Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Why Online Dating is a Bad Idea, Vol 2

Okay, okay...this one shouldn't even need any commentary...but that's not why any of us are here, is it? So, with that in mind...first things first. Once again, hats off to A for passing this one along and keeping me entertained on a slow afternoon. Keep them coming, my friend.

While I feel that the new school ratings system is mostly a crock of shit, clearly the education in certain places is subpar. How anyone can not recognize the difference between an auxiliary verb and a noun used to describe a penis in the morning just floors me. 

I realize, of course, that I'm referring to someone who clearly has misspelled his own name, so perhaps it should be expected. I wonder, did he get it wrong in the inquiry message or his username?

I have a question. Is punctuation becoming passe? I see this more and more, but seriously, people...it matters. Missing commas or superfluous apostrophes can totally change the meaning of a sentence. Either way...you appear far more intelligent when you demonstrate an understanding of your native language. So many people in this country are adamant about English being spoken at all times. Okay, super. If you feel that way, start with getting it right yourself. (I could spend a fair amount of time lamenting the fact that the US is pretty much the only developed country where bilingualism is not automatically taught in public schools, but I'll save that one for another time.)

Language arts are not everyone's forte, and I understand that. Some people have to work harder at it than others. Like when you're trying to make an impression on someone in an email...oh, wait...

It's not exactly a secret that the online dating pool in these parts tends to be rather shallow...that isn't to say you can't find a diamond in the rough on occasion. A is one such shining example...but it's rather like digging through the merchandise at Dollar General. 

Finally....is anyone else concerned about Derrick's (or Derrik's) two children? What happens when Dad tries to help them with their homework?

Monday, November 4, 2013

Single is Not a Disease State...

It's fall...fall is good, filled with all the things I enjoy most. Football. Cooler weather. Fireplaces. Football. Soup Sundays. Standard Time. Football. Sweaters. Boots. Football. Parties. Holidays...you get the idea. But here's the concept that continues to elude a handful of people...single people are just as entitled to the joys of the season--any season--as standard nuclear families. Or nontraditional nuclear families. Or people in serious relationships. Or anyone. Really.

I know...it seems like a no-brianer, one that was established by the likes of Bridget Jones and Carrie Bradshaw some 20 years ago, among others. But strange as it may seem, there are still some who look at my family of three--me and my girls--and see something that's incomplete. I can assure you, it's not. There are people who look at me and somehow see me as less of a person because I'm single. (Actually, I'm not single, exactly, but we'll get to that.) I'm not. There are a few people reading this right now who are inwardly (or outwardly, whatever) rolling their eyes, thinking that I'm only saying that because I don't have anyone, and if I did, I would change my tune. To them, I would say this: Just because my family and my relationship doesn't look like yours doesn't mean I'm sitting around wishing I had what you had. In fact, most of the time, the opposite is true, at least for the time being.

Just in case there's any confusion, let me tell you about my family. Of course, there's me. My girls. They're amazing, and they are, without question, my biggest accomplishment. Not my only one...they're actually one of many. But they are the biggest, hands-down. And while we get top billing in this little sitcom, the supporting cast is also stellar...I just don't live with them. My parents. My brother. Beth. Chelsea. Ashley. April. Adrienne. Amanda. Derek and Chad. Deanna an Ian. Lisa. Krystal. Sarah and Rob and Syd. Adam. And The Boy. There are others...the list is long and each person brings something important. Does my family look like yours? Nope. Is it perfect? No. And I wouldn't trade them for anything, either. Not even for a 2-carat diamond and a 4-bedroom, 3 bath house on an acre in town. Not that there's anything wrong with that. At ALL...but my family counts and is every bit as legit.

Single is relative. I don't consider myself single. I'm pretty sure L doesn't see it that way. I'm just not clamoring for a proposal or wanting to shack up anytime soon...I don't know when or if I will reach that point...with anyone. It isn't that I don't adore him. I'm just happy having my own house and my own things and my free time to spend however I want to spend it. One day, when it's right, I'm sure I'll be willing to give it up...but that's not now.

For now, I like things the way they are, and so do the girls. No one should feel sorry for me or assume I'm incomplete or unhappy being--sort of--on my own. And no one should overlook my holiday plans and assume they're unimportant, or that it's less of a Thanksgiving with only the three of us. That little Thanksgiving lunch matters to us, just as much as any family affair with a dozen people. This is our family, and it's pretty perfect the way it is. :)