Family Affairs and other matters

I attended the above event last night thanks to my lovely blog friend Jennifer Howze, who invited me:- Interesting. In fact, the beauty industry is like a whole other world for me. Although I bumped into a friend from down the road who I hadn’t realised was one of the judges. Of course, I love [...]

The owner of the French breast implant maker at the centre of a safety scare has been arrested in the south of France, police sources have said. How come the PIP implants made with industrial silicon, (more effective in mattresses) have been banned in France since 2010 and it’s only just in the last few [...]

Just been sent details of the coolest album – look at this link and who is on the album:- http://music.amnestyusa.org/?utm_source=aiusa&utm_medium=email&utm_content=email+1+-+helen,+artist+quotes&utm_campaign=chimes&msource=W1201ESCHI1&tr=y&auid=10183091 50 years ago, Bob Dylan started his professional career by picking up his guitar and playing at a coffee house in Greenwich Village. That same year, British lawyer Peter Benenson launched a campaign to stand [...]

WOOHOO. How exciting. Not only have I been asked to appear at the BritMums Live Conference this year in the Blogger’s Studio event on Friday at 16:15 to discuss Can You Have It All? with a group of bloggers and THE Allison Pearson, but I’m also going to be taking the “Blogercise” stretch and tone [...]

It occurred to me at a party I was at the other day that I am looking a lot older than some of the other women my age. I was standing with a group of women who are all into botox and fillers and eye lifts and I looked at least 10 years older if [...]

I went with a friend to a cocktail party at Claridges for the premier of Madonna’s new film “W.E” all about Edward and Wallis Simpson and then on to the red carpet showing of the film in Leicester Square. It has now been released in the UK to lukewarm reviews. British critics were largely unimpressed by the Venice screening. Kate Muir, The Times’s chief film critic, awarded W.E. two stars and described it as “a mash-up of Mills and Boon and Homes and Gardens”. The Guardian’s one-star review called it a “primped and simpering folly, preening and fatally mishandled”.

I really enjoyed the film. Visually stunning. 83 costume changes for Wallis and some brilliant cinematography – including 35mm, 16mm and Super 8 to give the home video look when required. She did a Q & A at the end. It took her three years to research and develop the concept for the film and she read as many letters as she could find to try and get under the skin of Wallis Simpson herself – she is obviously fascinated in the whole concept of the most romantic couple in history and the huge and brave sacrifices both of them had to make and presumably also relates to the misunderstood strong American female abroad theme.

“What do you hope people will take away from the film?” she was asked as the last question and after a long pause she said “lots of things. It’s a complex story and there is no such thing as perfect love and if you think there is then you are in for a rude awakening. Real love requires compromise. Nothing is what it seems and it pays to investigate all angles before you reach your conclusions”.

Here she was at Claridges:-

She has the skin of a twelve year old:-

Here we are on the red carpet – he plays the adulterous “shrink”:-

She plays Wallis, but I was the wrong side of the red carpet to get a picture of her face!:-

Me on the red carpet!

Here is a picture of some of the paparazzi – what a hard job they’ve got:-

Her allocated seat – at least I think it must have been for her:-

WOOHOO. The next year of the Dragon beans on 23 January 2012 and lots of Dragon babies are set to make an entrance. For most Chinese around the world being born in the year of the Dragon is considered auspicious. The Dragon, the only mythical creature among the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac is regarded as a symbol of might and intelligence. Male Dragons are said to be destined to be successful and wealthy. This is the year of the Water Dragon and so it is auspicious regardless of whether one has a boy or a girl, although traditionally, it is believed that female dragons, while wise and talented, will face some difficulties in their lives, particularly in the area of romance.

My father was a Dragon, I’m a Dragon and my youngest son is a Dragon – I wonder if that’s unusual. You have to be born in a multiple of 12 years apart. So in our cases 1940, 1976 and 2000. Interestingly my father and I were very close and similar in outlook and I recognise many of his traits in the information below – the description of a child Dragon is very relevant to my youngest son too.

I love reading my book on the “Chinese Zodiac Signs” and the detailed descriptions of the character and personality of each animal. Having grown up in Hong Kong they hold far more relevance to me than the Western zodiac.

So, for any others of you out there who are Dragons, or want to know how to deal more effectively with a Dragon – here is all the relevant information you need. Some of it, in my case is quite scarily true – although I’m not into UFO’s and couldn’t possibly wear yellow….

A FEW NOTES ON THE DRAGON

Principal qualities: Active, dynamic, scrupulous and lucky.
Principal defects: Demanding, impatient, intolerant.
Work: Not knowing that a chore is thought impossible, the Dragon will succeed where others have failed.
Best role: Oracle.
Worst Role: Diplomat
Money: Does not mean happiness; but he needs it to safeguard his independence.
Luck: He always has it, but it is better if he is not born during a storm.
Cannot live without: Space, oxygen, fresh air, liberty.
Adores: Being called upon to help when things go wrong.
Hates: To wait calmly and patiently.
Leisure activities: Loves science-fiction, watching for UFOs – in short, anything which takes him far from the good old earth.
Colours: Black and Yellow.
Plants: Sage and mandrake – sorcerers’ plants.
Flower: Lotus.
Professions: Prophet, solicitor, orator, architect, artist, actor, meterorologies, astronomer, astronaut – preferably famous.

THE FOUR AGES IN THE LIFE OF THE DRAGON ACCORDING TO CHINESE TRADITION

The childhood and fourth of the Dragon are difficult, for during these periods his/her need for support and his/her stubbornness will cause many problems with his family and friends. The gap between his ideal and reality will often make him extremely dissatisfied.

In maturity and old age s/he will probably find his/her equilibrium. However, he should always remember that the Dragon is a legendary, mysterious animal; he must not depend entirely on his brilliant appearance, for the illusion it projects will never last.

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE DRAGON

The Dragon is the only animal in the Chinese zodiac to exist solely in legends. S/he is a mythical, fantastic animal and those born during this year are exceptional. They can only give their utmost in extreme situations; ordinary, daily life is not their strong point – or else they will transform it in such a way that it becomes exhausting for everyone.

Chinese tradition says that the Dragon is the sign of luck and truth; it is therefore advantageous to be in close contact with a person born under this sign.

Male and female Dragons are extremely overpowering; one must either be their friend or their rival – and it is not a simple matter to be the latter. They see and speak the truth, even though it is not always good to say and the advice they give is always worthwhile and wise, even when they announce it publicly rather than whisper it in private.

Alas, Dragons are not always capable of making good use of their marvellous lucidity; they often point out dangers to their friends into which they will throw themselves headfirst without a thought. They possess intellectual wisdom, but their actions are not always wise.

Dragons are fascinating, gifted and impressively convinced that they hold the keys to success. Everything seems to smile on them and they are fortunate in love.

Dragons have many qualities: they are full of energy, enthusiasm and vitality; they are frank and scrupulous, try to do their best and succeed, for they do not know the meaning of the word “failure”. They are also healthy, natural, captivating and full of charm, sincerity and devotion. Their defects are the reverse of their qualities; they are extremely impatient, cannot bear to wait for anything or anyone and cannot understand why anyone should resist them. They are irritable and demanding with their friends and relatives. They completely lack the slightest bit of indulgence and cannot be tactful or diplomatic even if their lives depend on it. Extremely self-assured, they can never understand the doubts or hesitations of others; if they feel capable of doing something, they feel that others should be able to do it too – with no further arguments.

Dragons are so convinced that they are infallible that they behave horribly with those who are not. Intolerant and abrupt, they make decisions too quickly and have difficulty recognising their mistakes. They barely listen to others, but adore being admired; when they are refused something, they will give an ultimatum and never go back on it.

How is it then that Dragons are so seductive and irresistible? It is simply that they represent life, warmth and light; without them, life would be extremely drab. Their unpredictability, their good qualities – which are as extraordinary as their defects – give unexpected spice to our lives. They burn themselves out without leaving a trace – but what a beautiful bonfire!

Naturally Dragons are intelligent and above all they know how to make use of their knowledge. They often seem more cultivated than they really are. They are fluent and are often found leading demonstrations or are the main speakers at public meetings; Dragons are rarely found in secondary positions.

Because they are made for exceptional situations, Dragons are usually bored and dissatisfied; they wait impatiently for the next storm to arrive.

THE DRAGON AS A CHILD

Independent and inventive and needs to be given the freedom to experience things on his own and to assert himself. A routine or strict discipline should not be imposed on him. Capable of being an excellent student because he is gifted, brilliant and intelligent; but he does not work very hard and detests being told to work first and play later. He often appears stupid because he has not bothered to answer a question to which he knows the answer simply because he is bored or the teacher has irritated him. His relations with his teachers are often difficult for he is insolent, provocative and very annoying to those in positions of authority.

In fact, the little Dragon does not accept any controls; he does what he wishes and only accepts advice when it is given by someone he has not met before. He is both protective and indifferent towards his parents. The ideal for him would be to be given food and lodging and to be left just about free for everything else. This is difficult, even in our permissive times, but if treated with tolerance and generosity – with nothing required in exchange the young Dragon will become more human and blossom accordingly.

He has his first sexual adventures at a rather early age. It is best to give a girl Dragon some method of birth control during her adolescence without asking too many questions. But there is no need to worry; Dragons never allow themselves to become involved in emotional adventures over which they have no control.

LOVE LIFE

Dragons often behave as though they had “I am absolutely irresistible” sung to them in the cradle. They are convinced that they possess phenomenal seductive powers – and they do! They have enormous charm and it never occurs to them that someone might be indifferent to it. They have never known an impossible love.

Dragons rarely know what it is to suffer from an unrequited lot; they succeed 90% of the time. Then, thanks to an attitude which is a curious mix of passionate enthusiasm and detachment, they make themselves completely indispensable.

They are passionate, but never blinded by their passion. They know very well what they are doing and what they wish to obtain. Also, they can live very easily without the object of their desire; Chinese tradition says that the Dragon is happiest when along.

They detest emotional outbursts of affection, tears or sentimental blackmail. If inflicted with any of these, they will take flight immediately. They expect you to listen to them with admiration and that you take their advice. If you are unfaithful try not to tell them – you will destroy their ideal. Be discreet. If you want to seduce them buy them gifts. If you want to get rid of them say “amazing, I thought you were taller”.

Why is it so hard to resist Dragons? Because they are warm, understanding and dynamic; their energy is so alive that it acts on others like a euphoric cocktail. With a Dragon, one feels more handsome, more intelligent and more alive. That is the secret of their success in love.

FAMILY LIFE

It is not surprising that Dragons are not family minded or home-loving. A female Dragon will never accept being relegated to a domestic role. If Dragons marry early, which is often the case, it is simply to prove their independence and autonomy to their parents. They often divorce and remarry; generally, their second marriage is more successful than their first.

They are good, understanding and encouraging parents who do not stifle their offspring; on the contrary, they seek to encourage independence and the capacity to act alone and get along in life.

PROFESSIONAL LIFE

Dragons detest routine and are useless at monotonous tasks. Dragons seem to have been created especially to resolve insoluble problems which they are never bored with. However, our Dragons must often be bored sitting at their desks because their qualities cannot be put to use without revolutions and other social and historical upheavals, which, unfortunately for them do not happen every day.

Dragons often pursue several different professions in the course of their lifetime. This is because they need to experiment before deciding what it is they wish to do. This instability is simply the astrological baggage of all those born under the sign of the Dragon.

MATERIAL LIFE

Dragons often have financial problems, for they are imprudent, get involved too quickly and do not think hard enough about interest and monthly payments. Also they do not foresee the dishonesty of others, and are sometimes cheated by those less scrupulous than themselves.

Male and female Dragons spend money for their own pleasure, but they are also generous to their friends and family and like to give presents. In fact, they are the most unselfish people in the world. A female Dragon would never marry a man for his money, they are more interested in the brilliant or inventive side of your profession than in how much you earn.

ENVIRONMENT

Living between the four walls of a flat with a suburban garden as his only view a Dragon would soon become depressed, for he cannot stand to be confined. The Dragon is very claustrophobic, he needs space, fresh air and speed and prefers the whistling of the wind to that of the kettle.

Dragons like things around them to move and they are perfectly capable of adapting to foreign landscape and lifestyle. They are depressed if they must always live in the same place. If they cannot travel they like to have exotic furniture.