On the other hand, there are houses that scream personality and individuality. There’s no secret as to who can live there because they’re plastered their style all over the place. There’s no catalogue feel to those houses, those are proper homes lived in by very real people.

Having your own place gives you the opportunity to express your tastes and style throughout the rooms and your first step is to know what you like. Your tastes are different to your parents’ taste so if your former house had magnolia walls yet you love bright pink, go for it! Trends change over the years so what was in 20 years ago may no longer be ideal for today.

If you’re not quite sure what style to go for then buy a selection of home and design magazines to get ideas and inspiration. Take the time to go round various shops looking at fabrics, furniture and other items that you’d like to decorate your place with. You might want to take a friend whom you trust with you, someone who knows you well and who will give you advice according to what is best for you. Don’t let people impose their ideas and opinions on you because at the end of the day you’re going to be living in the house.

A simple method to add that personal touch is to adorn your house with photos. Photos of yourself, your family, your friends, your pets, places you’ve visited, anything that holds memories for you. By placing photos on your wall and around the house you get to share these experiences with your guests. Seeing your photos on a daily basis will also help to remind you of these special times.

If you like quirky items that you’re unlikely to find in regular shops then you might want to take your search online and browse eBay. Online shopping can lead to some great finds that you’re unlikely to see in other people’s homes and can often prove to be bargains too. When browsing the listings pay particular attention to the description given as you don’t want to end up buying junk. Also take into account the price of shipping; bringing furniture from abroad can prove to be a pricey venture so it’s best to stick to ordering items that are smaller and/or lighter such as cushions, frames and knick knacks.

Another site for ‘different’ items is Etsy where all items are either handmade or vintage. This isn’t an auction or a bargain site so prices will vary greatly; however, you can end up with some original finds that will liven up your home decor instantly.

If you prefer to keep things local then browsing markets, house sales and car boot sales is a good idea to search for original pieces at good prices. This is especially relevant if you like the retro look but want an authentic piece rather than a made-to-look-retro item (which usually turns out to be pretty pricey anyway).

You can also take a paintbrush to items and spruce them up to look exactly as you want them to. A fresh coat of paint can make something look new and one of a kind.

Decorating a house is a tiring, yet very rewarding, process so have fun it with and make sure that there are elements of you all over the place. If you share the place with someone… well, you may have to compromise on the pink walls.

Style Tips

• Experiment with your favourite colour/s on the walls
• This also applied to fabrics and textures. When it comes to cushions, spots and stripes can live together
• If you adore flowers/cows/cars, then show it. Place them on the ceiling if that takes your fancy
• If you can afford to, hire a designer. Just don’t let him/her impose their style on you
• Decorate with photos and mementos from trips abroad or special events in your life to give the place a truly personal and individual look
• Take advice from people; just don’t compromise on your own vision

(Published in Home and Garden, The Sunday Times – August 15, 2010

First know what style you’re after and what you want the place to look like. Once you have a clear picture in your mind then you’ll know what to look out for when it comes to furniture and other pieces. It doesn’t mean that you cannot change your mind, it is important to be flexible; however, having a basic idea of what you want will help you to not buy rubbish and not accept any old bits that get thrown your way.

It’s worth giving up your weekends and braving parking problems to shop around different furniture outlets to compare styles, materials and ultimately prices. We all know that IKEA has good prices and a wide range of products; however, it’s not readily available in Malta so scrap that idea and think outside of the box. Go to as many furniture outlets as possible – don’t pre-judge them before you’ve entered the place because you never know when you might find something on sale from an expensive store or your ideal desk bureau from a hole-in-the-wall shop.

Alternatively you could also look into having furniture made by a carpenter. This is not always the cheaper option though, so do your homework before signing on the dotted line.

If your budget is tighter still then be on the lookout for garage sales and car boot sales. These are great places to find pieces of furniture and other items for your house and you could also try bartering for better prices. Remember the old adage that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Obviously, don’t buy trash because it will just end up in the box room gathering dust and you would have eaten into your budget for nothing, but if there’s something you like that belonged to someone else which is still in good condition then go for it. Don’t be put off simply because it’s second-hand, after all that’s what antiques are – just a lot older.

The Classifieds section in the newspaper can turn out to be a treasure trove of surprises, albeit amidst a lot of junk, but finding that ideal table/desk/sofa at a fraction of the cost will be a great relief on your pocket.

Do tell people that you’re looking for furniture – you never know who’ll offer to introduce you to a carpenter, tell you where they got their great bargains or even offer you a piece of furniture that they were thinking of getting rid of. If the latter does happen, don’t be afraid to refuse it if it’s not your style and can’t be revamped. Thank them for their generosity and just explain that it won’t suit the style of the room. Helping people get rid of their unwanted furniture by taking it for them will not solve your furnishing difficulties, it will just give you less space and more clutter.

Remember that you don’t have to buy everything at once! If you can only afford to buy art for one wall, then stick to that and be creative with another wall. Frame some of your favourite photos and hang them up; you can get them blown up if you want to cover more wall space.

Furnishing your home should be a fun and creative process where you can express yourself and throw your style at every wall in the place. Be creative and be flexible with your ideas. Sometimes you won’t find exactly what you’re after; however, if you keep an open mind you might find something better.

Style Tips

• Upholstery can be expensive so use throws and cushions to brighten up an old sofa.
• Buy design and craft magazines to get inspiration and ideas that you could implement. They’ll also teach you tips and tricks such as how to spruce up old furniture.
• Art is lovely but not always affordable. Prints, however, can be just as lovely and so can their price. If those are still out of reach, then select your favourite photos and adorn your walls with memories.
• Plants give colour and life to a room. If you invite people over, ask them to bring you a plant rather than a box of chocolates.
• Do browse online stores for good deals – just make sure that the charges of shipping won’t end up costing you more than had you bought from a local shop.
• Be creative! If you don’t have a vase for your fresh flowers, grab a jug or a pint glass from your kitchen cupboard,  fill it with water, place your flowers and voilà, a just-as-good-as vase at no cost.
• If your place needs a paint spruce up, gather your friends with the promise of pizza and beer, give them a paint brush each and get them painting. Best to keep the beer till after the painting is done!
• Remember, less can indeed be more. Furnish slowly, carefully and have fun with it!

First know the size of the room where the bed is going to stay and calculate accordingly. A bed that’s too large will overpower the room and make getting around a nightmare; a bed that’s too small will look out of place. Apart from fitting the room, the bed must also fit you – comfortably. Don’t compromise on comfort when it comes to sleeping. This isn’t a pair of high heels that you’ll wear for a couple of hours one evening and then put away in a shoebox; you’ll be spending an average of eight hours every night on this bed recharging your body.

A good quality bed should last 8-10 years so it’s a worthwhile investment to make on a piece of furniture that is going to be used daily. If changing the bed is not an option then it’s important to replace the mattress as wear and tear can affect its stuffing, springs and firmness. However be aware that a new mattress on an old support will still not give you the ultimate comfort.

A bed is one of the few household items that it’s best not to scrimp on. While everyone loves a bargain, especially if you’re doing up the entire house, a bed should not be something bought at a second-hand shop – even if the price is super low. It’s important to realise that dust mites could have easily set up happy families in there and it’s more than likely to be worn down (remember, 8-10 years?)

When it comes to styles, shapes and sizes the choice can be overwhelming so think about your choices. Do you prefer a single bed, double, king-size or a luxurious queen-sized one? If opting for the latter you need a large room and a penchant for your own space as it measures 180cm × 200cm! Note that I’m talking about UK sizes here because in the US the king-sized bed is larger than the queen! With all these differences, it’s no wonder that confusions abound.

Having decided on the size of the bed you then have to decide on the material of the structure. Do you want it wooden, wrought iron, upholstered, leather, metal? Once more, plenty of options. Wooden and metal beds are probably the easiest to maintain and clean; a leather bed can look very stylish but needs more care and maintenance while an upholstered bed would require regular cleaning because of the dust that it would gather. It’s also advisable to keep away from leather and light-coloured upholstery if you have young kids and/or pets. Chocolate stains will not look like part of the design.

If you really want your bed to be the focal point of the room (and have the space and height) then you could opt for a four-poster bed which has an imposing presence, though if you live in a dusty area remember that the material above the posts is prone to gathering dust which will only be breathed in by yourself while you’re asleep.

Once you’ve settled on the structure of the bed then you need to look into mattresses which, once again, come in various types to offer support for all. You can choose between a spring mattress, foam or latex; however, it’s all about the comfort, support and durability regardless of which material you opt for. When going to buy a mattress it’s important that you test it properly – don’t just sit on it. You need to lie down on it, move around, adopt your usual sleeping position and see how it feels. If you don’t sleep in this bed alone, then go shopping for the mattress with your partner to find one that suits the pair of you.

If you’re after something different and fun, then you might even want to consider getting a waterbed although you’ll be restricted with the styles and sizes of the beds available for this kind of mattress. This would also go on the ‘avoid list’ if you have pets who like to jump on the bed as a waterbed can, and will, burst if not properly treated.

Now that you chose new bed and mattress don’t forget to buy new bed linen to dress it up.

Whatever you decide on, ensure that you love your bed. It’s the place you retire to at the end of a gruelling day at the office; it’s also where you may share intimate moments with your loved one. You spend a third of your life in bed so don’t make a hasty decision.

Published in The Sunday Times – August 1, 2010

First impressions can create a lasting impact and, when it comes to websites, this can work in your favour; however, it could also work against you. Far too many local businesses take the step to reserve their spot in cyberspace, yet never bother going beyond “Under construction”; or else they simply put up an image and their company’s particulars and leave it at that. It’s proof of the misconception that just “being” online is enough to reel in the business that you usually would using traditional media. However the missing element that can help you drive your business forward online is your website’s content.

Your website is the online face of your company the shop window on the high street. In the same way that you (ought to) have a standard professional greeting messaging when answering an incoming call, your website needs to maintain the same professional standards in its appearance and text. If I come across a website that has bad grammar and worse spelling I’ll break out in a sweat, start hyperventilating and direct my now badly shaking hand to the red X in the corner. Now that might be exaggerated, but the fact is that a poorly written website will have a negative effect on your company’s reputation.

Stuffing your company website with useless bits of information that are irrelevant to your business is not the solution to gaining more clients, but, well formulated content that pertains to your company and its products or services could set you apart from your competitors, both locally and abroad.

Your website content needs to read well as much as it needs to look good. You wouldn’t use a very small font on your site because it would be difficult to read and browsers would get annoyed and just move on to another site. In the same way, badly written text is also difficult to read and the consequences will be the same. Whether you prefer your website to have huge chunks of text or to be sparse with its content – there are various opinions about this – the important thing is that each word and sentence is correct and does not distract your potential customer. Mixing up words like their and they’re does not help your company’s reputation. If you can’t give your website the finishing touches that it needs, just how thorough are you with your services? Clients are a demanding breed who will nitpick and make assumptions based on what they see.

Your website is your 21st century marketing channel; your chance to tell people about your company, your products, your services. What makes you the preferred choice? Why should they fill in your contact form? Why should they download your brochure? The fact that people can get information from the comfort of their homes without having to visit your offices is a convenience that they want to take advantage of. However they need to be convinced that they are not wasting their time by visiting your site, and the way in which you can do this is through the words that you choose to use. Make their visit and informative and entertaining one; don’t allow them to stumble over any errors. Ensure that all information is kept up-to-date and show prospective clients that your company is current and cares about their customers.

If your company has a funny startup story, relate it in the About Us page. It will help lessen the gap between you, as the business and the web user, as the potential client. By making your company sound more friendly and less austere you are creating a relationship with your website browsers. Naturally, if you are an investment firm, relating a story about how you gambled your shareholders’ money in order to win more money would not be the best path to follow. Any anecdotes or quotes always need to conform to the values of the company and need to be well-written.

The process taken for a prospective client to become an actual client (who has traded their money for your product/service) goes through several stages; in a nutshell it involves the client deciding that they need the product/service to researching what’s available on the market to actually paying for it. Optimizing your website copy to suit the needs of prospective clients will improve your chances of being their supplier of choice, thus resulting in more sales.

Fast forward to today’s beach trips where the hand-held radio has seen its demise to be replaced by mobile phones, iPods and laptops (yes, even where there’s sand!) Gadgets are our constant companion as we want to be connected, we want to capture the moments, and we want to be entertained by technology.

Beaches, boats and the sea can hardly be considered a gadget’s best friend but if being away from technology has you stuttering and breaking out in a rash at merely the thought of it, there’s no need to worry anymore as technology has become summer-proofed!

Here’s a list to help you keep up with all the latest tech gadgets while taking in the rays.

1. Kodak Playsport Video Camera – This particular video camera comes with the following specifications: waterproof up to 10ft, 1080p video recording, 5.0 MP still photos, 16:9 widescreen capture and playback. So no amount of jumping into the sea is going to keep you safe from a camera this summer!
2. If you prefer your snapshots to your video then there’s something for you too… the Casio Exilim EX-G1. With 12.1 megapixels it’s waterproof up to 10 feet, shock resistant from up to 7 foot drop and has 38 MB of internal storage. With this baby you’ll never miss another action shot again.
3. You’ve already got an iPod and/or iPhone but you don’t want to stuff in your earphones and lose out on the conversation around you? Well, that’s not a problem anymore with Logitech’s Pure-Fi Anywhere 2 speaker dock. Compatible with both the iPhone and iPod it has a 10-hour battery life, charges your iPod or iPhone, has one-touch shuffle and repeat controls. It’s good for the beach, but don’t try swimming with it.
4. We all know about the dangers of prolonged sun exposure; however, how do you know when prolonged is too long? The Oregon Scientific EB612 UV Monitor calculates the recommended exposure time based on skin type, sun block SPF level and comes with countdown timer to alert you to move into the shade.
5. If it’s practicality that you’re after then the Juice Bag Solar Beach Tote could be the thing for you (assuming cost is no option as this retails for a juicy $230). Comprising durable cotton and nylon construction, this stylish tote has a solar panel with which you can charge your gadgets using your bag! The solar panel is removable so the bag can be cleaned as needed.
6. Looking, and feeling, cool on the beach is the prerogative of many so the Rolling Cooler/Audio System will help you do just that. The outside has an AM/FM radio with two 3-watt speakers that fit into a removable nylon sleeve; meanwhile, the Igloo cooler holds up to 58 tall cans (yes, that’s a lot of beer!) and the whole thing is on wheels for hassle-free portability.
7. Let’s capture some more beach images using the Digital Hero 3 which is a 3.0 megapixel camera that is worn on the wrist and can submerge to depths of 100 feet and can take up to 54 minutes of video and last for over three hours of continuous use.
8. Although you love your iPod you know that it’s not waterproof so perhaps you need something like the Freestyle Audio Sport 1GB MP3 player that for $130 lets you dive down to 10 feet while staying charged for 30 hours. It comes with waterproof ear buds and even floats.
9. Of course if you’re absolutely attached to your iPod and would never cheat on it with another MP3 player like the one above then you could always opt for the Ego iPod Waterproof Sound Case. Complete with battery-powered speakers, the $150 Ego is shatterproof, waterproof and has a rubber membrane that lets you control the player.
10. You wouldn’t go to the beach without a beach towel, so why not get the Hi-Sun Beach Towel with built-in speakers? This towel has a 3.5mm universal jack for your iPhone, iPod or any other type of MP3 player out there.
11. Relaxing on the beach with a good book is like heaven on earth for some, but, which book? Funny, serious, fiction, fantasy, biography? With the Kindle you can have a whole library at your fingertips without the risk of wetting the pages.
12. Whatever gadget you decide to take with you to the beach it’s important to keep it protected from the sea and sun, and Aquapac’s 100% waterproof cases do just that. Available for your camera, be it a point and shoot or an SLR; your iPod, whether you’re a shuffle or a classic-type; your mobile phone, iPhone or Blackberry it doesn’t care and various other gadgets.
13. Another great device for music-lovers out there is the Elima waterproof Bluetooth speaker. All you need to do is keep your MP3 player close by and the speaker will start belting out tunes. Completely waterproof this is ideal for pools or even the sea as waves won’t affect it… unless it floats away!
14. A somewhat pricey gadget but sure to provide hours of fun is the Reef Rider underwater scooter that can go 3.5 kilometers per hour, dive down to 3 meters deep and work for 50 minutes. The Reef Rider can be charged on your car or boat and weighs a trivial 5kg. This bullet of fun will set you back €189.95.
15. Want to keep your hands free while diving? Then an underwater digital camera mask is just what you need; there are several brands available with their own specifications ranging from about 3 to 5 megapixels able to reach depths from 15 feet to 130 feet. As a diver and someone who enjoys snapping pics this is definitely something that I would seriously consider.
16. Finally, if you’re after something that doesn’t actually do anything apart from providing some fun and relaxation then the Floatable Sofa is just the thing! Choose between single, double or big and forget about deck chairs and lilos, this sofa does it all!

Enjoy the technology of summer; just don’t forget to actually swim every now and again!

Published in TECHNOLOGY SUPPLEMENT, The Sunday Times – July 25, 2010

I’m not an avid reader of Maltese literature; that’s both literature written in Maltese as well as literature written by Maltese; however, I was very interested to see what Anna-Maria Buhagiar’s book ‘A Very Decent Exposure – 42 Short Stories with a Maltese Complexion’ had to offer. Admittedly the cover was a major attraction as the book is illustrated by Kenneth Zammit Tabona whose style is instantly recognisable and a definite favourite of mine.

The book is described as being short stories and indeed they are very short. The style of writing is known as flash fiction where each story is no longer than 600 words. It’s not as easy task to relate a story in such a limited space and connect with the reader at the same time and as I read story after story I couldn’t help but feel that the author doesn’t succeed in achieving this every time.

Some stories lack punch and finality and because they’re so short it’s very easy to finish one story, start another, finish it, and start another in an unrelenting cycle that leaves the reader feeling abandoned on a roundabout during rush hour traffic – you’re just not sure where to go and what to think after the final full stop of a story. I found myself thinking, ‘Yes, and…?’ a few too many times for my liking after having finished the stories.

There were certain storylines that I really enjoyed and could relate to as they described the Maltese personality down to a tee. Wide Blue Eyes describes the war in Lebanon and people’s disassociation from it because they only see it on television and it’s therefore not pervasive in their everyday lives. Deciding what to eat for dinner is an immediate concern and therefore takes precedence. How many of us can relate to that?

Lessons, Links and Something Stronger shows you a snapshot of a section on a Maltese bus where people from all walks of life share the same space although there are unlikely to know each other or even meet again. We’re introduced to a ‘here and now only’ aspect of life where things are not always as they seem, especially in random encounters.

Dances in the Dark is a clever pun on words as the author uses the action of dancing as a metaphor for nightly activities that are rampant in a certain Maltese town which everyone is aware of and yet nobody speaks about, highlighting the common characteristic of ‘if we don’t talk about things we don’t approve of then perhaps they don’t really exist’.

A favourite story of mine is probably The Tea Party because I know people like this and I’m sure I’m not alone here; I also think that a few poor husbands will recognise themselves as the down-trodden male counterparts of their social-climbing wives as the story revolves around a typical Maltese woman who bullies her husband and considers herself to be high class – although this is often achieved through marriage. The husband is always a more down-to-earth type of person, aware of his wife’s insecurities and social needs, yet still willing to obey her and pander to her every whim.

Meanwhile Rhapsody of a Secretary (which incidentally won the author a Highly Commended Short Story Award in 2005) left me feeling somewhat cold. The plot centres on the stereotypical roles of a male boss and female secretary where the secretary works her behind off for her boss and a “Thank you Anna” at the end of the day is actually considered a victory by her. In my opinion this mentality only helps to reinforce the glass ceiling phenomenon that is rampant for Maltese businesswomen.

I believe that the limited vocabulary used throughout the book hinders it from achieving the success that it could reach and does deserve. Unfortunately the author’s choice of words are relatively basic and there appears to be little attempt to use one word that would encompass and replace the two or three used instead. The spattering of Maltese words across the book are a nice touch and the glossary at the end of the book provides a good explanation for them, although I think that it would have made more logical sense to have the glossary in the first pages so that readers are aware of it instantly. The illustrations that depict a scene or line from each storyline are wonderful and help to bring the book to life.

Whilst not a book that I would call a favourite, I would encourage Maltese people to read it because it is appealing to read about situations that you can relate to on a deeper level that simply your imagination.

Published in Culture and Entertainment, The Sunday Times – June 13, 2010

However, it seems that help is at hand as one of the latest fads for people who are keen to interrupt the routine of their daily lives is to experience an online vacation. While not quite the same thing as going on holiday, it is possible to visit a new place without having to hassle about flight prices, luggage restrictions and airport delays. How? Virtual holidays is the answer.

Websites such as www.armchair-travel.com and www.holidaysfromhome.co.uk both offer their viewers the chance to experience a new destination from the comfort of their home so I decided to go on holiday with both these sites to fully experience the services that they offer.

I chose to cross halfway around the world with www.armchair-travel.com and headed to India’s Taj Mahal; I’d never been there so it seemed like a good place to start.

The website itself is rather unattractive, is covered in ads and has a very small sized font, so it’s not quite user-friendly; however, I managed to enter the Taj Mahal (which opened in a new window) and was quite impressed with the detail that I saw. I experienced a 360 degree view of the Taj Mahal and via clear arrow signage I could move around the palace, both inside and outside.

Apart from touring the place, there are also videos available that explain the history behind certain features of the Taj Mahal, such as The Dome of the Mausoleum, The Minaret and the Muezzin and others. Other places that I had the option of visiting included Kew Gardens, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Piccadilly Circus, London’s Houses of Parliament, Tredegar House in Wales, Berlin, Oman and Normandy D-Day Beaches.

Holidaysfromhome’s website is much more appealing to the eye and appears to be of a higher standard although the choice there is limited as there are only three available holidays – Australia, New York and Chocolate! Being female and a confirmed chocoholic it’s only understandable that I opt for the Chocolate destination.

What I am able to get is a preview, as for the full deal I’m going to have to pay £19.99. There is a free taster available that includes sound clips of a noisy airport and a plane taking off, to get you into the mood of travelling. After that the introduction to the Chocolate holiday shows a box of delicious-looking chocolates in a branded box and states:

“Love chocolate? Sit and enjoy delicious chocolates while you experience every stage of the chocolate journey, from bean to bar. The holiday stops off at Saint Lucia, Mexico and Belgium. There’s even a chance to taste samples and try some delicious chocolate recipes. The Chocolate Holiday comes with the specially written virtual guide book, a selection of chocolates and cocoa bean products. Perfect for chocolate lovers!”

So it appears that you will actually receive these chocolates to fully experience the holiday that you are about to embark on.

From the preview I discover that this holiday is also informative and educational as I am taken to St. Lucia where my guide Louis shows me cocoa trees and I find out that the sweet, brown chocolate we all know and love actually starts out growing in pods on tall trees.

This type of virtual holiday definitely helps to encourage people to jet off on the actual holiday so it could definitely be something that holiday operators might want to invest in as part of their marketing strategy.

The expansive reach of the Internet seems to have no boundaries so being able to ‘travel virtually’ comes as no surprise. However, can it really replace the experience of physical travelling? Admittedly I’m skeptical because ultimately seeing images or videos of places that you would like to visit, still remain merely images and videos. Your surroundings don’t actually change; you will still be in your living room when your ‘journey’ ends with chores waiting to be done and dinner to be prepared.

However I can definitely see the value in going on one of these trips before physically travelling to the place – it’s a lot more interactive and interesting than reading a guide book. Until then, you could give one of these trips as a present to the person who already has everything (and we all know someone like that).

Published in TECHNOLOGY SUPPLEMENT, The Sunday Times – May 23, 2010

LORI LANSENS: The Wife’s Tale, Virago, 371 pp, RRP €19.54

Having read Lori Lansen’s first novel, ‘The Girls’, I immediately knew that the characters in this book were going to be multifaceted and full of meaning – and I wasn’t disappointed. Her characters are three-dimensional; their experiences are heartfelt and meaningful, their characteristics are recognisable and you could see yourself or your friends in their shoes.

Mary Gooch is a glutton and fully aware of it; her 302 pounds of flesh are evidence of her eating habits, “she apologized for the way she ate, with a disturbing lack of discrimination”. When she was a little girl her mother took her to the doctor regarding her weight. The doctor classified her as being ‘obese’, a word that Mary doesn’t recognise and translates to ‘obeast’ – a beast that she believes lives inside her and makes her want to eat all the time.

We first meet Mary one evening at her home in Canada with a storm brewing outside. The weather provides intense feelings of pathetic fallacy, as the rain and clouds approaching lead to the bad news that was about to fall upon her.

It’s the night before her twenty-fifth wedding anniversary and she’s waiting for her husband to come home. Mary and Jimmy had got married just out of high school, aged 18. Jimmy was your all-round, handsome athlete; Mary was an overweight girl with no friends. Their union was inexplicable to most people; however, we’re told that the reason they decided to get married was because Mary got pregnant. The night before their wedding, she miscarriages; however, being afraid of losing Jimmy now that there wasn’t a baby to tie them together, Mary keeps mum about this for their entire married life.

Mary’s whole life is a state of denial. Despite her deep love for her husband, their sex life dwindled into nothingness five years before, mainly due to her heaviness and the self-esteem issues that weighed upon her. And now that their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary is upon them, Jimmy fails to come home.

At the beginning of the novel, Mary’s depressed state is so realistic and vivid that you find yourself feeling heavy and down for no apparent reason other than having read about this woman’s miserable self and state of mind. Admittedly what started as a feeling of antipathy towards Mary because I found her to be somewhat pathetic and whiney turned into me rooting for and actually liking her as the story developed.

The days pass and still no sign of Jimmy; Mary resigns herself to her bed with no appetite for life. During this time she cuts her foot on some glass on the floor and her obese body prevents her from being able to bend over and bandage it properly. The result is a mess and the reader is left feeling pitiful and horrified at this woman who allowed herself to reach such a deplorable state, both physically and mentally.

Eventually Jimmy sends a note informing her that he left her $25,000 in their joint bank account which he won on a scratch lottery ticket and that he needed “time to think”. At a loss about what to do next she decides to go after him to get some answers. Armed with a couple of restaurant receipts for an establishment in Toronto she heads there, and then goes on the trip of her lifetime as she heads off to sunny California where everyone is slim, tanned and gorgeous. During this journey she develops a backbone and became a person in her own right, and not just Jimmy Gooch’s wife. She meets people who change her life, and she, in turn changes herself.

Mary Gooch learns to fight her inner demons which are outwardly present in her weight for everyone to see and (as is common in human nature) judge her upon. I myself judged her at the beginning of the book because I thought that her life was based on excuses; however, the strength of character that emerges throughout the rest of the story absolves her from that initial judgement.
Lori Lansens write books for women; however, she is not a chick-lit writer. This is not your run of the mill girl-meets-boy story with a predictable ending but an insightful journey into a woman’s discovery of herself, and all that she’s able to achieve.

Published in Culture and Entertainment, The Sunday Times – May 2, 2010

‘Love me, love my dog’… or cat, iguana, pot-bellied pig – people’s affections towards their pets are often deep and sometimes oddly obsessive with everything in their lives revolving around their furry/feathered/scaly friends. And retailers are aware of this as a whole array of gadgets and gizmos are hitting the shelves, manufactured for pets yet aimed towards the heartstrings and pockets of their owners.

A dog owner would typically have the basic necessities for their canine companion such as a water bowl, a dry food bowl, a biscuit bowl, collar and lead, and possibly a toy or two. Accommodation arrangements like a kennel or basket are also often available. Dogs don’t actually need any of these things – they’re happy enough to eat off the floor as long as food is available and they don’t need a collar and lead to go for a walk, they can easily take themselves; however, all these accessories are important to the owner to show that the dog is theirs and that they are willing to spend money on their beloved pooch.

Now, there are regular, pet store-bought dog collars that have space for name engraving and then there are extravagant, techie collars such as the wireless dog collar that will soon be available in American stores.

With most Americans already connected to each other via their mobile phones, it was only a matter of time before they were able to also be connected to their pets using the same technology, which is exactly what the wireless dog collar does. If a pet wearing this collar walks away from its owner the collar will send a text message or email to alert the owner that their pet has wandered. It can also be used to continuously track a pet – could this be a new form of cyber-stalking emerging? Whilst the dog collar is set to go on sale shortly, there’s no word as to how much being constantly in touch with your pet will set you back.

However, if knowing your pet’s location at all times isn’t detailed enough for you, then the Pets Eye View Camera could satisfy your voyeuristic tendencies. This digital collar camera is small and durable with a 640 x 480 resolution for 4″ x 6″ prints of all your pet sees during its escapades. With a storage capacity of 35 photos the results are likely to be floor tiles and anything no higher than a few inches; however, you’ll definitely feel like you’re a greater part of your pawed-friend’s world.

If you’re more of a cat lover and dog collars just don’t do it for you, don’t despair because feline-related gadgets are also available and could just be what you’re after. Take, for example, the Control-a-Cat Remote Control which allows you to do just that – control your cat. The animals that are renowned for being stand-offish and masters of their house are about to experience a dramatic role-reversal with these gadgets as, by pointing the remote control at them they can supposedly be made to “Stop Scratching”, “Show Affection” and “Remain Aloof” amongst others – there are 21 novelty buttons available. For those dog owners who believe that the previously mentioned wireless collar isn’t quite enough to keep their dog in check, there is also a Control-a-Dog Remote Control available with commands such as ‘Guard House’, ‘Attack’, ‘Stop That’ and ‘Come Back’. Apparently these devices only work with a lot of wishful thinking, or well-behaved pre-trained dogs.

If you’re a regular Dr. Doolittle surrounded by animals, taking them around together can be something of a headache; however, the solution is readily available for $269.95 plus shipping charges of $38.00 – the Double Decker Pet Stroller. Styled just like a baby stroller, the pet stroller is designed as two netted carrier sections positioned above each other to push along different pets in a comfortable manner without the chance of them getting at each other. With many people considering their pet to be their child, the thought process behind this carrier isn’t all that unbelievable.

And if you’re a true techie and want your dog to have the full interactive Apple experience, then you’ll want to buy it the iBone – yes, the iBone, a squeaky toy that’s bigger than the iPhone though smaller than the iPad and that will give your pup hours of squeaky, noisy fun, without the need for top-up vouchers or the App store. A regular squeaky ball would produce the same effect; it’s just not as cool.

So what’s next in line for pet technology? Perhaps an online chat room for pets which they’ll access from their specially designed laptops that will have different animal ‘languages’ with pre-set words like ‘Woof’ and ‘Growl’ or ‘Miaow’ and ‘Purr’ – far-fetched? Well, is anything nowadays?

Whilst your pet would probably appreciate an extra bag of treats more than a camera around their neck, pet gizmos are likely to increase in popularity as people become more gadget-oriented and obsessed with owning the latest tech trends. Just don’t forget the food and water for them.

Published in TECHNOLOGY SUNDAY, The Sunday Times – April 25, 2010

‘I get by with a little help from my friends’

People have various social networks that they interact with – family members, colleagues, friends from school, friends from the gym and, more recently, friends from Facebook. We used to be able to classify which people were friends and which were merely acquaintances; however, with the ability to virtually interact with hundreds of people by simply clicking a button and sending a ‘friend request’ these categories have become blurred and ill-defined.

Whereas a friend is someone who you are close to and share each other’s life details with, an acquaintance is a person whom you might see on a regular basis and would say hello to – but it stops there. You wouldn’t know the different facets of their lives. However, what if they are also a Facebook friend and updating their status, recounting their day, divulging their favourite pastimes, announcing what events they’re attending and allowing you to know details of their lives – do they still remain acquaintances?

Research has shown that the average person has 3-5 very close friends whom they would feel comfortable opening up with and talking to about sensitive issues, and it’s said that the human brain is capable of dealing with about 150 meaningful relationships; yet you wouldn’t know this if Facebook was to be used as a basis with most people having a few hundred ‘friends’, and some even passing the 1,000 mark. I therefore decided to ask a few people who have surpassed this number about their Facebook terms and conditions when it comes to accepting friends.

For businesswoman Marlene Mizzi, Facebook is about networking and her 3,500+ friend count is a result of her EP election campaign as this provided an effective platform for her to keep in contact with her supporters. Naturally, she does not know each and every one on a personal level, however she does know many, “some personally, some by sight and some by fame”. When it comes to very close friends, she declares that she has “very few close friends in real life let alone on FB!! I have very, very, very few close friends who are also on FB.”

On the other hand Alan Attard and ‘Flossy Jones’ claim that they know their 1,000+ friends list in some way or other.

“I can’t really say that I know them all very well of course, however I have met them all at some point or other either through university, work, or various international seminars and conferences” said Flossy. Meanwhile Alan said that he has met a “minimum of 99%” of the people who appear on his friends list. Both say that they have 30 very close friends, although they have “nothing to do with Facebook,” explains Alan. “I would put the number at around 30 people whom I would feel comfy calling at 3am to bail me out of the trouble kind of thing…”

His criteria for adding or accepting friends are “I either met them once (for example a friend’s date at a do at my place). We can’t really not be friends if we are in pics together kind of thing…g/fs of mates (who I often remove after break ups if we didn’t really become friends)”.

In fact, it’s very common to meet someone once and then find a FB friend request from them shortly after. Could it be that this is the modern way of wanting to keep in touch with the person without having to go through the potentially embarrassing moment of asking to exchange phone numbers? There are no obligations to call that way. You can either pass a comment on their status, or ‘Like’ it for minimum effort – either way you’re making your presence known.

With the job of ‘making friends’ becoming so easy has friendship become a numbers game or do the old values still count in today’s social networking world? All three respondents believe that Facebook is merely a convenient way of keeping in touch with people whom you don’t see regularly. As Marlene puts it, “FB is just social networking not friendship. Friendship is something else and involves deeper sentiments than typing impersonal messages on the internet.”

So what happens when your ‘friends’ are no longer your ‘friends’? Having ‘friend’ clear ups is a normal practice on Facebook for various reasons – “I feel that if I am unable to remember who certain people are, then it is pointless bothering them with my constant status updates and picture uploads ” claims Flossy.

And as I finish writing this I currently have 6 friend requests of people whom I don’t think I know and who didn’t send an introductory message with their Friend Request. I haven’t hit the Ignore button yet; however, my finger is beginning to inch closer to it.

Published in TECHNOLOGY SUPPLEMENT, The Sunday Times – March 28, 2010