Thursday, January 7, 2010

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.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Recap and update

For the record I now have my laptop up and running again. Now all I have to do is get internet at home again (my wifi network I was using is no longer available)...

I didn't get out on Tuesday like I'd planned. She wanted to have a night for herself, and suggested Thursday as an alternative. That was fine with me.

We originally made plans to go to Buffalo Wild Wings at Cascade Station to watch the Blazer game, but then she changed her mind and we met at The Rock Pizza and Brew Pub, near downtown Vancouver. I'd never been there before. It was a great atmosphere, but the pizza left a lot to be desired. I know good pizza....trust me!

We weren't alone for this excursion, as she had brought her roommate along, as well as met her dad and stepmom there. I'd met her roomie before, but this was my first time meeting her family and I have to say they were awesome. Her dad was funny, and very generous. Before I even had time to find out what my split on the bill was, he snatched the whole ticket up and paid for all of us. THEN he invited us all back to their house to finish watching the Blazer game (which was why we were going out to begin with) as well as to have some more drinks.

We got a chance to chat a bit at the house during time-outs and quarter breaks, and then the older sister arrived. I'd never met her before either, but she was very nice, and seemed genuinely happy to meet me. She also said something about having heard so much about me, which makes me wonder if there'd been some story telling involved.

The night ended and we said our goodbyes in the driveway. I don't know if we're on the same level, but I was kinda hoping for a hug but didn't get one, and wonder if it's in the cards or not, but I'm not gonna give up just yet.

I did buy her a Christmas gift... nothing expensive but hopefully something that will be appreciated and maybe help me figure out what direction things are heading in.

If you have any feedback, as always feel free to leave it.

Merry Christmas to you all!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

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.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

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.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

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.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Complicated

So I have had kind of an interesting week, or however long it's been since I last posted.

Last Friday I got a message from a person on PoF, from someone that I'd put on my favorite list to message later. We've been talking for the last week, and seems like we're hitting it off pretty good. She is also a huge sports fan like me, which is something that we've kinda clicked on. We'll see how this goes. I'll keep you posted.

I finally was convinced to meet the woman I spoke about in my last entry. We met on Wednesday, at her friend's house. She was extremely drunk by the time I arrived (I came from the basketball game), and we chatted for a bit. She seems nice enough, but I have to admit I got a weird vibe from her. She had 2 friends over, and one of them had invited another guy back from the bar they had been at, for things that drunken women usually end up regretting. Due to the guy's psychotic behavior, it never went that far, thank goodness, but the whole scenario was rather entertaining, to say the least.

I can't really see anything happening between us though. We'll be good friends, but several elements of her life clash with mine. For example, she likes to party and drink. Like, a lot. As in, straight to the bar after work, and home by 11 to be in bed at 12. I, however, do not like to party. I rarely go out. And when I do, I stick to beer, don't drink excessive amounts (although there's been a few occasions, i.e. birthdays and bach. parties), and rarely drink hard alcohol. And honestly I don't want to be involved with someone who drinks heavily on a regular basis. Been down that road and don't want to travel it again. Not to mention I actually started hitting it off with one of her friends. That would complicate things lol.

In the last couple days as well a lady I met several years ago and have stayed in contact (Singer) with has told me how guilty she feels that she (in her own words and opinion) treated me like crap and didn't give me a fair chance. While I agree that she never gave me a chance, I would hardly say she treated me like crap. However, she's currently pining for someone who doesn't treat her right, doesn't love her, and doesn't want to be with her anymore, kinda the same situation that I'm in right now, but not as far along (I've come to terms and am moving on). She's having some family issues on top of that, so she's really stressed out, and I'm trying to be there to comfort her as best I can. I don't feel like I'm helping much however.

Why is dating so difficult for men? I'm sure to women it feels like we have it easy, but I'll be the first to tell you that it's rather intimidating. Maybe it's just me, but I know it's difficult to analyze things to see if things are going smoothly for the other person, to glean any sign of interest... It almost makes a guy wanna stop and be pursued for a change.

I'm no scaredy-cat though, so I'm going to keep putting myself out there. My slogan: Give me a chance and I'll make you happy. (too cheesy? let me know)

Friday, October 2, 2009

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.