OK so I’m back from the date and it went pretty well. He certainly looks his age though, which is a full 9 years older than me. He’s a smart guy, not bad looking for his age, and has a charming smile. Although an attorney (after being a CPA) since his mid-late 30’s, his speaking manner belies his intelligence. He talks like a “good ol’ boy” or something. Is that the Milwaukee in him? Yes, he had that strange midwestern accent. But do they all talk like frat boys there, or is it his own sensibility? I like urbane, articulate, educated-sounding voices. Where every syllable is pronounced. Why can’t I find that here? Is it too much to ask? I see these guys as talking heads on TV all the time. Where are they in reality? Not in Southern California, I guess. But he’s a wildly sociable-seeming guy, which is good.
We did a hybrid nature-walk and urban-hike through Santa Monica mostly along Ocean Ave. Started outside his condo on Montana and 4th, walked to Palisades Park above the bluffs and traversed it back and forth all the way to Broadway, where we started to get hungry. But then he took me on a tour of the new Santa Monica Place mall, to see all its new shops that’ve opened since I visited last year; restaurants and food markets. Wow, what amazing vendors they now have there. A veritable feast of artisinal foods. He also showed me the bldg his law office is in, which is right across the street. The type who eats every meal out, he knows his local restaurants. I was impressed.
Whereas my REI-friendly attire befitted our daytime walk, as I’d catch my image in a shop’s mirror, I looked like a friggin’ tourist! Neither of us, in fact, looked at all very hip as we entered The Misfit, a fabulously named gastro-pub that took the old Anisette space. But we got there early enough to cop the coveted window booth, panes open wide to the sea air and energy outside. Great place, gorgeous theatrical bar with stage-like curtains and a library of books hailing above the gorgeous display of shelved bottles. Yummy drink and appetizer; the burger was a bit greasy though, even for my tastes.
We walked back in the dark through the 3rd St. Promenade, where I expected to see far more Halloween costumes. What amazed me, however, were the two areas set up for public salsa and tango dancing. That was pretty incredible. Ongoing for several years, I’ve only seen it twice now. Great for those who spontaneously attend. Must try sometime. Outdoors, on the street—muy South American!
We walked back to his condo where my car was parked. He leaned in for the lip-kiss, and was so ready to lay a huge one on me I could tell—when I stopped him and said, “I don’t kiss on the first date”. Shortly thereafter I said, “I could say the proverbial, ‘it’s not you, it’s me’, because it is.” He seemed to understand. So glad I did that. Men think just cuz they like you, they deserve a kiss. No. It doesn’t work that way. I have to like the guy back too. And even that doesn’t merit a kiss. He did say that he’d like to have another date, to which I agreed.
Tomorrow night is Halloween. Amy is sick and saw the doctor today. Guess we have to cancel visiting her and the kids tomorrow night, and trick-or-treating w/them. Better for me not to take the chance on getting sick from her I guess. Darn!
