allisonpotter
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The letter J.
January 22, 2012
Yesterday, I FaceTimed with my parents, and realized the first big downside in blogging about encounters with males. FaceTime went something like this:
- Me: “Hi. How are you? What’s new?”
- Parents: “School starts, winter in PA, Evi likes the snow. How are you?”
- Me: “Oh, I’m good. Life is good. Pilates. Normal life stuff. I like it. Work. Dori.”
- Mom: “How is your dating life? What’s up with so-and-so.”
- Me: “Mom…”
…
….
…
Oh well, I’m committed to this. However, (mom) this is all the update you get on male encounters until someone has a name. While they’re letters, don’t worry about it. These are just male encounters. You’ll get a name and details when it is necessary.
When I was in my late teens and lower 20′s, Pop Pop (my grandpa for anyone happening to read this who doesn’t know) used to always tell me to date several guys until I found a guy worth only dating him. He said that he was dating a bunch of girls when he met Mom Mom, and then he knew she was the one, and the rest went away. I always thought he was crazy, but I’ll admit that it makes sense. I also think it keeps away heartache, which is the ultimate reason to keep up a brick wall between you and any dude.
Today, I had my first male encounter with J, and his dog Lola. Dori and I met them at the dog beach, and Dori gave a pitiful first impression (aka running towards the car and having to be permanently put back on the leash to keep her on the beach, and wanting nothing to do with any of the other dogs, despite Lola really wanting to be friends with Dori). Overall, I don’t remember saying or doing anything stupid… although, being the freak loser that I am, I almost high-fived him when we parted ways.
Have I ever mentioned that I hate first dates? In fact, I hate dating in general. I told my colleague, Rosemary, this once, and she tried to tell me how great it is. I HATE dating. I officially think that all first dates should involve alcohol. Either that, or I should start drinking before I go on these dates. They freak me out. I’m much more comfortable around date six and beyond. Much more certainty.
For now, I’ll stick to first dates, and pick and choose who is deserving of second dates. J will move onto the next round if he so desires.
Flattery is not always creepy.
January 20, 2012
More often than not, I hate cheesy things that guys say. You can generally see right through the douchebaggery that guys spew out of their mouths at girls. But sometimes, when you know the person is being genuine, it is the best thing ever.
Today has been nuts. It’s totally fine, and all good… I just have a million tasks to accomplish, and can’t seem to focus on one at a time to just tackle them. Instead, I’m trying to do ALL at once, and checking back on things periodically. One being this conversation, below, with a friend that I’ve known for a very very very long time (seriously, since I was a little kid).
Friend: you have an electric smile…
Me:
that was the best thing I’ve heard in a long time.
that was the best thing I’ve heard in a long time.Friend: You have a great bone structure. In high school you were cute. The woman you is something pretty special. I have always known you to have at least a couple of relevant brain cells that work at speed.
Me: Awwwwwww. seriously, this has been the busiest morning ever, but just checking back to this you’ve seriously made my week. seriously…
Friend: You should have your week made every week.
Seriously. Ultimate f-ing compliment. I’m a happy girl today. Best part is… this guy doesn’t even want to date me (he lives half way across the country and I haven’t seen him in YEARS). See… genuine! YESSSS!!!!
The stuff that comes out of my mouth…
January 20, 2012
Seriously, I have a problem with word vomit (see also: this blog).
I’ve decided that if I’m going to talk about interactions with the male species, that I should not be completely open about situations, names, etc… it could make people angry, hurt, or think that I have serious issues. I do have issues, let’s just get this out there.
Tonight, I was talking on the phone with my friend, E. A good conversation, overall. He’s really funny, and seems to think that my complete moronity is relatively charming.
During the conversation, I told him that he should take a girl on a date to the Hillcrest farmers market. Why, you ask? “Because they have tons of free fruit there. You could totally fill up on free samples of fresh produce. CHEAP DATE!”
I then continued to tell him an awful rendition of the story with Evi biting a human last summer, and that I couldn’t wait to feel my first REAL earthquake. I mean seriously, WTF kind of messed up human being am I? (In fairness, I only wanted tremors that didn’t break any of my personal belongings, and perhaps some aftershocks that would cause some high waves for a few days so we could get a “weather advisory statement” on my weather app.)
… and people wonder why I am single… (seriously though, men do seem to like this complete and utter weirdoness, and I DO know how to be semi-normal… sometimes). Sigh.
Life as I know it.
January 19, 2012 — 1 Comment
I’m kind of at a crossroads in my writing. I’m settling into San Diego quite nicely, and traveling is settling down. I’d kind of like to start writing more about my adventures with new food/restaurants in San Diego, and any adventures (or lack thereof) in dating. Yes, I will give this dating thing a chance… I promise.
So, in the meantime… in case you haven’t noticed… I’ve just sort of NOT been writing… effective, right?
As an update, all IS well. Life IS good. I’ve been going to pilates 3x/week, have been (sort of) training for a 5k which I’ll run on February 11th, and have gone on a few dates. Gotta get out there, right? No knight in shining armor, yet, but I can’t meet him if I stay in my yoga pants at home. I can, however, seemingly meet men at airports, in Starbucks, and at the beach… all places where I’ve managed to have encounters with cute men.
On the eating front, I continue to eat a ton of great food. With the exception of In-n-Out in October, I haven’t been to any fast food since moving here. I’ve been to almost no chain restaurants either. But I HAVE eaten plenty of delicious food including: tapas, thai, pho, chinese, korean, tawainese (all different), AND MORE. This is why I really need to start blogging about food more, because I’ve eaten SO MUCH new food, and eaten at SO MANY great restaurants. Yum yum yum. I will try. I promise.
A friend suggested that I coin my new topic of blogs “good food, bad dates” and another said that the tagline could be “in the end, it all turns to poop”. I have some good friends. We’ll see, and hope that I continue with the good outcomes on BOTH fronts!
xoxo AP
Mini Detoxes For…
January 19, 2012 — 2 Comments
The below is stolen entirely from this months Birchbox shipment. Word for word, so all credit is due to them.
However… how soon we forget about the resolutions we’re going to work on, and how quickly we are able to stress ourselves out and get back into the normal, day-to-day craze. Today I’m thankful to be reminded of mini detoxes in various areas of life. Anyone have any other suggestions for ways to detox? Share them with me!
Mini detoxes for…
- Your Mind: Turn off your computer, iPhone or Blackberry one hour before bed. You’ll sleep soundly and wake up sunny, not stressed. (I’ve actually been turning off my email notifications so that my phone doesn’t beep every time an email comes in, and I have to manually retrieve them. ALSO helps! I’ve also been trying to keep my phone off before 12noon on Saturday and Sundays. Who needs me before then anyways?)
- Your Relationships: Send your grandma a handwritten note, give your little sis a call, or tell a colleague they’re doing a great job.
- Your Closet: (I could do this every month and still have too much clothing) Take out anything that makes you feel less-than-awesome and donate it to a charity like Dress for Success.
- Your Diet: Cut out processed foods for a few days. Focus on fruits, veggies, whole grains, and plenty of dark chocolate.
- Your Bathroom Cabinet: Check expiration dates and throw out any products past their prime. (This actually scares me. I can imagine that SO many things are expired under my sink…)
2011. Whoa.
January 1, 2012
”…Before we pop the champagne and celebrate the New Year, stop and reflect on the year that has gone by. To remember both our triumphs and our missteps – our promises made, and broken. The times we opened ourselves up to great adventures – or closed ourselves down, for fear of getting hurt. Because that’s what New Year’s is all about: getting another chance. A chance to forgive, to do better, to do more, to give more, to love more. And stop worrying about ‘what if’ and start embracing what would be. So when that ball drops at midnight – and it will drop – let’s remember to be nice to each other, kind to each other. And not just tonight but all year long.”
^I stole that straight from someone’s Facebook status. It fits for what I think is much of the intent of this blog… although I almost always just start typing, and next thing you know, word vomit.
It’s New Years Eve. The end of 2011. Nearly a new year. 2012 is going to be epic. It HAS to be. (This is what I tell myself because you should start each year with hope.)
This was a big year, which is starting to become a recurring theme in my life, and I like it. In addition to the 60,000+ miles flown this year, and time on continents, there was a six month fundraiser and a move across the country. I kept in touch with some of my closest friends, made a few new friends who I don’t know how I’ve lived without before now, and lost a few throughout the year. I guess that’s to be expected, though, when you move across the country. There have been SO many new experiences, and I can confidently say that I have done a LOT of growing this year. I guess you kind of have to when you’re largely “on your own”.
Nearly four months (I can’t believe it!) into my move, I’m about to return to San Diego after two weeks spent in Clarion and Pittsburgh. While I’m ready to be back (to get back to Pilates, have my own car, sleep in my own bed, work on this whole “living in San Diego thing), who would have thought that two weeks spent here would fly SO quickly?!!! Time spent in Clarion definitely took away from time I could see people in Pittsburgh, yet NONE of my time in Pittsburgh was wasted. The only night I didn’t do something was one evening where I surprisingly had no one that I had to hang out with (I had plans but bumped them to the following day).
There are definitely people that I didn’t get to see at all that I wish I had…
There are definitely SEVERAL people who I am thrilled that I got to see, but wish I had seen them more than what I did…
…and there are a couple people that I’m surprised that I saw, or saw as much as I did.
It’s really good to have such amazing friends. I seriously love each and every single person to death, both near and far. I’m one of those rare people who doesn’t believe that the closest friends spend a ton of time together face-to-face. Of course it’s preferable, but I know plenty of people who hold very special places in my heart that I haven’t seen in ages, or certainly don’t get to see on a regular basis.
So, in closing, so that I can focus on this movie, drink more wine, and not bore you to death– this has been one hell of a year. I have some big plans for 2012, and I hope that I can pull them ALL off. I really really do! I spent a lot of time coming home over the past four months, and really do plan to spend more time in San Diego… but even if I didn’t get to see many of my closest friends while home, THE INVITE IS ALWAYS OUT THERE FOR YOU TO COME VISIT ME, and I love you very very much whether you do or don’t, no matter how often I see/hear from people.
Nothing but love for you!
XOXO AP
I know, I know.
December 29, 2011 — 1 Comment
As I type this, there is snow falling on my screen. Although there is FINALLY snow on the ground (not enough to cover the grass) this is much of the only snow I’ve seen in my nearly two weeks home.
What Whitney Cummings says, above, is true… I’m acknowledging this… and I will blog more… when I’m back in CA. I’m on vacation!!! 
Happy New Year to every single one of the eight people who read this!
xoxo AP
Two things.
December 11, 2011
I need to have Sunday FaceTime with my mom and dad in like 2.5 minutes (when the song I’m listening to is over) but have had 1.5 cups of strong coffee, and am one of those people who shouldn’t be allowed to drink coffee, because I’m WIRRRRREEEDDDDDD. As a matter of fact, I have been running around the apartment singing the song that I just wrote. I goes a little something like this (“Thing” #1):
“Make some coffee, do your laundry. Be an adult, call your parents.
(Shake shake shake)
Go to the gym, work your ass off, take a shower, be a clean person.
GO ICE SKATTTTIIINNNNGGGGG.”
No wonder my roommates thing I’m insane. (The good kind of insane. Maybe… I think.)
“Thing” #2:
I’ve decided what my 2012 resolution is going to be. I’m going to do something new each month in 2012. I’m going to start it off with a 30-day yoga challenge in January. Not that I’ve never done yoga, but I’ve never done a 30-day challenge. I also think I’m going to try paddle boarding, surfing, sea kayaking, and maybe I’ll jump out of a plane. Who knows what other not so crazy things I’ll add to the list, but that’s my 2012 plan. Sounds exciting, right?
WOOOOOOO! (Seriously… I shouldn’t drink coffee.)
Bonus!
Oh, I also think I’m going to go to Hawaii. Yeah, that’s right. Totally not crazy or anything.
Electronic Holiday Cards
December 11, 2011 — 1 Comment
Below is my 2011 card, and reasoning behind emailing vs. mailing my cards this year. I swear there is a good reason behind it, and I think (hope) you’ll like it.
“Everything you can imagine is real.” -Pablo Picasso
Happy holidays and cheers to a year where all of your dreams come true.
xoxo
I am lazy. Last year I was all gung-ho with my holiday cards… I made them in November, had them printed, wrote handwritten notes in each of the 45ish card that I stamped and mailed out. This year, I spent two hours on the above (most of the time was spent picking out the pictures of things/memories from this year), and mailed it to my closest friends and family. The end.
Here is why:
- Like I said, I’m lazy.
- I have more email addresses than I do mailing addresses.
- It is the “green” thing to do.
- In lieu of the cost of stamps and printing (or buying) holiday cards, I’ve decided to make a donation to The New Children’s Museum in San Diego.
While there are plenty of deserving non-profits and organizations, and a number that I have special ties to in Pittsburgh, I decided to pick a local organization in San Diego (since I live here now). The Children’s Museum in Pittsburgh was always one of my favorite organizations, because it encouraged children to think, play and learn, and it’s such a creative place. Art, music and creative learning has always been extremely important to me, so decided that any small donation was more important than sending paper cards in the mail to everyone that I love. In your honor, I’ve saved trees and done something good. Philanthropy is sexy. Happy holidays!
Why flying occasionally sucks.
December 6, 2011
I actually don’t mind flying… usually. Which is a good thing since I seriously do it SO much. Foursquare has told me twice in the past couple of months, “Congrats! You’ve checked into an airport three consecutive weeks in a row.” Little does Foursquare realize, I’m about to rock their world with I believe 4-5 weeks in a row of travel. I can’t remember how it’ll work, but I think Friday’s trip back from New York City will actually be my fourth consecutive week checking into an airport, and then my trip home to Pennsylvania will be my fifth. Alas, I’ll spend too much time at home (I’m not complaining) that I’ll break my streak. Bummer.
Anywhoooo… back to the point of the story. I like flying. US Airways loves me enough that I have premier flier status, which gets me through security faster, allows me to check two bags for free, and upgrades me to first class if/whenever possible.
Sometimes, unfortunately, it sucks. Like when the first leg of my flight is delayed, and I find myself RUNNING through the airport to catch my connecting flight… or when it’s INSANELY early in the day that I have to travel… or when a little kid is kicking the back of your seat… or when you find yourself (sort of, but only sort of) fearing for your life because the flight is so bumpy. ORRRRR when the girl next to you sucks and is coughing all over you, and likely infecting you with some sort of four-week long plague that a Z-Pack likely won’t cure… Oh, you can also have the girl next to you taking up an unreasonable amount of space.
Luckily, today I have a direct flight from San Diego to JFK, so luckily am not dealing with delayed flights and/or connections… but the rest of that stuff? Yea… that’s all happening. Sometimes I love flying less than I normally do. Blech.
