Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Caught the sneak preview of The Leap Year blog aloud. This blog aloud thing kinda arouse my interest. I never came across something like this before. Anyway, the highlight of this blog aloud is the 45 minutes interactive session with the audience at the end of the movie. The first two rows were the only options left. Had no choice. Took it. The turn out seem to be rather different from what was shown on the booking system. Given the size of the theatre, I would say the response was still pretty acceptable. I expected a full house though. Think it’s kinda inconsiderate to hog the seats when you don’t turn up. Anyway, having to take the front seats wasn’t that bad after all. We get to have the closest glimpse of the stars who were the director of the film & actor qi yu wu. A pity li lin wasn’t there. Love to see her.

A very romantic love story I would say. One that would bring tears to the eyes. Li lin's performance was great. Great music and songs by Corrine may. Been a great fan of her songs. The lines and the quotes were really touching. Li lin's voice was music to my ears. Ok, maybe im exaggerating but I love her voice. It would have been a show of perfect English if not for yu wu. But his acting was good too. just a little unnatural. After all he's from china and this is his first English movie. Ok, maybe not the first but definitely one of the few.

St. Bridget's Complaint
It is believed this tradition was started in 5th century Ireland when St. Bridget complained to St. Patrick about women having to wait for so long for a man to propose. According to legend, St. Patrick said the yearning females could propose on this one day in February during the leap year.

February 29th in English Law
According to English law, February 29th was ignored and had no legal status. Folks assumed that traditions would also have no status on that day. It was also reasoned that since the leap year day existed to fix a problem in the calendar, it could also be used to fix an old and unjust custom that only let men propose marriage.

The first documentation of this practice dates back to 1288, when Scotland passed a law that allowed women to propose marriage to the man of their choice in that year. They also made it law that any man who declined a proposal in a leap year must pay a fine. The fine could range from a kiss to payment for a silk dress or a pair of gloves.

Sadie Hawkins Day
In the United States, some people have referred to this date as Sadie Hawkins Day with women being given the right to run after unmarried men to propose.

Sadie Hawkins was a female character in the Al Capp cartoon strip Li'l Abner. Many communities prefer to celebrate Sadie Hawkins Day in November which is when Al Capp first mentioned Sadie Hawkins Day.

Greek Superstition
There is a Greek superstition that claims couples have bad luck if they marry during a leap year. Apparently one in five engaged couples in Greece will avoid planning their wedding during a leap year.