By Klew

Twenty four (24) hours a day; six (6) are spent sleeping, one (1) hour is spent
with a morning ritual of coffee, yoga, meditation and journaling, nine (9) hours are
spent at work, ½ hour is spent commuting to and from work; 1 1/2 hours are spent
running errands, leaving six( 6) hours to do what I please! However, there is no pleasure
in daily household chores (laundry, feeding cats, fish and myself, organizing, housecleaning)
which take up two (2) more of those hours after work. Ok…four (4) hours left for my social
life…which are sometimes spent in board meetings, volunteer work or family obligations. That
leaves me one (1) hour to do something with my love life.

It's a good thing that I am not a needy person! It is even a better thing that CPT K is
not a needy person! We don't see each other during the week but we manage to get in
a few text messages during the day that includes "Good Morning", "How is UR Day?",
"Sweet Dreams" and, if we are lucky, a quick e-mail or phone call.

We do see each other 24/2 on weekends which is absolutely wonderful but not taken
for granted because CPT K lives the life of a global adventurer. He plans trips to foreign
countries on the same frequency that I plan trips to the spa!!! He brushes up on his foreign
language skills while I brush up on my fashion accessorizing skills.
The great part about "Indiana's" adventures (yes, a new nickname that is self explanatory)
is that he travels to exotic places which means exotic gifts and promises of exciting tales!

So, how does one make time for a relationship?…one doesn't! We both agree that
it's not the quantity of time we spend together…it's the quality! Our availability to
each other is not dependent upon our feelings for each other but rather by the desire
for our lives to be enhanced by each other not taken over by each other!!!!
Otherwise my next blog could read "Indiana" and the Temple of DOOM!!

by Klew
Not only have I been around the block, I have been around the world.
And in my travels I’ve encountered, as any female has I’m sure, The Pick Up Line.
Though my own CPT K eschews the use of pickup lines (though he admits to rattling off a half-dozen of the cornier ones to elicit a laugh, and so this routine, in it’s own way, acts as his pickup line) and certainly didn’t use one on me! Comparing our travels, we agree that they are “Cross-Cultural and International;” and don’t differ much… all are witticisms designed by men to (hopefully) raise our skirts as high as their expectations.

Pick up lines are the first steps in dating rituals.
Pick up lines can flow like wine from lips intoxicating their object of desire.
Pick up lines can be a sweet seduction in a bitter world.
Pick up lines can be the broom that sweeps you off your feet.
Pick up lines can rearrange the alphabet and put U and I together.

Scene: Chamonix, France ski lodge.
Participants: Bunny hill bunnies, ski instructors and American tourists.
Heard around the bar…

"Do you work for the ski area? Cause you’re giving me a lift!"
"Until I met you, my life was just going downhill."
"Heck with the hot toddy, put on your hot teddy!"

Scene: Okinawan Pachinko Parlor
Participants: Men drinking Orion beer and dumping a lot of coins in a machine.
Shy, giggling women watching the action.

Heard around the parlor…
"You make all my bells whistle!"
"I have a yen for you!"
"What slot should I use?"

Scene: Marine Corps Air Base Officers Club
Participants: Top Gun wannabe Alpha Males in aviator shades and flightsuits; single women in various types of "undress" on the prowl for pilots.

Heard around the bar mirror (as both sexes are admiring themselves)
"I don't plan on crashing and burning!
"Want to check out my instrument pocket?"
"Should I break it to your friend that she is going home alone?"
"Move, she can't see me!"

… and most recently on the local front…
Scene: Ellicottville Harvest Festival Beer Tent
Note: Temperature was around 40 degrees
Participants: Girls wearing tight jeans and skimpy tops so that their "cup runneth over" and their beer cans weren’t the only “cans” that were frozen. Men wearing various outdoor wear (lots of North Face) and winter leather. However, one 20-something fashion victim was trying waaaaay too hard and committed a serious fashion faux pas: sportscoat, trendy t-shirt, ripped and distressed designer jeans, designer frames, lots of hair mousse and…wait for it… flip flops. Of course, John Deere and Mossy Oak were also well represented on the fall fashion scene!

Heard around the stage in the Rocktoberfest Beer Tent:
"You are so "F--king hot! Can I take you home?"(obviously this must have worked before or why would he use something like that again?!)
"You might not be the best lookin' girl here, but beauty is only a light switch away."
"If you are goin' to regret this in the morning, we can sleep until noon"

My favorite pick up line?

"I am going to admire you from afar … Space, the final frontier"

by Klew
The interrogation techniques of CIA operatives have nothing on me!
I have discovered that the best way to find out information ABOUT your
new romantic interest is to find this information out FROM your new romantic
interest! Google Searches also help!

Some men, even when they have nothing to hide, dislike being questioned
about their past, how their past impacts the present and what their intentions are
for the future at ANYTIME during the relationship. Most women find this
information necessary immediately in order to make an educated decision as to
whether there should be a second date. Yes, you read it correctly, a second date.
My time is too valuable to spend on a man who I deem as a non-prospect due to
circumstances that will negatively impact ME!

I understand that at my age, men will have baggage but there is a difference
between stow-away baggage, carry on baggage and lost baggage! In the past,
I have dated a man for two months before I found out, from his mother, (Good Grief)
that he had spent time in a Colombian Prison for drug running! HONESTLY!
I mean, who could make up a story like this. I have also dated a man who I thought
led an interesting and exciting life, only to find out that the reason that he was gone
so much wasn't that he was on an "adventure", he was home with his wife!!! Another
true story!

The Google Search technique works only with the factual side of a relationship; age,
event dates, real estate ownership, employment verification and criminal records.
The interrogation technique I use is called "Fast Forward". I will ask CPT K questions
about his interests, his politics, his opinions, etc. I then re-address the original
questions by "Fast Forwarding" the relationship with "ME" included in the scenario.
I gauge the answers he gives me to determine his potential in my life.

ME: Where do you see yourself living five years from now and what will you be doing?
CAPT K: I will be living in Nicaragua running a mercenary training camp.
(Looking at me as if I should have known that!)
ME: "Fast Forward", I don't like the Nicaraguan climate…temperature nor political.
(looking at my newly manicured nails)
CAPT K: Cambridge, Massachusetts. You are the innkeeper of a 5 star rated B&B
and I am writing my fifth book on "How to run an online Mercenary Training Camp
in Nicaragua."
ME: Good answer!

ME: What type of vehicle will you purchase next?
CAPT K: My next car will be a 1968 3.8 litre Jaguar XKE. (he says with a gleam in his eye)
ME: "Fast Forward", really? (with a twinkle in mine)
What a waste of a two car garage!
CAPT K: We will have his and hers 1968 3.8 litre Jaguar XKEs.

ME: I would like to go to on a GRECIAN Cruise. (looking through a travel magazine)
CAPT K: I am planning a trip to Portugal. (ordering tickets online)
ME: "Fast Forward" Portugal? What will you do in Portugal?
CAPT K: Show my friends pictures of the Greek Cruise we took.

Warning: Results will vary by adding alcohol

by Klew
Speaking things into existence is the concept that we can attract things into our lives
by speaking of our intentions and desires. The "energy" will manifest these desires
into our lives.

I realize that there is debate among those who believe that we possess the power to
do so and those who believe that God is the only being that can speak things into
existence….(i.e. "Let there be light" and there was light; the creation of heaven and earth)

Debate aside, I believe that I have spoken things into existence. My experience goes
beyond "you have to believe it to achieve it". I am talking about wishing
and wanting and those wishes and wants coming true.

Prior to returning to Buffalo, I led a very interesting life which included travel to foreign
countries; living overseas; living in various states; working with the FBI in Quantico;
training with the military in anti-terrorist tactics; participating in cultural rituals and
ceremonies; being presented with tokens of service and appreciation by commanding
generals; invitations to military and diplomatic functions; skydiving; ski lessons in
Chamonix, France; hosting a local cable network show; being an executive director of
a business non-profit organization and an artistic non-profit organization that afforded
me so many wonderful experiences and opportunities.
I loved, loved, loved, my life!!!

While living in Buffalo…I still loved my life but it lacked excitement. I wanted to find the
excitement that I found in the past. I am not in a position to move out of Buffalo so I
knew that I had to take some action. I joined groups, I volunteered, I socialized with my
friends, and although I enjoyed these activities immensely, the "excitement factor" still eluded
me.

Eleven years ago, I was attending a "couples" event solo. When I came home from the event,
I wrote in my journal describing the type of man I wanted to escort me to the same event
the following year. I "wished" for an intelligent, witty, tall, blue eyed blond, preferably a military pilot, with a great sense of humor. A few weeks later, Brutus entered my life. As you have
read in my previous blog, he is in my life forever. But prior to forever, we did attend the
event as a couple a year later!

A few weeks ago, I remembered my journal entry and wondered if I could replicate the
process and find success a second time. I knew that I cannot change MY life right now
but I could bring someone exciting into my life and live vicariously until the time that I
could live that life myself!

The following journal entry was written...
I want an exciting man to enter my life. I would like him to be a tall blue eyed blond
(yes, there is a pattern developing). I want him to lead the type of lifestyle that I
once knew. I want him engaged in foreign travel and military tactics. He must be witty,
intelligent (Ivy League school wouldn't hurt) and enjoy bantering. Although he has an
interest in the arts, his life must be described as "high speed"
I would like him to be in my life but not in my house.
I want to enjoy his presence in my life both near and from afar.
You may recognize this description in last week's blog…..it's CPT K!!! (Even the Ivy League
School came true)

I have spent two wonderful weekends in the company of CPT K. Despite the fact that I enjoy
his tales of adventure, even requesting more stories, I find myself jealous and envious, not
only of his past adventures, but also of his plans for upcoming ones!
So much for living vicariously….that is not enough for me!!! I am also a bit concerned that I
am discovering that I like having him more "near" than "from afar"

So while I do believe that I can speak things into existence, I also believe in the warning
"Be careful what you wish for!!"

by Klew
When I was in my 20's, all my true friends were female and if there was a male
in my social circle, it was by extension (the significant other, the boyfriend,
the husband of a friend).

In my 30's and 40's, again, all my true friends were female because MY husband
was the ONLY man I could deal with!

Now, in my 50's, I do not gender my friends at all. I actually have two
MFF (Male friends forever!). These men have remained in my life, and I
in theirs, through thick and thin, through family drama and trauma;
through war and peace and through romantic relationships. With age brings
wisdom and wise men and women put away their alpha roles and jealousies.
My male friends are an important part of my life and whoever enters my life
romantically realizes my friendships carry the Y chromosome.

No one can object to my friendship with J.D (John Doe*).
He is an attorney in private practice but has many years experience as a prosecutor.
Our friendship stands the test of "contempt" because basically I object to ANY form
of prosecution and he generally believes that "where there is smoke there is fire".
Ergo, as he would say, most of those sitting on the "other side" of the podium are
more than likely involved…somewhere….somehow.

If you have read my previous blogs, you can tell that I am not mainstream. I believe
that the standard of proof required in criminal courts should be WAY beyond reasonable
doubt. Unless I was an eye witness to a crime being committed, I am already walking
into a juror box having reasonable doubt!!!

J.D. is quick to remind me that "way beyond a reasonable doubt" is NOT the
standard and that rules are rules and laws are laws. (Therein lies the difference
between a criminal prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney! LOL).

In my mind, especially in an election climate where the number of prosecutions is
being boasted about by a judicial candidate, if there is no DNA or forensic evidence,
the person is innocent.
I don't believe that strategy, however genius, should replace facts and I believe that
all facts should be admissible in court if it works for the defense!

Our debates are intense and we usually end up "hung", "resting our cases" over a
glass of wine!

* His name has been changed from the previous blog and he has been placed in the
friendship protection program!

My other friend is quite a "flighty" character! "Brutus" (call sign) was a pilot in the
Marine Corp. After 24 years, he retired from the Corps and is currently a medevac pilot.
He is an outdoors, "survival of the fittest" type of man. He bikes from California to
New York for pleasure. I bike to the Dairy Queen for pleasure. He travels to Canada
with his buddies to get lost in the woods and become "one with nature". I become "one
with nature" by bringing in fallen leaves to make an autumn wreath for my door.
He is a minimalist and I surround myself in opulence. After moving every three to four
years in the Marine Corps, Brutus decided to "weed out" the unnecessary baggage and
he found MOST of it unnecessary. When I moved every three to four years in the
Marine Corps, I found ALL and MORE of it necessary because I attached sentimental value
to each duty station and experience. He is frugal yet generous.
He budgets, he barters, he banks!
I am a spendthrift yet generous. I shop, I spend, I charge.
Brutus and I don't debate….or argue…or try to change the other's view….we co-exist
as polar opposites and best friends!

At age 50, not only are my friends of an opposite gender, my friends are opposite of me!