Quirky

Let’s fall in love

by Katie Welker

While I believe I am quite the confident young woman, I still try to be as humble and grounded as possible. But when it comes to promoting a cause that I am involved in and believe in, all of that modesty goes completely out the window.

If you haven’t heard already, I am a part of the inaugural “Date on Purpose” event — a charity dating auction that has a twist:

“Live event bachelor, bachelorette auctions exist all the time, we have them here. What we’re doing that’s different is we’ve added an online component. So people can get online and bid for some of Buffalo’s most eligible singles,” entrepreneur and organizer Frank Gullo said.

Place the top bid and you win a date with your chosen bachelor/bachelorette, with the money going to help fund the brand new John Oishei Childrens Hospital being built on Buffalo’s medical campus.

I mean, c’mon… why wouldn’t I get involved and put myself up for bid? I’m young, single, adore my city and its charities, and am completely shameless about the fact that I love love. It’s really a perfect event for me to be a part of.

However, i’m not available online, folks. If you want to win a date with me, you have to attend the live event this Friday. Gotta put in that extra effort to get together with this quirky blonde!

I’m crossing my fingers that my sarcasm and ridiculous amounts of energy is incentive enough for you eligible bachelors to walk through that door, donate your hard earned money to a good cause and get to know me better.

Yikes, that’s daunting. I tend to tackle situations that initially scare me a bit, though, so this is no different.

Perhaps my answers to these questions will entice you to attend the live event. Or you can watch me be awkward on camera in this video:

Who knows, maybe my future husband is reading this. Hey, it could happen! It’s a long shot, but I have been mocked for worse things than believing love can sneak up on you at any time — or in this case, bid on you.

Take a chance. If you’re lucky, you’ll fall in love. If not, I guarantee you’ll still meet some fantastic individuals while simultaneously donating to an extremely worthwhile cause.

So go ahead. Date on Purpose.

Date on Purpose
Yours truly.

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Get your tickets for the live event before time runs out.

See what Channel 7 News and Buffalo.com have to say about Date on Purpose.

I got stopped by a lady cop

by Katie Welker

When life hands you lemons, sometimes it makes you a little bitter. And by lemons, I mean traffic tickets.

Initially this may seem like a bit of a rant, but bear with me until the end. It all comes together, I promise.

I coach the JV cheerleading team at North Tonawanda High School. In order to coach, you have to have your fingerprints done. My scheduled appointment was for 9 a.m. this morning. I let my boss know the day before that I would be a little late to work and I was set to go.

Here are the events leading up to my tiny little prints getting scanned:

Sleepy little me decided to press the snooze button one too many times. I mean, have you listened to the new alarm tones for iOS7? They’re so relaxing! I couldn’t help but stay snuggled up in bed for a few extra minutes.

Already a little behind, I of course took way too long deciding which color blazer I wanted to wear. God forbid my color combination wasn’t on point for a day that entailed sitting behind a giant computer screen. If only I were allowed to wear crew neck sweatshirts to work…

Finally dressed, out the door I went. I walked down the street, hopped into my car and was ready to go. But wait! I left my lunch box on my dining room table. Since I am trying to eat healthier and didn’t want to fall back on buying cafeteria food, back up to my apartment I went.

Okay, okay. Now I’m ready to go. I hopped on the 190S to head to North Tonawanda. Four exits later I realize I AM GOING THE WRONG WAY. Muscle memory is a real problem when you’re taking a quick break from a normal routine. I got off at the next exit (way down by the Outer Harbor if you’re familiar with Buffalo,) and started my journey yet again.

With my mind on where I had to go rather than where I was, my heart dropped down to my tiny toes when I saw a cop car up on the side of the road ahead of me. Checked my speedometer. 64 in a 45. Good job, Katie.

Flashing a pitiful and worry-ridden pout face, I said “Yes, officer. I know why I’m being pulled over. I really apologize.”

She had zero sympathy. Not even a little bit. Dangit all.

20 minutes and one court date later, I finally made it to the high school for my appointment which I was now 40 minutes late to.

IT TOOK LESS THAN THREE MINUTES TO GET MY FINGER PRINTS DONE.

Yes, capital letters were required.

If I had just woken up at the sound of the first alarm, If I didn’t make a crime scene out of my room by going through my entire closet, If I had remembered to grab my lunch, If I had gotten on the right highway the first time…

If, If, If.

I played the events of my morning in my head over and over again and then I realized it was doing me no good. I can’t go back and change how it all happened. You’re going to make mistakes, wake up late, have a lead foot when driving to get somewhere “important” and kick yourself for it later on.

Sometimes you really just have to forgive yourself for being a total and complete idiot.

Buffalo, in the four years I have had a car in this city, I have officially given you $560 in parking tickets and I’m sure that number will go up by a few hundred after my court date for this incident.

You’re welcome for all of my money. Go buy yourself something nice.