Date 93 - You Don't Have To Live Like a Refugee

originally posted Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Well, I knew I was going to have to get back on the horse some time.
Now seemed as good a time as any. These 100 men aren't just going to date themselves. I've got to get out there and check them off my list!

I didn't figure #93 would be much of a love connection, but I expected it would be a good solid date to get me back in the game. It was tough though. Although I had been appreciative of the solitude since kicking J to the curb, I guess I wasn't prepared for the post traumatic stress that would follow. I was starting to feel a little gun shy. Was I just setting myself up for more disappointment here? It's hard to get psyched up about dating when you've endured more than your fair share of jacki (that's the plural of jackass in case you were wondering).

I was wiped out before the date even started. Slept late and even missed my morning aerobics class, which is out of character for me. I rested up though and I managed to pull myself together in a snappy but casual outfit. Shoal Creek Saloon is a nice laid back Austin place, but I still wanted to make an impression. It might have been more important for me than for him since women tend to dress for other women. Anyway, despite my passive aggression I even arrived on time!

I had faith that T would be tall, which was great since I didn't have to worry about drudging up some flat-flatty-flat-flatts in hopes of diminishing my borderline Amazonian appearance. In fact, although he claims 6'3" I think this may be the first case I've seen of a man who underestimates his height. Either my karma is finally starting to pay off or I'm just starting to judge height in internet units. He was pleasantly tall, nicely dressed in jeans and a polo shirt, and well mannered. How lucky can a girl get?

We walked out to the back patio to get better acquainted.

He's recently relocated from New Orleans and has only been in Austin for a few weeks. Still, he's landed on his feet pretty well. He’s gainfully employed in his field and is already getting his bearings around town. He doesn't yet seem to understand how far away he is from everything since he lives out near the lake but the joy of Austin traffic will soon take its toll, I'm sure. His disposition is sunny -- I cannot imagine being in his position and not only being so cheerful, but able to throw myself into internet dating on top of it all!

It was a nice pleasant conversation and he seemed effortlessly thoughtful. 'Is the sun in your eyes? Here let me sit there since I've got sunglasses.' Nice, but not a push over. I left him for my evening plans before the LSU game started on tv. I thanked him for the drink and coming out to meet me and hoped he'd make some new pals with the other alumni that converged on the place. I walked away and somehow stifled the urge to look back.