Sunday, January 10, 2010

Inspiration...

The persistent cold weather in DC has managed to slow down any activities to an idyllic state and, in the same process, freeze personalities to some sort of dull resemblances.

In that sluggish post-holidays pace, it was ironic that my first week back at work ended up being incredibly hectic. Four out of of 5 people of my team were out on holidays or mission while we were having an event coming up pretty soon -which left me with all the last minute preparation. On the bright side, that gave me the chance to work as a de facto team leader, and it left me quite a lot of new perspectives.

Yet, as much as work could distract me from the unreal cold winds outside, after 8 hours of labor, the reality quickly took over. I didn't know if it was really the weather, or DC itself, but somehow I just couldn't find any inspiration from the immediate physical and social surroundings. Everywhere I went I saw the same infrastructures, the same people doing the very similar thing - I ached for some fun picture, some interesting work, some inspirational story , but no one could quite intrigue me like Brent did two years ago. I couldn't help but wonder, was it his experiences or his passion that gave him such a captivating personality? And as I continued to dread the dullness of DC, I wondered when and from whom I would find the next inspiration.

With that in mind, I lugged myself to meet a friend from school for dinner and drink one Friday night. Our conversation was rather banal, and I would admit it was more of my boredom that took over, so when we moved to drinks and a bit dancing I began to watch the time more closely. Waiting for the alcohol to wear off before I could drive home, I saw a beautiful man on the dance floor - well, it was hard not to notice him, given how my friends were all looking at him. Tall, blond, beautifully slim fit, with a provocative perky butt slightly revealed through the low-rise jeans. Suddenly the gorgeous creature, Matt - if I recalled correctly, turned and gave me a smile that could warm up any heart, even one of a cold bitchy one. Before I knew it, we were dancing and talking together. It wasn't long before he told me what he did for a living - he was a male stripper.

That was a first! I thought so as we continued to enjoy each other's company. He surely had some moves that my lawyers and military friends could never imitate. He surely had a beautiful body that some would dream to have one day. Most of all, he surely had a profession that not everyone would even consider - especially in DC. Yet, he managed to intrigue me even more when he leaned over and whispered in my ears "There's nothing I want more than to kiss you right now - but we just met, and I am a stripper but not a slut, so let's meet and go out later."

In a city where men put on a straight high moral face at work to mask their devilish sluttiness inside, a city where men consider homewrecking a leisure, a city where dating is almost as hard as the Viagra-produced constant boner, it was so refreshing to meet a man who, despite a profession that people frown upon, managed, or was aspired, to stay so decent.

He might not call, or might not even remember our conversation - but his words were everything that I needed. It was more than a breathe of fresh air that brought back the inspiration to carry on life, in hope of meeting a great, decent, and interesting man.

Credit: Winter in Delft - Arkadius Zkotlewski

Friday, January 1, 2010

1, 2, 3, ...

It has been a long time since I last spent my new year's eve in the US - after Amsterdam, Singapore, and Bangkok the past 3 years - and being "home" after all provided a good occasion to reflect at this annual hallmark on what has been achieved and what to look forward to. Obviously I have done the year-end summary bit before Christmas, so it was natural that when the count-down finished, no more champagne, and the fireworks [were] through, all I thought of was what I would try to achieve in this new year.

Yet, as I was going down the 1, 2, 3 of 2010 goals, I was struck by a same pattern I had done things in 2009, 2008, and before that. At some level, it seemed that I had been creating some sort of list for everything I do: "Top 20 universities for graduate school," "Top 10 employers with GLBT-friendly policies," "Top 5 travel destinations," and then, "Top 100 qualities that I look for in a boyfriend." All along these lists have been manipulating my choice of action, crossing out prospects that do not make it to the top - including men who, in one way or another, fail to possess ALL those 100 qualities. (OK, so it's not really 100 - but a lot!). As I looked at a hot guy right next to me at the party, I was wondering if I were dating him, how long it would have taken me to find out his flaws and send him away. Just like my discussion on having plan B, in this case, it seemed that having a list is just as bad as not having one. For the clear orientation that a list provided, it could also too quickly reject prospects who might just be 1 or 2 errors shy from perfection.

Not compromising or settling for less than these lists has stuck with me for years - and as a new year rolled in, I just wish there would be someone special enough to make me feel like I were not compromising at all. Is that too much to ask?

Happy 2010 to everyone!


Credit: Hermes at lesailes.hermes.com