The Ride

And so the saga continues. Matt* and I went on another date. Matt and his super creative date ideas, again I leave it all up to him. He had suggested a bike ride, as Saturday was supposed to be beautiful. I thought what an amazing idea! I informed him I don't have a bike and he said, don't worry about a thing; I'll pick you up at your apartment at 2pm. I was excited.

Saturday afternoon rolled around, and he called to tell me he was downstairs, as I walk outside, I see a very large bike. Yes, one large tandem bike. I folded, dying of laughter and then I realized, he was totally serious. I could not believe it; he actually wanted to go on a tandem bike ride. He assumed I had never been on one, and he thought it would be fun to try something new together. I was not sure what to do. Save my dignity or his by just going along with it. I climbed on the bike. I was mortified, every single person we rode past, pointed, stared, and laughed. I would have done the same thing. We made our way down the East River Drive, towards Battery Park. The day was gorgeous. We stopped at the tip of the island, just to take in the weather and the beautiful site of the Hudson River. On our ride, we happened to pass the bar he used to work at. It was official, I had a door to ask about his no longer existing job. He informed me that he was a bartender and was laid off in September 2009. He still has not found or attempted to find a job. I find it strange, that someone is content not having a purpose every day. I'm not saying it's ok to be a workaholic either, I just don't understand how someone could have absolutely no drive. As the day continued, we rode up to the west side to 46th Street, where we stopped for some drinks.

It was time to take the bike back to the bike store (thank g-d.) We rode cross town, ok really walked it crosstown.) After our ride, we went for drinks at Mama's in the East Village followed by dinner at Back Forty. The menu was so overwhelming. As a picky eater, there usually are no options but I had so many things to choose from! I was excited and hungry. Matt found it amusing, that I was so thrilled about the menu and couldn't pick. I ordered a delicious summer squash, and he ordered the other dish I wanted, chicken. When we were served our food, he kept switching dishes, to make sure I fully appreciated both meals. It sounds so minuscule, but it really is the little things that matters.

It was a long day in the sun and a very long day together; we thought it was time to go back to my apartment. Once again, Matt spent the night. I had a barbeque in the suburbs that Sunday, but Matt wanted to spend the day together, again. That was not an option. He walked out the door with me which was a full 24 hours after our date had started.

I'm typically the person who can't handle someone for that many hours. Hell, I can't handle myself half the time. It's weird, I spend so much time with him and I don't get sick of it but at the same time, I'm not DYING to hang out with him. Yes, I want to see him and make out with him and have someone to be affectionate and be with, someone who is dying to spend the night with me but at the same time, I'm never crazy kinds of eager to see him. The realization after this weekend, do I enjoy him, yes but there just isn't a spark. The butterflies in my stomach before a date or the anticipation of when he is going to kiss me, it just isn't there.

On the other hand, I'm convinced that he feels the same way. We email a couple of times everyday, yet we never talk on the phone or even text. We also only see each other one day a week! There is no way he can actually think that this is the beginning of a successful relationship, can he?! He is a good guy, there is no question. He's kind, thoughtful and respectful, but you can't force something as much as you want it to work. I'll keep Matt around, until the flame goes out or at least until someone else comes knocking at my door.