You wanna date?
Naomi (calling out to men on the street): Hey, you wanna date?
Kevin (quizzically): How come you never ask me if I want a date?
Naomi (derisively): I thought you were gay.
“St. Elmo’s Fire”, 1985
Hey, I wanna date. But not with Naomi. She’s a little rough around the edges for me.
We haven’t been on a date in a while. Money’s a factor – not just to pay for the date itself, but to pay the sitter ($10! Per hour! What a racket!). And for the date to be really worthwhile, the sitter would have to stick around until morning so that we could sleep in and then have coffee and watch Meet the Press in relative peace and quiet.
I know, dream on.
On our last date, we went out for Indian food and then nearly threw it up while laughing our heads off at “Borat.” I don’t remember exactly when it was, but I know there was a lot of snow on the ground. Which means it could’ve been anytime between October and May.
Our best dates are when we’re flying high and feeling good. No, I don’t mean under the influence of illicit substances. I mean when everything in life is at its zenith. Going out on a date when I’m worried and stressed makes me even more worried and stressed. I sit there thinking I should be doing something to remedy whatever’s worrying me.
The one exception I can recall is our anniversary dinner in 2005, right after Kyle was laid off (by the company that paid to move us out here). We had no business whooping it up at a fancy restaurant downtown, but it actually took my mind off my worries for an evening.
But I prefer to go out buoyed by optimism. And right now, we really need to go out to celebrate Kyle’s new job.
(Yes, another new job. As much as I’d like to write about the old job, we don’t really need a lawsuit on our hands. Suffice it to say, this was a very good – and very necessary – move.)
So even though I can’t win the fabulous prize that’s up for grabs, YOU can. Yes, you. Or you. Or even you. Any of you, really.
If you haven’t yet heard of the Parent Bloggers Network “You Know You Need a Date When…” Blog Blast sponsored by eHarmony, then wise up and start posting. You’ve got all day to write about why you need a date (presumably with your partner, not with Naomi). Just link to eHarmony and the Parent Bloggers Network, and you’ll be entered to win a $100 AmEx gift card (to pay for dinner) and $100 cash (to pay the sitter). And even if you don’t win, we’ve got a fabulous consolation prize – a cute little button that says you had a blast with us. Go check it out.
June 1st, 2007 at 6:08 am
That’s a true statement. I can’t go out and enjoy myself if there are things at home that need to be done. No wonder Doug never asks me out anymore — he knows we’ll have to clean the entire house and fold all the laundry first!
June 1st, 2007 at 6:45 am
I feel ya! When I’m stressed/tired going out doesn’t make for an exciting evening. One glass of wine and I’m ready for a nap. heh.
Found you via the blast. Here’s my entry: http://mamaknj.blogspot.com/2007/06/you-know-you-need-date.html
June 1st, 2007 at 7:28 am
[...] mothergoosemouse [...]
June 1st, 2007 at 8:11 am
The 10 bucks kills me too. SOmetimes I want to babysit my own kids just to get the money!
June 1st, 2007 at 12:36 pm
$10 an hour is why I’m very grateful that my in-laws live 10 minutes away. MIL makes me nuts, but she loves to babysit, and the kid loves them. Good luck on the new job!
June 1st, 2007 at 4:28 pm
um, i don’t think i can win this date with my husband, because i don’t have a husband.
i do, however, need a date… aussie boy – my current arm candy – and i have seen each other once in the last week, and it was last night when he came to my dance show. our time together was spent while i changed out of my costume, we gathered all my crap and carried it to the car, i got some jack in the box because i was starving after performing on an empty stomach, and then i dropped him off at home so he could go to bed for an early morning work day.
good times, huh?
June 1st, 2007 at 5:02 pm
Lara, Aussie arm candy counts!
June 1st, 2007 at 6:38 pm
I am so jealous of people who have parents and siblings around to babysit for them. It would be so nice to go out for once for dinner AND a movie because we weren’t worrying about the sitter’s meter running. Oh, hell, it would be nice to just go out for once.
June 1st, 2007 at 7:29 pm
I hate to say it, but I think you’re getting off easy at $10/hour. Our babysitter charges $14! Highway robbery, if you ask me.
June 1st, 2007 at 7:49 pm
lol loved your entry – there was snow on the ground … about 8 inches worth, on our last date too!
I found you via the Blast, and yup, mine is up too.
June 2nd, 2007 at 7:29 pm
I have free and eager babysitting, thanks to living in the same town as the grandparents – but we still only go out on a date once or twice a year. Apparently, we just cannot get enough time with our little monsters or apparently we’re lazy about making plans.
June 2nd, 2007 at 9:06 pm
I am such a wuss about calling babysitters–I don’t know why I am intimidated by 16-year-old girls.
Tell Kyle congrats on the new job!
June 8th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
$10 an hour. Oh my. I would NEVER go out. How can you afford it? Around here it is only $5 (that’s for one child). And that poor woman who has to pay $14! $14!?!? Why would these kids ever grow up and get a real job if they can make that much babysitting?