First Dates

During the weekend I had a short conversation with a very good friend about dating. A first date I had right before Thanksgiving came up and as I was telling him about it, it dawned on me that I'm terrible at first dates. That I need to "figure out" how to have a first date. Very Good Friend and I were roommates for years. He knows me pretty well. "EJM, you've always been terrible at first dates. You've said before that they're one of your sticking points." He was right.

Now I realize I need to learn how to have good first dates AND I need to learn how to remember to learn from my mistakes! For some reason I think if I set up a date, show up on time and wear reasonably clean clothes my sparkling personality and sometimes cynical nature will get me through the night. Before going into the date I don't think about what's going to happen, or what I want to have happen. I just imagine ordering a drink and then calming myself down by repeating "just be yourself." I'm going to stop doing this. "Myself" on a first date is always a little shy and nervous.

I have a first date Wednesday night with the woman I made out with at the party Saturday night. For the purposes of this blog, I'll call her ScoreBoard (please, get your mind off of notches on my bedpost. For now.). ScoreBoard and I are headed to a friendly, casual bar in the neighborhood where she works. I haven't been there in years, but I suggested it. It's not fancy. Sometimes fancy makes me uncomfortable (I need to get past this, I really do).

I'm currently approaching Wednesday's date with the idea that we'll have one drink and I'll play it by ear from there. See! I've got a date and I still don't have a plan in place. I have 36 hours to come up with a good-date scenario for myself. I feel like a contestant about to be kicked off Project Runway.