Time Flies...

Hard to believe I haven't written in three weeks. I guess I just didn't have it in me to top the last entry. I still don't have it in me, but I've given up hope for my muse to inspire me further.

New job...

The new gig isn't so new anymore, I guess. Today marked the start of my third week, and things are finally starting to pick up. The first week was slow--I was only supposed to follow around the two producers (I mark the third employee at this television station) and brainstorm ideas for my own five minute segment.

Last week rained ... a lot. And we don't take the cameras out in the rain. I got a couple shoots in eventually, but I was able to find time to memorize the manual for my Canon Rebel as well as send a lot of text messages to anyone who would respond.

This week looks like it will be interesting. I spent two hours this afternoon filming the US Youth Soccer Midwest Regional Tournament. Tomorrow I'll spend my morning filming local road construction for some show about public works. Wednesday I'll spend most of the afternoon in a canoe on the Big Sioux--still not quite sure what I'll be doing on that assignment.

It's almost too bad that this is just a temporary position--almost. The whole process is super slow. What I used to do in a day in news isn't due for two or three weeks at this station. And I'm not the happiest camper about being part of government-funded media.

Living life...

I'm thisclose to being done unpacking. The move went well--I absolutely love the new crib. We've done a great job of making this place our own. Soon enough the rest of the furniture will be delivered and we'll be all set.

I've connected with my local friends. We've gone out for drinks or dinner or lunch and everyone knows I have arrived (so to speak). I do feel like something is missing. This will sound very hypocritical after my last entry, but I think I want to date. Something hit me tonight--I'm not sure why, but part of me is convinced a real date would be great fun. New city, new start, right?

The "D" Word

It's time for a little discussion about the "D" word--dating--and why I don't do it.  Listen up.  You may never get so many answers again.

Excuse #1

I am a very, very busy young woman.  I am career oriented and find that gentleman and jerks alike are absolute distractions.  In lieu of awkward dinners at Applebee's and money wasted on Friday night flicks, I chose to spend my college years creating a fantastic resume.  

Two years were devoted to writing, and eventually editing, The Collegian, my college's independent student-run newspaper.  My time in the Union's dungeon has proved to been a valuable investment.  I was able to earn an internship with the NBC affiliate in Sioux Falls, KDLT-TV, which turned into a four and a half month stint as a part-time reporter during my senior year of college.  

Those unusual experiences made me an asset to the South Dakota Senate in January.  I landed a coveted position, working for the Senate Minority Leader.  So far, this position hasn't led to further employment, but I did gain important insight into the political realm that I'll be able to use when I get back into journalism.

My time as a reporter has also earned me professional accolades.  As editor-in-chief at The Collegian, I was awarded First Place in Breaking News as well as Third Place in Non-Daily Newspapers at the Society of Professional Journalists regional Mark of Excellence Awards.  Just a few weeks ago, I found out I won First Place in Video News/Sports and both First Place and Honorable Mention in Video Feature in the AP's Student Journalism contest in the Dakotas.  

Sadly, all my work has not yet paid off in the immediate, but I blame the economy.  Getting a job anywhere is tough, but journalism is tougher.  The Internet, while I love it, has put the industry in a pickle.  Soon, though, the future of media will become a little less hazy, and I'll get back into what I love to do.

I don't think I would be as poised for success if I had to worry about my boyfriend.  My time was free to focus on me, and I'll never regret using this time in my life to be selfish.

Excuse #2

I am tired.  Keeping a high GPA whilst completing all those things I listed above was an energy suck.  On top of that, I had an amazing group of talented, successful women in my inner-circle, and I wanted to surround myself with them as much as possible.

I still have those women in my life, and I credit by boyfriendless status for that blessing.  I once heard the comment "I didn't go to college to find a husband.  I went to find my bridesmaids."  I couldn't agree more.  I graduated without a ring on my finger or the prospect of a proposal, but I have a solid support group for when those days--as well as less happy ones--arrive.

Now that school is in my past, I anticipate having more energy for dating ... eventually.  Right now, I'm working two jobs in a brand new city.  I will need some time to adjust, but eventually, I'll be ready to give it a whirl.  However, it could be awhile until I decide I want more than a free dinner on Friday night.  I'm still very, very young--I have yet to sow my wild oats.

Excuse #3

I can sum up a lot of my hesitation to date in two words:  bad experiences.  During the little bit of time I tried dating, I learned a very important lesson.  I make poor character decisions.  

The men-like creatures I did go out with turned out to be low quality people, let alone boyfriends.  I settled for less than what I deserved and learned that I don't want to do that again.  I had a few first dates with some nice boys, but I felt no spark and with some, I quite honestly felt sorry for their lack of social skills.  It was clear we were both very uncomfortable, but for different reasons.  So, I haven't dated since.   

Call it fear, call it thoughtfulness--I don't care.  It's probably a little of both.  Regardless, I want to take some time to get to know a man, his goals, his past, his present, and his view on life before I consider falling for him.  I want to make sure I end up with someone I consider to be my intellectual, physical, and moral equal--and someone who sees me in the same light.

Respect for me and women in general will be huge, and his ability to keep an open mind will be a major factor in my decisions.  I don't care what kind of atmosphere he grew up in--social ignorance is unacceptable.  

Excuse #4

All of us worry about the future--money--or lack there of, love, lust, confidence, success, and so on.  I worry about all of those things, but when it comes to dating, I worry about maintenance.

I have seen so many relationships in my life fizzle for the simple reason that one or both people quit trying.  They took the love they had for granted, and lost.

When I finally fall in love, I want the wild, crazy passion you see in movies.  I believe that kind of love does exist, and I will find it.  I want to wake up every morning feeling completely, utterly blessed in my good fortune and the mate God created for me.  

I want to be sure we are both ready for what life has in store, and that we're ready to ride out the bumps together.  I'm looking for a man who is self confident, but not cocky.  I want a man who is successful independently, isn't afraid of my success, and who believes we are better together than apart.  

I want someone who won't hold either of us back.  He has to have dreams, and he has to be willing to let both of us be the best individual we can be.  Only then can we be the best team.

The Bottom Line

Quit asking me about my love life.  I'll let you know what is going on when I am ready to, or at the least, when there is something to report.  For now, I'm enjoying a loving, selfish relationship with myself and I don't anticipate that changing in the immediate future.