frequency

Frequency Part I:  The frequency of my posts is increasing, as you may have noticed.  I attribute it to the coming school year and the activity that goes along with fearing the end of summer.  I just thought I would bring it to your attention that I will likely be posting much more often these days, especially as my kids and I start becoming more comfortable with each other (when they will start to say and do silly things that I can report in this venue) and as I will be scheduling time to hang out with friends again.  Three of my top four sporting seasons are coming up, too, in a staggered progression, so you might as well go ahead and expect to hear about how much I love watching football all day, going to hockey games (OMG I can't wait!!!), and getting back into college basketball.  Shoooowee, I'm getting chills.  Mmm.

Frequency Part II:  As you know, I think about guys a lot.  I gauge most every high school graduate I see, judging as to whether I could handle dating him or not.  I'm hoping this is an activity common to people (or at least girls) sharing my single status and age bracket.  I feel like it's increasing, though--like I think about dating more often.  I don't know if that's because my interest has actually increased, or if it's because I've made it part of my identity to think and talk about dating.  It's a huge topic of conversation with me, pretty much no matter who my conversation partner(s) may be.  I often feel like I overdo it; like I can't have a conversation without bringing up my search of eligible bachelors.  It kind of even gets on my nerves (one of many times where I get on my own nerves).  So, I'm going to make an effort to make it a smaller part of my life.

Frequency Part III:  It does not help Part II's goal when I finally meet one of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE hockey players from the local team.  This has to do with frequency because I've seen him three times in the past two days, and actually TALKED to him twice (okay, one of those was just saying hey in passing) during the same period.  I'm not necessarily gunning for him to propose or anything.  I told Christina today that I would be okay with him just being my acquaintance or my bff (best friend forever) or asking me out (and then me turning him down, but just until he asks two more times--you gotta keep 'em on their toes).

My real goal, though, is for him to remember my face.  I've had so many experiences where I've met someone and they have no idea who I am later on.  That's kind of an awful thing for someone like me, for I have an incredible memory for faces and often names and clothing choices.  I frequently end up pretending I haven't met someone just so they won't feel bad, when in fact I remember their entire life story.  So I am working my time at Brandi and Christina's apartment first around hanging out with them (duh), but a close second with making myself visible enough for him to go "Oh wait, why does that girl look familiar?  Could it be because she has been to hockey games?  Or no, is it possible that I had a conversation with her by the pool one night when we joked around and she acted like I'm not nearly as cool as we both know I am because she knows that will get my attention more than anything else?  Yes, that's it...I remember her now."

For all of those who are wondering how in the world my shy self even talked to him in the first place, may I just say that I did do a bit of metered hyperventilation when he first came up to the group, and I warily and surreptitiously watched him as he talked to Guy and some others who were in the area.  Then he came up and introduced himself to Brandi and Christina and me (of course I gave him my classically awesome handshake).

Frequency Part IV:  Examples of his behavior presented in order to show how alpha males often act around new people.  It was actually pretty fascinating from the introduction on--he was alternately ingratiating himself and testing us.  For instance, he bragged about how he has started taking out the trash for the whole apartment complex (not necessarily an accomplishment in itself, but the act emphasized his coolly bored status, his nice-guy act of service, and his proximity to the management of the complex--thus an elevated status).  He later stood at a nearby table and belched, then apologized to us specifically (you'd be shocked how often males use this to gauge new female acquaintances and to emphasize their own masculinity).  Brandi said "You're fine" (non-confrontational and polite, plus she probably didn't really care--sorry to analyze you here, B), I said "No you're not" just loud enough for him to hear it (asserting myself as one with whom he does not have automatic favor, and generally challenging him personally), and he said "Oh yes I am" (clearly meaning his looks, showing bravado and confidence, and challenging me to one of three options: agree, disagree, or stay silent)...and I did not respond.  A little while after this, he asked Christina (a nurse) to check out his buddy's broken toe, then came back and reported to us.  He made a joke, a cheesy one that I'd usually guffaw over and with which he'd thoroughly pleased himself.  I cracked a smile and did not make eye contact (this makes him believe he has to try still harder to earn my favor, but that I'm not completely frigid), and he in turn laughed really hard and bent over until his face was at my level, looking at me to elicit eye contact.  Again, searching for approval.

I'm not saying this guy is shallow or anything--I don't even know him.  But it was so much fun playing games.  He's used to girls fawning all over him and guys wishing they could be him (seriously--this guy is a great hockey player as far as the local league goes), and I immensely enjoyed keeping him on uneven footing.  I know I didn't really throw him off all that much--I won't give myself that much credit--but a girl can dream that she's got a bit of her favorite hockey player's attention, can't she?