dating with speed

well tonite i FINALLY went speed dating!

before i left i was excited, nervous, and feeling a little guilty.  i was excited to take on a new adventure, but that also caused the nerves.  the guilt, which i know was totally stupid, stemmed from the fact that i met a nice guy a few weeks ago and have a date with him on sunday.  i, in no way, want him to think i'm not interested.  i am.  at the same time i don't want to seem over-interested (have i mentioned i hate this game called dating?).  it is also that whole thing about not putting all my eggs in one basket and cutting off opportunities to meet others.  until we have a discussion that we are exclusive (which should come way after the 3rd date), then i am free to explore options.  so, i know the guilty feelings are stupid and unwarranted, but i'm open and that is what i was feeling.

anyway...

the event was at the mezzanine lounge.  when i hear "lounge" i think upscale.  i don't think sports bar.  i felt way over dressed when i first walked in.  people were in shorts and flip-flops.  i was dressed in my cute dress and rocking some red, peep-toe heels.

anyway, i went upstairs to where the event was taking place.  i was the first one there.  i got signed in, and the girl explained to me how it would work.  basically, everyone is given a number.  the girls are seated at numbered tables.  the guys move table to table for the different "dates".  at the end of each "date" you take some notes on a card they give you and check "yes" or "no".  then the next day (so tomorrow--friday) you log onto the company's website and click the guys you liked.  if the guy clicks you too then you are a match.  you will each receive an email with the email address of the other person.  the end.

so, after checking in, i get a drink from the bar ($3 wells) and sit down at my table (#1).  i watched the astros game and talked some with the coordinator while we waited for more people to show up.  slowly, people arrived.  we were supposed to be there by 7:30 pm, but we started late waiting to see if others would show.  it ended up being 4 women and 3 guys.  low turnout.

we started the event at about 7:45.  my first date was the only guy i was interested in physically.  he seemed to be "my type" although i claim not to have a specific "type".  he was around my height, brown hair, dressed nice.  turns out he is a geologist and has his PhD from LSU (what's up with meeting people who have a tie to louisiana?) anyway, i never looked at my index card of questions.  i kinda let him take the lead and then as i felt a little more comfortable i would ask questions.  he's the only guy from the whole nite (out of the 3) that i am going to click "yes" to.

the 2nd guy wasn't very attractive and we didn't have a lot in common.  the 3rd guy was loud and way too outgoing for me.  i like a man to be outgoing and not too shy, but this guy was on the other end of the spectrum.  not for me.

so, as i posted on facebook, it was not a life-changing event, but i'm glad i went.  it is hard to put yourself out there, but i did it!  i'm so sick of online dating and i would only prefer to meet people IRL (in real life) instead of through the computer (like meeting M at a party).  anyway, it was fun and i may do it again.  since there was such a low turn-out we are all getting a promotional code for a free event.  hey, if it is free, i may as well go! :)