Dating: Chapter 3
Tonight I met David, who overruled his better judgment when he arranged the meeting. You see, the SCA is a problem for him. His wife's obsession with getting awards in the SCA was part of the conflict between them. First she got a Pelican, then she wanted a Laurel. She eventually got a Laurel in Hats. (But she's not "the" Hat Laurel.) She devoted her time and energy to SCA pursuits, instead of getting a job. So when David saw "Renaissance Dancing" in my profile, he was reluctant.
"I'm not in the SCA, I just dance."
I am technically a card-carrying member of the SCA, but only because of the steep discount that applies to my annual 2 weeks of dancing at Pennsic.
We laughed at the terminology used in the SCA. "I'm from Caid." "I live in Atenveldt." Where's that?! Cults need their jargon. When the lady married David, she was chided for marrying outside the faith. They call an SCA/mundane marriage a mixed marriage. The SCA thing is humorous. I know a Jewish SCAdian who said of her husband, "It was easier to get a SCAdian to convert to Judaism, than to get a Jew to become SCAdian."
David is a tenured economics professor on a 2-year sabbatical from the University of Arizona at Tucson, working in the Yahoo! think tank. Brick and mortar stores have customer lists, and some of these customers login to Yahoo!. This research project shows targeted adverts to half of the intersection of customers. People who see ads (prelim results) spend 76% more money in the brick and mortar stores.
Wow!!!
Marketing. Not just an arms race. It works.
Here's the funny date story: David asked me, "Do you have cooties?"
In context it was appropriate. I asked him if he wanted to taste my soup before I put my spoon in it, before it got cooties. Do I have cooties? I suppose I have my share, but no more.
There really are no funny David stories. I would have to exaggerate quite a lot to come up with one. He was kind, and thoughtful. He was intelligent, in touch with his emotions, interested in the meta subject of communication. He was very sweet. I found him easy on the eyes. If there was any flaw, it was that he was still in love with his "spring sweetie." As I am still in love with my ex, I could sympathize.
He was a man I might grow to love. But I am already besotted with someone else. My feelings for Greg are delicious but suspicious. It would be less scary to become involved with a man like David who did not overwhelm my senses.
I gave him a book, a hug, OK fine I even gave him a kiss, and sent him on his way. Sweet David could not stop thanking me for walking with my arm around him, for cuddling him a bit. He so much needs to be touched. I would like to pull him into my circle of friends, give him a place to be loved, for the year that he will be in California. Once he heals a bit, he will be an excellent catch for someone.
David. A fine dinner. Good friend material.
Greg Squared, he too is good friend material. Knowing him may be the encouragement I need to go back to grad school. I would love to talk with him about any number of subjects, and persuade him to let me read his Cerebus, just a few issues at a time.
Ah. It is good to be alive.