Some local events

First off: the Formula One races. It's just like NASCAR! ... well, minus the alcohol... thus, boring.


It was over 90 degrees that day; so, coupled with plastic chairs, we all suffered from a lovely case of wet crotch. Ah, I can't wait until summer! Our work group had a few rows of seats on the southern end, giving us a great view of the majority of the track. It cost about $120 for a 3-day pass, thanks to someone buying our reservation in October of last year. We only went for the last afternoon, just to try it out. My overall experience: eh, I guess I'm not into sports or racing, so you can imagine my excitement level in the heat and sweat. My poor coworker fell asleep, though he falls asleep at every event. He and I reached mutual consensus on the day's events.


Second up: Opera, Art, and Dinner at La Fontaine.

La Fonatine is an old villa (about 150 years) set in the heart of the city which has been converted into a spa, art expo, and restaurant. A few friends and I went for a night of opera and the opening of a new art exhibit. The art was so-so ... kind of chaotic and scary, but the music was great. Dinner was buffet-style and didn't start until 9pm, but we had lots of free drinks beforehand (thanks to one guest winning a door prize by juggling, who would have guessed?). Here are a couple of photos - I promise to try and take more in the future, I need a new digital camera first, my current one is moody.




http://www.lafontaineartcentre.net/html/about.htm

Dating Scene... part duex.

I’ve realized that my dating life is by FAR the most hilarious part of my existence… so I’ve decided to provide an update.

The next chapter in the saga.

If you look back to October I posted the first portion of this.. Mr A - the DC Tool; Mr B - the shady Navy Officer; and Mr C - the redneck.

Quick update: never heard from the DC Tool again, the shady Navy Officer only became 1000% MORE shady, and the redneck was quickly engaged to his girlfriend back home (so much for the “not sure where this is going” phrase - but that’s not the first time a boy has lied to me about a status with a lady back home… I live and learn).

I’ve dated a few others since - one of which was yet another officer that was far too interested in work and on his way to becoming a DC Tool… another being a dip-wad (it's a professional term) who turned out to have to kids through two different women - ok, it's not a big deal to me ... until he lied about it. Turns out he's still involved with baby's mama #2 back in DC.

So, I threw in the towel and gave up. No more dating! I had made plans to extend (finding a new villa I was thinking of moving in to once my lease is up in 8 months - Italian courtyard, private pool, and all), I wanted to focus on deploying again (the paperwork is in, but approval is still pending), and I was working overtime like crazy to complete a gazillion projects … when suddenly… out of the blue.. I met my lumberjack.

They always say you find someone when you’re not looking… and I definitely wasn’t looking.

It was kind of a strange meeting. One random Friday night I was out with my normal crowd (boss, wife, Danny, etc) and we all ended up at JJ’s… again. The boys ran off while Leslie and I sat upstairs just enjoying each other’s company. She called over a young looking Navy boy to join us. I wasn’t in the mood for male attention, but suddenly it was the two of us ladies and 6 or 8 young (buff) men. Ha! But they were far too young for me too - EARLY 20s with that horrible frat boy mentality!

Of course, they were loving Leslie and I - we explained how women “work." I think they were ready to break out pen and paper (hey, I give good female advice, I know how both men and women’s mindsets differ: men are simple, women are "crazy," this author included). The night ended with one of them incredibly drunk and hitting on me, to the point of embarrassment of his other boys. One man in particular - James - acted as the “father” of them all. The only sober one in the group, and dealt with the Bahrain bouncers when they started complaining of too much male drunkeness (it’s a macho competition with bouncers out here - Navy boys just have to give in and leave peacefully) - so they left.

A few weeks pass and I’m out again, this time at a more rowdy bar. I’ve had a few drinks, and run into James. He remembers my name (though I may have forgotten his!) and he’s chatting away. “A very nice and polite young man” I think - plus he’s cute. Native American looking with dark olive skin and brown eyes, buff, and a few tattoos (I like!) .. But he’s shorter than me, and younger than me, so I don’t give it much thought. Suddenly, a fist fight breaks out in front of me. My mind’s thinking “Oooo! Fight! :) ” but apparently James is more familiar with this scenario - he grabs me by the waist and puts himself between me and the fight. It takes me a few seconds to realize what he’s done, but I thank him and move on for the night. It’s late, I’m tired of men staring at my boobs, so I go home, no thought of seeing James again.

But Facebook is the ultimate social network. We find each other (ok, I find him to tell him ‘thanks again’) and exchange phone numbers. Suddenly a date is planned - he takes me out for Italian. He was so nervous but polite - he said “dude” a lot, but was a really sweet guy!

Things go really well, to the point where a few dates in I told him that I, personally, wasn’t planning on seeing/dating anyone else. He didn’t shy away or act like a macho ass - he said thank you and confirmed that he was only interested in me - so we became an item (to the shock of his friends - he’s been single since joining the Navy .. but by choice - trust me, he's hot).

About James - he joined the Navy after a few years of college (he's enlisted, security). He loves the outdoors and camping and is looking to go back to school to become a park ranger. He opens the door for me, makes sure he walks against traffic (so I’m safe on the inside), insists on holding my hand even when his boys laugh at him for it, carries all of my shopping bags (saying “you should never carry a bag when I’m with you”); and tells me I’m beautiful, classy, and how much he appreciates me being with him every single day. Yes, I’m very happy with my little alpha male! Haha! I need a secure alpha male: I’m far too emasculating to most men. Let’s face it, I make a good paycheck, I’m financially independent (and responsible), I’ve see more war zones than most guys, I’m incredibly tall and intimidate most people, I have a pretty extensive education, and I drive a kick-ass Jeep (what’s not to love?)… but I know these things and never bring them up to James (ok, I talk about my Jeep a lot, but he loves Mr. Jiggles too). Instead, when he buys dinner I praise him for it and tell him how wonderful he is - and when I buy dinner, I downplay it and say it’s not a big deal. Roles, it’s all about roles in this world.

I’ve stopped working 60 hours a week in order to spend more time with him; and I’ve quit the party life to sit at home, cook a nice meal, and enjoy together time. I’m sure my dad would be happy to hear he went to a private Protestant school and is more religious than I am…. But it’s all just temporary - he leaves in August, and with Bahrain's timewarp lifestyle, it may as well be 2 weeks. I have no clue where I’ll be in 12 months - that Italian villa is appealing, as is the offer to return to St Louis and custom home improvements (my pub!), or there’s the opportunity to move to another foreign location and see another part of the world. I’m (strangely, considering the life I live) just afraid of being bored. Someone make up my mind for me.