Meeting Women the Old Fashioned Way
After spending the morning sipping cappuccino and doing some editing work in a downtown Palo Alto coffee house, I took a leisurely stroll down University Avenue. It was the middle of the day, and the weather was brisk but dry. There were plenty of people walking about.
All of a sudden coming toward me on the sidewalk was a woman who absolutely turned my head.
(Okay, so my head didn’t really turn – I was already looking at her simply by looking straight ahead. But you know what I mean.)
She was the sort of woman who makes me melt – petite, attractive, dark features, in this case Indian. She made eye contact, then ran a hand through her hair. No wedding or engagement ring. (Oh, yes. I checked.)
And in a flash, she was past me.
There were people coming up behind me, but I didn’t care – I stopped and turned and looked, and watched her walk away. (Okay, so my head really did turn, after all!) I have no shame when it comes to women who catch my attention. Ever since my divorce, I’ve been known to suffer whiplash on more than a few street corners.
As she kept walking away, I thought: why is it so hard to meet people these days? Here’s a woman who caught my eye, and who I wouldn’t mind chatting up, but who happens to be going in the opposite direction of me. C’est la vie, I suppose.
But then I thought – screw it. Why shouldn’t I chat her up?
I turned and started walking her direction. For some reason, I thought about a passage I’d read years before. (Of course, now I’m having a senior moment and can’t remember the book. Maybe it was Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man
The Indian woman was a block and a half away, and I saw she was wearing a red ponytail holder. She scurried across an intersection just before the light turned. I was held up, but I watched the red ponytail holder as she moved through the crowd.
Granted, this wasn’t Manhattan at rush hour, it was Palo Alto mid-day. Still, by the time the light turned green, I had lost her. I figured she must have ducked into a shop. I hurried down the street and went into the Apple store.
“May I help you?” the salesperson asked.
I ignored him and searched for the woman. I wanted to ask her to coffee – right there and then. I scanned the entire store, to no avail. She was someplace else.
All I have is a memory of her eyes, her face, her hand in her hair. And a red ponytail holder floating down the street.
Next time, I’ll strike sooner. And I won’t be stopped by a red light.
Reclaiming my mojo, one step at a time…
- Woman of My Dreams, Manifested
- Dating After Divorce
- Eight Great Ways to Meet Someone New
- Hot Mother in a Boys Clothing Store
- Lonely Housewives
- Tis the Season to Flirt
- Hot, Sexy, Confident
- Male and Female Dating Perspectives
- Three Great Places to Meet Women (On Paper)
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Comment by lisaq
| November 4th, 2008
Awww sucks that you didn’t catch her. Next time go right through that light. What’s a little putting your life in danger when in the pursuit of love? :D
lisaq´s last blog post..Erogenous Zones-The Art of Sensual Touch From The Pickup Artist
Comment by Cathouse Teri
| November 4th, 2008
That is a drag that you lost her. These little jaunts of yours do seem to keep your imagination alive. Perhaps even keep your hope alive of capturing one of these flitty, beautiful creatures.
Next time, try to be sure your jar is handy. ;)
Cathouse Teri´s last blog post..A Wretch Like Me
Comment by Exception
| November 4th, 2008
I wonder what she would have done had you caught up with her. I am curious though – how did you know she was Indian?
Your Mojo is returning – and hopefully you will end up with a “mojo” as well! ;)
Exception´s last blog post..Tenacity Required to Fulfill a Dream
Comment by Mike
| November 4th, 2008
I know for myself it’s about being ready most of the time to take advantage of any situation that comes up. Then these little happenings become more fruitful instead of “ida’s” and “shouldas”.
Mike´s last blog post..Random Thoughts
Comment by T
| November 4th, 2008
That’s good stuff! Isn’t it nice to feel your heart beat so strongly at such a random moment? Totally makes you feel alive again!
What’s that? Hey…mojo’s comin’ back!!
T´s last blog post..Tenacious T
Comment by Honey
| November 4th, 2008
I like the story even better this way because you didn’t meet her and find out she is dumb as a stump. Ah, but it’s no fun for you, I suppose…
Honey´s last blog post..Help! My BF Won’t Use a Condom!
Comment by Laura
| November 4th, 2008
Ah the one that go away! Wouldnt it be cool if you saw her again tomorrow – sort of like a movie love story!!
But very cool that you getting your mojo back!
Laura´s last blog post..Raising a Spirited Child
Comment by shelteredexistence
| November 4th, 2008
You know, it suprises me sometimes how quickly these situations arise and just how quickly they fade. So you’re going to have to develop your trigger-finger if you don’t want to miss them. I think half of this is about being ready to be met, and it’s a skill. Good luck next time!
Comment by Single Mom Seeking
| November 4th, 2008
Watch out world, Dad’s House is comin’ back, with more mojo than ever!
Single Mom Seeking´s last blog post..Election day, it’s down to the wire
Comment by katherine.
| November 4th, 2008
how many times have you been back to that same part of the street looking for her?
katherine.´s last blog post..manic monday with mo ~ colorful
Comment by dadshouse
| November 4th, 2008
Exception – Silicon Valley is a melting pot. In fact, I’m pretty sure there is no “majority” ethnic group here. I just happen to like darker featured women. As for how can I tell she was Indian? She had Indian features. I don’t know how else to answer that. Does it matter? No. I’m an equal-opportunity dater. Whether she was born there or here or someplace else, I don’t know.
Honey – now, what makes you assume she would be dumb as a stump? Palo Alto has a lot of highly educated people. I’d say chances are higher that she’d have a college or even graduate degree.
Mike and ShelteredExistence – yep, it’s all about having my radar up and being ready to pounce. When my mojo is gone, I’m more likely to mope. It’s good to have it coming back! It’s all an attitude.
Comment by Mad Cartoonist
| November 4th, 2008
Great story!
You need to react sooner next time, and you might want to take the precaution of wearing track shoes whenever you leav the house!
You might also want to invest some thought in an intelligent, non-creepy pickup line, so you don’t blow it if/when you do catch up with her.
As a woman, I’d be flattered if a non-homeless-looking, and non-felon-looking guy tried to chat me up on the street. But be sure to 1) act socially “normal”!, and 2) props if you actually have something interesting to say.
Comment by Vinomom
| November 4th, 2008
Bummer. I’ve had moments like that in the past as well. What can you do?
Wait – doesn’t Craigslist have a “Missed Connections” thread? I know you’re a fan of that site. Might be worth a try!
Vinomom´s last blog post..If the Dress (will eventually) fit…Wear it!
Comment by Leah
| November 4th, 2008
Here’s to the return of your mojo, and to a green light next time!!
Leah´s last blog post..Hope and Longing
Comment by Lance
| November 4th, 2008
Yeah, open immediately, like as soon as the thought flickers in your head. No worries though, this has happened to me a zillion times.
Lance´s last blog post..Help! My BF Won’t Use a Condom!
Comment by April
| November 4th, 2008
Sounds like a good first step!
April´s last blog post..Emotional
Comment by Kat Wilder
| November 5th, 2008
You won’t be stopped by a red light?
I can read the Palo Alto Times headline now:
Single dad hit by Prius in pursuit of true love
What a story!
Um, but don’t let it happen, OK?
Kat Wilder´s last blog post..If she’s hot, what am I?
Comment by Treemama
| November 5th, 2008
Either I’ve healed enough, or I’m reading way too much Twilight, but I seem to be eyeing men everywhere. Went to University of Delaware this past week and had to remind myself these guys were younger than my little brother. Sheesh.
Don’t have the gall you are building up though. Keep it up!
Treemama´s last blog post..Connections
Comment by QTMama
| November 7th, 2008
I am loving the fact that you said “Screw it” and decided to meet her. I have wished for a man or two that I’ve made eye contact with myself to do that! I am working up the nerve to do the same …
QTMama´s last blog post..The Drunk Dial Impulse