First Dates and New Friends

So one of my biggest fears about moving down here was that I would be crazy lonely. Like-sitting-in-my-apartment, talking-to-the-dog, while-drowning-my-sorrows-in-cheap-wine kind of lonely. So when I wished my mom and sister a safe flight and drove sadly away from the airport, I was pretty scared. A new city where I knew no one and now that my two buffers from that reality had left, I was facing the city alone. But my darlings, don't worry for me. As most of you know, I can have a lively conversation with a brick wall and crave social interaction, so it didn't take long for me to settle in and meet some amazing folks. 

That Friday, I went on my first first date in the city - and my first first date in a long ass time. It's hard to date back in Marshfield. Love you guys, but not necessarily the easiest place for a single chick. But that's been the only first date I've had, because the dude I met is pretty awesome and we're now going steady (cue the "awww"). Now I'm sure you have some questions, so I'll fill you in a bit. I mean, who doesn't love to hear the details of awkward first dates and meeting boys. 

First off, who is this dude?  
Well my little darlings, his name is Ryan and he was born and raised here in Louisiana near New Orleans in a town called Slidell. He works at Charter during the day and rocks the guitar at night (which he's been playing for 20-some years). He's an only child and close with his family (I've met the parents and I can vouch that they are pretty awesome). He has a two-year-old little boy named Baylen who is the most gosh-darn-cutest little guy in the world. He rocks out in a band called Lying in Wait - a little metal for me, but pretty great none-the-less. He has tattoos and looks like a badass but may be one of the sweetest guys I've ever met.

Ok then, sounds legit. How'd you meet? 
Match.com. Yep. An  internet dating website. And no. I'm not really embarassed by that. I mean, think about it. When you meet someone traditionally, you're probably in a) a bar, b) at work, or c) through friends. You typically don't know too much about them or what you have in common, so you have to go on a few dates before you get to really know someone, although you know that the chemistry is there. Well Match.com is a little reversed. You chat with someone so you already know you have stuff in common with (hence the title...match) and get to know them BEFORE you meet. You find out if you have chemistry at the first date. It's not like you sit there and date online and never meet in person. And yes, loves, there are creepers out there. I think I told Ryan at that first date that I was happy he didn't turn out to be a creeper and was who his profile said he was. It could have been sketch. 

Alright. Where'd ya go? What'd ya do? 
We met in the French Quarter. Ryan was supposed to meet me at Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop just a few blocks up from my place, but he got a little turned around and couldn't figure out which way the street was. So, he called, and I happened to be walking the same way, just one block over. So I told him to turn down the street and meet me on the corner. "Not like a hooker-on-the-corner, but just on the corner" I said. And then I saw the bubbles. Floating down from a balcony above and I giggled like a little kid. "Follow the bubbles" I instructed. And there he found me, under the bubbles. I freaking love bubbles! So after we met and did that awkward first meet hug, we wandered the Quarter talking for a long long time. And it was great. Really. A really really great first date. Obviously, because here we are a month later. 


So yeah. Love life = check. On to some of the amazing friends I've made. Alexandra and Robbie top that list. A couple from Michigan and good friends of Ryan, I fell in love with those two creeps immediately. We were just three yankees and we love to talk about cheese and corn fields and Big Ten football. I'm actually headed there later today to use their washer/dryer to clean my shoes. Apparently they have a special contraption just for washing shoes and Robbie is really excited for me to try it out. But don't worry - I'll bring them pizza too. Trading laundry for pizza. Pretty good deal in my book. 


So darlings, that's where I'm at in the social department. Not crying in a little ball in my apartment while the dog stares at me puzzled. 

All my love, 

Ali 


I'll leave you with this Friends clip where Joey gets his head stuck in a turkey. If this doesn't make you laugh, then you have no soul.