Tuesday night, Jenn and I switched up our typical routine of hanging bar-side in our neighborhood, and instead went to the LES for the CD release concert of our current favorite band, Locksley. We bought tickets about three weeks ago, so needless to say, the excitement had been building for quite some time. We knew there was no way the evening could’ve been a fail, considering the band members are ridiculously cute in their hipster way, the songs are happy and lively, and the fact that there was an open bar Red Bull party afterwards. After the band that opened for them cleared out, J and I went in to stake out a great place near the front. As we were just standing around and talking while they set up, a girl tapped me on the shoulder then complimented my top and asked where I got it from. I noticed she was with a cute guy I had checked out earlier, but dismissed the idea as soon as I saw her walk up to him. From the get-go, they made it clear they were there as friends and nothing more. Him and I started talking, and kept on until the band was finally ready to play, 45 minutes later. He’s from Boston, goes to Northeastern, originally from Westchester, and so on…. we had the typical introductory conversation. He was friendly, easy-going, NOT in finance; in short, what I was looking for. The band finally came on, and we danced a little bit and he held my hand at points. It was sweet. Afterwards, we grabbed our wristbands for the after party, then the four of us, plus one of their friends who had joined about halfway through the show, walked over to TriBeCa/SoHo to the Red Bull Lounge. It was a pretty sweet set-up inside… wide open space, white couches, a DJ, and of course, the free bar. I started with a mixed drink (some take on vodka and red bull), but apparently decided it was too weak. I then ordered vodka on the rocks… this was the turning point, or demise, of the night… The events thereafter are very, very hazy, but I do remember someone handing out party hats, then watching the band cut into their cake. J tells me I insisted on getting a piece, then ended up making everyone else hold it since I didn’t actually want to eat it. Boston boy and I kept talking until vodka #2, which is when I deemed it appropriate to kiss him. Shortly after, I told J we needed to go home, as it was a work night for me and it was past 1. She tells me that while we waited at the coat check, I made out with B for about 5 minutes. Classy. Oy. I said goodbye, and awoke the next morning upset that we hadn’t exchanged any information… then, as I was digging for my metrocard, I came across his Team in Training card that he had given me. It brightened my nauseous morning. I sent him a casual email, basically just saying it was good to meet him and that I had a fun night. He reciprocated in the same tone; friendly, not flirtatious. Who knows if we’ll speak again, but it was definitely one of my best nights out.
Now on to the blind date… yes, this one was off Craigslist. Maybe I could do a thesis on Craigslist dating at some point? I responded to his ad, which just said he was 26, new to the city, living in E Village, a lawyer, and looking for someone to go out with. In my email, I went straight to the point and asked if he wanted to get a drink the next night. We wrote back and forth a couple times, and decided to meet at Grassroots Tavern around 8:00. I was semi-hipstered out, waist down since I was possibly going to BK later that night. He was frat boy to the max, wearing jeans, a faded shirt, and yellow Ralph Lauren sweater. He paid for round 1, and we started talking about our jobs and school. He just finished law school at Georgetown, so I’m guessing he’s pretty intelligent, but also got the feeling that he knows it. He came across as an asshole, not because he was cocky, but because he was kind of stand-offish. Maybe he was nervous, who knows. Service was pretty bad, so we took off to a familiar bar of mine, Bull McCabe’s. Round two… he paid. Round three… him again, but he asked me to tip (fair, but tacky?). Round four… I paid. About three hours were spent here, and honestly, I’m not clear on the order about things we spoke, but there were key things I DO remember from the conversation:
1) him: Yeah, I like your outfit, except for the tights…
Yes, I should really take fashion advice from someone wearing an old t-shirt on a date.
2) me: Have you ever cheated on girlfriends? (don’t worry, we were on the relationship topic)
him: Yeah
me: *looking taken aback*
him: Well, I’m not going to sit here and lie to you. I mean, this was all a long time ago, like high school and undergrad. I’m past that now.
… how noble of him?
3) him: You’re cute… too cute for Craigslist.
Slightly flattering, but I don’t think there’s such a thing as being too cute for online dating. I then went into a speech about how I do get hit on, but nothing manifests past that night. I tried to explain this without alluding to the fact that I take strangers home sometimes.
Those were really the main things. Overall, I had a fun time with him, but that could have been the result of being several drinks deep. Around 12:30, we put our coats on and stepped outside. He walked me part of the way home, which was nice of him. We said goodbye and he kissed me. No making out, no tongue, just a kiss. That’s a good sign. He text me a bit later asking if I got home okay, and asking if I’d like to go out again. So, looks like I’ll be seeing him this Monday.
Another blind date on my calendar for this Saturday. A 6’4”, 26 year old E. Village inhabitant, doing research at Columbia and taking prereqs for dental school. We’ve already bonded a bit over talking about ochem, so I’m looking forwarded to meeting another science person. He wants to go somewhere near me, so at least I don’t need to worry about running into my date from last night.
Alright, off to a swedish massage. Greatly needed after yoga yesterday!
