Boo Humbug

Halloween. Just not into it this year. Didn't even purchase a pumpkin. And as you can see, I'm downstairs on the computer whilst the trick-or-treating is happening upstairs. Before you start dissing my attitude, I really don't get that many kids to begin with. I live in a townhouse-condo complex in an otherwise snooty neighbourhood, so all the good loot is found at the big-ass houses around the corner.

Okay - change of subject. I need some input and I need it FAST. I have a 2nd date with Sparky this weekend and I need a suggestion for a good second date. We only have a few hours because he has to get a babysitter for his kids. Help me - my creativity is at an all-time low. What would a guy like doing on a 2nd date? (And before anybody suggests sex .... let's keep it clean folks.)

The 100 Club

I did it! Last weekend I did a 100km bike ride. More than 5 hours on my bike, 4 climbs up the escarpment, a strong headwind coming home, and an unsavoury time of the month (if you know what I'm sayin') .... and I still did it. Had a serious bonking about 40km from home - even put my head on my handle bars and had a good cry - but I pushed through the agony and found my second wind (actually it was probably my third or fourth wind by that point). For all you non-cyclists, bonking is a term used to describe a cyclist hitting the wall - running out of all energy, physical and mental. You literally feel like every cell in your body has shut down and that you are completely out of energy. It's really defeating, especially when you know that you're far from home and only your legs can get you back there.

Finally!

A man who gets it. "It" being what a woman wants .... how she would like to be treated. I met this guy last weekend, we'll call him Sparky (because he's a firefighter - OK, maybe that's a dumb nickname but it's all I've got tonight). And we hit it off - had a nice dinner, spent 2 1/2 hours talking, talking, talking. Seem to have very similar values when it comes to a lot of things. An overall enjoyable evening. BUT ..... I've had lots of those. Seemingly nice evenings with nice guys who turn out to be Flakes or Dicks.

But so far, that's not Sparky. He sent me an email when he got home after our date. And he's already thinking about the next time that he can see me (remember that this is one of my points on "how to impress me on a date" list). And then when I'm on the train going home yesterday, he sent me a text message to my phone that said "Smiles from Sparky". OK, maybe that's corny, but a woman likes to hear that a guy is thinking about her. And tonight - another message from him asking me out! Now that's what I'm talkin' about .....

And did I mention that he's super cute? Minor point (ahem), but he really is super cute.

Vent du Jour

My students did lousy on their midterm. There were 16 failures (out of 61 students) and the class average was 65%. But guess whose fault it is? Right - mine. I received a very nasty email from a student with the usual "the exam wasn't fair, you didn't tell us what to study" crap - very inappropriate. I expected bad feelings, but sometimes I am amazed at the gall of some of these "adult" learners. I will pretty much bend over backwards to help my students, but piss me off with snotty behaviour and my motivation to help disappears.

Do you remember being in school? Would you ever tell a teacher or prof what you were really thinking or feeling? Would you ever vent to them? Would you ever tell them that an exam, test, assignment was unfair? Would you ever try to get your final exam schedule changed because you couldn't possibly write 2 exams in 2 days? Would you ever write that your teacher "sucked" on an evaluation? Would you ever be excused for plagiarism because "you didn't know what plagiarism was"? Welcome to post-secondary education in 2007.

New Drugs for Women

D A M N I T O L
Take 2 and the rest of the world can go to hell for up to 8 full hours.

E M P T Y N E S T R O G E N
Suppository that eliminates melancholy and loneliness by reminding you of how awful they were as teenagers and how you couldn't wait till they moved out.

P E P T O B I M B O
Liquid silicone drink for single women. Two full cups swallowed before an evening out increases breast size, decreases intelligence, and prevents conception.

M E N I C I L L I N
Potent anti-boy-otic for older women. Increases resistance t o such lethal lines as, "You make me want to be a better person. "

B U Y A G R A
Injectable stimulant taken prior to shopping increases potency, duration, and credit limit of spending spree.

J A C K A S S P I R I N
Relieves headache caused by a man who can't remember your birthday, anniversary, phone number, or to lift the toilet seat.

The Random Files

Top 5 Dead Celebrities:
1. Charles Schulz (the guy who wrote Peanuts - he's a celebrity to me!)
2. Lucille Ball
3. John Lennon
4. Diana Spencer (as in Princess Diana)
5. Gregory Peck

Cereal that Rox:
1. Lucky Charms
2. Cheerios
3. Frosted Mini Wheats
4. Grape Nuts
5. Special K

5 Easy Steps to impress me on a date:
1. Bring me flowers ... that you picked from your garden.
2. Tell me that I look pretty.
3. Ask me about what I'm looking for ..... and be honest about what you're looking for.
4. Talk to me for at least an hour about all the cool concerts that you went to in the 80's (and no, Van Halen doesn't count).
5. Set a date for when you're going to call/see me again - and actually follow through.

Top Reasons to NOT Blog:
1. Time consuming.
2. I'm not a literary genius, no matter how much I think that I am.
3. All that whining and moaning can't be good for you.
4. Private thoughts should be kept .... wait for it ..... private.
5. People might not "get" me. (Like I've never had to deal with that in my life.)

I'm tagging: Sally, Karen, Caitlin, Jane, and Deb to continue on!

Speak your mind .... as long as I agree with it

I'm bothered by something. Rude people who decide that they are going to ignore me just because they don't like what I have to say. I've been trying not to dwell on the fact that ever since I told Flake that I wouldn't date him, he is ignoring my emails. I did a lot of work for his Green campaign, and I was lucky to get a "thanks" out of him. I decided to boycott the election night party, but I sent a congratulatory email the next day (Thursday). Do you think that he's even acknowledged that? He's the one with the relationship issues - I thought that he'd be over the moon that friendship is the only option with me.

I find that there are all sorts of people out there who talk about how "honest" they are. And how much they like "honesty". And I'm one of those people who tries to speak the truth (notice that I said tries). I'm the person who says what everybody else is thinking .... and it gets me in trouble sometimes. Our Canadian culture is weird - we're too scared to say certain things for fear of offending someone. Geez - if it's in your head, then just get it out there! So what if you're not popular by speaking up! Doesn't talking about what is truly on your mind create less confusion and misinterpretation? I don't get it. Some people love how forthright I am, and some people are offended - I know that I've offended certain people who read my blog from time to time. Your problem, not mine. (And I've probably just offended someone by saying that ...)

I realize that sometimes its not the message, but the way you say it. I can be blunt, but I don't think that I'm hurtful. And when it really comes down to it, I've spent the last 6 weeks NOT saying things to Flake because of the stress that he was dealing with on account of the campaign. It was always fine for Flake to dish out the bluntness, but I found myself apologizing far too often when I returned it. Logically, I know that his ego is hurt (this is a guy who is used to women just waiting for him to pay attention to them), and I know that he has lots of distractions to keep him busy. But gosh it sucks to be ignored.

The Flaking Point

It's official - I have hit the Flaking Point. I'm all Flaked out. My patience for Flake and all things flakey has run its course. I had a feeling it would. I was supposed to do a few Green events this weekend, but just didn't show up. And I told Flake that I couldn't date him when, and I quote, "multiple other women" were involved. He didn't like that much.

A really good person, Flake is. But geez - he needs to work on those relationship issues. He surrounds himself by women who are all infatuated with him, and some of them are just unbelievable twits. He fills his life with distractions, so he never has to face anything or feel anything. What a waste of potential. I hope that he can find a way out of his current patterns.

Back to the dating jungle my friends.

Brain blockage

Here is what my life has consisted of the past few weeks:
- Work, work, and more work. Some days up at 4:30am to make it to work. Rarely get home before 6:30pm. Just keeping on top of things. Throw in something new (like midterms which are starting next week) and I'm sure to fall behind. But I'm loving it, and I have been so surprised by how calm I am about it all. And (the best part) - the students seem to really dig me.
- Working the Green Party events. For Flake. Observing a lot about Flake. And sometimes we hit it off, and sometimes I think he's a big dork with huge self-esteem and intimacy issues. And then I don't feel like talking to him. But sometimes I want to touch him, and him me. And constant, tension-filled emails between us. With some weird, and some awkward, moments. But apart from the occasional frustration that I feel about Flake, it's all good. No romance, and that's my choice.
- Dating - whatever. What's that? I actually found a condom in my purse the other day and IT HAD EXPIRED. Ya - funny.
- Kids. Bless them - they're so good. Manchild makes dinner once a week. They clean the cat litter. They clean their rooms. They take out the garbage. They're on their own a lot, and I don't see them as much as I want to. I miss them.
- Cycling. Trying to get my ass in motion, but damn I'm tired. And I had a cold last week. So I don't exercise as much as I have been throughout the summer. And I feel like a blob. Although I have started the spinning classes again - every Monday morning - the only day that I can work from home.
- Friends. I find the occasional moment to actually talk to or hang with them. And I've actually managed to meet some very cool people through the Green Flake events.
- Started volunteering with SISO - an organization that helps immigrants get settled in Hamilton. So far I'm in the orientation stages, but I feel like I'm contributing to a great cause. And helping people.

Busy me. Not blogging as much - the busy is blocking my brain from witty and interesting things to write. Suggestions for my next posting?

What I love - Fall version

We have been experiencing the most glorious, warm fall days this past week. The weekend was sunny and the air was crisp. Fall is my favourite time of year - here's why:

I love the colours - reds, yellows, oranges. I live in a valley surrounded by the escarpment and the entire hill is covered in colours.
I love the smell of burning leaves - lots of bonfires out in the country.
I love going to pick apples.
I love how fresh the air smells and feels.
I love the sound of walking through fallen leaves. And it's fun to kick them up in the air!
I love pumpkins. And squash.
I love getting my sweaters out for the season. And that it's not cold enough for big winter coats yet.

Happy October!