A Technological Milestone

 Well friends, it's happened.  Not only do I HAVE a smart phone, I've had to USE it to book a ride in advance.  That's right, I had to download and learn how to use Lyft.  The things I do for trips and fun.  "What are you doing?" you ask.  Well friends, I'm going to Disneyland for Thanksgiving with my mom, my AL, and her friend N.  I had to book the Lyft from LAX to the hotel.  It's gonna be a whirlwind of 3 days in the sun having fun, then back home.  The good news is that the weather in all places should be amazing, we are 100% prepared, and frankly we all need a few good days of fun.  The trip was planned in July, so don't be thinking it's a spur-of-the-moment thing.  The only thing that freaks me out is how FAST it's come around.  How is it already Thanksgiving week??  What happened?  And as much as I'm loving it, HOW is it still in the 50's?!  The sun is out and it's comfortably chilly today.  I'm loving it.

I don't want to go into what's been happening around here because it's mostly sad.  A co-worker told me last week that I need to "find the happy" since I've been a bit down lately (even before we lost another friend to Covid).  So here's some things that make me happy.

I found a new plushie at Walgreens, and he MATCHES my BOSS!  His tag says his name is "Gordon."  I'm kinda ok with that.

Yep, Gordon makes me super happy.  He is going to be my squishie to cuddle with when I watch TV.

Trampus wanted coffee cuddles today... we stayed like this for an hour, it was lovely.

Levi also wanted cuddles last night, he looked ridiculously contented.

The work display for Metallica's Blackened whiskey.  One of our co-workers husbands had the stage and action figures, the rest was all her.  She's an amazing artist, too... responsible for the lovely signs above the sloshie flavors.

My hair did NOT want to cooperate the other day, so I had to share it.  The comments from people thinking it was on purpose made me giggle.

We have a line of burbon barrel aged imperial stouts that is called Big Bad Baptist.  This is funny enough.  However, the one that is the cheapest and has the highest alcohol percentage is called... Naked Baptist.  I had way too much fun telling people I was bringing home a Naked Baptist. 

The line of Blackened whiskeys.  They are finished in brandy barrels, so that lends the whiskey a kind of sweet taste that is HEAVEN.  One day I will get a bottle of this, play Metallica music, and spend a useless day thinking, drinking, and enjoying.

It really is the little things that make me happy.  Online dating goes well, though I have realized that I'm a bit savage when it comes to who I "like" and who I "X."  For example, a guy may be hot but if he can't spell, use proper grammar, or be bothered to write anything in his intro it's an automatic "X."  If we message for a while and then lose interest, that's fine.  I'm having some fun but if there's no real "click" or connection, what's the point in wasting either of our time?  Finally, I have some red flags that I'm watching out for that I'd like to share.  First, if he wants to move off the dating platform too fast.  I'm not sure why I got a weird vibe from that guy, but then he followed it up by asking if I live alone.  HUGE red flag there, people.  Too soon and asking something like that makes me think 2 things.  1) If I answer yes, then he may think I'm lonely enough to be able to prey upon to ask for $ to come see me or something or 2) He's going to ask if he can move in "until I get on my feet."  Either way, that dude has faded away and good riddance.  Second, I stated on my profile that I'm looking for a long term relationship.  Enter the "hey sexy, when can we get together and hook up" dude.  I was clear in my intentions, and that's NOT what I'm looking for.  Good luck in your endeavors, buh buy.  Finally is the guy who can't/won't follow instructions/respect my wishes.  I told this guy 3 times to text before he called.  That way, I could be somewhere with good reception since at the time we didn't know why the phones didn't work in the house (has since been fixed).  The other thing is that I need to be ready to speak to someone on the phone.  That's why my friends and I set up phone dates.  To get a call out of nowhere is very disconcerting for me.  Yeah, I know, millennial or introvert problems, but if he can't or won't do this simple thing, what else am I signing up for?  I lost interest after that one, too.  

As weird as it is to say this, I'm thankful for all the crap I went through with S in Korea.  I now know what a shitty, toxic relationship looks like and I know what to reject right away.  I keep coming back to something my sorority sister posted - you can't turn a man whore into a husband.  As I haven't had much experience with dating, it was an eye-opener being around him.  Same thing with E - I know what to keep an eye out for... now if I just keep listening to my instincts and not making excuses.  Prayers are appreciated, if you are of the inclination.  

As for the job, I am good for now.  We shall see what the new year holds.  I think I would be ok with staying around here, but I'd also be ok with moving.  So we shall see what we shall see.  I have decided that I needed a new goal, so I'm going to learn French.  Once I've learned French I may try another language.  I know Arabic and Korean are in high demand... and I do still love German... I'll figure it out.  I still want to work internationally, but I may be coming around to having a real home base in the States.  I'm kinda torn between wanting to travel all the time and wanting to put down some roots.  Again, we shall see.  I guess that's my motto for 2022 - "We shall see."

Anyway, those are my thoughts such as they are at the moment.  I hope all of you are doing well and please know that I love and miss you!  MUAH! :*