Is the third time the charm?

Dating in the 1950's seemed so easy. All a guy needed was a girl and some cotton candy. OK, so I am guessing a lot of the same dating problems existed then that exist today. We tend to look back in history and think the social problems were so much simpler. I believe the problems were just as complicated then as they are now.
I have been thinking about dating pretty much lately. This tends to happen. I go for months, being busy, and not thinking about finding "her." Then suddenly many thoughts of "her" come into my mind. I have been pondering the possibility of trying a bit of internet dating, a tool that wasn't available to these cotton candy carrying wide eyed friends. Specifically I am thinking about using eHarmony, mostly because I like the slow process and the ability to delve a bit deeper before a possible meeting. It is more than a picture.... I am still in the thinking process, which is what I do. I think about things before I do them. I have come to discover this thinking can be beneficial and a detriment. My decisions are often good ones but I also have missed a few opportunities because I have been thinking. Spontaneous I am not...
I have also been thinking about dating in general (again thinking is what I do and I like to do it). One of the dating thoughts is the third date rule, which is: sex is often to happen on a third date. Is this a true phenomena or just something people refer to? What is the numbered date to first sex ratio for people in relationships? I myself have never had sex on the third date, but I am a slow mover (again, to busy thinking about when to make the move rather than making the move). As I thought about this possible third date rule Said Woman* (remember her?) came to mind. We went out on three dates and on the third date she invited me in, "for some tea." Was tea a code word for sex? I can't imagine that it was, but if it was I lost out on an opportunity. She would have definitely been the prettiest woman I had ever slept with. I think she wanted a bad boy, which I am not (I am way to busy thinking to be bad). But still the thoughts of, "what if" make me WONDER...
Kevin

The 11 Revisited

At the beginning of this past summer I created a list of 11 things that I wanted to accomplish over the three months of sun and fun. Why 11, because it is not 10. I often wonder how life would be different if humans didn't have 10 fingers (I know weird...) so I tend to make lists of 11 things.
So here is a recap of the Summer 11:

1. Bike - 5 "Challenges"

I didn't quite get to all 5 of the challenges but I accomplished the most important one, bike 300 miles. I could have biked to Chicago if I hadn't rode in circles. The challenges I missed were routes that I wanted to take. Not a huge deal, but I do plan on riding them at some point.

2. House - 3 Improvements

I have two of the three one hundred percent finished. Strangely the one I didn't get finished ( read start) was the easiest. Maybe I will get to it this Winter.

3. Complete a 5K race

Yeah, this didn't have much of a chance of happening. I much prefer biking to running. So I changed goal to writing 25 blog entries. This was a good change because it made me write (and think) more.

4. Cave Explorations

Darn $$$! Why can't there be a law that all summer 11 activities are free for me? I have done this in the past but didn't to do it again this summer liked I planned. I will certainly visit the cave again (twice) before I get too old.

5. Read 3 Books

I am counting this one as completed. The third book that I had planned to read was not what I expected so I stopped in the middle. I did pick up another book and read it. Does that mean I went above and beyond with 3.5 books? :)

6. Make progress in writing a book

I did some organization. Does that count as making progress? I give myself a D on this one.

7. Join A Health Center

Marked this one complete, although honestly I just joined 2 weeks ago.

8. Take a unique class

Again, darn $$$! I didn't take the lack of funds (and the fact that #2 was going to cost twice as much as I expected) into account when I made my summer 11. I did however do a bit of searching and know the class I want to take.

9. Put myself out there

A. Actively look for someone whom I am attracted to - I give myself a C on this one. I looked but I didn't find anyone I was remotely attracted to.

B. Go on a date - Did this one in the nick of time. The summer 11 list made me do it. :)

10. Seize and opportunity

I seized a date opportunity. Nothing came of it but still well worth the time.

11. Reflect on the summer

I guess I am doing this one right now.

So there it is, the Summer 11 reflection. After some thought I am give myself a B on the summer. It could have been better, but I think I accomplished pretty much. Who knows, the summer 11 might make an appearance next year.
Reflecting with WONDER...
Kevin

A Date is a Rare Fruit

The "date" has come and gone. My reflection on the night is.... hmph... I got to my friend's house before NTO* (she now has a nickname... which will be explained in a bit). I was surprisingly not nervous at all. Not for sure why. NTO* soon showed up and we were introduced to each other. My initial reaction was.... OK. Nothing spectacular, but that is what I expected. I was still looking forward to the night. We arrived at dinner with the friends. At dinner I got the first feelings of "this girl is not for me." I am a quiet guy but trying to have a conversation with her was difficult. I asked her questions but she seemed less than willing to be an active participant. Then the moment of "you just lost major points" came. After dinner we went to a bar with all sorts of games. We (NTO and myself) were playing my friends in a game of fuseball. I said something like, "we are going to win" and she said, "no we aren't." There it was, something hard for me to overlook. I am not a fan of a person's lack of confidence and have a hard time looking past it. I would still say the evening was a good experience. It was worth it. As with most things in life, I like the challenge of the experience. I can say I did it. I have a feeling she probably feels the same way about me as I do about her. So NTO* stands for Not The One. I hope I wont have to use the name again.
Still looking for Miss WONDER(ful)
Kevin
Note* Today is the first day of autumn. A reflective summer entry (with Summer 11 comments) will soon be coming.

It's a date... or should we call it two mutual friends meeting for the first time

My friend called back and I will meet the mystery woman some Friday soon. Which Friday, this one or the next, isn't yet clear. If she only knew, I am forsaking a night out hitting a ball over a net, just for her. It must be love. That was a joke. But I figure I can spend quality time on a court with friends any Friday night. So she wins out, handedly. I still don't like the idea going into this thing blind. Does that make it a blind date? Even worse, a blind date with two observers, or chaperones. Ok, chaperones is another joke. I am sure if myself and the mystery woman (not her official nick name because at some point she will become less of a mystery) wanted to go off and have adult time alone, my friend would be more than happy. After all he was the same guy that convinced his sister in law to play strip lawn darts. But that is another story... Wish me luck and wittiness.
To Friday with WONDER...
Kevin

A Phone Call From A Friend

I got an interesting phone call the other day. A friend that I talk to on a erratic basis called. He told me that his wife knows a woman and we should all go out together. The woman (I really need a nick name for her, but that is going to have to wait) is a teacher at the school my friend's wife teaches at. After much thought, something I do very well, I have decided to give it a shot. That is about all I know about the woman. (Special ed teacher, 27, friend of a friend) I hate these set up type things. Chances are there wont be any chemistry, just using the law of averages. Then there will be the strange friend thing. I like the idea of no one knowing the women I date. So they can't talk about us much. I like her being the mysterious women. But for this one, the two other people at the table will know a lot more about the both of us than we know about each other. A weird situation...
I looked at the calendar today and noticed that Summer ends Saturday. Two goals on my Summer 11 list that I am lacking in are seize an opportunity and put myself out there. I figure accepting the invitation goes a long way to fulfilling these goals. So here I go...
A mind filled with WONDER
Kevin

Some thoughts on this day

Earlier, I was thinking where I was 5 years ago today. I remember being in my classroom working with my kids on some group work. My principal came over the intercom and said if teachers hadn't already they may want to turn on the TV. The images of the smoking towers was on the screen. The students began to ask all sorts of questions. I remember doing my best to answer them and even having an idea that Bin Laden was involved (although I didn't know how to pronounce his name). I remember eventually the higher ups coming around to quietly tell us to turn off the televisions and to try to get back to a regular school day (like it was a possible thing to do). I believe I was privilege to be in the situation I was. To be a teacher during such an event is a special experience. The students didn't know it at the time, but I leaned on them as much as they leaned on me. Few other places have a structure in place that provide instant support in times of need.
Can a positive come from such a horrible event? I know of one. Two weeks ago a couple got married. From all I can tell they are extremely happy. The groom is from New York and the bride lived in Canada. Without September 11th they would have never met. Someday I am sure they will have a child. A child that would have not existed without the acts of terrorism. I am sure there are many stories like this one. Two people meeting, falling in love, getting married and having kids. All impossible without September 11th.
With WONDER
Kevin

If I get to choose....

Ice cream... Mint chocolate chip, hands down
Popcorn... Butter, lots of butter - Why have cheesey popcorn when it tastes nothing like cheese? Bikes... I am a Trek man
Underwear... I am in flux at the moment, but I am beginning to like boxerbriefs more and more
Water... Filtered out of the tap, why spend a $1 on the bottle when the stuff out of the faucet is 1 cent?
Computers... My first was a Mac and I often think of going back, but for right now I am a PC person
Season... Fall and spring - I like the change
State other than my own... New Hampshire, so many great memories
Ethnic food... Mexican, from taco bell to the fancier stuff
Driver or passenger... I love to drive, makes time go faster
Sport... To play raquetball, to watch football
Color... No doubt green, forest green to be exact
A night out... Dinner and lots of conversation
Sleeping... Night owl all the way but appreciate a good morning
Sleeping... Recently changed to being nude, I figured why not
Writing instrument... I prefer a nice black pen with a good grip
Book... Fiction, coming of age is the best
Day... There is nothing like a Saturday
Favorite thing to do... WONDER
Kevin