Comments from friends and family

Around February: Hey, are you still dating that girl? You should blog about it or something

May-ish: Sorry to hear about your breakup. What's new? You haven't posted in a while...

June: Nobody blogs anymore!

August: Hear you've got a new girlfriend! When do we get to meet her?

Late October: Man, sucks that it didn't work out... you ready to start dating again?

Today: It's been almost 11 months since you've blogged. You could at least mention Vader.

So, 2010 in review: 2 short-term relationships. I ended one, I was just about ended by the other. So I got a dog. He's a miniature schnauzer, and I've named him Dog Vader, Dark Lord of the Chew Toys.I find your lack of treats disturbing.

I also ranked twice in Kung Fu. (have I even mentioned Kung Fu? I started going last December) I got my Gold (Metal) sash in April, and my Blue (Water) sash in August. I was awarded Most Outstanding Beginner student (beating the 300 pound guy and the dude who never shows up). I'm also the only Hsing-I student there, so I get quite the unique experience.

Here's little Vader..Why are you taking pictures instead of drying me off?

Why Jer should never be a Dad...

Is it possible that the women of the Wasatch Front can see a few years into the future?

Obama's only hope... and mine..

If this were true, I'd vote for Obama in 2012.

Help me accept the things I cannot change...

The other day a friend told me I was not prepared for marriage because I refused to accept blame for something that wasn't my fault. (I think he was 30% joking)

I counter that it isn't an issue of being unprepared, rather it is me enjoying that freedom while I still can.

Thoughts?

...Just all of Womankind...

A friend today compared me to her boyfriend who is afraid of commitments. I told her that I'm not afraid of commitment, and she responded with "No, you just avoid them like the plague."

I said I only avoid girls I don't like, and she said "Which is all of womankind!"


...dang. I have to give her that one.

Women.

I watched Much Ado About Nothing last night with some friends. This made me think of the last post:

Benedick:
One woman is fair, yet I am well; another is wise, yet I am well; another virtuous, yet I am well;
but till all graces be in one woman, one woman shall not come in my grace. Rich she shall be,
that's certain; wise, or I'll none; virtuous, or I'll never cheapen her; fair, or I'll never look
on her; mild, or come not near me; noble, or not I for an angel; of good discourse, an excellent
musician, and her hair shall be of what colour it please God. Ha!

The girl for me...

So, after my last post, people asked what my criteria for setting me up would be. OK, I’ll bite.

First off, I’d like to point out that I don’t consider myself picky. I don’t really have any physical characteristics that are way important. Tall or Short, blonde or dark, blah blah blah. Minor exceptions would include that girls who are too skinny scare me, and she’s gotta have an attractive face. Now that can be very subjective, so we won’t go too much into that.

I like smart girls. Don’t set me up with airheads. I’m not intimidated if she’s smarter than me, but those sometimes get bored with me. Try to match us intellectually (however intellectual you think I am). I know people don’t mean it this way, but when I get set up with an airhead, I wonder what the person who set us up thinks of me.

Stronger personalities are nice. I’m friends with a lot of shy girls, but I fall for the tough ones. Not necessarily tom boys or uber-aggressive girls, but not the ones who are big wimps. Any girl who can playfully spar with me verbally usually passes the intelligence and toughness test. Note that I said playfully.

Middle-maintenance is the key. Another subjective trait, I know. I like a girl who showers, combs her hair, and attempts to look nice. But it can go too far. The girl who won’t be seen in public without makeup, always wears high heels, and freaks out if her hair gets out of place? Pass.

Activities can vary. I’ll change my routine for a girl I like. You’ve all seen me do it. I’m looking for someone who will encourage me to be better in all things, so it’s ok if she likes to do some outdoor/physical stuff. Obviously some of my favorite things are movies, games (not necessarily video games), and casual hanging out, but I am willing to broaden for the right girl. If you know someone who actually likes video games, call me. Now.

Let me know if there are any other things you’d like to know and I’ll edit this.

One other thing, just because she passes this list, it still may not be great. I know I've talked to many of you about one person in particular who seems perfect, but I just don't feel it. Not to be pessimistic, just pointing it out.

Blind Dates

"Just because I'm single and your friend is too, it doesn't mean we're meant for each other!"

Joel suggested once that I put this on a shirt. I'm strongly considering it.

Being out of college and single has put a serious cramp on my social life. Most of my friends in SL are pretty busy with kids, jobs, and death-defying stunts, while all my single female friends are in Provo. I've been going to the singles ward, but it can be hard to get involved sometimes when everyone seems to already have their group of friends there, and I have no "in" except to just force my way. Normally this wouldn't be too much of an issue for me, but I just don't seem to have the energy for it the past few months.

So with no apparent dating happening on my own (hey, I went on a date in January! I'm done for the year!), people (who only have the best intentions, I'm sure) have started taking matters into their own hands.

Yes. Blind dates. *shudder* I think there should be a law that you must have a license issued by your friend/family member/workmate before you're allowed to try to set them up.

The worst are the people who set the criteria for "perfect" for me as:
1) Female
2) Single
3) Breathing
4) Human (ish)

Is it any wonder I hate blind dates? I get set up with Cheerleaders, walking makeup factories, and brain-dead shoe collectors. Girls I have nothing in common with, can't hold a conversation with, and can't have any fun with.

I would SO much rather go hang out with a group of friends who happen to have another friend there they think I should meet. A lot less pressure, and lets me decide if I want it to turn into a date.

Dating Life

"Jer, if there's nothing exciting to blog about, just make up some crap. We won't know the difference, and it will keep us entertained. Plus you'll be able to feel like you have some sort of life. everybody wins!"

Sounds like my dating life. BTW, there's not much worse than going out of town, meeting a girl you find attractive, flirting a bit, then finding out she's 17. So, once I break out of the town jail and avoid the shotgun wedding, I'll post again.