Sunday 21 July 2013

Crazy Times

As of Friday, I had two dates set up for the weekend. One Saturday night (last night), and one tonight. I wasn't particularly looking forward to either - in both cases I'd really only said yes because I had no other plans, and I was working on the basis that any date was better than no date.

And then on Saturday a new guy popped up in my matches. He seemed like a near-perfect match for me. We had very similar interests and I was much more excited about him than most people on the dating site. We sent a few messages back and forth, and then he asked what my plans for that evening were. I told him about the date I really wasn't looking forward to, and he told me I should tell that guy I couldn't make it and go out with him instead. So... I did. I felt pretty guilty about standing the other guy up, especially as he didn't reply to my message so I couldn't be sure that he got it. But it was definitely worth it.

We did get on really well. Had a lovely time drinking pints by the river. I didn't fancy him at first, but he grew on me as the evening went on. And then there was a bit of kissing. Well. Quite a lot of kissing, really. And, in fact, he invited me back to his. I didn't go, I think I need to get to know him a bit better before we get up to those sort of shenanigans, and I do have a 'no sex on first date' rule. He was OK with that, which is good, and there was more kissing while he was waiting for his train.

We've made vague plans to see each other again next week, and so I've cancelled the date I wasn't too keen about tonight. Obviously I've only met this guy once, so I've got no idea whether it will turn into something or not, but I don't think there's much point in going on a date with someone else the day after such a great date. I think I'll just be comparing, and that wouldn't be fair.

Monday 15 July 2013

Sunday

I think Sunday is best summed up via the medium of texts sent to a friend of mine:

"I might be in the process of setting up another first date!"

"Heading out to meet a guy now, in fact!"

"Oh dear, he's a bit camp..."

So there you have it.

If you're hankering after slightly more detail though, read on:

I messaged a guy on Sunday morning, just to say 'hi', and we sent a few messages back and forth before he said, in what I now realise was probably a joke 'we could have a cheeky drink tonight if you're free?'

I was free, and said so, and so we found ourselves heading into town for an impromptu date. It's quite nice doing things this way, actually, as you don't have any build up of nerves or anticipation.

When he arrived at the arranged meeting point, it turned out that he had, by his own admission, come dressed as a pirate. Not the whole shebang with an eye patch and parrot and peg leg, that would have been very weird. Just cut-off jeans and a stripy blue and white top. Very piratey. He reckoned it was all he had that was ironed.

Anyway, despite the pirateness, he was absolutely lovely. Really nice, really sweet, although possibly too nice and sweet. And also a little bit camp. He reminded me of a puppy, a bit. And I don't really want a puppy. He even texted me after the date to apologise for being so nervous. Bless!

So I had a fun evening, in a pub with great company, but I won't be seeing him again. I'm most definitely a fan of last-minute dates though!

Sunday 14 July 2013

Another First Date

I had another first date the other night. I have to say, I didn't have high hopes. There was nothing off-putting about his profile, but nothing that really pulled me in either. But he messaged me, and was keen to meet up, so I thought I might as well. Some people come across much better in person than online, and I reasoned that the worst that could happen if we met up is that I'd have a terrible date to write about on here.

As it turned out, I had a really good time. We met up and went to the South Bank, had a few drinks (how expensive is Pimm's, by the way?!) and went for a lovely meal. We had lots to talk about, covering subjects from climbing mountains (he was a bit put out that he couldn't impress me with his mountaineering, given that my ex climbed Everest...) to geeky board games to sex before marriage to whether drugs should be legalised.

I really enjoyed the evening, and his company. However, there was absolutely no attraction there, on my part at least. No spark at all. I think, if we lived closer together rather than on opposite sides of a rather large city, we could be good friends, but there's no chance of any romance. He hasn't contacted me since we met, so I'm presuming he felt the same way. Or, at least, I'm hoping he felt the same way, because I don't want the awkwardness of having to tell him I'm not interested...

Sunday 7 July 2013

Am I That Bad?

Today, a guy viewed my online dating profile, and promptly deleted his account. I know this, because when I clicked on his picture in the 'who has looked at your profile' bit, his profile wasn't available. And then his picture disappeared from the 'who has looked at your profile' bit.

I can only assume that he saw my profile, and decided he'd be better off alone. Ah well...

Monday 1 July 2013

Why are Guys so Confusing?

I had a date! Yay! And it went really well. We chatted for hours, until almost the last tube home, and there was lots of flirting. Lots of hints about seeing each other again. And it ended with a peck on the lips. Hurrah!

Now comes the horrible bit though. In my limited experience, I can say that for me this bit is always horrible. You meet a guy for a first date. And it goes well. And he's lovely (and, in this case, absolutely gorgeous). And you'd really like to see him again. But really you don't know if he wants to see you again. So you wait, maybe exchange a few texts, until one of you plucks up the courage to ask for a second date. Well, that's how it normally goes anyway.

Except for in this case things seem to be going a little bit more weirdly than that.

He texted me the morning after to check I'd got home OK. Definite points to him there! And we had a brief conversation. Then the next morning I took the plunge and asked whether he wants to meet up this week. He said how about today? Round his place? I stalled a bit, thinking it might be a bit soon to go to his place. I mean, I'd only met him once. But then he said we could just eat dinner on his balcony and, given the amazing weather, I thought 'why not'? So I told him I could be in his neighbourhood in a couple of hours. No response. I texted again asking if he wanted me to come over. Nothing. Hours later I texted him to say it looked like he didn't want me to come over after all. He said he just felt guilty for forcing me to come to his. I replied and said that maybe we could meet up next weekend. Aaaand nothing from him.

I'm feeling like I'm getting some serious mixed messages. Does he want to see me or not? Ball's in his court now, so I'm just waiting. Well, not just waiting. I'm messaging other guys on the dating site in the meantime. Maybe I'll find someone a bit more straightforward?