Five Women, One Man and Mojito's.

Last night was our kick-off event! Woohoo! Yeah! Okay, well I have to admit it didn't start out that way. At 6.30pm both Rachel and I were sitting at the bar at Mojito's figuring no one was going to show. I mean seriously? The issue unfortunately was not the women, we had plenty of women who signed up and were interested in the whole Speed Dating concept. But the MEN!! Oh man, where were you guys? The bust was that we had no men sign up and only one guy show up...a very cool beans Twitter friend of mine looking for a love connection will call him Mr. First Aid (long story-you had to be there).

While our turn out was 5 Chicas and 1 Chico it went like a dream...there was no Speed Dating to speak of and yet we all got to sit around a table on the patio and enjoy amazing food and chatter about dating. There was sharing of stories that would peel the paint off walls from fright and then we got to really talk about what we're looking for in a partner. With the exception of Mr. FA it was a mini-girls night out!! Then the greatest thing happened...we got treated to a Salsa Lesson!! A great way to break the strangeness that comes from meeting new people and also a fun way to burn some calories. Woot!

All-in-all we had a splendid night. Rachel and I can't thank the owner of Mojito's, Rolando, enough for taking the care and time to make us feel like a part of the Mojito's family. Everyone from Jack and Marisol to Ignacio the Dance Instructor made the whole group feel like we were a top priority. If you are a local to the the SCV area (or not) and haven't been there for a meal or Happy Hour you are missing out!! Go now! For serious!

In the end, what did we learn? Well we need to do some more research on how to get Men to commit not just to a relationship but to spending 3-minutes with 10 smokin' chicas each. I mean we are basically handing you women for an hour!! Come on guys...okay, I digress. And we need to regroup and try again soon! We are not going anywhere and we will find a way to bring the Single population of Santa Clarita together for quality times and future relationships!

Again thanks to everyone for the support!

Cinco de Mayo Special!!!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!! I usually forget that today is something of an American Holiday...well, cause the actual independence of Mexico isn't until September...but I digress. Sorry the history buff in me just flipped the switch. Back to your regularly schedule post...

First, Rachel and I will be at Mojito's tonight to celebrate the holiday and have our usual Girls Night Out. So if you're interested in meeting the crew and grabbing some Happy Hour specials please join us around 6.30pm. We'd be happy to answer questions or even take event ideas down so we can plan something for the masses.

And finally....

Since we all love to celebrate please enjoy this special coupon offer good through the end of the week. Click on the link below and follow the registration sign-up prompts from the lovely Event Brite!

Cinco de Mayo Savings!!
http://bit.ly/cmlwpi

This isn't a date...

Most of my awkward date stories come from the online experience, so here we go again. On the same dating site I met Film Major I met "Rod". Now Rod was super eager to meet me, which was flattering but probably a red flag in retrospect.

We met for coffee which allowed for either an easy out or an extension of the date. Walking up, Rod was definately not what I expected. The second we sat down he started asking um...personal questions. Long story turned blog-post: Rod was a "director" in the adult film industry. Yes. Adult film industry.

Now I have no issues with adult entertainment, but it slowly dawned on me that I wasn't on a date. I was on a casting call. After chugging my coffee I excused myself, he expressed disappointment that we didn't "seal the deal". Seriously? Ugh. What a waste of time that could have been avoided speeddating. Three minutes would have been enough!

Organic is Better!!

Organic. A word we here everywhere now. It's all about organic foods and health products to keep the human race moving towards a happy and healthy lifestyle. Right? Well what about dating? While on-line dating can offer tons of amusement on your lunch break or on those days when you just really will go out with just about anyone, should you really settle for anything? When meeting someone on-line there's the whole build up as to whether the person really is who they represented themselves to be in their profile.

So, why not meet organically?

Most recenlty, I met someone in a theme park. Check out the details here. It's great to see what you're getting upfront. To know you're attracted to each other right off the bat and that there is the desire to keep moving forward with the whole process. The whole butterflies in the tummy thing is magical.

I've done some research and found that there are tons of ways in other cities to get out and meet young professionals who are looking for true love. However in the Santa Clarita Valley there are very few ways to get out and meet like-minded folks.

Here at Three Minutes in Heaven we are trying to plan exciting and Organic ways for singles to meet, so share your ideas! How would you like to meet someone? Where would be an ideal place in your comfort zone?

Or check out our first big event!! Speed Dating is a wicked cool way to meet local singles and get practice first dating!!!

COUPON: $5.00 OFF!

With this $5.00 off coupon you can get your registration for $25.00! The $25.00 includes dinner and a chance to mix and meet with other singles in the Santa Clarita Valley. Sign up now since this offer expires Friday at 3pm!

The Disappointing Date

First dates are a mix of excitement and anxiety for me. I love meeting new people and talking, but that first date seems to create a different energy. Many years ago when I was still involved in the online dating scene, I met Film Major. Film Major had contacted me on this dating site and he looked cute enough in his profile so I replied back. Soon we were talking about Film and "the industry" and a bunch of other things that made me really want to meet him.

Flash forward a couple of weeks and we had set up a dinner meeting at a restaurant known for it's wide variety of food and speciality dessert. As always, I arrived early and waited outside. I didn't recognize Film Major when he walked up, and even worse he was significantly shorter than what his pictures and profiles implied. I've dated guys close to my height and it's not a big deal. While I thought he was taller, I hadn't asked and couldn't remember what was written on his profile.

We sit down to dinner (he had made reservations point for him) and start talking before ordering. I find out that while he used to go to school up in Santa Barbara that he is now living at him with his parents in the dreaded "valley". The waiter comes and we both order, and I am already dreading the next hour I am spending with Film Major. He is continually name dropping throughout dinner since he used to work on music videos and the entire conversation is boring and ridiculous. He keeps talking about himself and "his art" while trying to name drop and impress me. As the food comes and we eat I do my best to finish as quickly as possible in order to get out. Not only could I not remember about his height disclosure, but much of the conversation was the complete opposite of what had been represented to me online.

There is nothing worse than a horrific first date. Film Major did end up paying for the meal. I gave him a cheek when he tried to kiss me and he hit on my friend two weeks later. That said, speed dating could have avoided this disaster. I would have been able to see what Film Major looked like and known what he was about. Even at the worst the date would have been over in 3 minutes and he wouldn't have had all my contact information.

Make or Break: 2nd Date Notions to Ponder

Whilst I've been sick with this terrible sinus thing, I've been watching tons of TV on my sleepless nights. And one movie I would never have watched were I not agonizing with a towel over my head while inhaling the soothing mist from the vaporizer (hot imagery, I know) caught my attention...I Hate Valentine's Day. While the entire movie was just one of those lame projects that usually makes me cringe, it was her 5-Date concept that got me thinking. If you're looking for love you're going to jet past the 5-Dates and then some, but it was the thought put into the 5-Date concept that has kept me puzzling over the all important 2nd Date!

Once you've had the 1st Date which we all know is filled with jitter and the whole Get-To-Know-You chatter that can either leave you wanting more or running for the door, I think the 2nd Date is really the Make or Break Moment. The 2nd Date should really be about sharing an experience together. Finding an activity that as a pair (not couple) you can experience and enjoy and then gauge relationship potential based on how you interact in those moments.

So I polled the office...okay, just me and Rachel...to see what awesome 2nd Date ideas we could come up with. What would make for a great activity and also show the potential for lovin'? It should be something fun but that the both of you would enjoy...

1. Mini-golf...make it Black Light and I'm yours! No, but seriously...this is a great way to keep convo flowing, while checking out sportsmanship (aka does He/She play fair).
2. Bowling...Okay, I've been on a few bowling dates and this can either go terribly wrong or be awesome! My last great bowling date was with a guy who spent the night helping me not criticizing me or making me feel lame for lack of skill. It was cute and sweet and there was Beer.
3. Santa Monica Pier (if you're a LA Local) or something Carni-esque...Think games, rides and just being a little mellow. Don't go all out with like D-Land or the Mountain, but something where you can show a competitive streak and still laugh at yourself.
4. Museums...If you're an LA Local (and I'm sure elsewhere)...there's the Getty (free after 5pm on Saturdays), LACMA (summer Jazz in the evening and other cool stuff), NHMLA (First Fridays and MORE!!) I could go on...Message me if you need more!
5. Hiking...in the LA Mountains there are tons of trails to pick from! Check for locations here and here.
6. Comedy Club...everyone loves to laugh, right? Someone do this and tell me how it is? Thanks.
7. Sporty Stuff...like Tennis, Golf, Bating Cages and whatever your little sporty heart desires. If you're sporty or the person you're trying to date is into a certain sporty thing-a-ma-gig then why not embrace it and try it out? Word.
8. Wine Tasting...But stick to Patti's Rules, TWO drink MAX!! While you want to enjoy a good glass of Vino make sure you stick to getting to know your Date.
9. Cooking Class...I would love to do this with someone! *hint-hint*. Fun and easy way to see what your Date's skills are in the kitchen and if the meal sucks it's both of your faults. Woot!
10. Picnic...Now this one is great. You can incorporate a hike or a bike ride or for those who still do it maybe roller blading (I didn't even know this still existed aside from Venice Beach). I personally love a picnic at Sunset by the Beach (*wink-wink*, get it Sunset).

Bottom line? Every one should enjoy the adventure at hand. Don't make one-sided plans based on what one person likes and expect the other person to say, tie themselves to the train tracks and enjoy it...it might not be there thing, so save that for after the 6th date when bringing out the scary might be more okay.

Either way it's a chance to share something wicked cool and have a good time getting to know someone.

Much Luck!

Deanna Leigh.



Questions?! Suggestions? Just email us...3minutesinHeaven@gmail.com