You Just Don't Know

I've done the online dating scene for many years, and as much as I despise it, it's the only way that I seem to meet men...well, until a few days ago.

I was actually in a different city on a date (a 2nd date actually), which I was REALLY excited about and didn't go too well. Now, the scenery was breath-taking, the drinks were fabulous, the fire's warmth was perfect, and the atmosphere was magnificent. However, the expectations or intimidations or just the conversation made it somewhat awkward and uncomfortable. I haven't quite pinpointed the problem, but it may have had something to do with the fact that we weren't facing each other since the chairs were faced toward the fire and the scenery. It may have been the fact that he didn't really feel like talking or giving up too much information about himself. I don't know. He mentioned that we'd "only known each other 3 hours...and it takes a long time to get to know him." Well, you know what Mr. Mysterious?! You weren't that way on our first date, so what's up? Our first date was great! Conversation flowed, eye contact was mesmerizing, and I just wanted to go home with him and share his last name. But the 2nd date left a lot to be desired...mainly him.

So, as I got into my car and received more compliments from the valet than my date, I wondered what went wrong. Then I thought, you know, I shouldn't be surprised. I meet a nice guy, we seem to hit it off, and then 'poof' - done. So, then I began wondering about the next guy...yes, I move on quickly.

It was quite a jaunt back to my city, so I stopped at a gas station to get a fountain drink. I parked between a really big truck and a car. As I left the gas station, the two men were getting into their vehicles. The one promptly got into his truck and drove away. The other, however, stood outside of his open car door facing my car. I got to my car and he says, "You going out tonight?"

Now, I'm usually annoyed with people who try to pick me up, but I must've been in a good mood because I stood there and talked to him for quite awhile. And our conversation seemed to go a heck of a lot better than my "official" date. He's not my normal MO, but I gave him my number anyway. He seems like a good ol' boy. He had just been elk hunting all day. He was ruggedly charming.

SIDE NOTE STORY: Before I went into the house that night, I sat in my car for a few minutes out in the parking lot just reminiscing on the evening. I noticed that my phone was transmitting something, and for fear of draining the battery, I thought I better figure out what it was doing. I thought maybe I didn't turn off the last application I used correctly, which was Google Sky Maps to identify a star on the deck of my 1st date's well-chosen spot. I opened the application back up and had the phone just resting on my leg; I wasn't trying to see what stars/planets/constellations were in the direction of my leg! And, of course keeping with the weridness of my night, the constellation, Phoenix, was the only thing to appear on my screen. I see this as an "echo." I have this habit of naming men that I like by the city they live in. That's how I differentiate with my friends who live far away. Anyway, my pilot crush is named Phoenix (I also have a Memphis, a Boston, and there used to be a Pocatello - which also made a minor appearance today). I just shook my head, stared at my phone a minute, and said, "really?"

Now, back to the gas station guy. He didn't even wait an hour to call me. I had made it home and had just enough time to get my pajamas on, when he called.We talked for awhile, and I had another call coming in. It was a very unknown number, and history has proven that when a very odd number comes up on my phone, it's my pilot crush in the war. So, I had to answer it.

Yet, it definitely wasn't him. I don't actually know who it was...still don't. I know his first name, that he's GREAT at witty banter, likes movies, and can make me laugh. Oh, and I know that he lives in the city that I had just been in about an hour ago. I don't go to this city often (hadn't been there for months before meeting my first date), so I'm quite interested in the coincidence. I think I'd like to talk to him again, and more than likely, go out with him. He seems just quirky enough to like.

Now, no, I didn't leave the other guy on the line while I talked to him. I told him that I'd have to call him back because I was on the other line. But I promptly called him back after the previous phone call ended.

Plus, I have to add that an old "acquaintance" had just came back into my life via Facebook a few days prior to this "Day of Men." So, naturally, on this day, I receive a VERY weird email from him. And I hadn't heard a peep from his guy in over a year, and all of a sudden I get an email about a sex-enhancing drug. Now, not one of those emails about buy this drug...an email with a link to a medical website about the benefits of this drug. Nice!

I do have to add that is really was a full moon. The reason I know that is because I had mentioned it to my 1st date of the evening. I say first date, because by the time I went to sleep, I felt like I'd had 3 dates. I will compare them to an interview process.

1st one was the 2nd interview - you know, making it past the initial first meeting and answering all of the questions right. The one you feel good about until you get there and realize that it's not going as well as the first.

2nd one was a face-to-face interview, but nothing really substantial - just
checking to see if they're interested in you, asking you back for another interview.

3rd one was the phone interview, which I might add doesn't always happen in the dating world as much as it used to. The phone interviews are some of my favorite dates.

I also have to add that I just happened to be wearing the EXACT same outfit (minus the boots, tank top, and necklace) that I was wearing when I met my pilot crush on the airplane. Must be a lucky outfit. Guys are just attracted to it I guess...except for guys that I'm on 2nd dates with apparently. (I'm just annoyed by my eager anticipation and excitement being squelched. I don't normally get excited about 2nd dates. History over the past year and a half supports that hypothesis!)

Not quite done with the coincidences though. I woke up at 320am, out of the blue, for no reason. Wide awake. I sat there for a minute wondering what the heck was going on. I got up, grabbed a snack, and sat in bed. All of a sudden, my phone started vibrating like crazy! I received 3 emails at 324am from my pilot crush. I really do love and appreciate his emails, but circumstances were just a little too bizarre. So, I buried my head in pillow and forced myself to sleep. I couldn't wait for a new day.

I don't think I've EVER had a day quite like that. And not really sure that I want to again. It was a little too extreme. But I am going out with one of them tomorrow night. Guess you'll have to guess which one.

SONG OF THE DAY: "It's Raining Men"
I thought this song was quite appropriate. I've never had that many encounters with different men in my entire life. I guess I wouldn't have been surprised had they started falling out of the sky.

Cold Stone Creamery, Baskin Robbins, Blue Bunny, Schwan's, Land o'Lakes, etc.

I LOVE ice cream! Always have. But what's my favorite? Well, depends on the day, the mood, or the weather. I used to absolutely LOVE chocolate chip cookie dough. I used to just eat the cookie dough and leave most of the ice cream. But then I kind of got sick of it and liked plain chocolate, but then that was a little too chocolately for me, so I switched to vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup and mixed it together for the perfect blend.

Then you have Cold Stone Creamery. Wow! That place is the Starbucks of ice cream. Not only do you have to choose a flavor (or multiple flavors to mix) of ice cream, but what size you want, if you want it in a cup or cone, what size of cup, what kind of cone, and what ingredients to mix in with it. I get overwhelmed and just end up with the Like It size, one flavor of ice cream, and both of my choices end up being double of one choice.
But it doesn't stop me from going there.

I think men are like flavors of ice cream. You could have a "Flavor of the Week." You could be boring (or loyal) and stick with the exact same kind for your entire life. You could change it up every time you go out.

Then adding the ingredients or toppings is like finding the qualities in a man that you like. So, you're trying to create the perfect combination.

So then what happens if they're out of one of your favorite flavors or ingredients? Which they were last time I was at Cold Stone. I was appalled. I wanted to just leave without getting my ice cream. No vanilla wafers?! Come on! I can't put gummy bears in my Cotton Candy ice cream...they get too hard and then it's no longer enjoyable to eat!

Do I do that with men too? If there's one thing that I didn't ask for or want in the relationship, is the sale final? Or do I ask for a refund? I'd have to say that most of the time, I've been asking for a refund.

Well, let me tell you what happened. I, of course, was less than pleased with them being out of wafers to add to my cotton candy flavored ice cream. The lady must've been able to read it on my face. So, she advised me that I should mix the Cotton Candy ice cream with Strawberry ice cream (which I had never thought of). She has not idea what I like...but I hesitantly agreed. I was disgruntled, so I obstinately declined any fun sprinkles or other kind of candy. Stubborn, I know.

And here's what I found. I liked it. I liked it so much, I didn't really miss the wafers. It could've been that much better with the wafers, but maybe they would've ruined the flavor.

What I'm getting at - is that although you've gone most of your life thinking you know exactly what you're looking for and want (out of a man or ice cream), there may still be a few that surprise you...and we find a new favorite. And just because one combination didn't work out, doesn't mean that those same ingredients with a different type of ice cream won't be perfect.

SONG OF THE DAY: "Ice Cream" by Sarah McLachlan
I used to listen to this song when I was in high school I think. I thought I was going to have a hard time finding a song to go with my ice cream theme, but then I remembered this one. I'm laughing right now as I writing this. So clever.

Now I really do love ice cream, so for something's love to be better than ice cream...wow! That's love! I wonder what flavor that would be... I guess love has to be better than ice cream though. Ice cream melts.

Another first...

So, it's no secret that I'm not a patient person. I don't do well with sitting around and waiting for...anything to happen.

I am quite taken by a certain boy. That also is no secret. However, this particular boy may or may not really be interested in me. He can't handle any strings attached right now and that's totally fine. But I can't just sit around either and see if he eventually decides that it's me he wants to be with.

So, I've moved on...to a man. The distinction between man and boy is a hard one to determine sometimes. Maturity and age do play a very big role in whether I classify them as a boy or man. My previous crush is a boy - age-wise and his maturity in where he's at in relationships. But my newest endeavor is most definitely a man. He's 6 years older than I am, which may be a good thing. He's very mature in his life, his passion, and what he wants out of a relationship.

I hesitated on whether or not to meet him. I was at a weird place in my own search for a relationship. But I decided to finally give in and say yes. And boy, I'm glad I did.

We emailed and texted each other for a while first, which proved to be good conversation and bantering. He's witty and genuinely complimentary. Then we met and he's got a great smile and I appreciated the continuous eye contact. He doesn't seem full of himself, although he's accomplished enough in his life thus far to justify if he was. He's passionate about everything he says and does. He's just out to enjoy all life has to offer, and I'm so attracted to that quality.

Although we were sitting in a dimly lit bar, I could feel myself blushing at times. As he sat there and listened intently to my interview question answers, it was as though he was trying to read my soul.

And don't worry. My boy crush and I still email each other every other day, if not every day. We even talk about this new man that has come into my life. I'm a very honest person and I don't see the point in not being open about the men in my life...with the other men in my life. If either of them have a problem with it, they have 2 choices: 1) get over it or 2) get on with it. Or 3) eventually take me off the market. Simple enough.

These two guys are so different from each other. It kind of baffles me that I could be interested in either one. At this point though, I'm a little more interested in the one that is present and accounted for...and says that he's interested in me. Seems to be a winning combination so far.

The only weird thing...this new man looks an awful lot like an ex-boyfriend of mine. There are a couple of obvious differences...but for the most part, it's hard not to see a resemblance.

He makes me feel a little like a teenager. I like the way he talks about things he wants to do in life and what he wants his girlfriend to be. No 'first kiss' yet, but I anticipate that will come soon enough. I'm just going to enjoy getting to know him...he's piqued my interest anyway.

SONG OF THE DAY: "Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry
I wasn't nervous on my way to meet him, but once I sat down with him...I was. I felt myself blush, and it wasn't just the drinks. I knew that I wanted to impress him and wanted him to like me. He made me a little nervous when he said he'd met other girls in the past couple months, but no second dates. And then at the end of the night, it was just, "keep in touch." WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?! But soon after leaving the text messages reaffirmed my ego, and a second date was promptly set. I may have even written about him in my journal...just like in high school.