Next came the Art Party

Last Friday, one of my co-workers was hosting a party. Of course, I had to show up, but at the same time I am not one who enjoys being at the world's variety of typical parties. At the same time, I would feel slightly inconsiderate showing up and leaving very quickly all on my own merits. SO, I called for backup. If "Portland Perfection" (I'm test driving names here) came with me I'd have a great excuse to leave if the party was too *party. And, backup came! We decided to go early, so we would miss people being drunk - and it turned out to be a great plan.
We spoke with one of my employees who's mother just had a stroke on Christmas day. We ate someone else's version of the fruit salsa I gave the recipe for. They used way too much onion, but it was still ok. My recipe wasn't very clear - I just wrote down what I put in... Stayed long enough to be polite, and then took off.
We then spent the remainder of the evening at my place, and watched the Andy Goldsworthy documentary one of my employees lent me. Amazing. I highly recommend it if you like Andy Goldsworthy art. The only thing that wasn't 100% fantastic is that we didn't cuddle. That was totally because of me. I didn't really make in an available option. I've had this congestion cold, and I didn't want to sniffle or dribble or have congestion breath near him, 'ya know? I did make him some tasty Tazo Refresh tea. (Herbal, of course.)
We then talked. About many things. And talked. Some more. Good talk.And he was off - until the next day, which was the previously planned performance art workshop. Me planned to meet for dinner before, around 4 - so that perhaps we could squeeze in a game of chess if we had time.
The End of date 2.

A few more details on the initial intro -

First Date was great. At first I was really very nervous about meeting him. Only once before have I met someone that I met online, and my first date ever - was actually someone I met as a pen-pal, and we spoke on the phone several times. Penpal/Phone Friend guy = BAD Date. Other online guy - Not so much. He was not what I intended on meeting, and when he proposed something improper -could have slapped him,- but I prefer other types of humiliation so I laughed in his face, and left.

I've actually been on one blind date before, and that did go well. At the time, I had not been on any dates for nine months! Yes, a serious drought. It was the year after high school, and before I went to college. I was just working full time, not meeting anyone. I didn't ask for the blind date. I saw a friend and she said "will you do me a favor and go out with this guy?" Uh - you should say no to something when worded that way. But I said, "sure, whatever." I actually wasn't looking forward to it, but I wasn't nervous at all. I was used to not dating, and didn't really care either way. Well, I ended up dating that guy for while, and that was good, but back on topic now.

So right before going I decided to not be nervous, and it worked. I thought, this guy already seems like a best friend online, so I'll just imagine I'm going to hang out with my High School Best Friend for a while. (Yes, you, Utah Band Boy.) It worked. Also, I decided to hug him as soon as I saw him. Yup, kinda scary, but it just happened, and it worked. Discussion was completely natural and open, and didn't stop. AND it was on the really thinking level that I love, which I missed severely the whole time with MVOB.

I told him at the doorstep, at the end of the date, that I had been nervous. He said he had been too, he'd never done anything like meeting someone online before, and his nervousness was dispelled almost immediately when he met me. It was then that he asked me if I wanted to go to a Performance Art workshop the next weekend. Uh-huh. I did want to go, so schedule for number 2 happened.

I really wanted to call him the next Sunday, but I refrained. No, girl, play it cool. So instead, I talked to my sisters and girlfriends all giddy-like one the phone. I can't remember being this giddy about a boy. Maybe the first time I found out a boy liked me, in middle school. . .

Quick Update

Sorry - no time. Quick Facts.
Four dates now, still going great.
No kissing yet - I'm sick with this icky congestion, so I haven't even gone there.
We're going to the coast next weekend.
He's a blue, just as I suspected.

Hopefully, I'll fill in more later.