Red Flags and Rose Peddles

I knew my last relationship was over when my ex called me his "little rose peddle."  It wasn't a typo.  He repeated it multiple times...and each time I fought back the urge to vomit all over my phone.  Since it was a brand new iPhone...that he was supposed to give me the money for...I resisted the urge.  Looking back, I should have gone with it.  Of course, when we look back it's always easier to see the red flags.

A friend of mine is equally gifted in picking out winning boys to date, but I got an email today that let me know she's learning!  The grasshopper may surpass the teacher soon.

Email received today - names changed to protect the innocent and deter the pathological.

Okay, so the back story to this is that this guy (Jake) is the home owners insurance guy who came out after those storms to check Casey's roof.  She immediately called me and told me how awesome he was.  I, of course, am remembering Albie who was also "perfect" for me.  I sent him an email and today get this reply.  I'm thinking serial killer.  Look at his grammar, lack of capitalization, lack of punctuation, run on sentences...including "lol" in the middle of an email.  And the "have a good day and ill be watching."  I'm hoping he meant he'll be watching for my email...not that he'll be stalking me.

(This part is why we're friends.)  Of course I will continue to correspond with him, for entertainment value and research, but I just wanted to point out that I am learning - I can see the red flags.


For your entertainment, Jake's response -

"I hope she did also.  Sorry it has taken me so long to respond i'm just so busy today is the first time i have checked my personal email in weeks.  So what exactly has she said about me and my baby face?  I will check my email more now so if you want you can email me back and maybe we can get to know each other a little, or as well as you can through email lol.  Have a good day and ill be watching."

Ick.  Not dating material...unless perhaps he bites his nails (Nail Theory) and has interesting tattoos/piercings...but that's for another blog.  For now, I'll hope no one ends up in a Lifetime movie or a rose peddle situation.

Lucky

While recently trying to convince a friend that she has lots of good things in her life despite the current challenges she is dealing with, I was reminded that I might not always be vocal enough about realizing how lucky I am.  I'm good at bitching.  Hell, I'm great at bitching.  I should be clear, though, that I do know I have it good.

I went to Europe in May and had a great natural disaster free time.  Several times during what has become an annual trip I thought to myself "is this really my life?  How did I get so lucky?"

As usual, there were different tones to these questions throughout the trip. 

The glass wall I walked into head first.
Lesson learned - never underestimate
the importance of a morning coffee.

The bus on top of which I perched for a great
view of Dublin.  Until I was hit in the face by a tree.

Me...heels...alcohol...cobblestone.
You do the math.

Why does the world think Americans are dumb?
Oh yeah...

And my tone changes
while walking through Angels and Demons.

The second set of Spanish Steps we found...
subway shortcuts should be used with caution.

Keats and I in the same place?  The Republicans loved it!

One of my favorite moments ever.

Maybe my business casual dress code isn't so bad after all.

Three countries in two days.  Magnets!

Impressive.
Doubles as a no-holds-barred mosh pit Sundays at noon.

Behind the scenes of Vatican City.

Maybe I hit a beggar with an umbrella here.
It was totally not intentional.
Really.

Dublin is awesome.  Best weekend of the year.

Who doesn't love a musical pub crawl?

Temple Bar in Temple Bar.

Some awesome Irish musicians.
I wanted to take them home with me.
Should have at least bought the cd.

The Dublin Spire...aka The Spike,
The Binge Syringe, The Stiletto in the Ghetto,
The Nail in the Pale, The Pin in the Bin,
 The Stiffy at the Liffey,
The Erection in the Intersection,
The Rod to God, and the end of Liberal Boy.
(Buh-Bye LB)

Brugges

The small beer...
The waiter laughed at me for ordering it!

Not a bad place for after work happy hour.

Who doesn't love a year-round
Christmas-ish tree with scary birds on it?
Every hotel should have one.

So yeah, in conclusion, I know I'm damn lucky.  Watch out, though, the bitching will resume tomorrow.