Well, here we are again. It's always such a pleasure. Remember when I did this last year? I do. Seems like it wasn't that long ago. But, time flies, as they say, and with increasing age, it does so with increased velocity, it seems. This calls for some retrospective and forward contemplation.
So, I was talking with an a college buddy of mine and he's all trying to get me to join the dating site "Plenty Of Fish". I went along with it for kicks and giggles, mostly just porting over info from my OkCupid profile (which I also maintain primarily for kicks and giggles). However, one question on there set my writing mind ablaze: "First date?". Now, this field was optional, but I really wanted to paint a picture for this one. Below is what I wrote:
A first formal date, in an ideal scenario, would pan out as such:
The time is 6:30. The sun is beginning to set, casting a crimson hue over the city. I gaze in the mirror to ensure everything is in order before heading down the stairs and entering my car. It's still thirty minutes early, but all has been calculated to arrive at her doorstep five minutes early given the distance and traffic for this time of day.
I arrive at the dwelling of my lady friend at 6:54pm, ever so slightly ahead of schedule. I take a deep breath, willing away my nervousness, step out of the car, and walk up to the door announcing my arrival by knock or door bell (if one is available). Lady friend opens the door and I comment her on how lovely she looks. We walk over to my chariot and I open the door for her, because I swing that way (pun intended).
Our first stop of the evening is to a mildly formal, sit down restaurant. We're not talking Chateau Le Blanc, but Fridays, Olive Garden, something in that vein. We make lighthearted conversation over the next hour and a half or so. We don't want to dawdle too long, because the movie begins at 9:15pm. I pick up the tab and we make our exit.
The choice of movie for the evening has been left entirely up to the lady friend. I do this because I'm shooting for date number two (when I get to pick the movie/activity). As we sit there in the dark, eyes taking in the sea of colors projected before us, I might just make a move to hold her hand. No putting my arms around her or anything. This is left for stage two. The movie over, we exit the theater and once again make our way to my ride (with all it's lack of "pimpin'") and, as I've done all night, I open the door for her. Chivalry isn't dead, ladies.
I return her to her place of dwelling and I see her to the door. I put out a couple of verbal probes to see how the evening fared. Second date and a continuation of seeing each other is my only goal, though a small peck on the cheek is most certainly welcome (nothing full on, this only the first date, people!).
I return to my house and reflect upon the evening. Once I'm bored of that, I fire up some porn and masturbate furiously for the rest of the night. The end!
I can see the throng of ladies making their way for my door already...
Been kind of a shitty week and I'm all out of witty at the moment.therefor, I shall just kind of give a general life update.
Bros came over this weekend, always good times to be had there. We've been watching anime, aging games and doing tragic us amounts of asking. Probably five to six miles today alone. We visited the usual nerd places and hit up a thrift store I pursuit of cosplay items.
Speaking of costly, I've gotten quite a bit farther on my costume and it's not looking terrible. The more I do is the easier it's becoming, so that's always encouraging. I would post a picture, but that would ruin the surprise or something.
I've been our using OkCupid again and realize why I kind of dropped it in e first ace: it's full of hyper Christians who also happen to be young, single moms. I don't mean to judge, but that seems a tad contradictory...
Tonight, my bros snood I are going to cool off at the pool and, as we wait for said pool to drain of people, I am sitting her writing a blog post. That brings us to now.
Dear Mom (and Family),
You would make me read something emotional at work. I'll get you for that >_>. But now on to seriousness.
The last twenty-five years have certainly been an experience. Be it good times, bad times or anything in between, you guys have always been there and, more importantly, we've always been together no matter the situation. I don't think I can convey just how important that has been to me, but I can certainly tell you that it has helped to shape my very core. Even just the simple act of eating together and conversing about whatever is something that I've especially come to appreciate the last few years, something I will sorely miss.
The other item I specifically want to express my gratitude for is your openness. Being open about situations in the family, open about the pursuit of my passions, open about your thoughts on whatever situation I had to throw at you. I cannot tell you how important it's been to me and my development as a person to experience the world for what it is, not through some rose-colored, sheltered glasses. Has it always been easy? Fuck no, that's not how the world works! But like was said, we learn from mistakes, be it our own or others and I've certainly learned a lot just from failing and I plan to continue to fail and learn from those failures in the future.
I also want to apologize myself for all the dumbass things that I've done, both as a child and as an adult who should know better. So, for every hole I put in a wall, every object I've thrown, every hurtful word I've ever uttered, every bear I freed from a baby mobile: I'm sorry.
You guys are the most kick ass family that I could possibly ever have asked for and I love all of you. I only hope that I can raise my own family to be a fraction as awesome as you all have been.
Rock on!
--
Matt Hackmann
P.S. I was trying to choke the life out of that cat. It doesn't look it, but there was malicious intent >_>
So, it would seem that I have already completed my first week at Winnercomm. I'm currently suffering from what I can best describe as culture shock. A good many things are polar opposite from how they were at Griffin. There's no phones ringing all the time, no boss interrupting every ten minutes and also it is very, very quiet. Like, I haven't really spoken to anybody all week and it seems (from where I sit) that there are no other impromptu coworker conversations breaking out. That part I kind of miss, but the quiet certainly does lend well to productivity.
I cannot say, however, that I still don't find the calm a little unnerving. Seeing how I've lived in a house with a lot of people for nearly my entire life, I've grown accustomed to the noise that comes with it. So much so, it seems, that whereas most people would notice the abundance of noise, I am keenly aware of its absence. But it's something I'd best get used to because I'll be endeavoring out on my own in just a couple of short months.
Yes, my own place. Something I've daydreamed about for quite some time (and still am doing as the time draws near). Thinking about how I'll arrange things, what kind of furniture and wall adornments I'd like, extra-house activities I can take part in, etc. It's certainly an exciting time, but also one that carries a bit of somber weight. Certainly, I've done this "moving away from home" thing before, but last time came with a fair certainty that I would be returning for some time. This time is it. The true closing of this chapter of my life and the opening of a new one with all the experiences that will come with. Like hitting the dating scene. That will certainly bring both some interesting, awesome and probably incredibly awkward moments.
And now for something completely different.
As you may or may not be aware (which would be sad if you weren't), Japan got hit by a big ol' quake yesterday. Now, usually I don't really "feel" much when these natural disasters strike. It's not that I'm cold and heartless (or maybe I am), but things Katrina, Sri Lanka or Haiti really only elicited an "oh, well that kinda sucks" feeling from me. I believe this probably stems from the fact that I have no real connection to any of these places or people (Louisiana even). But, through all the games, manga and anime I've consumed over the last few years, I've developed a deep respect for Japan, its people and its culture and I think that is why this disaster has touched me more than the others. That all said, my thoughts will be with these fine people as they pull themselves back together. I've no qualm in my mind that they will do so admirably.
