So today, I'm having an issue with males--all ranges of ages, boys, guys, men, all of it. Fair warning: I'm about to get a little personal and I'm kind of nervous about it, but really, nothing gets more personal than your writing so I'll  have to get over it. This complaining about dudes is really dumb, because I'm having a fantastic week. I got into my top two grad school choices, both of which are in the nation's top 10 low-residency writing programs, I found out I get to lifeguard for the Olympic swimming trials and I got a raise at my job--awesome week!
     However, I'm annoyed with my little brother for not responding to any of my texts or calls this week (or ever now that he is a frat boy!); my crush, who I'm pretty sure friend-zoned me; my ex who I'm probably still in love with, but will never be happy with; all the male characters in the book I'm reading for my Latino Literature class and the high school boy character I am writing about in my next manuscript. None of these dudes will be who I want/need them to be! I know it sounds like my character, his name is Cooper, could be easily managed because I am the one creating him, but you get to a point where your characters become real people who can only do what they are willing to do.
     In my Latino Literature class this semester, we have read many stories about women who are victims of male macho-ism, machismo. These women are cheated on, used and abused and in the end blame themselves. Those of us in the class all talk a big talk when we say that we are appalled with this notion, however, as girls, isn't that often what we do?
     I said earlier that I'm pretty dang sure I'm in the friend zone with a current crush, well really if I'm being honest, two current crushes, but one lives so far away I can't count that. Here's what I should have done when I realized this: thought to myself, oh, well his loss. I guess we'll be good friends. What I really thought: What did I do? Did I laugh too loud? Did I have a booger? Was I overstepping with my "that's what she said joke"? I'm probably not cute enough and on and on and on. I sit here over analyzing every conversation we had trying to find out where I went wrong, just like I do any time a relationship or potential relationship doesn't work out.
     That's so stupid! Why am I being so stupid? Obviously, if it doesn't work out, then he's not my perfect match. Nothing lost. Good Lord is it hard to have that kind of mentality. I believe that there is someone for everyone. We've all seen true love or at least read about it. One of the number one rules of writing is to write what you know. Someone must know! I've come across two things that I think every girl who reads and is looking for the Peeta to her Katniss should check out:

http://littlemissdorkette.tumblr.com/post/3118512524/date-a-girl-who-reads-by-rosemarie-urquico

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWwXJT4LA5A

He's out there. Wading through all the d-bags to find him will make him all the more worthwhile.