Thirty Something

   When I was a girl, I couldn't even imagine what it would be like to be a grown up. The show "Thirty Something" was filled with a bunch of old people.  Having just turned 34, it hit me that I may be older than the characters on that show. Holy crap. 

    I just assumed that you hit a point in life, where the realization of what it all means dawns on you, and you can relax, knowing that everything is going to be alright. But I am beginning to think that may be a misconception. People don't figure everything out as they get older, they just accept the fact that they don't need to figure it out. That life will go on, regardless of the level of enlightenment they have achieved. Some days you may be on top of the world, and others you may never want to get out of bed, and that is just part of being human....or that you have bipolar disorder. But they continue to get up each day, slap on a smile, and carry on. 

    When I look around at people in public, I always assume they have their shit together, no debt, successful in their lives, carefree. However, statistics don't back up that theory. Everybody has issues, but nobody wants to advertise that. But if we continue to only see the bright shiny sides of everyone, we will continue to feel isolated when considering our weaknesses. 

       Maybe there can be an anonymous confessional website. Where people can air their dirt, and read about how others lives really are. You may not receive absolution, but you would also not be judged. Then, slowly, people will feel more comfortable with themselves, and as a whole be much healthier. Knowing that they will be accepted for both their good and bad sides. 

    Ultimately, the one judge that matters most, is yourself. Everyone is going to have opinions about how you look, what you say, and what you do. But the second you become ok with yourself, all of those opinions become mere background noise. 

   Perhaps this is the enlightenment that comes with age...self acceptance. 

 

    

The Great Disconnect

  With massive trepidation, I picked up the phone and called U-verse. My stomach in knots, I had so many chances to hang up before the representative got on the line. As I let him know, that I will no longer be needing his services, he offered all of those things I had been longing to hear all year long. A discount...but I knew it wouldn't last. Just the internet...but really I would feel bad if I settled for so little. I stuck to my guns, and followed through with the cancellation of all tv and internet services.  Yikes.
   Will this be a life changing choice? Probably not. After all, I have a dvd player, and I can always head out to Peets for my internet fix. But maybe, just maybe, I will start to reconnect with all of the good things in the world. Like the people in my life, the nature around me, and the books on my to read list.
   Someone from my past reminded me that I think way too much. So this is my attempt to think less, and live more. I did have a pretty great first date last Saturday, so maybe this less thinking thing is going to work.
 

Fresh Starts

   This weekend I went to San Diego to see my friend Amy, and to escape the realities of going back to the grind. It was a last minute decision made possible by her generous donation of a free flight pass on Southwest. So on the plane I went.
  The trip was filled with entertainment. Saturday we went to the Padres game at Petco park, and happened to sit in the middle of sea of red, aka Phillies fans. Initially I had no interest in either team winning, but I had a bet to win, and the Padres were supposed to help...but that didn't happen. Damn. To ease my woes, we went to a free Bananrama concert. Let me tell you, it was worth every penny. At one point we were convinced that the lead singer was either going to fall off the stage, loose his pants, or accost the cringing band-mates whose dignity was hanging on by a thread. On the plus side, the people watching was pretty damn fantastic. Hanging with Amy and her man was the perfect getaway.
   Now I am trying to wrap my head around the idea that school is starting again. I think one of the reasons I love my job, is that there is a fresh start each year. A chance to do all those things I planned on, but never got around to before. Each year, I get a little better, applying my experience and all that I learned, to make me a better teacher.
   Funny, that same thing can be said for relationships. Each one is a new chance to do it right. You learn from the past, what worked, what didn't, and apply that to the new guy. But if you go through enough relationships, is there truly such a thing as a fresh start?

To be or not to be

 Bangers and mash, kidney pie, boiled vegetables...what do these have in common? Well they are all gross, and all standard foods for my potential destination next school year. I am in the process of applying for a Fulbright teacher exchange position in the U.K.. Crazy exciting, and scary.
  The thing is, I have been dating Shinola guy for almost three months, and while this is currently a record for me, I find myself wondering how this factors into my desire to ditch the U.S.. I am applying no matter what, but if the roles were reversed, how would I feel? "Hey, I like you and all, and I hope this works out...but even if it does... I'm ditching you in a year." Hmm. But, I can't, NOT do this.
  So am I wasting time developing a relationship with someone, if ultimately it is going to be doomed by distance? I know I'm 33, and I am supposed to want to get married, and buy a home with some more kids and a dog, but I don't. I wouldn't mind being married, but to someone who wants to adventure around the world with me; like and Amazing Race partner. I'm told, that when I meet the "right guy" I will want to settle down, but that would mean I would be willing to give up my dreams for someone else. I don't want to "settle down", regardless of whether I am single or not. Why is that such a crazy concept?
  Shinola could be a guy that would explore the world with me, but it is still new. Not developing a relationship for fear that something may cause it's demise, is a bit pessimistic. Shit happens, some relationships work, some don't. Once school starts again I won't have time to dwell on these moral dilemmas. I will be able to move forward in feigned ignorance, until I really have to get on the plane. Maybe I will be alone, or maybe not, but either way, I won't be settling.
 

Zen and sheer bike shorts

 It was one of those days where it was necessary to step back, and evaluate my mind, my life, the relationships in my life. I head out to the lake, deep in thought, and trying to sift through the heavy feelings.  Am I doing everything right? Do I see everything as it is or as I want it to be? Am I being my best self? My brow is furrowed in concentration, looking for a sign of some sort. I glance up, feeling the breeze of a bike speed past. 1) Weird guy on the bike 2) The guy is wearing see through bike shorts( sheer, black, disgusting) 3) His bikini underwear was red 4) He was standing up so the view would not be obstructed.
  Thank you red bikini guy. I can go on with my life now, being present in the moment, and with the image of your undergarments burned into my retinas.

Turning the Corner

  I feel like I have finally started to turn the corner in my life. Adjusting to this new world, as much as I can, has been a journey. In a sense I have been rediscovering what it means to be me without anyone else. I have made some mistakes along the way, and gone through some of the darkest moments I have ever experienced. But any journey worth taking requires struggle. It is through this struggle that I can truly evolve. I have often been accused of going into a cave when I am feeling down, but what people don't realize, is that all of that love and support they have offered, stays with me in the cave. It is because of that support that I can retreat safely, and digest my fears and pain, knowing all the while that there is a tremendous amount of love waiting for me when I am ready to return.
  This last year I kept wondering when I would feel normal again. But I have found that normal is not the same anymore. Instead I have to accept this new place I have come to, and understand that this is the way things were supposed to be, not because I have failed, but because it is simply what is.
  All we have is this day, and to live in regret, or in constant doubt, leaves you paralyzed. Things don't always work out the way we anticipate, or how we imagined, but so what? You get up each day, and live for the moments that make everything worth it. Whether it is a call from your son on Mother's Day, a memory of your dad that creeps up on you and makes you smile, a student beaming up at you when they understand something for the first time,  a call from your mom where you two laugh, making a new friend who you bond with instantly, or any of the other million moments we have and so quickly forget. Thank you to all of those in my life, who have made my day a million times over.

April slump

 So I was reflecting on this last 11 months of my dating life. Truth be told I have kept a record of the guys that I have dated since May 2009. It helps to compare and contrast the gents so I can know what to look for and what to avoid.(Names have been changed to protect the "innocent")
May 2009-Rick Jobs..met at the Rack, went out with twice, was from Indiana...should have known that was not going to work.
July 2009-Sep. 2009- Tad Meemer This was the first guy I met on Match. From Michigan. Cool job, very smart, very sarcastic. I actually really liked this guy, but the timing was not right and it ended with me sending a top ten list. Not my best moment, but this guy was trying to fade out anyhow. I did however get my software back after months of asking. Still kind of bummed that I met this guy when I did, he was very intriguing.
October 2009-Dustin Chan 2nd guy on Match. He was getting his Phd in cancer cell research. Nice guy, smart, but just no chemistry. We went out 3 or 4 times, and then I just stopped returning calls.
Matt Renger-Met this guy at a Halloween party, where he was dressed in a mullet. From Michigan. Super hot, but he thought Beowulf was a werewolf. We went out once.
November-December 2009 Sam Denim -Met on Chemistry-from MO, very liberal, vegan, obsessed with baseball. Interesting guy, but our worlds were different. He had that slightly crazy thing going for him, fun while it lasted. Dumped me via text.... karma for that whole top 10 list thing.
January 2010-Tom Johnson -met at the Rack. Nice, cute, half Morman, not tons of chemistry.
Dan Abalone-nice guy, too intense too soon...bit of a stalker.
February 2010-March 2010-met tshirt guy at the Rack. Instant chemistry, sexy as hell, found out I was a mom....attention faded. He was the first guy since "Tad" that I really felt a strong connection with. But if I found that twice in less than a year, it mustn't be too uncommon....right?? We still play chess with friends...whoohoo.
April 2010- I am currently in a slump of epic proportions. Mostly ok with it, but I look forward to the end of said slump with something better.  In the mean time I am going to A's games, hanging with friends, going to the gym, painting my place, reading, blogging and in sitting on the couch watching tv. Yes I do relax sometimes, it just isn't the best to blog about!

Man Jose

 Last night a few friends and I went to San Jose to see "Tainted Love" play at the Voodoo Lounge. The band is an all '80s cover band, who are phenomenal by the way. The line to get in was filled with twenty-somethings who raided Hot Topic in an attempt to capture the '80 's look. I argue that if you are born in the eighties, you really should be banned from these events. Damn whippersnappers.
  The night was filled with dancing nonetheless, and even a scuffle between a stupid scrunchie wearing chick and my friend Corrina and me. Apparently we invaded her space on the dance floor by the stage. Considering the floor had turned into a mosh-pit-esque scenario, her claims of being wronged were a bit ridiculous. I guess her scrunchie was on too tightly therefore making her irritable. Towards the end of the night, the drunken guys were too aggressive and obnoxious to make the night any fun, so we left with the tunes of Bon Jovi dancing in our heads.
 Still working on getting t-shirt guy out of my system. Not really sure where I thought that one was going. It sucks to click with the guys who are probably not the best for anything stable. There has to be something in between the cute intelligent guys who are man children, and the stable guys who I have no chemistry with. As long as I get it figured out before I hit eighty...

I'm a little sister

 This weekend was marked with excessive travel through areas the engulf you with manure aroma. I went to Sacramento because much of my massive clan was gathering there. It is amazing to me how just seeing my family, even if we only sat on the couch, talked and watched college basketball, can recharge me. Being in a room surrounded by people I love and who love me, makes me realize how amazingly lucky I am.
  After spending the day in Sac, I headed down the 5 towards Livermore for the mini high school reunion. Once my friend Brig and I found parking, and got a little lost, we finally found the Blue bar. As we approach, I see my pseudo big brother at the front and the night is on. Most of the people there knew my brother more than me, so I had to repeatedly say..."I'm Alex's little sister"..to which they instantly connect, or feign recognition. Either way, there were several people who I was happy to see and we hit the dance floor with some killer dance moves. This bar was so classy that it had a pole on a platform at the corner of the dance floor. Livermore, I have no words.
   I tried to match up several people while I was there. For some reason, on these nights out I have a drive to play cupid. My success rate is yet to be determined, but I like having a purpose. Of course the guy from Missouri was the one to ask for my number, since I have some sort of midwest guy magnet. Indiana, Michigan, Kansas...now Missouri? Other than that there is no new guy news to report. I oscillate between thinking I want a "real relationship" and thinking I don't want to be tied down.  The problem seems to be too much THINKING!

Rack Attack

 Noele finally succumbed to the draw of the Rack. She had vowed never to go, but while visiting from Virginia, she broke that vow...and brought her camera. Yikes.
   The night started with an Orange tic tac, where we dropped a shot of Absolut Mandarin into a quarter glass of Red Bull and chugged. The rest of the night alternated between dancing, being accosted by Israeli guys on the dance floor, beating up Noele's bf Phil, and posing for pictures while throwing gang signs because I am that badass. Of course I had my partner in crime Carri with me, because it isn't a trip to the Rack without her.
   It was nice to be there just to have fun without the underlying agenda of meeting someone. The pressure was off. In fact, this was the first time the old guy, Vinnie Viagra, actually danced with us. Now I am truly a member of the club.
  So the t-shirt guy is still in the picture. We actually hung out the weekend before, and he was cuter than I remembered. We had great chemistry and I still had the flutters, which is so exciting. But...I have learned that you can't jump the gun on these things. It is getting easier to realize that even if I really like a guy, keeping emotionally distant from the situation helps me keep things in perspective. I couldn't have done that a year ago. We will see...
  I'm not dating anyone else right now. I stopped dating the guy who worked at the Oracle gym. Cowardly, I sent him a letter basically saying it wasn't going to work out. He was a nice guy, but just not for me.
   Part of me is really enjoying being single..the freedom  is unmatched. But there are times, when it would be nice to have someone lying next to me at night. The sense that silently you know there are arms ready to wrap around you, just because you are you. And that in that moment, all is right with the world.

Speed Dating...

 Since Barb and I are committed to our research in the dating field, we knew we had to explore the phenomenon known as the speed dating. So the setup is that the ladies all get a spot at either a table or the bar, and the guys move around from spot to spot for five minutes until the whistle blows. I was nervous because this was uncharted territory, but then I realized everyone is in the same boat and I could relax a bit.
  Every dater has a number, and you are to take notes on the date next to the corresponding number on the handout given upon signing in. Most of the guys there were a little old for my taste, but it was good practice in dating conversation. It worked out that Barb and I were next to each other, so she got the dates I had just finished. One guy told me I could join his "urban tribe". So I guess if this whole dating thing doesn't pan out, I can at least have a tribe to fall back on.  So when the whole thing is done, you have to go to the website and vote yes or no on the people you meet. I ended up voting yes on two of the 13 guys.
  We agreed that this was worth doing again, but next we will try Palo Alto.  Taking it easy this weekend and trying to figure out what this universe is trying to tell me. Seeing your past is often the key to living your present.

Cocktails and Coincidences

 People often say that things happen for a reason. I agree, but I have trouble figuring out just what that reason is. Barb and I hit a few bars pre-Teen Witch, which is how I learned that drinking those orange tic-tacs can be trouble. It was getting close to show time so we grab a cab to the Bridge theater. We waited in line, we make it inside, sit for five minutes and decide to blow the event and go be drunk somewhere else.

     In the cab we randomly land at Harry's bar on Fillmore. Yet another bar that now knows about the drink, which incidentally is much better with Grey Goose Orange. We start chatting with a couple of guys and hear some interesting stories, when I see this guy coming toward me. My face lights up as I realize it is one of the Denny's guys that I met at Saddle Rack. He had recommended a book to me that night, and it was a mind blowing read, so when I saw him walk by I threw my arms around him and launched into an enthusiastic review of the novel. Poor guy. We ended up hanging out and talking the rest of the night. So to recap, this is a guy who lives in the city, works for sjfd, and I met in Fremont, and we happen to end up at the same bar, in sf. Weird, right? 

  So the thing is, I really hit it off with this guy's friend when we were at the Rack. (T-shirt guy) So what does this random coincidence mean? It was so cool to hang out with the book guy, but he is 28, so really where can that go? The t-shirt guy and I are supposed to meet up this weekend so maybe that will help clear up my confusion. He knows his friend and I hung out, since we were texting him at the time. Probably this will be insignificant in a few weeks, since most of my guys fizzle out in a month or so. I just want to be open minded. Maybe things will be clear after the weekend. 

  Barb and I are starting our single girl research project soon. We are going to different locations and will be judging different approaches to men and the various levels of success we find. Barb suggested we have a plan and actually get some useful strategies. Our first stop will be the Mission district. How to flirt successfully with a man from the Mission....I love this type of research!

Orange Tic Tac

  After a tough work week, I eagerly hopped in my car and headed over the hill to Santa Cruz for a visit with my old friend, Amy. She and I always have ended up in one  kerfuffle or another, and tonight was no exception. We had a great dinner with lots of catching up and heart to heart talks. Onward to The Crow's Nest in the Santa Cruz harbor to listen to a cover band. We were sufficiently buzzed, thankfully, upon walking in, so the visual of the white mullet with a red electric guitar, the drunken cougars dancing on the floor looking for nonexistent prey, and the leering looks of several older guys were only mere speed bumps on our way to the bar. And it is at this bar that we make history. History in the form of mandarin vodka and Red Bull....the Orange Tic Tac. The goal? To see how fast we can spread the name of the drink up and down CA.  If you ever decide to try this delicious concoction, please order it as an Orange Tic Tac. If the bartender is unaware, please impart your knowledge and feel secure in knowing you have aided the mission.
   I did end up meeting a guy there, who was in town as  a participant in the clam chowder contest...yep.  But he was cute and very sweet. This was my first experience with a shaved head on a white guy...not bad. Here is the problem. Every time I meet somebody new, I find myself analyzing them and categorizing their various behaviors and attributes. While this is a great data collection strategy for scientific research, isn't dating supposed to be different? Aren't men more than the sum of their parts? Is this supposed to be a trial end error process? and if so...what is considered a valid trial? The whole error thing I have gotten down...believe me. Actually when I look at the guys I have dated over the last year, it is one long error list. Really there only needs to be one guy in the "right" list, but how will I know him if I meet him?
  Lastly, a shout out to my wing-girl for last night. She took one for the team in the form of a nonstop monologue spilling from the mouth of a large white haired drunk. I think she had a hangover just from listening to him...the night ended with a quick sprint to the car to avoid prolonging the torture. I am sure the thought of her amazing boyfriend helped pull her through.
 Tonight is an 80's night in the city with a screening of "Teen Witch" with Barb in the city. Awesome.

In the Mac World

  Having been inspired to enter into the 21st century as an educator, I feel it is only appropriate to blog a bit in between sessions. First of all, I am ready to teach at a school with a 1:1 ratio of laptop to child. The expense you ask? Well I did not consider that this would replace all textbook costs so taking that in to consideration, it starts looking more doable. One middle school uses Acer netbooks for about $350 per student. They use almost all free resources online for research, instruction and testing in a much more effective manner than the standard pencil and paper. The high school uses all macbooks, which the students take home with them. Families are encouraged to buy insurance at the start of the year, but the school provides the laptop for free. When one considers the cost of textbooks, copies and a second set of books for home, this investment sounds much more reasonable. In fact, this sounds like we can actually educate again with real life applications as opposed to memorize, regurgitate, and forget.
  The exhibit hall is a whole other story. The collection of attendees in this place is quite fascinating and might I add a bit smelly. I have been trying to overcome my tendency to freak out in a cattle type situation. I did come out with a cool skin for my laptop, with a dollar discount because it was cash only and I was a dollar short. Insert obvious idiom here. But in this case, it paid off!

The long wait

 I am not sure which sucks worse: waiting for a guy you like to call, or getting a page and a half single spaced typed letter from a guy you only dated a week.  Yes folks, I may have a stalker who uses the usps to make me feel uncomfortable and slightly dirty. Saying that I wasn't ready for a relationship, ignoring the phone calls, and repeating my stance via an email were apparently ineffective techniques in giving the guy the heave hoe. Did I mention that the envelope was addressed in red ink? I will save you the details, but needless to say I am glad I stayed G rated with this fellow. Way to go eharmony.

  As much as I hate to admit this,  I was that girl who repeatedly checked my cell for any messages or missed calls from t-shirt guy. So anti-feminist of me. In the end he did text me, but I am still not a fan of waiting. In the meantime I went out with the T again, which was fun, but I am not sure if we spark as much as I would like. Why is this so hard?

 Barb and I went out with her friend in Danville last night. What a different crowd. Vanilla Valley. The night consisted of drinking, dancing, her friend getting pushed into the band, me and Barb almost getting into a fight with some middle aged drunk couple, me giving a fake number, and ending the night with a debate with the bartender about Donovan's soccer skills. Oh what a night! 

What I learned

 There is no replacing chemistry. Last night I had an epiphany. My partner in crime and I were dancing at the Rack. The night was booze filled and drama empty, just the way we like it.  Then, I see...this guy. He is cute in the t-shirt and jeans kind of way, not the douchey button down shirt and cologne style, but the real guy look. I knew I kind of liked him because I actually felt a little shy. So, I danced with his friend. Yes my moves are that smooth. As the night goes on we all start to talk and I realize that these guys are actually intelligent, witty and cute. The trifecta. But there is just something about t-shirt guy that makes me knotty. I am coining that term for the feeling you get when experiencing true chemistry with someone that is both physical and intellectual. And it hits me. This is what was missing with the other guys I have been dating. That spark that comes from a guy that makes me laugh, is able to discuss Nietzsche  at The Saddle Rack, and also can talk about why the World Cup is the greatest athletic tournament ever.

  We went to Denny's after leaving the club, and I ordered some Hush Puppies, which we decided to call Churrnoballs, since they were like churro balls, and besides, who doesn't love a little nuclear disaster reference with their food. After eating we got up to leave and said our goodbyes. Oh well, I thought, as I climbed in my car, cool guys exist, even if I never see this guy again. Then a knock at my window, and it is t-shirt guy asking if he can put his number in my cell, to which I said yes. He had asked a few times throughout the night, because he left his phone in his truck, so I was glad for the follow through. Ball is in my court. At some point today, I think I may text? 

  Overall it was a really great night. Carri and I always have fun and seem to generate memorable experiences...hey at least this one did not involve homeless Jesus and his fork!

Vegas!!

I realize the motto of what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but that really doesn't work when one is trying to blog. Some of the details may be a little fuzzy, but I will do my best.
Friday: My sister and I meet at the airport and hop in a cab to the Mirage. We decide to explore the Forum shops and wind up eating dinner at the bar at Cheescake Factory where the Laker's game was on. The destination for the evening was the dueling piano bar at NYNY. Last time my sis and I were there we saw a dwarf dressed as a leprechaun, so our expectations were high. My sister was treated to a Bud Light by a rather, seasoned gentleman... so she politely said thank you and we made our way to the other end of the dance floor. We befriended a group of Canadians at a "stag" party, and another pair of Canadian mounties. Oh...and Bobby Flay was there signing autographs and basking in drunken admiration of his fans. The end of the night remains a little blurry, but I woke up with a swollen ankle and a massive hangover.
Saturday: Sister and I head down for breakfast before our spa day. I choked down some toast and tea, but the likelihood of that staying down was not great. Making our way to the spa, I felt better and was excited for some detoxification. A massage, facial and steam later, I was almost at 100%. That night we had a great steak dinner at a steak house in TI, followed by LOVE, the Beatles Cirque du Soleil, at the Mirage. Hands down the most incredible experience of live entertainment I have ever witnessed. After the show we went to Revolution, good dj, overpriced beer. $8 for a Corona?!! But we danced, and met an adopted Korean guy from San Diego. He was cool until I found out he went to USC... loser. 3AM...time for bed.
Sunday: We hit the brunch for breakfast, gorging on French toast, hot chocolate and Frosted Flakes....SUGAR!!! We checked out and wondered around catching bits on the Indy game. Spotting Serendipity 3, we parked ourselves at their counter and watched the rest of the game while eating a sandwhich and a hot fudge sundae.....food coma approaching. The trip ended with us at the bar in the Mirage watching football with yet another group of Canadians.  By the time I was at the gate waiting for my flight, my liver was thoroughly pickled, my body beat down, but a smile remained on my face. Going back in April!!

 I am a dating rookie. However I was determined to take what I have learned so far and go out on two first  dates this weekend. A sort of... dating research expedition if you will.

Date #1: The first candidate I met online through eharmony.

Stats:

Age 37

job: project manager

status: divorced for 9 years

hobbies: runs marathons, sails and mountain bikes

This was the first guy I had actually made it through the arduous " get to know you" process with and still found interesting enough to meet. So I gussied my self up, hopped in the car and headed to our meeting place. Having never met this guy in person, I only had his pictures to go by for identification purposes. I walked through the door to be pleasantly surprised with a date that was better looking then his pictures. Phew...not that I am shallow, but he could have been a troll, and who wants to eat dinner with that? Ok, that sounds bad. I tried to walk up and confidently shake his hand as he went in for the hug, awkward. After that dinner went well and the conversation was easy and entertaining. We split a pizza and salad at his suggestion, and I actually tried something new. Shocking.  After dinner we went to a little bar that had live music. We sat in the back with our beers and tried to figure out the characters that were milling around. Some potentially homeless, others that we guessed were swingers. It was midnight at that point and time to call it a night. He walked me to my car and we kissed, and yes he was a really good kisser. Before I got into my car, he asked if I wanted to go out again on Sunday night, so I figured the no "getting too comfortable" on a first date rule was proven successful.

Date #2: This guy I met at the Saddle Rack

Stats:

Age: 31

Status: single, never married

Job: head of the gym for Oracle

Hobbies: golf, baseball, fishing

  Although I knew what this guy looked like, I didn't know much else about him and he knew even less about me. But we had good chemistry and were able to talk easily. I wondered when it was appropriate to tell him that I was married before and I had a 13 year old son. I mean when does that exactly flow into the conversation?  I decided to hold off on this discussion.

 We met at his house and he drove us into the city for dinner. The house was clean, but not too clean. Again, easy conversation, he opened all doors, held the umbrella for me and all things gentlemanly. Dinner was delicious and he was very sweet. We shared the best dessert of churros in Mexican chocolate. Yum. After dinner we went to the Metreon for some virtual bowling, to which I lost, but I tried not to pout too much. Then we drove back to his house and watched tv for a half an hour and then I told him I had to go. This was truly a test for me, because he was very cute, and a great kisser. But, my strength prevailed and I got in my car and drove home.

The conclusion....I have no idea. Date one was smarter, but he is looking for a serious relationship.

Date two was cute, but I am not sure about our compatibility. Further study is required. Will report findings.

The Rack Strikes Again

   So I have said it once and I will say it again...it impossible not to be entertained at The Saddle Rack. I venture to guess that one can sit at a table, ten feet from the entrance, the whole night, and see more shenanigans than anywhere else. The 80 year old guy with a bowl cut is a staple. Watching him swing the youngest ladies around the dance floor is a Viagra commercial in the making. Last night was no exception. The man is a god and should be studied. Next time I will try to pluck a hair off his head for further analysis.  
Drinking, dancing and watching brave souls be tossed from the mechanical bull completed a night of debauchery with the ladies. I did meet a nice guy there, who kind of looked like a cross between Matt Lauer and Bill Resnick. At least this guy was out of his twenties!
     By 3:30 am the night was done and my head hit the pillow. Sweet dreams still lingered in my mind as I got up the next morning. In an inspired moment of productivity I decide to start a load of laundry before yoga. As I go to put the clothes in the dryer and hit start, it moans in protest and then stops. shit.

Looking forward to a weekend of the Saddle Rack, Dodgeball and watching football. Oh, and helping some friends move. This means that I will probably be in some pain Sunday night...but it is worth it.
I decided to apply for the Fulbright teacher exchange program for next year. This means that I will possibly be teaching and living in London for the 2011-2012 school year. As an added bonus I will hopefully get to see Landon play for Everton! Whoever I exchange with will live in my place and teach in my position, and vice versa. The applicaiton process takes months, but hopefully my Masters will give me a leg up on the competition.
Some friends and I are doing a World Cup pool with a $50 buy in...if I can't be there at least this will be some consolation...if I win that is.