Seeing the shadow
Good day gang! It's winter here in Questionopolis- in the lair of the Answerman. Winter means that every February 2 we get to celebrate Groundhog day...well if you're from Pennsylvania anyway. Did Punxsutawny Phil see his shadow, did he not? He did. Oh, six more weeks of winter, shucks! Look the reality is that the rodent is merely a vehicle of wonderment in our part of the world. Winter is going to be around until the spring equinox. March 20th, ding! Done.
Yes, it is actually a little more than six weeks for those counting at home.
I like the seasons and the change. Those of you that are fans of the movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell may find the lessons from the movie endearing. Phil Connor, Murray's character was forced to live the day over and over until he actually changed his character and became a more positive person. In the end he gets the girl, Rita- MacDowell's character. Nice.
Those that followed my last blog, e-dating and the new reality, which was about electronic dating platforms, the trials of working with them and the human side may see a parallel. If not, well I do. Sometimes the whole e-dating thing felt like my own private Groundhog Day. Logging in, looking- the sometimes creepy feeling of doing on-line shopping for people was concurrently unsettling and amusing.
I've chosen to terminate my relationships with the e-dating sites. I know, weird, right? Answerman broke up with the dating sites. The new reality just wasn't cutting it for me- I couldn't even write about it anymore. It is back to reality, the old reality that was always here, although even that is still like a private Groundhog day. I did see my shadow and the writing on the wall behind it too.
No more Hategirl, Starspender, Browneyedgirl622, Thickwitch, Shammalammabangthat or Imauser, for me. However, this does kind of put me in a loop, back to reality. Now it is, as my granddaughter tells me "You get what you get and you don't get upset." At true middle age I accept who I am and expect the world around me to accept it too. I'm a custodial grandfather. Get it? Got it? Good. If that is an issue (and it has been) and a woman feels old dating a grandfather or in competition with my granddaughter I can't change it. I wouldn't want to anyway. "You get what you get and you don't get upset."
Everybody has their opinions on what I should do etc. My great friend Paula, or PE, is my best guide. All woman, Hall of Fame marriage and no filter. There's no wondering what she thinks- because sometimes even I need an answer. It's my proverbial life line. I don't always agree with her either.
I was cajoled again as I cancelled the e-subscriptions. I was asked what I really was looking for in a woman. I have my mythical rule book, there are age parameters, an opinion meter, a do and don't list, and the PE test- because lust and wonderment can make you blind. I have one friend who tells me I only like younger women and I bent the rules with my -8 and only +4 age range. Or poke at me if I say someone is really attractive but they're young. I said "Look you would rather be out with Ryan Gosling than Tom Hanks, right?" Right. Ding! Done.
I had been commenting on a former graduate school classmate as the perfect blend of sexy, smart athletic and civic-minded. I'm also 20 years older. One of my colleagues commented that it shouldn't be a factor. Maybe not now if there's good energy, conversation etc. The "click." But no, just no. As PE says, "it's not the now you need to think about, it's the later." What if it does lead to a relationship. Answerman, sexy at 70 may not be a reality, y'know. So today and tomorrow are like Feb 2 again. I get to start over. We all get to start over because it is a new day. The sun won't rise in the West of Questionopolis and we will all cast a shadow.
The Answerman says "You get what you get and you don't get upset. Take what you get in life and make the most of it, whether its an opportunity, a relationship or a meal. Be happy, be positive and spring will eventually arrive." Me, I will take my time sorting this thing out, one day at a time. I'm positive...so it will work out.
Yes, it is actually a little more than six weeks for those counting at home.
I like the seasons and the change. Those of you that are fans of the movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell may find the lessons from the movie endearing. Phil Connor, Murray's character was forced to live the day over and over until he actually changed his character and became a more positive person. In the end he gets the girl, Rita- MacDowell's character. Nice.
Those that followed my last blog, e-dating and the new reality, which was about electronic dating platforms, the trials of working with them and the human side may see a parallel. If not, well I do. Sometimes the whole e-dating thing felt like my own private Groundhog Day. Logging in, looking- the sometimes creepy feeling of doing on-line shopping for people was concurrently unsettling and amusing.
I've chosen to terminate my relationships with the e-dating sites. I know, weird, right? Answerman broke up with the dating sites. The new reality just wasn't cutting it for me- I couldn't even write about it anymore. It is back to reality, the old reality that was always here, although even that is still like a private Groundhog day. I did see my shadow and the writing on the wall behind it too.
No more Hategirl, Starspender, Browneyedgirl622, Thickwitch, Shammalammabangthat or Imauser, for me. However, this does kind of put me in a loop, back to reality. Now it is, as my granddaughter tells me "You get what you get and you don't get upset." At true middle age I accept who I am and expect the world around me to accept it too. I'm a custodial grandfather. Get it? Got it? Good. If that is an issue (and it has been) and a woman feels old dating a grandfather or in competition with my granddaughter I can't change it. I wouldn't want to anyway. "You get what you get and you don't get upset."
Everybody has their opinions on what I should do etc. My great friend Paula, or PE, is my best guide. All woman, Hall of Fame marriage and no filter. There's no wondering what she thinks- because sometimes even I need an answer. It's my proverbial life line. I don't always agree with her either.
I was cajoled again as I cancelled the e-subscriptions. I was asked what I really was looking for in a woman. I have my mythical rule book, there are age parameters, an opinion meter, a do and don't list, and the PE test- because lust and wonderment can make you blind. I have one friend who tells me I only like younger women and I bent the rules with my -8 and only +4 age range. Or poke at me if I say someone is really attractive but they're young. I said "Look you would rather be out with Ryan Gosling than Tom Hanks, right?" Right. Ding! Done.
I had been commenting on a former graduate school classmate as the perfect blend of sexy, smart athletic and civic-minded. I'm also 20 years older. One of my colleagues commented that it shouldn't be a factor. Maybe not now if there's good energy, conversation etc. The "click." But no, just no. As PE says, "it's not the now you need to think about, it's the later." What if it does lead to a relationship. Answerman, sexy at 70 may not be a reality, y'know. So today and tomorrow are like Feb 2 again. I get to start over. We all get to start over because it is a new day. The sun won't rise in the West of Questionopolis and we will all cast a shadow.
The Answerman says "You get what you get and you don't get upset. Take what you get in life and make the most of it, whether its an opportunity, a relationship or a meal. Be happy, be positive and spring will eventually arrive." Me, I will take my time sorting this thing out, one day at a time. I'm positive...so it will work out.
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