Does anybody actually read this pitiful excuse for a blog? One can hope. For those who enjoy quirky, intellectual, non-standard humor... I have two tickets to see this man next Monday the 28th of April ( The opening night of his US comedy tour ) in Boston, MA. Being the hopeless romantic I am... I held off asking someone out of the cowardly fear of rejection. Of course, as I have waited until the last minute, the one that holds my heart in thrall is unable to go. While I still want to go ( I'm a big fan of the aforementioned performer's style ) I also don't want someone to go with me out of pity, nor do I wish to eat the cost of the two tickets if any of my friends would like to go with another person of their choice. *sighs* As much as I'd love karma to step in and treat me in the fashion that I treat everyone else around me who needs something... I won't hold my breath this time around.
The more time I spend at my local watering hole, the more I become disheartened by the "young men" of today. No, I'm not suddenly becoming my parents: "their music's too loud... they don't talk properly...they have no respect for anyone else... look at all those tattoos, etc." Heck, I'm guilty of two out of four of those things myself! (Feel free to guess which ones, no points taken off for wrong answers.) After speaking with many an intelligent young lady, I am now in a position to understand what makes beautiful, vibrant, energetic young women attracted to older men. Throughout my years I have witnessed it countless times, but my friends and I would usually chalk it up to the stereotypical theories (and forgive me if some of them seem low-brow, but I was once young myself!) First, there's always the thought that the guy is financially well-off. While this is true on occasion, the sheer number of intelligent ladies that bind themselves to sub-poverty mates puts this item in the exception column, not the general rule column. Second, the inferrence that there were/are "daddy issues" in the young ladies life. While again I will admit that this is sometimes true, it doesn't appear to be a deciding factor in the lives of those with whom I speak. Third, the man is in a "position of power," e.g. either an officer of some large company, or owning his own business, or involved with medium-level local politics. Again, I say exception, not the rule. Forth, and I'll stop the list here because I can already hear some of you snoring, is the tried and true "he's taller on his back / built like a tripod / hung like a bear!" While I cannot say first hand what this means to the young ladies of today (stop your giggling, this is a semi-serious post!) I can say that the myriad of "marital aids" and the ease with which they are procured (heck they have more home-parties for these things than Tupperware* these days!) seems to lower the odds on this one too. None of these items appears to be the root cause of the young woman - older man scene. What DOES appear to be causing this... listening... simple listening, or more correctly, a lack thereof.
What I have observed is this: Today's young males (I am a bit hesitant to call them men, you'll see why in a bit,) are far too caught up in their own sub-culture to truly connect with today's young ladies. All too often I have seen a "pack of young wolves" saunter in to the bar and scan for "new flesh." They always travel in groups, not because they're afraid to be seen alone, but because when they DO make contact with a member of the opposite sex, they want their buddies to SEE it happening. It's all about keeping score, and not about making a connection at all. While this beginning phase seems innocent enough, albeit a bit neaderthal, it doesn't evolve enough during the "dating" phase. Todays young males are far too worried about their status within their pack / posse / crew what-have-you to be of any true benefit to today's young ladies. They spend way too much time trying to be someone's "bro" and not nearly enough time trying to be someone's "man." While most folks don't know for certain that the person they are "dating" is "the one" for them (and for those of you out there that DO know this, congratulations!) they should realize that unless the effort is made, and unless time and attention are invested, it won't go well. My advice for those finding themselves fitting the above criteria: If you're just in it for the sex and fun times, be honest about that up front. If you find someone who is like-minded, then good for you. If, however, you are even slightly concerned about having a family, or having someone to eat breakfast with every day, or not having to sleep alone the rest of your days, then start listening. Even if the conversation rambles a bit, or doesn't relate to anything in your life what-so-ever, what you will get out of each and every conversation is a little more insight into the inner workings of the mind of the object of your affection. Before long, and without even realizing it, you will find that you will feel WITH her when she relates to you how frustrated she was with the "dickhole" that cut her off in traffic today, or how "betrayed" she feels by her best friend because she invited someone else to the concert instead of her, or how "ignored' she is by the folks she works with because even though small changes are being made day by day, today's professional business world STILL caters to men. Seriously... if you WANT someone in your life, and not simply in your bed, then talk WITH her, not at her. LISTEN to her, don't just nod and grunt. Okay... I've rambled far, far, FAR more than I should have. If anyone is still with me after all that diatribe, then you've earned yourself 100 Enabler points, good absolutely nowhere what so ever!
*Tupperware is copyright © Tupperware worldwide, and is not affiliated in any way, shape, or form with this blog or it's writer.
Ever felt bad throwing away an old pair of shoes? Ever felt bad throwing out a shoe you only seemed to have one of? *sighs* After 6 years driving the "2001 big sneaker on wheels" (not including the two years I spent driving it's predecesor, the 1999 model!) it is finally time to part ways. While it's still running strong at 176,000 miles, the current gas crunch coupled with the fact that my house JUST ISN'T SELLING DARNIT forces my hand into getting something with improved gas mileage. While 27mpg doesn't sound like a lot to most folks, compared to the 17.5 I get now it's a heck of an improvement. And just what has won me over you ask? Well, seeing as how I'm still a cheap-assed penny-pincher, and knowing that I insist on either an AWD or 4WD configuration... I have settled on the Jeep Patriot. Sure it's not as luxurious as the CR-V or RAV-4, but it's quite a bit cheaper than either, and comes with an unlimited powertrain warranty.
