Tête-à-tête

Hey People!
Wow. This week's cover story by Maliha really left me thinking. I'd read this article before about female power plays, and the interesting thing, according to them, is that while guys who are bullies actually nurse some deep-seated insecurities, girls who are bullies simply because they like it. Apparently, a popular girl will act mean just because it amuses her to be that way, not because she needs to assert her authority. They do it in many ways: the most popular method being 'outcasting'.

Observe a group of female first-graders. You're bound to come across lines "I'm not going to be friends with her" or "You're not in my group". Very soon, a sort of mini-campaign starts, that involves two girls, X and Y trying to get the rest of the classroom into their respective group. As soon as one of the campaigners, say X, gains a majority of supporters, she will make her next move, trying to bribe and threaten her rival's supporters into defecting. That done, she will seal her victory by completely alienating Y. The other girls will participate with relish, and pretty soon Y becomes the butt of all the jokes, and no one wants to be on her PE team, or sit next to her during recess. This goes on for a few days, until X's groupies get tired of idolising her, and knock her off the pedestal before she can so much as say 'popularity'. They might then reclaim Y as a 'lost friend' and make their peace, and all's well…until the next power play begins.

When these girls grow up and head to high school, the outcasting takes on a more serious form, with the campaigners using the weapons of gossip and boycotting against their rivals. The fight becomes even fiercer, when, where the main goal was once simply popularity, now there is a prize of some sort to be one, usually a guy. That's when the gloves come off and the claws are bared.

Does it really follow that no two girls can ever be real friends? I have reason to believe that the opposite is true. I've seen too many mean girls to refute the allegation that they exist, but I've also been blessed with some amazing female friends who are truly supportive, and actually have to be met to be believed. I've been lucky to have worked with a few too.

Well, I've thrown a lot of questions to the readers over the last few weeks, and I'm slowly beginning to get some responses. Here are a few:

Regarding the question on cartoons: "Animes are cartoons made in Japan only, and other cartoons I don't know about nor care. I love animes very much, and it is unfortunate that we in Bangladesh have access to such few animes. People in the states and Japan and other countries are very lucky but all we have is Pokemon(previously Cardcaptors and Dragonball Z)." ~ Anonymous ~

Well…I know of at least one other reader who'll wholeheartedly agree with you. Moving on, here's another one:

"Truly respect is a two-way thing. Anything in life is about give-and-take. My parents were really dominant when decisions regarding my life were concerned. I was never asked for my opinion. Nowadays, though, they have learned that giving me my space and a little respect can do a lot of wonders for the whole family." ~ Lattu ~

I'm glad you agree, Lattu…and I'm glad your parents see eye-to-eye with you. It makes for a nice, fulfilling relationship. Two-way respect makes for a healthy communication. In fact, mutual respect should not be confined between parents and their progeny alone; respect your siblings, younger and older, and furthermore, respect people in service..from domestic help to waiters at restaurants. It's time to spread a little goodwill when all around us there's so much hate.

Well, I've already made this a rather long tete-a-tete. It's nice when everybody adds his/her two bits into a discussion. Keep those letters pouring in. Till next week, take care!

Send your polls, opinions, and queries to thegirlnextdoor1@hotmail.com

By The Girl Next Doo

Jokes

Golf Funeral
A man and a friend are playing golf one day. One of the guys is about to chip onto the green when he sees a long funeral procession on the road next to the course.
He stops in mid-swing, takes off his golf cap, closes his eyes, and bows down in prayer. His friend says: "Wow that is the most thoughtful and touching thing I have ever seen. You are truly a kind man."
The man then replies: "Yeah, well, we were married 35 years."

Psyched Up
In a class on abnormal psychology, the instructor was about to introduce the subject of manic depression.
The instructor asked, "How would you diagnose a patient who walks back and forth, screaming at the top of his lungs one minute, then sits in a chair weeping uncontrollably the next?"
A young man in the rear raised his hand and suggested earnestly, "A basketball coach?"

Scared
As a sergeant in a parachute regiment I took part in several night time exercises. Once, I was seated next to a Lieutenant fresh from Jump School. He was quiet sad and looked a bit pale so I struck up a conversation.
"Scared, Lieutenant?" I asked.
He replied, "No, just a bit apprehensive."
I asked, "What's the difference?"
He replied, "That means I'm scared with a university education."

Word Power

Word Wobbles

1. cut off s _ _ r _ _ a _ e
2. logical _ n _ e _ l _ _ i _ l _
3. abuse d _ _ e _ r _ t _
4. of or like a snake s _ _ p _ _ t _ n _
5. rebellious _ u _ _ n _ _ s
6. endanger _ e _ p _ _ _ i _ e
7. persevering s _ d _ _ o _ _
8. safe and secure _ m _ _ e _ n _ _ l _
9. underground passage c _ _ a _ _ m _
10. clear and calm _ e _ _ n _
Answers :
1.segregate. 2.intelligible. 3.desecrate. 4.serpentine. 5.mutinous. 6.jeopardize. 7.sedulous. 8.impregnable. 9.catacomb. 10.serene.
Taking one point for every correct answer your result :

0 -2 : Poor.
3 - 5 : Average.
6 - 8 : Cool.
9 - 10 : Exceptional.

Do it yourself

DIY - personalized picture frames

Thinking what to give to your friend on his/her birthday? Photo frames are an ideal gift. You can take a normal photo frame and decorate it in your own way to make it look attractive. This makes a touching gift that will be cherished for years to come. It is very simple and easy to make one.
You will need:
One plain picture frame (wood or metal) for each project
Glue
Paint or paint squeeze tubes (optional)
Glitter or spray-paint (optional)
Small decorative items, including beads, seashells, sequins, buttons, silk flowers, bows, etc.
Newspaper or waxed paper to cover your work area
Lots of imagination

Cover your entire work area with the paper. Remove glass from your picture frame, set glass aside. Lay frame down, face upon work area. Paint the frame, if you desire to, with paints or squeeze tubes in a pattern. You can also use sponges to apply the paints, if you prefer. Allow paint to dry.

If you want to use glitter, do so before applying objects to frame. Use glue to form a pattern on the surface, than sprinkle glitter on the glue. Allow to dry completely, then shake off excess glitter before proceeding.

Now its time to put on the decorations! Use glue to adhere decorations to frame. It's easiest to apply the glue in a small dot, with the frame flat on table.

After the frame is finished, you may want to spray paint it. A lacquer finish will give the entire project a shiny look.

By Nusrat

Shout out

Hey people!
Feeling very gloomy with all this rainfall, especially since we are all somewhat disconnected from our friends. Well all you have to do is send a SHOUT OUT to all your friends, letting them know that you are still alive and caring. Mail us at shoutout13@hotmail.com and see you message come out in print. Enjoy the column!
A certain band that I know of (whose name shall not be mentioned) rocks!!! Good luck with their upcoming performances. By the way, earl is joss and I love Maliha.
Noshto

Dear Taz,
We know that this is kind of late, but we just want to wish u a very Happy Belated Birthday. Hope you had loads of fun. Now please write an article for us…kidding!
Love from,
The RS team

Lost an original major league baseball cap (blue) on September 11th, somewhere between road 11/A and 8/A Dhanmondi, around 7-8 p.m. If anyone found this cap, please write to the column. (Writer's number will not be disclosed for security purposes.)
A-Rez

By Crucified
[ATTENTION:
This column is NOT responsible for any negative (or otherwise) outcome of the messages printed in it. Please do not abuse the column by using it to play pranks etc. Also, all email addresses will be printed at the reader's expense and we do NOT take responsibility any inconvenience to anybody.]

GK quiz

Flex your mental muscles

Ever sat for a viva exam? Those who have will know what a pain they are, from your examiners (interrogators, rather) pulling random questions out of the air, to test your general knowledge. Well, here's a way to prepare. See if you can answer the following questions:
Who built the Taj Mahal?
To which place to the people speaking the Khasi and Garo dialects belong?
Name the battle that marked the end of the Napoleon Era.
Who was known as the "Fuhrer"?
Who wrote the Bangladesh national anthem?
What does the abbreviation GATT stand for?
In which year did the UNO come into existence?
Who was the first Secretary General of the SAARC?
Where is the international Court of Justice located?
Who is called the Lady with the Lamp?