There's this new guy...in one of my karate classes. I used to not like him because he I've been going here for 4 years but he steps into a position of prominence because of  his mma/wrestling background. (I'm very ambitious and territorial.)  Also, he's got a ton of tattoos; spirals all around his elbows and all over his forearms so I wondered what kind of a person he was. He also sounded very conceited. Then I found out he's a paramedic/fire fighter and he's really a good guy. I was resistant, but he worked with us one night and I decided that I really like him. I read his myspace blog and he really is a good guy. After months of pretending he was invisible (our instructor really should do something to introduce people, whatever; not just throw people together, although we are adults and can speak....those of us who aren't shy and actually have social skills that is.) So I ignored him and now I decide that I really like him and I'd like to talk to him, to get to know him, to swap hospital stories, whatever. I have a special special place in my heart for fire fighters and paramedics. Maybe he only sounded conceited because he felt awkward being the new guy.

During one class last week, I saw him come in. I turned around from where I was seated in class. He was about four feet behind me and believe it or not, he didn't even see me. I figured he had to notice, so I gave him a big wave and a big smile. He saw it, smiled and waved back. That was it. Later that night, our instructor left the room and we were confused, so I took that opportunity to have us walk over to the mat where he was working w/another student. I thought he would include us in the teaching or whatever; he didn't even look up at us. Yesterday we went to a mma event promoted by the place where my instructor trains. Rick was there. We tried once to say hi, he didn't even see us. Once I'm up in those bleachers I don't come down until it's over so I sat and stewed; actually I was so desperate by the end of the night that I lost my pride. I was upset that there weren't any more intermissions: If he and my instructor weren't going to go to me, I was going to go to them.

I re-read his blog and I am convinced that he really is a nice guy and not some jerk out to ignore us. Do I sound like a love-sick 16 yr old??? This is really getting to me. I'm really innocent, so it's like I'm trying to do girly things to get his attention, for friendship! Mild flattery-type of flirting would be my limit. I guess it's like learning to ride a bike; those old skills just kick right in. Can you have a friendship crush??  I'll teach him to play hard-to-get! I am definitely going for the kill. Oh yes, he will be mine! I'm really pining away! It's kind of fun since it doesn't have the seriousness of pursuing someone for a date.

This is definitely war. What tactics shall I use on the unsuspecting object of my affections? What injury could I fake?? I was joking around with my son when my husband wasn't looking...I pretended to stick a lighter in my training bag with a nod and a wink. Well, he's a fire fighter, that would definitely get his attention.   I confided in my son. My husband knows that I now decided that I like Rick, but I'm just too embarrassed to bring up his 'rejecting' me.

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It's times like these, and I mean no disrespect to religious people, I ask myself, "What would Lucy do?"