Never straying from the present path

I tried to do most of my shopping online this Christmas. Not only do I avoid the hordes and the feeling of panic that sets in as closing time approaches, but I also avoid that temptation to buy one for them, one for me.

Or so I thought. What I discovered this year was that the same thing happens online! I was just online for the last 2 hours, only to realise that in fact, I had totted up a fantasy shopping list all based on things I want. Which defeats the whole purpose really.

It has helped splitting the shopping this year. Usually I end up having to think of, source, buy and wrap about 30 presents. It all gets a bit silly and has meant in the past that I have begun to hate Christmas.

But I put my foot down this time. Writing everyone's names on bits of paper and drawing them out of bowl. Half the stress! Wahay! Or so I thought. Now my half has been done, delivered and is awaiting wrapping, I have now started to worry about the other half's other half of presents. It's tricky not to nag, but I can't help worrying. Nothing worse than having to smile sweetly at someone on Christmas morning who has realised that they haven't yet opened anything from you. No point pointing at Himself and mumbling that it was his turn to buy. It doesn't work like that does it?

I am determined to have faith.

Right, having broken my own rule of 'never straying from the path' on the internet, I am going to explore some more ... I'll be back!

Favourite place to browse today .... http://www.anothermag.com/loves

I know where my Loyalties lie

It's started again. That yearning to actually tell the world about something. it's not enough to just tell work colleagues or email someone. Oh no, this needs to be shouted from the rooftops.

Last night we ventured down to R.A.R.E, which stands for Rock 'n' Roll exhibitionists - to see a music/art fusion show. It sounds a lot posher and poncier than it was. It's basically a collective of musicans who do art stuff and decided it was a good idea to put on an exhibition, but play gigs every night too.

I'm so glad I went!

First, the art was great, some really good stuff. My favourites were:

Tom Spencer, who does Tattoo inspired stained glass. http://www.tattooglass.com and Vince Ray who I champion at any available moment: http://www.vinceray.com

But the biggest surprise of the night for me was Tom's band, the Loyalties. One word: awesome. I chose yesterday to go because Vince and the Boneshakers were playing, who I knew were going to be good. But the Loyalties was an unexpected bonus.

http://www.myspace.com/theloyalties

Put it this way, I don't think I have ever looked up someone's myspace quite so quickly. :)

And I shall no doubt be inhabiting the Resistance gallery some time soon, great space with a great vibe.

R-ant music

Sometimes I just want to rant and rave, sometimes I want to just be creative and spout poetry and sometimes I just want to share mundane stuff. Surely that is what a blog is for? And yet I will refrain from putting finger to keyboard in case I say the wrong thing, or if the 'theme' of my blog is compromised.

But that's just it isn't it? There isn't a theme. A blog is what you want it to be. I suppose in a way it's therapy. Ok, quite public therapy, but then in a way, there is alos something very anonymous about the internet, so it feels quite comforting, like hiding under a blanket.

I have registered a lot of domain names in my time, always intending to do something with them. I will do someday - all of them are outlets for some idea I had. Some are funny, in fact, most are funny, but some are genuine 'nice' things.

I am feeling very down today. That's one thing I can't go into - I really do feel as if there are SOME things I CAN'T talk about, or best not.

However, I think this year is going to be one of those years of change. Something has to, that's for sure. Not sure what I am still searching for, but I will let you know when I find it!

Tw-update

I am just as bad as everyone else - just found myself replying to Ewan MacGregor on Twitter, a realitve newcomer - OK he was asking for people to follow. I can see how it happens now!!

And sadly, just came on the net to see if the lost Skier, Rob Williams had been found, he has been, but sadly too late. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

Twit-ter Whoo!

Everyone, it seems has gone bonkers for Twitter now. First it was MySpace, then Facebook and now Twitter. Thankfully I can hold my head up high and know I signed up ages ago. I came across Twitter at the same time as Facebook and liked the idea of it only being like Status Updates. A quick and easy way of just keeping in touch with anyone who cared to listen.

But lately, everyone has been jumping on the bandwagon and having their Twit-turn. That's great, because the more the merrier. I too have now joined the followers of @stephenfry, @rustyrockets, @wossy, @iainlee, @schofe - all prolific celeb twitters and all making me laugh with their one line wonders.

But it seems to me that one trend seems to be emerging with certain followers. You see a one line tweet and click to see what the thread was, only to find that the follower is obsessed with replying to celebs and trying to entice them into replying back.

Of course, yes, following someone as hilarious as @wossy or @stephenfry, you want to join in the fun, want to say your piece and it WOULD make your day if they commented back.

But reading through some people's Twitter pages, this seems to be their only reason for living. Constant, endless replies to people ... and it becomes obvious that they are the celebrity Twitcher; watching celebritities and trying to say something clever or inane enough to illicit a response.

Sad, really.

And yet, for the people who scoff at Twitter and can't see its point (and yet are still obsessed with updating their Facebook status daily) - the story of the skiers in Verbier who got lost and separated from each other whilst out on the slopes, where one of them has been saved by a combination of i-phone, Twitter and Google maps, well, somehow it makes the addiction all worth while. I just hope the other lost skier is found.

And so, I am now off to tweet this blog, as all good Twitterers should do!!