New Year's Grieve

Here is your math quiz for the day -

1. What is the likelihood of you crossing physical boundaries with your date when you have had one drink? How about two? Five?

The National Campaign this time of year is to keep teens from drinking and driving. Now, parents open their "finished basements" to boys and girls to have their own new Year's Eve party. Parents feel they are keeping their kids safe from an accident but in reality, teens now have the option of drinking and crossing physical boundaries and don't have to worry about wrecking their car in the process. How nice.

Here is your reality. You cross the lines, drinking and/or having sex and you can guarantee there will be a reason to grieve the next day. Hung-over? Vomit in your hair? Take a pregnancy test and that will lighten the mood. Guys, sit there with her while she waits for the results. They are your results too, remember?

Thoughts?
mama j

Bumby ride

My car has been really giving me grief lately. Granted, it has 144,567 miles on it but I'm sure I have more miles than that and I run just fine!

It's the bumps. The ride just isn't smooth like I expect it to be. Yes, I've changed the shocks, struts, greased up the bearings, checked the axles and even tightened the spare tire below.

It's an aggravating clunk that reminds me of the way some people thud through the house like a ballerina with concrete shoes. These are the little things that happen over time; you begin to notice the irritating habits and quirks that just might make or break your relationship. "Should I just get rid of this old heap?"

Then, on a bad day, you do your research (the way you should have done before you put down a deposit!) and find that you could have had something that went along far more smoothly. Too late. Now you are stuck with a lemon.

So what is the lesson in all this? When you shop for your car, you do the research. The more thorough you are, the less chance you will have of winding up with a car you don't like. The other side of that is that maybe you are a tad bit too picky. The joy of any relationship (whether it be with a car or another person) might just be to recognize that there will be times when the ride isn't smooth in spite of your careful selection but that it is just part of the package and the package is still well worth keeping.

Thoughts?
mama j

Carfax

"Sure does look purdy on the outside!"

How do you know by looking at a car what the condition is on the inside? I just took my son's car in for a very small leak of power steering fluid and $825.00 later, the damage was repaired.
Sometimes, the small problems turn out to be big ones if you aren't careful.

The smart thing to do before you fall in love with a car is to check with "Carfax" to see what evidence there is of accidents or failures. Chances are, that report will give you a green light if it's free of damage, a yellow light if you should proceed with caution but many times the light will be bright red and now you know you should walk away. Do you have the ability to think that clearly when it comes to relationships? Do your research!

Thoughts?
mama j

Speed Dating

Kalamazoo Weekly has an article that reads like this, "Come meet someone special. Cupid.com/Predating is fun, no pressure way for busy professionals to meet. It's based on the incredibly hot, new way for singles to meet other singles with no rejection. Recent research shows that the chemistry between two people occurs within the first few minutes of meeting. With Cupid.com/predating you go on up to 12, six- minute dates in one evening. You can quickly determine who you would truly like to hear from again."

Cool! That sure takes the risk and guess work out of dating! And to think, the promise of no rejection. I wonder if there is a lifetime warranty on the rejection clause? Hmmmm?

Thoughts?
Mama j

Love Lost

Auto Week says that Mitsubishi is planning to pull out of the Detroit Auto show.

I was thinking about the impact of these economic times and how it will effect teen dating. What would you do if your BF's or GF's family has to move to another state to find a job? How connected are you to not only your date, but their family?

Long distance relationships don't have a very high survival rate. Ask someone who has been there. How do you spend time together, will the phone and text messaging be enough?

Finding the "perfect one" and then not being able to see them can be heart wrenching but can also be an eye opening experience. The key is to look in those difficult moments at who you are with them and who you are without them. Are you the same? Better or worse? Stronger or weaker?

Losing love by circumstance can be the beginning of an entirely new journey. Just remember, there are many roads to the same destination.

Thoughts?
Mama j

The Perfect Date

So you want to find the perfect date? What are you doing to look your best? Do you have everything nice and shiny on the outside but you aren't sure the inside is quite what it should be?
Here is the good news! If you are under the age of 25, modern science has discovered that chances are, your brain is still "under construction."

If you took this car off the assembly line right now, how far would you get without an engine, wheels or transmission? Keep in mind that other kids in your school are experiencing the same thing. It doesn't mean they are lemons, it just means that they might be missing some parts like compassion, wisdom or kindness. Maybe those are a bit further down the line and all it will take is time.

Resond,
Mama j

Define Dating...

O.k. Let's face it. Not everybody thinks of dating in the same way.
You're the expert. How do you define dating?

Student comments ONLY! Best definition will win a signed copy of my book, Dater's Ed. Winner will be announced September 28th!