After the third date

Last night I went on my third date with Cinnamon Girl. She is 39, tall, slim, red hair, has a great personality, is intelligent, and is able to hold a conversation. She is light years ahead of any of my prior dates.

Except for an occasional fix-up from friends, I should say that most of dates have come via JDate, Friendster, and Yahoo.

So what's the problem?

On each date with Cinnamon Girl, at the beginning, and at the end, we hugged. That's okay for date #1, and even for date #2, but on the third date, if she was interested in being more than friends with me, wouldn't she at least have hinted or made it obvious that she was interested in being kissed by me? I got the feeling that if I had attempted to kiss her, she would of turned her head. And then where would I be?

After last night's date, she indicated that she would like to get together again. So I think there will be date #4.

Another Hair Salon...Just what this neighborhood needs

I am now officially convinced that the start-up costs to open a Hair Salon are very low and that there is some financial motive for doing this as opposed to opening a new Bakery, Coffee Shop, Book Store, or Diner etc. My rationale for making this statement is that I just walked outside (South Loop; Chicago, IL) of my condo, and I noticed that a new salon was opening in one of the recently built high-rise condo's across the street from me. Now, this was not one of those Cookie Cutter Chains that will remain nameless- this is a new Blog, and I'm not looking to get sued just yet, but rather a one-off brick and mortar establishment.

Generally, a new business in my little corner of the world would be a cause for celebration. But I have to ask, where is the market for this kind of business? Within a 1/2 mile - 1/4 mile area, there are at least 20 such businesses. And when I have walked by them on occasion, I have rarely seen them with a customer inside. I cannot believe that the running of this type business is an assured money-maker or even a break-even venture. My guess is that it is designed to be money looser.

I'm sure if I had gone to business school, the answer would have been obvious. But I guess for now I'll have to rely on my instinct until I have chance to talk about it with my business friends. For now, I think I'll make an Iced Espresso in my Cappuccino Maker instead of walking a 1/2 mile to the nearest Starbucks.

Natural Flavors

Has anyone seen the new 7up commerical? The one where people are in the market of in the orchard selecting their 7up as though it were a Lemon or Lime. Now has anyone actually drank a 7up recently or even read the ingredients on the can? First of all, when I do drink pop (or soda) I do prefer 7up unless an A&W or a Faygo Rock & Rye are around-which is rare by the way. But once you get past the High Fructose Corn Syrup, you're left with Natural Flavors. Now just what are 100% Natural Flavors? Obvioulsly not Lime/Lemon Oil Extract or Lime/Lemon Juice, or else the list of ingredients would have as much. Right?

I think I'll stick with Iced Twinings English Breakfast Tea.