The United Dates Of Sarah - "Life's a game made for everyone, And love is a prize" - Avicii - Entry 3

 Like I've said before, I usually listen to my parents but sometimes I have to remember, I can put my foot down.

First of all, I have to say that I love my parents. I would do anything for them and they would do anything for me. All they want is to see me happy, and in love, so they're trying everything they can to help me in my search for my P.I.C. (Partner In Crime). 

My mom had been asking me to try speed dating and every time I brushed it off, but she would not let it go! This is a story of how you should always try and make the best of every situation...even if it's awkward, uncomfortable and you'd rather be at home watching "The Bachelor". 

It was a couple days before my birthday in early March 2014 (I know...happy birthday to me!!) and I got an email from my mom. The title of the email was "this is in your NEIGHBORHOOD" and the e-mail said the following: "YOU SHOULD AT LEAST TRY IT ONCE!"and then added the link to a speed dating site.

Yes, my mother loves to yell at me over emails, or she doesn't understand how caps locks works, but either way, it's always loving. Anyways, my response to her  "Fine, I'll do it. Is it just Jews or a mix?"

The reason I asked if it was just a Jewish thing was because I wanted my non-Jewish co-worker to come too, but my mom's response: "That one is just Jews."

Well, looks like I'm going at it alone.

Lo and behold...I come to find that this is my birthday gift...Geeee thanks mom and dad :).

So the big day comes and I tell my boss that I can't stay late because my future husband is waiting! Or so I had hoped.

As I pull into the parking lot of the restaurant where this event is being held, I tell myself to be open minded to what ever is in store...and then, I go inside the restaurant where I will describe the scene.

Bald heads, grey hair and guys shorter than me!!! That's hard to do because I'm only 5 feet tall. I was told that the age range for this shindig was 23-33...these guys were anything but!

Anyways, I sign in, get my name tag and continue to an empty table in the corner of the bar. The way speed dating works is that the women stay seated and the men move from table to table. 

As I'm sitting at my table in the corner, a girl starts to approach the table next to mine, so I smile, however it wasn't reciprocated. Although she hadn't shown any interest in talking, I say "Hi", and she just looks at me and says, "oh, you're name is Sarah too? Maybe we shouldn't sit next to each other, it'll be confusing. Do you want to move?"

**Thoughts in my head** Do I want to move?? What kind of question...I was here first! And RUDE!"

I just looked at her and said, "no I think we'll be fine" and smiled. I then asked her if she had ever done this before and she looked at me out of the corner of her eye and just nodded.

Ok, well I guess that was that. It's on b*tch! No, I'm joking...I'm sure she's a nice person, just a liiitttle competitive for my taste.

Now on to the men!

I don't really remember all of the conversations I had, but I'll explain what I do recall from these eligible bachelors!

Eligible Bachelor #1: He sits down with a huge smile on his face and starts talking about basketball! Don't get me wrong, I love myself some Lakers, but we ONLY have 5 minutes to talk until you're rushed away to another table and you're going to only talk about basketball? NEXT

**Every time I say NEXT...It's said like this in my head..see below :) 

Eligible Bachelor #2: His teeth are rotted out of his mouth. NEXT

Eligible Bachelor #3: He's bald and I'm pretty sure in his 40's. NEXT

**Nothing against 40 year old guys. Everyone needs some lovin', but I'm 24. Sorry, but that's not in my range :P 

Eligible Bachelor #4: He has gray hair and I'm pretty sure in his 40's. NEXT

Eligible Bachelor #5-#6: I don't remember to be honest...but NEXT

Eligible Bachelor #7: He started telling me how he moved out here from Israel with his brother and that he had a cat. However, his current roommate was allergic to cats so he had to move out. "Wait" I said, "Is your roommate your brother?" He nodded and continued to say that he was actually at this event with his brother too. Umm ok...I'm slightly confused as to why he told me that little story about his cat. He had very dry humor and didn't really smile. NEXT 

Eligible Bachelor #8: The brother. NEXT

Sooo at this point I've decided that this is basically like rushing a sorority. For those of you who haven't ever rushed, you're pretty much asked the same questions over and over and over again like: What's your major? What year are you? Where are you from? etc. etc. But at speed dating, you're asked: Where are you from? What do you do? Where did you go to school?

I decided to switch it up at this point! I had two eligible bachelors left and I was bored. I made up a question really quickly as eligible bachelor #9 sat down.

Me: Ok, I'm going to throw you a curve ball. I know you and I have been asked the same thing about 9 different times at this point so here's a question I'm sure you haven't answered yet. If you could choose to be any ice cream, what would you be and why?

Eligible Bachelor #9: And why?? Really? Ok, ummm Mint Chocolate Chip? Because I like to be minty fresh? Ok, now I can ask you a weird question. If you could be any appliance, what would you be and why?

Me: I would be an oven because I love to bake and without me (an oven), there would be no brownies or cookies or cakes.

Eligible Bachelor #9: Huh...ok. Silence. NEXT

Eligible Bachelor #10: NEXT

So at the end of this, I was back to square one...but not quite! The whole time I had been eyeing a bartender who was tall, dark and handsome. He had disappeared during the last 20 minutes of the event, and a new bartender showed up. I decided at that moment, to walk up to the bar and say,

Me: Hi! Do you know the other bartender that was here who had a beard and dark hair?

Bartender: Yes

Me: Is he single?

Bartender: Yes

Me: Is he looking?

Bartender: Yes

Me: Ok, well can I write my phone number down and can you give it to him for me?

Bartender: Sure

Me: Great! Here you go! Thanks :)

As I walked out of the restaurant, I felt like I had proven to myself that I could take any situation and make it a learning experience and a good experience. I probably won't do speed dating again, BUT it was something I can write about...sooo there's that. 

Don't forget to email me any stories you may have! www.TheUnitedDatesOfSarah.blogspot.com

And Follow Me On Twitter @UntDatesOfSarah

I post new blogs ever MONDAY! If you're interested in subscribing, scroll all the way down and it should say "subscribe" :) 

Don't forget to check in next Monday to read about the date I call - The Wolf Of Wall Street.

Now enjoy what this 58 year old man wrote to me! And a nice girl from Norway wrote to me and shared some of her messages. See the second picture for that!

The United Dates of Sarah - The Reality Of It - Entry 2

Let me tell you a little about my family. My mom's parents got married at 19 and have been married for 59 years, my parents got married at 23 and they have been married for 34 years, my sister started dating her husband at 18 and married him at 26. I'm 24. Not married. Not in a relationship with anyone. I guess I'm the black sheep of the family or maybe the token 3rd wheel, but this marriage thing does seem to have a pattern...I should be married by...let's see...about 30 and I guess it's better late than never right?! 

What's the reality of dating? It's aka-awkward! I told everyone last entry that I would tell the tales of a dad, a ghost hunter and a poker dealer, and I won't let you down! 

We'll start with The Dad. 

That's what we'll call him...The Dad. It all began when I was 20 years old. My sister and her boyfriend (now husband) were living at an apartment complex and The Dad worked there. One day I was visiting, and the complex just so happened to have an event! My sister and I went down to the clubhouse to join in on the festivities and then our eyes met! A very attractive, tall, dark and handsome employee of the apartment. We got to talking and exchanged numbers...this was going to be great right!?!? Wrong! After the first couple of dates, while I was at work, I received a text message from him. 

The Dad - "Hey...I have to tell you something"

Me - "Wuz up?"

The Dad - "I have a son"

Me - "oh wow! how old is he" (thinking this 24 year old guy might have just made a split decision to not wrap it up at the age of 16 because of the hormones and everything running through a teenager's body...if you know what I'm sayin')

The Dad - "3 months old. I hope this doesn't change anything"

**Thoughts running through my head at that moment: What do you mean you hope this doesn't change anything?!? I'm not ready for that. I mean, I love kids...but damn!! I'm 20 years old and a sophomore in college. I live with 5 other girls and why did he wait this long to tell me?! And what happened to the baby's mama?!?

                                                 4 hours later...my response

Me - "Umm yeahhh it does. I'm not trying to be a step-mom right now and I hope you understand. Thanks for keeping it real and letting me know" (Although shouldn't you tell someone that like maybe on date one!?!)

The Dad - "You still want to go out tonight?"

0_o

Needless to say, we didn't end up going out ever again. Oh, here's the kicker...my sister ended up going to another event that The Dad was working and guess who was there?!?!? Well I'll tell ya! His baby and HIS FIANCE!!! 

**For those of you who are 24 year old fathers (or younger or older or whatever)...I'm not saying it's a bad thing to have a child or an irresponsible thing or that you're a bad parent...I'm saying, if you're trying to date someone, tell them! Can I get a hoorahh for honesty?!?

On to the ghost hunter! 

Here's some background...my family and I are big poker players. When I say big poker players, I just mean we love to play...but we're not pros...it's just our thing. Anyways, almost every New Years we go to a casino and January 2011 is when this story takes place. 

I was 20 years old heading into a San Diego Indian Casino (this was after The Dad incident). One of the guys working the front asked me for my name to put on the board...so I did BUT it was just my first name! Keep that in mind!! Anyways, time went by, he got off of work, but came to our table to play some poker and to celebrate the New Year! He was fun but I thought nothing of it.

Fast forward to the next day! I get a Facebook friend request from him. HOW DID HE FIND ME?!?! We have no mutual friends, I just gave him my first name and maybe told him I went to SDSU. That was weird!!! This is where my mother comes in :) 

I call her up to tell her about how weird and creepy this friend request is...and her response..."Awww that's cute!!". WHAT?!? She goes on to tell me how I should give him a shot! 

Mom - "I didn't like your father at first but then I got to know him and fell in love! Try one date"

Me - "Really?!? Oyy Vey! Fine"

Soooo I listened to my mother which I do 99% of the time, although this should have been the 1% where I put my foot down and said "naaawwww".

Anyways, I'll just get to the date! He picks me up and we got to a Mexican food place and he starts drinking...and I mean, a lot! I'm not cool with that, which I had told him before because he WAS DRIVING! Anyways, first red flag. Then, during the ordering of our food, he asked me what I wanted, so I told him, and then HE GOT THE SAME THING hahah. This really isn't a big deal or a deal breaker but it's kind of annoying...can I get a hallelujah on that one?!

Ok...now here comes to deal breaker! As I'm sitting there asking myself when this date is going to end, he comes over to me and asks me if I believe in ghosts. 

Me - "uhh I don't think so. Maybe a higher power but not ghosts"

Him - "Check out this YouTube video though!!!"

Me - "What is it?"

Him - "In my free time, I'm a ghost hunter and I record it and put it on YouTube! Ohhh did you see that ball of light in the corner?!? That's a ghost".

0_o

Sooo at that point I decided this date was over...but only after watching multiple videos of him chasing ghosts.  I guess he was sober enough after this to drive me back which I was annoyed about. We get back safely, thank goodness, and I get out of the car.

Him - "What no hug or anything?"

Me - "Ummm car hugs are awkward sooo nawww".

After that we never went out again but he did send me multiple videos of him serenading me with his guitar. How sweet.  But here's an update on him!!! He just had a baby with his girlfriend. Good For Him! 

Ok! Last story for today! 

The Poker Dealer. 

So to make this clear...my mother isn't the only matchmaker in the house! My sister tries to get me married off too! 

One day in 2013...So I'm skipping a head a couple years...woohoo for time travel! 

Anyways, getting off topic..ok 2013 my sister went to a card room to play poker and started talking to this dealer (a different guy than the ghost hunter). She thought he was nice so she showed him a picture of me..and who knows...maybe it was love at first site for him. ANYWAYS, she comes to me later and tells me that I should be getting a friend request from this guy and proceeds to tell me I should accept. Being that my sister is older and I've procured a lot of dead arms from her in the past, I was going to obey :P (Love you Amy!).

Soooo as expected I received a friend request. Now, let me explain that I was a very busy person at that time! It was my senior year of college so I was a full time student, I had a 9-5 job working Thursday-Monday and I still had a social life. Ain't nobody got time to be annoyed. 

Ok so first he messaged me and it was fine and then I got busy and I stopped messaging back and then he got out of hand! He just kept messaging me over and over and over again!! Even though I wasn't replying. Sooo I deleted him. BAD IDEA! A couple months later I actually met him at the poker room.

Him - "Hey! So nice to finally meet you. Did you delete me?"

0_O

Me - "Umm no...what do you mean?"

Him - "I noticed the other day we were't friends anymore on Facebook"

Me - "So weird!!! Ok I'll add you again" :/

BAD IDEA AGAIN! 

From then on...until about 3 months ago, when he got fired from the card room, he still messaged me...and I wasn't responding. 

Some might think that's mean...but really!?! Get the hint....She's just not that into you. 

Can you believe these stories are real and from guys I met in the day time, in real life and not online or on an app...Crazy. I know! 

The End!

Don't forget to email me any of your stories - theuniteddatesofsarah@gmail.com 

I will post a new blog EVERY MONDAY! The next blog will be about my first speed dating experience so stay tuned! 

Anyways, here are SOME of the messages sent from the poker dealer - He's the white writing and I'm the blue...and also a random message I got from Ok Cupid the other day :P 

The United Dates of Sarah - Intro!

This isn't a dating guide and this isn't a pity party but tales of The United Dates of Sarah!

I wanted to start this blog because I, like many others, have had experiences as a single person that are pretty unbelievable. The things I will be writing about are my first dates, first "encounters" and entertaining fall outs I have had with guys in the past. 

To begin, let me tell you a little about myself. My name is Sarah, I'm 24 years old and I'm just looking for a normal guy! This seems like a simple request but let me tell you...no! It's not! I've recently graduated from college and started a full time job. With this full time job comes almost no free time and with no free time, how am I supposed to meet someone? Well, I'll tell ya! Dating sites, dating apps, speed dating...anything virtual and/or easy! Online dating is like shopping. You look through the many options and if you see one that you like, you pick it up, try it on, and maybe, eventually buy it....if you like it and it fits and...well you get the point. 

Like others, I have learned what I want in my P.I.C. (Partner In Crime) and apparently it's super hard to find! I mean, I will tell you tales of ghost hunters, fathers, druggies, crazies..just to name off some of my previous experiences. 

First, I should tell you, my roommate and I have nicknamed every guy I have ever gone out with. SO, in this blog I won't be putting these guys on blast and revealing their true identities, kind of like batman. I will be nicknaming them. Don't act like you don't do the same thing or label girls a number. Everyone does it :P It's hard to remember names, especially if two people have the same name! It's just easier.

So let's see, what else? Oh yes! Where might I find these gems you ask?! I'll tell ya! They come from far off places like Tinder, match.com, eHarmony, Ok Cupid, Plenty of Fish, coffee meets bagel, Hurry date and Jdate. Yes, I'm Jewish which also means one more thing...I have a Jewish mother aka an in house match maker... you'll be hearing a lot more about her later.

I don't want you to think I'm putting these sites and apps down! The first time I subscribed to Jdate, I met my (ex)Boyfriend but since then...yeah..it's all gone down hill. It's like, first time's the charm right? Anyways, I told my co-worker to get on Tinder and the next day she had met someone!! Fast forward to 4 months later, and they're still together...Meanwhile, I've been on it for a year and stillll nothing. The sites work BUT like the saying goes, you gotta kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince. Although, some of these guys are something else, so be careful and make sure they don't have anything you could catch before you kiss the frog. 

Being 24 and on these sites/apps is taboo but I'm here to tell you, GET OVER IT! Who cares how you meet someone, as long as you meet someone. My theory is, why fish with a fishing pole if you could fish with a net? You catch more that way!  

I'm so excited to share all of my past and present experiences with you! I hope this blog shows that we aren't alone in our journey to find love...or whatever you're looking for. If you have a funny story, please send me an email at: TheUnitedDatesOfSarah@gmail.com.

I will be posting a new story and experience at lease once a week and your story might be included so make sure to keep reading :). My next blog will be about a dad, ghost hunter and a poker dealer. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, please enjoy some of the one sided conversations below. The first four are ones that were sent to me, and the last one was a convo my co-worker had with someone..Oy!.....ummm nuff said: