September 21, 2011
Baby steps
A weird thing happened on my gig last Saturday, so here it is, recounted in blog form:
I had a trio gig in San Francisco and before leaving, on a whim, I decided to post in the regular dating section of craigslist. (not casual encounters) I wrote that I was a musician playing in the city who would like to meet a nice, smart woman for conversation and drinks. In the interest of full disclosure, I included the fact that I was separating from my wife.
I didn’t expect to get any responses, but during the first break I saw that I had received one. There is so much spam on craigslist, that at first I half believed that the response was phony.
It was from a woman who said she was 26, liked jazz, and was smart. I wrote back that I was playing at a restaurant in Ghirardelli Square, not expecting to hear back from her. She, in turn, responded that she would come by and that she was wearing a pink hoodie.
The next break came and there were two more emails from her, one saying that she was from Wisconsin, and another saying ”I might be here.” For some reason I didn’t believe her — I think because I thought she might actually be in Wisconsin, and that Wisconsin was ‘here.’
The entire gig passed by and I wrote back asking if she was in Wisconsin, or the Bay Area. She responded, “I’m pretty sure I found you guys.” A few more back and forth exchanges brought me to the realization that she was, in fact, ‘here.’ By this time I was actually in my car getting ready to go home.
I sheepishly walked back around the corner to the club and finally met her. It was a little awkward at first, but not nearly as much as you would think. She was a thin woman with short dirty blond hair and a nice smile. (man, I really love the androgynous look!) She had a high-pitched, mellifluous voice and a kind of easy, 20-something, hipster-ish way of talking. (calling me dude and saying ‘awesome’)
On top of that she was an interesting person — she was into weird foreign films, anime, and video games, and of course, jazz. We spent a nice hour and a half drinking and talking, and afterwards I dropped her near her apartment.
I have no illusions that I’m going to begin dating a 26-year-old woman, but the fact that I could have a nice time, and who knows, maybe meet for drinks again sometime, was a positive step. It removed a little of the recent summer’s sting of Amanda. (see posts from July – I’m through linking to her)
In the meantime I’ve got to find an apartment. I looked at one place last week and will look at others this week. Once I get the man-cave going there will be no stopping the Woodman!
yoursonginmyear said,
September 22, 2011 at 1:27 am
It’s great that you are getting yourself out there.
Have you talked with your kids yet?
woodynyou said,
September 22, 2011 at 4:24 am
I’m waiting until I definately have a place. I don’t know how long it’s going to take and I don’t want that strange limbo feeling to go on for a prolonged period.
I’m looking at a couple of places tomorrow. Wish me luck!
Work and play « The Middle Aging said,
October 17, 2011 at 1:21 am
[...] woman I wrote about a few posts back — the 26-year-old — has been coming to many of my gigs. I see her about once a week. She has a way of appearing out [...]