Date me and be engaged within six months!*

Engaged to someone else, that is. During my routine daily check of OnlySimchas earlier this week, I noticed an engagement announcement for someone with whom I was set up back in January. He was a perfectly pleasant guy, but not someone who particularly interested me. We met for one date in a city approximately halfway between our Midwestern cities, and then I never heard from him again. I wasn't disappointed that he hadn't called because I felt ambivalent about the whole meeting, but the righteous indignation part of me flared up because it is just plain rude for a guy not to make a follow-up call after a date.

I wondered for a while if perhaps I should have called him, just to make sure he wasn't hit by a bus or anything, but I sensed that no communication was simply a sign of disinterest, not roadside disaster. And, I have been proven right. There weren't any tire tread marks on his face in the OnlySimchas photos, just a smile. His bride-to-be is cute, and they look happy together. All's well that ends well.

When I hear that someone I once dated, but was not "into," gets engaged, I often feel a sense of relief that I was smart to trust my instincts, and I made the right decision about person X. That's how I feel in this case, though this is not the first time that someone I have dated has very soon afterwards found their match. I'm thinking this could be a marketable skill. Or not, seeing as it would guarantee me a lot of bad dates, and no promise of meeting my prince charming. On second thought, never mind.

*Results may vary. No moneyback guarantee. Some former dates of said singleton remain unattached years after dating her.

Batman Begins

Yesterday I went to see summer's latest blockbuster and I walked out smiling. As someone in the row behind me said, "Now that's a way to restart a franchise!" (Without revealing any movie secrets, the film is indeed a prequel and takes us back to the start of the first Batman movie with Michael Keaton.)

Sure, some of the dialogue was corny, but it wouldn't be a Batman movie if he didn't at least once say, "I'm Batman" in response to the question "Who are you?"

To be sure, this film is much darker than the other Batman films and explores the inner struggles that inspired wealthy Bruce Wayne to dress like a bat and start fighting crime. (Boy, does he have issues.) Still, there are plenty of light moments, and plenty of times that leave you cheering (at least mentally), "Go get 'em Batman!"

I liked it so much, I might go see it again while it's still in the theatres.

Waxing nostalgic

Quite unexpectedly this evening, the song "Saying Goodbye" from "The Muppets Take Manhattan" started running through my mind. I can't recall the last time I saw that movie, and don't know what triggered the memory of the song, but before I knew it I was singing a half-remembered version of the lyrics out loud. (good thing I live alone) After humming it a few times, I decided to check out the lyrics online, and they are here for your sentimental pleasure.


Saying goodbye, going away
Seems like goodbye's such a hard thing to say
Touching a hand, wondering why
It's time for saying goodbye

Saying goodbye, why is it sad?
Makes us remember the good times we've had
Much more to say, foolish to try
It's time for saying goodbye

Dont want to leave, but we both know
Sometimes it's better to go
Somehow I know we'll meet again
Not sure quite where, and I dont know just when
You're in my heart, so until then
Wanna smile, wanna cry
Saying goodbye

La la la la la la la la
It's time for saying goodbye



It may be a song from what is ostensibly a children's movie, but there is a lot of insight in the lyrics.