The Immaculate Household

It is the Friday before Spring Break...clearly I'm not teaching, clearly there's not a lot of productive learning happening.  My kids have just about all had melt downs today.  We need a break.  Thank God I'll be in San Fran by tomorrow afternoon!

I tried to blog a few days ago and was blocked!  You can imagine my dismay!  Somehow, though, I was able to get on today.  The district techies are probably already on their Spring Break.

Quick dating update...

I went for dinner and drinks on monday night with Aaron (with an A), the rock climber who lives in Boulder.  We went to this sweet little restaurant in LoDo called Lola's and then around the corner to Forest Room Five for a drink afterwards.  I like him.  He's interesting, he's funny, and the boy's a good kisser.  Our conversation was great...no lulls (there were a couple last time).  He seems genuine and passionate.  I'm sure I'll see him again when I get back in town.

I spent last night with Dana.  Dana is a very interesting person.  I wish I had a video clip to share because I can't think of how to describe him.  He's still a bit formal, which I think is just his style.  We went for a quick bite to eat at this little pub in downtown Denver and then back to his place for drinks.  I learned that he's divorced.  I'm totally fine with this, but the fact that he still seems to be stuck in his glory days of high school and college is becoming clearer to me.  I think he is trying to redefine himself and the last time he really knew himself, he was between the ages of 17-24.  So, it's as if he's gone back to that point to pick up the pieces.  He talks a lot about his accomplishments during that time.  I call this blog the immaculate household because that is exactly what his flat was like...ridiculously immaculate.  I know I'm anal about where things go, but I realized that I'm truly not that bad comparatively!  Towards the end of the night, we made out for a while on his couch.  In between kissing, he was very complimentary of our time together and said he was already looking forward to my returning to Denver.  I like Dana, but I'm pretty sure he's not my guy.  He's too perfect-seeming.  I know he's not actually perfect, but he wants to give off that vibe and it's kind of annoying.  I feel like I should be careful with him though...in the sense that i don't want to drag this on if I'm not truly interested in pursuing this with him.  He said last night that I was the first special person he's met in a long time...I don't want to drag it out if it's not what I want.

I'm also talking to another guy who's 6'6".  I don't have a name picked out for him yet, but this height thing is getting a little ridiculous, don'tcha think?!

Much go grab lunch!

Much love!

Dating Update

This past week was a busy one in terms of meeting new people.  Last Wednesday, I went out with the 6'4" Red Head for date number 2.  We met at another swanky little wine bar (this time in Boulder) and then went to a Tibetan restaurant called Sherpa's for appetizers.  He's probably been my favorite of the online boys so far.  I don't necessarily feel a romantic connection with him, but we definitely connect.  He's very funny (and not in an obnoxious way) and I enjoy his intellect as well.  I've noticed that characteristic increasingly climbing up the "I'm gonna need you to have ______" list.

On Saturday, before I went to Ft. Collins to hear my lover play (and by lover, I mean Michael Franti, who, by the way, invited all 800 of us to join him at his house in San Francisco for a sing-a-long session around his fish pond in his backyard ~ I'm going to need my bro Andy to get on that ASAP since he's tight with him now that Andy's working his lights...going to be in SF in 2 weeks ~ coincidence?  I think not!), I met up with Aaron (With an A, of course) for coffee.  Earlier that day, I stumbled into this fabulous little boutique where I bought a perfectly fitting pair of skinny jeans (whole other story...did you know that designers make this size called "petites" and that it works really well for my 5'0" frame, even with the booty?!  Why did I just discover this at age 28?!).  My point is that I wore them to coffee and looked cute!  ANYWAY, Aaron is a rock climber...moved to CO for it actually.  He was a bit nervous (it seemed) at first, but we got into a groove and I enjoyed his company as well.  We talked about the idea of going climbing together, which I would definitely love to try.  I sort of feel like going on a couple different dates in various settings helps me get a better picture of the person.  This won't be a shocker to most of you, but I have a pretty dominant personality and I think it would be interesting to see how Aaron (With an A) is like in a setting that is completely comfortable to him and totally foreign to me.  So, I'm sure there will be a date #2.

Finally, I went out with FastTrack last night for drinks and dinner.  FastTrack is handsome, sure of himself, and ambitious.  He has a lot to say, although I can't knock him because I know I do too.  Although I did enjoy our time, I hope he relaxes a little bit more next time.  There were moments when he showed his sense of humor, but it was as if he didn't want to really show me that part of himself, although I know it's there because that's why I was interested in him in the first place through his profile and emails.  It's sort of hard to explain, but it was almost a little too business-like??  The conversation was good...he's from Maine, has an interesting background, seems smart (got his MBA at Notre Dame and is now in law school because he likes to argue, although he assured me (because I asked) that he doesn't always think he's right), is liberal-minded, is well-traveled, and works for an Olympic anti-doping company (forgot to ask him what he thinks of the legalization of pot).  After a drink at one place and sushi at another, he wanted to grab coffee elsewhere, but I declined because (hello?!) it's a school night.  He lives near the restaurant, so I drove him back to his place and in a business-like manner, he said he wanted to do this again ~ he's leaving for Costa Rica on Thursday and suggested that we get together before, although I didn't commit to anything, but he might get lucky!  I think it would be fun to cook at his place ~ I got the feeling he doesn't do that too much.  He seemed into the idea although I don't know that that would happen for date #2.  We'll see!

I was never able figure out how to juggle balls, but apparently, I'm getting better at it!  :)

And one more thing...I was surprised to see someone named Mark read my last blog and write a very nice comment...thanks, Mark!  I appreciate the Events and Adventures suggestion...I definitely would love to check it out, although I'm actually living in Denver now, not Dallas.  Haven't had a chance to see if they're here yet...

Hope everyone is doing well and survived the first day of springing forward!

The Bachelor is Bullshit and I am Dating...Many Men!

I don't want to talk about the fact that SOME of you officially hate the book Wemberly Worried. It's still a classic...and don't you be surprised if I buy it for one of your babies. :)

I just got finished watching the season finale of the Bachelor. I can't believe they put that poor girl through hell and back and hell again. God love her. She lives in Dallas...someone get her Dr.Don's number for some much needed therapy.

But on to more pressing issues! So I joined eHarmony about a month ago. Two of my girlfriends here and I decided that we needed to challenge ourselves at least once a month to step outside of the comfort zone in search of available, single, emotionally and mentally capable men. It can be a daunting task, especially for those of us who would just like for Prince Charming to knock on the door and announce that he's Mr. Perfect. So, my challenge for February was to join a dating site. And it has proven to be pretty fun! I have already been out on two dates, I'm going on a 2nd date this week with one of the guys I met last week, and I'm SO excited because two of the guys that I have been talking with that I'm interested in both asked me out too! But now, of course, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed! How the hell do guys just flit around and date copious amounts of women?! It's exhausting! But I feel like I'm on my own, more private version, of the Bachelorette!

Quick run down...of course, I'll give them nicknames...it's much more fun and easier to remember who's who...

First Date: The 6'4 Red Head
I know what you're thinking already...6'4? Red hair? He and I went out last week for drinks at this swanky little wine bar. Good, easy conversation...he's totally laid back and there was hardly a lull in the flow of our talking. I was impressed with the fact that he just straight up said when and where we were going. I'm all about a guy who can just make a plan (imagine that?). If for nothing else, I was grateful to have a boost of confidence that I can actually do this. This meaning make a plan with someone of the opposite sex, drive to the bar looking 1/2 way decent, walk in by myself when I don't see him there, order a drink (swig it down real fast), order another one (and leave it lying casually on the table), and graciously introduce myself when he walks in. It was a good start.
Status: Rose (I am seeing him again on Wednesday)

Second Date: Zach Braff
I went out last night with "Zach." He looks like Zach Braff, but more than that I'm calling him that because at one point, when we were talking about Garden State and how we liked the movie and soundtrack he said, "I'm pretty much Zach Braff...weird, creative, big headed." I don't even remember what he said past that. I was irritated that he compared himself (and he was COMPLETELY serious) to Zach Braff and was fine with having the asshole side that Zach Braff apparently has. This guy is 27, which I know is only a year younger than me, but he felt younger than that. I was over him 1/2 way through dinner. I was looking for the "Close Match" button that I've used so frequently on eHarmony and couldn't find it. I even tried this thing that Ben does when he's not interested in a conversation that we're having where he just yells in the middle of our talking,"BORING!" (although I tried it it my mind so as not to seem rude), but it didn't work. Finally, I said I had to get home because I had an early morning. I emailed him the friend email and this was his reply...

Hey Erin,
You're more than welcome for dinner last night. Thank you for a great time (and for the coffee)!
I appreciate your honesty and being up front with me so quickly. To continue this open and straightforward communication, I really enjoyed hanging with you last night and thought (and still think) that you and I had (have) some real potential considering how much we have in common and how we interacted. With that said, being friends would be pretty cool too. I still want to do a movie on Friday, as I think it would be a good time. Would you still be interested? I'll let you decide what we see (since you've seen more of what's out than I have). What do you say?Anyway, hope the rest of your week goes well. Feel free to drop me a text, e-mail, or phone call anytime and let me know about Friday. Take Care! (Zach Braff)

I added that last part since clearly that isn't his name, but did ANYONE catch the deal breaker?! That's right...he use the token words I hate...take care.
Status: No Rose

Interest 3: Aaron With an A
He's only an interest because we haven't gone out yet, although we're supposed to get together this week. Aaron With an A is from Boulder. He actually moved here fairly recently as well. He's super cute and seems like he could be very intellectually stimulating. He's into yoga, rock climbing, and hiking. I'm a little nervous because I'm afraid that he'll end up being like Bruno, which is actually a HUGE generalization, but what can I say? He's a Boulder Boy.

Interest 4: FastTrack
He's handsome, he's funny, and he's light-hearted about the whole online dating thing. I call him FastTrack because on eHarmony, you are given the option to either go through Guided Communication, in which you post questions to each other before the "open communication" phase or you can just do FastTrack, at which point, you are just emailing back and forth with the person without any assistance from Dr. Warren. Since his profile stated that he preferred FastTrack, I decided to email him. Here is part of his reply:

I'm glad you liked my profile! You'd be surprised how many people take this very seriously and find my profile offensive! I sort of think the whole online dating process this site employs is fairly strange, so I did my best to make light of it. That's why I prefer FastTrack. I prefer to get to know someone by talking to them, not through pre-set questions and MHCSs that don't really tell you anything about someone. Through guided communication, you learn profound things such as your matches can't stand racists and need to receive affection in relationships. It's sort of akin to someone telling you that the world is round and that dinosaurs are extinct.I really enjoyed your profile too!

In my book, you get HUGE points for not listing Eat, Pray, Love as the last book you enjoyed. I'm sure it's a great book, mostly because every girl on this site names that book in their profile, but the fact that you didn't makes you different and I like that.

As with Aaron With an A, FastTrack just asked me out tonight, so I'll email him back tomorrow with a YES, PLEASE! I think he has great potential!

That's all for now...I'll (try to!) keep you posted!

Much love...