Tuesday 30 July 2013
How did I miss this......
Can someone please explain how it took me so long discover this example of television at its very best .........
Thursday 4 July 2013
Some of my favourite things.......
This isn't a musing but a picture of two things likely to feature on here quite a lot ................. a cup of tea and Ben Whishaw:)
The "Sisterhood".....
This post is inspired by a piece I heard on the radio recently. Two authors were being interviewed about their recently published novels, both centered around groups of female friends. Such groups are commonly referred to as the "Sisterhood" . The question being posed was does the "Sisterhood" actually exist and are woman really that supportive of each other?
For me, this is a simple question that has a very complex answer.
My initial response is to say that the "Sisterhood" has probably been somewhat diluted in the younger generation. This is due to the barriers in relation to "mixed friendships"having been broken down. By "mixed friendships", I mean friendships between men and woman on a platonic level. The younger generation are more likely to have a mix of friends growing up. I think this is healthy and I have always had a rich tapestry of friends that have given me interesting perspectives on life. Having such friendships allows you to see things from different viewpoints and breaks down some of the misunderstandings that can occur between the sexes.
I have always viewed the concept of the "Sisterhood" with some trepidation. Close female friendships are important, especially when going through different events in women's lives, like first period, pregnancy, menopause etc. I prize my female friendships and they add so much to my life. But another side of the "Sisterhood" is not so pleasant.
The "Sisterhood" isn't always a state where all citizens are created equal. If you go back and think about it woman used to be in competition with each other. A competition where it was survival of the fittest. The competition in question was the one to make a good match. To find a suitable husband. If like me you are a lover of period novels, films and television dramas, you will know that plots can often be centered around the marriage proposal. The battle for the marriage proposal was as bruising a battle as any of the men might have fought on the battlefield. Your fortune, and often that of your family, was determined by your success in battle.
The element of competition hasn't gone away among women today. It's just changed. Girls can become aware of this competition when they reach their teens. Many of today's teen dramas centre around the popular girls and the ugly duckling. The story arc of these dramas is usually that the ugly duckling is tormented by the popular girls but blossoms into a beautiful swan by the end. She usually gets the boy as well and becomes the prom queen/head girl etc. (delete as appropriate).
Another twist on this theme, moves the story on a few years, where the ugly duckling has now become successful and beautiful. Usually she has a glamourous job in publishing or journalism in a major city like New York or London. These type of stories revolve around going back to a school reunion or wedding and facing the demons from your past.
Whilst these movies provide light entertainment and frivolous fun, I often question whether or not they send out the wrong message. They seem to revolve around pitting women or girls against each other where getting the guy is the spoil of victory.
From my observations on the differences between men and women, it appears to me that men are much more straightforward in how they operate their friendships. It seems to be a case of what you see is what you get. If men have an issue they tend to let it out, have it out and get over it. Women, on the other hand, can smile sweetly at each other and exchange pleasantries whilst boiling up inside with rage. This can build up over time with the eventual eruption that can be fatal to the friendship.
I love my female friends and my male friends equally. In reality, I just love my friends and the joy that they bring to my life.
For me, this is a simple question that has a very complex answer.
My initial response is to say that the "Sisterhood" has probably been somewhat diluted in the younger generation. This is due to the barriers in relation to "mixed friendships"having been broken down. By "mixed friendships", I mean friendships between men and woman on a platonic level. The younger generation are more likely to have a mix of friends growing up. I think this is healthy and I have always had a rich tapestry of friends that have given me interesting perspectives on life. Having such friendships allows you to see things from different viewpoints and breaks down some of the misunderstandings that can occur between the sexes.
I have always viewed the concept of the "Sisterhood" with some trepidation. Close female friendships are important, especially when going through different events in women's lives, like first period, pregnancy, menopause etc. I prize my female friendships and they add so much to my life. But another side of the "Sisterhood" is not so pleasant.
The "Sisterhood" isn't always a state where all citizens are created equal. If you go back and think about it woman used to be in competition with each other. A competition where it was survival of the fittest. The competition in question was the one to make a good match. To find a suitable husband. If like me you are a lover of period novels, films and television dramas, you will know that plots can often be centered around the marriage proposal. The battle for the marriage proposal was as bruising a battle as any of the men might have fought on the battlefield. Your fortune, and often that of your family, was determined by your success in battle.
The element of competition hasn't gone away among women today. It's just changed. Girls can become aware of this competition when they reach their teens. Many of today's teen dramas centre around the popular girls and the ugly duckling. The story arc of these dramas is usually that the ugly duckling is tormented by the popular girls but blossoms into a beautiful swan by the end. She usually gets the boy as well and becomes the prom queen/head girl etc. (delete as appropriate).
Another twist on this theme, moves the story on a few years, where the ugly duckling has now become successful and beautiful. Usually she has a glamourous job in publishing or journalism in a major city like New York or London. These type of stories revolve around going back to a school reunion or wedding and facing the demons from your past.
Whilst these movies provide light entertainment and frivolous fun, I often question whether or not they send out the wrong message. They seem to revolve around pitting women or girls against each other where getting the guy is the spoil of victory.
From my observations on the differences between men and women, it appears to me that men are much more straightforward in how they operate their friendships. It seems to be a case of what you see is what you get. If men have an issue they tend to let it out, have it out and get over it. Women, on the other hand, can smile sweetly at each other and exchange pleasantries whilst boiling up inside with rage. This can build up over time with the eventual eruption that can be fatal to the friendship.
I love my female friends and my male friends equally. In reality, I just love my friends and the joy that they bring to my life.
Tuesday 2 July 2013
The beautiful boy with the beautiful smile....
As I work hard bringing you this week's post, here is a treat for the senses.....
Most of you who know me, and as those of you who don't will soon discover, I am rather fond of a beautiful being who goes by the name of Benjamin John Whishaw.
I could devote a hundred and one posts as to why I think Ben is special but that is for another day. For those of you who don't yet know this beautiful being, he is a rather amazing English actor. Probably best known for reprising the role of Q, in Skyfall (Bond 23), but his body of work is far more extensive than that.
It is rare to have a photo shoot or a publicity photograph where Ben is actually smiling (note I don't post personal or paparazzi pictures as we all deserve to have a private life), but a few rare gems seemed to have hit the net, in recent weeks, showing a very smiling Ben.
Enjoy:)
Most of you who know me, and as those of you who don't will soon discover, I am rather fond of a beautiful being who goes by the name of Benjamin John Whishaw.
I could devote a hundred and one posts as to why I think Ben is special but that is for another day. For those of you who don't yet know this beautiful being, he is a rather amazing English actor. Probably best known for reprising the role of Q, in Skyfall (Bond 23), but his body of work is far more extensive than that.
Enjoy:)
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| A very smiling Ben at the opening day of Wimbledon 2013 - 24th June 2013 |
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| Ben Whishaw & Michelle Dockery - Evian Live Young Suite Wimbledon 2013 |
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