I posted a few days ago about how I had the conversation with Hot Stud telling him that I was not interested in anything casual that I adored him immensely, but I was in the market for a serious exclusive relationship.

And I definitely couldn't do a casual thing with him because it would be too emotionally confusing for me.

He is in Vegas right now for work. He called me last night out of the blue telling me that he wished I could see the view and telling me about what's going on. He's been respectful and not made any sort of sexual innuendos since we had 'the talk'.

I know that as I write it, it sounds like he's the player. He's not. The guy has a heart of gold. Still, I'm moving on.
 

In addition to breaking my nose last week, I also (finally) broke the news to Hot Stud that I wasn't interested in fooling around with him.

I had been holding off for months to tell him because I wanted to do it in person. I'm a firm believer in breaking news face to face. But he really pressed the issue on the phone the other day. I finally said something along the lines of "I love you but I cannot fool around with you. I want something exclusive."

He said that he was special. I said that I agreed - he was so special that if we fooled around, I'd end up broken hearted - that I couldn't separate my feelings like that. That despite finding him to be the most amazing man and the sexiest man I've ever encountered, I needed more.

He said he got it - he was cool about it - and said that he wouldn't go there again.

I was concerned that when I told him, that it'd change our relationship. He called me just after I busted my nose. He was his typical sweet self - he offered to come up and get me, drive me home. He called several times over the past few days offering to help and checking up. Total sweetie.

Yes, I really did break my  nose.
Saturday morning I awoke resembling a racoon. I started taking Arnica Friday night  to help reduce the bruising.
I kept throwing up.
I didn't hit my nose so hard I could have a concussion.
I broke down and took some pain meds and kept frozen peas on my face.

 
One of my friends didn't understand the frozen peas. She thought I was eating them and didn't understand why peas. (It molds really well to your face to keep them cold.)

I cannot breathe  out of my left nostril at all. I feel like I've got a sinus infection of prolific status.

I had a client appt this afternoon. I spent a good hour trying to minimize my black eyes. Now I have to take the Google Authorized Reseller test today. And pass it. Or I don't have a job.
 

The Sky has Dandruff.

Oh wait.

It's snow.

Everyone must now drive like complete idiots.

I got an email yesterday from Mr. High School. It was short but he said that he recalled we had classes together and went down 'memory lane' further.

I have utterly NO recollection of this guy. At all. Now it wasn't like I was homecoming queen and I was extremely visible... If you've ever read the book or seen the movie "Election" - picture Tracy Flick. That was me. Driven. (Not to the point of trying to kill classmates or boinking my teacher to get ahead, but you get the picture...) I was in about every club there was except Spanish Club (because it would be blasphemous since I was President of the French Club...). It was all about getting into a good college for law school...

I realized why I was feeling so uncomfortable with this guy's enthusiasm.

I used to be a radio DJ at a 'very popular' FM station in town. At the time it was 'the' station. I sort of fell into the job. People would feel like they knew me from being on-air. If I was making an official appearance to introduce a band or do a remote broadcast, there were some people that would get a little over the top. It was flattering, but it'd also get scary. I had a couple of people that sent stuffed animals, books, poetry, flowers to the station. They'd say they were friends of mine and want me to come out to meet them. There were times when I felt concerned enough to have Security escort me to my car.

It's part of the reason I got out of radio.

So that's why his 'enthusiasm' evoked that sort of "wtf" response. 

I swear that if the local Atlanta meteorologists were reporting on the "War on Terror", we'd all have our homes sealed with plastic over the windows, have a year's supply of water and food, and we'd be digging bomb shelters in our back yards.

We're going to get a couple (like 1-3 inches) of snow today. Not ice. Not sleet. Just some fluffy snow. Later this afternoon/evening.

At 6am, the reporters were spread all over town, reporting on drizzles in the 37 degree temperatures. "Breaking Weather Updates"...

There are no school closings. It's Saturday. There aren't any work stoppages or traffic delays. Public health is not threatened.

It's just (potentially) going to be fun to frolic in later today. Why do they have to get so 'the sky is falling' with the news? Apparently, it's a slow news day.

I'm expecting a news bulletin shortly reporting that the grocery stores are facing a critical shortage of small marshmallows for cocoa and they'll have experts on to teach people how to cope. 

On the other hand, I'm looking forward to letting Tux and Velvet experience their first snow. :)

Wednesday night I was at a business function. I had invited several clients to do some introductions. I knew probably 50% of the people in the room. I'm in the midst of an introduction and this guy sort of walks up and interrupts saying "I've met you before."

I look at him - doesn't ring a bell - at all.
I ask who he is and what company he is with, in hopes that would ring a bell.
It didn't.

He insisted that he 'knew' me.
I may not remember a face but I always remember business cards/companies.
Never been professionally introduced to him.

He's continuing to dominate the conversation trying to figure out where he 'knows' me from.
(A friend asked if it was a drunken hook-up when I was sharing the story... NO. It wasn't a drunken hook-up. THANK GOD. I don't do that - but wouldn't it be horrifying if it was???)

So finally he asks if I grew up around 'here'.
I said yes.
He said "We went to high school together."

Still had no clue who the guy was.
But he started going into great detail about me - the academic clubs I was involved with - that I was involved with some mysterious guy in college and didn't date anyone in school... He recalled how I'd get the Current Events teacher really riled up in debate.

He tells me who my 'friends' were.
Still didn't ring a bell.
It was REALLY creeping me out.
It's been almost 20 years and despite me living within 20 minutes of where I grew up, I have NEVER encountered anyone I went to high school with since I graduated. I realized that I didn't like any of my friends and moved on with my life.

So now this dude wants to take me to 'lunch'. He asked one of my associates at the event later if she knew if I was dating anyone.

Why am I so creeped out by this?????

OMG OMG OMG.

Business function last night.
You will NOT believe who I ran into.

Long story. Cannot go into details now but I'll post by tomorrow morning.
Developing...

Mr. Wolf in Sheeps clothing emailed me again - reiterating what I had posted yesterday. I replied "I have no problem with meeting you in public, however, I have a firm policy, no matter how strong the chemistry is, to let things develop slowly."

His reply?

"Ok. Been nice talking to you."

HA I can still detect someone who says one things but wants something else.

I'm not feeling the love with work. It's so clique-ish and I just don't get it.

I was asked last week to come up with a training session. I spent a lot of time on it. It was supposed to be mandatory. But the boss wasn't there so only 4/16 showed up. And 2 of the 4 were late. No apologies, no thanks for the help, etc.

Today, I asked a couple of people to look over something for me and I got blown off completely. "I'm too busy" but one person in particular wanted me to take her to different events so she could pounce on my contacts.

I make nice conversation with people but I haven't gotten a single even insincere compliment - ie nice dress, great shoes, etc.

This afternoon was the last straw - I had a huge sneeze. We're in a cubicle farm. Not ONE person said 'Bless you'.


 

I am having fantasies about...

taking a vacation. It's been sooo long since I've been on a good tropical diving trip. I have .84 + .42 days off earned with the new job so far.

That's not quite enough for a trip to Fiji.

Sigh.

I selected 10 'bachelors' or so they describe themselves that way... exchanged emails. Will see what happens. When I have time, I'll try to give a brief synopsis of them and let you guys vote on them.

I certainly can't meet all of them over one weekend. A couple have my interest piqued. The remaining few hold some possibility - will give them an opportunity to share more about themselves.

I've put some others on the back-burner because they have kids. I know they could be really awesome men, but I just have zero desire to get involved with that sort of lifestyle. And since I'm not looking ultimately for something casual, I am keeping that in consideration. Just like a smoker, kids are just a facet of someone that doesn't 'fit' with what I want/need.

I am amazed at how some men get SO touchy about that. I think it's better to be upfront - it's not personal. Just like someone may not find me appealing because I'm not stick-thin. Fine - I cannot change who I am.

I'm going to set up coffees with some of the bachelors this weekend. I hope I can keep them straight. I think I'll have to take notes.

In the spirit of my New Years Resolution of dating 100 men this year... I posted an online ad on CraigsList.

It's free...

Surprisingly, not a single obscene picture and the vast majority of them seem reasonable. I have 47 prospects so far - after weeding out ones that have the social and grammar skills of a caveman or say that they seek a 'discreet' relationship.

In theory, I could knock out half my quota with the replies so far if they want to meet for coffee and I schedule a couple of marathon quick dates.

Note, I did not say 'quickies'.

I've only glanced at the responses and have sent brief acknowledgments that I received their email but I was swamped.

I've been a busy beaver when it comes to work. I've been working on some projects to help train my team mates while trying to get stuff stirring. I've been asked to be a guest today on a radio show about marketing for small businesses related to technology.

I'm having a difficult time trying to balance things. I'm working 12+ hour days Mon-Fri and some on weekends. Otherwise, I'm totally zonked. I am trying to squeeze in volunteering at the fish tank (they fired the person I was having issues with and asked me to come back...so I agreed.) Exercising. And dating...

Did I mention one of my goals for 2008 is to go on dates with 100 men? Yep. I figure that it's a numbers game and out of a hundred, there has to be at least 1% that is a good fit. (A date can be a quick meeting at a coffee shop...) Of course, if I meet Prince Charming at date 89, I'll decide if I want to shelve the project. And for the idiots, a date does not mean boinking. That's something a porn star would do. A porn star I am not. (Nor do I aspire to be one.) I decided that I need to once and for all, find someone else to distract me other than Hot Stud. Every guy I've dated falls short when it comes to him. So I'm going to focus on quantity and hopefully, I'll find someone that is quality out of the mix. (Now, Hot Stud and I will remain friends - I cannot imagine not having him in my life, but this girl needs to move on and find a guy that is full-time.)

Back to work.
Have a great day peeps.