wednesday night

Oh boy, am I ever thankful. After months of busting my ass for my reading clinic for grad school, I only have TWO DAYS LEFT!!! Next week is IT. And then I'm done. Not just done class, but done grad school. Whoo-hoo!!!

Wednesday night I decided to throw caution to the wind and actually go out. I've been a hermit lately, staying home to either work or sleep. I figured I deserved a night out. And since MK offered me a ride, I was free to enjoy a beverage or two (or three). MK picked up me and Sam, and we met Rich, Heather and Karen at the Blarney on South Street. It was completely empty, which shocked me, given that it was the biggest party night of the year. So we snagged the big table in the back and ordered up a round.

After we had been there about an hour, we noticed a man walking toward our table, presumably heading to the bathroom. He kind of slowed down and stared, smiling, when he passed our table. We all noticed it and thought he might be interested in one of us - possibly Karen, since he seemed to look at her specifically. He came out of the bathroom a few minutes later and walked back to his seat at the front of the bar. A few minutes later, he came back again, this time holding his drink. He stood by our table, smiling and watching us for several minutes without saying a word. It was a bit creepy. I mean, if he was trying to talk to one of us, he could have used any number of opening lines... "Sounds like you ladies are having a good time," or "Hi, I'm fill-in-the-blank," or whatever. Instead, he just stood there. Eventually, he walked back to his seat.

Later, Karen and I headed for the unisex bathrooms. On our way back, Rich warned us that one of the toilets was clogged. I waited while Karen used the bathroom first. Socially Awkward Guy came back and stood outside the bathrooms with me. I kicked the door and said, "Hurry up, bitch!", just to be funny. He said, "If you're in a hurry, there's another bathroom." I explained that it was clogged. "Oh," he said. "I heard you say you were in a hurry, so I just thought I'd let you know." Oooookay.... was this guy for real? No "hello," no introduction... he opens with bathroom-related conversation? Smooth talker. After the bathroom pleasantries were out of the way, he did finally introduce himself. A few awkward minutes of small talk followed. ("What are you doing out tonight?"... "Having a few drinks with my friends"... " etc, etc...) Luckily, Karen came out of the bathroom at that point, so she got stuck with him while I used the facilities. He spoke with her for a few minutes (not sure what they talked about, though), and then when we went back to our seats, he walked with us and stood by our table again for a few seconds. Then he walked away. And that was the last we saw of him.

Not to get all Jerry Seinfeld on you, but what's the deal with guys? I mean, seriously. That has to be the second worst opening line that I've ever heard. (I'd repeat the first, but the person who used it reads my blogs... ). I know it's not easy to talk to the opposite sex. Believe me, I know. My middle name is chicken-shit. But I would never approach a guy with bathroom-related conversation. Sheesh. A little effort, a little common sense... is that too much to ask for?