Work: My assistant is back. Work-life returning to normal. Well, not really. There is an on-going regulatory audit to deal with. Perhaps will be done by October.
ATM mishap: A lesson: If the ATM looks beat-up and old, do not try to get money out of it. The machine made a sound like it was about to spill out the money. Never did. The bank was closed. Had to call my bank. Now I have to wait 2 days to see if the money is returned to my account.
Mosaic: I will be posting my latest piece tomorrow. The girls at the studio didn’t like it. And perhaps that is the reason I love it so much.
Dates: Last night: Went on a date with a motivational speaker. Nice guy. He talked so much it was overwhelming. Motivated me to try to talk less on dates. I may have that in me. That need to talk, talk, talk.
We went to a diner. I had breakfast. He had dinner. He was busy talking. I was busy eating. He took home most of his. I ate every last bite of mine.
I got home and thanked him for the date, and mentioned there was no chemistry for me. He sent me this:
We certainly think very differently about the way chemistry works. I don’t like trying to be convinced otherwise, as I have tried it in the past and it doesn’t work.
And, yes Rob, he has a cat!
Tonight: I am going on a date with a guy in the financial services industry. For some reason I feel it is a business connection and not a romantic one. Whatever it is, it is Thursday night – date night in my book, so I will be dressing up and having an adult beverage.
“Short stories are tiny windows into other worlds and other minds and other dreams. They are journeys you can make to the far side of the universe and still be back in time for dinner.” –― Neil Gaiman
Blessed with a Star on the Forehead 
Enjoy your date! Drink to love connection chemistry for me, and yourself! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Sam,
Your wish is my command – two drinks now, instead of one!!
Thank you and blessings to you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I am writing a piece called ‘the elusive spark’ which talks about chemistry and whether or not we need it right at the very beginning for it to turn into something sustainable.
Thank you for this post, it reminded me to finish it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Claudette,
I look forward to reading it and seeing what are your findings.
I will be the one saying it is necessary right at the beginning. If it is not there, then I just feel I am forcing a relationship because of other reasons: material, comfort, kindness, neediness, etc. Kind of trying to make something out of nothing.
Now go finish it!! lol
Blessings!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s just that I had an illuminating experience that surprised me which is why I’m looking at it from other perspectives.
Although I don’t mean to imply there doesn’t have to be attraction on some level…
Ok ok I’ll go finish it. 😉
LikeLike
I am keeping an open mind, that is why I will still go on a second date if that person is really great. But no more than 2 dates.
I am holding my breath 😉
LikeLike
So exciting to follow you along…
LikeLiked by 1 person
You did a fabulous job here Ana giving us a brief synopsis of every event. Chemistry: Men and women must have different ideas on this one for sure, because I keep running into this wall. I went on a couple of dates with the same guy and during each hug, I felt nothing. If the chemistry is there, you should be able to feel it just by sitting next to them without physical contact is my analogy. Romantic chemistry is way down the list. Let’s see if they know how to land that first kiss! 😊
The non stop chatter: Lawd woman! I walked away from our first date knowing a lot about him and he knew nothing new about me. Sometimes I’ll even tell them…”Give me a minute to process and respond.” He apologized later for doing all the talking and told me our next date, it was my turn. By that point, I didn’t have a whole lot to say and he didn’t ask any questions so…..next! 😂
LikeLike
Thank you Barb,
Totally agree on the different views of men and women regarding chemistry. The men always want to convince me that chemistry can develop as the time goes on and I get to know them more. I wonder if there are women doing that, trying to convince men that the chemistry will come if they continue to see each other.
Indeed, if there is chemistry I feel it just by being next to them.
I should have used that line of yours ”Give me a minute to process and respond.” As I was commenting on something he just said, he would cut me off, either to talk about something else or to start responding assuming that he knew what I was about to say. It was not a conversation but a lecture.
The only question he asked about me was regarding mosaic, but when I tried to answer he cut me off and went on a tangent about Jackson Pollock.
He wants another date, but I am passing.
Thank you and blessings to you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Well Ana…deeper feelings develop over time, but I wouldn’t classify that as chemistry. You and I believe in that spark! Anytime I want him to pause so I can comment, I lay my hand lightly on his arm. He stops talking when he feels that. A motivational speaker talks for a living, but should probably learn it’s not welcome during a date. The art of conversation my darling. 💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good for you! You sure are good at trying and trying! Someone special will come.
LikeLike
Hi Monica,
Just call me The Energizer Bunny – the dating version lol
I think I will only give up when I am dead lol
Blessings to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe, in the end, that’s all you need. Not a real boyfriend, but some good male friends.
LikeLike
I think I would be very happy with that!
My best male friend I met online dating years ago. So, it could happen 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
A motivational speaker who won’t stop talking. Sad. He wasn’t paying attention to his audience – you! A financial services guy – I bet he keeps the receipt and claims it on his taxes. Oy!
The ATM thing is a hassle – sorry to hear about that.
What are your thoughts about dinner dates as a way to know a person? In town we have one restaurant that focuses on non-alcoholic drinks, desserts and has a zillion board games. People go there and play board games. I think the way to know someone is to see how they play Monopoly! Lol – hugs my friend.
LikeLike
You are so right David. He is also a stand up comic, and it seems that he performs the same act to all. I think, specially for comics, they would be better suited to read the audience and know when it is time to change the act.
He came with notes of things he wanted to tell me, and great quotes he created, etc. I did say to him at one point that he was trying too hard with all the over the top messaging before we met, such “you are amazing” “you are worth”. I said: Don’t tell me that before you meet me. Actually better yet, don’t tell me that, show me that.
Don’t get me wrong, he is a great guy, just a little misguided in his approach.
I love dinner dates since I love to eat, and right there there are tons to talk about food, etc. I like active dates, but I like to win and get very competitive. It could be too much for some guys lol
Thank you for the comments and for the hugs! A bunch back to you!
Blessings!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the staccato pace of your writing in this post. Assistant back – check. New mosaic – check. Another date – check. Wonderful. Good luck with the financial guy. I studied accounting at college so we are not all boring…😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Kerry,
I tried to keep it short, but no matter what I get wordy.
We financial people have a whole other side that is very fun – people would be surprised.
Blessings to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought your writing was perfect and I could hear you ‘thinking’ it. One of my ‘naughtiest’ followers is an accountant (not you)!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank God that your assistance is well and back at work.
Regarding chemistry, when I met my partner for the first time, he was very different from men I usually date. It took me a while to develop strong chemistry. He was warm and friendly and funny. But I didn’t feel a strong chemistry in comparison to others. It really grew on me because of his qualities with time. It’s funny, he is also talkative and makes me feel the needs to talk which I am very pleased.
This is not to sway you in any judgement on your motivational speaker date though. (I feel the need to clarify). Because our instincts tell us a lot more than out head.
Blessings! 💚💕
LikeLike
Thank you Cassa!
It is so interesting, that for you, chemistry grew over time. Perhaps I don’t give people enough of a chance to grow on me lol
I just don’t want to keep going if I don’t see anything there at beginning.
(wait til I eventually end up with someone that there was zero chemistry at the beginning lol)
“Because our instincts tell us a lot more than out head.” – I totally agree with this!
Thank you for sharing your experience and blessings to you!
LikeLike
Love to you Ana! 💚
LikeLike
I feel it!! Thank you and to you as well!
LikeLike
*make me feel the needs to talk *less
LikeLike
” He talked so much it was overwhelming. ” I was smiling as I read your post this morning. I never thought about how something like work would carryover into interpersonal relationships. If that’s the case, I need to find someone who builds guitars. 😉
LikeLike
Hi Rob,
I am sure there is some dating site out there dedicated to music lovers, or we should create one.
And there is always LinkedIn, which may eventually become the Match.com.
Blessings!
ps. wait til you read about my date from last night. I will love to hear your thoughts about it once I post it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not just music lovers – music lover who can build me a guitar. 😀 Looking forward to reading about your latest date.
LikeLike
Now you are pushing lol
it is coming
LikeLike
And thank you for remembering about cats. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
of course! And if I don’t, I am sure you will remind me!! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are learning, Padawan.
LikeLike
I had to Google that lol
I from the “Grasshopper” era lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤠
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing!!… hope your date went well and you did enjoy yourself, only your heart has the answer for the chemistry and when it is there, your heart will tell you… “You can talk with someone for years, everyday, and still, it won’t mean as much as what you can have when you sit in front of someone, not saying a word, yet you feel that person with your heart, you feel like you have known the person for forever “ ( C. JoyBell C)… 🙂
Until we meet again…
May flowers always line your path
and sunshine light your way,
May songbirds serenade your
every step along the way,
May a rainbow run beside you
in a sky that’s always blue,
And may happiness fill your heart
each day your whole life through.
(Irish Saying)
LikeLike
HI Larry,
Yes and no. I didn’t have a great time, but it will not be long lasting. But, at the end of the day, all we have is the present moment. So it was good 🙂
Thank you always for the inspiration and good wishes!
Blessings!
LikeLike
Motivated me to try to talk less on dates. hysterical.
talk less kiss more 😂😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That would be ideal!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ll say!!💖💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicely written!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s clear that you’ve had a busy and eventful week, with a mix of work responsibilities and dating experiences. It sounds like you’ve had some unexpected situations arise, such as the ATM mishap and the motivational speaker who talked too much on your date. It’s always good to approach new situations with an open mind, but it’s also important to listen to your own instincts and boundaries. It’s interesting that you mentioned that the mosaic piece you created was not well received by your colleagues, but that you still have a fondness for it. It’s important to follow your own creative vision and not let others’ opinions sway you too much. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences in this blog post.
LikeLike
Hi Sebastian,
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, specially “It’s always good to approach new situations with an open mind, but it’s also important to listen to your own instincts and boundaries”. I always want to please people, so I need to remind myself often, not to ignore that little voice that guides me.
I am developing a thick skin when it comes to my mosaics… every single piece means a lot to me because I can see my effort and intentions behind it. If people like them, I am happy. If they don’t, I am still happy.
Blessings to you!
LikeLike