October 31, 2011

WE'RE BAAACK!

OK, we know we've been gone too long. But our life has been upended in all the good ways and we're still spinning and madly in love.


Remember that guy we told you about awhile back - the one who kissed us for the first time and told us we were beautiful? Now he's our - ahem - fiancé.


We know we owe you a story about how we went from madly-dating-and-cynical-single-girl to the annoyingly-happy-engaged-gal who tells her single friends - "You never know, this might be your last first date ever. He could be the one." Yep, it's wonderfully true (and slightly annoying, we know).


But first, a shout out to all our favorite singletons in the form of a hilarious book of haikus.


Haiku For The Single Girl from Dan Meth on Vimeo.


 .

April 14, 2011

TIME TO BE DIRECT



Remember that guy we told you awhile ago? The one who "wanted to hear our voice for the first time in person" and then sent a stick-it-to-you email to us? Well, he got in touch again. A full 51 days after his last email, which we didn't respond to. Interesting.


FROM HIM
I am still curious as to how I missed out on a chance to take you out on a date.

P



Persistent. Since silence didn't work. Maybe it's time to be straight with him.


OUR RESPONSE
P, if you must know:


1) We asked you to call and you didn't, giving some weird line about wanting to hear our voice for the first time in person. We clearly wanted to speak on the phone prior to going on a date.
2) There were other guys we were more interested in going out with at the time so we felt no urgency with you.
3) You sent us a totally rude and immature email after we didn't respond to your advances.
4) We've met someone...the relationship has progressed in the past few weeks and we're not interested in dating other people.


We know that the online dating world can be pretty harsh and laced with vagueness. And we may approach it in a pretty cutthroat way that might not be fair. 


There have been lots of guys that we've had online conversations with who've suddenly stopped interacting, who we've gone on date with and who've never followed up. To us, that's just part of the process and we try not to take it personally. We guess we just figured that most people saw it that way. We never meant to be rude or hurtful.


Good luck to you.


What do you think? A fair response? We wonder if we'll hear from him again.

March 24, 2011

ROMEO LIVES UPSTAIRS



Our upstairs neighbor had been terrorizing us for months with his stomping, slamming, music playing and general loud-ass-ness. 


We had take action when bumping, grinding and moaning were added to the list of offenses. We trudged up to ask him to please, try, please. Keep it down. 


Can you believe it - he had the nerve to ask us out on the spot! Uh-huh. Now we were really surprised. What about the girl he was just doing?


Damn! Guess you can't get in the way of a player, especially if he lives upstairs.

March 21, 2011

BREAKING IT DOWN



We've found that every time we try online dating we meet a few nice-enough guys. A few duds (or just not people we want to date again) and at least one total weirdo.

Maybe it's just us, but we're sharing an email/text conversation so you can tell us which one of the categories that P falls into.

Email #1 (from P)
I enjoyed your pitch, "If you're curious, like an adventure and are open minded and kind - we'll have something to talk about." I like adventures, and am ashamed to admit how few I have had recently. Although the best one of late was the Lynwood Skate and Bowl. For 13 bucks you can have a two sport night.



Some things I will use to my advantage,

1) Beige is bad

2) The Columbia city theater is fun

3) The Sculpture Park is great use of "pork barrel" spending

4) I haven't read a lot, but "East of Eden" is a masterpiece

5) Canadian whisky is not whiskey.

6) The Melrose Market beats Serious Pies hands down.

*) This one is probably not to my advantage. Steve Sher should not be on the radio, he drives me nuts, and they have the nerve to give him two hours.

Open to a beer? A stroll weather permitting? Dumplings?


P

The list he references above relates to our bio. We share a bunch of things we like - whiskey, books, NPR, etc. and say that they can use them to their advantage, if they want.

We're going to stay away from the political "pork barrel" spending comment, because we don't exactly know what he's talking about and if we think about it too much we might eliminate him from the possibility pool. And so, we write back.


Hi P,


Have you been to the Columbia City Theater since it's been redone? Such a great venue! We've never been to the Lynwood Skate & Bowl. Wait, take that back. We may have been there to skate ages and ages ago. We're not so good at bowling or skating. But, what can you do?



We are open to a beer or a stroll. Although we have to get one thing straight right now - we like Steve Sher and you can't change our mind! At least we can agree on East of Eden. A favorite. Have you read his other stuff?



Hope you're having a good day. The sun is so dazzling!


Me

Email #2
I have to say I have not been to the Columbia City Theater in a while. The last time I was there Angie's across the street was still in business. I like Columbia City but it is a little far especially when drinking is involved. If only the city of Seattle could get light rail going quicker, but alas it is going to be a while.



I will say the one thing I like on Weekday is when they bring in the guy who covers Canadian Politics. Of course never really remember any names, except for Stephen Harper. It is nice to hear about North American Politics other then the violence in Mexico, or the in fighting here. I put my foot down when it comes to Organic Gardening Tuesdays. Every time I am working on site and that comes on, the crew turns on me and I lose control of the radio for the rest of the day. My absolute favorite thing on NPR is the Writer's Almanac in the afternoon.



I know it is late in the week, how does a beer and some pinball tomorrow night sound? Maybe Shorty's? I am open to any sort of random idea to meet outside of bungee jumping or karaoke. If tomorrow is too soon, maybe sometime next week.



I look forward to meeting you.


P
(he includes his phone number)

What's with the political rant? We're into politics and news and such, but seems a little intense for a get-to-know-you email...Oh well, we like a guy who has opinions. 

Also, we have to say that we like for a guy to ask us for our number and call us. We don't plan on calling him first. Although we're probably being unreasonable.

Hi P,



Unfortunately, we don't think a date this weekend is going to work. We've come down with the dreaded cold that everyone is suffering from and want to take it easy and not subject anyone to our bad germs!



Maybe next week? (we give him our phone number)


Me

We also don't mention that we have several other dates lined up for the week and weekend, despite our cold. Our calendar is booked!

Email #3
Well I am sorry to hear that you aren't feeling well, and hope you feel better soon. Give me a call when you have recovered. I look froward to hearing from you.


P

At this point, we decide we're not that into this guy. Especially not enough to pursue a date by calling him when we're over our cold. But, at some point the next week, he emails us again.

Email #4
I hope you are feeling better. It seems you and half of Seattle are trying to beat this cold. I was reading an article about some new places on The Hill that I wanted to try. Interested?


P

Dear P,
It goes in phases. Right now We're feeling quite stuffy. But earlier today we were feeling much better. Thanks for asking. How are you?



Trying a new place on Cap Hill would be fun. Did we give you our number? (we give him our number again)


Me

We know know that we've already given him our phone number. But are trying to make the point that we want him to call us. Is it just us or does jumping from email to a date seem to be skipping a step? Call us old fashioned, but we like to chat once or twice. At least to make a plan.

Email #5
Be patient with this cold, it seems that it takes about 4 days to get over. I have seen a couple people try to come back too soon only to get knocked down. So take care of yourself and healthy doses of chicken soup.



So I have kind of an ambitious idea for a date. I read an article about these new speakeasies in Capitol Hill. I was thinking we could take a walking tour and check them out. All three of them are right around 12th and Pike. This week I am kinda busy during the week, and Saturday I have a Christening I have to attend since I am the Godfather. I was thinking either Friday or Saturday night if that works for you.



You gave me your number, but I kinda want to hear your voice in person. Also I kinda like the anticipation of seeing if you wrote me back. Hope to hear from you soon.


P

Yikes! This totally weirds us out. We realize that not everyone is a phone person like we are. And have accepted that lots of guys text us rather than calling but...hearing our voice first in person?!? It comes off as weird, right?

We get a text from P (So he does know how to use the phone)
I hope you have made a full recovery. Are you interested in getting together tomorrow or Saturday? 

We decide we don't want to go out with this guy. He seems off. Someone we for- sure don't want to date. We know that his intentions probably aren't coming across as he meant them to...Plus we've met someone else that we really like and don't feel like going on random dates with guys who've already raised red flags. 

We ask our friend if we should be up-front and just email P back and tell him that we're not interested. And maybe tell him that if a girl gives him her phone number usually it means she wants him to call her. And he should, even if his preference is different. But she tells us that's not our job.

Email #6
Are you still interested in meeting for a drink sometime?


P

As discussed, we don't respond.

Email #7
Well, I had no idea Steve Sher could be so divisive. Good luck out there.


P

Um, maybe we were a jerk for not emailing him back and saying we're not interested. But his last email, putting us in our place, seems rather unnecessary. Although it is sorta funny...

So, what do you think? Are we being unreasonably judgmental? Please tell us! And please share your crazy-man stories, we're in the need of a few laughs.

March 3, 2011

WE'RE OBSESSED

This is a story with a soundtrack. 


The Doe Bay Sessions - Curtains for You from Sound on the Sound on Vimeo.


Recently, we attended a show at Richard Hugo House. It was a part of a literary series. 


Each artist - two writers and three musicians - were asked to write new work based on the theme "Brief Encounters" and preform. It was really amazing. 


Our favorites were the Hannah Hynes-Mumford's (a high school senior, impressive!) reading and Macklemore. Both mind-blowing in different ways. It was a special treat to see how Macklemore's rap techniques translated to the essay he wrote and vice versa.


And it reminded us of a brief encounter of our own.


Last fall we stopped by a vintage shop called Indian Summer. We scored some great stuff and admired this cool men's shawl-collar Pendelton sweater on a mannequin. As we were paying two guys walked in. One was super-cute and happened to be wearing the exact same sweater as the mannequin.


Of course, we blurted out "You're wearing the same sweater..." (it was a small store) and trotted over to him to check the labels of both sweaters and confirm. Did we mention how cute he was?  


He told us that he got his sweater from his grandfather. And that was that. 


A few weeks later we were lucky enough to be invited to a house show featuring The Head and The Heart (don't be jealous), Kelli Schafer and Drew Grow and the Pastor's Wives. And, in between getting totally wasted - we went alone and were nervous, don't judge - we spotted a familiar looking guy. But we couldn't figure out why. Until at the end of the night he put on the sweater - it was him again!


Who is he? He must know someone we know...this is just crazy.


And then, on New Year's day, we walked around Greenlake with a friend - it was a beautiful day. And who did we see walking the opposite direction? Yep, Cute Sweater Guy! 


We couldn't help but jump. And we think he noticed us because we made brief eye contact. He gives us goosebumps.


Weird huh? It makes us wonder how many times we cross the paths of the same people but never recognize them.


Since then we've seen him around even more and actually figured out that we do have friends in common. No, we're not stalking him. But, for some reason he makes us incredibly nervous and we haven't gotten the courage to introduce ourselves yet. 

March 1, 2011

A FULL MOON

Pickwick at Conor Byrne open mic, photo via Picwick


Last Sunday we went to an open mic* that we like - lots of friends, great local music and it's a good way to kickoff the week. 


We were hanging out, drinking a beer when we noticed this guy looking at us. 


He was rocking an Axle Rose look, and not-in-a -good-way. Later, and completely unprovoked, a guy friend of ours asked us "what was up with the dude with the jock strap on his head?" Now you see our issue?


Even though we were avoiding eye contact, dude sidled up to us and...


Axle: Where you from?


Us: Here.


Axle (looking at us as if we were bullshitting him): But you're drinking PBR - isn't it from the Midwest somewhere?


Us: Uh, yeah...?


We weren't sure there was a correlation.


Axle: So, really, where are you from.


Us (confused): Here? (implying, what are you getting at here?)


And then, because suddenly we felt awkward and bad. Like he was trying to make us sorry for being rude. Even though we weren't.


Us: Well, technically we were born in Texas, but we grew up here.


Axle: Born in Texas, huh?


Us: SĂ­.


Axle (now really looking at us as if we're being the rudest): SĂ­?


Honestly, we don't know why that popped out. He stomped of.


How do guys have a way of doing that? Making a girl feel like she's being a bitch if she's nice, but not giving him what he think he deserves? The four friends who happened to witness the exchange rolled their eyes and gave us the "lucky you lost that one," look.


Axle continued to work the girls in the room. The man was persistent. It got worse - at some point he let his long, curly hair down and it hung in a tangled mess over the jock strap thingymajig.


At the end of the night, we were standing at the front of the room, along the wall with a few others, listening to the last of the music and watching Axle/Jock Strap interact with a girl at the bar.


A camera came out and suddenly his pants dropped and all five of us were treated to a peek at his bare ass. It wasn't an accident. We don't even want to think about what you could see from the camera angle! Ugh.


Not that we were questioning our earlier judgment - but it looks like we ducked a good one.


*A great story (and videos) about Picwick at the open mic. If you haven't heard of them, they're definitely worth a listen. We hope the band doesn't mind being featured in this story. They're absolute gentlemen! 

February 27, 2011

TAKING A MOMENT

Photo by Amber Karnes via SF Girl by the Bay


Dear Readers, 


We just wanted to make sure that you know how grateful we are for you. Thanks so much for reading regularly, commenting, submitting stories - especially all the V-Day ones - and laughing and hoping along with us.


And (here comes the shameless self-promotion), if you do read regularly but don't follow, please follow us. Comment if we say something that makes you think. Even if it's just to tell us we're being crazy or way to critical of a guy (but be nice : ).


If you have stories, or have friends with adventure-in-dating stories, send 'em in.


We love hearing from you!


XOXO

February 24, 2011

2 WEEKS, 1 GIRL, 5 DATES, 4 GUYS





Yep, that means we're online dating again. And it's keeping us busy. This time we decided to try a local source - thought it might provide more interesting prospects. And so far, so good.


And, we got set up!


The first online date left us feeling deflated. We mean, the guy was nice, cute, interesting, etc. But...there wasn't much there. And we believed that he agreed. 


We wondered - how many first dates are we going to have go go on before we get at least a spark of intrigue and excitement? Where we feel confident that he feels the same? We don't think our expectations are that high - we know it's not likely that we're going to go on a first date and come home thinking "He's the one." But, we'd at least like to think more than "We guess it was OK and will say yes, we think, if he asks us out again." Just to see.


Second date was the setup. We've never been really setup before. Have you?


And it was so fun. Gave us hope again. Even though we were super nervous (not to mention the fact that we'd never even seen a picture of this guy - and believe us, we tried. Googling him and all. Nothing.). He was interesting, sexy, easy-to-talk-to, fun, left us wanting more.


We planned a second date right then. 


And, later that week we scheduled two more online dates.


Second date with the setup - he took us to a great neighborhood restaurant. Ordered wine. We ate and talked our hearts out. And then we kissed goodbye. Asked him when we'd see him again. And he said he hoped soon. And then we kissed some more. Right on the street. In front of the restaurant. How fun!


He told us we were beautiful. And it was perfect.


Tomorrow we have another online first date. And Sunday morning coffee with another. Whew - it's making us tired thinking of it! But, really, we can't wait to see setup guy again...


This is good, right?

February 17, 2011

MOVING ON IN


Two years ago on Valentine's Day, we moved in with our boyfriend S. Not really a romantic way to celebrate. But it was a sweet, exciting step to take.

The only plans we had for the day were to do a lot of heavy lifting. 

We were outside loading the truck while S was putting his fridge stuff into a cooler. We walked past and saw that he was trying to quickly hide a box of chocolate covered strawberries inside. 

The surprise was ruined but we were touched. Isn't he a great guy?

February 15, 2011

A SPECIAL MAN


Photo by Michael Harrison

Last night our hubby came home with flowers for our 2-year old daughter. Three gerber daisies in red paper. How cute is that? She has her first Valentine!


He got us flowers, too. But this was way more exciting.

THE SWEET LIST


We've been lucky to date a lot of really nice, thoughtful guys. But one stands out in particular.

1. We were long distance. A few weeks before Valentine's Day he sent us a box of fortune cookies with these instructions: Eat one a day until V-day, when we would see each other. It didn't take long to realize that each cookie had a custom fortune, ranging from favorite memories we shared, to little things he liked about us. Come on - adorable!

2) Sometimes it's the little things. Once, we stepped out of a shower to find boyfriend waiting for us with freshly heated (with a hairdryer) socks so our feet wouldn't get cold. 

3) He told us we were going to his cousin Tony's wedding in Portland. We drove down, got dressed up and headed to the event - gift in hand. We sat on the groom's side. It took us awhile to realize that this was actually Tony and Tina's wedding, the production! We loved that he tricked us. And had us going for awhile. We thought his "cousin" was nuts!

February 14, 2011

HE LOVES ME, HE LOVES ME NOT, HE LOVES...



Things had been exclusive with this guy for about six weeks by the time Valentine's Day rolled around. But, because a) we're attachment-phobic and b) didn't totally believe that he was into us for real, we weren't about to bring it up.


So, we were shocked when he not only mentioned it, he wanted to take us out. Imagine that - a date with a guy we liked on Valentine's!


He proposed dinner and then catching his brother's show at the oldest bar in the city. When we arrived at his house (he didn't have a car, so we usually drove) he surprised us with roses. He hadn't struck us as the romantic type.


The sweetest thing wasn't even the flowers, although they were lovely. It was the fact that he'd ridden the bus to the florist and then BACK with flowers. On Valentine's Day. (He told us that several women-and-fellow-bus-riders even commented!) He really liked us.


The evening was perfect. A spicy dinner, great music and the best company. (We even convinced the door guy to draw a heart on our wrist with Sharpie instead of his regular X!)


And, even though things didn't work out with the guy, we dried-and-saved one of the roses for a long time to remind us to believe in surprises and that we are lucky and loved.

February 10, 2011

THE ONE




Photo by Leah Reich via sfgirlbybay

We had been dating T for about four months. We were a single mom and our son's sixth birthday was coming up. We love parties but they can be overwhelming, especially when you're like us and obsess over the most ridiculous details. This particular birthday was putting us over the edge.

T offered to make the party favors. We were touched by the offer. 


Being a control-freak, we normally wouldn't have accepted. But, we were completely overwhelmed and knew it. So we took him up on it. And told ourselves we weren't going to tell him what to do. We were so grateful. 

We expected standard favors - little bags full of candy, leggos, plastic toys, puzzles, etc. Or something.

T arrived with CD’s illustrated with an image of a train. Each one was filled with great kid’s music including “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Iz, and were protected in individual colorful CD holders. He passed them out when all of the guests were leaving.

This is when we knew - this man was a serious keeper.

February 9, 2011

CHOCOLATE-FILLED HEARTS



A few years ago we were single for the first time in seven years on Valentines day. We were dating a lot but nothing serious. We decided to have a non-romantic but not-lonely night with a guy we had been hooking up with off and on. He came over and brought us a flower. We got to it and he left. We admit it, it felt just right.

The next year, we were in a relationship that looked like it could go all the way. We had been dating for about 10 months and it was our first V-day together. He made a big fuss about not liking Hallmark holidays so we expected zilch. 


On Valentines day, a Saturday, we woke up to the most amazing custom-ordered chocolates from our man. We spent the day in bed together, enjoying the chocolate and whatnot. From then on we've called Valentine's the Chocolate Holiday. Not bad, huh? 


Two years later, we're marrying him. And we know what we have to look forward to for the rest of our lives!

February 3, 2011

SKIPPING A BEAT

This is the story of the Valentine's Day that never was.

One year, we were dating a couple of guys. Sort of. Not really. Our love life was actually quite a sad mess.


And we had been working way too much. We worked our ass off all summer long, never went camping, or to an outdoor concert, or even a picnic. It was all work, allthetime.


We get it. The truth about men who are afraid of commitment is that they disappear a few weeks before Valentine’s Day...and reappear a few days afterward. This was the case that year. 


So, we decided to treat ourself to summer-in-the-middle-of-winter in February with a trip to Australia.


On February 13th, we flew to Sydney, Australia. And in the middle of the night, we crossed the international dateline and instantly it was February 15th.

The plane landed on a bright, happy autumn morning and we recall the bells of St. Mary’s Cathedral ringing to greet us as our taxi took us to the hotel. 

We had completely skipped February 14th, and it was perfect.

February 1, 2011

IT'S THE THOUGHT

Photo via Design*Sponge

Sometimes it's something small that's just the thing. We're loving these downloadable stickers from Twig & Thistle for a DIY Valentine's touch.

A VALENTINE'S RETREAT



Last year a bunch of us - singles, couples, all good friends - decided to go away for Valentine's weekend. We retreated to Orcas Island, just a quick drive and ferry ride away from Seattle. The house in the woods was the perfect spot for cooking great meals (including the above butternut squash galette via Design*Sponge), vino, Apples-to-Apples games and a puzzle or two. 


We also went on a crazy-and-amazing tour/adventure of the Lambiel Museum - a private collection of Orcas Island artists (from fine art to folk), Oriental rugs, antique grandfather clocks and more. The experience is pretty indescribable, but we say it's a must-see if you ever find yourself on Orcas island. 


For a festive brunch we made special heart-shaped pancakes and then rushed-off to the ferry line. If you ask us, it was the perfect way to spend a holiday. Truly lovely. 


And that's what Valentine's is all about, right?


We die over these pancakes and are sure that anyone you ever make them for will know that they're truly loved.




LEMON RICOTTA PANCAKES WITH RASPBERRIES AND LEMON CURD*

Ingredients
3/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 T. baking powder
1/2 t. ground nutmeg
1/4 t. salt
2 T. sugar
1 c. ricotta cheese
2 eggs
2/3 cup milk
1 lemon, zested and juiced
Butter, for griddle
1 jar prepared lemon curd
Fresh raspberries, for topping
Confectioners' sugar, for garnish

Directions
Preheat a nonstick griddle or skillet.

Combine flour, baking powder, nutmeg, salt and sugar in a small bowl. Whisk together the cheese, eggs, milk, lemon juice and zest in a large bowl. Whisk the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until combined (don’t over mix).

Brush the hot griddle with butter. For each pancake, pour approximately 1/4 cup measure of the batter on the griddle and cook on both sides until light golden brown. Repeat. We kept batches warm in the oven until ready to serve.

Empty the contents of the lemon curd into a small saucepan and warm over low heat (we just used the “double boiler method” and put the whole jar in a sauce pan with a few inches of water – cleaner!).

Drizzle a few tablespoons of the curd over the pancakes and top with fresh raspberries. And, if you want to go all-out, sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

*Adapted from Bobby Flay (if you can believe it!)

January 13, 2011

SWEETNESS


Valentine's photo via Urban Weeds.

We have a distinct memory of our 8th grade art teacher reminding us, on a day we were doing some sort of Valentine's-related project, that the word was spelled S-W-E-E-T, not S-W-E-A-T. We blame him for us always second-guessing our spelling.


Anyway.


We're going to do something fun in February and we need your help. Valentine's posts. At least two a week. That means we need eight stories. Or more.


So submit 'em. Please. 


They can be romantic, funny, tragic. They don't even have to be from Valentine's Day. Just a good story where your Valentine (or your mom or a friend) did something really sweet. Or at least notable. Birthdays, anniversaries, etc. work, too.


Email us your stories to hellochopsuey (at) gmail (dot) com.


P.S. Isn't this photo HOT? We love the hipster-take on the pinup girl by one of our fave blogs, Urban Weeds. At the Ace Hotel in Portland no less. Cool. Someday, when we have a really special Valentine, we're going to do this.

January 10, 2011

IT'S GETTING SERIOUS




The best way to make an intention real is to declare it. So here we stand. We need more writing practice, discipline. Blogging is good and all, but we need to mix it up.


Yesterday we had coffee with our dear friend - the talented, fabulous M of Styled Northwest and mentioned our desire to find a writing group. Or something. She was encouraging, of course. And curious herself. 


When we got home we did some searching and came up with Richard Hugo House - an organization we knew but hadn't explored much other than knowing they put on awesome events (hope we can make it to the one with Macklemore, dang!).


But, guess what? They're launching a writing happy hour! Drinks, writing prompts, other writers, space to post up with our laptop or notebook...here we go. 


Thanks for pushing us, M!