Monday, August 11, 2008

A disaster of epic proportions

My second "date" (fourth "meeting") with Jessica was at an outdoor concert on Hampstead Heath, a beautiful area north of London. On the way out, I noticed Diana Krall was playing there next month, so I asked Jess if she was interested, and she said, "I was thinking about getting tickets for my parents." Now, anyone else would have thought she was blowing me off (and insulting Diana Krall) but I just invited her parents to go with us.

Bold? Perhaps. Presumptuous? Absolutely. Smart? No.

I had already met her other parents (dad and step-mom) in Los Angeles--they were the ones who gave me Jessica's number--but this was her mom and step-dad, who live about three blocks away. I knew I couldn't avoid them for long, so figured it would be better to get it out of the way early. Jess later told me she begged her parents not to accept, but it had been four years since she had introduced anyone to her parents, and they were keen to meet me. (Plus they really did love Diana Krall.)

So I bought the tickets and got a job, because I sure as hell wasn't going to meet her parents without being employed. Except...I didn't actually get a job, and of course they asked what I did and I had to admit I didn't have a job. And I was living in a hotel. They pretty much stopped asking me questions after that.

Did I mention it was pouring rain, for an outdoor concert? We went and sat in the wet grass, huddled under umbrellas, and couldn't even see the stage. But halfway through the concert, the rain stopped...and the wind picked up, and it was freezing. Then the rain started again. I brought a bottle of chilled chablis, which went home unopened. I was also soaked through but, coincidentally, I had gone clothes shopping that afternoon and left my bag at Jessica's, so I was able to change into dry clothes when we returned, albeit completely mismatched. (Green pullover, tan jeans, white socks, and black shoes...)

So that said, her parents were lovely, and real troupers. (And they'll certainly never forget me.) It certainly didn't compare to the *last* parents I met, but at least this time there were no machine guns or wolves involved. Her parents also reciprocated and invited me to the Ballet Trockadero (an all-male edition of Swan Lake) in October. If I thought it was presumptuous of me to make plans a month in advance, I wonder how Jess feels about her parents inviting me two months in advance? :-)

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Tennis, anyone?

My gym is depressing. First, it's filled with Eastern European guys who bench press 2,000 pounds. I'm not kidding--on the machines, they attach extra weights because 150kg (330 pounds) isn't enough. I feel like such a wuss when I have I have to move the weight selector from the bottom to the top. (Sometimes I move it to the middle when I'm done, but I know I'm not fooling anyone.)

Second, it doesn't smell good, mostly because the Eastern European guys wear too much cologne. (And cheap cologne at that.) I have to come early in the morning or get a spot by an open window.

Third, there's no tennis. I was walking through Holland Park, which has six courts, and wished I had someone to play with. Then I stumbled upon londontennis.co.uk, which has a virtual bulletin board to let people find partners! How cool is that?

So I looked up females in my area, not because I was hoping for a date, but because I get too competitive when I play with guys. Of 5 invitations, Alisha was the only one who responded, and we set up a game for today. (She's 28 and married, so don't get any ideas.)

Then I went to Lillywhite's, the famous sporting goods store in Piccadilly Circus. (At least I'm told it's famous--I never heard of it before.) They had a decent selection of racquets, from £13 to £147 (US $26 to $294). Guess which one I bought? I wouldn't be surprised if it snapped in two the first time I used it. I let Alicia know I haven't played in six months, and so if I sucked it was because I was using a new racquet.

And suck I did. I think the guys in the next court returned as many balls as Alicia. (I tried to go practice yesterday, but the courts were booked right through 10pm.) I didn't even try to serve; I was having enough problems with my forehand. Fortunately, she was game, and while she did keep me running for the entire hour, she didn't humiliate me. We even set up another game for Thursday.

She lives nearby, so on the way back we talked, and it turns out she moved from New York five months ago, and she's a Jewish vegetarian. So if you're keeping track, the only two people I know in London (outside of the hotel) are both Jewish vegetarians. What are the odds of that?

Monday, June 23, 2008

Cost of living

All amounts are in US dollars:

  • A subway ride, one-way, into the city: $3.00
  • A soda at a cafe: $4.00
  • A croissant at the local bakery: $1.18
  • Rice and Spinach with potatoes at the local Indian takeway: $10
  • Lentil burger at Gourmet Burger Kitchen: $11.70 (fries add $5.70)
  • Lunch at a Mexican restaurant in Covent Garden (no drink): $24
  • The cost to call a local UK number: $0.40/minute
  • The cost to call a US number: $0.30/minute (go figure)
  • A movie ticket: $18
  • 2 tickets to the Moody Blues at Royal Albert Hall: $160
  • 4 tennis balls: $5.98
  • An hour on the tennis court: $12.80
  • A pair of Levi's jeans at a small clothing shop: $140
  • A pair of jeans at Gap: $100
  • A pair of generic jeans at Primark: $16
  • A load of laundry: $12
  • Average rent on a 1-bedroom flat: $3,000-$3,500/month, plus council tax and utilities
  • Average down payment on a 1-bedroom flat: $8,000

On the bright side, I've lost a stone* over the past 4 weeks. Spending that $98 on a one-month (off peak) gym membership was much smarter than buying food.

*1 stone=14 pounds

Saturday, June 21, 2008

My uncle

I love my uncle. He annoys and frustrates me, he has no common sense, he can be blustering, but watching the gears in is his head turn is like watching a fine timepiece...that occasionally throws a spring. I'd say I want to be like him when I grow up, except he hasn't grown up yet.

Of course I've been keeping my uncle apprised of all my antics across the pond, but he's been particularly keen on the whole Jessica situation:

Saturday, June 7: Is that why I haven't heard from you lately? Jess? Did you take her up on her offer of a free lunch? Did you succumb to the Vegan temptress? Has Lord Gregg finally [edited for decency]. Take a moment and apprise me of your latest fuck-up. Good news is hard to come by these days, sonny.

Sunday, June 8: Don't fiddle dick around with Jess. Get her in your sights as soon as you can before she runs a check on you and your cover is blown.....assuring that [edit for decency].

Monday, June 9: I was hesitant to mention this, but hey, in for a pence in for a pound, wot? Women adore gay men. I am not suggesting you tell her you're gay and you don't have to curl your pinkie around the tea cup or swish your hips when you walk. What you do is adopt a hangdog expression and sigh longingly whenever some dude in tight jeans saunters by. Here's the thing, women ALWAYS believe they have the power to change us, boyo. I was the exception to the rule, because they recognized how hopeless a task that would be. No woman can ever accept that any man could reject her, no matter how much he [edited for decency]. By that time, it won't matter how you strive to belie her assumptions, it is far too late and you will have her right where you want her, [edited for decency]. Well, don't go overboard in your gratitude, sonny, it's always possible you might have found your way [edited for decency] without my help, but one never knows, do one?

Tuesday, June 10: Is it this coming Sunday you'll be making your assault on Jess...or was it Sunday past, in which case its too late to save her. I hope my subtle dating hints were helpful, boyo. Please remember you are an American and conduct yourself accordingly. All American tourists are not the low living scum wads depicted in the Limey media. Not every single one. There's bound to be exceptions.

Sunday, June 15 (before the date): Do I start preparing for the inevitable arrival of a new niece? One that will be thrilled and honored to make my acquaintance? One that will be relieved to know that meeting you was not a total loss after all? One that will embrace your aunt B. and envy her for her good fortune? Come on, Sonny, I can't stand the waiting. Shout her name to the Gods! OR..........did you just go and fuck up......again? Told her you were recently divorced. Told her you were unemployed and borderline broke. Told her you didn't know where your next tuppence was coming from. Told her you were voting for Bob Barr for president. Told her your uncle Georgie will cry himself to sleep once he hears from you and how you blew the only [edited for decency] that will come your way while you're in London.

Monday, June 16: Oy. you are going down like the twin towers! Time for you to suck it up and prepare for some serious [edited for decency]. This chick is beginning to take on weight....in a manner of speaking. I may not be able to save you.

Tuesday, June 17: Sonny, you have GOT to stop leaving your jugular exposed the way you do. Your Email letter revealed the fact that you ignored my advice and spilled your guts like a terrorist being water boarded. Told her you were divorced, unemployed and broke.....did you also tell her you were [edited for decency] to compensate for these negatives? Luckily she's willing to give you another round. Either she's a sweet and loving, not to mention moronic, person, or didn't believe a word you said and thinks you're an undercover wealthy beach rat on the prowl for a cheap lay by playing on her sympathy. Don't you realize, dummy, that honesty is NEVER the best policy. I'm an honest man and look where it got ME! Wise up and shut up! Your poor aunt B still believes I have a fortune stashed away somewhere. I never said I was ALWAYS an honest man, did I?

Wednesday, June 18: I just hope you can maintain your mysterious man from La Mancha persona without crashing and falling on your petard. Going back to your July 5th date, you could have scheduled it for July 4th and established your independence from the git go. Show those tea taxing bastids who [edited for decency] now! In summation just let me say that this Romance promises to be 'a bit of a dust up, what'? Just don't Britishize your ass too much too soon. Good luck with the Jess, boyo. She doesn't appear to be the nanny type, so watch it and don't walk around with your thumb in your mouth or you'll end up with it up your ass. Stay off that friggin 'date site' until you've sorted this one out. You may have a winner.

Thursday, June 19: Oh my. the plot thickens....and I ain't talking about the cemetery plot. LIKE WOW! Wait til she meets your uncle! You may as well quit surfing the date sites now, sonny. I hearby pronounced you hooked, hat, ass, line and sinker. Keep me informed about your adventures in Camelot.

Saturday, June 21: Here's how I see your situation, sonny. You are beginning to get a little stressed out. You've got a few things going at the same time. I think you should take a deep breath and recoup before you proceed with this thing with Jessica. You're trying to learn too much too soon and if you don't back off a tad you're gonna crash and burn. There's an aura of hysteria in your Emails. You're trying to promote her interest in you and you're creating an atmosphere of panic (paranoia). STOP ALREADY!

Of course he's right, albeit a day late. I really got my brain tied in knots, culminating at 4am Saturday morning when I sent an email to Jessica suggesting she "run away." Not with me, from me. She wrote back "No," and just like that the brain fever was gone. I guess I just needed some reassurance, as silly as that sounds.

The future

When I asked for feedback on my personal ad, one of my friends referred me to a guy who writes a blog on dating for men. I checked it out but came away with the impression that he was taking the “job interview” approach to dating -- get as many offers as you can, so you can choose the one that is right for you.

I personally take umbrage at this -- employers are not emotionally invested when they extend an offer -- but he did make some interesting points about what women generally look for, and one of these was security: She wants to know not only where he is, but where he is going. (Apologies if I'm just perpetuating male/female stereotypes.)

So that naturally begs the question, where am I going? For so many years, I was so focused on where I was going that I felt like I missed everything along the way. So when I had the chance to start over, I consciously chose not to worry about the destination, to be more flexible and open, and enjoy the ride. (Of course I still contributed to my retirement account -- I'm not an idiot.)

And now I'm being told that this very approach will sabotage any relationship I might have.

So I pulled out my Magic 8 Ball and tried to divine my future. Now, most people never plan for the future, they just have a general idea of what they want, and then work within their current situation. My problem is, I don't have a 'current situation' to constrain me; every option is on the table: Get married again? Have a child? Get a 'real' job or continue consulting? Start my own business? Retire from IT and do something else? If so, what? When (and where) to retire? What to do when I retire?

The problem is that I'm not really committed to anything, in part because I know it will all change once I'm in a relationship. Sure, I could make something up and then look for someone with similar plans, but I'd much rather find someone I like and then figure it out together.

So it's a catch-22: I need to plan my future to have a relationship, and I need to have a relationship to plan my future.

Where am I going with this? I have no idea. If I had a direction, I wouldn't be dealing with this in the first place.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

A very busy year

Jessica and I were talking about the West End and I mentioned some of the "big" shows I've already seen (Wicked, Avenue Q, Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Lion King, Les Miserables), and she intimated that I was only interested in musicals. For some reason, that kind of stung, so I pulled up my 'Google calendar' to see what else I did last year, and I was quite amazed. It only goes back to mid-August, but here's what I did in just over four months:

Aug 22Dave Brubeck @ Hollywood Bowl (concert, with Madeleine Peyroux)
Aug 23Kronos @ Cal Plaza Watercourt (concert, walked out on this one)
Aug 24Big Bad Voodoo Daddy @ Hollywood Bowl (concert)
Aug 29Nancy Wilson @ Hollywood Bowl (concert, with Regina Carter)
Sep 12Paper Moon @ Egyptian (film)
Sep 13Downtown Artwalk (art)
Sep 15Beautiful Morning at Egyptian Arena (play)
Sep 21Jungle Book @ El Capitan Theater (film) Musical improv @ National Comedy Theater (comedy)
Sep 22CPR training @ YMCA "Slow motion dancing" exhibit @ Music Center (stupid)
Sep 23LA Fair It's Just Sex @ Zephyr Theatre (play)
Sep 27Junk: A Rock Opera @ Lyric Theatre (musical)
Sep 28Downtown Comedy Club semi-finals (comedy)
Sep 30Grand Avenue Festival Avenue Q @ Ahmanson Theatre (musical)
Oct 5Kimberly Akimbo @ Victory Theatre Center (play)
Oct 11Downtown Artwalk (art)
Oct 13Genesis @ Hollywood Bowl (concert)
Oct 18Eagles @ Nokia Theatre (concert)
Oct 20Weird Al Yankovic @ Greek Theatre (concert)
Oct 21Third @ Geffen Playhouse (play)
Oct 23Cartoon dump @ Steve Allen Theater (don't ask)
Oct 24Limonade Tous les Jours @ Hudson Mainstage (play, walked out on this one)
Oct 26Gulliver's Travels @ Ivy substation (play)
Oct 27Corteo (Cirque du Soleil)
Oct 28Pumpkin party
Oct 31'Twas the Nightmare before Christmas in 3D @ El Capitan (film)
Nov 3-4Sacramento
Nov 7Blade Runner @ Landmark Theater (film)
Nov 8Downtown Artwalk (art)
Nov 9Loudon Wainwright at El Rey Theatre (concert)
Nov 11Pajama Game @ Carpenter Center (musical)
Nov 18History Boys @ Ahmanson Theatre (play)
Nov 21-25Sacramento (Thanksgiving, Mom's surgery)
Nov 27Cartoon Dump @ Steve Allen Theatre (Loved that program)
Nov 30-Dec 2Sacramento
Dec 2Tom Paxton @ McCabe's (concert)
Dec 5Ask a Ninja Live @ El Rey (don't ask)
Dec 7Hair @ MET Theatre (musical)
Dec 8Beethoven Piano Concerto No 4 @ Walt Disney Concert Hall (concert)
Dec 14Chicago @ Hudson Backstage (musical)
Dec 16DWP Festival of Lights @ Griffith Park
Dec 20Ray Charles Live! @ Pasadena Playhouse (musical)
Dec 27-29Sacramento
Dec 30Color Purple @ Ahmanson Theatre (musical)
Jan 1, 2008Rose Parade

Throw in yoga classes and tennis lessons, and you can see it was quite a busy year, but there were still a ton of things I would have liked to do: McCabe's and the Aero Theater were too far; the Cerritos Center wasn't convenient; the Arclight/Cinerama Dome was too expensive; I only went to the beach a couple of times; Max Vontaine was doing Sinatra every Thursday at Cicada, but I didn't see him until my last week; and I only saw Bob Baker's marionnettes once. I did make the museum circuit -- Museum of Contemporary Art, LA County Museum of Art, Natural History Museum, California Science Museum, Geffen Contemporary, and Norton Simon -- but I didn't get back to Huntington Gardens or Descanso Gardens. I saw the Perseids but not the Geminids or Leonids. I bought tickets for, but couldn't attend, James Galway and Celtic Woman, and I booked a trip to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, but had to cancel last-minute. I never went to the Staples Center or Dodger Stadium, and I missed the Star Trek tour and the Star Wars convention, though that was more by choice.

So of 42 events, I saw 7 plays and 7 musicals--I think that's a respectable percentage. It was just the musicals had any name value.

On a completely different note, this made me think about some things I miss in LA: The Cal Plaza Watercourt; the downtown art walk; the Lotus festival and Tofu festival; tacos de papas, chile relleno burritos, and eggplant gyros; the Drunken Goat at Mendocino Farms (it's a sandwich); watching old films at the old cinemas; and seeing “CSI: New York” being filmed outside my apartment. (Plus, of course, the weather and my friends, but that goes without saying.)

Monday, June 16, 2008

London is a big city

London's scale boggles the American mind. Every time I walk to a new neighborhood, I'm expecting a lot of sprawl interspersed with high density areas, but everything here is high density.

I love to walk, and I've walked a lot in the three weeks I've been here. (My old jeans are a size 38; my new jeans are 34.) I tried to map out where I've been:

(Click to enlarge)


Now here's the mind-blowing bit--that is just a tiny slice of Greater London!

Sunday, June 15, 2008

10 things to do on a first date

They say women like a man with a sense of humour, so...

10. Tell her she has something in her teeth, even when she doesn't. If she asks if she got it, tell her "not yet."

9. Shortly after meeting, suggest she completely change her hair. And her make-up.

8. Make up stories about how you were in Viet Nam, even though you were only 2 during the Tet Offensive.

7. Ask the waiter for his cheapest bottle of wine, then say never mind, you'll both just have water.

6. After dinner, announce in a loud voice that you brought "protection."

5. During any lull in the conversation, start humming.

4. Throw bread rolls playfully at her.

3. Go up to someone with a pretty date and announce, "You win."

2. At a quiet moment, look her deep in the eyes and say, in a meaningful way, "Whoa, I can see myself."

1. Tap her on the shoulder, yell, "Tag, you're it!" and run away.

I didn't say these were good things to do on a first date...

Now it's the girls' turn...

Descriptions from match.com (no names this time)

"I have a proven track record when it comes to commitment."

"Want a challenge?"

"my date must calm, lovely, gently, like smile, patient, love music & dancing or singing, sport, cooking, loves home, not drunken master, not smoker, enough money to cost our children until they..."

"Yeah I'll do."

"I like surprises and hope you do too. That's why there's no long descriptions here."

"I'll try anything twice"

"Sunny and bright, occasionally stormy. I love unexpected adventures and getting lost inside my head or someone else's."

"I'm taking a break from this and so not an active member at the moment... " [This from an active member.]

"I'm just me"

"OK.I am here. Now what."

"Funny, aware, caring, late, calm, confident, nice arse" [aware?? late??]

"just looking for a normal guy...Not too many requirements"

"Someone you could have"

"as for love, i just want the right and best one to me. if not, i'd rather be alone"

"I would like to think that I'm intelligent and attractive and good company"

"I'd like to meet someone who is...definitely not perfect and aware of his imperfections."

"Feeling Lucky? I am."

"Friends / colleagues would describe me as intelligent, successful, confident and outgoing. ( but then they better say that!)"

"I am a halfling." [Something about being part South African, but to us Tolkien fans, we know she's hot.]

"Mewling, elf-skinned" [Us Tolkien fans have no idea what that means.]

"I have been told by my friend who is standing behind me and cajoling me to write this as we speak that I am apparently...G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S !"

"Studied Law at Greenwich University, which was sooooooooo boring."

"its not easy to say amazing things about myself"

"I am an incurable romantic... who dont take life too seriously."

"Fun french social butt" [I'm sure she meant to say "butterly" but the search screen only shows 22 characters.]

"I'm outgoing (not loud), tactile (not clingy), affectionate (not soppy), intelligent (not highbrow)"

"Must like marmalade sandwiches"

"Looking for Mr sunshine" [Obviously won't be looking her up]

And someone that I am definitely going to look up--

"Handle with care. Happy, relaxed and constantly curious with an irreverent sense of humour, mischievous but not malicious, playful but not a player, broad-minded and non-judgemental but not easily led, feisty but fun..."

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Personal ad, take 5

Unfortunately, although everyone liked the "You are..." format, I realized that in the search screen the first 200 characters were displayed, and it came off really controlling. I tried to juggle it around but it just didn't work--my cousin said the result was "direct and to the point" and my uncle said I sounded like an accountant. So I went back to the drawing board--twice--and here's what I came up with. I am also going to buy tighter jeans. (Don't ask me where that request came from.)

search screen:
gregg_from_la
A study in contrasts
I find my life is not neatly encapsulated: I'm a romantic who doesn't buy flowers, jewellery, or chocolate; my sense of

full version:
I find my life is not neatly encapsulated: I'm a romantic who doesn't believe in flowers or chocolate; I'm not materialistic but I need my creature comforts; I'm a homebody who loves to go out; I love animals but am allergic to anything with fur; I can be both independent and needy, intelligent and absent-minded, shy and inquisitive. I have no interest in sports, though I do play a little tennis. My sense of humour tends toward the irreverent and obscure. I'm fully domesticated and love to read, cook, and snuggle. I'm very affectionate, and need someone who will reciprocate.

I'm looking for someone who's also a bundle of contradictions: Outgoing and introspective, playful yet serious, strong but feminine, simple and sophisticated, smart but speaks from the heart. You are independent but like to be taken care of. You love surprises and are always up for an adventure. Your family is normal, or they live far away. (Mine live far away.) Drugs are simply not an option.

I just moved from Los Angeles, and am looking for a great friendship that may lead to a committed relationship.

[quoted "somewhere i have never travelled, gladly beyond" by e.e. cummings]

for fun:
All the usual: cinema, theatre, concerts, museums. I love watching old films on the big screen, meteor showers, and anything new/unusual. I love to walk anywhere--beach, city, country, doesn't matter. Don't do roller coasters or adrenaline sports.

my job:
Software developer

favorite hot spots:
Fall foliage in New England, Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, the island of Kauai in Hawai'i, the entire state of Arizona (but I wouldn't want to live there), and San Francisco (and I wouldn't mind living there). Also loved Morrocco and Amsterdam.

favorite things:
Films: Casablanca, Roman Holiday
Books: Another Roadside Attraction, The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test
Current music: Norah Jones, Swell Season, Alison Krauss, Kasey Chambers, Mindy Smith, Madeleine Peyroux, Corinne Bailey Rae
Food: tofu, avocados

last read:
"Newcomer's Guide to London" :-)

Now I just need to choose a primary photo...