The search for Mr Right (Now)

Listening to: 'Apologize' by Timbaland ft. OneRepublic [Timbaland Presents Shock Value]

I was initially going to respond to Anon.'s comment on my last post as another comment, but then thought I should probably address it in a separate post. See Anon., this is where you and I differ - you believe "from the bottom of [your] heart, that there is someone for everyone". I don't. I think that this is something we tell our perpetually single friends because we wouldn't dare tell them "yup, you're screwed" (not literally, unfortunately). We keep our hopes up high and delude ourselves into thinking that Prince Charming will ride up to our doorstep someday before we kick the bucket, simply because Walt Disney said he would. Even if you're right and there is someone for each of us, I don't think that all of us are lucky enough to find these soulmates. Still, we're all entitled to our own opinions, and this point is not something that can be proven right/wrong, so I'm willing to agree to disagree.

This concept of a soulmate is also somewhat concerning. Whenever I comment/whinge/wallow in self-pity about my 'situation', I get the impression that people think I'm pining for a soulmate. On the contrary, I'm not thinking that far. And no, I'm not thinking about a quickie either. What I yearn is companionship. A companionship so intimate that the other person feels more or less a part of me. If he turns out to be a complete shit in a couple of months' time, oh well...I'll cross that bridge then. If he turns out to be the most amazing person on the planet, I'll marry him in the blink of an eye...but again, I'll cross that bridge then. But right now, what I want is a companion. Is that too much to ask? Apparently so.

Anon., you said I shouldn't think about the things that get me down. Well that's exactly why I'm trying to keep myself busy...so that I don't have time to think about them...devil makes work for idle hands and all that. My problem is that I haven't been able to find anything that serves as an adequate distraction. So yes I am trying to follow your advice...but I think you'll appreciate that it's a lot easier said than done.

I wouldn't say that I've totally given up the search for Mr Right, or Mr Right Now...but I think it's safe to say that I'm not expecting either of them to come knocking at my door anytime soon.

I, me and myself...research?

Listening to: 'Club Foot' by Kasabian [Kasabian]

So today I was thinking...I need to marry my research. Sound weird? It shouldn't. I mean, just think about it. Here I am, trying to find ways to deal with the misery of being on my lonesome while everyone around me looks like they've just fallen out of a love is... cartoon. I tried learning tamil, but I'm too lazy. I tried watching tv (thanks to 4od and the iplayer), but I got a warning saying I was eating up bandwidth (whoops!). I tried being really girly and painting my nails, but I can't seem to get away from the "caffeine addict got crazy with the nail polish" look. I tried reading novels, but all the good ones have some kind of fairytale/tragic love story, which doesn't really help (by the way, Ian McEwan's On Chesil Beach is excellent). So what am I left with? Yup, my research! Eating, sleeping, and practically living research would be extremely efficient in terms of actually getting my PhD, and one would hope that I'd be so busy that I wouldn't notice that I am in the lab on a Saturday night because I have no life. Did I just kill two birds with one stone?

Hardly. See I have two voices in my head. There's the pragmatic, 'good head on her shoulders' one, who orchestrated the above paragraph. And then there's the broody, hapless romantic, who actually wants to enjoy life; who, at the end of every long, tiring day in the lab, just wishes there'd be someone to give her a cuddle when she got home. Sigh...if only they allowed pets in college houses.

I'm getting slightly concerned. If I'm feeling this isolated now, how's it gonna be when my friends start getting married and having kids?! I'm turning 25 in two months' (yes, twenty FRIKKIN' five)...time to start enjoying my own company, methinks.

A Plea for Responsible Journalism

Listening to: Radio 1

So Harry has been brought home early, thanks to some short-sighted loud-mouthed Americans. The news brings a few points to mind.

1. Kudos to the Royal family and the British Army
   In my opinion, a lot of the armed conflicts we see today are far from over because those who make the decisions have no emotional desire for them to end. OK so maybe Prince Charles can't single-handedly pull British troops out of Afghanistan, but at least now he knows how every other parent whose child is at the front-line feels.
   Well done to Harry, for proving that he didn't join the Army just for show, and for acknowledging that when it comes to defending Queen and country, he has as much of a responsibility as every other enlisted soldier.
   And hurrah for the British Army for not succumbing to the all-too-frequent pampering of 'celebrities' that we see in other areas.


2. Kudos to the British Press
   ...for at least once, showing that they understand the gravity of the situation, and for respecting the MoD's blackout request. In the age of sensationalism journalism and 'he who sells more, wins', the restraint demonstrated is commendable.


3. So what if Prince Harry goes to war?
   I mean that is what he signed up for, isn't it? A news blackout is acceptable, since knowledge of his presence puts his comrades at risk, but is it that much of a big deal to say that he's there in the first place?


4. The Drudge Report must really not like Britain
   If Harry had come back on the day he was supposed to, without any publicity, none would be the wiser. Now that the whole world knows he was out there, the Royal family becomes a target. Way to go, dudes.


5. Publicity stunt, much?
   Apparently Max Clifford (whoever he is) thinks this was all a publicity stunt to reverse the bad press Harry was getting for being your average party-going 23 yr old. He claims that senior officers would've ensured that the prince would be well out of harm's way. While I'm usually a fan of conspiracy theories, I think this is a bit far-fetched. I don't think the Army would've put their entire regiment at risk just for this, and collateral damage is such a frequent occurrence in this day and age that it would be virtually impossible (I imagine) to ensure Harry's safety. I could be wrong, of course, but I think there's a time to be a hater, and now's not one of them.

I guess there'll always be some hot-headed journalist who takes it upon him/herself to bring news to the world, without any regard for the safety of those involved. Maybe front-line duty should be made compulsory for anyone wishing to report on military affairs?