It's been a bad run lately ...

On the man front that is. Partly because I'm finding myself indifferent to the mundane conversations that accompany a first date (this is coupled with the return of Grey's, Glee, Big Bang Theory, etc.), partly because some men are jerks (more to come on this shortly), and partly to do with me (the eternal conundrum I find myself in... this I can't be bothered to analyze today).

I've been seeing someone for the last couple of months  - I use the term "seeing" loosely as he didn't live in the city - but after talking on the phone several times throughout the day (this coming from someone who HATES talking on the phone...I'm in PR what?!), hanging out a couple of times and getting to the point of familiarity where nicknames became the norm (don't ask, you know it makes me uncomfortable), I thought things were going well. That is until he went on vacation last week and promptly disappeared. Not literally...I mean I'm sure he's out there kicking around somewhere, but what was left as "I'll call you when I'm back" has turned into a week of silence. I can't be bothered to try and figure it out. Was he unable to repay a gambling debt and was ultimately shot and buried in the Nevada desert? Did he meet the love of his life and jet off to eat baguettes in Paris? Was he over it before he left and his parting statement was already untrue? Who knows. All I know is .... ah, what do I know?!

The second event which has me declining a stranger's company in favour of my friends is the reinforcement that some men are pigs. Particularly those who decide to use a business relationships to explore (an unwelcomed) romantic rendezvous. Gents, let me advise you on a few things, if you are: 50+, married, and have a daughter my age, I would never date you in the first place let alone if you are using your perceived position of power to exploit a situation. Gross!  I still feel absolutely creeped out. A perfectly decent professional relationship (please note this is not someone from my company) is now ruined. What more, the assumption that I might be interested is affront on my reputation and integrity. This particularly angers me and makes this person an A$$.

After sufficiently grossing out my friends and family with the details of the story (I will tell you that this person wanted to "find the girl inside the woman" .... whatever that means it was disgusting to hear), I was shocked to learn that while this is first time I've been truly offended, it has happened to many of my friends regularly throughout their careers (please note, I'm not talking about a little innocent flirtation here, which can be easily brushed off). My sister made a good point when she said it's not likely this person hasn't done this before and probably with results which has motivated him to continue this tactic. I wonder how many women might have taken up the offer in hopes of advancing their career. I don't have any judgement for these woman. If they want to use anything but their brains that's their business. I'm more offended that someone decided to put me in this position and there's no way to get out of it. If this happened in the bar with a stranger I'd have the ability to throw a drink in his face and walk away but unfortunately I have to maintain a professional relationship with this person.

Anyway, there's no conclusion here. No statements of empowerment. Just an update that things haven't been working out in my favour recently. Nothing a few yoga classes, bottles of wine, and gossip fests with my friends won't cure.