When did I turn into a cynical feminist?...

 Source: leeraloo.wordpress.com

'...as women have climbed ever higher, men have been falling behind. We've arrived at the top of the staircase, finally ready to start our lives, only to discover a cavernous room at the tail end of a party, most of the men gone already, some having never shown up – and those who remain are leering by the cheese table, or are, you know, the ones you don't want to go out with.' (Kate Bolick: why marriage is a declining option for modern women, The Observer, Nov 2011)

Today I woke up feeling annoyed. Not lonely, not sad, not victimising myself, just annoyed. I suddenly realised it was terribly unfair for a girl like me, with all the qualities that one could possibly want (and a few flaws which only make me more charming, of course), to be alone. Alone for so many years, despite all the efforts, all the positivity, all the trying and all the dating I have possibly invested in being able to share my life with someone. I think I may have been more succesful if I planned to kill a person than to find someone to love and share my life with. But that's not the most annoying thing about it. The most annoying thing is that I have grown as a person, I became perfectly capable of dealing with my emotions, I matured in a way that only rare wines can, while all the men around me have remained the same, or in some cases even regressed.

First of all, let's all shed a tear for all the men that had their hearts broken... Get over yourselves! I have had my heart broken more times than I can possibly remember and, still, I pieced it back together and went back into the world with more hope than ever before. Do not talk to me about not wanting to get hurt. Talk to a professional!

Secondly, let's all feel supportive of the guy that hasn't learned that manners can be very useful in society. Such as: 'It was nice seeing you!', 'Thanks for a lovely evening' and 'I don't know what's gotten into me to kiss you when I have baggage to sort out and, hey, I am not even sure I can talk about it so I am just going to leave and never talk to you again!". Even that would be better than nothing.

What I find really annoying is that I get it. I get exactly what's going to happen with every single guy I meet. There is no surprise, no expectation, no mistery. I can count on each and every one of them to blow it. Some sooner than others but the result is always the same. And it hurts me that I even reached this conclusion because I realised today that I turned into a cynical feminist. I swear I didn't mean to...but I did. And I feel sorry already for that poor sucker with the best intentions who won't even know what hit him just because he is a man... Shame.

To say or not to say...

Source: http://www.diabolika.posterous.com/

Him: 'I'm still not over my ex. Don't think I am ready to see anyone at the moment'

You (Trying to be really cool and pretend not to care, because nobody likes a hysterical woman, right!?): 'No worries. I totally understand...'

What you really want to say: 'You inconsiderate prick! Winding me up with hundreds of explicit text messages that were supposed to lead somewhere, wasting my precious time only for you to realise you are so vulnerable and don't want to get hurt!! What about me, you moron? Did you think that maybe I have feelings too???!

Him: ......................... (Total silence after having chased you around to go on a date and you finally agreed)

You: ......................... (Total silence because you don't want to seem weak but it's eating you inside)

What you really want to say: 'WTF!!?'

Him: 'I just didn't feel there was a spark...Sorry.'

You: 'Fair enough. Nice to meet you anyway.'

What you really want to say: 'And when were you going to tell me that, you dick? Before or after you went missing? In fact, thanks a lot for not bothering to tell me. I sooooo love going on dates and not hearing back!'

Him: 'I am actually seeing someone at the moment and it wouldn't be fair on you.'

You: 'Thanks, I appreciate your honesty.'

What you really want to say: 'And you went out with me because...?'

You: 'Are you not having a good time?'

Him: 'No, no I do. Well, maybe not the best night i've ever had...'

You: 'Let's try to make the most of it then, shall we?'

What you really want to say: 'Prick!' and leave

To say or not to say... This is the question... When is it a good idea to say what you really think?

I mean, the result is just the same isn't it. Whether you say anything or not it doesn't change the fact that many of these people do not consider the fact that their actions have consequences and that yes, they may affect you. After all, you are a human being. You do have feelings. Feelings that need not be repressed...

Call me crazy but I've been saying what I think for a while now. It hasn't necessarily changed the situation to my advantage, nor did it suddenly made the other person realise how inconsiderate they were and apologise so I felt better. None of that crap. Some even became really defensive and had a go at me.

You'd think people should be capable of realising that any feed-back is valuable feed-back and that if sometimes you project a certain image, intentionally or not, and get comments about it, it means that perhaps you can adjust your attitude to improve that image. No need to take things personally. I like feed-back, I love becoming better, be a better me. I wouldn't know how to do that if I didn't listen to people telling me what they felt about me. I think it's only fair I should do the same. But I don't cease to be amazed by how many people out there are so full of themselves and take any criticism as a personal offense.

Not sure if it makes me feel better telling someone that their behaviour hurt me and that it really wasn't cool. I suppose it does, because it is the truth and it helps expressing feelings into words so you can then let go of them. The other person may even be evolved enough to take it as positive criticism. Yes, it may not be as dignifying as ignoring the situation and leaving the scene in solemn glory. But until I am capable emotionally to let go of a situation without feeling the need to express my anger or my frustration I will continue to do so. To say, I say!

When in Goa

I clearly haven't been on holiday for a long time. It's taken me about 2 days to get over the home sickness if anyone can believe. I organically missed London and my life balance that I've finally managed to obtain. And here I was in India, in a tropical paradise, not being able to sleep at night...
I've clearly forgotten how it is being away learning to trust a new environment. Everything seemed threathening and the usual London background noise that I've grown so accustomed to suddenly has been replaced with scary bird cries, dogs howling at the moon and helicopters (random, I know!). All these in a wet and mucky night where mosquitoes and strange night creatures rule.
We are in Patnem in South Goa, an area known for being the quieter sister of North Goa. It's also the beginning of the season when shacks are still being built and the beach looks almost deserted. It takes time to adjust to this quiteness, it's almost like a rehab retreat. It took us a couple of days to discover Palolem beach and realize that relative civilisation was in fact only about 10 minutes away.
It's nice though. Probably the best time to come. Prices are still lower and there are very few rowdy people to spoil your mood.
What I really like about this part of the world is that people are not just nice, they're absolutely hillarious. Shopkeepers are pushy and yet so funny that you're happy to buy what they're selling, take their picture and learn their names. The tuk tuk drivers are having a laugh when they see how scared you are that they might run over the cow parked in the middle of the street. The yoga teacher is happy to do some free meditation as it helps him practice too. And the 'resort' people are all running inside the bungalow to catch the frog that scared the pants out of me when I was in the shower. It's the little things that suddenly made me feel like home in Goa. And now I can sleep well and wake up early tomorow morning for my yoga class and who knows what else tomorrow brings...

My life in coffee cups

The Holiday Coffee

Italian coffee outside Spanish Steps in Rome

The Week-End Cofee

Coffee at Le Pain Quotidien at Borough Market

The Everyday Day Coffee

Really bad coffee at my desk..