As Time Goes By
I was reading my book at a cafe today, and I was suddenly struck by how completely my life has changed in the last year. I realized that the bookmark I was using was the business card of a "pipesmith" named Julius Vesz. I got it in Toronto almost exactly one year ago, when I accompanied The Ex Girl on a business trip.
It was a fun trip, full of new experiences (first time in Canada, first time eating dim sum, etc.) and lots of photos. I had no idea that the relationship would be over in a month, and I certainly would not have dreamed that I'd be where I am today, doing what I'm doing.
What am I doing? Well, for one, I'm starting to date again. I know! SO WEIRD. And yet, here I am, doing the dating thing. It's been very interesting so far, so I'll tell you a few stories.
Date One involved some firsts as well. I attended a blind eating party at a mushroom farm up in Sonoma County a few weeks ago. It was one of those deals where they blindfold you and then you attempt to work your way through six courses of food while attempting to carry on conversations with people you can't see and can barely hear. It was pretty interesting, and it was the first time I'd tried both caviar and venison. All in all, it was a lot of fun. Then there was an after party, and then there was hot tubbing. Yup. Five naked people in a hot tub on a beautiful night under a full moon. That was also a first. People who know me have been completely shocked that I did this, but it seemed perfectly natural and was totally non-sexual. It was just NICE.
There was fun making out later, and good breakfast at a neat hippie cafe the next morning.
Date Two was a first date with someone far closer than Sonoma County, and was even more enjoyable than Date One. It started at a nice local bar that serves good food. The place was totally packed, and it didn't look like we were going to get a seat, but one opened up at the last moment right next to the fireplace. Lucky! Dinner was a set of cucumber martinis and raspberry creme brulee. Conversation went well enough that we had seconds of everything. There was actual walking on the beach later (another first), and then we watched Harold and Maude back at my apartment until about 3:30am. Pretty good first date, I thought. We had a second one last Saturday, and number three is scheduled for this Friday. I'm thinking bowling might be fun.
Anyway, the point of all of this is that I'm amazed, nay, FLABBERGASTED by how much has changed in my life, and how much *I* have changed over the last year. I never thought I'd be dating. I never thought I'd be comfortable enough with myself to disrobe in front of complete strangers. I never thought I'd be in this beautiful place, having adventures with interesting people. I never thought I'd be so excited about my business prospects, or my future in general.
Apparently it's a good time to be me.
P.S.: Photos!
It was a fun trip, full of new experiences (first time in Canada, first time eating dim sum, etc.) and lots of photos. I had no idea that the relationship would be over in a month, and I certainly would not have dreamed that I'd be where I am today, doing what I'm doing.
What am I doing? Well, for one, I'm starting to date again. I know! SO WEIRD. And yet, here I am, doing the dating thing. It's been very interesting so far, so I'll tell you a few stories.
Date One involved some firsts as well. I attended a blind eating party at a mushroom farm up in Sonoma County a few weeks ago. It was one of those deals where they blindfold you and then you attempt to work your way through six courses of food while attempting to carry on conversations with people you can't see and can barely hear. It was pretty interesting, and it was the first time I'd tried both caviar and venison. All in all, it was a lot of fun. Then there was an after party, and then there was hot tubbing. Yup. Five naked people in a hot tub on a beautiful night under a full moon. That was also a first. People who know me have been completely shocked that I did this, but it seemed perfectly natural and was totally non-sexual. It was just NICE.
There was fun making out later, and good breakfast at a neat hippie cafe the next morning.
Date Two was a first date with someone far closer than Sonoma County, and was even more enjoyable than Date One. It started at a nice local bar that serves good food. The place was totally packed, and it didn't look like we were going to get a seat, but one opened up at the last moment right next to the fireplace. Lucky! Dinner was a set of cucumber martinis and raspberry creme brulee. Conversation went well enough that we had seconds of everything. There was actual walking on the beach later (another first), and then we watched Harold and Maude back at my apartment until about 3:30am. Pretty good first date, I thought. We had a second one last Saturday, and number three is scheduled for this Friday. I'm thinking bowling might be fun.
Anyway, the point of all of this is that I'm amazed, nay, FLABBERGASTED by how much has changed in my life, and how much *I* have changed over the last year. I never thought I'd be dating. I never thought I'd be comfortable enough with myself to disrobe in front of complete strangers. I never thought I'd be in this beautiful place, having adventures with interesting people. I never thought I'd be so excited about my business prospects, or my future in general.
Apparently it's a good time to be me.
P.S.: Photos!
coughed this up at 6:28 PM
8 El Commentos:
Hobo, this is all entirely wonderful news. All good from start to finish. Go, you!
And the pictures? Ansel Adams popped right into my mind. Seriously, Mister, I think you've found your calling :-)
Oh, and this once a month posting thing? No problem if it's just because you're all busy and happy and stuff!
Ahh... reminds me of my college days!
That photo of the bridge is gorgeous! Well, they all are, but that one struck me especially.
carroll: thanks! and i certainly hope i've found my calling - if not, it's back to techland for me. :(
santa nakji: yeah, i guess i'm a bit of a late bloomer, eh? ;) we walked along the beach at natural bridges, and i noticed that she was wearing awesome boots. i'm so weird. at least i noticed other things BESIDES the boots, though...
moose: thanks! that's one of my favorites, too. AND it will be one of the many that i will be making available for purchase VERY VERY SOON!
Hobo, I want to write a short story about your dating adventures. Something about the blindfold encounter and bonding with complete strangers and not seeing them just intrigued me. I figured in the story the protagonist would get thrown into a murder mystery:)
proud gemini: go for it! i have to tell you, though - i wasn't actually all that interested in the blind bonding bit. i think it actually made the other people at my table uncomfortable, as they felt compelled to attempt to keep drawing me into conversations, when i was perfectly fine just listening and trying to figure out how to make my brain filter background noise better.
apparently i'm a huge nerd. :)
I'm so glad things are going well for you!I'm loving your pics. You are so talented!
Hey be careful while nekkid hot tubbing! I met my hubby like that!
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