Not to get too philosophical or anything, but we live in a world full of people of all different shapes and sizes.
Nowhere is this more evident than at the beach. One trip to the seaside and pretty much all humanity is on display, it’s a people-watchers paradise (but let’s not make it creepy now…).
Down on the shore, with the cool blue waves lapping at your feet, you get people who have obviously worked hard to look good while there, you get those annoying people who just look good naturally in any environment, and you get others who don’t give a shit. They’re letting it all hang out and they’re owning it. These are the people we should learn from.
As it becomes increasingly difficult to get away from social media, and perceived lifestyle perfection is rammed down our throats, sometimes we need a reminder that, outside of the glitz and glamour we see on our screens, there’s the real world. It’s full of characters big and small, and we’re all just a tiny part of it.
I know I said I wasn’t going to get too philosophical about it, but I think it needed saying. If nothing else, it might make you think for a second before you see this ridiculous video.
Again, the pitfalls of social media far outweigh the positives, and thankfully someone has shared this video of an old man absentmindedly photo-bombing a model’s shoot, which perfectly sums it all up.
Behind every glamorous photoshoot, there’s a pensioner in Speedos (again, let’s not get creepy now):
The timing is perfect, the setting is perfect, and his slow waddle out of the waves is perfect. Did he plan it? That cheeky grin at the end seems to suggest maybe he did…
You’ve also got to hand it to the woman in front of the camera, she carries on regardless, even though she’s definitely seen him. Then again, maybe she knows the wonders of video editing software these days, so is hoping that guy will end up on the cutting room floor.
But nope! Another pitfall of social media, as much as photos and videos can be fixed with editing, people just love fails – probably more than half posing/half modelling/half dancing on the beach. I know I do.
Anyway, happy Wednesday everyone. I hope we’ve all learned something from this. If anything, be aware of your surroundings.
If you have a story you want to tell send it to UNILAD via stories@unilad.co.uk
Charlie Cocksedge is a journalist and sub-editor at UNILAD. He graduated from the University of Manchester with an MA in Creative Writing, where he learnt how to write in the third person, before getting his NCTJ. His work has also appeared in such places as The Guardian, PN Review and the bin.