As promised, I test run the latest and greatest of online dating sites so my readers don’t have to (unless they want to anyway.) Here’s my first experience with the new site, howaboutwe.com. It was slow to start match-wise but surprisingly the actual date is the best I’ve been on ever. I was ready to give up on the site when my friend, Ms. M, perused through my matches and suggest I give it a go with Shady Parkstien. Sometimes our friends know us better than we know ourselves.
Enter Shady; we met at Union Square Park with the hopes of scoring from a meal truck (an obsession of mine.) I saw him sitting down and had flashbacks of Baryshnikov, my last ex-boyfriend with whom I was hopelessly in love. Then he stood up. He was tall, handsome, and had a silver stripe of premature gray in his hair. (Insert Rogers and Hammerstein karaoke track here.) Salt and Pepper, Silver Fox, well-tailored suits… these are a few of my favorite things! Then he even went in for the “nice to meet you” hug. So far, so good!
After some cones from The Big Gay Ice Cream Truck, we sat in the Park and very typically discussed books, hobbies, childhood homes, and the creepy guy giving out free massages on the other side of the park. Shady was very determined to avoid any sort of lull or pause in conversation. In the event that a topic was wrapping up, he’d make a game out of it. “I’m going to ask you five questions about yourself and you’re only allowed to answer with lies. Then we bet on something.” Unfortunately, “What question are we on?” was still part of the game and I lost. Fortunately, I did not have to get massage from creepy guy for losing. We then did drinks at the W Hotel, despite my loss. Playing games where I always win? Clearly, Shady read the text book on “game” from cover to cover and now gets straight A’s in creativity.
Unlike the last weirdo who accompanied me to my favorite bar, Shady and I both had the Pinot Grigio because that’s what normal people drink when it’s hot outside (unlike Pepe LaJew.) He then complimented the fact that I was normal and stylish. Wow. To top it all off, he took a few afternoon hours off of work to come spend time with me. How is he able to swing that, you ask? Simple. He’s “the boss.” Welcome to our inside joke. This is huge. We share a sense of humor. We connected. We had a great time. What a novel concept, dating that doesn’t feel like you’re being grounded.
In fact, it was quite the opposite. After talking, joking, laughing, and discussing our feelings on people who aren’t passionate, driven, and goal oriented, I did the typical Joneshaw thing in my head. I panicked. This is what first dates are supposed to look like. This went extremely well. This is not when you’re supposed to freak out. Then when he text me later, “Ugh this meeting is boring. Would rather still be hanging with you.” The inside-smile feeling should have lasted longer than a minute or two. The follow up date scheduled for the next evening should not have made me freak either. Here it is, the opportunity to have what I want. Come one, come all, to the greatest show on earth: Joneshaw’s Self-Sabotage!
Bottom Line: Shady made me realize that I wasn’t asking for much, my standards aren’t unattainable, and hells-yes I’m normal! Normal enough to have a great first date with and invite on a normal and fun second date! Shady looks like what I’ve been looking for and I’m scared to let it happen.
Next Up: Holy Crapper! I’m double booked!!! Howaboutwe.com date with MysteRio and date number two with Shady. Stay tuned for a two-part blog about my dating double header.
Your Undercover Lover,
Joneshaw
