end of a year and more...

This New Years Eve I will be celebrating a little bit more than usual. I will be saying goodbye to a year that saw a massive change in my life. A boyfriend. Someone who loves me for my craziness, looks after me when I'm sick, and thinks that I'm a fabulous cook.
I started 2010 probably thinking that I was never going to meet anyone, and I'll be finishing 2010 kissing the man of my dreams.

I didn't think the man of my dreams actually existed, and yes I've had to accept some less-than dream-like qualities, but I'm sure he has had to as well.
Christmas Eve will be spent with his Grandparents, then Christmas morning with his family and boxing day with my family. Things have certainly changed, and all in the space of under 5 months.

This change has also meant that I have a lot less time for the stuff that I used to do - like blogging. Now I'm living my life instead of just dreaming about what it could be. Although "living" does sometimes mean hanging out on the couch watching a DVD....but don't worry, it's usually followed by great sex!

it's your choice

The way that you react to certain situations is entirely your choice.

If your workplace posts a motivational sign, for whatever reasons, it is your choice to read it. It is your choice to react to it. I have one of these signs directly in front of me, and after I've read it once I barely notice it.

So it's your choice.

Do you want to look like this:

or like this:

not just sex, not hanging out or winging it

Finally I have met a guy who seems to actually like me and not want to keep me at arms length while playing the ever seductive withholding game. This should be a great change and I should be shouting from the roof tops, but honestly it kind of scares me. You can get so comfortable with a certain kind of behaviour, however bad it is, that any kind of change can make you uneasy.
I find myself thinking "wow, he wants to see me again", "hmmm, he didn't try and makeout with me on the couch", "he holds my hand in public", "really, he told you we were together?". These are all things that I'm just not used to!
I'm so much more comfortable with telling friends "oh, we're not serious. We're just hanging out", or "I don't know when I'll see (or even hear from) him next", and then watching him dart away if anyone ever brings out a camera.
But now I'm not sure what comes next, what I'm allowed to expect of him and what he will expect of me. Can I invite him to a work dinner next week, or is that too much? Do I introduce him as my boyfriend or do we still have to have that conversation? And do I have to stop dating other people?
It's all very confusing! I also don't know what I can ask him, and what I can't! Hmmm... very strange.

upcoming movies I want to see

The Expendables


The Other Guys


Vampires Suck - although I may wait until this one is on DVD.


Easy A


The Adjustment Bureau


Dinner for Schmucks

slow down, take it easy

On the weekend I went to the snow with some friends. While we were driving to the snowfields we came around a corner to see a car coming towards us and crossing over the lines on to our side of the lane. Luckily they corrected, but seriously they should just slow down!
Then when we were leaving we were over-taken about three times which is extreme considering the narrow road and the fact that we were doing the speed limit.
I know that the 'Speed Kills' ads don't work too well, but if you watch them all in one sitting, well they do make a difference. Watch this video and slow down.

safe and protected

There is something to be said for feeling safe with a man. Actually, not just safe but protected. That feeling that if something were to happen that guy would save you or protect you. Like when the car nearly hit Bella in Twilight!

It's the feeling you get when you're doing some kind of adventure sport and you know someone is keeping an eye on you.

It's that sense of safety when you feel strongly muscled arms around you.

It's the complete opposite to when you look at a guy and think "gosh, he would collapse under my weight!" or "he would never defend my honour". There was something to be said for a good old fashioned duel over a ladies honour.

Do you think that 'being able to rescue me' is too much of a princess requirement to put on you list of what you look for in a man? I worry that I may find myself torn between a man who could save me and one who couldn't. I have to admit that if everything else was equal between the two guys, the being able to rescue me would push one guy to the top of the list. But what if they can both rescue me!!

Is it too much to ask for men to compete in a series of physical challenges to win the hand of a fair maiden? I think my challenges of choice would be a joust and a caber toss!

prisoner of war

Last night I dreamt that I was a Prisoner of War.

I had been working at an air show, and while being quite impressed by a demonstration we realised that it wasn't a demonstration and that the planes were actually shooting at us! Running back into the hanger we became prisoners.

The dream went on with a few random encounters. Then I went up to one of the guards, who looked a lot like Paul Bettany, and asked if it could be arranged for us to have just 5 minutes outside in the fresh air - I was craving fresh air! There were some women who were allowed to go outside to hang washing, but I wasn't one of them. The guard was sympathetic and I could tell that he was a nice person, even if he was keeping me prisoner.

Then I had an altercation with another prisoner and a female guard intervened. I think the other prisoner was killed but I can't remember. When I came back from this meeting I stood there and looked outside - the prisoners were outside enjoying the fresh air. I saw the male guard and he smiled at me and I mouthed the words "thank you".

He then pulled me aside and said that he was leaving. The war was almost over, and he had to go home to Canada. He showed me a card with a baby on it and the year 2036. I think this was either his baby, or his expected baby.

He shook my hand but didn't let go. I took his hand and put it on my cheek. I was crying. He was upset, looking in my eyes, and I told him "I've always loved you".

He pulled his hand back and walked away.

best party ever

On the weekend a friend of mine had a party. It was a Mad Hatters Party - we all had to wear hats. And it was fabulous!

I commented to one of my friends at the party that there was a very good ratio of men to women there, and we both agreed that it was the best ratio either of us had ever seen at a party. Not only were there a good amount of men present, the men that were there also seemed to be of a good quality. It was a rare occurrence of quantity and quality!

And it turned out that we were right, the ratio was fantastic and at least four men (that we know of) went home with girls phone numbers! It is true that two of those men have the same girls number, but all is fair in love and war.

I also believe that the hats may have helped a bit. I was wearing a Jordanian scarf over my hair, and when I guy walked in with a Bedouin head dress he was told that his perfect match was here and brought directly over to me. He ended up asking for my friends number, but I will take credit for that since he came over to talk to me!

There were also people wearing sombreros who congregated and I believe a little match was made there as well!

Well over the next week there are a couple of girls in town who will be having first dates with these men, I wonder if they will lead to second and third dates? I hope so!

shopping list for a husband

A friend of mine has lent me the book Marry Him: The Case for Settling for Mr Good Enough by Lori Gottlier, and in the prologue of this book Lori has written her 'Shopping list for a man' - and to all the people who think that I'm too fussy, just check out this list (with my comments in Pink.

• Intelligent - well dah! Of course you want a guy who is at least a little bit smart!
• Kind - once again, isn't that a given?
• Extremely funny - why 'extremely' funny? How about just a little bit funny?
• Curious - what do you mean? As in 'curious about anal sex', I DON'T THINK SO!!
• Loves kids - in a pedophile way? Do you want a husband or a father?
• Financially stable - that would be good. You don't want to have to support him.
• Emotionally stable - naturally.
• Sexy - like Justin Timberlake? I don't think many guys are really that sexy.
• Romantic - that would be appreciated. But my Dad once scraped the ice off my mum's car, so she wouldn't have to do it, and I think that is more Romantic than anything in a fairy tale.
• Passionate - to the extent of doing it in a toilet at the pub? I don't think 'passion' is that important.
• Compassionate - hmm....don't really know about this one.
• Irreverent - that's a big word.
• Intuitive - how about psychic?
• Generous - considering how used I am to being spoilt, I'm going to say that this would be a good quality.
• Same religion but not too religious - I just want someone who is open about religion and not in a cult all kinds of brain-washed!
• Optimistic but not naive - just asking for too much.
• Ambitious but not a workaholic - once again, asking too much.
• Talented but humble - I'm thinking a saint would be more likely!
• Warm but not clingy - I thought she wanted someone who is passionate!
• Grounded but not boring - grounded?
• Soulful but not new-agey - what about religion?
• Vulnerable but not weak - are you serious!
• Quirky but not weird - no comment.
• Free-spirited but responsible - how about someone who wears flowers in his hair?
• Charismatic by genuine - kind of like James Bond.
• Strong but sensitive - like He-Man I'm thinking.
• Athletic but not a sports nut - what if he was one of those hot soccer players?
• Open-minded but has conviction - does this really need to be on the list?
• Decisive but not bossy - personally I kind of like it when a guy tells me what to do!
• Mature but not old - how about 'young at heart, but not young'.
• Creative but not an artist - creative how? Embroiders his own pillows?
• Supportive of my dreams and goals - this one is ok.
• Has a sense of wonderment about the world - WHAT??
• Is close to my age (shares my cultural references) - the cultural references thing makes sense.
• Good listener and communicator - maybe you'd be better off with a woman!
• Flexible and can compromise - as long as he's bendy!
• Sophisticated - well educated, well traveled, has been around - I think the well traveled and well educated options are good.
• Over 5'10" but under 6'0" - as long as he's taller than me, it's all good.
• Has a full head of hair (wavy and dark would be nice - no blonds) - I actually don't mind bald guys, and have lately been attracted not only to blonds but rangers as well.
• Has shared political views - this is a good one.
• Is not into sci-fi or comic books - this could be a problem because actually don't mind a bit of sci-fi or comic book movies.
• Has good taste/sense of aesthetics - well if he's going out with me he obviously has good taste!
• Health-conscious and physically fit - I agree with this one - but not if he tries to make me exercise.
• Cares about the community at large - and is attempting to achieve saint-hood.
• Cares about animals - this is a good point.
• Competent - well you definitely don't want him to be incompetent.
• Handy around the house - yep, I need this one.
• Cooks - as long as he can look after himself and not starve, that's good enough for me.
• Likes the outdoors (hiking, biking, Rollerblading) - I guess this would be good.
• Likes my friends (and I like his) - this is a fairly good one as well, I wouldn't want his friends to be jerks.
• Not moody - yeah, I'm moody enough for the both of us.
• Trustworthy - would I be dating him if he wasn't?
• Is a team player - are we on a team?
• Is literary and enjoys wordplay - 'wordplay' like scrabble!?!
• Is math or science oriented - I thought she wanted someone creative?
• Likes discussing (but not arguing about) world politics and world events - this would be good, although I don't mind a good argument.
• Stylish - nah, I'm stylish enough for the both of us.
• Not a slob - this is an important one.
• Is madly in love with me - yep, I want this. I want a guy to sweep me off my feet!

Isn't this the longest list ever! And so specific! With a list like this I'm not surprised that she struggled to find a man. And the next time someone says that I'm too fussy I'm going to show them this list - there are things I here that I would never have thought of, and that I wouldn't event bother thinking of.

I'm sure that this book will continue to inspire me to write more posts, so stay tuned.