What a Wonderful World

After a comment I had made in one of our recent staff meetings, a co-worker remarked that I need to be an online personality. He said he’s convinced I’d have a lot of followers.  To which I retorted, “Yeah…so they can follow me right off the cliff.”

I then asked my co-worker if he’d like to be my manager, or agent. I need to be monetized. I need help. I know that can be taken many ways and should be.

All of this came about during a share in our monthly staff meeting, after being asked what each of our special talents are. I volunteered that not only, in pre-Botox days, could I do a crazy face contortion, but that unbeknownst to most of mankind, I do a pretty mean Louis Armstrong, "What a Wonderful World."

All that to say, as of now, I have no plans to add to the online cult of personality madness, nor have I any plans to stop doing Botox, or surprise anyone with my Louis Armstrong imitation.

I’m just trying to get through the day intact at this point. And speaking of going right off the cliff…Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Oh boy.

Back in the day, before I became somewhat worn down and cynical, I used to believe that I’d find my one and only. And at one point in my life, I thought I had. Except it didn’t turn out the way I dreamt it would. And now, while there is a teeny tiny particle of hope floating around somewhere in the back of my mind, the part that keeps me on online dating apps, and staying open to the possibility, every time Valentine Day comes around it feels more like a reminder of dreams lost than hopeful new beginnings.

Now, please don’t get all boohoo for me. I’m actually doing quite well on my own. I enjoy my life and feel full of love from so many. And I certainly can enjoy a box of chocolates, even if I buy them for myself. It’s just that the little Hallmark girl in me knocks on the door every year at Valentines Day in all her pretty dress, white ankle socks, and patent shoes finery, peaking her head out wondering, maybe this year? Any secret admirers?

As for online dating, well that is souring fast. The fear of meeting a serial killer or killer in general got all too real after I read an article in the NY Times this morning about a man in his seventies who fell for and married a woman he met online. Turns out, and here’s a bit of a twist, the woman was a would-be assassin. She was the one who shot at President Gerald Ford and missed.  She served 30 years in prison, got out, and what did she do? She went straight online and emotionally imprisoned some poor vulnerable sap who just lost his wife of 60 years and proceeded to rip his family apart.

After reading that article my face contortions miraculously came back in full force.

So, I think I’ll just buy myself a box of Godiva’s, sing “What a Wonderful World” in full Louis throttle, send myself and the universe a whole lotta love and get on with it.

Definitely, not online though.

Happy Valentines Day!