Y2 D4

I ache from my head to my toes this morning. Especially my calves. Oh lord do they hurt. I did the hike yesterday. Ended up being a little over 12 miles because of the route we took, but it was worth every single minute of pain I am experiencing right now.

Not to mention the back of my neck looks like a slice of raw beef. You think you get sunscreen all over but then you try to go to sleep and realize that your soft nice pillow feels like a thousand needles are being jabbed into your head in one lousy tiny little spot. Yep, that would be the back of my neck right now. You people who tan drive me nuts. Some of us burn like lobsters in the pot. Mmmm. Lobster... maybe a nice little tail for dinner...

Spent the ENTIRE day with N1 yesterday with a little break in between. All in all, I would say we spent probably a good 10 or 11 hours together. Not bad for a second date eh?

I met her at the coffee shop near her house around 7:30. It would have been easier to just pick her up, but in some respects I understand that women have to be cautious. She doesn't really know me and I could be some deranged serial killer. I mean hell, I know I am deranged. ;) We got to the head of the trail around 8:15 and met up with the rest of the group. I would say there were about 15 people total on this hike. All the way up we talked about general stuff, nothing too heavy, but things that started to reveal our characters. We talked about food, and things we like, but again nothing too deep. The conversation flowed easily. One thing we talked about was I am perpetually and chronically early. I said this to her after I picked her up - "Since today is about getting to know each other, you should know I am *always* early. Sometimes to a fault". She liked my honesty about that.

I think she was worried about weather I was one, going to be able to handle the hike, and two if I was going to enjoy myself. I am not a big "hiker". I don't mind exercise or physical exertion, hiking though is just not one of those activities I would consider doing given a list of things. It's not the physical part, it's the boredom. Walking on a trail in the woods? Meh. I would rather walk a beach for 10 miles.

We decided to hang back at the end of the group and use the time to talk and get to know each other. That was a great time. We talked about what we want from a relationship, what are goals are, where we see our work lives going, some things in our pasts that have defined us. I know that sounds pretty deep, but hey we were on this trail for 5 freaking hours. She asked me how I was doing a few times in the beginning but then soon realized that I was fine. I explained to her that I would rather be doing this in Hawaii, which lead to great discussions about travel, and different places we have been and what we want to see.

We did all stop at one point and have lunch over looking the hills. It was beautiful. I had brought just some cheese and nuts plus water, she pulls out pickled eggs, empanadas, pumpkin seeds, four different types of fruit, cheese, flavored water, and two little pieces of chocolate she had saved from our dinner on Thursday. Holy schmoley. The rest of the group was looking over at us with jealous eyes and she went around and offered the empanadas to everyone. I thought that was nice. She had three different kinds - Chorizo, Squash blossom, and plain cheese with stinkweed. Oh yeah, a woman who gets that just because you are "hiking" doesn't mean you have to sacrifice. My kind of gal...

As we were heading back, I decided to be bold -- I said to her "I know this improper dating etiquette, but you are busy tomorrow, I am busy Monday, and then I leave for two weeks. Come over tonight and let's watch a movie". She thought about it and told me she had an obligation after the hike, but depending on how she felt she would call me. Fair enough.

After the hike was over, I drove her back to her car. Oh, I forgot about something -- as we were on the last part of the hike, she took my arm and says "You have been such a gentleman today, but you need to kiss me..." Heh. Nice. The view, the moment, made for a nice kiss. Anyway, drove her back, it was around 2 or 2:30 and she promised she would call. She had to go to a memorial for a friend that passed away. That's why she didn't know how she was going to feel afterwards. Totally fair.

I then went and ran some errands. Bought a new hat that I have been wanting, got a some stuff at the grocery store, then came home and soaked my sore little body.

She called around 7 and asked if 8:30 would be too late. Um, hell no? :) She came over around 8:30ish as promised, we watched a movie, noshed on some cheese, fruit, bread, and a little Syrah. It was really nice just being cozy on the couch watching a movie. She told me at one point she felt safe with me. That's the second woman who has said that recently. Very important and very nice to hear.

Speaking of that other woman, she did call yesterday. A5, by the way. But I honestly was busy when she called and she chose not to leave a message. Fine, be that way. If she calls today I will talk to her, but I have a feeling she won't. Not my fault she doesn't know how to text or leave a damn message. N1 and I talked about that when she went home last night around 1. I asked her since I would be gone, how much communication she is comfortable with. We decided that since we both are busy phone calls may be hard, but texts are fine. Good. A good clear message sent early on between the two of us about expectations.

Went to bed around 1:30, and here we are. Today I have no obligations. I am thinking about making Roberto Rodriguez's Puerco Pibil. Banana leaves, pork butt, annatto paste... oh yeah. :) Five hours of kitchen time. Do a little cleaning, start packing, and all in all take it easy today.

Yes, yes we are going to see each other again. Duh. We like each other, but I am not giving up on any single person yet. Matter of fact, I am taking some of the pictures from yesterday and using them on my Match.com profile. There were a couple that are perfect. See how wise I am getting in my old age?