Dearest Reader,

I think we all need a little humor.  These slogans were seen on Inaugeration Day and at the Women's March on Washington.  (There are fewer pro-Trump slogans because he won.):

• Girls just want fun-damental rights.
• Trump 2016  Hell toupee.
• You're so vain, you probably think this March is about you.
• We shall overcomb.
• Donald, you ignorant slut.
• I did not say I would build a wall, I said I would build a mall.
• I've seen better cabinets at IKEA.
• Deplorable lives matter.
• Free Melania!

I hope they make you laugh.

XO M.J.

​     When we last left our nerdy heroine, she was sitting in a Scottish hostel, drinking coffee and trying to determine if she should “hit on” a guy a couple tables away.  

     Unfortunately, the internal battle continued:  So what do I say to this guy?  He looks pretty busy to me.  What if he treats me like a total annoyance?  I would hate that.  But what if it goes well?  Geez…this is making me a little nuts.

     “Do you mind if I sit here?”  interrupts a young girl, carrying a food tray.

     “Of course not,” I respond slowly.
 
     The two of us proceed to talk about traveling in the Highlands and similar childhoods.  After about 15 minutes, I look up and notice the “guy of my dreams” is long gone.  A lost opportunity with him and a gained opportunity with her.  Still pretty great.

     My biggest regret:  I wish I’d been more brave.  I lost my opportunity because I was looking for the perfect thing to say and was worried about the outcome.  Maybe I didn’t need to worry about being all perfect.  Maybe it was more important to just do it.  The young girl did and got a great conversation and a new Instagram follower.  Maybe it’s more important to grab opportunities no matter what.  

     Have a good life European male version of me!  I guess our universes weren’t meant to collide.   And maybe that’s okay.  

​    Come to find out, youth hostels aren’t just for kids!  

   ​ Sipping coffee in the restaurant at the Youth Hostel Edinburgh Central, I’m seeing characters of every age.  There is the group of north-of-40 travelers (my people!) who haven’t seen each other in years and keep kissing.  At the next table, a sulky grandson and his gray-haired grandfather (in the O.C. this would be his father) sit. Two really cute guys (younger than my daughter) are eating breakfast and I’m trying to work up the nerve to ask them to pose with my book.  And then there’s the class of boisterous junior high girls who are a microcosm of the rest of us:  The hipsters with their cute little outfits who couldn’t be bothered to put their shoes on.  The one with her statement fluorescent pink Crocs who just wants a little attention.  And, of course, you have your standard issue ‘tween girl who’s a little too young to look that bitter.
​
   What really catches my eye is the guy who looks like the European male version of me sitting a couple tables away.   He’s got nerdy glasses, a sweater, a stack of papers, and a laptop.  Wow!   
​   So the big question…how does a gal with crappy flirting skills get this guy’s attention?!

     After a lost wallet, a cellphone data snafu, an over-sized luggage fiasco, and not being able to sit together, we were off on the first leg of our Scottish boyfriend odyssey! Unfortunately, our string of bad luck had not quite ended. During a layover in Toronto, I battled an overly aggressive vending machine after it sent mixed messages about my credit card.  A kind Canadian onlooker nodded sympathetically as I explained concerns regarding my information being used to buy Fritos for the whole airport. 

Note to Reader:  After much thought, I have decided to change my blog entries to a journal format.  I hope you enjoy them!

Entry #1:

    Tomorrow,  Beth and I are crossing the pond  to check out the Scottish single's scene!  We're doing a sort of OCexit without the whole European outrage, stock market drop, and money devaluation.   We're thinking Southern California  may not be the best place for women north-of-50 to find their soulmates so we're turning to the Land of Haggis and Kilts!  Stay tuned!