First Dates

This week hasn't been to busy. Tuesday I was supposed to be in Bakersfield at 8am, which means I have to leave my house at 4:30am. I realized that was kind of stupid when there is someone that lives in the area that can go instead of me. I had them go and when they got there they learned the appointment was canceled so I am glad I didn't try to go. On Wednesday I went to a school in Morgan Hill, about a 30 minute drive. It was a new school and I thought it was an alternative school, which it wasn't. I had a good time talking with their AVID class. Today I get to sit around my office, which is very spartan with a desk, 2 chairs, a book case and nothing else ... I don't even have pictures on the wall. Looking out the window of my office (I should be happy I have a window) I see the jail and courthouse. I don't look out the window often. I don't spend much time in my office because I am usually on the road, but today my boss is supposed to be coming by (he is always 2 or 3 hours late) and I think I should be here to see him, since my job is on the line. I will sit here writing my blog and doing reports for a few hours until he comes, talk to him for about 30 minutes, then we'll see what else is in store for me today.

Last weekend I had another first date. It always feels weird to date someone for the first time. For me the worst kind of first date is meeting in a coffee shop or for dinner and just talking. My favorite kind of first date is going to the movies. You can learn a lot from going to the movies together. First you find out what kind of movie they like, and how flexible they are... would they want to go to the movie that is your first choice, or do they demand to go to their choice of movies. What do they want for refreshment, do they get one of those huge drinks and big popcorns, then suggest you get one too since they don't ever share. Do they want to sit in the middle of everyone, or somewhere less visible to others. Do they talk a lot during the movie, and if they don't do they mind if you do. Do they sit on the chair so they lean towards you, or do they lean away from you. The weirdest date I went on she sat at the edge of her chair all movie, so kind of had her back to me. No, that is not the weirdest first date. When I was in Korea, before I got married, I was introduced to a girl by my bosses secretary. She asked me if I wanted to meet her friend. She said it in a way I thought it was her, but turned out to be really a friend of hers. Her friend couldn't speak English, and I couldn't speak Korean. Okay, weird and uncomfortable. We ended up going to a coffee shop and not saying a word. It was a writing date! She couldn't speak English, but she could read and write. She would write something, and I would read it and write back. Then she would read what I had written and then write back. That went on for about 2 hours. It was a little comical, but she was very serious. I had met her once or twice more after that. In fact, about a year later I had met and married another woman. The woman I married didn't know anything about the writing date woman. I was walking down the street with my "then wife" and this girl came running up behind us. She had spent the last year studying English so she could talk to me. Her English was pretty good. My wife suggested the three of us go sit in a coffee shop together and talk. NO!! They ended up talking in Korean for an hour and my wife was angry. She asked why I didn't tell her about this other woman. I said I only saw her once or twice, and my wife said we were going to meet her again the next week. I dreaded that meeting all week. When we met the other girl brought her diary, and showed all the times we had met, turns out 10, and told my wife how much she loved me. I really couldn't remember this stuff about the writing date woman. I know there was NOTHING physical that happened between us, not even a kiss, but I had to eat crow for many months after that chance encounter. Anyway, back to last weekend. It was fun, we drove along the coast and got to know each other. All those "first date" questions were asked.  "What kind of food do you like?" - I'm not particular, whatever is in front of me is great. "What is your favorite kind of movie?" - Going to the movies is the experience, not the actual movie, I prefer action, but I also like movies that bring out my emotions, make me laugh, or make me cry. "What kind of music do you like?" - I like soft rock and oldies. "What do you like to do for fun?" - I like to go on short drives around the area, I like to go to movies, I like to play mini-golf, bowl, and lazertag. I like to stay busy, not just sit around and watch the clock move. "Where do you like to go on vacation?" - I like to go someplace I haven't been before and explore. The date went well, and we will see if I get to go on a second date.