02/02/2010 - There's just something about the woman that makes my heart go haywire. She's gonna be my wife.

Everyone asked for it, so here it is. Our Love story. A perfect love story.

On December 19th (yes sweetie you were right. UGH what am I going to do married to someone who is right more than I AM!!!) I met this incredible woman who I instantly clicked with. We have talked every day since. Hours and hours go by and they hardly seem like minutes, missing her immensely when we cannot have our talks or SMSes.

We met on facebook oddly enough due to someone adding me as a friend a year ago by mistake. Ozge saw me on this person's page and for some reason felt compelled to add me as a friend. As soon as I saw her I had to get to know her. She was drop dead gorgeous. As I said, instantly I knew this woman was special and we grew closer over the next couple weeks until we had to meet. And on January 14th I flew to Istanbul to meet my future wife. We already knew we were in love and after seeing her at the airport, there was no going back.

We spent that entire weekend in absolute bliss. It was the best weekend of my life and when it was time to be over, I nearly did not leave. Seeing her cry was gut wrenching and I almost lost it myself. And from that moment on I knew I could not ever leave her again. I could not live without this woman. No doubts, no reservations. Just the feeling that I need her.

The next few weeks we planned our next trip, on Feb. 5th. I was so excited to see her again. We talked hours every night and using web cams helped too. But it just wasn't enough. I knew seeing her again only to have to leave was going to kill me inside yet again. I could not go with that thought in my head. So I bought a ring. With that ring I knew I would change our lives and we would make a promise to each other that the good byes would go away.

Little did I know that Ozge had the same idea. When I hinted I was bringing her a surprise she knew instantly it was a ring. Of course I tried to convince her it wasn't. and I had thought I did a pretty good job. Until i landed and we were together at the cafe talking about things. In turkey it is customary to buy the wedding rings for the engagement, which I did not know!! My plan was to ask her parents for permission, then give her the ring. But Noooooo, miss always right wanted to get the wedding bands before going home and talking to her parents as is the custom. And when I said no we couldn't as I still had to give her the surprise, her reply was "Cuz it's a ring". Such an adorable brat.

So I had to give in and tell her yes, it was a ring. Then we went and picked out our wedding bands. And let me tell you something about this woman. She could have picked any wedding band and I would have bought it. But she doesn't care. She only cares about ME and US. She picked out the most plain, elegant rings she could find that barely cost any money. And her face LIT UP. The smile she had when she found them, well I will never forget it. We had them inscribed both with "Forever" and left hand in hand, so excited!!

When we got home I talked to her parents and brother to make sure they were OK with us getting married and if they had any questions. We both wished my mom could have been there too, but unfortunately with this being a multiple continent engagement, that was impossible. Her family said yes and I got down on one knee and gave her the surprise she had already guessed a week before. The night was spent celebrating, having a ring ceremony, cutting a cream cake with a gigantic samaurai sword and eating delicious Turkish food. Her family welcomed me with open arms and are just incredible. And I cannot wait for my family to meet this perfect woman.

While Ozge and I had to say goodbye again, this time we know our future. We know we will be together forever in the long run and while it was still incredibly difficult to say goodbye, we know it's temporary. And I cannot wait until this incredible person is my wife.

02/02/2010 - I'm gonna make you this promise, if there is life after this, I'll be waiting to meet you with a warm, wet kiss

So yesterday Is aw an Albino AND a midget on the same day. I mean. What are the odds? I don't know what the birthing odds are having midgets and albinos, but I bet they are pretty rare. And then to combine THOSE odds with the world population and seeing both in one day. It has to be astronomical. Just HAS to be.

Last night I realized this job is really starting to wear me down when I spent 5 minutes looking for my iPod shuffle and headphones. Only to realize I WAS ALREADY WEARING THEM. How retarded is that???

Ozge and I have been chatting over web cams now and I realize, how did people back in the early 1900's do it during the wars? I mean these people went MONTHS and YEARS not seeing their husbands and wives, boyfriends and girlfriends and we can barely go an hour without seeing each other or talking to each other.

01/30/2010 - I'll earn your trust making memories of US

Ladies and Gentleman, I have a VERY special treat for you today. For the first time EVER in dredddonline history we have a GUEST blogger. She will be making a regular appearance on dreddonline from now on!!! So, I give you, My Ozge!

OZGE:

This is David's another trip to Turkey. this one is sooooo special for US. coz I will introuduce him to my all family and friends. I cant wait to introuduce this PERFECT man to them... they already love my David ! we will go to a wedding of my good friend. this will be a good experience for us.and Im sure that we will have so much fun. I will take him to eat Döner (shwarma) and Adana Kebap. On friday night, we will all have a big dinner together and eat Pide. he likes it. I cant wait to be with my David and family and friends. that means so much to me. I never felt like this before. and I want my family and friends to know that HE IS THE ONLY ONE SPECIAL MAN to me !!!! and Im looking forward to see our "crazy" pics.... hope you have a great weekend too...

01/29/2010 - Let me lay my holy hand upon you

So one week from today I am going to ANKARA to see my Ozge!! It's only a 3 day trip but it's a very special one! We are going to a wedding together and I am meeting all her friends and family!!! Very exciting for us. Oh I cannot wait for her to meet MY friends and family. I have never felt like this before. It's absolutely incredible.

This F-ing project I am on is almost over. I cannot wait for this phase to end. We learned a lot from this one as a company. And I learned a lot PERSONALLY as well. Need to see what is next for me. Lots of options!!!

The weather here is incredible at this time of year. It's just amazing. It's really only bad here for 3 months a year and to be honest, the summers here are more tolerable than the winters in Ohio. Yeah it's really hot, but the winters in Ohio just DESTROY shit. Trees, roofs, gutters, cars, it's just a money pit!! I will never buy a house in a place that snows again. Condos or apartments only. It's just not worth it. Whatever you pay just add another $5,000 a year for SNOW.

01/23/2010 - I SEE you

So Ozge and I went and saw Avatar when we were in Istanbul. Very good movie. And we saw it in 3-D and well I'm just not convinced. I'm not convinced 3-D is just that great and truly changes movie watching. Yes it's cool, but having to wear a stupid pair of glasses for 3 hours is a bit uncomfortable. I don't think it makes it THAT much better. There is a company that is creating layers WITHIN the screens for 3-D that will be much better I think.

I also saw previews for the new "black" Karate Kid. You know we had the white kid, then the girl and now the black kid. So who know what other iterations we'll get. Kinda dumb if you ask me. Plus Will Smith's son play the "kid" and he's like 10. That is way too young. I mean it doesn't have the same effect watching a bunch of little kids fighting as it does teenagers on the verge of maturity. This just completely takes away from it all.

I'm trying to plan another trip to Turkey next month. This time to Ankara. I will let you know how that planning goes!!! Exciting stuff!!! I met her mom last time I was there and this time I get to meet most of her family and some of her friends! WOO HOO!!! Or... BOO MOO!!!!

01/17/2010 - She's got whatever IT is. It blows me AWAY!

So I am back from Istanbul! Which makes me sad. I finally met in person Ozge and it was everything I hoped it could be and so much more. For those that read my blog you know I don't generally gush over the girls I date on here. I usually just use subtle hints and general references. But this is different. With Ozge I'm not worried about jinxing it or talking about it only to have it shatter to pieces. With her, it's perfect. I have never met a woman like her. So confident, intelligent and beautiful. So silly and crazy and fun. So loving and caring and sweet. I can't really put into words how incredible the past 4 days have been. I just know I want all my friends and family to meet this woman and know how happy she makes me...

I can tell you about Istanbul though. It's such a neat place. Different than anywhere I have been. You have cafes EVERYWHERE. And everything is OLD. Like everywhere I have been you usually have old mixed with new. But here, everything is generally older and made to fit with the new. Old mansions turned into hotels, old buildings turned into internet cafes. The city is built with ruins and castles integrated with the day to day happenings. It's quite unique. I saw that a bit in Lebanon, but there they built the new around the old, while here they have kept the old and just re-used it. And everyone is EXTREMELY nice. Can't count the number of times Ozge just went up to complete strangers asking for directions or to take our picture. It was insane!!! I will say, I would have been lost without her. They do not speak much English there, so unless you know Turkish or French, it would be tough to visit without a guide.

Lots of pictures up on facebook! I will try and get some up on here too!

01/10/2010 - Forever isn't long at all, when I'm with you

Well 10 days into the new year and I'm still working too much! I played basketball for the first time in a year and a half yesterday for like 3 hours. Outside. In January. Never thought I could say THAT!!! I was a bit sore afterwards too but not too bad other than my feet looking like they went through a meat grinder. Damn blisters. I figured my shoes were broken in by now. Guess not.

The weather here is absolutely amazing right now. Wish I could be outdoors to enjoy it more often. Ah well. I get 4 days off at the end of this week!!! I'm going to Turkey!!! So excited!!!! Can't wait to write my blog after that trip!!!

12/31/2009 - This time, I wonder what it feels like To find the one in this life, the one we all dream of

This decade began in the basement of my Mom's house with my soon to be wife and two great friends, Mike and Allison. It was the year 2000 and my entire life was ahead of me. We didn't want to risk the madness of the Y2K "disaster" so we opted for an easy night in. Soon I would graduate from college and a great new job awaited me working for National City Bank. In February I would get engaged. Everything I had ever dreamed of was coming true. And looking back that wasn't necessarily a good thing. Stay with me here.

In 2001 my entire life would change. In February, at the age of 22, I bought a house. I didn't get help from family, this wasn't a hand out or anything like that. I worked for this. At one point in college I had 3 jobs. So this was a huge deal for me, almost a reward for working hard. Buying a house makes you grow up QUICKLY. The paper work, the bills, everything you have to do just forces you to have responsibility. Soon after my puppy Ghost came into my life, who we all know I love dearly. And it kills me she is at home suffering from cancer right now and I'm stuck over here. But that is another story. Again, responsibility came knocking at my door. Having a dog is like having half a kid!!! But there isn't anything that I wouldn't do for that dog.

In September of 2001 I would get married. The third measure of growing up thrust on me that year. I was 23, I had a great job, was married, and owned a house. Everything I had ever wanted, I had accomplished. And I was 23. You don't even know WHAT you want at 23 and I already thought I had everything. It's an awful feeling, and I mean this, an awful feeling to wake up one day and not know what's left for you. To feel as if everything is already done. Life is not supposed to be that way. Life is supposed to be challenging and rewarding and exciting!

Over the next few years I spent my life advancing my career and doing a bit of traveling. I was out seeing the world, which I loved. But still, every day, I felt as if something was missing. I didn't feel loved, I didn't feel excited, I didn't really feel...anything. Now don't get me wrong, I knew my wife loved me. I had no doubts. It was just the way she loved me that made me feel like I was missing something. That is also another story. But as the years went on, my life felt like it wasn't going anywhere. I had the same life at 26 that I did when I was 23. Same at 27. And at 28 I realized I couldn't do that anymore. Life was passing me by and it was time to make a choice. Let it, or grab onto it.

In September of 2006 my wife and I seperated after 5 years of marriage and 9 years together. She was the only person I had ever been with in every way, shape and form. By February of 2007 I was divorced. STOP. Do we seem a theme here? Every major event in my life happens in February. Weird. OK back to the story. It was sad and awful and the hardest decision I have ever made in my life. Always will be. But it was the right decision and the right thing to do. I did it as much for her as I did myself. She deserved to find someone that could live the kind of life she wanted, not me, who would be settling for it. And so I left. And life began again.

Soon after divorcing I would meet some of the most influential people in my life. And I can proudly say that I still talk to all of them! Oddly enough they were all women... Anyhow. Christie and I met and soon became incredible friends. Tina and I dated long distance, California felt like a second home! Then in 2007 I met Jamie when I was leaving my job at National City. Which ended in February. Jamie and I started dating. In February. WTF!! But life was starting over. I had a new job at Key Bank and a new girl. She lived in Columbus and we did the back and forth thing for 5 months. But soon we decided it was time for the next step. After only 6 months I left my job at Key and moved to Columbus. Jamie and I moved in together and I was working for Abercrombie and Fitch. Life was incredible. Exciting. The future was no longer clear. It was challenging again. And I loved it.

Columbus changed everything for me. I met incredible new friends from ColumbusUnderground.com. I became best friends with one of Jamie's best friends, Mr. Jason Powell. I met Erik, my wingman and close friend. Life was great. Unfortunately, things with Jamie didn't work out. In May of 2008 we broke up. We continue to this day to remain very close friends and I can't see that ever changing. And Powell and Erik are still my boys. My columbusunderground friends are like family to me. You kids know who you are. And Columbus is still one of my favorite cities in the world. But in 2009 I would leave.

In August of 2008 I left Abercrombie due to sheer boredom. Great job if you like to stand still. But obviously not me. I started dating a girl in Texas. What is it with me and long distance relationships? And by the end of 2008 Christie and I tried, and failed, at dating. She lives in Alabama BTW. We're still close friends as well :) At the end of last year I was single. I had a new job traveling around the country for my current company and I lived in downtown Columbus. I loved my life. But in FEBRUARY of 2009, my company presented me with a rare opportunity, especially at my age and having been with the company only 7 months. So in April of 2009 I left Columbus, my friends, and my wonderful mother and I moved to Abu Dhabi. I tried another long distance relationship with Kellie and again it didn't go as well as I would have hoped. Maybe I should stop the long distance thing, huh?

So here I am. New Year's Eve of 2009, the end of the decade upon me. I'm thousands of miles from home. I'm yet again single. And I have no idea what the future holds. But now I know what I want. And that's the difference. At the start of this decade my life was rush rush rush. I had goals and I wanted to accomplish them and I did. However, I never took the time to figure out if these were the goals I wanted in life. They were the typical goals everyone has. Now I have new goals and new ideas of life and I understand what makes me happy. 10 years ago, how could I?

Who knows what the future holds now. But I can't wait to find out. And THAT, my friends, is what life should be like.

12/29/2009 - Seems like doomsday's come early this year

So people keep telling me I sound more like an American then anyone they have ever talked to. I kinda take pride in that. And do you know why they say that? Because I have no accent. We north east ohioans have the most clear and precise english accents in the world. Or something.

Almost time for this decade to come to an end! I'm going to do a full decade in review! That will be fun. I'm spending New Years Eve at Heroes in Abu Dhabi. Should be fun! Live band, buffet, all you can drink until 11. Second year in a row I am single for NYE. I guess that beats fighting with girl friends on NYE, which was what happened the two PREVIOUS NYEs. Save that drama for your MAMA!!!!

The weather here is really nice. Cool, crisp air. With a bit of sand to tickle your throat. I hate fucking sand. It gets in your eyes and dries out your skin and makes everything DIRTY. But it's still better than snow. I mean, 10 inches of snow. 1 inch of snow, not so bad.

12/25/2009 - I will end where I began

So it's Christmas. Over the years I have learned it's a bit depressing to be single at Christmas. It just doesn't seem right to not have someone next to me when I wake up on Christmas morning. I don't EVER feel like that any other day of the year. But for some reason Xmas just seems like one of those days that you should have someone you love next to you when you start your day. Maybe because love is the best gift one can get and give . But that's just me ;)

I hope everyone has a very special Christmas, the last of this decade. I think the next 10 years are going to be VERY interesting for me! And I can't wait to share it with all of you! Enjoy your family, enjoy your friends, be safe and have a wassail or two for me!!! BTW:

Wassail is a drink, but the word somes from the time in England when the Saxon lords and ladies cried out "Was Haile," meaning "Be of good health." So it became the custom in England to drink a toast of "Wassail" or 'health' from a great punch bowl filled with hot ale spiced with nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.

"Wassailing" is going from home to home, singing carols and festive songs. Most home owners would invite the group in for Wassail, mulled wine or cider, or any hot beverage that many would drink to cut the "chill". Wassail can be made with or without alcohol, and it is a traditional beverage of the Christmas holiday season. I had some (non-alcoholic) when I was a kid and hated it! But, obviously someone must like it.

Got a great dinner planned ahead of me at the Shangri La hotel! Should be excellent! Then some kind of street party? I dunno, should be interesting! I miss my friends!! But once again Colin and Mandy to the rescue!!! What would I do without them?

Work has been a beast lately. AND I have been sick. Between those two things I haven't had time for much. But we're closing in on the end of this Phase, thank GAWD!!!! I cannot wait to finish the configuration of the product. Huge goal accomplished. It's hard being the director, technical lead, engineer, analyst and DBA all at the same time on a massive project with the pickiest clients on the EARTH. From everyone I have talked to, the Abu Dhabi government is the HARDEST government entity in the WORLD to work for. Awesome. Just. Awesome.

And Erik, mid to end February would be just fine for you to get your arse over here if you want!!!!

11/23/2009 - Hate Me Today

I still always remember getting divorced every time I hear Blue October's Hate Me. Every time I heard that song during the separation period, and later the final divorce, I always felt like that song was aimed at me. I will always know I did the right thing. I'm living the life I always wanted, and while I haven't found the person to share it with, at least I'm happy. I always want to live my life with no regrets. Live every day like it's my last. To forget about tomorrow and look towards the future. But when I hear that song I will always remember how much I had to hurt someone to get here. That will always make me sad. There are few moments in life people remember vividly. Few times that will always stay in your memory as though they just happened. And telling my ex that I fell out of love will always be one of them. And that song will always make me remember that moment. That song and the Wreckers Leave the Pieces personified my life at the time.

Here in Abu Dhabi it has been an interesting life so far. Being completely alone teaches you a lot about yourself. I have learned it also leads you towards being cynical. Someone told me the other night it seemed like I gave up on finding whatever it is I am trying to find. And that's simply not true. I may have pushed the pause button, sure, but one day I will have that perfect life I always wanted with that perfect person I always dreamed about. And while I know perfection does not exist, MY idea of perfection does. Nothing in life is perfect, but you can make it YOUR perfect. At least that is what I keep telling myself. And until I un-pause it, I'm going to have a hell of a lot of fun!!!