After choosing to re-schedule my movie date with Mr. Art Museum dude, I was feeling a bit bad.  It was obvious I had cancelled on him from the day before, but I did really want to see him on Sunday.  Afterall, it had been at least a few weeks since our big excursion to LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art), where we poetically postured about Picassos and such.

It was Sunday afternoon and we made plans to meet up at a YogurtLand halfway in between where we both live.  It was also the day of the Emmys, so LA was buzzing.  I was a few minutes early, so I waited in my car.  Some actor teenager kid being driven in a black Escalade rolled up next to my parked car at a stoplight and started talking to me while I was scrolling on my phone.  My window was down.  He was trying to be funny and asked if I was tweeting to him and “Liking” all his pics.  I had no idea who he was.  Random. So LA.

My date arrives.  He looks good! He’s a fashion designer so style is a part of who he is.  He wore a trendy, black collared shirt, designer jeans, cool sunglasses and dark red Mexican cowboy boots.   He gives me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek before we head inside.

We catch up about what’s happened in our lives over the last few weeks.  It’s good to see him.  He’s also a substitute Math teacher who gets placed a lot in the “hood” and I love hearing his stories about putting the bad kids in check.  A teacher with a bad boy side? Yes, please.  Best of both worlds!

I didn’t feel like seeing a movie, so instead he invited me to come check out his office.  Kinda nice idea.  And very random.  But I dig spontaneity, so I went with it.  It was about 15 mins away, so we finished our yogurt, jumped in my car and headed that way.

It was a Sunday, so there was no one really around.  Other businesses next to his were closed.

Inside his office, he showed me a bunch of his paintings.  Acrylics on canvas.  Very cool stuff!

I could tell he was trying to impress me (in the most humble way), and he kept making sure I was comfortable, asking if I needed anything to drink, etc.  I could tell he was nervous, but still calmly confident.  After all, he’s in his 40s.  This is not his first rodeo.

By the way, during the whole date he’s giving me non-stop crap.  He’s flirtaciously telling me about my “game” and how I’ve really got this city exactly how I want it when it comes to dating.

This cracks me up because I never see myself as this “player” type that he’s trying to label me as.  Although, by this point, he’s very aware that I’m not a typical woman dating in LA. I’m confident, outgoing and flirtacious.  I’m not perfect, but I’m established, connected, ambitious and I know what I want.  We have spent some great time together on a few dates, but I’m not blowing up his phone or looking interested/desperate/thirsty.  He’s intrigued about me more than anyone has been in a long time, and he knows that I’m talking to and seeing other guys.

I think this drives him crazy.  He mentioned early on how I’m a “lockdown type of woman” – someone who could find themselves in a relationship easily.  With the guy I choose, obviously.

He’s also been “stalking” me on Facebook.  Even though we’re not Facebook friends and he can’t see everything I post, he DID see me upload a new profile picture from a red carpet event I went to in Hollywood last week.  He apparently loved my dress. 🙂

He says to me, “Your game is so tight, we need a referee in here.” “You know exactly what you’re doing….”

I just smile and laugh and act innocent. 🙂

So after he puts away his artwork, he grabs a guitar.  A guitar! We’re both sitting on the couch in his office and he proceeds to serenade me with songs he’s written.

Ok, now is the part where I have a Perma-grin on my face.  Any man who has any sort of musical capability has my guaranteed attention.   Turns out he can’t sing worth a hoot, but his strumming is pretty good and definitely making me smile.

We end up ordering pizza and watching a documentary about this wirewalker guy who attempted to walk a tightrope over the World Trade Center buildings.

Before we knew it, it was getting late and I had to get home.  I drove him back to his car, we smooched and then parted ways.

It was a great date overall, and I appreciate how open and honest he is about things.  I’m still learning who he is (and vice versa) and not sure if there’s real long-term potential there, but we’ll see. 😉