Ceremony

Dear Diary,

I called Uncle to offer the olive branch of peaceful amity. He had just returned from swimming in the warm sea, out of town, to go and see the Olympic ceremony. The place was packed, and Uncle was in a jovial mood.

Rather than go out to partake in the celebrations, I stayed in, reading. Leeks, potatoes, and onion will have to suffice. I have given up eating meat and beans, due to Pythagorean philosophy. Well, that my ... excretions. I was given some burgers and have not felt well since digesting them. Tonight I have a meal fit for a monk: organic whole-grain brown rice and vegetables. Empyeral heaven for Maxy Waxy.

Setting the psychological defence book aside, I return unto my studious endeavour of reading and researching about history. It is most interesting indeed. I have just read a short biography of Belisarius: a man who was tragically and unjustly treated. Perhaps the funniest part was reading about the emperor's Mrs. Theodora and his own wife Antonina. Here is a short excerpt:

"...Antonina nearly always accompanied Belisarius on his campaigns - perhaps so that he could keep an eye on her. Her background had not been unlike the empress, of whom she was a close friend. The relationship was valuable to them both. Theodora knew that she could always control Belisarius - who by now, after Justinian himself, was the most powerful man in the Empire - through his wife, while Antonina could rely on the empress to protect her from the consequences of her countless adulteries. Like Theodora, Antonina had also been brought up in the theatre and circus. Both women had a lurid past; but, unlike the empress, Antonina had made no attempt to reform her character after her prestigious marriage. At least twelve years older than her husband... [some say] twenty-two - she already had several children, in and out of wedlock, and in the coming years was to cause her much embarrassment and, occasionally, anguish; but his love for her remained, none the less, deep and enduring... [...] ...Antonina, who had not accompanied... [Belisarius on this occasion] to Italy, had embarked on a passionate liason with her godson, actively abetted by the empress herself... [...] ...Justinian... [and Belisarius] had been kept apart by Theodora, who had continually poisoned her husband's mind against Belisarius..."

The artist came round again and asked if I would like to watch the Olympic opening ceremony on her friends television (she has no 'brain-washing machine' either). I am so glad I did. It was amazing! I am so proud to be English (British) and that we won the event over the snail-side competition by four votes. Man, it was such a marvellous spectacle! J. K. Rowling. Rowan Atkinson. Amazing really.

I loved the whole vibe man. Everso good indeed. The Historical slant I thought particularly good. A friend of the artist mentioned that the Greeks nor the Chinese had no humour in there respective ceremonies. My heart swelled with pride at belonging to such a pioneering culture. Music. Film. Dance. Incredible really. The torch at the end was magnificent. The fireworks. The nations. It was amazing. I am really with the Olympian spirit right now, and I've long since sobered up, mores the pity.

Stay On the Flex,

Maximus.