comm games

So the Commonwealth Games are here in Melbourne (or about to start, I'm not entirely sure because I, like most the world, could really care less.) Anyway, if most of you are like me, and didn't realize that there actually were Commonwealth Games, there are. They're a chance for all the countries in the world that share Queen Elizabeth as their monarch to compete against each other. Or, as I like to think, a chance for all the countries that didn't just get medals in the Olympics to now compete for them. Of course, I haven't been able to tell anyone here that...

So anyway, Melboure is pretty excited about this. I was in the city this weekend and it almost felt like I was back in China. They had crossing guards at every light, holding the crowds back and directing them to cross at the correct time. The only difference was, they didn't have whistles, they smiled, and there is absolutely no need for them because everyone patiently waits at the crosswalk here and doesn't shove, cut and throw each other aside to cross the road.

Australia really is a cute country.

So one of the big controversies surrounding these games is that Melbourne has opted not to play 'God Save the Queen' at the ceremonies. This makes no sense. As I believe I wrote earlier, these games are a chance for all the countries in the world that share Queen Elizabeth as their monarch to compete against each other. I mean, the only thing the Commonwealth shares in common is the fact that they were all former colonies that opted against revolution from the English and, as a result, now have the same Queen (and yet somehow aren't colonies?) It's backwards, but if you're going to have an entire event surrounding this bond, you should probably recognize the one thing that ties you all together.

God Save that Queen.