Dating Can Be Fun

04/01/2025

On the subject of kissing…just in case it’s on your mind:

In Hell and Other Destinations: a 21st- Century Memoir by Madeleine Albright, the author shares with us her experience is giving commencement speeches. Since I’m a Dating & Relationship Coach, this grabbed me:

“A friend compared the challenge to that of kissing. In a romantic mood, one wants to surpass expectations, but there are perils associated with trying too hard, and there are only so many ways to go about the procedure. Just stay on topic while avoiding tightness requires a rare combination of imagination, felicitous timing, and dexterity.“

Think about that next time you plant your lips on another’s two lips. Annnd, if you hear a compliment that you’re a great kisser, pause a moment, and realize it takes two inventive, caring, and sensual mouths to make for good kissing.

02/09/2025

UNSOLICITED MOVIE REVIEW:

We just watched and were moved (maybe struck!) by the film, Sing Sing, starring the amazing Colman Domingo who was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor. This is not your typical prison movie. Its story centers on a group of men who participate in creating plays for the Sing Sing population. The humanity, the protective fierceness, the soul searching, the loneliness juxtaposed against camaraderie make this story both compelling and cell-sticking.

This is based on an actual program, Rehabilitation Through the Arts, that was created at Sing Sing in 1996, as a movement to break the cycle of incarceration. On RTA’s website (where you can donate), they claim “less than 3% of RTA members return to prison, compared to 60% nationally.”

We learn at the end (and this won’t be a spoiler for you to know in advance) that many of the actors are, in fact, formerly incarcerated actors.

You can watch this currently in theatres or on Apple for which we paid $19.99. Well worth every penny.

01/17/2025

In this moment, I’ll forgive the groomer for not tapering the fuzz atop his nose. He makes my knees weak.

10/15/2024

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DA7SlL8v1Ak/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

06/23/2024

Today's KCRW's Life Examined episode discussed a subject close to my heart and my work: Building a Lasting Relationship. Host Jonathan Bastian interviewed Couples Counselor and author Terry Real. I was gratified to hear his relationship skill advice that so concurs with my coaching philosophy.

Relationship skills: Couples counselor Terry Real on building a lasting partnership

Terry Real, renowned couples therapist and author of Us: Getting Past You and Me to Build a More Loving Relationship, shares insights and strategies on the building of long-term relationships in a society that values individualism and personal growth.

06/22/2024

Do you notice people who make eye contact with you? Is it easy and natural for you? Or, are you often looking away when you're in conversations...too shy or uncomfortable?

Of course, we all know staring, even "eye stalking" has its limits too. Still, we all want to be "seen and acknowledged" so, if remembering to do what the formerly shy actor, Austin Butler, does, I think more new relationships can ignite and old ones, deepen.

Here's a paragraph (link to whole article below) explaining (if you will, a trick or device) to ease yourself into eye contact:

"He explained that this connected gaze, which he learned in an acting class, helped him conquer a once-crippling shyness. 'If every time I feel attention on me, I start to feel like I’m imploding, then I just need to put my curiosity onto the other person,' he said. The people who’ve worked with Butler tend to mention that curiosity. They also describe him as 'thoughtful' and 'kind'..."

NY Times: The Careful Crafting of Austin Butler

“Elvis” and “Dune” established him as a chameleonic movie star. Now, with “The Bikeriders,” something closer to the real Butler is being revealed.

04/23/2024

The Speed Of Animals (a clever video;
pay attention to the legend details in the lower left):

A cool speed comparison visualization of various animals.

04/19/2024

A newly married couple are in bed

Once you discover that special someone you wish to spend your entire life with, you embrace them wholeheartedly, accepting both their strengths and weaknesses.

It’s common for people to wonder about their partner’s past relationships and how many people they have been with. Although this question can sometimes lead to feelings of jealousy, it’s a normal curiosity.

A newly married couple were lying in bed when the husband brought up the topic of past relationships.He mustered up the bravery to inquire if his wife would share the information, but she remained silent and simply stared at the ceiling.

Insisting, he comforted her, saying, “You can trust me, it’s fine. How many guys have you dated?” However, once again, he received no response.

The man felt sorry for possibly hurting his loved one with his words, so he said sorry.

I apologize for unintentionally causing you distress. My intention was to establish a relationship based on openness and trust.

He broke the silence and said, “It’s okay, please don’t be sad.”

Once more, he received no response, so he approached her and began to kiss her and show her affection.

She grew annoyed and exclaimed, “Seriously? You’ve messed up my count!”

03/22/2024

“Post s*x communication may therefore serve an important role in not only sustaining a satisfying s*xual relationship between partners,” writes the researchers of this 2016 study, “but may also contribute to more general feelings of relationship satisfaction and closeness.”

And if you want to read the entire article:

Post-coital conversations are driven by emotions, sure, but also a lot of chemicals.

03/04/2024

https://www.facebook.com/1530590488/posts/10231744981037431/?mibextid=cr9u03