More Adventures in Dating

Saturday morning I had a brunch date with a guy who is getting his PhD in biomedical engineering.  His research is specifically on new technologies that could be used for foot and ankle surgeries.  The primary mode for studying this is using cadavers.  Maybe I'm a little morbid (or just a scientist) so I thought this sounded kind of cool and interesting, but perhaps it should have been a warning sign to indicate that he's not used to being around the living.

Things started off reasonably well when we met at a local bakery/cafe that I'd been wanting to check out (Macrina's).  In case you hadn't figured this out already, I think the only reason I go out on dates is so that I can go out to eat.  Ok, like I said, it started off reasonably well; why do guys lie about their height?!?  If you say that you're 5'8" and you know that I'm 5'6" do you really think that somehow I won't notice that you're 5'5"?

The best part of the date was my lavender-honey buttermilk waffle topped with blackberries, lemon-lavender whipped cream and toasted almonds and served with local applewood smoked bacon.  Yummy!!!  The conversation during brunch was fine...  Despite his broke, grad student status he was actually the first guy I've been out with that insisted on paying (I know, I've been totally getting gypped on these dates) so that was very sweet and he seemed like a perfectly nice, interesting guy, but there just wasn't any chemistry.

Once brunch was over I was ready to get on with my day, but he suggested we go walk around the sculpture garden because I had mentioned in one of my emails to him that I enjoyed that.  It was a relatively nice day, so I said sure.  We walked for about an hour and then I really felt like it was time to part ways.

Me:  Alright, well, this has been a nice walk, but I've got a few errands to run today and I was going to go down to Pike's Market for a little shopping.
Date:  Okay, I'll walk over with you.
Me:  You don't have to that, I know you need to catch the bus home so you can just go to your stop.
Date:  No, I'm fine.

So we walk over to the market which is pretty crazy and bustling since it's a nice Saturday afternoon.

Me:  Well, it was nice to meet you, I hope you have a good afternoon.  I'm going to do my shopping now.
Date:  I'll come with you.
Me:  Uh, well, really I was just going to do some wandering around and I'm looking for a gift so I don't even know what I'm shopping for.
Date:  OK (smiling and nodding)

So we enter the market which is just packed full of people and walk down the first section of stalls.

Me:  Ummm, actually I need to go to the bathroom so I'm just gonna go do that.
Date:  OK (smiling and nodding)

Then he follows me to the bathroom, luckily he stops at the door and doesn't actually follow me into the stall.  As I'm washing my hands, I'm desperately hoping that he won't be there when I come out, but no such luck.  So I continue to make my way through the crowded market with him tagging along behind me.  I felt so awkward about him just expectantly following me that I couldn't even concentrate on doing any shopping.

Me:  Well, I'm sure it isn't very exciting for you to be just following me around since I don't even know where I'm going.
Date:  No, I'm fine.
Me:  Uh, well, I just feel kind of weird.
Date:  OK (smiling and nodding and still following)

So I rushed through the whole market as fast as I could and made it out onto the street.

Me:  Ok, well, I'm just gonna walk down that street now so...
Date:  OK (smiling and nodding and still following)

We must have gone through this whole routine another four times.  At every street corner I was hoping it would be time for us to part ways, but he continued to awkwardly follow me around as I tried to lose him...  Finally he said, "Well, I'm having a really great time hanging out.  Are you free next week to hang out again?"  Yikes!  "Umm, I don't really know my schedule for next week yet," I replied.  After that I figured he had taken the (not so subtle) hint that it was time for the date to be over.  A few blocks later we finally said our goodbyes, but...

Only a couple hours later I got a message from him asking when we might be able to hang out next!  I just don't think love is in the cards for us, but I wished him all the best and he took it well.  There's got to be someone out there for everyone, right?  For my own sake I'm hoping that's true!