Posting daily at 1pm central about all kinds of things. One day it's dating, the next it's TV commercials. I hope you're entertained. Professional photos on SmugMug – https://benwilder.smugmug.com
Friendships are like a man on his death bed, it takes work to keep them alive. I came across this reality in 2011 when I heard of a friendship suffering from the middlefinger flu.
You know what the middlefinger flu is: your attempts to maintain the relationship are met with a harshly careless attitude. So without the proper attention, the flu quickly turned into a nasty bout with pooponya. This is when that friend you try to be friends with only makes an effort to poop on you. Just like the man on his death bed, the relationship is in need of some serious attention! Otherwise, it will die from pooponya. If both people don’t recognize that, one friend will be disappointed while the pooponya friend will just be full of crap. If you have a friendship you suspect might be dying, you’re faced with a choice.
Sometimes it’s worth the effort of both people trying to bring it back to health, and sometimes it’s just better to flush the toilet and move on.
After barely making the playoffs, your favorite hockey team wins the Stanley Cup. Not a miracle.
Speeding down the highway in the pouring rain, just missing the jack-knifed semi-truck trailer. Not a miracle.
A man turning water into wine. Miracle.
The word miracle is far too often associated with something that is simply not miraculous. It’s a word that is overused, like a standing ovation during American Idol performances. When the audience stands and cheers after every performance, the honor of a standing ovation is lost. If a miracle is God acting in a situation, then anything that happens naturally is not a miracle. Take the stories from the Bible: Jesus turning water into wine, Moses parting the Red Sea, Lazarus coming out of the grave… these are miracles. Water never turns into wine. The Red Sea never splits in two. Death has never released it’s grip on anyone (up to that point). I’m sorry, the last I checked, a baby being born is not a miracle. Why? Because reproduction is the way humans were designed. It’s what is supposed to happen. It’s natural. It seems miracles occur in specific instances for specific reasons, mostly to make people aware of God’s presence. While there are plenty of other ways to see God- in nature, in people, in the birth of a baby- miracles are extremely rare, and extremely unnatural. The exciting part is when you do witness a true miracle, I have a feeling you won’t be able to keep from giving God a standing ovation. Or at least tweeting about it.
Everyone wants to know if the guy or girl they are interested in shares the same vibe. As a guy, I’ve learned (mostly the hard way) some ways we show interest. There are many ways, but here are a few. If the guy you like is doing any of these things, then there’s a chance he digs you. How do you feel about this list? Let me know in the comments section, thanks for reading!
He pays for everything on a date. This sign is multiplied by the 10th power if he was raised in the North where manners weren’t a given. It’s true, in the South offering to pay for dates is the gentlemanly thing to do, but it’s also a signal he wants to take care of you even in a small way.
He leaves his phone in the car. This speaks volumes. Whether it’s dinner or hanging out at your place, he’s saying there’s nothing more important than the girl I’m with. Phone calls, texts, emails? They can wait.
He doesn’t kiss you on the first date. This is a tough one because it could also mean he hates your guts. If he doesn’t kiss you, take it in context of the whole night and it should fit with other signs he’s been showing.
He makes you a CD of music he likes. Or better yet, a CD of music you like. Bonus points if either CD includes Hanson or Boney M.
He’s not worried about rejection or he’s very worried about rejection. On one hand, he likes you enough to throw caution to the wind. On the other hand, he likes you enough that he’s nervous around you. Either is a good sign.
When you’re with him, he smiles a lot. Milton Berle once said that “laughter is an instant vacation.” Smiles and laughter are visible signs he’s happy.
He remembers things you tell him. Whether it’s about your family, stuff going on at work, or your favorite flower, memory almost always equals interest.
He goes to things with you that he normally wouldn’t go to. He says he likes Taylor Swift, but trust me, he wouldn’t go unless you were there.
He goes with you to a Dolly Parton concert because she’s your favorite. Beware though, he may just be a Dolly fan, because seriously, who doesn’t love Dolly?
He keeps in touch throughout the day and/or week through texts, emails, and/or calls. I got an email from a girl I know that explained it this way: “Oh yea… that is one thing girls get insecure about. You can have a great date but if you don’t hear from him after a day or two… they start to question if the guy is really into them… even if they are in a relationship.”
He knows about your secret crushes, and is ok with them. I heard one story of a guy that dressed up like Bret Michaels for Halloween because he knew his girlfriend had a crush on Bret. They are married now. (He and the girl, not the girl and Bret Michaels)
He doesn’t like cats. You have a cat. He keeps coming back.
He takes care of your least favorite things. One of your biggest pet peeves is putting gas in the car so he does it for you. Thoughtful? Yes. Classy? Yes. Is he interested? Heck yes.
He isn’t shy about meeting your friends or family. A friend of mine went on two dates with a guy before her mom came into town the next week. The girl said, “It’ll be a few days before we can go out again,” to which he responded, “We could see each other while your mom’s here, I ain’t scared.” The girl thought that was cute.
He chooses you over sleep. If you’re talking on the phone for hours and soon realize it’s 3am, he likes you. He’s already put you ahead of one of his two favorite things. (food is the other favorite thing, get your mind out of the gutter!)
I’m pretty shy actually, so the way I show interest can be quite different than a guy who is very outgoing. Below you’ll find a list that describes how the guy you like, could be showing that he likes you, too.
You find out his family has heard of you already. Upon meeting anyone in his family, you discover they already know who you are. He’s already told them about you and that’s a sure sign he thinks you’re special.
He wants to know more about you. For instance, what you do for fun or if you have pets, etc. He’s searching for common ground, which means he wants to connect with you in more than just an “I’m attracted to you” kind of way.
He asks about your family. Guys don’t just ask about a girl’s family.
His friends don’t ask you out on dates. A clear sign they know he likes you, and bro’s don’t step on toes. Check out The Bro Code, here
He wants you to meet his friends. A huge compliment that he wants his friends to know who he’s been spending time with. Also note if he keeps you separated, that could be a sign he isn’t interested.
He drives the opposite direction of point B to pick you up and bring you to point B. More time in the car with the girl he fancies.
Opens the car door for you. Chivalry is not dead. If he does this, chances are he likes you… and was raised well.
When he talks about the future, you are in it. It’s October. He mentions meeting his family when they come down for Christmas. Cha-ching, you’re in.
He’s willing to be in a long-distance relationship. One of the toughest things to overcome is distance, and if he acts like the challenge ain’t no thang, he probably likes you.
Eye contact. The eyes are the window to the soul. I’m sure that applies here somehow, but anyway, if he’s looking at you, that means he’s interested in all that is you.
You think you’ve missed out.
Looking back as if you made the grandest of mistakes
when you were sure without a doubt
that what you needed was a break.
A good chance for love,
perhaps the only one you’ve got.
You were sure it wasn’t enough,
the diamond you called a rock.
What you’ve learned from then to now,
is that what’s got you down?
Or is that you don’t know how
you can live in the same town?
You tell me everything you see
from the sky to the street
reminds you of her beauty
and no one can compete.
Many people have left looking for more
only to find more of the same.
It will get better, I’ve been there before.
Soon you won’t have to play the game anymore.
There’s much more you deserve
a better and more fitting match.
Especially if the only thing you liked about her
is that she liked you back.
So sure, what you miss right now
was a chance at something good.
But it’s not over, not even close.
Your dream will come true, like we hoped it would.
Hold on a little longer, just a little longer.
She’s waiting in the wings.
You know what the middlefinger flu is: your attempts to maintain the relationship are met with a harshly careless attitude. So without the proper attention, the flu quickly turned into a nasty bout with pooponya. This is when that friend you try to be friends with only makes an effort to poop on you. Just like the man on his death bed, the relationship is in need of some serious attention! Otherwise, it will die from pooponya. If both people don’t recognize that, one friend will be disappointed while the pooponya friend will just be full of crap. If you have a friendship you suspect might be dying, you’re faced with a choice.
Out of the Wilderness 