Laundry List

Wednesday, May 20th, 2020

Today I went on a hike, what else is knew. See when I get into something it tends to stick. So since I don't have access to a pool, and I can not go to the gym to work out. I have had to get creative. I have been hiking, walking, running, and doing at home HIIT workouts. Sooo I've been making due, but you best believe when I find out the gym is OPEN my ass will be in the car, headed to the gym so I can LIFT HEAVY!!!!

So, anyway enough about wanting to get back to the gym. Today on my hike my best friend and her doggo and I went to climb some rocks, we hit the trails early in the morning and got lost in a town outside of our hometown. While hiking for nearly two hours, we talked about something we hadn't talked about in forever. We talked about all the dates we had been on, and I have a laundry list of bad dates lol. Sometimes it is fun to look back on all the people you've dated and gone out with. It really got me thinking about what happened to some of them, and where they might have ended up.

My favorite date story is to tell the date from hell. When I was living in London I went on a bunch of dates with some characters to say the least. Well this was a blind date my family friend set me up with someone they worked with and told me to meet him. All I had was his name, a date, and time. So I showed up, he was cute. Defiantly my type he was an investment banker, suit, cleaned up well - would have defiantly given him major points to start with. Wellll it went down hill from there. He was super dry, not up for a difference of opinion. While I stuck it out, how the date ended was what killed me. The bill came, he went to the bathroom. While I never expect to get a free meal, I was also nineteen, a university student, and I didn't drink so I thought it to be fair to split the bill. Well, he was gone for 15 minutes I started to think maybe he left, the waiter came back and I paid the bill. This dude drank a whole bottle of wine ... you see the issue. Anyway I paid, waited another 10 minutes and then left. I was stunned someone could one "be in the bathroom that long" and then just expect someone to foot the whole bill WHEN THEY HAD LESS!!

It gets BETTER!!! My family friend texted me a few days later asking if I was going to see him again ... I told him no way in hell, and explained what happened. This dude told my family friend, that it was a "test" and I passed. Because I didn't expect him to pay, and I paid, I passed his weird test and he wanted to see me again and was confused why I never called him back. Well ... maybe because you left and made me pay for everything. God some people, I really want to know their thought process. Also hiding in the bathroom is not a good look on anyone. So I did not see investment banker again.

There was a bar called the Roxy in London that I would go to, it was like an old school 40s vibe, kinda like a speak easy. I would go there during fleet week because who doesn't love a man in uniform. See ... if you didn't know - I dont really have type. I think having a type is restrictive, it limits you on who you'd go out with. I like what I like but I dont go after the same guys all the time. It depends on personality, height, occupation. I'm a sucker for taller men, please just be taller than me that is all I ask minimum 6 feet please haha. But I went on a date with a Navy sailor, built, comforting - strong and protective vibes. Hot mustache too ... well this dude picked his nose the whole date ... and could wipe / comb his mustache between his fingers. Such a weird thing, it could have been a nervous habit but it was distracting.

London was a good time, I was seeing a sweet bar tender for a while. But you know ... long distance scares people and I got dumped over the phone in the airport at my gate AFTER HE DROPPED ME OFF for my flight home. The luck I have is quite shitty. The time I went on a date and the man ordered for me ... he got us this dry red wine, I had a nasty headache the whole time. I was literally taking phat shots of wine just to politely finish my drink. I tend not to drink on dates especially first dates so this was just not apart of my formal plan. Dating is so much work and effort. I think by going down memory lane it was time to reflect on what went bad. It was a learning experience but it is also fun to tell and share stories, it is fun to laugh about things. Especially when it sounds like these things can only happen to me -- I could write a book about dating.

I forgot how fun dating, and going on dates is though. Getting dressed up, making first impressions. For me it is all about learning. I love finding out other peoples love languages, I like to listen and learn someone else communications style. I've been around the block dating, I've seen it all so nothing surprise me anymore. I've had a guy call me the wrong name, I've had to take someone to the hospital because they had an allergic reaction. Trust me. I go in to dates open minded, with no expectations because there is no let down. It's all about having fun there is nothing to lose - going in with the mindset that it is a meal and a conversation removes unnecessary pressure.

I've had one memorable first date, it was interesting, he held my hand across the table. We shared two dishes and picked from them so it was casual but slower paced. He opened my car door for me ... even asked permission to kiss me at the end. Its small things the details get me. I pay attention to actions but also conversation and what they talk about. If someone avoids talking about family, or they have negative comments to make and complain a lot, it catch on and I make mental notes about it. Someone who puts down the wait staff, or complains about small things I notice. I don't want negatively or rudeness in a partner.

My favorite question on a date is when someone asks about the worst date I've ever been on. My answer is usually the one about getting stuck with the bill. I alway end it with - "so we going dutch and splitting it tonight" always makes them laugh, and I am always serious I dont want to get stuck with the whole thing, and I dont expect them to pay for it all either. Sometimes its nice to switch like you pay for dinner I'll get desert if it is going to be a dinner, walk, and than grab ice cream or something. It is cute. It's all about the thought. Some people don't realize that the thought is the most important aspect. It is always nice to talk about dating and laugh about things because you cant change it so why complain instead of look at the bright side of it. Everything teaches you a lesson, and it teaches you what you do and dont like - and what you won't put up with.

Having a laundry list isn't necessarily a negative thing. Have these conversations share your experiences and see your friends reactions who knows maybe they have been in your position before. Maybe they have insight that you didn't consider - but most importantly it is always good for a good laugh, it brightens the day and lightens the mood for sure. So share your stories, talk about it. You never know where it will lead you.