before returning to work. *stands up with a glass 
of port raised in the air* "The Queen" *drinks* Thanks for the extra 
bank holiday!