Monday, December 28, 2009

An Exciting Christmas Gift!

Every year, I know my parents struggle to know what to buy for me. Which boggles me a little, because I always know what to buy for myself.
However, knowing that there is always a bit of confusion, and knowing that they don't appreciate wish lists and don't want me to have any idea of what I'm getting for Christmas, I made sure this year to drop a "not so subtle" hint.
I called Dad up one day and in the course of conversation, informed him that I was really excited because I had found a camera that I wanted at Costco and that I could easily save up the money to buy it. I told him the make, cost and location of said camera all in the guise that I would take several months to save up enough money to buy it (and no, it wasn't really that expensive of a camera, I exaggerated to him how long it would take me to get it, in hopes he would get it for me for Christmas).
Christmas morning comes and after a cursory glance under the tree, I decide that there is no camera underneath it.
Imagine my surprise when I open up a package and find not only the camera that I requested, but one vastly superior. I wanted one with a 10x zoom. I got one with a 24x. I wanted one that was 10 megapixels, and got one that was 12. I wanted one that was a Lexmark, and I got one that is a Nikon. I love my parents.
I've been so excited about using my camera and experimenting with all the different settings. I'm quite a nerd about it actually. I mean, my camera actually has a setting for taking pictures of fireworks, specifically.
Moral of the story? All of my friends with camera experience/knowledge are hereby requested to impart any/all knowledge of digital photography (i.e. shutter speeds, aperture, exposure, etc) as I am now ready to make my own knowledge match my excitement.

Monday, December 7, 2009

The Difference Between Men and Woman (a Q & A Session)

So recently, in my singles' ward (for those of you of a different religion, I go to church with a bunch of other single people in the hopes I can find me somebody to love. . . insert Queen song) we had a presentation given by our stake presidency on how to communicate better with people of the opposite gender. In order to give this presentation, we were supposed to fill out a survey answering the following questions:
1. What is the best thing about the opposite gender?
2. What is one thing you would change about the opposite gender?
3. What is one question you have about the opposite gender?
4. What is one thing you wish the opposite gender understood about your gender?
5. What relationship question do you have?

Unfortunately, I was sick on the day we got these surveys, but I was able to attend the lesson a week later. The lesson itself was great. It really focused on communicating as opposed to the oft used "Men, date the women more. Women, flirt more with the men" speech that I'm so used to. And it didn't solely focus on dating relationships, but on all relationships (work, school, etc)

At the end of the lesson, our teacher gave us a compilation of the answers from men who had turned in the survey (minus their names, of course). The men were given the women's answers. I feel it is my duty to answer some questions posed and respond to some of the allegations put at the feet of women everywhere. And since I speak for all women, this should be good:
(these are actual questions asked by real-life men and the answers I've given are surprisingly sincere. So, if you're expecting a lot of sarcastic remarks, you'll be a bit disappointed.)
Q. What's the best signal to look for that you're genuinely interested?
A. Smiling. When I'm around someone I'm interested in, I can't stop smiling. If the girl you want is frowning a lot, I'd say take it as a sign brother!

Q. How do you talk to them (ask them out)?
A. Also, no rocket-science to this one either. Talk to us like human beings. Don't brag or go on and on about yourself all the time. I've been on dates where I felt like I had to hit the guy in order to get a word in. Don't put yourself down in front of us, unless we're already pals and I know better than to take you seriously.

Q. What do they say about us while going to the bathroom in "packs?"
A. Most of the time, nothing at all. Sometimes it's just a chance to check in the mirror and make sure we haven't turned into the creature from the Black Lagoon. We also talk about makeup, nieces/nephews, our dogs, and a myriad of other topics. If we do talk about you, it's usually nice. Though, if you've been awful, it is a good time to vent and get it all out of our system so we can go back and get through the rest of the date. But that's only happened to me a couple of times.

Q. Why are 99.9% of you crazy? As in not right in the head?
A. Now, this one actually offended me a little. I'm not going to say that all women are wonderful, sensible beings who always have other people's interest at heart. That would be pretty stupid. However, all I can say is that if the only women you've come into contact with are crazy, it's time to find a new dating pool. Yeah, if the only gals you're attracted to look like vain, selfish girls, most likely they're going to be vain, selfish girls that assume all men are in love with them.

If truth be told, I think men have it easy when it comes to the dating world. Women are so much more forgiving when it comes to physical appearance and personality "flaws." A guy pal of mine recently told me that his roommate was interested in a cute gal, but upon finding out she was a picky eater, lost all interest in asking her even on one date. Even on this survey, a guy said, "To be honest, and not trying to be mean, guys are initially attracted to the physical appearance of the girl, and if a girl seldom gets asked out, it may be that she has a few things of her physical appearance she needs to work on."

'Nuff said.