We have all seen them. We have all been confronted by them. We have all been them!

The term sleepwalker has evolved into something new and almost as scary and disturbing…TEXTWALKING! People who walk and text without paying attention to the things around them until they are confronted by them.

The term textwalker is becoming more popular everyday as we evolve into a society that is addicted to our technology.  We can’t leave our smartphones anywhere without feeling alone or like we are missing out something.  Ask yourself when the last time you went on a date without your phone was? How often are we being pulled away from physical living to our virtual worlds?

There are rumors and Photoshop pictures circling the internet (one below) displaying an iPhone with a camera on-top of the device with a tiny video displayed (when they choose) to show what is in front of you while textwalking. I think this would be an interesting idea, but am not too confident that these rumors are true. Creative though!

An ITN News video in the U.K. shows that, “some London pedestrians have become so preoccupied with e-mailing and text messaging on their BlackBerrys and cell phones that they can’t make it down a city block without crashing into lampposts or trash bins. One of the most hazardous streets for “walking while texting,”  is East London’s busy Brick Lane, lined with trendy boutiques and curry shops, where people have been filmed walking head down, ricocheting off various stationary sidewalk objects. The solution? Wrap Brick Lane’s lampposts with fluffy, white rugby goalpost cushions.”

I admit that I fall victim to textwalking all of the time. I also admit that it has almost killed me once. So why do we continue to do it? Our need to constantly communicate, post, pin, tag, check-in is our way of validating ourselves and communicating to everyone following us that we are interesting. Everyone has something to say, something to share and naturally it can’t wait. Why..because it doesn’t have to.  Has it become more interesting to be engaged virtually rather than presently? Take for instance this video below that went viral. What could be more important than being present on your wedding day during the ceremony….texting about it!

As we become more addicted to our devices and letting people know where we are, what we are doing and how we are doing it, we shouldn’t forget that in order to live we must be present. Facebook’s new Timeline update, as much as people hate it right now, will be the prime example of how much time we spent documenting our lives instead of living them.

Justin OCD Klosky

Are you a huge fan of categorized lists?  Take a look at these organized lists that are based on specific themes.  Online lists that include a mix between interior design and fashion are really fun to look at.  The way that these lists are organized keep the objects in a neat and distinct layout.  Here are a few pictures of lists that are both visually pleasing and inspiring.  Each one has a color theme and a blend between clothing, accessories, and home goods.

Images from “Conundrum” (http://design-conundrum.blogspot.com/).

You can make a list like these by using the program called “Snag It” – you can download it here - http://www.techsmith.com/download/snagit/default.asp

Making these lists are a great way to keep you organized.  They definitely come in handy for making wish lists for yourself or getting gifts for friends and family.

What does Valentine’s Day mean to you?

Valentines Day should be about THE relationship, not just about the lady or the man. It should bring to the surface what you truly love and respect about your relationship as a whole.

I think the taste that most men have for Valentine’s Day isn’t half as sweet as the one that drools from women’s mouths. In fact, InStyle did a poll with 20,000 men on what they will buy their honey for Valentine’s Day. 64% say flowers, 19% forget to buy anything and 17% say jewelry. It saddens me that 64% of these 20,000 men think buying flowers for their Valentine’s is the way to go and 19% totally forget. $100 bucks on flowers versus thinking up something creative leaves us remembering that Valentine’s Day has truly lost it’s spirit, OR did it ever have a spirit? I also think flowers should come more than once a year and needs to lose the “default” place holder for what “special” is on Valentine’s Day.

The sense of “love” comes from the middle ages, when Latin was the language of the intellectuals, but the languages of the people — i.e., the Romance languages — was the vulgar language love stories were written in.Where has the passion gone in “love” and why has Valentine’s Day come down to greeting cards and expensive flowers?

For me making a home cooked meal with candle light, followed by an oiled massage for HALF the price is much more romantic than ordering flowers that will die in a few days anyway. It also brings your relationship to a much heightened level than a card and flowers that say I love you. WORDS are WORD and ACTIONS are ACTIONS.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to be expensive, outlandish, absurd, but genuine, thoughtful and sincere. Whether you make 10k, 50k or 150k something from the heart will go much further than the typical BS that has evolved into Valentines Day in 2012.

You want some real, original and creative ideas just hit up the O.C.D. Events Blog: http://ocdexperience.com/eventsblog/

Justin OCD Klosky

Photo Credit:

#1 Peter Kemp Fotograff: peterkemp.nl

# 2 Allan Chow/The Kansas City Star/MCT, VS

O.C.D. Love Life Tip #4

Be clear with who you are right off the bat! Relationships are all about clear communication.

Hit that frickin’ ball so hard that the other person has no choice but to catch it or let it drop. Hopefully, they will catch it and throw it right back to you, but if they drop it then at least you came off with a clear understanding of what you wanted to show the other person. Be strong in every way when it comes to you showing off what kind of INDIVIDUAL you are. We are all special on some sort of weird level and in order for that to be seen we need to understand it and show it.

One of my best friends always says, lions show their manes and walk around proud of all the hair surrounding their head. Why don’t we act the same way? Be proud of what you have to offer whether it is physically, mentally and even emotionally. Trust me there will be someone out there who will love you for who you are. Someone who will appreciate every flaw you think you have, because what is love without flaws and things to laugh at. A lion’s mane isn’t really that attractive, but they walk around proud of the kings that they are. Maybe the monkeys laugh at them, but monkeys laugh at everyone.

Saving space can be easy to do. Keeping that space functional is a secret that is hidden… most of the time right under your toes! Stuffing things under the bed can look messy which you can end up forgetting for ages. If there were drawers in your bed frame, would it help you? If you needed that extra step in the bathroom to reach the sink and brush your teeth, would you think to pull out the bottom drawer?

 There are a ton of ways to save space, just take a look at your kitchen cupboard and start to rethink it. Become you’re own inventor, convert the cabinet door into what doubles as a home for your spices. Take a chance. Maybe you’ve forgotten about that couch you used spend trips to your  grandmas house on. The good ole “pull out couch”. That was one of the earliest examples how to save space and keep it functional. To give something a second meaning is to use the same something for two different things. Even as far back as the tricky bookshelf door.

Whatever you may choose to be your double organizing design will be for YOU. You are the most important person that your space matters to. Make it easy for yourself, and it could be your own little secret, or show it off to your friends and give them a few tips of your own!