A nice day on the water, as seen from the Kokomo’s floating bar.

Oh, and the beer was cold too.

In other news, I visited the newest business in town, a small hotel called Outback. In addition to a sports bar (which I’ve not as yet checked out), there is a very nice outdoor poolside bar. Both times I’ve been there I was the only customer. Which gave me the opportunity to chat up the bartender, Lyann. I’m not lyin’ when I tell you that is how her name is pronounced. Which provides plenty of opportunities for a jokester like me to have some fun.

Anyway, she’s got a wicked sense of humor (and not just because she laughs at my jokes, she’s funny in her own right too). She can hold her own in a conversation, and while not classically beautiful, she’s cute enough to trip my triggers. Anyway, I enjoy her company but the fact that she has FOUR kids (the oldest is 12) is pretty much a deal-breaker for me relationship-wise. Oh well.

And then there is Jen. I got a Facebook friend request from someone I’d never heard of. That in and of itself is not unusual. I normally look to see if we have any mutual friends and if not, I will just delete the request on the assumption that it is spam. For some inexplicable reason, I made an exception and accepted her friend request. A few hours later I got a message from her and we chatted a bit. I was still clueless about who she was, but I was enjoying our talk. She had obviously been perusing my FB page and mentioned a poem I had posted. Okay, now I was impressed and curious to learn more. I can’t remember the last time I met a woman who actually cared about words in general and poetry in particular. Who is this mystery woman and how did she find me? Finally, she told me her “real” name and sent me a picture.

Why yes, yes I do! Jen used to work at Double D, a videoke club that closed down several months ago. We are actually Facebook friends on her true account. Although I had met her on the several occasions I had been a patron at Double D, I really didn’t know much about her other than she loves to sing and that she works out at the gym. I had almost always been with Marissa back then, so I didn’t even flirt with her properly.

Anyway, she told me that she had thought of me as someone who is “not serious”, but after reading some of my FB posts she could see there was more to me than bad jokes and off-key singing. Hmm. I suggested we have dinner and find out more about each other. Jen responded that she is tied up with a work project through December 31. Ah. Not sure if that was a polite rejection or if we’ll get together in the New Year. We shall see. I’m definitely intrigued.

Then again, this song came up in my playlist as I did my morning walk:

I thought by now I was too smart
Thought I was through givin’ my heart
It’s only a game, tears you apart

Falling in love

My poor soul was about to mend
Honey, then you smiled at me and then
Lord help me, here I go again

Falling in love

Looking back through the bridges I’ve burned
Each heartache was a page I turned
Never forget the lessons I’ve learned

Falling in love

And I was all through
‘Til we met
Never gonna love again and yet
Funny how we all forget

Falling in love

And I’m falling in love, falling in love
When will I learn?
I think I’ll get burned
Falling in love

Nothing is worse than a fool like me
Think that I would finally see
Heaven knows I shouldn’t be
Falling in love

One day at a time.

*It’s not Scottie, it’s Scotty. Names matter! Thanks for the education, Kevin.