Arty McLetdown

So Arty McArty and I finally had our second date last weekend. And alas, it was, as the title of this post suggests, a bit of a letdown. It was like hanging out with a colleague and at the end of the day thinking, "that wasn't bad as I thought it was going to be."

We were friendly, conversation was just fine, but that was it. It was just.... fine. Nothing to get excited about. No desire to call him, no "I can't wait to see him again" feelings, none of that. I have never jumped out of a car so fast in my life. I sensed there was a leaning in for the kiss starting to happen and so I quickly turned my head and thanked him and darted out of the car all in about a matter of 2.2 seconds. Seriously, I could have won an award for "Quickest Getaway Exit" ever.

Huh, wonder why he hasn't called me?

Sometimes I am Kind of An Idiot

I was supposed to have a date with Artie McArty* this Saturday, but alas, I am not. See, McArty is in Italy right now and when he said, "Let's definitely do something the Saturday I get back," I assumed he meant this Saturday. Yeah, he does not get home until Sunday evening and so Saturday actually means NEXT Saturday.

This is me kicking myself. D'oh!

*Not his actual name.

Hope on the Horizon

Yesterday afternoon I had yet another date. We met at a coffee shop and grabbed a coffee and then decided to walk along the river. 8 miles later I decided that I might like this guy. Conversation was good, he is smart, we seemed to have a lot in common. I have a big ol' blister on my left foot due to me wearing my Converse sneakers and not something a little more sensible for walking 8 miles, but I am thinking the blister might be worth it. After the walk, we stopped at the bar and had a beer.

Guess what? He had a stout. Now that's what I am talking about. No PBR for this guy.

Conversation got a little tougher once inside, but that happens, right? It wasn't bad.... it just had that "first date" feel to it. A little more Q&A rather than just talking. There was no hug or kiss at the end, but that's okay, we've got plans for later this week.

Waving the White Flag, for God's Sake

Last weekend I had a date with a guy from Match. Before the date we had connected on facebook and again, the red flags were up. He was going through a divorce, (yes, I know, I am a SLOW learner with this divorce issue) and had just split up with the wife. He publicized the break-up process via facebook.

I should have known.

But, slow learner that I am, I thought to myself, well maybe that's how some people deal. They put it all out there and hope that their friends pull them through.

I should have known.

So, we had plans to meet at the bar when I got off work. One of my friends was at the bar (I did not plan this, I swear, I didn't) and she called me and told me, "He's not your type. Seriously, I can see this just by looking at him." But I thought, I'll give it a shot. I wasn't going to stand the guy up, that would not be right. This blind date stuff is hard going. You can't just stand someone up. So I headed down and met him.

I know, I know. You shouldn't judge a person by appearance. Or by the beers they drink. But when you put the two together, they reveal a lot about a person. This guy? Pabst Blue Ribbon and a NASCAR t-shirt. Are you getting the picture? So yes, red flags numbers two and three were planted firmly in the ground.

And then the way he kept staring at me. Not lovingly, not looking me in the eyes, but that creepy "I'm checking you out. Doesn't that turn you on?" kind of staring. I had to ask him to stop, that's how bad it was.

It was a short date, I bailed early. Why waste my time? I sent him an email (after three texts from him the next day) and tried to break it off gently. He proceeded to post three different status updates on facebook saying, "Alone again. So sick of being single" and "My life is like a bad country song." and then the kicker.... "Hard to keep your chin up when people keep knocking you down."

Can you say "Unfriend"?

So here I sit on this Saturday afternoon, about to jump in the shower and get ready for yet another blind date. I am waving my white flag. Please, please let this one be promising.

Red Flags All Around

Last week my dear friend from way back when (8th grade to be exact) set me up with a guy from her work. She warned me that he was just getting out of a relationship, but didn't give me any other details. What she failed to mention was that he was three months out of a 12 YEAR relationship. 12 YEARS!!! And two kids. So, that was red flag number one. Red flag number two? Favorite bands? Guns n Roses and Iron Maiden. Now, don't get me wrong. I love me some G n Fn R, but favorite band? Not quite. Red flag number three? His "favorite past time"? Smoking pot and watching a good adventure/action movie.

Later on in the evening we met up with some other friends and one of the women pulled my friend (the one who set us up) into the bathroom and was like, "What the hell are you thinking?" My dear friend looked at her blankly and said, "What?" Friend #2 responded with, "Ummm.... she's intellectual. And he........ is not"

Enough said.

I have a new guy lined up for Friday night. Keep you posted

This is Fun?

Whoever said dating is fun?

This is work. It is hard making a good, lasting first impression. Choosing what to wear, fretting about how you look, what you will say, will you kiss, does he think I am funny, does he think I am funny looking, am I flirting? Is he flirting? Am I talking too much about myself? Do I look like I am really interested in what he is saying? It is all so draining.

And then you go through that whole roller coaster and he doesn't call you back.

And then you question your self-worth. Why doesn't he like me? Am I not pretty enough? Not skinny enough? Where did I go wrong? What is wrong with me?

This is not good for the self-confidence, I tell you.

Thanks Buddy

So I went out with the professor last night. I thought everything was going well. Good flowing conversation, no awkward pauses or uncomfortable silences. Smiles, laughing, good times, right? I may have let the fact that I watch American Idol slip into the conversation at one point. He picked up on it, but I thought all was well. I think I kind of liked this guy. He was cute. So cute. Sweet smile. Great eyes.

And then as we were walking to our cars, he turned and said "thanks, I had a great time" and shook my freaking hand. A handshake? What the hell is that? I got the "thanks, buddy" vibe from the handshake. He did say he would like to do something again, but as of yet, nothing. No phone call.

Ugh. Why do I do this to myself?