So I was wondering… maybe I should just put it to paper (or pixels).  What do you think, dear internets?  Should I actually make a list of my past? I mean, I’m not concerned with the number of boyfriends I’ve had at this point (I think I’m at 14-15 since my first when I was 13).  But of hook ups and dates and all that?   Last year was a big year.  I almost get dizzy thinking about who what I did in 2009.

Anyway.  Any point in doing this?  … I know of course if I do make this, you’ll probably want to see it.  Thoughts, please?

It’s not more tips or advice.  Just plain facts.  Just in plain fun.

• I am thoroughly enjoying my job, though I’ve got to admit it does wear me out.
• I’m still going to have to mind my budget for a while.  Just because I have a job and now an income, it doesn’t mean everything’s a-ok on the financial front.
• There are some days, some moments, where things are just good.  When you think, this is how things should be.  (Maybe not forever, maybe not with all those components and pieces, but still that’s how it should be.)  You just got to hold on to them when you can.
• I had one of those moments the other night.
• I played piano for someone, with someone, for the first time in a very, very long time.  It was scary, but it was fun.  (other things I hate to admit: I don’t have the most self confidence, and yes, stage fright is still a big thing.)
• I told my manager we couldn’t be friends because he doesn’t like pulled pork, and just in general barbeque.

1. We like it when you call/text/email… communication, it’s pretty awesome.
2. If you’re “not seriously seeing anyone right now”, then it’s probably good to tell the people you aren’t seriously seeing.  Don’t want to give them the wrong impression, and hey some of them will probably be perfectly cool with it.
3. There are indeed women out there who are okay with being physical without commitment.  Just sayin’.
4. If you are dating someone, STOP TALKING ABOUT OTHER GIRLS’ BOOBS. (That should be a no-brainer, but seriously.)
5. If a girl puts up a status saying she’d like a back rub/massage, it means she’d like a cute boy to come over, give her a massage, and probably make out for a bit.
6. In fact, a lot of statuses also roughly translate to: let’s make out.
7. Deciding to be a manwhore as a defense mechanism because some girl broke your heart is not okay.  It makes you look an insecure douchebag.
8. Remember: Nerdy girls are awesome.
9. new – Wear a freaking condom. Keep at least one if not five on you at all times.  If you think you can’t feel it as much, then test out a whole bunch of types of condoms until you find the one you like.  Need help keeping it up? Try wearing them tighter.  (Seriously, click that link and head over to Jennifer’s blog.  Big thanks to her for inspiring this tip.)

Okay.  I might have more later, but this is a good start.  Do you have ones to add?  Also, if a guy would like to write up a few tips for us ladies, share the link.

There are definitely some guys out there who are doing things right.  We applaud you.

• As mentioned in the previous post, I went to the Gals Guide Summit.  It was really good!  Very fun and informative.  Well organized, and some great swag! Seriously, free Dove deodorant? um, yes.  Also: pizza, chocolates, cookies, cupcakes, and vitamin water!  Plus a lot more.  Jenn’s review (in that last link) covers more of it.  She was there and I was pleasantly surprised to see Rabbit Write (aka Rachel W.) there!
• I had an interview for a job on Thursday.  It went well, and the store owner wants me to meet with the manager (happening on Wednesday).  I believe the phrase she used was “If you’re serious about this job, you should schedule a meeting with the L. Ave store manager.”  Um. YES.
• I got to go to Shedd for free.  I won tickets to the aquarium and to see their new Oceaniarum show, Fantasea.  3 hours of fishes.  Mennogirl and jrosei came after work to join me for the show.  It was a little over the top for me, but I know some young girls who would probably LOVE it.  We then ate at Uber Burger, and walked around downtown for a while.
• The kittens have started waking me up early again.  It’s either by walking on my face or by dive bombing the bed from the top of the window.  They’re either preparing me for a new schedule I don’t know about yet or they’re punishing me for buying crappy food.
• I’ve been hanging out and talking with someone I haven’t seen in a while.  And have thoroughly been enjoying it.
• Once I find out about this job, good or bad, I’m going to take a few days and go visit my dad, stepmom and sisters.

Anyway… on with the meme…

I Can’t…

• get anything near my eyes (contacts, eye drops, et cetera) without blinking excessively
• whistle. not even remotely.
• barely look at a picture of some bugs without freaking out
• do a somersault (but I’ve got a good coach)
• swim very well

I Can…

• spend an entire day reading/tweeking/otherwise messing with html, css, and php
• watch Shark Week over and over and over and over….
• focus on the positive in most things in life
• go an entire day without remembering to go to the bathroom

I Won’t…

• drink beer unless I’m absolutely desperate
• let myself waste my time and not be proactive in finding/maintaining employment
• eat bell peppers or cilantro

I Will…

• probably own more things than I would ever actually need
• travel more
• try to manage my finances better
• take more time to think about grad school

I Shouldn’t…

• buy more shoes for a while
• let the pink fluffy brain goo take over
• eat cookies, potato chips, and popsicles for dinner

I Should…

• spend more time outdoors
• spend more time writing
• clean my apartment more often
• finally put all of my clothes away/unpack the rest of my clothes
• continue to enjoy things one day at a time

What’s on your list?

I also sort of want to put something on there somewhere about all this love I’ve got for my friends here in the blagosphere.  It still has yet to feel “right/normal/OK” to continue on with the routine since the meetup and to not see at least one blogger a day.  Luckily there’s a good group here in the city, so I know there will be more shenanigans to come.

I’m not about to get into what I am or not looking for at the moment.  Whenever I start to think “this is the type of guy I want”, someone comes around and surprises me.  Obviously, well, I’m still single at the moment, but still those surprises are nice.  Whether it’s a crazy former college rugby player, or a writer boy, or a drummer-gymnast-science teacher…

Anyway… I thought it’d be fun to look at some qualities that I’m interested in or would like, but aren’t necessarily seeking out…  A list of bonus points, if you will…  So for all you out there who are interested in me, don’t let this list deter you from seeking me out… You can still ask me out regardless of not having any the following characteristics.  Remember: I’m not actually looking for any of these things, but they can earn you some bonus points… Also, this is not a complete or definitive list of bonus points.  Surprise me.

• Owning a dog or puppy
• Letting me fussy over and play with said dog or puppy
• Looking good with some scruff
• Conditioning your beard, if you have one
• Give good back rubs/massages
• Being willing to give back rubs and massages… often…
• Being willing to give hand and foot massage as well…
• Willingness to come over on a whim just to cuddle
• Occasionally pop in to work to say hey and grab some lunch (picnic at the lakefill maybe?)
• Know the difference between a tastefully cute stuffed animal and something you only give a 5-year-old…
• Willingness to sit and stare at animals all day (*cough*Iveneverbeentothebrookfieldzoo*cough*)
• Know how to actually play with hair (and give head massages) … maybe if you ask nicely, Mennogirl will show you what I mean…
• Enjoys running around a park in the rain every now and again…
• being a musician/singer.. but not one that would critique or bash my own musical/singing ability (or lack thereof)

If you’d like to know about some of the other qualities I’m really looking for, you can just ask — or read around, I’m sure I’ve mentioned things somewhere…  What I’m more interested in… What are some things on your list?

Edit: I didn’t think about this before. Shame on me.  If you want to see the flipside to this, a list of my deal breakers… just check out this post from a few months ago: deal breakers (or: you’re hot, but what the f- is wrong with you?!)

One of the issues I have with my supercharged imagination is that there’s this constant flow of ideas that I get so excited about.  As a result, I talk and dream big, but don’t always push forward with the follow-through.  This bothered my mom.  My dad’s the same way, we always have all these ideas and schemes and plans, but don’t really do much about most of them.  Because of all of my talk, my mom actually thought I changed my major every other week — when in actuality, I just talked about a lot of other interests I had and was excited about at the moment.  I still do this.

So here I am, nearly 25, trying to figure out what life goals I have — trying to decipher which ones are real goals and which just fall into the category of “oh that’d be awesome if…”  I do have a generalized 5-year plan.  It’s a loose set of things I’d like to accomplish, but still have freedom for things, such as life, to happen as well.

I’ve seen a lot of people with “life lists” — a long set of goals, typically 100, that they’d like to accomplish before they die.  I’ve debated creating such a list myself.  On one hand it would be fun to see what I could accomplish.  But on the other hand, crossing things off a list sort of takes some of the spontaneity out of it.  I’d rather have a list (or a book rather) of all the things I’ve done and accomplished rather than a list of things I’d like to do.  I’m not saying that these lists are a bad idea, I just don’t feel like they’re for me.  I don’t want my list of accomplishments to also be a list of things I never got around to…

So what do I want to do in the next 5 years?  How am I going to make the most of my 20s and what steps am I going to take to make turning 30 be pretty darn awesome?

Here’s a (hopefully) short list of things I wouldn’t mind doing before I hit that dreaded Three-Oh:

• Start and complete grad school: (currently/preferably) MFA in Creative Writing
• Get rid of some of the junk in my life: the excess clothes, shoes, and just mass of things that I don’t really need or use
• Leave the country for at least 3 months: Preferably returning to China for a bit, maybe visiting the cousins in Africa or Finland… Or just traveling around with a great companion…
• Do more research and possibly obtain PhD that melds New Media Studies with Writing, Rhetoric and Literature
• Pursue one of my passions as a career
• Budget for annual donations to charities
• Do a family ensemble with my mom and brother at my mom’s church
• Begin doing serious research into adoption and foster parenting, going into it with an open mind, but not making any commitments…

Most of them are broad goals, but they’re the stepping stones towards something.  I may not know my end destination, but I’ve got some direction and I’m going to do my damndest to enjoy as much as I can!

• Josh visited and it was good… Though we’re not going to be roommates if/when he moves to the city…
• New medications = productive Rini at work.  This is a very good thing. Plus, the side effects are wearing off…
• Without Josh as a roommate, I began looking for 1 bedrooms… and was crossing my fingers for something affordable.
• I found a few places I liked, and scheduled to view one last Wednesday…
• I really liked that place, the first one I looked at, and paid the deposit that night….
• Had an interview on Friday, it went well, and we’ll see how that all goes.  No further details until I get some sort of official word.
• I bail on a Mucca Pazza concert, a party, dancing, and another party….
• I bought a new tea kettle and a small cheese grater for the new apartment.
• Tomorrow we’ve got tours and I’ve got Reading Band.
• Wednesday I sign my lease and make it official.  The kitties and I will be moving to a small garden apartment in Lakeview.
• Thursday 1st of annual meetings at work, afterwards Mennogirl and I will drive off into the sunset to see Dooce and buy her new book… (this is also my bubby’s birthday.  hooray for super awesome bubbies.)
• Friday is the 2nd of the annual meetings at work… get home and CRASH. (I mean, pack.)
• Weekend: PACK LIKE CRAZY
• … then April 4th: MOVE.

Yep.  That’s been my life.  And at some point I need to see a dentist about my wisdom teeth… they’re rather annoying in the sense that my mouth is in a lot of pain… and well, if I want to continue doing that eating thing I like… I should have them looked at soon…