He’s Great, So What’s My Problem?

I’ve been MIA for quite some time but I had a good reason for it.

Just before I left for my vacation to New York I started talking to a guy who I met on Match.com, Dr. Chicago. We finally met the week before Thanksgiving. He drove here to meet me and we went out to dinner. The place I chose was one of the newer steak restaurants in the city. I knew it was expensive but I didn’t know quite how expensive so before we even ordered I let him know I was paying for my own dinner. He said no, of course, but I insisted. I just wasn’t comfortable having some guy I didn’t really know pay that much for my dinner after he drove all the way here to meet me. He did thank me. The dinner and conversation went great so we continued back to my place after eating. My roommate was up watching Nip/Tuck, one of our favorite shows, when we walked in. Without hesitation he started talking to her and all was great. My roommate was very impressed saying, “He’s nice…and good looking.” Yes, he is both those things I was impressed myself. Heck, I still am impressed when I see him. The night quickly flew by so I told him to stay rather then drive back home. It was too long of a drive to make at that time of night. I told him he could sleep on my couch. Then I said that wouldn’t make me a very nice host so he could have my bed and I’ll sleep on the couch. We both ended up sleeping in the bed.

 

The Good Fella

Before I left for New York I went out on another first date…of course. It was Tuesday night. We had tried to get together a few weeks before but I had to cancel. I had a date that I had completely forgotten about until the day before. I was happy to find that he didn’t mind having to reschedule. He still wanted to meet me even though I was very absent minded. It took us a few weeks to be able to meet but it was worth it when we finally did.

We met out in the burbs at a fairly new restaurant that’s part of a local chain. There’s a restaurant with the same name and owner right downtown. The restaurant was located between where he lives and where I live. After meeting him and finding out he also works downtown I told him next time we’re meeting in the city so I don’t have to drive.

We sat at the bar and ordered a drink. We seemed to hit it off pretty well immediately. After a bit he asked if I was hungry and should we get a table. I was happy that he was going to commit to more then just a drink and said yes.

As usual one of the topics he brought up was about his experiences with on-line dating and the dreaded first date. See, the first date when on-line dating is a bit nerve wracking. You just never know what you’re going to get. Even if you’ve talked on the phone before you still don’t know forsure if the pictures are of the person you will soon be meeting or if those pictures are 5 years old…or not even the same person. I shared with him my 15-minute dating rule. I said I was impressed that he unknowingly played by the rules. We met at the bar, talked for a bit, then moved onto a table for dinner. I think it’s important to share this rule with the people I go out with or people who are online dating because it is a little scary at first and it is even more scary when you’ve been stuck in those terrible situations wondering who the hell the person sitting at the table with you really is because it can’t be the person from the internet.

The more I talked to him the more I realized I liked the guy. He’s taller then I’m usually comfortable with since he towers over me by at least a foot but I do like ‘em tall. His family is extremely important to him. He often baby-sits for his little nephew. His family and mine seem quite similar even down to the way we travel and places we like to go. He’s very conservative in his politics but I’m used to that because I come from a very conservative family and often lean to the right on a lot of issues as well. It must be my Midwest upbringing. He also applied for the secret service. He said he made it really far but in the end they didn’t except him. If he’s willing to take a bullet for the president imagine what he would do for friends and family.

I sent him an email this past Tuesday. I wanted to be sure the lines of communication were open after my trip. It took a couple days but when I checked my email this morning there was a message from him. Unfortunately he wants to get together on Sunday and my sister has booked up nearly my whole day with dance recitals and birthday shenanigans. I’m hoping that he’ll want to meet in the evening but I don’t know what his schedule is like. I guess I’m just happy that he emailed me and does want to meet again.

 

Pizza Please

I had a lunch date today.  I wasn’t quite sure what to think before I met him.  We talked on Tuesday, phone.  I could tell he was a little bit of a nerd but that doesn’t bother me.  Nerdy guys can be absolutely adorable.  Heck, the first time I talked to OM on the phone I couldn’t believe how geeky his laugh was.  He is a total geek but in those good ways.  

When we are young and pining over the jerk on the football team who’s just so cute our parents always tell us that someday the smart guy in 3rd period is the one you’ll want.  They are the ones who will make something of themselves, they’ll be able to support you and a family…  Well, I never actually doubted that.  I’ve always gone for basically the same kind of guy with a few trip-ups (or downs) here and there. 

The guy I went out with today is definitely one of those guys who wasn’t the “it” guy in school but he’s doing well for himself.  I could see him as being one of those guys who, like me, was involved in a lot of things but was never the really “popular” person in any of them.  He probably sat back and didn’t make a scene but he seems like he’s genuine.  This guy went to school for Geology of some sort.  He sort of works in my industry which as always is a HUGE turn-on to me.  I don’t want to work directly with someone I date, nor do I want to date another architect but having that little bit extra in common can sure help.

The Geo Geek met me outside my office.  He works only a few blocks away.  Then we walked to the restaurant.  He’s definitely someone I’d like to see again.  Kat, you wouldn’t like him at all.  Well, you wouldn’t find him attractive anyway not that you wouldn’t “like” him.  He totally has my stereotypical features I love so much.  He’s about 6 ft tall, black hair, skinny, with really defined facial features.  The only thing he’s missing is the broad shoulders but at 6 ft tall he could still wrap himself around me quite well. ;)

We had no problem talking.  We had to take a conscience break to figure out what we wanted to eat.  We ordered pizza and realized as far as pizza goes, we are pretty compatible.  We both wanted the same kind.  Neither of us like mushrooms.  Both of us choose what we like to eat due to texture more then taste.  Oh, and he likes the middle of the pizza, I like the edges.  See perfectly compatible people.  :)

I let him pay for lunch, but only because I would like to see him again.  He walked me back to my office and gave me a hug goodbye.  Now we’ll just have to wait and see what happens. 

 

Coffee, Tea, or Me

Already this week I’ve been on 2 coffee dates. The first on Sunday. I didn’t expect this date to go anywhere. I had been talking to this guy, Chronic Match Subscriber, off and on for about 4 years maybe longer. In that time I’ve never felt a romantic connection he was just a guy who every now and then was fun to chat with.

We met at a coffee shop on the east side of town. He already had his coffee by the time I arrived. I ordered mine then we decided to take a walk down by the lake and find a bench somewhere to talk. On our short hike I heard all about his job and the people he works with…or more importantly about how much he hated all of it. YEA! This was panning out to be a lovely little date. **Note to all daters, no one wants to hear about how you don’t like your job AND no one wants to hear the f-bomb on a first date. Unless you burn yourself with the hot coffee your drinking and you scream fuck out in pain and embarrassment it’s inappropriate to say.**

We made it to the park near the lake and sat for a while and sipped on our coffee. I learned some more about him which wasn’t all bad but definitely not an upbeat guy. He would depress me if I hung out with him too much. After about 30 mins we decided to head back to our cars. I stood up from the bench and knocked what was left of my coffee onto my lap. Oops! Wait! Did I say fuck? NO. I said shoot! **I suppose my coffee wasn’t hot enough to say fuck.** I shrugged it off and we headed back to our cars. We were only together for about an hour which was plenty of time to know he’s not the guy for me in any sense of the words.

I said I’ve had 2 coffee dates this week.
Date #2:

 

Over Talkative Pilot

Wednesday’s lunch date wasn’t too bad. Then again, it wasn’t too good either. We met through match and this was our first date. He met me outside of my office and we walked to a nearby restaurant. My first impression, no wonder there weren’t any real close-up pictures online. His face was scared a bit maybe from childhood acne. Sure it wasn’t too terrible but then again, I’m a little superficial about things like that not to mention I had to stand up-wind from him because I was choking on his cologne. Peehew!

We made it to the restaurant and got talking. He honestly wouldn’t be quiet. The waitress came back 4 times asking if we were ready yet to order. I honestly had to tell him to stop and look at the menu because the next time she comes to our table we’re ordering. That was the after the 2nd time. It still took him about 15 minutes and another visit from the waitress. I’m sorry but it’s lunch, I have work to get back to. Yes, I met him for lunch but that doesn’t mean I can take a 2 or 3 hour long lunch. Just order your damn food already!

Obviously the date didn’t go that well. I mean the overall conversation was good just no chemistry whatsoever. I haven’t heard from him since that afternoon and I’m guessing **more like hoping** I won’t.