Random Rants

So as I sit here, with just over a month until my 30th birthday, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about my life to this point.  I never really expected my life to take the turns it has over the past 6 months.  I never expected myself to be separated, awaiting a divorce for the first thing.  But it hasn’t been all bad, but it sure hasn’t been all good either.

I just received an invitation to my cousin Thomas’ wedding in October.  And just like those corny made-for-TV movies, it has the dreaded “and guest” that as of this point in time I have no idea how I’m going to fill it out.  I mean, there has been someone I’ve dated a few times, but I’m still unsure where we set as we’re both at different points in our separations, which makes situations like this a little awkward.  I was never good at the dating game to begin with, and being out of the dating game for several years hasn’t helped any, and I can be a little smothering (yes, I’ll admit it), which I know she doesn’t like.  From the few dates we’ve been on, I could see us being very very good friends, if not more (is it wrong to hope for more at this point in time), but does that mean I can or should ask her to be the +1 (and if she reads this and wants to answer) at this point in time?  Maybe all these questions will answer themselves before I need to RSVP, but it really has my mind going overdrive.

So what would you do in my situation?  How would you handle the +1?

Dan General Rants

Well, let me just say it.  I’m broke, but I’ve had the best time of my life these past few months.  And when I say I’m broke, at least I can say that all my bills are paid and I just have to wait until next paycheck (in a month), so that means not much fun will occur this month (with the exception of things I’ve paid for already). 

When I say a lot has happened, I’m not kidding, especially when you consider that I haven’t posted a real post since the beginning of June and it’s now the beginning of August. 

So let’s start with that I remember.  I took my motorcycle class and got my motorcycle license in the span of a few days.  I purchased a nice Suzuki GS500 (or so I thought when I bought it).  The bike is fun to ride when it’s running.  But it looks like it’s gonna need a new oil seal and a little work, which I’ll do when I’ve got the money for it. 

I closed on my new place at the end of June, so a good chunk of time has been sunk into working on that place.  Well, probably not as much as I should, since I’ve been on a pretty much non-stop party for the past 2 months, which on average 1 night a week off (hence why I’m broke).  But it’s been worth it.  If I’m not at one bar doing karaoke, then I’m at another doing karaoke, playing pool with friends, or just hanging out goofing around on open mic nite. 

Been doing a little bit of dating, on and off, but nothing has gotten too serious.  But one date stands out in my mind, if only for the way it went.  I met M online through Match.com (I’ll admit I’m using Match).  I’m not one for long, drawn out e-mail conversations, I’d rather meet and see if there’s any chemistry, and as much as I like the traditional dinner and movie from days of yore, I’ve been trying to go on unique dates (another reason I’m broke).  So anyways, we decide to meet at Busch Gardens, since we both have passes.  Probably the best decision I made as I think we had a blast.  But the most memorable part of the day was the thunderstorm in the middle of the day!  We spent the entire two hours of the thunderstorm holed up in the Ireland section of BG, just talking, and connecting.  A few more hours at the park and we went to Kelly’s in Chesapeake for dinner and then followed it up with the new Harry Potter movie (2 thumbs up, BTW). 

Monica’s boyfriend’s birthday was early in July, and since Reel Big Fish was coming into town, I bought tickets for the three of us.  The opening bands were OK, nothing to write home about.  The English Beat is really old school ska and was kind of interesting, but didn’t have any of us.  Then came RBF.  They STARTED with Take on Me!!! Holy Shit, it was a night of fucking awesome from that point forward.  I spent a good chunk of the show near the back of the Norva, avoiding the pit and laughing at the 14 year old pit that was going on in the back away from the rough and tumble pit near the front.  But the real fun occured when Monica’s roommate pulled me up front.  You’ve gotta love living on the edge of the pit!  And then, just for shits and giggle I got in the pit for the last few songs.  No worse for wear, I think I can say I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

About 5 months ago I committed to go to the Nickelback concert.  Well, with my finances being as they are, I had them trying to sell my ticket, but no luck, and to be honest I’m glad.  Went with Kelly and his friends to one hell of a show.  We started the night at Longhorn Steakhouse and got truly shitfaced.  Off to the concert and I didn’t realize we had tickets down in the pit.  So there I was only a few rows from the stage since we got there early enough.  Saving Abel was good, but nothing much to write home about.  Papa Roach was probably the highlight of my day, as I absolutely love the song Scars (I added it to my karaoke repertoire a while ago), and they ended with Last Resort.  Gotta love those cutting notes!  Hinder was OK.  Thankfully I knew the stuff off their “popular” album otherwise I wouldn’t have liked it as much.  And then came Nickelback!!  Holy shit, what a god damn fucking rocking show!  And then there was the girl I spent most of the Nickelback portion of the show grinding with, which just made it that much better. 

Memorial day weekend brought me to Nags Head, and introduced me to a cover band called Hyjinx that I absolutely adore.  They’re out of Dewey Beach, MD.  The lead singer Meghan is not only hot, but has one hell of a voice.  So anyways, flash forward to last weekend and they’re back at Kelly’s in Nags Head.  Of course you know I’m going, but I’m gonna get a relaxing weekend out of it as well.  Spent the day Friday on the beach just reading Twilight (yes, I’m reading it, why the hell shouldn’t I?).  Off to Kelly’s after some Karaoke at Mulligans (where, come to find out I would pick up a fan), and to enjoy the band.  Of course the dancing girls were nice too, but they were not the highlight of my night.  Near the end of the night, as they’re packing up their set, Meghan sticks the mic in my face and kind of motions for me to sing something since I was goofing off singing other shit.  So I bust out the opening to “You give love a bad name”.  Needless to say, she comes to me and tells me that I NEED to come back the next night and sing with them and she asks if I’m in a band or anything (I’d love to be, but the times have just not been nice to me).  So, instead of heading back to EC Saturday afternoon, I’m now staying in the Outer Banks.  Nol tells me to come up to Corolla Light and he’ll get me a pass for their beach up there, so I took advantage of it.  The beach was so nice and relaxing, read a bit more and got a little bit more sun.  Back to Kellys around 9 PM and I just kind of kicked back, drank a few beers, thinking she’d forget all about it.  Well, she remembered, and told me I was on during the second set.  Oh My God!  For those of you that don’t know me well, I suffer from stage fright.  Well, the place was dead, so it should be alright.  No, take that back, by the time I got onstage the place was fucking packed and the dance floor was rocking.  Got up, sang my guts out and received an ovation the likes of which I’ve never seen!!  Lots of adrenaline and lots of high fives as I got off the stage, paid up my tab and headed home, as the next day I was going to the O’s/Red Sox game at Camden Yards.

So my life has been pretty rocking in the lifetime experiences department, but not so much in the romance department, but I’ll take it!  Hopefully I’ll write more on this now that I’m single and living the hermit life

Dan General Rants

One of these days I will actually write a real post again, but until then, enjoy this video!

Dan General Rants

OK, I’ve been a bad boy, not really in a writing mood for over a month.  I’m still not fully there, but I feel I need to post.  So much has gone on, let’s see if I can get it out as a bunch of quick hits. 

I’ve been on one date, while not the best, did give me someone I can hopefully hang out with and watch some Sox games with.  The other two can be classified as stand up busts, though one is trying to get together still and make it up. 

I’ve hung out with my cousin Monica, had a blast, sung some really cheesy karaoke (we’re talking midi background and mismatched words if lucky type).  I won’t complain about Sweet Georgia Brown versions of karaoke when I’m out anymore

I may have pissed off a few folks at the USBC meetings, but I can say that I’ve accomplished a lot in my short tenure as USBC association president.  We’re finally past all the past issues, have found ways to move forward, and are finally making progress on new projects and have put to bed all the old issues that caused no progress to be made.  I may not be president after August (when they vote in new officers), but I can say I helped straighten things out.

Speaking of bowling, our team won the last third of the season, entitling us to the roll off.  Unfortunately, I was not myself and sucked so much the first game it cost us any chance of success, so we wound up in fourth place overall (still not bad in general)

NC has implemented a statewide .5% pay cut for all employees for the months of May and June, so I’ve lost about $50 net off my paycheck this month and next.  The concern hitting us will be what the state does for the next fiscal year.  The rumors are many and varied, and I just hope they don’t do too much to our salaries.  I love the job too much and really don’t want to leave.

I close on my new place at the end of the month.  I’ll finally be able to re-settle my life and start changing the place to suit me.  That’s the one issue with renting:  not being able to really change the place to your liking.  Additionally I’ll be able to hook my satellite back up, which means I’ll be able to watch MLB again!!  That might be enough to keep me from going out every single night and drinking myself into a stupor, like I’ve done the past few weeks. 

And in final news, I take the motorcycle safety class at the end of the month.  This means I’ll be able to finally get my motorcycle license and a motorcycle!!  The open roads are calling. 

With that, take it easy everyone and peace out!

Dan General Rants

Wow, I just don’t know where to begin. I feel like the center of so much that it isn’t even funny, yet most of it isn’t me, but to be fair, everyone has some drama, and I’m no exception.

So let’s be good and start with my personal drama (since it is my blog after all). As most of you know, I’ve been separated (almost 3 months now) with 9 months to go befotre the divorce is final. So, I’m trying to make the best of it, and move forward with my life. We’ve filed the separation agreement, so we’re both just biding our time until the year NC makes us wait is up. It’s getting less awkward to see her as time goes on, but if my past history is any indication, it will take some time to be fully over it (referencing the 2003 issues I had with the bowling alley). Dated someone for a little while shortly after the separation (my rebound girl if you will). Of course it didn’t work out, due to issues on both our parts, but I still talk to her as a friend. I’ve been single since then, and that’s where the drama begins, a tale of three girls. Let’s call them A, M, and T. I’ve known A since high school and she still lives in my home state. She is recently divorced, and is going through a lot of the same emotional turmoil I am (on top of her own business I won’t discuss here). Well, I’ve always liked A, and I have no problem letting her know that. But we’re both too far away from each other for one, and she’s not ready for a relationship at this point in time (which she’s been very clear about). And then there’s T. Very young and likes me to no end, but I don’t feel the same about her. I’m only friends with her and I’m not looking for anything with her, but she has a hard time understanding that. And then there’s M, the enigma. Grapevine says she would like to know more about me, and I’d like to know more about her (of course passed back on the grapevine), but our shyness has not made it easy (damn shyness, why must you haunt me so). So I’m trying to break out of my shell, at almost 30. Not an easy task in any way, but one I’m trying to take upon myself.

And then there’s the house hunting.  I’ve been trying to purchase the house of a friend’s ex, K.  Long story short, he’s going to lose the place if it’s not sold soon, so I figured we could help each other out.  Well, I submitted the original offer through my realtor, and K’s father got involved, basically sinking the whole deal (this has been 2 weeks running).  Well, after some time, and some negotiating with K’s father, and due to my being involved, my realtor dumped me last weekend, as she felt she couldn’t work for my best interests.  OK, so I redid all the numbers (since I’m now saving 2.5% commission), and sent the numbers to K’s father.  Well, long story short, he’s an ass and can’t respond on time to anything.  But, it looks like things may go through on that one.

And then to complicate matters, there is a slew of other drama surrounding me which I’m not going to even get into, as much as I want to rant about it.  I just wonder if it’s worth it some days.

Dan General Rants