Well, I did it.
I voted, and I’ve got a warm feeling all over. Just hoping we’ll know the results of the election tonight instead of sometime in December (can’t go through that again. Noooooo….).
Election Day means the kiddies are home, and my aunt will stay for dinner. Instead of writing a proper post, I’ll refer you to Single Women Rule, where today we discuss, “He stood you up? Here’s how to handle it.“
It’s great when you attract like-minded people into your orbit. I did just that this week when I found an email in my box from Scot McKay, a dating coach and blogger, introducing himself and his wife, Emily.
I gave Scot a call. He told me that he and Emily, who met online, are passionate about helping other people meet their matches and to “never, ever settle.”
We discovered that we share several philosophies about what it really takes to meet the person of one’s dreams, including a “treat others as you would have them treat you, and (every bit as important) have others treat you as you would treat them ” approach to dating.
Emily has written a free 8-Part Mini-Course called “16 Generally Accepted But Disastrous Dating Principles.” Click here to check it out.
I’m delighted that Scot posted my article, “Flirting 101 (For Men and Women)” to his dating advice blog today. It may take a couple of seconds to load, so if you’d like to read it, please be patient.
If you’re here for dating advice, this particular post won’t interest you. Scroll onward, Pilgrim.
The offspring are heading to camp for two weeks in New Hampshire tomorrow, so I’ve spent the past couple of days ironing labels onto bedsheets and bathing suits. Had to run out for necessities like bug repellant and sunscreen. Ended up spending a boatload of money.
My father came up from New York Thursday and stayed until this morning. He left before I got up, probably around 6. It can be pretty noisy around here. I hope he had a good time.
We’re off to Long Island today for a block party. The girls will catch the bus to camp at 6:30 AM tomorrow morning.
Peter and I don’t have any earth-shaking plans for the next two weeks, but we’re looking forward to it. I’m sure we’ll find a way to fill the time.
Peter worked today, so I decided to clean out the basement.
I’m not the type of person who would ever set out to do such a thing without prodding, so Peter gently suggested that I go through my 48 boxes of books I haven’t opened since we moved here four years ago, sort them, and decide which ones to keep and which to donate to the libary. I started at 9AM, didn’t take a break until 2, and there’s still a boatload of stuff for me clear out down there.
During this session, I came upon two interesting items.
The first was a letter from an old friend apologizing for making out with my then-boyfriend. Now, I haven’t seen this girl in years, and I actually kind of miss her. The guy (obviously) turned out to be a jerk (in numerous ways), and I don’t miss him at all. Never even think of him.
Her letter said that he’d led her to believe our relationship had ended, which she soon realized was a lie. After she went home to England, I told him to get lost. He resumed pursuing me ardently (some would call it stalking), but by then I’d moved onto a marginally better guy.
The other interesting item I found in the basement?
It was Dianne Brill’s how-to book, Boobs, Boys, and High Heels or How to Get Dressed In Just Under Six Hours. In case you don’t know Dianne (she’s on the right in the 1986 photo with Ozzy Osbourne and Janis Savitt), she became known as Queen of the Night in the 80s due to her constant presence on the NYC club scene. I liken her to a benevolent Paris Hilton without the destructive tendencies.
I hadn’t thought about her for years until I happened upon her book. Then I did a search and found her website. Apparently, she’s selling her own line of makeup these days.
Boobs, Boys, and High Heels sparkles with Ms. Brill’s wit and wisdom. Here’s one highlight:
“The bad date does not exist. Believe me, I’ve been on all kinds, and I’ve discovered that all are love experiments, learning experiences (even if what you learn is what you don’t want), and good dating practice. I’ve survived a lot of dates a lot of you babes probably dread.”
The joker who made out with my friend certainly qualifies as a learning experience. In retrospect, I’d call him less a love experiment than a science experiment. What a doofus!
Today I’ll conduct my local Toastmasters meeting for the first time. In case you don’t know, Toastmasters is an organization devoted to promoting leadership and public speaking skills.
I joined for two reasons: It helps me lead the networking group I started for businesswomen in my area. It also helps keep the shyness at bay.
Toastmasters is a great place to meet supportive, ambitious people. You won’t necessarily meet the man of your dreams there, but you might make a friend or a business contact or two. And who knows where that’ll lead?
One successful man who raves about Toastmasters is Scott Ginsberg, who’s also known as “The Nametag Guy.” This dude has been wandering the planet wearing a nametag 24/7 since November 2000, and it’s paid off. He’s made a lot of friends (his goal is to make the planet a friendlier place). He also launched a business that landed him on 20/20 a couple of weeks ago. You can check out the video right here.
While most of his fans want to to promote their businesses, Scott’s advice applies to anybody looking to get lucky. It boils down to this: Meet new people and start relationships with them. (I love this guy!)
I doubt I’ll ever venture out of my house wearing a nametag, but I did email Scott for permission to print the following article from his ezine. It offers brilliant tips for getting out of a rut and changing your life:
How to become the Luckiest Person You Know
By Scott Ginsberg, The Nametag Guy
1. Exponentially increase your activity level. Since November 2nd, 2000, I’ve met over 100,000 people. I also seem to be extremely lucky. Coincidence?
LUCK OUT: figure out how many people you encounter on an average day. Then triple it.
2. Don’t stay at home. The best way to be in the right place at the right time is to be in a lot of places.
LUCK OUT: next time you want to sit around and surf the net, read or write, go to Starbucks or something. Increase the probability of an encounter by positioning yourself in a high-traffic area.
3. Practice strategic serendipity. It’s about preparation, observation and relaxation. This is especially important for trade shows, conferences and other high-traffic venues.
LUCK OUT: got an event coming up? Cool! Read this article called 19 Ways to be the One Person at Your Next Conference Everybody Remembers.
4. Stick yourself out there. The reason I meet so many people (and, subsequently have so many opportunities) is because a nametag is unexpected. It breaks people’s patterns. It makes them wonder, “Huh?” And especially if they notice a nametag in an unexpected venue, like a concert or a wedding, they’re more likely to approach me.
LUCK OUT: it’s not about the nametag – it’s about making the mundane memorable. Be unexpected.
Learn three more ways to become the luckiest person you know here!
If you’re here for dating advice, scroll down a bit. In the meantime, I have to get something off my chest.
The news media are incensed about Paris Hilton’s latest statement:
“I must also say that I was shocked to see all of the attention devoted to the amount of time I would spend in jail for what I had done by the media, public and city officials. I would hope going forward that the public and the media will focus on more important things like the men and women serving our country in Iraq and other places around the world.”
The plastic coifs on TV laughed their heads off. “Since when is Paris Hilton interested in international affairs?” they scoffed.
Whether Miss Hilton’s concern is genuine or not is beside the point. Like her or hate her, our men and women remain in Iraq. There are more important things going on in the world besides Paris Hilton.
Try telling that to NBC. The Today Show knuckleheads followed up an in-depth segment on the girl’s incarceration (featuring former Westchester County DA Jeanine Pirro and TV psychologist Dr. Keith Ablow) with breaking news about British women discovering a cure for wrinkles.
