Another 48 Hours

Until I say "hola" to Temptation Island (AKA the Dominican Republic), strong rum-based cocktails, sand between my toes, the sun on my face, and the salty ocean on my skin. Not a moment too soon either, given that it has rained pretty much non-stop for the last several weeks. No puedo esperar...

Le Freak

I realized that the marked decline in my number of posts is related to my utter disinterest in boys and dating as of late. I'd gone on a few casual outings in the last couple weeks but hadn't had a "real" date in about a month, which, surprisingly enough, I'd barely noticed. After a whirlwind first quarter I suppose I had to run out of steam eventually, but it was more a matter of my being distracted by other exciting developments in my life and my career than a lack of opportunity, though I have to admit that at the same time I've been more discriminating about who I choose to spend time with.

So although I didn't particularly miss the drama of dating I agreed to go out with this online guy who had been "pursuing" me for several months, and by pursuing I mean continuing to send me messages even though I rarely responded to them or any other Online Daters' messages. (I had OD'ed on OD.) In retrospect it was a foolish idea to go out with somone I had so little interest in from the beginning, but I remembered how I was always griping about passive putzes, which this guy certainly wasn't, so I felt bad and decided to reward him for all his efforts. What was that I'd said about pity dates? Oh yeah. No more of them, dammit!

The date was unremarkable, except that I had great fun bowling for the first time. (I bowled a 74 game, which, as a bowling virgin, I was extremely proud of.) I also have the at-times unfortunate skill of being able to get through dates with insufferable, irritating men with a smile on my face, something about "trying to make the best out of a bad situation". However, oftentimes the guy with whom I'm on the date ends up thinking I'm interested in him when I was only interested in being polite. After this guy took me on a (gag) romantic walk along the canal I knew it was time to end the date, which I did. Even though my trip was still a few days away at that point I told him I'd maybe give him a call after I got back, hoping that he'd get the hint. He didn't.

I don't know why I thought he'd let things die quietly when I went out with him in the first place on account of his aggressiveness. The freak show began early the following morning with a series of IMs telling me that we should start dating. I ignored this and avoided him as best I could - as much as you can avoid someone sending you IMs every few hours - while I thought of how best to let him down. In the meantime he followed up with three phone calls, one of which I missed while I was my tennis lesson. When I finally answered he totally flipped out, ranting and raving about how I'd been ditching him all day, how rude I was, and how I obviously didn't want to talk to him anymore. This was not even 24 hours after our first (and only) date. His emotional outburst creeped me out so I just said thanks for the previous evening and good luck. He'll need it.

...Make That Two Tickets

I just found out that, purely by coincidence, none other than Blind Date himself is going to the Dominican Republic next week. He and a friend will be staying in Puerto Plata, 13 miles west of Sosua, but we'll be on the same flight coming and going and have talked about possibly meeting up during the week. How utterly bizarre...

Ticket to Paradise

I'm going on vacation. For the week starting Sunday, May 21st, I will be out-of-the-office/off-line/out-of-service, and hopefully developing a deep, dark, tropical tan on the sandy beaches of Sosua, Dominican Republic, with a side trip to Cabarete and hopefully the idyllic Samana:


I can't tell you how much I need this break. So much so that I'm more stressed out than excited at this point, although I suspect that'll change as I get closer to the departure. I'm not the most spontaneous person in the world but decided to "just do it" as they say and booked the holiday. It has become apparent to me that the window of opportunity stays open but for a moment and it's up to oneself to make the most of any chance one is given. For this particular adventure I'll be accompanied by my fun-loving friends THC (yes, I know what (else) that stands for) and Lo, with whom I know I'll have - and I say the following without a hint of drama or exaggeration - the time of my life...and you can't put a price tag on that.

Let the countdown begin!

My Next Boyfriend

http://montreal.craigslist.org/m4w/157366456.html

Or maybe this one...

http://montreal.craigslist.org/m4w/156927070.html

How will I ever decide?!

Love-Love

I thought I'd try my hand at a game where "love" has a slightly different meaning. I've decided to register for tennis lessons, twice a week, starting next Monday. I even went so far as to buy myself a racket and a can of balls this afternoon before I could wimp out and change my mind. Mind you, I still have to walk over to the park and actually sign up/pay but I plan on doing that before the weekend.

I think it'll do me a world of good to get out there, get active, and give myself something different to think about. It's too easy to settle into a routine where you forget to challenge yourself or experience new things so despite my apprehension (and a good dose of laziness) I'm going to march out onto that tennis court and give it my all. I pray that I won't be a total clutz and embarrass myself, especially not if my instructor's a hottie. Sorry, old habits die hard.

I gave myself permission to do nothing but live my life for the last year, which has been an experience in itself. The last thing I wanted to do was detract from its significance by introducing too many things. I didn't want to overwhelm myself and I think that could easily have happened. There were lots of things I wanted to do last year that I couldn't get around to doing - like taking tennis lessons - but that seem more feasible now. It was just too much too soon but I think it's finally time to get the ball rolling (bouncing?) again.

This year I'd like to pursue more hobbies (and drinking, smoking, and dancing don't count. Well...maybe the dancing part.) Thankfully I discovered blogging toward the end of last year so that was great. Aside from tennis I'd like to take a jewelry-making class, something else I've been meaning to do for a while, and get back to the gym and try to reclaim the bod I sported circa January 2004. I'd like to be 3-5 pounds lighter by the end of summer. Hopefully tennis will help me achieve that goal.

But fear not, dear friends, I haven't given up on dating and mating. I think this summer will open up new doors and bring about many new adventures for me, which, of course, you'll hear all about. Hopefully the game will be exciting both on and off the court!