Dead End

Sometimes I wonder why it is difficult to form complex, meaningful relationships in today’s world. I think that the act of placing a screen in between two people results in an odd dichotomy. On the one hand, a screen allows for the illusion of closeness and trust in the other person. On the other hand, a text is not the same as face to face communication, and so it becomes so much easier to discard empathy and common courtesy for the other person. And screen-aided communications are ripe for miscommunication.

Case(s) in point– in the past 48 hours I’ve had two men completely blow me off with no explanation, vanishing into the ether after weeks of dating and communicating, and a third pick a fight with me via text (see below). You really can’t make this up!

I didn’t bother replying back (my big girl pants are all in the wash), but maybe I should have sent him this video: Nikki Glasser Explains Why Men Telling Women to Smile is Creepy

Snowmageddon

OK. Yes. There is a ton of snow. In fact, it just won’t stop snowing. Shoes? What are those? I only wear boots. I can barely remember a time when I actually left my apartment and went to work on a Monday morning.

But, I kind of like this crazy weather! Why? People actually talk to one another. You’re forced to acknowledge someone who steps aside so you can navigate a tricky section of unplowed sidewalk. Running into someone you barely know outside is suddenly like running into a lifelong friend. Neighbors say hello as you trudge on by. There’s a guy on my street who snow blows his sidewalk and then keeps going past his property line.

Commiseration. Eye contact. Laughing at the ridiculous way you have to hop over waist high drifts. Smiling at strangers. Life is a little bit slower but a little bit friendlier.

OK, I guess this snow isn’t all that bad. But still, please please please stop snowing so we can try digging out for a change!

February

Is it ever going to stop snowing? Wishing I was anywhere but here in Boston right now. So far February has been quite the mixed bag.

My goal for this month is to STOP OVERTHINKING THINGS. I need to learn how to live in the now. Take things at face value. Be happy. I’ll let you know how this goes.

Dating Files #24

As we enter into the long dark days of winter 2015, the dating scene is not looking any better. Here’s a note I recently received. Let’s just say I wouldn’t want to meet this guy on any bridges… (I can swim I swear, but that shouldn’t be a first date condition).

 

January

I’m not going to lie, this has been a tough start to the year for me. I am struggling with what seems like almost everything in my life- my career, my goals, my personal relationships, my friendships, my health, and my commitment to causes and things I should be passionate about.

There are several things that, on paper at least, should be (or in the future should be) very exciting. But I am finding it harder and harder to dig out of what I’ve been calling the winter blues.

Why is it that we are so conditioned to put a smile on things and laugh when we’re really not OK? Or is that just me?

2014 in review

Wow I feel really guilty, I haven’t posted on this blog in ages. WordPress helpfully reminded me of my slackerhood with this annual report they put together. I’ve been struggling to figure out what the purpose of this blog is, does anyone read it, what should I write about, what do I WANT to write about, etc. Still not entirely sure, but I would like to increase my activity for 2015. Stay tuned!

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 3,900 times in 2014. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 3 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Celebrity

I’ve been writing this blog for a long time. Since 2003. It’s just a random little collection of thoughts, and has evolved over the years. College life, job stuff, business school, dating crap. I’m pretty sure no one really reads this except for a few friends, co-workers, and my dad.

Boom! Guess what guys– not true! I’m a celebrity!!!

I was at BU the other day to speak on a career panel about my job and career path since graduating, and afterwards there was a mingling session in the atrium. I was chatting with some fresh new bschool students and this guy came up to me. Here’s a rough approximation of our conversation:

Him: ‘Hey, so I was at the first career panel that you spoke at, and I wanted to ask you a question but didn’t want to ask in front of everyone else.’
Me: ‘Sure, what is it?’
Him: ‘So, do you write a blog?’
Me: ‘…Uh, yes…?’
Him: ‘Is it called ‘Felishdadish’?’
Me: *Dying*
Him: ‘Yeah so I read some of your posts about starting business school… and then I read the whole thing.’
Me: *Dying*

That’s right, I was recognized! I feel so famous! This is a first for me. Simultaneously one of the most hilarious yet embarrassing moments ever. I can’t believe that not only did someone totally random stumble across my blog, but then actually recognized me in public. What a small world!

According to my celebrity stalker (Hi Nate!), he found it ‘incredibly refreshing to find an actual real human’s opinion on the MBA experience rather than the typical bullet points that make up the rest of the internet.  It definitely helped me relax about any one of the nightmare scenarios I was thinking up at the time (“..armies of investment bankers, RUN!”)’.

Embarrassment aside, how awesome to know that my random ramblings were helpful to someone. That’s so cool. As proof that he’d read my blog, Nate sent me this screenshot of his phone:

 

Excuse me everyone, I’m going to go and try not to let all this new found fame get to my head. :-D