Small towns

One thing difficult about where I live is that even though it is a large city, it is one where you always run into or see the same people. This can be a problem when one has my preferred method of putting an end to dating someone, which is just not returning a call or text. This problem is made worse by the fact that 4 of the guys I've gone out with live within a mile or two of me, which means we shop at the same stores and drive the same roads. I feel like I need to dress up like a movie star avoiding the paparazzi just to avoid seeing guys I've dated. Last night I was downtown at a popular bar. I was sitting at the bar, waiting for my drink, turn to the right, and see Atlanta standing there. Well, either Atlanta or someone who looks very similar to him. Actually I can't exactly remember what he looks like, which is why I wasn't sure if it was him or not. Anyway, he looked enough like him for me to stay on the opposite side of the bar to him. I guess if it had been him and he approached me I could have adopted an accent and acted like I had no idea what he was talking about. Hmm, that's a good game plan for future reference.

Good times, good times

Last night was my date with TA, we met at a local wine bar. It was nice meeting someone that I sort of knew already, it made it so I wasn't nervous at all, even though I knew him only for a brief time ten years ago. We were only there for maybe an hour and a half, but were able to talk pretty easily. Most of our discussions circled around the university we both attended, but we covered other topics as well. I don't know if there was a ton of romantic chemistry, but he was definitely someone I would love to hang out with again.

I got an email from Atlanta yesterday asking how my day was going. I also had a missed call from him, but he didn't leave a message, so I didn't call him back. I'm sure I'll hear from him today though...

A friend of mine is in the process of buying a car. She found one listed online, and the guy selling it claims he is in the military (same branch as Maverick). He is selling the car for way under its value (like less than half of what it's worth). There are also some other weird things with his story that makes it a little fishy (like where he says he is stationed and his rank). So I email Maverick and ask his professional opinion, expecting a short answer. Instead, Maverick tells me he looked up the guy's name and some other stuff, and asked me to ask my friend to get more information and he will do more thorough research. I was pretty impressed that a guy I don't really even know voluntarily went out of his way to do that, especially since I know he's really busy; it was refreshing, to say the least. He also suggested times for our "date" and it looks like we will "meet" tomorrow.

And now, for the comic of the day:

Who needs a man...

...when you have a Wii! I am the proud new owner of a Nintendo Wii. I have wanted once since they came out, but the release of Wii Fit was the catalyst for me to actually buy one. The console was pretty easy to find, but it took five stores before I finally found a Fit in stock. I have my date with TA tonight, but really I just want so stay home and play my Wii! I know, that is really sad...almost as sad as the fact that I think I pulled some random muscle while playing Wii tennis last night...

Anyway, nothing really to report today. I texted Atlanta yesterday to thank him for dinner and he responded fairly quickly, asked how my day was, etc. I am running low on dates so I'm trying to make some new connections on Match, we'll see how that goes.

Dilbert is still doing the dating thing, so here is today's comic:

Atlanta date recap

Last night was my date with Atlanta. After giving two people his address and instructions to come looking for my hacked up body and/or unlock me from his basement if they hadn't heard from me by a set time, I headed over to his house. His house was big and new...he was still in the process of decorating it and getting furniture, but all of the basics were there (I don't think there was a single piece of furniture upstairs). When I got there he was cooking dinner- chicken parm, bread, veggies, and rice. We sat around and talked while dinner was finishing. Once dinner was finished we sat at his table (nice that he had an actual table, I'm used to just sitting on the couch) and ate and talked. There was a random lightening storm outside which I could see (but he couldn't because of where he was sitting) which was fairly distracting. He has to get up at some ridiculous hour for work, so I left at around 9:45. The conversation flowed pretty well, but I wouldn't really call it a "fun" night. I mean I had a good time, I think it was more that we basically just talked for two hours. I've never really had a date like that where we didn't actually do anything...he had dinner all ready, it just had to finish cooking, so it's not like we were cooking together. I also don't feel like I really know him any better than I did after our first date, which is strange. I do think he's a nice guy and if he asks me out of course I'll say yes, but it also won't be the end of the world if he doesn't....it would be a sort of "that sucks, oh well" type thing rather than an "I really liked him I can't believe he doesn't want to go out again" thing. Maybe it's just me and my heart isn't really into dating yet...Anyway, overall I'll give the date a B...good but not great, could have been a whole lot worse though.

Next up, Thursday night drink date with TA...

Mmmm, cookies...

Tonight is my date with Atlanta. I couldn't decide what to make for dessert, so I finally settled on my famous (well, maybe not famous, but people do like them) chocolate chip cookies. I thought it would be weird to bring a whole cake or something, so this should work. As it turns out he lives very close to me, 4.6 miles to be exact.

I am meeting TA on Thursday. We are going to a local wine bar. We aren't going until 8pm, which is a little late, but at least that way if it's not fun I have a good excuse (gotta be bright and shiny for work on Friday!).

Well, I guess that's all for now...stay tuned tomorrow for a recap of tonight's date!

Date with Bean and Coming this Week...

I had my "date" with Bean on Friday. I use the term loosely because it was really more of a chance to just meet than an actual romantic date. For starters, we met at Chili's...his choice, so that sort of set the tone to casual. It's funny, I was just reading an article on MSN about the worst places for guys and girls to choose for a date...on the guy's list were generic chain restaurants like Chili's. I swear I just read that article like an hour before he called and suggested we meet there. Oh well. I will say he was a nice guy and would probably be fun to hang out with, but just as friends. He wasn't really my type, but I did appreciate that in the time it took me to go to the bathroom he had asked for the check and paid it. Good guy, just not for me.

I was invited to a barbecue at Atlanta's house tonight. He texted me this afternoon with the invite...he said he knew I was out of town, but just in case I came back early. I wanted to go but decided not to for a couple of reasons: 1) we've only been on one date, it would be a little weird to be at a bbq with him and his friends when I barely even know him; 2) I had a 3.5 hour drive ahead of me and knew I would be tired, and; 3) I bought my friend's old XBox from her over the weekend and was looking forward to a night of Karaoke Revolution. Okay, so #3 is a lame reason, but that's the beauty of an anonymous blog. I didn't even end up getting home until almost 8 anyway, so it was too late (since my bedtime is around 10:30...yes, I am 12). So instead I am going to his house on Tuesday and he's cooking me dinner. I am in charge of dessert, so any suggestions on what to make would be appreciated.

Maverick and I have arranged our first "date." Once again, the term is used loosely, since he is still overseas. We are meeting online to chat, and that will have to do for now. There is a 16 hour time difference between us so hopefully we can figure out a meeting time.

In related news, over the weekend I went to a party of my friend's friend. I was talking to her friend and that friend's boyfriend and it turns out they met on eharmony, and have been together almost 2 years. It's nice to hear encouraging stories like that!

So this week it looks like I have a dinner date with Atlanta, a coffee/drink mini-date with TA, a dinner date with Gandhi (which I may seriously regret, but I have to give the guy a chance), and an online date with Maverick. Thank goodness this is a three day weekend, I may need the recovery time!

Oh, several people have asked if they can forward this to their friends/coworkers/whoever. Yes, please do! The point of this blog is to share my experiences in an anonymous way with my friends or whoever (or is it whomever?) may be interested in reading it...so forward to your friends and comment whenever you feel the need!

The "No Update" Update

Not much going on here...I have my date with Bean tonight, and then I am leaving directly from there to head out of town for the weekend. If I were going to be here I would have a few dates, so sorry boys. Atlanta texted me last night to see if I wanted to hang out (go shoot pool), but I already had plans. And by plans, I mean it was the 1 hour Office season finale, so I couldn't miss that...I do have my priorities, after all.

Several of you have left comments about what I should do about Gandhi. I've decided to give him a chance...I mean maybe he's just not good at the online thing and comes across weird. And maybe he just seems too nice because he's from the South and actually has manners and stuff (shocking). I figure at the very least I will have wasted an hour or so of my time. Plus, I don't want to really focus in on one person quite yet, I want to really see what's out there.

Speaking of, I have been emailing back and forth with Maverick. We are trying to figure out a time to actually chat online, which is hard because of his schedule and the fact that he's on the opposite side of the world. Ironically, a good friend of mine (who lives nowhere near me) is doing eharmony, and he got matched (and is going on a date with) a girl who lives in the same place where Maverick will be moving...I told him we'll need to set up a double date.

I probably won't update this until Monday, so please, try to cope until then!

We all know what happens when you assume...

As of quittin' time yesterday (5pm), still no word from Gandhi. We were supposed to meet at 6:30 and because I hadn't heard from him, I really just wanted to head to the gym. After consulting with several people, I decided to send him an email saying that because I hadn't heard anything I am assuming he needs to reschedule. When I got home an hour later, I see an email from him...apparently he thought I would be contacting him with details, and when he hadn't heard, he assumed I was not interested (which is true, but beside the point). Since I was no longer getting a free meal, I had to throw something together to eat. In true singleton fashion I pulled some 5-month old turkey sausage out of the freezer, and added it to some Rice-a-Roni (the San Francisco treat) for mock jambalaya. It was gross, so I instead ate some cereal and my three left over ravioli from the night before.

Over the course of the evening I was also in contact with Atlanta...he was working late and we were emailing/texting back and forth. He ended up calling me a little after 7 and we talked for 15 minutes or so. And of course, while thoroughly enjoying my conversation with him (and his cute little southern accent), I get an IM from Gandhi. I tell Gandhi to hold while I finish my conversation with Atlanta (not that I rushed, I just made Gandhi wait a long time). Atlanta asks me if I want to get together this weekend, I say I can't, but that I'm available next week, so it looks like I'll have a date #2 with him. Yay!

So I hang up with Atlanta and start chatting with Gandhi. He asks if I am busy this weekend (Yes, I am) because there is some "party" he wants to take me to. I use the term "party" loosely here, since this is also the same guy who was surprised that I was okay with the type of humor in Knocked Up (Um, yeah, love it and own it). He then tells me he's disappointed in me (yes, he actually used that word) because his birthday was a couple days ago and I forgot. Stop laughing, I am totally serious. A guy who I have "known" know for about two weeks is disappointed because I forgot his birthday. How is it possible to disappoint someone you don't even know?

The good news is I now know that if I ignore him he will assume I'm not interested and leave me alone, so I'm seriously considering going that route. Or, should I give him a chance, just because everyone deserves a chance (ie one date)? Please leave comments with your opinion!

I'm Not Atlanta's Frat!

Well, I got an email from Atlanta today, so it turns out that I'm not a dating retard (after being out of the game for so long...what if it's not like riding a bike?). No plans yet, but he said he had a great time, so that's good...I'll keep you posted!

Yeah Right and Surprisingly Great

Okay, this is a two part post. Part one - I told you that I sent Frat a message saying I was not interested. He texted back and thanked me for my honesty, and said he felt the same way. Interesting, how he just asked me out again...He did say he would still like to hang out as friends, since we are both new to the area. On to more interesting things...

Part two of this post is my date with Atlanta. It was actually really good. We met at an Italian place...I had asked him for his cell number earlier today, in case we couldn't find each other (or his pics were from 10 years ago and I didn't recognize him). He said he would arrive early and be waiting outside so that we could find each other easily. I got there about 10 minutes early and he was already there. He was much cuter than his pictures, not that he looked bad in those. He had these awesome blue eyes and was just a good looking guy. I was instantly impressed by him because he made a reservation- that 2 minutes of effort is way more than a lot of guys put in. Dinner was great, and so was the bottle of wine. Actually I am still feeling the wine as I am typing this, so sorry for any spelling or grammatical errors. Conversation was good, although I could tell he was a little nervous at first (the 2 glasses of wine cured that for me...plus I think I am more relaxed since I just got out of a relationship and don't quite know what I'm looking for. It was one of those dates that I didn't really want to end, but of course if eventually did. Oh, and when the check came, he immediately took out his credit card and stuck it in the bill holder thing without even looking at it. This guys is from the South, and those southern manners did definitely show. Hopefully I will hear from him (and not get a "no chemistry" text, that is just so harsh...). Overall, I will grade it an A- (don't want to give an A, since I don't know what's out there...gotta leave some room).

Here's the thing though...what if I was his Frat? I mean what if the whole time he was thinking "when is this going to be over," while I just wanted to continue talking? I was just reminded why I hate dating...

Slave Labor?

I have confirmed my 4th date of the week with Bean. This is a set up (not a random guy from the internet) so I am really looking forward to it.

Tonight is my date with Atlanta. We are meeting at an Italian restaurant. I've already scoped out the menu and will be getting the ravioli :) I see dates as a free meal...anything above that (like if I have a connection with the guy) is just a bonus, that way it's hard to be disappointed. Don't get me wrong, some of those "free" meals I've really had to work for...I mean my 2.5 hour date with Frat only works out to about minimum wage, if you consider the price of my meal (it was lunch, so probably under $12 including tax and tip) and the time I was there...let's see, $12/2.5 hours = $4.80 an hour! Waaaaay below minimum wage, that's practically slave labor! I might as well be sewing shirts in Cambodia...

One down, Three to Go

I have been fairly amazed at the response I'm getting from match. I get at least 3 emails/winks a day. Not to say all of the guys are my type...my favorite so far was a 61 year old who described himself as a "great lover." Yuck. Or the guy, who after chatting with him for all of two minutes, asked me what I was wearing. Yuck again. But there have been a few guys with potential. As of Saturday, I had set up three dates through match.com for the week. I potentially have a 4th date with someone a friend is setting me up with as well. Date #1 was yesterday, with a guy I'll call Frat.

We met at a local restaurant. I hadn't really talked/emailed him much, so I didn't know a ton about him, other than his profile information. I did know he was 35, pretty cute, and fairly new to town. Everything went pretty well, the conversation flowed. He was interesting, but didn't really have that "it" factor. Sort of like when you order a dish that is okay, and you liked it, but wouldn't order again. The check came and he just let it sit there for about 30 minutes. I wasn't about to reach for it, so we just kept talking. He finally paid, and I was thinking it meant that I got to leave...nope. Finally, after being there for 2.5 hours, I sort of motioned that it was time to go. Frat wasn't a bad guy, he was nice, and he had some good stories. But he was a 35 year old frat boy- I think if given the option he would go back to his college years. So I'll rate date #1 a C+, not horrible, but could have been better. I think if he calls I will do the mature thing and let it go to voicemail. :)

Scheduled for this week is a date with Atlanta on Tuesday (he's a baseball fan) and Gandhi on Wednesday (seems like a really nice guy, maybe too nice). I think I'm going out with Bean on Friday (he's a CPA), who is the friend of a friend. It is going to be a very busy week!