Well, I missed last week. Didn't take myself out because I was feeling too overwhelmed with work. I could take myself out tonight, but it's snowing and I have to pack!
So what's on Solo Date Night Gal's mind? My birthday! Ordinarily, I wouldn't be excited about my birthday, but this one happens to coincide with the first day of my vacation. I'll be spending the time with my family in the cold, snowy woods.
I've been a little bit bothered by the idea of my birthday, as I have been since I turned 25. Last year's birthday was rough - the BIG 30. This one? Well, 31 of course. What's the problem with that? Oh, LOTS of things. The big one?
You might have heard the notion that a woman is at her sexual peak at the age of 30. I have heard that. Certainly makes sense, in a few ways, and I devoured the few (alright, a couple) guys that were in my life this past year. So, when I turn 31, does it all turn downhill? Have I reached the crest? Does it get worse from here? Or can it get better?
SEXUAL PEAK!!!!!!!
Hahah. There. I've been wanting to yell that for the past couple of weeks.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Bistro Basque - Solo Date Night #2
Due to the V-day weekend and possible crowding of restaurants, I decided to take myself out early. The place I wanted to go to is just up the street from where I work. So after closing up, I meandered my way over....5:30. Nice and early. There are very few people in there and the cozy little bar area is completely unoccupied.
I order a glass of wine and look at the appetizers. Mmmm...tenderloin. (served on toasted baguette with olives and more). The barkeep is a young woman with a wonderful accent (I begin to notice that all the wait staff is speaking french). She politely asks if I am from the area, and I say, "Yes, I work just down the street" (and told her about what I do). Oh! She so says to me, You must have been here plenty of times then! "No," I anwser, "Just once or twice" (meaning once). But why she asks? "Well, because I usally just leave work and go home!".
A couple of men come in, looks like a father and son duo, the son about my age. They order glasses of sherry. Did I mention this is an almost-very fancy French/Spanish restaurant? They chat with the female wait staff like they come here all the time. I'm sure that if I had made eye contact I might have had a conversation, but I avoided that.
The manager arrives. I recognoze him from around town, and I wonder if he recognizes me. He's been into my work before. He looks like he's just gotten out of bed and hasn't showered. Tousled hair. "Bon appetite" he says to me. And "how are you?" Fine thank you, and you? "Tired" he says!
A very spanish looking waiter comes to me and says something in his heavy accent. After clarification, turns out he said to me that his hair is as long as mine. Huh? Looked like he had a shoulder length pony tail. He turns and shows me that his long straight black hair is braided and twisted up. He smiles. "Same length" he says.
I am done with my wine and tenderloin (DEElicious). And the barmaid comes to me with a small glass of liquor "An Invitito" she says. What???? "An invite for conversation" OMG, I am thinking...WHO????? I catch the manager's eye. "We give this everyone as thanks" she (the bar maid) says. Ah, ok. Whew!
The restaurant is getting busier. It is time for me to go. Now, my mother gave me a recommendation about going out solo - bring a journal to occupy yourself. Since I don't keep a journal, I brought my sketchbook for my jewelry. Kept it in my purse for back-up but had to take it out as I put away my wallet and started with my coat. "Ahhhh...skwetchbuk?" This is the manager with his heavy Basque accent. "Whaaat are yu skwetching?" Um...nothing...I have ideas in here...he looks to me to elaborate..."But nothing else came to me". He points to to the succulent arrangement on the edge of the bar - "Whaat abouut thees?". Did I mention he has captivating blue eyes? I have my coat on and am next to the door. I say thank you and bolt!
Summary? I liked it when it was not crowded. Staff was friendly. Next time I won't avoid making eye contact with people.
I order a glass of wine and look at the appetizers. Mmmm...tenderloin. (served on toasted baguette with olives and more). The barkeep is a young woman with a wonderful accent (I begin to notice that all the wait staff is speaking french). She politely asks if I am from the area, and I say, "Yes, I work just down the street" (and told her about what I do). Oh! She so says to me, You must have been here plenty of times then! "No," I anwser, "Just once or twice" (meaning once). But why she asks? "Well, because I usally just leave work and go home!".
A couple of men come in, looks like a father and son duo, the son about my age. They order glasses of sherry. Did I mention this is an almost-very fancy French/Spanish restaurant? They chat with the female wait staff like they come here all the time. I'm sure that if I had made eye contact I might have had a conversation, but I avoided that.
The manager arrives. I recognoze him from around town, and I wonder if he recognizes me. He's been into my work before. He looks like he's just gotten out of bed and hasn't showered. Tousled hair. "Bon appetite" he says to me. And "how are you?" Fine thank you, and you? "Tired" he says!
A very spanish looking waiter comes to me and says something in his heavy accent. After clarification, turns out he said to me that his hair is as long as mine. Huh? Looked like he had a shoulder length pony tail. He turns and shows me that his long straight black hair is braided and twisted up. He smiles. "Same length" he says.
I am done with my wine and tenderloin (DEElicious). And the barmaid comes to me with a small glass of liquor "An Invitito" she says. What???? "An invite for conversation" OMG, I am thinking...WHO????? I catch the manager's eye. "We give this everyone as thanks" she (the bar maid) says. Ah, ok. Whew!
The restaurant is getting busier. It is time for me to go. Now, my mother gave me a recommendation about going out solo - bring a journal to occupy yourself. Since I don't keep a journal, I brought my sketchbook for my jewelry. Kept it in my purse for back-up but had to take it out as I put away my wallet and started with my coat. "Ahhhh...skwetchbuk?" This is the manager with his heavy Basque accent. "Whaaat are yu skwetching?" Um...nothing...I have ideas in here...he looks to me to elaborate..."But nothing else came to me". He points to to the succulent arrangement on the edge of the bar - "Whaat abouut thees?". Did I mention he has captivating blue eyes? I have my coat on and am next to the door. I say thank you and bolt!
Summary? I liked it when it was not crowded. Staff was friendly. Next time I won't avoid making eye contact with people.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
The Dreaded V-Day.
Tomorrow night is Friday - know what that means? That means I am going to take myself out again! There is one teeny tiny problem. This weekend happens to be the weekend that Valentine's day happens on. Why is this a problem? Well it's a problem because it means that lots of couples will be out and about that wouldn't necessarily be out and about. There will be dates, special dinners....restaurants will be mobbed and most single people like myself should and would be avoiding those places like the plague.
I have a craving for a good glass of wine and some exotic tapas. I have a place in mind. It's a pretty nice place, small, expensive, and cozy. I'm hoping that it won't be too busy, because if I walk in and see that there's no place to sit at the bar....well, my night will be foiled. We shall see. I cross my fingers.
An another note, this solo date night gal ALSO has plans for Saturday! Now the problem is this: these are plans with a guy. Is it a date? No. But it is kind of a getting-to-know you better type of not-a-date. And I'm sure anyone looking at us will think that we are on a date. Especially because it is the day before Valentine's Day, am I right?
I have a craving for a good glass of wine and some exotic tapas. I have a place in mind. It's a pretty nice place, small, expensive, and cozy. I'm hoping that it won't be too busy, because if I walk in and see that there's no place to sit at the bar....well, my night will be foiled. We shall see. I cross my fingers.
An another note, this solo date night gal ALSO has plans for Saturday! Now the problem is this: these are plans with a guy. Is it a date? No. But it is kind of a getting-to-know you better type of not-a-date. And I'm sure anyone looking at us will think that we are on a date. Especially because it is the day before Valentine's Day, am I right?
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Citrus Martini - The First Solo Date Night.
For the past couple of weeks, I have been psyching myself up for going out by myself. Last night, I finally did it. I was terrified. Indeed, hours before, I started sweating uncontrollably. Repeat applications of deoderant were NOT helping. I put up a post on my facebook page, basically saying "Help me facebook friends! I need moral support!". My plan was to use my smart phone to message back and forth with my far away friends while I braved the humiliating aspect of being out alone.
I had the location picked out: a nice restaurant with great food that also has a hip bar area that serves an extensive list of martinis. I had been there before, back in my non-single days. And I REALLY wanted their seared tuna entre and a fancy drink. It had been TOO long. So I alerted my faithful FB friends, and headed out.
First off, I was worried about finding parking. I headed out relatively late, wanting to avoid the crush of dining couples that eat out at normal hours. True enough, there were only a couple spaces available in the one downtown (yes, it's a small downtown) parking lot. Walked to the restuarant, went in. Turned into the bar, and IT WAS FULL. I thought my plans were foiled, I turned to leave, looking to my phone as if to text/call a friend, when the host spotted me.
"Looking for a table? Are you meeting someone?" Oh, the most dreaded of questions which I was not strong enough to face. So I um, told the man I may be meeting a friend later, but wanted to get a seat at the bar so I could get something to eat first. He recommended that I get myself a drink, hover, join other people's conversations, or wait in the waiting area. I got the drink and went to the "waiting for a table" area. Unfortunately, there was a group of men standing there....so back to the phone I went. Hoping I didn't look like a deer in headlights. The host checked up on me a couple times, then told me had a couple seats opening up at the bar, and made sure to tell the bartender I was coming for one of them. I really feel like he was putting himself out there for me. Perhaps I did look scared, and maybe he knew that I WASN'T really meeting someone later. The host placed my drink next to where the couple was vacating, while I waited, and pretended to be busy with my phone. I may have updated my facebook status.
FINALLY, I have a seat. I turn to sit, and my 1/4 full citrus martini was GONE!!!!!! The bartender tossed it out (thinking it had been abandonned). So, he graciously made me a new one. Now, one martini would have been enough for me. The first one was just right, and the second one was STRONG. Ordered the sesame encrusted pan seared tuna with Wasabi potatos (Yay! So exciting!).
I became truly aware of the number of people around me, as I buried my head in my phone...typing updates and pretending I was actually talking to someone. Young men would come up to the space next to me to order drinks. A girl said to me "how do you like your phone? I ask because I'm a Verizon customer support representative". Now that was funny. I told her I LOVED my phone.
There was a couple next to me, apparently on a date. He was younger and she was older (cougar - I thought!). They were in that "getting to know more about you" stage. He did all the talking, about how often he goes to gym, and what his first job was after college and why. It was horrible and hilarious. When she asked him how old he was, and she responded with "I feel like a cougar", and he countered with "oh, you don't look like that at all", I nearly laughed out loud.
Eventually, I finished eating, had had several glasses of water, and had finished my martini.....and I was getting bored. And antsy, and self conscious. It was 10:00 and the place was getting more bar like. EXODUS. First I walked around a little bit - had a look at the outsides of some of the other downtown spots. It was cold and I didn't want to go in any of them. Home I went.
The result of the experiment? I CAN DO this. I survived. And it wasn't horrible. And I will do it again. But next time maybe I will be braver.
I had the location picked out: a nice restaurant with great food that also has a hip bar area that serves an extensive list of martinis. I had been there before, back in my non-single days. And I REALLY wanted their seared tuna entre and a fancy drink. It had been TOO long. So I alerted my faithful FB friends, and headed out.
First off, I was worried about finding parking. I headed out relatively late, wanting to avoid the crush of dining couples that eat out at normal hours. True enough, there were only a couple spaces available in the one downtown (yes, it's a small downtown) parking lot. Walked to the restuarant, went in. Turned into the bar, and IT WAS FULL. I thought my plans were foiled, I turned to leave, looking to my phone as if to text/call a friend, when the host spotted me.
"Looking for a table? Are you meeting someone?" Oh, the most dreaded of questions which I was not strong enough to face. So I um, told the man I may be meeting a friend later, but wanted to get a seat at the bar so I could get something to eat first. He recommended that I get myself a drink, hover, join other people's conversations, or wait in the waiting area. I got the drink and went to the "waiting for a table" area. Unfortunately, there was a group of men standing there....so back to the phone I went. Hoping I didn't look like a deer in headlights. The host checked up on me a couple times, then told me had a couple seats opening up at the bar, and made sure to tell the bartender I was coming for one of them. I really feel like he was putting himself out there for me. Perhaps I did look scared, and maybe he knew that I WASN'T really meeting someone later. The host placed my drink next to where the couple was vacating, while I waited, and pretended to be busy with my phone. I may have updated my facebook status.
FINALLY, I have a seat. I turn to sit, and my 1/4 full citrus martini was GONE!!!!!! The bartender tossed it out (thinking it had been abandonned). So, he graciously made me a new one. Now, one martini would have been enough for me. The first one was just right, and the second one was STRONG. Ordered the sesame encrusted pan seared tuna with Wasabi potatos (Yay! So exciting!).
I became truly aware of the number of people around me, as I buried my head in my phone...typing updates and pretending I was actually talking to someone. Young men would come up to the space next to me to order drinks. A girl said to me "how do you like your phone? I ask because I'm a Verizon customer support representative". Now that was funny. I told her I LOVED my phone.
There was a couple next to me, apparently on a date. He was younger and she was older (cougar - I thought!). They were in that "getting to know more about you" stage. He did all the talking, about how often he goes to gym, and what his first job was after college and why. It was horrible and hilarious. When she asked him how old he was, and she responded with "I feel like a cougar", and he countered with "oh, you don't look like that at all", I nearly laughed out loud.
Eventually, I finished eating, had had several glasses of water, and had finished my martini.....and I was getting bored. And antsy, and self conscious. It was 10:00 and the place was getting more bar like. EXODUS. First I walked around a little bit - had a look at the outsides of some of the other downtown spots. It was cold and I didn't want to go in any of them. Home I went.
The result of the experiment? I CAN DO this. I survived. And it wasn't horrible. And I will do it again. But next time maybe I will be braver.
Intro
After a recent culmination of events, which has been years in the making, I've decided to start "Solo Date Night". My first "solo date" was last night, and I was inspired. But first...a few more words on WHY:
Sometimes, a girl just really needs to go out for a martini and a fancy dinner. But she doesn't always have someone to go with. Like me. Going out by one's self could be a terrifying and humiliating experience. I am going to try to prove that wrong. Instead, I will hopefully find that it will be an empowering and exciting experience. After my first (okay, second - but that was a long time ago) night out by myself, I am going to commit myself to going out solo at least every other week, if not one night a week, and share my experiences. And, not to jinx myself, but perhaps my solo evenings will eventually NOT be solo all the time. We shall see. This could be interesting.
I need to write about my first solo date.
Sometimes, a girl just really needs to go out for a martini and a fancy dinner. But she doesn't always have someone to go with. Like me. Going out by one's self could be a terrifying and humiliating experience. I am going to try to prove that wrong. Instead, I will hopefully find that it will be an empowering and exciting experience. After my first (okay, second - but that was a long time ago) night out by myself, I am going to commit myself to going out solo at least every other week, if not one night a week, and share my experiences. And, not to jinx myself, but perhaps my solo evenings will eventually NOT be solo all the time. We shall see. This could be interesting.
I need to write about my first solo date.
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