Commercial expansion

I've just realised on the blogger home page there is a tab that says 'Monetise'. Ooooh, I think, what's that for then? Is it an option whereby I can customise my blog page in the style of that excellent artist Monet? If I click on it, will it render my page full of beautifully blended shades of green, yellow, turquoise and lilac, dotted hither and thither with lily pads, bridges and summer garden scenes. That would be nice. I like Monet. I am always impressed by the hugeness of his canvases when we see them at the National Gallery or wherever it is in London we go to occasionally, but I am too stressed out about being in London to realise where we are. Anyway, Monet's canvases are HUGE and lovely and he is the only artist I can view without wearing my spectacles, because everything is fuzzy whichever way.

So I click on the 'Monetise' tab, keen to introduce a bit of culture to my work (and Lord knows it needs it).

It's to do with advertising. It's not 'Monet', it's MONEY!

What a let down. No soft focus. No subtle tones and highlights (that sounded a bit like an ad for hair colourant, didn't it?), no French Impressionism.

Now, part of the 'Andy and Denise Grand Plan' is to get away from commercialism and capitalism and excess profit making which is why I refuse to shop at Tezzco-Every-Little-Bit-Adds-Shamlessly-To-Our-Profits-And -We-Don't -Care-About-Chickens. I can't be putting adverts on my blog. Okay, I did have a look to see how much my blog might earn if I did allow adverts to appear on it, but the information was a vague 'Try it and see what happens' which wasn't good enough.

Besides, I kind of advertise all ready, but through personal recommendation of companies I've dealt with that I like very much. They tend to be small companies with good standards whom I hope won't sell out to the big boys when the dollar signs start flashing. I hope they are companies with morals and ethics and a pride in good customer service like that smoothy drinks company who've just sold out to Coca Smola. (See, I am so disappointed I've even forgotten what they are called.)

It's a pity. I'd like some Monet on my blog page. I'm beginning to wonder if there is a French conspiracy going on. In his latest blog at Boom Penguin, Andy was talking about Fate (in a round about, car analogy kind of way) and I feel I'm experiencing a similar wave of hints from the Greater Universe. I caught myself standing in WHSmiths during the week with three 'Living in France' magazines clutched in my hot little hand. I couldn't quite bring myself to buy them, though. And one of Andy's work colleagues has offered us a place to stay at his house in Normandy if we want to go there to 'get a feel for the place.'

And now, if you'll excuse me, there is a chocolate fudge cake awaiting my attention.