P.S: Quick Confession.

I quit Skype when I'm exercising in front of my laptop incase people can magically watch me through my webcam.
Strangely, I do not close the shutters on my windows.

Twitter.

Having deactivated myself from Facebook several weeks ago, I initially worried I would transfer my social networking addiction to Twitter. I had concerns that I would start 'tweeting' non-stop, gathering followers wherever I went. However, partly because of the lack of twitter friends IRL*, I have managed to avoid another status update meltdown. Instead, I think I have started to look upon twitter as a dating website... ... this is to say a dating website where the common man can hope to access the lives of the celebrity.

For the few that read this, I have a confession to make: I sincerely believe that if ever I were to meet the Radio One DJ Chris Moyles, him and I would make a fantastic connection and immediately start dating.
However I do not view Twitter uniquely as a dating site, I also believe I could be firm friends with Louis Spence and Alan Carr, and that Lily Allen and I could have a love/hate style friendship.

These sad little dreams of mine are exactly that. If Twitter weren't my main source of the daily news, I would have deactivated that too. If only I could deactivate chocolate from my mouth...


*in real life.

...and they lived happily ever after.

The TV and Film industry for so long have adopted the Aristotelian story telling standard of beginning, middle and end: the once upon a time to the happily ever after. But happy endings aren't 'cool' anymore. Perhaps it's a reaction to a century of the predictable denouement, or just an attempt to shock the viewer in the name of the supposed indie film.

Is it better to have loved and lost than to ever have loved at all?
Is it better to have watched the rom-com than to never have seen it?

While the second question doesn't quite have the same poetry as the first, I have to argue that one should say no the rom-com and for their own personal health, watch a WW2 documentary instead.

Continuing my avoidance of the happy ending, currently watching: Casablanca.

Lucky 7

Day 7 of facebook fast.
No longer feel the need to be signed in to Skype. This is a very good sign. Blog postage has increased dramatically. This is also a good sign.

Do Re Mi. So la de da.

Currently listening to: Kate Nash on random repeat.

Following my exit from facebook, my interest in music has increased. My interest in music always increases when my mood does. A lot of people look to music to escape from or wallow in their emotions. I much prefer watching endless hours of House, or Desperate Housewives. There's nothing like losing yourself in the fictional world of another to escape the problems in your own mind.

I've been walking a lot lately. Around the city centre mostly, just on my own in the sunshine. I'm not exactly sure what the reason for all this is, perhaps it's the disconnection from social networking, or giving up alcohol, doing more exercise or avoiding processed foods... perhaps it's all or none of these things, but my mood is increasing daily. The comfort I used to gain from my own company is returning steadily day by day.

Est-ce que c'est la France?

ciao for now facebook.

Day one - satisfactory deactivation of facebook. felt immediate need to be productive, and was successfull in completing several tasks.

Day two - Very much still in the habit of intending to log in, or read the latest feed on bb, still enjoying disconnection. Had initially thought it would create a new sense of loneliness, but in fact realising more and more the connection to 'facebook friends' is superficial in nature.

day three - twitter is satisfying my need to check 'updates' in the world. Although i follow the guardian and the economist, so it's definitely a more productive form of procrastination. Staying logged in on skype when i normally wouldn't be, a feeling of 'connectedness' seems to be what i gain from facebook and consequently have given up. I never have more than 10 online contacts on skype, and my mother is my only regular contact, so I don't forsee skype taking over my life any day soon.

day four - no new feelings regarding escape from facebook. Productivity increase remains stable. Went for a walk and bought a baguette. I considered that my dress was a little too short. Some creeps on a bench asked me to share my baguette with them. I ignored them. I heard one of the two say 'mamma mia' as I walked away. Dress definitely too short.

Oh dear.

Listening to: My Funny Valentine - Ella Fitzgerald.

I realised Valentine's was approaching when PayPal sent me an email reminding me. The company were very kindly enquiring if I needed any help with my Valentine's purchases. Purchases plural, to emphasise.

Dear Paypal,

No I do not need any help with my purchases.
1. I don't have any purchases to me, thank you for reminding.
2. I don't have anyone making purchases for me, so I shall be deleting your correspondance, and not 'forward[ing] to a friend'.
3. I don't need your help. Thank you for the offer, maybe next year.

I hope my mother sends me a card again this year. Mother Ball (as she's fondly known to so many) sends an anonymous valentine's occasionally. It's quite sweet, but also quite upsetting because her lack of consistency from year to year often means upon the first minutes post-opening I do get excited and start brain storming on who on earth sent it. So much pity from myself and others when I realise my own mother choose to send me a card. As yet, I've never put pity on my christmas list, so to receive it for Valentine's Day is hardly welcome.

Ladies and gentleman, as they often say, 'you can't make this shit up'. I just received another Valentine's email, this time from 'TheDrinkShop.com' - I once bought a bottle of posh vodka for a friend a couple of years ago.

'Gift Ideas for Valentine's Day!
Win a bottle of Angelique Swiss Absinthe!'

Now there's a gift idea for the 21st century. Why lavish your supposed loved one with chocolates and flowers when you can distort their world with a bottle of 72% alcohol.

My suggestion? Listen to some Ella Fitzgerland, have a coffee, and delete your paypal account.

Future intent.

I haven't written anything here for a long while, but for the very few who read this from time to time, here's something to show you I'm still intending to keep this blog alive...