Party Animal # 36

In my efforts to stay independent and not ruin my budding relationship as a result of too much dependency, I recently spent a Friday night out party hoping on the town. I had several invites that night so a friend and I decided to make a night of it and see how many we could crash. By the time we drove down to Utah Valley and back up to Salt Lake however, we only made it to two. The second one of these awesome parties happened to me a house concert with several people in attendance not too far from my age. 

Upon my arrival at Party #2 I noticed that the place was packed! With my friends who accompanied me, I set out to find a spot on the crowed floor just below the performance area. Between acts we snuck in and ended up near the friend who had initially invited me. Soon after, a very good looking man came in and was slightly put out that we had taken his spot. We quickly became friends however and realized that he was just a little sarcastic, that’s all. 

We laughed our way through the rest of the night and said goodbye when all was said and done. At one point in the night however, I was showing him some pictures on my phone that I had copied from Facebook. He wanted me to send him one particular one…so I did. The guy friend who came with me thought that that was a convenient way to get my number. I thought he was into my other friend. Either way, he didn’t mention anything about it so we parted and that was that.

Party night was a week ago. Today is another Friday. This morning Mr. Party Animal texted me. He gave his name and explained that we had met at last weekend’s party. I remembered him of course. Anyway, he said he met me and my friend Jordan and asked if he could have her number. That is not my friend’s name though. That is also not my name. Sooo…I said, “Jordan…or Lisa (alias name of course)…or did you mean someone else altogether?” He responded by saying, “I swear her name was Jordan. She was sitting next to you. She’s a school teacher and 32 I believe. Is her name Lisa? I feel dumb if it is. :-)” So I said, “Haha…I’m the 32 year old school teacher. :) My friend’s name is Lisa…the 24 year old that was there with her brother. Don’t feel dumb!” And then he replied, “Haha that’s hilarious. I’m sorry. Well, now you know I want to get your number and ask you out. :-) I assured him that there was nothing to worry about, we laughed a little, and then he said, “Yes, you look like a Jordan. :-) So I thought you seemed like a fun girl and, if you’re interested, I’d like to call and ask you out sometime…” I let him know that I would like that but that I am leaving for Europe on Tuesday and won’t be back for 3 ½ weeks. So, we finally ended up planning on something for tonight. 

He picked me up at my house right on time and we set out on our adventure. He was in shorts and a tee-shirt and flip flops. I looked pretty dang HOT if I say so myself but I felt slightly over dressed for him. I kind of hate it when guys wear shorts on a date. Anyway though, we headed downtown to the Pie Pizzaria because that’s what he was in the mood for. That didn’t bother me…it was delicious! We seemed to chat all the way there and through dinner just fine! It kept me busy and not focused on Mr. Man who I was not with. We got along fine though. He is a good looking, fairly cool guy. At the same time, I think we are quite different. There is just something about him that I’m not really into but I can’t necessarily put my finger on it. I just didn’t feel like we really clicked at all, ya know? 

After dinner we decided to head over to temple square where the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra were performing in the Conference Center for the Pioneer Day celebration concert. I had been invited by another friend but skipped out because of a miss communication and because of my date. Sooo….I was REALLY excited that I still got to go see it! We were WAY under dressed of course, but we immediately got tickets upon our arrival and they weren’t too shabby of seats either. We were down in the Plaza (floor level). We arrived just in time to find seats, get comfy, and for the show to begin. 

The concert did not disappoint. It featured guest artist Katherine Jenkins from Wales and Dancing with the Stars. She’s got quite the voice! The whole performance was breathtaking as usual. As time wore on however, I began to miss my man. I wished it was him there with me. I realized for the millionth time this week, how much I am really starting to like him. But I will tell you about that shortly. 

After the concert, we quickly made our way back to his car where he was a gentleman and opened my door as he had all night. As we drove home, our conversation seemed to lack quite a bit more than it had earlier in the evening. I was just ready to be done. I tried and it was fine. He took me home, walked me up, gave me a hug, and left on his way. It was a good night. It really was. It was nice to be out doing something. I just don’t see us together and that is okay. 

As for a quick update on Mr. Man well….he is coming back to town!! Yes, he arrives on Sunday. I am ridiculously excited! Thank you to everyone who prayed for him…you know who you are!! Still, I must say that I am a little/lot sad! First, let me tell you why he is coming. Last Sunday I prayed extra hard for him. I prayed that his superiors at work would make a decision regarding his further training and that they would send him back here. I’ve also prayed all week that I would get to see him before I left on my trip. Well my friends, prayers ARE answered!! I do get to see him before I leave on my looooong trip. The sad part however, is that he will be here training for probably close to a month. I will be in Europe for most of that month. He will probably be done before I return. So, there is all this time wasted that I could have been with him but it just didn’t work out that way. I know that there is some reason….I don’t know what it is….but there is some reason it worked out this way. I’m grateful for the small moment I have with him before I go.

It’s been a great week! I’ve talked to Mr. Man almost every day and every day he has been delightful to talk to! I enjoy our conversations in many ways. We talk about the world and what is happening in it and I like that. We also laugh and are silly and I love that! The other day I was telling him about a taco that my friend had ordered the night before and I said that it was really good looking. He said, “you’re really good looking!” He is so cute that way…I love it! So, I may not be updating for awhile. I will be in London, Paris, Austria, and Budapest. Wish me luck and pray for my safety if you don’t mind. And let’s all pray that things work out positively with Mr. Man because I really think he is a keeper!! I hope so anyway…

Points for Him…And a Few for Me

Relax. That’s what I have to tell myself daily at this point. Why? Well, I’ve reached that point in the relationship where I start to analyze way too much and pretty much freak out over what we are or are not. But guess what….it doesn’t matter! Things are going well with Mr. Man for what they are and that’s all that matters. Last time, with the other pilot, I listened way too much to people around me. It turns out that other people actually do a lot more analyzing than I do and well, I’m a girl so that doesn’t help me out at all. It made me think way too much and ultimately ruin the relationship. At this point I am happy because I have no interest in him anymore at all and I am really grateful for the new pilot but I am determined not to over analyze this time around and to just let things be! And they are good!

So, it’s been over a week since I’ve seen the man in person and I am kind of dying a little inside but I am really grateful for the phone calls we have every few days or so. Last Thursday we both went to McDonalds for dinner and ordered the same thing. Cute huh! And yeah, I know, McDonalds is kinda gross. Still, it made me all happy inside as McDonalds should! Last night we talked for an hour and a half. He was driving home from the beach and I was sitting at home on my computer. He told me exactly where he was so I could look it up on Google Maps. And then I followed him home while he updated me every so often on where he was. I followed him all the way to his house. It was so cute! And fun. :)

We talked about a lot of things…we laughed…we cried…we planned. Haha…okay, we didn’t really cry but he did tell me that if I die he will be really mad. I guess that that’s a good sign…that at least he doesn’t he hate me enough to wish death upon me right? He wants me to live, whew! He also wants me to raise his puppy. That’s pretty close to kids! Okay, for some people anyway. We talked about how we know the things that the other person likes, as far as things we want. He laughed because he wants trees and puppies and I want guns and knives! We make a good pair! But he knows what kind of gun I want and I know what kind of tree and what kind of puppy he likes. He is impressed with my memory and my ability to pay attention and take note of these types of things…and I do!

As for the points well, those things certainly earned both of us points but it was later on in the conversation where I felt like he earned a good sum. You see, I have this super cute dress that I won on my friend’s coolest blog ever and I wore it to church yesterday. I always get compliments on it. When the man was here in town we shopped at City Creek and we looked at a lot of things that were orange. It is a common favorite between us. We saw a cute orange dress and I told him about the one that I have.

 He pretended not to believe me that I had one so yesterday I sent him a pic of me in my super cute dress from Shabby Apple. He liked it! We talked about it last night and I was telling him about how it was from Shabby Apple and he was like, “oh I love Shabby Apple! I bought my ex-girlfriend a dress from there…” So, points for him for knowing what that was, and for liking it and buying one for his girl at the time because they are kind of expensive! And points for me for having a super cute dress from there. Thanks Mariel! It was a good night. It left me smiling!

The Journey

Sometimes I’m pretty sure I have the best job in the world! Usually it’s during summer time when I don’t have to work that I have these thoughts. I get paid through the summer and I get a lot of free time to do whatever I please. Most of what I please includes traveling. Even without plans, it’s nice to know that I can just pick up and leave any time I want. That knowledge has been especially comforting since The Man swiftly left town, leaving hardly a trace behind. Yes it was a sad day but I knew my freedom would be coming soon….and possible a chance to follow close behind him.

That opportunity, as you know, came last week. Thursday morning I set out from Cedar City, Utah to Las Vegas, Nevada where my manly pilot awaited. Did I ever tell you that once he told me I could be his co-pilot? It was so cute! Anyway though, I set off to meet him once again and to see if we still had that little spark that began far away in Northern Utah…where the rest of the fires also remained. I went straight to his sister’s house where he was staying. I was greeted by both him and his mom. We went inside for a few minutes, I met the parents, and then we made a plan.

First on the agenda for the day: go look at investment properties with The Man and his dad. Now, you might think that this is boring, but I was actually kind of excited! I like looking at houses and also analyzing their potential! His dad is a quiet man but it was really fun to see them together, doing their thing, and just hanging out doing normal every day stuff. I was very comfortable and enjoyed myself! Back at the house afterward, I sat and chatted with him and his parents awhile. I REALLY like them!! His mom is super fantastic! Seriously, I just really felt a connection with her! I am soon headed on another big adventure to Europe and since this lucky family has lived all over the world and his dad served a mission in Paris, they told me all about the place and gave me great suggestions as to where I should go. I had a great time and I think that they really liked me too! That’s the vibe I was getting anyway so…yay!!!

Soon the man and I took off on our own and ate some lunch, browsed the local Best Buy, and went to a nearby casino for a movie. We watched, “Snow White and the Hunters.” It was…okay. He was really tired and was having a hard time staying awake but it was just nice to be near him and touching him, ya know? 

Afterward we went back to his sister’s house where we looked at the current edition of ‘Architectural Digest,” which I had brought on the trip with me. Turns out, he LOVES architecture and was really impressed that I am also a fan. I also played the piano for him and he was very complimentary. Soon his brother in law joined us and they chatted a little. Finally, his sister and her three girls arrived and he was excited to introduce me to them! His youngest niece has down syndrome and was SO cute! She came up and gave me a big hug right away and we bonded quickly! He was very good with her too. It was cute!!

My leaving the house was somewhat of an awkward ordeal as his sister and her husband were leaving at the same time. So, he gave me a good hug and then put me in my car where he finally leaned in and gave me a quick kiss…where they couldn’t see I guess. It was mid day and I think he felt awkward. I left wondering if I would see him again or not. The next day did not disappoint thankfully! Early in the morning I texted him and soon we were making plans for the day.

Day two was also a success. We first set out for food and hit up the local Jason’s Deli. It was delicious and exactly what I needed at the time. We chatted easily and enjoyed our food. Then we headed to a nearby pet store to look at the puppies! They were so cute!! I’m not really an animal person though.. . He on the other hand, would like a dog. It was fun to look with him! He showed me some cool new buildings around town and was excited that he could and that he could also talk to me about them since I also liked that sort of thing. As a result, we ended up at the Las Vegas Design Center. It is a group of huge buildings filled with designer’s show rooms where some sell to personal buyers and other to only buyers hired by big name stores like Nieman Marcus. It was pretty fascinating. We spent hours there wandering through several shows and picking out pieces that we liked. Again it was interesting to compare our styles which are honestly quite similar….at least I thought so. There were a few things we didn’t agree on but for the most part, we liked a lot of the same things. 

We ended the day with a tour down the strip. I grew up there but it’s been a few years since I took myself down that way. It was fun to see what was new, what was gone, and the carcasses of bankrupt buildings stopped mid progress. He enjoyed showing me I think and I enjoyed being back there. We chatted and then finally headed back to his sister’s place where he said goodbye to me and then packed up to head back to Cali. 

I’ve talked to him a couple of times since I returned on Saturday but it’s kind of hard not knowing when I will see him again. Today we had a great conversation and it was so fun to talk to him! I REALLY like the guy dang it!! I’m not really sure what to do about that other than just see how it plays out I guess. His job is still a little up in the air and he is worried about that I can tell. As for me, I will be leaving the country soon. I do hope to see him again before I go. I think that things will work out eventually but I also think that it’s going to take some time of course. It’s only been a month since I met him in person anyway. But whatever happens…I really hope it’s good…and in both of our favors!

Chasing Boys

Time for an update? Okay. Well, Mr. Man was here in town for about 2 ½ weeks when he got sent back to California. It was a great couple of weeks! We hung out almost every day and were just starting to get into a good groove. The Saturday before he left he took me to dinner at The Roof restaurant in the top of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building downtown. Wow, it was fancy! It was also delicious! We doubled with one of his co-workers and his wife. It was fun to meet some of his friends since he had met a group of mine the night before. It went really well I think! I was a little shy but that’s okay. 

 As for the dinner, it was super expensive! I am not usually one to require men to spend a lot of money on me but I’ve got to say, it made me feel special knowing that he felt like I was worth it! After dinner we all took a carriage ride. I felt like such a princess! Then we all walked around the new mall downtown, City Creek. It was really fun shopping with him! You actually learn a lot about a person that way and we seem to have similar tastes in most things. Also, I enjoyed walking around holding his hand or him with his hand on my back. When we were watching the fountain from above, waiting for the cool fire show they do, he snuck in a little kiss. It was definitely one of my favorite nights with him!

A few short days later he was heading back home and I was devastated! So was he! It actually came as a shock and surprise to both of us so we didn’t talk about us at all other than the fact that he said he hoped he would see me again sometime and I emphatically agreed! So, we resolved that we WOULD see each other again! We have kept in touch and talked almost every day since. He left exactly one week ago today. I really miss him! Turns out, I really like the guy! So, here I am in Southern Utah, heading down to meet him in Vegas tomorrow. I don’t know how long he or I will be there…it may just be a very brief encounter…but at least I will get to see his face!  And to kiss it!

Last night as we talked on the phone for quite some time, he told me that his friends liked me. Apparently they liked me better than any of his other girlfriends. Haha. I guess they only met one but still… It was nice to hear. He was also elated to find out that my friends liked him, and that they thought we were a good match. He told me once that he thought I was too pretty for him. He’s good like that! So, I have no idea what I am doing but right now, I’m stickin to it! I’m chasing him around the country and I guess we will just see what happens. Okay, I’m not really chasing him around but this trip just happened to work out for both of us. I really have no idea what will happen. It seems so unlikely that it could work out but I guess you can always hope right? I would like it to….at least for now.

Mr. Man #35

There is a man. He lives in a small city in California. This man also takes up a small space on an internet dating site where I frequently browse for men. One day in April he “liked” one of my photos. After a quick glance at his profile, I decided he was worthy of a “hello” from me. So, I said “hi” and introduced myself with my name. He replied with a little bit longer response and it turned out that we had a few former cities of residence in common. I teased him that he was following me around. Our emails continued for a short time until he gave me his number. We started to both text and talk on the phone. We have been talking ever since. 

It’s been several weeks and things have gotten better and better with him.  A few weeks ago he was planning a trip to Vegas for a family event. His niece was getting baptized actually. Since it is between us, he wanted to fly me down there. I was busy that Friday night with a date so I wouldn’t have been able to come until Saturday. He looked for flights but nothing seemed to work out. I thought it was very nice of him to offer to fly me there so he could meet me though. Most guys are like, “hey, when are you gonna come visit me?” and they never offer to help pay or anything. And mostly, they probably just want a make out. This guy seemed different though. He has seemed really good and kind and genuine. And he is the only one that I actually talk to on the phone. He is not afraid to call me frequently and I LOVE that!! In fact, on his trips to Vegas a couple weekends in a row, he talked to me while he drove there and back. It was good times. 

After he invited me down to Vegas, I had gotten pretty excited about the thought. Some of our next few conversations were my favorite. I decided I really kinda liked the guy and that I would REALLY like to meet him! Well, it turns out that he is in training for his job. He flies airplanes for a living. He does this for the government and that’s all I know. There is a lot he can’t tell me. Still, it’s kind of weird that he is a pilot. At first I resisted him for this reason but I am totally over it now….and the other pilot! Anyway, he told me some time ago that he would be coming to Utah toward the end of May of the beginning of June to finish his training for a few weeks. Last week, he finally got the go ahead to come this way! He came up last weekend, arriving Sunday afternoon. Yay!!!

I was so excited to meet him! Also though, I was so nervous! He is staying at a hotel not too far from my house. It’s an easy drive anyway. So, Sunday evening I headed out there with a bag full of food. I picked him up and we set out on a little picnic. He brought a blanket and we found some grass and a pond with ducks really close by. It was perfect! We ate the food I brought and chatted a little. He said that I was cute in person too! He complimented me a lot actually and I like that! He has told me several times before that I was beautiful but I was always just waiting until he saw me in person. He didn’t change his mind thank goodness! 

So, dinner went well, and then he kissed me. :) I didn’t feel bad at all because we have been getting to know each other for awhile. It wasn’t like meeting up with a stranger for a make out. It was nice and it was also short. He had to get up super early in the morning for work so I dropped him off an hour after I arrived. He was sad to have to go but said that we could continue later. When I was going he said, “tomorrow?” And so it was set. 

When Monday came around, we went to dinner, went shopping at Walmart, and hung out at his place for awhile. It was cute in the store shopping with him because he snuck in a couple of really quick little kisses. It was so cute!! He told me a lot of times that he really likes me and such. He also says lots of chessy things to me but I really like it! He is easy to be with and I really like him too. So far, so good. Last night I was busy so tonight we went to the library so he could get some books on tape to listen to on the way to work and back. It’s a long drive! He was fun there. Then we went to his house for a few and I left early again so he could get some sleep! Don’t want him falling asleep while flying...or driving! 

So yeah, things are great there! I have no idea how this will pan out and if it works out, I’m freakin out a little cause he lives in Cali…and I live in Utah! I don’t know. I’m just trying to enjoy the moment and we will see what happens later right? Meanwhile, I have a few more guys chatting with me still. I’m not ready to just drop them all because who knows what will happen with Mr. Man. It’s at that point when dating that I always screw things up so I’m gonna not screw things up this time and I am going to continue to date other guys. It’s hard though. When I am seeing him every day and kissing him…how am I supposed to just casually go out with other guys? I don’t know. I’ll make it happen though…..I guess.

Surprise # 34

Remember all of my crazy fun adventures this year? I’ve met a lot of new friends and had some good times. I went to a party in St. George, one in Idaho, and one in Park City. At the last two locations, I was with some of the same people. These are friends of my visiting teacher who is a good friend. Anyway, there have been several fun guys but no potentials in my eyes. This particular group however takes many trips to Lake Powell in the summer time. I was hoping to get in enough to get invited. 

Last week one of those new guy friends emailed me on facebook. He said, “Hey kid, My buddy and I are gonna take his boat out on Friday for the first run of the season. We were thinking of cool people and your name was at the top of the list. Wanna roll, or float on Friday night?” I was like, “heck yeah I want to go!” So, I gave him my number and we worked out the details throughout the week. I was excited to hang with all my new friends again at this fun boating adventure/party. When I arrived at his house the only people there were him, his buddy, and another girl. Hmm…I thought this rather suspicious but really didn’t read too much into it. It was a nice boat with plenty of room for more though! We headed out to Jordanelle just past Park City. Just before arriving, we stopped to get some food which the boys bought for us. The friend that asked me got mine. We set out on the lake and cruised out. Ahhh…it was great to be out on the open water, the wind in my hair, with the mountains surrounding and creating quite the scene. Freedom! It was great! After cruising for a few, the boys asked if we were hungry. I was! So, we killed the engine and let the boat float while we enjoyed our Blimpie subs and chips. 

Soon after eating, I made my way out to the bow of the boat…my favorite spot. I stretched out to enjoy the beautiful sunset! It was amazing!! Mr. Surprise soon followed with a blanket and we lazily chatted and slowly watched the sun go down and the stars appear. We got along really well and he was easy to talk to. I shared my love of astronomy and we guessed what the planets and constellations were that we viewed. He checked on his high tech phone app that speaks when you point it at an object in the sky. Mine wasn’t quite as good as his. It was pretty dang sweet! 

While we chatted in the front of the boat, the other two hung back in the back and talked. They finally joined us up front and whipped out the key lime pie. It was delish! And what better place to enjoy it? We all talked and laughed till my cheeks hurt pretty bad. Nobody wanted to call it a night but alas my bladder finally couldn’t take anymore and we slowly made our way back ashore. It was after midnight before we reached the dock. It took quite some time to re-hook up and get on our way but that was fine. When we got back to the boys’ house, Mr. Surprise walked me to my car and gave me a hug. It was then that it hit me…”Was this a date????” “I think it was a date!!!” haha…silly, oblivious girl. I am pretty positive at this point that it was and I feel a little bad for my phone usage while I was out there but I didn’t know! He texted me a couple of days later to tell me he had fun and to chat it up again a little. Yikes…he is so nice and everything, I am just not interested in him that way. I’m not attracted to him. It was a great way to spend a Friday night though…that is for sure!!