Testing....

So Guy 6 has been dates 9-17 (hence the infrequent updates), and I’ve been thinking about the beginning stages of getting to know someone more than I usually do. Yes, it’s all about getting to know someone- finding out what makes them tick- however, after the initial couple of dates, there seems to be a series of pass/fail exams.
He has a sense of adventure- Pass
Toilet paper and hand soap in his the bathroom- Pass.
Bottle caps, boxes and snowboard equipment strewn across the kitchen floor- Fail.
A kiss to say hello on a public street- Pass
Bringing a gift back from a trip out of town- Pass.
Not calling on Valentines day- Fail.
Inviting you over to hang out and watch a movie- Pass
Holding your hand while watching a movie- Pass.
Picking a good movie to watch while holding hands- Bonus
So as a girl who is spending an inordinate amount of time studying her dating habits it has occurred to me he is probably doing the same series of exams on me. In my head it goes something like this…
Likes to travel- Pass
She rolls with the punches- Pass
She knows nothing about music- Fail
Laughs at my jokes- Pass
She’s affectionate- Pass
Flirts in public- Bonus
She brings a six pack when she comes over to watch a movie- Pass
She is unfazed when I have to unload the laundry from my couch- Pass
When she falls asleep on my couch- she snores- Fail

But what if these aren't the things he's thinking about? Ok so I'm still seeing him and so I know I've got more Passes than Fails in my corner but what if his exams go something like this...

She's Blond- Fail

She can't hold her liquor- cheep date- Pass

She prances around on 4in heals all the time- Fail

She has a car- Pass

She's impressed that I'm a drummer- Pass

Ok so sure, everything I've seen thus far makes this seem unlikely but frankly the more dates I have the more crazy my Pass- Fail exams seem to be... wouldn't it work the other way around?

The art of the Choke...

Dear Guy I helped in the Shop,
You were about 30, tall, not unattractive and buying a dictionary. You were wearing the unfortunate dark glasses you get from the optometrist after an eye exam and when you removed them to ask me a question your eyes were watering. A few minutes after I’d helped you, you came back up to me, sweating profusely with this line…
“I’m not seeing good… very well… because my eyes are dilated, but I know an attractive woman when I see one…”
And I froze.
“Thanks, that’s so nice to hear…thanks, nice to hear…nice” then in a blur of movement I unfroze and I ran away. Literally ran away.
I can’t help but wonder what you might have been thinking at that point in time. It has to take a lot of stones to go up to a girl and say something- I completely lost all regard for your effort not to mention the compliment you was paying me while I was sprinting up the stairs in a panic. Ok sure this wasn’t the best delivered line ever, I was at work and not expecting anything but seriously- isn’t my resolution all about being open to the possibilities around me? A possibility arises and I freak-the-snot-out. Not just arises, falls into my lap and I choke.
My most humble apologies- I really mean it when I say it wasn’t you, it was me. I had a moment of insecurity tossed in with a good dose of shock at your timing. You should hit on girls more often and chances are other girls won’t freak out.
Maybe find another line though… that dilated eye thing probably won’t work on a regular basis.
Regards,
The streak of blonde- running in the opposite direction.

Date 8 Guy 7- let's keep this brief...

I want to go on 100 dates this year.
In case we weren’t clear, this does not mean I’m becoming the biggest slut in San Francisco. So when the first words (and frankly the least offensive) out of Guy 7’s mouth were “Can I ask you a personal question... Have you gone home with someone on the first date?” which was quickly followed by “Do you wear thongs?” I decided to drink my coffee very quickly, play up the fact that I’m not feeling well and book it out of there as fast as possible.

The Bridget Jones Dilemma

I’m home sick today but I have a date tonight. I’m keeping my fingers crossed I don’t have to cancel.
Sitting in bed under the covers with a cup of tea and some saltines gives me an opportunity to figure out what to wear. I have this ongoing date outfit dilemma though.

To Spanx or not to Spanx.

Lord knows I work to get the damn things on. Nothing like wiggling into a nylon cotton and spandex tube- writhing around the room pulling and tugging, shifting and checking for “issues” and bunching (FYI I did try this once with heals on- got a stiletto caught in the leg of the nylon tripped over the shoe box and almost knocked myself out on my bed post- I had visions of the Roommate finding me collapsed on the floor, spanx twisted to the point where it would have to be cut off to prevent the loss of circulation to my feet). Then after strapping on the right bra I check the mirror to see if I look ok (not with the dress on yet mind you). I squint a bit and I can at least get the idea of the shape but I’ve learned avoid getting a close and clear look at myself because Spanx and a bra is NOT attractive- I don’t care how fantastic the heals are. The dress goes on after and although one might think this would be the end of it, it isn’t- I start the movement test. Fast spin, bend over, sit down, reach up, smooth over all just to see if the damn thing can be seen, felt or yes even heard. Then, and only then do I step back, really look at myself and find I’m mildly disappointed. I haven’t become Kate Winslet but at least I’m lump free.
Is it cheating? Like busting out the push-up water bra or padded butt jeans? Maybe.
I choose to believe it’s more like a good make up application… mixed with a workout.

First dates are hard... second dates are something else...

Date 7, Guy 6 (my first second date- I was starting to get worried).
The bar was a fantastic mix of upscale old English pub and bordello- high backed seats in candle lit booths; velvet wall paper and strong drinks. Had it been a 3rd or 4th date I might have been tempted to lean in over the table and run my finger over the rim of my martini glass in an attempt at luring an unsuspecting gent into any number of naughty thoughts but as it was a 2nd date I decided to be modest.
Ok the truth is Mr. Burly is pretty darn funny and my martini glass seduction doesn’t go over particularly well when I’m snorting with laughter.
It was a good date. It was a second date.
It may even lead to a 3rd (knock on wood, don’t tempt the gods, praise be to Allah…)
There was one little thing though.
So in my head first kisses fall into two categories. The First is blissfully romantic- harts, flowers, city lights, violins- the kind that happen in Broadway musicals, the kind that happens with a crescendo of music and is followed quickly by the last few notes of a duet the kind that make a girl sigh and dance off stage with her skirts floating behind her. It’s a cross between Disney and the cover of a romance novel- Fabio strictly optional.
The second category of first kiss is dark and steamy- it’s a kiss so hot you can’t feel your face by the time it’s done. It’s a gasping for breath battle of teeth and tongues and clutching fingers. It’s the kind of kiss you have to jerk yourself away from only to go back for more. It leaves you raw and edgy and trembling.
Of course these are unrealistic- But I’m a romantic, I have certain expectations.
I turn to face Mr. Burly. He turns to face me…
I’m slightly tipsy, standing on the street in the middle of the Tenderloin at 2am. There is a very loud guy strung out at the corner screaming about karma to what I can only presume is a close personal friend of his on the other corner. She is a strikingly tall lady with a bit of facial hair.
There is a very awkward pause…
Not exactly Broadway but I can work with it.
He shrugs (yes he actually shrugged), leans in and kisses me.
Then we both step back and look at each other.
Huh…
“That was umm…awkward…”
“Well… yeah…”
I can tell he’s as confused as I am so we both decide to pretend it didn’t happen.
So much for second dates being less awkward than first…

Date 6 Guy 6

When you walk in and your feet peal off the floor at every step. The bar stools are so rough and cracked they would snag any material other than denim. The “lounge” furniture is a hodge-podge of miss-matched cast offs from a bad 70’s porno but you sit on it anyway while you wait for your turn at the dart board (or in my case my date to show up) and strike up a conversation with the 3 gals wearing too much makeup “slumming it” sitting at the booth next to you. The Regulars are a crew of two sitting over their beer in the darkest corner of the bar. They seem to embody both a hard life lived in the sun and one where they never saw the light of day- skin wrinkled, leathered and yet strikingly pale. The tv in the corner shows off season sports clips through the snow of a bad connection and the juke box is well stocked with rock ballads. The bartender greets you with a smile and if you stay long enough and tip well enough she will probably comp that last drink because you are now a familiar face.
There is something appealing about a dive bar and this happens to be one of my favorites.
Guy 6 is running late but because he has been calling every 5 min to make a joke about the reliability of muni or what a bad impression he’s making I’m willing to forgive his tardiness. After all, the ladies next to me are now starting to play a very entertaining game of quarters- I have agreed to serve as ref- how you referee a game of quarters is beyond me but that’s beside the point.
When he walks in he’s taller than I remember and just as cute, appropriately sheepish about being late and seems happy to see me- Guy 6 is Mr. Burly.
We belly up to the bar and order- the bartender seems relieved that I’m not here by myself- winks at me and smiles at Guy 6.
We chat and joke and I end up staying longer than I intended .
It was a good date.
And I got a few charming text messages the next day.
Maybe he had a good time too.

A Blonde, a Brunette and a Redhead Walk Into a Bar....

Project Mayhem April 2004. There was a lot of saki involved, a low cut shirt and a game of spin the bottle in the middle of a restaurant. Through devious means and brilliant manipulation, my Wing Man managed to maneuver not only a hot and heavy make-out session between me and my crush but was also able to make him think it was his idea. Ladies and Gentlemen may I introduce to you- Ms. K. - hilarious, lovely, brilliant 6ft tall Texas redhead, my best friend and The Perfect Wing Man.
January 2009 Ms. K. is in town- and having got wind of my 100 dates plan, she’s loaded for bear.
You might think girls on the hunt would get dressed up in their cleavage baring, leg showing, tight dress finest; head out to the clubs to bump and grind against the suave men of SF. You might think we would spend our time running back and forth to the bathroom to check our makeup/discuss boys/plan our escape route…whatever. Indeed, we had planned on doing just that.
But we didn’t. We had spent all day wine tasting (and flirting with young cute vintners) and frankly were feeling a little lazy. Running around the mission in tight dresses and 4inch heals seemed like a little too much work.
Instead we met up with another friend- the beautiful and charming Ms. N and headed out to the local (and cheesetastic) watering hole. We set up shop on three stools smack dab in the middle of the bar, smiled at the bartender and ordered a drink practically served in a trough. It came with 3 straws, fruit and umbrellas.
Yes, it’s perfect.
Funny thing about being three girls sitting in the middle of a very crowded bar- you have direct access to the bartender.
Funny thing about having direct access to the bartender- everyone has to go through you to order drinks… EVERYONE.
If you have a 6ft redhead around, she’s not going to be upset about all the interruptions. She is going to make the most of it.
“Oh, do you need a drink? Sure you do, what do you need? The bartender and I are tight… 10 beers? Fantastic, but you have to do me a favor…Bartender 10 coronas for this guy- Thanks! Oh, that favors- What’s your name..? Joe Dude, this is my blonde friend- cute isn’t she?”
In the mean time I’m making small talk about nail polish with some girl who has also bellied up to the bar in an attempt at ordering for her table- totally oblivious to what’s going on behind me.
The Bartender hands me the 10 beers Ms. K has ordered for Joe Dude. “I didn’t order these…”
“Hi Blonde Friend- I’m Joe Dude…”
“Hi Joe…”
“Help me with these beers?” Smile, Wink.
Did he just wink at me?
I look at Ms. K- she’s talking to some Big Bald and Burly- I hear my name mentioned…She looks over and smiles. Trouble.
“So, the beer?”
“Oh sure- yeah here you go…”
“Thanks Blonde Friend.” Wink…
And as he walks away I think-Yeah he totally winked at me…twice…I look at Ms. K. She’s chatting up a group of guys who just walked in…
Then the bartender puts a fruit and umbrella drink in front of me- trough size…
“Oh I didn’t order this…”
“It’s for me… I’m Mr. Burly… Hi Blonde Friend…”

Mr. Burly got my number- on a bar napkin.

Girl alone at Bar....

My canceled date got back in contact- I know I was totally shocked too.
We made a date, he was very apologetic for canceling. He’s charming- I decided to give him another shot.

Date 5 Guy 5
So I’m sitting in a hookah bar- I’m a little early and I go ahead and order a beer. It’s a place I haven’t been before and I’m liking the sultry mid-east vibe. I’m liking the wall murals, I’m liking the bartender. I sit at the bar and think about how much I like this place and what a good choice he made- dim lights and candles, good music- not too loud but a good beat, casual atmosphere but just sexy enough to make anyone feel a bit adventurous. Great place for a first date.
What I’m not liking is that I’ve been sitting here by myself now for 20min.

He did say he’d be able to get there between 8 and 8:30 so I’m not worried (Ok, I’m a little worried) but I do glance at my phone- 8:20.
The bartender comes by again- smiles- asks if I need anything- no, I’m good- so she wanders off. There is a magazine on the stool next to me and I snag it- one of the “What’s going on in SF” things and I start to flip through it-I have 100 dates to go on this year so it’s research right? Really it’s just something to do while I kill time.
My beer is ½ finished.
I glance at my phone again- it’s 8:30.
The door into the bar opens- I glance up- it’s not him.
My beer is ¾ finished.
The bartender comes by again, smiles at me and asks if there is anything else.
I finish my beer, pay my tab, look at my phone one more time.
It’s 8:50 as I’m walking out the door.
I get home and my roommates are sitting in the living room- they ask why I’m looking so cute- I growl something unintelligible and go to my room- They are guys, they know not to delve any further into that mess.
I boot up my e-mail and see this.

“Definitely a bit late, but here. Sorry if I missed you. Will find a way to make it up You pick a date and time, and I’ll make it happen as best as I can. Sorry again about tonight :-(”

It came in at 8:56pm.
So this is what I'm thinking...You canceled- last minute, and now you didn’t show- ok you showed up late- and didn’t bother calling… You want to try this again?
No, I don’t think so.

Look, this is supposed to be fun....

Double booking is in theory- exciting- a little naughty, a little exciting, a little dangerous. In this theory you are wearing stiletto heals and a red dress. In theory you bat your eyelashes at one man only to leave them wanting more and arrive just a few minutes late for the next date only to have the wondering why you look a little flushed- naughty, fantastic, the stuff of a fem fatal.
Funny thing, theory.

Date 3, Guy 3
“Hi, it’s so nice to meet you! I love this bar, it’s a fantastic choice- have you been here before?”
“No.” (One word answer right off the bat- maybe he’s shy…?)
“I hear you’re a (insert relatively cool job here), have you always wanted that?”
“It’s steady and pays the bills.”
“Huh… and you have lots of opportunity to travel- you must enjoy that…?”
“I don’t travel much.”
45min later…
“Ok well thanks so much for the beer- it’s been great to get to know you (in theory) and hey- you got to explore a new bar!”
“Yeah, can I call you?”
Excuse me?
Ok Guy 3 these questions are designed to give you the opportunity to expand, tell stories, ask questions of your own- they are easy questions with answers like- “Nope, never been here but heard it was cool and has a great selection of beer... Funny thing about my job- I fell into it but I’m sticking with it for a while because… I’m a home body- love to explore the city/my apartment/my naval…something”
You are looking at me, making good eye-contact, you even checked out the cleavage- score one for the girls- and it’s not as though I’m asking you to do complex mathematics.

Help a girl out!

Date 4 Guy 4
So, I’m early to the next venue of the day- big surprise- and make myself comfortable in a corner booth where I’m easily seen from the front door- My makeup is perfect (because lord knows I’ve had enough time to touch it up between dates), I’m arranged to look sexy, mysterious yet casual, I take a deep breath, toss my blonde hair over my shoulder... In walks Wicked Hot.
Minor panic attack- he is actually even hotter than I thought.
And he is frowning.
Ok, no problem- maybe he isn’t really frowning…
Nope, he’s frowning. Crap.
“Hey! This place is great! Your suit is fantastic! I’m pleased to meet you! I’m smiling like an idiot and over expressing excitement in an attempt to hide the fact that I’m very uncomfortable!” Stop talking….
“So, I hear they have great house drinks! I see a waitress over there!”
Please stop talking…
At this point Wicked Hot is looking at me as though I’ve grown a second head.
He has also ordered a vodka- no mixers, no ice, just vodka.
“Wow! I’ve never been able to do that- drink just vodka before!”
Shut Up!
We stare at each other in painful silence for the 20 minutes it takes for us to get our drinks, drink them, and pay the bill.
“Well, thanks!” Ugh- still over expressing excitement…
“Just out of curiosity, what number am I?”
“What number?”
“What number on your goal of 100?”
“Oh! Your number 4!”
“Huh…”

Double Booking

I have two dates tomorrow. For a girl who didn't get out all that much last year this is an exciting phenomenon- one my Dude Friends tell me is something to be proud of.
Ok I'll be proud.
I do on the other hand feel a bit like a date slut.
Luckily they are both at similar venues so I don't have to cart around another set of clothing- could you imagine me attempting to change in my car while driving a stick shift down Van Ness? Stockings flying, jacket wedged at the elbows behind my back, holding the steering wheel with my teeth while attempting to wiggle out of a pair of jeans? (I may bring another pair of shoes because I'm that girl but shoes don't really count). And while I don't have to worry about a costume change, they are at opposite ends of town. If date 3 lasts more than 2.5hrs I'm going to be late to date 4. Timing it seems, could be problematic. And how do you subtly check your clock to see what time it is? Or do you say at the beginning that you are going to have to leave at O-dark-Thirty? It seems either one of those options would set an uncomfortable tone.
The other issue is that both dates are at bars. Fantastic. I get to show up to date 4 smelling like stale beer- nothing says "I'm a classy girl you might like to get to know better" like the sent of Dive Bar.

'So I think I have to cancel tonight..."

I opened my e-mail today and read this...

'So I think I have to cancel tonight, I had an unusual insomniac night last night and I don't think I'll be much of a fun date tonight... Maybe we could reschedule for later this week?'

Ugh.

My gut tells me this isn't going to get rescheduled. Cheesy relationship books tell me this isn't going to get rescheduled. My dude friends tell me this isn't going to get rescheduled. I'm hoping I'm wrong. I'm hoping Sex and the City is wrong and god knows- I'm hoping my dudes are wrong (because I get a perverse sense of satisfaction when my dudes are wrong) but I really don't think they are.

I've got an outfit planned, So I'm going out anyway.

I'm also attempting to cultivate multiple options- sounds impressive huh? Much more so than what I've actually been doing which is flirting at every opportunity.
Example- Strudel Guy.
Strudel Guy is a twenty-something working at a local coffee shop. I chatted with him the other day, smiled, joked, got my coffee a bit of strudel moved on. Strudel Guy was flirty and cute and made a funny joke about whipped cream. Today I saw Strudel Guy again. I ordered strudel from him- didn't actually want strudel but that's beside the point. Today I smiled, made a joke about dropping my strudel all over the sidewalk before noon (it was funny at the time) and he said it's after noon somewhere and therefore totally appropriate to be dropping strudel (again totally funny at the time). We laugh, I walk out with a bag of strudel.

Now it's likely Strudel Guy flirts with everyone but for the second time this week I've walked out of the coffee shop feeling a little more charming and a little more confident to try this out on someone who doesn't sell me strudel.

So I’m sitting in the living room today talking to The Roommate and a friend of his about my 100 when this phrase was uttered-
“You are going to ask out men too, yes?”
Oh lord the thought never really occurred to me. Sure there was some vague notion somewhere in the outer recesses of my mind that I might have to ask someone out but it didn’t really connect with the fact that I’m actually going to have to approach, hit-on and ask for numbers. I’m not talking about flirting my way getting him to ask me, or meeting up with a friend of a friend a few times until I can find some excuse to invite him out to do something, i.e.: “Oh by the way I just happen to have these two tickets to the game and you said you liked… umm… sports… so I thought you might want to go… with me?”. I’m talking about the thing that just thinking about it makes me want to call the entire thing off.
I’m going to have to go out on the prowl.
How is a girl- an average girl- supposed to do this? The two schools of thought seem to be 1- You are totally honest and say hi, I like you and I’d like to get your number so we can hang out, or 2- you don’t ask, they either ask you, or they aren’t interested. The first seems almost too aggressive and the second isn’t anything- literally.

My standard approach of “Hi stranger, help me carry all the drinks I just ordered for my friends?” smile, charm, batting of eyelashes- may no longer cut it.
And where do I go to do this? Is there a part of town that’s better for this than another? Are there rules? (In the Marina you can only be approached, but in the Mission it’s ladies choice?).

Crap.

Not All Dates End in a Kiss

Date 2 Guy 2
I'll start by saying there was never any intention of romance in this date and then argue despite the fact that it was romance-free from the start it was still a date. Guy 2 is 79 years old. His granddaughters are my age. According to him people in my generation don't really date at all and that's why we "date" for so long only to find it isn't working. He met his wife, went on five "real dates" over the course of two months and then married her- they were married for over 40 years.
Maybe he's right. I've heard people talk about how fun dating used to be- how it wasn't a chore. How the first date was something to look forward to and how you did every thing you could to make the other person feel special. The way he talks about it- they way a lot of people talk about dating makes me feel a bit lazy. I like dating- I don't think of it as a chore or a requirement (talk to me again when I'm on date 63...) but I can't help but feel like I've been half ass-ing it.
When was the last time I went on a date where someones only focus was making sure I felt special?
When was the last time my only focus was on making my date feel special?
And could I pull it off without coming off as creepy?

One Down

Date 1 Guy 1- Brit, his mum worries

It's a funny thing when you meet up with a stranger for drinks- there always seems to be this awkward moment of staring at each other and smiling sheepishly. It's usually the worst moment of the evening- the point at which you have to decide who is going to say what first. It's a painful 30 seconds that often ends with you and your date both blurting out some stupid question at the same time.

"So what do you do for a living...?"

"Did you see that the weather in Spokane is....?" neither one of you really hears what the other one is saying because you are so frantic to blurt out something.

"No, Go ahead...?" "No, you please..."

Ugh... so you smile again and pray the bartender will show up to take your order.

Lucky for me at the very beginning of Date 1, Guy 1 said "So... you know you are nuts?”

Yes, clearly I am. I'm also now relieved, relaxed, and smiling- you take a big risk telling a girl she is crazy right off the bat. Clearly #1 has some stones.
Charming and funny in a slightly self-deprecating sort of way. Thinks I'm nuts- and told me. Bonus points because I liked the honesty and he didn't seem too concerned about my status as crazy. Nice guy, fantastic accent and over all a good way to start off my year.
The warm and fuzzy moment- he asked why I had a band-aid on and then after studying the methodical way in which I had managed to manipulate it in an origami like fashion onto my finger he asked me put one on his finger in the same way- and wore a bright red bandage on his thumb for the rest of the night.

A word of warning should you find yourself in the bar of a particular fusion restaurant… The lounge looks amazingly comfortable, low slung and sexy, but take heed ladies, there is a very good chance for wardrobe malfunction. I found myself precariously perched on a leather cube made for hobbits (yes, I'm short but not that short), bashing my shins against the free-form metal table top, desperately trying to be moderately lady like and not flash the goods from under my skirt or have my boobs pop out while I'm leaning across the doll-sized table to reach for my drink. He kindly offered me the couch seat but since it was even lower than the cube I politely declined.
Thank you boarding school for teaching me how to sit without having a Hollywood starlet getting out of her car photo op. On the other hand it would have made a fantastic first impression…

The Great Debate

To the men who may read this stop now... I'm about to delve into a subject that might put you into a coma.

Tomorrow around 6pm I will be going through the pre-date ritual of standing in front of a full length mirror wearing two different shoes. Shoe A will be a relatively comfortable heal 3in or under in some neutral tone- probably beige or black- and cute in an understated way. I will like shoe A- friendly, not too flashy, pretty, something I can walk in or bus in- the kind of heal I would wear at work.

Shoe B will be something out of a movie (007 possibly, porn more likely). Shoe B I will adore. Shoe B will be flash and sex and 4inches high. Shoe B is a Taxicab shoe. Shoe B pleases me simply because it exists in my closet, they are a few extra inches, a little added splash of color, a distinction. Shoe B is the shoe even the most unobservant of dates will notice- if they like it or not doesn't matter- they will notice. Shoe B will cripple me by the end of the night, but will show off my red toe-nail polish.

And I will stand alternating from one foot to the other in a full length mirror debating the merits of shoe A vs. shoe B. I will shift and turn and study from every angle, sit and stand and spin around. Shoe A, Shoe B- what are the chances of rain? How far am I going to be walking? Will there be seats at the bar? I may even ask the roommate. He seems to appreciate shoes, has a good eye etc. I will probably not take his advice, but I'll ask for it, factor it into my final decision. The same decision I make every time.

Take an Advil, wear B and wonder to myself if maybe this time my date will have a shoe fetish.

Craig- Roommates, cars, jobs... Dates- jurry's still out.

Craig- interesting thing CL.

You really do see a wide range of people responding to adds- Yes I know old news and yes, I’ve had a few responses that seem to be great- easy funny guys who are looking to be a little more social etc.

Then there are the others.

Here are a few gems-.

“Hi, you seem cool, good luck”
Ummm… ok thanks. I’m all about positive feedback but do you want me to respond or were you just giving me props?

“Hit me back- let’s do this. (Insert photo of man leaning back in his desk chair with his Junk in his hand here)”
No.

“Blah Blah Blah Blah… charm charm charm charm, Oh by the way I’m married”
Note to self- should I choose to go this route again be more specific in requirements of potential dates.

Then there was this one…
“Hello, I’m a dude and I’m fantastic, I’m even funny… oh and I’m wicked hot as you can see in my photo… I like your attitude and would like to be one of your 100- maybe even more than one of your 100 because who knows we could hit it off. Did I mention that I’m wicked hot and on paper at least seem perfect?”

Holy bovine you ARE wicked hot… and now I find myself in a strange position.
When I’m out I smile, I listen I can carry on a conversation and flirt, I am the least intimidating chick in a bar and this works for me.

"Average Joe with a funny streak” hits on me in a bar.
“I play a lot of video games” hits on me in a bar.
“Cute chubby chaser” hits on me in a bar.
Wicked hot smiles and talks to me but wicked hot does NOT hit on me in a bar.

So I respond to Wicked hot… charm, flirt, I even agree to a date because after all that is what this little experiment is all about and now I can’t help but wonder-
What is wicked hot going to think about going on a date with the least intimidating chick in a bar?

And so it begins...

So lets start this thing off with a bang-

This was posted on CL 1/02/09

"Gentleman I need your assistance. Last year my Resolution was to change my favorite color to blue- a bit of a cop-out as far as resolutions go so I needed something a bit more challenging this year. 100 dates by 2010- yes that would be about 2 dates/week.

Not out of the realm of possibility sure, but a bit of a challenge without some help from more unusual sources- like my new friend Craig.

About me- I’m 28, single, 5’3”, blond with green eyes- I fall very nicely into the “cute” category. I’m a size 14- so if you like your girls thin or spending hours at the gym I’m not the girl for you, (I do have a number of friends I could introduce you too though).

I love getting out of the city, (I’ve been known to go on trips at a moments notice). I sing in the car- but not the shower. I have a degree and a fun job where I work slightly odd hours but get to hang out with people I enjoy. I have a fantastic gang of friends in the area and spread out across the country. I love to go dancing. The dinner parties are usually at my house and yes, I put my friends to work in the kitchen but I always feed them well for their efforts.

Yes ideally this little adventure would land me in a LTR (and if I go out with you twice it counts as two dates) but worse case scenario I have a few good stories to talk about when I’m 80.

I ask only a few things of a potential date-

You should have a sense of humor.

You should be able to carry on a conversation with a stranger.

You should also be over the age of 21.

Pictures are available on request- but only if you send me yours. So tell me a bit about yourself…

Happy New Year"

Why would I do this? Well the obvious answer is I'm nuts... and that isn't out of the realm of possibility but the truth is I often find myself meeting men and not taking the time to get to know them before jumping into a relationship or avoiding putting myself on the line for some relatively dumb reason usually dealing with my own insecurities.

I'm over it. Seriously isn't it time to be ok with getting to know someone- spending an hour having a conversation or sharing an experience without all the pressure. I have 100 dates to go on this year- If I have a bad one, or a just ok one no worries- I've got more. If I have a great one- Fantastic maybe someone will get to be date 20, 21 and 22...

Short story long, I'm totaly excited about this.