back in the "game"

I told Batgirl I was bailing on the 52FD project. I just wasn't meeting enough men to find ones I wanted to ask out. I also started to feel like it was a job. As a self-starting entrepreneur in a new city, believe me....I have enough on my plate right now.

Then I started listening to a free program called the Soulmate Summit, where each day you could listen to a couple of lectures by "relationship experts" within 24 hours. After that time you had to upgrade to listen in. After 8 days straight of all that soulmate talk, I caved in and joined Plenty of Fish. I have so many dismal looser date stories from my long-ago stint with online dating, that could be a book of it's own.

I kept my profile short, sweet, and to the point. I put up one flattering, non-sexy headshot. I promised myself as the emails rolled in that I would simply read and delete those that clearly hadn't read my words, contained zero chemistry, hadn't actually thought I would write back, and those playing the numbers game. I proactively emailed two guys, both of whom had really nice, authentic smiles and who had put some thought into their profiles. They used complete sentences, said something meaningful (instead of "something meaningful," and I was attracted to their brands.  Oh come on, you know exactly what I mean.

Three emails later I'd made a date with B. He sent his email and phone number, and we agreed to meet for coffee someplace in the middle. We started talking ~ 4 pm... and by 7 there was no sign of us slowing down. Just coffee and conversation. And my stomach was starting to complain. The divorce story went on a bit too long - more detail than I really needed - which raised a yellow flag. Later he apologized for waxing on the subject. So the next thing I knew we were agreeing to get dinner down the street together.

At the restaurant I noticed B was relaxing a bit as we slipped into the booth and ordered food. At one point he warned me that sometimes he ends up wearing his food. A few minutes later I looked down to see if I had spilled and he teased me ala "made you look." Suddenly we were both laughing and I had this weird and wonderful feeling. I don't think a moment like that ever happened in my last relationship. In fact I noticed at the end of the night when we were hugging (!) goodnight that we'd been talking for almost 7 hours. That also never happened in my last relationship.

I think I might have stumbled into something.

Later this week he's been invited to my studio to see my stamp collection.
Yeah, just kidding - I'm a painter. 


Hatgirl
p.s. he liked my hat too ;-)

#16 with D at a Caveman Theme Party

After spending the day in northern Iowa's Cold Water Cave, I had time for a quick nap, dinner and costume-making with D.  Okay, so in full disclosure, not much napping occured.....:)  And there is nothing like getting to know someone when you're really tired and trying to take a nap.  I'll take that over actual napping anyday! 

The party started at 11pm and I should say that after D actually sewed a cavewoman dress for me to wear, I was and am still quite smitten. Ladies....the dress even had a scooped neckline which is my favorite and fit like a glove.  I guess it helps being the same size!  Hopefully, he doesn't end up being too sweet.  I've got a nasty track record with the sweet ones.

Although the party didn't cost anything to attend, I volunteered to bring wine.  Great costumes, beautiful people and awesome MUSIC at this party.

#15 with D at Home

Spending V-Day at home allowed me to witness one of the sweetest things to happen to me in years.  D hand delivered a Valentine's card, left it in my mailbox and snuck off thinking nobody saw him.  But, I did and a bunch of sweet, sappy and excited feelings I thought had gone away forever suddenly rushed back.  So, a quick text "thank you" lead to a home cooked meal at my place.

He graciously ate a Russian peasant meal and seemed to like it (or just complimented me anyway) and then watched "Cave Women from Mars" and again seemed to like it.  More small kisses and even more smiles today.

#14 Second Meeting with Nick at Big Brain Comics

Since our first meeting at Double Danger Comics didn't pan out, we decided to try again at Big Brain in downtown MSP.  Shortly after entering, I remembered why Big Brain isn't one of my favorite places.  Hard to read titles since everything is jam-packed and horrible customer service are just two reasons to not frequent that place.

But, getting to know Nick over comics has been interesting.  He seems quite like an onion with lots of layers that don't show until you peel them.  His knowledge of older, newer and rare titles is impressive.  After a short stay at Big Brain, we wandered down the street to Spill the Wine for wine flights and much more conversation.  Conversation with Nick is mostly one-sided but he's got a cool, witty and sarcastically humorous way about him.  His words are well-chosen and he speaks slowly which I first thought was due to a speech impediment.  But, maybe he's just a slow-talker.

#13 with D at a Wine Tasting Event

Blind tasting Maynard Keenen's chardonnay with 3 other under $20 wines was an eye-opener.  The $3.99 bottle from Trader Joes actually came in second place while the $40 Keenen wine came in last.  Other surprises in store for the evening too.

Only a second meeting with D but he proved to be a gracious host (in my own house!) and the life of the party once people learned of his profession.  Being a sound engineer and traveling with A-list bands automatically makes you interesting.  He's sweet and apologized for hogging the limelight.  But, I loved it because sometimes, I like to sit back and watch the excitement happen rather than make it happen.  Lots of things in common with D make me excited for another meeting.

Oh, and lots of small kisses and giggles but nobody laughed at my kissing technique this time!

#12 with Nick at Double Danger

Connected with Nick over comics.  He tried reading Preacher too and while I'm forcing myself through it, I probably should've taken Nick's advice and stopped reading a few volumes ago.  There are just some things I can't burn out of my mind!  Nick suggested Sandman by Neil Gaiman which naturally lead to a first date at my favorite comic book shop, Double Danger.  And since DD is going out of business, everything is half off!

Due to the closing, the owners weren't too concerned with complying with business hours.  We arrived in plenty of time but DD was already closed.  So we hopped next door for coffee and conversation.  He's extremely shy, from Nebraska, lives in Burnsville but wants to move to the city, very tall and has super curly hair.  We tried thinking of Plan B but by the time we finished our coffee we decided to follow through with Plan B a bit later.

An invite to try Big Brain comics and Spill the Wine (wine bar next door) came the next day.  So, more to report later on!

#11 with D at Quangs

Okay, so not a free date but the sea bass pho is soooooo good and only available on the weekends.  Meeting D for the first time and there are always first time nerves to deal with.  But, after the first smile, everything was fine.  The food was delicious and due to the long lines of people waiting for a table, we decided to leave and continue our conversation at Spyhouse Coffee Shop.

He's a sound engineer, gold coin collector and seller and a genuinely funny guy.  He likes to travel too which is a plus.  He's definitely good friend material but it's too early to determine anything else.  For some reason, I have had a much harder time determining partner potential in my old age.  It's taking me 3, 4 and even 5 dates to determine if I want to move forward.  And I definitely cannot tell anything without a kiss!

So, will there be a second date with D?  Yes, but being old fashioned, I will wait for the invite.

#10 with Little Rabbit

A slow cooked meal and a really slow movie (Camille, with James Franco and Sienna Miller) made for a really slow evening.  The night ended just after the movie.  Both of us had a long weekend ahead of us.  Luckily, just fun for me but poor little rabbit has to work all weekend.   BTW...little rabbit laughed at my kissing skills.  I'm not sure what was so amusing.  Must've been a cultural difference!

Looking forward to lunch with David (new).  I'll put up that post later:)

But, I'm seriously looking forward to having the girls over for wine, food and playing dress up before heading out to the theater tonight!

Batgirl

#9 at Bryant Lake Bowl with Eric (ex-MP, DEA, Airforce)

Bowled over 100 last night at Bryant Lake Bowl!  The bowling alley/theater/restaurant was built in 1959 and despite very small upgrades to the kitchen and theater, has not changed.  The lanes, bowls, ball (and probably  shoes) are original.  My 10lb ball had a huge chunk missing out of it but after my first spare, it quickly became my favorite!  Dinner afterwards was delicious as usual.  Now...details about Eric:

We met online.  I am the first to say that online dating has NEVER worked for me.  So, my guard is up and since meeting him last Sunday, my spidey senses have been tingling.  Hatgirls good advice:  "listen to your gut" is being taken seriously.  But, the only things I find wrong with him are the fact that his name is Eric (same name although different spelling as my last boyfriend) and he doesn't drink.  Otherwise, he's a self starter, independent, driven, extremely good looking and super nice.  He's a door holder opener, fights me for the paycheck and loves to compliment me.  Did I mention his father is Iranian?  Although they've never met.  Eric was adopted at 3 mos old and has never wanted to seek out his birth parents.  Oh, and he also goes to church every Sunday. 

Batgirl