Second Chances

How many second chances are people allowed to get? Are each of us allotted only a certain number before we simply don’t get anymore? Or are we supposed to be making opportunities for second chances everywhere we go? It’s different with each person, I know, but what about those people who never stop to even consider giving up? The ones who offer an endless number of second chances to everyone? Are they stupid or are the only ones who’ve actually got it right? How many times does one person have to hurt us until we stop letting them hurt us anymore? Or will there always be that one person who can hurt us more than anyone else? The one we always take back no matter how much it hurts; despite the fact that we already know how everything will end.

Excuses Excuses Excuses

There I was, listening to my girlfriends make excuse after excuse for the boys they liked when I was hit with a realization: They could do so much better! We should never have to put up with guys who run us through the ringer the way we do. I mean, what is it about these young men that we admire so ardently that we are willing to overlook the insane pile of shit they push us into every time. Then I started looking at the guys themselves and realized where the problem was. Us; we were the connection. Our female desire to be admired and adored, the joy brought to us by some silly boy making us feel like we’re the most special, important person in their lives. It’s the whole reason we put up with their stupid games or idiotic friends, the incessant video game playing or their absolute cluelessness about anything to do with us. Forget my birthday? It’s alright, I should have reminded you. Can’t remember what my favorite color is? Well, you did only ask once and that was a long time ago. Accidentally ordered something I’m allergic to? Yeah, I suppose I can go without dinner for tonight. Why do we do it? We can guarantee we would never forget information like that but we convince ourselves the man’s brain simply isn’t detail oriented like that. False. If it were really important to him he would remember even the most insignificant detail. I’ve had my father learn about different types of shoes to the point to where he can tell what a ballroom dancing shoe looks like and can describe a t-strap sandal. I’ve had guys who can remember everything from my favorite type of schmear and bagel combo, or my Starbucks order. I’ve also had guys ask me for my name every time we meet for years and people who profess their undying love to me without being able to recall my last name, age or hometown. It just goes to show you have to actually search through all the stupidity and momentary emotional flings for the few who actually care. Because, believe me, they’re out there, and they’re so worth it that I can’t imagine anyone who can go through the experience of dating one without instantly dismissing the “forgetful” behavior of the rest. Men are the best actors around, they can fake an entire relationship for years until something “better” comes along. Now, repeat after me, if he cares he’ll show it; even in the little things he does every day. So no more off the ‘he must have forgotten to turn on his ringer’ or ‘he’s just so busy with his work’ and don’t even get me started on ‘he’s got a lot on his mind theses days’. A man thinks about sex approximately twenty times each hour. Therefore I can guarantee he has thought about you and if he’s thinking about you the you can bet your ass he’s gonna do something about it. If he isn’t texting you back then he’s got some other girl on his mind for 2/3 of his waking day. And a guy is never too busy to chase down the one he wants so don’t even try talking yourself into that one either. Moral of the story? If he wants to be with you? He will make it happen so stop trying so hard and if you find yourself making excuses for him? Kick him to the curb like last week’s smelly leftovers. You can do better than someone who doesn’t put you first. Always.

My Inspiration

Movies impact people. The way you think, the way you feel, the way you see things. You can take four hours and completely flip someone’s world on its head. They can make you laugh, cry, jump out of your chair, grab onto the person next to you. But most importantly, they make you think. Regardless of what you watch, they make you think. Those words, actions, ideas, they impact people more than most anyone realizes. And that feeling, that knowledge that in only a couple of hours I can change people’s lives, that is why I write.

Resolution Run

It had been two years since I had entered in my first 5k. It had been eight months since I had run further than one mile at a time. I was less than prepared to say the least. But I was determined. Well, relatively. My goals? To finish the race without stopping. It took my father nearly half an hour to remember how to work the settings on his GPS running watch…definitely made me feel a great deal better knowing I wasn’t the only one out of practice. By the time the race began the ice on the paths had begun to melt, the feet of thousands of runners mashed the previously frozen ground into a slippery, muddy, mess. My shoes were not appreciative of the situation. Lucky for me, the mud was not the only thing to look at. There were runners in any imaginable assortment of attire; sweats, pirate costumes, tutus, tiaras, speedos, dino costumes. My father reminded me of something we had learned years earlier, runners are a half a bubble off center. It didn’t help that there were contests awarding prizes for best costume, and least clothing in addition to the first place finishers medals. And no, my father and I did not win any awards, nor did we try to (honestly, I do races for the SWAG, notice my newest race shirt, above). We were just happy to finish faster than expected. Did I mention there was chili at the finish line? It made for a breakfast of champions on that cold, New Year’s Day morning.

Shirt: Sacuony (Seattle Half Marathon 2010)
Pants: Under Armour
Shoes: Nike