A Drama Llama Visited my House

Why isn't this easier? You love someone. You plan your life. They leave you. They meet someone else.

Shouldn't I just be able to move on? Shouldn't I just be able to just turn this off? What does it mean that I haven't?

While I feel like I am a little more angry, a little more bitter, and quite a bit more cynical about love and relationships, the one person I have longed for for the past 78 days, I continue to long for today.

And getting a phone call yesterday - one that I wasn't expecting or anticipating, doesn't help. It left me feeling a bit like I had been ambushed. So, I did what I'm not supposed to do....I initiated contact again.

And found out....they broke up. Because he got what he said he wanted....everything I wasn't....and she turned out to be crazy. And oddly, it doesn't make me happy (honestly, not even a little).

And we talked for about an hour. (I know, I know....forgive me, I'm human) I'm shocked at how comfortable it was. I'm shocked that I cried and I was angry. I'm shocked at what I took away from it.....but that's for a later post.

I write this for you, ever the optimist....the world will make sense again. I will get my happy ending....just not sure who with.

Hope you enjoyed your trip to MollyWood!

Building an X-Box...

Or, more correctly, an ex-box. (I know! I LOVE IT! My B-F-F is a genius!)

Sunday night, wine, good music, cooking dinner, and the final clearing of the house of all things Neil.

We might burn sage.....more to come!

I can fix you up!

Now that my last relationship has crashed and burned, I've noticed that EVERYONE I know has someone GREAT they want to fix me up with....which in my experience doesn't ever truly work..and ends up being awkward and uncomfortable.

So...I need your advice. What creative ways do you have to dodge the impending "set up??"

The Dirty Thirty-Two is OVER

After reviewing the Dirty Thirty Two that I created in August, I'm scrapping it. I was completely in love and jobless when I wrote that list. Now I'm completely single (and more than a bit heart broken) and working full full time!

I have to tell you, after the bad dates (that turn into GREAT stories) and sad excuses for relationships (yes, read into that what you will), I was smug. Smug. Smug because I was FINALLY getting my turn. Finally getting what I had longed for, a partner, an equal, I was in love with my best friend. I was a better person for being with someone. I was in the sunshine. And glowing. And SMUG.

And now, I'm in the dark. I'm home, alone, for what really seems like the first Friday night in almost a year. What did I do on Friday nights before I was in a relationship? I think I spent nights a lot like this. Let's see....snuggle with super cute Schnauzer-mutt (CHECK), play on the internet (CHECK), watch crappy tv (CHECK), wallow in a little self-misery (CHECK).

A year ago I was in a great place. I was good with myself. I wasn't filled with self-doubt. I wasn't confused about what I wanted and who I was. I was ready, and I thought God has sent me what I asked for. Well, I guess the joke was on me. Maybe we don't all get what we ask for....just some of us do.

Yes, I know, it will get better. He wasn't the right person. I'm lucky this happened now. He'll be someone else's problem. Time heals all wounds! (That one is my personal fave this week)....or just insert your trite, post-breakup platitude here. Really, I've heard them all in the last few weeks. I get it...I'm not the first or last person to get their heart smashed into a thousand tiny pieces. But right now, I feel like I am.

So, for now, I'm out. I'm working on myself and getting myself back. You'll probably see me at the gym a lot. And I'll work really hard on being a lot less smug....promise!

Until then, I hope you enjoyed your visit to Mollywood!

Mollywood is changing tack....JIVE HO!

So, its been a while since I've been inspired to write....Inspiration...FOUND!



Its been found in the form of a new friend....who I think is fabulous. You should check out her blog too...http://www.princessofrobinia.com!



So this blog isn't about her...but she's the catalyst for my new-found blogging. I realized out at drinks last night that she is just as busy as I am, and still has time to blog almost daily...and there's no reason I can't do it.



Some of this blog will stay the same...you'll still be getting the "Smart People of the Day" awards, a touch of Random-ness, and my other observations on life, but instead of my dating adventures...you'll get to read about the adventures of what happens after you find prince charming.



So that's what you've missed, I guess. Mollywood has fallen in love....I know, right!?! More on that to come in more blogs.



Back to the "Smart People of the Day." For this week....there's a few...but in only one category!

Jacksonville Drivers. Why am I the only person in this town that knows how to drive? I can't understand why following the posted and learned rules of the road is so complicated. It is NOT OK to make a right turn from the left lane, especially when I am driving IN the right lane. It is NOT OK to stop your car in the middle of the street for no apparent reason. It is NOT OK to drive 60 miles per hour down a residential street with a posted speed limit of 30.


Hope you've enjoyed your visit to Mollywood...I'll catch you next time!

Airport Agrivations and other Tales from the Trip....and More Smart People Awards

SO, I'm flying to Atlanta for work for the next five days. No problem. I started packing EARLY and I was ready to leave the house EARLY. For those of you that know me, this is big.

Smart people of the Day Awards
Now, understand, I'm not knocking people who chose to have children or chose to fly with them. My problem is the people that are not prepared. Just a sampling of conversations from the crew in front of me going through security: "Oh, what's that? I have to take my shoes off? And my child too?" "Oh, you mean I have to take liquids out of my bag?" "What do you mean you're confiscating my hairspray?" "I have to take off my earrings?" Seriously people? This flying thing is not that complex.

Maybe I'm just cranky from being out so late on my date. Hold on there, Tiger. Did she say date?

Yup. I had a very successful date with a very nice person. Actually, that's the confusing part. I usually only date assholes....I'm not sure what to do with a nice guy.

Oh, well....we're going out again when I get back from ATL....I promise there will be more dish.

Until then....Thanks for stopping by Mollywood!

Something else Cool!

So, you know I adopted a Soldier through SoldiersAngels.com - well I got the longest email in history from my "mentor" about what to send and what not to send. This is something REALLY cool that I did not know.

The post office has a box, its an APO FPO box that you can get FREE, fill it and pack it full, and its always $10.95 to ship. And I got one, the other day - I didn't realize they were free. Well then, today I find out, you can order them from the post office web site, www.usps.com (one of MollyWood's favorite's by the way!) and the customs forms that you also need - don't forget the custom's declarations form, and they will deliver a pack of 10 or 25 to your house! NEAT-O!

Also, MollyWood has a date on Sunday!!!! I'll let you know how it goes, or maybe I won't! :-)

Hope you enjoyed your visit to MollyWood - I'll catch you later!

Why Why Why???

So, we all know that my dating life has been almost non-existent since February! I think its the longest I've gone without dating ANYONE since I've been dating, but whatever. From July on, I wasn't in any shape to be with my friends, let alone date someone and not send them running.

So, I'm kind of ready and trying online dating again, we'll see how it goes. It always reinforces to me how superficial people are, but that's their choice!

The why, why, why question is two fold.

FIRST - Saturday night after the horrible football game, Mom and I left Dad at the hotel (he was cold - poor baby!) and went to 2Chez for a quick drink, and to get a small something to eat. I walked up to the bar, cause there's no way that they'd just have someone wait on us. And this man, about my mom's age, walks up next to me and says "that was one hell of a sad game" and he's leaning toward me, touching my arm. I order an Appletini, and the bartender is making it, and throws a cherry in the glass. And I say, "I don't need a cherry." Now I DO actually realize how dirty this statement is - to someone I'm flirting with! It is not, however, dirty to the bartender throwing an unwanted cherry in my drink. And the dirty old man says "Really? That sounds like a challenge."

I looked at him, rolled my eyes and said "go away."' He laughed and walked over to start talking to my MOM!

The second piece of Why is WHY am I suddenly Good Luck Chuck? Why is it that when I date someone, the very next person they date, after me, they end up marrying???? This has now happend FOUR times! Four! Times! I'm not making this up. Its rediculous! I'm starting to get a complex - maybe I should offer out my services. Maybe it would get me more dates!

Hope you enjoyed your trip to MollyWood! I'll catch you tomorrow!

What if?

Well...I had this fantastic (and funny) post about the yard sale I had yesterday and the variance of the random folks that showed up to purchase my unwanted stuff. And for the record 50 cents is not too much to charge for an adorable Ann Taylor T-Shirt that has been worn less than 20 times. I promise you that I paid much more than that for it and 50 cents is a good deal.

Instead, I'm going to write about what if. It seems pretty appropriate that as my life (and home) are in transition right now, that I would be thinking about what would have happened if I hadn't made such a dramatic change three years ago. I could have stayed in the relationship I was in. I could have kept going in the job I was in, I would have been promoted eventually, but I don't know if I would have learned as much. There are some great movies that explore the "what if" idea, Sliding Doors is by far my favorite. But I finished Allison Winn Scotch's new book, Time of My Life, litterally in one day. I started it yesterday as something to read while I was between yard sale customers, but its a GREAT book. I kept reading, until 2am when I apparently passed out with the lights on, and then continued this morning until I was done.

Its much more than chick-lit (which by the way, I hate the name of. What are we? Baby chickens who need a special kind of literature to enjoy? Why isn't there a category called dick-lit for books written specifically for a male audience? Oh, does that offend you? I'm sorry - but let's just call it what it is.) Its a great read that speaks to how women are expected to change who they are at the expense of figuring out who that person really is. Its also a great idea that people who are meant to be in your life will find their way there one way or another. For the most part, our paths are interlinked and we only have control over parts of that. Its kind of comforting. I enjoyed this becuase unlike others in the genre that it will inevitably get linked with, it really made me think...about the decisions I've made, about my part in all of it, about what I'm really afraid of, and about my path toward finding someone to be with. Overall, I'd say its excellent and I highlly reccommend it.

On another note, I have a feeling that once I get moved, I will probably try out online dating one last time. I know I've said it before, but I might give it one more shot. Who knows.

Hope you enjoyed your trip to MollyWood....I'll try to catch you tomorrow!

Proud to Be Part of the 24 Percent.

I think I'm just irritated today. I've been cooped up in the house all week - and I need to go out and socialize - THANK GOD for some of my friends.

So....on top of everything - I'm at Panera (because we all know I love the free internet) and I wanted to get lunch.

Can we just talk about ettiquitte at a counter service restaurant? Here is what we don't do. DO NOT go and stand in front of the condiment station and PREPARE your drink. I promise there are people behind you getting more and more irritated with you by the minute. And then, when you start talking to your friend next to you, who CLEARLY sees me standing behind you but does nothing to indicate to you that there's someone waiting....it makes me want to throw my perfectly good BACON TURKEY BRAVO at your head.

On another note....are you aware of the HOURS of USELESS crap on daytime television? Every day I am amazed that there isn't anything better on TV.

Did you know there are FOUR HOURS of the Today Show? And they have the same guests with different hosts asking THE SAME QUESTIONS. Today, this woman, beautifyl, single woman is being interviewed talking about being single. And how she's accepted it, but others make her feel bad....and they flash these numbers across the bottom of the screen.

41% of women 24-29 are not married
24% of women 30-34 are not married

The point is, she wrote a book, which is excerpted on the Today Show web site. Seems like a good read, but you can't get it at the library....so I'm not reading it right now.

And, I just have to throw in how awesome it was to flip back and forth between Grey's Anatomy premiere and COLLEGE FOOTBALL. Can't believe that USC lost - actually I can because they are SO Arrogant. Its exciting when a #1 team loses to a nobody.

A follow up to an older I'm a Disco Duck - I told my mom about the post I wrote and asked if she remembered my first favorite song. She said she didn't, but that she would think about it. She called me back later last night and told me a few things, and then started singing "Disco, Disco Duck. Disco, Disco Duck." And told me the story of how that album "disappeared" from our house.

Hope you enjoyed your trip to MollyWood...I'll try to catch you tomorrow.

Swamp Thing...You Make my Heart Sing!

So, the fact that I haven't had an actual date in over a year (please don't remind me, I'm going to get bitter) obviously doesn't make me happy. And then I talk to my fabulous single girlfriends and instead of being not happy, I'm confused.

I was hanging out at Panera last night (free internet with a really good signal and faboo lemonade!) and I talked to my friend Jen. She had sent me a partial profile of a boy she met through J-Date....who had "hotlisted" her. One thing that puzzled me, she was surprised that someone had "hotlisted" her. And I kept wondering....why would my fabulous and adorable friend, who is highlly educated, smart, AND funy be surprised that someone was interested in her.

Now, it being the internet age, I'm not immune to the internet dating. I've done it a few times, a few with relative success, and a few that were disasters....ask me about the ice sculpture with shrimp. So, I'm used to getting emails with profiles and sending them. When we talked, one thing Jen couldn't get over was, this guy had "hotlisted" her without looking at her profile.

But, the details that she got seem good....Single, Man seeking a Woman, Looking For: Marriage, A long-term relationship, Marriage & Children, 34 years old, Single, I keep Kosher: Not at all, I go to Synagogue: Sometimes, Non-Smoker, Social Drinker, Bachelor's Degree, Occupation Financial/Accounting/Insurance/Real Estate. She told me she was interested and went to look at his profile, but he didn't have a photo, so we couldn't properly dissect him on the phone.

And then she said it.

"I don't know, let's just see if he looks like swamp-thing. I mean, I'm open, but if he looks like the star of a Wes Craven movie, I'm out."

And I wondered, why do we do this to ourselves? Why are we suprised that someone that looks good on paper is interested in us? Why do we assume that someone that's interested in us has something wrong with them? Why is this whole dating thing so hard? And why won't my gmail load....does anyone else use gmail? Can you tell me what's going on? Last night...it kept reloading while I was trying to read emails!

Hope you enjoyed your trip to MollyWood...I'll catch you tomorrow!

UPDATE: Gmail HTML version is working, but not the Beta.

Po' Boys and LOTS o' MEN!

I had lunch with my fabulous friend Lilly. (If I ever totally get the hang of this blog thing, I will start taking photos everywhere with my fabulous digital camera so you can see the people I speak of!) We went to Po' Boys in downtown Tally. I must say, I've never been there for lunch during the week, but Lills and I, both young and single decided we will be going back....with other young and single friends! (Ok, so really, I wanted the camera for this.) I'm telling you, I walked in the door and EVERYWHERE I LOOKED, there were men....old, young, hot, not, cute and distinguished...it was a veritable schmorgasboard....we both agreed.

Its nice to hear others lament about their dating issues...I'm glad when I hear its not just me. I'm also glad when my married friends tell me about their bliss....it gives me something to hope for! Lilly convinced me of the joys of juggling...I'mjust not skilled.

Short post this week...fairly uneventful weekend. Parents, football, movie, Publix.

Side note, on my way to lunch...I sat at the light at Meridian and Tennessee (between Leon HS and the gas station). Now, normally, nothing of interest, but it was lunchtime and the ENTIRE parking lot was full of high schoolers waiting to walk in the Jiffy store to pick up their oh-so nutritious lunches of Mountain Dew, Doritos, cookies and candy. We were never allowed to leave school to each lunch at a gas station...though some of my classier friends are fans of the GAS STATION HOT DOG and have taught their children the same.

Hope you enjoyed your visit to MollyWood...I'll catch you tomorrow!

Meeting Boys - Not as Fun as Shopping

So, I am currently, sometimes hopelessly, single. There has been a very noticeable (to all of my friends and family) dry spell happening. We're not even talking about the last time I had an actual "date," but its been a while.

So when I was grocery shopping on Sunday.....(Publix was very busy)...I spotted Mr. Cutie. Two aisles over I see this guy in a light blue polo with a tiny basket over his arm. So, as I was shopping..read shopping, not stalking, he turned and looked at me...I made eye contact and smiled. By the way, I was looking very Sporty Spice on Sunday....black capri yoga pants, long sleeved San Fran t-shirt, sneakers, my Harvard baseball cap that makes me feel smart and just enough makeup to look fresh and not like I was wearing makeup.

So, I'm shopping and smiling at Mr. Cutie...and I look away, extremely fascinated by pork chops. (It's called flirting people, give me a break!) I discreetly look for Mr. Cutie and find that he's heading toward me. I throw the pork chops in my basket and quickly turn in his direction, clipping his hip with my cart! SCORE!!!

Me: I'm SOOOO sorry. I am such a klutz. Its so busy in here....are you ok?

Mr. Cutie: I'm good...I think I'll survive.

(insert 15 minutes of random small talk here....its the Harvard hat. really, this was some of my best work)

Me: Well, Steve* I'm really sorry I ran into you. I hate to tell you this, I would love to stand here and talk to you, but I'm meeting some friends for dinner, and I've got to finish here and get cleaned up.

Mr. Cutie: Hey, I understand...can't stand in the grocery store and talk all day. Can I call you some time to talk some more?

Me: Sure! You can give me a call at xxx-xxx-xxxx.

Mr. Cutie: Cool, I'll give you a call this week. Have fun at dinner.

Me: Thanks! Talk to you soon!

So, here's the deal. Its Wednesday night...and NO CALL from Mr. Cutie. So by my calculations, and the three day rule! he should have called.

There's a lesson here kiddies-the old, hit 'em with your cart at the grocery store does work...but it doesn't always get you a date!

Hope you enjoyed your trip to MollyWood....I'll catch ya tomorrow!

* That's not his real name, but since he didn't call....does it really matter?