I was thinking about what it is that most people are looking for in a potential romantic partner and I saw this list at a friend's house. I can't determine the original source, but it was a description that I thought you'd like to hear.
Top Ten Warning Signs of Good Health
1. Persistent sense of humor
2. Sense of spiritual involvement
3. Increased appetite for physical activity
4. Persistent presence of support network
5. Tendency to adapt to changing situations
6. Repeated episodes of gratitude and generosity
7. Episodic outbreaks of joyful, happy experiences
8. Tendency to identify and communicate feelings
9. Rapid recovery of stress response systems to repeated challenges
10. Chronic positive expectations and a tendency to frame events in a constructive light.
Isn't that who you'd like to meet - for a friend or a partner: someone healthy?
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Blind Dating Fun
Speaking of the Sly Horse Tavern...
The owner of the elegant and delicious Sly Horse Tavern has made us a lovely offer. He has offered us a dinner for two gift certificate to be used for a blind date that we will cover in the Suburban Singles Scene. Fun, huh?
So we are officially kicking off our first Blind Date Contest for the Suburban Singles Scene. We'll accept applications through April, with the date planned for early May.
Applying means that you are willing to be photographed on the date for the blog and the magazine and that you are willing to share your thoughts in anticipation of the date and shortly after the date. The blind date will be the subject of the June column in the magazine.
Entries will be stored for possible future installments of the contest. Applications will be sorted by subjective review of a panel of yet-to-be chosen matchmakers with margaritas.
If you want to be considered, you need to send an e-mail to me at ann@suburbanscene.net with the following information:
Name & phone number
General physical description: age, race, height, fitness level
(photo attachments welcome but not required)
General education/employment information
Residential history (Where you live now, where you are from originally)
Preferences and deal breakers
What you are hoping for if you win (aside from a delicious dinner and minor local celebrity)
Anything else you want us to know.
In the meantime, anyone want to regale us with a story or tidbit about a blind dating adventure? My parents, who have been married for 47 years, met on a blind date - proof that they can work out great. I never went on a true blind date and I haven't tried the computer services, so I'm low on these stories myself.
The owner of the elegant and delicious Sly Horse Tavern has made us a lovely offer. He has offered us a dinner for two gift certificate to be used for a blind date that we will cover in the Suburban Singles Scene. Fun, huh?
So we are officially kicking off our first Blind Date Contest for the Suburban Singles Scene. We'll accept applications through April, with the date planned for early May.
Applying means that you are willing to be photographed on the date for the blog and the magazine and that you are willing to share your thoughts in anticipation of the date and shortly after the date. The blind date will be the subject of the June column in the magazine.
Entries will be stored for possible future installments of the contest. Applications will be sorted by subjective review of a panel of yet-to-be chosen matchmakers with margaritas.
If you want to be considered, you need to send an e-mail to me at ann@suburbanscene.net with the following information:
Name & phone number
General physical description: age, race, height, fitness level
(photo attachments welcome but not required)
General education/employment information
Residential history (Where you live now, where you are from originally)
Preferences and deal breakers
What you are hoping for if you win (aside from a delicious dinner and minor local celebrity)
Anything else you want us to know.
In the meantime, anyone want to regale us with a story or tidbit about a blind dating adventure? My parents, who have been married for 47 years, met on a blind date - proof that they can work out great. I never went on a true blind date and I haven't tried the computer services, so I'm low on these stories myself.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Mystery Barstool Contest
I hope none of you have seen this barstool from this angle. Let's see if Mike is watching the blog on the weekend!
For those of you new to the game, if you can identify the location of this barstool based on the picture, you win a $25 gift certificate to the establishment.
For those of you new to the game, if you can identify the location of this barstool based on the picture, you win a $25 gift certificate to the establishment.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Leap Day Skating
I don't know if you noticed the sidebar announcement or not, but we are having a skating party. The Piney Orchard Ice Rink in Odenton will give us the group skating rate on Friday, February 29th from 8:10-10pm. Just say you are with the Suburban Scene group when you pay at the door. Admission will be $4.00(regular price $6:50) and the skate rental fee will be $2.50 instead of the regular $3.00. You are welcome to bring your children. I'll have one in tow, straight from a Girl Scout cookie booth in Crofton.
Have you heard about the Leap Year folk traditions? Supposedly dating back to the 13th century, women were permitted to make marriage proposals in Leap Years. Men were required to say yes, or to make recompense with a silk dress or a kiss. Hhmmm. Perhaps a Victoria Secret gift card might be the modern equivalent. They narrowed it down to just Leap Day because I guess things got quickly out of hand when women could choose for themselves. So I guess it is a bit of a Ladies Night.
I've also heard that ice skating is a great place to pick someone up. That someone might be me, splayed on the ice. I have alerted my Aflac agent. Ice skating is great whether you can skate or not: great exercise, great excuse to hold on to someone, great reason to offer someone a hand.
I'm going to start the evening over in the snack bar to welcome our Suburban Scene friends. I'm thinking about distributing a little bit of "flair" for those who do. (Any "Office Space" fans out there?) What do you think about that?
Have you heard about the Leap Year folk traditions? Supposedly dating back to the 13th century, women were permitted to make marriage proposals in Leap Years. Men were required to say yes, or to make recompense with a silk dress or a kiss. Hhmmm. Perhaps a Victoria Secret gift card might be the modern equivalent. They narrowed it down to just Leap Day because I guess things got quickly out of hand when women could choose for themselves. So I guess it is a bit of a Ladies Night.
I've also heard that ice skating is a great place to pick someone up. That someone might be me, splayed on the ice. I have alerted my Aflac agent. Ice skating is great whether you can skate or not: great exercise, great excuse to hold on to someone, great reason to offer someone a hand.
I'm going to start the evening over in the snack bar to welcome our Suburban Scene friends. I'm thinking about distributing a little bit of "flair" for those who do. (Any "Office Space" fans out there?) What do you think about that?
Monday, February 11, 2008
Couples Holidays
I suppose Valentine's Day is the most extreme holiday for couples. New Year's Eve is right up there. I was never really sure what "Sweetest Day" was, except a Hallmark marketing ploy perhaps.
Are you sick of all the diamond commercials yet? Those really irritate me - making women seem shallow and surprised that a man finally stumbled into Jared to buy the same necklace that you'll see on ten women next week.
Pardon my cynicism...
So are you dreading this holiday and the cheerful strangers asking about your plans? I would like to issue a challenge or sorts to those of us who are un-coupled on the penultimate couples' holiday.
Plan to do something on Valentine's Day that will warm someone else's heart. Maybe it is your mom or grandfather, your neighbor or a coworker. Take them a box of chocolate, fruit basket, or flower. Buy your niece a set of new play-doh and sit down for a sculpting session. Send a round of drinks to a table of friends, or a couple celebrating the day. Just make it something unexpected and kind. Hopefully it won't involve shoveling snow.
The last Valentine's Day of my marriage my husband literally phoned it in. I don't even remember where he said he was at the time. Doesn't really matter now. Since then, I tried to make it a special day for my kids. I cooked dinner, although it was probably still Hamburger Helper, and served it on the fancy plates. I used a table cloth and candles. That was a surprise. It was fun. I hope they remember it.
I do buy myself some chocolate though. It's as good a reason as any for a Whitman's Sampler.
Are you sick of all the diamond commercials yet? Those really irritate me - making women seem shallow and surprised that a man finally stumbled into Jared to buy the same necklace that you'll see on ten women next week.
Pardon my cynicism...
So are you dreading this holiday and the cheerful strangers asking about your plans? I would like to issue a challenge or sorts to those of us who are un-coupled on the penultimate couples' holiday.
Plan to do something on Valentine's Day that will warm someone else's heart. Maybe it is your mom or grandfather, your neighbor or a coworker. Take them a box of chocolate, fruit basket, or flower. Buy your niece a set of new play-doh and sit down for a sculpting session. Send a round of drinks to a table of friends, or a couple celebrating the day. Just make it something unexpected and kind. Hopefully it won't involve shoveling snow.
The last Valentine's Day of my marriage my husband literally phoned it in. I don't even remember where he said he was at the time. Doesn't really matter now. Since then, I tried to make it a special day for my kids. I cooked dinner, although it was probably still Hamburger Helper, and served it on the fancy plates. I used a table cloth and candles. That was a surprise. It was fun. I hope they remember it.
I do buy myself some chocolate though. It's as good a reason as any for a Whitman's Sampler.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
How do age differences affect relationships?
Interesting responses on the latest poll:
50% say Love is more important that age
and 50% think that challenges await the May-December relationship.
None of the poll respondents think that there is an unfair double-standard for men and women in relationships with a wide age range. There is Harrison Ford with Calista Flockhart and Demi Moore with Ashton Kutcher. It seems to work for the famous and beautiful.
Have you ever been in a relationship with a wide age range - say 15 years or more? I have dated a few men nearing that age gap. Initially, I wasn't bothered by the difference. Perhaps I wanted to prove to myself that age wasn't my main concern. I wasn't necessarily thinking about the long term implications at the first meeting either.
There are some issues of concern when there is a big age gap in a relationship. At the risk of sounding crass, I suspected that, in some cases, I was going to be a major component of their retirement plan. I think financial stability, or instability, is emphasized with a big age gap. Having a plan for your life is attractive, no matter your age.
Health is another concern that is exaggerated by age. For example, I would not prefer to date a smoker, but might consider a wonderful man who smokes. However, I would be more reluctant to date a man in his sixties who had a decades old, pack-a-day habit. It seems like signing up for heartache. I suppose true love could take on that challenge though. There are no guarantees no matter your age or health or finances anyway.
Maybe you are better that I am at ignoring these concerns and living in the moment. I enjoy dancing with older men. They are often wonderful dancers. If you can relax and enjoy each other without worrying about the dating turning into a marriage, then all that matters is the moments you have. Often that is enough.
I check out the personal ads from time to time. There are usually some guys who are only seeking much younger women. While I appreciate their honesty, I am skeptical about those men. Have you ever heard Andy Rooney's bit about why he loves women over 40?
What about the reverse? I have never been approached by a significantly younger man for a serious relationship. I know a few relationships where the husband is 15 years younger than his wife. One is new and seems happy, one has lasted twenty years and seems to have some ups & downs, and one ended in divorce. Those seem to be pretty standard odds for any relationship.
So I guess I would have to say that the longevity of a relationship seems to depend more on love than age. Every relationship has challenges. Age gaps can cause some and alleviate others.
50% say Love is more important that age
and 50% think that challenges await the May-December relationship.
None of the poll respondents think that there is an unfair double-standard for men and women in relationships with a wide age range. There is Harrison Ford with Calista Flockhart and Demi Moore with Ashton Kutcher. It seems to work for the famous and beautiful.
Have you ever been in a relationship with a wide age range - say 15 years or more? I have dated a few men nearing that age gap. Initially, I wasn't bothered by the difference. Perhaps I wanted to prove to myself that age wasn't my main concern. I wasn't necessarily thinking about the long term implications at the first meeting either.
There are some issues of concern when there is a big age gap in a relationship. At the risk of sounding crass, I suspected that, in some cases, I was going to be a major component of their retirement plan. I think financial stability, or instability, is emphasized with a big age gap. Having a plan for your life is attractive, no matter your age.
Health is another concern that is exaggerated by age. For example, I would not prefer to date a smoker, but might consider a wonderful man who smokes. However, I would be more reluctant to date a man in his sixties who had a decades old, pack-a-day habit. It seems like signing up for heartache. I suppose true love could take on that challenge though. There are no guarantees no matter your age or health or finances anyway.
Maybe you are better that I am at ignoring these concerns and living in the moment. I enjoy dancing with older men. They are often wonderful dancers. If you can relax and enjoy each other without worrying about the dating turning into a marriage, then all that matters is the moments you have. Often that is enough.
I check out the personal ads from time to time. There are usually some guys who are only seeking much younger women. While I appreciate their honesty, I am skeptical about those men. Have you ever heard Andy Rooney's bit about why he loves women over 40?
What about the reverse? I have never been approached by a significantly younger man for a serious relationship. I know a few relationships where the husband is 15 years younger than his wife. One is new and seems happy, one has lasted twenty years and seems to have some ups & downs, and one ended in divorce. Those seem to be pretty standard odds for any relationship.
So I guess I would have to say that the longevity of a relationship seems to depend more on love than age. Every relationship has challenges. Age gaps can cause some and alleviate others.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Super Bowl
What are you guys doing for the big game?
I have had parties in years past - strictly for those who don't love football. We have fun and pay attention to the commercials, sometimes following the game.
This year my son is sick. He's sad to not be able to attend the two or three parties we could have attended. I'm going to watch the game with him. That's cool though. We'll have some bonding time.
How about if you post your reaction to the game or the commercials or the half-time show here? We'll have an e-superbowl party.
I have had parties in years past - strictly for those who don't love football. We have fun and pay attention to the commercials, sometimes following the game.
This year my son is sick. He's sad to not be able to attend the two or three parties we could have attended. I'm going to watch the game with him. That's cool though. We'll have some bonding time.
How about if you post your reaction to the game or the commercials or the half-time show here? We'll have an e-superbowl party.
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