Dating Economically

Even in hard economic times, one cannot forgo dating altogether. However, you can date smarter.

Cosmopolitan's October 2009 issue provides some great dating ideas that won't break the bank.

UNDER $50

• Meet up for a lazy brunch. The menu is cheaper, coffee refills are free, and you'll have the afternoon to walk around and window shop.
• Spend the day at the zoo. Tickets are often discounted as temps drop, and it's less crowded too.
• Catch a play or a musical at your local theater on a weeknight - it tends to be cheaper (and easier to get good seats) than for weekend showings.
• Hit up a haunted house. The adrenaline rush works like an aphrodisiac... and you'll get to laugh your ass off when your guy screams like a little girl.

UNDER $35

• Check out a sports game at a local college (or minor league team). You'll get the fun beer-and-hot-dog vibe without the major league prices.
• Go to a pumpkin patch, and make it a contest to pick out the one with the weirdest shape. See who can carve the silliest - or naughtiest - design.
• Challenge each other to laser tag. It costs about $10 a person, but the photos of you guys in light-up neon vests will be priceless.
• See who has the best game at a driving range. Even if you both suck, it's still fun to take your recession aggression on some balls.

FREE

• Check out a complimentary wine tasting, and be shameless about asking for samples. Localwineevents.com has a city-by-city listing of wine nights, so it's easy to find one that's nearby.
• Drive down a scenic road at sunset, pop in your favorite tunes and soak up the sights. You may not live in a mansion, but that doesn't mean you can't ogle them from the outside. (Note: during the holidays, drive around neighborhoods looking at Christmas lights and bring a long a thermos of hot chocolate to sip as you gaze out the window.)
  
• Pack a picnic of stuff you have in your fridge, grab a blanket and head to a park. Chill out, people-watch, and enjoy the crisp air.
• Take in a free outdoor concert. Check out the MySpace pages of up-and-coming bands from your area to see when they're performing, or check your favorite bar's website to see what new artists or band showcasing (*this may cost a cover charge).

Source: October 2009 Cosmopolitan, page 123 & my add-ons.

Quick Foodie Tips

I have been adjusting to my new life schedule, and I haven't had time to post on my blog much. I will work on it soon! Until then, I wanted to post some quick recipe tips for things that I have made lately that turned out very well!

Baked Tilapia

Filet of tilapia, one or two - depending on the size
Breadcrumbs
Olive oil
Seasoning of your choice

1. Pour a few tablespoons of olive oil in a bowl. In another bowl, mix about a 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs and seasonings of your choice (grated Parmesan cheese, garlic salt, onion salt, herbs, etc.).
2. Dip filet in olive oil, covering it completely. Then, dip it in the breadcrumb/seasoning mix and roll it around until it's covered all over.
3. Lay on a cookie sheet or baking tray at baked at 450 degrees F for 10 minutes.

Turns out lightly crunchy, but very tasty!

*You can also do this with chicken, but cook it a little bit longer, about 13-15 minutes as it is thicker than fish!

Frozen Banana Bites

Banana(s)
Baker's chocolate

1. Cut banana into pieces.
2. Melt baker's chocolate.
3. Roll banana pieces in chocolate and toothpick out onto a plate covered in a piece of wax paper.
4. Put plate in freezer for about an hour.

Voila! Frozen chocolate-covered banana bites! For healthier option, use dark chocolate! Super yummy... I love the texture of frozen bananas.

New Job

I am very excited to be on the Marketing team as a Marketing Assistant for the Lake Austin Spa Resort!

Visit our website: http://www.lakeaustin.com

Follow us on Twitter: @lakeaustinspa

Become a fan on Facebook: Lake Austin Spa Resort Fan Page

Watch our videos on YouTube: Lake Austin Spa Resort YouTube

Email O' The Day

I am sorry I have been slacking on keeping you all entertained and up-to-date. I have been busy preparing for my new job (post on that coming shortly!), and haven't had a chance to update the blog. I couldn't help but pass up to the opportunity to share this treasure with you all!

Men, please note that this is not a way to get a woman interested in you... at all.

Subject: 612lb man needs HOT personal chef!
Message: Hello, I'm currently unable to rise from my bed, but I'm tired of simply feeding my bulk with fast food, so I'm looking to find an attractive lady who will cook for me and eventually fall in love despite my huge size.

OK, I don't really weigh 500 lbs... Im 34, 5'11", and a mere 180 lbs. Im an artist here in Austin, just looking here to make friends and find people to laugh with, whatever else happens, happens.

Your profile caught my eye, I thought I'd message and chat, maybe meet for coffee or drinks, just become friends!

J----- (I'll disclose his name, just to be nice.)

His first mistake was thinking that he was funny and assuming that he and I have the same sense of humor. I did not find this to be entertaining. In fact, I was mildly disturbed at first, then when I read the "serious" part, I wasn't even interested in reading what else he had to say. When being humorous on-line, you must be very careful. If you're trying to be funny (and it's unnatural), it will come off as being very awkward. Also, when first talking to someone, using a funny approach is not a smart idea, as you don't know how it will translate to others, especially because you know nothing about them or how they might react. I could have taken that offensively, though I didn't... I just scoffed at his message. And just a side editorial note, if you can use commas, please don't get lazy on using apostrophes. I'm very critical of how a message reads. Haven't you figured this out yet, guys?

Geez.

I was very excited to log in to Match to find that I had 2 e-mails. Unfortunately, they were both from the same idiot who doesn't know how to read.

Exhibit A. The first e-mail.

Subject: (none)
Message: Hey there Whitcf:)!~ I think you are absolutely adorable and very sexy...I really like your eyes and smile;) Anyway, I definitely think we should talk and perhaps get together for cocktails soon. I look forward to hearing from you! Qas

Exhibit B. The second e-mail.

Subject: (none)
Message: Hey there Whitney:)!~ I think you are absolutely adorable and very sexy...I really like your eyes and smile;) Anyway, I definitely think we should talk and perhaps get together for cocktails soon. I look forward to hearing from you! Qas


Same generic e-mail, only he must have gone back and actually read that in the first line of my profile it says "Hello, I'm Whitney," so that I can avoid being called "whitcf" by the idiots who don't read my profile. Needless to say, this guy will not be getting together with me for cocktails now, or ever.

*Sigh* Can someone normal e-mail me soon? I'm getting impatient!!