and it's a good normal feeling. I told a friend that I've felt like I've been 24 for awhile now, so it's not a big thing. Although, I will say I'm glad it's official now. I might not have told you this before, but I'm a huge fan of even numbers, so I'm REALLY glad I am no longer 23.
Today would have been like any other Monday, except for the fact that my friends and family are awesome! My family is out of town, but they all skyped me to sing Happy Birthday to me. I had tons of friends and cousins text me today (which, I'll be honest, I don't remember getting this many birthday texts before in previous years), several coworkers wished me a happy birthday (and one even put a banner up above my cube), one friend emailed along with a few companies who sent me birthday coupons, the guy who scans my card at the gym, the ATM, and of course there's always the multiple facebook wall posts.
Ahhh Facebook. What would we do without you? I love it, cause on my birthday it's the one time a year that I have high school friends I haven't talked to in YEARS tell me "Happy Birthday." I realize that as I age the number of people that remind me it's my birthday on facebook will slowly decline, but I'm going to enjoy it now while I can. I thanked every single person that wrote on my wall, and occasionally I started conversations with them. I don't know what it is, but I love doing that, especially when my birthday is the only time we talk.
Today would have been any other day, but because of my friends and family, it felt a little more special. Thanks guys!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Friday, July 09, 2010
I am okay.
So, I realize that my previous post was kind of depressing. I am sorry. I just had to get my thoughts and feelings out, and unfortunately/fortunately my blog is the easiest way for me to do that. Last week was my grandmother's funeral, and my friend was right when she told me it would be very cathartic. On the day of the service/burial I didn't even bother wearing any eye make-up cause it would be a waste. I'm glad I didn't, cause I cried during the whole service. But, after that, I was ok.
It was actually a good trip because I kind of got some closure and I got to see some of my extended family that I hadn't seen in years. I got to see my cousins, which was great because I really don't know them very well. I got to eat delicious Mexican food (several times in fact), and I got to talk and listen about why my grandma was so great.
It is times like these that I am so grateful for my knowledge of the Gospel and for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. My cousins, who are not members of the church, were having a very rough time, more so than me. My family tried to help them and share our testimony with them. I love knowing that I will see my grandma again and that if I live righteously I can be with her after this life. I just hope that my cousins can know that too.
Anyway, now that I'm back, I'm doing better, and I think my mom's doing okay. I'm sure there will be moments for all of us when we'll wonder where grandma is, or remember we should tell her something, only to realize she's not here or we can't tell her. But, I guess that's all part of losing someone, huh?
It'll be okay. I'm okay, and for now, that's... okay.
P.S. I promise I'll have better posts soon. :)
It was actually a good trip because I kind of got some closure and I got to see some of my extended family that I hadn't seen in years. I got to see my cousins, which was great because I really don't know them very well. I got to eat delicious Mexican food (several times in fact), and I got to talk and listen about why my grandma was so great.
It is times like these that I am so grateful for my knowledge of the Gospel and for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. My cousins, who are not members of the church, were having a very rough time, more so than me. My family tried to help them and share our testimony with them. I love knowing that I will see my grandma again and that if I live righteously I can be with her after this life. I just hope that my cousins can know that too.
Anyway, now that I'm back, I'm doing better, and I think my mom's doing okay. I'm sure there will be moments for all of us when we'll wonder where grandma is, or remember we should tell her something, only to realize she's not here or we can't tell her. But, I guess that's all part of losing someone, huh?
It'll be okay. I'm okay, and for now, that's... okay.
P.S. I promise I'll have better posts soon. :)
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Mixed Emotions
For those that know me well, you know that I usually have to write or say what I'm feeling and thinking about a certain situation in order to make sense of my confusing emotions so that I can understand. The following is me trying to do that.
On Saturday, my maternal grandmother passed away.
We knew it was coming, but it doesn't make it any less upsetting. My grandma has been slowly deteriorating for about a year now from a liver disease, and towards the start of this month, she was put into hospice care. Which, is really just the beginning of the end. On Friday, my grandpa called my mom and told her that the doctor was giving my grandma only 8 hours to a few more days left. My mom bought a one-way plane ticket and flew out there (to New Mexico) that night.
The rest of us just waited.
We tried to do what we normally did. I hung out with my friends on Friday. Dad and Caulin did some scout stuff and then Caulin hung out with his friends on Saturday while my dad, Marin, and I went to dinner. But, there was definitely a different feeling during all of it. I hate waiting, especially when it's something I don't want to happen.
It was Saturday night when my mom texted my dad saying my grandma was going... "Now." My dad had figured out that he could have his phone read his texts for him out loud, and he played it over again several times. "Now." "Now." Now."
After about 15 minutes or so, my mom finally called and said my grandma had passed away. It wasn't until I was about to go to bed and was reading my scriptures and saying my prayers that I started balling. (And embarrassingly enough, this morning when I was getting set apart for a calling, I also started crying.) I have alot of mixed emotions though besides just sadness.
A part of me feels a little relieved that she is no longer in pain and that she didn't drag on in this state for a long time. A part of me is happy that she is now in a better place with my Uncle Quinn, somewhere where my grandma's been wanting to be for a long time now. A part of me, I'll admit, is jealous that she is in such a great place. A part of me is scared to see how the family dynamics both for my mom and aunt and uncle now and then the rest of us at reunions and such are going to change now that she's gone and it's just my grandpa. A part of me knows that I will see her again after this life. But a huge part of me is sad that she is gone.
I've always had this picture in my mind of how certain occasions in the future would be and who would be in those pictures. Just like my graduation from BYU, I've always imagined my whole family being with me for my master's graduation, my wedding, my first child... But now, in my mind, where I had placed my little grandma, there is now a black void. I realize this is very selfish of me. This I know, but I can't help but feel like my mind's picture is missing something. And I hate it.
I know I'll get over it, that this is all part of the grieving process, that she'll still be with me, and any other cliches people say when you don't know what to say when trying to comfort someone who is experiencing a loss. I get it, but I still don't feel any differently at the moment. Thanks, though.
My grandma was tiny, but she was a force to be reckoned. She lived a very hard life in Korea during and after the war, and some of that life we still don't know about, and what we do know might not even be true. She was basically a single mother, raising her children on her own in a tiny 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom house. But despite the many trials she faced throughout her life, she carried on, giving all she could and going without for her family. I have some great memories of her, some hilarious like when she used my dad's wire cutters to prune a wild rose-bush in our backyard, but I loved the advice she gave me in her broken English.
She would always tell me that I needed to keep going to school and get a good job and make lots of money and then get married. She told me she was proud of me of how smart and independent I was. She always told me I needed to be a good sister and take care of my siblings and to honor my parents. She told me to be happy.
A while back I wrote another blog post on death. My past self sure made me think. I hope I can continue to live the life my grandma would tell me she is proud of.
I'll miss you grandma.
On Saturday, my maternal grandmother passed away.
We knew it was coming, but it doesn't make it any less upsetting. My grandma has been slowly deteriorating for about a year now from a liver disease, and towards the start of this month, she was put into hospice care. Which, is really just the beginning of the end. On Friday, my grandpa called my mom and told her that the doctor was giving my grandma only 8 hours to a few more days left. My mom bought a one-way plane ticket and flew out there (to New Mexico) that night.
The rest of us just waited.
We tried to do what we normally did. I hung out with my friends on Friday. Dad and Caulin did some scout stuff and then Caulin hung out with his friends on Saturday while my dad, Marin, and I went to dinner. But, there was definitely a different feeling during all of it. I hate waiting, especially when it's something I don't want to happen.
It was Saturday night when my mom texted my dad saying my grandma was going... "Now." My dad had figured out that he could have his phone read his texts for him out loud, and he played it over again several times. "Now." "Now." Now."
After about 15 minutes or so, my mom finally called and said my grandma had passed away. It wasn't until I was about to go to bed and was reading my scriptures and saying my prayers that I started balling. (And embarrassingly enough, this morning when I was getting set apart for a calling, I also started crying.) I have alot of mixed emotions though besides just sadness.
A part of me feels a little relieved that she is no longer in pain and that she didn't drag on in this state for a long time. A part of me is happy that she is now in a better place with my Uncle Quinn, somewhere where my grandma's been wanting to be for a long time now. A part of me, I'll admit, is jealous that she is in such a great place. A part of me is scared to see how the family dynamics both for my mom and aunt and uncle now and then the rest of us at reunions and such are going to change now that she's gone and it's just my grandpa. A part of me knows that I will see her again after this life. But a huge part of me is sad that she is gone.
I've always had this picture in my mind of how certain occasions in the future would be and who would be in those pictures. Just like my graduation from BYU, I've always imagined my whole family being with me for my master's graduation, my wedding, my first child... But now, in my mind, where I had placed my little grandma, there is now a black void. I realize this is very selfish of me. This I know, but I can't help but feel like my mind's picture is missing something. And I hate it.
I know I'll get over it, that this is all part of the grieving process, that she'll still be with me, and any other cliches people say when you don't know what to say when trying to comfort someone who is experiencing a loss. I get it, but I still don't feel any differently at the moment. Thanks, though.
My grandma was tiny, but she was a force to be reckoned. She lived a very hard life in Korea during and after the war, and some of that life we still don't know about, and what we do know might not even be true. She was basically a single mother, raising her children on her own in a tiny 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom house. But despite the many trials she faced throughout her life, she carried on, giving all she could and going without for her family. I have some great memories of her, some hilarious like when she used my dad's wire cutters to prune a wild rose-bush in our backyard, but I loved the advice she gave me in her broken English.
She would always tell me that I needed to keep going to school and get a good job and make lots of money and then get married. She told me she was proud of me of how smart and independent I was. She always told me I needed to be a good sister and take care of my siblings and to honor my parents. She told me to be happy.
A while back I wrote another blog post on death. My past self sure made me think. I hope I can continue to live the life my grandma would tell me she is proud of.
I'll miss you grandma.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Highlights From the Big Apple
I realize I've been back for a while, but I've been trying to formulate how I want to write my post. I had TONS of stuff happen, I took over 1000 pictures, and I loved almost every minute when I was in New York City. I wish I could have stayed longer and see more stuff and go to more places, or spend more time at others. But, this definitely was not my last trip to New York. So because I did so much stuff, I decided to just give you the best parts and stories with a few great pictures. If you want more stories or details, talk to me, and I will gladly tell you. Here are the highlights:
- My first cab ride (from the airport to my friend's apartment) wasn't as scary as I thought, but then again the cab driver didn't know how to get there and made me call my friend 3 times for directions (cause he didn't believe me). I also couldn't understand anything he said... my 2nd (and last) cab ride was way better.
- New Yorkers get a bad rap. They are a lot nicer than people give them credit for. Everyone I asked for directions were super helpful and way willing to tell me that I was on the Metro North railroad train not the D subway train, how to get to a certain street or place, and even drive me to the right bus stop at 4:30 in the morning since I got on the wrong bus. They are very helpful.
- I am pretty much famous. Ok not really. But, I was on the Today show for about 3 seconds at the very beginning, and I was on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (which was way fun and a very cool experience). See, I'm not lying:
- I took the New York TV and Movie sites bus tour, and it was so much fun. We went all over Manhattan visiting tons of famous places all in a nicely air conditioned bus, and I got to sit next to a hot, single, Australian man the whole ride. He was very nice and had an accent (He asked me if I got "some good snaps" every time I got back on the bus. This, apparently, in Australian means pictures.). It was like my dream come true: seeing my favorite movie/TV sites and sitting next to someone who was cute with an accent.
- Top of the Rock (AWE-some), Empire State Building (freaking amazing), and the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island (pretty dang cool) had some pretty great views of the city. Very awe-inspiring and beautiful.
- I went to the MoMA, the Guggenheim, and the Met. My favorite architecturally was the Guggenheim; my favorite art-wise was the Met (although don't bother with the gift shop there cause those prices are freakin' ridiculous). The MoMa was cool, but when I went I was tired so I didn't really look around much. I'd give the MoMa a second chance next time.
- I must have a little New Yorker in me cause I went to Time Square and I hated it. It was not fun for me. Interesting to look at as I was passing through, but I wouldn't have spent anymore time there. I know, I'm such a terrible tourist.
- My favorite place I ate at: Sarabeth's. Their tomato soup was AMAZING. I loved it, and I thank my coworker for finding it for me and texting me the address so I could eat there. (And after going to their website, I found out they will ship you their tomato soup... ummm totally buying some!) Favorite desert I ate: Crack Pie from Momofuku's. I am so glad my friend Ashley told me about it and how I couldn't miss it. It was pretty dang tasty.
- The two Broadway plays I went to were hilarious, and I loved every minute of them. I decided I totally could get used to going to Broadway shows all the time and seeing my favorite actors and actresses in person, live. Gosh, if only I had tons of money to go to shows all the time. I also was super excited that after the play was done I could wait by the stage door and get their autographs! I got Tony Schalhoub's autograph on my Lend Me A Tenor playbill (I wasn't fast enough, unfortunately, to get Justin Bartha's. Anthony LaPaglia is a jerk apparently and doesn't like to come out to sign autographs, so he didn't come out.), and I got Sean Hayes's, Kristin Chenowith's, and Tony Goldwyn's autographs on my Promises, Promises playbill.
- Coolest stores: FAO Schwartz, Dylan's Candy Bar, and Bloomingdale's. My favorite store: Zabar's (the whole 2nd floor is just kitchen gadgets, bakeware, etc. They have a whole cheese department. A WHOLE DEPARTMENT! OF CHEESE!)
- I'll admit it. Central Park is pretty dang cool, even though at one point I was going the wrong direction on a trail. You can see some interesting things and people there. I saw a few performers and singers that were great (I also saw a few in the subway stations too), and it's just really beautiful.
- In New York, turn signals and red lights are apparently optional. Buddy the elf was right when he said the yellow ones don't stop. What's funny is, the pedestrians are just as bad. They jaywalk all over the place. Towards the end of my trip, I started doing it too. I'd look both ways and then just walk like all the real New Yorkers, walking man or not.
- I think one of my favorite parts was all the street fairs and street markets I passed. I thought the farmer's market I walked through was awesome, and I wanted to buy something from every booth. I started formulating what dishes I could cook with the foods I passed. I think I'd really enjoy getting my groceries off the street as weird as that sounds.
- And last but not least, my trip to New York would not be complete without a few crazy/homeless people sightings. I'm pretty sure there was a cross-dresser on one of the subway trains with me; I passed a few homeless men as I walked from my friend's apartment to the subway station in the Bronx. I even spotted this man who was either actually blind or pretending to be blind:
The other side of his sign said, "Is anyone an albino midget?"
But, the best story I have is the following: I went to Gray's Papaya to get one of their famous hot dogs. Now they don't have tables or anything just a ledge that's all open to the outside. Right outside the ledge is a stool. I had just finished eating my hot dog when out of the corner of my eye I see a lady who looked like she had just climbed out of a sewer... with her pants around her ankles. And guess what she does? She comes and sits on that stool. Now, her shirt was big and long enough that it covered you know the parts her pants would be covering if she were wearing them, but she smelled like she had pooped her pants (maybe that's why she wasn't wearing them properly?). I was overcome by the smell and decided right then would be an excellent time to leave. So I walked out to the street corner (which unfortunately was not that far away) waiting to make my way away from the sad, stinky lady. While I was holding my breath, another woman who was on her phone comes walking by the homeless lady, and she too was overcome by the sight and started telling whoever she was talking to on the phone about it. She exclaims, "Oh my gosh! There's this lady who sh** her pants and they're around her ankles and it smells!" However, she was so appalled by this that she kept walking past me into the street where the light had not changed and cars were coming in full force. Luckily she stopped herself and told her friend, "I almost ran into traffic!" The whole situation was funny and unique, and I even walked in the opposite direction of where I needed to go just to get away from the smell.
And that my friends was my trip to New York City. I loved it and would love to go again. If I had lots of money I would want to live in the Upper West Side, and I would love to work for Simon and Schuster or Harper Collins (both of which I took pictures of), or really any publishing company. Who knows if it'll ever happen, but this is the concrete jungle where dreams are made (that is if Jay-Z and Alicia Keyes are to be believed), right? A gal can dream.
P.S. I apologize for not posting many pictures in this one. Perhaps I'll have another post with a collage of pictures only. I do have 2 albums full on facebook if you want to check those out while you wait.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
New York, New York!
As most of you already know I'm leaving soon for a vacation I've been planning for a while (and have been dreaming about even longer). I'm going to leave for New York City on Wednesday, and I'll return on the next Wednesday. I think a lot of you can't wait for me to leave since I've been talking about it a ton, and I'm sure you're tired of hearing about it. For that, I apologize. But, I'm finally going, and I'm super excited!
The only reason why I followed through with my impulse to buy a cheap ticket to NYC is because I have an amazing awesome friend in New York who is letting me stay with her!!! Otherwise, I don't think I would have gone. My friend is fantastic, and she lives in the Bronx and is nice enough to let me crash on her couch while I'm there. Thanks Lorri, you're the best!
I've got tons of stuff planned. I talked to all of my friends that had been or lived in New York, I bought maps, I researched on the internet, and I bought a couple travel guide books. After my extensive research, I have made an itinerary for a fun-filled week in Manhattan. I've got all the top things, Empire State Building, MoMA, Guggenheim, Rockefeller Center, Ground Zero, Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island, a couple Broadway shows, etc., not to mention some great famous restaurants and shops/destinations. Want to know what I've got planned? Yeah, I thought so.
Here is my itinerary: (Click here.)
A few of the days are "wandering around" or "shopping days" so I just listed a few main places, but times are flexible. Friday is my shopping and wandering 5th Avenue, and Saturday I'm wandering around Little Italy and Chinatown.
But, Thursday, I've decided is 30 Rock day. I'm planning on waking up super early on Thursday morning to stand outside of the Today show, then I'm going on the NBC studio tour, and then a TV/Movie sites bus tour, and then Top of the Rock. If you too are an early morning person, look for me on Thursday on the Today show with the following sign:
If you see me let me know! I'm making my parents DVR it for me so I can see if I can see myself.
And, if you're not a morning person but a night owl, on Monday, June 7th, I'm going to the taping of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, so look for me in the audience then. No sign, but you might see me. Who knows.
If you're interested in the fun things I'm doing and any crazy things I see while on my adventure in New York, follow me on Twitter (or look on the left hand side of my blog for my twitter feed). I'll update my Facebook occasionally, but my twitter I'll update more often. When I get back, believe you me, there'll be a follow-up blog post. Until then!
The only reason why I followed through with my impulse to buy a cheap ticket to NYC is because I have an amazing awesome friend in New York who is letting me stay with her!!! Otherwise, I don't think I would have gone. My friend is fantastic, and she lives in the Bronx and is nice enough to let me crash on her couch while I'm there. Thanks Lorri, you're the best!
I've got tons of stuff planned. I talked to all of my friends that had been or lived in New York, I bought maps, I researched on the internet, and I bought a couple travel guide books. After my extensive research, I have made an itinerary for a fun-filled week in Manhattan. I've got all the top things, Empire State Building, MoMA, Guggenheim, Rockefeller Center, Ground Zero, Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island, a couple Broadway shows, etc., not to mention some great famous restaurants and shops/destinations. Want to know what I've got planned? Yeah, I thought so.
Here is my itinerary: (Click here.)
A few of the days are "wandering around" or "shopping days" so I just listed a few main places, but times are flexible. Friday is my shopping and wandering 5th Avenue, and Saturday I'm wandering around Little Italy and Chinatown.
But, Thursday, I've decided is 30 Rock day. I'm planning on waking up super early on Thursday morning to stand outside of the Today show, then I'm going on the NBC studio tour, and then a TV/Movie sites bus tour, and then Top of the Rock. If you too are an early morning person, look for me on Thursday on the Today show with the following sign:
And, if you're not a morning person but a night owl, on Monday, June 7th, I'm going to the taping of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, so look for me in the audience then. No sign, but you might see me. Who knows.
If you're interested in the fun things I'm doing and any crazy things I see while on my adventure in New York, follow me on Twitter (or look on the left hand side of my blog for my twitter feed). I'll update my Facebook occasionally, but my twitter I'll update more often. When I get back, believe you me, there'll be a follow-up blog post. Until then!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Have I told you lately that I love...
Robert Downey Jr.?
Yeah. I do. And I'm not one of those new fans. Oh no. I've loved him since I was a child. Ever since Heart and Souls. (It's got RDJ, Kyra Sedgwick,Charles Grodin, Elisabeth Shue!)
When he started coming back from his terrible drug/alcohol abuse, I was very pleased. I knew he was starting to get popular again, doing parts here and there now that he was recovered. But, as soon as I saw the little-known, but really great film, Charlie Bartlett, that is when I knew he had finally arrived and was bound for awesomeness. Then, of course came Iron Man, and we all know what happened after that.
Ever since then, I've been wanting to write Mr. Robert Downey Jr. a letter telling him how great I think he is (and have always known) and how he better not fall back into his old ways because if he disappeared again my heart would not be able to take it. Well, I have finally drafted this said letter, and I'm about to send it (debating on whether or not to include a SASE cause I don't want to be begging for stuff). I kind of want a response, but I doubt I'll get one. I'll let you know if I do. Here it is:
Dear Mr. Robert Downey Jr.,
While I am pretty sure that the person who initially opens this letter is either an intern, secretary, or perhaps someone your agency hired off the street who gets paid five cents for every letter opened, I write in the hopes that just maybe by my sheer wit and sincerity, my letter will somehow change hands enough to get mentioned, or if I'm lucky, handed to you for your reading pleasure. With this bold assumption in mind, I would just like to say thank you.
Thank you, and please don't ever go away again.
I admire you and your ability to overcome adversity. While I have not had to face anything like you have, you are still an inspiration to me and others, and what I love is that you joke about it now.
You know what else I admire? How loving and dedicated you are to your wife. So many other Hollywood couples cheat on each other, separate, divorce, and sometimes not even act like they love each other. Yes, you've had experience with this too, but this time, I can tell you two will last far longer than some of those other folks. It is refreshing to see someone so dedicated and loving to his wife like you are. If only there were more like you two. Of course if there were, TMZ and shows like Extra would have nothing to talk about (except maybe about who wore it best). And where would we be without good ole TMZ?!
I would also like to say that my admiration for you goes way back. I'm not one of those new fans who started liking you after Iron Man; although, I can see why so many would start because in that movie you were pretty much freaking awesome. No, no. I thought you were an amazing actor even before then.
When I was 7 yrs. old a movie called Heart and Souls came out, and I loved it. I would watch it over and over again on VHS (I loved the "Walk like a man, talk like a man" sequence). I thought you were terrific (yes, even my 7 yr. old self knew that), but I was saddened when you kind of disappeared (both because you had and because you were in movies my parents wouldn't let me watch).
I realized only later why, and I thought to myself, if he was great hopped up on drugs, he'd be amazing sobered up! And boy, are you.
Slowly, you got back into it, and it was after seeing Charlie Bartlett that I knew you were back. Then Iron Man, and well, you know the rest.
I hope and pray that you continue. I want you to be like Clint Eastwood, 80 years old and still making awesome movies. You have a gift (which I'm sure you've heard a million times over, but who doesn't love to be complimented over and over again?), and the entertainment world would sorely be lacking without you.
You make what could potentially be lame movies 10 times better just by being in it and by being able to deliver an even terrible line with such confidence and style it doesn't sound terrible but great! If you were in Iron Man 10, I (and really everyone) would see it. (Although, I really hope it stops at a reasonable number. 10 might be a bit much... like Land Before Time 13 or Rocky V or Rambo IV, or come to think of it... really any Sylvester Stallone sequels.)
So, as a long time, dedicated fan, I'd like to make a small request.
Don't stop. Keep going. Please don't fall back into drugs and disappear again.
I just don't think I could take the Iron Man or Sherlock Holmes sequels without you. You are what make those films. I know it, you know it, and Hollywood knows it. Don't let them mess you or your career up. Please? Thank you. :)
Signed with love, adoration, and a little free advertising on your behalf when I tell all of my friends and family to see your films, a loyal fan,
Mattie
So, what do y'all think?
When he started coming back from his terrible drug/alcohol abuse, I was very pleased. I knew he was starting to get popular again, doing parts here and there now that he was recovered. But, as soon as I saw the little-known, but really great film, Charlie Bartlett, that is when I knew he had finally arrived and was bound for awesomeness. Then, of course came Iron Man, and we all know what happened after that.
Ever since then, I've been wanting to write Mr. Robert Downey Jr. a letter telling him how great I think he is (and have always known) and how he better not fall back into his old ways because if he disappeared again my heart would not be able to take it. Well, I have finally drafted this said letter, and I'm about to send it (debating on whether or not to include a SASE cause I don't want to be begging for stuff). I kind of want a response, but I doubt I'll get one. I'll let you know if I do. Here it is:
Dear Mr. Robert Downey Jr.,
While I am pretty sure that the person who initially opens this letter is either an intern, secretary, or perhaps someone your agency hired off the street who gets paid five cents for every letter opened, I write in the hopes that just maybe by my sheer wit and sincerity, my letter will somehow change hands enough to get mentioned, or if I'm lucky, handed to you for your reading pleasure. With this bold assumption in mind, I would just like to say thank you.
Thank you, and please don't ever go away again.
I admire you and your ability to overcome adversity. While I have not had to face anything like you have, you are still an inspiration to me and others, and what I love is that you joke about it now.
You know what else I admire? How loving and dedicated you are to your wife. So many other Hollywood couples cheat on each other, separate, divorce, and sometimes not even act like they love each other. Yes, you've had experience with this too, but this time, I can tell you two will last far longer than some of those other folks. It is refreshing to see someone so dedicated and loving to his wife like you are. If only there were more like you two. Of course if there were, TMZ and shows like Extra would have nothing to talk about (except maybe about who wore it best). And where would we be without good ole TMZ?!
I would also like to say that my admiration for you goes way back. I'm not one of those new fans who started liking you after Iron Man; although, I can see why so many would start because in that movie you were pretty much freaking awesome. No, no. I thought you were an amazing actor even before then.
When I was 7 yrs. old a movie called Heart and Souls came out, and I loved it. I would watch it over and over again on VHS (I loved the "Walk like a man, talk like a man" sequence). I thought you were terrific (yes, even my 7 yr. old self knew that), but I was saddened when you kind of disappeared (both because you had and because you were in movies my parents wouldn't let me watch).
I realized only later why, and I thought to myself, if he was great hopped up on drugs, he'd be amazing sobered up! And boy, are you.
Slowly, you got back into it, and it was after seeing Charlie Bartlett that I knew you were back. Then Iron Man, and well, you know the rest.
I hope and pray that you continue. I want you to be like Clint Eastwood, 80 years old and still making awesome movies. You have a gift (which I'm sure you've heard a million times over, but who doesn't love to be complimented over and over again?), and the entertainment world would sorely be lacking without you.
You make what could potentially be lame movies 10 times better just by being in it and by being able to deliver an even terrible line with such confidence and style it doesn't sound terrible but great! If you were in Iron Man 10, I (and really everyone) would see it. (Although, I really hope it stops at a reasonable number. 10 might be a bit much... like Land Before Time 13 or Rocky V or Rambo IV, or come to think of it... really any Sylvester Stallone sequels.)
So, as a long time, dedicated fan, I'd like to make a small request.
Don't stop. Keep going. Please don't fall back into drugs and disappear again.
I just don't think I could take the Iron Man or Sherlock Holmes sequels without you. You are what make those films. I know it, you know it, and Hollywood knows it. Don't let them mess you or your career up. Please? Thank you. :)
Signed with love, adoration, and a little free advertising on your behalf when I tell all of my friends and family to see your films, a loyal fan,
Mattie
So, what do y'all think?
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Pretty Sure It's Not Real, But...
That doesn't make it any less funny. I saw this on what's starting to become my new favorite blog/podcast, and I seriously had to put my hand over my mouth to stifle my laughter cause I was at work when I saw it. This commercial, unlike the "booty pop," is not real, but boy is it hilarious.
You should check out some of the other "The Weak Shop" products. Like the chair pants...
You should check out some of the other "The Weak Shop" products. Like the chair pants...
Monday, May 10, 2010
Graduate Student Orientation Fun
I'm lying. It wasn't that fun. But there were some funny things that happened and that I noticed that I thought perhaps you would find amusing.
The clip I included below is my story of what happened to me when I went a little early to the orientation to get my student ID card. (I apologize if you've already heard it. If so, feel free to skip listening to it.)
It was interesting. But on to the main event!
I went into the room where orientation was and of course it was all decked out in UTD colors (green, orange, and white). They even had balloon towers of the colors. I picked a table that was towards the back that no one was sitting at so I could eat my lunch quickly without disturbing anyone before it started. No one was really talking to each other, but I loved how all the nerdy kids with their laptops out all gravitated towards the front and center of the room and sat at the same table together. (Have I told you about my theory about where you sit in a room/class says what kind of person you are? Remind me, and I'll tell you some time.)
The orientation was supposed to start at 2:30; it didn't start till almost 3 (freakin' ridiculous). The guy claimed he was waiting for the other people that signed up. Here's what I say to that, buddy... This is for graduate students. If they still haven't learned how to be on time and show up to something, they don't deserve to have us wait for them to come.
Oh! Speaking of the fact that it was for graduate students... one of them brought their mom. Their MOM to GRADUATE student orientation. Ummmm, really? Granted I can't be for sure, but seeing as they looked alike, one was older looking than the other, and there was only 1 packet between them, it had to have been her mom. Who brings their mom to graduate student orientation? Isn't that only a 1st year of college freshman thing? That mom and/or daughter really just needs to let go. Seriously.
Once the presentation finally started, they covered the basic, essential things. Financial aid, registrar, library, counseling/student resources, etc. Interestingly, the number for the campus police ends in 2222, which was the same number for the BYU campus police. Is this a universal college campus police number? But, I digress. So after the New Student Orientation director dude finished his presentation, he had the Dean of Students come and do her spiel. She was really boring, and the majority of her speech had to do with warning us about safety and telling us we need to be careful about what we put up on Facebook. She went on and on about security and how they don't want another Virgina Tech, which only makes me wonder... Is there something you're not telling us about your campus? Is there something I should've known before applying to this school? Cause, I mean, obviously this security thing is an issue for you and your campus if you keep going on and on about it.
Finally after she quit talking, they had a token faculty member talk, I'm assuming to get us really pumped about starting grad school. WEEEEE!!!! Yeah... no. Aside from all the bragging he did about himself and how he occasionally does TV news pieces for ABC and CBS, how he writes columns/articles for several newspapers (he's a chemistry professor... I doubt very many people read them), and how he is so dedicated to his work and his students that he stays up till 2 in the morning researching and answering emails, he tried to give us advice and help us picture what these next few years of grad school were going to look like. He quoted Batman and then told us that we need to be superhero grad students. (He claims he was inspired and got this wonderful idea because of Iron Man 2.)
After he stretched his analogy out as much as he could, he then told us we needed to really get to know who we were. He told us that we needed to go on a date with ourselves. He continued, "Go to your favorite restaurant and prop up a mirror in front of you because you'll want to look at yourself." While I'm sure he was not being literal, I thought it was funny that he went on about the date with ourselves. I think most people would have just stopped at the "go on a date with yourself."
All in all, it was kind of a waste. The only good things were that I found out that as a UTD student I can get a free DART transportation pass for any DART rail or bus in the metroplex, along with other discounted/free activities (man do I love being a student again), and there was a cute, very nice guy that sat next to me during the orientation. We talked for a little bit before and after, but since Clifton is a grad student in public affairs, I will probably never see him again. Such is my life.
Well, I've got a few more months before I'm sleep-deprived and stressed about homework, so I'm going to live it up this summer while I can. You'll soon find out how I'm going to do it.
The clip I included below is my story of what happened to me when I went a little early to the orientation to get my student ID card. (I apologize if you've already heard it. If so, feel free to skip listening to it.)
It was interesting. But on to the main event!
I went into the room where orientation was and of course it was all decked out in UTD colors (green, orange, and white). They even had balloon towers of the colors. I picked a table that was towards the back that no one was sitting at so I could eat my lunch quickly without disturbing anyone before it started. No one was really talking to each other, but I loved how all the nerdy kids with their laptops out all gravitated towards the front and center of the room and sat at the same table together. (Have I told you about my theory about where you sit in a room/class says what kind of person you are? Remind me, and I'll tell you some time.)
The orientation was supposed to start at 2:30; it didn't start till almost 3 (freakin' ridiculous). The guy claimed he was waiting for the other people that signed up. Here's what I say to that, buddy... This is for graduate students. If they still haven't learned how to be on time and show up to something, they don't deserve to have us wait for them to come.
Oh! Speaking of the fact that it was for graduate students... one of them brought their mom. Their MOM to GRADUATE student orientation. Ummmm, really? Granted I can't be for sure, but seeing as they looked alike, one was older looking than the other, and there was only 1 packet between them, it had to have been her mom. Who brings their mom to graduate student orientation? Isn't that only a 1st year of college freshman thing? That mom and/or daughter really just needs to let go. Seriously.
Once the presentation finally started, they covered the basic, essential things. Financial aid, registrar, library, counseling/student resources, etc. Interestingly, the number for the campus police ends in 2222, which was the same number for the BYU campus police. Is this a universal college campus police number? But, I digress. So after the New Student Orientation director dude finished his presentation, he had the Dean of Students come and do her spiel. She was really boring, and the majority of her speech had to do with warning us about safety and telling us we need to be careful about what we put up on Facebook. She went on and on about security and how they don't want another Virgina Tech, which only makes me wonder... Is there something you're not telling us about your campus? Is there something I should've known before applying to this school? Cause, I mean, obviously this security thing is an issue for you and your campus if you keep going on and on about it.
Finally after she quit talking, they had a token faculty member talk, I'm assuming to get us really pumped about starting grad school. WEEEEE!!!! Yeah... no. Aside from all the bragging he did about himself and how he occasionally does TV news pieces for ABC and CBS, how he writes columns/articles for several newspapers (he's a chemistry professor... I doubt very many people read them), and how he is so dedicated to his work and his students that he stays up till 2 in the morning researching and answering emails, he tried to give us advice and help us picture what these next few years of grad school were going to look like. He quoted Batman and then told us that we need to be superhero grad students. (He claims he was inspired and got this wonderful idea because of Iron Man 2.)
After he stretched his analogy out as much as he could, he then told us we needed to really get to know who we were. He told us that we needed to go on a date with ourselves. He continued, "Go to your favorite restaurant and prop up a mirror in front of you because you'll want to look at yourself." While I'm sure he was not being literal, I thought it was funny that he went on about the date with ourselves. I think most people would have just stopped at the "go on a date with yourself."
All in all, it was kind of a waste. The only good things were that I found out that as a UTD student I can get a free DART transportation pass for any DART rail or bus in the metroplex, along with other discounted/free activities (man do I love being a student again), and there was a cute, very nice guy that sat next to me during the orientation. We talked for a little bit before and after, but since Clifton is a grad student in public affairs, I will probably never see him again. Such is my life.
Well, I've got a few more months before I'm sleep-deprived and stressed about homework, so I'm going to live it up this summer while I can. You'll soon find out how I'm going to do it.
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Yeah, I know...
I'm slacking. I apologize. I've been focusing on other things, and everything that is kind of "less important" is on the back burner. I haven't blogged, my Hulu queue has 20 shows that are each an hour that I still have to watch, and I have about 4 books that I've started and haven't finished. I have borrowed a TV on DVD season from a friend that has been sitting on my chest of drawers for a few months now and I have yet to be able to sit down and watch it.
But, in my defense, I have lined up several blog topics, some personal, some random, and some thought-provoking, and not to worry dear friends, they are in the works. Some of them require some more research on my part, which is why they have yet to be posted (and because I've been otherwise preoccupied).
So, basically... I'm sorry. But, posts are on the way. In the meantime, I recently saw this infomercial, and yes it is for real, and yes, it is ridiculous:
I know you're dying to buy yourself some padded panties to help your "booty pop." Aren't you?
But, in my defense, I have lined up several blog topics, some personal, some random, and some thought-provoking, and not to worry dear friends, they are in the works. Some of them require some more research on my part, which is why they have yet to be posted (and because I've been otherwise preoccupied).
So, basically... I'm sorry. But, posts are on the way. In the meantime, I recently saw this infomercial, and yes it is for real, and yes, it is ridiculous:
I know you're dying to buy yourself some padded panties to help your "booty pop." Aren't you?
Saturday, April 24, 2010
I Just Have Three Words...
I GOT ACCEPTED!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok, so I have a little more than three words, because I'm sure y'all are like, what the heck is she talking about? Back in January/February I completed my application for a Master's program. What and Where? Well, I'm getting to that...
It's at University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), and it just so happens to be right down the street from where I work. Yes, I am going to keep working while I'm going to school; it's going to be FUN! Upon completion of this program, I will receive a Master of Arts in Emerging Media and Communication. It's basically a mix of technology, communications, and a light smattering of humanities classes that cover how the internet, social networks, podcasts, youtube, etc. can be used to disperse media. It sounds freakin' cool (at least I think/hope so), and I'm excited to get started.
It took a while to finally get my acceptance, but I finally realized I had been accepted after my advisor kindly reminded me that I should check online through their student center to see my status. I believe registration for classes opens up on Monday, and I've already looked and decided what classes to take (I'm going to try for 3 this semester. Let's hope I don't die.)
All three classes are at night once a week (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights) and they go till 9:45pm. Ummm I realize I'm pretty used to staying up late, but I'll be honest, this is going to be hard. Hopefully, I'll be ok, and I won't be too sleep deprived. If I start turning into a zombie, I'll let you know before I reach the stage where I'll desire your brains.
Today, I finally received my official acceptance letter in the mail. It said: "The UT Dallas Committee on Graduate Studies congratulates you on your admission to the graduate program in Emerging Media and Communicati for the 2010 Fall semester" (emphasis added).
Yeah... "Communicati"
That's the school I'll be going to!!! YAY!
Ok, so I have a little more than three words, because I'm sure y'all are like, what the heck is she talking about? Back in January/February I completed my application for a Master's program. What and Where? Well, I'm getting to that...
It's at University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), and it just so happens to be right down the street from where I work. Yes, I am going to keep working while I'm going to school; it's going to be FUN! Upon completion of this program, I will receive a Master of Arts in Emerging Media and Communication. It's basically a mix of technology, communications, and a light smattering of humanities classes that cover how the internet, social networks, podcasts, youtube, etc. can be used to disperse media. It sounds freakin' cool (at least I think/hope so), and I'm excited to get started.
It took a while to finally get my acceptance, but I finally realized I had been accepted after my advisor kindly reminded me that I should check online through their student center to see my status. I believe registration for classes opens up on Monday, and I've already looked and decided what classes to take (I'm going to try for 3 this semester. Let's hope I don't die.)
All three classes are at night once a week (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights) and they go till 9:45pm. Ummm I realize I'm pretty used to staying up late, but I'll be honest, this is going to be hard. Hopefully, I'll be ok, and I won't be too sleep deprived. If I start turning into a zombie, I'll let you know before I reach the stage where I'll desire your brains.
Today, I finally received my official acceptance letter in the mail. It said: "The UT Dallas Committee on Graduate Studies congratulates you on your admission to the graduate program in Emerging Media and Communicati for the 2010 Fall semester" (emphasis added).
Yeah... "Communicati"
That's the school I'll be going to!!! YAY!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Excuse Me While I Sell Out...
Some of you may know that I am a "BzzAgent" and have been for some time. Basically, what that means is occasionally I get free stuff and promote those products and report back on what I told people, what they thought of it, what I thought of it, etc. It's free to join, and for the most part I like it (although, I'm pretty bad about remembering to report back and promoting things...).
The reason I bring this up, is that recently I was asked by BzzAgent to promote the upcoming movie "Babies." Perhaps you've heard of it? I remember seeing a trailer for this movie when I saw some other movie at the theater. I remember being intrigued and thought it might be something interesting to see. "Babies" is a documentary that follows 4 babies in different parts of the world (US, Tokyo, Namibia, and Mongolia) as they are born to when they learn to walk. Here's the trailer (click on picture then click "Watch Trailer" It won't let me embed.):
It looks cute doesn't it? Ideally enough, it comes out the weekend of Mother's Day, so I'm sure it'll get plenty of attention and plenty of balling audiences to view it. I hear that there actually isn't much dialogue in this movie, just so you know. I think it'll be really interesting to see what life is like for these babies in the other countries, which I'm sure will get many people to come see it.
But, the point of the movie is that despite the differing location of these babies, they still experience the same challenges and have the same developments because they are all human. The same applies to us; we all may be in different places, but we are still human going through the same inherently mortal trials that we will all have to face at some point in our lives.
I, know, pretty deep. Well, before you think I've gotten too intellectual, I'll end with a funny Jimmy Kimmel clip about the movie. Enjoy!
The reason I bring this up, is that recently I was asked by BzzAgent to promote the upcoming movie "Babies." Perhaps you've heard of it? I remember seeing a trailer for this movie when I saw some other movie at the theater. I remember being intrigued and thought it might be something interesting to see. "Babies" is a documentary that follows 4 babies in different parts of the world (US, Tokyo, Namibia, and Mongolia) as they are born to when they learn to walk. Here's the trailer (click on picture then click "Watch Trailer" It won't let me embed.):
It looks cute doesn't it? Ideally enough, it comes out the weekend of Mother's Day, so I'm sure it'll get plenty of attention and plenty of balling audiences to view it. I hear that there actually isn't much dialogue in this movie, just so you know. I think it'll be really interesting to see what life is like for these babies in the other countries, which I'm sure will get many people to come see it.
But, the point of the movie is that despite the differing location of these babies, they still experience the same challenges and have the same developments because they are all human. The same applies to us; we all may be in different places, but we are still human going through the same inherently mortal trials that we will all have to face at some point in our lives.
I, know, pretty deep. Well, before you think I've gotten too intellectual, I'll end with a funny Jimmy Kimmel clip about the movie. Enjoy!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
The E Files--Part 8: Now What? (The End?)
We last left Agent Mattie thinking she had finally completed what she came to the alien world to do. She had learned about the new online dating world, participated in it and even interacted with the species! While it was a bit disappointing, she was still hopeful that she learned enough for it to be worth it. But, she had one more great adventure in this new world as we will soon find out in the concluding episode of The E Files... finally:
So I continued to receive a few matches a week from eHarmony (and of course plenty of other emails saying I should subscribe... DELETED), and I would go and check out their profiles and then move on. I don't quite know why I kept my profile open (or have it open still). I suppose because it's fun to see what other people put up on their profiles to attract people. It's almost like a mating ritual of sorts...
SIDE NOTE: I was watching Ripley's Believe It Or Not today (another side note: I heart Dean Cain.), and apparently there is this tribe somewhere that carries canoes on their backs. And because of this, they started developing a huge bump on their back/neck (kind of like a hunch back sort of thing, but it's kind of shaped like a football not so much Quasimodo style). AND the bigger the bump, the more attractive that male is to a mate since it's a sign of strength. Crazy, yes? ....but I digress.
With my more or less apathetic attitude toward my eHarmony profile, I kind of forgot about it except for the email reminders occasionally. So, I was surprised to see a few weeks ago that 1) eHarmony was having another free communication weekend and 2) one of my matches was requesting communication! On top of that, he was requesting info the very first day of the free weekend (not the last like "looking for friends" boy did).
I kindly replied to his 5 close-ended questions and then asked him 5 of my own, since it was free communication weekend, after all. He was another one who had cleverly disguised his email in his profile, so I did what anyone else would do, I plugged it into Facebook search... and TA DA! His profile came up... he too went to BYU and funny enough we had 3 mutual friends. He seemed nice enough, again not gorgeous, but cute. But, I didn't want to get my hopes up because I figured it'd turn out like the last time.
Then the next day, I received his answers to my questions. Well, with eHarmony, you have to go through a series of "get to know you" type questions before you can actually email each other. You can skip to it, but... big surprise, you have to be a paying member. So I got to experience all of the steps of eHarmony's communication process! Next step, send him my "Must Haves" and "Can't Stands."
Basically, eHarmony gives you a bunch of statements, and you have to pick 10 (each) of the things that your partner HAS to have/do/be or things that you absolutely hate so therefore if they have it/do it/are it they need not continue. Personally, I saw this step as a little pointless, but I guess it could be helpful to others. I only have a few major things that I'd like in a relationship/partner, so most of the time I'm ok with compromising or letting go of a few things. After all, isn't that what a relationship is about anyway?
The next day I receive his "Must Haves" and "Can't Stands," and the next step is 3 open-ended questions. So, I picked three that I thought were pretty good. I asked him if he was afraid of anything, if he could have 3 wishes what would they be, and then I even wrote up one of my own. I could tell from his profile and what I could see on Facebook that he was a photographer and was really into it, as in what he does, studied, and wants as a career. So my last question I asked him to tell me more of what he likes to photograph.
I received his answers later that day, and I started thinking... man he is REALLY into photography. His answer to my own question was that he liked to do documentary type photos and then gave me a link to his photography website (nope, not linking it). Then to the wishes one he said that he'd love to be a really great photographer, influence people with his photography, and travel the world with his photography. Ok... I get it dude, you're really into photography. But, is that all? Please tell me you enjoy other things... please.
Then, I thought his answer to the fears one was hilarious. He basically said that he didn't really fear anything (sounds like a typical guy, right?) but that he guessed that there are times when he is more aware of his surroundings and is a little more nervous or anxious so he guesses that's when he is "afraid." (Yes, he used quotes.) And along with his answers came his 3 open-ended questions for me. I forget what they were, but I will say my answers were pretty darn good and were not all about photography.
Sunday, the last day of the free communication weekend, I receive the "holy grail" so to speak of the eHarmony communication process. I had gone through the gauntlet, and in the course of 3 days had achieved the end, the eHarmony email. He sent me the email saying, "You seem pretty cool." (Well that's because I am, dude, is what I thought to myself as I read this.) Then he asked if it would be okay if we communicated through email outside of eHarmony since he wasn't a paying member so couldn't keep this communication up.
I sent him an eHarmony email back saying that was perfectly okay since I wasn't a paying member either. I told him that he seemed cool too, and I gave him my email address.
THE END.
HAHA. No really, that's the end. I have not heard from him. I figured since he asked and I gave him my email address that he would email me. Not the case. So, because I was curious with what the deal was, I emailed him (remember he had creatively put his email in his profile?). I asked if he still wanted to email or not since I hadn't heard from him or if he had met someone and is now engaged and so doesn't want to have anything to do with me. Apparently it's the latter, because I still haven't received an email back.
AND interestingly enough... I went to eHarmony to see if I could gather something from there, and I noticed that I have a "Closed communication" message from him. Great. He probably did the same thing I did to him, plugged my email into Facebook and thought... "Nope." But then, when I go to click on it to see what his excuse was as to why he closed communication, it turns out he has since deleted his profile, so nothing shows up (this is why I can't tell you what questions he asked me because I can't look it up.)
I'm not really sure if eHarmony automatically sent a "Closed communication" message to me once he deleted his profile or if he closed communication before he shut down his profile. And funny enough, I have another match who deleted his profile too, so I had a closed communication message with him that I couldn't see. Anyway, not sure what exactly happened, but all I know is is that he had my email, I emailed him, and I have yet to receive any response. Yeah... the end of my last great adventure kind of anti-climactic huh? Sorry. :(
Now what? Well, my profile is still up, and I still get the occasional match every once in a while. I really doubt anything is going to happen, but it's a fun distraction when I'm bored. I'm thinking maybe I'll loosen up my settings like eHarmony wanted me to and allow someone who drinks once a week or more to be matched up with me, because then... my matches will be endless! Or not. I'll probably leave it up until I get tired of eHarmony sending me match emails. Who knows... maybe I'll actually get a response out of one of these guys once the free communication weekend ends and they figure out what I look like?
For now, I'm content with my life for the moment. It was a good, fun experiment, and it helped me realize a little more about men, since according to my mom I am rather inexperienced/immature when it comes to that subject(but, sad to say, she's right. I am.). I had a recent frustrating experience with a guy (not online), and so I'm kind of ok with just hanging out with my awesome friends. I'll get lonely again soon and wish I had a date/boyfriend, but at this point in time, I am A OK.
Experiment completed.
THE END
So I continued to receive a few matches a week from eHarmony (and of course plenty of other emails saying I should subscribe... DELETED), and I would go and check out their profiles and then move on. I don't quite know why I kept my profile open (or have it open still). I suppose because it's fun to see what other people put up on their profiles to attract people. It's almost like a mating ritual of sorts...
SIDE NOTE: I was watching Ripley's Believe It Or Not today (another side note: I heart Dean Cain.), and apparently there is this tribe somewhere that carries canoes on their backs. And because of this, they started developing a huge bump on their back/neck (kind of like a hunch back sort of thing, but it's kind of shaped like a football not so much Quasimodo style). AND the bigger the bump, the more attractive that male is to a mate since it's a sign of strength. Crazy, yes? ....but I digress.
With my more or less apathetic attitude toward my eHarmony profile, I kind of forgot about it except for the email reminders occasionally. So, I was surprised to see a few weeks ago that 1) eHarmony was having another free communication weekend and 2) one of my matches was requesting communication! On top of that, he was requesting info the very first day of the free weekend (not the last like "looking for friends" boy did).
I kindly replied to his 5 close-ended questions and then asked him 5 of my own, since it was free communication weekend, after all. He was another one who had cleverly disguised his email in his profile, so I did what anyone else would do, I plugged it into Facebook search... and TA DA! His profile came up... he too went to BYU and funny enough we had 3 mutual friends. He seemed nice enough, again not gorgeous, but cute. But, I didn't want to get my hopes up because I figured it'd turn out like the last time.
Then the next day, I received his answers to my questions. Well, with eHarmony, you have to go through a series of "get to know you" type questions before you can actually email each other. You can skip to it, but... big surprise, you have to be a paying member. So I got to experience all of the steps of eHarmony's communication process! Next step, send him my "Must Haves" and "Can't Stands."
Basically, eHarmony gives you a bunch of statements, and you have to pick 10 (each) of the things that your partner HAS to have/do/be or things that you absolutely hate so therefore if they have it/do it/are it they need not continue. Personally, I saw this step as a little pointless, but I guess it could be helpful to others. I only have a few major things that I'd like in a relationship/partner, so most of the time I'm ok with compromising or letting go of a few things. After all, isn't that what a relationship is about anyway?
The next day I receive his "Must Haves" and "Can't Stands," and the next step is 3 open-ended questions. So, I picked three that I thought were pretty good. I asked him if he was afraid of anything, if he could have 3 wishes what would they be, and then I even wrote up one of my own. I could tell from his profile and what I could see on Facebook that he was a photographer and was really into it, as in what he does, studied, and wants as a career. So my last question I asked him to tell me more of what he likes to photograph.
I received his answers later that day, and I started thinking... man he is REALLY into photography. His answer to my own question was that he liked to do documentary type photos and then gave me a link to his photography website (nope, not linking it). Then to the wishes one he said that he'd love to be a really great photographer, influence people with his photography, and travel the world with his photography. Ok... I get it dude, you're really into photography. But, is that all? Please tell me you enjoy other things... please.
Then, I thought his answer to the fears one was hilarious. He basically said that he didn't really fear anything (sounds like a typical guy, right?) but that he guessed that there are times when he is more aware of his surroundings and is a little more nervous or anxious so he guesses that's when he is "afraid." (Yes, he used quotes.) And along with his answers came his 3 open-ended questions for me. I forget what they were, but I will say my answers were pretty darn good and were not all about photography.
Sunday, the last day of the free communication weekend, I receive the "holy grail" so to speak of the eHarmony communication process. I had gone through the gauntlet, and in the course of 3 days had achieved the end, the eHarmony email. He sent me the email saying, "You seem pretty cool." (Well that's because I am, dude, is what I thought to myself as I read this.) Then he asked if it would be okay if we communicated through email outside of eHarmony since he wasn't a paying member so couldn't keep this communication up.
I sent him an eHarmony email back saying that was perfectly okay since I wasn't a paying member either. I told him that he seemed cool too, and I gave him my email address.
THE END.
HAHA. No really, that's the end. I have not heard from him. I figured since he asked and I gave him my email address that he would email me. Not the case. So, because I was curious with what the deal was, I emailed him (remember he had creatively put his email in his profile?). I asked if he still wanted to email or not since I hadn't heard from him or if he had met someone and is now engaged and so doesn't want to have anything to do with me. Apparently it's the latter, because I still haven't received an email back.
AND interestingly enough... I went to eHarmony to see if I could gather something from there, and I noticed that I have a "Closed communication" message from him. Great. He probably did the same thing I did to him, plugged my email into Facebook and thought... "Nope." But then, when I go to click on it to see what his excuse was as to why he closed communication, it turns out he has since deleted his profile, so nothing shows up (this is why I can't tell you what questions he asked me because I can't look it up.)
I'm not really sure if eHarmony automatically sent a "Closed communication" message to me once he deleted his profile or if he closed communication before he shut down his profile. And funny enough, I have another match who deleted his profile too, so I had a closed communication message with him that I couldn't see. Anyway, not sure what exactly happened, but all I know is is that he had my email, I emailed him, and I have yet to receive any response. Yeah... the end of my last great adventure kind of anti-climactic huh? Sorry. :(
Now what? Well, my profile is still up, and I still get the occasional match every once in a while. I really doubt anything is going to happen, but it's a fun distraction when I'm bored. I'm thinking maybe I'll loosen up my settings like eHarmony wanted me to and allow someone who drinks once a week or more to be matched up with me, because then... my matches will be endless! Or not. I'll probably leave it up until I get tired of eHarmony sending me match emails. Who knows... maybe I'll actually get a response out of one of these guys once the free communication weekend ends and they figure out what I look like?
For now, I'm content with my life for the moment. It was a good, fun experiment, and it helped me realize a little more about men, since according to my mom I am rather inexperienced/immature when it comes to that subject(but, sad to say, she's right. I am.). I had a recent frustrating experience with a guy (not online), and so I'm kind of ok with just hanging out with my awesome friends. I'll get lonely again soon and wish I had a date/boyfriend, but at this point in time, I am A OK.
Experiment completed.
THE END
Sunday, March 28, 2010
The E Files--Part 7: That Was Fun While It Lasted
Last time on E Files, Agent Mattie had made contact! She was on to something with the alien species, and she was thinking maybe the experiment had not been a total loss after all. After communicating briefly with this male, Mattie waited for him to make the next move/effort to continue communication. Would he make contact again? Let's find out:
After deciding that if this guy wanted to talk with me, it would be up to him, I kind of wondered if he actually would or not. I knew he was on vacation watching the Olympics so he was busy, so I tried not to think about whether or not he'd ever text me back.
Then, on Sunday (so 4 days after we had first texted each other) as I'm getting ready for church, I receive a text message from him: "Hey Mattie! I'm back from the Olympics. How r ya?"
I'll be honest, I was kind of giddy, which looking back was rather silly of me. I was at least surprised that he actually texted me back, which to me meant he was at least somewhat interested. I think I replied with something like I was doing great and then asked him what events he saw and how it was. He replied with:
"It was fun but I'm glad to be on my way back home. USA-Norway hockey, short track speedskating last nite, a medals ceremony."
I then, trying to be funny, asked if he had to listen to those annoying commentators like I would have to while watching it on TV.
He answered: "Yeah no." and then he added, "Hey do u have pix messaging? I still don't know what u look like."
Oh. Ummm. So he didn't see my picture on my profile then. When I got this text, that's when my giddyness left and instead I was rather crestfallen. I had really thought that maybe things would be different, maybe this guy was different. I had thought that since he had sent me questions after the free communication weekend that he had been a paying member and that he had seen my picture. Apparently this was not so.
I, however, had seen what he looked like because I had used my crafty, ingenious ways to look him up on Facebook. After seeing his pictures, I thought he seemed ok. He wasn't hot or anything, but I was willing to see past that because I am a good person. Yeah he might not have the looks of a model, but from his profile and the limited communication I had had with him, he seemed like a decent fellow. I should have gotten my clue after looking at his Facebook albums though. Why? Well, you'll find out.
So, after getting his request for a picture, I realized that the whole thing was too good to be true. I knew that once I had sent him my picture he would think, "Oh. Yeah. Well it was nice chatting with you" and close communication. Then after debating on what I should do--Should I lie and say I didn't have picture capability or that I was somewhere where I couldn't take a picture (which would only prolong the inevitable)?--I decided he was going to figure out what I looked like sooner or later, so I might as well send it.
It was then that I realized something. Yeah, I may not be the hottest girl ever, or even a really cute one, but there was obviously something about my personality that appealed to him or else he would not have sent me those questions. So if after receiving my picture he decides not to continue talking to me, it was his loss, and I wasn't going to let it bother me. He wasn't someone I wanted to waste my time with anyway if that was the case. So I sent him my picture.
Well, it was good that I had made my realization because as it turns out he was the guy I didn't want to waste my time with. He told me thanks for sending it and that he was there to make friends. I replied that I was on their for friends too and asked him another question, and I haven't heard from him since.
Which at first is kind of sad (cause obviously he lied about being friends first cause he would have tried to keep texting a little bit then), but it is okay and probably for the best. Why waste time and energy on something that will not end up being anything (which might have been his reasoning for not texting back)? I'm okay with how things turned out because I started this whole thing to find out more about it as an experiment anyway. I guess I had a tiny little hope that maybe something would come out of the experiment, but in a way I'm glad that I didn't invest much more of my hope in the whole thing anyway.
I did have fun though while it lasted. It was fun to get matches and read funny profiles. It was even fun to actually talk with someone for a little bit even if nothing resulted from it. But, the question remains, now what?
Stay tuned for the concluding post of The E Files. It has Agent Mattie's final thoughts, and one last great adventure, for you see, another free communication weekend occurred, and she made contact with another of the male species, and it goes a little further than with this guy...
After deciding that if this guy wanted to talk with me, it would be up to him, I kind of wondered if he actually would or not. I knew he was on vacation watching the Olympics so he was busy, so I tried not to think about whether or not he'd ever text me back.
Then, on Sunday (so 4 days after we had first texted each other) as I'm getting ready for church, I receive a text message from him: "Hey Mattie! I'm back from the Olympics. How r ya?"
I'll be honest, I was kind of giddy, which looking back was rather silly of me. I was at least surprised that he actually texted me back, which to me meant he was at least somewhat interested. I think I replied with something like I was doing great and then asked him what events he saw and how it was. He replied with:
"It was fun but I'm glad to be on my way back home. USA-Norway hockey, short track speedskating last nite, a medals ceremony."
I then, trying to be funny, asked if he had to listen to those annoying commentators like I would have to while watching it on TV.
He answered: "Yeah no." and then he added, "Hey do u have pix messaging? I still don't know what u look like."
Oh. Ummm. So he didn't see my picture on my profile then. When I got this text, that's when my giddyness left and instead I was rather crestfallen. I had really thought that maybe things would be different, maybe this guy was different. I had thought that since he had sent me questions after the free communication weekend that he had been a paying member and that he had seen my picture. Apparently this was not so.
I, however, had seen what he looked like because I had used my crafty, ingenious ways to look him up on Facebook. After seeing his pictures, I thought he seemed ok. He wasn't hot or anything, but I was willing to see past that because I am a good person. Yeah he might not have the looks of a model, but from his profile and the limited communication I had had with him, he seemed like a decent fellow. I should have gotten my clue after looking at his Facebook albums though. Why? Well, you'll find out.
So, after getting his request for a picture, I realized that the whole thing was too good to be true. I knew that once I had sent him my picture he would think, "Oh. Yeah. Well it was nice chatting with you" and close communication. Then after debating on what I should do--Should I lie and say I didn't have picture capability or that I was somewhere where I couldn't take a picture (which would only prolong the inevitable)?--I decided he was going to figure out what I looked like sooner or later, so I might as well send it.
It was then that I realized something. Yeah, I may not be the hottest girl ever, or even a really cute one, but there was obviously something about my personality that appealed to him or else he would not have sent me those questions. So if after receiving my picture he decides not to continue talking to me, it was his loss, and I wasn't going to let it bother me. He wasn't someone I wanted to waste my time with anyway if that was the case. So I sent him my picture.
Well, it was good that I had made my realization because as it turns out he was the guy I didn't want to waste my time with. He told me thanks for sending it and that he was there to make friends. I replied that I was on their for friends too and asked him another question, and I haven't heard from him since.
Which at first is kind of sad (cause obviously he lied about being friends first cause he would have tried to keep texting a little bit then), but it is okay and probably for the best. Why waste time and energy on something that will not end up being anything (which might have been his reasoning for not texting back)? I'm okay with how things turned out because I started this whole thing to find out more about it as an experiment anyway. I guess I had a tiny little hope that maybe something would come out of the experiment, but in a way I'm glad that I didn't invest much more of my hope in the whole thing anyway.
I did have fun though while it lasted. It was fun to get matches and read funny profiles. It was even fun to actually talk with someone for a little bit even if nothing resulted from it. But, the question remains, now what?
Stay tuned for the concluding post of The E Files. It has Agent Mattie's final thoughts, and one last great adventure, for you see, another free communication weekend occurred, and she made contact with another of the male species, and it goes a little further than with this guy...
Sunday, March 21, 2010
The E Files--Part 6: An Interesting Turn of Events
Previously on E Files, Agent Mattie was feeling a bit down after receiving many rejections from her matches. She was ready to call her experiment quits. She had gotten a good laugh or two, had gained some new experience in the alien world of online dating, and had learned what she could about the species. The free communication weekend had ended, and she figured it was time to shut down the experiment. Little did she know what was about to happen next:
I'll be honest, I had fun reading all the profiles. Yeah, it was kind of disappointing to be rejected, but it was an interesting experience. With the free communication weekend being over, I figured I'd close out my account because I sure as heck wasn't going to pay money for an actual subscription. But then I thought, maybe I'll just keep it open and see if I get any more funny matches.
Then, the day after the free communication weekend ended, I get an email from eHarmony saying that one of my matches wanted to communicate with me and that he had sent me questions.
At first I got really excited, and then immediately after I thought, "Well great. I can't answer him back." I still didn't think it was worth it for me to pay the money to answer his questions, so I was sort of at a loss for what to do. After reading his profile again, he seemed like a nice enough guy, and I didn't want to leave him hanging. I didn't know what to do.
But then, I noticed that he had creatively left his email address in his profile (you can't put your actual email address or else eHarmony will delete it for you; it's for your protection). So I decided I would email him the answers to his questions and just explain that I wasn't a paying member so I couldn't respond through eHarmony. Here's what I said (and you can see what questions he asked):
"I'm sorry, I don't have a paid subscription, and the free communication weekend just ended. But, I didn't want to leave you hanging wondering why I never answered the questions. I hope it's okay that I'm emailing you with the address you had on your profile. Here's those questions:
1. What best describes your parents' relationship towards each other:
* married and loving
* married but distant
* divorced and civil
* divorced and abusive
* Other:
2. How trusting are you?
* sometimes I'm too naive
* I trust people and am able to forgive them when wronged
* I trust people until they prove me wrong, then it is hard to trust again
* people are dishonest by nature, you need to be careful
* Other: I think it's more of a mix of the 2nd and 3rd options. I am a very trusting person and can forgive someone when they've wronged me. But, it's always hard to build that trust again, and especially if it's happened multiple times, it makes it that much harder to trust them.
3. Which sort of date sounds like the most fun to you?
* attend a lecture on a topic that appeals to both of you
* go bargain hunting at a local flea market or antique shop
* go bowling (Although I will say all of them sound pretty fun, it just depends on what I'm in the mood for. But, bowling would have to be the most fun.)
* visit a local comedy club
* Other
4. How often do you exercise?
*Never
*Once a week
*Two or three times a week (More like 4 times a week)
*Every Day
*Other:
5. What's your philosophy on travel?
* When are we leaving? My bags are packed.
* I like to take a couple big trips each year.
* I generally plan one trip each year to a domestic destination.
* I'm not a big fan of travel. I like to stay close to home.
* Other: I'd love to travel all of the time, but my monetary funds have suggested otherwise. I usually try to go on at least 1 out of state trip a year (and then take a few mini "stay-cations" if I can, too).
Anyway, I hope this helps. You won't hurt my feelings if you never answer me, I just felt bad about leaving you hanging without any answers to these questions! I'm open to any others if you have more. If I don't hear from you, it was nice to sort of kind of meet you at least by reading your profile and for sort of kind of chatting through 5 close-ended questions, and good luck with your search.
~Mattie from Texas"
Now for the most part, the questions were understandable. The exercise one was a bit odd, and I kind of knew what he was getting at. But, I figured he had seen my profile and still wanted to know me more, right? Well, surprisingly enough, he answered me back: "Mattie, Thank you for the email! I really appreciate it. I don't have much time, as I'm heading to bed so I can get up early and catch the train to the Vancouver Olympics tomorrow. So, if you'd like, text me at [his number] and I can reply there since I'll be out of town for a few days. Sleep tight!"
I didn't want to text him as soon as I read the email, so I waited a day until I did (I didn't want to seem desperate). Then I texted him and basically said I didn't want to interrupt his trip at the Olympics, but I just wanted to know if he was at least going to a hockey game. He responded that yes he was, and I texted back that that was a relief because it was just not worth it if he didn't. He texted back with a "Hahaha" and that was the end.
I decided I wouldn't text him back because if I were at the Olympics, I wouldn't want some random guy I didn't really know to be texting me the whole time. So I figured, when and if he wanted to text/call me back, he would. Until then, I'd go about my normal life and see what happened.
He did text me back, but that's a story for the next post. :)
I'll be honest, I had fun reading all the profiles. Yeah, it was kind of disappointing to be rejected, but it was an interesting experience. With the free communication weekend being over, I figured I'd close out my account because I sure as heck wasn't going to pay money for an actual subscription. But then I thought, maybe I'll just keep it open and see if I get any more funny matches.
Then, the day after the free communication weekend ended, I get an email from eHarmony saying that one of my matches wanted to communicate with me and that he had sent me questions.
At first I got really excited, and then immediately after I thought, "Well great. I can't answer him back." I still didn't think it was worth it for me to pay the money to answer his questions, so I was sort of at a loss for what to do. After reading his profile again, he seemed like a nice enough guy, and I didn't want to leave him hanging. I didn't know what to do.
But then, I noticed that he had creatively left his email address in his profile (you can't put your actual email address or else eHarmony will delete it for you; it's for your protection). So I decided I would email him the answers to his questions and just explain that I wasn't a paying member so I couldn't respond through eHarmony. Here's what I said (and you can see what questions he asked):
"I'm sorry, I don't have a paid subscription, and the free communication weekend just ended. But, I didn't want to leave you hanging wondering why I never answered the questions. I hope it's okay that I'm emailing you with the address you had on your profile. Here's those questions:
1. What best describes your parents' relationship towards each other:
* married and loving
* married but distant
* divorced and civil
* divorced and abusive
* Other:
2. How trusting are you?
* sometimes I'm too naive
* I trust people and am able to forgive them when wronged
* I trust people until they prove me wrong, then it is hard to trust again
* people are dishonest by nature, you need to be careful
* Other: I think it's more of a mix of the 2nd and 3rd options. I am a very trusting person and can forgive someone when they've wronged me. But, it's always hard to build that trust again, and especially if it's happened multiple times, it makes it that much harder to trust them.
3. Which sort of date sounds like the most fun to you?
* attend a lecture on a topic that appeals to both of you
* go bargain hunting at a local flea market or antique shop
* go bowling (Although I will say all of them sound pretty fun, it just depends on what I'm in the mood for. But, bowling would have to be the most fun.)
* visit a local comedy club
* Other
4. How often do you exercise?
*Never
*Once a week
*Two or three times a week (More like 4 times a week)
*Every Day
*Other:
5. What's your philosophy on travel?
* When are we leaving? My bags are packed.
* I like to take a couple big trips each year.
* I generally plan one trip each year to a domestic destination.
* I'm not a big fan of travel. I like to stay close to home.
* Other: I'd love to travel all of the time, but my monetary funds have suggested otherwise. I usually try to go on at least 1 out of state trip a year (and then take a few mini "stay-cations" if I can, too).
Anyway, I hope this helps. You won't hurt my feelings if you never answer me, I just felt bad about leaving you hanging without any answers to these questions! I'm open to any others if you have more. If I don't hear from you, it was nice to sort of kind of meet you at least by reading your profile and for sort of kind of chatting through 5 close-ended questions, and good luck with your search.
~Mattie from Texas"
Now for the most part, the questions were understandable. The exercise one was a bit odd, and I kind of knew what he was getting at. But, I figured he had seen my profile and still wanted to know me more, right? Well, surprisingly enough, he answered me back: "Mattie, Thank you for the email! I really appreciate it. I don't have much time, as I'm heading to bed so I can get up early and catch the train to the Vancouver Olympics tomorrow. So, if you'd like, text me at [his number] and I can reply there since I'll be out of town for a few days. Sleep tight!"
I didn't want to text him as soon as I read the email, so I waited a day until I did (I didn't want to seem desperate). Then I texted him and basically said I didn't want to interrupt his trip at the Olympics, but I just wanted to know if he was at least going to a hockey game. He responded that yes he was, and I texted back that that was a relief because it was just not worth it if he didn't. He texted back with a "Hahaha" and that was the end.
I decided I wouldn't text him back because if I were at the Olympics, I wouldn't want some random guy I didn't really know to be texting me the whole time. So I figured, when and if he wanted to text/call me back, he would. Until then, I'd go about my normal life and see what happened.
He did text me back, but that's a story for the next post. :)
Saturday, March 13, 2010
The E Files--Part 5: The Rejections Start Rolling In
With Agent Mattie's new and improved profile, she knew that soon the males of the species would be sending her messages and wanting to communicate right and left. She knew her tweaks would have gotten someone's attention, and she was hoping that it would be what she needed to really carry on with her experiment. But, alas... perhaps she had been wrong in her theory:
By the time I had my 2nd profile, I had received at least 25 to 30 matches, and most of them seemed like they had potential. However, I'll admit, I was afraid to send them a message because I didn't want to seem forward. Hey, I'm new to this online dating thing, I don't know what the protocol is! So instead, I went about my daily life and occasionally seeing who else eHarmony and sent me.
Then I got excited because it said I had some communications!
Yeah... closed communications messages.
For those that aren't aware, if you come across a match in which after reading their profile you can already tell it's not going to work out, you can "Close Communication" with them. Basically, they get taken off of your "matches" list, and they cannot message or contact you. When you decide to close communication, eHarmony gives you a list of explanations as to why you didn't think they'd work out. You can't write your own, you have to pick the given ones. While some are pretty understandable excuses: "The distance is far too great." or "Based on statements in their profile, I'm not interested." etc., some are kind of random, odd, and when I received some of them, a bit mean.
I received lots of "Other" messages. Ummm I guess that's ok. I gave out some of these too because I didn't want to be mean by saying they were not interesting people. Some of the matches I received seemed like great guys, just not for me. So, I wasn't too upset by receiving "Other" as an excuse. I was, however, upset when I received these:
"I have too much happening in my life at the moment" and "I am taking a break from dating" both seem ridiculous. Why did you even sign up for eHarmony then?
"I am pursuing another relationship." Ok, I kind of understand this one, but come on! Just close your profile then, why keep looking at greener pastures, when you seem perfectly happy in the one you're in.
"I want to pursue other matches on eHarmony." I think this one probably hurt the worst out of all of them. I mean, I realize that there are better options out there besides me, but I just don't like how it's phrased. I don't know, maybe I'm just being too sensitive.
This last one I think was the most confusing to me: "I think the difference in our values is too great." Ummm... what? I know I put down that eHarmony should only match me with other LDS people, and this guy, from his profile seemed really nice and everything. If he is in fact LDS like he said he was, I'm not sure what the difference in our values is because I thought we had the same values. It was odd.
Anyway, the majority of the reasons I got were "Other" and "I want to pursue other matches on eHarmony." Well FINE, Abe from Provo! I didn't want to talk to you anyway! Yeah, you too, Ben from California! I'll just see what these other matches have that you don't. Meanie.
LOL, I'm okay, I promise. I was a tiny hurt at first (I mean, who loves getting rejected?), but I understand that I'm not exactly what some guys are looking for. I was expecting it to happen and work out that way, which is why I went into this as an experiement. It was a learning experience, and I would see who was out there and if I could get a few laughs.
Once the tinge of sadness left, I too started closing communications with people. It actually felt good. Why do I have to sit and wait for them to reject me first? If I know I'm not going to like them, why keep them in my matches? My only question was, would I get anything else besides a "Closed Communcation Message"?
By the time I had my 2nd profile, I had received at least 25 to 30 matches, and most of them seemed like they had potential. However, I'll admit, I was afraid to send them a message because I didn't want to seem forward. Hey, I'm new to this online dating thing, I don't know what the protocol is! So instead, I went about my daily life and occasionally seeing who else eHarmony and sent me.
Then I got excited because it said I had some communications!
Yeah... closed communications messages.
For those that aren't aware, if you come across a match in which after reading their profile you can already tell it's not going to work out, you can "Close Communication" with them. Basically, they get taken off of your "matches" list, and they cannot message or contact you. When you decide to close communication, eHarmony gives you a list of explanations as to why you didn't think they'd work out. You can't write your own, you have to pick the given ones. While some are pretty understandable excuses: "The distance is far too great." or "Based on statements in their profile, I'm not interested." etc., some are kind of random, odd, and when I received some of them, a bit mean.
I received lots of "Other" messages. Ummm I guess that's ok. I gave out some of these too because I didn't want to be mean by saying they were not interesting people. Some of the matches I received seemed like great guys, just not for me. So, I wasn't too upset by receiving "Other" as an excuse. I was, however, upset when I received these:
"I have too much happening in my life at the moment" and "I am taking a break from dating" both seem ridiculous. Why did you even sign up for eHarmony then?
"I am pursuing another relationship." Ok, I kind of understand this one, but come on! Just close your profile then, why keep looking at greener pastures, when you seem perfectly happy in the one you're in.
"I want to pursue other matches on eHarmony." I think this one probably hurt the worst out of all of them. I mean, I realize that there are better options out there besides me, but I just don't like how it's phrased. I don't know, maybe I'm just being too sensitive.
This last one I think was the most confusing to me: "I think the difference in our values is too great." Ummm... what? I know I put down that eHarmony should only match me with other LDS people, and this guy, from his profile seemed really nice and everything. If he is in fact LDS like he said he was, I'm not sure what the difference in our values is because I thought we had the same values. It was odd.
Anyway, the majority of the reasons I got were "Other" and "I want to pursue other matches on eHarmony." Well FINE, Abe from Provo! I didn't want to talk to you anyway! Yeah, you too, Ben from California! I'll just see what these other matches have that you don't. Meanie.
LOL, I'm okay, I promise. I was a tiny hurt at first (I mean, who loves getting rejected?), but I understand that I'm not exactly what some guys are looking for. I was expecting it to happen and work out that way, which is why I went into this as an experiement. It was a learning experience, and I would see who was out there and if I could get a few laughs.
Once the tinge of sadness left, I too started closing communications with people. It actually felt good. Why do I have to sit and wait for them to reject me first? If I know I'm not going to like them, why keep them in my matches? My only question was, would I get anything else besides a "Closed Communcation Message"?
Thursday, March 11, 2010
The E Files--Part 4: Setting Up My 2nd Profile
Giddy with excitement from her many matches, Agent Mattie was starting to understand how the males of the alien species worked. After many good laughs from reading the many profiles, Agent Mattie realized her own profile may be amiss:
Once the initial shock of hilarity wore off after reading these profiles, I started reading more carefully to see if there was potential with these guys. Now because I had set all my preferences to be that I'd be matched up with another LDS guy, I started noticing a trend with all of their profiles. Almost all of them were quite explicit in their dedication to the Church and the gospel.
This isn't a bad thing, but I started wondering if maybe my profile wasn't as great as I thought. Maybe I needed to be more like them and really be more obvious about the fact that I was a member of the Church. I had a few friends that told me I shouldn't have given in to the peer pressure, but it was too late.
I decided that I needed to change my profile, not entirely, just some tweaking. I wanted to make my ad as appealing as possible, and if this is what these guys are looking for, than I can definitely provide. So here is my new, updated profile (click to enlarge):
It's not too drastic of a change, right? It's still me being honest about myself. I just chose to share something else about me.
Now that I had a better, improved profile, I would appeal to someone enough for them to send me a message. They had to... someone had to... right?
Once the initial shock of hilarity wore off after reading these profiles, I started reading more carefully to see if there was potential with these guys. Now because I had set all my preferences to be that I'd be matched up with another LDS guy, I started noticing a trend with all of their profiles. Almost all of them were quite explicit in their dedication to the Church and the gospel.
This isn't a bad thing, but I started wondering if maybe my profile wasn't as great as I thought. Maybe I needed to be more like them and really be more obvious about the fact that I was a member of the Church. I had a few friends that told me I shouldn't have given in to the peer pressure, but it was too late.
I decided that I needed to change my profile, not entirely, just some tweaking. I wanted to make my ad as appealing as possible, and if this is what these guys are looking for, than I can definitely provide. So here is my new, updated profile (click to enlarge):
It's not too drastic of a change, right? It's still me being honest about myself. I just chose to share something else about me.Now that I had a better, improved profile, I would appeal to someone enough for them to send me a message. They had to... someone had to... right?
Sunday, February 28, 2010
The E Files--Part 3: The Matches Come Rolling In
Previously on the E Files, Agent Mattie had completed her disguise and was now a part of the alien online dating community. Now as one of them, she had to wait until the leader, an abstract machine, had found her matches, a typical custom of the species. Let's see what the leader has uncovered for Agent Mattie:
Now that I completed my profile, I let eHarmony work it's magic and do all the heavy lifting to bring me my potential future significant others. At first, I only got three. Wow, out of the thousands of people on there, there's only three for me? Apparently I'm really difficult to be compatible with.
But then, as the weekend progressed I got 6 or 7 matches a day. I'll admit, it was kind of exciting to see I had new matches. It was fun. Some of them seemed okay, some seemed interesting, others were misspelled (therefore I couldn't stand it), and most were downright hilarious (both intentional and unintentional).
Because I'm sure you'd get real bored real fast, I won't share every detail of every profile of matches I received. After all, you didn't sing up for it, I did, so it's my job to go through all the dreck to find you the real hilarious gems. Like this one: Eharmony asks, What is one thing you are most passionate about? This guy (who actually lives pretty darn close to me, so I'm not saying who or where exactly) replies "I am most passionate about women who are physically attractive and easy-going..." (and then adds that the most important thing he is looking for in a person is "that she is physically attractive, kind, and easy-going, all equally important." Really dude, that's what you're most passionate about? Then he goes on to add he's also passionate about "a hobby I have of editing and cleaning up rated R movies." Ok, that's it. I can't do it. You are definitely not my match.
Another guy was really passionate about the things he's passionate about. He used an exclamation point after the end of every sentence. He even went so far as to CAPITALIZE several WORDS! Ok, calm down. Another guy basically wrote his entire green eco-friendly agenda as his passion. Got it, you want to save the world one florescent bulb at a time. (Same guy wrote his best friends knew he came to college young. What are you trying to subtly say, huh?) Another wrote that he wanted me to know that he "originally is from France. I moved to the States when I was 13." Is this supposed to impress me? Because, really it's just coming off as pretentious.
On to the next set! Then one guy, who seemed really artsy and into theater, claimed that his best friends know that he used to be "addicted to parking illegally?". Ummmm Ok. Didn't know that was something you could be addicted to and is it because you loved the thrill of being a criminal? I don't know, I just thought it was something really weird he put that he was trying to be funny with, but instead it was just odd. Another person said (when saying what he does in his free time) "And I'm not ashamed to admit it, I love to watch TV and movies when I'm at home." Is watching TV and movies a thing to be shameful about? Isn't that what most of the American public does? Also similar, a guy wrote that he still used the terms boyfriend and girlfriend no matter how out of date his friends say they are. Since when is the term boyfriend and girlfriend out of date? I must have missed the memo.
I do admire the honesty of some, like this guy who said he is "passionate and loving even though on the surface [he] seems hard, cold, and uncaring." (He was in the military... it makes sense, but I'm sure its tough to get past that hard, cold, uncaring exterior.) This same person said: "I am a fortress that very few will ever be allowed inside. You might one day be given access. But understand that the things you don't know about me could fill the Grand Canyon." Wow, dude. Nevermind, I think I might just move on then...
I thought it was funny when they didn't understand or answer the questions correctly. Like, for instance, the question was what is the first thing people notice about you? The guy answered, "I always notice someone's smile. It really expresses their personality." Ummm, not the answer I was looking for. Then there was another person when asked who is the most influential person in your life answered, "leaders of the church." All of them? You can't just pick one? To the same question another wrote, "Does God count?" Yes, I'll give you that one, but just this once. In the spot asking what other information that he wants you to know, one put, "of course." Kind of in the same vein, another just babbled on, trying to cover his tracks: "I haven't always possessed a desire for learning about the scriptures, and spiritual things; I mean, I always was to a certain degree, because I'm a deep thinker and it's always been on my mind. But, since my mission I've really come to have a hunger for things found within the word of God. Sounds cheesy to say, but hey, I'm trying to be honest here." (This same person also had a passion for video games and how they tell a story and he wanted to do it as a career. No thanks, pal.) One guy remarked he couldn't live without "the girl of his dreams!!!" Ummm seems like he's been living okay so far.
There were several mistakes and typos going on in these profiles, and for the most part I could forgive most of them because I understand that no one is perfect and sometimes you mistype things. However, there are a few things that were unforgivable, like with "JOnathan." Ok, maybe his name is really spelled that way, or he was trying to emphasize his nickname, but for some reason I highly doubt it. If you can't even type your name right, things are not going to work out well between us. (eHarmony tried to help out by saying that both JOnathan and I were a Cancer which is something we could talk about! Oh goody!!!) Then there was another one who wrote: "I must say the freinds who I have chosen to be around me. They are always freindly and want me to go after my dreams." Once, I could probably let it go, but twice??? No way my friend. No. (This guy had several other mistakes too, like "esay" (for easy) "somtimes" and he didn't even capitalize his name.)
What I thought was funny was what a few guys said was their "Occupation." Like JOnathan, who claimed his occupation was an "Engineer in Education." What exactly does that mean? He's learning to be an engineer? He's engineering education? Then there was another one who said: "I will explain when asked" Ummm, are you a spy? Or are you unemployed? What is there to explain? Then there was another guy who said "I have a good, solid career." Oh yeah? so solid you can't say what it is you do?
Then there were a few guys who were actually pretty funny, intentionally. Like one who said he wished more people would notice "that I'm a really thoughtful and sensitive guy, then again what guy makes that apparent?" Hmmm very true. One guy said he couldn't live without Rosco his mule (which is a tossup between intentional humor and unintentional). Another said that he wished more people noticed his "really beautiful hazel colored eyes." To the same question, another said "how absolutely devoted I am and the cute, fun, and sweet ways I show it. :)" The same person said "One time my family went on a trip to some sort of park or animal reserve and an elk came and licked our window!! Seriously!! I have the craziest adventures!" LOL... ok, if you say so. Another said that people notice "how nice I am. Sometimes I think it is a curse." Curse niceness! There was one guy in particular that made me laugh the most, and his I'll share with you in its entirety (click to enlarge):
Now that I completed my profile, I let eHarmony work it's magic and do all the heavy lifting to bring me my potential future significant others. At first, I only got three. Wow, out of the thousands of people on there, there's only three for me? Apparently I'm really difficult to be compatible with.
But then, as the weekend progressed I got 6 or 7 matches a day. I'll admit, it was kind of exciting to see I had new matches. It was fun. Some of them seemed okay, some seemed interesting, others were misspelled (therefore I couldn't stand it), and most were downright hilarious (both intentional and unintentional).
Because I'm sure you'd get real bored real fast, I won't share every detail of every profile of matches I received. After all, you didn't sing up for it, I did, so it's my job to go through all the dreck to find you the real hilarious gems. Like this one: Eharmony asks, What is one thing you are most passionate about? This guy (who actually lives pretty darn close to me, so I'm not saying who or where exactly) replies "I am most passionate about women who are physically attractive and easy-going..." (and then adds that the most important thing he is looking for in a person is "that she is physically attractive, kind, and easy-going, all equally important." Really dude, that's what you're most passionate about? Then he goes on to add he's also passionate about "a hobby I have of editing and cleaning up rated R movies." Ok, that's it. I can't do it. You are definitely not my match.
Another guy was really passionate about the things he's passionate about. He used an exclamation point after the end of every sentence. He even went so far as to CAPITALIZE several WORDS! Ok, calm down. Another guy basically wrote his entire green eco-friendly agenda as his passion. Got it, you want to save the world one florescent bulb at a time. (Same guy wrote his best friends knew he came to college young. What are you trying to subtly say, huh?) Another wrote that he wanted me to know that he "originally is from France. I moved to the States when I was 13." Is this supposed to impress me? Because, really it's just coming off as pretentious.
On to the next set! Then one guy, who seemed really artsy and into theater, claimed that his best friends know that he used to be "addicted to parking illegally?". Ummmm Ok. Didn't know that was something you could be addicted to and is it because you loved the thrill of being a criminal? I don't know, I just thought it was something really weird he put that he was trying to be funny with, but instead it was just odd. Another person said (when saying what he does in his free time) "And I'm not ashamed to admit it, I love to watch TV and movies when I'm at home." Is watching TV and movies a thing to be shameful about? Isn't that what most of the American public does? Also similar, a guy wrote that he still used the terms boyfriend and girlfriend no matter how out of date his friends say they are. Since when is the term boyfriend and girlfriend out of date? I must have missed the memo.
I do admire the honesty of some, like this guy who said he is "passionate and loving even though on the surface [he] seems hard, cold, and uncaring." (He was in the military... it makes sense, but I'm sure its tough to get past that hard, cold, uncaring exterior.) This same person said: "I am a fortress that very few will ever be allowed inside. You might one day be given access. But understand that the things you don't know about me could fill the Grand Canyon." Wow, dude. Nevermind, I think I might just move on then...
I thought it was funny when they didn't understand or answer the questions correctly. Like, for instance, the question was what is the first thing people notice about you? The guy answered, "I always notice someone's smile. It really expresses their personality." Ummm, not the answer I was looking for. Then there was another person when asked who is the most influential person in your life answered, "leaders of the church." All of them? You can't just pick one? To the same question another wrote, "Does God count?" Yes, I'll give you that one, but just this once. In the spot asking what other information that he wants you to know, one put, "of course." Kind of in the same vein, another just babbled on, trying to cover his tracks: "I haven't always possessed a desire for learning about the scriptures, and spiritual things; I mean, I always was to a certain degree, because I'm a deep thinker and it's always been on my mind. But, since my mission I've really come to have a hunger for things found within the word of God. Sounds cheesy to say, but hey, I'm trying to be honest here." (This same person also had a passion for video games and how they tell a story and he wanted to do it as a career. No thanks, pal.) One guy remarked he couldn't live without "the girl of his dreams!!!" Ummm seems like he's been living okay so far.
There were several mistakes and typos going on in these profiles, and for the most part I could forgive most of them because I understand that no one is perfect and sometimes you mistype things. However, there are a few things that were unforgivable, like with "JOnathan." Ok, maybe his name is really spelled that way, or he was trying to emphasize his nickname, but for some reason I highly doubt it. If you can't even type your name right, things are not going to work out well between us. (eHarmony tried to help out by saying that both JOnathan and I were a Cancer which is something we could talk about! Oh goody!!!) Then there was another one who wrote: "I must say the freinds who I have chosen to be around me. They are always freindly and want me to go after my dreams." Once, I could probably let it go, but twice??? No way my friend. No. (This guy had several other mistakes too, like "esay" (for easy) "somtimes" and he didn't even capitalize his name.)
What I thought was funny was what a few guys said was their "Occupation." Like JOnathan, who claimed his occupation was an "Engineer in Education." What exactly does that mean? He's learning to be an engineer? He's engineering education? Then there was another one who said: "I will explain when asked" Ummm, are you a spy? Or are you unemployed? What is there to explain? Then there was another guy who said "I have a good, solid career." Oh yeah? so solid you can't say what it is you do?
Then there were a few guys who were actually pretty funny, intentionally. Like one who said he wished more people would notice "that I'm a really thoughtful and sensitive guy, then again what guy makes that apparent?" Hmmm very true. One guy said he couldn't live without Rosco his mule (which is a tossup between intentional humor and unintentional). Another said that he wished more people noticed his "really beautiful hazel colored eyes." To the same question, another said "how absolutely devoted I am and the cute, fun, and sweet ways I show it. :)" The same person said "One time my family went on a trip to some sort of park or animal reserve and an elk came and licked our window!! Seriously!! I have the craziest adventures!" LOL... ok, if you say so. Another said that people notice "how nice I am. Sometimes I think it is a curse." Curse niceness! There was one guy in particular that made me laugh the most, and his I'll share with you in its entirety (click to enlarge):
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
The E Files--Part 2: Setting Up My Profile
Last time on E Files, Agent Mattie was entering an alien, unknown world of online dating, and her first task was to pass the grueling entrance exam to appear like the aliens themselves. It's only by pretending to be one of them that Agent Mattie can really learn more about their mating rituals. The next step, now that Agent Mattie was in, was to make herself a profile, to be included as part of the alien community:
Luckily some of my profile was filled out when I took that test. But then, it asked me to include some more info and answer more questions, you know to make sure I really was invested and putting myself out there. Since the profile is basically my advertisement to the world, I had to make sure it looked good, but at the same time was me.
This was hard to do. At least on Facebook, for example, I can really be me because I'm talking with friends and family and putting up links and photos so you get the sense of how I am. With my eHarmony profile, I tried to be me as much as I could, but I didn't want to lay it all out at the beginning or else they wouldn't want to get to know me, right?
So I did my best trying to explain myself in the limited space I was given, answering the questions as truthfully as I could, but at the same time putting my style and personality in the writing. I think what I came up with was pretty good (click to enlarge):
My profile lets people know I'm fun, religious, family-oriented, smart, funny, and ready for a challenge.
Now, all I had to do was wait.
Luckily some of my profile was filled out when I took that test. But then, it asked me to include some more info and answer more questions, you know to make sure I really was invested and putting myself out there. Since the profile is basically my advertisement to the world, I had to make sure it looked good, but at the same time was me.
This was hard to do. At least on Facebook, for example, I can really be me because I'm talking with friends and family and putting up links and photos so you get the sense of how I am. With my eHarmony profile, I tried to be me as much as I could, but I didn't want to lay it all out at the beginning or else they wouldn't want to get to know me, right?
So I did my best trying to explain myself in the limited space I was given, answering the questions as truthfully as I could, but at the same time putting my style and personality in the writing. I think what I came up with was pretty good (click to enlarge):
My profile lets people know I'm fun, religious, family-oriented, smart, funny, and ready for a challenge.Now, all I had to do was wait.
Monday, February 22, 2010
The E(harmony) (Pro)Files--Part 1: The Personality Test
As some of you may recall, I received an email on Valentine's Day weekend advertising that eHarmony was free for 5 days. Well, not really. I misread it, and it was really free communication for 5 days. But, I thought, what the heck. I was curious, and I figured I'll sign up and see what happens. If anything, I'd get some pretty entertaining material like a friend of mine had.
The first step of setting up an eHarmony profile is taking the personality test that helps eHarmony's algorithm match you up with the most compatible people for you. You know, they match on "29 dimensions of deep compatibility." Now that I've taken this test, I think it's a load of crap. Maybe it's just me, but some of these questions were ridiculous:
1. "True or False: My house is often cleaner when I have company coming over."
Ummm... don't most people clean when they know someone's coming? Pretty sure I don't know anyone who says, "Company's coming! Quick make a mess!"
2. "True or False: I generally want to come out ahead."
Doesn't everyone? I really don't want to be matched with someone who wants to come out behind because he clearly has no ambition or goals.
Then, there were preference questions, and I felt a little odd answering a few of them. For example, it asked me what race I would prefer to be matched up with. I felt a little racist putting "Caucasian," but honestly, I don't see myself with a little Chinese man. So, to make up for my glaring racism, I put that it wasn't that important to me that this guy should be white.
There were, however, a few things that I said were really important to me, like the fact that I wanted to be matched with another LDS person (or at least one that claimed to be) and someone that didn't smoke or drink at all. However, eHarmony, I guess, felt like I was being too restrictive on the drinking one and told me this:
Sorry, eHarmony, I don't care how many more matches I'll get if I say I'm okay with someone drinking once a week or more; there's a reason why I have it set that way in the first place!
Anyway, so I finally manage to get through the compatibility/personality test after a couple hours. No, seriously, it took forever. There were 10 freaking sections. I felt like I was going through an extensive background check/vetting process, or an intense employment application or something. I had to take several breaks just cause I couldn't stand staring at the screen and answering questions anymore. It was crazy, but I had completed the test and was signed up to be a member of the eHarmony community.
The next step was setting up my profile...
The first step of setting up an eHarmony profile is taking the personality test that helps eHarmony's algorithm match you up with the most compatible people for you. You know, they match on "29 dimensions of deep compatibility." Now that I've taken this test, I think it's a load of crap. Maybe it's just me, but some of these questions were ridiculous:
1. "True or False: My house is often cleaner when I have company coming over."
Ummm... don't most people clean when they know someone's coming? Pretty sure I don't know anyone who says, "Company's coming! Quick make a mess!"
2. "True or False: I generally want to come out ahead."
Doesn't everyone? I really don't want to be matched with someone who wants to come out behind because he clearly has no ambition or goals.
Then, there were preference questions, and I felt a little odd answering a few of them. For example, it asked me what race I would prefer to be matched up with. I felt a little racist putting "Caucasian," but honestly, I don't see myself with a little Chinese man. So, to make up for my glaring racism, I put that it wasn't that important to me that this guy should be white.
There were, however, a few things that I said were really important to me, like the fact that I wanted to be matched with another LDS person (or at least one that claimed to be) and someone that didn't smoke or drink at all. However, eHarmony, I guess, felt like I was being too restrictive on the drinking one and told me this:
Sorry, eHarmony, I don't care how many more matches I'll get if I say I'm okay with someone drinking once a week or more; there's a reason why I have it set that way in the first place!
Anyway, so I finally manage to get through the compatibility/personality test after a couple hours. No, seriously, it took forever. There were 10 freaking sections. I felt like I was going through an extensive background check/vetting process, or an intense employment application or something. I had to take several breaks just cause I couldn't stand staring at the screen and answering questions anymore. It was crazy, but I had completed the test and was signed up to be a member of the eHarmony community.
The next step was setting up my profile...
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
A Brief Interruption for an Announcement
I know I said in my last post that the next few posts were going to be my adventures in the world of online dating. But, I had a blog-worthy announcement that merited an interruption of said series.
Today is Ash Wednesday, (no that's not my announcement)and although most of you (and really even me) don't care about this, it marks the start of Lent. Well I don't observe Lent (which mostly entails giving something up for the days between now and Easter), never have, but I decided that this year it coincided nicely with my decision to be healthier.
So, for the first time in my life, I decided to "observe Lent" in the fact that I will give up something for a month. What is it?
Sweets.
That's right folks, I've decided to give up sweets for a month (although my Catholic friend says Lent is actually 46/47 days and you can cheat on Sundays, but I'm going to do it my way). I'm not exactly doing it in the spirit you're supposed to for Lent, but I figured, if other people in the world can give up something during Lent for the sake of the Lord, then I can too.
Yeah, I'm praying I last more than a week.
*And now back to your regularly scheduled posts.*
Today is Ash Wednesday, (no that's not my announcement)and although most of you (and really even me) don't care about this, it marks the start of Lent. Well I don't observe Lent (which mostly entails giving something up for the days between now and Easter), never have, but I decided that this year it coincided nicely with my decision to be healthier.
So, for the first time in my life, I decided to "observe Lent" in the fact that I will give up something for a month. What is it?
Sweets.
That's right folks, I've decided to give up sweets for a month (although my Catholic friend says Lent is actually 46/47 days and you can cheat on Sundays, but I'm going to do it my way). I'm not exactly doing it in the spirit you're supposed to for Lent, but I figured, if other people in the world can give up something during Lent for the sake of the Lord, then I can too.
Yeah, I'm praying I last more than a week.
*And now back to your regularly scheduled posts.*
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