When does this parenting thing end?

I was at a the world series watching the Astros.
Just got my hotdog, IF is next to me holding a couple of big beers and I have a slight buzz.
To make it even better, a couple of sexy ladies and I were chatting up a bit and things seemed quite promising.
VERY promising.

A loud annoying noise seems to come through the intercom.

I ignore it and the game is about to start and a possible 3some afterward seemed to be hanging in the air.

The noise came again.

I pried open my eyes and realized it was all a dream and reached for the annoying noise which was coming from my phone.

"Hey Dad."
I mumble something in return.
"Asleep? It's almost noon!"
"I work nights, dear. Remember? How much do you want this time?"  I do a mental check of my bank account and hoping she has some mercy.
"Daaaaad, who is ?" I still miss being called "Daddy."
"Who?" I start to wake up..the name sounded familiar...but not quite right.
".  She just asked to be join my facebook."
"Oh...that must be FF."
"She said something about being your girlfriend."
Uh-oh.
"Yes. She is. What's wrong?"
"Nothing.  Never known you to have a girlfriend that you introduced to me before on facebook. By the way, how did she know where to look?  You're not on facebook."
I weave a story of mystery of how she told me the name of the book and happen to mention it to her.
"I see."  I can feel lazer beams coming out at me. "Did you meet HER kids yet?"
"Yes, I did."
"And?"
"Well, it was interesting.  Didn't know if they were okay with me and haven't met them again."
"Just so you know, it's kinda' tough seeing your parents date for the first time."
I was stunned at this, considering I have been single for almost her entire life...

We went on like this for a bit, talking on how her friend's parents were divorced and the ensuing dating issues that came up.  I paraded quite a few women in front of her, but usually I was in a "serious" relationship at the time.  Nothing TOO scandalous.

"You okay with all this?" I finally got around to asking.
"Dad. You've dated more women than quite a few people I've known and those are jut the ones I know about!  You've never discussed your dating or sex life with me, and for that, I'm eternally grateful."
That wasn't so hard!
"Then we're good?"
"Sure are Dad. One thing, though."
"Yes?"
"Since you mentioned she just got divorced, do you think she's ready?"
That's what I love about my kiddo. No filter.
"Not sure yet." I didn't mention my other concerns yet, "Is that it?"
"If you still want to send me money, I'm good with that too."
"I love you, bye."
"Bye dad."


Hopefully she won't spoil my chances, believe it or not, she blocked me once.  But that's another story for another time.

Concerns and Questions...

Been meaning to put these thoughts down for at least a few weeks, but as is typical for me, only an illness that has kept me home provided me the time to be able to allow myself some quiet time to collect my thoughts.

Things have been progressing quite well with FF and I,  however, a few minor things keep creeping up in the back of my mind that just nibble at me:

One thing is our conversations.  They're a bit too simplistic and quite...pedestrian.  All we seem to talk about are our jobs, sex, and kids.   Not that there is anything wrong with either topic, but I like to know her thoughts on current events, political leanings, thoughts for the future.  Additionally, she occasionally gives me a blank stare when I use a word that she hasn't heard before. "Contention" is one of the words that come to mind.  
Now, not to say I'm a brainiac by any stretch of any acid tripper's imagination, but that really throws me.

Another thing, is that as she struggles through her college reading materials, she says she constantly needs to bring out a thesaurus to help her understand.

Wow.

When we talk about what happens after college, she mentions that not only will she stay in the industry she's in (which is low paying to begin with), but will try to maintain her position since she enjoys it so much.

Really?

That seems unnatural for me.   The point of college (or any profession, really), is the ability to climb the ladder of the economic food chain and get more responsibility and get paid for your knowledge and experience.

This kinda' spooks me a bit.
While she is getting a VERY generous child and spousal support from her Ex; there is always a possibility that things can, and will, change.   I wonder if her basically being a housewife for the past 15+ years and being financially dependent on her husband has skewed her view on how she has to concentrate on being a bread winner.

Not that her future wage potential alarms me, but rather the indifference she has towards climbing up the ladder. 

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm feeling a bit woozy and when kitty sounds like she's uttering sentences, that's my Que that I need to lay back down.

When Insecurities interfere....

I think it's time for a bit of an update:

FF and I have been dating semi-regularly,  but only once a week or so.  My work and her obligations make our dating life a bit sedate of sorts, but we do manage to get in some smooching sessions going on, though.

There has been a pattern over the past month that has gotten to me.   I know this is way to early for us to stress out about, but she seems to be torn as to where to live.   I love the city and all the opportunities that can be found here.  She seems to be mired into living in one of the outlying southern communities.

While I understand the logic behind what she wants, she seems overly concerned at this stage of our relationship.  So much so, that we had "broken up" right after New Years.

The "Break up" consisted of her dating other guys.  Something I had suggested to her awhile ago. 

Her insecurity about me is starting to get to the point of annoyance everytime she brings it up.  
After our last meeting, she texted me the following...out of the blue:

"I don't want to lose you."
"Want me to attach a GPS on my ankle??"
"No. I'm afraid to lose you if you find someone better, but I'm not sure I'm  ready to let you go if you do."

I roll my eyes, almost causing me to have an accident on an empty freeway.

Tossing my phone over my shoulder into the backseat, I continue driving home...

Twit Twittering about...and about twittering twit.

In case a few humble readers have notice, I put a twittering widget on the site.  
Over the past few months, I've been so busy I haven't had a chance to blog about the things that have happened (and am working on 3 different posts from December!), so I'd thought I'd cave into the popularity of it and do a little micro-blogging.

At least in this way, you can see what goes on and what might trigger a post.

Additionally, my kiddo has had some interesting insight on some of my dating exploits (the women, not the sex.) so I might include some of our more interesting conversations in.

And for those wondering, I'm down to 110 posts on my google reader.
I'm off to work in this god for saken cold weather.

"Are you married?" WTF?

During one of our late night meetings, we sat at a table at a chain restuaraunt and we were generally talking about our day, the upcoming holidays and other topics.
As reached for my meal she asked, "Are you married?"
I choose this moment to pop in some pieces of my scalding hot meal and flapped open my mouth trying to cool it down from giving me 3rd degree burns.
"wha? huh?", I said as intelligently sounding as I could considering the freshly fried shrimp was taking revenge in my mouth.
she repeated the question.
"Umm...why?" as I scooped out the last of the offending pieces of my once bitten meal out of my mouth and onto my plate.
I can be as classy as the rest of them.
"You're charming, intelligent, cute, graceful..", she paused
I was busily trying to fish out another ice cube from my glass with my fingers while sucking another in my mouth with my lips puckered like a fish as she said this.
she continued, "...ok. usually.  You seem like an excellent father to your kid...", and she went on for another minute until I regained my senses and stopped her.
Regaining what little composure I have, I reassured her that I am not, have never been, nor am I currently engaged.
I even picked up my phone to dial up my kiddo for verification, but she stopped me. 
She smiled that sweet smile and seemed satisfied and apologized for doubting me.
We finished our small meal and paid, it was time for her to go back home.
"I'm sorry for doubting you, but I just needed to make sure.  Will you accept my apology? I know I must seem a bit crazy, but there have been some weird guys I have dated that turned out to be married."
"No?! REALLY??" I said in my most surprised tone.
"Yeah, you wouldn't believe the creeps a girl runs across." she said.

I didn't want to keep her out, so I patted her on the bottom and kissed her deeply at her car door.
"I really am sorry for sounding like a crazy girl." she repeated.
"No biggie, I understand" I said as I walking away.
"Will you accept a blowjob as part of my apology?" she said with a smile.

I started turning around even before she finished the sentence...

Making a return appearence....So long Teaser

While contemplating another post, my phone buzzed with an email I and habitually picked it up:

Initially the name at the header didn't seem familiar at first and then I read the first line:

"Hey, how've you been? For some reason I've been thinking a lot about you the past few days. I think I miss you!"

I stared at the email for a few more seconds and suddenly recalled that it was Teaser!
The gist of the email was she didn't feel ready to be in a relationship was also apologizing for being a "jerk" (she wasn't being one).

We haven't talked in quite awhile, but I gave her a VERY brief rundown on what has happened in my life, but I didn't give specifics.

Having never said bye to hear, I think THAT door closed on its own quite some time ago.

Meet the kids and a small change...

The phone buzzed early on saturday morning.

Reaching over the offending object, I will an eye to open up.
It seemed to take forever for it to comply with my suggestion, but it relented.

FF: "We still on for today?"
My eye slammed shut.

Today. Today is.....Sunday? No...it's saturday...
My mind was still warming up.   The hamsters take awhile to get out of the straw.
What was Saturday?
I remember the timestamp on the Text..

Noon? 1pm?*

I give up and will my eyes to look at the text again.
12:30.
Close enough.
But what was today?  We NEVER meet on Saturdays!
Besides, this was the weekend she has her kids - oh fuck! - her kids!

I bolt out of bed and on the way to the shower, request movie times.

On the way into the shower, I hold a 3 minute debate on whether or not I should shave my beard. 
Screw it. No time.

I make it to the more or less at the time I agreed and after severely depleting my wallet with the tickets and concession stand, we make our way to the seats.

We talked for a couple of minutes, but nothing of substance, FF and I simply settled back and watched the movie. Behaving ourselves, we just managed to sneak in a peck on the cheek and a hug.

The "Date" ended as I had to head off to work, but I don't think it was an important enough of a meeting for the kids, but it was important enough for FF.

It was later she heard an exchange with one of her kids and a buddy of his.

"So..how was your mom's new boyfriend?"
"He's cool, I guess."

Good enough for her.


Additionally, I'm taking myself off the "Dating" market.  We'll see if this lasts. 



*Yes. That's early.