New Sherlock... I am a fan...

Here, we go again ! England, British guys, Literature, Obsession, London and Fashion. It seems that those six words are quite bonded to my posts lately.

I’ve been a fan of British literature for years as I already mentioned and, indubitably, Conan Doyle’s famous character Sherlock Holmes is one of my favorites.

Books, films and series had been done upon him and it was very enthusiastic. However, last year, French channel France 4 put on air the BBC series “Sherlock”.  It is modern adaptation of Sherlock Holmes. He is brilliant, aloof, bizarre, smart, intuitive, obnoxious, arrogant, and dismissive. He still has this astute logical reasoning and use modern technology such as texting and blogging (he cannot live without this BlackBerry®) to solve cases. The fact is that he lives in the 21e, based in London where it has forbidden smoking in most public areas so that he replaced his pipe with multiple nicotine patches (hilarious scenes !).

Moreover the scripts are brilliants and honestly, everything is accurate and obviously addictive. Yesterday, I was quite disappointed when the end arrived. It was such an intense episode !

About Sherlock, in Doyle’s books, he was quite elegant and a kind of “cat-like” person, because hygiene means a lot to him. The modern Sherlock is still a bit obsessive with his figure and cleanness, but also he is so fashionable. I guess that the actor featured the “new Sherlock” is the main point on this “so styled” version.

Benedict Cumberbatch whom I am speaking of, is a British actor. I noticed him in the BBC series Spooks in the season 1. I thought he was tall, slim, and elegant and has this surprising beauty. He is still years after. Many of my friends (girls mainly) told me that he has an unusual face, quite strange indeed. I was rather the only one who points out how cute he was. One told me that I am “not objective” whenever it comes to British men and that I am not a reference about judging the beauty of Brit boys ! Anyhow, apart from his face and figure which are so classy and lovely for me, Cumberbatch has another good point : his voice. His character is so sharp whenever he talks and speaks like a machine gun. British accent is probably one of the loveliest accents I know.

So, yes, I know that some bloggers already made papers over the clothing and the style of new Sherlock Holmes, so I won’t comment on this topic. He is classy; the wardrobe is just remarkable and typically British and the director of photography is actually a very clever one. I would like to focus on the fact that an actor can brighten a series or darken it. For instance, whatever you may think about Cumberbatch’s beauty, he is Sherlock. He is unbeatable for this part. The best casting the production certainly made.

I’ve always thought that Sherlock Holmes had to be unlike others men, strange but attractive, distant but caring in his own way. Last episode has shown that part. Sherlock was laughing at a colleague who is clearly in love with him and he thought not on purpose that she was dressing up like a queen (a slut should be more precise !) for this guy, buying him a gift with a nice decoration on, to realize that he was that guy. You would assume from Sherlock to be selfish and to start a conversation over another subject, but he just kissed her on her cheek and apologized.  It was so cute and so not Sherlock indeed. To cut it short, he looked like a child quite immature when it comes to feelings and human relationships. Even more immature with the woman he fancied in this episode.

But back to the main actor, I think that he is the best part of the success of the BBC series. I am sure that Conan Doyle invented, too, a timeless character whom can live in the 20e, 21e and probably late 21e !

So, just have a look to the series and let me know what you think of this British actor and its unique beauty. 

Women Day... So what ?

First of all, I am not a feminist ! But I am obviously a woman, so “Woman’s Day” ought to draw my attention to the subject. Anyhow, this morning, on the radio, it was all about “Woman’s Day” and the differences between men and women at work, at home and wherever else. Gosh, is there something I missed lately ?

Women in France were under father figure authority : until 1946 to vote freely ; Until late 60’s to have possibility to get a bank account on their own and work with a man agreement ; Until late 60’s to be authorized to go abroad freely without the signature of their father or husband ; Until 70’s to get the right to get an abortion, etc.

So what ? Did something change ? Women still work, raise the kids, do households, cook meals and stay (or try to) feminine enough to please their “other half”. Women have always done most of the job in the family circle but weren’t able to say it loud. It was normality for men that a woman was a mother, a wife and a housekeeper (and most likely not in that order.)

The fact that women work and get higher responsibilities in firms or in governments doesn’t mean that they are equal to men. In a men’s world, how can it be ? As long as the opinion would think that a woman is weaker than a man, makes to get children, and better to do household things, there will not be any changing.

I do think that a woman has qualities that a man won’t ever have. And Vice versa ! If we are different, I guess that it is meant to be this way and let the world go in harmony.

Demanding a better treatment toward the “weak sex” is not a good point to make things change. If the actions are harsh, the cause won’t be served. And men would probably wonder that if an educated woman does that, what a lesser educated woman would do ?

Yet, the cause is not a real cause, because in the public opinion : for instance, a woman cannot be a capable politic leader and be sexy, gorgeous, funny ;  A blonde long-legged woman will always be a bit dumb, a sexy brunette will be a bitch and a fat girl will be a very nice and happy person eating too much. The clichés are still effective nowadays and women are part of it too.

As far as I can remember (due to my age !), I’ve never wanted to get babies. I am not into being a mother despite that I like children and especially my friends’ children. So, as you can effortlessly imagine, I have plenty of comments from men quite amazed to hear a girl saying “I am not a mother type”. But the main and ruthless comments are from women. How many time shall I undergo those words from my kind ?

A few samples  ?

“I bet you will change your mind whenever you will meet the mister right” (What for ? As we, women, are supposed to be equal and do babies on our own ?) ;

“Phew, you don’t know what you’re missing, my dear !” (please, do me a favor, don’t tell me !) ;

“A woman has to get babies ! It’s against nature not to have babies !” (Please, tell me I am not human !) ;

But the best of the best from independent women who want equality with men :

“A woman can NOT  be a real woman without having children !” (Basically, who am I ? A fish ? A Elephant ? A mouse ?).

As long as my kind would judge me and many others that way, being even more sexist than men, I would NOT speak up for equality. Nevertheless, I am deeply thankful to all the women who fought for women rights (vote, abortion, contraception, etc.).

Women want everything but still follow the men principles over the years.

I am sure that I am socking a few women, but if you ever suffer from your girl mates ‘machos opinions, you would agree to my point of view.  

2 famous British suffragettes  :

Christabel Pankhurst

 & Emmeline Pankhurst