Early August Post

Sorry it's been so long since I've written.... life has a way of getting in the way. I didn't post it in my last entry, but at the beginning of June I was let go from my job. The day before my sales manager was let go due to not properly training and advising us, and we were given a rousing speech about how we were going to be properly instructed from that point on, it was a new beginning, blah blah blah you get the idea. I went home stoked. 3 hours into shift the next day, bam! Gone.

Anywho...

Not a lot has happened really one way or another. Sadly.

I have been talking on and off again with my friend who came to the lot. She's been pretty busy with finishing her classes, taking her tests, and getting settled in with her new job, so we haven't really had a chance to do anything. It's not for lack of trying though!

Same goes for the young lady who saw me at the store. We've got tentative plans to see a movie, but it seems like our schedules keep getting a bit crossed. She's going to be moving across the country in a few weeks, so I am not holding out any hope for anything long term, but at the same time I'd like to show her what she's going to be missing.

I started talking with the young lady from Plenty of Fish again. She's been busy trying to take care of her girls, so communication has been rather sparse but sounds like we could end up going out sooner or later.

My red-headed friend is now in a relationship, and I couldn't be happier for her. He comes across as a very nice guy, and that's what she deserves. I wish them all the best.

I've started talking with a few other women I've met on OK Cupid. If anything develops, it's sure to be posted here first.

I recently had the opportunity to see a lady I had a torch for years ago, and things were great. I'm not sure what's going to happen, but I'll just kinda keep things as was and see if anything develops one way or the other. It probably wouldn't end up as a case of "The One" as she might be relocating to Texas to continue her career. If anything, we'll always be good friends.

I attempted to sever ties with my ex. I hadn't spoken with her for several weeks, resulting in my removing her from my social networking lists. She texted me not long after, and it wasn't until several days later that she noticed I was no longer on her list on the one she primarily uses. After some bellyaching I re-added her. I don't know why I continue to associate with her. I know now that I was nothing more than a rebound, and while she denies it, all evidence points to that. By speaking with her at all, it lets her maintain control over me and it really sucks. I need to be my own man, and find my own happiness. And that's hard when you have someone hovering who won't let you accept your unhappiness as your own, as well as constantly lord their happiness over you. I would never wish this situation on my worst enemy.

Well, with any luck I'll be able to update more often. Thanks for reading.

And, as always, feel free to drop any comments or advice in the comments. AND, don't be afraid to tell your friends about this blog. BUT, if you know who I am (and you know who you are) DO NOT tell them who I am; some people might recognize people in the situations present and ruin the whole purpose of "Mr. Anonymous"...

Nearly the end of June update

So here we are nearing the end of June, and things aren't going very well in any aspect of my life at the moment. Of course, this blog isn't meant to dwell on any of those but one, so here it goes.

Girls I'm interested in, or have been for a while, are disappearing from the face of the planet it seems like. They just disappear.

I've got maybe one or two good leads, one a gal I unknowingly went to school with that I connected with a few years back online, and we've been talking back and forth since... we ran into each other the other day at the store, but of course she saw me, I didn't see her (when she mentioned it I thought she was someone else I'd seen I thought might be her), and I was DEFINITELY not at my finest... ratty clothes, week's worth of stubble... sexy, if you like that kind of thing! We passed quickly I guess, so maybe she didn't notice...

The other gal I'm sorta interested in is one I did go to school with, had a lot of classes with, and recently re-connected with when she came to me at my work to see if I could get her a good deal, which I should mention I would do for any of my friends. We've been texting a lot, then she got her phone shut off, and now she has a new number, and we'll see if things pick up again. She has a new job, so I don't want to bug her.

The gal I started chatting with off of the Plenty of Fish has been running silent, and I don't know why. I'll try and figure that out, but as I said at the beginning of the entry, I've got other issues to deal with too, more important.

There's a few women I've run across lately that just want to do the physical part, and I find myself debating whether or not I want to give in to the urge. It's been about a year, so maybe I should treat myself, but at the same time I want it to mean something, so I wouldn't really be enjoying myself.

My redheaded friend and I are speaking a little more often now, and perhaps will spend some time together in the near future... We'll see though.

Nothing ever happened with the girl from the kegger... Sad, she was fun....and cute.

My ex and I have spoken a handful of times since we last met up. For the best, but I still can't help but feel a little sad, because I'm losing someone special to me. But I need to move on.

Anyhow, that's really about it. I'll get more in depth a little later on, but hopefully before the end of the month! As always, advice and suggestions are welcome in the comment section.

Love, Peace, & Chicken grease!

May Update, and I'm confused...

Well, here we are, halfway into another month, and once again I haven't written in some time. I'm so bad at this blogging thing.

My friend that I had gone to the game with months ago is now seeing someone. Guess I got too caught up in work to make much of an effort with this one. I hope she's happy, and that things work out for her.

I haven't really talked with The Redhead much over the last few months, but she started texting me again recently. I wonder if she had a change of heart towards me or if she just has nobody else to talk to.

I still have not met the gal I met on Plenty of Fish, but eventually we might actually meet.

After not being able to go out to the club since right after my last entry, I haven't seen either of the dancers. Both are no longer working for that club anymore now, as I discovered last night. The better looking of the two I guess was really sick for a while and then hasn't come back to work yet, and might be at another club. The other one, the one who gave me her number, got busted for illegal substances. Guess there's nothing down that path. Couple of the new gals aren't bad looking though, and now that I have some financial issues behind me, I might be able to relax a little more often.

I met a gal the other night at a coworker's b-day keg party. We met while I investigated the hot tub, which she was stewing in. We chatted for the remainder of the night, and I got her number. She's pretty nice, hope I can go out with her.

That's about it for news. I hope to be able to update a little more often now.

Oh, and my ex has started talking to me more and more lately. She was passing by a couple weeks back and proposed we meet and chat. Things were really awkward. For me, the most awkward thing is that I know she's happy with her current partner, and I'm moving on, slowly but surely. However, she knows how I feel, and still wants me to keep up hope that maybe someday things will work out, and I don't know why I should. It makes me both sad and mad. I wonder if perhaps she'll move on finally, so I can move on finally. I've been contemplating telling her to leave me alone but then again I don't know that I could if I tried.

As always, feel free to comment or give advice. I could use some this time around...

Happy New Year update!

So it's 2010 now, and there's stuff on the horizon.

Updates to come in a few.

Things have become very active for me on Plenty of Fish. After not really going on the site for the last 1/2 of December, I went back on and within the first 24 hours had a flurry of activity. Nothing really to write about yet, but there's been some so-far promising messages, but we'll see what happens.

OKCupid has been somewhat active as well. I have received a few icebreakers from people as well as some replies to messages. Again, nothing much to write about yet.

Also, last weekend I went out for a drink or two at a bar and ran into several ladies I went to high school with, all of whom I had crushes on at one time or another. They seemed genuinely happy to see me, to which I wondered where this feeling was back in high school!

Ok, updates on previous mentions.

I haven't seen my Old Friend since the last entry with the exception of giving her a Christmas gift. Nothing fancy, nothing expensive... a small heart-shaped necklace. She seemed to have been caught off-guard about it, and I later discovered from a trusted friend that it might have been a bad idea. Things have looked better as of late though. At first conversations seemed a bit awkward and odd, but quickly settled back into the norm. Last night she texted me and asked if I'd like to come over to her parent's house for a clam dinner. My turn to be caught off guard, but in a good way. I'll let you know how it goes.

Nothing new with the Redhead. We've been talking, as usual, but nothing in the works and I don't think there will be any time soon.

Multi-mom's deadbeat proposed to her, then disappeared for a week. We aren't talking much anymore, through no fault of my own. It's probably for the best.

The stylist I met through PoF cleared out her profile. Too bad.

The Abused Mom and I have stayed in touch, via text, and we seem to be hitting it off nicely so far. She's busy at the moment trying to ready her manuscript (she's an aspiring author) for a publisher to review, so we haven't talked much the last week or so, but we'll see what happens.

Anyways, that's my update. Hopefully it will tide you over til my next entry. And, as always, any advice and/or insight will be welcomed in the comments.

Been a busy last couple weeks...

First I have to apologize for not posting for nearly a month... My laptop has been down, and is still on the fritz... I should have it up and running soon.

Things have been good the last couple weeks for me. I've had a couple of good back-and-forths on Plenty of Fish, and it looks like at least one could move towards a meeting in person. There have been some negative exchanges though, such as the woman who seems only interested in meeting for sex, which I'm looking to avoid...

For a change I'm making connections with people who are my age or older. I think this might help me avoid some of the problems I've experienced in the past.

The first one I've been talking with is a stylist. Works in a salon. She's really nice, and it seems like we have some things in common, like watching movies and cooking. The other is a single mom who is separated from her abusive husband, who messaged me first. We've been talking, have a lot in common, and have been texting the last few days after exchanging phone numbers (her suggestion!). If I had to pick one of the two as far as who seems more likely to be someone I meet in person, it would be the latter. Nothing against the stylist, but she isn't as talkative and seems almost like she's only going through the motions.

I've also been talking with the Redhead, and even had her over the other night as a celebration of the end of the school term. No, nothing happened, except for some cuddling. We had some drinks and some pizza, and three movies to enjoy the night with.

Another, younger, lady from my past and I have reconnected. We had a fling a while back and she's having some difficulty with her current relationship (read: deadbeat dad-to-be). While I'm not really looking to get involved seriously with her, I wouldn't mind going out and having some fun times with her. Honestly, part of the reason is this is going to be her fifth child, and that's kinda too many for me. If I become seriously involved with a single mother, with plans for the future, I think two would be my limit.

I'm due to go out tonight (it is after midnight at this time) with my date from the game. She and I are going to go and hit up some brew pubs. Not sure how many, but we will be starting with the Salmon Creek Brew Pub in downtown Vancouver. Great beer and good food. Good times will be had.

I'll let you know how the night goes. And, as always, please feel free to chip in with any comments, insights, and/or advice.

Ok, so I'm slacking...

But I have a good excuse! I have been without computer for the last month or so, because the backup disc for the laptop seems to be faulty.

Anyways...

I finally got the date with Old Friend set up, and it was this past Wednesday. We had a lot of fun. She chose to go to a game and that's fine with me. The night before we went to Lloyd Center in Portland to get her some gear, which turned out to be a t-shirt. We also had some food at the food court, but it wasn't really anything super memorable.

We ended up having some pretty good seats for the game, which was fun, and got exciting at the end, before coming out with the victory. Afterwards we went to Voodoo Doughnuts, and tried some of their stuff. I'd never had their doughnuts before, but she had. I got the famous bacon maple bar, and she got a one-day special called the "Tony the Tiger", a chocolate frosted doughnut covered in Frosted Flakes. Definitely different. We agreed on the way back to her place that we should definitely go out again, either for a repeat or just for doughnuts. I was the chauffeur for the evening, so I dropped her off at her home, and said goodnight because she had to go pick up her son, and I went home for the evening.

We've been texting a lot lately, and I wonder if things are going to work out. I would like for them to but at the same time I don't want to rush in and open up like I always do. I'm lost. We have plans to go out and do some things, like go to the zoo, or meet up for a drink... Even a Northwest Ale Festival. We seem to have a lot more in common than I originally thought, which is great. I just don't know where things are going to lead yet, and while I'm not trying to affect the direction of things in any way, it's hard not to wonder where the path is going to ultimately end up; whether the road is a dead end or if it leads to something wonderful. I'll just have to wait and see.

I've pretty much given up on anything happening with the Singer. She is still hung up on her ex-loser and doesn't show any signs of moving on. The Redhead has been quiet as well, although she pops up every now and then. My ex is starting to talk to me somewhat again (we really haven't talked much over the last month or so other than a few texts here and there), and she always seems to do this when I meet someone; it's like she has a sixth sense on when to ruin my life or something (at least that's how it feels). The chick from Salt Lake hasn't talked to me since she went home, and really I don't think it would work out anyways.... that's a little too long distance for me. I can do 2 hours but not 2 states!

Well, wish me luck. I hope that I'll have more to report soon. And as always, if you have any comments or pointers, please feel free to leave them in the comments. And be frank. Not Frank, but frank.

End of the month Update

Honestly, there isn't too much to update on. I have been quite busy this month with work and other things so I haven't had much time to get out and meet people, let alone blog about it. I apologize for not being diligent about it.

To let you know what I've been doing, outside of work, I went sturgeon fishing on the Columbia a couple weeks ago. We didn't catch anything that we could keep, but I did hook into an 8-footer. Took me about a half hour to reel him near the boat, and then handed off to my dad (who didn't hook or catch anything all day) to land.

I've also been to 4 Blazer games, 3 of them preseason, and 2 of them for free. Last night was the season opener, and it was awesome. I got a new custom jersey, and they finally got the look right!

I've been talking to a few women over the last few weeks, with little or no success. The Singer is going through something similar to my experience with my previous ex, but she can't get over the fact that her ex doesn't want to be with her anymore and refuses to move on, despite the fact that she has several (I'm told anyway) suitors, myself included.

I met a woman online a couple months back that eventually moved to Salt Lake City before we met. She was back up here for a while and we were supposed to meet but scheduling and the cold/flu that keeps going around messed up those plans. We still text, but infrequently.

I recently reconnected with a friend from high school on a social networking site, and it sounds like we have a date set up, just need to pick a day. I don't know what or if I should expect anything out of this other than just having a good time with someone I haven't seen in nearly 8 years, but we always were pretty friendly in school and got along very well.

I am still trying to set up a dinner with the Redhead. She keeps hinting at things but then says "only as friends" to others... makes things confusing! I'm of the opinion that she's not sure what she wants yet, plus she's very busy and sometimes uses that as a crutch to keep from making a decision.

Still haven't heard anything at all from the Park girl... and good riddance. Last time I did she IM'd me and asked if I'd found a FWB yet. I jokingly replied that the position was open and asked if she wanted the job, and she freaked, saying she didn't do that kind of thing. Whatever.

I'll keep you posted on how things go... Maybe this date with my old friend will turn out well.

Confusion isn't just for the blond

I am more of a dishwater blond nowadays, but I still get confused like a pure blond.

I've got a potential new love interest, one whom I've talked to for most of the last year, although for the majority of that time things weren't gonna work out. But now she's coming on to me, and even though I'm looking for a relationship, I'm hesitant to just jump in.

I'm unsure about this. She's nice, even though we've never met, but she's also a bit too.... forward. The first thing she texted me about this morning is about how horny she was. Now if this was an established relationship and things were further down the road, that might not be such a bad thing! But considering that she's only started talking to me again since Monday, well, it's just a little too much too soon.

I'm debating whether or not I should say something to her about it. On one hand, I could put her off to the point where she loses interest, leaving me in the same spot I'm already in. But on the other hand, I don't know how much of the constant sex-talk bombardment I would be able to take before I get put off by it. Any feedback is welcome, of course.

Another possible complication with this is some recent dialogue with the Redhead. As stated before, there is a mutual attraction between she and I, and several of our conversations over the last several months have alluded to the possibility of exploring things with eachother, distance not withstanding. Last night we were instant messaging and she confided in me that I'm really the only close relationship she has anymore, since her best friend moved to Vegas (or Reno... is it bad that I don't remember this pertinent information already?). After a while, I goaded her with the statement "You know you love me", to which she replied (as if I wasn't me) "shh... don't tell Mr. Anonymous, it's a secret", or something similar.

Now tonight, we were discussing our need to get together soon, have dinner, something like that. She was telling me about how she's so busy with full time college courses and a 36 hour/week job, plus her son. I playfully suggested that she could come stay the night on a Saturday and let me cook breakfast on Sunday. This was answered with "but what would I do with my kid?" And after some brainstorming, she suggested waiting for the end of the school term in 10 weeks. Maybe I'm reading too much into things, but I'd call that interest.

I'm not as clueless at signals as I used to be. These two women are obviously interested in something, and honestly, if both were in front of me and I was forced to make a choice, I'd be leaning towards the latter. Much better chemistry. Not to mention the fact that I've met her already, and have spent time with her in the not-to-recent past.

What do you think, reader? Do you have any suggestions? Let me know.

Finding dates is harder as you age

I have been on several "dating" sites since I was 18. Match.com, hotornot.com, and recently discovered once upon a time that I also signed up for e-harmony.com. I don't remember doing it, but what the hell?

I have, through at least the first two sites, met a total of one person, whom I still talk to today, and have "connected" (read e-mailed) with probably a dozen. Nothing has ever really come from any of them, but I've resolved to keep searching anyways. You never know, right?

Right now, I'm trying to set up a date with a few ladies that I have met previously. One of which, the Daycare lady, is a very nice girl, older than I am (I, for some reason, always seem to date younger), and very attractive. We met thru a chat room and have talked for several years, only meeting face to face a couple months ago, as she needed some handyman services at her new home in Hillsboro. She has suggested a possibility of going camping together, which I'd be fine with. Also we've been able to agree to meet for drinks, but random schedule hiccups keep that plan still on the books.

Another is the Redhead. She first sought me out on hotornot.com, and we met not long after. She then moved to Salem, making a full-blown relationship difficult, but not impossible. She has a son who is around 9, and is back in school finishing her education. We click, but we'll see where things go. (I suppose here is where I should mention that I have no problem with women who have children. I've dated a few and it's not an issue with me at all)

There are others, but those are really the only two that have any real potential at this point in time. It's difficult due to distances, even though they aren't great. I'll find a way somehow, I always do!