Ohhh, Mr. Charlotte - How we met....

Seeing as I've been a negligent blogger, I figure I should post, and if there is one man I love to talk about it's the one in Charlotte. So here goes nothing...
I was on my way back from an impromptu trip to San Diego. I'd flown off rather impulsively with my best man friend on a visit to his home town and we had booked ourselves on different flights for the trip back to home sweet home. After loitering in LAX for over 3 hours and purchasing a couple of books, it was finally time to board the plane home, and while I wasn't exactly psyched to be leaving Cali I was quite happy to be leaving the airport.  File ahead to me walking down the aisle of the plan and awkwardly shoving my roller back in to the upper compartment, I catch sight of the row I'm sitting in and low and behold, there is a man, a good looking one, staring back at me in a carefully pressed pink button up shirt.  Wavy dirty blond hair and a big grin, he was sooo just checking out my  butt... I walk over to the row and he makes room for me to sit, and this time instead of promptly putting my headphones in and hiding them under my hair, I casually place one of the books I've purchased in my lap and play nonchalant.  This lasts about 3 minutes, and we both start chatting about airplanes, and airplane food with our third seatmate (we'll call her "Window Seat"). Somehow "Window Seat" abandons our conversation, and just the two of us are left chatting.  It turns out he had just read my nonchalantly placed book, "A Long Way Gone" and is also an avid reader.  He's also an avid chatter, and the two of us spar back and forth with jokes and random comments, every so often falling in to deeper conversation for the two hour flight.  It turns out he's on his way to meet with the head of "Lululemon", hes a marketing something or other and knows  plenty about my favourite yoga wear manufacturer.  I happen to be dressed from head to toe in their garb and planning on becoming an instructor this summer. (Fate right???) But honestly, there's a spark, a connection, something I haven't felt before and I'm blown over.  When the plane finally heads for landing we both get a little panicky and start to come up with subtle requests for a date the next day.  He needs some good sushi, I'm a local... it would be horrible for me not to show him around.  Ahh... so we exchange numbers, I receive a business card and he receives my name jotted on a random piece of paper with my cell number on it.  We have to part ways... he's a green card holder (US green card holder that is... do Canadians have green cards?) and I'm simply a Canadian citizen.  I carefully, tuck away his card and go to pick up the rest of my luggage.  My  brother's there to pick me up, and I  head home to luxuriate in a bubble bath and then to curl up in bed. I'm not used to flights and I'm exhausted.  But before I fall asleep I receive several text messages from Monsieur (yes, we both also "parle francais") which exclaim how happy he was to have met me and how much we have in common... blah, blah, blah... I day the same back and we agree to meet tomorrow, for sushi of course.
More later, I can't limit this one to a single blog... Mr. Charlotte could honestly be a book for me.
Must get over him, must get over him, must get over him...

xoxoxo

SB

PS. I used spell check this time round.

PPS. Am currently listening to too much Mariah Carey.  Am almost inspired to be vengeful regarding breakups but decided a nasty email cc'ing all Mr. Microsoft's friends would be childish (but oh so funny).

PPPS. Realize Mr. Microsoft hasn't come up yet, but as I only have one reader at this point, who happens to know all my man stories, rather, most of my man stories, it seemed to be appropriate.

I'm a Bad Blogger and a Horrible Serial Dater

I didn't quite consider the effect dating multiple men would have on me.  It sounded fun like something off of television, I could be like Carrie just in shorter shoes and with less of a horse face.   The problem is, dating requires emotional energy, whether I'm taking  each date seriously or not, the truth is that I do want to find that special someone and after so many fails it can get a wee bit depressing.  I'm watching one of my closest friends plan a wedding, another finally falling for the guy who's been there for her for years, another is having a baby, and my sole blog follower (yes you) is madly in love. Pffft! I hate to say it, but I'm a little jealous.  What about me? Is it not my time, or am I just too damn picky. 
Skip that last comment, no such thing as too picky.  I'm wonderful and deserve someone equally spectacular. But where are you? Is searching a sure fire way to not find you? The one man I can truly say I fell head over heels for I met on a plane. And everyone's heard this story because Mr. Charlotte, I'm still not over you.... maybe there's my problem...

Greek at Midnight - Motocross Man -Date 1

I'm a bit of an insomniac, and what better way to fill the sleepless hours, than to search relentlessly on dating sites and stalk friends on facebook? Anyhow, I was up around 11:00 last night and started talking to an interesting man from the city I live in. He's 35, incredibly muscular, about 5'10", with dyed blonde hair and a great tan.  Not to mention, incredibly self absorbed. We were chatting casually, and then he mentioned going out for greek food.  I'm not one to go on such last minute dates, but greek food is my weakness and I was starving.  I met  him at midnight at an old restaurant about 10 minutes away. He pulled up in a gigantic raised chevy truck, hopped out and gave me a big hug.We ordered bad greek food (although he seemed to think it was great) and started talking and things went surprisingly smoothly. We shared internet dating stories, talked about our lives and just really enjoyed each other's company.  Do I think we could ever be in a relationship? Probably  not, we're very different people and he's very materialist,  but no complaints. I had a great time, and made a new friend... one with horses and a raceboat.  He could be fun!

Sexy Yoga Mistress

I just agreed to second date with "The Techy" on Saturday night.  All seemed well till he wished me goodnight and referred to me as "sexy yoga mistress".  The question is, do I keep the date, or cancel based on that horrific name?
 - The decision was to cancel.  After talking to a couple friends, one male and one female it was pointed out that:
a) There must be a reason he's only ever been in a 1 year relationship, and made it to his late 30's. 
b) He used the word mistress, which is demeaning and could have a world of connotations.
So Saturday night is free.

Mr. Tomatoe - Date 1

3 times a charm? Not quite, but definitely a nice person.  After several phone calls, and multiple text messages, Mr. Tomatoe and I decided to meet up.  He's a 39 year old importer/exporter of tomatoes.  I kid you not... apparently this is a job he enjoys; he also loves his cat.  I'm not making a good case for him... but please note he is a good conversationalist and very kind. 
We met up at Crescent beach and my first impression was... he looks old! I suppose I should have expected this, as he is 14 years older than me, but his profile picture was very flattering. The crows feet were very pronounced, and he had the close shaved head, to hide impeding baldness. I so wanted this date to go well, as we'd had several great conversations but the chemistry just wasn't there. I felt like I was hanging out with one of my father's friends. I'm pretty sure, he felt like he was hanging out with someone who could be his daughter. 
We walked, we talked, he complained about his back, and marvelled over how young I was. I ordered a strawberry italian soda... looking back on this, I don't think it did much for making me look mature.
Mr. Tomatoe, enjoy your kitty and best of luck. You deserve a nice lady.

The Painter - Date 2 - FINAL DATE

It was horrible. He kept mentioning getting liqoured and swore like a trucker.  No attraction, and just plain irritated.  The worst date I've been on so far. I don't feel the need to elaborate more, I'd like to forget this one.

The Techy - Date 1

Men, boys, if you're reading this, take note.  Always offer to pay for your date's drink. I know you may be thinking that she might get offended, or maybe you're just cheap. But take my advice and try to pay, she'll let you know if she doesn't want you to, and if she expects it, you've made a good first impression.  I'm not trying to say I can't afford my $2 tea, but there is something to be said for chivalry. Open the door, pay the tab and let me know I'm gorgeous.
The Techy and I met at a local coffee shop (I'm going to have to keep alternating them to keep the baristas from wondering).  He was surprisingly handsome, quite tall and very well built.  Considering he's in his late thirties, I was quite impressed by his physique.  Then he gave me a hug... and I like big hugs. Squeeze me! If I'm wrapping my arms around you and meeting you for a date, give me a good hug.  Maybe it was because he was so tall, maybe he just wasn't in to me, but he gave me a one armed back tap hug.  You  know, the one you give to the ex you don't like, or great Aunt Mildred? I tried not to judge... so we proceeded to get our beverages of choice... neither of us drink coffee. I ordered an unsweetened iced tea, he bought an orange juice. I paid for my own drink, that immediately made me think he wasn't in to me. We sat down at one of the tiny standard wooden tables and sipped at our drinks and proceeded with useless chit chat. I almost drifted off listening to him talk about old tiles and asbestos. Apparently he also flips homes, and is quite passionate about demolition and renovations. Dull.
The date lasted an hour, I bought a book and then he walked me to my car.  I had almost given up on the date completely, but alas, he went in for another hug.  Progression, still a little stiff, but I think we moved further on... till his hand slipped touched my ass. Accident? Too long of arms? Maybe he was interested... I'm hung on this one... I'll have to see if he calls back.  I'm thinking probably a "no" for a second date, but I'm wondering if he's just shy. (He is a well bred Winnipeg farm boy after all).

Must go, on to a second date with "The Painter". Coffee and a walk at the beach... I'm thinking this one may turn in to a friend.  Will he try and dive in for the second date kiss, or hold off as he knows I just got out of a relationship? ... You can never have too many friends and he's kinda cute in a sweetheart cuddly way. Update later.

Cheers,

SB

Awkward - The Talking Vagina

I'm 25, single, and unemployed. The sad thing is, if I posted that directly on my profile I'd probably get just as many emails, or perhaps more, with men under the impression that I'm desperate. Anyhow, the point I'm getting to here is not about my love life (see the next post) but the fact that I live at home with my parents, which isn't always the best set up, but they're caring and... free.
 Last night my father asked me to find a text message on his phone.  His best friend's wife had just given birth to a baby boy and had sent him a picture of the child.  I quickly navigated to his multimedia messages and clicked on the first (and only one I saw).  I was confronted by a very loose and angry vagina yelling from the phone.  Yes, that's right my father had a talking vagina on his phone... although I don't think he knew it was there.  On closer look the message was from months ago.  How do you acknowledge a talking vagina? I simply said, I don't think that's a baby and handed the phone back, my father proceeded to laugh histerically, saying, "Oh Ralph, now that is rude."

Online Dating - Poetry...

I thought this would be good for a few laughs. This "gentleman" has tried contacting me 4 times now without a response on my end, here is his latest attempt.


now im tryna get to know this

lil dime

me n her together wud be a crime

but its all good if u do what u

do

long as u dont let these bustas

roll wit u

let it all go, dont be shy

i bet one of my kisses will get

u high, so dont pass by

i got the answer to ur questions

babygirl, i cant lie

maybe im just the one u

shouldnt deny
 
Yes, someone actually wrote this...
 
SB.

A Walk in the Park - Date 1 with "The Painter"

After asking to meet with me at least 20 times (i'm not exagerating here) I finally decided to meet with The Painter. He's a 37 year old business owner, and... he paints houses for a living. Not my usual type but you've gotta give a guy credit for trying and I really needed to get out of the house. I'm going squirrely with no job, therefore this blog has been born.

I dressed in yoga pants and a long sleeve black t-shirt, nike sneakers and hair down. (Never try too hard on the first date) We decided to meet at 6 at a local park and he managed to forget what entrance we were meeting at, even though he was the one who chose it (not a good sign). Nonetheless, after waiting for him for 5 minutes in the field he showed up in a truck/SUV like vehicle.  First impression, better looking than his photographs  had led on, tall and surprisingly well built.  Felt reassured that this wasn't a complete waste of time, so we tried to walk our dogs. Unfortunately my dog did not like his and would not walk, and I refuse to carry her. So we just kinda hung out in a field and chatted.  He's sweet, but  not all that intellectual...
Our dogs kept trying to eat horse poop, we kept chasing them away from it. ... and then we started to talk about our ex's. Where's the romance?
He gave me a big hug and suggested we go for another walk. I was pretty much set on saying "no" but then the hug was surprisingly comforting.

Conclusion: I'm up for another walk, it was almost a a no go, but the hug was nice and I really could use to get out of the house more.  Next time we'll choose a place without horse poop and leave the dogs behind. At the very least he'd make a good friend.

The Rules - Part 1

It's been over a year since I left my relationship of over 6 years, since then I've been online dating in a casual way.  I've had a couple "relationships" that have been about 2 months, but nothing serious and I want serious. Problem is, I'm also picky.  I know what I want and I'm not settling. This blog is my journal of my encounters with online dating. And I'm setting some ground rules:

Rule 1: At least 3 dates a week, the more the better.
Rule 2:  If there's a connection, that's great, but rule 1 is still in place, there can be three dates with the same guy or with "the connection" and new guys.
Rule 3: If the date isn't great, move on to the next guy. I'm not wasting time.
Rule 4: If  "the connection" moves in to relationship land (this is the goal) then all above rules are no longer applicable.