Meanwhile on POF!

This blind date stuff was dragging on so in the background there was POF.  More emails from men desperately looking for sex.  How sad and pathetic.  I give them credit for being honest and persistent, but after reading my profile it should have been painfully clear that I was not the least bit interested in one night stands or any kind of casual sexual relationship.

Browsing through profiles I came across a couple more of guys I know for a fact are in relationships yet here they are on POF claiming to be single or divorced!  Are these guys for real???  Do they honestly  think no one will see their picture and tell their wife/girlfriend?  If there's one thing I've learned it's that Ottawa is way too small, sooner or later they will get caught.  Unfortunate that innocent people wind up getting hurt.  If you're not happy, step up and be honest.  Don't make it any more ugly and painful than in has to be. 

In the meantime, Mr. Stucco was earning bonus points for perseverance.  The chivalry was front and centre making it very difficult to overlook.  I'm not one to date several people at once.  I needed to figure out whether things with Mr. Blind Date were going to work out or not.  At this rate things weren't looking great mostly because in my opinion they were moving way too slow.  There was also the question of the criminal record which would totally extinguish any possibility of a relationship if it did in fact exist. 

Mr. Stucco texted regularly to wish me a good day in the morning and then again later at night to ask how my day had gone.  He wasn't pushy or demanding, but was definitely working hard to keep my attention.  I appreciated the thoughtfulness.  He asked if I'd go see a movie with him on the weekend and I told him I'd get back to him soon.  Thursday I was supposed to go out with Mr. Blind Date so by then I'd be able to figure things out somewhat and decide what to do.

Thursday morning arrived and I was excited.  Work seemed to drag on all day.  I thought it would never end.  Finally I was home and getting ready, waiting for the phone call.  It was odd, but Mr. Blind Date hadn't texted at all or sent any of his trademark FB pictures.  Oh well.  I went about my usual routine getting the kids fed and cleaning up and waited.  6:00 pm came and went and no phone call or text.  7:00 pm and still no word.  It wasn't uncommon for him to pick up extra hours so I figured he probably worked late and then got stuck in traffic on his way home.  8:00 pm and that was it.  Obviously at this point I wasn't going to go out and didn't expect to hear from him. 

As a single parent, I know shit happens.  A kid gets hurt, we forget about a sporting activity or play date, the school calls and you have 20 minutes to pick up your sick child then off to the urgent care clinic and the list goes on and on.  I would give him the benefit of the doubt and wait to see what happens. 

Friday morning I sent him a quick text asking if he was ok and wishing him a good day.  He responded by asking if I'd like to meet for a walk that night.  What?  We're back to meeting and going for a walk?  No mention of last night's date that didn't happen, no explanation.  All as if nothing.  Is this guy serious?  I was floored and frankly, very annoyed.  Instead I texted Mr. Stucco and accepted his movie invitation then texted Mr. Blind Date and told him I already had plans, maybe next week.

My girl friend called to ask me how the date went.  She was shocked when I told her it didn't happen.

Her: "Are you sure you were supposed to go out on Thursday?  Maybe you misunderstood?"

Me: "No, I didn't misunderstand.  Here, let me read you his email."

The email was very clear.  He sent it on the Wednesday.  He apologized profusely for cancelling at the last minute.  He went on to say he truly felt a connection and wanted to get to know me better so we could build a solid relationship.  In the past he had made some bad choices, but I seemed like a really nice girl and he didn't want to mess it up.  He was looking forward to Thursday night and decided we should meet for dinner.  We could decide together where to go.  No matter what we decided, he had no doubt we'd have lots of fun.  Start with friendship and go from there.

Her: "Oh, I see.  That's not good.  I don't understand.  He was talking about you at work.  My hubby overheard him telling another guy how much he liked you and looked forward to getting to know you.  He mentionned you guys were going out.  Something must have happened."

Me: "I know things can happen, but no email and then texting the next day like nothing?  Then the whole walk thing again?"

Her: "Really not cool, but he is a man afterall."

Me: "Being a person of your word is important to me.  I don't have time for games, we're adults."

Her: "Yeah, I totally get it.  I'll see if my hubby can find out what happened.  He'll give him shit if he stood you up.  That's so not right.  Hang in there, if not him eventually the right one will come along."     

I talked to another girlfriend that night and she was like, "You've been way too nice and patient already.  Stop wasting your time.  If he truly liked you, he'd make more of an effort.  Can't afford coffee and forgets when he makes a date?  NEXT!  Move on honey you deserve way better.  You're too good for him.  I'm sorry you keep getting disappointed.  Don't give up hope, Mr. Right will eventually find you.  He just has to ask for directions."

Oh well.  I had plans to go to the movies.  Wish me luck, I so need it!!!!!
Dateless in Ottawa

Mr. Blind Date finally makes contact!

After about a week, Mr. Blind date finally made contact.  He sent a friend request on FB and I accepted.  Soon after he started sending messages and pictures, unfortunately I couldn't open them on my wireless device and when I did there was nothing there.  I was confused wondering why he was sending me blank messages.  Leave it to me the IT challenged individual.  No surprise that I didn't even think to log into my laptop.  I don't get many messages on FB so I only browse occassionally on my device.  Once again, I fail to understand why people can't call or at the very least text.  He had my number.  Why send pictures through FB?  At least email.  Don't people talk anymore?  I felt really bad when I logged into my FB account and low and behold, there were all the pictures he had been sending.  There were flowers and some really nice sayings.  He was probably thinking, "What's up with this chick, here I am trying to be romantic and she's not responding???"  I wrote to him and apologized.  I explained how IT challenged I am and that texting or calling would be way better for me.  Technology is not my forte.  I'm the old fashioned, talking on the phone or meeting in person kind of gal.  Thankfully he thought that was hilarious.

We finally started texting.  He said he really liked me and we should get together soon.  He had plans for the weekend so we'd touch base early next week.  I received several texts over the weekend and we agreed to meet up Tuesday night for drinks after dinner.  I was excited.  He was a really fun guy so even if it didn't progress any further than friendship, he'd make a great friend.  The fact that he didn't live too far from me was a bonus with both of us having the kids at home. 

Tuesday arrived and as promised, he called me when he got home from work.  Sadly he sounded horrible.  His voice was raspy and kept breaking up.  It was obvious he was sick.

Him: "I'm really, really sorry but I'm having a really bad allergy attack.  I've been sick like this all day.  I went to the pharmacy to get allergy meds, but they aren't working.  I feel horrible cancelling on you last minute, but can we go out on Thursday night instead?"

Me: "You sound terrible.  Stay home and relax, Thursday works for me."

Him: "I swear I'm not brushing you off, I really do want to see you again.  I had a great time at the concert and I think we'd be a good match.  I feel like a jerk, but I wouldn't be any fun tonight."

Me: "I completely understand, don't worry.  I appreciate you being honest and not wanting to share your germs.  It's all good, we'll meet up on Thursday."

Him: "By the way, I'm having some financial issues so can we meet somewhere and just go for a walk?"

I paused for a second.  This was not what I expected to hear, but hey we all have our financial constraints and bonus to him for being honest.  Coffee wouldn't set a person back that much, but whatever.  Best to get out and enjoy the Summer while it lasts.  Lac Leamy would be a really nice setting to sit and talk and maybe wade in the water.

Me: "Ok, that's fine.  Why don't we meet at Lac Leamy and take a walk around the lake?"

Him: "Lac Leamy?  That's a bit far.  I thought you lived closer to me."

Me: "I'm just across the bridge from you.  We could go somewhere else, you decide I'm flexible.  Give me a shout when you get home from work and we'll go from there."

Him: "Yeah, ok.  Have a great night and we'll talk soon.  Thanks for understanding I really appreciate it."

He couldn't afford coffee and now I live too far away???  This wasn't leaving me with a very fuzzy feeling.  I finally meet someone that on the surface seemed to be a reasonably good match and lived close by, but by the end of the conversation most hope had quickly dissipated. 

He sent me a long email the following day.  Once again he apologized profusely for cancelling at the last minute.  He went on to say he truly felt a connection and wanted to get to know me better so we could build a solid relationship.  In the past he had made some bad choices, but I seemed like a really nice girl and he didn't want to mess it up.  He was looking forward to Thursday night and decided we should meet for dinner.  We could decide together where to go.  No matter what we decided, he had no doubt we'd have lots of fun.  Start with friendship and go from there.

He redeemed himself!  Lol  The email left me feeling really positive.  I responded and thanked him for his email.  Thursday night would definitely be fun.  We'd talk after work and make plans.

I called my girl friend to tell her the news and she was thrilled.  She filled her hubby in and he'd follow up with him after the date to see what he thought.  They also wanted to plan a BBQ at their place, but I told them to wait a bit.

Off I went to get a pedicure, had to look good for my date!

Dateless in Ottawa