Gentlemen Please Only Respond If...

Well, I have an email box full of my half joking request to have one of you join me for the Nutcracker in December at Lincoln Center. I appreciate that many of you ladies would like to accompany me, and, while I do agree with the argument that going to ballet is very much a "chick thing", I would much rather the company of a gentleman.

A gentleman is defined as "a man of noble or gentle birth b : a man belonging to the landed gentry c (1) : a man who combines gentle birth or rank with chivalrous qualities (2) : a man whose conduct conforms to a high standard of propriety or correct behavior d (1) : a man of independent means who does not engage in any occupation or profession for gain (2) : a man who does not engage in a menial occupation or in manual labor for gain"

So to the rude, blunt man who thinks me hanging off the back of his Harley is my idea of a good time, thanks but, no thanks. There was much more to his vulgar email which isn't fit for public reading, simply use your imagination for such a person.

To the rather cocky UES doctor who apparently thinks he is God's gift to women, to you I also thanks but, no thanks. While tales of romantic escapes might be enchanting to some, it is only a turn off to me. Anyone who has more than 50 partners in his past and has yet to reach 50 years of age is not for me. I wish you luck in finding your next victim, I mean date.

To the 23 year old. You are absolutely adorable. If I was 22 there is no way I would be able to wait until December. Alas, young man (and I do mean young man) I am not a cougar nor do I want to be one. And so I toss you back into the dating pond.

To the snide guy from the Midwest asking who I think I am or what do I have to offer, my reply is this:

1. I am well traveled and will continue to be well traveled. Why is this important? To quote Mark Twain "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." I have been to over 25 countries in the world (including 3 of the 7 continents). I can hold intelligent conversations about many countries and cities around the world.
   
2. I am not a fat couch potato. I walk at least 3 miles every day and go to the gym at least 4 times a week. My body is toned.
3. If you had followed my blog from the start or had bothered to read anything about me, you know I will not reveal my profession. Rest assured I make a very good salary.
4. My looks might not appeal to everyone, but, I do seem to be appealing to the majority of the population including the professional modeling agency who approached me in my younger years. Oh yes, they were from a very real and legitimate agency; and, yes they approached me, not the other way around.
5. I can converse on many topics from music to real estate to equine related topics, and, those are to just to mention a few.

And these are just a few of my qualities. I made a promise when I started this blog that I would at least write back once to anyone who wrote to me. I am continuing to keep that promise, however, if you don't hear from me again, you simply couldn't hold my interest.

The invitation to the Nutcracker with me was meant tongue-in-check. In other words, it wasn't meant to be taken seriously. However, apparently more than one of you did take it seriously, and, if someone out there truly thinks he might be a match for me then by all means please email me at SWF42email@gmail.com

Nutcracker Sweet!

For those interested in attending the Nutcracker at Lincoln Center this year, individual tickets go on sale on September 28th. Group tickets are available now. Here's the link: http://www.nycballet.com/nutcracker/nutcracker.html

Who wants to go with me? Email me at swf42email@gmail.com with photo and why you would be my dream date.

A Room With A View - 2009 NYC Hotels With View Thankgiving

I'm still a bit under the weather with my cold. By the way I had a great time on Friday, I'm not going as far as saying this guy is the one but, I can certainly see myself going out with him once in a while. As I always say, the good ones aren't all taken!

Anyhow I digress, since I'm still fighting off my third summer cold (a new record for me). I am going to give you a link to a great article about the new Thanksgiving Parade route for 2009. It also contains hotels with views:
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-18067-NY-Budget-Hotel-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d10-A-Room-With-A-View--2009-NYC-Hotels-With-Views-Of-The-Thanksgiving-Day-Parade

Other articles for those coming to New York City to visit during Thanksgiving 2009 (by the same writer):

Airline Prices for Thanksgiving Weekend from a variety of samples:
http://www.examiner.com/x-18067-NY-Budget-Hotel-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d5-Thanksgiving-Weekend-In-New-York-City-Part-One--Deals-And-Steals

Broadway shows that are performing Thanksgiving Day or Evening:
http://www.examiner.com/x-18067-NY-Budget-Hotel-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d6-Thanksgiving-Weekend-In-New-York-City-Part-Two--Its-Simply-Magical

Restaurants that are open Thanksgiving Day and NYC Stores Shopping Guide with addresses:
http://www.examiner.com/x-18067-NY-Budget-Hotel-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d7-Thanksgiving-Weekend-In-New-York-City-Part-Three--Restaurants-Shopping-and-Black-Friday

Another weekend, another date - now I have his cold

In a word: YUCK! I have a cold again. My date who gave me the cold is coming over to cook me dinner and watch a movie tonight. He's sweet especially since he isn't 100% himself. I just hope we don't get into the routine of passing it back and forth to each other.

On another note, out of the blue someone from past called me about returning to my old career. Without giving too much away, I have no desire to return to that life. It was fun in my 20s but, it something I wouldn't remotely consider now. I'll just say it was fashion related - draw your own conclusions.

I sigh realizing the time that has passed by since that job. Failed relationships, deaths of friends and family, and, other marks that time has passed. I never thought I'd be in my 40s and alone but, here I am. To tell you the truth, I'm getting tired of dating. At this age, there is nothing fun or glamorous about it. I'm not saying I want to get married but, I really need to get back into a more solid, long term relationship.

LOL

I literally just got a cute email from someone asking if he could share my cold with me, and, sent me the following:

How to catch a cold

As the calendar pages fall away and autumn creeps toward winter, we slog through the inevitable cold and flu season. You know those first, scratchy-throated signs that a cold has taken hold. And you know you're in for about a week's worth of unshakeable symptoms - a dry, sore throat, stuffed-up nose, and coughing and sneezing fits. Want to make sure to get in on all that fun? Here are some surefire ways to catch a cold:

• Become a sneeze guard. Cold viruses get spread around by mucus and saliva flung out of the body by sneezes and coughs. Thus, if you really want to catch a cold, try standing downwind of someone who already has one.
• Touch everything and never wash your hands. While most cold germs are airborne, many get passed around on our hands. Thoroughly washing your hands or using hand sanitizers will remove many of the germs, but cold viruses can lurk anywhere hands have touched: door knobs, toilet flushers, telephones, bus or subway poles, and shopping cart handles. The machines at the gym and the buttons on the AT M, too. So touch everything - especially your nose!
• Stick your nose out. Temperatures drop and you bundle up in coats, scarves, and gloves, but your nose often gets left out in the cold. One catch-a-cold theory goes that when your nose is cold, you become less resistant to infection.
• Walk barefoot in the cold. Your grandma may have warned you about "catching your death of cold" if you dared go out outside with a wet head in wintertime. Well, it seems your grandma may be at least partly right. You see, many of us carry cold viruses around with us all the time, but we just don't always show the symptoms. Researchers at Cardiff University in Wales suggest that when the feet are cold, blood vessels in the nose constrict. This then makes it tough for your nose to fight off the virus and cold symptoms kick into high gear. So it seems like we just "caught" a cold, but it had been there waiting for a chill all the time.
• Hang out in the city. Cities are packed full of virus carriers - building ventilation systems, people walking or riding on buses and in cars, children going to and from school, and people crossing paths in hospitals, malls, and any number of other public gathering places.
• Stress out. Want a cold? Worry! Get anxious! It's thought that tension can make you less resistant to infection.
• Stop aging. With age comes wisdom, and this is true with your immune system, too. With every cold you battle, your immune system creates more and more antibodies and becomes smarter at handling new viruses that come along.
• Be human. No wonder it's called the common cold: Over two hundred different viruses float around and infect us humans every year, causing those familiar, unpleasant symptoms. Adults suffer an average of 2 to 5 colds each year, while kids experience 7 to 10 sniffle-and-sneeze episodes.

In all seriousness, it is tough to fend off all of the viruses that create cold symptoms. But you can lower your risk by turning all of those tips on their head - well, except for those last two!

• Cover your mouth when you sneeze and cough. Keep germs off of your hands by coughing and sneezing into the bend of your elbow. And, of course, stay out of the line of fire of other people's germs.
• As much as you can, refrain from touching your nose, eyes, or mouth. Wash your hands with soap and water often - it's the best way to remove germs you've picked up from touching things around you. Hand sanitizers will tide you over until you can get to a sink.
• Learn to cope with stress in your life.
• Bundle up when you head out into the cold, and don't forget your poor vulnerable nose!
• Try to steer clear of crowded places during the high contagious season. Stay home from work or school if you're sick to prevent spreading the cold you've "successfully" caught.

And then watch this adorable Disney short about catching cold:



Thanks mystery man! Your offer to catch cold just so you can meet me and take me on a date was sweet. And yes, you made me feel better - well not really but, knowing a complete stranger took the time to write to me was great. Thank you! And look for an email back :)

Visiting NYC During Thanksgiving and Yet Another Cold For me

UGGGHH!!! I woke up with yet another cold!! This is the third one this summer, I guess I'm not taking care of myself like I should. I'll have to start building my immunity system back up or else it's going to be one tough winter. (I average three to four really bad fall/winter colds). So that puts a damper on my date tomorrow night but, the guy who passed it on to me is coming over to cook me dinner and we're going to watch a movie at my place. Isn't that sweet?

I'm working from home today, it's going to rain later and I don't want to get worse than I already am - fever, chills and other usual cold symptoms. Anyhow, I was helping a co-worker plan out Thanksgiving weekend for extended family who are visiting NYC and I stumbled across these two articles: http://www.examiner.com/x-18067-NY-Budget-Hotel-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d5-Thanksgiving-Weekend-In-New-York-City-Part-One--Deals-And-Steals and http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-18067-NY-Budget-Hotel-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d6-Thanksgiving-Weekend-In-New-York-City-Part-Two--Its-Simply-Magical

They give great information and the photo slide shows are wonderful. It's making me get into the holiday spirit already! Although, as you know from past entries I'm already anticipating the holidays this year but, these articles are really putting me in the mood.

It's hard to believe soon the Rockefeller Center and Ice Rinks will open, a nip will be in the air, and, then bam - the department stores will have the Christmas decorations up. I think I mentioned this in a past post but, Hallmark ALREADY have their holiday ornaments out for sale. And, somewhere in between I'll catch my annual Thanksgiving or Christmas cold or sometimes it's both, it happens like clock work.

Well, I better make some tea and try to get rid of THIS cold before worrying about one that I know is coming later in the year. Anyone want a cold? I'm giving one away for free...

Sex and the City 2 , where to go to eat on Friday, and other thoughts

I just spoke with the guy I went out on the date with over the weekend, he is on the mend but still battling a cold, and, we're going out again this Friday (dinner and a movie), he's letting me pick the restaurant, but, I'm not sure where we should go. I'm reading menupages but, haven't seen anything that really knocks me out yet. We will probably go see The Ugly Truth the movies this summer haven't been overwhelmingly interesting.

Speaking of movies, I cannot believe the turn out they had for the new Sex and the City 2 casting call. It never ceases to amaze me who thinks they are good looking, I mean the egos on some people are just outrageous! Rumor has it that the new movie will be out in 2010 so that's something we fans have something to look forward to in the not so distant future.

Other than that, a pretty mundane Tuesday for me. Fingers crossed I'm not getting sick, I have a terrible headache...

Another weekend, another date - he had a cold, it wasn't great

Nothing overly exciting to report - Atlantic City didn't happen and instead, I went on a date with a new guy this past weekend, but, it wasn't the best it could have been the poor guy was coming down with a cold. I checked in on him today and, he is absolutely horrible. I'm just hoping I don't get it. I don't know if it is my imagination or not but, it seems like there are lots of summer colds going around this year - more than normal.

As for our date, he planned a really nice one. We started with dinner at the RedEye Grill. In a word, YUM! I had the Crispy Shrimp Maki Roll - excellent and my date had the Cuban Skirt Steak. Dessert is a must at this establishment but, we were just too full to indulge.

After dinner, we proceed to see "Hair" - it wasn't at all stale or dated as someone had told me and it was absolutely spectacular. As when this show first opened, it should be noted this show is not for young children - there is nudity.

After the show we had a horse and carriage ride home. Very romantic but, I could tell my date was miserable the entire time. I kept asking if he wanted to leave but, he insisted that we stay.

While the date went well, it would have been perfect if he didn't have a sore throat and runny nose. I agreed to see again after he is better. I'm not sure if this will develop into anything more than a few dates but, you never know...