Second First Date

After a successful and fun meet 'n greet, my new male friend picked me up last night for our first official date. Let me step back a few days though to share with you how the week went.

Our meet 'n greet was last Sunday and I had a really good time. I thought he had a good time as well. In fact, he had mentioned a "next time," so I assumed that we'd communicate afterward about seeing each other again. Three days went by without hearing from him and I was a bit concerned. I was confused. I was disappointed. It's not easy to get back into the dating scene, especially when it involves searching through numerous online profiles, trying to determine how to reach out to those who peak my curiosity.

On Wednesday afternoon, he finally called but, because I was at work, I wasn't able to take the call. He did leave a message and I found myself laughing out loud when I listened to it. He joked about how he had read a Guy's Rule Book on Dating and noted that it had officially been 72 hours since our first meeting so it was now the opportune time to follow up. Then he simply asked if he could take me to dinner on Saturday and left it at that.

I had to arrange for a babysitter in order to confirm that I could go out but that only took a few minutes of text messaging to schedule. One of my son's former teachers who lives in our neighborhood agreed to come by to hang out with him so I could go on this date. She's married with no children of her own (yet) and is someone my son feels completely comfortable with. What would I do without teachers like her?

Saturday arrives and it's amazingly hot out. I'm sweating already because I'm a little nervous and I'm not quite sure what to wear. I change my outfit a record number of times before finally deciding on a black top and jean skirt. Casual for a first date, I realize, but since I was overdressed for our meet 'n greet, I figured I could get away with it.

I had no idea where he would be taking me but this is what has always intrigued me about dates. Normally, I would be a bit concerned about getting inside someone's car without knowing where our final destination would be, but I eagerly climbed inside when he finally came to pick me up.

He was a few minutes late and didn't mention it when he pulled into the parking lot but since I'm notoriously late for just about everything, I really can't hold that against him.

Once again, he impressed me. We drove up the coast and went to a restaurant overlooking the ocean. It was a beautiful night so we sat outside, enjoyed a few glasses of wine with our meal and laughed, a lot.

We played the back and forth questions game and got to know each other a bit more. Not once was there an awkward moment in the conversation - that is until I asked about why he signed up with eharmony. There was a moment of silence before he revealed that he was looking for a partner; someone he could go home to at the end of the day and share his life with.

He asked the same question of me, and since it was only fair, I admitted that I wasn't quite sure what my goal was or is with eharmony. So far, I met a nice man who truly knows how to treat a woman and plans great date nights and I'm enjoying it. I'm not sure where this will lead or if I will meet more men to spend time with but I'm having fun, I'm making up for lost time and feeling good about myself and the man I'm getting to know. I don't really know if there's reason to think beyond that as far as the future is concerned. I've always been the type of person who lives in the moment, enjoys just being where I am and who I am with.

And I did enjoy where I was last night and who I was with. We went to a concert afterwards (I love live music) and he treated me the entire night, something I was not used to at all. We danced, laughed, touched each other innocently, but often, and when I cut the night short (I was expected home by midnight), I truly did regret having to end the date.

When he dropped me off at home, he got out of the car to walk me to the door. I embraced and thanked him for the fabulous night. I kissed him softly on the lips before saying goodnight and moments later, I fell asleep, smiling.

I thought about him as soon as I woke up, still smiling.

That was the first date that I've been on in a really, long time. In fact, he even asked me during dinner about the last date I had. Sadly, I couldn't even recall when that might have been, or with who. But what I do know is that I will remember last night's date for a long time to come and I look forward to our next.

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Hullabaloo

Last March, the San Diego locals behind the Hullabaloo band put together a show at the North Coast Repertory Theater in Solana Beach. They had such a great time we decided to do it again on August 9th at 10:30 a.m.

Special guest, Joann Woolley, will start the show with a quick sign language class for kids and parents. Then, she'll join Hullabaloo on stage throughout the show to sign along with the music. A portion of the ticket price will benefit the American Society for Deaf Children.

Tickets to the show are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. To keep things safe for everyone please purchase a ticket for your child if they are of walking age.

Last time there were plenty of tickets available at the door but you never know...I'd hate to see you turned you away if the show sells out. To be sure you have a seat you can purchase your tickets online. You can have your tickets mailed to you or opt for the will-call list.

Check their online schedule for other events happening in the area or book the band for your upcoming birthday party or event.

Baby Loves Disco: Los Angeles

Purchase Tickets for Baby Loves Disco
July 19, 2008
@ Cinespace in Hollywood

Head to the BLD LA site to meet your host, the DJ and check out the sponsors for the upcoming event!

My Baby Loves Disco

My son was not looking forward to the Baby Loves Disco event that I dragged him to on Sunday. He kept reminding me that he's not a baby and I could tell he was ready to have a horrible time. We arrived just before 2pm and scouted out the parking situation. There was already a line forming outside Aubergine and the valet parking was backing up traffic, on top of the cars that were heading downtown for the Padres game. Petco Park is only a few blocks away so there was definitely competition for the few spots on the street in the Gaslamp District.

I decided to park near the Convention Center where there was plenty of spaces and only a two block walk to the nightclub. Since I've never been to Aubergine before, I assumed the line that had formed was heading towards the open door where the large bouncer was standing. We walked to what I thought was the back of the line only to have a rather impatient dad tell me that he was first. Don't ask me how long he had been waiting, but he was not at all amused that I had simply made a mistake. Was it so important to be the first ones inside? This is a party for kids, for goodness sake.

My son changed his mind rather quickly about the event when he heard the live music playing while we stood in line. I didn't realize at the time, but it was the two-man team behind Hullabaloo. My son insisted that he sit upon my shoulders while we waited - and danced - before they finally let us inside at two o'clock. I thought this was great exercise for me, dancing with thirty pounds around my neck. I was sweating by the time we got inside.

I'm so glad we didn't experience this event when my son actually was a baby. He was the perfect age for this type of event. He stood in line to get a sword balloon, he tried to catch the bubbles on the dance floor and he followed - make that stalked - Spider Man as he moved from room to room saying hello and taking pictures with the kiddos.

One of the coolest things, as a parent, was that my son had a wristband that had the same number as my little receipt that I was given at the door. No child would be able to leave the venue without the parent with the matching token. I immediately relaxed at the thought of not having to watch him as intently as I would be otherwise. He ran ahead of me into the other rooms and I was able to follow and catch up to him knowing that he'd be safe. There were also staff members wearing Baby Loves Disco badges throughout the venue which made me feel more at ease too.

There were several vendors there offering fun things for the kids: the balloon lady, face painting, books near the lounge area, tee pees to hide inside, healthy finger foods, an arts & crafts table where my son made two Father's Day cards for his dad and several tables with promotional pieces for some great companies that I hadn't ever heard of. Of course there were some people there who I had the pleasure of meeting before or learning about on line, such as the Playhouse Cafe, Rattle-N-Roll, and Style Child.

New to me were Ooh La La Mama, Passed Presents, Javis Davis, and It's a Mom Thing.

Mark your calendar for the next San Diego Baby Loves Disco event, happening September 7 at Aubergine. Check the website for BLD events in your area!