#NerdsUnite: @ItsMeJoolie 's big dating adventure!!!
<editorsnote> Nerds, meet my buddy Julie. You may already know her as Confessions of an Unwed Bride, but she has finally decided to begin to venture out into the dating world and is asking for your help and support as she goes through step by step of this life altering decision. Dudes, this is a BIG deal! She's never dated before ... like ever!! Well, I'll let her tell you more ... HIT IT JULIE! </editorsnote>
#TalkNerdyToMeLover's Julie Wilson
Date #2
Me getting ready for Date #2I was worried there for a week. After I came down from the high of going on my first date in 8 years I realized I didn't have anyone lined up for date #2. There were some emails coming in, but none that I really wanted to follow up on. I knew it was again time to step outside of my comfort zone and try harder. This equals not just sitting back and waiting for the emails to roll in but actually taking the time to look at people's profiles and add people to my favorites. I still haven't initiated a conversation on there (girls have it so easy with online dating). It paid off; I got date #2 because we "chose" each other.
I was hoping that I would have some more music, TV and movies in common with this dude than date #1, who was really nice and I had a good time with on our date, but I kept waiting for him to be in to any of the things I am into. From this guy's profile, I was hopeful that this would be the case.
Earlier in the week, we had talked about meeting up on Thursday but he wasn't sure if he would be able to. We didn't even solidify our plans until the day of. Which was cool because it didn't give me time to stress over it.
The Surly Goat is mentioned by him as a place to go. Sometimes the music is really loud there, but I'm okay with that choice. I respond saying that's cool or we can go to Barney's Beanery, Jen and I's local hangout. He responds with "8:30 at Barney's". I regret this immediately. I think about the fact that there are a bunch of people that go there that I kinda know. Like the dude that I gave my number to 2 months ago before I was actually ready to date. Oh well, I think, no worries, it'll be okay.
I get home after work and immediately notice that Jen is dressed up. Before I even ask her what she's doing I already know the answer.
"Hey, what are you getting into tonight?"
"I have a date tonight."
"Cool, so where are you going?" I know what she's about to say.
"Barney's." Yep, there it is.
"I too have a date tonight."
"Rad!"
"And I too will be at Barney's tonight"
We both start laughing.
Her eyes get big as though she is a kid being offered candy. "Can I be a fly on the wall for your date?" She would die to be able to spy on someone's first date in order to write about it. (Anyone brave enough to let her do this? Write to her. This would be like a Christmas present to her. Seriously.)
"No! Number One: You have your own date to deal with. And two: I'm already nervous, there's no way I could act normal if I know you are listening."
She leaves and I have an hour and a half before my date. I try to eat, am too nervous and abandon my burrito, dance around to music, get dressed, hair and makeup, more dancing and then I call my mom. While I am on the phone with my mom, I get a text. "Hey Mom, I gotta respond to this, it's my date." I hang up and read the text and realize that it is not my date but another guy I met through OKCupid. Amazing! Is this really my life?
I get to Barney's and find a place at the bar and order my favorite, Newcastle. I scan the place for Jen, don’t see her, although I’m sure she’ll see me. The bar is pretty busy because the Rangers/Cardinals game is on. He shows up a minute after I get my beer. Confident Hug! Confident Hug Julie!
We snag a table and start talking about music and concerts. We're into the same kind of music and he's gone to some pretty awesome concerts. 15 minutes into this date and this guy and I have more in common than I did with date #1.
At some point it gets even louder than it already was. To the point where we can no longer ignore it. We look around and realize that the baseball game is in the ninth inning. There are Rangers fans to my left and Cardinals fans to my right. We start doing sports commentary on the game. He's actually really good at it and I find out that he has a podcast he does with some friends. Cool. Then he looks at me and asks, "Should we choose a team to root for?" I laughed, "Yes, we totally need to choose a side!" "Well, The Rangers are winning right now." "No! Let's go with the underdogs! Plus, I'm wearing red!" We start cheering for the Cardinals, who end up winning. Now we are high fiving the Cardinals fans because they think we are one of them. It was hilarious!
We close our tabs and decide to walk down to The Surly Goat. As we are walking he puts his hand on my back, like half putting his arm around me. Umm, no. Not a deal breaker but I just met you!
We stay at The Goat for about an hour, he tells me about his job as a TV producer, which includes some funny stories. It is now 12:30 and I'm tired. He has to be on set at 7:30 (the time I wake up!) so we call it a night. When it's time to part ways I go in for the Confident Hug. We actually talk for another 30 seconds. I go in for another hug and he kisses me on the cheek. Whoa. Eek.
The next day I got a I had a good time, would like to see you again text. I told him yes. And thankfully, I have not received more texts (date #1 did not know how to play it cool and just kept.on.texting.me).
Overall: good conversation, had common interests, not very physically attracted to him but we had a lot of fun. I was very proud of how less nervous I was this time around.
Time to get back on OKC as I only have a week left to get a third date!
#juliesdatingadventure
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