First finish - Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

Hooray! Tonight I was able to finish my very first book from my reading list. And yes, it was Black Beauty by Anna Sewell. I was very touched by the novel which has been narrated by the horse itself - for that, Ms Sewell therefore wrote the first of its kind.

Sewell described very closely and very detailed a story from a horses' point of view which lived in Victorian England - from his first place, which he could very well remember with lovely meadows and friendly people to his next place at a gentlemen's house. From there he has been treated mostly well, sometimes not so well and handed down from place to place until he gone to be a cab horse in the city of London. From time to time I had a small tear in my eye, when for example the good hearted horse had leave due to some people's circumstances and taken to a place much worse than before - without meadows with its delicious grass, where he could roll himself in, or gallop around and without a good tempered groom or master to take care of him.

Anna Sewell took also a close look to the circumstances where horses where stalled in her time: She distinguished light and airy stables, and stands, where horse could barely move, nor let alone, turning around. Also mistreatment / ill-usage was a big issue in her book: She stressed passages where horses where overloaded / whipped / asked too much of in any kind and pulled the guilty ones to the summons or let them punished by their masters. She took over the fictive justice for the creatures, and gave the reader therefore her moral idea of how to treat an animal.

I am quite sorry, that I have finished it already, as it was such an enjoyable book - as it would be for any animal / and / or horse lover, teenager fond of animals or anybody in need of a quick read. If someone is interested I wrote some more about Black Beauty over at Happyblue book club.

Have a great weekend & happy reading,

love

Svenja

The fall of Facebook?

When I joined today's most famous social network, it was still a network based on student's interests to connect. I had to register my university network and confirm registration with my uni-passau student email address. Everything was pretty new, and nobody sent me unwanted apps or my-calender requests (as I have friends from many parts of the world I receive them in all kind of languages. Still - unwanted.)

The idea was brilliant. You met new friends on last nights Erasmus-Party? Check out Facebook and re-connect. Wanna keep in touch with friends from your gap year or year abroad? No problem, Facebook enabled sharing big parts of your activities and made sure your contacts are kept. Fantastic. What I also really like is event- and link sharing. Someone recommends an awesome movie I had never heard about which made me watch it -yay! Some interesting political discussion I missed- interesting! Or events I never knew about made public - cool, I could attend!

That is what Facebook used to be awesome for. Right now I have more the feeling it is a collective pool of complaints. People complaining publicly about their bad lives, illnesses and worries and how difficult everything is. Is this really the place to spam all others with all details of peoples diarroe, period pains or complains of a far too stressful life which no other person has created but the very one who is complaining. Mmmmmh. It really makes me feel annoyed to read these things.

What actually still keeps me taking part is the actual idea of keeping connected, as everyone's (still) on it. And the other good things, the links!

I was wondering is anyone feeling the same? Do you also feel that browsing through all those wonderful blogs nowadays (today I found this one for example or this swissy one) is much more inspiring?

Love,

Svenja

Splendid: Kyle Froman Photography

I really love professional photography, and today this artist caught my attention: Kyle Froman. Himself a professional ballet dancer and photographer.

In my opinion he catches a simple and clean aesthetic, avoiding disturbing elements - in colors, shapes or light. His art work is focused on dance scenes, mainly ballet. When opening his web page with his portfolio I was seriously surprised when the tone was not annoyingly loud and disturbing. So even the tunes he used to create an atmosphere when looking at his art work is almost unbelievably perfect...

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Regards,

Svenja

Ice-creme dream

Spring has arrived big times, temperatures on our balcony topped the 30 degrees Celsius mark and trees start to show off their tiny light green leafs. Small daisies are decorating the dark green grass and crocuses and daffodils's time is already up. Long shirts and trousers may stay in the closet and dresses, T-shirts and flip flop may see the sunlight again after a long and dark winter (it could have been worse - I have to admit. With only two weeks of incredibly cold temperatures with a good deal below zero degrees and hardly any snow) and be taken out for some weeks before shops and fashion magazines suggest the latest spring line of this year. Not that I would HAVE to buy new things, but the past made me wise and I know one day or the other it is going to happen. Maybe this year will be different....

But one thing is for sure, with the warm and sunny weather, also the ice cream season has started as well. I also do like other deserts, but I really really- really love ice-cream. OK. Now it is out. I am an addict. And this year I absolutely fell for lemon ice cream. My second fav is cocos or banana flavor. Even though I am a chocolate lover as well, I hardly ever go for chocolate ice cream.

And there is my favorite ice shop in Eindhoven, called zin in ijs en chocolade which I would translate with something like fancying ice and chocolate (well, I am a bad translator, but I hope you know what I mean) and it is a combination of an ice cafe, where people can sit inside and outside, and a patisserie / chocolaterie where you can pick from a wide range of chocolates and pralines. They have a good choice of italian, self made, fresh ice cream, which is very tasty and varying from time to time. Furthermore they serve smoothing, iced coffee, and other coffee specialities. The personal is extremely service oriented and friendly. If you should be in or around Eindhoven and fancy an ice creme, This is the place to go!

What's your favorite ice-creme flavor? Has anyone ever tried liquorice ice cream?

Love,

Svenja

Opensensornetwork

As already announced on Sunday, I cannot wait to publish a small note on one of my current projects, which is called opensensornetwork.org. But what is it all about? The idea of Opensensornetwork was born quite out of the blue. While showering my darling had the idea of extending his current electronics business, and especially sensor business into a unique project: To arrange a network of sensors, collect the data, make it open and visible for everyone. As an open source project, everyone can join and participate and contribute to a network of data on air quality matters. What can be measured? Everything you could possibly think of, which could contribute to an indication of air quality. CO2, NO2, all kind of particles, temperature, relative air humidity etc etc. The idea is to make things measurable and visible. An area can have a poorer air quality then another region due to more economic activity. But with encouraging the use of sustainable and regenerative energies, or incentive programs for less driving - more cycling, etc things can improve, and it can be measured!! Even in a borough with many factories! Governments could give out subsidies and other incentives to reduce CO2 for example! And now we could have it measured and proved!

How does it work?

Well, on a technical level we intend to provide sensors which are measuring the air quality, we find it useful to let the small sensor be charged by a small solar panel and put it into a housing which we let produce from recycled plastics or biopolymer. We believe, every small contribution is valuable, even if we only avoid the use of normal plastics. The tracking of the sensor will be via GPS and other wireless technology solutions!

The sensors can be hanged in your garden, on a tree, on a lantern, or wherever you find it useful.

Where?

Wherever you breathe!

What about ethics?

We also believe that production should be ethical: We distance ourselves from producing in low wage countries, unless we are going to produce for the same market! We want that people who give their fair work force get a fair pay, and since we are based in Western Europe it would be very hard to ensure this all the way! That is why we produce in the Netherlands, Belgium and in Germany!

Don't wanna buy our sensors, but still wanna take part?

No problem! We provide the drawings and a list of what you need and with a little bit of electronics knowledge you can build your own sensors!! We are going to provide the software and the web portal so that you can see your sensors on an huge interactive map.

Who is our target group?

Our target group are individuals who care for air quality, communities and municipalities who care for green projects, sustainability and a cleaner air in their cities or companies who want to give their compliance programs something new!!

Stay tuned for further updates or visit us on Facebook and Twitter!

Green Regards,

Svenja

She walks in Beauty

Being involved with classics at the moment, sometimes research is a little distractive. It then pulls me away from my actual field of interest (classic novels basically) and provides some other nice pieces. This one for example: She walks in Beauty by Lord Byron, who wrote this poem the morning after he met an engaged (or was she married?) girl at a ball. Fitting to the poem I found this painting (Woman in Boat by James Jaques Joseph Tissot) with this adorable little dog in the back of the small boat.

I really like the lines, and the combination of beauty and darkness, as it is usually the other way around and thought, I will share :-).

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

Lord George Byron

happyblue weekend

Everything has been pretty hectic lately, and this weekend it was therefore time to do - nothing.

Yes, nothing. Not that it was boring, or that I was bored (actually - I am never bored, at least I cannot remember the last time I was bored, traffic jams or work related things do not count, right?). Just the fact that we had no plans was just a great planning that I was looking forward to this weekend almost as much, as I was looking forward to go to Venice for example.

OK, almost.

Therefore laziness was completely into place and the sunny and warm weather did its contribution. Walking a little bit in the sun with little Josie, took some pictures of her - as she will only be a puppy for a short time,

some balcony gardening, ok not me, my darling did, I am more the one to enjoy the result than ha ha, trying out my new springy nail polish Vernis in love by Lancome which I bought on Friday, inspired by my little delights recovering my twisted neck (pfffff nasty..) which involved one or the other siesta and, finally - a lot of reading. Annnd of course I was not continuing my current read (it is -- haha, was, my lazy weekend), but I was rather too temped to start my new arrival - Black Beauty by Anna Sewell. Yes, you may laugh, and I absolutely admit it, it IS a children's novel. And I love it. When I was a child I have been reading Black Beauty of course as I was one of the horse obsessed children anyways who used to hang out at the stables right after school.. but it seemed to be not the CLASSIC one (as a nine year old, I most probably did not bother about which version I read, it just should be about that gorgeous black horse with the sweet character).The classic novel however (later I will write more about it over at happyblue book club) is narrated by the horse itself and marked, after publishing, the begin of the movement of animal welfare in England and elsewhere. It is the first novel in history written from an animal's perspective. It has been accomplished with such a love for detail that the book is enjoyable at any minute (at least for animal & classic literature lovers). It is a rather quick & easy read, just perfect to indulge in in a lazy weekend!

Sometimes no plans are wonderful plans and I at least had a lovely and wonderful weekend! How was yours, what were your plans?

Love,

Svenja

All I need is Ralph

I was just surfing the internet for a little more inspiration for my guest room, when I came across the home collection by Ralph Lauren, most famous for his fashion collection. I am really enthusiastic by the combination of simplicity and romantic elements in the RL home style. Simplicity, because he is sticking to rather less, and quiet colors which underlines the classy elements of interior design, and romantic because here and there he took distance from just straight lines (which are already present through is color choice and arrangements) and decided for rounder shapes to give it a small baroque touch. Yes: Small... As baroque is often used with an overdose - at least for my taste,, Therefore, I love this tiny influence, just spot on! Annnd the colors: I really love the extensive use of white / beige and blue, to emphasize pureness, a maritime spirit - with the colors of the sea and the sky and the contrast of dark and light itself. Bravo!

I'd say I all I need is Ralph...

PS: What I also find awesome is the personal design tool which they provide on their web page. You can select items, and put them together to arrange them interactively.

If you like you can check out their gorgeous collection here!

Love,

Svenja

I am in love. With Loewe.

Further information you can find here. Enjoy!

I like her style: Kate Winslet for Lancôme

And I like them: Roger Federer & Matthew Goode

Life is good!

Finally - also officially, winter is over now and it's time for spring!!

Have a nice & sunny day, everyone!

From Holland with love,

Svenja

Extremely loud and incredibly close - the movie

Yesterday I finally made it to the cinema and watched the movie "extremely loud and incredibly close". As I could not make it the weekend before I was very excited. And it was worth it.

The story is about the nine-year old Oskar, who is very gifted in certain fields but has difficulties to communicate due to a disorder from the autistic spectrum. Oskar has a very intense relationship with his father, who died during the attacks in NYC at 9/11. When Oskar came home from school on "the worst day" he was the one to hear his dads messages on the answering machine calling from the WTC. When the phone rang one more time when he was actually there he was paralyzed by what was happening and unable to pick up the phone. Traumatized by the event and missing his beloved one he did not dare to enter his dads closed for one year. That day he gently touched his clothes and smelled the smell of his father. And he found his old camera which he got from his dad. By taking the camera from the board a blue vase fell down and into pieces. That is were Oskar found a key, which he was sure of belonging to something which would bring him closer to his dad again. His analytical mind helped him to develop a plan to find the lock which can be opened with it, and he started looking. A journey through all boroughs of New York began and the boy has been facing a lot of challenges every day: He is afraid of everything which seems not safe. Therefore he is walking everywhere instead of taking the public transport, he does not like loud noises, bridges, swings, airplanes, the list

could be continued easily. Basically he was afraid of almost everything. In the end he could get over many of his fears and was able to solve the mystery of the key. (I am not going to

spoil the end here, as the movie is still on)

Next to the main story line, the movie touched a couple of other aspects in life: The relationship between the boy and his mother seemed rather difficult. Oskar decided that his father can "think" like him and completely understands him (remember, he is very autistic). His mother showed him imposingly that she can also "think" like him. The love between son and mother could be established (for his perception, of course his mother loves her son). Second, Oskar treats everyone the same way. If they were living on the street, experiencing a divorce or a normal family. Everyone had their story to tell. The equality element was shown here perfectly well, as it can only perceived by an autistic child as they do not judge. Another example is the autism aspect in general: Autism is mostly, or - at least in many cases considered socially abnormal. Autistic childs are more likely to be apprehended as cause of trouble or obstacle for the parents rather than a full and valuable member of society - with all its facets! The story of extremely loud and incredibly close was capable of demonstrating this. A further building block of the movie were the events of 9/11. They were depicted close and real. Through the unfiltered perception of the eyes and ears of the boy Oskar the audience could re-experience the events of the NY attacks. Also the way he analyzed it contained no emotion. A last thing which was inherent was that the element "money" did not appear! It has not been mentioned, shown or in any way talked about, it was NOT important!

The titles message re-appeared in many shapes during the movie. The noise of the city, of trains, airplanes, people rushing by through the ears of Oskar was too loud, irritating and fearful. The element of close I can interpret in many ways, nevertheless the most likely way should be related to the relationship with his father, and the bond they always, and still have. Close were also many faces in this movie, showing - again the perception of the boy, who is then kind of fading out other details of the busy world and only focusing on the person he talks to. That could also be the reason for most of the people becoming emotional, and often crying in his presence as he is showing his full attention to them. Oskar also got close to his mother eventually, and to his father (the hidden message in the swing board) and to his grandfather ("the renter"). Close could also be attached to the fact that the solution of the puzzle was already close all the time.

In a nutshell, the movie is a touching, rather heavy and rather exciting movie and very worth watching. I found it extremely interesting to swap perspective and watch the world through the eyes of Oskar, who is experiencing everything rather intensely and unfiltered. I loved the way they arranged the music, and - to come back on it - the equality element. Everyone, as strange they might seem gets a chance: In a world were comparability is extremely high thanks to social online networks and standardization of processes. The connectedness is as high as never before and people rather spend time on their mobile devices than talking to each other. The movie shows that individuality is important (otherwise Abbey would still miss her husband, and her husband would never knew what his father left him or the old man unable to talk finding back his family and helped Oskar to overcome his fears). It shows everyone is valuable and worthy and has his part in society and makes his contribution - as good as they can, without judgement.

So, if you did not by now, go and watch "extremely loud and incredibly close" you will be able to enjoy a very different movie, or maybe read the book, it should be even closer!

Someone needs a name...

Life could not be more exciting than it is right now. It is utterly busy at work, plenty of projects, and tomorrow it is my darling's birthday. For that I am overly busy preparing the house for all guests tomorrow: Garlands have to be hanged - to follow the Dutch tradition, tarts to be ordered at the bakery, gifts wrapped, and and and.... And on Sunday I will have my lovely friend coming over from London! I have not seen Michaela in ages, I believed last I saw her was in 2009 when I went to London but did not make it to there again (such a gorgeous place btw). I am so much looking forward to see her! To have long coffees, long walks, drinks, and talks, as we sure have to catch up a lot.

As this is not quite enough yet, we welcome a new "family member" in our home. A small puppy, which we got yesterday evening. It was so cute, so fluffy and so soft, and we could

not resist: She had to come with us and move in as our new flatmate. It is a rather small dog, a mixture of Maltesian dog and Vlinderhondje (I believe the original name of the race is Papillion). Without a name. Yet. As it came so sudden, out of the blue. Therefore I now have to quickly find a cute name for our new cute friend. I was thinking of something French maybe, or just very simple Rosie or Maggie. I will make my decision by tonight, to no longer having to call her hondje (=doggy). I am already looking forward to take long walks in the nature with her, as well as to go running. For now she is incredibly small, maybe 30 cm, and cannot walk that much. But as active as she seems it will change really soon.

Mmmmh, and instead of taking care of the place to be subject, it is now really about the place to pee.

As I still have a long way to go with decorating the house and everything, interrupted by a do you maybe need to pee? break every half an hour I think I should continue now. Have a very nice weekend everyone!

incredibly clean and extremely tired

This day has been a very successful one, so far. Well, not in a very intellectual way... I had the time to reflect over Spinoza or Plato while cleaning the balcony and painting the guest room, but I did not. I was rather thinking, how can I get over with it as soon as possible to dive into some reading or head out into the incredibly awesome weather ("Awesome" is of course very relative here: The Fins are probably sweating,Brazilians need perhaps need gloves, but over here 15 degrees and blue sky are already considered awesome)!

Spring is calling, weeks are busy, so I have to use the weekend to get everything which is old, not nice or not my taste anymore OUT and everything else CLEAN. Once started it is rather difficult to stop (not that it did not cross my mind as there are too many tempting things to do on a free day) as unfinished cleaning leaves me uneasy every time I keep sight of that particular corner, closet, whatever. So I got over it (have seriously awesome housewife qualities hahaha), and cleaned the first balcony so that the laundry can flatter in the wind (I love that). Second I have been painting the working room, which has been used for ages by my darling to "play" with his electronics. Soldering has left its traces and the white walls were not entirely white everywhere anymore. That is why I went for pink and made it a guest room. Maybe a bit too pink...

In the end, I had to skip our movie plans for tonight, but managed to even go out for a run. So instead of extremely loud and incredibly close (or was it other way around?) the house is now incredibly clean, the guest room amazingly pink and I feel extremely tired, but very happy. And am already looking forward to the next weekend!

Can't stop dancing

While browsing the internet, I have come across the Ballerina Project. A photography project which is "not dance photography, but an etching of a ballerinas heart and emotions". The artist, Dane Shitagi has only used traditional photographic film material and did not work with any modern digital cameras. Most artists portrayed are professional dancers. Here are a few examples...

Source

For the quiet hours..

Pink shoes and Popcorn

Life has been pretty hectic lately, coordination of a lot of projects, business travel to Venice, working till late and on top of that all the obligations of a normal life. Grocery shopping, cleaning, doing the dishes, the laundry, and keeping contact with friends and family.

This weekend is also going to be a busy, but a nice busy one. We always start our weekend with buying fresh fruit, fish and vegetables on our local market. It is really nice to dive into this melting pot of cultures meeting there. Asian, Arabian, African, South American, European, and Locals. It is so nice to observe that - how different we all might be - all meet on that small spot in town, to actually all buy the same products, mix it with different spices and turn it into a dish which could be typical for one's region. Splendid! Also all the different colors of the vegetables and fruit. Wow. Makes me wanna buy it all - immediately. Even though the market mostly is overly busy (I usually tend to avoid overly busy places) I always enjoy our Saturday - tradition. Many Locals here eat raw herring. I will skip this one. The idea of eating a raw wobbly fish in the morning makes me shake of disgust. I will take an apple instead. Pink Lady's are my favorites at the moment.

In the evening we are invited for a birthday party. I am looking forward to it as I have not been out much lately. Annnd I will be able to wear my new Porselli pink ballerina shoes which I could not resist buying when I was in Italy. Yahooo.

Sundays are movie Sundays. My darling and I usually go to the movies on Sundays. As it is not so super busy as Saturdays or Fridays, and for the fact that it is a charming end of weekend tradition. The "looking forward to the weekend" thing is not applicable anymore. The opportunities to sleep long should have been used, and the freedom to make plans is rather limited by the end of a Sunday. Rather, preparations for Monday are to be done and yet, the week ahead is so close that it is almost impossible to not pre-plan it. And that is why we invented our Movie Sunday. The Movie turns the focus back to what it is: A free evening made special with a little bit of Popcorn and a hopefully interesting movie. This is the choice for this week http://www.zienbioscoop.nl/. I guess it is going to be " Extremely loud and incredibly close". A story about a nine-year-old in NY who lost his father at 9/11 but found a mysterious key ... First, because it has a cool title, second, because I was holding this book in my hands at our bookstore (the one with the cafe inside) and were unsure whether to buy it. Again, the cool title attracted me (Btw I bought "Persuasion" by Jane Austen instead, as I have always wanted to have an own copy and read it again.). And third because the summery of the book was about one sentence and so tempting that it was only my ratio which told me, one book is enough, put it back!

However,,,

Happy weekend everyone!

Svenja

Writing the future

Sometimes I wonder if it should be possible to plan my future as I would wish it to be. A little bit like the building castles in the sky thing. Does the actual planning, and imagining of future events influence the actual future? I have been thinking about it and I am not sure if and how it works. I sometimes have the feeling that even if I think about things I do not want to happen, happen (regards from Murphy.), and if there is a lot of fear or worry involved, that it is even more likely to happen. The same should apply with the positive side of things: Making a visual board also enhances the possibility of things to happen. So what about the whole " life is a coincidence" thing? Do you believe in coincidence or in pre-determination or in creation? I am not so sure in what I should believe (not that I have to believe in anything, I just like to bounce thoughts around in my head and establish an opinion), or if I should maybe believe in all three of them a little bit? Difficult one. I tend to believe that I actually CAN right my future (because that would be cool).

At this moment I cannot get two things out of my head, and that is first: My very own library (mmmh, I think you know that already). And second, that one day I own my very own cute little book store.

Ok, the first one is very selfish and serves almost only myself. But the second one has a little bit a deeper meaning: Bookstores seem to become a rarity in cities. And if there is one, they are integrated (and therefore degraded in my opinion) into stationary shops or supermarkets. What a pity. I remember visiting Ireland many years ago and I was swept away by the amount of cute little book stores everywhere. I remember holding all those wonderful books in my hand (eventually I acquired my first copy of "Emma" in the shop close to TCD), which have been shelved with such an effort, and so much love for the books. I always felt some sort of spell coming over me when entering one of those tiny shops, rather dark, full of books, and dark brown shelves. How wonderful. I want one too. (Hey, I am just dreaming, or in other words, writing my future...) One where people pop by for a cup of tea, a chat and browsing and showing happiness when finding a long wanted edition or copy.

I really like my iPad. And I like to read the newspaper and other articles on it. But in fact there is nothing but a "real" book. I want to take notes, I want to mark, I want to feel the (old) paper, experience the smell of old books, and for that those kindle readers or iPads are just not made. In Eindhoven, where I live are almost no book stores. One which is really new with a coffee shop inside is rather nice, and another one is in the middle of the busy centre. Is that enough to serve us book nerds? Mmmmh I don't think so. Maybe one day I will be a book shop owner (what would be a nice name for it? Suggestions welcome) and let all my shares in other companies earn the real money ;-). I could make an equal sign between job and passion--how cool is that??, and hahah would live happily ever after.. Not that I do not like my current job, I do, I love it, but there always must be a plan to " what's next?" right...

Something about Darcy...

When re-reading Pride & Prejudice I again felt stunned by the character of Mr Darcy. His way of doing things, and reacting on things, his way of expressing himself are somewhat special and - how shall I describe it- even more than agreeable and adorable (by the way, the guy is almost 200 years old). Jane Austens novel has turned into a classic and the script has been used to several TV and movie adaptions. The 1995 BBC mini series is perhaps the best known and most successful one and made the character of Marc Darcy world famous. This time he was embodied by Colin Firth, who later also "served" as Darcy in the adaption of Helen Fieldings Bridget Jones' Diary (1996) which has been based on Austens work and transformed into turn of the century time. OK, here the village gossiping was not only exchanged by the local (single) girls, but with metropolitan gays and mothers who are next to trying to match make their daughters also cheating on their husbands. All in all a by the way worth-watching episode of a modern Miss Bennet and a modern Darcy, which supports even more the myth of the role of the latter - for past times, now and ever as the Mr Right, the one, the perfect man. I wonder if there might be something about Darcy, maybe a Darcy - Effect? Which are the qualities we all want our man to have?

First of all there is something about Darcy which makes him appear out of reach, polite but not exactly friendly or warm, spreading confidence, but in fact he can be turned into a caring person who is later on admitting his pure feelings towards her with all his affection.

Next, Darcy is also a little bit, but not too much heroish. He is reacting well - far beyond our imagination, without showing off, shouting out loud or expecting rewards for it (Elizabeth's sister runs off and gets lost, big problem for the Bennet family, but utterly elegant solved by Darcy. Of course). We love heroes - don't we? But we also do not want a superman, who is walking around with his cape all the time.

And. Of course. We want to know what we are up to, don't we? I mean this "will he like me?" Or " will he not" thing is maybe nice for some time - but at a certain moment, we also want to know it. And what is more beautiful than receiving an honest commitment? How much less stress are we having then? I do not want to know how many minutes, seconds, hours or even days I have been stressing out myself on those stupid questions, and I bet, that I am not the only one.

In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.

Mr Darcy

When I read this I always find once more that sincerity is a well-deserved characteristic of the Darcy-Effect. Is it not?

Also it should be mentioned that we, women would like to be considered as equal. That means that a decent conversation should be possible and not be reduced on today's dinner or the weather. Darcy just delivers the utmost perfect example for that.

And last, and now I have to come back on the indeed quite fairy taley element in this, Marc Darcy also is a man not only of taste, decency and manners, but also of fortune. Which of course is not decisive for us to base a decision upon (man might be think it is like that, but mostly they are mistaken.) but if there is an estate like Pemberly, we would certainly not deny to move in with our Mr Darcy to live happily ever after.

I am sure there must be something about Darcy and believe in the Darcy effect. Maybe with some more Darcy's in the world- equipped with the capability to produce and send handwritten (love)letters, some sincerity (and ok, maybe it also needs some courage then -- hey, but that could count for the hero-category ;-) ), decency and manners, we could bring back a little bit of real romanticism into our lives and make it a bit more beautiful....

No explanation needed, we trust.