Nerd Allert

My mum called me a nerd. Literally, in English: a NERD. Whatever next?! We were talking on the phone yesterday –chipping in for some CEO’s trip to the Bahamas– about how a big chunk of my social life is virtual these days. I move around a lot. Making friends takes time. So, as a result, i’ve come to depend more and more on my online network. It works out well for me: i’m part of several discussion groups, online communities and language exchanges. I tutor English, review books and have a gig as agony aunt. I enjoy it. But combine this with a home based profession and the result is that i often don’t make it out of the house until 6pm. And this is September, a glorious month in this part of the world, and i live right next to the sea.

You have to do something about this, my mother said, because you’re fast becoming a nerd. Wha..?! I managed, before collapsing into a fit of giggles. Well, like that Nokia commercial, she said (i know, yet another Nokia plug. How do i get paid for this?). You know the one where herds of pale, sun deprived, white socked nerds finally make it out of their houses thanks to the N80 WiFi?

I had to admit she had a point. Early this morning, i went for my first walk along the shore, feet in the water. It was the best antidote to white socks i could think of…