Peterson's Fiance is Gone...

She's Loves Him, She Loves Him Not

And, no, they don't mean missing. She moved out. 

I mean... I can imagine that a guy like DP has a lot of baggage... and possible homicide charges... and that can't be easy.

Is it appropriate to say, "you go, girl?!"

I said it.

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The Counter

Although Social Media-phobe may have had small -uncalled for- melt down last night... prior to doing so, he picked a fabulous dinner spot: The Counter.

Never had I ever been to this gem, which sits between Matisse (love it!) and the million random mattress stores located on Diversey in Lakeview/Lincoln Park.

I loved the low key, yet trendy, atmosphere. You walk in... and you're not sure if you're at a hip bar -with the back-lighting and garage-like windows- or a 70s diner -with vintage photos and diner-type seating. 

Overall, a perfect pick for a second date... Clearly stating you're a low-key guy/girl (weed out the high-maintenance ones)... with good taste (literally).

The menu is the interesting part. You build your own burger. Typically, I hate when I have to make too many choices (cafeterias are my nemesis)... but this was kind of fun.

And... the waitress asks you questions like, "do you want a milkshake or a glass of wine?" The fact that they offer both is FAB.

Rumor has it that it's Oprah's fav burger joint... and I think I might just agree with O-dog this time.

My burger of choice? I went with the turkey burger, with pepperjack cheese, some type of corn salsa, southwest sour cream on a wheat bun. And for a side, a mix of regular and "sweet" fries.

Ever been? What were your thoughts?

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Blog Mafia

I found the crazy.

It started as a casual conversation about how my brother bought me an Ipod for Christmas because he actually read my blog (shout out to Pat, in C-bus!!)... 

He replies, "You have a blog?!?!?!"

He laughs for a long... awkward minute. First it started as a condescending-type laugh. Like, "Who would write a blog? What a lame idea! ha!"... and then... 

As if he could hear my thoughts (I was mentally starting this blog in my head)... the once-condescending laugh turns a bit nervous... as if this blog were some type of governmental espionage plan I had against all guys I get to take me on dates.

Little did I know bringing up my blog could actually turn someone mad. And not angry. I'm talking paranoid... sleep-with-your-eyes-open crazy.

Grant it, that this is someone who just admitted to be Facebook-free and happy about it. He then went on to justify why he was pretty much against the whole movement of social networking. Perhaps throwing out the B word was a bit early in his dating conversation realm.

 

He excuses himself to the bathroom as, I swear, he searches the room for hidden cameras. We start another conversation, and he cuts it short... worried that I'm going to judge the conversation and use it for material... that I'm going to call him a jerk or a tool. Woah there buddy. 

I try to calm him down... trying to explain all the random (and you can attest when I say RANDOM) thoughts that go through my mind that provide me with more than enough material... but he's not convinced.

Finally, I break it to him that I do have more to blog about than him. I tried the nice route. I did. This called for drastic measures. 

And then he's surprised when I don't invite him in to hang out. And THAT, my friends, is how Chicago does crazy. 

Blog mafia-style.

Good thing I didn't admit that I Tweet... Then things could have gotten really awkward.

Caveot, although, YES, I did exactly what he feared and blogged about the date.... I do NOT go on dates looking for material for my blog. I go on dates to meet level-headed, fun people that have lasting relationship potential... The material, unfortunately, comes a whole lot easier.

I had no intentions to write about the date... but when my blog single-handedly makes a grown man want to pee his pants in fear of what I could write... this is something that needs documentation.

Sleep tight.... 

Maybe with one eye open ;) 

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Dating in the Second City....

The first date. Like testing the water in the hot tub to make sure you don't burn your toes before you can actually enjoy the experience.

There are perks to first dates. Both of you can blindly believe the other is perfect. You can pretend that they possess all the positive traits of your exes and absolutely none of the negative.

There are also realities to first dates. Let's all be honest. You can be a nice person and still admit... you are looking for their little bit of crazy. Everyone has it. My theory is that people just end up with the person whose crazy they can live with... and that crazy might even be admirable or cute after awhile. Or, even worse, you might start believing it's normal.

Eeekk. Eeeek. Eeek.

Then there's just the crazy that is absolutely not acceptable past a date or two. I've met and dated a couple of those fellas. To name a few...

I've been out with the crazy that...

**Thought that it was okay to make negative racial AND religious comments at all... let alone during the first date.

**Considered a crowded frat party a suitable Valentine's Day date.

**Just didn't blink. Try talking to someone and not blinking. It will immediately freak the other person out. Just try it.

**Invited me to a party... then ignored me and made out with someone else.

**Found out he was his ex-girlfriend's baby's daddy.... which prohibited a second date (which, given the circumstances, could have ended up much like the last point).

**Took on the persona of Superman/Clark Kent when comparing his sober and drunk personalities. In case you're not following, Superman was Romeo. Mr. Kent turned out of control party boy... and while standing 5-feet away took another girl's phone number.

Really, after digging up all those wonderful memories, I might as well start writing Valentine's Day cards for Hallmark. Just kidding. I'll stop...If I go on, I may become a lesbian... And although there's nothing wrong with lesbians, I'm still going to stop.

All this said, you would never guess, but I actually did go on a good first date...leading to a second. And I guess my point to all this rambling is... I haven't found his crazy yet.

And that. is. scary.

I've also been in relationships where the crazy doesn't come out for a few months... and by then you're in rationalizing mode because you're in too deep. Everyone should be completely crazy transparent. Or transparent in their craziness. You get it.

I'm enacting the Scarlet C on all Chicago singles. And the "C" doesn't stand for Chicago.

So in the meantime, I'm going to naively convince myself he's 100 percent normal... and beaten the odds of 20-something boys. Since he's technically living his 30th year... maybe moving on to a new bracket of men will surprise and impress me.

Only time will tell.

But, to be honest, the crazies are WAY more fun to discuss, so dish your craziest dates/exes?? I can't get enough of these stories...

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Notable Quotables...

"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug." - Samuel "Mark Twain" Clemens

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Love on the Blogosphere

Every so often you get the random e-mail requesting that you deposit 1 million dollars into your checking account... you delete the e-mail and move forward with your day. This morning, though, I got a random love letter from a rando from some other country. And it is so ridiculous it kind of made my day...

Totally blog-worthy.

Enjoy (and feel free to respond to him if you're looking for love! :))

Hello Dear,
How are you today?hope fine,if so thanks be to God almighty. my name is khadi 26 years of age from Liberia in west Africa, it will be my pleasure to get into acquaintance with you and see what happens in future, so i will like to know what you like and dislike, if you don't mind to have my private e-mail address, for more confidential romantic and pure love communication.(khadilove580@hotmail.com)
Await your mail soon.
KHADI.

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Change is in the Air....

Today was all about change... so, in honor of the inauguration and New Years' resolutions and whatnot, I've decided to make a few changes of my own. 

On THIS day... hereby hear me promise America (and all 10 of you who follow my blog):

• I will stop complaining about Chicago weather. I'll suck it up and get over it... and continue to silently book trips to Cancun and Fort Meyers until May.
• I will promise all those in my bikram class that I will never again eat three hours before class... so they don't have to witness my skin turn green
• I will wake up at 3 a.m. every morning to feed Moxie (and will not throw her out the window or abuse her in any way... minus the spray bottle) because I've vowed to make her lose weight... 
• I will help our economy by eating at Toro at least once a week... it not only helps Mitch... it's helps my sanity
• I will try and smile at strangers... instead of assuming they are evil or tourists... or evil tourists
• I will rid my life of shows like "The Hills"... and add more shows on CNN and CNBC
• I will actually get up when my alarm goes off... instead of snoozing for an additional 45 minutes.
• I'll get more people to respond to my blogs by utilizing virtual torture techniques (I wouldn't touch the "y" key in the next 10 minutes if you fail to respond to this... don't believe me?? hmm... do you want to find out??? hahahHAHAH... crazy laugh!)

Are you ready for a change? Trying to stop smoking? Trying to stop dating striped shirt guys? Need more friends and less cats in your life? Please share.

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