Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2005

Went to have nice dumplings again today and came home to find a lot of european looking people in military outfit performing on TV along some heart warming familiar tunes. What a refreshment! Some 3D features at last, after all these months of flat, wide, big, pale looking skulls.



I've heard of the grand Military Tattoo before but I've never been to one. So I was thankful they are showing on the Phoenix Channel and it's absolutely breathtakingly grand, outstanding and awesome. It's the performance of the highest standard combined with great endurance, strength, passion, freedom and hope all in the shadow of death.

The 2005 Tattoo celebrated the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of the Trafalgar, during the Napoleonic Wars, which saved England's ass from the French and Spanish, which gave us the 170-foot tall Nelson's column in Trafalgar Sq. (London), in the company of over 200 Royal Marine Bandsmen. It saw the largest gathering of pipes and drums in the event's history!

There were only a few memorable tv broadcasts that really stirred and touched me in the past. There was the wedding of Princess Diana in her fairy tale gown, and ironically her funeral where Elton John sang "Candle in the Wind" that made a hit instantly. Then there was the surreal TV war of 1991 Gulf War against Iraq, in which, a war was presented to the rest of the world LIVE that drove our French philosoper Baudrillard into concluding that it did not take place at all. Then came 9-11 with the Hollywood styled collapse of the twin towers, and, oh, don't forget the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics game opening and yes, of course the last performance of Freddie Mercury singing 'Barcelona' with Montserrat Caballé (how sad...). Now, the 2005 Tatto may not have such a great impact but heck, it was one of the finest gathering of world class soldiers who are also highly trained musicians I've ever seen in my life. Over 100 million people watch this event on their tv set, you know!

Well, the recent walk of millions in the streets of Taipei trying to persuade the thick skinned president to step down was also quite impressive. Gosh, I just don't know what's wrong with this Mr Chen Shui-Bian or Water Flat guy. Is he insane or what? Has he got no shame? Notice how sane and shame rhyme. You know I look up the meaning of FLAT from the dictionary, one of the meanings is having no depth or thickness. Right, that explains a lot, I guess. But seriously, I have no doubt in believing he's got the thickest facial skin a human being could possibily have that even bullets can't go through. The Guiness World Records should really take note.

Enough of the punk.

The Edinburgh Military Tattoo has a great site: http://www.edinburgh-tattoo.co.uk/tattoo-experience/castle.html

Their DVDs will make the best Christmas gifts, ever. I promise your friend/family will be thrilled. But, please must buy the 2005 one.