Certain Criteria...

     So, I've been thinking.  Yeah, yeah, I know how bad of a thing that is to do, but really, I just can't help myself.  That would be like asking a fish to stop swimming, a mother to stop worrying or a politician to stop lying... its just not going to happen.  So, you ask, what have you been thinking?  I thought you'd never ask!

     I need to not settle for what's available.  Maybe my problem is that I give on certain criteria when it comes to a person I would like to be involved with.  Now, before the women of my past start lifting up stones to throw at me, I'm not saying any of you are the subject of this post.  I am talking about the future Mrs. Sayers; Mrs. Right.

     What I am trying to say, is there are some criteria that I would like in a mate.  So, what I have decided to do, is list these criteria and keep them handy, especially for dates.  Then at the most inopportune time, whip them out and ask.  I can just see it, sitting at a quiet table, candle lit dinner, glasses of wine, soft music in the background, and then out comes the questions... "So, Christmas trees... real or artificial?"  ~grins~

     What are these criteria that I am thinking of... I'm not too awfully picking.  Here is what I am looking at:

1. Christmas Tree - Real
2. Career - Something, a desire, a drive to do something in life other than pop out babies and clean the house (which, just for the record, I do rugs, windows and dishes)
3. Travel - Must be willing to obtain a passport, save for vacations and travel to distant lands on my arm.
4. Do not discredit my Geekness - Sorry ladies, I'm not your average guy.  I would rather gather around a table with friends and play Dungeons & Dragons rather than sit on the couch and wonder who will be going to the Superbowl.
5. Adventurous - This encompasses a lot of things.  Must be willing to at least try, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, camping, hunting, etc.  Must be willing to try new things, experiences and food.
6. Working Out - I'm going to keep taking care of myself, I want a woman who is willing to do the same and possibly do that with me.
7. Literate - Wait, more than literate, well read.  The woman I am looking for must read, not just magazines or news articles, full fledged books.
8. Enjoy Movies/TV Shows - I love going to the movies, I'm a snob.  I count the seats, to figure out the dead center of the theater, and that is where I want to sit.  I want a woman who will look forward to going to the movies with me, talk about the plot, the casting, the story.  Who will sit and watch an entire season of a favorite TV show.
9. Open-Minded - Ladies, I am not one of those guys who clams up, not one of those guys who will not talk about feelings, relationships or sex.  That's right, I said sex.  I prefer a woman who can talk openly about what she wants.
10. Sarcasm - Last but not least. Ladies, I'm sarcastic.  It comes out even worse when I am tired; I once made a nurse in the emergency room cry and leave because of it.  I wasn't trying, I just wasn't thinking.  Call me on my bullshit when I'm an ass, but I need you to be able it the rest of the time.

So, there it is.  My criteria.  I don't think its too unrealistic.  What do you think?

Sunday mornin' comin' down...

     That song was written by Kris Kristofferson, originally recorded by Ray Stevens in 1969, and the following year recorded by not just Kristofferson, but also his good friend Johnny Cash.  If you've never heard it, let me give you the run down.  The singer, after having spent a Saturday night drinking, smoking and playing guitar, has a beer for breakfast (just a note, this where the term 'hair of the dog' comes from. Referring to the old myth that you can prevent something by taking some of the hair of the dog that bit you.), cleaning himself up and heading out into the city.  Out there, on the silent Sunday sidewalk, he laments how lonely it feels.

     There are times that I wish I wouldn't think so much.  However, the fact of the matter is, I do.  I think all the time.  I think about everything.  I see so many possibilities in life... and my mind works through all of them.  I don't know if this is something you all do... or if its just a part of my nature.  I know in my younger days, I thought a lot.  Perhaps its from being an only child, but I was a quiet boy.  I kept to myself.  I watched people and wondered.  All through my life I have done this.  I'm not saying I don't act, because if you've seen the scars that cover this body, you'll know that I've done my share of living and still will.  However, that being said... I still mull over so many things.

     So, right now... what's on my mind?  What is keeping the wheels turning in my brain?  There are a lot of things going on in there.  Aside from all of the things that I have to do for work, the creative ideas that are constantly swimming about begging to be put down on paper... there's the future.  I probably think about that the most lately.  Right now, there are so many possibilities.  So many directions that I could go.  It doesn't help that I have one year left here in Biloxi, and after that the next three are at the mercy of the U.S. Navy.  Yes, I know.  I made the decision to enlist.  I am good with that.  However, I think about where I will go and what I will do.  I think about relationships.  I can say that there is someone who has sparked my interests greatly.  Question is... what will come of that attraction?  Even if she is attracted to me, how can I ask her to be in a long distance relationship or even wait, that's pretty selfish of me.  Then here I go again... I'm already over-thinking all of this.

     I think I will digress.  I think I will choose not to think.  That, I think, is the best way to think about this.  Did you notice the "thinks" laden in those sentences... I wonder if it will work.  What do you think?