Getting Better

Remember the Beatles' song 'Getting Better' from Sgt. Pepper?
After McCartney's bouncy "It's getting better all the time!" an acerbic Lennon intones "Can't get no worse..." I've always thought that one snippet of song sums up the Lennon-McCartney duality perfectly.

It also sums up my optimism vs. the harsh reality of trying to find the right partner. My Saturday night date and I were about as compatible as peas and Hershey's syrup.

While we did manage two hours or so of reasonably interesting conversation he had no sense of humor whatsoever. Not only was he incapable of producing humor, he was incapable of understanding it.

Follow me, if you will: The setting is a downtown Seattle Indian restaurant (which I had to select because Captain Lameass couldn't generate a single idea). The characters: An earnest, witty, reasonably cute middle-aged blonde woman and a dull, graying, retired journalist. Make that a dull, graying, retired journalist with long-nailed, tiny baby hands (yes,I'm shuddering too). The dialogue:

Me: I went to an Indian restaurant once and my friend asked the waitress why there were no beef dishes on the menu. The waitress said "Holy cow!"

Ok, you get that right? Of course you do. Cows are sacred in India...

Him: Moronic blank stare.

Me: (glancing at watch) "Ok! Ha ha..."

I asked him if he'd like to try my entree. He ate half of it, and didn't ask me if I'd like to try his (I don't eat lamb but that's not the point...). Then when the check came I politely offered to pay half. Most men act mildly insulted when I offer. He said "I would LOVE that."

Ugh.

I had taken the bus from Tacoma, and told C.L. (Captain Lameass, lest you've forgotten) that I needed to find Cherry St. to catch the bus home. To his credit he drove me the three blocks to the bus stop. As we approached Cherry Street he said he wasn't in a hurry... just then a bus approached the stop. I flung open the car door. "OHLOOKTHERESMYBUSTHANKSBYE". I ran across the street like a 19 year old Olympic athlete. Had I been required to jump hurdles I could and would have.

It can only get better. It can't get much worse.

Semiahmoo

The body of water in the foreground is Boundary Bay. In the middle is the spit that leads to The Inn at Semiahmoo. To the left is Puget Sound and White Rock, British Columbia.

If you look carefully you can see an extremely adorable beagle in the foreground who just so happens to be Ms. Brandy Joy Gilson.

One of the reasons I adore the Northwest.

The Pyramids, Man Walking on the Moon...

My going two entire days without a diet coke...

I realized I was seriously addicted. To what you ask, fizz? Caffeine? Well, maybe. But I think the real answer is aspartame. I'm hoping that giving it up will help reduce my sugar cravings.

Losing weight is very important to me right now. Some men still think I am attractive or even beautiful at this weight, but the date I had on Sunday looked at me otherwise. I liked him, so it hurt. He seemed to enjoy talking with me enough to linger two and a half hours over lunch, but at the end of the date he gave me a quick hug and said "Well, that was a nice way to spend an afternoon."

Indeed.

I went home and screamed and threw things. Actually I just sat in front of my computer and finished a school project, because what else can one do?

The fact that I thought my hair looked too gold and so had it dyed a color I can only describe as taupe probably didn't help. I have another hair appointment tomorrow.

Yes, I know. He wasn't right for me, it's not meant to be, blah, blah. I wasn't looking to marry him. I just would like the chance to get to know him better. Maybe in a month, after I've lost ten pounds and no longer have taupe hair I'll call him.

And yes, of course, I will continue to get out and meet others.

Tromso, Norway

I had my review at work today. My very, very performance-based review. I'm happy to announce that I can officially perform.

Although my raise hardly catapults me into Lexus or first class territory, it is substantial enough for me to consider a well-planned, budget-conscious indulgence.

I want to go to Tromso, Norway. No, let's make that Tromsø. I love Scandinavian letters with dots over them or lines through them.

Although my time in Sweden was in ways far from idyllic, Scandinavian seeped into my soul like it had been waiting for me all my life. I'm not finished with it.

Tromso, Norway is the world's northern-most college town. There's lots of culture, friendly taverns, an intellectual atmosphere, extreme climate, northen lights, 6'5 blonde Norweigan men and maybe even the occassional polar bear. What's not to like? In my fantasy I travel there alone and encounter all of the aforementioned (except maybe the polar bear). If I could experience the northern lights in the arms of a rugged, intellectual viking (hey, it's my fantasy...)I would feel more alive in five minutes than I have in the past decade. I might even settle for a repressive Swede who sends me home before New Year's...nah. Let's start over.

After my viking and I experience the spirtual magic of the other-worldly chromatic wonder, we trudge through the snow in 10 degree weather (Tuscany's all yours), the gale-force winds blowing back our hair. What I see next is a contemporary yet elemental Scandinavian dwelling, featuring a roaring fireplace and nothing else I am going to share with you.

Chances of any of this happening? 5% at best. But it's nice to know that at least the funding for far-fetched fantasies is somewhat within my reach.

http://home.online.no/~bennett/Tromsoe.htm

Only you know for sure

I can't decide if this is charming or disgusting. Click on all the destinations for the full effect:

http://downloads.raileurope.com/holidayCard/06_christmas_card.html

Weather Report

I got to work about half an hour ago. It was cold and bit cloudy. Now it's snowing. I am, as always, thankful that I live only a mile from work. Walking home uphill in the snow will be kind of fun.