DREWspective

Chadwarden combined with Iron Mike Tyson.

Last year during a job interview, I made a prediction that there would be greater demand for customisation, or individualism in consumer products. People would be fed up of buying prepackaged, catch-all consumer products, and might even go as far as turning to scrapbooking and crafts to fill their needs.

Well, since I made that prediction, big names are slowly starting to offer options. W H Smith now sells a few limited scrapbooking supplies, mostly for cardmaking. Online sites have sprung up which allow you to have tailor-made clothes made. And, more recently, Nike launched a site where you can buy customised trainers.

I was tempted, and finally gave in a few minutes ago. I’ve just ordered the most expensive pair of trainers I’ve ever bought—priced at £81.50 including postage—from the Nike iD web site. You’ll get to see them once and if they arrive.

Maybe the customisation options aren’t as deep as I’d like; I’m very fussy about customisation and I like to have everything my way. With the trainers I chose, for example, I would love to have had an option to upload a custom ID graphic, or in the very least to change the size of the ID text. But I am pleased with the end result. I just hope it looks good.

I do think Nike trainers are incredibly expensive, I don’t agree with their use of sweat shops (oh yes, they use ‘em), and my brand of choice, if I had to choose, would be Adidas. But I will admit, the one pair of Nike trainers I’ve worn were very comfortable, and they lasted for about four years (without being cleaned!).

I’ve just come back from a quick trip to Hobbycraft, where I bought just a couple of things for a small project. I’m still waiting for my damn foam shapes to arrive, so in the meantime I thought I’d keep myself busy.

It was clearly raining outside, yet they gave me a paper bag for the few things I bought. I’m all for environmentally friendly and all that, but I didn’t think it was appropriate at all. If using a full-size carrier bag wasn’t necessary, they could have use smaller ones. Or, at the very least, use stronger paper bags. Just a little gripe.

Anyway it was raining, and I was carrying a large umbrella and some food, so I stuffed the paper bag as best I could into my coat pocket.

I got on the bus, having waited goodness knows long (it arrived as soon as I turned my back and headed for the tube station!), and sat down. Luckily I checked my pocket for the goods… because it wasn’t there!

I got off the bus immediately and retraced my steps back to the store. Fortunately, I managed to find the soaking wet paper bag on the ground, just outside the retail park, with everything still in it. It was truly a miracle.

The moral of the story for me is: never leave home without a spare carrier bag.

Following a top story in newspapers last week, about a girl who had supposedly slept with 50 different men before she turned 18.

I found out eventually that the girl had actually waited until she was 16, which is the UK’s age of consent. (An impossible feat for most of our young girls these days, regardless of their country.)

Today it feels a lot like Friday. I wish it were Friday, but I’ve had to convince myself it’s Thursday. I’ve been late to work once this week, and have left my work keys at home twice, so I can’t afford any more fuck-ups.

Tomorrow, so I’ve been informed, there’s a sale on at one of my favourite art and craft shops: The Art Club in Edgware. Apparently there’s as much as 50% off some items. Of course, I’ll pop in there to have an innocent look at a few bits and pieces. But seriously, the only thing I’ll be after is some translucent glass paint.

On the subject of glass, I visited a cool little kitsch shop near my workplace, that sells all kinds of retro items and cool material possessions. I picked up a plain brandy snifter, or glass, rather cheaply, having been tempted by cocktail glasses and other kinds of vessels.

Why, you ask? That comes later.

Also, now that I have a suitable sized fish tank, the hunt is on for an affordable aquarium stand to put it on. There are a number of interesting solutions, including several DIY projects (both free and as paid-for ebooks).

Of course, I’m looking for one as inexpensive as possible. My tank measures 3 x 1 x 1.5 feet, and ideally the stand or cabinet would be 3 feet high. It’s not yet urgent; I still have to clear a lot of space.

All four fish are fine, or at least they appear to be. I will confess: last week I was tempted to squeeze a fifth member into the 21 litre tank, but even that is ill-advised.
One of the original two definitely appears to have grown in the last couple of weeks, and I’ve heard it’s assumed the role of head fish in the tank. I’ve been tempted to squeeze it with two fingers, because it’s so fat.

Stay tuned.