-114, a new photo, collar bones and boys!

Happy New Year! It is 2008 and with the new year comes new challenges. New ambition. New goals and most of all, new relationships. I'm not just talking about dating relationships. I am also talking about family, friends and even work relationships.

As I have likely mentioned numerous times, this is also the year I am going to be putting myself out there.. I feel like my birthday party should be a "coming out" party but more in the traditional sense rather than contemporary sense since I am not a lesbian!

I was out today with Lauren and some of her ex co-workers and current friends. She was saying farewell to her old job and I was there to reap the benefits.. food and good conversation that is..

I love socializing, especially with new people and I am finding more and more that even though I am not actually dating anyone, I really enjoy the company of the opposite sex.. even when its innocent flirting.. even when there isn't any chemistry.. its just fun! Ok so granted I always knew I enjoyed that.. but as I am losing weight, I am gaining confidence.. part of that confidence includes a boy crazy woman!

I have lost 114lbs. I am 352 and in just over 5 months, I have lost the equivalent of a supermodel. I have a new picture which I did post and I compared it to the picture taken of me on the day of surgery which I also posted below. It is insane how much I have changed and even more insane is the fact that I really don't see it all the time. I will be thinking I am the same old Pia until I look in the mirror and I see just how narrow my shoulders have become.. or I will try and button up my coat only to realize the buttons are 6 inches away from where they should be.. I need to take that jacket and move in those buttons!

Starting tomorrow, I begin my new acting class. I am hoping to make new friends, meet new people and have some fun. I also plan on learning a lot! Next Thursday I also start choir practice! I am extremely happy about both of these things. They fit in perfectly with my plan to get myself out and about in 2008.

I am struggling with the dating stuff. Not sure where to start.. I thought about speed dating and the Meet Market program but I wonder if it isn't easier than that? I mean we all know 80-90% of jobs aren't advertised so couldn't that also be true of single men? I searched facebook for people born the exact year as me in Calgary that are single and hundreds come up on the search for men alone! I know networking is a good way to find work but it should also work for finding single men right?

I know people with single guy friends and they aren't jumping at the chance to introduce me to them. I don't know if they are trying to spare me or him, but I think it should be a rule that those who know single people should introduce those single people to eachother.. How else are we going to meet them? Now hold on hold on.. I am not talking a set up or a blind date.. I am talking a casual gathering of friends.. a neutral way for everyone to meet. As long as there is no assumptions made about whether or not two single people would get along.. introduce them and let them figure it out.. afterall, only I know who I am compatible with right?

I also think it is really unfair and quite insulting when someone I know (who is aware I am looking to meet a guy) constantly recommends that everyone meet their single male friends except for me... Ok that sounds a little like I just stomped my feet in frustration like a 6 year old but you can imagine how annoying it is to always hear.. oh so and so should meet Mr x. and Oh so and so would be perfect for Mr. x... I just want to be considered a hot commodity in that area rather than an afterthought or not thought of at all.

I've been noticing growing interests in many guys but I am clueless as to where to go from here. I am lusting after a guy whose name I don't know, a guy who I have known for a year but thinks of me as a 'regular customer' rather than potential lover (who very well could be way too young for me) and a guy that is quite obviously in a committed relationship which I have no intention of messing with.. but a girl can always hope for the best ;) I just have no idea what to do next. I am not patient to start with...

I am sure in 5 years I will be laughing about what a total nerd I have been with respect to dating but I have to live with the fact that I am good at the flirting but terrible at transforming that into something substantial..

Oh wow I am just beat tonight. Apparently going out and having a whole bunch of laughs is more exhausting than I thought. I guess going to a dance bar in a few weeks will be a big change. I've also planned a birthday dinner for myself.. raw oysters on the half-shell. YUM!

Well, I have to take my sleepy ass up to bed so I can sleep in before my acting class!

I will try to avoid all the gushy mushy guy talk next time and talk about current events or something!!!

Thanks for reading!