Author: Tom

The tally for the longest referendum in history now stands at:

That’s nine votes for love being a good thing, and five votes that disagree. OK, it isn’t the largest referendum, by any means (and it may not even be the longest either – however that research can wait for another day!), but there appears to be a clear leader forming… and with only one more day remaining after today, I can’t see anything changing too dramatically – unless the vote is thrown open to the whole of the United Kingdom. Then again, that too may not make too much of a difference.

So. I wonder just how Venus, the Roman Goddess of Love, will vote? Remember anything can happen in this Love Referendum – look at Cupid’s vote on the first day, back at the turn of the century.

A feeling within
That is apparent without
For those who notice

Venus votes: YES

Venus says: “Of course love is a good thing, child. It is the best thing, the best feeling, the warmth and the passion that flows through every single living thing. It is its own reward. It really needs no words as it is what it is. Be more open to love, and be more loving, and you will see.”

The final referendum vote is tomorrow.

The Love Referendum is still going strong. The results up to yesterday’s vote appear above.

Today, we get a vote from possibly the grumpiest character in existence. I wonder how she will vote? (Actually, to be fair, she isn’t the grumpiest character in existence… she was probably just a tad cranky when I caught up with her!)

“What do you want now?” She asked as she opened the door. I explained I was there for her vote, as we’d arranged. “Vote? Vote? You want another vote? From me?” I asked what she meant by another vote… but she didn’t say. I think it’s likely that with all of the time travelling back and to I’ve been doing lately, I’ve probably, at some point in the future, gone back and visited her before my visit now. It gets very complicated at times.

I love my pet dog
I love all my pet dog’s friends
And I love to eat

Mother Hubbard votes: NO

Mother Hubbard says: “And before you say anythin’, no I don’t eat my pet dog and her friends. She goes out, an’ comes back with ‘er friends. I ‘ave to feed ‘em, so I do. They eat my food. All my food. Me cupboards are always bare. Always. It’s because I love my dog and her friends. It’s the love that makes me do it. That’s not good. Now get out.”

Like I said; grumpy.

There will be another vote along tomorrow.

After my jaunt back to Ancient Rome, I’m now back in the late Seventies again. That’s the 1970s, to avoid any confusion. I’m meeting legendary Glamrock singer Rigal Sirius, of all people.

I always wanted to know if he was Rigal, as in Nigel, or Rigal, as in Regal.

“Either, man…” he advised. So I’m still none the wiser. That aside, I was really there to ask him to vote in my Love Referendum.

So far, the tally (which doesn’t include today’s vote) stands at:

It’s like a feelin’
This thing called love – a feelin’
This thing called love’s good

Rigal Sirius votes: YES

Rigal Sirius says: “Love, man. It’s love. Look at Sandy and Danny. Look at Mulwinnie White and Mr Clark. Look at my band… my Starlets. Feel the love, man. Feel it! It’s astronomical.”

Another vote will be along tomorrow.

It’s Mars, the God of War, who is casting today’s vote in my Love Referendum. Armed with his thunderstick, I have a pretty good idea where this may go. The vote, that is, not the thunder… never mind.

Towering over me, he must be at least eight foot tall (he probably isn’t) and has VERY broad shoulders, made all the more broad by his golden body armour. The strange red skies are also making his long flowing hair at times appear the colour of blood. And to make matters worse, there are rumbles of thunder in the distance.

Clouds rise like smoke behind the jagged rocks of our vantage point atop Mount Olympus.

Hnag on… (my Inner Typist, Fingers, has a question)… Mras si==is a Rmoan God, howcmoe yo’ure on Muont Omylpus? Thats’ wehre the Gerek Gods levid.

Good question, Fingers. And if I knew the answer, I would tell you, but I don’t. It appears the Roman Gods lived on Mount Olympus as well. I believe they were traditionally thought of as living in the sky, but actually had a home in a more Earthly, yet elevated domain. A lot of history crosses over with itself. Mars is the same God as Ares, the Greek name for him.

Why are you rfrreenig to him as Mras tehn?

It makes sense, as I’ve just come from ancient Rome. Anyway, let’s move on.

All things have two sides
War has destruction and peace
And peace comes through love

It would appear this Roman God of War is more focussed on peace than war, which kind of makes sense and yet doesn’t at the same time.

Mars looks at me and smiles, and offers me a tankard of mead. I can’t possibly drink it; not that I refuse. The tankard is about the size of a wheelie bin, so I merely take a sip.

With a thunderous laugh, Mars claps his hands together. Doves fly away in all directions around us.

Mars votes: YES

Mars says: “Without war, there can be no peace. Without peace, there can be no love. Without love, there can be no disagreements. Without disagreements, there can be no war. Like the seasons, there is a cycle to everything. Like life, there are stages. Everything has its place and is finely balanced. One place, one stage, one part of the cycle cannot be removed for everything else will crumble. Love is a good thing in maintaining that balance.”

Another vote tomorrow.