July 11, 2004

the blind date thing

West Village, 4PM

He was already half-way through his coffee when I arrived at The Chocolate Bar, late, rumpled and frustrated from my unexpectedly complex subway trek. Waving off my apologies, he bought me an iced mocha and we settled down in the back corner to get acquainted. I was pleasantly surprised that, as promised, he was indeed not a bad looking guy, and in possession of the correct number of toes and fingers. And he did not have an axe anywhere on his person. At least that I could see. I was immediately at ease.

Is this where I mention he had brought me a gift? Citing my concern over decreased blog anonymity, he produced from a white plastic shopping bag, a Secret Identity Kit from the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Store. I was charmed.

Coffee drained, we went for a walk and ended up at Magnolia. We picked up fluffy cupcakes (mine pink, his green), a couple bottled waters, and headed down to the river to people watch and talk some more. By then I had figured that not only was he not inclined to produce any sort of bladed object and hack me up into little bits which he would then turn into bbq and serve to his neighbors, he was also very likeable. He complimented my shoes. He teased at appropriate levels. He tipped well. All very good things, so we moved on to elderberry cocktails at a bar a block away.

After cocktails and country music, another walk, a brief stop in Washington Square Park, an adventure in the East Village, we ended up at The Pink Pony for wine, stories, more wine, and lobster salad. He said I was cute when I made my lobster head break into spontaneous song and dance on my plate. Charm redux.

Back to the West Village, we took more wine and some seats in the back of The Cowgirl Hall of Fame where we stayed swapping tales of college, family and work until last call.

He offered to see me home. Not just to the subway, but home. I declined, and we parted at the E train. I went North, and he headed toward Brooklyn, pausing to make reference to a certain Bill Joel song.

Upper East Side, 3AM

I stumbled into my apartment, carefully placing my Secret Identity Kit out of Sir Hal’s path of destruction, and crawled under the covers. I couldn't help but remember that the last blind date I attempted ended with me getting bitten on the stomach. This one? With talk of a future trip to the Butterfly Conservatory and a kiss or two.

I’d say we’re making progress.

Posted by This Fish at July 11, 2004 08:46 PM
Comments

Not entirely sure what to make of the dancing lobster head, but other than that, the date sounds yummy. Isn't it a nice surprise when they turn out well?

Posted by: StephanieKlein at July 11, 2004 11:06 PM

Yay for lovely dates! They're so wonderful - especially when we're not expecting them. Crossing fingers for an equal date no. 2

Posted by: stimulant at July 12, 2004 01:07 AM

Wow, I REALLY need to get out of this BORING town and move someplace like NYC. I long to be able to stay out until 4AM on a Sunday eating lobster salad and enjoying a glass of wine. Hell, I long to be doing ANYTHING interesting at 4AM on a Sunday. I think I am way to young for Boise. Sitting on the Porch, drinking tea and listening to country music just doesn't do it for me. Fish, congratulations on a successful blind date, I'm routing for you :)

P.S. keep up the excelent posts, we all enjoy them.

Posted by: Fake Robot Boy at July 12, 2004 01:31 AM

Any guy who takes you somewhere as great as Magnolia must be a keeper. Yum.

Wonderful to finally meet you on Friday after reading you for so long; keep up the great blogging.

Posted by: Steve at July 12, 2004 01:40 AM

Sounds lovely. Hope date no.2 goes equally as well. Have fun.

Posted by: mr mcmuffin at July 12, 2004 01:46 AM

Whoa! All the way home??? That CAN be quite the train ride. Glad to hear that all went well!

Posted by: Symbiant at July 12, 2004 01:51 AM

This all sounds swell -- but be on guard. Men have this thing where we act all normal and nice for the first few dates because we're aiming to impress. (I exclude myself from the majority of guys who do this of course) ...

So it sounds great ... but stay on your heels ...

Posted by: David Utah at July 12, 2004 09:10 AM

sounds like a perfect first date, blind or not!

Posted by: dahl at July 12, 2004 09:37 AM

What a seriously fabulous date - and as any girl knows, those are hard to come by. Sounds promising! Keep walking on air, babe.

Posted by: whirlygurly at July 12, 2004 12:02 PM

What's all this about bicycles? I am lost, metaphorically speaking.

Posted by: Michael at July 12, 2004 12:49 PM

I feel sick...

Just kidding! I thinks it's lovely when hearts and souls discover they have made a new friend.

I hope it goes well.

*goes back to feeling sick again*

Posted by: Mr. Piggy at July 12, 2004 01:09 PM

if anyone somehow combined an establishment of enormous amounts of chocolate, a high-heeled compliment, and a superhero gift [flowers be damned], my heart would sigh out of gratitude and id be forced to get down on one knee. Superb date indeed.

If things dont work out with Mr.Perfect-Date-Who-Puts-All-Other-Men-and-Puppies-To-Shame, please make sure to pass him on to a deserving candidate. Like me.

Posted by: r at July 12, 2004 01:26 PM

that sounded like such a wonderful first date! it makes you look forward to the second...

Posted by: azzy at July 12, 2004 01:29 PM

Sounds absolutely divine. Good luck! :)

Posted by: Erin at July 12, 2004 05:08 PM

That is super-sweet!

He sounds really cool. I mean, the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Store? Very cool.

Posted by: Shiz at July 12, 2004 05:20 PM

That Billy Joel part is funny. Was it "Roberta"? That's the one I might have picked after all of that and no play.

Posted by: fairest at July 13, 2004 11:05 AM

Definitely a great date... I like the way you progressed from coffee on to more. I hope it goes well! It sounded like you really needed a good day and you got one.

Posted by: Kim Wells at July 13, 2004 12:55 PM