Tonight, I just felt like listening to Johnny Gill and spilling some thoughts. I’m going with the title above since this is not an organized entry about anything in particular. Away I go …
Since most of my dating life has been relegated to online avenues, my turn-ons now include: honest profile information; correct grammar, spelling and punctuation; face pictures; three-or-more-word responses; exchanges that don’t ask my racial background; and no-pressure invitations to meet.
If I were a betting man, I would wager that most of my social outings in New York have been with my friends who have visited. Planning activities with local buddies seems to be a rare circumstance. See, apparently saying, “Let’s meet up at 5 p.m. on Saturday at the Cozy Soup ‘n’ Burger” is some sort of social faux pas. Yet, spontaneity usually results in, “Oh, I’m working” or “I already have other plans” or unanswered phone calls or texts. Where’s the balance or is it just me? As a result, I’ve signed up for one Meetup.com group and will probably find a few others. I could use some new blood in my nonexistent social circle.
Maybe I could invite the kid (man? boy?) from the restaurant I went to last night. At one point, when the DJ put it on, he proceeded to perform the entire routine to Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).” I’m talking about with an arch in his back, a bounce in his step and a smile on his face. Bey would be so flattered.
I wonder if I come across as fake when I switch up how I talk. We all know it’s important to tailor your speech for your audience. I might have an easier time doing this because of my racial background, level of education and the places I’ve lived. I caught myself doing the switcheroo at a networking event a few weeks back. Reflecting on it later, I wondered what I would really sound like if I just talked freely.
200-Mine (2009, natch) is slowly moving along. For the most part, I feel in control of my life, but I am taking steps to become home happy and work happy in 2010. Guess I’ll have to theme next year 20-Again.
