What do cookies say about you?

Recent media focus on the intrusive nature of internet and direct marketing has generally been quite negative. However, I find it helpful as I have received notification of products or services that have helped me in my writing, in daily life or with health issues.

Internet cookies or companies passing your details to other companies can make you feel a little exposed as complete strangers get to know a lot about your interests and buying habits. A couple of years ago I received direct marketing leaflets that I thought would be helpful as I wanted to buy my wife the best vibrator on the market. I had an interesting conversation with a very helpful telephone sales assistant at Ann Summers.

"I like the Platinum Rabbit," she said. I tried not to think of her using it and bought one for my wife. We used it once, then my wife completely withdrew from bedroom activity, at least with me, and a very expensive sex toy has lain redundant in my sock drawer ever since. In that sense, marketing can be misleading to the emotionally enthusiastic but naive husband.

When I was younger I used to receive marketing about adventure holidays, developments in sports nutrition, or sales of ski products; it reflected the life I lived. Recently, however, I have been receiving leaflets and pop-up ads for easy access armchairs, hearing aids and walk in shower conversions. Does this reflect my current lifestyle?

I have wanted to be a writer since I was a kid reading 'The Famous Five' novels but I was too busy living my life to write about it. Now, however, it seems that the time has come to write about life, rather than live it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Trouble-W...