Straw.

'A picture is worth 1,000 words.' One of my favorite phrases, not to mention, I find it completely true. And because I find it true, today the only picture I would need to post would be this one:

I have a pretty good life. Yes, I'm single, I have no kids, and I may not be a millionaire. BUT. I have a pretty good life. HOWEVER. We ALL have days or weeks where 'straw' just keeps piling up, and piling up, AND PILING UP... right? Am I alone in that boat? SOS, anyone? For me - its the compilation of a bunch of different things. It's nothing major. Sometimes I find myself almost laughing and thinking 'God? Um... Really? I must be the comical relief in this play of yours called Life.' There are days I imagine God himself kicking back with a big bowl of popcorn and a large Dr. Pepper and saying, 'Ok! Lets see what Julie does with this scene!' ... and then he proceeds to laugh hysterically at my choices. Perhaps thats a sick and twisted way to view my trials and the turns my 30 year drive has taken, but it is what it is. So whether it's boys, kids, work, debt, body fat, pets, exhaustion, fear, or being let down one more time... I hope you're able to stare that lame piece of straw right in the face and tell it to take a hike.

For 'P' Word's sake....

The other day I was emailing back and forth with a friend, trying to gain sympathy for the woes of my life and dramatizing my life's worries into a pretty epic picture. She responded with something along these lines: 'Oh, and just btw - Lance (he's my previous and very favorite year to date boss I've ever had) took Asher up north, he will be having surgery tomorrow. I just thought you'd want to know.' Tid bit - Asher is said ex-boss's newborn babe. Nevermind that Asher is a twin. Nevermind that Asher was born weeks early. Nevermind that Asher spent months in the NICU. Nevermind that Asher is less than 6 months old and will undergo more surgeries before he turns 2 than I may encounter in my entire life. 'P' word. I recently met this guy. Let's be honest, it was on Tinder. If you don't know what that is, bless you. Whatever started forming between me and this gent made me smile, daydream, and put a little pep back in my step. For those of you who know how my last couple years have been spent - this is a pretty big deal. Anyways. Things started to get weird, as they usually do, or I wouldn't be single, right? As a 30-year old single gal, I'm getting pretty good at being able to see when a guy is 'Just Not That Into Me.' So looking back I started reflecting on what I actually liked about said gent. I found our conversations... intriguing. Nevermind that most of them were via text. Please note that dating via text is not only one of my biggest pet peeves, but it's also not really dating and it's impossible to actually get to know someone. But I learned something from this gent that I have been tossing around in my head the past few weeks. To the outside world this gent has a dream life. He is being paid to do something he loves. And yet.... in our conversations... he seems miserable. Lost. Unhappy. Discontent. I don't blame him - his dreams also cost him a marriage, financial stability, his house, his cute hound, etc. etc. etc. He has paid a price. 'P' word. So - as I sit at my desk, miserable that I am not being paid to do something I love, something that contributes to society, making a difference, using my education or chasing my dreams... I can NOT get this simple saying out of my head.... 'The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.' You know what? I may only be 30. But that lame saying that has had people living in regret, jealousy, and discontent... I find it absolutely absurd! News Flash: The grass is NOT greener on the other side. Not in my experience. Not once. Not ever. Nope. My ex-boss who makes a lot of money, has a family and a great job? Ya, sweet baby Asher is evidence alone about his green grass. Mr. Tinder gent? He made it to the olympics. Yes, he went to Sochi. Everyone's fantasy dream that few are able to actually achieve, right? Not exactly. My cute co-worker who I was always so envious of. Seemed like she had her shiz together. Cute husband of a 20 year marriage, 2 darling daughters, and a successful career. She just filed for divorce and found out she's going to be a grandma. The guy I've been crushing on since my freshman year of college? Who has had what I thought was the model marriage for the past 9 years? He just joined the divorce club. "Perspective." Which is defined as 'being able to look through, or see clearly.' I love that. So here is what has been racking my brain... WHY for the love of all things holy - can we not love who, where and what we individually are? Individually we are pretty awesome.

CUT!

That's a wrap! Sadly (sort of) my online dating experience has run its course and it's time to come to an end. Aaaaawwwwww! So sad, I know. Whatever will we do without a Top 3 of the Day?! Below are a few conclusions I've drawn from my short experience with online dating: 1. Even though it wasn't fruitful, I'm still glad I tried it. Sort of. 2. I think men forget which gender they are trying to appeal to. My blog has been plenty evidence. 3. My thought that single guys my age are single for a reason is still a very valid thought. 4. I dare to say I think most guys my age slept through grammar/spelling education from 3rd grade until they graduated. 5. Dating sites are like any other corporation trying to make money. Like porn or tobacco. Someone found a need and invented a way to market to that demographic. 6. My grandma was right all along... People really are funny.

Today's Top 3

#1 - Mr. Jewelry... do you think he realized that he still has his wedding ring on in his profile picture? Looks like he's pondering it....

#2 - Mr. Hippie. He writes that he's trying to grow out his beard and hair, that he knows it's ugly, but that's who he is. The scariest part? No, it's not the belly, the cigar, the jug of beer, the long hair OR the beard....This was is who I was matched with via 'daily match' courtesy of the dating website.

#3 - Mr. Super Hold. I'm impressed, he has more hair product than I do, and he's not affraid to include it in his profile picture

Today's Top 3 - Giving Thanks for dating websites

In lieu of Thanksgiving tomorrow, I find it fair and festive to give thanks and praise to the dating website for which I've been a member for a few weeks now, and for all that I've learned from said website's content in those short few weeks. It has been an experience..... to say the least. So! Without further ado.... Today's Top 3: #1 -Mr. Future Ex Wife. Joining a website and calling ANY girl (before you've even met them) your 'future ex wife'.... I'd say he's very hopeful, and definitely does NOT hold a grudge from his previous marriage. "My name is Nic and I love women's clothes! I own a women's clothing boutique, and I love dressing ladies up like dolls. Only the finest clothes and accessories for my future ex wife! If you have a passion for clothing, like myself,message me! Requirements for future ex wife: 1- please have me buy you a boutique and leave it to me in the divorce too run! 2- make sure you love to spend $$$ 3- know how to swim 4- no plus size models please 5- credit cards optional"

#2 - His words are FAR better than anything I could come up with for him. I really wish 46 year old men knew how to spell. "Thanks for stopping by! I really don't like describing myself. I would like to have my assistant do it for me but I wouldn't dream of bothering her on Saturday night regarding my personal life. I have had many things in my life but my Shepherd dog scores high on my favorites. People say we're both a little alpha and I guess a guy could be labeled worse things. I appreciate that my mother taught me manners and how to be a gentleman. I call her every Sunday and sometimes during the week too. I am one of those guys that people say they know they can always depend on. I am lucky to be surrounded by tons of people who treat me with respect. I have spent most of my life in an upscale ski resort and therefore love the outdoors. I am very diversified in what I like to do. I might ride my Harley 300 miles and then put on my tux and thoroughly enjoy the evening at a black tie event.There are literally few things I haven't done. I find women absolutely fascinating! I am just a succer for femminity, nuturing, a sassy attitude, and then of course watching a woman smile as she dances to her favorite music video! If you are quirkey, funny, pout just a little, tease me a little, seduce me a little, you will usually get your way! If you can actually cook I would not know how to handle that but I'll gratefully figure it out! I love to go to coffee, concerts, movies, long casual walks, and almost all types of dining. I used to be shy but I guess I got over it!"

#3 - It's Jesus... with an iPhone, and he really wants to meet you. "Ok, so everyone wants to really date online, what happened to actually meeting up. Wtf seems so silly to me!!! I don't have a lot of free time, with what I do have I don't want to spend it texting and emailing back and forth. If you want to meet up with someone who has a great heart, great morals and actually will care about you connection or not, send me a message. Not expecting anything but someone to share life stories with and see where it goes!!!"

Today's Top 3...

#1 - Mr. Galileo. He writes: "I like to think about deep and abstract thoughts"

#2 - Mr. Turkey Dynasty. I suppose in lieu of Thanksgiving this is ... festive?

#3 - ... we know my thoughts on this....

Divergent Thinking... think about it.