Preview edition

On Friday, after work, I’m meeting a Jdate© guy for a coffee date. Originally, we were supposed to take a walk in a pretty little park in Maryland, but the more I thought about it (and after discussing with HP) I decided I wasn't comfortable with that. When I changed the plans with him, he was not disturbed and I assured him we could take the walk another time, just not this time. I don’t know him very well yet. We had a brief IM session and a short phone conversation. He had a list of four requirements, which is not something I think is very cool. His list was kind of funny, so it didn’t bother me too much. Two of the items were: must like WB dramas and must not use internet acronyms (e.g. ROTFL, LMAO, etc.). We don’t like all the same WB dramas (he likes One Tree Hill and Smallville, I like Everwood and Gilmore Girls, we agree on Jack and Bobby), but I think we bonded over our willingness to admit an affinity for these shows. Apparently, under the right circumstances, I’ll admit to liking all kinds of bad t.v. He told me that he thought my profile was “refreshing.” That’s right, dear reader, with me, flattery will get you everywhere. Like many of the Jdate© guys he’s ready to meet after very few preliminaries. I have no problem with that. I think it’s fine to get to know someone via email, but it still doesn’t mean you will hit it off in person. If I have a good feeling about someone, I’d just as soon test it out sooner rather than later. Why spend days or weeks ferreting out information over email and on the phone that you would know five minutes after meeting someone in person? Otherwise I build up a lot of expectations and it’s more of an emotional drain than need be. I used to worry about the let down after a disappointing first meeting after a lot of email/IM build up, but it’s never really that bad. The worst cases are when you end up on a boring date. But when I know it’s wrong, I know, so it’s not that hard to move on. I don’t ever beat myself up for not finding someone attractive. That is just something I cannot control. On Sunday, I have a tentative coffee date with a previously mentioned "probably unsuitable" man. He is very nice, and bright, but is "modern orthodox." Oh, MO, you are a very sweet man, but the life you want, I just can't see for myself. He goes to shul (aka synagogue or temple) every day. Twice a day. Kosher at home and abroad. Oh my. It's too constraining. And he's a Republican. He voted for Bush. Twice! At least he said he sometimes regrets voting for him the second time. Our conversation was good and I think it might not be such a terrible thing to meet him. It might be fun and it would probably be interesting. Coffee, as friends, what's the worst that could happen? I want to go on these dates. I want to get out there. I think it will be fun to meet WB. I think it will be interesting to meet MO. Is this possible? I'm actually looking forward to dating?? This isn't supposed to be fun! Grateful for: the sky. Tonight, as I walk across the Mall, I looked to my right and saw the Capitol against a midnight blue sky. I looked to my left and saw the Washington Monument with a light blue sky and a ribbon of red and then black where the sun was already down. The sky was perfectly clear--the very windy day had blown away all the clouds. Remember to look up!