1/26/09 - Date Nine: Why, Joaquin, why??

Ok, I'm going to bang this one out because this particular date was not eventful in any way. We agreed to meet on Sunday night at a bar/billiards place sort of equidistant between our houses. He was running a little late and sent me a text letting me know (check plus) and I, as per usual, was early. I could see the entrance to the place and therefore had the advantage of seeing him before he could see me. First thing I noticed: backpack. Ok, the following may sound really ridiculous but in observance of the second promise I made to myself when starting this blog (see last post), I must go on. A backpack? Are you kidding me? This man is 35 years old. And, I discovered through subsequent conversation, he is not any of the following: a student, a hobo riding the rails, a regular hobo, someone who needs the help of a portable respirator to breathe, a vagabond soul searching for meaning in life by wandering the highways and byways of this great country with only the pack on his back. He is 35. With an apartment, a car, a job. For some reason, and again I know it's ridiculous, I found this to be a little disappointing. Additionally, I noticed that he made no attempt to dress for the date as he was wearing a rumpled shirt, terrible jeans, and broke down tennis shoes. I always attempt to look good, ok. I dress appropriately for the occasion, whether it's dinner, some sort of activity or just drinks and there's always a little spritz of perfume at the last minute. Therefore, I believe it is not unreasonable to expect that my date show up in clothes that are clean, pressed, and matching. Ok, that's enough of that.

The original plan was to play pool but I really wasn't feeling it, so we sat at the bar and talked over some beers. The conversation started off a little boring, mainly job, get-to-know you stuff but quickly became really great. Despite the backpack, running shoes, and poorly planned attire, I found this man to be confident, charming, funny, and smart. He really likes his job (a big check plus, because as a colleague of mine warned me, men cannot handle a job they don't like while simultaneously attempting to woo you) and really likes living in our city. 

The most interesting thing that came out of this date was the following information: apparently Joaquin Phoenix has decided to quit acting to pursue a career as a hard core rapper. Listen, I did not believe this and literally scoffed when this guy said it. I was then treated the next day to multiple emails containing links to YouTube videos of Joaquin, in all of his weird, bearded glory, attempting to rap at a club and then upon completion of said rap, falling off the stage. Potentially one of the most hilarious things I've seen in awhile and even if nothing happens with this guy, I will forever be grateful for him sending that to my inbox. Everyone reading this needs, at some point, to find this video and watch it, especially if you're having a particularly sad/stressful/boring/stupid day at work and your firewall does not prevent you from viewing YouTube. It's totally worth spending 2 minutes of your life ... this I promise to you.

At the end of the date, he walked me out and helped me get a cab (check plus) and then walked home himself. I've heard from him since, via text message, email. He asked me out again today but we haven't made plans yet because even though I want to see him again, I'm not burning up. 

For burning up, please read next post: Best Date EVER.