when it rains, it pours

so it was one of those weekends when the stars all align. the weather was amazing, people were happy, and the city was alive and kickin. v.w. and i decided it was officially a girl's weekend and we were going to live it up. and of course at the back of my mind, i think this is "man getting" time. my plan was to get some action outside of online dating, as i had no dates set up for the weekend. berkeley dude had a stem cell conference and we've rescheduled to next weekend, and i'm still working to get dates landed with oakland doctor, emeryville cop, tiburon tech guy, i-banker who is at the world cup, and a new guy with the profile headline: "got chocolate?" not gonna lie, it's tough working in dating life into the real life schedule.

so before i get into details of this firecracker weekend, i have to prelude with a bit of an explanation. since i have been on this serial dating kick, i have discovered a new level of empowerment when it comes to dating. i was always the girl who would wait for the guy... maybe a bit afraid of rejection. in college, i was just having too much fun with my girlfriends to actually be "on the prowl." if i ran into a cute guy while doing butt bumps with my roommates on the dance floor, well hell that was just dandy. but i was never the type to actually be actively looking and overtly flirting. currently, i have a bit of a new perspective. in the online dating world, you must "wink" and "message" to really jump start conversations with individuals of the opposite sex. you have to let down your guard and open yourself up to rejection and realize at the end of the day, it's really no big deal if he doesn't wink back. "he's just not that into you" and there are countless others who are. it's all about the fun of the game. so, i think i've taken that approach to the streets... and ladies and gentlemen, things are looking up!

so friday after polishing off two bottles of wine, we headed to ambassador... our favorite place in the tenderloin. the minute we walked to the bar, we each striked up conversations with two very clearly interested middle eastern men. mine was mid-height with dark hair, polished but clearly a bit eager. he immediately identified my name as arabic and proceeded to tell me of his travels to iran and saudi arabia. 5 minutes into conversation, digits were requested with the hope of meeting up later on in the night. i thought to myself... why not? one more number in the phone that i will not recognize in a week. the two "arabian knights" exited and v.w. and i ordered the next glass of champagne at the bar. no sooner than the bubbly hit our lips, a group of thirty-something consultants approached. they were quite the dapper crew with impressive resumes (mbas at wharton and law school at harvard). then out of the corner of my eye, i spot him. one of the crew members is a tall, very handsome, statuesque, black man with the confidence of barack and the eyes of denzel. i have encountered this guy since i moved to the city. he is known as an around about towner in sf. i pass by him, making sure to appear as tall and noticeable as ever and slither up to the bar in his direct line of sight. he approaches upon recognizing me from past encounters. we immediately strike up a conversation. about what? i really didn't care. i just wanted to leave a lasting impression. after a heavy amount of flirting, i proceed to prove to him my "badassness"... i lean over to the bartender and asked for two shots of tequila. without prompting, he beats me to the punch and hands the bartender his credit card. what a boss! after a few last words, i decide it is time to make my exit before the tequila hits my system and i say "god knows what" to this potential suitor. i grab v.w. and glide out of the bar, leaving the sweet taste of "tequila" on his tongue. he knows how to find me if he so fancies. so, it is a waiting game... or just a memorable night. i'll take either one!

saturday was another successful day. meeting up with friends at the park and heading to a party in russian hill courtesy of l.z. definitely some strong male potentials at both but nothing worth pursuing. saturday evening began with a restaurant opening in the marina, at which we met a middle-aged gregarious plastic surgeon, an italian pr guy with wavy long locks that rivaled smith's from sex and the city, and a slightly nerdy non-profit guy (who v.w. adored; i was not impressed). i have cards for all of the above. if anyone is interested, i will be happy to set you up with any of these bachelors. for now, my plate is a bit full.

so, i could go on with more of the same but i think you get my point. risk taking is key in this game of dating--whether it's having the balls to get on a dating site or walk up to a guy in a bar. your odds go up when you have the confidence to let go slightly and have a little fun. i think many of us girls are too uptight when it comes to dating. when at the end of the day, you win some, you lose some. but what matters is did you find more of yourself along the way? for me, i can say the answer to that is yes. the more messages i sift through and men that i interact with, i'm definitely getting closer to what i'm really looking for in the type of person i want to spend time with. i would never have known what's out there otherwise. yes, there may be one man out there for me but that's not my focus for now. my friends, it's raining men and i'm going out without an umbrella!




ADH

p.s. brunch and mimosa date on saturday with the "arabian knight!"