It's A Set Up

What is it about people that when they see that the "single" box has been marked by a person, that it is their duty to "fix" said "problem"? I was asked out to dinner by my retired professor friend today, and, at the end of the conversation, she revealed that she'll be bringing along her nephew--who is roughly my age. I am often slow on the uptake in regard to these things, so it wasn't until after I got off the the phone that I realized what her intentions most likely are. And last week I ran into an old friend at a party, and she asked if I was seeing anyone. When I said, "not at the moment", she immediately went into matchmaker mode, brainstorming for suitable man options.

I completely understand that these folks ultimately have my happiness in mind. It's just weird because lately it would seem that others are more fussed in regard to my relationship status than am I.

I will let you know how the dinner goes....I don't really have any expectations. Let me just say this: What's so wrong with being single? I's not that I'm closed to the idea of a relationship--not at all--it's just got to happen the right way and at the right time, you know?

An Update & Thursday Three: The "I've Got A Golden Ticket" Edition

I am finally back in my place again, as is the Woob. I waited to bring her around until my house-sitting was finished (she stayed with my mother). Anyway, she is adjusting to the new digs very well, which is something that I've been worrying over to excess. Since I got her, three years ago, we have never lived in an apartment setting--never had to deal with folks living just on the other side of the wall, etc. But apart from a short spate of barking last night at sounds emanating from the apartment above, she's been just fine.

1. I have a fantastic bathtub. It is an old claw-foot; maybe a foot and a half deep, and there is more than enough of hot water. I've gone back to my habit of reading while in the bath, which I find to be an extremely relaxing way to spend time. When I was a kid, many of my books were ruined this way, and, unfortunately, not only mine. Let's just say that the librarian at my middle school didn't exactly love me. Oh, the shower is good, too, plenty, plenty of water pressure.

2. Tomorrow the Dalai Lama will be speaking at the university here in town, and I've got a ticket! I was privileged to hear him speak about ten years ago, as well, and I am so looking forward to being in his presence once again. More than anything else, I think that it is just good to be reminded of what we CAN be--of our POTENTIAL for GOOD--anything to balance out the inexorable horror of our pervasive capacity for violence and destruction. I grow so tired of fighting my disillusionment. Another day, another car bomb, right? But tomorrow I get to focus on his message, and this is making me happy.

3. I have almost finished adorning my many windows with plastic sheeting. Let me tell you, it has been quite a process. There have been some hitches, including a couple of near catastrophes regarding a ladder, gravity, and my fallible person, but it's largely done! Hooray! I have only two more to complete, and then, hopefully, I will have the curtains sewn and up by the second weekend in November. I'm hoping to have a housewarming party then.

Well, still no computer at my place, but I suppose it's not all bad. I've been playing my guitar quite a bit more than usual, which has been utterly fantastic. More soon!

Serious Sundry

So I've moved into my new place. Very exciting. Now I am in the process of making it mine, which is very fun, though, man, it can be costly! For example, I am on the ground floor, and I have twelve, count 'em, TWELVE windows. Don't get me wrong, this is/was certainly one of the selling points of the apartment, but now I have to find a way to "treat" said windows, and on a limited budget. Curtains are bloody expensive. So I, who have precious little in the way of sewing skills, am going to try and make them myself. It's pretty overwhelming. Some of the windows are GIGANTIC, too. (the house is over 100 years old) I'll let you know how that project is going.

I don't yet have internet at the new place, so that explains my recent lack of posting here. I probably will not have it for at least a few more weeks, either. I hadn't realized how dependent I've become on the internet just for entertainment, not to mention that it is my main insomnia solution. There are 20--30 blogs that I read daily, and then add to that the several I just happen upon, or sometimes visit... Not to forget, YouTube, NPR, The Onion, newspapers, etc. Anyway, I'm missing it terribly. Terribly. Boo. Hoo.

So maybe you feel your life is pathetic? Top this. I am single and quite happily so most of the time. I enjoy not having to answer to another--to not always have to make decisions based on a "we", rather than just what I want or feel I need to do. Not that I have anything against a "we" orientation, I don't. Let's just say that I dig having the final say at which movies are brought home from the video store. I have also spent the last five years pretty much continuously coupled and it's nice to have a break--to re-find myself sans a relationship, or a man.

Well, my mother approached me yesterday, telling me that she knows of two young women who have met and married men found through online dating services. She then offered to PAY for me to sign up, too. Ugh! I can't complain too much as she's my mom, has the absolute best intentions, and really has been a great sport as far as the continued lack of grandchildren and the listening to me whine about failed relationships are concerned. Yes, I get lonely. Yes, companionship, intimacy, love, touch, etc., are lovely and things that I ultimately will seek again. But. What's so wrong with being alone sometimes? I, for one, actually enjoy it and am going to do my best to make the most of it.

I signed up for NoBloPoMo this year. (National Blog Posting Month) In which I will post (or attempt to) every day in November. I am up for the challenge! We'll see how it goes. I have never, in over two years of A Common Language, posted every day, or anywhere close to it. Anyway it'll be an interesting exercise.

That's all for now. I have to return home now to put together the new kitchen table that I thrifted this afternoon. Have a great weekend everybody!