Attacking Life with Comedic Jaws of Sarcasm. Recovering Dating & Relationship Blogger - Made it to Step 12 When I Got Married.

Month: February 2006

Ain’t it a Shame, The Heart Must Feel Pain

Sometimes things have to get worse before they get better. I’m still not pleased that the damn guards at my heart went out for a piss break and left the place unmanned. Then some asshole got in and shit all over the place. Lazy guards. You just can’t find good help these days. I hired extra guards and expect that all points of entry have been armed.

Anyway, I put up an ad on Craigslist, just to find one decent guy to date so that I could get my mind past this NewJersey thing. And guess who emailed my blind ad, not knowing it was me? Yes. It’s really a joke, I know. Damn irony.

  • Hi there, Your ad caught my eye. I too am looking for the real thing. I’ve always seen dating as a means to find that special someone. Of course I’m going to have some fun fun along the way. Measuring someone up as a potential life partner is a lot of pressure to put ona coffee date. We share many of the characteristics you specified inyour posting. I’m 35, white, live in DC, not religious, witty (I’d like to think), and often dripping with sarcasm. I have a master’s degree and am a very intellectually curious fellow. I’ve attached a pic. I’ll tell you more about myself if I make it past the initial screening process. 🙂

Ok, before I get a bunch of comments saying “Well, you’re trying again, why should he??” I get that. Believe me, I get it. It would have just been nice if I didn’t have to get that email from him, not knowing he was sending it to me – not recognizing the stats as potentially mine.

“Velvet, this is Craigslist A.A. calling. Step away from the computer.”

Somebody Tell My Head to Try to Tell My Heart That I’m Better Off Without You

I have been mum on updating the NewJersey situation. It’s a rollercoaster, so please, buckle up.
After leaving the proverbial ball in his court, he sent an email last Tuesday saying that he left his phone at work and would call me the following evening. He called as he was getting in the car to leave work. I was in a meeting for my condo board, so I told him I would have to call him back. I said, “Are you going to pick up the phone?” He said if for some reason he didn’t, he would definitely call me back before the evening was out. I called at 9:15, of course got voicemail, and he called back at 10:00 p.m. Lucky for me, he started. And he started quite rapidly, obviously he had stuff to say. None of it was bad.

NJ: Let me just say that the not calling you back thing was wrong. The whole movie situation was a mess, I didn’t know my ringer was on and I was really strugging to get it turned off and didn’t realize I hung up on you. And I got your very sweet text message that you were thinking about me, and I was thinking about you that day too, in fact, I was thinking about you the day before too, but it just like, doesn’t occur to me to write back. And I know that doesn’t make it right but…

Me: Ok. Well, the hanging up on me thing was out of hand. And you have to get that it robs any sort of security I have with you that we’re actually making progress when things like this happen.

NJ: I know. And you and I haven’t talked at all about what we’re doing, what the long term potential is.

Me: Well, the night you came over you were very drunk – yes you brought it up on the phone, and all.

NJ: Oh no. Please don’t hold me to anything I said that night. I was really drunk.

Me: I know. You knew. Because on the phone you said you wanted to talk about it, but when you came over you said you had things to say but couldn’t say them because you were too drunk.

NJ: Oh. Phew. Well. I suppose I’m going to put you on the spot then, what are you thinking about this, and me?

Me: Uh…great.

NJ: I know well…

Me: No. I’ll go first. It’s fine. I shall consider it my punishment for sending the email. Which by the way was far from the easiest thing I’ve done. I swear it sat in my drafts for a good 4 hours before I sent it.

NJ: I never thought that it was easy.

Me: I know but I think that I actually was like, physically sick when I sent that. And that’s how I know how I feel about you. I don’t consciously sit around thinking about how I feel, it just comes to me. So I see how I react to things like that, or the fact that I’ll get 20 emails in the morning but I open yours first, and think ‘uh oh I’m in trouble’ and that’s just how I know. I’m prioritizing you above other stuff. Not a good sign, depending on how you look at it.

NJ: (laughing)

Me: Shit. Are you laughing at me?

NJ: I’m laughing with you. Ok. So is that it?

Me: Uh, yeah.

NJ: Ok, well I approach the whole thing differently. I have in my mind this list of things that I need to keep pursuing a relationship. Obviously we’ve made it past a few dates, so that’s good.

Me: Yes. We have good banter. Agreed.

NJ: Well, this is about to get really deep. And I don’t know that we should be doing this on the phone, but I think we have to talk this out now because it’s gone too far.

Me: okay….

NJ: Well, I want kids. I know I want kids. And I’m not getting younger. I’m not 25 anymore, so I can’t be screwing around with people who don’t want the same things I do.

Me: Agreed.

NJ: and you don’t have to answer this now, but it is something I need to know. I want to be a Dad, and I know that for sure.

Me: I can answer it now. I think we talked about this, in fact I know we did because I said then the same thing I will say now. Based on the way I feel about the doggies, I know that it would be a natural progression for me. And while I was probably averse to it for most of my life, once my niece came along, I think it changed my whole world, and I just told my brother that she like, brought out this thing in me to have kids. But I’m not a psycho about it, and I don’t want to be one of those people doing it when I’m 45 either. It sort of has to happen sooner than later I guess, otherwise not at all. It’s not going to ruin my life if it doesn’t happen. Make sense?

NJ: Ok. Yes.

Me: So…

NJ: Well. I don’t know where to go from here. I mean, I want to keep talking about this. I think we need to.

Me: Yup. And sorry for the email.

NJ: The email wasn’t bad. I didn’t find it whiny, needy or out of line. You are within your right to know what’s going on.

Me: It’s easier to kiss something bye when it’s not giving you what you want in the time allowed I suppose.

NJ: Well, we’re still in the getting to know you phase.

Me: I know.

NJ: I mean, I wouldn’t say we’re on sure footing, because we are still in this stage, but we’re headed there. It’s only been like half a dozen dates.

Me: I know.

NJ: Ok. Well, I think that I’ve been able to say what I wanted to say. Is there anything else you want to say?

Me: Look it happened to me once before where I dated someone a long time and just couldn’t open my mouth to tell him what I was thinking. And I’m not trying to scare you, so don’t read into this, but it went on a long time and I was basically in love with him, and he gave me all the chances to say something and I never did. So I promised myself if I ever had strong feelings for someone again that I would have to tell them. So there.

NJ: Ok. So, I think we should still see each other and go from there.

Me: Ok.

NJ: It will be hard to move to a non-deep conversation after this. And I have to call my mom which is a whole other story right now.

Me: Ok.

NJ: So you don’t hate me?

Me: Nope. Far from hating you.

NJ: Good. We’ll talk soon?

Me: Ok

NJ/me: bye.

So that was Wednesday night. I got to work Thursday, and felt not great about it, but okay. I had my hour of power therapy and told the therapist everything. I thought she was going to be on the Velvet & NJ side, but she was far far from it.

Two things basically came out of my hour with her. The first was her statement that he is so far from treating me right. She said he’s playing games and I deserve better. My retort was that perhaps he really is socially inept, and I never give anyone a chance – who better to give a bit of a chance to than someone I could actually fall in love with?

The second thing that came out of the hour was my statement: A man who says that he wants kids more than anything and is basically looking for a place in which to spread his seed is fucking scary. Again: FUCKING SCARY. I’m not averse to the idea, but I don’t think that marriage and kids belong in the same bundle for everyone. I think that my attitude about this is the true way to go – I could see kids in my future, but I’m more committed to the idea of finding a man I can love forever and live with forever, than a man who would be a good father. If I find someone wonderful, but he happens to travel a lot, or wouldn’t be a good father for some other valid reason, I would never kick him to the curb. For me, the relationship part is the more important piece. The kids are secondary to an incredible relationship.

Friday comes and goes. Nothing from the NJ camp.

Saturday morning I hauled ass up to South Jersey (yeah, I get the joke) of all places, to visit my Great-Uncle in a retirement home. There’s a lot to write about this visit, but at one point he looked at me and said, “Velvet, pick a good one.” I said, “What?” He said, “Ask a lot of questions, listen very carefully to what he says, and pick a good one.” I could have cried. I said, “I’m trying. I promise you.”

Saturday night I drove back to D.C. and really sort of realized that NewJersey, absent in my life again, was, well, probably not going to make good on any of his promises. Despite the fact that he seemed to show that he didn’t want me to end it, despite the fact that he seemed incredibly interested in continuing the talk in person, despite, well, whatever. I got home to this email.

Velvet:

So another weekend has gone by and I have not called you. You have not called me either, but I understand that the guy is expected to initiate these things for the most part.

The bottom line is that I cannot reciprocate the feelings you expressed to me the other day on the phone. I like you and enjoy spending time with you, but can’t say that I feel that extra special something. (as you described it, the impulse to open your email first). I don’t say these things to hurt you; I just feel it’s better to get everything out in the open. The last thing I want to do is play games with you or waste your time.

I don’t know what else to say. Of course there’s a chance you will just tell me to fuck off, and that’s your right. But, I certainly did/do not intend to hurt you and find it’s better to express this stuff earlier rather than later.

Take care,
NewJersey

Ladies and gents: I have turned in my resignation as “NewJersey’s Punching Bag,” effective immediately. I did not write back. I will not write back, ever. I deleted his number and all his text messages out of my phone. I would break his CD into a thousand pieces, like he broke my heart, but, alas, it’s a Beastie Boys classic, and I’m going to add it to my collection.

I have to do the reply, but only for you to see. I promise, this is just my own therapy.

Dear NJ:

How positively cowardly of you to send me an email to end things when we have been dating for two months. You’ve proven yourself a real standup guy, and I appreciate you taking the time to elicit every emotion out of me in the last seven days, including reviving my hope on Wednesday that you and I stood a chance.

Please note that I’m no longer protecting your words from the blog. Your email was copied and pasted, to Velvet in Dupont, who by the way, will one day make you sorry you were such an ass.

It’s not an idle threat, it’s not my anger talking. Something very serious is happening with this blog that I can’t discuss, but believe this. One day you just might see this reply I’ve written. Only it won’t be in your email inbox. Revenge is a dish best served cold.

Signed,
Velvet

Dearest Readers: I’m ok. My shell is a little tougher because of the emotional rollercoaster I have been on with this guy. I have to say – he did a good job faking the chemistry. A real good job. My bullshit-ometer is pretty well tuned. But I missed this one. I know – a lot of you didn’t. I have to remind myself that 3rd parties can sometimes see this stuff easier. I’m going to try to listen to you all a little more in the future. Anyway, the comments are on. Feel free…you can tell me that the book never lies. You can tell me whatever you want. I should have listened, but I just couldn’t make my heart catch up to what my head already knew.

It’s Just Lunch Recap

I’m going to post a running review of my “friends” at It’s Just Lunch. I’ve had this in my Drafts for many months, but for other reasons that I can’t get into right now, I need to put this review up. Each time there’s a new date or more communication, I plan on appending this entry and making the date current again. You will see this entry a few more times until May, the end of my dreaded contract with these jerks. It’s Just Lunch will be referred to as “IJL” after this point.

May 2005
Interviewed with Melanie. Spent about an hour with her where she filled out the “intake sheet” which is detailed information on what you want in a mate. She told me that their clients were mainly doctors, lawyers and congressmen. She said she I would get a call with my matches shortly. I did receive this call and they asked me my availability for the rest of May. I told them I would be in Europe, and that I was coming back on Wednesday May 25, to not set me up for the 26th, but that I would be ready for a date by the 27th. They set me up for lunch on the 26th anyway, and I got the confirmation call while I was at the airport waiting to fly to Paris. With only 20 minutes to board a flight to Europe, I was unable to call them back to remind them that Thursday the 26th was not a day that I was available.

On the flight home from Europe, all our luggage was lost. I got home at 11 p.m. Wednesday night to find that my contractor was still working in my apartment, which was now a mess in a sea of sawdust, and all my furniture was in the living room. He didn’t leave until after midnight, which was basically 5 a.m. for my jet-lagged self. I was in no condition to go to lunch, so I canceled. They never called to reschedule, eventually telling me that the man I was to meet had “expired.” Does that mean he’s dead?

Date 1: June 2005; StanderUpper
My first date was scheduled with the StanderUpper and he never showed up, after I had spent $12 for a cab to the highly inconvenient location of Georgetown. Another $12 to get back home and I was thoroughly irritated. IJL never really tells you why the other person didn’t show, they dance around it, use the word “misunderstanding” and don’t give you a straight answer. They set the date up for another time, and while he was pleasant enough, his yellow teeth were where I would draw the line. Note to self: Call them and ask them to add white teeth to my “intake sheet.”

Date 2: June 2005; IJLHater
I arrived at the restaurant and asked for the reservation for the “Velvet and IJLHater” party. The hostess said she had a reservation for “Velvet and Ryan” but not “Velvet and IJLHater.” I called IJL to ask them who exactly I was meeting. They put me on speaker phone while they discussed it, and then said, “We’re all in agreement, you are meeting Ryan.” I said, “Are you sure? Because in all our discussions you told me his name was IJLHater.” They put me on hold, came back and said that it was IJLHater.

When he arrived, I still had to ask him his name. Yes, it was IJLHater. This made him launch into a disseration on how bad IJL is, recanting the story on their hardcore sales technique. He said that he didn’t want to write them a check that day and they sent a courier to his house to pick up the check. He said that the reason they don’t take credit cards is because they are a sucky service, do zero in the way of matchmaking and he’s just trying to get through it. He gave me his number, but even though he might be right about how bad IJL is, I never called him because his negativity was over the top. As a sidenote, IJL described him as very athletic, and I think that his physique would be more of the “athletic beer drinker” type. Also, he didn’t eat with me, forcing me to eat alone, which I hate.

While IJL tried to set up this next date, they referred to him by two different names – IJLLaywer and Walter. When I called the office and left a message for the semi-competent girl working there, the other stupid girl called back yelled into my voicemail, saying “We don’t even have a Walter here.” That’s hardly an excuse, because it doesn’t mean they wouldn’t screw it up anyway. Also, when they asked me for my availability, I said, “Any day but Thursday” and they set me up for THURSDAY. This is not the first time this has happened, nor will it be the last.

Date 3: IJLLawyer; July 2005
We met for drinks. This date was nondescript. He was nice enough, but totally not my type. He was, however, the only lawyer I dated. Remember that IJL said that Laywers made up the majority of their clients.

Date 4: GreekFreak; July 2005
The biggest freak so far. He also happened to be Greek. Hence the nickname. We sat down for lunch and he refused to look at the menu, ordering things that didn’t exist in a “When Harry Met Sally Mode” (I’ll have this but this on the side…) The waiter made suggestions to him based on what he was asking for, but, he refused to look at the places the waiter was pointing. When the waiter finally got our order and left, he mumbled “fucker” as well as a few other expletives, under his breath. The waiter was really being patient with him, so I was surprised. He then said, “I’m really very low maintenance.” Yeah, ok. It turns out he is from Baltimore (why would I drive there for a date, come on!) and he thinks “women in D.C. are more interesting.” Then he launched into a story about how he went out with a bunch of people and was buying everyone lapdances and he had these strippers calling him. (What? Where am I? His foot was so far in his mouth I could only see the kneecap.) He was 45, and told me that he just moved out of his mom’s house, but he still eats dinner there every night. Yup. He’s Greek all right. The funny part of this was that my friend Sara came to the restaurant and ate lunch there with our other friend. They were sending me text messages the entire time. The unfunny part is that they told everyone at the bar the whole story. I stupidly exchanged numbers with him and he called me 6 times without me calling back before he got the hint.

Date 5: DoubleDutch; July 2005
Another one like Date 3 who was nice enough, but in his late 40’s and way out of my age range. When the bill came, I gave him a $20, even though I only had a $7 salad and a water. He paid the bill with a credit card and kept my $20. By all calculations, I didn’t think the bill could be more than $25, so I really thought that was weird. I even said, because I couldn’t help myself, “Was that enough?” And he said, “It about covers half.” Sure dude. Whatevs.

Date 6: HarleyRider; August 2005
The date (#6 of my 14 date obligation with Its Just Lunch) was in Bethesda at 1 at Cafe Deluxe with HarleyRider. The hostess informs me that they dont take reservations so its not like I can go sit at the table and wait for him to come to me or have him already be sitting there. I have to guess who he might be in the waiting area. And based on their track record, it could really be just about anybody – the guy with no front teeth, the midget, the conjoined twins (although they would probably count that as two dates,) the big fat guy wearing a nametag from his job at Midas. I see this guy at the bar. I’m thinking there is no way it can be the dude because hes way hot. But at that moment he turns completely around and says my name. And I about died. Fucking finally. Slot machine sound byte please.ding ding ding ding ding.

I sit next to him at the bar and I see that hes holding a Harley helmet. (Christ, its like Ive now left the slots and just put all my money on the winning number at the roulette table.) He tells me he rode his Harley V-Rod here. (And now I just got 21 at the Blackjack table.) Of course I share my Harley story and all. We go sit down and order, have a fine lunch. Turns out that he also drives a speedracer, also has a Harley and also has a brother living in Michigan. He lives in Rockville and works downtown; I live downtown and work in Rockville. What the hell is going on right now?

After lunch we go out to the parking lot and hes like, Want to see the bike? So I say ok, of course, and we go over there. Were discussing accessories and all that fun stuff, then the rest of the conversation goes like this:

Him: So are we going to sit here making more small talk or are you going to give me your number?
Me: Uh, I’m going to give you my number. (Like how I stutter? I’m really not slick.)
(we each take out our phones)
Him: Ok, shoot.
(At this point we each exchange numbers and program them in our phones.)
Him: Ok, so call me if you want to do something sometime.
Me: No.
Him: No?
Me: I dont call boys. If you want to see me, you have to call me.
Him: Can I see your phone for a second?
I give him my phone. Is he about to erase his number?
Him: Here, I’m calling myself, its about to beep, say hi. He hands me the phone.
Me: Hi, I’m standing here with you in the parking garage, so, hi.
Him: There we go, now Ill have to call you back and you wont have to be the one who called first.

Is that charming? I think its quirky enough to be classified as charming.

Finally a good looking guy. He wasn’t as tall as I would like my man, but after scraping the bottom of the IJL barrel for so long, I was happy to have lunch with him. He called me once, but really wanted me to call him, using the line, “Well, if you ever want to get together, call me.” I’m used to and frankly prefer men who are more aggressive than that.

Date 7: EmailBuddy; August 2005
This guy was pretty cool. We established early on that we would not date because he is a smoker and despite the fact that he demanded IJL tell his dates that he’s a hardcore smoker, they choose not to, knowing that they wouldn’t be able to match him up with anyone. We stayed in touch via email and exchanged horror stories.

The staff has now changed at IJL and new people are calling me. The people I used to work with are no longer calling me. But they may as well be the same because when they called for my availability, I said, “Any day but Friday” and they set me up for Friday which I then have to change. Another note to self: Never breath the day of the week to these incompetents for which I am unavailable.

Date 8: DateEight; November 2005
I stopped using real names. We went to Panache between Connecticut and 17th on Desales. For anyone who doesnt know where that little street is, its between L and M.

I got there and the bar was packed. I’m hoping Date Eight is not mixed in the mess of Eurotrash at the bar, but then I remember the lunch people told me they made reservations for us under both our names. This waiter asks me if I need help as there really isnt a host. I say, I’m meeting someone here and I believe we have a reservation. He goes to look. I can see that they only have a whopping 3 reservations on the screen. I give him my name. He shakes his head. So I give Date Eights name. Shakes his head no again. Surprise – no reservation. Like I’m shocked at this point that they’ve slaughtered yet another detail.

The waiter says, Well is he here? At this point, ANYONE could have played it cooler than I. On the other occasions I have been asked this question, I always screw it up. Immediately I stick my foot in my mouth up to my knee and start blabbering about how I’m being set up and I don’t know what he looks like. The waiter is laughing and says, Blind date! Fun! I said, For you maybe. Once this line of questioning starts, they inevitably ask about the friend who set us up. Its too complicated to explain that Ive entrusted my dating life to a bunch of sorority girls with double digit IQs. I decided to just take a table, half to get my foot out of my mouth and half to make sure I didn’t push my foot in any further.

He arrived shortly after I did, and the same waiter (who ends up not even being our waiter) brought him to the table. I felt instantly comfortable. I don’t know exactly what it was or how to put my finger on it. Last night with Steve1, when I saw him I wasn’t attracted to him and knew I would never be attracted to him. He put his hand on my knee or touched my elbow and I almost cringed. But tonight with Date Eight, it was more like, Ok, I could see myself maybe dating this guy. I think I’m at the point where I’m now conscious of that first 10 second impression rule. Alas, he didn’t touch my elbow or knee so that I could test my theory.

Again, there aren’t a lot of details. We have a lot of odd similarities. We are both the youngest of three, he grew up two towns away from me, just over the N.Y. border, parents still married. Although, his parents seem relatively sane compared to Jekyl and Hyde over there at the Velvet Family Compound. We drank, ate, had good conversation all the way through and that was that. He was going to meet friends, I was going home so I could go to bed. I’m planning a day of Christmas shopping tomorrow. I must buy all sorts of cute clothes for little baby.

On the way out of the restaurant, the waiter shook both our hands and said, Bye Velvet! I was surprised he remembered my name so I said, Wow, you’re good. And he said, So are you. What? What has he heard?

Date 9: LowTalker; December 2005
On the first attempt at this date, IJL sent me to Georgetown on a damn Friday again, and he didn’t show up. With the new cab surcharge for gas, I spent $25 for the cab ride. So annoying. I called and bitched, and of course, they just say something neutral like, “It was a misunderstanding.” They never admit that they screwed up or that the guy didn’t show up. Finally they reschedule, for a Saturday now, when I have specifically requested they don’t ruin my weekend prime nights with this garbage.

So, either I was getting sick of IJL at this point, or he was especially annoying, but this was one of the worst dates I’ve had. Initially, they started to show us to a table, and the night dates are not supposed to be dinner, only the lunch dates are for food. At night you are supposed to have a drink, and they stress, one drink. I said, Wait, we’re supposed to go to the bar, and besides, I already ate. It was awkward, mostly because he had several chances to stop them from showing us to a table, but didn’t. So I had to do it. I hate that. And then we made our way back to the bar. I just didn’t feel like having a long drawn out dinner with him. That turned out to be the smartest idea Ive had in weeks. Two minutes after meeting this guy I knew I wanted out. He ordered a port wine and the bartender forgot to pour it. (Psychic Message sent to Bartenders: Come on people! Hurry up! I want out of here!) Finally he asked the other bartender and she poured it for him. When he took a sip of it he held it in his mouth with his eyes closed for about 15 uncomfortable seconds.

My first order of business was to ask him what happened last week when he didn’t show. He said they told him 8:00. So he got there and I was gone, by an hour and a half, as they told me 6:00. I hate them. They are the worst excuse for a matchmaking dating service ever.

He is probably no more than 18 inches away from me and everything he said I had to ask, What? He would raise his voice to repeat what he said, then retreat to the low mumbling again. Very frustrating. This is the gem of the night:

Date#9LowTalker: So, how long have you been doing It’s Just Lunch?
Velvet: About 6 months. How long have you been doing it?
Date #9LT: Doing what?

Who has THAT short of a short term memory?

I think that this man had not been briefed that these evening dates were only for a drink. This became very awkward. When I realized that he was just going to continue mumbling story after story that I got sick of straining to hear, I had to break the tension. I excused myself to go to the bathroom and the weirdest thing happened. I thought the heel of my boot broke when I was walking to the bathroom because something felt weird with my left leg and it felt like my knee was hyperextending. I made it to the bathroom thinking that I was so fucking bored with this man that half my body was in a coma. I tried to walk it off in the bathroom – it wasn’t like the pins and needles of a sleeping foot or leg – this was totally like nothing I have ever felt before.

When a stall became available, I went in to pee. Somehow, as I was crouching to sit, the bum leg gave out and I fell onto the toilet. Only me. I swear. I started to become worried at this point that I had Bells Palsy of the leg or something. I stood up and I felt very weird. I paced inside the bathroom for a couple minutes, checked the heel on my boot, poked my leg in various places, and started to recover a little. When I got back to the bar, Date#9LowTalker seemed to make a statement about me taking a while or something so I said there was a line. (Yeah, behind my peg leg.) And he said, But the place is empty. Whatever. I can’t elaborate with him anymore.

As I sat back down, I said, Well, I need to get going. I’m supposed to meet some friends in a bit. He said, What time? I said, Oh, they are gathering soon I would imagine. Then as I made a move to reach for the check, he launched into a new topic of conversation.

Me (as I’m reaching for check:) So, I need to meet some friends in a bit.
Him: Do you like movies or tv?

Ugh! I make it through this little attempt to keep me there longer and think I’m in the clear. Then, this:

Date#9LT: Have you ever done online dating?
Velvet: Uh, once.
(Yeah, once this week maybe.)
Date#9LT: Did you know a lot of the profiles are fake?
Velvet: No, really?

Then he launches into a whole story about how he caught someone lying about being a computer programmer. All I’m doing is trying to expedite the bill paying process. I finally throw some money down and as his story brings tears of boredom to my eyes, I hail the bartender to get our change. Then he starts a whole new story about politics of all things and I’m thinking, What is wrong with him? I am trying to LEAVE. He says that he thinks Libertarians are the weirdest people. Thats funny because I consider myself a Libertarian, but I dont consider myself to be among the crazy Libertarians on the ballot every 4 years. Why he is launching into a topic as complicated as politics is beyond me when he sees that I’m zipping up my purse? Get a clue buddy. Finally he poses some deep question to me and I’m seething because I just want to get out of there and I said, Theres no sense in discussing politics because there;s nothing we can do to change any of this and anyone who believes otherwise is living in a bubble. You would think he would get the hint that I don’t want to discuss that or anything else, but nope.

I guess he is really lonely. He was nice, but that low mumbling and the conversation hijacking was out of control. When we finally have our change and leave the tip, I stand up. Then, he asks, So, do you prefer movies or t.v.? This guy is FUCKING KILLING ME. It was like I was on Candid Camera. I tell him t.v. and I start to make my way to the door.

We get out in the street and I’m like, It was nice meeting you. And he says, Have you seen any good movies lately? I cannot believe this is happening. I am, at this point, being so far beyond rude because I just cannot take anymore. He wasn’t catching subtle hints like me jingling my keys, he wasnt catching giant hints like me walking out the door. Finally, a happy little blogger I know pulled up in a cab (yes, all planned out) and as she waved at me he said, Oh, there are your friends.

Yes. There they are. Thank you.

I couldn’t escape fast enough from this date. I realize now that IJL has no limits to who they will set me up with. “Hello? Velvet? We have a fabulous new match for you. He’s tall dark and handsome. You’ll be meeting him at Arlington Cemetery, walk in and he’s about 7 rows of tombstones back. Yes, he is dead. Oh? That’s not what you are looking for? I’ll be sure to tell our matchmakers.”

At some point after this date, IJL called with a new match. I believe this call came in on a Friday around 3 p.m. I didn’t call them back until Monday and the girl who called me also answered the phone. She got very flustered and said she was on another call and could she call me back. I told her I was stepping into a meeting and if she got my voicemail to just leave me a message. Then she said, “Well, you call me back.” Whatever lady. Tuesday morning I got a message from her saying that since I had not responded to them they would be putting me on hold. I have reached the boiling point my friends.

I called her back and said that I just want to be done with this, and she is not to put me on hold. So she says some bullshit like they all do, then tells me she has a match for me, and his name is Jose. Look. I’m perfectly happy to go out with Jose. I’d probably go out with Bin Ladin just to get through this contract. But, I specifically said in my interview that I was Caucasian and only seeking other Caucasians as my end goal is to get married. (Uh, whatever on that part. I really just want to give them a hard time.) She says to me, “Well, his parents could have just named him Jose.” Really? Really! And my parents could have named me Velveteen, but they named me Velvet. What the hell does that mean? So I said, “No. I don’t think so.” And she practically hung up on me.

Date 10: Ray Romano; February 2006
“DC101 Can you make it stop?” “Yes I can! It’s the sound of Velvet, screeching through another bad date.”
IJL calls with my “new match.” I delete their bullshit message and call them back. It’s essentially the same guy they describe when they call. He loves to travel and loves to hike, bike, camp, etc. Why bother listening to the description? Liars.

They set me up with Ray Romano. Date night arrives and he is really a nice guy. I have no complaints other than that he’s not my type. BUT, he did ask me how my Volleyball league was going. Um. What? I started laughing. He said he wrote down the entire description they gave him so he could ask questions about it. Now that’s pretty admirable, but it would help if everything they said was true. About 70% was truth; 30% a giant fabrication. Apparently I’m in a volleyball league and I play tennis. There were a few other things, but I snorted out my diet coke when he was telling me and sucked it back through my ears, so I couldn’t hear anymore.

~~~

It is now July. My friends at Its Just Lunch have been suspiciously quiet since our last conversation sometime in February. (Remember when I say conversation I’m really referring to a fight.) When I called, of course someone new picked up the phone. (Lookout sarcasm.) I’m shocked they have any turnover at all!

NewGirl: Thanks for calling Its Just Lunch, this is Cathy.
Velvet: Hi. I am a member and I havent heard from you guys in a long time.
NewGirl: Whats your name?
Velvet: Velvet the Sucker.
NewGirl: Hmm. That doesnt sound familiar.
Velvet: Well, seems you are new there.
NewGirl: Oh yes, were all new. You probably worked with Karla.
Velvet: Yeah, she was a real brain surgeon. Got everything wrong.
NewGirl: Well, they brought a bunch of us in to clean things up.
Velvet: Yeah, I think thats how it works around there.
NewGirl: Can I put you on hold for a minute while I look for your file?
Velvet: Sure.
{About a minute elapses.}
NewGirl: Okay, can I get your information and call you back? I cant seem to locate your file and I dont want to keep you on hold.
Velvet: Sure, my phone number is 202-887-5966.
NewGirl: Great. Ill call you back as soon as I figure out whats going on.

Its Just Lunch called back at a hair before 5 on Friday. They said I was placed on hold, and usually there is a letter in the file indicating that the client received a copy of said letter outlining the hold terms. However, surprise, that letter is nonexistent, and they realize a mistake was made. I again explained that the last crew of employees was a disaster, and she agreed, saying, You have no idea what we are dealing with over here. People are really pissed off. Nope, I’m pretty sure I understand.

Anyway, this time I have faith, not of course in their matchmaking skills, but their general competence to set me up on a day I say I’m available. This girl who called back was a Director as opposed to the Coordinator who answered the phone the other day. Usually each office has two Directors and two Coordinators. The job of the Director is to do everything possible up to and including oral and anal, to get you to part with your money. The Coordinators job is to ruin your life with dates scheduled for the days you say you have open heart surgery, send you to restaurants that dont exist, and send you to meet people who don’t show up.

I’ve given them my schedule and they have two matches for me. No I didn’t write anything down because even in the two guys they described, they both sound the same. Both are the same height, both got their MBA from GMU. Seriously. Are they just reading the same file over and over? And lets face it, according to them, I’m a in a volleyball league, so I would say the intergrity of their information is worthless. Blech. Well, its almost over. And its practice so I don’t screw up with someone real.

Date 11: The Boroughs Baby; July 2006
All right. Sunday, I had Date 11 of the 14 date obligation with, shall we just call them IJL? I mean, that’s what they call themselves. The details of the date, set up by whatever I named that chick – Cathy I think, were fine. She sounded like she knew what she was doing. I met Date11TheBoroughsBaby at Daily Grill at 1:00. Anyone who knows me knows this is prime skin cancer hour and I do not like giving that up for what might be a shitty date. And we know that its not like IJL is going to suddenly discover an arsenal of good looking men who they forgot to set me up with before. But, being that it was my first one back out there, I decided I should behave and not cancel.

I saw him walking up to the restaurant and my first impression wasn’t the greatest, but I shall shine the light on myself for a second. I was wearing a sundress, flip flops, and my bathing suit underneath the dress. I was too lazy to change. Or shower. So I smelled like Eau de White Trash in line for the roller coaster at an Amusement Park – Coppertone SPF 8! (Never go lower than SPF 8 or God Forbid, not wear any sunscreen, okay! Trust me, I’m a pro.)

They seat me first, and as I’m going to the bathroom to wipe the sweat off my face, here he comes, with the other hostess. We said a quick awkward hello and I trotted off to the sink to swim in the cold water for a minute. When I returned to the table, he stood up to greet me. Um. What the fuck. None of these guys have done that. Okay, so he’s a gentleman. Nice. Points for that even though that act of standing up when I come back makes me feel like an idiot.

Not a lot of details to share. He’s from NY, hence the name. We ate. He paid the bill despite my best efforts to throw money at him, and we exchanged information. He was comfortable with himself, and I could go out with him again. Can I see myself ripping off his clothes? Jury still out. And if the jury is still out, um, that could be a sign in itself. Next.

Date 12 Sir Talks A Lot; July 2006
Date 12 was Tuesday evening in Bethesda. I get to the restaurant and I’m late because I stopped at Loehmanns. Stupid Velvet. Remember the layoffs! But at least I didn’t buy anything. (When did clothes become ugly? Hang in there Seven Jeans, I need to squeeze another year out of you) The hostess brings me over to Date 12. Instantly not attracted. Not my type, no negotiation on this. But a really nice guy. Just talks a lot. Way too much in fact. Lets knight him and give him his name: Date 12 Sir Talks A Lot. There.

He grew up in Bethlehem, PA, also the hometown of Velvet’s Dad, and I do know a bit of Bethlehem history. Yet, any time I discuss Bethlehem with people, and describe where my grandparents and dad lived, I get that face. Apparently, its the wrong side of the tracks, literally. I had a boyfriend in college who was from Bethlehem and he said, Oh, NO ONE GOES OVER THERE!! This guy tonight? He said, I don’t know where that is. I’m guessing South Side though from what you described. A lot of immigrants lived and still live up there. Yeah, what do I look like with this fucking FLAG OF GREECE spread across half my back? But I digress.

I learned all I needed to know about Beth Steel. (Note to eyes: If you fucking glaze over again when I need you to feign interest, you are dead to me. I will bring you back for more laser surgery since you loved it so much the last time, remember? You sealed yourself shut for two fucking days and refused to come out! Try me.)

Suddenly in my head, I’m whisked away to New York and I’m having sex with James Gandolfini. I have no idea where this daydream came from, but I was trying to wager what sex with him would be like. Would it be Tony Soprano I’m in control/holding a gun to your head kind of sex, or would it be a big joke of an experience with a semi flaccid penis that barely registers on the scale? Oops. I realize I have now missed several crucial minutes of the Bethlehem Steel story. Damn. I hope he didn’t cover the part about how they closed because my Grandparents had died by then and I never followed the story. According to my date, the Hispanics have taken over my grandparents neighborhood. And now, Papou and Yiyia are rolling over in their graves.

I wanted to tell my favorite story about my dad and growing up in Bethlehem, but his stories kept going. I also learned more than I needed to know about some company called Green Thumb something and ugh, I can’t even get into it. It sounded like a weird job. I was speechless. Of course the one line I’m always dying to use came to mind: Did I tell you about my latest yeast infection?

The bill comes, we pay, we leave. He walks me to my car, talking now about not liking the dressing up for his job. He laments how he hates ties. I say, I wonder what the purpose of ties really is. He says, I know the whole history of the tie. Sometimes, I will never learn. Seriously. Stupid mouth. Youre next after the eyes for some surgery, and I’ll have you lasered shut if possible too.

Verdict? Obviously there was no way I wanted to rip his clothes off. In fact, I wanted him to put more clothes on. Please, more ties. Several of them. Really, the look great on you. Nice as you are, I just cant imagine you with nothing on.

The Sad End:
Somehow, despite the fact that they owe me two more dates, they have kicked me out with a notice that simply says: “Your membership has expired.” Would I do it again? That answer is a resounding FUCK NO.

I’m Giving Up On Love, Cause Love’s Given Up On Me

I got an email from NJ on Monday afternoon. He said he didn’t mean to hang up on me but he was at the movies and that he’d call me. When said call didn’t arrive, I enlisted help from the girls, and this came back as a potential response that I ended up sending. My hands shook, my whole body got cold and I couldn’t even fathom sending this. But I did.

  • You’ve been incommunicado for a week now. Clearly we’re not on the same page here, and while I have strong feelings for you I have to look out for myself. I think it’s best if we don’t see each other anymore.

Then I got this:

  • I didn’t know if I should send the long response or the short one. Neither one of us has ever said anything about the relationship. But your email makes it clear how you feel. I’m not going to try to change your mind. I truly wish you all the happiness in the world.

The finality of all this hit me like a ton of bricks. My mind was racing with what I’ve done. So what do I do then? I fucking called him and left a voicemail (of course) saying that I don’t want to do this on email and can he call me. I must be losing my mind. I’ve become one of the crazy people I’m used to dating. I’m sure I won’t be hearing back from him.

I’m an idiot. I have no idea how to operate when I really like someone. Anyway, this time I really have to step aside and sort it out. I didn’t expect to be this devastated. I didn’t realize how strong I felt for him. How did this happen in just barely 2 months? Forgive me if I don’t post for a bit. It’s hard to see through the tears.

They Say That All Good Things Must End

Dear NewJersey,

When I shake the proverbial Magic 8 Ball, it says “Outlook not so good.”

Thursday evening I sent you a simple text message saying “I was thinking about you today.” Here we are at Sunday and guess what? Nothing. No response. It’s as annoying as stepping in my own dog’s shit as I’m trying to pick it up, that’s for sure.

So tonight, Sunday, I called you. Your phone rang five times, then you picked up, I heard you rustling for a bit, and say to someone else, “Let me turn the ringer down on this” and then you hung up. I called you back, because you didn’t realize that you stupidly picked up the phone BEFORE I was sent to voicemail. The second time you picked up and hung up. Nice. I called again because what the fuck, why can’t you just send me to god damned voicemail so I can leave a message? This time, finally, voicemail picked up after three rings. Did you get my message? Oh, well, let me reiterate it for you.

“Hi, it’s Velvet. Ok, you’re not returning text messages, now I get hung up on. Can you call me and tell me what’s going on? I’d appreciate it. Talk to you soon.”

I thought we were way beyond this. You seemed to be stepping up the pace to the next level. I guess I was wrong. You are 35 years old. Have the fucking balls to get on the phone and tell me what’s up. Tell me if you don’t want to see me again. Tell me if you have a girlfriend, or good lord, a wife. Just say it. Have the fucking balls and say it.

I thought you were different. I thought you were one of the ones who could blow me away. But I was dead wrong. You have proven yourself to become just like every other guy. And psst…I threw those fucking roses in the trash even though they were alive and thriving.

Pissed off,
Velvet

P.S. No “I told you so” necessary.

Straight Up Now Tell Me

Well, so much for calling time of death on CL#2BlueEyes. He picked his head up off the gurney to spit out one last email. It was six paragraphs. Here are the highlights.

  • Dear Velvet: I know I said I wouldn’t lobby you, and I’m not trying to, honestly. I did want to clear the air just a bit more and let you know fully what I was thinking in the recent past.
    I went back and reread all the emails and IM messages we had exchanged just to be sure I am not becoming a psycho-dater after almost a decade of being out of the game while married. I also checked the text messages we had sent each other. After doing these things I really can’t help but feel misunderstood by you, and a little bit frustrated that you felt I was ‘obviously too intense a personality’.
    I realize we had a very unconventional “start”, with missed phone calls, email tag, and months between reestablishing contact. I was genuinely pleased to meet you in person finally at lunch. And that is what sort of tipped the balance the day we couldn’t get together (again). I was having an awful day at work, and there was one giant unusual thing that happened, but it was still wrong of me to write you that wacky email venting everything all at once.
    And that’s what I wanted to let you know. Sorry to go on so damn long, but it is what it is. Really do appreciate the courtesy of you replying to me with your final message instead of just going silent as some others have done–that always sucks when you don’t know what it is you’ve done.

I would like to say that I wrote back. But I didn’t. I enlisted help because I didn’t know what to do. Someone else gave me this in response BlueEyes. I know. Bad Velvet. But it’s what I wanted to say anyway but was too flustered to come up with on my own.

  • I feel flattered that you are still thinking about me, that you want to make things right, and I agree with some of what you say. We had a rocky start with missed calls, email tag and disconnections, but the email and instant messages were great. I enjoyed meeting you, enjoyed our lunch date, which was a huge step after all the disconnections, but not great enough to make up for what I perceived as an attack on me. I know you were venting and you have apologized, but I just don’t feel the connection. Thanks for such a great online relationship.

He wrote back and thanked me for letting him get it off his chest. If actually penned the response, it would have included something like “off the dating scene for 10 years? You only said you were married for 3 years. What the fuck?” But I didn’t. Jamy told me that engaging him in any way is wrong because it invites more conversation.

Official time of death on BlueEyes: Feb 16, 2006; 3:06 p.m.

Other news.

Wednesday night after I left work, I had my 10th It’s Just Lunch date in Rockville. I’ve lost my spirit with those buffoons, but, I’m almost done. It’s like a race to me. Even though I am going to lose, I still want to run to the finish line. (I stole that analogy from Always Write who says that watching my blog is like a day at the races. Loves it!) So I have now 4 dates to go and my membership expires in May. Four more dates. It can’t be that hard.

Date #10 looks like Ray Romano. He is a really really nice. He was 42, and he said some funny stuff. When they called him to tell him about me, he said, “Are you SURE she knows how old I am?” He thought he was too old for me. HA! Since I’m superdater, I’ve depleted the available inventory. I have to be flexible about things like age, weight and STD status. Ok, kidding. But still, 42 isn’t bad. I’m 32 after all. Ten years. No biggie.

During our “drink” date, he busts out with the following

Ray Romano: So, how’s your volleyball league?
Velvet: Um. What?
Ray Romano: They told me you are in a volleyball league.
Velvet: Excuse the drink that just came out of my nostrils please. Where the hell did they get that?
Ray Romano: That’s what they told me. They also said you play tennis.
Velvet: Hilarious. I often wondered how they describe me to the matches they set me up with.
Ray Romano: Well, I wrote it all down. I can refer to my notes when I go home, but I swear that’s what they said.
Velvet: Notes? I guess they had to make some stuff up, because they gave me a three page list of hobbies and none really applied to me.

Then I’m thinking, if that stupid list they provide had things like, go to the gym, glue myself to the Food Network, read blogs, write a blog, watch porn, well then, perhaps I could have just checked something off. But noooooo they had to come up with all sorts of fancy hobbies that I know nothing about. I hate them more and more. Anyone who walks by their office at 17th & K, please poke your head in and say “Thanks for wasting Velvet’s money.”

But I liked the guy – not for me obviously because I’m very busy with NJ, but, I should set someone up with him. He’s Jewish. Come on! He’ll make someone’s mother very proud.

My Heart’s In Overdrive and You’re Behind the Steering Wheel

I was driving home last night after a day at work where I desperately tried to keep my eyes open. I was thinking about how much I wanted to crawl into bed in my sweats, tell the South Beach diet to fuck off since I complied perfectly and didn’t lose any weight the 2nd week, and shovel some non-South Beach food in my mouth while watching trash t.v. Then I saw my little computer, nestled in its place on my desk. I had been in a hilarious email convo with some cool chicks, and I was wondering if there were more exchanges while I was driving from work back to civilization from the hinterlands. So I sat down at the ‘puter.

The first and only thing I can focus on is an email in my inbox from NewJersey. There was more to it than this, but you know I can’t copy and paste the emails anymore. The gist of it was, “It’s Valentine’s Day Velvet and we should be doing something.” Emails went back and forth. A phone call came. Plans were made. I would pick up dinner and he would come from work to my house. And that my friends was our plan. I would like to tell you that he followed through and that was that and sign off, happy that my details remained private for another post.

BUT I CAN’T! Because there’s more that’s worth discussing!!!

When he got to my place, I opened the door and found him with a bottle of wine and flowers that he jokingly called Pansies, but they were yellow roses. I adore this man! We ate. We watched t.v. We slept. We fulfilled the (bleeped out) promises of aforementioned IM conversations. We woke up. We went our separate ways to work.

I stopped at the grocery store to stock up on beverages for the office. I called my boss to see if there were any special requests. When I arrived at the office, he helped me unload. Then, all I did, and I swear, is grab something off the printer for myself and saw he printed something so I brought that to him as well. And he said, “You’re being especially nice today, someone must have had a good Valentine’s Day.”

Someone did. At least two someone’s that I know of.

It’s a Perfect Passion and I Can’t Get Enough

First, a PSA. A blog friend needs a roommate. Details here.

Now, loose ends.

CL#3TextTormenter won’t stop. In the score of Velvet vs. TextTormenter, it’s Zero to Five. He’s made 2 unreturned phone calls to me and sent 3 texts, also unreturned by moi. Saturday night I decided to put this poor bastard out of his misery. He texted: “What are you up to tonight?” Before I knew of NewJersey’s delayed plane I said, “Waiting on a friend.” (It’s my favorite Stones song.) He said, “Cool.” I didn’t write back. I know, I messed up. He’s not gone. But he’s definitely doing some circular floating near the bottom of the drain.
______________________________________________
CL#2BlueEyes and I had a date scheduled for Friday. I canceled it because I was seriously tired from Dallas. And on Friday I was busy emailing NewJersey anyway so my dirty little mind was elsewhere. CL#2BlueEyes sends back a RANT about, well, let me just post it. The disclaimer on this is that he’s canceled dates as well. We’re like, 2 for 2 on date canceling with each other. Ok, the email:

  • No problem. I mean, what’s it been, only like a few months of flirtation? And besides, maybe you weren’t that impressed at lunch. And tomorrow it is supposed to snow so we can count out the weekend, which will put us into next week when I have work and plans and you have plans and work and Valentine’s Day hits and then maybe we can talk some more on the phone and on email and don’t forget IM and discuss our dating lives and porn and get hot and bothered and not actually ever do anything about it. But don’t worry ’cause I can be free again in March or April or even May if that’s cool with you.

Uh….huh. So I hopped on IM and said, “WTF?” and he said he was just having a bad day. He said he needed to check out of town for a while or something similarly off the wall. We left it at that.

Sunday night he sent me this email:

  • Hey just a line to apologize for my truly unusual (and I know you really have no frame of reference for this with me yet, so I’m doubly sorry) behavior on Friday. I was honestly partially disappointed at not getting to see you because I have enjoyed it so far but there was some other major shit going down that I just don’t want to get into. Nothing mysterious but it was really frustrating. Here’s hoping I haven’t become one of your great bad date stories already…

I know I know. If he only knew….So, I wrote back the following on Monday afternoon:

  • Hi BlueEyes, I saw this email last night and I thought about responding, but I wasn’t sure what to say. So I decided to sleep on it.Unfortunately, I woke up this morning really no better off. I have no answer, no reasoning, no excuses other than to say that I’m not feeling this. It’s probably a combination of a few things, but the biggest being the email you sent. I understand you meant no harm by it, but it just shows me that you are more intense a personality than I can handle. Sorry. Velvet.

And I got this back.

  • Thanks for writing me back to explain where you are. I’m just not the kind of guy who is going to lobby you or anything but at the same time I know you’re simply not reading the situation correctly to judge me by one email, even a fairly nutty one sent right after we just met in person. Still, that of course is your prerogative.

Velvet’s calling it: Time of Death: 1:56 p.m. on 2/13/06. _____________________________________________
NewJersey is BAAAAAAAAAAAAACK! (I feel like I’m standing at the window jumping up and down when I say that.) He called Sunday evening to announce his arrival, and said he could be convinced, tired as he was, to come over. But, then he asked me to do something this week and I said yes and there you go. When the idea came back up a second time of seeing each other tonight, I said “I really could have convinced you to come over here?” He said yes I could. I left it that it was his choice. He was silent on his end of the phone, then he started laughing under his breath. I said, “What are you thinking?” He said, “Bad things. We’re better off doing something this week.” We wrapped it up and he said, “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

I feel like we’re moving along. Finally. It…was…so…slow…and…painful…to…get…here. But the train is pulling off from the station and I’m on it. I hope NewJersey is as well.

I’ve got a little problem too. Eventually the blog world and the NewJersey world are going to collide. I don’t know what to do about it. It’s time to start getting my ducks in a row though, and that may mean sparing some details here, in the name of privacy. I’m not foolish enough to forsake a good relationship for a blog, but I’m not sure where the happy medium is. I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.

Ain’t Nothin’ ‘Bout You That Don’t Do Something For Me

The aforementioned email volley with New Jersey has been ON since Thursday. I’m going to paraphrase it all because, well, I really like this one and details aren’t fucking funny when you like someone. I have to operate from the standpoint of: “What if one day this guy becomes important enough that I have to reveal the existence of this blog…and he reads it.” With the other schmucks, I couldn’t give a shit. But, with CL#4NewJersey…sigh. And while we’re on this topic, can we shorten his name? Can I just call him NewJersey or NJ when abbreviations are in order? Ok. Thanks. Kisses to all!

Ok. Edit mode. Significantly shortened. Don’t try to read any emotion into any of this.

NJ’s first email: Having fun skiing. Ready to get back. Very tired. Can’t believe I left a CD at your house. Ok, you got me, it was my trick to see you again. Subtle, huh?
Velvet: Glad to hear you’re having fun. It’s cold here. Weather talk is boring when I really just want to hear how your ass is doing. More than happy to return said CD, but you’ll have to work for it.
NJ: Back late Saturday. What do you want with my ass? Oral sex for CD trade?
Velvet: An early a.m. dirty email. Love it. Sounds like a fair trade. Come to my house directly from airport please. I’ll be sans undies.
NJ: I’ll be there.
Velvet: Forgot to mention a recent trip to the waxer…
NJ: Well, of course the only way for me to know if the waxer did a good job is to (bleeeeeep.) {Sorry. This had to be edited out.}
Velvet: You’re killing me. Don’t even go to bag claim. Come directly here.
NJ: Brazilian?
Velvet: Yes
NJ: Hmm. I might have to lick you all over.
Velvet: It’s very difficult to work under these conditions, panties in a twist and all. Snow on it’s way, hope you make it home. Suspecting all this x-rated talk is one of your friends now, because it’s so out of character for you.
NJ: Don’t be too sure about that.
Velvet: Why are you emailing me all day when it’s your last day of vacation?
NJ: Sick of it. Smashed my head yesterday.
Velvet: Hmm. Head injury..dirty talk. Is this related?
NJ: I’ll be ok with a strict regimen of kissing, cuddling and other stuff…
Velvet: More than happy to rehab you. Come see me immediately. I’ll prolong treatment as long as necessary.

A day passes.

NJ: Snowed in. Made it as far as Houston. I’ll call you when I’m home tomorrow.

I’m bubbling over with excitement. I went to the gym to get my mind out of the gutter, and I saw the dude I used to date. He didn’t see me. And, no butterflies. No nervous energy. I walked right by him and proceeded to begin my workout.

It took a year. It took another man. It was brutal, and the longest recovery of any relationship I’ve ever had. But, I wouldn’t trade the still unknown of what I have going on with NewJersey for another chance with someone wishy washy.
Fucking finally.

There’s a Magic Running Through Your Soul

I’m back from Dallas. It was a quick trip. I was really only in the city of Dallas for exactly 24 hours. I left Wednesday at the crack of dawn, sans crack which would have been helpful in keeping me awake. I returned this evening. I actually sat next to a good looking guy on the plane, but I was too tired to have my game.

The meeting was a success, not because of anything that occured in the actual meeting, but because I drunkenly convinced my potentially drunk boss to create a blog. Not only did he take ownership of the http://www.namethestain.blogspot.com/, (where you can see evidence of our foolish drunkenness) but he also bought the domain name. I’m sure that will be one of those “I’ll regret it in the morning” decisions, but I hope he posts. The stories he tells are freaking hilarious. Imagine my snotty sarcastic sense of humor on red bull, crack with an extra dose of witty and that would be him.

So here we are. My parents called to ensure I was alive and didn’t murder anyone on my trip. CL#2BlueEyes must have been dialing at the same time and the crazy Greeks got through first so CL#2 went STRAIGHT TO VOICEMAIL. And his message was like, “Well, this is a good sign.” I’m not sure what that means – I guess he was either kidding or he was speculating that I was on the plane. I’m beat. I’ll deal with that tomorrow. The way I feel now (physically and emotionally) I don’t want to do anything tomorrow night. Date effectively canceled.

CL#3TextTormenter ain’t going away folks. There was another voicemail from him last night. Whatevs. At this point I could probably just call him and we could morph into friends. It’s obvious we’re not a match. Shit. I have something more important to say.

The piece de la resistance of this quickie post is that I got an email from CL#4NewJersey from his skiing vacation. So exciting. I’m all giddy and shit. Who am I? I don’t get giddy.

Well, there you have it. There should never be speculation on how you feel about someone. When it comes to matters of chemistry, you don’t even have to think about it. It’s strong enough to tell you directly.

Want You Smothered Want You Covered Like My Waffle House Hashbrowns

Leave it to me to be dateless on a Friday, but busy with men on a Tuesday.

After a couple more misses with CL#2BlueEyes, we finally met today for lunch. The misses were that he was supposed to call me on Sunday after he got back from his weekend trip. And he didn’t. He emailed Monday morning and said something like “Sorry about last night, I was beat and….” whatever. Does it matter? I wrote back and said simply:

Strike One.

He thought it was funny. We engaged in some banter and he promised to call me Monday night. But the phone didn’t ring until 11:09 people. This is not the Velvet of 5 months ago where working from home and sleeping until 9:00, okay, 10:00 a.m. is the norm. Six a.m. workouts dude. I’m sleeping at 11 p.m. Well, I wasn’t sleeping per se, but I was too tired and irritated to answer the phone.

I sent an IM Tuesday morning that said I was asleep etc. He made fun of me for a minute, then we made lunch plans since I was in D.C. for a bunch of meetings that got shuffled around. Well, at least I didn’t have to commute to the hinterlands of Gaithersburg.

So we met at 12:15 in Dupont. It was a good lunch. He’s a good guy. (He paid.) But. Damn it. My head is elsewhere. Fucking New Jersey. I’m sitting there thinking, “How dare NJ be skiing and take away my ability to concentrate and / or like BlueEyes.” Anyway, the important piece of lunch conversation.

Him: Ok, so you’re in Dallas tomorrow and Thursday, back on Friday, what are we doing this weekend?
Velvet: I’m back Friday. Not sure how I’ll feel. You’re not even waiting to get back to your email to write to me and ask me out? Well, this certainly eliminates the ‘Will he call’ conundrum.
Him: Well, we may as well set it up right now, right?

So we agreed on Friday. My final answer Regis, is that I’m on the fence. I don’t have a feeling like I did with CL#4NewJersey. But, I don’t have that “Get this psycho off my ass” feeling that I have had with countless other men.

We said goodbye, and I got in my speedracer and headed downtown to my meeting. And this, ladies and gents, should be the end of this post.

Did you catch the words “should be?”

I met with a business contact I have known since the summer. Shortly after we plopped down into a conference room, he said another contact of his was going to join us. In walks the “other contact.”

Why Hello Other Contact. What’s that I hear? DING DING DING DING DING.

The guy was older than me by say, 10-15 years. He looks mid to late 40’s. And he shakes my hand and both of us have stupid grin on our face. He is fidgeting around as he’s taking his seat, and he has his head down, and he’s still smiling. It’s like, someone told him the dirtiest joke before he walked in the room.

So the meeting proceeds for about an hour. And there is unrelenting, incessant, extreme and reckless flirting going on in both directions. Usually I don’t see good flirting as it’s occuring. But, I actually thought during the meeting: Jamy would be laughing her ass off, saying this is so way beyond flirting.

We’re tossing ideas around and Velvet is ON. I mean, ON. The charm was there, my negotiator skills were better than they’ve ever been. They expressed one concern about one of our processes and I said, “Well, I report directly to a Vice President of an entire region, I’m confident I can bypass some of the red tape for you. Our affirmation of a project’s value can be enough for corporate approval. Other backup material can take a backseat if our office puts their word on it.” Who the hell am I? I should just become a guy, because with as smooth as I was today, I could get in any woman’s pants. My boss would have been proud. He’s taught me well that everything in life is negotiation.

So the other guy who I’ve met before is making small talk between some of the deals we are reviewing. He says “Hey, you both live in Dupont Circle, and you’re right near each other.” I continue with the conversation, but then it goes awry because the little squirrel in my head says, “Gay gay gay gay gay.” So, now, I need a third party confirmation on that.

As we said goodbye, hot guy who needs a nickname said, “Should I fed ex any of this stuff to you?” Velvet thinks, “Hmm…how about just yourself.”

Damn. This shit never happens to me. I meet the ugliest people in my line of work. I might have to start walking my dogs by his house.

I want to do very very very bad things to this man.

Forget You High Society, I’m Soaking It In Kerosene

I was squeezing in a quick walk with the dogs before running out. I saw the one who makes the heart skip a beat.

I walked outside my building and saw him across the street. He saw me. He actually probably saw me before I saw him because by the time I caught his eye, he was looking away. It seems he was slinking by my building hoping I wouldn’t come out. And there I was. You can’t fuck with fate little fucker.

I was stunned. He was only across the street from me. But then, I focused my eyes on the girl he was with. It all happened so fast. Eyes. Girl. Trainwreck.

From the back she looked like a cheap prostitute. She was wearing acid washed skintight jeans that are trying to make their way back into style. (May that never happen.) This was a girl who should not have left the house in this outfit sans a check at the rear view. First, my disclaimer: I’m having my own issues with having gained an extra 15 lbs, so understand I mean no disrespect. She was exceptionally big in the middle. She had very skinny calves, which also threw the whole system out of check. Again, we all have our body issues, but we don’t find it necessary to pour ourselves into jeans tight enough to spot camel toe. I sure as hell don’t. But wait, there’s more.

From the back, I could see she had bangs, a la 1982. Spiky and hairsprayed up and sort of feathered. You know if I can tell you have bangs from behind, there’s a problem. You know how they say Astronauts can see the bright lights of Vegas from space? Well, add this chicks bangs to that list. She was wearing black suede boots that have NEVER been in style, over the jeans which made the whole outfit look weirder. Forget being stunned at seeing him, I was more stunned to see that his girlfriend basically has zero in the way of class and fashion sense. But wait, there’s more.

When he realized I was across the street, he hid behind her. (Uh, it wasn’t hard…the hair…the puffy coat.) He got incredibly uncomfortable and tried to cross the street against the light. He started fidgeting and making moves to continue walking, despite the stream of cars. As the light turned, and they crossed, I saw her put her arm around him. The whole scene looked awkward. My usual thought would be that he was trying to get away from having to deal with me. But, based on the disaster that was his girlfriend, that seemed the more likely scenario.

I always thought deep down inside that the reason we weren’t together was that I wasn’t classy enough for him. He seemed to like the finer things in life. After spending an on and off 8 months with him, watching him toss money at the most expensive stores and restaurants, be so particular about what he wore, dressing up all the time, I fell into that trap too. While I had long ago kissed shopping at the Limited goodbye, I paid a lot more attention to what I wore. I stopped going out of the house looking like a trainwreck. Apparently none of that mattered, as evidenced by the above. And apparently I became a woman far beyond what he wants.

I now have a totally different perspective. On all of it. I wish you all could have seen me with my jaw on the sidewalk as I witnessed this scene. Ladies and gentlemen, I think this saga is over. It was 8 months of dating followed by 12 months of pining away for him, bumping into him, almost running him over in my car, dreaming about him. It seems, my friends, that I created someone in my mind who may not even exist.

I’m really learning lessons left and right over here. Left and right. By the way dude, make sure you look left and right before you try to jump out in traffic to get away from me.

When I Find You I’ll Be Wild And Knocking Down Your Door

Ok. I canceled on CL#2BlueEyes for Friday. I was beat and not in the mood to go out and be my charming self. We had an hour and a half of IM’ing though. Here are the best parts.

Scenario 1: We have something crazy in common:
Velvet: I am JAMMING over here to CMT radio. It’s sort of embarrassing, but, I like it.
CL#2BlueEyes: Is that online?
Velvet: Yep.
CL#2: LINK! NOW!!!
(Velvet sends link.)
CL#2: Thanks man!
Velvet: My god…you listen to country music too?
CL#2: Yes, I am the perfect man.

Scenario 2: It took an hour, but we moved the chat to sex:
Velvet: You sure talk a good game. Maybe one day I’ll find out.
CL#2: Maybe. I have no doubt you’re good.
Velvet: Nice!
CL#2: Or at least could be with me…
Velvet: You’re making me blush and smile over here.

Scenario 3: Uh oh. From Sex to Porn:
Velvet: Good to know your priorities are in order.
CL#2: Yup. Beer, Food, Porn.
Velvet: I like that list. Don’t test me on the porn thing though. I’ve been kicked out of Excalibur Film’s website for “viewing too many trailers.”
CL#2: You are shitting me.
Velvet: Nope
CL#2: Ok. We’re getting married.
Velvet: Yes. I have a vast collection.
CL#2: When can we have the wedding?
Velvet: Damn, you’re this excited over this crap, I should tell you the better story.
CL#2: I’m waiting!
Velvet: I got kicked out of a strip bar in Baltimore when Brianna Banks was stripping there because I was taking pictures.
CL#2: SHUT UP
Velvet: I’m serious. I have the pics on my computer at home, I’ll send them to you.
CL#2: You better! I’m her biggest fan. Besides you of course.
Velvet: You’re killing me.
CL#2: I’m on the floor – dead now.
Velvet: Anyone who knows me knows I love me some Brianna.
CL#2: Ok, here’s where we separate a casual fan from the pros: what was her original porn name?
Velvet: Mirage
CL#2: GODDAMN!!!
Velvet: You’re playing a game you can’t win.
CL#2: I think I already have won!

He might have. We’ll see.

We talked for a couple hours on Friday night. We’re now making plans for Sunday night, when he gets back from his weekend trip to New Jersey of all places.

CL#2BlueEyes, in addition to worshipping the same Porn Princess as I, has a southern accent and the bright blue eyes. We’re in sync. Our conversation was amazing today. He actually said to me, without any prompting on my part, “Don’t you hate when you meet someone and they just disappear for no reason. I hate that. They should just tell you they don’t like you or whatever the reason so you don’t wonder forever.” My god….a man after my own heart – on many counts. I can’t believe that I have two potentially decent men on the line and may find myself in the position of having to make a decision. All I have to say to that is “Uh Oh.”

This is going to be fun, but I don’t think it’s going to have a great ending.

When You Got Nothing, You Got Nothing To Lose

Dear CL#4New Jersey:

Even though you don’t know about this blog, a good majority of the blogging world knows about you. They have lost faith in you. I know that these readers only want the best for me and that’s why they have told me to move on. But there’s something special about you. I’m glad I started things back up with a text.

Those following our saga don’t know I’m about to present all new information. On Wednesday afternoon you sent me an email. I was very impressed that you followed up on your text from Monday. You acknowledged that we had not spoken in a while and you meant nothing personal by it. You enjoy spending time with me, and while you are going to be out of town for a week, leaving on Saturday, you want to get together. You just aren’t sure when. You turned it back on me, asking what my excuse was. Well, I did send you a text, didn’t I? I’m glad I started things back up with a text.

I sat with your email in hand for a few minutes and ended up consulting some friends. Everything I got back was negative. It was more of “He’s just not that into you.” Fine. I stewed for the entire evening on Wednesday. Then I talked to Penny and she said, “You like him. And I know how rarely you like someone, so don’t let it get away. So what if you look like an asshole, you have to find out. Just call him.” I’m glad I started things back up with a text.

I meant to call on Wednesday, I did. But I couldn’t make myself pick up the phone. I went to bed and did the hour of power reading before lights out. Velvet’s been working out at 6 a.m. these days so I need to go to bed earlier now. I’m glad I started things back up with a text.

Then you sent me a text at 11 p.m. It said, “Hi Sweetcakes.” I’m glad I started things back up with a text.

You win. I told you you win. I can’t play the games anymore. I called you. You didn’t answer, and I second guessed myself. But still, I sent you a text and said to call me. You called. Do you remember our conversation?

Velvet: Well well well
You: I know, I know. Did you get my email?
Velvet: Yes. I wasn’t sure how to respond. Where are you?
You: I’m at my stupid company Christmas party.
Velvet: What? It’s February!
You: I know. They suck. So, why didn’t you answer the email?
Velvet: Are you drunk? I didn’t know what to say yet on the email.
You: I am a little drunk. Why didn’t you know what to say?
Velvet: I don’t know.
You: We haven’t had that relationship-ey talk. You know in the times we’ve been out we haven’t talked about that.
Velvet: I know, which is why I shouldn’t really give you a hard time about us not talking for some time.
You: Well, I think we should talk about it. That’s why I wrote you a serious email today.
Velvet: That was serious?
You: Maybe we have different definitions of serious, but I do want to talk about this with you.
Velvet: Me too.
You: I should just drive over there now.
Velvet: You’ll crash your car.
You: Fuck the car. I’ll take a cab.
Velvet: Do it.
You: Really?
Velvet: Yes. Do it.
You: Ok. I’m coming over there. I’m going to kiss you for a couple minutes first. Then we are going to talk about this.

I’m glad I started things back up with a text.

Your party was in Northern Virginia. Twenty minutes later you were at my front door. I buzzed you in. Damn you look good in a suit. You said, “Let me play with the dogs for a minute.” You got down on all fours and threw toys for Thora and pet Sammy while Thora showed us what a good retriever she is. Then Sammy came and sat in the chair with me and you got in Thora’s face and said, “You are wondering what this guy is doing here with mommy, aren’t you? Mommy’s probably wondering too…’what’s his deal’ and all. Can you tell her I have no bad intentions? Thanks Thora.” I’m glad I started things back up with a text.

Then you got up and sat next to me on the ottoman. You wanted to talk but you also wanted to wait until you weren’t so…drunk. I said, laughing my ass off, “No, I think now is the PERFECT time to do this.” You took my hand into yours, put your other hand on my thigh and the following occurred.

You: It goes both ways Velvet. I’m not excusing my part, but you can call me too. You shouldn’t think that I wouldn’t want to hear from you.
Velvet: I’m not very good at that. It was a stretch for me to send you that text Monday.
You: Well, see, that makes it hard for me to really know where you’re coming from.
Velvet: I agree, I should call. And even I don’t know where I’m coming from.
You: Well we haven’t talked about any of that relationship stuff.
Velvet: Yes I know.
You had a pensive look on your face.
Velvet: What’s the matter?
You: Nothing. I was just thinking some things.
Velvet: Say it.
You: No. Not now. But I like you.
Velvet (laughing): I like you too. If I didn’t like you, you wouldn’t have made it past the first date. I don’t mean to put pressure on you, but you make it hard to like you when you disappear.

I’m glad I started things back up with a text.

I didn’t push you to tell me. There was no sense. Granted you were on the potent truth serum of alcohol, but it would be as tacky of me to take advantage of that as it would if the situation was reversed and you tried to, oh, get in my pants. I’m glad I started things back up with a text.

We went to bed. We kissed a little and fell asleep. This morning, neither of us had to be anywhere very early, so we layed in bed cuddling. I’m not much of a cuddler but you do bring that out in me. You said, “This is sooooo nice.” Yep. It was. I’m glad I started things back up with a text.

When I was getting dressed so I could walk the dogs and walk you out, you walked into the hall and watched me. You said, “I like watching you put your clothes on.” I’m glad I started things back up with a text.

When you left this morning, it wasn’t an awkward goodbye. It felt good. I’m glad I started things back up with a text.

When you got to work, you sent me an email. We’ve been back and forth a couple times today. Finally. I’m glad I started things back up with a text.

I don’t know what is going to happen or where it will go, but I’m still in it. I thought I was sick of it, I thought I was losing interest but I’m not. I like you too much to not follow this through. If it means I have to do a little chasing too, well, it is 2006 and I think I can muster that up. I think you realized I was about out of energy and you seem to be trying harder to stay in touch. I’m glad I started things back up with a text.

I was supposed to have a date Thursday night with CL#2BlueEyes. But he canceled. Fate is an all-knowing thing I think. We’ve rescheduled for Friday night, but who knows if it will happen. We’ve been trying unsuccessfully to meet up for two months. I’m still glad I started things back up with a text.

I know that many of the readers still won’t be on your side. But I’m on your side. I’m rooting for you. I think this could be something really good. And I hope that everyone will realize that “rules” of how to be chased and “He’s just not that into you” don’t apply to all situations. Hopefully no one rips me a new asshole for setting the women’s movement back a few decades.

But you know what?

No matter what anyone says, I’m so fucking glad I started things back up with a text.

Kisses,
Velvet

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