Women like Danica and Leslie... would you date/marry them?

[RedRobin]

In going over a couple of threads recently, I came across the webpage of Leslie Porterfield, the women's land speed record holder for motorcycles. She's also a business owner.

 

Leslie Porterfield

 

I've also been a fan of Danica Patrick for awhile. Ever since I saw her in this video for Honda. She comes in at around a minute into the video. The matter-of-fact way Danica describes why she does what she does... the straight on, almost intense gaze and her determined look.

 

 

Let's not get into a discussion about their looks. They are both beautiful by most people's standards...

 

What I'm inspired by is their success in very male dominated, very 'macho' endeavors... plus they are attractive. They could have chosen many other fields, but didn't.

 

Would you date/marry a woman like either one of them? Why or why not?

 

What qualities do you assume come with the package, before meeting them or getting to know them? Just curious.

[RedRobin]

Never mind everyone... I can see this topic will be a troll magnet...

 

(Danica is married, BTW. To a physical therapist... I don't know about Leslie)

[ThaWholigan]

I think that they have attributes that are very attractive, both very ambitious. Physically neither are my type but if I were inclined, I would date them .

[xxoo]

(Danica is married, BTW. To a physical therapist... I don't know about Leslie)

 

She married young, too! She was 23, he was 39.

 

I have a sister about Danica's age, very pretty, and involved in male dominated endeavors (hard science, plus dangerous sports). She married in her mid 20s. Her husband is far more laid back than she is.

Edited July 29, 2012 by xxoo

[carhill]

Sure, I met ladies like Leslie at the races a lot when I was racing. Back then (70's-80's), none I met were single, but racing was a different world back then. Danica kinda lives/has lived in the rarefied world of Indy Car, and is married, but Bonneville racing is still pretty grass roots and it's no biggie to interact with 'professionals' at a very basic and personal level on the salt. As a general personal preference, tall, leggy blondes do little for me, but there was something about Leslie's demeanor and voice which caught my attention. Her work in the wind tunnel and how she talked about aerodynamics and the nuts and bolts of keeping it together at 200mph + sparked a 'hmm', moment. Alas, she's a daughter's age, so the reality check of real life intervenes.

 

I've historically had no issues with strong, independent women. I was socialized by one. Strength and independence don't have to be mutually exclusive of femininity and sexual allure. We each have choices in those matters.

 

If I run into one such woman in the future who is single I'll be sure to ask her out and report the results. There's a wedding coming up in a week on the beach so who knows

[RedRobin]

She married young, too! She was 23, he was 39.

 

I have a sister about Danica's age, very pretty, and involved in male dominated endeavors (hard science, plus dangerous sports). She married in her mid 20s. Her husband is far more laid back than she is.

 

If you don't mind me asking... how old is your sister's husband?

 

I have another friend who is attractive, and also super driven. Her H is 9 years younger... but also very laid back. They joke around that she is the roller-coaster and he is the merry-go-round

 

The only reason I ask is because I've chosen not to date men 5+ years older than me. There a couple I've come across recently who don't seem bothered by some of these tendencies in me... but they are both 15+ years older, and I just can't go there.

 

I have my doubts too, that part of the reason why they 'deal' with it is because they see my younger age as a prize... The man I'm (still) seeing is 5 years older, but commented (unsolicited) that he usually dates younger and has mentioned the ages of his exes (again, unsolicited) along with some other tired stereotypes about older men/younger women. It is one of many reasons I'm not jumping up and down about him.

 

I'm still dancing on pointe and signing up for mud runs... and they are complaining about their back and knees... *shrug*

Edited July 29, 2012 by RedRobin

[Woggle]

Yes I would as long as they had everything that makes somebody a good partner.

[Dismantled]

Nope. I prefer women who don't wear pantsuits.

 

Both of them have an obvious negative opinion of what constitutes masculinity and femininity, and that is diametrically opposed to my own personal values. I could care less about how much money they make, women shouldn't be racing motorcycles plain and simple.

 

P.S., not to mention both of them do it out of the novelty of a "hot chick" racing cars and motorcycles. Danica Patrick usually comes in last place in her races and is the butt of most jokes lol .

[RedRobin]

Sure, I met ladies like Leslie at the races a lot when I was racing. Back then

(70's-80's), none I met were single, but racing was a different world back then.

Danica kinda lives/has lived in the rarefied world of Indy Car, and is married,

but Bonneville racing is still pretty grass roots and it's no biggie to interact

with 'professionals' at a very basic and personal level on the salt.

 

Glad to hear other men were willing to take on that challenge

 

About the Bonneville racing... That would be nice. The grass roots part of it. I've gotten pretty good at talking shop with the techs myself... after getting past the twinkie-barrier

 

Her work in the wind tunnel and how she talked about aerodynamics and the nuts

and bolts of keeping it together at 200mph + sparked a 'hmm', moment.

 

That is cool! I'd be curious about that too.

 

I've historically had no issues with strong, independent women. I was socialized

by one. Strength and independence don't have to be mutually exclusive of

femininity and sexual allure. We each have choices in those matters.

 

I've had a hard time balancing them. I touched on it in my other thread. I feel I've had to develop a split personality.

 

As I got older, I realized that some of my high achieving male mentors have had to do the same thing though, to keep their relationships going. I've witnessed it at company picnics when they thought noone was watching

 

If I run into one such woman in the future who is single I'll be sure to ask her

out and report the results. There's a wedding coming up in a week on the beach

so who knows

 

Excellent!! Good luck and have fun!!

[brahmabull117]

yea why not?

[RedRobin]

Both of them have an obvious negative opinion of what constitutes masculinity

and femininity, and that is diametrically opposed to my own personal values.

 

What makes it 'obvious' to you? And where would you draw the line for female occupations?

 

I could care less about how much money they make, women shouldn't be racing

motorcycles plain and simple.

 

Why is that?

 

P.S., not to mention both of them do it out of the novelty of a "hot chick" racing cars and motorcycles. Danica Patrick usually comes in last place in her races and is the butt of most jokes lol .

 

Well, I don't know how true the statement 'usually' is... There aren't any female only racing leagues, as far as I know, so it's not like she has a choice if this is something she genuinely enjoys. If you take a look at the video I mentioned, she clearly enjoys what she does.

 

Before she came along, someone was in last place... and it was always a guy... ha ha.

[kaylan]

Id def go for Danica.

 

You know strength, confidence, and a determination to succeed would come with a woman like her. And you can expect her to be independent too.

 

I like all of that in a lady.

[carhill]

Back in the day, if I happened to have my ass handed to me by a female racer in the early rounds, one would often find me in her pit lending a hand next round. That's what racers do. My parts and skills were always open and, on the track, gender was irrelevant. The ladies, by and large, were the same way. The early pioneers, like Janet Guthrie in Indy, and Shirley Muldowney in drag racing and Lyn St. James in IMSA, paved the way for the women I would come to know as peers. Women such as current Indy car owner Sarah Fisher intrigue me simply because of her ability to not only manage what is traditionally a 'man's sport', as she was a racer long before she went to the ownership side, but also because she's succeeded in the very difficult business of racing.

 

Back in the day, men like myself were lost in a sea of naysayers who opined a woman could never make it (in our sport). For some reason, perhaps due to the role modeling I received, I never let go of that outlier perspective that women could, if given an opportunity, meet or exceed the achievements of men. Many have. Good on them.

[xxoo]

If you don't mind me asking... how old is your sister's husband?

 

He's about 5 years older. He can keep up with her physically (they share those interests), but he isn't as driven as her overall.

[RedRobin]

He's about 5 years older. He can keep up with her physically (they share those interests), but he isn't as driven as her overall.

 

Thanks, xxoo.

 

After I posted the above, I felt bad saying it.

 

I'm not sure how I feel about the guy I'm seeing, for lots of reasons. Not sure how much is coming from me or from him... or just not the best match overall. It is poor form to cut him down though, in any case.

[RedRobin]

Back in the day, if I happened to have my ass handed to me by a female racer in the early rounds, one would often find me in her pit lending a hand next round. That's what racers do. My parts and skills were always open and, on the track, gender was irrelevant. The ladies, by and large, were the same way. The early pioneers, like Janet Guthrie in Indy, and Shirley Muldowney in drag racing and Lyn St. James in IMSA, paved the way for the women I would come to know as peers. Women such as current Indy car owner Sarah Fisher intrigue me simply because of her ability to not only manage what is traditionally a 'man's sport', as she was a racer long before she went to the ownership side, but also because she's succeeded in the very difficult business of racing.

 

Back in the day, men like myself were lost in a sea of naysayers who opined a woman could never make it (in our sport). For some reason, perhaps due to the role modeling I received, I never let go of that outlier perspective that women could, if given an opportunity, meet or exceed the achievements of men. Many have. Good on them.

 

Thanks for mentioning these ladies, Carhill.

 

Through most of my career, it was my interest and passion that pushed me past most hurdles...

 

I'm very grateful to the men and women who mentored me...

 

You probably made a bigger impact on the ladies you helped than you know. I hope those ladies were grateful...

 

(p.s. did you get a new kitty yet?)

[carhill]

(p.s. did you get a new kitty yet?)

 

I've sought some advice from a few successful women who have cats and, so far, it's unanimous that I should take my time on that front. I found their advice to be sound regarding recovering from divorce so am keeping it in mind in this area.

 

Topically, IMO style synergy is paramount, in that both partners respect and validate each other's styles, even if not identical. This is an important area where we're still evolving as women progress from the roles of my mother and grandmother thru those of wife and daughter to the future. I see what is currently (thru my adulthood) going on as 'growing pains'. Eventually, it'll settle out. For some people it has. Marriages and other partnerships take two working in unison to confront and accept what is coming. Hopefully, more and more will make it and will reverse the numbers of the recent past in the break-up/divorce area.

[RedRobin]

Wish you the best in the post-kitty, post-divorce process

 

Hopefully you have other outlets for affection/companionship in the meantime. It sounds like you do.

 

oh, and I agree about growing pains as far as relationship styles go... cultural expectations, etc. I'm trying not to take so much of those 'growing pains' personally or internalize it... while being very clear about the consequences of not adapting too.

[RedRobin]

I think that they have attributes that are very attractive, both very ambitious. Physically neither are my type but if I were inclined, I would date them .

 

Thanks TW (and other gents)... It is good for women to know that different looks and body types appeal to different men. Not that I didn't know that already... just confirming that...

 

As for me... I happen to look alot more like Gillian Murphy, the ballerina... in body type, proportion... and some aspects of her face/hair color (my hair isn't as red). (I attached a pic of her with her cutie pie husband Ethan Stiefel... a fellow dancer).

 

Gillian Murphy Pic - Image of Gillian Murphy - AllStarPics.Net

 

... Looking at all of their pics though (and Danica's video) shows me they have the same presence as other intense, driven women I know of.

 

They all have that same 'look'... Margaret Thatcher (former Prime Minister of England), Helle Thorning-Schmidt (the current head of the EU and prime minister of Denmark).

 

Except for Leslie (can't find info on her).... all the rest are married...

 

so, it is doable... While I botched my choice of husbands when I was younger... I'd still say it isn't a bad thing he and I divorced. He could never have been comfortable being a Mr. Patrick, a Mr. Thatcher, or a Mr. Porterfield. My insecurity balancing those two sides of my personality come from that experience.

 

I've seen other women manage it, and this is why I'm focused on them. The times I've tried to stuff that part of my personality never worked (for long).

 

... as for the guy I'm currently seeing... we talked about finding a track and doing some racing. He used to race dirt bikes when he was younger... and I think I've confirmed he's not into the party lifestyle.

 

We talked about the other issues, and I'm still a little in wait-and-see mode there...

 

See? I do listen, folks...

[Radu]

If they had what it takes to be a good partner, deffinitely yes.

 

Though i would be a bit weary of Leslie's career, ppl who drive motorcycles are not known as 'organ donors' for nothing.

[Heart Of A Lion]

Yes I would, if I felt I was able to make an emotional connection with her.

 

I tend to come across these type of women in the business realm also.

 

They tend to be single more often than other women and seem quite hard-shelled at first, but often there is a soft core within that hard shell, but it takes a while to see and realize that.

 

In my experience, when it comes to these type of women, you need to listen to what they say, rather than how they say it. What I've found is that these type of women are often loners outside their work and shared interests.

 

That being said, I wouldn't mind at all if she liked something from a field that is dominated by men.

 

My brother and I shared a motorcycle until recently, but it got stolen a few weeks ago in front of my house. They must have carried it into a truck.

Since the bike was more my brother's than mine, he filed for insurance and got 90% of the money back.

 

It was an insanely fast Yamaha motorcycle, its top speed was over 230MPH(370KMH): http://rod.gs/Dcl

 

The bike was so loud, that you could still hear its engine screaming when my brother was riding it 2 miles away from my house.

 

I repeatedly feared for my brother's life every time he pushed the bike to 370KMH on the German autobahn where there are no speed limits. Because my brother knows no fear.

 

Every time my brother came to pick up the bike at my house I told him to be careful, but deep down I knew he wouldn't be. So every time he went out riding I feared for his life, because I love him.

Edited August 1, 2012 by Heart Of A Lion

[StrangeBehaviors]

I'd date Danica. But it wouldn't last 'cause I wouldn't let her drive and wreck the car all the time.

[RedRobin]

Yes I would, if I felt I was able to make an emotional connection with her.

 

I tend to come across these type of women in the business realm also.

 

They tend to be single more often than other women and seem quite hard-shelled at first, but often there is a soft core within that hard shell, but it takes a while to see and realize that.

 

In my experience, when it comes to these type of women, you need to listen to what they say, rather than how they say it. What I've found is that these type of women are often loners outside their work and shared interests.

 

That being said, I wouldn't mind at all if she liked something from a field that is dominated by men.

 

My brother and I shared a motorcycle until recently, but it got stolen a few weeks ago in front of my house. They must have carried it into a truck.

Since the bike was more my brother's than mine, he filed for insurance and got 90% of the money back.

 

It was an insanely fast Yamaha motorcycle, its top speed was over 230MPH(370KMH): http://rod.gs/Dcl

 

The bike was so loud, that you could still hear its engine screaming when my brother was riding it 2 miles away from my house.

 

I repeatedly feared for my brother's life every time he pushed the bike to 370KMH on the German autobahn where there are no speed limits. Because my brother knows no fear.

 

Every time my brother came to pick up the bike at my house I told him to be careful, but deep down I knew he wouldn't be. So every time he went out riding I feared for his life, because I love him.

 

Sweet motorcycle! I've been looking at a Suzuki GSXR600 and Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R. It would be my first sportbike. I currently own a cruiser style. The guy I'm seeing owns a Victory.

 

I'm not into loud, but I do like a nice throaty sound (why I picked the cruiser). Going for the sportbike for handling... won't be pushing its limits on anything other than a well-maintained track. WILL be searching out some nice twisty-turns though

 

As for the dating world... You brought up something I hadn't thought about.. the element of danger or added stress... Hmmm...

 

Thanks for your input!!

[Emilia]

What I've found is that these type of women are often loners outside their work and shared interests.

 

 

Isn't everyone single a loner outside work and shared interests? I mean when you are not with friends (shared interests) and colleagues (work), aren't you a loner?

[madjac74]

Isn't everyone single a loner outside work and shared interests? I mean when you are not with friends (shared interests) and colleagues (work), aren't you a loner?

 

No you could be with your kids playing board games