Settling...well at least settling in for now

Ok--it's been a while at this point, but thanks to Shayna's encouragement (harassment?) I'm attempting this blogging thing again.

I've officially relocated, have an address, a "real" job, and some of my worldly possessions. I'm feeling oddly settled... Now what? A couple of trips, por supuesto!

I will be spending a couple of weeks in Northern Michigan for work and then am planning to be in Colorado for about a week.
Stay tuned...

Operation: One Fish, Two Fish...After a brief hiatus, the race is back on!

Tonight I logged back into the online dating site to see who I've been missing over the last few weeks while I have been trying to figure out the rest of my life (a girl can only focus on so many things at once!).

I log in an start filtering through the site-selected matches. There are a few that may have potential and I'm clearing others out. I come across this one that first made me want to pull out my red pen and edit the profile, then I decide it's more appropriate to share with all of you:

"i am looking for a nice lady with a good attitudes, good maners, has a stronge family value, who like to take care of her childrens, enjoy cooking, and a good listener and someone who gives a good advises to her husband in order for him to be a successfull man after he take care of her and treated her the same way as she did." --Mr. Builder

Let the horse races begin...

Operation: One Fish, Two Fish...Past the Valentine's Day Slump

As expected, there was a moratorium on online dating activities for about 48 hours surrounding Valentine's Day. No emails, no nudging, no sending of non-essential essentials. Then came February 15th. The sixth snowy day off and people were back on their computers looking for something to do.

So now, here I sit, filtering through potential matches and wondering why there isn't an option on the not-interested pulldown menu that addresses mullets.

xoxo my valentines

Operation: One Fish, Two Fish...Letting Go

I went rock climbing today for the first time. My friend joined a rock climbing gym recently and was looking for new recruits to participate with her. Partially in an effort not to obsess with my new project (see previous blogs) and partially to continue with my mission to be open to new experiences, get more exercise and spend more time with friends, I decided to join her.

Anyone who has ever gone hiking with me, is likely reading this in shock. My hikes usually consist of me tripping, trying to breathe, swearing, trying to keep up, and generally not being very happy and taking it out on the people around me. It's not my best side. But here's the thing about the climbing wall--I liked it a lot! And there was far less swearing.

I'm sure that my arms, back, etc. will be sore tomorrow, and probably the next day, but it was a great experience. I was able to progress at my own pace and not feel like anyone was laughing at me or judging my ability to scale the wall--even if it was on the wimpy pink route.

I digress. Back at the warehouse-turned-Boulder, in between finding my footing, I'm telling my friend about this new adventure called online dating, explaining how I arrived at this "give it a go" stage. She is in turn telling me to look for the pink tape that is used in place of bread crumbs and encouraging me to just reach a little further and stretch a little more. It was then, hanging on purple-taped rocks, willing myself to make it around the corner, that I had an epiphany.

It occurred to me that I couldn't go any further until I could let go--risking stability, but reaching deeper, going higher. I needed to trust, both myself and the universe, that I could accomplish this. But more specifically I needed trust myself to let go of the current rock I was clinging to in order to reach for the next one.

I never expected to have a lesson in dating, and really in life, at the climbing wall.

Operation: One Fish, Two Fish...A lesson in marketing

Dear Lonely and Desperate,

Seriously?!? Is this how you want people to think of you? Do you think you're going to get the girl this way? Sign me up!

And for the record, posting pictures that make you look like a convict don't help either. I'm still learning about this online dating thing, and there are pictures of me out there that aren't flattering, but I do know enough not to use them. If a picture is worth a thousand words, choose carefully!

I'm really trying not to judge you as a potential "match" by just looks, but photos represent a significant portion of what we all have to go off, and a lot of them make me want to go off of you.

While we're on this subject...it's also helpful that if you are only posting a couple of pictures of you and several of scenery, children, and other women, it helps to explain. For example, is photography one of your hobbies or is it of your last vacation destination? Is that your sister or ex? Your favorite niece or your kid? This is important information to have and without explanation, I'm left to make assumptions.

Please--get your friends, relatives, kids, someone to read your profile and let you know if you're being ridiculous. (Thanks to my peeps for reviewing mine!)

Yours truly,

Wanderlust Wahine

Operation: One Fish, Two Fish...An Experiment in Finding My Fish in the Sea

Operation Summary: I joined an online dating site; hilarity will likely ensue.

Operation Background:

I may be the only person my age that I know that hasn't attempted online dating. There was a good reason for this...it's a small island. I had no intention of running into people that I had been matched with at the grocery store or beach, or being matched with my co-workers.

But now living in a big, new city, and not knowing many people it may be time to give this a shot. If nothing else, it seems that it could provide some great stories--like the one my friend shared of having guys dance (ballet) around in a bar. Besides, there are new restaurants, bars, museums, and chocolate shops to explore, and who wants to do that by themselves all the time.

The Mission: As I pursue this social experiment, hopefully while meeting some interesting men, I will offer up updates, stories, and musings here. Let the juggling begin!

Living in Paradise

I've been in a funk.  Explaining this to people doesn't garner much sympathy.  "Oh, I know you feeling a bit down, but at least it's not snowing there," they say.  "I wish I could go to the beach today, I know I would feel better."  There's a slight hint of sarcasm that I detect.  

After a cleaning spree, in an attempt to clear my head by clearing my clutter, I think that maybe they are right.  I should get out and enjoy the day and at least I could maybe get a little more color on my skin in the process.  So I pack up my beach bag and get in the car.  Driving to my usual spot sounds too predictable for my mood--I need an adventure.  The parking gods smile upon me and I find a spot closer to the tourists--with a little time left on the meter.  Maybe this won't be so bad after all.  

As I make my way through the crowds, I find myself not fighting against them in a hurry to reach a destination, but rather enjoying the anonymity I find in them.  I watch the girl with the pinkish-purple back talking with her friend about the night before and the surfer whose board almost blows her over as she crosses the intersection.  These people don't know me--don't expect anything from me--and I'm beginning to find my way.  I remember times that I've made this trek before, really that I used to make it all the time.  Before jobs, parking spaces, and expectations became obstacles.  When did that change?  When did I change?

I continue deeper into the heart of it, as the blocks go by I find familiar sites.  I remember my routine and decide to stop for supplies that have long fallen off of my list.  Tropical touristy snacks and tanning lotion that smells like brown sugar.  These are key pieces of my nostalgic journey.  I detour to walk through aisles of surfboards that never fail to re-center me as I walk through.  As my toes hit the sand, I find a spot that isn't covered by bodies and I settle in to watch the show.  I exhale and smile...I live here.