February 2008 Archives
Well, it's official - I've finally had a date with The Bag Lady.
To recap - an eternity ago some Canadian friends of mine (and hers) thought we would be a good match. From then on we communicated through our airmen and through our Canadians - it was all very high school and fun, but a bit tiresome. A little later we made a breakthrough and got in touch through e-mail for the first time. We finally arranged for several dates that got canceled - but there was an encouraging hour and a half conversation the night of one of canceled dates.
Then...it finally happened..."Hey," Bag Lady called, "where should I be driving, I'm ready for our date!"
OMG!!! I had to scramble. I knew we had a date scheduled, but we had other dates scheduled and I had a huge amount of security forms to fill out that night. I was just making the dinner reservations as she pulled up.
I wish I could tell you she's crazy - that she jumped me in the car (in a good or a bad way), she was 400 pounds and wanted to move in with me, she's facebook stalking me, or some other crazy thing, but I have to say other than a few little quirks I'll get into this was a nice, normal date - yay for me!
It started off extremely rocky. The Roommate was walking in just as we were walking out and, trying to be friendly, said, "You must be Jitterbeangirl!" The problem was that this was Bag Lady, not the very married Jitterbeangirl. Bag Lady responded, "um, no, I'm Bag Lady." The Roommate was unconvinced for a few seconds until I formally introduced them while casually mentioning that Jitterbeangirl was my very married friend. Did I mention how married Jitterbeangirl was? I think I mentioned it a few times to Bag Lady. The Roommate helped matters by having an extremely wide-eyed and frightened look on his face. I don't think Bag Lady read too much into it, but I guess we'll see.
After that it picked up pretty well though - we made our way to the Glacier Brewhouse and had a wonderful meal and some nice conversation. We have a surprising amount in common - we even did a not of the same nerdy things in high school even though I think I won the "nerd off." Being an honorary member of the band (not a real member mind you) was enough to put it over the top (hey, I was a letterman in football too!).
I did get a bit of a curveball when she insisted on splitting the check. I know this is a rather common thing nowadays, but I tend to be a bit more old fashioned when it comes to dating - I like to show someone a good time and treat a woman that's nice enough to go out with me. I half-jokingly said that if we split the check it wouldn't feel like a date unless I got a goodnight kiss. She agreed and noticed I was planning to get a cajun dish - she recommended something a bit tamer. It's kind of interesting - when you really look at it she ended up paying about $24 to kiss me. I would think that's pretty impressive, but the dollar isn't worth what it used to be :)
In any case she had to get back to the Valley and after the aforementioned goodnight kiss I found out I earned a second date. Unfortunately because of our leave schedules that second date will come in about 3 weeks. As always I'll keep you posted - but for right now I have some other familial issues going on so I probably won't be dating anyone else in those three weeks - expect some more random postings.
As for some other housekeeping items - the tropical push for the Arctic Fox is going to be pushed a couple weeks - my TDY was postponed until April, I'm a bit disappointed, but it's better for the career so I'll go with it. I did decide to tack on a week to my leave at home and spend it in sunny Florida with a few friends, but that won't be until mid-March.
Well, until next time keep good thoughts for The Bag Lady and me!
AirForceKush - aka - The Arctic Fox
To recap - an eternity ago some Canadian friends of mine (and hers) thought we would be a good match. From then on we communicated through our airmen and through our Canadians - it was all very high school and fun, but a bit tiresome. A little later we made a breakthrough and got in touch through e-mail for the first time. We finally arranged for several dates that got canceled - but there was an encouraging hour and a half conversation the night of one of canceled dates.
Then...it finally happened..."Hey," Bag Lady called, "where should I be driving, I'm ready for our date!"
OMG!!! I had to scramble. I knew we had a date scheduled, but we had other dates scheduled and I had a huge amount of security forms to fill out that night. I was just making the dinner reservations as she pulled up.
I wish I could tell you she's crazy - that she jumped me in the car (in a good or a bad way), she was 400 pounds and wanted to move in with me, she's facebook stalking me, or some other crazy thing, but I have to say other than a few little quirks I'll get into this was a nice, normal date - yay for me!
It started off extremely rocky. The Roommate was walking in just as we were walking out and, trying to be friendly, said, "You must be Jitterbeangirl!" The problem was that this was Bag Lady, not the very married Jitterbeangirl. Bag Lady responded, "um, no, I'm Bag Lady." The Roommate was unconvinced for a few seconds until I formally introduced them while casually mentioning that Jitterbeangirl was my very married friend. Did I mention how married Jitterbeangirl was? I think I mentioned it a few times to Bag Lady. The Roommate helped matters by having an extremely wide-eyed and frightened look on his face. I don't think Bag Lady read too much into it, but I guess we'll see.
After that it picked up pretty well though - we made our way to the Glacier Brewhouse and had a wonderful meal and some nice conversation. We have a surprising amount in common - we even did a not of the same nerdy things in high school even though I think I won the "nerd off." Being an honorary member of the band (not a real member mind you) was enough to put it over the top (hey, I was a letterman in football too!).
I did get a bit of a curveball when she insisted on splitting the check. I know this is a rather common thing nowadays, but I tend to be a bit more old fashioned when it comes to dating - I like to show someone a good time and treat a woman that's nice enough to go out with me. I half-jokingly said that if we split the check it wouldn't feel like a date unless I got a goodnight kiss. She agreed and noticed I was planning to get a cajun dish - she recommended something a bit tamer. It's kind of interesting - when you really look at it she ended up paying about $24 to kiss me. I would think that's pretty impressive, but the dollar isn't worth what it used to be :)
In any case she had to get back to the Valley and after the aforementioned goodnight kiss I found out I earned a second date. Unfortunately because of our leave schedules that second date will come in about 3 weeks. As always I'll keep you posted - but for right now I have some other familial issues going on so I probably won't be dating anyone else in those three weeks - expect some more random postings.
As for some other housekeeping items - the tropical push for the Arctic Fox is going to be pushed a couple weeks - my TDY was postponed until April, I'm a bit disappointed, but it's better for the career so I'll go with it. I did decide to tack on a week to my leave at home and spend it in sunny Florida with a few friends, but that won't be until mid-March.
Well, until next time keep good thoughts for The Bag Lady and me!
AirForceKush - aka - The Arctic Fox
Some of you are probably thinking, "The Shipwreck? This has got to be bad..."
Well, the inspiration for the title is actually a bit more benign than all that. When I was a kid my grandfather and I had to take a road trip for some awards thing I had to do and whenever it was just the two of us that had to take a trip we would always look for those local "Mom & Pop" restaurants to eat at. On this particular trip we found a place run by a Greek couple and their specialty was called a "shipwreck." They would take all sorts of breakfast things and put them in scrambled eggs - it was like eating a disorganized omelet, but it tasted wonderful. That's the spirit of this entry - there have been all sorts of little things going on, but nothing that individually would require a blog entry.
First - an update to "The Fix Is In." We've scheduled lunches, dates, and other meet and greet kind of occasions over the last two weeks and I've gotten cancellations every time. To her benefit I've canceled some of them for work-related reasons (it got pretty crazy last week), but we've maintained contact and have been e-mailing and talking to one another nearly everyday. Today we were finally supposed to have a date, but I got a weather cancellation (the roads were supposedly getting bad). I thought that excuse was pretty lame and perhaps she was flaking out on me, but then she called me and we talked on the phone for over an hour just discussing random things (it was almost like high school). We have again scheduled a date - this time on Tuesday and the nice conversation makes me think that she's sincere about wanting to meet me and see if anything is there. Word is spreading about this predicament (we've found that we have several common friends) and the pressure is on to see how this thing is going to turn out. I'm actually pretty hopeful for this one - call it cautiously optimistic right now. As always I'll keep you posted, but for some reasons my Air Force buddies will hopefully understand she's officially earned a blog name - "The Bag Lady."
Second - my birthday is coming up! We've been celebrating it on this long weekend and I've found out some things about going out in Anchorage on your birthday.
1.) I've found my inner dangerous guy - women that were obviously on dates - or in situations where their guy companions thought they were on dates - hit on me or kissed me when I was out and about this weekend. At McGinley's a very nice young lady offered to buy me a drink and started chatting me up when her guy friend literally pulled her away and let me know in no uncertain terms that she was with him. She didn't take too kindly to that, but our crew was rolling out anyway so excess drama was averted.
2.) The Cougar population in Anchorage is much more numerous than even I thought. They were everywhere - and on the hunt. Luckily I'm a pretty elusive prey...
3.) Women in Anchorage will say really weird, unsolicited shit when you're out and about. Last night there was a woman in a Gonzaga hooded sweatshirt who told me she was married, had a kid three months ago, and thought she looked great. Another woman was a stripper in Texas and has a four year old child, yet another had four kids and had a tattoo for each one, and there was one more who tried to sell me a vacuum.
4.) I'm becoming a regular at some places in town and I don't know how I feel about that. We went to The Shed earlier in the weekend - the karaoke guy and the waitress recognized me (the karaoke guy knows me as a singer, the waitress as the DD - she seemed pretty excited that I was drinking). They also know us at Humpy's, but I'm pretty sure that's unrelated to the News Anchor incident.
5.) Women let you get away with almost anything when it's your birthday - I don't know how many women I kissed this weekend, but if anyone in your crew (or you) tells a woman it's your birthday and to kiss you - they'll do it and probably throw a bit extra into the mix. The birthday thing (or possibly other special occasions) seems to be the only independent variable in this situation - relative beauty, size, age - whatever - didn't seem to come into account. Now it's possible that relative sluttiness levels could also be a variable, but I had no way to gauge that as I didn't get turned down all that often this weekend (in terms of making out like freshman at the bar - nothing more) Luckily I didn't get myself into too much trouble other than the aforementioned bruising of some fellows' egos.
Third - the Arctic Fox is going tropical pretty soon. I'm either going to Hawaii or Florida (the Air Force can't decide - my money's on Florida). Overall this is a good problem set to be working with, if I go to Florida as planned I'll be there just over a month with some time in Iowa and California. Expect some pretty good stories and blog entries from there to make all my Alaska readers jealous (I wonder if they have wireless internet on the beach?).
As for some upkeep items - some guest blogging will be coming soon - I swear! Also, I'll probably be having more entries reviewing places to go, putting out some random thoughts, and hopefully also some good commentary on the singles life. I still have some more stories up my sleeve, but since I've been very careful about Alaska dating over the last six months the reservoir of good, truly crazy stories is drying up.
Well, until next time I'll be gathering my sunblock and shorts...
AirForceKush - aka - the Arctic Fox
Well, the inspiration for the title is actually a bit more benign than all that. When I was a kid my grandfather and I had to take a road trip for some awards thing I had to do and whenever it was just the two of us that had to take a trip we would always look for those local "Mom & Pop" restaurants to eat at. On this particular trip we found a place run by a Greek couple and their specialty was called a "shipwreck." They would take all sorts of breakfast things and put them in scrambled eggs - it was like eating a disorganized omelet, but it tasted wonderful. That's the spirit of this entry - there have been all sorts of little things going on, but nothing that individually would require a blog entry.
First - an update to "The Fix Is In." We've scheduled lunches, dates, and other meet and greet kind of occasions over the last two weeks and I've gotten cancellations every time. To her benefit I've canceled some of them for work-related reasons (it got pretty crazy last week), but we've maintained contact and have been e-mailing and talking to one another nearly everyday. Today we were finally supposed to have a date, but I got a weather cancellation (the roads were supposedly getting bad). I thought that excuse was pretty lame and perhaps she was flaking out on me, but then she called me and we talked on the phone for over an hour just discussing random things (it was almost like high school). We have again scheduled a date - this time on Tuesday and the nice conversation makes me think that she's sincere about wanting to meet me and see if anything is there. Word is spreading about this predicament (we've found that we have several common friends) and the pressure is on to see how this thing is going to turn out. I'm actually pretty hopeful for this one - call it cautiously optimistic right now. As always I'll keep you posted, but for some reasons my Air Force buddies will hopefully understand she's officially earned a blog name - "The Bag Lady."
Second - my birthday is coming up! We've been celebrating it on this long weekend and I've found out some things about going out in Anchorage on your birthday.
1.) I've found my inner dangerous guy - women that were obviously on dates - or in situations where their guy companions thought they were on dates - hit on me or kissed me when I was out and about this weekend. At McGinley's a very nice young lady offered to buy me a drink and started chatting me up when her guy friend literally pulled her away and let me know in no uncertain terms that she was with him. She didn't take too kindly to that, but our crew was rolling out anyway so excess drama was averted.
2.) The Cougar population in Anchorage is much more numerous than even I thought. They were everywhere - and on the hunt. Luckily I'm a pretty elusive prey...
3.) Women in Anchorage will say really weird, unsolicited shit when you're out and about. Last night there was a woman in a Gonzaga hooded sweatshirt who told me she was married, had a kid three months ago, and thought she looked great. Another woman was a stripper in Texas and has a four year old child, yet another had four kids and had a tattoo for each one, and there was one more who tried to sell me a vacuum.
4.) I'm becoming a regular at some places in town and I don't know how I feel about that. We went to The Shed earlier in the weekend - the karaoke guy and the waitress recognized me (the karaoke guy knows me as a singer, the waitress as the DD - she seemed pretty excited that I was drinking). They also know us at Humpy's, but I'm pretty sure that's unrelated to the News Anchor incident.
5.) Women let you get away with almost anything when it's your birthday - I don't know how many women I kissed this weekend, but if anyone in your crew (or you) tells a woman it's your birthday and to kiss you - they'll do it and probably throw a bit extra into the mix. The birthday thing (or possibly other special occasions) seems to be the only independent variable in this situation - relative beauty, size, age - whatever - didn't seem to come into account. Now it's possible that relative sluttiness levels could also be a variable, but I had no way to gauge that as I didn't get turned down all that often this weekend (in terms of making out like freshman at the bar - nothing more) Luckily I didn't get myself into too much trouble other than the aforementioned bruising of some fellows' egos.
Third - the Arctic Fox is going tropical pretty soon. I'm either going to Hawaii or Florida (the Air Force can't decide - my money's on Florida). Overall this is a good problem set to be working with, if I go to Florida as planned I'll be there just over a month with some time in Iowa and California. Expect some pretty good stories and blog entries from there to make all my Alaska readers jealous (I wonder if they have wireless internet on the beach?).
As for some upkeep items - some guest blogging will be coming soon - I swear! Also, I'll probably be having more entries reviewing places to go, putting out some random thoughts, and hopefully also some good commentary on the singles life. I still have some more stories up my sleeve, but since I've been very careful about Alaska dating over the last six months the reservoir of good, truly crazy stories is drying up.
Well, until next time I'll be gathering my sunblock and shorts...
AirForceKush - aka - the Arctic Fox
I'm back! Sorry it's been a few days folks, but man cannot live on blogging alone and work was pretty busy this week.
In any case I think it's time to get back to what this blog does best - describe the crazy happenings of my dating life in Anchorage.
Today's subject is "The Condo Hunter." Condo Hunter was the first woman I met in Anchorage. Well, to be honest I met her before I got to Anchorage. In between assignments I was home for Christmas last year and I figured I would change my home of record to Anchorage on a dating site and see what was out here.
Within a day I got an e-mail from Condo Hunter saying I was cute and looked like a nice guy. She also looked nice and normal so I decided to e-mail her back. I had six weeks between my assignments (there was an Air Force class in between as well) and after about two weeks of e-mailing back and forth we talked on the phone.
Everything was pretty nice at that point - she had a good job, she was nice, and looked okay. However, there were a few warning signs. Keep in mind at this point I've never stepped foot outside the lower 48, haven't been within 1,000 miles of Alaska, and had no idea what I was in for. The first warning sign was when I made an innocent comment about online dating and I had no real idea who she was - she could be any number of things (I listed out a few as a joke), but the last thing was 400 pounds. She took a bit of offense to this and asked what I would do if she were 400 pounds. I was in a real pickle so I dodged - I said something like it doesn't matter since I had already seen her pictures and I knew she looked fine. The second warning sign was a...for lack of a better term...a love letter. It was merely a nice note saying how much she liked our conversations and how she couldn't wait for me to get up to Anchorage - all the guys in Anchorage evidently are weird as well - needless to say this was a first for me.
At the end of the day, however, I was concentrating having fun in Florida, my class, and visiting my family soon on my way up to Alaska - these warning signs were merely an afterthought to the other things going on in my life. Condo Hunter was something to look forward to - a nice welcome to this great state.
Well, time passed as did our now almost nightly conversations and I had arrived in Anchorage. I decided to surprise the Condo Hunter at work and let her know I had arrived and she looked...like...well I can't really describe it except that she looked almost nothing like her pictures and the weight concerns definitely made sense.
There are times in a man life where you face real tests of character. We all go through tough times and some of us rise to the occasion, we all have times where it might be easier to lie - some of us do, some of us don't, there are always times where it might be easier to be lazy rather than work hard to get a task done, and some of us face moments were that online hottie you've been talking to for six weeks turns out to quite possibly weigh more than you do even know they're four inches shorter than you.
So, I did the right thing - I went with it. I hadn't had a girlfriend in awhile and Condo Hunter was a legitimately nice woman. I enjoyed the connection we had during my transit to Anchorage and I would at least like to think I'm not a shallow person. Things progressed for about a week and a half - we went on a few dates, out for my birthday, and everything was good. She helped me buy furniture and I gave her advice on her next purchase (a condo - hence the name).
One night, about two weeks after I had arrived she was mentioning her difficulty finding a suitable place when she inquired about my place that was just coming together - what my lease was, how long I had on it, etc, etc. At the end of this she suggested that I help her to buy this condo since she was thinking that we would move in together once my lease was up.
WHAT!!!
It's one thing to face the moment of truth and date a women who completely misrepresented herself online, but it's a completely different thing to move in together. Especially after only two weeks of actually dating. I was in yet another pickle and had no idea what to do.
My solution was what General Patton would say is "advancing in another direction." In other words, I retreated. I didn't call quite as often, cut back on the dates, and racked my brains trying to figure a way out of this and into the priesthood or some other celibate profession where I wouldn't have to worry about these things.
Luckily Condo Hunter sensed my apprehension and the fact that I wasn't as "into this as she was." She gave me an out and I took it. I don't know if she ever got that condo or someone to live in it with her, but luckily it wasn't me.
Until next time - here's to truth in advertising!
AirForceKush - aka - The Arctic Fox
In any case I think it's time to get back to what this blog does best - describe the crazy happenings of my dating life in Anchorage.
Today's subject is "The Condo Hunter." Condo Hunter was the first woman I met in Anchorage. Well, to be honest I met her before I got to Anchorage. In between assignments I was home for Christmas last year and I figured I would change my home of record to Anchorage on a dating site and see what was out here.
Within a day I got an e-mail from Condo Hunter saying I was cute and looked like a nice guy. She also looked nice and normal so I decided to e-mail her back. I had six weeks between my assignments (there was an Air Force class in between as well) and after about two weeks of e-mailing back and forth we talked on the phone.
Everything was pretty nice at that point - she had a good job, she was nice, and looked okay. However, there were a few warning signs. Keep in mind at this point I've never stepped foot outside the lower 48, haven't been within 1,000 miles of Alaska, and had no idea what I was in for. The first warning sign was when I made an innocent comment about online dating and I had no real idea who she was - she could be any number of things (I listed out a few as a joke), but the last thing was 400 pounds. She took a bit of offense to this and asked what I would do if she were 400 pounds. I was in a real pickle so I dodged - I said something like it doesn't matter since I had already seen her pictures and I knew she looked fine. The second warning sign was a...for lack of a better term...a love letter. It was merely a nice note saying how much she liked our conversations and how she couldn't wait for me to get up to Anchorage - all the guys in Anchorage evidently are weird as well - needless to say this was a first for me.
At the end of the day, however, I was concentrating having fun in Florida, my class, and visiting my family soon on my way up to Alaska - these warning signs were merely an afterthought to the other things going on in my life. Condo Hunter was something to look forward to - a nice welcome to this great state.
Well, time passed as did our now almost nightly conversations and I had arrived in Anchorage. I decided to surprise the Condo Hunter at work and let her know I had arrived and she looked...like...well I can't really describe it except that she looked almost nothing like her pictures and the weight concerns definitely made sense.
There are times in a man life where you face real tests of character. We all go through tough times and some of us rise to the occasion, we all have times where it might be easier to lie - some of us do, some of us don't, there are always times where it might be easier to be lazy rather than work hard to get a task done, and some of us face moments were that online hottie you've been talking to for six weeks turns out to quite possibly weigh more than you do even know they're four inches shorter than you.
So, I did the right thing - I went with it. I hadn't had a girlfriend in awhile and Condo Hunter was a legitimately nice woman. I enjoyed the connection we had during my transit to Anchorage and I would at least like to think I'm not a shallow person. Things progressed for about a week and a half - we went on a few dates, out for my birthday, and everything was good. She helped me buy furniture and I gave her advice on her next purchase (a condo - hence the name).
One night, about two weeks after I had arrived she was mentioning her difficulty finding a suitable place when she inquired about my place that was just coming together - what my lease was, how long I had on it, etc, etc. At the end of this she suggested that I help her to buy this condo since she was thinking that we would move in together once my lease was up.
WHAT!!!
It's one thing to face the moment of truth and date a women who completely misrepresented herself online, but it's a completely different thing to move in together. Especially after only two weeks of actually dating. I was in yet another pickle and had no idea what to do.
My solution was what General Patton would say is "advancing in another direction." In other words, I retreated. I didn't call quite as often, cut back on the dates, and racked my brains trying to figure a way out of this and into the priesthood or some other celibate profession where I wouldn't have to worry about these things.
Luckily Condo Hunter sensed my apprehension and the fact that I wasn't as "into this as she was." She gave me an out and I took it. I don't know if she ever got that condo or someone to live in it with her, but luckily it wasn't me.
Until next time - here's to truth in advertising!
AirForceKush - aka - The Arctic Fox
I am getting absolutely pissed off at my party...The Republican Party (gasp!).
The reason is John McCain. Several Republican pundits and commentators including Rush Limbaugh, Laura Ingrahm, and Ann Coulter have said they would either vote/campaign for Hillary Clinton over John McCain. Even though I'm a Republican I tend to lean moderate. When professed conservatives were winning all of the primaries or made up most of the primary field in the last few presidential elections they touted the "big tent" Republican Party that could contain the John McCains and the Rick Santorums of this world. We had an intellectual diversity and a respect for one another that rivaled the Democrats that seemed to "eat their own" through such organizations as MoveOn.org, Daily Kos, and other fringe/single issue groups. Sure, there were those Republicans out there for only narrow issues, but they tended to be out only during election years to promote their own causes - not to take down members of their own party.
(Editorial Note - I do realize that Republicans, sometimes deservedly, have a reputation for being extremely rough and tough general campaigners, and there might have even been some "dirty tricks" in the 2000 South Carolina Primary, but I've never seen this level of downright hatred for a Republican from other Republicans)
Now, I realize John McCain has his faults. First, and biggest for me, was McCain/Feingold. This really didn't do anything to help any of our campaign finance problems and created some big free speech concerns, but before lambasting McCain on this look at the intent this bill had. Is campaign finance a problem in our country - absolutely - and McCain took the lead on the issue in a bipartisan way - while the execution was poor the example was actually a good one of what politics should look like.
Secondly, and this is bigger for the Pat Buchanan wing of the Republican Party, is immigration reform. I'm of the opinion that the only way you fix the immigration problem in the country is the "comprehensive" solution that Republicans seem to hate. First, open up legal immigration and make the process less bureaucratically intensive for people wanting to simply become Americans, encourage (if not mandate) English classes and assimilation, find a path to citizenship for the people already here (because they aren't going away and while they're underground they cost more money - but no amnesty as that sets a bad example for people trying to come here the right way) and hammer the current illegal immigration by going after businesses who hire new illegals and beefing up the border. Conservatives merely want to deport the problem away - possibly the worst of all solutions because it doesn't help our neighbor to the south (who we need to be strong as the only long term solution to illegal immigration is a strong Mexico - think about it - do we have a problem of illegals from Canada?), and hurts the American economy at the same time. Not to mention the fact that a simple historical analysis of the backlash from other historical immigration booms put Republicans on the wrong side of this issue and the wrong side of history as those immigrants and their decedents form the backbone of the great America we have today.
Lastly is McCain's record of voting against the Bush tax cuts of 2001 and 2003. Wow, I wonder if anyone remembers the Republican Party that had a strong debate over whether to add a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution or have a modest tax cut that would keep the surplus we had at the time. Someone needs to remind the Republican Party that fiscal responsibility doesn't just mean tax cuts - fiscal responsibility means spending responsibly (I'm looking at you Uncle Ted), smart tax cuts that result in economic growth, and getting rid (not just paying down) the national debt. Republicans have been spending money like a freshman sorority girl at the Gap with her father's credit card and the one candidate that has been for real fiscal responsibility consistently in his career in Congress is getting lambasted for it.
Plus, for heaven sakes he is a war hero in a time of war going against the equivalent of a the rich kid trying to buy the student body election. Romney is a very nice man, and bless him for being a Republican that won is Massachusetts, but he simply can't hold a candle to McCain in terms of his record. Especially with this reinvention as a "true conservative" I just can't see him being the savior of conservatives of the Republican Party.
At the end of the day, however, that's what Romney is being touted as simply because McCain wasn't in lockstep with the same crazy conservative wing of the party that brought us the neocons, huge deficit spending, an election strategy that completely destroyed any credibility the Republicans had with the middle of the country, a party completely getting trounced on environmental issues, and most importantly - a party in the worst position to win an election since the Republican party after Herbert Hoover.
Maybe John McCain is exactly the man that wing of the party should be listening to...
Ok, I know that isn't as sexy as me making out with cougars, getting hit on by married people, getting set up with a local news anchor, going to gay bars, getting stalked, or any of the host of other things I've blogged about, but I just had to get these thoughts out somewhere...
Next up, back to the sexy times...
AirForceKush - aka - The Arctic Fox
The reason is John McCain. Several Republican pundits and commentators including Rush Limbaugh, Laura Ingrahm, and Ann Coulter have said they would either vote/campaign for Hillary Clinton over John McCain. Even though I'm a Republican I tend to lean moderate. When professed conservatives were winning all of the primaries or made up most of the primary field in the last few presidential elections they touted the "big tent" Republican Party that could contain the John McCains and the Rick Santorums of this world. We had an intellectual diversity and a respect for one another that rivaled the Democrats that seemed to "eat their own" through such organizations as MoveOn.org, Daily Kos, and other fringe/single issue groups. Sure, there were those Republicans out there for only narrow issues, but they tended to be out only during election years to promote their own causes - not to take down members of their own party.
(Editorial Note - I do realize that Republicans, sometimes deservedly, have a reputation for being extremely rough and tough general campaigners, and there might have even been some "dirty tricks" in the 2000 South Carolina Primary, but I've never seen this level of downright hatred for a Republican from other Republicans)
Now, I realize John McCain has his faults. First, and biggest for me, was McCain/Feingold. This really didn't do anything to help any of our campaign finance problems and created some big free speech concerns, but before lambasting McCain on this look at the intent this bill had. Is campaign finance a problem in our country - absolutely - and McCain took the lead on the issue in a bipartisan way - while the execution was poor the example was actually a good one of what politics should look like.
Secondly, and this is bigger for the Pat Buchanan wing of the Republican Party, is immigration reform. I'm of the opinion that the only way you fix the immigration problem in the country is the "comprehensive" solution that Republicans seem to hate. First, open up legal immigration and make the process less bureaucratically intensive for people wanting to simply become Americans, encourage (if not mandate) English classes and assimilation, find a path to citizenship for the people already here (because they aren't going away and while they're underground they cost more money - but no amnesty as that sets a bad example for people trying to come here the right way) and hammer the current illegal immigration by going after businesses who hire new illegals and beefing up the border. Conservatives merely want to deport the problem away - possibly the worst of all solutions because it doesn't help our neighbor to the south (who we need to be strong as the only long term solution to illegal immigration is a strong Mexico - think about it - do we have a problem of illegals from Canada?), and hurts the American economy at the same time. Not to mention the fact that a simple historical analysis of the backlash from other historical immigration booms put Republicans on the wrong side of this issue and the wrong side of history as those immigrants and their decedents form the backbone of the great America we have today.
Lastly is McCain's record of voting against the Bush tax cuts of 2001 and 2003. Wow, I wonder if anyone remembers the Republican Party that had a strong debate over whether to add a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution or have a modest tax cut that would keep the surplus we had at the time. Someone needs to remind the Republican Party that fiscal responsibility doesn't just mean tax cuts - fiscal responsibility means spending responsibly (I'm looking at you Uncle Ted), smart tax cuts that result in economic growth, and getting rid (not just paying down) the national debt. Republicans have been spending money like a freshman sorority girl at the Gap with her father's credit card and the one candidate that has been for real fiscal responsibility consistently in his career in Congress is getting lambasted for it.
Plus, for heaven sakes he is a war hero in a time of war going against the equivalent of a the rich kid trying to buy the student body election. Romney is a very nice man, and bless him for being a Republican that won is Massachusetts, but he simply can't hold a candle to McCain in terms of his record. Especially with this reinvention as a "true conservative" I just can't see him being the savior of conservatives of the Republican Party.
At the end of the day, however, that's what Romney is being touted as simply because McCain wasn't in lockstep with the same crazy conservative wing of the party that brought us the neocons, huge deficit spending, an election strategy that completely destroyed any credibility the Republicans had with the middle of the country, a party completely getting trounced on environmental issues, and most importantly - a party in the worst position to win an election since the Republican party after Herbert Hoover.
Maybe John McCain is exactly the man that wing of the party should be listening to...
Ok, I know that isn't as sexy as me making out with cougars, getting hit on by married people, getting set up with a local news anchor, going to gay bars, getting stalked, or any of the host of other things I've blogged about, but I just had to get these thoughts out somewhere...
Next up, back to the sexy times...
AirForceKush - aka - The Arctic Fox
In a related post to "The Bar Scene" I had quite the adventure out on the town in Anchorage last night. In the spirit of fully disclosing my mistakes the way this is going to go is putting out what my drunk ass actually said/did and compare that with what my usual sober self would have said/did.
I'll also caveat this by saying I'm still quite the lightweight so if the comments don't match the amount of drinks I've had at certain points throughout the story that's why. Also, while I still don't drink nearly as much as others I've now done two weekends in a row so I guess I'm more in tune with the party scene, but expect less of these posts and much more sober stories...
Scene - My Place, Pregame
Drinks - 3 (1 Screwdriver, 1 Rum and Coke, 1 Beer)
Event - My roommate was talking and since I get very conceited when I drink I wasn't listening, but sunglasses were mentioned...
Drunk Fox - SUNGLASSES!!! OMG, that is a great idea I should totally ignore everyone, jump up, and get them. For the rest of the conversation and throughout the night I will be alternatively putting them on and taking them off dramatically to get people to pay attention to me!
Sober Fox - Listening to the conversation patiently waiting to drive everyone to Humpys.
Scene - Humpys
Drinks - 4 (1 Screwdriver, 1 Rum and Coke, 1 Beer, 1 Long Island Ice Tea)
Event - A great band is playing some good blues tunes/covers
Drunk Fox - I need to dance like I've got ants in my pants. Also, the aforementioned sunglasses are making quite the appearance.
Sober Fox - I need to dance, but I either do the "Hitch" thing and stay pretty tame or I stifle the urge.
Scene - Humpys - and we're making friends
Drinks - 5 (1 Screwdriver, 1 Rum and Coke, 1 Beer, 1 Long Island Ice Tea, 1 Jack and Coke)
Event - Additional friends (preexisting friends - not drunk friends) have been found in the back of Humpys sitting in two booths and they have extra seats. Some go back, some stay upfront.
Drunk Fox - OMG!!! I need to meet EVERYONE!!! A very social Arctic Fox goes out and proceeds to transit back and forth and sit at every table talking to people - the volume is going up.
Sober Fox - I pick a table and enjoy the company
Scene - Humpys - and we're making friends
Drinks - 5 (1 Screwdriver, 1 Rum and Coke, 1 Beer, 1 Long Island Ice Tea, 1 Jack and Coke)
Event - Additional friends (drunk friends, not preexisting friends) have been found at the bar at Humpys while in transit from table to table - one certain person we'll call Pilot's Wife and another we'll call News Anchor.
Pilot's Wife - You are very hot, if I weren't married I would so lay you...give me a hug...
Drunk Fox - Wow, really? Your sweater is really soft (while giving hugs in which I'm groped and felt up, but very discreetly).
Sober Fox - Wow, really? Well, I should be going back to my table...
Pilot's Wife - Meet my friend News Anchor - she is going to totally have sex with you and she's on TV, I mean, she's dating some bartender here, but he's a jerk and you should totally go for it.
Drunk Fox - (Thinking - wow - I should totally flirt with you and see how far this goes) Hey, I'm Arctic Fox, you are very pretty - let me do a ring check on you...(proceeds to take her left hand)
Sober Fox - What the hell are you reading this line for, I'm back at the table.
News Anchor - (As I'm taking her hand) OMG, we would have such good sex you have no idea - but we have to be careful because my boyfriend's here.
Drunk Fox - Yes, we must be very careful, oh, but there you go giving me a kiss...
News Anchor - Kissing the Drunk Fox.
Pilot's Wife - Oh man, I'm so totally getting you laid tonight! Call me tomorrow and we'll have dinner and I'll get you laid some more!
(Editorial Note) - I have no idea why this woman was so interested in getting me laid - I think she was thinking she was going to get me together with News Anchor, but the thought expressed itself as getting me laid.
News Anchor - Here comes the boyfriend - let me get your phone number before he comes over
Drunk Fox - This is such a good idea - you are so out of my league - hahahaha
Pilot's Wife - (Whispering to me in yet another hug as the boyfriend arrives) - You totally need to save her from this, you are so much better than this guy, you need to be her boyfriend, make sure to give me a call tomorrow and I'll hook it up
Roommate - Drunk Fox, we're leaving - I'm coming to save you because I think this group is trying to hook you up with the unattractive DD of this group.
Drunk Fox - ADD takes over and we're gone!
Scene - Anchor Bar
Drinks - 6 (1 Screwdriver, 1 Rum and Coke, 1 Beer, 1 Long Island Ice Tea, 1 Jack and Coke, 1 Jager and Red Bull)
Event - We're at the Anchor and it's dancing time, the sunglasses make a reappearance, and the cougars are on the hunt.
Drunk Fox - Micheal Jackson is on and I need to moonwalk!
The Sandwich - Arctic Fox - what's up!
(Yes, that's right The Sandwich and Miss S were at the Anchor! Miss S avoided me like smallpox though)
Drunk Fox - DUDE!!! What's up! High fives abound...
Sober Fox - Stays with the group and avoids The Sandwich and Miss S like smallpox.
Cougar 1 - Hey, that's a cool dance - you should totally dance with us...cool sunglasses...we're a couple of high school teachers on the town
Sober Fox - Hey, I'm still with the group you drunk ass...
Drunk Fox - I SHOULD totally dance with you - high school teachers are cool and I received really good marks in school, grinding abounds...on Cougar 1
Cougar 2 - Cougar 1 you should totally go home with him tonight
Cougar 1 - Yes, but we should totally kiss first...
Drunk Fox - Yes, that is a great idea - none of my friends are going to see! Drunken dance floor making out commences
and goes...and goes...and goes...okay....
Cougar 1 - How old are you?
Drunk Fox - 23, but I'll be 24 in a month!
Cougar 2 - Oh yeah, anyone under 25 you have to take!
Cougar 1 - Oh, he might even be too young for me, why don't you put in some effort Drunk Fox (like saying, "c'mon") and I'm totally in your bed tonight
Lights come up...and ADD kicks in
Drunk Fox - Where is my jacket, I must find my jacket - bye, bye Cougar, rare synapses of common sense kick in and reminds me I have a date on Tuesday and need to be good...
Awesome friend - Louis, I'm saving you from a bad bad time and we're getting out of here - your jacket is over there...
Scene - Home Sweet Home
Drinks - 6 (1 Screwdriver, 1 Rum and Coke, 1 Beer, 1 Long Island Ice Tea, 1 Jack and Coke, 1 Jager and Red Bull)
Event - We've made it home thanks to a good friend who warned me repeatedly (probably to punch through the drunk fog) to stay away from Pilot's Wife.
Drunk Fox - Hmm, two missed calls from Pilot's Wife, I should totally call her.
Sober Fox - Wow, why did I get this woman's number - this is a bad idea, we'll sleep on it
Pilot's Wife - You missed it! I called so my DD could pick you up and we could all go back to my place in Eagle River, but we're there already! News Anchor has passed out so you missed it tonight, but give me a call tomorrow and I'll cook you dinner and hook you up!
Drunk Fox/Sober Fox - Time to have some water and go to sleep/Time to go to sleep.
So, yes, it was quite the night. It will be the subject of future posts, but this preceding was a prime example of a couple things...
1.) For some reason, I do better talking to women when I've had a few drinks, but the drinking kicks in the ADD so even if I had an inclination to close the deal I tend not to. This is probably a good thing in Anchorage.
2.) For some reason, Anchorage women recognize me as a "nice guy" no matter where I am and how much I've had to drink - it might be as simple as the lack of groping on my part and the ability to form semi-coherent sentences even while drunk, but I'm always the nice guy that people want to hook up their friends (not just Canadian people).
Well, until next time - stay safe and watch the news, and watch out for cougars!
AirForceKush - aka - The Arctic Fox
I'll also caveat this by saying I'm still quite the lightweight so if the comments don't match the amount of drinks I've had at certain points throughout the story that's why. Also, while I still don't drink nearly as much as others I've now done two weekends in a row so I guess I'm more in tune with the party scene, but expect less of these posts and much more sober stories...
Scene - My Place, Pregame
Drinks - 3 (1 Screwdriver, 1 Rum and Coke, 1 Beer)
Event - My roommate was talking and since I get very conceited when I drink I wasn't listening, but sunglasses were mentioned...
Drunk Fox - SUNGLASSES!!! OMG, that is a great idea I should totally ignore everyone, jump up, and get them. For the rest of the conversation and throughout the night I will be alternatively putting them on and taking them off dramatically to get people to pay attention to me!
Sober Fox - Listening to the conversation patiently waiting to drive everyone to Humpys.
Scene - Humpys
Drinks - 4 (1 Screwdriver, 1 Rum and Coke, 1 Beer, 1 Long Island Ice Tea)
Event - A great band is playing some good blues tunes/covers
Drunk Fox - I need to dance like I've got ants in my pants. Also, the aforementioned sunglasses are making quite the appearance.
Sober Fox - I need to dance, but I either do the "Hitch" thing and stay pretty tame or I stifle the urge.
Scene - Humpys - and we're making friends
Drinks - 5 (1 Screwdriver, 1 Rum and Coke, 1 Beer, 1 Long Island Ice Tea, 1 Jack and Coke)
Event - Additional friends (preexisting friends - not drunk friends) have been found in the back of Humpys sitting in two booths and they have extra seats. Some go back, some stay upfront.
Drunk Fox - OMG!!! I need to meet EVERYONE!!! A very social Arctic Fox goes out and proceeds to transit back and forth and sit at every table talking to people - the volume is going up.
Sober Fox - I pick a table and enjoy the company
Scene - Humpys - and we're making friends
Drinks - 5 (1 Screwdriver, 1 Rum and Coke, 1 Beer, 1 Long Island Ice Tea, 1 Jack and Coke)
Event - Additional friends (drunk friends, not preexisting friends) have been found at the bar at Humpys while in transit from table to table - one certain person we'll call Pilot's Wife and another we'll call News Anchor.
Pilot's Wife - You are very hot, if I weren't married I would so lay you...give me a hug...
Drunk Fox - Wow, really? Your sweater is really soft (while giving hugs in which I'm groped and felt up, but very discreetly).
Sober Fox - Wow, really? Well, I should be going back to my table...
Pilot's Wife - Meet my friend News Anchor - she is going to totally have sex with you and she's on TV, I mean, she's dating some bartender here, but he's a jerk and you should totally go for it.
Drunk Fox - (Thinking - wow - I should totally flirt with you and see how far this goes) Hey, I'm Arctic Fox, you are very pretty - let me do a ring check on you...(proceeds to take her left hand)
Sober Fox - What the hell are you reading this line for, I'm back at the table.
News Anchor - (As I'm taking her hand) OMG, we would have such good sex you have no idea - but we have to be careful because my boyfriend's here.
Drunk Fox - Yes, we must be very careful, oh, but there you go giving me a kiss...
News Anchor - Kissing the Drunk Fox.
Pilot's Wife - Oh man, I'm so totally getting you laid tonight! Call me tomorrow and we'll have dinner and I'll get you laid some more!
(Editorial Note) - I have no idea why this woman was so interested in getting me laid - I think she was thinking she was going to get me together with News Anchor, but the thought expressed itself as getting me laid.
News Anchor - Here comes the boyfriend - let me get your phone number before he comes over
Drunk Fox - This is such a good idea - you are so out of my league - hahahaha
Pilot's Wife - (Whispering to me in yet another hug as the boyfriend arrives) - You totally need to save her from this, you are so much better than this guy, you need to be her boyfriend, make sure to give me a call tomorrow and I'll hook it up
Roommate - Drunk Fox, we're leaving - I'm coming to save you because I think this group is trying to hook you up with the unattractive DD of this group.
Drunk Fox - ADD takes over and we're gone!
Scene - Anchor Bar
Drinks - 6 (1 Screwdriver, 1 Rum and Coke, 1 Beer, 1 Long Island Ice Tea, 1 Jack and Coke, 1 Jager and Red Bull)
Event - We're at the Anchor and it's dancing time, the sunglasses make a reappearance, and the cougars are on the hunt.
Drunk Fox - Micheal Jackson is on and I need to moonwalk!
The Sandwich - Arctic Fox - what's up!
(Yes, that's right The Sandwich and Miss S were at the Anchor! Miss S avoided me like smallpox though)
Drunk Fox - DUDE!!! What's up! High fives abound...
Sober Fox - Stays with the group and avoids The Sandwich and Miss S like smallpox.
Cougar 1 - Hey, that's a cool dance - you should totally dance with us...cool sunglasses...we're a couple of high school teachers on the town
Sober Fox - Hey, I'm still with the group you drunk ass...
Drunk Fox - I SHOULD totally dance with you - high school teachers are cool and I received really good marks in school, grinding abounds...on Cougar 1
Cougar 2 - Cougar 1 you should totally go home with him tonight
Cougar 1 - Yes, but we should totally kiss first...
Drunk Fox - Yes, that is a great idea - none of my friends are going to see! Drunken dance floor making out commences
and goes...and goes...and goes...okay....
Cougar 1 - How old are you?
Drunk Fox - 23, but I'll be 24 in a month!
Cougar 2 - Oh yeah, anyone under 25 you have to take!
Cougar 1 - Oh, he might even be too young for me, why don't you put in some effort Drunk Fox (like saying, "c'mon") and I'm totally in your bed tonight
Lights come up...and ADD kicks in
Drunk Fox - Where is my jacket, I must find my jacket - bye, bye Cougar, rare synapses of common sense kick in and reminds me I have a date on Tuesday and need to be good...
Awesome friend - Louis, I'm saving you from a bad bad time and we're getting out of here - your jacket is over there...
Scene - Home Sweet Home
Drinks - 6 (1 Screwdriver, 1 Rum and Coke, 1 Beer, 1 Long Island Ice Tea, 1 Jack and Coke, 1 Jager and Red Bull)
Event - We've made it home thanks to a good friend who warned me repeatedly (probably to punch through the drunk fog) to stay away from Pilot's Wife.
Drunk Fox - Hmm, two missed calls from Pilot's Wife, I should totally call her.
Sober Fox - Wow, why did I get this woman's number - this is a bad idea, we'll sleep on it
Pilot's Wife - You missed it! I called so my DD could pick you up and we could all go back to my place in Eagle River, but we're there already! News Anchor has passed out so you missed it tonight, but give me a call tomorrow and I'll cook you dinner and hook you up!
Drunk Fox/Sober Fox - Time to have some water and go to sleep/Time to go to sleep.
So, yes, it was quite the night. It will be the subject of future posts, but this preceding was a prime example of a couple things...
1.) For some reason, I do better talking to women when I've had a few drinks, but the drinking kicks in the ADD so even if I had an inclination to close the deal I tend not to. This is probably a good thing in Anchorage.
2.) For some reason, Anchorage women recognize me as a "nice guy" no matter where I am and how much I've had to drink - it might be as simple as the lack of groping on my part and the ability to form semi-coherent sentences even while drunk, but I'm always the nice guy that people want to hook up their friends (not just Canadian people).
Well, until next time - stay safe and watch the news, and watch out for cougars!
AirForceKush - aka - The Arctic Fox
