Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Bad Date Chronicles – Bad Date #1

This story is brought to you first hand by a former singleton she shall remain nameless…

One night I meet a friend of a friend while out with a group. When he asks for my number, I think well, he's not my typical pitter patter causing kind of guy, but what the hell, the fall has been slow on the dating front. Turns out I should have trusted the no heart beat instinct.

We meet a week or two later for dinner. The restaurant is nice enough, and he orders wine, so I'm thinking things may go well after all. Then, we get past discussing menu items, and it is all down hill. It starts with, "my psoriasis has been really bad for the past few months, mostly on my scalp and feet, and it has been causing problems at work. Whenever I lean over someone else's desk, a few flakes fall onto their desk." He says this while leaning in close, head tilted. You know, because he doesn't want anybody tohear. He seems to have missed the lesson on impressing your date, not the next table.

Now, I must clear my name to an extent at this point. I am not cold hearted, psoriasis in and of itself certainly would not make someone undate-able to me.

After dinner, he walks me home. At the door, he opens hs arms to hug me. As we go towards one another, I obviously move my head to the side to communicate that there will be no kiss. As our heads pass, I begin to relax. But No! There is a somewhat painful feeling between my legs... it's a crotch grab!!! I Guess if a women doesn't want to kiss you, you then go straight for the goods! I was in so much shock that I didn't smack him I just turned on my heels and went inside. I think my jaw was still on the ground a week later. After that performance, you'll be shocked to hear that he called three days later to see if I wanted to do it again! With a crotch grabbing flaky man? I'm sure this one is still on the singles scene.

Tuesday, November 8, 2005

Are we in relationships just to be in a relationship?

The other day I was having dinner with the girls – Miss Pink and Miss Black (single), Miss Blue and Red (in serious relationships) - We were discussing what we always discuss, sex, but more importantly relationships. Two of us complaining about incessant bad dates, the tribulations of trying to meet someone new, where to find him, and how to figure out if that they are bad for us before it’s too late. Then in a quite voice Miss. Red says, “I wonder if I’m in a relationship because I’m afraid of being alone again.” A sort silence was followed by three women simultaneously saying “No you love him…” Although I do believe that is true, our response seemed almost urgent, afraid. Apparently we don’t want to see our girlfriends in the same predicament we’re in.

Is it that bad to be single? Or is it that we need to believe in love so badly we romanticize other people's relationsips together for them, or us?

Ultimately that brings us to the question: How do we (the people in relationships) know when it’s over? I’m a strong believer in fighting the good fight, and using all resources to solve problems before giving up. Well it’s not actually giving up if you have tried your best, opened your heart and mind and did all you could do. I want to believe love will conquer all. If it becomes too exhausting, and you deflated, perhaps it’s not love you are fighting for.

I don’t think I answered any of our questions, but hopefully we will learn to listen to our friends about their relationships instead of jumping to reassure them it’s is all okay when in fact we have no idea what is going on inside. For those in relationships, hopefully they will learn to reflect on them without bias so they can judge what is truly going on. What everyone should do is support our friends, listen to them and celebrate with them when they do find true love.