I think it depends on the work load. It can be rather loud if we are busy. It’s also nice to just t have music on to make the work seem less like work.

So you mentioned being in a noisy place? Now you’ve got me thinking of where Fig could be walking around where is so loud…hmmmm

-Artless

I can understand that, though I don’t think there’s anything that could make my work feel less like work. Not that I’m complaining, because I really enjoy my work. Do you enjoy what you do?

Not to lead you astray, but it isn’t always noisy. It’s actually sometimes very quiet, though I don’t know that quiet equals peaceful. I seek that out in other places, like the lake in the summer. Where do you go when you want some peace and quiet?

I feel like it’s always something different. I like getting out on the open road. Enchantra has its moments and a few good spots I frequent. Then there’s always the gym. It’s not peaceful but you can get in your own zone and really decompress.

I do enjoy my job. If I didn’t I simply wouldn’t do it. I don’t believe in slaving away just to have an income. I’ve seen too many people chain themselves to a job just because.

I know though it’s not easy for everyone to do that.

What about you Fig?

- Artless

I can understand that, but to be honest I think I would probably keep doing a job even if I hated it. I don’t really like to fail, even if it doesn’t technically count as failing. Luckily for me, though, I like my job a lot.

My quiet spots seem similar to yours, too. I like a walk in Enchantra or the farmlands when I can get the right weather for it, but I find the gym makes me feel kind of peaceful too. Forty-five minutes on the stair master tends to bring me inner peace, mostly because I’m focusing on not passing out.

Do you go to Olympus? Funny to think we might’ve been in the same room and never known.

~ heartwarmingfig

Please don't feel pressured, we've got plenty of time and if we don't think we have enough, that's what real life is for afterwards, right?

I really like the feeling of your name! Warming hearts is the best way to be and figs are delicious. Everyone's food themed usernames are always so interesting to me. Hard to say if it relates to them or they just like the food.

I don't think fake fans are a thing. There are different levels of being a fan, sometimes you just need a little extra time to retain more information to become that superfan!

Warm wishes,

I like that- it's a very open minded attitude. Maybe I'm more of a mild fungi fan than a super fungi fan, but maybe I'll get there some day. Just need to do a little more reading.

Also re: food names, I'm not sure about everyone else, but I do enjoy a good fig. I did kind of pick at random, but it still feels very personal.

Does this mean you're a super fungi fan, or do your interests lie elsewhere?

I do. It's really hard to get a tone or a sense of where the other person is through this medium. I guess there's no real way of knowing until you meet them in person too.

I personally think so, yes. I don't want to keep things back, and anyway if we're not interested in the same things then isn't it easier to know it right away? If we can? I do think being upfront with these emails especially is helpful.

Of course. Everything worth having takes time to build. And it makes sense why you would want to be a bit more careful with yourself if that happened. I'm a fairly cautious person myself, but knowing at least that we both would be hoping for something more long term... that's already a nice sign to me. It at least means we'd be somewhere on the same page.

What's something you like to do in your free time?

Sincerely, habitualhawk

I'm glad to hear that. I think sometimes saying you want to take things slow puts people off as it seems non-committal, but like you say, it's a nice sign that we're starting from the same place :)

I don't know that I have very much free time, but when I do I usually like to spend it with family, or if the weather's nice I'll go out for a walk around Enchantra or the farmlands. I like to sew if I have the opportunity. I used to make a lot of my own clothes when I was younger, but those kind of big projects take a bit longer now.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I have a side gig that also keeps me busy. I also read, I write, I have family abroad so I spend a lot of time talking to them too. I go to the gym, and when the weather is warmer I love to swim!

What did you accomplish last year that you'd been trying to?

It sounds like you like to keep really busy! I do to, to be honest. I'm just not good at being bored, so I like to keep myself going.

Honestly, I don't know that I really accomplished anything last year. At least nothing good, anyway. But I guess not every year can be a winner, and I'm hoping it's onward and upward for this year. It already seems to be going a little bit better.

How about you?

All work and no play makes for a dull life. You have to take time for yourself! It's just simply a must. Without it you burn out and get wrinkles. No one wants those.

xoxo,

RuinedPrada

How else do you like to blow off work-related steam?

I think it depends on the work load. It can be rather loud if we are busy. It’s also nice to just t have music on to make the work seem less like work.

So you mentioned being in a noisy place? Now you’ve got me thinking of where Fig could be walking around where is so loud…hmmmm

-Artless

I can understand that, though I don’t think there’s anything that could make my work feel less like work. Not that I’m complaining, because I really enjoy my work. Do you enjoy what you do?

Not to lead you astray, but it isn’t always noisy. It’s actually sometimes very quiet, though I don’t know that quiet equals peaceful. I seek that out in other places, like the lake in the summer. Where do you go when you want some peace and quiet?

Exactly. I feel like it's a good way to get a sense of things without it immediately getting more awkward or unpleasant.

Having options is good, of course. Have you met anyone that you felt you might have a bit of that spark with yet? Or are you unsure. It's okay either way, I'm just curious.

I think the most important thing to know about me is that I've done the hook up thing before in the past and I'm not really interested in something super casual at this point. I want to just be straightforward and honest about that, because I know other people might be looking for something else.

What about you?

Sincerely, habitualhawk

I'm not really sure, to be honest. I've definitely been matched with some people I've enjoyed talking to, but I don't know if I just haven't felt a spark or if it's just difficult to find that via email, if you know what I mean? I suppose time will tell.

Well, thank you for being honest and upfront about it - I guess that's another reason why emails work so well. It's easier to be upfront, isn't it? Personally, I recently tried the hook up thing and I wasn't great at it. So, no - I don't think I'm looking for a fling or a situationship or anything. I'd certainly be open to something long term, and I think that's maybe what I'm hoping for, but I'm also not looking to rush into any big commitments. My last relationship didn't end so well, and I guess that's making me want to tread a little bit lighter, if that makes sense?

Agreed, pretend we shook on it.

So apart from your job and family, what do you fill your time with?

Well, this is where it maybe gets tricky, because honestly not much else. Work keeps me pretty busy, but I do like to try and get out when I can go. Go to the gym, or go for a walk in Enchantra when the weather's nice enough for it. I sew sometimes, too, if and when I have the time.

How about you? What else keeps you busy?

It does feel a bit funny. I've gotten to somewhat know my contacts so far. But at the same time, I also feel as you do. Why not take the opportunity to make another good connection?

It's been going well I think, but it's hard to know how it all will turn out until meeting someone in person. I did. Or at least... I know some things that I want. I did unmatch with someone because of this, as we both definitely wanted something different from each other.

How about you? Did you know what you wanted or are you trying to see what happens?

Sincerely, habitualhawk

It's good that you could do that, though! I think the email format kind of lends itself to that, doesn't it? If it's obvious it wouldn't work, no hard feelings, no awkwardness. Neither of you know one another, so who cares?

I agree with you, though. I think it's hard to know what'll happen, or what I even want, until the big reveal at the end. I did come into this whole thing just hoping to meet some new people, hopefully have a few sparks with someone, so I'm mostly just keeping my options open. Which is honestly a challenge in itself, as I usually like to be quite decisive.

Since we're starting so late in the game, what would you say is the most important thing for me to know about you right away?

Oh, certainly more of a PSA. They may look cute and like they want a hug but it's important not to fall for their tricks.

I know, I'm afraid I'm terribly obvious despite my best efforts. I feel like if I talk about my career, my family, I'm caught.

What about you is your dead giveaway?

A very sensible PSA. Plus I feel like if you wanted to be philosophical about things, you could turn it into a decent metaphor.

Honestly, I think I'd say the same. Talking about family and work would probably give me away in a heartbeat, which is a shame because they're probably some of my favorite things to talk about.

Mutual agreement not to ask each other about our careers and family?

I was going to say that since we don’t have much time we should probably cut to the chase, but I feel like I never know where to start with these things. Introducing yourself to someone without saying too much is starting to seem like a fine art.

Here’s a question for you though: are you particularly aware of cacti? Or is it more of a PSA?

Looking forward to hearing from you,

I’ve got to be honest, I’m not sure where to start. I’m glad to have another opportunity to speak to someone new, but it feels like there’s even more pressure than before now that we’re halfway through, doesn’t it? Or maybe that’s just me.

I was going to suggest some kind of quickfire ‘getting to know me’ thing, but I think that feels a bit too much like being at school when everyone had to say a fun fact about themselves, so maybe not.

What I will say is that I love your username. I think it’s enchanting. I remember learning about bioluminescent mushrooms in biology, but I’ll be honest, I can’t really remember much about them. I suppose I’m a fake mushroom fan.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Is it just me, or does it feel a little bit strange to be starting over again mid way into this little experiment? I can’t say I mind, really. Not that it hasn’t been going well, just why not take every opportunity to make a connection if you can?

I hope it’s been going well for you so far, though I suppose maybe not, if we’ve both ended up here. Did you know what you wanted from the mail exchange before you signed up?

Looking forward to hearing from you,

I reckon I almost always have some music going. I favor some television but music is a pretty big part of my life. So it generally always on I’d say.

Nothing wrong with some pop music either. I don’t know if there is a genre I can’t stand. Possibly some eras in particular.

Interesting you think music is a distraction from your mind. I feel like I think more when I have it on as background noise. Blocks out all the other noise.

-Artless

That makes sense. Sometimes silence can be too silent, can’t it? I grew up in a busy household, and now I work in quite a noisy environment too, so I think it makes me appreciate a bit of quiet once in a while.

I take it you work somewhere quite noisy too? Or are the ‘other noises’ more metaphorical than literal? I know sometimes, if it’s too quiet, I can feel my thoughts running away from me. Maybe then I’d benefit from a bit of music.