Kicking and screaming...

I was wondering how many people are familiar with the phenomenon that is internet 'friend' network sites. In particular, I am talking about Myspace.

Basically these sites offer commoners like you (possibly) and I the opportunity to communicate with bands, singers etc who have profiles, as well as meet like minded people and in some cases date them.

Some of you may remember, or be aware of Friendster, which became notorious for it's possible paedo community and the numerous stalkers who incessantly badgered other users.

We've all heard the horror stories of young girls who meet someone from the net in person and it turns out they're a 50 year-old child botherer. But it's hard, almost impossible, to determine whether the person you're talking to is genuine.

As a Myspace punter, I have met some very interesting people with the same eclectic music tastes as myself, some local, some from far away, and there's a part of me that wants to bugger off to the Wirral for a weekend to meet them. Especially when it says under their 'here for' section 'dating' and 'serious relationships'.

The other part of me, though, warns me that I'll probably be disappointed. Plus the fact that the bank manager said no...

Mind you, being a student, I'm prone to bouts of impulsive stupidity, so you never know...

Exercise or exorcise

Well today is polling day and our chance to have our say in how the government is run. I'm not here to tell you who to vote for (though you have to consider whether you want the country to be run by one of the undead) but what I will say is bloody well get out there and vote. Exercise your democratic rights, don't exorcise them (you see where I'm coming from now, eh?).

Furthermore, for god's sake don't vote tactically. You may think a vote for Green is a waste but consider the fact that there are bound to be loads of 'closet' Green supporters who vote Lib Dem just to keep the Tories out. If everyone voted for what they believed in, the world would be in a much different state.

That's about all I wanted to say. So to all of you who're yet to vote, go out and do it god damnit! And, not that I want to sway you, vote Socialist Alliance!