Teenage actor and actress, Vanessa Hudgens and Alex Pettyfer, who play Kendra Hilferty and Kyle Kingston and appear in the modern retold version of Beauty and the Beast entitled Beastly. A recent teaser of the upcoming film has been revealed showing the before and after image of Kyle as well as a very short preview of Hilferty also.

Visit the Beastly page

Right now, my love life is all over the place. I feel like my heart is a paint pallet and all of the boys in my past, present and future are the different colors of paint. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, white, black, grey and all the shades in between. They are all so different. My mind is trying to paint my bedroom. It grabs a paint brush and puts one stroke of color on the wall, let’s it dry, looks at it and waits. After a while, the paintbrush gets emerged in water, everything that was once connected to the paintbrush is washed away. Used and disposed of, because my mind wants to try out a new color. So the paintbrush, once dipped in red, is now washed, dried and dipped into orange. A stroke of paint is streaked across the wall, but only a small line. Then, back into the water the paint brush goes and the same actions repeat. And repeat. And repeat. I have all of these beautiful colors, and they are all alluring it their own way, but it is me that is indecisive as to which color to paint my walls. Do I paint a tranquil colored room filled with soft hues where I can relax, a vibrant colored room that inspires me; colors that standout and are noticed, or colors that compliment the art hanging on the wall and serve merely as the backdrop?

A partner is like paint; and, paint is one of the most important parts of a room, it is the backdrop by which everything else evolves around and connects to. However I paint my room will decide for me as to what type of decor I fill the room with: elegant, country-feel, artsy, trendy or simplistic.  What kind of room do I feel most comfortable in, what kind of lifestyle do I want to lead? Each color is so different, all with their own unique characteristics and all provoke completely different emotions: relaxing, inspiring, serious, playful, lively, boring, cutting-edge, old-fashioned.  My surroundings are important to me because they change how I act. For instance, if I am in a super elegant room I wouldn’t dare jump on the couch, yet, if I was in a cozy room–game on! Some people are fortunate to be themselves in all kinds of rooms, but for me the room directly affects my behavior and actions.  Whether this is a trait or a flaw I am still unsure of. Is it good to be so adaptable to your surroundings or is it a vice?

There have been a few times I have committed more to a color by painting an entire wall. Only one though. And, it filled the room for a while and made it feel cosey, made me feel more at home.  But, I never let it go further than that…and the wall soon came to be painted over in white, small streaks of colors splashed across it’s surface like many times before as I continue to search for the color with which I feel most connected to instead of picking one and enjoying it.

So, my room remains unfinished, and in truth quite ugly. It’s not inviting nor is it relaxing or soothing because….it is not complete. I want to complete this room. I am ready to furnish it, to commit to a style and to call it my own. But, the question always comes back to me…what color do I choose when my mind changes so often? And, if I paint the whole room one color I want to be sure. I don’t want to someday repaint it again. I don’t want to do it all over. I would rather touch up the paint, or recoat it with another color. I want the color to last. I want my partner and my relationship to last.

Sometimes I just wish that a stranger would walk into my room with a bucket of paint and throw it on my walls. I would laugh at the madness. I would laugh at the realization of how easy the whole process can be: choose a color and throw the paint. Because, in the end a room that is painted and decorated feels like home. Maybe it’s not perfect, but it is cosy and warm.  A room left unpainted, undecorated feels merely like a room in transit. It doesn’t feel owned, it only feels rented and above all, it feelsincomplete.

He called today….well, at work. Wanted to pick up his paycheck. I told him to come by to the payroll department. I was actually heading towards another department when he came by. I waved & left. When I came back out, he was standing there waiting for me. So sweet!! He told me he’s starting his new job today. I’m excited for him. He also invited my friends & I to his show tonight. Okay, we are definitely going. :0)

I’m kind of excited too. He makes me feel beautiful. I like the way he looks at me. I like the way he makes me feel. I asked my brother how old he is. He said 25. That makes Isaiah one year younger than my youngest brother….hmm. *shrug* What can I do? Nothing. I don’t participate in age discrimination. Let’s just all be free to love who we wanna love, okay? :0)

Okay so here’s a query for you all: When did guys lose their guts?

Me personally as well as several other girls I know are very date worthy. I have been told that guys think my friends are hot etc etc, so WHY doesn’t anyone DO anything about it!? If you think a girl is attractive, Why don’t you ask her out? Why? WHY? Seriously, as long as you aren’t a creepizoid she will probably say yes. I know I would, even if I don’t know if I’m interested. That’s what dating is for.

Do I have an Unapproachable stamp on my forehead that I’m unaware of? Is there something about me, and girls in general(at least the ones I know) that says “don’t talk to me”? I know it takes courage, I really do, but where are your guts? Like I said, Yes is a very probable answer. Seriously. We’re never going to know if you don’t DO something about it.

Guys, you’ll know if a girl likes you(or at least you should), but said girl may not know you like her. And we probably aren’t going to figure it out if you Never Say Anything. Grow a pair and just do it already.

I recently had some free time in my Empirical Methods of Communication class (the professor was talking or something) so I decided to text a bunch of people to see who, in their opinion, the most badass people or characters were. I asked this with the intention of looking for icons to pattern my own behavior after – weight loss books and websites are a dime a dozen, but how many Being a Badass handbooks are there? Not many, and I’ll wager that those that do exist are in some way affiliated with Spike TV (which kind of precludes them from consideration). Hence this post, where we try and break it down.

Here are the responses I got (in no particular order): Clint Eastwood, Indiana Jones’ dad, Vincent (Collateral), James Bond, Samuel L. Jackson, Liam Neeson, Batman, Wolverine, Denzel Washington, Raze (from Underworld), Morpheus, Matt Puppo (I’ll let you guess who suggested that), and Richard (from the Sword of Truth series). Rather than get bogged down in a list of which of these people is more badass (which would take hours, not have a resolution and be an exercise in endless counter points like the fact Wolverine is only kind of badass because his powers enable him to act as recklessly as Batman with no consequences, or that Liam Neeson was decidedly not badass in Love Actually, and that’s not the point of this post). In no particular order I will observe commonalities which I will then try to apply to my own life.

Restroom usage. I cannot recall ever seeing, reading, or hearing about a time when any of these people used the bathroom. The only time I recall them even being in the vicinity of a toilet, it was to cap some Soviets (Bond in GoldenEye) or start a fight (Morpheus). So I guess I need to stop going potty and only go in there if I need to beat the shit out of someone (pun intended).

Be black. When I talked to people, there were not only several African-American actors named, but their being black was listed as part of the reason (and might actually be like 50 percent of the reason Raze made this list). Deep booming voices, I guess, are extremely badass and the black actors listed here have perfected their “don’t mess with me” looks far more than any other actors I can think of. Obviously not everyone on this list fulfills this, so it’s hardly a requirement, but it seems like it can only help your case. On the other hand, white people trying to act black is painful for everyone (Vanilla Ice), so I guess this isn’t that helpful an observation.

SAY WHAT AGAIN. I dare you, I double dare you, motherfucker, say 'what?' one more god damn time!

Be popular with the ladies, the more the better. I feel like James Bond has this on lockdown. Richard has something like four wives over the course of Sword of Truth. Bruce Wayne/Batman is constantly fending off the attentions of like, every female villain he encounters (including some heiresses) and while some people seem to think this is because of ahem, his relationship with Robin, I’m pretty sure he just doesn’t want to get got, as it were, when he least expects it. Plus, given what her kisses do, would you want to get anywhere close to Poison Ivy’s junk? Indiana Jones’ dad totally had his mojo working on that hot Nazi (kind of a give/take statement, but still). The point is, badass people can generally be described as “big pimpin’.”

Be prepared to sacrifice your body to accomplish your goal (which is probably pulverizing someone/everyone). Batman knows what I’m talking about. Same with Vincent, Denzel Washington, etc. You are way more badass if you do not care what happens to you. It also helps if your body can withstand vast amounts of physical punishment (but it needs to be without the foreknowledge that you will almost certainly be okay, Wolverine). This category is probably the least fun and hardest to act out in real life unless you’re a complete asshole, which sort of goes against being a badass. It also helps if you can offer up a witty line during or after, like Batman or James T. Kirk (who, in retrospect, is an excellent addition to the list). So if you don’t go around beating people up or preventing explosions (more on this soon), try grimacing and offering up a pithy comment the next time you do something stupid and end up injuring yourself. Ideally you’ll come across as badass.

Be near exploding things. Something I think all these people have in common is their constant proximity to things that blow the fuck up. This seems to work out okay for them, why wouldn’t it work out for me? They dodge the worst of the consequences most of the time (usually by jumping face first into the ground while whatever it is splodes), why can’t I? Maybe I will move to a third world country riddled with land mines and just dive everywhere. Seriously. How many explosions do you think the average person is around in a lifetime? What is that statistic compared to what these guys face? Ridiculous. Speaking of guys…

On second thought, maybe it's better to calmly walk away from an explosion

Be a guy. I didn’t realize til just now that there aren’t any ladies on this list. I don’t think that means there aren’t any female badasses, I just think that when people answer who they think is most badass, none of the top candidates are women. I don’t have a lot of experience with Tomb Raider, could Lara Croft make the list? I can’t think of anyone else I would put in the top tier of badass. Hence, try to be like a guy, I guess? I’m sure I’ve offended some feminist by accident here.

…

[Grimace] More like… feminwimp.

No, I’m kidding.

Okay I think that’s a lot to work on in the next week. I’m more than open to additional observations on commonalities among badasses (having a team of writers for your life seems like it would help a lot, now that I think about it).

I’ve yet to meet a guy that didn’t need help learning how to attract and maintain a perfect 10 woman. However, I’ve met several guys especially in Houston that believe they are doing just fine.  Hmmmm.  That’s funny.  I understand though.  Guys have a level of dominance they have to maintain and someone offering advice infers they aren’t good enough and need help.  Every guy I’ve talked to throughout the years has said that they don’t need help.  Until they see results they won’t accept help.  So what better way than an anonymous blog to offer guidance?

Let’s go back a step.  What’s a perfect ten? They are rare so don’t worry about the five women you talked to at the bar last night. Chances are, if they were talking to you, they weren’t a perfect 10. A perfect ten is beautiful to watch. She carries herself with true confidence, she isn’t afraid of speaking to other women, other women are in fact extra snippy around her because she threatens their chances for success. Don’t get mad ladies, this stuff is instinctual for you. You are the way you are. And usually, you’re all the same. Where was I? So, she’ll dominate the room with elegance, sophistication, humility and confidence. A real woman.

So I’m back to Why Hitch? Well, I’ve always been fascinated with relationships and dating. Maybe because I was never unsuccessful. I just was always able to attract women. Combine whatever that is with the self awareness I pride myself on reflecting over and I guess you get someone that can explain how things happen so that everyone understands. I’ve lived everywhere in the U.S. and learned a lot about dating and relationships during that time. In fact, I was even a dating coach when I lived in D.C. last year. And that’s why they call me Hitch. When I moved back to Houston, my friends started calling me Hitch.

So this is my first of many blogs about why guys in Houston are in desperate need of some professional expertise when it comes to dating and relationships. And don’t get me started on the women here in Houston. They aren’t exactly holding up their end. If the women here would just act the way they’re supposed to they might get a decent guy. Guys in Houston are the worst I’ve seen in I can’t say how many states.

Relax though, there’s hope yet. It’s time to turn Houston in to a luscious field of sexiness. Guys can change. YES THEY CAN! I’ve seen them do it and watched them transform from geek to sheik. And I’m talking GEEK! So, if you’re a guy that already dresses nicely and looks somewhat presentable but doesn’t get the HOW TO ATTRACT WOMEN part, you’re going to be fine.

Ladies, if you complain about your guy to all of your girlfriends just remember, that guy was YOUR pick. So instead of whining about the guy, you should start telling your friends how big of loser YOU are. He’s a reflection of YOU. Stop being an idiot.

I guess I’m meaner to women because they need to be spoken to with some truth occasionally. They are constantly around non-10s that compiment and give no opinion to make them feel challenged. Thus, they stop developing. And women are way smarter than guys. They are way more complex and can handle the criticism better than guys.

Here’s the task for the ladies. I want to hear what kind of dates you’ve been on lately and don’t skip the details. Where you met, how you were asked out, and everything in betwee.

Guys, I want to hear what dates you’ve been on and how they unfolded. What one thing did you want to have happen that didn’t and why? That’s usually all I need to figure out what you’re talking about.

Thanks
HitcHouston

Just received new Vans shoes for the guys and girls last week including TNT II Mids and Mid Cups, a new Chukka Low Orange colorway, and some  new girls Forty-Four Hi and Wellsey Hi’s.

Hard to go wrong with Vans, strong skate heritage and great looking product.

Cardiel, TNT, AVE, Layton, ROWLEY. Best dudes in the biz are backing them.

Era and Authentic’s have been around for decades and are still some of the best sellers. Open any fashion magazine and your guaranteed to find Vans on the feet of some of the models. Celebs? You know US Weekly and all those other mags have tons of photos of all those pasty dudes from New Twilight Diaries or whatever it’s called wearing Vans too.

Dirtbag skaters also wear Vans.

Check out the pics below and read the descriptions stolen directly from the Vans site.

TNT II MID Watermelons (Green)
The TNT II Mid is one of our team riders’ most requested shoes when their boxes are being packed. This shoe features a sidestripe and great colorblocking options, which result in endless color variations. The clean look and paneling work perfectly in the mid-cut design, which offers increased ankle support.

Chukka Low Orange/White
The Chukka Low was designed by our skate team. The inspiration was based on shoes like the Authentic and the Chukka Boot, using Syndicate features and technology. Every season we’ll mix it up with different riders to showcase the creativity and diversity of the team. The shoe is bound to be a classic and spotlights the timeless style of Vans.

TNT II MID Cup Black/Dark Earth

The TNT II Mid Cup evolves Tony’s most successful shoe and one of the best in our line up. The BoardFeel XD cup version of TNT’s classic mid-cut is an incredible blend of heritage and technology for Vans. Functionally, the shoe is lightweight, durable, and thin enough so you can feel your board but not bruise your heels. This shoe features a sidestripe and great colorblocking options, which result in endless color variations. The clean look and paneling work perfectly in the mid-cut design, which offers increased ankle support. The cupsole provides increased support and durability, with all the style you’d expect from a rock star like TNT.

Showdown Checkerboard Grey
The versatile Showdown offers unmatched appeal, borrowing from vintage wrestling boot, the new wave styles of the early ’80’s, and classic skate shoe alike. Strap them all the way up, or fold them down to reveal the plush pink lining within. Sturdy design elements include a gusseted tongue detail, over-sized grommets, vulcanized construction, and a waffle rubber outsole.

Wellesley HI Warm Coffee
Cool ’80s punkish hi-top with fold down upper. Interior fabric is plaid. Padded footbed. Canvas and suede upper. Rubber waffle outsole.

Forty-Four HI Blue/Green

The Forty-Four is a sporty shoe with unusual pedigree, combining elements from 80’s pop and contemporary skate fashion; their hi-top silhouette and checkerboard uppers and laces provide a versatile look that lends itself to a variety of styles. It’s also built for comfort, including a padded tongue and collar, and a durable cupsole that provides increased foot support.

Come have a peek, grab a pair for your Friday night kit.

There hasn’t been any “copying and pasting of news” this week – it’s been a busy one with a lot of deadlines. It’ll return come Monday. I also went to the launch on Baker Street last night of Trading Places, a new book by award-winning photographer and all-round good chap Steve Bloom. Also my dad. So that’s why posts have been scant: but it’s Friday, so I thought I’d cheer you all up with a few tips on how to survive the Christmas do…

The Christmas party: that perfect time to let your hair down and throw your reputation to the winds. What other time of year can you mock your boss, flirt with your co-workers and dance in your knickers, all at once?

But as legions of office drones know, that opportunity comes with a priceless hangover.

A good story was told by Adam, of High Street, Cardiff city centre. Things went wrong at his old job when fire fighters got more than they bargained for in a call-out.

Adam said: “My old work, a now-defunct bank, had a Christmas party in the office in 2003. There was a buffet, an awards ceremony for the year’s work, and karaoke machine, with added smoke machine.

“So the party was in full swing, people singing, people dancing and the smoke machine smoking. After about two hours of this, some men dressed in fireman outfits arrived at the office. Some of the female staff – including managers – assumed these were strippers.

“They started, well, gyrating around the men, trying to take off their ‘outfits’. The thing is though, they were actual firemen: the smoke machine had set the alarms off.

“Not surprisingly, that was the last Christmas party we were given in that office.”

So how does the humble worker bee prevent getting into pickles like these? Here are some ideas. Which type are you?

FOR THE NEW GUY

You have got to be extra-careful. For you have just entered a parallel world, in which your every move will be scrutinised to fit with the ‘banter’ of man-all-man employees who’ve been spending longer with each other than their wives for several decades.

So if you’ve been waiting for that perfect time to share your secret love of musicals, discuss French theatre, come out as gay or, worse, as a vegan, your first Christmas party isn’t it.

And beware, because it will seem like a good idea when you’re nine pints down and standing on the table without trousers or dignity.

Instead the best policy is cower in the corner, if possible with other trainees, and talk about ludicrously safe subjects.

Think along the lines of cars, ties (not shoes), bitter (not lager) and possibly politics, but make sure you tow the standard line: “Just how bad is that Gordon Brown?” Or you could stick to the ergonomic management keyboard:

FOR THE NEW GIRL

You’re over here. The punch is over there. In the middle is overweight Gwyn from accounts who always puts himself deliberately between you and the photocopier so you have to squeeze past.

This should be as good a hint as any not to drink anything. You’re young, fresh-faced, intelligent and unknown to you most people in the office are competing to be you, or worse, especially in Gwyn’s case.

So if they get you drunk, you’ll slowly turn into them: following the downward course until spring, when someone even younger and prettier comes in and sure enough, you want to be her.

Or, worse, you’ll canoodle in the corner with lovestruck Gwyn who, come 2010, will make sure he’s not only blocking the photocopier, but also the vending machine, water cooler and door.

But you’ve not got the same option as the New Guy. You can’t lurk in the corner with the fairer sex and a G&T, because unlike office guys, who mumble into their pints and keep eyes on ties, office girls will make sure they’re heard.

So it’s a no-go, especially if they have any gossip on Gwyn. The best bet is to flirt briefly with everything in the room – and walk away with your head held high.

FOR THE SAD HACK IN THE CORNER

You’re the only person older than the boss, so to rub in the fact you didn’t succeed even more you’ll be asked to toast him/her. If you’re sober, this will be an excellent exercise in brown-nosing. If you’re not, it’ll be an exercise in damage limitation.

You will be inclined to make a cruel joke. Do not bend to this temptation. It will probably come out wrong, meaning after 26 years of the same old story at the office do, you’ll be repeating yourself again in the new year. Someone else will get that promotion, and you’ll be stuck counting down the days on your free calendar to the next party.

You’ll also be inclined to do your famous boss-impression. Unfortunately, its fame is probably due to an in-joke among your younger colleagues, and isn’t actually funny. Plus, impressions at office dos are seldom better than that dance Ricky Gervais did in The Office. Often, they’re worse.

So don’t do it. And especially, please, don’t try and impersonate Ricky Gervais. Just no.

FOR THE BOSS

Finally, if you’re the boss and you’ve not been told about the office party, it could be a surprise do for you.

Be prepared to walk through that door after ‘urgent business’ calls you in to be greeted with party poppers and bubbly by the whole staff. By the time they’ve finished stroking your ego you won’t be able to get your head through the door.

But it more likely means you’ve not been invited.

So a word of caution: have a good think about how well-liked you are. Do you bend, bad breath and all, over the hunched shoulders of your well-meaning employees and whine you-could-probably-do-this advice in their ears?

Do you give motivational speeches standing on tables where you use star-charts and words like “self-fulfilment”? Do you keep everyone on past 5.30pm in the name of “building a community spirit”?

If any of these things apply to you, you are probably one of those Hated Bosses you’ve heard so much about. Your best bet would be to stay at home with your kids. They’re too young to realise how irritating you are yet.

You know how there are some things you are completely thankful for but you can’t actually admit to since saying so would make you bitchy?  The lovely thing about the internet is you can anonymously admit to them.

So here are some things I’m thankful for but would never admit to in real life.

I’m thankful…..

-That I’m skinny.  Yes, I work out a lot to stay in shape but I’m naturally like a size zero or two depending where I shop.

-That everyone thinks I’m sweet and innocent. I don’t know where that idea comes from but it is better than being called a slut any day.

-That I have zero problem getting a date when I really want one.

-That I always date universally hot guys.  You know the ones I mean?  Everyone thinks they are good looking even if they are not attracted to them.

-For my C cups.  Well according to Victoria’s Secret they are D’s since my rib cage is so skinny.  Either way, I like that they are pretty big verses how skinny I am.

That’s all I can think of right now.

Later lovers.

My sole foray into potty humor:

Fartacious is an insane, half-human freak whose mother abandoned him on a doorstep the night she ran screaming from finding out her husband was an inhuman monster from another world.

The boy grew up lonely and abused for his looks and developed a pyromania as he grew up. He also has two sets of lungs — one that breathes regular oxygen like a human and the other that breathes methane. His human digestive tract does not produce enough methane, so he acquires it telekinetically by forcing it out of the systems of others through forcing them to pass wind.

And of course, what he doesn’t need to subsist on, he blows out with some oxygen from his human lungs and sets afire.

The bill that is, after a potential partner meet up.

I never expect guys to pay, ever. But I’m always pleasantly surprised when they do. I usually say at the beginning ‘let’s go dutch’, just to get it out of the way. Some guys will insist on paying…if he says it a third time I will let him, and offer to leave a tip, or I make a point of getting it the next time, no arguments.

Also, when I meet a guy, I’m careful about not choosing an expensive high-end eatery. I don’t think it’s fair, as you don’t know what somebody can afford, I think 10-15 pounds per head is reasonable. Posh places are for the 3rd meeting onwards.

So. I met a guy a while ago. He was actually based near Manchester, about 20 mins away by car. We had chatted a few times, and as I was going to be in Manchester in a few weeks time to see family, I mentioned this, and said that if we were still chatting we could meet for coffee (or hot chocolate in my case. I don’t really drink coffee, and I’ve never had tea. I do like cold milk though, with a sprinkling of cinnamon)

So I was there, and he got in touch and wanted to meet. Our family weren’t staying far from Wilmslow Road…home to most of Manchester’s curry houses. I said I had already eaten, so it really was going to be a drink and nothing more on my part.

I arrived, and we went into a restaurant, I thought we would just have coffee and cake. I actually had an orange juice, as I was so full, that even a hot chocolate would be pushing it. He said he was peckish, so he ordered a mixed grill, and a drink. We chatted for a bit, the conversation was ok. Anyway, after he had finished and had dessert too, we asked for the bill. I don’t even know why I picked it up, as that’s what got me into bother the last time. He said ‘I think you should pay, it should be your treat’. I said ‘and why is that?’ He replied ‘because I was driving for 20 mins, and you were just down the road’.

I didn’t want to point out that I had actually driven for 4 hours the previous evening to get to Manchester.

So I smiled, and said ‘that’s fine’, and I paid up. We said our goodbyes, he didn’t offer to walk me to my car, and that was that.

The next day he text me to ask if we could meet again, and I said I didn’t think we were going to be compatible.

When I returned home we had an MSN chat where I explained I couldn’t possibly marry a man who let me pay for his meal. He said I was being petty and I would change my mind.

He still emails me every so often to ask me if I’ve changed my mind.

I know it’s petty, but frankly I don’t really care. Sometimes the really little things annoy me, depending on my mood. I thought he was being a jerk, and initially I thought he was joking. It’s not about the money at all, if he was a gentleman he would have at least offered to pay for his share, which by the way was about 90% of the total.

The other time I met somebody who was a recommendation from a friend. He was a Lawyer from nearby, and he suggested an expensive restaurant in town. Now, I suppose it was silly of me to assume that as he had suggested the place, he would be paying. (My cheap eats rule above?)

I had a drink and a main course. He had drinks, and two starters and a main, and a dessert. I couldn’t really go all out,I was a bit nervous, and I still had to act like a lady (which is why Nando’s is never a first date option)

Anyway, after the meal he asked for the bill, and when it arrived it just sat there. And the longer it sat there, I kept thinking about it, and the more I thought about it, the more awkward I felt. So I reached over for it, and then I reached down for my bag, and took out my purse. He just watched me the whole time. I wondered if he was actually going to say anything at all.

He didn’t. And after what seemed like ages, but in reality must have only been about 8 seconds, I said ‘ I’ll get this’ and he said ‘Oh ok, thanks’. I waved at the waitress so I could pay. It was a stupid amount of money, but I consider it a small price to pay, for not marrying the idiot.

He told my mutual friend afterwards that he thought I was good company etc. I told her he wasn’t my type, and that I wasn’t interested in seeing him again. She didn’t set me up with anybody else after that.

Anyone ever noticed that the pattern of love runs a remarkable parallel with the pattern of insanity?

I’ve known some of the most rational people imaginable turn into spectacularly moronic and ill-tempered individuals and all down to the ‘L’ word. A friend of mine is the type of guy, who in his younger and more prolific days, was quick to obey the sacred ‘Three F’s’ – Find ‘em, Fuck ‘em and Flee. He was quick to give a cold-shoulder to anyone the moment they even appeared to be becoming close or exuding emotions. Nothing seemed to bother him and he was blissfully unaware of the trail of devastation, broken hearts and dishonesty he left in his wake. Regardless of being in a relationship he was quick to grab hold of each and every opportunity that presented itself to him with a huge fucking smile and a bloated sense of achievement.

Then one day he let his guard down.

Sure enough he met someone who blew him away and the veneer of machismo he hid behind for so long was shattered as if it were a dividing wall in Berlin. He fell in love and he fell pretty damn hard too. Gone was the posturing, gone was the ‘bad-boy’ image and gone was the philandering. These not-so-noble traits were quickly replaced with their more virtuous opposites and he became an honest, caring and faithful guy and one that gave serious consideration to both settling down and marriage – conversation points that acted as kyrptonite to the same guy a few years ago and would invariably result in him running through the nearest door without stopping to open it first. 

 I’m sure it doesn’t take only the great deductive minds amongst you to guess what’s coming  next.

Yep, you got it folks; the poor fucker got dumped and he brought forth the insane behaviour. The normally ice-cold Lothario was now a blubbering excuse of a man, sobbing at any given moment, writing lengthy letters and begging for that elusive ’second chance’. He doggedly persued her at every opportunity and went to severe extets to hurt her feelings for the pain she caused, only to apologise and declare his love as quickly. His mind was unable to focus on anything other than his misery he become reclusive and unapproachable. My mother always told me that you ‘reap what you sow’ in life and perhaps there is no finer example of this than what happened to a friend of mine.

Goes to show that love makes you crazy.

Here’s a little treat for you music lovers: ‘Justice’ are a brilliant act from France and their remix of MGMT’s ‘Electric Feel’ is my favourite break-up tune. It’s a love song, but a screaming French electro one that rocks my world and encapsulates both the affection and anger you feel – if your computer is hooked up to a good sound system, then play this as loud as you can.