Special Features: A Reflective Post...

Since it has been about 2 months since I started this experiment, I decided it was a good time to sit down and write a bit of a reflective post.  There are a few things that have been tossed around in real-life conversations that I wanted to take the time to write down and share with those of you who have been sharing in this experience.  I hope you enjoy...

The dating scene for me has been pretty dormant for the past few weeks and while I was able to provide a good story from my past, I definitely wanted to take some time to write up a bit of a reflective post.  I have definitely learned a lot through this experience and am eager to share some of those tid-bits with you all.  Before we get to all the heavy, introspective stuff, I first want to take the time to document a few of my favorite places from these dates.  I was lucky to be able to meet up at a few great places in the city and some I had wanted to visit anyway.  The best place I’ve found is definitely Annabel Lee Tavern in Highlandtown area.  Great energy, great crowd, and I definitely hope to return there at some point.  One fun fact about this place was when I mentioned it to another friend, she said when she went there she immediately thought “If Reese has not been here, she really needs to.”  Another great find was Alewife.  This is a great bar Downtown, across from the Hippodrome.  They have about 40 beers on tap and I have yet to have one I don’t like (quite the feat).  It is also where I found my new favorite beer—Allagash White (which I am actually drinking as I write this).  The third place I want to mention is Birds of a Feather—a Scotch/Whiskey bar in Fells Point.  Its small and quiet, and there’s an extremely knowledgeable bartender who will have no issues giving you her opinion on what you should drink.    

As far as the actual dates go, I have certainly found that there are essential characteristics that need to be there.  Even more important, I have found that the first 30 seconds are usually the most telling sign (and, honestly, 30 seconds is a bit conservative—I can usually tell in half that time).  I have yet to be proven wrong regarding the impression set in that short amount of time—both negative and positive (and in most cases, neutral).  I have found that witty banter and chemistry are among the most important traits for a good date.  While this is something I believed in theory for a long time, I have found through this experience how little I am willing to compromise when it comes to this trait.  And, dear LORD!  Do NOT apologize for your use of sarcasm!! Let’s face it, I’m Irish—I’m a fighter.  I need someone to spar with and if you’re not up to the task, then it will be pretty clear very quickly.   Of course, on the flip side, even if there is a bit of chemistry or ease of conversation, if there is no physical attraction it really is the death of the date.  It really is so important.  Also, apparently the meeting place and conditions need to be clearly decided before the date as I have been missed by two of the dates in this experiment.  *Sigh*  Also, giving out my number...I’m glad in most cases I have controlled myself and not given it out, but comparably glad that the times I didn’t at least resulted in good stories. 

I have had a lot of people ask me if I’ve been learning anything through this experiment and my answer has always been “yes.”  In all honesty, though, what I have learned does not compare with the amount of healing that has taken place by taking this on.  Those who know me well, know—in more detail—the full reasons behind why most of my 20s were spent not dating and the many emotions that came along with that realization and feeling it was too late to make up for lost time.  Among those emotions were an enormous amount of anger and frustration.  Without getting into specifics, I almost felt that I had devoted my life to an idea that ended up only letting me down and leaving me with only lost time and no experiences to show for it.  To some extent, I still do feel that way, but by channeling that energy into just using the time I saw that I still did have and cramming all the experience I desired into that small window, I have received quite a bit of healing.  While it can become tiresome, I am sure if these serial failed dates had followed me over a course of years instead of weeks, I would be much more jaded than I have become on my own.  Additionally, the creative fulfillment that it gives me to be able to share a bit of my story in a light-hearted way is cathartic in and of itself.  As much fun as I’m having, I do still get frustrated at the fact that I’m still single, I still cry, and I do honestly feel the stagnant state of the experiment the past few weeks is due to a bit of burn-out and need for reflection.  While these feelings are still there, the pain isn’t nearly as deep and doesn’t last nearly as long as it has in the past; for which I am very grateful.  At this time, I do feel as though I am ready to re-enter this field and get a few more good stories for you guys soon.  (And for those who know me in real life and have questions about specifics, please don’t hesitate to contact me with those...I just personally don’t feel it necessary to get into them through this forum.) And thus ends the “super vulnerable” section of this post...

So, there you have it!  A few new places to check out in Baltimore and a promise for more stories SOON!  Until next time, I will leave you with one more dating tip:  Sushi--Delicious food, perhaps not the best first date meal (I mean, unless you want to be super-awkward, in which case, you have my blessing).  

Special Features: The Saga of Eagle Tattoo Guy...

Since I don't have any dates lined up for this week, I decided it would be a good time to share this story with those of you who have yet to hear it.  This particular story took place about a year ago and has been the date I compare all other dates to in terms of levels of atrocity.  I knew about halfway in that there was no salvaging it, but also knew it would provide me with the best story in my repetoire for a very long time.  Before starting, it should be noted that none of the following story is exaggerated in any way.  Everything is verbatim, everything is truth (no matter how hard it is to believe).  Let's begin...

I had met this guy the weekend before in a bar...that's all the details that need to be disclosed.  So, we had set up a date for a Thursday evening.  After I had not heard from him regarding details by noon that day, I had given up and started mentally making alternate plans for the evening.  Around 2, I get a text asking if I had seen a specific movie.  I had not and had actually been dying to see it, so although even I know that a movie is a bad first date, I obliged and we started working out the details.  I was going to meet him at his place and we were going to drive out to see the movie.  Now, rather than go to a local theater within the city limits, he wanted to go to one out in the county.  Awesome.  So, after work, I go home, get ready and drive over to his place.  When I walk up his street, I see that there are actually two buildings with his number in it.  He is no where to be seen.  So, I dig my phone out of my purse and we have the following exchange (perhaps the most infamous part of the story among my friends):

ETG:  Hello?
Me:  Hi, its me.  I'm outside.
ETG:  Oh, you were 2 minutes late.  I thought you weren't going to show.
Me:  Um...whatever, I was parking the car...
ETG:  Just kidding.  Let me put on a shirt and I'll be right down.

Um...what??  So, if I had been 5 minutes late, would he have been naked??  I mean, maybe I was "2 minutes late" but at least I was fully dressed!  Anyway, he comes down and we walk to his car.  The drivers side is on the sidewalk side, so I walk around.  I figure I would have given him enough time to get in and unlock my door, but apparently not.  So, essentially I'm standing in the street...waiting for him to unlock the door.  I'm not saying he has to open the door for me, but come on!  Don't leave me out in traffic!  So, I get in and quickly learn that this car is actually a convertible.  Not because he asks "hey, do you mind if I put the top down?", but because he looks over with this "check this out" look, pushes a button and there goes the roof.  Nevermind that I actually wanted to wear my hair down or the fact that I find convertibles a bit pretentious, but did I mention that we were in a Chevy Cavalier?  Who turns a Cavalier into a convertible??

So, we start driving and he tells me he has to make a quick stop first.  Figuring its for something like gas or money (you know, something that would make sense), I say alright and we start driving through the city.  We pull up in front of a Barnes and Noble, he parks and just gets out of the car.  Thinking it would probably be more awkward to stay in the car than it would be to follow him in, I get out of the car, too and we walk towards the store.  And then this happens:

Me:  Okay, but I can't walk out of here with anything.
ETG:  What?
Me:  Well, I have a hard time coming in here and walking out without buying anything, so I'm saying I can't buy anything.
ETG:  Oh, you're one of those.  What did I get myself into?
Me:  {"one of those" whats?  Literate girls??} Come on, its a whole store that smells like coffee and books!  Its like heaven!
ETG:  Yeah, I'm not a fan of either of those things.
Me: {Yeah, I have no response to that...}
ETG:  Well, actually, I was in here the other day and saw a book I'd probably read.  Picks up the autobiography of Slash from Guns and Roses.
Me:  Um.  Yeah, well, I love memoirs, so I guess...

He heads over to the help desk and I start checking out the nearby biography section, seeking solace in my favorite genre.  It is at this point I overhear him saying to the woman behind the desk "Um, I think the name begins with..."  Yes, boys and girls, this guy had to make a stop--on a date--to pick up a book he doesn't even have the information for!!  I listen as he tells this woman that he was at orientation this morning and the professor had advised getting this book, then call his room mate--who is in the same law program--to see if he remembers what the book was, and finally I place my focus back on the books until ETG returns next to me, empty-handed.  Nice.

So, we get back in the car, we start a bit of conversation and then he turns up the baseball game on the radio.  Now, let me remind you that in addition to this game, the top is still down causing a nice wind factor, so I decide that perhaps we are not talking on the way to the movie since I sure as hell am not going to compete with the elements he has introduced into this situation.  So, we get out to the movie theater, he almost gets into an accident because he's an IDIOT and is not paying attention to any other cars, he puts the top up and we start walking towards the theater.  He then proceeds to tell me a sob story in which he used to be able to pay for one movie and go to see a few more, but they've recently re-designed the theater in order to keep that from happening.  I really have no idea how to respond to that.  However, it is at this point that I realize that there is no hope for this date and that I am truly on the precipice of a great story.

When we walk in, he buys the tickets and then puts them in his wallet.  So I say "oh, are you holding onto mine so I don't lose it?" and he looks at me like I have 10 heads.  I brush it off and say I was just kidding and we walk to a nearby restaurant to get something to eat.  We sit down at the bar and I think I see Guinness on tap and relay my excitement to ETG.  When the bartender approaches us, the following exchange happens:

ETG:  So, what do you have on tap?
Bartender:  Sam Adams, Blue Moon, Guinness...
Me:  some sign of excitement...probably squealing.
ETG: (to bartender) Sorry, she doesn't get out much.

Seriously??  So, I look at my date, look at the bartender and say "Whatever, I'm Irish, I'll have a pint of Guinness, please."  Then, it takes him about 20 minutes to decide he wants a Blue Moon.  Really??  You take that long to decide you want a Blue Moon?!?!  His impeccable manners take another turn when he orders his dinner and says "I'm going to get this salad.  It says it comes with [tortillas or peppers or something].  Yeah, I can do without that."  Really?!?!?  Are you a caveman?!?!

It really only gets worse.  I try desperately to keep conversation going, but its proving dismal.  The bar we're sitting at has one of those electronic games on the corner and he wants to play (yeah, no--not happening), he sees something on another screen in the bar that reminds him of an episode of South Park (which he proceeds to tell me the entire synopsis of, even though I figured out the punchline within the first sentence--its South Park, not rocket science), and then I move onto pop culture.  I try music, but I'm Lilith Fair and Simon and Garfunkel and he's Megadeth and Guns and Roses.  I grew up on TV, so I watch everything from Law and Order to Top Model to The Office (both versions) and he watches ESPN and South Park, apparently.  Then he says that he is "really into movies".  Okay, maybe there's something we can work with...

Me:  Great, movies!  So, what do you think of Hitchcock?
ETG:  Oh, that's old stuff!!
Me:  {Knife. In. My. Heart.  I really have no response for that statement...}
ETG:  Well, I mean, I'm not opposed to those movies, I just typically go to see the blockbusters.  I figure there's a reason they're blockbusters.
Me: {You mean the fact that Americans will pay ridiculous amounts of money to see movies with no substance, plot, or character development.  Yeah...}Um, yeah, I like those on occasion.  Definitely...

Finally, its time for the movie.  Finally.  So, he walks into the theater and just sits down.  Now, I will sit anywhere in a theater, but it would be nice if my opinion was at least acknowledged.  So, I sit down, cross my legs, cross my arms and stay that way because there was no way in hell this guy is even going to try to touch me.  The movie was fantastic--best part of the date.  We get up after the movie and apparently he had to go to the bathroom before we left because he just walked across the hallway into the Men's room.  And I almost followed him in there...nice.  So, I wait in the hallway for him to come back out and we leave.  He actually left the top up in the car on the way home, so we did discuss the movie a bit, we try to discuss movies in general as well (he didn't know any of my Desert Island movies--except for Mary Poppins--which was expected), and finally we're back.  I so desperately want to just sprint to my car and go home, but I let him walk me to my car.  We get about 10 steps and he turns to me and says "So, do you want to come up, or..."  Oh. My. God, are you kidding me?!?!?!!  (When I'm telling the story in person, I have a hard time even getting that sentence out, I'm laughing so hard).  I tell him I have work the next day so I really should get home.  We get to my car, I give him a hug (only because I don't want him trying anything else), thank him for the movie, and get in my car.  As I'm pulling away from the hug he tells me I smell good.  Well, damn straight I smell good!!  I don't leave the house to go grocery shopping without smelling good!!!  And that was the end of that.

So, the morale of the story, kids:  Don't have a drunken make-out session with a guy and then go out with him a few days later (to this day, I still will not drink Jameson).   The eagle tattoo really should have been my first clue...

The One with the Alternate Plan...

I had held off contacting this guy for a week or so in order to be able to set up a date within a matter of days rather than dealing with the risk of an overabundance of messages back and forth before meeting in person.  Setting up the date, however, ended up being more of a story than the date itself.  (I feel like I've typed that sentence before...)  When we decided on a day, Sam* stated it worked for him and that is also happened to the pre-season Redskins/Ravens game so maybe we can find a bar that's playing it and watch it.  Okay.  Here's the deal:  I actually really like football, I like screaming at the screen, and getting all riled up watching a game, but, dude, on the first date??  Also, he has no way of knowing this about me--there is nothing on my profile that says this and I even got rid of the picture of me with my Terrible Towel during the latest edit of my profiles.  Oh yeah, and I'm a Steelers fan.  So, that may be the most boring game in the world to make me watch because I don't care about the Redskins and I sure as hell am NOT going to root for the Ravens!  Plus, if he turns out to be boring (as most of them do) I'm not going to want to stick around for a 3 hour game.  Now, while all these red flags are flying up, let's remember that I've discussed the fact that my dating experience is somewhat limited, so I decided to run this message by a few of my friends.  The result was a unanimous "WHAT?!?!?!"  So, I went straight home and wrote a response stating that while I do enjoy the occasional football game, I don't really think its the optimal first date activity.  Also, I'm a Steelers fan.  His reply:  "Uh-oh, a Steelers fan.  I'm not sure this will work out--ha ha [Wow.  Original, Sam.  I've never heard that before living in BALTIMORE!]  That's fine about the game.  I don't follow pre-season that closely anyway [then why would you suggest it??]."

After deciding to meet at a bar in Fells Point, I get there a few minutes early (as usual) and after scanning the bar, take a seat in full view of the entrance.  I really don't know what happened.  Or, better yet, I don't know how it happened again!  I'm sitting there drinking my Makers Mark and coke and waiting...glancing up at the door every so often in order to make sure I'm not missing him.  And then somehow, I do.  It took me about a half hour to finish my drink and that was long enough.  I sent a text to a friend--Dr. Mario*-- who works at another bar in the area, scanned the bar one more time, and left.  Upon arriving home later, I found out he had sent 2 messages--one an hour before the date making sure we were still on and that he was on his way and the second was sent at the exact time of the date stating that he had gotten a table, he was sitting alone and that I "couldn't miss" him. Of course I didn't receive these messages and had no way of doing so until I got home.  Sigh.  So, I sent a message back apologizing and telling him where I was and to let me know if he wanted to reschedule, but have yet to hear back from him so that one may be dead in the water, boys and girls.

Now, as I mentioned before, I contacted Dr. Mario, who works as a bartender in another bar before splitting and spent the next hour or so chilling there with him.  But don't be disspointed, my friends, because this post is not remiss of a tale of social awkwardness.  So, when I sat down at the bar, my friend introduced me to his friend, Zach*.  We all chatted for a bit, I ordered a beer, and some food because I was STARVING.  Right before my food came, this woman walks up to Zach and starts chatting him up.  Now, this woman was a piece of work.  She was wearing a shirt that--given the right...support, we'll say--may have done something for her, but...yeah, she was kind of a mess.  In all honesty, I was so focused on my sandwich, that I didn't even notice what was going on 2 stools down from me until I was almost done and then, not taking into consideration that not everyone is a social masochist, sat silently and listened to the scene going on until she walked away a few minutes later.  Once she walked away, Zach and I turn slowly turn towards each other and I bust. Out. Laughing.  He is less than amused, but Dr. Mario and I have a good laugh about the whole situation.  And then we did a round of shots to help Zach move past the trauma (however, she's apparently the resident trainwreck at the bar, so he knew what he was getting into when she approached him).  So, while the social awkwardness did not involve me directly, I definitely want to provide some entertainment.  We'll see if things look up soon...

* Pseudonyms, as usual

The One who Should Have Cancelled...

After finally having a great date, it wouldn't take much to pale in comparison, and this next guy didn't even come close.  There was a part of me that felt bad for him (legitimately...just wait, you'll see) but an overwhelming part of me did not understand his decision-making process.  When I arrived home from my great date, there was a message from this guy apologizing for the late reply, but confirming our date for the next evening and stating that he had an interesting story for me.  As one who is usually in charge of providing the story-telling (or at least the entertaining story-telling) on a date, I was excited to have the opportunity to hear a good one.  Plus, we were meeting at a place I had been dying to go to since a friend told me about it a few weeks ago.

Before I even enter the bar, do you remember that phenomenon I discussed in a recent post where I always pass at least one guy who makes me think "Can I go out with that guy?"  Even though I parked on the same block as this place, there just happens to be a very, VERY attractive guy living with a golden retriever (and, let's face it, probably a girlfriend or wife just as attractive) in the house right next door to this place.  Sigh.  Anyway, moving on.  I walk in and this place is awesome, the bartenders are friendly enough, the crowd is lively, and then there's my date.  So, I sit down, I order my Makers Mark and coke and he looks impressed.  This is only weird because not only is my love for my Makers Mark included in my profile, but it was the first topic we discussed through our messages.  I think he didn't expect me to actually drink it in real life. So, after the initial conversation, I ask him about the story he has to tell me and even remark about my excitement to hear it.  He starts by asking me how I feel about motorcycles.  Luckily, I love motorcycles, so he continues to tell me that the story is actually that he got in an accident the night before on his motorcycle.  Ummm...WHAT?  He starts into the story and after I get over my initial shock, I wait for a pause to tell him "You realize this is a horrible story, right?"  Only then does he seem to realize this.  Seriously??  So, he tells the whole story and I'm just sitting there shaking my head and drinking my whiskey waiting for it all to end.  The story also includes the injuries incurred (his back was pretty scratched up as well as the back of his leg) and the fact that his bike was totalled.  He also mentioned that he didn't want to include the story in the message, because he didn't want me to suggest rescheduling.  Seriously??  The thing is that about every 15 minutes during the date, he would shift in his chair wincing in pain and at one point actually moved the bar stool behind him and stood for about 10 minutes.  I mean, I understand wanting to hold to commitments, but you have to draw the line somewhere.

So, the date continues, but between the constant shifting and wincing and the bartender with the awesome tattoo I want to ask about (who I can't currently talk to) and who I keep catching checking out the one on my arm, I end up mentally checking out about 15 minutes before the date ends.  While walking to the car, he mentions how he's going to have to go home and ice his legs (dear God...) and that was it.  Moral of the story, kids:  if you get in an accident its okay to postpone the date.  Besides, the story will go over better if there's a bit more of a 24-hour timespan.  As far as the bar is concerned, I'm definitely hooked and will be going back--on my own--to check it out again.

The One with the Really Good Date...Finally!!!

I am happy to report that while this date brings my current ratio to about 15:1, at least I finally had a really good date.  This guy was the first one I had sent a message to who I really wanted the chance to go out with and actually made it happen.  His profile was really interesting, he was a real grown-up, and he seemed equally as interested in setting up a date with me.  Oh, and he was really attractive.  Yeah.  Before we had actually met, we had sent about 4 or 5 messages back and forth and they were all pretty long messages with a lot of questions being asked and such.  This usually makes me a little nervous as it takes away from conversation topics once we actually meet and--possibly more importantly--can facilitate, as a friend so adequately put, a false sense of intimacy.  No one wants to be disappointed and feel that keeping online correspondence to a minimum just provides the best odds for this not to happen.  In this case, however, it didn't seem to have a negative effect, for which I am so incredibly grateful!  It also didn't hurt that anytime I would feel apprehensive about our copious correspondence, I would just bring up his picture and remark "Oh, well, it really doesn't matter!"

We met at a local mall (I took this opportunity to share with him that I hate malls) and had drinks at one of the restaurant/bars there.  They had my favorite beer on tap (Newcastle), which he also ended up ordering since he'd never had it before.  Conversation was a little slow getting started, but by no means unbearable.  We started talking about travel...he had recently spent 3 years living in the UK and travelling a bit around Europe and we discussed road trips and where we wanted to go.  He pled his case regarding Guinness--he tried it several times, but just didn't like it (that was pretty adorable...).

The date was pretty fantastic.  We talked about movies and travelling and I shared the Saga of Eagle Tattoo Guy (we were at the same restaurant as that date, so I figured it would come up at some point).  He laughed through that entire story...and then asked why I didn't leave.  So, then we discussed my level of social masochism and how its like watching a bad movie--I can't turn it off, I have to find out what happens.  Plus, it makes for a great story!  When we started talking about food, I discovered we have a tendency to view it in very different ways.  Typically across society, people and food are thrown into two categories:  those who eat to live and those who live to eat.  As a self-proclaimed foodie, I am certainly of the latter.  I love food and I enjoy it to the fullest; both cooking and eating it.  While it is not always the case, Pete* tends to fall into the former category, as evidenced by the following exchange:

Pete:  sharing with me his typical daily regime consisting of oatmeal and rice, basically.
Me:  Um...there's no protein in there.
Pete:  Yeah, that's when I drink a protein shake.
Me:  You know, chicken tastes a hell of a lot better than a protein shake.  Also pork.  And beef.  And fish.
Pete:  Well, I can cook chicken, I'm just lazy most of the time...
Me:  Uh-huh.  That's sad, Pete.  Really, really sad.

Now, my friends, to me this is not a deal-breaker.  No, it is a call to action.  I figure I'm just going to have to date him long enough to teach him a few easy recipes so he doesn't have to get his protein from bars and shakes.  Dear Lord.  Anyway, after some time we got up to leave and for the first time since I started the experiment, I found myself realizing I had just had a great date.  We're walking to the car and I have that "Oh my God, is he going to kiss me?" feeling in the pit of my stomach and then we're standing by my car and its still there.  And then there's a hug goodbye and that's it.  So, while there's a part of me that was sad once I got into the car, I was also so happy to have finally had a date worthy of that feeling.  Its also the first date in the experiment that left me definitely wanting a second date.  So, we're working on it :)  In the meantime, I'll continue on my dates that pale in comparison...

* Pseudonym

The One with the Guy I Wanted to Flirt With...

Since I'm dating in the city, I often have to park at least a block away from where we're meeting.  I actually love this little walk as it gives me time to think, enjoy the city, and maybe say a prayer that this date will be good.   However, there's a strange phenomenon that happens on my way to most of these dates.  On this little walk, I rarely fail to pass at least one guy who makes me think "Huh, can I have a date with that guy?"  Its ridiculous.  Anyway, I was pretty excited about the date mainly because of the place we had chosen.  There's a certain bar in Baltimore I had wanted to check out, but didn't want to go in alone.  While I was waiting for my date to show up, one of the aforementioned "that guy"s walks by and right into the bar.  So, my date shows up and we walk in and end up sitting right next to this guy who happens to be discussing my favorite whiskey with the bartender.  Typically, I would try something new at a bar with such an extensive collection, but that particular day had been pretty atrocious, so I stuck with an old favorite--Johnnie Walker Black.  The guy next to me and my date both ordered a scotch that is apparently the key ingredient in Johnnie Walker Black.  My date had told me about the bartender at this bar who is this older woman who ran the place with her late husband and knows pretty much everything about scotch and whiskey.  She was pretty awesome, actually.  I totally want to go back and pick her brain--she's quite the character.  Anyway, my date and I start talking and while I'm trying to focus on keeping up the conversation, I can't help but be distracted by this guy on the other side of me and he's chatting up the bartender.  All I could think was that if I wasn't there with a date, I would totally be chatting them up, too.  I will be going back at some point since it turned out to be such a gem of a place!

So, back to the date, he was nice enough and we talked about a lot of different things and it wasn't too awkward, but there were a few things that stuck out.  The first was that he had this uncanny resemblance to one of my good friend's boyfriends in terms of a few little mannerisms.  Which was weird.  He also said "fail" a lot.  Oh, and also--we may be related.  No, really...he was asking about my parents and if they were both Irish and through further discussion we learned that our grandmothers have the same maiden name.  Then he asked whether or not that side was originally from a certain area.  Which they were.  Weird.  However, as I said, the bar was great, the bartender actually gave me a splash of what my date and the guy I wanted to flirt with was drinking for free, and we just kind of left things pretty open ended.  I gave him my number in case he wanted to get together again and we may hang out, but nothing particularly mind-blowing.

My next date is one I've been working on for about a week...definitely, DEFINITELY looking forward to it!!

The One that I Hoped Would Have Witty Banter...

My date and I met at the same place as my date last week, as I really wanted to check it out again.  In setting up the date, I suggested we meet outside (now I'm all paranoid I'm going to miss my date or vice versa...I'll get over it).  We had gone back and forth with messages and had also spoken through the IM service on the website.  There was a bit of banter, so I thought maybe there was potential for a spark.  We're both very strongly Irish and Scottish, so we shared that in common and he had wanted to connect over gchat, but I've learned my lesson well--no contact information to anyone.  Under any circumstances.

So, we went in, sat down at a little counter across from the bar and he asked what I wanted and went to the bar to order drinks.  Definite point!  So, we sat down and started talking and it was nice.  There weren't a lot of pauses, but there was also no real spark.  There were a few moments in conversation that were memorable.  At one point I was discussing how I wanted to start sketching on a regular basis and investing in that artistic venture.  Then, we have the following exchange:

Joe*:  So, look around the restaurant and tell me which person you would sketch.
Me:  Huh, okay (looking around)...
Joe:  No, better yet, which person would you sketch naked.
Me:  Oh, Lord!  I don't think there's anyone in here I want to see naked.
Joe:  Gee, thanks.

I'm still on the fence regarding that conversation, honestly.  Maybe I was a little harsh, but seriously--I've known you for less than an hour.  Chill.  We did spend some time people-watching, which is always fun.  He also gave me the entire synopsis of a scene from a movie I had already expressed no interest in ever seeing.  It was apparently the "funniest scene in the movie".  Right.  So, just like pretty much all the recent dates, after the date ended, we said goodbye and went our separate ways.

*Psuedonym as always.