Take a walk in my town

The City of Royal Oak laid out a Master Plan in 1999, or list of goals for it's community that it would like to accomplish. A recurring theme throughout the Master Plan is creating a pedestrian and bike friendly environment.

Rounds of applause, kudos, and even finger snaps to the city for this. Not only is it environmentally safe, it appeals to the general demographic of the city, and contributes to the sense of community that most Royal Oakers subscribe to and stay for. A former high school classmate of mine once observed on his facebook page how wonderful it was to live in a city where the walkers aren't strange people to be wary of, but members of a community who participate in an eco-friendly method of transportation and I wholeheartedly agree. Thank you Royal Oak for encouraging this.

Now, for those of you whom are clearly not familiar with the city I know and love let me help you out. Royal Oak is a pedestrian friendly town. There are multiple crosswalks on Main Street that expect your to yield for me and friends - even without a stop light (*GASP, I know!*) So, next time you visit our fair city for something fun, like say to watch a Stanley Cup Hockey final at one of our fine food & spirit locales - don't attempt to drive through Main Street and run over the pedestrians as though we are in the wrong. Park in a lot and walk pal! Or yes, man in the foreign SUV, I will slap your hood again.

With that said, and accomplished, I encourage you City of Royal Oak, it's been 10 years. Let's get a move on with our new plan!

Royal Oak's Master Plan:
http://www.ci.royal-oak.mi.us/mp/goals.html

Tips for non RO'ers Where to park:
http://www.ci.royal-oak.mi.us/mp/downtownoffstreetparking.pdf

Picking up the pieces

Wednesday; the last time I truly cried. Progress.

It'a hard after a break up to get back to life so to speak. It's even harder after a break up that changes your entire life. Pre-singledom, I was a psuedo-mom and wife. I had the house on the corner, the 2 car garage, the guy, the kids and even a cat. Getting ready for work included making sure kids were up and ready, fed, prepared and squeezing my 15 minutes of daily alone time in between their bathroom needs. After work was always dinner and kids everywhere. And I mean everywhere. I always found it ironic that the alone time I sought so hard for back then was what it seemed the kids tried to avoid.

Now, its just me and the cat and a one bedroom apartment. It took me two months of living alone before I was able to be home without a tv or radio on to fill the void. I haven't had either on all day yet.

And while I don't regret my decision, I have missed my old life in ways I couldn't realize, and have hurt in ways I didn't know was possible. I miss feeling needed or wanted. And yet, somehow, my sorrow now is different from my sorrow during my white noise recovery phase. Then, I missed what I had.

Now, I look back on the last 4 years and miss what I didn't have and feel robbed. But there must be some sort of solace in this new revelation because I haven't truly cried since Wednesday.

I'm still a puzzle with a million missing pieces, but I haven't truly cried since Wednesday, and that my friends, must be progress.

On a first date . . . who pays?

So, I finally did it. I finally ventured out on my first date in my newly single life. I have been involved on an internet dating site, and after a few phone conversations, he asked me to dinner. I agreed.

Now, I'm a person with a whole lot of understanding. So I understood that I had to drive, and pick him up, because he is, let's say "in-between vehicles" at the moment. Really, had he not been, I probably would have suggested just meeting somewhere. And I understood when he suggested we go to a restaurant near where we grew up, and where he worked throughout high school (I'm post 10 yr reunion, btw). I figured his home turf would make him feel more comfortable.

So, the waitress approaches our table and asks for our drink order. He speaks first (okay?) and orders a water with lemon (okay?). So I follow suit this Saturday evening (8:30pm) and order a diet coke at this italian restaurant. Should I have ordered a glass of wine like I normally would? I'm not sure! This is my first date in a LONG time and I was uncomfortable ordering something to drink when I was sitting with the waterboy.

We split an appetizer, when I ask what is good (since this is his favorite restaurant), he proceeds to read everything on the menu to me (thanks I can read!). We order, the food is pretty good, then the check comes. Now mind you, during our phone conversations throughout the prior two weeks, he has bragged incessently about working hard, and earning promotions and making a great living. Not to mention, there is no way our bill is over $30.00. And he asked me to dinner, and asked me to drive! He then picks up the tab, and says I'll get this and you can get whatever we choose to do after.

Okay, this is where I need help! At this point, I'm not really interested in after, but don't know how to say so. And quite frankly am in shock. I, quite frankly, didn't expect to pitch in for date #1. Now let me defend myself.

First off, I am not sure if up until now I have been lucky, or what, but I have never (even as a teenager) been asked to pay for a portion of the first date. I however, always sincerely offer, and have on multiple occasions paid the tip, etc. However, I am really turned off at this point that it was asked of me. Asked of me by the guy who brags about his success at work, who asked me out to dinner, and who subsequently asked me to drive.

Any ideas here folks would be greatly appreciated!