Smiles

That time

That time that your 20 year old cousin makes you feel ancient at 31 with one question. 

"Do you (me and Conductor) have conversations on text? I just want to know if that's something I can still do at 30 or if you don't do that."

What?

Train Update

I feel like we're at a junction (get it, eh?) and I know which track I hope things take but I'm not sure which way the conductor will take it.

Side note this whole endeavor is great if only for the train puns!

Conductor and I had date 2 and I would still count it as a success. These days I'm taking every success as it's own victory and no longer applying it to the bigger picture - everything feels a bit better when there are several little wins in opposition to a large, drawn-out loss or draw. So date 2 is another win.

This was more of a hang-out than a traditional date. Conductor grabbed some pizza and beer and came to my place to watch a movie. I took advantage of this scenario to finally get to watch The Shining.  I know it's rather offensive to some that I have not seen this movie prior to now but I can't watch scary movies alone (I get really scared!) and I have no friends who will watch scary movies with me so I have to take advantage of it when I can!

There was mild cuddling, which was nice and a full movie watch, and several promising signs for future possibilities.  We seemed comfortable with each other, attraction levels still high and those acted upon were quite fun.

As I said, I think that this could be something, possibly, maybe but it kind of depends on where we both choose to go from here. I am heading back east for my college reunion tomorrow (can't wait!) and will be gone for nearly a full week so I'm hoping it doesn't fizzle in that time - knowing that if it does it isn't meant to be and all that jazz but still.

More to come on the reunion and I will definitely keep you posted on whether or not Conductor and I stay on the right track (couldn't resist)!

All Aboard!

I went on a very pleasant, and dare I say it, successful first date last night, with a train conductor! (Who will clearly from this point forward be called the Train Conductor)

Train Conductor and I connected on Tinder - gasp! - and we went on an actual date, not a tawdry lust-filled emotionless hook-up.  Confusing right?

This one went the way I kind of feel like online dating is supposed to go, at least in my more practiced than I'd like to be opinion. We chatted for several days on Tinder, getting some of the more high-level pertinent details. It went long enough to test if either of us was interested enough to keep it going and it reached flirting levels that showed promise.

The date ask came from him (you'll note from my past posts this is kind of a rule I have) and was then quickly and easily decided.  Why is this so rare?  We went for sushi (his choice) and had a great time.  I kept it mostly wholesome in the end but left excited to see him again - again a rare feeling.

There are obviously lots of things to learn about each other and details to shake out but this thick chick is trying to temper her potential excitement about meeting someone who doesn't suck.

Spring Closet Clean Out

Those who know me will read this post's title and probably laugh out loud.  Cleaning is not a thing I do regularly or willingly.  However, with the rollercoaster of  year I've had, the idea of cleaning out my closet and getting rid of some old things to make way for the new and fresh was a bit more appealing.

I know they say you're supposed to sort through your closet and evaluate based on if you've worn the item in the last year whether or not to keep it.  Who are they kidding?? I have some staples that haven't steered me wrong and have been in my closet for years but come up to bat when they're needed.  I'm also the person who has a shirt (or something) in the bottom of the drawer with sentimental value that may never go in the donate pile.  Don't worry I don't let this get to a hoarding place but some "things" have more sentimental worth than I'm willing to part with and I'm okay with that.

Sidenote: I feel the need to apologize to my sister for this statement as she is striving at all times to be a true minimalist and probably just cringed involuntarily at the sentiment that I will keep a thing that serves no immediate function and be happy about it. Hope you love me anyway!

Back to the purge.  This was a good one.  I got through things that definitely made it through the last two times I went through - even a couple of the sentimental ones.  At 31, nearly 32, and after the year of changes and trauma I am truly grateful to be in a place of ready for change rather than a place where I want to just hold on to anything familiar and comfortable - a place I was not too long ago.

Looking forward and planning a trip to donate this piles!

Luxe leash for less

Latest dive into Pinterest project waters completed.  For a while now I've been obsessing over the rope dog leashes that are all around online.  I love how they look (no shock here, they are slightly nautical after all) and how they feel.  What I don't love is how much they cost! Here is one of the ones that was my inspiration but averaging $50 is out of my desired price range.

  

Now here's mine:

I am kind of obsessed with mine! I'm totally in love with the hardware and the rich look of the final product. It has weight and a great feel.  The only thing I added that is not in the photo is that I wrapped hemp twine around the top part of the handle loop to create a more visible handle piece. 

Forgive me for not taking photos of the process but I can give you a breakdown of the supplies and what it took to get the finished product which ran me an approx. cost of $13 for the leash and it's parts (though more out of pocket for the total amount of rope I actually purchased)

• The rope is a 1/2" diameter pure cotton rope from KarensWeddingShop on Etsy, it was $16.29 plus shipping for 25' of the rope (so I have a bunch left over!).  She uses hers for nautical decor projects but it is sturdy quality rope. This seller is based in Canada so the shipping was steep and brought the total to $36.00 but if you divide that for the amount of rope I used for the leash (approx. 5 ft) then we're still only talking about $7.20 for the rope used, with some left over for more projects. 
• Next were the rope clamps that hold the rope together where it's looped, which I found on Amazon.  They are most typically used for horse tack and to create lead ropes. I got the solid brass ones because they matched the look I wanted but they come in silver as well for a bit less if you want to go that way. They are about $3.00 each. I think you can probably also find these items at a horse tack shop if you have any of those local to you. 
• The last piece was the hook.  I found mine at a local ACE Hardware (one of my favorite places) and got a couple options, again in the brass/gold color. Remember to get one with a big enough loop on the end to fit your rope through.  These are around $2.00 each.

I love the white but realized the impracticality of it so I have plans to get some gray dye to have on hand if it gets too dingy but right now I'm loving it as is.  

Next I want to make a collar to match for Mabel but thinking I may want a narrower bit of rope because this does have more haft to it than would be ideal for a collar. Also, I need to figure out a better way to clasp/clamp the ropes. I'll keep you posted.

Also a next step is to make more using the rest of the rope and get it up on RadBaby.

I dislike that...

Continuing my early onstage grump rants it seems to me that there are a large number of people who are willfully ignorant of socially acceptable actions and unless they are shamed on social media there are no ramifications that matter.

So I've made a decision to attempt to communicate with those in public in a way that they may understand.  When someone does something inappropriate in public, such as run straight into me in the street because they couldn't be bothered to look up from their phone I will make eye contact and hold up a big thumbs down.  I dislike that.

On the flip side when someone does something that clearly shows they are invested in being part of society in a positive way such as offering up their seat on public transportation to someone who needs it more than they do they get a big thumbs up.  Liked!

I'll let you know how it goes.