Trivia and Tics

I got a message from a guy I’d been emailing with, asking if I’d like to grab a bite to eat at Belltown Pizza. I had eaten there once before (on another date, if I remember correctly) and their slices were somewhat reminiscent of New York Pizza (which I was raised on). So, I agreed, happily.

When I arrived, he was already sitting at the bar, waiting for me. As soon as introductions were done, he informed me that it was trivia night! As someone who loves learning random facts, I’m often on the winning trivia team. This was an exciting change in the normal dinner routine!

We decided to split a pizza and join forces in the intellectual challenge. He seemed to know everyone in the bar, so free drinks were flowing throughout the evening. The first question was posed:

What color does acid turn Litmus paper?

Too easy! Bring on something a bit more challenging!

We stated “red” and, obviously, won the round. I looked at my date, his hands started flailing, and he opened his mouth:

"Hell yea, own it, ooowwwwnnnn it, own it! Hell yea, own it! Own it! Yea, yea, yea!"

Well, that was a bit more excitement than I was expecting for the first question! Oh well, I guess optimism and happiness are good traits.

Soon after, question two was announced:

What is a freshwater lobster called?

As a foodie, the question was also not a problem: Crayfish

Our answer was pronounced correct and my date began exploding with enthusaiasm once again:

“See that!?! Own it, ooowwwnnnn it, own it! That’s right, own it! Own it!”

Uh…ok…

And it continued…and continued…and continued throughout the evening.

We did, indeed, win the trivia competition. By the end, however, I didn’t have much enthusiasm left in me! His tourette-like outburts were draining! Certainly not something I could deal with on a long-term basis!

No, nope, nada, no way, nah, nope, no, no!

3 Oldies + 1 Newbie = An Interesting Night!

Last weekend, we decided to have a girl's night out. In typical girl style, we met beforehand to get ready and have a few drinks. I might be biased, but we were lookin' pretty good! Amber was the destination of the evening (I had only been once prior, around the time our dating project commenced).

We drove downtown, spent too much time searching for parking, and finally started the long trek to the bar. On they way, "Looking for a Spark" nudged me and signaled at something up ahead. Uh oh--it was a guy ("Waldo") with whom I had gone on three dates! He didn't notice us--Phew!

As we settled into the bar scene with our first round of drinks, I turned around and saw a familiar face. It was someone I had met on my birthday. We had gone rock climbing once afterwards, but, despite his attempts, never met up again. Oops! We talked at the bar--might reconnect in the future.

Another hour passed. Suddenly, a very attractive guy caught my eye. He stopped in front of me. And started talking:

"What....you already forgot who I am?!"

It took a minute to realize it was the guy from the Vagina Dialogues. I didn't remember how hot he was! I wonder why we lost touch!? Anyway, he bought me a drink, we re-exchanged numbers, and he had to leave the bar for an early morning flight. Hope that spark reignites!

As last call neared, I met someone new. He was Costa Rican, so we flirted in Spanish for the rest of the night. And we planned a date for the next day. Fun!

Apparently, after 70 dates, I have to expect to see familiar faces wherever I go! I feel like I've dated most of the eligible bachelors in Seattle!

Nothing says classy first date like bike-riding naked people and warm beer dripping down your leg

I met Mic* at Amber in Belltown, a bar that boasts “first class service and culinary delights…dedicated to providing exceptional service that contributes to a truly memorable experience.” Well, a memorable experience is definitely an understatement. Just to get this straight, I don’t recommend meeting dates in bars, but something told me this one was extra special.

He’s just in Seattle for a short trip to visit friends so after meeting on Friday, he decided we just simply had to spend all day together on Saturday. He took me to the Fremont Fair to rub elbows with drunken naked people dripping in rained-on body paint (the first clue the day would be nothing less than total classiness and chivalry). Honestly, he was quite the gentleman: he carried my purse, offered his arm when walking through the crowds and even ruffled through gum wrappers and tampons to find my ID and show it to the doorman at the beer garden (and then announced the full contents of my purse to all within earshot – jerk face!)

After a few beers down the hatch and down my leg (good thing I was wearing galoshes) we met some friends at Brouwers where I tried the girliest beer ever brewed: Lindemans’s Framboise. I recommend it for those of you who don’t like beer much, but it was a tad sweet even for me (one of the girliest girls I know). We then ventured through think crowds of Seattle’s finest hippies to Gasworks Park to try to catch The Jesus Rehab, a self proclaimed “laid back, fun, and rockin’” band. On the way to the park we passed three Ride the Duck trucks and Mic took full advantage of the enthusiastic and captive audience and flashed each truck of quacking tourists as it drove by – I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard all day as I did with Mic, but I will say just one more time, classiness just might not be his thang. We arrived at the park just in time to see the band packing up their equipment, but we did get to meet the band members and get a few autographs (I’m a pretty big fan).

I do have to give Mic props for choosing such a diverse schedule of activities for a first date. SG#1 might have some serious competition moving forward – the day ended with a pretty steamy make-out session…JUST KIDDING!!!

Okay, Okay, I know all you SG#1 fans are having a conniption fit right now (and maybe SG#1 a little bit too, good thing he has a good sense of humor). I didn’t go on a date with Mic. He’s one of SG#1’s friends from out of town and I had the pleasure of hanging out with him and some of SG#1’s other friends at the Fremont Fair. The day did feel at times like some kind of it’s-the-new-girl-initiation-ceremony, but the jokes were all in good fun and each friend had something very nice to say about SG#1 (I definitely got a little bit of the inside scoop!). The rest of the post is true, minus the steamy make-out session, with Mic anyway ;), and Mic is a super fun and I’m sure very classy guy in most situations (he is a very accomplished Naval Officer after all). I wish Mic the best of luck finding a main squeeze, I know she’ll always be laughing, she’ll never have to carry her purse, and she’ll have to dish out the fun just as much as Mic to keep up with his never-ending quest for amusement.

*As always, his name has been changed for blogging purposes

Belltown Poetry

Early in the night, my date mentioned that he always liked to support street musicians and performers. As we walked down the street in Belltown, searching for a restaurant, he was dropping bills into tattered hats and guitar cases. And then we were approached by a young, African American guy.

"I'm an artist and would love to recite my poetry for you...I'll only take two minutes of your time!"

Of course, my date humored him.

"Go ahead"

The poet warned us that this wasn't any old Shakespeare work, but that it required our participation. We accepted the challenge.

"So, you guys are in love, huh?" (No, we shook our heads.) "First date, then?" (Yes, we nodded.) "Ok, I need you guys to look into each others' eyes...keep looking, don't break the connection"

(AWKWARD! But we kept going with it)

"Love--love is blossoming. Love is a beautiful thing. Love...warms the heart and the soul. Love on a Saturday night. Two souls, beautifully intertwined, growing closer each minute as they stare in each other's eyes......"

Hmmm...maybe this wasn't such a wise activity for a first date... Soon enough, though, it was nearing the end. But there was a grand finale:

"...and now, you must kiss! Go on, kiss so the world can witness the beauty of your love!"

(Dude, this is a first date, remember?!)

My date looked at me awkwardly, and I, at him. Very gentlemanly, he kissed me on the cheek. At the poet's urging, I did the same. A dollar was handed over, and we continued on our way. We found a restaurant, ate, and parted ways.

Our love did not blossom.