… like why I’m home alone on a Saturday night.  FUZZIES!!!!

Clearly I needed Anjelah Johnson in my life sooner to shine a little light on my love life or lack there of.  Nails chewed to the quick augmented by an earlier faux pas pointed out by my cousin, of actual books in my house.  Surprised I haven’t been dubbed the crazy cat spinster yet by the neighbourhood kids.

John (Sam B. Barnes) and Fay (Megan Phillips), as shot by Brian Campbell.

So what was the show?  Norm Foster’s Here on the Flight Path at the Metro Theatre, a good light hearted comedy about navigating your way through life and relationships from the perspective of one man and three very different women. Kind of like the story I’m writing, only I don’t have quite so many voices in my head.  Had to chuckle at myself as I often talk to my audience, but when Samuel B. Barnes did as John Cummings, at first I wasn’t quite sure how to take it. It didn’t take long, however, for me to look forward to John’s little asides and insights to the audience.  Oh and how I felt for him with the loss of each new neighbour and the anticipation of what could be with the next, laughing at their quirks and that much harder when I saw one (or to be honest, a few) of my own in them. Well played by the entire cast – Samuel B. Barnes (as John Cummings), Megan Phillips (as Fay), Sarah Szloboda (as Angel), and Robyn Daye Edwards (as Gwen). They left me wanting more. And my girlfriend, who has never reviewed a play before, decided this was the perfect date – dare she even say, a first date. Although maybe not for the freshly divorced, unless a good laugh at your predicament would be therapeutic. Not recently divorced myself, but certainly in the foibles of dating, and therapeutic is exactly what this was for me.

John (Sam B. Barnes) and Angel (Sarah Szloboda), as shot by Brian Campbell.

The Metro Theatre is interesting unto itself.  I’d love to know it’s history.  From the pictures on the wall, it appears to have been acting as a theatre for longer than I’ve been alive, but it also has the look of an old cinema. Just be warned, give yourself an extra few minutes to find yourself a parking spot, if driving, although there is a parking lot just under the bridge that had plenty of empty spots.

As for our dinner, that was at Shota Sushi and Grill in Kerrisdale, which while not cheap, was very tasty and satisfying.

If this sounds like a good date or evening out to you, then you can catch Here on the Flight Path at the Metro Theatre now until February 13, 2011.

Seems such a loss of romance, adventure and mystery.  None of the excitement of the unknown and unexpected.  May have to make it my New Year’s resolution to only date offline in 2011.

Brought to you courtesy of my research elves - Susan and Brian.

Week One: The Beginning Shot to the New Year's Resolution

Some of you will remember my New Year’s Resolution to tone this up for my own well being, and will also remember that that DOESN’T mean dieting, but rather healthy living – good food, fresh air and exercise.  The good food part comes easily to me. Unlike concern over increased consumption of processed food on the CBC, I was brought up on home cooking and have taken that into my adult life. Where I’ve been struggling is that although I grew up outdoors, more and more I spend my days working in sedentary conditions at a computer, and whilst I started the year out with a healthy dose of fresh air and exercise, that went downhill with the month long Olympic Party, fueled with a healthy dose of hops and barley.  So as I revisited my Wheel of Life with my personal coach, Jennifer Priest, the other week, I noticed that I am still struggling to find a healthy balance in fun and recreation (which I consider to include exercise) and romance. And I think the two go hand in hand. I need to get OUT and be active way more than I am.

My Wheel of Life: January 2010

Some of you will recall that I’ve been experimenting with online dating for the past year or so, and whilst I was meeting some lovely men, it wasn’t really working for me.  Partially because I am a romantic and this was a rather contrived way to meet people, and partially because I spend my days working online and the last thing I want to do at night is to go back to the computer to create a personal life for myself.  It wasn’t working and I told Jennifer as much in our last session.  She had some great alternative suggestions.

A few ideas of Jennifer‘s to get me OUT and active and meeting people all at the same time are to:

• Go to the Driving Range after work and hit a few balls.
• Find a Hiking Group and join them for weekend hikes.
• Go for a walk on my own or borrow a friend’s dog to take for a walk and actually make eye contact, smile and say ‘hello’ to people when I am out and about (scary concept for the VanCity cats, I know).
• Join a Team Sport, with people I don’t know, like beach volleyball or dragon boating.

Not so outdoorsy, but goes well with the non-processed food, healthy eating part of my New Year’s Resolution, Jennifer also suggested singles cooking classes.  Definitely trying that one out.

Loving these ideas!  Especially as they get me outdoors and active and outside my comfort zone of my true blue friends (whom I love and adore, but am very quickly becoming the crazy spinster aunt to all their children).  Off to try my first one today (after the footie match that just started).  Found a hiking group and am going on my first hike with them.  Wish me luck!

Kisses,

Emme xoxo

Photographer: Robert Shaer

Here is the lengthy list:

• Best Richmond Restaurant
• 2nd Best Restaurant to Have Sex In
• 3rd Best Restaurant to Flirt In
• 3rd Best Soups

And I can attest to many of the above awards they’ve won, as I’ve certainly done my share of flirting there and their Indian Candy Chowder is THE BEST soup to has ever crossed my plumb and succulent lips.  I am just a little choked that despite having pranced around Gudrun in nothing but my skivvies, I can not be one of the #? to claim having had sex on the long table or bar. A bit of a green monster with envy at that one, I must say.

Photographer: Robert Shaer

Speaking of flirting and jealousy, I am most aghast that Gudrun is hosting the perfect event to deal with my spring fever and current blasé with the sacred institution of internet dating. You guessed it!  They are hosting a singles night this Thursday, April 15th. So why my chagrin?  Well, it is for the 40 – 60 crowd and I am only a mere 35 year old.  I date men in their 40s (and 30s and 20s) – does that make me eligible to come?

Other details for others wishing to attend:

• Tics are $20 and that gets you a drink and some tasty snacks.
• Event kicks off at 7 pm.
• Tics must be purchased in advance so that they can balance the male to female ratio.
• To get a tic, contact June at (604) 805-9136 or j_miller@shaw.ca

Oh and don’t forget to vote for Gudrun in the Best of Richmond!

Kisses,

Emme xoxo

And here I just thought that twitter was the new dating marketing, albeit one with rather crass and not all that eloquent men.  Kept wondering why they could never quite follow through. Computer impotency or just clumsy digits?

*kisses to @Veronica_Roth for enlightening me*

Wishing you all a summer filled with love stories of your own!

Thought you could all could use a bit of Friday Love from her!!!  I know I can (and really this is purely selfish, so I can look at her beautiful face all day).