ding

As the year races past me in a dizzying blur, I set out to do one more thing off my NYR checklist: speed dating. In theory, this is something that makes me really nervous: many men, only three minutes to decide which ones deserve a proper date, stopping talking as soon as the bell goes ding… I didn't think I could do it. But AnCe and Nish were going and I thought, what the hell.

AnCe set up our lowered expectations, which Nish confirmed is the key to a successful first date. This, again, goes against everything in me. Why waste my time with mediocrity when I know it's not going to work? Anyway, we showed up and I immediately fortified myself with a drink. Then, I asked the (cute) bartender to pour me a glass of water in my massive wine goblet. He's all "I can just give you a water glass" and I'm all "that would ruin the illusion"… so he pours me a glass of water with a few drops of iced tea to make a perfect replica of rich white wine. I found myself wishing he was part of the speed dating process, but alas.

Anyway, as "G" I found my place in the lounge area. And it began. Now, more than twelve hours after the experience, I will admit that it is mostly a fog. I only have a few highlights…
#4: opened his convo with the usual "what do you do for fun" question, but since he was the fifth person I'd talked to, I was kind of sick of answering, so I said "what do YOU think I do for fun" … his answer? "Hard core porn?" …to which I replied, "it has its time and place. This would normally have been funny, except when he found out I'm a Children's Librarian, he said his favourite book is "superfudge"… all in all? I think he's gay.
#11: moved to Mississauga from Barrie and thought the 'Saug was more boring. I blinked my surprise at him and he says "well, maybe it was the booze and drugs that made it so entertaining"… ooookaaaay.
#8: a Star Trek fan that prefers Kirk to Picard. That killed it.
#2: I liked him - quiet and cute and, when Nish began distracting me, used his jacket as a shield. Charming, really. And I like the geeks - they comfort me.
#7/#8: interchangeable Polish guys who were absolutely hilarious.
#15: aka Alanis. He talked more about his friend Sonia (in Woodbridge) than himself and I thought, "oh dear - you need to ask her on a date."
… All in all, fifteen guys were there and they were all very covnersational. No total freaks or psychos. But dateable? I only checked off six. Now we wait to see if the same six will check me off.

Things I learned from this whole experience:
1) It's hard to answer "what I do for fun" - I read, I watch movies, I play Warcraft and board games, I like to hike in the summer. I travel, but not alone. I like the legitimate theatre (symphony, opera, plays). I want to shark-dive and parachute-drop. But I don't know how to ride a bike or rollerblade or do any cute sporty things. I wish I could have just filled out a card and handed it to them to remember… like a dating resume.
2) 3 minutes is more than enough time for me to judge a person. Thank you, Customs, for teaching me to spot a liar in 13 seconds or less. #13? You are a poseur. Get over your drumming self.
3) I need to ask AnCe what she's wearing before we go out - we have, I swear, identical clothing taste. Either that, or I convince her to room with me so I can raid her closet. Hmm… I wonder what shoe size she wears?
4) I have bad hearing. It was a loud buzzing atmosphere with everyone talking and being gregarious and I had to struggle to hear the quiet ones (the ones I like!), which meant I was watching their lips instead of their eyes and that can't be good. I wonder if a discreet hearing aid would be completely out of the question?

We hear back on Friday. I shall keep you posted, poppets!