May 30th Thinking about Love and Life

Tonight at La Di Da I bartended for a speed dating event. The concept was pretty interesting. The participants spent 7 minutes speaking to a partner, and then they wrote notes about each other and decided on a card if they wanted to get in touch with the other person again. If the two people both marked that they wanted to see another again, the speed dating organizers put the two in contact. This helps with personal safety as well as confirms mutual attraction! The people at this speed dating event were aged 40-50 but there is absolutely no judgment because you never know what someone’s past has held for them.

As a solo, single traveler in my early 20’s I find myself thinking a lot about the type of man I want to marry, and a whole array of other questions like where is he going to be from? Will I be able to commit to a relationship if I want to be traveling or moving often? What will his career/interests/hobbies be? Will he have good fashion sense? What will his favorite type of music be? Can he fix things around the house? Will he be younger than, older than, or the same age as me? One of the things I look forward to most with having a relationship is getting to explore this amazing world with someone I love. I’ve never traveled with a boyfriend, but I know that when the time comes it will be one of the best feelings in the world.

I haven’t touched on this in my blog yet because it’s pretty personal, but of course I see couples and want that in my life – that type of supportive, loving, fulfilling relationship you can only get from a boyfriend, or as they say in Australia, a “partner”. I’ve dated in the past, and have been single for a decent amount of time but I’m not too worried about it at this stage in my life, to be honest. I’m happy with where I am, who I am, and establishing myself as Jamie. If you don’t understand, treat and love yourself the way you deserve, how can you be expected to love someone else the way they deserve?

The next day, Thursday, I worked a law school event and got to see law students at Monash University in Melbourne meet and mingle with mentors in their program. I feel fortunate for my workplace having such diverse events, especially ones like the law school mixer where I get to observe and interact with people in a formal context. I like to store all that good, juicy ‘networking’ knowledge in my head for when I’m on the other side of that bar meeting anyone. From potential employers to co-workers to clients to best friends to new friends to a soul mate, being a genuine person- someone who cares, and listens, and remembers, and acts in good faith is someone I strive to be. For example, I may not be the best at dieting or working out every single day, but you can be sure as hell I am working on my behavior and treatment towards others consistently and consciously. It doesn’t happen overnight. You need to grab hold of every situation, not taking anything for granted, trying to learn, and squeezing out as much as you can in the form of social cues, life lessons, etc. Anything. The value of your life and your ability to connect with others will increase in ways you didn’t know were possible.