The Dating Game

I just moved to a new area to pursue a new "adventure" as a high school teacher. So far, the high school teaching part isn't such a big deal (busy, but that's nothing new), but being new to the area, I really don't have many friends. So, to the point of this entry into a brand new blog, talking about friendships/relationships/etc. It seems like it should get easier as you get older to communicate with someone from the opposite sex, and to a certain extent it is. However, finding the "right" person isn't such an easy task. I mean, when you move into a new place, finding the hangouts is a royal pain in the rear, especially when you have a little guy in tow who would rather hang out with his kid friends that he really doesn't know that well either. Don't get me wrong, I love the little monster, but it certainly puts a damper in a social life when you don't know anyone to watch him while you go out searching for Ms. Right. Oh well, I guess there's always next year...or the year after that...or the year after that...well, you get the picture.

Being single and over 35 is really a challenge because everyone I know is jaded to the point where they simply don't trust anyone else. Jadedness is such an uncool thing because it always makes you focus on what bad will happen, but it's also a good defense mechanism (sometimes) for making the same stupid mistakes I've made in the past. So, what exactly am I looking for? In case anyone really even cares. I'm not that picky really...I'm looking for someone who is perfect...only one requirement, that's not too much to ask, right? Okay, I'm just kidding. What I really want is simply someone who is up for seeing life as an adventure with all of the ups and downs similar to the biggest rollercoaster rush you could ever imagine. I want to get off this ride called life and be able to say I made it with someone who is truly a companion, not my mother. Oh Lord help me if I ever marry someone because they are a "motherly" figure ever again. Of course, my son needs to have the motherly side of life around on a regular basis too, but I'm not going to date someone because they are a good mother to my child either. Like I said, I am looking for someone who can be a friend, companion, and the most awesome cheesecake maker ever (just kidding about the last part, but I do like cheesecake).

I want to climb to the top of a mountain beside the person who has committed themself to being my sidekick, mi amiga, and mi amor. I want to love someone with everything I have and receive the same in return. I want to have someone next to me that respects and loves me for who I am, what I am, how I am, and where I'm going. I don't actually care about perfection because God knows I'm not perfect. Why would I want someone around to remind me constantly of the fact that I'm not perfect. However, I would expect that if there are areas that I can work on that mi amiga would find a way to let me know while still respecting me as an overly educated, intelligent, commonsenseful human being who is fully capable of adapting over time (but not all at once).

Education and literacy are very important to me, but when I'm off duty, I don't make it my plan to correct everything from everyone around me. I would hope that the person I'm with would have enough of a sense of humor, however, that if I make a joke about a faux pas it wouldn't make them burst into tears. I am a sarcastic, smart alek that loves to pop one liners when I have the opportunity to do so without it being a blow to someone's self-esteem. I just feel that there is too much seriousness going on out there for us to make mountains out of ant hills (yeah, I know that's different than the normal saying goes--deal with it). I don't exactly see myself as a Knight in shining armor because shiny armor just gives you one more thing to worry about. I see myself more as the jester in King Arthur's court to be honest, but I'm more than willing to go to bat for those whom I love when the need arises.

Okay, I guess that's it. I suppose if anyone has a problem with what I'm looking for, there is no need to bother responding unless you can handle my reply back without shrinking into a little ball. I'm not desparate by any means. I have a full life as it is and very little time, but I always welcome the sarcastic dreamers into my life. Oh, by the way, I have plenty of dreams, some of which may or may not ever come true. I see no reason to sit around and sulk about being in a rut because there are always options if you know where to look and have the drive to pursue them. Does that mean those dreams will all happen...well, you can answer that one, I suppose. However, without dreams, where would we be in the first place? That's a good question to ask ourselves daily.

Now that is really it...no more P.S. s. TTFN

David