March « 2009 « Cheersbarnaby

fine

March 30, 2009

I have hairy arms so I shave them. My boyfriend thinks that’s going too far, but why is it? Just because shaving legs is more common and therefore more acceptable, doesn’t really make it any different from arm shaving.. I mean, shaving is shaving, am I right?

Jane

Hey Jane,

Well, the obvious reason not to shave your arms is that the hair grows back thicker and courser, therefore turning into a vicious circle and leaving you in danger of turning into a werewolf. I think it’s become the social norm for a girl to shave or wax their legs but hair on the arms is deemed more acceptable for some reason. I guess the point is, if you start doing your arms too… where is it going to stop? Before you know it you’ll be getting the fine hair on your face done, your back, your toes?

I mean… if your boyfriend sees it as going too far then he clearly just likes you how you are, so maybe that’s the best thing to take out of this. The hair on your arms is just another part of you that he likes. That sounds pretty cool to me. Maybe you should just enjoy him enjoying you.

Cheers,

barnaby

My suggested soundtrack:

Devil’s haircut – Beck
Hair – PJ Harvey
5 colours in her hair – McFly

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TO ALL CHEERSBARNABY READERS

March 28, 2009

Hey everyone,

Thanks to all for reading. This blog really thrives on your messages so I’m just writing to request that you write MORE MORE MORE. We’re even broaching into the world of the video blog too so also feel free to send in video clips with any problems you have.

Remember, you can be as anonymous as you like, and send in ANY PROBLEM OR ISSUE OR QUESTION whatsoever. Just please do write, as hopefully you’ll agree that some of the stuff that comes up on this site makes for really great reading. I certainly love listening to stuff going on in your lives.

Please send any stuff in to barnaby@barnabyslater.com

Cheers,

barnaby

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moving in fear – Video blog

March 23, 2009

Cheers barnaby’s video response:

My suggested soundtrack:

Turn that noise down – Chas ‘n’ Dave
Shit song – Kate Nash
Beautiful noise – Neil Diamond

Leave a Comment » | Help, boyfriend, moving in, sounds, taps, thin walls, toilet, water | Permalink
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snoop

March 22, 2009

Hey Barnaby,

I have pretty much been a blank canvas my entire life. I’ve created my identity based completely on whoever is around me. I’ve lived such a repressed life that I don’t know how to get out. Plus, now I’m in college in New York City and I’m not as grounded as I used to be. I’ve lost touch with my old friends and I don’t have many friends here so my question is, how do I become a person? How do I become ‘me’? I know it’s a strange question but honestly, that’s the point I am at right now. I have this ideal version of me in my head but it’s an ideal, you know? It might not be who I am supposed to be. But whoever I am right now is clearly not the person I am supposed to be. Okay, I’m rambling now. Help me out Barnaby. I need you.

anonymous.

Hey anonymous,

YOU ARE A PERSON! And from what you’ve written you seem much more grounded, knowledgeable and realistic than most – so don’t bother striving to be like anyone else. I feel like each of us is the sum of our parts, our experiences, our heartbreak, our friends and where we are in our lives at each exact moment.

If you think other people don’t base their lives on the people around them then you’re wrong. We all have to do it to some degree at least. For instance – I base mine on a mixture of Leslie Nielsen, Snoop Dog and the sound of tight leather being squeezed onto lubricated skin.

Seriously though, don’t worry. You’re aware of your insecurities which is really important. I don’t think any of us will ever be exactly who we once hoped we’d be, and we’ll probably never be the ‘me’ we’d like to be either. But it sounds like you’re open to the possibility of following the unpredictable course that your life will take you on. And frankly, NYC is probably the best place to meet people, have fun and get somewhere near where you’d like to end up. I wish I was on Bedford Avenue that’s for sure.

And you know what’s great about blank canvasses? You can do whatever you like with them. I don’t recommend eating them though. Chewy. Really chewy.

Cheers,

barnaby

My suggested soundtrack:

The Girl From NYC – The Beach Boys
Good Fortune – PJ Harvey
Lua – Bright Eyes

3 Comments | Bedford Avenue, Everything., Striving, blank canvas, life, love | Permalink
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UPDATE

March 21, 2009

Re: Previous Post ‘broken’

Dearest Barnaby,
First of all, I have to say:
Thanks! Your advice was well received.
I’m glad(?) to know my letter gave you the most work.
The part about the angry bear was pretty good. It’s the closest approximation of that feeling I’ve ever heard. A fairly approximate comparison, I would say.
You made me see the humor in my own sadness, so thank you!
And the playlist was…well, good job.
I appreciate your attention to detail.

Best,
Angry Bear Wrangler
xo

Angry Bear Wrangler’s Second Response:

I came across the ‘ex’ and he showed up at the same bar as me, with a girl. I guess it’s officially been six months. Is this the angry bear you spoke of??? I felt it. She was gross and YOUNG, which made me feel kind of good because she sucked? She had horrible style, seemed to know exactly who I was (the ex), and made an awkward attempt at saying hello. The whole thing happened so quickly! I left immediately, and he texted just as immediately. He knew it was weird. What’s happening????? barnabbyyyyy

Hey Angry Bear Wrangler,

Firstly thanks for your kind words. Secondly, sorry to hear you’ve just had to go through the textbook ‘bumping into new girl’ episode.

Good news is; he texted straight away. This means he cares. If he didn’t he’d have taken some morbid satisfaction from putting you through this hurtful moment. 1-0 to you I say. You can bet your bottom dollar his new girl didn’t know he sent you a text straight away.

Either way, all this tells you is that IT IS OVER. It’s not meant to be. Not at the moment anyway. Maybe in 100 years when you’ve both got over each other and meet in a strange sci-fi bar for divorcees something could happen, but right now it’s time to find yourself a new buck. And that’s not rhyming slang, just use your feminine wares to do better for yourself. You know you can.

Don’t hang yourself up on the fact he’s found someone already. Remember, 99% of boys will find someone new before their ex. Whisper it softly, don’t tell my friends – but let’s face it; us guys are weak, we don’t like being on our own and if your ex is of the super pathetic variety he’ll have jumped straight on the first bandwagon offered to him. Hence the new schoolgirl on his arm.

What you’ve just been through will become a moment that you’ll laugh about in time, trust me. It’s all part of the grieving process. You’ll be fine.

Cheers,

barnaby

My suggested soundtrack:

Sleep To Dream – Fiona Apple
Favourite Game – The Cardigans
Erase and Rewind – The Cardigans

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songs

March 20, 2009

BARNABY,

What music are you listening to at the moment?

Hey S,

Well, ‘Farewell To The Fairground’ by White Lies is a great song. I’ve started listening to the album ‘Vertigo’ by Groove Armada again on Spotify too. Doves are back too, their new track ‘Kingdom Of Rust’ is great.

That’s all I can think of.

Cheers,

barnaby.

My suggested soundtrack:

Just download Spotify

Leave a Comment » | music music music music music music music music music | Permalink
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glorified

March 19, 2009

Dear Mr. Barnaby,

As a recent transplant to both the single world, and London life, I’m having
an unnerving reaction to the dating scene and was wondering if you could
help. Essentially I met someone that’s fantastic, but owns nightclubs and
seems to be a bit of a flirt. We got along incredibly well, have amazing
chemistry, the same interests and I feel confident I could get him into
dating with the right tools. Which is where you come in. Any suggestions?

Your adoringly,

Old Fashioned

Ps. As back-story we’ve been on one date that ended in me waking up at his
but no official coital activities, and a series of texts and seeing each
other out at his club (I’m going to be performing there soon) the following
nights. His texts are short and to the point. Lead on oh wise one….

Hey Old Fashioned,

So he owns nightclubs and is a bit of a flirt? I can sense you already reading between the lines without my help. But here’s the translation… “He meets loads of women every night, picks one and sleeps with them”. I’d say sorry but you already knew it.

That you didn’t sleep with him is a good start, as he thinks you’ve got a bit of class, and potentially that you could be worth chasing.

I don’t know this guy, but I know this type of guy. My gut instinct is that you have no chance of changing him, as I dare say he’ll be trying to milk his position until he develops moobs and his testes go further south than a sunken magma chamber.

BUT, there’s always a chance. So, keep going how you’re going, don’t contact him, let him do the work – don’t be afraid to ignore him for a few days at a time. Make sure he’s thinking of YOU when he’s getting bottles of £1000 vodka for glorified cleavages in his stupid club.

Cheers,

barnaby.

My suggested soundtrack:

On the way to the club – blur
In da club (yakety sax mix) – 50 Cent
Your Game – Will Young

Leave a Comment » | Leave him alone., Molten, cleavage, games, magma, nightclubs | Permalink
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stolen

March 16, 2009

my bike got stolen. I think it happened 3 days ago, but I’m not positive because it’s been months since I’ve used it and I only just noticed 3 days ago. In fact, it could have happened weeks ago. When saw that it was missing, I wasn’t really fussed. Should I be more upset like Pee-wee or is this maybe a sign that I’ve grown out of my bike riding days?

anon.

Hey anon,

I wouldn’t recommend being “like Pee-wee”. Unless indecent exposure is a fetish of yours. In terms of your bike, well, basically who cares? Not you, not me, and definitely not the police. If it got stolen and you didn’t even notice till three days later that should give you your answer.

Heaven help you if your children get kidnapped.

Cheers,

barnaby.

My suggested soundtrack:

Tour De France – Kraftwerk
Bike – Pink Floyd
Pee Wee says don’t do crack

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antony

March 4, 2009

BARNABY.

I think i’m just an afterthought. She doesn’t care anymore. But she won’t split up with me because she’s afraid. I’m trying everything to make it right, but it just pushes her away. It’s hard isn’t it?

Wlyn.

Hey Wlyn,

Yes it’s very hard. All the time. Even when it feels easy it’s because of all the hard work that’s gone into it. That’s the beauty of it. Keep striving. Keep working. It may take time, it may never come round your way, but if you do your best then you’ll at least be able to look back without regrets whatever happens.

Or you could just kill her. (Not recommended)

Cheers,

barnaby

My suggested soundtrack:

42 – Coldplay
The Great Gig In The Sky – Pink Floyd
Hope There’s Someone – Antony and the Johnsons

Leave a Comment » | green and white stripes, hard, strive, work truth | Permalink
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