Guy Fawkes Day

Also called Bonfire Night, for reasons that will soon become clear, this happy little British holiday celebrates when an angry catholic tried (unsuccessfully, mind you) to blow up Parliament. While one must wonder why British people think it normal to celebrate, um, terrorism, Mr Fawkes made his attempt while Parliament was sitting, as in, while Parliament was full of politicians -- which should make the love the British have for this man much more clear.

Burn baby burn!

The only fit way to celebrate historical potential explosions is with real explosions, so this event is marked with firework displays and burning effigies of both Fawkes and Parliament. While at first it seems really rather alien to cheer such things (can you imagine Americans getting away with burning mock White Houses or Bushes? Or Canadians wanting to get away with exploding effigies of say, FLQ members?) upon thinking about it more, I really quite like it. Proves you don't take things too seriously, and all that, and really, who wouldn't like to effigilize (whee! making up verbs!) Paul Martin, douse it in gasoline and hold a match to it? Cause I know I would.

Anyways. Kate and I and others went to a park near Mile End, where they had a fair and fireworks and a massive mockup of the Parliament buildings, which they burned to the ground. This was not some small backyard barbeque. No, this fake-Westminster was the size of a bungalow. Okay, no where near real dimensions, but it made for some good flames nonetheless.