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As Something New: How to Use Novelty and Variety to Boost Your Happiness and Wellbeing



Manohla Dargis of The New York Times called the film "a pleasantly diverting romance ... [in which] the chemistry between the leads is as unmistakable as the setup is contrived ... The lovely Ms. Lathan ... and the similarly attractive Mr. Baker ... don't just look good together; they feel right in sync. Their easy, sensual rapport partly owes something to the generally sure hand of the film's director, Sanaa Hamri, making a fine feature debut, and something else, something indefinable, to the delectable mysteries of two bodies in cinematic motion."[3]


Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times rated the film 3 out of four stars and commented, "I found myself unexpectedly moved." He continued, "By the end, Something New delivers all the usual pleasures of a love story, and something more. The movie respects its subject and characters, and is more complex about race than we could possibly expect. With this film and the completely different but also observant Queen Latifah comedy Last Holiday, black women are being paid a kind of attention they deserve but rarely get in the movies."[4]




As Something New



Steve Persall of the St. Petersburg Times graded the film B and commented, "I like the way Something New presents facets of African-American life seldom seen in mainstream movies, such as the formality and brief funkiness of a debutante cotillion ball, the affluent sophistication making such events important. I like Hamri's approach to material that might be offensive from a solidly black or white perspective. It all makes the foundational sameness of the story easier to take. The basic story isn't new, but telling it this way is really something."[7]


"Something New" opens with cotton-candy titles, arrives in time for Valentine's Day, and is billed as a romantic comedy. OK, it is a romantic comedy, technically, but the romance and the comedy don't arrive easily, and along the way the movie truly is something new: A touching story about a black professional woman facing problems in the workplace and the marriage market. I found myself unexpectedly moved.


By the end, "Something New" delivers all the usual pleasures of a love story, and something more. The movie respects its subject and characters, and is more complex about race than we could possibly expect. With this film and the completely different but also observant Queen Latifah comedy "Last Holiday," black women are being paid a kind of attention they deserve but rarely get in the movies. Yes, and it's fun, too: You'll laugh and maybe you'll have a few tears, that kind of stuff.


The tradition is believed to come from a 19th-century English rhyme: 'Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in her shoe.' The idea is that, to bring good luck for the future, a bride includes something that references each item in her wedding-day outfit.


Of course, as with all wedding traditions, 'something old, something new' isn't compulsory. However, if you do want to give a nod to this particular tradition, we've found some no-stress 'something old, something new' ideas to help you, from subtle bridal accessories and outfit tweaks to cool décor details.


Technically, if you're buying a wedding dress or suit your 'something new' is sorted. However, if that feels like cheating and you want to designate a specific element your 'something new', we have some fabulous ideas.


If you'd prefer to wear a pair of shoes you already own, make them feel special by adding extra touches. You can get pretty shoe charms, chains and bows like this style - and your new accessories can do double duty as your 'something new'!


A 'something new' doesn't have to involve spending money; you could include the tradition by changing up your hair. We're not talking about a drastic cut or colour change - you'll want to feel like you on the big day - we mean a wedding hairstyle you haven't worn before. Normally wear your hair down? Ask your hair stylist to give you a cool wedding hair updo. And vice versa!


Alternatively, you could introduce an accessory to your hairstyle as your 'something new'. Whatever your style, there are wedding hair accessories to suit you, from on-trend hair bands like this one from Etsy and bows to classic jewelled headpieces and flower crowns.


Whether you're going DIY or having a makeup pro, try out a lip colour you don't normally wear - think plum instead of red; a nude instead of coral. Is this pushing the 'something new' boundaries somewhat? Possibly - but it's an easy win, and traditions can be what you make them. You can't go wrong with a Charlotte Tilbury lipstick!


You could wear your mother's - or even grandmother's - wedding outfit if they still have them. However, if you'd rather choose your own, it's worth asking whether they'd mind you repurposing their material to be made into something else, such as a ring pillow.


Feeling crafty? So long as you're not wedded to the idea of your 'something old' has to be wearable, buy some rolls of vintage fabric and use them throughout your wedding décor - think napkins, 'happy tears' hankies at the ceremony and table runners.


For a looser interpretation of 'something old', consider a vintage-inspired hairstyle for a glamorous bridal look. Do some research into the era you want to emulate - 1940s Victory Rolls, for example, or a chic '60s beehive.


Traditionally, these objects are gathered together and given to the bride from female relatives and friends however there are no hard and fast rules. We love the idea of your 'something new' being a gift for your soon-to-be spouse or as a treat from yourself!


Your 'something old' is a great opportunity to get creative by using vintage fabric, wearing a piece of vintage jewellery or rocking up in a classic car. It is also popular to pay tribute to a late loved one by using a photo charm on your bouquet or tucking a picture of them into a locket.


The Old English Rhyme describes the five items a bride needs for good luck on her wedding day as "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, a sixpence in your shoe." It is said that the 'something old' represents a tie to the past, 'something new' symbolises hope and optimism for the future, 'something borrowed' will bring good luck, the 'something blue' will ward off the evil eye and the sixpence was intended to bring prosperity to the couple.


You can pick a short-term skill that could be done in a single afternoon. This can include learning how to cook a certain dish, or painting on a canvas. You can also learn something more long-term such as learning how to surf, play tennis, or play the guitar.


Innovation, for its part, can refer to something new or to a change made to an existing product, idea, or field. One might say that the first telephone was an invention, the first cellular telephone either an invention or an innovation, and the first smartphone an innovation.


The rhyme "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" refers to the things a bride is supposed to wear on her wedding day to have a successful marriage. And like most superstitions, it doesn't entirely make sense.


"Something borrowed" refers to something that another happy bride has already worn. It's meant to transfer their luck onto the new bride's relationship. Some sources also say that the garment is meant to ward off the evil eye from spurned suitors, which would presumably leave the woman barren. For that reason, it was recommended to use "the undergarment of some woman who has been blessed with children" because the clothes "communicate fertility to the bride."


Notice, we didn't call it education or school? With curiosity and a growth mindset, it's almost impossible not to learn something new every day. That being said, more intentional, directed learning is rewarding and beneficial.


If you want to learn something new, time management is an excellent skill to have. Waiting until the last minute to complete a task causes unnecessary stress, and recent studies have shown that constant procrastination can lead to cardiovascular disease. Purchase a daily planner and get into the habit of writing down your deadlines and goals. Use a productivity journal and reward yourself for tasks completed in a timely manner.


Do you get bored easily with routine hobbies? Try dancing if you want to learn something new and fun. With ballet, hip hop, swing, tap, salsa, and even more genres available, the possibilities are endless! Dancing is not only fun, but it has loads of health benefits. Trying to lose weight? Dancing can burn hundreds of calories in just a half hour. Dance lessons are also a great confidence-booster.


OK, so what about quantum mechanics? How does that relate to observers? The story is actually surprisingly similar to both the Second Law and general relativity: quantum mechanics is again something that emerges as a result of trying to form a coherent perception of the universe.


The Principle of Computational Equivalence implies that universal computation is ubiquitous, and that both brains and minds, as well as the universe at large, have it. Yes, the emulated version of something will usually take more time to execute than the original. But the point is that the emulation is possible.


One can go even further afield, and think about things like the complete tree of life on Earth, or, for that matter, the geological history of the Earth, or the weather. But how can these have anything like consciousness? The Principle of Computational Equivalence implies that all of them have just the same fundamental computational sophistication as our brains. But, as we have discussed, consciousness seems to require something else as well: a kind of coherent integration and sequentialization.


It also explains an apparent paradox: not only am I not afraid to try some new things, I'm often actually eager. As long as I perceive no threat of harm, I like the stimulation of the new. This blog, for example. The benefits writing it has brought me have been wonderful and mostly completely unexpected. Which highlights the reason I try to challenge my fear of new things: it almost always brings me something good. 2ff7e9595c


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