Leaping back to the lore...

Dia duit!

As I woke up this morning, I saw my calendar read 29, February 2012, and a long chain of thoughts ensued in my mind. I have always had an ear for folklore, superstitions and old customs and traditions; which is why the first thing that came to my mind (funnily) was, 'if the world supposedly does end this year, at least Karma was merciful enough to give us one extra day before the end.' Just saying.

Having seen only a romantic version of the leap day folklore in the movie 'Leap Year' (it's a sweet, romantic movie, with some of the best scenic locations of Ireland I've seen. Watch it if you haven't!); I got to reading more about this generous, extra day that comes every 4 years; and I came across some well-known and some not so well-known folklore. It's all very interesting and funny at the same time. So here we go, back into the rumours of the past!

--------------------

                                                The Ladies' Privilege

                             
This is by far the most known leap year story we've all heard, (especially the girls *wink*).
On this grand day, folklore has it, that women can propose to men! What's the big deal? Well, it's no big deal today, but back then women did not have the opportunity of proposing to men. It was considered to be one of nature's laws that only a man can propose to a woman; though, I still think it works like that. The only change is that a woman proposing isn't unexpectedly impossible, just seemingly rare.

Popular sources of these legends are:

• One of the most popular sources of this legend goes as early as the 5th century. A man called St. Patrick, so they say, freed Ireland of snakes, (is that why it is so pretty?). That's when St. Bridget had complained how women had to wait for lazy men to propose (seems like men haven't changed much). So smart man, St. Patrick, went ahead and bestowed women with the kind "privilege" of proposing to a man once in seven years. Excellent bargain-ers as always, women negotiated on the number of years and finally one year out of four- the lucky leap year- was selected unanimously.
  
  However, realization dawned upon St. Bridget that that was a leap year and, all at once, she proposed to St. Patrick right then and there. Poor, shocked man then gave her a kiss and silk gown as consolation with his refusal.
  
  Most legends about the ladies' privilege follow this tale of St. Patrick and St. Bridget.
  
• Some say that a man can't refuse a woman if she proposes on leap year day, i.e. the 29th of February. If he does, he has to console her with a silk gown or even 100 euros.
  
• It is also said that in the 2nd/3rd century, Queen Margaret of Scotland, passed a law in this regard as well. The law stated that the man would have to reimburse his refusal with a kiss and a new silk gown. (I don't think men would have really minded the first condition.) Although, there was a catch here.
  The men had to pay the said reimbursements only IF the woman was wearing a red petticoat while she proposed. Bizarre much? Hell, yes.
  
• Denmark- There, people believed that women could propose on the 24th of February, which is known as the bissextile leap day, and if the man refused the lady, he would have to compensate it by giving her 12 pairs of gloves. Bizarre much? Not really. Gloves, because the woman could then hide her 'un-engaged' ring finger. Oh yeah, they had all risks covered.
  
• Finland went easier on the men. If you refused a woman's leap day proposal here, you would have to buy her fabric for a skirt. *yawn*

The world would be weird if it didn't have contradicting superstitions to every existing superstition. This lore has it too. In Greece, marriage in a leap year is considered to be unlucky, so much so that one in five couples avoid getting married at this time.

Well, all I can say is: to each country, its own (superstition).

--------------------------

“A leap year is never a good sheep year.”

That's what the Scottish say; and it's one of the many other leap day superstitions.
Many believed that in a leap year crops would not grow very well. While there were more who believed that "leaplings" or "leapers" (those born on a leap day,) would be particularly difficult to nurture in addition to falling sick very often. 

Of course, most of these tales and superstitions arose from one basic way of thinking: "there's one whole extra day in the calendar! Could we be messing with Mother Nature?!" Oh yes, that's how ancient thinking worked.

However, I, for one, am glad the earth can't orbit around the sun in 365 days every four years, and needs 24 hours extra. Look what we get to read due to that; or in some cases, look what we girls get to do. Oh yes, trap that bloke if you'd like to, ladies. 

Of course, tales will always surround us and it'll be fun to lend it an occasional ear; but, here's some food for thought. You just got an extra day this year. How are you going to make the most of it?  


Au revoir,
Miss Bee.

I tweet on: https://twitter.com/#!/shoe_stopper
Facebook Fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/shoestopper
Website: http://www.shoestopper.com/


P.S.- The stories mentioned above are merely just that, as none of them have ever been backed by any fact or evidence. But if you believe them, I think it's all good fun. :D
Here's a song called Leap Year. Enjoy!

The inescapable net of environment and society...

Salut!

The need to save the environment from getting worse is something I feel strongly about. I try to be as environmentally conscious as I can. No, I haven't really gone out of my way and planted trees (yet), but I make sure to switch off all the extra lights on in my house, save water and electricity by setting appropriate settings on the washing machine and so on and so forth. It really are the small things that make the difference.

So here is an essay I had written for someone else for a competition. Sadly, it never went through because she failed to send the document before the registration due date. :(
But thanks to that I now have the right to put it up for you all to read.

I fervently hope that you guys not only read it, but also add or subtract relevant points to this piece. Lately, I have been much deprived of intellectual and opinion conflicts with anyone. (That doesn't mean you argue just for the sake of argument. *tch*)

Read on, folks!

----------

How saving the environment can change our society?

"Through our journey from evolution to revolution, today, we have witnessed that human beings have been affected by the natural world. As a matter of fact we can also say that, WE are governed by NATURE. Now that is one big statement to make, isn’t it? Why is it that we, the most developed species of animals, depend so much on nature? It is easy to say we co-exist.

I do believe that saving the environment today will, without a doubt, not only change but also save our society. So let’s take our current dependency on the environment as a situation and assess the circumstances.

How did we get here?

Global warming, pollution, over-population, globalization, technology over-use and a million other such factors are the reasons that have got us here; and that too on an express train. Needless to explain, our abuse on technology and science have been the reason for the consistent degradation of our environment.

So that brings us to our main question. Can saving the environment really change our society? Do we still have time to put all our modern gyan of disaster management to action and saving the environment?

Now that we are here, what should we do?

Scores of environmentalists, socialists, experts and organizations like the United Nations are constantly trying to find solutions to save the environment in every part of the world. However, we have NOT seen any massive and constructive efforts and effects on any individual or organizational level to help save the environment, quickly and effectively.

Can saving the environment really change our society?

Let’s evaluate whether inculcating values for our environment would help our society be better in a better state than it is today. There are two main key points to this discussion: values and economy. These two co-existent factors would majorly influence the change in our society alongside the environment rescue efforts.

Sadly, the present generation has grown up in a way that they have never felt the dire requirement of nature. Even more sadly, very soon they are going to face this situation in the most extreme way possible. Worst of all, the attitude barely seems to be aware of this ominous need to give nature its rightful treatment.  

Thus, involvement in activities that save the environment and pruning practices which do the same is a very important way to polish our attitude and personality.

Coming down to the point of economy, we know our natural resources are speedily depleting. Prices of fuel and other resources needed to run the economy is crossing the sky limit. If the environment isn’t taken seriously NOW, we are going to see a major economic crisis world-over in 5 years or less.

There are more eco-friendly ways of doing everything we do. We can re-grow, recycle, re-use. There are a lot of less commercial means and methods of sustainability.  Economic sustainability must be achieved in the most eco-friendly way to ensure a long life.

Lastly, we all need to know that the rule of Karma applies even here. Every action we perform against the health of our environment is going to put us in difficult situations sooner or later. Let’s insure our life, family and society. All you have to do is be nice to Mother Nature."

(Due to the word limit, I couldn't extensively discuss a lot of points from the essay. However, feel free to question or substantiate any of the points mentioned above. )

"What is human warfare but just this; an effort to make the laws of God and nature take sides with one party."

-Henry David Thoreau

Let's change while we still can. Thanks to the mayans and other philosophies, we all know the consequences. End of the world- 2012, later or never is the choice we can still make. 

Au revoir,

Miss Bee.

I tweet on: https://twitter.com/#!/shoe_stopper

Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/shoestopper

Website: http://www.shoestopper.com/

When nostalgia strikes...

Hi!

This is another article that I meant to post some time back.
I had found an old pair of shoes that I had painted for myself and I've been quite nostalgic since. I wrote this blog post for my brand's blog and I thought I'd share it here as well (for those who haven't read it on the Shoe Stopper blog.) Happy reading!

-----

Yesterday, while I was looking for shoes to wear for the Mumbai marathon (yes, I went!), I found my own first customized Shoe Stopper pair. When I had started out Shoe Stopper in 2009, I wanted to paint and practice as much as I could; and there, I spotted my year old pale green converse to transform into some new piece of coolness.

Like I said, they were a year old pair of shoes in 2009, so clearly they were sort of worn out already; but that was part of the challenge for me. Could I really transform an old pair of shoes to look like a new one? Only one way to find out...

Thus, I got down to some serious business. First I had to make sure the shoes were sparkly clean. (I do have an obsessive compulsive disorder about hygiene and cleanliness. *hides face*)

I was sure I wanted to paint something with The Simpsons on the shoes considering I had been watching a lot of the sitcom during that period and I was nearly obsessed. But I knew they wouldn't look as great on a military green pair of converse. So I finally settled on the bright yet dark shade of purple to paint over the green. And voila; there I was, three hours later, with a new pair of shoes! :D

The shoes are now three and a half years old, but they're still my favorite pair. Simple, purple, with Bart and Lisa... (enters happy place) Worn out, yet they remind me of what I love doing.


Keeping the art alive,
Devika Bharadwaj,
Founder and Artist,
Shoe Stopper.

Website: http://www.shoestopper.com/
Facebook Fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/shoestopper
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/shoe_stopper

My shoes were of this shade before I painted  them...
And a lot dirtier... :P
(That's a Google image)

This is how my pair of shoes look now, after three and a half years,
and after a lot of washing and scrubbing... Not bad, eh? :D

Au revoir,
Miss Bee.

I tweet on: https://twitter.com/#!/shoe_stopper
Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/shoestopper
Website: http://www.shoestopper.com/