Wild Card!

I can't choose.

I'm fairly certain I know both so-called 'anonymous' posters of the dares this week. Since choosing one over the other would make me feel mean (which is something I've given up for Lent), I'm changing up the rules! It's Wild Card week!

I'm trying them both.

Oh, and Anonymous #2, right back at ya with that dare. Come on. The readers (and the rest of our friends) would love the story!

Until Monday...

The Results Show for Dare #2

First, my apologies for the delay. It seems I need a whole weekend full of liquid courage to complete these dares.

Now, for a blow by blow of the winks:

First (nerve-wracking) wink: Stoplight. Me, left turn lane. Him, next to me in the straight lane. Me, neck swiveling, swiveling, swiveling, trying to catch his eye. Finally, green arrow. Look again. Eye contact. Aaaand, wink. Then, go, go, go! Whew. I made it. He's gone.

The next two winks were not as stressful. They were virtual. That's right, match winks. Cop out, I know, but easy. And one led to an email.

The last winks were live. In a bar, where I couldn't run away. I tried to look for what a friend deemed a certain 'winkability': A man without a ring, scanning the room, and a certain air of confidence about him. A man open to the possibility of the wink. I found four. One was the performer of the live music (cop out again). The other three were guys whose eyes I was able to catch across the room. Wink. Wink. Two of them looked away immediately. Wink. The third one seemed a little confused, then looked away. One of my girlfriends had better luck. A close range wink brought two guys right over with stars in their eyes.

Seems my friend is a much better judge of winkability. It certainly couldn't have anything to do with the winker. ;)

Blogosphere: 1 Dauntless: 1 Dates: 0

Next dare, anyone? I'll choose by Tuesday night.

Dare #2 With a Wink and a Smile

Well, well. Winking could prevent me from being seen as 'girlfriend material'? I am intrigued!

I'll be winking away all week. If you decide to play along, tell me how it goes.

Until Saturday...unless of course this winking gets me charged with solicitation!

The Results Show for Dare #1

The long of the short: Mission Not Accomplished.

Either the coffee shops in my town are super efficient, or no one is buying coffee in this economy. Not once in my six trips to four different coffee shops (and one bar thrown in for good measure) did I have a patron in line behind me. So I improvised.

At coffee house number one, I went in the evening. Paperwork in hand (to look busy while casing the place), I grabbed a table with a good view. And counted. Twenty-six women and five men. Two of the men were with women, one had a ring, and one was the most flamboyant member of a 'stitch and bitch' club. Guy number five left before a witty pick up line came to me.

At coffee house number two, I tried an early morning approach. The bell on the door announced my arrival, Washington Post under arm, head full of good thoughts. I sat and pretended to read (the front page to look smart). But alas, only they gray haired sort are relaxing in a coffee shop before 7:30am.

Coffee house visits three and five were quick early morning trips so as not to be late for work - boss wouldn't appreciate the explanation of my social experiment.

Coffee house visit number four was in the late afternoon. Three patrons, one dog, and me. The two barristas were cute though. And I did tell one of them the decaf was delicious, so you know, I definitely tried my hardest.

By the end of the week, needing a stiffer drink than a latte, I stopped at a local bar. Pulled out the paperwork again and looked around. Nada. Until an older gentleman - think salt and pepper, not cane - sat down beside me. We had a lovely conversation but he left after one drink. Struck out with an old guy. Update: I take it back. Just checked my work email and he emailed me (He could find it easily - we're in the same county-wide system) Hmmm. Weird or flattering? I'm not sure.

And today (I know, I took an extra day to hopefully have a better story for you), it was more of the same. I took a wingman, but it was no use. Too many couples. Must have something to do with the date.

Blogosphere: 1 Dauntless Dater: 0

There should be a penalty. If you think of one, let me know. In the meantime, I'll take suggestions for a hopefully more successful Dare #2. I'll choose in 48 hrs., Monday evening.

Dare #1

Well, I love all of your ideas and I thank you for going easy on me on the first dare. I plan on using all of them, but I think only one is possible this week.

The dog park is out for now - my dog is horribly aggressive (although you'd never know it by the excessive snoring that is coming from her chair right now), so it'll take her some serious time to warm up to the park. Time I plan on putting in, but not time I have this week. I'll let you know when it happens. The subway pick up is a great idea too, but I won't be riding the metro till my five days are up. Again, I'll let you know when I strike up conversation with Mr. Ipod.

That leaves latte love. I'm thinking it'll take several trips to find a cutie in line behind me. What if the one I want to hit on is sitting down with his coffee already? Can I walk up and silently hand him a pastry, or is that way too creepy? Guess I'll figure it out in the moment. I'm sure that will make for a good story.

Better run. Got to pack my lunch so I can make it to Starbucks bright and early. By the way, if you're out there reading, being all fabulously single and whatnot, why don't you play along? We can compare notes. I'll be back Friday (if not before) to let you know how it goes.

Social Experiment #1

Ok, so five of you are in. That works for me. But, any of you out there who didn't comment are more than welcome to play along at any time. Here goes nothing.

So I've been inside my own little box living life for quite some time now. Fun, sure. Exciting, no. The desire to try something new has hit me, but the kick in the ass to do so has not. That's where I need your help. Over the next month or so I'll be asking you to play a little virtual truth or dare with me, starting with the dare. I'll be looking for suggestions of ways to leave my comfort zone - more specifically (in keeping with the blog's theme) - ways to meet guys.

Without further ado, the rules: As readers, you will have 48 hours in which to leave your dare as a comment. At the end of the 48 hour period, I will choose one idea to act upon and let you know which dare I'll be performing. Then, I will have five days left in the week in which to act. Next comes the truth. On the fifth day, I will blog my successes and failures with the dare, and the whole thing will start again.

Just as a caveat, I am somewhat of a prude. I will not be choosing any dares in which I take my clothes off or perform sexual favors to get a guy's number. Think tamer than that.

And so the clock ticks. Until Sunday...

Social Experiment Anyone?

You may have noticed I haven't posted much lately - sort of been comfortable living in my own little box and not getting out in the dating world. But, as we have just entered the month of L-O-V-E, it's time for that to change. And I was hoping a little audience participation might make that happen.

I'm not going to get into the details of my little social experiment, but I will tell you that it won't survive without you (my puppeteers). Let me know through your comments if you're still out there - despite my severe lack of good dating stories - and are willing to help a sista out.

If you're all on board, I'll post my plan on Friday, Feb. 6.