Funerals, Family, Flatmates And An Anecdote

[novin_ha]

The alliteration in that title deserves a prize, really.

F1:It wasn't that bad. The priest was very nice - he had been talking to Dad's Father a couple of times before he died and apparently got to know him (better than I did). Dad's Brother D. again proved himself irresposible and was drunk. He had just finished therapy. I feel so sorry for his little child. I have an idea (but just an idea, not actual knowledge, thank God) what she must be going through.

F2:The visit was pleasant, again. I miss my family terribly.

F3:The flatmate has already moved out. I am angry. And tired.

And somewhat scared because the vocabulary I am supposed to know is seriously advanced. The problem is not that I am not able to learn it - but will I be able to remember the exact word they will want? I'd so much rather have to write definitions to words than words to definitions.

The bon mot of the week (potentially offensive, but I am the Catholic Pole here ;):

My sister B.:I will tell you a secret.
I: Yes?
B.: John Paul II is dead. The second time!

Which is all you need to know about the attention the media suddenly pay Him. I do not mind respect, but it does get ridiculous after some time, you know.

Comments

[bufo-viridis.livejournal.com]

As much as I respect JP II, the media coverage of the funeral led me to a variation of on old Russian joke:
I wake up in the morning. Open the curtains. Lenin. Open the radio. Lenin. Open the paper. Lenin. Open the TV. Lenin. I'm afraid to open the fridge...

[novin-ha.livejournal.com]

:) Exactly.

I felt like watching the telly to take my mind of things on Sunday and ended watching VH1 because they were the only one not showing the funeral or related things. And I always get angry about the crap they show after two minutes.

I wanted to watch "Loże prasowa" on TVN24. I feel deprived ;)

[jen-deben.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid to open the fridge...

XD

I've never heard that joke; that's hilarious! :D

[fishity.livejournal.com]

Awesome :)

[alienor77310.livejournal.com]

The joke is even better if, like me, you're old enough to remember the joke that went around after the death of John Paul I: "The Pope is dead. Again."

[novin-ha.livejournal.com]

And I thought B. was evil ;) Except she said it absolutely seriously :D

Oh, and I friend you back. Sorry, I'm terrible at noticing things. ::headdesk::

[alienor77310.livejournal.com]

On a more serious note, I found very disturbing the frenetic media-driven idolatry that went on around John Paul II or, for that matters, Ronald Reagan. Suddendly, by the simple fact of dying, the men had become reproachless saints. Ha.

[novin-ha.livejournal.com]

We-ell, in Poland John Paul II always was treated like a saint. It's how the media attempt to outrun one another - 'who's the holiest?' - that annoys me deeply.

I don't mind treating him like a saint. But equaling my religion with just idolatry of a person - even a great person - is demeaning. I object to that.

Although dying of John Paul II was not simple. It was beautiful in certain ways. He did give a fine example in his last days. Which is why the whole media-driven 'grieving' is ridiculous. If we really have to mark the occassion, it's a reason to celebrate, really. If we're Christians, we have reasons to believe he went to the House of the Father. Pretty petty of us to begruge him that ;)

And if we're not, I am sure we'd rather not be forced to hear about him all the time.

[fishity.livejournal.com]

*hands you shiny badge for Best Alliteration Of The Day*

John Paul II...there were two new movies about him (of the reenacting kind, not documentaries) on TV here last week. Seeing a biographical movie about someone who's only dead one year freaks me out. I mean, they must have been like "Hey, the Pope is dead! Switch on the camera this instant, we're making a movie!" :/

[novin-ha.livejournal.com]

:: polishes the badge with her sleeve::

Mm, shiny!

Yes. It is weird and yes, they probably started filming the second he strated to be dying. I mean, Polish TVs had special designs prepared for months!
It feels wrong.