CONTACT
DATE OUTSIDE THE BOX
by Lisa Anderson
Spice up your bland relationship.
Wasting $50 on dull dinners and crapy romantic comedies may seem like a fine night out with your mate — but let's face it, it's probably not sky-rocketing your relationship to romance. Experimenting and immersing yourselves in new activities improves the relationship quality and contributes to the partners' self-fulfillment and positive mood," says Omri Gillath, assistant professor of social psychology.
I don't want to grow up
Remember how exciting life seemed when you were a kid? There's a reason: you rode around in wagons or raced to the playground and whoever was last was a rotten egg. Well, the rotten egg probably didn't have as much fun. Regardless, acting like a kid again and playing games with your mate can put a skip in your step. Lisa Burnette, Chandler, Ariz., senior, and her boyfriend dig old board games and even games online."The PC ones that are online are good because we can play while far apart," Burnette says. Head down to Fun & Games, 830 Massachusetts St., to pick up some board games or check out Half-Price Books, 1519 W.23rd St., for even older, used games or a variety of PC games.
If you don't like to play, Johanna Bushmann and her boyfriend rent old movies they remember from their childhood. The Denver senior most recently watched Pete's Dragon and Pipi Longstocking with her beau, she says. "They are so weird to watch now — way more twisted and strange than you remember."
Pictures of you
Rather than hitting the town, Chelle Alvarado, Kansas City, Kan. junior, and her man stay in. The couple is in a long-distance relationship so the time they spend together is extra-precious because they only get to see each other about every other weekend, she says. When they do see each other, though, their nights consist of a lot of talking, laughing and photo ops."We just crack jokes, take pictures and have a good time," Alvarado says.
If you have a digital camera, photo-taking can be a silly time. But if you want hilarious prints as keepsakes, you can buy an instant camera at www.polaroid.com along with film and other accessories as needed.
Hey,good lookin'
Spice up the routine dinner date. Think of your favorite food from your favorite restaurant and try to make it at home. Buschmann tries this quite a bit."I do the meals, and he does the drinks," she says. Her boyfriend gets creative by making all types of drinks like Bloody Mary's and Mudslides, she says. If you don't have the recipe you need, ask someone who works at the restaurant or just experiment. Abby Pierron, Olathe graduate student, makes Rachael Ray's masterpiece meals with her boyfriend. "It's impossible to make them in 30 minutes, even with two people, regardless of what she says on TV," Pierron says. Check-"out www.foodnetwork.com for Rachel Ray recipes or other interesting meals to craft.
Eat, drink and be merry
Instead of dinner and drinks, Matthew Allison, Glen Carbon, Ill., graduate student, and his boyfriend often just do drinks. They like checking out local wineries, he says. But in the summer, with warm weather and sunshine, they skip the winery but take it a step further. "We like to take some wine and cheese and stuff as a picnic to the park for the city band concerts," Allison says. The couple enjoys visits to apple orchards and late-night walks around town as well. These types of activities are perfect for the couple.
"They get you outside and moving together," Allison says. "It's cute."
Lawrence's nearest winery is Davenport Orchards in Eudora at 1394 E.1900 Road.For directions and a list of more wineries go to http://skyways.lib.ks.us/wineries.
This weekend, spice up your love life — or at least your dating life. You might find out that your lover is a champion at Boggle or even the next iron chef.
Above:Katie Darter, Liberty, Mo., sophomore, and Bryce Nordhues, Liberty, Mo., junior, play a game of Candyland. Right: Northdresses and Darter cook dinner together.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS/JARED GAB
Festivus for the restivus. Festivals are held in and around Lawrence throughout the year. Check out www.LASR.net for upcoming events.
MORE IDEAS FOR DATING IN AND AROUND LAWRENCE
Country markets. Head to Pendleton's Country Market, 1446 E. 1850 Rd., to see the Butterfly Villa or find your way through the corn maze.
Coffee break. Relax with some late-night coffee talk, JavaBreak, 17 E. Seventh St., is open 24 hours and Aimees, 1025 Massachusetts St., has sofas and chess boards.
Live music. Go see a show with your loved one at one of the many local venues. Or, Folk on Mass, 1646 Massachusetts St., throws concerts in an old, Victorian-style house.
Get right outta town. Towns bordering Lawrence also have some things to offer.Try learning together by checking out the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson
or the Exploration Place in Wichita.
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