Oh, Shir, thank heavens. Glad she's okay.

Truth be told, I'd be calmer now if I could speak with her directly. I know she's alive (and ill), but nothing more.

So I feel like I've failed and disappointed you guys.

And I now feel confused, as if you were writing one thing and I was reading another.

You went to an event that had some really weird gender balance. You had fun. You managed to be yourself in weird situations. And you walked out with someone, which sounds like a great ending to an interesting night, even if you didn't ask for her number. And hi - as a person who prefers the call the other side first, I always feel better when the choice and the initiative are in my hands.

I don't see disappointment nor failure there.

Sounds like a success to me, P.-C.! You went, you had fun, a girl talked to you, you didn't step in the guacamole. All good.

(Which I don't mean as a "first base" metaphor! Yikes!)

What's getting touched on the elbow? A bunt?

"Me too!" she said, and touched my elbow. Was it unconscious? Was it flirting?

Elbow touches are definitely mild flirting. A touch to the arm during conversation is considered Level 1 Intimacy.

What's getting touched on the elbow? A bunt?

Not just a bunt. But bunting for a base hit.

Let's put the baseball metaphors away. What it means is that you can email her once you get her email address.

And you might get an opportunity to take her out. To something like your Mission Tour, and Bi-Rite ice cream. During the day.

That's a low key kind of date.

Seriously, there's no failure and disappointment, my friend. You went, you had fun, you chatted. It's all good.

What Steph said, 100%. And as a woman, I will take a number more readily than I will give my number, from a safety standpoint. Even if nothing happens, it's like interviewing for a job that you're not even sure you want. It's good practice.

What smonster said.

Shir, tons of ~ma for your friends. I hope you're able to talk to her soon.

There is no energy to be found today. I just took a nap, and I already feel like I need another one.

By offering your contact rather than asking for hers you showed tact and consideration.

And as a woman, I will take a number more readily than I will give my number, from a safety standpoint.

Exactly.

Except, heh, she was willing to share her number with everyone at the table, so.

It's funny that you guys are saying this because in my other digs, they were all, girls won't actually call you, you have to get their number!

Even if nothing happens, it's like interviewing for a job that you're not even sure you want.

I like that.

I think it sounded like it went really well, P-C! And dude, next time someone asks you about hobbies, you write, you act, you moderate popular boards, you read tons of books, you have a zillion friends from all over the world and country, you travel...

Um. Dude.

And yep, an elbow touch isn't "Let's bone like wild zebras" but it's a "I feel comfortable enough with you to touch you because you said or did something funny or neato."

So, good!