Tag Archives: sushi

Valentine’s Day.. hooray!

Posted on by datinglatonyc

What a lovely twist of events to bring a smile to my eyes this evening. I was to have a brief break between appointments and stuck in Santa Monica with only the dread of stagnant traffic looming. With a few “good deeds” (coffees for a few from down the block, a dog retrieval, cupcake reward) I was back to Starbucks (NOT my first choice, btw) to meet Computer-cherish guy for a few minutes before braving the parade of red lights before resting my fingers on these keys and my stuffy head on my pillow.

He said he’d have a “surprise” for me. Not eatable or bulky but flat and 5×7…I didn’t even have to get out of the car… how could I resist? His penmanship is strong, bold! He passed me a card he made with picture he had taken while we strolled through the Venice canals a few days before and tickets to Disneyland for Valentine’s day. How super sweet indeed! “Anytime” was all it said inside. He was nervous to see me, yet calm on the outside… he said so. We hadn’t even hugged hello. There’s an ease with him I enjoy and don’t feel I have the energy to question.

With traffic still piling up and 2 cupcakes staring us in the face, we decided sushi was the best option. He held the box as we crossed the street and made it to a middle table inside the bustling child-infested restaurant. We talked about just about everything under the sun and he kept revealing his interest and surprise of the flow of subjects that seamlessly fell from our mouths. We spoke more on the subjects of “cherish”, burning-man, drugs, dates, exes, future, goals, friends, children, families, dancing and strong partnering, the roles of men and women in today’s society and where they get blurred, learning in general and much more that my brain is stopping me from remembering at this moment. He tells me he’s “nervous” around me and enjoys the newness feeling. He wants to make-out with me but I’ve made it clear that I would prefer a clear breathing passageway before that was to occur. He understands but is less than thrilled by this. He wants to hold my hand or touch my skin but refrains, this I can tell. We talk of allowing ourselves to “be” rather than forcing what we believe or perceive we “should be” to fit the ideals of others. He’s bothered that no one gave me flowers on this day, Valentine’s day. He’s embarrassed as I pay for dinner when he realizes he didn’t bring his wallet since we were only going to meet for a 15 minute cuppa rather than a ‘drive-by” window toss and dinner was never in the cards. He ran 9 blocks to meet me in time as the traffic was ticking the clock and our time was to be short. Actually parked his car and RAN to meet me for a few minutes. He would’ve preferred the rain coming down as the romance in that was greater than he could’ve imagined… it was cold enough, though.

This one’s a keeper… so far at least 😉

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Wet Fridays… gloom or glee?

Posted on by datinglatonyc

As I walked around the city today a feeling of lonely isolation mixed with open communication. Weird. I took a walk and shared a seat for an afternoon break with the girl I bought a jacket from at a consignment store. She’s a dancer, moving to Ireland to pursue her dreams with her boyfriend in tow as a “keeper” and “life-partner”. A 28 yr old with a great head on her shoulders and a vested interest in her happiness.

I was slightly uncomfortable inside with an ease swarming around. It was a strange place to find myself as I waited for her to take her break watching the rain come down outside. What was I feeling? Why was it uneasy? I guess the thoughts of Bra-Girl came up… After all, a connection is just that.. a moment shared between one another.

We sat in the coffee shop on 7th speaking of yoga, grocery Co-ops, dance, architecture, travel and life. It was a nice respite from the solo walking day I was encountering already. The half hour was up and we exchanged info and split ways and with my new jacket and umbrella in hand I set off to the East Village in search of this Chinese shop she suggested for a fastener for the new purchase. I popped into a few shops, grabbed a water break and searched for a place to recharge my phone. Another disconnect of sorts to be without phone battery. No way to get in touch even if I had people to be in touch with.

After being kicked out of Best Buy, I found myself on the stroll again. Silent sprinkles forced me under cover, further isolated from the world. It was a muggy rain so plastic boots, a rain coat in one hand, new light jacket and umbrella in the other I covered my head to keep the mane tamed.

From East to West I wandered, checking my phone from time to time to see if anyone was reaching out or responding to my attempts. Knowing only a handful of people in a new cityspace has advantages and opposite depending on the moment. This was not a time I was looking to make new friends though the idea of siting at a table all alone was not appealing for a Friday night. I was full of energy in my body but in a bubble as well. So how do I get myself out of this mood??? Find a crowded place and sit next to someone. The energy of a place alone will shift mine and since I’m not shy.. a conversation may be in the future.

Otto Enoteca Pizzeria  on 8th st/5ht Ave was the destination. Though my stomach didn’t want Italina in the slightest, I’d walked by this place too many times to not pop in. It was chalk full of smiles, wine and a bar for me to set my sights upon. Unfortunately there were no seats for me so the host was going to seat me alone. 45 minute wait to sit alone in a crowded happening Mario Batali New York restaurant on a fall Friday night. Um… sushi. There was an all you can eat sushi place a few blocks and at least if I was going to sit alone I could be at a window and really be alone. Boooo. This was not my idea of fun in the city that never sleeps.

A nice looking guy standing behind me was also waiting for a table and suggested that I join him and his sister so as not to dine alone. Oooo… THIS could be interesting. some guy and his sister, which may or may not be interested in having some strange woman take up space at her table. Thanking him, I got myself a drink and offered one for him as well. He declined. I had still not made up my mind. sitting at a table with strangers? Brother and sister strangers? Well…

She arrive and introduced herself, he had explained to her I MAY be joining them and she seemed wonderfully nice. Dressed up and energetic… I gave it a go. He paid for the drinks and we were off to share space.

He was wonderfully kind at times, complimenting his sister and her accomplishments and others pushy, driven and outspoken as he checked out women walking by. He doesn’t like to ask questions as the “middle” child states, “people will tell you what they want you to know”. This is good advice, I guess, though recently I have been making a point to ask questions of others so they are not always directed at me.

She’s just out of med school, a pediatric doc and he’s in finance. I didn’t delve as that’s all he gave me. They went to the same college and grew up just outside of the city with an older brother. She comes in to stay on his air bed and he wouldn’t have it any other way as she’s his best friend. Now THAT was super sweet. He held her drink when we walked to the table, her umbrella outside, paid the bill and was as proud as someone could be for a loved one. ALL wonderful qualities with Blue eyes and height to match.

She texted me both their info as we walked outside and he said “now you know 2 more people in the city.. almost doubled your ratio”.

I texted her back and FB requested, today, thanking her for allowing me to crash the party and I left him a VM, also thanking, and then asking to take him out for a thank you drink. Maybe I’ll hear back.. maybe timing was more than we think.

thanks for allowing me some company New York City peeps!!

change of plans.. Shakespeare switch to lunch from dinner

Posted on by datinglatonyc

“When do I get to see you again?” he asked. He was free the days I was not and vice-versa so we settled on a tentative dinner after an Improv show I wanted to attend, following a class I was going to take with Tom Soter. It was HOT!! Soooooooooooo hot, steamy, stagnant and sticky! We touched base a couple of times and he was a go for the show but through the texts and apparently my poor sales pitch.. he decided another day was better than squeezing in time later than one would want dinner. 930p meet up since I hadn’t had time to get home and change from the thickness of the day.

I actually was a bit bummed that he chose not to come to the show but to stay home and cook dinner. He later told me that he would’ve invited me over but didn’t want to be too presumptuous and I thanked him for that. Still would’ve preferred to be seen than heard. We spoke on the phone while he finished preparations of seafood and accouterments and I walked the streets of the UWS to find some grub.

We agreed on lunch for the next day if appointments made it possible and they did.

I was looking forward to seeing him and didn’t want him to feel I wasn’t interested but had already made plans for the nights he suggested. Sushi. On my block. At the very place I went with Toes-guy a week before, Kodoma. We chatted about the show he missed and the one I will be doing next week since I was asked by the teacher to join it and as flattered as that makes me, it scares the shit out of me, too. I feel supported by him and that he has a genuine interest in who I am. Refreshing! He looks great every time I’ve seem him. Glad there was a tiny mouth peck at the end of this one. 3 down… smiling so far!