Well, it's almost two years since I last added to my website. A long two years. I now have an Associates Degree in Automotive Technology. I went through advanced training with Audi of America after getting my degree, now I'm flying to Detroit to talk to a dealership about an opening they have. But this story is about my journey so far, not what's next.

I moved to Phoenix to go to school, shortly after I had gotten too close to a friend. I vowed I would not put myself in that same situation again for the rest of my life. I recently broke my promise to myself.

The first place I moved into wasn't in the greatest neighborhood. Tweakers, shady dealers, and all the stereotypical ghetto images were in this neighborhood. My truck was broken into, my bookbag stolen. I was almost jumped, the asshole was running full speed at me, until I turned and went into stance. He stopped dead in his tracks, turned and ran the other way.

I graduated from school, then moved to a better neighborhood. We looked at this place, and liked it. Price, location and the people were all what we wanted. We had no idea that the apartment we looked at would be the one me moved into. When we were going up the stairs to check it out, one of our future neighbors was running down the stairs in her bikini. We both had the same reaction, "Sweet!". A cute neighbor. We later find out there are TWO cute neighbors. I, being a hopeless romantic, start to fall for the second neighbor we met.

On the week of Valentine's Day, I found out that her favorite movie is "The Breakfast Club", one of the "Brat-Pack" movies. I went out the next day and bought all the "Brat-Pack" movies. I left all but her favorite on her pillow, along with a red rose. Then on Valentine's Day I give her the last one, two cards and used flower petals to make a trail to her bed from the door and covered her bed in the petals. She was shocked, but shot me down. No big losses there. I took a shot at it, rather than letting another opportuninty pass me by.

We still hung out as friends; going out to eat, renting movies, etc. I still hoped there was a chance for a relationship. I finally was frustrated enough to give up on the whole thing. I was moving to Detroit for at least three years. It would be pointless to start anything now. That is when she changed her mind. She decided that it would be okay to become intimate. But to my dissatisfaction, it was another "no-strings" situation.

I promised myself never again, it hurt too much the first time. I handled the situation poorly again. I was already too emotionally attached to her to start something like this. She wanted a repeated one night stand, I wanted a more involved relationship. She got what she wanted, and I could freely act out my feelings toward her, without having to feel awkward.

Her birthday recently passed and I wanted to get her something special. I thought for about a week on what to get her. I finally thought about how she said she didn't have a dress. Hmmm, THAT'S IT! I'll get her a nice dress that she can go out to a nice resturant in. Wait, She'll need shoes to match a burgandy dress. So I buy shoes too. I have them shipped to her. I wait a few days and check the order status. It says the dress was delivered. I call her, no answer. I start getting ready for work then my phone rings. She called back, I asked if her present arrived, she confirms. I haven't heard from her since then, a week ago. All the while I've been listening to "Tradewinds" by Pepper. The lyrics hit real close to home.

I guess that I put too much thought into this. I can't get a hold of her roommate either. Neither are calling me back like they normally would. I guess it's over now. No, it was over before I moved to Detroit. I lost another fight with love.