Manhunt (it's not what you're thinking)

I went to Institute last night without my sidekick Ashlee/Eve and met some new people. They ended class early to have a baked potato bar *dry heave* and chomped on some red vines while I scanned the crowd for last week's new friends, Shane and Todd. No such luck.

As I'm standing there I strike up a conversation about red vines with Matt. Matt is a mathematics and physics major and let's just say, not my bag, but I chit chat. Next thing I know we're talking to the guy in front of us, Jim. So the three of us are talking about Disneyland, Italian sodas, Twizzlers and decide to sit down near another group of 3 people to make friends since we're all alone.

We sit down and have a great time. Michael coordinates Moab trips in March for everyone he knows. Lizzie is a Poli-Sci PhD who is working for the church in the trademark and copyright division, James is an unemployed History major, Kevin (who had hair like Prince Charming on Shrek) works for the city, and Matt is a student. We talked about everything from cartoons, to the Yankees, the Jazz, Moab, Japan...pretty random. We start leaving around 10pm and are standing in the snowfall and decide to go get some hot chocolate.

We all drive over to Village Inn and sat talking for another 90 minutes. I ask what time it is and funny Jim says "9:30. Just kidding 11:30". I almost spit out my cocoa. I started home and as I got closer I noticed a car following me. Totally freaked me out, was it one of the people I met and they were a creep?! Oh my gosh and I just realized I don't have my phone to call the police or anything. I speed off trying to shake him.

As I get closer to home the car is right behind me again. Oh my gosh he's going to kill me and my family. Wait, why is the garage door opening in the third bay? The car following me was my dad. Wait, why is he getting home at 12:15am? He doesn't work this late. I get in the house and my mom is in tears.
"I thought you were dead! I thought I'd never see you again. I've been calling your phone but you left it here and you didn't check in and it's past midnight on a week day! Where have you been!?!"

Little did I know, while I was out having fun my loving parents had been trying to distract themselves while the worried and long hours ticked away from the time I usually get home from class. Finally Mom was so upset she sent my dad out to look for me and sent my sister in Salt Lake over to the institute to look for my car. She was worried that I didn't have my mace to ward off the weirdos if they come on too strong. We all had a good cry and LOTS of hugs.

They were going to call the police and start a hunt for me... suffice it to say, I'm grounded.

Game Night

Friday afternoon I got a call from my childhood sweetheart look-alike [see story of our meeting here], whom we will call Rhett. We had gone back and forth leaving messages for each other after the initial meeting and he had said he would call next time they had game night. Almost 2 months had gone by and I deemed it a lost cause to hope. But he called and invited me over for Saturday game night with his work friends.

I got there and met his friends, expecting to see a woman who would be hanging all over him. There was no girl. In fact, everyone there was either married or dating. Right on! I made it a point to get cozy with each friend, made a huge effort to be fun and witty; isn't that what you want to see - your friends getting along well with the person of interest?

I learned a lot about him, he works for IHC (in the insurance division), he served his mission in Paris (he can whisper sweet nothings in French to me anytime!), he's 34, he owns his house, and he has a great laugh and good sense of humor. So far so good.

Dinner entailed him making crepes for everyone and not sitting down for about an hour and a half. Afterwards we played a game that I brought and I made it a point to go sit next to him. We were able to make some small talk. After 11pm some people left and a few of us stayed to play Flunko. With the small group I was able to weasle myself into the group more - they have invited me to be in their birthday group and dinner.

As I drove home at 1am, I considered the 6 hour activity a success.

Making Friends

Institute update:

I think I have a radar for Larry. I could be focused on the lesson given and for some unknown reason I look at the door and I'm looking at a staring Larry. Immediately both Ashlee and I put our purses on the seats next to us so he can't sit down.

But we made new friends. We were standing in the back next to the table with the information about class, sign up to be on the email list, register for the class, etc. and some cute guy walks up and says something like "should I sign up to be on the list". Let me just take a step back. I am TERRIBLE at starting up conversations. I don't know what to say without being obvious that I'm trying to start up a conversation. I am beyond awkward at that moment. Step back in.

I step forward and say the email basically is sent out an hour or two before the class and says 'we have snacks!' he laughed and we started chatting with him and his friend. Ashlee points out she doesn't get the emails but she gets a ride with me, to which Asian-guy says, if I don't sign up can I get a ride too? Har har.

They asked our names and I said I was Bailey and Ashlee was Eve. Asian-man Shane said, wow those are unique names. My fake-name-detection red light started going off so I threw in the "I'm named after the sister missionary who converted my parents" which isn't a lie - my middle name is named after her. After that the guy says I look like a Bailey. How funny is that.

This is when I think I botched it up. We asked their names and I don't even remember the guy that I was talking to b/c he didn't look like the name. He said he's always wanted to be called Todd. I looked up him and down and said, "you're not a Todd. The Todd I know is big and Greek. I think you look more like a ….Doug". The end. He was beyond disinterested after that. Shane was very pleasant and talkative and said our names over and over. But as we walked away I said, goodnight Todd to try and smooth things over.

The sad part was he works in Clearfield, like a mile away from me. When he said that I was off on lunch dates and fun times. But on the bright side, this was the most positive experience we've had there. Things are a-changing.

Oh and I'm going to singles wards now. We'll see if there are any stories I can bring back from there.

I could lick myself

Normally I am a coconut kind of girl - shampoo, body wash, lotion - but at the grocery store I fell victim to advertising and marketing. I tend to pick the same things because I have a bad picker. I pick up items - food, shampoo, clothes, men - and get buyers remorse soon after.

I bought Tone Mango Splash body wash with cocoa butter and LOVED it. I took a shower last night and as I was laying in bed reading I could smell myself so fresh and delicious. It's like when you buy a chapstick that's flavored and you want to keep licking your lips because it smells and tastes good. It was like that… but all over.

Let me just tell you, the lather was so thick I felt like I was in a commercial and should be moaning or smiling distractedly as I lather up. Even after a walk/jog for 2 miles at the gym before work, when I hopped in the shower and got my skin wet I still could smell it. Blueberry was a close second; the mango was such a good choice! I would encourage anyone who is looking to shake things up in the shower, try one of the new Tone body washes. You will not be disappointed.

Fakin' It

After many weeks of institute and being asked my name and not wanting to give the correct one to the creep next to me, I've decided I need a good fake name to give out. Code to my partner in crime Ashlee that we need to cut this guy short. I got the idea from "Friends" - you know how Phoebe always had a name ready, Regina Phalange.

So I've got some ideas but no real clear winner. My mom and I sat on the stairs for 45 minutes one night coming up with names, then she'd stare at me and give it a yay or nay. Here's the list of ones I like - tell me what you think:

Bailey

Reagan (pronounced REE-gan)

Evie

Savannah

Cheyenne (we were in city mode)

Riley or Kiley

Amy (that was mom's hands down pick)

Abby

My neighbor just had a baby and she named her Lola. I think that's a little too out there.

I like Cassidy but Ashlee's going to be either Eve/Eva or Cassie. But the point is to have something fun and sassy. Becka…ugh so boring. Rebekah sounds stuck up. Who should I be? If you don't like one of those or have a better idea, I'm all ears. Seriously.