Well, hello again. I'm back. I took a little break from blogging to actually have some fun, played a lot of tennis, conquered my fear of city bike riding, did a little traveling, and jumped back into the dating pool with unbridled enthusiasm.
Surely, I'm not the only person longing for a connection after a long period of quarantine and social distancing. I really thought there would be a plethora of men ready to seek a real relationship with "cuffing" season (Google it Mom, it's not about S&M) right around corner and all. I live in a huge city with millions of men, so easy pickings, right?
As a fan of analogies, I'll offer this one. Remember shopping at malls (hardly, right?). You would see stores, like the Limited, with end-of-season sales with huge bins filled with giant mounds of clothes, all of which were $5?
I approach the dating pool with the same mixture of child-like enthusiasm and skepticism as I approach those bins: excited about possibly scoring a treasure and ready to dig in. While there is a seemingly never-ending supply, you really have to dig, toss aside the ones that have been damaged by excessive try-ons and the ones that are just awful and in their rightful place.
Sure you're excited at the prospect, but then as you pilfer through the possibilities, often the reward often isn't worth the search. Sadly there's often a reason these items—or in this case men—have found their way into the clearance bin.
Take a look at some of the $5 sale items that have popped up in my dating bin. I know, lucky me. Not sure what message either Rob is sending, and Sam! I mean if it weren't for the toilet seat being up...and the fact that he appears to be wearing an adult diaper...or that he's obviously at the Airport Marriott...start that fire! Such a shame.
Ok, but back to my unbridled enthusiasm. Early in the summer, I met a guy, Drew, who seemed to have real potential. Checked all the boxes (my age, successful, older kids, active, smart, etc.) and owns a ski-in/out house in Mammoth Mountain, CA. Hard stop. Ok, so you have all heard of beer goggles, right? Well, the ski house has the exact same effect. I am now incapable of seeing this man's flaws. Even my normally optimistic mom said he sounded too good to be true.
Sure there were red flags. He asked twice if I would pick him up at the airport. I assumed he was joking. When he finally asked me on a date, it was from the 7th hole and it was for dinner and drinks at the club that night with two other couples. Huh?
I politely declined that invite, but was still hopeful, even though I was now nearly blinded by my sunny, damned optimism and those stupid "ski house" goggles. Fortunately that all ended—and my full eyesight and reason magically restored—when his true personality was finally revealed. Please take a moment to read his text to me the day we were finally going to meet.
Barb
Missed any blogs? You can catch up with the past blogs with links below:
It's About DamnTime: Barb's First Blog
6 Tips for Working from Home
Celebrating Love Amid Dark Days
Derelict Driving and My 15 Minutes of Fame
Are We Living Through the Greatest Depression?
Why is Mother's Day a Day and Not a Week?
No-Speed Naveed and the Joys of Urban Transport
Shapewear and The Costs of Being Female
Golf, the Cruel Mistress of Summer
2021: A New Year, a New Outlook
Bidding Adieu to a Wonderful Summer
The Time Machine in the Garage
The Benefits of Being a Certain Age
There's a Sandwich in Every Beer
Remembering the Big Ass Christmas Party
Thanks for sharing the laughs, Barb! You definitely deserve a full-price rack guy!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteSo glad you are back!! I missed your blog!
ReplyDeleteThank you, my dear friend!
ReplyDeleteThe words "spontaneous and play-it-by-ear" sounds a lot like, "I don't want to be in a relationship" to me. Dumb+Ass. If I lived closer, I'd probably go hit him over the head with his nine iron.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, nicely written, as always. And for what's its worth, I think you're an amazing catch!
Your sweet girl. Love you and thank you! I’ll keep at it.
ReplyDeleteDrew is a lazy dater...and all about Drew. You dodged a bullet! Just imagine the type of woman he is going to end up with (probably his best friend's wife...who is also a golfer btw).
ReplyDeleteWell thank you for providing the real-time assessment of good old Drew. Always good to get a girlfriend reality check. You set me straight!
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