Night At The SAM

It really is funny how anticipation works in relation to the world around us! So today was the first day of the rainy season, where the rain just came down like none other. To top it all off, there was traffic problems all day long! Those are not the two things that you want to happen when you plan an event for people to show up to after work. And yet that is what I got. I had ten people confirm that they were going to show up for the museum. Out of those only one showed up, one of the women. Although two men showed up who had not talked to me at all before the event to let me know they were coming. I do have to be fair though, I just got a message from one of the original museum goers, and he said that he showed up with another person, but he didn't remember to take my number with him so they couldn't meet up with us. So in essence there were a grand total of 6 of us (in a round about way). But that didn't bother me at all. I was there mainly for the museum, and meet new people. On both counts I was well pleased.

Oh but don't get me wrong, there was plenty of interesting things that happened. When I had met at the EY office to meet up with the two people who wanted to carpool (neither showed), there was a man there who wanted to go. And right away he showed an instant liking to me. Now in the past, when a man like him with whom I have absolutely no chemistry with showed that much interest in me, it never sat well with me and freaked me out. I was rather happy that I don't have that reaction anymore. Besides, with the background checks that EY sends everyone through, that helps a whole lot. So anyway, I had my carpool buddy to get into Seattle. Honestly, I was thinking of a way to have someone else take him back to the office. That didn't happen but more on that later. Finding the museum was easy (parking and all), but it wasn't easy to find everyone who was supposed to be there (because they weren't there). So me, being me and hoping not to spend the entire evening with this man, I began to go around to everyone who looked like they were waiting for someone and I asked them if they were with EY. Yes, there were some funny expressions and I had to explain that I was with a singles group, thank them and then walk away. If nothing else, I made a few people's wait a little better. In fact, the last man that I asked told me he wasn't but that he wished he was. That earned a smile and a blush from me. :) But there was one man was a few feet away, waiting, that felt like he might be with us, and when he fished in his pocket for a piece of paper, I decided to go up to him and ask. He was and told me that he was about ready to come over and ask me as well. At this point it was just me and my carpool buddy, and I tell you what! Being the hostess, I introduced them and I never felt the combination of sparks and awkwardness like I did at that moment. I think my carpool buddy was looking forward to having me to himself and he didn't like the idea of this new man joining us. But on the other hand, I felt a little connection with this new man and we started a conversation that was much easier than with the other man. Besides that, he also looked interested in me (I'll just call him Red from now on just to distinguish between the two--yeah for anonymity). So needless to say this was the first time where I've ever been in the situation where I've been with two men at the same time, in the same place, and there being that awkwardness. I've always wanted to know what that feels like. Now I do. And I'm not sure if I want to feel that again. So it was a very good thing that the lady from the original list showed up, because that took the edge off of the tension. There were a couple of times where Red would come over and look at the same exhibit with me, although keeping a small distance. We did have a small conversation when we were further down a hall than our other two companions. It really was an awkward situation (especially now that I've read his profile and found out that Red is one of those shy men). Of course he really wouldn't try a conversation with the other man nearby. In fact, anytime the other man saw that Red was near (on a few occasions), he would also come over as well. Oh, and that awkwardness never really went away! It only got worse, when it was time to leave. Red was parked on the same level in the parking garage and we were. As I tried to say goodbye to Red, he perked up and it looked like we could have had a conversation, but there was the other man who was quite smug in that we were riding together. And I didn't look to see, but his expression to Red could not have been good at all. I was in a sense rather embarrassed. Red is a sweet heart and I would rather like to have a conversation with him, without a third wheel.
I wish the story ended there. But it didn't. There was the drive back to the EY office. I knew what was coming. I could smell it coming a mile away. We were a few minutes from the office when he asked me if I had dinner before the museum. Thank you God I did!!!! I told him that I had, and yet he still asked if I would go out and have something to eat with him tonight. I told him I had to be getting home. I didn't tell him it was because I wanted to see my family or to find out what had happened on Survivor Gabon. I'll save men their dignity. But it didn't even stop there. When we pulled up in the parking lot, he didn't get out right away. He asked me if we could go out on another time. Thank you God, again, that I am busy with the musical!!!! I told him that I'd have to get back to him on that one since I am busy. He knew about the musical. And yes, I am too nice. I should have just flat out told him that there would be no chance of that happening. But I did want him out of my car. And I knew that was the only option I had. So now I have to find ways of being nice and yet keeping my distance from him so I don't encourage him any further. Which could be a problem. If I do another event and not tell him about it, and he finds out about it anyway, that would not be good whatsoever. Well, here's hoping that I find a man soon who puts me "on hold" than I can still be nice and not totally devastate him.