Love, Candy, and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

I was reminded this weekend of how important it is to do things you love... or things you think you will love... or things you think you might.  This applies to hobbies, it applies to adventures, and it applies to big-L love.  Oh, and candy.  You can never have too much candy!

Well, actually you can.

But you should definitely have some.

When I think about Halloween movies and the tales that scare us most, it seems that many of them include regrets. People or demons come back from the past for revenge or to take back what they are owed.  While I don't expect I'll ever live out the experiences from films like Paranormal Activity or Saw, I do have fears.

But are my biggest fears regrets about what I have done or what I haven't done?  For me, I tend toward inaction when I'm unsure.  I wait, watch, research, contemplate... until the door has closed, the opportunity has passed, my chance of epic failure has gone the way of the buffalo.  But what is lost then becomes equal to what could have been gained.  What about the job I missed out on, the loving relationship I never got the chance to create, or just the bragging rights of having accomplished something so daring or crazy or unbelievably weird as ___fill in the blank___?

What is the personal tipping point that will get me past my fears?  I've tried lists of the New Year's Resolution variety.  I've had moments of inspiration, where I felt like I could go out and take over the world.  I've tried to hold myself accountable by dangling a carrot of "when I do this, I can have that."  All of these attempts have shown promise, but none are a consistent way of moving myself forward.

The trick is to keep coming back to the question of what is important to me.  If I revisit this topic on a regular basis, I won't be able to stray too far from the path I truly should be on.  And when I'm following a path dictated by this internal compass, I will know that I am doing what I want to do, that I am striving for the life I most desire in my little heart of hearts.  If I can see the goal in plain sight, I'll be more likely to take the risks I need to take. And I'll be easier on myself for the little missteps along the way.

As a very wise woman once said:

"Take chances! Make mistakes! Get messy!" ~ Ms. Frizzle (The Magic School Bus).

After all, if we don't take chances, we will never know what we're capable of.  And what could be scarier than that?

Wishing you an over-flowing bowl of candy this Halloween!

-Elizabeth

Decisions... Decisions...

I've tried an organic approach to dating but that is really not working out. We all have our electronic bubbles around where ever we go. Think about it, we are so engaged in our smartphones, ipods, nooks, Kindles and ipads etc... that we dont look up to see what's around us. I myself find that I'm listening to pandora as I go grocery shopping and dont notice the totally hot guy with a t-shirt and jeans that perfectly shape his hot round ass trying to decide what type of pasta noodles to go with broccoli, spinach and smoked salmon that are in his basket. This would have been a perfect moment for me to point out the penne pasta while shooting him a quick wink and a sweet smile. Then ask him what he's cooking and for whom, eventually hinting him to make dinner at my place while I prepare dessert :). Instead, I'm listening to 80's music trying to refrain from belting out the lyrics to bohemian rhapsody...(come on peeps, dont pretend you dont do it yourself) anyway, it's time to take myself out of that bubble and get out there. I am banning my headphones from the grocery store and the bus (except for the morning... nobody wants to talk to me at 6am... trust me) I will make eye contact with hotties that pass by me as I walk down the street and maybe even throw out a two syllable "Daaaaummn" if it's warranted.

I'm also starting an online dating venture, I've posted my photo, created my profile and included a little tease. I can now say that for now I figured out exactly what I want because it was choosen for me. haha, I was literally applying for a home loan in 20 minutes but I am proud to say that its done. I've sent my winks, my pokes and a couple smiles. I've sent a couple hello's and hey how ya doin's now it's just a waiting game to see which of the "chosen ones" will bite. So stand-by one and we'll see how this expedition works out.

T

The Dreaded "S" Word

I have a belief that it is bad to be single.  I must have, otherwise, why would I feel the need to admit my single-status at every opportunity?  And then make the occasional excuse for it?

Generally, I feel confident and secure in my S-word status.  I flaunt it whenever and to whomever I can.  But beneath that core of mighty woman screaming "Freeeeedoomm!" lies a question mark, preceded by the question: Why me?  I'm sure several years and hundreds of dollars of psycho-therapy co-pays could lead me down the path to insight.  As a modern woman though, I'd much prefer to go the self-help route, embracing technology and e-voyeuristic navel-gazing in this archival word-splurge better known as a blog.

Welcome to The Singles Project.

This blog is the brainchild of two oh-so-single ladies, looking for the best and brightest in going it alone.  And if we find our partners in romantic crime along the way, then so be it.

But for now, let's raise a glass and celebrate the search.

Cheers!

Betty