Diving in

Today's a big day. I'm now about 39 hours into my 36 hour first real date with someone who seems to be an amazing guy. We've had such a great time that he asked me to stay another day. This will be another first, a record 68 hour first date. Am I diving in a little to deep?

I drove three hours two days ago to get here and have loved every moment. He's shown nothing but trust and kindness and respect. His guest room was ready for me in case I was more comfortable sleeping in there. He was so respectful - no expectations.The first night we watched the sun set over a lake over dinner. The next day, I met him for lunch to break up his day. When he got home from work, he took me to the fun downtown area where we wandered around before having drinks and dinner there,

No, we haven't spent the entire visit in restaurants.Since my visit is during the week, he goes to work and I work at his place. Now that shows trust. I haven't opened a single drawer or closet to snoop. I haven't even been tempted (although I snuck a look to see what cologne he wears). The first night, we talked and kissed and talked some more. Wherever we happened to be we kissed. in the car, mixing a drink, walking my friend's dog - they're all appropriate times for more kisses. And he's good at it. His sexy eyes and warm smile make me feel so comfortable and safe.

But I do need help with one point. My face is getting raw from his beard that's just a little too scratchy for all of the kissing we've been doing. Any suggestions before I'm faced with other areas that are even less forgiving?

He also has passion. He's an intense but caring lover. He's curious and wants us to get to know each others bodies, likes and dislikes to make it even more fun. And he has a super sexy little ass.

One of the things I like the most is how well he communicates. There are no games, no wondering and everything he says seems to be honest and sincere. He says communication is the most important part of a relationship - well, and good sex too. Often. We agree on both. Without these, there's no relationship. we both want to add to our firsts: snow skiing, parachuting, and maybe even flying our own plane. It might be fun to try some of these together.

I'm not sure where this will lead, but I do know I'm enjoying getting to know him. He's about a month out of a three-year relationship and this may be my first post-divorce relationship. Are either of us ready? Will I be able to handle a nice guy? What about the three-hour distance between us? There's only one way to find out. I'm not looking forward to leaving tomorrow, and I know I'll look forward to seeing him again very soon.

Love to the single girls,
Addison

I seem to stir things up

Today was such a fun day of firsts. I visited an extremely rural part of the country in the midst of national forests to visit my client's plant sight. It was my first time in this geography and my first visit to one of my client's plants.

I also met reporters and politicians from the area - all really big fish here - and executives from the company I had never met. They were all very nice and humble. 

But the plant workers didn't know what to do with me  I'm just a girl trying to earn a living, but every time I walked down a sidewalk the plant workers smiled and waved. Maybe they're just really friendly. 

After the event this morning, I had to email pics to a few reporters who were on deadline. It's so rural here that They bad me use their WiFi via DSL. Really. With two web mail services going at once, I was getting the pics to them...slowly. 

I seemed to interrupt the day, although I didn't mean to. But then every member of the iT department had to stop and comment on my purple phone charger and question why all of their equipment was black or ask what kind of laptop I was using or if I needed a bigger screen. Then they came back to chat and introduce themselves. They  were curious who I was and why I was there. So one at a time I explained...before my netbook battery died and before I had to start the long drive to the long flights home. I shook hands and smiled and started feeling like those local poticians who were up for re-election this fall.

Love to the single girls,

Addison

The last passenger

I knew I was a runner for a reason. Today I was glad I was. 

I'm on a business trip and had to connect through a large international airport to get to a town closer to my destination. When I landed. I made the long walk to the terminal where my connecting flight was. Just as I was walking out of the ladies' room near my gate, I heard my name being announced. "Come to the gate for a message."

Did I not have a seat assigned? Was I getting bumped? I don't get called like that often. So I walked over to speak with the woman and she asked if I left an important item on the last flight. I thought for a moment. "My laptop!"

"You don't have time to go back for it," she said. 

"Yes I do. I'll run. Please do not let this plane leave." I knew what time the flight was leaving but I had no idea what time it was. I just knew I had to make it.

"I'll look for the next flight for you."

As I started running, I heard her yell my name. "It's C13!"

So I ran, in my skinny jeans and platforms, dragging my small roller bag behind me since she wouldn't let me leave it there. I watched signs so I didn't name a wrong turn. I  hopped on escalators and ran down moving sidewalks two terminals over to my last gate and saw my squishy black netbook sleeve sitting on the counter at the gate. I pointed to it and the lady on the phone handed it to me.

"Please call gate E12 that I'm on my way." I was panting so she knew it was important.

"I'm on hold so I can't," 

Really?

I ran all the way back and found the door at my gate closed. No gate agent was in sight but they were still loading luggage and the plan door was open. I went to the next gate and the gate agent said she couldn't help me. Thanks for that. I knocked on the window and pounded on the door. Nothing. Finally a baggage handler who was standing nearby went outside to see if he could get someone. The ticket agent came in and let me on. Finally, after I had been standing there for five minutes.

I climbed the airplane stairs from the ground still dragging my bag and sat  in the last empty seat. I used the napkins I  had grabbed with my salad to mop off the sweat that was dripping off me. I downed a bottle of water and noticed the perspiration showing through my t-shirt on my chest and stomach . It was at least a mile, and I feel a little sorry for the man sitting next to me. He didn't seem at all sympathetic though like the man behind me.

Before I set off on the run, I contemplated just buying a new laptop when I got to my destination. I had the files I needed on a USB drive in my purse, but I had just written a chapter of my novel on the flight. It was definitely worth the sprint. And, except for whoever called my gate about the forgotten item, no thanks to US Airways, it all worked out okay.

As soon as I get through this long Hertz line, I'm stopping off to buy a new shirt so I won't smell like I just came from the gym at dinner with my clients - and a bottle of wine.

Love to the single girls,

Addison

One year and more than 9000 visits later

Today marks the one year anniversary of this blog.

A conversation with a women I know professionally who made  a judgmental comment to me one Saturday afternoon about going to a bachelorette party inspired this blog. By the next day, Addison put her thoughts on the subject into the first post. One year later, I still believe she was wrong. But thank her for the inspiration.

This blog describes my life. It's what I live every day. My experiences and thoughts; my hopes, dreams and fears. Some may agree with me and some may not. Others, like that woman, may judge, and that's okay.

We all have a story.

This is where I tell mine, and I hope others - especially single girls - learn from my missteps and successes too. I try to not make the same mistake twice but do sometimes. If you laugh while reading, believe me, I'm laughing with you. If you cry, I probably shed some tears as well. I want to learn from you, too.

Every word here is true. These things happen to real people I know. I never use names nor do I intend anyone to figure out who I'm writing about. The only way you will know is if you were there.

Behind the U.S., people in Russia, Germany and the U.K. have visited the pages on this site the most. By far, most people are interested in heels popping balloons. The balloon fetish intriguesme. There are also lots of people interested in what it's like to live alone and work from home (I love it in case you're curious).

I enjoy sharing with all of you. Please tell your story, agree or disagree or share your advice in the comments. Whether you're a guy or girl, single or not, in Australia, Israel, Germany, Indonesia or the U.S. or anywhere around this world, we all would enjoy hearing from you. I know I would.

Love to you all,
Addison

Lucy's still in the closet and I keep meeting men

This has been the most accidental last two weeks of my life. I keep meeting men. Nice ones. Men with jobs and no wives or girlfriends. Men who seem really nice. I met two last Friday night. Now I just met another.

And Lucy finally came out of the closet today. She's had a tough time with my friend's dog staying here, and finally ventured out when the pup was in her doggie condo. She's just scared of her. Terrified. Perhaps she's been bitten or chased before I adopted her. We all have baggage.

I met the latest guy when I walked my guest home to her apartment last night. We went out to celebrate the amazing workshop she led yesterday. On my way home, I stopped back by the restaurant where we had just had a drink to speak to a couple more friends. I was sitting on the bar stool talking to my friend when the town drunk squeezed her way in between us.

"How are you baby?" she said to him. The she spoke said hello to me and hugged me. I didn't hug back. In a few seconds, she was almost on my lap until I said something. 

"Excuse me. You are almost in my lap. Will you move please?"

"I didn't mean to . . . " she said. I tuned out the rest. 

She didn't move, but my guy friend did. Then the town drunk sat on his bar stool next to me. I moved.

I and sat on the sofa in the waiting area. I'm not going to spend ten seconds sitting next to a women who could kill someone almost every night of the week when she gets behind the wheel of her car drunk. I got up from the sofa to sit next to another guy I know when someone else slipped into the spot. To avoid the awkward moment, the man sitting a couple of seats down suggested I sit next to him. It was sweet, so I did.

After he asked my name, one of the first questions I asked him was, "Are you Greek?" 

"Yes, half." I could tell. He looked it. 

"Me too," I answered. His other half is Puerto Rican. Interesting.

We had a nice conversation. We shared our stories - our Greek heritage, what we do for a living, our views on religion, Puerto Rico (since I made my first trip there recently) and our love for Greek food. Then I told him what it's like to live in the neighborhood - from Addison's viewpoint. He's moved to the city about three weeks ago and was just starting to get out to meet people. We agreed I would take him to my favorite Greek restaurant. He walked me home, asked for my number, shook my hand and said goodnight. I enjoyed talking to him.

These last two weeks I can relate to Lucy's experience venturing out of the closet but being afraid of what strange things are out there. After being single for more than a year and being scared of letting a guy get close to me, I think I've met someone I could like. I know he likes me and, like Lucy, I'm terrified of what might happen.

Love to the single girls,
Addison