Dancing With Samantha

Tonight Samantha and I had a ballroom dancing lesson. We had a great time! Samantha signed us up for the introductory package, which is a gonga deal -- 4 half hour private lessons for $15. We learned some beginning steps, and the basic waltz, foxtrot, and tango. I got some good pointers on how (and how not) to lead, and the instructor showed us the correct hold.

I've been going through some rough times in the last week, so tonight's events were a welcome change. We have more lessons next week, and then we'll have to decide to continue or not. I think it will be a lot of fun, and it's nice to have a shared activity.

Seeing The Other Side

Samantha has posted (finally!) her writeup of our first date. She had let me read it before she posted it, and wondered if it was too mean or harsh. I told her it was what she thought and felt and so she should go with it.

I've noticed that since she came back from her trip to Vegas Sunday night, we've been a bit more relaxed together. I'm starting to accept that she really is here and wants to be here. I've been going through some very trying times in the last couple of days, with a family tragedy and some problems at work, and she has been so supportive and kind, it's been wonderful.

Time To Reflect

Samantha went home to Vegas tonight. She's planning on being there about a week or so. So after 2 weeks together we have a week to reflect and consider our relationship.

We've spent a lot of time together, talked a lot and shared a lot of activities. We've seen movies, watched TV, traveled, eaten many meals, watched the sun set. Best of all from my perspective, we've spent a lot of time singing and making music together.

Overall we get along pretty well, I think. We've had a few fights, mostly pretty minor and, considering the circumstances, not surprising. Since I've never lived with anyone before (other than roommates, and that was a long time ago), it's been an adjustment for me to be in close quarters with anyone, much less a beautiful woman that I'm crazy about. We communicate well and we fight fair when we do fight.

I'm very optimistic about our future and I can't wait for her to get back. Still, I suppose some time apart is probably a positive thing. The house is lonely without her, though...

Fun In San Diego

Samantha and I just got back from a wonderful weekend in San Diego. It was really nice to get out of the heat and enjoy San Diego's cool breezes and wonderful atmosphere.

Friday night after checking into our hotel we went to a friend's house to attend an anniversary celebration for some of my friends. We had a pretty nice time. This was the second time in a week that Samantha had had to meet my friends or family, and once again she was a trouper.

Saturday we had an amazing day. First we spent a few hours at the San Diego Zoo, which is always a wonderful experience. After that we met up with Dating Dummy at Tourmaline Beach, where we swam and body-surfed and watched DD chatting up a really cute surfer girl. Later DD lent Samantha his surfboard and she had a go at learning to surf. She did amazingly well for a first time! I was very impressed both with her bravery and her skill.

After swimming and surfing, we went for sushi at Ichiban in Pacific Beach. I had the teriyaki chicken and DD and Samantha split some sushi, which she said was really good. After dinner we split up for a while, then met up at 9ish at Lestat's Coffeehouse for some wonderful music from Manuok (as in "Man, you okay?") and local DJ and "folksinger" Anya Marina. All in all it was a truly awesome capstone to a wonderful day. Many thanks to DD for his wonderful hospitality -- he's an awesome guy.

Sunday we got up and drove home, a long long day. We were a bit tired since we've developed this (bad?!) habit of staying up until 2 a.m. or later talking about all kinds of stuff.

Meeting the 'Rents

Samantha and I went to visit my Dad and stepmom, brother, niece and nephew for lunch on this July 4th. Samantha was very nervous about meeting my family, but it seemed to go pretty well and they seemed to get along and like her just fine. Afterward we went to see "War of the Worlds" which was pretty neat all in all (great special effects!). We got home just in time to see the fireworks display, which was really nice. It was a really nice day overall.

Adjustment Period

So Samantha has been here almost a week, and it's been quite an adjustment period for both of us. We have had some small spats, but nothing I'd categorize as serious. She is seriously homesick though, and that's a problem. It's not easy to up and move to a place where you know almost no one.

Friday night we went out to a comedy show, which was a lot of fun, and then met up with HMG at a bar. That did not go so well. HMG was very very tired and in a pissy mood, and the first impression she made on Samantha was not good. I haven't really heard anything the other way from HMG, who is dealing more with some of her own pressing issues right now.

Saturday night we went dancing with a couple of friends of mine. It was fun, although I think the music was not really Samantha's first choice (80s and 90s music). Still, she liked my friends and they liked her so that was good -- she's not feeling quite so lonesome, hopefully.

Wildchild has been quite critical of this relationship, and while I can understand how it looks to her, I know what I am doing and we have talked about these things. For example, we agreed that Samantha would continue her "30 First Dates" project, so she has gone out on a couple of dates, and will continue to do so. Am I a sap? Maybe. I'm finding, though, that with Samantha I have had to explicitly accept her as she is. While I have always tried to do that in past relationships, I didn't do such a great job. Here it's "up front" effort that is producing a refreshing freedom and openness in our relationship. It's good.

I don't know where this relationship is going, and I'm under no illusions that it will (or won't) be lasting more than a few months. Realistically, though, that's true of any relationship. In this one I have my eyes open more than usual, and I think that's good.