how I hooked your mother

it was the first time in a while that I watched How I Met Your Mother last night.  I love that show.  but the opening theme song still brings back forgotten memories of the ex.. but who cares.. shes long gone.....

last nights episode was about people on "the hook."  if you were knowingly leading someone on, who you aren't interested in, you've got him or her on the hook.  or if you're really into someone and you give them all the attention in the world, but they don't want to make things official, you might be on the hook.  but I guess the moral of the story was that even though having "that" person around boosted your ego and always provided for good company, in the long run, you're better off saving that person the heartache by being honest, with yourself, and with that other person.

so it got me thinking of every girl that I've ever dated (which isn't many, by the way) and I wondered what it was that hooked the girl in to begin with.  was it my swagger?  my awesomely good looks?  my charm?  or my unusually gianormous ego?

at some point in our lives, we've all hooked someone.  but on the flip side, we've all been hooked.  but what I'm wondering is... which is worse?  being hooked?  or not?

I was going through my iPod playlists the other day and realized how many different categories of playlists I have... with some of the songs being on multiple playlists.  but each playlist belonged to a different chapter in my life, or more specifically, a different girl I was hooked on.  here's just a few of those...


iPod Playlists

Back to the First Future
Friday the 13th
Jay with two eyes
Livpants Groupie
Rhythm and Blue Hair
Virtual Date


(ha I just realized that putting them in chronological order also put the playlists in alphabetical order too.  weird.)


I'll be the first to admit.  I kinda like being on the hook.  now, there's a very fine line between being on the hook and being used.  Being used sucks.  But being on the hook keeps you distracted enough that whenever that person comes around, all your worries and problems seem to wash away in their wake.  ..like you have that extra boost of motivation to be a better person for someone who isn't even looking in your direction (not that this is very healthy either.  you shouldn't be doing anything for anyone, except for yourself).

but the point I'm trying to make is that you come to appreciate life a little bit more.  Those few minutes you have to talk to her might be just enough to push out all the stress of life to focus on your goal at hand.  you may be teetering back and forth on whether you should actually take the time to go the gym, and she could be the one who gets you to get your lazy ass off the couch and go.


sometimes you have completely selfish reasons for being on the hook.  maybe you simply want to make her day and see her smile, without giving her the obligation of returning the favor.  sometimes you just want to give all your attention to someone because it makes you feel great knowing that they don't have anyone else to turn to but you.  and some of you are probably wondering what the hell I'm smoking that I'm actually living my life willing like this.


but the rewards do go both ways.  you have to know how and when to recognize it, and how to keep control over it.  we're talking about being on the hook, not falling in love.  no obessions allowed, no obligations, no LOVE allowed, and may just find something to keep you entertained, motivated or distracted.


hey, life is boring without at least a little chaos.