An Unknown Woman, A Hail Mary and Living Younger
I don't normally plug my laptop in at home since I spend so much time with it at work. However, I had left it out last night and decided to turn it on this morning as I sat on the couch watching the news. I checked my email and found kind of an odd note from a woman I have never met. That in itself is not so unusual. The strange part was that this woman was not telling me how to combat erectile dysfunction or wanting to pass on a "secret" stock tip. Apparently this woman had briefly met a guy out on the Olympic Peninsula and was hoping to track him down. She had emailed me through shop's website so I guess she thought that I might know who he is based on the business I'm in. Unfortunately, I couldn't help her.
Her email got me thinking about a few things. First, how she was interested in this guy enough to email a complete stranger to ask if I might know him. Years ago, when I was much younger and single, I threw up a couple hail marys in the hopes of getting to know someone. In my experience, the effort was almost always a horrible failure and usually ended in a crushing embarrassment. I truly wish that the woman who contacted me has much better luck.
The second thing that struck me is how odd it is that this person is not already in a long-term relationship. (edited to add: Who am I to assume she is not in a relationship? Maybe this guy just seemed really interesting and friendly.) I realize that statement is out of place considering the circumstances so let me explain. I know a little about this woman as I plugged her name into Google this morning. Her note looked legit but I wanted to make sure that she was a real person and not some guy in Nigeria doing a little data mining. The Google links took me to a professional listing/bio and her blog. Assuming you can trust what you read on the internet (I know!) she is successful, adventurous and has a lot of interests. She seems like she would be fun to hang out with.
The third thing that came to mind was that she is interested in a lot of the things I used to be (prior to becoming middle aged, fat and lazy). Her blog contains stories and photos of fishing, diving, climbing, food, beer and international travel. She does say she enjoys Cirque du Soleil but I'm trying not to hold that against her. Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is that she proves that there are interesting people out there. I just need to be a little more open to meeting them. I'm the kind of guy who barely knows his neighbors and has lived by the phrase "never make eye contact".
This weird little exercise I've been going through today has me thinking that there is at least one more step to go through before I can start to become the guy I used to be. First, I quit my corporate job and bought my own business. Now, I am eating better and getting more active. The third step seems like it should be to open up more and try to meet new people. I will never climb again and gave up on diving many years ago. However, Nancy and I do sail and are getting back into paddling. I may never be 35 again but maybe I can at least act like I'm an interesting 40.
So, I would like to thank K for emailing me this morning. Your note got me thinking and that is never a bad thing. I also hope you find your Cape Flattery guy. I will keep my eyes open for a white truck.
Her email got me thinking about a few things. First, how she was interested in this guy enough to email a complete stranger to ask if I might know him. Years ago, when I was much younger and single, I threw up a couple hail marys in the hopes of getting to know someone. In my experience, the effort was almost always a horrible failure and usually ended in a crushing embarrassment. I truly wish that the woman who contacted me has much better luck.
The second thing that struck me is how odd it is that this person is not already in a long-term relationship. (edited to add: Who am I to assume she is not in a relationship? Maybe this guy just seemed really interesting and friendly.) I realize that statement is out of place considering the circumstances so let me explain. I know a little about this woman as I plugged her name into Google this morning. Her note looked legit but I wanted to make sure that she was a real person and not some guy in Nigeria doing a little data mining. The Google links took me to a professional listing/bio and her blog. Assuming you can trust what you read on the internet (I know!) she is successful, adventurous and has a lot of interests. She seems like she would be fun to hang out with.
The third thing that came to mind was that she is interested in a lot of the things I used to be (prior to becoming middle aged, fat and lazy). Her blog contains stories and photos of fishing, diving, climbing, food, beer and international travel. She does say she enjoys Cirque du Soleil but I'm trying not to hold that against her. Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is that she proves that there are interesting people out there. I just need to be a little more open to meeting them. I'm the kind of guy who barely knows his neighbors and has lived by the phrase "never make eye contact".
This weird little exercise I've been going through today has me thinking that there is at least one more step to go through before I can start to become the guy I used to be. First, I quit my corporate job and bought my own business. Now, I am eating better and getting more active. The third step seems like it should be to open up more and try to meet new people. I will never climb again and gave up on diving many years ago. However, Nancy and I do sail and are getting back into paddling. I may never be 35 again but maybe I can at least act like I'm an interesting 40.
So, I would like to thank K for emailing me this morning. Your note got me thinking and that is never a bad thing. I also hope you find your Cape Flattery guy. I will keep my eyes open for a white truck.
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