Valentine's Day of Love, Friendship (and SKAKEDOWN)

Hee hee hee. If you don't know what I mean by the term "shakedown" please refer to this previous blog here.

 





So tomorrow is Valentine's Day. It will be my 2nd with Patrick. And for the 2nd year we will be doing nothing to celebrate it. Last year we had his daughter Ciara that night. This year we have his childhood friend, Billy, visiting from Ireland - whew hew - I get to hear P's Irish accent come out (he only uses it with his Irish 'peeps').

I read that the average amount of money that men spend on their women on V Day is $122.79. Holy frijoles! Our plan tomorrow night is to go to 80s Night (loyal elsamart readers know I just LOVE my 80s music) up the street at the North Park bar/disco "Shooters". Totally radical - I can't wait to put my dancing shoes on! Shoot - maybe I will make P pay my $5 cover charge - he he he.

That said: I'm in love, I love my God, family and cat, too. In fact I love many things in this life and world and I am appreciative of the friends and family I have - including you: my readers around the world - so consider yourself all my Valentines ... and none of you have to buy me dinner! Hugs and Kisses!!!

He purty but he MY man!!!

 Okay, okay folks - I got one thing to say: Foreign does NOT equal = GAY!

Now, this is coming from an expert: MOI. I am highly versed in dating foreign men and being a "fa- hag". Yes, I admit to believing that my previous ex Italian, Mik, was gay for the first 2 weeks of meeting him as my next door neighbor - but that was partly because of the extremely tight Italian pants and T shirts he wore, the fact that we lived in Hillcrest (the gay part of town). Also, I already knew for sure 1 roommate of the 3 was gay, and Mik and Danny were constantly together and going out together and going to soccer together - I thought they might be a couple. Lastly, his northern Italian accented English was also a bit fay-sounding. See picture below of Mik, my old roommates Caren and Kim, and Danny at the ultra fay Hillcrest GAY PRIDE PARADE.
That said - I hear a lot of Americans (ignorant ones) bellow out that foreign guys are a bunch of 'fa-s'. (Personally, I just think they are jealous since it is widely known that American women LOVE foreign accents and foreign men.) *sigh*

Well, my current handsome beau of almost 2 years, Patrick, is from Ireland -- although he's been here long enough now to only use the accent when he wants to (too bad for E!!). And, yes, people throughout the years have also pinned him for being gay. When he lived in the USA in his 20s, he hung around a small group of straight guys, but were all into alternative music and that look - pegging them as 'gay' to the socially unaware American. (Puleease - those boys had plenty of female company back then...)

On my first date with Patrick, we ended latter evening for a drink at the gay bar, "Bourbon Street" - partly because we both lived nearby and I also wanted to see if he was comfortable in his skin and not anti-gay. Well, all eyes were on my date, I can tell you - and gay men usually love ME - calling me "Penelope Cruz", etc etc. When one of us would go to the restroom he'd be singled out and hit on immediately hehehe. That's my Irish straight man.

Well, today I got a call from P stating that he has a secret admirer. "Whose arse am I gonna have to kick, now?" I commented dramatically - for P has plenty of admirers and exes and full-bussomed girly friends that I have to keep in check - shoot. P went on to say there was a note, a business card rather, left on his car this morning. It said on the back, "I lost your number, call me and let's go have some wine together.."

Ummm-huh.

"Well.." I said dramatically again in order to get a rouse from him, "somebody probably sees your handsome face coming and going and then they see me looking all homely and ugly cleaning your house, taking out the trash (next to the car) and walking the dog and they said to themselves, "shoot - that girl of his ain't NOTHING, I am going after that Leprechuan and we can go have an Irish Spring shower together!!'"

There was just one thing, though. P told me the name on the card.

It belonged to a man.

HAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH mwuah haa haaa hahaha!

Maybe it's the Banana Republic metrosexual dark T shirts he always wears.....:P

A little bit of Blarney and Birthdays!

I have been saddled down by a really bad cold and cough all week. So I have been MIA (missing in action) on my blog lately. That said, I want to acknowledge St. Patrick's Day (no, my Irish boyfriend and I did NOT go drink green beer...he said only silly Americans do that). I am really looking forward to our trip to Ireland in May, though!!!:)

Secondly I'd like to birthday shout out to my college friend and roommate, Heather, roughing it living in Hawai'i with her JAG marine husband and cute son, Robbie - it's the big 35 for her!!!!

And lastly, we are presently celebrating my dear nephew, Ryan's 6th birthday complete with Jumpee and Pinata - I am exhausted! Whew!

Happiness and blessings to all!

Padraig go Bragh!

You know, Life sometimes can be interesting. It can play tricks and it can turn on you. The Truth is: I have always been a huge believer that God has a plan for all of us. It's a great way to have perspective on Life's twists. (And it certainly has made me accept the good and the bad that has occurred in my life). I always said things will drop in one's lap when you least expect - so stop looking!

I am not shy. I work very social jobs. I meet a lot of people. I am a real people person and have perfected being able to approach and talk to anyone. But, no doubt about it: I am not a kid anymore and I have been around the block. When it comes to men I decided at this point I knew I was pretty cynical (which has come to look a lot like Wisdom as I get older). Now, don't get me wrong - I have dated a couple lovely chaps in long-term relationships - and I think I'd be pretty good in a debate about not getting married until you've reached your 30s and HAVE dated more than 1 man - but I digress.

For 6 months now I have had the blessing and curses of falling for an Irishman with merry eyes. Why is it a blessing and a curse? Because, my friends - Love is very hard for a stubborn, creative, passionate and utterly unconventional woman like me. As much as I have to offer (how could I NOT, with the family that has raised me??) I have already put this lad through the ringer.

And you know what? He has forgiven and he has accepted. He once acknowledged to me, "It's because you have so much to give..." You've no idea what at this age and time in my life it means to me for someone to recognize my strength!

For the first time I have pictured myself with a life partner. For the first time I have met someone so wonderfully unique yet, conventional; challenging, yet, supportive.

He is responsible for some of my recent changes - without a doubt. Alas, he is also responsible for my being Happy and planning for a somewhat conventional future for the first time in my adult life.

Meet Patrick...