Name: ‘Ric (short for Eccentric)
Age: 50. That’s more like it.
Status: Single. I believe he said he never married, but we’ll get to that. No kids, but his dog situation is a lot like mine in that his dog is very much like his child and he hates leaving him alone to go anywhere. I’m exactly like that!
Job: Runs art gallery and frame shop in the ‘burbs. Weird location, since he lives downtown - IN an art gallery and where all of the other galleries are.
Lives: See above. Downtown in a loft that is attached to a gallery.
Length of Date: 3.25 hours
He Looked: Eccentric. Has an interesting way of dressing that’s sort of cool vintage meets tattered thrift. It wasn’t a turn-off by any means, but it sure was quirky. He was much, MUCH shorter and stockier than his photos suggested. That was a disappointment. He was slightly more awkward than his photos suggested.
I Looked: Like I did at work: giraffe print corduroy skirt, close fitting textured sweater, OTK boots. Probably a little tired, as I’m always tired after work.
We Did: We were supposed to meet at the bar that I like that’s underground, underneath the cool boutique hotel close to my apartment. However, it was closed for a private event. So we walked a block to a rooftop bar and sat outside and drank until I got cold and we had to move it inside to the indoor bar. We talked and talked. And drank like 4 drinks apiece. No food. I was hungry, but he wasn’t and I really need to cut back anyway.
First Impression: I wasn’t sure what to expect. His photos were nice enough, but the real life version wasn’t as attractive. I didn’t feel chemistry, but he has a super, super smart, dry wit and sense of humor that’s VERY attractive. I found myself having many mixed feelings about him, alternately being completely charmed and utterly repelled and back again. How is this possible?
Convo: All over the place… and FAST! The first thing he mentioned was his dog that he hates to leave at home. Last year he adopted an injured “found” dog from a kind of ghetto area. They have a super co-dependent relationship. He showed me photos of his dog sitting on his shoulder and that’s where he LOVES to be! The dog is always on Ric’s shoulder…even when he drives. It’s probably 30% more co-dependent than my relationship with Martini. We then talked about the downtown life and alllll of the places we’ve both lived. I found out that he’s lived so many places because he finds himself falling for women who are “in transition” and need help and he follows them (like injured dogs?)! He literally moves to wherever they go. He’s moved from Detriot to Rome (!) to Minneapolis to somewhere on the E. Coast (I forget) to San Francisco and now to [my city]. He moved here 5 years ago with a girlfriend who got a job here. He’s a helper and loves to be a supporter and perhaps a fixer? I don’t know how I feel about that. To me, it feels a little wussy. No offense to anyone who loves to be in a supportive role by any means - I think that’s GREAT! But I feel the strongest feelings for men who are take-charge and carve their own path. It’s just what I like. But then again, we all see where that’s gotten me, don’t we? So I did my best to look at things completely from his perspective, and when I did that I found myself really enjoying the guy. Oh! And I confessed to him that I keep a journal and I write about my dates! Not sure why I told him that - it’ just seemed to blend into the conversation. I wonder if he’ll try to internet sleuth to find this RAD?
High Point: There were points in the evening where he made me belly laugh. Just the best medicine in the world!
Low Point: Not being attracted from the first three seconds. Disappointed about his look/vibe. No chemistry.
How It Ended: He walked me to my apartment. I gave him a hug and a thank you. He tried to go for a kiss and asked me if I kiss on the first date. I said no. Which, as you know, means “yes, but just not with you.”
Chances Are: 30/70. He’s invited me to a gallery opening at the gallery where his loft is connected and I’m intrigued and would love to go, but I don’t want to give him the wrong impression. I’m not into him romantically, but I think he’s such an interesting person. Maybe a friendship?
P.S. I hope he doesn’t find this RAD.
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