Randomn3ss » Relationships

Top Five Romantic Picnic Foods

Keith — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:54:41 +0000

Spring has finally sprung, and picnicking season is upon us. Picnics are a great way to get away from all the hustle and bustle and day-to-day distractions, or a way to get to know someone new, or to reconnect with friends and loved ones.

Here are some of my favorite romantic picnic foods.

Strawberries, Grapes, and Hand Fruits.

Strawberries are a delectable fruit that is synonymous with romance. Whether chocolate covered, dipped in confectioners sugar, or just plain naked, the strawberry is probably the undisputed romance food.

Grapes, seedless red or white, are available almost any time, but for a real romantic treat try champagne grapes. The fruit is much smaller, comes in tight little bunches, and has a great texture and mouth feel.

Apricots, mandarins, kiwi and plums are also small, sweet, and make for fantastic picnic romance fruits.

Cheese
Brie, Gouda, Imported Danish Bleu. Your local grocery store most likely has an imported cheese section, stocked full of smooth Bries, pungent Bleus, smoky Goudas, and even cave-aged Edams. Whether you like mild or sharp, cheeses hold great on a hike and are a fantastic accompaniment to any picnic.

Wine, Sparkling Water, and Champagne
Let your palate decide your selection and alcohol content. I prefer a red and a white, or a blush and a pair of champagne splits. A bottle of sparkling water is also a good idea.

Most quality picnic sets will come with a wine bottle opener and wine glasses, but I’ve not seen any that come with one of the best inventions ever for a romantic picnic. Wine glass holders! There is nothing worse than spilling your wine while on a picnic.

Chocolates
Assorted chocolate truffles, liqueur-infused confections, hand made candies. Dark chocolates and truffles hold extremely well in higher temperatures. Stick to higher cocoa chocolates, or dusted truffles to avoid melting or sticking together.

Peasant Breads, Crusty Baguettes, Croissants
The best accompaniment to a quality cheese is a crusty French baguette or wholesome artesian bread. No knife needed. Just break and enjoy. Buttery, flaky croissants are a personal favorite that is best enjoyed with smooth cheeses such as Brie, with a slice of apple.

Picnicking is a great way for a couple or even a family to get away and connect, and it doesn’t have to be expensive. There are backpack picnic sets available for around $30 that come complete with cutlery, a cheese board and knife, wine glasses and opener, and even a picnic blanket. Being a hiker, the backpack sets are my preferred way to go. There is nothing better than heading up a mountain, finding a great lookout point, and breaking out a bottle of wine, a rustic peasant bread or baguette and cheese, and some fresh fruits and berries. If you bring the kids along, bring a bottle of juice or sparkling water, a few apples and oranges, and don’t forget the camera.Similar articles that might also interest you:

Stop to smell the roses, damnit

Sofia Sabotage — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 13:00:34 +0000

I admit right here in front of thousands (possibly billions) of people that I am in fact crazy. There, I said it. My mom has told me. My friends have told me. Hell, I’ve had exes tell me.

Growing up I was primed for a degree. I was taught how to make pleats in my plaid Catholic school girl skirt, how to pray to God and that abstinence was the best practice. At 25, the only thing I remember is how to make those pleats stick. I think I’m supposed to be a doctor or something like that by now. But, I am not. I haven’t stepped foot in a college classroom in a couple of years and in reality, I don’t plan to for awhile. I moved 838.5 miles away from my family and friends. I have eleven tattoos, facial piercings, dyed my hair ridiculous colors. And you know what? I’ve done drugs.

Sure, that’s to be expected at some point in any individuals life but I am not on a straight path. I should have been done with college three years ago. I probably should be in a stable loving relationship for a few years by now. I shouldn’t be working two jobs to survive and my whole body should not be covered in tattoos.

I pictured my twentysomethings different than this. More settled, I’d say. Grounded and less like my head is in the clouds. A lot less like a soap opera composed of one unfortunate event after another. I shouldn’t complain, really, I have my life and a roof over my head. I have a handful of trusted and funny (for the worse of times) friends. I still have my mom telling me she loves me. And my brain, mostly, is intact.

Why such disdain for my life? Ok, I confess, life is good. In fact the past several weeks of my life have been incredible.

However, these high expectations were instilled in me a very long time ago. The only one to blame is me, the battle royale between myself has been bloody throughout the years. They say your worse critic is yourself and believe me, it has been.

In the next few months I am going to be mapping out my five year plan. Goals that are geared towards what makes me happy. Desires that allow me to travel, finish school, produce art, hang around kids, get more tattoos, see my family, witness great music, explore and learn more at a feasible rate. Nonetheless, goals that are vital to my survival. This doesn’t mean I will be aiming to become a doctor because that is something I do not want to become. But it means that my ass is getting into gear. Instead of being indecisive about my future, it’s time to put an anchor on me.

So far I have planned near future goals. Get a new tattoo. Attend Sasquatch. Visit home. Photograph only using film. Run at least three times a week. Decide where I will be living in September.

Not really much but I’ve been discovering that it truly is the small things that count. I haven’t been taking the time to enjoy those small moments. Like when you stop to watch the rainfall. Or witness a child smiling. Those are the things I’ve been missing out on.

Take it or leave it but I say to you, stop to smell the roses and you will find your raison d’être.

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The road to happiness

Sofia Sabotage — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:00:27 +0000

As I cuddled up with my blankets for about the sixth movie of the weekend, I let out a sigh of relief. One because I was eating Slow Churned Cookie Dough ice cream. Two and most importantly, because I didn’t have to share it with anyone. While I was still getting used to the idea of not sharing a bed with someone, I was content. Most dire to me, I was not panicking.

Don’t get me wrong. I was by no means a raging addict. I did not belong in a Sex or Alcohol Anonymous Program. (My alcohol intake was quite a bit but not to the extent that it was damaging my life. My liver, however, would beg to differ.)

What has been unnerving me the most this past week is my “dependency” in seeking the opposite sex’s attraction not in my other vices. The most baffling to me is that I have not been in a solid relationship for a long time and I have lived on my own for several months. There was no question that I could in fact survive on my own. I have entertained myself with myself for days on end. So, why the current need to have a warm body next to me? Is it because it’s winter? Is it because it’s close to Valentine’s Day?
I thought about the answer all week and what it comes down to really is the acquisition of my self esteem. Rather my lack of tenacity in seeking it recently. How did I let myself become a part of someone else? Their identity? Their praise? Sure, at one point or another we all identify with our significant other. It’s the point where the lines blur and we start to share similar traits and interests.
I have become a different person in my own body. I have the same legs, eyes, hair, everything but I am a stranger to myself.

How did this all begin?

Media? Childhood? Relationships? It is all of them. I started to really channel myself into what happened in the past and how I am pushed towards a certain concept of what I should be like. My own perception has become limiting. Somehow all of the bad things in my relationships: platonic & romantic, have collected in my brain and now I have embodied all of those negative things.

Grieving is to feel grief for or because of or to cause great stress to. They say there are x number of steps to grief. If I am ready to bury my old self I must follow these steps in order to get over it. There are five: denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. But how does oneself grieve oneself?

Maybe it’s because I am going through a quarter life crisis (shake your heads, you thirty plus year olds, you) that I decided it was time to do much more than just party. Maybe it’s time for me to start acting like all of my friends with degrees act. Maybe it’s not. I can’t say for certain just yet but each day is a step closer to discovering what my happiness is. Sure, the road to happiness is long, winding with twists and turns, steep climbs and huge falls to piss your pants. Some could say it’s treacherous. And although I am only two weeks deep into my re-self discovery, I know that I’ll be learning more about myself in the forthcoming weeks. I am genuinely looking forward to what lies ahead.Similar articles that might also interest you:

96th Hour of Sobriety

Sofia Sabotage — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 09:13:14 +0000

I thought I’d make my comeback with an extravagant entrance. Picture a ticker tape parade with floats composed of people wearing burlap sacks and holding Zimas. Visualize a nun pontificating about abstinence and the benefits. Imagine a cop confiscating an 8th of weed and the criminal being delighted. This has been encompassing me for the past few days. Although 96 hours isn’t much in the grand scheme of things it is for a person who partakes in vices.

After a month of just turning 25 I believe it’s time to clear my head. Best described to a friend, “I don’t want to let any of those things cloud me, myself and I plus this means I’ll have more money.” Of course, he did not take me seriously and retorted, “That is very true, hookers can be quite expensive.” Despite what others think, I’m dead serious. I’m about to embark on a 3 month journey of no sex, smoking, alcohol or drugs. My goal is ultimately to extend this beyond 3 months but I’m not making any promises. In 2009 this is probably the most difficult task to grasp. By now you’re probably baffled as to why I would even choose this escapade.

Well, after a long bout of ominous dating, four months of non-stop late nights, strong drinks and a haze of THC, I’m burnt out. Although I have a strong head screwed on my shoulders. I need some clarity.
I whole heartedly believe that sex is the bane for most woes. In excess alcohol and drugs have the same effect.

Iam preparing myself for a lot of nights of, well, boringness according to popular belief. I have stocked up on a ton of books, music, movies and a few friends who support me. Perhaps my expectations are high but I’m thinking I will experience a lot of epiphanies.

My first one I’ve discovered is respect. I certainly know the definition of respect but do not know it in the context of myself. While I hold respect for a lot of people I have not respected myself recently. I have let people disrespect me time and time again. From disappearing on me for a week to emotional abuse to letting someone back into my life. The list, unfortunately, goes on. In the past I’ve known that in order for others to respect you it begins within yourself. I am now starting to remember this. While most people will not understand what or why I’m doing this to me this is a challenge I’m willing to take in order to gain the insight I’m looking for.

The days of me acting like I’m 18 are over for awhile. I suppose this means I’m grown up or mature as they call it.

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Music for the Broken-Hearted: Archive

Adrienne Saia — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:41:20 +0000

One of my favorite songs off of Londinium, Archive’s “Again.”

The original song is a commitment-listen, stacking in at 16:20. It’s filled with mostly musical interludes, but once it crescendos and gets going, it’s an indomitable piece of music. The lyrics connect with anyone who’s left a long-term relationship or been broken up with. The song commiserates with that feeling of lonliness and desperation, especially when that person is just beyond your reach…

Um, yeah, let’s just say that it has really helped today.

Rad video for the single is below, with lyrics beneath that. Get out your old photo album and whip out the Kleenex. Enjoy.

Click here to view the embedded video.

LYRICS:

You’re tearing me apart
Crushing me inside
You used to lift me up
Now you get me down
If I
Was to walk away
From you my love
Could I laugh again ?
If I
Walk away from you
And leave my love
Could I laugh again ?
Again, again…

You’re killing me again
Am I still in your head ?
You used to light me up
Now you shut me down
If I
Was to walk away
From you my love
Could I laugh again ?
If I
Walk away from you
And leave my love
Could I laugh again ?

I’m losing you again
Like eating me inside
I used to lift you up
Now I get you down

Without your love
You’re tearing me apart
With you close by
You’re crushing me inside
Without your love
You’re tearing me apart
Without your love
I’m dazed in madness
Can’t lose this sadness
I can’t lose this sadness

Can’t lose this sadness

You’re tearing me apart
Crushing me inside
Without your love
(you used to lift me up)
You’re crushing me inside
(now you get me down)
With you close by
I’m dazed in madness
Can’t lose this sadness
It’s ripping me apart
It’s tearing me apart
I don’t know why
Without your love
It’s tearing me apart

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Things I Learned From Moving

Adrienne Saia — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:33:32 +0000

I just moved across the country. Here, in no particular order, are the things I have learned and will probably screw up again:

1) Don’t give your mom a set of keys because she will surreptitiously bring boxes down to your apartment and sneak them into the moving truck without you even getting a chance to look through them. Inevitably, these boxes will be filled with shit from your ex-boyfriend(s).

2) Don’t get drunk and email said ex-boyfriend(s) to tell them about their shit.

3) Really don’t offer to send it all back.

4) Use lots of bubblewrap. Also comes in handy when you want to muffle your screams when opening aforementioned box of trinkets.
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Is This Funny or Awkward or Both?

Adrienne Saia — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 04:12:49 +0000

I posted this on my MySpace earlier and I need some more feedback… I usually don’t post super-personal blogs on this site, but I’m wondering… is this funny or just really awkward?

From a recent conversation with a soon-to-be ex, regarding a mutual friend and discovering how he knew her. It was kind of funny then too, but the kind of funny where you laugh without really feeling joy, per se, but incredulity. Now, it’s funny. And if you think the girl in question might be your little sister… then she probably is and I apologize. All names removed to protect the innocent. Since guy in question is not so innocent, we shall refer to him as “DB.” I’m sure you can figure out what that stands for.

ME: Hey, so I Facebooked you and we have one mutual friend – [redacted] – how do you know her? She’s one of my best friend’s little sisters.
DB: It’s a funny story actually…
ME: Really?
DB: Yeah… I met her at a party at Penn State when she was a freshman there and I was a junior in high school.
ME: Oh… I’m not laughing yet, where does it get funny?
DB: Well… she was pretty drunk… and I was a virgin at the time…
ME: [silence]
DB: You don’t want to hear this, do you?
ME: No, I don’t. But keep going.
DB: I lost my virginity to her. I was 16, she was 18. And she had a boyfriend at the time too, she even said his name while we were going at it… I think she was kinda drunk.
ME: [silence]
DB: She’s hot though.
ME: [silence]
DB: Adrienne, I’m kidding. Not about her being hot – she is hot, but not as hot as you.
ME: Fuck you.
DB: I mean – at least I lost my virginity to someone you know!! And it doesn’t hurt that she was hot… like, really hot. You’re friends with her older sister? What’s she like?
ME: [rolls eyes, wonders how she got here]

I’m not sure what is more disturbing… the fact that he banged my friend’s little sister, or the fact that I was kind-of-possibly-almost-dating someone younger than my friend’s little sister. The end.Similar articles that might also interest you:

10 Things women should know

Mike Panic — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:08:45 +0000

Yesterday Elizabeth wrote 10 Things men should always do. There are some insightful things in there that, at least for me, should be common knowledge, but I’m sure someone will find them useful. There is always a flip side to the coin. Like Elizabeth, I’m in my 20’s, OK late 20’s, single and get some attention from women. I am grown up enough to admit that I am far from perfect and am aware of changes I need to make to myself, however women also need to pay attention to. In direct rebuttal to Elizabeth’s top 10, my 10 are:

Give us an honest hug. Elizabeth and a commenter complained about a limp handshake from men. The women version is the bend at waist, keeping feet two feet from a man while giving them a hug hello or a hug goodbye. That is a fine thing to do if it’s a family member or friend, but if it’s a date, lean in and hug us we actually do like it.
Tell us what you like. I’ll happily bring you something but I need to know what you are interested in. Flowers are nice, but it’s also an easy out. Going out on a limb here, us men are kind of dumb, don’t always hint around to what you like and don’t like, sometimes you need to creatively tell us outright. If we are too stupid to listen and remember, shame on us.
Be OK with a lunch date. I have no problem paying for a meal when we go out, but be open to the idea of a lunch date as a first or second date, not the five star restaurants you have been dying to go to. Why? Because if we don’t gel well, not only am I not going to be excited to spend a few hundred on dinner, I’m stuck with you throughout the whole two or more hours that we will be there. Lunch dates are great because they have virtually no impact on a wallet and if things don’t go well, you can bounce in 45 minutes. If the date does go well, sit and drink coffee with me and let the discussions flow.
Say thank you when I open the door. My Mother who not only taught me how to open doors for others but to also say please and thank you raised me. If I open the door for you, please have the courtesy to look me in the eyes as you walk past, say thank you or at least nod your head in acknowledgment of my gesture towards you.
Reach over and unlock my door. This doesn’t apply to everyone, but my car doesn’t have power locks. If I unlock your door and open it for you, by the time I get around to my side I’d at least expect you to lean over and unlock my door for me. This was called the girlfriend test in a movie I think it still applies.
Don’t hide in the bathroom for 20 minutes. As much as I understand that a phone should not be answered during dinner, movie, first dozen dates, don’t disappear to the bathroom for twenty minutes to call your girlfriend and give them updates as the date is progressing. If you are not having a good time, skip dessert and go home, it’s that simple.
Have condoms. Everyone should have them, not just me.
Have something non-alcoholic to drink at your house. I don’t drink alcohol and don’t assume that I do. Don’t get bombed either, very unattractive.
My dog will love you regardless; don’t forget to pay attention to me. Like Elizabeth, I have a small dog that is really sweet and sleeps in bed with me. She will love you no matter what and will want to play with you all day, everyday. I’m fine with that, but don’t spend so much time on her that you forget I’m there too. We come as a package, lol.
Pickup the phone and call. I’m a self-admitted texting fiend however I do enjoy the sound of a woman’s voice. Certain tones, sarcasm and jokes don’t get translated well through texting, so call me. If for some reason I can’t answer, leave a message.

I just want to get along, like Elizabeth, some of this is a wish list and some is advice, not all of it is applicable to all women and not everything about dating is clear cut black and white, right or wrong. But if you go an extra step to find out a few things about me and share some things about you, we will be much happier together.Similar articles that might also interest you:

10 Things Men Should Always Do

Elizabeth Grecco — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:08:04 +0000

You may think what I’m about to write here is asking a lot, but I don’t think so. Let me preface this by saying that I’m 25 and while having had a good number of fulfilling and healthy relationships in my life, I’m currently single. However not lacking the attention of men by any means, I think that at this point in my life that it has a little more to do with quality versus quantity. Maybe I’m picky, maybe I’m fickle, but the following are just a few things that I think EVERY man should pay attention to:

Have a good handshake. There’s not much worse than your first impression of a guy being that of a limp fish. There’s just not.
Bring me something. I don’t need you to have a dozen roses for me every time you see me. I don’t really even like roses. But the first time we meet for a date or the first time I make you dinner at my house, bring something. It doesn’t have to be expensive, girls like little things that don’t cost a lot of money because it shows you are thinking of them.
Pay for dinner. This one generally applies to first dates. I will fight you for the bill a little because I am an adult, I make my own money and I generally try to be kind and thoughtful. This does not mean, however, that if you allow me to go dutch with you that I think any better of you. Quite the contrary. Any guy that immediately gives in to my “Can I help you pay for that?” on a first date, I will think twice about.
Hold the door. I’m a lady. Always hold the door for a lady. Just do it.
Don’t always open the car door. It’s cute for say, the beginning of the first date. Maybe if I was pregnant (hopefully we aren’t on our first date at the time) or if my hands are full… but I would do the same for you. Other than that, I’d rather you get in, start the car and ask me if I’m hot or cold.
Don’t answer your phone during dinner (and/or during any other intimate situations). This also means no texting as well. Being on your phone during dinner is just rude. It tells a woman that you aren’t interested at her, you’re more interested in looking at what time it is or whatever. Wear a watch. It’s understandable to be more easy going when you’ve been seeing someone for a while, but not during a nice dinner and especially not on a first date. And don’t try to hide it under the table either.
Have condoms. No, this doesn’t mean I’m sleeping with you on our first date. Or third, or tenth. However, if you are lucky enough to get a girl into the sack, you had better be prepared.
Know how to open a bottle of wine. Please see #7. Just kidding. I can go for a beer every once in a while, but I also love a glass of wine after work. Its nice to come home to a man that can open the bottle while I take my shoes off. Plus I’m a grown up. Kegs just aren’t as much of a turn on as they used to be.
Be nice to my dog. You know, it says a lot about a person when they are nice to animals. My dog is very sweet and small, he isn’t going to bite you if you don’t act like an ass. Be nice to him. Especially when he is sleeping in my bed and you’re not.
Keep in touch. It’s nice to hear from you every once in a while. I don’t need someone up my ass but please don’t play games with me. I don’t think you are any cooler because you wait an extra day to call me back.

Maybe it’s a wish list, a little advice to the guys out there who are wondering what they are doing wrong… or what they’re not doing. I’m as much an independent and self-reliant woman as the next, but I like men that act like men. I’m not going to stop talking to you because you don’t bring me flowers on our first date. I’m simply saying that a little chivalry will go a long way. It’s surprising how these small things make a difference, and I guarantee that you will get it back tenfold.

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My Dating Gene is Broken

Adrienne Saia — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 07:03:17 +0000

I’ve recently had the pleasure of pursuit of several wonderful young men who have eschewed all logic and decided that maybe they would like to get to know me better. On an intimate level. Learn my hopes and dreams and maybe see my boobs. Basically, I’ve been asked out on some dates. Yes – me. Despite my first reaction, which is “if they want to date me, they must be insane, say no,” I’ve allowed my ego and lust to get the better of me and I’ve said yes. Things go well for about 2.5 seconds and then…

Clusterfuck.

I think I’ve pinpointed some reasons for why my dating life lasts about 2 dinners and a makeout session then ends abruptly. Here’s my genius interpretation:

My first problem is that I don’t have time for anything. I work pretty much all the time. I spend 40 hrs a week schilling sporting goods in the city, bartend, and get paid to recap TV shows (so that’s an hour to watch the episode and an hour to write the recap). On my days off, I trek home to Allentown to see my family (who, incidentally, will always come first), do laundry, run… basically, I get all the shit done that my normal work day doesn’t allow me to do. I’m always down to hang out, but not necessarily at the expense of getting shit done.

This leads to my next issue, which has something to do with my priorities. I’ve always said that if you want to do something badly enough, you make time. I guess I don’t want to date because I’m not making the time, but my friends, family, and work are coming first right now. With this impending move to Colorado in August, I’m even more attuned to the fact that Philly will no longer be my home. I mean, until last night, I hadn’t seen my friend Jackie in almost a year and she lives 45 goddamn minutes away. So once I’m nestled in the mountains across the country, I’m pretty much never going to see her. Making up for lost time in these 5 months is more important than sharing awkward silence and playing kissyface with someone who might decide that my lack of a filter is unattractive after 4 dates.

So does the failure to make time and re-prioritize the position of my romantic life signal to some underlying self-destructive desire to be single? Yeah, I don’t know about that so much. I think I’ve been single for so long that it’s comfortable. I have a routine that doesn’t revolve around anyone else’s satisfaction other than my own. I’ve become selfish in this time, but it’s served to provide success to some extent. I finally got into grad school, am fit and running, have amazing friends and a bangin’ social life. Maybe I’m also not ready to share this with someone else because it’s something that’s ultimately mine.

Alright, I’m getting harassed by my family to rejoin in the Easter festivities. Yeah, it’s Easter, what better day to be concerned about my sex life. In the meantime, I think I’m going to stick to what I know best, and that’s me. And if Mr. Baseball, Bboy, and Band-aid can’t deal with that, then it’s not meant to be. And I’m also going to Jack Daniels the Carrie Bradshaw out of me. Ugh.Similar articles that might also interest you: