Sync Weekly

Posts Tagged ‘date’

Awwwwwkward

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

I found myself at a Travelers‘ game last week (taking party pics for Sync). I don’t love baseball, but I always enjoy a Spring evening outing at Dickey Stephens Park. Just as I expected there were plenty of people to see, aromas to smell, sounds to hear.

And 3 awkward situations to endure.

A single lady I am, in my late 20s and how interesting all these involved a person of the opposite sex. ‘Twas entertaining. Maybe more entertaining than the ballgame itself.

#1–He passes by, beer in both hands. He looks familiar, I can’t tell, wait! Ohhhh, yes. I dated him the summer between my Jr. & Sr. years of college, while living in Little Rock. I had an internship at a local news station and part time job at Chili’s. After a very frivolous few dates it was over. No big deal. We didn’t even get to the phase of being a couple. Now,  present day? He’s got a 2-year-old son and is a nurse. Flirting, he reassures me R.N. doesn’t stand for “rich nurse” and asks about my life. I chuckle, quickly update,  and hope he can find his friends he came with.

#2–He’s with his 2 buddies and having a good time. (i.e. enjoying how many beer?) He asked me for my number about a few months ago. After I considered (and after I did give my digits) I realized he’s not my type and I’d be better off just saying “no” up front. So what did I do when I called? I didn’t answer. What did I do when he called again? I didn’t answer. What did I do when he called me out about not answering? I simply said “I guess I wasn’t available.” Hey, it’s true. I’m not making myself available…to date…him. But by my expression, surely he got the idea tonight.

#3–Nothing to do with dating but instead social etiquette. I’d only met this guy once, at other social gatherings. His attitude tonight was way too rude and annoying while I was visiting with a girlfriend. When it comes to girls taking up for girls,  she delivered. When he tries to chat with her, she deliberately ignores, looks straight at me and says, “So, what color lipstick did you say you were wearing?” Ha! He got the hint and finally walked away.

I guess whether you’re dating someone or not, interested in baseball or not, setting yourself up for awkwardness or  not, sometimes you can’t avoid the balls life throws at you. Just better be ready to know how you’re going to react when the ball gets to you.

Pops, Wasabi and A 2nd Date

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

Pops lives 2 1/2 hours away but work meetings require his occasional romp to my town. This week happened to be his State Agents Meeting (capitalized because it’s “serious stuff”)

The rest of this entry is just the opposite.

At 4:45 he surprises me with a call asking me what’s for dinner and letting me know he’s coming to town (in that order)  Planning to meet later, we hang up. At 7:30 he calls and our convo was basically this:

Me: “What do you want to do?”

Daddy: “You tell me.”

Me: “Noooo sir, I live here. I can do anything here all the time. You’re the guest.”

Daddy: “OK, how ’bout let’s go to Cracker Barrel or Copeland’s.”

I’ll leave off the rest of our conversation.

I meet him at his hotel and “save” his parking spot so he can get it when we return. (Do you know anybody like that?) He drives us a few miles then exclaims “Oooooh Texas Roadhouse!”  I mention the China buffet Panda Garden is nearby. Finally we end up at… the China buffet.

Scoop 'o this, spoon 'o that

I learned so many things during our meal. I should have taken notes. Following is some of the caliber conversation we shared.

You should not drink ice water with your meal because it solidifies oil in the food and can (insert unpalatable details here)…cause a heart attack. I have no doubt that’s true. ;)

I fill my first plate with salad, sushi and *fake* crab. On my dad’s plate I see ribs and other buffet fare. After noticing my wasabi and ginger complimenting my sushi, we discuss the importance of both. The face he makes while trying to swallow the ginger is priceless. It reminds him of “the soap in a hotel in Hawaii” His taste of wasabi is (unfortunately for me) taken while I am going back for seconds so I don’t get to witness his raw reaction. He WILL NOT eat sushi but he does allow the occasional California Roll. (Even if he bathes it in soy sauce and cuts it in half with a fork the same manner you would a bite of cake.

California Roll (not technically sushi?) The debate continues

We scope out the room and notice every other diner. Now we are commentating what’s going on at the table…and with their individual lives. What and how much they are eating. Shoes. Phone conversations. Other important details of the strangers we’ll never see again.

Daddy: “I wonder if they washed these grapes….”
Me: “We’re at a buffet. Of all the things on the buffet and all the things that could happen in the kitchen we don’t see…and you’re worried about the grapes being washed?”

We read each other our fortunes from the cheap, brittle, flavorless but festive fortune cookies and walk out the door. Back at the hotel he invites me to come watch TV in  his room if I want…until he falls asleep. Thank you, Daddy, for the dinner date. But, as tempting as that is, I think I’ll just drive myself home now. But you have my number…so next time you’re in town…

The Bachelor Ep. 5

Friday, February 12th, 2010

What a doozy!

The episode faithful viewers always find helpful to see more into each relationship= the home town dates. The final 4 take the Bachelor to their hometowns, each to meet her family, tour and get a day to see what it’s like where she comes from.

Gia’s mom was too intuitive. Yeah right, do you feel he loves Gia because she’s your daughter and you have a mother’s love for her and don’t live in the mansion and can’t see his relationship with the other girls? Probably so.

I approved of Jake’s time with Tenley’s family. So did her dad. He reminded me of how my dad might act when (if) I ever bring home that “special boy”.  I can’t believe we’re already to the point where Jake is asking the fathers for permission to marry them! And no doubt (coming from this old-fashioned gal) my boy will ask my Daddy for permission. Plus, her dance choreographed personally for Jake was (cheesy) and very sweet. Encore! Encore!

Vienna has been nothing but up front about her relationship with her father since the beginning of the show. Truly a “Daddy’s girl” But come on. I’d be scared if I were a guy dating her. It would take too much to compete with her dad for her attention. Plus, he’s just a wee bit too much into her love life. In an icky way.

Ali had a tough week, poor girl. Like someone else I know. Choosing between staying on the show (and possibly Jake’s love) or her job back home? Truly a tough decision for a young woman. I love to work and I know how “boys” can be. And I confess here and now I’d go home to work. Laugh or scold me if you want.

Her choice results in a no-stress rose ceremony because the remaining 3 raise a toast and a rose to their possible future with Jake.

My predictions: Vienna’s going home. Gia is mature, sexy, exotic which makes it a tough choice for Jake. Tenley is too cute, honest and makes one think “Is there anything negative about you? No!” He’s going to propose to her. But wait, Gia is a jewel. Maybe it’s her. Ahhhh!

The Bachelor Ep. 4

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

Bad timing…my show aired on the eve of my niece’s birthday. Priorities!

Busy on an impromptu road trip with Valerie to welcome the baby, then work, then snow, then…well better late than never.

Little Sophia, my new niece

You can read more about her below :) I’ve got a “Bachelor” evaluation for you.

The select group board an RV for the group date and goes out for an afternoon on dune buggies near the beach. Refreshing! I know some of the girls are irritated when dates involve getting “dirty” like that. I wouldn’t mind. On Gia’s one-on-one date camping with Jake (thumbs up for playing spin the bottle with the empty wine bottle!) she admitted never being able to see stars like that living in New York. Wow. I thank God I have wonderful memories of those clear nights I had growing up, gazing up into the clear night heavens! Then the other girls start howling from their nearby campsite and we lose the mood.

Later, he tells Tenley it’s the first time he’s laid his head in a girl’s lap (in his own words) A sign of his feelings for her.

It goes downhill from there! (insert evil smile on my face here) His one-on-two date is terrible for both Kathryn and Ella! He gives Ella most of his attention, Kathryn gets way too drunk and only makes herself look more stupid when she confronts him and he picks neither one to stay around any longer! Me likes. Clean house. If you know you don’t like the chair, no need to keep it around! I love that he keeps this momentum going into the rose ceremony refusing to give out the last two roses because he knows he doesn’t love those remaining girls anyway.

A fun feature on the ABC/Bachelor website is a pic caption feature. They post pics from the episodes such as this one:

and fans can make up their own caption. If I weren’t hosting the show, I’d like to snap those.

Final words: Vienna is immature. I don’t like her… but not for the same reasons the other girls in the house don’t. Ali is bold, a bit snooty and I’m not surprised she’s in advertising sales. I predict some hot tub scenes soon. Because this is “The Bachelor” and we haven’t seen much of that yet. Who else saw the huge pitcher of red wine on the sand dunes picnic?! Wow. That’s another thing you can always count on “The Bachelor” to have. Drinks. And drama. I’m thirsty for more this week.