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!