"After the Brains" and internet dating

First, a hide update: After the hide soaked in the Rose brand canned pork brains over night, it was time to work it hard so it would soften. The goal of working it hard is to break down all of the little fibers that create a strong network and make the hide tough and stiff. I read that it is best to work the hide post brains but before it's dry again. So for 5 solid hours, as the hide was drying, I worked it hard, stretching it in all directions, rubbing it vigorously over a piece of rope I had tied up, and scraping it with the abrasive edge of a shell. I worked continuously until the whole thing was dry and my hands were so sore and tired I couldn't do it any more. The result was a beautiful, white, soft piece of buckskin. The only problem is that some of the areas still have stiffness inside even though they are soft to the touch, so I think I'm going to have to soak it again and work it some more. It's amazing how much work it is taking. If I can borrow a camara, I'll post a picture of the hide.
Next, a little weird story about internet dating that I think falls under the same title of "After the Brains..." MMC5th and I were eating brunch at the Stony Knob Cafe in Weaverville last Sunday, and I noticed the lady at the table next to us because of a beautiful purple shawl she was wearing. Well, then I noticed that she was talking very loudly to the man she was with. First I heard her ask the men his last name, and then I heard her talk in a disconcertingly loud voice about what she is looking for in a relationship. I deduced that she was on an internet first date, and I asked our nice waitress to see if she could discretely confirm my suspicions. She did. MMC5th and I enjoyed our delicious meal eavsdropping and speculating about the weirdness of internet dating. Then it was over and everyone left.
But that's not the end of the story. MMC5th and I went to his house for a little while, and then we decided to go grocery shopping at Greenlife (in Asheville). While shopping, I went up to use the bathroom, and when I came out, I saw MMC5th running across the store towards me flailing is arms in excitement (not his typical in public behavior at all). When he reached me, he quickly conveyed to me the source of his excitement. He had just spotted the same lady in the purple shawl from the restaurant- with a different man! He had seen her in the produce section, so we headed over there, but she was gone. We looked around the whole store (which was, of course, very crowded) but could not find her. Disappointed, we checked out and left. As we were driving out of the parking lot, MMC5th took one final glance at the store and saw the lady in the purple shawl sitting with the different man at a table in the dining area! And there was one free table in the whole crowded place- right next to her!!! "Stop the car!" MMC5th shouted, and he jumped out, ran in, and claimed the free table. I parked in the nearest parking spot (the Mothers to Be reserved parking, God forgive me), and ran in to join him. What we witnessed just blew our minds. This lady was on a different internet blind date, and she was talking to this different bozo in the same loud voice about relationships and personal business. I couldn't believe it. The man was talking about eharmony.com, and he said that the only things he looks for to rule out in a profile are nascar and smoking. I was trying not to laugh my head off. He wrapped up the very short power date by saying to the lady in purple, " Well, I'm gonna be heading back to Raleigh today, so if you decide you want to see me again, just let me know. And if you decide you don't want to see me again, that's OK too."

I wanted to follow the lady in purple to the next stop in her methodical journey to meet a life partner- the next of her Sunday crossroads where the virtual meets the tangible, but I thought that would be stalking. And plus, I had a hide to tan.