Ode English

Mighty Mouse and Banana Man were received with a wide grin and an eager ear. Then Labyrinth unfolded before me, King Jareth's commanding, mesmerizing androgyny opening my eyes to what I considered interesting and sexy. Monty Python was taboo for many Catholic reasons, but I snuck it in whenever possible, it's members in my Comedy Hall of Famery-ing forever.


The Beatles blared from our living room speakers, we danced and sang along with genuine, raucous abandon (some of the best memories I have). Oasis and Radiohead appeared on the radar in my teen years (replace dancing with writing angsty/smutty manifestos in my journal), helping me through heartache and awkwardness eloquently. Are You Being Served?, Fawlty Towers, The Young Ones, Little Britain, Coupling, Spaced and my newest favorite, Skins all have a special stronghold in my living lexicon of entertainment and enjoyment (there's a few hundred others, a condensed list for time and sanity). The exuded cheeky class, relaxed off-beat sophistication and rebellious, level-headed aloof, make my heart palpitate. The majority of men on my Top Ten of All Time list are from across the pond (faster still, my heart doth beat). I am instantly intrigued by anything as soon as it's determined to be of English origin.


My name is Lola, and I'm an Anglophile.


Not one to be overly obsessive geek-girl (alright, not as outwardly then), when it comes to ol' Blighty, I'm smitten and all a-slobber. It's a word.

My fondness stems from the comfort of that which I knew daily, concretely in another life, it feels. Perhaps a parallel life to the one I have now. It's comforting to feel part of witty verbal earnestness, to witness reveling in a tradition of intelligence and nothing is sacred-ness (with a dash of everything IS sacred-ness). Even the lowest brow is set pretty high, no pandering or talking-down-to happening. It's all very natural and easy-peasy, yet should a fight or cause to rise against occur, irreverently as a people, they're on it like a bonnet.


There's a tea break/pub stint to shake loose monotony, neither of which is a bad idea, ever. There's far less squeamishness with nudity, controversial issues or personal relating. A chivalry and decency and dignity with all that truly matters, and a "fuck-all!" to everything else. That just ain't part of our heritage so much. America is the teenager of the world, England the knowing older sibling, chuckling and shaking it's head at our rowdy, misguided antics. A refreshing escape, one I take frequently with fervor.

Sadly and wrongly, I've never visited, and my few sordid interludes with actual English imports here were not as awe-inspiring as I had always/often fantasized. I have a theory as to why, one meant analytically. Foreign types who come to the U S of A are usually pursuing the American "way of life", assimilation to that end being the very same issue I have with many fellow Americans. Cut-throat competitiveness, material fixation, shallow wanker-itis, to site a few. Not everyone that comes to our soil is that way nor are everyone that inhabit it, but it makes sense, like attracts like.

Anyway, I'm assuming that's what kept me and the random few Brits from skipping down the road arm in arm, singing God Save the Queen whilst sprinkling scones like parade candy. That must be why.


Like the post I wrote in response to my New York trip and how I feel for California (Bi-Coastal), there's never any lack of respect or love for where I am currently. I love America for what it is, I just have an awakened sense of understanding somewhere else. I feel that with every song, show or syllable I take delight in.


When I voyage to the iconic island itself, I'll fare well with the people there-they're juice from the root, one I've long felt rooted akin to. As life imitates art, my propensity for all things English will translate a connection in many ways. Can't wait to pop 'round and see.