Abaculus

No, really. Amongst a lot of other blurb, I get this message:

I noticed that online marriages are turning out to be successful and so I decided to give it a trial.

So, excuse my naivety. Is there an internet chapel? Do you turn up using your Second Life avatar? Or do you just conduct the entire thing via IM, and not even worry about the hassle of meeting up? Success can be attributed to never actually having to be in each other's physical presence? Trial? Does the Alpha Male enter into Marriage Beta 0.9, and which can be relinquished before reaching 1.0? Kids? Just put the eggs/sperm in the post on dry ice? Or do give birth to an avatar, the advantage being that virtual nappies are less smelly than the real thing? Kid 2.0. Brings a whole new meaning to a start up.

On a slightly related note, twice this week I've been thrown That Conversation by relatives; as if once really wasn't enough and I didn't take it in, because I did not take any steps in the two intervening days.

So mum is in town and amuses some kid, without prompt. Conversation between mum and the family:

"Ah, I can tell you're a grandmother"
"No! I've not got any grandchildren, it will never happen"

Enter a load of violins, and the whole damn orchestra for that matter. Nevermind exactly how I might feel here, that's totally inconsequential. (Note, I never actually contribute to this conversation). We're dealing with a generation that followed a learnt precedent, where norms were adhered to. In an effort to be positive, I then get "well you never know" line and how I might fall in love. Today my auntie joined in, and the backdrop? A load of baby photos. Implying how really I should be standing on the street corner like right now with a sign over my head KNOCK ME UP ALREADY.