You Just Don't Know

I've done the online dating scene for many years, and as much as I despise it, it's the only way that I seem to meet men...well, until a few days ago.

I was actually in a different city on a date (a 2nd date actually), which I was REALLY excited about and didn't go too well. Now, the scenery was breath-taking, the drinks were fabulous, the fire's warmth was perfect, and the atmosphere was magnificent. However, the expectations or intimidations or just the conversation made it somewhat awkward and uncomfortable. I haven't quite pinpointed the problem, but it may have had something to do with the fact that we weren't facing each other since the chairs were faced toward the fire and the scenery. It may have been the fact that he didn't really feel like talking or giving up too much information about himself. I don't know. He mentioned that we'd "only known each other 3 hours...and it takes a long time to get to know him." Well, you know what Mr. Mysterious?! You weren't that way on our first date, so what's up? Our first date was great! Conversation flowed, eye contact was mesmerizing, and I just wanted to go home with him and share his last name. But the 2nd date left a lot to be desired...mainly him.

So, as I got into my car and received more compliments from the valet than my date, I wondered what went wrong. Then I thought, you know, I shouldn't be surprised. I meet a nice guy, we seem to hit it off, and then 'poof' - done. So, then I began wondering about the next guy...yes, I move on quickly.

It was quite a jaunt back to my city, so I stopped at a gas station to get a fountain drink. I parked between a really big truck and a car. As I left the gas station, the two men were getting into their vehicles. The one promptly got into his truck and drove away. The other, however, stood outside of his open car door facing my car. I got to my car and he says, "You going out tonight?"

Now, I'm usually annoyed with people who try to pick me up, but I must've been in a good mood because I stood there and talked to him for quite awhile. And our conversation seemed to go a heck of a lot better than my "official" date. He's not my normal MO, but I gave him my number anyway. He seems like a good ol' boy. He had just been elk hunting all day. He was ruggedly charming.

SIDE NOTE STORY: Before I went into the house that night, I sat in my car for a few minutes out in the parking lot just reminiscing on the evening. I noticed that my phone was transmitting something, and for fear of draining the battery, I thought I better figure out what it was doing. I thought maybe I didn't turn off the last application I used correctly, which was Google Sky Maps to identify a star on the deck of my 1st date's well-chosen spot. I opened the application back up and had the phone just resting on my leg; I wasn't trying to see what stars/planets/constellations were in the direction of my leg! And, of course keeping with the weridness of my night, the constellation, Phoenix, was the only thing to appear on my screen. I see this as an "echo." I have this habit of naming men that I like by the city they live in. That's how I differentiate with my friends who live far away. Anyway, my pilot crush is named Phoenix (I also have a Memphis, a Boston, and there used to be a Pocatello - which also made a minor appearance today). I just shook my head, stared at my phone a minute, and said, "really?"

Now, back to the gas station guy. He didn't even wait an hour to call me. I had made it home and had just enough time to get my pajamas on, when he called.We talked for awhile, and I had another call coming in. It was a very unknown number, and history has proven that when a very odd number comes up on my phone, it's my pilot crush in the war. So, I had to answer it.

Yet, it definitely wasn't him. I don't actually know who it was...still don't. I know his first name, that he's GREAT at witty banter, likes movies, and can make me laugh. Oh, and I know that he lives in the city that I had just been in about an hour ago. I don't go to this city often (hadn't been there for months before meeting my first date), so I'm quite interested in the coincidence. I think I'd like to talk to him again, and more than likely, go out with him. He seems just quirky enough to like.

Now, no, I didn't leave the other guy on the line while I talked to him. I told him that I'd have to call him back because I was on the other line. But I promptly called him back after the previous phone call ended.

Plus, I have to add that an old "acquaintance" had just came back into my life via Facebook a few days prior to this "Day of Men." So, naturally, on this day, I receive a VERY weird email from him. And I hadn't heard a peep from his guy in over a year, and all of a sudden I get an email about a sex-enhancing drug. Now, not one of those emails about buy this drug...an email with a link to a medical website about the benefits of this drug. Nice!

I do have to add that is really was a full moon. The reason I know that is because I had mentioned it to my 1st date of the evening. I say first date, because by the time I went to sleep, I felt like I'd had 3 dates. I will compare them to an interview process.

1st one was the 2nd interview - you know, making it past the initial first meeting and answering all of the questions right. The one you feel good about until you get there and realize that it's not going as well as the first.

2nd one was a face-to-face interview, but nothing really substantial - just
checking to see if they're interested in you, asking you back for another interview.

3rd one was the phone interview, which I might add doesn't always happen in the dating world as much as it used to. The phone interviews are some of my favorite dates.

I also have to add that I just happened to be wearing the EXACT same outfit (minus the boots, tank top, and necklace) that I was wearing when I met my pilot crush on the airplane. Must be a lucky outfit. Guys are just attracted to it I guess...except for guys that I'm on 2nd dates with apparently. (I'm just annoyed by my eager anticipation and excitement being squelched. I don't normally get excited about 2nd dates. History over the past year and a half supports that hypothesis!)

Not quite done with the coincidences though. I woke up at 320am, out of the blue, for no reason. Wide awake. I sat there for a minute wondering what the heck was going on. I got up, grabbed a snack, and sat in bed. All of a sudden, my phone started vibrating like crazy! I received 3 emails at 324am from my pilot crush. I really do love and appreciate his emails, but circumstances were just a little too bizarre. So, I buried my head in pillow and forced myself to sleep. I couldn't wait for a new day.

I don't think I've EVER had a day quite like that. And not really sure that I want to again. It was a little too extreme. But I am going out with one of them tomorrow night. Guess you'll have to guess which one.

SONG OF THE DAY: "It's Raining Men"
I thought this song was quite appropriate. I've never had that many encounters with different men in my entire life. I guess I wouldn't have been surprised had they started falling out of the sky.