Evening all,
Yes, it's another late-night blog after a pretty hectic weekend.  In case you didn't already guess, I've been to see Evita and today went to a seminar about - wait for it - dating.  Yes, really.  In my defense, my main reason for going was for research (still working on my podcast/article/youtube piece on the subject) but admit that there was some personal benefit.  Okay, so a lot of it was about men, but the basis of the talk was how to get what you want from life, whether that be a new career or a new relationship.
Eva Peron was a woman who did what she had to do to get where she wanted to be, morally or otherwise.  According to the musical, she essentially used men to get to the top and her working-class background to gain the adoration of a nation - with the added benefit of the riches that came with being the first lady of Argentina.  Having read a few books on finding Mr Right (research people, honest!), I have to say that some tactics suggested seem a little bit manipulative.  I mean, asking a guy if you can use his phone just to start a conversation?  Persuading him to help you pick a birthday present for an imaginary brother?  Sorry, but no - if I'm going to find Mr Right, I'm going to do it my way.  And that means cutting the crap.
So, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to text that young man I met last week and remind him how fabulous I am.  What I won't be telling him is that I've been singing Andrew Lloyd Webber songs all weekend...

Evening all!
Hope you have all had a lovely weekend, relaxing indoors perhaps, safe in the knowledge that you go about your business without prying eyes paying attention to your every move?  Yes?
Well I'm sorry, but I'm going to spoil it for you.
Don't get me wrong, I've had a lovely weekend visiting friends out on the commuter belt and, prior to that, enjoyed a night out with the girlies in London.  But what I have learnt during these jollies has left me disturbed.  You see, what I have learnt is about cyber-stalking - and how scarily easy it is.
Take scenario number one.  Girl goes to an open mic night.  Girl sees boy and decides she quite likes him, but can't quite muster the courage to begin a conversation.  However, her interest surpasses her shyness and she "friends" him on facebook, looks up where his next gig is - and drags me along (after I've looked him up online myself, of course!).  Girl again couldn't bring herself to talk to the said young man, but has sent him an innocent query via the medium of social media about his work
And then there's scenario number two.  Girl visits wildlife hospital with mates.  Girl comments of attractiveness of male giving a talk about, let's say, hedgehogs.  Later that evening, after a couple of glasses of wine, girl and mates, armed with his first name, place of work and home town (more fool him for disclosing this during talk about his prickly friends) are able to locate him on Twitter, facebook and You Tube.  Girl promptly follows boy, but will be unfollowing him before posting this blog (for obvious reasons).  Besides, his girlfriend looks really nice, and is only 20...

Finally scenario number three - girl and mates then start googling each other and their other mates.  Girl is relieved to find nothing too incriminating about herself (well, under her real name anyway) - apart from an email sent for her day job that has been released under the Freedom of Information Act - eeek!  Luckily it was very short and did not include any bad jokes, but STILL!  Another mate came up a little worse for wear, with names of siblings, ex wives and financial situation being easily accessible.  Yikes...
So... the moral of the story?  Look yourself up - and get yourself removed from any sites you don't want to be named on.  Oh, and if you want to find out the relationship status of "Dave" who works at your local, message my mate Jules - damn that girl is good!
Oh, and if all that stalking makes you hungry, go eat pizza.  I recommend my mate Phil's creations but, if you don't fancy a trip to Bucks and live in London,, check out Operation:Pizza - new blog posted on Friday.  
Of course if you do fancy Phil's Parma Ham Special, just look him up online - I'm sure you can find him...

I have a confession to make.

For the last five hours and 14 minutes I have been checking my mobile incessantly.  Why?  Because that is how long it's been since I heard from a guy I've been chatting to online, a guy I've arranged to meet for a drink next week.  And it also happens to be how long since I sent him my picture...

Yes, yes, I know I'm being pathetic - he's probably busy seeing his friends or something and, if he isn't and he's decided to retreat in horror after seeing my mugshot, then, well, sod him!  But, as with all these things, it's all very well knowing the theory...

And the theory is something I've been researching of late.  As you may recall, as few weeks ago I mentioned that a friend and I were going to join forces and explore the industry that is dating - or, more specifically, dating advice for women.  Well, I have to say, it's a fascinating subject.  I've been reading blogs and watching videos made by one dating guru who tells me that in order to find and keep my man I need to sign up to his online coaching course or risking being alone - for EVER.  I'm waiting for my copy of "The Rules" to arrive in the post and have been mesmerized by Neil Strauss' "The Game" - a look at the underground world of pick-up artists, which, whilst rather shocking, does not strike me as that dissimilar to the advice us girls are given all the time.  Last night I (shamefully) admit I went on a singles night where the ladies were advised that the key to nabbing a man was to wear heels and ask to use his phone.  Yes, really.  

At the end of the day, it all boils down to the same thing.  If you're a guy trying to get laid or a girl looking for the love of your life, all these people are telling us that we need to arm ourselves with an arsenal of manipulations to get what we want, pure and simple.  Apparently being your charming, honest self just won't cut it - in fact, it can lead to a lifetime on the shelf.  

Interesting?  I hope you think so.  Because there's more to come...

Dating isn't the only thing I've been researching this week either.  I am on a mission to find the best pizza in London - a mission I am taking VERY seriously.  Read my brief here and watch this space for updates on Operation: Pizza.

Well, that's it from me tonight.  I'm off to bed - and taking my bloody phone with me.  Just in case...

Well hello there...
So I trust you all had a smashing Sunday?  I spent it commencing "Project Upcycle" - yep, that's right, I've given up on the decorating and decided to start having fun with my furniture instead.  Today I've been covering one of my bookshelves in pages of a novel and an A to Z atlas whilst my mate Nic made an iPod cover out of old bits of fabric I've collected over the years.  I've by no means finished, but think I've made a good start - and can't wait to revamp the table I acquired off Freecycle this week.  Yep, as in I got an extendable table, gratis.  LOVE it!

That isn't the only project I have started this week - but, alas, I can't tell you much about the other two, especially "Project Difficult,"  which has the backing of politicians, writers and media moguls alike.  No word of a lie.  I just hope that the campaign, directed at young women in particular, gets off the ground.  It could be big...
Oh yes, and on a less grand scale, me and my mate Chris have started making plans for a web-based comedic campaign.  Yep, we're going to take on all those dating gurus who, in a nutshell, tell women that the only way to bag their man is to play to his needs and big up his ego - all at the expense of their own.  Okay, so I'm over simplifying things, but you get the idea.  Personally, I can't wait.  Chris, on the other hand, has a lot of reading to do before we can start!

Well, I think I may have said too much already, so I shall stop - and maybe get back to the upcycling, email my partners in crime at "Project Difficult" and send Chris his reading list.  
Bring it on...