Day #20 No TV/No POF

Twenty days in....and it's been hard, I won't lie.

Like I said in my last posting, I haven’t turned on my TV, but I am guilty of watching "Food, Inc." which was fabulous, and a MUST READ for everyone. I hear it’s coming out on PBS in April, but that’s a whole two months away. Go rent it now – you can thank me later.

I do like educational films, and romantic comedies – even dramas. It’s just nice for a change of pace to get involved in somebody else’s romantic pitfalls, besides my own.

Stephen King's memoir on writing - can you believe I’m on page 209?! As I get closer and closer to the ending, I’ve come to realize something about myself, and why I have a hard time finishing a book. Get this - I stop reading or slow down my reading, because I don’t want the book to end. How ridiculous is THAT?

And..................how ridiculous is it that I keeping wanting to spell “ridiculous” with an “e”!

R-E-D-I-C-U-L-O-U-S. Isn’t that the way it’s pronounced?

Look at that…I actually have paragraphs on a page! I’m writing! Woo-hoo! God - I thought I had writer's block there for a while!  I had myself convinced I did, until I wrote to my wonderful Auntie Holly last night on Facebook.  I realized, after I cranked out this long-ass email, that I didn’t have writer’s block after all! Clearly, I have a lot to say.  Well, at least I did last night.   Hell, that email was proofed once - then I hit the send button, and I was done!

Today, in the hopes to do some writing, I decided to change location where I sit. I moved from my bedroom desk, which overlooks the snow-covered back yard, to the kitchen. Julio is in Atlanta for work, and Anthony is at work until 10:00pm tonight. So, I’ve got the whole house to myself!  And, here I sit in our beautiful, overly-decorated French Provincial kitchen.

DC Dude, if you are reading this (and no it’s not a flippin’ "prerequisite," you big, dorky closet writer!) change locations in your house when you write helps boost the creativity. Just a suggestion…..

Where was I? Oh, yes. I was justifying watching movies on my computer, when I’m supposed to be 30-days TV free. Yes, I watched “Food, Inc,” but that wasn’t all. I’ve also been watching a 6-disk movie series called “John Adams.” God, what a great history lesson that was – I learned so much. And, is it a coincidence that after watching the movie, I joined the NRA on Facebook?

Pro-Choice and Pro-NRA….which party is that?

I’m telling you, we’ve got to get rid of these political parties. I can’t be one, without being another! I'm a little of BOTH parties!

Wouldn't that be something?  No Republican party, no Democrat party, no "us" versus "them."  The politicians would (hopefully) get more work done.  

Today, politicians can't agree on anything.  Progress is constantly being held up in the Senate and the House - it's an abomination! Where is everyone’s integrity?  They were elected by their constituents, and yet all they care about are the progress of their careers, rather than progress for our country.  Horrible.  It's like becoming a doctor for the money, rather than because you want to help people. It's as frustrating to me, as wanting to put an “e” in ridiculous!

(Nice bunny trail, Carrie!)

So, back to my original point of writing this post - my 30 days.  Again, with all my "cheating" it's been hard, but it hasn't.  Giving up online dating on PlentyofFish.com hasn't been too hard to do at all!  However, for a while, I couldn't understand why I was still getting emails, when I had deleted all my photo's from my profile.  The other day I decided to find out why I was still getting mail, and noticed that I had one photo still posted!  No wonder I was still getting mail!

Beth, much to your dismay, I did have to write a couple people and gently turn them down, with an explanation of why. I just thought that as kind and sweet as they were - that they deserved a reply.  So, I explained to them that I'm not living in NH - but NJ, and it would be wrong of me to try to start something without living locally full-time, but that it was on the horizon. 

One of the replies came back saying this:

"When are you going to be back in the area... and what if I told you that, that didn't matter to me? I'm looking for someone special, and if it means waiting, I'd do it. We could spend quality time getting to know each other over the computer, phone, etc. and maybe I'd make a special trip down there to see if we liked each other enough to date when you got back? :) Special people are hard to come by."

He is a rather cute Irish fireman who lives in Methuen, MA - just over the boarder of NH. 

But, right now, and for the next few months, I’ve got too many things on my plate to be dating. And, I believe that if it's meant to happen with this guy, or any other guy, the opportunity will present itself again.  Although, that definitely contradicts what Nathan and I both said the other week regarding Mortgage Guy, that opportunity usually only knocks once.  

Dammit...

And lately, what is with the Irish thing??? It's been a LONG time since I dated an Irish guy...and now that's all I've been attracting - except Mortgage Guy.  What was he...?  French and Irish maybe?

Oh, and I watched another movie last night..."Boondock Saints." 

Meow-meow!  Good God - those Boston Irish boys.....

*looking at the time*

Wow - I need to get my head out of the clouds right now and get my butt in gear to go pick up Beth in NYC, and come back to NJ to watch her boyfriend's Rockabilly band play tonight.  Funny guy he is - as Beth put it, "He dresses like he works at a gas station."  I'm not going to argue with that - because he does.  :)  In a trendy sort of way, of course!

I love Rockabilly, and I'm anxious to see how good his band is, however, the bar is set REAL high because you all know I just love my Billygoats!!!! 

And get this....Beth's boyfriend's band is performing at Paul's Bar & Bowling in Paterson, NJ. 

Paterson, no less!!!!

This...................is going to be an interesting night!

Day #10 - No TV/No POF

OK, so here I am....what day is this?  God, it's only day #10....!  Day ten....and I've already cheated - last night!  Yes, in a moment of weakness, and being too damn tired from work, to do anything but lay in bed, I watched a movie called, "Food, Inc."

First, let me say that I feel awful that I gave into the "Resistance," but I will say that at least my choice in cheating was educational!!

(Or am I just trying to justify my cheating?!)

Food, Inc.....holy crap - I'm never going to look at my grocery store the same, ever again! 

Big corporations just suck. They've strong-armed our farmers, and made this country fat!  So, for now on, I'm going to try my best to buy organic, and support my local farmer's market. 

Even if it's more expensive, I won't care.  I know myself, I'll probably be less wasteful, and more appreciative of what I'm eating.  Big corporations can kiss my foot!

So, if you haven't seen the movie - please do so.  It's quite enlightening!

Oh, and today at work, the fire inspector guy asked me out!

Awwww....and he was so sweet about it, and nervous!  Definitely nervous!!  Unfortunately, he's definitely NOT my type, because in about 10 years, I predict he's going to look a bit like "Fish" in that 70's sitcom "Barney Miller."  

Was that mean to say?

His nervousness was palpable, but he was a complete gentleman about asking me out - very old school.  It was cute - he all but said, "Gee wiz - would ya go out with me?"

I did decline in a horrible way.....I LIED!  Yes, I freaking lied.  And, I'm not feeling too good about myself for it, either!  I just couldn't tell him that I wasn't feeling it.  Can't tell sweet Fire Inspector Guy that he wasn't my type!  So, I lied. 

A big FAT LIE:  I said I already had a boyfriend.  (Which, we all know is far from the truth.) 

Looks like I'm on a roll.....cheated by watching a movie last night, and now I'm a liar. 

Going to go read Stephen King....I'm on page 103!

Nighty-night, y'all!

Mortgage Guy: Part 4

And the saga continues.....Saturday morning.....

8:37am

Mortgage Guy: Can we definitely meet for coffee late this afternoon, maybe around 3:00pm?

I didn't ask why, I just went with it….well, sort of. Whatever - I'll just switch my schedule around for the day.

Carrie: You’re killing me. Ok…

2:29pm

Nathan: I just got a Valentine's Day card from an awesome chick!

Carrie: You're welcome! I'm just waiting on Mortgage Guy....our date (at Starbucks, no less) was changed from 10am, to this afternoon. What IS HIS DEAL?! Uhg!

Nathan: Strike!

Carrie: Technically, it's strike #2. Remember when he flaked 2 weeks ago? I'm trying to be Zen, and non-judgmental, because Becky said he was a good guy. We'll see.....

2:35pm

Carrie: Eh-hem. What are we doing, Goober?

Mortgage Guy: Be there in 20, Geek.

Mother......&$*%@#......!!!!!

Son of a %$@#...!!!!!

Carrie: Daum, you are on time...ok...because you said AROUND 3:00pm...maybe I should change your name to "Flake." :) Now I'll be the one who is a little late.....

Seriously! "Around," and "at" have two totally different meanings! God!

I switched into high gear, got ready, jumped into Red Rocket and drove into Manchester.

I hate being late!

I walk into Starbucks, and he's sitting at the first table in the corner.  We hug, and say hello and proceed to get in line for coffee.  While we are standing there, I turn to him and ask him if he's a "flake," and should I be concerned about his lack of attention - maybe has Attention Deficit Disorder.....jokingly of course!


(C’mon, he deserved it!)

"A-R-O-U-N-D...is not AT," I explain to him. I was getting the feeling that he just didn’t appreciate who he had standing in front of him. (Not to sound too arrogant, but I didn't notice any other 5'11" redheads knocking down his damn door!)

I can hear Kelly from Nashville say, "Oh, God. There she goes again....."

(Ok, I was a just a little irritated.)

We sit down and had a nice conversation for three hours, and during that time I decided to bring up the previous time we tried to get together, “What happened to you? I was so disappointed that I didn’t get to see you.”

“Well, I figured I’d let you cool off for a while, that’s why I didn’t reply to your text,” he says.

“What?! Let me cool off? What are you talking about? We made plans for Saturday, you didn’t call me, and then you send me a text on Sunday. What is THAT?”

(Don’t challenge the redhead dude, you won’t win.)

“You were obviously pissed off with me….”

I stop him and said, “Wait, I didn’t use any exclamation points, or use all caps…I just basically said, “The only thing you should be saying is, ‘I’m sorry I didn’t call you like I said I would.’ What? You didn’t think I deserved an apology? You totally flaked on me."

“It’s not that, it’s just that you were so pissed off with me.”

“And, rightly so. I really wanted to see you again.”

I don’t get off on nailing people to the cross - an acknowledgement, and an apology, goes a LONG way with me. That’s all – it’s really simple. I don’t pout, I don’t hold grudges….just own it, so we can move on - please.

I did get my apology….and we quickly moved on - because that’s just my style.

At the beginning, things were kept light, but he's blatant just like me – and said point-blank: "When are you moving back to New Hampshire? What's the date?"

A date? That would probably be helpful, but I'm not going to move back until I get a job offer, or get laid off. Getting laid off is more than likely, but I'm not going to pull the trigger unless I have a job lined up. I’m taking one day at a time.

I have to say I was impressed with his conviction - he said he didn't want to date a girl who lived in New Jersey. He already had gone through a relationship where a girl who moved to Manchester for him.  They eventually broke up, and she blamed him for "screwing up her life" because she had moved to Manchester for him. He didn't want to do it again.

Ok....excuse me, but really? You are going to label me into the same category as this twit you dated.  Really? Me....? You get that impression that I'm moving for you? Ha!

Oh......silly boys.  See, if he had gotten to know me, he would know that I had already moved for a boyfriend before- years ago, and I would never do it again.  No, regardless of whether or not he was in the picture, I was moving back.  It's was not a matter of "if," but a matter of "when."  My Mamma needs me back in New Hampshire.....end of story.

"Basically, call me when you get settled in New Hampshire. We'll keep in touch, but I just can't date you, unless I know you are 100% available."

I translated it as: You are needy just like I am....and I totally called him out on it.  And, he agreed with my observation.

"I get it. Being away from the person you are dating is torture. I get it. Really, but I just want to add this....that I dated someone in Los Angeles for three months. I got on a plane ever other Friday at 6:30pm, and came home at 11:45pm Sunday night. So, don't tell me that a long distant relationship can't work. THAT was long distance!  THIS is just a four hour drive away. I just want to explore the possibilities with you....I don't think it's a wise move to limit yourself – because I'm here right now, and I may not be when I move back. But.....if this is what you want, then I'm going to honor your wishes. It is what it is."

It turned awkward after that, so I told him that we really didn't have anything left to discuss, but that we’d stay in touch.


Yes, we’ll stay in touch…..after all, I might need a mortgage loan soon!


And leave it to my brother, Nathan, to remind of me of seeing the comedy in all of it:

Nathan: How was the date with Mortgage Guy?

Carrie: Good....he apologized. *smiles* We talked for 3 hours. He's interested, but doesn't want to get involved, until I'm settled back here, which I understand. *sigh*

Nathan: Hmmmmm.

Carrie: He asked a few times during the date when I'm moving back....and seeing I can't give him one, he "doesn't want to date a girl who lives in NJ." Hates long distant relationships.

Nathan: Well, when you get up here, you might be seeing someone else! Opportunity, usually only knocks once…..

Carrie: That's what I said!  I didn't think it was a smart move on his part....I mean, people like me don't grow on trees.

Nathan: Nope. You're like a carrot, you come from the ground?

Carrie: Uhm...what kind of analogy is THAT? How about....I'm like a blue moon....I only come around once in a while!

Nathan: Like a groundhog?

Carrie: No! Like a blue moon!

I'm like a God damn friggin' blue moon, Nathan!


Dammit!


*laughing*

DC Dude: Part 2 - F*ck Everybody Else!

As these guys come in and out of my life, I want to point out that I DO realize that there's a reason for this.  After all, I can't be continually going on these emotional roller-coaster rides for nothing. 

No, I have more faith in God than that.  



Case and point:

Jan 23, 2010 text:

DC Dude:  I care about you.  That's why I gave you that book.  It will always be there when you need it.  Write your ass off, then write some more.  *BLEEP* everybody else!

The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles

I'm posting this as a reminder to myself.....that DC Dude is right.  *F-bomb* everybody else.  Keep writing.  Don't let the resistance get the best of you.  A great read for any creative person who struggles with procrastination.

See?  THAT'S why he came into my life!  He's been a great inspiration and motivator.

Mortgage Guy: Part 3

Can you believe there's a Mortgage Guy III? Well, neither can I....

It bothered me that he never replied – bothered me a whole lot. Something’s not right; so last weekend while I was up in Catskill Mountains,  I wrote Mortgage Guy a rather nice email – short but to the point - I figured I should take the high road and just take a chance.

Part of that email read, “I haven’t heard from you, so maybe along the way you misconstrued something, or maybe I did – or maybe it’s something else altogether…… Regardless, here I am; being as open and as honest with you as possible, in hopes that we can end this on a positive note.......or start again.”

*Poink*

The lobbed the ball over to his side of the court. My thought process was if he didn’t respond, then I knew it wasn’t me. It was him. Not me.

It was a success, because he answered. We decided to make to see each other again.  He indicated he was going to be busy, but assured me that he would still have time to see me, “I promise, if you drive up this weekend, I will definitely show up this time.”  It wasn't an apology for the previous faux pas, but at least it was an acknowledgment.

Valentine’s Day would be that weekend we would see each other, and I don’t even want to think about it.  Blah. It’s an over-rated holiday in my eyes, plus I just want to make it to my second date with Mortgage Guy! That’s all…just a second date.

Because we had already done the coffee thing, I was thinking he was gong to want to see me Saturday night. So, I send out an email to update the  Hen House and ask them to suggest something low-key, quiet, comfortable with good ambiance for coffee or a cocktail, (preferably the later).  Hell, so much has changed in Manchester since I lived there, that I'm not familiar with anything anymore.  Help!

Julie, Brigitte and Denise chimed in and suggested: Karma (the hookah bar), Bedford Village Inn - Wine Bar, Unwine’d, Z on Elm Street, or Firefly.

Ladies, thank you for the suggestions:

Bedford Village Inn - is stunning! They have come a LONG way since I was there 10 years ago. The decor is fabulous and is appropriate. The last time I was there, it was yelling "We are still stuck in the 80's," with their plaid and floral wall paper. Kinda like that time we walked into the "newly decorated" Derryfield, and they wanted to charge us a fee to get in. Uh, excuse me...but you want to charge 6 pretty girls an entrance fee, and you hardly have any people in there right now? Yes, let me pay YOU, because I'm so impressed with the "shock and awe" effect your wallpaper and plastic plants are having on me right now! No thanks!  Thank God, BVI has stepped up and invested in a designer!  http://www.bedfordvillageinn.com/

Unwine’d - I've been there several times with Julie back in 2004 (yes, Julie, it's been that long) and even though I LOVE their whole concept, their decor throws me right off! NOT CUTE AT ALL! *shudders* Actually, it's horrible. They desperately need to move out of that location or get a designer to help them out – it's obvious there used to be a Chinese restaurant in there before it became Unwine'd. http://www.unwined.net/

Z on Elm - is one step above Unwine'd in my eyes, not even knowing how their food will be - but right now I need ambiance. Love their concept, but I was really surprised at their mediocre decor, especially seeing that the owner is from California. However, he did score points for using locally grown produce. *ding*  http://www.zfoodanddrink.com/

Firefly - HAS IT GOING ON!!!!!! Holy cow poop! I looked at their website, and they definitely had $$$$$ to invest in doing it right. But it worked. That is my first choice! Hopefully it won't be too loud in there.  http://www.fireflynh.com/

Karma - Great place, but the cigar smell can give me a head-ache, plus it’s BYOB.

(Did I just give my first review?)

Firefly it is....and I'll be sure we go there early, just in case those stupid, annoying Valentine's couples are out celebrating early!

10:12am TEXT

MORTGAGE GUY: Good morning, girl.  So, Starbucks tomorrow morning?

*blink-blink*

You've got to be kidding me!!!!  Ok......ok....ok.....I'm going to be Zen, and just go with it.

CARRIE:  Of course.  What time?

MORTGAGE GUY:  10am works for me.

CARRIE:  10am it is!

*smacks head*

I wonder what Steve of "Tough Love" would say about all of this.....  Regardless, I'm going to go to bed and read my book.

Day #5 - done! 

Nighty-night!

Day #4 - No TV/No POF

Day #4......it was a typical Thursday for me. I went to work, was five minutes late because I forgot I had to clean the snow off RR2. 

I'm at work, I tell my Boss #1 (there are four of them) that my doctor appointment was rescheduled from 6:30pm to 5:00pm, and could I leave 15 minutes early.  He looks at me with the look of, "Why are you asking me this question," gaze.  He smiles at me and says, "Weren't you the only one to come yesterday when we had all that snow?  Of course you can, actually, why don't you leave 20 minutes early."

The day was going well, 4:15pm comes around and I start going over things with the PM to make sure that he has everything he needs, as I will not be in on Friday.  He's all set, but then turns around and says, "Oh, but did you put in an order for the......?"

Dammit!  No, I didn't....it's 4:30pm, and then next thing I know, it's 4:55pm after I'm done with the ordering....I'm going to be late for my doctor's appointment!

I'm panicking.  I race to grab my bag, turn off my computer and I yell good-bye, as I'm heading for the door.  Boss #1 says, "Hey Care, do you happen to have an extra BDP-1600 laying around?  I need one for a client I'm going to see tonight."

So much for leaving EARLY #1!!!!  And, why he couldn't ask me that two ago is beyond me!  HE ALWAYS DOES THIS TO ME.....Last Minute Larry!

MOTHER!

Hate being late...  Luckily, my doctor is always running late.

I get to my doctor's office, and the physician's assistant puts me in a room right away.  I know that there will still be a wait - because there's always a wait.  And I've come prepared!  I've got my Stephen King: On Writing
book in my bag!!!!!

I whip it out, and read 10 pages before he walked through the door.

I'm home by 6:30pm, pack my bag for NH - throw more than enough stuff than I need for my 3-day weekend into my trunk and drive 4 hours to NH.

I arrive at 11:30pm, exhausted.  I basically grab my luggage out of my trunk, kiss Mommer hello, carry my bag up to my bedroom, and go to bed. 

Tomorrow is another day, I fall to sleep happy to know that I've made it to page 86 in my book.....and POF is feeling like a distant memory........

Day #3 - No TV/No POF

Yes, Beth, it feels like I'm inside the cage at the UFC!  It's me against temptation - or "Resistance," as The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles calls it.  

I call it, "procrastination!"  Yuck.

On day #3, I came home early because we had a snow "storm," and I like to put that word storm in quotes, because I think getting 6 or 8 inches of snow, and closing everything down is RIDICULOUS!


I was the ONLY employee to show up at work, and the bosses kicked me out at 1:00pm to go home early, before the driving got "really bad." 


Are you kidding me?  A snow storm is when you get two feet of snow, and you need to go home to shovel the snow off your roof, in fear that the weight just might collapse it! 


But, that's just my humble opinion.


Anyway, I managed on my Day #3 to read Stephen King: On Writing all the way up to page 78!  Woo-hoo!  Somehow, I ignored the sound of the TV coming from the living room, where my two roommates were watching American Idol - again.  And, I managed to ignore their bickering, too. 


The only problem I had today, was the two Netflix movies that have been sitting on top of my TV for the past week, were staring at me.  I know they are good movies, and I'm dying to watch them, but that's OK, because I just raised my book a little higher so I couldn't see the TV, nor the movies anymore!  Ha!


Resistance....you're not going to get me!  The gloves are off, baby! 


Off I go....day #3 complete. 


Over and out!

Day #2 - No TV/No POF

Well, here I am....9:00pm at night, just got in!  I worked until 6:30pm, and then I had to go over to the car dealership where I bought Red Rocket 2.0.  The dealership is a little bit out of my way, but I was MORE than happy to go there.....seeing that I have a crazy crush on Cutie Car Sales Guy.

*SIGH*

HUGH crush.  And apparently, it's mutual, but Cutie Car Sales Guy has......a.....you know.......

*INSERT SPOOKY MUSIC HERE*

.........girlfriend.  

Total bummer.  But, I still really like talking to him. 

So, after we discussed some business, we shot the shit for an hour.  The dealership was quiet; probably because we are expecting a snowstorm to blow in any minute now.  (SNOW!)

Cutie Car Sales Guy - what a pleasure he is - totally spiritual, totally down-to-earth, totally cute, totally smart.....the intelligence thing always gets to me (thus, my dinner date with my client last night).  Uber intelligent!   Love it.  And it doesn't hurt that he's super-duper cute.  Oh, and yes, he's SHORT!  Or, shall I say "shorter."  He MIGHT be 5'8" or 5'9"....and as y'all know I'm 5'11"....I need minimum 6'1"!

And for the record, I just want to say that I've NEVER dated anyone shorter than myself, and I ALWAYS said I would never.....but for him...........

I'D MAKE AN EXCEPTION!!!! 

Day #2 seems like a breeze.  It's already 9:20pm, and I'm REALLY sleepy.  BUT!  I'm not going to turn on the TV....nope.  Not going to do it. 

I'm really proud of myself that I was able to WALK PAST the living room TV tonight without stopping to watch American Idol with my two gay roommates.  I don't even watch the show, but they were telling me that I should be watching it.  MMmmmmm.....no thanks!  I proceeded to climb up my spiral staircase, up to my bedroom and I could hear them yelling at the TV, "FIERCE! Oh, that's just so fierce!" 

Ya, that's OK....I'll skip American Idol - thanks!

Sunday night, which is just two days ago, I removed my photo's from Plenty of Fish, so that the fan mail would hopefully stop.  It's so damn distracting - especially when I know damn well that finding someone halfway interesting is once in a blue moon!  AND, even though the notification pops up in my AOL, I have to log into my POF account in order to read it.  That's how they get you, because once you're there, you start browsing the profiles all over again, people see that I'm online, and the plethora of emails start all over again!  It's a vicious cycle! Uhg!  So, even though I know I have mail, I refuse to read it.

Not going to do it! 

Day two....pretty easy.  In fact, I'm going to go climb into bed right now, and read some of Stephen King: On Writing but first I need to draw my shades up, so that in the morning, the first thing I see....will be the snow falling!  Hopefully tomorrow morning will look like this:

Good night!

PS:  See that Beth?  Day two...done!

Day #1 - No TV/No POF

Ok, that was easy.  Day one - over.  I lucked out because right after work I met up with a client for dinner (who shall remain nameless).  I totally forgot about our plans, but he called at 3:00pm at the office, and suggested sushi.

Sushi!

I don't think I could ever turn down a dinner invitation to sushi!  We had:

~Shrimp Tempura

~Peking Duck Crepes

~Yellow-tail in Yuzu

~Salmon tartar

And of course, I had to have my Pomegranate Dragon Martini.  OK - I had two!

By the time I got home, which was around 9:30pm, I was full, and extremely tired.  Monday, I had a one hour and 45 minute drive into work, because I stayed, Sunday night, in Catskill.  Ya, I was pooped.  No time for reading.  Lights out, and I was fast asleep at 9:45pm.

I'm on the Wagon! No TV for 30 days!

 

"If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that."    
            ~ Stephen King

I just got finished reading Stephen King's On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft.  No doubt this was a great book for writers and believe or not, this is the very first book of Stephen King's that I've read!  And believe me, it has changed the way I write. I have to tell everyone out there who is into writing to BUY this book!  I love, love, loved this book!

I love to read but, like writing, however, I just have such a hard time making myself do it!  Reading makes me sleepy, no matter HOW good the story. Hell, I have friends that CAN’T go to sleep because a book is so good, they can’t put it down. But, not me. A few pages in.....and its GOODNIGHT, IRENE!  

Zzzzzzzzzz!

Case and point: My friend Denise gave me the 4-book series of   I’ve had it for 1.5 YEARS and I’ve only gotten halfway through the 2nd book, "New Moon." How pathetic is THAT? I think Denise said she read the whole series in a matter of days.

DAYS!

My friend, Becky, is the same way. My brother, who used to date her, would say she ATE books for lunch – that’s how quickly she would go through a book. Incredible.

Another prolific reader is DC Dude - he's like my own personal librarian!  We've been keeping in touch and he’s been kind enough to suggest books, which he believes will help me with my writing.  (My very own little cheerleader.) I’ve only gotten through ONE of those books, The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles but I’m proud to say that I’ve started re-reading it......and I’m half way through it already.

HA! Becky - you read that right?  I'm halfway through THE SAME book for the SECOND time!  Woohoo!

So, I had an idea. I’m not going to watch TV for 30 days in hopes that I would spend more time reading and writing.

While getting dinner ready for Super Bowl Sunday, I leaned on the kitchen counter and told Beth my idea.

“Great,” she says, “and while you’re at it, why don’t you stay off of the dating sites as well!”

Great idea! Oh, wait….ya…sure, Beth! Easy for you to say, as you curl up next to your boyfriend tonight!  

*DING!*

So, yes.  Why not?  I can do both. Regardless, if it’s Match.com or PlentyofFish – they are both addicting. Distracting! You know, getting “fan” mail…cruising the pictures, and reading the profiles.  Oh, God - those profiles!  The amount of people who don't know the difference between "their" and "there" is astounding!  I consider it to be free entertainment in my eyes. But, at the same time……so incredibly disappointing.

*SIGH*

“Why don’t you do like a Julie & Julia and blog about your 30 days?” Beth adds.

BRILLIANT!  Simply BRILLIANT!!  And, of course, I'm always up for a challenge - 30 days, and write about it!

Wish me luck!

(Again, here are the links to the books I have read - again, I HIGHLY recommend them!!!!

Mortgage Guy: Part 2

I'm so frustrated, I could spit!

Last weekend, as you all know, I met up with Mortgage Guy on Saturday afternoon at Starbucks. Everything went well – it was explained to him that I lived in New York and my reasons wanting to move back to New Hampshire. That was made crystal clear to him.

After our initial meeting, I went to the Hen House and he went off with his daughter for the night.  We were texting all that night - excited we met each other and looking forward to the following weekend when he would have more time to spend with me.

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, we go back and forth with the emailing, but no phone call. Again!

Thursday, I didn’t hear from him all day, so before I left work to drive back to New Hampshire I sent him this:

CARRIE: Did you guys get snow up there today? We got a few inches here in NJ/NY...it took me 1.5 hours to drive 12 miles to work! NJ/NY people can't drive for sh*t! So, how are you? Today is my Friday! Totally ready to get out of here!

MORTGAGE GUY: Drive safe sexy, we only got an inch so far. When are you up here? Tomorrow? Maybe we can get together Sunday?

*Raising eyebrow* 

Sunday? Really?

CARRIE: I can’t Sunday, I am going to Laconia to watch my nephew play hockey at 3:00pm.

MORTGAGE GUY: Maybe Saturday we can meet up again at Starbucks.

Starbucks? Really? I thought we already did that. What about Friday night or Saturday night?

*takes deep breath*

Instead of replying, I called him during my drive to New Hampshire, hoping to firm up plans for the weekend.

He doesn’t answer, and I leave a message.

I don’t hear from him until the following night, which was Friday.

MORTGAGE GUY:  Welcome home, I’m in for the night with my daughter. I’ll call you tomorrow to see if we can maybe meet up for a coffee again. Have a good night.

CARRIE:  Thank you - Saturday afternoon should work.

Now….I’m pretty sure that you think I’m going to tell you that he called and we met up, right?

Nope!

MORTGAGE GUY (Sunday 11:42am): Have fun today at the hockey game.

I text Julie to vent and tell her the situation.

JULIE: Next! He isn’t doing anything to make plans with you. Don’t let him call the shots. This is your time. NEXT!

CARRIE: So flippin’ irritated. I’m ignoring him. He owes me an apology for not doing what he said he would - a little common courtesy goes a long way in my book.

JULIE: More than that! He would have made time for you!

CARRIE: Ding! Ding!

Needless to say, I was completely irritated. It’s not that I didn’t get to meet up with Mortgage Guy, it’s the fact that he didn’t call when he said he would. If he couldn’t meet up, then fine. JUST TELL ME. 

I LOATH RUDE PEOPLE......$#%&!!!!!

So, I thought I would ignore his text, but then the fiery red head came out in me.

Screw it!

CARRIE: Really? I think the only thing you should be texting is, “I’m sorry I didn’t call you like I said I would.” A little common courtesy goes a long way in my book.

SEND!

So, for every one of you who think that being single is fun, and that dating is easy this is the crap that I have to put up with!

Dating isn't supposed to be this difficult!  And, I would just like to know one thing...

Where is MY Justin Matisse?????

"Dancing's just a conversation between two people. Talk to me." ~ Justin Matisse in the movie "Hope Floats."