Football and Men

The Cowboys got into the playoffs, so this week, I wanted to find a place to watch the game, while doing my scoping. I thought this was a prime opportunity to go to the Iron Cactus...back to the Iron Cactus. We were supposed to go there week two, but as Jessica's World goes, it didn't work out that way. They have three stories with large TVs; it would be a perfect place to watch the game.

My sister, Jennifer, and I drive 45 minutes to get to Iron Cactus in downtown Dallas. There are a lot of one way streets in downtown, so it makes it more difficult and time consuming to find parking. I circle the Iron Cactus once, looking for parking, since there is only parking along the street. I didn't see any spaces, so I drive down the block and around it once. I keep thinking there is bound to be a parking space. I mean really? It's 2 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon. I drive around a few more times, and then I notice an empty metered space. There is a "V" on the meter, saying valet, and that you can't park there between Monday 10 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Sunday.

I continue driving around the block again, when it dawns on me that Sunday at 3 a.m. was this morning...and now it's 2 p.m. That means I can, in fact, park there. When I circle around again, someone is already parked there....Dang it! Welcome to Jesssica's World. I passed this parking space about seven times before I realized that Sunday at 3 a.m. meant I actually could park there.

I end up getting frustrated and impatient (which isn't unusual...seeing patience when driving is NOT one of my strengths) and park several blocks away from the Iron Cactus. Jennifer and I walk the distance. When we arrive we take a couple of pictures. We enter and are seated. The upstairs is closed, so they seat us downstairs in the small bar area.

I came to watch the game, but the only TVs they had were 13 inch, where the score and time remaining in the game were cut off. I wouldn't really be able to watch the game on such a small TV that I couldn't even make out what the players were doing or even which team was doing what.

We decide to leave and find another place to watch the game and scope. I just don't know where we are going to go. It took us a lot longer to find parking than we were even inside Iron Cactus. We walk towards the car and pass a sports bar. I open the door to walk in, when all I see are small square black tables (that look cheap and old) and a bunch of people crowded around them...it was a dive. I guess the first clue was the all painted black doors with graffiti like paintings on them.

We get to the car and head back towards home, while my mind starts spinning about where to go next. Irving, Grapevine...Oh, Las Colinas. There are several restaurants in the business district there.

As we walk into Champps Restaurant, a several people walk out the door, not noticing that we are trying to enter as well. When we finally make our way through the single door, the place is packed. There are about 15 large screen TVs with the game on, and people everywhere. Almost every table is taken, and the bar is standing room only.

We sit down, and I immediately start looking everywhere for where my man could possibly be. There are a few guys sitting together at a table in my view, yet I find none of them interesting. I stare over at the bar...but all I can see are men with women or older men trying to pick up younger women...not my type.

Jennifer and I order, just as the second game begins. As we wait for our food, I'm constantly glancing around to see if anyone catches my attention. It seems there are a lot of families or couples here. I'm so glad to see so many women into football. Our extremely nice waiter and I talk football for a while before our food arrives.

As we eat our food...I got a yummy french dip sandwich, my eyes don't notice anyone of interest. It's a little frustrating in a room full of people, that I can't find any intriguing men. I mean, it's great for those women who are with the men, but not great for me....Dang it! : )

As Jennifer and I leave, Jennifer takes a couple of pictures of me to show my readers and viewers where I go. A guy, probably about mid 40's, asks, "What are you guys doing?"...as if it matters what we are doing.

I reply, "Taking pictures."

He says, "Do you live here?"

I respond, "Yes."

He says, "It looks like you are waiting for a taxi."

He walks towards the door, then calls back, "I can take your picture if you want."

I don't want to inconvenience him, so I reply, "No, thank you."

He says, "I wasn't going to ask for your phone number or blood type. I'm capable of taking a picture."

Not believing he got this defense..and it never occurring to me that he would ask for our numbers, I respond, "Okay, that would be great, thank you."

He walks over, and I hand him my camera. As I put my arm around my sister and smile, I ask, "Can you please make sure you get the Champps sign in it?"

He rudely says, "DIFFICULT," as if getting the sign just makes picture taking that much harder...He is the one who volunteered after all.

I thank him as he walks away.

Jennifer and I get into a long conversation on the way back. DEEP THOUGHTS BY JESSICA....I thought I would share it with you.

First of all, the best way I've found to describe my search is When Harry Met Sally Meets The Bachelor. If you have seen When Harry Met Sally, it's about finding the perfect person for you, the timing of it, and falling in love. The Bachelor is a reality about picking the person and also about falling in love. This is my reality..but it is also yours. Everyone can do it...you don't have to spend a lot of money. I think you should be able to find your person without having to pay someone thousands of dollars..you can find the person yourself. If you are looking for your person, you can join me in finding yours, by going to similar places, that I go to, in your own search.

Some of you may wonder why I am doing this...why I'm choosing to be so proactive with finding my wish man...

I spent many years trying to figure out what I wanted to do in my career, what my passion was, and following my heart. I never thought when I was in my twenties that being 35, single, with no kids was even in the realm of possibilities for my life. I never sat back and thought, "What would happen if I turn 35, am not married, and still have no kids." I would have to be Negative Nancy to think this.

I always thought that through life...work, school, friends, just living my life that I would eventually meet someone...like many people do. But this isn't what happened. I didn't. And being 35 and wanting kids...I needed to start having them a few years ago. I know that birth defects start to increase...and yes, I finally just got to the point in my life that I was like, "What the heck...where is my man?"

For the last 10 or 15 years, living my life and whatever came along with that didn't produce my wish man...so I can't keep doing that (the same thing) and expect it to produce different results. So, with that in mind, I need to be proactive in finding him.

I think many people in a similar situation will be able to identify with me. People who are focused on their career don't tend to think..."What's going to happen if I never meet someone...and I reach mid thirties and I still haven't met someone." We all think we will meet someone, and that it will happen when we want it to happen. What if it doesn't?

Then, like me, you need to set out to make it happen. Sitting on the couch or going to the same places aren't going to produce different results. So, we have to try new or different things...go to other places or events. You never know.

So, keep your eyes and mind open. You never know when the person you've spent so much time looking for is standing right beside you. Don't get too caught up in your own life that you forget to look...or look around. He/She could be standing right before your eyes.

Really? At a Grocery Store...

I read on line that one of the places you should look for a boy/girlfriend was at a grocery store. I just didn't understand this...how do people meet at the grocery store. Do you stand in the diary aisle and ask, "Do you prefer 2% or skim milk?" I said this very thing to someone, and she told me that the best place is actually in the produce department.

Well, this week, you guessed it...I went to the grocery store...two grocery stores, Wal-Mart and a higher end/more variety one Central Market. I made sure I didn't look like I just rolled out of bed. I didn't look like I was going out for a night on the town, as you can see in my pictures, but I dressed better than in pjs.

So, Wal-Mart...for those who don't know. You can find just about anything there...groceries, beauty supplies, hardware, automotive, electronics, etc. My sister, Jennifer, and I are outside of Wal-Mart taking my picture. I decide to add a little spice to my blog and upload pictures of my ventures. While taking my picture outside of Wal-Mart, a gentleman drives by, still in his vehicle, and waves to us. I glance at Jennifer, and we both laugh. Jennifer says, "Everyone wants their 15 minutes of fame."

Jennifer and I proceed to walk inside, discussing this very fact. I say in a mocking voice to Jennifer, "The guy lifts up his hand and says, 'Hi.'" Just then, a Wal-Mart worker says, "Hi" back to me. Jennifer and I both grin, and Jennifer says, "You see...15 minutes of fame."

My older sister is quite funny. She is a quiet introverted person, but she has a great amount of wit. She continually cracks me up.

I immediately start looking for my man, as soon as we walk through the two sets of double doors. There are two main entrances, and I park closer to the food entrance. I figure men need food, right?! I slowly and methodically walk through produce. If that's the best place to find men, I was going to take my time...and look like I was picking out the finest thing known to mankind. Slow and methodical that's how I'm going to find my wish man....

As we walk through produce, I see no potentials...I mean there wasn't even one. What is that about??!!

We continue one by one down the aisles. Then I think, "Beer. Yeah, beer." Maybe he will be by the alcohol. Well, let's just say, all the way in the back of the friendly Wal-Mart, there were no guys. I take that back. There were plenty of guys with girls or kids. But no decent looking, none ring wearing men.

I decide the next best place will be by beauty products...not beauty as in cosmetics. Beauty products as in deodorant, toothpaste, and soap. I venture there, and there wasn't a single guy...no pun intended..haha. There wasn't anyone down those aisle. And my luck was the same in hardware and automotive.

I start to get a little..just a little..bummed just thinking about how little possibilities there were today at Wal-Mart. What a bust...Then my mood quickly changes, when I think, "On to Central Market! Good things await me there!"

If you are not familiar with Central Market, it's a higher end grocery store. They carry items you wouldn't find at Wal-Mart and more variety. They also sell a lot of fresh meat, seafood, and flowers.

We walk into Central Market, and I think, "There a lot more possibilities here." Central Market is famous for having people with tasters everywhere...just my type of place. I have three samples of pineapple (Man, it was really, really good) before we get five feet inside.

Then again, I take my time, because we are in produce. Why do they put produce by the front door? Random thought for you...I slowly push the grocery cart making glances left and right..not finding anything that would tempt me. It really makes me wonder why the produce is "the best" place in a grocery store to find a guy.

We come to the fresh meat and seafood. My eyes wander while my sister orders some spicy shrimp from the worker. The problem I'm also finding is not only am I not finding any decent looking men, I'm also not seeing anyone who is tall enough. I'm 5'9", so I want someone who is at least 5'10" at the minimum...6' would be great!

Anyways, so as we go through Central Market, tasting dips, chips, soup, meatloaf, among many other things. People seem to shop here, because they don't seem to mind paying a bit more for food or drinks. but I see a lot of women or couples. I don't see any single men. I just don't know where they are hiding.

I intentionally went grocery shopping on a weekend day when the Cowboys weren't playing. I thought maybe the men would be out shopping...but then again the playoffs were on. So maybe they were still at home watching football.

This brings me to the question...when do single, good looking, tall, successful men go grocery shopping? When do they buy soap, deodorant, food, or anything?...GOSH, DARN IT!

I definitely think if you want to look for a certain type of person, then you need to look the part. You can't expect a King without looking like a Queen. If you don't want to go out with someone dressed in pjs, then don't wear them out yourself. They are made to be worn to bed. You have to look the part of who you want to attract. So make sure when you're going out on your ventures, look like the person you want to attract.

I hope you have better luck at the grocery stores than I did. Maybe I will have better luck next time...who knows. But this brings up a good point...If you are looking for someone, every time you go out is an opportunity. Every time you go somewhere, there is potential. Don't be in such a rush that you forget to open your eyes and your mind to what is around you. You have to make sure you take the time to notice the people around you...you never know when he is going to be standing right next to you.

Would We Know Each Other?

I walked into Wal-Mart the other day with a friend, we were busy talking as we shopped. Well, we really were only there to get a few things. We were talking, while my friend pushed the cart. We went from the office supplies aisle to the hardware section. We walked over to picture frames and back to hardware. Did I see you, and I was too busy talking to notice? We didn't find what we needed, but should I have looked in a different section, and then I would have seen you?

What if I drive the same route to work every day, and you're driving right behind me? Or you drive by me, we make eye contact, yet keep driving in different directions?

Maybe I'm out to eat with my sister, and you're sitting at another table with a woman. I notice you, and want so desperately to find the chance to talk with you...but you're with a "girlfriend." But I just made the mistake of your sister being your girlfriend.

It's unusual that I stop at a coffee shop. One day I do, but I'm in a bit of a hurry. So, I hurry and order, while just watching the time fade away, waiting for my coffee drink to be made. I don't take the time to look around...and you don't approach me, because you think I look annoyed...and really who wants to approach an annoyed woman. I quickly rush out the door, start my car, and never look back at you.

Would I know you, if I saw you? Would you recognize me, if you saw me? Would our eyes meet, and it just clicks? Would our hearts beat ever so quickly at the first sight of each other? Would you accidentally bump into me, and then "OH" we take notice? Do we drive by each other, then you turn around to follow me...just so when I get out, you can say, "Hi," introduce yourself, and get my number? Or do we grab for the same thing, our hands glide across each other's, and we feel it?

Do we meet at a sporting event, a fundraiser, or work? Do we meet on our own, through a friend or colleague? Is it love at first sight (whatever that means?) Or are we friends first before it turns to more? Or when we meet, do we "just know?" Do we meet once a week for a month or so? Or once we meet, you can't separate us?

If in a crowded room, could I pick YOU out? Could I just sense that you were there..somewhere? And when I saw you, would I say, "THERE!"? Would I know I would meet you that night before I even got there? Or was I just going about my day, doing whatever it was I was doing, and BOOM, there you were?

I may not know how, when or where I'm going to meet you, but you already occupy so many of my thoughts. The love I have for you already exists...and I don't even know who you are, yet I do. You possess certain qualities that I desire, for I would not be with you otherwise. You and I both know how much more we will become together. I know somewhere you are thinking and feeling the same thing. I know you want to find me as badly as I want to find you. I know you will know me...as I will know you. You will see and feel it, as much as I will. You will not be "perfect," as I am not, yet we will be perfect for each other.

It may be days, months or years (hopefully not years). Or it could be tomorrow. Tomorrow my life could change all because I meet you, my love! So, as I go about each and every day, I will look forward to tomorrow, for that is one day closer to meeting and being with you. You will change my life, as I will yours. Our longing to find one another will be over, and we can begin to enjoy the rest of our lives together. So, I fall asleep knowing tomorrow might be the day I meet you. There can be nothing that makes me happier...that is until you're in my life. Until we FINALLY meet....

Armed Forces Football Game

So you would think that going to a sporting event is bound to lead you to find a great guy. I mean, the event has to be swarming with guys...all kind of guys...tall, short, big, thin, handsome, single, etc. Well, that's what I thought anyways.

My sister-in-law works for ESPN. She is in charge for promoting and basically putting together the Armed Forces Bowl each year. And it falls on December 31, but it's during the day, so there should be a good crowd.

I have to drag myself out of bed. When I have to get up early...I can never just jump out of bed. To be honest, I never "jump" out of bed. I actually wake up and fall back asleep three times this morning, before actually getting up for the day. Do you ever have "those" types of days? I am just hoping I am not going to be dragging all day.

My older sister, Jennifer, and I go together. We actually leave about the time the game should start. I figure it wasn't something that I just HAD to be on time for. My brother told me exactly where to park and to take a shuttle to the game, which would be easier than trying to find parking. I easily find parking and start walking towards the shuttle stand.

We were about a five minute walk from the car, when I turn to my sister and say, "Did you not bring a hat?"

She replies, "No."

I am wearing a lime green ski looking coat with a faux fur hood attached to it. So, I grab an extra hat from my purse and hand it to her. I say, "Here, you can wear this one." I brought a winter hat, because I wanted to wear it under my coat's hat, because my coat's hat isn't snug to my heard; therefore, not as warm as the winter hat. Oh well, glad I could help my sister.

We walk a minute or two more, when it suddenly dawns on me, "We need a blanket. I have one in my trunk."

We quickly walk back to my car, and I pop the trunk...to find it empty. "Dang it," I say, "It is in my storage unit."

I have several things of mine in a storage unit for the time being. The blanket was needed at the last minute for covering something up in storage. I completely forgot about it.

We walk to the shuttle, realizing it is so much colder than we initially thought. Of course, when you step outside for all of 10 seconds to check the weather, you don't realize how much colder it will be once you start walking around in the cold. Wish I would have thought of that then.

My hands are already cold, feeling like I'm not even wearing gloves. I have black leather gloves on that I got a few Christmases ago. I also have a pair of black ski gloves...that I conveniently left at home, because it never occurred to me to bring them.

We get to the shuttle and the operator says, "Five dollars."

After handing her the money, we find our seats in the very back just in time to see about 15 people pay the operator for their seats. A few minutes later, filled to capacity, the bus takes off for its destination.

A three-year-old girl starts arguing, because she doesn't want to sit with her sister. Then her sister says to another boy, "She's my sister."

With ten kids yelling, arguing, and bantering, a two minute ride would have been too long. Just when I'm thinking, "How much longer," we get the news....There is something wrong with our shuttle. We have to pull over and move to another bus.

Jennifer looks at me, with that look. I reply, "I know, I know...welcome to Jessica's World...where nothing is as easy as it should be."

I text my little sister, Janelle, who is already at the game about this. She text back that she got a funnel cake, and I can have the rest of it. I think, "Okay, well at least something scrum to look forward to...It almost makes up for it."

We only wait for about five minutes for the next shuttle. We all quickly find seats, drive off, and arrive before we know it. I can't figure out where exactly we go to enter the game. I politely ask a worker in a yellow jacket, "Where do we enter?"

He points back and to his right, where Jennifer and I quickly dart. Once we enter and not knowing where are seats are located, we head to the right. Technically, I head to the right, and Jennifer follows. Weaving in and out of the crowd, many who are in lines for food, we shiver from the cold wind....and knowing it's going to be a heck of a long game.

We finally find our seats...3/4 of the way around the stadium from where we started. We are seated next to Janelle and her son. I sit between my two sisters, knowing none of us really prepared for this weather. Janelle is in a hooded sweatshirt and no coat. I tell her about the rest of our morning just to get to the game.

Then I look down at the paper plate that lays by my feet. There is what looks like a doughnut hole on the plate. Just then it registers, and my shockness is shown in my high pitched voice, "THAT is my funnel cake."

She says, "You took too long."

Oh, because I could help the shuttle had problems and got stuck. I see. Thanks for looking out : )

She then continues, "I wanted to know if you had left earlier, because I was going to tell you to bring a blanket."

I reply, "I thought I had one in my car, but I don't."

She says, "I also wanted a coat, scarf, and anything else warm."

I can only imagine how cold she must have been, because she was also out there for another 1 1/2 hours before we even got there. She looks frozen.

Once I got to my seat, I couldn't keep still. I get up to get some much needed kleenex (well napkins really) for our noses. When I go on this venture, I look around for my wish man. Don't forget, I am still on the prowl, even in this blistering cold weather. The problem is how could I even really see people when scarves, hats, coats, and just about everything covered except their eyes....which as Marc says, "It's in the eyes." But for me, I want to see more before I put myself out there and make "a move"...which who are we kidding, wouldn't probably be considered "a move" except for by me.

I return to my seat, and then my nephew and I go down to talk to my brother. He was on "net duty," so we thought we would say hi. We walk down the stairs of the stadium, and I call, "Jerad."

He waves and walks up to us.

My nephew asks him, "Can I come down there?"

My brother says, "I'll meet you at the top."

We walk to the top, and as we get there, I catch a glimpse of the profile of this guy, and I call out, "Sahagun."

The guy turns towards me and says, "Hi."

Sahagun is my brother's friend. There is a group of guys, about 8, that my brother has been friends with since high school, and Michael Sahagun is one of them. Sahagun looks different. He has a read beard, and it is really amazing how different a guy can look with facial hair. Sahagun is there with his son, so we talk for a few minutes until my brother comes up. It's really quite fun to see how my brother's group of friends have changed throughout the years.

While my brother uses the restroom, I wait with my nephew and scope for guys. Just as what happened before, I just couldn't make too many out. I see a few good looking ones here and there. The problem is it is too dang cold outside to concentrate on anything other than how cold I am. So, me trying to strike up a conversation with a guy is no where in the realm of my reality for this day. I don't want to stay in any one place too long, and if I don't do that, how on earth am I going to try and talk to a hot guy??!

I leave my nephew with my brother and go back to sit down. My sisters and I practically have to sit on top of each other to even remotely keep our body temperatures from going gangrene on us. Janelle and I share a cup of hot coco, and then my older sister wants to leave...and not too early, I must say. She says she is just too cold, which I completely understand. I was just waiting to hear her say the word anyways.

We say goodbye and jolt out of that stadium like there is no tomorrow. We can't wait to get that shuttle into our view. We practically run to it and find some of the last seats available just to learn that driver isn't going to the parking lot we need to go to. He says, "I'm not going there, but I can. Oh, I don't know how to get there either."

This strikes us as very odd, seeing everyone on this bus was going to the same place, and why is he in the shuttle line to drive us back if he doesn't plan on doing so?

Another passenger says, "I can tell you how to get there." I think this guy was just as eager to get to his car as we are to get to mine.

We thaw out just in time to have to get out and walk to my car. I did my quick long legged walk to the car, while my sister practically has to jog to keep up. After I start the car, we sit there frozen and unable to move.

I defrost the windows and begin our journey home, which definitely isn't nearly as exciting as our time to the game. And I know today's journey for my wish man was a bust. But note to self, "Don't try to scope for your wish man outside in the blistering cold, when believe it or not, you won't be concentrating on him." I say this now, but I know me, and I know that if the time comes again, I won't keep a little cold weather from getting in my way of finding my wish man. Dang you, cold weather, dang you. Then again, there is always tomorrow...or next week, I guess.

P.S. Marc told me this week that he knows I'm going to meet my man at the end of February or the beginning of March. Now, that doesn't mean I'm not going to be looking in the mean time, but it would be very interesting if that is when I do find him...and I just wanted it in writing if it does happen.