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 › Articles › Catch and Release

Catch and Release

Web Admin 01/03/2021     Articles

By Karen Rempel

Karen Rempel at UN Gala Honoring Joe Biden in 2017

Karen at the UN Gala Honoring Joe Biden in 2017. Photo provided by author.

Many girls dream of their wedding day. Not me! I dreamed of twirling in glamorous gowns and going to glittering galas with arm candy men. Every day after school I swooned at the thought of being Ginger, alone with Gilligan on his island. I was born just before the Summer of Love, and my heart thirsts for freedom, excitement, and finding out what’s around the next bend in the Alaskan Highway. This passion for discovery has whirled me on a football field full of merry-go-round romantic adventures.

In contrast, WestView News Publisher George Capsis was born in 1927, the year of the first talkie (The Jazz Singer) and of Charles Lindbergh’s historic flight across the Atlantic. His mom sent him to school with a quarter for lunch money, and he went to White Tower every day and got two burgers and a hot chocolate for fifteen cents. He had a few adventures himself, but settled down pretty young and was married for over five decades. Every time I tell George I have exciting news, he says, “You’re getting married?” He thinks this is the most exciting thing that can happen to a woman, and that I am a strange exotic creature because I don’t want to be tied to one person for life—not even for a decade! So he asked me to write a column about my romantic life (aka dating disasters), to help him understand why I prefer to remain single.

In my Karen’s Quirky Style column last month, I mentioned meeting a handsome architect after attending a gala in Joe Biden’s honor. So let’s start with Keith! I’ll call him this because he looked like a sexy amalgamation of Keith Richards and Mick Jagger, with shoulder-length wavy brown hair, tinged with salt, and a British accent that really ignited my spark plugs. A woman I met at the Biden gala invited me to a Wine and Design event near Rockefeller Center. I had the Ziggy Stardust haircut that you may recall from my early “Karen’s Quirky Style” columns, with carrots on top and teal at the back. I was wearing jeans, high black boots, and a multi-colored bolero jacket, sampling a pinot noir, when Keith strolled over, and said, “You look like an interesting person to know.” I thought, “You look pretty interesting too,” in his black jeans, gray shirt, black leather jacket, and that hair! We chatted a bit, and the sparks were shooting in all directions. Emboldened by the wine I had sampled at half a dozen display rooms, I said “Should we go for a drink?” “Yes, darling!” “How about Bar SixtyFive?” I was reaching for the stars—the next incarnation of the Rainbow Room—the epitome of New York romance.

As we tried to find the elevator up to Bar SixtyFive, we seemed to go through one revolving door after another at Rockefeller Center—whirling and twirling! As I went through the sixth whirligig, I said, “Rockefeller Center is nothing but revolving doors!” I was disconcerted that he didn’t come out the other side laughing. But I shrugged it off. We finally found the elevator and learned that Bar SixtyFive was closed for a private event. “How about Otto at One Fifth?” Keith suggested. “Sure, I live near there.” He hailed a cab, and soon we were seated side by side in the dimly lit bar, sparkling wine glasses in hand again, drenched in the magic of New York. (To be continued next month.)

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Karen’s Quirky Style

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62 Comments

  1. Angela James
    ― 01/04/2021 - 12:43 am  Reply

    I am hooked! You mean I have to wait a whole month for the next episode!
    You really have set the scene !!
    Well written, full of descriptive images and a great start to what I am assuming a hot romance!!
    Well done 👍

    1. Karen Rempel
      ― 01/04/2021 - 5:58 pm  Reply

      Thanks, Angela! I’m glad you like it. I can’t wait to tell you what happens next!! 🙂 It’s scorching! Oww!!

  2. Timothy J Sullivan
    ― 01/05/2021 - 11:28 am  Reply

    O the intrigue! Can’t wait to hear how this unfolds!

  3. Sally Myers
    ― 01/05/2021 - 11:29 am  Reply

    OMG a cliff hanger! I am obsessed now and feel like I am right there with you two! Nothing is better than the New York state of mind and romance to boot! I can’t wait for next month. Very well done!

  4. Pat Duffy
    ― 01/05/2021 - 11:36 am  Reply

    I love it that women are writing–and living out–their own stories now. I sense a quirky adventure coming…can’t wait for part 2 of “Catch and Release.”

  5. J'Ro
    ― 01/05/2021 - 12:00 pm  Reply

    You used up your allotment of pixels? Why can’t you finish the story? Is this some cynical marketing plan?

    I’d like to know where things went after this sentence: “But I shrugged it off.” WRITE THE REST already.

    1. Karen Rempel
      ― 01/06/2021 - 9:39 am  Reply

      Jerome, you’re so funny!! Yup–only 20 pixels per month. haha

  6. themartinhawkins
    ― 01/05/2021 - 12:27 pm  Reply

    Nice to hear your perspective as a fellow singleton! Looking forward to next month.

    1. Karen Rempel
      ― 01/05/2021 - 1:59 pm  Reply

      Are you a fellow catch and releaser? 😉

  7. John
    ― 01/05/2021 - 12:58 pm  Reply

    I can’t wait to see Tim’s next comment. Are these BC salmon stories?

    1. Karen Rempel
      ― 01/05/2021 - 1:58 pm  Reply

      Since this question is coming from an Alaskan King salmon, I have to say–the biggest fish get away! They know no borders!

  8. Maggy
    ― 01/05/2021 - 12:58 pm  Reply

    What fun! I can’t wait to read the next episode!

  9. George Sanders
    ― 01/05/2021 - 1:07 pm  Reply

    What’s going to happen? I can’t wait to see. I really liked, “How about Otto at One Fifth?” “Sure, I live near there.” Wink, wink, nudge, nudge. Say no more.

    1. Karen Rempel
      ― 01/05/2021 - 1:56 pm  Reply

      LOL – George, are you reading my mind right now?

  10. ValM
    ― 01/05/2021 - 1:11 pm  Reply

    Hmmmm… dating disasters!? With you, there is always a silver lining.

  11. Tracey
    ― 01/05/2021 - 1:25 pm  Reply

    I feel privileged to have heard some very early Quirky Karen stories back when we worked together in Vancouver — like the time you placed an ad and got a date for your new Ferragamos! Looking forward to the next installment.

    1. Karen Rempel
      ― 01/05/2021 - 1:56 pm  Reply

      What a memory! A Lamborghini promised to take out my Ferragamos, but what turned up was a Lexus! Still, my shoes enjoyed dinner in the fanciest French restaurant in town.

  12. M Alps
    ― 01/05/2021 - 1:41 pm  Reply

    Looking forward to the next installment!

  13. Nina Edgerton
    ― 01/05/2021 - 1:49 pm  Reply

    Drew me right in… and left me hanging! Look forward to picking up from where you left us dangling.

  14. Maria
    ― 01/05/2021 - 2:01 pm  Reply

    This is fabulous! I can’t wait to read how it turns out!

  15. Diana Broussard
    ― 01/05/2021 - 2:14 pm  Reply

    Single life… sigh. My new motto, taken or single, … “There must be EASE.”

  16. hamishthedenizen
    ― 01/05/2021 - 2:19 pm  Reply

    Like the best dates a hint, a glimpse and left wanting to know more. Looking forward to the next instalment…

  17. Andrea
    ― 01/05/2021 - 3:06 pm  Reply

    Karen
    I have known you my whole life and you never ever disappoint!
    You are brilliant with your words!

  18. Liessi from BC
    ― 01/05/2021 - 3:11 pm  Reply

    I concur with so many of the previous comments. Starting this off as a cliffhanger is deliciously cruel (I’m as hooked as any of your dates) but “Where the Ferragamos go” deserves its own Netflix series! Looking forward to the next installment.

  19. Lynn Shaw-Ringham
    ― 01/05/2021 - 3:19 pm  Reply

    I enjoyed the unfolding of your adventure story.

  20. Janet Eviston
    ― 01/05/2021 - 3:33 pm  Reply

    What fun!

  21. Silvia Talavera
    ― 01/05/2021 - 3:36 pm  Reply

    Your Quirky life would make a great TV series. Can’t wait to see what happens!

  22. Resi
    ― 01/05/2021 - 3:38 pm  Reply

    This story makes me want to come to New York just to go on an adventure with you!

  23. Natasha
    ― 01/05/2021 - 4:05 pm  Reply

    How fun. Can’t wait for the next installment!!!

  24. patriciapucher
    ― 01/05/2021 - 5:00 pm  Reply

    Awww come on. I want more.

  25. jeffcharno
    ― 01/05/2021 - 5:16 pm  Reply

    That’s all? I’m laughing at how curious I am to see where this goes 🙂

  26. Gera Benoit
    ― 01/05/2021 - 5:24 pm  Reply

    I can see your column needing more space in the paper… It’s far too delicious to get such a tiny tease only once a month!

  27. Louise
    ― 01/05/2021 - 5:26 pm  Reply

    Oh Karen, that’s cruel. I really wanted to find out how “he didn’t come out the other side laughing” would turn out to be revealing about this “handsome architect,” but you left us in the bar at “Otto”! Can hardly wait to read the unfolding of this particular “catch and release.”

  28. Urbanned - YVR
    ― 01/05/2021 - 6:22 pm  Reply

    Will readers learn why Keith didn’t come out the other side laughing? Was his hair softer that his leather jacket? Oh, do tell…

    1. Karen Rempel
      ― 01/06/2021 - 10:16 am  Reply

      Great questions, Urbanned! All will be revealed!

  29. Irma
    ― 01/05/2021 - 7:33 pm  Reply

    Well done Karen! Definitely hooked! But to wait a whole month … yikes.

  30. Joan Sutcliffe
    ― 01/05/2021 - 7:45 pm  Reply

    Great descriptions, Karen! Your handsome architect sounds like a dream, but I too am curious why he didn’t come out of the revolving door laughing.

  31. Lisa Z
    ― 01/05/2021 - 10:27 pm  Reply

    Ha! You strange exotic creature! I love how you managed to craft a cliffhanger in four paragraphs. Looking forward to the next installment!

  32. Lisa Ricci
    ― 01/05/2021 - 11:06 pm  Reply

    Cliff hanger? No I want know what happens. Your life would make a wonderful memoir I bet!! Look forward to reading how it ends.

  33. Bonney Rempel
    ― 01/06/2021 - 2:08 am  Reply

    Takes me right back… to the good old days. Brilliant. I call marriage “the big secret,” right up there with Santa and the Easter Bunny. You’re right… be envied. Love you!

    1. Karen Rempel
      ― 01/06/2021 - 10:15 am  Reply

      Bonney, I admire how you really say it like it is. Love you!

  34. Shari
    ― 01/06/2021 - 10:08 am  Reply

    What next month!? Lol count me in! 🙂 xox

  35. Bruce Shaw
    ― 01/06/2021 - 10:11 am  Reply

    Well now, you’ve whet my appetite for more! You certainly have the right bait for a catch. I’ve always had a not so secret desire to get caught!

    1. Karen Rempel
      ― 01/06/2021 - 10:14 am  Reply

      So that’s why you made all those house calls to help me with my antique furniture! 😉

  36. Kim
    ― 01/06/2021 - 10:36 am  Reply

    You’ve drawn me in with your vivid writing. Can’t wait for the next installment.

  37. Ralph C.
    ― 01/06/2021 - 2:37 pm  Reply

    Karen….I love that you’re open enough to tell it all — an open book. I’ll be awaiting all the details — some sordid ones, I expect!…Love, Ralph

  38. Gordon Glanz
    ― 01/06/2021 - 3:04 pm  Reply

    I’m ready for more!

  39. Margaret Rubick
    ― 01/06/2021 - 8:58 pm  Reply

    Well done. Carry on!!

  40. Andrea Thurlow
    ― 01/07/2021 - 4:54 pm  Reply

    OMG, you’re leaving us hanging at that?!! I love it! ❤️🍸

    1. Karen Rempel
      ― 01/07/2021 - 5:50 pm  Reply

      Thank you, darling! It’s the best moment of a love affair. When it hasn’t quite begun yet, but you want it to, and anything is possible. And thanks to everyone for your comments. You’ll be keeping me real! 💖

  41. Lew
    ― 01/08/2021 - 7:26 am  Reply

    Very intriguing, Karen. Looking forward to reading more about your romantic adventures!

  42. Monica Krake, Founder of Head + Heart, www.headplusheart.comM
    ― 01/10/2021 - 7:59 pm  Reply

    Karen, congrats on this series! Have as much fun as possible dating—cuz you never know when your last ‘release’ might be. xoxo Monica

    1. Karen Rempel
      ― 01/11/2021 - 6:55 am  Reply

      Hilarious! You’re so right! XX

  43. Mike
    ― 01/12/2021 - 11:33 am  Reply

    Karen, It’s great to see that you’re really enjoying New York so much and having great city adventures! You knew from the beginning that it was the place for you!

    1. Karen Rempel
      ― 01/15/2021 - 11:50 am  Reply

      Thanks, Mike! I do love this city! It was love at first sight! 🙂

  44. Carole
    ― 01/12/2021 - 1:08 pm  Reply

    Once again your personal truth is contagious. Enjoy the moment as we all are reading your words. Don’t ever stop ‘hooking’ us as voyeurs.

    1. Karen Rempel
      ― 01/15/2021 - 11:51 am  Reply

      Thanks for reading, Carole! It is a very joyful experience, to share and interact with you all.

  45. Costa
    ― 01/15/2021 - 11:32 am  Reply

    Keith sounds like trouble. Black jeans and leather jacket are a big red flag imo. But seriously I love your writing, can’t wait for the next installment

    1. Karen Rempel
      ― 01/15/2021 - 11:49 am  Reply

      Thanks, Costa! You make me laugh!

  46. zaphyrella z
    ― 01/18/2021 - 2:47 am  Reply

    ☆꧁:..::♥✸♥::.:.꧂☆sOooO much FuN!!!!☆꧁:..::♥✸♥::.:.꧂☆ & suspense!!!!

  47. Anila
    ― 01/19/2021 - 1:45 am  Reply

    I’m intrigued and can’t wait to learn what happened next!
    Love your writing! Have no doubt this will be a huge success! Xx

  48. adrianne roaa
    ― 01/21/2021 - 11:41 pm  Reply

    Way to go Karen

    keep having fun and bringing joy to our lives

    Adrianne

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