Summer fun

It's been a while, so I need to catch everyone up.

I had another date with BuffaloBoy last weekend and we had a GREAT time. Last week he called twice just to talk and we had some amazing conversations. I always thought that talking to The Torch was good, but he and I more stayed on topics such as work since we are both in the same business. With Boy, we touch all sorts of topics.

At our dinner date on Saturday I was once again amazed at his openness, emotionally availability and ability to be honest. He doesn't shy away from topics and is thoughtful about what he says. As a consequence I am feeling open and honest, not afraid to go into some issues. With other people, including the Ex husband, I was afraid to broach some subjects, not knowing how judgmental the other person would be, how the other person would react, or how it might impact our relationship. Wow. Adult dating time. How nice! Refreshing! And truly, a lot of fun.

Boy has called me twice at work today just to chat and that's been fun too. My phone NEVER rings. People just come up to my desk and chat if they need me. You know who you are.

We have a date Friday night to have some steaks and rent a movie. Perfect Friday evening date when everyone is tired from the work week. And I think we may swing a tennis racquet on Sunday. Ah, summer fun.

And so I move forward....

An "F" on my report card

OK. I admit it. I can NOT read this man.

BuffaloBoy has, well, buffaloed me again. After the bike date and his declaration that he didn't want to get into another relationship since he just got out of a long-term one, I figured he was done dating me. Or at least he would space the dates out a bit more.

Instead he called last night. He wanted to know what I was doing for the weekend and said that he was thinking about going out to find a good restaurant. Wow! I wouldn't have bet on that one. Anyway, since I'm going to a party, I invited him to go with me.

We also had a wonderful conversation and I was once again impressed with how smart, thoughtful and funny he is.

I just can't figure this guy out. Half the time I think he's not at all interested and half the time I think he's interested. Of course, I keep waffling too. Half the time I figure he's not the guy, and then I turn around and he's got me laughing and thinking about him.

And so I move on....

Riding it out

Well, BuffaloBoy and I had a nice time last Sunday riding our bikes. It was a beautiful morning, and we enjoyed each other's company.

With that said, Boy came to pick me up and hour and a half after the original time he told me. He had called twice and was sweet about it, but I wondered how important it was for him to be on time. He was also not ready for an outdoor day. He brought no water, no shirt to change into (sweaty riding in the humid summer). I guess that he's just less detailed than I, but if you ask a young lady to go bike riding in a neighboring town, wouldn't you bring some water? Even for yourself?

After the ride, we had talked about getting some lunch, but ended up at my house. We decided to watch some tennis, relax and enjoy the air-conditioning. Later in the day, we got a pizza. watched a movie and just chilled out. He left my place about 6:00 pm.

All in all, a nice day, but I'm just not sure he's my guy. Good person, fun to hang around with, but no huge sparks on my part. And perhaps not on his either? It's hard to say since he is hard to read (for me anyway!).

While we were hanging around talking, he mentioned once again that the bad date and how it was not "fair" to take his mending/bruised heart out on me. He also mentioned how he didn't want to make seeing me a "big deal" since he just got out of the recent relationship. Hey! Maybe I don't want to make this a big deal! Maybe you're not worth a big deal!

Was he just trying to set my expectations? Or simply telling me the dating will slow down. Whatever it is, I won't feel a huge sting if this ends. I actually enjoy BuffaloBoy's company, but romance? Eh. We'll see what happens next.

And so I move on.

Clarity and apologies

The story so far:

BuffaloBoy and I have a crappy date last Saturday (see below for larger details). BuffaloBoy is quiet and pensive; I get more cheerful to the point of mania. Date ends and I figure I'll never see him again.

Tuesday (4th of July), BuffaloBoy finally makes it to ball game and fireworks. I worry most of the day that he is trying to get out of plans and figures he comes to ballgame because ticket is paid for. (BestFriend T needs to give me a cocktail of hers called "Whatever" to keep me from getting in too deep.)

Wed and Thurs, I don't hear from BuffaloBoy and figure if there is no date this weekend, the whole thing is done.

Friday morning--BuffaloBoy calls early (7:20 a.m.) and leaves message about getting together on Sunday morning for biking or tennis. I decide not to call back immediately, hoping that a little silence will inspire BuffaloBoy to keep up the pursuit. I don't like playing games, but I certainly think there is strategy involved in dating.

Friday afternoon I get back from lunch and a phone message is on my work phone. I think it's the eye doctor calling again. When I hear it's BuffaloBoy, I'm happy. I do enjoy his company.

I call BuffaloBoy back and let him ask again about getting together. He suggests going to P-burg to bike the battlefields and then have lunch. "We can make the day of it if we want." BuffaloBoy also mentions the crap date last week and apologizes for being "grumpy and out of sorts." I graciously accept and suggest that it was a bad day all around, and that the two of us should just toss that date away, and start fresh. BuffaloBoy agrees and sounds happy.

BuffaloBoy also flirts with me a bit on the phone....hmmmm.

More to come!

Fireworks...sort of.

Well, the 4th has come and gone and I can honestly say that I had a good one, despite assorted agnst about BuffaloBoy and my slightly off behavior the Saturday before.

Earlier, I had asked him if he would like to join me and some of my friends for the local ball game and fireworks ("Best in town!"). He affirmed and I had Bikeandhike Dave on the line looking for an extra ticket. One was procured and all was well.

Tuesday morning rolled around and the phone rang about 5 till 9 a.m. It's BuffaloBoy. Now, he has called me three times in the early morning. I like that he is comfortable enough to call me early since I'm a morning person, but I truly have NEVER had a boy call me this early this often. Anywho, he is letting me know he is still in North Carolina; he had gone there to meet friends for a bluegrass concert and decided to stay an extra day. Fine. No worries. He says he is heading home and may not make the dinner or even the game.

Arrghh. I sense he is trying to get out of the date and while I'm not suprised, I am disappointed. I enjoy his company and I went to some lengths to get him a ticket. I keep my frustration to myself; I don't want to make too many assumptions. Buffalo says that he will call me when he gets back to town.

Meanwhile, I worked on a sewing project, laundry, talked on the phone with friends, etc. Oh, and a nap of course! I got things ready for the casual cook-out at my house and was all ready. But no phone call from BuffaloBoy. *sigh*

About 4:05 pm, the phone rings again. BuffaloBoy reports that he is still far away, just over the North Carolina border. What? He wasn't that far away, and he's been supposedly driving for the last 7 hours? Well, he reports, he stopped a couple of places, kinda looked around, etc. Hey. Dude. You have a ticket for the ballgame. Again, I think he's making excuses to wiggle out and at this point I've kinda given up. I told him that we were leaving the house for the game at about 6:30 and he could come with us if he was ready.

5:35. The phone rings again. Now, I have to tell you that he IS making an effort. What his motives are, I just can't tell. Anyway, BuffaloBoy reports he is back in town, will take a shower, etc. and be over in about an hour. Yeah. I'm glad he's coming, but still can't shake the feeling that this is less about dating me and just more about hanging out.

Anyway, BuffaloBoy shows up, meets my other friends and we go off to the game and the fireworks. I had a great time, and hope that he had a nice time too. The worry lingers, however, that he might not be all that interested in dating, but rather happy to just be friends. Why? Well, there wasn't any move to hold my hand, kiss me, etc. He treated me nicely, but like a friend. I guess that's all well and good, but I was hoping for something more since I feel some sort of spark and chemistry, which just doesn't happen with every day. I guess I'll see if this coming weekend brings a date or not. That might be the clue.

And so I move forward.....

Puzzling

Well, the long day Saturday date with BuffaloBoy has come and gone. And I'm just not sure what to think.

I had a good time, but don't know how to read him. Sometimes he's flirting and funny, other times quiet and distracted. I do have some clues, however, to his state of mind and I may need to look deeper.

I've found out that he is still carrying some feelings for a long-term woman that he recently (Spring) broke up with. He was up front with this information, but I can tell that it bothers him by how many comments I may hear about this within a conversation. And that's where my nurturning instinct kicked in.

I'm afraid I may have overcompensated on Saturday, trying to be charming and flirtly and super-duper upbeat instead of just my normal self. I'm wondering if I got on his nerves; thinking about how goofy I might have appeared. Arrgghh. Why did I have to do that?

My answer is a simple human one. I like this guy and want to get to know him more. And it's been a while since I've connected with someone and felt some real, bona fide attraction. Combine this with the really nice kiss on Wednesday after dinner at his place, I was thinking--overthinking?-- that this might be something that would have some promise.

What I need to do is go back to all the lessons I've learned over the last 2 years. Be yourself, don't try to make something that isn't there, understand that you won't click or even like everyone, and take things one day at a time, for exactly what they are.

BuffaloBoy and I have tickets for some fireworks for tomorrow night. Currently he's out of town visiting friends at an outdoor concert. So I hope that I hear from him tonight or tomorrow....and that he doesn't cancel. And I move forward....