A blogging crossroads

So I'm sure you've noticed by now... I haven't been blogging much.

I'm at a blogging crossroads, peeps. A blogsroads, if you will.

If you were here way back when I did my first-ever post (and had NO idea WHAT the hell I was doing), you may remember that I initially started this blog simply because I had grown tired of giving the same dating updates to all of my friends and family over and over and over again. Seriously... I would cut and paste the same email to different groups of friends because everyone wanted to know what was going on (or not going on, as the case may be) with my dating life.

Never in a million years did I dream other people would start reading the blog too. Other really awesome, really amazing peeps who I now lovingly call my readers. You guys! :)

So here I am. At my blogsroads.

As you know, I've stopped writing about any current love interests for fear of bad karma. Which takes me right back to where I was before I started this blog: copying and pasting the same effing love life email updates to my friends.

Because I want them to know about new potentials in my dating pool. But I don't necessarily want to jinx things by telling all of you.

So I've been thinking a lot about what to do next:

• OPTION 1: Keep blogging as I have been... not about the particular events in MY life, but about dating/being single in general. I'd keep getting guest posts from you, writing about ridic dating shows, updating on past guys who didn't make the cut, etc. But doesn't that defeat the whole premise of this blog? It's supposed to follow MY dating adventures. (Look up there! It even says so in the masthead.)
  
• OPTION 2: Stop blogging altogether. Maybe I'm over blogging. Maybe I would have FOUND things to write about for the past several weeks if my heart were really still in it. Maybe it's time to hang up the AAB moniker and get back to just being little ol' me. (Or, big ol' me... man, I need to start working out again, peeps.)
  
• OPTION 3: Start a new blog. A blog not about dating or being single or getting asked, "How are you still single?" a dozen times a week. Because I still really love writing. And Lord KNOWS I've got plenty to say. But who would read a new blog? And what would it be about?
  
• OPTION 4: Break if off with any current boy toys and get back to biznasss as usual (e.g., writing about my horrific real-time dating stories). ;)
  

So, there you have it. I haven't decided what to do. (Though I think I've ruled out Option 4.) And I promise I'm not going to make any rash decisions. But I thought you guys deserved to know why I've been MIB (missing in blogging) for the past couple of months.

I just wish the blogging gods would tell me what to do!!!

A Valentine heart on

Thanks to all of you who responded to my last post with Valentine's Day poems for me. I loved them all!

(Even the inappropriate voicemail message from blogdad -- which he felt would be too inappropriate to post on the blog -- involving the words "woody" and "goodies." Oy.)

Anyhow, I did say I'd pick one person to send a little package to. And while it wasn't easy, I think my favorite was (drumroll, please)... Ryan!

(I just thought it was cute that he has wanted to comment a number of times before, but never got the guts to do it til this time around. Obvs, bribing you guys to comment works.)

So, Ryan, email me (cleve27dresses@yahoo.com) your mailing address and expect a little surprise in the mail from yours truly.

And thanks to everyone else for their great poems! Loved 'em all. (And you all for posting them.)

How was your V-Day?

Won't you be my Blog-entine?

Well, it's official. Looks like I won't have a Valentine again this year.

(Other than my adorable little nugget nephew, who is just sweeter than a box of heart-shaped chocolates!)

Anyhow, not having a Valentine sorta bums me out because I really love putting together little Valentine's Day gift packages.

(Heh, heh. I said "package.")

Sooooo... I guess that's good news for you guys. Because I still really want to put together a little fun goody bag. So I'm going to. And I'm going to send it to one of you!

(Provided you don't live in China or somewhere else that will cost a zillion dollars to ship to.)

All you have to do is comment on this post with a Valentine's Day poem for moi!

Have at it! I'll pick my fave poem on Monday, February 15 and announce the winner here.

(Bonus points if it's hilarious, makes fun of douchey guys I've gone out with -- helloooo, Amnesia Guy! -- or just generally puts a smile on my face.)

xoxo --
Always a Bridesmaid

P.S. In order for this to work, you can't comment anonymously. Well, I mean, you can. But it'll be hard to prove that you were the poem's author. (Which means I may just have to keep the sweet treats all for myself!)

P.P.S. Sorry I had to turn word verifications back on in order for you to post a comment. But I've had it up to heeeeere with spammers leaving comments about porn, Viagra and Russian brides (which I have obvs not been publishing). So, at least for the short term, had to turn the verification back on. (Now, if I only had someone to turn me on!)

Boss me around

Yes, you read that headline correctly.

Don't get used to it. You won't hear it come out of my mouth (or my fingertips) ever again.

But I decided that starting in November (since Cocktober is going so swimmingly in the dating department), I am going to accept tips/suggestions/bossing-arounds from readers to help me break out of my comfort zone and put me in situations where I will likely meet new people.

(Not simply to make me look like a jackass. Though that will probably happen anyhow.)

Places to go. (Specific restaurants/bars? Bookstores? etc.) Things to do. (Sporting events? Wine tastings? Pottery classes? etc.) People to meet. (If so, WHO? And why haven't you introduced me to him sooner!?!?)

Anyhow, you catch my drift.

Whaddya say? Put on your thinking caps. Email me or comment on this post with your idea for how I might meet the future Mr. AAB. (One per reader, please.) I'll pick my favorites and put them up for a vote here the last week of October, then you guys can decide which ones I have to follow through with.

Because it's not about November. It's all about YESvember.

Brainstorm away! :)

Scrounge up your pennies, ladies. (And gents.) I need FAST CASH.

Or, if you'd just like to bid on my behalf, go here.

C'mon. It's for charity.

(And by "charity," I could possibly be talking about my pathetic excuse for a dating life.)

P.S. I'm also accepting applications for blog readers who want to be the friend who gets to tag along with me when I win! ;)

Jorge may have been replaced already...

... by Piper.

(While I don't know Piper in real life, you may remember that she shared a dating story with us about a month or so back.)

Anyhow, Piper would make blogmom so proud with her Cyber MacGyver stalking skills. A true virtual wingman, my friends.

Let's just say that she may have helped me find McSizzle.

(And, by "may have," I mean "99% did.")

Now I just need to figure out what to do with this information...

Stay tuned, guys!

A blilestone (blog + milestone)

I don't know which blog milestone is a bigger deal... hitting my 200th post or getting my 69th follower.

(My maturity level rivals that of a seventh-grade boy sometimes. Oh, hell. Who am I kidding? Probably more like a 35-year-old boy.)

Anyhow, thanks for following, reading and commenting, everyone! Wonder what the next 200 posts will bring... anyone care to take a guess?

A new blog there, fewer comments here

Since I was outed to The Greek after our date back in March, he has been known to comment (as MG) a time or two (or 75) on posts here at 27 Dresses in Cleveland.

And I can honestly say that no one person has elicited such strong reactions from you guys. Especially lately. I'm not quite sure what happened, but in the past couple of weeks it seems that many of you have been a tad irritated by the length (and possibly the frequency?) of MG's comments on my blog.

In fact, in the past week there were even a couple of you suggesting that MG should just start his own blog if he has so many opinions about dating.

Well, it appears that he listened. (Amazing, ladies. Boys do listen to what we have to say sometimes! But maybe that's only when sports or the Victoria's Secret fashion show aren't on TV.)

Anyhow, it seems that MG decided to start his own dating blog called Cure to Your Sickness.

From what I can gather, he's going to use his new blog to provide the male perspective on many of the stories that are published here on this little ol' blog. (And, I'm guessing, other stories of his own too. Because let's be honest. My pathetic dating life can't possibly give him enough fodder.)

So, if you've liked what MG has had to say over the past couple of months, check out his new blog to get his take on many of the things that happen here at 27 Dresses.

And if you've been one of the "Calgon, take him away!" readers... well, be glad that he's taking his opinions to a new forum and you don't have to read them here anymore.

We now return to your regularly-scheduled blogging. And the last week before the official kick-off to Summer of Sin (which I deem Memorial Day).

Sidenote: for all my reader friends who want to kick off Summer of Sin in style with me, shoot me an email and let's get something on the calendar for a Saturday (May 23) girls' nite out. Fun!

You guys are FEISTY!!

Wow, you guys. You certainly had a strong reaction to yesterday's post about the saboteur and The Greek. A few observations:

• I am soooooo glad that, for the most part, you were all on my side. Because I would NEVER want to be on your collective bad side based on your feedback. There were some... ahem... passionate comments in the bunch! (Check them all out here.)


• You all love The Greek. (See? Why do you think I said I was pleasantly surprised by the date after my string of less-than-stellar ones? Too bad I think this little episode may have ruined any chances of future dates with him.) BTW, how effing funny is the picture I found to accompany this post? Your Greekness is my weakness. Hysterical.


• This post brought out some funny shit from you mofos. For example, Alexa introduced me to the term "blosse" (blog + posse). And, my friend Travis (who did not comment on the post) suggested that I should use names like they do for prisoners so no one can figure out the real identity of my dates in the future (e.g., CSX157). Romantic, no?

Anyhow, thanks for all your kind words and emails, guys. Really. I never started this blog with the intention of trashing the guys I go out with. (Contrary to what the saboteur might think.) And, I really hope sooner than later, the dating ends and I find my Prince Charming!!

Because, honestly... I don't think I have it in me to deal with much more blogma. (Alexa, that's blog + drama.)

Have a happy day, everyone! I'm sending a little Always a Bridesmaid love back at ya today! :)

Man Monday

We're giving TMGB a week off (he needs to recover from his Dirty Thirty anyhow) to bring you a reader question from an XY.

I know I’ve said this before, but I’m always amazed that boys read this blog. (Actually, I’m amazed that anyone reads it!)

Anyhow, I got an email from a boy this weekend – we’ll call him In Too Deep (because he requested a blog name and this story has to do with swimming… sort of) – asking for your advice with his love life. Specifically, he wants to know why girls play games. (Duh. Because we’re getting back at the boys who do the same thing to us!)

In the interest of time (yours!), I’ve shortened the story/background for you. (And it’s STILL long. TWSS.) Take a read and help a brother out in the comments section.

*****

I met this girl three Saturdays ago when we were out in a large group of mutual friends. I thought she was cute, but I was getting the vibe that he had a boyfriend or something.

I took a leap of faith and started talking to her. Turns out she's a swim coach and this was her one night out in quite a while due to work obligations. We exchanged numbers and I told her I'd give her a call sometime next week.

Everyone leaves, I'm on my way home and get a text from her saying, "it was great meeting you, etc., etc.” I reply back, “you too, I'll call you this week & maybe we can meet up for dinner.”

We met for dinner that Thursday, had a great time and could have spent the whole night talking, but alas the restaurant was closing and they kicked us out. After the "first date,” I heard from some of our mutual friends that she talked about how excited she was for this date, what a great guy I am, etc.

Since then we've spent time together two more times and I just generally have had a great time when I'm with her.

Fast forward to yesterday. (Always a Bridesmaid sidenote: “yesterday” was Saturday in this email.) I hadn’t talked to her for a couple of days. I was trying to play it cool, but inside it was killing me to not say hi to her or ask how her day was going.

So I get a text from her in the early evening saying that her swim meet just ended and that she'd call and let me know if she was going out so we could meet up.

I went out with a couple friends and didn't hear back from her. No big deal, I thought. But she ended up going out with some of her friends, and by a stroke of luck we all ended up at the same bar.

She came over and said hi to me, gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek, and that was about it for the night. She talked to me very little the whole evening and she kept complaining about being tired, wanting to go home. I offered to take her home if she wanted to go, but she kept insisting I had been drinking (which I was, but I would never put my life in danger, let alone someone else's). She ended up calling a cab for herself.

On my way home I sent her a text, telling her I hoped she made it home and to have a good night. As of 5pm today (AAB sidenote: “today” is Sunday in this letter), that message has not be returned.

Obviously she likes me (she's initiated both times we went out together) and made the first move in the kissing thing (pathetic, I know!). So what was her issue last night? Is she playing hard to get? Did the fact that I was wearing a hat last night turn her off? Should I have worn black instead of blue? Or is she seeing if I can crack?

*****

Personally, I don’t think she’s playing games, In Too Deep. Maybe she’s just fed up with being the one to initiate everything? You said it yourself. SHE initiated your dates, SHE initiated your first kiss, and SHE was the one who came over to you at the bar on Saturday nite. Did you go over to her at any point on Saturday nite to pay special attention to her? And have you ever actually called her to chat? Or are you one of those serial texting guys? Maybe she thinks you're the one playing games, and that you're not interested in her.

What advice do you guys have for In Too Deep?

A palindrome birthday wish

I suppose I should start this post by first defining the word "palindrome" for those of you who can't remember back to third grade. Palindromes are words that you can read forwards and backwards. Like level. Or racecar. Or go hang a salami. (That last one is I'm a lasagna hog backwards, in case you're wondering.)

So... I'm turning the big 33 next week. (Let's not talk about it too much. It will be the last year that I'll be able to say I'm in my "early 30s," and I'm not happy about it. But now you get the palindrome reference, right?)

Anyhow, I thought it'd be fun to try to get up to 33 "official" blog followers/readers to commemorate the big day. (I know you're out there. I have a blog traffic tracker.)

Whaddya say? Check out the box right over there (<----) and just click on the "Follow this blog" link above all those squares of folks who have already admitted to following my sad dating life. It's not hard at all! (That's what she said.)

Hope to see you following soon! (I mean, it's really not that much to ask for my bday, is it? It's not like I asked you for a new Louis Vuitton. Or a boyfriend. Though I'd take one and/or both of those too.)

P.S. Should we be at all concerned that the original version of this cake picture (before my *sweet* image editing skills kicked in) said, "Happy 30th Birthday, Dan"??? Yes, you read that right. DAN. True story.

*****

UPDATE: Yeah! Got my wish! (And within less than a day. You guys are great!) But, I hope that doesn't deter you from following too if you want to sign up. I'd love to know how many of you are reading the blog with some regularity!

*****

UPDATE 2: Hmmmph. Someone unsubscribed. (The nerve! HA!) So disregard my jubilance in the above update.

I got tagged over the holidays

Again, not in that way, you sickos. I got a blog award "tag" from my fellow blogger over at Medicated and Motivated. (Go check out her blog. In addition to her fun content, I am totally jeals of her site design. So fun.)

Anywhoooo... here are the rules:

• List 10 honest things about yourself


• Pass the award onto 7 blogs that you find brilliant in content or design


• Link to the blogger who gave you this prize


• Link to the blogs receiving the prize


• Notify the recipient

Being an Aquarius, I'm not a rules follower. (And, really, I just can't pick 7 of my favorite blogs.) So, I'm going to fudge the rules a bit and ask that anyone who reads this blog (especially if you know I read yours too!) take this award and do with it what you may. Because it's the New Year and I'm all about putting out. (Awards, that is.)

But I will oblige and list 10 honest things about myself. Here goes nothing:

1. I can -- and have -- eaten an entire tin of Pringles in one sitting. I love Pringles. Almost as much as I love corn dogs.


2. I secretly wish I had never started coloring/highlighting my hair back in the day. But I've now been coloring (and straightening!) it for so long, I don't think I could go back. But any time someone tells me they're thinking about coloring their hair, I shriek, "Don't do it!"


3. I hate feet. Anyone who knows me is well aware of this fact. Lucky for me, living in Cleveland means very few months of sandals/flip flops. And mandals.


4. I put more cream and sweetener in my coffee than is humanly acceptable. But I don't care.


5. I have absolutely no sense of direction. Thankfully, I have a GPS in my car. I use it to get everywhere. And by everywhere, I mean I have been known to use it to get to my parents' house when I'm coming from anywhere other than my house.


6. My license still says I weigh 110 pounds. That's what I weighed when I GOT my license almost 17 years ago. I haven't decided yet whether I'm going to up the poundage when I get it renewed later this month.


7. I scored a 30 on my ACT. I was the salutatorian of my high school class. I was on the dean's list in college. What I'm saying is... I'm no dummy. Unless, of course, you want me to play a hand of cards with you. Because I just can not figure out card games.


8. I bought myself a Louis Vuitton on what would have been my seven-year anniversary with The Murse (almost three years ago now).


9. I am obsessed with the show The Biggest Loser. And I can't wait for the new season to start again on Tuesday.


10. I am infinitely grateful for the friends, family, colleagues and fellow bloggers in my life. And for the yet-to-be-named (and hopefully soon-to-be-named) Mr. Always a Bridesmaid.

Wow, that's a lot of useless information.

Anything else you want to know?

(Thanks again to Medicated and Motivated for the award! See? Even though I didn't list my 7 favorite blogs, I did link to Medicated's site TWICE. So I think it's even, no?)

Counting my blessings (but not my bad dates)

This is a great time of year to reflect on all of the wonderful things in your life: your friends and family, your health, your ability to eat Melt on a regular basis without gaining weight. (I'm blessed with the first two, but definitely not the last.)

I was honored to share in the special days of two of my very best friends this year. Two more bridesmaid notches under my belt, two more incredibly happily married friends.

We were able to start the wedding season festivities by doing the robot at Carrie's bachelorette party:


And having a ton of fun on her wedding day (this is one of our fancy shots of the day):


Then came Molly's bachelorette party (featuring penis straws, as modeled by me here):


And her awesomely wonderful wedding day:


And sprinkled in between all of my bridesmaid duties were vacations with my college friends (who are now spread out all over the Midwest and East Coast):


Any my family (not pictured, but also on vacay: blogdad, my brothers-in-law and Brissy):


And while I celebrated all of these occasions without a significant other to share them with, I still never lost sight of the wonderful people who are in my life each and every day.

(Plus, I just thought it was really funny to post this many pictures with people's faces blacked out.)

So I guess I just want to say thank you to all of my holla-awesome friends and family (and readers! I think you rock too!), and wish everyone an even happier, more joyful and blessed 2009.

And, please, for the love of all things holy... keep working on that finders' fee! :)

Much happiness in the New Year -




Always a Bridesmaid


P.S. See? I did listen to all you guys about how I should wear my hair for Molly's wedding. (That's where this pic is from.)

P.P.S. I'm heading to Philly for a few days to celebrate NYE with a couple of the college roomies pictured above. Blog to you in '09!

This thing is getting huge

OK, huge is probably an overstatement. (That's What She Said.)

But when I started this blog, I literally thought that it would be just my closest friends and family reading it. (All, like, 12 of you.)

Then I discovered that a few folks outside of that circle were stopping by (I do have blog analytics, after all), whether from a link on another blog or a friend emailing it to them. I'm imagining introductory comments like, "Hey, don't feel so bad. Check out this chic's blog and your dating life won't seem so lame-o." or "OMG, she totally must have gone on a date with {NAME}!"

(And in fact, early on in my blogging, I actually had a new acquaintance send me a link to my own blog with a note that said something like, "My friend emailed this blog to me and I thought you would like it." Ironic, no?)

Anyhow, imagine my surprise when I got an email today (from a potential guest blogger, BTW... who is a BOY!... yeah for the XY perspective!) who said he found my blog through this article on cleveland.com.

What? My blog was written about with other "real" blogs by cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer? WTF? I'm no Carrie Bradshaw, peeps. This, I know.

And to be perfectly honest... I'm a little weirded out about the article! (Don't get me wrong... I'm totally flattered too!) But I really just thought of 27 Dresses in Cleveland as my little creative outlet/entertainment source for those who were always asking about my dating life. I had gotten tired of sending the same (sad) e-mail updates over and over when friends and family asked about what was going on with potential suitors, so I figured I should just capture everything in one place at one time.

But I guess I've captured something else along the way... like way more readers than I ever could have imagined. :)

Note: This post intentionally less bitchy than usual. Gotta break in new readers slowly, right?

Looking for a few good... er... bloggers

The holidays are approaching, which means I'm probably going to want to take a few days off from posting about my (lack of) love life.

(Unless, of course, you want me to hang myself from a bundle of mistletoe.)

But me taking a break doesn't mean this blog has to suffer.

So here's my idea...

Are you single and wanting to share one of your crazy dating stories? (Go ahead. Just TRY to beat the story about the guy who asked me about my hoo-hah over appies.)

Or are you coupled up and dying to tell us what it's like on "the other side"?? (Or maybe you just want to vent about how you wish you were still single?)

Or are you a guy who wants to tell us ladies what dating is like from the XY perspective? (PLEASE. For the love of all things holy... what the hell are you guys thinking?!?)

Then drop me an email at cleve27dresses@yahoo.com. I'll be happy to post your stories over the next several weeks. Think of it as your Christmas present to me!

The rules are simple:

• You can't use a guy's (or girl's) real name (unless he's a friend involved in your story and not the romantic interest). Instead, use a fun nickname for whoever the love interest is.


• Tell me what name you want your post published under (like my Always a Bridesmaid moniker -- or you can use your real name if you're really brave!).


• If you have a blog, let me know what it is so I can link to it.


• You have to be funny (duh).

That's it! I'll post guest blogger entries over the next several weeks (assuming any actually come in!!) in between my updates about The Teachalian (who wants to get together this week), The Italian Stallion (who I've talked to a couple of times now... and who hasn't sent one text! YEAH!) and The Teacher (who I already have a post in the works about).

I know you've got stories, ladies (and gents). Don't be shy!

P.S. if you know my personal email address, feel free to send your entries there too. (Same rules apply!)

Awwww... I feel the love!

I got a lot of unsolicited... I mean... helpful feedback last week about what you'd like to see to make this blog even more fun for you to follow. In fact, I thought all of the suggestions were SOOOOO good that I put them up on the voting block for this week's poll question.

Of course, I needed one last survey answer option after adding the three blog improvement ideas that I got last week. So I threw in the random question about me finding a boyfriend.

Imagine my surprise when I checked the poll results to date (there are still five days left to vote, so I'm not keeping my hopes up) and saw that the current leading answer to "What would you most like to see?" is "Me get a boyfriend"!?!? I honestly thought I would be the only one to vote for that answer!

Awww. I'm feelin' the love, peeps. And I totes agree with your smart, savvy answer choice. ;)