Last call

Well, it's over. Done. Finished. I've had it ...

The last conversation we had was a few days ago. It's taken me this long to blog about it 'cause I was just so angry at his words. I needed to calm down.

He met Single Son at the fireworks. Seemed that the conversation went well, Single Son was personable and friendly as usual. Later, on the phone, I find out that Cap thought he was an arrogant arsehole. I asked Cap why he thought that, "his chest was all puffed out, his eyes wandered all around while we talked, and he just seemed better than anyone around." Hello? Asshole! He was ON DUTY, of course his chest looked puffed out - he was wearing a bullet proof vest. Moron. And as far as looking around, again he was on duty and had to keep an eye on the crowds, that is his JOB! And better than anyone else? You put on a police uniform to protect the public and see how if you don't have the right attitude it can get you killed.

But that's not the part that really pissed me off.

I was talking to him on the house phone. My cell phone rang. It was Alien. I told him I had to go, that she was on the phone. "Why would you want to hang up with me to talk to that slut". Excuse me? Who's the arrogant asshole now? I hung up on him. Haven't talked to him since!

Who the *##!$ does he think he is? Judge MY daughter ... judge anyone for that matter. Okay she's young and has made a few mistakes, but to call her that! The nerve!!

He did leave a half dozen messages on my yahoo messenger later that night, the last being ... "so you want to play hide/seekwell it takes 2 to play that game" (is it me or does that just sound angry?)

My response ... "I'm not playing hide and seek, or any other game. But the more I get to know you the more I realize that, while I'm sure you're probably a nice guy, you and I don't have a future together. I wish you well and hope you find what it is you're looking for."

I thought that was a nice way to tell him goodbye. Nope. Jerk hasn't gotten the message that it's over ... or ... he understands but won't let this go so easily. He's called twice since. But I'm not answering when I see it's him. He's left messages "Hi. This is Cap. Would you like to go out to dinner tonight. Call back" The other message was about the concert in the park. What isn't he understanding here?

Next time he calls, I pick it up. I am prepared to get rude with him to make sure he understands. Don't call. Don't email. Don't contact. Remove my contact information from your devices, remove ME from your memory.

*****

More blog later. Alien, the boys, her hubby and I are going to a concert in the park shortly (different park, different city!) ... there's a Beatles Tribute band that Alien and I absolutely LOVE that is performing tonight ... "SHOUT" is their name!! I'm geeked. Can't wait!

Fireworks ...

The fireworks, as usual, were spectacular. But I get ahead of myself here. LOL.



What a long day yesterday was! Got up at 5 AM so I could drive Single Son to his FedEx job and have the use of my car for the day. Funny, I came home and slept (so much for using the car, eh?). He was supposed to be off work at around 5 PM, but he got stuck with an additional route. They do this when another driver is on vacation, just double the route on another driver - usually the one whose area borders the vacationers area. Meaning Single Son had almost double the packages to deliver (200+ total). He didn't get off work until 7 PM!!

In the meantime, I was supposed to meet Cap in Lake Orion for dinner at 7! I called to say that Son was working overtime and (red flag #1) Cap actually was irritated. Guess he doesn't like changes in plans?

The fireworks were fantastic (I repeat myself), but the rest of the evening was a real eye opener for me.

Yes, he's a gentleman who opens doors, insists on paying for everything, sees that I'm having fun ... but this third "date" has him letting his guard down. And has me in "critical observation" mode. You know, watching and taking mental notes of everything I see and hear.

Single Son and I pulled into the police station parking lot just before 7:30 PM. Cap was there, and had been waiting for some time, he said. Son was supposed to have been there at 5 (oops) so he made a mad dash to the station to quickly change uniforms and start his shift. I tried to apologize for Son's hurry, but Cap interrupts me with an angry "that was rude, he should have introduced himself". Explaining did no good.

Oh, and when Cap got out of his car, he was wearing the same outfit he's worn each of the other times we've gone anywhere (red flag #2). I wouldn't really consider it a red flag (as in maybe it's the only nice outfit he owns), but there was a grease stain on the leg that he got when he dropped a piece of fish on his leg on Thursday. Telling me he hasn't even washed his damned clothes in probably a week. Not a way to impress a woman.

Red flag #3 came when he saw the claw marks on my arms from the kitten. "Any animal scratches me like that, and they'll find themselves in a burlap sack at the bottom of the lake". I laughed like it was a joke he was telling. He was serious!! Like hell I was gonna ask him if he wanted Kitty Purry.

Further conversation later in the evening discloses he has active "anger issues". Hell no! That's something I will not tolerate. Period. He'd gone to the restroom so I took advantage of the time alone and had a quicky ciggie - I try hard not to smoke around non-smokers. He "busted" me smoking (snuck around the crowd so I didn't see him coming) and gave me one of those harsh looks of disapproval. So much for saying he didn't care if I did or didn't smoke. Somehow this is what lead to the anger issue conversation.

Oh yeah, and then he starts trying to save my soul ... and that's when I remembered why we went our separate ways the last time (before it ever got to the dating stage) ... he tried to save my soul!! Look I appreciate that you have your beliefs, and I respect those beliefs. But do not try to choke your beliefs down my throat!! I have major issues with that, as you can see. LOL.

I won't even get into how he was so critical of everything ... "they need to fire the fireworks off quicker, there's too much space between them", "why aren't there vendors here, they're missing the opportunity to make profits" (the fireworks were rescheduled after the barge caught fire last week, the vendors were there then), "I need to sit on a bench, I hate sitting on the ground" (worst view of the fireworks ever, btw), "who mows the grass, they do a horrible job" ... and on and on. Grumpy Ol' Man. Geesh.

After the fireworks he asked if I wanted him to drive me home instead of my having to wait around for who knows how long until Son was off duty. No thanks, I'll hang around the cop shop. Nice chance to think about everything that happened earlier.

Son didn't get off work until 1 AM.

*****

I was telling Mom earlier how my "date" went. I told her each and every one of these red flags. "Well, if you want to break this off, how will you go about it?". Well, yeah, I'm definitely thinking this isn't the guy I want any type of close relationship with, but as far as casual friends go, we'll see how that works. And I'm probably gonna kick myself later for that.

She cracks me up ... Mom suggested to get him to keep his distance that I smoke in front of him - chain smoke, LOL, and smoke those smelly little cigar wrapped ciggies. And wear my grungiest jeans and t shirt and wear my wicca jewelry - "let him believe you're a wiccan". Oh, Mom doesn't know (nor would she understand) my "new age" beliefs, she believes the jewelry to be Halloween props. It's easier on me that way.

Thursday - Music In the Park

LOL, where to start. Cap said he'd pick me up at 5 pm. At 4:15 the phone rings, "hey, it's me, I'm in your driveway". Oh shit!! I'm not even dressed yet! He said he'd give me twenty minutes, I took seven and was out the door. I do believe this may be the fastest I've ever moved!! LOL.

Okay, I do have to admit, Cap has one major fault. He's a lousy driver! I'm not one to panic whilst a passenger in a moving vehicle (thank you children, for this), and I have to commend myself for staying relatively calm today during rush hour traffic on a major highway. Barely. I am getting good at saying "red lights" ... or "STOP" if it's a little too close for my comfort.

I never in my life thought I'd be a backseat driver. But he seems to be okay with my pointing out what hazards lie ahead. Directly ahead.

It was the longest forty five minutes of my life, I tell ya. But we did arrive in one piece to his sisters house. She lives in a small town, one of those where neighbor knows neighbor (and neighbor's business, too). One of those towns where the car seldom leaves the garage, people walk everywhere. And her house ... it's a nice place. It's a cute little bungalow on the edge of town, a HUD house that she's been fixing up for the last few years. Definitely cluttered, but comfortable all the same. And Sis, OMG!! What a hoot! We hit it off immediately.

Cap, Sis and I walked down to the one of many local bar and grills for dinner. Sis had warned us the portions were huge. Knowing this I stuck with something safe, lol, a chicken sandwich. Delish!! And she was right, the portions were huge!! Of course, Cap didn't listen to his older sister, and ordered the fish and chip platter. Four huge pieces of fish and two potatoes worth of chips later (he could only eat half), we headed back to Sis's house to drop his carry out platter off and walk over to the park.

The small park was relatively crowded, but we did manage to find seats in the pavilion. The featured artist of the evening was a folk singing husband and wife duo. Folk hits from the sixties and seventies.Their name escapes me. But, they weren't bad, not bad at all. Sis only stayed for a little while, excusing herself saying that "I'll give you two kids some privacy".  LOL, riiiight, privacy in a park filled with most of her neighbors! Funny girl!

The event only lasted about an hour. But we enjoyed ourselves.

We took our time walking back to Sis's house, not a block away. Such pretty houses there, many well kept Victorian homes in town and you just couldn't help but to walk by slowly and admire them. And the flower gardens. Beautiful!!

For some odd reason, the drive back home wasn't as stressful as the drive there was. In fact, he was the one who started saying "I see red lights. STOP!"

I love that he can laugh at himself ... that he recognizes a short coming and can turn it around.

Wednesday ...

Been a quiet few days, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. While it lasted.

Today I found out that Married Son can't have a pet on his rig, so Kitty Purry has to be adopted out. I just can't afford to take over as her guardian. I'm a little upset about it, she and I have really bonded since Sunday. Of course, she's also bonded to my ankle (literally), my computer power cord, a pair of socks she stole from me (and yes my feet were in them at the time), my flip flops, and miscellaneous other things she's either stolen from me or Single Son. She prefers to play with two litre soda pop bottles (empty or full) over shiny kitty toys.

She loves to sleep in her litter box, the garbage bag or in one of my shoes. She loves to climb my back and sleep on my neck (just as Ringo used to do, man I miss him).

Anyone want an adorable almost six week kitty? She is litter trained, weaned, and friendly as all get out.

Amy?? I'll even drive out to you to deliver her!! Hey, any excuse to get down your way ... and know that Kitty Purry is going to a good home!

I know, no pressure there!!

*****

So ... Cap and I have another date tomorrow evening. Concert in the Park. With his sister, no less. Yes, we're up to the point that we're planning on meeting each others family. My mom even suggested we stop by tomorrow since we'll be passing the condo on the way to the park. We'll see. Not that I'm dreading them meeting him, or vice versa, I just don't think a quick dash in and out is the right way to meet the parents. Even if they're MY parents, LOL.

And yes, I'm sure - Amy and Em - that I'll blog about it. Just for you!!

Friday Night, Date Night ...

I've known Cap for a while. I really can't say we dated in the past, but we were good friends for a while there. I'm still not sure what really happened that we drifted apart. But, that's all history now.

The present ... Friday evening started with Cap coming to pick me up at my house. I was waiting outside, watching Grandson play in the neighbor's front yard when he pulled up. I'm barely down the driveway as he's hopping out of his car and dashing over to the passenger side of the vehicle to open the door for me.

We decided that I'd pick the restaurant, since I live locally and at this point he has no idea where he is, LOL. Of course I picked my favorite Chinese restaurant.

I had made the mistake of reaching for the handle of the door to the restaurant (habit, since no one offers to open doors for me) to hear a "uh-hum" from behind me. I turn around to see him shaking his head. Oops!

Dinner was great (as usual), our conversation flowed easily. At one point he says there's something different about me, but he can't put his finger on it. We never did figure it out, LOL, but after a few minutes of silence (while we ate) he says "and I like what I see".

Okay, comments like these tend to melt my heart. And all I could do was smile.

We also talked about our interests for the first time. Funny how we never really discussed this stuff years ago. Why, I have no idea!

So, he and I share many interests ... SciFi (especially Star Trek), lighthouses, Michigan Lore, museums, antiques and flea markets to name just a few.

Not wanting yet to end the date, we decided to head over to the Flea Market just to wander and talk. Had a good time, but didn't stay long as they were getting ready to close for the evening.

Next we came back to my house. Sat on the stoop and just talked some more. He asked me why, at first, I seemed so uncomfortable with him opening doors for me. I told him in all honesty that I'm just not used to it, that it's been decades since anyone has held a door open for me. I can't remember word for word what he said, but it was pretty much that I'm a lady and I better get used to being treated like a lady.

With that, he stood up, offered me his hand for support while I stood up and once I was standing, wrapped his arms around me.

And since I'm not one to kiss and tell, I shall end this blog entry here ...