(Read first date: #11) Well, it’s such a classic tale. Perfect on paper, but just not quite the right chemistry, eh? After date #1 with perfect-on-paper guy, I thought we would be ideal matches for each other. Both loved cycling, hiking, both into international development, both tech backgrounds, smart, focused on impact. Even the conversation......

(Recall: Xavier saga part 3) I was back in Berlin. Ready to jump back on the dating wagon. There were two guys from pre-Italy-trip days worth a follow up: Xavier and Perfect-on-Paper Guy. As we left it, I had tried to break up with Xavier in Puglia. But my texts had caused him to open......

I’m not ready to leave Italy!! Why not just extend? But I should return to “real life” right? No more Life’s Waiting Room. I really appreciate the start or finish of things. In 2018, when I thought I was moving from London, that last night walking alone across the Millenium Bridge I was in tears.......

After nearly a month of travel around Italy, a month of being IN MY FORTIES (omg!), I was rounding the bend of an unexpectedly whirlwind and adventurous summer. With my physical location drifting northwards towards Germany, I was facing down reality. Future life, for now, lied in Berlin. And, my excuses for taking breaks from......

After the hourlong drive from Trieste, I parked the car, hurriedly paid the meter, and casually-coolly-quickly-sauntered to the beach promenade. Stepping onto the sidewalk, I looked down to my phone to re-check where to meet him. Glancing back up, suddenly I was taken aback. It was one of the loveliest beaches I had seen in......

Norman is sweet. One of the kindest, most empathetic people I’ve ever met. Norman is cute. Taller than me. Norman doesn’t think I should lose any weight, and in fact has come out verbally against it. Norman goes out of his way to help people. Norman has gone out of his way to help me,......

(Recall: Xavier saga part 2) When is enough enough? Do you painstakingly teach common-sense behaviors to a well-intentioned tutee in order to grow a good partner? What does it mean to “deserve ‘better’ “? As we left it, Xavier had shown quite a bit of promise. (He was sort of the “fan favorite”.) Parts of......

Dora and I sat across from each other, respectfully “socially distanced”. I was hungry. “Hmm.. Can you catch??!” “Yes! I’m good at ball sports!” “Ok, here goes!” She tossed over a ham and cheese sandwiched in aluminum foil that she had packed. YUM. Later, some coffee in a jug, and a carton of milk. And......