Derek. Where did I leave off? So I noticed that the guy at the bar was looking at me kind of strangely, although he could have just been reacting to my blatant starring as I attempted to determine whether or not he could be Derek.  If it was him, his photo was certainly flattering.  Before I could make up my mind, the bartender came over and told me that the guy seated at the bar wanted to buy me a drink.  That seemed to settle it. Convinced the guy must be my date engaging in some kind of game (albeit an annoying one), I walked over to him and said,  “Hi, Derek?”  He looked confused and said he wasn’t Derek, at which point I laughed in embarrassment and apologized, explaining I mistook him for someone else.  Of course I didn’t feel right accepting a drink from the random guy and immediately going off to chat with someone else, so when the bartender came back with my wine, I paid for my own drink.  

Irked and embarrassed, I walked over to the guy seated at the window, who I took to be Derek by process of elimination. He confirmed that he was in fact Derek, and I jokingly explained what had just happened, although I was actually pretty annoyed. To my relief, Derek bore a much stronger resemblance to Jonathan Rhys Myers than Shrek.  Unfortunately, I was turned off before we exchanged even a single word.   Did he not see me come in or was he just enjoying watching me make a fool of myself?  Maybe it was his clever way of getting out of having to buy my drink.  Whatever.  Not a good way to start off.

I tried to forget about the embarrassing and irritating episode and chocked it up to a simple misunderstanding.  Maybe he was actually really cool in a dreamy, oblivious sort of way. Despite my optimism, it didn’t take long for me to decide he wasn’t.  He seemed kind of cocky and not very interested in learning more about me.  Aside from that, we didn’t  have much in common and definitely didn’t click.  So when he suggested we call it a night after a couple drinks, I willingly agreed.  We left the bar and walked together for a couple blocks, at which point we separated.  I was headed to the subway, and Derek, who lived within walking distance, (how very convenient for him!) was headed downtown to his apartment.  We skipped the usual pretense of suggesting we get together again and said quick goodbyes.  Not a great date by ANY stretch of the imagination.  Oh well.  I’m just getting started.  Better luck next time!