I don't know how much actual dating went on at last night's "World's Largest Singles Dating Event", but there was a lot of flirting, awkward rejection, and not-so-organized chaos.
SingleAndTheCity.com and Groupon held an event at Slate in an attempt to break the record for the World's Largest Dating Event. I think the number of "daters" for the record was determined by those participating in one of 12 themed speed dating sessions, but like many things at this event that was unclear. Participants bought admission to the party at Slate on Groupon, and then had access to a multitude of activities and freebies throughout the night: a margarita cocktail hour, appetizers, light desserts, "speed gaming" (match-ups in pool and ping pong), free advice from a flirting coach, love tarot card readings, photo booths, free condoms scattered throughout the venue, and the main events of the speed date sessions. Daters were encouraged to sign up for a particular session ahead of time, but this system became irrelevant as the speed dating sessions (especially the later ones as people enjoyed more and more free margs) became more of a free-for-all. Usually speed dating is highly organized and scheduled to a T, but at last night's event daters were coming and going from their "assigned" seats as they pleased. Which unfortunately made the flow of speed dating all but impossible.
I suppose drunk twenty, thirty, and (unfortunately) forty-somethings don't appreciate organization as much as I do, because everyone seemed to be having a really good time. The general mixing areas were crowded, lively, and at times contained more sexual tension than an episode of Gossip Girl. Unfortunately there were probably almost twice as many women as men, so the few really attractive guys had a small harem surrounding them. I did spot several budding one-on-one connections developing deep into the night, and one couple leaving hand in hand after canoodling in the corner for quite some time.
Myself? I was approached a few times by 4's and 5's (along with numerous event photographers), but couldn't snag the attention of any of the guys I really had my eye on. But I got some free drinks, some yummy chicken skewers, and learned that I need to work on my approach anxiety. I suppose when free apps, good people watching, and self-discovery are involved, the night can never be a total loss.
NYC Prep (aka The Real Gossip Girls of New York) has been on Bravo for about two weeks now and in general is a quality reality show combining just the right amount of trainwreck and legitimate study of a specific sub-culture. We're talkin Emmy worthy shit right here. Well part of last night's episode struck a lil too close to home and got me thinking...
Go to near the end of this clip, or just watch the whole thing for the fifth time like I did. PC (whom I consider to be by far the most interesting cast member on the show) gets stood up on a blind date. Last night I was also scheduled to have a date with a guy I really didn't know who neglected to call me to make final arrangements. Not as bas as being stood up but still felt really awesome. PC makes a comment that it sucks to put yourself out there and try something slightly out of your comfort zone, only for it to blow up in your face. Which is basically how I feel about dating at the moment. It effin sucks to go through a dating dry spell, try really hard to make yourself open and meet people in every way possible, and then finally get a date that ends up not happening due to the inconsiderate nature of another person. It makes you feel un-dateable and like nothing good will ever come to you. Even if you didn't get your hopes up or put that much stock into the date, it's a really big let down and a slap in the face.
So I feel for PC, I feel for myself, and I feel for everyone out there who has been single for a long ass time, not you bitches who just got out of relationships and are loooooooving being single. It's only fun for so long, and you're just going to turn around and get into another relationship in four months anyway while those of us like PC and I will probably still be all alone. This whole dating thing can so suck it, and leave it to NYC Prep to show us a glimmer into the perils of being single and effin lonely.
It's not a coincidence that "Valentine's Day" and "Voldemort" both start with the letter "V". It seems they're both words that must not be spoken aloud in certain company (or written in txt...this is 2009 and no one actually uses verbal communication anymore).
I recently began dating someone. We met a few weeks ago and had a great conversation, text at least every few days, and have been on one great date with mention of wanting to see each other again. That was a week ago today. And though we exchanged texts Thursday and Friday night leading up to this dreaded day, plans for the weekend have never been discussed. So here I lie in bed Saturday morning on Valentine's Day preparing to run errands and buy my ceremonious V-Day gallon-size bottle of Arbor Mist, but wondering whether I should be straightforward and ask this guy what his plans are for the weekend. Meaning tonight. Meaning Valentine's Day. But as much as the "V word" is of course implied, for me to come right out and say (well...text) "do you wanna go out for Valentine's Day?" seems so taboo two weeks in. It screams "be my Valentine and let's and fall in love and get married on top of a mountain and have millions of babies and forever tell the story about how we fell in love on the most romantic day of the year!"
Yet assuming this relationship is on a progressive path, what are we supposed to do, cross this weekend off the calendar, skip it, not see each other, and pick up where we left off next week? All with an unspoken and unmentionable agreement that spending Valentine's Day together was just too much too soon, so the day didn't exist. And if it does work out in the long run, look back and know that even though we had already begun dating, we weren't special enough to spend V-Day together? But a second date on Valentine's Day is a whole helluva lot of pressure. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
So for fear of getting "avada kedavra"-ed in love, I plan to keep the "V word" out of my mouth today.
My roommate has recently gotten me into "Nip/Tuck", and while I'm still learning about the characters and their back stories, one thing I've had no choice but to realize is that this show is basically a porno disguised as a medical drama. At the start of tonight's episode Liz is giving Christian head. From what I've gathered, Liz used to be a lesbian but is now falling in love with Christian after being tricked into having sex with him. Christian is being moody and feeling unsexual for once in his life and asks Liz to stop her "performance" without finishing. Liz is discouraged and disappointed by this and defeatedly mutters, "Just put 'Project Runway' on, I'll be right back," as she composes herself in the bathroom.
So you don't even have to finish a BJ, but then get to sit around watching "Project Runway", and he's not complaining? Hold your horses, FX, I think I've just found my ideal relationship!
I don't know how much actual dating went on at last night's "World's Largest Singles Dating Event", but there was a lot of flirting, awkward rejection, and not-so-organized chaos.
