Getting to Know Me

I haven't posted a lot about who I am or what I do, mainly because I see this as an outlet for myself to vent and say things that I want to, but may not necessarily be appropriate at the time when I would like to.

I moved to MN approximately a year ago from Stamford, CT where I spent the last seven and a half years. Prior to that I was in Larchmont, NY, Greenwich, CT and Manhattan. The total time spent in the East was 17 1/2 years. It is where I spent my entire adult life, from college 'til now. However, I was born and raised here in MN, and this is where my family is. Mom, Dad, Sister, Brother-in-Law, Nephew Jack-7, Niece Miss Grace and Nephew Grant who will both be 5 on January 22.

Getting readjusted to MN in the past year has been painful. I moved back (driving a Ryder truck cross-country which was not an easy task) and moved in with a friend that my sister and I grew up with who had just closed on a 4 BR, 3 Bath house, five miles from my sister. I thought this would be a great thing. We were both in our 30's, both single, and had in the past, always had a really good time together. Problem is, he wanted to be my landlord, and I wanted a friend. A friend grant you, and just a friend, I was not looking for more than that, but someone to pal around with, go to the movies, out for dinner, out searching for other singles. I was thinking this would make moving to MN a very smooth transition. I did not make a friend until June. . . and I am a very friendly, outgoing, vivacious person.

When I first moved in (we moved in together, the same weekend) we did go out a few times together, and had a good time. Since then, nothing, and he has never introduced me to ANY of his friends. Meeting people here in MN is very difficult. I will get into that in another post, but there is such a thing as MN Nice vs. MN Ice and believe me, it is real. Basically as it goes, Minnesotans start accepting friendship applications in elementary school and stop around high school and if you are not in then, forget it. It is very hard to break into that inner circle.

I should mention that my roommate is a weird bird. And several of us were not sure (and maybe still are not sure) as to which team he plays on. Most of my friends upon first entering the house will draw their own conclusion based on the interior "decorating". At first they think it is me, and when I say no, they make comments such as; it does not look like a single guy lives here. I would have to agree. However, he has taken the opportunity to hit on any single girl I may bring over. I know that he has also done some online dating as well. There have been random evenings where I will actually be at home and there will be a girl there. Okay this happened once, I guess I should clarify that. Needless to say, I probably should have moved out a long time ago, I am working on that at the moment though.

I love my family, but after not living near them for the past umpteen years, I am not used to someone dictating to me what I am doing, whether it is with my weekend, weeknights, holidays or what not. Having family close can be a great support system, but at the same time, it is also difficult when you are used to being on your own.

I spent the first week interviewing with people which I had set up before I moved here, and in the end was offered 7 out of 9 positions, so I guess I should be flattered by that and I am. But it also made it very difficult when making a decision. I decided to go contract with a large MN based retail company based on the fact that I didn't know if I was going to stay here in the Twin Cities.

I am now at the point where yes I want to stay, but I took a job and did not choose continuing on my career path which is what I need to do now. I am working on that as well.

Men. Men. Men in Minnesota are also a lot different than I am used to. This was a fact I proved when I brought a friend out East with me for a visit. She could not get over how good looking, well dressed, well mannered and approachable the men are out East. She was shocked to say the least. I have gone on a couple of dates here in the Twin Cities. Nothing fruitful, men pretty much do not approach women. There was a guy that I really liked that I worked with but A. That is a bad idea and B. He plays A LOT of games. I have gotten to be friends with a couple of girls, also single that would like to try approaching the whole singledom, meeting men thing from different angles. And I am always willing to try new things. So hopefully something new for '06, maybe this will work.

I have a lot to work on, a lot that I want to do in '06, so we will see where this takes me. I want to make sure I am getting my thoughts down. That is for sure though. There will be more updates, or better yet, maybe progress. I will keep you posted ;)