Am I in Kansas?

A difficult weekend this one was; I wonder did it have anything to do with the dramatic weather conditions. The week before, Monday, was raining, by the weekend, it was 98 degrees and now it's cloudy and tornadoes. I don't live in Kansas, do I?

I danced in my favorite place, saw my favorite security guards, paid a small cover charge...life was good. But the people that night were weird, let me say, more weird than ususal. Strange behavior, indeed. I was told once again, that someone, a male was afraid of me (if I had $1k bucks for everytime, I heard that one). I was left on the dance floor but a bald mutha ucker, who somehow thought it was funny. The older creepy guy sat in the corner, eyes fixated on me until he went home. Did I mentioned there was a full moon in the same week too?

Maybe it's time to hang up the ol' dancing shoes for awhile at least until these folks get a grip on life again. What am I thinking? Give it up because of one strange night?

I shall think of Mystery's words of wisdom when things are not always going my way. F 'em!

The weekend wasn't a total loss. I broke bread with good friends, shared tales, some funny, some not so much. And I even baked with Missy, the shock of shocks while watching a show about "beach weddings". Yeah, I'm still disillusioned about life, relationships and marriage, but for brief moments, I saw a glimmer of hope for the future.

Don't Make Me Do It..But It's Good For You!

Well, some of my friends have been encouraging me to embark the world of internet dating. I've been kicking and screaming the whole time, without any "real" objections. Sure I meet tons of people everyday, but I haven't really dated since "him".

A few weeks ago, I received a "cryptic" text message from a dating website. I called my partner in crime, paralysed by fear, not knowing how to take this sign. Without hesitation, she created an email account, separate from my own, a screen name along with a picture formed, and voile, my new identity was born. (Sidenote: how many identities can 1 person have in cyberworld?) For sure, the website is a bit cheesy, asking for $16.33 per month for their service. I had my reservations, but almost immediately, my photo commanded various looks from some "interesting" people. But what I don't like about this site is to send a "cupid alert" or an email is ok, but the request for money is prominent. And from what I can tell, the "gentleman" have not shelled any money out of their pockets either. A cat and mouse game indeed.

However, this led me to take on the industry leader of dating websites a few days later. Once again, my partner in crime sat beside me, as my hands froze in fear trying to think of clever things to say about myself without sounding desperate or needy. It wasn't easy, not because I'm either of those things, I'm not a great proponent of selling one's self. I came up with something, but I'm not sure if it reads I want a "partner for life". Over 3 weeks, however, I have been review over 130 times, which I don't know if that's impressive or not. But what I have noticed is within the previews of said profile, no one has initiated to "wink" or "send an email". It just like real life, the guy doesn't want to make the first move for fear of....rejection. So as of today, I've sent 2 winks and an email, receiving at least one response. That's encouraging. My next step, since I have nothing to lose, throw caution to the wind and wink at as many fellas that I deemed worthy, based on picture and profile. I'm not sure if that's the "professional" way to do it, but like life, it's not going to be handed to you.

Wish me luck and I'll keep you posted!

Why U Should Stay Home on a Friday Night

So Mystery told me a story about his friend's Friday night. Boots had an invitation to dance with some mutual friends. They met at a local restaurant, primarily to leave cars and commute to their destination. One of the friends in common didn't show up, no phone call, nada! So that left Boots with acquaintance A and the new folks, Boy A and Girl A. Girl A states she has to eat before heading north, some kind of eating disorder. If she doesn't eat, she'll pass out. Umm, ok! Well she did eat and passed out anyway. In comes the handsome paramedics to the rescue; tells girl A she should be sent to the hospital. In a panic, she refuses. Can we say "no insurance", perhaps? So with all of this dialogue, the PD shows up, trying to figure out what was going on. Of course, cops asks questions, right? Their target was Boy A. Did he look or act suspicious? Did he have on the wrong clothes or perhaps looked a little shady? No one really knows, but the next thing anyone knew, he was spread eagled across the car with shiny new silver bracelets. WTF?!

Unfortunately, the group never made it to the final destination. The hospital was the gathering place and Girl A was going to be ok.

A Week in Review

Who knew that I would attend not 1, not 2 but 3 concerts all in one week? Along with the typical things that I do, it was a great week.

Let's see in one week, I:
*Danced last Friday night at my favorite place
*Visited my friend's 2 week baby girl on Saturday. She's adorable and reminds me how sweet and cute they are, but I don't want another one.
*Danced again in South County feeding birthday cake to a beautiful guy. Nice!
*Attended Sunday's salsa workshop ith world renowned, Francisco Vasquez and then lunch in the LBC on 2nd street at a fabulous Middle Eastern restaurant with same beautiful guy.
*Cinco de Mayo dancing the light fantastic near the airport with Francisco Vasquez and my friends.
*Attended an amazing concert, the Pink Martini...loved it!!
*Drove to Montebello to see El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico performance. Amazing even though I ran into the "Lost Boy". We're going to be ok, I think. We need time.
*Saw the last concert on Saturday, Angel Lebron and his band.

And I worked a full time job on top of it all.

Wow.....I'm tired!

Hiatus

I know; I took a small break from blogging. But I'll return shortly. Don't give up on me, yet!

...March is Almost Over!

Where did the month go? Count down to St. Patrick's Day and it's gone. Celebrated the week like the proverbial "rock star". An amazing party at one of my favorite salsa club in the OC. Special thanks to my PARTNER IN CRIME for putting an amazing night together; and also to RZ for making it all happen. There were special "guest stars" from LA and the IE, which is a trek for a Tuesday night party. U guys rock!! Two more parties prevailed at Tapa's and Granada's where more surprises were in store and the week just kept rolling.

The actual day, well, I went to work, boo! But at 6 p.m. heading to Jimmy Bone's sang Irish tunes (Sunday, Bloody Sunday of course!) with my other PICs and Hec-toe too. Relished in my first experience with PCH Dogs, Wiernerschnitzel who? Ended the evening with more cocktails in the one of the finest oasis in the OC.

But less not forget, my new buddy, Nikole who celebrated having the same "luck of the Irish" birthday! She relayed that her parents did not name her after the saint, but instead came up with the unique spelling of her name due to a stop at KFC before the birth. Thanks to the drive up person who took her father's order, named Nikole! Alrighty then.

Off to San Francisco......

...Half a Day to St. Patty's Day

The clock is ticking before my birthday. I'll start the day meeting my favorite man, Santa and end the day at Jimmy Bones in Orange with friends. C u there!

.....Some Tips

One of my salseras send these tips to me.

Five tips for a woman....

1. It is important that a man helps you around the house and has a job.
2. It is important that a man makes you laugh.
3. It is important to find a man you can count on and doesn't lie to you.
4. It is important that a man loves you and spoils you.
5. It is important that these four men don't know each other.

..There Goes Brett

I read the paper on March 5th stating that Brett Favre was retiring from the Green Bay Packers after 17 seasons. Cheeseheads everywhere are saddening by the news, I'm included. I started watching Brett and Reggie in the early 1990; memories of me driving to Coto de Caza at 9:30 a.m. to ensure we would be on time for kickoff promptly at 10 a.m. Then Missy was born and before she knew the color green exist, she laid on Craig's sofa sleeping with her GB cheerleader's outfit. He would watch her when Brett had the ball to see if Missy would have her arms outstretched over her head. If this occurred, it was surefire sign that Brett was taking the ball to the end zone. There was the turnaround trip to SF for an afternoon of 49ers gleaming over the narrow win over GP. Oh I can't forget the dive bar in Laguna Niguel; me in my 1st trimester, laying my head down on the bar for a second during the 2nd quarter and not awakening until the middle of the third. Yep, I heard screaming the whole time; those 9er fans were not going to win that game, but I was tired!

I gave up Brett and the Packers after the divorce, giving the "Former" the covenant "Cheesehead" and the "Packer Fan, yes I am" tshirt. It was only fair. But I'll never forget those years of rooting for the team. There was a beautifully written quote about Brett. He had “intuition, toughness and resilience” and those are the qualities I most admired about him and myself.

Farewell Brett....one of my heroes!

The Trek to Arizona

I kept my promise for my New Year's resolution. My first trip in 2008 is to Phoenix, AZ. I planned the trip at the end of January, very excited to visit a college friend of mine that I hadn't seen in almost 2 years. Who knew it would be approximately 1 hr and 18 minute from the OC. You can barely get to Los Angeles in traffic in that time.

Breathtaking rock formations, crystal blue skies and luckily, cool & crisp weather. I visited Chandler today. The hotel San Marcos is beautiful, somewhere I would like to stay if the opportunity to visit occurs again. The city was scarce of people for the entire population seemed to have gathered at the annual ostrich festival. We did drive by the area for the festival, but it was too congested and I wasn't feeling the "carnival" feeling. Walking along the pathway,drinking a Java Chip latte, several ostriches made from mosaics, fur, rhinestones; limitless in creativity and materials, perched at store fronts.

An observation for reasons why people don't live in the Los Angeles area. I had mild congestion, thanks to the Santa Ana winds from earlier this week, feeling very nasally. Thanks to the desert air, I'm almost back to normal. Too bad I couldn't keep my original return flight for 3/26/8. I would be surely cured by then.

...Questions to Ponder

If you're pondering a date with a beautiful male originally from New York with a bit of an edge to him, what questions would you ask? Here were some of mine:

1. What part of New York do you hail from?
2. What brought you to the Golden State?
3. Do you think there is a distinct difference between NY & LA?
4. Do you conceal a weapon?
5. Do you have any bullet holes?

Yes, all the questions were answered cleverly. I can't believe he let me get away with the last two, but that's how we roll. He enjoyed my devilish humor and didn't take offense. We'll see each other again!

..Yippy Countdown to St. Patty's Day

Oh what will the day entail? Lots of folks will be heading to their favorite Irish pub/bar. I never knew how popular St. Patrick's Day was until I moved to Orange County. I knew it was my birthday and it didn't seem such a big deal in L A County. Lines poured out of O'Hara's and Kasey's in Orange my first year here. And as time went on, people would invited to their homes for a good cornbeef and cabbage meal, compliments to my birthday. For the record, I've not indulged in the meal, maybe this year.

As a salsera, I will be celebrating early, dancing at TJ's the week before. Who knows how many salsa clubs I'll hit between the 10th and the 17th. Anyone care to join me?

And One More Thing....

So I thought I was free from the Sandwich Guy; never underestimate a desperate person. A familiar number appearred on the cell and I didn't think anything of it, until I heard the voice. "Um yes, who am I speaking to? said the voice. I was already annoyed; you're calling me and you don't the number you dialed. It took me a second, but I knew who it was.

The next 2 minutes were brief. He played like he didn't know it was my number he dialed; using some lame excuse. Quickly, he asked how I was doing as if we were buddies catching up on the week's events. I was not amused. He says, "I get the impression from our last conversation, you don't want to talk with me any longer". Yep, that would be correct, Sandwich boy. The call ended.

But he just couldn't let it go. Two hours later, a forwarded text message about making mistakes in life and learning from them. Basically a last ditch effort for me to reconsider. "WE HAVE A CONNECTION!!!" he included. And that's why the decision was made easily. He didn't get me or the situation. I think he tried to fit me in some mode he had in his mind. We didn't even make it to coffee for goodness sakes! Have a good life, Sandwich Guy!

...Out of the Mouths of Babes

"Boys are for girls enjoyment", by Missy @ 11 yrs old.

V Day...Many Happy Returns!

I thought I heard everything, but I was floored when this story was relayed to me. It’s Valentine’s Day, a woman gives her debit card to her boyfriend to purchase a gift for her. Uum, does he not have his own money? I digress. Apparently not or he’s just plain smart. He was at the store, attempting to make the purchase and was declined. The information was relayed to her but she didn’t want to know the amount or where her “beloved” was shopping.

One would hope that she received this impressive piece of jeweler, purchased at Zales and that she was wowed! We'll never know. But, honey get a clue. He's NOT WORTH IT!!!!

This tales reads all wrong! First she compromised her account. Secondly, she compromised herself. There’s not enough love in the world that should make someone this desperate. But there are endless stories of women looking for love in all the wrong places.

Sandwich Guy...Gone

There's always a story but I spare you the details. Sandwich Guy....you're outta here! Delete!

BTW..thanks to my bouncer buddy @ Tapa's for lending an ear and giving solid advice!

Sandwich Guy

I had the official phone call from "sandwich guy" this past weekend. Pleasant conversation and things seem to go well. But on Monday, I received 2 text messages around 6 a.m.; wtf! But to aggraviate the situation, I received 3 phone calls between 9-10 a.m. I actually answered one not knowing about the 1st call. We chatted for a moment, which was ok. But I was perplexed receiving another call 20 minutes later; I didn't answer!

Is "sandwich guy" socialy inept or a potential stalker? Friends are leaning towards the latter since the guy hasn't asked me out yet. T says to give him til this weekend and if nothing, consider him out the door. Tick tock!

...Aargh Countdown to V day

Only a few hours before the most nauseating day of the year occurs. I'm trying hard not to be a hater! Some acquaintances are having an "anti V day party" but I can't imagine how that going to be. Luckily I wasn't invited.

Cheer up ol' gal. I have a date with a girlfriend and we'll be dancing the light fantastic. Now that I think of it, I received "xoxoxo" text from a couple letting me they are thinking of me and I'm their valentine. And there's Missy too. Hhmm, maybe the day won't be so bad after all.

I just can't wait for St. Patrick's Day!!!!

...Say What?

Do you ever wonder why people tell you things that you may not want to hear? I’ve been questioning this phenomenon lately, since it happens to me often. Many would say that it’s because you have a kind face, a sympathetic ear and appear trustworthy. This may all be true, but with those credentials, does it warrant for others to share their dark tales and deep secrets to virtual strangers? Is there safety within anonymity? Baring their soul(s), as the confidante, are you a friend now?

Imagine my shock, while sitting with an acquaintance during a barbecue, he announces that he has one testicle. The conversation did not warrant bearing one’s soul but he felt the need, as he says, to be “honest and wanted me to get to know him better”. Uum, ok. Or how about during phone call with a colleague today, she blurts out the night before random meeting of an old boyfriend she hadn’t seen in 20 years. She share details that I didn't want to particularly want to hear.

The stories vary from the ridiculous to scary, but each participant tells it with such passion. I often look around my neck to see if I have a collar (sainthood should be just around the corner). I ask friends do they experience this kind bizarre storytelling. Each one shakes their heads, giggling...knowing that I'm the rare exception. Well, at least I have stories to share, names withheld to protect the innocent!

...Risk Adverse

Can you find love if your adverse to change?

I've observed a woman who has never been married but wants to have a successful long term relationship. Admittedly, she doesn't like to date and her laundry list of do's/don't for the ideal mate, in a word, is immense. Self described as very anal retentive, she can't really have roommates. By the way, she is resistant to change.

So I wonder as she is heading towards 40, with the limitations/expections set, can she find true love? If love is an everchanging dynamic and "working" relationships sway moment by moment, how does one propose to give and receive? If you dislike dating, the method in which one enjoys interviewing various prospect mates, how do get to the next level?

I guess I just answered the question. True love and the commitment of relationship(s) will elude you every time because it is all about "change". Relationships descend into the abyss because one of the partners is not moving at the same pace as the other. Maybe that's why this woman is perpetually sad, knowing that she'll what she is looking for will never come to be. She is standing in the way of her self.