Monday 28 September 2015

Getting a life......

The look of horror on my goddaughter's face said it all:
"But why not?" she whispered, confused and saddened at the same time.
All I'd said was, I don't do 'Bake Off'. Or 'Strictly' or 'X Factor'. Or 'Masterchef'.
So now it's out there. It's not that I don't do TV. I love TV. I love 'Nurse Jackie', 'Veep', 'Who Do You Think You Are', Graham Norton ...... Michael Portillo on a train to anywhere. 'Mad Men' could be my specialised subject. However, should I look blank when a friend says:
"Did you see Mary last night?"
I am bombarded with a million reasons why Sue Perkins is saving the human race, one soggy-bottom at a time. It's honestly not a judgement call. I'd fight for the right for you to watch it. I just don't love food shows. Or competitions. But don't get me wrong, I love cake. It's just that watching it makes me hungry.

It's the same with Facebook. I don't do that either and it makes people very mad. And I don't tweet. Or get Linkedin. Until recently that is, when in order to validate myself and prove I existed, so I could join something I subsequently didn't join, I had to link up. Overnight I became connected to hundreds of people, many of which I have never heard of and have nothing in common with.

Last week I went out to a performance at a local gallery. I saw someone I'd met where I'd worked last year. She knew the gallery Director and introduced me. She knew someone she thought I should meet who works in the same area as me. They also know a writer/artist I met a few years ago and really admire who is having a show next month and invited me to the private view.

Top tip: get linked in by going out. 

12 comments:

  1. It can be so time consuming. But if that is the way that absolutely everyone keeps in touch, I guess that is what you have to do - perhaps only if you are a teenager though.

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  2. It can be so time consuming. But if that is the way that absolutely everyone keeps in touch, I guess that is what you have to do - perhaps only if you are a teenager though.

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  3. Oh yes. I got roped in to that silly linked in business. They tried to link me up with one of my most horrible demented former co-workers. Hell no! She is the reason I quit working there. I actually like the Bake Off. I like it because it's British. American cooking shows do nothing for me. Barbecue and burgers. I've had enough. Give me a scone and a cream cake any day.

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  4. I'm sure I didn't join Linked In but my email is bombarded by requests. I don't get Twitter or Instagram and watching a programme about making cakes is about as interesting as watching paint dry. Vive la difference!

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  5. I don't do Facebook either .... it reminds me of the dreaded round robin Christmas letter, but all year !!!!! I can't bear X Factor .... just a way to make Simon Cowell lodsamoney and a way to exploit people !! I think that all of these programmes should finish after a couple of series ...... they seem so old-fashioned now.
    BUT ..... are you watching Dr. Foster ? My favourite TV programme of the moment.
    A friend put me on Linkedin by mistake and I'm still on it and I haven't worked for years !! XXXX

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  6. Me again! We're at York Hall, 5-15 Old Ford Road E2 9PJ 10.30am - 4.30pm xxxx

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  7. I am now a big fan of Facebook - it has reconnected me to long lost overseas cousins and some lovely old school friends. I also have a far better knowledge of what;s happening in my local area by "liking" things and places that I want to be kept informed of - so much so that I am never in!! I don't do Bake off or X factor et (but I do LOVE the Sewing Bee) and I am currently loving "Cradle to Grave" . Mad Men Box set saw me through last winter very nicely. xxxx

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  8. Tweeting seems to me to be a route to complete mental breakdown. I am able to ignore my Facebook and LinkedIn pages.

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  9. I like linked in because it causes recruiters to email me, which validates my fantasy that I can get a job elsewhere. :) However, their constant updates and endorsements are seriously irritating. Facebook is like crack. Stay strong and stay away!

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  10. I forgot my Linked-in password three or four years ago and never tried to remedy that. (Your cake looks ever so tasty.)

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  11. Michael Portillo on a train.....so wonderful ....who knew? I love it. Not on facebook twitter or linkedin and don't watch strictly etc., Loved Veep but missed mad men......that might be a long winter night catch up treat methinks.

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  12. i feel your pain over social media - and your joy over going to a gallery opening and meeting people in the real live flesh and blood.

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