Technical Difficulties

Ah, the joys of modern dating life. Between cell phones and email and IM communication should be a breeze, right?

In some cases, it is. Yesterday, I was catching up with a former flame from my college days who's going to Iraq. Again! He's turned into this wonderful guy - a great husband and father; given our history, I'd never have guessed he had it in him. I'd wondered about him for years.

It's been really cathartic to be in close contact and to get his perspective on things. He's brought so much respect and compassion to our interactions that not only have I forgiven him for the poor treatment I received back in college, I've actually grown to admire him. He's grown up and lives in a totally different world now: DaddyLand. I think he's been enjoying the tales from the dating trenches. He's been a great sounding board and I have him to thank for my recent vindication.

I've been having all sorts of technical difficulties recently. My cell phone has gone psychotic and my consulting colleague recently hosed my email account... which kind of makes it hard for me to solicit new business. I wasn't aware of the problem until midweek and it took until Friday to get things ironed out.

Anyway, I was a little stressed that I hadn't heard back from Date #79, G. I didn't know if he had followed up and I missed his communication or if he never even tried. I really had hoped to see him again. We had such an excellent time last week and I was concerned that it was the old double standard playing out. Men want what they want, but if they actually start to get what they want, they often spaz and disappear. Poof!

So, I made out with a guy I had only known a scant seven or eight hours! So what? I've dated guys for months that haven't gotten as far. I felt a real connection and I had fun. Besides, I take it as a good sign that my libido remains intact. After turning down D cold last week I was starting to worry that maybe I'd entered early menopause. Turns out my hormones are still crankin' after all!

I was flying blind. If he hadn't tried to contact me, I didn't want to be the one to push things. I generally don't call guys. I'll call them back, but I don't call. It's not my thing. I really do believe there's some stupid primal thing with them and the chase. Anyway, my old flame insisted that I at least write the guy a one line email to specifically say I enjoyed our time together and that I'd like to see him again. Well, what did I have to lose but my dignity? And after Monday's make out session, that was pretty much tossed out the window already. Nothing to lose now, at least I'd know where I stood.

I sent the note and by the time I got into the office late this morning there was a verbose response awaiting me and asking if I'd like to have dinner one night this week. Turns out he had written a lovely email on Wednesday that got the dreaded bounceback. The poor guy got a message that I didn't exist -- that's GOTTA suck! On top of it all he'd had some problems with his cell phone getting shut off (which doesn't say much for his personal stability).

G's schedule is just as full as mine, so it remains to be seen if we'll ever manage to get together again, but I'm thrilled that he's interested. He might not be long term compatible but he could be a fun diversion, and I think I'm due for that!