The Week so Far

I don't have much to report. My week has been busy with work and stuff. How boring? Is there any way I can just be independently wealthy? Will someone give me a sponsorship and fund my life of fabulosity or at least the fabulousness of life I plan to become accustomed to as I gracefully age (29 forever!!!). Let's run down my week:

1. Monday - Actor's Workout, great class, lots of knowledge imparted. Still trying to pick some scenes to do for class. Then it was off to teach Music Appreciation at NAU. I love the class. I am teaching in the library and the constant interruptions are awful. I am making it work as best I can. Then, it was off to bed.

2. Tuesday - Laundry, Cleaning, Errands, School Lesson Plans and Grading Papers. BORING!

3. Wednesday - Errands, School Lesson Plans, Grading Papers...Nothing thrilling!

4. Thursday - Taught Film Studies (only 1 of 3 students showed up). We had to evacuate the building for fifteen minutes during class because someone smelled propane. Never a dull moment. Then, it was lunch with Sherri and then teaching Art Appreciation that evening. Busy and exhausting day.

5. Friday - Doing some work at home then teaching Speech this afternoon.

Busy week, rainy weather, Fall is here.

Supporting the Twins! Hoping they can pull out victories during the next three games over the Royals!

Supporting the Red Sox too, though they have had a string of losses. Go Wild Card!

And finally, GO JOE MAUER FOR MVP!

More to report later!

Rainy Days and Mondays

Monday Monday Monday.

Fall is here. I don't necessarily mind that but I am having to give my body some time to adjust to the changing weather. Good things about Fall:

1. Wardrobe change - I am so sick of wearing the same summer clothes. Now, I get to bring out some new attire! This could also mean a chance to do some Fall clothes shopping.

2. Fall clothes cover up the extra lbs better:) I am still working to lose some weight so the Fall clothes cover up the extra lbs a bit more as I work to get my fat ass back in shape.

3. There is something invigorating about the Fall weather. The breezes, the smell of fallen leaves, rainy days, brisk walks in the weather.

The only thing that scares me about Fall, WINTER is not far away at all. Winter in the Twin Cities, there is nothing like it. I am just trying to act like it won't happen this year.

Not in the Same Place

So Date #2 is done! He sent me a message on one of my websites. At first, I almost blew him off because he was younger. I rarely date younger guys preferring men my own age or older. They are usually much more together (not always) but it is usually true.

He continued to message me so I chatted with him via email. He seemed nice. We both loved music, theatre, movies. We were both avid readers and both worked in education. I thought this was a better match than "Jeff," the oversharer. Certainly, this had to work out better. Right?

So we continued to chat via email and also via instant messenger. I was really enjoying my conversations with "Ted." He was funny, smart, and seemed like he could really be fun to go out with one day. He kept pushing me so I finally agreed to meet for a Sunday coffee and Lake Calhoun time. We agreed to meet at noon. I wanted to meet at 12:30 but he said noon was better so I went along with it.

Sunday, noon, there I sat waiting. Five after, he messages me to say he is running late. I am thinking he is at brunch with his family so I accept that. I am not thrilled though because I hate tardiness. It totally infuriates me! My life in the theatre does not afford the idea of being late. As I get older, I realize that being late is not something I will tolerate for myself or others unless there is an emergency!

12:30, he shows up. UMMM, we could have met when I wanted, any who. I ask how Sunday brunch was and he tells me he didn't go and was just running late. This pissed me off but I tried to put it out of my mind.

We have good conversation but I don't feel any spark. He is cute but not really my type.

I begin to realize he is nice and we could probably be friends but I am not really attracted to him for several reasons:

1. He is not as driven etc as I am about work, etc.

2. He smokes (I am ex-smoker and I don't want to date a smoker).

3. He he is not in the same place as I am in my life.

4. He is also really into "Older" guys. I realize I am in my thirties now but I am not a Daddy and I have NOOOOO intention of being one. I don't want to have to spend my time guiding someone and having to keep their butt in gear. I find it ICKY to be honest.

Any who, he was a nice guy but "Ted" is not a relationship potential for me. I could see us as possible friends but I DO NOT see the spark there that would generate a future LTR beyond friendship. I need a partner who is more on my level in maturity etc and I am ready to hold out for that person no matter how long that takes.

The Oversharer

Date #1 is done. It was not exactly a dream to say the least. I will try to run down the red flags that made me run in the other direction.

First, let me state, I had communicated via a dating website with "Jeff" for a few weeks. We emailed each other then moved to IM. It seemed fine. We had several things in common:

1. We both were transplants to the area.

2. We both liked a variety of music, movies, etc

3. We both had moved around quite a bit in our lives.

I decided that it wouldn't hurt to meet him so I agreed to go out with him when he asked me.

First thing about this date: I agreed to dinner and a movie.

I NEVER DO THIS NORMALLY. A good, first date is coffee or a cocktail. This way either party can end it easily. There is not long term time commitment for either of you if you realize that it is not a good match.

Any who, I foolishly agreed to dinner. Now, the red flags begin.

Red Flag 1 - I was picking a restaurant when he suggested that he wanted to go somewhere where he could use a coupon. Now look, I am all for a good deal but this is not impressive on a friggin' first date! DO NOT BRING UP COUPONS on the first date! We were going dutch treat any way so it was not like I was asking him to pay for it.

Red Flag 2 - He began to overshare almost instantly at dinner.

Red Flag 3 - He has been out of work for over two years. I know the economy is bad and I have struggled. However, "Jeff" seemed off about this in some way.

Red Flag 4- He was in severe credit card debt and revealed this to me on the FIRST date. I mean things happen but I don't need to know that per se.

Red Flag 5 - He not only was in debt and out of work but has also had a failed business. This put him in even further debt.

I definitely started to shut down after this bit of oversharing but after dinner, "Jeff" wanted to continue the date. I stupidly said yes and we headed to a movie.

Red Flag 6 - He commented on everything from the previews and some during the movie as well. PLEASE, I have not seen this movie, so please do not offer me a running commentary. I am not watching a baseball game on TV so please stop the running commentary!

Once again, I assume the date will end. No, "Jeff"wants to get a drink. What is wrong with me?I am too nice and go along with him to get a cocktail instead of just ending the evening at this point. (Maybe, I just needed a drink!!!)

More oversharing occurs:

Red Flag 7- He is checking out other guys on the date. I am hoping this means he is not interested so I never have to see him again.

Red Flag 8- He reveals he was in h is last relationship just be in a relationship. He doesn't like to be alone, he says, and needs someone to do things with all the time. I need an independent person who can do things with me and also apart. I also have issues with people who date just to date.

Red Flag 9 - He gives me a LONG detailed story about his DUI. Things happen but I didn't need to know all of this on the FIRST date.

Red Flag 10 - HE brings up the COUPON again!!!! He wants to use a coupon the next time we go out. (I am shocked by this and even more shocked he thinks this is a good enough date to warrant a second one!!!! What is wrong with this guy????)

We end the evening and I hope never to hear from him again. For three days, I hear nothing. I am relieved and then it happens...he messages me!

He tells me he had an amazing time and wants to see me again! Ummm, what is up with this guy? I want to grab him and say..."Bad Date, 'Jeff!!!' Bad, Bad Date!"

SO I have been really busy so we have not communicate, I am hoping he has gotten the picture if not I am fully prepared to let him down gently.

So Date #1, The Oversharing, Coupon Lover! Not a dream date...MOVING ALONG!!!!

Dive into the Pool

Dating? I hate it. I know everyone says they hate it but I genuinely despise it. I thought I would update you. I have been in the Twin Cities for almost a year. On a whim, I decided to try to date again. I am not actively seeking anyone etc but I decided I would open myself up again to the dating world by doing the following:

1. Step 1 - Join dating websites. At least, through these, I can check out profiles and communicate a bit via email and messenger. In this way, I can decide if it is worth it to meet someone or not. Hopefully the initial email/messenger communication will make us decide if an in person meeting is even worth it for us.

2. Step 2 - Be open and willing to check out the offerings from these sites. This is not easy for me. I am set in my ways and happy with how my life is but I am trying to dive back in and see if there is actually someone out there who I can share my life with eventually.

3. Step 3 - Go on Dates!

This three step process seems so simple. IT ISN'T. Not for me. I am set in my ways. I am very independent. When I was in my twenties, I could date more frequently. Now, I have no patience. I am very career focused on directing/acting/teaching theatre. I want someone who is willing to support me in my life but is also able to be independent as well.

I am also not willing to just date someone for the sake of dating. It is not worth it. There has to be a match or it is not worth wasting my time or theirs on continuing down the dating path with them.

So here I am, in the Twin Cities, in my late 30s, and on to new horizons in a new city post graduate school. I am getting involved in theatre as director, actor, teacher so now it is time to dive in to the pool and date again. Here I go! *SPLASH*