Families

So it is Boxing Day - presents have been opened, champagne drunk and polite conversation had with many.....so when is it socially acceptable to become a hermit and be glad that the festive period is coming to a close?

I have always liked the New Year period - not for failed resolutions but more for putting past the last year and getting on with the challenges of the next. This year has been a busy and challenging year but it is exciting to think what 2010 has to offer!

Just got to get through NYE where this year I think I might just hide under the duvet and curse the fireworks that are keeping me up and hopefully welcome 2010 in a more sober manner to the beginning of 2009!!

Post weekend blues

Okay, so this weekend I have had a fab weekend - done lots and had a lot of fun with friends - so now I am in the midst of the post weekend blues. Other than planning lots of other things next week, any suggestions for a cure?

Hairbrush Hits

Okay, so favourite songs you play when you are getting ready to go out on the tiles - I will start

1) Man in the Mirror, Michael Jackson
2) Believe, Cher
3) On a night like this, Kylie

More please!

Movember

So the month Movember is almost over and men across this fair isle have risked ridicule and humilation for an entire month in order to raise money for prostate cancer research. The thing is, are there any Mo's out there that can make a man look good? Personally the five o clock shadow stubble can be quite sexy at times but the trash tash is another world entirely.

How much cleavage?

So how much cleavage needs to be on show before you are described as being slutty? For some ladies out there, it is virtually impossible to hide unless you are fully wrapped up in a polo neck.

So if the old rule of "less is more" still stands and you should only expose either boobs or legs - then how much boob / leg should be on show before you become a tart? Being "lucky" enough to have cleavage that seems to have a mind of its own, I can start evening perfectly respectable and then make a complete tit (yes pun intended) by the end of the night!

Text Sex

Okay - so recently I have been introduced to the world of text sex by curvy girl. This is not something that I am personally partaking in but am certainly intrigued by this slightly bizarre world that is existing. But the question, when does text flirting turn into text sex? Is it through the implication of what is happening or the plain filthy language being used?

Jacob or Edward? Jacob or Edward

So ladies (and gents), the film has been watched, minstrels have been munched and the verdict.... a hung jury!! In one way the beautiful Edward is strong, sparkly and devilshly good looking, but then in the other corner you have the beautiful werewolf boy. Or should it be man? Hmm, technically legal if not a little too scarily young - nice pecs though! Or Shoulders .... hmmmmm - I am currently on Team Jacob - any other opinions?

mysinglefriend.hell

OK, so for months I have been curious about the hidden world of internet dating - something that was once a little embarrassing to admit has now turned into a multi-million pound enterprise.

So nothing ventured nothing gained was the motto when I naively signed up - wow, well what an eye opener this has been . Your friends can recommend people - fine, you can be added to others as a favourite, fine.... but what happens when you think.... hmm he looks nice, shall I contact him? Here comes the 113th re-write of the email and the assurance that you are not sounding like a complete idiot in your first email. Well, you just end up sounding like a complete and utter nutter -

Hi - liked the look of your profile - do you like the look of mine? If so email back and then maybe we can turn into normal human beings and have a conversation - this is what I am so desperately wanting to write - but know, you have to think about the humour and wit when lets be honest, the minute they see your mug shot, the decision is going to be made!!

So any words of wisdom as to the perfect opener of an email to someone you have never met before, and if you stuff the email up, probably never will meet....

As my mother says....

.... never dip your pen in the works ink pot. Never really understood that one - until now. Any thoughts on the complex subject of inner office relationships? I have seen very good ones work, and very bad ones pull an entire team down with the relationship.

So is it best to just flirt across the photocopier and keep it like that or should one delve into the depths of a secret work love affair....

Leap of faith?

Well..........following on from "All I want is movie love!" (kindly posted by Blondie do to technical errors or my simple incompetance!) I did it.........I took the leap and (kind of) told the man in question how I felt.
I phrase is as 'kind of' telling him as in the end I resorted to technology to do the talking for me and sent him an email. How big and brave of me!

I was spending the evening with Mr X adn I had already decided / been advised that I needed to do soemthing sooner rather than later to spare my sanity adn that based on what I had told people a guy spending time with you is a reasonably good indicator that he might like you (shows he doesn't hate you at the very least).
So spending the evening together cooking and then a movie.........a typical Curvygirl and Mr X evening..............about 11.30pm he went to leave.

The moment had arrived for me to say something. Whilst doing the usual kiss and hug goodbye my head was just abotu in the right frame of mind and then I went to open my mouth and ............nothing! Nothing came out! Eek!

So off he drove and as if on automatic panic pilot I closed my front door, fired up my laptop and just wrote out quite plain and simply what I wanted to say. I didn't really hesitate about pressing 'send' either!

So there it was out in the electronic wilderness..................

Sending somehting so late one can only really anticipate someone reading their email the next day so I waited the whole day, managing to actually put it out of my mind for the most part. I then calmly got home in the afternoon and didn't rush to look......preparign myself for the worst.........and after about an hour I cooly logged on to my account, speed read down the senders list (past the hundreds of junk mails) and again..............nothing! .............Nothing!

OK so I hadn't exactly written instructions as to what to do (email back 'Y' for I love you too and 'N' for Not a chance girly!) infact I had kind of mentioned that if he didn't feel the same then perhaps when he got back (he was going away hence the natural deadline) he didn't mention it so we can try and let it blow over.............but still to not reply or say anything?!?!?! I feel like I'm in suspended animation or something!

Anyway that was a number of days ago now and I do feel better for having taken control and said something. obviously I was hoping for feelings to be reciprocated but realise that ain't gonna happen! I am more curious now, looking back, at what Mr X's behaviour did mean and how could so many of us (I spoke to a few people about it all) could have got it so wrong?

Perhaps I am losing my touch at interpreting the male species? Who knows.

No one wants to feel or even worse know that their feelings are not reciprocated but I have to say you can only do something once you know so as tough as it is...........you've just got to take that leap!

All I want is movie love! Why chick flicks should come with a health warning!

Posted on behalf of curvygirl

I’m in a bit of a conundrum at the moment. It’s a classic one. I have a crush on one of my friends. See told you it was a classic! We have known each other for years (a bit of a gap whilst at Uni) but anyway I would say we are good friends which makes it very difficult to say anything without losing the friendship we already have.

I almost write this article as a tribute to the great Whitney Houston with “How do I know if he really loves me?” but then realised that that is not necessarily the issue here. It is but I think it’s actually that fact that I am scared to trust my instincts on this topic thanks to movie love!

All those grand gestures to declare your love, all those and missed opportunities which leave you crestfallen only to find that your heart’s desire feel’s the same way just was delayed on a train and then reciprocates. The long looks, the obvious signals…………………….where are they in real life?

Currently I have no reason to believe the boy in question likes me. I have had, to my mind, no clear indication making the prospect of saying anything petrifying!
However, talking to friends and observation by my sister, we spend a lot of time together, he helps me out when he really doesn’t have to etc…………..the usual. And if it was a friend of mine telling me this I would encourage her to pursue it a bit further.

So let’s just say I get the guts to say something……………what am I really hoping for? Of course, I’m hoping for the reciprocated feelings and then being swept off my feet, or the long, deep gaze into my eyes, his hand brushing the hair from my face and the knowing smile before the long, slow kiss!

This is what chick flicks have trained me to want and expect and even though I know I am deserving of all off this (!) I can’t really expect it. So even by getting the spontaneity and courage to say something and discover that it is reciprocated in some way, will I not always be disappointed by the response as I shall be forever comparing it to movie love??

The clever man would force himself to watch a select list of chick flicks and really get into the mind of a woman. Make a mental note of the parts where women swoon and shed a tear……………these are golden moments for you boys! Do something vaguely similar to these and you are in! It doesn’t even have to be the great romantic gesture declaring undying love, or a proposal………..even the sexy moments where the chemistry is boiling over which leads to a memorable evening would be perfectly acceptable by me! Just look at all the women James Bond charmed!

Now I’m not saying that the onus should always be on the man……………I think women should also be able to make the first move…………..I do think however that in the archives of chick flicks, if a guy wanted a step by step guide, there are hundreds of references that they could review!

So……………will I say anything?
You’ll have to wait and see!

Christmas

When should Christmas officially start?

Having popped into a shop today I found myself staring at tinsel, advent calendars and mince pies with best before dates in November. Does anyone actually start eating mince pies now? Surely you are sick of them by the time Christmas comes around.

But when does Christmas actually start? Any thoughts?

Men and Tools

So I spent a couple of hours in Lowe's today - the Canadian version of B&Q. What is it about tools that men get so excited about? The discussions that can be had over double or single mitre saws is amazing!! But then if you think about it, it is just like women talking about shoes or make up. I do think though, if some of these guys looked after their own bodies like they do about their tools, maybe the DIY store would be a better place to visit!!!!

The English Accent

What is it with the English accent that drives men/women wild? Is it the prim and proper manner in which the vowels are properly pronounced? Does it suggest that all English women are refined and lady like? I can't work it out but abroad it seems to come in handy when you are in a fix / would like a discount... or just want some good old fashion fun!! So what is it about the British that seems to create a global fascination?

Singles Night / Speed Dating

I think I have missed a trick here - there appears to be some serious cash to be had by getting into the singles market! There are books, overpriced dating sites and the "social clubs" that promise to find you that perfect partner - if not, come again for free. Well if it was that bad in the first place, would you really put yourself through it again. So do these
Clubs / sites actually have a good success rate? My cousin met a guy through Facebook - they can't remember who asked who to be their friend but one night started chatting. . . a year later they are still together. So, taking a leaf out of the film He's just not that into you, is this the exception or the rule? Can you really find a partner sat in the comfort of your own home in the oldest pair of house pants?

To touch or not to touch? That is the question

What it is the etiquette on touching when you first meet someone. In a business setting it has always been shake their hand both on meeting and departing. With more euro business taking place, there is more contact in a business setting. When do you stop shaking and go in for the air kiss?
In a personal setting it is more complicated. I recently went out for a drink with a work colleague. It wasn't however a drink between two work colleagues but more a drink between friends. . . But they were still a work colleague. We arrived at the pub together straight from work so no hellos required. However, on departing at the train station it was, should I hug, should I not!? In the end I went for a friendly tap on the elbow and pretended to run off for a train.
The question is, are there defined rules for this kind of physical contact or do you run the risk of banging heads in an awkward manner?

Dirty Silver Crush

So when does a man become a silver fox? Is it when there is a certain age gap or when his hair has a smattering of silver threadage?
Amongst my friendship group I am well known for having the odd crush on a lovely silver fox. In my head they are like old classic cars - romantic drives in te countryside, look lovely, need a little maintenance but not over engineered - but you wouldn't take it on the weekly food shop.

What is an acceptable venue for a first date?

Having recenty found my self single after a number of years, the wild world of dating has suddenly opened up to me. If we glaze over the initial part if actually finding a date, where is a suitable venue? Should the lady bow down to the man and let him pick the venue or should the modern Noughties girl lead the way to ensure that at least the venue part will be suitable?

"But I can't understand why you're still single?"....!

Does anyone else hear this question from friends, relatives and sometimes people you just meet?
The polite response is to giggle, over thank them and then jokingly laugh " I just don't know!"

And in truth ..........I honestly don't know!

Don't get me wrong I have niggling habits that annoy me let alone someone else (!) and I don't look like Heidi Klum but some days when you catch yourself realising that 90% + of your friends are married (or almost) and may also have kids as well.................you can start the downward spirl of thought...!

But on the flip side, I am a nice peson, I'd like to think I'm not too offensive on the eye and consider myself a good friend amongst other good qualities. Plus I have had boyfriends before (and sometimes I worry that I peaked in my early 20s!) so I can't be that terrible!
However as much fun as dating is I am also not interested in wasting my time on people who don't deserve me.

So why am I single?.............because on a good day (like today is) I choose to be!

When is fine not fine?

So when is fine, just not fine? I have found myself recently using "fine" as a way of expressing emotion - whether things are good or bad. Does the insinauation come from the tone of the voice or is one meant to know when someone is fine or fine?