Round Two?

Mr. Sunday guy called early this evening to set up our second date. Yes, I said second date. I've got to tell ya this guy gets some serious bonus points for attentiveness. He paid enough attention to my profile to choose a Mexican restaurant for our first meeting... and this time... he had actually researched events at two different art museums. I love Mexican food; and I love art.

Huh?

Is this guy for real?

Well after much debate, we decided to keep it simple and just have dinner again. It's still very much winter around here and any community events that sound fun are about three hours away. That's a long car ride if someone gets on the other's nerves... I don't expect that to happen, I'm just sayin'.

So it's on. Saturday. Five o'clock.

Along with the usual new-date-dilemmas, like what the hell do I wear, I caught myself wondering if kissing on the second date is a good or bad idea. I have not even kissed a boy in four months. Four months. Are ya kiddin' me?

Lunch guy has been messaging me regularly, but has yet to set the second date. We just went out yesterday, so he definitely has some leeway there.

My co-workers husband is even in on this whole find-Mona-a-man quest and has decided his co-worker, a pipe fitter, would be a good match for me. A pipe fitter. Oh so many filthy jokes I have for that one...

A Good Date? Really?!

Went on my Sunday date. The results are in:

I might just go on my first second date since entering the online dating arena!

Woah!

This guy was the first I had gone out with without excessive amounts of emailing. In fact, I didn't even know what he did for a living, and I must say, this is the way to go. If you get wrapped up in too much messaging, you miss out on the "natural" ways of getting to know each other and go into a date with all of these preconceived notions and expectations.

He was cute. We had similar life experiences. He has never been married and has no children and he mentioned that he wants to get married and have kids. Hmmm.

He did seem to be a little nervous. I was his first online date. Apparently, his family has been pressuring him to get dating and his sister in law actually signed him up to the dating site. We had good conversation, and parted with a hug.

"I hope we can do this again sometime," he said.

I hope we can too.

The Fox Hole

I'm back from my date...

I have to say he was cuter than expected, which has been the case for my last three online dates. Not a bad thing, except the rest of the good date goodies seemed to be missing. This fella appeared to be super nervous, was totally unfamiliar with sushi and chopsticks, and told some tales that seemed a bit tall.

Me... I felt pretty, and I was completely comfortable, unlike I felt last week. I kept thinking that if I just would have stuck with my standard ponytail and worn this outfit last week,that maybe things with the good guy would have gone better. But yes, that's a trap, and I'm trying not to fall into it.

Unlike the reported lack of chemistry from Mr. Last Week, this guy not only praised me, he said I looked like Megan Fox(right photo)! I have little clue who the hell she is, but I do know that she has been the "it" girl for men to dream about and rumor has it she is taking Angelina Jolie's Goddess throne. I'm not going to say I'm mad about him saying that, but I will say I'm more inclined to believe he said it in the hopes of winning me over. Considering my girlfriend just yesterday said that when she saw me last summer I reminded her of Jeneane Garofalo (left photo)... I'm gonna guess this guy was hoping flattery would make my skirt fall off.

I can say the food was absolutely amazing and there were many handsome men about town, but, for me, this date, well, it wasn't hot. Seems to be a nice guy, but not for me. So here I sit, in my cute skirt, camisole and cashmere cardigan, typing to mysterious strangers on a Saturday night...

Ah the single life.

Bad Boys - 0 Good Guys- 1

Congratulations, all you good guys out there! One of your representatives showed me a fabulous time this weekend, without showing me his, well, you know.

He was on time to pick me up from the station, opened doors, treated me to a delicious meal in a swanky restaurant, engaged well in conversation, never checked/used his phone, made zero attempts to violate my person, and was a very gracious host.

My only complaint is that having not encountered a gentleman in such a long time, I am a little unsure as to whether he was "in to me" or not. An older male friend of mine reprimanded me for thinking a man would NOT be in to me. Flattering... but I'm very aware that I'm not every man's cup of tea. He has told me that he's more of an introvert, so shyness is also a possibility. Regardless of whether he was interested in me or attracted to me, I had a great time, and I hope that he enjoyed himself as well.

The train ride was an absolute joy. Taking in the passing scenery through the rail car window was very soothing, as was the elimination of worry regarding traffic or directions. His home and neighborhood have a distinct historical charm. Downtown was aglow with tiny white lights in the branches lining the streets. Breakfast this morning was equally delicious and beautiful. The train ride home seemed to simply go too fast...

When I returned home, I was sure to write him a thank you with a subtle hint that I'm interested. I listed the "highlights" of my trip, which he had asked me about in person at the station this afternoon. Of course, I retreated into shy mode and generalized my gratitude. This thank you email included a more specific list of the highlights, including commenting him on his eyes. Not too mushy or gushy. Just a hint of flirtation...

UpDATE: Wizzer

Well, my fellow female friends, I hate to tell you this, but I went ahead and went out with wishy-washy Wizzer last night. I couldn't get my situation to post Wednesday night because of some terrible wireless internet issue... so your appreciated advice did not arrive in time to stop me. And as much as I agree with what you have said... I have to say that I don't regret going out with him, and here are a few reasons why:

• My social encounters over the last couple weeks involved going to the hospital for mother's surgery, putting together a cabinet with my brother, and helping prepare and serve food for grieving friends and family of a dead person I didn't even know.
• I haven't travelled more than ten miles away from home since the end of last year.
• I spent over $400 at Victoria's Secret and have yet to find out if those frilly little things really work
• "Use it or lose it." That could get scary!
• Food!
• As my co-worker said, "It's just food and conversation, it's not like you're getting engaged."

Admittedly, I was worried I'd rush home from work, get ready, and drive all of the way there, only to find that he had stood me up. Surprise! He actually showed up. He was cuter than I expected him to be, which of course was a bonus. He has really nice skin and dark hair (I am the biggest fan of dark hair). He was a little stockier than I expected but not fat by any means. My only concern about him physically is that his fingernails could have been a little shorter and cleaner. This might have been a result of his work... but for the life of me... I can't remember what it is that he does and was a little embarrassed to ask. I do know he works with a family member and used to run his own company.

Anyway, the date went pretty good! The conversation never lagged or felt uncomfortable. He was handling his phone a little too much for my liking, but I've come to realize that that is unfortunately the norm. I'll keep fighting the good fight, though. I refuse to believe that humans cannot function without being immediately available to the entire world 24 hours a day.

Both of us had to work this morning, and I don't think first dates should ever last more than a few hours, so at 9:00 p.m. we headed for the door. "So when are we going out again?!" he asked. Okay... so he wants a second date. We talked briefly about the weekend. I have no idea what we will do yet, but I'm considering it. Following the discussion, he swooped in for a kiss.

GASP!

He's a good kisser and he has nice lips. Wait. Could a guy who didn't have nice lips be a good kisser?

Now for those of you who were against my going out with Wizman... I want you to understand why I did. Sure he didn't behave as I would have liked... but... now I'm aware of a potential issue. I don't see harm in spending some time with him that I otherwise would have spent sitting in my house bitching at myself for not cancelling cable because there is never anything truly worth watching on t.v. I don't have to sleep with the guy. I don't have to marry him. And, I don't have to put up with any crap... I can walk away at any time. Does he stand a chance at becoming a permanent suitor in my life? Well, his chances are on the slim side. But dating is hard! He's admitted to being bashful and I know I have certainly looked back on a first date in disbelief that I acted so stupidly as a result of nervousness... so I'm giving him a little leeway. He'll have to be much better behaved if he wants anything serious from me, that's for sure.