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August 5th, 2010 by Clare English

'Speeps' Profiles – Simon Matthews

This week, the winner of our ‘Wall of Shame’ competition (on the basis of the submission of this super snap), Simon Matthews, answers some suitably random questions about fetishes, football and the role of PR in today’s business climate.

Q – Tell us about your worst habit – throw in any fetishes.

A – I’m far too generous which has led to at least one of my friends owing me £600

Q – List the 3 most embarrassing things you’ve ever said/done – whilst sober.

A- Inadvertently accusing my step-step-grandfather (step-dad’s step-dad) of using inflatable sex dolls – in my defence I was young and didn’t really understand what I was talking about.

In ‘Nam I fell down an open manhole while walking across a field with my friends, after an interesting run in with some prostitutes who stole 100,000 Dong (about 5 of her majesty’s sterling pounds) – without any form of professional services being exchanged I hasten to add.

I once ate a habenero chilli in one mouthful because an attractive lady bet I couldn’t. I was successful in the attempt but my mouth was in such a state of pain and dribbling that I was rendered insensible.

Q – What’s your take on today’s business climate and the role & importance of PR?

A – It’s still a little rocky out there in places and PR is as important as ever – if not more so. A company with no PR will struggle for awareness in a competitive business environment, so they need us to put them right in front of their customers in a way that advertising and other marketing disciplines can’t.

Q – Are you a football fan? Why? Who do you support? Have they won anything?

A – Crystal Palace. Winning is for chumps.

Q – I hear match.com will soon have a new member – what qualities do you possess that one might…consider?

A – In the name of research, I have bravely volunteered to sign up to match.com. Apart from being generally great at everything, I’m a pretty good cook. All I can ask is that the ladies form an orderly queue.

Q – Name your top 3 Speeps and the reasons why you love them/don’t love them so much. We’re an honest bunch, don’t be afraid of the possibly hostile repercussions.

A – Very difficult to choose as I do like all of you lot, despite your best efforts – here’s an arbitrary selection:

Bex has to get a look in on this – she’s lovely and, as a bonus, hasn’t fired me.

John Brown – often looks quite dapper and is the source of many japes.

Nicole – lunch buddy extraordinaire.

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March 8th, 2010 by Chris McCrudden

Love is a four-letter word

According to Huey Lewis and the News, “The power of love is a curious thing, Makes one man weep, and another man sing”. But if he was writing that song now it’s more than likely there’d be a verse about the internet.

Because online dating is smoking hot. What once was a slightly shameful affair that allowed C++ programmers to find a Thai bride without ever leaving their terminal is resolutely mainstream. And it’s even a social event. As anyone who lives with a single female under 30 will know, there’s very little a group of hungover women like doing more on a Sunday than bitching through the profiles on  Mysinglefriend.com, Match.com and Guardian Soulmates while Hollyoaks plays in the background.

But what if you have more…specialised interests in the love department? Mainstream dating sites are great if your tastes in relaxation extend to a hot bath with aromatherapy oils, but this puts you in a difficult position if you’d rather fill the bath with wallpaper paste. And as an opening gambit on Match.com, there’s probably no better way of getting yourself blocked than being too specialist too early. For example: -

Hey,

How r u? Ur pretty and like Snow Patrol – the perfect combination! Fancy coming round to mine sometime and playing in a paddling pool full of custard?

Gary x

It’s therefore no surprise that along the more ‘vanilla’ dating sites has grown a more shadowy (and infinitely more interesting!) ecosystem of what we might term ‘niche interest dating platforms’. And here are some of our favourites.

The Speed Top Five sites for Specialist Dating

1. Paganpartners.co.uk

Ever wanted to date a Druid? Think Love is…sharing a cauldron? Well, look no further. The chances of getting a church wedding out of this site are nil, but white robes are a lot cheaper than a wedding dress.

2. Platonicpartners.co.uk

True love waits – forever according to this site. Ideal if you’re looking for spiritual repose with a soulmate: useless for a quickie, which brings us on to…

3. Illicit Encounters

Nothing can be said on this site that its ruthlessly opportunistic PR team hasn’t already press released and sold in to the Daily Telegraph. The sidecar for the bike (fnar!) that is married love, Illicit Encounters is ideal for those of you who always cheat at Patience and want to extend that idea into your marriage.

4. Latter Day Saints Mingle

Are you a Mormon whose too tired after a day of relentless good-natured smiling through people shutting doors in your face to meet your future spouse at a teetotal barndance?  In that case Latter Day Saints Mingle is for you. Disappointingly this site is not sponsored by an Osmond, nor does it have a ‘looking for more than one wife’ polygamy option.

5. Dwarf Date

It’s official: good things do come in small packages.

Thank you and goodnight.

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