Mumbles Says What? Part I

First impressions, we've all experienced great ones and ones that make you cringe and want to run for the hills. I was engaged in the two step dance of what I had hoped was going to be fantastic but left me questioning my own standards by the end of the experience.

I was 27 at the time and I had met Shawn in the summer.  Funny, sweet, made me feel at ease plus he was employed and didn't live in his parents basement. Score!  A few phone calls later, we decided our first date would be at a nice little Italian spot. When I walked in, thats when I realized it was fathers day (Don't worry, I did telephone my dad afterwards with father's day wishes).  Spotted Shawn in the lobby, he was similar to his picture, about an entire foot shorter than he indicated but so what, thats just a physical thing, its whats on the inside that counts. The place was so packed, noisy with lots of rug rats running around. Hey, don't get me wrong, I love kids! But on a first date, its makes it hard to flirt with 2 little ones at the next table picking their nose and flinging spaghetti all over God's creation (including our table). We sat, ordered and began chatting about what-not...I soon realized that yes, it was pretty loud in the restaurant but with my supersonic hearing, I was still having a difficult time hearing him. At that point he was forever going to be named "Mumbles".  I chalked this up to possibly being nervous, I was too, so when my vodka tonic arrived and his soda (he neglected to tell me he didn't drink alcohol) I took it with happiness, at least I didn't have to feign interest to my glass, it doesn't talk.

40 excruciating minutes later our food arrives and I've lost count how many times I've said "what was that?" Another vodka tonic down and only catching every 3rd word I've decided we need a re-do. I had gotten some tickets to see Rick Springfield for a concert on the 4th of July and beforehand, there was going to be a BBQ at a friends place, would he like to attend as my date? He perked up at the idea. Whew! A chance to relax and the first date jitters would be gone and just in case, something with some musical stimulation for back up.

When the check came he suggested we split it. Women's lib what?! I'm all for that but at least let ME offer to split and keep the social etiquette in check! I've even been known to pay the entire meal before so lets just say I was caught off guard. Leaving I told him I'd call him with the details for the BBQ and concert, followed up with an awkward hug goodbye. Yes, definitely a do-over was needed...boy did I get one!

Part II in the saga of "Mumbles Says What" on its way...