The premise behind ChatRoulette was fiendishly simple. Utilise the webcam that’s built into most people’s computers and add an element of sex to it. Rather than create a paid for service, Andrey Ternovskiy decided to create a live version of the popular hot or not game, where users log on to flirt with each other and ‘next’ anyone they don’t find attractive or interesting. Annoyingly, the site is pretty much useless for anyone who doesn’t want to watch masturbation, as a quick play around reveals that 90% (a completely made up statistic) of users seem to be men.

Nonetheless, there’s something about this level of instant interaction that’s appealing, and if used correctly could be really positive. Healcam is a brand new service (barely been launched a month) which aims to take the premise of instant video chat to a new level, by putting people with various illnesses in touch with each other. Sure, if you have Diabetes or Cancer you already have a ton of support groups and forums, but that doesn’t mean you get to chat face to face with someone whenever you feel like it. Counselling sessions need to be scheduled, appointments made- sometimes you just want a one on one with someone who understand your issues.

It’s completely free to use the site, you simply go to the Healcam website, select your sex, say whether you’d like to talk to a male, female or ‘anyone’ and then choose your condition. At present there are 5 to choose from: Back &Neck, Diabetes, Cancer, Pregnancy and Childbirth, and Heart Disease. There’s a button saying sub topic next to them, but only the Diabetes one expands into the options of Type 1 and Type 2 (guessing this will expand as their user base grows). Their blog does mention that they will have health channels that will include ‘Weight Loss & Dieting’ and ‘Depression’, but at present they’re not on the site yet.

The concept is fantastic, and I’m hoping that the people who use the site will respect that, and that we will find those willing to share information and advice about their conditions to those who need it.

The Healcam creators say, ‘We envision the site as a large meeting place, where people can exchange information, get or give moral support, and learn from others’. It’s a resource I can imagine using, so I’m hoping others will feel that way.

The next step is working out whether the site will be able to keep afloat from advertising. Considering the topics involved, monetizing it once it gets popular should be fairly simple, as I’m sure many charities and organizations would want to get behind this.

The main problem will be assessing the potential of abuse that could happen if people give others bad advice, as that could prove dangerous to people with medical conditions. As long as the site is used therapeutically and not as a replacement for a doctor I see no reason why this shouldn’t do very well.

At present there are very few users, but as this gains popularity I’m hoping a huge community will spring up.

Check out Healcam here.

Source: Medgadget

Before I launch into my latest selection of mini reviews let me also draw your attention to an amazing offer from Transworld. Called ‘The Summer Reading Challenge’, the offer gives keen readers a whopping four books FREE, and all you have to do in return is write a review of each book on your blog or Amazon. That’s all, nothing else needed whatsoever, and to get your free books you simply leave a comment on Between the Lines HERE and they’ll get in touch with you. There’s a choice of ten to pick from, and I promise you that Dan Brown is the bottom of the pile (in my opinion).  Now for the reviews (please take a deep breath).

Julia Gets A Life, by Lynne Barrett Lee

This book was published in the year 2000, when chick lit and women orientated drama was at its peak, so its no that surprising that editors would snap up anything even vaguely empowering and woman does it for herself blah. However this book is not atrocious, as that would be to credit it with to much intent, its merely bland, boring, predictable and rather tedious. Part selection of drivel strewn lists, part inner monologue and part outraged wife, this tale follows the story of Julia dealing with her husbands infidelity. Cue, kick him out the house, brand new haircut and top notch photography job plus 24 year old rock god lover. I know, plausible right? If done with any verve or humour it would be sweet but the tale rings with a bitterness that suggests the author has some unresolved issues going on. Avoid.

Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey

This unlikely romance follows headstrong heiress Lucinda and her beloved priest Oscar in a tale of factories, wealth and religion that encompasses the world as they know it. Achingly written, with the most exquisite attention to detail, their persona’s are laid bare and exposed with straining unpredictability. Unputdownable.

The Elected Member by Bernard Rubens

Parents always expect to die before their children, so when they become embroiled in a  living death, a child caught in a parody of a world, caught between addiction and schizophrenia, the normal rules get changed. Norman has deteriorated to such an extent that he barely manages to live with his father in some sort of unconstrained adolescence, with his forty something sister steadfastly helping him in her white ankle socks. Told from multiple viewpoints, the saddest is perhaps that of Norman’s father, the despondent Rabbi Zweck, wondering how he managed to get it all so wrong. Will hospital help, or will it just mean he’s giving up on his son?

On Writing by Stephen King

King has a way with words, as anyone who has ever read Carrie or Christine can attest too. He also makes a lot of sense when just chatting in the vernacular and sharing his history and passions with you. This book is a mostly autobiographical account of his love affair with words, and how he became a writer. It also features a BIG section on how to be a dedicated writer, which is so succinct I had to stop reading at times as I felt guilty for my lack of drive and commitment to the craft. A great tool for any aspiring novelist or King fan.

The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Moshin Amid

A coffee shop chat with a stranger leads to recollections of a complicated life and the sounds and smells of Lahore absorb you in their many interesting ways, from the minutiae detailing how coffee is drunk to wider ideological perspectives on what is right in society and how the Eastern man has dealt with the rise of the West. Uncompromising in its truth, but veiled at the same time, the novel is uncomfortable reading, as one cannot feel for a potential terrorist, yet even a half understanding is more than expected.

The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

I was initially very reluctant to read this book. Not so much that I wasn’t intrigued by the cover, but I’ve had bad experiences with books which have such a HUGE bestseller status that they sell out in WHSmith (namely everything by Dan Brown-gag). However once I relented, OK, it was the cheapest book in the Miami bookshop, I was enthralled. The story is a detective/ criminal novel with gritty characters, lots of action, and weird personal displacement. There is sex (which is about as unsexy as it can be- if you’ve read it you’ll know), characters so vivid you feel like you want to call them and have a chat and a ridiculously detailed landscape that makes you feel familiar with Sweden. The main character is a partly autistic girl who has exceptional sleuthing powers, who joins up with a hardworn detective/ journalist in the middle of a breakdown. family secrets are revealed, lies unfolded and overall you’re hooked.  Mikael Blomkvist is the tired and reluctant sleuth who goes undercover on what pertains to be family history case, yet is really an investigation of murder, and Lisbeth Salander is the awkward yet lovable anti hero who comes to help him. When you discover the books original title is ‘Men who Hate Women’, you don’t exactly warm to it, but are enthralled nonetheless.

The Girl who played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

The second book in this gripping trilogy sees Lisbeth forced into the spotlight as she becomes accused of murder, and her past delved into by both friends and the force. Many secrets are revealed and we get a closer insight into why she acts the way she does, as well as some truly disturbing scenes that make you grab the mouthwash in order to remove the bile.

The Painted Man by Peter V.Brett

This book invites you into a fantasy land that is remarkably detailed and surprisingly captivating. 11 year old Arlen has his world destroyed when night falls, as creepy ‘corelings’ rise from the ground and feed on the living. People must hide behind barriers to protect themselves, or rely on special symbols to hold off the night. This keeps people imprisoned in their own fear and enclaves as hatred of foreigners spread and diseases runs rampant. When his parents sicken Arlen sets off on a course to help them, that will change the way he is seen forever, and he takes upon the mantle of the ‘Painted man’, a warrior with wards tattooed into his skin. He joins forces with other outcasts and together they attempt to rid their world of the plague.

G by John Berger

Dubbed experimental, I found this rather indulgent stream of consciousness to be turgid and dull, a fiasco of a novel and something I wouldn’t pick up again. With no main plot it meandered around the authors consciousness and the hazy notions of sexuality were never well explored.

The Sun also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

I like reading a good classic, as when they’re gripping you realize how literature can transcend time and place and create something of beauty and worth. The novel follows Jake Barnes and his unrequited love affair with Brett Ashley, a winsome awkward woman who toys with men’s affections and drives people to distraction. The plot follows a summer holiday with Jake following Brett and her latest lover, and unwittingly introducing her to a young bullfighter who becomes her new bedfellow. Dusky and passionate, the book creates the vivacity of Spain, the texture of crisp water in a glass, and the feel of rocks below ones feet and submerges you in the highs and lows of romance without pausing for breath. Exquisite.

A Princess of Landover Terry Brooks

I’ve been a big fan of the Landover books for many years, so was excited to get my hands on the latest Brooks. However, this feeling quickly dissipated as I read through these turgid pages. It’s not so much that this title was bad, more that it didn’t live up to the expectation created by the Magic Kingdom series. Ben Holiday is now King of Landover with one trouble- a surly teenage daughter who causes trouble. Mistaya runs away from home, and.. you guessed it, finds a cause, a boy and some responsibility. Yawn. The villains are pretty tame, the lessons learned predictable, and the love affair a joke. Sigh. Maybe the next book will be back to form?

We by Yevgeny Zamyatin

Set in the 32nd century the book is an open compendium of a dystopian world by numbers. Disaffected ants mindlessly filling in their routines? Check? Lonely protagonist torn away from ideals for something illicit? Check. Oddly vulnerable side characters who might die? Check. D-503 lives in a world of numbers and rules, where everyone votes the same at elections and partners are shared and assigned so there is no jealousy. His girlfriend O-90 seems to want more of him however, and his mind is full of I-330, who smokes, sulks and doesn’t fill in her paperwork. She speaks of rebellion and corruption of the very system he is creating.. yet he can’t forget her. She has turned on his imagination, and the only way to restore order is to have it removed, at which point he is calmer and can watched her die with equanimity. No one wins, nothing wonderful happens, just the bleakness of a dystopian world with no easy way out.

Come Clean by Terri Paddock

This story strikes remarkably close to home.

They fuck you up, your mum and dad.
They may not mean to, but they do.
They fill you with the faults they had
And add some extra, just for you.

But they were fucked up in their turn
By fools in old-style hats and coats,
Who half the time were soppy-stern
And half at one another’s throats.

Man hands on misery to man.
It deepens like a coastal shelf.
Get out as early as you can,
And don’t have any kids yourself.’

Larkin may have got it so right with that poem that he can now be considered a figure of hate, and this book follows the next step in parental mess ups where they send their daughter off to a drug rehabilitation centre, despite the fact that she’s never had more than a swig of booze. Wrongly admitted, Justine is determined to learn what happened to her twin brother, and realizes that those who work there are just as tormented as the patients. It’s an emotional page turner, as only from escaping from an evil system can she save herself, but by doing so reveals herself as unequivocally ‘mad’ in their eyes.

The Final Empire, Brandon Sanderson

I was looking forward to this trilogy, and I wasn’t disappointed. The first book of the Mistborn trilogy takes you into a world divided by castes, the Lords and the Skaa. Skaa have rougher features and breed more and do the grunt work, and treated like slaves. The Lords serve the ‘Lord Ruler’ a 1000 year old deity, and every night mists shroud the city, comforting or killing as they please. To walk the mists you need allomatic powers, which is just what Vin, a fourteen year old sulky street urchin discovers she has. Against her wishes she joins a crew set on restoring order and overthrowing the throne, and discovers comradeship, companionship.. and even some love. Her powers are amazing, flicking off rooftops whilst burning different metals, and the concept is well thought out. Everyone in her troupe has their own desires though, as nothing is as simple as it should be.

The Well of Ascension, Brandon Sanderson

The pace was fast, the characters well set up.. and then there was that overblown copout of an ending which left you feeling like you’d just been sucker punched and paid for it. How could Sanderson draw us in like that and end on such a poor note? Very unhappy.

The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson

The final book of the Mistborn trilogy was equally gripping as the first two, yet lacked a vital something to take it into the realms of the truly exceptional. Perhaps it was the continued nubility of every female character, the way Elend gained powers and didn’t struggle with them, or the continual hypocrisy of ‘we’ve thrown down the bad aristocracy, and created a good one’, that made it a little unpalatable. I also wasn’t hugely impressed with the way ‘new’ metals kept getting discovered, maybe 1 or 2, sure, but to go from ten to sixteen- that’s a stretch! I won’t ruin the ending for you, but suffice to say, the last quarter of the book took an annoying pseudo religious slant and felt like a cop out. I realize this sounds like I’m slating it, but I did read it avidly, I just expected more as the first two books had so much promise. I’m slightly worried this means that the final Robert Jordan books might be lacking something…

Atomized by Michael Houellebecq

Some people may think this book is profound, a wonderful piece about socialism gone awry, but I see it as a rather unpleasant series of encounters with one man’s member, and the profoundly horrible images that came with it. Unlovable, unlikeable, the two brothers who feature are neither nice nor charismatic, just potter along in their individual worlds with equal distaste and resentment grown in every fibre. Avoid.

Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot

Less about a twenty something and dress size issues, more about an ex pop star/now dorm leader trying to solve a murder, restart a career, oh and shed a few pounds. Entertaining froth, though you do experience a few of those ‘why did she do that’ head in hands moments.

The 2 1/2 Pillars of Wisdom by Alexander McCall Smith

Alexander McCall Smith is kinda hit or miss with me. I really LOVE the 44 Scotland Street books, but can take or leave his Ladies Detective Agency series. As such, I was hopeful but no too excited about this book in the ‘Von Igfield series’. It follows the life of Von Igfield, a professor of Philogy who is obsessed with his own stature and spends his days pontificating over vowels, his colleagues ‘diabolical’ plans and how to communicate with the fairer sex. I found it touching but dry, - this book doesn’t make one laugh out loud, but you’ll probably experience a couple of entertaining sniffs.

Coming Up Next, Penny Smith

Another of my great ‘free with mags’ purchases. This tale follows the career of a failed breakfast TV presenter who *shock!horror!* against all odds manages to get back on her feet and meet an attractive man. Wow, didn’t see that coming. Along the way, their is backstabbing, bitchiness and reconnection with parents. It’s not that I mind a trite premise, as most stories follow certain basic routes, it’s more that this book has no joie de vivre, there’s little humour, a lot of whininess, and a lot of unseasonable attractiveness. Best avoided.

Friends, Lovers and other indiscretions by Fiona Neill

The credit crunch has hit and four families are feeling the pinch. The story is told in a series of flashbacks, with some characters more favourable than others. Quite sweet, and would have been very timely about a year ago, which is when it was published. Would work as a beach read.

Poppy Shakespeare by Clare Allen

Hauntingly accurate with overtones of lunacy, this novel documents the relationship between ‘N’ a hardcore day patient at the Dorothy Fish hospital and Poppy, a reluctant day patient. It follows the convolutions that happen on a mental health care ward and contrasts Poppy’s reluctance to stay with N’s fervour about remaining in her comfort zone. It also makes one question the idea of sanity- if you’re treated like you’re insane do you then sink into that pool? I love how Disability is called ‘Mad Money’ as well. ;.)

The End of Mr Y by Scarlett Thomas

A story within a story, interspersed with mathematics may not sound like the most gripping tale, but this tale is curiously enthralling. When a eccentric research student finds her professor has gone missing she is curious.. and when a book (Mr Y) that was presumed lost forever turns up she is even more intrigued. The book tells the tale of Mr Y, a man who discovers a potion to enter the troposphere- an odd world, where you can move from mind to mind- the student has to emulate and thus enters a world full of equations, the God problem and a ludicrous chase across mental landscapes. Very compelling, even if I had to skim read some of the more complex mathematics.

Lord Sunday by Garth Nix

The final novel in the Keys to the Kingdom series, see Arthur struggle with losing his humanity and trying to save the world from Lord Sunday. A little confusing to explain if you haven’t read the other books, Arthur has basically had to fight all the ‘Days’ Mister Monday, etc to win control of the House, a place which lies in another realm and exerts control over the earth. Not only must he overthrow the evil denizens but he has the nothing to contend with…

Death’s Head by David Gunn

Violent furious and fast, Sven Tveskoeg is not someone you’d want to  meet in a dark night. Somehow this odd anti-hero who isn’t entirely human manages to become a compelling central figure, a mixture of  a Starship Troopers Commando with the grittiness of the Joker. He may take no prisoners but is loyal to his comrades and Sven works his way through worlds and wars whilst caring about his crew. Great stuff.

Myrenn’s Gift by Fiona McIntosh

You’d think doing someone a good turn would reap rewards, but that’s not the case with  Wyl Thirsk. When he ends tortured Myrren’s life she blesses/curses  him with a gift that is to last a lifetime.  Thirsk is an interesting protagonist, but the novel is poorly structured and the main plot confusing and a little spread out.

Beautiful People by Wendy Holden

Full of middle class and the acting elite, the story follows a variety of unlikeable characters on their dreams for stardom. Belle is a self centred actress who has adopted a child ‘for the good press’, and Emma is a nanny who just wants to do good, but is chastised for not having a double barreled surname. Add some class A’s, some middle class pretension, and a good dose of attractive boys with floppy hair, and you have a great beach read.

You Don’t Love me Yet by Jonathan Lethem

Lucinda is troubled. Problem is, she’s not sure by what. Drawn into a world where nothing feels satisfactory and everything feels like it’s some weird game, Lucinda answers complaint calls for an art installation, where it’s the call not the service that focuses on human interaction. Confused yet? You should be. She finds that one caller somehow means more to her, and though nothing ever gets resolved, she can’t let go. We never know who is really engineering her life, but are somehow drawn into it despite ourselves.

This is How by M.J.Hyland

An awkward boy ends up at a seaside town and accidentally commits a murder. Told touchingly and beautifully, Patrick is a strange central character, so aware of himself and his thoughts, yet completely mindless about how his actions affect others. It’s a grim but haunting tale of how people can slip through the system, and the parts of the novel that deals with his incarceration is worrying- it can’t be that bad, surely?

Strictly Love by Julia Williams

A variety of characters feel their life lacks meaning, but how exactly do they change that? A dance class, naturally, where a cha cha or a salsa can heal a broken heart.. maybe. Two couples meet, twirl, and tango and find that they heal themselves by the fact they’re being slightly pro-active. Don’t waste your time on this, unless you love the chick lit genre, minus the humour.

Prep: A Novel by Curtis Sittenfeld

This book is brilliant. Brilliant, genius, an Adrian Mole for the Gossip Girl generation, a new Holden for the new generation of people who haven’t read Catcher in the Rye yet. Don’t let the cover fool you, this book is not lightweight fluff, but seriously intriguing and an in depth analysis of the various relationships established at boarding school. Lee Fiora is the main character, a repressed youth who has little, if any self esteem and focuses so hard on not being noticed that her very absence of identity defines her. Lee joins Ault, a prestigious school ona scholarship, but finds the shining walls do not equal the promise the brochure showed her, and is embarrassed of everything, her background, her appearance and her awkward interactions with her cohorts. This coming of age drama neatly encapsulates the fragility of the adolescent ego and intersperses this with razor sharp observations of youth in action, from painful awakenings to drawn out love affairs. Read this!

Important Artifacts and Personal Property from the Collection of Lenore Doolan and Harold Morris: Including Books, Street Fashion and Jewelry by Leanne Shapton

A story told in photos this is probably the most exciting book I’ve read in a long time. With no physical narrative, the whole romance is told through excerpts from photo albums, pictures of receipts for new shoes, invitations to events, a beautifully photographed tale of a romance from the beginning to bitter end. Inventive and incredible, this redefines how we think of the term book, and whether words can be supplanted by images.

{National Velvet was a tad confused at the latest foal to hit the stables}

Now I don’t know too much about beauty pageants per se, my main experience is relying on the fact that I’ve watched way to many ‘Next Top Model’s, and at 17 years old was Runner Up Carnival Queen for the London Borough of Barnet. I lost the crown due to the fact that I naively said my favourite food was ‘Pizza Hut!’ (hey, I was 17) when the event was sponsored by McDonalds, but I have some idea of the intricacies of the judging process, and the hoops you go through to try and get their attention.

Pet shows have always been a bit of an odd event, as unless it’s something like dressage for horses, it seems to boil down to ‘My dog is better than yours’, cue lots of shine spray and ribbons. Fair enough if you do it sensibly, the dogs won’t mind being pampered, and everyone likes a trophy, but the world of Creative Grooming is so far removed from reality that I can’t decide if it’s villainous, voyueristic or simply vacuous.

Creative Grooming is the art of dressing up your pet to LOOK LIKE ANOTHER ANIMAL and they don’t do this with cute little kitten ear hats or drawn on whiskers, I’m talking full on body dye and weird shavings!! And now it’s here in the UK…

See, this is what I would have thought Creative Grooming would look like-

But no. No, 100 times over. That’s real fur colour you can see! And he looks relaxed, with all his own facial hair. Not up to CG standards at all!

Here’s how it should be done:

I’ve found the personal website for one such canine- Cindy is her name- and here’s what her owner says.

‘For those who are overly concerned about the dogs emotions. Cindy loves the attention. She will prance around and expects your attention. This is a Creative Grooming Contest and Cindy will look like this for only a few hours. After the contest Cindy will be shaved’

The next date for the big Groom Expo is set for September in Pennsylvania but this odd phenomena has actually crossed the pond now! Many Brits are getting involved in creative grooming competitions and adorning their mutts with hair extensions and nail varnish in order to compete. You can buy ‘doggy approved ‘ varnish here (£4.95 a bottle), Colour Paw appliques which.. actually I’ll let the blurb speak for itself.

‘The Colour Paw Appliqués are a fashionable pack of nail stickers that would look good on any female dog. They can be peeled off and stuck on the nail with or without polish and then can easily be removed whenever you wish to. Each pack contains four sheets of floral themed stickers so you won’t run out in a hurry.These Colour Paw Appliqués are a great new product for people who want their dog to look their best. ‘

Couldn’t have put it better myself. It seems like they run a UK competition every month, and this is still just scratching the service of strangeness. I’ve seen pictures of poodles looking like cats, turtles and Pacman, and it is all very entertaining. It’s not so much that I’m worried about the health of the dogs (OK, the nail varnish worries me slightly) more the sanity of those who partake.. and then those who run these shows. Surely someone should be taking care of them?

Till that time, I’ll leave you with even more entertaining pictures of Creative Grooming.

Captain Jack is still sexy as a canine!

Image Sources: Here, Here and Here

As a journalist I get asked all too frequently what I think of this ‘3D rubbish’. The statement is then normally qualified with ‘well, I know it takes a lot in the box office,’ and then I’m looked at expectantly like I’m suddenly going to drop some amazing secret or share my wisdom on what the next big thing to replace the ‘3D phenomena’ is.

I got rather sick of trying to explain that 3D probably wasn’t going anywhere and that the main reason people get frustrated by 3D was the WAY they had to view it, as both anaglyph and active shutter glasses require -you got it, glasses. Then there are the EXTREMELY PRICEY TV’s that require no specs, but hey, you can only view them from a really small field of vision, so that’s not too helpful now.

Having given this topic a rather huge amount of thought, I’ve now come up with what I feel is a reasonable, if vaguely Matrixy conclusion.

It’s the glasses folks. It’s not about replacing them, it’s about creating some which become so essential to everyday life that they’re part of the shower and shave routine- wake, teeth, glasses, breakfast.

Currently we already have the Vuzix glasses which superimpose films over reality and allow you to walk down the street with Google maps in front of your eyes, superimposed over the landscape- and they also let you watch films whilst doing so. We also have motion control technology which allows you to use your body as a remote in order to operate devices and enter buildings, something which has recently become more mainstream with the launch of Kinect for Xbox…

Next up there’s augmented reality which is getting better all the time, superimposing multiple data feeds over each other to allow for a more enriching experience. News has leaked that Chanel and Gucci are getting involved in designing some glasses so soon they will no longer just be ugly things on your face, they will have status and attraction.

But how do I think glasses like this will work in the market, and what do I think they will do?

Schools my friend. Those out of the education system and without children may not have realized quite how far technology in schools has come, from electronic whiteboards, to streaming video widgets and how a) kids are already familiar with all types of tools and b) how useful something like this might be in schools.

Classroom bullying will never go away, as whether it’s picking on someone because they’re another colour, have worse clothes, or have a rubbish car- this can never really be stamped out. Being a four eyes need not be an issue anymore, as the specs I’m envisaging also double as Rx glasses for those who are in need- quite a large percentage of the population.

Imagine this, a class full of uninterested 8 year olds with specs on, and you’re a history teacher. Want to wake them up- Click and a T-Rex is attacking them. Want to share the wonders of the dessert- sweep them through National Geographic trails. Homework can be streamed to each headsets portal, notes to parents will be picked up when they log in at mornings roll call, and safety issues can be monitored whilst they’re below a certain age.

I’m clearly on the right track here, as a mere two days ago, Real ID notified the press that they were starting to ship glasses designed for younger people- kids of 8 years and under, so they’d have a more comfortable cinema experience. It’s a small step, but it does validate my theory that companies are aware that kids are the market who will grow up with 3D as norm, and expect more from it than adults.

This is 3D -but MORE. Stop being limited by the concept of 3D on its own and start to envisage it as part of a larger landscape where adverts in store windows leap out at you, you can virtually try on outfits in stores and you can check your emails with a flicker of your eyeball as you walk down streets. You already tweet/Facebook when you walk, so why not via glasses rather than a mobile phone interface?

This is the next level of interacting and though it may be rather futuristic I could honestly see how it could occur. First, a slow roll out in schools, a limited number of ugly prototypes, then some fashion houses providing them to richer adults, then NHS level basic versions, and so on and so forth. We can’t afford to forget 3D, we just need to work out how to embrace it more plausibly, and I feel that this is how.

Unless holograph technology or teleportation suddenly appears on the scene, I sincerely think that 3D is the future, just in a different way than envisaged.

Every summer it happens. With minimum warning and fanfare, TV suddenly becomes a ‘blokes only zone’, matches are played with pomp and honour, and silence must reign in case one was to miss an all important stumble or kick. Of course, this tends to only apply to the non football fan, as it is fine for the fan themselves to groan, grasp and burp their way through unseasonabley long games. There are banners in every pub, glowing footballs in the supermarkets and dubious songs on the radio.

People speak in hushed tones about ‘football widows’ those poor aimless creatures who are left on the shelf and have to retire from any partner based activity till the season is over. A widow refers to anyone partnered with fan, so it can equally go the other way (and yes, I agree that’s a sexist term, but that’s not the point I’m making now).

These poor pathetic football widows must spend the football time crawling through ASOS online and trying to find outfits that will entice their no good halves away from the screen, for just a short while.

Really? Like, really? I understand that if you’re ACTUALLY A PLAYER then yes, your partner will get short shrift in the season, but as for all the fans, uh uh. If you’re into the game enough to forgo any sort of fun with your partner, then what the hell are you doing with them? You shouldn’t absolve yourself of all priorities when you get in a relationship, but putting TV over them, c’mon?

Then again, what is this with the talk of wailing widows and lost women? Are you really happy in a relationship where you’re ignored to this extent? A harmonious relationship should involve both give and take, and if you love them, you’ll not begrudge them TV time for some key matches. Sure, if they collapse on the couch for a month you may have to rethink this policy, but a couple of nights a week is no biggy. Isn’t that how much time you’d spend apart anyway?

Problems occur when women start to resent the time spent on TV, men resent the fact they’re resented and a vicious circle of demands and unhappiness ensues. You’re only a football widow if you allow yourself to be in a relationship that fosters this, and a happy couple would NEVER put each other in this potion.

A very close friend of mine is obsessed with football and has held a season ticket for years, and most weekends in the season goes off and leaves his lovely girlfriend at home. Does she hate this? No, she loves him for all that he is, and though she may miss him, revels in the fact he gets so much enjoyment out of something she finds so bizarre- and uses the time off to see her other mates. In return? Well, the weekend of some big matches he’s off kayaking in the country, far from any TV… Give and take, see?

So here’s my final word on the subject- there’s no such thing as football widows, only people who have allowed themselves to get involved in demoralizing unsatisfying situations. Before the Mail starts spouting off about the poor ‘ol wifey left at home alone, I’ll pre-emptively say BOLLOCKS to that.

There are many things in life that are boring but necessary. These include taking out the garbage, having a cleaning rota  if you share a house, and making sure you see the dentist once or twice a year. To go with those lovely mundane chores I have a selection of yawn inducing websites for you to peruse, that will nonetheless prove invaluable should you need any of their services. Entertainment definitely not included, but service is free.

Opening Times

It’s 10.50pm on a Saturday, you’re starving for a pizza, yet reluctant to pay an over inflated price for a grease ridden delivery. You know there’s a Tesco just round the corner, but will it be open? After ten minutes of debating it ‘Maybe’ ‘Maybe not’ ‘Umm’ you decide to search for it online. Once you’ve navigated through the Tesco website, narrowed you locale down by town and borough and then edited out the metro versions, whaddya know? It’s 12.01 and it’s most definitely shut.

Opening Times lists the various local businesses in your area and will give you a definite yes/no and till what time for anywhere you should choose to go. You’d be surprised how useful this is when nipping out for some emergency ice cream/toilet roll, but it most definitely comes under ‘boring’ in terms of websites.

Plug sockets abroad

I travel a LOT, both with work and for personal pleasure. An average year sees at least six trips away (if not more) and I travel so much I actually have a dedicated ‘travel draw’, full of miniature toiletries (airport friendly) and those annoying padlocks you use when you feel your hotel room isn’t secure. Add to that a variety of electrical adapter chargers and you have a veritable mess on your hands. No matter how often I go to Europe or the USA, I always get confused- is it round or pointy? Then take foreign places like Thailand into the equation and it’s case of taking extra ‘just in case’ I got it wrong. Electrical Outlet is a great site for those who are equally scatterbrained as not only does it list what you can use in each country- it does so WITH pictures. Hey, I’m easy to please OK?

Travel Doctor

Hmm, I’m starting to feel like I need a holiday- which is probably due to the large amount of travel related websites in this line up. Travel Doctor is a useful guide to the various vaccinations you’ll need when travelling, and splits them down by region as well, dividing them into the different parts of the country you’re going to, rather than a blanket vaccination for the whole place.

It also rates the vaccinations you need to get on a scale, which neurotic needle phobics like me appreciate. It gives you different ratings- M= mandatory, R= recommended, but not necessary and C= must show certificate. You also get a breakdown of WHY you need the vaccine as some places have some really horrible diseases you don’t want to catch.

PDF my URL

As a journo who specializes in providing online content, most of my work exists online. It’s handy when showing people my portfolio as all I need to do is give them a couple of web addresses and voila, they hate me or love me, but less useful when going into meetings or pitching in person. I was recently asked to provide a portfolio of my work to a potential new client, and I had many head scratching moments over that. Once I’d got over the ‘I work online. Online! How do they expect that to translate that into a binder??’ I went to work, and whaddya know- most online stuff looks HORRIBLE when printed out- the formatting is all wrong, banner ads mess up the pages and it looks messy and nasty.

The I discovered this great website- PDF my URL. Sure, it won’t turn your pages into beautifully laid out spreads but it WILL give you a page to print out that looks normal, and is a great way to safely store any features you’re particularly proud of. I love the fact that it’s SOOO easy to use- no sign up, no email address, just cut and paste your URL into the window and you get a neat PDF of your chosen page.

If you can think of anything similarly useful but dull, please let me know below!

I’ve been sitting on this post for a while for fear of offending any of my friends in the beauty PR world* but a recent rise in particularly impressive events has lead me to believe that a post like this could only be viewed as constructive. I’ve worked online for many years now in a variety of sectors, and whilst ‘meetups’ in other areas such as technology have been widely accepted for years now (probably due to the face that the web is a technological phenomenon) other sectors have been less than ready to accept the blogosphere as a reputable form of journalism. To ease confusion I will say that by blogs I encapsulate EVERYTHING from company run websites such as Cosmopolitan.com and Handbag.com to smaller sites such as www.Cultbeauty.co.uk, www.Kissandmakeup.tv and people who blog personally- every bit as professional, but not necessarily full time, such as British Beauty Blogger or Lipglossiping. To an extent one could even argue that those who blog personally are less restricted by advertising demands and the requirements of their companies, and are therefore either more honest or more in depth (due to no time constraints but that’s a whole other post.

Suffice to say, PR companies are now getting on board with bloggers and are hosting more and more events tailored specifically to this domain. I can’t applaud this more, it shows creativity, innovation and suggest that companies are embracing rather than being scared of new media. Just because you have an idea though, doesn’t always mean it’s implemented right, no matter how good the intention may have been. Here is my short guide on the things that companies are doing right and a couple of points on what they could do better.

Good things to Do.

Number One: Think about the Timing of The Event- and the Location

A meetup is all well and good, and a really nice way for the PR’s to get to know bloggers, and bloggers to meet each other in person. However many bloggers do NOT work full time and scheduling an event in the middle of the day means you’re automatically ruling out a majority of attendees. It’s a lovely plan, but you have to think realistically, and if it’s the bedroom bloggers you want to reach, and evening, or dare I say it-weekend- would be much more ideal. How are you planning for people who live out of town? Whilst major media outlets may be primarily based in London, for an event you’ll be bringing together from all over the country, so be prepared to offer travel expenses, or miss out on some high profile attendees

Number Two: Give them Images..of EVERYTHING!

Bloggers and web editors have one major thing in common- we work online. C’mon, that should be simple enough to figure out! So help us help you- give us IMAGES in JPEGs, CD’s, USB drives, we don’t mind, just give them to us NOW and don’t fill our bags with paper releases. Don’t promise to send us emails later, and then forget, hand us a USB stick with all the pics we could ever need. Make sure everything you say is there is ACTUALLY there, and if it’s not tell us why. If a product is an exclusive to someone, tell us why we don’t have the image, don’t let us run all the way home and then be infuriated when we load up our computer.

Number Three: Give them stuff

No, not because we’re product hungry whores who want everything we can get, but because we actually write about this, and need to have things to try and use. If you just give us a few things that doesn’t showcase your range very well, and you want us impressed and raving about your brand to our friends and colleagues- who are probably influential journalists and bloggers. Sleek makeup does this exceptionally well, understanding that the power of the blogosphere really affects sales, and hence has a huge following that other brands can only envy. They have amassed such devotion in part due to their high quality products, and their huge response to feedback, which other brands could definitely learn from.

Number Four: Listen to the Blogosphere

A bad product review may feel like death to some people, but it’s not actually something to fear. So people hate your nail varnish and love your lippie? You can deal with that. Find out WHY some products are disliked and then see what you can do about it. I don’t mean bribing the journalists but by speaking to the manufactures, changing the textures, working with the feedback rather than against it. You could even contact the major haters and get them to run quizzes and competitions about what to change- most people would be more than willing if you approach them correctly.

Number Five: Give them a good reason to visit you

So you have a new body lotion- good for you. Is that really worth schlepping 45 minutes across town to see? I don’t care if it is in another colour, or the logo has changed slightly, what am I getting out of coming down in person that an email wouldn’t have given me? And no, the posh chocolates in the goodie bag aren’t reason enough. Bring in an expert who is happy to answer skincare questions UNRELATED to the brand- don’t worry, you’ll still get a mention if used- a free manicure, an evening event with drinks where you can bring a friend.. now THAT’s a reason to come.. maybe. At a recent event by Sleek MakeUP we had a lab technician on hand to show bloggers how to make lipstick, and I got to see lipstick moulds and how to measure out the product- now that was worth a visit!

Things to Avoid

Number 1: Two Tier Goodie bags

I know that the girl from Vogue.com is more up your clients street than the girl from IloveMakeupalot.blogspot.com (apologies if that exists) but there’s no need to blatantly favourite her in front of everyone is there now? Not only will that make everyone feel uncomfortable, but it will also means resentment spreads as does gossip, and that’s not the spirit you want to foster. If you must gift the girl from Vogue with something extra special, courier it to her, don’t do it in front of everyone. The same applies to goodie bags-the same for everyone, and make sure you don’t run out either, as nothing is more depressing than promising to send you a bag when you’re out.. and it never appearing. This has happened to a bunch of people I know, both from magazines and blogs, and it always annoys.

Number 2: Assuming everyone knows everybody

Yes, the blogosphere is a friendly place but it’s also vast, and just because you have huge resources at hand doesn’t mean that other bloggers spend their time combing the web for blogs to represent your clients. I don’t think you should give people nametags (heaven forbid) but an intro session perhaps, and DEFINITELY a list of attending blogs should be handed out.

Number 3: Not Treating people as professionals

A lot of bloggers may not have a huge amount of journalistic experience, but that doesn’t mean you can treat them with impunity. Turn up on time to appointments, give people notice of cancellations, and don’t invite people last minute to things- we know it’s just because someone important dropped out, and that doesn’t make us feel great. OK, if it’s last minute tickets to see Rihanna we may forgive you, but be honest about why the space is free, it will be appreciated.

Number 4: Do not try and get free advertorial

I know what all PR’s secretly wish for is that Vogue would suddenly decide their product is the hottest thing since Tampons replaced pads, and would start raving about them in every single feature. They don’t however, and if you want any major advertising you often have to pay for it. Just because blogs might not have the same lengthy approval process don’t expect them to provide you with free advertorials- that’s not the point of them. Integrity is key in the blogosphere so don’t try and impede there’s by expecting loads of coverage of something rather insignificant. If you REALLY want advertorial offer to do what you’d normally do- approach them about their RATES, and take a ‘no’ gracefully.

Number 5: Don’t over-push your product

You’d never over bombard a magazine bigwig (OK< having worked on a mag, that’s actually debatable) so don’t send a zillion emails and phone calls about whether one hand cream is actually going to be featured. You know when you’re overdoing it, so remember to just stop. If I want to feature it I will, and being so pushy will only stop me! Remember not to condescend as well, as if you’re offering a prize or a competition to a blog, make sure it’s something worthy- a five pound money off voucher is generally NOT acceptable currency.

People to recommend:

I’m not trying to play favourites here, but I just wanted to highlight a few brands which have already embraced the online world. By this I don’t mean just starting a Facebook and Twitter page, but wholeheartedly paying attention to online writers, and tailoring things accordingly. Kudos to Simple for their bloggers pledge (and a shout out to their fab Eye Makeup remover while I’m at it), a round of applause to Sleek Makeup, whose recent Beauty Blogging Bowling Event inspired me to publish this and another thumbs up to Clinique, who really  understand the power of digital PR.

*This doesn’t mean that my friends have been hosting bad events, more that they have been restricted by the limitations imposed on them by their clients.

I love a good Japanese beauty gadget, as they have pioneered some of the strangest products in the world. The Beau Bust Roller is the latest in a  long line up of uncomfortable looking products designed to help you increase your bust size. Forget about Wonderbra’s and chicken fillets, this is an electronic breast stimulator which is designed to be rolled across the boobs. This torturous looking device is designed to react with a gel used across the area, and together this machine is meant to promote growth and firmness.

Quite apart from thefact that the BODY DOESN’T WORK LIKE THAT, it looks like it would be pretty painful as well. I’m not sure how desperate you would have to be to invest in one of these, but it would have to be verging on insane, as not only is this unlikely to make any difference, it’s also pricey and fricking HUGE- you couldn’t just leave it lying around the room!  Get it for $116 from the Japan Trend Shop.

I adore a sleek curved heel, I go gaga over colour block shoes and extra applique,  and the right embellishments can literally can make me swoon. Due to a recent cull of old shoes, I’m now down to around 40. Whilst browsing for my shoe fix online I came across a large number of lovely shoe related products that would not suffer wear and tear like the casual stiletto and I’m now considering what kind of loan I’d need to purchase the below (Joke. Sort of.) After all, why should you celebrate shoes on the feet alone- the design works equally well for home furnishings or crockery! Enjoy the following ( I know I did).

SICIS shoe styled baths- bathing at its most beautiful.

Someday your dining table will find its Prince Charming…

Cinderella Table Set

The Shoe chair, suitable for sitting and piling up laundry.

French shoe designer Christian Louboutin has designed a champagne glass in the shape of ….that’s right you guessed it a shoe! ( for Piper-Heidsieck champagne).

Leopard print stilleto shoe chair- for your inner Carry On star.

High Heeled chandelier-leopard style! A shoe on each arm, topped with black feathers. Comes in a variety of styles as well, Paris, and Zebra too.

Stiletto Mirror- can be engraved with whatever you wish. Now who’s the fairest shoe of all?

Call me from your Choo’s.

Smell like your favourite shoes. For me that’s a strange mix of sweat and Marc Jacob’s Daisy but this company seems to think shoes smell ‘Spicy, sweet, and complex. Vanilla intertwines with a spice cabinet of cinnamon, clove, allspice, kissed with sugar. Hints of nutmeg and fruits peak out from the heart notes’.  If you say so…

Shock Tactics

Gymbox, one of my all time favorite gyms has just released news of their latest class. Remember, these are the people who have previously brought the fitness world the WAG workout (you wear sunglasses and bend it like Beckham’s behind you) the Rave workout (performed to hard dance on mini trampolines whilst waving glow sticks) and Cheerleading, so you know a new class from them is going to be something special. This one has a couple of shocks up its sleeve.. literally. It’s a new take on circuit training as it utilises electrified balls, which you carry with you as you perform a circuit class.

I just spoke to the staff there and they filled me in on how it works. Every time you start a new activity you reset the timer on the ball (this kind of thing) and if you don’t perform your workout quickly enough you’ll get an electric shock. This should weed out the wimps from the hard men, and hearing random ‘ouches’ as you workout will be entertaining.

Krankcycling

This strange looking device is called ‘Spinning for the arms’ and is created by Jonathan Goldberg the original creator of those amazing/dastardly  (delete as appropriate to you) Spinning bikes. I’ve seen bikes before that just work the arms, but these differ slightly in that the seat is ergonomically designed for you to sit for longer and that you can stand whilst using it as well.

Krankcycling has started to take off in the States, and as the machine  are smaller than Spin bikes I could see gyms being willing to embrace this new fitness trend. Personally I think this sound pretty horrific as my arms are even weaker than my legs, and being shouted at whilst arm-peddling is not my my idea of fun. Be warned though-I can see this everywhere in about six months.

Jugglefit

This is not strictly a new trend, as the company that provides the equipment was started in 2006. Still, they haven’t made it mainstream on this side of the pond, as apart from attending the Circus Space (very recommended for trapeze and clowning lessons) there aren’t many places you could learn to do this. There has been a recent trend in getting fit kid-style, as hula hooping and skipping are both great cardio workouts. Can we say the same for juggling however?

They believe so, as jokes aside (e.g.  ’My balls were in the air for an hour’) they say that ‘ Juggling will become a common fitness activity that people incorporate into their lives, just like walking, running, bicycling, or playing sports.’

Jugglefit was the brainchild of Heather Wolf  and it sounds like a good workout for the upper body, as it’s all about coordination and stability. She sells a number of DVD’s on how to do this, and I could see this trend being picked up by gym users looking for a new exercise class. I do find it funny however, that the DVD’s come coupled with scarves as well as balls- imagine trying to get your boyfriend to have a go!

Tricking

Martial arts just got a whole lot quirkier with Tricking. It’s a fusion of  gymnastics, martial arts, and b-boying. The martial arts components takes disciplines from taekwondo, capoeira and  kung fu with a selection of jumps and cartwheels that wouldn’t  look out of place in a cheerleading routine.

There are no classes set up to train you in this..yet. I’m guessing that Tricking will go a similar way to Parkour, and move slowly to the mainstream where people can take lessons in it and train at specific places. For now you’ll have to learn Tricking via online tutorials- YouTube will give you loads and there are also specific websites.

Water Yoga

Yoga has been around for yonks now, so it’s about time professionals started taking another tack with it. We’ve seen the fabulous Reformer machines spring up in studios around the country, but the latest fitness class takes more of a watery turn. Known as Poolates or Water Yoga, the idea is that you perform the traditional yoga poses in the water. OK, forget about the downward dog, but many of the salutations can be easily performed this way, and it would be a low impact workout. The water adds extra resistance to the poses, and it makes a change from the splashiness of aqua aerobics.

So here you have it, five new ways to get in shape. Which one will you be trying?