Tuesday, March 20, 2007

A Bad Date in Hollywood

Okay, I have an admission to make.

*hangs head in shame*

I really, REALLY like that REALLY STUPID MTV show, "The Hills."

There. I said it.

I am fully aware it is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ridiculously stupid. I know it doesn't really match up with my interests or intelligence quotient. But, I TiVo it and watch the dumb show anyway. Here's why.

It is very refreshing to see that no matter where you are--no matter how glamorous your life may be--your twenties are still probably going to have the same drama. Uncertainty about your future, what you want to be when you grow up, boys that are dumb and some that are not, and going through it with your friends.

These girls have a lifestyle that I never did, and never will have. They live in the Hollywood Hills and despite the fact that they are 20 year old INTERNS, they have a nicer furnished apartment than any furniture I have in my house NOW. They drive ridiculous Mercedes Benz cars, wear expensive clothes, and go out to glamorous LA clubs.

Now, for me, I spent the early part of my twenties in a blue-collar kind of town, drinking Rolling Rock and eating happy hour pizza at the local holes in the wall, trying to figure out who I was and what I wanted to be with my best friends. So, in a way, it's a TEENSY bit similar. Take out the glitz and glamour, and it's the same old story.

So, it's nice for me to see that it doesn't matter where you live. It doesn't matter if you move to the "it" town and have Daddy Dollars coming out your nostrils. You have the same ol' same ol'. And I enjoy seeing that, and remembering going through some of the stuff these poor little rich girls are going through.

A bad date is a bad date, no matter if it's Brody Jenner or some guy I met at Local Bar X. And I remembered this last night, as I had a bad date with the Masters Swim Team.

I sort of knew this was going to happen. But I've been desperate for some things to change around here--hoping things will change and ready to try anything to make it happen--so I took up my buddy Joh when she said that I should give it a shot. Now, for me, swimming is a solitary thing. I spent many a year getting yelled sets and having a whistle blown in my ear doing endless laps, so I really, really enjoy swimming solo now. But I'm desperate.

"Sure," I thought. "No problem--I haven't had a swim in 2 months--literally--but I can usually wing it in the pool."

Almost everything about my date was wrong, starting with the first guy I met there, who was about as warm and welcoming as the Berlin Wall in January. He clearly was trying to "size me up," and bombarded me with questions that eventually got quite rude and obnoxious. Where, oh where is Joh? Agh!

The best part of my date was hanging out with Mr. Buckeye (totally cool hubby of Buckeye Runner) and Joh. Other than that, I knew it wasn't a good fit for me within about five minutes--just like a real date.

It's not you, it's me.

See, lots of other people like you, Masters. But we're not clicking.

I think I'd just be better off alone for a while.

And, like any bad date, well...then at least you know. So you shake hands, say "nice to meet you," and you leave. You find someone that's much more your type, since only you really know why it wasn't clicking.

Now, I should never say never. Matt, my hubby, tried several times to ask me out when I was in 10th grade and he 11th. I kept turning him down, despite the fact that he was the nicest guy ever, very cute (of course), and all my friends were knocking me upside the head saying YOU IDIOT! GO OUT WITH HIM!

I just needed about 9 more years before we really connected. And look how things ended up!

So, perhaps Masters and I are not finished. For now, however, we are. Aside from hanging with 2 cool people, everything else about it felt wrong at the moment. I need a break and it just didn't work for me. Totally not my style right now.

So, whether you're 20 in the Hollywood Hills, or 29 in blue-collar Cleveland, Ohio, you know when it's right and when it's not. And why waste your time?

22 comments:

TriShannon said...

Glad to hear I am not the only one who watches "The Hills." Friend issues, guy issues, life issues... everyone has them. Free happy hour pizza and cheap beer was the way to go... who needs all that money!?!

Sorry the masters group wasn't a good fit. Try again in 9 years. :)

Wes said...

You were drinking Rolling Rock? Wow! You musta been loaded. For me, it was the $5 pitchers of long island ice tea :-)

Robin said...

Sorry your date was such a loser. Maybe he'll get better with time. I swam for 12 years without a Master's club and finally found one that was just right. There's more fish in the sea! :-)

Unknown said...

Ahhhhh...the good ol' days when you scrounged up all your loose change for a Rolling Rock so you didn't have to drink beer flavored water!

I feel the same way about my MTB time. It is fun to ride with friends, and sometimes it's a good puch, but I really enjoy, and often prefer, my solo hours on the bike.

JenC said...

I'll admit to watching some mindless shows too - it is a good way to veg.

Did you swim at Lakewood? That is a good practice, but way too intense for me. You should try CSU sometimes. Coach writes the workout on the board and then ignores us. It is basically the same as swimming alone, but you are guaranteed the others have lane etiquette.

E-Speed said...

I have been enjoying Rob's group swims in Oberlin every other Sunday, but I don't know if I would like the group thing on a regular basis. Too intense perhaps?

Hope you are doing well! Yoga tomorrow night?

TriSonq said...

Hey Rolling Rock still rules.

I think I may have lost some rspect for you on "The Hills" reveal. jk ;)

My experience with Masters swim was typical male Friday night behavior (or so I've heard). Used them til I got what I wanted (better form) and left. Ha!. Wow, I'm in a spunky mood!

BTW, looks like we face off Thursday (Your Buckeyes vs. My Vols). Woo hoo!

jbmmommy said...

You've obviously been quite successful without the masters so far. As you said, maybe another time will be right, you'll know.

Lance Notstrong said...

Things are the same no matter where you go. Big city, small town, tons of money, dirt poor, everyone still has the same problems.

Afternoon Tea With Oranges said...

Good point! No sense wasting time on something you don't like.

BuckeyeRunner said...

Hey TriSara! I was bummed when eric said you were there and i didnt go! first - i love the hills, too ;) i am waiting to watch mondays episode on tivo tonight! and second - i know exactly who you are talking about, and i feel the same way!!

BuckeyeRunner said...

It was good to see you on Monday as well. You will have to give it a try 'at a later more suitable date.'

PS. The guy you were talking to when I got there wierds me out big time....freaky. The funny thing is he talks a big game, but you would have kicked his but up and down the lane.

Also, give Joh some crap...she was 20 minutes late to practice tonight :-)

Mr. Buckeye

Meredith said...

I absolutely LOVE The Hills. No shame in that!

Kurt said...

I don't have TV so I never see these stuff. My guess I wouldn't like it anyway

TriSonq said...

Booo! Ouch that one's gonna leave a mark.

Being up 17 at half wasn't enough. Leave it to the Vols to figure out a way to screw that up. Although I think your Buckeyes had a lot to do with it (They decided to play the second half).

Janet Edwards said...

I got this feeling you and Mr. Masters will have another data in the future that will be more to your liking!!

about me said...

hi sara! on the theme of confessions - i have my own to make. i love your blog & i've been lurking since...oh, sept. or so. i moved home (to my parents' house) in rural PA) around the same time, and i can't tell you how big of an inspiration you've been to this somewhat discouraged 27 yr. old gurl. i've been toying with the idea of moving to cleveland for a while...and you've convinced me that life there might be okay - or even good! i'll just do my 1st triathlon this june, but reading your blog encourages me to bigger & better things. (an ironman before i'm 30???) in any case, THANK YOU so much for your writing. you're strong, witty, and the kind of person i wanna be when i grow up. :)
an admiring fan,
sarah
ps. i think i remember reading in one of your entries that you're involved in a Bible study? mind if i ask what church you attend? (just trying to learn as much about cleveland as possible.) cheers!

Joe said...

Bah, humbug! Don't give up on masters swimming yet! Give it a couple of weeks.

Trisaratops said...

Hey Sarah! Tried to find an email or blog for you but somehow I couldn't, so hopefully you'll see this...I am a member of Bay Presbyterian Church on the west side of Cleveland--great place! The Bible study I'm in is geared for 18-30somethings, and we have a great time. Yes, it is fun here--small enough but still big enough for me, and we have an active tri community! Best of luck on your first tri! Check out www.clevetriclub.com to see all about the tri scene here. Thanks for stopping by!

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qcmier said...

Yeah Master's and I never quite clicked either. Maybe if you make it big group date, it would be more fun.

TriBoomer a.k.a. Brian said...

(Standing before a half filled room, Sara speaks...)

Sara: Hi, I'm Sara, and I'm a "The Hills" watcher.

The room in unison: "Hi Sarah"

;-)