Infinite Possibilities

Interesting weekend. Definitely a study of social interactions on Friday. I went to a singles gathering at a sports bar on that evening. I had been invited by a girlfriend of mine (MAC) & I didn't expect much but I wanted to go out & I enjoyed hanging with MAC, so much in common, that I thought it would be kinda fun. It was kinda fun. I was struck however at how sad some of the folk were who came--not all though, which gives me hope for future gatherings. The men were the paunchy, balding type that I've described in the past--no vibrancy, no excitement...I felt badly for them as I felt the desperation roll off of them in palpable waves--eeewww. A lot of them have never been married & seem to recirculate from singles group to singles group--I must admit that I think I'd do better with the online stuff compared to these sad sacks...I felt badly. I was with MAC & another woman that I knew from waaaaay back. Both are also very vibrant & engaging women & we all knew there was nothing there for us...

But, what was interesting was that I was able to observe the one woman from waaay back meet an online guy for the first time--a new perspective. She met this guy at the bar after not even seeing his picture--a ballsy move on her part for sure--something I'd never do. I avoid guys who don't provide a picture & always seem to say the following, "Trust me babe, you won't be sorry..." And of course, she was sorry. Turns out MAC & I spent more time on her date than she did. He was nice enough but so not in her sphere of interest--round, bald, & had a huge glittering cross hanging from a chain. Not that being another religion is a deal-breaker, just not the huge, glittering cross kind....he had nice eyes though & he bought all three of us drinks. My girlfriend left us with him while she went to observe the rest of the group play pool. Left him high & dry at the bar--we chatted with him briefly but we weren't responsible for her failed date so we relocated to another part of the bar where at least some of the patrons had possibilities. I guess he got the message cuz soon he walked over to us & told us, "See you, nice meeting you," & left. My friend returned & then got a text from him, "Too bad it didn't work, but your friend MAC is hot, can I have her number?" Can't blame a guy for trying I suppose. I think I would've handled it a bit differently--I think I'd have told him that it was nice meeting him but I didn't see a connection--I wouldn't leave him like that--

The rest of the evening was spent flirting with guys--we seemed to attract a lot of guys wearing hats--my girlfriend dubbed them "Hatmandus"--we just couldn't figure it out. Dude with the red knit NY Yankees hat just about was the end of us...he was Hatmandu #2. He waved his drink at me & kept walking by me--I avoided eye contact as much as possible & willed him NOT to come over. Instead I got the original "Hatmandu", an older barfly guy asking me "hat on, or hat off? hat on or hat off?" in my face. I was seriously hoping he was referring to a knit cap he was waving around & not something like a condom or being circumsized.... Like I said--interesting night for social interactions. But just having a girls' night was fun & I look forward to doing it again.

It is the future of possibility that I am thinking about right now. I was out doing mundane grocery shopping this morning when I received a text message from Xing Fu. It read, "I hope our freckles align." That took my breath away & my heart was racing again.

Anthropological Fish Study

Scene: Contrived on-line dating local party/meet n' greet for ages 35-50

Characters: Me & M, various tubby over 50 balding dudes, 1 decent-looking sailor, 2 or three other seemingly decent guys

Act One: I really didn't have any expectations & I wasn't too disappointed. We arrive a half hour too early & hang out at the restaurant bar. It appears that another guy was too early too & was sitting listening to our convo while we had a glass of wine. My friend was talking about my various activities & how she thought that was great & I was talking about hoping that meeting a man like the sociopath wasn't the best I could get. It just sucks that we had so much in common & enjoyed together & yet, so far, no other guy has come close. Maybe at least I will meet some cool sailing buddies with all my racing activities. But, I digress. So we were eyeing the guy at the bar & figured he was a bit odd but not that bad looking so we were hoping that the other guys would be at least on par with him. We decide to mosey on over to the party....my anthropological study begins.

Act Two: We walk in & are immediately assaulted by the number of pudgy obviously-older-than-50 year old guys. There really was only ONE guy I would be remotely interested in & as it turns out he was a sailor from Annapolis. He seems to zero in on the two of us as well & the three of us have a nice conversation with him. We can't decide which of us he liked, but as he really was the only guy of interest, we walk over to a table to talk. As soon as we get there, we are surrounded by about 4-5 other men. They are at least within the appropriate age but do nothing for us on sight. My friend says one of the guys grew on her though but he didn't ask for her number. He DID tell us that sailordude was a player though. Seems that a lot of the guys who were there go all the time. They all know each other & their business. Like which chickie has a crush on which dude & how he doesn't like her but has a crush on her friend. It wasn't really my scene & my friend & I decide to leave. Sailordude walks us outside but also didn't ask for either of our numbers. Ah well....at least I learned that that kind of social singles party just ain't for me....just a bit discouraged though==like I said, I truly hope that balding & pudgy isn't the best I can get....they're all game fish--throw 'em back!