Date 76, or Another Reason to Remain Single

H was a match from Speed Dating a few weeks back. We'd been playing phone tag trying to set something up. He'd suggest a date and inevitably it wouldn't work with my schedule. Finally, I counter-offered for Friday and it looked like we finally had a winner; he left me a voicemail saying that was perfect. We would go find a patio somewhere and enjoy some wine and conversation.

When he finally caught me and we had an actual real-time conversation by phone he was enthusiastic and excited about our date. He confessed that he actually had already scheduled a date for Friday, but he already cancelled it because he really wanted to see me. I think he meant that as a compliment, but it came off kind of shady. ...I made a mental note, strike one. We worked out the details and our plans were set. Friday night at Central Market, 7pm. Not Whole Foods though, because that's where his original date was supposed to be. Eww...strike two...

Thursday night I was out at a movie with a friend and missed his call. I checked my voicemail on the way into work Friday morning and heard a message for the "You Have GOT to Be Kidding Me" Files:

"Hey,_______, I know we've got plans for Friday, but my original date just
called and she already spent money on some wine tasting event and I hate to be a
jerk..."

[oooh, too late...]

"Because like I said, she already spent the money, so I hope
we can take a raincheck."

I did appreciate getting advance warning and not being stood up, at least there was a modicum of courtesy there. I called back and thankfully got his voicemail so I let him know I received his call:

"Got your message, don't worry about tonight. Have a good weekend and I'll catch up with you some other time."

By some other time, I meant half past never.

He called BACK and left this voicemail:

"Hey _____, You are SO wonderful and understanding! I guess
another option
and I didn't even think about this, but I guess I could have
purchased
another wine tasting ticket and taken you as well, but that would have
been
kind of awkward. But anyway, you have a wonderful weekend, call
me, blah blah, blah..."

Ick, ick, ick!

And also, eww.

All of this probably sounds bitter, but really I was thankful to have gotten all this insight before I put in any real time or energy. I was happy to have my Friday night back so I could enjoy a good friend's company over dinner, and thrilled to be spared a likely painful date with a shady guy who puts the Ass in Asperger's Syndrome.