Friday 30 March 2007

+1?

Yep, I've got one... a '+1' invite!! Now, do I drag along one of my totally unsuitable Potentials, or brave it alone??

Choices...

The Gardener. He wants to meet again for a drink, but he's not really my type, so no!

Music Man. Really good fun, but not really '+1' material.

Outdoorsy Guy. I would put him down as a definite '+1', but that would mean our third date was early, and as I seem to struggle to get past that milestone it would be a shame to possibly miss the Wii Challenge next week, so no!

The Twin... well, firstly he lives too far away, but more importantly, after talking to him last night a definite no! Why... because talking to him was like listening to myself. Not only do we share the same birthday, but we seem to be living in some kind of bizarre parallel universe. Seriously... I don't think I've ever talked to someone who's life mirrored my own in so many ways. It was quite scary!!

So, I'm going alone... just me and my Little Black Dress!

Thursday 29 March 2007

Twins

I've got a new Potential... well, I say a Potential, but I think this guy is going to be more a kind of penpal. He's a fitness instructor from up North! We've emailed each other for a couple of days now, and today worked out we share the same birthday!!

How weird? This means it's going nowhere, because obviously I'm not sharing my birthday with anyone... it's my day :)

He has said he's interested in having a chat, so I've given him my number and he's calling a little later.

Oh, and I had a very sweet text off The Gardener, to thank me for a lovely evening, and to let me know my picture doesn't do me justice. Strange, but quite a few guys have said that. I took ages to pick a picture that I thought really did look like me (it's recent, I'm smiling, and I have a drink in my hand... pretty much me really!).

Music Man has been in touch too. He's been in the States for a couple of weeks, but wonders if I fancy meeting up for a drink sometime next week. I think I will... we've already established we're too alike to be in anyway compatible, but he's great fun, and his ability to power drink cocktails is quite awe inspiring :)

Wednesday 28 March 2007

Another two bite the dust

No.31... The Gardener. He was earlier than planned, and older than he looked!

Still, a nice couple of glasses of wine, and a decent enough guy. I don't see it going anywhere though.

I have had a couple of texts off Outdoorsy Guy, and we've arranged our next date. Monday we're doing the Wii challenge. Bless... he really thinks he'll beat me :)

Ooh... and The Dentist. After a couple of days of fairly manic texting he's decided I'm not the one for him. His reasons;

1 - he doesn't think I'm ready for commitment (yep!)
2 - apparently my reluctance to let him stay at mine (i.e sleep with him) has put him off!

Words fail me

Saturday 24 March 2007

Challenging times

How sweet... I've had a couple of texts of Outdoorsy Guy today, and we've sorted out a third date!

I know, I know, this is usually the last one, but I've got a really good feeling about him!

So, the date. After his humiliating 3-0 defeat at bowling you'd think he'd know better than to challenge me. But he has, so of course I've taken him up on it. The challenge this time is golf, but on the Nintendo!!

Seriously, we're having a Wii challenge! And I have to decide what the winner gets.

I don't think he has a hope in hell of winning. I've been playing it almost constantly, and I can already more than match the Voice of Reasons efforts. Outdoorsy Guy hasn't played it before (well, he says he hasn't. He could well be bluffing).

So, he's coming to mine to play, and as a bonus he's offered to cook for me.

Wow :)

Friday 23 March 2007

Analyse this...

One thing I really don't like... Potentials who try to analyse me! I had an hours conversation with The Dentist last night, where he tried to tell me just why he thinks I come across as guarded.

This is fabulous... accordingly to The Dentist the reason I don't immediately answer text messages or emails, and the reason I didn't let him stay at mine is because I must have been hurt or let down in the past, and so I'm reluctant to let anyone hurt me again!!!

It's got nothing to do with the fact:
(a) I don't sit with my mobile permanently welded to my ear/hand
(b) I do have other things to do apart from sit around waiting for emails
(c) I really don't think it's a wise idea to let a strange man stay over on a first date. I mean, he could well be a murderer :/

I don't *really* think I would've signed up to a dating site if I wasn't keen on meeting someone new... do you?

Ooh, and talking of meeting someone new... I've got a new Potential - The Gardener! He got in touch last night, and we've arranged to meet next week! He 'Seems Nice' (tm), and sends fairly sensible emails. His picture looks OK too. He's not as cute as my current fave (The Outdoorsy Guy) though!

So 'Face To Face' No.31 then... maybe he'll bring along some flowers :)

Thursday 22 March 2007

Lucky strike!

My 2nd date with the Outdoorsy Guy was really good fun. He picked me up bang on time (and didn't feel the need to give me a running commentary by text on his way to get me!).

So bowling, and the challenge. We decided to have three games, with the loser buying the beers for the rest of the night. So guess who won 3-0???

ME!!!

I completed stuffed him! Now modesty isn't really a strong point of mine when I'm winning, so you can imagine how much I was skipping around with complete glee! To be fair he was very gracious in defeat and he duly bought the drinks for the rest of the evening :)

I had a sweet email off him this morning to say even though he's shellshocked at being beaten he's up for another date... as long as he can set the challenge!!

Game on!

He's actually one of the nicest of any of the Potentials I've met so far... quite cute, very funny, at not coming across as desperate or needy. Just a regular bloke. Wow :)

Wednesday 21 March 2007

2 down, 1 to go

Lunch with The Spotter... not much to say about him really. If he was a Revel he'd be an orange one. He was much like his picture, not offensive, but not really my type (although after 30 'Face to Face's I'm not *actually* sure what my type could possibly be anymore!). Can't really see there being a 2nd date with him.

The Dentist is still doing his communication overload! So far today I've had:

  1. a text this morning, to let me know he had a great time (and some cheeky stuff that I can't put here... my mum reads this!)
  2. an email to let me know he had a great time (and more cheeky stuff). He let me know he sent me a text, but he knows I don't often reply, so thought he should email too! I replied.
  3. another email to ask if I fancied meeting again... tonight if I'm free (I'm not... it's my 2nd date with Outdoorsy Guy!). I replied (maybe next week?)
  4. a text at lunchtime, wondering if it was OK for him to call and have a chat. I sent one back to let him know I was busy, and I'd call him later.
  5. a call just after I'd replied, which I didn't take
  6. a text, to ask me to call him later. Didn't we already establish I would :/
  7. another text, with just random cheekiness
He's going to drive me nuts, I can see it!

It's going to have to be a quick call between going home and getting ready for tonight's 2nd 'Face to Face' with Outdoorsy Guy. I'm actually really looking forward to this one. He's cute, funny, and not coming across as at all needy! We're going bowling, so I feel I should set a challenge, but I can't really do the normal golf type one... you know, the first person to lose the ball buys champagne.

I *think* it would be pretty difficult to lose a bowling ball!

Maybe a straight 'loser buys beer' challenge?

Wise words

Apparently, drinking red wine is not good for your teeth! I guess you can tell from that my vow of abstinence has been broken!

To be fair The Dentist was quite a nice guy. He didn't look at all as I imagined him (although, to be fair in my mind he was going to look like Steve Martin in Little Shop of Horrors!). He was a little on the short side though, so my stupidly high boots were probably not the best idea!

We were supposed to be meeting at 8, but I got a text off him (quell suprise!) to say he was early! Nooooooo! I'm drying my hair!

So I sent him a quick text back to let him know I'll be as quick as I can, and to get me a drink in (I wasn't being cheeky... more just pre empting a text back, which would've made me late!). I really don't get why guy's turn up so early. Yes, it's great not to be late, but if you're early just get yourself a drink and wait. Don't they understand that as a girl I've obviously timed my getting ready, and that last half hour is crucial!

Once I was ready I sauntered over to meet him. I got the usual knowing wink of the barman as I settled down with the first of my three glasses of wine (oops!). We were going to go for some tapas, but it was sub zero last night, and I never take a jacket with me so we opted for a meal in the same place!!

Now, he drove down (so couldn't drink a lot) but get this... after about half an hour asked if he could stay at mine!!!! Cheeky bugger! What kind of floosie does he think I am! I told him that as much as I liked his company I didn't think it was a good idea at such an early stage in our *relationship*!

Anyway, the rest of the night was pretty good fun! And how about this for an extremely bizarre coincidence. Over a year ago somebody actually suggested that if I wasn't single she would've set me up with him! I only actually met this lady twice, but I distinctly remember us having that conversation... she said I'd be perfect for him?!?

Small world eh!

Tuesday 20 March 2007

2 days, 3 dates, mixed up numbers!

Maths was never my strong point, so these numbers are confusing me!

1st is a 1st with No.30 (The Dentist) I know, it was off, but it's back on now. I'll explain in a minute!
2nd is a 1st with No.29 (The Spotter)
3rd is a 2nd with No.26 (Outdoorsy Guy)

Tonight I'm off for a drink (non alcoholic remember) and tapas with The Dentist. After the weekend text rubbish, and him thinking I was an inattentive bint (which I guess I am) I'd decided it was not really worth us meeting up. But he sent a really sweet email to apologise, and that he was just new to all this?!?

So the date is back on. Now, I have fairly low expectations of this one working at all, because I still kind of think he's going to be a little too intense for me, but I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt. And besides, it gives me a chance to see if I can have a night out without giving in to my weakness for red wine!

Tomorrow lunchtime I'm having coffee with The Spotter. This guy seems fine. A couple of texts to arrange where and when, and that's it. No barrage of messages to let me know he's really looking forward to it... just simple grown up, let's have a coffee stuff. Gold star for The Spotter!

Then tomorrow evening I'm off bowling with the Outdoorsy Guy. To be honest this is the one I'm looking forward to the most. It's a second date, so no nerves (although to be fair I don't get nervous anyway... mind you, after some of the scary dates I've had maybe I should!). Again, he doesn't go overboard with texts, so a gold star to him too.

My only worry is that I showed my Old Friend his photo, and he said he looks like an old boss of mine! Every time I look at his pic that's all I can think of :)

Sunday 18 March 2007

Oh dear :(

What a fantastic day/night!! Oodles of Guinness and oodles of fun!

And oodles of texts of The Dentist. Now, you know how bad I can be with my phone... everyone who knows me knows if you text me while I'm out you're not *guaranteed* an instant response.

It's not that I'm being rude, it's just that I don't actually have the phone welded to my hand, and so I might not even notice you've sent a me a message. I'm out, I'm having a good time... simple.

So, I woke this morning to find a couple of texts off The Dentist, the last one letting me know he's not surprised this dating lark isn't working for me, because there's obviously more important things to do than reply to him, and a goodbye!?!

Now, before you all say he's got a point, he did call me yesterday (well, he called a few times), and I did tell him I was out for the day, fully intending to get a bit tipsy and that it was unlikely I'd be sending him any messages... The rule remember, don't text when drunk!

So I sent him one today to say he's probably right, but my friends and family ARE important, and I was just enjoying my day.

I've got one back, and he's called a truce. To be honest I'm not asking for a truce... If he's going to get all weird like that before we've even met it's highly unlikely that we're at all suited.

So 'Face to Face' No.30 is off :(

It's probably just as well... I've been set a challenge to abstain from ANY alcohol for a month?!?! At least the 6 Nations is over, which should make it slightly easier!

Friday 16 March 2007

Typical

Baileys Guy... for months I've been having 'Mutual Contact' with this guy, with a couple of near 'Face to Face's, but so far I haven't met him. So what's he done?

Call this evening to invite me out tomorrow, that's what! It's the final day of the 6 Nations, and he's in the area to watch one of the games. So he wondered if I fancied a spot of lunch, and then going along to the game with him!!!

Fantastic, yes? Well, no... not really.

I can't go! I've promised my Bruv (and various friends) I'd watch possibly the best couple of games of rugby, AND celebrate St Patrick's day with them!

Can you believe it... all this time, and now he wants to meet! Well, he's going to have to wait... After the Date from Hell last weekend, I know it's not a good idea to mix rugby and copious amounts of Guinness with a new 'Face to Face', so no dates this weekend.

They're stacking up next week though! So far I've got lunch with the M&S Spotter (No.29), bowling with Outdoorsy Guy, and if The Dentist (No.30) calms down with his texty ways we're off for a night out!

Obviously that all depends on whether my liver survives tomorrow. I've been preparing all week, and totally abstained from any alcohol at all. Luckily I think my Bruv always seems to end up drunker than me, which should me look a *little* more responsible :)

Wednesday 14 March 2007

Spotted!

It's happened again... I've been spotted! You remember the barman a couple of weeks ago who recognised me? Well, I've just got an email off a guy who saw me in M&S today, and realised where he knew me from!

I emailed him back to suggest the next time he spots me he should give me a secret sign, and he wants to go the whole Masons route and roll one of his trouser legs up, but he's going to throw in a Monty Python walk too... subtle eh!

Anyway, he's suggested as we both seem to get our lunch from the same place we meet sometime :)

Oh, and I'm meeting The Dentist next week for some wine and tapas!

Who said this online dating was a chore?!?

Sunday 11 March 2007

oh yes...

I forgot... I've had an email off the Rugby Supporting Wine Loving Golfer (aka The Cheating Bastard). He wanted to apologise for his behaviour last night!

Ummm, it's not me you should be apologising to honey... it's your wife.

Story time

Phew, last date of the weekend. After last night's Date from Hell with the Rugby Supporting Wine Loving Golfer (aka The Cheating Bastard) I was seriously tempted to cancel today's 'Face to Face' (27 or 28?) with The Journalist. I'd almost lost the dating will to live, but then I thought, could it be any worse?

And thankfully no, it wasn't!!

The Journalist was actually a very nice guy. We met for a late lunch, and to catch the final rugby game of this weekend (and a fab game it was too!). We had a lovely time... nice banter, nice food, a couple of drinks and good sport. He did ask me about my experiences in online dating, but I decided to be vague about it (just in case he was fishing for a story!). I just told him I'd had a few dates :/

He's restored my faith in online dating (I know, I'm just so fickle). Not everyone out there is an emotional stunted, socially inept poor excuse of a man.

Heaven and hell

Two dates down, and what a contrast!

Thursday I went for a drink with the Outdoorsy Guy, and guess what?? He seemed like a very normal, down to earth kind of guy!! We had a couple of drinks, a nice chat, bit of a giggle... a straight forward normal night out. It was a refreshing change to meet someone who doesn't immediately seem to have a bag full of issues! So we've arranged to meet for lunch next week :)

In stark contrast last night's 'Face to Face' with the Rugby Supporting Wine Loving Golfer was officially the Date From Hell.

We'd arranged to meet at half six. So, I start getting ready about an hour before. I'd just jumped out of the shower when I got a text off him... he was there, and did I want him to order me a drink?

WHAT!!!!

I double checked the time we'd agreed to meet (thinking I may've got it wrong). Definitely half six, so I let him know I'd be as quick as I could (and can I have a red drink please!). I'm now trying to speed up getting ready, which he made a little more difficult by bombarding me with texts... does he not realise checking them is going to make me late!

Eventually I got there just before half past... he apologised for being early, but he was so excited he couldn't wait! I should've maybe seen that as a signal things weren't going to be easy, but I didn't. At that point I thought he was quite sweet... he'd even brought me a pressie (my favourite choccies!)

So, on with the date. He told me he was incredibly nervous because this was the first date he'd been on in years! I tried to break the ice by talking about the earlier rugby (my team won, his are heading for a wooden spoon), and that seemed to relax him a bit! After a couple of drinks we got a table for dinner. That's when it all started to go badly wrong!

For some unknown reason I had a desire to stay sober(ish), and so I was drinking oodles of water between glasses of wine. He, on the other hand was drinking oodles of beer between glasses of wine, and was rapidly getting sloshed. And you know how I hate the 'where do you see us going' line of questioning? Well, he went a little further than that, more along of the lines 'this is where we're going'!

Seriously... we've 'known' each other by email for a couple of weeks, only just met in real life, and yet this guy had pretty much mapped out the rest of my life! And it was the style he was doing it... bear in mind he was drunk, but actually telling me he thought my 'problem' was down to the fact I hadn't met a guy who could take the lead, and that he was there to change all that :/

By now I'm fairly certain I'm not going to see him again (and have decided to skip dessert), but there was one little nugget of information about him that made me 100% sure... he was MARRIED!!

And when I say married (I have met people before who are not 'quite' divorced), I mean very much married, but he's signed up for online dating because he thinks his life needs to change direction :/

I'm sitting in a restaurant with a pissed up, cheating bastard who can't understand why I'm not falling at his feet. Even the bloody waiter was giving me sympathetic looks! I suggested we get the bill... at which point he asked if I wanted to go dancing?!?

I'm obviously not giving him the right signals here, so it was time to be blunt with him. The bill arrived, and I suggested splitting it. Although he could hardly string a sentence together by now, he loudly protested no girl of his was going to pay! At that point I knew it was time to go (quickly), so I left my half of the bill, gave him back his chocolates and suggested if he had a decent side to him at all he'd take them home to his wife.

There you have it... the worst date I think I've ever had.

Wednesday 7 March 2007

and 28!

I've lined up another 'Face to Face'... No.28, the Rugby Supporting Wine Loving Golfer! I did think he was a little boring to start with, but his emails have got quite funny, so why not.

Now, this is a little confusing, but we're meeting on Saturday (after the Rugby, so he'll be spared my power drinking Guinness shenanigans), so 'technically' that makes him No.27, and the Journalist on Sunday should now be No.28! Confused?

Anyway, it should be 'interesting' because I've no idea what he looks life. Sure, there's a description on his profile, but a lot of guys have a tendency to exaggerate (believe me... I have met one of them), and as there's no photo this is effectively a blind date.

So a busy few days coming up, and three outfits to pick out (note to self... there is absolutely NO NEED to buy new clothes. None of them have seen one single item from my wardrobe!).

Today I got a wink of a guy who's profile is really funny. He loves sarcasm, and when I asked him what Revel he'd be he said chocolate... the best!

The Dentist is still sending daily text updates from his hols, and has asked if we can meet when he gets back (so possibly No.29, but as he's still away for over a week I'm not going to give him a number *just* yet!). One of his texts was ever so slightly ironic (bearing in mind my last paragraph)... he said it was refreshing to meet someone who's not wowed by 'chocolate boys'?!?

Monday 5 March 2007

26 and 27!

That's right. Two new 'Face to Face's this week! I know I was getting bored of actually meeting new guys, but these two sound interesting.

First No.26, The Outdoorsy Guy. I turned down a date with him last week in favour of real people, but he's asked if I fancy a drink later this week... He's quite cute, so why not!

No.27 is the Journalist Guy. I haven't heard from him for a week or so, but he wants to know if I fancy meeting up at the weekend?

The Dentist has gone away for a couple of weeks, but called me yesterday (I was just waiting for my Old Friend to turn up!) I had a quick chat to him for 10 minutes! Being in another country hasn't stopped his 'texty' ways... I got three off him yesterday, and another this morning!

And (now this is fab), remember Dubliner 2 of 3 (he came over last summer for a weekend date? Well, I got a cool email off him, and he's thinking of coming back next month. Strangely I mentioned him last night to my Old Friend... I distinctly remember telling him so far he'd been my favourite (Dubliner 2 of 3 that is!)

All these guys are going to have their work cut out in the future though. I'm getting so bored of meeting people who turn out to be needy, insecure desperados I'm still tempted to run away with my Old Friend. I'll find out which Revel he'd be first ;)

Friday 2 March 2007

Revel-ation (II)

Sorry, I didn't give you the Revel analysis in my last post. Here you go:

  • Toffee - can be a little tough, generally awkward
  • Coffee - massively massively unpopular and best avoided
  • Maltesers - like to think they're the biggest, but there's a lot of empty space in there
  • Orange - inoffensive, and generally popular
  • Chocolate - very smooth, with no surprises lurking underneath
  • Raisin - clearly up with the times (they're a new variety)
  • Nut* - slightly small, and hard to get hold off
  • Coconut* - the one you always forget about, but when think of them... delicious!
My Old Friend is currently testing this theory in the pub!

*both now obsolete, so retro!

Revel-ation

First a Potential update:

The Dentist. He seems like a sweet guy, but is so texty (OK, that may not be a real word). I'm *slightly* concerned that he may not be giving his patients his full attention, but he assures me he only texts between treatments. I don't have the time (or inclination, or money) to reply to all of them.

The Outdoorsy Guy. He's emailed to arrange a drink next week (I turned him down last night in favour of a night with real people). I quite like this guy, mainly because he doesn't seem too full on.

Now, the other one (Rugby Supporting Wine Loving Golfer), is kind of dwindling a bit. His emails are OK, but a little boring (although bizarrely asked me if I have a current passport?!?)

Anyway, rather than deciding who's worth pursuing based on their profiles/emails/ women's intuition I tried out a new method in the office today, and it worked a treat. To get an insight into someones persona, just ask them what Revel they would be!

a real wink ;)

It had to happen sooner or later!

Last night I was out with a friend of wine for a couple of glasses* of wine at one of my regular haunts. I have been there in the past with Music Man, but generally it's a Potential free zone kind of place.

Anyway, last night I recognised of one the barmen there... from the dating site!! It was actually quite funny, because I think he recognised me, and he certainly remembered me being there with Music Man!

It's like being in some kind of secret society... I got a "knowing smile" and a cheeky wink off him.

*for glasses, read bottles. I've had enough of detoxing!