Twittering

So my task for January was to get 250 followers on Twitter. I've never been on or near Twitter before, but figured it sounded moderately challenging but achievable. After setting up my account and looking around the site for a while I decided that my tactic would be to begin 'following' as many people as possible, in the hope that somewhere out in cyberspace would be 250 people either:

• willing to support my challenge
• sad enough to want to befriend a stranger
• with something to sell

Turns out I was correct, and all of the above signed up to follow me - and my final score is 276 followers. Based on an initial hungover new years day mass-beginning-to-follow-people, I very scientifically calculated that I'd have to follow around 1200 people to hit my target.

To begin with, I added pretty much everyone with 'Grace' in their username. Turns out a lot of Graces seem to be from the far east or more specifically Asian-American which was a new piece of information for me, so never let it be said that one can't learn anything from dumb, social networking based challenges. I think it was amongst the Graces and the Walkers that I got the most reciprocal 'follows'.

After a while, the direct messages came flooding in (a total of 155). Here's where you can see the different types of folk out there in twitterland.

The obviously-a-bit-lonely types:
laurenamcmullen

Thanks 4 following me! I would love to get to know you. Do you have a Fan page? Send me the link so I can visit.

Surprisingly few from blokes looking for lurve:
hursty_231

Hey. Thanks for following me. how are you? tell me a little bit about yourself? talk to you soon :) Ben.

A few sales-disguised-as-good-wishes by slightly hokey americans
FloraSue

There are no coincidences, so I know we have connected for a reason. I made a video for you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaS34AJ8FDA

Quelle suprise:
Robert2you

Hello new friend thank you for following me. You should check out this video to learn how to make money from home. http://bit.ly/robert2you

And some were just plan nice:
kellierye

Good luck to you all on your challenges for 2010. It will be a great year!

In summary, if you are willing to spend a few hours over a cup of tea and pack of fags randomly clicking 'follow' on as many people as possible, gaining 250 followers on Twitter is a piece of.....

My challenges - Laura

January:
Get something pierced
February:
No TV
March:
Take your Mum out for lunch
April:
Learn a dance routine and perform it in front of a crowd
May:
Grow a window box
June:
Be on TV
July:
Host a fancy dress party with at least 15 guests
August:
Take a loved one on a day trip to Paris/ Brussels on the Eurostar
September:
Cook a full Sunday roast for friends
October:
Go and see a band you have never heard of
November:
Take a dancing class
December:
Do some volunteer work

My big challenge for Extreme 2010 is to go to Timbuktu, good times.

My challenges - Jo Fo

January:
Choose one aspect of yourself or something in your life you're not happy with and improve it
February:
Go alcohol free for one month - each failing incurs a two day penalty
March:
Say 'Yes' to anyone who wants to shag you
April:
Take a short course/lessons in something that interests you
May:
Go speed dating
June:
Draw a picture of London
July:
Only eat green (coloured) food
August:
Write a 'rap' about Jo
September:
Day out at the sea side
October:
Go to a roller-disco
November:
Get tuition and 'nail' one karaoke song
December:
Eat something you are scared of eating

My big challenge for Extreme 2010 is to either learn a new language or change/amend my name by deed poll. I haven't decided what one to do yet...

My challenges - Grace

January:
Join Twitter and get 250 followers
February:
Visit Amersham on the Met line
March:
Learn to play a song on a musical instrument
April:
Get a piercing/tattoo
May:
Pull a minger
June:
Day trip on the Nene Valley Railway
July:
Go Camping
August:
Have an exciting hair cut/restyle
September:
Raise £100 for charity
October:
Spend more time with my mum
November:
Send a TV Programme 'pitch' to a TV channel
December:
Convince others of your argument in speakers corner

My big challenge for Extreme 2010 is to run a marathon. I've been told that it is ok for me to do this as 2 half marathons as I don't want to mess with my Vetruvian Man training, so it's not like I'm chickening out...honestly...