#100dates

[jf-vt-blog]

When I try to be romantic and end up getting way too many desserts...

[bookwhore86]

Rewind

I suppose I should take you back to where this all started. Six years ago, on a whim - the kind of decision you make when you're a little bit emotionally unstable - I decided to move down to London from the safety of the parental nest in the countryside. Having recently returned from a short stint in NYC, where I was trying and failing to convince the boy I loved to love me back, I realised that I needed to go and start a new chapter. After two weeks of wallowing in self pity face down in my bed at my dad's house I did what all irrationally and emotionally distressed women do. I made a list. I love lists. They make me calm and allow me to prioritise and logically structure my brain into making everything on said list achievable. Even if it's not. (It always is though, if you want it badly enough.) The List 1. Stop feeling guilty for quitting the MA that you were only doing because you were too scared to finish education. 2. Stop skipping meals, and then raiding the biscuit tin at 3am. 3. Get an awesome job. That you love. 4. Move to London. 5. Stop emailing him. Just stop. 6. Brush your hair every day. 7. Find hairbrush. So it wasn't the most radical list in the history of list making, but it was a start. And it allowed my brain a brief respite from the dark recesses of misery it had become so acquainted with and that, in turn, riled up the steely determination that I needed to just pull my socks up and get on with my fucking life. So I did. I ate some lunch, bought a new hairbrush and enrolled on a teaching course that afternoon. Now, I had no intention of teaching, I don't even like children that much. But, it gave me a month to think of a plan. The course started in two weeks time which meant I had approximately ten days to get my shit together and move to a city I knew fuck all about - other than rent would definitely be at least two thirds of my salary. The course was in East London so I figured that was a good place to look for a flat. I'd chatted to M, a close friend who was at uni there and we'd agreed to move in together (a decision I still regret as if I hadn't lived with him I think we'd still be friends now). Note: never live with your best friends unless you are certain you won't hate each other after a few months. My dad helped me pack a load of my stuff into a very large van and the adventure began. First day in East London got off to a bloody great start... Parked in the loading bay outside my new flat - a hideous 1960's block in Bethnal Green that someone on crack clearly thought was a good idea - and during the many, many trips up and down the stairs, due to the urine filled lift being conveniently broken, one of my charming new neighbours decided it would be a nice welcome to call the parking wardens and get our van towed. With half my stuff still in it, along with my dads allergy medication. Fucking charming. After an hour long walk to the impound, an argument with a huge cockney chap who was not too dissimilar to Chunk from the Goonies and a £300 fine to get the van back, I was standing on my new balcony drinking tea and looking at a beautiful view of the Gherkin. There was also a pissed man urinating up the front door of the flat over the road... But that was their problem. London life begins.

[100datesofsummer]

Guess who is starting filming this weekend? 100 Dates of Summer, Web Series! We will be posting behind the scene pictures/videos/snaps all weekend. Join our Patreon page to view it all in one place!

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[ghdos-blog]

So after completing the 100 Days of Happy Challenge, I realized the impact of making a conscious decision to improve the things in my life.

So a few weeks back, my beautiful significant other @southernjoye suggested that we do a 100 Dates Challenge and we thought it'd be a great thing to accomplish for 2016. The premise is pretty simple: we will document our dates for the entire year until we reach 100 (which works out to about twice a week). Rules: • the person who asks has to be the one to plan the date (the other person must accept or the date doesn't count) • there has to be an actual date planned (none of that Netflix and chill stuff) • no one can do the planning more than twice in a row With my schedule and her schedule being pretty opposite at the moment, it will truly be a challenge but I have faith that we can make it work. We'll be using the hashtag #100Dates if you want to follow along. Whenever I'm the one to plan the date, I'll be documenting it here. Whenever she plans it, she'll document it on her page. We hope we'll inspire some other couples to take part in the challenge as well and also that it'll bring us closer together as a couple.

[100datesofsummer]

HEY

Remember when I said something really exciting was coming? It's here! I've been in touch with some really creative people who loved my story and decided to make their own web series based on 100 Dates of Summer. Currently they're in the process of filming and could really use your help. They've just created a promo video so check it out https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/100-dates-of-summer-web-series

[100datesofsummer]

48/100

After a long winter hiatus, I went on a date last night. Maybe it's the weather we've been having but more than likely it's the time of year when not having a significant other feels like you're going to be alone forever. 

Our online exchange is brief and to the point and in less than 20 minutes I have a date for the evening. He suggest taking me to dinner at Verbena in Russian Hill, I agree so he makes reservations for 8:00. 

I arrive and he is seated at the bar, he's definitely more handsome in person (which is always a pleasant surprise), a wide face, deep set pale green eyes, and a nose that has been slightly tweaked to the left. After a small wait we are seated in a corner by the window. I choose a rose cocktail and he has one with mescal. Conversation comes easy for the most part, though at one point when speaking I can feel a flush coming up my neck and into my cheeks. Thankfully the anxious feeling passes. 

After an amazing dinner and dessert he asks if I'd like to take a walk. The night is warm and calm as we walk up the hills. He tells me he wants to show me this street, Macondray. It's a narrow path behind some homes and there is a break in the trees where you can see the bay. All of the lights are shimmering and it's really beautiful. It's late so we wait for an Uber. He is dropped off first, upon departure he holds out his hand for a highfive which transforms into one of those good-game-bro pull ins. 

Ah yes, to be dating once again. 

[100datesofsummer]

BIG FREAKING NEWS

Ok, so I can't say much but just know that there are things in the works. Really exciting things that will be coming to fruition June 1st. 

Hang tight, lovelies. 

[betterdatethannever]

#25 - K.I.S.S.

If this date was a song:

Death Cab for Cutie - A Lack of Color

The Date:

No we didn't K-I-S-S, but he did keep it simple, stupid. 

We went to Hoppi Polla in Khar. #25 was nice. He had a lot of charm and the cutest crinkle when he smiled. As we got to know each other, we felt this weird comfort about each other, the kind where you can make otherwise-offensive jokes about the other and not get offended by it, you know? 

We spoke about the usual. Family, friends, love, life, love lifes, sports, politics, religion, current events, past dates, why i'm doing the project, future plans, hobbies, passions, what do we love doing, what we look for and like in the opposite sex, what we do for fun, our favorite places, what we don't like about ourselves. 

We shared a mushroom risotto and fries. 

We played 27 games of Uno. And kept score. 

We played tennis on their wii machine and agreed we were horrendous at it. We didnt keep score. 

We spoke about criminal records (YEP), our favorite childhood memories, hidden talents, if we're leaders or followers, if we believe in time travel, circumstances or people that have changed our lives, oddest food we've eaten. 

We played scrabble. He kept score. 

We spoke about our greatest achievements, most memorable birthdays, recent life changes, what we would do if we won the lottery, our favorite subjects in school, our worst relationships, things that get us excited. 

Michelle: 156 points | #25 - 112 points. 

We spoke about our theory on deja vu, our oldest memory, five things we can’t live without, movies we're ashamed to admit we love, books have we've read more than once. 

Michelle: 208 points | #25 - 200 points.

We walk out for a smoke. 

We spoke about vices and why he thinks I should stop smoking. I lit another cigarette. 

We go in and order more to drink. 

We play 20 questions. 

We laugh, we laugh cry and we have such an incredible time. 

We both have other engagements and had earlier decided to leave within a particular time and now that time has come. So we pay the bill and walk out. We plan to meet for karaoke next. 

Sigh. That was lovely. I needed that. 

What I've learned:

- Dates that are filled with activities and games kill awkward silences. 

- I like men. I'll always like them. Even if I've had horrible experiences. 

- Maybe I need to get into a relationship.