What would be your ideal first date?

https://thecoffeemonsterzco.com/blogs/midnight-blogging/journaling-prompts

Okay, so full disclosure for those of you that won’t click the link above at some point, the original prompt for today asked “how was your first kiss” but they offered an alternative. I didn’t have a good answer for the original prompt because I honestly don’t recall much of that moment (it was nothing exciting or else I totally would remember) so I opted for the alternate prompt.

Sadly, I don’t have a great answer for this prompt, either, but I’ll give it a shot.

My standards for dating have changed as I’ve gotten older. I’ve learned things about myself and how others might enjoy their time in my presence, and vice versa, so that I can at least make a better attempt at a solid first date experience.

I think that, since dating is about getting to know someone better, going to a place where we can be interactive with one another is key. That being said, I wouldn’t be opposed to dinner and a movie, if we did things in a different order. Go to the movie first, then dinner after so we can discuss it and see where the conversation goes. I know that isn’t particularly exciting, as far as first dates go, but I think it would work out better.

Anyways, back to the interactivity aspect. There are tons of places you can consider, depending on how much time you’re looking to spend together for a first date, and time of day. A quick lunch or coffee at one of the places downtown? Or maybe dinner followed by drinks and axe throwing? I’ve never actually been axe throwing, so that might be fun. Not sure if it’s first date material, though.

After thinking through this a bit while writing, I still don’t know that I have a solid idea. It’s a first date, so it’s not like I would be trying to show off and be classy by going to a super fancy restaurant or something. So, maybe my ideal first date would be something rather more cliché like bowling? I’m half decent at bowling, so it works for me.

I should set a goal for 2025 to get out more and maybe actually go on a couple of dates.

Happy January 1st! What has already gone wrong today, and what has gone right?

https://thecoffeemonsterzco.com/blogs/midnight-blogging/journaling-prompts

It’s been a whopping 13 hours of 2025 so far, and I’m just getting up. Mind you, I woke up and took my meds on time, but then afterwards I went back to sleep. I reset my alarm for a couple hours later but obviously the thing that went wrong is that it didn’t work. It’s now about 1:00pm as I write this up. Oops.

Even though I didn’t wake up quite when I wanted to, something good did happen! Late last night I had sent a message to a fancy restaurant I had been to in Savannah. They had a mezcal cocktail on their menu that I really enjoyed, and I wanted to try making it for myself. So, I contacted them to see if they would share the ingredients and preparation method. To my surprise, they did! To be honest, I don’t drink very often. Alcohol isn’t something I typically care to have, in part because I don’t like the way it can make me feel (like getting a wine headache after a small glass). Mezcal, in particular, is also kind of expensive relative to other kinds that would get used in cocktails, and anywhere here that carries it doesn’t carry a wide selection.

Anyways, time to get about my day because my vacation is almost over. Back to work tomorrow!

Happy New Year!

What is something you have always wanted to do? What would be the first step in making that happen?

https://thecoffeemonsterzco.com/blogs/midnight-blogging/journaling-prompts

Something I’ve always wanted to try doing is skydiving. I’m not exactly a thrill seeker, but it seems like it would be an amazing experience. That, and I’ve had plenty of dreams where I’m falling through the sky but have no fear, or I have lucid dreaming experiences where I can make myself fly.

I just want to experience at least once, even if I have to do it tandem with an instructor.

One of the first steps is to research places that offer it, and I guess I’ve done that before, but never actually called to schedule anything. Some friends and I had joked about going when we all met in San Diego back in 2019, but that never happened.

I think what will have to happen is that I just do it on my own (with an instructor, like I mentioned before) and not worry about going with anyone. I’ll have to wait and see what comes up when the weather warms up, though, because it’s winter now and I’m NOT jumping out of a plane when it’s this cold out. Maybe around June I’ll call some places and see what’s available.

Suppose you could make your own pizza with unlimited free toppings. What would you pick to maximize the value, while not compromising on taste and integrity of the pizza?

https://thecoffeemonsterzco.com/blogs/midnight-blogging/journaling-prompts

There’s a lot to consider with this prompt. Depending on the crust and baking method, you could really mess this up!

I suppose something else to consider is if you’re ordering this pizza or making it yourself at home with whatever equipment you have at your disposal.

That being said, MY two key takeaways from the prompt are centered around the integrity. Add too many solid/dense toppings and you run the risk of underbaking the crust. Add too much cheese and/or greasy toppings and the pizza turns into a puddle of grease. You have to strike a good balance.

To answer the prompt about picking toppings to maximize value? Probably lots of cheese and bacon on a thick crust, baked extra long to make certain the crust is fully baked and sturdy enough for the impending deluge of greasy goodness. Just keeping it simple.