(no subject)

 I've found myself fascinated by various "cottagecore" videos on YouTube. How accurate a description of the video makers lives these are is anyone's guess. I strongly suspect an element of fantasy and half-truths behind the slick presentations. These people must have an extraordinary amount of time on their hands to plan, stage, film then edit their videos. Certainly they've more money behind them than they imply. They must have, in order to afford the professional filming gear, never mind their country cottages which they happily renovated using a few thousand pounds worth of DIY tools.

One of these YouTubers goes into ecstasies each time she goes outside, and she rapturously says "Wow!" each time she sees a star or a bit of sky. Then there's the seemingly mandatory scene of coffee-grinding - in almost every video. The man I assumed was her brother, as they look so alike, turns out to be her boyfriend. I thought they were a bit too touchy-feely for siblings.

Another has a pet rabbit which hops all over the surface which she's cooking on. Having had pet rabbits in the past, I know how often they leave little pellets behind. There's no way Bugs is hopping around on my food preparation surface, thank you.

Then there's a man who has been living in a converted ambulance for a couple of years, travelling around as he wishes. Don't ask me how he's paying for diesel, vehicle repair or food, etc. He has no trouble from other people, he says. And no wonder, as the dog he travels with is the size of a werewolf.

But I've been enjoying these vids. It is pure escapism, and where's the harm in that?