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!!