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

Around and Around My Groceries Go

I often notice the little things in life that have changed. I was in the grocery store check out lane the other day. This particular store had the new carousel bagging system, a lazy susan type thing where the cashier can turn to a new bag. I must say I am impressed by this new technology. I believe it has significantly cut down the time customers wait in line. The thing that confused me was that I was responsible for putting the bags into my cart. Not a huge deal, but when the cashier waited and just watched as I put the last few bags into my cart, I noticed the downfall of this new technology. Shouldn't she have helped me? I like the idea of sharing the duty of putting the bags into the cart. I want to spend a little quality time with the cashier as we both experience the mundaneness of bag moving. I remember the day when I just pushed my cart forward a bit and magically it was filled with numerous bags of groceries. I even remember when they asked, paper or plastic? What has happened to the poor paper bag industry?
Bagging with WONDER...
Kevin

Time to Reflect

Some occasions in a year lend themselves to reflecting on one's life, such as New Years or a birthday. I tend to have other times that cause reflection. In the past years Labor Day weekend has been a big time to reflect. Maybe it's the beginning of the school year. Maybe it's the 30 minutes lite conversation fireworks watching people around here do. Maybe it's the end of summer. Regardless of the reason a few reflective thoughts have passed through my mind the past couple days...
The past year has been a pretty good one. The past school year have been a fantastic one. New challenges, new friends, new schools, new kids, new smiles. I certainly made the right decision to change my teaching position. I hope this year is as good as the past one.
Should I break a heart? A woman is floating in my life. I know she wants so much more than I am willing to give at this time. Will I ever be willing to give it? Is she the best thing that has happened to me? Will I be happy? Content?
What's going on with Winnie*? My gut is telling me she is still married but my curiosity is telling me to delve deeper. My gut usually wins. Would she contact me if she is divorced? Would she want me to contact her if she was divorced? What would she think (married or divorced) if suddenly an email popped into her mailbox from me? Would I even be attracted to Winnie* all these years later? Should I just wait? Have I "just waited" too many times in my romantic life?
What new challenges should I chose for my life? What challenges will choose to be in my life? Will I meet those challenges head on and work past them?
Summer, a year away. Should I go big? Should I enjoy it like I did this past one? Will I be madly in love and not care?
With WONDER
Kevin

Googling Around

Recently in a fit of boredom I decided to Google myself. I found that there are several somewhat famous (within their own circle) people out there with my name. However, I claim ownership of my name because all those sudo famous people seem to be younger than I am. After searching through several pages of Google listings including websites about musicians, doctors and film makers I gave up. I then attached "teacher" to my name and there I was #1 in the Google hall of fame. I can now be relatively sure that I am the most famous teacher with my name. Go me!
After I enjoyed seeing my name in the world of Google I started to search for other friends. It is weird to find someone I know out there in 0 and 1 land (I am not computer genius but I have been told that all computer program is built on ones and zeros. If you have questions about this ask someone besides me.). I soon ran out of names, don't make fun of me for having few friends to Google, so I started to search for names from my past. Of course Winnie's* came up. She is quite famous mostly because of an odd field of work, her athletic skill and her very odd maiden name (which could never be used if she was a teacher). Without looking for it, her phone number popped up. What is strange is that it is under her maiden name. Seeing her maiden named phone listing made me curious so I Googled her husband. He popped up a state away. So thoughts of divorce came into mind. There is a logical explanation for this, she is finishing school soon and he has graduated. He could have moved for the job, it is just a state away. Her maiden name listing could have been left over from her single days. Also my gut tells me that it is unlikely she would get a divorce, especially after such a short period. I could however be wrong.
So perplexing thoughts have traveled through my mind of how to figure out if she is divorced. (1) I could email her and ask "how it is hanging", not necessarily using those terms. This is strange idea to me. I wouldn't want an X of my spouse (if I had one) emailing her at all. I felt strange Googling her, emailing her to find out her marital status is even more weird. Although she did basicaly say she wanted to stay friends when she announced her engagement to me. I was the one who said goodbye. (2) I could call her at her maiden name phone listing. OK that isn't going to happen. (3) I could be patient and see if she moves to the next door state or not. (4) I could see if I could find a divorce record in her state. (5) Or I could do nothing and let things go. If she is divorced I would at least like to have a nice conversation with her.
So which is it Blogosphere? The Blogosphere being the .412 people who read this every month. The best response gets a quarter*.
* The quarter being an imaginary one that you can only spend on imaginary stuff at my niece's imaginary grocery story. The good news is, you would be surprised how much stuff she will sell you for an imaginary quarter.
Googling with WONDER...
Kevin

Time to look back....

I have been thinking about some of my past posts. As life goes on little updates need to be made but nothing significant enough for an entire post. Kinda like that stuff news stations scroll across the bottom of the screen, not big enough for the news cast but still important. So here is the scroll of my life in recent weeks.
The Summer Eleven: So far I have done pretty well, even though I have fallen off the wagon these last couple days. I will write a full update after summer ends, which is not now, even though people are trying to convince me that it is. I am thinking about writing a winter list of things to do.
25 Blog Posts: I am getting there. I like having a number of posts to write because it makes me look at things a bit differently. Adding posts to this blog will be put on my winter list.
So I Hear You Are Curious: I was thinking this is an inaccurate title for this post. Can anyone be curious when few/no one reads this blog. If you are out there, say hi. I'll give you a quarter.
Wondrous Words: Still love the quote, and recently used it in a letter to some fellow teachers.
A Hiking Ago I Went: I have been thinking about hiking a lot lately. Don't know why. I would love to go on a fall hike.
Who Doesn't Like A Good Lists: I am discovering lists are powerful in my life. I think I may have to use them more.
Commas: A teacher has already suggested that I use Eat, Shoots and Leaves. I knew teachers would pounce all over the book.
Conquering Africa: The entire project is done and it looks darn good.
Wooter: I bought my first Woot! I thought about buying today's but decided to save my money.
Feelings: Two more Winnie* connections occurred recently. Strange, I go years without mentioning her (out loud I mean) and then people bring up things.
Scrolling with WONDER....
Kevin

When Marry Came for a Visit

I have often been asked why I became a teacher. I think people ask this because they have a hard time picturing me as a teacher. This question almost exclusively comes from people who knew me when I was younger and have never seen me in the classroom. I think it is easy for people to understand why I became a teacher if they actually see me in front of students. I am lucky enough for most of my teaching skills to have come naturally.
My standard answer is a long story that I try to make as short as possible. Basically a cousin who knew that I was struggling to find a major in college told me to just pick something and see if I liked it. After trying a couple things I happened upon teaching and things just fell into place. I am very lucky to have "accidentally" found my passion and cherish the advice my cousin gave me. I think it applies to much more than picking a major in college and I have repeated the advice whenever I have gotten the chance.
But the truth is there is another story. When I was struggling with my career decision I remember thinking one night in bed, I wish God would give me a sign of what I should do with my life. I rarely remember dreams, but that night I did. I remember dreaming about a lady and asking someone who she was. This someone said, "She is Marry" as in the mother of Jesus. Then Marry told me I should become a teacher. I am Catholic and believe in my religion. However, I appreciate other religions and think they have something to offer. This Marry visit is very special to me (obviously). It is always a affirmation if a doubt about teaching enters my mind.
I don't tell many people this side of my "Why I Became a Teacher" story. Honestly I think I am embarrassed to tell people I made such a big decision because of a dream. But after writing this I think I should tell more people the story. After all why should anyone be embarrassed because the mother of Jesus came for a visit?
A story that always makes me WONDER...
Kevin

I'll pay for that...

Things I would pay to have done...
^ My laundry - I hate doing it and put it off until I run out of underwear.
^ The Dishes - I am in desperate need of a dishwasher
^ Actually all house cleaning - I have a relatively clean house but I don't look forward to cleaning it
^ To find me a date - If it was the right woman I would dip deeply into my savings
^ Cut my grass - although I would still like to occasionaly go out and do it myself - I like the satisfaction of a freshly cut lawn
^ Have a personal driver - Although I love to drive, but some days it would be nice to relax on the way to or from school
^ Being able to teach - I am lucky enough to enjoy what I do and would miss it, but don't tell my school district, they just might charge me to teach
Things I wouldn't pay to have done....
^ Cooking - a meal tastes better when you cook it yourself
^ Exercise - Even if it was possible I still would want to do it myself, not that I am an exercise fan but I think it helps me mentally more the physically
^ Writing my daily thoughts - even if someone could write them down I would rather do it myself because the writing causes a significant amount of the reflection
^ To find me a date - I know this was mentioned above, but I would have a hard time telling the story about how we met, if I have to tell the true story I'll keep my money and invest it in a bluechip
^ Fly a helicopter to the top of a mountain - it's so much more rewarding to hike up the mountain
^ Erase selected memories, even the bad ones - All memories are important and have given me wisdom
With WONDER...
Kevin

Feelings....

Sometimes I get feelings. These feelings are hard to explain but they have a connection to the future. For instance when I was a teenager I once "predicted" the name of a girl that was moving in up the street from me. I also "predicted" the post grad college of choice of a close friend before I even knew anything about where she might end up at. I actually hate the word prediction because I don't think of them that way. I much prefer the word feeling because the word seems less voluntary. How it feels to have the feeling is hard to explain. It just something I know to be true before it happens. Most of them, if not all, are smaller things but have a bigger meaning to me. I can't control them and glad I can't. I wouldn't want to be able to think to myself, "What is my feeling about this subject?" and then make a prediction. I usually keep my feelings to myself and can only think of a single instance that I shared one. That feeling eventually became reality even though it was something I didn't really want to happen.
One of the more common types of feelings I get is about seeing people I haven't seen in a long time at a certain location or time. Over the past few months I have had a "feeling" that I would see Winnie*. She lives a couple states away from me but her parents still live close. Today while eating lunch I look across the restaurant I see Winnie's* mom. I wasn't for sure if it was her at first (I have a terrible time recognizing people from my past) but soon I was sure of the sighting. This was the first time in over 3 years I have seen anyone related to the Winnie*. I am sure this is what my feeling was about. You might think that this isn't much of a prediction but it works for me. Like I said its hard to describe what the feeling is.
By the time I was sure it was Winnie's* mom she was already outside heading to her car. Even if I had more of an opportunity I probably would not have said anything to her. Although honestly I would have liked to say hi and wished Winnie* my best. If it was Winnie* herself I would have certainly said hi. I have made a promise to myself that I will say hi if I ever see Winnie* out. I don't know why it is so important that I say hi, but it is.
Oddly the first thing that came to my mind when I was sure about Winnie's* mom identity was, wow this will be something I'll have to write about. Later on I "wondered" if the mom recognized me and would she say anything to Winnie*. Regardless my feeling and today's experience made me smile.
Feeling with WONDER...
Kevin

Hello my name is Kevin and I am a Wooter.....

I have an addiction. There is not too many side affects but my addiction makes me stay up way too late when I have to get up early the next morning, such as tomorrow morning. Not too long ago I stumbled upon woot.com. The concept of the website is that they mostly sell only one item a day. If that item sells out a new item isn't posted until the following day. The items are changed at 1AM (midnight central). Because of this most nights this summer (including tonight) I have been staying up long past what I consider a normal bedtime. Somewhat puzzling, I have yet to buy anything. It is more the excitement of seeing the new item pop up while most normal people are in bed.
The holy grail of woot.com is the B O C (Bag of Crap) in which they will send you a random assortment of goodies for $1. The possibility of BOC is more than enough to keep me up, avoiding sleep until I get to see what new gadget they are offering.
I encourage you to check woot out. Maybe we can do a 12 step program together.
Wooting with WONDER...
Kevin

Book #3 in the Summer 11

I have been reading The Purpose Driven Life for the past couple of weeks. It is part of my Summer 11. The book had been sitting on a shelf for a couple of years and it seemed like a fitting book to read for the Summer 11. The book surprised me a bit. I thought it was about answers but so far I have found more questions than answers. Although I think questions can be as powerful as answers.
I am not a fundamentalist Christian, although I am catholic. Rightly or wrongly I tend to look at a broader picture. I think most faiths have something to offer. For instance I could marry a Jewish girl and possibly raise my kids Jewish while still believing in what I do now. Because of this I am reading this book more to get perspective on things and to see what I can learn from a stricter Christian faith.
Hopefully by the end of the book I come closer to knowing what my "purpose" is. I am thinking everyone's purpose is to live your life for god. I think this makes pretty much sense. The cool thing about this is that most religions have at least one god so this idea could be universal.
The book also talks a bit about listening to god. How does one do that? Is it that gut feeling I get? Is it those stray thoughts that past through my mind? I am not for sure. I tend to lead life through my gut. I get feelings and go with it. It is hard to explain. Is this god talking to me?
Thoughts filled with WONDER...
Kevin

Conquering Africa

Imagine a rock the size of Africa.

Ok so maybe not the size of Africa, but certainly the shape of Africa. Such a rock has been sitting in my back yard waiting to be removed these last few weeks. This African rock was more standing than sitting since it was resting perpendicular in the ground. At first I thought it was just a regular large rock waiting to be moved. I brought my mannly shovel out and started to dig around the tip (think Algeria) and could wiggle it a bit. Because of this I thought I would have the African rock out with not much effort, after all I have dealt with many state worthy rocks in the past. I had no idea I was dealing with much more than a state or even a country in the rock that was poking through my back yard. As I dug I soon discovered that my manly shovel was not enough so I called in reinforcements from my Dad's shed with an even more manly six foot long metal pry bar and a 5 lb. sledge hammer. I hoped to pry it out of the ground but its' girth was deceiving. After digging a bit the sledge was tempting me so I soon made the African rock into several Egypt, Sudan and Congo pieces and even more Gambia pieces. There is nothing much more manly for a elementary teacher than when he swings a sledge hammer. It was quite fun. But after the first round of sledge swinging there were several more rounds of digging followed by even more sledging. After 2 hours of work the African rock was resting over the hill in separate country piles so they can all get along peacefully.
With African WONDER...
Kevin

I knew I Lost When...

A few weeks ago I was with a group of friends doing our normal friend thing. I sometimes have ideological disagreements with one of the friends there. She is a good person in all and has a good heart, but my heart cringes at some of the things she says. At the friend get together Winnie2* (she has the same name as the WINNIE*) said "I have never met a (insert her daughter's name here) that I have liked." Now I know she was being sarcastic but it still made me cringe. So without thinking I said back, "I have never met a Winnie* that I liked" in an attempt to prove a point. Right when I said it I knew I lost. My point was very easily ignored. It was too easy for her to bring up Winnie* which she did immediately. If I remember correctly she was lightly chastised by other friends. But honestly I deserved it. I should have bit my lip.
This was the first time in many years Winnie's* name was mentioned. I really didn't acknowledge it. But it was still strange to hear my friends mention the long ago relationship. I have to admit it kinda shook me and I think my friends could tell. I tend to keep my Winnie* thoughts closed to the outside world, well except for this very public forum.
With WONDER...
Kevin

A Mountain View For August

I flipped my calendar today to see the landscape for August. I tend to buy calendars with views of mountains and such. Today I see a large lichen covered rock on top of a mountain looking onto other mountains. A very nice August picture. The beginning of August is like a new year for me. Soon I will be heading to school to do teachery stuff and think about how I am going to do things this coming year. I use to love the first day of school. The kids were always nervous and it was fun getting to know them. Typically by the end of that first day I could measure how the year was going to go. It is a bit different now since I no longer teach kids on the first day of school. I am stuck in a room planning for the day a couple weeks down the road that the kids walk into my class. I love my teaching position but I do miss those special moments like the first day of school.
With WONDER...
Kevin

Commas, who need them? Well besides panda bears?

I tend to suck at using commas. Either I use too many or none at all. There seems to be no middle ground. I think besides the lowly semicolon commas are the most misused grammatical mark there is. I once bought the adult version of Eats, Shoots & Leaves for Said Woman* for a birthday present as more of a joke than anything. Being she is a technical writer I am thinking she doesn't need help in the use of commas. When perusing the book store the other day I saw the newly released kid version of the book. I have to say I love it and might just use it in a future lesson. While standing there reading the book I obviously thought of Said Woman*. I would have given her the children's book instead, if it was out. I tend to believe that children's books can more easily teach a lesson than a complicated adult book. While reading the book and thinking about Said Woman* I WONDERED what happened to the book I gave her. I wrote a nice little note in it (another habit of mine that I was recently told make people cry) about how nice it was to be getting to know her. After all that is why I bought her a book, it is kinda hard to write on the side of most regular birthday gifts. That was the last date we went on. So I'm curious, what ever happened to the book. Is it on the shelf next to her bed with her new husband in it? Is it in a box of departing boyfriend gifts? Did she donate it to a library sale, which makes me ask another question; (notice the use of the semicolon?) who else has read my book meanderings. Just a few things that I have been WONDERING.
Kevin

Who doesn't like a good list?

I love lists. When I was young and a struggling reading I remember my mom asking what kind of book I wanted to read. I told her I wanted to read of list of laws. She looked at me puzzled but really reading a list would have been a great way of reading when I lacked comprehension skills. I wouldn't need to comprehend much since each list item would only be a few sentences long. Now there are all kinds of books out there which are made up of list. Obviously my reading problems existed in the wrong time.
I have been doing a lot of thinking recently about where I am heading in life. In some ways I have been very successful such as in my career, family and friends. In others, mostly in the romantic relationship field, I have been less successful. Today I was thinking about people's perception of me. I know my perception of their perception is probably flawed but I still thought about it. Then I began to think about my perception of myself. After a bit I decided to create a list of things I didn't know about myself. So here it goes...
* I can actually enjoy a good hike. I remember a time when I despised hiking and thought of it as just waling in the woods. The transition from a hiker hater to lover has been a great experience.
* In the right circumstance I will dance and enjoy myself. OK it has only happened twice but still...
* I have a several secret passions that I don't like to share. How many men would like to learn how to crochet?
* I am a very secure heterosexual but I have been mistaken as gay at least once and maybe more.
* I tend to avoid conflict and hope it takes care of itself. At the same time I just do things some times to get what I want, which I think some people would label passive aggressive.
* I like to write but am afraid of putting things down on paper.
* I am afraid of failing most, which causes me not to act some times.
* I am a big fan (in all of its fashions) of WONDER...
Kevin

A Hiking Ago I Went

I just returned from a brief excursion to do a few day hikes. I was a bit surprised how easily I accomplished the hikes. We hiked to a secluded falls which was in a tropical like setting and enjoyed a nice lunch at the base of the falls. Very cool. Another of the hikes we did is quite popular and even paved. We did it mostly because we were passing by the mountain, otherwise I enjoy the trails that are less populated. As I hiked the continuous half mile incline I didn't feel even a little urge to stop and rest. I have to admit it made me feel good seeing other people struggle more than I did. This is probably not the best feeling to have. I should just be happy about my accomplishment and not need others struggles to reassure me.
While hiking I thought about camp. I am sure if a "hiking counselor" position was open I would be up there right now. But to be honest if I was a staff coordinator for the camp I would probably have worries about hiring me for the job, although in reality I think I would do well. But I know I lack experience and probably fit better into other positions. I would still love to go back, especially as a hiking guide. I guess there is always summer 2007. :)
Hiking to the top of Mt. WONDER...
Kevin
*NOTE - I didn't take the above picture nor have I been there recently. I however have been near or in the exact spot of the photo.

Wondrous Words

"Wet sneakers and muddy clothes are prerequisites for understanding the water cycle."
I love this quote by David Sobel, so much so I wish I said it myself. I have often thought about using it whenever someone asks me about my teaching style. I love to be able to get my students "muddy and wet" when they are learning.
I am a collector of quotes. Few people have the ability to say so much with so few words. I love to read them and keep them in little piles strewn about. Sunday nights seem to be a time to reflect on words. Ones that I have said or heard, or read some place. I love to look back at my piles of quotes or things that I have written and ponder life on a Sunday night. Sunday is a beginning, a chance to make new choices. What better time to ponder life and all of it's potential.
Just another Sunday evening filled with WONDER...
Kevin

So I hear you are curious...

Curious about me... here is some less known info:
* A quote that I love but will probably never get to use, "Hearing a song that you like on the radio instead from a CD is like having sex compared to masturbation."
* I love quotes and not just ones about masturbation.
* I just thought of people using Blog Search to search for the word "masturbation", I am thinking this blog is going to disappoint them.
* I like to buy wrapping paper but I really don't like to wrap presents.
* I hate buying cards and often tell people, "I forgot the card." just so I don't have to spend the $2 on a thing that will soon be thrown away.
* I have been in love and people have been in love with me, but I can't say both parts of that statement about the same person.
* Someone once asked me what my biggest fault is. I had a hard time answering him. I have plenty of faults but didn't know which was my biggest one. After much thought, I decided that my biggest fault is I never give up. Sometimes its best to give up and walk away. I still struggle with it.
* I think way too much and over analyze things.
* I know that I am very lucky to have found my passion in life, teaching. I have really never hated to start a day at school.
* Most people who knew me as a kid are surprised to find out that I am a teacher. People who know me as a teacher are surprised to find out that I struggled in school.
* Some of the best advice I ever got about finding a career, "Keep trying things out until you find something you like."
* I have an overabundance of underwear because it requires me to laundry less often.
* I root for the underdog.
* Small victories are often more important to me than the big ones.
* I have found summers to be a scarce commodity and try to use them wisely.
* I do more growing in the summers compared to any other time of year.
* I am a firm believer that most everything in life works out in the end.
* With WONDER....
Kevin

5K Be Gone.....

After some thought I have decided to change #3 in my Summer 11 from running a 5K to writing 25 posts in this blog. I really don't like running to much. I much prefer to bike, so this summer it has been much easier to sit down on my bike for 45 minutes a day than run 3 miles. Changing a goal is much easier than facing not accomplishing it. :) So I will be here at least 23 more times this summer.
Looking forward to all 25 of my visits to this little world with WONDER...
Kevin
A note: I just did a spell check on my entry and the word "blog" came up as misspelled. Very interesting...

The Summer 11

At the beginning of this summer I created a list of things that I wanted to accomplish this summer. I have become more of a "list" person recently. Not necessarily a list of things to do in a day, but a list of things I want to accomplish over a period of time. My list is 11 items long. 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's the Summer 11:

1. Bike - 5 "Challenges"

I could list the challenges but they wouldn't make much sense to anyone who might read this. I have done a fair amount of biking and should complete most/if not all of this goal by the end of the summer.

2. House - 3 Improvements

Two started and will be finished by the end of the summer. - The last improvement is the least important, but I still might get to it.

3. Complete a 5K race

Yeah, this isn't going to happen.

4. Cave Explorations

Wish I could do this one but lack of $$$ is hampering it.

5. Read 3 Books

Ok, I know 3 books in one summer is not a lot. I am a teacher. I should be reading 30 books this summer. But I have 3 specific books I want to read. Two down and one to go.

6. Make progress in writing a book

Progress is a relative term I guess. I have thought about it and got some resources together but nothing down on paper yet.

7. Join A Health Center

Haven't yet but I am waiting until closer to the end of summer to join because I have been biking a lot. Why pay for it when I can do it outside for free. But it will happen.

8. Take a unique class

Found the class and the date. Hopefully I don't leave the class with a scar...

9. Put myself out there

A. Actively look for someone whom I am attracted to

B. Go on a date

yeah, I suck at this one. I knew it would be the toughest one. Why can't love be easy.

10. Seize and opportunity

Still looking for one.

11. Reflect on the summer

Oh yeah I'll do this one. If I can do anything, it is reflect.

So there it is, the Summer 11. I have to say after looking at the list I am happy with my progress thus far, excluding numbers 3 and 9. Those damn multiples of 3......
Thinking about the fifth smallest prime number with WONDER...
Kevin

An unexpected feeling of victory

About a week ago I ran into a guy that I worked with at my first real teach job. It is a very long story but it was a pretty tough experience. It was the beginning to a year of dread. All the dread made me question if I was made out to become a teacher. When I worked with this guy there were certainly things out of my control but I was also a major cause of the situation. He was nice and did what he could to help me out. The teaching experience was soon over (I wasn't asked back for the next year) and I moved on to what I thought was going to be a much better summer experience. Again things didn't work out quite the way I wanted them to. I remember that time vividly. For most of a year I felt horrible, but I pushed on. I am lucky when it comes to pushing on, I just do it. It comes natural. Some people might say that I work hard to accomplish things that I want. But I really deserve no special credit. It is just something innate in me.
It was good to see this fellow teacher, mostly in a selfish way. He asked about my current teaching position and told me that he was now a principal. The feeling that I had when I told him about where I was teaching is hard to explain. It was like a feeling than one gets when he finally wins a long battle. People tend to be impressed by my teaching position. I however know it is just like any other position, just a little bit more mysterious. Most times I really don't care about the prestige of the position, but talking to this guy I sure did. It felt good to talk about where I am no compared to where we both knew I was 9 years ago. That was my winning moment and I am working for more in the future.
Looking for so many things with WONDER
Kevin

FLW* Can be found outside of Wisconsin

Some time last week marked the 5 year mark since Winnie* and I broke up. There have been years I didn't notice the day go by. It is always like I have won a battle when a day or two passes before I realize the event has gone by. It is somewhat difficult because there are a few events that have happened around here that they always mark the anniversary of on the local news. There is a thin sliver of connection between the Winnie* events and the local events so there are always reminders.
This year I knew that it was the day, mostly because I thought to myself, "I should write an entry about this day." Most of the day passed by without a thought.
The day will come when I see her out some place, say hi, have a nice little conversation and then walk away smiling.
Encompassing this past week were a few normal thoughts about is there someone out there for me. I am happy to say that I found a potential one, FLW*. Not that we have a date or anything. I just found a woman that I could date. I met her while doing something teachery, but she is not a teacher. Like most times, the idea popped into mind almost instantly that she was a girl I would like to date. She helped me out with something and moved on. Later I sparked up a little conversation (a small victory).
Now the realest perspective: (1) It is likely I will not see her again, although there is a distant connection that I could possibly exploit. (2) I have no idea if she is seeing someone. I didn't get to see if she was wearing a ring. It could go either way. (3) She is somewhat younger. Maybe 24? OK 9 years might be more than somewhat :) (4) She could be Jewish, not a big thing to me, but it could be a big thing for her.
It is unlikely anything will come of it, but it was still a positive experience. It has been over a year since I met someone I would want to date. Just because of that I call it a good weekend.
Thinking about FLW* with WONDER...
Kevin

And finally it is done...

Yesterday I sent an email off to camp letting them know that I have decided to spend my summer some place else. I had talked to someone at camp a few weeks ago. It was nice to talk with someone who knows what a unique experience it is. We talked for about 20 minutes. It sounded like a job was mine if I wanted it. After some additional thought I decided not to go further on in the hiring process. I have come to believe that this process has been a good one. Something that has helped me and allowed me to explore my "what if" thoughts.
The practical part of decision was threefold. I was concerned about spending my whole summer away and doing something so similar to teaching. I am also concerned that the camp environment might not be something I fully agree with. Additionally my decision was based on something less scientific, my gut. Few times in life do I get feelings from the gut, but when I do I usually follow them. My gut feelings are thought to explain, but they are just that, from the gut. Something I can literally feel. I am certainly comfortable with my final decision and am happy the way it turned out.
With that said, I am still concerned that I made the easy decision. Because of this I am going to take up a few challenges this coming summer. I'll make a list to make it all official and try to accomplish each one. At the end of the summer I will evaluate how I did and look back on this decision to determine if it was the right one.
Looking ahead to a challenging Summer with WONDER...
Kevin

Two Many Question(marks) In Love

Not so long ago I noticed two question marks turned to face each other forms a shape of a heart. This seemed very fitting to me because love is a big question mark in my life. I have plenty of platonic love in my life. Many people love me. I just don't know if anyone has been in love with me. A bit of not so good luck, a bit more of pickiness and a lot of inaction has helped create the single man I am. At this point it is a good possibility that I will never get married. That in itself isn't bad. I have a very good life and enjoy it immensely. But if I had my way I would certainly find that special woman to enjoy an even better life with.
Finding the woman is the tough part. It rarely happens that I find someone I am attracted to. The good news is that if I do find her I usually know it immediately.
Every once in a while I find that special woman. Special is the key. Give me a special girl and I tend to melt. Special is hard to define. I know it when I see it. I love the moment I discover a woman's specialness. I remember the last time it happened. I was pretty much speechless, which isn't the best thing when one is trying to impress a woman.
Looking forward to the time of specialness discovered with WONDER
Kevin

Camp and Winnie* Filed Under "Thank You"

Not so long ago I wrote about returning to camp. After much thought, probably too much, I applied. I sent in my application and began to wait. I haven't heard from them yet. I may never hear from them. After I sent in my application I had a sense of wishing I hadn't, mostly because I hate the idea of the anxiety of returning.
This whole process has been strange, tough, and a positive experience. However it turns out, this summer has become a bell weather moment. Ever since I first went to camp it has been like a love affair. It caused a lot of wonderful thoughts and experiences and a bit of heartbreak. It has taken many more years but camp has reached the same point in my thoughts as Winnie* - I will never forget, never stop smiling, but have moved on. Camp, just like Winnie*, changed me. It is something that has affected who I have became. Something very few really know about. I wish camp, as I do Winnie*, all the best and as many sunny days as possible.
Still looking to Summer with WONDER
Kevin

What is love?

Such a question. I am sure it has been asked thousands of time before. I tend to think of love as a maze. A maze that I haven't found the right path through yet. I have been close. Close enough to feel it. But then a wall shows up. An unexpected wall. As if the wall grew out of the ground without me knowing it.
It came to my mind today that it is possible that I will never love a woman again. It is so rare that I find a woman I can love. The good news is that I can usually tell that I could love a particular woman instantly when I meet her. I wish a woman would pop up into my life that I could love. I would do all the work after the popping. The popping has always been the hard part. In the past I did pretty well after the popping, even if things didn't work out in the end. I knew I did my best and really couldn't have changed the outcome.
During my thoughts of love today, a question came to my mind. A question that I have sometimes asked but never knew the answer. Did Winnie* love me? I certainly loved her. My suspicion was she didn't love me. But a thought of something she told me came to mind. What she told me isn't important, it was the way she told me. We kind of both knew what she was going to tell me was going to lead to the end. Looking back, the way she told me, the way she spoke, I am confident she loved me. Undoubtedly (my favorite word by the way) my love was more than her love. For whatever reason this came to mind today. What it means I have no idea.
I get feelings in life. Most of these feelings come true. I have a very strong feeling that some day I will run into Winnie*. I hope to have a wonderful conversation with her and then walk away smiling.
Looking forward to that moment with WONDER...
Kevin

A picture is worth a 1000 memories, even if you didn't take it

I wish I took this picture. It is just like a picture I would take, but I didn't. I love the silhouettes and the steam coming off the lake. I am positive I stood in the exact spot this picture was taken. I have swam in the lake. I have jumped in the early morning motionless water. I understand what these people feel. They are at camp. They are spending their summer in a place that people can't understand unless they experience it. I experienced what it was like to swim in that lake and to live for 8 weeks in the surrounding tree lined landscape.
I didn't take this picture, but I wish I did. I wish I could stand on the edge of the water once again knowing now what I didn't know then. Knowing to cherish the time, the experience, the learning, the people, the beauty, the uniqueness...
I could so easily return. But yet it will take sacrifice. Not life ending sacrifice. Just a bit of risk and the possibility of uncomfortableness. This picture I did not take makes me want to return. I wish someone, something would tell me the right decision.
Looking at the picture I didn't take with WONDER
Kevin

It is Time to Jump

A four day weekend I am having right now. Sometimes I like to talk like Yoda. Not really, I was just having trouble starting this entry. Four days of freedom. Four days which allowed me to do anything I wanted to. A four day weekend is so much more flexible than the normal 2 day weekend. So what am I doing with the four day weekend? Nothing different than a normal 2 day weekend. I had several options which included a trip to Vegas, a fly by the seat of our pants trip with a friend, or a journey by myself. But I chose to do nothing special. Thoughts of security have traveled through my mind a lot lately. Specifically that I am living life to safe, because I don't want to take a risk. Is this an age thing? Is it a laziness thing? Have I chose not to send an application off to camp because of the possibility of being uncomfortable? I have always been one to not shy away from work. But lately it seems that I think to myself, it would be so much easier not to... I need to take a chance. I need to step out of my comfort zone. I need to jump. I need to see where a change takes me.
I need to look ahead with WONDER and just do it...
Kevin

In recent years Super Bowl Sunday has been a day filled with anxiety. I don't know if anxiety is the right word. It is a day that things tend to come to a head after a long build up. This is what causes the anxiety. A few years ago I learned Winnie* was engaged while I read an email on Super Bowl Friday (is there such a day?). Of course my weekend was pretty much me pondering life and finally Sunday morning I decided my course of action. I remember going to a friend's to watch the game. I felt horrible and kept on thinking people had to be able to tell. Who knows what would have happened if Winnie* and I would have had more of a future. But one thing is for sure life has been pretty good without her.
Last year on Super Bowl Sunday I learned a group of friends were being less than friendly. The new knowledge hurt and again caused the day to be not a celebratory as it should have been. But again after some thought and luck I discovered a new outlook which still helps me to this day.
Again this year, Super Bowl Week has been one filled with lots of thoughts and a bit of anxiety. To be honest this "situation" is not as troublesome as the other two I mentioned, but it is no less thought provoking. My thoughts have been filled with summer plans. As you can read about in a previous post, I am contemplating returning to work at a summer camp. I sent off an initial email and got a response. Now I have to decided my next step. I know this sounds like a nonconsequental decision, but camp has a special place in my sole. My previous experience affected me greatly. I have always thought about returning and now is my chance. To say yes is to take a risk and head off to something I might regret. People say you can never go back. To say no is to close a door on something that has always been a, "what if...".
Looking ahead to my pending decision with WONDER...
Kevin

Said Woman* tends to keeping on saying things

Said Woman*, as you could read about in previous posts, was a woman I briefly dated a while back. We didn't date for long but she sticks out in my mind as the ideal date. The thing is she still tends to pop up in my life every so often. It happened again this past week. My job as a teacher caused me to come in contact with her and the organization she works for. In one of her two responding emails to me, the only one direct soley to me and not the other teachers I work with, she thanked me for being a "champion" for the cause. Honestly I am not a champion, I just know they do good things and are willing to point people in their direction. It is tough to see compliments from her. I am the "amazing" guy (her words, not mine) that she couldn't find a thing wrong with except for the missing something special.
As I closed the email I noticed that her maiden name was back. In the email I received from her just a month ago her new married name was present. For whatever reason, this made me smile.
Looking ahead with WONDER...
Kevin

I want a woman who I can give a banana to....

No not that banana. Get your mind out of the gutter.
Let me explain. Many moons ago when I was dating Winnie* I read something about how a person can mail just about anything as long as it has postage on it. It doesn't have to be in a box or an envelope. So I started to think what could I send Winnie* that would be very odd and make her think, what the heck is that, when she opened her mail box. After some searching I found a nice plastic banana. I put her address, a stamp and a cute little notes about being bananas about her on it. Put it in the big blue mail box down the road and waited. Of course she was surprised and I further solidified my great guyness. Now some might think with the great banana event of 2000, she would have been mine and we would have lived happily ever after. Not so much...
I was thinking about the banana today. I don't know what brought it to mind but I remember I have a spare banana. It is sitting down in my room of life supplies. A room where, if I need something, but don't know what I need, I go look in. Oddly, I always find just what I need. However, I have never used the spare banana that I bought just in case I messed up on the first one. I don't know the etiquette of such a thing, but some day I would like to send the other banana to a woman. Well, not necessarily the banana, but I want to have such strong feelings that I would do something like that without think, what will she think. I want to show someone all those great guyness things that I think about all the time. I want to have someone to think about when I don't have anything to think about.
Looking ahead, banana at the ready, with WONDER...
Kevin

Things That Make Me Smile...

* Kids saying hi to me in the hall
* Small victories
* Random smiley faces
* Thoughts of summer adventures
* A freshly cut lawn
* Silly notes that I sometimes intercept between students
* Knowing more about something than people realize I know
* 3PM on Thursdays
* Meat instead of meet
* Lists of things to do
* Photographs
* Bus rides with kids
* Quality quotes
* People leaving comments on my blog (OK, this one hasn't happened very often)
* Waiting for something to happen
* Finding out something I said stuck
* Being flirted with
* Thinking
* Onomonopoiea (such a fun word to say)
* Having no idea how to spell many words in the english language, including Onomonopoiea
* Google and the amazing ability for it to find how to spell a word like Onomonopoiea, even if I start it with an A
* Looking ahead with WONDER
~Kevin

A Few Thoughts...

1. Does anyone read what I write here. I have a total of one comment since I have started this thing. I wonder if people just pass through and read and then move on.
2. Are my standards too high for the potential Mrs. Arnold*. A friend called tonight and asked my feelings about Watson*. I have no feelings for the woman. Nothing. She doesnt even come close to a woman I would have feelings for. I want the feeling that I had with Winnie* and Said Woman*. It is so rare to find those feelings. Am I looking for too much?
3. Life is going pretty well at the moment excluding the whole potential Mrs. Arnold* thing. Professionaly I am in a position that many people would like to be. I have many friends and have a pretty good family. Sometimes I forget how blessed I am.
4. Summer 2006... What will come of it?
5. I have noticed I have been using ... A lot more lately. I am guessing this could become annoying to readers.
6. After this week, the school year will be half way finished. Time does seem to speed up as I get older.
7. I need some excitement in my life. Something to look forward to. Life is very good, but I want to think, "I cannot wait until..."
8. See I told you I am using ... too much.
Looking ahead with WONDER...
Kevin

The Trifecta

It is so simple. A great answer to the occasional question, what do I want in a future wife...
1. She must be unique but not strange
2. She must have confidence but no ego
3. And the sum of us together must be greater than the two of us apart
I have to admit that I like giving this answer, mostly because it surprises people. They expect an answer such as she has to be pretty, have a good job, come from a good family... but when I give this answer the person usually doesn't know what to say. With that said, the answer is extremely honest. The women that I have been significantly attracted to have all had these qualities. Let me explain...
1. I want my future wife to have something special about her. It can be anything. The other night when I ran into Becky on the streets of Louisville I knew she was something special. Her strong belief in her religion made her special. Said Woman* was special because of where she worked. Probably the most supportive and special working environment I have ever witnessed. Winnie* was special because of her unsuspecting athleticism and her intelligence. Anything can make a woman special.
2. I want my future wife to have confidence. Said Woman* and Winnie* did this perfectly. They may have questioned themselves, but they knew what they wanted and went after it. And Becky certainly had it to talk to complete strangers about religion on New Years Eve.
3. And finally I want the sum of us together to be greater than us apart. This is the most recent addition to the trifecta and the hardest one to measure. To be honest I don't know if this part of the Trifecta was true with either Winnie* or Said Woman*. However I believe the potential was there.
I don't know how I measure the Trifecta. I just know when a woman has it. I get a feeling in my gut. I also know when a woman doesn't have it. Watson* (the new years eve woman) doesn't have it. She is a nice person and even asked if I would be interested in her. But she is not even close and I knew it instantly.
Sometimes I wonder if the Trifecta is holding me back. I could have a lot of fun with Watson*. But without the Trifecta it just doesn't feel right.
I know one thing for sure, if I do find a woman who meets the Trifecta, I will be a very lucky and happy man.
Looking ahead for the Trifecta with WONDER...
Kevin

Little Things...

Sometimes little things in life affect me in a big way. Things that don't necessarily surprise me, they just make me more aware of something.
After several hours of work I finished the letter for Said Woman.* A friend, my resident proofreader, even said it was a good letter and he has a masters in English. I sent it off and being the nice guy that I am I sent an email to Said Woman* letting her know it should be showing up in the mail. As I expected I got an email back thanking me for the time and making a bit of small talk. I hit the little X on the email and it closed. I looked down at the list of other emails I had to read, and it caught my eye. Said Woman* had changed her last name on her email account. There it was, proof that she was married. I knew she was, it wasn't a surprise, I had heard a lot of the details from a friend. But still with all that knowledge it was still a blow. Not a huge blow, but it made me think. So I sat there, looking at the name, surrounded by kids. But I soon got up and headed off with a smile on my face.
Looking ahead still smiling with WONDER

A Good Time Was Had By All, Mostly

So new years 2005-06 has came and gone and I must say it was a pretty good night. Ten people, 2 hotel rooms, much hilarity. One particular woman in out party, lets call her Watson*, was hitting on me. Now I am not the person to get hit on often. Well not in the blatantly I want sex sort of way like last night. She soon discovered I was not hitting back and moved onto another single male in the party. As we were leaving our area of entertainment, heading to the sort of restaurant that you go to after drinking, the people in my then smaller group (including the women) asked why I didn't have a one night stand. The men said she was very "doable" and the women agreed. My answer was something like she didn't do it for me. They asked "why, it's just a one night stand." After repeated questioning I started to say (twice actually) if I want sex I can get it (which I can) but both times stopped myself. So on our way to the late night meal I got ahead of the group by about a half of block. At an intersection a young lady (Becky, her real name) in a group of 3 people said, "Can I ask you a question?" I pretty much knew what the question was going to be about god, but I said yes and stopped. Scott shortly joined and we had a very nice conversation. I believe we made Becky and her crew's night. They said no one would stop and talk with them. For whatever reason I enjoyed the little added adventure to the trip to the first meal of the new year. It was a highlight of my new years celebration. So, when we were walking away I said to Scott quite loudly, "Becky is the reason why I would not sleep with Watson*" It's not a religion thing, its a quality thing. I am not going to ignore The Trifecta (still to be explained in a future post) for Watson* who doesn't even come close to it when there are Beckys out there that so easily fit into it.
Of course this morning Watson* and her guy du-jor had the all too common second thoughts and had to spend the morning together. Once he got the chance, he made his get away as quick as he could. I was vindicated once again.
Looking with Wonder for the Trifecta woman I know is out there....
Kevin