Earlier this week I experienced speed dating. My biggest fear was that I would meet someone I already know, or actually pay money to meet someone I already know. And, as if I had attracted it, when I arrived at the restaurant, a friend of mine was there having dinner. She asked me why I was there. I asked her again how she was. Then I came clean. She thought it was a pretty cool thing to do.

Never one for punctuality, I was oddly the first to arrive. I met some nice women and ordered a big glass of Goats Do Roam. The coordinator was very interesting with a long list of career activities. I wondered if her pre-dating gig was like working in real estate. You know, showing someone a house you’d really like to have yourself.

Four men and six ladies showed up, which means I get a credit for another event. It was fun to sit and talk to new people and I found it enjoyable. Following the Manslator’s advice, I brought no expectations and was completely relaxed (the Goats helped). I laughed a lot, especially with one guy who, although we probably won’t entertain any romantic furtherings, has become my favourite personality right now. Who can resist being friends with someone who loves life, takes chances, and rises to the top. That is, of course, if his story is accurate. For all I know he could live in a box, no offense to anyone living in a box. Seriously though, he’s an awesome person who has the ability to make me smile just by being himself. He’s offered to be my wingman in exchange for introductions to all my hottie 20 and 30 year old friends.

Will I use my credit? You bet. And, Susan, no one who looked like Sting.

Comparing this to online dating, I have to say this was way better. I’m not particuarly photogenic and my personality doesn’t always shine through the pixels, so I’m thinking online dating is as flat as my computer screen. I am, however, learning a lot about interacting with others, blockers aside, and I’m less fearful to contact people.  Although one guy blocked me tonight after I sent a second picture. Not sure if my unphotogenicness was the problem or I was just wearing too much clothing. Here comes my great attitude…his loss, he didn’t even get to hear me laugh.

It worked! The video explained everything so well, I wasn’t scared at all. I had to introduce some Pampered Chef tools into the mix, but I had the tank off in no time. I even checked to see if my plug was leaking. It wasn’t. The steady run of water has stopped thanks to simply turning down the water flow a bit. The wallpaper is gone. Next step is filling in all the holes and smoothing out any dents. Then, I’m back to the paint store for tester paint. I want to make sure I don’t regret my colour choice for the next 10 years.

I bet my Dad is smiling. He would have been 81 today.

I was thinking about the dialogue that would have ensued had I not been by myself. Something like:

“I need to get the toilet tank off to remove the paper behind it.”

“I’ve got a buddy that’s a plumber.”

“But he’s not here. Can you do it?”

“Probably.”

“I found this video on-line that shows you how.”

“Don’t believe everything you see on-line. They always make it look easy.”

“Why would they lie?”

Jokingly, “Can’t you just leave it, no one is going to see it.”

Hairy eyeballs. “Oh, and it will have to come off again when I paint.”

“Well, can’t I just take it off when you’re ready to paint.”

“If you take it off this time, I’ll do it next time when you paint.”

I woke up this morning and the power was off. I lay there for a few minutes trying to remember what day it was. I panicked a bit thinking there was someplace I was supposed to be. Was there hockey this morning? Was today the day I started my new job?  Was I late?

I had good reason to panic. Yesterday I woke to my alarm at 7:00 and fell back to sleep until 9:15. I was supposed to be at the hockey rink at 9:00 to see KD on the ice for 9:30. I jumped out of bed, threw on some clothes I had laying around, washed my face, brushed my teeth and grabbed my favourite ball hat. I made it by 9:30, just in time.

This morning’s panic subsided when I realized there was no place to be, time irrelevant. It was my birthday.