I found out the other day that yes, in fact, there are still gentlemen left in this world. While men no longer readily give up their set on the metro, hold doors for ladies or open car doors, there are still a few out there who think twice and do something nice.
I was at Starbucks waiting for my grande chi tea latte and there was an attractive man waiting next to me. He was fiddling with his Blackberry but was not distracted enough to ignore my once over. He got his coffee first and started for the door. I soon followed, though I was far enough behind that there really was no need for him to hold the door. He walks out, door closing behind him, pauses on the sidewalk and turns back around. Then, he opens the door for me! I smile, walk out and say "thank you."
See, there really are some gentlemen still out. I hope that I am fortunate enough to encounter a few more.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Are you Joe Jonas?
Joe Jonas is an idiot. Before breaking up with Taylor Swift through a text message he should have considered 1. Women have feelings, and if you respect someone you don't break things off with a text 2. It's hurtful and 3. It would become national news as the two of them are celebrities.
I'm on TayTay's side. I was just "Joe Jonas'd." It turns out that Mr. Florida isn't as sunny as his name.
I however, had a fabulous time in Florida with Michelle - we are single, fabulous and I don't need to tell you how many lovely beverages were bought on our behalf by the swinging men down south. Joe Jonas happens.....you get over it.
I however, had a fabulous time in Florida with Michelle - we are single, fabulous and I don't need to tell you how many lovely beverages were bought on our behalf by the swinging men down south. Joe Jonas happens.....you get over it.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
A mom and her dog
I sometimes think my mom loves her dog, Tully, more than her own children. That's not true of course, but the woman is so consumed with every little detail of Tully's life that it makes me wonder.
**note: Tully is a 13 pound westapoo**
Three years ago Tully, a puppy, was behaving strangely. She kept going to the garage door to be let out. Mom grew very concerned over Tully's frequent trips outside. So concerned in fact, that she decided to call the Vet.
"Hi, I'm Tully Christopher's mom. I think Tully has a bladder infection," mom said without blinking an eye.
"Oh, OK. I'll get a sample a bring it in." She said.
She then turned to me and my sister, who were hysterical over her phone conversation, and handed us a tupperware container. "Go get a sample of Tully's urine."
Task completed, sample delivered, results reported. Tully was just fine. Mom overreacted.
And so this continues to be a constant theme with mom and her dog. The truth is, that Tully loves mom so much and can't stand to be away from her which is probably because mom has treated Tully like a baby from day one. Tully is allowed on all of the furniture, gets Christmas and birthday gifts, cuddles with mom and gets far too many treats. She even sits in the living room arm chair like a human. When mom travels, Tully gets depressed. She sits in the arm chair gazing out the window watching for moms car.
Over Thanksgiving, mom was in Palm Springs, CA for a field hockey festival. She came back and Tully wasn't as excited to see her. Mom couldn't figure it out. Tully was a bit sluggish and didn't jump up on her little legs and hop when she saw mom. It just so happened that Tully already had a vet appointment scheduled that week. This is the phone call I received from mom that morning:
"How's your morning?" mom said.
"It's OK. Doing a wrap up report for work and cleaning out my desk. Are you in the office?" I replied.
"Yes. I'm leaving soon though. Tully has an appointment. She's getting three shots today! I hope I can hold myself together," she said.
"Oh mom. She'll be fine. Do you need a box of tissues?"
"You know, I was a wreck with all of you kids and I'm a wreck with Tully too. Besides, I think she's sick. She wasn't happy to see me on Monday."
I laugh, "I'm sure she's fine."
A day later mom calls me to tell me that yes, Tully is indeed sick. She has a parasite. I won't tell you from what because dogs can be gross little creatures, even if they do act human most of the time. Mom and her dog. They are one.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
For the long haul
I can honestly say that this past Thanksgiving was the LONGEST holiday weekend I have ever experienced. Good, bad, cramped, loved, friends, family, laughter, tears, exhaustion, annoying, and finally....heart warming. All wrapped up into a few days is a bit overwhelming.
I spent The majority of the holiday in Southbury, CT where my aunt and uncle live. Its become a Thanksgiving tradition to trek up there and spend a few days. On Thanksgiving morning my sister Shelby, cousin Sean and I hit the high school track bright and early to get in a good workout before the eating and drinking began.
Note to self: Don't fool yourself into thinking that because you're good at running on a treadmill, that you will automatically be good at running outside. My lungs felt like they were going to explode! Therefore, my run was broken up into increments of run a few laps, stretch and breath, run a few laps, stretch and breath, etc.
When I was getting ready to time Shelby's sprints I asked "How do I get my lungs to adjust? This is ridiculous."
Shelby laughed and said "uh, you have to run outside ALL the time!"
"Oh." Such disappointment in my voice!
After our workout we hit up Starbucks and went back to the house to make breakfast.
The day went on...cooking, setting up....drinking...eating...drinking...walk....drinking, eating dessert, drinking....
At 9:30 pm Anna Wintour showed up. No, not the ball busting editor-in-chief of Vogue but MY AW, the ball busting yet ever so fashionable Christina. Her aunt and uncle live in the town over from where I was staying, so keeping with our Thanksgiving tradition, we entertained one another with a visit. How lucky am I? I got to squeeze in Christina time TWICE this fall!! Very lucky in deed.
****skip to Saturday morning in Pennsylvania****
Saturday morning I visited with my Grandma and naturally we spent three hours talking about her life, my life, her family history, her memories and of course, pop culture. As we were getting ready to go out to lunch her phone started ringing.
"Katie, can you grab that? It's Mrs. Morgan. She's calling to see if I'm alive," my G-Ma yelled from her room.
"Sure," I said picking up the phone...thinking to myself , uh, alive??? "Hi Mrs. Morgan," I said. "This is Katie, my grandma is putting her shoes on."
"Oh! Hello Katie. How are you? So nice that you're over there. Is she OK? I got worried when she didn't call at 11:00," Mrs. Morgan's happy voice floated through the phone.
"she's alive and kickin! We're headed out to lunch."
I chatted with Mrs. Morgan for a few minutes about Washington and my job, and then put G-Ma on to talk.
It turns out that every morning at 11:00 a phone chain starts between G-Ma and a few of her friends. They check to make sure everyone is OK. With most of them living on their own still you just never know if someone has fallen, hurt themselves, or can't get out of bed. I think it's a wonderful thing.....these lovely ladies are still kicking and doing well, and are certainly friends for the long haul.
I spent The majority of the holiday in Southbury, CT where my aunt and uncle live. Its become a Thanksgiving tradition to trek up there and spend a few days. On Thanksgiving morning my sister Shelby, cousin Sean and I hit the high school track bright and early to get in a good workout before the eating and drinking began.
Note to self: Don't fool yourself into thinking that because you're good at running on a treadmill, that you will automatically be good at running outside. My lungs felt like they were going to explode! Therefore, my run was broken up into increments of run a few laps, stretch and breath, run a few laps, stretch and breath, etc.
When I was getting ready to time Shelby's sprints I asked "How do I get my lungs to adjust? This is ridiculous."
Shelby laughed and said "uh, you have to run outside ALL the time!"
"Oh." Such disappointment in my voice!
After our workout we hit up Starbucks and went back to the house to make breakfast.
The day went on...cooking, setting up....drinking...eating...drinking...walk....drinking, eating dessert, drinking....
At 9:30 pm Anna Wintour showed up. No, not the ball busting editor-in-chief of Vogue but MY AW, the ball busting yet ever so fashionable Christina. Her aunt and uncle live in the town over from where I was staying, so keeping with our Thanksgiving tradition, we entertained one another with a visit. How lucky am I? I got to squeeze in Christina time TWICE this fall!! Very lucky in deed.
****skip to Saturday morning in Pennsylvania****
Saturday morning I visited with my Grandma and naturally we spent three hours talking about her life, my life, her family history, her memories and of course, pop culture. As we were getting ready to go out to lunch her phone started ringing.
"Katie, can you grab that? It's Mrs. Morgan. She's calling to see if I'm alive," my G-Ma yelled from her room.
"Sure," I said picking up the phone...thinking to myself , uh, alive??? "Hi Mrs. Morgan," I said. "This is Katie, my grandma is putting her shoes on."
"Oh! Hello Katie. How are you? So nice that you're over there. Is she OK? I got worried when she didn't call at 11:00," Mrs. Morgan's happy voice floated through the phone.
"she's alive and kickin! We're headed out to lunch."
I chatted with Mrs. Morgan for a few minutes about Washington and my job, and then put G-Ma on to talk.
It turns out that every morning at 11:00 a phone chain starts between G-Ma and a few of her friends. They check to make sure everyone is OK. With most of them living on their own still you just never know if someone has fallen, hurt themselves, or can't get out of bed. I think it's a wonderful thing.....these lovely ladies are still kicking and doing well, and are certainly friends for the long haul.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Growing Up
Things I learned growing up......
1. Most ground balls that are missed go under the glove
2. It's not a good idea to touch the bottom of a microwave after you just made popcorn - your hand WILL burn
3. Every young lady should have a set of pearls
4. It's never to early to develop your fashion style
5. Practice practice practice - dad's words at softball, flute, soccer....anything really
6. Gentleness often accomplishes more than harshness
7. Yard work is an undesirable job but someones got to do it.....and getting an allowance for it doesn't really make it more pleasant
8. Aesop's Fables is the most useful form of punishment
9. Carpe Diem
10. Defrost ALL the windows before backing out of the driveway
11. Barbie dolls come as young women, men, Skipper & friends and the little babies. But everyone knows that in an imaginary world, you need to have a grandmother. The only proper way to create a Barbie grandma is to cut off the hair of one of your older Barbies. Maybe one day Mattel will understand this.
12. Cops and Robbers is best played in the dark with flashlights
13. Camping, even in your own backyard, just isn't a good idea - Creepy crawlers are everywhere
14. Don't grow Mint in your garden - it takes over the yard and is uncontrollable
15. If a babysitter isn't fun, you can misbehave....just know that you will be punished the next morning for it
16. If you take your hands off the handle bar on your bike because you're scared, you will most likely fall or hit something
17. It's hard to play a fair game of capture the flag when the teams are girls vs boys
18. Dads have the best reading voices, regardless of how old you get
19. If you don't keep your room clean, you may end up without a bedroom door - "privacy is a privilege"
20. Christmas isn't about consumer products and wanting, it's about being with people you care about....and drinking egg nog while decorating a Charlie Brown tree
21. When driving, do it with the utmost caution!
22. The fastest way to back out of a driveway is to have children push it out
23. The most delicious cookies are the ones that Mom let's you mush/mix with your hands
24. Mom's china is delicate....handle with caution and set the table properly
25. Family game night is both torturous and fabulous - especially if it involves having a pizza picnic on the family room floor.
1. Most ground balls that are missed go under the glove
2. It's not a good idea to touch the bottom of a microwave after you just made popcorn - your hand WILL burn
3. Every young lady should have a set of pearls
4. It's never to early to develop your fashion style
5. Practice practice practice - dad's words at softball, flute, soccer....anything really
6. Gentleness often accomplishes more than harshness
7. Yard work is an undesirable job but someones got to do it.....and getting an allowance for it doesn't really make it more pleasant
8. Aesop's Fables is the most useful form of punishment
9. Carpe Diem
10. Defrost ALL the windows before backing out of the driveway
11. Barbie dolls come as young women, men, Skipper & friends and the little babies. But everyone knows that in an imaginary world, you need to have a grandmother. The only proper way to create a Barbie grandma is to cut off the hair of one of your older Barbies. Maybe one day Mattel will understand this.
12. Cops and Robbers is best played in the dark with flashlights
13. Camping, even in your own backyard, just isn't a good idea - Creepy crawlers are everywhere
14. Don't grow Mint in your garden - it takes over the yard and is uncontrollable
15. If a babysitter isn't fun, you can misbehave....just know that you will be punished the next morning for it
16. If you take your hands off the handle bar on your bike because you're scared, you will most likely fall or hit something
17. It's hard to play a fair game of capture the flag when the teams are girls vs boys
18. Dads have the best reading voices, regardless of how old you get
19. If you don't keep your room clean, you may end up without a bedroom door - "privacy is a privilege"
20. Christmas isn't about consumer products and wanting, it's about being with people you care about....and drinking egg nog while decorating a Charlie Brown tree
21. When driving, do it with the utmost caution!
22. The fastest way to back out of a driveway is to have children push it out
23. The most delicious cookies are the ones that Mom let's you mush/mix with your hands
24. Mom's china is delicate....handle with caution and set the table properly
25. Family game night is both torturous and fabulous - especially if it involves having a pizza picnic on the family room floor.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Weekend of wonderfuls
This past weekend I 1. hosted book club 2. reconnected with the one and only Megan Hannah - future courtroom ball cracker 3. attended a military fundraiser 4. had a dance party with Pam at Union Jacks 5. watched the Eagles fight a tough battle against the Giants [36-31! ugh]
The military fundraiser is thrown each year by a man my friend knows. His brother was killed in Iraq and in memory of him they put together an annual fundraiser, donating the proceeds to a different military charity each time. Sadly, I did not win anything from the raffle, but Pam and I enjoyed our beverages. We did meet a rather sour man who hates Philadelphia as well as New York City. Hmmm...problem there...I love both of those places. After a quick exchange of words with Pam and I over how much we love those two cities and how rude he was, he walked away. We also witnessed some appalling behavior by some of the guests at the fundraiser. A group of four didn't want to tip the waiter because they had just "donated money to the charity" - here's an FYI to anyone attending a fundraiser: Make a donation, the size of it doesn't matter, and tip the wait staff! It's rude not to!
We moved on to a bar we love after the fundraiser to dance our little hearts out. It was only after the music switched to all Spanish that we skipped out the door. Throughout the night we entertained ourselves with pictures and giggles.
Sunday Sunday Sunday - worked my last Sunday at the gym yesterday and I'm feeling pretty good about it. Now I'm counting down the days until next weekend.....
The military fundraiser is thrown each year by a man my friend knows. His brother was killed in Iraq and in memory of him they put together an annual fundraiser, donating the proceeds to a different military charity each time. Sadly, I did not win anything from the raffle, but Pam and I enjoyed our beverages. We did meet a rather sour man who hates Philadelphia as well as New York City. Hmmm...problem there...I love both of those places. After a quick exchange of words with Pam and I over how much we love those two cities and how rude he was, he walked away. We also witnessed some appalling behavior by some of the guests at the fundraiser. A group of four didn't want to tip the waiter because they had just "donated money to the charity" - here's an FYI to anyone attending a fundraiser: Make a donation, the size of it doesn't matter, and tip the wait staff! It's rude not to!
We moved on to a bar we love after the fundraiser to dance our little hearts out. It was only after the music switched to all Spanish that we skipped out the door. Throughout the night we entertained ourselves with pictures and giggles.
Sunday Sunday Sunday - worked my last Sunday at the gym yesterday and I'm feeling pretty good about it. Now I'm counting down the days until next weekend.....
Thursday, November 6, 2008
November
November is going to be a FABULOUS month, followed by a spirited December. This weekend I see my local loves as I host book club and then I head to Pennsylvania November 14-16 to:
1) Take Luke and Sara Elizabeth to see Santa
2) Get fitted for my dress for Melissa's wedding
3) G-Ma's 82nd birthday dinner
The weekend after my college loves come down for a visit and Twilight is out in theaters. Followed by Thanksgiving in Connecticut and a chance to hang out with AW - twice within 2 months...wow!
December is upbeat as well - a trip down to Ft. Lauderdale where I'll see Mr. Florida and Chelle, Christmas with the Christopher's and then Christmas with the Patterson's, not to mention the holiday parties....
The next two months will be busy but I'm looking forward to every, single moment.
1) Take Luke and Sara Elizabeth to see Santa
2) Get fitted for my dress for Melissa's wedding
3) G-Ma's 82nd birthday dinner
The weekend after my college loves come down for a visit and Twilight is out in theaters. Followed by Thanksgiving in Connecticut and a chance to hang out with AW - twice within 2 months...wow!
December is upbeat as well - a trip down to Ft. Lauderdale where I'll see Mr. Florida and Chelle, Christmas with the Christopher's and then Christmas with the Patterson's, not to mention the holiday parties....
The next two months will be busy but I'm looking forward to every, single moment.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Burning Bright with Hope
"To those who would tear this world down - we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security - we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope. "
Last night, November 4th, 2008, the American people elected the 44th president of the United States of America. An unbelievable historic moment, Senator Barack Obama is the first African American elected for the highest office in our country. I was teary. I had tissues next to my bed. This is a great moment.
Obama did the unthinkable and changed the electoral map - taking Ohio, Virginia, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Florida....A new hope stirred two years ago when he first decided to run and last night that hope was cemented into the grounds of the good old USA. You can be sure that I will be standing there with the crowd on January 20th, 2009 to watch Senator Obama be sworn in as Mr. President.
Last night, November 4th, 2008, the American people elected the 44th president of the United States of America. An unbelievable historic moment, Senator Barack Obama is the first African American elected for the highest office in our country. I was teary. I had tissues next to my bed. This is a great moment.
Obama did the unthinkable and changed the electoral map - taking Ohio, Virginia, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Florida....A new hope stirred two years ago when he first decided to run and last night that hope was cemented into the grounds of the good old USA. You can be sure that I will be standing there with the crowd on January 20th, 2009 to watch Senator Obama be sworn in as Mr. President.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Notes from the Motor City Part II
At the PR conference I sat in on one seminar regarding the health care industry. I had no idea the following figures were so high and thought that as the election draws near this may be of interest.
Before I state the facts, I must say that personally I think it's not going to be easy OR quick to change the United States health care industry. You cannot argue though, that something has to be done....we are the United States of America for crying out loud!
The number of Americans traveling outside the U.S. for medical procedures [this used to be mostly cosmetic procedures, where people could recover on the beach drinking cocktails, but now it has become major procedures such as hip replacement]
2007 = 750,000
2008 = 1,500,000
By 2018 = 16,000,000
U.S. providers will have lost $68 billion to outbound medical travel by 2010.
Concierge practices are growing more popular - I hadn't really thought much about this one before - practitioners are sending letters to patients saying they are taking fewer patients and if they would like to stay part of the practice they have to pay an annual fee - $2000 in many cases. I find this shocking.
Whether it's McCain or Obama in office come 2009, there absolutely has to be a change with our system.
Before I state the facts, I must say that personally I think it's not going to be easy OR quick to change the United States health care industry. You cannot argue though, that something has to be done....we are the United States of America for crying out loud!
The number of Americans traveling outside the U.S. for medical procedures [this used to be mostly cosmetic procedures, where people could recover on the beach drinking cocktails, but now it has become major procedures such as hip replacement]
2007 = 750,000
2008 = 1,500,000
By 2018 = 16,000,000
U.S. providers will have lost $68 billion to outbound medical travel by 2010.
Concierge practices are growing more popular - I hadn't really thought much about this one before - practitioners are sending letters to patients saying they are taking fewer patients and if they would like to stay part of the practice they have to pay an annual fee - $2000 in many cases. I find this shocking.
Whether it's McCain or Obama in office come 2009, there absolutely has to be a change with our system.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Notes from the Motor City
I spent the past four days in Detroit for a Public Relations conference...learning new practices in thrilling seminars and catching up with my own personal Anna Wintour aka Christina. Detroit is an interesting city, that's for sure. Depressing economy, several Casinos, some nice suburbs, a mayor in jail.....
On Sunday, AW and I went to a lovely place for dinner, moved on to MGM Grand then ended up back at the bar in my hotel. Now, here's something interesting....all of the PR professionals treated this like a singles mixer - it was odd. The few men that were there tried to pick up every available woman. It just so happened that I DID meet a guy - but I actually remembered him from the previous night when we were both eating dinner at the bar, therefore it was not just another single pickup. Either way, he's cute, nice, and tall...but lives in Florida. Boo.
The bar scene at the hotel got a bit heated when AW made a girl flip out, cry, and run away - AW just couldn't stand the girls ugly yellow attire and her obnoxious attitude......
End of conference results: I learned an awful lot, though I feel that last years conference offered more appropriate seminars relating to what I do, I loved catching up with my fabulous friend and I might have made a new one.
On Sunday, AW and I went to a lovely place for dinner, moved on to MGM Grand then ended up back at the bar in my hotel. Now, here's something interesting....all of the PR professionals treated this like a singles mixer - it was odd. The few men that were there tried to pick up every available woman. It just so happened that I DID meet a guy - but I actually remembered him from the previous night when we were both eating dinner at the bar, therefore it was not just another single pickup. Either way, he's cute, nice, and tall...but lives in Florida. Boo.
The bar scene at the hotel got a bit heated when AW made a girl flip out, cry, and run away - AW just couldn't stand the girls ugly yellow attire and her obnoxious attitude......
End of conference results: I learned an awful lot, though I feel that last years conference offered more appropriate seminars relating to what I do, I loved catching up with my fabulous friend and I might have made a new one.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Who needs a therapist when you have self-help?
Exactly. Who really needs a therapist when you have all the knowledge from the self-help section at the book store?
Yesterday I was picking up a poetry book for book club [The Subject Tonight is Love: Sixty Wild and Sweet Poems of Hafiz] when of course I wandered into my favorite section. The book that caught my eye this time was Don't Sweat the Small Stuff - and it's all small stuff by Richard Carlson.
Here are a few pointers that I was drawn to while flipping through:
Life is not an emergency
Learn to live in the present moment
Set aside quiet time, every day
Resist the urge to criticize
Be patient --> create "patience practice periods"
These points will probably all make my 2009 New Years Resolution list. I'm going to start working on them now, it's just hard right now because I'm so busy. Where will I fit in quiet time? I can easily give up some evening TV, as I've already done due to my obsession with the Twilight saga - can reading and quiet time go together? Resisting the urge to criticize is surely difficult. This is something we all do without thinking about it. I'm going to have be very conscious of that one. Living in the present, coincidentally, is something I've been working on all year. Why do I feel the need to always be thinking two years away from where I'm currently at? Patience will be the hardest. Short temper and non patient......maybe I should see a therapist for that one....
Lastly, I need to slow things down. Life is not an emergency. Enjoy each moment, no rushing, no stress, no anxiety......
Yesterday I was picking up a poetry book for book club [The Subject Tonight is Love: Sixty Wild and Sweet Poems of Hafiz] when of course I wandered into my favorite section. The book that caught my eye this time was Don't Sweat the Small Stuff - and it's all small stuff by Richard Carlson.
Here are a few pointers that I was drawn to while flipping through:
Life is not an emergency
Learn to live in the present moment
Set aside quiet time, every day
Resist the urge to criticize
Be patient --> create "patience practice periods"
These points will probably all make my 2009 New Years Resolution list. I'm going to start working on them now, it's just hard right now because I'm so busy. Where will I fit in quiet time? I can easily give up some evening TV, as I've already done due to my obsession with the Twilight saga - can reading and quiet time go together? Resisting the urge to criticize is surely difficult. This is something we all do without thinking about it. I'm going to have be very conscious of that one. Living in the present, coincidentally, is something I've been working on all year. Why do I feel the need to always be thinking two years away from where I'm currently at? Patience will be the hardest. Short temper and non patient......maybe I should see a therapist for that one....
Lastly, I need to slow things down. Life is not an emergency. Enjoy each moment, no rushing, no stress, no anxiety......
Monday, October 20, 2008
Today
Today is October 20th. The first day since last March in which I needed to use my scrapper on window frost.
Today is the first week where my friend Linds gets to wake up every morning in blissful happiness because she is now engaged.
Today I will finish the second book in the Twilight series - my new obsession.
Today is 6 days away from my trip to Detroit for work where I will get to see my very fabulous friend Christina.
Today Sara and baby Logan are starting their first full week home from the hospital.
Today I've decided to live in the moment rather than plan every detail of my life out.
Today should be a good day.
Today is the first week where my friend Linds gets to wake up every morning in blissful happiness because she is now engaged.
Today I will finish the second book in the Twilight series - my new obsession.
Today is 6 days away from my trip to Detroit for work where I will get to see my very fabulous friend Christina.
Today Sara and baby Logan are starting their first full week home from the hospital.
Today I've decided to live in the moment rather than plan every detail of my life out.
Today should be a good day.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Impersonal Personals Seek Help
If this were 1992 and I was on the dating scene, would I submit a Personal to a newspaper? If I was in college in 1979, would I meet a guy in the local college bar, share a beer, and then we would end up happily ever after? If I was a debutante in 1944, would I marry the doctor my father introduced me to and just assume my life would be complete? Dating in 2008 is hard. I wouldn't want a Personal, a fraternity bar guy, or a doctor my dad knows.....but I'm running out of ideas.
David Wygant, the dating expert, has an interesting blog. He helps men gain confidence, talk to women, and offers advice as to where they can meet a potential girlfriend. Vice versa for women. Every woman knows what it's like to be in a bar, bookstore, party, WHEREVER, and see someone that interests you, but aren't sure if you can go up to them or not. Do they have a girlfriend? Do they have a boyfriend? [that one is hard to tell] Do they find me attractive? Would I make a total fool out of myself if I went up to him? Apparently, the same thing is going through the minds of men.
A few months ago I did the unthinkable....completely uncharictaristic of me, and asked a guy from the gym out. We did hit it off, and then it fizzled out quickly when I realized we weren't a good match. Either way, I did something that I wouldn't normally do - and before I did it I accepted the fact that it could go either way -->he could be into me and he could not be into me. Dealing with the consequences was something I was simply prepared for.
David Wygant posted a blog recently that is so helpful and I think that everyone should read it. He titled it "A Plea To All The Women: Please Help The Guys Out!" - I enjoyed it, and hopefully you will too. http://www.davidwygant.com/blog/a-plea-to-all-the-women-please-help-the-guys-out/
Personals are impersonal, and I would like to take Wygant's advice and meet someone face to face....and hit it off. But if I were to write a personal, perhaps this is what it would say:
SWF seeks SWM with great sense of humor who is caring, thoughtful, and easy going. Must be a successful, driven, and grounded individual. Intellectually curious, love your family and friends, Equally comfortable at a black tie reception as you are at a local bar. Love to travel stay active.
Oh my, I just described the way I view myself - I'm not looking for someone exactly like me, I believe that opposites attract. But the basics are important. So men, start reading Wygant's blog....women, start taking Wygants advice, and maybe our two worlds can intertwine.
David Wygant, the dating expert, has an interesting blog. He helps men gain confidence, talk to women, and offers advice as to where they can meet a potential girlfriend. Vice versa for women. Every woman knows what it's like to be in a bar, bookstore, party, WHEREVER, and see someone that interests you, but aren't sure if you can go up to them or not. Do they have a girlfriend? Do they have a boyfriend? [that one is hard to tell] Do they find me attractive? Would I make a total fool out of myself if I went up to him? Apparently, the same thing is going through the minds of men.
A few months ago I did the unthinkable....completely uncharictaristic of me, and asked a guy from the gym out. We did hit it off, and then it fizzled out quickly when I realized we weren't a good match. Either way, I did something that I wouldn't normally do - and before I did it I accepted the fact that it could go either way -->he could be into me and he could not be into me. Dealing with the consequences was something I was simply prepared for.
David Wygant posted a blog recently that is so helpful and I think that everyone should read it. He titled it "A Plea To All The Women: Please Help The Guys Out!" - I enjoyed it, and hopefully you will too. http://www.davidwygant.com/blog/a-plea-to-all-the-women-please-help-the-guys-out/
Personals are impersonal, and I would like to take Wygant's advice and meet someone face to face....and hit it off. But if I were to write a personal, perhaps this is what it would say:
SWF seeks SWM with great sense of humor who is caring, thoughtful, and easy going. Must be a successful, driven, and grounded individual. Intellectually curious, love your family and friends, Equally comfortable at a black tie reception as you are at a local bar. Love to travel stay active.
Oh my, I just described the way I view myself - I'm not looking for someone exactly like me, I believe that opposites attract. But the basics are important. So men, start reading Wygant's blog....women, start taking Wygants advice, and maybe our two worlds can intertwine.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Game Day
E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES! I'm looking forward to another Bird season. Being an Eagles fan in DC is a challenge - Redskins fans don't like us too much. There's a bar in Georgetown, Rhino, that is the "Philly" bar of DC. On game day you can go into Rhino and see Eagles shirts everywhere - it's a welcoming site.
Tonight, at 8:30, I will be there.....proudly in my green and black....to watch the Birds fly with some lovely PA born friends [and non-PA - thanks Pam:)].
A pitcher of beer, a plate of wings, a few cheers - let's bring in a win!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
9/11
Warm thoughts and wishes go out today to all of our troops in the Middle East.
Warm thoughts and wishes go out today to all of those families who lost a loved one on 9/11/01
Warm thoughts and wishes go out today to my fantastic friend Carissa, for today is her birthday and quite possibly the day that her baby will be born.
Warm thoughts and wishes go out today to my hilarious and outrageous friend Jenn, for today she leaves our lovely town of D.C. and heads to the frozen tundra aka Ithaca, NY for a new job. You will be missed - who will I vent to each morning about my crazy life??!!!?
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
I Heart Autumn
It's the same every year - I heart autumn! My excitement builds and builds without fail each August until the month of September arrives. The fall season is stretched over three wonderful months where the weather is perfect and there's a certain charm around town.
Things about autumn that I love......
dark nail polish
pumpkin spice and harvest candles
Halloween themed movies
pumpkin pie
leaves changing colors
the smell of the season
light sweaters with jeans
jack-o-lanterns
apple crisp
Thanksgiving
walks along the water
heading out for the night without sweating the makeup off before hitting the dance floor
cool air to breathe in
Welcome autumn! I've been waiting all year for you!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Birthday flavor
Last night I met up with a few of my lovely friends for a belated birthday dinner. We are the new generation of power women in DC, which makes it difficult to schedule time together. Typically, I schedule things at least a month out - working and socializing is sure to jam any DC woman's calendar!
We went to one of my favorites spots, Mezza Luna, and spent some quality time catching up. I'm so amazed with my brilliant friends - our conversation went from politics [DNC, RNC, and the campaign strategies] to a destination wedding that's being planned, to grad school, to new living arrangements, to fashion, and finally to our friend who is about to become a mom. Like I said, we are power women to get it all talked about over the course of dinner.
Clutter in my life
Cluter, clutter, clutter. Right now my life is cluttered by things. Friend's getting married, family parties, dental visits, moving apartments, and work. Work, work, work. Clutter, clutter, clutter. The parties, get togethers and whatnot are fabulous to go to of course, it just takes a toll. The summer is gone and I feel like I haven't done anything for myself [other than Mexico which resulted in E.Coil].
The majority of June was spent in Kentucky for a work project. July was spent entirely out of town....wedding, bachelorette party, trip to Mexico, graduation party. August started off with two weddings followed by intense packing for the move, and then finally the actual move. I moved from a crap apartment to a 5 star condo. Excited? Yes. Stressed? Naturally. Lately I've had so much on my mind that my dreams at night are getting a bit out of control. Oh, and let's not forget the break off I just did with the guy who was bad for me. Yes, I'm feeling a bit stressed and severely missing the careless summers I knew not to long ago. Even when living in NYC, my weekends were spent on the Long Island beaches or at my relatives house in Connecticut. Those were wonderful weekends.
I hate to accept the idea that my summers will be like this forever - I need to start doing more things for myself, stress a little less, and have a ball.
One fabulously wonderful thing about summer ending is the start of the Eagles season. You can be sure that I will be hitting up Rhino bar in Georgetown as often as possible to catch my beloved Birds kick some butt. Ditto to the Broad Street Bullies.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
The drying rack
In June, as I was getting to know a new man in my life, I bought a drying rack at Bed, Bath and Beyond. It was a simple wooden one that should have been easy to put together and add into my normal laundry routine. The same evening I bought it, I sat on the floor in my living room carefully reading the instructions and identifying each piece. With directions in hand, I began to build a drying rack.
Thirty minutes later I was frustrated, agitated and my drying rack was laying in heap. I couldn't get it to work. Regardless of the effort and time I put in to trying to set up this drying rack, it wouldn't stay. 2 1/2 months later and having just snipped the tie to the former new man, it seems as though this drying rack symbolizes the relationship.
With both, as soon as I thought "hey, this could work out" it would fall apart again. Set backs, frustration, disappointment. I wonder why, with my drying rack I gave up on it within a few days and threw it out, while with the man I let him linger around for a few months - continuing to set back up and fall down. It's energy exhausted and time wasted. Lesson learned.
Thirty minutes later I was frustrated, agitated and my drying rack was laying in heap. I couldn't get it to work. Regardless of the effort and time I put in to trying to set up this drying rack, it wouldn't stay. 2 1/2 months later and having just snipped the tie to the former new man, it seems as though this drying rack symbolizes the relationship.
With both, as soon as I thought "hey, this could work out" it would fall apart again. Set backs, frustration, disappointment. I wonder why, with my drying rack I gave up on it within a few days and threw it out, while with the man I let him linger around for a few months - continuing to set back up and fall down. It's energy exhausted and time wasted. Lesson learned.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Flying high
There's a common misconception among men that women who know what they like are picky and high maintenance. Last night, while discussing jewelry styles, trends and ultimately which designer I prefer, a man I know said those exact words to me.
"You're picky and high maintenance."
I was surprised and said "because I know which style of jewelry I prefer? Knowing what works for me and what doesn't shouldn't qualify me as picky and high maintenance."
Sure, I'm picky about the food I eat, the beverages I drink, and perfume I wear, but in general I'm always willing to try new things. I'm not one to cast something aside because I'm just not sure about it - instead I follow my motto, Carpe Diem, and plunge into the unknown. Afterwards I'm able to decide if it's a like or dislike. This isn't something to be ashamed of.
Everyone is picky. As for high maintenance, yes I qualify....but for myself. I never expect my friends or boyfriend to buy me only things I like [and refuse the things that I don't like], only go to the places I prefer, or insist that they change a part of themselves to fit into my idea of fabulous. Everyone I know is fabulous is their own way. They have issues, can play a drama queen card when necessary, but are completely infallible and wonderful.
So, to my dear male friends I say....let me, and all women, be.
**psycho bitches are not part of crowd**
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Y Chromosome
Men who are bad for us. It happens all the time. It's a hot topic of conversation on our favorite TV shows, is splashed across our chick lit books, and is a reality that we face every time we meet a new man. Why do we continue to put ourselves in the mercy of men who are bad for us?
Charlotte York said that woman just want to be rescued. It can also be assumed that most women don't want to be alone. When will we start putting ourselves first?
My friends who are still in the dating scene meet men, text back and forth, and then realize that he seems to be playing a game. A game that can drag on and on without a clear ending in sight. How many other women is he dating? Why is he always asking me to do things with him at the very last minute? I personally don't like games and my friends are certainly better than the games the Y chromosome likes to play. We're not 6 years old anymore....pass Go and grow up.
I'll admit that it is hard to cut those type of guys off sometimes. We've all been there. Yes, we may remain emotionally unavailable, keeping our options open, but when that text comes in you know that someone out there just thought about you. It's a nice feeling. It doesn't matter that he's probably only sending that little text simply to keep you on his radar.
Is it asking too much to find someone who likes a woman who is a lovely blend of independent/dependent, funny, smart, classy, and enjoys an array of different outdoor...and indoor...activities? Is it asking too much for a man who is willing to put time into getting to know one person instead of playing the field - hopping from one girl to the next - until he finds a rare form of perfection....which normally ends up in breakup ville or divorce, because let's face it, no one is perfect and you're fooling yourself if you think otherwise. All of my single girlfriends fit into the above description and deserve the best of what's out there. If only they could find it. And until this mystical form of Y chromosome comes out from hiding, I'm afraid that many of us will continue to hang on to men who do more harm than good.
Jesse McCartney has it right when he belts out:
Why don't you tell him that I'm leavin'
never looking back again
You found somebody who does it better than he can
No more making you cryNo more them gray skies
Girl we flying on a g-5, g-5
And we're leavin' never looking back again
So call your shawty you tell him you found a new man
A bit corny? Yes. A bit true? Definitely. Let's leave the bad behind and find someone who does it better.
Monday, July 14, 2008
A Bachelorette Extravaganza
This past weekend I traveled up to Atlantic City to celebrate my friend A's upcoming nuptials. When this particular group of friends get together, drama and excitement is a guarantee. A was decked out in her pink bachelorette sash, tiara, diamond shaped shot-glass ring and a white tank that said "Bride." The rest of us, dressed in black shirts, took A over to the Borgata for dinner, drinks, and of course......a fabulously drunken time.
After dinner at Specchio, we hit the casino for a bit and then migrated into B Bar. There, we decided it would be a brilliant idea to play power hour with our diamond shot glass rings - the only problem is that the shot glass ring is less than half the size of a real shot. Regardless, we had fun with our rings. We met several groups of bachelors, and schmoozed with them long enough for them to buy us a round.
Next we headed to Mixx, a club at the Borgata. Shot after shot....after drink....A insisted that we all take a shot of Absolut, her favorite. After another hour she could barely walk. True to our history, she punched someone for calling her a light weight, yelled at the valet, called some girls staring at her fat asses, and continued with a severe case of cursing-tourette syndrome until we got her to bed. It was funny, fun and familiar....I miss these friends so much!
A didn't remember much of the night the next morning, but that was OK. She made the most of her fabulous night out - as for her fiance, he was hurting from his night just as much as she was.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Because sometimes, you just need a lil Bob Marley
Dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right!
Rise up this mornin,
Smiled with the risin sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin, (this is my message to you-ou-ou:)
Singin: dont worry bout a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry (dont worry) bout a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right!
Rise up this mornin,
Smiled with the risin sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin sweet songsOf melodies pure and true,
Sayin, this is my message to you-ou-ou:
Singin: dont worry about a thing, worry about a thing, oh!
Every little thing gonna be all right. dont worry!
Singin: dont worry about a thing - I wont worry!
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right - I wont worry!
Singin: dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry about a thing, oh no!
cause every little thing gonna be all right!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Oh how far we have come
My friend sent the below article by Lily Tomlin to me this morning and I couldn't help but laugh. Although we have come so far in the workplace, I believe that #8 is of the utmost importance regardless of what you do. Enjoy:)
*******
I was born 68 years ago – three years before the article below was written. My mother’s O.B. doctor came into her hospital room after she’d recovered from anesthesia and identified the sex of her newborn baby girl — me — by saying, "Mrs. Tomlin, congratulations! You’ve got a brand new little dishwasher."For International Women’s Day, a friend sent me a fuzzy photocopy of a page from something called Transportation Magazine, 1943. It was written for male supervisors of women in the work force during World War II.
1943 Guide to Hiring Women
Eleven tips on getting more efficiency out of women employees: there’s no longer any question whether transit companies should hire women for jobs formerly held by men. The draft and manpower shortage has settled that point. The important things now are to select the most efficient women available and how to use them to the best advantage.Here are eleven helpful tips on the subject from Western Properties:
1. Pick young married women. They usually have more of a sense of responsibility than their unmarried sisters, they’re less likely to be flirtatious, they need the work or they wouldn’t be doing it, they still have the pep and interest to work hard and to deal with the public efficiently.
2. When you have to use older women, try to get ones who have worked outside the home at some time in their lives. Older women who have never contacted the public have a hard time adapting themselves and are inclined to be cantankerous and fussy. It’s always well to impress upon older women the importance of friendliness and courtesy.
3. General experience indicates that “husky” girls – those who are just a little on the heavy side – are more even tempered and efficient than their underweight sisters.
4. Retain a physician to give each woman you hire a special physical examination – one covering female conditions. This step not only protects the property against the possibilities of lawsuit, but reveals whether the employee-to-be has any female weaknesses which would make her mentally or physically unfit for the job.
5. Stress at the outset the importance of time the fact that a minute of two lost here and there makes serious inroads on schedules. Until this point is gotten across, service is likely to be slowed up.
6. Give the female employee a definite day-long schedule of duties so that they’ll keep busy without bothering the management for instructions every few minutes. Numerous properties say that women make excellent workers when they have their jobs cut out for them, but that they lack initiative in finding work themselves.
7. Whenever possible, let the inside employee change from one job to another at some time during the day. Women are inclined to be less nervous and happier with change.
8. Give every girl an adequate number of rest periods during the day. You have to make some allowances for feminine psychology. A girl has more confidence and is more efficient if she can keep her hair tidied, apply fresh lipstick and wash her hands several times a day.
9. Be tactful when issuing instructions or in making criticisms. Women are often sensitive; they can’t shrug off harsh words the way men do. Never ridicule a women – it breaks her spirit and cuts off her efficiency.
10. Be reasonably considerate about using strong language around women. Even though a girl’s husband or father may swear vociferously, she’ll grow to dislike a place of business where she hears too much of this.
11. Get enough size variety in operator’s uniforms so that each girl can have a proper fit. This point can’t be stressed enough in keeping women happy.
******
Well, they have the "keep women happy" part right but "Husky" girls? Give me a break!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Speak louder
Saturday night I had a lovely dinner with two friends that I first met in NYC. They both now live in the DC area - and one used to be the most outrageous party girl. She actually introduced me to the Manhattan social scene. Since then, she has become a mother and this Saturday was her first big night out.
We had dinner at Mezza Luna on 19th and M, then moved on to 9:30 Club to watch The Speaks perform. Our one friend is close with the band - and after grooving to the rock music we headed off the their after party. My hope was to meet the drummer with nice biceps, but he wasn't there.
Alcohol, dinner, friends, laughs, dancing, craziness.....I wish more nights were like this.
This weekend = Fabulous.
We had dinner at Mezza Luna on 19th and M, then moved on to 9:30 Club to watch The Speaks perform. Our one friend is close with the band - and after grooving to the rock music we headed off the their after party. My hope was to meet the drummer with nice biceps, but he wasn't there.
Alcohol, dinner, friends, laughs, dancing, craziness.....I wish more nights were like this.
This weekend = Fabulous.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Owning the dance floor
Last night was a very good night indeed. Six of us gathered together at Nirvana on 18th and K St to celebrate the birthday of one of our lovelies. Nirvana's vegetarian Indian food was delicious and the company was splendid. After catching up and making toasts for the birthday girl, four of us headed off to a wine bar to continue the evening.
Another glass down and two of us, R and I, gave hugs goodbye to the others and hopped in a cab to head to our next destination....Chief Ike's Mambo Room in Adam's Morgan. Chief Ike's is my go-to place for dancing. While the dance floor isn't exactly roomy, the DJ spins some fantastic songs, throwing in some old school favorites, and the people that flock to it come from all walks of life.
At Chief Ike's we met up with more friends and hit the dance floor. Something I love is that one thing all of my groups of friends have in common, is that we own the dance floor. We don't care about anything other than strutting our stuff and having the time of our lives. Last night J pulled out some moves that I haven't seen since 80s music videos, but it rocked. R threw on her flip flops and did her thing like she always does. Together, our large group was the center of the Mambo Room universe.
Despite being out until 2 am, I managed to pull myself out of bed, sore legs and all, and get over to Bethesda, where J and her dog, Delilah, were participating in a dog parade. The sun was shining, the temperature warm, and tons of dogs dressed up ever so pretty....it was a good morning.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Domestic Goddess
In Manhattan I was famous for not cooking. Meals out or in, I could never take credit for the delicious items I consumed. NYC's finest chefs made my friends and I some tasty yummies and when not out, I dined courtesy of genius's such as Stouffers, Smart Ones and Lean Cuisine.
Recently, I have done the unthinkable and started cooking. Yes. I cook. Starting last fall, I mastered a delectable pumpkin crumb cake that my family raved about. Moving on from there, I began collecting recipes from relatives, friends and my trusty magazines. I'm pleased to announce that I can now make several different poultry and fish dishes, not to mention my signature stir fry that is a go-to meal when I forget to plan one.
Yesterday my roommate, T, and I spent part of our day at Ikea purchasing some much needed household items. T is moving out at the end of this month and taking with her most of our kitchen. I never thought I would say this, but I had a rather amusing time picking out kitchen gadgets....but most important is the fact that I actually know how to use each item!
I do believe you can now refer to me as a Domestic Goddess.
Recently, I have done the unthinkable and started cooking. Yes. I cook. Starting last fall, I mastered a delectable pumpkin crumb cake that my family raved about. Moving on from there, I began collecting recipes from relatives, friends and my trusty magazines. I'm pleased to announce that I can now make several different poultry and fish dishes, not to mention my signature stir fry that is a go-to meal when I forget to plan one.
Yesterday my roommate, T, and I spent part of our day at Ikea purchasing some much needed household items. T is moving out at the end of this month and taking with her most of our kitchen. I never thought I would say this, but I had a rather amusing time picking out kitchen gadgets....but most important is the fact that I actually know how to use each item!
I do believe you can now refer to me as a Domestic Goddess.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
The first Mrs.
It happened. One of us is now a Mrs.
S is the first of my college loves to walk down the aisle and say "I do." And with a reception as lovely as the bride is, my friends and I danced the night away.
A string quartet played in the church, the ring bearer stumbled and made a funny comment, J, S's new husband, had a glisten in his eyes when he said his vows, and their first dance together was the perfect Kodak moment. It was lovely. And then....my dear friend S....aimed her bouquet at me. Smack dab in my stomach. Supposedly that should bring me luck and whatever else the superstition means.....
It's a strange thing to know that S has a new last name. I'm going to miss the old one. But it's a new beginning....a new life together....and I'm so happy for her. As the MOH I gave a toast - and ended it with a quote from Dante: Remember tonight, for it's the beginning of always. And I know from the way they gazed at each other that night that they will always remember it and they will be happy.
This is the start of my wedding season. 3 more to go this summer - bring on the cake!
Having it all
Sometimes I think to myself "Self, how did I end up here?"
I go through periods of this. Thinking about my choices, my goals, and most importantly the things I love.
I love autumn in Manhattan. I love the cherry blossoms in DC. I love lazy summers laying on the trampoline in Pennsylvania.
I miss yellow cab rides and the Union Square flee market in Manhattan. I miss my friends in DC being able to eat lunch together every day. I miss watching my sisters grow into young adults.
I wish I could have it all.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Me
"I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all."
~Laura Ingalls Wilder
Family & Friends
Objects that come in a blue box
Sand between my toes
Classical music during dinner
Broadway, Greenwich & Soho
Orange & Black and Green, Black and White [Philly all the way]
Coffee ice cream
Benny's original margaritas
Taxi rides at 3 am
A good book on a rainy day
Sunsets over the water
Chocolate chip cookies
Shoes
Starbucks Caramel Macchiato
Big sunglasses
Singing in the shower
Red wine
Outline of my favorite city
Sing-along-car rides
Movies on Sundays
Road trips any day
Air kisses
Dancing the night away
Being and befriending the fabulous
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Matchmaker, Make me a Match
The new season of The Bachelor began a few weeks ago. The new bachelor, Matt, is perfect. He's handsome, British, impeccable manners, a true gentleman. It's a shame I cannot say the same for the women competing for his "love." I don't think you can find love on a reality show. We saw that last season with Brad Womack choosing no one in the end.
Yes, I believe it's possible to fall in love after only a short time of being with someone, but then again I've never felt that way so I can't discuss the issue to great lengths. What I do know though, is that dating in the real world is hard. It's a world where traditional meet ups have expired and online dating had taken its place making the opposite sex profoundly accessible to find; dates based on a few simple questions and photos -this rarely turn into a fairy tale.
What happened to meeting men the old fashioned way? The last guy I met in a bar turned out to have a severe case of ADD and the one before him was a bit of an alcoholic - not the ideal man to bring home to mom and dad. Giving match.com a shot, I discovered that all you have to judge by is a profile filled with [occasionally] little white lies and outdated pictures.
A few posts ago, I introduced you to Mr. X, the borderline insane date I had last fall. I recently found out that Mr. X actually has a girlfriend - and has been with her well before and long after we had our date. How did I come across this information? He walked right into the gym I'm currently working at part-time and said "I'm here to pick up my girlfriend, can I go in?" - it took me about 5 minutes to place where I knew this guy from and when it clicked and I saw who the girlfriend was, I was astonished.
Jerk.
One of the photos he sent me before our date was a picture of the two of them. I'm not sure what he's playing at, but I do know that his profile is still up on match.com.
Match.com makes finding dates easy, but not love. I try to be optimistic but the thought that continues to cross my mind is that what if I seriously start dating someone from match and things start to get rocky, like most relationships do. Many times those relationships weather out the storm...but what is to keep that person from jumping back on match to look for someone new?
Pessimism isn't very becoming and I'm trying to flush those thoughts away.
I suppose that since life isn't always easy to navigate, then love shouldn't be either. It will come when it's supposed to. Still, sometimes I wish to sing out like Hodel from Fiddler on the Roof....
"Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make me a match, Find me a find, Catch me a catch......Look through your book and make me the perfect match....."
*sigh*
Yes, I believe it's possible to fall in love after only a short time of being with someone, but then again I've never felt that way so I can't discuss the issue to great lengths. What I do know though, is that dating in the real world is hard. It's a world where traditional meet ups have expired and online dating had taken its place making the opposite sex profoundly accessible to find; dates based on a few simple questions and photos -this rarely turn into a fairy tale.
What happened to meeting men the old fashioned way? The last guy I met in a bar turned out to have a severe case of ADD and the one before him was a bit of an alcoholic - not the ideal man to bring home to mom and dad. Giving match.com a shot, I discovered that all you have to judge by is a profile filled with [occasionally] little white lies and outdated pictures.
A few posts ago, I introduced you to Mr. X, the borderline insane date I had last fall. I recently found out that Mr. X actually has a girlfriend - and has been with her well before and long after we had our date. How did I come across this information? He walked right into the gym I'm currently working at part-time and said "I'm here to pick up my girlfriend, can I go in?" - it took me about 5 minutes to place where I knew this guy from and when it clicked and I saw who the girlfriend was, I was astonished.
Jerk.
One of the photos he sent me before our date was a picture of the two of them. I'm not sure what he's playing at, but I do know that his profile is still up on match.com.
Match.com makes finding dates easy, but not love. I try to be optimistic but the thought that continues to cross my mind is that what if I seriously start dating someone from match and things start to get rocky, like most relationships do. Many times those relationships weather out the storm...but what is to keep that person from jumping back on match to look for someone new?
Pessimism isn't very becoming and I'm trying to flush those thoughts away.
I suppose that since life isn't always easy to navigate, then love shouldn't be either. It will come when it's supposed to. Still, sometimes I wish to sing out like Hodel from Fiddler on the Roof....
"Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make me a match, Find me a find, Catch me a catch......Look through your book and make me the perfect match....."
*sigh*
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Silver & Gold
If you were ever a girl scout I'm sure you will remember a very particular friendship song. Taught while in Daisy's [which, for those that aren't familiar with the hierarchy of Girl Scouts, is the youngest level], the song goes a little something like this.....
Make new friends, but keep the old
One is silver and the other's gold
I can't remember if there was more to it, but the lines above have remained tucked away in the back of mind for all these years. When you're growing up friendships come and go as easily as spring rain showers. Each year you're in a different grade, different activity, and sometimes a different school. But the older we get the more we develop a stronger sense of who we are and what we want out of life; the inevitable being that our friendships will change.
For me, college set those ideas into motion and I was able to follow through with them after graduation when I moved to New York. Looking back, I've met some very interesting people, some leaving a huge footprint on my life. You learn to take the good with the bad in friends, and when times are rough you know that if they are truly meant to be part of your life for the marathon that it is, then they will come around and reach out to you. If they never reach back then you know they weren't meant to be a fixture.
Friends are like soul mates. I cherish my friends from NYC as much as my friends in DC.....and nothing can compare to those friends from college that I still make time for with lunch, emails and phone calls. I accept changes in their lives, embrace their new loves, and support them in any way I can. Acceptance is the big one. Friends are bound to change in their mannerisms and ideas....but stick with them long enough and you see they are still that same person.
I was cleaning out some keepsakes the other night and stumbled across a thank you card a dear college friend gave to me when we were 19. She had broken up with a boyfriend and I stayed the night with her, helping her move on by making her watch Sex and the City [FYI: it works every time]. Re-reading that heartfelt letter led me straight to a box of tissues. She and I have had our moments where we fight, laugh, call each other out on our BS, and then laugh again. We always come back to each other......
So, friends of A Charmed Life...never forget that silver and gold are a perfectly acceptable color combination, but also don't forget that to be a friend's soul mate you have to give it your all, as they should be giving the same to you.
xo
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Blossoms in my Charmed Life
After being absent from my Charmed Life since December [and it's now spring - Cherry Blossom season to be exact] I decided it was time to get back on the wagon. I'm amazed that a full year has gone by since the big move to DC. Many things have happened - some good, some bad, some I can't explain.
For starters, DC is still a big neighborhood that should seriously consider extending its metro hours and possibly adding some taller men. Good thing: the Mayor is enforcing meters in the taxis [FINALLY], however, the taxi drivers are protesting it, but then again, it's DC - the peps here will find anything to protest.
Bad thing: Every guy I've gone out with just hasn't worked out quite so well. On the way to one date a bird got its nasty right on my head, which supposedly means good luck. Uh....not in this case. Mr. X turned out to be borderline insane and believes that our fine country is headed toward anarchy. Hmm. Mr. Y turned out to be socially awkward despite his outgoing initial appearance. I suppose there's a level of intoxication that creates that illusion. Mr. Z sent me a cute text after the date saying that if it hadn't been so cold out his next step would have been a kiss. Mr. Z fell off the face of the Earth after I responded. Wow. Aside from XYZ, it's hard to date short men, which is exactly the kind of man that usually pursues me.
Moving on. Last month I attend a fabulous party at the German Embassy - it was Germany's Karneval celebration [details courtesy of Things to Do DC -http://www.thingstododc.com/events.php?show=719]. What did I learn from this event? That Germans know how to throw a PAAARRRTTYYY! The open bar was delightful, the music danceable, the food German [obvi] and the men....well, the men short, tall, strange, outgoing, and unexplainable. One serious note about the event though: if you've been invited to a black tie affair PLEASE please please dress appropriately. Being under dressed is never acceptable.
Moving on again. My personal life is utter chaos right now. One friends wedding cancelled, another moved her date up, three more weddings to attend this summer, oh and two babies on the way from two very fabulous friends. On top of that work is crazy, my apartment is literally falling apart and will be moving soon, but the positive is that I've decided to stick it out in DC for another year.
Sidenote 1: Was the protest on K Street yesterday really worth it? Why can't they just stick to the parks and sidewalks? Quite an inconvenience during my rainy day cab ride to Dupont Circle.
Sidenote 2: baseball season is starting and I must say that the Nationals pitcher J.B. is a cutie. Perhaps I can lure him to one of my work events?? That would be quite lovely indeed.
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