A little bit of everything and a whole lot of nothing

I officially just surpassed the 100 days til the marathon mark.

Holy cannoli, dear Mother of Pearl, when did that happen?

So you can say I'm a little nervous. And behind on my training. Oops.

I'm running. I'm just not running super long distances like I probably (most definitely) should be. I woke up on Saturday and said "LOL no" to the reminder on my phone saying I needed to run 12 miles and rolled over and snuggled my pillow. Team no regrets right here.

But I ran 3 on Sunday to make up for it. Kinda. More like ran 1.5 and limped the other 1.5.

But to be perfectly fair I have had a crazy summer...I went on two quick trips and had friends visit at the end of June/beginning of July. And moved. To an apartment with no AC. On the top floor. And it was 90 degrees and humiddddd for a solid month. (What the hell upstate New York? It wasn't as bad as Southern Illinois but this chic acclimated and it was rough during the nights. The day I can handle, I've got some hot Cali blood still and didn't mind it most days. But at night...let's just say that I fell asleep at my desk not once but a few times. Bosses really like that. You should try it.)  And then had to buy not one but two window units because sleep was becoming a far off distant dream it was so hot.

Try running on little to no sleep and when it's so humid you just walk to the corner and you look like you ran 4 miles already.

I'm such a fair weather runner it's stupid. Rain? Meh, tomorrow. 90+ degrees? Umm..tomorrow again?

I counted walking up and down my three flights of stairs hauling my crap from one apartment to the next as my cardio. #teamnotreadyforamarathonbutherewego

 Moving sucks.

It'll be alright though because the forcast says around 80 for the next 10 days and I have finally gotten more than 2 nights of consecutive good sleep in a row (it's the little things) AND I'm getting that creeping stressed out feeling and it's going to just get crazier and more hectic from here - which running helps keep at bay.

But this summer though, minus the looming disaster that this marathon could be, was really, quite amazing. I got to go back to California and visit my family for my dad's birthday. I went to Lake George and got some much needed lake and pool time (downside of living downtown Albany, no AC and no pools). My dear friends from Illinois came out and visited me in Albany. We had a blast and it was so great to be with them again. And then I met UC Davis friends in New Orleans for one of the best trips (minus horrendous flight issues) I have literally ever taken.

Best Friends 4 evah evah. But I hate airports and especially you, United Airlines.

And I've officially made it a year and 1 month here in Albany, New York.

Yep. 13 months. Whoa.

The real MVP.

I'd like to say it was rainbows and unicorns throughout but come on now. Not even close. I am doing well. And I do like it here. I've got some hobbies outside of work and I'm on a little routine that works. Met new friends in and out of work. Life is good.

And I'm dating...or trying dating ...I'm basically casually texting/not texting, meeting people for lunch/random hours for coffee/etc.

Boy, oh boy, what a time to be alive. Gag.
Dating is rough, dudes. Let me explain it for y'all...

But actually the outfit choosing part sucks the most.

Dating in 2016 consists of -

-dating apps
-scary profiles
-catfished or catfishing
-unlimited text messaging
-really obscure emojis and text speak (u, ttyl, lol...etc)
-playing 20 questions
-swiping left
-no last names
-not responding to lame pick up lines
-texting only, absolutely no calling
-still no calling
-texting and no meeting in person
-swiping right

Elaine knows what's really up.

-finally agreeing to meet
-telling all your girl friends that you're meeting in person and giving a window of time before they call the cops or call for that fake emergency to get you out (guilty)
-texting your bestie "SOS"
-said bestie calls you with real tears and a car that won't start and you have to save the day (even though she actually lives in another state)
-guys who bring you coffee at 7pm for a date in the park
-guys who bring their friend's puppies
-guys who take you to really bad restaurants
-wait staff who give you "Oh honey, first date?"polite smiles/grimaces
-several really just ok first dates
-ghosting
-extremely few second dates
-really bad second dates
-dodging kiss advances better than Nemo in The Matrix
-repeating your story over and over again you start to say it in your sleep
-changing up your story just cuz  (my dream job is to be a yoga teacher in the Tiebetan mountains)
-drinking lots of wine while you tell all your friends about your terrible experiences

Word, homie.

For all of my married/tied up friends out there...look at your spouse or SO right now and say "Well gosh, *insert name here*, we are so FREAKING lucky!"

And I will continue to date and fail at relationship-ing for y'all's enjoyment. You're FREAKING welcome.

No, no, don't worry.
I'll take the heat and you just sit there and feed each other grapes or do whatever, weird, gross couples do.
Because that's what friends are for.

It's not a walk in the park (unless that's what the date consists of...) but it is what it is.

So far, I'm batting 0 for 4. (probably more but I'm only going with ones I've actually met) I'm stuck in the minor leagues but I'm hopeful. Luckily though, I have yet to experience anyone who "forgot" their wallet (looking at you, Canadians) again. And I only had one friend text me and then call me (I didn't answer, just said 'See look that's her, got to go!') per my request. I did hit it off with a guy and we spent our first date playing games at Dave and Buster's and hanging out for 7 HOURS only to never hear from him again. Seriously, such a fun date but I guess he was more upset than he let on that I beat him in ski ball. Loser.
Another kept saying I was the prettiest girl he's ever been with. Flattering, yes. So thank you but I've only known you for 12 minutes, I'm not WITH anyone, let alone you, dude. And then said it's because he always wanted to date a blonde, have a trophy girlfriend. Ok. We're done. Check please? Upon further review, I'm fairly certain he said that to all of the girls he met. 20 yard penalty. Do not pass go. Next. I'm good. See ya, never.
I've also met some and had no sparks but was willing to give it a chance. And then the second date doesn't go so well. Ok conversation but just like, meh. Not something that I want to spend time pursuing.

0 for 4 with about 2 dozen strictly texting dates(what the heck do I even call those people who we talk and we get to know each other but then never meet??).

Yes, sometimes I think being heterosexual is my curse and my blessing. No, I'm not giving up on men just yet. 

But one thing I have learned through this process is that I'm getting really good at being alone. And alone doesn't equal lonely. I can go to a bar and wait for a date and not feel awkward while I wait. Or I can go to a concert or festival by myself and not worry about not having someone with me. I could walk into a restaurant and say party of one and I can sit there and eat. I'll probably sit at the bar but I think I'd be alright. I'm really ok with adventuring out on my own. And that's a skill that takes time and I've realized that not everyone can be on their own and not just crumble. It took me 13 months but I'm getting there.
I would just like to find someone who I can be alone with. If that makes sense. We can do things together but are completely more than ok with being apart too. And silence that isn't awkward because silence is really golden.

Cheers to more dates, texts, and wondering if someone is "spongeworthy". And to being comfortable alone. And to that ever looming marathon training. Gag.

To be continued!