COTW figured.

I think I've figured it out.

Maybe not ALL of it, but some figuring has been done, nonetheless.

Everyone wants a 'hot' bf or gf.

But - when I think back upon the men I have dated or was interested in; I didn't think much of them to be that attractive upon first meeting. They weren't hideous; they were decent, some pretty plain, and of course some more attractive than others. But they were all unique, distinct in look and personal style.

So it wasn't necessarily physical attraction that drew me to them.

I must say, the traits that I'm really attracted to, undeniably are the guys - not the guys with cocky attitudes, not the tallest guys in the room, not the men with the finest clothes or 1000 friends.

The traits that really pulled me in to the 'more-than-friends' zone of interest were the following:

maturity

boyish charm

sensitivity

confidence

charisma

More on this post later.

Chocolate=Love. / Chocolate=Amor.

So.
Everyone knows how food is about romance. Right? Thought I was the only one thinking about it. I am, kind of a foodie, here. I think it's because I'm a romantic at heart. I love aromatherapy candles, lying on the beach and hearing the waves crash, I love Spain, I love nostalgia, hearing the voice of an old friend, I love food, and, of course, I love chocolate. And, I love love. Who doesn't love love?

Food, after all, activates a pleasure center in your brain when you eat. Not just about survival, but about pleasure. Like a perfectly thick, juicy, slow-cooked steak. Or freshly prepared noodles made from scratch right when you ordered it. Or, the light, sweet, chocolate buttercream frosting that tops a chocolate-chocolate cupcake from a bakery near my place (www.yummycupcakes.com). I had started on the side, chewing slowly, tasting every tinge of sweetness it had to offer, closed my eyes. Piece. Of. Heaven. Love, baby!

Well, if you're into chocolate the way I am, it's damn near close.

There are a multitude of analogies to be used when it comes to food. Now I'll suspect that anyone with a sweet tooth may be a fellow romantic. Hmm. I have been thinking about love and romance lately. Why, exactly ?

I think it's because of the approaching holidays. That pervasive holiday atmosphere of love and kindness, enjoyment of life, of everyone being a little nicer to each other, the warmth you feel with the people around you shines in comparison to the cold weather that envelops you.

COTW[crush-of-the-week]

Chocolate buttercream frosting on one of the Yummy cupcakes. I am now hooked on this bakery like never before.

Guys that let women sit back and relax while they drive. (In L.A., this is a big deal.) Ah, now to find one that is my type...

Guys that order dessert. (See fourth paragraph above.)

I just remembered that only one guy has ever called me "baby." Not in the Dirty-Dancing-Jennifer-Grey's-Baby way, but in the '90s way. Only it wasn't in the '90s. He probably doesn't even remember it. But I found that I kind of liked it. But just the one time. Never again. Things are only cool in their fusion of spontaneity, rarity.

Otherwise, I hate it when guys call girls, "baby." Ugh.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chocolate=Amor.

Haber.
Todo el mundo sabe cómo la comida es el romance. ¿Verdad? Pensé que era el único que pensar en ello. Yo soy, una especie de Foodie, aquí. Creo que es porque soy un romántico de corazón. Me encanta las velas de aromaterapia, tumbado en la playa y escuchar las olas romper, me encanta España, me gusta la nostalgia, escuchar la voz de un viejo amigo, me encanta la comida, y, por supuesto, me encanta el chocolate. Y, me encanta el amor. ¿Quién no ama el amor?

Alimentos, después de todo, se activa un centro de placer en el cerebro cuando se come. No sólo acerca de la supervivencia, sino de placer. Al igual que un filete cocinado perfectamente gruesa, jugosa, de lento. O recién fideos preparados realizados desde cero cuando se lo ordenaron. O bien, la luz, dulce, crema de mantequilla de chocolate glaseado que encabeza un chocolate-pastelito de chocolate de una panadería cerca de mi casa (www.yummycupcakes.com). Yo había comenzado en el lateral, masticando lentamente, saboreando cada toque de dulzura que tenía que ofrecer, cerré los ojos. Pieza. De. Cielo. El amor, baby!

Bueno, si usted está en el chocolate así como soy, está cerca malditos.

Hay una multitud de analogías que se utilizará cuando se trata de alimentos. Ahora voy a pensar que cualquier persona con un diente dulce puede ser un romántico compañeros. Hmm. He estado pensando sobre el amor y el romance recientemente. ¿Por qué, exactamente?

Creo que es debido a las vacaciones se acerca. Esa atmósfera de vacaciones omnipresente de amor y bondad, el disfrute de la vida, de que todos son un poco más agradable a los demás, el calor se siente con la gente a tu alrededor brilla en comparación con el frío que te envuelve.

COTW [crush-de-la-semana]

De mantequilla de chocolate helar en uno de los bizcochos Yummy. Ahora estoy enganchado a esta panadería, como nunca antes.

Chicos que permiten a las mujeres sentarse y relajarse mientras la unidad. (En Los Angeles, esta es una gran cosa.) ¡Ah, ahora para encontrar uno que es mi tipo ...

Chicos para que el postre. (Véase el párrafo cuarto anterior).

Acabo de recordar que sólo un hombre ha llamado mi "bebé". No en el dirty-dancing-Jennifer-Grey's forma Baby, pero en los años 90 forma. Sólo que no era en los años 90. Probablemente ni siquiera recuerdo. Pero descubrí que me gustaba ella. Pero sólo el tiempo. Nunca más. Las cosas son sólo fresco en su fusión de la espontaneidad, la rareza.

De lo contrario, odio cuando chicos llamada niñas, "bebé". Uf.

Oh. Em. Gee. Buying lingerie. And, Cologne I'd like to make out with.

I'm incredibly sensitive when it comes to smell. Apparently. I've been sensitive this whole time and never really thought about it.

Growing up in suburban Philadelphia, I never really got into make-up the way other girls did - I mean clothes and shoes, sure, but make-up wasn't my thing. I did, however, have to buy perfume that I wanted. Tommy Girl, BCBGirls, Acqua di Gio - these are what I splurged on.

Went to pick up some stuff for my apartment and a warm hoodie. Ended up buying lingerie. Who buys lingerie? Nobody needs to buy lingerie, it's not a necessity. It is, kind of, well, not kind of - it is - an indulgence. Like dessert. Like super-sizing it. Comparable to getting premium gas, or French tips on your manicure. Something a little extra.

I really need to save money. Did some damage by saying to hell with it, and buying plane tickets to Philly for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Come on, bringing lunches from home! Wooh!

Gonna have to return the $32 shower head I brought from Target. Saw it, thought of an Amazon rainforest, and dropped it into my cart. Hmm.

COTW[crush-of-the-week]

Guys that wear Ralph Lauren Romance. Lovely.

Guys wearing Dolce & Gabbana's Light Blue.

Guys that use breath mints. Every man should keep mints handy. Seriously. Women, too. What a turn off - when I think halitosis, I think bacteria that produces halitosis, and my mind goes from man to bacteria.

I cannot stress the sense of smell enough, here - women are sensitive to smell. Ralph Lauren's Romance for men - honestly, I smell the cologne and want to make out with it.

Working an Awards Show. And, Working It.

I volunteered as a talent escort at an awards show.

No - not an escort. A talent escort.

After debating on a frumpy dress with pockets and a fitted dress which ran short and snug, I went with the fitted and short. It didn't feel this short in the store - have I been putting on the pounds? Hmmm. Thank goodness for pashminas. and large cloth napkins. I should really get leggings to go with this. And hit the gym a bit more.

Got the pictures back - honestly, it didn't look that short. Maybe it was the getting dressed at the office and leaving directly from work - felt a tinge of skankety-skank-skank.

Highlights:

Dev Patel and Freida Pinto are adorable. Dev Patel - tall and thin and you just want to hug him! And then give him a double-double.

Ben Stiller - exactly how he seems in person.

I wonder if Benicio del Toro hangs out in seedy bars. He just looks like he fits the part, ya know ? LIke I'd feel safe with him walking down any dark alley.

Like A Car Accident. And, My Horoscope.

The Hills - its so nauseating - like a bad car accident you just can't help but keep watching. And then feel guilty that you'd stoop to such low-rent, glossy distractions. And why the fuck does everybody have to be blonde ?

I've Got Bed Bugs.
I slept on my futon last night. Maybe that explains the knot in my shoulder that won't leave me alone. Last night when I got home I noticed bugs on my bed. I remove the sheets and the mattress pad and stick them in the hamper, after a good spraying down of my entire bedroom. Apparently bed bugs are real - who knew? They do bite - and thus are attracted by human blood. (My brain just flashed to vampires for a second.) For some reason they were only in my bedroom, on the blankets - maybe it's the cotton ? Anyhew, I use my portable fabric steamer and steam the shit out of my mattress and any remaining bugs.

I anticipate one more day of knots.

My Horoscope for Today
A lot of weird things have been happening lately. I had a car accident. While my car was parked. The bed bugs thing. The Latin lover decision. Their juxtaposition screams protagonist-in-time-of-upheaval.

"Indecision may not be your usual state of being, but you can definitely make it look good on you. Spin it as an impulsive, exciting mindset in which anything goes - the odder and newer, the better. Those around you will doubtlessly find it noteworthy and even thrilling when you start to diverge from your preset itinerary. And if they go along for the ride, well, they might be surprised by what you have to say."

The Daily Flirt Scope: "Haven't you done enough amazing things lately? Relax already! Today is a good day to leave the world of doing to others, and instead, engage in some laid-back, introspective daydreaming. "

http://horoscopes.astrology.com/dailylongtaurus.html

Ugly Betty. And, the Search for a Latin Lover. / Betty La Fea. Y, La Búsqueda para un Amante Latino.

Betty Gets More Action Than Me.
Caught an episode of Ugly Betty the other evening. Every time I manage to catch it it brings me back to reality. The fact that I feel like Ugly Betty. Not Amanda, Wilhelmina, or Hilda. Betty. 100%.

It's a curious thing.

Must be something that stemmed from middle school and back in high school. Something inside of you that you feel like you can't escape, make over, or outgrow. That's just it. Once a nerd, always a nerd. With big braces, big glasses, and big waist.

But even Betty gets more action than I do! Four boyfriends in four television seasons ? There's Walter, that accountant, Gio the sandwich guy, and Matt her new boss, and...I know I must be forgetting one more guy. So - more than one guy for every television season. The girl gets around.

The Search for a Latin Lover begins.I have decided.
Next, in my love life, I want a hot Latin lover. I have not dated one before. I do love salsa dancing. Food. Tapas. Spain. Perhaps I should set my sights on a hot Spaniard instead ? Nah, too picky. Apparently, I'm too picky, Mr. Matchmaker-Assistant-at-the-Peacock says. And he wouldn't take me on as a client! (Who's being picky now?) Hey - I'm open-minded. I like to eat, hike, travel.

Maybe its time to hit the salsa clubs again.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Betty tiene más acción que yo.Atrapado un episodio de Betty La Fea, la otra noche. Cada vez que me lo vi que me trae de vuelta a la realidad. El hecho de que me siento como Ugly Betty. No Amanda, Guillermina, o Hilda. Betty. 100%.

Es una cosa curiosa.

Debe ser algo que se deriva de la escuela media y en la secundaria. Algo dentro de ti que te sientes como que no puede escapar, hacer más, o superar. Esa es la cosa. Una vez que un nerd, siempre es un nerd. Con aparatos grandes, grandes gafas, y la cintura grande.

Pero incluso Betty la acción se vuelve más que yo! Cuatro novios en cuatro estaciones de televisión? Walter, que el contable, Gio el tipo sándwich, Matt y su nuevo jefe, y ... sé que debo estar olvidando una vez más chico. Por lo tanto - más de un tipo para cada estación de televisión!

La búsqueda de un amante latino comienza.He decidido.
A continuación, en mi vida, el amor, quiero un amante latino caliente. No he de fecha anterior. Hago bailar salsa amor. Comida. Tapas. España. Tal vez debería fijar mi mirada en caliente en lugar de un español? No, demasiado exigente. Aparentemente, yo soy demasiado exigente, el Sr. Matchmaker-Asistente-en-el-Peacock, dice. Y no me tomaría como un cliente! (¿Quién está siendo exigente ahora?) Hey - Soy de mente abierta. Me gusta comer, ir de excursión, de viaje.

Quizá su momento de golpear a los clubes de salsa de nuevo.