Big Brothers and Big Sisters is doing a 'big' push here in Kansas City to try and get more adult males involved with the program. A few months ago I started inquiring about the program but I was nervous. What if I don't have the time? What if he doesn't like me? Is the parent going to be difficult? I finally pulled the trigger and signed up for it. I went through the interview process and was given three profiles to choose from. One jumped out at me because his personality seemed very much in line with my own.

A little over a month ago I met Robert for the first time. I was so nervous about the whole situation. He immediately gave me a hug when i walked in the door. I like that about him, always willing to make new friends and he cares about people. We signed all the paperwork and then I took him to the plaza for some ice cream. I could tell he was trying to figure me out because he kept asking me about how I felt about the situation. It didn't click for me why I had done this until we started walking back to my car. I started telling him a little about myself and I made a hand gesture as we walked along the sidewalk—he immediately took it as a sign i wanted to hold hands and he clenched onto it. At that moment I realized that this little guy wanted nothing more in the world then to be with me, right there, at that moment. He needed someone he could grab onto. Since that first awakening we've played Rock Band together, basketball, painted and cooked. Our favorite was cooking- we made a pizza from scratch. Robert wants to be a chef and i believe he has talent... the pizza was delicious and it's awesome to see that little guy being so passionate about something he loves to do.

If you're thinking about being a 'big' please do it. THese kids need you and guess what? you'll need them too. These kids usually come from single parent homes and I know the parent needs a break every once and awhile. I've always believed that if you give back then the world will become a much better place for it. 

I love this Ralph Lauren Rugby fall line. I love everything about it. I'm going to by some and go broke. If I saw a girl wearing these fashionable outfits... I would ask her to marry me on the spot. That's how much I love fashion. Check the video out and you'll see what I'm talking about. As a note... we tend to look down on popped collars, I to look down on the popped collar. However, understand your trends. The popped collar originated with the Tennis shirt as a functional thing to do to keep the sun off the back of your neck. The function of the upturned collar was the further used in polo and rugby. The collars were upturned for function not fashion. Somehow that fad was brought back in the early part of the millennium and the reasoning lost. http://www.rugby.com/ Wear it like you breathe it.

I wanted to pose this question to readers because I'm starting to see a disturbing trend amongst the female population of Kansas CIty. I'm not generalizing here but based on my experiences these scenarios in question have started to become a lot more commonplace. I love the night-life of Kansas City but lately I've gotten to a point of frustration. It seems that I can no longer go out without getting prodded, poked, crotch/ass grabbed, felt up and kissed by strangers (women). I have friends that do it and that is okay with me because I know it's all in good fun and I know them. However, with strangers that's a big no no to do that stuff without my permission. I don't know you and I don't know where you've been.

Lets face it, women nowadays are much more aggressive and that's fine it just makes it harder for an old school, I want to court you and take things slow kinda guy like me. I accept the social and cultural changes but we all know that it would be inappropriate for a strange man to reach out and grab a woman's breasts. I know this happens, I'm just saying it's not widely accepted amongst society. Why should my crotch be any different? Should I just take it like a man and act like a stud while I'm secretly coughing and asking for ice to cool down my testicles after a drunken death grip grab. What crosses the line? What should I do in this case? Should I let some things go and let some happen? 

There's a place on 39th, maybe you've heard of it or maybe you haven't. I've been there several times now. You can often catch me sitting alone, watching my wine as the aroma swirls to the brim. If I seem to be entranced it's because I am. I've been taken over by the music the piano man intricately weaved into my head. He's singing "ain't no sunshine when she's gone..." and it sinks into my brain and I daydream of things to come. I'm in love with this place because the music brings out the best in me. However, I'm single and that's what I enjoy when I'm alone.

The restaurant gets even better when you're trying to swoon a potential lover. I see them because I'm a people watcher as well. Both nervous, he's trying to show assertiveness and control but all he can think about is this the night for the first kiss or first... She desperately wants to be interesting and attractive. She finds him charming that he's just a little bit clumsy because he just accidently knock dropped his knife onto his lap. They are a good match and the atmosphere plays to it. The piano man notices the new couple and starts to paint a romantic scene with the music. His voice, deep, soulful and smooth, it softens the mood.

In the other corner is several small plates filled with delicious beef tips and bruschetta. It's obvious that this couple are very comfortable with each other and have probably been together for a couple of years now. This is the piano man's target market. The couple that can't really fill an evening entertaining each other, they are in love and want someone to entertain them for the duration of the night. Gradually as the night goes on they select different cocktails, laugh with each other, and frequent the piano to request specific songs that get them in the mood. They always leave with a smile... and so does he, the piano man.

Here's my quick analysis of Power and Light and all it has to offer. These are in no particular order.

1. The Live Block: Slowly becoming my favorite place to hang out. There is plenty of space and plenty of opportunities to get drinks. It doesn't get very crowded, at least not like the clubs. The summer air can be refreshing and the people watching can be addictive.

2. Angels Rock Bar: Can be your best time at P&L. You can go up tot the DJ boothe and request music which is cool. Try to get Bottle service on busy nights it's probably the most worthwhile out of all the clubs. Be weary though, people can get really out of control and fights seem to be routine there.

Last Friday the Bloom Party took over the KC Live block at The Power and Light District. The event was put on as a fundraiser for Kansas City's free health clinic. VML was one of the companies to help support this event so I was more than happy to attend. This event so far was the party of the year! Amazing food provided by some of the Power and Lights featured restaurants and you can't go wrong with free drinks. I love theme parties and Bloom's was hot, white or bright. I chose white and I set out to be an example of how to "own" a party like this. I got rave reviews on my white suit and I was out to impress. However, I was upstaged yet again by the talented and always charming Daniela. Her energy is only matched by her elegance and she was working it. The cover band playing the event needed a volunteer, my friend and I was able to help them single out Daniela. It didn't take her but two seconds to get up on stage and within minutes she had everyone laughing at her miscues and hilarious noises... I believe the noises were supposed to be the trumpet parts of "Ring of Fire" but who knows? The crowd loved her and that is truly how you "own" bloom. We shut the party down but decided to stick around and finish the night, white suit and all. Apparently, the forty and over crowd couldn't get enough of the white and it didn't help that they all just went and saw the Sex and the City premier. Those women are just downright aggressive. Bloom is one of the greatest parties you could attend all year and proceeds go to a good cause. I hope to see everyone out there next year. Maybe, everyone will get a chance to check out Daniela perform again!

Oh yeah, and did I forget to mention Bloom had a crazy performance art intermission where several costumed figures released giant sperm up towards the Live block's roof. We caught one of those sperm and lets say it was interesting the pictures we got with it.

Ah yes, I'm in this weeks INK on page 72 in the office spaces section. I find it really thrilling. I'd like to think that all the hard work I put into making my office somewhat habitable paid off. I'm also extremely vain so I love to see my cute face in print. Not really, I take horrible pictures which is also why I don't smile in them. I think other people get more of a kick out of it then I do. I'm not going to lie though, it feels pretty damn cool. If you see me out and about please feel free to say hi! I love meeting new people. INK you're doing an awesome job seperating yourself from the competition by letting users and kansas cityans generate the cool content.

Throw away those god awful affliction tees or those trashy muffin top blouses. K.C., do yourself a favor and show that you can keep up with the coasts. Head over to the new spot to be G.Q. in K.C. and that is Briarcliff Village. Did you know you can actually get hand made, custom tailored shirts and pants that fit your proportions? Men, go to Moda Domani www.modadomani.com Women, look for Nolte's Collection and more. Seriously, sometimes I'm embarrassed at the guys and girls that run around K.C. that even mess up on the basics of how to dress. I have nothing to do with these shops but I love fashion and these shops have that. Be expected to pay some money though, looking and feeling good doesn't come cheap. http://www.briarcliffvillagekc.com/shopping/shopping_directory.html

Is it Blasphemy to date or marry someone from a rival school? Especially, two schools so rooted in dislike for one another it reaches back to the civil war? Actually, my opinion is that those rival relationships on the neutral ground of K.C. could potentially be the strongest relationships. Why you ask? Competition is a huge factor in the success and failure of a relationship. We all feel the need to be pushed by our partner to reach certain goals so we can be happy. This is usually done so through financial gains, social success, and even sex. Everything is game for becoming a competitive driver to make our partners better. However, this is sometimes the downfall of a lot of relationships because we fail if our partner does not reach the goals we set for them. Men and women win through the achievements of the other, that's why you have to have goals to push yourself and your partner. How does this translate to the MU & KU couple... easy. The couples rivalry translates to a deep rooted loathing for the other that can only make everything else seem minor. Also, they can obtain other goals or not with less scrutiny. A house divided can also be a sexually fulfilling house. Based on friends I've spoken to, I hear that frustrations can often be taken out on your oppenent in the bedroom (amazingly, this is what I've heard from women). Cheers to those couples with a house divided, it used to make me nauseous, now it just makes me jealous. 

If anyone could convince me either way or give me suggestions it would be appreciated. I'm debating whether to go to Lawrence for the KU game tonight. Is the Power and Light District going to show it in the courtyard? This is a conundrum alright. I want to go to Lawrence really bad but i can't deal with a loss like 2003. What to do?