On dating, heartbreak, birthdays, and puppies

It's no secret that I've been avoiding this blog.  Some of you have yelled at me through emails expressing concern that I've given up on dating.  Most of you just yelled at me because you think you're missing out on some funny stories.  One or two of you sent a congratulatory email, assuming that a lack of bad dating stories must mean that I've found the love of my life.  Well, all of you are a little bit right!

In the fall, I wasn't especially into dating.  I was more focused on eating healthy, learning to cook, and losing weight.  I still checked my dating site inboxes, but there really wasn't anyone emailing me that I just HAD to meet, so I took a bit of a dating break.

When December hit, a flip in me must have switched because I signed up for every goddamn speed dating event and singles mixer I could find.  Not kidding, December was a marathon of 7 minute dates, and all of them were disappointing.  Also, there were some repeat dates.  Remember the guy with the limp who I found kind of obnoxious?  Click here for a refresher.  He was at speed dating.  TWICE.  AND the holiday singles mixer.  It was totally awkward.  Another guy seemed really into me until I told him my name.  He visibly deflated, then said quietly, "Oh.  That's not a Jewish name.  You're not Jewish."  Then he kind of slunk away to the bar.  I think that's the first time anyone has mistaken me -- a tall, buxom, freckly blonde -- for one of God's chosen people.

That brings us into January, which was pretty rough for me emotionally.  I was struggling with the idea of being 30.  Or more specifically, single, overweight, and 30.  The media is pretty clear that this is a deadly combination for women.  So when Scott, yet again, appeared out of nowhere -- yes this same Scott! -- and he charmed me and I began to care about him, despite him having pulled a disappearing act before, I was super careful not to fall for him.  But...err..totally did anyway.  Part of it was probably that I wanted it to work so badly that I gave him more chances than I should have.  He has a track record of leading me on, and then disappearing into thin air, leaving me heartbroken.  The douchebag signs were totally there, but I ignored them.  To no one's surprise, he disappeared again, right before my birthday.  To say I took it badly was an understatement.  The timing was terrible!  I was already feeling overly sensitive about the whole 'turning 30' thing, so to be duped by the man AGAIN just left me feeling sorry for myself, and really angry.  Angry at him, but maybe even more angry at myself for being so stupid.

Then it hit me.  You know what would make me instantly feel better?  A puppy!  Getting a dog is something I've wanted to do for years, so it didn't take much to convince myself that a puppy was the obvious cure to my birthday blues.  It was a Tuesday morning when I began looking for a dog to adopt.  By that afternoon I'd found a dog online that needed a home, and by Tuesday night I was a dogowner.  I admit it might have been a hasty decision.  I've been known to impulse-buy sweaters and beauty products, but this is the first time I've impulse-bought a puppy.  Even still, it was one of the best decisions ever.

Meet Winston!

Little Winston is totally the man for me.  Now that I have him, I've become much less interested in trying to meet men.  In fact, I was supposed to meet a guy from online last Sunday, but I cancelled on him with some lame excuse because, honestly, I wanted to hang out with Winston instead.  

So for the next while, I'm taking a break from dating.  My interest in dating just isn't there.  I'm focusing on me, I guess.  I'm still trying to eat healthy and lose weight -- I've lost over 15 pounds now! -- but admittedly, the whole learning to cook thing didn't happen.  I'll try to get back into blogging, but don't be surprised if all I report on are my adventures in life, and not quite as much my adventures in online dating.