I Don't Want To.

Isn't it funny what comes to your mind as you're drifting off to sleep? I consider this a sort of kiss-off (metaphorical, of course!) to all those guys who think every girl in the world will fall in love with him. I've got news: He just hasn't met me yet.

I don't want you if you don't want me back
Tell me, what do you think about that?
Well you say you've never heard those words before
Baby, I don't mind being the first
To break that awful curse

'Cause I don't want to play games when it's all the same
And you're stringing my heart along anyway

I don't want to hear your tired stories
I've already read the ending of all that
I don't want to have to read between the lines
Just to hear the same words thrown back
We can only go so far
Before we have to realize who we really are
And I don't want to be with you
If you don't want to be with me too

I don't care about your good intentions
When good intentions are just words you forgot to say
You should know your false truths are just distractions
So don't blame me for getting in the way

'Cause I don't want to play games when it's all the same
And you're stringing my heart along anyway

I don't want to hear your tired stories
I've already read the ending of all that
I don't want to have to read between the lines
Just to hear the same words thrown back
We can only go so far
Before we have to realize who we really are
And I don't want to be with you
If you don't want to be with me too

What I want is something pure and real
Something I know I can feel
And someone who is strong enough to be weak

I don't want to hear your tired stories
I've already read the ending of all that
I don't want to have to read between the lines
Just to hear the same words thrown back
We can only go so far
Before we have to realize who we really are
And I don't want to be with you
If you don't want to be with me too

I don't want to hear your tired stories
I've already read the ending of all that
I don't want to have to read between the lines
Just to hear the same words thrown back
We can only go so far
Before we have to realize who we really are
And I don't want to be with you
If you don't want to be with me too

I don't want you if you don't want me too

[Photo via Audrey Hepburn Complex]

Pink Earrings Giveaway!

Have you ever visited Sue and her lovely shop Palindrome Jewelry? I've been browsing her items and love the colors! She's offering a lucky winner today these pretty earrings. Maybe your ears are feeling a little lonely? For your chance to win, simply visit her shop, and leave a comment below along with your email address. A winner will be chosen at random next Monday, so you all have plenty of time to enter!

Happy looking!

Update: Our giveaway winner is Natasha! Congrats, and thanks for entering!

By Golly! So He Was Trying To Impress Me!

Damn. Damn. Damn. I hate to say it, but the more I get to know a certain Young Guns, the more he intrigues me. Not so much in an I-could-see-myself-spending-our-twilight-years-on-the-front-porch way. No, no. Nothing like that. I suppose it's more like "Hmmm, this guy's interesting," and you know what else? He makes me smile. And he makes me laugh. And the greatest part is that he's just (nearly) as sarcastic as I am. We've actually thrown some pretty sarcastis barbs back and forth at each other.


Now, I'm not a dense girl, no matter what some of you "readers" may say. I know what's going on around me, that's for sure. Or, well, I should say, I thought I wasn't dense.

And that's when it hit me. I mean, really, I almost had to slap my forehead and exclaim, "Oh, of course. Duh!"

All the puzzle pieces fit together. Young Guns has been trying to impress me this whole time. I probably just never noticed because I couldn't really ever imagine someone trying to impress me. It's usually the other way around, isn't it? I'm usually the one wearing the bullseye and he still doesn't even notice me.

But that's beside the point. Don't you see how incredibly awesome this is? And sort of charming. Someone trying to impress me. Let's review the evidence, shall we?


He can life some massive weights
This, naturally, was the obvious clincher for me. We were sitting there one day, and out of the blue he says, "Man, I'm sore." I knew what to ask next..."Why?" And, he replies, with a little glint in his eyes, "Oh, I was working out last night. I can lift 120 pounds," And of course, my awkward self had to get some clarification on what exactly that meant, but of course, he was more than happy to explain. All the while, I was thinking, "Oh, honey. You've never seen my arms" -- but it's not like you're ever going to away.

There was the juggling incident
I wrote about this a few months ago. Out of the blue, he asked me one day, "Hey, want to see me juggle?" I just sat there for a moment praying to God it wasn't code for something I had no idea about, but whew! It turns out I was safe. He's actually a really good juggler - I'm talking about actually juggling here, with Playdoh and all.

He's constantly making jokes
What's that line about a guy who can make you laugh? Every time I see this guy, I end up laughing. And one time, he even said, "You're almost as sarcastic as I am," as if he was surprised or something (read: he shouldn't be, of course!). I just casually replied, "Yes, I am." I'm not sure he's ever met a girl quite as sarcastic as I am. I figure I can at least teach him a thing or two along the way here.

He tried to prove his responsibility
Maybe he was trying to show me his responsible side, but he asked me one day about future prospects in various professions, as in he wants to be able to provide for his family someday. Nothing impresses me like family...how about you?

His wide knowledge of video games
OK, I'll admit this held zero interest for me at first. He could - and sometimes did - tell you everything he knows about video games. Now, seeing as my working knowledge of videos games ended somewhere between Nintendo's Paper Boy and Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog, I can only imagine the guy was merely trying to bring me up to speed. I also couldn't help but notice he seemed to get a newfound surge of confidence every time he'd tell me something I didn't know, which, obviously, was quote frequently. Gosh, I hope I didn't cause the poor boy to overdose there.


And now that I think about it, the origin of his name comes to mind. Young Gun...I knew I'd heard that expression somewhere before, and what song just popped up on my itunes play list? Bon Jovi's Blaze of Glory. Oh, gosh, now this song is forever going to remind me of him.

Fate maybe? Who knows? But I do know one thing for sure: I won't tell him about my upper-body strength. After all, I don't want to hurt the poor boy's feelings - or bruise his ego.




[Photos via Audrey Hepburn Project]

Letters To My Future Husband: Letter #44

Dear Mr. Melissa Blake:




How did you look when you asked me out for the first time? All worried, fidgety and nervous? I know I tend to have that affect on people sometimes -- I'm really not trying to scare you away. I promise. I'm really, really assuming I didn't ask you out.

But honestly, how do you tell someone you like them...aside from it sounding completely like you're in 7th grade and have just passed Computer Class Cutie one of those notes with those two little boxes and the instructions to "check yes or no"?

How did we tell each other? Maybe we both just "felt it" like I've heard so many other people say. Maybe I wowed you with my qirky charms or sarcastic wit.

I don't know (and damn, I hate it that you already know our entire story as you're reading this), but what I do know is that I've never been good at this part of the 'mating dance.' I do more of awkward twist as opposed to a refined waltz or a passionate tango. I've been thinking about the big question a lot lately: How do you tell someone you like them? And in my case, how do you tell them about said feelings without sounding like a complete awkward stalker who is in need of meds and a restraining order.

Whenever I try to bring out my charms, they always seem to lose their mojo and just fall to the ground, leaving me there babbling or stuttering about something or other while the guy stands there, a bit (OK, A LOT) perplexed. I can pretty much guess what he's probably thinking too.

Who is this crazy girl?
Why don't she leave me alone?
How can I get her to go away?

But I want you to know that I'm not some stalker. Really. If I seem like I am, let that be your first hint that I definitely, maybe am interested in you.So maybe I'll then leave the ball in your court (geez, Sweetpea. Why do you think everything I write in these letters is some sort of code for something else? It's not.) and wait for your next move.

Just hurry up, OK? I don't want to have to take matters into my own hands - again, stop laughing! I could use your help. How do you tell someone you like them, even if there's a zero percent chance he could ever share said feelings. Let me know what you think. Until we meet...




[Photos via La Mita Vita and Le Love]

Dating With Disabilities: Cosmopolitan's Hottest Bachelor

Teaser: I'm giddy as a little schoolgirl. It's almost the most wonderful time of the year; too bad I can't fit one of these under my Christmas tree.



Dating With Disabilities: Cosmopolitan's Hottest Bachelor




[Photo via Audrey Hepburn Complex]

Dangerous.

I wrote this about someone specific, though I'm not going to say. Let's just say, as the title goes, he's a bit dangerous. Not in an "I'm-going-to-physically-harm-you sort of way (as we all know, I could take anyone on, any time, any day)...just in a, well, let's just say he's not the sort of guy I should be falling for. Yes, that's it. We'll leave it at that...for now.

I honestly don't know what I'm still doing here
It's much too late and I should have run away
It's just that you've heightened all my sense
How is it that you knock down all my defenses?
Gosh, this could get us into trouble
But every time I'm with you, I just want the world to disappear

So you've got me throwing caution to the wind
No one's ever be able to get me to just give in
It's dangerous when our two worlds collide
It's hazardous, and oh, don't forget a dash of scandalous
The way you're making me feel
It's dangerous, dangerous, but I've never felt so alive

I try to play it cool so you don't know
That every time I look at you, I just want to let go
So I tell my head to tell my heart to just shut up
But it never seems to be enough

So you've got me throwing caution to the wind
No one's ever be able to get me to just give in
It's dangerous when our two worlds collide
It's hazardous, and oh, don't forget a dash of scandalous
The way you're making me feel
It's dangerous, dangerous, but I've never felt so alive

I know I've spent too much time thinking
And now I just want to scream it to you
It's true
I've found myself by getting lost in you

So you've got me throwing caution to the wind
No one's ever be able to get me to just give in
It's dangerous when our two worlds collide
It's hazardous, and oh, don't forget a dash of scandalous
The way you're making me feel
It's dangerous, dangerous, but I've never felt so alive

So you've got me throwing caution to the wind
No one's ever be able to get me to just give in
It's dangerous when our two worlds collide
It's hazardous, and oh, don't forget a dash of scandalous
The way you're making me feel
It's dangerous, dangerous, but I've never felt so alive

[Photo via Kiss The Groom]

Would You Like To Advertise For The Holiday Season?

Would you like to advertise on So About What I Said...? I'm accepting ads/sponsors for the upcoming holiday season!

My rates for a 160x60 ad are $30 per month, though I'm offering a holiday package of $75 for those three months instead of $90.

I have an array of awesome readers who shop online regularly and are always looking for unique and beautiful items (Yay vintage!). My blog and ad rates are ideal venues for small businesses.

I'd also be willing to do a giveaway with some of your beautiful products.

So About What I Said is a fast-growing blog in a very unique niche. Its readership is strong and growing. It received more than 10,000 hits in its first 6 months and receives approximately 15,000 hits/month with many unique visitors plus 1,527 subscribers on Google's FriendConnect and 62 subscribers on Feedburner.

Please email me for details at mellow1422 (at) aol (dot) com. Thank you so much!

Have a great day!




[Image designed by the wonderful Ez]

MEMO TO MEN: Wait, Is This The Swinging '70s?

MEMORANDUM
TO: Men all over the planet
FROM: Melissa
RE: Ohhh, how tragic
DATE: September 29, 2009


To answer your question in one word: NO. Boys, the '70s are over for many a varied reason: bellbottoms, disco, sequined jumpsuits. Oh, yes, and a little practice known as swinging. Maybe you've heard of it. Maybe you've tried it once - or twice or three times.

But, my boys, it's over! Sure, people may have swinging parties or other sorts of under-the-sheets parties that I'm too much of a lady to speak of, but you know what I don't need? I don't need to see a shameless attempt by one poor - obviously unhappy guy - trying to revive said dying art - and no, that is not some coy euphemism. It's the truth. You boys sure did disappoint me last week - in quite a big way, actually (and no, that is not another coy euphemism).

The scene: I'm quietly typing away in the college computer lab, completely absorbed in my own little thoughts when I first hear those giggles. I should probably preface this by saying that these were not your typical early '20s college schmucks; oh, I know plenty of those.

No, no. After a few more all-too-forced giggles, I looked up - half annoyed to be thrust away from my train of thought.

And that's when I saw the first images of the trainwreck. I'm talking full-on trainwreck here, the wreckage spewed all across the tracks, pieces flying everywhere. No one's soul was spared in this emotional, sad trainwreck. A man in what looked to be his early 30s talking and smirking in that way to a perky, hair-dyed-red woman who looked to be a bit younger. The images and words of the next few minutes are sadly burned into my mind, but because I'm all about proof, I had the forethought to twitter the whole debacle. Let's start from the depressing beginning (note: things only get worse from here...don't say I didn't warn you!)...


By golly! You'd think this guy had never met a member of the female species before. You'd think he'd just been given a large shot of testosterone and set free from the factory. All that, despite that fact that...


Wow, this guy is shameless. And what's even sadder? I catch glimpses of him sort of puffing out his chest as if he's some sort of Alpha Male Romeo. He is a dog, though, that's for sure. I'll give him that. Oh, but brace yourself for what came next...


They both laughed, and she began to describe her experiences and preferences as if she were discussing what she did over the weekend. Oh, wait. We all know what she did over the weekend. By this time, and keep in mind that it is before 8 a.m., as you can see from my evidence, I was rolling-on-the-floor laughing in my head. I laughed even more hysterically by this....


Oh, yes. Like no girl has heard that before!

Whoa. Had I been transported to some seedy bar swirling with smoke and flowing with alcohol in some small Texas town? I half felt like I was on the sidelines of a pornographic film in the making - and boys, before you ask, no, I have never watched any sort of "exercise film," as I like to politely call them.

So...let's summarize the main points just so we're clear.
**No, it is not sexy to discover the large amounts of alcohol you can consume
**If you're going to try to pick up someone, never mind the fact that it's cheating, at least be smart enough to remove your wedding ring
**Maybe, just maybe not all 20 other people in that room cared to hear of your sexual exploits
**We know you don't actually read the articles in Playboy. You merely smile at the other articles - i.e. the lack of articles of clothing.

But then again, those are just some wild guesses of mine. So, remember, I'm watching you. If you ever try to pull one of these schemes over on me, I'll give you a good exercise of your own -- and again, no, that is not a coy euphemism.




[Photo via Le Love]

Tales From The Trenches Tuesday: Tale #4

This Tuesday's tale comes to us courtesy of the tell-it-like-it-is man after my own heart, David, of The Rest Is Still Unwritten. So, welcome our first male into the trenches!!



I would like to be the exception to the rule and give myself a Free Lazy Man pass. Can I do that?

The reason I feel deserving of the Free Lazy Man pass is because I’ve endured MORE than my fair share of drama-filled girls! I mean I could go on for days with stories that would make your head spin, seriously. Of course it’s my fault for staying in a toxic relationship for as long as I did, but these days I’ve found that I have just about zero tolerance for drama, baggage and just plain old bullshit. For example...

**Have kids? Forget it! I’m too young to be anyone’s Daddy, especially a Daddy to kids that aren’t even mine!

**Have an ex in your life? Forget it! Ex-boyfriend, ex-husband, the exorcist, doesn’t matter. I’m not interested.

**Have excess baggage? Forget it! That means I’m not digging you out of debt. I’m not putting up with you if you are mentally unstable. And I refuse to be with a girl that complains all the time, is always negative and constantly wants to have these deep/emotional talks with me about where the relationship is going. It’s both physically and emotionally exhausting!

So yeah, call me a lazy man, but I like super simple relationships!




[Photo via Daydream Lily]

Love Murals.

Have you fallen in love with Stephen Powers and the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program? In keeping with being the City of Brotherly Love, I love the work they've created all over the city. Words of love adorn everything from the sides of buildings to entire rooftop proclamations. These beat out any billboards I've ever seen! How about you?

What would your love mural say?




[Photos via A Love Letter For You]

Letters To My Future Husband: Letter #43

Dear Mr. Melissa Blake:


I know we've discussed my blatant inability to socially comprehend the foreign language of pick-up lines before. I often wonder if we'll meet through one of your icebreakers or one of my clumsy advances. But I'm just going to say this right now. There are some pick-up lines that are, well, how should I say this?

Drop-dead lines. Yes, that's how I've come to view some of the doozies I've heard over the years; naturally, I heard these words whispered in the distance since obviously, the mystique of the world of pick-up lines has always baffled me. Where did they come from? Did some ancient Monks looking for some outside action write them down during their meditation time in the old days? Or maybe our Romantic Romeo, Sir Shakespeare, used them on his lady love?

Wherever they came from, they don't work with me. They don't work when I try to muster the courage to use them on a handsome stranger (remember the cute guy in the computer lab -- yup, never saw him again and I didn't even talk to him. He probably would have issued a restraining order against me had I talked to him....). And no guy has ever tried to slip one past me. I figure there are literally thousands of choice phrases out there to lure in a potential lover.

But I'm sorry. In your case, the so-called classics? Nope, they're never going to work on me. You drop one of those pick-up lines, and I'll just as soon leave it on the floor.

But, you can always use these disability-friendly pick-up lines. Remember, I've gone over these before, Sweetpea.


I'm thinking of making little cards to hand out like business cards with these disability-friendly pick-up lines on them....

1. Why haven't you rolled into my life before?

2. How fast does that thing go? (I'm talking about the wheelchair here....)

3. I'd carry you to the water's edge if you asked me to.

4. Is it true what they say about redheads? (Answer: YES!)

5. You're one in a million; no wonder God made you so unique.

6. Is your mind as hot as that wheelchair?

7. I feel sorry for the guy who breaks your heart; you're liable to break his legs.

8. You drive me crazy.

9. Has anyone ever told you have the most precious delicate hands in the world?

10. Tell me the story behind those eyes.

You lay one of these on me, and I just might (*might*) let you buy me a rootbeer (yes, you heard that right. A rootbeer, not a diet rootbeer). See? You're making me wild already. Until we meet...




[Photos via PaperTissue and We Heart It]

MEMO TO MEN: Poking Ponderings.

MEMORANDUM
TO: Men all over the planet
FROM: Melissa
RE: Show me you poker face
DATE: September 28, 2009


The whole poking phenomenon on Facebook has always mystified and intrigued me. Not so much for the creepiness factor (though I suppose it could be creepy if you're getting poked by random strangers....), but for this simple reason: I have virtually no idea what the collective meaning is of said pokes.

What exactly are you trying to do when you 'poke' someone? That's the million-dollar question that's been running through my mind for years, actually.

I've heard arguments from many camps on the poke's true intention. Some say it's merely a way of saying HEY to someone and nothing more. Others say it's a subtle form of FLIRTING, as in "I like you and would like to poke you (and more?) in real time, so I'm sending you this virtual poke as a signal" like it's the animal equivalent of the mating call in the wild.

Why am I so obsessed with decoding this little riddle? Because of my deep-rooted hopeless romantic nature, and of course because of my three-month poking war with Facebook Flirt last year. The guy just throws me off my whole game; from my end, I know why I keep poking him: Because he's HOT, funny, sweet and of course I'd like to get to know him better. Oh yeah, and I'd LOVE to poke him in real time.


But why did he keep the poking going? Oh, yeah, and even more questionable: Why did he just suddenly stop? A lion in the wild doesn't just simply lose interest during prime mating season, does he? Guys, let's me serious here: That's just not your standard MO, is it?

So I'm left to wonder (irritatingly, in fact): Was he merely indulging that crazy girl from the cornfields? I feel like I've been pranked and still can't find that damn hidden camera. It's not a very fun position to be in. Really. It's not. At. All.

Seriously, though, what are your thoughts? What is the real meaning behind the elusive Facebook poke?




[Photos via dustjacketattic]