He's Just Not That Into You

This movie really gives you something to think about... especially about the misinterpretation of 'signs'.  But of course, like all chick flicks, you cannot take in every romantic ideal and expect to apply them to reality.  While there is some truth to these pretenses, we need to prevent ourselves from making assumptions and overanalyzing every single gesture or word spoken to us whether it be great or subtle (it's something I believe both genders need to learn - sometimes girls or guys really just care about you as a friend and nothing more).  In the wise words of Justin Long's character, Alex, "If a guy wants to be with a girl, he will make it happen, no matter what" (or at least that's what I hope!)

Our problem lies in the 'comforting' advice we are given as we grow up (I am also guilty of passing along these so-called words of wisdom).  That extra attention they give you, whether it be a smile or in the form mocking, does not necessarily equal to 'like'.

Gigi: Girls are taught a lot of stuff growing up. If a guy punches you he likes you. Never try to trim your own bangs and someday you will meet a wonderful guy and get your very own happy ending. Every movie we see, Every story we're told implores us to wait for it, the third act twist, the unexpected declaration of love, the exception to the rule. But sometimes we're so focused on finding our happy ending we don't learn how to read the signs. How to tell from the ones who want us and the ones who don't, the ones who will stay and the ones who will leave. And maybe a happy ending doesn't include a guy, maybe... it's you, on your own, picking up the pieces and starting over, freeing yourself up for something better in the future. Maybe the happy ending is... just... moving on. Or maybe the happy ending is this, knowing after all the unreturned phone calls, broken-hearts, through the blunders and misread signals, through all the pain and embarrassment you never gave up hope. 

Another thing that caught my attention is that although I regularly use social media and instant messaging technologies, I realize that as I get older, I desire and understand the importance of interpersonal communication - nothing beats connecting on a deeper level, face-to-face without a handheld device or computer screen acting as a bridge between two people. I also enjoy less ambiguity in conversations.

Mary: I had this guy leave me a voicemail at work, so I called him at home, and then he emailed me to my BlackBerry, and so I texted to his cell, and now you just have to go around checking all these different portals just to get rejected by seven different technologies.

Here's to focusing on the present (: