Constipation for writers...

As you can see, I haven't written a blog for almost a month. Please understand that this is certainly not through lack of trying, oh no no! I have tried to write many-a-time but it would appear that I am suffering from a case of... *dramatic cinematic voice* 'THE BLOCK'...

It seems that anything I try to write about is forced. My words and ramblings no longer flow as they did once before. Should there be a constipation tablet for a blockage of the writers kind, then this is what I need to overcome the vast emptiness that currently swirls around my cranium and wipes away any thought that should happen to settle.

Finding the words to describe what I'm dealing with is even more difficult when those words are no longer in easy reach. It is almost as though I have lost the ability to construct a sentence that makes any kind of sense. As I sit here, fingertips poised and ready to drum rhythmatically on the keyboard underneath them, I find myself falling into a dreamlike state, the black cloud [think 'black smoke monster' from TV programme Lost] slowly begins to engulf my brain and turns me into a zombie. Motionless and emotionless, I sit and stare blankly at the monitor as an empty expression begins to spread over my face. Battling with the ability to regain consciousness, I try my damndest to focus on the task in hand, to write something, to write anything! As long as I can break free of this block, I can overcome and begin to whitter on about life in general without fighting this excessive strain.

So, please, bare with me while I battle with this case of the dreaded block, who knows how long it will last and when I will be back on form but know that I am doing all I can to unblock my mind and let the thoughts flow through once more...

Constipation for writers...

As you can see, I haven't written a blog for almost a month. Please understand that this is certainly not through lack of trying, oh no no! I have tried to write many-a-time but it would appear that I am suffering from a case of... *dramatic cinematic voice* 'THE BLOCK'...

It seems that anything I try to write about is forced. My words and ramblings no longer flow as they did once before. Should there be a constipation tablet for a blockage of the writers kind, then this is what I need to overcome the vast emptiness that currently swirls around my cranium and wipes away any thought that should happen to settle.

Finding the words to describe what I'm dealing with is even more difficult when those words are no longer in easy reach. It is almost as though I have lost the ability to construct a sentence that makes any kind of sense. As I sit here, fingertips poised and ready to drum rhythmatically on the keyboard underneath them, I find myself falling into a dreamlike state, the black cloud [think 'black smoke monster' from TV programme Lost] slowly begins to engulf my brain and turns me into a zombie. Motionless and emotionless, I sit and stare blankly at the monitor as an empty expression begins to spread over my face. Battling with the ability to regain consciousness, I try my damndest to focus on the task in hand, to write something, to write anything! As long as I can break free of this block, I can overcome and begin to whitter on about life in general without fighting this excessive strain.

So, please, bare with me while I battle with this case of the dreaded block, who knows how long it will last and when I will be back on form but know that I am doing all I can to unblock my mind and let the thoughts flow through once more...

Information Overload.

A few days ago I checked my horoscope and it banged on about how I 'would experience problems with machines'. Of course when I read this I thought to myself 'machines? Seriously? What-ever!'
Then it happened... Laptop SOS!

I have since been without my beloved computer for less than 24hours and already I am feeling the withdrawal symptoms creeping in. This made me question the importance we put on relying on different modes of technology on a daily basis...

Laptops, iPhones, Blackberrys, Playstations, Xbox, iPods etc. Each of us own at least one gadget that we couldn't live without. For many this would probably be their phones. The thought of loosing mine or even leaving it at home for the day brings a shiver down my spine, how will I speak to anyone? Surely I would loose all contact with the outside world? Possibly even die?

There was a time, believe it or not, when we sufficed without these pieces of technology. Facebook was non-existent, there was no texting, no video calls or emails. People would simply knock for each other or arrange a time and place to meet, if you didn't show, that was that. Yet now all we rely on is technology. The birth of social networking sites have created a world where more people converse by chatting online rather than meeting up and talking face to face. Skype allows you to speak to someone half way across the world while having them pictured on your monitor as if they were in that very room.

Technology can only continue to enhance and evolve. Constantly bettering itself and bringing us new gizmo's and gadgets. Although I know that I will not step away from this way of life, it is scary to think of what will be next. How long will it be until the only way we speak with friends is through a mode of technology? Even meeting new people has turned to the online world. Gone are the days of approaching someone in a bar or club, now people log on to dating websites to find 'the one'.

Face it, we have grown up in an era where technology has massively improved. We have constantly been submerged in it and witnessed changes. How are we expected to distance ourselves from something we have each been so much a part of?

I think it's fair to say that every single one of us is guilty of relying a little too much on technology but let's be honest, with the world we live in now, this is never going to change, is it?

Information Overload.

A few days ago I checked my horoscope and it banged on about how I 'would experience problems with machines'. Of course when I read this I thought to myself 'machines? Seriously? What-ever!'
Then it happened... Laptop SOS!

I have since been without my beloved computer for less than 24hours and already I am feeling the withdrawal symptoms creeping in. This made me question the importance we put on relying on different modes of technology on a daily basis...

Laptops, iPhones, Blackberrys, Playstations, Xbox, iPods etc. Each of us own at least one gadget that we couldn't live without. For many this would probably be their phones. The thought of loosing mine or even leaving it at home for the day brings a shiver down my spine, how will I speak to anyone? Surely I would loose all contact with the outside world? Possibly even die?

There was a time, believe it or not, when we sufficed without these pieces of technology. Facebook was non-existent, there was no texting, no video calls or emails. People would simply knock for each other or arrange a time and place to meet, if you didn't show, that was that. Yet now all we rely on is technology. The birth of social networking sites have created a world where more people converse by chatting online rather than meeting up and talking face to face. Skype allows you to speak to someone half way across the world while having them pictured on your monitor as if they were in that very room.

Technology can only continue to enhance and evolve. Constantly bettering itself and bringing us new gizmo's and gadgets. Although I know that I will not step away from this way of life, it is scary to think of what will be next. How long will it be until the only way we speak with friends is through a mode of technology? Even meeting new people has turned to the online world. Gone are the days of approaching someone in a bar or club, now people log on to dating websites to find 'the one'.

Face it, we have grown up in an era where technology has massively improved. We have constantly been submerged in it and witnessed changes. How are we expected to distance ourselves from something we have each been so much a part of?

I think it's fair to say that every single one of us is guilty of relying a little too much on technology but let's be honest, with the world we live in now, this is never going to change, is it?

The dreaded VD

Another year, another February, another eagerly anticipated Valentines Day. ....Not.

When you are in a relationship Valentines Day is not a problem, in fact, it's quite an enjoyable day. There is no wondering will I or won't I get any cards, no fretting about how to make the day pass without having anything love-related shoved in your face and there is certainly no worry about who to spend it with.

However...

For many singletons across the globe this love fuelled day brings nothing but heartache and bitterness. We suffer enough as it is, seeing people walk down the road hand in hand or swooning over each other in bars. Wherever we turn it seems that love truly is all around us. So who's great idea was it to create a day where we get it rubbed in our faces just that little bit more?! Damn those Romans and their romantic gestures!

While many couples will be out enjoying three course dinners by candlelight and exchanging tokens of their love, I will be at home, alone. Tucking into my microwave meal for one and drowning my sorrows with a bottle of Pinot Grigio whilst tuning my attention to Bridget Jones and forgetting my own circumstances, even if just for a few hours. I'd like to hope that by the time the end credits are rolling across the screen I will be intoxicated enough to simply pass out and re-awaken on the 15th, successfully bypassing the whole day.

I realise that my general ramblings on Valentines and anything else love orientated sound a little bitter and some may even argue that I should embrace peoples public acts of affection. That I should enjoy that people out there are truly happy and in love... if you are one of those people then let me agree to disagree.

Valentine's Day is like herpes: just when you think its gone for good, it rears its ugly head once more. No wonder some people prefer to call it VD. I only hope it can pass as quickly as it came around... Yes - I am still talking about the day!

So Roll on February 14th, bring on that dreaded day and let us single guys and girls around the world unite. Tackle it head on, raise a glass and join me in toasting....

*Please note* I never said I had any issues with the tokens of appreication so anyone that wants to make me feel better by sending me flowers and gifts, please, feel free!

The dreaded VD

Another year, another February, another eagerly anticipated Valentines Day. ....Not.

When you are in a relationship Valentines Day is not a problem, in fact, it's quite an enjoyable day. There is no wondering will I or won't I get any cards, no fretting about how to make the day pass without having anything love-related shoved in your face and there is certainly no worry about who to spend it with.

However...

For many singletons across the globe this love fuelled day brings nothing but heartache and bitterness. We suffer enough as it is, seeing people walk down the road hand in hand or swooning over each other in bars. Wherever we turn it seems that love truly is all around us. So who's great idea was it to create a day where we get it rubbed in our faces just that little bit more?! Damn those Romans and their romantic gestures!

While many couples will be out enjoying three course dinners by candlelight and exchanging tokens of their love, I will be at home, alone. Tucking into my microwave meal for one and drowning my sorrows with a bottle of Pinot Grigio whilst tuning my attention to Bridget Jones and forgetting my own circumstances, even if just for a few hours. I'd like to hope that by the time the end credits are rolling across the screen I will be intoxicated enough to simply pass out and re-awaken on the 15th, successfully bypassing the whole day.

I realise that my general ramblings on Valentines and anything else love orientated sound a little bitter and some may even argue that I should embrace peoples public acts of affection. That I should enjoy that people out there are truly happy and in love... if you are one of those people then let me agree to disagree.

Valentine's Day is like herpes: just when you think its gone for good, it rears its ugly head once more. No wonder some people prefer to call it VD. I only hope it can pass as quickly as it came around... Yes - I am still talking about the day!

So Roll on February 14th, bring on that dreaded day and let us single guys and girls around the world unite. Tackle it head on, raise a glass and join me in toasting....

*Please note* I never said I had any issues with the tokens of appreication so anyone that wants to make me feel better by sending me flowers and gifts, please, feel free!

Sisters by chance, Friends by choice.

When I was growing up, me and my sister would spend most of our time together arguing or teasing one another. But as time passes it seems that my sister and I get a little bit closer every day...

Having recently spent an amazing weekend with my skin and blister, I have started to reflect on just how lucky I am to have her in my life. Not only is she a part of my family but she is also one of my closest friends. Sam is the person that listens to my problems and offers advice, she shares her dilemmas with me and is undoubtedly just as crazy as I am.

Of course, looking back to our younger years together would present a completely different image to what we see now. There was fighting, bickering and endless tricks played on both our parts. (Need i mention the hot mouth sweet revenge with the exploding fag?)

Being the younger sister I would always look up to Sam, I'd want to join in when her friends came over and just be a part of her day to day life. Of course now I can understand what a complete pain in the ass that must have been. With a seven year age gap between us there is not much possibility of having that close a friendship when one of you is 16 and the other is 9...

I hear stories about people who have drifted apart from their siblings, or fallen out after some sort of family row and have never made up since. The thought of having this with my own seems somewhat impossible. Sure, we may have arguments now and then, perhaps not speak for a few days, but I could never imagine her cutting me out of her life completely or living without her in mine.

My sister is someone to share secrets with and relive memories of our youth together. She is that person that shows an interest in anything I choose to do.  She is my drinking partner, my shopping buddy, the fellow fake baker and my food consuming companion, but whatever I call her, she will forever be not just a sister, but also my best friend.