iblog

Jo: Have you ever wondered what your soul is like? Given the opportunity to meet your soul, would you take it? These were not questions I thought about much until I read Northern Lights, by Philip Pullman. In the novel, and the others in the 'His Dark Materials' trilogy, Pullman conjures up worlds where humans' souls live on the outside of their bodies as animals. These animals, dæmons, speak to their humans, and accompany them throughout their lives and adventures. As I put Northern Lights down, I realised with a sigh how much I would love to have a dæmon of my own. Almost eight years have passed, but my wish for a dæmon has not faded away at all. In the books, as children pass into adulthood, their dæmon ceases changing shape into different animals, and remains in one shape. I was propelled through the trilogy by a burning desire to know if Pantalaimon, (dæmon of the story’s heroine, Lyra) would ever stop changing his shape – and which animal he would finally stay as. I wonder what animal my own would be – and at what point in my life it stopped changing. And yesterday, I came a step closer to finding out. His Dark Materials has been adapted for the stage, and now a film is coming out, resplendent with a magical website to accompany it. Grit your teeth for the American adaptation of ‘Northern Lights’ to “Golden Compass Movie”, visit www.goldencompassmovie.com, and…you too can meet your dæmon.

Jo: One regret from the easter holidays: scaring off the kind man who reminds us about the bins each week. Without his helpful visits, our household is certain to join thousands of others across the nation incurring fines for putting their bins out on the wrong day. Since legislation was introduced last year enabling councils to fine errant bin-behaviour, more than £185,000 worth of fixed penalties have been issued. I wish I had just taken my alarming pot plant with me on holiday. Now, I fear I am going to have to learn the bin-days the hard way.

Jo: It shouldn’t seem all that shocking: A new study by the University of New Hampshire in the US has shown that holding a hysterical suspect’s gaze can calm the person. This may bring about a revolution in alternative policing methods: or it may just be the triumph of common sense. I think more eye contact is just what we all need. We make eye contact when being Better Listeners (for Better Sales), and Better At Receiving Gifts (so we will be remembered in wills), and yet more often than not, waiters, cashiers and kind door-holders go unseen. And by seen, I mean looked at. Looked at in the eye. As I notice more and more people mumbling their thanks and turning away, it is hard to credit their mumbled thanks with anything heartfelt at all. As the New Hampshire study shows, eye contact is powerful. It can calm a suspect; transfix an enemy, or conduct love at first sight. But it can also let someone know that their job is worthwhile – or that their effort was appreciated. A good habit to get into.