The blind date

God love her, my cousin Fran. She is a wonderful, fun-loving, animal loving, kind, generous woman who I am lucky enough to be able to have in my life. So being that we're the same age and she knows I am on the look-out for (lack of better term) 'Mr. Date-able' keeps her eyes peeled for me. As do my other closeknit circle of female friends. So about 3 weeks ago, as I sit in my office, working like a little doggy, to my surprise my phone rings and it is Fran, in a fit of excitement.
(F) "You'll never believe how funny this is. But a friend of mine has come in to my office and asks if I know any nice girls for his cousin. I answer of course, and gave you a call."
(Me) "All right, I'm for meeting this guy. And I trust your judgment. Give him my number, I'll meet him."

And there you have it. The two sentences that can either put you on the path of coupledom or make it to a blog such as the one I am writing. Fran proceeds to do her screening of 'contender 1'. He has a decent job, comes from a good family, is a few years older than me and doesn't mind if a woman has tattoos. (Yes people I have tattoos. 7 of them). She then proceeds to give my numbers to 'Contender 1's' cousin and I was to expect a phone call that night. Well that evening-no call. I call my matchmaker to fill her in, and give 'contender 1' the benefit of the doubt. After all, it was a Thursday night. So come Friday, I am given a cryptic message through *and I sing* matchmaker, matchmaker make me a match...Find me a find...Catch me a catch. Again, Fran requests I call her after da-duh-dum...'the phone call'. Well Friday evening, 'contender 1' does call me, and he seems *gasp* normal, *gasp gasp* nice, and above all easy to talk to. We make tentative plans to meet the following week due to our schedules.

Let's jump ahead, shall we? 'contender 1' proves to be the gentleman and drives out towards me to meet me at a public place, for some adult beverages. (Yes boys and girls...That means cocktails). So I go a bit goofy, have my makeup done at Macy's...But nothing outlandish...Just to perk me up and it comes out horrid. Thank God I had makeup with me, as I run into the ladies room to fix the disaster and still have time to meet him outside. 'Contender 1' is a nice looking man, not too tall. (Okay he totally lied about his height...he said he is 5'6", but lets say more like 5'3"). And I know this as I am only 5', and my heels had me eye to eye with him. I am not completely superficial, just upon meeting someone, not the best thing to do-LIE about the height. So we go in, sit at the bar...he drinks beer, I stick to my vodka tonics and no food is ordered. Why, I have no clue. He had a 'big' lunch, (I hadn't had anything the whole day). He asked if I *mumbles* 'want to order anything', I reply if 'you'd like to we can.' However there was no food to be ordered while with 'Contender 1'. Anyway, we hang out for about 2 1/2 hours...chatting. I felt we did an equal amount of chatting. Discussed his sister's upcoming wedding, his cockerspaniel, the fact that he never got in to music but did see U2 once, and work. He did proceed to use the restrooms twice, and on one of those visits I did get checked out by another guy (which is the next blog entry). However being that I was on a date, did not flirt with anyone...did NOT acknowledge 'Contender 2' at all. Finally with nothing else to discuss, 'Contender 1' asks if I'm ready to go, and proceeds to walk me to the car. And with the wrap of the blind-date proceeds to extend his hand and utter the most bizarre line 'We'll be in touch.'

Ok, so I didn't feel any sparks. However I did think the evening went well, and should he want to get together again would have gladly said yes. However after uttering that line before he zoomed away, was not about to make the next call to thank him for a pleasant evening. So now the verdict was out. How did it go? Was he in to me? Would I hear from him? What the hell was up with the hand shake and the 'we'll be in touch' mumbo-jumbo? Family and friends and even co-workers were all stumped. Patients at my mother's office had no clue what it meant. I never got a phone call. I was fine with that as 'Contender 2' was on the horizon (and a complete hottie/musician). Yeah, I'll tell you what 'Contender 1' meant by 'We'll be in touch' (what, was I on some interview?)

About a week later, cousin Fran sets off my Monday morning feeling dejected, and like a failure for this whole blind date ordeal. Turns out 'Contender 1' finally told his cousin (who assisted in the set-up) that 'I just didn't feel any sparks'. (Which ok, although I am no Angelina Jolie...I don't think I'm a complete bow-wow). But then he proceeds to LIE and tells his cousin that he did most of the talking!!! Anyone who knows me, knows I have the gift of gab. So why lie, knowing that would come back to me?

And that was that ladies and gents. Round one in the dating disasters of Dr. Orelinde. Would I go on another blind date? Sure...no sweat. Will I ever end a date with 'We'll be in touch'? Under no circumstances, ever would I. All I am saying is be honest. If you do not feel you can say face to face with the person, 'look it was nice to have met you, but I think we should remain friends'. Then at least do it over the phone! As for 'Contender 2'? Stay tuned for that blog entry.