Research or stalking?

Rarely does a day go without me wondering about the marvels of the internet.

In almost all aspects of life it has brought an improvement, and as time passes I seem to becoming ever more reliant upon it.

After the sort of week I have had with something to attend virtually every night, it has been massively useful in basic things such as catching up with work, some late night shopping and then some pre match research.

It is so easy to take if for granted, but then there occasional times when it just jolts you into full appreciation.

My father in law is a joiner and furniture maker. Not long ago he bought an antique chest of drawers which had two handles missing. He removed the existing ones during the renovation and noticed a manufacturer’s name.

He Googled the company (an achievement in itself!) and not only found that it was still in existence, but actually still made the same handle. Just how long would that have taken 15 years ago?

But there is no question that it does hook you in. Last month I interviewed the new chair of the Belgrade Theatre and during the interview he said that he played tennis. I asked him if he played at a club or used the court he had at home.

I could see he was quizzical about how I knew the intimate details of his home. The truth was I had been on google street view because he has a very impressive-sounding address.

To me that was simply research, but I almost felt I had been rummaging through his sock drawer!

I also follow a designer and architect Ben Pentreath who writes a wonderful blog and what appears to be his wonderful life (www.benpentreath.com/inspiration). I have, on the strength of the blog, visited his shop in Bloomsbury.

The other day, someone I know mentioned Ben in a conversation and I chirped up “I know Ben”. I checked back thinking that, of course, I don’t know him.

But actually I do, and know him quite well but only virtually. It’s just I have never met him.

Quite scary really.