Date #11 & 12 - The Pleasant Surprise

Our second date was at a trendy restaurant in the city, just a couple of blocks from my office.  It was a place I had been wanting to try out so a great suggestion by him.  He was early and was able to get our spot on the list for a table without any input from me AND had a beer waiting for me when I got there.  You might not think beer is the proper choice for a "lady" but we had discussed how much I enjoy trying new beers at brunch so it was nice that he remembered.  Most men, or people even, don't remember ANYTHING, EVER.  So to find someone who remembers a small detail like that is cool.  I appreciated it.  Also proves he actually listens.  Again, a rare find.

We only had a short time to wait for our table and wound up at a cool spot upstairs overlooking the bar area.  I usually don't feel comfortable eating on dates because it's so awkward.  To me, at least.  It's hard to scream across the table loud enough to be heard and try to eat gracefully at the same time.  I never do a good job of it.  However, I didn't have the same anxieties I usually do in this case.  It was easy. 

Conversation was great again.  We broached some more serious topics this time but it wasn't the usual nonsense you get with a guy when you talk about these types of things.  They just came naturally and were usually brought up by him.  I guess what I'm trying to say is, we had an adult conversation about adult things without either person wanting to run for the hills.  I'll admit, I can be just as bad, as that's my usual reaction to such talk.  I didn't feel like I was about to hyperventilate at all.  

I did notice one minor negative detail.  His table manners are not that good.  I've definitely seen much worse, to the point where I couldn't even be at the table with this person.  My date isn't nearly as bad but there's room for improvement.  But, if that's the worst of it, I'll take it.

We left that date with plans for a 3rd date, 2 days later.  He texted me the next day to inquire about time and said he'd make a reservation.  A real, live, thought out in advance reservation to a restaurant.  Once again, with absolutely no input from me.  We had also talked about how much I like tapas and Spanish food so he chose a place that serves that downtown.  This time there was a Mojito waiting for me upon my arrival. I did come to realize it was only there because he ordered one for himself and decided he didn't want it.  But still.  Most guys I know would have just sent it back as opposed to waiting to see if I wanted it instead.

I enjoyed our conversation even more this time because it got a bit more real and less "interview-ish".  He's very smart and is good at the banter, which is one of my favorite things to do.  What I liked even more is he doesn't have a problem disagreeing with me and proving his point.  Confident and intelligent.  And he doesn't worry about making impressions or hurting his pride.  He asked me out again for a 4th date right in the middle of dinner!  Almost too good to be true.

Most importantly, and appreciated by me is, there have been no attempts at creepy touching.  Or any touching for that matter.  He hasn't even commented on how I look or what I'm wearing.  I know many of you might find that off putting but I like it.  It takes a while for me to warm up to people (except for when it's a bad idea in which case, I'm all over it).  And compliments make me uncomfortable.  So I'm glad he hasn't gone there just yet.

I'll post again about Date #4.  I know I said I'd stop after the 3rd date but I feel like it hasn't gotten to the point where I'd be divulging intimate details so I'll do one more.  I also went out with Ashton, the young one I mentioned a couple of posts ago, so will post that one too.  Hope everyone has an amazing New Year's Eve!  

Date #10 - The Pleasant Surprise

As soon as I began communicating with him, I knew we were on the same wave-length.  I hate that term but it's the best way to describe it.  I love it when I can communicate with someone, in whatever form, and not have to think about what I'm saying too much.  You know, there are some people with whom you have to re-word each text message before you send it or re-think every sentence before you say it.  Not this guy.  So right from the start, I was more at ease and comfortable being me.  Which is such a relief!

Even better than that? He seems to be a step ahead of me, which is rare.  I'm not saying I know everything, or even a fraction of everything, but I'm quick.  I get things done and I don't like to wait.  Before I can even think about getting annoyed because we haven't firmed up plans, he's texting me with the time and location of where we are meeting.  It almost brings me to tears of happiness, I'm not exaggerating (well, maybe a little exaggeration but you get what I'm saying).

We choose brunch for our first "date" and both arrive 15 minutes early.  I'm usually very prompt but not usually early.  I thought it would be best for one of us to get there early to find a table as brunch at this particular spot is a popular destination.  Amazingly enough, he had the same exact thought.  Again, tears of joy.

He looked exactly like his pictures and is exactly the height he claimed to be on his profile.  Physically, if I could build my perfect man, he probably would NOT be it.  But I can't say I even noticed that too much after we started talking,  Conversation flowed easily.  We discovered we both worked at one of my past places of employment (he left right as I was joining), have very similar families and backgrounds, both enjoy living in the city area (not as common as one might think) and are social people who drink alcohol.  As I've said before, I don't want to date a drunk BUT I do enjoy splitting a bottle of wine with dinner or meeting for happy hour after work.  That is fun to me, so to find someone who enjoys that is important.  I'm not saying I want to be out slamming cocktails until 4am on the weekends.  Not anymore, anyway.  But having a few drinks after work or a few bottles of wine with friends, definite yes.  So this is good.

Before I knew it we made our way through a full meal and two mimosas and I wasn't ready to leave yet.  Wowza.  At this point I'm usually finding a reason to leave gracefully.  What's more surprising is HE takes control and decides to ask for the check.  What?!  Amazing.

Here's the other great thing I learned about him, he walks fast.  My fellow fast walkers out there will understand.

We parted ways with another date planned for that following Tuesday.  More to come!

Date #9 - The Doctor

I’ll be honest, I’ve always wanted to say “I date a doctor”.  That’s the only reason I bothered with this one.  I was tired, this being the 3^rd date in as many nights so I had to force myself through it and walked in with a bad attitude.  We so happened to meet at the same bar I met date number one so at least the place was familiar. It didn’t help my outlook much though.  To put the timing in a little more perspective, this date was just two days after the second date with Renaissance Man so I was still feeling a bit skittish and creeped out.  Date # 8 was just the night before and although that was a pleasant evening out, I wasn’t feeling like making much of an effort.  So I didn’t.  Maybe that’s not fair but, life’s not fair right? And I’m not perfect.

The crowd was loud and annoying.  He was sitting at the end of a long table that a couple of girls were sharing with us at the other end.  That added to my lack of enthusiasm.  I hate other people being able to overhear my conversation almost as much as I hate having to scream to be heard across the table.  And here we had both.  I do have to give him some credit for telling me WHERE he was seated, before I got there.  I don’t understand why that is not a more common occurrence.  For some reason the men think wherever they decide to station themselves, I’ll be able to telepathically figure it out or something.  Isn’t it just easier to tell me where you are?  I don’t get it.

So, he ordered us glasses of wine and we talked for a bit.  I can’t even say he was that nice.  To me, he was fine but some of the things he said bothered me.  He made a lot of generalizations about people, which always sets me off.  He asked what “nationality” I am, which is another hot button.  What I care about is the person YOU have evolved to be, not where your great-great-great grandmother was born.  Irrelevant in my opinion.  

These things plus my bad attitude had me leaning toward the door within 20 minutes.  My body literally hurt with exhaustion and I could barely keep my eyes focused but I stuck it out for another 20.  Until he looked at my empty wine glass and said “I’ll get you another wine if you want but if I have another I’ll be asleep all day tomorrow.  I had 2 glasses of wine last weekend and wound up in bed until noon”.  I could only stare at him in awe and laugh hysterically in my head.  Two glasses of wine? Two?!  Ok, that’s a no.  Of course I don’t want to date a drunk but I’d like to be able to, maybe, open a second bottle here and there.

Another one down!

In the midst of my month long dating extravaganza, I’ve reconnected with another past “experience”.  Although I probably shouldn’t say experience because nothing ever happened.  Because I didn’t let it.  He’s a good person.  Almost too good.  I feel pressure to be better, try harder.  That’s what other people should do right? Bring out the best in you?  He knows what to say, is supportive and sees me in a way I don’t see myself.  I usually feel like I have to have all the answers and figure everything out on my own.  He is a rare person I feel I could turn to when I don’t, or can’t.  It feels…..like a warm blanket.  Someone said that to me about his ex-girlfriend and I thought it was horribly offensive.  Now I think I get it. 

BUT (there had to be a but right?) there’s an age difference.  A significant age difference.  The Demi/Ashton kind of age difference.  Maybe not quite as significant as theirs but it’s notable.  Even though he’s probably more mature than most men I know, who are my age, and I’m trying to keep my mind open to all possibilities, I just don’t know.  

Thoughts?

Aside from that, next date is brunch on Sunday….so far he seems promising enough. I’ve decided to keep with the “spaghetti theory” after all.  Thank you for your comments on my last post and for taking the time to help navigate my way!

Date #8 - The Corpse

This is awful.  I’m going on record as being an awful person who says awful things about nice people.  I apologize in advance but I promised I’d be 100% honest, with myself, with the men I date and with you reading.

This man looked like a walking corpse and it was very distracting.  Look, I do believe I can be attracted to someone who wouldn’t be considered “attractive” to the general public.  Been there, done that.  But it was not going to happen here.  I was not all that excited about him at first but after we chatted for a bit I thought, why not.  He seems like a nice person.  Did not fit the exact demographic I think I’m looking for but, do things ever work out exactly as planned? No.  So I figured, why not give it a shot.

As soon as I saw him, I knew it was a no.  I think though, it had more to do with my insecurities than his lack of standard attractive qualities.  I’ve mentioned before I’m a tall girl.  That’s tall as in definitely not 95 pounds but not overweight either.  I think I had to outweigh this guy by at least 30 pounds and I’m just not ever going to be comfortable with that.  At least I don’t think so, stranger things have happened.  I remember his profile saying specifically “I look like my pictures” (he didn’t) and “I’m really my height” (he wasn’t)  I believe I was significantly taller than him, or it felt like it anyway.  

On top of these things, he was extremely, how shall I say it, feminine.  Way more girly than me.  But I’m not being fair leading with all of the superficial things because the more we got to talking, the more I realized he was a super nice, good person.  And I had a pleasant time with him.  He chose a very nice place and paid for an expensive meal for which he would not let me contribute.  We had nice conversation.  He was funny and intelligent, completed a very prestigious marathon and a couple of other obstacle course type races.  I’m realizing more and more how little I actually have conversations with the people in my life.  We’re friends, we have fun together but we don’t really talk.  It was nice to have someone to really talk to who listened and had worthwhile things to say in return.  I enjoyed it.  Unfortunately there was absolutely no physical attraction on my part.  And if I’m being honest, I think the lack of attraction was probably mutual.

But it was still worth going.

So I was out last night with a friend and one of her male friends (who I had oddly enough happened to cross paths with in a very serendipitous fashion) and we talked about my dating experiences and blog a little bit.  He said something that I’ve been trying to process all day.  I forget the exact wording but it was something along the lines of, if he knew a girl was dating a lot, he probably wouldn’t be as interested in getting to know her.  It’s a little frustrating to hear something like that because what am I supposed to do, sit home and wait for Mr. Right to materialize on my couch? At the same time, I think he probably has a point, as much as I may not like it.  Men are not always logical creatures.  I’m wondering if maybe I should start being a little more selective now that I’ve gotten to a running start.  Quality over quantity.  Any thoughts on this?

Date #7 - The Renaissance Man - Part 2

Second Date – Having Second Thoughts

I wake up Saturday morning with that feeling that something’s not quite right.  I can’t say for sure what it is exactly but I’m feeling unsettled.  A couple hours later I get a text from Mr. Renaissance declaring what a great time he had last night and can’t wait to see me to tomorrow etc etc, would I like to see a movie up in the burbs?  Hmmm.  Normally I love the area he lives in. I have a good friend that I love to visit up there.  I’m just not convinced it’s a good idea to trap myself in a semi-strange area with this guy, without a car.  He’d have to pick me up from the train, I’d be trapped in his truck and could end up anywhere and not be able to do a thing about it.  My rule is I have to be pretty certain you’re not going to chop me up into a hundred pieces and stuff me into a suitcase before I agree to be in a secluded area with you.  Not there just yet.

So I answer that I’d love to see a movie but skip the part about where figuring I can think of something in the meantime.  While out with friends that evening I discuss with a male friend and he correctly says “If you go up there, he’s expecting you to stay over”.  Not happening.  So I decide to tell him I’m more comfortable meeting in neutral territory at least once more before packing my overnight bag and he agrees, no questions asked.  Good.

Being the city expert of this operation, I research the when and where of our movie choice and send him the coordinates and two time choices.  His response, “Sound good.  Don’t know what time yet”. 

Ok, so, this is where I start to get annoyed.  You don’t know what time yet? You can’t decide between two time choices that are less than 5 hours away, or suggest a time that does work,  and I therefore have to sit around and wait (you’ll remember from a previous post how much I love that).  I contemplate canceling throughout the day while waiting and then he calls to explain he was out with family buying Christmas trees blah blah blah so, fine.  We choose a time and I get on the train into the city.  Still, though, with a nagging sense of uncertainty.

The movie theater I chose was in the most crowded, tourist laden area of town but he still manages to pick me out of the throng of people I’m navigating through and lean in for a kiss.  And I turn my head and give him my cheek.  Reflex, I can’t help it.  Strike one for me.

I say "Nice to see you".  He replies, "Yeah I didn't realize it was going to take three hours out of my day to come down here".  It was an hour and a half, it was just about the same for me, what you're really not happy about is that I'm not tied up in your closet right now.

Anyway, he’s already purchased the movie tickets, which is nice and asks if I’d like any refreshments.  Not really but I say yes anyway because, well, I’m not really sure.  I feel like I’ll be disappointing him if I don’t.  I order popcorn and he’s adamant that he wants a Coke.  Ok fine, a Coke too.  I don’t drink soda but whatever, compromise.  We get to the seats and I pick at the popcorn a little and he dives into the soda.  He offers me some, I refuse it and he gives me this, like, exasperated look as if I begged him for soda and am now not drinking it.  Dude, I don’t want your soda, get over it!

All this while he has a back pack with him because he’s staying at his sisters in the city afterward.  Totally reasonable, until he mentions he has a bottle of rum in there for his morning coffee.  His Monday morning, before he goes to his job I still don’t understand, coffee.  What?!  And then he offers to spike our Coke at the movie theater.  So that would explain the importance of the soda.

At this point I’m about done but we’re here now, I’m looking forward to the movie and we really don’t have to talk for the next 2 hours.  Or so I thought.  I’m one of those people who like to go to a movie and actually pay attention to said movie.  As soon as the previews start, it’s time to stop talking and start listening.  Not for my date apparently.  He whisper talks through every preview, which so happen to be my favorite part of the movie experience, aside from the movie itself.  Of course I can’t hear a word he’s saying so have to keep saying “What?” so that he then has to repeat whatever annoying thing he just said and I’m nearing anger.  It can’t get much worse than this, I think.

Until he puts his arm around my shoulders.  I’m a tall girl and my torso is particularly long so for him to put his arm around me he has to sort of reach up and over my head and then leave his very heavy arm basically hanging around my neck.  I’m clearly physically uncomfortable, close to in pain and he asks “Is this comfortable?” NOOOOO!!! I want to scream but manage to calmly say “I’m sorry no it’s not”.  He’s clearly offended and this is just getting better and better.  Strike two for me.

He tries to hold my hand but I think he knows at this point I’ve already checked out and gives up about 5 minutes in.  As the movie progresses I feel myself inching further and further away in my seat until my head is resting on the seat back next to me.  If I could have moved over to the next seat, I would have.

Finally the movie is over, I just want to go home but then feel this excruciating wave of I don’t even know what, but I feel awful for being a kind of a jerk and agree to do some holiday touristy stuff with him (after I refuse his 3^rd invitation to go back to the apartment for a drink).  We walk and talk and he says “So remember when I grabbed your butt the other night, I was surprised I didn’t get a reaction to that.  You know, I just want to keep it light and fun” or something equally idiotic.  Seriously?  Seriously?!?  And we, for real, have a 5 minute discussion about why I didn’t jump, or give him a flirty slap on the arm or laugh and blush at the same time or, WHATEVER!! WHY ARE WE EVEN TALKING ABOUT THIS? You want a reaction? How about a punch in f*cking face?

Needless to say I don’t feel awful about leaving anymore but he puts the final touches on this semi-epic collapse when he says he’s not going into the office first thing in the morning because he has to finish up chopping wood in his sisters yard.  Nice.  So I say “What you’re telling me is you’re going to get up have a leisurely breakfast along with your rum and coffee, go chop wood and then maybe think about working?”  The look on his face implies that’s strike three for me.

Because I like to be fair and give full disclosure, he did pay for my cab back to the train.  Not before grabbing me and fiercely telling me to “make sure I kiss him on the lips the next time I see him”.  

As if there will be a next time, Creeper!!

Back to the drawing board…..

Date #6 - The Renaissance Man - Part 1

This is two dates with the same person.  I’ll start with:

First Date – Now this is more like it!

His texting/emailing style was a bit odd and difficult to follow but not that big a deal in the grand scheme of things.  He lives in a northern suburb of my home city so not ideally close, but close enough.  We met after work on a Friday in a prestigious area of town at one of my old favorite places, so great suggestion on his part.  

I see him sitting at a reserved table and think “Nice!”  Forethought, planning, thoughtful… I like it!  And he’s not bad looking either.  There’s a weird proportional thing going on that I think might be his head being too big for his body…but it’s one of those things if you stare at long enough, it goes away.

Conversation is good and drinks are flowing, there’s no doubt he’s an interesting person.  Plays guitar, sings, plays tennis, writes, has built a chaise lounge out of a tree he chopped down himself – a full on Renaissance Man.  I get the feeling he might be slightly unfocused but that’s a little bit of the pot calling the kettle black.  On top of that, it sounds as if his sister and her husband are LOADED and have a house in the burbs and an apartment in this same prestigious area in the city we are in.  And he has full access to both along with, what sounds like, a fleet of luxury cars.  He’s very careful to explain those are not his things, which is fine by me.  But I’m not going to complain about a couple of fun perks.

In hindsight, the red flags started popping up when we talked about our jobs.  I still don’t have any idea what he does for a living.  I do know he spent the day chopping wood in his sister’s backyard and missing conference calls for whatever it is he does do.  Again, the drinks are flowing so I hear all of this but don’t really process it until the next morning when replaying the evening in my head.  I don’t have a problem with a guy who doesn’t have a lot of cash, I DO have a problem with a guy who doesn’t have a work ethic.

Through conversation I learn two interesting things, he’s a recent transplant from the west coast and doesn’t know the city well which is kind of a bummer.  I don’t love having to play tour guide but, not a deal breaker.  The second is, he sat down at the table and took the space without even realizing the reserved sign was there.  Oh.  So no foresight or planning involved in our seating, just luck that no one got pissed off enough to kick us out.   But, I chalk that up to being a newbie to the area.  This is me being an adult.

Since this is the first date I don’t want to run away from as fast as possible, we decide to hit another spot for one more drink.  As we’re walking along he grabs me and says “If you turn around, you can see where we can go for another drink if you want”.  And it’s his sister’s plush city apartment, with a terrace.  Tempting….but no, I’m not trapping myself in an apartment with a stranger.  He doesn’t make an issue of it so, we move on.  

We find a place and continue to drink and talk and generally have a good time.  He suggests we get something to eat, we look at the menu and he says…”We could go back to the apartment and order in”  Hindsight - red flag #2.  I say no, again, and we move on, again.  And later, “What do I have to stock my bar with to get you to my place in the burbs?”  Easy enough question to avoid but I’m starting to feel a little uneasy.  We eat, have more drinks and finally I’ve reached my limit of good decision making and decide to call it a night.  Plus I’m ready to go home.  I’ve enjoyed his company enough for a second date but not 100% convinced yet.

He walks me to the train and he has is arm around my waist, we’re holding hands, basic affectionate stuff.  At one point he kind of grabs my butt, but not in a way that needs a reaction on my part.  It’s natural in my opinion (this is an important point for the second date)

We have a pretty good kiss and make a plan for that Sunday evening for a movie.  It’s at least worth a second, more sober meeting….