More to come…

So that’s it folks-8 dates as promised. (Although, accomplished in a year and not the few months as I originally anticipated).
I still plan on dating, and periodically writing about it but I feel good about what I accomplished and I definitely put myself out of my comfort zone. I no longer fear rejection but simply see it as a way of life.

I have plenty more stories, especially regarding the crazy messages I’ve received over the past few months. So check back in because as I now realize, dating is anything but dull!

Date 8: A tale of a man and his stache…

First and foremost: I MADE IT, DATE #8 BABY! Bittersweet I guess considering I’ve hit a wall. I prob could make it the 80 date update if I really wanted to but I’ll play it by ear… My first online date felt like a zillion years ago (when in fact it was only about a year ago). I do have to admit, I’ve gotten pretty date savvy during this experience. I also, know more about what I’m looking for and what I’m not and I’ve kinda had fun in a weird unexpected way. I’ve learned how to deal with rejection and take something from it but more importantly, I’ve learned how to be the rejectER! Overall, I think this was a positive life experience for me and one that has made me a wiser women.

Dating optimism, that’s what it’s all about. I’m trying to think outside the box when it comes to my date choices. I think the following date fit less in a box and more in a shiny disco ball. Open-mindedness can get you into trouble sometimes.

Date #8 ironically was my least favorite of all. It’s prob a good thing I’ve successfully completed my dating mission because I think my fairly good skills at selecting dates was diminishing! Date 8 was a great in theory. He was pre-med and working as an EMT and I thought he had great potential. So, when I saw his posted profile pictures consisted of some very prominent and disconcerting facial hair, I figured I could either see past it, or secretly hoped he has shaved it off predate and underneath was a fur free hottie. Not so much, that date initially had been rescheduled multiple times do to our crazy schedules. Once we were to meet he let me know that first he was running about 15 min late when he then showed up 30 min late. As he was riding up I noticed two sets of handlebars-one on the bike, the next on his face. In all honesty I kept thinking while I was waiting that I’m really more of a Clooney stubble king of facial hair girl and less of a Burt Reynolds, needing to comb it kind of facial hair girl. I said to myself, I CAN look past this small well not that small) thing. He’s hardworking, nice and FURRY I thought, really really furry. I just couldn’t do it. As we were eating our Gelato I was just praying he didn’t spill any cause if that man licked the gelato off his upper lip fringe, I was so outta there. I felt slightly shallow, but everyone’s got their standards I suppose. Our date was over in about half an hour. (Good Gelato though)

Lesson Learned: Whatever you may call them: stache, tache, tash, mo, soup strainer, flavor saver, cookie duster, molestache, I’m just not into them!

Date 7: You, me and some Karaoke (Summer lovin style…)

I want to start the intro to this date by asking, what the hell is up with guys and not paying for first dates lately? I understand that this is 2011 and feminism, and equality and blah blah but it’s the FIRST date already! I’m happy to pay my way through dates 2 through infinity but I consider dutchin on date numero uno as a complete turn off. I’d assume there are two major reason’s behind a man not paying, one: He’s cheap and somehow justified in his head that women want to pay themselves or two: He’s going on more first dates then he would care to pay for time after time. Neither option makes me think to myself, wow-this guys a keeper! So little tip for all you fellas out there, if you go dutch on the first date, be prepared for the girl to consider you a cheap skate…

I vent because out of the 7 total dates I have had, only 2 guys have actually paid for it! (Including the following guy)

Me and Karaoke guy had a total of two dates. First one, I was pretty please with myself for being so adventures. I tried calamari (I still think taste like fried feet-which is most likely exactly what it is) Then I took his suggestion and ordered a jalapeno margarita which is basically burns the throat for not one but two reasons (tequila and jalapeno juice). Bad idea! I think I scored a second date solely for being such a trouper. Second date was dinner/drinks and then some upscale Karaoke. Actually, it was in a dive Sushi bar-which was probably for the best! Let me start by saying: I DON’T sing. I’m not even the kind of person who thinks they can sing in the shower. I’m horrible. After about an hours worth of persuasion from my date that I can’t be “that bad” and there was not even anyone around (there was a good 15 people for the record) I picked out an old school Lisa Loeb song. While I started the night sweaty with anticipation and nerves, 4 beers and some relentless peer pressure later from my date and the locals, -I was feeling ready for my performance. I’m not sure how I did really, since I’m pretty sure I blacked out during half of it but, no one left so I consider that a good sign : ) I not only made it through my song of choice but hastily agreed to a little “summer lovin” duet with my date. I thought we really kicked ass but was told by the KJ (Karaoke Jockey for all you Karaoke virgins) that we accidently sang the opposite parts. Oops, no wonder I was wondering when Sandie’s part got so dirty). Needless to say, I think my temporary phase of putting myself out of my comfort zone is over and I’m ready to drink margaritas sans the jalapeño, eat fried stuff the ways its intended (as a potato) and keep my questionable singing voice all to myself. Overall, I’m glad I had the experience-seeing as though I paid for every bit of it. But I think I’m still looking for someone who enjoys what I enjoy (and fried tentacles are not on that list)!

Lesson learned: Margaritas/Jalapeno’s, Batter/Seafood, Singing/Me are things in life that should NEVER EVER mix!

Date 6: Nice guy take a hike…

Since my online dating subscription ended after date #5 I decided to take a little break. A few months later, I think the adrenaline of it all might have made me a slight dating addict and I decided to join an all new, free dating website. The selection of men on this site was definitely 1) a lot more vast 2) Creepier 3) Getting laid oriented. I was not very impressed with the quality of the men and the website appeared to have a more quantity over quality theme to it. After a month or so I was contacted by a nice, seemingly quite type whose was interested in meeting a local vegan venue (yes, he was a Vegan…) We had a decent time and went hiking for an hour or so that day and then had a second date where we went bowing but I noticed there was much of a connection. I should note that for our first date-as I was about to head out to vegan’s R us, my car decided to not start (stupid battery). So I quite literally had to ask him to jump me before our first date. The fact that he had jumper cables and was a good sport solidified the second date for sure.

Lesson learned: Just cause he’s nice, doesn’t mean he’s for you. Oh, and vegan food taste like air.

Date 5: Won't be Mrs. Lagasse…

My fifth date (and the guy I went on the most dates with thus far) was with a guy who claimed he was a “chief”. Girls will tell ya that when you are wading through the dating waters one of the most highly sought after male professions to date is the chief. (Coming in right before the mechanic, cause most us girls know how much we could give a crap about maintaining our car). Well, he did like to cook but as I soon realized, his official position was “line cook” for a local brewpub. Any illusions of romantic candlelit gourmet dinners and a “bam” of a different nature were replaced with the in’s and outs of the ideal way to cook a beer pretzel and lectures on various types of complimentary mustard. To be fair, it was a good few months before I realized he was not the next Curtis Stone and he did cook me a few very nice dinners. (Although, I found a few stray dog hairs and I am not really inclined to frequent his place of employment anytime soon). Upon reflection, I held out longer on this one to legitimize my online dating experience but like most things in life, things came to there natural conclusions.
Lesson learned: Do not date a guy because of his profession (especially ones that might have starred in they’re own segment of Dirty Dining).