The World Cup in Lincoln!

So what have the Wardens been up to in their second weekend back together, I hear you ask. Well, last night we had a jolly evening at Sincil Bank. We now both have red and white scarves so we must be proper fans of the mighty Lincoln City. It was a particularly special night at the Bank and the place was packed to the rafters. We first had a rather poignant celebration of Keith Alexander, Macclesfield manager and Imps legend, who died last week. A minute of silence, the first verse of 'Abide with Me' and a minute of applause for a genuinely nice chap. Football is a funny thing. Generally it makes you want to scream and throw things, but just occasionally there is a lovely moment when you realise the power of the beautiful game. In the midst of the applause there was a brief glimpse of something wonderful and emotional.

Anyways, on with the game. Really a very good match with Lincoln winning 3-1. Even a couple of spectacular goals to enjoy. Up the Imps! At half time on comes England World Cup winner (we won in 1966, in case you didn't know), Martin Peters, to hold the World Cup trophy (yes, the real one) aloft. Quite hilarious really as Lincoln had promoted it heavily as a 'trophy parade'. Despite the pleadings of the excellent Sincil Bank compere, the security man would not allow Martin Peters to carry it round the ground and it was duly returned to its box after just a couple of minutes. Cue much booing from the disappointed crowd. Not even Poacher had a hold. The trophy was whisked away in a Harrod's helicopter (Mr Fayed helping out again) which had parked on the astro turf pitch. At least we got to see the trophy - it was shiny. Lincoln was the only UK city on the FIFA World Cup Trophy tour...for some reason.

And so on to today. A quiet day of marking and tidying. After reading Em's blog posts this week I have been simultaneously wracked with guilt and inspired onwards with a bit of cleaning. I enjoy having a nice peaceful (tidy!) place to live, though our house will never be minimalist. At least the floor has been brushed now. Fulfilling the 'canny Scot' stereotype, we also went up to town as it was free entrance at the Castle. There were owls, archers, re-enactment and, of course, the obligatory fire engine (the fire brigade always turn out for these sort of events). Much fun had by all. It was topped off by lunch at our favourite wee cafe, Zoot.

In a break from essay marking this evening we watched an interesting programme on BBC 2 called 'Requiem for Detroit' while eating a spectacular fish pie bought from a wee shop on the Bailgate. It was a fascinating exposition of the rise and fall of this American city. Really it was a discussion of economics, capitalism and the consumer society. Detroit seemed full of empty buildings and factories, and what I found particularly striking was the way nature seemed to be reclaiming the urban landscape. The ivy climbed up derelict houses, trees grew on factory forecourts. It was really amazing. Although in many ways this was quite a depressing look at the lunacy of consumerism (says I with my Mac laptop and my glass of Diet Coke - yes, I can see the irony!), the final section went beyond the drugs and poverty, and examined the growth of Detroit's cottage industries. Certainly got me thinking. In our society we place such importance on what we have. Everyone is striving for more stuff and, judging by the shocked response of most people to recent economic troubles, everyone expects that this Western consumer capitalist empire will continue forever. It can't of course, and the post-American Dream Detroit illustrates this perfectly. As Ecclesiastes says "As goods increase,/so do those who consume them./And what benefit are they to the owner/except to feast his eyes on them" (Ecc 5.11). The Bible, irrelevant? Hmm...I think not. I'd recommend 'Requiem for Detroit' if you have access to BBC iplayer.

Anyways, I'm off to watch the Football League Show to see if I can spot us on the telly. I might even have a cup of camomile tea. It's all rock and roll chez Warden! Hope you have a great, blessed Sunday folks.

CSW