bad timing

Beads of Green, Eyes of Blue, Happy Birthday to You!

I go to church every Sunday. I go for many reasons besides looking to meet a guy. But, that’s definitely not off the radar. I had my birthday this past week (29!) and part of my celebrations included celebrating my actual birthday on Mardi Gras at Bourbon St. in Times Square. A bunch of my friends came out and a bunch of people from church happened to be there as well for their own planned event.

Closer to the end of the night I met Brad. Brad was super cute, in kind of a hipster way. I loved his glasses and his blue eyes. I was instantly attracted and he was friends with some friends of mine so conversation came easily. I just loved the way he looked into my eyes and then kissed me at the piano bar, Don’t Tell Mama. I was almost mesmerized and the attention on my birthday was definitely welcomed.

We ended up going to another bar by my place, The Penrose. He seemed just perfect that night and who doesn’t want a little birthday make out/cuddle session? Clearly I’ve become prude in a good way because I am waiting to sleep with someone ever again until I am in a committed relationship with them. In the theme of most men, Brad tried to take this too far that night as well. Perhaps he thought my birthday wish list included birthday sex. Actually, no. We spent the next morning making out for a bit and he trekked the 18 blocks north home and I went back to bed and woke up at 3 p.m.

As some may know, Mardi Gras is the day before Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday begins penance and most Catholics do service or sacrifice. Since my birthday was on Mardi Gras and my NYC Half Marathon is a week before Easter I took this as a serious sign from God to legitimately give up the alcohol. When I woke up Wednesday at 3 p.m. I could never have been happier with my decision to give up alcohol. Not only did I feel like complete and utter shit from being hungover but I was mad that I let Brad come over because he was handsome, Catholic, funny and even though he didn’t have a job he had potential. There will probably be no future contact with Brad unless we meet again at another Catholic event. We did exchange business cards and are Facebook friends so if he wants to reach me he can. In the meantime, my bedroom floor is still full of Mardi Gras beads and those should probably be picked up before I step on them in the middle of the night!

Good Date. Bad Timing.

Saturday I took another arrow from OkCupid and went out with another musician. This time, a part-time drummer and future full- time doctor. He wants to be a pediatrician. Those who know me know my dislike for children. Props to him for wanting to deal with crying kids all day. He was an average height, blonde hair, blue eyed 26-year-old from a big Greek family. Oldest of six! Another one good on paper! Our date was at Le Parisian in Kips Bay. Adorable little French brunch place.

But, remember he is a “future” doctor and not currently one. I appreciate the ambition and definitely a desirable career but I have had many friends go through their residency and fall off the face of the Earth. Hence, prefacing this date as “good” but with “bad” timing. He doesn’t even know where he will be doing his residency, which starts in six months, so I’m 100% skeptical to get involved as more than friends with this one. Just trying to steer clear of future problems better than Captain Smith of the Titanic.

Overall, conversation was enjoyable enough to continue onto Cask next door for one more beverage before going our separate ways. I had a bag of purple pom poms and college football to watch. Priorities folks. I think my favorite part of the conversation was when we both discussed how our Grandmothers would cook lamb and the different ways to cook it. Then he lost his train of thought and I just rambled “Mary had a little lamb” and “Lambchop” references. He said that is a tendency of schizophrenia. I was just playing some word association to help him regain his train of thought. I am completely sane but it is still funny though. He tried to kiss me at the bar. I appreciated the initiative but I didn’t feel the moment was right for a “first kiss” at a bar ar 3:30 in the afternoon. Cheesy sounding enough that I should have had some cheese with my wine at Cask I suppose. If he asked me out again I would definitely consider, but proceed with caution. He actually will be in the same city as me over the weekend after Thanksgiving so he mentioned meeting up there. We will see how the schedules match up and if there is a second date with “Dr. Drums.”

Starting this weekend, I will be in the Sunshine State for two weeks and then Christmas is here before you know it. I personally am annoyed when someone takes me on a date before they leave for an extended period of time so I plan on extending common courtesy to the male population for now. Tis the season to put dating on the back burner and cookies in the oven instead. Holiday cheer will be maintained by some entertaining stories I have accumulated from my first year of dating in NYC. Perhaps have the sugar cookies already made though because there is nothing sweet about these stories.