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Post by The Producers on Apr 20, 2020 14:36:03 GMT
First dates have been completed and they went well for some people and not so well for others. You submitted your list to The Producers of the top 4-5 people that you wanted to see again and The Producers organized dates as accordingly as they could. If there was someone you missed out on, there will be chances in the future.
The second round of dates will be twice as long as the first. You will have 4-5 dates total this round. For the second dates you are given full freedom to use your creative/romantic juices! If you want to provide food for your date, or a game, or basically anything you can think of then please free to do so, The Producers will provide what you need! The only rules are that you have to stay in your own pods. No seeing each other, no touching. So have at it and have fun!
RULES
- Remember to keep physical descriptions out of your conversations.
- Each person gets only 20 posts in this thread!
- Posts are limited to 300 words!
Will your connections grow stronger today or will you cross another name off your list of possibilities? !
This date is for Parker Domino & River Hughes!
What did you do to make this date special? Anything?
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25Age
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Post by Parker Domino on Apr 20, 2020 20:15:49 GMT
Parker had sent River a large bag of sour patch kids and a vending machine size pack of hot cheetos. There was also the lego architecture series of Big Ben, a teapot, small display of crumpets, and and English Breakfast tea. If he couldn't take a lady to England, he'd bring a little bit of England to her.
Parker waited until he heard River enter and put on the best British accent he could muster "Milady, thus begins our tour of London. I have for you Big Ben and on my side is the Tower of London. Tis not the countryside, but tis what Amazon could overnight me."
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Post by River Hughes on Apr 21, 2020 10:54:07 GMT
River gasped when she saw the large stack of items on the side table in the pod. She was soon distracted, however, by the accent Parker had put on, and burst into a fit of giggles.
"Ok, that's fantastic," she told him once she had caught her breath, "I'll have to fix myself a cup of tea while we're talking, now!" There was the sound of wrappers rustling and hot water being poured from a carafe into her paper cup as she spoke.
"But wait, what are the Cheetos for? So I have a good excuse if I start to cry?" She teased.
"Um, it seems a little underwhelming, now, but there's something for you on the side table, too. You might have seen it already..." If Parker checked, he'd find two copies of Pride and Prejudice: the book itself and the 2005 movie. "You mentioned not being Mr. Darcy, yesterday, and I thought you might want to see for yourself that he actually...well if I tell you, it might be spoilers. How can I put it...he's not perfect from the beginning."
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Post by Parker Domino on Apr 21, 2020 15:45:11 GMT
Parker absolutely couldn't keep up the accent and laughed. "I might've been about half a bottle of wine in when I put my request in with production, but if you want to try hot cheetos for any reason, you now have an option," he said with a chuckle. "I figured since we're stuck in pods and I can't take plan a perfect date the way I'd do it, I had to get creative and bring you some England."
"Wow thank you River! Now I'll know where to start some research." There was the sound of Parker rustling about and picking up the items to glance at the back. "Don't worry I don't think that's much of a spoiler, that's typically how Austen likes to write a love interest right? Always a bit surprising. Thought I might be the opposite, all perfect with a bow at the start and then someone realizes I'm a bit mud covered and probably scruffy."
"So tell me about you, t shirt and jeans or dressing up?"
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Post by River Hughes on Apr 22, 2020 1:33:13 GMT
River giggled.
"Only half a bottle? You sure?" she teased. But really, in all seriousness, that's really sweet of you, thank you! I might have to save the legos until someone is able to help me with it, though, because I'm not the best at puzzles. Although, I guess they come with directions, right?"
"Oh, me? Hm... I guess I usually dress up a little? Not too much, but I love sweaters and button-ups. I still wear jeans most of the time--although I have some pairs that are black or other colors so I can get away with wearing them to work. Oops...I probably shouldn't have said that on camera. Sorry, Dana! They're so much more comfortable!" She laughed. "I try to pick nice sweaters and blouses, even a few dresses, and I made myself get rid of my t-shirts from high-school so that I can pretend I'm a professional. I do have a weakness for oversized sweatshirts, though...they're just so cozy..."
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Post by Parker Domino on Apr 22, 2020 2:01:51 GMT
"Huh, so funny enough, I have the exact opposite problem. I'm great at solving puzzles, but total crap at following directions," Parker said with a laugh. There was a clatter sound as Parker dumped his lego set out of the box.
"Your work sounds strict, but it also sounds very you," he said thoughtfully, like he was observing something. "You really can't go wrong with the oversized sweaters, I always say that the comfier the better with bonus points for big pockets. The best part is when you can carry snacks around. And that's the debate:. to snack or not to snack. Because then it's hugability vs smushing the snacks!"
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Post by River Hughes on Apr 22, 2020 23:09:40 GMT
"Mm, hugability is always a priority, if you ask me. I like to get men's ones big enough I can wear them as a dress around the house, with fuzzy socks." River answered without thinking then clapped her hands over her mouth. "Eep! Ohhh please forget I said that. That is so embarrassing."
She was quiet for a moment before she could reply to what he'd said before that. "Um, yes! My work is pretty strict, mainly because there's so much happening in a library that all of it has to be well organized or the whole place would go to heck in a handbasket. So, it makes sense they want us to be just as neat and organized as the rest of the place, I guess. Besides, I like looking cute. It helps, a little, for talking to people. It's nice when I don't have to feel like people are judging me, because I know I look ok."
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Post by Parker Domino on Apr 23, 2020 1:06:12 GMT
"Hmmm good to know," Parker said. "But I want to remember that because I think that's actually... kinda sexy and I don't think anyone at all would complain about that. Plus, I happen to believe that no pants is the comfiest state a person can be."
"You're probably really cute all the time but don't realize it," Parker said with a laugh, "See I always thought it was some kind of magic that libraries always looked all neat and tidy. It must take a super long time to organize that many books, and then always know where stuff is and what books the library might have. Embarrassing fact: when I was a little kid, I was sure our local librarian was an android because it must've been a superpower. Say, if you had a super power, what would it be?"
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Post by River Hughes on Apr 23, 2020 21:44:47 GMT
Sexy?! I--you--that's--aah!" River stammered helplessly at his response, but he kept talking so she didn't interrupt past that.
A superpower? Ok, I can handle that. My answer used to be invisibility, but I'm trying to be more confident and not just hide anymore... so I think I'd want to be able to teleport. That way, I could rescue innocent people from danger, and when I wasn't, like, fighting crime, I would use it to travel. That way I could go do all the stuff I've never been able to. Like, um, visit the coliseum and Alhambra, and walk by the Nile and pretend to be Cleopatra."
"I kinda feel like, though, if I had powers, I'd have a responsibility to help people with them... so maybe that's a little too selfish of a reason?"
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Post by Parker Domino on Apr 23, 2020 22:16:12 GMT
"Selfish? Not at all. I think if you have a super power that helps people, you should do it, but that doesn't mean it should be the only thing you do." Parker said thoughtfully. "I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting to have some fun because it's really hard to make other people happy if you're not happy too. You've got to be able to have experiences in life that are about you. And it's those experiences that lead you to helping people in a way only you can help them."
"I'd want, either a photographic memory or to be able to control the weather. I can make every day sunny or have a cloud in the perfect spot for some shade if I need it, and I'd never have to worry about watering my lawn," he mused. "Hey you agreed to come on a show where you're planning on getting engaged to someone you've literally never seen before. If that's not brave and confident I don't know what is. This is straight up one of the scariest things i've ever done."
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Post by River Hughes on Apr 25, 2020 0:33:13 GMT
"Mmm, you'd think so, wouldn't you? But honestly, part of the reason I wanted to do this is that it set me up for success. If I can't worry about my appearance, or about messing things up physically, or having to go to a bar, if I'm focused on making an emotional connection first, then that seems less scary to me. And now that I made it this far, I can't let myself run away. I can't just fake sick to get out of a date I'm too afraid to go on anymore. Of course, I'm hoping to really connect with someone and be able to get out of the pods with him eventually, but..." She sighed. "For me, appearance just isn't the key. I've been lonely for a long time...so what I'm looking for is more someone who makes me feel...safe? Hmm...Not quite safe. Loved, I guess."
She was silent for a moment.
"Sorry, that got a bit weird. Um...we can talk about something else. How did you end up as a travel writer? Was that what you always saw yourself doing?"
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Post by Parker Domino on Apr 25, 2020 0:58:11 GMT
"Hey, don't worry about it. You're not weird, I really like the pods for a lot of the same reason," Parker said gently.
But now I'm going to entertain you with the story about how Parker Domino started the Parked in Paradise blog," he said with a chuckle. "Actually it's not all that cool of an origin story. I was studying abroad in Japan while I was at architecture school and I just started blogging about it because I really loved everything. We were studying in Tokyo, but my buddies and I would go to all the other cities every weekend we could. I had bought a drone and a camera just for the trip so I was super excited to use it so I started blogging and vlogging." Parker stopped to smile at the memory. "I guess I just never stopped, even when I went back to Cornell, I'd go on weekend trips, spring break, and suddenly there were places the offered to pay me and it just got popular. When I graduated I took a job as an architect at a big firm, but it turns out that designing building structure isn't as fun as exploring them so I quit to blog full time."
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Post by River Hughes on Apr 26, 2020 22:47:11 GMT
"That actually sounds really nice. A passion project that grew into something that could really sustain you...I like it. I wish we actually had the internet here; I'd love to see what you've written. You're so animated when you talk, I feel like reading about your trips and things would help me get to know you even better. Still, I suppose I can't always rely on the written word when I have the real source right in front of me." she laughed.
"How much of your time is spent traveling? Do you just hop from place to place, or do you have a recovery period at home before you go off to do it all over again? If you're married, do you want that person to come on all the trips or would you rather they didn't?" She asked rapidly, then caught herself and laughed. "Sorry, that's a lot at once, isn't it? I guess I'm just fascinated. I lived in the same house for most of my life, and I've never been out of the country, so it just seems...I don't know, part crazy and part magical, to just travel all the time."
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Post by Parker Domino on Apr 27, 2020 21:33:46 GMT
"I promise I will try my very best to be as entertaining as my blog while in person, even without the hours of planning and editing," Parker said in mock seriousness. "Plus if you had the internet you'd have an unfair advantage of knowing everything about me so it would be wayyyyy harder for me to be able to surprise you!"
Parker paused a moment to think, "I just follow where the wind blows. I have a house just outside the city here in San Diego, remodeling it has been a bit of a hobby when I'm home planning. Sometimes I'm super inspired or have a lot of requests so I just hop around for a bit and sometimes I don't have anything better to do so I work on my house. All my flights are one ways because that's cheaper and easier than change fees." he explained.
"My wife can do whatever she wants. Obviously knowing that if she doesn't come with me, I might be away for a while. As long as she doesn't complain the whole time and knows what she's signing up for, it's all good. I mean I don't think anyone who hates traveling would like me in the first place," Parker said with a chuckle. "I just want someone that can adventure through life with me."
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Post by River Hughes on Apr 28, 2020 1:43:05 GMT
"I think I could live with that. Honestly, I prefer a bit more of plan than that, just because uncertainty makes me anxious, but I think if we were together, it would be better. I can't even imagine travelling alone and not having everything planned out like...to the hour. I'd be so afraid I wouldn't be able to get a flight, or I'd get lost, and the locals would hate me for being American and--" she cut herself off. "Wow, sorry, I'm stopping. Anyway, um, yeah. My brain likes to supply the worst case scenario." She laughed awkwardly.
"As far as traveling...If it were me, I think I'd want to go along? Because you're pretty great, and I'd miss you! But I also feel like, I'd need my own project, the same way you're writing. If I was just following you around, and not putting my energy into anything else, I think I'd get kind of depressed. I like the feeling of accomplishment I get from my work, more than anything. I think there are other jobs I could do happily, this is just where my passion for books took me most easily."
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Post by Parker Domino on Apr 28, 2020 3:19:49 GMT
"I can see how it can get scary, but I always remember that there's always another flight out, google translate, and if we're in a place that doesn't like American, we just have to pretend we're Canadians," Parker said reassuringly. "And I totally agree, I want my partner to have other interests besides whatever I'm getting up to. The key is to share a life but also I think both partners need to have enough of their own lives. It doesn't necessarily have to make a lot of money or anything, but even I get boring when I'm buried under a pile of travel guides."
"I think what makes it feel easy for me is that I'm certain I'm resourceful, reliable, and I can move through things even if there's a setback. Maybe I'm just crazy enough to always hope for the best case scenario," Parker said with a shy chuckle. "To be honest, I don't really know how sustainable all this is. I guess I can always go back to being an architect if I have to. And if things ever get really bad, I can always sell my house. I don't have student loans and after all the improvements I'd still make a nice profit after paying off the mortgage."
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Post by River Hughes on May 1, 2020 1:00:22 GMT
"Yep, I'd definitely feel better if the two of us were together. Alone I'd totally freak, but if we were together and having fun, it would be an adventure instead of a disaster. I think that's one of my favorite things about talking with you--you make everything seem so exciting."She laughed, then paused. But, you mentioned something in there again that's come up a few times, and I was trying not to make a big deal out of it, but um..."
River sighed. "I'm sorry, I know it's rude to ask about money, but... You keep acting like it's not a big deal for you. Is there a reason for that? I just... Well, dad and I were never in any trouble, but I clipped a lot of coupons growing up, ya know? I don't mind you being casual about it as long as we really would be fine, but I also don't want to be silly and get ourselves into trouble. I'm sorry, that is like, the least fun topic, but I just...I want to take all this seriously. It could be our whole lives..."
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Post by Parker Domino on May 1, 2020 1:54:48 GMT
"I'm great at taking care of people on travel stuff, my sister and her friends once had me come along for their spring break trip in Cancun as their tour guide, and it was my first time in Cancun!" Parker said with a laugh.
Then he actually became serious. "No you're right. We're looking for someone to spend the rest of our lives with and that's important," he agreed. "Well to be completely honest, I've never had to worry about money in my entire life. I'm not like super rich or anything crazy and the glamour life isn't my style. My parents are doctors, a plastic surgeon and a radiologist. They met in medical school while they were both scholarship students and had to work really hard, so they really wanted my sister and I to be able to follow our dreams. They paid for my college. We went to one of those fancy prep schools where I refused to join the golf team. I got a used car for my 16th birthday. My grandfather is the type of person that bought us stocks for Christmas. I graduated top of my class from Cornell and got a job that paid me just under six figures straight out of school until I quit." Parker explained. "I spent most of that money and my signing bonus on the downpayment for my house. Sold some stocks to pay for the renovations."
"But yeah, with the blog I could comfortably support two people if we aren't being extravagant or anything, the expenses at home are really low when I'm out traveling." Parker said shyly. "Oh yeah, I have small trust fund, but I can't touch it unless I have a kid. But like I said, I can always go back to being an architect."
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Post by River Hughes on May 3, 2020 1:53:17 GMT
"Wow, okay. That makes a lot more sense. It's just...a totally different world to me. I guess my anxiety doesn't help, either, because I'm just programmed to overthink pretty much anything." She laughed halfheartedly. "Sorry to have grilled you on that." She was quiet for a long moment.
"I really really love talking with you, and I think traveling with you would be amazing, because I think you're a great storyteller, so to hear you talk about the history and really immerse ourselves in a place...It sounds like a dream. But I think that's part of what scares me. As much as I love the idea of it...trying to take that leap scares the hell out of me. I've never been a risk-taker. Not til coming here. This is the biggest leap of faith I've ever taken."
Parker...I really like you. Like, a lot. But...I don't want to just tag along on the trips. I'd want to be part of things, like a partner. Not baggage. I know I'm not making any sense... Ugh, how can I explain? You're such a light-hearted person, and you just want to go be free-spirited. And I am so the exact opposite, I feel like I'd weigh you down--like I'd stop you from doing what you really want. Unless you were really sure of me. If I were your person." She sighed. "I'm sorry, I must sound like a crazy person. This whole thing is just making me realize that all I really want is to be loved, and the trappings of life after don't matter so much, as long as I can be sure of that one thing."
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Post by Parker Domino on May 3, 2020 2:19:30 GMT
"Hey hey," Parker said as soothingly as he could, "Look I can't even begin to imagine what anxiety feels like, but I want you to know that I don't want to pressure you to do anything you don't want to do or feel like you'd be baggage. I want a partner that I can share life with, with ups and downs and part of the adventure is finding that happy place," he said. "If we have to work through some stuff, I'd be there for it."
"I've been on the road for a while, wandering with very little direction and I find myself wondering if I want some direction because I have a million things I could do and it's hard to decide which one," Parker admitted. "I kinda fly by the seat of my pants because I haven't had to think about anything else so I just run with my gut feeling."
"I don't think you'd weigh me down, it might not be the easiest but part of being partners with someone is learning to adjust to life together. If something doesn't work off the bat, then we adjust." Parker said thoughtfully. "My superpower is that I can find adventure anywhere, anytime. I always thought I needed to be with someone that can help me stay grounded because as much as I love seeing the world, it's not the same as someone loving me back. I really want to love someone, but I'm scared they won't love me back." he confessed.
"And I promise I won't take you swimming with sharks as a first trip."
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