Eos

Why I don't bother looking for women anymore. This is a recent exchange on a mutually beneficial dating site.

Christine: If your still looking for something steady let me know I’d definitely be interested in seeing if we are compatible and looking for the same thing ☺️

Me: Yes, I am. Would you like to get together for a coffee?

Christine: I could do that.  In person is so much easier than on here. I’m over in Grosse Pointe Woods area.  Where are you? Maybe find a place in the middle.

Me: I agree. You don't know until you meet.  I live in Chesterfield. There is Eos Cafe & Coffee House on Jefferson between 12 and 13. I have not been there, but it looks okay.

Christine: Next week I will have way more free time and flexibility.  Would it be ok if we schedule meeting? I have been to EOS before and isn’t too far from me.

Me: Yes, next week would be good for me. I'm looking forward to. Give me some days that work well for you. Tuesday is my only busy day. Wednesdays and Sundays are good.

Christine: I can do next Wednesday if you’d like?

Me: Yes, I can do Wed. Eos closes at 4 p.m. Can you do sometime between noon and 3? If not, I can pick somewhere else.

Christine: How does 1pm sound?

I don’t think I got your name yet? I’m Christine ☺️

Me: Nice to meet you, Christine. My name is Bathwater.  Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Eos on Jefferson sounds great.

At this point, her potential for showing has dropped to fifty percent.

Me: I'm looking forward to meeting you tomorrow. Let me know if your plans change. I'll DM you here when I am on my way.

Wednesday

Me: I'll be heading out in a few. See you there. I'm wearing a green shirt.

I made my way down to Eos. She didn't show. Technically, she could say she never saw the messages, but the app did show her online, and I did boost the message to the top of her inbox.

On the plus side, I still clean up nicely for my age, and I did get to see an attractive girl behind the coffee counter with a nice smile, long torso, and tight tee.

Running On

Gia and I sit in the Buick, waiting in line for gas at BJ’s. A cool summer morning filters sunlight through the windshield, warming us in the stillness.

I turn up the radio. A lull between songs, the murmur of a concert crowd—and then it begins. A pulsing rhythm. Jackson Browne’s Running On Empty, an iconic moment recorded live in Columbia, Maryland, 1977.

Lookin' out at the road rushin' under my wheels
Lookin' back at the years gone by like so many summer fields

Gia has lived in eight or ten cities in twenty years. No roots, nothing sustained. Always running to the next city.

Gotta do what you can just to keep your love alive
Tryin' not to confuse it with what you do to survive

She runs from connecting, from herself. Surviving behind walls so thick they’ve become her identity. Pushing away anyone who might slip inside.

I look around for the friends that I used to turn to to pull me through
Lookin' into their eyes, I see them runnin' too

It seems like a sad existence, but it’s all she’s ever known. Performance as armor. Survival as self.

When she stopped trying, so did I. It’s hard to see value in someone who doesn’t see it in themselves. But she still lingers—in song, in unanswered questions I still try to understand.

I turn to her and say, “This is your theme song.”

Honey, you really tempt me, you know, the way you look so kind
I'd love to stick around, but I'm runnin' behind…Running On Empty, by Jackson Browne

Gia listens for a moment, then shakes her head. She disagrees.

But I don’t.

Snapshot of February

In homage to Sarah H. at Death Wears Diamond Jewelry, who is no longer blogging but is missed.

Listening…The Telepathy Tapes, podcast. I think autism is the next set in human evolutionary development.  Give it a listen.

Reading…Just finished reading Dave's latest book, The Body In Time. 

Watching…All 13 seasons of Supernatural, again. 

Playing … I have been playing Last War on my phone. It is very intense. You must join an alliance, get on Discord, and spend money.

Building... I built Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs cottage while waiting for the Lego show this weekend.

Buying… Try not to purchase anything.

Loving... Just received a Lego-produced limited addition Forestmen's Hideout from Bricklink. It is a massive set. I haven't decided if I want to build it or save it.

Planning… Gia is planning to come here for a week at the end of April just to vacation with me. I can't wait. We still chat every day. She is back in Rhode Island with her family. 

Missing…  Gia, she is not dancing anymore so she doesn't come to Michigan to work, just to see me. 

This weekend is the BrickFest Show in Novi, Michigan. I have all my displays packed and ready for set up tomorrow.

Six Decades

 My birthday was last Wednesday. I started defining my age as six decades old. It sounds cleaner than the years. I took three days off for my birthday. On the first day, I cleaned out many scrap auto parts and took them to the scrap yard. On the second day, I rode my bike on the Orchard Trail. 

The twins moved into a new condo on my birthday. Coincidence? Maybe, but given that TheEx filed for divorce on my birthday, I doubt it. Their condo is lovely—nicer than mine. Hopefully, they will take care of it. It is one of those condo complexes entirely of ranch units that old people like. The units are spaced nicely, and the complex is suitable for walking. I have been encouraging them to do that.

On Saturday, Ava and I went to an art fair in Ferndale. I really like this art fair. It attracts artists I can relate to. I bought two prints from Cheryl Baker. Her stuff is terrific. 

This One 

This One

I was unsure where to put them, but I couldn't resist. I wanted the whole series.

Ava enjoyed the show. Like me, she is an amateur artist. We still haven't picked up where we left off. Ava is putting it off. However, we are hanging out, and she wants to continue. I ended up going back to the art show with Sam on Sunday. I didn't want to tell her Ava, and I went Saturday. Sam likes to look at the jewelry. Ava was more enjoyable. She enjoys the artwork, and everything is new for her. 

Flappers and Ava Returns

Sam and I went to a wedding on Saturday. The bride is a mutual friend. The bride and groom are both in their fifties. The groom is about a 4 in looks. The bride is a 6 or 7, but the groom is loaded. They rented out the Emerald Theatre in Mt. Clemens for the wedding. It was a 1920s-inspired wedding, and the Emerald is a restored theatre that opened in 1921. The whole affair must have cost big bucks.

I took some pictures, but my phone broke, and I lost them all that night. Which brings me to Sunday. The screen on my Galaxy Flip broke, locking me out of the phone. I lost all my apps, some of my contacts, and all the pictures I took that day. I spent Sunday getting a new phone and reloading the apps.

I loaded Snapchat back. I wasn't going to. I never used the app, but I did, and I ran through the selections quickly. About an hour later, I received a snap from Ava. I haven't seen or heard from Ava since her boyfriend caught her, and she ghosted me back last February. We met up in Rochester that evening for a walk and dinner.

Ava is the same. She is still a covert narcissist who can't hold down a job or a relationship, but she is fun and wants to pick up where we left off, including trips. I am differently interested. Ava was good in bed and had fun on the road. 

Rain

We are getting rain from the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. Unlike the brief violent downpours we received last month, it has been steadily raining today. I wrote back to Ray and asked if she would like to go out. I am not interested in joining her church, but I would like to get to know her better. We will see what happens. (Follow up: Ray is married but doesn't wear a ring).

I am so glad Jon Stewart is back on The Daily Show. He is a voice of comedic reason. I don't understand why Joe Biden does not step aside. It is sad, but there comes a day when you have to take the car keys away from an aging parent, no matter how hard they whine. I am not that political; however, I have not been happy with my choices for president for the last 12 years.

Show And Tell

 I displayed five Lego models at a small event on Sunday. The event was held at a church hall on the other side of town, about an hour away. A woman asked me to attend the event while I displayed at Brickfest. She was cute and close to my age, so I agreed. We exchanged a few emails between that first brief meeting and Sunday night. I will call her Ray for the sake of the narrative.

Ray is friendly and personable. I feel a sense of attraction when I am around her, which makes me feel awkward. Ray even insisted on hugging me when we said goodbye after the show.

This is her last email to me.

Bathwater

I'm grateful for you. You made the event more interesting, and it was nice to see you. I remember when I asked you if you were interested in sharing anything spiritual, you said no, but please know that you are welcome to our church anytime -- it might be the start of growing deeper in your faith. I'm glad you sensed the kindness of the church folks. I started going there 3 years ago and it has been good for me.

Here's a link to service online (removed)

If you'd like to check out a service in person, we start at 10 on Sunday.

Thanks for the links to Bible Bricks. That's exactly what I saw. I couldn't remember where I saw it, maybe just searching in preparation for this week. Maybe we can use those videos next year.

I hope our paths cross again someday.😊

Ray

I like her. She seems like a very nice and outgoing person. Maybe that is just who she is with everyone. I have her phone number and email. I am unsure if I am just reading more into her actions, but I am considering asking her out. The problem is I am not religious. I was raised Catholic, but now I am agnostic at best. I feel that the Catholic religious teachings are good for people and society. I am just not sure there is a God behind it all. 

What do you think? Am I seeing more than just someone being friendly?  Should I ask her out?

Bay-O-Rama

After a week of work, I swung by Gia's Airbnb in Ferndale on Friday evening. She greeted me in peach-colored exercise shorts, a grey spaghetti-strap tank top, and a stylish black and grey cap. We headed back to my condo so I could change while Gia relaxed on the couch, engrossed in her phone.

Once ready, we hopped into my Gladiator and set off for New Baltimore. I had promised to take her to Bay-O-Rama, the local festival. The sun was blazing as we arrived, the air thick with humidity, though the forecast hinted at an impending downpour.

Downtown New Baltimore hosted Bay-O-Rama, a modest affair with carnival rides, games, a beer tent, and various booths. Gia was up for anything; her adventurous spirit was evident as we explored the carnival attractions. We even tried our hand at a balloon-popping game and scored a small stuffed lion as a prize. Gia couldn't resist getting a caricature sketch done of herself.

As the sky darkened and raindrops began to fall, we sought refuge at Finn's Restaurant, sitting comfortably under the awning of the upstairs patio bar. The downpour arrived in full force just as our food was served. While most patrons scurried indoors for shelter, Gia and I stayed put, relishing the dramatic weather and our delicious meal.

Returning to the Gladiator under a gentle drizzle, we made our way back to my condo, both of us smiling despite being slightly damp. Gia was a joy to be around—considerate, affectionate, yet emotionally distant in bed. I found myself pondering why I was drawn to someone seemingly unattainable. It's funny how when you're infatuated, you tend to see the best in someone, even if reality might be more complex.

Gia possesses many appealing qualities, and I'm drawn to her physically. She has a radiant smile. While I don't see her as someone suited for a long-term relationship, she would make an excellent companion for short-term adventures, provided she's open to it. So far, she is not.

Gia left for home Monday night, feeling homesick and mentally drained despite her efforts to stay until the end of the month. I'm uncertain when or if she'll return; perhaps not until September, if at all. Despite Gia not being what I'm actively seeking, I find it difficult to let go, perhaps because no one else fits the mold.

Not Enough Glue

 Gia has a captivating smile. When she truly smiles, her eyes sparkle, the years fall from her face, and she has a youthful innocence. Gia has been in Michigan for a month and is getting homesick. As the weather shifts to summer, the club is slowing down.

Gia: I may leave sooner. Work is getting annoying. A lot of cheap dudes, and I'm tired of spending money on a rental car. 

Bathwater: How soon are you thinking?

Gia: I don't know. Pretty soon, honestly. I'll see how tonight goes. Maybe next time, I'll only get an Airbnb for two weeks, not a whole month.

Bathwater: I figured it would slow down once the weather kicked in. Today is Father's Day.

Gia: You were right. I forgot it is Father's Day :(.

Bathwater: Do you want me to come down and keep you company for a bit?

Gia: It's up to you. That's a far drive.

I drove across town to the club. An accident caused the fifty-minute drive to take an extra twenty-five minutes. I arrived at eight forty-five. It was the first time I had been to the club since April. Gia and I have been seeing each other outside the club on Fridays. 

There were more dancers than customers. I got a booth, and Gia and I camped out for most of the night between her trips to the stage. She tried approaching a few other customers without luck. 

"You have come a long way since we first met. You are less stubborn," I tell her.

Gia and I are sitting in the booth. Gia is wearing an orange micro bikini. Her legs are stretched out across my lap. 

"I have been working on that with you," she tells me. 

I wish there was more of a connection between Gia and me. There are so many differences, and there is not enough glue. 

Not The Nail

 I don't know why I haven't been taking the time to write more. Many things go by without me recording them here. I find it hard to recreate the events in a narrative that pleases me. This is ironic considering all the tools we have today to improve our writing. 

I have been communicating very little with anyone lately. I told Gia I reached out to her more than anyone else, which surprised her, considering we don't text much. 

Brit sits across from me on the couch. She is talking to me about her relationship with the guy from California. They met on Instagram. Brit flew out to see him. This guy lives with two roommates, both women. One was supposed to be his cousin, but Brit never sees this cousin and isn't sure she even exists. 

The red flags continue to pile up. First, the guy says he is in his low forties. It turns out he is fifty. He has five kids by three women that he never mentioned to her. He is a graffiti artist and likes to tag trains—at fifty?

The conversations she tells me are him gaslighting her. Brit is a psychology major. It is the classic case of a person with mental issues seeking answers. Brit is visibly upset over this guy. I wanted to tell her he sounded like a big loser who would not bring her happiness, but you can't fight emotion with logic. The whole conversation reminds me of the YouTube short  It's Not About The Nail.

I shut down the conversation by leading Brit upstairs. 

Nothing is Perfect

I have been seeing both Gia and Brit. Both could be better. I enjoy hanging out with Gia. She is opening up to me slowly but plans to stay only through June. She is still hard to get close to, which makes intimacy difficult for me. Gia knows it, and I know it. Mostly because I want more from her.

On Sunday, I picked Gia up from her AirBnB. 

Gia: (You can pick me up.) As long as you take me to Walmart, that's the deal. 

Bathwater: No problem.

Gia: And UPS. I need to mail out my rent.

We stopped at both so she could run errands and then head into New Baltimore for lunch. After we ate, we walked through a small fleamarket before returning to my condo. 

*      *      *

Brit came over Tuesday night. She spent the first forty-five minutes telling me about a long-distance boyfriend (sort of) who lives in California. She is upset with him, but not over him. The guy has so many red flags around him that she should be running away from him. Brit seems immature for her age, probably due to some past relationship. Naive and vulnerable are the words I would use to describe her even though she is thirty.

Options

 Gia is back in Detroit, which surprised me. She indicated she was thinking about coming back, but then, on Monday, she texted me, saying she was coming back on Tuesday.

Gia: I'll be in Michigan tomorrow.

Bathwater: What? Tomorrow? Thanks for the heads up.

Gia: Hah

Bathwater: How long do you plan on staying?

Gia: A while.

Bathwater: Well, that narrows it down.

Gia: A month to start.

I said Gia needed to let me take her to dinner on Friday for her birthday. She doesn't like working the weekends anyway, so I told her we could hang out in Royal Oak. I would take her to all the worst places.

Brit still seems to be interested in continuing to get together. We are hanging out on Thursday. With summer approaching, it is nice to have options. 

Keyfob

 Brit came over last night. I'm picky, and even I admit this girl is a 9 out of 10. I still need to figure her out. Brit is quiet, but I don't see any red flags yet. She has blond hair, a pretty face, and a nice natural body. Brit says she wants to gain a few pounds but hasn't felt like eating lately. She looks perfect the way she is now. She should have her choice of options.

On the lighter side, I got in the Gladiator this morning and didn't have my key. You only need to have the key in your pocket to start the vehicle, which is a push-button start. I looked all over the place for my keyfob and started wondering if Brit had walked off with it. Silly, I know, but hey, I don't really know her. Twenty minutes later, I found my key in the kitchen junk drawer. I must have thrown it in there when I was cleaning up.

Brit, Mulch, and Covid

 Gia flew back to Rhode Island Friday morning. She enjoyed her time here. It is as close to a vacation as she will allow herself. I don't think I have seen the last of her. Although it is expensive for her to make the trip. Gia knows a dancer in Texas who is considering joining her next time. It would make the journey more inviting if she split the cost with someone. I'd be curious to meet this friend of hers. Gia only gets close to a few people. 

Remember Brit from this post? Brit came over to the condo Friday night. This girl is really hot. Brit wore light jeans, a top that showed off her stomach, and a white sweater. I showed Brit around the place and then went to New Baltimore to eat. Brit is not a picky eater, which is nice. She's quiet, but I pulled some new information from her.

 Brit has a day job, but her psychology degree is not paying off. She really needs a Master's or better. Brit is thirty. Her parents divorced when she was twenty. Her dad remarried and is not in the picture, but she is close to her mom. Brit has a kitten. Brit says she has had mutually beneficial arrangements in the past, but judging from how she comes across, I suspect it was more like an older guy who cared for her. 

Brit is quiet and seems naive for her age. I have decided to be open-minded about Brit. She is interested in continuing our arrangement and wants to get together again this week. We only did some heavy petting at the end of the night, but she has clarified that she is ready for more. 

I tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday. Over the weekend, I hauled 115 bags of mulch for the Condo association. We offer 5 bags to any resident who wants to spread it themselves. We are having 200 more bags delivered, but Home Depot has delayed our order. The Association decided to get ahead because the mulch was on sale.

I spread at least 40 bags over the weekend while sick. I hit areas where people had already weeded, or the weeds were easy enough to pull before laying the mulch. It will only partially solve our mulch problem but will make a significant dent cost-efficiently. If the mulch goes on sale again, I am going to push us to do a second round this year.

Coffee

 I met the new girl at a coffee show in Roseville yesterday. For lack of a better name, I will call her Brit. Brit has long, straight blond hair and a fake tan glow. Brit wore yogi pants and a gold halter top that showed off a bit of her midriff. She also wore large gold hoop earrings—the type you don't see many girls wear anymore. She is pretty and better looking in person than in her pictures. She has a nice petite body. I would say she is in her low thirties, older than she claimed, but still fine with me.

Brit looks different from the type of person who usually clicks with me. She seems more like a high-maintenance stripper than the girl next door. Out of my financial league is the term I would use. She told me she has a bachelor's degree in one of those social fields that don't pay well and wants to get her master's degree. Maybe, but from the way she looked on our coffee date, I say there is more to the story.

Brit is quiet, but we managed to have a conversation. I indicated what I was looking for, and she said she was interested in pursuing the arrangement further. I am skeptical, but I wouldn't mind it right now, even if we only get together a few times. She said she was going out of town next week. That could mean anything, from she is seeing someone else to that she is keeping her options open. She did respond positively to my text after we met. Time will tell.

Al Update

 The last time I gave an update on Al, she had given up on getting back together with her baby-daddy. We discussed getting together this week. I reached out to her earlier this week.

Bathwater: Am I going to get to see you this week?

(Silence)

Bathwater: (eyes) Are you disappearing again? (ghost).

Al: Maybe, haha. I started seeing someone.

Al: I would still be able to meet up, but I might not be able to overnight.

Bathwater: Already?

Bathwater: That works for me. We don't have to do overnights.

Al still has a tendency to only reply when she wants. I went to Flight Club Friday night despite Al's appearing to want to get together this week. She has ghosted me again. I am disappointed, but I get where she is coming from. Al is twenty-seven. She is getting too old for the strip club. She has found a new guy who is in that love bombing stage. Hopefully, it works out for her. Many guys are quick to date a stripper. Even one with a child, but fewer are ready to commit to one.

I wouldn't be surprised if I heard from Al again.

Zero

Ella came over Friday night. She arrived about seven-thirty. She forgot to text me when she was heading my way, but she did text a few minutes into the drive. She came in carrying a Yeti cup with a straw in it. Alexis does that when she is driving. Alexis has alcohol in hers. I think Ella does, too.

Almost immediately, we went back out to eat. We ended up in a popular bar in downtown New Baltimore. Our conversation was stiff. Ella seemed a bit distant. I usually have a good time keeping the conversation going. I watched Ella drink two margaritas in an hour without any effect. Remember, Ella is a small girl who weighs less than a hundred pounds.

When we returned to the condo, I suggested we head upstairs and watch TV in the bedroom. After all, Ella was supposed to be staying the night. Despite our discussion on Tuesday, Ella wasn't warming up to the fact that this would be a mutually beneficial arrangement. She kept her distance. 

After a TV episode, I looked at her and asked what we were doing. Ella indicated she was still on her period, one of the excuses she used on Tuesday. If you aren't able to uphold your end of the arrangement, then don't show up, or at least say something.

Ella said, "I thought this was not supposed to be just about sex."

"It's not," I replied, but she had already spent enough time around me to know that. 

Ella took offense and decided to leave... empty-handed. That was fine with me. I didn't put up much of an argument. Enough red flags were already showing through.

I have been waiting to hear back from Al lately, too. So, I am back down to zero for now. 

Ella

 The verdict is still out on Ella. She is hard to figure out. Nothing she says so far contradicts what I have learned about her. You have got to love the internet and the information age. She is 33 years old (she looks older). She is from Davison, and her social media do not show any signs of boyfriends. It is amazing if you give someone your phone number. Within days, you are asked to add the new contact to TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. I don't, but if their account is public, I take a look. I have stopped giving out my personal phone number. Instead, I give out my Google phone number to potential women.

Still, Ella has been out of a long-term relationship for 4 years, leaving her bitter against men. She doesn't give off a warm fuzzy vibe. She seems confident and a bit headstrong when she discusses her work at the senior group home, but we did manage to share a few laughs during our time together on Tuesday, and she still wants to get together on Friday.

She came over Tuesday in a knit tank top and short black shorts, with a black and white flannel over top. She looked outstanding. She has nice tan legs and an interesting roses and ravens tattoo on her upper thigh. We have yet to explore the bedroom. That should happen on Friday. She appears to be approaching this arrangement as a relationship. I don't mind that to a point, although it is a mutually beneficial arrangement at the end of the day. 

It is my need to know nature coming out. I am less likely to take people at face value the older I get. 

All Right Now

I spent Saturday cleaning the house and the Jeep. It was a quiet weekend, but we had lovely weather. Sam and I got dinner both nights if I remember correctly. Ella and I have been exchanging texts every day. She seems almost too good to be true. Monday night, she asked if she could get an advance. That was the first red flag. It doesn't look good when someone seems too good to be true and then asks for an advance. 

I told Ella I understand money can be tight at first, and if she wanted to get together sooner, I would be up for that. She said she was free tonight (Tuesday), and I told her that would work for me. So, things are still good with her. We are getting together tonight, and we still have an overnight planned for Friday. Saturday, she is up for visiting the Orchard trail or an apple orchard. I still have high hopes for Ella becoming a long-term arrangement.

In other news, I received a text from Al Sunday night.

Al: I'm back (crying smiley face).

Bathwater: Where have you been?

Al: Lol, I tried to work things out with my baby-daddy, but they didn't.

Bathwater: I am sorry, but at least you tried.

Bathwater: I just think you missed me (wink).

Al: You're probably right (angel smiley face).

I am not surprised things didn't work out with her baby-daddy. I wasn't expecting it to be so soon, though. So now, if Ella doesn't work out, I still have Al in my back pocket. It is good to have options for a change. I will probably get together with Al next week just to get her in bed again and let her know where I stand. 

You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes, well, you might find
You get what you need
Ah, yeah... You Can't Get What You Want, The Rolling Stones

It Happens In The Fall

 It always happens in the fall. I met a new girl from online Thursday night. I will be calling her Ella. Ella is thirty-three. She is a very petite 5' 0" and very cute. We met at a coffee shop near Great Lakes Crossing Mall. Ella lives in Davison, which is over an hour away from me. The coffee shop was a good midpoint. 

We talked in the coffee shop for an hour. We hit it off right away. We have many things in common: road trips, music, TV, and life philosophies. She is not flashy or materialistic. She has a stable job and no kids or pets. 

Things went so well at the coffee shop that I asked if she would like to get something to eat. She agreed and rode with me around the corner to a restaurant in the mall. We ate and talked more there, then walked the mall briefly. We stopped in Buckle, where Ella tried on some jeans. She has a hot little body. She liked one pair of jeans, and I told her to get them. I ended up buying a shirt.

Because of the distance, I suggested she come to my place on the weekend and spend the night. Ella was perfectly fine with the plan. She seems very interested in the same things I am. A mutually beneficial arrangement with one person. That blurs the lines a bit. She loves the outdoors and wants to go on road trips.

We have been exchanging texts today. I am very optimistic about this girl. She is very empathetic and down to earth so far, and I feel a level of attraction on both of our parts. We have plans to get together next Friday, and I am really looking forward to it.