The Not-So-Terrible Date

I'm REALLY sick of the typical date ideas guys have here. Coffee is not fun, it's sitting still, drinking overpriced swill. Dinner is nice, but most guys I can't stand sitting with for that long. I've decided to take charge of date activities from now on. I decided I wanted to golf, but we live in a rain forest, and it rains here, shocking. A little rain won't stop me from hitting some balls at the driving range though! Right by my work there's a hidden gem of a range. Highland Pacific has two levels at their range, the upper level is great for enjoying sun in the summer, or dry days, and the lower level stalls are heated and covered  for rainy days.

I met Dodge Guy on the lower level today. He's actually cute, and the perfect height. Weird. I'm usually really disappointed as people only put their best pictures online, but I think he put his worst ones on there! He's got great eyes and a nice smile. We hit a bucket of balls, (after 5:30 you get 60 for the price of 45!) he was really easy to talk to and I wasn't annoyed like I usually get after 15 minutes with guys. I'm not a great golfer, but I like it, and I try. I always get worse as the bucket goes on, I really need to take some lessons. I start hitting into the pond. Thankfully the bucket is empty.

Dodge Guy asks if I'm hungry, and suggests we go upstairs to the cafe. I order the Fire Roasted Tomato and Basil soup ($5) and a Ceaser. He ordered the Highland Beef Dip ($11) with ceaser salad and an iced tea. Our food came quickly and looked great, his sandwich was huge! My soup was creamy and served with some multi grain toast, perfect for picking up the pieces of tomato. We ate and talked about our dogs and watched golf highlights on TV. He has a great job, and knows what he wants. I had fun, and want to see him again. He's got my number, lets see if he uses it...

Overall, a great way to forget about a work day. Highland Pacific is a great place to take a date, play a round and they have an event space for parties and meetings.  Book a tee time here and make sure you check out their great range rates and cafe menu next time you have a free hour or two! I hope Dodge Guy calls me...or I'll be taking out my frustrations on buckets (and buckets) of balls!

Happy Hour

My life isn't all bad dates, unavailable men and crazy trips to big cities, just most of it. Sometimes I just go meet my friends and talk about my bad dates, unavailable men and crazy trips. Chelsea and I had both been to Veneto Tapas Lounge before and both had terrible experiences. Lost and bumbled reservations, slow service, and over all lack luster "show". After hearing of our dissatisfaction, we were contacted by Solomon, the manager, and decided to give Veneto another chance.

We were greeted promptly and warmly and immediately shown to a very nice booth in a transitional area between the lounge and dining areas. We looked over the drink menus, but nothing jumped out at me. Most likely it's because I was slightly hungover, still. Our server came to take our drink orders, a Ceaser and a Sour Apple martini, and when she left we looked at each other and rolled our eyes. She was very insincere and just came across as weird. Drinks arrive and we continue looking over the menu. This is the first time I've seen Chelsea in a month so we were chatting and it took us a while to decide. I ordered a tapas style beef entree and she selected the sliders.

It seemed like an eternity before our food was delivered, and that's because it was. Thirty minutes to get our food. Thankfully we had lots to catch up on and our drinks to tide us over. My food fell over once the clumsy food runner dropped the plate on the table, but it did look great still. Chelsea's sliders were also eye pleasing. Phony server came to check on us and we both agreed our first few tastes were fantastic. Here's my meal break down:

Dish 1: Veal ravioli with a portabella mushroom ragout and roasted garlic cream sauce
Dish 2: Red wine and thyme marinated short rib with creamy parmesan polenta cake
Dish 3: Pepper crusted New York strip with brandy and cream demi glaze

Dish 1 was pretty good. The mushrooms were flavorful and a great compliment to the mellow cream sauce. Definitely couldn't eat a whole dish of it, but tapas style is perfect for this dish. Dish 2, the one that fell over, was AMAZING. The short rib was really tender and I cut it with my fork. The polenta cake was perfect, and it absorbed the marinade nicely. This was my favorite of the three and would love to eat an entire plate of it. Dish 3 was the let down. I usually love New York strip, but left most of this on the plate. The pepper crust took over everything, and left my mouth burning. I scraped some off to try again and the strip itself was lack luster. The demi glaze would have been nice if the pepper hadn't have overpowered everything. The saving grace of dish three was the red potatoes it was served with. Over all I was really happy with my meal and was full, but not too full. For $15 it was a good value and I recommend, and will have it again.

Chelsea's AAA New York strip loin sliders were creative and original.

Dish 1: Topped with jumbo shrimp and ancho hollandaise
Dish 2: Topped with bacon, smoked applewood
Dish 3: Topped with blue cheese and spicy buffalo onions

The last of the dishes she modified, no onions for her, but instead it came with a hair. This happens, and since it was dealt with quickly and efficiently, it was not a big deal. The fake server redeemed herself and won us over with how she handled the situation. For $15 she left satisfied and happy with her choice as well.

We finished our experience off with a glass of bubbly and a visit from the manager thanking us for coming in. We filled out our comment card with our only complaint being the speed of service. Seeing as how we weren't in a hurry and had a lot to talk about this wasn't a huge concern, but if we had other plans it may have been.

In typical fashion, we decide to continue happy hour with a cocktail at The Fox. I like going there, there is always parking, lots of TV's to catch games on, and sometimes there is a good dancer and we learn a new move or two. An over priced drink and three talentless dancers later we call it a night.

A great Friday night Happy Hour with good company and food. Who could ask for anything more? Both Chelsea and myself recommend checking out Veneto Tapas Lounge in the Rialto Hotel, 1450 Douglas Street. Reservations suggested as it was pretty busy when we were there. Make them through Open Table. Visit their website to view menus and jump start your appetite.

Oops, I Did It Again...

Thursday night after teaching my class I was heading home when I got a text message from The Friend. What?? I haven't heard from him in a couple weeks, nor had I messaged him, or thought of him. He invited me over to watch a movie, and i jumped at the opportunity. He's really nice, fun, makes me feel like he gives a crap, and I was curious to see his new condo.

He gives me the tour and his condo is GORGEOUS! Great furniture, no clutter, really quiet. I'm immediately relaxed. As he's making us drinks I pick out the Blu Ray. I chose Top Gun. That movie is fantastic, and being as we've both seen it a million times I knew we wouldn't have to pay attention to it too much. We sit on the couch and he is so easy to be around! This irritates me because I know what ever there is between us will never go public. He really values his friendship with the non bf, and I really don't see him ever telling him. That makes me his dirty little secret.

Two drinks later and the movie is over. He grabs me a bottle of Gatorade and we go to his bed room. Super comfy bed, perfect temperature, just the right amount of light. It's almost like I'm in heaven, but it's real. He sets the alarm so I'll make it to work on time then wraps his arms around me. Best. Sleep. Ever.

In the morning he gets out of bed with me, gets me another Gatorade, tells me to have a nice day and kisses me good bye. What do I do with him? Tell him I'm into him? Tell him I want to see where this could go? Just enjoy the time I do spend with him? Discuss, post thoughts, and if you know who he is, see what you can find out for me.

Fishing Trips

I think it's quite obvious I'll never learn, and really, I wouldn't be entertaining if I did would I? So, online dating it is!! It's really easy for someone busy to "meet" people, and it gives me something to look forward to, sometimes. I have a few requirements that must be met before I'll even respond to a message. Don't judge me, I just know what I do, and do not, want! So here is the list:

• Must be at least six feet tall
• Must have a job
• Must have a car
• Must not live at home
• Non smoker, at all
• Not a drug user, at all
• Single...not divorced, not separated...SINGLE
• No kids!
• Must Love Dogs!!

Shallow? Maybe, but as I said, I know what I do and do not want.

IF a message meets the minimum requirements I will most likely respond. If the message is rude, just a smart ass comment about my photo, or contains nothing with thought, I will not answer! After some ever so witty banter I agree to meet the occational guy. Here is the last couple of weeks run down:

I met Average Guy at Starbucks after work. He is very average. Very nice, meets the minimum requirements, but sort of boring. He says all the right things, and even though he is a bit of a geek, we trade numbers, and I agree to see him again. We went out a few more times. Once he got me very drunk at a strip club. I love getting drunk at the strip club, but he didn't really entertain me. We went out for dinner a few times too, and watched some TV, and again, he didn't really entertain me. Is it because I compare anyone I meet to the most wonderful memories I have of past men I've dated? Maybe. Probably. I like to think it's because I just haven't met the one for me! The one that can keep me entertained, and that I'm attracted too. I'll keep looking.

I met one other guy in the past few weeks, but he was so boring I don't want to type about it!

I keep logging on to the site in hopes I'll meet the one, or even a close one. I'm giving the site till the end of November, after that I'm deleting my profile. After that I'll have to start leaving the house I guess...

The Toronto Trip

It was a fantastic trip to Toronto. I ate great food, had a fantastic time visiting my brother and good friends, and we raised some serious cash for SickKids Hospital at the Rally for Kids!

I miss the life I had when I lived there. Sleeping in, working a few hours a week, eating! There really is amazing food there. I went to the new spot in the Bell Light Box called Canteen by O&B (Oliver Bocconcini). It was late, and I still got a fantastic prosciutto sandwich with a glass of red wine. I also went to Mark McEwen's Bymark and sat on the patio. Patio season lasts longer in Toronto, and Lobster Poutine with a steak you can cut with a fork is AMAZING on a patio. They had the propane heaters turned up just right and we drank a bottle of wine with our original and perfect meals.

There is more to Toronto than just food for me! I also managed to get to two baseball games. The Jays won both! The open dome game was awesome, we had caesers and a view of the CN Tower. I love how I can walk everywhere there is always something going on. I took a long walk my last day there, even with a swollen and bruised foot (Thanks to Jack Daniels, that jerk!!). Here are a few pics of my fave places there.

The Friend

Well long email from the non bf later and I am never seeing him again. My friends were right, he is a douche.

I have lots of things planned for September. I am gong to Calgary for work, and Toronto for a fundraiser. I am very excited for both. Especially now after being completely freed of the non bf. Two days before I left for the first trip I got a message from the non bf's friend. The cute one, who came and helped me with the fundraiser, and complimented my dress, and gave me his jacket. He wanted to watch a movie. Of all the things I have planned for September this was not one of them. Who am I to say no to a movie?

He came over and gave me a hug. He never hugged me before...weird. We opened a bottle of wine and sat on the couch. He sat way too close. I honestly don't even remember what movie we watched, I wasn't paying attention. Neither was he. He's the complete opposite of his friend. He doesn't judge, he listens, he spends the night ;) He kissed me good bye in the morning and that's the last I'm seeing of him. That's right, I'm back!

I realized in the five months I was not dating that other guy I hadn't gone tanning, didn't get my nails done, didn't go to The Fox, didn't get my hair done. I wasn't me! Thank goodness one fun night with his friend reminded me who I am, and just how Charmed, Single and Fabulous I am!!

September part one

I get easily distracted and forget to write. Sorry... So here is what happened last month with the non bf.

We go to a fundraiser together for an organization he is very involved in. I show up at his house, in a dress, with curled hair, and dinner. He and I both worked all day yes, but I made a lasagna the night before, after I worked and taught. It even had his initial in it in cheese. Tragic I know. But his friend (who I've been BBMing) said it was cute and he'd like it. Well, he hardly said anything about the dress. I love this dress. So I was a little disappointed. I don't remember if he mentioned my cute hair, as I was so crushed about the dress. We ate and he took forever getting ready. We took my car downtown and tried to park. He refused to park in the lot right across the street because it was going to cost $12. WHAT???? So annoying. We find another lot, same price. Now we are late. He finds a spot someone is pulling out of. The person took a long time and he got so irritated. Not a side of him I had seen before, or liked. All this and we haven't made it to the event yet? I should have just gone home...

We finally get to the event. He has no cash so I pay at the door for both of us. A few people he work with were there. He didn't introduce me. So I BBM his friend who was also coming to see where he was. I ended up talking to him more than my date! Eventually his friend showed up. The first thing he says to me? "Nice dress!" Now that's all I wanted to hear. Why couldn't the guy I've been dating for 5 months tell me that?? We switched locations. As my date couldn't be bothered to put his arms around me to keep me warm, his friend gave me his jacket. Now why couldn't I have met his friend first?

The dress at the fund raiser.

I won't bore you with the rest of the terrible night. That and I have blocked most of it out. Let's just say my friends are right, he is a douche and I can do better. But why can't I stay away??