Sex

As it turns out, human heterosexual intercourse is quite fun.

I do not seem to be too bad at it either. At least, April assuaged my fears that I would be unable to satisfy her due to my lack of experience. The physical stamina required is more intense than I had originally thought. My limited research into mating customs on both the internet and the Discovery Channel were mere precursors to the base knowledge of the act. As it happens, much is dependent on instincts and chemistry, and apparently we have chemistry.

As the ritual suggests, we did have a lovely dinner along with entertaining and intellectually stimulating conversation. When the moment arrived, I attempted to explain my inexperience, but April was quite understanding. She seems almost surprised, but I believe I did well, and we enjoyed ourselves. I could go on in more detail about the night, but I suspect it would be bad protocol to speak so openly of an intimate moment such this. I am sure April does not know about this blog, and I have not considered explaining my true origins to her, though I feel I must do so at some point in the near future. I may not have as good a grasp on human emotions as my sister does, but I believe I am falling in love with April.

Human Mating Rituals

To my dismay, I was reminded what I had missed from my research into human dating, specifically how to proceed with my relationship with April. Sex.

I researched and understand the concept of human procreation, of course, and I was aware that intercourse is a key element to mating rituals. However, somehow I failed to make that connection to my own situation. Also, I have no idea what I am doing. I never thought I would be in my own human mating ritual. I like April, and I am certain she likes me, but I am not equipped to know what she expects or wants. The kissing, I understand, but what else do I do? How am I supposed to proceed? I am seeing her again tonight, so I must find a proper solution quickly.

I may be in trouble.

The Dating Experiment, continued

I was right to say I would not be able to post for a while. Fortunately, I did not die like I hoped I would. My date night with April went much better to plan than I expected. So much so, that I am a bit confused as to how I should be feeling, but I do feel good. I feel better than good in fact. I have experienced a measurable increase in my levels of pheromones and vasopressin, a chemical reaction leading to an emotional attachment commonly known among humans, from my understanding, as love.

I hesitate to use the word "love" since I am new to the concept, and humans have a tendency too often to use hyperbole. Madison is also teasing me quite incessantly about it. I had a very enjoyable date with April, and I have grown quite fond of her.

Perhaps it is the magic of Saint Valentine that everyone has been talking about, but I was caught up in the evening I had planned for April. I took her to a lovely place called Micheli's, which serves Italian cuisine and features performers who sing songs in the style of an opera. The atmosphere was quite lovely, I must admit, and the meal was excellent. We also drank quite a bit of wine. What is the connection with alcohol consumption and revealing human emotions? I must get to the bottom of that.

Before we had even received dessert, April kissed me again. This kiss was different than the one we shared before. There was something softer, more tender about it. I hesitate to go into much detail, for I think it is somewhat rude to describe such personal moments, but I am a scientist after all and this is why I am here.

No, that is an unfair statement. My initial attraction to April was one of curiosity as I wished to learn more about the interactions between the males and females of the human race. Now, I feel a more personal attraction.

In fact, the night was so lovely, neither of us wanted it to end, and she invited me back to her place for a short period of time. We stayed up late into the night talking about all manner of subjects. I learned about her life history growing up in Valencia, how she had always strived to become a teacher, even her taste in literature. Apparently, she is very fond of a series of books set in a dystopian future in which children are forced once a year to compete in a ritual by which they all have to kill each other. This must be a fascinating work, but I find it somewhat ironic considering her love of children.

Saturday night ended when we were both tired enough and I thought it appropriate to leave her to rest for the night. I got the impression there was some missing part of my plan for the evening that was not thought out because something was bothering me, and April certainly seemed disappointed when I left. The nagging feeling was so great that I called her the very next day, which my research tells me is not at all what I should have done, but I was glad I did it. April was overjoyed to hear from me, and we ended up spending much of the day together. We saw a movie, which chronicled the rise to fame of a young pop singer, and found a quaint little coffee shop where we talked for hours.

We spent much time together over the weekend and on the day of Saint Valentine, which I found to be an odd occasion for romance, but April seemed to like it. We have even seen more of each other during this past week, though we do work at the same school. I have spent so much time with April, I have realized I did not pay much attention to my sister this week. I thought she might be worried about me, but she seems to enjoy this more than I am. That makes me somewhat suspicious, but Madison ensures me that she is happy for me. She did say that she hoped I was not "rushing into" anything with April. I am not sure what she could mean by that, but surely there is nothing wrong with two people enjoying each others company as much as we do. We spent much of this past weekend together as well, and I could not be happier. I do need to make sure it does not affect my work, though.

I am worried about one thing. I still have that nagging feeling in the back of my mind that I am forgetting a critical part of my research in human interaction. April seems to be just as happy as I am as I attempt to follow the protocol for a growing relationship, but I hope I have not left something out.

Revolution

For the most part, I am amused by most of the day to day dealings of mankind. Perhaps it is also the region of this planet I have chosen to inhabit, but most humans regularly concern themselves with trivial matters of greed or vanity. I am not oblivious to the greater political concerns of this world, and I recognize conflict, real conflict, on a daily basis. Then, something comes along that is so altering to the political climate and people of a region as a revolution.


I have come to learn much about Egypt in the past few weeks as I have studied both its current as well as ancient history. Much can be said of a civilization that has been around as long at the recorded history of Earth can remember, and I will keep much of this for my files should I ever get a chance to report about it back home. When an uprising occurs in a nation, by whatever free peoples or military or political force, more often than not, it is a destructive, anarchic mess.

I will admit, in my learnings of human history and behavior, I had thought and feared that the unrest of the last 18 days in Egypt would lead to a bloody coup or bloody failed coup and would only cause more destruction in a region that has a precarious balance between peace and war. There was violence, of course, and that should be noted and not forgotten. Still, I am pleased and proud of my adopted world that in the face of an oppressive government, the people of a nation can gain the power to take down this government through protest and ideas.

I have studied the fall of governments many times first hand. It is what I do. I can only be wary of my own people, who had thought this planet far to violent to deal with in a peaceful way. Perhaps this news will get out into the universe and prove the worth of humankind. My only hope for the people of Egypt and for the world is that this transition of power to the new government there be a peaceful one.


POSTSCRIPT: On a more personal subject, if I am lucky, this will be my last post because I will have died before tonight. I took my sister's advice and asked April to dinner again before the dreaded holiday known as Saint Valentine's Day arrives. I am taking her out tonight unless death or some more world-altering news spares me from doing so.

I May Be In Trouble

My sister put it rather colloquially: "You're screwed."


Madison first brought up this sentiment on Sunday, and I did not understand it at the time. I was attempting to decipher the cultural meaning to the Super Bowl. As usual, our good neighbors Charles and Alice (primarily Charles in this case) invited us to their annual Super Bowl party. Not having much of a grasp on the subculture of football, I wondered if this would involve needed to cook a very large bowl of soup. Quite the opposite, the food at this party was most disappointing, constituting mainly of chips and dip, and they insisted I not cook anything. I wish I had.

I have one short observation about this game which I must learn more about. In deconstructing the rules of football, I came to understand the visceral need for a sport. For a society advanced enough to conduct its wars primarily through machinery, and a combination of automation, strategically distanced command centers, and elite ground troops, yet not advanced enough to do away with war completely, there is a certain satisfaction with seeing a field of play be overtaken and reclaimed or conquered, keeping with the ancient methods of honorable combat.

I may discuss more on the game later, but my primary concern now is Madison's assertion that I am "screwed." As I explained, I was distracted by the game when she first pointed this out, and she has become much more insistent as the week has progressed. She refers to my situation with April, who is not only her teacher but my current coworker at the high school. After our unintended romantic interlude, I have not had much time to consider how to proceed, but Madison insists no matter what I do, I am doomed to misstep. The reason being that in a few short days is Valentine's Day.

This holiday, which I had assumed was manufactured to better market chocolates and jewelry, is apparently taken quite seriously by romantic-minded individuals, which would be most humans. I did not consider that April would be one of these romantics, nor did I consider that I might have to act carefully around such a precarious holiday, lest hearts be broken, which if I have learned anything of my study of the ancient gods of this world, is the quickest way to a long war that no matter of football could cure.

I did intend to ask April out on another date, since our first date was such a disaster, and now that we have kissed, it may play out differently, but Madison thought at date on the week leading up to Valentine's Day would be too romantic far too early in the relationship.

Then, I considered not doing anything, waiting it out until such an appropriate time that the shadow of this dreaded holiday passes. Madison said doing nothing would be an even worse idea. I would be downright insulting.

As the saying goes, I am damned if I do and damned if I do not. I must admit, the kiss April and I shared caught me off guard. I do not know how I feel toward her, but I do like and respect her, and I did like that kiss. I do not know what to do. Even my sister admits she is stumped, but I must come up with a strategy quickly. The longer I wait before taking action, the closer I am to the date of the holiday, the 14th of February, and the more importance will be placed on this action.

If there was ever a time for the fleet of the homeworld to arrive and rescue me, now would be it. The red battle fleets of Mars would even be welcome. Intergalactic war is easier than human romance.

The Dating Experiment (Revisited)

Human emotions are confusing. Human females doubly so.

I had thought after our embarrassing date that April would not care to have anything to do with me. Yet, she has been incredibly helpful in light of the recent problems that have arisen with Madison's behavior. Even when April arranged to help find me a job at the school, I had initially assumed it was still in the interest of professional courtesy. Then, she kissed me.

Looking back, I may have been more to blame than I suspected. As thanks for her help with my sister and securing my new job, I thought it would be appropriate to make her dinner. I invited her over last night and served up a simple recipe I discovered for lamb and risotto. A dry red wine is best served with this particular meal, so of course that was my pairing.

We may have had too much to drink during the meal, and we both became much more relaxed. I found my own faculties to be dulled somewhat, though I was enjoying April's company as we conversed in the most mundane of small talk. I believe the term is flirting. As I have said, April is attractive for an earth woman.

The night lasted much later than I had anticipated, and I did not notice until Madison came home much later than she was supposed to initially. Even she was surprised to see April and I still there, though I detected a hint of a smile on her face. I was unsure what it was in reference to at that moment. Then, both April and I thought that would be an appropriate time for our evening to end. I did the courteous thing and walked her to her car. That is when she kissed me.

I was surprised, but I did not resist at all. I was unsure how I should have reacted. I know I enjoyed it. The emotional reaction was pleasant and unexpected. Now, I am still not sure what appropriate action I should take now. I am not even sure what it is I am feeling at the moment. I will see April again this week, and I would like to see her again socially.

I wonder if this scenario is programmed into all humans so that they can react appropriately, or if everyone is just as confused as to what to do next.