I am not a strong finisher, in general. When I return to work, I will be seeking employment as Idea Girl and Starter Girl.

Back from my second speed dating evening. I'm actually a bit pissed off by this one. They had well over a hundred people there, and it was just so loud, I had to struggle to hear what the person sitting across from me was saying. And then, because there were so many people, I only got the chance to talk to half of the people in my age group. Naturally, the people there that I found most attractive (including a redhead of course, I'm predictable that way) were people I missed out on talking to.

And then, before the event, during the break, and (especially) afterwards, they started up the loud music, making it even harder to talk to anyone. They basically turned it back to being at a bar. If I wanted that, I would have gone to a bar. I signed up to share undivided attention with someone for a few minutes, rinse, lather repeat. I didn't sign up for an event where the host had to exhort people - repeatedly - to try not to get shitfaced too early in the evening.

I had some good (shouted) conversations, and there are one or two people I wouldn't mind hearing back from, but at bottom I find I have little invested in the outcome of this night at all. If I do this again, it'll be with the first company.

Oh, and just to top everything off, I had a dreadful taxi ride home. There are two things I want from a taxi driver: that they know how to drive, and that they know where they're going. This guy didn't know how to get out of the CBD. Out in the suburbs, fine, but the centre of town? And then he's weaving all over the place, moving into oncoming traffic, and generally pissing me off even more. (Yes, at this point my exasperation proved stronger than my sense of self-preservation.)

So, that's my evening. And you know, I feel better for it. Because at least I can direct my righteous indignation outwardly, and I worked out one or two new smoove conversational moves.

Hooray for Billytea and his moves.

Boo for Bad!Cabdriver and his swerves.

Okay, since I'm a complete moron about the international dateline and all that jazz, bt, was your first speed dating evening a weekday and this second on the weekend? Maybe you should just stick to weekday ones, because it sounds like the numbers are more managable.

edit for spelling: a weeday is not a weekday, although it does sound like it could be a good thing. I'd like a weeday of 6 hours, please?

Gronk.

Must find directions, check weather (seriously why do LA and San Diego not have the same basic weather?) shower and head to LA. Which will be fun once I get there but right now just sounds like too many hours in the car.

I have the audio versions of the HP books (excepting the new one) so I guess I can just think of it as spending a few hours reading. At over 70 mph.

But only after another cup of coffee because I don't know what I want to wear today much less tomorrow.

Sorry your evening didn't go well, bt.

Okay, since I'm a complete moron about the international dateline and all that jazz, bt, was your first speed dating evening a weekday and this second on the weekend? Maybe you should just stick to weekday ones, because it sounds like the numbers are more managable.

Yep. I think it's more that it was a different company running it. But yes, any further speed dating will be through the services of the first company.

Hooray for Billytea and his moves.

Well, quite. I got an email back from Bec about the lack of responses from the first event. It helped a lot. So question: just how weird would it be to tell some woman you're interested in, "I'm a great guy and make a wonderful partner, but don't just take it from me, here's my wife's number"? Because, as she put it, she's my biggest advocate. (And I'm hers too, of course.) And that's nice, but I can see no good way to make that work for me, on a first date at least.

It's a good thing I'm busy w/ errands and chores today, or I'd be going nuts waiting for HP. Also, I'm in the middle of Michael Chabon's Summerland, so that takes away some of the anticipation as well.

I've had a haircut already this morning, and I'll be going in for a Bobbi Brown makeover at the local mall this afternoon. Whee!

I don't think that would work on ANY date, BT! Nice of her to offer, though.

Sorry your evening didn't go well, bt.

Oh, it's ok. I'm only out large wads of cash. At least my self-image hasn't taken a beating. That's what tomorrow is for!

I don't think that would work on ANY date, BT! Nice of her to offer, though.

Hee. That's what I figured. But it's nice to know my personal life remains odd. ("Relationships, much like Australian animals, come in three varieties: venomous, odd, and sheep.")