dating. twenty-somethings.

So - I've been living in Portland for about 9 months now I think? Actually, now that I think about it ... I've been here almost a year. What the crap?! Right? As you get older, I'm pretty sure hours, days, weeks, years all start to blend together. I'm not quite sure that I'm happy about this little circumstance. Considering it means I'm getting older faster, and my twenty-somethings are slipping through my fingers like sand. Eeek. What is a girl to do?

Okay - So, the purpose of this epic and life altering blog post is about my dating experiences and what I've learned ... or should I say, been forced to accept?

Dating in your twenties could be one of the most frustrating, painful and exhausting times of a young girl's life. Trying to pick apart a guy's brain and figure out what the shit is going on in his head is, as I like to say: 'mission impossible.' Over the course of my time here in Portland I have dated quite a few guys, not trying to brag by any means, because HEY, I'm still single. UGhhh. However, from all of these initial attractions, first dates, and over abundance of text messages, lack of communication and fading of any sign of a functional relationship ... you have no choice but to figure out just exactly who YOU are as a person, and what YOU want out of someone else.

I'm pretty sure that as I write this, my blog is now going to contain the 'random banter of ashley' and whether or not someone actually reads it ... I suppose for a moment I feel special that I get to write all of this on this nifty page. Post it. As if it's something 'official.' And leave it at that.

I now understand why blogging is taking over the world and people are obsessed borderline nutty about it. It's fantastic writing down your thoughts - pretty much a great release of stress, emotions, and non-sense that seems to be taking up more space in your mind than you actually need. After all, I need that space for work shit! Ugh. damn it.

Okay - back to the dating stuff. I've come to realize a THEME with dating. Especially when you're in your twenties, when you're not quite sure what you're looking for and trying to 'put yourself out there' ...

THEME: Meet up. Hook Up. Hang Up.

Simple as that ... you meet a guy. Get excited about this person being a 'new creature.' After a few dates you're swooned by his convincing words and charming ways and you make the worst mistake of all. You hook up. And that's when the inevitable happens. The 'Hang Up.' That's right. If you're lucky you'll get a few texts here and there saying 'What's Up' ... 'How you doin?' And then it's done. Communication done. You erase his numbers. Possibly see him out a bar where the inevitable awkward 'hey' comes into play. You each go your own way. And before you know it ... one of your girlfriends is setting you up with 'this great guy that you just HAVE to meet!'

Right ... but then reality sets in. You agree to the blind-date. But in the back of your mind are thinking ... 'Here we go again.'

Theme song to this blog: "Another one bites the dust."